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 19
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for doing business for others as well as for himself. He was made Chairman to investigate the differ- ent plans of waterworks. with a view to the selec- tion of the best for Hoopeston. He visited differ- ent places in the country, and after a decision was finally reached, which practically embodied his recommendations, he was given the general super- vision of the erection of the waterworks. With his partner. Mr. Trego. this important improvement reached a successful completion.
Mr. Catherwood was born in Belmom County, Ohio. Dec. 15. 1812. and when fifteen years of age, and two years after the death of his father, he, with his mother and family, removed to Chris- tian County, Ill., where he remained with his mother on their farm until his marriage, which oe- eurred in October. 1874. In 1876 he removed to Vermilion County, settling on a farm near Hoope -- ton. He engaged in this business for awhile, when he purchased a grocery store. While he had no previous experience in the mercantile business. his solid common sense guided him on to pros- perity in his newly-chosen vocation. He continned in this trade, and also engaged extensively in stock-raising (which he still follows) until he launched into the grain business, as has been before stated.
Mr. Catherwood's wife's maiden name was Miss Cornelia Hartwell, and they are the parents of three children living-Robert. Mand and Naomi. and three who died while young. Mr. Catherwood is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. He is ever willing and ready to aid anyone who is deserving. and, as a leading man of Hoopeston. has an enviable record. It is safe to assume that there are few better men in this portion of the State of Illinois.
James Catherwood, father of Allen T., was born in Ireland, and when twenty years of age came to this country and settled in Delaware, where he married Miss Lydia Tussie. Soon after his mar- riage he removed to Ohio, where all his children were born. Allen being the youngest of ten. Ile was a general farmer, and was considered & suc- cessful man in his calling. When his death oc- eurred. in 1855, his wife and her family removed to Christian County, as before stated, where she
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purchased a farm, which she operated until the marriage of Allen, when he, with the other chil- dren, bought her a nice property in Taylorville. where she now resides with a single daughter.
OIIN McVEY, general merchant. of Tilton, and Postmaster of Vandercook Post-office. Vermilion Co., is one of the most prominent business men in this locality, and is one of the leading civic officials. He is of Celtic ancestry and was born in County Longford, Ireland, in JJune. 1837. Ilis father, John McVey, was a native of the same county, and was there reared and married. continuing his residence in the home of his nativity till 1837. In that year he came to the United States, seeking to better his fortune. leaving his family behind, intending to send for them at a later date after he became permanently established. Ile located in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he en- gaged in mining for several years, till an accident in the mines caused his death in 1852, while you scarce past life's prime.
llis son John, of whom we write, was but an in- fant when he had the misfortune to lose the loving eare of a good mother, and his father being in this country, he was taken to the home of his grand- parents, and was reared by them till 1851. In that year he followed his father to America, setting sail from Liverpool and landing in New York after a voyage of seven weeks. a poor boy in a strange land. He hastened to join his father whom he had scarce seen, he having been an infant when he had left home, and they were reunited in Pennsylvania. Our subject soon commenced life for himself as a mule driver in a coal mine. In 1857 he decided that he would like to try life in the great West, and making his way to this State he tried to obtain work in a coal mine at Danville. Not succeeding in that attempt he got employment on a railway for a few months, and then engaged in mining. In May of that year he answered Lincoln's call for 90-day men, and enlisting in Company C, 12th Ilinois Infantry. served with his regiment till the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably dis- charged and returned to Danville. In August. 1862,
he again went forth to aid his adopted country, and enrolling his name with the members of Com- pany (, 125th Ilinois Infantry, he went to the front with his regiment. and bravely faced the foe on many a hotly contested battlefield. The most im- portant battles in which he took part were those of Perryville, Ky., and Chicamanga. On the way from Chattanooga to Atlanta with General Sherman, he fought in the various engagements with the rebels that they encountered and in the siege and capture of the latter city. Ile was also present at the battle of Jonesboro. where he was severely wounded, and was obliged to go to the hospital for treatment. Ile rejoined his regiment that winter at Savannah. After that he was unable to carry a musket. so did not march with his comrades, but went by boat to Washington, where he was honorably discharged in May, 1865.
