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 27
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and kind heart. His widow survived him many years, dying in this township Dec. 30, 1869. She was a woman of true Christian piety and a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. To her and her husband were born four sons and four daugh- ters, our subject being the youngest son and the seventh child.
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Hle was born near Darbysville. Pickaway Co .. Ohio, Oct. 21, 1832. Ile was about a year old when his parents brought him to Vermilion Coun- ty, and here, amid the pioneer scenes of those early days in the settlement of the county. he grew to be a stalwart. manly man. He had such schooling as could be obtained in those days of limited edu- cational advantages when the rude log cabin was the only literary institution of this section of country, and its doors were only opened to the children of the pioneers a few short weeks in the different seasons of the year. lle was bred to the life of a farmer, and has made the tilling of the land his principal occupation. He has met with more than ordinary success in his calling, and may well feel proud of what he has achieved by hard labor, directed by sound business acumen and the prudent management of his monetary affairs. Ilis farm. comprising 440 acres of land of exceed- ing fertility, is well stocked and is amply provided with all the necessary appliances and machinery for making it one of the model places of the township.
Mr. Davis holds that a part of his prosperity is due to the fact that he is blessed with a good wife, who has actively co-operated with him in all his plans. They were united in marriage in Catlin Township March 10, 1859. and to them have come five children, as follows: Clara J., the wife of Willis Lesher; Van C .; one who died in infancy; Scott G .; Minnie L., the wife of David MeMillin. C APT. JOSEPH TRUAX. Oakwood Town- ship contains no more active or energetic business man than Capt. Truax. who is in the prime of life and in the midst of a prosperous career. The opening years of his life were spent in Muskingum County, Ohio, where he was born July 25, 1838, being the eighth in a family of nine children, the offspring of Joseph. Jr., and Nancy (Robison ) Truax. who were both natives of Pen- sylvania, the father born in Bedford County. May The maiden name of Mrs. Davis was Melvina Eliza- beth Hyatt, and she is the daughter of JJames and Martha (Rouland) Hyatt. both of whom are de- ceased. Her father was born in South Carolina and her mother in Kentucky, and after marriage they settled in Davis County, Ky., where he was engaged in farming, and there they died. They had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mrs. Davis was their second child, and she was born in Davis County, Ky,, Nov. 21, 1838, She grew | 16. 1800, and the mother March 15, 1801. The
to womanhood there, and came to Vermilion Coun- ty in the month of November. 1858, with her sister. Mrs. Mary Wallace, who was an invalid. She is a genial, lovable, motherly woman, whose genuine kindness has won her a warm place in the hearts of the entire community.
When Mr. Davis was brought here in his infancy. the surrounding country presented a far different appearance from what it does to-day. Then it was a literal wilderness, savage animals and abundant game roamed over the wild, uncultivated prairies, or found shelter in the primeval forests along the water courses, and the bold. hardy frontiersman had scarcely more than begun to turn the virgin sod and lay the foundations of the wealth and pros- perity that obtain to-day on all sides. as evidenced by flourishing and busy towns, smiling farms. and many happy homes. That he has had a hand in bringing about this great change may be a source of pride to our subject, who is a man of eminent public spirit. and has generously contributed of his means to further all enterprises that will in any way add to the prosperity of the community with whose interests his own are identical, and among whose people he has lived in peace and friendship for more than half a century. Ile is a man of high moral character, and is gifted with many worthy attributes that render him respected of all men. In his political views he strongly favors the Prohibi- tion party, being himself a sound temperance man. He and his wife are worthy members of the Pres- . byterian Church. she having been a communicant ever since she was thirteen years old.
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paternal grandfather, Joseph Truax. Sr .. was like- wise a native of the Keystone State and of German descent. He entered the Revolutionary Army at the beginning of the war and served on the side of the colonists until its close. His wife was a Miss Stillwell, a native of his own State, where they set- tled and died. Their family consisted of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are deceased.
The mother of our subject was the daughter of James and Ellen Robison, both of whom were na- tives of Dublin, Ireland. Grandfather Robison was a very prominent Knight Templar of Dublin. and our subject has in his possession a demit onee belonging to the old gentleman and signed 107 years ago.
