The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 150

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 150

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

ANCHOR TOWNSHIP.

W. H. ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Lexington ; was born July 26, 1840, in Jennings Co., Ind .; in 1855, he came with his father to McLean Co., Ill., settling south of Bloomington, in what is now Randolph Township. remaining there two years ; in 1858, he settled on his father's farm, near the head of Mackinaw, staying there until 21 years old ; he then taught school for some ten years, teaching all that time in two places ; in his 21st year, he attended college at Eureka, Ill .; he has been no office-seeker, but has been connected with schools. He was married, Dec. 25, 1863, to Charity Williams, a native of Ohio; they moved to Illinois, and engaged in farming ; in 1865, he settled on his beautiful farm of 170 acres, lying on the banks of the Mackinaw, which he obtained entirely by his own efforts. They have two children-Jobn M. and Nettie P.

R. H. ARNOLD, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Potosi ; was born Jan. 12, 1835, in Perry Co , Ohio ; when quite a child, his father removed to Licking Co., Ohio, remaining there until 17 years of age, when he came to McLean Co ; settling at White Oak, he engaged in farming ; he moved from there to Tazewell Co., remaining one year ; then removing to White Oak, where he remained until 1866-67, at which time he was engaged in a grist-mill in Tazewell Co., owned by his father ; was also in a mill at White Oak six years. In 1867, he moved to his present farm of eighty acres, given him by his father. He has been Pathmaster, and does his own carpen- tering, masonry and plastering. Mr. Arnold was married on Sept. 30, 1856. to Polly Benson, who is a native of McLean Co .: they have seven children, viz., Mary A., Charles E., Liddie A., Lucy M., Nancy J .. Charity P. and Willie A.

A. CLAYPOOL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O Gibson ; was born Oct. 14, 1828, in Mus- kingum Co., Ohio ; he remained there until 1856, farming for his father until 1851, when he was married to Elizabeth Simpson, who is a native of Ohio. Immediately after marriage, he settled on his father's farm, remaining there five years ; he then came to McLean Co., Ill., settling on Mr. Orendorff's farm, remaining there during the winter ; in the mean time, renting a farm of Mr. Colvin and remaining there eight years ; he moved from there to Blue Mound, remaining two years, at the expiration of which time he settled on his present farm of eighty acres. He has been connected with the schools for twenty years, and has been Collector two terms, and is now on his third term. Mr. Claypool is 50 years old, and never had a lawsuit. They have nine children, viz., Josephine, Austin, Ottawa, Ella, Ruth, James, Alethia and Blanche living, and Arl R., deceased.

P. J. DECKER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Potosi; was born Feb. 9. 1836, in Philadel- phia, Penn., and moved from there with his father to York Co., Penn., remaining there seven years, when he moved to New York City, staying there six years, moving thence to York Co., Penn., where he remained some time : then emigrated to Livingston Co., Ill., engaging in farming and working for Mr. B. Walton for two years. He was married, in 1866, to Mary E. Austin, who was born Dec. 28, 1849, in Richmond Co., Va .; after marriage, they managed the farm of Mr. Wal- ton, and then moved to Fairbury, remaining there one year; from Fairbury, they came to the present farm of eighty acres, earned entirely by their own labor and management. He has held town offices, worked at stone and brick laying, and has taught five terms of school in Pennsyl- vania : he ran a planing-mill one year in Jersey City, managed the packing department of a soap factory, and worked two years in a saw-mill in Wrightsville, Penn. They have five children- Charles H., born Oct. 26, 1868; Jennie, July 16, 1872; Philip .J .. Jan. 17, 1876 ; Edward L., Feb. 15, 1878; Albert. Jan. 16, 1874.

