Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 53

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 53

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After taking up their abode in the Buckeye State, ,loel Ilicks and his wife lived in Jackson and

Ross Counties until 1830, when, as before men- tioned, they located in Peoria County, Ill. Mr. Ilicks became the owner of three quarter-sections of land, spending the remnant of his days on his original purchase on the lines between Medina and Hallock Townships. He was a hard-working man, a good citizen, a Democrat in politics and a Univer- salist in religion. His death occurred in 1851, when he was nearly sixty-nine years of age. The mother of our subject survived her husband some twelve years, reaching the advanced age of eighty- one years and dying at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Mary Parker, in Medina Township, in 1873. She was reared in the Presbyterian faith. She was the mother of four sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and three daughters are now living.

The parents of Mrs. Ilicks, of this notice, were Samuel and Phebe (Sanford) Reed, natives of the Empire State, who removed to Ross County, Ohio, in an early day. In 1830, they came to Illinois, settling in Buffalo Grove, Ogle County, where they began to make a home in the pioneer style. They lived to be quite old, securing the respect of their neighbors and acquaintances by their sterling characters and pioneer virtues. During the Black Hawk War they were at times in great danger of capture by the savages, which they escaped by leaving their home for a time. Mr. Reed being a cripple was not able to take an active part in the war against the red men.

G EORGE D. SLYGH is the son of a former prominent pioneer family of this county and is a native of this State. He has for several years been actively interested in agricultural pur- suits, and is carrying on his farming operations on one of the choicest farms in Millbrook Township, which is pleasantly located on section 31, where he has a comfortable home.

He is a native of Knox County, where his birth took place October 8, 1843. His parents were John D. and Mary E. (Potts) Slygh, his father born in Dublin, Ireland, and his mother a native of Wash-

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ington, D. C., she being of English descent. In 1833, his parents emigrated from Virginia to this State and located in the township of Truro in the county of Knox. they being among its very first settlers. In 1853 they came to this county, and settled in Rochester, Millbrook Township, where they both died, the father elosing his career Febru- ary 21, 1882, and the mother passing away July 26, 1875. Mr. Slygh was a man of fine education, having been college bred, and was progressive and enlightened in his views, and was very influential in the community, taking an active part in political and public matters in Millbrook Township. Ile served as Assessor of the township, and was promi- nent in pushing forward its material and social in- terests. He was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Deacon, and his death was a serious blow to its interests. In politics he was a true Democrat and used his in- fluence to promote the policy of that party. Ile was Justice of the Peace for Rochester, for many years and served in that capacity with wisdom and impartiality.

Our subject was one of a large family of children of whom the following survive: Mary E., wife of James Rockhold of Elmwood ; Charles C., living in Henry ; Catherine, widow of Dr. W. J. Bennett, of Rochester; Georgiana wife of John Mills of Burean County ; Henry S., a resident of Rochester ; George D .; Virginia, wife of C. C. Wycoff, of Millbrook Township; Louisa, living in Rochester.

George D. Slygh accompanied his parents to this county and to their new home in the village of Rochester, when he was about ten years old and from that time he has been a resident of this county. He was reared amid the primitive seenes of its pio- neer life and when about eighteen years of age, began to learn the trade of a wheelwright in Roches- ter. Hle followed it about three years and then for two years engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business at Elmwood, and the remainder of his life he has devoted to farming. In the spring of 1888, Mr. Slygh settled on his present farm on section 31, Millbrook Township, and has earnestly and faithfully engaged in its cultivation and im- provement ever since. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of as fine farming land as may be found

in all the neighborhood, and its good condition is due to the care and labor that he has bestowed upon it. Its buildings are neat and comfortable; it is well tilled and well fenced, and is admirably adapted to general farming purposes.

December 7. 1865, was the date of Mr. Slygh's marriage with Mary D. Wyeoff, who was born in this county in 1845, and is a daughter of George l'. and Delia A. Wycoff, early settlers of the county. By their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Slygh have live children-Ernest W., Joseph. James, Mary and Ethel.

