USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 52
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WILLIAM PERRYMAN.
William Perryman, a prominent and suc- cessful contractor and builder of Minonk. possesses the esteem and confidence of its
A son of George and Elizabeth ( Wool- way) Perryman, natives of Devonshire, our subject was born on a farm, May 20, 1860. Hle was but ten years of age when death de- prived him of his loving father, who was then in the prime of life forty-one years of age. He was a devout member of the Brethren church and to his children he left an untar- nished name and record. His widow is yet living and is in her seventy-seventh year. She still makes her home in England, and is actively interested in the welfare of the de- nomination to which her husband had be- longed. A woman of sterling qualities, be- loved by all who know her, she nobly did her full duty by her family, and her children, in- (iced. "rise up and call her blessed." Emma, the eldest, is the wife of George Davy, who is engaged in the manufacture of pianos, in England. Thomas, the second child, also living in his native land, is an auctioneer, real estate and insurance man. George is a contractor and builder in England. Mary became the wife of William Labbett, for- merly a blacksmith and manufacturer of im- plements, and now engaged in farming in England. Agnes is the wife of Frederick Lane, a sign painter, general contractor and ciccorator of the same country. Lucy wedded Thomas Avery, an Englishman, em- ployed as a coachman. Eva, who married 15. J. Tucker, is deceased. John is engaged
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in farming, and Henry is a butcher in their native land. Elizabeth died in infancy, and Philip when in his fifth year. Philip, the second of the name, was accidentally killed by the discharge of a revolver which he was handling. This sad event occurred in 1878, when the lad, then in his fourteenth year, had just passed a preliminary examination, and was soon to enter the office of an attor- ney. Anna, the youngest of this large fam- ily, is the wife of Charles Russell, a builder and undertaker in England.
As previously stated, William Perryman was ten years old when he was left father- less, but he continued to live on a farm until he was in his seventeenth year. He then commenced a three-years apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, receiving only his board during that period. Then, for two years, when he was perfecting himself in all of the finer details of the business, in Lon- don, he was paid twelve cents an hour. In March, 1890, he crossed the Atlantic with the intention of casting his lot with the peo- ple of this republic. He came direct to Minonk, where he was employed for a twelvemonth by A. B. Kipp, and then he embarked in business for himself. For nine year he had been engaged in contracting and building, and for part of this time he was in partnership with F. J. Tucker. of this place. He now conducts all departments of his busi- ness, being his own architect, and drawing up plans and specifications. Many of the handsome residences and fine business blocks in the city and locality have been built under his supervision, and without exception his patrons express themselves as perfectly sat- isfied. He now finds his time fully occu- pied in executing the numerous structures which his contracts call for, and his outlook is one of promise.
On the 2d of April, 1888, Mr. Perry- man was united in marriage to Ann Hill, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hill. Mrs. Perryman was born in England, and there obtained a good education. Six children have been born to this worthy couple, name- ly : George A., Lois Anna. Elmer W., Law- rence .A., Bertha V. and Delbert William. Lois A., the elder daughter, died January, 1891, when but eleven days old.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Perryman have nu- merous and sincere friends in Minonk, and they are members of the Brethren church. He is not a politician in any sense, but strives to keep abreast of the times, and manifests his interest in the welfare of his adopted land.
E. L. FINCHAM, D. D. S.
Roanoke's popular and successful dentist was born in Towanda, McLean county, Illi- nois, September 20, 1873. His father, Matt- hew Fincham, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1844, and when only four years okdl was brought to this state by his father. Robert Fincham, who was also a native of Virginia, while the former was of Scotch- Irish descent and the latter of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction. They had a family of sixteen children. Robert Fincham was born in 1804 and is still living at the age of ninety-six years, his home being in Towanda. During his active business life he was a stock man. At first he owned and operated a ranch, but later gave his attention to buying and selling stock.
Matthew Fincham, the Doctor's father, was reared and educated in McLean county, Illinois, and was also engaged in stock rais- ing and dealing during his business career,
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but is now living a retired life in Towanda. Ile married Eliza Heller, a native of Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Elias and Eliza ( Brandsteter ) Heller. By this union were born eight children: Mhert, a resident of Streator, Illinois: Everett, of Towanda; F. L., our subject: Lewis, of Streator; Maud, wife of a Mr. Gilbert, of Colfax, Ilinois ; Myrtle and Howard, both at home with their parents.
