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 48
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
James Will, at Peabody, breathing her last when eighty-two years old. Their children are: Delilah E., wife of James Will, a Kansas farmer; Mrs. Stowell, of this notice, and Lorin Grant, a well- known attorney of Chicago, where his death oc- curred seven ycars sinee.
Mrs. Stowell was carefully reared and well edo- cated, is capable of much good, and active in the sphere of life to which she has been called. She has been a member of the Episcopal Church for many years, and the husband of whose companion- ship she has been bereaved was also identified with that religious body. He held the office of First . Warden some years.
D. EDWARDS. A prominent business man at Monica, manager of L. L. Camp- bell's store, and engaged in buying and selling stock as a personal enterprise, Mr. Edwards also finds time to discharge the duties of Supervisor of Princeville Township. He is a thor- ough business man, manifesting unbounded energy in whatever he undertakes, and a rare degree of sonnd judgment. Ile is one of the youngest mem- bers of the County Board, in which he is serving his second term.
Mr. Edwards is proud of his descent from a na- tionality which has furnished many brilliant intel- lects to the fields of law, literature and drama. His grandfather Edwards was born near Dublin, and his father, Thomas L. Edwards, opened his eyes to the light near Belfast, in 1810. When but four- teen years old the latter came alone to America, making his home for some time in Massachusetts. lle learned the trade of block printing at Fall River, also worked at Taunton, and later became a journeyman in New York. In 1827, when the cholera raged there, he did noble work as a nurse. In 1845 he came West by the canal and lakes, set- tling in Peoria County, buying a partially improved farm in Akron Township. He turned his attention to agriculture, thoroughly improved his estate, and operated it until the spring of 1860, when he breathed his last. In former years he had been an
Episcopalian, but at the time of his death was iden- tified with the Presbyterian Church. Ilis political adherence was given to the Republican party.
The mother of our subject was Sarah .I. (Dal- rymple) Edwards, who was born in the North of Ireland in 1816, and accompanied her parents to America in early childhood. Iler father, Samuel Dalrymple, a miller, had lost his mill and began his labors anew in the Maine forests near Passama- quoddy Bay. He subsequently removed to Massa- chusetts, and in 1840 to Radnor Township, Peoria County, Ill., where he engaged in farming. Ilis son, James Dalrymple, had come hither as early as 1827. Mr. Dalrymple finally removed to La Salle County, where his last days were spent.
At the death of her husband, the mother of our subject was left with a family of small children, whom she reared, removing to Princeville, where she is still living. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She has five living chil- dren, and has lost two. James died in the East, and Samuel in Princeville, in 1848. Jemima D., Marguerite, and Ellen are living in Princeville; Sophia is the wife of L. L. Campbell, of Peoria; the youngest child is the subject of this notice.
The gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch, was born in Akron Township, this county, August 22, 1854, and spent the first six years of his life on the farm. His mother then re- moved to Princeville, where he attended the com- mon schools, and later the Princeville Academy, in which he completed his studies. Being the only son living, he transacted business for his mother from the time he was old enough, and carried on the home farm at intervals from his seventeenth year until it was sold. In 1879 he entered the em- ploy of F. B. Blanchard, dealer in general mer- chandise in Princeville, for whom he worked three years. lle then became Postmaster, holding the position from 1882 until 1885, and during his in- cumbency of the office, also carrying on a confec- tionery and fancy goods store.
Upon leaving the post-office, Mr. Edwards re- entered the employ of F. B. Blanchard as book- keeper, retaining the position until September, 1889, and also buying stock for him. He next be- came manager of the dry-goods store of his brother-
ยท
434
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
in-law, L. L. Campbell, who had put in a stock of goods at Monica, but retained his residence in Peo- ria. Removing to the new town, Mr. Edwards as- sumed control of the business, and began buying and shipping stock to Chicago, his sales averaging forty car-loads per year. Honest, upright, and straightforward, he is Jiked by everyone whose ac- quaintance he makes, even his political opponents speaking well of him. He is a thorough-going Re- publican, has aided his party as delegate to county conventions, and at all times exerts his personal in- fluence in its behalf.
