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 24
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In all his useful and honorable career the Ekler has been guided by the highest moral sentiments, and has ever shown himself to be a just, kind- hearted, pure-souled man, one in whom his fellow- men can safely place their trust, and whose sagacity and wisdom eminently fit him for the part of coun- sellor. He has been identified with the Regular Baptist Church for many years, has filled the office of Dencon, and was ordained Ekler in the church Nov. 28, 1871, since which time he has preached regularly in this and Champaign County, as before mentioned, with great acceptance to his hearers. llis ministry has been very successful and much good has resulted from it. Ile has brought joy to many hearts, has soothed and comforted many in grief, and many have turned from the error of their ways, persuaded to do thus by his simple, carnest words of warning, and by the example of a godly, upright life.
SAAC CURRENT comes of sterling pioneer stock. his immediate ancestry on both sides of the house having been early settlers of Ver- milion County, who figured honorably in the his- tory of its settlement. Ile is a fine representative of the native born citizens who are sustaining and extending the large agricultural interests of this fair land of their birth, and the farm that he owns and is successfully managing in Danville Town- ship compares very favorably with the best in this vicinity in point of cultivation, neat and substan- tial buildings and well ordered appearance, and its fertile acres yield him an ample income.
Mr. Current was born in Newell Township, Ver-
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milion County. Nov. 17, 1845. He is a descend- ant of Virginia families, both his parents and their parents having been born in the Old Dominion, his father, William Current, April 20, 1803, and his mother, Mary Baston, Oct. 19, 1807. The pater- nal grandfather of subject was a farmer in larri- son County. Va .. but he finally disposed of his property in that State, and coming to Vermilion County in 1827. with his family, was one of the ear- liest settlers in what is now known as Newell Town- ship. Hle entered a traet of Government land and was a resident in that township till death called him hence, though he did not die on that farm. but on the old homestead of his father, which he had entered; after the death of his father he buying that farm of the other heirs. The father of our subjeet was reared in his native State. and there married Miss Mary, daughter of Henry Baston. Her father was a resident of Harrison County in his native Virginia till 1827. when he came with others to Vermilion County, and entered a traet of land and improved a farm in what is now Danville Township, and lived here many years. He had learned the trade of a hatter in his youth; and after le came here found it very profitable to work at it a part of the time, his hats finding a ready sale. From this place Mr. Baston moved to Iowa in 1848 and became a pioneer of Marion County. A few years later he came back to Illinois and made his home with his children for a time, and then re- turned to the Hawk Eye State and resided there till his demise at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. Ihs wife lived to be about the same age. They were the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity and married.
The father of our subject continued to live in Harrison County till 1827, but early that year he left the State of his nativity accompanied by his wife, bis parents and her parents, bound for the then far West, and made the entire journey with ox teams. Ile settled in Newell Township and entered the traet of Government land that is now owned and occupied by his eldest son. It was wild prairie at the time, with no improvements whatever. and he had to ereet a rude pole house for temporary shel- ter, and in that the family resided a year. It was then burned with all its contents, and a more sub-
stantial løg house was put up in its place, and in that humble abode the most of his children were born. When he first went onto this land he did not have money enough to pay for it and held it as a claim till he could earn money enough break- ing prairie for others, to buy it. He had learned the trade of wagon-maker before coming here. and he built a shop on his place and devoted part of his time to making wagons. When he had three or four wagons made he would yoke his oxen and start for Chicago to sell them. and at the same time his wife, who was a thrifty. ceonomical housekeep- er, would send the eggs and butter that she had saved, to market. There were no railways for years after he settled here, and deer and other kinds of wild game were plentiful and often troub- lesome in the wheat fields of the pioneers, and where the flourishing city of Danville stands there was then no village. Mr. Current closed a life that had been a useful one and an honor to his com- munity, on his old homestead Aug. 6. 1851, dying while yet in his prime. His wife died in October, 1885.
Isaac Current of this sketch was reared and educa- ted in this, his native county. He was but six years old when his father died, and he continued with his mother till his marriage. Ile then estab- lished himself on a part of the homestead, and two years later bought his present farm, where he has built up one of the most attractive homes in the township.
