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 69
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In 1850 Mr. Hansel returned to the States via the Isthmus, which he walked across. The vessel on which he sailed from San Francisco was be- calmed, and was ninety days in reaching its port on the Isthmus. On this trip the crew and passen- gers were almost starved, being reduced to one wormy biscuit per day, and a pint of water for each person. He took a steamer to the West Indies.
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thence to New York, and from there to St. Louis. lle finally reached Peoria June 6, 1851, and here he engaged in the hardware business. Ile has visited almost every city in the United States and Canada, and made many trips to the Pacific Coast, taking in all the territory between Old Mexico on the South and British Columbia on the North.
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Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. IIansel has been a member of it, prior to which he was a Whig. He is proud of the fact that, hav- ing voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840, he was able to cast his ballot for another of the name in 1888. He has held various publie offices, dis- charging their duties in a manner which has won good words from all who were acquainted with his duties. Ile is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. llis religious belief finds expres- sion through the Episcopal Church, his name being enrolled among the members of St. Paul's.
In looking back over his life Mr. Hansel remem- bers with pleasure an event which transpired June 18, 1839, it being his marriage with Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob Little, of Newark, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hansel have enjoyed a privilege permitted to but few-that of celebrating their golden wed- ing. Twelve children have been born to them, five of whom have crossed the river of death. Those still living are: Jacob Corwin; Mary C., wife of W. Y. Miller, now living in Eldorado, Kan .; Ellen S., wife of William A. Wilkinson, whose home is in Indianapolis, Ind .; John W., Jr., of Chicago; George H., head book-keeper for Kohn Bros., wholesale clothing manufacturers, of Chicago; Charles, a civil engineer in Springfield, formerly Chief Engineer on the Wabash Railroad, now Con- sulting Engineer of the Railroad Commission; and Annie S., who still remains under the parental roof.
ESLIE ROBISON. This name is well known to the older residents of Peoria as the cog- nomen of one of her able lawyers, for many years engaged in the practice of his pro- fossion, winning fame and fortune by his wisdom and legal skill. At a more recent period Mr. Robi-
son has become known for his interest in various enterprises of an industrial nature. At present he is President of the Gas Light and Coke Company. the Jenney Electric Light and Power Company, the Nicol, Burr & Co. Foundry and Machine Works, and the Gipps Brewing Company, all prominent corporations.
The parents of Mr. Robison were born in Aber- deenshire, Scotland, whence they came to America in 1832. James Robison. the father, was a farmer, and was for a time contractor on the old Pennsyl- vania State Railroad from Johnstown, to Pitts- burg, Pa., now the Pennsylvania road. He died in Tazewell County, this State, in September. 1881, where he had located in 1837. To his good wife, Isabella (Leslie) Robison, ten children were born, five of whom are yet living: James W. is a banker, farmer and stock-raiser in Butler County, Kan .; the next is the subject of this notice; Mrs. Susan Woodrow lives in Green Valley, Tazewell County, Ill .; Isabella, wife of Rev. Charles E. Marsh, lives in Farmington, Ill .; and Mrs. Mary R. Caldwell, in Peoria.
Leslie Robison was born in Detroit, Mich., August 8, 1834, and being brought to this State when scarcely more than an infant, grew to man- hood amid the usual surroundings of a farmer's son in the fertile Prairie State. He pursued his studies in Knox College, at Galesburg. Ill., and subsequently entered Yale College. gradu- ating in the classical course in the class of '58. Ilis taste leading him to choose the law as his fu- ture occupation, he entered the office of Judge Powell and Ilenry Grove, in Peoria, and under their instruction became well grounded in the principles and precedents laid down by Coke, Blackstone and other lights in the legal firmament.
After he was admitted to the bar, Mr. Robison built up an excellent practice, for twenty-two years devoting his attention to legal affairs. He gradually became divorced from professional labors as he became interested in industries of various kinds that require financial ability to bring them to a successful issue. During the years 1876 and 1877 he served as Mayor of Peoria, gaining plaudits from those who approved his course, and. as is always the case, being a target for the shafts
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of others. Ilis record stands as the true test of his worth in municipal affairs. In politics he is a stanch Republican. As a finaneier his ability is acknowledged by his associates, and his legal acu- men, individual worth of character and social qualities, are known to all with whom he comes in contact.