Mr. Edwards remained an inmate of his mother's household until thirty years old, when he took a companion in life and set up his own home. His marriage was celebrated at the bride's home in Princeville, November 19, 1884, his companion on the interesting occasion being Miss Julia Etta Blanchard. She is a daughter of F. B. Blanchard and his good wife, whose history occupies another page in this ALBUM. She was born in Princeville, January 2, 1863, received lier preliminary educa- tion there, and was graduated from the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., in the Class of '83. She became a teacher, winning laurels in the profession for which her tact and intelligence well fitted her. She possesses a noble Christian character, and is numbered among the members of the Presbyterian Church. To herself and husband, three children have come, named respectively : Forrest G., Thomas and Lois Faye.
OHN M. ALLEN, General Agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and thie Rock Island & Peoria Railroad, at Peoria. was born in Putnam County, this State, on a farm, October 14, 1858, a son of William II. and Ella (Waugh) Allen. When he was quite young his parents removed to Peoria, later they removed to Belleville, Ill., where at the age of twelve years he first became connected with railroading in the capacity of office boy, in the employ of the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad. Three years later he returned to this city, obtaining a position in the freight office
of the' railroad first mentioned, and from time to time was promoted to various positions in a cleri- cal capacity until he was appointed General Agent in 1884, a position for which he is eminently fitted. This is a responsible place, he having quite a large force of men under him.
Mr. Allen has seeured by his marriage with Miss Jennie A. Loosley, a wife who understands the art of making a comfortable and cozy home. Mrs. Allen is a native of this city and a daugh- ter of Henry Loosley, who was a resident of Beards- town, prior to his coming to this city.
Our subject is identified with the Knights of Phythias. He and his wife are attendants of the Congregational Church.
ANIEL E. DOUGHERTY, dealer in wines and liquors, having a well appointed estab- lishment on the corner of Second and Pine Streets, is a live and wide-awake business man. lle is from LaSalle County, the city of Peru being his birthplace, and November 11, 1857, the date of his birth. He is the son of John Dougherty, who was born in County Longford, Ireland, of Irish parent- age, and there grew to maturity. When a young man he left his native isle to seek his fortunes in this land of promise, coming to the United States in 1848, and landing in New York City. He was located at Boston Four Corners for a while, and while there was married to Miss Margaret Kelly, a native of Clare, Ireland, who had come to America in 1849, and lived in New York City until her marriage. After the birth of their first child, Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty came to Peoria, and later he became connected with the Rock Island Railroad Company, and for thirty years was one of its most faithful employes. and during that time a part of the track was first laid. He is yet living at a ven- erable age, making his home in Chillicothe, and has retired from active labor. Though having passed the milestone that marks a life of three-score years and ten, he is yet quite active. His wife is also living and is about three-score years of age.
Delva Sounda/
437
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
They are both consistent members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Dougherty is a Democrat of the deepest dye.
The gentleman of whom we write is the third child in a family of four sons and four daughters, six of whom are yet living, as follows: Daniel E .; Charles, a elerk for J. S. Russell, a lumberman ; Sa . rah, wife of J. R. Ingersoll, now residing in Chil- ficothe and a saloonist by occupation; Mary A. resides in San Diego, Cal .; James M. who is con- nected with Daniel in the wine and liquor trade. and John at home.
Our subjeet came to Chillicothe in 1863 and has sinee made his home here, receiving his education in the public schools. He subsequently entered the employ of the railroad company of the Rock Island road, and learned the trade of a mechanic while connected with that company. He became a bridge carpenter and traveled over different parts of the country in that capacity, and at one time was overseer of a bridge gang on the Rock Island, but at the time of the great strike severed his con- nection with the road and, coming to Chillicothe in 1885, established himself in his present business. Ile keeps a respectable and well fitted up saloon, and has it stocked with the best grades of liquor and wine, and has gradually built up quite an ex- tensive and prosperous business. Mr. Dougherty is a man of generous impulses and of steady habits and is popular with his fellow-citizens, who look upon him with respect. His public spirit is shown by his liberal support of all plans that will in any way advance the interests of Chillicothe.