Dr. Fincham spent his boyhood and youth in his native town and was graduated from the public schools of that place in 1887. Later he attended Brown's Business College of Bloomington, and the Streator high school, and then entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, where he was graduated in 1899. Immediately after his graduation he opened an office in Roanoke, where his skill and ability have already won for him an extensive practice. Hle has gained the confidence and respect of his many patrons, and has made many friends since locating here. He is now the only dentist in the village. Socially he is quite prominent and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. The Doctor was married, April 16, 1890, to Miss Sadie Smith, of Streator, and to them has been born one child. Zella.
TION. E. A. WILCOX, M. D.
Hon. E. A. Wilcox, M. D., the pioneer 1 Musician and surgeon of Minonk, and with one exception the first regularly established in practice in Woodford county, ranks high in His profession, and stands equally well in the councils of the Republican party. One laving so deeply at heart the permanent wel-
fare and prosperity of the county and state as he, and one who has so faithfully met every obligation resting upon him, deserves a place of honor in their archives,
Dr. Wilcox comes of old New England families, of English-Irish extraction, and for several generations they have been num- bered among the prosperous, progressive, patriotic citizens of this great Republic. The paternal grandfather, Levi Wilcox, was a Connecticut farmer, and on his homestead. in the first year of the present century, his son and namesake was born. This child, as In matured. developed a decided taste for knowledge, and by his own study and ap- plication he qualified himself as a physician. Believing that the west offered a broader field for his talents, he went to Ohio at an early day, and for several years was one of the pioneer physicians of Tuscarawas coun- ty. AAbout 1837 he came to Ilinois, and thenceforth was a citizen of Lacon, becom- ing prominent in his chosen field of labor. and also winning distinction as a public offi- cial. He amassed a fortune of about ten thousand dollars-the result of his energy and sagacity in business and investments. When the dreaded scourge, cholera, swept over the country, he was one who fell a vic- tim to the disease. his death occurring June 4. 1851. Politically he was a Whig, and was so popular with the people that they elected him to the responsible office of treas urer of Marshall county. He was faithful to every duty. and exemplified in his life the high principles of the Christian faith and the teachings of the Methodist church, of which he was a member.
Dr. Levi Wilcox chose for his wife Nan- cy Rogers, a native of Columbiana county. Ohio. She was a daughter of Alexander Rogers, and four of her seven brothers were
E. A. WILCOX.
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physicians, namely : Dr. Thomas P., of Bloomington, Illinois : Dr. R. B., of Lacon, Illinois: Dr. David, of Missouri, and Dr. Alexander, of Ohio. John and Samuel were farmers of Marshall and Woodford counties, and George became a resident of Oregon. Mrs. Wilcox spent her last years at the home of her son, E. . A., and departed this life, in March, 1888, when in her eighty- sixth year. She had given one of her brave sons to her country, and had reared all of her children in high principles of honor and pa- triotism. Alfred R., who held the rank of first lieutenant of Company D, Eleventh Regiment of Illinois Infantry, was mortally wounded at the battle of Fort Donelson, and being sent to the home of our subject, died a few weeks later, surrounded by his loved ones. Another son. Dr. Levi S., formerly internal revenue collector and one of the Illinois central committee, and resident of Champaign, Illinois, was appointed by the president to the United States consulship at Hankow, China, and as this place is in the heart of that empire, of late grave fears have been entertained for him and his wife, who accompanied him. His sisters, Sophronia and Cynthia, are deceased, while Elizabeth. widow of Henry C. Dent, is the postmistress of Marietta, Indian Territory. Sophronia was the wife of Ezra Warren, and died in Tiskilwa, Illinois, and Cynthia, wife of James D. Varna, died in Lacon, Illinois.
