The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 91

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 91

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CHIARLES CAMP, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1832, where he was raised and schooled ; he began mercantile life with his father in 1852, continuing the same until 1854, when he removed to Iowa, and there engaged in railroad contracting; in 1855. he removed to Tennessee and received an appointment as constructing superintendent of the Memphis & Charleston R. R., continuing such for a number of years : at the beginning of the late war, he was held in the service of this railroad until the evacuation of Memphis, when he joined the Union army and was post sutler for one year; he then came to Bloomington. Ill., and embarked in the grocery business, in which he has since continued, and is now located at 317 N. Centre st .; here he keeps a fine grocery, with a well-assorted stock of goods, and sold at hottom figures. He married Miss Isabel Keller, of Oneida Co., N. Y .. in January, 1854 ; they have one child-Eva E., now Mrs. P. Pierce, of Chicago.

CHARLES L. CAPEN. attorney at law, Bloomington ; was born in Union Springs, N. Y., in 1848, and is the son of Luman W. Capen : in 1856. he came West with his parents and settled in Bloomington : in 1865. he graduated at Normal University : in same year he entered Harvard College, and graduated in 1869; he returned to Bloomington and entered the law office of Hughes & McCart, reading and preparing himself for active practice; in 1871, he was admitted to prac- tice law at the Illinois bar; in 1873, he became partner with Williams & Burr: this is one of the leading firms of the McLean County Bar, under the style of Williams. Burr & Capen.

C. R. CARR, MI. D., Bloomington ; among the physicians of Bloomington of recognized ability, is Dr. C. R. Carr, who is a native of Terre Haute, Ind .: he was born June 15, 1845, and began the study of medicine in 1868, under Dr. William Hill, of Bloomington; in 1871, he became a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York ; after graduating. he returned to Bloomington and became the partner of Dr. Hill for one year: he then returned to

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New York and accepted the position of llouse Surgeon in the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary ; this position he held until the fall of 1873, when he returned to Bloomington and engaged in the practice of his profession ; he is a member of the Illinois State Medical Society, the McLean County Medical Society, the Bloomington Pathological Society and of the Illinois Central Medical Association ; he has given his time fully and exclusively to his profession since residing in Bloom- ington ; has a good practice, which is the result of his own energy and close attention to business. W. B. CARLOCK, Bloomington; was born on the 15th day of March, 1842, at White Oak Grove. Woodford Co., Ill .; his father, Abraham W. Carlock, is a large land-owner in both McLean and Woodford counties, and from the time his son, W. B., was 10 years of age, he was actively engaged in hard work, until he arrived at the age of 23, when he entered Lombard University, at Galesburg, as an academic student; soon after, he commenced his studies at Lombard, and graduated with the first honors of his class in the month of June of 1867; the fall succeeding, Mr. Carlock entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, a law student; he was a close and faithful student, and completed the full law course of that widely renowned Univer- sity in the spring of 1869, having passed a most commendable examination in all the different branches of law which he studied there; after leaving Ann Arbor, he took a short vacation, and he again resumed his law studies in the law office of Messrs. Williams & Burr, of Bloomington, Ill., and remained in that office during the fall of 1869 and winter of 1869 and 1870: during the latter part of the winter of 1870, he passed his final examination previous to being admitted as a regular practitioner to the bar of the State of Illinois; the committee who examined him being composed of Hon. Robert E. Williams, Capt. J. H. Rowell and Hon. William E. Hughes ; his license to practice law was issued to him soon after leaving the above office, which was immedi- ately after the examination held there. After receiving his license, he again took another vaca- tion for the summer of 1870, ostensibly for the benefit of his health, but really to prospect for a future partner for life; accordingly, during the summer he formed the acquaintance of one of Bloomington's fairest, best and most accomplished young ladies, Miss Missouri McCart, a sister of Robert McCart, formerly a well-known lawyer of Bloomington, Ill., but now located at Fort Worth, Texas; on the 6th of October, 1870, W. B. Carlock was married to the young lady, at the residence of her parents in this city ; from and after the date of his marriage begins his active career as a lawyer ; he was without money, but not at all discouraged as to his future pros- pects ; in addition to his law practice, he has reaped a handsome profit from his wire device for preventing reverberations or faulty reflection of sounds in public halls, etc., for which he obtained letters patent ; he writes the German language well and speaks it fluently ; he is the only attor- ney at the Bloomington bar who speaks the German language, and it has been the means of add- ing not a little to his success; among the important cases in which Mr. Carlock has figured might be mentioned the case of the People vs. Augusta Meyer, for child-murder; William Elmer, for assault with intent to kill Charles Awe, of this city ; People vs. Ben Chrisman, charged with the murder of Davis; the latter he conducted without assistance, and received many congratula- tions; he also conducted proceedings for the disannulling of the marriage contract in the case of Bruchman vs. Ragotzki,- on the ground of duress and fraud, and this was a new movement in law; also, Flagg vs. Roberts, a suit for slander; a series of cases of Epple vs. Freehauf, involv- ing the payment of money on lands in this county.

