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 23
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In addition to his other enterprises, Mr. Bandy put up a large number of business houses and resi- dences, and during the last years of his active life coufined himself largely to the business of real estate dealer and capitalist. About 1882 he re- tired, and for the last eight years has made his
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home in Danville. His first residence was on North street. where he had a half acre of ground, and ef- fretel some fine improvements. In 1836 he was appointed by the Legislature as one of the com- missioners to make the slack water of the Vermilion River, but did not see it practical. Later he was appointed Marshal of the Eastern District of Illi- nois, with a bond of $10,000. but there being nothing particularly desirable in the office, he with- drew.
Mr. Bandy has represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors two terms; he has served as President of the City Council, and also as Alderman. He voted with the Republican party until the administration of President Lincoln, and has since been a Democrat. Ilis whole career has been signalized by liberality and public-spiritedness, he having probably contributed as much as any other man in furthering the interests of Danville and vicinity. A goodly portion of his capital is now invested in the live-stock business, which yields him handsome returns.
The marriage of William Bandy and Miss Har- riet J. Murphy occurred at the home of the bride in Edgar County. III .. Oct. 16, 1833. Of this union there were born five sons and two daughters, and six of the children are living. Samuel J., the ellest, is a resident of Danville; John W. is the owner of the Bandy block, and is in the drug busi- ness; Bennett E. is the School Commissioner of the township, and interested in the Building Associa- tion; Emma, the youngest born, remains at home with her parents, and there is also in the household circle a foster child named Bella E. Bandy. MIrs. Harriet Bandy departed this life March, 1872. She was born in Bedford County, Va., and came with her parents to this county in 1818, about the time that Illinois was transformed from a Territory into a State.
Mr. Bandy, in 1881. contracted a second mar- riage with Mrs. Deborah ( King) Johnson. This lady was born in Kentucky, Oct. 13, 1815, and when quite young was taken by her parents to Indiana, they settling on the western line of the State, just across from Danville. She spent the greater part of her carly life in Warren County, Jud, where she was married to Mr. Johnson, who
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died near West Lebanon. Ind., in 1853. Joseph King, the father of Mrs. Bandy, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation. He spent his last years in Missouri.
The father of om subject was James Bandy, who was born in Virginia about 1790, and upon reach- ing man's estate was married to Miss Nancy Brown. also of the Old Dominion. Only two of their chil- dren lived, and the mother died. when William, our subject, was an infant of three years. A few years later he was taken into the home of the llowells. .James Bandy finally removed to Tennessee to take care of his father. Ile was married a second time, and came to the southern part of Illinois, where he died in 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-three voars. Ile came to Virginia after his children, both of whom were with the Howells, but the latter were unwilling to give them up. Hle became the owner of lands and slaves, which he gave to his children.
ILLIAM O. CUNNINGHAM, an exten- sive stock shipper of Newell Township was born on the 15th day of December, 1838. in this township, and is the son of James and Mary (Andrews) Cunningham, the father a native of Kentucky. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in New York, and is deceased. The father is now retired and living at State Line. Ind.
William O., of whom we write, is the third child of a family of four children. He spent his boy- hood days at home on the farm until he was about eighteen years of age when the restless spirit of the typical American youth seized him and he con- cluded to see more of the world; accordingly he went to Nebraska where he worked for a time breaking prairie sod, but this being too slow work for him he made up his mind that he would go to . California, which he did. He started from Nebras- ka City for Pike's Peak in 1859, and from there went overland to California. Here he was engaged in mining and farming alternately, and worked with some degree of success in this manner for about four years, when he returned to Nebraska where he worked for a short time and then came
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back to Illinois with 81.200 in his pocket. every cent of which was gained by reason of his indus- trions and prudent habits. He invested his money in land, buying his father's farm of 200 acres which was really the nucleus of his present fortune. Ile then married Feb. 22, 1865, Martha J. Chand- ler; she is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Frazier) Chandler, who both died in one week from milk sickness, also two children; at that time Mrs. Cunningham was only five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham became the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living, viz; Irwin. Alice, James. Porter. Sophia, Minnie and Roy. Stella, the oldest child, died in infancy, and a baby boy died unnamed, and the balance are at home. Mr. Cunningham is giving his children the benefit of a good education.