After his experience of military life, Mr. MeVey returned to Danville and resumed mining, which ocenpation he continued till 1873. He then rented land and engaged in farming the ensuing five years. During that time he established himself in the mer- eantile business at Tilton, his wife, a woman of more than ordinary ability. acting as manager. She proved so successful that Mr. MeVey finally deter- mined to enlarge the business and devote his time to it. and from that small beginning has grown his present prosperous business. He is the only mer- chant in Tilton, and carries a large stock of general merchandise. groceries, etc., and has a neat, well appointed store.
July 2, 1869. Mr. MeVey took a step that has . had an important bearing on his after life whereby he secured a wife in the person of Mrs. Julia (Melleney) Mulhatton, who has been an important factor in his prosperity. She is. like himself, a na- tive of Ireland, born in County Monaghan, and is the daughter of Patrick and Ann ( Mulhollan) Melleney, and the widow of James Mulhatton. Her parents were both natives of Ireland, and her father dying when she was very young. her mother soon after took her children to England, and later came to America. five of her children coming at different times. Mr -. McVey was first married in County Durham, England, when but a girl in her teens, to James Mulhatton. When she was ninetech
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years of age she accompanied her husband to the I'nited states, and they lived one year in Pennsyl- vania. They subsequently came to Vermilion County. and here Mr. Mulhatton died while in the prime of life.
Our subject is a fine specimen of the genus homo denominated the self-made man. as all that he has and all that he is he owes to his own exertions. Ile is a man of honor, whose character is unblem- ished. and his standing in business and social circles is of the highest. His frank, genial. and pleasant. manner has given him a warm place in the hearts of his many associates and he is popular with all classes. In politics he affiliates with the Demo- crats, but is friendly with all parties. He has re- presented Danville Township as Assistant Supervi- sor of the County Board four years; has served several terms as a member of the Tilton Town Council, and is at present President of that honora- ble body of men. He and his wife are members of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, contribute liberally to its support, and are active in its every good work.
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OLIN W. BOGGESS, M. D., stands high in the medical profession as represented in Vermilion County, and he has also acquired a fair reputation as an intelligent. enter- prising agriculturalist, owning and managing the farm on which he makes his home, pleasantly lo- cated on section 29, Catlin Township. he having retired to this place a few years ago on account of failing health. This, his native township. has good reason to be proud of her son, and he has always exerted his influence to elevate her citizenship.
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The father of this subject, likewise named John, was a Virginian by birth. Monroe County being his native place. His mother, Jane G. ( MeCorkle) Boggess, was born in Green Briar County, W. Va. After marriage his parents settled either in Green Briar County. or in Monroe County, W. Va .. where the father was engaged as a farmer and stock raiser. In 1830 he settled up his affairs in that section of the country, and with his family emi- grated to the wilds of Vermilion County. and be- came an early pioneer of Catlin Township, settling
in what is known as Butler's Point. About 1816 he removed with his wife and children to Wiscon- sin, considering this locality. with the newly bro- ken prairie sod and other miasmatic influences, quite unhealthful then. He did not, however. sell his real estate in this township. and after an absence of three years. he returned to this locality with his family, and settled on the old Elliott place. just west of Catlin, living there for conven- ience a short time, and then went back on to his farm. In 1856 they went to Danville to reside, and dwelt there four years for the purpose of edu- cating their children. Mr. Boggess then returned again to his farm in this township, and continued to live here till his death. which occurred in Feb- ruary, 1874. His wife had preceded him to the grave, dying in May. 1868. They had eleven children ; William. who died in Catlin Township. when about twenty-two years old; Diana Ji .. the wife of Joseph Griffith, died when she was thirty- seven years old; Rebecca M. is the wife of William M. Ray; Elizabeth died when about seventeen your's. old; Harvey II. died at the age of thirty-eight years; Charles T. is a farmer in Vermilion County; America .J. is the wife of dames Davis; Enoch P. is a farmer in Vermilion County; Julia died when she was six years old: Melissa died in infancy; John W.