J. A. ESPY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Garda ; was born in Pennsylvania July 6, 1829; he remained in Pennsylvania, working on a farm, until 20 years old, at which time he moved to Peoria, Ill., engaging with his brother in the boot and shoe business for four years : he then moved to Tazewell Co., engaging in farming for one year: from there to Peoria Co., farming there for fourteen years ; from there he located on his present farm, in Anchor Township, of eighty acres, which he earned entirely by his own labor and management. He was married the first time to Martha Fry, a native of Pennsylvania, Feb. 22, 1855: there were six children by this union-Mary E., Isabella F., Winfield. S., William E., David E. and Charles E. His second marriage occurred Oct. 4, 1871 : two children were the fruit of this union. He has been Path- master and connected with the schools as Director. Ile has followed chair-making and painting ; was agent for State map of Pennsylvania and one of North America and Europe : was also agent for a book entitled " Beyond the Mississippi."

NATHAN HINSHAW, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Garda : was born March 19, 1831, in McLean Co., Ill .: he remained there for some time, working on the farm : thence to Mosquito Grove, and staid there some sixteen years ; in 1874, he setiled on his present farm of 320 acres, earned principally by his own labor and management : he has made good improve- ments in the way of building a handsome little cottage and barn. He has been no office- secker, but has been connected with the schools as Director. He was married, Jan. 3, 1858, to

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ANCHOR TOWNSHIP.

Philura J. Endecott, a native of Posey Co .. Ind .; they have five children-Mary C., born Dec. 18, 1858 ; Malinda E .. Jan. 4, 1861 : Emma J., Feb. 15, 1864 ; Hannah F., July 13, 1869 : James A., April 28, 1876.

CAPT. S. P. HOWELL, farmer and stock-raiser : P O. Saybrook : was born Dec. 23, 1837, in Licking Co., Ohio ; remained there, working on a farm, until 1852, when he moved West, settling in MeLean Co., near Bloomington ; worked for his father on a farm until 1869, when he settled on the present farm of three sections, equal to 1,920 acres, which is managed by himself and brothers. lle was in the civil war, enlisting in Co. 1, 94th I. V. 1 ; was Second and First Lieutenant and Captain of Co. 1. struggling for three long years for our noble land, saved by Washington and redeemed by Lincoln. Was married Feb. 8, 1872, to Mary L. Brooke, born in Pennsylvania Oct. 23, 1848 : they have three children-Nellie, Brooke and Mannie.

GEORGE IIESTER, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Saybrook ; was born May 28, 1842, in London, England. In 1845. he moved with his parents to Knox Co., Ill., traveling by team from Chicago. In 1856, he moved to Galesburg, Knox Co., remaining there some time. lle left home March 1, 1861, and enlisted in the 13th Regt. Ill. Cav. ; remained over three years. He then engaged in the nursery business, working for $30 to $100 per month, and was engaged some ten years. On Dec. 24, 1875, he was married to Mary A. Pirkey, and settled on his pres- ent farm of 120 acres, earned entirely by his own labor and management. Ile has been Path- master, and was First Sergeant and Second Lieutenant by commission. He is a member of the Christian Church ; his wife also belonged to that denomination ; she died, deeply lamented. April 10, 1878.

JOHN N. KING, farmer and stock-raiser: P. O. Saybrook ; was born Feb. 3, 1828, in Champaign Co., Ohio ; emigrating to Illinois, he settled in Logan Co., remaining some time ; moving from there to Sangamon Co., at which place his father died, leaving him in care of a widowed mother. Some time after, his mother married, and they moved to Logan Co., settling on a farm. He went from there to llavanna, Ill., by ox-wagon, and took steamboat, bound for Cincinnati ; went thence to Dayton, then to Champaign by wagon, and settled in Clark Co .. remaining there until 21 years old, when he came West on horseback, stopping in Smith's Grove. Sept. 10, 1850, he began working by the month, at $13, for A. R. Jones. In 1851, he taught school, afterward working for Jones, and was married Nov. 9, 1851, to Mary White, of Ohio. Ilis first winter after marriage, he made rails and farmed ; the next summer for himself; then taught three terms of school in succession ; locating then on forty acres west of Smith's Grove, remaining some time. Afterward bought 160 acres in Anchor Township, paying cash, settling on it in 1868, which he has made into a magnificent home. The yard is most beautifully arranged with evergreens and mounds of well-selected rocks. He has been Supervisor, Commis- sioner, Justice of the Peace, Overseer of Poor, and is now in the sixth year as Trustee of Anchor Township, and has been connected with the schools. They have had six children-Olando, Scevolia R., George E., Effie ; deceased-Mary and John N.

