USA > Illinois > McLean County > The good old times in McLean County, Illinois : containing two hundred and sixty-one sketches of old settlers, a complete historical sketch of the Black Hawk war and descriptions of all matters of interest relating to McLean County > Part 76
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On the first of November, 1842, Judge Merriman married Miss Clara C. I. Bullock, in Stanstead, Canada East. He has had a family of four children, of whom two are living.
JUDGE REUBEN M. BENJAMIN.
Judge R. M. Benjamin was born June 29th, 1833, at Chatham Centre, in the County of Columbia, and State of New York. His father and maternal grandfather were both of English descent,
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but his maternal grandmother was of Welch descent. His grand- father, Ebenezer Benjamin, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and removed from Norwich, Connecticut, to the town of Chatham, New York, where he died December 22, 1789, aged 55 years. His father, Darius Benjamin, was a private in the war of 1812, and died at Chatham Centre, New York, April 24, 1850, aged 69 years. His maternal grandfather, Timothy Rogers, was born at Middletown, Connecticut, and moved in early life to the town of Chatham, New York, where he died June 24th, 1850, aged 84 years. His mother, Martha Benjamin, is living at Ben- jaminville, in this county, and is in her 80th year.
The subject of this sketch, Judge R. M. Benjamin, was brought up on a farm, attending the district school in the winter time, until he was about fourteen years of age. He was prepared for college at Kinderhook Academy, New York, and was grad- uated at Amherst College, Massachusetts, in 1853. For the ensuing year he was principal of Hopkins Academy, Hadley, Mass. He next attended the lectures of Parker, Parsons and Washburn, at the Law Institution in Harvard University, two terms, and then in 1855-6, was tutor in Amherst College.
Judge Benjamin came to Bloomington in the spring of 1856, was admitted to the practice of the law upon the examination and certificate of Abraham Lincoln, on September 5, 1856. He was married at Chatham Village, New York, September 15, 1856, to Miss Laura E. Woodin, the daughter of David G. Woodin, who for many years was county superintendent of schools of Columbia County, New York.
In the fall of 1856, he entered into partnership with Messrs. Gridley and Wickizer, and remained with them until the former retired from the practice of the law, and the latter entered the army. In the spring of 1863, he formed a partnership with Thomas F. Tipton, now circuit judge. In January, 1867, Cap- tain J. H. Rowell became a member of their firm, and remained such until he was elected State's Attorney in 1868. In May, 1869, Hon. Lawrence Weldon became a member of the firm, and since the election of Mr. Tipton to the office of circuit judge, in 1870, the firm has consisted of Messrs. Weldon & Benjamin. In Nov- ember, 1869, Mr. Benjamin was elected a delegate to the Consti- tutional Convention of this State, and was appointed a member
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of the Committee on Bill of Rights, Municipal Corporations, State Institutions and Public Buildings, Accounts and Expendi- tures, and Schedule. He took an active part in the preparation and discussion of some of the most important articles of the Constitution of 1870. Referring to his speech on the Railroad article, Mr. Ross, the member from Fulton County, remarked : " I cheerfully subscribe to the views of the gentleman from Mc- Lean. I think the Convention and the people of the State owe him a debt of gratitude. It has the true ring of the doctrine that should be inculcated by all our statesmen." And Mr. Brom- well, the member from Coles County, remarked: "I agree with the gentleman from Fulton that the community at large owe the gentleman from McLean thanks for the masterly manner in which he has demonstrated the right and the power of the people, in- hering in, ever living, and ever present, to command in the name of and for the people, the creatures which they have put on foot, the corporations which they have organized, in respect to the terms upon which they shall enjoy those invaluable franchises which they are lawfully permitted to enjoy."-Debates of Con- stitutional Convention, vol. 2, p. 1643.
Judge Benjamin was one of the counsel for the people in the celebrated Chicago & Alton Railroad case, involving the question as to the right of railroad corporations to charge more for a less than a greater distance, and since then he has been employed as special counsel for the Railroad and Warehouse Commission. In November, 1873, he was elected without opposition to the office of County Judge of McLean County, which shows the great popularity among the people and the great confidence the people of McLean County have in him. He ranks among the first law- yers of the State. His term of office is for the period of four years from the first of December last.