The latter, of whom we write, was born in Cat- lin Township. Feb. 27, 1813, and with the excep- tion of three years spent in Wisconsin. when he was but an infant. and the four years in Danville when he was attending school, he was reared to man's estate in che township of his birth. He was educated partly in the public schools, and in the seminary at Danville, which he attended till he was sixteen years old. After that he became a teacher. and was engaged in that vocation in the winter of 1860 and in the summer of 1861. In 1862. ambi- tious to extend his education, he entered the IHi- nois Wesleyan U'niversity at Bloomington, and was graduated from that institution in 1866, having attained high rank for excellent scholarship. Ile then took up the study of medicine. and while pur- suing his course he taught school to pay his ex- penses. Ile was under the tutorship of Dr. A. H. Luce, a well-known physician of Bloomington.
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and remained with him till the fall of 1867. In the winter of that year, he entered the Chicago Medical College, the medical department of the Northwestern University, and pursued his studies with characteristic vigor. In the spring of 1868, he resumed teaching in Catlin Township, in order that he might be at home with his mother, to whom he was devotedly attached. and whose health was fast failing. and his presence soothed her dying hours. In the fall of 1868 he returned to college, and resuming his studies, was gradnated in March 1870, with all honor for having attained a high standard in his elass. Ile established himself in his profession in Oconomowoc, Wis. But he did not remain there long, however, as in the fall of that year he heard of a good opening for an enterprising young phy- sician at Coon Rapids. Jowa, and proceeding to that place, he opened an office there, and continued there till the spring of 1872, when he located in Nevada. lowa, the county seat of Story County. which presented a broader field, and during his ten years residence there, he built up an extensive and Incrative practice, becoming one of the leading physicians of the county. In 1882 he retraced his steps to his native county, and opening an office in Danville, he soon had more patients than he could attend to, as his fame as a successful and skillful practitioner had preceded him to his old home; but under the continuous strain of overwork his health gave way, and he was forced to retire from the ar- duous duties of his profession, and having a nat- ural taste for out-of door labor. and, as a wise phy- sician fully believing in its health. restoring pro- perties, he came to Catlin Township in 1881 and went to farming, and has ever since devoted him- self to that occupation. Hle owns a fine farm of sixty acres, and has it under excellent cultivation.
The doctor was married in Carroll County, Iowa. Dec. 29, 1872, to Miss Velora B. Piper, who pre- sides over his home with true grace, and makes it cosy and attractive to its inmates and to their nu- merous friends, and even the stranger that hap- pens under its roof is kindly made welcome. Mrs. Bogges3 is a native of Pennsylvania. born in Bed- ford County, Jan. 8, 1853. a daughter of Thomas A. and Mary (Funk) Piper. The following is the record of the four children born to her and her
husband: Charles Wesley. born March 2, 1874. died Aug. 8. 1874; Carrie M., born Inly 6, 1875: Walter Thomas. April 26. 1879; Genevieve. April 28. 1888.
The doctor possesses, in a rare degree, those noble traits of character that mark a man of honor and veracity. one in whom his fellow-citizens feel they may safely put their trust. He is a man of extensive learning and information, and on his retirement from active practice, the medical pro- fession of Vermilion County lost one of its most able members. He is greatly interested in the wel- fare of his native township, and takes an active part in everything that tends to promote its moral elevation, educational or material status, and is especially active in religious affairs, he and his wife being esteemed members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and he has been an active Sunday- school worker, holding the office of superintendent and also being a teacher. He is influential in po- litical matters, being one of the leading Republi- cans in this vicinity, and a member of the Repub. liean Central Committee of 1888, of his township.
ON. CHARLES A. ALLEN, member of the Thirty-sixth General Assembly. from the Thirty-first Distriet. comprising Vermil- ion and Edgar counties, was elected on the Republican ticket. first in 1884, and re-elected twice thereafter. having entered now upon his third term. He has been a member of the Judicial Com- mittee and several other important committees. including Insurance, and has served as Chairman of the Railroad and Warehouse Committee. also of Corporations and Educational Institutions. Dur- ing the Logan fight he was the first mm on the roll call, at that time a very important position. Ile has frequently represented his district in State and other conventions and is in all respects a very prominent man in Eastern Illinois.
