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 78
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The wife of our subject, breathed her last April 11, 1878, after twenty years of invalidism. She
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was born within four miles of the Mammoth Cave, Ky., and her father Isaac Doyle, having been one of the earliest settlers in this part of Peoria County, she had a vivid experience of pioneer life and scenes. Indians were numerous and hostile wlien she was brought hither and the family was fre- quently obliged to seck shelter in the thickets. They lived in a tent for some time. She drove the team which turned the first furrow in Elba Town- ship, Knox County, he who became her husband guiding the breaking plow. She was a woman of noble character. a consistent member of the Methi- odist Episcopal Church, and her memory is revered by her family.
The father of Mrs. Taylor was the first Justice of the Peace in Elmwood Township and one of its most prominent citizens. His residence in the Prai- rie State began in 1831, and his death occurred March 29, 1879. His first wife, Mary Copeland, passed away January 10. 1859, leaving four sons and five daughters. His second wife is yet living.
ENRY TRUITT, deceased, was during his life one of the best-known citizens of this county, and one of its leading financiers and business men. He was a pioneer mer- chant of Chillicothe, and while he lived no enter- prise was evolved for the advancement of the business and social interests of the city with which he was not prominently connected. lle came here in the carly '50s, when Chillicothe was but a ham- let, and opened a warehouse on Water Street, and from that small beginning accumulated a large and valuable property, his business growing with the growth of the city. Later he turned his attention to the lumber and grain trade and did a large business in buying and selling both grain and lumber. In 1868 he helped organize a private bank at this place, the bank being known as Trnitt, Mathews & Co.'s Bank which has since held a leading place among the financial institutions of the county. He was a large stockholder in the concern and was its President.
Mr. Truitt was a native of Indiana, born at
Rising Sun, January 1, 1819. He grew to maturity in his native State and was first married there to Frances M. Goddard, who was also a native of In- diana. After the birth of their two elder children, they came to Illinois and established a home in Chillicothe, and here their third and last child was born, Henry, who died when ten months old. While yet in life's prime Mrs. Truitt was taken from her husband and family, her death occurring December 27, 1863. The only living child of that marriage is Frances M., wife of Nathaniel Cutright, a lum- berman of Chillicothe. The daughter who died was Mrs. John W. Fuller, of Peoria, who departed this life when she was a young woman.
Our subject was a second time married near Chil- licothe taking as his wife Mrs. Eliza A. Moffitt, nee Dennis, who survives him. Mrs. Truitt was born in Clermont County, Ohio, March 9, 1829, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Rachael (McClelland) Dennis. They were early settlers of Illinois, having come to I'coria County, in 1833, and locating on a farm, and here Mrs. Dennis died less than two years after- ward. Mr. Dennis later went to Galesburg, and lived there for some time and then came back to Peoria County, to his old home, where he passed away from the scenes of earth at sixty years of age. He had been a second time married and his widow is now living in Galesburg. Mrs. Truitt was only six years old when her mother died, and she was afterwards reared by Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Read, with whom she made her home until her first mar- riage to Alonzo Moffitt, who was an old settler of this county. His father was a merchant, and in his store he spent his active life until his death in 1850, while yet in life's prime. Mrs. Truitt was thus left a widow with one child, Olive E., who is now the wife of Linas S. Hoyt, a grain dealer of Chillicothe. By her marriage with our subject Mrs. Truitt has one child, Rollin HI. Truitt, born March 13, 1866, who now manages his mother's in- terest in the bank of which he is cashier. Ile married Effie Johnston, of this county. Mrs. Truitt is a woman of great worth, and in her the Baptist Church has one of its most consistent mem- bers and liberal supporters.
Mr. Truitt's life-career distinguished him as a man of exceptional character, of prompt and sys-
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Edward, allen
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tematic business habits, combined with honorable and conscientious dealings, and too much cannot be said of him as a man of unswerving integrity aud truthfulness, whose clear head and large fore. sight and sagacious judgment gave his opinion great value and his counsel was often sought by his fellow citizens who thought very highly of him. In him all worthy reforms found a champion, and he was especially interested in the temperanee movement, and was influential in the Prohibition party during the last years of his life. A sincerely religious man. he was a valued member of the Methodist Church. At his death, September 17. 1884, there passed away a truly good man and one of our most venerated citizens.
