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 45
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
The maiden name of Mr. Stewart's present amia- ble wife was Susan E. Kimsey,and they were wedded in this township in 1876. She is a native of this county, born in Logan Township, and is a danghter of William Kimsey, a farmer and one of the earliest settlers of the county.
Mr. Stewart is a man of honor and principle. In ante bellum days he was a rank abolitionist, and is now as strong a Republican, and has served his party well as delegate to county conventions. He has been on the Grand and Petit juries.
R UFUS A. DUMARS, M. D. A high rank among the professional men of Peoria be- longs to the gentleman above named, who is well skilled in therapeutical science, pos- sesses the abiding interest in his profession, and the scholarly habits which lead him to continual advancement as investigation opens up a wider field from year to year. His personal character is an honorable and upright one, while his manners are
those of the courteous and well-bred gentleman. It is needless to say that he has many friends and a reputation second to none in this vicinity.
The parents of our subjeet are George W. and Eliza (Raueh) DuMars, who were of French and Ger- man descent respectively. The father was born in Harrisburg, Pa., where he grew to maturity and engaged in teaching. He afterward turned his at- tention to mercantile pursuits, and still later to farming. In 1854-55 he removed to Peoria County, Ill., settling on a farm. lIe is now, at the age of eighty-six years, making his home with his oldest son.
The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, and whose portrait is shown elsewhere, opened his eyes to the light December 6, 1849, in Dauphin County, Pa. His early years were spent upon a farm, his time being occupied with attendanee at the dis- triet schools and various home duties. On at- taining his eighteenth year he entered the Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Ill., where he prose- cuted his studies four years. His taste leading him to the profession of medicine, he entered the office of J. C. Frye, of Peoria, under whose instruction he obtained a considerable knowledge of medical seience. The first course of lectures was taken by Mr. DuMars in the University of Pennsylvania, and his second in the Louisville Medical College, of Kentucky. From the latter institution he re- eeived a diploma in 1876, after which he took a third course of lectures in the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated in 1877. Returning to Peoria, Dr. DuMars engaged in prae- tice with his former preceptor, the connection con- tinuing until the death of Dr. Frye. Our subject then continued the practice alone, retaining the former patronage of the office, and enlarging his field as his own reputation became more thor- oughly established and the population of the city increased.
Dr. DuMars holds membership in the Peoria City Medieal Society and in the National Assoei- ation of Railroad Surgeons. He is interested in the social and benevolent orders, has identified him- self with the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, in the latter being enrolled in Peoria Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M. Ile belongs to the Pres-
412
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
byterian Church, in which his standing is most ex- eellent.
The accomplished wife of Dr. DuMars is a na- tive of this city, where she made many friends as Miss Nellie Frye. She is a daughter of the late Dr. Joseplı C. and Eliza (Sterling) Frye, under whose care she developed an estimable character. Her marriage to our subject took place June 17, 1879, and has been blest by the birth of three chil- dren, named respectively: Eliza Sterling, Elliot Cullender and Frabion Rhees.
AMES KERSHAW has been for many years varionsly identified with the leading inter- ests of this part of Illinois, and to-day stands among the men of wealth and influ- ence in this county. He is one of the largest land- owners in Elmwood Township, where he is ably managing his extensive farming and stock-grow- ing business so as to make money to the best ad- vantage.
Mr. Kershaw was born at Dulesgate, Lancashire, England. He grew to be a sturdy, self-reliant, intelligent lad, and at the early age of twelve years left home to carry out his ambitious desire to follow the sea, and he first shipped as a cabin boy and visited many of the countries of the world. Ile sailed in the famous "Great Eastern" on the first trip she ever made and had quite an experience as a sailor. In 1850 our subject emi- grated to this country, and on June 4th, of that year, first set foot in Peoria. Ile immediately sought work and for two months was engaged as a farm laborer. At the expiration of that time the enterprising young man leased a coal mine at Kickapoo Station, and was actively engaged in its operation the ensuing two years. After that he rented a farm on the plank road, near Peoria, and while still carrying on his coal mining enterprise, renting a mine of Mr. Sids and employing a force of thirty to forty men, he gave much attention to agricultural pursuits.
