USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 108
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ALFRED B. DAVIDSON. attorney at law and Justice of the Peace, Lexington ; born in Ross Co., Ohio, Sept. 8, 1833, but removed in early childhood, with his father's family, to Ill- inois, locating near Bloomington in December, 1836, where he followed farming till about 19 years of age, then came to Bloomington and served as clerk until 1856; he was, for a time, engaged in the mercantile business at Decatur, lil., but returned to Bloomington, where he dealt in groceries and grain. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 94th I. V. I., and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service : in October, 1865, he located at Lexington, his pres- ent home, and engaged in the grain business ; elected Police Magistrate in May, 1867, which office he still fills; has also served as Town Clerk and Corporation Treasurer several years : admitted to the bar of the State in January, 1876. Married in 1858, to Miss Ellen G., daughter of Dr. W. H. Mitchell, of Decatur, Ill .; they have five children-Minerva, William H., Alfred J., Nellie B. and Anna J Mr. D. is Master of Lexington Lodge, No. 482, A., F. & A. M.
GEORGE W. DAVIS, farmer, carriage and wagon maker ; P. O. Lexington ; born in Ches- ter Co., Penn., June 10, 1833, and is the youngest son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Hush) Davis ; his father was born near Philadelphia, Penn , July 4, 1774; he was of Welsh. and his wife of German, parentage. Mr. Davis resided in Chester Co , the place of his birth, till about 15 years of age, when he went to Pickaway Co., Ohio, and learned the carriage trade with his brother ; he subsequently worked at his trade in Philadelphia and Reading, Penn .; thence to Ohio, where he remained about one year; in April, 1855, he moved to Illinois, locating at Lexington, his present home, where he worked at wagon-making for other parties; in the spring of 1857, he went to Omaha, Neb., where he remained about eighteen months, and then returned to Pickaway . o., Ohio, and again, in August. 1859, went West, stopping in Iola, Kan., thence to Ft. Scott, Kan .; thence to l'ennsylvania, returning to Lexington in 1863 ; owns 320 acres of land in Lawn- dale Township, this county, and 120 acres in lowa. In 1864. he was married to Miss Sarah Biggs, who was born in Money Creek Township, this county ; she died in 1867; one child by this union-Walter M. Mr. D was married to his present wife, Catharine Morris, in 1869; she was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio ; one child by second marriage-Jessie E.
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LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP.
JOHN DAWSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7 : P. O. Lexington ; born in Madison Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1820, but removed, when about 12 years of age, with his father's family to 111- inois, locating in what is now Lexington Township, this county, in September, 1832 ; his father, James R. Dawson, was a native of Bourbon Co., Ky., and among the first settlers of this vicinity. The subject of this sketch was in Chicago in 1833, when Gen. Scott's troops were there and remembers asking his father to buy land in that city, and the request being promptly answered by, "I don't want any land in this pond." Mr. D. has followed farming and stock-raising for many years, and, in 1858, he also engaged in shipping cattle, which he followed for about ten years. In 1875, on account of failing health, he removed to California and there engaged in raising fine cattle ; in April, 1879, he returned to his present home. He was married in 1844, to Miss Arminta Adams, who was born in Boone Co., Ky .; eight children by this union, two of whom are living-Thomas A. and Orlando F. Mr. Dawson owns 742 acres of farm lands in this county.
