USA > Illinois > Portrait and biographies of the governors of Illinois and of the residents of the United States > Part 47
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Mrs. Jacobs was only twelve years old when her parents removed with their family to Christian County. Prior to this time she had received fair school advantages, and on arriving at womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to George W. Ja- cobs, the ceremony being performed in March, 1857. Mr. Jacobs was a native of Kentucky, and with his parents came to Illinois, settling in this locality about 1826. The young couple settled on the farm where Mrs. Jacob is still living soon after their marriage. The farm then comprised only eighty acres of wild prairie land, entirely unimproved. They were industrious and undis- inayed at the work before them, and together they wrought out an enviable success. Being frugal, they laid by money and invested in more land, un- til at the time of Mr. Jacobs' death their farm numbered three hundred and twenty aeres. He was a successful farmer and a business man of good ability. Ile was much respected in this en- tire region, and when he was called from the scenes of this life in March, 1872, his loss was deeply and sincerely mourned. Ilis last resting-place is in the Jacobs Cemetery, the grave being marked by a substantial monument. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs was blessed by three children. Me- linda is the wife of James Northeut, of Trinidad, Colo .; Grant, who is well educated and is a young man of good ability, is now carrying on the home place; and Ida May is the wife of Charles Rice, who is well known in Prairieton Township. By a former marriage Mr. Jacobs had four children.
In politics, MIr. Jacobs was a Douglas Demoerat. During the war he was a supporter of the Union cause and became an adherent of the Republican party. Mrs. Jacobs is a member of the Christian Church and is greatly interested in its growth and
prosperity. She is a lady of unusnal business cu- pacity and has shown herself fully competent to carry on her farm and conduct her business in- terests. She is a lady of noble Christian charac- ter and is greatly loved and esteemed by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. For forty- four years she has been a resident of this county, and is well worthy of a place among the honored settlers of this region.
G ROVE P. LAWRENCE, who for many years has creditably filled the office of Jus- tice of the Peace in Pana, and is one of the well-known and popular citizens, was born in Nor- folk, Litchfield County, Conn., on the 20th of No- vember, 1830. His father, E. Grove Lawrence, was a native of New York, but was reared in Con- nectieut, where he met and married Jernsha Stevens, a native of the Nutmeg State.
The subject of this sketch spent his early boy- hood upon his father's farm and in a store at Nor- folk, his father being a merchant at that place. Hle remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He was well educated, and after enjoying the privileges afforded by the pub- lic schools, he entered Yale College, in 1852, pur- sued the classical course, and was graduated in 1856 in a class of more than one hundred. Two of the Judges of the United States Supreme Court were among its members, Judge Brewer and Judge Brown, also Chauncey M. Depew. The father of our subject was extensively engaged in the manufac- tnre and sale of dry goods, and invested some of his capital in farm lands in the West. His son Grove, after leaving college, came to the West in order to superintend the business affairs connected with the farm, and in the fall of 1859 he opened a store in Pana, which he carried on in connection with the management of his father's interests. He improved a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, which is still owned by Mr. Lawrence, Sr.,
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who is yet living in Norfolk, Conn., at the age of eighty-seven years. He also has other landed in- terests in the southern part of the State.
Our subject carried on general merchandising from 1859 until 1863, when he disposed of the store and returned to Connecticut to die, as he thought. Ile had been in very poor health for some time. and his physicians gave him no eneour- agement. He went to the East, spent a number of weeks in travel, and after a few months again came to this State with health restored. In 1867 he went in company with the Exchange Bank in connection with J. C. Helmick, who died two years later, while Mr. Lawrence still lives and is quite robust. He carried on his banking operations un- til 1873, when, in the spring of that year, he em- barked in railroad construction in Missouri, on a line from Keokuk, Iowa, to Kansas City. About sixteen miles were built, and the work seemed to be progressing finely. The counties through which the road was to pass assisted in its construction, but repudiated the bonds, and in the financial panie of 1873 the concern was closed up. Mr. Lawrence having gone security on the construc- tion, and the venture proving a failure, heavy losses were brought upon him, and he was forced to close his bank, being left without a dollar. Later he became manager for his father's interests. He carried matters along until 1878, and durmg that time paid nearly all of his creditors. Ile then accepted the benefit afforded by the bank- rupt act. There had been $5,000,000 issued in bonds and contraeted for the road, but on account of the financial crisis of 1873 they were not dis- posed of.