Born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 8, 1830, Dr. E. A. Wilcox spent eighteen months of his life there. and then came to Ohio, where he resided until eight years of age, when he came with his parents to Lacon, Illinois. It is not strange that he evinced a strong liking for the medical pro- fession, in view of the fact that so many of his near relatives were associated with that 26
class of workers, and, under the tutorship of his father and uncle, R. B. Rogers, the young man laid the foundations of his medi- cal knowledge. In 1857 he was graduated in Rush Medical College, in Chicago, and. after practicing for a year in Lacon, Illi- nois, came to Minonk, where he steadily rose in his chosen calling. Not less has he suc- ceeded as a financier and investor, for he has displayed rare sagacity in the disposal of his means. Today he owns one thousand acres of fine land in Illinois, and fourteen hun- dred acres situated in Nebraska and Texas. He is a member of the State Medical As- sociation, and of the Woodford County Medical Society.
Called by the people of Minonk to the office of mayor, the Doctor served efficiently for three years in that capacity. For more than two-score years he has been one of the leading representatives of the Republican party in this county. and for twelve years was a member of the state central committee, and for about the same length of time served as chairman of the county central committee. Though this congressional district was strongly Democratic, he was elected to the senate in 1872, receiving an overwhelming majority-a fact which well attested to his popularity. He made an enviable record as a statesman, and for the four years of his term he labored earnestly for the welfare of his people. He was the author of the bill which relates to the regulation of our public institutions.
The first marriage of the Doctor was sol- emnized June 23, 1857. when Carrie, daugh- ter of Caleb Mathis, became his bride. She was a native of Urbana, Ohio, and when she was in her forty-sixth year, on the 11th of March, 1877, she was summoned to the silent land. She was a member of the Meth-
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odist church, and exemplified in her daily life the high principles by which she was actu- ated. On the 17th of July. 1878. Dr. Wil- cox wedded Victoria Boyle, born in Putnam county, Illinois, April 29. 1853. and a daugh- ter of David Boyle.
Seven children blessed the Doctor's first marriage: Elcie S., wife of William Hag- gard, a business man of La Porte, Indiana, has three children, Elcie, who is a musician of considerable ability: Ethel and Howard. Carrie E., wife of H. C. Forney, of Minonk. has two children. Samuel and Ellen. . \1- fred R .. a graduate of the Chicago Dental College, has been the postmaster of Minonk for the past three years. His wife bore the maiden name of Nellie Hogan. Dr. Fred W., a graduate of Rush Medical College, and now a practitioner of this place, married Minnie Davidson, and their children are George and Rachel. He was an alternate to the Republican national convention in 1900. Dr. Franklin T., who was graduated in Rush Medical College, is located in La Porte. Indiana. He chose for a wife Helen Byers, and two little sons bless their home. namely: Byers and Robert F. Hattie and Mattie, twins, after completing their ed- ucation in Bloomington, Illinois, were em- played in the Minonk postoffice for four years, and then went to Europe where they spent four months. Hattie later became the wife of Ulysses Grant Rithmiller, and her sister has been a successful teacher in the La Porte high school for the past five years. Five children were born to the second marriage ci Dr. Wilcox, of whom Jessie Berndme, born June 20, 1880, died April 16. 1881. Edna C. is attending the North- western University at Evanston. Brainard 1. is attending the Minonk high school, as Fre logan D. and Lottie B., twins.
HENRY A. MYERS.
Henry AA. Myers, a retired farmer and for many years a minister of the gospel in the Methodist Protestant and United Brethren churches, now residing in Eureka, Illinois, was born in Union township. Lick- ing county. Ohio, August 23. 1827. He is a son of Henry and Rebecca ( Stone ) Myers, the latter being a daughter of George Washington Stone, from Lost River, Vir- ginia, where he was for many years an en- terprising and prosperous farmer. He was a cousin of George Washington and his portrait bears a striking resemblance to him. Rebecca Stone was born and reared in Vir- ginia. but in 1810 removed to Ohio, after the death of her father.
