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 92
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The present home of our subject is on three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Tri- voli Township, where excellent improvements of various kinds meet the eye, among them being the substantial dwelling, a barn 24x40 feet, a stable capable of sheltering sixteen head of horses, a hay shed, and various other edifices sufficiently large and numerous to shelter all the stock upon the place and house all the crops that are raised. The land is fertilized by living water, a branch of Copperas Creek running through it, the entire acreage is tillable, not a foot being allowed to go to waste while fourteen thousand soft ma- ple trees and three orchards adorn the premises. Hedge and wire are used to enclose and divide the property, which consists of one hundred and twenty
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acres on section 19, eighty aeres on section 18 and one hundred and twenty acres on sections 20 and 17, all now combined in one improved farm.
The grandfather of our subject was born in County Antrim, Ireland, heing the son of Seotch parents who, after emigiating from their native land became large landowners. Grandfather Rieh- ard owned the farm "Ballinaloob," which means "loop of the bag," upon which stood a large resi- dence. Ile farmed until stricken by a fatal illness, when he divided his property among his four sons, and put his worldly affairs in order. 1Ie was a Presbyterian, prominently connected with every good work, liberal, enterprising and highly hon- ored.
Ilis son John, the father of our subject, becom- ing the owner of a portion of the old farm, op- erated it until 1845, when he sold and eame to America. He found employment in New York City, remaining there until 1857, as overseer of the engine room in the Farris, Taber & Co. marble works. He had left his family in Ireland, but in 1851, sent for them, and six years later brought them to Central Illinois, settling on a farm three miles west of Farmington, Fulton County. He rented land until 1860, then took possession of another piece of property farther West, and in 1862, in connection with our subject, bought one hundred and twenty acres of the property now occupied by the son, moving into a log house upon it. It was his home until 1883, when he removed to Farmington, making that town his home during the remainder of his life. Ile died May 15, 1890, at the age of eighty-five years. He was a Demo- crat in politics and a Presbyterian in religion, tak- ing an active part in church work, helping to build the house of worship.
The mother of our subject, like her husband, was born in County Antrim, Ireland. She bore the maiden name of Sarah Henry, being the daugh- ter of Mathew Henry, a well-to-do farmer, large landowner, and prominent man in the church, in which he was Ruling Elder from the age of twenty-one until his death when over eighty years old. Mrs. Sarah Richard has reached the advanced age of eighty-four years, making her home with our subject, her eldest child. Her other children
are Mrs. Jane Davison, whose home is in Logan County, Kan .; Mrs. Margaret Watson, living in Farmington, Fulton County; Mrs. Matilda Threw, whose home is in Elmwood; Mrs. Mary Vaughan, now living in Peoria; and Mrs. Elizabeth Rich- mond, who resides in Trivoli Township. All have children, there being from two to eight in each family, and not a death had ocenrred until the fa- ther of our subject was called hence.
Our subject was born near the Giant's Causeway, November 16, 1833, his home being so near the Channel that in pleasant weather he could see across to the coast of Scotland. Many a day was spent by him sporting on the shore and dallying with the waves of the great deep. The national schools which he attended until he was twenty years old were excellent and through their means he acquired a good education. When fifteen years old he was apprenticed to the dry-goods business at Ballamana, but after serving several years his health failed and he was obliged to abandon it. He then remained with his mother until August, 1851, when he accompanied her to America. They left Liverpool on the sailer ".Jeremiah Thompson" under command of Capt. C. II. Blake, and after a voyage of twenty-one days landed in New York City.
Yonng Richard spent three months in an office, then was engaged in painting at Brooklyn six months. He next found employment with the marble firm for which his father worked, doing their carpenter work and making good wages, under pleasant employers, who were of the Quaker belief. He came to Illinois the same year his fa- ther did, making the journey by rail to Peoria and thence by team to Farmington. For three years he rented land of Uncle John Wallace, then became a tenant of D. Brewer two years. At the expiration of that time he joined his father in the purchase of property, the price of which was $4,800, and lo- cating thereon, continued to occupy it until 1870. In the meantime he had bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 19, valued at $10,000, and as water was plentiful on the new place be changed his location. He bought the first self binder in the township, it being an Osborn Wire Binder. In 1870 he used the self rake, running it ten years.
