The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 149

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 149

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SIMEON LANTZ, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Oak Grove; one of the early settlers of the county ; was born in Mifflin Co., Penn., Sept. 16, 1829; came to this State in 1849, and settled in McLean Co., in 1853. In 1856, he married Miss Mary Plank, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 16, 1838. They have had eight children, viz., Milo, Lyman, Nancy, Selina, Ellen, Lydia, Simon and John. Sinee Mr. Lantz's residence in this township, he has held the office of Supervisor three terms. His farm consists of 320 aeres, valued at $14,000.

JOSEPHI K. MILLER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington; one of the early settlers of the county, was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 1844. He is the son of Mr. Michael Miller (now deceased ) and Magdalena King. They were married in Baden, Germany, and came to the United States in 1834. and settled in Ohio, where Joseph was born. He came to Illinois, from his native State, with his father's family, and settled in McLean Co. in 1852. Ilis mother still resides with him, at the advanced age of 79 years. Their farm consists of 198 aeres, valued at $10,000. Mr. Joseph Miller was married, in this State, June 24, 1872, to Miss Lizzie Mast, who was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1854. They have two children, viz., William and Bertha.

DICK MCCULLOUGH, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Bloomington; one of the natives of Illinois ; was born in McLean Co. Feb. 2, 1848 ; he is the son of Mr. Alexander Mccullough, now deceased, who was an early settler of the county, and the grandson of Mr. Peter Mccullough, also deceased, who it is said was the first permanent settler in Dry Grove. With the exception of fourteen years spent in Texas and New York, and elsewhere, Mr. MeCullough, the subject of this sketch, has been a resident of MeLean Co .: his principal pursuits since boyhood have been those of a farmer and stock-raiser ; in boyhood, he received a liberal education, and a part of his life has been spent in teaching. He was married in the State of Texas to Miss Emma C. Rogers, who was born in that State Feb. 1, 1858. His farm consists of 120 acres, valued at $7,000.

ELEAZER MUNSELL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Bloomington ; one of the very early and prominent settlers : was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, July 28, 1824 ; he removed from his native

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State with his father's family to Indiana, in 1831, and, in 1837, they removed to Illinois, and settled in McLean Co. Mr. Munsell now owns and resides upon the farm his father, Roswell Munsell, now deceased, purchased partially from the Government, and the balance at second-hand ; it now consists af 280 acres, valued at $17,000. Since Mr. Munsell's residence in this county he has served the township in filling a number of township offices; he is at present writing Assessor for the township. He was married in this State to Miss Zerilda Perry, who was born in Kentucky, and removed to this State in 1836. Her father, Mr. John Perry, who was an early and prominent settler, is also deceased. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Munsell consists of seven children-Milan, Stephen A., Zerilda, John R., Josephine, Minnie W. and Eleazer Austin.

JOHN A. MUSICK, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Bloomington ; one of the natives of Illi- nois; was born in Logan Co. Feb. 8, 1851 ; he is the son of Mr. John Music, now deceased, who was an early settler in Illinois. Mr. Musick came to McLean Co. and settled in Dry Grove Town- ship, in 1875. In 1875, he was married to Miss Belle Munsell, who was born in Dry Grove Township, McLean Co., Ill., July 3, 1857. They have one child-George, born Sept. 1, 1876. Their farm consists of fifty-seven and one-half acres. valued at $4,000. Mr. Musick is now serv- ing the township as School Director in Dictrict No. I : it is the only public office that he has yet held.

JOSIAH MYERS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Bloomington; was born in Circleville, Ohio, June 7, 1839; came to this State with his father's family, and settled in Sangamon Co. in 1856 ; they removed to McLean Co. in 1859, and settled in Dale Township, where Mr. Myers was married to Miss Rebecca B. Freeman on the 8th of February, 1861 : she was born in McLean Co., III., Sept. 26, 1840. They have had four children, three of whom are living-Hannibal Hamlin, Samuel L. and Daisie D .; deceased-Jesse. The farm of Mr. Myers consists of sixty- seven and one-half acres, valued at $3,400. Since Mr. Myers' residence in McLean Co., he has held the office of Constable in Dry Grove Township seven years.

JACOB W. NAFZIGER, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Bloomington; one of the early German settlers of the county ; was born in Germany June 26, 1817 ; came to the United States in 1853, and to this State and settled in McLean Co. in the same year; he resides and has resided on the farm of Mr. Gridley, of Bloomington, two and one-half years ; it consists of 400 acres. He was married in Germany to Miss Elizabeth Naffziger, who was born in Germany May 24, 1822 : they have had seven children, six of whom are living-Ferdinand, Gustav, Lewis, Edward, George and Bertha; deceased-Elizabeth.

