Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 98

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 98

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ticipated, the intervening time being occupied in the many duties belonging to camp and campaign life. The climate seriously affected the health of Mr. Finch and he finally became so ill that he was discharged May 27, 1863. Ile still feels the effect of the weary months during which his life was so stir- ring and onerous.

Returning to his home in Connecticut Mr. Finch, as soon as his health was sufficiently improved, re- sumed the position in which the call to arms had found him, but after a time he came West and be- came clerk in a railroad office. Ile received a pro- motion, beld a position on the Illinois Central and finally was with the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Road as conductor. Ile was so unfortunate as to lose his arm, but could not be induced to give up the train and continued in active business until chosen to conduct the Government affairs in which he is now engaged. Ile is identified with the Masonic Lodge No. 15; with Bryner Post, No. 67, G. A. R., and with the A. O. U. W., No. 15. His religious belief finds expression through the Congregational Church.

The marriage of Mr. Finch and Miss Sarah M. McFatrich was celebrated at the bride's home in 1868. She is a native of Wisconsin, but was reared in Illinois. Her intelligence, womanly accomplish- ments and sterling character are such as to entitle her to respect and make her an efficient home-keeper and member of society. She has borne her husband four children, three of whom are living and still gladden their parents' hearts by their presence in the home. The names of the children are George 11. Louis W., Frederick P. (deceased ) and Fanny A.

OHN II. VANARSDALE. This gentleman is one of the foremost farmers and stock- raisers of Peoria County ; is one of the lead- ing members of the Grange; is generally prominent socially and politically, and in him Kickapoo Township, where he has a large farm and a beautiful home, finds one of its most valued and public-spirited citizens.

Henry I. Vanarsdale, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, and his mother, whose

maiden name was Sophia G. Brown, was also born in that State, a native of Somerset County. They married and settled in that county. where he died in 1834. The mother of our subject came to Mason County, Ill., in 1849, and her death occurred there in 1878. She had a family of three children, of whom our subject was the second. He was born in Somerset County, N. J., July 4, 1832, and ac- companied his mother to this State when he was about seventeen years old. After coming here he first worked out by the month on a farm for $8 per month, and was thus engaged for one year. After that he bought a tract of land in Mason County, and was engaged in its cultivation until March, 1865. lle then sold out his farm there, and coming to Peoria County, settled on section 10, Kickapoo Township, and on this farm he has lived ever since. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, which is under the best of cultivation, and is amply supplied with roomy and conveniently- arranged buildings, and farming machinery of the best models, and is in every respect one of our best conducted and best improved farms, and by the exercise of sound judment, fine capacity for business, and good man- agement in all directions, our subject derives a handsome income from the rich harvests that he reaps from its fertile soil.

In the upbuilding of the attractive home that he Las established here, Mr. Vanarsdale has had the cheerful co-operation of a wife who is in every sense a true woman. They were married June 6, 1856, and of their happy wedded life six children have been born, five of whom are living: William O. is a banker in Burton, Kan .; Hattie B. is the wife of Samuel Gorden, of Kickapoo Township; Laura A. is the wife of Arthur Wilson, of Peoria; Charles, who lives at home, and Carrie W.

It gives us pleasure to place on the pages of this volume the outlines of the life and work of John Vanarsdale, who has for a quarter of a century been prominently identified with one of the lead- ing interests of the county. and is invaluable as a citizen whose earnest public spirit is a potent fac- tor in forwarding all plans for public improve- ment. He is a straightforward, manly man, the soul of honor and integrity, possesses sound intel-

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lect and force of character, far-seeing and sagacious business qualities, and is progressive, enterprising and systematic in the conduct of his affairs. Ile is a leading member in the Grange, has held most all the offices of the local Grange, and is also one of the committee of the State Grange, and has acted as General State Agent much of the time. He takes an intelligent interest in the political affairs of the country, keeping himself well posted in that re- spect, and is a conspicuous figure in the Repub- lican party of this locality. Socially, he is a valued member of the Patrons of Ilusbandry. While holding the office of School Director he sought to promote the educational advantages of the town- ship.

