Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 76

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 76

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Following this business until 1887, Mr. Sloan was then appointed to his present office, he still follow- ing the abstract and conveyancing business. He bas twice been a member of the City Council, and served on the School Board two terms. He occu- pies a good position in social and business circles, and is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, a reader and a thinker, keeping himself posted upon the leading events of the day.

The 15th of April. 1845, witnessed the marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth M. Banvard. at Peoria. Mrs. Sloan is a native of Rochester, N. Y., and was born April 15, 1825, being a daughter of Daniel and Maria (Hunt) Banvard. who came to Illinois as early as 1834. Daniel Banvard, an un- cle of Mrs. Sloan, was a prominent minister of the Baptist Church in the city of Boston. John Ban- vard was the man who first produced a panorama of the Mississippi, and traveled with it largely throughout this and foreign countries.

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sloan, eight children. six of whom are living. viz: Charles

Passmore, who is connected with the Police Depart- ment of Peoria; Eliza Z .; Maria, the wife of HI. M. Rogers; Wesley, who is a dentist by profession; Louisa ; and Harry E .. senior member of the firm of Sloan & Nelson. The parents and all the children are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family residence is pleas- antly situated at No. 508 Fayette Street, and is the frequent resort of its most cultured people.

ENRY GILFILLAN. Among the prac- tical farmers of Hallock Township, none are more thoroughly acquainted with the growth and development of this county than the gentleman above named. He has scen the country converted from its wild state into one of great beauty and productiveness, where well-tilled acres and thriving towns take the place of the un- broken prairie or the infrequent log house of the frontiersman. His own farm came into his pos- session in an unbroken state and is now numbered among the well-improved and thoroughly culti- vated tracts of the county. It comprises one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 8.

The birth of our subject took place in Ross County, Ohio, November 7, 1832,and he was buttwo years old when his parents came overland to Central Illinois. They located in Limestone Township, this county, near the city of Peoria, living there until 1846, when they removed to Hallock Township. Amid the frontier scenes young Gilfillan grew to manhood, bearing such a part as his strength would permit in the work of development and acquiring as good an education as the time and circumstances would allow. lle studied law and practiced the profession for a short time. He also learned the trade of a brick-mason and plasterer and by its pursuit earned the wherewithal to purchase his farm. lle was a skilled workman, but having chosen an agricultural life he has devoted himself unremitingly to a faithful discharge of the dutics of his latter occupation, proving his skill also in this line of labor.

The pleasing qualities and finc character of Miss

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Jemima Newell, of Marshall County. won the regard of our subject, which being reciprocated, they be. eame man and wife November 20. 1861. Mrs. Gil- fillan was born in Coles County, May 5, 1839, and was the tenth in the large family of Benjamin and Phehe (Horton) Newell. Her parents were born and reared in Bradford County, Pa., and after their marriage came west. For some years they lived in Coles County, Ill., later settling in Madi- son County, where Mr. Newell died when about fifty years old. His widow subsequently removed to Marshall County, and after some years came to live with her daughter, Mrs. Gilfillan, at whose home she died in 1876 at the age of seventy-five years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Newell were of the Methodist faith.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Giltillan is com- prised of three children, two of whom are now married and settled in homes of their own. Luey is the wife of William Kettle; their home is on a farm belonging to our subject, not far from his own residence. Charles also oeeupies a farm in the same township, his wife having formerly been Miss Martha Clawson. Olive M., a well educated young lady who intends to follow the profession of teaching, is yet at home. Our subject and his wife occupy a prominent position in society and are highly esteemed by those to whom they are known. Mr. Gilfillan has held some of the local offices and is an ardent advocate of Republican principles.

The father of our snbjeet was Adam Gilfillan, who was born near Pittsburg, Pa. He was the son of Mathew Gilfillan, one of six brothers who had come from the North of Ireland to America when young men and located in or about the Smoky City. The family has since spread out until it is now represented in many of the States. The grand- father of our subject while living in Pittsburg, was Postmaster for many years, and was prominent and influential. He had married a lady of this country and was the father of a small family.

