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 93
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ILLIAM P. SMITH, whose pleasant estate is located on section 13, Akron Township, has been engaged in farming from his early years and is as wellacquainted with the details of farm work as any man to be found in a day's journey. He is one of those who make of their business both an art and a science, and whose land bears upon it all the buildings and other improvements which make up a well-regulated estate. The one hundred acres which he owns, while not so large as to be burdensome to manage, is of sufficient extent to afford a comfortable income when managed by a thorough and progressive agriculturist. His home- stead is represented by a view on another page.
Mr. Smith is of Southern birth and parentage, although he grew to manhood in Hancock County, Ind., whither his parents had removed when he was but a lad and where be remained until the spring of 1864, when be came to this county. He was born in Pendleton County, Ky., January 9, 1819.
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RESIDENCE OF HENRY LETTERMAN, SEC.3. ROSEFIELD TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.
EDELSTEIN STATION
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RESIDENCE OF W. P. SMITH , SEC. 13. AKRON TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.
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His first home in this county was near Mossville, where he sojourned but a year ere settling in Akron Township. Here he has been pursuing his chosen calling, and winning the esteem of his fellow-men by his upright life, great intelligence and consider- ate dealings with those about him.
Mr. Smith was fortunate in winning for his life- companion a lady of genuine worth of character, housewifely skill and pleasing manners; she was known in her girlhood as Miss Sarah Roberts, was born near Lawrenceburg, Ind., September 8, 1822, and became the wife of our subject in Hancock County, that State, August 4, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had nine children, six of whom lived to years of maturity, three dying in infancy. Those who grew up are Araminta, Elias, Eliza, Harriet, Jasper and Letitia. They have been carefully instructed in manners and morals, and owe much to their worthy parents, not only for the loving care bestowed by all who love their offspring, but for the preparations which have been made for their usefulness in the world. Mr. and Mrs. Smith be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they have excellent standing. Mr. Smith casts his vote and exerts his influence for the Republican party.
The parents of our subject were William and Martha (Johnson ) Smith, natives of Virginia, who died in the Hoosier State. They had a large family, rearing eleven children to manhood and woman- hood. Of these our subject was the seventh in order of birth. The parents of Mrs. Smith were Benjamin and Letitia (Cox) Roberts, the former a native of New York and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Roberts died in Kansas and Mrs. Roberts in Iowa. They had seven children, of whom Mrs. Smith was the second and is now the only survivor.
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R OBERT BOAL, M. D. This name will at once be recognized as that of a physician well versed in the theory and skilled in the practice of his profession, who has for years enjoyed a fine practice and an exalted repu- tation in medical circles. It will be recognized also
as that of one who has been connected with the legislative work of the State and with her benevo- lent institutions, in every position to which he has been called, performing the duties devolving upon him with discrimination, courage and zeal. No resident of Peoria is more deserving of representa- tion in a BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM than Dr. Boal, the main facts in whose history it is our purpose to relate.
Dr. Boal comes of excellent parentage, being a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Crain) Boal, natives of Dauphin County, Pa. The father was a mer- chant who, having removed to Cincinnati in 1811, conducted his business there until 1816, when he was called from time to eternity. His widow sub- sequently removed to Dayton, where she became the wife of John H. Williams, to whom she bore a daughter, Eliza J. This daughter became the wife of Judge Charles Sherman, of Cleveland, a brother of Gen. W. T. and Senator John Sherman. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sherman were the parents of two daughters, who became the wives of Don Cameron and Gen. Miles respectively.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of his father's children and was born in Dauphin County, Pa .. November 15, 1806. He had one brother, William C., who died near St. Charles, Mo., in 1859, and two sisters -- Mrs. Martha McEwen, now living in Montezuma, Ind., and Mrs. Mary Snyder, whose home is in Lacon, this State. His father dying when Robert was but a lad, the latter was taken in charge by an uncle, Robert Boal, for whom he had been named. The uncle was a resi- dent of Cincinnati, where our subject received his rudimental education in the common schools and prosecuted his studies up to the junior year in the Cincinnati College. Desiring to make the profes- sion of medicine his own, he then began its study with Dr. Wright, of Reading, Ohio. After a year and a half spent in the office of that gentleman, he returned to Cincinnati and entered that of Profs. Whitman & Cobb, both of whom filled chairs in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. He fi- nally entered the institution from which he was graduated in 1828, immediately thereafter begin- ning practice at Reading, Ohio.