Mr. Cunningham is the owner of a large farm of 556 acres of as good land as there is in Illinois, es- timated to be worth at least $70 per acre. Ilis residence and buildings are models of convenience and of these he ought to feel proud. He has dis- played a great deal of common sense in all of the improvements he has made and in none more than in the erection of his buildings. Mr. Cunning- ham makes a specialty of Cotswold and Shropshire- down sheep, of which he always keeps a large flock. He is also engaged in buying and shipping live stock to Chicago, a business which he has pros- ceuted with success, all due to his shrewd judg- ment as a buyer. He supplements his other bus- iness by dealings in superior grades of fine horses, and it is said that he is a most excellent judge of this noble animal.
Politically, Mr. Cunningham believes that the party that obliteratel slavery from the American continent is right, and he therefore votes and works for the Republican party and never omits an op- portunity to forward its success. He has never been an active aspirant for political honors, but by reason of his superior judgment has held the of- fice of Assessor of this township. While he was liv- ing in California he made an endeavor to enlist during the War of the Rebellion, his motives be- ing based wh dly upon the love he bore his coun- try. But being disabled he was refused admission to the ranks of the Union army, though he was al-
ways in hearty and active sympathy with the ob- jects for which it fought. Mr. and Mrs. Cunning- ham are active members of the Christian Church and are always alive to any move that will uplift lmmanity and make life happier.
RA FAUROT. This venerable gentleman was long intimately connected with the agricult- nral interests of Vermilion County, and is still the possessor of one of its many valuable farms, finely located in the midst of a rich farming re- gion on section 31. Pilot Township. When he pur- chased this farm it was wild. uncultivated land with no buildings on it, and but one dwelling house in sight. the country roundabout still being not far removed from its primitive condition and sparsely settled. It is a fact of which he may well be proud that our subject has witnessed the greater part of its development, and has aided its growth as only a skillful, practical farmer can do. Ile is now liv - ing here in retirement in his comfortable home, having accumulated a competency sufficient to guard his old age against want in any form.
The ancestors of our subject were natives of sunny France as is betokened by his name, and from them he inherited those genial and pleasing traits of character that have gained him a warm place in the hearts of those about him, and also the thrifty and industrious habits that have led him to prosperity. His parents. Joseph and Sarah (Sears) Faurot, were of French ancestry, but were natives of this country. They at one time made their home in Ontario County. N. Y., whence they came to Illinois, and located in Champaign County. Ohio. They afterward turned their steps. and go- ing to Steuben County. Ind., made their home there till death claimed them, the father dying in 1836, and the mother in 1839. They were the pa- rents of five children, of whom two are living: Jane is the widow of David Porter, of Kentucky, and she is now living in Missouri with her three children; Benjamin, deceased, married Louisa Avey, of New York, and they had two children, Elmira and Harriet; Alva. deceased, was a farmer; he married Louisa Farmer, of Ohio, and they had
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three children -- William II., Alva and Farmer; Henry, deceased. married Maria Wolf, of Ohio, and she is now living in Missouri with her four chil- dren-Sylvester. Theodore, Melvin and Mary.
Our subject was born in Ontario County, N. Y., April 23, 1819, and he accompanied his parents to Champaign County, Ohio, when he was young. At the age of fifteen a hardy, self-reliant youth, manly beyond his years, he left the shelter of the parental roof to go forth into the world to light life's bat- tles on his own account. and for some years was engaged in working by the month. After mar- riage he commenced to rent land. but always with the end in view of owning land himself as soon as his means would allow. By frugality and hard la- bor, at the expiration of three years, he had money enough to buy sixty aeres of timbered land. and he lived on it the next nine years, busily engaged in its clearance and improvement. In 1850 he sold it, and going to Marion County. in this State, he resided there the ensuing four years. Returning to this eounty he invested some of his money in 200 acres of wild land. from which he has devel- oped his present fine farm. on which he has erected suitable, well-appointed buildings. and has every convenience for carrying on agriculture to the best advantage.
