USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The biographical record of Livingston County, Illinois > Part 56
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While a resident of Morton, Mr. Zim- merminin was married. March 13. 1884. to Miss Louisa K Hay, who was born in L'ekitty Illinois, January 20, 1861, and died no Ramoke. January 20, 1802, leaving three children lernest, born May 3. 1885 : Dora MI In September 2, 1880; and Ralph E.
born May 20, 189t. Two children. Nellie I. and Charles A., died in early childhood. On the 4th of August. 1892. Mr. Zimmer- man was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Rush, who was born in Switzer- land, July 14. 1862, and came to the United States with her parents when only a year old. Mr. Zimmermann has prospered in business and besides his store, he owns good residence property in Roanoke and a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in northern Kansas. He represents three insurance companies, the Netna, Manchester, and Ger- man of Peoria, and does quite a business along that line. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and has been appointed one of the judges of election. While a resi- dent of Morton he was a member of the town board, and also a director of the vil- lage school several terms. Socially he is a member of William C. Hobbs Lodge, No. 300, F. & A. M .: Tazewell Chapter, No. 100. R. A. M .; Couer de Leon Command- ery. No. 47. K. T., of El Paso ; was a char- ter member of Morton Camp, No. 708. M. W. A., but now belongs to Roanoke Camp, No. 1200.
WILLIAM H. DAVENPORT.
Woodford county has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who come after them, but have also been of important service to their county and state through various avenues of usefulness. Among them must be named William H. Davenport, who passed away at his home in Eureka January 17. 1863. after a life of industry and rich in those posses- sions which only a high character can give.
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lle was born in Christian county, Ken- tucky, June 7. 1823. a son of William and Eliza ( Tribue ) Davenport. The father, who was also a native of that state, brought his family to Illinois in 1835 and settled at Walnut Grove, Woodford county. He was a minister of the Christian church and preached throughout different parts of this state. He took a very prominent part in get ting the charter for Eurcka College and in so liciting means for its support. He was also one of the first trustees of the college and gave as liberally towards its support as his means would permit, having later in life been unfortunate financially. Ile helped to build the first church in Eureka and took an active interest in politics, but his life was mainly devoted to church and college work. He was a strong anti-slavery man.
William H. Davenport, of this review. was educated in Knox College, and at the age of nineteen years took charge of his father's farm with the hope of redeeming the property, his father having lost heavily by going security for friends in Mississippi. By his own exertions and good business ability he recovered most of the large es- tate and also provided for the family. Ile continued to follow farming successfully in- til two years prior to his death, and became the owner of six hundred acres of valuable land in Ohio and El Paso townships. He also dealt in stock and found that branch of his business quite profitable.
On the 15th of June. 1851. Mr. Daven- port married Miss Mary J. Willis. Her fa- ther, Frank M. Willis, was born in West- moreland county, Virginia, and when a young man moved to Glasgow, Kentucky, where he married Hespatia Davidson, a na- tive of Christian county, that state. To them were born three daughters, of whom
Mrs. Davenport is second in order of birth. In 1820 the family came to Walnut Grove. Illinois, and were among the earliest settlers of Woodford county. The father being a millwright by trade, built a mill on Panther creek, which was the first in this section, and to which men came from Bloomington and other places equally distant to have their grain ground. He did a big business for many years, but finally other mills were started. He bought land in El Paso town- ship and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, but spent his last days in re- tirement from active labor. He died June 9. 1875, and his wife departed this life March 22 1892. They were among the first members of the Christian church or- ganized at Walnut Grove and were well known and highly respected. Upright and honorable in all things Mr. Willis was known as the "honest miller." He served as town- ship collector of El Paso for many years.