Adam Gilfillan grew to manhood in the Key- stone State whenee he removed to Ohio. There he enlisted as a private in the War of 1812, finally ad- vancing to the rank of First Lieutenant.in the Brig- ade of Gen. McCarthy. He passed through the dangerous scenes of the war unhurt and returned

to Ross County, Ohio, where in 1815 he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Motz. That lady was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied her parents to Ohio during her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Gilfil- lan resided in Ohio until 1834, when they removed to Illinois, in 1846, becoming residents of Hallock Township, Peoria County, as before noted. Here they spent their last days, the husband dying when about forty-five years old and the wife surviving him many years, passing away in 1876 when more than four-score years old. Mr. Gilfillan was a thorough-going Whig and bore an active part in lo- cal politics. His wife was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, honored for her noble Christian life and character. Our subject and two sisters are the only surviving members of a family of ten sons and three daughters.

IRAM JACKSON departed to the bourne whence no traveler returns, March 25,1883, leaving to his family and friends a record of manly, upright conduct that goes far to- ward alleviating the sorrow that can never be wholly healed on earth. Ile breathed his last at his home at Jackson's Corners, where he had for some time been engaged in farming, after having spent several years in merchandising there. The place was named in his honor. Prior to his turning his at- tention to a mercantile career and taking up his residence in Richwood Township. he had lived in Peoria several years. following his trade of a cooper. « In that eity he had settled immediately after his marriage which took place in Moline. 111 .. April 21, 1849. At the time of his demise Mr. Jackson was in his sixtieth year, having been born in Saratoga County, N. Y., February 24, 1824.

The estimable woman whom Mr. Jackson won for his companion was formerly known as Miss Mary Smith. She was born in Allegheny County, Pa .. February 14, 1826. being the fifth in a family of six children belonging to William and Barbara (Fink) Smith. who died in that county. Since the death of ber husband she has operated the fine es tate he left in Richwood Township, assisted in her

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management of the same by her daughter, Miss Phebe. The farm consists of two hundred and twenty acres on section 19, bearing such improve- ments in the way of buildings, fences, trees, etc., as betoken it the home of a family of industry, judg- ment and good taste, who, without making any pretensions to elegance, surround themselves with comfort and enjoy those recreations and employ- ment that makes life worth living.

The family of our subject and his good wife comprised six sons and daughters, several of whom are now located in homes of their own. Ellen is the first-born ; Martha is the wife of Julius Moblo; Mary, who was the wife of William E. Wild, died in March, 1889; Phebe, her mother's helper and chief friend, is the next in order of birth; Ada is the wife of Alfred A. Burr; Hiram J. died in in- fancy. All are well informed, capable and well- respected.

Elsewhere in the ALBUM the reader will notice a portrait of the late Hiram Jackson, who, during the long period of his residence here, made many warm friends and built up a fine estate.

C ONRAD BONTZ came to this county in pioneer times, and has been a potent factor in bringing abont the wonderful change that makes it one of the richest and best developed counties in the State of Illinois. He came to the United States from a foreign shore, and found him- self a stranger in a strange land, unable to speak its language or understand its customs, but after many vicissitudes and a life of toil and sacrifices he has placed himself among the substantial citi- zens of his adopted country, and is to-day a man of wealth and influence in his community. He is the proprietor of a large and valuable farm in Lime- stone Township, and here he has erected a hand- some, commodious and well appointed residence, and has a beautiful home.

Mr. Bontz was born in Bavaria, May 1, 1819, lived there until he was twenty-one, and then came to America. After landing in this country, he staid in Pittsburg, awhile, and was engaged to work for

a gardener. He had no money, and could not under- stand the English language, and when be was called to breakfast, didn't know enough to go. There were but few Germans there at that time, which was unfortunate for him, as he seemed all the more friendless. He had left the old country to avoid go- ing into the army, as he had no taste for a military life. He was glad to get anything to do by which he could turn an honest penny, and when the gar- dener for whom be first worked paid him off, he gave him $9 in paper money, and as our subject had never seen any of it before, lie thought it was use- less. However, he presented it to the agent of whom he purchased a ticket for Chillicothe, Ohio, offering him a $5 bill for the fare, which was a dol- lar or so, and as he handed it to the man as if afraid of it, the agent gave him change in silver, which much relieved him.