The first wife of Mr. Robison was known in her girlhood as Miss Julia Ballance. Their marriage rites were celebrated in 1864, and they shared life's cares and pleasures until 1871, when the wife was called hence. She was the mother of three chil- dren, of whom the only survivor is Charles W., now engaged in the electric light business. In 1872 Mr. Robison contracted a second matrimonial alliance. his companion being Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William Rutherford, of Peoria. She is a lady of charming manners, cultured mind, and womanly virtue, who has many friends.
C HARLES J. BENNETT has been engaged in the grain and commission business in Peoria for several years. and his standing in the financial circles of the city is of the highest. Ile is a veteran of the late war, in which he did noble service for his adopted country as a brave and capable soldier.
A native of Wiltshire, England, our subject was born November 15, 1834. He is a son of Eli and Elizabeth ( Whitmarch ) Bennett, who crossed the Atlantic with their family in 1853, and established themselves at Jamestown, near Syracuse, N. Y., where the father carried on farming, a business he had pursued in England. In 1856 the family eame to Peoria County, and made their home in Brimfield, and were honored residents of that place for several years. In 1865 the father started to revisit his old English home and died on the way. Ile was a man of many sterling virtues, and was well regarded in his community, and his death was a blow to its industrial interests. llis widow sur- vived him several years, her death not occurring until 1880. Of their children Nehemiah had
preceded the family in their emigration to this country, coming here in 1850, and he died in 1886. The names of the others were: Amelia, wife of Horace Rider, of Brimfield; Albert, deceased, who was a soldier in the late Civil War, and never recovered from injuries sustained on the battle- field; Edwin, a resident of Rice County, Kan; and Charles J.
The first work of our subject was on a farm. He received excellent training as an agriculturist, and for several years farmed near Galva. He was thus engaged when the war broke ont, and as soon as he could arrange it he entered the army to defend the honor of his adopted country, enlisting in Com- pany F, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He fought all through the Vicksburg campaign, and after that was chiefly engaged in Mississippi. For a while his regiment was stationed at Champion Hills, and he and. his fellow-soldiers took an active part in many a skirmish and hard- won battle. Our subject was honorably discharged in the month of September, 1865, having won a fine military record.
After he left the army Mr. Bennett returned to this county, and for several years was employed by Clark & Hanna in Peoria. In 1877 he invested his capital in his present business as a grain and commission merchant. He handles hay, potatoes, grain, etc., and commands a large and lucrative trade, and takes a leading place among the com- mission merchants of this city.
Mr. Bennett and Miss Susan Harrison were united in marriage May 4, 1861, and they have es- tablished here a very pleasant and cozy home, to which their numerous friends are often attracted by the geniality of the host and the genuine kind- ness and thoughtfulness of the hostess. Two chil- dren have been born of their wedded life: Minnie, wife of Thomas Valentine; and Harry C., who married Lottie Eishaur, and is engaged in the com- mission business with his father.
Mr. Bennett is a thoroughly wide-awake practi- cal man of business, who conducts his affairs me- thodically and systematically, and withal so hon- orably that his credit is good wherever he is known. His army life is commemorated by his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, and he also
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belongs to the Masonic order. He is a man of true Christian spirit, a member of Calvary Mis- sion Church, and is active in all good works that tend to elevate the community. In politics he favors the policy of the Republican party.
OSES S. BEECHER. Among the reputable business men of Peoria none have a better standing for their use of honorable busi- ness methods, their knowledge of that in which they deal, and their high principles, than the subject of this notice, who has for a number of years been engaged in the lumber trade, and whose portrait appears in our ALBUM. He comes of the old Pilgrim stock, the paternal line being traced back to the days of the Puritan Fathers, and can proudly point to ancestors who have done the country good service in her times of peril, as well as in the quiet years when an honorable life was ber chief need.
Our subject is a native of New Haven, Conn., born December 1, 1831, to Alexander H. and Phebe (Weed) Beecher. Tbe parental family included six children, four of whom are now living, he of whom we write being the eldest of these. ITis parents were natives of the same State as himself. his father being originally a comb-maker, but after- ward a merchant. He died in 1886, and his good wife is still living. The son of whom we write was apprenticed to the carriage-making trade. which be followed altogether twenty-nine years. Of the union of our subject and his wife, which was celebrated .June 13, 1865, three children have been born, namely : Mary F., Cornelius R. and Edith J.