Dr. Boal remained in the village mentioned four
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years, after which he opened an office in Cincin- nati, remaining there until 1836. For three or four years of the time he was Demonstrator of Anatomy in his Alma Mater. In 1836 he came to the Prairie State, locating at Lacon, where he con- tinued to reside until 1865, at which time he changed his location to Peoria. In 1844 he was elected State Senator on the Whig tieket and for four years gave his attention to the interests of his constituency and the State at large. In 1854 he was sent to the House, re-elected in 1856, and at the close of the session. in 1857, was appointed by Gov. Bissell, Trustee of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Jacksonville. To that position he was reappointed by Richard Yates in 1861, and the ap- pointment was continued by Govs. Oglesby, Palmer and Beveridge, the entire term of his service being seventeen years, during the latter part of which he was President of the Board.
In 1862 Dr. Boal was appointed Surgeon of the Board of Enrollment for the Fifth District, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. Since that time he has been ardently pur- suing the duties pertaining to his profession, for which he is so well qualified and in which he takes great delight. He is President of the Peoria Med- ical Society and ex-President of the State Medi- cal Society and a member of the American Medical Association. In 1882 he was made President of the State Society, holding the office one term. IIe can justly claim to be one of the makers of the Re- publican party, to which he has adhered without a shadow of turning since its organization, he being a delegate to the Convention at Blooming- ton. in 1856, that formed the party in Illinois. When a member of the legislature he and the late Judge Stephen T. Logan voted persistently for Abraham Lincoln, until entreated by their favor- ite to cast their ballots for Trumbull and thus pre- vent the election of Matteson. They did as they were requested, and, thanks to the magnanimity of Lincoln, Trumbull was elected.
The marriage of Dr. Boal and Miss Christiana W. St. Clair was celebrated in 1831, and was fol- lowed by a happy wedded life of more than half a century. Mrs. Boal crossed the river of death in June, 1883, leaving to her dear ones that best of
all legacies-a record of kindly deeds springing from a noble character. She was the mother of two sons and one daughter. The first-born, Charles T., now resides in Chicago, engaged in the whole- sale stove and iron business, his establishment being known as the Charles T. Boal Stove Com- pany. The younger son, James St. Clair, died in Chicago in 1888. He was a lawyer by profession, and for the last ten years of his life First Assist- ant United States Attorney in the Garden City. The daughter, Clara B., is now living in Lacon; she is the widow of Col. G. L. Fort, who repre- sented what was then the Eighth Congressional Dis- trict of Illinois, for eight years, and who died January 13, 1883.
LEXANDER McILREE, deceased, was in his day one of the most useful members of the farming community that conducted the early development of the rich agricultural resources of Logan Township, and his name will ever be honored and venerated as that of one of its pio- neers.
Our subject was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, and was a son of Archibald and Jane Mell- ree, who were farmers and spent their entire lives on their native isle. The following are the names of their nine children: Andrew, John, Samuel, Eliz- abetli, Mary, Jane, Archibald, William and Martha. John and Andrew died in Ireland. The rest came to the United States and married, with the exception of Jane. Samuel was the first to come to this country, and he located in Philadelphia; William settled in Oregon; Elizabethi died on lier way to Illinois, and the other three lived in Smith- ville, this State.
Alexander McIlree came to the United States in 1831, be being then in the prime of early man- hood. He lived in Philadelphia for some years, where lie was engaged as a dyer. In 1852, resolv- ing to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, and wisely thinking that the rich soil of the Prai- rie State was best adapted to his purposes, he came to this township and settled on section 22, He
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carried on his farming operations with skill, and was prosperous in his undertakings, and finally became the proprietor of two hundred and sixty acres of land, as well cultivated and finely im- proved as any in the neighborhood. Here his death occurred on the 12th of June, 1885, at the age of eighty-one years. Thus was rounded out a life that was blameless in every respect and af- forded an honorable example of truthfulness, fidel- ity and trustworthiness in all the departments of life that he had been called on to fill. Ile was a man of firm religious nature, and in him the United Presbyterian Church had one of its most consist- ent members. Mr. McIlree was twice married. He was first wedded to Jane Eman, widow of James Eman, her maiden name having been Salsbury. Two of the children by that marriage are now living-Samuel S. and Mary J., wife of Nathaniel B. Leslie.
