The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 110

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JOSEPH EVANS, retired farmer; P. O. Chenoa; was born in Worcestershire, England, March 26, 1811. He learned his father's trade of a glover, but on becoming of age, engaged in merchandising. In 1844, he came to this country and settled in Morton, Tazewell Co., Ill., seven miles from Peoria. He began life in this State poor, and, though land in those days was cheap, was able to purchase but forty acres, but by industry and economy he gradually accumu- lated some money, which he invested in land, selling it when he could do so at a profit; he con- tinued this on a more extended scale, as his means increased, making it a rule, however, never to buy more than he could pay for. Three years after Mr. Evans' settlement in Morton, Mr. Lin - coln, then in Congress, secured his appointment as Postmaster, which position he held eleven years. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1850, serving eight years. In 1864, he purchased a farm of 160) acres, in Chenoa Township, whither he moved in 1866; in February, 1877, he moved into the city ; he served as Justice of the Peace from 1870 to 1874, and for the past three years has been Commissioner of Highways. He was married in April, 1836, to Miss Harriet Ilolloway, Worcester, England, and has seven children living-Harriet, now Mrs. Griesser, of Tazewell Co .; Mary, wife of Francis Webb, of Tazewell Co .; Alfred; Jane, now Mrs. William Roberts, of Ringgold Co., Iowa; Herbert, Ralph and Dora.

ROBERT J. ELLIOTT. farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19; P. O. Lexington; was born in Mahoning Co .. Ohio, July 14, 1839; the family descended from John Elliott, the missionary, and the first man to translate the Bible into the Indian dialect; his parents died when he was quite young. At the age of 16 he went to Lawrence Co., Penn., to live with an uncle, and was living there at the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion ; he enlisted in Co. D, 134th Penn. V. 1., in 1862. and was mustered in at Harrisburg, Aug. 10; he served nine months in the army of the Potomac, taking part in the five-days battle of Fredericksburg, and the five-days battle of Chan- cellorsville ; he was mustered out in May, 1863, and, in the fall of the same year, came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Lexington Township; in 1871, he removed to Chenoa Township, where he now resides. He was married Nov. 1, 1864, to Miss Emeline Flesher, a daughter of George Flesher, of Lexington Township; she was born in McLean Co., March 31, 1845; they have five children-George H., Willie D , Peter W., Frank L. and Arty C. Mr. Elliott has served six years as School Director.

WARREN M. FALES, dealer in general merchandise, Chenoa. The above-named gentleman has done business in Chenoa for the past sixteen years. He was born in Dedham, Mass., April 11, 1833. When he was 18 years old, he learned the carver's trade, which he followed about five years, and then engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until his removal to Illinois, in 1861. The first year in this State he spent in Wenona, and in 1862 came to Chenoa and opened a store. He is not only the oldest merchant now in business in the town, but he carries the largest stock both in extent and variety, consisting of dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing, hats, caps, notions, groceries, queensware, etc. ; his large store occupies the west half of the Hamilton Block, the upper part of which contains two public halls. Mr. Fales is a suc- cessful business man, owning considerable property in town, besides a section of land in Texas and a quarter-section in Kansas. He is now engaged in building a fine residence in the city. He has served several terms as Alderman of Chenoa, and been several years a member of the Board of Education. He was married May 15, 1863, to Miss Charlotte B. Nichols, of Reading, Mass., and has three children-Florence Elizabeth, Warren Dexter and Susan Agnes.

DR. J. M. GALLENUE, dentist, Chenoa. In the practice of dentistry, perhaps more than in any other profession, superior ability is necessary to success in a country town, owing to the prevalent idea in the public mind that first-class dental work is only to be obtained in the larger cities ; but notwithstanding this mistaken notion, Dr. Gallehne has, during his five years' prac- tice in Chenoa, satisfied the people that they can not only obtain as fine work, but at much lower prices than in the cities ; he is the only dentist in the place, has an extensive practice, and all his work is warranted to give entire satisfaction to his customers. Dr. Gallehue was born in

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Madison Co., Va , Nov. 16, 1852, being a son of John Gallehue, now of Lexington, in this county. He came to McLean Co. with his parents at the age of 7 years ; he left home in 1870, and the next year began the study of dentistry in Lexington ; after one year, he went to El Paso, III., and continued his studies with Dr. M. H. Patton, of that place ; after completing which, he practiced with him about eight months, coming to Chenoa in 1874. He was married March 25. -, 10 Miss Mary McLean, of Lexington, and has one child-lIerbert Glenn.