C. W. KINGSTON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Garda; was born Sept. 9, 1836, in Woodford Co., Ill, remaining there nntil 1868, when he removed to his present farm, in Anchor Township, of 180 acres, which, through his energy and skillful management, has made an ele-

gant and magnificent home. Hle started on the ocean of life, and unfurled his sails to an untried breeze, and as a shallop, which sailed out of harbor noiselessly and unnoticed, has anchored safely in port. Ile has held offices connected with schools, and has been Pathmaster. Was married, in 1865, to Miss Cameron, a native of Virginia. They have six children, viz .. Elizabeth B., Jennie S., Alice B., Beecher L., Llewellyn, Clark C. Mr. Kingston, the father of C. W. Kingston, makes a home with his son, Mrs. Kingston having died in 1864.

MRS. E. D. KNIGHT, farmer and stock-raiser : P. O. Potosi ; was born Dec. 27, 1831, in McLean Co., Ill. Moses H. Knight, her late husband, was born June 30, 1830, in Vermont, and when he was 20 years old, came to McLean Co., and soon after was married to Miss E. D. Ben- son, the present Mrs. E. D. Knight. They engaged in farming a tract of land eight miles north of Bloomington. From there they removed to East White Oak, remaining until October, 1865, when they settled on the present farm of 240 acres, which they earned by their own manage- ment. Mr. Knight was a patentee of a portable fence, a teacher of rare attainments, and had labored for 20 years as a minister of the Christian denomination. His services were generally free. Only a few months have passed since his generous soul took its eternal flight, and his death was greatly mourned by all his friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Knight has managed the affairs of the farm since his death, and it would be doing the deceased an injustice not to say that he was kind and generous to his family, and went through all his labors unostentatiously and with his best efforts. Thus passed away a noble man. They have had ten children, viz., Mary A. (deceased), William B., Samuel H. (deceased), Alice, Winton C., Hattie A., James P. (deceased), Orrin II., James B., and Lois E.

R. II. MADDOX, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Saybrook ; was born in Virginia April 30, 1823. When he was 5 years old, his father moved to Perry Co., Ohio, settling on a farm, and remaining there ten years. He then moved, with his father, to Licking Co., Ohio, and stayed there twenty years. From thence he came to McLean Co., engaging in farming, and renting of Martin Arnold and R. Brown. Hle moved from there to Peoria, and rented land for two years.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

In 1869, he settled on the beautiful little farin of eighty acres, which he now possesses, earned entirely by his own manual labor. He was married, in 1852, to Elizabeth Tobing, of Virginia ; they have had four children, viz., John B., Mary E. and Margaret J. and Lucy A. (deceased).

S. M. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Burr Oaks; was born Oct. 13, 1848, in Monongalia Co., Va. Lived there until 20 years old. when he came with his father to Woodford Co., Ill. Engaged in working on a farm for " Representative" J. Ranney, for four years, at $25 per month. On Dec. 24, 1871, he was married to Mary J. Mundell, a native of Woodford Co., who was born Oct. 8, 1856. Immediately after their marriage, they settled on Mr. Mundell's farm, remaining there six years. In 1877, he took a trip to the East, and, in 1878, made another tour for the purpose of making a home, when he made the wise choice of a very fine farm of 160 acres in Anchor Township, situated on the banks of the beantiful Macki- naw. They have three children-Charles A., born Dec. 6, 1872; James A., Sept. 13 1874 ; Maudie M., Feb. 14, 1877.

