The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 124

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 124

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J. M. MOON, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Delano ; was born in Sheffield, Lorain Co., Ohio, June 22, 1835 ; he remained with his parents until he was 19 years of age, receiving a liberal education, first attending Berea Institute, in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, for one year, then the Folsom Commercial College, Cleveland, and afterward for one year in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, perfecting himself in penmanship; after leaving that institution, he taught penmanship in Ohio and Kentucky. In the year 1855, he became engaged in buying and shipping horses from Ohio, and in 1857 engaged in the grain and mercantile business, in the village of Malta, De Kalb Co., Ill., and continued in such until the year 1861 ; his health becoming impaired, he disposed of his business and became the traveling agent of William B. Young & Co., of Chicago, manu- facturers of agricultural implements, and remained with them for five years ; during this time having, with his brother George W. Moon, purchased a tract of 1,040 acres of land in West' Township, of this county, in the year 1867 settled upon it and improved it; being mostly swamp lands, he made over thirty miles of ditch, rendering them to-day the best corn lands in this county. Mr. Moon has held the office of Supervisor for two terms. Ile married Miss Mary Jewett, daughter of Charles Jewett, of De Kalb Co., Ill., Feb. 16, 1857 ; they had six children, four living-Charles O., Jennie E., Beatrice Y. and Lucina, and two that died in infancy. Mr. Moon has always taken an active part in politics, as a Republican, and has been a member of the McLean County Republican Central Committee.

WILLIAM MORRIS, farmer and insurance agent ; P. O. Sabina ; born in Sussex Co., Del., June 10, 1814; at 12 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to Preble Co., Ohio, where he followed farming until 1839, when he emigrated to Illinois and located in Morgan Co., where he rented land and followed farming for eight years. In 1847, he purchased a farm of 200 acres in Macoupin Co., upon which he farmed until 1865, when he sold out and purchased 160 acres of land in West Township, McLean Co., upon which he then located, and where he has since lived during a period of fourteen years. During the past seven years, he has been local agent for the Rockford & Forest City Insurance, confining his business to territory within fifteen miles of his residence. His marriage with Sarah Ayton was celebrated Aug. 2, 1837; she was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Sept. 10, 1812; they were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living-James B., Isaac N., Mary C., Lydia M. and Eliza W. Mr. Morris has taken a deep interest in the cause of religion, having been a member of the M. E. Church for the past forty years ; has been local agent for the American Bible Society for twenty years, and Treasurer of the same for twelve years. Mrs. Morris' maiden name was Sarah Johnson ; she has two children by her previous husband, Henry Ayton-Benjamin F., living in Le Roy, and Jane E., living in Greene Co., 111.

EDWIN M. MURPHY, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Le Roy ; born on Sec. 2, Empire Township, McLean Co .. May 23, 1836, where he lived with his parents, attended school and followed farm- ing until when he, with his father and brother, emigrated to Oregon, but not being pleased with the country, he returned to MeLean Co., and purchased 152 acres of land upon Sec. 6, West Township, upon which he located and where he has since lived. Ile was the youngest son of Isaac Murphy who emigrated from Ohio and located in Bloomington about the year 1826 or 1827 ; he was married to Mary Whitney, in Bloomington; she was born in Meigs Co., Ohio, and came to Illinois at a very early day ; she died in McLean Co., in 1869; Mr. Murphy entered the land where Mr. Dooly now lives, when the Land Office was at Vandalia ; his first temin was a yoke of steers ; he afterward raised a team of colts, and in this way obtained his first team of horses ; he worked at carpentering in Bloomington, and put up some of the first building- of that town, among which was the first jail, using the fruits of his labor to pay for his land ; he then followed farming and stock-raising until he had accumulated 980 acres of land, which he sold out and went to Oregon, where he died April 14. 1872; his oldest son. Charles, was the first white boy born in Bloomington, in December, 1830. Edwin M. Murphy was married to

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Jane Howell, in September, 1862: she was born in Kentucky, and died in McLean Co., in November, 1870, leaving two children-John, born Nov. 12, 1863, and I-aac L., born June 20, 1866. His marriage with Margaret Oliver was celebrated Oct. 26, 1871 ; she was born in County Derry, Ireland, Feb. 19, 1838, and emigrated to America with her parents when 15 months old : her father, William Oliver, located in De Witt Co. in 1853, and died May 12, 1875, at the age of 96 years. The children of E. M. Murphy by his second wife are Mary Jane, born Dec. 5, 1872 ; Laura Bell, Dec. 11, 1876.