Mr. Current has been three times married. Clar- issa E. Lynch. to whom he was wedded Dee. 14 1862,was his first wife. She was born in Danville Township in 1843, and died here June 14, 1869, leaving one child, Rachel HI. She is now the wife of Isaac Bowman of Vance Township, and they have one child named William Isaae. Mr. Current's second marriage was to Mary (Campbell) Wyatt, their union taking place Oct, 28. 1869. She was born in Newell Township Aug. 1, 1845, and died June 21, 1872.
Mr. Current's marriage with his present wife. Mrs. Derotha (Jones) Noel. took place Jan. 26, 1883. Her first husband was Arthur Noel by whom she had one son. Shelby P. Noel-he married Hannah Lappin, they have three children, viz : Perey
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Leo, Loda Belle, and Arthur Raymond. She was born in Rockville. Park Co .. Ind .. Jan. 13, 1845. Her father, Cornelius Jones was born in Virginia, and when a young man went to Park County, Ind .. and there married Nancy Hull, a native of Ohio. He lived in Park County till 1881, and then came to Illinois and made his home with a son in Douglas County till his decease in March. 1885. His wife died May 10, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Current have one son, Charles R.
It may well be the pride of our subject that it has been his privilege not only to witness the won- derful progress of his native county since his birth, but that he has had a share in advancing its mate- rial prosperity and making it a great agricultural centre. He has accumulated a valuable property by the exercise of those faculties that mark him as a man of more than usual sagacity, far reaching forethought, and practical tenacity of purpose. U'underlying all these traits are those high princi- ples that have gained him the trust and respect of his fellow-citizens. Both he and his wife are act- tive members of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also their son. In politics, on Na- tional issues he sides with the Democrats. but in local affairs the best man for the office gets his vote without regard to his party affiliations.
OHN J. SOUTHWORTH is one of the young leading and progressive business men of one of the most promising villages in Vermilion County. Allerton. The town lies on the line which divides Vermilion from Champaign County. and was laid out in 1887. The depot was built the same fall and located on lands given to that pur- pose by Sam W. Allerton, of Chicago.
Mr. Southworth was the first business man who located at the town of Allerton. Before coming here he was engaged in the town of Archie in the lumber business. In 1887 he took charge of Al- lerton's steam elevator, removing his lumber yard here at the same time. and on July 20. 1887. he bought the first load of grain purchased in Aller- ton, a load of corn, from Thomas L. Miller, of Champaign County. The price paid was forty cents
a bushel. As soon as the railroad was completed to his town he added to his stock of lumber. salt. binding twine, sand and barbed wire. Mr. South- worth is a son of John R. and Anna ( Akers ) South- worth, the nativity of the former being at Thom- aston. Mass., while the latter was born in Harris- burg, Pa.
John R. Southworth was reared as a mechanic, working in the woolen mills at Lowell, Mass .. but in 1851, thinking the broad prairies of the West were more conducive to happiness than the cramped shops of the East, he came to Champaign County, Ill., eventually. His first removal west was to Ohio, where he was married. As a farmer of Illinois he was fairly prosperous, and was promi- nently identified with the progress of his neighbor- hood. He died on his farm at the age of seventy- four years. while his wife still lives there. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch died while Mrs. Southworth was quite young. They were natives of England. as were also the paternal grandparents. The great-grandfather. Roy South- worth, served with distinguished honor through the entire period of the Revolutionary War, and bis descendants are in possession of a cane. the head of which is composed of solid silver in the shape of a dog's head, and inscribed thereon are the words, "Southworth, 1776." The silver was taken from the hilt of a British sword, which he captured from the enemy. Our subject's parents had six children : Addie, Julia. Frank. Lchmond. John J. and Lillie.
John Jay Southworth was born at Coldwater. Mich., in 1852, and when he was but three years okl emigrated with his parents to Illinois, where hic was reared upon a farm and received his primary education at the public schools. At the age of twenty he entered Oberlin College, where he eon- tinued a student for some time, and afterward com- pleted his education at Champaign. In 1875 he was married to Miss Mary F. Irwin, who was born in Champaign County. Ill., and who was graduated from the women's department of the Bloomington College. She was engaged as a teacher in her na- tive county, for sometime and was reckoned as one of the best teachers. Soon after their marriage the young couple removed to Archie, where Mr. South- worth engaged in business, and from the start has
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been successful. They have had four children : Grace, Walter, lda and Anna Mary; the latter died when she was twenty months ohl.