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Mr. Richard raises various kinds of stock, keep- ing good grades of horses and cattle, having now eighteen head of half-blood Clydesdales and some three-fourths Kentucky Whip, which fine propor- tioned animals are among the best colts in the vi- cinity. He also raises mules, finding them more profitable than horses. In all his work he employs the latest improved machinery and most approved methods. He was School Director twelve years after which he resigned the position. In politics he is a Douglas Democrat. He helped build the church at Farmington, he and his father donating 8300 when they were obliged to borrow the money and pay interest on it. He was formerly Trustce of the organization but resigned.
The marriage of Mr. Richard was celebrated in this township October 14, 1869, the bride being Mis Mary Kerr, a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, and daughter of Robert and Mary Kerr. Her father was a prominent man in his section of the Emerald Isle, where the daughter received a good education. She came to Adrian, Mich., in 1864, to the home of her brothers, and having come to this neighborhood on a visit, her marriage with our subject followed. They have four chil- dren-Robert J., Martha H., James Dorr B. and Nellie M., all of whom are still at home.
ARK M. BASSETT,State Senator,is one of the leading citizens of Peoria. He is a no- ble representative of our citizen-soldiery to whose undying patriotism, unyielding valor and heroic self-sacrifice, it is owing that our glorious banner still floats its Stars and Stripes on every breeze over a free and undivided country. The military record of our subject wherein bis bravery and ability won him high official rank, is one which is an honor not only to him and his, but to this his native State.
Mr. Bassett was born in Schuyler County, III., March 27, 1837. His father died before his birth, and his mother, whose maiden name was Abigail Carlock, died when he was a small boy. He passed his boyhood days in Schuyler and Fulton
Counties, enjoying but limited educational means, yet, nevertheless, attaining such proficiency in his studies as to lay a solid foundation upon which he afterwards erected the superstructure of his legal knowledge. He was brought up to hard labor on a farm. After the breaking out of the war, he watched its course with patriotic interest and at the age of twenty-three,left his agricultural pursuits to enlist his energies as an assistant in recruiting troops for the army and January 1, 1862, had his name enrolled as a member of Company E, Fifty- third Volunteer Infantry. His coolness and cour- age on the battle field and his constant devotion to duty soon won him the merited approbation of his superiors, and gained him promotion from the ranks, successively as Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain. His first engagement was in the battle of Shiloh, and he took part in the Siege of Cor- inth, was at Hatchie and did gallant service at Vicksburg. At Jackson, Miss., he was in the hot- test of the fight July 12, 1863, and after being slightly wounded was taken prisoner, and then for some time he experienced the hardships and priva- tions of life in the Rebel prisons. Ile was taken to Libby and was one of the one hundred and ten who escaped from that prison February 9, 1864,he being recaptured the fourth night out and returned to that horrible place of confinement, and with sixty others was put into a dungeon. When Grant was marching into Richmond they were taken out and sent to Danville, thence to Macon, Ga., and from there to Charlotte, S. C,, where they were for awhile under fire of one of our guns, and from thet city were dispatched to Columbia, S. C. In that place nine prisoners, Mr. Bassett amongst them, es- caped at the hour of midnight, November 10,1864, were out fifty-two nights and finally arrived at Knoxville, Tenn., January 1, 1865. They reported to the Secretary of War and were ordered to Jack- son, Mich., to assist in drafting men and sending them to the front. April 12, 1865, he was mus- tered ont of the army, having done honorable ser- vice for over three long years.
After the war Mr. Bassett returned to his farm labors and quietly engaged in rural pursuits until the following year, when ambitious to enter the professions and make something more of life than
Hiram. H, Peirce
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he could otherwise, he commenced the study of law at Pekin, with Capt. A. W. Bull,and after pur- suing a thorough practical course was admitted to the bar in 1868. He first established himself at Pekin, and four years later, in 1872, opened an office in Peoria where he has sinee resided. IIe continued in practice until 1882. A man of pleas- ant address, ready tact, frank and ingennous, our subject is very popular among all classes, and this. together with his great energy and pluek, has been the means of placing him in a prominent position in the political and public life of the county and State. Though this district is strongly Democratic, his popularity has carried him through on a Re- publiean ticket. and he has been elected to two of the most important offices within the gift of his fellow citizens. In 1884, he was elected to the Lower House of the General Assembly, and in 1888, to the Senate, and is still State Senator. He has made an excellent record as a member of the General Assembly, and guards the interests of his constitueney with zealous eare.