The second marriage of our subject was with Sarah J. Toland, widow of George Toland and a daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Gilbreth) Watts, who were born and died in Perry County, Pa. They were farmers by occupation and religi- ously, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had nine children: Mary A., who died when young; Sarah J .; John, a resident of Pennsylvania, who served in an Illinois regiment during the war; Emeline, wife of David Harper, of Pennsylvania; Andrew, a resident of Pennsyl- vania, who served in the war; Margaret, deceased, wife of Adam Woods, of Pennsylvania; Mitchell, who served in a Pennsylvania regiment during the war and died near Raleigh, N. C .; Susan, wife of George Kesler, of Rock Valley, Iowa; Frederick, a resident of Nebraska, who served in a Pennsyl- vania regiment during the war; Maria, and Har- riet, who died when young.
Mr. and Mrs. Watts were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Watts was a son of Frederick Watts, whose parents came from Ire- land. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was twice married and had eleven children. Mrs. Watts was a daughter of Andrew and Jane Gilbreth, who were natives of Pennsylvania and were of Irish origin.
Mrs. Mellrce came to Logan Township with
her first husband in 1851, and they made their home south of Smithville, where he died in 1852, leaving her with one child, George, who subsc- quently died at the age of three years. By her marriage with our subject she has two children- Juniata W. and Cleona May. Mrs. Mcllree is a true and consistent Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her first husband also belonged. She owns one hundred and eighteen acres left to her by her husband, and she has a fine residence and a very attractive home, in which she lives in the enjoyment of the esteem and respect of all about her.
n ICHOLAS HOGAN. Richwood Township possesses extraordinary facilities for the manufacture of brick, and prominent among those who have availed themselves of the opportu- nities thus offered is this gentleman, who is a pioneer in the industry and has built up an extensive and prosperous business. He also gives attention to ag- riculture, and is the proprietor of a well-managed farm on section 33, where he has a commodious, substantial home.
Mr. Hogan was born in County Kilkenny, Ire- land, February 2, 1830. Ile remained on his native isle until he was twenty years of age, and then, in the year 1850, sought his fortunes on American soil. He landed in New York City and worked several months in that place, and then came to Peoria in the fall of the same year. He found employment as a workman on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad, which was then in the process of construction, and he aided in its building until the following spring. He was then employed for two seasons for others in making brick. After that he engaged in the manufacture of brick on his own account in 1856, settling on the land that he now occupies. His yard is well fitted up with all the necessary apparatus for making brick of a good quality, and he manufactures from a million to fourteen hundred thousand annually. By his thrift, frugality and unceasing toil he has placed himself in comfortable circumstances, and is the owner of
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valuable property. He has a farm of eighty-three acres on section 33, Richwood Township, on which he has erected a large brick house and has fitted it up in good style, having besides other suitable buildings on his place.
Mr. Hogan was married, in Peoria, to Mary Dunphy, who is likewise a native of County Kil- kenny. Three of their children died when quite young. They have five children living: Kate, the widow of James Riley; Patrick; Ann, wife of El- wood Fry ; Julia, wife of Patrick Langon, and Mary.
Mr. Hogan is a good business man and stands well in the financial circles of the county. His pleasant face and courteous geniality have won him many a warm friendship, and placed him high in the regard of the community. He and his good wife, are conscientious Christians and are truc members of the Catholic Church. Politically, Mr. Hogan is a firm supporter of the Democratic party.