Mr. Southworth owns a fine farm of eighty aeres four miles north of Allerton. He is also engaged in the hotel business, he and his wife being the pro- prietors of the Allerton House. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and votes the Republican ticket. The offices of School Director and Trustee have been filled by him with ability. In all his efforts of life in which he has succeeded he has been ably seconded by his intelligent and faithful wife, and it is safe to predict that they will go on prospering. They are prominently identified with the prosperity of their town, and there are no better people in it.
ILLIAM COPELAND is the son of Samuel. whose father was likewise named Samuel, a native of Ireland, having been born near Dublin. He, with his brother, Robert, eame to the United States when young men and located at Philadelphia, Pa. From there the brother went to South Carolina, and has not since been heard from by our subject. The grandfather married near Philadelphia. and after a few years removed to Galia County, Ohio, the subject's father being then a little boy. The journey was made on pack horses. The father and older brothers, Isaac and Robert, were carried in a basket lashed to a horse.
That journey was made about 1865. many years previous to the building of any railroads. Even road wagons were not in general use at that time. Sleds were used in all seasons of the year. The only wagons in use in those parts were such as were known as truck wagons, the wheels of which were made of a piece, perhaps six inches, sawed off the end of a round log and a hole bored in the center for the axle, which was also wood. The wheels were held on the axle by wooden lineh-pins, in fact the entire wagon was made of wood. The grand- parents located among the hills and heavy timber and there made a farm on which they reared their family of eight children, of whom our subject's father was the third child and only survivor. The
children were: Robert, I-aac. Samuel, James, Ham- ilton. Mary A. Jane, and Mahala: The grand- parents spent their last days on the Ohio farm. The parents of our subject were married in Galin County, Ohio, the mother being Elizabeth. dangh- ter of William Ham, of German ancestry and early settlers of Ohio.
Like the grandparents, the parents of our subject reared a large family consisting of eleven children: William Il., George W., Perry, Mary A., Nancy, Malinda, Andrew. Delila, Clarinda, Emily, and Elizabeth. The four elder were born in Ohio. In 1827, the parents of the subject of this sketch. with their family, removed to this county and made the journey on a keel-boat down the Ohio and up the Wabash to Perrysville. Ind. The father made the boat for the journey and brought the household goods and also salt. Out of the profit on that load of salt he made a start in life. He sold it at Perrysville, where he hired a man with a team to haul his goods and family seven miles north- west of Danville, where he entered eighty acres, part timber and part prairie. Ilis first house was made by laying a pole from one tree to another about ten feet apart on a fork in either tree. against which poles and rails were leaned on each side for a roof. In that tent they lived until they could build a log house, and in this house the family was chiefly reared. After getting the eighty aeres in a good state of cultivation he would buy more land as he couldl. until he had increased his farm to a considerable extent. On that farm the worthy mother spent her last days. The father makes his home with our subject during the winter and with his daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Milton Lamb, of Danville, in the summer. The father of William HI. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which faith his mother died.
In the wilds of Illinois educational advantages were very limited. and the school which our sub- ject attended at twelve years of age was called a "subscription school." Each family would board the teacher in proportion to the number of puplis. The school-house was built of round logs. punch- eon floor and slab doors. The window was made with greased paper pasted over the hole cut in a log. The seats were also made of puncheon. The 1
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school term only lasted about three months of the year, these being the winter months. when the work on the farm was retarded by cold weather.
The next step of importance was the marriage of our subject to Miss Rachael Sterns. Her parents were Zara and Mary (Smalley ) Sterns. They too were pioneers in this county and came from near Clarkesville, Ohio, and were among the very earl- liest settlers. They died at an advanced age near Williamsport. Ind. By his first marriage there were ten children: Mary married James Wilson and died in 1860. Mr. Wilson enlisted in the war and was killed at the battle of Chickasaw. Their only surviving child, William H., was reared by our subjeet for whom he was named; Nancy, now Mrs. W. II. Duncan lives in this county; E. II .; Almeda is married to Frank Johns and died abont. 1875; Eli lives in Missouri; Andrew % ; an infant son; Elizabeth now Mrs. John B. Chambers: George; Harmon ; and Charles. who died at the age of four years. Mrs. Copeland died Jan. 27. 1831. a worthy member of the Baptist Church in which faith she lived. Our subject was married a see- ond time to Elizabeth Kirkhart, September, 1885. Hler parents were also early settlers here and came from Whitsell County, Va .. in which State they were born. Her mother, Ann (Courtney) Kirk- hart, died when Mrs. Copeland was about eight years old. Her father, dolin died a few years later, thus leaving her an orphan in early life. Previous to her marriage with the subject of this sketch Mrs. Copeland had been married to Stephen Lamb, who died in 1882.
