The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 112

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 112

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EMPIRE TOWNSHIP.

JOHN C. BADDELEY, Township Collector ; P. O Le Roy ; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co .; born in Cheshire, England, Jan. 22, 1817, where he attended school until 12 years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the dry-goods trade. He emigrated with his parents to America, and landed in New York in June, 1832; coming West, they located near Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1835 came to Illinois and settled in Empire Township, McLean Co. His father, John W. Baddeley, laid out the first town in Empire Township, situated southwest of the present town of Le Roy ; here they engaged in the dry-goods trade until the present town of Le Roy was laid out by A. Gridley and Gen. Covell, about the year 1836 ; Messrs. Gridley and Covell then compromised with Mr. Baddeley by giving him a deed of twenty-seven choice lots in Le Roy, under which agreement he was to abandon the town which he had laid out, and remove his stock of goods to Le Roy, where he continued in the general merchandise trade until 1852. The subject of this sketch then went to Mahomet, where he was engaged in trade until 1855, when he went to West Urbana, now Champaign, and opened the first store in that town, and was also the first Postmaster of the place; he continued in business here until 1863, when he

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removed to Piatt Co., where he lived three years, and in 1866 returned to Le Roy, where he engaged as clerk for J. Keenan for seven years. He has since been connected with the grocery trade, first with Adam Murray, until he sold ont to his brother Robert, since which time he has been connected with the latter gentleman. He was elected to the office of Township Collector in 1877, and re-elected in 1878, which office he now holds, and to which office he was elected both terms withont opposition. Mr. Baddeley remembers vividly the sudden changes of the weather which occurred in December, 1836; he and John Williams were out bringing in loads of live hogs with teams; the day was mild, after a warm main ; the ground was covered with water ; suddenly the cold west wind came with a roar. and froze everything np immediately ; the water froze in waves as blown by the wind ; the fowls froze in the mud while crossing the yards ; Mr. Baddeley's clothes being wet, froze on him instantly ; they had at that time arrived within a short distance of the house of the Hon. Mahlon Bishop, where they went for shelter; the har- ness upon the horses was frozen stiff, and when the traces were unhitched they stood out straight : the cold was so severe that the harness could not be removed from the horses for two days ; Mr. Baddeley succeeded in reaching home with his sled and one yoke of oxen, the other oxen, which were turned loose in the timber, were recovered in two days. He married Dec. 12, 1839, to Joannah Karr ; she was born in Ohio, March 26, 1819; she died Feb. 26, 1844, leaving one child, since deceased. His marriage with Ellen Karr was celebrated Nov. 16, 1844; she was born in Ohio June 7, 1821 ; they have six children, now living, by this union, having lost one by death ; the living are Anna (now Mrs. William Rike), Jennie (now Mrs. William Beeney ), Sadie (now Mrs. John Ross), Thomas J., Charles H. and Minnie; the deceased, James C., was killed while serving his country during the late rebellion, near Cumberland Gap, Va., Jan. 3, 1864. T. J. BARNEIT, retired farmer and merchant ; P. O Le Roy : one of the early pioneers of McLean Co ; born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Jan. 21, 1818, At 13 years of age, he, with his father, Moses Barnett, emigrated to Illinois, and located in what is now Empire Township, McLean Co., in the spring of 1832. He was engaged in farming, breaking prairie and teaming, during which he made frequent trips to Chicago with oxen, until about 30 years of age, when he engaged in the general merchandise trade at Le Roy, which he successfully followed until 1874, when, on account of failing health, occasioned by close personal attention to his mercantile trade during a period of twenty-three years, he retired from active business. In politics, he was an old-line Whig until the formation of the Republican party, which he then joined, and of which he has since been an active member. He has often been solicited to allow the use of his name as a can- didate for the State Legislature, and other State and county offices, but, having no desire for office, nor the time to spare from his business, he has always refused the use of his name for any office, but has done much in support of his party. He was a personal friend and acquaintance of President Lincoln. His marriage with Emeline Gibbs was celebrated Feb. 18, 1845; she was a graduate of Oberlin College ; born in Belpre, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1818 ; six children were the fruit of this union, of which five are now living, viz. : Alice, born Ang. 19, 1846, now Mrs. John S. Young ; Emma, July 1, 1848, now Mrs. Denton Young; Orrin, Oct. 13, 1853; Laura, May 16, 1856, now Mrs. William Brown ; and George, July 17, 1858.

