The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 90

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 90

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S. BISHOP, A. M., M. D., Bloomington ; another of the physicians of Bloomington of more than ordinary ability, is S. Bishop, A. M., M. D. He is a native of Clark County, Ohio, and was born December 3, 1826. During his early life, he had but little opportunity of attending school, or in other ways procuring an education. Leaving his home at the age of 21, his first move was to go to Chicago, where he began working and attending school. This he followed until 1858, when he became a literary graduate at Madison University. N. Y., and, from the Theological Department of the same institution, he again graduated in the year 1860. Some seven years after this, he began the study of medicine, and attended lectures at the Homoeopathic Medical College, of Missouri, and at the St. Louis College of Homoeopathic Physicians and Surgeons, at which last college he became a graduate of the science of medicine, in 1870. He practiced a short time during 1869-70, in St. Louis, and, in 1870, he went to Moline, Ill., where he located and practiced about five and a half years. In the fall of 1875, he came to Bloomington, where he has since resided and practiced his profession. Ile is a member of the McLean County Homo- pathic Medical Society, and also of the Illinois State Homeopathic Medical Association. He con- tributes now and then to medical journals, and continues to be an enthusiastic student of med- icine, and is a firm believer in the homoeopathic law of cure.

E. H. BLANCHARD, druggist, Bloomington ; among the business men of Bloomington who are thoroughly educated gentlemen, is Mr. E. H. Blanchard, the Chestnut street druggist ; he is a native of Vermont; a graduate of the Middlebury College, also a graduate of the Andover Theological College, of Massachusetts. He was Pastor of the Congregational Church, of Warwick, Mass., for eight years. It was there he became acquainted with Mr. Blaine, and many other prominent men of national reputation, some of whom were members of his church. Ilis health failing. he came West, in 1868, and, in 1869, became the successor of Wm. W. Marmon, by the purchase of the Chestnut Street Drug Store, which he has since conducted successfully. By energy and economy, he has established a fair business, and is well known and respected by many of the prominent citizens of Bloomington.

W. J. BROWNELL, boots and shoes, Bloomington ; among the leading firms in the boot and shoe line, is that of W. J. Brownell, who is a native of Cooperstown, Otsego Co., N. Y. In 1862, he came West, and engaged in the dry goods business, in Bloomington. This business he fol- lowed until 1874, when he sold out, and, in 1875, embarked in the boot and shoe trade, which business he has since successfully operated. His establishment is located at 106 West Washing- ton street. Here he has shown both good taste and judgment in fitting up his store, and in

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buying goods. The second floor is used for manufacturing, and the first as a salesroom, the latter being elegantly furnished with fine carpets, large mirrors and elegant sofas, for the convenience of his lady customers, as his specialty is fine ladies' goods, of which he has a fine assortment, keeping the very finest make, and latest styles of French kid and prunello goods, as well as a fine assortment of children's, misses' and men's light and heavy wear. He is enjoying a good trade, which is the result of his own energy, industry and good financiering.