Oui subject had some acquaintances in Chilli- cothe, and after seeing them he secured work on a farm in that vicinity, and afterward went from there to St. Louis, Mo. He had the misfortune to learn that the bank in which he had placed his money to the extent of $100, had become insolvent and he lost his savings. Ile had a hard time to get work in that city, and he tramped to St. Charles, often stopping on the way, and asked for employ- ment, but failed to get it. Ile finally managed to get a job in St. Louis carrying a hod, at which he was engaged until be secured money enough to bring him to Peoria. When he arrived in that city he started out in search of work, and found there was plenty of it, but no money to pay with. He finally went to live in a tavern on the river bank kept by old Mother Slougb, bis employment being as hostler. He worked there until 1844, when he rigged up a team of three yoke of oxen and a breaking plow, and started out to break the prairie. Most of the will land in the vicinity of where he now lives was broken by him, among the farms where he turned the wild prairie, being the Alva Mof- fatt place, and the land lying along the bluff bounded by that and the plank road. In the winter he used to haul logs to Monroe's sawmill, and continued in that some years. At one time, at an early day be was in the employ of a man who sent bim with some cattle to L. L. Guyer. in Brimfield Township.

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lle staid there over night, and the next morning walked to Peoria, a distance of twenty-two miles, for his breakfast. In the latter part of the journey he was nearly exhausted with the pangs of hunger, and finding an onion on the way, a delicacy of which he was not fond, he picked it up and ate it with avidity.

When Mr. Bontz was married, he built a log shanty under the bluff, near the intersection of the plank road, the land there all being covered with timber, which extended along the creek and bluffs. In the building of this dwelling he had the assist- ance of Ernest Lee, and they put up a structure 16x16 feet in dimensions, whose clapboards were held on by long poles that were tied down, and a mud and stick chimney served to carry away the smoke from the rude fireplace that was then used in place of a stove. Mr. Bontz placed a barrel of water on a sled in front of the door, and when his bride asked him if the water was handy in their new home, he said "it is just in front of the door," and there she found it when she came. They lived there two years, when he bought a piece of land where Collier's coal bank is, for which he paid in driblets of $50 a year, until he had paid up the $300 which was the price of the eighty acres. IIe cleared the land, put it under cultivation, feneed it all, and made money by chopping wood which he sold in town. He then built a good log house, get- ting the water in front of the door, sure enough this time, and ever since there has been an unfailing supply of pure cold water.

Our subjeet subsequently bought ten acres of land beautifully located on the bluff, and built a neat dwelling. One day Alva Moffatt came along and said: "Coon, there must be coal here," and he went to work and found it, and then gave our sub- jeet $4,000 for the eighty aeres. Mr. Bontz then located on his present farm, buying at that time one hundred and twenty acres which were partly broken. He built a good house, and in a few years bought the piece of land adjoining, on which he now lives, and built his present large and comfort- able residence.

Mr. Bontz has become wealthy by his operations in his various judicious investments of money, and the good business management that he has dis-

played in the conduet of his affairs. He owns four hundred and ten acres of land where he lives; las a large interest in a herd of three thousand cattle in New Mexico, has given his son, A. N. Bontz, $3.000 to use for speculation in the bank business, and has $17,000 deposited in the bank with which his son is connected.

