The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 145

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 145

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JOHN LUCAS, farmerand stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington ; was born Sept. 11, 1839, on a farm two miles east of Le Roy ; remained there engaged in farming for his father and teaching school- taught four years, winter and summer : in 1867, he began farming for himself on his farm in what is now Allin Township, for eight years ; he then sold out, and bought the present farm of eighty acres, forty of which was given him by his father, and the rest they have obtained by their own efforts. He managed this farm until married, which was in 1867 to Elizabeth Sill, of Penn- sylvania ; born in 1847. They settled on his farm immediately after marriage. He and wife are active members of the M. E. Church at Twin Grove ; he is teacher in the Sunday school at that place : has held school offices and Pathmaster. They have four children-Charlie E., Lillie D., Gracy and an infant.

JAMES G. MCCLELLAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Shirley ; was born March 28, 1824, on a farm in Mifflin Co , Penn .; remained there till 1851, when he came to McLean Co., Ill., settling on his present farm of 109 acres, which he has obtained by his own efforts ; when he was 2 years old, his mother died, and he was left in care of Mr. and Mrs. McNiel. Mr. Mcclellan was married Dec. 23, 1873, to Mary Croft, born in 1851, in Somerset Co., Penn. After marriage, they began housekeeping on the present farm ; when Mr. McClellan settled in Illinois, the country was but little settled : the farm he now lives on is one of fine quality, being intersected by the C. & A. R. R .; he has made good improvements; does his own carpentering and smithing. Ile was, by marriage with Mary Croft, blessed with three children- James, George B. and Alice May.

SAMUEL MILLER, Shirley ; was born Jan. 12, 1826, on a farm in Kentucky ; remained there until 9 years old, when he came with his father to McLean Co., settling in Dale Township. renting of Henshaw for two years; his father then bought land in Dale Township, settled, and engaged in farming; Mr. Miller worked for his father until 21 years old, when, on Aug. 28. 1847, he was married to Priscilla Allison, of Pennsylvania; after marriage, they settled on the present farm of eighty acres, which they have improved and made an elegant home. Mr. Miller was one of fifteen children, the blessings of the marriage of his father to Miss Lloyd ; all the family of children are now living, except one, who died in the army. Mr. Miller has held offices connected with schools as Director, and Pathmaster. They have eight children-Isabel, Annie, Priscilla, Thomas, Samuel, Rebecca, Elmira and Luella.

JONATHAN PARK, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O Shirley ; the son of Eli Park, of North Carolina ; was born on a farm in Madison Co., Ky., July 14, 1815, and remained there until 1853 ; engaged in farming for his father and teaching until 1836, when he married Borthana Quinn, who was born in Kentucky Oct. 27, 1818; they immediately began farming, renting of Moberly for one year ; he afterward bought 64 acres, paying for it by his own labor ; they set- tled on this farm and improved and increased it to 119 acres, when, in 1853, they sold out and came by team to McLean Co., Ill., settling in Dale Township, on their present farm of 226 acres, which they have made and improved : the whole country was then mostly raw prairie. Mr.

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Park is very careful in business, keeps an account of every cent received and paid out. not even the least item being left out ; he also keeps a diary of every day. Ilas held office in the militia, in Kentucky, for ten years; as Captain and Major: Township Trustee, Assessor five terms, Commissioner two terms, Justice of the Peace seven years, School Director ten years. He does his own carpentering. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, of which denomination he has served as a minister for twenty years ; has also auctioned goods. Their marriage blessed them with eight children, all of whom are church members-Minerva E., Sydney 1., Alwilda J., William E., Hiram R., Rhoda W., Sallie, Lucy, Mary.

QUINN & QUINN, merchants, Shirley. These gentlemen are the leading merchants of Shirley ; they carry a stock of general merchandise ; commenced business in 1876, having pur- chased a stock from William B. Lane. They are natives of Kentucky, H. W. Quinn being the senior member ; B. F. Quinn was born Oct. 23, 1851, and is the son of S. M. and Sallie A. (Boulware) Quinn, of Kentucky, having moved to McLean Co. in 1852.