PERRY ORENDORFF, farmer: P. O. Kumler : born in Bloomington Township, McLean Co., July 7, 1842; he is the second son of James K. Orendorff, who was born Dec. 28, 1812, in Kentucky, and came to Illinois with his parents about the year 1817; he located at Blooming Grove in 1823, and was one of the early settlers of this county ; he endured all the hardships and privations of frontier life ; he served in the Black Hawk war; was a member of Merritt Covel's company. He was united in marriage with Lavina Sales May 4, 1837; she now lives upon the old homestead ; Mr. Orendorff died Jan. 31, 1875, in Bloomington Township, where he had lived for upward of half a century. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools until the fall of 1863, when he entered the Wesleyan University, which he attended until the following spring, when he engaged in farming with his father until the spring of 1869, when he located upon his present place, where he has 240 acres of well-improved land, upon which he has good farm buildings. His marriage with Elizabeth J. Bellville was celebrated April 4, 1869 ; she was born in Galena, Ill., May 14, 1847; they have three children by this union-James D., born April 5, 1872; Carrie L., born Dec. 9, 1876, and Lillie, born Sept. 11, 1878. Mrs. Oren- dorff is the daughter of C. D. Bellville, who has an extended sketch among the biographies of this township.

ROBERT POLK, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Farmer City. This gentleman was born in County Derry, Ireland, upon the 24th of June, 1828; at 16 years of age, he, with an older sister, emi- grated to America, and landed at Philadelphia in July, 1845; after following teaming here a short time, he went to Delaware, where he followed farming six years, and, in the spring of 1858, lie emigrated to Illinois, and lived in Chicago three months, when he came to Empire Township, McLean Co., where, after obtaining employment for a time, he rented land and followed farming ten years, during which time he purchased thirteen acres, upon which he erected a residence, which he disposed of in 1871, and leased 160 acres of land in West Township, upon which he lived five years ; in the spring of 1876, he removed upon his present place, which he had pre- viously purchased, and which contains eighty acres of land, all under fence, and in a good state of cultivation, and upon which he has good farm buildings. Mr. Polk landed in Le Roy in 1858 with a capital of but 40 cents, and, for lack of means, his family were left in Chicago ; he has, since the above date, with the asssistance of his wife, by their united efforts, strict economy and hard labor, accumulated a good property. Ilis marriage with Martha Green was celebrated Feb. 1, 1855; she was born in Connty Donegal, Ireland, Dec. 11, 1830, and emigrated to America when quite young ; they have six children by this union, viz., Robert J., Mary J., Sarah E. (now Mrs. John Conn, of Belleflower Township), Martha B., William S. and Margaret E. Mr. and Mrs. Polk are both believers in the Protestant religion, and educate their children in that belief.

WILLIAM E. REID, farmer : P. O. Weedman : born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Oct. 31, 1850 : he is the youngest son of R. S. Reid, who was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Nov. 8, 1811 ; he emigrated to Illinois andI located at Randolph Grove, McLean Co., in the fall of 1875, where he now lives. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools until 18 years of age, after which he attended the High School an l Normal School, a: Urbana, for three seasons, and one season at the Teachers' Institute, at Bloomington ; at 21 years of age, he engaged in school- teaching, which he has followed for the past eight years, in connection with farming, in which, for the last six years, he has been an equal partner with his father; upon the 14th of March, 1879, he removed upon his present place in West Township, which he intends to make his per- manent home. His marriage with Eliza M. Welch was celebrated March 19, 1878 ; she was born in Danvers Township, McLean Co., Oct. 8, 1852; she is a daughter of Henry and Minerva Welch, who are among the early pioneers of McLean Co., and whose biographies appear in of Downs Township.

JOHN B. SAVAGE, merchant, Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, Sabina ; residence, Sabina Station ; was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1844; his father, Whalen Savage, died when the subject of this sketch was but 10 years of age, and he, with his mother, emi- grated to Illinois and located in Downs Township in the spring of 1854; he there worked at farming during the summer, and attended school during the winter until 20 years of age, when, in the spring of 1864, he enliste l in the 68th Reg., I. V. I., and served with the Army of the Potomac until he received his discharge ; he then returned to Downs Township and was employed by John McConnell seven years in succession. He was then engaged in farming a short time upon rented land in Downs Township, and, in 1872, he removed upon his present place in West Township, where he has since lived, with the exception of two years' residence in Le Roy, one year of which he was engaged at milling, and one of which he was engaged in the merchandis- ing trade for himself. During Mr. Savage's residence in Downs Township, he held the office of

