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 68
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Mr. Edwards, the father of our subject. has been happy in his domestic relations, securing in his wife one who has been to him a true helpmate and companion. She is a sincere Christian and an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she is a consistent member. They have reared five children, namely: Thomas J; William
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HI .; Mary S., wife of Frank L. Tuttle; Isadora J .; and Charles Il., who is in the stamp department of the Peoria post-office.
Our subject was reared on the old homestead that his grandfather had bought from the Gov- ernment in the early days of the settlement of this county, and in the common schools, laid the foun- dation of a liberal education. lle afterwards pur- sued a thorough course in the Normal School at Peoria, and learned telegraphy in Oberlin, Ohio. Ile was well equipped for the teacher's profession and taught ten or twelve terms. He however, preferred what Horace Greeley styled "the noblest of professions," and entered upon his career as a farmer at the age of twenty-one. He brings a steady, active, well trained brain to bear upon the prob- lems that beset the practical agriculturists, and manages bis farm admirably so as to produce the best results. Its buildings are of a substantial order and it is well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs of an excellent grade.
Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Martha J. Ball, September 24. 1877, and to them have come seven children -- Otis W., Thomas J., LeRoy E., Malcolm II., May, Clarence L., and Essie E. Mrs. Edwards was born March 2, 1853, at St. Anthony's Falls. Minn., and is a daughter of Reuben F. and Rebecca (Fullerton) Ball, natives respectively of Wilton and Woolwich, Me. Mr. Ball is a merchant by occupation, and in 1849 went to California. In 1851 he located at St. Anthony's Falls, where he engaged extensively in the mercantile business, carrying on three stores besides having two at St. Cloud, and he was also an Indian agent. In 1863 he removed with his family to Vineland, N. J. and helped to build up that town and was proprie. tor of the only store there at one time. At the close of the war he came to Peoria where he has since been engaged prosperously as a merchant. He is a son of Levi and Mary ( Le Land) Ball, na- tives of Maine, he being one of their three chil- dren. His father, who was a farmer, was a son of John Ball, whose ancestors came from England to this country in Colonial times. The LeLands were also derived from an old English family and num- bered amongst their ancestors James LeLand. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are greatly respected in their com-
munity and he is an honored member of the Uni- versalist Church. They have had five children, of whom four are living: Martha, Susan J., Wil- liam L. and Abigail F.
Our subject uses his influence in favor of the Republican party in whose ranks he has been since he cast his first vote for Gen. Grant. For a short time he lived in Kickapoo Township and was there elected Justice of the Peace. lle has held the im- portant office of Supervisor, and so ably did he discharge the duties of his position that he was re- elected for a second term. Ilis earnest religious na- ture finds expression in the faith of the Episcopal Church of which he is a member. He is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic as a member of the Sons of Veterans organization, and he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
NDREW E. KARR came to this county many years ago when in life's prime and greatly aided his fellow pioneers in their arduous work of developing and extending the wonderful agricultural resources of this region, and in the course of years acquired a handsome property, and is now living in honorable retirement in his pleasant country home on his large and finely improved farm on section 18, Akron Township.
Elisha and Hannah ( Debow ) Karr, the parents of our subject were natives and life- long residents of New Jersey. They had a family of four children, of whom Andrew was the third in order of birth. Ile was born in New Jersey, September 1, 1817. There he grew to man's estate, and from his early home went out in the world to see what life held for him beyond the bounds of his native State. He made his way to Illinois and for one year lived in Adams County. Ile then took up his abode in this county, of which he has ever since been a resi- dent. He has been chiefly engaged in farming, and by his practical skill, by steady and unremitting toil and superior management, has become a man of wealth, and is the proprietor of a large farm of upwards of five hundred and twenty acres. This is substantially improved in every particular and
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its commodious buildings, broad and well tilled fields. and fine appearance generally, make it one of the most valuable pieces of property in this locality.
March 4, 1868, Mr. Karr and Mrs. Charity E. (Peet) Nixon were united in marriage, and in this good woman our subject secured a pleasant com- panion and a housewife who knows well how to preside over her household, and to make its in- mates comfortable and happy. Mrs. Karr is a daughter of Thompson and Diana (Lafevre) Peet, who were old settlers of this county. Her father rounded out an honorable life in Princeville in August, 1989. Her mother is yet living at a ven- erable age. At the time of her marriage with our subject, Mrs. Karr was the widow of Ashford Nixon, who died in Rosefield Township. By that marriage she had the following four children : Gale, Amine, Frances, and Diana.