The parents of our subjeet were married in Pen- sylvania and remained there until 1839. Then re- moving to Ohio they settled on a farm in Mus- kingum County where they lived until the fall of 1854, then took up their line of march for Illinois. Coming to this county they settled two miles east of Pilot Grove, and in 1859 removed to Blount Township, where the father died March 7. 1861. The mother passed away Jan. 1, 1885. Seven of their nine children lived to mature years and three are still living.
Our subjeet, upon coming to this county, had a fine young horse which he sold and devoted the proceeds to advance his education, attending school in Danville, where he closely applied himself to his studies for some eighteen months. In 1859 he be- gan teaching at Collison's Point and remained there through the fall and winter until spring. In the latter part of 1860 he commenced teaching at Craig's schoolhouse. and in the winter taught in the old Union Church building at Blue Corner. On the 3d of July, 1861. the Civil War having broken out, he entered the I'nion Army as a member of Company I, 35th Illinois Infantry. being mustered in as First Lieutenant, Aug. 24. 1861 at St. Louis.
The 35th Illinois saw much hard service. They were first ordered to Jefferson City. thenee to Se- dalia, Mo., and from there started south on the lookout for the rebel General Priec. They marched 120 miles to Springfield. and from there to Rolla, a like distance. Lieut. Truax was here seized with illness and sent home on a two month's furlough.
Ile returned to his regiment in February. 1862. and was placed in command of a detachment of seventy men. with which he repaired to Spring- field still after Gen. Price. Later he was detailed with his command to remain and guard the city. After the battle of Pea Ridge he rejoined his regi- ment on the road to Batesville. Ark .. but at this place they were ordered to Cape Girardeau, a dis- tance of 250 miles, which distance they covered in nine days, taking one day to rest. making ten in all. On account of walking without shoes the feet of many of the men were sore and bleeding. At Cape Girardeau they were paid their monthly sti- pend by Maj. Mckibben. an old resident of this county.
Lieut. Truax, with his regiment. now boarded the transport "Sunshine" and proceeded to Cairo. and from there up the Ohio to the mouth of the Tennessee, and theuce to the old battle-ground of Pittsburg Landing. Here they joined the army of Gen. Halleck and moved toward Corinth from the east. witnessing the burning of the city. From there they marched to Clear Springs and spent July 4 near Jacinto, Miss. Later they were placed on guard at Bear Creek Bridge, bear Inka. Then the division to which the 35th Regiment belonged cut loose and crossed the Tennessee at Mussel Shoals. mareling through the enemy's country and joining Buell's army at Murfreesboro.
Our subject and his command now started after the rebel General. Bragg. reaching Louisville be- fore him and followed him on his retreat to Perry- ville, to Crab Orchard and to Nashville. Tenn. Afterward. succeeded the battle of Murfreesboro. and the regiment then entered upon the Chicka- mauga campaign. Subsequently followed the two day's battle of Chickamauga when they fell back to Chattanooga, and the November following charged upon Mission Ridge driving the enemy before them and capturing the place. Their next business was to relieve Gen. Burnside at Knoxville, to which they hurried on a forced march, and later they proceeded to Strawberry Plains and to Lou- don, Tenn .. where they built a bridge in the spring of 1864.
The 35th Regiment was then ordered to the vi- cinity of Cleveland, Tenn., where they prepared to
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join Sherman's Army on its march to the sea. and Lient. Truax was with his regiment in every battle and skirmish in which it afterward participated. In 1862 he was rewarded for his bravery and lidelity to duty by promotion to a Captaincy. receiving his commission at Crab Orchard, and with his regi- ment at his expiration of term of enlistment, was relieved from duty on the 28th of August. 1864, and was mustered out at Springfield in September following.
After retiring from the army Capt. Truax first took his mother to Ohio, then came back and resumed teaching in the same old Union Church building south of Oakwood. On the 19th of March, 1865. he was married to Miss Mary E. Hehnick, and set- tled on a farm one and one-half miles west of Oak- wood, where they lived until the fall of 1884. Ile then bought out the firm of Stillwell & Young. general merchants, and has since been in trade. be- sides handling grain quite extensively. He owns the entire block in which his store is located, and has also a good residence in the northern part of the city.
