The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 40

Author: Robson, Charles, ed
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy
Number of Pages: 770

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EERY, A. W., Operator in Real Estate and Mayor of Gilman, Illinois, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, March 28th, IS29. He re- ceived his education at the Washington Acad- emy, Illinois, then presided over by Principal D. W. D. Palmer, the brother of Potter Palmer. Upon abandoning student life he was engaged for a time in teaching school at an educational establishment in Woodford county. He was subsequently occupied in the milling business, and after its relinquishment engaged in real estate transactions, buying and selling land extensively until 1869. In this year he removed to Gilman, his present home, and there continued his operations in land, also in the surrounding country, meeting with great success. IIis business in real cstate is now very widely extended and important, and he is constantly busied either in fresh in- vestments or in leasing and selling the properties already acquired. He is the owner of much valuable real estate in Galena and the environs, and one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county. He was for threc years a Councilman, and, under the new charter, for one year Alderman. At the expiration of his term in the latter office he was elected to the Mayoralty of the town, which responsible position he still occupies, firm and efficient in the prompt fulfilment of his duties and upright in his administration. Gilman is reputed to be peculiarly favored, parties being considered, since politics seems there to be made subservient to the real interests of the town, rather

0 Vermont. He was educated at the academy at Whitesboro', Oneida county, New York, and upon leaving school entered as clerk into a mercantile house at Oswego, New York. In 1833 he became a partner in the mercantile establishment of Maynard & Guiteau, at Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1838 he located in Freeport, Illinois, where he established a general store on his own account. He retired from the active duties of mercantile life in 1849. In 1854 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court. He has during his residence in Freeport been prominent in its public affairs. Especially has he given to the cause of education a very great portion of his time and study. Ile was twice elected to the office of School Commissioner of the county, and was chosen upon several occasions a mem- ber of the Board of Education of Freeport, serving with honor and distinction. He was mainly instrumental in securing the adoption of the present system of "graded schools " in Frecport. In conjunction with the late Hon. M. P. Sweet, D. A. Knowlton and other lcading citizens, this improvement in the cducational system of the city was obtained in the face of great opposition. Within two years after the question was first agitated by him a large school house, known as the " Union School House," was erected, in which the new system was tested with the most success- ful results. IIe was connected with the organization of the Second National Bank, of Freeport, in 1864, and became its Cashier in 1865, retaining this responsible position up to the present time. In 1833 he was married to Jane IIowe, daughter of Major John IIowc, of Antwerp, Jefferson county, New York. She died in 1848. In 1854 he was married to Maria Blood, of Cazenovia, New York. He is a gentleman very highly respected by his fellow-citizens for his integrity and finc business and social qualities.

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OLFE, COLONEL JOIIN S., Lawyer, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, September 21st, 1833. His parents are George Wolfe and Mary (Sims) Wolfe. His earlier and preparatory education was acquired in the classes of the common schools, and at the termination of an allotted course of studies he decided to embrace the legal profession. In 1857, accordingly, he commenced the study of law under the able guidance and supervision of John M. Palmer, then residing at Carlinville, Macoupin county, Illinois. Subse- quently, upon the completion of his term of probation, he passed the required examination, and in January, 1859, was admitted to the bar in Springfield, Illinois. He was then during a brief period occupied in the practice of his pro- fession at Carlinville, after which he removed to Champaign, in the same State, in December, 1860. There he practised until the fall of 1864, meeting with considerable success, and securing an extensive clientage. Prior to the latter date, upon the outbreak of the Southern Rebellion, he was engaged in the United States service for a period of six months as Captain in the 20th Regiment of Illinois Volun- teers. From April to December, 1864, also, he acted in a prominent military capacity as Colonel of the 135th Regi- ment of Illinois Infantry. In the latter year he removed to Chicago, there practising successfully until the fall of 1867, when he returned to Champaign, where he has since per- manently resided, the possessor of a large and constantly- increasing clientage. He is a skilful practitioner, and in the conduct of his law business evinces the possession of learning and abilities. He was married May 15th, 1862, to Celestia A. Young, a resident of Champaign, Illinois.

