The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 95

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 95

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

BARNEY HEMMELE, grocer, Bloomington, was born in Germany Sept. 4, 1837; he came to this country in 1843, with his people, who settled in Alleghany, Penn., where he was raised and schooled and learned the trade of a cigar-maker, serving a regular apprenticeship. In 1853, he moved with his parents to St. Louis, and lived there until 1862, then to Bloomington, Ill., where he engaged in business on his own account : he opened his present place of business in 1868; his location is 710 West Market street, where he keeps a good assortment of groceries. Ile married Miss Caroline Pope, of this place, April 7, 1861 ; they have a family of eight children.

FRANK HOBLIT, banker, Bloomington, son of Samnel and Abigail (Downey) Hoblit, who were among the first settlers of Logan Co., Ill., where they resided many years, and had much to do with the settlement and development of that section ; they were zealous workers in the cause of religion, belonging to the Baptist denomination ; by industry, perseverance and integrity, they amassed a large property, and were public-spirited and benevolent; in 1854, they removed to what was known as the Downey farm, Atlanta Township, where the father died May 26, 1866, beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew him. The subject of this sketch was born in Logan Co .. Ill., Nov. 1, 1839; was brought up on a farm, and received a good com- mon-school education ; he began clerking at 18, was a merchant at 21, and a banker at 26. Mr. Hoblit was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia in June, 1872. In 1878, the National State Bank of Bloomington was established and Mr. Hoblit appointed Presi- dent of the Bank, which has a capital of $100,000, and does a general banking business. He married Miss Mellie A., daughter of Dr. J. S. Allen, Jan. 5, 1864; she was born Jan. 2, 1846.

B. F. HOOPES, grocer, Bloomington ; wholesale and retail grocer and proprietor of the Bloomington Steam Coffee, Spice and Hominy Mills. Mr. Hoopes' advent to this city dates back to 1856, when he embarked in the grocery business, and, excepting four years, during which he resided in Springfield, has been one of the leading business men of Bloomington. Although never making any great fortune at one venture, yet he has constantly added to his possessions, until to day we find him enjoying a liberal trade and ranking among the solid men of this city. HIe is located at 105 West North street, a very central point for a large trade, and enjoys a good reputation for fair dealing with patrons. Another enterprise, which is a credit to the city as well as a paying institution, is the Steam Coffee, Spice and Hominy Mills which he has added to his already extensive business. He is a native of Pennsylvania ; born in Chester Co. Aug. 28, 1828. During his early life, he obtained a good education, laying the foundation for future use- fulness. Oct. 12, 1862, he married Miss Augusta Harwood, of Holly, N. Y. ; they have one child-Albert II.

F. A. HOMUTH, butcher ; Bloomington ; was born in Prussia, September 20, 1828, where he was raised and schooled ; during his early life, he learned the trade of a tailor, which bus- iness he followed until 1860, when he came to this country, locating in Goshen, Ind., where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1863, when he removed to Bloomington, III., and began in the butcher business. IIis shop is at 110 East Front street, where he keeps a well arranged market ; he is a practical butcher of over fifteen years' experience and is said to be well-skilled at the business. IIe marriel Miss Tora Roof, of Bloomington, Ill., in May, 1864 ; they have a family of two children.

790

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES;

B. L. HERRINGTON. butcher ; Bloomington ; was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., Oct. 30, 1851. He came to Bloomington, Ill., in 1865, and obtained a good education at the Wesleyan University, and also attended the Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Ind. He began in the butcher business in 1873, and is now conducting a first-class market at 202 East Front street. IIe married Miss Mary J. Delano, of this county, December 20, 1878.

CHRISTIAN HAKER, saloon-keeper ; Bloomington ; was born in Prussia, in 1843, and is the " son of Christopher and Fredericka (Hagen) Haker, of Germany. He came with his parents, in 1857, to America, landing in New York City, and came directly West and located in Manitowoc. Wis. There he engaged in the butcher business. In 1859, he came to Bloomington and worked at his trade more or less until 1870, when he entered the saloon business. He married in Bloom- ington to Miss Dora Fack, of Germany ; they have had one child, now dead. Mr. Haker's mother died in Bloomington ; his father is now living in Bloomington. Mr. Haker has three brothers and one sister living in Bloomington, and two sisters and a brother in Manitowoc, Wis.