In his personal appearance, Judge Benjamin bears the impress of the student. His demeanor, countenance, language and pose, are those of a delver into the mines of knowledge that are accu- mulated in libraries and law offices. Of medium stature and light build ; with hair, eyes and complexion, darker than those of a blonde, yet lighter than those of the swarthy Southern type ; his presence is one that indicates a man accustomed to coolly and carefully consider all the bearings of a case, and from an
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impartial standpoint to decide it fairly on its merits, regardless of its pecuniary results on contending claimants. During his brief career as judge of the County Court, he has won the admi- ration of the bar and the people, by reason of the rapidity and accuracy with which he dispatches business. The recent import- ant increase in the jurisdiction of the County Court, has more than quadrupled its work, but it is a satisfaction to the people that they have an able jurist at the head of that tribunal-one who is thoroughly competent to administer its affairs with honor to himself and to the county.
GENERAL JOHN MCNULTA.
The following sketch of General John McNulta is taken from the Bloomington Pantagraph, of May 31, 1872:
" General John McNulta was born in November, 1837, in New York city. His father was of Irish birth, and was of that extraction known as Scotch-Irish. His mother was of French descent. He resided in New York and the immediate vicinity until about the year 1850. At that time, having an inclination for travel, although quite young, under the patronage of relatives, he visited the Southern States and the West India Islands, and made one voyage to England. In 1853 he came to Attica, Indi- ana, and, placing himself under the care of General George F. Dick, (now of this city) he learned the trade of cigar maker. In May, 1859, he located in Bloomington, and commenced the same business, under the firm of Dick & Co. Having an inclination for the law, he was permitted to use the library of the late Gene- ral W. W. Orme, and devoted his time in the intervals of business to reading law. This continued until April, 1861. At this time he enlisted in the army, and was made captain, May 3, 1861, of company A. of the First Illinois Cavalry, or the first company of the first regiment of cavalry from the State of Illinois. This regiment was assigned for duty in Missouri, where, after a suc- cession of fights and skirmishes, they participated in the memor- able nine days battle at Lexington, in September, 1861, which terminated in the surrender of the Union forces to General Price. He, with the other troops of the command, were paroled and re. turned home. He was exchanged in November for Captain J. Thomas Whitfield, a confederate officer, who was one of our
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prisoners. Captain MeNulta then reorganized his company and was assigned for duty in Southwestern Missouri. But as the regiment had so many of its members captured, it was mustered out of service July 17, 1862. Captain MeNulta was tendered, by Governor Yates, a commission as lieutenant colonel, of what afterwards became the 91st Illinois Infantry. This he declined. About the same time President Lincoln issued authority to him to raise a regiment of cavalry. Just prior to the receipt of this authority he had, however. enlisted as a private in Company D, 94th Illinois Infantry, and was mustered into service. He was soon elected lieutenant colonel, and on the promotion of Colonel Orme, MeNulta was commissioned as colonel of the 94th, and much of the time during the remainder of the war he was in command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. On the 9th of April, 1865, he was commissioned brevet brigadier general 'for gallant and meritorious services in the field.' He returned home August 9th, 1865, was soon after admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law.
"In 1868 he received the Republican nomination for the State Senate, and was elected by a majority of about 2,700. He rep- resented the district with marked ability for four years.
"In 1870 he was a candidate in the triangular contest for Congress in the Republican convention, which resulted in the nomination of Colonel Merriam."
In 1872 he was successful in receiving the unanimous nomina- tion for Congress at the hands of the Republicans of the new Thirteenth District, and was triumphantly elected.
General MeNulta is of medium stature, is well formed, has broad shoulders, has great courage and resolution, is very quick- sighted, understands human nature, and sees a person's thoughts instantly. He is very polite to all, and particularly agreeable to ladies. He is exceedingly humorous, and it appears perfectly natural for him to interest people by his manner and canversa- tion. He has many friends, and himself has warm attachments.
HON. JOHN L. ROUTT.