JOHN CHRISTIAN GERISCH, of the firm of Gerisch Bros., dealers in live stock and pro- prietors of the Chenoa Meat Markets, Chenoa : is a native of Germany ; he was born in Hoch- statten Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 25th of March, 1848. When he was 14 years old, he was apprenticed to the butcher's trade ; after completing which, he worked one year, and in 1865 came to the United States ; remained a short time in New York City, and then came on to Chenoa ; he spent but a few months here at that time, however, but went to Peoria and stayed two years, and then returned to Chenoa and entered upon his present business with his brother John Adam Gerisch ; they have now been in business as a firm for eleven years, are the only firm engaged in their line of trade in the town, and do an extensive and prosperous business, having two markets in the place ; they are among the most successful business men of Chenoa. Mr. Gerisch was married Jan. 25, 1872, to Miss Lena A. Fellwock, of Livingston Co., and has two children-Minnie M. and Nettie A.

JOHN ADAM GERISCH, of the firm of Gerisch Bros., dealers in live stock and proprietors of the Chenoa Meat Markets, Chenoa; was born in Hochstatten, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Dec. 12, 1839. His father owned an oil-well and farm near the Rhine, just at the foot of the vine. clad hills, in the richest part of Germany, ten miles from Darmstadt, the capital of the State. and twenty-two miles from Heidelberg. Mr. Gerisch came to this country in 1863, and after spend- ing a short time in New York City and Guttenburgh, N. J , he came to Peoria, Ill., and the next year (1864) he came to Chenoa, and in 1865 began the butchering business with his brother Jacob Gerisch. In the fall, he went to Chicago and remained six months, returning to Chenoa in the spring of 1866, since which time he has been engaged in business here. He was married Oct. 7, 1867, to Miss Augusta Amelia Fellwock, of Livingston Co., Ill. ; she was born in Saxony, Germany, Sept. 25, 1844, and came to this country with her parents when but a child.

E. P. G. HOLDERNESS, M. D .. physician and surgeon. Chenoa ; was born in Manchester, England, Nov. 5, 1832, being a son of Dr. William Holderness, a physician of that city. The same year, 1832, his parents emigrated to America and settled in Kentucky, being among the early pioneers of that part of the State ; his father is now a resident of California. When but a boy. the Doctor learned the printing business in the office of the Ripley Bee, in Ohio, but abandoned it for the more congenial employment of studying medicine under his father's instruction ; he practiced with his father until 1855, when he became a student of the Eclectic Medical Institute, in Cincinnati ; In 1856, he came to Bloomington and continued his studies, working in the mean time at the printer's trade to meet expenses; he then taught school in McLean and Peoria Counties, and, in 1858, began practice with Dr. J. W. Waters, of Pleasant Hill (now of Lexington) ; he graduated from the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, in 1860, and continued to practice in Pleasant Hill one year, removing thence to Towanda, where he remained until 1876, when he came to Chenoa, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. Not satisfied with previous attainments. in the winter of 1864-65, Dr. Holderness attended a course of lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, and another course in 1874-75, receiving the degree of M. D. from that institution, also. He was married, in 1861, to Miss Lurinda Mitchell, of Pleasant Hill, Ill., daughter of William H. Mitchell, now of Fair- bury, 111.

T. H. HARDER, attorney at law and real estate and loan agent, Chenoa; is a native of Wayne Co., N. Y. ; he was born Feb. 28. 1852; in 1858, his parents removed to Illinois, settling in La Salle Co .; he left the farm at the age of 18 years, and spent about two years in traveling in different Western States. In September, 1872, he became a student in Union Christian College. in Indiana, where he remained over two years ; after leaving college, he came to Livingston Co. and taught school during the winter, and spent the following summer in the law office of Lawrence & Strawn, having previously read law in private for about a year; in the fall of 1875, he entered the Union College of Law, Chicago. being admitted to the senior class : graduating in June, 1876, he returned to Pontiac and began practice with the firm with whom he had studied the summer before. In March, 1877, he removed to Chenoa and engaged in the practice of his profession ; he has succeeded in establishing himself firmly in a practice which is quite extensive, consider- ing the time he has been here. He was married Nov. 23, 1876, to Miss Lomenda Garner, of Pontiac, and has one child-Delight.