In the year 1860 Mr. Beecher came to Peoria, where he continued to work at his trade until 1877, becoming well known for thorough and reliable workmanship. During the year mentioned he re- moved to Harvey County, Kan., where he opened up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, re- siding there nine years, after which he returned to Peoria and embarked in his present occupation. He is still one of the prominent stockholders in the
Newton National Bank, at Newton, Kan. He is a member of the Masonic order, having attained the Thirty-second degree in Masonry. Politically, he is a Republican, and religiously, is a consistent member of the Congregational Church.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Moses Beecher, a native of Connecticut, became a sailor in early life, and during the Revolution did his country good service as Captain of a privateer. Ile was taken prisoner by Commodore Hardy, and after spending six months in captivity, was released on the coast near Ilalifax, placed on a barge and taken out to where the water was up to his neck. when he was told to make his way to land as best he could. He was unable to swim, but he managed to get ashore, where he was ared at by the enemy. but escaped fatal injury and finally reached friends.
On another occasion while pursuing his seafaring life he was taken prisoner. when the Island of Cuba was under an embargo, and spent several months in the notorious Moro Castle prison. He performed ninety-nine long voyages, braving the perils of the deep for more than half a century, sailing on nearly every sea under the sun, visiting many a foreign land, and establishing an enviable reputation as a sea captain and practical navigator. Ile entered into rest in 1847, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, leaving a large family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to cherish his memory.
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G EORGE W. BUTTS, Akron Township is the home of many men of enterprise who bave displayed skill in the work to which they have turned their hands. good judgment in management, honor in dealing with their fellow- men and the thoroughly upright characters which win respect from all about them. One of this class is the gentleman named above, who is located on section 25, owning three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, upon which most excellent buildings have been erected and the various fine improve- ments made which stamp it as the abode of one who has prospered in worldly affairs and possesses good
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taste and judgment. In addition to this fine estate. Mr. Butts owns a one-third interest in the West IIalloek Cheese Factory, of which he has been man- ager and salesman for several years.
Our subject comes of respectable parentage, his father having been John R. Butts, a native of Washington County, N. Y, and his mother, Lo- raina (Church) Butts, a native of Vermont. After their marriage the worthy couple lived in New York for a time, then located in Ingham County. Mich., spending about five years there, and at the expiration of that time changing their location to this county. Their removal hither took place in the fall of 1849,and in the following spring they located on section 25, Akron Township, where they lived several years. removing thence to Roek County. Wis., where Mrs. Butts breathed her last. She was the mother of three children, of whom our subjeet was the youngest and is now the only survivor. The father returned to this township prior to his deecase, entering into rest here.
The birthplace of our subject was Chenango County. N. Y .. and his natal day November 10, 1834. He accompanied his parents to Michigan and Illinois, pursuing his studies in the various States in which he resided during his boyhood and and youth, and acquiring an excellent knowledge of farm work while still quite young. To ttiis oc- eupation he has devoted his attention, choosing it for his life labor. He takes an active interest in the various affairs which will benefit this section of country and has been prominent in the local offices. As Supervisor of the township he has served effi ciently several terms, has also held the office of Assessor and that of School Director, bringing to each public station a determination to exert all his energy in behalf of those who placed him in office, and satisfying them in his manifold duties. In politics he is a Republican, and both he and his wife are active members of the Seventh Day Bap- tist Church.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated in l'eoria, November 11, 1858, his bride being Miss Emily Tallett. She is a daughter of the late Dud- ley and Anna (Church) Tallett, whose birth and death took place in the Empire State. Mrs. Butts was born January 3, 1835, and during her married
life has proved her worth as wife and mother, and has made many friends among the neighbors who appreciate her kindliness and intelligence. She has borne her husband four children, two of whom are still inmates of the parental home. These are Anna B. and Frank C. John C., a half-brother of Mr. Butts is also a member of the family. The eldest member of the family is Ella J., now the widow of Albert T. Hakes; the second is Mary L., wife of George Potter. All have been well reared, given good educations, and so fitted for useful and hon- orable lives.