During the busy period of his life when he was accumulating his property, Mr. Karr displayed far- reaching forethought, much native shrewdness, and uncommon energy in the conduct of his affairs, and in his dealings with others, always justice and fairness. In polities the Republican party has in him a devoted adherent. He has mingled some- what in the public life of the township, having held some of the minor offices.
6 HOMAS B. MCFADDEN. "Bread is the staff of life " and he who supplies a good article fills a great want and earns the grati- tude of many consumers. The gentleman above- named, proprietor of the MeFadden Bakery, No. 415 Main Street, Peoria, occupies this place in the public mind, and also turns out from his establish- ment other appetizing articles of food. He pos- sesses a large degree of inventive genius, and in addition to his bakery business has charge of the patent rights of several important inventions. Ile bas received one patent for freezing ice, and others for a baker's oven and an apparatus for putting in and taking bread out of the oven rapidly.
After having traveled through all the large cities
of the East, Mr. McFadden found that all bakers used the old wooden shovel for putting in their bread and he is now preparing to push his inven- tion in the great commercial centers. His patent consists of a long track with a car so arranged that it will run into the oven, and can be lowered to the bottom and taken out again, securing even and proper baking and having a rapidity of action which enables him to put two thousand loaves into the oven per minute.
Mr. MeFadden is one of the oldest citizens now living in Peoria, he having come here in July, 1835. He was born in Sterling, Cayuga County, N. Y .. Angust 2, 1830, to George C. and Jeannette (Beattie) McFadden. His father removed to Peoria County, this State, and for two years was engaged in farming near the county seat. Ile was then elected County Surveyor, holding the office con- tinuously for sixteen years. In 1862 he was elected Sheriff, serving one term. He was one of the early hotel-keepers of Peoria, having in 1851 located on Water Street and during the war having kept the Fulton House on Jefferson Street. He finally re- moved to Iowa, dying at Boonesboro.
Our subject grew to manhood in this city and here received his education. He began his business career by engaging in the confectionery business and with the exception of a few years has contin- ued in business here most of his life. He was en- gaged in the Troy Mills in Fulton County, this State, until they were washed away. when he again started in business in Peoria. In 1881 he estab- lished a small bakery in a quiet quarter of the city. Ilis striet business principles and careful manage- ment of affairs, brought up his trade and obliged him to increase his capacities, and he now has the largest bakery in the city, no other approaching it in size.
At the home of the bride in Peoria, in 1852, Mr. MeFadden was united in marriage with Miss Helen Loneks, with whom he lived happily for thirty years. She entered into rest August 2, 1882, leav- ing four daughters to perpetnate her memory by following her good advice and useful habits. Three of the daughters are married and in homes of their own, but Ella, the eldest, is still with her father; Minnie is the wife of George W. Pinkerton, who
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is engaged with Kingman & Co., of this city ; Jeal- nette is the wife of Joseph Densberger, also of Peoria; Louisa is the wife of lleadley W. Waycott. of Peoria. Mr. McFadden is neither a politician or an office-seeker, but supports the principles of the Democratic party by depositing his ballot on election day.
ILLIAM W. PRATZ, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Brimfield Township, owns and occupies one hundred and sixty aeres on section 20. In the accumulation of prop- erty his efforts have been ably seconded by the prudent management and wise counsel of his wife. whose loving heart and thrifty ways have made their dwelling-place a true home. He himself has manifested unflagging industry, has pursued wise methods of cultivation, and exhibited good judg- ment in determining what crops to raise and what stock to use and breed. lle divides his attention between the cultivation of his fields and the raising of live stock, in both of which branches of agricul- tural work he is meeting with success.
Mr. Pratz is a native of Stark County, where his birth took place March 21, 1841. lle is a son of pioneer settlers in that county, whence they re- moved to Peoria County when our subject was about sixteen years old. In common with other members of pioneer families, he received limited school privileges and early learned the industrious and self-reliant habits which prove such strong levers in moving circumstances to one's financial good. Ile grew to maturity in this county, sup- plying to some extent the deficiencies in his edu- cation by attendance at a private school. During the whole course of his life he has paid great at- tention to the news of the day and the topics pre- sented for consideration in good books, and is therefore well informed on general subjects.
