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 80
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In later life, however, he endeavored to supply by judicious reading and acute observation the defi- ciencies of his mental training, and has succeeded in becoming very well posted.
Grandfather River is said to have been a soldier in the War of 1812. The paternal line is of Ger- man descent and the parents of our subject natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. They were Peter and Margaret (Kelley) Riner, who after participating in the trials of frontier life in the county before mentioned, finally, in 1856, came to Illinois with our subject and died here some years later. The mother breathed her last on New Year's Day. 1868, and the father on May 14, 1878. Their family comprised ten children. of whom eight are still living: Joseph, a resident of Abingdon ; Jacob C., of Knox County ; John W .; Melinda, wife of Elias Swafford, of Iroquois County ; Rebecca wife of Isaac Thurston, of Nodaway County, Mo. ; Lorinda, wife of J. Wilcoxson, of Fulton County, is deceased; Jackson, of Omaha, Neb .; Margaret E., wife of Daniel Ollawell, of Brimfield Township, this county ; and Matthew, of Texas; Melissa, Mrs. Wilson. died in February, 1868, in Elmwood.
The natal day of our subject was January 3, 1832, and his birthplace Preble County, Ohio, in which he was reared to farming, an occupation which he has followed during his entire active life. He was married March 6, 1856, to Rachel Thurston, and the following fall came with his young bride to the Prairie State. He located in Knox County, but after sojourning there two years, became a resi- dent of Peoria County, spending several years in the northern part of Brimfield Township. In 1876 he removed to his present location where he has a most comfortable home and is successfully prose- euting the labors of his life.
Mrs. Riner was born in Franklin County, Ind., August 13, 1838, being a daughter of John and Rebecca (Thurston) Thurston. Like her husband. she is identified with the Primitive Baptist Church, earnestly endeavoring to make her daily walk and conversation correspond with the principles of Christianity. The good counsel and loving care which she has bestowed upon her children and the devotion she has manifested to her husband's in- terest. have not prevented her from doing neigh-
borly deeds of kindness. She has seven children: Etolia, Ida, Alice, William, Lorinda, John Ethel- bert and Emma. Etolia is the wife of James Por- ter, and Ida the wife of William Varns, their homes being in Brimfield Township; Alice is the wife of Ezra Varns. also of this county.
For many years Mr. Riner has officiated as Dea- con in the church with which he is identified. He is much interested in the progress of education and in various movements which he considers adapted to the good of the community. He has been School Director of District No. 9, giving his best efforts to his official duties and proving a friend to teachers, patrons and pupils, alike In politics he is a Democrat.
E UGENE B. PIERCE, a leading member of the Peoria Steel Plow Company, came to this city in 1862, and the year following be- came connected with the plow works in which lie has since maintained an interest. Ile is one of tlie most solid citizens of Peoria, a man straightfor- ward and reliable in his business habits and who enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and confi- dence of his fellow-citizens. He was born in Providence, R. I., November 30. 1840, and is a son of Caleb S. and Annie E. (Barton) Pierce, who were natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island respectively.
Mr. Pierce was educated in his native city and remained there with his parents until a youth of eighteen years. He then started out to seek his fortune. coming directly to Illinois and located first in Virginia, Cass County. He had, however, stopped on the way and engaged in teaching for a time in Chicago. He followed this profession also after locating in Cass County. The following year he changed his residence to Peoria and the next year engaged with the plow works, remaining as an employe until 1866, when he was admitted to a partnership in the business. Upon the incorpo- ration of the new company Mr. Pierce was assigned to the secretaryship, a position which he held until the plant was destroyed by fire in 1884.
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Rodney Mitchell
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The next move of our subject was to associate himself in company with Barnhart Meals, and from the ashes of the old manufactory they built up the present business which is now one of the most flourishing of the industries of Peoria County. Mr. Meals is duly represented on another page in this volume. At one time Messrs. Meals & Pierce were associated together in the hardwood lumber business with the firm of Duff & Co.
