The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 93

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 93

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THOMAS EVANS, grocer, Bloomington, of the firm of Evans & Patrick, was born in Blooming- ton, 1H., June 1, 1854 : son of Robert Evans, who was one of the early settlers and a prominent

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BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

business man of Bloomington. Thomas has received a good business education, completed at the Wesleyan University; was clerk for his brother for a number of years, and began business on his own account in 1875; he now enjoys a flourishing trade; his store is located on the corner of Front and East streets.

R. F. EVANS, grocer, Bloomington, of the firm of Evans & Bro., was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1842 ; he was brought to McLean Co. by his parents, Robert W. and Harriet C. (Cradlebaugh) Evans, in 1852. His father was prominent among the first business men of Bloomington, and a native of Virginia ; he died in April, 1864. The sou has had many years of experience in mer. cantile life; he learned business while with his father, and began on his own account in 1865 ; he is a careful and reliable business man ; his store is located at the corner of Main and North streets, and presents a neat and substantial appearance ; he has twice met with severe losses by fire. He married Miss Nellie, daughter of E. B. Collins, Esq., of Fulton, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1871 ; they have a family of two children-Robert HI. and Florence.

MAJ. R. N. EVANS, book-keeper. Bloomington; another old resident of Bloomington and soldier in the war of the late rebellion is Maj. R. N. Evans, who is a native of Cambria Co., Penn .; he was born -, and in 1856, came West and located in this city, where he has since resided, except- ing five years spent in the army. In 1861, after having been in the employ of the firm of Hayes & Evans, he enlisted as private in Company C, 20th I. V. I., and, by four promotions, rose to the rank of Major; he passed through many of the heavy battles, and lived through an experience that can be fully comprehended only by an old soldier; at the battle of Shiloh he received quite a severe wound, which, for a time, disabled him for service; upon the close of the war, he was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky. Returning to Bloomington, he again engaged with Hayes & Evans as book-keeper, and, in 1878, he accepted his present situ- ation of book-keeping for the Bloomington Stove Manufacturing Co .; this position he has filled with ability and to the satisfaction of the company.

ABRAM EVERSOLE, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, July 16, 1831, where he was raised and schooled ; he came to McLean Co., in 1856 ; his first business experience was at Heyworth, McLean Co., in the grocery business ; he removed to Bloomington in 1860, where he has since remained, engaged in his present business, at 229 East Front street ; here he keeps a well assorted stock of goods, and aims at securing the best patronage ; he has always been interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the community. He married Miss Ellen Allen of Mercer Co., Ohio, May 6, 1856; they have a family of four.

THOMAS ERWIN, butcher, Bloomington; is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born March 10, 1837; he came to this country in 1843, with his people, settling in Onandaga Co., N. Y., where he lived until 1854, when he came to Bloomington ; he began on his own account in 1864, in the butcher business; he is located at 204 W. Front street, where he keeps a fine market and the best of meats. He has married twice, first to Miss Mary Foy, April 14, 1849, she died in 1869, leaving a family of five children ; he married his present wife in May, 1872.

JAMES S. EWING, Bloomington; was born on the 19th day of July, A. D 1835, in the same year as his business companion, Mr. Stevenson; he was born, nursed and cradled in a log cabin, relie of the pioneer days of Illinois, when the "Star of Empire " had just begun its jour- ney westward, located at Panther Grove, in what is now Woodford Co., but was then embraced in McLean. He accompanied his parents when they removed to Bloomington in 1840, and has remained for nearly four decades a citizen of this city; the rudimentary principles of education were obtained in the old-fashioned schoolhouse of that day and stage of Western civilization ; over the boys and girls of the village, most of whom attended this school, Dr. W. C. Hobbs ruled in the old-time, pedagogie simplicity and dignity ; later young Ewing entered the school opened by the learned Rev. Reuben Andrews, in the old Methodist Church, and from this humble begin- ning developed the present Illinois Wesleyan University ; Mr. Andrews' school was attended by Ewing until 1853, when he began a course of study at Jubilee College, located in Peoria Co .; in 1856 he entered the Junior year in Centre College, at Danville, Ky. Mr. Ewing graduated in June, 1858, and in January following (1859), was admitted by the Supreme Court of Illinois. to practice as an attorney and counselor at law ; at that day aspirants to legal honors were cate- chised, examined, and their intellectual capacity for the law sounded at Chicago, a committee of "experts " being appointed for that purpose by the Supreme Court; on this occasion the awful presence consisted of the learned Norman B. Judd, Ebenezer Peck and Corydon Beckwith, cach of whom was at that time a distinguished practicing lawyer. His license is signed by Sidney Breese (recently deceased), Pinkney Walkner and John D. Caton, the gentlemen who at that time occupied the Supreme Bench of the State; cotemporary with the names mentioned was Judge David Davis, who was then Judge of McLean County Circuit Court, and the following resi- dent attorneys, the only ones in active practice: George O. Robinson, Walter M. Hatch, R. E. Williams, M. W. Packard and E. M. Prince. Mr. Ewing formed a partnership with the Hon, John B. Cohrs, now of Pekin, with the style of the firm Ewing & Cohrs. After a year of prac- tice, the alliance parted company by mutual consent and individual permission, Mr. Cohrs to go to Pekin, and Mr. Ewing to Philadelphia, where the latter entered the law office of Ilon. John C. Bullitt, and worked for a salary for about one year ; he then returned to Bloomington where