Our subject was married in 1815, to Miss Mary Magdalena Bettelon, a daughter of Isaac and Mary Bettelon. They came to Woodford County in 1835, and her mother died shortly after, and the children were all put out to live with others, three of them being reared by John Armstrong on the bluff. The father lived among his children until bis death. Mr. and Mrs. Bontz have nine children: Julia, Mary, Amelia. Philip Jacob, William C., Lizzie, John D., George Isaac, and Antoine N. Julia is the wife of Fred G. Kruse, proprietor of a meat market in Peoria. and they have one child, Alma; Mary is the wife of William Ilenry Bishop, a farmer of Kickapoo, and they have three chil- dren ; Amelia E., is the widow of William Stromer, of Washington, Ill., where her husband was en- gaged as a merchant until his death, which left her with two children. one of whom-Ada-survives; Philip, who lives on his father's farm, married Miss Wehner, of Washington. and they have one child, Mabel; William is in New Mexico, where he owns a large cattle ranch; Lizzie is the wife of Oscar Van Arsdale, President of a bank in Burton, Kan., and they have one child, Harry ; John, who lives on his father's place, is married, and has two daughters; George is a young man at home; he has interests in New Mexico with his brother, and spent several years there; Antoine, cashier of a bank, lives in Sylva. Kan .; he married Miss Elsie Davis, of Bur- ton, Kan.

A man of good mental calibre. energetic and capable. our subjeet's perspicacity and far reaching enterprise in business matters have gained him a conspicuous place in the financial circles of this county. Ile is a man of broad and enlightened views, possesses a ready wit, and is well informed on many subjects. ITe is an independent Demo- crat, but takes no part in politics. He was reared in the Lutheran fold. but is not now a follower of that faith. bis religion being to do good and help

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others, and in him the suffering, sorrowful and needy find a sympathizing and generous friend. He does what he can to elevate the moral status of the community by contributing liberally to build churches of the various denominations that are rep- resented here.

R EV. ALBERT Z. McGOGNEY. Calvary Presbyterian Church of Peoria, of which the gentleman above named is pastor, was founded by Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds in 1867, being organized with a membership of thirty-six. The first services were held in a frame structure on Walnut Street, where the body of be- lievers worshipped until 1876, when the present church was built at the corner of First and Fisher Streets. The handsome edifice is the most com- plete in the city and has the largest seating capacity of any Protestant church here. The audience room and Sunday-school room cach have a seating capac- ity of twelve hundred, and the building also con- tains church parlors, pastor's study and the usual conveniences for carrying out the purposes for which it was designed. Its total cost was $66,000. which indicates the manner in which the people took hold of the work, as it has been, during its entire history, a religious home for working people. The church membership is now five hundred and fifty, while the Sunday-school numbers six hundred and fifty. The latter is under the superintendeney of William Reynolds, who has been continued in the office year after year since the organization was made.

The first pastor of Calvary was the Rev. John Weston, now of Chicago, who held the charge nineteen years. He was succeeded hy the Rev. A. 7. McGogney, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., a man of deep thought, broad culture and unbounded zeal in the work of the ministry. His natal day was February 6, 1852, and his parents David and Mar- garet (Bradshaw) McGoguey. His father was en- gaged to some extent in contracting and farming, but had retired from a very active participation in the labors of life. Our subject grew to maturity

in the old home in the Smoky City where he pur- sued his elementary studies. In the University at Wooster, Ohio, he pursued a literary course, being graduated in the class of 1875, with the degree of A. B., and having the degree of A. M. conferred upon him in 1878 by his Alma Mater.

Having determined to devote himself to the ministry, Mr. McGogney entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Pa., complet- ing his course of study there in 1878 and being ordained by the Erie Presbytery June 5, of that year. His first charge was Cochranton, Pa., with which church he remained four years, departing thence to labor at Connellsville. In that city he remained until he assumed his present pastorate and began the labors which have resulted in a rapid growth of the Calvary Church.

In cach of the presbyteries to which he has be- longed our subject has held the various offices. This fact speaks well for his general intelligence, his understanding of the needs of the church and his zealous interest in all that pertains to her good. He has been fortunate in his home life, having won as his companion a most estimable and refined lady, who has been his cherished companion since May 1. 1877. She is a native of Pittsburg, Pa., and was known in her maidenhood as Miss Maggie Lyons.

