LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 977.366 M42e 1891 OlS e 1 EARLY HISTORY AND PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY ILLUSTRATED BY ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN SUPERB ENGRAVINGS BY MEL- VILLE, CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAJ^ SKETCHES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS, THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OBTAINED FROM THE MOST RELI- ABLE SOURCES AND MANY GRAPHIC SCENES AND INCIDENTS FROM THE BRIGHT AND SHADY SIDES OF PIONEER LIFE. There arc no times like the old times, They shall never be I'org-ot! There is no place like the old place, Keep g-ruen the dear old spot! — Ilolmcx. BY MILTON W. MATHEWS AND LEWIS A. McLEAN EDITORS OF THE CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HERALD. PRICE, IN PAPER, FIFTY CENTS. CLOTH, ONE DOLLAR. riTijLTsnEn my the CHAMPAIGN COUNTY HERALD, URBANA., ILLINOIS. 1.S80. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Allen, Richard 78 Authors 3 Bryan, Malinda < Hurton, Georg-e W 10 IJhickshaw, Edward 20 IJutler, Thomas L 29 Uoyd, James 30 Benedict. John A ^ Husey. Simeon H 80 IJrown, Dr. M. S 66 IJovd, Stephen 67 Busey.S.T 74 Brownfleld, John 79 Buscy, Fountain J 99 Boltin, Rezin 104 Barr, Andrew 104 Boyd, Samuel 106 Brown Township 116 Cantner, Da^^d 9 Cunningham, J. 12 CampViell, Archa 25 Cflrle. Albert G 28 Coler, William N 69 Condit Township 116 Champaign Township 120 Dodge, John W 50 Drullinger, Harrison W 63 Dunlap Hon. M. L 96 Ely, George 51 Early History 107 East Bend Township 117 Early Sunday Schools 122 Errata 125 Ford, W.J 19 Foot.W. J 77 Gill, Z. E 44 Griggs, Clark R 63 Gere, John <3 Garman, William S 84 Graham, William W 89 Gere, James S 98 Hubbard, Thomas S 8 Hunt. Dr. C. A 11 Heller, Eli J ^ Harvey, Moses D 37 Halberstadt, EU 39 Hays, Asa F 57 Howscr, Jonathan N 82 Harvey. Ruf us A 95 Harwood, Hon. Abel 101 History 107 Harwood Township 119 Hensley Township 120 Illinois, Discovery ot 5 Johnson, James 39 Jones, Samuel D 82 Jaques, William H 92 Kelley, Joseph T 61 Kerr, A. M 73 Kelley, Barnard 93 Kerr Township 120 Lincoln, Abraham 7 Lindsey, Thomas 26 Lewis, Andrew 30 Lowcnstern, Morris 40 Leal, Thomas R 42 Lyons. Alonzo 53 Ludlow Township 119 PAGE. McLean, Lewis A 15 McCain, John L 16 McGee, Giles F 70 Munhall, Rev. Wm 77 Morehouse, Calvin R 8ublished for a sliort time by F. M. Snyder, it has been the only paper published at Urbana. It has been republican in politics, and in the campaigns since its establishment it has given no uncertain sound. It was purchased May 21, 1879. by M. W. Mathews and C. B. Taylor, wlio at once enlarged the paper to its present size and form. Mr. Taylor sold out to M. W. Mathews in 1881, who still owns it. It takes especial interest in the schools of the county, and has secured and still retains the superintendent of schools, (t. R. Shawhan, as a contributor to its cohnnus. By its use he has organized the brigade of teachers in this county in a manner tliat enables them to largely increast; their etiiciency and u.sefulness. It also gives a liberal share of its space to the churches and Sunday schools of the county and is rei^arded as the organ of that large and respectable class of our peojile. Its corps of correspondents at the principal centers of )io])u!ati(m in the county are selected with reference to their good standing and reliability. It is compelled by reason of its large advertising i)atronage at times to make tlie paper double the size of its co- temporaries and once or twice a year it issiu's large special editions three or four times tiie size of a county paper. Its growth has been phenomenal in newsimper liistory and its list of subscribers has gradually grown larger witlnmt any special etfort in that direction until the families into whose homes it goes lunuber nearly three thousand. It has attain- ed this position in the newspaper world by assiduously shutting out all advertising or reading matter of a (piestionable character, and taking high moral grounds on all public ipiestions. While it is radically re)>ublicau in i)olitics, it treats its iiolitical oiiponcnts with fairness and thus holds the resi)ect of all political parties. It criticises its own party man- agers, local or general, for any dishonest schemes or attempts to gain unfair advanta.ge and thus wields an inliuence for honesty in politics both at the |)rimaries and at elections. Thus it is at all times lit to enter the family and its i)atrons have no fear of anything being admitted to its colunuis wiiich cannot be read aloud in the family circle. It has done and is still doing nuich to elevate the profession of journalism in lllinctis and is re- ceiving it,s reward by an unparalelled patronage by the intcdligent people of ('hampaign conntv. PIONEERS AND EARLY SETTLERS, THE MEN WHO MADE A GARDEN OF A WILDERNESS AND BUILT AN EMPIRE ON THE VAST PRAIRIES OF THE WEST. After wpoks and months siven to a patient investigation of the early history of liie pi- oneers and early settlers of this rich and jtoimlous county, and of the lives of the brave men and women who laid the founda- tions of its present prosperity, we submit with i)l('asure and a degree of pride, the re- sults of our labors. True, these necessarily lack completeness, but so far as they go tliey will be found interesting and trust- worthy. We arc prone, in the midst of the activi- ties of the present, to forget our obligations to the bold, self-sacrilicing pioneers and early settlers who, amid privations and dangers, founded an empire in the wilder- ness and thus malains of Wis- consin and into every part of those regions wherever a nation of Indians was under- stood to reside, meantime kee|)ing up com- munication with Canada. With no weapons but the crucifix and the breviary, with no aids but the faithful compass and their sav- age guides, prompted alone by religious en- thusiasm, did they wander upon the great inland seas amid the dangers from savage tribes of the forest to display their little tapers amid the dark and dreary regions of the great west and jtlant tiie cross and cruci- lix in advance alike of the spirit of com- merce and of conquest. To the adventure of Marquette, with Allouez and Dablon, to the western extrem- ity of Lake Superior in 1678, is the world in- debted for the discovery of Illinois and the vast valley of the Mississippi. The roving Sioux, who lived upon the i)rairies which this great river drains, on their visits to the mission of the Holy Spirit, had uuich to tell of the country they inhabited— boasted of its beauties, its verdure and of the I'iver which they called the "Mississippi" running to the south; but they kiu'w not the ocean into which it flowed. ^laniuette drank in their story and being satislied he should find upon its banks new nations au\ong wliich he could erect the synfl)ol of his faith, he pre- pared to visit their luuiting gr4, but did not run trains regularly that winter. Mr. llub- bard'.s banking office and residence from lb54 to i>viO were on the same ground now occupied by his hardware store. Mr. Hubbard married Miss Jane E., daugh- ter of Willis Woodruff' M. D., of Meriden, Conn., November 14th, 1849. Of this union there are four children whose names are as follows: George W., who married Miss Edna P. Post, of Cromwell, Conn. He is a member of the firm of Hubbard & Son, hardware merchants, Urbana. Minnie W., Julia E. and Harry T. are yet at home. Mr. Hubbard and his entire family are memt)ers of the Presbyterian churcli. In his political affiliations he has always acted and voted with the republican party; he was a member of the board of aldermen from 1875 to 1879 and from 1884 to 1886. Mr. Hubbard is a genmne representative of tiie thrift and enterprise of tiie New Eng- lander described above. He is ever ready to aid every enterprise that gives promise of building up the town and county. He and his son, George AV., his jiartner, conduct one of the largest hardware, stove and tin stores in the county and have for years done a prof- itable business. David C.\ntneu Was boni in Hedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1«17. His parents dying wiiile he was young he made his home with a pnmiinent iron merchant by the name of Sliellalu'rger, of IJedtiird county. He learned the trade of cabinet maker. The exact date of his com- ing>vest is unknown. He worked at his trade in Indianapolis for several years be- fore he arrived in Urbana. He landed here in lK8y. He went to the Sangamon and opened a store in the village of Mahomet, also kept a hotel there, and later farmed for a year or two. In the spring of 1842, he mar- ried, and soon after came to Urbana. Here he engaged in various business, but more particularly carpentering and building. In 18GG, the village of llantoul began to loom up. The surrounding country began to settle up and there was a demand for houses. Mr. Cantner went there and in a few years prac- tically built the town. He came back to Ur bana in 1872 and here engaged in grocery an^ provision trade on a large scale. He still continued building. In 1873, he erectetl the St. Nicholas hotel block and the next year put up the block of buildings on Market street and also built several dwelling houses. The hard times coming on caught him in close financial quarters and he yielded to the inevitable, though not without making a herculean struggle. It may be said of him that he contributed more to the towns of Ur- bana and llantoul than any dozen of men. Tlie building now occupied and known as the Masonic Temple was built by him as early as 1S.50. The brick were burned and shipiied from Milwaukee, and cost S40 per thousand. He also built the first freight house in Cham- paign and \vas the builder of the court house and iail for Iroquois county. He had the most abiding faith in the f utiu-e greatness, development and prosper- ity of the west. He. would, in his quiet w ay, undertake enterprises demanding large sums of money and careful preparations, without a dollar in his pocket. He trusted to luck and the growing wants of the future. His judgment was not often at fault, his enterprises were often interrupted, but tliey were always completed. He was undismay- ed in the face of difficulties, that to others looked insurmountable. There were plenty to predict his failure in the initial move of his enterprises, hut they lacked knowledge of the man. Many men have accomplished more than Uavid Cantner, but few have done as much under similar circumstances and surroundings. Had his life been cast hi many places he would have been known as a great builder and would have risen to wealth and a liigh place among men. Mi'. Cantner married Miss Jane Carson, in 1842. She died at)()ut 1870. There were three sons by tiiis union viz: Thomas J., wiio married Bertha Van Dam. He is a merchant of llantoul; Ciiarles P., leading grocer and provision dealer of Urbana, and .lames H., who is with the latter. Politically Mr. Cantner was a rep\iblican. I'lUNEKRS OF VHAMPAION COUNTY. 10 It is said that David Cantnoi- hnuirlit tlio first cook stovi- in ('hampaijjii county. He died at Urbaiia, in November 1879. Gkokge W. Burton. Tlie subject of this slvetch was born iu Sussex county, Dehnvare, April IStli, 1825. His parents, William and Anna (Pool) Bur- ton moved to Ohio, when George was in his eighth year. He came to this county in 1852 and settled in Urbana. At tliat time Urbana was a small struggling village of about one hundred houses. There were no houses where Champaign now stands. The Illinois Central road had not been built, lie tirst found employment with William Park and helped him to saw the ties for the Central railroad. He was for a time engaged in the bakery and grocery business on the corner of Main and Market streets in a building now known as "Spi^nce's corner." In company with James .Johnson he did the first ditch- ing in the county. He invented and operat- ed the hrst open ditching machine in the county. He has done nnich to put our farm- ing land in a good tillable condition. After iu^ quit the mercantile business he engaged in ditching and farming and still continues in the latter. He married Margaret Oliver, in Barnes- ville, Belmont county, Ohio, July 1st, 1846. She was born in Washington county, Dela- ware, August 12, 1828. Tliey are the parents of the following children: Allen, tile man- ufacturer at Pliilo; Mary married John Itipley, now deceased; Eunice, married John Cover, of Camargo, 111.; Charles, of the firm of Burton liros., Philo. Mr. and Mrs. Burton are members of the M. E. church. In politics he is a republican and invariably votes his ticket straight. Ho lias held the office of highway connuissioner for nine years and has been industrious in giving us good roads. He is also school tli- rector for his district. Mr. Burton belongs to tlu^ iiuhistrious, energetic class of men, and lie also ranks as one of our very best citizens. William H. Owens. Among the live businessmen of Urbana is W. H. Owens. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, December 22, 18:i3. He is the son of Samuel and Eliza (Brooks) Ow- ens. His father was in the mercantile busi- ness and young Owens became a clerk while young and was educated, so to speak, be- hind the counter. He came west in April, 1850. He believed that this country present- ed more advantages to a young man who was industrious and desired to get ahead in the world. Soon after his aiTival here he clerked for Eli Halberstadt for two or three years and then for Alexander Spence, with whom he reniainefl for twelve years. He subseipiently purchased a farm of 120 acres on the Sangamon and farmed for several years, then returned to Urbana May 1, 1882,' and purchased a stock of groceries and pro- visions of Mrs. Hollister and has continued in tiie trade to the present. During tliis time he has also engaged in the breeding and raising of Sliort Horn cat- tle. In his herd may be found some of the finest specimens of tiiat l)n>ed in tiie county. 