Mr. Bassett has established an exceedingly pleas- ant home in Peoria, and to the wife who presides over it with grace and cordially aids him in ex- tending its hospitalities to their many friends, he was united in marriage November 22, 1865. Mrs. Bassett's maiden name was Anna E. Gould, and she is a daughter of David Gould, of Michigan.
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IRAM H. PEIRCE. As a manufacturer of brick, this gentleman is an important factor in the building industries of Richwood Township and of the county. He is a na- tive of Dauphin County, Pa., born September 22, 1826, the second of the eleven children of Caleb and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Peirce. His father was a native of the same county as himself, while his mother was born in Lancaster County, the same State. After marriage they settled in Dauphin County, where they spent their entire wedded life. He was a mason by trade and one of the first con- tractors on the Pennsylvania Railway.
Our subject was reared to man's estate in his na-
tive county, and early started out in life for him- self, after first having acquired the trade of brick- layer and mason. He followed that calling in New York City for about twelve years, and in 1855, first came to Peoria, and established himself as a inason. He was thus engaged until 1855, when he became a contractor and builder, making a specialty of jails and in the course of time erected five, one in Peoria and others in different parts of the State. Hle also put up the Board of Trade Building and Monarch Mills, and for some years was one of the principal contractors of Peoria. In 1867, Mr. Peirce turned his attention to the manufacture of bricks, making Richwood Township his headquar- ters. Ile is still prosperously engaged in that busi- ness and has a yard with the capacity of thirty thousand brieks per day.
Mr. Peirce was married in New York City, in 1854, to Miss Harriet A. Lockwood, who was born in that city, January 17, 1834. She bore him six children, of whom the following is recorded : Augusta is the wife of Nathan Giles, Jr. ; Isabella is the wife of William Hotze; Laura A. is the wife of Lewis Hines; Joseph B. married Fannie Brush ; Hattie M. is the wife of Alexander Archdale; Ili- ram lives in Peoria. By Mrs. Peirce's death in Richwood Township, her husband was deprived of a good wife, her children of a loving mother and the community of a kind neighbor and friend.
Mr. Peirce was married to his present estimable wife, January 4, 1876, the ceremony that made them one being solemnized in Metamora, Wood- ford County. Mrs. Peirce, whose maiden name was Exira A. Speers had been previously married, the name of her first husband being Jeremiah Plank. He was a soldier in the late war, being a member of the One Hundred and Eighth Illinois In- fantry. He died near Vieksburg, Miss. There was one son born of that marriage, Delmar E., who resides in Washington State. Mrs. Peirce is a na- tive of Champaign County, Ohio, her birth taking place September 11, 1839.
A man of keen forethought and an excellent in- sight into the best methods of condueting his busi- ness, Mr. Peirce is a man of weight in this com- munity, and wields a good influence in the advance- ment of its financial prosperity and everything in
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any way pertaining to the promotion of its welfare. He possesses in a full degree those pleasant quali- ties that win friendship, and is highly regarded by his fellow-citizens. He is actively identified with the Democratic party as represented in this part of Illinois. During his residence in Peoria he was a prominent figure in its public life, serving as City Marshal for two years and as Captain of the Police one year, showing himself to possess fine executive ability and true tact in both capacities and making a very desirable civic official.
A portrait of Mr. Peirce is presented elsewhere in this volume, among those of other representa- tive eitizens of Peoria County.
OHN G. S. BOHANAN was a early pioncer of this county, and as one of the organizers of Logan Township,of which he has been one of the most prominent agriculturists for more than half a century, his name is indissolubly linked with its history. He is one of the oldest settlers now living within its borders, and is held in the highest veneration and esteem by the entire com- munity.
December 27, 1808, our subject was born in the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County, N. Y., his grandfather, Robert Bohanan, having been an early pioneer of that part of the Empire State. Ile came from Germany in Colonial days with his brother, who settled in the South. He reared a large family of children in his pioneer home in New York, and died there full of years and honor. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Maj. Snell, who married a Miss Gill.