GEORGE HOFMANN, saloon and boarding-house ; Bloomington ; was born in Germany, in 1831 : when 12 years old, he was on the sea as a sailor. In 1850, he came to America and landed in New York City. At the breaking out of the late war he was in New Orleans, and left that city on the last ship that sailed from there before the port was closed ; he went to Boston, and enlisted in the United States Navy, and was in the battle of Fort Jackson, and at the sur- render of New Orleans ; he did good service in the navy and was honorably discharged. In 1863. he came to Bloomington ; here he commenced the saloon and boarding-house business. He is one of the prominent Germans of the city. He married in Boston to Miss Paulina Hewert, of Germany ; they have three children.

F. HAMMOND, general agent for the Singer Sewing Machine; Bloomington ; was born in London, England, July 27, 1840. He came to America in 1869 ; came West and located in Chi- cago, where he entered the employ of the Singer Manufacturing Co. as a machinist ; he is a prac- tical machinist. He was stationed for three years at Peoria, as general agent ; from there he went to Bloomington and took charge of the Singer Co.'s office at 106 W. North street, which building, including the Phoenix Hotel and the corner north of the hotel, belongs to Mr. James Bolton, one of the members of the Singer Manufacturing Co. As an evidence of the extensive character of the Singer Sewing Machine enterprise it may not be inappropriate to mention that they employ 40,000 girls, women, boys and men in the nianufacture and disposition of their machines ; use 8,000 horses, and over 2,500,000 of their machines are in use. The company sold last year 366,000 machines, an excess of 73,000 over any preceding year, despite the hard times. Mr. Hammond has two sons connected with the general office in Chicago. F. W. Ham- mond is book-keeper, and N. C. Hammond is a machinist.

D. D. HAGGARD, hardware merchant, Bloomington ; was born in Christian Co., Ky., Nov. 16, 1819. and is the son of Dawson and Charity (Baldwin ) Haggard, of Virginia, having come to Kentucky at an early day ; Mr. Haggard's father died when he was young, leaving him to take charge of the farm ; here Mr. Haggard remained on the farm until 1837 ; he then went to Indiana and located in Greene County ; here he remained until 1841, engaged in farming; he then went to Bloom- ington ; he came here a poor boy, and first commenced making half-bushel measures in the winter of 1841-42; thence to a farm four miles south of Bloomington ; he was also engaged in the manufacture of shoe pegs, by a machine invented by himself; in 1843, he entered mer- cantile business, locating fonr miles south of Bloomington ; he was also in business in Danvers and Concord, in general merchandising; in 1846, he came to Bloomington and commenced busi- ness in a general store: from that he entered the hardware business, and at one time he was one of the largest dealers in this line, his sales reaching $100,000 a year, but, during the hard times, he failed ; Mr. Haggard has returned to the hardware business, and to-day is the oldest mer- chant in the city. Mr. Haggard married, in 1847, Miss Nancy Minter, of Jessamine Co., Ky .; she died in 1854; he next married Miss Mary A. Ballard, of Fayette Co., Ky .; three sons and one daughter.

O. N. HODGE, farmer, P. O. Bloomington ; was born in McLean Co., Ill., on the old home- stead, Nov. 15, 1826, and, with the exception of thirteen years in California, the first three years of which were spent in mining and the rest of the time in farming, he has made the old home- stead his home; he is the son of William H. Hodge, who was born Jan. 4, 1794, in Rockingham Co., N. C .; his ancestors came from England, and settled in Pennsylvania about 1700, when they moved to North Carolina. Mr. William H. Hodge, with his parents, moved to Tennessee in 1812; here Mr. Hodge was engaged in teaching school, as well as in Kentucky. In 1820, he started for Illinois, where he arrived on the 20th of February of that year ; he first settled in Sangamon County ; in 1824, he moved to Blooming Grove, McLean Co., Ill .; here he bought land quite extensively ; at this time there were but few families in the county ; Mr. Hodge assisted in the organization of Tazewell Co., in 1827: also, in the organization of McLean Co., in 1831. Mr. Hodge was Sheriff, Collector and Assessor of Tazewell Co. from 1827 to 1831. Mr. Hodge married, in 1814, Miss Rachel Wall, of Kentucky, who died about the year 1845; has had ten children, six of whom are living. William II. Hodge died May 20, 1875, with lung fever, being sick about three days. Thus the old settlers of McLean Co. are, one by one, passing beyond the shores of the unknown river. The children of William and Rachel (Wall) Hodge now living

791

BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

are-O. N. Hodge, born Nov. 15, 1826 (married Nancy J. Tipps and had one child, both deceased ) : Nancy (married Hugh Harris, now of Oregon) ; William C. (married Rachel Mur- phy, and lives in Bloomington) ; Mary J. (married Pleasant Hill, and living in California) ; James P. (married Miss Ellen Rouse, of Ohio, daughter of Col. John Rouse) ; Harriet (married O. P. Woodsworth, and living in Bloomington.)