E DWARD ALLEN has for many years been extensively connected with the mining interests of Peoria County, and still owns valuable mines in the vicinity of the city of Peoria. Ile is also identified with the agricultural interests of the county, owning and occupying a well- improved farm in Limestone Township, and re- siding in an attractive home, beautifully located on seetion 13, about three miles southwest of the court-house.
Mr. Allen, whose portrait is shown on another page, is a native of Burlingham, Warwickshire, England, his birth taking place April 16, 1827. Ilis parents were James and Mary (Graham) Allen, and after he came to this country and was well settled he sent them money to pay their passage across the water, so that their last years were spent in comfort in this country. When our subject was a small boy the family removed to the county of Durham, England, where he was reared. He had to work in the mines in the day time, and his only chance for obtaining an education was in attending an evening school, but since then he has advanced his education by reading and otherwise, and is a man of some learning.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Allen and his
brother James came to America to seek their for- tunes. They settled in Pittsburg, where our sub- ject soon became interested in the coal works. He was there six years, and then, in the fall of 1854. came to Peoria, attracted thither by the splendid opportunity offered men of enterprise in these rich coal fields. He settled on section 13, Limestone Township, adjoining the city of Peoria, and at once entered the business of coal mining, and has bought and operated some of Peoria's largest mines. lle still owns large mines near the town, but at present is not operating them. He has also engaged in farming to some extent, having a farm of fifty-two acres of exceedingly fertile land, which he has placed under the best of cultivation, and has sup- plied it with good modern improvements. His ventures have brought him wealth and made him one of the most substantial men of the township.
The maiden name of the wife who presides over the pleasant home of Mr. Allen and so cheerfully assists him in extending its hospitalities to their numerous friends, was Sarah Patton. She was of Pennsylvania birth, and is a danghter of John and Catherine (Yoc) Patton. Of their happy wedded life ten children have been born, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Mary, wife of Joe Day; James, Catherian, Edward, Sarah, Elizabeth, Josephine and William Albert. The children are all well educated, Elizabeth having taken a course at Brown's College, in Peoria, and Josephine fin- ishing her education at the High School.
Mr. Allen is a man of sturdy, self-respecting character, endowed with firmness and activity and a well-balanced mind. He has always con- ducted his business by honorable methods, and his standing in financial circles is of the highest, while he and his family are people of social distinction. He possesses decided opinions of his own, and is independent in his religious views. A man of his mental make-up could not do otherwise than take sides against slavery when becoming the citizen of a country where slave-holding was a recognized in- stitution ; he naturally drifted into the Republican party, and is yet a stalwart supporter of its policy. He has had the nomination for Supervisor in the township, but as it is so strongly Democratic, of course did not expect to be elected. He has been
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a member of the School Board, and has served as Road Commissioner, discharging the duties of both offices with characteristic energy and ability.
E DWARD BALL, now Government Store- keeper in Limestone Township, is a native of Mereer County, Pa., having been born in West Greenville, August 8, 1850. He is the only living son in a family of six children, three of whom were born in Wales. Of that land his mother, Sarah, daughter of Mathew Kaer, was a native, while his father, Samuel Ball, was born in Bristol, England. The parents were joined in wedloek in Wales, whence they finally emigrated to America, coming to Peoria County, Ill., in 1852. Ilere they settled on a farm near Bartonville, where the father breathed his last in 1878, the widowed mother sur- viving until June 21, 1890. Samuel Ball was an old-time Whig and Abolitionist and an early sup- porter of the Republican party to which he gave his staneh adherence until death.
The subject of this brief notiee having been but two years of age when his parents came West, was reared on the farm in Limestone Township, which is still in the possession of the heirs of the estate- Mr. Ball and his two sisters. He has worked in the inines, whose development is so important an inter- est in the township, and he has likewise made a business of gardening and fruit-raising. To the offiee which he now holds he was appointed by the present administration, his fitness being recognized by those who are best acquainted with the qualities of his mind and the enterprise of his nature. He is quite interested in the progress of Republicanism and ready at all times to give his vote and other- wise assist toward that end. He has been Chair- man of the Township Committee, and for four years a member of the.County Central Committee. His party friends gave him the nomination to the office of Township Supervisor.
