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 22
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A native of New York State, Mr. Boyce was born in Schoharie County, Feb. 20. 1809. Thirteen months later his parents removed to Harrison County, Ohio, where the father entered a traet of land from the Government and where the family lived until 1831. Then pushing still further west- ward they came to this county and Henry G.
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worked on a farm until 1832. That year he turned his attention more particularly to his trade of a car- penter and until his marriage the year following was in the employ of Mr. Beckwith and Gov. Leander Rutledge. His marriage with Miss Eliza Potter occurred on the 3d of March, 1833, the Rev. Freeman Smally officiating at the ceremony.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Boyce estab- lished themselves in a log cabin on what is now Walnut street and where their first child was born, Mary Jane. now Mrs. Henry Fulton of Vallejo. Cal. In the summer of 1833 Mr. Boyce went to Chicago when there were only two houses between Danville and that now great city. After the father, brother and brother-in-law of Mrs. Boyce arrived there, they dng the cellar for the first brick house ever built in Chicago, which was for a man named Chapman. Mr. Boyce did the carpenter work on said building. He remained there that fall in order to earn money to pay taxes and later returned to Danville purchased land lying along what is now Walbut street. He pursued his trade as a carpenter and finally became a contractor and builder, put- ting up many of the first buildings in the town. lle thus labored until about 1850 and in 1856 was appointed Postmaster of Danville, prior to the election of President Buchanan. He served until the incoming of President Lincoln's administration and later was Deputy Postmaster under President Johnson.
Mr. Boyce was a man of more than ordinary abilities and occupied a leading position in his com- munity. Ile was elected Justice of the Peace. serving four terms of four years each, hokling this oflice at the time of his decease. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and warmly interested in the cause of temperance. Up- right and honorable in his transactions he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him and at his death, which occurred Dee. 3, 1873, was deeply mourned not only by his own family but by the entire community.
The father of our subject was Peter Boyce. a native of Washington County, N. Y., and a farmer by occupation. He was reared to manhood in his native State where he married Miss Jane Potter, and later removed to Schoharie County, N. Y. He
was three times married and was the father of twenty-one children. In his father's family there were thirteen children and his mother died in Ilar- rison County, Ohio. After coming to Ilinois he lived here only a few years, then returning to Ohio settled near Springfield where he spent his last days. lle was a man of considerable foree of character and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Eliza J. (Potter) Boyce was born in Jeffer- son County. N. Y .. one half mile from Sackett's Harbor. Sept. 19. 1813, and is the daughter of Elijah and Lana Potter, the former of whom was born in Washington County. N. Y., Sept. 4. 1787. Hle was there reared upon a farm and was married to a maiden of his own township, Miss Lana Van Wormer, in 1810. Not long afterward the young people removed to a point near Saekett's Harber. in Jefferson County. Mrs. Lana Potter was born June 2. 1793 and was consequently seventeen years of age at the time of her marriage.
The three eldest children of Mr. and Mrs. Potter were born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Eliza ,1. being the eldest. Six more children were added to the family after they left the Empire State. With one exception they all lived to mature years, one being killed when about four years old by the falling of a tree upon him. About 1820 the Potter family resolved to seek what was then the farther West and accordingly removed to Richland County, Ohio, settling near the present site of the town of Ashland. That region was then a wilderness, peopled chiefly by wild animals and Indians, there being only four other white families in the town- ship. Mr. Potter entered a traet of land from the Government and the family endured all the hard- ships and privations of life on the frontier. The nearest mill was thirty miles away and the road which led to it was for long distances nothing more than an Indian trail.
As the country began settling up Mr. Potter distinguished himself as a leading citizen and was one of the first to exert himself in the establish- ment of a school which was effected after much difli- culty, Mr. Potter riding three days to find a teacher who could even write. The family sojourned in that neighborhood for a period of seventeen years
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and in 1830 concluded to make another change of residence, this time seeking the Prairie State. After due preparation they in October set out overland with a two-horse team and two cows, and their household goods and provisions. They were three weeks on the road, camping and cooking by the wayside. They arrived near the present site of Newtown, on Middle Fork Township, in November following. The father three or four years later. purchased land on the State road. at the edge of Eight Mile Prairie, ten miles north of Danville. where he opened up a good farm and lived until 1865. The death of the wife and mother occurred June 17, 1856. Eleven years later Mr. Potter ro- moved to Missouri and subsequently made his home with his son, Joseph, who was located on a farm nine miles from Chillicothe.