THOMAS Y. HERVEY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Chenoa. Among the prominent citizens of the township who have settled here more recently, is the above-named gentleman, who came from Livingston Co. in 1874; he was born in Ohio Co., W. Va., Jan. 13, 1837. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1849, the family settling in Peoria Co .; there he resided until September, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 47th I. V. I., and served till the close of the war; he was present at Nashville when Gen. Hood attacked that city; also participated in the siege of Vicksburg. battles of Jackson, Miss., Old Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and several minor

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engagements. In 1866, he removed to Livingston Co. and purchased 160 acres of land in Pike Township, which he improved and made his home till his removal to Chenoa Township in 1874 ; he still owns his farm in Livingston Co , and fifty acres in his home place, making 210 acres in all ; both farms are well improved. While in l'ike Township, he served three terms as School Director, one term as Supervisor, and one as Collector; he is now a member of the Board of School 'trustees. He was married Dec. 26, 1866, to Miss Mary Hawcridge, of Peoria Co., HI., a native of Stockport, England, and has four children-Nettie E., Walter D., Charles M. and Margaret M.

WILLIAM A. HAYNES, of the firm of Haynes, Jordan & Co., dealers in grain, land, stock, coal etc., Chenoa ; was born in Marshall Co., III., Jan. 12, 1836 ; he is a son of Samuel Haynes, who was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1799, and emigrated to Marshall Co., Ill., in 1835, and is now a resident of Chenoa. Mr. Haynes received a public-school education, and in 1863 started in the grain business, in Sparland, Ill .; two years later, he removed to Lacon and engaged with his brother, W. S. Haynes, in the grain and lumber trade; in 1869 he came to Chenoa and formed a partnership with R. J. Jordan, his brother becoming a member of the firin about a year afterwards. On the burning of their elevator, in 1873, the firm embarked in banking, intending to abandon the grain business, but a favorable opportunity presenting itself, they sold ont their bank and resumed the grain business in the spring of 1878. They are prin- cipally engaged in buying corn during the fall and winter and holding it for the spring market ; they have had in store, during the past winter, about 250,000 bushels of corn. Mr. Haynes and his brother own four warehouses-two at Chenoa, one at Weston, and one at Meadows. They also own about 1,300 acres of land, lying mainly in Livingston Co., besides quite an amount of town property. IIe has never sought official positions, and with the exception of that of School Tru-tee, for the past eight or nine years, has held no public office. He was married Jan. 1. 1856, to Miss Delphia Fosdick, of Marshall Co., Ill.

WILLIT S. HAYNES, of the firm of Haynes, Jordan & Co., dealers in grain, land, stock, coal, etc., Chenoa; is a native of Illinois. He was born in Marshall Co., March 1838, being a son of Samuel Haynes. Ile remained on the farm until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. H, 53d I. V. I .; was promoted to Sergeant, and participated in the battle of Hatchie River, Tenn., and several minor engagements. He remained with his regiment about two years, and, in July, 1863, was detailed as a clerk in the Quartermaster's Department, and stationed in Memphis. After about two years, he went to Vicksburg in the same capacity, where he served another year. Returning in 1866, he engaged with his brother, William A. Haynes, in the grain and lumber, in Lacon, Ill., and continued till 1870, when he came to Chenoa and became a member of the firm of Haynes, Jordan & Co., whose operations in the grain and banking business are given above. llis business career, as well as that of the other mem- bers of the firm, has been a successful one. He was married Dec. 28, 1871, to Miss E. A. Bowen, a daughter of Alfred Bowen, formerly of Woodford Co., but now a resident of Chenoa ; she was born in West Virginia Dec. 28, 1846; they have one child-Eldon Roy, born Jan. 14, 1879.

WILLIAM HOTSENPILLER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Lexington. Chenoa Township not only received a large addition to its population during the years 1867 and 1868, but this increase was from a class of people far above the average in intelligence and enterprise. Among those who settled in the township in the former year was the subject of this sketch. His resi- dence in McLean Co., however, covers a period of twenty years. He is a native of Virginia, born in Shenandoah Co. on the 23d of February, 1838, and there lived until 1859. On arriving at his majority. he came West and engaged in farming in Lexington Township, McLean Co. In 1867, he removed to his present farm in Sec 33, where he owns eighty acres of land. He has served nine years as School Director, and takes an active interest in the subject of education, as well as in all matters relating to the good of the community. He was married April 4, 1861, to Miss Frances M. Derham, of Lexington, who was born in Morgan Co., Va., Dec. 6, 1839; they have seven children-Virginia May, Mary Emma, Annie Grace, William Milton, Charles Elmer, James Madison and Bessie Eunice.

