USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 70
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 70
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 70
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
539
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. and Mrs. Britton hold a prominent place among the honored pioneers of Illinois, and are widely and favorably known through- out the community where they have so long made their home. Their sterling worth and many excellent qualities have gained them a host of warm friends, and they have the re- spect and esteem of all with whom they come in contact.
J
AMES M. THOMAS, JR., the popular and
efficient postmaster of Wyoming, Illinois, was born at that place on the Ist of April, 1857, and is a son of James Monroe and Ellen R. (White) Thomas, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Upon a farm near the village he was reared, and besides attend- ing the schools of Wyoming, was for over a year a student in Michigan university, at Ann Arbor, which he entered at the age of eight- een.
On starting out in life for himself, Mr. Thomas began dealing in lumber for railroad purposes, and later engaged in the agricultural implement business in Wyoming. He inher- ited a mechanical genius from his father, and picked up the carpenter's trade, at which he worked with his father, and took several con- tracts for the erection of buildings in Wyoming. For two years he bought and sold walnut tim- ber, shipping the same to Chicago, Indianap- olis and Cincinnati.
Mr. Thomas was married March 28, 1883, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella B. Ly- ons, of Wyoming, who was born in Elmira township, Stark county, and is a daughter of Adam and Mary J. (Holmes) Lyons. Four children bless this union, all born in Wyoming: William, January 29, 1887; Ward, Decem- ber 17, 1889; and Courte and Esther, twins, August 10, 1893.
Since casting his first presidential vote for
General Hancock, Mr. Thomas has been a pronounced democrat in politics, has served as a delegate to numerous county conventions of his party, and has been secretary and treas- urer of the county central committee. In 1889 he was elected clerk of his town for one year, was assistant postmaster under his father dur- ing President Cleveland's first administration, and has creditably served as postmaster since the Ist of April, 1894. He has proven a most courteous and obliging official, and has filled the position to the satisfaction of the many patrons of the office.
Mr. Thomas is a stockholder of the Central Agricultural Association of Wyoming, of which he has served as secretary for five years, and has been an important factor in bringing about its success. He is a charter member of Mollie Stark Camp, No. 134, M. W. A., of which he has served as clerk, and at different times has also been venerable consul for five years. He is also a charter member of the Home Forum, of which he has been secretary and treasurer since its organization, and a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees of Wyoming, of which he is past commander. As a repre- sentative and leading citizen of Wyoming, he has done much to promote the public welfare and advance the interests of the community. His genial manner and sturdy integrity have won him a host of warm friends, and he is highly regarded by all with whom he has come in contact.
A SAHEL C. WILMOT, deceased, was for a number of years one of the influential and prominent farmers of Stark county. A native of Steuben county, New York, he was born April 13, 1832, his parents being Stephen B. and Betsey (Clawson) Wilmot. The father, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, was closely related to the man who negotiated the
-
540
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
celebrated Wilmot proviso. Our subject was a mere lad when his parents emigrated to Illi- nois, locating near Nauvoo. As his father had lost his property in the lumber business, he worked for his board with the privilege of attending the public schools, and thus secured a good, practical education. After a few years spent at Nauvoo, they removed to Marshall county, Illinois, where the father purchased land and spent his remaining days.
It was in Marshall county that Asahel C. Wilmot became acquainted with Miss Harriet N. Ricker, who became his wife on Thanks- giving day, November 25, 1863. She was born in Topsham, Maine, a daughter of Will- iam and Harriet (Morrill) Ricker, and is a dis- tant relative of the Morrills who have become famous as statesmen. In 1852, when seven years of age, she came with her parents to Illinois, but her father had made a trip here the previous year in order to provide a home for his family. Here she received a fair com- mon-school education.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wil- mot located on the farm in Valley township, Stark county, where he had purchased eighty acres of land, on which his widow still resides. They were prosperous, and added to the farm until they had three hundred and twenty acres at the time of his death, which occurred Jan- uary 9, 1882. His remains were interred in the Methodist Episcopal church cemetery, near the old home in Marshall county.