Before his marriage Mr. Kershaw went from
Peoria to Coal Valley, Shetfield, Galena. and also visited the copper regions Ton Lake Superior. In the latter place he found the price of board to be $12 per week and wages $5 per day. He decided that the expense of living there would more than counterbalance what he would earn in the mines and would not stay there, returning to Peoria. From Kewanee he went to Macomb and it was his good fortune to arrive there the same night of the famous debate between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, and he had the pleasure of list- ening to those great orators. He subsequently re- turned to Prairie City, investigated the mines there and with his keen eye seeing they were val- uable, bought some mining land on credit and em- ployed forty men to work. He did so well in this venture, financially, that he was enabled to pay for the whole seventy acres in one year and cleared $100 a week by his operations. He remained in that locality four years and then rented his mine for $519 a year and moved into Prairie City, where he bought a lot and building in the promi- nent business part of the place, and managed an hotel, livery, restaurant, saloon, billiard room, etc., for fifteen years.
Our subject had an honorable war record. When the Rebellion first broke out he was active in buying horses and selling to the Government. In 1864 he enlisted in defense of his adopted country. enrolling his name with the members of the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Regiment. He was employed as a teamster at headquarters and ranked as Corporal. The teamsters were very valuable aids in carrying on the war, and often passing through a rough country, through swamps and in crossing rivers and mountains were called upon to endure many hardships. Mr. Kershaw was in the following battles: Springside, Ga., Re- saca, Dyersville, Atlanta and Macon, and from the latter place went to Columbus, whence he pro- ceeded to Girard, Ala., and from there to Vicks- burg, and did faithful service in the Union canse during the long and trying siege before that city was captured. Ile was mustered out of the ser- vice at Columbus, Ga., in 1866, and was discharged at Springfield.
After his experience in army life Mr. Kershaw
413
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
returned to the old home in Prairie City. The privations and suffering which he had endured in his labors in the South brought on an acute attack of bone rheumatism, and he returned to his na- tive England for treatment in 1867. He remained in the land of his birth four months until he was recovered sufficiently to walk without crutches, and then came back to the home which he had es- tablished in this country. He subsequently re- moved his family to Fulton County, where he owned two hundred and twenty-one acres of land in Young Hickory Township. He remained there for a year and then went back to his hotel and acted in the capacity of "mine host" till 1874, when he traded his Prairie City property for three hundred and sixty acres of excellent farming land joining his present farm residence. He has pros- pered more than ordinarily falls to the lot of the average farmer and has acquired wealth and a val- uable property. He now owns six hundred and seventy-five acres of land. It has all been finely improved and from its rich harvest fields he gains large crops. It is amply supplied with commo- dious and well-made buildings, including five resi- dences besides the one he occupies.
The maiden name of his wife, to whose diligent and active co-operation as a thrifty and capable housewife he is greatly indebted, was Mary Ann Jones. They began their wedded life in Brimfield in 1857, on a farm and remained there until fall and then returned to Kickapoo Township and he subsequently operated a mine there six months. Ile afterward bought eighty acres of land on Jones' Prairie, two and one-half miles southeast of Edwards' Station and in a short time sold it at a good profit. Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw then made their home in Midway, Fulton County, where he was engaged in mining on Mr. Chauncey Awl's place for nine months. He sold out his interest in that mine, making money by the sale, and then opened another mine in which he was engaged for six months. We next hear of him in Troy, where he was employed as the overseer of a mine, re- ceiving a salary of $2 per day. Eight months later he removed with his family to Maquon, and was Superintendent of a mine there for some time, thence to Watoyan and took up his residence there,
but the men were on a strike aud he could not en- gage in mining then and since that time has occu- pied himself as before mentioned.
Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw have two sons and one daughter, viz .: David R., who is married and lives in Elmwood Township; Alfred E., who is married and lives on his father's farm; and Margaret Ann. wife of Edward Spangler, of Rosefield Township.
In whatever pursuit he has been engaged, Mr. Kershaw has brought a resolute will, energy untir- ing, a self-resourceful mind and no less ambition to bear on his work, and by the exercise of these traits, seconded by rare judgment and marked talent for business and clear foresight, has acquired a handsome property and while doing so has aided in placing his township and county in the high position which they occupy to-day. Mr. Kershaw has opinions of his own on all subjects with which he is conversant, and especially has decided views with regard to politics, the principles of the Re- publican party meeting with his hearty approba- tion. He has been connected with the civic affairs of the township for many years as Road Master, and in that capacity has performed good service in the interest of the traveling public.