Turning from the public to the private life of Mr. Lawrence, we note that on the 26th of Octo- ber, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella B., daughter of Dr. D. HI. Blackburn. Her father died about a year ago, but her mother is still living in Pana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have been born three children: E. Grove, of St. Louis, Mo., who is now engaged as contracting agent of the Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Rail- road; Hiram A., at home; and Lyda B .. who is now engaged in teaching musie.
Mr. Lawrence is now serving his twelfth year
as Justice of the Peace. Ile has proved himself an able and competent officer, and is also a popu- lar one. and no higher testimonial to his ability could be given than his repeated re-election. With the Presbyterian Church he holds membership. and takes an active interest in all that goes to promote its growth and upbuilding. The cause of temperance finds in him a warm friend, and he votes with the Prohibition party. Ilis influence was largely felt in securing an anti-license vote in Pana. Ile is ever on the side of law and order, morality and upright living, and his own honor- able career has gained him universal confidence and esteem.
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R ICHARD LARGE, a retired farmer resid- ing in Taylorville, has lived a busy and useful life, and now in his declining years is enjoying a well-earned rest. He claims the Emerald Isle as the land of his birth. wluch occurred on the 19th of September, 1821, in Queens County, thirty miles from Dublin. His father, George Large, was twice married. In 1824 he started with his family for Canada, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel, and three weeks after reaching his destination died, leaving his widow with six children. The family located near Ni- agara Falls, in Canada, where they remained until 1828, when they removed to what is now Noble County, Ohio, where Mrs. Large had a sister liv- ing. They purchased a tract of timber-land, and in the midst of the forest hewed out a farm. Henry Large, the only survivor of the family be- sides our subject, is still living on the old home- stead, and is now worth $300,000.
Richard Large aided his mother in the cultiva- tion of her land, and remained under the parental roof until eighteen years old. when he started out in life for himself. At that time he became an ap- prentice to Robert Adair, of Guernsey County. Ohio, serving a three-years term at cabinet-mak- ing. During the first two years he received $33
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a year, and for the last year 866. When his term expired he followed carpentering during the sum- mer mouths, and in the winter season worked for his old employer.
Mr. Large was married in Senecaville in the fall of 1844, the lady of his choice being Mar- garet MeGinnis. There they began their domes- tie life, but in 1846 they removed to Whigville, and there, building a shop and home, Mr. Large earned on business until 1856. However, in the latter part of 1852. he went by water to Califor- mia, where for a few weeks he engaged in mining, and then resumed his trade, carrying on a sash and door factory in Nevada, Cal., until 1855, when he returned to his home in the Buckeye State. The same fall he came to Ilinois and pur- chased seventy acres of land at 86 per acre on Buckeye Prairie, in Christian County. A few years later he bought another seventy-acre tract at $15 per acre, and in 1856 he brought his fam- ily to Christian County. For a year he worked in Taylorville at cabinet-making, but in the spring of 1857 removed to the farm, which he operated successfully until the death of his wife, which oc- cuired February 9, 1876,
The family of Richard Large numbered seven eluldren. Elizabeth Ann, who became the wife of Frank M. Winters, of Locust Township, died in 1890; Noah Il., of Millersville, is a dealer in horses and cattle, and is now Supervisor of Lo- enst Township; Eveline C. is the wife of E. W. Cleary, who is now hving on the old homestead in Locust Township; Samuel Lewis and Henry Melchior are now in the West; Alfred Bronson died in 1879, at the age of twenty-one; and Cora Illinois is the wife of Clarence Hunter, of Rose- mond Township. Mr. Large was again married, in Noble County, Ohio, February 21, 1878, his second union being with Mrs. Martha A. Hobaugh. She is a daughter of James W. and Henrietta S. (Round) Shankland, and in November, 1843, be- came the wife of William O. P. Hobangh. They made their home in Monroe County, Ohio, until April, 1866, when they removed to St. Louis, where the husband died of ebolera in September. 1866. They had a family of five children. Eliza C. is now the wife of B. F. Brua, a photographer
of Lyons, Kan .; Emma F. is living in New York; and the others are deceased.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Large re. turned to Illinois and located upon a farm, where they made their home until 1882. In that year they removed to Taylorville, where they have since resided. Their home is beautifully located, and their residence is a neat and tasty dwelling, comfortably furnished. Mr. Large still owns his farm of one hundred and forty acres in Locust Township, and it yields him a good income. His successful management of business in former years, and his well-directed efforts, have made him one of the substantial citizens of the community, and he is therefore now enabled to live a retired life. In politics, he was a Democrat prior to the war, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and continued one of its sup- porters until 1884, since which time he has been an advocate of the Prohibition party.