J. W. ROGERS, farm and stock ; P. O. Covell ; was born March 9, 1835, on a farm in Perry Co., Penn., remained there engaged in farming, working for people by month and day ; his father was a weaver by trade, was born in 1806; married, June 19, 1827, to Elizabeth Waterson, born in Perry Co., Penn. J. W. Rogers was third son of W. L. Rogers, and, in 1847, he came with his parents to Peoria, Ill., setthng there for four years, his father engaging in weaving and teaming, and thus employed his son ; they next moved to a farm near Peoria, renting of Charles Denton for four years ; he then came to Funk's Grove Township, remaining five years farming ; he then, with his father, bought the present farm of 160 acres, which they have earned by their own labor and management. Was married, in 1862, to Nancy A. Hull, born in Illinois in 1841. Mr. Rogers has worked by the month at $10, the receipts of which he has frugally used, has grown from a poor boy to a manhood accompanied by plenty of the world's sustenance. He and his wife have not forgotten the eternity of life, and have been active members of M. E. Church some time ; have four children, viz., Lelia, Louis E., Jesse, Eddy; deceased-Ollie. llis father and mother live with him.

T. A. ROGERS, farm and stock ; P. O. Covell : was born July 1, 1828, in Perry Co., Penn., and remained there engaged in farming and working at barking for tanners until 20 years old ; his parents were poor, and he was compelled to work by the month at $4 to $6 per month ; in 1847, they came to Peoria Co., III. ; when the family landed at Peoria, they had not one cent ; Mr. Rogers was engaged for a time in rafting timber and managing a saw-mill at Peoria for four years ; the family moved to a farm in Peoria Co., renting of Charles Denton for four years. In 1855, was married to Elizabeth M. Shrade, born in Perry Co., Penn. ; after marriage, they settled on the Sholty farm for one winter ; in spring of 1856, they settled the present farm of 160 acres, which they have obtained by their own efforts ; has made improvements by tiling and buildings, making a most beautiful and productive farm. Has held held offices connected with schools, and Commissioner ; is now on his fifth term of the Patron's Fire Insurance Co., of Stanford, as Director and Treasurer. lle and his wife belong to M. E. Church at Covell ; he is Trustee and Steward ; has five children, viz., Maggie, Mary B., Stephen A. D., Nettie, Arthur.

W. Il. ROGERS, farm and stock ; P. O. Covell : was born in February, 1833, in Perry Co., Penn., on a farm ; remained there engaged in farming and working by the month at $3 for three years, would drive four-horse teams; in 1847, he moved to Peoria, Ill., and, settling there, engaged in rafting and saw-mill business for two years, for Capt. Moss, Bradley & Smith, at. $12 per month : in 1850, they moved to a farm in Peoria Co., renting of Charles Denton for five years. In 1855, he was married to Mary Hart. of Kentucky, born in 1839; her parents were born in Kentucky ; after marriage, they settled on present farm of eighty acres, which was then raw prairie, but now by their management has become one of fine quality. Mr. Rogers is a brether of T. A. Rogers, whose family ancestry has been referred to, noting the fact that at their land- ing in l'eoria, they had not I cent. Hle and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. He has held offices of school and Pathmaster ; they have had eight children, viz .. William (deceased), Carrie, Lottie, Fannie (deceased ), Addie, Lncy, Mattie, W. C.

D. H. SALISBURY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Covell : was born in New York March 2, 1813; remained there until 1 year old, when he moved to Rhode Island; his father died when he was quite young, leaving him in the care of his mother, who lived among her people for some time ; she then moved to Miami Co., Ohio, leaving D. H. with an uncle of his, where he made a home until 21 ; he then went to Miami Co., Ohio, where his mother and brother were ; remained there until 1837. at which time they moved to South Bend, Ind., and engaged in farm- ing for one year ; returned then to Miami Co., remaining until 1843, when they moved to Illi- nois, settling in McLean Co., and renting for five years: he then settled on the present farm of 125 acres, carned entirely by his own labor and management. Was married in 1850 to Irene Baker, of Indiana.

JOSHUA SELLS, farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Bloomington : was born in 1827, in Franklin Co., Ohio, on the bank of Scioto River ; remained there engaged in farming and teach- ing : taught six terms. Was married when 22 years old to Eliza J. Smith, a native of Water- town, N. Y., daughter of Col. Smith, of war of 1812; after marriage, they settled on a farm of thirty-three acres in Franklin Co., which he increased to 133 acres : they remained there until

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1864, and then came to McLean Co., Ill., and engaged in farming his present farm of 247 acres, earned entirely by their labors, on which farm Mr. Sells takes much pains in raising stock and grain ; he makes a specialty in seed-corn. Has held office of Justice of the Peace six years Director of Schools twenty-four years in Ohio and Illinois ; Commissioner of Highways. Was in the army in 1863, entering in the 95th and 133d Ohio V. I .; he takes the stump on the Green- back system ; was a delegate to Cleveland to inaugurate the Greenback party, and to Indianap- olis to nominate a ticket, which resulted for Cooper and Cary, and to Toledo to name the party. Has six children-Laura E., Charles S., Samuel, Sumner, Abram, O. P.