AMES D. ROSZELL, who is actively en- gaged in farming operations in Richwood Township, is a native of the county, and is performing a creditable part in the further- ance of its material prosperity. He is a son of Ste- phen W. Roszell, a native of Virginia. His mother was Emily H. Wren, and was also a Virginian by birth. After their marriage the parents of our sub- ject settled in Tazewell County among its pioneers, and lived there for several years. They subsequently came to Peoria, where Mr. Roszell established him- self in the grocery business. He is now an honored resident of Richwood Township.
Our subject was the seventh of a family of nine children, and he was born in Peoria, November 17, 1852. He was reared to manhood in that city, and gleaned a good education in its public schools. He remained with his father until his marriage in 1876, and then settled in Peoria Township, remained there for four and one-half years and then came to his present place of residence on section 21, Rich- wood Township. Here he has one of the best farms of the neighborhood, comprising eighty acres of land under the best of cultivation, and supplied
with all modern improvements, including a fine set of farm buildings and a cozy, attractive home.
Mr. Roszell was married in this county in the town of Smithville, to Miss Annie L. Bourne, their marriage being solemnized September 4, 1876. Mrs. Roszell is a native of Smithville, born De- cember 7, 1856, to Herbert E. and Sarah (McIntire) Bourne. Her father was born in Illinois and her mother in Ohio. They married and settled in Smithville, of which they were pioneers, and where he was prosperously engaged in farming until his death in 1866. They had three children, of whom Mrs. Roszell was the first. IIer marriage with our subject has been a happy one and has been blessed to them by the birth of four children-Bruce B., Erle D., Ada and Lyle W.
Mr. Roszell is an industrious, frugal, capable farmer, who, by his constant devotion to his work, which is directed by wise discretion and good exec- utive ability,has wrought with his own hands a suc- cessful career in his chosen occupation. A man of exemplary habits and sound principles, he is well thought of by all the community. Politically, he lends his influence to the Democratic party. In his intelligent discharge of the duties of School Di- rector, which position he has held several years, lie has promoted the educational facilities of the town- ship. Mrs. Roszell, who is in every respect a true and worthy woman, is much interested in and takes an active part in Sunday-school work.
OHN A. McCOY, deceased, was a pioneer settler of Peoria, and for many years was prominently connected with the civic inter- ests of the city as Justice of the Peace and conveyancer, and by his death this community lost one of its most valued citizens, who had with true public spirit sought not only to promote its mate- rial prosperity, but was active in advancing all schemes for its social and moral improvement.
Mr. McCoy was born in Franklin Connty, Pa., February 9, 1810, and there grew to man's estate, and then married Miss Eliza Lindsay, their mar- riage taking place in McConnelsburg, April 23,
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1833. She was a native of Bedford County, where she was born April 23, 1816. The first few years of their married life were passed there, but in June, 1837, they turned their faces westward, having re- solved to build up a home on the then wild prairies of Illinois. Their journey was performed by stage as far as Pittsburg and thence they came by water to St. Louis and finally arrived at their destination in this part of the country. They found the coun- try round about in a very wild condition, and Peoria scarce gave signs in the few houses then standing of its present size and importance. Mr. McCoy first established himself in the shoe busi- ness which he carried on successfully until he was called from private life to fill the office of Justice of the Peacc, and later he came to be conveyancer, and served in both capacities for many years until the time of his death. He had a good knowledge of the law and made a good reputation as a Justice by his uprightness and carefulness in his decisions. He was as an incumbent every inch a man, possess- ing probity, true dignity, high moral principles and these, no less than his sterling sense, sound intelli- gence, and clear head, commanded universal esteem and regard. A terror to evil doers, others found in him a true friend and wise counselor. In his political beliefs Mr. MeCoy was a strong ally of the Republican party. A true Christian, his Christian- ity was illustrated by his every day life. He was one of the most prominent members of the Presby- terian Church, was one of the first to identify him- self with that faith when the few who organized the church worshipped in the courthouse, and he helped largely in building the Second Presbyterian Church in this city. He was also a great worker in the Sunday-school, and taught successively many classes and many of the active business men of to- day can look back to the time when they sat under his instruction and imbibed wholesome teachings which have had an effect in their after lives. It will be seen that by his death, July 9, 1885, a citi- zen was removed from our midst, who was active and influential in many directions and to whom the community owed much.