ROBERT BARR, farmer, Sec 6 ; P. O. Le Roy ; one of the early settlers of McLean Co. ; born in Frederick Co., Va., Jan. 24, 1811 ; h's father, Peter Barr, was born in Virginia, and followed milling until 1818, when he removed to Franklin Co., Ohio, where he died in 1825 ; his mother's maiden name was Margaret Basteyon ; she was born in Virginia, and died in McLean Co., Ill., July 12, 1871. The subject of this sketch returned to Virginia after the death of his father, and followed milling until he emigrated to Illinois, and located upon Sec. 6, Town 21, in what is now Empire Township, in the winter of 1837. He first purchased 120 acres of land, upon which was a log-cabin with sod chimney, in which he lived two years, when he built a frame house, doing all the labor himself, cutting the timber, framing and finishing. This was the first frame house for several miles. In this house he lived until 1860, when he erected his present resi- dence. When Mr. Barr came to Illinois, he had not the means to pay the postage upon a letter. He was the oldest son, and for several years supported his mother, three brothers and three sis- ters, and his mother until her decease. He has battled with fortune until he now owns 285 acres of land, with good buildings. His marriage with Mary Jane Gasaway was celebrated Dec. 29, 1868 ; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, May 14, 1846; four children were the fruit of this union- Ada, horn March 1, 1870, died Aug. 14, 1871 ; Robert Lee, born Oct. 1, 1871 ; Carrie, Jan. 1, 1874 : Nellie, Dec. 21, 1876. Mr. Barr was Assessor of Empire Township eleven years ; has held the offices of School Director and Commissioner of Highways. Mrs. Barr was daughter of Thomas Gasaway, who emigrated from Ohio and located in Empire Township in 1857, where he still lives.

WILLIAM H. BEENEY, merchant, firm of Beeney & Galnsha, dealers in hardware, stoves, tinware, farm implements, wagons and farm machinery, etc., Le Roy ; born near New- ark, Ohio, Nov. 28, 1851. flis father, Edward Beeney. emigrated to Illinois, and located in Downs Township, McLean Co., in 1854, where he engaged in farming until his decease, which occurred in the fall of 1855. William Beeney remained upon the farm until 1857, when he, with his mother, removed to Le Roy, where he attended school until 17 years of age, devoting his spare time, when not in school, to learning the tinner's trade. After leaving school, he fin- ished his trade, and worked at the same for six years. In 1875, he, with his brothers, under

5. Fr Barnum LE ROY

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EMPIRE TOWNSHIP.

the firm name of Beeney Brothers, engaged in the general hardware, stoves and tinware busi- ness, until April 15, 1878, at which date he associated with M. R. Galusha, and have since suc- cessfully followed the above business, under the firm name of Beeney & Galusha. A card of their business is to be found in the Business Directory of Le Roy, in another part of this work. His marriage with Jennie Baddeley was celebrated Oct. 14, 1875; she was born in Le Roy, McLean Co., Ill., Sept. 17, 1850 ; they have one child by this union-Guy S., born June I, 1877. Mrs. Beeney is the daughter of John C. Baddeley, one of the early pioneers of McLean Co., who located here in 1835, and whose biography appears among the sketches of Empire Township.

