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 37
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Asa Partlow, whose name initiates this sketch, attended the pioneer public schools. He describes the first school-house, which he attended, as having no window. but simply a log was taken out where- with to admit the light. As soon as he was large enougli he was compelled to assist his father on the
Renben Partlow, the father of Asa, was very young when his parents removed to Kentucky, , farm, but at the age of seventeen he went to
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Georgetown, where he attended a seminary, and after that taught one term of school. In 1852 he formed a partnership with S. A. Humphrey and .I. MI. Partlow, under the firm name of Humphrey & Co. They prosecuted a general mercantile busi - ness, and financially were very successful. He was in the trade until 1873, with various partners, and in that year he sold out his store and engaged in the insurance business, and has built up a fine trade. Ile is also secretary of the Equitable Building and Loan Association.
In 1857 Mr. Partlow was united in marriage with Mary Murdock, who was born near LaFayette, Ind., March 15, 1831. She was the daughter of John and Jane Murdock, natives of New Jersey. and is the mother of the following children: Harry G. married Stella Doane and resides in Danville; Edwin R. and Augustus. Fannie Mabel died at the age of four years; Minnie Ellen died at the age of ten months.
Mr. and Mrs. Partlow are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Part- low has been steward and treasurer for a long time. Ile is also a member of Danville Lodge No. 69, I. O. O. F.
CRUMAN WILLIAMS. The farming com- munity of Catlin Township has no more worthy representative than this venerable gentleman, and it gives us pleasure to insert a review of his life in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. He has been a resident of this place for more than forty years, and during that time has improved a good farm on section 36, and has built up a cozy home, in which he and his estimable wife. who has worked by his side for more than half a century. are comfortably spending life's declining years. en- joying the respect and affection of all about them.
Eli Williams, the father of subject. was born in the good old New England State of Connecticut, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Martha Aldermon. They first settled in their native State after their marriage. but subsequently removed from there to Pensylvania, and from thenee to Onondago County, N. Y., and afterwards to
Genesee County. Finally they returned to the Keystone State and settled in Crawford County, and there their earthly pilgrimage ceased, and they were gathered to their fathers at a ripe old age. Ten children were born of their marriage. five sous and five daughters. and of these our subject is the third in order of birth and the only one now liv- ing.
lle was born in Onondago County, N. Y., Sept. 6, 1812. Those were pioncer times in that part of the country, and our subject was bred to a hardy manhood under their influence. Ile remained an inmate of the parental household till he was twen- ty-six years old, and then married and established a home of his own. his marriage with Miss Marga- ret Nelson taking place in Crawford County, Pa., Oct. 30. 1838. Mrs. Williams was born in that county JJan. 29. 1817, the third child in the family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters of James and Sarah (Sloan) Nelson. Iler father was a native of Ireland, and came to America when he was about thirteen years old. His wife was a native of Virginia, and after their marriage they settled in Crawford County in an early day of its settlement, and lived there till death closed their earthly career.
After marriage our subject and his wife contin- ued to live in Crawford County until the fall of 1846, and then with their little family of children they made their way across the country by the slow modes of traveling in those days, and came to the still wild and sparsely settled country, embraced in this part of the State of Illinois. They spent the first two years after their arrival in Danville Town- ship. and at the expiration of that time located on the farm where they still make their home in Cat- lin Township. Its 120 acres are under good til- lage and many valuable improvements have been made. so that as a whole it compares very favor- ably with the farms around it. and it yields fine harvests in repayment of the care bestowed on its tillage.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of ten children, as follows: Minerva; Charles. who died when about six years oldl; Nancy, the wife of John Harrin; Clarissa, who was the wife of George Jami- son. and died when about twenty-four years ohl;
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Ann died when about ten years old; Elizabeth, the wife of John Gones; Nelson married Mrs. Ida (('hilds) Doran; Charles married Luda Torrant; Truman married Isadora Valentine; Maggie is the wife of George Cook.