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he has since remained. In 1869, Mr. Ewing formed the present partnership with the Hon. A. E. Stevenson. Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Democrat of a pronounced type, though not a bitter partisan ; in the earlier days of his professional career he took a lively interest in politics, but he has never been a candidate, and with the accumulation of business, he has to a great extent eschewed politics.

H. A. EWING, attorney at law, Bloomington ; was born in McLean Co., Ill., Aug. 9, 1841. and is the son of John W. Ewing, of North Carolina, who came to Illinois in 1835, and settled in what is now Woodford Co., where he remained until 1840, then, with his family, moved to Bloomington : he was one of the prominent and leading men of Bloomington, and held several offices of public trust; was Mayor of the city one term ; he was also engaged in the manufacture of mowing and reaping machines ; he was also for two years proprietor of the National Hotel of Bloomington ; was also engaged in the milling business ; he died, respected and honored, Nov. 14, 1855. H. A. Ewing, the subject of this sketch, is one of the leading attorneys of the Illi- nois bar; he received his education chiefly at the Wesleyan University, of Bloomington ; he was a soldier of the late war, enlisting in 1861, as private in the 14th I. V. I., Co. E; he served three years and three months, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Jackson, and other battles and skirmishes, and did good service and was honor- ably mustered out at Springfield, Ill., in 1864, as 2d Lientenant of Co. B. He was elected Sheriff of McLean Co., and filled this position until 1866, faithfully and honorably ; in 1867, he was admitted to practice law at the Illinois bar; in 1878, the friends of Mr. Ewing elected him as Representative to the Legislature; this office he still holds, showing himself a man of acknowl- edged ability.

E. FALLIS, grain-dealer, Bloomington. Prominent among the citizens of Bloomington, and who have been instrumental in building up a permanent grain market, is Mr. E. Fallis, who is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio ; he was born in 1815, and, during his early life, had but little oppor- tunity of attending school, though by close attention to study what opportunity he had, he became a fair scholar; in 1863, he engaged in the grain trade, and, for ten years, bought grain through different parts of Illinois, making Bloomington his general headquarters : in 1873, he brought his family to this city and became permanently located ; he is one of the largest grain- dealers in this part of Illinois ; in 1865, he handled 3,000,000 bushels ; he established the Board of Trade in this city in 1877, which is still in operation ; he also does a general commission business, and is well known as one of the leading grain men of the city.

JOHN W. FISHER, dentist, Bloomington. The dental, as well as other professions, is well represented in Bloomington. Among those who have established a reputation for skill and neat- ness, is Dr. John W. Fisher, who has a neatly-furnished suite of rooms at No. 402 North" Main street ; he is a native of Belmont Co., Ohio; was born Oct. 2, 1829, and, at the age of 15, was left dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood and an education, both of which he secured: in 1856, he began the study of dentistry, and, in 1859, began practice in St. Clairville, Belmont Co., Ohio, where he remained engaged in practice for a period of eleven years ; in the summer of 1870, he moved to Bloomington ; since residing here, he has established a fine practice, which is the result of having done first-class work, and a close attention to business ; he is a member of the Illinois State Dental Society, and a man of recognized ability in his profession.