JAMES BISHOP, farmer, deceased, Sec. 10; one of the early pioneers of McLean Co .; born in Fauquier Co., Va., April 3, 1806. His ancestors came from England with William Penn. In the fall of 1809, he removed with his parents to Ohio, and located in what is now Clark Co., where he lived until 1831, when he came to Illinois, and, Jan. 12, 1835, he entered his first 240 acres of land, being the homestead farm upon which he located in 1837, and engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred May 24, 1877. He built the house which now stands upon the old place, in 1835, and where Mrs. Bishop now lives with her youngest son, James Q. Mr. Bishop married, March 9, 1837, Margaret Cannady ; she was born in Hopkins Co., Ky., June 15, 1808 ; she was the daughter of John Cannady, who located in White Co., Ill., in 1816 ; then to Blooming Grove, about the year 1828; he died in Empire Township, Sept. 25, 1835 ; Mrs. Cannady died Dec. 12, 1855. James and Margaret Bishop were the parents of five children, viz. : Caroline, born June 26, 1838; John Allen, May 3, 1840 ; Emily, Aug. 30, 1843 ; Rachel, May 23, 1846, and James Q., Nov. 24, 1848. The last-named now lives upon the old place. He married Martha J. Powell, Feb. 16, 1873 : they had one child by this union, now deceased. Mrs. Bishop died Nov. 11, 1873. He married for his second wife, Margaret V. Powell. Their nuptials were celebrated March 11, 1875. She is a sister of his first wife, and was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 23, 1856. They have two children by this union-Minor, born May 19, 1876, and Clinton Emery, Jan. 12, 1878. Mr. Bishop owns, upon his home farm, 564 acres of well-improved land, upon which he has good farm buildings, located one mile northeast of Le Roy.

HON. MALON BISHOP, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15: P. O. Le Roy : born in Clark Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1810, where he assisted his father in farming until 20 years of age, when he rented land and engaged in farming three years for himself until the fall of 1834, when he took with him his wife and child, his team and household goods, six sheep and two cows, and drove to McLean Co., Ill. ; upon his arrival, he purchased a claim upon which there were ten acres broken, and an old log cabin without chimney, a puncheon floor, clapboard door hung with hick- ory bark ; and in this cabin he lived for six years, when he erected what is now used as a kitchen to his present residence, which was erected in 1842; he entered his first 160 acres of State land upon Jan. 12, 1835; he frequently made trips with his team to Chicago, taking up grain which he exchanged for goods. the trip consuming from eleven to fourteen days. Mr. Bishop has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion and education, having filled different offices in the school district, and has been an active member of the M. E. Church since February, 1842, Mrs. Bishop becoming a member of the same the following September. IIe held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1837 to 1839, and Township Supervisor two years during the war; he was elected to the State Legislature in 1842, and served during the winter of 1842 and 1843. His marriage with Catharine J. Foley, was celebrated March 23, 1831; she was born in Ohio, Aug. 20, 1812 ; eight children were the fruits of this union, viz. : Nancy Jane, born May 1, 1832, now Mrs. Mark M. Craig, of West Township; Stephen L., born Jan. 14, 1835; James F., born Dec. 6. 1836, died Aug. 6, 1862; Elias, born Jan. 12, 1839, died March 11, 1864; Catharine, born April 4, 1842, now Mrs. William Hammond, of West Township ; Elizabeth, born June 22, 1845, died Aug. 24, 1869 : Sarah A, born April 1, 1848, died in infancy ; Malon, born June 13, 1849; the last-named lives at home ; he was married Jan. 30, 1878, to Emeline Smith ; she was born in Ohio, Oct. 30, 1860, and is the daughter of Wesley Smith, formerly of Newark, Ohio.