Mr. Williams inherited from a sterling New England aneestry the thrift and wisdom that have marked his course and the honorable traits of char- aeter that make him a good husband. father. neigh- bor, citizen. Ile has borne a part in the publie affairs of his township and has served very accept- ably as Sehool Director and in minor offices. In politics, he firmly adheres to the Republican party. Religiously. both he and his wife have been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church a long term of years, and have always performed the duties incumbent upon them in a true Christian spirit.
W ILLIAM WHITE. a veteran of the late war is numbered among the skilled farmers of Catlin Township, and his pleasantly located farm on section 2, with its well-tilled fields and at- traetive buildings, is one of the first-class places of this locality. and from its cultivation he derives an excellent income that puts him among the well- to-do agriculturists of his neighborhood.
James White, the father of our subject, was born in Baltimore, Md., while his mother. Hannah Rodg- ers, was a native of l'errysville, Vermillion Co., Ind. After marriage in 1839 these people settled in Perrysville, and there she died in 1845 while yet in life's prime. The father married again and in 1859 came with his family to Vermilion County, this State. and settling in Catlin Township, he made his home here till his demise July 6, 1882. Ile was a good man, who led an upright life, and was well thought of by the neighbors among whom he had lived for so many years. He was the father of three children by his first marriage, as follows: William, Samuel and Hannah.
William, of whom this sketch was written, was born in Perrysville. Vermillion Co., Ind., Oct. 30, 1841. llis education. conducted in the common schools, was necessarily somewhat limited, as being
the eldest of the family, his father required his as- sistance. He accompanied his father to this county in 1859, and has since been a useful citizen of this community. lle had not attained his majority when the war broke out, and in August, 1862, though not yet of age, he patriotically resolved to do what he could to aid the cause of his country. and enlisted in Company K, 125 Illinois Infantry. To his regret his eyesight became impaired so much as to disable him for a soldier, and he was honora- bly discharged in October of the same year. Since then he has given his attention wholly to farming and stock-raising. lle owns eighty acres of highily fertile land. which is under admirable cultivation and is well supplied with an excellent class of build- ing, including a substantially built, commodious residence. lle has his farm well stocked to its full capacity with cattle of good grades, and is doing well in that branch of agriculture.
Mr. White has been twice married. He was first wedded in Danville to Miss Susan Cook, by whom he had three children-Oscar. James and Susan. March 19, 1872. this happy household was bereft of the much loved wife and tender mother by her untimely death. Mr. White's second marriage, which took place in Georgetown Township. was to Miss Minerva Bowen. Three children blessed their union-Elmer who died when about a year old; Melvin and Dottie B. Jan. 11, 1889 the dark shadow of death again fell across the threshold of the dwelling of our subject, and in a few days all that was mortal of her who had been the home- maker was borne to its last resting place. In her happy wedded life she had been all that a true wife and mother could be; devoted to her husband's in- terests, and to the motherless children that thus fell to her charge she gave as much care and love as if they were her own, and in her death they have again lost a good mother, while her own darlings, the youngest a dear little girl, scarce two years old. have met with an irreparable loss.
Mr. White has succeeded by patient toil in plae- ing himself on a solid basis financially speaking, and since becoming the owner of this farm has greatly increased its value by wise management and a judicious expenditure of money for improve- ments. Ile is a quiet, unassuming man. but withal
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has that foree of character that enables him to work with a purpose, and carry his plans to a successful issue. Ile has never given his fellow. citizens cause to distrust him, but has always aimed to do rightly by others. In politics. he atliliates with the Democrats, and is ever loyal to his party. For nearly nine years he has held the important office of School Director, and the educational interests of the township with which he has thus become identi- fied have not suffered at his hands.
W ILLIAM WILLIAMS. In a record com- prising the history of the principal ok! settlers of Vermilion County, the name of Mr. Williams eannot properly be omitted. He es- tablished himself in township 23, range 12. in 1871, securing a tract of wild land. which. after years of arduous labor, he has converted into a comfortable homestead. It is 160 acres in extent, and pleasantly located on sections 18 and 19, the dwelling being on the latter. His career has been similar to that of many of the men around him. in which he has labored early and late to provide for the wants of coming years, and in all respects has conducted himself as an honest man and a good citizen.
