The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 97

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 97

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W. A. LEWIS, Superintendent Chair Manufactory, Bloomington. In all extensive manu- factories, it is always necessary to have a general superintendent. This position Mr. W. A. Lewis holds in the Bloomington Chair Manufacturing Company's establishment. This firm manufactures about 40,000 chairs per annum. Mr. Lewis is a native of Niagara Co., N. Y., was born Nov. 19, 1829, and came West in 1855. He had learned the trade of a cabinet-maker before leaving the East. Upon his arrival in Bloomington, not finding suitable prospects in the cabinet business, he engaged in the grain-trade, which he followed for seventeen years, and, in 1873,

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when the Bloomington Chair Manufacturing Company was organized, he accepted a situation with them, which he has since held. During his early life, he had but little chance of getting an education, but, by industry and good observation, he succeeded in procuring a fair business education. He is now filling a position of responsibility and trust, which is the result of his sober, industrious habits and close attention to business.

J. LITTLE, physician and surgeon, Bloomington. The medical profession is well represented in Bloomington, and includes among its list gentlemen of recognized merit. Included in this class is Dr. J. Little, whose practice is large and of a gratifying character. He is a native of Washington Co., Ind., and has been dependent upon his own resources in the procuring of his medical education. In 1855, he began the study of medicine with Dr. A. Pence, of Terre Haute, Ind. In 1861, he entered the U. S. Army as Hospital Steward of the 33d I. V. I. ; he had filled this post less than one year, when he was promoted to the post of Assistant Surgeon of the 24th Missouri V. I .; this office he held until the spring of 1864. Upon his return from the army, he again began the study of medicine, and, during the winter of 1864-65, he attended the Bellevue Hospital of N. Y. Upon the close of the term at Bellevue Hospital, he entered the Long Island Ilospital for the spring course; graduating at this college, in June, 1865. After graduating, he again entered the army as surgeon of the U. S. C. Inf. ; this post he held until 1866, when, upon the close of the war, he came to Bloomington, remaining but a short time, when he removed to Le Roy. McLean Co., where he located and began the practice of medicine, remaining there eleven years. In the spring of 1877, he removed to Bloomington, where he has since resided, engaging in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the McLean County Medical So- ciety, of which he is the present Secretary. Is also a member of the Illinois State Medical So- ciety, and of the Illinois Central Medical Association. Has held the position of City and County Doctor since 1868. He has made frequent contributions to the medical journals. Since his leaving the army, in 1866, he has given his time fully and exclusively to the practice of his profession.

E. B. LAWRENCE, carpenter, Bloomington; is a native of Greene Co., Ohio; at the age of 17 years, he left his home and, went to Springfield, Ohio, where he remained ten years. While there, he learned the trade of a carpenter, though he is now a master also of the pattern makers and cabinet trades. In 1860, he came West, locating in Richland Co. IIe made several changes after this, to Logan Co., then to Sangamon, back to Logan, and finally to McLean, in 1872, where he has since remained, engaged working at his trade. He is one of the straight-forward, honest residents of the city of Bloomington. Being a No. I workman, and attentive to business, he has won a good name and reputation.

ALLEN T. LAWRENCE, Justice of the Peace, Bloomington ; was born in Morgan Co,, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1840; he was brought to Bloomington by his parents, in 1841, where he has since lived; he was educated at the Wesleyan University. His first business experience was in book-keeping, which he followed for a number of years ; during the late war he enlisted with the 8th I. V. I., and, at the expiration of this term (three months), he re-enlisted with the 94th I. V. I., and was appointed Assistant Military Postmaster for the army of the frontier, and was mustered out in April, 1863. He then returned and took up book-keeping. In 1870, he was elected Police Magistrate ; was also appointed U. S. Commissioner for the Southern District; the latter position he still holds, with that of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected in 1877. He is a thor- ough business man, social, genial and much respected by all who know him. Ife married Miss Jennie M. Wilson, of Centralia, Sept. 21, 1872. They have one child-Harrie S.

JOIIN H. LOEHR, Deputy Treasurer, Bloomington ; was born in Somerset Co., Penn., June 15, 1831, and is the son of Peter J. and Anna B. (Snyder) Loehr; Mr. Loehr's advent to this city dates from the year 1846. Many important positions of trust have been confided to him during his residence here, among which we may mention those of Deputy County Clerk and Deputy County Treasurer, positions which he has filled with credit and honor.