CROGHAN DAWSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Lexington ; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, Oct. 10, 1822, and is a namesake of Maj. Croghan, who defeated the British and Indians at Lower Sandusky, Ohio, in 1812; his father, James R. Dawson, was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Oct. 10, 1794; he moved to Ohio when about 15 years of age, and, in 1816, married Miss Mary Ogden ; they removed to Illinois in the fall of 1832, locating in what is now Money Creek Township, this county. The subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm until 20 years of age, after which he became a tiller of the soil on his own account, combining with it wolf-hunting, both as an amusement and, to some extent, a necessity in these early times, as his wolfship possessed such fondness for the flesh-products of the farm that it became necessary to kill wolves as well as weeds. In 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth Haner, who was born in Fayette Co., Ohio ; her father's family came to this county when she was a child, settling here as early as 1829; they have nine children living-Merritt, Ezra, Azor, James B., Ella ( wife of E. Campbell), General Mcclellan, Dolly, Captain John and the youngest, who is now waiting for that legacy-a name ; they have lost one child-Emma, who died in 1854. Mr. D. owns 956 acres of farm-land, valued at $30 per acre ; he has also given great attention to stock-raising, and, in 1858, commenced shipping cattle quite extensively, and continue until 1870. He has served one term as Assessor of Lexington Township.
GEORGE T. DEMENT, general stock merchant, Lexington; born in Alexandria, Va., March 19, 1815, but removed in early childhood with his father's family to Maysville, Ky .; thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1824; in 1832, the Asiatic cholera made its first appearance on this continent, and his father, Richard Dement, was its first victim in the city of Cincinnati ; in 1834, Mr. Dement located at Nashville, Tenn., and engaged in the manufacture of chairs, and dealt in furniture. In 1837, he was married to Miss Ann E., daughter of Braddock Richmond ; she was born in Rhode Island. Mr. Richmond's home, for many years, was with his daughter, Mrs. Dement ; his age at death was 92 years. With the exception of the above, there has not been a death in this family for a period of over forty years. In the spring of 1838, he removed to Illinois, locating at Tremont, Tazewell Co., where he engaged in farming; since 1852, he has resided at Lexington, his present home ; here he built the first warehouse, and shipped the first grain sent by cars from this market ; Mr. D. also purchased the first safe brought to L., and a gentleman from an adjoining township, who had not become accustomed to this style of furniture, came into his store, placed himself in a good position to get the benefit of this, as he supposed. artificial heater, remarking, " It's a very cold day." The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Dement-Clara E. (wife of Gen. Franklin), Richmond S., George R., Martha A. and Ambrose.
DAVID T. DOUGLASS, physician, Selma; born in Morristown, N. J., July 21, 1842; he received his early education at the place of his nativity, where he resided until his removal to Illinois in 1866; his first location in the West was at Saybrook, this county ; he followed teach- ing until 1869, when he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating at that institution in February, 1871, commencing the practice of his professiou at Saybrook soon after : in 1872, he removed to his present home : owns 120 acres of land in Lexington Township. In 1872, he was married to Miss Mary L. Pierson, who was born in Morrow Co., Ohio ; one child by this union-Miriam. The Doctor is a member of Lexington Lodge, No. 482, A., F & A. M.
JAMES P. DOUGLASS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 11 ; P. O. Lexington : born in Morristown, Morris Co., N. J., which was his home till his removal to Lexington Township, this county, in December, 1868. The year prior to his removal to this State, he was married to Miss Mary S. Paul, who was born in Morristown, N. J. ; they have five children-Mary A., Lucretia J., Ida B., and the twins-Emmett B. and Everett P. Mr. D. owns eighty acres of land, valued at $3,200 ; has served as School Director three terms. As a relic of former times, he has a $4 Con- tinental bill bearing date 1776; this promise to pay is as follows : "This bill entitles the bearer to receive four Spanish mill dollars, or the value thereof in gold or silver, according to a resolu- tion of Congress passed at Philadelphia, Feb. 17, 1776." Mr. Douglass is a descendant of William Douglass, whose name is found in early Scotch history.