LVA DUNLAP. It is probable that no name is better known to the older settlers in Peoria County and the region round about, than that with which this sketch is introduced. It was borne by a man who spent many years here, was identified with the pioneer work of development as an agricultorist, a leader in schemes for advancing the interests of the people, and whose life was such as to merit the imitation of others. Ilis residence in this county began in 1837, when
the flourishing city of l'eoria was scarcely more than a trading post and was known as Ft. Clark, while the now beautiful farm lands surrounding it were but a wild expanse, dotted here and there by the rude eabin of a frontiersman who had braved the dangers and twoils of existence here in hopes of bettering his circumstances.
Our subjeet was one of the older members of a family consisting of ten children, his birth having taken place in Montgomery County, N. Y., near Canajoharie, October 26, 1805. When he was but a boy his parents removed to Oswego County, where he spent his early life until he came to Illi- nois as a permanent place of abode. He intended to become a physician but, changing his mind, spent a few years as a merchant in Richland, then, in 1835-36 built two or three schooners, having the assistance of some cousins in this enterprise. In 1834, and again in 1836, he visited the West and, attracted by the country, determined to engage in agriculture in the new lands of the Prairie State.
In October, 1837, therefore, Mr. Dunlap took up his abode in Radnor Township, this county, being accompanied hither by his wife and five children, and also by his parents, a brother and a sister. The first purchase of real estate made by Mr. Dunlap was where the village of Dunlap now stands, that place having been laid out by him and named in his honor. In this township he continued to reside until called hence, at which time he possessed some eight hundred and fifty aeres of land here. About 1870 he gave up active life, spending the remnant of his days in the peaceful pursuits befitting his years, mental ability and tastes.
Mr. Dunlap took an active part in the affairs of the town and county, holding nearly every otlice in the gift of his townsmen, among others that of Supervisor twenty years. He was one of the found- ers of the work-house in Peoria and a Director therein until the date of his death. In his religious views he was liberal, generously dealing by all the religious societies of Dunlap. No man could be more deeply interested in educational matters than he nor exhibit in his home greater love for good reading. The library he collected was second to none in the county. Esteemed by all who knew him his advice and counsel were often sought, all who
438
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
eame being sure of a hearty reception and due con- sideration of their affairs. Mr. Dunlap was one of the promoters of the Rock Island & Peoria Rail- road. This publie-spirited eitizen, upright man and loving, considerate husband and father en- tered into rest June 2, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, seven months and seven days. His memory will survive long after his mortal remains shall have moldered into dust, exerting an influence untold and immeasurable in time.
The father of our subjeet was Smith Dunlap, who was born in New York, and married Eleanor Lane. They made their home in this county from 1837 until death, the husband passing away March 13, 1856, and the wife March 25, 1858. The father was publie spirited. taking an active part in the vari - ous affairs of the township,and all that would be a benefit to the community in which he lived. He was Justice of the Peace many years, holding that office at the time of his decease, which occurred when he was nearly seventy-three years old. In religious beliefs he was liberal. All who knew him respected and esteemed him for his upright, useful life and genial nature.
In Oswego County, N. Y., February 17, 1829, the solemn marriage rites were celebrated that made Miss Mary Knight, Mrs. Alva Dunlap. The bride was born in Windham County, Vt., September 10, 1806, and during the years of her wedded life manifested the devotion of a true wife and noble- hearted mother. Her kindly nature has found ex- pression in deeds of neighborly service, such as are especially valned in times of sorrow or in a sparsely settled region, and many are the friends she has gained by her character of real worth.
To Mrs. Dunlap and her husband eleven children were born, of whom we note the following: Bur- leigh died January 24, 1890, in this township; By- ron W. is a farmer here; Marshall N. also carries on that peaceful calling ; Frances M. is next in order of birth; Gilbert L. departed this life when eight years old; William K. is the next on the family roll; Ilortense I. is the widow of Harrison E. Wiley; Andrew J. died at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., when but nineteen years old, having been a mem- ber of Company E, Seventy-Seventh Illinois In-
fantry ; Mary E. died in infancy ; Gilbert L., (2d) Postmaster and merchant, of Dunlap; Mary E. (2d) breathed her last at the age of twenty-three years. The family residence is a fine brick house in the midst of appropriate surroundings. It was erected by Mr. Dunlap in 1869, the brieks that compose it having been burned by himself.