12 L. MILLER. Probably no business enter- prise ever inaugurated in Peoria has had a more auspicious beginning than that of Kirkwood, Miller & Co., wholesale and re- tail dealers in vehicles of various descriptions and in a few kind of implements. The firm was or- ganized March 15, 1890, and opened its doors for business about the 1st of April. In the sixty days which have elapsed they have already disposed of twenty-nine car loads of buggies. They occupy a building 50x100 feet in dimension, with three stories and a basement, the two upper floors being used as a repository. They handle buggies, car- riages, carts and everything in the vehicle line, to- gether with harness, windmills, hay rakes and tedders combined, and tank pumps. Their goods are manufactured on contract in Minneapolis, Rock- ford, Columbus and Cincinnati. The firm consists
414
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
of Hugh Kirkwood, of Minneapolis, and our sub- ject, each being the general manager of a branch house in his respective place of abode.
Mr. Miller was born in Maysville, Ky., April 10, 185I, and when about two years old accom- panied his parents, Robert and Abarilla (Barnes) Miller, to Indiana. About two years later they re- moved to Iowa, where the lad grew to maturity and received his education. lIe has been well schooled in the most practical branches of knowl- elge, and possesses much intelligence and mental culture. He left the parental roof in 1870 to go on the road for a St. Louis house which handled the line of goods in which he is yet dealing.
For twenty years Mr. Miller acted as a travel- ing salesman, and he is still General Agent for the United States for the Winchester & Partridge Man- ufacturing Company, of Whitewater, Wis.,a position which he has held many years. He has resided in Peorias since 1886, on February 23, of which year he was married to Miss Effie Smith, of Oquawka- This lady is a charming companion and since the dawn of her womanhood has been a general favor- ite in the society in which they moved. She has borne her husband one daughter, Effie F. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Plymouth Con- gregational Church, of this city.
W ILLARD H. BENNETT is a compara- tively recent but valuable addition to the farming community of this county, and since settling in Hallock Township has given his time very profitably to agricultural pursuits, rais- ing grain and also doing a good business in grow- ing stock. He has his farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres on section 30, and twenty acres in another part of the township, under substantial improvement, with ample build- ings and model machinery, and its well-tilled acres are capable of yielding large returns for his labors, besides supporting a goodly amount of cattle and other stock.
Mr. Bennett was born in Stephen Township, Rensselaer County, N. Y., August 4, 1820. (For a full history of his parents sec sketch of A. J. Ben- nett). Ile lived until twelve years old in his na- tive county, and he then accompanied his parents to Lewis County, in the same State, and there his mother died when he was twenty years old, and his father afterward returned to Rensselaer County. Our subject did not go back with his father, but went to Clarkson, in Monroe County, and there worked as a day laborer. He subsequently went to South Carolina, where he was in the employ of the Georgia Lumber Company, serving as boss teamster until the job on which they were at work was completed. Two years later he returned to New York State, and located in his native county, where he lived until he came to this State, his settlement here dating back twelve years. Since coming here he has worked hard and has made his labors count, as will be seen by the fine condi- tion of his neat and well-managed farm.
Our subject has been twice married. His wed ding with Miss Eliza Hyers took place in his na- tive town and county, which was also her birthplace. and after their marriage they lived in the house in which she was born. There she died two years later, thus closing a brief but happy wedded life. She was young to die as she was not twenty-two years of age.
Our subject was married a second time in his native county, taking as his wife Miss Anna Wil- kinson. She was born in Ghent, Columbia County, N. Y., and is the daughter of people who were life-long residents of that State. She is the mother of four children, of whom one, an infant, is de- ceased. The others-Willard E., Robert A. and Lillian F .- are all at home with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are well thought of by the people with whom they have come to make their home, as in all their relations with each other, with their family, their neighbors, and other fellow- citizens, they display those qualities of lead and heart that mark the true honesty and goodness of character that commands trust and esteem wherever found. In their religious views they are inclined to the Presbyterian faith. In his political belief Mr. Bennett is a Democrat.
1
V
!
!