On leaving the farm Mr. Davenport re- moved to Eureka and purchased nearly all of block 3. on which he built the beautiful residence now owned and occupied by his widow. He left two sons, but Edgar .\ .. the older, who was for many years railroad agent at Eureka, died May 3. 1893. In 1876 he married Emma Shelby, who sur- vives him, with four chiklren : Frank W .. a graduate of the dental department of the Northwestern University of Chicago; John Ernest, who is attending Eureka College: and William 11. and Amy, both in school. Frank W., the younger son of our subject. was graduated at the University of Michigan in 1882. with the degree of A. B .. and then commenced the study of law in Blooming- tom, but died on the 7th of October, 1883 By his ballot Mr. Davenport supported first the Whig and later the Republican
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parties. From his boyhood up he was a consistent member of the Christian church and filled the office of deacon for some time. He was also a trustee of the college and a member of the financial committee, and as- sisted in building the first chapel, being a member of the building committee. He was untiring in his labors for both college and church. In speaking of Mr. Daven- port we cannot do better than to quote the following from one who was intimately ac- quainted with him :
"William H. Davenport was a noble man. Ile was phenomenally energetic and industrious, accumulating a substantial com- peteney while a young man in the midst of many discouragements. Yet he did not be- come stingy, nor lose interest in public ai- fairs. Ile was the constant and liberal friend of the church and college. Although he was engaged in several kinds of business. he made very few, if any, enemies. Ile was so just and genial, so transparently honest and friendly that he was almost universally be- loved. Ilis father was a man of exceptional oratorical power, being one of the mighty pioneer preachers of Illinois. William II. did not inherit his oratorical gifts, but was gifted in song, and led the young people in their praise services, and at one time, in the carly day, organized them into a bible-study class, which met from house to house of evenings."
Mr. Davenport was reared and edu- cated in Woodford county and in early life became thoroughly familiar with the hard- ships and privations incident to pioneer life. She. too, is a faithful and earnest member of the Christian church, has been actively identified with the College And Society and a member of the advisory board, and is also omnected with the Woman's Christian Tem-
perance Union and different church so- cieties. She is an estimable lady of many sterling qualities and has a large circle of friends in the community.
JOSEPH R. CLANDIN.
Joseph R. Clandin, one of the most pop- ular young business men of Roanoke, is a native of Woodford county. his birth hav- ing occurred at Metamora, January 5, 1870. Ilis grandfather, Eugene Clandin, one of the pioneer merchants of Roanoke, was born in France and came to the new world about 1853. For several years he was engaged in farming in McLean county, Illinois, but in 1880 purchased the store and business of John Frantz at Roanoke and turned his at- tention to general merchandising. He en- larged the building, increased the stock and built up a flourishing trade. The father of our subject was associated with him in busi- ness under the firm name of E. Clandin & Son until 1882, when he sold his interest to the son, though he continued in the clothing and grocery business. He is still living in Roanoke at the age of seventy years, but his wife, Marian, died in 1892. To them were born only two children and the daugh- ter died at the age of two years.
John E. Clandin, the only son and ia- ther of our subject, was born in 1844. After he and his father dissolved partnership he was alone in business for some time and then became associated with Eli Gudeman, under the firm name of Clandin & Gude- man. They carry a well selected stock of general merchandise, valued at twelve thousand dollars, including everything with the exception of hardware, and receive a
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liberal share of the public patronage. In his business career Mr. Clandin has met with excellent success and now owns considerable real estate in the town. He was married, in Woodford county, in 1868, to Miss Madeline Ebersoll, a native of France, and to them have been born twelve children, of whom Joseph R., our subject, is the eldest ; Peter J. is working at the carpenter's trade for a coal company in Pontiac : Mary is the wife of J. B. Snyder, a carpenter of Roanoke; Martha is the wife of Eli Gudeman, who is associated with her father in business ; Chris- tian. a carpenter of Roanoke: Benjamin, a teamster of that place; Amelia, at home; David, who is in the employ of his father ; Emma, John. Jacob and Nettie, all at home. All the children have been educated in the graded schools of Roanoke. The father casts his ballot with the Democratic party, but has never taken an active part in politics. He is a member of the German Apostolic church of Roanoke and gives liberally to its sup- port.
As soon as Joseph R. Clandin was grad- uated at the public school of Roanoke he began his business career as an employe in his father's store, and later in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Gudeman, embarked in the dry goods business, which they carried on together for three years. Ile then sold out to the firm of Clandin & Gudeman and accepted the position of manager of the dry goods and gents' furnishing department. which he has filled since 1891. He has also been writing fire insurance since 1894, rep- resenting five of the best companies: The North American, Phoenix of Brooklyn, the Hartford, the Niagara and the Fire Associa- tion of Philadelphia. He has met with suc- cess in this undertaking and has built up a fine business. For the past nine years he
has been manager for the Central Union Telephone Company, with office at Roanoke, and has been instrumental in establishing thirty-five 'phones. He is a very energetic and progressive young business man and un- doubtedly a successful future awaits him.