WILLIAM PATTON, farmer and stock-raiser: P. O. Hudson : was born in Somerset Co., Penn., Nov. 1, 1829; he is the son of the late Robert Patton, deceased : Mr. Patton came to this State in 1877, and settled in McLean Co. in the same year. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Matilda Hutzel, who was born in Somerset Co., Penn., Dec. 4. 1837; they have seven children living and one dead ; the names of the living are Adam, John W., Claretta, Robert, Harvey, George and Edward : deceased-Nancy.

FRED. SAGERT, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Bloomington : was born in Germany Oct. 5, 1846 : came to the United States in 1872, and to this State and settled in McLean Co., in the same year : his farm consists of 100 acres. He was married, in 1872, on leaving his native country, to Miss Mary Damlov, who was born in Germany June 10, 1846 : they have three chil- dren-Mena, Mary and Albert. Mr. Sagert was a participant in the late war between Germany and France ; he was a volunteer and served one year, when the war ended and he was dis- charged with honor.

JOHN SCHENBECK farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Danvers : was born in Germany May 21, 18II ; came to the United States in 1839, and to this State in the same year, when he returned to Ohio : he remained there and in Kentucky until 1858, when he removed to Illinois and settled in McLean Co. : his farm consists of 3623 acres, valued at $16,000. He was married in Ohio Oct. 31, 1841, to Miss Barbara Schertz, who was born in France May 21, 1822 ; they have had seven children, five of whom are living-Anna, Mary, Lizzie, Barbara and Jacob ; deceased-John and Catharine. During Mr. Schonbeck's residence in Kentucky, he held the office of School Director and Road Overseer.

JOIIN HI. SIHRK, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Danvers; was born in Pennsylvania May 3, 1828; came to this State and settled in McLean Co. in 1856. Ile was married in the same year to Miss Rebecca Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 18, 1824 ; they have had three children, two of whom are living-John A. and Emma E .; deceased, an infant. The farm of Mr. Shirk consists of eighty acres, valued at $4,000: since his residence in this county, he has held the office of School Director four years.

J. L. SHORTHOSE, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Danvers; was born in Staffordshire, Eng., A. D. 1827 ; his early life was passed upon the farm, and his education procured at the common schools. At the age of 16 years, he entered a wholesale crockery house in London as clerk, and served an apprenticeship for six years ; he emigrated to America in July, 1849, stop- ping for a season in Zanesville, Ohio ; in the fall of 1851, he came to Illinois, and was, for a short time, a resident of Peoria County ; in the winter of 1852, he came to Danvers, McLean Co., and purchased a half-interest in the saw-mill : bought lots and built a residence : in the fall of 1853,

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he moved to his present farm, having traded his village property for 145 acres of land, paying the difference in cash ; now owns 448 acres in Dry Grove and Danvers Townships, worth $25,000. Ile was married Sept. 12, 1851, to Eleanor Frazier, a native of Ohio ; five sons and three daugh- ters have been born to them-Alice (now the wife of James Dickinson), Andrew R., Josie (widow of Thomas Sheridan), John L., Thomas H., Belle, Frank and Willie; John L. was drowned in the Mackinaw a few years ago, while in bathing. Mr. Shorthose deals quite exten- sively in blooded cattle, and a fine grade of hogs. He has held the office of Highway Commis sioner, and that of School Director some seven or eight terms. He has revisited his native land twice since coming to America.

JONAS SILL, farmer and breeder of fine stock ; P. O. Bloomington ; one of the early and prominent settlers ; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April 10, 1819; came to this State and set- tied in McLean Co. in 1856. Ile was married in his native State, in 1842, to Miss Theresa Boyer, who was born in Somerset Co., Penn., Oct. 2, 1820; they have four children-William Il., Elizabeth, Catherine and Daniel Martin. The farm of Mr. Sill consists of 266 acres, valued at $14,000 ; since his residence in this county, he has held office of Township Clerk two terms, and Road Commissioner five years. In 1875, he made a trip to Europe, for the purpose of importing horses to America ; while there, he visited London, Paris, Scotland, and all the prin- cipal countries of the old world ; on his departure for America, he brought with him four fine horses, three of which he still possesses.