NDREW B. CHAPMAN, whose commodi- ous home is on section 19, Prairieton Township, has been for nearly half a een- tury an honored citizen of Christian County. Ile claims Connecticut as his native State, his birth having occurred in New London County, on the 29th of February, 1824, and while he is nearly seventy years of age, he has never witnessed but seventeen birthdays. He is of the fourth generation, all bearing the name of Andrew, removed from John Chapman, who was an English sailor, who founded this family in New England. Our subject's great-grandfather was the founder of the town of Stonington, Conn., while his son Andrew won honors in the Revolutionary War.
The father of our subject, Andrew Chapman, was born at Stonington, Conn., November 27, 1785, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Ile was married to a Connecticut lady, and reared his family and spent his entire life in his native State. Our subject is one of twelve children, six
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sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to ma- ture years. lle is the youngest of the four brothers and sisters who are yet living.
The early years of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch were spent in the county of his birth, where, in spite of limited school privileges, he became quite a scholar, and while still young taught in the common schools. He was always especially fond of mathematics, and became an adept in the higher branches. For a number of years he followed teaching as a profession, both in Connecticut and Rhode Island. In 1848, he con- cluded to try his fortune in the West, and decided to locate in Christian County, Ill. Ilis first pur- chase was a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land. This he fenced and placed under cultivation, and as his means increased he invested from time to time in more land, until at the present time he owns about twelve hundred acres of valuable and well-cultivated land. When the law restraining stock from run- ning at large came in force, our subject had already made rails and built forty miles of fencing. Dur- ing the first winter of his settlement here he taught a country school, and for the two succeed- ing years was principal of the Taylorville school. For a number of years he was the leading teacher and educator in the county, and met with flat- tering success as a pedagogue.
Returning to Stonington, Conn .. Mr. Chapman wedded Miss Elizabeth Williams, on the 18th of March, 1852. Mrs. Chapman is a native of Con- necticut, and was herself a successful teacher be- fore her marriage with our subject. During the years he was teaching in Taylorville she was his assistant, and rendered material aid. This worthy couple have two sons, the elder of whom, John W. II., is at present ably serving as Supervisor of Prairieton Township, and in company with his younger brother. Andrew B., has charge of his father's farms. The parents are active members of the Stonington Baptist Church, and our sub- ject has been a member of that denomination for over fifty years.
Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Chapman has used his influence and vote in favor of its nominees, and assisted in organizing
the party in this county in 1856. Prior to that time he was a Jackson Democrat. In local poli- tics he has played an important part, and has served as a delegate to numerous County Con- ventions. It has been forty-five years since he cast in his lot with the pioneers of this county, and he has not regretted the step he then made. Few men are better known in this part of the State, and he has for years possessed the confidence of all to a flattering degree.
2 OM C. PONTING, a prominent stock-dealer and breeder of Prairieton Township, owns a well-equipped farm on section 36, and for forty-three years has been intimately connected with the march of progress in this county. Ile is recognized as a man of unusual business ability and force of character, for he has acquired a for- tune through the exercise of his superior abilities. Hle is very well known in this portion of the State, and we feel sure that his many friends will take pleasure in perusing the history of this worthy pioneer.