Mrs. Lana ( Van Wormer) Potter was the daughter of Jacob Van Wormer. one of the carly pioneers of Washington County. N. Y., and a strict adher- ent of the doctrine, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ilis house for many years was the meet- ing place for the annual conference and was the frequent resort of the itinerant. Among the early preachers of that day was the renowned Lorenzo Dow, who made for himself a name intimately as- sociated with the early history of Methodism. Ile and his wife finally removed to Jefferson County and made their home with Mrs. Potter, his young- est daughter. They intended going to Ohio with the Potter family, but on account of the mother's health they were obliged to remain in JJefferson County N. Y., where they spent their last days. The Van Wormer family traced its ancestry to Ilolland.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Boyce was William Potter one of the pioneers of Washington County. N. Y., who married Miss Elizabeth Sher- man and settled near Fort Ann. They became the parents of nine sons aud two daughters and eight of their sons lived to mature years. They remained residents of Fort Ann until quite aged. then went to live with their son, William, near Buffalo, where their decease took place.
To Mr. and Mrs. Boyce there were born four children, the eldest of whom. Mary .I., has been already mentioned. The second daughter, Emily,
is at home with her mother. Sarah MI. died July 30. 1861; William during the late Civil War served three years as a Union soldier in Company A, 11th Indiana Infantry and was wounded at Champion Hill. At the expiration of his first term of enlist- ment he re-entered the ranks and at the battle of Winchester received a fatal shot and his remains now lie in Winehester burying ground. Mrs. Boyce and her daughter. Emily, are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Miss Emma is a well educated lady and has followed the profession of a teacher fifteen years in Danville.
Jacob Van Wormer served in the Revolutionary War, Elijah Potter served in the War of 1812 and Henry G. Boyce tendered his services in the Black llawk War.
G EORGE CLARKSON. This gentleman upon coming to Vermilion County purchased 160 acres of land in Sidell Township which is now occupied by his widow. Mrs. Elvira Clark- son, a very capable and intelligent lady who enjoys the friendship and esteem of all who know her. Since the death of her husband she has released the estate from its indebtedness and managed it in a manner reflecting great eredit upon her discretion and good judgment. Without making any pre- tentions to elegance. she lives simply. comfortably and modestly. and has a true and motherly heart. full of sympathy for all the wrongs and woes of mankind.
Mrs. Clarkson was born in Kentucky where she lived until a maiden of eighteen years and then her parents removed to Illinois. She was married in 1865, and settled with her husband on the farm which she now occupies. Mr. Clarkson had also been reared in Kentucky. Of their union there were born two sons and two daughters-llenry T .. Jennie M., Allie V., and George 1. The youngest was only two months old at the time of his father's death. Mrs. Clarkson has reason to be proud of her family, her sons and daughters being more than ordinarily bright and attractive, the daugh- ters especially handsome.
Mrs. Clarkson after the death of her husband was forced to assume the responsibilities of the
Very Truly yours N. P. Pince
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farm and right nobly has she fulfilled the duties of her position and reared her children in a manner which shall make of them useful and respected members of the community. Mrs. Clarkson is an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in the northern part of Sidell Township and comprises in her life and character the faith- ful and devoted mother and the true woman. A sketch of her father. James Thompson. will be found on another page of this work. Mr. Clarkson died Sept. 3, 1877.
ON. WILLIAM P. PEIRCE. M. D., Mayor of Hoopeston, is also a practicing physician and surgeon and senior partner of the firm of Peirce & MeCanghey, proprietors of the drug store on Main street. The various titles ap- pended to his name have been justly earned aud from them it will be readily guessed that he occu- pies no secondary position in his community.
Dr. Peirce was born in Chantanqua County. N. Y., March 25, 1830, and lived there until about. 1852, completing his education in what was then Fredonia Academy, but is now the Fredonia State Normal School. Upon leaving school he commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of his father, Dr. Austin Peirce, beginning his readings at the age of eighteen years. Later he entered upon a course of lectures in the University of the City of New York, from which he was gradaated in the class of 1852.
