USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > Portrait and biographical album of Vermilion county, Illinois, containing sketches of prominent citizens of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States, Volume I > Part 15
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When Mr. Sconce died he left a fortune variously estimated at from 8200,000 to 8300.000. every cent of which was accumulated by judicious farm- ing and stock-raising. It will be many years be- fore the recollection of this good man will fade from the memories of the people. His life was simple and his methods straightforward, his manner gentle. kind hearted to the poor, indulgent to the weak, charitable to the erring, and his memory like a sweet fragrance ascends on high. . Generous
friend, kind husband, noble citizen, and sincere Christian. the world is better for thy living, and the flowers of a sweet memory will ever blossom upon thy grave.
Like his illustrious ancestors Mr. Sconce was a fine looking, active man. Ile had keen blue eyes, a personal characteristic so marked in his family. and was of a sanguine temperament. A lifetime of usefulness and business activity had developed in him good judgment, and as he became older his attention was directed closely toward the things revealed in lloly Writ. He was a consistent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he was a Democrat from con- viction and from principle. In 1882 he consented to run for the State Senate, making a brilliant can- vass and running ahead of his ticket. He served as Township Supervisor. and always evinced a deep interest in public affairs, and especially in the welfare of his township, his county and his State. Ilis library was' filled with choice and valuable works, especially those treating upon the tariff, a question which was studied by him with deep in- terest, he believing with other leading Democrats, in a tariff for revenue only.
In matters pertaining to schools he took a great interest. For several years prior to his death he was a Regent of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington. Ill., which was financially favored by his generosity. As a husband and father he was most loving and devoted. As a result of his wedlock two children were born: Anna, who was a student of Morgan Park two years, and of Wes- leyan University one year; and Harvey J., a bright lad of fourteen years. He was greatly attached to his children, and in them was centered his great love. The poor young farmer and business man. who is almost discouraged in life, will miss in Mr. Sconce a friend, for it was one of his salient char- acteristics to help those who would help themselves, and as an illustration of this, it may be stated that, his will provided that those who owed him on loans, should be allowed to pay his estate in small yearly installments, that they might not be dis- tressed.
Ile was buried with Masonic honors at the Wood- lawn Cemetery. The funeral was attended by an
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immense throng. and the procession was headed by 200 Masons in mourning. and was over three miles in length. the largest funeral line ever seen in Ver- milion County. It was remarked by one who knew Mr. Seonce well that "a secret society which commanded the fealty of a man like James Seonce must have something in it." If he loved Ma- sonry it was equally true that the Masons loved him. To his faithful wife the death of her hus- band was sad beyond expression. "Sorrows come not single." A less noble woman would have given up to despairing sorrow at the loss of her husband, her father, and her mother within the space of one short year. Of true Christian grace and motherly heart she bore up bravely in her bereavement, fully determined henceforth to give up her life to her Master, and to the welfare of her children. As before stated she is the only living child of Harvey Sandusky and Susan Baum. Coming from illus- trious ancestors, an effort will be made to herewith present a few facts in regard to each of her parents.
In the year of 1721 there came to America an exile from Poland, of noble birth and proud spirit, and lofty patriotism. He headed a rebellion against the despotisin of Russia and her allies in the dis- graceful oppression of the defeated but not subdued Poles. For this brave act he was exiled and came to Richmond, Va. That noble man was James Sodowsky, who afterward married the sister of Gov. Inslip, of the Colony of Virginia, and from them descended Harvey Sandusky, the father of Mrs. Sconce. Men of courage and force of char- acter, the family has been represented in every for- ward movement of civilization in this great coun- try for more than a century: with the gallant pio- neers in beating back the savages of the wilderness; with the brave Continentals, batthug for freedom in the heroic days of '76; at the front in the War of 1812; with Daniel Boone in the wild Kentucky. where the grandfather of Harvey settled just after the close of the Revolutionary War. His father, Abraham Sandusky, was born there, and married Miss Jane MeDowell, who bore him eight children. Harvey being the ellest. In 1831 be removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and settled with his family on the Little Vermilion River, where he continued to reside until his death. His oldest son,
Harvey, was born in Bourbon County, Ky .. May 17, 1817, and came to Illinois with his father, lit- erally growing up with the country. In his twenty- fourth year he was married to Susan, daughter of Charles and Susan Baum, who had emigrated from Ohio and settled on the Little Vermilion River. After marriage Mr. Sandusky located on the es- tate which has since become so famous as "Wood- lawn Stock Farm." Here, by intelligent and indus- trious use of their opportunities. he and his faithful wife built up a prineely home, and surrounded it with an abundance that enabled them to dispense the largest charity and most unbounded hospitality. Mrs. Sandusky was converted to Christianity in her girlhood, and rejoieed in the hope of an im- mortal life.