11 PIONEERS UF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Hf has also given a f?reat deal of attention to tlie improvement in the breed of horses. He has one tine imported Norman and also a Morgan-Belsjian, eciiially as tine an indi- vidual as llieotiier. He is also interested in the breeding of superior breeds of hogs and sheep. Mr. Owens married ;Miss Sarah Wolfe, who is still living. Tliey are the i>areiits of the following named children: Joseph W., Bessie, lAicy, Kate and Daisy. Joe is ex- press agent and clerk in his father's store; Bessie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Mr. Owens iniited with the M. E. church about 1><49. He has been a class leader for over thirty years and a member of the official board for about the same time. He has always Ix'en active in clnn-ch affairs. Politically, he has ever been a staunch re- publican, and has so far steered clear of any offices. :Mr. Owens attends to his groceiy business and at the same time looks after his ISIaliom- et farm and tine stock and we sincerely trust that the prosperity his labors have brought him thus far, may be continued and increased, as he certainly deserves that it should be so. CiiAUT.Ks Alexander Hunt, M. D. Doctor Hunt was a nativ»> of Trenton, New .Jersey, where he was horn April ir)th, li^l'.l, and where he continued to resicU^ until he was thrown upon the wm Id by the death of his father, at the tender age of i:! years. He then, in company with someof the older nuMubers of his father's family, enugrated to Ohio, where, thrnnuh the aid of friends and a determination ami perseverance that knew no such thing as fail, he succeeded in obtainiuu; aline English and classical educa- tion. When he became of age he entered the office of Dr. Gillett, of Springfield, Ohio; His medical studies were completed at the Ohio College of Medicine, Cincinnati, where he graduated with high honors, ^larch fith, lS4r). He did not cease study ujion his grad- nation, for all his life he was a close stu- dent and extensive reader. In f^+T he was married to Isabella Hop- kins anil removed to the Wabash valley, where he resided and practiced his profes- sion botii in Indiana and Illinois until he and his family removed to Urbana in is.5."). Here he entered into the drug business, which, as a member of the firms of Hunt; Sim it Lindley, and Hunt A: Sim, lu^ contin- ued until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. Although waruUy attached to his profession, and ardently loving the scien- tific pursuits akin thereto, he in fact con- tracted a dislike for the details of medical practice. Abandoning the profession for a time, he did not abandon his studies and in- vestigations connected with nu^dicine and^' surgery, but was constantly engaged, when he had leisure to do so, in reading or writ- ing upon topics pertaining thereto. He often published in the medical journals and local papers his theses showing great learn- ing and original research. He also lefi among his papers many manuscripts writ- ten upon scientific and ])olitical topics. He was a corresponding s(!cretary of the Chi- cago Academy of Natiual Sciences. The first guns tired upon Fort Sumter, in ISGI, stirred within him a patriotic fervor which determined his future. As soon as his business could be closT-d and an opixu- tunity for his services offered he entered the military servfce of the government as surgeon of the VMh regiment of Illinois V(dunteers. Here, by his faithfulness to the sick under his charge, and his knowl- edge of the healing art, he warndy attached to himself the olficers and soldiers of the regiment. Always conscientious in the dis- charge of duty he neither knew nor wanted to know any other way than to faithfully stand at his post of duty here, let it lead whOre it uuglit. The eventful siege of Vicksbm-g drew his regiment and with it the surgeon to the post of danger. His hospital was lo- cated at Haiiu's' Bluff, on the Ya/.oo, that l)oint so renowned for its miasma and bad water, where he spent several months in con- stant personal care of the sick and wounded, (luring the suninier of IS'W. This contin- ued until worn out by disease, hardships and in<*essant professional labors, he started PIUNEKliS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 12 for liis home and family, where he might re- cuperate liis depleted system, or if need be, die amcmgfriemls; hut the iiope of again meeting the little ones at home and his faith- ful, loyal wife, was never realized. Those in cliarge of tiie hospital boat which brought him north were compelled to leave him at the general hospital at Mound City on the 29th of J uly, in charge of Doctor Wardner, where he expired Sunday, August '2nd, 1SG3, only a few hours after the arrival of his wife, who, upon hearing of his illness, had hurried to his side. His neighbors at home were shocked by an unexpected dispatch from Mrs. Hunt announcing his death and the hour of her arrival with the remains. Sadly they met her at tlie northern bound train and bore the body of their esteenunl friend to the home \w, so uuich loved and so much desired and exi)ected to again visit. His letters to his wife and friends, while in tlie service, breathed the most ardent attach- ment to home, family and friends, and often counted on the time when, duty fully done, he would turn his face homeward and again reunite family ties and engage in the priv- ileges and duties of citizenship. But, alas, this was not to be and he peacefully yielded uj) his life as did so many otiiers, that his countrv might be saved. Sorrowfully were his remains laid to rest by admiring and afflicted friends amid the surroundings so nuich loved by him in life. His wife, Mrs. Isabella Hunt, after a wid- owhood of twenty-three years, still survives him. His sons, J. E. Hunt, a popular drug- gist of this city, Isaac Lindly and Cory A. have since then grown to manhood and to lives of usefulness, but his only daughter, Sarah V., followed her father to the grave, in 180.5. Dr. Hunt was eminent in every sense. In the social circle, by his wit, his wisdom and his guileless attachment to his fiiends and associates, lie warmed all hearts towards him. In the language of a prominent mem- ber of the medical statf, who was thrown much in his society. "He had no enemies and he deserved none." He was a leader in society so far as taking the front in every movement for its elevation. In him the infant schools of the country had a faithful and very useful friend. He was an early friend of the slave and entered warmly into the movement for the formation of a party unfriendly to the extension of slavery. Up- on political topics he wi'ote and published nuich, always in the most logical and con- vincing style. As a neighbor ai\d a friend he was warm-hearted, obliging and sincere. We caTi do no better than to close witli a <)UOtation from an obituary notice publislied in a local paper of that day: "He was deep- ly learneo~ and 1858, was at the fourth district high school in the city of New Orleans, La. In December, W>:i, lie entered the otiice of the circuit clerk and recorder of this county as deputy of AV. II. Soiners, then serving his second term, and remained in tliat position for seven years ; he was then for a time dep- uty United States assessor. From 187-2 to 18T9 he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the fall of 1879 he accepted the position of book keeper and assistant editor of the Champaign Gazette, which he Idled until October 9, 1882, when he took a position as associate editor of the CiiA.MPAUix Coixty Heram), with M. W. Mathews, its proprie- tor, which i)osition lie still holds. The suc- cess of the paper has been phenomenal in the newspaper history of the county and it is only just to say, tliat as its business man- ager and local editor, he is entitled to the creilit for its unusual growth and rapidly increasing circulation. He was married May 13, 1864, to JSIiss Jennie £. Kussell, daugliter of Dr. E. L. Kussell, now of DesMoines, Iowa. She is still living and is an active worU'er in the Baptistchurch. Their children are: Nellie, who is in her junior year at the University of Illinois; Albert H., and Clair F., who are both at home and attending school. Mr. McLean united with the Baptist church in December 1S('):>, and has been coiniected with the Sabbath .scliool as superintendent or as- sistant superintendent for over twenty years. He has served two years as secretary of the county Sunday school association and takes an active part in the work. He is also secretary of the Old Settlers" Association of this county and is vigilant and active in rescuing from oblivion every fact and incident with reference to the old settlers of the county. In politics he is a rei)Ublican and has act- ed and voted with that iiarty ever since old enough to vote, casting his lirst vote for Abraiiam Lincoln in 18(W. TJOSEERS CjF CHAMPAlGl^ COVI^TT. 15 ^PfP^ John TiKmxnruN' Was born in Tliiikleby, Yorkshire, England, January 30, IsriO. His father was John Thornburn and hismotlier Elizabeth Dunnel. They came to this country in 1851, taking jtassage on the sailing sliip Flora McDonald, ■on the Kith of April and arriving at Balti- more, May 31, thus being six weeks on the ocean. They traveled on to Barnesville, Belmont county, Ohio, both of them dying there. In 18.>4, John Tlioriibum, the sub- ject of this sketch came to this county and stopped at Burr Oak ferove. The next year he came to the Brumley place, three miles ■east of Urbana. Four years later he remov- ed to this city and lived for many years on the southwest corner of the lot upon which is now the residence of T. S. Hubbard. John was married March 10, 1851, in York- shire, England, to Miss Anna Burnett, who has been and is yet his faithful companion in his reverses as well as his successes. Au- gust oth, 18ry2, he entered the army in Com- pany G, 76th 111. Vol., and served faithfully for three years. He was at the siege of Vicks- burg. Big Shantee, llesaca, Kenesaw Moun- tain, siege of Atlanta, and other battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was dis- charged August 5th, isr»5, having served ex- actly three years to a day. His son, Thomas B., who resides in Somer township, is his only surviving child, liis s for Vi ^ears.aRd treasurer of the board since l^iTH. exceitt oHe year. He has helped to laj* out about alUlie roads, and built about all the bridges In the township. He lias been col- lector of the township for the past four years. When Mr. Thornburn landed, with bis good wife, at AUeghaney City he had to stop and \\'ork tor seveuty-five cents per day to get ntoney enough to continue his journey to Barnesville, which place he linally reached with the sunt of five cents as his cap tal. He has HOW a tine farm of 2.50 acres and knows how to enjoy life by living at home and boarding at the same place. Jte has no mortgages or debts to an«oy him and he is about as li!ai)py and prosperous s.s any man could wish to be. tr-r^. John L. McCaix. Biography, says Horace Mann, especially of the great and good, who have from the depth of obscurity risen to eminence aiid usef uhiess is an ennobling study. Its direct tendency is to reproduce the excellence it records. It is but lately that we, as Anieri- cans, have paid any attention to it. In this matter of fact-age and utilitarian country we stop to ask, "Does it pay?" forgetting that the profit may be hidden in obsciuity. But we are advancing to a higher plane of in- tellectuality and with it comes the increased desire for biographj-. The deeds of the 17 PIONEERS OF CHAMPATGN COUNTY. good nmu. however humble iii;iy have hecn his sphere, can best be told in the lines of his life. Of such was the subject of our sketch. Of John L. McCain it may be trutlifuUy saitl,-tliat the world was better that lie lived." He Wivs born in Philadelphia, Pa., in May, 1S04, and wivs of Scotch Irish parentage, lie ]>ad many of the characteristics of that race, large and brawny, with thews and sinews strong and hard as steel, erect, and strong, with an eye tliat lowered not its gaze to friend or fo3, he stood before you a type of physical men that only the Highlands of Scotland produce, and yet this strong man in tlie uiidst of his firends was as weak as an infant. No blood ever welled up from a truer, more honest, or nobler heart. A friend could lead Iiim, but no foe could drive liim. Innately honest, he looked for honesty in every other. His father, .James McCain, was a native of the north of Ireland, and was a man of superior education. He emigrated to America while yet a young n)an; while on board the ship that he took passage in, he made the acquaintance of a Miss Montgom- ery, a Scottish lady, which ripened into love and finally culminated in marriage. Miss Montgomery was a near relative of Gen. Montgomery of^ revolutionary fame. Mr. McCain, the subject of this sketch, drift- ed with the tide westward, and settled in Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he married Miss Eli/.abetli Uake. The marriage was solemnized in 1H4(> in Dayton, Ohio. She was a native of the above county, born in 18^4. There were four children born of that union tiiat still survi ,-e. Their names are Emma, who is the widow of Charles Maxfield; Lillie, single, both" residents of Urbana; Sadie, wife of J. E. Fairhead, a railroad engineer, and Maude, wife of Charles Ilolden. Theyr.reside in Mt. Sterling, Ken- tucky. Mr. McCain was a moulder by trade, and followed it after he came to Urbana, owing to it injuring Ills sight he was compelled to abandon it. When the gold fever broke out in Calif(trnia in 1S49 he went there and re- mained one year, then returned, and travel- ed over a innnber of states working at his trade. In the spring of 18.56 he came to Urbana and here as before staled worked at his tra(h' mitil his eyesight failed, and then up to within a short time before his death he labored with a team, draying and hauling. He was originally an old time whig and upon the abantlonnient of that political or- ganization he joined the republican party and voted with it until his death. He was postmaster at Yellow Springs, Mo, and serve4, ]Mr. Wright joined the Methodist church, iind has since been a consistent member. All of his family, with the exception of tlie youngest, Jesse, belong to the same denom- ination. Mr. Wright's lirst vote for presi- dent was cast for General Winlield Scott, his second for John C. Fremont. He has never wavered in his devotion to the iirinci- ples of the republican party since its organ- ization. Mr. Wright has always held a strong place in the regard of his fellow-citi- zens, who elected him sheriff in 1800. In 1870, lie was chosen to represent his district in the legislature. In 18G3, Mr. Wright was admitted to the bar. He has ever since had a lucrative practice, principally in this and Vermilion counties. He is an effective and eloquent orator, and hence exercises great influence in jury trials, where he brings out the strong points of his case with great ability. He has used his splendid ora- torical powers a great deal in the temper- ance cause. His voice is heard, too, in each campaign with telling effect, laying before his constituents the claims of tlie republican party, of which he is a faithful member. He is now serving the people as state's at- torney and his vigorous prosecutions of criminals makes this county a very undesira- ble field of operations for them. He will, doubtless, be continued for anotlier term in this important office, and higher honors at the hands of his constituents, we predict, awaits him. ^^«> David Silver Was born in Salem county. New Jers(>y. February 15, 1708. He was the son of Joseph and Patience Silver, who came to Ohio in 1801, and settled in Warren county. He 1-9 PTOATEBST OF CUAMPATGV CO'JNTY. was iiiairit'd in Montiromery county, Ohio, June :i<"., lN-i:v to Rli/.a, the youngest daugh- ter of Jonatlianaiul Elizabeth Munger, who were Vermont Yankees. She died Novein- l)er '29, 18<«. David Silver came to this t-ounty in Juiie 1854, his f a)nily following in Noveinber of same year. Their children are as folhvws: William M., John L.. Wal- lace, Myra ami Perry, all living except IVrry who died December 14, 18S5. David was brought up in tlie Friends' society aiul adhereii closely to their views, though he abamloued their plaiii lan- guage. He w»s a whig and later a republi- can and was always strongly f)pp»*;ed to slavery and to the party that upheld it. lie engaged for some years in the dairy business, in Ohio, marketing his butter in Cincinnati, making weekly trips a distance of 40 miles in a wagon. Most of his life, however, was si)ent on a farm. His early life was spei\t in clearing the heavy timber on his father's farm 'n\ (Jhio, as