The parents of our subject, Thomas and Ann (Snell) Bohanan, were natives of the same county as himself. His father was a farmer and served in the War of 1812. In 1834 he removed with his fam- ily to this county and became prominent among its early pioneers. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of land, and in the comfortable home that he built up here he died after the war at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. He and his wife were devoted Christian people and were mem-
bers, respectively, of the Lutheran and Methodist Episcopal Churches. Six sons and four daughters were born of their marriage, whom they named- Eliza, Margaret, Lizzie, Caroline, Robert, Major, William, Samuel, John G. S., and Edward. All the children except one daughter reared families, and all came to Illinois except William, a resident of Massillon, Ohio, and Robert, of New York.
The early life of our subject was passed quietly on his father's farm, where he was thoroughly drilled in all the labors pertaining to its manage- ment. At the age of twenty he went to Albany, the capital of his native State, to learn the trade of a blacksmith of Houston & Gould. In the spring of 1834, he came to this State, by boat, with his father, being two weeks on the way. His father entered a large tract of land and gave each of his children forty acres, our subject's being located on section 13. He was very industrious and improved every moment and in time acquired a valuable property. At one time he owned three hundred acres of land, but has sold until his farm now com- prises one hundred acres. It is highly improved, is under the best of cultivation and is not surpassed in fertility and prodnetiveness by any in its vicin- ity. Mr. Bohanan is a man of wealth and has money in the bank. Ile was one of the organizers of Logan Township, and bis liberality and enter- prise have been potent factors in its upbuilding. For many years he has been connected with the Presbyterian Church, and the example of his up- right Christian life has been an influence for good in this community. Mr. Bohanan has served as Commissioner of the township. In politics he is, and always has been a stalwart Democrat, casting his first vote for President for Andrew Jackson. While in New York he was prominently connected with the militia, and was First Lieutenant of the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery. His experience and knowledge of military tactics proved very serviceable during the late war, as he took an act- ive part in drilling troops to send to Southern bat- tle fields.
Four times has Mr. Bohanan been married. Jane West, to whom he was wedded in Albany was his first wife. She was daughter of Thomas West, a New York farmer. They had two children-William,
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now living in Corning, Iowa, and Jane, wife of George Grazier. They lost four children in the burning of their house. Mrs. Bohanan was a de- voted member of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Bohanan's second wife was Sarah, daughter of Stephen Alwood. Two children were born of that marriage-Stephen, a resident of Canton, III., and George, who was a member of the One Hundred and Eighth Regiment under Col. John Brenner, now of Peoria, and was shot in Kentucky and died of the wound. The third marriage of our subject was to Mary White, widow of Robert White of Peoria. She had the following children: John a res- ident of Peoria; Samuel, who lives in Iowa; Robert and Thomas.
The maiden name of Mr. Bohanan's present wife was Mary Blackwell. Her father was Col. Dennis Blackwell, of Maine, who was an officer in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Bohanan have had four children named May, Mella, and George; their first child dying in infancy unnamed.
W ILLIAM WHITING worthily represents the old pioneers of this county, who are still living within its limits, having wit- nessed almost its entire growth. For more than half a century he has been a resident of Kickapoo Township, and for many years was active in its development, and is now living in honorable retire- ment on the old homestead on section 7, whose fer- tile acres he redeemed from the wild prairies with his own hand.
Mr. Whiting is of English birth and ancestry. His parents, William and Mary Ann (Barfoot) Whiting, were both natives of Sussex and were life-long residents of England. Mr. Whiting was a baker by trade, but for a good many years he was employed as foreman in a brewery.
