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 33
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ject, was Nancy Barton. and she was also a native of Shaftsbury, coming of good old New England stock. Her father, Garner Barton, was a native of Rhode Island, and in early life was a sailor. He was a pioneer of Shaftsbury and buying land he en- gaged in farming and also built and operated a tannery. He was a resident there till his demise at the advanced age of ninety-six years. The mater- nal grandmother of our subject died on the home farm at the venerable age of ninety-four years. She was a Quaker. The mother of our subject was reared and spent her entire life among the green hills of Vermont in the town of Shaftsbury. There were seven children born of her marriage, namely: Hiram. living in North Bennington, Vt .; John; Almira, who married George Clark. and died two years later; Elizabeth. who died in infancy; James B., living in Vermilion County ; Mary, wife of Jon- athan C. Houghton. of North Bennington, Vt .; George Byron died in Shaftsbury.
The subject of this sketch grew to man's estate in the home of his birth, gleaning his education in the public schools. and as soon as large enough he assisted on the farm until he came West as before mentioned. In the summer of 1839 he returned to Vermont, and in the following December he was married to Miss Aurelia Miranda Huntington. and at once started with his bride for his new home in the Western wilds; traveling with a horse and a covered wagon. they arrived in Vermilion County six weeks and three days later. There was an un- finished frame house on his land on sections 29 and 30. Danville Township, and in that he and his bride commenced housekeeping. He resided there about nineteen years, and then rented his farm and moved to Elwood Township where he improved a large farm, and made his home there till 1877. Then leaving his son in charge he went to Shelbyville. Ill., where he bought property, and was a resident of that city till 1882, when he bought the farm on which he now resides in Danville Township.
Mr. Cole has been married three times. The wife of his early manhood died in January, 1847. leaving one child, Miranda S .. now the wife of James McKee. of Danville. Mr. Cole's second mar- riage, which occurred in 1850, was to Miss Nancy Weaver, a native of Brown County, Ohio, a daugh-
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ter of Michael and Mary Weaver. She died about 1863. leaving one son, Henry ... who lives on the Ridge farm in Elwood Township. Mr. Cole was married to his present wife Sue Patterson, and to them have eome one child, Mary Edith.
Our subject can look back over a long life that has been wisely spent, and his record is that of an honorable, upright man, whose high personal char- acter has made him an influence for good in the county where he has made his home for over half a century. and with whose interests his own are so closely allied that in acquiring wealth he has fur- thered its material prosperity. In politics he is a Demoerat.
NDREW J. SINKHORN, Supervisor of Blount Township. with whose agricultural and milling interests he is connected as a practical, wide-awake farmer and skillful miller, owning and operating a sawmill, is a fine type of the citizen-soldiers of our country. who saved the Union from dissolution in the trying times of the Great Rebellion, and since then have quietly pursued various vocations and professions. and have heen important factors in bringing this country to its present high status as one of the greatest and grandest nations on earth. In the early days of the war our subject went forth with his brave comrades to fight his country's battles. he being then but nineteen years of age, a stalwart. vigorons youth, and he consecrated the opening years of his manhood to the canse for which he was ready to give up even life itself, if need be. Not- withstanding his youthfulness, be displayed the qualities of a true soldier. and in course of time was promoted from the ranks.
Andrew Sinkhorn, the father of our subject. was born in Virginia. During some period of his life he went to Kentucky, and was there married to Franees Shannon, a native of that State, and they began their wedded life there in Boyle County. and there their useful lives were rounded out in death. They had a family of nine children, of whom our subject was the eighth in order of birth.
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Dee. 3, 1812, he was born in his parents' pleasant home in Boyle County, Ky. He was reared on a farm. and his education was obtained in the common schools. Aug. 12, 1861. his heart beating high with youthful ardor and patriotism. he entered upon his career as a soldier. enlisting at that date in Company A, 4th Kentucky Infantry. and had four years experience of life on the battlefield or in rebel prisons. He took an active part in the bat- tles of Chicaumanga and Mill Springs, Ky .. and in the latter contest lost a part of his index finger. He was at Perryville, Ky., Mission Ridge. and Atlanta, and while near the latter eity he was eap- tured by the rebels. and was held for seven months. during which time he was confined in Andersonville, and later in Florence, S. C., suffering all the horrors and hardships of life in rebel prisons. His steady courage and heroic actions in the face of the enemy, and his obedience to his superiors, won him their commendation. and he received deserved promo- tion from the ranks to the position of Sergeant. After the close of the war he was mustered out of the service and honorably discharged.