M. FALOON, M. D., Bloomington. Another of the old settlers and physicians of Bloom- ington is Dr. M. Faloon, who is a native of Carlisle. Cumberland Co., Penn .; he attended and became a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati ; he also became a graduate in allopathy in Philadelphia ; also has a certificate of attendance of a full course of the Euresco- pian system : he is a thorough botanist, frequently having herbs sent to him from the laboratories of different colleges, for the purpose of learning their medical qualities; he is also the pro- pounder of different medicines now before the public, prominent among which is Dr. Faloon's Tonic, Dr. Faloon's Instant Relief and many other well-known remedies. The Doctor has been in constant practice for twenty-six years, and has been practicing in Bloomington for the past nineteen years ; he has many friends who can vouch for his ability and skill as a physician.

LYMAN FERRE, carriage manufacturer : Bloomington ; is a native of Springfield, Mass. ; was born Dec. 16, 1825 : his parents were Solomon and Margaret R. (Rumrell) Ferre. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he learned the trade of a wagon-maker early in life ; his advent to this city dates back to 1840; among those who have lived in this city many years and watched its growth and helped to bring it to its present prominence is the above named gentleman ; on arriving here he began working at his trade, which he continued until 1843, when he opened business on his own account, in a small way, but with the determination to succeed, and, through energy, per- severance and integrity has placed himself in his present position ; as a mechanic and a man- ufacturer, his extensive business will testify that he is second to none; he is located at 108 North Center street, owning the whole of the corner property, which presents a neat and sub- stantial appearance and adds much to the value and prosperity of his locality ; here he makes a beautiful display of buggies, carriages and sulkies of his own manufacture. Mr. Ferre is one of the solid men of Bloomington and a much-respected citizen ; he has always taken an active part in all public matters pertaining to the welfare and development of the city, including the establishment of the Street Railroad ; he is also Vice President of the People's Bank ; he has also

James Bishop EMPIRE TP.

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filled many other positions of honor and trust. He married Miss Janette E. Hayes, of this Co., in Dec., 1844; they have one child-Bell.

JOHN A. FULWILER, attorney ; Bloomington. John A. Fulwiler was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., June 17, 1843 ; he came with parents to Lexington, McLean Co., in 1855, where he obtained his early education and resided until August, 1861, when he enlisted with the 33d I. V. 1 , and served over three years in the army, being mustered out of service at the expiration of his term. Upon his return, he commenced the study of law, and subsequently engaged in mercantile business at Forrest, Livingston Co. Ile was admitted to the bar, and removed to Pon- tiac in October, 1870, and associated himself in business with E. M. Johnson ; he located in Bloomington in 1875; he is a young attorney of promise, attends to business promptly and to the satisfaction of his clients, and is full of energy. He married Miss Mary A., daughter of Robert Fell, of Normal, Sept. 6, 1865: they have three children-John W., Leonard F. and Roberta MI.

J. M. FORDICE, lumber ; Bloomington. J M. Fordice is another of the old settlers and natives of McLean Co., Bloomington being his native place. His people were among the first settlers of the county ; his mother, also, being a native of the county, and one of the first births in the county ; her maiden name was Letitia Saterfield. Since the age of 13 years, Mr. Fordice has been dependent upon his own resources for a livelihood ; he was born March 14, 1840; although dependent upon his own resources, he succeeded in procuring a fair education. Aug. 15, 1861, he entered the army in the war of the rebellion, enlisting in Co. C, I. V. I., three years service, though before leaving the army he had served three years and four months. Previous to entering the army he had been engaged in the lumber trade; upon his return, he at once resumed business in this line, which he has since conducted successfully ; besides a full line of lumber and building material of all kinds, he also is handling a large amount of the well-known Lehigh Valley coal. These, in connection with the Moline wagon, which is also well known, form his principal business. Ilis lumber yard and office is located at 1001 West Market street. He is well-known as one of the thoroughly reliable business men of the city. Ile is now doing a large business, which is the result of his own energy. industry and good financiering.

J. W. FOY, grocer, Bloomington, was born near Pittsburgh, Penn., Dec. 15, 1848, and brought to McLean Co., Ill., by his parents, in 1854; was raised upon a farm ; his schooling was quite limited, although, by observation and experience, he has acquired a fair business education. In 1868, he emigrated to Kansas, where he remained for a time, then returned to Bloomington, where he has since resided, a well-to-do citizen ; he began in the grocery business in 1878, and is located at 508 East Jefferson street, where he is building up a good trade. HIe married Miss Ida Spil- man, of this place, Dee. 16, 1875.