VERETT, OLIVER, Physician and Scientist, was born in Worthington, Massachusetts, September 12th, ISII. His parents were James Everett and Phoebe (Clark) Everett. His earlier education was acquired at the High School in the neighbor- hood of his residence, whence he entered the Berkshire Medical School-connected with the Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts -- from which institu- tion he subsequently graduated. In 1836 he removed to Dixon's Ferry-now the town of Dixon-and there entered upon the active practice of his profession. In those early pioneer days when the country, still unredeemed from its primitive condition, was very sparsely settled, his professional rounds ranged over a wide extent of country. He then practised in the two or three counties adjoining Dixon, also purchased sundry sections of farm land, and during several years interested himself in the farming business and general agricultural pursuits. In 1863 he was elected Mayor of Dixon, and fulfilled the duties of that office with admirable energy and ability. He was one of the most active promoters of the North Illinois Hospital for the In-

sane, and in 1869-1873 was a member of the Board of Trustees of that institution. At the date of his arrival in Dixon two or three rudely constructed log-cabins, with about the same number of families, constituted the only traces of civilization. He has during a long period of time paid great attention to the study of the natural sciences, and his collection of geological and other specimens is surpassed by but few private collections.

ELSON, WILLIAM E., Lawyer, was born, June 4th, 1824, in Sparta, Tennessee, and is a son of Richard and Eliza (McCampbell ) Nelson. He was educated both at home and in the private schools of his birthplace; and in 1840 commenced the study of law with his father, who was a member of the legal fraternity. He was admitted to the bar in 1844, and at once commence l to practise his profession at home, where he continued to reside until 1857, meanwhile being appointed a Master in Chancery, which position he retained for a considerable period. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Decatur, Illinois, where he resumed his legal practice, and which he still continues. In 1869 he was made by gubernatorial appointment (in the place of Milton Hay, who declined the position) a member of a Commission to Revise the Statutes of Illinois, and served with that body until his election in 1871 to the State Legislature, when he declined to participate with the commission. He has ever been a Democrat in politics, and his election to the Legis- lature may be attributed to his own personal popularity, as the district is a Republican one. He was not the candidate of any party, but was put forward by his friends, and sup- ported and elected by members of both political parties. During the session of the Legislature he served on the Committees on Education and Common Schools, also on that of the Judiciary. IIe is regarded as a most able and upright counsellor and barrister. He was married February 26th, 1846, to Mary Ann, daughter of Colonel James Snod- grass, of Sparta, White county, Tennessee.

ELLS, SAMUEL COOK, Banker, was born in Walton, Delaware county, New York, March 19th, 1822. His parents were Nathaniel G. Eells and Betty (St. John) Eells. His earlier education was acquired at the Delaware Acad- emy, located at Delhi, Delaware county, New York. On abandoning school life he entered as a clerk in a general store at Walton. In 1854 he removed to Dixon, Illinois, there securing a position as bookkeeper in the private banking house of Robertson, Eastman & Co. In the following year G. B. Eastman retired, and the firm be- came Robertson, Eells & Co. The Dixon house of this firm

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was the branch establishment of the Rockford house of Rob- ertson, Coleman & Co. He continued thus engaged until 1859, when the reorganization of the firm was effected, and it be- came Eells & Coleman, relations which were sustained until IS65. In this year the Lee County National Bank was or- ganized, the house of Eells & Coleman being merged in it. In that institution he became Cashier, which position he has since retained, performing its attendant functions with exactitude and admirable ability. The Lee County Na- tional Bank is a flourishing and well-conducted establish- ment, and its financial management has been always charac- terized by a prudence and an acute foresight which leaves no room for pecuniary loss or disaster. He was married in 1854 to Anna More, of Delhi, New York, daughter of Colonel Henry More.

OBY, KILBURN H., Lawyer, was born, 1837, in Mount Vernon, Hillsboro county, New Hamp- shire, and is a son of Clinton and Lois H. (Har- wood) Roby. He was educated at the academy of his native town, and when he attained his majority he removed to Illinois, where he was engaged for two years as a teacher. In 1860 he entered the law office of Tupper & Nelson, at Decatur, and after two years of study was admitted to the bar in 1862. Shortly after this event he became associated with his preceptor, W. E. Nelson, in partnership, which firm still continues. He was married, 1864, to Ann Haworth, of Decatur.