In the old family Bible is found this record : "Harvey Sodowsky this day found peace with God. March 15, 1858." For forty years their's was a house of prayer. To them were born three children: The oldest died in infancy; the second is Emma, the wife of the subject of this sketch ; Gilbert, the third child and only son, died at the early age of twenty-three years. Harvey San- dusky died on Saturday. Dec. 18, 1886, and the following Tuesday was buried by the side of his son in the beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery, which he had selected and donated to the publie. "Unele Harvey," as he was familiarly called, was in many respects a noble man. There is always good in a heart that is always tender, and his was a very ten- der heart. To feed the hungry, to clothe and help the needy. afforded him the greatest pleasure. The foot-sore itinerant, whose horse had died, was taken to the stables and told to "select the best nag in the lot," without pay or promise. That preacher was sent on his way rejoicing, and thereby the Gospel was spread to those beyond. By him the homeless were sheltered, the friendless cheered, and the wretched soothed.
lle was a very successful man in business, was enterprising and public spirited. In the stalls and on the fields at Woodlawn are perhaps the finest specimens of Short-horn cattle in America. if not in the world. For lifty years he had been interested in raising and exhibiting fine stock. No-man in America has been more successful than he, as the
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premium lists of principal fairs will show. Evi- dently he has added untold riches to the general community by his enterprise in this particular. But his work is done, and the toils of his busy life have ceased. The familiar figure has dropped out of the picture of this life, and let us hope that it has dropped into the life that lies beyond the other shore. His home is lonely without him. his fam- ily mourn him, his neighbors will miss him, his friends regret his absence. but "God doeth all things well."-( Extract from the Rev. G. A. Fra- sier.) His wife, Susan Sandusky. came from an equally illustrious family. She was the danghter of Charles and Sarah (Moyer) Baum. They were likewise Polish patriots, and by the Russian au- thorities banished from their native land. They for a few years lived in Germany, and then emi- grated to the Colony of Virginia. This noble ex- ile and progenitor of the Baums of Vermilion County, was Charles Baum. the great-grandfather of Mrs. Emma Sconce. He married Miss Barbara McDonald, a relative of the brave Gen. MeDonald. `of Marion's army. He entered the Colonial forces. and served on reserve duty in protecting the frontier. After the war he settled in Bucks County, and the year following Wayne's treaty with . the Indians, sailed down the Ohio River with his fam- ily. They landed at the mouth of Bullskin Creek, and there, close to what is now the river town of Chilo, established the first settlement in the Ter- ritory of Ohio. One of his sons was Charles Baum, Mrs. Seonce's grandfather. lle married Susan, daughter of John Moyer. a Revolutionary soldier, who fought many years under the immediate com- mand of Gen. Washington.
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John Moyer lived in Pennsylvania some time after the war, then removed to Ohio, of which State he also was an early pioncer. Charles Baum, the grandsire of Mrs. Sconce, came to Vermilion County in 1839. He lived to be ninety-six years old, had prospered well, and was a consistent Christian. From the Rev. G. A. Frasier we quote the following concerning Mrs. Susan Sandusky. "Our community is again called to mourn the loss of a most estimable lady, who fell asleep at her home near Indianola, March 21. 1888. She was a daugh- ter of Charles and Susan Baum, born in Claremont
County. Ohio. Sept. 25, 1818. She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church when quite young, and was married May 20, 1840. Her life was singularly pure and exemplary, and she adorned those stations in which true womanhood shines the brightest. As a wife, mother, friend and neighbor she was indeed a model woman. None doubted the genuineness of her Christian ex- perience. Always consistent. always true. she was a power for good in the community. Her chari- ties and uniform kimlness for the poor had won for her the love of all who knew her. Her devotion to duty, and her unswerving fidelity had won the confidence and esteem of all. She was not only ready, but willing to die. In a conversation a few days before her death she expressed a desire to 'reach her Father's house.' She leaves but one child to mourn her absence from the old home- stead. Mrs. James S. Sconce, the only remain- ing child was with her mother during her last ill- ness, faithfully, lovingly attending to every want, and tearfully watching the slowly ebbing tide of life till all was still in death. In this great be- reavement Mrs. Sconce has the sympathy of the . entire community. The okl homestead is left deso- late. A family has passed from earth. We hope that on the other side of the river they are again united."