Mr. Williams is a native of the Prairie State. having been born in MeLean County. Dec. 13, 1832. lle was there reared to farming pursuits. and remained a member of his father's household until reaching his majority. Hle was blest with good common sense and excellent health, and made the most of his opportunities for obtaining a prae- tical education in the common school. At the age of twenty-one years he began the battle of life on his own account, operating first on rented land, and within a few years purchased land and constructed a farm of his own.
In the fall of 1871 Mr. Williams took possession of the land which he now owns and occupies, at a time when it was nothing but raw prairie. He has effected all the improvements which we now behold, and which certainly do great credit to his taste and industry. Ile made it his business at an early day
to set out a grove of young trees. which are now grown, and furnish a delightful shade for the resi- dence and surroundings. Under his wise manage- ment the land has become highly productive. Mr. Williams at first purchased eighty acres, and sub- sequently added to it until he is the owner of the quarter-section. He has a goodly assortment of live stock, and the necessary conveniences for their care and keeping. besides the required machinery for running the farm in a seientific and profitable manner.
Shortly before reaching the twenty second year of his age Mr. Williams was married, Aug. 27, 1854, to Miss Abigail Dean. The young couple commenced the journey of life together on rented land in a manner corresponding to their means and surroundings, and worked with a mutual purpose for the future. In due time the household circle included six children, four of whom are living: Elmora is the wife of Samuel I'mbanhowar; they live about one-half mile east of the Williams home- stead, and are the parents of five children-Nellie. George, Charles. May and William. James J. mar- ried Miss Anna Sellers, and lives north of his father's place on a farm; he is the father of two children-Grace and Lula. Mary Evarilla, usually called Eva, and Jonathan Lee are at home with their parents.
Mrs. Abigail (Dean) Williams, the wife of our subject, was born in Knox County, Ohio. Nov. 20. 1833, and is the daughter of J. M. Dean, a native of Maryland. Mr. Dean emigrated when a young man to the Buckeye State. and was there mar- ried to Miss Mary Elwell. They removed to McLean County, this State, when their daughter Abigail was a maiden of seventeen years. and set- tled on a farm, where the father died in 1872 at the age of seventy years. and the mother in Feb- ruary. 1888. aged eighty-seven. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living, and residents of Illinois, Kansas and Nebraska.
William Williams, Sr., the father of our subject, was born in Tennessee, and when a young man came to MeLean County. Il .. where he took up a tract of raw land, and began farming in true pio- neer style. In McLean County he married Miss Evarilla Hobson. and they became the parents of
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RESIDENCE OF WA HAWKINS , SEC. 7., (T. 18. R.12.) CATLIN TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF WH JURGENSMEYER, SEC. 23.(T.18-R.14.) VANCE TOWNSHIP.
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one child, William, our subject. Mr. Williams died when a young man, and his widow was subse- quently married to J. G. Rayburn; she died in 1848, when. hier son William was a youth of sixteen years. She was a native of North Carolina, when she removed with her parents to Ohio, and from there to McLean County, where her father, Joshua Ilobson, engaged in farming and spent the re- mainder of his life.
Mr. Williams, our subject. cast his first Presiden- tial vote for John C. Fremont, and while not mix- ing any with political affairs. has his own ideas in regard to matters and things, and gives his un- qualified support to the Republican party. He is one of those solid old landmarks whose word is considered as good as his bond. and who can always be depended upon to do as he says.
ILLIAM HAWKINS. The citizen-soldier. who did so much toward saving the Union from destruction in the late war, has since. as is well-known, been a prominent element in further- ing the development of the vast resources of our country, and has contributed largely to its material prosperity. As a representative of that element it gives us pleasure to transcribe to these pages a brief record of the life-work of William Hawkins. Hle is actively engaged in tilling the soil and raising stock in Vermilion County, having on section 7. Catlin Township. as finely improved and well cul- tivated a farm as is to be found throughout the length and breadth of this rich agricultural region.