Mr. Allen was born in Danville, July 6. 1851. and removed with his parents when a child of two years to the Ridge where they were the earliest settlers. Charles A., upon leaving the district school prepared himself to become a student of
Yours Truly Islamnon.
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Michigan University from the Law Department of which he was graduated in 1875. He commenced the practice of his profession at Rossville where he remained until 1881, then changed his residence to lloopeston. which has since remained his home. In addition to a lucrative law practice, he has been largely engaged as a real estate dealer, and has oc- cupied many positions of trust and responsibility among his fellow citizens. Socially. he is a char- ter member of the K. of P. and is identified with the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternity.
The marriage of our subjeet with Miss Mary, daughter of L. M. Thompson, of Rossville, was celebrated April 4. 1878. A sketch of Mr. Thomp- son appears elsewhere in this volume. Of this imion there have been born two children -- John N. and Lawrence T. The father of our subject was William I. Allen, one of the first settlers of Ver- milion County, and a sketch of whom appears on another page.
ON. JOSEPH G. CANNON, Member of Congress representing the Danville district of Illinois. On the opposite page appears a portrait of this gentleman, who has been for many years a prominent factor in the official, social and political life of this section of the State. and who has made a national reputation as a legis- lator anl a statesman.
I'm many years there was a large exodus of the Society of Friends from North Carolina to the Wa- bash Valley, who left their former homes to get away from the curse of slavery. Among the num- ber was Dr. Ilorace F. Cannon, who. accompanied by his family, removed in 1840 to make his home in Park County, Ind. Thus, far removed from the scenes of their youth he and his wife passed the residue of life in the Northern country, surrounded by old frien Is who had also come North, and by many new friends whom they had met in their new home. Dr. Cannon was in early manhood mited in marriage with Guliehmna Hol- lingsworth. Ile was a native of Greensboro, N. C .. and in his early maturity practiced his profession, being a physician and surgeon. After his removal
to the Wabash Valley he passed the remainder of his life in the practice of his profession, and died an accidental death in 1851 when he was forty- five years of age. He was a man of character and considerable local note, being a prominent early Abolitionist.
Joseph G. Cannon, of whom this brief record is written, was born in New Garden, Guilford Co., N. C., May 7, 1836. Ilis education was received at the Western Manual Labor School, now known as Bloomingdale Academy. At the age of fifteen his school work ended, and for five years thereafter he was engaged as a elerk in a store.
At the age of twenty-one, having a strong desire for professional life, Mr. Cannon entered the law office of the Ilon. John P. I'sher, who afterward became one of President Lincoln's secretaries. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar to practice in the courts of the State of Illinois, and located at Tus- cola, Douglas Co., III., for the practice of his pro- fession, in which he continued until 1872. In that year he was elected to Congress, and has since been consecutively re-elected, now serving his ninth term. He made Tuscola his home until 1876, when he re- moved to Danville, where he has for many years resided.
Mr. Cannon now stands as one of the foremost men in the House of Representatives. His position he owes to the confidence of his constituency, who have given him long service, and to his industry in the public service. His early preparation was not all he would have desired. as he was deprived of a college course, and for financial reasons was compelled to enter the law practice as soon as he could. so it was only by strenuous exertion that 'he fitted himself for the responsible position he occupies.
After serving for six years on the Committee for Post-offices and Post-roads. Congressman Cannon was appointed a member of the Committee on Ap- propriations, on which he has served until the present time. Said Mr. Cannon. with ine jastidable pride and satisfaction arising from having hecom- plished a good work: "I had charge of the Postal Appropriation Bill while on Committee, upon which legislation was had reducing letter postage from three to two cents, and containing other important
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postal revisions and reforms." During the Forty - seventh Congress the Republicans had control of the House. In this same Congress Mr. Cannon was continued on Appropriations, having special charge of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation Bill, which carries appropriation for the officials of the Public Service, and upon which many reforms were wrought. For many years, being the head of the minority on that committee, it has fallen to him to make a statement of the esti- mates and appropriations for and expenditures by the Government. It has usually been received by Congress and the country as authoritative and ex- haustive.