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Highway Commissioner, Constable, and, as Collector, he successfully handled the funds of the Township for the year 1871. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1876, and, at the completion of the railroad through Sabina, he was appointed Postmaster, both of which above offices he now holds. He is also engaged in the merchandise trade, handling lumber, coal, salt, lime, etc., and buying grain for Barnum & Keenan, of Le Roy. His marriage with Sarah L. Crumbaugh was celebrated Oct. 1, 1868 ; she was born in Empire Township Dec. 17, 1848 ; they have two children by this union-Herbert, born Sept. 14, 1872, and Annie, April 11, 1875. Mrs. Savage is daughter of Montgomery Crumbaugh, who emigrated from Kentucky and located in McLean Co. in the year 1841. Her mother was the daughter of Henry West, in whose honor this township received its name. He was the first Supervisor, which office he held for many years.

THOMAS A. SAXTON, farmer, Sec. 5, Town 21; P. O. Farmer City ; born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1826 ; at 11 years of age his father died and Thomas. being the oldest son, devoted all his energies toward the support of the family ; at 21 years of age. he commenced as firm laborer, being employed by one party seven years in succession. He then rented land and followed farming and threshing until 1864, when he sold his threshing-machine, some farm machinery and stock and located upon the farm of J. Keenan, West Township, McLean Co., 111., and followed farming and stock-raising until 1872, when he purchased his present place of 160 neres on Scc. 5, and, in 1875, settled upon the same, where he has since lived ; he has brought the same to a good state of cultivation, divided in forty-acre lots, and upon which he has good farm buildings. llis marriage with Mary Jane Healea was celebrated Nov. 11, 1852; she was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, April 19, 1827 ; they were the parents of five children, of whom one is deceased : the living are-Mrs. Sarah M. Grizzell, born Jan. 22, 1854, living in Barton Co., Kan .; Mary M., Feb. 3, 1858, married and lives in Ohio ; Joseph F., Jan. 11, 1860, and Will- iam F., Jan. 27, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Saxton, with their two oldest children, are members of the M. E. Church, the parents having been members for the past eighteen years, and Mr. S. hav- ing filled the office of Steward of the church both in Ohio and Illinois as well as several town and school offices.

J. D. SCOTT, farmer ; P. O. Kumler; born in Butler Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1842, where he attended school and assisted his father in farming until he attained his majority, when he enlisted in May. 1864, in the 167th Reg., Ohio V. I., and went forward to battle for the Union. He was in the campaign of West Virginia during his term of service, and was mustered out and received his discharge in the fall of 1864 ; he then returned to Ohio, and, upon the 11th day of January, 1865, was united in marriage with Susan A. Kumler ; she was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 20, 1844 ; they have four children by this union-Otto G., Ord E., Ollie M. and Nellie. Upon his marriage, he continued farming for himself in Butler Co., Ohio, until 1868, when he removed to Union Co., Ind , where he engaged in the dry goods trade until 1872, and, in the summer of 1873, he came to Illinois and located upon Sec. 1, Town 21, West Township, McLean Co., where he has since followed farming.

GEORGE W. SNOOK, farmer and grain-dealer; P. O. Delano. This gentleman was born in Maryland, on the 25th of January, 1823; he was the son of John Snook, who was born in the State of Maryland, and died in Ohio, in the spring of 1839, At 15 years of age, the subject of this sketch started out with an older brother, to seek his fortune, his capital consisting of $2.45; his first labor was working upon the turnpike in Clark Co., Ohio, upon which he labored three months, without receiving his wages, when the contractor failed and fled, and Mr. Snook lost his three months labor ; during the following winter, he performed various duties upon a farm, receiving from 30 to 50 cents per day, and in the spring his capital invoiced one ax, a new suit of clothes and $15 in money. lle was then confined to the house two months with a broken leg. After which he was employed as a farm laborer, until 1842, when he was united in marriage with Mary M. Fuller, Sept. 15, 1842; she was born in Clark Co., Ohio, April 6, 1822. Ile then rented land for two years, and in the winter of 1844, he labored at $8 per month, and in this manner he supported his family, which at that time consisted of himself, wife and one child. He then farmed on shares two years, when he hired out in a distillery, where he worked for eight years, his wages varying from $15 to $30 per month ; during this period of labor he made his first land purchase by investing $500 in Indiana land, which he held three years, when he realized a profit of $1,000. He continued dealing in land while working by the month, until he had realized a profit of $3,500. In 1854, he purchased a farm, for which he paid $4,000, upon which he located and engaged in farming and dealing in land, until 1861, when he so'd out, and coming West, located in Logan County, Ill., in the fall of 1861. Here he followed farming and dealing in real estate, until he came to MeLean Co., and located upon Sec. 23, West Township, in 1868, where he has since lived. He now owns 1,100 acres of land, upon which he has ten sets of good farm buildings, all of which he has accumulated by his own hard labor, economy and careful business management, in which he has been nobly assisted by his amiable wife, and to her efforts he generously attributes the greatest share of his success. In politics, he is a Republican. His religious belief is Universalist. Has been a strong temperance advocate for the past thirty years. He is a public-spirited man, and considers well the interest of his township : to his efforts the township of West may feel truly grateful for what has been accomplished for