On the 29th of February, 1864, the name of W. W. Pratz was placed upon the muster roll of Company 1. Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry. which formed part of the Union army in the De- partment of the Gulf. The young man borc a gal-
lant part in the sieges of Ft. Gaines. Ft. Morgan, Ft. Blakely and Spanish Fort, in the fight at Whistler's Station, and in numerous skirmishes of minor im- portanec. As one of the gallant band of privates upon whom fell the brunt of the struggle, he served until August 15, 1865, when he received an hon- orable discharge and returned to his home to again identify himself with the agricultural interests of the county wherein he has continued to reside.
A few months after his return from the fields of battle Mr. Pratz was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Dey, a native of Warren County, N. J., born November 20.1842. Her father. Dr. William B. Dey, died in his native State, New Jersey, when Mary was abont seven years of age, and about three years later the widowed mother came to this part of Illinois with her family. She settled in Mill- brook Township. Peoria County, and here Mrs. Pratz grew to maturity. She received a good practical education, and for a time was engaged in school teaching. Her marriage to our subject was celebrated January 17. 1866, and the union has been productive to them of eight children. The first-born, Edith, is the wife of J. B. Sprowls of Elmwood. The others, who still remain with their parents, are Charles U .. Fred D .. Rowena Il., Lois E. A .. Carrie II., Clark A. and Gertie O. The eld- est daughter and the two eldest sons have taught school.
In 1882 Mr. Pratz took possession of his present farm, a tract of land under excellent cultivation and bearing such improvements as make it a home of comfort and pleasing appearance. He has ever endeavored to assist in the movements which have been made to advance the interests of society and develop the material resources of this section of the fertile Prairie State, while at the same time bestowing upon his children every opportunity possible to gain knowledge and acquire habits which will fit them for honorable citizenship. He is now serving as Township School Trustee. In com - memoration of his army life. he is identified with the Grand Army Post at Brimfield.and. it is scarcely necessary to say, votes the Republican ticket.
The parents of our subject were John and Sarah ( Wetzel) Pratz. natives of the Keystone State, who for a time made their home in Ohio. They came to
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Stark County. Ill .. in 1837, securing one hundred and sixty acres of Government land. for- which they paid the usual price of $1.25 per acre. and which they reclaimed from the raw prairie. making of it a productive. well-improved estate. In 1857 they removed with their family to Peoria County, making their home in Millbrook Township until called hence, the father. in 1862 and the mother in 1866. They had quite a large family, of whom the deeeased members are Elizabeth. Susannah, Mary C., Sarah and Stephen. The survivors are: Jona- than and John, who live in Stark County; Marga- ret, wife of G. M. Hlazen, of Stark County: Isabella, wife of Josiah Jaques. of Millbrook Township; Sarah J., wife of A. R. Aten, of Round Rock, Tex .; Emeline, wife of H. S. Jaques, of Millbrook Town- ship, and our subject. The father was a Repub- liean in politics and a member of the Christian Church.
After the death of Dr. Dey the mother of Mrs. Pratz became the wife of A. D. Wycoff, who died several years since. The widow, now past seventy years old, is kindly cared for by her children, under whose various roofs she spends such time as she desires. She bore her first husband five children, of whom the only survivors are Sarah, wife of Ezra G. Webster, of Upper Alton, and Mrs. Pratz. The deceased are Theodoric. Emma and William. The children of Mr. Wycoff are: Harriet E., wife of James Coe. of Milbrook Township, and Lydia A., wife of William Jaques, of Brimfield Township.
M DETALLYRAND MOODY has lived in this county as boy and man for more than half a century, and is well known and uni- versally respected. Ile has been a farmer all his life, and that he has pursued his work to good advantage is shown by the farm that he has improved in Princeville Township, lying partly on section 4, and the remainder on section 5, which, in a loeality noted for its fine farms, compares with the best in regard to cultivation, and the excellency and value of its appointments in general.