1
ety
Coopt.J. J. ME tell
1
حي سعـ
417
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
AMES T. McNEILL. On the opposite page appears a portrait of this gentleman, who is at present a member of the Revenne foree in Peoria. Ile was one of the bravest and most daring officers who commanded the Illinois regiments during the Civil War, and his distin- guished military record honored the citizenship of this, his native State. He was born in Fulton County, Ill., January 29, 1839, his parents being David and Mary (Cole) MeNeill, natives of New York. His father was one of the pioneers of Ful- ton County, of 1828, being one of the very early settlers in that part of Illinois.
Our subjeet was reared in the pioneer home of his parents, and at the youthful age of fourteen years, started out in the world and made his way to Kansas in 1855. He was there during the To- peka and Lecompton troubles, and in 1856, went to Iowa. In the spring of 1861, he was among the first to volunteer in the defense of his country's honor, enlisting as private for a term of three months in Col. D. S. Moore's regiment, promoted to be a captain, and first faced the enemy in the battle of Athens, Mo. When his term of enlistment expired he came to Illinois, and from his old home in Fulton County, enlisted August 22, 1862, in Company H. Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, as pri- vate, under command of Robert S. Moore. He and his comrades went to Kentucky and arrived in sea- son to do good service in the battle of Perryville. From there they went to meet the enemy at Nasli- ville, Tenn., and subsequently engaged in the bat- tle of Stone River.
The fidelity of our subject, his striet attention to his duties, and the able manner in which he dis- charged them, soon won the attention of his superi- ors, and he was promoted to be First Lientenant, December 13, 1862. May 29, 1863, his gallant con- duct won him deserved promotion to the office of captain of his company. After that the brave young officer was detailed military conductor by order of Gen. Rosecrans, and served in that eapa- city nntil, by his special request, he was released by Gen. Gordon Granger. He rejoined his company and did noble service at the battle of Chickamauga.
About that time Gen. Thomas asked Gen. Daniel MeCook, if be had a man whom he could trust to
go across the Tennessee River to examine the con- dition of the roads and grounds, to throw pontoon bridges across, to penetrate the enemy's lines in order to examine the grounds, and make a report as to the condition and numbers of the rebel forces. Gen. MeCook promptly recommended our subject as possessing the requisite nerve, coolness and skill to carry out his orders, and accordingly he was sent on the mission. lle thoroughly examined the grounds and the bluffs with reference to the faelli- ties for moving artillery, visited the bridges on Chickamauga Creek to see how they were guarded, next ascertained the number of corps, and the names of the commanders of the fighting forces of the enemy, and then carefully retraced his steps and went over the whole ground to get more accu- rate information, and had it all on paper, maps of the country, ete. After that he was captured by the rebels, and taken to Gen. Hardee, afterward to Gen. Bragg, and sent to Atlanta, whenee he was dispatched to Libby Prison. From that prison he was taken to Castle Thunder, and while there was engaged in making the tunnel by which he expected to make his escape, but the scheme was detected, and he was locked up in a basement, sent again to Libby Prison, but having previously traded uni- forms with a rebel, walked out while the officers were having a ball. He followed two men and erept past two piekets, and finally arrived at Tappin Bay. He was lost thirteen days and nights in Tap- pin Bay swamps, staying all night at tide house with one major, one captain, three privates of ar- tillery, en route for home on a five days' furlough, their commands being stationed at Charleston. During his long wanderings the fugitive subsisted on persimmons; finally after many adventures and hardships he arrived at the Potomac River, crossed it, and the next day found himself safely within the Union lines at Yorktown.
Gen. Butler ordered Mr. MeNeill to report at Washington to Gen. Stanton, who ordered him to join his regiment, giving him the privilege of de- laying thirty days on the way. He rejoined his command at MeCaffee Church, Ga., and from there went to Buzzard's Roost on a reconnoitering expo- dition which lasted two days. He then went with the brigade to Lee and Gordon's Mills, and from
418
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
there accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea, bearing a brave part in the many skirmishes and engagements with the enemy during that mein- orable campaign. Ile was in command of the line that captured Rome, and was the only officer, ex- cept Col. C. J. Dillworth, that swam the Chatta- hoochie River. He did noble and efficient service at Atlanta, and after that was disabled by disease of the leg, and sent to the hospital on Lookont Mountain, Tenn. From there he reported to Col. Stanley, and was put in charge of the Old Church prison in Chattanooga. lIe was finally mustered out by special field order No. 17, of Commander Gen. Thomas, and resigned his commission. Ile came home only to assist in getting together another company of men, and recruited Company I, which was consolidated in the Third Illinois Cavalry; on the 18th of March, 1865, he again enlisted at Joliet, and entered the ranks as a private.