Politically, Mr. Pierce gives his support to the Republican party. He has never aspired to office and with the exception of serving on the School Board three terms has given his entire attention to his business interests. Like his partner, however, he is a warm defender of the principles of Masonry and has been associated with the fraternity for many years. IIe contracted matrimonial ties No- vember 30, 1866, with Miss Lucia A. Briggs, a na- tive of Providence, R. I., and born November 5, 1845. The four children born of this union are named respectively, Edith, Bertha, Flora and Win- nefred. Flora died in infancy. The father de- signs that they shall have the best advantages, educational and otherwise, which it is in his power to bestow.
R ODNEY MITCHELL, a native of Peoria County, is now one of its prominent busi- ness men. He is proprietor of the Rodney Mitchell Book Bindery and Blank Book Manufactory, which by his enterprise, systematic, and business like management, has become one of the important industries of Peoria.
Mr. Mitchell was born in Timber Township, April 5, 1849. He is the son of Andrew and Eliza. beth (Starr) Mitchell, a pioneer family of Peoria County, coming here in 1842. His father was born in Virginia, and his mother in Delaware. After coming here Mr. Mitchell bought a tract of wild prairie land, and made a home on the lonely fron- tier. While yet he was in the midst of his career of usefulness, his life was brought to an untimely end in 1856, when the county lost a worthy citizen. Later the mother of our subject removed to Peoria,
where he grew to manhood, and finished his educa- tion in the city schools.
After leaving school, Mr. Mitchell engaged in the book-binding business in the Transcript office, gaining a thorough knowledge of the calling, and was promoted to the position of foreman in the bindery department. He acted in that capacity for a number of years, and in 1881, went into the busi- ness on his own account, first leasing the bindery at the Transcript building, and after a successful career there of three years, establishing himself more independently at his present place of business. No. 207 South Washington Street. Ile has a large bindery, his business having grown steadily and successfully to its present size and importance. He employs a force of twelve hands, enjoying a large and extensive trade both in the city and ontside. and particularly holding his old customers.
Our subject took upon himself the cares of do- mestie life, by his marriage in 1869, to Miss Elmira Dudley, of Peoria, their marriage being solemnized on the 6th day of June. Mrs. Mitchell was born in Decatur, Ill., a daughter of Isaac and Minerva (Gregory) Dudley, and when a child, came with her parents to Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a fine family of five children, namely: Gertrude, Evangeline, Robert, Melville, and Bessie.
Mr. Mitchell has his manufactory well fitted up with all needed appliances, and conducts bis busi- ness after the most approved methods; he has met with marked success, being now one of the moneyed men of the city. His portrait is shown in connec- tion with this brief record of the principal events of his life.
R EV. GOTTLEIB TRAUB. One of the most prominent religious organizations in Peoria is the Trinity German Lutheran Church, now under the pastoral care of the gentle- man above named, whose devotion to his work and untiring-zeal in the labors connected therewith merit recognition. His mind has been thoroughly cultured in good schools and by extended personal efforts, his mental and physical strength has been
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given to ministerial work, and the influence which he exerts through his life and labors is immeasur- able. Trinity Church has grown rapidly in num- bers and influence under his care, reaching out through charitable and educational organizations to the poor and needy and to the children whom they desire to thoroughly instruct in useful lore and spiritual knowledge.
The parents of our subject were the occupants of a farm in Wurtemburg, Germany, where his father still resides. Iu that kingdom the birth of our subject took place in 1842, and he remained there until he was of age, attending the public and high schools during the greater part of that time. Ile then crossed the Atlantic to New York, and thence went to St. Louis, Mo., finishing his studies in Concordia College. Having determined to follow the grand calling in which his grand- father had done a noble work, he fitted himself especially for it, and took charge of his first con- gregation in Indiana, in March, 1864. He contin- ned in the pastorate two and a half years, then removed to Crete, Will County, Ill., where he remained twelve years, proving very successful in building up the church given into his hands.