where he had settled it was one unbroken forest and made much hard work necessary. His educatimutl advanta- ges were somewhat limited, but he obtained a fair education through the teaching of an older brother who had been educated in New Jersey. A small log house was built near the dwelling W'here he taught David and a few of the neighbors' children. He at tirst studied law but became disgusted with it and abandoned the idea of becoming 11 lawyer awl went back to the farm. He was ,^(; years old when he took a trip to Illinois; he was so impressed with the beau- ties of the vast prairies that he decided to locate here and o))en a new farm; he did most of the iMcuking on his farm and dug his own wells. His health failed somewhat in after years, and in IWT he went back to Ohio, to the old farm and spent the remain- der of his life with his sou John and only daughter. Although for several months prior to his death he was blinil from cata- ract in both eyes, he still retained his inter- est in evei-y day affairs and was always en- thusiastic in i>raise of Illinois. Few men worked harder than he and yet he found tim3 to reiul and keep thoroughly posted on current events. He took a deep interest in public sclnK)ls and in the matter of public roads and did a gieat deal to build them up. He was a moral man and was radical in his temperance views; he was among the lirst to discard whisky from the harvest field and his voice was always for temperance, teach- ing these i>rin('ii>Ies to his children on every jiroper oecasion. He died November 10, 1!S7.">, Hujurned by hosts of friends of Ohio anil Illinois as well. \V. J. Foiin. Tlie man who uiakes two blades f>f grass grow where one grew before is a public ben- efactor. The man or men who have added muscle and bone, synnnetry and high action to our beasts of burden, who ha\e made one horse by careful breeding and training to do more than two is doubly a benefactor. In any connnunity will be found one or more men who, by their enterprise, advanced ideas, push and pluck, have become public benefactoi-s. Of this class of men is the sub- ject of this sketch. Mr. Ford was born in Clark county. Ohio, in February V^, he married Miss Catharine Birely. She was bftrn in Freilericksburg, Indiana, in October, 1S;«. Three children are the ivsult of this union. Their names in the order of their birth are: Sarah Elizabeth, wife of W.J. Harris. They reside east of Urhana. Lewis E., is a resi- dent on his father's farm. Eliza E., marrieil J. E. Nye, who is a farmer and resident of Somer township. Mr. Font came to Illinois in 1S(J0 and settled in Piatt county, where he remained until 1863, when he came to this county and rented the farm now owned by J. W. Cushman, scmth of I'rbana. He sub- sequently removed to sectioii twenty-one (21,) in Somer township, where he pur- chased a tract of land and there remained luitil his removal to Urbana. His occ*npa- tion has been farming and breeding of tine PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 20 horses. Soon after hisanival in tliis eounty, lie began taking a deei) interest in the ini- l.rovenient of stock. His ettorts were di- reoted mainly to the liorse, and it can be truthfnlly said that lie has done more to bring tlie breed np to their present liigh standard tlian any other man in the oonnty. He brought a horst' w illi him wlien he came to the comity, known as the "Ford" horse. Many of our readers will recollect him. In ISTsiie purchased the well known Belgian liorse "Bismark" who. perhaps, is better known in Central Illinois than any other of his breed. Uld "Bis" is still living, in tine condition, not the least disligured and still in the ring. In 1S>>4, Mr. Ford made a special trip to Scotland, as a member of the firm of Ford, Thomas & Satfei, and personally se- lected a number of line horses which he brought over and i»laced in their stud. The linn have since that made other importations, many of them have been sold to parties throughont the state. Tlieir stal)les and paddocks are extensive and specially fitted up for the business. They have now a num- ber of tine specimens of the Clyde, Norman and Belgian breeds, that is well worthy of a visit and inspection. In addition to their business of importing and selling blooded horses, Messrs. Ford, Tliomas & Saffel are extensively engaged in tlie sale of agricul- tural impiements. They have a large and extremely well arranged agricultural ware- house. It is tilled with reapers, mowing machines, threshers, corn planters, cultivat- ors, plows, harrows, hay rakes, corn siiellers, wagons, buggies, garden tools, grass seeds, etc., etc. This season has witnessed great activity in and around their wareliouse. Their business in this department is larger than any other house in the county and is constantly increasing as tiieir low prices, pleasing and correct methods of doing busi- ness becomes better known. In short, the importing stables and agrinultm-al imple- ment business of Messrs. Ford, Thomas & Satfei is one of the big institutions of Ur- bana. Edwakd Bi.ackshaw Was born September 1st, 1881, at Bromley, near Dudley, Staffordshire, England, about one mile from the place where iron was tirst smelted by bituminous coal, by Dud Dudley, son of Lord Dudley, ;n 1865, at Dud Dud- ley's. His father was Joseph Blackshaw, his mother was Hannah Hill. He was mar- ried in Edgbaston England, April 3, ISno, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, since deceased. He was married a second time, August 17, 188-2, to Mrs. J. Strachan, who is still living. In 1858, on his arrival here, he established his dental office and has done an extensive business ever since. He has always been a thorough student and has introduced the va- rious inventions in his profession as soon as his investigation convinced him of their merits. He was the first to introduce in this county, the following inventions, to-wit: Rubber as a base for artilicial teeth, in lS(;i or 2, Nitro Oxide or laughing gas, in 18W. Os-artificial as tilling for teeth, in 1862, Cheo- plastic as a base for lower sets, in 1860, Weighted Rubber, as abase for lower sets, in 1879, Cavities in lower plate, in 1878, Bro. of Ethyl, in 188;S, the local anesthetic for the gums, in 18(50, the use of a base plate of metal and fasten the teeth on with rubber for lower sets, in 1884, Tif!ine, for extracting, June 1885, Robbins Remedy, in August 1885, Yinglings Chlorodont, in December 1885, Emery Burrs and wheels for lathes, in Au- gust, 1885. In 188(5, the Doctor introduced Moseley's Soporative, which produces natural sleep, which he is using very successfully in his dental business. Dr. Blackshaw is well known throughout the 21 PIOXEKIIS OF CJIAMi'AiaX COUNTY . state as a zealous Fiec Mason, lie was made a Mason in 1857, in Fountain Lodge, No. -il*, Fon l)u ry.ie, Wi^tconsin. He has iieid llie otiice of Master of Uibana Lod;^e, 1")-, been Iligli Priest of Urbana Ciiapter, No. {;0, for eleven years, T. I. (1. M. of Urbana Conneil, No. 1'.', for twonly-one years, serv- h1 as Captain General of Urbana Coninian- dery. No. 10, and now occupies the posifio-.i of (Jeneralissinio in same ('on)Miandery. He also tilled the honorable position of Puissant Grand Master of the Grand Council of the state of Illinois, for one yes and incidents of tlie early days. He owns over OOi) acres of line farnnng and stock land and has it in a high state of cul- tivation. His memory is vivid as to the tow breetrlies the men and l>oys wore, made by themselves from flax of their own raising, and describes how they used to put a little stripe in it for the women to wear; also how they wore their winter clothing of yarn, maile at home and woven by the good wives and mothers. Mr. Stayton is strong and ac- tive and is highly respected and beloved by all ills neighbors. He is known well by the people of the country as one of our most reli- able and substantial citizens. Hon. James S. Wkight. The i)aternal grand iKirents of Mr. Wright wer(; born ami died in Frederick county, Va. They were farmers and of Scotch descent. His maternal grand parents named Stevens lived and died in I'ennsylvania, and were of (lerman descent. His father, John B. Wright, was born in Virginia in 17S,5 and married Elizabeth Stevens in WK). They re- moved by a fanuly boat down the Ohio to a point near Leesburg, Ya., where James S., as he puts it, witlnmt his knowledge or con- sent, was born, Aug. 4, ISKi. In spring of 181T they removed to where Winchester, In- diana, now stands. His mother died there in 1835, and hislfather died here in ISG',). His father served from 181S to 1>^"34 iu the Indi- ana legislature at Corydon, the old capital. Here the boy James did pretty much as oth- er farmer boys, and in addition blowed the bellows and wielded the sledge on the off side of the anvil, for his father was also a blacksmith. He went to school three months each winter where the old Scotch teacher would vaiy the afternoon exercises by tak- ing a nap, a drink of liquor and whiijpimr two or tiiree boys. In 18:^) the family came to this county and bought land just north of Homer, September 24, at Sl.'l^i per acre. The ague then iiliook a n)an out of his boots in an hour, if he had any (such luxuries were then unknown) and malarial fevers were quite prevalent. Many packed up and left this t<'rtile county and wended their way back, disgusted, to Posey comity, Indiana, or old Tennessee. Hay, corn and oats had no cash ma-iket value for many years. They sold corn as low as four cents per bushel. During these low prices Jackson vetoed the re-charter of the United States bank and advise.0() per mouth to clerk again for M. 1). Cotfeen, he got William Elliott to take the school off his hands. He spent the winter with Mr. Colteen. He went U) farming the next spring. In the winter and spring of lS42-;-i he packed pork at Perrysville, Ind., built Hat boats and shii>ped to New Orleans. In 1S44 he went fis supercargo with pork lor Gen. Olds, of Circleville, Ohio. In 1845 he went to selling goods in Homer on his own account, and so continued till 185.5. In 184() he was the Whig candidate against Col. M. W. Busey, the democratic candidate for the legislature, and Mr. Wright was elected by 50 majority. He met in this legislature such men as Ex-Gov. lleynolds, U. ¥. Linder, Gov. Matte.son and Stephen T. Logan, then leader of the house. Lincoln and David Davis were there, but not members. Ste- phen A. Douglas was elected senator, but Mr. Wright voted for Ben Bond, the Whig candidate. From IS?>-^ to 1850 he held the otlice of county surveyor. He signed the tirst .'SI.OOU to the subscription to build the old college building which aided this county so much in getting the University here. He afterwards gave •5500 more to get it complet- ed, lie looks upon his effort in that direc- tion as the crowning one in the interest of Champaign, Urbana and the county. He served at Danville as one of the enrolling connnissioners for two years during the war. In 186(1 he helped organize the First Nation- al Bank of Champaign and was cashier for three years. H(^ sold out his stock in bank and tried farming for about ten years, most- ly stock farming. All this time he took an interest in politics. In 1880 he was nomin- ated and elected to the state senate for four years. Mr. Wright often speaks of the fact that it seemed to him that there was not the brains and tahmt there that he found thirty years ago. He has neyer belonged to any church, nor to any order or organization except every teni- l)erance society that came his way. He is a tirm l)eliever in (Jod and in the doctrine that all men will be rewarded according to their acts while here on earth. He has little faith in death bed repentance. For lifty-six years .Mr. Wright has lived in this county and SCI ved faithful in many trusts, public and private. He has never betrayed them and has won an enviable place in tlie iiearts of our people. Em J. Hia.i.KK. In the language of Prof. Draper: "Tell me of the country, the nature and fertility of its soil, the lay of its land, &c., and I will tell you the kind of men it raises." Nothing is truer. Good, rich, generous soil produces broad, liberal-minded men— no narrow con- tracted creeds or isms shrink and slirivel up the soul of the man who is born, lives and thrives on the broad fertile plains of the west. Ohio has sent to Illinois a class of men who have been an honor to the state. Eli J. lleller was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Dec. iM, 1836. He is the off- spring of Thomas and Mary (Taylor) Hel- ler. His father brought his family to Ur- bana in the fall of 1851. Here young Heller grew to manhood. He remained at home until the breaking out of the late war. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 2nd IlMnois cavalry. He served three years when he veteranized with his regiment and remained in the service until the close of the war. He was mustered out and honorably disciiarged in 1866, having served four aiul a half years. He returnetl home to Urbana and engaged in draying, and in connection run a hack and liaggage line. He subse(iuently addetl coal to the business. Uniler his industrious managtmient the business grew to such pro- portions that he found him.self unable to at- tend to it, and was compelled to call in as- sistance. He then formed a iiartnership with .Josiah Toy, and together they have built up a trade that is secontl to none in this part of the state. They are well e(|uipped for the business, with carriages, baggage wagons, vans and drays, and at a moment's 25 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. notice will lit you out with an eU'gant tiu-n- out, haul your baggage, move your furni- ture, supply you with soft or hard coal in quantities from a bushel up to a car load. Mr. Heller has grown up with the town and is lunnbert'd among its most respected citizens. He was a member of the board of aldermen for eight years, during which time many of the substantial improvements of the town were maile. He is jirominent in Ma- sonic circles and holds membership in vari- ous orders in that bonlar uprising in the county caused by this inno- vation. He was not the man to be deterred or held back from the performance of a plain duty by the fear of what "they" might say, and never relaxed his efforts toward the consunnnation of his i)urpose until the public'needs were fully met by a commocii- ous court house. The good sense of the peo- ple was not long in forgiving the extrava- gance of a three thousand dolhir court house and commending the public spirit of the commissioners. Mr. Campbell was the first 7 mayor of llrbana, also president of the Ur- / bana railroad company, whicii obtained the right of way and graded fhe track of our street railway. He was always foremost in every public enterprise, firmly believing in the future. He early becanu> a mend)er of the M. E. church here and was active and liberal in the construction aiul subsequent enlargement of the church building. His religion was not cast in narrow moulds nor his benevolence bcmnded by church organi- zation, so each chiu'eh enterprise receivearents, Solomon Campbell and wife, canu' in a few years, as did also PIONEERS OP CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 26 several biotliers and sisters, all of whom were well known and intluential citizens in the earlier years of our