BLOOMINGTON PORK PACKING COMPANY. In speaking of the business industries of Bloomington, the Bloomington Pork Packing Company deserve more than a passing notice. They began business in the fall of 1873, the firm then being William Van Schoick, George A. Tyner and U. O. Andrus, the firm name being William Van Schoick & Co. In 1877, Mr. N. N. Winslow became a member of the firm, Mr. U. O. Andrus retiring, the firm name changing to Bloomington Pork Packing Company. Their establishment is located close to the I., B. & W. and L. B. & M. Railway Depots, their main building being 124x74, two stories and basement; this is used for slaughtering hogs, pickling hams and salting meats. In connection with this, they have what is known as the Gridley Malt Building ; this building is 140x44, two stories high ; this they use for canvasing and putting up meats for market. Their office, which is a separate building, is located close to both, and to the scales. Their first season's packing, in the winter of 1873-74, was 1, 800 hogs ; since that, they have gradually increased the business, until this season they will slaughter about 16,000. They are energetic business men, and have conducted their business in such a manner as to be not only a credit to themselves, but a benefit to the public generally, as they have established a permanent market where farmers can always get the highest market price for their stock, and in giving employment to a large number of men. The senior member of the firm and general manager of the house, is Mr. William Van Schoick, who is a native of Monmouth Co., N. J .; he was born in 1828, and seems to have been a natural genius, as well as an able financier; he has learned the trades of printing, stove-molding and brick-making. In 1851, he located at Rich- mond, Ind., where he engaged in the manufacture of brick, remaining there until 1858, when he removed to Bloomington. While in Richmond, he did the largest day's work in the molding of sand-brick that has ever been known, the number being 14,369, time, thirteen hours ; upon the completion of it, he was forced upon a scaffold and carried upon the shoulders of his men and the students, from the brick-yard up through the streets of the city. In 1858, when he came to this city, he began the manufacture of brick, giving employment to from forty to one hundred men. He contracted for and completed the building of the Wesleyan College, as well as many other prominent and important buildings of Bloomington. In 1869, he helped to organize the Bloomington Stove Company, in which he is still a stockholder. He is also a stock- holder in the Bloomington Furniture Manufacturing Company. In 1870, he tried the theater business, by organizing and putting on the road a company of twenty-six people; but this soon " played out," carrying with it several thousand dollars of his money. In 1873, he engaged in the pork-packing business, where we now find him, one of the stirring business men, and an honored and respected citizen of the city of Bloomington. Mr. Tyner, who has been previ- ously mentioned, is a native of New York City : came West in 1857, and engaged in farming for three years in Marion Co., Ill. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. G, 21st I. V. I. ; was in the army over four years. After leaving the army, he engaged in business for one year in Chatta- nooga, Tenn. In 1866, he left the South and went to St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in the drug trade ; this business he had followed but a short time when he sold out and came to Blooming- ton, and engaged in the grocery business, which he was interested in for ten years. They began building the packing-house in August, 1873. Mr. Tyner has had charge of the books and of the finances since the opening of the business. He is also a member of the firm of Tyner & Richardson, dealers in flour, provisions and tobaccos, 116 S. Main street. Mr. N. N. Winslow, who has lately become a member of the firm, is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. In 1855, he came West, and located at Bloomington. Having learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner in

New York, he, for a short time, followed this business : then engaged to work for Mr. J. Grover, in the manufacture of soap and candles ; in 1859, he took the control of the business, and since that time has proven himself a very able financier, sometimes doing a business of $70,000 per year. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 94th I. V. F., three years service ; was in the army until the close of the war; while in the army, was still interested in his manufacturing business in Bloomington ; his factory is located close to the 1. B. & W. and I. B. & M. Railway Depots. In 1877, he became connected with the Packing Company, but still carried on and superintended his old business. Since forming the partnership with the Packing Company, he has attended to the general outside work. The three members of this firm are men of that class who seldom fail to carry every enterprise through successfully. Being wide-awake, energetic business men, ready to take the advantage of any circumstance that may improve their business. They are honorable and upright in their business transactions, and have won a name and reputation of which any firm should be proud. Should no calamity befall them, the Bloomington Pork Pack - ing Company will yet rank amongst the larger packers at interior points of the West.

GEORGE BRAND, furniture dealer, Bloomington. The representative man in the whole- sale and retail furniture trade is George Brand, who is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. Ile

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was born in 1829, and in 1845 left his native land and came to the United States ; though before leaving he had acquired a good education. When he arrived here, he located in Ohio, where he served a regular apprenticeship of three years in learning the trade of cabinet-maker. For several years following this he t. aveled through the Western States, and, in 1854, located permanently in Bloomington, where he began working at his trade. In 1869, he began business for himself, which he has since continued successfully. His establishment is located at No. 112 W. Front st. lIere he has a large stock of the finest furniture in the city. Ilis storeroom is 100x24 ft., three floors and basement ; in addition to this is his shop, 74x22. A more complete idea of the extent of his business might be gained were we to say that his store is 4,000 feet long, which would be the case were it all placed on the ground floor. He employs from three to five men all the time, and during the busy season has more. This entire business is wholly the result of his own energy, enterprise and good financiering. His close attention to business, pleasant and courteous treatment of customers, have won for him a name and reputation of which any business man may justly be proud.