In the fall of the year above mentioned young Peirce came to Illinois and began the practice of his chosen profession in Kendall County where he resided until the outbreak of the Civil War. In June, 1861, he raised a company of volunteers named Company D, and assigned to the 36th Illin- ois Infantry and of which he was elected Captain. After a year's faithful service in this capacity, he was appointed Surgeon to one of the new regi- ments, the 88th Illinois, with the rank of Major. and remained with it until the close of the war. Ile met the enemy in many important battles, being in the fight at Pea Ridge, Bentonville, Ark .. Wil- son's Creek, Mo., Shiloh, Tenn., and the siege of
Corinth. at which places he was in command of his company. After receiving the appointment of Surgeon, he was at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, in the Atlanta campaign, and at Nashville and Franklin. Tenn., besides many other important en. gagements. The greater part of the time he acted as Brigade Surgeon and discharged his duties in such a manner as to gain him the friendship of his subordinates and the approval of his superiors.
After the war was ended Dr. Peirce returned to Illinois and located in Lisbon, Kendall Co .. Ill .. and subsequently at Lemont, Cook County, where he followed his profession until 1880. when he took up his residence in Hoopeston and is now in the enjoyment of a lucrative business. Ile makes a specialty of surgery and has met with unqualified success. Ile soon afterward established his drug store and being a liberal and publie spirited citizen, has always interested himself in the welfare and progress of his adopted town.
While a resident of Kendall County, Dr. Peirce was elected on the Republican ticket to represent his party in the 25th General Assembly and during the sessions which followed, served on the com- mittee of State Charitable Institutions and Revenue. later he was appointed a delegate from the Fif- teenth District to the Constitutional Convention of 1870 at Springfield. In 1871 he was elected Senator from the district comprising Kendall, Grundy and Will counties. living at the time in Minooka, Grundy County, where he practiced until his removal to Cook County. During the Constitutional Convention he was on the committee of Federal Relations, Revenue and Judicial Dis- triets. sometimes serving as Chairman. In the Senate he was Chairman of the Committee on State Charitable Institutions, Railroads, Penitentiary and Education. Wherever residing he has usually been a representative to distriet and State conven- tions, having always taken a lively interest in political affairs. IIe is a member of the County Medical Society and in Masonry is a Knight Templar.
In Cook County, this State. Dr. Peirce was married July 18, 1879. to Miss Ella Anderson, The four children born of this union were named respectively : William, James, Lamartine an 1 John
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Logan, They are all living and form a bright and interesting group, which the parents look upon with pardonable pride. Mrs. Peirce was born in Harrisburg, Pa., May 12, 1818, and is the daughter of James Anderson, who removed first to Cook County, INI , and then to Kansas where he died in 1888.
lIon. Austin Peirce, the father of our subject, was a native of Vermont and born in 1799. When a young man he emigrated to Chenango County, N. Y., where he read medieine with Dr. Pitcher, of the town of Pitcher, and afterward took a course of instruction at Geneva. He commenced the practice of his profession at Hamlet, Chatauqua Co., N. Y., where he made his home for many years. Ilis decease occurred in 1860. when he was sixty. one years old. The mother in her girlhood was Miss Mary Ann Sterling of Chenango County. The parental household ineluded eleven children, eight of whom lived to mature years and tive of whom are still living. The mother also survives and makes her home in Fredonia, N. Y. She was born in Connecticut in 1808 and came with her father, James Sterling, to Chenango County. N. Y., when quite young, living there until her marriage.
The elder Peirce during his younger years be- longed to the old Whig party and about 1842 was a member of the New York Legislature. He was a man of decided views and attained to much prom- inenee in his community. serving as Township Supervisor many years. In religious matters he belonged to the Presbyterian Church in which he officiated as Deacon for a long period. Dr. Peirce. our subject. is a member of the Universalist Church at Hoopeston.
A lithographie portrait of Dr. Peirce appears elsewhere in this volume in connection with this brief outline of his life.
ENRY L. CHIACE. The farming lands of Vermilion County comprise its most val- uable property, and the men who have re- deemed them from their primitive condi- tion occupy no unimportant position among a vast and intelligent population. The subject of this
notice may be properly classed among these. as he turns in annually a handsome sum to the county treasury as taxes on the property which he has ac- cumulated, largely by the labor of his own hands. He is a land owner to the extent of a fine farm of 410 acres, with the residence, on section 5, town- ship 23, range 12, which, together with its build. ings and improvements, forms one of the most de- sirable estates in this part of Vermilion County.