GUY A. CARLTON, livery, Bloomington ; in speaking of the business industries of the city of Bloomington, the firm of Carlton & Kerr require more than a passing mention ; they are both old residents of the city, and, since 1875, have been engaged in the livery business ; their establishment is located at Nos. 112, 114, 116, East Washington street ; here, they have every- thing arranged neatly and comfortably ; they do not aim to keep the largest number of horses ; but what they have are among the best of the city, as are also their carriages and hacks, one of the latter being kept at the " stand" on the west side of the Public Square, Mr. Kerr usually looking after custom in this line. Mr. Carlton is a native of Penobscot Co., Maine ; he was born in September, 1837; remaining at his native place until he had grown nearly to manhood, and had received his education ; in 1854, he came West and located in this city ; until 1861, he was engaged in the grocery business and at railroading. He then enlisted in the late war of the rebellion in Co. A, 8th I. V. I., three months service; serving this term of enlistment, he returned, and, in 1862, again enlisted in the three years service; this, as Ist Lieutenant of Co. A, 94th 1. V. I. ; he had served but about two years, when he was discharged on account of dis- ability ; following this, he returned to Bloomington, and, until 1875, was engaged in various business enterprises, among others was starting the first city express in Bloomington in 1864 ; he has been generally successful in his former business undertakings, and has already made a success of his present business.

F. W. CHRISMAN, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in Shelby Co., Ky., Feb. 24, 1850, where he was raised and received his early education ; he came with his parents to McLean Co., in 1869, and learned the grocery business with his father at Heyworth; for a number of years, he taught school ; he came and settled in Bloomington in 1876, and, for a time, sold agricultural implements ; he began in the grocery business in 1877, and is now located at No. 507 W. Market st., where he keeps a good stock of goods. Ile married Miss Susan E. Garrett, of this county, Dec. 17, 1872; they have one son-Berry HI.

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M. X. CHUSE, Bloomington ; was born in Switzerland in 1831; when he was but 14 years old, he, with his parents, emigrated to America, landing in New York City ; thence to Albany, 1. Y., and from there West to St. Louis ; here Mr. Chuse was working on a farm at Jefferson Barracks about four months ; then to Centerville, St. Clair Co , Ill., farming a short time; he also com- mence:l to learn his trade of harness-maker ; he returned to St. Louis and finished learning his tra le there ; and, about this time, was Mr. Chuse's first experience in the Fire Department ; in 1845. he ran with the Washington Fire Co., No. 2; when he became of age, he joined Liberty, No. 6; this was about 1849. In 1850, he moved to Bloomington, which has been his home ever since he commenced at his trade as harness-maker ; from this, he managed to save money, and car- ried on a very extensive business ; he also was engaged in the wholesale saddlery, harness and leather business, the firm being Chuse & Risser.

Twenty-five years ago, Mr. Chuse rang the first fire bell to call a meeting to organize a Fire Department, and ever since then, he has been connected with the Fire Department ; he was first a pipeman, then assistant foreman, then fore- man, and chief engineer; to-day Bloomington has probably one of the best regulated Fire Departments for a town of its size in the country. Mr. Chuse is also Superintendent of the Water Works, which has the stand-pipe system, with a stand-pipe 210 feet high, perhaps the tallest in the State ; Mr. Chnse superintended the building of the Water Works, from the time they were first started until their completion. Such is a short sketch of Mr. Chuse, one of the best known and most respected men of Bloomington.