A lithographie portrait of Mr. Dunlap is pre- sented in connection with his personal sketch.
ILLIAM F. STREITMATTER. One of the most thrifty, progressive and liberal- minded citizens of Akron Township, is the gentleman with whose name this sketch is intro- duced. Iiis pleasant dwelling is located on seetion 10, where he owns four hundred acres of land sup- plied with a complete line of buildings and the various improvements which might be expected of a man of progressive ideas. Farming having been the life-work of Mr. Streitmatter, he is thor- oughly informed regarding the peculiar qualities of soils, the best methods of fertilizing, and the rotation of crops which will produce the best re- sults. Having prospered in life, he is able to sur- round his family with many comforts and bestow upon his children excellent advantages.
Our subject is a native of Baden, Germany, and son of respectable German parents with whom he came to America in 1848. He was then about six years old, his natal day having been March 14, 1842. The family settled in the Empire State, liv- ing there until the fall of 1851, when they turned their footsteps westward, making a new home in Akron Township, this county. Three weeks after their arrival here the mother departed this life. The father, Michael Streitmatter, survived until 1868. The family consisted of six sons and two daughters, our subjeet being the youngest member.
The womanly virtues of Miss Maria Munck, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, but from early childhood a resident on American soil, won the regard of our subject, who was successful in his wooing and seenred her companionship as his wife. Prior to that event he had lived with his father,
439
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
but the circumstances were then reversed, the fa- ther becoming an inmate of his son's household, continuing with him until his death. To our sub- ject and his good wife seven children were born, the bright group bearing the names of Rosa A., Louisa, William A., Emil, Matilda, Clara and David. The devoted mother and faithful com- panion was called from time to eternity September 21, 1888, leaving many mourning hearts in the cir- cle which she had frequented.
Mr. Streitmatter and his family are attendants of the Omish Church. He is a firm supporter of the principles of Democracy, believing that when thoroughly carried out they best promote the pub- lic welfare. He takes an earnest interest in all which seems in his judgment adapted to build up the material prosperity, moral or educational ad- vancement of the community, and the respect in which he is held is in accord with his ability and worth of character.
ILLIAM M. SANGER came to this county more than forty years ago before he had attained his majority, being then poor in purse, but rich in energy and ability to labor, and that which he has since accomplished through toil, guided by sound discretion and wise forethought, has placed him among the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Hallock Township, where he owns a fine property, having quite a large amount of land, and where he has one of the most pleasant and coziest of homes on section 7 ..
.
Mr. Sanger was born in Honeoye Falls, Monroe County, N. Y., November 22, 1828. His father, ' James Sanger, was a native of St. Johnsbury, Cale- donia County, Vt., born in 1790, he being de- rived from an old New England family. He was reared on the farm of his father, Eliezer Sanger, said farm comprising a large tract of land near St. Johnsbury. He was married in his native town, to Miss Maria Wheeler, who was born and reared in the same place, of which her parents were also natives, and of a family that were among the early settlers of Vermont. Iler ancestors originated in England,
and in an early day before the Revolution had come to New England. James Sanger and his young wife removed to Monroe County soon after their marriage, and he was there engaged in farm- ing, and there the mother of our subject died when he was a small child, he being the youngest of a family of four sons and two daughters. James Sanger married a second time, taking as his wife Eliza Newell, who was horn and reared in New York State. She bore her husband four sons, and after his death, she came to Illinois, and died in this county when quite old. The father of our subject died in his home in New York, at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. He and his good wife were worthy members of the Christian Church.