CHARLES S. ELDER, SR., physician and surgeon, Lexington ; born in Waterloo, Seneca Co., N. Y., May 7. 1835 ; but removed in early childhood with his father's family to Conneaut,
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Ohio : in 1843, they removed to St. Clair Co., Ill., and three years later to St. Louis, Mo. ; in the fall of 1852, the family came to Bloomington. III. The Doctor commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. W. A. Elder, of Bloomington : in the fall of 1858, and during the winter of 1859-60, attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. In September, 1861. he enlisted in the 33d Illinois Infantry as Musician, and was appointed leader of the band in the summer of 1862, with rank of 2nd Lieutenant; by general order from the War Department dis- charging bands, they were mustered out of the service in the fall of that year. After his return from the army, he continued the study of medicine at Rush Medical College, graduating at that institution, Jan. 23, 1863, and commenced the practice of his profession at Chenoa, Ill., the fol- lowing > priug ; in 1875, he removed to Bloomington, where he was associated with his brother in the practice of medicine until 1877, when he removed to Lincoln, III., and embarked in the drug business in connection with his medical practice ; in March, 1879, he removed to Lexing- ton, his present home. He married, in 1856. Miss Mary E., daughter of Dr. E. Martin. of Bloomington, afterward a resident of Lexington : Mrs. Elder was born in Fayette Co., Ohio: they have six children-Lora M., Josephine, Edgar B., Lottie, Grace and Charles S., Jr. The Doctor is a member of Lincoln Lodge No. 210, A., F. & A. M. : demitted from Chenoa Chapter No. 143.
JAMES FINLEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Lexington; born near Ripley, Brown Co., Ohio, July 15, 1826, but removed in early childhood to Clinton, Co., that State ; he followed boating four years on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; in 1842, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. where he remained twelve years; in the fall of 1857, he removed to Illinois, locating in Blue Mound Township, this county, where he followed farming six years : then moved to Marshall Co., Ill., bought land there (123 acres), which he sold in 1876, and returned to this county and purchased the Haner farm, where he now resides. Married in March, 1849, to Miss Harriet Owens, who was born in Ohio : eleven children by this union, seven of whom are living-Mary. Joseph W. C., Stephen A. D .. Matilda B .. Richard C., General D. and Maggie L. ; lost four- Benjamin M., Ruth A. and Vallandigham ; one died in infancy.
NOAH FRANKLIN, farmer and breeder of fine cattle : P. O. Lexington ; born in Owen Co., Ind., June 29, 1831; in the spring of 1850, he removed to Illinois locating in Money Creek Township, this county, where he engaged in farming, and since the above date has given con siderable attention to stock-raising ; at his " Spring Park Farm." one and a half miles west of Lexington, he has several head of "short horns," which breed he makes a specialty ; owns 1.000 acres of farm land, valued at $30,000; since 1877, Lexington has been his place of resi- dence. Served as Supervisor of Money Creek Township several terms. Married in 1854, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of Jacob Spawr: she was born in Lexington, her father having settled here as early as 1826; they have four children living-Ida M. (wife of C. D. Bush), Minnie M., Noah E. and Bertram A. ; Lola died Jan. 2, 1863.
JOHN FULWILER, merchant, Lexington ; born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 1810, where he resided until 27 years of age. In 1837, he located near Bloomfield, Perry Co., Penn .. where he engaged in the iron business under the firm name of McGowan, Fulwiler & Co., their works being known as the " Juniata Iron Works." Subsequently, he engaged in merchandising at Shippensburg, also dealing in coal lands at the same time. The town of Tremont. which is located about twelve miles west of Pottsville, was laid out by Mr. Fuiwiler in about 1843. As early as 1842, he made an extended tour through the Northwest, visiting Chicago, St. Paul, Council Bluffs, Quincy, Galena, Springfield, Bloomington, Peoria and other places; he again came West in 1850-52, removing to his present home in the spring of 1854. Mr. F. has served as Super- visor, member of Town Council and held other minor offices. In 1834. he was married to Miss Mary Mahon, who was born in Cumberland Co., l'enn .; by this union, there were ten children -five sons and five daughters, seven of whom are living.