J. R. CLARK, 'bus line; Bloomington ; another line of business that should be a pride to .

the citizens of Bloomington, is a thoroughly reliable 'bus line. This business is represented by Messrs. McBean & Clark. Mr. J. R. Clark, the junior member of the firm and subject of this sketch, is a native of the State of New York. In 1862, he enlisted in the 6th N. Y. 1. B., spend- ing three years of his life in the service of his country. The many hardships he passed through during his army life, can only be thoroughly understood by those who have passed a similar experience. In 1866, he came West and spent a short time in Dubuque, Iowa, and Chicago. In 1867, he came to Bloomington, and entered the employ of the U. S. and A. M. Express Cos .. which situation he held for eight years. May 6, 1871, he married Miss Alice McKisson, who was a native of Bloomington. In 1875. he first engaged in his present line of business, the firm then being MeKisson & Clark ; this partnership lasting but abont one year, he then selling out to Mir. MeKisson and again entering the employ of the Express Cos., though this time he remained with them but a short time; then in company with Mr. McBean buying the 'bus line which they are now running. They have met every demand of the public in their line. They now have on the line 3 'busses, 6 hacks, 2 baggage and 1 mail wagon ; they keep 26 head of horses at their barns, which are located on East st., bet. Grove and Olive, and, during the 24 hours make 18 trains. By their courteous and gentlemanly treatment of their customers and the traveling pub- lic, they have established a good business. Their promptness in attending calls during all kinds of weather, the neatness and cleanliness of their vehicles, must insure them success in the future as they have had in the past.

W. G. COCHRANE. confectioner; Bloomington ; the success of W. G. Cochrane, the " Candy- man," is a fair demonstration of what ein be done by energy, industry and a close attention to business. He is a native of Plymouth, N. H. In 1863, he came West, after having served a term of enlistment in the war of the rebellion; his first location in the West was in Chicago, where he remained seven years, engaged in the confectionary business ; five years of this time he was in company with C. W. Sanford. In 1870, he came to Bloomington, and engaged in his present business ; his establishment is located at No. 218 North Center st .; the building being 22 feet front and 100 feet deep, the rear being used for manufacturing purposes : the front part being used as salesroom. Here, Mr. Cochrane has by far the finest stock of goods in the city in his line, consisting of a complete line of pure candies, large quantities of foreign fruits and nuts, and a complete assortment of cigars and tobaccos. His specialty being strictly pure candies, his candies are becoming as celebrated in the city of Bloomington as those of Gunther are in Chicago. He is a wide-awake down-easter and is certainly doing a wide-awake business.

N. B. COLE, M. D,, Bloomington ; another of the regular physicians of Bloomington, who has established a reputation as a thoroughly read man in the science of medicine, is Dr. N. B. Cole, who is a native of Fairfield Co., Ohio: he was born Dec. 28, 1837; began the study of medicine under Dr. E. Lynch, of Lancaster, Ohio, and graduated at the Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, in 1860: he began the practice of medicine in _Etna, Ohio, where he remained but two years, then entered the U. S. Army as Assistant Surgeon of the 19th Ohio. but was afterward commissioned as Surgeon of the field hospital of the 50th Ohio. Returning from the army in 1865, he located in Bloomington, where he has since resided, engaging in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the McLean Co. Medical Society, also of the Illinois State Medical Society ; since locating in Bloomington, he has given his time exclusively to the practice of his profession ; his practice is large and of a gratifying nature, which is the result of his energy and close attention to business.

WILLIAM CONDON, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in County Cork, Ireland, Nov. 1, 1829; during his early life, he learned the trade of a baker ; he came to this country in 1851, locating in New Haven, Conn., and there began the trade of a painter ; in 1852, he moved to

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Chicago ; here he followed painting, in the employ of the I. C. R. R. Co., until 1856, when he came to Bloomington, Ill., and engaged with the C. & A. R. R. Co .: he continued with the latter com- pany until 1861, when he embarked in the grocery business at his present place, No. 802 West Chestnut, where he keeps a fine grocery store, with a good class of well-assorted groceries. He married Miss Bridget McNamara, of his native country. June 1, 1857 ; they have a family of eight children.