6 TOMAS F. KYLE is numbered among the young men of energy and enterprise who are aiding in carrying on the great agricul- tural interests of Logan Township. Ile was born February 1, 1857, in Adams County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Elinor (Melntyre) Kyle, who were natives respectively of Ireland and Pennsyl- vania. His mother was a daughter of George Mc- Intyre, who came to this country from Ireland. lle was the father of five sons and two daughters, namely: Mathew, Joseph, James, George, Jolm (all of whom married and reared families except- ing George), Elinor; and Sarah, wife of llerbert Bouran. The subject's father came to the United States about fifty years ago, and he also had two brothers who became citizens of this country and died unmarried.

Mr. Kyle lived in various places in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and finally married in the latter place and established a home among its pioneers and there engaged in farming. In the fall of 1869 he came to this State, casting in his lot with the early settlers of the county. He lived in the place where he first located until the following spring, and then removed to seetion 7, Logan Township, where he purchased one hundred and three acres of land. Busy years followed, in which he was en- gaged in developing and improving his farm, and at the time of his death, July 2, 1884, at the age

of seventy-two, he had it in a fine condition. His wife died just before he did, April 2, 1884, at the age of fifty-eight years. They had a family of eight children, namely: Robert J., William G., James, Thomas F., Joseph (living in Kansas), Al- bert, Mary and Charles. The latter died at the age of eight years.

As our subject was bred on a farm, he acquired a sound. practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches. Ilis education was gamed in the com- mon schools, and thus equipped, he early started out in life for himself when he obtained his ma- jority, and for two years was employed by thes month. After his marriage, December 6, 1884, he located on a farm of eighty acres with his brother in Trivoli Township. In the spring of 1888 he settled on his farm on section 17, having then one hundred acres of land, having purchased in the first place eighty acres adjoining. Ile has here an excellent farm replete with every convenience for carrying on agriculture advantageously and sup- plied with neat farm buildings. He possesses the requisite energy, stability, and capacity for eon- tinued labor that are so necessary in the pursuit of any calling if one would be successful in life, and he is doing well in the management of his af- fairs. He is a sturdy Democrat in his political views. Ile has served as Constable, and was found to be a vigilant and useful officer. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle have two children, named Claude F. and Jay T.

R ALPH NEEDIIAM BAILEY. Among the young citizens of Peoria who are manifest- ing a creditable degree of enterprise and proficiency in the work to which they give their attention, the gentleman above named de- serves mention. He is quite young, having been born September 19, 1866, in Sycamore, DeKalb County. His parents, Oliver J. and Mary E. (Needham) Bailey, were born in the Empire State. They removed to Chicago when Ralph was about six years old, sojourning in the metropolis about two years, then removing to Springfield, Ill. Af-

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ter remaining there a short time they located in Peoria. Here our subject obtained his edueation. first attending the public schools and subsequently taking a six months' course at Parish's Business College, now Brown's College.

At the age of eighteen years young Bailey took a position in a produce and commission house at East Saginaw, Mich., also having an interest in the establishment. After six months experience he sold out, and returning to Peoria took a position with Fred S. Tucker, in the furniture business. We next find him assistant book-keeper in the loan office of Bourland & Bailey. For the past two years he has been in charge of his father's farm work, and from the amount of stock in which he is interested might well be denominated a stock farmer. He is a Republican, ever ready to cast his vote for the principles which he believes demanded by the interests of the nation. Intelligent and of manly character, he is looked upon with esteem and gives promise of winning a high reputation in business and social cireles as he advances to a riper age.

An important step in the life of a young man is his choice of a companion, and it is a pleasure to the friends of Mr. Bailey to know that his has been a fortunate one. He won for his wife Miss Mary Dennison Culver, who was born in Peoria, March 13, 1866, and became the wife of our subject Sep- tember 4, 1885. She is a daughter of Edwin D. and Martha A. (Dennison) Culver, natives of the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have two interesting children-Louise and Martha. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Congregational Church.

OHN W. SMITH, born and reared in this county, is now actively aiding his fellow- farmers and stock-raisers in the great work of carrying on its immense agricultural in- terests. He has a farm in Logan Township, the place of his birth, which compares well with any other in its vicinity in regard to improvement and cultivation, and which is represented by a view on another page.