S AMUEL MARSHALL, who resides on sec- tion 30, Brimfeld Township. has accumu- lated an excellent property by means of unflagging industry, judicious expenditure. and prudent management. He and the wife wlio has so ably assisted him in every worthy enterprise which he has undertaken, are numbered among the oldest settlers of their locality, and are now in the prime of their lives, enjoying the fruits of years of usefulness and well doing. It affords us pleasure to present to the readers of this volume some facts regarding their past lives, and by doing so indieate the road to sneeess.
The Marshall family is of English lineage, the great-grandfather of our subject having emigrated from the mother country many years ago and lo- cated in Maryland. In Baltimore County of that State, Edmund Marshall, the father of our subject, was born. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Ilis death took place in 1840. The mother of our subject was a native of Kentucky, her maiden name baving been Rebecca Richey. The son, Samuel, of whom we write, was born in Preble County, Ohio, February 8. 1825, reared amid the surroundings ineidental to life in a newly-opened country, and given such educational privileges as the public schools of that time and seetion would allow. He is mainly self-educated, as he is self-made in a financial sense.
Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, Mr. Marshall won as his bride Miss Eliza A. Austin,
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a native of Preble County, Ohio, born in 1828, and a daughter of James and Beulah Austin. She is a sister of James E. Austin, of Brimfield Township, this county, of whom a biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Marshall and his bride journeyed to the Prairie State, making their abode for a year in Adams County on a rented farm. They then came to Peoria County, and settled on a farm now owned by Squire D. Kemp, living thereon some twenty-three years. At the expiration of that period they took possession of their present home, whose acreage they have increased, placed under cultivation and thoroughly well improved. Their estate consists of three hundred and twenty acres.
Public-spirited, interested in all movements which promise to add to the prosperity and happi- ness of all his fellow-citizens, efficient as a school officer, and affectionate in his home life, Mr. Mar- shall may well be looked upon as an excellent rep- resentative of true manhood and good citizenship. For many years he has been School Director of his district. He supports the Republican party. He and his good wife have had five children, two of whom, James A. and Hubert C., are deceased. Albert W., the eldest surviving child, now lives in Indianapo- lis, Ind .; Emily, the only daughter, is the wife of David M. Snyder, of Knox County ; Robert R., the youngest son and child, still makes his home under the parental roof.
E DDY BAKER was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., April 12, 1816, and became a resident of Pcoria County, Ill., in 1844. Ile is, therefore, well acquainted with the efforts which have been made in this county toward a high state of material prosperity and civilization and the success which has been achieved. Ilis cash capital when he began his life in this county was $2.50, and he had a wife and two children to support. Ile now owns a valuable estate of four hundred and thirty-three acres all told. together with village property in Brimfield. This fact is sufficient to indicate what manner of man he has
shown himself to be during his connection with the improvement of the county.
The parents of our subject were Benjamin and Lucy (Ives) Baker. natives of Connecticut. When he of whom we write was about twelve years old they removed from the Empire State to Williams- town, Mass., in and near which place our subject grew to manhood. Ilis education was obtained in the district schools of New York and Massachu- setts, wherein he laid a practical and solid founda- tion for the general intelligence which he has acquired through the public press and by observa- tien. Farming has been his life work. and it is plain to be seen that he has an excellent under- standing of his business in all its details.
In the old Bay State, December 28, 1837. Mr. Baker was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Wooster, who bore him four children. The first- born, Stephen, now lives in Independence County, Iowa; Martha A. is deceased; Ilelen is the wife of John MeLanghlin, of Nemaha County, Neb .; Eddy is deceased. A second matrimonial alliance was contracted by Mr. Baker, December 28, 1875, his bride on this occasion being Miss Nellie O'llara. Her father, John O'Hara, a native of London- derry, Ireland. emigrated to America wlien about fourteen years old. Her mother, Sarah (Campbell) O'llara, is a native of Ireland, but of Scotch an- cestry. She came to America with her parents when about twelve years old. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara lived in Jefferson County, N. Y., when their daugh- ter, now Mrs. Baker, was born. but came to Peoria County, III., in the spring of 1869. They settled in Brimfield Township, where the widowed mother is still living. Of the eleven children born to them the following survive: Kitty, wife of J. W. Griffin, an architect in Watertown, N. Y .; Mary E., living in Brimfield Township; Nellie. Mrs. Baker; Capt. Thomas O'Hara, of this county ; Susannah, wife of A. G. Church. of Fairmount, Neb .: Frances A., wife of Eddy Baker; Josephine E., of Monica. The deceased are William, John, Oliver and Sarah.