Mr. Wilmot was always found on the side of right and was bound by no party ties, always voting for the man whom he considered best qualified to fill the position. At the breaking out of the great rebellion the spirit of patriotism moved him to respond to the call for troops, and he enlisted in Company G, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served fourteen months, participating in the
battle of Shiloh. He was injured by loading a pontoon bridge, which caused hernia, and was confined in the hospital at New Madrid for a time. On account of disability he was honorably discharged and afterward obtained a pension. He was a man of excellent princi- ples and blameless life, and thoroughly enjoyed the esteem and respect of the entire commun- ity, and died mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Wilmot, a most estimable lady, joined the Baptist church in early life, but now attends the Presbyterian church, where some of her children hold mem- bership.
Eight children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot, namely: Asahel C., who was born on the home farm, November 17, 1864, and now resides in Benton, Kansas, where he is engaged in farming; Lillie B., wife of Will- iam Scott, of Marshall county, Illinois; Will- iam R., who was born February 7, 1869, and died May 19, 1886; Ambrosia D., who was born December 1I, 1872, and was educated in the Wyoming high school; Fred L., born Au- gust 31, 1874; Royal W., born May 9, 1876; Clauson M., born January 20, 1879; and Ethan Allen, born December 29, 1880.
ROBERT THOMPSON, a member of the banking firm of Leet & Company, is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Bradford, Illinois. He has been a champion of every movement designed to promote the general welfare, a supporter of every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests.
Mr. Thompson was born in Bolton, Lanca- shire, England, June 18, 1854, and when a mere child was brought by his parents to America, locating in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The father was educated in England, was an
ROBERT THOMPSON.
MRS. ROSA L. THOMPSON.
543
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
expert mechanic and an engineer of remarka- ble ability. His death occurred in 1875, at the age of sixty-four years, and the mother passed away in 1881, at the age of sixty-five. In their family were four sons and three daugh- ters, namely: Samuel J., a resident of Bridge- port, Connecticut; Edward, who is still a resi- dent of England; William, deceased; Mary J., deceased; Robert, the subject of this sketch; Martha, deceased; and Anna, widow of Noah Fairhurst and a resident of Newark, New Jersey.
From Altoona, Pennsylvania, our subject went to Newark, New Jersey, where he en- gaged in the fresco and decorative business until 1876, when he came to Stark county, Illinois, and followed the same occupation for some time. On the 29th of December, 1881, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Rosa L. Leet, and they have become the parents of two children-Claude R. and Will- iam Leet.
After his marriage Mr. Thompson was in- vited to accept a position in the bank with which he has since been connected. The firm of Leet & Company have another bank in Au- dubon, Iowa, known as the Commercial Bank of Audubon, Iowa, of which Frank M. Leet is now the general manager. They do a general banking business, and by honorable dealing and straightforward business methods have gained the confidence of the people. The Bradford Exchange bank, of Bradford, Illi- nois, is one of the most conservative and re- liable financial institutions in this section of the state, and therefore receives a liberal pat- ronage.
Mr. Thompson takes quite an active and prominent interest in public affairs, and for the past three years has served as president of the Bradford school board, during which time a new school building has been erected that is 28
in keeping with the latter-day, nineteenth-cen- tury progress and enterprise. It is one of the best to be found in any town of its size in the state, and is first class in all its appointments, being equipped with the best heating and ven- tilating apparatus and furniture of the latest style. Two of the rooms are 28 x 50 feet, and the other four 28 x 32 feet. The building com- mittee, of which Mr. Thompson was chairman, visited the best school buildings in many towns and did all in their power to make it as nearly as possible a perfect building. One of the re- markable things concerning its erection was that there were no changes made in the orig- inal plans and specifications, and the amount paid was just the amount contracted for at the start. To Mr. Thompson, who is a warm friend to the cause of public education, much credit is due for the successful completion of this work.