The native place of our subject was Newport, R. I., where he first opened his eyes to the light March 7, 1843. There he spent his boyhood and youth, completing his education in the lligh School. This brought him up to the time of the Civil War. On the 13th day of October. 1862, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company D), 12th Rhode Island Infantry, in which he first served a short time as a private, and later received the rank of Sergeant. Ilis regiment was made a part of the First Brigade, Second Division, 9th Army Corps, and operated mostly with the Army of the Potomac. Ile participated in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, and was under Gen. Burnside in his skirmishes through Kentucky. He left the regular ranks in August, 1863, and was assigned to the Quartermaster's department. and given charge of two large pontoon trains, numbers 15 and 17, Army of the James, and was mostly stationed at City Point until the fall of 1865, when he assisted in the reconstruction of the burned bridge at Rich- mond after the surrender of Lee's army. when he was mustered out and returned home.
Our subject for a year after leaving the army engaged in business in his native town, and in the meantime was married, March 26. 1866, to Miss Anna E. Cogswell. Soon afterwards they removed to Kendall County, this State, where he engaged in farming two years, then moved to the vicinity of Seneca, LaSalle County, where he sojourned for a period of eight years. His next removal, in 1877. was to the farm which he now owns and occupies. Upon this he has effected many improvements. gathering around him all the conveniences and ap- pliances of the enterprising and progressive agri- culturist. He votes the straight Republican ticket. and has held the various minor offices of his town- ship. As an ex-soldier he belongs to the G. A. R.,
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and finds his religious home in the Universalist Church.
Henry Chace, the father of our subject. was like- wise a native of Newport. R. I .. where he was born in 1812. The paternal grandfather was Capt. James Chace, who followed the sea for many years. but finally settled on terra firma in Newport, and there spent his last days. There was a large repre- sentation of the Chaee family in that city, where they were familiarly known for several generations, and traced their ancestors to the Puritans. Henry Chace in early manhood was married to Miss Mary Lyon. and for a time was engaged as a merchant in Georgetown, S. C. The wife of our subject was also a native of Newport. She was the daughter of Aaron S. Cogswell. of Revolutionary fame, who was the representative of an old and honor- able family, which furnished a number of success- ful business men to the commercial interests of that time.
ILLIAM BANDY. In taking this intelli- gent old gentleman by the hand. we extend greeting to the oldest living resident of Danville. He is now approaching the seventy-sev- enth year of his age, having been born July 22, 1812. in Bedford County. Va. When a youth of sixteen years, he was brought by his foster-parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Howell. to this county, they arriving at the present site of Danville, Dec. 13, 1828. There were then not to exceed nine families in the town. Some men go abroad to look upon great and wonderful things, but Mr. Bandy has seen enough at home to satisfy the ordinary indi- vidual in the almost incredible change which has come over the Prairie State since his arrival within its limits.
Upon leaving the Old Dominion, the little cara- van of which our subject was a member, having amid much preparation and speculation bidden their friends adieu, set out with a four-horse team, the wagon loaded with household effects and pro- visions, and traveled for thirty-six days before reaching their destination. They made their bed in their wagon at night. and set their table by the wayside, traveling in the primitive fashion of
those days, before the time of railroads, or even stages in this region.
U'pon their arrival here the emigrants could not even rent a cabin, but finally succeeded in finding shelter in a log house which already contained two families of four persons caeb, and which was six- teen feet square, and stood upon the present site of the First National Bank. Thus they spent the winter, being able to do but little except to make preparations for the spring campaign. The nearest land office was at Palestine, ninety miles away, and the father, after making the journey thither, was not able to purchase. as the officer in charge re- fused to accept the Virginia money, which was the only currency Mr. Howell possessed. Finally, how- ever, he bridged over his difficulties. and succeeded in entering 180 acres of land. upon which he erected four cabins, the principal one of which was located one mile southeast of the court house and con- structed of rough logs, with a puncheon floor, two windows and a door, using greased paper instead of glass. The building was 16x18 feet square, and boasted of window shutters of rived boards. For the fireplace there was was made in the logs an ap- erture eight feet wide. and built out three feet back, and this was lined with earth. while the chim- ney was built outside six feet high and covered with mortar. This contrivance lasted for years, and furnished sufficient heat for cooking purposes, as well as warming the building.