John L. Routt was born April 25, 1827, in Eddyville, the county seat of Lyon County, Kentucky. While he was an in- fant, his father, who was a farmer, died, leaving Mrs. Routt with
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four children, in rather straightened circumstances. Mrs. Routt moved to Trigg County, Kentucky, where she lived a widow until 1834, when she was again married. In 1840 John Routt wasap- prenticed to his cousin, Samuel B. Haggard, of Bloomington, Illinois, to learn the carpenter's trade. The lad applied himself industriously to his trade for two years and a half. But at this time Mr. Haggard wished to become a farmer, and young Routt was left free to work on his own account. He was very success- ful, and soon received the highest wages paid, which were seventy-five cents per day, and board himself. He worked for Mr. O. Covel in building a mill, for carding and cloth dressing. The latter became interested in the lad and induced him to learn the carding and cloth-dressing business. Mr. Covel's establish- ment consisted of a grist mill, a saw mill and complete. cloth dressing machinery. At the end of one year Routt could, in the absence of the proprietors, take charge of the establishment in all its details. The mill was in a great measure the center of local, political and social interest, and young Routt soon became familiar with the ways of the world. But he soon saw the necessity of an education. He went to school during three months in the year, and in addition to this employed all his leis- ure time in study. At the age of nineteen he married Hester A. Woodson, one of the noblest and gentlest of women, who died two years since. The stock of worldly goods belonging to these juvenile "old folks" consisted of twenty dollars in money and a few clothes suited to their station. They married because they thought themselves suited to each other, an old fashioned reason somewhat fallen into disuse. Mr. Covel's mill was de- stroyed by fire, and Routt returned to his trade as carpenter and machine worker. In 1854 he was elected alderman of Bloom- ington. About this time he borrowed twenty-five dollars from his friend, Lyman Ferre, and purchased a quarter of a block of ground and built on it a small house. He tried the life of a farmer for a short time, but returned to his trade. He took a lively interest in politics, was originally a Whig, but upon a re- arrangement of parties in 1856, became a Republican, and has remained so ever since.
In 1856 Mr. Routt had accumulated a little money, and in common with many others began to speculate in Western lands.
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In 1856 and '57 the great financial crash came. But a more serious disaster resulted to Mr. Routt. He had purchased land on the bank of the Missouri River, but the shifting current changed its course and all of Mr. Routt's domain became the bed of the river, and his rich soil was washed away to be added to the accretions at the mouth of the Mississippi.
In 1858, when township organization was effected in McLean County, Mr. Routt was elected collector, and as the office was entirely new, the work required much skill. He was re-elected without opposition. In 1860, Mr. Routt thought of being a can- didate for sheriff, and while he was hesitating, it came to his knowledge, that one of his opponents had said: "It would be folly for little Routt to run," and he immediately determined to make the canvass. He was materially assisted by William Mc- Cullough, who was candidate for circuit clerk. The convention met, and while it was in session, Judge Davis, then circuit judge, and now associate justice of the United States supreme court, said to Routt in his peculiar way : "Look here, John, MeCullough tells me that you are going to get this nomination. How is it, John ? You are going to get it, ain't you ? Of course you are going to get it ; Mccullough says so and that is enough." Mr. Routt was nominated on the second ballot and elected.
In 1862, when the second call for volunteers was made, John Routt decided to go to the war. He assisted in recruiting and organizing the Ninety-fourth Illinois, and was chosen captain by acclamation. Judge Davis presided at the organization of the company in the old Phoenix Hall, and it was made the color con- pany of the Ninety-fourth. Captain Routt left the sheriff's office in charge of a deputy, and went to the war. In the fall of 1862, the regiment made the most wonderful march on record, from Wilson's Creek battle-ground to the battle-ground of Prairie Grove, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles, in a little more than three days. There the army of General Herron, to which the regiment belonged, fought the battle of Prairie Grove, one of the sharpest contests of the war. After this, Captain Routt and many others were sent home to recruit soldiers for the regi- ments. In the spring of 1863, he went back to the army. In the meantime, Colonel W. W. Orme had been made a brigadier general for his services at the battle of Praire Grove, and the
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army went into camp at Lake Spring. Here Captain Routt was detailed to act as quartermaster, and held the position until after the capitulation of Vicksburg. After this he was commissioned as quartermaster, and served as chief quartermaster in the army of the Rio Grande, commanded by General Herron. After the disastrous Red River expedition of General Banks, Colonel Routt was assigned as post quartermaster at Baton Rouge, and continued in this position until he left the army in 1865. On arriving home he was made treasurer of McLean County, and immediately began the payment of the county bonds and interest as they became due, and in a short time they rose to par in the market and re- inained so. At the expiration of two years he was nominated by a decided majority and re-elected.