JOHN A. BISHOP, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 9; born in Empire Township, McLean Co., Ill., May 3, 1840 ; he was the oldest son of James Bishop, who first came to Illinois in 1831, and entered his first land Jan. 12, 1835, located upon Sec. 10, where he lived until his decease, which occurred May 24, 1877. His biography appears among the sketches of Empire Township. The subject of this sketch assisted his father in farming and stock-raising until 31 years of age, when he was married Feb. 14, 1871, to Mary E. Wiley ; she was born in McLean Co., Feb. 11, 1844; they have one child by this union-James F., born Nov. 19, 1871. Mr. Bishop has lived upon his present place since his marriage ; he has in his home farm upwards of four hundred acres of land, all under fence, upon which he has good farm buildings, his house being erected in 1871, and his barn in 1872; he also owns 170 acres of land in other parts of the county ; Mr. Bishop's home farm is located one mile north of Le Roy; he is extensively engaged in feeding and shipping stock in connection with farming. Mrs. Bishop was the daughter of James Wiley, who located in McLean Co. at a very early day.

JOHN BONNETT, farmer, deceased ; was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in the year 1778 ; at an early day he emigrated to Ohio, and lived in Licking and Knox Cos. until he

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emigrated to Illinois. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Yontz. at Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, in the year 1820; she was born near Hagerstown, Md .. February, 1802: she rode horse- back from her native place to Licking Co., Ohio, in the month of February, when only 14 years of age; after living there a few years, they removed to Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., where her mar- riage with the subject of this sketch was celebrated : their children were nine in number, viz. : Susan, born April 27, 1821 ; William, March 1, 1823; Yontz, March 7, 1826; Isaac, November, 1828 ; Lewis, April, 1830; Daniel G., March 9, 1832; James, March 8, 1834; Sarah C., Oct. 21, 1835; and John, born Sept. 14, 1841. In the spring of 1828, Mrs. Bonnett visited her native State, making the trip upon horseback. In the spring of 1851, John Bonnett. with his wife and four children drove from Ohio to Illinois in a large three-seated carriage : the spring was unusually wet, and they experienced much inconvenience from high water; they came through Springfield, Indianapolis and Covington ; they found the water of some of the streams which they crossed so high that the water came into the carriage, and the occupants were obliged to stand upon the seats to prevent getting wet ; they crossed the Wabash and Sangamon Rivers in a ferry ; near Monticello the bridge was unsafe; they walked across the bridge, hauled the carriage by hand, then secured long grapevines and tied to the horses' necks, which they then swam across ; their goods were shipped down the Wabash Canal, from Sandusky city to Covington, then overland by ox-teams to Monticello ; in the fall, they removed to McLean Co., and located in Empire Township, two and one-half miles southeast of Le Roy ; they located upon Sec. 35, where Mr. Bonnett purchased 300 acres, upon which they then moved ; they experienced much difficulty that fall in obtaining flour and meal ; the former being with difficulty obtained at $11 per barrel; they often went to Bloomington and Pekin to obtain provisions. In 1836, Mr. and Mrs. Bonnett both became members of the Episcopal Church, and lived consistent Christians to their death. Early in the year 1852, they suffered by death the loss of their youngest son. Upon the morning of the 27th of May, 1852, Mr. Bonnett, while reading his Bible was stricken with apo- plexy, and upon the 2d of June, 1852, he passed down to the dark valley like unto his fathers before him, without a blot or stain ; MIrs Bonnett continued to live upon the old place with her son James until her decease, which occurred Sept. 4, 1873 : they now lie buried in the beautiful cemetery located one mile east of Le Roy, and over their graves stands a large marble monument, erected sacred to their memory by their loving children, of which three are now living in Iowa ; two, Yontz and James, live upon the old place ; the surviving daughter was united in marriage with George M. Sellers, and lives within one mile of the old home; the biographies of the latter three appear among the sketches of Empire Township in this work.