The Myers family are of German origin. the great-great-grandfather of our subject coming from Germany and settling in Little York, from which point the family widely scattered. descendants of which are found in many of the states of the Union. Theo- dore Myers, the grandfather of our subject. was born in Winchester. Virginia, and there spent his entire life. He served for three years in the Indian wars that followed the Revolutionary war. He became quite wealthy and sold his large farm near Little York, taking Continental money in payment. This so depreciated that he lost nearly all his fortune. He had purchased a tract of land where Pittsburg now stands, but the owner was killed before writings were drawn and so he held the money. His son, Henry Myers, was born near Winchester, Virginia, which was his home until his re- moval with his family, consisting of wife and three children, to Licking county. Ohio. in 1810. The country at that time was vet a wilderness, there being but six families of
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white and mixed whites in the vicinity where he made settlement. Those next nearest were eighteen miles distant. While still en- gaged in clearing his farm of the heavy tim- ber the second war with Great Britain was (leclared. With others, he formed a com- pany, but it was not called into service until about the time peace was declared. When he landed in Licking county he had but two dollars and fifty cents, but he had strong arms and a fixed determination to succeed. His first purchase was of one hundred and sixty acres, but he was prospered. and later he bought one hundred and sixty acres for each of his four sons. To each of his six daughters he gave a sum of money. He was a man of great influence in the community in which he lived and filled nearly all the different township offices, but would accept nothing higher from the fact that he did not care to leave his family. In politics he was a Democrat until the party in its platform recognized the fugitive slave law, when he left it for good. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for forty years was class leader and leader of the music in the congregation. His home was always the abiding place of the ministers of his church, and the first conference of his church held west of the Ohio river was in huts house. He got out the logs and hewed them for the first church erected in his neighborhood, and later assisted in the erec- tion of a larger and handsomer church edi- fice. The church with him was a joyful place, as it was God's house. He died when past eighty-four years of age of typhoid fever.
The subject of this sketch was the young- est of a family of ten children and reared on the farm he received his primary educa-
tion in the pioneer log school house, with its open fire place stretching across the entire side of the room, and provided with slab benches. In this school house he was priv- ileged to attend about three months in the winter. But he was never satisfied with the meager education there obtained, and as the opportunity was afforded him he purchased or borrowed books to read, especially those of a scientific nature. Later, at the age of thirty-five years, and having a family, he left his business and entered Granville Col- lege, that he might the better prepare him- self for his life work. He there secured a good practical education and he has cause to be thankful for the time there spent.
Until eighteen years old Mr. Myers as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. His father then gave him its entire management. and although but a boy he showed good business ability and the farm had the best of care. On the 25th of December, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Schechter, of Union coun- ty, Ohio, daughter of Samuel Schechter, a native of Maryland of German ancestry, but an early settler of Ohio, where he engaged in farming. His wife was a native of Knox county, Ohio. By this union were born ten children, as follows: Theodosia, now Mrs. George Downs, of MeLean county, Illinois : Sanford, of Milan, Ilinois; Margaret, wife of Rev. W. S. Johnson, of lowa: J. F .. a practicing physician of Rock Island, Illinois ; Otto, who died in childhood: Rose. now Mrs. J. W. Kershaw, of Paxton, Illinois : William, who died when two years old: Minnie, who died when twenty years okt: Jennie, now Mrs. C. C. Fisher, her husband being a prominent cattle man of central lowa; and Stanley, of Clinton, Illinois.
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After his marriage Mr. Myers continued to manage the farm of his father, which had been increased to four hundred acres by subsequent purchase prior to 1860. In his farming operations he was very successful. giving special attention to the raising of sheep. Realizing in his own life the need of a good education, he took great interest in educational matters, and for some years was school trustee for the township in which he lived. one of the most important offices in the township. By his influence he se- cured many important changes in school government and had erected a fine school house in his neighborhood. With another wealthy farmer, he secured the services of a good teacher of vocal music, without cost to others, and the children of the district were taught to sing. This was recognized as a great benefit to the community. He organ . ized the first Sunday school in the town of Luray and was its superintendent until his removal to Illinois. Church services were also introduced. Mr. Myers securing the aid of a Baptist minister for the purpose. From one of the worst neighborhoods in the county it soon became one of the best.