After his bitter experience of military life Mr. Sinkhorn returned to his old Kentucky home and engaged in farming in Boyle County the ensuing twy years. In the spring of 1869 he decided that he could do still better in his chosen calling on the rich soil of Illinois, and coming to Vermilion County. he settled in Blount Township, and has re- sided here and in Ross Township since that time. engaging both in agricultural pursuits and in mill- ing with great success, and he is justly classed among the most substantial citizens of the township.
Mr. Sinkhorn has been three times married. Ile was first married in his native county, to Je- mima Ann Cozatt, who was also a native of Boyle County. After the birth of one child that died in infancy, she passed away in her native county. Mr. Sinkhorn's second marriage was to Emily J. Sexton, they having been wedded in Ross Town- ship, this county. March 28, 1880, she departed this life. She was a sincere and active member of the Christian Church. Four children were born of that marriage-William II., Edward E., Jesse O .. and Anna M. The maiden name of Mr. Sinkhorn's present wife, to whom he was united in Blount
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Township, was Mary E. Pilkington, and she was the widow of John Pilkington, and daughter of William Gritton. Two children have been born of this marriage, Ida E. and Girtie.
Since coming to this township Mr. Sinkhorn has proved a useful citizen. and a valuable addition to the citizenship of the place. He takes an active part in the administration of public affairs, and in every way manifests an earnest desire to promote the highest interests of the community. Ilis pleas- ant, genial disposition has made him popular with his fellow-townsmen. and, what is better, he enjoys their confidence. He was elected Constable of Blount Township, and served to the satisfaction of his constituents seven years. In the spring of 1886 he was elected Supervisor of the township. held the office one year, and in the spring of 1889 was again selected for this important office, and is still an incumbent thereof. He has a deeply re- ligions nature, and in him the Free Methodist Church has one of its most esteemed members, and at the present time he is Class-Leader.
EV. THOMAS COX was born Aug. 6, 1829, in Lawrence County, Ky. Ile is the son of Jolin and Polly Cox, the former of whom was born in Lawrence County, June 22, 1799, while his wife, Polly ( Markham) Cox, first saw the light at the same place on Feb. 17, 1817. John Cox served in the War of 1832 known as the Black Hawk War, and was the father of six children, Thomas being the fourth child.
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Jolin Cox and family came to this county in 1829, settling six miles west of Danville on the Middle Fork, where he followed, with a large de- gree of success. the occupation of a carpenter, and also owned a fine farm. He died on May 23, 1816. universally respected by all his acquaintances. Po- litically he was a Democrat. Both he and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church; the latter died on Sept. 2. 1851. This couple were among the origi- nal settlers of this county, and as such, went through all the vicissitudes that surround the pio-
neer. They were faithful in everything they un- dertook, and with them life was not a failure.
Thomas Cox, of whom this sketch is written, came to this county with his father when he was but six weeks old, and at the age of fifteen years his father died leaving him to make his own way in the world. He went into the unequal battle with a determination to win, and his endeavors have been met by success. Ile followed agricul- tural pursuits until he was twenty-two years old when he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, which occupation he followed until 1867, when he purchased a farm in Newell Township and where he now resides. On Nov. 28. 1850 he was married to Susan Orr, daughter of John and Parthenia Orr, natives of Kentucky. They came to Indiana in a very early day and were united in marriage in Fountain County, that State. Mrs. Cox was born July 1, 1831. she being the fourth child of a family of twelve. She resided in Indiana until she became eighteen years of age, when she removed to Illinois with her parents, both of whom are dead. The Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of three children: William L., who is a farmer of this county, married Miss Kate Robinson; Martha .J., is the wife of A. Clapp, who is engaged in farming in Newell Township, while David M. is the husband of Miss Sarah Bell. They are living on a farm in the same township.