YONNTZ BONNETT, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 2; P. O. Le Roy ; this gentleman was born in Knox Co., Ohio, on the 7th day of March, 1826; he is a son of John and Elizabeth (Yonntz) Bonnett, whose sketch will be found among the biographies of Empire Township. Youtz Bon- net emigrated previous to his parents, and located upon Sec. 35, Empire Township, in 1851 : he has a vivid recollection of the difficulty experienced in the fall of 1851, of obtaining flour and meal, which at times could not be obtained short of Pekin. The subject of this sketch preceded the family, and selected a location upon Sec. 35, and upon the arrival of his father the contract was closed for 300 acres of land at $13 per acre, and upon which, at that time, were two con- fortable sets of farm-buildings, which have since been replaced by two other sets of a better quality ; the location of the family here occurred too late to raise a crop, and the following year they put in sixty acres of corn, eight acres of wheat, some oats and vegetables. Upon the 24th of December, 1853, Yonntz Bonnett and Rachel Birney were united in marriage: she was born in Ilarrison Co., Ohio, March 28, 1830; they have two children now living by this union-John W., born Feb. 21, 1855, and Belle, born Aug. 27, 1858; upon the marriage of Mr. Bonnett, iu 1853, he located upon his present place, where he has now 300 acres under good cultivation ; and, aside from farming, he is largely engaged in stock-raising, feeding and shipping.

JAMES BONNETT, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Le Roy ; born in Knox Co .. Ohio, March 8, 1834 ; here he followed farming until 17 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in Empire Township, McLean Co., in 1851 ; he is a son of John Bonnett, whose sketch appears in this work ; the goods of the Bonnett family were shipped to Sandusky city, then down the canal to Covington. from which place they were drawn by three ox-teams of two yoke each, to Illinois, the subject of this sketch driving one of the teams ; he after- ward, with an older brother, returned to Covington for salt with two ox-teams, loading back with twelve barrels, drawn by two yoke, the other nineteen barrels drawn by four yoke of oxen. the salt selling for $5 per barrel. Mr. Bonnett has always lived, upon the old place upon which his parents first located in 1851, and where he has 500 acres of land upon which he has good farm- buildings ; he now has 500 sheep, 60 head of cattle, 100 hogs and some horses, and is largely engaged in raising, feeding and shipping stock. He was united in marriage with Sarah Rine- hart, April 2, 1862: she was born in Knox Co., Ohio, July 21, 1836 ; they have four children now living by this union, viz. : Oscar, born March 13, 1864; Robert, born Aug. 3, 1866 ; John Yontz, born Sept. 16, 1873, and Fannie, born Feb. 9, 1877.

NATHAN T. BRITTIN, farmer, deceased ; Sec. 4; one of the early pioneers of Illinois. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio Oct. 18, 1809; he was raised upon a farm until 20 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located upon Sec. 1, Empire Township, McLean

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Co., Ill., in the year 1829; here he laid a claim which he entered, when the land came into market, and upon which he improved, and afterwards added by purchase, until he had accu- mulated upwards of one thousand acres of land ; his first house was a log cabin, with stick chimney, plastered with mud, raccoon bedstea 1, with one leg, in which poles were inserted, extending to the end and side logs of the house ; his first cupboard and table was a dry goods box, from which they ate their food and placed their dishes and provisions. Mr. Brittin com- menced in life without means, but by his hard labor and economy, he accumulated a good prop- erty at the time of his decease, owning upwards of one thousand acres of land, and holding upwards of $50,000 in securities, which occurred Oct. 10, 1869. Mrs. Brittin was born in Warren Co., Ky., near Bowling Green, Feb. 16, 1816; her maiden name was Sarah Barnett ; she died Aug. 7, 1878, in Empire Township; Nathan T. and Sarah (Barnett) Britten were the parents of nine children, all of whom lived to grow up and become the heads of families. W. P. Conaway was born in McLean Co., Ill., Feb. 18, 1839; his father, Chalton D., emi- grated to Illinois and located in McLean Co. about the year 1830, where he lived until 1856, when he removed to Logan Co., where he died two years later, W. P. Conaway was brought up to farm labor until Aug. 10, 1862, when he enlisted in the 94th Regt. I. V. I., and served in the Union army three years, being in the campaign of Missouri and Arkansas, and was also engaged in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama ; he was in many engagements, among which were Prairie Grove, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Morganzia, Yazoo, Fort Morgan and Spanish Fort, Mobile Bay ; in the summer of 1865, he was sent to Gal- veston, Tex., where he was mustered out of service July 17 ; he received his discharge in Spring- field, Ill., in August, 1865; he then returned to Empire Township, where he has since followed farming. Ilis marriage with Katuriah Brittin was celebrated Nov. 21, 1861; they have two children by this union-having lost two by death ; the living are Nora May, born Feb. 11, 1870, and Banton G., born Aug. 9, 1871.