At the commencement of President Grant's administration, General Giles A. Smith, of Bloomington, was appointed second assistant postmaster general, and Colonel Routt was selected as chief clerk of this bureau, but did not accept the position until his term of office as treasurer had expired. He filled the place with credit until he was appointed U. S. Marshal for the southern district of Illinois. The duties of the office during that year were especially difficult as the census was then taken. This work was one of great difficulty, and required the best judgment; but his returns were accurately and speedily made out, and he re- ceived a well merited compliment from the Commissioner of the census. In the fall of 1871, General Giles A. Smith was obliged to resign his position on account of failing health, and Postmaster General Cresswell immediately selected Colonel Routt as Smith's successor. Col. Routt resigned his office as marshal, and entered upon the duties of his office as second assistant postmaster gene- ral, October 17, 1871. To his office belongs the charge of all the mails throughout the country, and he has performed his duties with marked ability. He comes in immediate contact with all the great corporations, and in dealing with them he is firm and decided. When the railroads threatened to throw off the mails, if the former did not receive increased compensation, Col. Routt was determined that the postffice department should not be in- timidated by these giant monopolies.
Col. John L. Routt tells the following anecdote of our citizen, John E. McClun. He says that he recently met a Col. McCleave
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in his office in Washington City, who, as soon as he learned that Col. Routt was from Bloomington, Illinois, enquired after his former schoolmate, John E. McClun, saying that they had been boys together, and without any further ado related to him the following anecdote. He said: "Young John was often sent to Winchester market by his energetic and excellent mother, with the products of her dairy, garden and poultry-yard, and he opened out his butter, eggs, chiekens, etc., generally with fine success, and became very expert in selling. One day, however, the young marketer was at his wit's end, for among other articles in his stock was a pair of dressed geese, which remained on his hand long after everything else was disposed of. At length, when he almost despaired of getting rid of this remnant of his cargo-for the geese were evidently old and tough-an old lady offered him a certain price for one of them; but John, after making her a polite bow, and thanking her for the offer, assured her that he was opposed upon principle to selling one without the other, for, said he, with seeming earnestness : ' My dear madam, these poor old geese have been united together in life in the most amicable relationship for twenty years, and it would be sad to part them now.' This shrewd statement-which linked a financial effect with a humanitarian thought-had the desired result on the old lady. for she at once bought both geese : but how much boiling and roasting she afterwards bestowed upon the venerable pair, John never learned."
Col. Routt, after having related this incident to me, added, in a humorous way : " As Judge MeClun for many years sold goods in Bloomington, in early times, I have no doubt many old set- tlers here could be found to testify that he was as successful in many instances in disposing of ancient articles of merchandize in McLean County, as he was in the sale of the tough old geese at Winchester."
In personal appearance Col. Routt is slightly below the me- dium height, stoutly built, has a large, well-shaped head with prominent forehead, black hair, dark hazel eyes, and strongly marked features. He is courteous and affable, though firm and decided, and has a pleasing address, which wins him friends wherever he goes. His political common sense enables him to grasp a subject and comprehend it at once in all its bearings, and
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his decisions always promptly made, are, nevertheless, more than usually safe and correct. He reads human nature with remark- able accuracy, and seldom has occasion to revise his first estimates of character. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to the worthy and deserving, but has a thorough contempt for all pre- tenders and shams, whether the shams be men or measures. There is not in Illinois, perhaps, among our active politicians, a more outspoken man or sincere friend, than John L. Routt.
Col. J. L. Routt married, May 21, 1874, Miss Lila Pickerell, of Decatur, Illinois.