R. E. STRIMPLE, farmer ; P. O. Bloomington ; one of the early and prominent settlers of the township ; was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1819; moved from his native place to Illinois, with his and his father's family, and settled in Pike Co. in 1849. lIc was married in 1841, to Miss Annie McCune, of Clermont Co., Ohio; they have six children-William O., James A., Charles J., Laura A., Samuel O. and Emma F. Since Mr. Strimple's residence in this town- ship, le has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years ; Supervisor several years ; and is, at present, Township School Treasurer and Supervisor ; during his residence in Pike Co., he served as Justice of the Peace three years ; he was also one of the Committee on the poor farm, and one of the special committee of the building for the insane of McLean Co. Ilis farm, which consists of 300 acres, is valued at $15,000. He is, at present, Justice of the Peace.

MRS. SUSIE H. STOUT, retired, Bloomington ; one of the first settlers of the township ; was born in Tennessee May 30, 1813 ; came to this State, and settled with her parents in McLean Co., in 1824, since which time both her parents have died ; their names were Jacob and Mary Henshaw. Mrs. Stout was married in Illinois to Mr. Amasa Stout (now deceased), who was born in Tennessee March 1, 1799, and who died in 1872 ; they have had four children-George, Jacob. Mary and Eleck. Mrs. Stout is now one of the oldest living settlers in McLean Co.

WHITE OAK TOWNSHIP.

W. J. BALDRIDGE, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Oak Grove ; was born in Cherry Fork, Adams Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1839; in 1852, he came with his parents to this State, his father set- tling in Danvers Township. McLean Co .; he remained with his father till his majority, and then engaged in farming for himself. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 94th Regt. I. V. 1., and served three years ; he participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., the raid to Van Buren, siege of Vicksburg, Ft. Morgan, Spanish Fort. On his return from the army, he again engaged in farm pursuits ; he purchased where he now lives in the fall of 1871, and occu- pied it in 1872. He was married Nov. 21, 1867, to Carrie Wright, a native of Ohio; has five children-Clarence, Myrta, Lucia I., Mary M. and William C. Owns 160 acres, finely improved, and deals largely in cattle and hogs. Ifas held the offices of Road Commissioner, Town Collector, and at present holds the office of Justice of the Peace. Mr. Baldridge is a thorough-going busi- ness man, and a very successful farmer and trader.

F. J. BROWN, farmer and stock-dealer; P. (). Oak Grove; was born in McLean Co., Ill., - May 13, 1832; he is the son of L. and Elizabeth (Jones) Brown; he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and secured only a common-school education ; at his majority, he began life for him- self on the farm where he now lives, settling his homestead in the fall of 1853. He was married, in 1853. to M. A. Sandifer, a native of Illinois ; one child has been born to them-Francis M., deceased. Has held the office of Supervisor of White Oak Township three terms ; that of Assessor, several terms ; Commissioner of Highways, and that of School Director, eight years. No finer improved farm or more desirable location than Mr. Brown's can be found in the township; he owns 230 acres, all in high state of cultivation, valued at not less than $15,000 ; he also devotes considerable attention to the breeding and rearing of Mambrino, Messenger and Morgan horses, and is the owner of a fine lot of roadsters.

ABRAHAM W. CARLOCK, farmer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born April 7, 1800, in Ilampshire Co., W. Va .: his paternal grandfather emigrated to this country from Ger- many and settled in Virginia shortly before the war of the Revolution; while Abraham was an

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infant, his father moved to Overton Co., Tenn., about fifteen miles from Livingston, the county scat ; here he began farming on a small scale. On the 10th day of April, 1825, the subject of this sketch, at the age of 24, married Mary Goodpasture, daughter of John and Margery Good- pasture, of Overton C'o., Tenn .; she was born Jan. 24, 1804; in the spring of 1827, with his wife and two children, he moved to Dry Grove, McLean Co., and, in 1836, having sold his prop- erty, moved to White Oak Township, where he has since resided ; he owns 1,200 acres of land, lying partly in Woodford and partly in MeLean Co .; although his house stands about one hundred yards outside of the line of MeLean Co., he considers himself a McLean Co. man, as nearly all his interests are connected with it. He and his wife have been blessed with a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living, viz., John G. (living in White Oak Township), Madison P. (in Logan Co.), Sarah (now Mrs. George Cranston, of Normal), Mahala (now Mrs. Benjamin Gaddis, in Martinton, Iroquois Co.), Lavina (now Mrs. Ira Rowell, of Danver- Town- ship), William B., Abraham 11. and Margie ; and four deceased-Martha, Reuben, Nancy J. (formerly Mrs. T. W. Brown, of White Oak Township) and Mary. Mr. Carlock is jovial, kind- hearted and hospitable by nature, and has a great many friends. In politics, he is an uncom- promising Democrat ; he east his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and his last for Horace Greeley, because Mr. Greeley was nominated at Baltimore ; he is such a stanch, uncompromising Demo- crat that many people who are unacquainted with his name, know him as the " Old Democrat," and his paper would pass current if signed with that soubriquet ; in religion, he is a Universalist, and believes in the salvation of all mankind. He is full of eccentricities ; he was never known to make a visit, in the strict sense of the word. He is greatly attached to his home and never gets into debt. He has never ridden in a railroad car, a steamboat or even an omnibus.