Mr. Smith was born June 19, 1843, at the parental

homestead on section 17, Logan Township. His par- ents, who were pioneers of this section of the country, were Benjamin D. and Martha. Ellen (Richardson) Smith, natives respectively of Buckingham County, Va., and of Ohio; the former was born in the month of September, 1815, and was the only member of his family to come to this county. When he was a young man he left his native Virginia, and ac- companied his brother James to Highland County, Ohio. There he met his future wife and was mar- ried. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed it until the latter part of his life, when he gave his attention exclusively to farming. Ile came to this county with James Richardson, a sketch of whose life appears in this volume. He purchased twenty- nine acres of land on section 19, Logan Township, which he later increased to thirty-nine acres, and before his death had acquired two hundred and twenty-six acres of fine farming land.

June 25, 1883, Mr. Smith passed to eternal rest, leaving behind him a worthy record as a pioneer, as a citizen, father. husband and neighbor. Ile was twice married, and became the father of ten children. The children of his first marriage were : James R., who died in infancy; John W .; George, who died when quite young; and Thomas C. Ilis first wife, who was a good and true woman, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 18-47. ITis second wife was Mrs. Nancy B. Tur- bett, nee McKinney, widow of Thomas Turbett and daughter of David and Martha (Goudy ) Me- Kinney. She was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died May 18, 1890. She was the mother of six children, namely : Benjamin F., who died in Missouri; Charles W., who died at the age of seventeen; David II., a resident of Samner County. Kan .; Julia A., wife of John HI. Finley, of Page County, lowa; Raphael 11 .; and Jula HI., who died young.

Passing his boyhood on a farm, our subject learned all about farming, and in the local schools gained a good education. Ile remained at home until his marriage, and after that important event in his life located on section 15. After living there three years he purchased his present farm, which comprised one hundred and sixty acres, now under excellent cultivation and improved. When he

RESIDENCE OF JOHN W. SMITH, SEC. 15. LOGAN TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.

RESIDENCE OF THOMAS CATTON, SEC.11. BRIMFIELD TP. PEORIA CO. ILL.

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started out in life his sole possessions were a horse and saddle. IIe now has one hundred and eighty acres of land, and is one of the substantial men of his native township.

February 12, 1868, was the date of the marriage of our subject with Miss Hadassah Jane Patten. She is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Thomas E. and Martha Ann (Finley ) Patten. Mrs. Smith is a woman of fine personal character, kind, thought- ful and attentive to others, and in her the United Presbyterian Church finds one of its best workers and most consistent members. Six children have been born of her marriage with our subject, whom they have named Martha E., Nettie B., Nora Jane, Sarah Harriet, William Rufus and Clarence Elder. Martha and Nettie are deceased.

In his whole course in life our subject has shown himself to be a loyal and patriotic citizen. During the dark days of the Rebellion lie offered his ser- vices to his country, and December 15, 1861, his name was enrolled as a member of Company C, Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry. He and his com- rades inet the enemy at Ft. Donelson and at Shiloh. He discharged his duties with fidelity, and showed excellent qualities as a soldier, but was obliged to leave the army on account of ill-health, and on April 22, 1862, was honorably discharged. Feb- ruary 12, 1865. he re enlisted and became connec- ted with Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and was honorably discharged January 25, 1866. Ile is a man of good informa- tion, having a clear, intelligent mind. In politics he stands firmly with the Republican party.

HOMAS CATTON has been actively in- terested in agricultural pursuits in this county since the opening years of his man- hood, and in the course of time has developed a good-sized farm in Brimfield Township, pleasantly located on section 11, whose well-tilled fields, and many substantial improvements constitute it one of the best ordered farms in the locality. Ile has a commodious residence a view of which is presented in connection with this sketeh. In performing for

so many years these ardnous duties Mr. Catton has fairly earned the title of a pioneer of this region.