JACOB SIJOLTEY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Shirley ; was born Sept. 10, 1805, in Lancaster Co., Penn .; remained there thirty-three years, engaged in farming. In 1830, he married Mary Kauffman, born in 1810; after marriage, they settled on a farm, Mr. Sholtey working by the day at 10 cents, and at $4 per month ; in 1835, he moved to Juniata Co., Penn., and engaged in a flouring-mill for one year ; selling out, he settled three miles east of Dayton, Ohio, and engaged in working for Messrs. Monker and Williams for six months ; he moved from there to Indiana, settling in Delaware Co., on a farm of eighty acres, which they bought in green woods; their only bedstead during seven years, was poles fastened to the wall and made to rest on a stool at the other end; next bought mill property, owning it four years ; in 1849, he moved to Bloomington, Ill., engaging in farming, renting of W. Wallace; in 1850, settled on his present farm of 125 acres, which they have increased to 630 acres, earning all by their own labor and management; has made fine improvements ; the barn cost $4,000; has fine facilities for watering stock. Has had nine children-Christian (deceased), Henry C., Susan, Samuel B. F., Benjamin D., Levi W., Annie MI., Sophia (deceased), John (deceased ).

FRANKLIN SPAULDING, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington ; was born > ept. 6, 1799, on a farm in Windsor Co., Vt., and remained there until he was 27 years old, at which time he was married to Azubah H. Cole, of Vermont ; after marriage, they settled in Weathers- field, Windsor Co., until 1849, then moving by team, as was customary, to Troy, taking canal, bound for Buffalo, and by steamer they glided over the foaming waves and anchored safely in harbor at Detroit, taking Michigan Central to New Buffalo, from thence to Chicago, and were soon seen gliding down the beautiful canal toward La Salle ; they finally settled in Sangamon Co., Ill. In September, 1849, they settled on their present farm of 128 acres, earned entirely by their own labor and management. Have had three children, viz., Mary M., deceased in 1854 ; Amos C., deceased in 1857; Annie E., deceased in 1857. Has held the office of Justice of the Peace in Vermont; School Director, in Vermont, three terms, in Illinois two terms. Mr. Spaulding is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DR. E. STRETCH, physician, Shirley ; was born in McLean Co., Ill., June 2, 1852, on a farm ; remained there on the farm, which was four miles north of Towanda, until 4 years old, when his father mnoved to Lexington and engaged in livery business until 1860, when he moved to a farm, renting of S. White for some four years ; moving from there to a farm near Towanda, remaining until 1870, at which time his father bought a store in Towanda and had Mr. Stretch take care of it for some seven years, during which time he was reading medicine with Dr. Ready of Towanda. In 1876-77-78 he attended the Rush Medical College at Chicago. He paid his own way through college. On his return from college, he began business in Shirley and is the only physician at that place. He was married in 1875 to Ella Rogers, a daughter of Dr. Rogers, of Heyworth ; they have no children.

D. R. STUBBLEFIELD, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Covell ; was born April 13, 1846, in Funk's Grove Township, on a farm, remaining there some time ; then moved with his father to his present farm in Funk's Grove, and remained engaged in farming for his father until 24 years old, when, in December, 1870, he was married to Matilda Bower, born in Pennsylvania in 1844, and came to Illinois in 1846 ; immediately after marriage, they settled on their present farmı of 160 acres, inherited by his father, which they have improved by building a beautiful house and barn, and have done a good deal of tiling on the farm. Mr. Stubblefield makes a specialty of breeding fine imported Norman horses; is in partnership with P. M. Stubblefield. Has held the office of School Director five years, and is now of No. 6, Dale. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Covell : he is Steward and Class Leader and Trustee ; has also been Recording Steward. Children-Lilly G., deceased, Nettie M .. Lawrence W. J. P. STUBBLEFIELD, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Shirley; was born Feb. 28, 1845, on farm in Funk's Grove Township. He was third son of Abraham Stubblefield. He remained there until 1 year old, when he left the scene of his childhood, and moved with his father to the farm now occupied by him in Funk's Grove Township. He remained with his father until 28 years old, at which time, on Aug. 8, 1867, he was married to N. C. Thomas; born in Fayette Co., l'enn. Her father was from Pennsylvania; his mother, whose maiden name was Moore, was born in Maryland. Mrs. Stubblefield, wife of J. P., came to Illinois with her sister, Mrs. Bright. Immediately after marriage they settled on present farm of 225 acres; 143 of which was given him by his father, the rest they have made by their own labor and management. It was then raw prairie, but now has become a fine farm, by being improved by building and tiling. IIe has held offices connected with schools. He and wife are members of United Brethren Church. Have one child-Cora. Mr. Stubblefield takes great interest in educating Cora, both in music and

Carlock.