E. C. SUMMERS, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Burr Oaks; was born Feb. 23, 1837, in Darke Co., Ohio, on a farm ; remained there until 8 years old, when he went with his father to Whiteside Co., Ill. ; remaining there one year, he returned to Darke Co., Ohio, remaining, there three years ; in 1846, he moved to Jasper Co., Ind., engaging in farming with his father for two years ; from thence to Shelby Co., Ill., where he engaged in farming for one year ; his next move was to Tazewell Co., Ill., and tilled the soil until 1861, when he moved to the southwestern part of McLean Co. ; he now lives on a beautiful farm in Anchor Township, of 280 acres. His first marriage to Mary J. Paugh occurred in 1858; they had four children-Harry, Lawson, Clara and Charles. On the 22d of March, 1872, his first wife died ; he was married the second time to Maggie Perry, of Ohio. lle has held offices connected with the schools, and is at present Super- visor of Anchor Township. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. F. 106th I. V. I., and was in the war three years.

J. C. SWARTZLEY, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Garda; was born Jan. 29, 1836, on a farm in Augusta Co., Va., remaining there twenty years; removing thence to Woodford Co., Ill., engaging in farming and teaching, and has taught the winters and part of the summers of eighteen years ; he left Woodford Co. in 1858, and went to Missouri, remaining there until 1860, when he was married, Oct. 2, to Jennie L. Cameron, of Missouri, and returned to Woodford Co., and engaged in farming and teaching : in 1868, he moved to McLean Co. and settled on his present farm of eighty acres, sitnated in what is now Anchor Township. He has made this beautiful little home by his own skillful management. He has held the office of School Trustee nine years ; Assessor, five years; Collector, two years; Town Clerk, nine years, and is at present Clerk of Anehor Township ; he is an ornament to the community, honest and upright in all his dealings, and has made a host of friends ; they have seven children-Willie H., Maggie D., Anna Belle, Ella V., Alice L., George L. and Jessie N.

J. M. URBAN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Gibson ; was born Oct. 11, 1838, in Lan- caster Co., Penn .; he was engaged, during his early years, as a farmer, and at an early date he began teaching school, and taught several terms; in 1866, he came to McLean Co., settling west of Bloomington, and renting the farm of Henry Sholty; leaving there, he bought and settled on the present farm of 160 acres, which he has converted into a very desirable farm, admired by all who see it. In August, 1862, he went at his country's call to war for the Union, entering as a Corporal and leaving as a Sergeant. He was married in 1866, to Fannie Stoner, a resident of Ohio ; he has been connected with schools, and is now in his third term as Commissioner. He made a profession of religion in 1867; has made quite a liberal donation for church building. They have five children-Levina M., born Dec. 16, 1866 ; Willie S., June 6, 1868 : Samantha J., Jan. 12, 1870; Benjamin HI., April 12, 1873; Charles C., April 12, 1876.

T. J. WAKEFIELD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Gibson; was born Aug. 7, 1842, in Tazewell Co., Ill .; lived there until the war broke out, when he entered as a private, enlisting in Co. B, 73d Ill. Regt .; he was three years in service, and was engaged partly in Sherman's march ; after returning from the war, he engaged in farming in McLean Co., near Towanda, and remained there three years ; he then went to Blue Mound and engaged in farming ; in 1864, he bought the present farm of eighty acres, earned entirely by his own labor and management ; he has worked at carpentering and masonry, and sometimes works at plastering; in the winter time, engages in public work, shelling corn. He was married, in 1869, to Mary E. Parr, a native of Ohio; they have no children. Mr. Wakefield built his own cosy little cottage, and there enjoys a happy home.

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CROPSEY TOWNSHIP

CROPSEY TOWNSHIP.