Mrs. Emma Sconce was born in the oldl Harvey Sandusky homestead, better known under the name of "Woodlawn," a name suggested by her for her father's large farm, which was so famous in pro- ducing herds of prize-winning Short-horn cattle. Here she grew up under the influences of a Chris- tian home, attending Georgetown Academy for some time. Hler loyalty has marked her entire ca- reer from childhood to widowhood. As the wife of James S. Sconce she was ever a most worthy, affectionate, and loving companion; as mistress of the "Fairview" mansion she is modest. kind, gen- erous and hospitable; while the taste with which the mansion is furnished reflects great credit upon its mistress. She possesses a great deal of knowl- edge, general and special, and is respected and es -. teemed by all who know her. She is a devout Christian. and rich and poor alike are graced by her favors. She deeply mourns the loss of her
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husband. for their marriage proved to be a most happy one. She is truly the type of noble Ameri- can womanhood. and as a mother is fairly wor- shipped by her two children. and they in torn are held most affectionately dear. Her modesty prevents her giving further facts in regard to her- self. Hler attorney, however, has furnished the following figures concerning her estate: Personal property of James S. Sconce, deceased, $62,000; personal property of Harvey Sandusky, deceased, $20,000; total number of acres of land held by Mrs. Sconce, 3,600.
'IRAM ARMANTROUT. In no portion of the world is there illustrated the result of patient industry more forcibly than in the great West. Could the young man of fifty years ago have had the power to look forward into the future and discover not only what he himself would accomplish, but what would be done by his brother pioneers, he would have labored with greater courage than he has already done; for no one can dispute that the first settling up of this part of the country was necessarily an experiment. Few however, stood in doubt as to the final result, but fewer still would have prophesied the achievements which have really been accomplished.
The subject of this sketch was one of the earliest . settlers of Middle Fork Township, whence he re. moved to Butler Township in April, 1855. He took up a half-section of government land. em- bracing a part of sections 2, 22 and 18, in township 22, range 13, before there had been any attempt at cultivation. In the fall of 1856 he put up a small frame house, and being unmarried, took in a tenant. with whom he lived. He had, prior to this, broken sixty acres. He proceeded with the improve- ments of his property single-handed until the spring of 1859, when he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Celinda Pugh. They spent the first few years of their wedded life in the little house, and in due time, being prospered, our sub- ject was enabled to erect a larger dwelling. He also built a good barn and planted forest and fruit trees, which flourished, and he now has the finest grove in the neighborhood. He occupied this farm
until March. 1889. when he wisely retired from active labor and purchased property in Rossville, where he took up his abode and purposes now to live.
Our subject was born in Montgomery County. Ind .. Aug. 12. 1829, and lived there until 1855 with his father and mother. The former, Vaken- tine Armantrout, was born in Rockingham County. Va., April 27, 1799. and removed with his father, Frederick Armantrout, to Warren County, Ohio. in 1808, where he was reared to manhood. He married Miss Catherine Kesling, and they so- journed in the Buckeye State until 1828, when they removed to Montgomery County, Ind. There the father engaged in farming and blacksmithing com- hined, and lived until his decease, which took place March 17. 1846.
To the parents of our subject were born seven children, of whom he was the third, and of whom four are living: Ambrose is a resident of Chautau- qua County, Kan .; Simon lives in Waynetown, Montgomery Co., Ind .; Sarah became the wife of C. S. Bratton, of Rossville, and she is now de- ceased. Mary Ann is the wife of James Applegate. of this county ; Melinda died at the age of seventeen years; Henry died in Linn County, Kan .. in 1887. The paternal grandfather was a resident of Vir- ginia during the Revolutionary War, in which his father and two brothers fought, while he remained at home. Ile was drafted, but Washington sent him home. The family is of German descent, and the first representative in this country settled in Virginia.