Believing that he could better his con- dition and be of greater service to the cause of his Master elsewhere, Mr. Myers decided to come to Illinois, and in 1864 he located near Bloomington, in Bloomington town- ship. MeLean county, where he purchased four hundred acres of land. As already stated, in his native state he was greatly in- terested in the sheep industry, and brought into his neighborhood some of the finest sheep to be had In coming to Ilhmois he proposed to continue in that line and brought with him fourteen hundred and sixty head of fine sheep, starting into the wool and
sheep business in an extensive way. In 1865 he traded his first purchase of land for a farm of five hundred and sixty acres in Okdl- town township, in the same county, on which had been erected some fine buildings. He then took in a partner in the business, but the partner did not long survive, and after his death Mr. Myers sold off fifteen hun- dred head of sheep, retaining only three hun- dred head of the choicest of the lot. Ile now gave special attention to the raising of corn and wheat. and for its greater pro- ductiveness he tiled the farm and put it into excellent shape. Trading this farm. he next bought one in Randolph Grove. McLean county, which he proceeded to tile, and on which he erected a fine residence and which remained his home for many years.
While residing in Ohio Mr. Myers united with the Baptist church and by that church was licensed to preach the gospel. On com- ing to Illinois, there being no Baptist church in the neighborhood of his residence, he united with the Methodist Protestant church. and by that body was ordained a minister of the gospel, and for some years was engaged in evangelical work during the winter months and for one year traveled in the interest of the church. On his removal to Randolph township he found no Methodist Protestant church, but secured the use of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, an edifice that had been created during the war. He got out fuel, employed a sexton, and commenced to preach to the people. He soon organized a Methodist Protestant church and a Sunday school and built a house of worship. Later the Free Methodist and the Methodist Protestant churches were merged into one. causing some dissatisfaction. There being a U'nited Brethren church near by, with his
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family he united with it and preached for that body. Soon after, at Ilolder, he held a meeting, resulting in forty additions to the church, and a house of worship was pur- chased of the Methodist Episcopals.
As a member of the central Illinois con- ference of the United Brethren church, Mr. Myers introduced a resolution in that body for the admission of lay delegates. He was one of a committee of three who went to the national conference of his church held at Urbana, Ohio, that he might urge change in discipline, that members of the church might be permitted to become members of secret societies, a change that has since been made. At the national conference he was elected one of the vice-presidents of that body. For some twelve or fifteen years Mr. Myers was active in church affairs in the Methodist Protestant denomination, and was instru- mental in bringing many into the church.
In temporal affairs Mr. Myers has been very successful. To his home farm in Mc- Lean county he added many acres and yet owns land in that county. Before coming to Eureka he went to the state of Washington for the benefit of his health, and was so delighted with the country that he thought seriously of making it his home, and de- cided to use his influence to secure the or- ganization of a new county. He secured the co-operation of others and petitioned the legislature to lay out a new county, and it was so ordered, the new county taking the name of Douglas. The governor appointed three trustees, of which he was the chairman, to select a county seat and appoint the first officers of the county. This they proceeded to do and for the purpose visited all the available sites. His mileage on this work amounted to over six hundred dollars. The county seat is Waterville, built on Silver
lake. a name given the body of water by Mr. Myers. There he took up a claim and built several houses. He also built some houses in Spokane Falls, but later sold his interests there.
In 1890 Mr. Myers moved to Eureka, Illinois, which has since been his home. After moving there, however, he visited Texas, and liking a location on the east shore of Trinity Bay he bought land and fitted up a farm for his youngest son. It is a beauti- ful place and he remained there for a time with his son. He also owns a farm on the west shore of the bay. In addition to the property already mentioned he owns some valuable property in Rock Island, Illinois, where he has a son living.
Mr. Myers has been a Master Mason for fifty years, being raised to that degree in Hebron Lodge. No. 63. in Ohio. He was dimitted from that lodge. He has always been more or less active in political affairs, as well as in everything that tends to the general welfare of humanity. As a farmer he has always been interested in that which has a tendency to enoble the life of the agri- culturist. While in McLean county he was vice-president of the Farmers' Club and chaplain of the MeLean County Grange. and was a grange lecturer. In politics he was first a Republican and by that party was once nominated for the office of sheriff of McLean county. Of late years he has been identified with the Prohibition party, be- lieving as he does that the rum power is the worst foe of the people of this country. By that party he was nominated as a candi- date for the state board of equalization and also for county judge of MeLean county. Ile was elected president of the Eureka vil- lage board by unanimous vote, the only per- son that was ever so elected. During the
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