Our subject was reared by his father and step- mother, and made his home with them until, at the youthful age of fifteen years, he set out in the world to fight life's battles for himself, and he has ever since been independent. A few months be- fore he became of age, he made his way, to this State, arriving here with but little capital. He thus began his life here at a disadvantage, but notwith- standing that fact has accumulated a valuable prop- erty. Ilis farm comprises two hundred acres, has a fine set of commodious farm buildings, and is un- der first-class tillage. He purchased it in 1863, and he has besides two hundred acres of timber land in this township. After coming to this State in 1849, Mr. Sanger worked for his brother for awhile, and in 1850, began to make improvements on a farm in this township belonging to his brother E. G. In 1857 he purchased his first land in Akron Town- ship, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres. and he improved it and made his home there until he came to Hallock Township in 1863 or 1864, and located on his present farm.
Mr. Sanger was married in this township to Miss Semiramis Kemble. She was born in 1835, at Paducah, Graves County, Ky., a daughter of Col- lins and Elizabeth (Harlow) Kemble, who were also natives of that State. Some years after their mar- riage they had come to Illinois in an early day of its settlement, and were among the pioneers of this county. They located on a farm here, and after some years found themselves in the possession of a comfortable home. They finally sold that place
440
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.
and went to Texas, and there died at an advanced age. Mrs. Sanger was young when her parents came to this county, and she was reared here to womanhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanger have had five children, two of whom are dead: Frank, who died at the age of six years, and William at the age of two years. The other children are: James, with the Santa Fe Railroad Company, residing in Chillicothe, who married Addie Stillman; Carlyle, a farmer in Wyo- ming Township, who married Carrie Sims; and Ella is at home.
But few men are held in higher estimation in this community, than our subject, not only for his good citizenship, but also because of the position that he has attained among the substantial men of the county through his individual efforts. His ca- reer is an illustrious example, worthy of emula- tion, of what a man may accomplish who has the stamina to push his fortunes spite of every discour- aging circumstance. Ilis wise counsels are valued in local Democratie politics, and he has also made himself useful in the management of various town- ship offices. He is of a sincerely religious charac- ter, and he and his good wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been closely connected for over thirty years, and Mr. Sanger has been an incumbent of most of the church offices.
G EORGE W. BARRETT, deceased, was form . erly a well-known and highly respected resi- dent of Millbrook Township. He was for many years closely identified with the agricultural interests of this county, performing his due share of the hard work necessary to its development, and while so doing acquired a valuable property, in- cluding the homestead on which his widow resides on section 22.
Mr. Barrett was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, a son of one of its early pioneer families,and he was born July 28, 1835. ITis parents were Willis and Elizabeth (IIuff) Barrett, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. Amid
the pioneer scenes of Ohio be grew to manhood, and received a limited education in its carly schools, which he afterward extended by reading as he was always fond of books. In 1855, in the opening years of a strong and manly manhood, be came to this county and here he met the woman who after- ward became his wife. For some nine years after his marriage he farmed as a renter in Brimfield Township, and in 1857 he invested bis carefully saved earnings in a farm of his own, the same on which his widow now resides. In the course of a number of years he placed it under fine cultivation and improved it into one of the most desirable farms in the vicinity, its three hundred and twenty acres yielding under his judicious management an ample income.
In his death the county and township lost a citi- zen who had ever been zealous in promoting their welfare. In his domestic relations he was a kind and loving husband and wise and tender father,and to those outside of his household he was an oblig- ing neighbor, and the entire community united with his family in sorrow for their bereavement. He favored everything that could in any way push for- ward the best interests of his adopted township. Politically he was always stanch in his support of Republican principles. Hle served the township as School Director and proved to be a valuable official while acting in that capacity. He came of sterling stock and his father was a gallant soldier in the war of 1812.
Mr. Barrett was very fortunate in selecting as his life companion, Miss Lovina J. Ramsey, to whom he was united in marriage November 17, 1857. . Her parents were Robert and Cornelia (Shaw) Ramsey, natives respectively of Brooke County, Va., and Chenango County. N. Y. Her paternal ances- tors were of Scotch-Irish and her maternal progeni- tors were of Scotch-English blood. Her grand- father, Samuel Ramsey, was a Revolutionary soldier and was a prisoner at Ft. Washington, and was one of the seven who were released by the British. He emigrated to Virginia and that was the origin of that family in that State. When Mrs. Barrett was fifteen years old she came with her parents to Illi- nois, they first locating in Brimfield Township. where they resided a number of years and finally
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.