William Copeland is a member of the Baptist Church, while his wife is a member of the United Brethern Church. He has held the offices in this county of Supervisor. twelve years; School Direc- tor, twenty years; Road Commissioner, three years. His politics are strictly Republican. His indus- trious habits have been erowned by a splendid property in the village of Potomac, where he lives. He owns a large, well furnished frame house and three lots. tinely planted with shade and fruit trees. The house has all modern conveniences. and testi- fies to the neatness and taste of its owners. He also owns another residence and a large business house in the village. Beside these, a line farm of
140 acres in this county, where he lived for many years, and here his family was reared. lle has given each of his children at their marriage $2,500. and still has a competeney remaining to keep himself and wife as long as they live. His pres- ent prosperous condition speaks well for his good management and frugality. for when first married. in 1841, he was destitute of means. Mr. Copeland is one of those worthy pioneers, who is now living a life of peaceful retirement.
HARLES E. WILTTON has been a resident of Illinois nearly all his life. though he has lived in Vermilion County but a short time. Hle was born in Oneida County, N. Y., July 3. 1847. and when a boy. came West with his parents, Robert and Mary ( Ferguson) Whitton. They set- tled on a farm in Grundy County. Ill., and the father and mother are now living at Hammond, Ind., near Chicago. The former is an Englishman by birth. and came to this country with an elder brother when quite young, while the latter is a native of Oneida County, N. Y.
Charles E. Whitton was brought up on the home farm in Grundy County, and when Fort Sumter was fired upon, ardently desired to enter the Union army, but was not accepted because of his youth. On Feb. 7, 1865, however, he stole a few months of the time necessary, and at the age of seventeen years and six months enlisted in Company C. 147th Illinois Infantry. and served for a year. On the declaration of peace. his company was assigned to Provost Marshal duty in Georgia. and was so en- gaged until Jan. 20, 1866, on which day they were mustered out. After his return, being still but a boy. although a veteran, Mr. Whitton went to school, and for two years studied with an especial view of preparing himself for the profession of school teaching. In this vocation he was subse- quently engaged for more than twelve years, mostly in Iroquois County. Ill., and in Benton County. Ind. In the latter county he was also Superinten- dent of Schools for two years, discharging the res- ponsible duties of that position satisfactorily to the people, and with credit to himself. During all
,
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the years he was teaching he was also working at farming during the summer months. In the spring of 1884 he began work on a rented farm in Iro- quois County, but his first wife dying about that time. Mr. Whitton gave up this place, and after his second marriage lived for three years on a farm in Iroquois County, belonging to his present wife. This they soll in 1888, and then bought and re- moved to the fine farm of 200 acres. on section 21, in Grant Township, where they now make their home.
As stated, Mr. Whitton has been twice married- first in 1877, to Miss Salinda Jones, who died in the spring of 1884. leaving two boys, Lewis and Law- rence. On Dec. 16, 1884, Mr. Whitton was united in marriage with Mrs. Laura B. Dunham, widow of Quincy Dunham, of Logan County, III. She is a daughter of David and Mary (Houser) Alsop. and was born in Spencer County, Ky., Aug. 26, 1819. Both the parents were also born in that county, where Mr. Alsop was a farmer. They emigrated to Logan County, Ill., when Laura was but nine years old, and she has ever since been a resident of this State. Her mother died in 1875, and her father is still living in Logan County. He, too. although a southerner by birth, was a soldier of freedom, and served for three years in the Union army as a member of Company F, 106th Illinois Infantry. In fact, all of Mrs. Whitton's connections showed themselves to be true patriots, her father. her father-in-law. her first and her second husband, all having served bravely in the I'nion ranks. Wil- liam Dunham, her first husband's father, was Chap- lain of the 106th Illinois Infantry, the same regi- ment in which her father was a soldier. He served through the war, but contracted a disease from which he never recovered, and which terminated his life in 1877.