To the wife who has shared his fortunes and been an important factor in bringing about his pros- perity, Mr. Faurot was united in marriage July 2, 1840. ller maiden name was Elvira Fowler, and she is a daughter of Willey and Cynthia (Perkins) Fowler, natives respectively of London, England, and Germany. They came to this country and spent their last days here. The following is the record of the five children born to our subjeet and his wife: Hannah was born June 30, 1841 ; Cyn- thia, Feb. 19, 1843; Sarah. Feb. 15, 1846; Vieto- ria, Aug. 21. 1819. died Oct. 10, 1851; Willie, born Sept. 11, 1852; Joseph. Jan. 18, 1858. Hannah married John Davidson, of Ohio, now living in this county, and they have five children-Arabella, Ira, Zerual and two dead; Cynthia married Hugh V. Davidson, of Marion County, Ohio. now living in this county. and they have four children-Ella, Josephine. James and Estella; Sarah has been twice married. Her first husband was Aaron Davis,
of Shelby County. IH .. and they had four children -Olive, Seigel, Eflie and Leona. Her present hus- band is Alexander Steward, of Champaign County, Ill .. and they have four children-Lizzie, Alvina, Jessie and James O .; Willie married Annie Ay, of Douglas County, Ill., and they are living in this county; they have three children-Ira. Elsie and Florence; Joseph, a retired farmer living in Arm- strong. married Flora Thompson, and they have one child. Amy.
Mr. Faurot is a thoroughly good and upright man. who is well thought of by the entire commu- nity. Ilis life-record shows that he is a man of good capacity and sound discretion, always cordial and kindly in his relations with others and fair in his dealings with them. As consistent members of the Christian Church. he and his wife and chil- dren exert a good influence in the township, or wherever they may be. Politically. Mr. Fanrot is a decided Republican, and gives his party the ben- efit of his hearty support.
OSEPH J. SIDELL. The son of the founder of the village of Sidell, naturally occupies no secondary position among the people, not only of the village but the town- ship at large. The late Hon. Joli Sidell, after whom the township was named. was long recog- uized as one of the leading men of Vermilion County, and possessed those talents, both natural and required, which distinguished him as a charac- ter more than ordinarily foreible and efficient. and one who had a sensible and permanent intluence on the community where he was so favorably known for so many years.
The father of our subject was born at Hagers- town, Washington Co., Md., June 27, 1816, and his early life was spent in Maryland and Ohio. Ilis father having died when he was a lad of eight years the boy was thrown largely upon his own re- sources. but he seemed to have within him the ele- ments of success, and those years which were fraught with perhaps hardship and privation suf- ficed to develop a character of more than ordinary excellence. At the age of nineteen years. being
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dissatisfied with his condition and his prospects in his native state, he emigrated to Ohio and engaged to work out by the month in Greene County on a farm at $12.50 per month.
Saving what he could of his earnings young Sidell in due time purchased a horse and mounting it started for the farther West. He crossed Ilinois and visited lowa, but finding nothing particularly desirable returned to Ohio and took a contract to cut cordwood at thirty-three and one-third cents per cord. This was extremely hard work for such small pay, but he persevered at it until he was able to do something better. While a resident of Ohio he was married Jan. 20, 1846. to Miss Elizabeth Cline. who became the mother of two children and died in 1851. Ile was then married to Miss Ada B. Ransom. who also died after a comparatively short period of married life.
Mr. Sidell came to the county in 1860, and for the first few years occupied himself in agricultural pursuits. Later he drifted into stock-raising and became one of the leading men in this industry in Vermilion County. His eldest son, George 1., started West at the age of nineteen years and pros- pected for gold in and around Fair Play, South Park, Col. Hle was one of the first men to discover silver at Leadville, and was founder of the town. He became owner of the celebrated Beaver Creek Silver Mine, eight or ten iniles southwest, and con- tinues his residence there. Allie E., the daughter of his first wife. married Mr. C. C. Tincher, who is well known in the financial eireles of Danville.