LOUIS HAKER, saloon-keeper, Bloomington ; was born in Prussia, Dec. 7, 1836; in 1857, he came to America, and landed in New York City ; he came directly West, and first settled at Manito- woc, Wis., where he was engaged in a saw-mill, and remained until 1859, when he came to Blooming- ton, which has been his home ever since. Mr. Haker was first engaged in a brick-yard ; he also was at work in Phoenix Nursery ; he has made two trips with live-stock to New Orleans. Ile was in the late war and did good service ; he enlisted, in 1862, as private in Company A, 94th 1. V. I .; was at the battles of Perry Grove. Fort Morgan, etc., and a number of skirmishes ; was mustered out in 1865 ; he then returned to Bloomington, and was on the city police of Bloomington and did good service. He married Minnie Swartz, of Germany. He began the saloon business in 1872.

E: C. HYDE, Bloomington ; is the oldest merchant tailor in Bloomington, now doing busi- ness in the city ; he came to Bloomington in 1854, and commenced business in 1855; he was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1826, and is the son of Joel Hyde: moved with his parents to Delaware, Ohio, where he entered the Wesleyan University, and received a good edu- cation ; he also learned his trade, as tailor, in Delaware, Ohio, May 12, 1854 ; when he arrived in Bloomington, he was first engaged in clerking in a store; from that he became owner of a merchant tailoring establishment in 1855; in that year his store took fire and his stock was entirely destroyed ; he then went to Chicago and purchased $600 worth of piece goods, giving his notes to be paid in three and six months: he paid these notes before they became dne, and from that time on Mr. Ilyde has been very successful in business ; to-day he owns one of the finest stocks of piece goods, and has a trade that will do credit to any town in Illinois.

SEBASTIAN HOHMANN, barber, Bloomington ; more familiarly known as Charlie Hohmann, the barber ; was born in Germany, Jan. 9, 1841 ; in 1846, he came to America, and landed in New York city ; from there he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he first engaged in working in a glass factory ; at 14 years of age he commenced to learn his trade as barber, in Buffalo ; he at length came West and has been located in different States, working at his trade. Mr. Hohmann was also barber on the Mississippi River for four or five seasons ; he was on the steamer Grey Eagle, then running between St. Louis and St. Paul, when she collided with the railroad bridge at Rock Island, and sunk in a very short time; Mr. Hohmann was one of six whose efforts saved forty- eight persons from a watery grave ; he himself received a very painful wound on the wrist, the effects of which are apparent to this day. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1862, as private, in Co. A, 96tu I. V. I .; he had charge of a brigade band for one and a half years, and the remainder of the time served in the ranks; he was mustered out at close of war; in 1865 he returned to Bloomington, which has been his home ever since ; he is one of the oldest barbers in the business in the city, and owns the finest shop in Bloomington, situated in the Ashley HIouse. Mr. Hohmann is also manager of IIohmann & Ilasting's band, which is one of the finest bands in Central Illinois.

JOHN M. HAMILTON, Bloomington. Mr. Hamilton was born at Richwood, Union Co , Ohio, May 28, 1847; his birth-place, or the habitation in which he first saw the light of this world, was a rough-hewn log cabin, located in the deep beech woods of that section of Ohio ; he is a direct descendant of that branch of the old Scotch family of Hamiltons which more than a century ago planted itself as a part of the advance guard of civilization in Maryland and Virginia ; his father was one of twelve children-ten sons and two daughters, who are now located in different parts of Illinois and Ohio ; in 1854, John emigrated with his parents in a covered wagon, to Marshall Co., III; here his father purchased a large farm, but the business crash of 1857 swept nearly everything out of his possession, and John and older brother were compelled to support, by their own labor, the entire family. In 1864. when but 16 years of age, young Hamilton enlisted and served for a year in the Union army ; returning home he taught a district school in the winter of 1865, meantime continuing to prepare himself for college, snatch- ing such moments from labor as he could, for the cultivation of his mind; from the sale of a piece of land given him by a well-to-do uncle, a small amount saved from his carnings as a teacher, and a contribution from his father, John raised sufficient ready funds to enable him in September, 1865, to start out upon a classical course in the Delaware (Ohio) Wesleyan Univer- sity; and, in 1868, he graduated third in a class of forty-six students, receiving the degree of A. B .; in 1871, he received a second reward for his perseverance by having the affix of A. M. bestowed upon him by the same institution ; he at once began the study of law in earnest, but his finances being exceedingly low, he was compelled to accept a position as Principal of an academy, at Henry, Ill .; he was at this time so sorely pressed for means that he found it neces- sary to negotiate a loan of $50 from an aged lady friend to defray his current expenses until such time as he should draw his salary ; on account of serious illness, Mr. Ilamilton, in the spring of 1869, was compelled to resign the position of Principal of the academy ; he then pros- ecuted the study of law at home, in Marshall Co., slowly regaining his health in the meantime ;