UNN, LOYAL LEVI, Real Estate Operator, Manu- facturer, etc., was born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, New York, September Ist, 1829. His parents were Abel Munn and Susannah ( Barnum) Munn. He was the recipient of a common school cducation. In 1846 he removed to Freeport, Il- linois, in order to join an elder brother, and there was occu- pied in working on his farm in summer and in attending school during the winter months. In 1848 he attended also for one year the sessions of a neighboring select school. In 1849-50 he taught school in the northern part of Stephen- son county, and in the course of the latter year established himself in business in Frecport as an insurance agent, repre- senting several New York insurance companies for the States of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. In 1853 he organized the first insurance company formed in Free- port, the " Stephenson Insurance Company," of which he became Secretary, continuing to act in that capacity until 1865, when he resigned on account of continued ill-health. In 1866 he established a dry-goods business in partnership with his brother, under the style of O. V. & L. L. Munn ; this business, subsequently entirely his own through the purchase of his brother's interest, he ultimately disposed of in 1869.

In 1871 he bought a half interest in the Freeport Gas Works -- " The Freeport Gas Light and Coke Company"- which business lie still carries on in partnership with Mr. Schofield. Prior to this, in 1855, he had become interested in real estate operations, and built the block known as Munn's Building. In the same year also the American ' Insurance Company was formed in Freeport, and he was closely connected with its organization ; was appointed to its Presidency in 1867, and officiated in that capacity until 1870, when the company removed to Chicago and he be- came one of its directors. That company does the most extensive business in farm property insurance exclusively of any similar establishment in the country. In 1874 hc was prominently connected with the establishment of the Free- port Watch Manufacturing Company, whose works are lo- cated in the immediate vicinity of the town from which they take their name, and of this company he is the Treas- urer. He is a leading and influential member of the Ma- sonic body, and was presiding officer of the Grand Chapter of the State of Illinois for 1866. In various other societies also he occupies high positions. He is a man of infinite resources and unusual energy, and is widely and favorably known as an enterprising and indefatigable initiator of move- ments which have invariably met with great success. He was married in 1857 to Leonora Lott, formerly a resident of Ogle county, Illinois; in 1861 he was again married to M. Louisa Hardy, of Haverhill, New Hampshire.

WING, CHARLES ADLAI, Lawyer, was born, 1846, in western Kentucky, and is a son of Rev. Fielding N. and Sarah (Powers) Ewing. His father removed to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1850, where he was engaged in pastoral duties for nine years, and then retired from the ministry, remov- ing first to Chicago and subsequently to Decatur. Charles A. Ewing at the proper age entered the freshman class of the Chicago University, and thence repaired to the College of New Jersey at Princeton, and passed a three years' course in that celebrated institution, graduating with the class of 1867. Having selected the legal profession as his future sphere of action, he entered the Law School at Albany, New York, and graduated thercfrom in 1869. He then returned to Illinois, and settled at Decatur, where he at once en- gaged in the practice of his profession. He formed a law partnership with H. Crea-the latter having been already a practitioner for several years-and the firm is known as Crca & Ewing, and are among the leaders of the bar in that section of the State. Although young in years, the junior partner bids fair to attain eminence in his profession, even at the present time ranking among the ablest in Decatur. He was married, June 15th, 1871, to Zella Palmer, of Albany, New York, a niece of Judge Bradley of the Supreme Court of the United States.

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ODFREY, WILLIAM H., Opcrator in Farms, was | born in Geneva, New York, July 13th, 1827. IIis parents were Charles Godfrey and Harriet ( Hor. ton) Godfrey. He received both an academical and a private education, under the preceptorship of a tutor, at his home. Upon abandoning school- life he became engaged in farming and agricultural pur- suits. In I851 he moved to Gloucester county, Virginia, and farmed there until 1857. He removed subsequently to Dixon, Illinois, and engaged in farming and the milling business ; constructed one flour-mill, and, buying a second one, entered extensively into the business, in association with his father and brother. In 1862 he abandoned his milling enterprises, and began his transactions in farming lands, etc. At the present time he deals largely in land of various descriptions, also in farms, which he buys, sells, and rents. He is one of the most enterprising business men of Dixon, and, by his energy and ability, has risen to be one of the leading and influential spirits of the town. He was married in 1849 to Catharine I. Dugan, daughter of Na- thaniel Dugan, of New York.