Township and community value Mr. Slygh for his good citizenship. He is a man of excellent sense, of wise discretion, and has a thorough practi- cal knowledge of his work. In polities he has in- dependent views, but gives his influence in support of the Democratic party. He is never behind his fellow townsmen in contributing his quota towards the material improvement of the township, and has been of great assistance in bringing about its pres- ent high reputation as a great agricultural center.

ORTON CHAMBERLIN, the father of Mrs. Thomas Hough, of Medina Township, died at his home near Vevay, in Switzerland County, Ind., in the fall of 1836. He was born on the Iludson River, in New York, being a son of Aaron and Ilannah (Runnels ) Chamberlin, who were also natives of the Empire State, whence, after a few years of wedded life, they removed to Ohio and still later to Switzerland County, Ind. After having lived in that county some years, Aaron Chamberlin sold his property there, and re- moving to Iowa located on a farm a few miles west of the city of Burlington. There he and his wife spent the remainder of their days, the one living to the age of ninety-three and the other to that of eighty-six years. They were active mem- bers of the Old School Baptist Church, as was their son Ilorton and his wife, known to all their ac- quaintances as people of deep religions feeling and consistent lives. They had eight sons and two daughters, the daughters only being now alive.

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Our subject was in his boyhood when his par- ents became residents of the Hoosier State, going into a new country near Vevay, where the boy be- came a man. IIe adopted the occupation of a farmer, making Switzerland County his home until death. Ilis career was cut short in his thirtieth year, he having been born in 1807. He was a Whig in politics, and in religion of the Baptist faith, having a consistent Christian character. He married Jane Dickison, a native of Switzerland County, born near Vevay October 2, 1813. She was reared to womanhood in that county, continuing to reside there until a year after the death of her husband, when she came with her parents to Illinois, bringing with her her three fatherless children. In Medina Township, this county, her son Francis died at the age of five years, and Aaron in 1862, after his marriage to Sarah Robinson and the birth of two children, mother and children also being now de- ecased.

The parents of Mrs. Chamberlin were John and Mary (White) Diekison, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The former had been taken to Kentucky when young and had there grown to man's estate, crossing the Ohio River and making a settlement in the wilds of Switzerland County, Ind., while yet a single man. There he married his wife, who had been reared on the opposite side of the river. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Diekison purebased new land, beginning to improve a home on which they continued to reside until 1837. They then emigrated to Illinois, settling in Medina Township, this county, which was their place of abode during the balance of their lives. Mr. Dickison was sixty-four years of age and his widow sixty-six when called hence. The latter was a Baptist. Their daughter, the wife of our subject, was the second child in a family of four sons and four daughters. Three of the latter are still living, all now quite old and all widows of farmers.

The only living child of our subject and his estim- able wife is a daughter, Hannah M., wife of Thomas llough, to whom she was married on the farm they now occupy. Mr. Hongh had come to this county in 1859, since which time he has been successfully en- gaged in farming and stock-raising here. He has a fine farm, the most of which is under cultivation and

well stocked, being also supplied with good farm buildings and all necessary implements and ma- chines. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., near Doylestown, September 11, 1826, coming of old Pennsylvania stock, of the Quaker faith. He is the only son of his parents and has one sister living. He grew to manhood in his native county and was there first married to Isabella Polk. That lady was born and reared also in Bucks County, belonging to an old Pennsylvania family, many members of which were quite prominent. She died when but twenty-five years old, leaving two children-Rob- ert and Isabel. The former married Barbara Knupp and is farming in Washington County, Iowa. The daughter is the wife of James H. Paden, a dealer in musical instruments in Greeley, Col.

Mr. Hough lived for a time in Montgomery County, Pa., whence he came to Illinois, subse- quently marrying the daughter of our subject. She was born after the death of her father and was but nine months old when her mother came to this county. She was given good advantages and, be- coming very well educated, taught school for a time before her marriage. Mr. Hough has also had some experience in pedagogical work. Both are numbered among the most intelligent citizens of this section, worthily filling their spheres in life and being useful to those about them. Mr. Hough has held the local offices of the township and has been Deacon in the Baptist Church, of which both he and his wife are active members; he is a sound Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Hough are the parents of four children, of whom Mary J. and Elizabeth died young, and John C. and Charles F. are still at home.