Capt. Trnax takes an active part in politics and votes the straight Republican ticket. He has served as School Trustee for twenty years, Justice of the Peace four years. and Commissioner of Highways two terms. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. with which the Cap- tain became identified in 1866, and in which he has served as Steward and Trustee. Socially, he be- longs to Oakwood Lodge No. 564. 1. O O. F., in which he has occupied all the offices from Warden to Past Grand. He is also identified with George Morrison Post. G. A. R. The Captain and his es- timable lady are the parents of five children. one of whom. Naney B., who was born Dee. 21, 1868. died Jan. 20, 1869; Frances E. was born Feb. 10, 1866; Ruberta A., April 1. 1867; Charles E., Ang. 9, 1872. and Josephine, March 24. 1876.
verance. and was of essential service in the Master's vineyard. After the death of his first wife. Mrs. Rachel (Villers) Helmick. the mother of Mrs. Truax. he was married to Miss Amanda Oakwood. 1 who died about 1874. Mr. Helmick departed this life July 18, 1887, at the advanced .age of eighty- five years. Of his first marriage there were born nine children, of whom Mrs. Truax was the sixth. Iler birth took place in Vermilion County. Ill., Nov. 21. 1835.
OIIN J. PARTLOW. The neat and well- regulated home of this gentleman lies adja- cent to the city of Danville, and embraces twenty-six acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation, and devoted to the raising of small fruits. Upon it the proprietor has erected a fine residence, and each year adds something to the beauty and value of the property. Mr. Partlow is numbered among the steady-going and reliable citi- zens of this county -- one who without making a great deal of stir in the world has fulfilled his obli- gations to his family and society in a praiseworthy manner, and deserves more than a passing notice.
A native of this county, our subject was born in Middle Fork Township. Aug. 7. 1832. and is the son of James Partlow, who was born in Virginia, and was the son of Samuel Partlow, to whom fur- ther reference is made in the sketch of Asa Part- low. on another page in this volume. James Part- low was reared in Kentucky, and learned the trade of a wheelwright in his youth. which he followed in the Blue Grass regions until 1831. That year he came to Illinois, overland with a team. accom- panied by his family and traveling after the prim- tive fashion of those days-carrying with him his household goods, and camping and cooking by the wayside.
Rev. Eli Helmick, the father of Mrs. Truax, was The father of our subject upon his arrival in this county took up a claim of Government land before it had come into the market. Indians were still to be seen prowling over the country, while deer. wild turky and wolves were also plentiful. The land which Mr. Partlow selected was part timber and born in Randolph County. Va., May 4, 1800, and her mother, May 25, 1801. After marriage they resided in the Old Dominion for awhile. then about 1832 came to this county. He was an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a man of fine abilities, good judgment and great perse- , part prairie. Ile put up a rail pen for the tempor-
Hiers. B. Cauble Simt
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ary shelter of his family, and afterward built a log house, in which structure the subject of this sketch was born. The chimney of this primitive dwell- ing was made of earth and sticks outside. the floor was laid of split puncheon, and the roof covered with clapbords. It was before the time of rail- roads, and the nearest market was at the towns on the Wabash River. James Partlow here spent the remainder of his days, passing away about the year 1854. Ile had lived to see the wilderness around him transformed into smiling grain fieldls and com- fortable homes, and himself put up a third dwell- ing, in the shape of a commodions frame house. This latest structure was built prior to the con- struction of the railroad through this part of the county. and the doors for it were hauled from Chi- cago. The weather-boarding was sawed from black- walnut logs which Mr. Partlow drew to the mill. Hle brought his farm to a good state of cultivation, and in his last years was surrounded by all the com- forts of life.
Mrs. Ellen ( Milton) Partlow, the mother of our subject, was born in Kentucky, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Humphrey. of Danville, about 1855. Both she and her husband had been twice married. John J., our subject, pur- sued his first lessons in a log school-house, into which light was admitted through greased paper stretched along an aperture from which one of the logs had been sawed away. He was at an early age trained to habits of industry, and as soon as large enough his services were utilized in the labors of the farm. At the age of fourteen he was employed in a drug store two years, but later attended Georgetown Academy and the Red Seminary in Danville. Later he officiated as clerk in the dry. goods store of E. V. & P. Leshure three years. Subsequently he became the employe of Partlow & Humphrey, with whom he remained one year. At the expiration of this time he associated himself in partnership with R. A. Short, and they engaged in mercantile business together two years. when our subject purchased the interest of his partner in the business, and conducted it twelve years. At this point, abandoning merchandising, Mr. Partlow entered the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Illi- nois Railroad Company. with whom he continued
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two years. and was then appointed a Railway Mail Clerk on the same road, running first trom Chicago to Danville, and later from Chicago to Terre Haute. Ind. He performed in this manner faithful and efficient service for a period of eleven years. and in 1881 invested a portion of his earnings in his present property.