In April, 1893. Mr. Clandin was united in marriage with Miss Nettie L. McCord, who was born in Greene township, Wood- ford county, in 1872, and is a daughter of William and Mary McCord, now living in Roanoke. She is the oklest of three chil- dren, the others being Willis, a teamster of Roanoke, and Alma. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Clandin have one child, Neah Kathleen, born December, 1899. The family have a very pleasant home, Mr. Clandin having pur- chased a lot and erected thereon a good modern residence.
As a Democrat he has always taken an active part in political affairs and has filled local offices of honor and trust, serving as a member of the town board two years, town- ship collector the same length of time, and postmaster of Roanoke. He was appointed to the last named position during President Cleveland's administration and most ably managed the affairs of the office, though he had an assistant to do most of the work. So- cially he is a member of Roanoke Camp, No. 1206, M. W. A., and religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
FREDERICK N. TALLYN.
This well-known and popular cashier of the Benson State Bank, is a native of Wood- ford county, born in Clayton township, Jan- uary 30. 1864, and is a son of Anthony and
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Susanna Tallyn, the father died when our subject was only three years old, but the mother is still living and makes her home with a son. Charles A. Tallyn, a hardware merchant of Benson. The other children of the family were Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Pickard, of Minonk, Illinois ; Carrie S., wife of Wired E. Farney, of Clay- ten township. Woodford county ; and Mary N., deceased wife of Daniel Davis, post- master of Benson.
Frederick N. Tallyn was educated at Eureka and Galesburg and began his busi- ness career with his brother in the hard- ware trade. Later he engaged in the cloth- ing business and afterward was in the em- ploy of Martin Kingman & Company, an im- plement firm of Peoria. He was next of fered the position of assistant cashier in the Benson Bank, then owned by B. F. Zinser. and served in that capacity for four or five years When the bank was reorganized as a state bank. February 1. 1900, he was made cashier : B. F. Zinser. president. and P. 11. Davison, vice-president : while the directory Were Joseph Pickard. B. E. Backer. J. Peters, Sr., S. L. Petersen and F. N. Tallyn. When Mr. Zurer resigned the presidency Mr. Pet- erson was chosen to that position, which he now fills, and J. Pickard was made as- sistant cashier. The bank has a capital stock of twenty five thousand dollars and is now doing an excellent Insiness. It thriving condition is due to the capable management W its officials, who are all good reliable busi He's- men, conservative, yet progressive.
On September 27. 1800. Mr. Tallyn mar- nel Fange 1. Fry, and to them have been Turn three children, namely : Mpha M. 1. ren ( and Buy ] In his political ai- 1 0 0 Mlr. Tollyn is a strong Republican, a) : public prited and progressive citi-
zen takes an active interest in promoting those enterprises tending to public develop- ment.
. DAVID EVANS.
David Evans, deceased, through the years of his identification with Woodford county, enjoyed the highest respect of his fellow townsmen by reason of his strict integrity and true manhood. He was born in Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, October II. 1829. a son of Evan and Amelia ( Morris ) Evans, also natives of that state. He is a descendant of Jenkin Evans, who with his brother David came from Wales to America i11 1604. llis grandparents, Walter and Mary (Smith) Evans, spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania. There the father con- tinned to make his home until i840, when he removed to Peoria county, Illinois, By oc- cupation he was a farmer and miller. He was twice married and by each union had three children, those of the first marriage being Walter, Elizabeth and David. llis second wife was Mary A. MTill.