The original member of the Ilough family in America came hither from London as early as 1664. The first to abandon the Quaker faith, to which the family adhered strictly for several generations, was Robert Ilough, the father of Thomas Hough. That gentleman was a farmer, occupying an estate which had been in the family three generations, in Doyles- town Township, Bucks County, Pa. He was an ardent Whig, prominent in local politics. He died when fifty-five years of age. Ilis wife was Miss Mary Evans, of the same county, who survived him, dying in 1876, at the age of seventy six years ;

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she was a Baptist. Robert Ilough was the son of Richard Ilough, and he the son of Joseph Hough. Going back yet another generation we find another Richard Hongh, who, on settling in America, se- cured land from King George III, the same being held by his direet descendants nntil the death of Robert Hough. The family during all these gen- erations were farmers, prominent among the citi- zens of Bucks County.

AMES BENNETT. The life of James Ben - nett, of Peoria, has been marked by some- what romantic incidents, important events having been brought about by somewhat singular, and in a certain sense trivial, incidents. He is now engaged in the undertaking business, and the establishment which he conducts con- tains a fine stock of goods, while all details re- lating to the disposition of the mortal remains of loved ones is carefully attended to by the proprie- tor and his assistants. Mr. Bennett was led to this business through the following ineident. One Sun- day afternoon, while walking with his wife, they stopped at what is now known as Moffatt's Cemc- tery. Mrs. Bennett remarked, " If I should die, how much I should prefer to lie here than to be laid away in Springdale; it is so lonesome there." She died December 28, 1870, not long after this walk, and was buried as she desired. Subsequently Mr. Bennett bought the property which is now owned by the family, although controlled by an incorporated body.

The gentleman of whom we write is a native of Gloucestershire, England, and is a son of Richard and Mary (Redwood) Bennett. His ancestors were farmers for many generations, and the Bennett family occupied a certain farm for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. The rental was one shilling per year, and, wonderful to relate, it was collected during all those years with great regularity. Upon the occasion of a visit made to the ancestral home in 1887, Mr. Bennett found the old land- marks blotted out, the estate having passed back into the hands of its original owners. The father of

our subjeet was a moneyed man, who labored at the occupation in which the family had so long been engaged. Ile was the father of thirteen chil- dren, the subject of this sketch being the youngest.

The latter had no opportunity to attend school. other than the Sunday-school, and was not able to read or write until nineteen years of age. A young lady was conducting his correspondence for him. At a fair the young man met another young lady, who wrote him a strong love letter. This he was obliged to take to his sweetheart to read, and she then and there gave him the "mitten." Being thus left without an amanuensis, young Bennett set valiantly to work to learn those things which had been neglected in his youth. He had left his home at the age of thirteen years because his father objected to the use of tobacco. The elder Bennett having declared that the son should not use the vile weed in his presence, the lad thought the matter over, and not willing to give up that which he enjoyed, nor to deceive his father, de- termined to try the world alone. When he left the parental roof he had twenty-five cents in his pocket, and he now declares that being thrown upon his own resources was the making of him, as he was taught self reliance and learned to push his way as he would not otherwise have done.

Going into Wales, young Bennett sought and found work, remaining there until he was nine- teen years old. During this time he helped to make the rails that were used in the New York Central Railroad. From Wales he went to Can- ada, where he sojourned a few months ere making bis way to Pittsburg, Pa. There he sought em- ployment in the iron business, but a strike being in progress and the cholera also making havoc in the city, he was compelled to abandon his idea of locating there. Going to Cincinnati, he found cholera raging in that city also, and therefore re- turned to Canada, where he remained until 1855. He then eame to Peoria, where he has since re- sided. He has occupied his present place of business twenty-seven years. He was engaged in the harness business about fifteen years, after which he took up undertaking. He has been a successful financier,and now owns property on several streets.