iiistoiy. Mr. Camp- bell was, while here, twice married. On February 10th, 1845, he was married to Eliza Bnchtel, who died August 29th, ISiH, leav- ing one ciiild, Fanny, and with two children who preceded her, lies buried in the old cemetery. Her sudden and almost tragic death will not be forgotten by the residents of that day. On November 13, 1855, he was again married to Miss Matilda Hewett, who with one son and two daughters survive him. Many who survive Mr. Campbell and still remain here, will not soon, if ever, forget Jiis many acts of kindness. lie literally stood upon the threshold of his county and held out a hearty welcome to all new-comers. Many were made welcome to his home and kindly remember his iiospitalities. He took great interest in our old settlers' meetings, and altiiougii not present in person, wrote a letter to be lead on each occasion. Thomas ljixnsp;Y Was born July 8, 18;J0, at West Midflletown, Washington c(mnty, Pennsylvania. His fattier was Tiiomas Liudsey, his motiier IVrmelia Williams. Tlie subject of this sketch came to tiiis county in November, 1841, and settled in Urbana— just after he became of age. He was married April 9, 1845, in U rbaua, to Martha Ami Bruer, daugh- ter of Asahel Hruer; she was born Ajiril 2fj, is^ilt, and is still living. She is well and hearty, and Mr. Lindsey declares she can do more work than any girl in the county. The children of this marriage were: Wil- liam, now residing in Humboldt, Kansas; Permelia, who married W. S. McWilliams, residing at Fort Scott, Kansas; James and Charles, residing in Urbana; Laura Belle, who married James Thornton, residing at Yellow Sinings, Ohio; George, and Thomas Edward, both of Urbana. ail living. Mr. Jjindsey, though not a member of any church, was raised and has always been a regular attendant on the I'resbyterian church. Politically, he has been, and is now, a radical republican. He has never sought any oHice but has been school direc- tor pretty much all his natural life. He served an apprenticeship to the carpenter and cabinet maker's trade in Pennsylvania. He followed the business here immediately upon his arrival and for twenty years he had the leadiaig business in that line, in tliis city. To this he added the undertaking bus-/' iness. For many years he made all the cot- tins by hand, for this city and surrounding country. He charged S5.00 for the coffin and furnished everything else free. The Messrs. Harvey also dug the graves without chai'ge^ so that the funeral expenses cost but very little those days. When Samuel Brumley died, Mr. Lindsey made an extra line coffin and covered it with velvet. The administrator objected to the cost which was twelve dollars, as being too extravagant and unnecessary. Mr. Lindsey supplied the whole county with furniture, made by hand, for many years, by laboring in his shop during the winter. During the summer months Mrs. Lindsey sold out the stock he had thus accumulated, while he was out working at the carpenter's trade. When he came here, Charles Tier- nan, father of Frank Tiernan, had the only store here. He relates an incident of at- tending the wedding of David Cantucr, at the residence of T. Pi. Webber. He and others, during the night, tied a coon to a long pole and planted it in front of the house by way of celebrating the happ.v event, and T. R. Webber climbed the polf in the morning and cut it down. The evtui- ing Mr. Lintlsey was married a rope was tied to the bell on top of the house and it was kept ringing all night. Mr. Lindsey resides in peace and comfort on his splendidly imi)roved farm, southwest of this city. His health for the past few years has not been so good as for- merly. He spent last winter with his wife in Florida where he received great benelit, and will probably spend his winters there in future. It is to be hoped, however, that it may not be necessary to leav(^ hisi)leasant home in search of health. For nearly half 27 PIONEEIiS OF CUAMPAIGX COUXTY. a century he lias resided liere and liis many friends, secured by upright conduct and bus- iness inbi's^rity, sincerely wish for a much longer lease of life and prosperity. John H. Strong Was born August 18, 1830, in Vermilion county, Indiana. Orange Strong was his fatiier and his niotlier was Nancy Hilder- brand, whose brother was murderetl by Bill Weaver, whicli was the first nnnder occur- ring in tiiis county. His parents came to St. Joseph, in this county, in 18.31, bringing John H., then a little babe, witii them. Tiiey settled on a farm one-half mile north of St. Josepli. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. He owned, for many years, wliat was once the old home place, and sold it some seven years ago. He was married at the residence of 'i'homas Swear- ingen, in April 1852, to Eliza Ann Rice who died in 1!^7.5. He was married the second time, January 3, 187S, to Lida Little, wlu) is still living. The children of the first wife are: William Heiny, a farmer in this coun- ty; Wary, who married A. V. Swearingen, a merchant in St. Joseph; Annie, who mar- ried Isaac Walker, now residing in Hast- ing.s, Nebraska, and John ()., wlio is yet at home, liy tlie second wife, the only child is Florence, a little girl of seven years. Mr. Strong was a whig until the rei)ublican par- ty was orgiuii/.ed and has ever since been an unswerving repiibllciin in politics, lie lirst began business for himself by running a ditching muchine, three s))rinus, on fh,. San- gamon, in this county. When he got mar- ried he bouglit suacresof land and improved it, and in the meantime, for five years, ran a breaking team, during which time he broke j)rairie for David Boggess, Doc Peters, Hen- ry Bartley and many other men who after- wards became well known as leading farm- ers. The last year he broke '213 acres of the I'hinney farm. At the close of tliat season he grazed and fed liis twenty-live yoke of cattle wliich had constituted his live break- ing team.s, and sold them. He then c(mi- menced buying and sliipi>ing stock and has been ensraged in that business ever since. He ha-s, doubtless, shipjied more hogs than any man in the county, and has been longer, continuously, in the business than any other man in this county. He has dealt with and met such well known old stock dealers as Ben Hays, .Vllen and Tyrrell Poage, Ben Smith, Joseph T. Kelley, Hiiaui and Sanmel Jtankin, Billy I. Moore, and Ed Ater. all of whom are dead except Mr. Kelley and Mr. Ater. He has made many trips to Chicago by wagon, and recites some of the early in- cidents very graphically. He especially re- nieuibers of the time when he and Thomas Patterson (who was a stei>son of John's giandfather, Cyrus Strong,) went to mill over on the Middle Fork, and got into a swamp in wliicli the horses mired donn so that John had to hold the horses heads up out of the water while Tonnny Patterson ran, barefooted, througli the praiiie stubble where there hail been a i)rairie lire, for some four miles to the nearest house to get some help. Tonnny's feet were seriously lacer- ated from the tri)), while Jolin was pretty well out of wind wrestling with the team to keep them from drowning until the help came. Mr. Strong is still engaged in shij)- ping stock. He has the entire contidence of the producers of stock in this cimncy because they have learned by many years dealing with him that he is a man who always keeps his word and fullills every contract to the letter. He deals lil^erally with those who patronize him and does not try to make it all at one time. He is in reasonably good health and is as activeandsmtcessful in bus- iness as ever. PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 28 WlIXIAM KADEHArOH Was born Aiuil 4th, 1^18. at Bedford, Pa. He was mniricd to Rebecca Manspeaker, Ajnil 26, ts4(>, at Bedford, Pa. She shared his lot in the liardships of pioneer life, bore him thirteen children and died February 15, 187.5. Following are tiieir names: Peter, Margaret A., William J., Elnora, Charle.s, Harry C, Lena K., Zoe W., F. A. Lincoln, Alvin B., Oliver, Olive, and Edward. Oli- ver and Olive were twins. All living ex- cept the following, to-wit: Peter AV., Zoe W., F. A. Lincoln, Oliver, Olive and Ed- ward, and the little girl Margaret A., who was drowned on their way to Illinois. He, with his wife and three children, (the tirst three named) started for Urbana, 111., from Bedford, March 1st, is.51. Coming by boat KaW Lowel down the Oiiio river, from Pitts- burg. About 20 miles below Wheeling, the boatcollidcfl with a boat named the S. F. Vin- ton, and the Lowel was sunk. About twenty were drowned, among them the little three year old daughter of Mr. lladehaugh. He thought he had all on board the other boat but found he had not the little girl. He hur- ried back for her but it was too late; the boat had gone down so he could not reach the berth where she was sleeping. This was in the night. The next morning he and Mr. Samuel Waters took a yawl anil went to the sunken boat and cutting through the roof they found the body of the little innocent lying as if asleep. They buried her at Pow- hattan, Ohio, and sorrowfully continued their journey to Evansville, Ind., thence to Perrysville, on the Wabash, and thence by wagon to Urbana. All their effects were lost and they, therefore, arrived with only strong arms and brave, though sorrowing hearts, to carve out a home and a fortune. The journey took from March 1st to April 11th, a distance now traversed in twenty- four hours. Mr. Kadebaugh has shot prai- rie chickens, frequently, on the prairie where Mrs. K. A. Sutton now lives. He counted twenty-live deer in one drove on Dr. Snyder's farm. There was about twenty houses in Urbana, then. He carried the flagstatf for Capt JS. M. Clark, while sur- veying the Illinoi.s central railroad. He helped build the culverts and stations from Champaign to Centralia. He own(!d the tirst house in Champaign, (then West Ur- bana) east of the track. He engaged in the mercantile business, there, for several years, but has been for twenty-eight years farming near his present residence, iiortheast of Philo, in this county. Here he has rearetl and educated his children and made him a pleasant and happy home. He is a republi- can in politics and belongs to the Christian church and attends at the beautiful sanctua- ry near his house, which he has done so much to build and sustain. Ai-BKKT G. Carle Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April !20, 1822. His parents were William and Sarah Carle. At the age of hfteen years he moved to Ohio, and in 1847 came to this county and purchased a farm just .south of this city, where he afterwards resided until his death. He was married in July 1849, to Margaret Burt, who was truly an helpmeet up to the time of his death. Mr. Carle took a great int«^rest ii) improving the stock of 29 riOAEEUS UF CHAMFAiaX CUVXTV. the county, and always kept upon liis farm the highest bred stock to be had in iiis day. He was well known to the stocknien of the enlh-e state and in fact of tiie west, lie bought hogs and cattle for many years and drove tiu^n acioss the country to New York and Plilladcliihia. lie was always a central ligure at our county fairs, being one of the few men whose money and labor kept tiiem up from year to year. Politically he was a republican, and was always radical in liis political views. He was always a judge on the election boards where with both his genial good nature and sparkling wit he kept tiie board in the best of humor while lierforming their arduous labors. He was frecjuently placed ui)on the grand jury where he never failed to keep that august body in lively spirits with his wonderful fund of hu- mor. It was, however, as a farmer and stockdealer that Mr. Carle will be long re- membered by our people. In that line he was one of the leading and most successful men in tiie county, for many years. He died March 7, 1881, after a short illness, although his health had been pooi- for some years. Thomas L. Butlkh. Mr. IJutlor was among the earliest settlers of tins county. His father, .John Hutler, married Margaret Lyons. Mrs. Hutler, the mother, died when Thomas L. was live years old. They were residents of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Thomas Ij. was born in Alleghany county, I'a., March f>, l.soo. He came to Jlli- nois in the fall of i82s, at the age of twenty- two, and settled first in Vermilion county, afterwards removing to where he now resides in this eountv, near Homer. In the latter part of l>vi4 he married Rebecca Wright, the daugliter of .Joiui B. Wriglit. She was born near Winchester, Kandolpli county, Indiana, and is .still living. Mary, the eldest daugh- ter, married L. Palmer, who lives near Ho- mer, Arminda, the second daughter, mar- ried Andrew Palmer, and resides in Urbana. John and .James, David and Randolph, are married, and all reside near Homer. Moses, another son, is dead. Laura, the youngest, is single and lives with her parents at the old hnnie i)lace. Mr. Butler was, in his early lite, a whig, but was among the founders of the republican party and has been a radical republican eversince, as he expresses it, "a red hot re[iublican from top to bottom." he has always been a farmer and resides with his good wife and daughter upon the old home place he and she have made pleasant by their years of industry and frugality. When he first came he went to Danville, III., and Perrysville, Ind., to mill, and made fre(iuent trips to Chicago, with ox teams to take his crop to market and buy groceries and family sup- plies, taking about seventeen days for the trip. His neighbors, in those early day.s, were the Wilsons, Poage, Moses Thomas (his brother-in-law), and Elias Thomas. In July, 1832, Mr. Butler enlisted in Captain Brow'n's company of United States regulars, (cavalry) and served the government for one year. The wages paid him was one dollar perday, finding hisown horse, clothes and gun. The name of the lirst Lieutenant of the company was Fry. Quite a number of men from Champaign county enlisted in the same ctnnpany, but Martin Rinehart and "Uncle Tonnny" Butler, as he is familiarly called, are tlie only survivois of the boys who represented this county in the Black- hawk war. He well remembers the frost of 1829 that killed all the corn, and though the farmers replanted it the crop was almost a failure, which made it pretty close times for a while. Mr. Butler was a small man in statm-e, but he was always wiry, active, lithe and plucky, and the old settlers of a larger stature say he could swing a cradle with any of them. He is yet healthy and active, and evinces as much life, and enjoys a joke or a good .sfory as well as any one. PIUNKERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 30 Andrew Lkwis Was born December 17, ISOO, in Virginia. His fatlier was James Lewis and his mother, Lavina Langdon, of Kentucky. In 1801, An- drew was taken to Rock Castle county, Ken- tucky. Here he lived until he was about twenty-five, when, December 1, 1S25, he mar- ried Ellzabetii Clark, who was born in North Carolina, in 1803. In tlie fall of 1826, he and his younji wife loaded all tlieir effects into a wagon, hitched the ox team of the young husliand to it, then jiut the mare belonging to his wife in tlie lead, and moved to a point in Indiana, about twenty miles south of In- diana|)olis, wliere they resided until April is.'jf;, when, with about six thousand