'The birth of Mr. Ponting occurred in Somerset- shire, England, near the city of Bith, on the 26th of August. 1830. Ile is the son of John and Ruth (Sheron) Ponting. On his father's side the de- scent of the family is traced from the time of William the Conqueror. Until his seventeenth year, our subject's time was passed in his native land. Since reaching years of maturity he has ar- quired an education, as he had no opportunities in that direction during his youth.
It was in 1847 that Mr. Ponting emigrated to the United States. Going to London, he took passage in a sailing-vessel, and after being tossed two and fro on the broad Atlantic for five weeks and three days. arrived in New York City in Sep- tember. He first went to Worcester County, Ohio, joining some friends at Frederickstown. ITis first experience in a business way in this country was at Columbus, Ohio, where he engaged in buying
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and butchering cattle for the markets. In the spring of 1848 he went to Chicago, then but a small, straggling town, without railroads. For the first year he engaged in buying and selling cattle, after which he went to Milwaukee, continuing in the same line of business and shipping stock to Chicago. His next venture was to go to Texas, where he purchased cattle and started to drive them to the North. On his way to Illinois, he arrived in this township, and, as the custom was in those days, stopped for a night at a hospitable farmer's. He was entertained at the home of the Adams family, and here received his first ideas of this county. Since that date (July, 1853,) he has made his home here and is still engaged in the stock business.
In September. 1856, Mr. Ponting was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Snider, the ceremony being performed in the home where he still resides. Mrs. Ponting is a native of this county and has passed all her life in her present home. In 1856 our subject purchased his first land in Stonington Township, and to its cultivation devoted himself for many years. He commenced his career in Illi- nois empty-handed, but, with the assistance of his estimable wife, has accumulated a large and valu- able estate.
The wife of our subject is a daughter of Michael Snider, who was of German birth, and one of the first settlers of this county. lle is living at the home of his daughter, and though over eighty years of age is still strong and robust. To our sub- jeet and wife have been born the following chil- dren: Jessie, who is the wife of Wheeler Adams, a well-to-do farmer of Shelby County; Everett A .; Earl Wayne; Theophilus, who died in the fall of 1882, aged fourteen years; and three who died in infancy.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Ponting embarked more extensively in the stock business, and has made a great success of this occupation. In 1882 he purchased a farm adjoining the corporate lim- its of Moweaqua. He relates that the horse he rode to Christian County was afterward owned by a Mr. Bradley, and was used by Abraham Lincoln the last time he attended court at Urbana. Polit- ically, Mr. Ponting was formerly an old-line Whig,
supported Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has since been a Republican. In local elections he is inde- pendent, casting his ballot for the one whom he thinks best qualified, regardless of party. Relig- iously, Mr. and Mrs. Ponting are not identified with any church organization, but attend the dif- ferent churches of the neighborhood and contrib- ute to their support. They are well thought of throughout this region, and are always active in benevolent enterprises, as well as in all movements tending to advance the public good.
HIARLES F. ELLIOTT, who is engaged in the livery business in Pana, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity. The place of his birth is in New Holland, and the date is April 3, 1866. He is a son of John A. and Ehzabeth (Vin- cent) Elliott, both of whom were also born in the Buckeye State. The grandparents also lived in Ohio. The paternal grandfather was a farmer by occupation and reared a family of six children. Ilis death occurred in Ohio, when about sixty years of age. The maternal grandfather also spent his last days in that State.
John A. Elliott has followed the carpenter's trade during the greater part of his life. He came to Illinois in 1869, locating in Pana, where he still makes his home. Ile served during the late war as a member of one of the one hundred-day regiments. Himself and wife are highly respected people and both hold membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Their family numbers four children, two sons and two daughters: Me- lissa J., Charles F., Frederick M. and Annie B.
Our subject was only three years of age when he came with his parents to Pana, where he has since made his home. Ile was here reared, spend- ing his boyhood days midst play and work, and in the public schools acquired his education. After arriving at years of maturity, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Farmer, of Pana. Their
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union was celebrated on the 22d of December, 1891, and has been blessed by one child, a son, Clarence M., who is the light of the household.