At the home of the bride's parents in Limestone Township, January 21, 1874, the interesting cere- mony took place which transformed Miss Colona Anderson into Mrs. Edward Ball. The happy union
has been blessed by the birth of six children, who bear the respective names of Isola, Sarah L., Samuel E., Colbert, Wesley and Claire. Under the careful instruction of an estimable mother, they are becom- ing courteous and pleasing in manner, upright in character, and with the educational advantages which they receive are developing their intelleets as rapidly as their years will permit. Mrs. Ball is a daughter of Colbert and Juliet (Trial) Anderson.
ON. BERNARD CREMER. This wide- awake, progressive gentleman enjoys the confidence and trust of the people of Peo- ria to a degree not exceeded by that be- stowed upon any other of her German citizens. He has been connected with many of her most import- ant public enterprises during the past twenty-five years, and as the manager of the "Demokrat" a sheet reputed to be the best and most prosperous German newspaper in the State, has beeome known, by reputation at least, to many citizens of the great commonwealth. lle is the senior member of the firm of B. Cremer & Bros., publishers and proprie- tors of the Daily and Weekly Demokrat, with which is connected an English and German book and job printing office. The firm includes the brothers, Bernard, Adolph, Mathias, and Charles. Reinhold was also one of the firm, who died December 14, 1876.
The Cremer family came to America from Col- ogne, Germany, in 1854, settling in Wisconsin. Our subject removed to Peoria in 1864, taking charge of the Demokrat, which he has sinee sue- cessfully managed. The paper was established by Alois Zotz in 1860, its publisher having also estab- lished the first German paper in Peoria in the year 1852. He is still connected with the Demokrat as one of its editors.
Bernard Cremer was the originator of the first German Bank in Peoria, the institution now being known as the German-American National Bank. In 1876 he organized the German Fire Insurance Company of Peoria, of which he is now President. In 1886 he was a Director of the Merchant's Na-
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tional Bank, and was one of the chief instruments in saving this now flourishing institution from wreck. He was also a Director of the National Hotel Company at the time the house was built, and was likewise interested in the Grand Opera House, in which the office of the Demokrat is located.
In 1878 Mr. Cremer was elected member of the State Legislature, where he displayed the same zeal, intelligence, and desire for advancement which have led to his personal success, and won him the esteem of his fellow-men. Having accepted the position tendered him, he endeavored to promote the interests of his constituents, wielding his best efforts in their behalf, and adding to his already excellent reputation.
OSEPH P. WATROUS owns and occupies a pleasant farm in Hollis Township, of which he is a native. He was born February 8, 1849, a half mile below where Mapleton now stands, his parents, Samuel and Julia (Palmer) Watrous, having set up the third household in the township. They came hither from Ohio in 1829, long before the Indians left the country, and to the door of their cabin, which was built on the bluff overlooking the valley of the Illinois River, sav- ages often came to beg for something to eat. Sam- uel and Julia Watrous, after enduring many of the loils and privations incident to pioneer life, and re- juicing in the growing prosperity of the section to which they had come, were gathered to their fathers their mortal remains being deposited in the La Marsh burying ground.
The parental family comprised eight children, the eldest of whom was born in the Buckeye State. They were named respectively : James, Louisa, Elmora, Marion, Philancy, Jasper, Nathan, and Jo- seph P. Those who now survive are Marion, Phil- ancy, and our subject. The latter was educated in the schools of the county, beginning his own career in life when about twenty years of age. The farm which he now occupies has been his home for six- teen years, and the ninety-seven acres which com-
prise it have been thoroughly improved by him, and made the scene of a good general farming busi- ness.