WILLIAM LOGAN, butcher, Bloomington ; of the firm of Daniels & Logan ; a native of Ireland ; was born March 8, 1834; he came to the United States in 1849, and directly to Bloom- ington, Ill., where he has since lived a respected citizen ; he is said to be the oldest butcher in Bloomington, having been continually in the business here for upward of twenty-five years ; his long continuance and present patronage is proof of his ability as a butcher ; the fine quality of his meats and his honorable manner of doing business secure for him extensive patronage. lle married Miss Ann Prier of Philadelphia, Penn., Jan. 17, 1853 ; they have six children.

AUGUST LAUFER, stone-mason, Bloomington; was born in Prussia, May I, 1832, he emigrated to America in 1867, and, coming West, located in Decatur, Ill., where he was engaged at his trade, which he learned in Germany when he was about 15 years old ; Mr. Laufer remained in Decatur until he came to Bloomington; since he came here, he has been engaged in working on some of the best business blocks and public buildings in the city, such as the Gridley Block, now occupied by J. E. IFoutz & Co.'s dry goods store, Wesleyan University, Methodist Church, the new City Hall, etc .; Mr. Laufer's stoneyard is located at the corner of Center and Market streets. He was married to Mina Shmechel, of Germany ; they have had six children ; three children living.

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S. W. LYMAN, Bloomington : is one of the oldest conductors in the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad ; he was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., June 23, 1831, and is the son of Erastus and Sarah ( White) Lyman ; when Mr. Lyman was about 21 years of age, he began railroading on the Vermont Central Line as brakeman, which position he filled but a short time ; he then was appointed conductor of the V. C. R. R., running from Rouse's Point to Windsor, Vt .; remained with this company about three years : he then came West in 1854, and was conductor on the Michigan Central Railroad one year; in 1855, Mr. Lyman came to Bloomington and entered the employ of the C. & A. R. R., as conductor, which position he has held, principally, ever since. Mr. Lyman married in Bloomington Miss Carrie Phillips ; they have three chil- dren, two girls and a boy.

CARL LARTZ, saloon-keeper, Bloomington; was born in Prussia in 1836; he came to America and landed in New York City in 1856; he remained in New York State until 1857, when he came West to Bloomington, Ill .; here he commenced work in a brickyard, and, in 1862, he entered the army, enlisting in the 94th I. V. I., Co, A, av private, and did good service ; he was mustered out in 1865. At the close of the war, he returned to Bloomington, and followed brickmaking until 1876; he then entered the saloon business, which he has followed ever since. He married Miss Reaka Rabenstrof, of Germany ; they have eight children.

LIPP & FICKWEILER, hotel and restaurant, Bloomington ; proprietors of the Jefferson Ilouse, one of the home-like hotels of Bloomington. Otto Lipp was born in Weidenburg, Ger- many, 1845 : came to America in 1856, and landed in New York City ; he then went to Lancas- ter. Penn., and, in 1868, came West and located in Bloomington ; here he was engaged at his trade as cigar-maker, a trade he had learned in Lancaster. Mr. Lipp commenced the hotel and restaurant business in 1878, in partnership with Ernest Fickweiler, who is one of the leading Germans of Bloomington.

A. LIVINGSTON & CO., dealers in dry goods, Bloomington. As in most other branches of business and manufactures, Bloomington takes a leading position in the dry-goods line, hav- ing several leading houses of the kind in Central Illinois, and which take rank with those in cities of 100,000 inhabitants. A leading dry-goods house is that of Messrs. A. Livingston & Co., who commenced business in Bloomington in 1865, and are one of the oldest in the dry-goods business ; they carry a very valuable stock of dry gools and notions, valued at $25,000.

JOHN T. LILLARD. He was born and reared on a farm in Boyle Co., Ky .; he entered Center College, located at Danville, Ky., in the month of Sept., 1868; he graduated, with con- spicuous honors. in June, 1872; after a season of stea ly and persistent reading the elementary works, he was admitted to practice law in Kentucky, in 1873, being then 20 years of age; after still further prosecuting his studies, and after coming to Bloomington, he entered the law office of Williams & Burr, Bloomington ; he was admitted to the bar of this State, upon a foreign license, in September, 1874. In Angust of 1875, a partnership was formed between Mr. Lillard and Mr. Richard Osborn, a firm which has achieved deserved success in the courts, and which still exists.