The furniture in this humble domicile was like- wise home-made, the bedstead being riven boards set up on wooden legs. and upon it there was first placed a straw tiek. and then a feather tiek. The table was constructed in a similar manner. ouly made higher. The family had brought with them two chairs, which were given to the father and mother, while the boys had to make stools to sit upon. The groceries and provisions had to be transported fifty miles from Terre Haute, and as may be supposed, at times the family were placed upon short rations in this line, although wild game being plenty. they never lacked for meats. and ina few years there was a surplus of cattle and swine.
After the cabin was built, the Bandy family had to carry water 300 yards until a well was dug.
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The father and sons made a contract to get out 10,000 black walnut rails at 25 cents per 100, and in the meantime carried on as rapidly as possible the cultivation of the new farm. William, our subject, assisted in breaking the first timber land in this region, and harvested some of the finest corn ever raised. There was, however, no market for it. and he was obliged to feed it to his hogs, and sell the perk for from $1 to $1.50 per 100. A day's work was equal to ten or twelve pounds of salt pork, or eight bushels of corn, or from thirty- seven and a half to fifty cents in cash, and the latter price could only be commanded by extra good men.
In this way were passed the first few years of the life of our subject in this county. He attended the first school taught in his township, and re- mained a member of the parental household until 1831. About that time he engaged with the State Militia in the Black Hawk War, under Capt. J. Palmer and Col. I. R. Moore. They went first to Joliet and built a fort. Two or three of their comrades were killed by the Indians. Thence they proceeded to Ottawa, and subsequently our subject joined the United States Mounted Rangers, which comprised six companies. At Rock Island many were stricken down with cholera. After operating around. Galena and Prairie-du-Chien, they finally returned and wintered southeast of Danville until January, when they were ordered to the other side of the Illinois River, but there being no need of their services in that region, they came back to the old camp, and remained until the 1st of May. They re- mained ready for duty and reconnoitering in dif- ferent sections until the fall of that year, when they were discharged.
Mr. Bandy now, in company with Mr. Howell, commenced operating as a carpenter, and put up a house on what was called Sulphur Spring Place, about one mile southeast of the present court- house. In the spring of 1834 they built a flat boat, 75x16 feet in dimensions, and upon this loaded great quantities of pork, which Mr. Bandy had purchased for the purpose of transporting to New Orleans. The craft was propelled by hand power, and when arriving at the Crescent City, the "trav- eling salesman" was confronted by a cholera epi-
demie. and sold only enough to pay expenses, putting the balance of his property into the hands of commission men. He then returned home and awaited results. One morning, two years later. going to the post-office soon after the blowing of the horn by the carrier on horseback, he received a letter, stating that all his pork had been sold, but at very little profit, and the proceeds were sent him in a draft on a bank in Louisville, Ky.
Mr. Bandy finally succeeded in getting his money. and after building another boat, proceeded as before, and carried on this business for several years. conveying wheat and pork to New Orleans, and building a new boat each year. He was the first man to run' a boat down the Mississippi River. and about 1839 or 1840 abandoned the river until after the close of the Mexican War. Ile then se- cured a sub-contract to deliver horses in New Or- leans, and by this time could transport by steam- boat. The business proved quite profitable until the last trip, when he got as far as St. Louis, and found that the war was ended, and he was lett with fifty horses on his hands. Ile finally traded them for a lot of worn-out Santa Fe horses, getting $17 a piece for his own to boot, and reserving two of his best animals. He returned home with the poor horses, fed them up, and sold them to the Illinois Canal Company. receiving therefor good prices. Later Mr. Bandy furnished a large proportion of the packet horses of this company. and in the meantime had carried on general merchandising in company with his father-in-law, William Murphy, they operating together five or six years. Later he engaged in the hardware trade and conducted the largest business of this kind in the county for a number of years. Finally selling out for a large lot of Wisconsin lands, he began dealing in real estate, and was at one time the owner of 1,500 acres. Mr. Bandy sold considerable of this land afterwards, but he and his wife own together 1.600 acres at the present time.
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