JOIN G. CARLOCK, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Overton Co., Tenn., Jan. 28, 1826; he is the son of A. W. and Mary (Goodpasture) Carlock ; his parents moved to Morgan Co., Ill., in 1829; the family came to Dry Grove Township, McLean Co., and was there during the winter of the deep snow ; John G. remained at home till he reached the age of 25 years ; his schooling was such only as the pioneer's boy usually obtained, but few men of his age in the county have performed more hard labor than the subject of this sketch ; being the eldest son of the family, he contributed much by his labor and management toward starting his father on the road to wealth. He was married Sept. 5, 1850, to Lucinda Musick, of Logan Co., Ill. ; eight chil- dren have been born to them-Dillard H., George M., Mary L., Richard L., Hester E., S. Ger- trude, John G., Jr., Loran A. He owns a fine farm of 400 acres, backed up by a good bank account ; he took great pride in educating his children, and has expended a large amount of means for their education. Few men in McLean Co. have experienced more mental anguish than has fallen to the lot of Mr. Carlock to endure in the past few years. He has buried one- half of his family-Dillard H., a young man of great promise, a member of the Junior Class in Eureka College, was cut down suddenly in the very flush of manhood ; John G., Jr., and Loran A. followed in quick succession ; Hester E., a bright eyed girl of four summers, was first called away. Mr. Carlock deeply deplores the loss of his children ; he has erected tasteful monuments, with befitting inscriptions, to each one.

R. L. CARLOCK, merchant : Oak Grove; was born in White Oak Township, McLean Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1856 ; he was reared a farmer's son ; having acquired a good English education at the common schools ; in 1875, he entered Eureka College, and attended two sessions ; in Sep- tember, 1876, he entered Eastman's National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated Feb. 20, 1877 ; on his return home, he engaged in farming till September, 1878, when he opened a general merchandise store in Oak Grove. in company with W. L. McNeil, under the firm name of McNeil & Carlock ; Nov. 1, 1878, MeNeil sold his interest to George M. Carlock, and the firm became that of Carlock Bros. ; March 1, 1879, George M. sold his interest to J. H. Swanly, and the present firm of Carlock & Swanly was formed. This is the second store established in the village. He was married, Dec. 19, 1878, to Sallie G. Dunlap, a native of Illinois. The firm of Carlock & Swanly is fast gaining the confidence of the people, and their range of patronage is on the increase. Both members of the firm are promising young business gentlemen, and bid fair to meet with deservedl success.

M. E. DENMAN, farmer and stock-dealer; l'. O. Oak Grove : was born in Licking Co., Ohio, March 2, 1820; his early life was that of a farmer's son ; excepting the summer of 1841. spent in Illinois, he remained with his parents till 23 years of age : in the fall of 1843. he pur- chased a blacksmith's outfit and materials, and began the trade of smithing; this he followed ten years ; in the fall of 1852, he came to White Oak Township, McLean Co .; in the spring of 1853, he pre-empted 265 acres in Hudson Township; this he still owns ; in the fall of 1855, he moved to his land, and began improving it; in 1867, he purchased where he now resides, and occupied it in the spring of 1868. Ile was married, in November, 1842, to Elizabeth B. Smith, a native of Muskingum Co., Ohio; have had twelve children-John H. (Thomas S., Sarah J., twins), Eunice A., Daniel E., Charles L., Belle, living ; Martha F., Elizabeth, two infant daughters, and one infant son, deceased. Has held the office of Commissioner of Highways and School Director. Owns 580 acres, valued at $30,000. When he came West, he had one horse, some household goods and about $350 ; he has been very successful in accumulating property, and is now in the front rank of wealthy men in his township.