L'pon coming to this county, our subject spent some four months working for his brother. Hiram Baker, at $15 per month. The most of his time was spent in breaking new land. He next farmed
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as a renter three years, then made a $50 payment on eighty acres of land, paying the balance in in- stallments, the land costing $3.25 per acre. He turned the first furrow on the ground, reclaiming it from its wild condition. He has been pre-emi- nently successful in worldly affairs, furnishing an example well worthy the emulation and imitation of future generations. Not only so, but he has been a useful member of society, in various ways aiding in the advancement of the community, act- ing as School Director and active in social circles. None are more worthy of mention in this ALBUM, and long after his body shall have been covered with the "clods of the valley" his memory will be green in the hearts of those who knew and hon- ored him. Mr. Baker votes with the Democratic party. llis good wife is a communicant of the Catholic Church.
UDGE HENRY B. HOPKINS. This name will be at once recognized as that of one of Peoria's most eminent lawyers and a gentle- man who, as Judge of this Circuit, and as a practicing lawyer for many years, won a high repu- tation for the justice of his decisions and his thor- ough knowledge of the principles and precedents upon which they must be based. For more than thirty-five years he has been established in Peoria in the practice of his profession, to which he brought a keen logical mind, and for which he was well schooled under an instructor of eminence in New England.
Ile was an active worker in establishing the first Peoria Library Association and was its first Secre- tary. Ile was also active in securing the passage by the Legislature of the original act creating the present Peoria School System, and was the first School Superintendent under that law.
John Turner Hopkins, the father of our subject, was born in Brookfield, Vt., in 1799, and died at Groton in that State, November 13, 1876. He was a harness-maker by trade, possessed of all the energy inherent in the natives of the Green Mountain State, as well as the sturdy principles which belong
to the descendants of Puritan ancestors. He mar- ried Miss Matilda Hall, who was born at Claremont, N. Il., January 19, 1804, and died at Peacham, Vt., April 13, 1885, in the eighty first year of her age. The parental family consists of nine children, at present all living, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others are Stephen W., a physician in Lynn, Mass. ; Mrs. Samantha MeLachlin of Peacham, Vt .; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. H. S. Colburn, of Athol, Mass. ; John L., of Peacham, Vt .; George W. of Chicago, Ill .; Edward W., of Northfield, Vt. ; Julins H. an attorney-at-law in Princeville, this county, and Electa, wife of William Ash of Peacham, Vt.
Judge Hopkins was born October 4, 1826, in Peacham, Vt., and in his youth, alternated attend- ance at the district schools with work at his father's trade. He completed his literary education at the Caledonia County Academy, in his native town. The last thing he did before leaving home to enter upon the study of the law was to perfect himself in the trade of harness-making. He then read law with the. Hon. E. II. Stoughton in Chester, Vt., and was admitted to the bar of Windsor County in 1852. For a year and a half he practiced with his former preceptor, then, having formed a co-partner- ship with the late E. N. Powell. of Peoria, Ill .. came hither May 1. 1854. The connection between these two gentlemen continued until Mr. Powell was elected Circuit Judge in 1856.
In 1861 Judge Hopkins entered into partner- ship with the late Hon. E. G. Johnson, with whom he was associated until April, 1873, when the resignation of Judge Puterbangh caused a vacancy on the Circuit Bench. Gov. Beveridge appointed our subject to fill the position, which he did credit- ably and efficiently. after the expiration of the term returning to the legal practice to which he has since devoted himself with his wonted fervor. The legal erudition of Judge Hopkins is well-known to all who have become in any way familiar with the legal circles of this section. And it is also well- known that his mental culture includes various scientific and literary topics which do not always receive the attention of professional gentlemen. Ile is Vice-President of the Peoria Scientific Society, in whose investigations and discussions he takes a great interest.
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