Mr. Catton was born in Lincolnshire, England. in the month of January, 1835, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Clark) Catton, both natives of the mother country. He was reared on his native soil and when about eighteen years old boldly ven- tured forth from his old home in 1853, and ac- companied by his brother, Holland, set sail across the broad waters of the Atlantic to find at least a competence and build up a home for himself. He took passage at Liverpool on a sail vessel, and af- ter a voyage of three weeks and five days landed in New York City and thence came directly to Peoria County, whither his brother William had preceded him one year.

For a few months Mr. Catton worked as a farm band until he became acquainted with the methods of carrying on agricultural pursuits in this country and then, in partnership with his brother William he farmed for a number of years as a renter. Ile finally became a land-owner, purchasing a place in Brimfield Township, and now has in his posses- sion two hundred and forty acres of as fertile land as is to be found in all the region round about. It is cultivated by the best of methods, is supplied with ample buildings, and every needed appliance for carrying on farm work. Our subject began life in this country with no means,and was acquired his property by the exercise of those faculties of thrift, prudence and acute judgment which insure success in any walk in life. Feeling anxious to revisit the scenes of his youth, Mr. Catton started for his old home, Mareh 17, 1866, and spent sev- eral month's there. During that time he met the lady who was to be his bride. Accordingly on Sep- tember 8, 1866, he contracted a matrimonial alli- ance with Miss Jane II. Butler, who is, like himself, a native of England, having been born in Lincolnshire, January 30, 1845. On Monday, Sep- tember 11, 1866, they departed for their home across the waters. Mrs. Catton is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Butler, who were of English birth and antecedents. Six children have been born of her union with our subject, namely: Ada Ann, wife of Andrew Whittaker, of Millbrook Township; Herbert Edward, Lorado Butler, Thomas Frank-

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lin, Lena Elizabeth and William Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Catton and their oldest daughter are con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Brimfield.

Mr. C'atton takes a warm interest. in everything that pertains to the welfare of Brimfield Towship. and is a liberal supporter of all schemes that will in any way enchance its prosperity. Politically, he is a Republican and his party find in him a warm supporter. Ile is well liked in this community and his neighbors find in him a true friend.

F. SLONE, an honored veteran of the late war, is well known throughout Trivoli and adjoining townships as an able auc- tioneer and a practical farmer. He was born in Goshen. Clermont County, Ohio, March 16. 1829. llis parents were William and Rachael (Cramer) Słone natives respectively of Warren County. Ohio, and Butler County, Ky.

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jere- miah Cramer, was born in New Jersey, and was a pioneer farmer of Clermont County, Ohio, where he died. Mr. Slone's paternal grandfather, Will- iam Slone, came from Ireland to this country and took up his abode in Pennsylvania, whence he went to Hamilton County, Ohio, and thence to Warren County, in the same State. He went to Cincinnati when it was nothing but a fort built for defense against the Indians, and he was an actor in the French and Indian War, under Gen. Anthony Wayne, of whom he was a great admirer. From Warren County he went to Clermont County. of which he was one of the very first settlers, only three or four families having preceded him. He constructed a log shanty in the wilderness for a habitation, and in the course of years became pros- perous, and was the possessor of four hundred acres of land, and to each of his eight children gave a fifty-acre tract. He was very prominent in local affairs, and had the honor of naming the township in which he lived. and conferred upon it the name of Wayne. in commemoration of his old friend and general. He was a Hard-shell Baptist

in religion, and a Democrat in politics. He died at the ripe old age of eighty years.

The father of our subject was reared in the primeval forests of Clermont County. He started out in life as a farmer, but subsequently became a merchant, carrying on his business on the Mar- tinsville and Cincinnati Road, and he also erected a hotel there, which was the best place in the county for a publie house of entertainment, as so many travelers passed that way. He had at one time four hundred acres of land, but was unfortu- nate and lost some of his property. In 1856 he sold out and came to Illinois, and bought a farm in Knox County, seven miles from Knoxville, and improved his homestead from a tract of wild prai- rie to a substantial farm, comprising eighty acres of land. He disposed of that place in 1864, and went to Iowa, where he lived but one year. In 1865 he came from there to Trivoli Township, and purchased eighty acres of land on section 23, where our subject now lives. and in the home that he es- tablished there his life of eighty-one years was brought to a close in 1870. Ile was a stanch Democrat, and a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. During his resi:lence in Ohio be was Justice of the Peace twenty years. Ilis wife departed this life in the spring of 1885, at the age of eighty-three years. She made her home with our subject. She was a member 'of the Baptist Church. To those worthy people six children were born: William, an attorney and merchant at Winfield, Kan .; F. G., a resident of Clinton, Ohio: A. F .; J. D., living in Shelby County, Ind., where he is engaged in gardening; Samuel M., who died in the home of our subject ; Elizabeth. Mrs. Young. of Oregon. F. G. enlisted in 1862 in the Seven- tieth Ohio Infantry, and was Captain of Company K, till he was mustered out of the service on ac- count of physical disability.