BENJAMIN D. LUCAS, was born in 1849, about two miles south of Bloomington ; in 1856, his parents moved to the city, and a short time after, his mother died ; after moving to town, he attended school at the old yellow schoolhouse, in the south part of town, until October, 1860, when his father, Richmond Lucas, died, and he went to Indiana, and went to school in the win- ter-time and worked on a farm during the summer ; after remaining there three years, he went to Shelbyville, Ill., and worked in a store, while not at school, about eight months; then he returned to Indiana, and after remaining there a few months, went to New York, and went to school in the winter and worked on a farm in the summer-time during three years; in 1866, he returned to Illinois, and again worked on a farm about four months, after which he taught school in the north part of the State. Hle then returned to Bloomington and entered the law office of Bloomfield & Fifer, and remained with them until they dissolved, after which he remained with Gen. Bloomfield until he was admitted to practice, in 1873; he then went into partnership with Mr. Bloomfield and remained nearly two years, when they dissolved; since then he has been alone. In the spring of 1876, he was appointed City Attorney by ex-Mayor Steere, which office he held until the expiration of the term. Mr. Lucas is certainly one of the most persistently studious lawyers at the MeLean County bar: he is sincere and earnest in everything he undertakes, and from these very marked characteristics he has, for a young law- yer, reaped an abundant success ; his character is faultless, and in private as well as in public life, he is a conscientious and dignified gentleman ; no member of this bar is more highly respected by his professional associates ; if any exception can be taken to Mr. Lucas as a law- yer, the writer considers that it is found in his modesty, which, for a man of his profession, is truthfully excessive.

MISS ADA M. LAUGHLIN, teacher, Bloomington; was born in Putnam Co., Ill .; she received an education in Granville, Putnam Co., Ill. ; in 1865, she taught a district school, and, in 1866. attended the State Normal University, at Normal, Ill .; in 1870, she accepted a position as Principal of one of the ward schools of Bloomington, which she has filled ever since, and is now Principal of the Third Ward School, one of the largest and finest school buildings in the city.

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WILLIAM W. MARMON, druggist, Bloomington. The history of the business industries of McLean County would not be complete without a personal sketch of Mr. William Marmon, the wholesale and retail druggist. He is a native of Wayne Co., Ind .; it was there he spent the early part of his life and received his education ; in 1846, he came to Bloomington and engaged as a clerk with Messrs. Luce & Parke, who were then engaged in the drug trade ; he remained with this firma until 1851, when the firm changed to Paist & Elder: he remained with these gentlemen until 1854, when he bought Mr. Elder's interest in the business ; he and Mr. Paist were partners until 1873, when the death of Mr. Paist occurred ; since that time, he has conducted the business alone; under his supervision it has grown to almost incredible proportions ; a better conception of the extent of it may be had when the proportions and amount of his stor- age-room is known ; at 115 North Main street, where his establishment is located, he is using three floors and basement, and of 113, he has two floors and basement, each room and basement being 23x80 feet ; placing the whole upon the ground floor, it would make one immense store- room of 560 feet in length ; but few of the citizens of Bloomington are aware of the extent of his business ; he does a general wholesale and jobbing trade, in which he employs traveling salesmen. He has proven himself one of the best financiers of the county ; his name, repu- tation and business are so well known that any compliments of the press are wholly unneeded. He is the oldest business man now engaged in business in the city-that is, there is not a single man in the mercantile trade at this date that was doing business when he began.

M. L. MOORE, harness manufacturer, Bloomington. One of the leading, if not the largest, retail harness and saddle manufacturers of Bloomington is Mr. M. L. Moore, who is a native of Sangamon Co., Ill. In 1847, he began learning the trade of a harness-maker, in Jacksonville, Morgan Co., by serving an apprenticeship of three years. In 1851, he came to this city and engaged in the manufacture of harness and saddles ; in 1853, he took Mr. P. Whitmer as part- ner, this partnership lasting about three years ; he then bought Mr. Whitmer's interest in the business, which he conducted until 1862, then sold out to Mr. M. X. Chuse and entered the army in the war of the late rebellion. He enlisted in Co. K, 94th 1. V. I., as a private, but was elected by a vote of the line-officers Quartermaster of the regiment. He was in the service from August, 1862, until August, 1865. Upon his return from the army, he became a partner of Mr. Chuse in his old business. In 1867, he bought Mr. Chuse out, and has since conducted the business alone. His establishment is located at 114 South Main street, and is neatly fitted up and stocked with a full line of harness, saddles, collars, whips, robes, nets, trunks, valises, and, in fact, everything pertaining to a complete and well-stocked establishment of this kind. He sometimes gives employment to as many as fourteen men. By his honesty and square-dealing, he has established a business of which he has every reason to be proud.