He reported at Eastport, Miss., and was placed in command on special service as a Brevet Captain, being honorably discharged at Benton Barraeks, Mo., May 2, 1865. The Captain inherited his fine military tactics from his father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and the family was well repre- sented in the Civil War. His brother, Joseph, was a member of Company Il, Third Illinois Cavalry, and gave up his life for his country while in the service. His brother Daniel was a soldier in Com- pany I, First California Cavalry, and his brother William was First Lieutenant in Company H, First Washington Territory Cavalry. His brother John was first a member of Company H. Tenth Missouri Infantry, and then served one year in the Third Illinois Cavalry. Capt. McNeill crossed the Plains to Santa Fe and Albuquerque in 1857 with the reg- ular army under Capt. Vanbuckland and Lieut. Whistler, and was assistant wagon master.
Capt. McNeill came back to Illinois after the close of his military career, and then spent two years in Missouri. Returning to this State, he was in Fulton County until appointed by the Government to the position of store-keeper in the Revenue ser- vice in Peoria. His splendid war services are held in remembrance by his connection with McCullis Post, No. 353, G. A. R. He is prominent among
the Knights of Labor, and has served one term as Master Workman of Lodge No. 156.
Our subject was married in 1856, to Margaret A. Ruble, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., and a relative of the famous captain, Parson Brownlow. Thirteen children have been born of this marriage, of whom nine are still living.
ILLIAM S. WHITTAKER, who is prosper- ously engaged in the general farming and dairy business in Chillicothe, in company with Mr. Shepard, under the firm name of Shepard & Whittaker, is classed among the active, intelli- gent and wide-awake native young men of Illinois, who in recent years have stepped to the front to aid in supporting and extending its varied inter- ests.
Our subject was born in Wesley City, Grove- land Township, Tazewell County, September 19, 1858. His father, James Whittaker, was a pioneer of that region, and the discovery of a valuable coal mine on the Rusche farm, which proved to be not only the best in that county, but also in the State, made him comparatively wealthy. He was a na- tive of Lancashire, England, a descendant of pure English ancestry, and when twenty-three years of age, he emigrated from there to this country. Land- ing in New York City, he made his way to Mc- Keesport. Pa., and a few years later came to Illi- nois, and for a time was located at Kingston. Ile subsequently settled in Wesley City, and not long afterward the most important event of his life oc- curred in the discovery of the coal mine before mentioned. He had had much experience in mines, and his intelligent observation told him that coal must underlie the soil of Tazewell County, and though others tried to discourage him, he went to work under difficulties to prove the truth of his prognostications, and by dint of persistent and hard labor he succeeded in his search. It was a proud day for him when the first coal was lifted in 1852, which was almost the first, if not the first mined in the county, and the same mine is still in operation.
119
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
Mr. Whittaker lived to see the mines in this part of the State well developed, and mining one of the principal industries. Although he died at the carly age of thirty-seven years, his death occurring Au- gust 15, 1864, while yet in his prime, he had achieved marked success in his busy and honorable life career, and his community lost one of its most valuable citizens. lle had risen from poverty to affluence through his own exertions, and was a fine specimen of a self-made man. He had married af- ter coming to this country, in Pekin, Ill., taking as his wife, Mrs. Ann Whittaker nee Smith. She was born in Lancastershire, England, January 30, 1823, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth ( Lowe) Smith, natives of the same shire as herself, and life-long residents of that part of England. Her father was a miner by occupation. lle died at the age of forty-eight, and his wife at the age of fifty-seven. Ile was a very strong man, and was celebrated for his feats of strength, but his very strength proved his destruction, as he died from the effects of burst- ing a blood vessel while lifting a heavy weight. Mrs. Whittaker was first married in the old coun- try to John Whittaker, who came to America in 1818, and died in 1849, before his wife bad ar- rived. Mrs. Whittaker was thus left a widow with two small children, both of whom are now dead. She came to this country in June, 1849, soon after her husband's death,and settled in Tazewell County, and was there married to James Whittaker, who was a cousin of her first husband. By that mar- riage she became the mother of three children, two of whom are dead, namely : Sarah A., who died when young; and an infant.
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.