792

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

in the month of August, 1869, Mr. Hamilton came first to Bloomington, and through the influence of a recommendation from the entire Faculty of the Ohio Wesleyan, obtained a situation as tutor in the Illinois Wesleyan ; here he was occupied for three hours each day in hearing classes recite in Latin ; he had not relinquished his law studies ; but every leisure hour was put in faithfully with the books, and, that he might have the benefit of a valuable library and ripe experience, he entered the law office of Weklon, Tipton & Benjamin ; in the spring of 1870, he drew yet nearer the cherished wish of his life, being at that time admitted to the bar ; soon after. he began practice with Weldon & Benjamin on a salary ; in October, 1870, the present firm of Rowell & Hamilton was formed, being third in order of the oldest law firms in the city. In 1876, Mr. Hamilton's friends placed him in nomination as a Representative in the State Senate, to which he was elected for four years ; he has served on the following committees : Judicial, Revenue, Education, State Institutions, Municipalities, Elections ; he introduced and secured the passage of the bills establishing the new Appellate Court ; as a member of the Committee on Revenue, Mr. Hamilton took a prominent part in the warm fight of that session between the people and the great corporations of the State, when the latter endeavored to escape taxation ; it is needless to say he was on the side of the people; as a member of the Committee on Public Institutions he visited and examined them all, and reported on their condition; he was instru- mental in obtaining the most liberal appropriation for the Normal University that has been obtained for that institution for a number of years, increasing the regular appropriation by $2,500. In 1879, he was elected President of the Illinois State Senate, by the Republicans in caucus, unanimously ; in 1879, he was elected Vice President of the Illinois State Bar Associa- tion.

HIERMANN HOFFMANN, saloon-keeper, Bloomington ; was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- many, July 19, 1847 ; came to America and landed in New York City about 1859; he first located in Newark, N. J., where he learned his trade as traveling-bag maker ; he followed his trade about fifteen years, and was in the employ of T. B. Pettis, a large manufacturer in Newark, N. J., who is now a Member of Congress ; In 1877, Mr. Hoffmann came West and located in Bloomington ; here he commenced the saloon business, and has followed it ever since : has in his employ his brother, Valentine Hoffmann, who was in the late war, in the 13th N. J. V. I .; he did good service ; was in the Army of the Potomac; also in Sherman's campaign, and served over three years. Mr. Herman Hoffmann married Miss Sibela Wallrab, of Germany ; they have three children, two girls and one boy.

J. E. HOUTZ & CO., dry goods, Bloomington ; this firm commenced business in 1873; they have had experience in the dry-goods business some thirteen years ; they occupy one of the finest blocks for the dry-goods business in the city, known as the Gridley Block ; their stock of dry goo ls and carpets is complete, and one of the largest in the city.

WILLIAM E. HUGHES, Bloomington. The subject of this sketch was born in England, but, when 18years of age, came to America with his father ; they settled in Michigan, where Hughes finished a course of study at the best institutions the State afforded ; in all departments of busi- ness, legal, historical and learned literature, Mr. Hughes became profoundly versed, and, having an uncommonly retentive memory, he has lost nothing from the store, but has rather added thereto ; he is a careful reader and a close thinker, and is especially familiar in intricate law questions ; Mr. Hughes first came to Bloomington in 1862; his first movement in business was as a salaried official of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, a position which he is said to have filled with studious care for the interests of that corporation, and in a manner highly satisfactory to its managers ; in this work he continued until the summer of 1866; in that year, he entered the law office of Williams & Burr, reading and preparing himself for active practice; here he remained, making the best possible use of his advantages, for three years, until 1869; an advantageous law part- nership was formed between Mr. Inghes and Robert MeCart, which, while it existed, had a large and valuable practice in all the courts of adjudication ; this partnership was dissolved in September, 1877. Mr. Ilughes filled with distinction and ability the position of City Attorney, made vacant by the retirement of Mr. McCart. In the year last named, the present partnership with Ira J. Bloomfield was formed, and, since its operation, has been employed in a number of the more important cases at the McLean County Courts, as well as in the higher tribunals.