Mrs. Ada B. (Ransom) Sidell. mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of Toronto, Canada, and being left an orphan when quite young, was reared to womanhood by an excellent family who gave her a good educa- tion. She left the Dominion when a young lady. and going to Greene County, Ohio, engaged in teaching, and formed the acquaintance of her fut- ure husband. There were born to them two chil- dren. Mr. Sidell in coming to Illinois settled near Paris in Edgar County. and having some means engaged at once extensively in the cattle trade. Ile had learned carpentering early in life. Before locating, however, he traveled extensively on horseback in the West, crossing Illinois nine times
and through portions of Texas and Iowa. He was in the Lone Star State before its admission into the I'nion. It will be remembered that Samuel Houston was chief sovereign of that country at that time. and JJohn Sidell erected a residence for him at Houston.
The live stock enterprise of Mr. Sidell prospered very well, and not finding a sufficient area of land to suit his purpose in Edgar County he came to this county where in due time he became the owner of 7,000 acres. Upon becoming a voter he had identified himself with the Old Whig party, but upon its abandonment allied himself with the Re- publicans. He interested himseif greatly in politi- cal affairs. and was elected a representative to the Lower House of the Legislature. in which position he acquitted himself in a manner reflecting great credit upon his good judgment and hone-ty. He was instrumental in defining and improving the road laws of Illinois, and was an influential member of the General Assembly, participating in most of its important deliberations. In later years he gradually retired from public life.
At the suggestion of Mr. John C. Short, one of the earliest settlers of Sidell Township. it was given its present name. Mr. Sidell was very lib- eral and publie spirited and cheerfully gave of his time and means to encourage the enterprises caleu- lated for the general good. Several years ago he decided to open a portion of his lands to settlers who would locate and make homes for themselves, and thus disposed of a large tract at a very reason- able price, realizing from the sales the sum of $115,000. At the same time he retained a large portion of land himself and was instrumental in bringing the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad to this section, freely donating the right of way. The town of Archie had been laid out and was boom- ing before Sidell had an existence, but finally was practically absorbed by the superior advantages offered by the founder of Sidell as a business point. and consequently enterprising men invested their capital here.
Mr. Sidell at one time chartered a train and ran it free from Columbus, Ohio, for the benefit of those desiring to make a home in the West. Sidell was laid out in ISSI, and its illustrious founder
" HAZEL FARM" RESIDENCE OF A. G. OLMSTED , SEC. 22. (T. 19 .- R. 12) CATLIN TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF ALVIN STEARNS , , SEC. 1. (T.18 .- R. 14.) VANCE TOWNSHIP.
turL
RESIDENCE OF JOHN R. KINSEY, SEC. 23. (T. 19 .- R.13) OAKWOOD TOWNSHIP.
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lived to note its phenomenal growth and prosper- ity. Ile departed this life Jan. 29, 1889, after a severe illness of eleven weeks. Although not a member of any church he donated generously to- ward the erection of the various church edilices in this region, giving to the Kimber Methodist Epis- eopal Church alone 8500, this structure being lo- cated in Danville. He had identified himself with the Masons some years before his decease and was buried with the honors of the fraternity.
To Mr. Sidell and his second wife there were born three children, Jeunie II., Joseph John and Lnella Blanche. The eldest daughter is now the wife of William Southwick. a clothier of Streeter, Ill .; Luella married Frank Ilastings, an extensive cattle breeder, and they live in Essex, Page Co .. lowa; Mr. Ilastings makes a specialty of three dif- ferent breeds of cattle, the West Highland Scotch - the first ever bred in America - the Hereford and the Short-horn.
The subject of this sketch was born March 1 1. 1862, at Dudley. Edgar Co., Ill., and the scenes of his first recollections were in connection with the first cattle ranch of his father near that place. Ile began at an early age to assist his father in looking after the cattle, and mounted on his broncho scoured the country for many a mile in the fall enjoyment of boyish youth and strength. Ile at- tended the schools of his home district. While a boy of seven he went in charge of a train load of cattle from Farimount, Ill., to Buffalo, N.Y. In case one of the bovines sought repose by lying down at the risk of being trampled to death. he exerted himself to keep it in a standing position, and if not able to do this alone would solicit the assistance of a brakeman.