A. MAYERS, undertaker, Bloomington. Mr. Mayers is another of the citizens of Blooming- ington who, in his line of business, deserves special notice. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born July 10, 1827. He had but little chance of acquiring an education. As he grew to manhood, he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, and, in 1848, came West, locating at Bloom- ington, where he has since resided. When he came here, he commenced working at his trade, which he followed as a business until 1875, when he engaged in his present line of business. This business he seems to have a natural talent for. As it is a peculiar business, it requires a man well adapted to it to conduct it properly. He is located under the post-office building ; here he has everything complete in the line of metallic caskets and burial-cases. of various sizes and kinds; also a full line of shrouds. In 1851, he was married to Miss J. J. Anlow, of Kentucky, and, in 1865, was elected Township Collector, which office he filled with credit and ability.

B. P. MARSH, A. M., M. D., Bloomington. In all professions, and more especially the medical, we find men of different qualifications. There are those who claim the title of M. D. upon the fact of a diploma having been granted them, and others who have earned the title by years of hard and comprehensive study. Included in this latter class is Dr. B. P. Marsh, who is a thoroughly-educated gentleman, in literary lore as well as in the sc ence of medicine. He is a native of Allegany Co., N. Y .: he was born Feb. 25, 1841. and began the study of medicine in 1863; attended lectures at both the Hahnemann and Rush Colleges, of Chicago. He began the practice of his profession, but, his health failing, was obliged to give it up for a time. In 1868, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Bloomington High School, which position he held over five years. Regaining his health, he again began the practice of medicine. By his pleasant, genial manner and thorough knowledge of the science, he has met with very grati- fying success. Since his practice in Bloomington, he has frequently written some very valua- ble articles for the different medical journals. For the past two years, he has been Professor of Physiology and Hygiene in the Wesleyan University.

D. O. MOORE, M. D., Bloomington. Another of the leading physicians of Bloomington, who has established a name and reputation by his works, is Dr. D. O. Moore, whose practice is large, and of a gratifying nature. He is a native of Harrison Co., Ohio; was born Aug. 21, 1838, and began the study of medicine in 1858, under Dr. Emerson. now of Chicago, but a resident of Bloomington at that time. He began practicing in March. 1863, since which time he has

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devoted his full time and attention to the study and practice of his profession. Ile is a member of the McLean County Medical Society and of the Illinois State Medical Society. By his energy. industry and good financiering, he has accumulated some very fine and valuable property in and near the city. Left to depend upon his own resources when quite young, he learned the value of time and money by his own varied experience. During 1859-60 he was engaged in freighting goods and supplies from Omaha, Neb., to Denver, Col .; while employed in this way, he learned much of Western life on the plains. The hardships and sickness endured by him while there stimulated him to provide himself with a good home, which he now enjoys.

B. W. MASON, Deputy Sheriff, Bloomington ; was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 15, 1856 ; was educated at Kenyon College ; from 1855 until 1859 he was employed in the Post Office Depart- ment, when he entered the County Recorder's office. During the late war he was in the Quar- termaster's Department of the Army of the Cumberland. lle came to Bloomington in 1864, where he has since resided, a well-to-do citizen. His first mercantile experience was in the hat and eap business, when he first located in Bloomington, in which he continued until 1867; he then acted in the capacity of book-keeper for different firms, until he received his present appoint- ment ; he has filled these responsible positions with credit. llis wife was Miss Ilattie Steele, of Peru, Ind. ; they were married Dec. 29, 1864, and have two children-Charles S. and Camilla M.

J. MAYERS & CO., milling, Bloomington. Another firm worthy of special mention in this history is that of J. Myers & Co., pioneer millers. In 1858, they began the milling business in Bloomington, but, in 1871. lost their mill by fire; in 1872, they rebuilt, with a flouring capacity of 150 bushels per day. J. J. Mayers, the junior member of the firm, is a thoroughly practical miller ; under his skillful management their business has steadily increased ; they have not striven for a merchant trade : but, by square dealing and good work, theirs has become the lead- ing custom mill of the city.