The subject of this sketch began his edu- cation in the schools of Pennsylvania, and after the removal of the family to this state attended school in Peoria county for a time. After attaining his majority he engaged in the grocery and milling business successfully for a time, and then returned to his father's home, where he was needed. Later he con ducted a mill and farm on the Kickapoo river, fifteen miles from Peoria, until 18;1. when he came to El Paso. Here he formed a partnership with William M. Jenkins, and together they engaged in the grain business for twelve years, at the end of which time
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Mr. Evans purchased his partner's interest and carried in the business alone, Mr. Jen- kins removing to San Bernardino, Califor- nia. He had one large elevator destroyed by fire, but soon erected another much larger and one of the best on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. He was one of the or- ganizers of the First National Bank of Il Paso, and served as its vice- president for several years, till the time of his death. As a business man he was energetic, progress- ive and thoroughly reliable, and carried for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
At Blue Rapids, Kansas, October 10, 1876, Mr. Evans married Mrs. Eunice C. Ryder, of Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of Hiram and Lucy Ann ( Bowler) Brewster. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. A. Briggs, a nephew of the noted Governor George N. Briggs, of Massachusetts, and who was for sixteen years pastor of the Oaklawn Baptist church of Providence, Rhode Island, and died November 12, 1897. In speaking of the happy married life of Mr. and Mrs. Evans their pastor said: "To- gether they have lived more than twenty-one years. They had begun to speak of a silver anniversary, but the call to the Golden City brought to him a higher and holier joy, while she is left to comfort her heart with the thought that
" Though the circling years of tine may find us Far apart and sundered more and more, Still the farewell always lies behind us And the welcome always is before "
Mrs. Evans is the ninth generation from Sir William Brewster, who came over in the Mayflower, and on the mother's side is the ninth generation from John Alden and Priscilla Mullen. Her grandfather, George 28
I. Bowler, was a captain in the war of 1812.
By his ballot Mr. Evans always sup- ported the Republican party and its prin- ciples, but he was never an office seeker. He served, however, as akerman of El Paso for four years and as school director nearly twenty-one-thousand-dollar mortgage, at ten part of the time. While serving as director he was mainly instrumental in lifting a twenty-one thousand dollar mortgage at ten per cent interest, from the school, which it was hard for the community to meet, an.l with the other directors he bonded the dis- trict at six per cent. At the end of nine years the debt was paid.
Mr. Evans died October 28. 1897, after two weeks illness from paralysis. He was one of nature's noblemen and the world is better for his having lived. He was an act- ive and prominent member of the Baptist church of El Paso, of which he was a deacon for almost twenty years, and treasurer for siteen years. Those who knew him best speak in unqualified terms of his sterling in- tegrity, his honor in business, and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life. At his death Mrs. Evans received the fol- lowing testimonial in regard to the appre- ciation of Mr. Evans as a member of the Board of Baptist State Missions of Illinois :
"Acknowledging the hand of God in tak- ing to himself our brother, Deacon David Evans, we desire to place upon record our high appreciation of his character and inter- est in our work. For many years he sus- tained a sympathetic and generous relation to state missions. His prayers and alms alwas went together.
"Resolved that we extend to the widow our sincere sympathy.
"That a copy of this action be sent to his
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bereaved family, and copied into our min- utes.
"E. J. THOMAS, "E. C. HEWITT. "A. R. NEWTON, "J. F. HOWARD, Com.
"The above report was adopted by the board of the Baptist General Association of Illinois at Bloomington, April 12, 1898.
"S. F. GLEASON, Rec. Sec."
Rev. Howard in the Standard said : "The church has met with a deep loss in the death of Deacon David Evans, the son of a deacon, himself a deacon over twenty-five years. He magnified his office. He did not think himself great or good, but he was both. lle was the young man's example, the poor man's friend, the church's pillar, the pastor's comfort, the Lord's dear servant. His death- bed was triumphant ; his entrance into glory abundant."
HERMAN LEFFERS.
Herman Leffers, who is serving the peo- ple of the third ward of Minonk as their res resentative in the city council, is a worthy type of the German-American citizen. He was born June 7, 1860, in the land of the Teutonic race and there grew to maturity, receiving an excellent education. His par- ents. Gerhard and Jennie Von Hovel) Lef- fers, are residents of Minonk, and for fifteen years have looked upon this city as their per- manent home. Of their six children, one is deceased, little Wilhelm having died in Ger- many when two years old. The others live in the United States. Henrietta, wife of George DeFries, being employed in Stod- dard's elevator, and Mary, wife of George Miels, being connected with the office de-
partment of Wylie's elevator business. Henry married Heiney Bonk, and Hannah, Mrs. John Radamacher, resides upon a farm near this city. All are respected citizens of the land of their adoption and are a credit to their upright, estimable parents.