flollars, they had accumidated by thrift and industry, they came to Urhana, resided here about tinee years. During this time he was im- proving the farm of 100 acres lie had bought 4}4 miles south of the city. There was then only two houses between Urbana and Sid- ney. Those were the houses of Mr. Stid- ham and of David Silver. He increased his jiossessions from time to time and now has4S0 acres well tile drained and highly improved. In 1H6'2 he sold the two crops of corn of '(>\ and '62 (that of '61 being frost- bitten) amounting to over 2,000 bushels, at VH> cents i)er bushel. He never put amort- gage on any part of his land, and never went in debt more than he could surely pay. Ilis son Willis was killed while Hghting un- der (irant at Fort Donelson, while his son Thomas A. Lewis, (now county treasurer) lost his leg in the war. .John M. Lewis, an- other son, also served a term in the army, during the war. He was a whig initil the r(>i)v\blican iiarty was born, when he ioined that party, and has advocated its princi- ])les, and voted for its candidates, loyally, up to the jiresent time. Mr. Lewis, although in his ('ighty-sixth year, is well preserved and enjoys good health. He bids fair to live many years yet to enjoy the fortune he has accunndated in the years gone by. James Boyd Was born September, 10th, 1825, in Shelby county, Kentucky. His father, Stephen Boyd, was born in same county. (See por- trait and sketch of father elsewhere in this issue.) His mother was J(nnima Kitson, also a native of Kentucky. James, subject of this sketch, was only six years old when he came to this county in November, is:;i, with his father. He was subjected to the hardships of pioneer life thus early in his career, and made of him that hardy and substantial man the portrait above indicates. At the age of 2i, to-wit, August 19, 1S47, young James married Miss Frances Rhodes, who shared his burdens and partook of his joys initil March 22, 18(54, when she died. August IT, 1864, he married Mary Aim Col- lins; who died the following winter. August .5, 18f)6, he married Caroline Turnipseed, who is his present wife. Thus he was mar- ried three times in August. His children are John W., William M., Jemima, who married M. M. Harry, of this city; Sarah, who married H. Strover, now of lilooming- ton, 111. ; Anna, Frank and Florence, are living at home, the eldest being 17 the young- e.st 13 years old. Alfred, Stephen and (Jeorge 31 I'lONEEltS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. are dead. James received early impres- sions and oiiucation wiiicli made him a dem- ocrat until lS5f.. He says lie voted for James IJnciianan in lsr)0 and shortly afterward sol- emnly declared lie would never vote a dem- ocratic ticket ai^ain. He kept his word, votiiij; for Abraham Lincoln in 1^<(«0 and in IHfil, and for the republican candidates ever since. He owns a well iiAproved farm tliree miles east of Urbaiia, and has followed "all his life his present occupation, that of a farmer. His farm is clear of encumbrances and he owes no man anything. Like his lather before him, he prides himself in keeping his contracts to the letter, thus building up the reputation he has among those who know him of a square business man and good citizen. Jamks T. liOE. Mr. Roe is rememlwred as a somewhat ec- centric man who would not swajihis opinion for that of any man. He was born in Or- ange county. New York, August 4, 1TI>:?, and settled in Shelby county, Kentucky, before coming to Hlinois. He wasnianied to Lillis IJusey, daughter of Isaac Busey, the pioneer of Urbana, June 19th, 1831, in Kentucky. Tiie same year the young couple came to Illinois and purchasing the land and im- provement of Unniiel Fielder, who was the l)ioneer and first settler of this county, set- tled on section 12, Urbana, now owned by Hate Smith At that time the main road, east and west through the country, known as the Ft. Clark road, because it led from the Indiana line to Vt. Clark on the Illinois river where I'eoria now is, led through his farm, thence north of the Big Grove, cross- ing the Sangamon, at Newcomb's Ford, and westward by Cheiie\'s Grove. On this route p;isseil all the emigration westward, and the only mail carried into or through the county. Along it were made the earliest settlements of the county. At that time Urbana, as a town, was unknown, as was also this county as such, for our territory was part of Ver- milion county. Isaac Busey lived in a cabin near where Ilalberstadt's mill now stands, and it was the (mly habitation on this spot. A few scattered settlers, probably not over a dozen families, were ranged around the Big Grove, and these were all about the cen- tre of the county. No store had been opened in tlie county — tlie nearest trading poini l)e- iiig Danville. As soon as a surplus of grain was produced it was hauled by ox teams to Chicago, and the hogs were driven to Eu- gene or Perrysville for market. The plows in use were of the wo;ust23, ISOO. They left two sons suiviving them, five other children having preceded them to the silent land. Isaac Roe, one of Urbana's thrifty anil suc- cessful farmers, married Martha E., daugh- ter of our townsman, John McDonald, and lives two miles east of town. John B. Roe, the other survivor of the family, married Susan, daughterof George Dilling, and lives in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Roe were Un\y tists and participated in the organi/ati(ui of the First Baptist Church of Urbana, the cer- emony taking place in a lo;; school house near their home. Mr. Roe was a democrat of the Jackson type, and held fast to his political and religious faith, unmixed with the taint of modern lieresies. His opinions, as he accepted them in his younger manhood, came to him iron clad and with arguments I'.ir their support. These argmiieiits he ever after bore with him, ready to tlo defensive duty at any time. He was very social and loved controversy upon the tenets of his faith. The use of good whiskery was common among people of every position in Mr. Roe's day, and lu> never lost his taste for I'lONEEliS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY 32 tlie article which he continued to use, in moderation, asoue of God's ,ii;it'ts, to the last. No one ever saw hiin the worse for this in- dulgence. So with tobacco. He was a con- stant user of this article, but not so temper- ate as with spirits. His excesses with to- bacco adnionislunl liis sons of the folly of the habit, and, heedingthe admonition, they are both entirely free from its use a.s well as teetotalers. George W. FlyNxV, Whose familiar features are to be seen in our gallery of old settlers, was born at Bain- bridge, Chenango county. New York, Au- gust -ioth, 1828. His father, Rufus Flynn, was a native of Duchess county, although of Irish extraction; his mother, Sylvia Ann (Owens) Flyini, was a native of Bainbridge, but of Welsh extraction. niS BOYHOOD. For a consideralile pei'iod of his boyhood George lived with his grandfather Owens on a farm, and lememhers with keen regaid the oft-repeated admonitions of the old Pu- ritan, always emi>hasized and made appreci- able by a free application of the rod, for this incestor of Mr. Flyiui believed, with Solomon, most heartily that "He that spar- eth the rod spoileth the child." Mr. Flynn MOW believes that if he was ever sjjoiled the damage is due to some other cause. The parents of Mr. Flyim were poor and unable to give him opportunities for education ex- cept such as were alforded by the conunon schools of that day. Early in life he became inured to a life of labor and self-denial. The discipline given him in this school of adversity begot iu him a self-reliance and determination that has made him equal to every emergency in life. In his younger days when his living depended upon his success in linding employment, he never found it necessary to be idle. If an employ- ment he sought was not at hantl, he could do something else, and few were the days spent by him while out of work. Mr. Flynn is by trade a printer, having learned that trade as an apprentice, lirst in the office of the Journal, at Norwich, N. Y., and lastly in the office of the Democratic Advocate at Warren, Pa., before 1849, and the greater part of his life has been spent in that pur- suit. In 18.50, his mother anil two brothers having already gone west and settled at Peru, in this state, he determined to seek his fortune in the west. He went by boat down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers to Cairo thence by the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peru, where he joined his family. In May of that year one brother, with Mr. Flynn, started for Wisconsin to find that fortune which is supposed to await all who "go west." Not linding the appearance of matters there what they had hoped, they soon returned to Peru, only to find that their mother, alarmed at the piesence of the cholera in that section, luul started upon her return east by way of a canal packet to Chi- cago, thence to go around the lakes to Penn- sylvania. The scourge followed the lone mother and before she reached Chicago she was dead, having fallen among strangers and received a stranger's sepulture. Mr. Flynn soon separated from bis brother and from that day to this has not known the fellowship of his kindred except of the fam- ily he has raised. After spending most of the intervening time in the northern part of this state and Indiana, he arrived at Urbana iu the fall of 18.52, attracted here by the prospect of employment held out by the construction of the Illinois Central railroad. He soon took work under John and James S. Gere, assisting in getting out ties for that road. Afterwards he was, for a considera- ble time, a clerk in the provision store of H. M. Russell. AS PKINTEK AND PUBLISHEK. In September, 18.55, he again took his place in a printing office, having bought out the interest of G. N. Richards in the Urbana Union, which, as one of the firm of Cun- ningham & Flynn, he contuiued to publish until August, 18,58, when the concern was sold to the Crandalls. Upon his return from the army in October, 18()4, Mr. Flynn and G. N. Richards, above alluded to, a fellow offi- cer in the 3.5th Illinois regiment, purchased tiie Ga/.ette, then published at Urbana, and 33 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. togetlier continued its publication until 1866, when Mr. Flynn bought out the interest of his partner and contiiuied this publication until the spring of ISfis, when he sold an interest to George Scroggs. Tiiis relation continued until 1S72, when Mr. Flynn sold his interest in the Gazette to his partner, giving his time and attention to a job office and bindery in Urbana. In 1S74 this estab- lishment was removed to Danville and form- ed the nucleus for tlie Illinois Printing Company, an organization formed for the business of county and commercial printing and binding. Of this corporation Mr. Flynn was made president and general manager, which position he has continued to hold to tills time. In this position his business tal- ent, energy and mental resources have shone most conspicuously. The business of the house has been vastly expaniled and ex- tended to other states, its credit meanwhile never being allowed to suffer in the least. For twelve years he has stood at the helm of atfairs directing with almost unerring judg- ment the great interests entrusted to him. HIS SOCIAL K?:i.ATIONS. When Mr. Flynn came to Urbana in 18.52, he severed his associations with kindred and friends and sought his associates among strangers. There lived in Urbana at that time the family of Daniel Jarvis, natives of North Carolina, consisting of the parents, a son and four daughters, the latter being in- telligent and attractive young ladies. To one of these, Tennessee, a young lady then in her teens, Mr. Flynn became warmly at- tached; the attachment being mutual ripen- ed into an ardent love match in the fall of 18.>4. Of this marriage there were born two daughters, Carrie and Lennie. Those living here in the spring of 1858 will remember the alnu)st tragic ileath of Mrs. Flynn. Left in the morning with her infant, then but a few days old, in care of a nurse by her husband who, as usual, went to the printing office, believing her to be convalescent, before noon, and before his retvun, she was a corpse. The shock staggered and almost crazed the strong man. The children then bereft are both dead— Lennie dying when about fourteen, in Urbana, and Carrie when a mature woman in Danville. In the fall of 1H.W Mr. Flynn again married, this time to Miss Belle Garrett, a native of Indiana. Mrs. Flynn has been a careful and affec- tionate mother, both to the children of the lirst family and to her own children of whom there have been born: Jessie H., married to George W. Gott', of the News editorial staff, Danville; Nora li., Charlie M., George W. (deceased), Jay C. and Lena A. lli' is now estahlislied in a comfortable home in Dan- ville, to which he loves to retire when his daily work is done and which his strong do- mestic attachments leads him to appreciate. Mr. Flynn for many years has been a mem- ber of the nuisonic oriler, in which he has passed to very high preferments. ARMY LIFK. The first hostile gun of the civil war aroused the patriotism of Mr. Flynn, then a young man of 32 years, and he at once ten- dered his services and soon went to the front. In August 1861 he wast twenty years. Many of the finest residences, as well as the most substantial business houses of this city, are the residt of his handiwork. Good natured, straight forward and honest, he has many friends and has the confidence of the entire commu- nity. 35 PIUNKEltS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Col,. MATTirEW W. Busey. Prominent among the pioneers of Cham- paign county was the subject of this sketch. He came from a state that lias furnished more pioneers to the west than any other. As a rule they were men who left their im- press upon their times. Genial and hospita- ble, their homes were open to all who chose to enter. They were lovers of fine stock, and the position that Illinois now occupies as the first state in the Union for fine breeds of cattle and horses, is due in a very large measure to the efforts of the Kentuckians. Having an unlifnited confidence in the fu- ture of tiie great west they invested largely in lands and often in this direction, builded more wisely than they knew. Of such was Col. Matthew W. Busey. lie was born in Shelby county, Ky., May 15, 1798. He was the son of Samuel and Catharine (Seigler) Busey. At an early date the family moved to Washington county, Indiana. In the lat- ter county young Busey learned the trade of brick mason, and followed the trade, working as a "jour." and subsecjuently as a contractor and builder from isw to 1S47. In ISW he was induced to visit this i)art of Illinois from hearing reports of the fertility and proiluctiveness of the soil. His visit and subs(!