Both our subject and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Bradford, in which he has served as chorister for a number of years, and also steward and trustee, as well as superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. Socially he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically has been an ardent republican since casting his first vote for the lamented James A. Garfield. He is one of the most highly respected and valued citizens of Bradford, and a work of this kind would certainly be incomplete without a record of his life. No person in and around Bradford is better known than Mrs. Thompson. She is a woman of quick perception, sound judgment, and has been an invaluable aid in the manage- ment of the bank for some years. Since the death of her father the heirs at law formed a co-partnership, under which arrangement Mrs. Thompson was given the management, control and supervision of the Bradford Exchange
544
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Bank, which position she fills in a most ac- ceptable manner. With the firmness charac- teristic of her father and the lovable disposition of her mother, she easily makes friends, and the friendships once formed are never lightly broken.
W ILLIAM H. WILLIAMSON, now suc- cessfully engaged in farming and stock- raising on section 32, Penn township, Stark county, Illinois, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 25, 1841, but when only six years of age was taken by his parents, Henry and Julia (Huff) Williamson, to New Albany, Indiana, where he grew to manhood and attended the public schools. When about eighteen he be- gan to work in the machine shops at that place, receiving only fifty cents per day for working at the forge.
Subsequently, Mr. Williamson secured a po- sition as fireman on the Monon route at a dol- lar and ten cents per day, and after serving in that capacity for two years, in 1861, he took charge of an engine, and for a quarter of a century was one of the most trusted engineers on that road. On the outbreak of the civil war, in response to the president's call for troops, he volunteered, becoming a member of the First United States Mechanic Fusileers, and he assisted in building Camp Douglas. Later he was in the United States railroad serv- ice, and while serving in that capacity took many troops from place to place, and also prisoners of war. He made many trips to the south, and while in Indiana came very nearly being captured by Morgan, when he made his raid into the northern states.
While in the employ of the Monon railroad, Mr. Williamson came to Canton, Illinois, with Will Turner, with whom he spent almost a year, attending school most of the time. Here he became acquainted with Miss Lida J. Tur-
ner, whose home was near Canton, and during the following eight years he visited her many times. The friendship ripening into love, they were married October 14, 1869, at the home of her parents, James and Sarah (Carver) Tur- ner. She was born near Canton and received her education in the country schools. Two children blessed their union. Freddie, born in Bloomington, Indiana, died at their present home when about three years old. Ora, born at the home farm in Penn township, Stark county, August 15, 1876, is a graduate of the Wyoming high school, and is also a student in music and painting.
Mr. and Mrs. Williamson began their domes- tic life in Salem, Indiana, and later removed to Bloomington, that state, spending a year in each place. They then went to Canton, Illi- nois, where our subject first became familiar with agricultural pursuits, but after a year spent there, in 1872, they located upon their present farm of eighty acres in Penn township, Stark county, and the following year was erect- ed their comfortable residence. The land is now under a high state of cultivation, well tiled and improved, but at different times the railroad fever has seized Mr. Williamson, when he rents the place and follows his old occupa- tion. In 1863 he became a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers at La Fayette, Indiana, a charter member of Lodge No. 7, and is probably the oldest member of that fraternity in this state, belonging to Peoria Lodge, No. 92. He has filled the position of assistant engineer in the order. At Salem, Indiana, he was made a Mason in Newland Lodge, No. 121, F. & A. M., and now holds membership in Wyoming Chapter, No. 317.
In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Williamson three times visited the World's Columbian Exposi- tion, staying a week each time, and in 1894 they made a trip to California, where they
545
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
remained until March, 1896. While there they adopted a little boy, Ivan B. Williamson, who was born August 15, 1894. They are both faithful inembers of the Methodist Prot- estant church, to which Mrs. Williamson has belonged since the early age of eight years. In his political affiliations our subject has ever been a stalwart republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, but was never an aspirant for or wanted office, but gave his time and attention to the farm and other business.