Herman Leffers is the eldest of the six children, and. according to the commendable custom of progressive European nations, he was apprenticed to a trade when he was of a suitable age and served for three years. He then was employed by the government in the navy yards as a ship carpenter, as- sisting in the construction of some war ves- sels, and being associated in this work with five or six thousand men. After spending six years in this service, one year of the period sailing the high seas on a German steamship, still as a ship carpenter. he con- cluded to cast his fortunes in America. His uncle, whose home was in the vicinity of Benson, Illinois, had repeatedly written to the young man, urging him to come to the new world, where he believed his oppor- tunities for financial success would be better.
With his eldest sister, Henrietta. Her- man Leffers embarked at Bremen on a steanı- ship bound for America. April 18, 1883. After he had obtained a start as a carpenter in this his chosen place of abode. his par- ents also came to Minonk. As a contractor and builder our subject has won an enviable place in the esteem of the business world and year by year his success has been grow- ing. At points within twenty-five miles of Minonk he has erected buildings of different kinds and cach one is his best advertisement, for thereby is shown his skill and thorough knowledge of his business and the fidelity with which he executes every contract.
In the domestic circle no less than in the commercial world Mr. Leffers is happily sit-
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uated. Ifis marriage to Mary Bunger, daughter of John and Hannah ( Bense) Bunger, was solemnized October 15, 1886. She is a native of Germany, whence she came to the United States with her parents in 1881, settling in Minonk. Her eldest sister, Christina, is the wife of George John- ston, of the state of Washington. Anna, the next sister, with her husband, H. Free- ling, formerly of Washington, is deceased. Lizzie, wife of Henry Sathoff, resides in Peoria. John, who wedded a Miss Monk, lives in Washington, and Hannah died in her fourteenth year. To our subject and wife three children have been born, namely : Jennie G., Minnie H. and John, all living.
Politically Mr. Leffers is affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1899 he was elected for a term of two years to the city council and is ably standing for the rights and interests of the people to the best of his knowledge. Ile is popular with the rich and poor and merits the high regard in which he is held, for he possesses admirable qualities of head and heart. Religiously he is identified with the German Lutheran church and puts into daily practice the high standards of conduct which were inculcated in him when he was young.
MICHAEL PIFER.
This well-known retired merchant of Eureka. Illinois, was born in Salem town- ship, Columbiana county, Ohio, October 8, 1816, and on the paternal side is of German descent. His father, Peter Pifer, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1786, and was a son of Peter Piter, Sr., a native of Germany, who came to the new
world about 1784 and lived for a time in Philadelphia. Later he made his home in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased land and improved a farm. There the father of our subject grew to manhood, carly becoming familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He also learned the carpenter's trade and worked at shoemaking during the winter months. On the 23d of February. 1809, he married Susannah Shipe; who was born May 17, 1794, and in 1812 they moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and in 1832 to Portage county in the same state. Later he returned to Pennsylvania to care for his aged parents. He remained there three years and after their death he returned to Portage county in 1840, which was his home until about 1859, when he and his wife came to Woodford county, Illinois, where they spent their last days with our subject, both dying in 1862. They were among the carly members of the Christian church in Ohio and took a prominent part in its work.
In the county of his nativity Michael Piter was reared and educated and there learned the tinner's trade. In 1840 lie opened a shop of his own in Garretsville. Portage county, Ohio, where he engaged in business for fourteen years. While there he filled different township offices, such as supervisor of roads and member of the school board, and was also deacon of the Christian church for seven years.
On the HIth of November, 1841, Mr. Pifer was united in marriage with Miss Hannah J. Willentt, of Charleston, Portage county, Ohio, a daughter of Jesse Willeutt. By this union were born eleven children. seven of whom are still living, namely : Frank C., a resident of Kansas; Ellen, wife of Rev. G. M. Wiemer, of lola, Kansas;
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