DR. HENRY CONKLING was born in Morristown, N. J., April 27. 1814; his father Stephen Conkling, moved to New York City in 1816, where the Doctor lived until he was 16 years old, when he returned to his native place and finished his school days in the Morristown Academy ; his father and family emigrated to Ohio in 1831, and located in Mt. Vernon, at which place he joined them in 1832. When 23 years old, he was united by marriage to Eliza Wiley, daughter of Ilugh Wiley, who lived near Mt. Vernon ; in the spring of 1838, he came to Le Roy, in this county, making the journey in eighteen days, on horseback ; his brother Edgar Conkling, was living there and had laid off two additions to the town ; he returned to Ohio in a few weeks, and moved back to Le Roy the next fall, with his family ; they came in a covered wagon, camp- ing out on the way by the roadside ; while living in Le Roy, he taught school and studied med- icine with Dr. David Edwards; in the year 1843, he commenced the practice of medicine near Mount Hope, in this county ; in the year 1844, he moved to Washington, Tazewell Co., this State ; his health failing, he returned to Ohio in 1845, and practiced medicine five years, during which time he graduated and received his diploma from the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio. His wife died in the spring of 1850; in June of that year, he returned to McLean Co., and located at fludson, where his brother-in-law James T. Gildersleeve, Esq., was living, where he practiced medicine fourteen years, during which time he had an extensive practice; in 1864, he moved to Bloomington ; during this year he was sent South as an additional Surgeon in the army, and was assigned to the 7th I. V. C; when Corinth was evacuated by Gen. Beauregard, the Doctor, with some of the Union army, pressed hard after them ; many of the Union soldiers were wounded in a skirmish ; these the Doctor took charge of, placing them in a cabin having one room, the best that could be done for them at that time; as soon as they were able to be moved, the Doctor sent them to the general hospital. After the war closed, he was appointed one of the Examining Pension Surgeons for disabled and wounded soldiers, which position he held about three years. He was married to his second wife January, 1851 : she was the widow of L. Sampson, who died with cholera in Bloomington in 1849; she died in the fall of 1863. He was married to his third wife in May, 1866; she was the widow of C. E. Dodge, a Baptist minister, also the daughter of Peter Withers, who emigrated to this county from Kentucky in 1832. In June, 1866, the first meeting was held in Urbana, Ill., for the purpose of devising ways and means for the construction of a railroad from Danville, Ill., through Bloomington, to the Illinois River; he was the only delegate from Bloomington to the meeting; the meeting adjourned to meet in Le Roy in August, at which time an organization was effected, and the Doctor was appointed Secretary and one of the Directors of the road, known then as the Dan- ville, Urbana, Bloomington & Pekin Railroad ; he took a very active part in this enterprise, devoting all his time to its accomplishment ; May 1, 1870, the road was finished, the Doctor putting in the last bolt that tied the road between Indianapolis and Pekin : as an appreciation of his efforts and success, the citizens of Bloomington presented to him, by the hands of Gen. 1. Bloomfield. in Schroder's Opera House, a valuable gold watch, engraved thereon a locomotive with the initials 1. B. & W. R. R. The Doctor is the proprietor of the Turkish and Electro- Thermal Institute, located in Bloomington, Ill., for the treatment of disease, which is largely patronized, not only by invalids but those who take the baths as a luxury.

THOMAS B. CORMAN, engineer of steam fire engine No. 1, Bloomington ; was born near Nicholasville, Ky , in 1849, and is the son of Abraham Corman; when he was but 2 years old, he came with his parents to Bloomington, in 1851; here he has resided ever since; he learned the trade of a machinist; about 1866, he was a member of the hand fire engine, Prairie Bird ; in 1871, he accepted a position as fireman on the steamer Prairie Bird No. 1 (commonly called stoker), this position he filled until 1874; he then was appointed engineer for the same steamer, which place he has held ever since ; he is now one of the oldest members of the Fire Department.

THOMAS COULTAR, contractor, Bloomington. The Orphan's Home, National and People's Bank buildings, Dr. C. Wakefield's residence and many other prominent public and private build- ings of the city of Bloomington and McLean County, were built by Mr. Thomas Coultar, con- tractor and builder; he is a native of Clark Co., Ohio, where he spent the early part of his life, and was educated by the old subscription school system; he served a regular apprenticeship at Springfield, at the carpenter and joiner trade, and came West in 1856, and located in Blooming- ton, where he has since resided, engaged in contracting and building; Bloomington was but a small place of about 5,000 population when he came to it in 1856; he has stuck steadily to his business from that time until the present, and is now known as a thoroughly reliable and responsi- ble contractor ; during the busy season he employs about twelve men regularly. and sometimes in special cases gives employment to many more than this number; his shop is located corner East and Donglas streets ; he is a man well known and has many staunch friends; no better guarantee of his ability is needed than a view of some of the above mentioned buildings.