The subject of this biography was early set to work on his father's farm, and from the age of niue years had to plow and perform other hard labor. He attended both the subscription and free schools and gained a fairly good education. When he was twenty-one years old he left home, and for awhile was engaged in farming as a renter. Two years later he went into business as a buckster, and for

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the next three years made a good deal of money by his operations. In the fall of 1855 he aban- coned that business and came to Illinois with a team and wagon, crossing the Wabash at Terre Haute, and the Illinois at Pekin, and thence pro- ceeding to Abington, where he wintered. In the spring he began farming at that place, but at the end of a year he rented land four miles west of there. A year after that he went to Galesburg,and for three years carried on agriculture near that city.

Our subject was living there when the war broke out, and August 11, 1862, he threw aside all per- sonal considerations and volunteered to defend the old flag, and at Springfield was mustered in as a private in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Company K, and joined his regiment at Corinth, and the next morning first faced the enemy in the scco :. d battle fought at that placc. He was present at Coffeeville, fought gallantly at Collerville, and from there went to take part in the Salem fight, where his regiment was badly defeated. Our sub- ject next met the rebels at Red Bank, and then saw some hard fighting on the Tallehatchie River and at Franklin and Nashville. From there he and his brave comrades were dispatched to Mississippi near Jeff Davis' old home,and were set to guard the road. The men were finally sent back to Inka, and thence to Deeatur, Ala., where Mr. Slone was mustered out July 12, 1865, having fought long and well, lacking twenty-nine days of three years service in the army, and his war record shows him to have acted with true courage, faithfulness and capability whenever and wherever placed dur- ing all that trying time. He was paid off and dis- charged at Nashville. While in the service he was near his brother for a month or two. In the first fight that he took part he had a narrow escape from death, as two bullets were shot through his coat.

After the war Mr. Slone removed to lowa, and in Warren County worked out by the month until November, 1865, when he returned to Illinois and located in Trivoli Township. He farmed his fath- er's place until his mother's death, and in 1885 bought the interests of the other heirs, and now has the whole quarter section in his possession. It

is under excellent improvement, is all tillable, and watered by a branch of the Copperas, is a good stock farm, and is devoted partly to that purpose, and partly to raising grain. Mr. Slone used to engage quite extensively in buying, feeding and shipping stock, but does not now, as he does not consider that it pays. Ever since he was eighteen years old he has acted as an auctioneer, and is still conducting that business to quite an extent in this vicinity.

Mr. Słone and Miss Lydia Graham were mar- ried in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1850. She was a native of that part of the country, and there died, leaving one child, Catherine M., who married Lean- der Cramer,and died in Trivoli Township. The sec- ond marriage of our subject was solemnized in Warren County, Iowa, September 17, 1865, when he was wedded to Miss Margaret Batton. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and when a girl was taken to Iowa and there grew to womanhood. Iler marriage with our subject has been blessed to them by the birth of six children, of whom two are liv- ing: George, a resident of Peoria; and Oscar 11., at home with his parents.

Mr. Slone is identified with the public and po- litieal life of his township, and never hesitates to do what he can for its advancement. Ile has held local offices, and when he was constable, which po- sition he filled twelve years, he was an alert guard- ian of the public peace. He is one of our most intelligent School Directors,and has been a member of the School Board nearly ever since he came here. Ilis political sentiments are in accordance with the principles of the Democratic party, and he has taken part in its councils as a delegate to county conventions.

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Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 98

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1014