In 1878 the Rev. Mr. Traub came to Peoria to take charge of the organization over which he still has pastoral control. The congregation now numbers more than one thousand active communicants, the running expenses are paid by voluntary contribu- tions, and all the obligations of the church are promptly met. According to the custom of that religious body, a school had been instituted in 1857. with one teacher and twenty-five pupils. This has now grown to an institution occupying three school buildings, attended by three hundred pupils, who, under the instruction of competent teachers, take up a regular curriculum from the age of six to fourteen years and extend their studies into fields suitable for more mature minds, if they so desire.
Through the efforts of the zealous pastor, suita- ble buildings have been provided for the schools, a pastor's residence secured, and a large debt lifted from the church. Its charitable and religious socie- ties are active and progressive, consisting of a Young Men's Association, a Young Ladies' Association, Home for the Friendless, and numerous minor or-
ganizations for the promotion of Christian work. The Home for the Friendless was instituted about ten years since, and many unfortunate souls have gone from its kind shelter into families of which they could become a part.
The worthy woman who presides over the home of Mr. Traub is a native of Indiana, known in her maidenhood as Miss Mary Aumann, and be- came his wife June 16, 1864. She sympathizes fully in the work which her husband has in charge, and in her cheerful society and that of their family he finds rest and comfort after the toils of the day. To Mr. and Mrs. Traub six sons and five daughters have been born, eight of whom are now living. The oldest son, named for his honored father. is following in his footsteps, doing pastoral work in Mason County. The others are still inmates of the parental home.
IDNEY A. LYON. There is perhaps no resident in Akron Township who began caring for himself at an carlier age than the gentleman above named, who certainly is worthy of commendation, when we consider that he has passed through all the temptations which beset a homeless lad and preserved a good character and habits. For many years he has been engaged in farming, and he now owns and occu- pies a good estate of one hundred and twenty aeres on section 12. It is under good tillage, has been supplied with a full line of farm buildings and the various improvements which are usually made by a man who desires to surround himself and family with comfort and who prospers in his undertak- ings.
The parents of our subject were Lewis and Ab- bie (Fordyce) Lyon, whose entire lives were spent in New Jersey. The father died when about forty-three years of age, but the mother survived until more than three-score. They had a large family, he of whom we write being the fourth of eleven children. Ile was born in Essex County, N. J., February 4. 1818, and although he grew to manhood in that county, began his own career in
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life when nine years old. At that time he left the parental roof and was variously employed until sixteen years old, when he began an apprentice- ship at the trade of a tailor, and after serving five years followed the trade fifteen years. He is a first-class workman, having thoroughly mastered every department of the trade.
In May, 1849, Mr. Lyon journeyed westward, hav- ing fully determined that the newer country in the Mississippi Valley would afford him a more profit- able field of labor. He decided upon a location in the Prairie State, and also determined to abandon his trade and engage in an agricultural career. llc located in Trivoli Township, this county, but after residing there three years, changed his location to Akron Township, where he has since remained. He has experienced some of the ups and downs which fall to the lot of all farmers, particularly of those who have not been reared to the business, but his career has on the whole been successful, and better than all else, he has secured the thorough re- spect of his associates.
The excellent woman who for many years shared the joys and sorrows of our subject, looking well to the ways of her household, capably managing the home and encouraging her husband and chil- dren in every good, was a native of New Jersey, known in her girlhood as Miss Mary Potter. She became the wife of Mr. Lyon in their native State, and bore him ten children, eight of whom lived to years of maturity. This interesting group con- sists of Mary, Joseph, George, Henry, David, Frank, Annabel and Emily. The faithful wife and. mother entered into rest April 4, 1889. She was a consistent member of the Congregational Church, as is her bereaved husband. Mr. Lyon has been an active Republican.
OHN FORD came to this country from his native England forty years ago, and has ever since been a resident of Radnor Town- ship, and no man has done more in devel- oping its agricultural interests than he. For many years he was very extensively engaged in farming
and in raising and feeding stock,[owning a large farm, besides leasing an extensive tract of land for stock-raising purposes, and it is only within the last few years that he has lived retired from active business in the enjoyment of an ample income.