M. E. FERGUSON, Deputy Circuit Clerk, Bloomington, was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Aug. 29, 1835, where he was raised and received his early education, and also served a regular apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. He came to MeLean Co., Ill., in 1855, locating in Le Roy, and engaged in contracting and building ; throughout that part of the county there are many fine residences which stand as monuments of his workmanship. During the late war he enlisted with the 94th I. V. I., and was commissioned Second Lieutenant ; after a service of nine months, he resigned, on account of sickness in his family, and, after returning home, received a Captain's commis- sion, but was, on account of sickness. compelled to decline it. Previous to the war, he had served as Township Collector some three years, and, after the war, was engaged in mercantile business until 1872, when he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk, which position he has since held. He married Miss Mary A. Pence, of Licking Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1857; they have a family of five.

ROBERT FELL, Jr., grocer, Bloomington, is the son of Robert and Mary (Woodard) Fell, who were among the early settlers of MeLean County. Robert, Jr., was born in Putnam Co , Il., July 31, 1842, and brought to this county by his parents in 1843; he has received a good business education. During the late war, he enlisted with the 33d (Normal) I. V. I .; went out in Dec., 1862; was in the battles of Fredericktown, Vicksburg, Mobile and many other severe engage- ments, and escaped uninjured ; he was mustered out after a service of four and a half years, and returned to McLean Co., and followed farming some three years, then embarked in merean- tile business ; he is located at No. 202 South Center street ; here he keeps a fine grocery, in which is offered a well-assorted stock of goods. He married Miss Theresa Fisher, of Adams Co., Ill., Jan. 6, 1867 ; they have one child-Gracie.

DUNCAN M. FUNK, Bloomington, was born June 18, 1832; he was the son of Isaae Funk. Ile was married April 17, 1857, to Elizabeth Richardson, and has two children-Isabel and Isaae Lin- coln. He lived on the farm until 1857, when he removed to Bloomington, where he now resides: he carries on his large farm of 2,200 acres by the aid of tenants ; he feeds cattle, on a moderate scale, generally having about four hundred head of cattle and hogs. From 1857 to 1866, he was a partner in the mercantile trade with W. 11. Temple. For the past four years he has been Pres- ident of the National Bank of Bloomington ; he has been Assistant Supervisor of the township of Bloomington four years, and is at present one of the three members of the Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Normal. Mr. Funk is one of the most careful of our leading busi- ness men, one whose judgment in public matters is highly respected.

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G. V. FRINK, grocer, Bloomington ; was born in Oxford, Oakland Co., Mich., June 1, 1840; during his early life, his advantages for an education were limited ; he learned the trade of a photographer, and followed the business some four years; he came to Bloomington in 1866, and engaged with Humphrey & Wakefield, grocers, as clerk, and, for a time, manager: at the death of Wakefield and the removal of Humphrey, he was left to close up their entire business, which he did to the satisfaction of all concerned ; he embarked in the grocery business with his present partner in 1871 ; they are now located at No. 219 East Front street ; here they keep a fine grocery and a well-assorted stock. He has twice married, first, to Miss Ellen Tutt, of Oakland Co., Mich., November, 1867; she died in December, 1871, leaving one child-William H .; May 8, 1873, he married Miss Mary K. Woolan, of Jo Daviess Co., Ill .; they have two children-Dwight E. and Lyle J.

BENJAMIN F. FUNK, Bloomington ; was born on the old homestead in Funk's Grove Township, McLean Co., Ill., Oct. 17, 1839, and is the son of Isaac and Cassandra (Sharp) Funk, his father being from Kentucky and his mother from Baltimore, Md. Mr. B. F. Funk was brought up on the old homestead, engaged in farming, until he was 27 years old, and then moved to Bloomington, which has ever since been his home. Since he has resided in the city, he has held several offices of public trust-that of Supervisor of Normal Township for several terms: in 1871, was nominated by the Republican party for Mayor of Bloomington, and was elected to this office, which he held for five terms ; these offices he has filled with credit. Mr. Funk is also President of the Joint Board of Trustees of the Wesleyan University.

ABSALOM FUNK, stock-dealer, Bloomington ; was born in Funk's Grove, McLean Co., Ill., March 4, 1842, and is the son of Hon. Isaac Funk, one of the pioneers of MeLean Co .. Ill., he having made his home here in 1824, and is referred to in the history part of this work. Mr. Absalom Funk was brought up on his father's farm, engaged in farming from the time he was able to handle the hoe and hold the plow, and, in the winter months, attended the district schools. Mr. Funk was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted as Sergeant in Co. G, 145th 1. V. I .; did good service, and was honorably discharged. In 1868, he moved to Bloomington, where he has been a resident ever since. Mr. Funk married Sophronia Vandevender, a native of McLean Co., Ill., daughter of James and Emma Vandevender, who made their home in McLean Co. at an early day ; they have one child-Lyle, who was born in Bloomington, Ill .. May 31, 1874. Mr. Funk and wife in 1870 made a trip to Europe, being absent for a year, visiting France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, England, Scotland and Ireland.