Laura B. Alsop (now Mrs. Whitton ) was married to Quincy Dunham, Dec. 15, 1870. Ile, like MIr. Whitton, was a youthful soldier, having been born Ang. 6, 1847, in Warren County, Ohio, and on Feb. 10. 1865, when seventeen years and six months old, enlisted in Company M. 6th Hlinois Cavalry, serving for nine months. and was discharged Nov. 5, 1865. After his return from the army, young Dunham was engaged in farming pursuits in Logan
County until his death. He bought the farm in Iroquois County, on which Mr. and Mrs. Whitton lived after their marriage, but never occupied it himself. The circumstances attending his death, which occured Dee. 9. 18s1. were very sad. A man whom he had hired to work on the farm was found to be suffering from smallpox. and Mr. Dunham contracted the disease, and died from it. Ilis brother, Monroe Dunbam. who was married to a sister of Mrs. Whitton. and a sister of Mrs. Lucy Zollars, with a child of Monroe's, named Maud, also fell vietims to the same dread disease, as did five of their neighbors, making nine in all who died before the pest could be controlled.
Mr. and Mrs. Quiney Dunham became the parents of six children. all of whom are now living with their mother, and are named Clarence E .. Mary L., William D., Arthur 1 .. Pearl E. and Grace L. Mr. and Mrs. Whitton have one child, a bright little girl, named Estella K. Though not long residents in Vermilion County, they have lived near its bor- ders, and are well known in this part of the county. Both are respected members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of Boswell Lodge, No. 486, A. F. & A. M., of Boswell. Ind.
Mr. Whitton is known as an industrious, hard- working man. who attend- closely to the duties of his farm, in which he is ably assisted by his ener- getie and capable wife. The farm they now own is a fine property, and under their careful manage- ment is being rapidly improved. and when their plans are fully carried out, it will be one of the best properties of its size in this neighborhood.
OHN II. PARRISH has for twenty years or more been one of the leading men of Sidell Township. As a farmer he is skillful and successful, has a comfortable and bean- tiful home, and is genial and hospitable in his manner, gaining the good will of all with whom he comes in contact. He is considerable of a politi- cian. and in 1879 was elected Highway Commis- sioner for a term of three years. He was re-elected in 1885, and served another term. Prior to his assuming the duties of this office the Commis-
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sioners had contracted for a large amount of road grading, and unwisely involved the township in debt to the amount of $4,000. By careful man- agement on the part of Mr. Parrish this sum has been greatly reduced. so that the township finances are placed upon a sound basis.
Our subject was born May 7, 1889, in Coshocton County, Ohio. There his early life was spent, and as his brother had left the parental roof when about sixteen years old, Jolm naturally assumed the principal charge of the homestead. To this he brought a bride in 1861, being married that year to Miss Elizabeth Donnelly. This lady was a na- tive of his own county -- in fact they had grown up together from childhood. They resided in Ohio until after the birth of two children. coming to this county in 1868. In the meantime the brother, Joseph Parrish, had become owner of a large farm. a part of which our subject rented, and upon which he operated with success. Ile, however, with many others at the time suffered greatly from ague, a disease common among the early settlers, be- fore the land had been sufficiently cultivated to do away with miasma.
The first purchase of our subject in this county was eighty aeres, the nucleus of his present home- stead. and to which he added until he had 200 acres. He put up a fine dwelling in 1888. and has brought his land to a good state of cultivation. To him and his estimable wife there were born nine interesting children, the eldest of whom, a daugh- ter. Giula, is the wife of Joseph Thompson. of Sidell Township; Melvin P. remains at the home- stead; Charles died when eighteen months old: Horace C., Allie, Grace, and Harley are at home. Belle died at the age of eighteen months, and Gro- ver C. died when an infant. Mr. Parrish votes with the Democracy, and is quite prominent in local politics, frequently serving as a delegate to the county conventions. He has also served on the C'ireuit, Petit. and Grand Juries, and has ofli- viated as School Director for a period of fifteen years.
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