JOHN GALLEHUGH. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 1; P. O. Lexington : born in Madison Co., Va., Dec. 25, 1826, where he resided until 1859, when he removed to Illinois, locating in Lexington, this county, in the spring of that year, and the following year removed to Money Creek Township where he engaged in farming; served two terms as School Director in that town- ship; he removed, in 1871, to his present home; served as Assessor in Lexington Township seven years, and is the present incumbent. Married. in 1851, to Miss Mary A. Weakley, who was born in Rappahannock Co., Va. ; five children by this union-John M., Thomas J., Elizabeth A., (wife of William Morris). Lucy E. and Noah F.
DR. CHARLES T. GRAY, dentist, Lexington : born in New Market. Shenandoah Co., Va., May 24, 1822; removed to Pendleton Co., that State, when twelve years of age ; thence south to llighland Co., and, in the fall of 1855, to Oldtown, this county. He has resided at Lexington since 1859, where he has been in the constant practice of h's profession since. At the age of 18, he commenced the study of dentistry, and has followed this profession during the past thirty-six years : he has been a member of the Town Council several terms and served as Township Assessor one term. Married, in 1849, to Miss Jane C. Arbogast, who was born in Virginia : she died in 1868: seven children by this union, five of whom are living-Sarah J., wife of Wesley Goddard ; Lucy C., wife of Shelby Bull ; Amelia C., wife of Arthur Scroggin ; Mary V. and Walter E. He was again married to Mrs. Sarah A. Goddard (McAboy) in 1875; she was born in Virginia. The Doctor is a member of McLean Lodge, No. 206, I. O. O. F.
Ho. Parkhurst M. D.
DANVERS
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LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP.
MARSTON HEFNER, stock-dealer and shipper, Lexington; born in Money Creek Town- ship this county, Jan. 27, 1834; his father, Michael Hefner, who was born in Virginia, settled here in the fall of 1830, and was among the first settlers in this section. Mr. Hefner had been farming and stock-raising until his removal to Lexington, his present home, in 1868. Ile still owns a farm of 400 acres of fine farm land in Money Creek Township. In 1855, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary P. Wood, who was born in Indiana ; two children by this union-Charles F. and Francis A. ; their adopted daughter, Daisy E., cime to them as a relic of the great Chicago fire of 1871, her father losing his life in the great calamity, and her mother's death soon occur- ring on account of exposure and grief. Since 1867, Mr. H., on account of his wife's health, has spent considerable time in the Eastern, Southern and Western States ; but, during the last two years, her health has been such that she has been confined to her home. Mr. II. has been some- what unfortunate in his business associations, having frequently indorsed for others, as was cus- tomary with stock-dealers, having, in consequence, many debts of others to pay ; one party, though refused further recognition in business matters, forged Mr. Hefner's name, where he could not purchase horses on his own account, thus placing in jeopardy the business reputation of Mr. H., as well as his purse, involving him in a long and expensive litigation, costing, with other surety debts, over $15,000. After these many years of expensive litigation, he has been fully vindicated by the decision of the Supreme Court of the State in his favor.
SOLOMON HART, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 3; P. O. Lexington ; born in Ashland Co., Ohio, April 4, 1836; when about 15 years of age, he removed to Wyandot Co., Ohio ; in 1859, he went to California by way of Laramie, Ft. Kearney and Salt Lake, stopping in Carson City during the winter of 1859-60, where he engaged in mining; he also spent one year, 1863, at Placerville, Cal., and returned to Ohio in 1864 ; he came West in the spring of 1865, locating in Lexington Township, this county ; has served two years as School Director in this township. Married, in 1867, Miss Catharine Knipple, who was born in Somerset Co., Penn. They have four children-Franklin G., John W., Cora M. and Joseph C. Mr. Hart owns eighty acres of farm land in Lexington Township.