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its benefit. The completion of the narrow-gauge railroad through the township, at this time, is one of the public enterprises in which he has been actively engaged. He has witnessed the completion of this road, secured a station upon his own land, and engaged largely in buying grain, and although this is his first season, his shipments will reach 100,000 bushels, for which he pays the highest possible price. He has also secured a post office at the station, put in a stock of merchandise, put up a blacksmith-shop, and deals in coal, to which he will soon add a stock of Bumber. The children of George and Mary Snook were ten in number, of which eight are now living-Nancy M., Joseph L., John T., Charles C., Walter II., Sarah L., Henry Q., and Will- iam W.

JAMES STEELE, farmer and grain-buyer; P. O. Weedman ; residence Weedman Station. The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, June 30, 1835. Ile emi- grated with his parents, when 7 years of age, and landed in New Orleans, in the winter of 1842. Coming up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, he landed at Louisville, Ky., where he resided with his parents until the summer of 1853, a part of which time was employed in farming in Indiana. At the latter date, he came to Sangamon Co., Ill., where he arrived in poor health, and with a capital of 15 cents. He then worked at farming during the summer, and through the winter lie worked for his board, and, by strict economy and close application to his studies for two years, he had advanced sufficiently in his studies, and had sived of his earnings means to enter Illinois State University at Springfield, which he attended until 1859, when, having exhausted his means, he engaged in teaching until 1862, when he raised a company for the Illinois volunteer infantry, which was mustered into service, and sent to Kentucky. After serving one year he received his discharge on account of disability. He then resumed teaching, which extended over a period of eighteen years, thirteen of which was employed in the villages of Athens and Sweetwater. In the fall of 1876, he located upon his present place, where he has 160 acres of land, with good farm buildings. Aside from farming, he is largely engaged in buying corn for the Southern and Eastern markets. His marriage with Sarah E. Ham was celebrated in Sangamon Co., Ill., April 11, 1861; she was born in Sangamon Co., Feb. 16, 1843; they have five children now living, having lost three by death. The living are-John II., Albert H., Laura B., Minnie, and Ann Eliza.

JACOB G. SWEGLE, farmer ; P. O. Kumler; born in Fulton Co., Ill., May 13. 1845; here he was engaged in farming until 27 years of age, when he was united in marriage with Mrs. Frances E. Swegle, March 10, 1874; her maiden name was Frances E. Householder : she was born in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Knox Co., with her parents, when quite young. Upon the marriage of Mr. Swegle, he followed farming a short time, in Fulton Co., and, in 1874, he located upon Section 12, West Township, where he has 160 acres of land under cultivation, upon which he has good farm buildings. The children of Jacob and Frances Swegle are -Charlie and William. Mrs. Swegle has two children by her previous husband-Elizabeth and Ruth.

WILLIAM L. SWINEY, farmer; P. O. Farmer City ; born in Menard Co., III., Sept. 5, 1851; his father, William C. Swiney, was born in Kentucky, and emigrated to Illinois and located in Menard Co , in the year 1836; here he entered 320 acres of land, upon which he lived until 1870, when he sold out and purchased 640 acres in De Witt Co., where he has since lived. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Eldredge, in Menard Co .; she was born in England and emigrated, with her parents, to America when quite young, landing in Baltimore ; from there to Illinois. The subject of this sketch attended school and assisted his father in farming until 23 years of age, when his marriage with Sarah C. Weedman was celebrated. upon the 21st of June, 1875 ; she was the daughter of George Weedman, who was born in Perry Co., Ohio, in 1824, and located in McLean Co., Ill., in 1830, with his parents; they came to Bloomington when there was but one log cabin there. He now lives in De Witt Co., near, Farmer City, and is engaged in farming; Mrs. Weedman was born in Indiana; her maiden name was Kate Danner ; both parents now live in De Witt Co.