At the time of leaving Butler Township Mr. Armantrout was its oklest living male resident. One lady, Mrs. Pyles, had been there one year longer than himself. As a farmer he was more than or- dinarily successful, and also prosecuted stock-rais- ing with excellent results. He was prominent in local affairs, being the first Road Commissioner in the township, in which office he served eleven years. He officiated as Constable four years, was Justice of the Peace seven years. School Trustee nine years, and School Director for a long period. Politically. he is a Republican.
Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Arman- trout, the third ehild. a son, Harmon, died when
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one year okl. The survivors are Scott, Celia MI., Drusilla, Carrie and Ida. Seott married Miss Emma Walters, and lives on the home farm; Celia May is the wife of Ira G. Philips, and the mother of one child, a daughter, Mabel; they live near the homestead. The others are unmarried and remain with their parents. Mrs. Celinda (Pugh) Armantrout was born in Warren County, Ind., Aug. 26, 1833, and is the daughter of George Pugh, who was a native of Pennsylvania. He mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Anderson, and they reared : large family of children. He followed farming his entire life, and after leaving his native State set- tled near Lebanon, in Warren County, Ind., where he spent his last days. Ilis death occurred about 1864, at the age of seventy years.
0 LIVER HARRISON CRANE. The leading event in the life of this gentleman was his birth, which occurred in Fountain County, Ind., on the 4th of March. 1841, the day of the in- anguration of President William. Henry Harrison, and in honor of whom the infant was given his sec- ond name. Hle is now a man of forty-eight years, and one of the most substantial farmers of Grant Township, being the owner of 160 aeres of choice land, pleasantly locato l on section 29, township 23. range 12.
Mr. Crane spent the first eighteen years of his life in his native county, acquiring a practical edu- cation in the common schools and becoming famil- iar with farm pursuits. In the fall of 1859, leaving the parental roof, he came to this county and as- sumed charge of the land which his father had en- tered from the Government at $1.25 per acre. Ile hoarded at the house of a neighbor until the spring of 1861; then put up a house into which he removed with his young wife, having been married Feb. 7 of that year to Miss Charlotte Bowling of his own county in Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Crane, although removing into a more modern domicile, have occupied the same farm which they moved upon at the time of their marriage. Their labors and struggles have been similar to those of the people around them; their
rewards likewise. Industry and economy have been repaid fourfold, and now. in the enjoyment of all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries, they sit under their own vine and fig tree and are blest with the respect of their friends and neighbors. For some time after Mr. Crane settled here there were no neighbors north for fifteen miles, the near- est being at Ash Grove. Deer, wolves and other wild animals were plentiful, but these slowly dis- appeared as the country became settled up.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Crane, eleven in number, are recorded as follows: The two eldest died in infancy; Elner E. was born May 28, 1865; John N., Sept. 3. 1867; Lillian L., Jan. 6, 1870; Alfaretta. Feb. 11, 1872; Winifred. Dec. 4, 1873; Morris S .. Nov. 2, 1876: Mary 1., June 21. 1879; Perry D., Jan. 28, 1883; Anna M., Oet. 23, 1885. The eldest son living, Elmer, married Miss Olive Keplinger, is a resident of Northwest Nebraska and the father of two children. Mrs. Charlotte ( Bow- ling) Crane was born July 3, 1813, in Fountain County, Ind., and is the daughter of Willis P. and Mary (Bruee) Bowling, who were natives of Ohio. The father was born in Warren County, Jan. 25, 1816, and lived there until a lad of eight years. His parents then removed to Indiana, and after the death of his father in Fountain County he contin- ued on the farm, where he reared his family and spent his last days. This farm is located in Van Buren Township six miles northeast of Covington. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Crane was Mary Bruce, and the parents were married in 1838. Of the eight children born to them three are living- Charlotte, Arthur and Morris. The two boys live at the old farm in Fountain County, Ind., with their father. The latter, with his estimable wife, is a member of the Christian Church, and the family stand high in their community.
Mrs. Mary ( Bruce) Bowling was born in Law- renee County, Ohio. Jan. 21, 1817, to Joshua and Margaret (Innes) Bruce, the father a farmer by oc- cupation. When Mary was a girl of eleven years. they left the Buckeve State and removed to Foun- tain County, Ind., where she remained under the parental roof until her marriage.