Mr. Cox is the owner of 200 acres of good land which he cultivates with a large degree of success, and besides this he has given all his children a farm and has educated them as best he could in the pub- lie schools. This is one of the beauties of the sys- tem of American farming which makes it possible for the parent to start his children out in life with land enough to insure their comfort and even com- petence, and it is within the reach of every provi- dent farmer to do this to a large or small extent. The industry that Mr. Cox inherited has been the keynote to his success. In 1886 he wa- ordained as a regular minister of the gospel of the Regular Baptist Church. Before his ordination as a minis- ter, he was actively and intelligently engaged in religious work, a fact which led him up to occupy ' a pulpit.
Mr. Cox has served his township as a Commis-
Fraternally John W. Turner
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sioner of Highways and School Treasurer. filling these offices with rare fidelity and intelligence. Ile has always taken great interest in educational matters and has consequently aided his neighbor- hood in having the best of schools. Politically he acts with the Democratic party, but since en- tering ministerial work he does not take much interest in political questions. As a Christian worker Mr. Cox is very zealous. He preaches every Sabbath either at home or on a circuit. which comprises Crawfordsville. Ind., Big Shaw- nee and Stony Creek. The record of Mr. Cox as a citizen and a preacher is of the very best.
OIIN W. TURNER. M.D .. Mayor of Fair- mount and a practicing physician of first- class standing. has been a resident of this city since 1881. Ile occupies one of the finest residences in the place, and there are few men more widely or favorably known in the town- ship. He has been prominent in politics and relig- ion - a leading light in the Republican party and an earnest laborer in the Sunday-school. the friend of temperance and the uniform supporter of all those measures instituted to elevate society and benefit the people.
In referring to the parental history of our sub- jeet. we find that he is a son of John T. Turner, a native of Maryland. who married Miss Catherine Shane. a native of Virginia. Soon after marriage the parents settled in Warren County, Ohio, then removed to Clay County, Ind. The father was a wagon manufacturer, and the household circle in due time included eight children, four sons and four daughters. Of these John W. was the seventh child. He was born in Clay County, Ind., March 21, 1839, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, pursuing his early studies in the com- mon schools.
The subsequent years of Dr. Turner until a man of twenty-six were occupied mostly as a medical student. Then determined to see something of the country in which he lived, he started over the plains to Oregon. crossed the Mississippi at Omaha
and soon afterward bidding farewell to the haunts of civilization, journeyed on the north side of the Platte River, through Nebraska. Wyoming, Idaho and on to Oregon. lle reached Portland six months after leaving home. During the trip the party had numerous engagements with the Sioux Indians, one very serious among the Black Hills.
Besides the Indians the Doctor met men from most all parts of every country during his tour in the wild West. and learned many interesting facts in connection therewith and the habits of life on the frontier, besides having an opportunity to view some of the most wild and romantie scenery in the world. We next find him officiating as a peda- gogue in Oregon for six months. He had already made up his mind to adopt the medical profession, and at the expiration of this time entered the med- ieal department of Willamette University, Oregon, from which he was graduated with honors in 1872. Ile commenced the practice of his profession at Vancouver, Wash., where he sojourned four years. Ilere occurred the first great atlliction of his life in the loss of his estimable wife, which occurred in 1876. Soon afterward he returned to this State and was located in Oakland, Coles County, for five years.
In 1881 Dr. Turner took up his residence in Fairmount, where he has made all arrangements to spend at least the greater part of his life. He has a most pleasant and attractive home. a fine and growing practice and apparently everything to make existence desirable. Ile was first married in 1861 to Miss Ilarriet N., daughter of Judge William E. Smith, of Toledo, Cumberland County, this state. Of this union there were born four children, the eldest of whom, a son. Alva M., married Miss Phoba A. Reese, and is employed in the drug-store of Lamon & Lamon. of Fairmount; his wife died April 25. 1889, of apoplexy; Sharon C. is doing a large business as a contractor at Ocean Beach, Pacific Co., Wash. Ile is unmarried; Nancy C. is the wife of Edward Busby and lives seven miles south of Fairmount; they have no children; Will- iam E. was accidentally killed on the railroad track west of the depot, April 18, 1885, at the age of thirteen years. Mrs. Harriet N. (Smith) Turner
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departed this life at her residence, in Vancouver. Wash., in January, 1876.