ROWLAND J. JONES, farmer ; P. O. Chenoa ; was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, Feb. 8 1808. He was raised a farmer, and, in 1850, came to America and lived five years in Utica, N. Y. In 1855, he moved westward to Cambria Co , Wis., and the following year to McLean Co, and settled in Yates Township, six miles southeast of Chenoa, being one of the earliest settlers in that part of the county. The northern part of the county was then, for the most part, an unbroken prairie, with not a house for miles. Deer and other wild game were plentiful. Mr. Jones was then a poor man, but has been industrious and economical, and his labors have been rewarded with success, as he is to-day one of the most reliable and highly- respected citizens of the township. He removed to his present horae in 1867. He was married May 12, 1838, to Miss Jane Davis, of his native county ; of eight children, two are now living -Sariah and Abbie, the latter the wife of Rev. C. H. John, of Chillicothe, Mo. Two sons, Jona- dab R. and Josiah D., died while in the service of their country, both members of Co. K, 94th 1. V. I .; Eliakim died in Utica, N. Y., when but a child ; John E. died in 1867 at the age of 17; the others died in infancy. Mrs. Jones died March 16, 1868. Mr. Jones was married again

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March 5, 1870, to Mrs. Hattie Harper, who was born in the north of Ireland, and raised in the north of Scotland.

ROSCOE G. JORDAN, dealer in grain, real estate, stock, coal, etc. (firm of Haynes, Jor- dan & Co.), Chenoa ; has been a resident of McLean Co. for the past twenty-three years. He was born in Oxford Co., Me., July 6, 1834. He received an academic education in the North Bridgeton Academy, and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, and, after clerking awhile in the Pike House, engaged in buying grain. About a year later, he removed to Hudson, and continued in the grain and mercantile business until his removal to Chenoa, in 1867. He erected a steam elevator, which burned down in 1873. The first two years he did business alone, and, in 1869, the firm of Haynes. Jordan & Co. was formed. Mr. Jordan is a large real estate owner, having no less than 700 acres of farm lands in McLean Co., beside his interests in Western lands. His business career in Chenoa has been a successful one, the firm of which he is a member being among the heaviest grain-dealers in McLean Co. He was married May I. 1860, to Miss Mary Dunham, of McLean Co., and has three children-Mary F., Arthur D. and Abbie. Mr. Jordan has been a member of the Chenoa Board of Education for the past nine years, and for several years, Alderman of the city.

ANDREW JACKSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Chenoa. About a mile southwest of the city of Chenoa, on Sec. 15, is undoubtedly the finest farm in Chenon Township, and one of the finest in McLean Co. It contains 480 acres, under a high state of cultivation, and with good improvements, the barn especially being noticeable as the best in this part of the county. The history of the proprietor, Mr. Jackson, is the history of thousands of other successful farmers in this Western country. Coming to Illinois, twenty-five years ago, a poor man in all but that energy of character and habits of industry, which warrant success, he worked on a farm by the month the first year, in Peoria Co., then rented a farm for several years, and finally, accumu- mulating a sufficient sum, engaged in farming on his own land. He was born in Washington Co., Penn., Aug. 5, 1829; came to Peoria Co., Ill , in 1854, landing in Peoria, April 3. In 1868, he removed to his present home, purchasing 240 acres of land, subsequently adding thereto, until he now owns 480 acres in one body. He was married, Oct. 4, 1854, to Miss Sarah Keyes, of Peoria Co., Ill., who was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 1833; they have two children- Oscar I. and Estella B. Mr. Jackson has served several terms as Commissioner of Highways and School Director.

A. D. KEEPERS, dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc. ; P. O. Chenoa. Although this gentleman lias only been engaged in business in Chenoa since 1875, he has suc- ceeded in building up an extended and healthy trade. Having an experience of seventeen years in the dry-goods line, he is enabled to adjust his stock to the demands of his trade, buying only in such quantities and of such goods as his customers demand ; he has few remnants left on hand, and his stock, in consequence, presents an exceptionally neat and attractive appearance. He keeps a full line of dry and fancy goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc., and is one of the most successful and substantial business men of the place. Mr. Keepers was born in Morris Co., N. J., July 26, 1848. When he was about 7 years old, his parents removed to Illinois, locating in Gardiner, Grundy Co. He remained on the farm until 1862, and then entered a dry-goods store in Wilmington. He remained there but a short time, when he went to Gardiner, and, after clerking about five years, engaged in the dry-goods business for himself, in which he continued until his removal to Chenoa in 1875. He was married, Aug. 17, 1870, to Miss Tillie Burlew, of Watseka, Ill.