In Canada. on May 6. 1850, Mr. Bennett was

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united in marriage with Miss Ann, daughter of Robert Bye. She bore him six children. four of whom are now living. They are: Mrs. Wolgamott, 1 of this city ; Charles, a railroad man, whose home is in Denver, Colo .; Mrs. Kent, of this city; and Mrs. Wilton, whose husband is with her father in business. After a happy wedded life of more than twenty years, the devoted wife and mother was called henee. In the fall of 1871 Mr. Bennett contracted a second matrimonial alliance, his bride being Mrs. Mary J. Brown, widow of Orrin Brown. She had borne the maiden name of Perkins and is a native of New Hampshire. She is a notable housewife, an excellent neighbor, and worthy of re- spect in every relation in life.

Mr. Bennett cast his first vote in the United States in 1860, for Abraham Lincoln, and has ever since been true to the Republican party. The personal popularity of the man is shown in the fact that he was the only man elected on the Re- publican ticket in 1884, when he became Coroner, and that in 1888 he was re-elected, and is the present incumbent. IIe is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and Druids. Ile is a member of the Peoria Consistory, having attained the thirty .. second degree in masonry.

G EORGE S. PURSELL. Among the well- known and highly esteemed residents of Brimfield Township active in the society of their locality, interested in the elevation of the people and the development of the country to the utmost, are Mr. Pursell and his good wife who oc- cupy a pleasant home on section 14. Mr. Pursell is a native of West Virginia, born in Ohio County May 7, 1819, and reared to maturity on a farm in the land of his birth. He received a common- school education, mostly under the subscription system in vogue in his native State during his early years, and on the foundation thus laid has erected a superstructure of varied information by means of reading and observation.

In 1851, with his wife and three children Mr. Pursell emigrated to Peoria County, Ill., located in

Elmwood Township and farmed there some two years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 14, Brimfield Township, settled upon and improved it. He made of it what it is to-day-a good estate-continuing to occupy it until 1872, when he removed to his present res- idence. IIe has done much pioneer work, scen much of pioneer life, and in common with many other residents of the county, has endured hard- ships in getting a start in life. An eye witness of the growth of the county for many years, he is proud of his connection with the development of her resources and grateful for the prosperity which attends him.

Mr. Pursell has been twice married. His first companion was Elizabeth Johnson, a native of the Keystone State, daughter of Jesse and Jane (Her- vey) Johnson, with whom he was united September 14, 1841. Of this union there were born six chil- dren-Johnson, George, James E., Lizzie, Theo- dore Il. and William. Lizzie is now the wife of R. G. Brooks, living in Minneapolis, Minn. : John- son and Theodore H., are the only other members of the circle now living. The mother of this fam- ily died December 14, 1855. During the next year Mr. Pursell was again married, his bride being Miss Sarah J. Flack. She was born in Washington County, Pa., November 14, 1823, being a daughter of David and Mary (Stockton ) Flack, both natives of the Keystone State. The second marriage of our subject has resulted in the birth of two chil- dren-John S. and Mary E .- both of whom are now deceased.

When about eighteen years old the present Mrs. Pursell accompanied her parents to Marshall County, W. Va., where Mr. and Mrs. Flack died some years later. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom Mary and Anna M. are deceased. The survivors are Thomas, now living in Hender- son County, Ill .; Mrs. Pursell; Elizabeth, whose home is in Brimfield Township; John, residing in Ilenderson County ; and David, who lives in Mis- souri.

The parents of our subject were George and Elizabeth (Coulter) Pursell, the latter a native of the North of Ireland and the father probably born in Pennsylvania. The parental family consisted

Jamo truly

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of ten children of whom the survivors are Christy A., George S., Jane and Elizabeth. The first named, now the widow MeCoy, occupies the home- stead in Ohio County, W, Va .; Elizabeth is the wife of Thomas Yates, living in Washington County, Pa,; and Jane, a twin sister of our subject is single and also resides there.

Mr. and Mrs. Pursell, of this notice, belong to the Presbyterian Church at Brimfield, in which Mr. Pursell has served as Elder a number of years. Mrs. Pursell has been a resident in this county since 1856, and is therefore almost as well ac- quainted as her husband with the stages of its de- velopment. They are now enjoying the fruits of their labors, enabled to cease from the arduous toils of early years, and surrounded by comforts enjoy the society of kinsmen and friends.