Miss Frances L. Giddings. the eldest child of William and Caroline( Kitchener ) Giddings, became the wife of our subject Nov. 5, 1857. Of this un- ion there have been born two children. the oldest of whom. Elmer E., married Miss Mattie Collins. and is the father of a son and two daughters- George E .. Vera and Frances. The younger son, Charles, is a printer by trade, and makes his home with his parents. Mr. Partlow, politically, is a stanch Republican, and with his estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
W ILLIS B. CAUBLE, Physician and Sur- geon. Among the truly successful pro- fessional men of this county is the young man whose name initiates this sketch. He came to Sidell right after his graduation from Rush Medical College, of Chicago, through the urgent request of some of the leading citizens of this en- terprising village. Naturally gifted to fill his re- sponsible position of ministering to the health of his fellowmen, and after a long and studious course in the intricacies of his profession at different places, he is well equipped to meet the expectations of his friends.
Dr. Cauble was born at Alto Pass, Union Co . Ill., where his father is a large land owner and one of the wealthiest and most prominent men of his county. Willis C. and Serena, father and mother of the subject of this sketch are leading people in society in Union County, the native place of the former. The grandfather of Willis Ir .. John F. Cauble, was born in North Carolina. where he was an extensive land owner. He subsequently came to Illinois, where he acquired large tracts of land also. Ilis son, Willis Sr., being the only heir and a good business man, became the owner of the
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large property left by his father, and he afterward engaged in the erection of a sawmill and grist- mill. shipping lumber and flour to St. Louis and is now very extensively engaged in growing fruits and vegetables. lle owns three large farms, one of them being two miles and three-quarters long. The parents of Willis Jr., had nine children, tive of whom are living. namely : Willis Benton, Cora E., Adam J., Flora M., and Myrtle A.
Dr. Cauble passed his childhood days in rural life with his parents and in his early boyhood at . tended the district schools. Later on he entered St. Vincent College at Cape Girardeau. Mo., from which institution he graduated with distin- gnished honors in the class of 1885, in the scientific course. While studying at college, he became imbued with the idea that the medical profession was one which would suit his inclinations and he therefore chose that for his life work. He studied under the direction of Dr. W. W. Esiek of Murphysboro. Ill .. for one year, and in the fall of 1887 entered the medieal department of the University of Tennessee at Nashville, there prose- cuting his studies for one year. From there he proceeded to Louisville, Ky., and attended for six months the summer lectures at the Medical and Surgical Institute of that city. He graduated from those two courses, when he returned to Murphy's- boro and began practice under his old pre- ceptor which he continued for two months. In the fall of 1887 he entered Rush Medical College, graduating in Feb. 1888. 1lis thesis on "Typhoid Fever and Death from U'remie Poisoning," was de- livered before the faculty and won the prize, and was also pronounced by Prof. Ross as one of the ablest productions of any student of Rush College, while a letter was written by Dr. Ross to Dr. Cauble's preceptor, filled with commendatory language.
Dr. Cauble was born April 24, 1866 and is one of the youngest medical men of the State and the youngest practitioner in Vermilion County. He seems intent upon reaching the highest round in the ladder of his profession, and never wearies in studying and writing upon subjects connected with his noble calling. He is especially proficient in the subject of the diseases of women and children. The
citizens of Sidell may well congratulate themselves upon the acquisition of a physician of such marked ability.
The Doctor is a member of the Catholic Church and votes with the Democratic party. He was ap- pointed County Physician of the district including Sidell, and is also the examining physician of the Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford. and he fills a similar position for other insurance com- panies. It is his intention to go to Vienna in three or four years and there take instruction under the celebrated German medical professors. There is a great future in store for Dr. Cauble.