The gentleman of whom we write was fortunate in his choice of a life companion, winning Miss Mary Jane Powell, a lady of intelligence and Christian character. She is the eldest of eight children born to Michael M. and Catherine (Hamer) Powell, na- live of Wales, subsequently residents of St. Louis, Mo., and finally of Peoria. The mother is now de- ceased. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Watrous were Edward, Elizabeth, John, Emma, Maude, Benjamin, and an infant, all of whom are now liv- ing except two.
The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Watrous has been blessed by the birth of eight children, with four of whom they have been called upon to part. Those who survive are Edward, Herbert, Ralph, and Katie, the baby of the family. The parents are members of the LaMarsh Baptist Church, and are earnestly endeavoring to carry the principles of their faith into the conduct of their daily life. Mr. Watrous is a stanch Republican, following the foot- steps of his father, whose political belief gave him the name of a "black Abolitionist."
HILIP SMITH. The firm of Smith & Ga- ble, insurance agents, of which our sub- ject is the senior member, represents five leading companies and does an excellent business. So also does the real-estate firm of Smith, Gable & Reynolds which was established but a short time since and has already worked up a large trade. A pleasantly located office in the Masonic Temple on South Adams Street, Peoria, is the seat of the operations of the two firms.
Although foreign born, Mr. Smith has spent all but a few months of his life in America. He opened his eyes to the light in Prussia, May 5, 1841, and was but a year old when his parents, Paul and Mary (Rupprecht) Smith crossed the At- lantic. They located first at New Orleans, but soon passed up to St. Louis, then on to Wisconsin, and finally in 1845, made a permanent settlement in
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Peoria. Here our subject grew to manhood, re- ceiving a good practical education in the city schools. After completing his studies he engaged as a grocery elerk until his peaceful occupation was interrupted by the mutterings of the war cry.
Bred to love the country to which he had been brought in infancy, Mr. Smith enlisted June 19, 1861, in Company H, Eighth Missouri Infantry, and being mustered into the service July 7, be- came an integral part of the Western Army. The regiment afterward belonged to the Fifteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessec. Mr. Smith took part in all the engagements and manœuvres of his regi- ment, displaying the sturdy valor which seems in- separable from the nature of a Prussian, until the battle of Big Shanty, when his time expired and he was honorably discharged. He was at that time Color Sergeant of his regiment. After his return to the North he again engaged in the service of his country, doing provost duty until the close of the war, much of the time being spent in Chicago, Springfield and other large cities, as far South as Chattanooga.
After the close of the war in 1865, Mr. Smith engaged in the grocery business for two years, then entered the United States Postal service of Peoria, in which he continued ten years and until after the inauguration of President Cleveland. Engaging then in the insurance business, he has continued in that line, working alone until 1889 when he formed a partnership with A. T. Gable. He bad se- eured a fine patronage by his pleasing manners and honorable conduct. Ile has been quite interested in fancy poultry, is a charter member of the State Poultry Association, of which he is Treasurer, and prominent among poultry breeders.
Mr. Smith was fortunate in his choice of a life companion,winning Miss Mary C. Vanscoyk,daugh- ter of Aaron and Rebecca Vanscoyk, who are unmbered among the early settlers of this county. Miss Vanscoyk was born, reared and educated in this county, where she has made many friends by her estimable character, intelligence and use- fulness. She became the wife of our subject October 1, 1864, and has borne him one child- Frank H .-- now in the railroad employ in this city.
Mr. Smith is identified with the social bodies of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the An- cient Order of United Workmen, and Bryner Post No. 67, G. A. R. He belongs to the First Con- gregational Church. Ile is highly spoken of by all who know him, as a man of strict integrity in all transactions and one who can be relied upon at all times to act as becometh a man.
OSEPH W. COYNER, M. D. The medical profession of Peoria County recognizes a worthy representative in the subject of this notice, who is a disciple of the Homeopathic school, and during his practice of twelve years in the city has fully established himself as a physi- cian and surgeon of no mean talents. He has his office at the beautiful home of his own building on Perry Street, No. 109, which, with its surround- ings, invariably attracts the attention of the passer-by as indicating the abiding place of cul- tured tastes and ample means.