P HILIP CROMIEN, deceased, was for many years one of the most active and prominent citizens in West Jersey township, in Stark county. A native of the Emerald Isle, he was born in Dublin, May 12, 1837, and was a son of John and Ellen ( Cavanaugh ) Cromien, the latter of whom died when our subject was only two years old. About eight years later, after the father's second marriage, the family emigrated to the new world, first locating in St. Louis, Missouri, whence they removed to Maquon, Illinois, and later took up their residence in Galva, where Mr. Cromien became acquainted with the lady who after- ward became his wife. At the age of twenty he began life for himself, and, being indus- trious, economical and persevering, he had soon accumulated enough capital with which to purchase eighty acres of land in West Jersey township, Stark county, on which the family still reside.
In August, 1862, Mr. Cromien. manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting in Company G, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with his regi- ment participated in one hundred skirmishes and twenty-one general engagements. At Columbia, Tennessee, he was captured and was imprisoned at Richmond, Macon, Salisbury and Andersonville, being confined for five inonths
out of the seven in the last named prison. He was not released until near the close of the war and his health was greatly impaired by his incarceration.
On returning to West Jersey township, Stark county, Mr. Cromien began boarding with Oliver Manley, the stepfather of Miss Velona Aten, whose home was near the farm of our subject. There the courtship began which resulted in their marriage March 4, 1867. She was born in Fulton county, Illi- nois, March 31, 1846, and was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Baughman ) Aten. After the death of her father, which occurred when she was only two years old, her mother became the wife of Oliver Manley, who moved to West Jersey township, Stark county. Like her husband, Mrs. Cromien received a good common-school education, and is a woman of more than ordinary business ability, as has been attested by the skillful management of her affairs since her husband's death.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cromien removed to the present homestead of the family, which he had previously purchased, and five children came to brighten their home: Ellen, who is with her mother ; John E., who owns and operates a farm in West Jersey township ; Charles P. and Clyde, at home ; and Mary, who is her brother John's house- keeper. Mr. Cromien met with excellent suc- cess in his farming operations and business ventures, and left to his family a valuable farm of two hundred and six acres. He passed away February 9, 1879, and his remains were laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery at Kewa- nee, as he was reared in that faith and still adhered to its doctrines. In all the relations of life he proved an upright, honorable man and had the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact.
In religious belief Mrs. Cromien is a Method-
546
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ist, belonging to the church in West Jersey. With the aid of her children she has succeeded in acquiring more land since her husband's death, having purchased eighty acres at one time and two hundred at another. The sons are identified with the republican party, but are not office-seekers. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high place in social as well as business circles.
JOHN P. BODINE, a leading representative of the farming interests of Stark county, successfully follows his chosen calling on sec- tion 29, West Jersey township, where he owns a highly-cultivated and well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, October 26, 1841, but in the fall of 1846 was brought to Stark county by his parents, Joseph and Rebecca M. (Painter) Bodine, also natives of Warren coun- ty, where the father followed the occupation of farming for some years. He was born Jan- uary II, 1812, and is a son of Henry Bodine, who was a native of New Jersey and of French descent, and who was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Painter, was also born in that state, and for a number of years owned and operated a gristmill at Trenton.
On coming to this state Joseph Bodine, with his family, traveled by way of the lakes to Chicago, being three weeks upon the water, but finally arrived in Stark county, where he purchased a tract of eighty acres one mile east of the present village of West Jersey. He at once began the improvement and cultivation of his land, to which he later added other tracts, and soon had a fine farm. Subse- quently he rented the place and removed to Rochester, Illinois, where he was engaged in the manufacture of carriages and wagons for a number of years, but for some years lived
retired in that village. His death occurred April 9, 1897, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife, who is only one year his junior, is yet living in Rochester. For many long years they traveled life's journey together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and pros- perity, having celebrated their sixty-first wed- ding anniversary on the 31st of December, 1 896. Four children were born to them, namely: Harriet, who died in childhood in New Jersey; Enoch K., who was a meniber of the First Illinois Artillery during the Rebellion and was killed in the siege of Vicksburg, in 1863; John P., of this sketch; and David J., a substantial farmer of West Jersey township.