Our subject was the third in a family of eight children, and was born in Sussex, England, Janu- ary 31, 1821. He lived in his native land until he was eighteen years old, and then, ambitious to better his condition and to see more of life than he could in the place of his birth, he left English
soil in April, 1839, for America, and at last ar- rived in Peoria on the 10th of the following June. Ile first worked out by the month until 1842, when he bought forty aeres of land on section 7, Kickapoo Township, and after he had earned money enough to purchase teams and farming utensils, he entered upon the task of placing his land under cultiva- tion and of making substantial improvements. Its one hundred and seventy acres are now under ex- cellent tillage and produce rich harvests, and the place is amply provided with neat and roomy buildings of a good order of architecture. Mr. Whiting worked hard to place his farm in its pres- ent condition, and having secured a comfortable competence, now enjoys it in retirement free from the eares, trials and hardships that beset his early career as a farmer in a new country. It may well be his pleasure that while he has done so well for himself, he has been aiding his fellow-citizens to place Kickapoo Township on a substantial, financial basis.
In all these years Mr. Whiting has been ably as- sisted by an active, capable wife, to whom he was united in marriage June 4, 1848. Her maiden name was Jane Cummins, and her parents were Thomas and Susan (Stow) Cummins, who died when she was quite young, in Portage County, Ohio. They had seven children, of whom she was the young- est. She was born in Portage County, May 11, 1826. Her pleasant wedded life with our sub- ject has been productive to them of eight chil- dren. as follows : Maria, the wife of Jacob Zerwick; William T., an attorney in Peoria, who married Eliza Creeg; Mary J., wife of John Zerwiek, who died in Kickapoo Township, June 10, 1879; John married Clara Chapley, and resides in Kickapoo; Edward, of Knox County, who married Miss Etta Patterson; Elmer, Aurilla and Seth Ernest.
Mr. Whiting is one of our most substantial and trustworthy citizens, and a long and honorable life entitles him to every consideration, and the respect and esteem in which he is held show that his fellow-citizens have a just appreciation of his worth. His publie spirit shows itself in his gen- erous support of all plans for the advancement of his adopted township, and in the genuine interest that he takes in educational matters. While hold-
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ing the office of School Director he was zealous in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. In politics he is a sturdy Republican, earnestly believing that party to be in the right. Mrs. Whit- ing, who shares the respect accorded to her hus- band. is a true Christian and one of the most consistent members of the Methodist Church.
ENRY LETTERMAN. On the opposite page is presented a view of one of the finest farms of Rosefield Township. This is the property of the gentleman of whom we write and is located on section 3. It comprises one hundred and forty-six acres of fertile, well-culti- vated land, a well-built dwelling, barn and other buildings, which mark it as the home of one who appreciates comfort and, having prospered in life, can enjoy it.
A native of Prussia, Mr. Letterman was born September 2, 1825. His parents, Jacob and Cath- erine (Black) Letterman, reared five children- Joseph, - Eliza, David, Jacob and Henry. The daughter, who is now deceased, became the wife of John L. Friling. The mother, a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, died in Germany.
The first of the family to come to America was the eldest son, Joseph, who lived in Baltimore a number of years, coming tbence to Peoria County, Ill., where he yet lives. David and Eliza came over the ocean in 1849, finally settling in Peoria County also. Our subject served five years in the German army, being in service in 1848-49 and participating in the battles of Hemsbach, Betz, etc. In the fall of 1850, in company with his father and brother Jacob, he came to the United States, set- tling in Kickapoo Township, Peoria County, Ill., where the eldest brother was living. Jacob subse- quently went to Nebraska, dying there.
Our subject worked for three years by the month, receiving during the first two years $8 per month and for the last year $12. He then bought a team and operated rented land until the fall of 1864, when he was drafted and went to the front as a member of Company E, Forty-second Illinois In-
fantry. He was a participant in the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and at the latter place was discharged, resuming the peaceful arts of agriculture as soon as he could return to the North and complete his arrangements. In the spring of 1866 he purchased the land on which he is now living, proceeding to put it under improve- ment as rapidly as circumstances would permit. Having been $24 in debt when he reached the United States, the success which he has achieved lias been creditable.
After having kept bachelor's hall upon his es- tate until April, 1869, Mr. Letterman won a com- panion in the person of Miss Gertrude Jeide, who was born about three miles from his own birthplace and who had come to the United States in 1864 with her mother, a brother and sister. Mrs. Let- terman is a notable housekeeper, has a kindly na- ture, and is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, as is also her husband. Their happy union has been blessed to them by the birth of eight children, named respectively: Mary, Louisa, Liz- zie, Katie, Emma, Gertrude, Ilenry and Mina.
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