Dr. Turner contracted a second marriage in April, 1877, with Miss Eliza J. Hoagland, foster daughter of John S. Cofer, of Arcola. Ill .. the wed- ding taking place at Paris. This union resulted in the birth of two children, John W. and Mary, both living with their father and attending school. The mother died April 30, 1881. On the 10th of July. 1884, the Doctor was married to Miss Mary E. Mills, one of the leading lady teachers of Vermilion County. Mrs. Turner is a lady of more than ordi- nary accomplishments and stands high in the social circles of the community. The Doctor and his wife with the elder children are all connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Turner is a member of the Official Board and Vice-president of the Township Sunday-school AAssociation. which latter office he has held for the last three years. Ile gives much time to the religious instruction of the young, a subject in which he has entertained a lifelong interest.
At the last election for the city oflices, Dr. Turner was reelected President of the Board of Aldermen, receiving, with the exception of eleven, all of the votes cast for this office. IIe is a pronounced Re- publican with broad and liberal ideas. and belongs to the A. F. & A. M., being Master of the lodge at Fairmount for four years in succession. lle also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, in which Order he is Medical Examiner and holds the same position in connection with eight life insurance companies doing business in this state. As may be supposed. his practice and his official duties absorb a large portion of his time, but he still finds the opportun- ity to indulge occasionally in hunting and fishing. in which he is an expert and of which sports he is excessively fond. The temperance eause finds in him one of its firmest advocates. Genial and com- panionable by nature, he is que naturally making hosts of friends. As an orator he possesses talents of no mean order, and is frequently ealled upon to address political. religious and other meetings. There are always a few men who must lead in a community, and Dr. Turner, of Fairmount, is an admirable representative of this class of the com- munity. Therefore we are pleased to present
to the readers of this volume a splendid por- trait of Dr. Turner, as perpetuating the features of one honored and esteemed by all, and the pres- ent incumbent of the most important official posi- tion in Fairmount.
G EORGE W. SMITHI, who lives on section 31 in Grant Township, Vermilion County, has resided here but six years. He for- merly resided in Champaign County, Ill. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 11. 1833. his parents being John C. and Azenith ( Lewis) Smith, the former a native of Delaware and the latter of Pennsylvania.
The parents of John C. Smith died in Delaware when he was quite young, and at the age of twenty- one years. in 1808, he emigrated to what was then considered the Far West. He was a carpenter by trade, and located at what is now the capital of Ohio, Columbus, then known as Franklin. There he put on the first shingle roof ever constructed in that locality. He was still there when the War of 1812 broke out, and he enlisted in the army under Capt. Sanderson, of Lancaster, Ohio. 1Ie served during the entire time of the war, and re- ceived for his services two warrants. each entitling him to eighty acres of land. lle was with the army at Detroit, and there endured the hardships suffered by that part of the army during that try- ing period. At the conclusion of the war Mr. Smith returned to Lancaster, staying there for two or three years. He never located his land war- rants, which he did not receive for many years. but sold them to another party. In 1819 he settled on a farin on the line that separates Fairfield and Pickaway counties. Ohio. and there lived for the remainder of his life. dying May 21. 1857, in his seventy- first year. having been born March 10. 1787. He was married in Fairfield County. in 1819, to Mrs. zenith Julian, widow of Stephen L. Julian, by whom she had three chil- dren. one of whom yet survives, and is also named Stephen L., and who is now living near Marion. Grant Co., Ind., and is in his seventy-seventh
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year. She owned and lived on the farm. where they afterward both died. Mrs. Smith was born May 24. 1788, and died Sept. 24, 1852. aged sixty-four years and four months. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of seven children. the following four being deceased: Rebecca L. was the wife of James M. Stewart, and died near Logan, Ohio; Eliza 11. was married to Henry Dustman. and died at Beaver Dam, Wis .; Mary W., who was the wife of James S. MeDowell, died at Tolona, Ill .; and Elizabeth S .. who was married to John Burton, died also at that place. The survivors are: Hannah A., the wife of L. C. Burr, a furniture dealer in Tolona; Martha 1. is living with the subject of this sketch. the lat- ter being the youngest of the family.