IRA J. BLOOMFIELD, teacher, lawyer and soldier, Bloomington, was born Nov. 27, 1835, in Butler Co., Ohio, and is a son of John Bloomfield, a descendant of Gov. Joseph Bloomfield, of New Jersey. In the spring of 1837, his parents removed to Fulton Co., Ill., where in youth he endured the hard labor and privations incident to a frontier settlement, but which gave him a vigorous constitution and laid the foundation of those habits of industry and frugality for which he is still distinguished. lIe there received such education as could be obtained in the common schools. In the summer of 1854, having cut with a cradle forty-five acres of grain for his father, and worked ten days in harvest for the neighbors, for which he received $15, his father gave him this money, the balance of his time, and what few books and clothes he possessed, and he started out in life intent upon acquiring a good education. By alternately teaching and going to school he obtained, for those days, a fair English education, and some knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages, and for several terms attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. On his return to Illinois he visited Bloomington, where he learned of a vacancy in the High School, made application and was at once elected Principal, and subsequently Superintendent of the city schools ; he there remained until the rebellion. His military career was brilliant. He enlisted as a private soldier and rose by promotion through several grades to that of Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers, taking part in all the marches, battles, sieges and campaigns of the Army of the Tennessee, including the capture of Island No. 10, Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta and Savannah ; the march with Sherman to the sea, and the return through the Caro- linas, ending in a grand review at Washington, and was finally mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 20, 1865, after a little over four years constant service. After the close of the war he returned to Bloomington, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. In the spring of 1867, without any solicitation on his part, he was appointed United States Pension Agent at Springfield, Ill., a position he held for two years, and was then appointed Supervisor of Internal Revenue for the State of Illinois. In April, 1871, he resigned, and resumed the prac- tice of his profession in Bloomington. In 1872, Gen. Bloomfield succeeded City Attorney l'ifer, and continued to fill the position with credit until the end of two terms, in 1876. He was for two years senior member of the firm of Bloomfield, Pollock & Campbell. He has also held a I'rofessorship in the Bloomington Law School. He is now a member of the law firm of Bloom- field & Hughes, whose practice in all the courts, already very large and important, is daily becoming more and more extensive. Gen. Bloomfield is one of the most urbane, unaffected and most easily approached members of the McLean County Bar, and as a speaker is earnest, pointed and direct.

CORNELIUS G. BRADSHAW, Bloomington; was born in Shelby Co., Kentucky, on the 26th day of May, 1839. Quite early in life, he came with his parents to Southern Illinois, and passed the years of his boyhood on a farm; in his fourteenth or fifteenth year, he began a course of study at Georgetown, III .; soon after he was admitted to the Indiana Asbury College, located at Greencastle. Mr. Bradshaw finished his education by taking a law course at Ann Arbor, Mich .; he went direct from his books to the practice of law. The first case of any note in which he figured, was a suit at Charleston, Coles Co., III., which was a prosecution brought under the old fugitive slave law, against a colored woman, named Mary Brown; he was counsel for the defendant, and succeeded in securing his client's acquittal. When the war broke out, Mr. Bradshaw was President of Marshall College, but resigned his duties as instructor to become a soldier; he experienced active service as a Captain of cavalry, and several times received honorable mention in the reports-see war record. After the war he located in Bloomington, where he has since resided. He has, during these latter years, practiced law with gratifying success. His position as senior counsel in the celebrated Roach case, being a responsible one. It was in the defense of the notorious desperado Rande, however, that Mr. Bradshaw's great originality was brought conspicuously into play ; he made one of the most learned, striking and original appeals that was ever addressed to any jury ; extracts from this effort were telegraphed to all the leading papers of the country.

F. A. BROWN, grocer: Bloomington ; of the firm of Brown & Gray, was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Nov. 21, 1847 ; his first experience on his own account was the manufacturing of tile, at

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Camden. Ohio : he came to Bloomington in 1873, and engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued for a time, then acted as shipping clerk for Mc Wellen & Compton, fancy grocers, until 1875, when he, with his present partner, opened a grocery store. He was married to Miss Clara Blair, of Winchester, Nov. 22, 1870.