(juent investigations confirmed the reports and before returning he purchased the land, on part of which, now stands the residence of his son, Col. S. T. B.usey. He returned to Indiana and remained there im- til the spring, April, ISSft, when he brought his family here and erected a small fnuiie house, which was in later years enlarged, and which stooil on the sitroi)osed to give it millions, yet it would bring millions to the coffers of the state. No grant of land was ever made to any railroad in the United States that was more magnificent in proportions, and none was ever made that guarded more care- fully the interests of the iieople, and pro- vided more shrewdly for its covering back into the treasury of the state. During the excitement attending the location of the county seat. Col. Busey was active and mainly instrumental in securing it for Ur- bana. He was for many years assessor for the county and township. In fact, he was the leading and representative man of this section for many years. In the meantime he gave a great deal of his time and atten- tion to his farm and his lands, and raising and breeding stock. His life wasa busy one. and was not without its rewards. He died in 185-3, esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends and ac(iuaintances. While yet a resident of Wasliin^ton county, Indi- ana, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliz- abetii Bush, who survived him twenty-eight years, and died in 18so. at the home of her son, Col. S. T. Busey. By that union there were eight children who arrived at matmity and all of whom are yet living. Their names are Simi'on H., John S., Mary C, wife of John C. Kirkpatrick, Louisa J., widow of PJONKERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 36 W. II. Komiiie, Col. Samuel T., Sarah, wife of Jud.^e J. W. Sim, Elizabeth, wife of Al- len McClain, and Matfiiew I). All are resi- dents of Ih-bana and vicinity, except Jolin S., who resides in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Col. Mattiiew W. Busey was liberal in his religious belief. He subscribed to none of the formulated creeds and believed that gen- uine and true religion was mainly in the practice of doing unto otliers as he would have others do unto him. Politically, he was an ardent democrat. His first vote was cast for Jauies Monroe in IS'20. In 18'J4, 18'3s and l^Si, lie voted for Andrew Jackson, and during the remainder of his life quoted him as his highest political authority. James W. Somers Was bom early in the thirties, at Mt. Airy, Surrey county, North Carolina, and is a son of Dr. Winston Somers anil Mrs. Mary Som- ers. Before he was ten years old he removed with his family to Illinois and located at Urbana, and here his boyhood, youth and early manhood were spent. The advantages he had in that eariy day for the foundation of what was afterward a thorougli education can be apureciated l)etter by reference to the biography of his father, Dr. Winston Som- ers, which appears elsewhere. His occupa- tion for the lirst few years after his arrival, were those of the boy of this locality and of that day— ojiening a new jnairie farm and hunting jn-airie chickens in suuuner, unfet- tered by game laws, and attending a short term of school in winter. Mr. Somers re- members with lively interest this portion of his life, and particularly his training under the eccentric Samuel C. Crane, who taught the pioneer school of Urbana for some time. As he advanced in his years and yearned for knowledge beyond his reach at home, his father consented to allow him to attend the Danville Seminary for some time, which he did. The school at that time, in the absence of our efficient common school system in the state, nourished under the superintendency of the M. E. church, anil attracted to its classes many of the youth of both sexes, of the sur- rounding country. Here his time was well spent for he advanced rapidly in his studies and evinced decided literary tastes. These advantages were supplemented by addition- al opportunities enjoyed by him at the Indi- ana Asbury (now De Pauw) University, at Greeucastle, Ind. About 18.54 he began the study of the law in the office of his uncle. Judge W. D. Somers, continuing, however, his classical and literary studies under the direction of Rev. Dr. Janes, a local educator of excellent standing. He subsequently took a course of training at the Union Col- lege of law, Chicago, and was admitted to the bar in 1856. A partnership was formed by him with his tutor, luider the firm name of W. D. & J. W. Somers, and the court records of that day attest the success of the firm. At that time the lamented .1 udge Da- vid Davis was on the bench and at the bar were such men as Lincoln, Swett, O. L Da- vis, Ficklin and others who have long since been recognized as legal and political lights. With these the young attorney was often engaged, winning their high regard. He was prominent, aiitive and alert as a lo- cal temperance worker. In those days Urbana managed to live and flourish without parti- cipating in the profits of the rum tratic and the advocates of the system, now upheld by law, for the demoralization of society, writh- ed under the scorching eloquence of the young advocate. The establishment of the Urbana Union, the pioneer newspaper, was heartily welcomed by all, but by none more than by Mr. Somers. It was to him an event of great opportunities and its columns show that he was a welcome and frequent contributor to it. During the war he was the Washington correspondent of the North We.stern Christian Advocate, furnishing al- ways readable, and many times, very im- portant articles. One of which was deemed of such historical value as to be copied in whole in that important historical W'Ork "ratriotism of Illinois." Tlie family of Mr. Somers, before 18.5(1 were earnest whigs, and such were his leanings. The observations and associations of the young politician, in his youth, surrounded by slaves and slavery, 37 PIONEERS OF VJlAMPAiaX COUXTl'. had begotten in him an intense hatred of tlie system. Consequently he entered with en- thusiasm and deep convictions into the move- ment set on foot for its limitation and re- striction. In 1856 he assisted in the forma- tion of the republican party, signing the lirst call looking to the local crystalization . of all the elements opposed to "popular sov- ereignty." During the Fremont campaign of 18.50, as well as in the Lincoln and Doug- las campaigns of ia58 and 1860 he was a very active and influential worker on the side of republicanism, the spirit of which was sucii as to arouse to the highest enthusiasm, young men of conscience and ability. He filled the position of corresponding secretary of the county central committee of the young par- ty, for several years, and his services were often called for upon the stump of this and other counties. Acting as he did from the profoundest convictions of right, and being possessed of a lively imagination enriched by nmch reading and study of his subject, he gave promise of great success as a polit- ical and legal debater. An unfortunate and growing infirmity in his liearing put a stop to the full realization of the anticipations of his friends, making it necessary for him to seek other emplojTnent. The election of Mr. Lincoln to the presidency opened to liim another field of preferment which proved his life work. The president, who had known him from his boyhood and admired his tal- ents and courage, appointed him to a posi- tion in the Department of the Interior, which with his successive promotions there- from he has held through all the changes of administration since then. Having been ap- jKiintcd in l^Gl, he recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his official life— a thing 'iuite extraordinary in American politics. He lias risen from grade to grade until now he occupies the position of a member of the Board of Review in the pension office— a (piasi-judicial position for whicli his legal education well fits him. No claim filed in the office can be finally adjudicated until it shall have been approved by this board. Mr. Somers was married at Indianapolis, January 1, 18(W, to Miss Elizabeth J. Eddy, daughter of Rev. Augustus Eddy, a jiromi- nent and jiioneer preacher of the M. E. church, and a sister of Rev. T. M. Eddy, D. D., late of Chicago. Mrs. Somers is a lady of rare culture and ability and holds a high social position in the society of the Ameri- can capitol. For many years she has been princi|)al of Mt. Vernon Seminary, in Wash- ington City, and as such has contributed largely to the adornment and formation of the characters of the first young ladies of the land. 'I'o her iiiastic hands are sul)initted the daughters of cabinet and foreign min is- ters, senators and representatives, and all go away blessing the gentle and cultured woman who imparts her spirit and graces so successfully to her pupils. In 188'2 Mr. Som- ers made a European tour for the improve- ment of his health and for observation, and returned having grown strong physically, and profited largely by his habit of keen ob- servation. By prudence and economy in life Mr. Somers has accumulated a handsome competence for coining old age and owns and enjoys a handsome home in Washing- ton, the most beautiful city on the continent. This home is the centre of a refined circle of society, and to it he and Mrs. Somers de- light in making welcome their friends, and especially those from his boyhood liome. my. ^ MosKS D. Hakvky Was born November 27, 1820, in U nion coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He removed to Stark county, Oliio, in infancy and came to Urbana, Illinois, in October, 188<». Ho married Olive Towner, October, .5, 1842. He resided in the city of Urbana until 18.56, when he removed to a farm near Mahomet, where he follow- ed farming until 186.5, when he returned to Urbffna. In 18S2 he removed to Tolono, his present home, where he is carrying on the leading meat market of that enterprising town. Mr. Harvey, in company witli his brother, Williams, built the first frame court house of ("liiiinpaign county, in I'lbana, and helped to build the old log jail that kept, se- curely the old law-breakers of our pioneer days. He assisted in building nearly all of the early , the oldest daughter, a lovely and accomplished young lady, died in isso at the age of twen- ty. Their other daughter, Anna, is now the wife of Mr. Otis I'ercival. who also resides in Philo tovniship. Mi-. Johnson takes no active part in politics, but has generally voted the democratic ticket when the candi- date suited him. He held the office of high- way commissioner of Philo township for fifteen years and helped lay out about all the roads in Philo township. In 1856 a prairie fire .started at the Wa- bash railroad and came sweeping towards his home, and at one time threatened the destruction of his house and his primitive hay-thatched barn, together with what little stock he then had in it. Mrs. Johnson took her children to a piece of plow.?d ground n°ar by and bravely assisted Mr. Elk ins and others who came to her relief, in fighting the destructive element from their then modest possessions. He has engaged solely in farming and stock raising. He has a splendidly improved farm of 240 acres with a good, substantial house and barn. He has laid on this farm in the past six years over six miles of tile. He has most of his farm in grass, and believes there is more money in grass, hay and stock than in corn. He keeps the best breeds of stock, and by his long life of industry and toil has earned the right to take things easy in his old age, as he intends to do for the remainder of his life, which we trust may compass many years of solid comfort. Km ll.M.lJKHSTADT. This staunch business man was born Sep- tember 1.5, 18:20. His father, Peter Halber- stadt, was a soldier in the war of 1M2. His mother, Susana Catherine Mans, was a nuMu- ber of the German Keformed church. Her father and graiulfafher were both soldiers in the war of 1N12. Both of his pixrents were PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 40 born in Pennsylvania. Eli Halberstadt came to this county, November s, 1S5;">, and settled at Urbana. He was married October 29tli, 184:2, in Hanover. Pa., to Rebecca Legore, who is still living. They were married by the Rev. J. Henry Albert. Following are their children: Frances, wife of A. Schilling, Urbana; David B., now in Washington, D.C. ; George H., now residing in Urbana; Susan Catherine, wife of Hon. W. A. Day, second auditor of the treasury, and Douglas Eli, now a ganger in the United States service, Mr. Halberstadt, in his youth, joined the German Reformed church, of which he re- mained a member until 18.5;^, when he joined the M. E. church in Pickaway county, Ohio. He is still a consistent and faithful member of that church. In politics, he was in his early maturity, an old line whig. In 1860, he voted for Stepiien A. Douglas and has been a democrat ever since. He never souglit office, but the citizens of Urbana called him to serve them for four terms in the office of mayor, in which position he exeicised the same conscientious care and ability which he has always shown in the transaction of his own extensive business, lb' was a member, and afterwards successor of the firm of Bradshaw, Williams & Co., grocers. He sold out to Mr. Jenks and bought back the same business, February 1, 186.3, and sold again to Mr. Jenks in 1865. He then built a grain warehouse and in 1866 -7 put in milling machinery, and from that time until the present, has done the leading milling business in the county. In 1884, at large expense, he put in entirely new and modern machinery tor the patent process in the manufacture of flour. His establish- ment, known far and wide as the Union Mills, is valued at .'(?;i."),0(X), and is not excelled in Central Illinois. His flour is shipped to all parts of the state, and his brands of flour are recognized as among the best that are niatle. Mr. Halberstadt is a man of strong convictions and will power and is not easily moved from a position once taken. In bus- iness he is the soul of honor and he has little patience with men who are careless about complynig with their contracts. r'V/ivvvv t':-:^:'''-'' MOURIS LOW'ENSTERN Was born July 28, 1836, in the province of Hanover, Germany. His father was Phillip Lowenstern and his mother was Malie Isen- berg,who died in 1841. Morris.with his family, including his father and sister, came to America in 18.57, and to Urbana, August 1.5, 1864. His father died at Urbana in 1871, at an advanced age, and was buried in the Hebrew cemetery, just north of this city. He was married to Miss Caroline Jericho, who was born in Bavaria, in 1840, and is still living. His children are : Monroe, twenty-one years old, who is now a member of the firm of which his father is the head ; Amanda, 19 years old, his eldest daughter, who gradu- ated f lom the Urbana high school in 1884, and is now pursuing the study of music in its higher departments, being already a splendid performer on the piano; Jennie, sixteen years old, clerks in the store of the firm and is thoroughly posted in the science of book-keeping; Belle, the youngest, daughter, 14 years old, is attending the Ur- bana school. Politically, Mr. Lowenstern is an Independent, voting for the men he prefers on whatever ticket they may be. He has been in the dry goods business since \>^'A, in this city. In 1881, lie added to his large dry goods stock a department of cloth- ing. He owns the large three story double buiUUng on southwest corner of Main and Race streets, and occupies the two large, commfHlious store rooms of first floor, with his stock of dry goods and clothing. With one exception he is the oldest merciiant in business in the city. Mr. Lowenstern, from the first, took a lively interest in building 41 PTOXKHUS OF CHAMPAJGX COVXTY. lip the city, and bought the block lie now occupies, ill 1865. He has purchased HO feet just west of his block and intcmls in th(> near future to erect tliereon a good liottd building. He is always ready to take stock in anythin;;: that will help to build up the city as h;us been proven by his assistance in every enterprise started here since he has been a resident. He resides in a larj^e block on West Elm street, where he has a neat and convenient dwelling, which he lias im- proved from time to time until it is one of tlie most comfortable houses in the city. Mr. Lowenstern, by sciuare dealing and strict attention to business, has built up a permanent trade, many of his .