E. S. MILLER, City Marshal, Bloomington ; was born in Bloomington, Ill., Nov. 15, 1846 ; at the beginning of the late war he (although not 15 years old) enlisted as a private with the 39th I. V. 1. ; was in many of the most severe battles, sieges and skirmishes of the war, and was wounded four times ; the narrative of his army life, which covered a period of four years and four months, reflects credit upon him as a true and brave soldier. When mustered out, he was Ser- geant, and the largest man of his company, although when he entered, he was the smallest ; he then returned to Bloomington and learned and followed the trade of masonry until 1874, when he was appointed upon the police force, and, for meritorious services and conduct, was ap- pointed by Mayor Steere to the position of Captain of Police ; was appointed City Marshal by Mayor Bunn, and reappointed by the present Mayor, John Reed. He is a man of fine physical as well as mental powers: firm and resolute, and considered the right man in the right place. Ile married Miss Almira C. Hewitt, of this place, June 3, 1868 ; they have three children-Jes- sie M., Frank E. and Mary E.

BEN. F. McLEAN, machinist, Bloomington. The power department of the Bloomington Chair Factory is kept in proper condition by Mr. Ben. F. McLean, who is a native of West Vir- ginia; was born in 1830; in 1852 he came to this city, where he has since resided, with the excep- tion of three years spent in the U. S. Army. Ilis first work in Bloomington was to engage in a saw-inill as engineer, which he followed for four years; the company then changing, putting in machinery and doingiron work ; Mr. McLean then taking charge of the machinery. This position he held until 1862, when he entered the U. S. army, enlisting in Co. A, 94th I. V. I., remaining in the army until the close of the rebellion; returning to Bloomington in 1865, he took charge of the machinery of the manufacturing company of Barber, Ives & Fell, which situation he held until 1873, when he entered the C. & A. R. R. car shops as assistant foreman, where he remained until 1875, when he accepted his present position with the Bloomington Chair Manufac- turing Co.

MRS. A. MOULTON, Bloomington. Of those citizens of Bloomington, who, from time to time, have been connected with any of her railroads, and more particularly the Chicago & Alton Road, we mention Mr. Amasa Moulton, now deceased; he was a native of Wales, Hamden Co., Mass .; lle was born April 7, 1817; his trade was that of a car-wheel molder, which he had learned in Worcester, Mass. In 1837 he was married, and in 1852 came west to Chicago, and took charge of the works of the American Car Co. of New Haven, Conn ; this company failing, after a time, he engaged with the Illinois Central Co., and in 1863 moved to Bloomington and took charge of the iron work of the Chicago & Alton Road, remaining with this company until his death, which occured March 8, 1878. He was probably as well known as any resident of Bloomington, whose business was railroading. Mrs. Moulton is still a resident of the city ; she has a beautiful home, pleasantly located on West Grove street, and is well known as one of the most genial and hospitable ladies of the city of Bloomington.

H. A MINER, planing-mill, Bloomington. Principal among those in Bloomington who do a general contracting and building, planing and manufacturing business, is Mr. HI. A. Miner, who is a native of New York; he was born Dec. 28, 1835, and eame West Jan. 26, 1856; two years before leaving his native place, he began serving a three years' apprenticeship in learning the trade of a carpenter and joiner: after working two years, M. W. Il. Styker, with whom he was working, concluded to come West, Mr. Miner coming with him : before serving his three years,

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he purchased his time of Mr. Styker, and took the contract of building the old Western Hotel near the C. & A. depot ; for several years he followed contracting and building; Mr. Greenley being his partner, the firm was known as Greenley & Miner. In 1873, he bought of the Bloom- ington Furniture Manufacturing Co., all the wood machinery in the planing department, renting power from the furniture company, since which time he has been engaged in doing work in this line, and furnishing architectural designs in connection with his contracting, though he is now making a specialty of the fitting up of the interior of store-rooms. There are many specimens of his work which speak for themselves, both in building and designing. The County Poor Farm Building and City Hall, which have been lately constructed, are both of his designing. These and many other buildings of MeLean Co., are standing monuments of his workinanship.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 97

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