P ETER E. SPURCK. This enterprising and efficient business man of Peoria is President of the Spurck Street Paving Brick Com- pany, which was incorporated in 1890 with a capital of $36,000, and in which George T. Spurck, eldest son of our subject, holds the office of Secretary and Treasurer. He of whom we write is also interested in the Peoria Paving Block Com- pany which was organized about a year ago, being the first firm to manufacture large brick for the pavements of Peoria. In the latter company his son, Edward L., is Treasurer.

Mr. Spurek is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, born February 17, 1831. but grew to manhood in Peoria to which place his parents, George and Ann M. Spurck, removed in 1846. After completing his

James M& Alisten

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education he engaged in the distillery business with his father, continuing in the management of it after the death of his parent until the Trust was formed, when he became a stockholder therein. After the formation of the Trust le embarked in the brick business, having a yard in Limestone Township, this county, and another in Tazewell County. Extensive works run by steam power have been erected at each place, both yards em- ploying about one hundred men,

The Limestone Township yard is devoted to the manufacture of Peoria Paving Block, and the Taze- well County yard to that of the Spurck Street Paving Brick. These articles of manufacture have been adopted by the city government of Peoria for all its new pavements. Competent workmen are engaged in the manufacture, and the employ- ment of a considerable force of men distributes a large amount of money, thus adding to the pros- perity of various business establishments and aid- ing in building up the homes of this part of the Prairie State.

The competent housekeeper and agreeable com- panion who presided over the home of Mr. Spurck. was a native of Zanesville, Ohio, where she was formerly known as Miss Ellen B. Hughes ; her death occurred in June, 1889. The family consists of four children, the two sons before mentioned, and two daughters, Anna and Charlotte. Mr. Spurck has not been engaged in politics, pre- ferring to devote his time and attention to his per- sonal affairs and the enjoyment of social life.

AMES MCALISTER. Among the biog- raphies and portraits of influential citizens of Peoria County, we present that of Mr. McAlister, the son of one of the early pio- neers of this county, and himself a pioneer here. Ile was an early settler of Logan Township, and is now one of its substantial farmers and most res- pected citizens. May 14, 1817, he was born in the humble pioneer home of his parents, Hector and Mary (Kimzey) MeAlister, who were natives res- pectively of South and North Carolina. In the

very early days of the settlement of Livingston County, Ky., they went with their parents to that county. It is not known whether they were mar- ried in Kentucky or Illinois, but they were "squat- ters" in Saline County, this State, when the pioneers first settled there. They lived on a farm until their first child was born, and then returned to Livingston County, Ky., where he engaged in agricultural operations on a farm which he owned.

Nine years later they again came to Illinois, and were in Hamilton County until 1834, then in Sangamon County, and from there in the fall of 1835 came to Timber Township. Mr. McAlister lived for two years on a "squatter's" claim, and in the fall of 1837 came to where our subject resides on section 16, and purchased forty acres of land, which he improved and made his home until his death, May 24, 1852, at the age of sixty-six years. Ilis widow lived with our subject until her death, in 1866, at the age of seventy-three years. They were among the members of the first class organized in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 1Ie was a soldier in the War of 1812, and did good service.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Enos MeAlister, who was born in Scotland, and came to America after his marriage. He settled in South Carolina, where he carried on the occupation of a blacksmith prior to his removal to Kentucky, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. They had children, as follows: Hector, John, Archibald, Enos, Grace, Flora, Jane, Cathe- rine and Patience, all of whom married and reared children, excepting Archibald. The mother of our subject was a daughter of David Kimzey, and four children were born of her marriage, whom she named James, Archibald, Enos and Elijah. Archi- bald died in Iowa.

Reared to the life of a farmer, our subject early gained a thorough knowledge of the calling that was to be his life work. He was given such an education as the country afforded in those pioneer times, having to go a distance of three miles to school. He has lived in his present place of resi- dence since 1838, a period of more than fifty years. The half century and more that he has been engaged in developing this farm, and plaeing it under its present fine cultivation and excellent

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improvement, has been productive of good finan- cial results, and he is now a man of property. His farm comprises one hundred and thirty-eight acres of very fertile and productive land. When he first started out in life he worked by the day or month until he acquired money enough to become more independent.

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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 76

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