HENRY HONSCHEIDT.
Henry Honscheidt was born in Cologne, on the Rhine, in Germany, and there received his early education. When he was nineteen years of age he emigrated to America, having been drawn here by the attraction of a new country and a free and generous government, and the opportunity of growing up with a new community. He was then a cabinet maker by trade. In the fall of 1854 he landed at New York city, and there worked at his trade for three years. In 1857 he started for Indiana, be- cause of the great financial crisis of that year. He came to Bloomington in May, 1861, and in August of the following year he enlisted to fight in the service of his adopted country. He served in the Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers, entering the ser- vice as a private, and being mustered out as a first lieutenant and was afterwards breveted a captain. He was at the battle of Prairie Grove, at the siege of Vicksburg, at the capture of Brownsville, Texas, and at the siege of Fort Morgan and Span- ish Fort. He served under General McNulta, and at the close of the war was discharged with his regiment, after which he worked for a while at his trade. In the fall of 1868 he was ap- pointed assistant assessor of internal revenue. He was elected sheriff of McLean County November 5, 1872, by the Republican party, and has filled his position most acceptably. On the 5th of April, 1874, Colonel E. R. Roe, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois, appointed Captain Honscheidt deputy marshal, which position he also fills with credit to him- self and to the satisfaction of those with whom he has business relations.
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Captain Honscheidt is a man of good muscular development, and is heavily built. Added to this is a certain genial and win- ning good humor, that is a part of his nature, making him per- sonally popular with everybody who meets him. He has brought to the office of sheriff such efficiency and industry, that the in- terests of the county have been admirably cared for during his management of this important trust. While he has the tenderest feelings for the land of his birth, he has shown his love for the country of his adoption by fighting for three years in her ser- vice.
JOHN HULL.
The author is under obligations for many of his statistics relating to the schools to Mr. John Hull, the present superin- tendent of schools in McLean County, and a personal sketch of the suberintendent may be desired by those interested in the schools.
John Hull was born February 6, 1839, in Marion County, Illinois. His father, Mr. Samuel Hull, was a native of Ken- tucky, but has been a citizen of Illinois for more than fifty years. Mr. John Hull is a graduate of the Normal School. He seems to have faith in the sufficiency of the public schools, as he has attended no other. He carefully educated himself for a teacher and caught the spirit of the profession.
He entered the Normal school in 1857, and graduated from it with the first class, in 1860. He was principal of the school of Salem for the year 1860-61; teacher of mathematics in the Illi- nois Normal University, 1861-62; and principal of the High School in Bloomington, 1862-64. The following year was oc- cupied among the schools of this and adjoining States. During the greater part of the time from 1865 until 1869 he has been a member of the Board of Education, of Bloomington, and of the committee of school examiners for the city schools.
In 1869 Mr. Hull was elected Superintendent of Schools of McLean County ; indeed it seems that his entire attention has been directed to the interests of education. In 1862 he was married to Mary Frances Washburn, the daughter of A. C. Washburn, Esq., an old school teacher, and it is expected that his two promising children will, in the course of time, follow in
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the footsteps of their father and become school teachers too!
Mr. Hull found the schools of MeLean County in pretty good condition, and he has worked faithfully not only to keep them up to their old standard, but improve them ; and has succeeded in arousing among the teachers a feeling of enthusiasm for the profession in which they are engaged. This leads to thorough preparation and fitness for their work.
Mr. Hull is an active young man, with the greater part of his life before him, and it is to be hoped that he will continue to devote himself as heretofore to the cause of education. His labors seem to be appreciated by his fellow-teachers. At the County Teachers' Institute, in 1873, the members took occasion to present him with a fine cane, upon which was the inscription "John Hull, by Institute, August 8, 1873." The State Teachers' Association honored him with the chairmanship of its executive committee in 1872, and with the presidency in 1873.
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APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
J. CAMPBELL, D. D. S., 208 N. CENTRE ST., WEST OF SQUARE, BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS.
DR. CAMPBELL has had great experience in dentistry and is thoroughly educated for the profession. His workmanship is of the best, and hisskill has already gained for him great notoriety.
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