HENRY HAYS, deceased, Lexington ; was born in Virginia, May 28, 1810. On the 15th of September, 1831, he was married to Miss Sarah B. Smith, who was born in Mercer Co., Ky., May 5, 1814, and, in the fall of 1835, they removed to Illinois, locating in Lexington Township, this county. By this union there were nine children. seven of whom are living-William H., born Oet. 22, 1835; Matilda B, wife of C. M. Beebe, March 23, 1838; Sarah H., wife of A. Bur- ton, Nov. 11, 1839; Ann E., wife of S. Howard, Feb. 18, 1842; Harriet D., wife of R. B. Beem, Oct. 14, 1843; Henry C., whose sketch is given below; James A., Feb. 21, 1846; Mary O. was born Aug. 23, 1832-died Oct. 10, 1845; Milton S., born May 10, 1835, died Oct. 22, 1845. By second marriage there were four children-two living-Marion G., born Aug. 25, 1850; Frank, October, 1859; Louisa S. died July 1, 1858; Rayburn died Dec. 31, 1854. Mrs. Hays died Feb. 17, 1848, her husband surviving her some twelve years; his death occurred Mareh 5, 1860.
HENRY C. HAYS, Constable, Lexington ; born in Lexington Township, this county, Dec. 13, 1844, which has since been his home, with the exception of a few years. In 1861, he enlisted in Co G, 33d Ill. Inf., serving with that regiment until March, 1865; he was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1876, serving two years; elected Constable in the same year, and is still serving in that capacity ; served as Collector in Blue Mound Township two years, and Assessor one year. Married, in 1866, Miss' Sarah B. Graves, who was born near Shakerstown, Ky. One child by this union-Erie W. Mr. Hays is a member of Lexington Lodge, No. 482, A., F. &. A. M.
GEORGE W. HISER, Sr., clerk, Lexington; born in Wayne Co., Ind., Oct. 2, 1843, where he resided until 1856; his father, Henry Hiser, kept hotel for many years about three miles west of Centerville, Ind., and on the old stage route between Richmond and Indianapolis. In August, 1856, the family removed to Illinois, locating at Pleasant Hill, this county. The subject of this sketch worked on his father's farm till 1860, then located in Lexington, his present home, and followed teaming for a few years. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 68th Ill. Inf .; the regiment was soon ordered to Alexandria, Va., but returned to Springfield in September of that year, and mustered-out. In January, 1864, he entered the store of S. R. Claggett, as clerk, and, in July of that year, engaged with Goddard & MeCurdy, dealers in lumber, and served in that capacity about four years, with this and other firms. In 1868, he engaged with Geo. W. Knotts, and the following year became a partner in the business, but, about a year later, sold his interest to Mr. Knotts, and continued with the firm as clerk, till January 1874; also learning the tanner's trade during this period. After leaving the employ of the above firm, he clerked for Mr. Claggett for some three years, and, in May, 1878, engaged as clerk with the firm of Carnahan & Poole. Mar- ried, in October, 1864, Miss Ella B. Popejoy, who was born in Lexington Township, this county, Oct. 27, 1846; four children by this union-three living-Claude L., born Oct. 25, 1868; Orrin L., July 12, 1874; Maidie L., Aug. 17, 1877; lost one-Dotta L, who was born Nov. 10, 1870, died March 15, 1871. Mr. Hiser was elected a member of the Town Council in the spring of 1878, and Supervisor in April, 1879.
ROBERT M. HOPKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32; P. O. Lexington; born in Owen Co., Ind., Feb. 6, 1830, but moved with his father's family, in early childhood, to Illinois; his father, Patrick Hopkins, who was born in Delaware, was among the first settlers of McLean
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES :
Co., having located in what is now Martin Township, this county, in the fall of 1830. The sub- ject of this sketch worked on his father's farm until about 26 years of age, then became a tiller of the soil on his own account. Married, in 1856, Miss Mary L. Smith, who was born in Mis- souri ; she died in Sept. 1863; two children by this union; one living-Charles C .; William G. died in 1864. Was again married, to Miss Letitia Lilly, who was born in Madison Co., Ohio ; five children by this union-Orange J., Mary E. and Ann E. ; lost two-Edmund M. died in 1868; one died in infancy. Mr. Hopkins owns 320 acres of land in Lexington Township, where he has resided for the last t" enty-three years.