John P. Bodine grew to manhood in West Jersey township, where he attended the public schools, but completed his education in Lom- bard University, of Galesburg. Returning home he aided his father in carrying on the home farm until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated in Peoria county, September II, 1867, Miss Rachel Keller be- coming his wife. She was born near the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, and is a daughter of John and Keziah (Davis) Keller, natives of West Virginia and Virginia, respectively. For some time the father engaged in farming near Wheeling, but in 1856 emigrated to Illinois, locating in Peoria county, where he reared his family and spent his remaining days, dying in January, 1894. In that county, Mrs. Bodine acquired a good common-school education. By her marriage to our subject she has become the mother of two children-Adaline, now the wife of Burt Stonier, a substantial farmer of West Jersey township; and Don L., who is still at home.
After this marriage, Mr. Bodine located in Victoria, Knox county, Illinois, where he en- gaged, in the flouring-mill business, and then returned to West Jersey township, Stark coun-
547
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ty, where he secured eighty acres of land on section 17, but after farming that place for eight years, he removed to his present farm in 1879, at first purchasing one hundred and ten acres of partially improved land. He has erected a large and pleasant residence upon the place, which now comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and made many other useful and valuable improvements. In addition he also owns seventeen acres of timber land. At the time of his marriage he had but very little capital, but being energetic, industrious and enterprising, he has, with the assistance of his estimable wife, become the owner of a valua- ble property. They are highly esteemed citi- zens of the community and have hosts of warm friends who appreciate their sterling worth.
In his political faith, Mr. Bodine is a stanch and unswerving democrat, and in the fall of 1896 gave his support to William J. Bryan and the free-silver measure. He has been elected to various positions of public trust, in- cluding those of commissioner of highways and a member of the school board, and has proven a most competent and faithful official. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen society of West Jersey.
FLI EMERY .- The subject of this sketch is one of the leading and representative citizens of Goshen township, Stark county, and is the owner of a valuable and well-im- proved farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 33, five miles southwest of Toulon, and in addition owns one hundred and forty acres on section 9 and eighty acres on section 4. He is a native of the county, born in West Jersey township, on the 10th of October, 1842, and since old enough to handle a plow has been actively identified with the growth and development of this region.
Joseph Emery, his father, was born in 1809,
in Ohio, where he passed the days of his boy- hood and youth, and in 1831 married Miss Hannah Albright, also a native of the Buck- eye state. In 1835 they emigrated westward, and on reaching West Jersey township, Stark county, Illinois, Mr. Emery entered a tract of forty acres, which he at once began to im- prove and cultivate. As his financial resources increased, he added to his original purchase from time to time, until at the time of his death he had four hundred acres of rich and arable land, including the old Shaw farm, and was numbered among the most prosperous and well-to-do citizens of the locality. He died in 1856, while on a visit to a brother in Iowa, and was there buried. The mother of our subject is still living, a resident of West Jer- sey township, and now the wife of Elisha Tracy. By her first husband she had two sons and one daughter: Eli, of this sketch; James Harvey, who operates the old homestead farm; and Sarah J., wife of Jacob Y. Wilson, a farmer of West Jersey township.
Upon the home farm in West Jersey town- ship Eli Emery spent his childhood in much the usual manner of farmer boys in a frontier settlement, aiding in the arduous task of de- veloping a new farm and only being able to attend school to a limited extent. In Toulon he was married September 5, 1865, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary C. Johnson, who was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, and came to Illinois when a child, in 1849, her father, Aaron Johnson, being a pioneer of Tazewell county, whence he came to Stark county in 1850. Mrs. Emery is one of a fam- ily of six children, two sons and four daugh- ters, and with one exception all are living and have become heads of families.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.