ARRY L. FREEMAN, junior partner in the firm of John Jackson & Co., dealers in general merchandise at Sidell, although young in years, occupies no secondary posi- tion among the business interests of this thriving village. Ile is bright, capable and energetic, and is universally popular among the people who have known him almost since his boyhood. lle was born in Fairmount, this county. and is the son of Alfred C. and Mary W. (Dustin) Freeman. the former a native of Washington County, Pa., and the latter of St. Jolinsbury, Vt. Mrs. Freeman was a direct descendant of Hannah Dustin, one of the most notable and heroic women of her time-the old Puritan days.
The parents of our subject came to Illinois prior to their marriage, Mr. Freeman settling in Edgar County, and Miss Dustin with her parents in this county. They were married at Fairmount. The father was reared to farming pursuits, but finally changing his occupation. became station agent of the Wabash Railroad at Fairmount, and served in that capacity satisfactorily several years. Finally in 1868, he changed his residence to Danville, and has been city clerk there for the last sixteen or eighteen years. During this time he has made many warm friends, having performed the duties of his office in an admirable manner. and possessing the good judgment and discretion which is so essential to every individual occupying a position of trust and responsibility. The wife and mother
William G. Herron
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still living and is not ater City years of age. Their family consisted of at . dll, who were "mmel respectively Hany J ... Frel D., Bert D., Nettie .J., and Edmund ;.
The subject : this nethe was born Sept. 8, 1865. He attended school at Danville during his boyhood and vonth, and received careful parental training. When of suitable years and attainments he launched out in life for him If and at the early age of sevende a years bourse Depuis Assessor and Col- lector of Danville Tornei . which position he 1.el1.for nine vorrs. . Chp .. ''y ofter reaching the twentieth year of his age In was married, Dec. 2, 1885, to Miss Jonnie W Jakson, daughter of Amos Jackson. a shot. h. cf. whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. ..
Mrs. Freeman was born in Indianola. this county, Dec. 3. 1865, where she was reared to womanhood. Of her union with our subject there was one child, Anna J., born Sept. 6. 189. died Nov. 13. 1888. . . My. and Mrs. Freeman. removed to Sitell in July, 1888, in which time our sabj vi became a member of the firm above-mentioned. They areapy a neat and tasteful da ling in. the simibern part of the city and mother thei, for all wrong its best peo- ple. Mr. Freeman votes the Republican ticket. a: d socially, Idongs to the Modern Woodmen. He has started out in life with fair prospects, and has the wishes of hosts of friends for his continued prosperity.
ŞILLIAM G. HERRON is the most exten- sive farmer in Vermilion County, having 3,800 acres under his immediate super. vision, all of which is in a bigkly improved state Senf cultivation . The form of . Herton & Herron was established in 1880, when Sam W. Allerton, of Chicago, parebased this extensive tract of land, from J. G. Clark, of. the Singer Sewing Machine Company, who foreclosed the mortgage on the cel- obrated Joseph $ ollivan farm. which was called by the earlier settlers "Twin Greye."
Two groves of abont 100 acres each on this tract of land looked . ruch alike that the people gave the farm the man quaed above. Michael Sulli-
van was made trustee of the Sterling estate in Kentucky and Ohio, by reason of his son Joseph being one of the heirs. The father invested the funds thus inherited in lands, purchasing them at their regular government price, immediately upon the reopening of the land office after the Illinois Central Railroad's time for choosing its lands in the State of Illinois had expired. This period ex- tended from 1849 to 1852.
William G. Herron was born in Madison County, Ohio, near London, Ile remained on a farm until he was twenty years old, and there learned his early lessons of industry. His father, Gardner Herron, and his mother. Maria ( Moraine) Ilerron, were born in Dorchester County, Md. His father was a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and at the age of twenty- two he removed to Ohio. His mother was brought to Madison County when she was four years of age. Ilis father and a brother and sister were left or- phans; the sister married and died when sixty years of age. Gardner Herron was a man of mod- erate circumstances, owning his farm in Madison County where he died. which event occurred in 1855. His wife is still living with a daughter at Mahomet. Ill. This worthy couple had ten chil- dren. of whom four boys and three girls grew to maturity; the others died in infancy.
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