-ustomers having been ; he was the oidy republican in tiie townsliip. He voted for Fremont, wliile the other vote was di- vided l)etween Fillmore and Buchanan. He taught school in New York and afterwards engaged in same occupation here. He was su- perintendent of schools from 1S.57 to 1^*78, and was member of the state board of education for six years. He organized the first teach- ers' institutes in Champaign, Macon, Coles, Douglas, Effingham, Ford, Piatt, Vermilion and Iroquois counties, and took a leading position in the educational affairs of his adopted state. When he commenced visit- ing schools there were only two bridges in the county and only forty-eight school houses, twenty-seven of which were log houses. When he retired there were over two hundred school houses, all good, mod- ern ones. He had hard work to introduce blackboards into the schools, frequently put- ting them in at his own expense in order to get the boards of directors to try them. There were no maps, globes or other appa- ratus except at Urbana. When he retired in 1873 he published a pamphlet giving a history of the schools of the county that had thus grown up inider his supervision. The suggestions to teachers therein contained are fully abreast of the times to-day, and they have in fact been carried out almost to the letter. To Mr. Leal more than to any other man are we, as a people, indebted for the splendid schools of which this county justly boasts. He was also appointed drain- age commissioner and during his term col- lected about 837,000.00 on swamp land ac- count that many had charged was sunk in building the court house. He holds the re- ceipts of school treasurers for this large sum, much of which would never have been collected but for his efforts. In 188.5 his re- port as sanitary inspei-tor of this city was l)ublished in all tlie metropolitan papers by the Stat« Board of Health as a model report, showing the thorough maimer in wliicli Mr. Leal always responded to a call for the piil>- lic good. Mr. Leal, in 187.5, commenced farming on a farm lie owns near Sidney, in wiiich busi- ness he i.s still successfully engaged, but the record he has left as the frieiwl of education and as a con.scientious and hard worker in its ciiiise, will cause liiiii to be rememberetl long after he has passe«l away. WlI.LIAM H. SOMERS. Mr. Somers was one of the pioneers of this county, having, with his parents, removed from his native state, North Carolina, in the fall of 184'i, locating in Urbana. He here engaged with his brothers, James, John and Joseph, in farming,— his father. Dr. Win- ston Somers, working with them when not called away to visit patients; this happened frequently, and many a time he would be kept away for several days. The doctor was anxious to give his boys a good education and utilized every opportunity so to do. Wil- liam H. was ambitious in tiiat direction and the result was, by working hard in the sum- mer, he enjoyed the high privilege of going to school in the winter. He thus obtained not only a gooil common school education, but he also attended tiie M. E. Seminary, at Danville, presided over by Oliver S. Munsell, and got considerable knowledge of Greek, Latin'and other higher branches. At the close of his school days, he, with liis father, and his brother James, engaged in the drug busi- ness in Urbana. He was marrieil to Mi.ss Hattie L. Mead, in August, 18.5f», at Urbana, who died at Beatrice. Nebraska, in June, 187(5, mourned, not (mly by her husband and children, but by hosts of warm friends, made here and in her new home, by her gen- tle disposition and self-sacrilicing labors in life. Of this marriage four children were born to him, viz: Frank M., Julia Mae, Eddie W., (who died in 18C)7) and Elbert S. He was married again, in Lincoln, Neb., in 1878, t« Miss Sadie S. Hawley, his present wife, who is a native of Oliio, as was also his tirst wif«'. Two ciiildien have been born PIONEERS OF CHAMPARiN COUNTY. 44 by this marriage, one of whom, the eldest, William H., died in January, 1885; the other, a daughter, is now three and a half years olil. In 1856, Fielding L. Scott and Elisha Hark- ness, warm friends of his, surprised him by soliciting him to become a candidate for cir- cuit clerk. He ran and was elected as a re- publican, on the ticket headed by John C. Fremont, under the banner of "Free press, free speech, and free soil." He was reelect- ed in 1860, on the ticket headed by Abraham Lincoln. He made a splendid officer, affa- ble gentlemanly, and at the same time attent- ive to the business of the people. He was then electetl as supervisor from Urbana. He had, prior to being elected clerk, studied law with his uncle, W. D. Somers, and at- it'uded law school in Chicago. He gave up tlie practice, however, in 18(i8, and with his father as partner engaged in the banking business in Urbana and subsequently in Leroy, 111., altogether about live years, until the death of his father, when he closed uo the business and in 1872 removed, with his fam- ily, on account of his wife's poor health, to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he has resided for fourteen years. There he engaged in the real estate business until his appoint- ment, in 1881, by president Garfield, to the office of lieceiver of the United States laud office, at Ueatriee. He was succeeded June Kith 1886, by a tlemocrat appointed by presi- dent Cleveland. He was electetl to the Ne- braska legislature, in 1875, and served one term. He was also agent for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company for several years, for tlie sale of their lands in (iage and adjoining counties. For three years he was immigration agent for the coun- ty of (iage. Neb. He was active and suc- cessful in this position and by judicious efforts he was instrumental in inducing large immigiation to southeastern Nebraska and in building up the city of Beatrice. He wrote the centennial history of Gage county in 1876, as a part of his efforts in advertising the great advantages of the country as pecu- liarly adapted to farming and stock raising. Jiast month he removed to San Diego, Cali- fornia, where he now owns a large vineyard and fruit ranch, and is engaged in making raisins and growing fruits for market. He has been interested in the temperance woik all of his mature life, and has given his best efforts in that cause. His many friends in this county, as well as in Gage county, wish him long life and prosperity in liis new home. He well deserves the neat little for- tinie he has carved out by his own abilities and industry. Zachakiah E, (till Was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, May 1st, 1829. His father was Bede Gill and his mother was Eliza Edlin, of Louisville, Ken- tucky. Z. E. Gill came to this county in 18.52, and settled at Urbana. He was mar- ried first at Jeft'ersonville, Indiana, in 18,5:5, to Nancy Mariah Porter, (since deceased). His second wife was Hannah C. Wolfe, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, whom he married at Urbana, December 4, 18,57. His children are Mrs. Nellie Hogg, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Rudolph Z. Gill, residing at Urbana. He died August 10, 1884, at LTrbana. At time of death he had been for twenty-six years a member of the M. E. churcii, and was a reg- ular attendant at divine service during all those years. In politics Mr. Gill was a dem- ocrat, though lie was not much inclined to politics. He was left an orphan at tlie age of fourteen years and thrown upon his own resources; he soon after went to learn the carpenter's trade which he followeil for many years in connection witii contracting and designing. In boyhood, even, he sought moral associates and amusements, and grew, naturally, into a conscientious, iiome-ioving and kind-liearted man. He built the round house of the I., B. & W. railroad, as well as their freiglit houses ahmg the line. He was the builder of several of tlie tinest blocks in the city of Urbana. For several years he was also engaged in the hardwaic business. He was correct in his business and social habits, and took a deep interest in the improvement of tlie city. Wliiie a consistent and faithful meml)er of tiie cluiroli 45 f/(Ji\'fJfc'K»' OF CHAMFAION COUNTY for so many years, yet he was unassuming in his professions and pointed out the path- way of duty by traveling tliere throiigii life. His (ieatli, two years ago, was one of tlie greatest losses this connnunity has beeh called upon to bear for many years. Such men as Z. E. Gill are the salt of tlie earth. TiioMsox Rhodes Wkbber. Thomson Rhodes Webber was born in Shelby county, Ky., October 6, 1807. He was of German extraction on his father's side. He was the eldest of a family of 18 children, of whom three surviving reside in this city, viz: William H. Webber, George G. Webber and Mrs. Nancy Munliall. He was twice married. To his hrst;wife, i Miss Martha Thompson, of Shelby county. Ky., in 1K81. In 1.S.37 his tirst wife died and he married in 1838 Miss Anna B. Carson, of this county, whose death preceded iiis sev- eral years. He had three children, Joseph T., Wm. 13. Webber, a promnient lawyer of this city, and Mrs. Susan Blaydes, by his iirst wife, and two, surviving, Robert A. Webber, of this city, and James H. Webber, now of Minneapolis, Minn., by his second wife. Mr. Webber's political inlluencc was iden- tilied witli the (lemocratic party. He cast his Iirst vote for General Jackson for liis second term and on all national (juestious he was a supporter of democratic princi))les. lie heartily supported the candidacy of Horace Greeley. He enjoyed for many Tyears the confidence and friendsliip of Abraiiam Lin- coln and Senator David Davis. Few men in this country have presided in as many official capacities torso long a term and with the united resjiect of all who knew him, as Mr. Webber. He was the hrst post- master in the comity and in this city. Ui> on the organization of the county he was elected clerk of both courts and continued in that official capacity as county clerk 30 jears, and circuit clerk for 27 years. For ' forty years he acted as master in chancery, and was succeeded by M. W. Mathews in August, 1873. And when he retired from each of these offices lie did it with the re- spect and good will of every one. in 1847 he was elected to represent Ver- milion, Champaign, Piatt and Coles coun- ties in the constitutional convention of that year and in 1863 he represented in a similar convention the counties of Champaign, Piatt, DeWitt and Macon. The constitution prepared by the latter convention was re- jected by the people, when put to a vote, ami hence the names of its tramers did not re- ceive the perpetuity that they otherwise would have received. He died at his residence, south of the city, Wednesday, Dec^'mber 14, 1881, in the 7.5th year of his age. In considering the life and character of such a man tliere aHvays arises a curiosity to know his religious belief. From one who was familiar with his lite we learn that he was never guilty of deriding th()se who pro- fessed religion. He believed in and prac- ticed the principles of Christianity; enter- tained the highest respect for the opinions of ministers of the gospel and other advo- cates of the Christian religion. But he tlumght every man had a right to worship God in his own way, and that a i)erson could be religious without having his name in- scribed as a memljer upon any church rec- ord. True it is that, regardless of the frailties of the human family, Mr. Webber lived an exemplary life. He possessed such a (juiet dignity of manner and kindness of heart that made friends of acquaintances, and even the little barefooted ami brown-facetl boy was the recipient of his daily smile and greeting. He N^ill live long in the memo- ires of tho.se who survive him. PIUNEt^HS OF VHAMfAlUN COUNTY. 46 Ebknkezer Warren Parker Was born October 28, 1813, at Princeton, Massachusetts. His father was Ebeneezer Parker and his motlier was Miss Hannah Myriclis. Mr. Parker came to this county April 14, 18.56, and settled upon the farm in Philo township now occupied by him. He was married in 1840 at Holden, Mass., to Miss Chloe A. Parmenter, who was born in 1810, and is still living. She was highly ed- ucated and has a well-stored mind, being yet, as she has always been, a great reader and vigorous thinker. She has a literary turn of mind and is familiar with the princi- pal authors of this as well as of the old world. Their cliildren are: Ebeneezer Cal- vin, born at Worcester, Mass., a banker and physician at Philo, 111. ; Mary Adeline, who married Pasciial P. Park man, now deceased, and Louise, a young lady, residing at home with lier parents. Mr. Parker united with the Presbyterian church in 1838, at Worcest- er, Mass. He was in his earlier years of manhood an old line whig and was a radical abolitionist from the first of slavery agita- tion in this country, and naturally joined the ranks of tlie republican party luider the ban- ner of Fremont and Lincoln, and he is to- day as strong in the republican faith as ever. He was a republican from principle, as he never sought office of any kind. He has led a quiet life on the farm ever since arriving in Illinois. He and his accomplished part- ner live on the old home place that they have sjilendidly improved by their joint la- bors. They gave their children a liberal ed- ucation and fitted them well in every way for the solemn duties of life. He gave his own name and that of his father to hiseldest son in order to hand it down as a sort of family mark of distinction. There is an old watch in tiie family which belonged to his grandfather, wliich he has handed down to his eldest son, Doctor Parker, to be disposed of in the sanu' manner by him. When he settled in tiie wild prairie where his beauti- ful home now stands there was only one house between him and Urbana. Domestic and retiring in his habits he has neversought notoriety, but quietly pursues through life the even tenor of his way, exerting never- theless a wholesome and salutary intiuence upon the conununity, by his strict business integrity and kindly disposition. John Rogerson Was born December 18, 1833, at Perth, Prov- ince of Ontario, Canada. William Rogerson, his father, was born December 2, 1806, at Dumfrieshire, Scotland. His mother, Sarah Sinclair Adamson, was born December 3, 1814, at Quebec, Canada, and was also Scotch. In July, 18.55, William Rogerson came from Duncan City, Michigan, located in Cham- paign, and engaged in lumber, grain and general merchandise business. His son John was employed as his chief clerk. In the spring of 18.56, John went to the village of Sadorus and engaged in the mercantile ^id grain business, in partnership with W. C. Wilson, under th^ tirm name of Rogerson & Wilson. In August, 1^56, John's father died and he retired from the firm and went to 47 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Champaign to close up his father's business. In \Xu. lie returned to Sadorus, and with his brother Andrew B., again engaged in same business. In 1«6'2 his brother. Andrew H. enlisted in the '20th 111. regiment and went to the war. John remained in business at Sadorus until IS72, when he removed into Colfax township, one and a half nules north of Sadorus, on a farm, upon which he still resides. He has three brothers and three sisters living, viz: Andrew B., at Washing- ton, I). C, a clerk in Department of Interior, for i)ast seventeen years, William D., resid' ing in Council Blutfs, Iowa, (Jeorge S., at •Jacksonville, 111., Mrs. Daniel Bradley, of Ciiampaign, Mrs. Andrew Hnpel, and Miss Christiana Kogerson, at Jacksonville, 111. Andrew B. had right eye shot out at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22. 