WHITE OAK TP.

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literature. Rachel Horden, a sister of Mrs. Stubblefield, makes her home with them, and is one of fourteen children. Her father and mother are still living in Adams Co., Md.

EDWARD WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington ; son of William Wilson, and brother of A. J. Wilson; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 6, 1827, on farm ; remained there until 17 years old, engaged in farming. In 1844, he came with his father to MeLean Co., Ill., settling in Dale Township, in what is now Twin Grove. He remained with his father until 1854, and then began business for himself, on his present farm of 300 acres, which he has prin- cipally earned. Mr. William Wilson, father of A. J. and Edward, was born at Newcastle-upon- Tyne, England. He emigrated to America early [in this century, and stopped for a while at Schenectady, and afterward came up the Mohawk on a flatboat, and landed at what was then known as Bigg's Tavern, now the flourishing city of Utica. Mr. Ed. Wilson has been an active Republican, casting his first vote when 21, and has missed but one vote since in any election. In 1864, was married to Mrs. Lonisa Mcwhorter, of Kentucky. Her father was from Philadelphia, Penn. In 1846, he joined the army to go to the Mexican war. Was rejected on account of lameness. He has held office of schools nine years as Director. Is now Assessor of Dale Township. They have had four children-William L., Esther M., John P .; deceased-Walter C. Stephen A. Mcwhorter, step-son of Mr. Wilson.

A. J. WILSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Bloomington; was born in 1829, Dec. 26, on farm in Madison Co., N. Y .; remained there, farming, until 21; when he was 14 years old, his father moved to Illinois, leaving A. J. with his uncle, Edward Wilson, with whom he made his home until 1850, when he came to Bloomington and engaged in clerking for Betts, Allen & Co., in dry goods, for twelve years. In 1860, he was married to Ellen Cornell, of Providence, R. I. After marriage, they settled in Springfield, Ill., and he clerked for Benjamin & Co., in dry goods store for two years. IIe then returned to McLean Co., and engaged in farming on his present farm of eighty acres ; renting at that time of his father. Sometime afterward he bought, and by improvement has made a most beautiful home. Mr. Wilson, in connection with farming grain, makes a specialty of raising hedge plants. He has held office of School Director fourteen years, Supervisor of Dale Township two terms, is now on third term. They have eight children- Nellic, Charlie, Edward, Elizabeth, Abby, Mary, Robert and Frank.

DANVERS TOWNSHIP.

IRA ABBOTT, dry goods and groceries, Danvers ; was born in Bath, Grafton Co., N. H., Feb. 17, 1828. His early life was that of a farmer's son. In addition to his common-school education, he attended select schools of a high grade, at Newbury and St. Johnsbury, Vt. In 1851, he came West to Missouri, and engaged in farming, near the present town of Dalton. In the fall of 1853. he went south to Louisiana, and engaged in gardening, near the city of New Orleans. In May, 1854, he settled in Danvers, McLean Co., Ill., where he has since resided. Here he engaged in merchandising, an t has been conducting the dry goods and grocery business longer than any other merchant in the village. He was married, in 1851, to Martha F. Stange, of Lynchburg, Va. Six children-five boys and one danghter-have been born to them-Rob- ert, George, Arthur, Frank, Mary, Walter. Of these, Frank and Walter are dead. Mr. Abbott was appointed Postmaster in 1861, under the administration of A. Lincoln. Under the reign of Andy Johnson, he was ousted, but re-appointed under the administration of U. S. Grant, and has since held the position. Mr. Abbott has always taken a deep interest in whatever tended to the improvement and advancement of the interests of his village, and has always been liberal in furthering its various enterprises.

S. W. BAKER, lumber merchant, Danvers; was born in Westfield, Essex (now Union) Co., N. J., May 11, 1830. His early life was spent in farm labor, and his education secured at the common schools. In 1832, his father moved to the immediate vicinity of Elizabeth City, N. J., and here S. W. grew up to manhood. At the age of 16, he went to New York City, to learn his trade-that of a mason. He served an apprenticeship of four years. At the age of 23, he returned to New Jersey, remaining till the spring of 1860, when he came West, and, Aug. 17, 1860, located in Danvers. He followed his trade nine years. In 1869, he bought ont. the gro- cery and hardware store of George Baun, and conducted the business till September, 1876. He then sold to J. S. Yoder. In January, 1875, he had purchased the lumber yard of Mr. Fordyce, and this he has since operated. He was married, March 17, 1853, to Elizabeth Cory, a native of New York City. Five children have been born to them-Aaron T., Ilenry, Mary, and two dying in infancy. Has held the office of Town Trustee five terms. Owns eighty-five acres of land, town property, lumber yard, and is financially solid. He has met with good success in his various business enterprises, and is a thorough-going business man.