Our subject is a native of Indiana. his birth taking place in Wayne County, Jan. 1, 1831. Ilis parents, Nathan and Sarah ( Wright) Hawkins, were also born in that county. and there they were reared and married, and in turn reared a family of ten children. The good mother passed away from the scenes amid which her entire life had been passed, stricken by the hand of death, but the aged father still survives, and makes his home in the place of lus nativity.
Hle of whom we write was the eldest of the fam- ily, and was bred to the life of a farmer, and habits
of industry and frugality were early taught him by precept and example. le engaged in farming, tending sawmill, and in other occupations till he had obtained man's estate, and in the spring of 1860 sought the fertile prairies of Vermilion County. this State, accompanied by his wife and child, with a view of establishing a home here per- manently. He has since been a valued resident of Catlin Township. with the exception of the bitter years spent on Southern battlefields. when with true patriotism he heroically gave up home and tore himself from his loved ones to aid his country in the time of her greatest trial. He enlisted on the Ilth of August, 1862. in Company G. 125th Illinois Infantry, and for three long and weary years served faithfully and efficiently through many hard cam- paigns, and suffered the hardships and privations of a soldier's life without a murmur. He took part in all the engagements with which his regiment had anything to do, with the exception of that at Chickamauga. At Dallas, Ga., while on picket duty, he came near being captured, but he eun- ningly managed to elude the rebels. Ilis gallant conduct in the face of the enemy. received merited commendation from his superior officers and he was promoted to the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge at Washington. D. C.
After his experience of military life Mr. Hawkins returned to this county, and resumed his interrupted labors, and has since given his entire attention to farming and stock-raising. He owns 170 acres of choice. well-tilled land. on which he has erected a fine set of buildings, including a roomy, substan- tially built residence, a view of which with the surrounding lawns, beautified by lovely shade trees, is an attractive addition to this volume.
Marel 28, 1855. Mr. Hawkins and Miss Duanah Burgoyne were united in the holy bonds of matri- mony. Mrs. Hawkins is a native of Ohio, born in Muskingum County, Aug. 20. 1835. to James and Mary ( Miner) Burgoyne, the former of English an- tecedents. The wedded life of our subjeet and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of four children. namely : Lizzie, the wife of George Patter- son; Nora, the wife of Thomas Church; Ella; Etta.
Mr. Ilawkios is a valued member of this com- munity, and his loyalty to his country is as
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marked as in the days when he courageously took his life in his bands and marched forth to do battle for its honor and the preservation of its integrity. In him the Republican party finds one who faith- fully upholds its principles at the ballot box. Ile and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church, and are zealous workers in the cause of religion, seeking to promote the moral and social elevation of the community.
ILLIAM JURGENSMEYER. The career of the subject of this biography illustrates in an admirable manner what may be ac- complished by a man beginning at the foot of the ladder and by force of persistent industry making his way upward to a good position socially and financially. l'pon coming to this county, Mr. Jurgensmeyer had very little means but is now quite an extensive land owner and has a homestead of great value embellished with fine buildings and everything to make life pleasant and desirable. Ilis course in life should prove an encouraging ex- ample to the young man starting out dependent upon his own resources and with nothing but his own hands to pave his way to a worthy position among his fellow men.
The Jurgensmeyer family originated in Prussia where Gottlieb, the father of our subject, served as a soldier in the Prussian army three years. hold- ing the rank of Lieutenant. lle was married in early manhood to Miss Caroline Rohlfink, a native of his own Province and whom he met after com- ing to this country in Lancaster, Ohio. In that place they were married and lived about ten years. Thence they removed to Hamburg in the same county and five years later changed their residence to IJocking County. sojourning there also five years. Their next removal was to Logan, county seat of llocking County, where they spent their last years and died within a week of each other, in 1870.
The father of our subject began life in this country without means, but was prospered in his labors as a farmer and besides comfortably sup-
porting. his family of ten children, managed to accumulate a goodly amount of property. Nine of these children lived to mature years and seven are now living. William. our subject, was the sec- ond chikl and was born March 30, 1843, in Lan- caster, Ohio. Hle received very limited schooling and with the ax and mattock assisted in digging out two big farms in the Buckeye State. Ile re- mained with his father until twenty-three years of age, then, in 1867, left home for Illinois, coming directly to Fairmount, this county. Here he met an acquaintance, Jacob Illes, whose brother was well-known to his father's family. Ile staid with him about a week, then entered the employ of James Dickson with whom he worked for nine months. Later he engaged for a short time with a threshing machine and after that for four weeks earned $18 per week cutting corn.