The McCoy family is one of the old and respected families of the city. Mrs. McCoy is still living in a pleasant home which she aided her linsband in
building, at No. 418 Eaton Street. There they cele- brated their golden wedding that marked the fiftieth milestone of a long and happy wedded life. Mrs. McCoy has lived here for more than fifty years and has watched almost the entire growth of the city. Six children were born of her wedded life, all of whom are living, as follows: James McCoy, a wholesale grocer on South Washington Street, (his brothers being connected with him under the firm name of James McCoy & Co.). A. Lindsay, William, Sarah, J. Alexander and J. C. The mother can well be proud of the honored po- sition her sons have attained. A. L. married Miss Ida Weis of this city, and they have three children, Helen I., Lester and Liun.
P AUL S. LIETZ. This name will be recog- nized by many readers as that of a rising young architect of Peoria-a man who has already achieved marked success in his line, who bears the reputation of an honest, trustworthy business man, and whose private character is irre- proachable. He is entirely self made, owing his fame and success to his own works, backed by his inherited talent for art, which has been of great benefit in the occupation to which he devoted him- self. We are pleased to invite the reader's at- tention to his portrait, which is presented in connection with his personal sketch.
Mr. Lietz is a native of Louisville, Ky., born in 1858, and belonging to a family which has produced artists and musicians of high repute. ITis father, Theodore L. Lietz, was born in Germany, and was formerly an officer in the Germany army. He is at present residing in Milwaukee, Wis. He has won fame as an artist, while his eldest son, now United States Band Master at Vallejo, Cal., has gained re- nown as a musician. The mother of our subject was known in her maidenhood as Miss Matilda Scheidemantle.
When he of whom we write, was five years old he went to Indianapolis, where he attended the public schools when he had arrived at a suitable age, afterward pursuing his studies in Indiana Univer-
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sity. After leaving college he began the study of architecture under Edwin May, of Indianapolis, one of the first of American architects. A few of the masterpieces designed by this gentleman are the Indiana State Asylum, the State Honse, the Marion County Court-house, and the Northern Indiana State Prison. Young Lietz remained under his tu- telage eight years, imbibing in a great measure the architectural conceptions which have made his instructor famous.
In 1880, Mr. Lietz came to Peoria, at once as- suming a position among the leading architects of the place. His works are not confined to the city, but include the Pontiac Reform School building, the hospital at Bloomington, and many other prom- inent structures in the West. A large number of the fine residences in Peoria are due to his cre- ative genins, while the High-School building, the J. II. Lee school building, the Reed school and library building, which are pronounced by compe- tent judges to be among the best school buildings of the West, were also designed by him.
The culture, refinement and estimable character of Miss Sarah Albs, a native of Toronto, Canada, won the regard of Mr. Lietz, which being recipro- cated, they were united in marriage in 1884. They are the happy parents of two interesting children- Olga and Nita. Mr. Lietz is building an elegant residence on Moss Avenue for a home, which under the control of his wife, will undoubtedly become a favorite resort for the best society of the city.
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C HARLES H. KEACHI. The life of this gentleman affords a striking example of perseverance and indomitable courage by which serious reverses have been conquered and a competence accumulated. He began his career in life with no means, but by laboring industriously and managing prudently he had obtained a foot- hold when his residence was destroyed by fire. This catastrophe only made him the more deter- mined and he struggled through it and his other discouragements, finally becoming the owner of three hundred and five acres of land on section 1,
Kickapoo Township, and being able to place upon his estate excellent farm buildings and all the im- provements which stamp it as the home of a suc- cessful and progressive agriculturist.
The father of our subject, Henry Keach, was born in Rhode Island. He married Lncy Hall, a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., making his home in the East nntil 1846. Ile then selected a location in Peoria County, Ill., and on the follow- ing year settled his family in Radnor Township. They subsequently removed to Hallock Township, where they were living at the time of the death of Mrs. Keach, which occurred in Peoria in the win- ter of 1888. The bereaved husband and father is still living. They reared a family of twelve children, of whon our subject is the third in order of birth.
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