March 12, 1822, was the date of the birth of our subject in Devonshire, England. He is the tenth child in the family of eleven children born to Samuel and Sarah (Smallridge) Ford, natives and life-long residents of Devonshire, each living to the advanced age of ninety years or there- abouts. Mr. Ford's early life was passed on his father's farm, and he remained an inmate of the parental home till he was twenty six years of age, when he married, and with his young bride sought a new home on American soil.
After his arrival in this country our subject and his wife made a short visit with a brother in Ohio, and then, in the spring of 1850, came to this county, and the following autumn Mr. Ford bought a tract of land on section 32, upon which he has since made his home. For the first eight years he gave his attention to farming and stock- raising, and after that he bought, fed and shipped stock very extensively for fifteen years, and at the same time he farmed eight hundred acres of land in connection with his stock business, four hun- dred acres of which he owned. His land he placed under substantial improvements, and made it one of the most desirable farms in this part of the county.
In his work, our subject has received the cheer- ful help and encouragement of the good wife who accompanied him to this country when they were both in the vigor and prime of early life. She is, like himself, of English 'birth and ancestry, and her maiden name was Phobe Ann Fry. They are now living in peace and quiet, in the beautiful home that is supplied with every comfort that one could wish, and which is the result of their united labors. They have five children living, who are named John W., Frederick F., James H., Samuel T. and Charles R. Four of their children died young.
As a breeder of fine stock, horses, cattle and sheep, Mr. Ford has been eminently successful, and as we have seen, has accumulated a handsome
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property. In his work he has shown more than ordinary enterprise, sagacity and keenness of judg- ment, and his standing in the financial circles of the county is of the highest order. In polities he is independent, giving his support to either party as bis views dictate. He has been a School Director but has never sought for office. He and his wife were charter members of the Kickapoo Baptist Church. and are among the leaders of that society. He has taken a great interest in Sunday-school work, and has been Superintendent of two Sunday- schools at the same time, and no one has done more to elevate the religious and moral status of the community than he.
OIIN M. NIEHAUS. It affords the bio- graphical writer pleasure to incorporate in the pages of this volume a brief sketch of the career and attainments of the gentleman above-named, who is a prominent member of the bar in Peoria, and whose title of "Honorable" is deserved by his personal character as well as won by his public labors. Ile possesses mental ability of no mean order, and his mind has been cultured by thorough study, his memory stored with facts and principles pertaining to his profession, and of general use. Hosts of friends are held by his high social qualities, and his fellow members of the bar look upon him with high esteem as an honor to the calling that he has chosen.
The ancestry of our subject is an ancient and honored one. the families whence he sprang being well known in Prussia. In that kingdom his par- ents, Frank W. and Matilda (Dahmann) Niehaus lived until 1856, when they came to America, the following year locating in Peoria. In his own land the father was a hardware merchant, but in this city he was for a number of years engaged in the millinery business. He died February 28, 1859, leaving a widow whom he had married after the death of the mother of our subject. The family circle of which John Niehaus made one, comprised six children, as follows: Joseph F., now practic- ing medicine in Boston, Mass .; our subject; IIen-
rietta, and Tillie, teachers in the public schools of Chicago; Frances, wife of Adolph Trefzger; and Clara, at home.
The gentleman of whom we write was born in Warendorf, Westphalia, Germany, February 15, 1855, and brought from his native land to Amer- ica in his infancy. He was educated partially in private German schools, and took a course in the Central Illinois Commercial University, having able tutors in all cases. Having evinced a desire to en- ter the legal arena, he studied law with Messrs. O'Brien and Harmon, and was admitted to the bar September 11, 1874. He then went to Chicago with Mr. O'Brien, and after practicing there for a time, went to Grand Rapids, Mich., in which city be re- mained two years. Returning to Peoria in 1877, he has succeeded well in his profession, gaining a reputation such as few men of his years can boast.
Mr. Niehaus was elected a member of the Thirty- second General Assembly. and won high favor by his application to the interests of his constituency, by his pleasant address, and his untiring energy. The year following his legislative career he was elected State's Attorney for Peoria County, to fill a vacancy, and has been twice re elected-a gen- uine tribute to his management of the prosecution of criminals, and his devotion to the interests of the county.