GEORGE BUNN, dealer in groceries, real estate and loan agent, Danvers ; was born in Ross Co., Ohio, May 20. 1832. His early life was spent in attendance upon the graded schools of Adelphi, his native village At the age of 16 years, he attended upon his father's warerooms,

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in the capacity of clerk and book-keeper. His father was a cabinet-maker by trade. In 1849, the family moved to Bloomington, Ill. In 1851, he entered the employ of Newman & Co., as clerk in their dry goods store. In 1852, he went to Vermont, Fulton Co., in a like capacity, in the employ of Stevens & Wining. In 1854, he came to Danvers, and was connected with the general store of T. J. Bunn one and one half years. He next formed a copartnership with Gen. E. N. Banks, and engaged in the sale of furniture in Petersburg, Menard Co., one and one-half years. In 1857, he returned to Vermont, Fulton Co., and, in company with a Mr. Swartz, engaged in the sale of furniture for the space of five years. In 1862, he went to Macomb, and was in the same business one year. In 1864, he returned to Danvers. Here he has since been engaged in active mercantile life. At one time, he operated a general store, was partner in a boot and shoe store, and also operated a grocery store. He has equipped and started more stores than any other citizen of the village, and has done more to advance the interests of the village than any other one man within her limits. In 1879, he engaged in the real estate and loan business. He was married, Ang. 1, 1854, to Ellen N. Reyburn, a native of Illinois. Has had six children-Adie, Etta, Harry, Eddie. Frank and Nellie. Of these, Adie is dead. He was commissioned a Notary l'ublic, July 13, 1878, by Gov. S. M. Cullom. Has been a member of the Board of Village Trustees six or seven terms, and President of the Board four terms ; also Director of the Village Schools three terms. Since 1876, in connection with his merchandising, he has bought and shipped grain largely. He is a successful. active, energetic business man, and has given his best energies to further the interests of the village.

JACOB COOPER ; farmer, P. O. Danvers; was born in Hardy Co., Va., Jan. 12, 1827. When 9 years of age, he came with his parents to Greene Co., Ohio. Here he grew to manhood, receiving rather a limited education at the common schools. At his majority, he began life for himself as a farmer. In 1849, he came West to Illinois, and settled near the site of his present residence. Soon after coming, he purchased forty acres. This he has increased by successive purchases, until he now owns three hundred and seventy acres. He was married Oct. 9, 1848. to Mary J. Pierce, a native of Indiana. The same minister officiated at his nuptials that performed the marriage ceremony for his bride's father and mother. He has five children-Charles W., Margaret E., Louisa B., Parizade D., Henry F. When Mr. Cooper landed at what was to be his future home. he had a cash capital of but $22; but, with a stout heart and willing hands, he set about the work of gaining a livelihood, and by industry and good management, he has acquired a desirable competency for himself and family.

H. I. DEAL, farmer ; P. O. Danvers; was born in Waynesboro, Augusta Co., Va., Oct. 13, 1817. He is the son of John and Ellen (Imboden ) Deal. His father was a tanner by trade. Young Deal attended the village schools until 14 years of age. He worked upon the farm owned by his father for the space of four years. At the age of 18, he began the saddler's trade, and served an apprenticeship of three years in the village of Greenville. Ile followed his trade about twenty-five years. In the fall of 1849, he came to McLean Co., Ill., and settled on the farm now owned by J. L. Shorthose, purchasing at that time 140 acres of land In 1851, he sus- tained an injury in the fracture of his left leg, and was thereby rendered unable to follow farm- ing for some years. He rented his farm for some time, moved to Danvers (then Concord), and again worked at his trade. In 1857, he purchased a stock of dry goods and groceries and engaged in merchandising about two years. He purchased his present farm in 1861, improved it, and moved to it in 1864. He was married Jan: 2, 1841, to Catharine G. Swope, a native of Virginia. Four children have been born to them-John H., Elizabeth M., James H., Ella E. Of these, John H. and Elizabeth M. are deceased. Owns 171 acres, valued at $11,000. Has held the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years. His finely-improved farm is in perfect keeping with those of his surrounding neighbors.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 145

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