THOMAS WARTON, farmer; P. O. Farmer City ; born in Pike Co., Ill., April 22, 1845, where he lived upon the farm until 21 years of age ; he had obtained a common-school educa- tion, and at the above age entered the Whipple Academy, at Jacksonville, in 1867, where he attended two seasons, and, in 1869, came to West Township, where he boarded, for two years, with llenry Grizzell, and improved his farm, which he has since brought from its wild, prairie condition to its present state of cultivation. Ile erected his present residence in 1874, where he has since lived. His marriage with Anna C. Bright was celebrated Dec. 25, 1874 ; she was born May 10, 1851 ; they have one child now living by this union-Mary A., born Dec. II, 1876. Mrs. Warton was a daughter of Peter L. Bright, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and is now making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Warton.

JOHN WEEDMAN, farmer, stock-dealer and banker; P. O. Farmer City ; residence Weed- man Station : one of the early pioneers of McLean Co .; born in Perry Co., Ohio, Feb. 3, 1828 : his father, John Weedman, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1797; he emigrated to Ohio. and, in the fall of 1830, removed to McLean Co., Ill., and was in Bloomington when there was but one log house in the place; after living in McLean Co. seven years, he removed to De Witt Co .. near Farmer City, and entered land upon which he lived many years, then emigrated to lowa, where he lived until his decease, which occurred at his home in Webster City, March 2,

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1867 ; Mrs. Weedman was born in Maryland, and died in De Witt Co., Ill., in 1853 ; her maiden name was Rachel Wilson ; their children were seven sons and three daughters, of which all save one lived to grow up. The subject of this sketch made his home with his father until 1850, when he, with four of his brothers, went overland to California, going by the old Oregon route, crossing the Rocky Mountains at South Pass and arriving at Placerville, upon the 26th of July, having been four months upon the trip; he then for nine months engaged in mining and trad- ing, and, upon April 1, 1851, left San Francisco upon a sailing vessel via Panama, which they erossed upon mules, foot and by boat ; from there by steamer to New York, having been six weeks upon the trip; he then returned to Illinois, and for two years engaged in farming in De Witt Co., where he located upon his present place, where he has since lived during a period of twenty-nine years ; he has upon his home farm 660 acres, upon which he has fine buildings, and 234 acres in De Witt Co., with good buildings, also fifty-two acres within the corporation limits of Farmer City, a large portion of said city being laid out by Mr. Weedman, his brother and Mr. McCord ; he is largely engaged in buying, feeding and shipping stock to Chicago and East- ern markets ; in 1870, he associated in the banking business at Farmer City, under the firm name of Thomas & Weedman, and, in 1876, he purchased his partner's interest, since which time he has continued the banking business under his own name ; his business card appears in another part of this work. Mr. Weedman related to the writer many incidents characteristic of frontier life that this brief space will not admit ; in 1847, he went with Isaac Funk with a drove of cattle to Chicago, and finding a dull market, he for many days assisted in herding them on land upon which a part of the city of Chicago now stands ; he also assisted in driving hogs to Pekin, and to Eugene, upon the Wabash, at one time driving 1,200 head ; about the year 1843, he with his father, took a load of apples and peaches to Chicago ; the dealers at that time would not purchase so large a load, and he was obliged to peddle them out from house to house, in lots of from one peck to a full bushei ; he also made many trips to Chicago with grain, selling the same at 50 cents per bushel, freighting goods to Springfield from Chicago at $1 per hundred. His marriage with Mary A. McDonald was celebrated March 31, 1853 ; she was born in Madison Co , Ohio, Sept. 22, 1834; six children were the fruit of this union. of which four are now liv- ing-Harriet J., born Dee. 21, 1857; Cassius M., Aug. 12, 1860; Rachel, March 4, 1862, and John S., Dee. 15, 1865; the oldest daughter, after attending the Wesleyan University, entered the Female College at Jacksonville. where she is now attending, and from which she expects to graduate the coming season ; of the other children, the oldest son is attending the High School at Fariner City, the young children living at home. Mrs. Weedman is the daughter of Thomas MeDonald ; he was born in Tennessee in the year 1802; he emigrated with his parents to Ohio, at an early day, and located at Farmer City in 1851, where he now lives with his wife, to whom he was married in Ohio, where she was born and raised ; her maiden name was Rebecca J. Erwin.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 124

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