W. P. BROPHY, stove manufacturer; Bloomington. In the organization of a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing any special line of goods, it is necessary that some member of the firm be an energetic, practical and thoroughly educated man in the manufacturing of the proposed line of goods : this position is filled by Mr. W. P. Brophy, Superintendent of the Bloomington Stove Manufacturing Company. This company began business on Aug. 20, 1870 ; they are now manufacturing 115 different styles of stoves, among which are, the Grand Central Cook Stove and the Royal Crown base burner, both of which are becoming very popular ; they are using about 400 tons of pig iron per annum, and give employment to about thirty men ; the main building of the factory is 88x47 fect, three stories high ; the foundry is 120x40, well-lighted and ventilated ; the aggregate number of stoves manufactured per annum is about 4,000; Mr. Brophy, the Superintendent, was born April 9, 1827, and is a native of Bennington Co., Vt .; there he learned the trade of stove molding and received his education ; leaving his native place, he located in Troy, N. Y .. where he remained until 1867 ; removing from there to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he resided three years, and in 1870, came to Bloomington, where he helped to organ- ize the company of which he is now the Superintendent ; having held this position since the organization of the works : he has had thirty years practical experience in the manufacture of stoves : in devoting his full time and energies to it, he has been instrumental in making the business one that is an honor to himself and a credit to the city of Bloomington.

J. H. BRYANT, contractor ; Bloomington ; one of the oldest and best known contractors and builders of the city of Bloomington, is J. H. Bryant, who is a native of Cambridge, Mass .; in 1837, he came West, but did not locate in Bloomington until 1859, where he has been con- tracting and building for twenty years ; during the busy season he employs about twelve men, frequently having several buildings in course of construction at the same time ; he has contracted for and built many of the prominent public and private buildings of Bloomington ; prominent among the former is the new City Hall, built in 1878; he is a man who has filled any and all contracts which he has taken, and has thus established an enviable reputation as a contractor and builder.

K. BUFFHAM, painter, Bloomington; was born in Rochdale, England, June 24, 1844; he came to this country in October, 1850, and settled in Lake Co., Ill., in 1851 ; removed to Racine, Wis., in May, 1863, and there served an apprenticeship at his trade ; in 1866 he came to Bloom- ington, and, in 1867, began business for himself ; and, in house and sign painting, is second to none ; his shop is at the corner of Main and Washington streets, where he is prepared to do all job-work with neatness. He has twice been married ; first to Miss Boadicea E. Holland, Dec. 25, 1869, who died Aug. 17, 1874: Feb. 22, 1876, he was married to Miss Elizabeth G. Tramp.

T. J. BUNN, banker, Bloomington ; is a native of Green Co., Ohio, was born Aug. 29, 1832; his parents were Lewis and Margery (Haines) Bunn, who were natives of Ohio ; they came to McLean Co. in 1833; during his early life educational advantages were limited; but, by study and observation, he obtained a good business education ; his first business experience was that.

of a printer; this he followed some five years : then, for a number of years, was engaged in mer- cantile business, after which, he embarked in the real-estate business, in which he operated suc- cessfully until 1874, when he established the bank of T. J. Bunn & Co. ; the natural bent of Mr. Bunn's inclinations were toward banking, and in this he has achieved great success ; has lived in this city for many years, and witnessed and watched its growth, and helped to bring it to its present prominence. He has filled many positions of honor and trust ; from the fact that he has grown up with the city and served in many public offices, and gradually prospered in business, we may conclude that he deserves the high place which is accorded him in this community as a busi- ness man and a citizen. He married Miss Mary E. Hutchison, of Christian Co., Ky., May 4, 1854; they have a family of four.