FRANCIS M. FUNK, druggist, Bloomington ; was born in Funk's Grove, McLean Co., Ill., Aug. 13, 1836, and is the son of Hon. Isaac Funk; Mr. Funk was raised on the farm, and engaged in farming until 1873 ; he then removed to Bloomington, where he has remained ever since ; in 1877, Mr. Funk entered the drug business with Ira Lackey, which is one of the leading drug firms of Bloomington, located at 110 West Washington street. Besides Mr. Funk's drug business, he is engaged in the stock business. He has held several offices of public trust ; was Supervisor of Funk's Grove about four years, and is now a member of the Board of Education of the city of Bloomington. In 1864, he married Miss Mary Honser, who was born in Jessamine Co., Ky .: she came to Illinois with her parents about 1848; have three children-Gracie, Laura and Jessie

PETER FOLSOM, loan and land agent, Bloomington ; one of the best-known men in McLean County, made his home here thirty-four years ago, having arrived in 1845; he was born in Washington Co., Me., Aug. 16, 1817, and is the son of Peter Folsom, a blacksmith of Deerfield, N. H., now living in Somerset Co., Me., in his ninetieth year. Mr. Folsom first began teaching school ; his home was located where the Darley llall Building now stands; the house was a small, one-story frame, for which he paid $1.50 per month rent, and, at that time, it was the last house on Main street ; Mr. Folsom taught school about one year. In 1846. he was Deputy County Surveyor ; in 1851, he was elected County Surveyor, and filled this office about eight years ; he has surveyed the greater part of Bloomington ; surveyed the original towns of Nor- mal. Chenoa, McLean, Heyworth, etc., and additions to Danvers, Lexington and other villages in McLean and the surrounding counties. Mr. Folsom has held several public offices; was appointed in 1862, by President Lincoln, U. S. Assessor for seven counties; also, was Revenue Collector ; was also one of the first members of the City School Board of Bloomington ; he is now engaged in the loan business, and dealing in land.

MICHAEL FREY, farmer ; P. O. Bloomington ; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, June 19, 1835 ; he was reared a farmer's son, and his education limited to that obtained at the common schools ; in 1854, the family came to Illinois, and settled in the northwestern portion of McLean Co .. his father at the time purchasing a large tract of land; after his majority, he worked on the farm some five or six years ; at the age of 27. he began improving the farm which his father gave him. Ile was married in December, 1870, to Sarah Rohrer, a native of Holmes Co., Ohio. ; he resided upon his farm until 1875, when he moved to the city of Bloomington, where he has since resided ; he owns city property in Bloomington, and 240 acres in McLean Co., valued at $20,000. Mr. Frey has never held an office, and has never sought one; he has preferred a peaceful, quiet life, devoted to the interests of his farms ; his sterling worth as a friend and neighbor, and as a successful business man, is recognized by his friends and acquaintances.

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AUGUST FLEISCHMANN, Bloomington : was born in Rhenish Bavaria, July 27, 1845 ; came to America, and landed in New York ( ity in 1859, where he was when the late war broke out, and being only 16 years of age, enlisted, in 1861, in Co. G, 54th N. Y. Regiment, as bugler ; he did good service in the regiment, and remained until his discharge ; he re-enlisted in C'o. A. 11th N. Y. Militia, as chief bugler; again for the third time he enlisted, this time in Co. D. 15th N. Y. Artillery, as bugler ; he was head bugler on the staff of Gen. Williams ; he partiei- pated in the second battle of Bull Run, battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Gettysburg, Harrods- burg, the Wilderness, Harper's Ferry ; he was also present at the riot in New York City. Ile eame to Bloomington in 1866 : here he engaged in the butcher business, and has been very suc- cessful; he was in partnership, at one time, with J. Clark, also with S. Alexander, ; he came here worth about $4, and to-day he ranks as one of the most successful butchers in Bloomington. He married Miss Mary Weighl ; they have four children-Annie, Emily, Louisa and Lillie.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 93

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