IIEZEKIAH HORNEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29; P. O. Lexington ; born in Fayette Co., Ohio, July 3, 1826, where he resided until his removal to Illinois, in 1853, settling in Blue Mound Township, this county, in October of that year. In 1865, he moved to his present home, in Lexington Township; owns 280 acres of land. Married, in 1849, Miss Sarah J. Gaff, who was born in Fayette Co., Ohio ; five children by this union-Melissa C., Morgan M., Emma J., Edward C. and James P .; served as Commissioner of Highways in Blue Mound and Lexington Township for several years; is one of the Township Trustees of Lexington Township. Mr. Horney is a member of the Lexington Lodge, No. 482, A., F. & A. M., and McLean Lodge No. 206, I. O. O. F. He is giving considerable attention to the breeding of draft horses, and was the first in this vicinity to introduce the Norman stock ; has taken several premiums at the State and County Fairs ; also took second premium at the Missouri State Fair at St. Louis, on three-year- old draft horses, in 1870.
JAMES E. JOHNSON, Deputy Sheriff and Constable, Lexington : born in Tippecanoe Co., Ind., Sept. 22, 1846, where he resided until his removal to Lexington Township, this county, in the fall of 1860; here he followed farming until the war broke out, then enlisted in Company G, 4th Ill. Cav., in Aug., 1861, serving until mustered out at the expiration of his term of serv- ice, Oct. 1, 1864. In the early part of the war he served as Orderly for Gen. Wallace, at Forts Henry and Donelson ; was with his regiment and participated in battles of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, battle of Black River and many skirmishes through Mississippi and other parts of the South. Returned to Lexington Township in 1864; was appointed Marshal in 1876, elected Constable in 1877 and appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1878. Married in 1867, to Miss Mary L. Bishop, who was born in Franklin Co., Ohio ; four children by this union-John H., Jennie, Lena and Edna.
WM. H. KENNEDY, banker, Lexington : born in Brown Co., Ohio, Dec. 16, 1831, and is a son of Hugh W. and Minerva E. (Logan) Kennedy ; his father is a native of Virginia, but removed to Ohio about fifty years ago ; his mother was born in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch came to Lexington, his present home, in the spring of 1856, his first occupation being that of clerk in the store of the late Dr. Goddard, serving in that capacity for the period of one month, at a salary of $16, paying for his board for the same period $15; he followed the occu- pation of clerk some time. for various parties, and subsequently became a partner of I. Harness, in the clothing business, and afterward a partner of S. R. Claggitt, in general trade. In 1867, he engaged in the live-stock business, but, the following year, the Bank of Lexington was established, and he became cashier, which position he has since held. He has served as Town Clerk, School Direc- tor and Township Treasurer ; owns 320 acres of farm lands, valued at $12.000. In 1858, he was married to Miss Caroline, daughter of I. Harness; she was born in Lexington ; six chil- dren by this union, five of whom are living-Arthur M., Eugene A., Ella E., Lucian and Lucy ; Leonard A. died in 1865. Mr. K. is Secretary of Lexington Lodge, No. 482, A., F. & A. M.
DAVID LAPSLEY, dealer and shipper of live-stock, Lexington; born in Richland Co., Ohio, May 18, 1842, but removed to Huron Co., Ind., in childhood ; came to Illinois in 1858, locating at Lincoln, Logan Co., where he remained two years; then removed to Lexington, his present home, and engaged in farming. Enlisted in the Marine Artillery in 1863; in connec- tion with this organization, there was an attempt on the part of New York City to get the credit for these soldiers, who were mostly from Illinois; the attention of Gov. Yates being called to this fact. an investigation was made, the frand shown up and the organization disbanded, after being in the service some seven months. Mr. L. was married in 1876. to Miss Clara M. Grove, who was born in Marshall Co., Ill .; one child by this union-Zella. Mr. Lapsley is a member of the Town Council.
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