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ELISIIA DIXON, farmer ; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Ilampshire Co., Va., June 14. 1809 ; in 1815, his father moved with his family to Ohio, and settled in llarrison Co. ; here Mr. Dixon grew to manhood with the experiences of a pioneer farmer's boy ; his education was limited to the common schools. reading and 'spelling being the chief studies : in 1828, he came West to prospect the country, and, in 1829, his father came with the family and settled in Dry Grove Township, McLean Co., on the farm now owned by Peter Downer; in the winter of 1830. Mr. Dixon came to White Oak Grove and made an improvement where James Johnson now resides ; here he lived nearly forty years ; he then sold his fine farm of 254 aeres, and, in 1869. purchased where he now lives ; owns 120 acres, valued at $6.000. Ile was married in December. 1829, to Mary Brown. a native of Tennessee; she died in 1866; nine children were born to them-William and Eliza Ann (twins), Lucinda, Sarah. John ; four died in infancy. William and John are still living. He has held the offices of Constable, Road Commissioner, and was School Treasurer fourteen years in succession. In 1828, when only 19 years of age, Mr. Dixon voted for Gen. Jackson for President: there were only thirteen votes polled in a district of territory larger than two or three of the smaller New England States.

CHARLES JOHNSTON, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Sussex Co., N. J., July 31, 1814 ; his parents came to Ohio in an early day and settled in Greene Co. : both parents died when he was quite a small boy ; his brother was a distiller, and much of the early life of Mr. Johnston was spent in work in and about the distillery ; on arriving at man- hood, he engaged in farming : in 1849, he came West to Illinois and purchased land in Danvers Township ; this he improved, and, in 1856, sold out and purchased the farm on which he now resides ; he has owned large traets of land at different times, and has accumulated large amounts of money by trading in land and stock. He was married, in 1833, to Rebecca A. Stevenson, of Ohio; nine children resulted from this union, six daughters and three sons-James S . Mary A .. lohn S., Martha .J., Joseph H., Catherine, Rebecca I., Amanda, Sarah. He now owns 385 acres. and has one of the best stock-farms in the county. He has held the office of Supervisor several terms. In 1865, he became afflicted with rheumatism, which has resulted in the partial destruc- tion of his powers of locomotion and speech ; from this, however, he suffers no prin.

A. J. MoWILLIAMS, farmer: P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in November, 1827. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. At his majority, he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. In 1850, he purchased eighty acres of land, and farmed in Ohio till 1854, when he came to Illinois, stopping about two years in Bureau Co. In 1856, he came to MeLean Co., and located on his present homestead. Ile was married, in 1851, to Jane Drennan, a native of Ohio ; has four children-Lon L., Mary E., Ann E .. Melissa. Owns 160 acres, valued at $8,000 ; has held the offices of Township Trustee, Township Clerk, Road Com- missioner, Assessor, etc. lle is the son of John and Mary (Hogue) McWilliams. Mr. McWil- liams is a pleasant gentleman, affable in his manners. and has been very successful in his farm- ing enterprises.

ALBERT WRIGHT, farmer ; P. O. Oak Grove; was born in Adams Co., Ohio, March 19, 1842. In the fall of 1853, his parents came West to Illinois. and settled in White Oak Town- ship, near where he now lives. He was reared a farmer, and received only a common-school education. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 94th Regt. I. V. I., and remained in the service three years. During his term of service, he was never absent from his command, nor missed a single day's duty. He participated in the following battles : Prairie Grove, Ark., siege of Vicksburg, campaigns in Missouri, Banks' Expedition to the Rio Grande, siege of Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, etc. On his return from the army, he began the improvement of his present homestead. He was married, April 14, 1871, to Martha M. Eyer, a native of Butler Co .. Ohio. Has two children-Ada L., Charles A. Has held the office of Supervisor of White Oak Township for the years 1872. 1873, 1874, 1876, 1878 and 1879. He is the son of Samuel and Mary ( Bayless) Wright. Ilis attention is given wholly to agricultural pursuits, and the rearing of stock. Owns 123 acres, finely improved valued at $7.000.

W. H. WRIGHT, farmer ; P. O. Bloomington ; was born in Adams Co., Ohio, May 19, 1839. In the fall of 1853, he came West with the family to Illinois. He remained with his parents till his majority. engaged in farm labor, and receiving his edneation at the common schools. On leaving home, he opened up his farm on See. 35, White Oak Township. Eighty acres of this was given him by his father. This he has increased to 120 aeres. He entered the United States ser- vice as a member of Co. E, 94tl Regt. I. V. I., in August, 1862. He was elected First Lieuten- ant of the Co., but on account of his ill health was forced to resign and quit the service, in April, 1863, Returning from the army, he again engaged in farming, and this he has since con- tinned. He was married, Feb. 25, 1864, to Kate Johnson, a native of Greene Co. Ohio. Has six children-Minnie H., Charles F., Floretta, Ida B., Lula, Ollie. Has held the office of School Trustee two terms. and that of Assessor four terms.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 149

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