ASCOM, REV. FLAVEL, D. D., was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, June Sth, 1804, the young- est of ten children. His father was Abiel Bas- com, a farmer. The son, until the age of seven- teen, attended district school and worked upon the farm. He then taught school for three win- ters, and fitted himself for college. He then entered Yale College, where he graduated in IS28 with honor. During the next year he was principal of an academy in New Canaan, Connecticut. IIe then entered the Theological Seminary of Yale College, and after two years was licensed to preach, and was at the same time appointed a tutor in the college. He pursued his studies two years longer and then graduated in 1833. He then left college to enter upon a work to which he had devoted his life, having early in his studies joined the " New Haven Band," who pledged themselves to become home missionaries in Illinois, and to work together for the promotion of evangelical religion and Christian education. He accordingly went to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1833, to labor as a home missionary ; passing through the village of Chicago when it contained but three hundred inhabitants, with but one tavern, a log house, and but one place for religious worship, namely, the carpenter shop in Fort Dearborn. He labored in this field for five years, working in Pleasant Grove, Pekin, Sand Prairie, Tremont, Washington, and Peoria. In 1839 he entered upon an agency of the same society, which led him to explore the new and scattered settlements in all the northern half of Illinois, to aid in organizing churches and preparing the way for the settlement of pastors over them. While engaged in these labors, his residence being in Chi- land a rich, strong voice, he meets well our ideal of an aged

cago, he was called to become the pastor of the First Presby- terian Church of that city in the year 1840. He remained pastor of this church for about nine years. It was during this period that he appointed in his church the first anti- slavery prayer-meeting ever held in Chicago, and took part in the first meeting ever held in that city for addresses on the subject of slavery and for the organization of an anti- slavery society. In 1850 he received a call to the First Church of Christ, in Galesburg, Illinois, where he served through a useful and fruitful ministry of six years, until I856, when he accepted an appointment under the American Missionary Association for Illinois, for one year. In IS57 he became pastor of the Congregational Church of Dover, Illi- nois, in which relation he continued for seven years. In 1864 he was settled over the First Congregational Church of Prince- ton, where he labored more than five years. Ilaving then reached the age of sixty-five he thought of retiring from the active duties of the ministry ; but being invited to act as a sort of nursing father to a small and feeble church at Hins- dale, one of the suburban villages near Chicago, he spent three years in that labor. He was then pastor of the Con- gregational Church at La Salle, Illinois, for one year, after which he removed to Ottawa, Illinois, where he now resides, relieved from the cares of a pastorate, but constantly en- gaged in preaching as temporary supply, and in aiding churches in various parts of the State to secure settled pas- tors. In all the churches over which he has been a pastor, revivals of religion have been enjoyed under his labors, and in each of these places he has held the confidence and love of his people. During the whole of his ministry he has plead for the temperance cause, as he early espoused that of the slave. He has acted a prominent part in building up educational institutions in this State of his adoption. He has been a Trustee of Knox College for more than twenty- five years ; was one of the founders of Beloit College and of Rockford Female Seminary, and a member of their Boards of Trustees until he removed from that part of the State; one of the founders and directors of the Chicago Theological Seminary ; and a founder and Trustee of Whea- ton College. In founding the Academy at Dover and the High School at Princeton, he took an active part, and had an official oversight of each, during his residence in these places. In ecclesiastical assemblies he has always been in request, and his influence has been salutary, and his labors abundant. Possessed of a vigorous constitution and much endurance, he has performed much of his labor, and done much of his travelling by night, as well as by day. Unlike many in the ministry, he possesses mechanical skill, and unusual executive ability ; and now, at the ripe age of seventy-one, in the enjoyment of good health, and still working in his Master's vineyard, he is scarcely conscious that, after these forty years of constant service, his eye is dimmed or his strength abated. Tall, well-built, a little less straight than of yore, but active, with a noble head,

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pastor and minister of Christ. Probably no man in Illinois has, to-day, a wider circle of friends and acquaintance than Rev. Dr. Bascom. He has thrice been married : first to Ellen P. Cleaveland, of New London, Connecticut, who died in Pekin, Illinois, in 1837 ; again in 1841 to Elizabeth Sparhawk, of Warehouse Foint, Connecticut, who died in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1851, leaving four sons : one, an in- fant, soon died ; another, who grew up, graduated at Beloit College, and spent some time as a teacher in the South, has recently died. Of the other two sons, one is an editor in Princeton, Illinois, and the other, Rev. G. S. Bascom, is pastor of the Congregational Church of Peru, Illinois ; thus worthily following the example of his father. In 1852 he was married to his present wife, Ruth Pomeroy, of South- ampton, Massachusetts, by whom he has one son, a physi- cian, in practice in Ottawa, Illinois, with whom they make their home.