ILLIAM JACK was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., January 10, 1844; he came to Peoria September 13, 1860; was admitted to the bar of Peoria County in 1865, and has since practiced law in the city of Peoria.
LBERT STURM. a successful stock-raiser and general farmer of Medina Township, occupies a pleasant home on section 9. The home farm comprises fifty acres, and he also owns one hundred and twenty acres on see- tion 10, the fine property being a part of the first
William Hovenden
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bottoms of the Illinois River, just east of the great bluffs. The entire estate has been well improved, supplied with all needful farm buildings, and is be- ing intelligently managed by Mr. Sturm. who, al- though still quite a young man, is well posted regarding his vocation.
The birth of our subject took place on his fa- ther's homestead in this township, September 21, 1851. He is one of the younger members of a fam- ily consisting of four sons and two daughters born to John and Elizabeth Sturm, whose history is found elsewhere in this volume. He was reared and educated in the township, and has always re- sided within the limits of the county. In 1875 he took possession of his present estate, and began life on his own account. He is a Republican in poli- tics, a man of excellent character, and is regarded with respect by his fellow-men.
The marriage of Mr. Sturm and Miss Nancy Buttles took place in Switzerland County, Ind., De- eember 29, 1875. The bride was born near Vevay, Ind., October 17, 1849, her parents being natives of New York and the Hoosier State respectively. She lost her father in her childhood, but her mother is still living in Switzerland County, Ind., now quite advanced in years. Mrs. Sturm was carefully reared by her mother, receiving her education in her native county, and becoming a woman of intel- ligence and estimable character. She is a member of the Christian Church. The otherwise happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Sturm has been childless.
ILLIAM HOVENDEN. This gentleman, a portrait of whom appears on the opposite page, was for many years a resident of this county, spending the latter part of his life in the city of Peoria. He was long identified with the agricultural interests of Trivoli, and as a pioneer of of this county his name will ever be held in rever- ence. Mr. Hovenden was of English birth and an- tecedents, born in County Kent, March 15, 1821. He was a son of George and Elizabeth (Saxby) Hovenden. His boyhood and youth were passed on his native soil, but at the age of nineteen years.
he boldly determined to seek in America the ad. vantages denied him at home. In 1840, he landed in this country, and for three years lived in New York. He came from that State in 1843, to this county. and located in Trivoli Township, where he followed farming. He was industrious, active and wide-awake, shrewd in the management of his af- fairs, and pursued his calling with excellent success. Ile developed a fine farm, placing on it substantial improvements, and making it one of the best in Trivoli Township.
Mr. Hovenden abandoned agricultural pursuits in 1877, and leaving his homestead, came to this city with his family to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of the comfortable competence that he had acquired. Here he lived quietly and hap- pily, taking pleasure in the society of his wife, chil- dren, and friends, and here in a pleasant home that he had established, his eyes closed in death, Janu- ary 30, 1886. The citizens of Peoria united with his family in mourning their loss. He possessed those pleasant personal qualities that win regard, and those solid practical traits of character that command respect. In his domestic relations he was ever an affectionate husband and a kind father, and is greatly missed in the home circle. His wife and children do honor to his memory by having a brief record of his life placed on the pages of this BIO- GRAPIIICAL ALBUM.
Mr. Hovenden was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Mary Williams, died Jan- uary 26, 1859. He was a second time married in his native England. August 28, 1860, taking as his wife Mary Scoones, who was a native of the same shire as himself, and a daughter of Martin and So- phia (Chambers) Scoones. Mr. and Mrs. Hoven- den crossed the Atlantic on their wedding trip, and encountered severe storms on the way, but happily the stormy weather was not a prognostication of their future married life, which was calm and serene and productive of much happiness to both.
Three children blessed the union of our subject, and his amiable wife, namely: Anna S., wife of Charles Anderson; Eddie W., and Charles S. They were carefully reared by their parents to good and useful lives, and are respected by all. The sons, who are active, enterprising and able young men,
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