JAMES BROCK, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Le Roy. The subject of this sketch was born in Granger Co., East Tenn., Jan. 7, 1833 ; he was raised upon a farm until 17 years of age, after which he was engaged in school-teaching during the fall and winter, and farming in summer, for a period of eight years; he emigrated with his family to Illinois, and located four miles. southeast of Bloomington, McLean Co., in January, 1861 ; the following spring he rented land, and for four years was engaged in farming near Bloomington ; in the spring of 1865, he located upon a farm of 110 acres, which he had purchased in West Township, where he lived until 1870, when he disposed of the above, and purchased 140 acres of his present place, to which he has since added, until he now owns 260 acres of land, upon which he has good farm buildings, and which he has acquired by his own personal labor, assisted by his wife, to whom he was united in marriage Jan. 6, 1854, in Tennessee : her maiden name was Rachel Aikin ; she was born in Granger Co., Tenn , Oct. 14, 1830 ; four children were the fruit of this union-Enoch, born Sept. 17, 1855 ; Sarah F., born May 6, 1865; Rachel M., born Oct. 27, 1868 ; the deceased is Emily May, born Oct. 27, 1872 ; died Dec. 1, 1874.

J. W. BROWN, Postmaster and dealer in stationery, notions, etc., Le Roy ; born in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1841 : at 9 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to Illinois and located at Lewiston, Fulton t'o., living there two years, when they removed to Bloomington, where he attended school until 17 years of age, when he entered the Wesleyan University, where he remained until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted for three months in the 8th I. V. I., and after serving his term of enlistment, and being mustered out of service, he returned to Bloom- ington, where he engaged as clerk in the dry goods trade until August, 1862, when he again enlisted for three years in the 3d Ill. Cav. ; he was immediately sent to the front, and was engaged in the campaign through Missouri and Arkansas, then to Memphis, where he was located at the time the place was attacked by the rebels under Gen. Forrest, who was defeated by the above regiment, assisted by the 106th Ill. Inf., and one regiment of colored troops; after remaining in Memphis several months, they were sent to intercept the rebel Gen. Hood, with whom they fought and held in check for twenty-seven days, until the Union forces had con- centrated.at Nashville, which place he attacked, but was badly defeated. In the spring of 1865, he, with his regiment, was sent to St. Paul, Minn .; from there they were sent to Dakota Ter- ritory to fight Indians, and in the fall returned to St. Paul, where they were mustered out of service Nov. 25, 1865 ; he then returned to Bloomington, where he engaged as dry-goods clerk un il 1870, when he removed to Le Roy and engaged in clerking until 1877, when he received the appointment of Postmaster, which office he now holds ; he also keeps a complete stock of stationery, notions, etc .; his business card appears in the business directory of Le Roy, in another part of this work. His marriage with Josephine Hayes was celebrated, Jan. 9, 1868 ; she was born in Bloomington, Nov. 1, 1848; they have two children now living by this union, having lost one by death ; the living are-Walla, born April 1, 1869, and Clyde, born Det. 26, 1871. Mrs. Brown was daughter of Silas Hayes, one of the early settlers of Bloomington, who emigrated from Connecticut in 1834.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 112

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