J. C. ARNOLD, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Potosi; was born in 1839, in Licking Co., Ohio, and, in 1853, settled in MeLean Co., Ill .; remained there nntil 1857, then moved to Tazewell Co., aud there engaged in farming : in 1859. he moved to White Oak, and remained until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G, of the 17th I. V. I .; he was in the service over three years, and became a Corporal. After returning from the war, he married Susanna Benson, who was born in 1844, and soon bought 120 acres-a farm, choice and well-improved, and watered by excellent springs ; the house is situated among thousands of beautiful forest and fruit trees ; he has held offices connected with the schools, and is, at present, Highway Commissioner ; they have eight children-Ruth V., born Sept. 19, 1865; Ada J., March 18, 1867; Alta G., Oct. 20, 1868; John S., April 24, 1871; Jesse H., April 19, 1873 ; Moses E., Feb. 9, 1878; two deceased -James M. and Otis L.

G. W. FRESHCORN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Potosi ; was born Nov. 20, 1811, in Chester Co., Penn., and lived there until 1856, when he came to McLean Co., buying and settling on his present farin of 155 acres, which he earned principally by his own labor and management ; he was a wagon-maker and worked under the supervision of his father in Chester Co., Penn. Ile has been no office-seeker, but has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Assessor, Commissioner and has been connected with the schools ; he is a minister of the M. E. Church, and was mar- ried, in 1847, to Catharine Gayman, a resident of Chester Co., Penn .: they have five children- Fannie, Mary, George F., Wesley J. and Clara; Clara is a teacher of rare attainments. This fine old gentleman has made home happy by the associations of literature and art.

A. W. GREEN, M. D., physician and merchant, Potosi ; was born Jan. 26, 1842, in Jeť- ferson Co., Ind., where he remained until 16 years old, when he came to McLean Co., Ill .; here he remained until 1861, when he moved to Clay Co., Ill .; was there until 1864; he had been engaged in farming and teaching for two years, and was reading medicine ; in 1864, he was in the army, enlisting in the 136th I. V. I. ; was Orderly and First Duty Sergeant ; after his return from the war, he proceeded with the study of medicine; attended Rush Medical College, at Chicago, in 1865-66; returned home and began business with a capital of 80 cents; he lived with David Crun nearly three years ; he bought land, and began building the town of Potosi, laying it out in 1869; he began with a drug store, and his business now includes dry goods and general notions ; he is also Postmaster; he has held town offices. He practices medicine in addition to his merchandising ; also, is in the ministry of the Christian denomination, with four regular places of appointment. He was married in 1869, to R. Sophia Luse, a native of Ohio ; he has two children-Arthur L., born Oct. 15, 1870, and Effie A., Feb. 29, 1872. July 13, 1878, his wife niet her death by an accident; she was driving out in the city of Bloomington, when the horse becoming frightened, ran, throwing her out and injuring her so severely that she died the same day.

W. A. KNIGHT, farmer and stock-dealer : P. O. Potosi ; was born March 15, 1832, in Rye- gate, Caledonia Co., Vt., where he remained until 19 years old, engaged in farming; he then went to Massachusetts, worked in Lawrence, manufacturing cotton goods; he became a mechanic, and worked at making engines and cotton machinery. In 1854, he went on a farm, and engaged in farming and carpentering. In 1858, he moved to White Oak, MeLean Co .; engaged in farm- ing with his brother, M. H. Knight. In 1868, he settled on his present farm of eighty acres, where he has been ever since. Was married May 6, 1853, to H. M. Moore, of Massachusetts ; they have thirteen children-Fred W., Elizabeth J., Alfred T., Frank E., Clara J., Mary E., Ralph H., R. Ella, Engene E., Bert. II., William E., Minnie A., Jesse L. He has not had a doc- tor for sixteen years, and has done his own practicing. The children are all living. Ile has been Collector, Town Clerk, Pathmaster, and connected with the schoo's. He now manages a large farm, and practices somewhat in medicine.