Joel Crane, the father of our subject. was born Jan. 28, 1817, in Warren County, Ohio, near the
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birthplace of Mr. Bowling. He lived there until 1832, and then. a lad of fifteen years, migrated to Fountain County, Ind., with his parents, where he was married and still lives on the old farm northeast of Covington which his father took up from the Government. His wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Jenkins, and they reared a family of three children-Oliver 11., Lewis C. and Cyrus, the lat- ter two of Missouri and Kansas respectively. Mrs. Elizabeth (Jenkins) Crane was born Dec. 5, 1820, in Ohio, and departed this life at the homestead in Indiana Sept. 2, 1853. She left the Buckeye State with her parents in 1839 and remained with them until her marriage.
Mr. Crane, our subject, has been a man always full of business and one who has little respect for the drones in the world's busy hive. He has kept himself well posted upon events of general interest. and is one with whom may be spent an hour very pleasantly and profitably, His course in life has been that of an honest man, while his industry has been rewarded with a competenee.
C HARLES BUHL. This gentleman occupies no unimportant position among the self- made men of this county who have arisen by their own efforts from the foot of the ladder and who by unflagging industry and perseverance have accumulated a competence and in their later years are retired and in the enjoyment of it. Mr. Buhl represents a goodly amount of property-in- deed is recognized as a capitalist-and has contrib- uted his full quota to the business interests of Dan- ville and vicinity. He comes of substantial ances- try and is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Butler County. Feb. 8, 1812.
Our subject remained a resident of his native place until a young man of twenty years, acquiring a practical education in the common school and being variously occupied. Finally resolving upon a change of location, he made his way in 1838, to Detroit and for two years thereafter employed himself as a teamster. In the fall of 1848, he vis- ited Chicago and being favorably impressed with the outlook, established himself in the hat, cap
and fur business on Lake street. second door west of Clark street where he operated successfully until about 1850. Then selling out he invested the proceeds in a farm of 697 acres, embracing the present site of Kensington and which he secured for the sum of $5.000. Nine months later he sold the bottom land-about 300 acres -- to the Michigan Central Railway for the price which he had paid for the whole. For about ten years thereafter he engaged in farming, and then sold out and coming to Danville invested a portion of his capital here where he has since made his home.
Mr. Buhl has been engaged in different enter- prises since coming to Danville. lle invested a portion of his capital in the lots embracing Nos. 117 to 123 or. East Main street where he has put up buildings, the rents from which yield bim a hand- some income. He has at different times owned considerable land in the county and has now eigh- teen aeres of valuable land just outside the city limits. Although a sound Republican politically he has never sought office, but was twice elected to represent his ward in the City Council and has served as a member of the School Board. From these, however, he withdrew before the expiration of his term. During the Civil War his son Sidney served as a soldier in the I'nion Army.
Mr. Buhl was married in Pennsylvania July 9, 1834, to Miss Eliza Ann MeConaughy, and they became the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Sidney, Frank, Emma and Lanra. Mrs. Buhl was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, lan. 1, 1820, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth MeConaughy, with whom she lived in the Buckeye State until her marriage. Mr. McC., was a farmer by occupation and the parental house- hold included ten children-four sons and six daughters. Sidney Buhl, the only son of our sub- ject married Miss Sally Myers and they have one child, a daughter. Georgia; he is in the employ of the American Express Company. Frank is a resi_ dent of Louisiana where he operates a fruit farm and nursery; Emma is the wife of William Myers, to whom she was married Jan. 1, 1888; Mr. M., is em- ployed as a carriage salesman and they live in Danville. Laura was married June 5. 1883, to Mr. John Lawrence, a boot and shoe merchant, located
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at 117 East Main street. The daughters are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Christian Buld, the father of our subject. was a na- tive of Germany, and came to America when a young man, and settled near Zeleinople, Pa., where he en- gaged in the manufacture of hats. He also became the owner of considerable land and spent the re- mainder of his life in that vicinity. He had mar- ried Miss Fredrika Gearing and they reared a fam- ily of ten children, of whom Charles was about the fifth in order of birth, and of whom seven are now living. Mr. Buhl died in Pennsylvania at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife sur- vived him three years and was also eighty-seven years old at the time of her decease.
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