IIIGGINS & CO., marble works, Bloomington. It is often supposed that good work in the marble and monument business cannot be obtained anywhere except in a few of our larger cities. This is a mistake, as is evinced by the superior talent exhibited and work produced by Messrs. Higgins & Co., since their establishment in Bloomington ; these gentlemen commenced business in 1876, and have turned out some of the finest work in Bloomington ; they are now finishing one of the finest monuments for the Bloomington Cemetery ; its weight will be thirteen tons, and this will be the finest piece of work in the cemetery ; this firm employs more hands than any other establishment of its kind in Bloomington ; the firm is Mr. J. P. Jung, a native of Illinois, who came to Bloomington in 1869, and has had many years' experience in the marble business, and Mr. Il. J. Iliggins, a native of Ohio, who enlisted in the late war in Co. D, 59th Ohio V. I., and participated in the battles of Stone River, Mission Ridge, Perryville, Chickasaw Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, etc .: with the exception of three months' sickness, Mr. Higgins was always at his post; after being mustered out as Sergeant, he

793

BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

re-enlisted, in 1865, in Co. E, 192d Ohio V. I., as Ist Lieutenant ; here he was detailed as Provost Marshal : also Judge Advocate Conrt Martial two months ; after the close of the war, he returned to Ohio. In 1863, he came to Illinois, where he has been engaged in the marble business ever since. All persons dealing with them may be assured of the most honorable treatment and the most skillful workmanship.

DANIEL HEGARTY, dealer in stoves and tinware, Bloomington; was born in the County Cork, Ireland, in May, 1836, and is the son of James llegarty, a brewer; in 1849, he emi- grated to America, and landed in New York City, July 2, 1849; he lived in the State of New York about eighteen months, and, in 1851, he came West to Illinois, and located in Chicago, where he learned the trade of a tinner, aud worked there until 1858; he then came to Blooming- ton ; here he first worked for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company as tinner and coppersmith about two years; he then went to Texas ; from there he returned to Bloomington and commenced to work for Holder, Miller & Co. In 1862, he commenced business for himself on Main street ; thence to Normal about eighteen months ; from there he returned to Bloomington, where he now keeps a complete stock of hardware, stoves and tinware. In 1877, Mr. Hegarty was elected Alderman from the Fifth Ward ; this office he still holds. He is a Democrat in polities.

M. HANSEN, dealer in dry goods, Bloomington ; was born in Saarburg, Germany, in 1839 ; in 1850, he came to America, and was engaged on the New York Central Railroad for thirteen years as brakeman, then baggage master and conductor; in 1864, he came West, and accepted a position as yard master at Springfield, for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company ; thence to Bloomington. Mr. Hansen's first experience in mercantile life was clerking in a gro- ery store, for about one year ; he then entered the sample-room business, and, in 1869, he en- gaged in his present business, which he has followed ever since. By hard work and good man- agement he has become owner of a good dry-goods store. He married Miss Susan Wirz ; they have three children. He has held the office of Alderman of his ward. He is a Democrat in politics.

CHARLES HENNECKE, insurance and European steamship agent, Bloomington : was born Aug. 16, 1823, in the Province of Westphalia, Prussia, near Dortmund, and is the son of Rev. A. Hennecke. After serving in the Prussian army, he sailed, in 1850, for America, and landed in New York City May 26, 1850; from this year until 1855 he was seeking a location ; was in Buffalo, N. Y .. Petersburg, Va., and Toledo, Ohio ; from whence he came to Bloomington, Ang. 17, 1855 ; here he began clerking in a dry-goods store; was for a short time in the cigar and tobacco business, and, in 1864, commenced his present business. He represents some of the leading insurance companies, and does a general foreign exchange and passenger business. Mr. Hennecke is agent for the well known insurance company, the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, of Milwaukee, Wis. Every well regulated and prominent city has its insurance representatives, and no men are more necessary in any line of business. To properly conduct a first class agency requires constant watchfulness, hard work and a thorough devotion to the de- tails of the business. After saying this much, we are led to state that Mr. Charles Hennecke is one of the leading and most reputable agents in McLean County. Mr. Hennecke is assisted in his office by his son Albert. June 17, 1857, Mr. Hennecke married Miss Julia Schultz.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 95

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