Ira Moody, the father of our subject, was a
native of Massachusetts, and a son of one Ethan Moody, who was born in England. He was a sailor working his way up from a cabin boy and eventu- ally died on the sea. He had. however. before that, made his home in Massachusetts for years, and there reared a family.
The father of our subject was reared in the old Bay State and followed farming there until his re- moval to Medina County, Ohio, of which he thus became a pioneer. He bought a tract of land in the primeval forest, eleared it, and became the pos- sessor of a good farm of one hundred acres. In 1839, he brought his family to this State, traveling with a team and wagon, and after a journey of five weeks, arriving in Peoria County. He located on section 4, this township. on eighty acres of raw land. which he broke and improved. He subse- quently bought one hundred and sixty acres ad- joining and moved on to it and was engaged in farming here until his death. ITe took an active part in educational affairs here, holding some of the school offices, and as a pioneer of the township, his name will ever be held in remembrance. Ile was prominent in local affairs and was Township Trustee for some years. His wife, a native of New Jersey, whose maiden name was Ann M. Reaves, also died on the homestead. They were the parents of the following ten children : Oliver, a resident of Princeville; Henry, and Ira M., deceased; Julia. Mrs. Henry, of Princeville Township; M. DeTallyrand : Amy, Mrs. Davis and Reaves, de- ceased ; Mary, Mrs. James, living in Oregon ; and Nathan and Charlotte, deceased.
M. DeTallyrand Moody was born in Medina County, Ohio, May 9. 1835. He was four years old when he accompanied his parents on their event- ful journey, from the place of his birth to their new pioneer home, and he can still remember the aspect of the country as it was in his early days. He developed into a manly, strong. self-reliant man, under the pioneer influences. He was set to work at a very youthful age, and plowed corn when only ten years of age, and when quite young he broke the prairie soil with five yoke of oxen and a wooden plow. Ile obtained his education under diffieul- ties. there being no schools in the vicinity and he had to walk to a distant schoolhouse through three
Mrs Sarah Delass
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miles of tall prairie grass. He can remember when wolves, deer and other wild game were plenty, and venison and prairie chickens formed a part of the fare of the early settlers. Markets were far away and his father had to haul his wheat to Chicago. Ile worked for his father until he was twenty-one and then operated the home farm on shares. In 1874 he took a trip with a team to Missouri for pleasure. IIe operated his father's farm until the latter's death. He bought sixty acres of it to start on before his father's death, and he has since added to his original purchase until he owns two hundred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty on section 4, and eighty acres on seetion 5, all of which is very well improved. It is divided into convenient fields and is well fenced and there is an ample supply of water on it from three never failing springs, and it is supplied with all the latest improved farming machinery. Ile has been engaged in raising graded cattle and hogs, and has some fine draft horses, ten head of Normans and Cleveland bays. For the last three years he has rented his land, and derives from that source an excellent income. As his land is nearly all in grass and pasture and is well watered. it is a fine stock farm.
Mr. Moody and Miss Harriet Barr were married in Princeville Township, in 1864, and their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of three children: Miranda, Anna, and Stella, Miranda was a school teacher until her marriage to E. V. Graves, of Duncan, who is in the grain busi- ness in that place. The wife of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of David Barr. She came here with her parents when thirteen years old, and her father was engaged as a shoemaker in Princeville.
Our subject is a man of many fine characteris- ties, is thoughtful, discriminating, and always con- siderate in his relations with others, and though quiet and unassuming, is a force for much good in his community, and is looked up to by all, as a sage counselor whose honesty and integrity of pur- pose hold him to his duty without regard to personal considerations. These traits, with his well-known interest in all that pertains to the well being of this township, and his energetie co-opera- tion with his fellow-citizens in pushing forward any
plans devised for the benefit of the community. make him very desirable as a factor in carrying on the public work of this part of the county, and he has filled various local offices very acceptably. Ile has been Commissioner of Highways three years. and was School Director from the age of twenty- one until six years ago, a long and honorable ser- vice in behalf of educational matters. He is a member of the Detective Thief and Mutual Benefit Association at Princeville. Politically he is iden- tified with the Democratic party and has been a delegate to county conventions. Ile has served on the Grand and Petit Juries.