Our subject now sent home for money and pur- chased 160 acres of land which is included in his present farm and of which he took possession in 1868. lIe put up a house, then returning to Ohio was married April 18, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth Hengst. The young couple shortly afterward directed their steps to their new home in this county and began laboring hand in hand with a mutual purpose in view. The young wife had come from her father's homestead well supplied with all modern conveniences, to a new country and a home then presenting few attractions. It required great courage and perseverance to meet the ditli- culties with which they had to contend, as they were poor and at one time they could not raise enough cash to mail a letter. Mr. Jurgensmeyer began breaking the sod and preparing his land for cultivation as rapidly as possible. There were fences to be laid and buildings erected and it re- quired incessant labor to make both ends meet and carry on the desired improvements on the new farm.
The condition of things since that time have materially changed with our subject and his indus- trious and etlicient wife. Their estate now com- prises 640 acres of good land with as fine a resi- denee as can be found in Vance Township. The main barn occupies an area of 60 x 54 feet with 20-foot posts, being built in that solid and sub-
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stantial manner which will insure its solidity for the greater part of a century unless some very unusual catastrophe destroys it. A fine apple orchard of thirteen acres, more than supplies the needs of the family in this direction while there is a flourishing vineyard and an abundance of the smaller fruits. A beantiful grove of maple trees stands adjacent to the residence and the whole very nearly approaches the ideal country home. where peace and plenty abound. A view of their beautiful residence is presented on another page and will be appreciated, by all the readers of this volume.
Stock-raising forms one of the distinctive feat- ures of the Jurgensmeyer farm, our subject having usually about 155 head of high-grade, Short-horn cattle, twenty-four head of horses and about 150 swine. It is conceded the world over that the sons of the Fathertand have especial good taste and discretion in the selection of their draft ani- mals and in their care of them. Mr. Jurgens mey- er's favorite breed is the Clydesdales, while he has some fine roadsters of the Gol Dust strain. His sleek and well-fed stock are at once an ornament to the farm and a matter in which he may take par- donable pride.
Of the four children born to our subject and his estimable wife only two are living: Mary Eliza- beth was born Sept. 18, 1871, and has received a good education completing her studies in the schools of Danville; she is a fine performer on the piano and has an elegant instrument which adds greatly to the home recreations. The son, Louis V., was born May 3, 1876, and is a bright and promising boy still pursuing his studies. Mr. Jurgensmeyer votes with the Democratic party on national issues but at the local elections aims to support the men best qualified to serve the interests of the people. Ile has served as School Director for a period of fifteen years, and with his excellent wife inclines to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church but there being no organization of that church in their town- ship, they have united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and are greatly interested in Sunday-school work.
In the fall of 1864 Mr. Jurgensmeyer returned to his native land where he spent several months
visiting some of the principal cities of Germany -- Hanover, Bremen and Berlin, also going into Eng- land. This journey was a source of great enjoy- ment and much useful information. and Mr. Jur- gensmeyer considered the time and money well spent, returning with enlarged views and noting with satisfaction the natural changes ocenrring among an energetic and progressive people.
The wife of our subject is the daughter of Lewis Hengst. who with his estimable wife is still living in Fairfield County, Ohio, both being in the seven- tieth year of their age, having been born the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Jurgensmeyer in addition to their own children took into their home and under their protecting love about 1882. a little girl. Edna Johnson, whom they purpose to keep until she shall have attained womanhood and goes to a home of her own. She was born Ang. 27, 1879. in En- gene, Vermillion Co., Ind., and will be given a good education with the careful training which they have bestowed upon their own children. Mrs. Jurgensmeyer is a very capable and intelligent lady and has done her full share in the accumula- tion of the fine estate. the taxes upon which each year add handsomely to the sum in the county treasury.
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