WILLIAM E KETCHAM, general insurance agent, and dealer in groceries, provisions, crockery, etc. (firm of Ketcham & Seybolt) ; P. O. Chenon. ; was born in Otisville. Orange Co., N. Y .. Sept. 9, 1838. In 1856, he came to Tremont, Tazewell Co., Ill., and engaged in civil engi- neering on the Tonica & Petersburg R. R., and assisted in the survey of that road from Wash- burn to Petersburg, Ill. In 1858, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Tazewell Co., serving two years. In Jan., 1861, he obtained a position in the Post Office Department in Washington, D. C., and, in September following, was transferred to the pay department as Paymaster's Clerk, and held that position till Aug., 1865. In Sept , 1865, he came to Chenoa, and, with A. B. Seybolt, engaged in the grocery business, which they still continue. For the past three years. he has been transacting a general insurance business. In March, 1871, their store was destroyed by fire, and they at once erected their present two-story brick building, forming a part of Union Block. He has served as City Clerk for nearly five years. He was married, Jan. 21, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Clapp, of Cleveland, Ohio, and has three children living-John, Lillian and Anna.

WILLIAM KOCH, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Chenoa ; is a native of Illinois; born in Tazewell Co., April 3, 1843. His father, Caspar Koch, one of the pioneers of Tazewell Co., is still living there, and is a prominent citizen of the county. Mr. Koch resided in Tazewell Co. till 1865, when he went to El Paso, Woodford Co., and, in 1867, came to McLean Co. and settled ·on his present farm on Sec. 28, in Chenoa township, where he owns 170 acres of land. Ile was married, on the 6th of February, 1873, to Miss Lydia A. Groutsch, also a native of Illinois, born in Peoria Co., May 15, 1849 ; they have two children living-Emma Bell and Lui Franklin. Mr. Koch possesses the characteristics of his German ancestors, of industry, thrift, and careful man- agement, combined with the intelligent progressiveness which marks the people of the West ;

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CHENOA TOWNSHIP.

and it is not, therefore, to be won lere I at that, during the pist half-doze i years. while others have succumbed to the pressure of the times, poor crops and low prices, he has made sure and steady progress on the road to success.

LILIE BROTHERS, cigar manufacturers, Chenoa, have been engaged in business here since 1875 ; they are both natives of Germany ; Adolph Lilie, the elder, was born in Hanover Aug. 17, 1845 ; he came to this country in 1866, and, after spending one year in New Jersey, came West to Chicago, from which place he went to Sult Lake City, Utah, where he remained about six months; he then returned to Chicago and elerked about two years in a wholesale wine house, after which, he learned cigar making, and followed it until his removal to Chenoa in 1875. He was married Aug. 27, 1873, to Miss Fannie Bode of Chicago, a native of Saxony, Germany, and has three children-Harry, Walter and Adolph. The younger brother, Henry Lilie, was born in Hanover, Nov. 19, 1851 ; came to the United States in 1868 ; learnel his present trade in Mattison, Cook Co., Ill., and remained there until 1875, when he came to Che- noa ; Lilie Brothers are the only manufacturers of cigars in the place, and make all grades of cigars, the finest. Havanas as well as the more common grades.

JOHN MORROW, farmer and stock raiser: P. O. Chenoa; is a native of Illinois; he was born in Peoria Co., Oct. 5, 1836, being a son of Thomas Morrow, one of the pioneers of that county, a native of South Carolina, and who moved from Indiana to Illinois in the year 1832. Mr. Morrow was raised on a farm near Princeville, Ill .; in August, 1862, he entered the Union army as Second Sergeant of Company K, 86th [. V. I .; took part in the battles of Hartsville Ky., Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro', siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his famous march from Atlanta to the sen, then up through the Carolinas and Virginia, participating in the battles of Bentonville and Averysboro', N. C., and was present at the surrender of Johnson's army ; a few weeks before being mustered out, he was promoted to First Lieutenant. Returning to Peoria Co., he lived there till 1869, when he removed to his present home, where he owns a well-improved farm of 160 aeres. Ile was married Nov. 8, 1866, to Miss Maggie Hervey, who was born in Ohio Co., W. Va., July 20, 1839 ; they have two children living-William C. and David Thomas. He served as Collector one term and School Trustee four years in Peoria Co., and since living here, has been School Director three years and Commissioner of Highways three years.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092