EATON, WILLIAM WEED, Lawyer, Judge of Circuit Court, was born in Western, Oneida county, New York, April 18, 1814. His parents were John Heaton and Sarah (Wecd) Heaton. He was the recipient of an academical cducation, and after completing his allotted course of studies engaged in school-teaching, continuing thus occu- pied, however, but for a limited period. In 1835, having decided to embrace the legal profession, he entered on the study of law, and, upon the termination of his probationary course, was admitted, in 1838, to the bar at Terre Haute, Indiana, where, beginning immediately the active practice of his profession, he rapidly secured an extensive clientage. At the expiration of two years he removed, in 1840, to Dixon, Illinois, where he was professionally and success- fully occupied until 1861. At that date he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, a position which he has since occupied, performing its attendant functions with rectitude and ability. He is a skilful and upright expounder of the law, and a man of solid acquirements. His rulings and judgments are characterized by accuracy and lucidity, while his general deportment while on the bench has won for him the esteem of the members of the bar, and of the community amid which he is an honorcd citizen.

ATTERSON, SAMUEL S., Merchant, was born at Mount Joy, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 19th, 1803. ITis father, James Patterson, was formerly engaged in farming and agricultural pursuits. His education was acquired in the neighboring common schools of his birth-place, and upon leaving school he was employed in working on a farm, an occupation at which he continued for several years. In 1847 he engaged in the grain trade, and shortly

after combined with it the lumber business, carrying on at the same time mercantile operations, in partnership with Richard B. Witmer. He was thus variously employed until 1855, meeting with much success. During the session of 1855-1856 he was a member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, and while acting in that capacity deported himself with rectitude and ability. In 1857 he removed to Sterling, Whitesides county, Illinois, and reassumed there his former partnership connections with Richard B. Witmer, under the firm-name of Patterson & Witmer, in a general mercantile business. That association lasted until 1867, in which year the firm was dissolved, and he retired from the turmoil of active business life. He is at the present time a silent partner in the banking house of Patterson & Co., a well-known and reliable establishment of Sterling. As a business man he evinced the possession of tact, ability, and shrewd foresight, while both as public official and pri- vate citizen his record is wholly honorable.

ATTON, WILLIAM WESTON, REV., D. D., was born in New York city, October 19th, 1821. He is the son of Rev. Dr. William Patton, now a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, but at that date, and for many years, a well-known clergyman of New York city, a man of commanding voice and stature, and of great force of character. From such parentage one looks for a son who shall make a mark in the world, nor is expectation disappointed in this case. The son, put to study " almost as soon as weancd," made rapid progress in private schools, in four years experience at the noted " Edgehill Boarding-School" of Princeton, New Jersey, and from thence in the New York University, where he graduated in 1839, at the early age of eighteen. IIe then spent three years in the Union Theological Seminary of New York, when he graduated in 1842. He was mar- ried, January 11th, 1843, to Sarah Jane Mott of New York city, and one week later was ordained as a minister, and installed as pastor over the Phillips Congregational Church of Boston. He remained there three years, when he ac- cepted a call to the Fourth Congregational Church of Hart- ford, Connecticut. IIe continued pastor of this church for a period of eleven years. IIe then, in January, 1857, re- ceived a call to the First Congregational Church of Chicago and accepted it, moving thither ; here again he filled a long and useful pastorate of eleven years. In September, 1867, he resigned, that he might become editor-in-chief of The Advance, a new religious weekly then just started, and aim- ing to equal in quality and influence any religious journal in the country. He entered upon his new duties at once (though continuing for a few months in charge of his old parish, at the request of his people until they could find a successor), and filled the editorial chair with ability and success for about five years. In the meantime the great fire

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The biographical encyclopedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century, Part 40

Author: Robson, Charles, ed Publication date: 1875 Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy Number of Pages: 770

Author: Robson, Charles, ed
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy
Number of Pages: 770