The subject of this notice, a native of Colfax, Ind., was born September 18, 1851, and is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Little) Coyner, with whom he lived until a youth of eighteen years. He then for a time occupied himself as a teacher, then spent two years in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. Becoming thoroughly interested in educational matters, he continued connected therewith, finally going to Nashville, Tenn., where he became Prin- cipal of a ward school, and at the same time prose- cuted his studies in Vanderbilt University.
Later Dr. Coyner spent a year in the Homeo- pathic College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in the class of 1878, and was subse- quently located for a short time in the Queen City. Thence he came in 1878 to Peoria, and established an office at the corner of Main and Perry Streets, a half block from his present elegant mansion, which he built in the summer of 1889. Within it he has the finest suite of offices of any physician in the city of Peoria, and fully equipped with all the books and apparatus pertaining to the profession or required by the physician and surgeon.
The residence of Dr. Coyner is a model of archi-
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tectural beanty, aside from its location, which is one of the finest in the city, and adjacent to which are many other of the beautiful homes therein. The presiding genius of this home, to whom Dr. Coyner was wedded February 10, 1882, was for- merly Miss Lncia S. Hotchkiss, a native of Massa- chusetts and a daughter of Carver and Sarah (Gillette) Hotchkiss of that State. The Doctor is prominent in Masonic circles, and both he and his estimable lady are members in good standing of the Baptist Church. Politics possess little interest for Dr. Coyner, although he usually votes with the Republican party. He stands well socially and professionally, and is highly spoken of as a mem- ber of the community more than ordinarily intel- ligent.
ANIEL HIGGINS. It affords the bio- graphical writer pleasure to note the suc- cess which attends persevering industry and prudent management, resulting, as in the case of our subject, in securing to him who has pursued such a course a sufficient amount of worldly goods to allow him to abandon hard labor and spend his declining years in ease and enjoy- ment. After having been connected as a trades- man and dealer with the business life of Peoria for many a year, Mr. Iliggins has reached a position which entitles him to be classed among the retired men of the city. He owns a number of dwellings in the city, from which he derives an income suffi- cient to procure the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
Mr. Higgins is a native of County Limerick, Ireland, born in June, 1819, to John and Ann (Riordon) Higgins. He was reared on a farm, but when of suitable age began to work at the carpen- ter's trade. In July, 1843, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between him and Miss Jane Gleason of his own county. Owing to the difficulty of meeting the requirements of the landlords, Daniel Higgins, together with the other members of the pa- rental family, determined to seek a home in the New World, and in 1849 bade adieu to the land of their birth. The parental family comprised seven
sons and one daughter. All who now survive are : our subject; Patrick, a marble cutter in Peoria; and Mrs. Mary McMahon, of Canton, Fulton County.
The Higgins family sailed to Quebee on the "Victoria," the passage consuming about a month, and came direct to Peoria by way of the lakes and canal. Our subject began work in a carriage and wagon shop, conducted by James Speers, continn- ing in the establishment a short time after his first employer sold out. This was five years after Mr. Higgins arrived in Peoria, and upon leaving the shop he entered the employ of J. W. Smith & Son, for whom he worked fourteen years. His length of service for one employer is indicative of the trust reposed in him as a reliable workman. At the expiration of the period mentioned, Mr. Hig- gins opened a grocery store, continuing to conduct it until he was able to retire. The establishment is at present occupied by his oldest son, John G.
Besides the son above mentioned, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have two others living. Timothy is a machinist and James S. a book-keeper for James Deal, contractor. The last named still resides un- der the parental roof, but John and Timothy are established in homes of their own. In a financial sense Mr. Higgins has done well in America, and for this, as well as for the better opportunities which his children have had, rejoices that his "own native isle of the ocean " is no longer his home. Hle is a thoroughbred Democrat, and a communi- eant of the Catholic Church. Both his parents died soon after coming to America.
ACOB GALE. Among the old residents of Peoria now retired from active life with a well-earned reputation for usefulness, Judge Gale occupies the front rank.' He has cred- itably filled several public offices, and was finally elected Circuit Judge, the district in which he had jurisdiction comprising Peoria and Stark Counties. Ile served until the duties of the office became dis- tasteful to him, when he resigned. He has been a resident of this county since May, 1834, and during
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