D. B. MEEKER, farmer ; P. O. Potosi ; was born Oet. 8, 1845, in Indiana, and moved, when young, to Tazewell Co., Ill .; remained there until 21 years old, working on the farm for his father; In 1870, he settled on the present farm of 840 aeres, owned by his father, Moses R. Mceker, which he and his brother, E. B. Meeker, manage and control. Mr. D. B. Meeker was married Feb. 18, 1873, to Sarah Jane Zumwalt, a native of Indiana. Immediately after marriage, they settled on his father's farm, which he has taken much pleasure in improving. He has two chil- dren-Arthur, born April 25, 1874, and Nellie May, born Nov. 27, 1877.

E. MERRILL, farmer; P. O. Potosi : was born Sept. 7, 1830, in Wayne Co., N. Y .; remained there until 14 years old, then moved to Chautauqua, N. Y., and engaged in farming, remaining there until 1853 ; he then moved to MeLean Co., Ill., and worked a farm as renter, for ten years, and also worked five years at carpentering. In 1868, he bought and set- tled the present farm of 640 acres. He has held such town offices as Assessor and Commissioner. He was married, in 1852, to Fanny Brigham, of Chautauqua, N. Y. They have nine children- Alice, born Feb 20, 1856 : Jay, Nov. 14, 1859 ; Rollan, Oct. 1, 1860; Delia, Dec. 2, 1362 ; Vina,

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

Nov. 17, 1864 ; Forest, April 21, 1866 ; Lee, May 8, 1868; Conwell, Aug. 10, 1870; Sanford, March 29, 1874.

WILLIAM STICKLER, farmer and teacher ; P. O. Potosi : was born Sept. 13, 1847, in Lan- caster Co., Penn. : when quite young. he moved with his parents to Champaign Co., Ohio, set- tling on a farm : while there his father died. Soon afterward they moved to Livingston Co., Ill , and settled on a farm ; they remained there some years, and from there moved to McLean Co., settling on the present farm of eighty acres, which they have made a cheerful home. He is now Assessor. He is a carpenter by trade, and carries it on in connection with farming. He is a teacher of rare attainments, and has taught in three districts ; in the first, for one term ; second, five terms ; third, four terms ; he has taught the home school four terms, and is engaged for next year. He was married April 16, 1874, to Maria Crumbaker, a native of Coshocton Co., Ohio. They have one child-Maggie Ellen, born Jan. 16, 1875.

JOHN STRAESSER, farmer; P. O. Potosi ; was born in Blair Co., Penn., Dec. 18, 1843; when quite young, he moved, with his father, to Peoria Co., Ill .; remaining there, engaged in farming for twenty years ; in 1866, he left home and came to McLean Co., buying and settling the present farm of 160 acres. He has been no office-seeker, but has been Pathmaster and con- nected with the schools. His father was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1802, and served twelve years in the war. Mr. J. Straesser has never been married.

L. TERPENING, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Potosi; was born, June 15, 1809, in Herkimer Co., N. Y .; remained there until 1854, when he came to De Kalb Co., Ill., settling on a farm which he bought, and where he remained eleven years ; he then sold out and moved to McLean Co., settling in Cropsey Township, where he has lived ever since. He was an overseer of workmen of the Erie Canal for eight years ; was also a manufacturer of powder for two years, in New York : he was also a distiller for some time, in Frankfort, N. Y. He was married, in 1825, to Elizabeth Clapsaddle, a native of New York. They have three children-Mary, born Sept. 2, 1829; Margaret, March 29, 1833; Henry L., April 30, 1836.

J. B. VAN PETTEN, farmer ; P. O. Potosi ; was born Jan. 1, 1855, in Peoria Co., Ill., where he remained until 1869, when he came to McLean Co., Ill., and settled on his present farm. Thomas W. Van Petten, his father, died in 1862, leaving a snug fortune with Mrs. E. Van Petten, who has managed it. They have 240 acres, excellently improved, the greater part of it now being under the management of J. B. Van Petten. They have had nine children-William, Veeder, Spencer, Lydia, Henry, Sabra, J. B .; Archie and Ella (deceased ). Mrs. E. Van Petten was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1824; Mr. Thomas W. Van Petten was born in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1819.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 150

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