ILLIAM P. GAUSS. The wholesale gro- cery firm of Gauss, Jobst, Bethard & Co., of which the subject of this notice is the senior member, is doing a fine business, occupy- ing Nos. 116 and 118 Main Street, as successors to S. H. Thompson & Co. The new firm commenced business March 1, 1890, and gives employment to eight men outside of the members of the firm. Their promptness and courteous treatment of their customers, together with excellent business ability, are already giving prominence and standing to the company, which is rapidly taking a leading posi- tion among similar interests in the city.

The subject of this notice is of German birth and parentage, a native of the Province of Wur- temburg, and born July 19, 1842. He emigrated to America with his parents in 1853, when a lad of eleven years, they locating first in New York City. Thence they removed to New Jersey, but sojonrned there only a comparatively brief time, coming in 1856 to Peoria, of which Mr. Gauss has since been a resident. He served three months in the army during the late Civil War, as a member of Company E, Eighth Illinois Infantry, and for three years was in the Seventeenth Missouri In- fantry, going through the South with Gen. Sher-

man, and participating in the battles of the Atlanta campaign. At Ringgold, Ga., he was wounded in the arm, but soon recovered, and with this excep- tion escaped the vicissitudes of war practically unharmed.

After receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the war, Mr. Gauss returned to Peoria, and for five years thereafter was engaged in the grocery business in company with R. A. Schimpff. At the expiration of this time he embarked in business for himself, locating at Nos. 113 and 115 South Madison Street, where he operated success- fully for a period of fourteen years, and until he- coming associated with his present partners.

Upon becoming a voting citizen Mr. Gauss iden- tified himself with the Republican party, and has been somewhat prominent in local affairs, repre- senting at the present time the Second Ward in the City Council. He is a member in good stand- ing of the Grand Army of the Republic, also of the Independent Order of the Mutual Aid Society, and Tribe No. 53, Improved Order of Red Men. He is recognized as one of the leaders among his countrymen, who form a large portion of the re- liable and substantial element of Peoria. Mr. Gauss was married October 31, 1867, in Peoria, to Miss Louisa Potthoff. Mrs. Gauss like her hus- band is of German birth and parentage, born in North Germany, and came to America with her mother when a child. The seven bright children of this union are named respectively : William F., Sophia, Julia, Matilda, Ida., Louis J. and Clara. They are all at home with their parents, who in- tend that they shall be given all the advantages, educational and otherwise, within their power.

A lithographie portrait of Mr. Gauss accom- panies this record of the principal events of his life

R OBERT ELLIOTT CAMPBELL. Radnor 4

Township contains no better example of quiet, efficient pursuit of an agricultural calling than that afforded by our subject. Early in life he determined to become a farmer, and giving all the strength of his mind to becom-

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ing proficient in his chosen work, he has succeeded well, having an estate which, although not so large as some, produces abundantly of various crops in their season, and is furnished with such improve- ments as make it a place of most attractive appear- ance and a home of great comfort. It consists of two hundred and forty acres on section 36.

Mr. Campbell is a descendant of two Pennsylva- nia families of great respectability, his parents being Robert and Catherine (Fasnacht) Campbell, who spent several years after their marriage in their native State. In 1840 they came West, re- siding in Peoria for a short time, and then remov- ing to Richwood Township, this county, changing their residence to Radnor Township in 1845. Set- tling on section 36, they continued to reside there until the early part of the '80s., when they removed to California, the husband and father dying there April 23, 1890. The widowed mother is still living.

The parental family consisted of eight-sons and two daughters, the surviving members being Will- iam W., a resident of California ; Margaret C., widow of Ilorace Ferris, of California; Robert E., the subject of this sketch; Hattie R .; Caleb B., resid- ing in Los Angeles, Cal .; David F., also living in the Golden State, and Charles C., who likewise re- sides there. The deceased children died young, with the exception of John F., who gave his life for his country, having been killed at the siege of Vicksburg. Ile was a member of Company A, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry.

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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 53

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