George W. Smith was brought up on the home farm at Tarleton, Ohio. where he lived until he was twenty-five years of age. Both his parents being deceased, he sold the Ohio farm in 1858 and removed to Tolona, Ill., where he bought a farm, on which he lived until 1883. when he sokl . it and removed to his present home. Ilis birth- place was in a hilly country. and the work in clear- ing and cultivating it was arduous. Hle, therefore. had long directed his attention to Illinois as a place where he could better his fortunes. When he came to Illinois he was accompanied by his three younger sisters, all remaining with him until the the marriage of the two eldest. Mr. Smith was united in marriage Feb. 14, 1865, to Miss Julia 11. Lock. daughter of William and Hannah (Escot) Lock, natives of England. where Mrs. Smith was born March 20, 1842. Her parents emigrated to Canada when she was seven years oldl, and in 1864 settled in Champaign County, Ill. Both are now deceased, the mother dying in Canada of apo- plexy while on a visit to a son living there. in 1874, aged sixty-eight. Her father died in Cham- paign County, in 1885. in his eighty-fourth year. Mr. Lock came to Canada alone in 1812. and bought a farm there, and then returned to Eng- land, where he remained for seven years, and then came back with his family. Ile made several changes there before coming to the I'nited States. buying considerable property. lle ultimately be- rune a large land-owner. alone owning 1,500 acres in Champaign County. Il. Mr. and Mrs. Lock
had eleven children. all but one of whom are now living. William is a farmer in Canada; Louisa is the wife of Joseph Spettigue, of London, Canada; Henry is a farmer at Belmont. Canada; Eliza was the wife of Corelia Fields, and died in Canada: James is living at St. Thomas, Canada, where he is a boot and shoe dealer; Benjamin lives in Champaign County, Ill. Mrs. Smith was next in order of birth, then Daniel. a farmer in Marshall County, Kan. John is also a farmer at Philo, Ill .. and llattie is the wife of M. L. Brewer, a farmer in the same place. Frank was drowned while swim- ming, when eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no children, but the child of his sister Rebecca L., Frank L. Stewart, has lived with them since he was four months old, having been adopted by his aunt, Miss Martha J. Smith. Ile was born in Logan, Ilocking Co., Ohio. Jan. 30. 1857.
While living in Champaign County, Ill., Mr. Smith was a School Director for twenty-four years, and also Assessor for five consecutive terms. He also held the offices of llighway Commissioner, Treasurer and Clerk of the Board. He is now one of the School Directors of Vermilion County. and has been since the first year of his residence here. Mr. Smith has always sustained the character of an upright man, and the people who know him best are those who admire him most for his good qualities as a man and a neighbor.
EWIS HOPPER. Among the notable characteristics in the makeup of this gen- tleman is his great self-reliance and the abil- ity to take care of himself. which was evinced at an early age and when thrown among strangers. Ilis life occupation has been that of farming, in which he has been eminently successful and from which it has been exceedingly difficult for him to make up his mind to retire, although he has now done so, and is comfortably established in a pleasant village home at Fairmount. Among the other fortunate things which befell him during his early manhood was the careful wife and mother who has stood by the side of her husband for these many
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years, encouraging him in his worthy ambitions and : lives near Peru, Ind .. and is the mother of one ably assisting him in the struggle for a competence. They have lived happily together for many years and are now reaping a mutual enjoyment from the fruits of their early toil and sacrifices. Such have been their lives that they have commanded the esteem and confidence of the people wherever they have lived, bearing that reputation for solid work and reliability of character, which form the basis of all well regulated society.
In reviewing the antecedents of Mr. Hopper we find that his parents were Beverly and Sarah (Miller) Hopper. natives of Virginia and the father born in Culpeper County. They lived in the Old Dominion after their marriage until 1829, tlien changed their residence to the vicinity of Newark in Licking Co., Ohio. Later. they re- moved to Indiana, where they died after their nine children were married and seattered. Of these our subjeet, was the youngest born and six are still living. He first opened his eyes to the light in Virginia on the 13th day of February, 1827. and was a child in his mother's arms when they removed to the Buckeye State. He attended the subseription school and worked with his father on the farm until a youth of eighteen years.
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