LEWIS BUNN, Bloomington ; was born September 16, 1805, on a farm in Walnut Creek Township, in Ross Co., Ohio, about four miles from the town of Delphi : his father, Peter Bunn, was a farmer and land speculator ; he was a Pennsylvania German, while his mother was an English lady. Lewis Bunn was one of twenty-one children. His father was twice married ; from his first marriage sprang eight children, and from his second, thirteen ; Lewis was the youngest but three. He received his scanty education in a school formed by the farmers who clubbed together and hired a teacher, to whom they paid $3 or $4 per quarter and board ; such a schoolmaster usnally taught during the winter months and worked a farm in summer; the schoolhouses were simply log cabins : when he was 17 years old his school days ended ; at the age of 18. he was sent to Chillicothe, and apprenticed for four years to learn the trade of black- smith. IIe learned his trade rapidly and well, but he was not satisfied with his education, and took private lessons in his leisure moments. When his apprenticeship was ended, he moved to Clarke Co., Ohio, where he stayed three years. In 1831, he was married to Margery Haines, of Xenia, Ohio ; his marriage was a happy one, and was blessed by the birth of five children, three boys and two girls, four of whom are now living-Benjamin H., Catherine R., Thomas J., William H. ;

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his wife afterward died. In 1533, he moved to Bloomington. Ill., with his brother-in-law, Dr. Haines. Here, in 1846, he married Lucinda Blevins ; by this marriage, he has had five children, all of whom are dead : when he came to Bloomington, he followed his trade and con- tinued at it until 1859. when he retired from business : immediately upon his arrival at Bloom- ington, he connected with his trade the manufacture of agricultural implements, and in those days he was enabled to make this quite a profitable business. Oliver Ellsworth was for eighteen years Mr. Bunu's partner : their plows. which they made by hand, were in great demand and were called for even from Texas ; they bore the trade-mark of Bunn & Ellsworth. and are still well spoken of.

JEFF. BURKE, blacksmith, Bloomington ; was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in March. 1840, and came to this country in 1849, locating in Troy, N. Y., where he lived until 1854 ; he then removed to Ottawa, Ill., and there learned the trade of blacksmithing; he came to Bloomington, Ill., in 1860, and in 1864, opened a shop on his own account ; he began on a very small scale, but through perseverance and industry, he has placed himself in his present position and has accumulated a good property ; he has built several business houses, and his shop is second to none : as a citizen, he is enterprising. public-spirited. and much respected. He married Miss Anna Follins, of Bloomington, May 10, 1864; they have a family of six children.

WILLIAM BUXTON, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1842; his parents having died when he was a boy, he was left without their advice or care to battle with the world and to provide for himself; by observation and experience he has obtained a fair business education : he came to Bloomington in 1861, and found employment with the C. & A. R. R. Company as fireman, and continued in this capacity three years : then was given an engine, which position he held four years: then abandoned railroading and began mercantile business : he clerked in the grocery business two years; then began on his own account : his place of business is 701 W. Chestnut st .. where he keeps a first-class grocery store in which is to be found a fine assortment of staple and fancy goods. He married Mrs. Margaret F. Sullivan, formerly of Brooklyn, N. Y., April 29, 1874.

R. M. CALDWELL, grocer, Bloomington ; a grocer whose advent to this city dates back to 1865 ; his long experience in the grocery business enables him to keep the best grade of goods ; lie enjoys a reputation for dealing honorably with his numerous customers ; his place of business is No. 1,005} North Main st.

C. L. CAMP, furniture, Bloomington ; the subject of this sketch is a native of Syracuse, N. Y. : there he grew to manhood and received his education, and, in 1869, came West and located at Bloomington ; upon locating here he engaged to Harwood Bros. as salesman, which situation he held for four years ; he then went back to New York, where he remained about one year ; then again came to this city and engaged in the furniture trade, which he followed for four years ; quitting this, he, for a short time, was engaged in a general commission business, which he followed but a short time, when he again engaged in the furniture trade at his present loca- tion, which is No. 106 E. Front st .; his building is 24x65, three floors and basement : here he does a general business in new and second-hand furniture, notions, queensware, glassware, wood and willow ware and a general assortment of house furnishing goods : Mr. Camp, by honesty and square dealing, has had the confidence of the people in the past : by fitting up and stocking his present establishment, by his pleasant and courteous treatment of customers, he must have success in the future as he has had in the past.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 90

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