The Republicans have a small majority in the present Congress, which will organize the first Monday of December next (1889). It seems to be generally conceded that from seniority of service and equipment for work. Mr. Cannon will be chosen Chairman of the Committee on the organization of the House, unless he is elected Speaker, for which position he is a candidate. His service in the House, his acquaintance with public men and affairs has given him good standing with the Re- publicans, and also with those of the opposite party, who respect him for his sineerity and hon- esty. even though they differ with him in politics. His party in the House of Representatives did him the honor for six years of making him Chair- man of its Caucus and of the Caucus Committee, which has charge primarily of suggesting the policy of the Republicans in the House touching matters of legislation.
Mr. Cannon being engaged in polities, has paid but little attention to law practice of late years. lle has business interests in the city of Danville, and also owns farms both in Vermilion and Doug- lass counties.
Although politics has engaged a great deal of the consideration and thought of Mr. Cannon, he has spared the necessary time to found home ties of his own. His marriage was solemnized on the 7th of January, 1862, with Miss Mary P. Reed, of Canfield, Ohio. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters, Helen and Mabel, who are now at home, having recently finished their college education. Thus Congressman Cannon, in
his leisure hours, partakes of the enjoyment of a beautiful home, and the society of those he loves, and whose interests are ever uppermost in his mind.
ALKER T. BUTLER is an enterprising wheelwright of Sidell. Ile located in this village in December, 1887, at which time he erected his shop on Chicago street. Ile has laid the foundation for a large business, which is con- stantly increasing, and in the spring of 1889 he enlarged his business in a substantial manner. Mr. Butler is one of the solid men of his adopted town. and one whose word is as good as a bank note.
On February 23, 1810, Mr. Butler first saw the light of day in Edgar County, Ill., about a mile from Chrisman. Ilis father. Asa Butler, was born near Lexington, Ky., while his mother, Catharine Porter, is a native of Madison County, that State. The Butlers were originally from Virginia, and came to Kentucky in an early day. The father was a blacksmith, the entire male portion of the family of Butlers being mechanics. One of the uncles was a cabinet maker at the age of ninety-two, and the subject of this sketch saw him at work making spinning wheels at that great age. In 1831 Asa Butler and his wife removed to Vermilion County. settling close to Indianola. erecting a shop there. Ile left this place and went to Chrisman, where he remained for a long time. This couple are the parents of nine children, whose names are given: Ephraim P., Elizabeth A., William F., Ellen F., Walker Turner, Sanie F., Lucinda C., Rosa A. and and an infant child, the two latter being deceased. The father died at Indianola in 1878 at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother is still living on the old Butler homestead.
Ephraim resides in Richardson County, Neb .; Samuel is in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company at South Omaha, Neb., as a billing elerk; Eliza is liv- ing in Indiamola with her mother; William F. was accidentally killed by a traveling man who mistook his head for a prairie chicken; the man after- ward went insane; Ellen F. is the wife of James R. Adams, who is farming near Georgetown; Lu-
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cinda C. married Melvin L. Porter, who is en- 1 Sabbath-school .. He is also Vice-President of the gaged in the clothing business at Danville; Walker, Sunday-school Association of Carroll Township. Mr. Butler belongs to Vermilion Lodge, No. 265, A. F. & A. M., and was its Master for three terms, and also its delegate to the Grand Lodge at Chi- cago in the years 1873. 1874 and 1875. lle is also a charter member of the C. A. Clark Post, No. 184, G. A. R., located at Ridge Farm. The office of School Director has been filled by him for fifteen years. of whom this sketch is written, was reared on a farm, working alternately at farming and in the blacksmithshop. His schooling was obtained in the subscription schools. His first attendance upon the public school was in Edgar County. Ill., where the schoolhouse was erected by sub- scription, and built of logs. lle worked on the farm nine months, attending school the balance of the year. He continued in this way until he became eighteen years of age, when he went to work exclusively at his trade. On March 26. 1861, he was married to Miss Susan J. Porter, daughter of Richard Porter, and a half-sister of Mrs. Hewes. ller mother was Elizabeth lloward. The Porters originally came from Woodford County. Ky., emi- grating to Illinois in 1834.
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