R. SARAH DELOSS is a famous physician. and is one of the most successful members of the medical profession now practicing in Peoria. She is a daughter of Maj. Samuel Cooper, a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and a des- cendant of an ancient family.
Dr. DeLoss is a woman of no ordinary character. Early in life she evinced the possession of peculiar powers of mind. She received a thorough mental training, and at an age when many girls are in the school-room she began lecturing on phrenology and physiognomy. She possessed an accurate knowledge of those subjects and a fine command of language, delivering her views in an easy and interesting manner that delighted her audiences. She continued in the lecture field many years. and at the same time devoted her leisure to studying medicine, and entered upon its practice after attending several courses of medical lectures.
The Doctor possesses in a wonderful degree the occult power of diagnosis by that peculiar natural endowment of mental vision. After diagnosis her treatment of disease is on the regular plan of phy- sicians. Her success has been very marked, even in the most ditlicult eases, and patrons come to her from every part of the United States. At forty-seven years of age her practice is well es- tablished and constantly growing, while she holds an assured place in the medical world.
The Doctor is a very intelligent and pleasant
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woman. and an interesting conversationalist, and has many warm friends and admirers. She is build- ing a residence and infirmary in this city. at No. 217 Fifth Street, that will be perfect in its appoint- ments and adaptation to her profession. She is mak- ing a specialty of the treatment of hydrophobia, has made a careful study of that terrible disease, and is now prepared to cope with it in its most dreadful form. She also makes a specialty of consumption, having cured cases where half the lungs were gone. She removes cancers and tumors without using a knife, and now has over one thousand patients in different parts of the United States. Her portrait, presented on another page, will be welcomed by the many friends she has won, both professionally and socially.
OHN W. HANSEL, now United States Store-keeper in Peoria. is an honored resi- dent of the city, well deserving of repre- sentation in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM by reason of his sterling character, energetic nature, and painstaking pursuit of whatsoever vocation he is engaged in. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. March 23, 1816, being a descendant of two German families, and a son of John and Rebecca (Zerby) Hansel. The original spelling of the pa- ternal name was Hensel. He remained in the Buckeye State until twenty-two years old. taking advantage of the opportunities afforded him to acquire an education, and manifesting industry and zeal in gaining a support. In 1829 he carried the mail on horseback from Mansfield to Bucyrus, and he also took a route to Delaware, the latter trip consuming three days. The principal part of his education was obtained while on these trips, he carrying books and studying on the way.
A short time after passing his majority Mr. Hansel went to New York City, where he spent two years, then returning to his native State, went into the furniture business in Newark. He became skilled in cabinet-making, a trade in which he has done mueh fine work. In 1846 he went to St. Louis. where he was engaged in the furniture busi-
ness nutil the gold fever broke out in 1849. He then crossed the plains overland to California, the trip consuming four months. He first engaged in making shingles from redwood, sixteen miles from Benecia, then the capital of California. Mr. Han- sel had a cabin in those woods, one side of it be- ing a tree, twelve feet in diameter. This was in October, 18-19, and within a few months there were thirty cabins in the forest. Later Mr. Hansel went to San Francisco, where he finished the first good banking house office in the State, and executed some fine wood carving and veneering for it. Thus he was occupied nntil the 1st of April, 1850. re- eeiving as compensation $14 per day. Later after spending six weeks in the mines he went to Sacra- mento, and engaged in the furniture business, meet- ing with success.
Our subject recalls one interesting incident in illustration of the pioneer life of California. He at one time needed seasoned lumber, and seeing a notice in the paper that a cargo of coffins was to be sold to pay freight, concluded that the boxes in which they came would be serviceable to him. Accordingly he made a bid for what the lumber in the outside cases was worth, but as none of them were opened, he saw no coffins. The whole cargo was knocked down to him, and amounted to about $800. On opening the boxes he found three solid mahogony coffins in each box, the inside coffin being filled with dried peaches, then sold at a high price. The coffins seemed of but little nse. as the neighborhood was a healthy one. and Mr. Hansel stacked them away, expecting to use them in mak- ing other furniture. But six weeks later the cholera broke out, and the death rate was so high that all the coffins were disposed of very soon, and at less price than others were selling pine coffins. Mr. Hansel realized out of that trade between two and three thousand dollars.
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