When a youth of seventeen our subject entered the Russell Preparatory School for Yale College, but he was Western in his mode of thinking and in his habits and manners. and an utter stranger to the mode of living of the light-headed Eastern students, so he abandoned his first intention of en- tering Yale, and returning home continued with his father in the cattle business. Ile is now re- volving in his mind the plan of embarking exten- sively in this in the near future farther west, prob- ably in Nebraska, but will make his home at the
old place, which is beautifully situated 210 rods northwest of Sidell.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Mande C., daughter of Michael Fisher, of Indianola, took place at the bride's home in 1884. Mr. Fisher is a hardware merchant and one of the leading men of his town. A sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this ALBUM. Mrs. Sidell was born at Indianola, where she completed her studies. being graduated from the Iligh School. Of her union with our sub- ject there are two children: Rozalia and Zelda Luella. Mrs. Sidell belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject, like his father be- fore him. is Republican in politics and belongs to the Masonie fraternity, being a member of Vermilion Lodge, No. 265. of Indianola. He is endeavoring to comply with his father's wish of having a Ma- sonic lodge established in Sidell, and is a charter member of the M. W. C. at this place. Ile is a young man of sterling worth and very popular both in business and social circles.
E LDER GEORGE W. DODSON, a promi- nent and influential citizen of Blount Town- ship, is the owner of a farm on section 16, which in regard to cultivation and neat. well-ap- pointed buildings is indeed one of the best in this part of Vermilion County. The Elder is one of the leading members of the Regular Baptist Church, aud for a number of years has preached almost constantly in this and Champaign County, and as a man of true piety is an acknowledged power for good wherever he may be. Ile is also closely con- nected with the management of local public affairs, and has been an incumbent of some of the most re- sponsible civic offices. He has held the position of Supervisor of Blount Township three terms, has served as Road Commissioner the same length of time and has been School Director many years. Ile has not taken an active part in political affairs, but is a decided Democrat in his views.
The subject of this biographical review was born in the vicinity of Hendricks, in Boone County, Ind., Aug. 1, 1839, being the eldest son and fifth child of the six children, four daughters and two
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sons, born to Ruel and Mary ( Dickerson) Dodson. natives, respectively. of Kentucky and Virginia. His parents married and settled in Boone County and lived there till February, 1818, when they came to Vermilion County and cast in their lot with the pioneers of Blount Township. settling about a mile northeast of Higginsville. They lived there only three or four years, however, when the father soll that farm and bought another that he considered more desirable. pleasantly located in the Fairchild settlement in Blount Township. There the mother died Aug. 8. 1860. and the father took for his second wife Lucinda Walls, who survives him. He died at Rickart's Corner in Blount Town- ship, Feb. 28, 1871, thus rounding out a life that was a credit to himself. his friends and his com- munity.
Ilis son George, of whom we write, was between eight and nine years old when his parents brought him to their new home in Vermilion County, and he grew to man's estate in Blount Township, his parents training him in all useful labors and care- fully instilling into his mind those high and holy principles that have been his guides in all his after life. Ile attended the common schools, and being an apt pupil gained a good practical education. Ile has always paid attention to the calling to which he was bred, and there is no more skillful or shrewd farmer in the neighborhood than he, as is shown by the appearance of his farm of 350 acres of well tilled land, with its comfortable dwelling. fine con- veniently arranged barn and other substantial buiklings, among the best in the township.
Elder Dodson has been twice married. The first time in Blount Township, to Miss Sarah A. Walls, who was born in Hendricks County, Ind., July 29. 1842. She was a member of the Regular Baptist Church and a truly good and virtuous woman. whose death Ang. 8. 1867, was deplored far beyond the home circle. She bore her husband three chil- dren: Annie M., the wife of William O'Toole; John W., who married Eva K. Fairehold; George W., who married Lillie Parks.
Our subject was married to his present wife March 12, 1868, and in her he has found a cheerful and ready helper, and an able manager in her depart- ment, she making their home cosy and comfortable
for the family and attractive to others, who often share its generous hospitalities. Mrs. Dodson's maiden name was Dorcas T. Pilkington. and she was born in Hamilton County, Ind., Dec. 10, 1846. Her marriage with our subject has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, as follows: Sarah L., who died when about two years old; Carrie E .; Ruch F., who died when six months old; Ira W. W .. Dora E., who died at the age of nine months; James F .. Jesse R., Ellie L., Bertha W., who died when one year old; Lillie M. and Bessie Orella.
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