In his social relations Mr. Elliott is a member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Lytha Lodge No. 159, K. P., also to Mystie Circle. Ile has fol- lowed in the political footsteps of his father, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Both have many friends throughout the community where they have now resided for a quarter of a century. As stated at the beginning of this sketch, Mr. Elliott is en- gaged in the livery business. Ile owns a large livery barn, and in connection with this has a feed and sales stable. Ilis barn is supplied with a large line of carriages, buggies, etc., and a number of fine horses, in fact it is complete in all its appoint- ments and from the public Mr. Elliott receives a liberal patronage. He is a wide-awake and enter- prising young man, and his ambitious and pro- gressive spirit will no doubt make his business ca- reer one of success.
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B YRON TRAVIS, a well-known hardware merchant of Assumption, is one of the re- liable business men of the town, and has spent almost his entire life in this county. It is with pleasure that we place his name among the pioneers and representative men of Christian County, as he has taken so large a part in the up- building of this section. Ile is a native of Pennsyl- vania, his birth having occurred near Pittsburgh, July 31, 1855. Ilis parents are T. M. and Jane G. (Barrett) Travis. The former is also a native of the Keystone State, and on arriving at manhood was married there. Ilis wife was a daughter of M. L. Barrett, who was one of the pioneers of Christian County, locating here in 1858, and is now one of the worthy citizens of Assumption, though about ninety years of age. Our subject's father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that ,
business in Pennsylvania. In 1855, he came West to Illinois, locating in Shelby County, where he worked at his trade and also engaged in farming. He later removed to Assumption, where he now resides. Ilere lie devotes some time to working at his trade, and is also engaged as an insurance agent.
Byron Travis was brought by his parents to Illi- nois while in his infancy, and grew to manhood in Shelby County. He was given good common- school advantages, and is an intelligent and well- informed gentleman. Coming to Assumption when a young man, he learned the tinner's trade, which occupation he followed for several years. In 1875 he went West to the Black Hills, Colora- do, Dakota and Montana, and spent about two years very pleasantly in the picturesque West. In July, 1877, Mr. Travis returned to linois and started a tin shop in this village. The following year he put in a small stock of tin and hardware, and as business increased enlarged his stock from time to time. In 1892 he built a neat and sub- stantial business house, in which he now has a large and complete line of shelf and heavy hard- ware, tinware and an assortment of fine cutlery. Ile has built up a reputation for reliable goods and honorable dealing, and therefore justly de- serves the large patronage which he receives. His life plainly shows what may be done by an enter- prising young man who possesses ability and the traits of industry and perseverance.
Our subject was united in marriage Novem- ber 19, 1879, with Miss Emma E., daughter of W. G. Henry, of this place. Mrs. Travis was born and grew to womanhood in Christian County, and is a granddaughter of the Rev. Mr. Clokey, a pio- neer minister of the United Presbyterian denomin- ation. He established the church at Spring Creek, and was well known to the pioneers of this part of the State. Two children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Travis: Edna, who died in July, 1882, aged five years; and Roy, a bright little lad. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which our subject also attends and to which he is a liberal contributor.
Socially, Mr. Travis is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 451,
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A. F. & A. M., of Assumption. in which he has served as Master and as Representative to the Grand Lodge of Illinois on several occasions. lle also belongs to Pana Chapter, R. A. M. The first Presidential ballot east by him was for Rutherford B. Hayes, since which eleetion he has voted for every nominee of the Republican party at the Presidential elections.
h ENRY J. YARNELL is one of the old set- tlers and representative farmers of Christian County, his home being on section 22. Mosquito Township. He was born Jan- uary 8, 1844, near Carlinville, Macoupin County, Ill. and was the fourth in a family of seven chil- dren, whose parents were Isaac A. and Rebecca (Bonham) Yarnell. Our subject has only two sis- ters living, namely: Olive Caroline and Sophronia B. The former is the wife of Francis J. Miller, a farmer of Nance County, Neb. The younger sis- ter married James A. Piper, a grain-dealer of Greenfield, 111.
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