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T. J. COX & CO., millers, Bloomington ; another important feature of enterprise in McLean Co., is the milling business ; the leading and most successful firm in this line is that of T. J. Cox & Co .; the members of the firm being T. J. Cox and his brother, George H. Cox; T. J., the sub. ject of this sketeh, is a native of Dixfield, Oxford Co., Me., where his father, who is also a native of Maine, is still residing, engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being T. J. Cox, Sr., & Son ; the early part of T. J.'s life was spent in a country store, where he learned something of business and human nature; he was born Oct. 25, 1837; in 1857, he came West, locating at Bloomington ; in 1858, he engaged in the mill business by buying the Eagle Mills; in 1874, he bought the Union Mills : he also owns one-half of the McLean County Mills; the Eagle and Union Mills have a flouring capacity of 400 barrels daily ; during the greater portion of the year they are run to their full capacity ; the McLean County Mills have a flouring capacity of 100 barrels per day; this mill is also kept busy most of the time; the Union and McLean County Mills are located close to the Illinois Central Railroad depot, while the Eagle is near the C. & A. R. R. depot. Mr. Cox, though not a practical miller by trade, has proved himself to be one among the best financiers of McLean Co .; he owns the finest milling property in the county, which is the result of his own industry, energy and good financiering. Since writing the above he has bonght his brother's interest, and is now sole proprietor of the Union and Eagle Mills.

GEORGE II. COX, miller, Bloomington ; Mr. George H. Cox, of the firm of T. J. Cox & Co , is a native of Dixfield, Oxford Co., Me .; he was born Nov. 22, 1849, and came West in June, 1866, and engaged with his brother T. J. as book-keeper, which position he held until 1872, when he went into partnership with his brother, the firm name being then as now, T. J. Cox & Co., their mills being the Eagle, located near the C. & A R. R. depot, and the Union, located near the I. C. depot ; they have a flouring capacity of about four hundred barrels of flour daily, and the reputation of the mills is such and the firmu is so well known that, during a great portion of the year, they are run to their full capacity ; they are very conveniently located for shipping, which is quite an advantage where so much flour is to be shipped. George H. spends his time prin- cipally at the Eagle Mills. The firm of T. J. Cox & Co. is so well known, and their financial success has been so marked that any compliments of the press are wholly unneeded on their part.

N. W. COX, painter, Bloomington ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1825 ; his father was Amos Cox, who was among the first settlers of McLean Co .; they settled in this county in 1828; his father returned to Ohio and soon after died, and is therefore not well remembered in this county ; but his family have witnessed the entire growth and development of McLean Co., and assisted in many of the public improvements. N. W. Cox has been engaged in mer- cantile life for a number of years, though his first business experience was in painting; this he learned thoroughly while quite young ; in mercantile life, Mr. Cox was quite successful, though like many others, he met with adversity, when he again returned to his trade ; he enjoys the reputation of being an honorable and upright man. He married Miss Elizabeth Satterfield, of this county.

WILLIAM COX, clerk, Bloomington ; son of John and Elizabeth (Walker) Cox, and grand- son of Benjamin and Philena (Dye) Cox ; his father was born in Pickaway Co,, Ohio, Sept. 13, 1803 ; his grandfather came to McLean Co., Ill., in 1825; bonght land and returned to bring his family, but soon died; in 1826, the grandmother came to McLean Co. with her family, which consisted of seven children, four sons and three daughters, also a nephew, John Kimler, and settled in what was then called Key's Grove, later known as Blooming Grove. At that time, the county was wild and desolate, and they experienced all the trials and hardships of a pioneer's life. John Cox married Miss Elizabeth M., danghter of William Walker, a pioneer, March 18, 1828; they raised a family of six, only three of whom are now living; he died Feb. 9, 1858, and his wife, Oct. 22, 1876. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm, and received a com- mon education at district school, and took charge of the home farm after the death of his father, on which he continued until 1872, since which time, he has been engaged in the grocery business. He married Miss Minnie A. Ashby, of Bloomington, July 3, 1878.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 91

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