1W4. John Kogerson was married September 4, 1856, at Chicago, 111., to Miss Jacqualine Margueritte Cart Can- tine, third eldest daughter of John J. C. Can- tine, of Washington, D. C. Her father's parents were from France. The children of this marriage, thirteen in nmnber, were Ruth Caroline, Sarah Sinclair, William, John J, C, Andrew B., John James Adam- son, Jacqualine M. C, Mary Julia, George S., Fannie McArthur, Daniel BraiUey, Rob- ert Burns, and Mark Lewis Cantine. The second, fourth, seventh, ninth and thirteenth, above named, are dead. Andrew B., resides in Decatur, 111. ; the remainder reside at home with their parents. His church affilia- tions have been Episcopalian. He has been an ardent democrat all his mature life, cast- ing his first vote for James Buchanan, for president, in 18.5(). He has been member of the democratic county central committee for past ten years, and chairman of Colfax township for twelve years, Mr. Kogerson is one of the leading democrats of this coun- ty, and his advice is always sought as to the policy of the party in all matters of impor- tance. He was postmaster at Sadorus, from 1»5T to IMtil, railroad agent there 1S5() to 18T1, town clerk, Sadorus township, 18(')0 to 18(54, justice of the peace, 18()2 to 1872, in Sadorus township, and from 1875 to 1877 in Colfax township; he was assessor of Colfax 187(> to 1881, aiul supervisor 1877 to 188.5. In 1882 the democratic c(mvention nominated him for sheriff of Champaign cour.ty, but was defeated by J. C. Ware, republican. Mi-. Kogerson nuide a splendid record as an able servant of the people, on the board of super- visors. He was the leading nuMuber of the judiciary comnuttee for eigiit years; was on swani)) lands committee for six years and was four years its chairman; stationery com- mittee three years, chairman two years; fees and salaries two years, one year its chairman. In 1878-9 and 80, he wa.s sent by board to Springlieldto represent this county before state board of e(iuaIi7,ation, and en- deavored to get Champaign county in a low- er classification which he finally succeeded in doing, thus saving a large sum of money to the tax-payers on state tax. In 1881 the board sent him to Washington. D. C, to make a list of swamp lands of the county from the records in land office. It was due to his labors that the county procured sever- al thousand dollars in cash indenmity from United States government and from errone- ous tax sales of swamp lands belonging to the county and there will yet be a large sum received by the county from new selections of swamp lands made in 1882-H by him and Isaac Hitt, state agent. Mr. Kogerson has been faithful in every trust reposetl in him, both public and jirivate, and he richly de- serves the high regard in which he is held by all who have the honor of his acquaint- ance. ««-" S. Barclay K.^pkhaugh. The subject of this brief sketch is a pro- duct of the Keystoiu" state; he was born in Bedford county, and is the son of Peter antl Eliza KaSomers, then the "Mec- ca" of law students, and continued until his admission to the bar in l>h. He commenced the practice and continued it with gratifying success until August 4, 188.5, when he took charge of the post office, a position he was appointed to by President Cleveland. He was city attorney for five terms, and was vigilant and efficient as an officer. Politic- ally he was a republican until 1876, when he advocated the claims of Samuel J. Tilden, and has since that time been an aident and active supporter of the democratic party. lu religious faith he is a member of the Bap- tist church. He was united in marriage March 32, 1868, to Miss Olive L. Gere, daugh- ter of James S. Gere, an old settler and prominent citizen of Urbana in by-gone days. The result of that union are the fol- lowing named children: Otis B., Grace E., Olive I., Clarence G.. Addle M., Fred M. and Earl A., the last named and youngest died last summer. The democrat!^ party made a wise selec- tion in Mr. Eadebaugh for postmaster. He is giving the office his personal attention and under his good management it reflects credit upon him and his party and at the same time the public is being treated to an efficiency in their postal affairs to which many conniumities are total strangers. Mr. Radebaugh has been faithful to the inter- ests committed to him as a lawyer, in every instance giving his best energies to serve his clients as if their cause was his own; he has been equally faithful in the public trusts reposed in him, and should his party retain power, will doubtless earn, by strict official integrity and faithful performance of duty, still further honors at its hands. 10 FlKLDIXG L. SroTT. None among the prominent citizens of Champaign county are better known than Judge Scott. He was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, January '27, 1S()7, and was the second child of Patrick and Anna Camp- bell Scott. His father was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and his grandfather was from Scotland. His mother was from Ireland antl came to this country when a child with her parents. In 1778 his father, together with about twenty other families emigrated to Kentucky. They pro- ceeded down theOhio in flat boats. They were prevented by the Indians from landing mitil they reached Louisville, Ky., which they did upon an island, and immediately set to work clearint;; and planting it in corn. Their provisions runnhig short, his graiulfather with three others, effected a landing and went ninety miles, to Boonesboro, for relief and supplies. Soon after, Mr. Scott located land about twenty miles from Boonesboro, in what is now Bourbon county, where he died in IsotJ. His son Patrick also ilied there in 18.54. The early life of Judge Scott was spent on the father's farm. September 18th, 1827, he niarried Julia A. lierriott. In 18:30 with one child, they started to Illinois. Arriving at the Grand Chain in the Wabash, they were delayed and compelled to resume their journey overland, Mrs. Scott riding on horseback. The snow was knee deep. They traveled all day through a wilderness when Mr. Scott becoming exhausted mounted be- hind his wife, and fortunately reached shelter. They soon after bought a farm in 49 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Yennilion county, wliere tliey resided six years, wlieii they reiiiov eil to a farm near Malioniet, where he resided until liis deatli, wiiich occurred November Ki, ISTT. Judt^e Scott was a Missionary Baptist in liis re- ligion and an untlinciiiuK republican in bis politics. During the war he was a staunch union man and gave two sons to the service of his country: one of whom was killetl at Kenesaw Mountain, and the other has thir- teen scars, from as many bullet wounds, as an evidence ot bis patriotism. Through all trials and adversity Mr. Scott bravely con- tended, and. witii his own hands, assisted by his excellent wife, carved out a comfortable competency at the same time making and maintaining for himself a name for strict honor and integrity which after all is the best heritage to leave to posterity. .\bm;i: \V. SoMKits Was born MaiiMi -10. is-n, in Surrey county. North Carolina. His parents were of English descent. The Soiners family had long owned a plantation bordering on the Yadkin river, it was a beautiful and healthy place. On one side of the farm in a bend of the river are "the seven islands," where young Abner passeil many happy hours. At this favorite place tlie boys fished by the blazing light of the pine torch, and often swam the river over ■]()() yards wide, lie worked on tlie farm and went to school at Rockford. Being fond of study and books he ai'ipiired a good connnon school education and much general knowledge. At 20, he began the study of nu'dicine which he continued a year, or more, before coming to Illinois. Then he gave up the idea of becoming a physi('ian, and turned his attention to teaching and farming. He came to this county with his father's family in the fall of 1>41. They settled north of the Big Grove on what is now section 22, Somer township. Here his father bought land, and soon after. Mr. Somers began teaching. He taught about thi-ee years ac- cording to the most approved methods of that ilay and was considered an excellent teacher. In 184S he rode to Danville on horseback and entered the land where he is now living at S1.25 per acre, receiving his patent from the president, James K. Polk. He united with the Methodist church in is.^1, under the preaching of Rev. Moore, at the old meeting house in Somer. September 1.5, ls.5o. he married Miss Marv Ann Kerr. Nine children were born to them : John M., William R., Edward H.. Annie C. James B., Abner W., Mattie J.. Samuel, Roscoe and Frank : all of whom are living at home, but the oldest son and daughter. John died Marcii 4, 1882. Annie died June 9, iss(i. In i)oliiics, he was a whig, casting his first vote for Henry Clay. The greenback party claimed him as a member, but he is now a republican. He is a man of calm thought and considerate judgment. He held the office of justice of the peace for four years and is the present school treasurer of Somer township. Mr. Somers had a good opportunity of seeing Champaign county in its wild state of beauty and grandeur. He was one of the early settlers that went to Danville to mill and to Chicago for groceries and salt. He often accompanied his brother, John L. Somers, who surveyed large portions of the county: was wit) 1 hiui asllagmaninthe selec- tion of swamp lands; also when the lots, where now stands the city of Champaign, and the town of Ludlow were surx'eyed and many other places. On one occasion at the Mink Grove, when far away from the camp, he was startled by a noise: he saw his dog running towards him closely pursuetl by six- teen fierce looking wild iiogs. Xo one knew better than Mr. Somers when to run, and then, but few were swifter of foot than he. Like a deer he bounded over the prairie, reached the timber and mounted a tree which saved his life. He experienced the hardship and dis- advantages of the early days, yet the abun- dance of game and the beauty of the country were to him, "a joy forever.'' Prairie chick- ens, wild geese, duck, etc., were seen by the PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 50 thousaiuls, and the deer roamed in herds over the prairie. The splendid timber in tiie Big groN'e was unt'ulled by the pioneer's ax, tlif prairie sod unbroken by tiie old settler's i>lo\v. and in- numerable wild flowers shed their perfume on the ail-, tilling the heart with gratitude to Him, who clothes the earth in beauty. Often he thought of the lines: "Full mimy a Hower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air." Mr. Somers has lived to see this changed to cultivated rtelds. beautiful houses, flourish- ing towns, scoools, churches and all the comforts and luxuries which the people of this grand county now enjoy. John W. DoixiK. John W. l)odge,a native of Steuben,Oneida county, Xew York, was born Nov. "il, 1808. His grandfather fell in tiui battle of Bunker Hill. His father was born in Xew Hampshire July?, 1776: His mother. Hannah Weeks was from Connecticut, and several of her brothers were nroininent in the early settle- ment of Ohio. Joseph H. Weeks, going to Granville, with a colony from Mass., and Wm. 11. Weeks, ]). D., settling in Xewark N. J., where he labored successfully for many years. JNIr. Doilge was married Aug. 21, 18;J4, to Susan Bissell, a laily who provetl to be a model of industry and economy, and the beauty of her moral and religious character is indelibly impressed, u(^on the minds of those who knew her best. Four years ago she passed to that bourne from whence none ever retui'n, after years of patient suffering. Six children came to bless their wedded life, three of whom are still living. A son, O. B. Dodge, lives in "Dixon, 111., and is con- nected in business w'th the Grand Detour I'low company, and two married daughters, Mrs. J. :>[. Beaid and Mrs. A. P. Xeal, live in Kantoul. (roing west in the early days of pioneer life in Ohio, Mr. Dodge began openiug up small farms from the dense timber lands of that state; and, with his own hands chopped, cleared and fenced two hundred acres of land, during the years from 1S2S to 1840. To those who think farming in Illinois on tiiese open prairies, is haid work, we would like to say, what if you had hrst to r"niove heavy timber froni the land by the slow pro- cess of chopping it by hand, you might then talk of hard work. When forty years of age, Mr. Dodge en- tered into general merchandising, and con- tinued ni that business until is.^."), when fail- ing health demanded a change; and he came to Illinois in company witli a number of others, called the "Ohio colony." They pre-empted several sections of land in Pera (now called Ludlow township,) Champaign county, and built eighteen pre-emption shanties, and at the land sale in Danville, the following winter, paid the govennnent for about :^,000''acres of land at an average expense of 83.00 per acie, including inciden- tal expenses of pre-empting. A year later he connnenced making im- provements, (sleeping at first in a pre-emp- tion shanty without floor, tloor, or window,) and afterwards moved together three others, and occupied them with his family and other new comers (numbering together from 1.5 to '10 during a whole summer) while a house was being built. If there was not room to "turn round'' in the house, plenty c(mhl be found outside. Groceries and provisions, lund^er and hard- ware were brought from Chicago. Wild game of different kinds was plenty. Prairie chickens, ducks, geese and sand hill cranes, the latter would gather together in an open space and perform a dance, keeping perfect time with their leader. Prairie iwolvesj were everywhere, and the hrst year deer were seen in herds, passing from Buck grove to the Sangamon timber in a regular line, once sixty were counted in a single line, and often 15 or 20 were seen. Prairieifires were fearful until the land was broken, very destructive; sweeping over miles of territory in a single night. Mr.^Dodge tried farming till 1861, with a lack of success which was rather discourag- ing. He then went into the drug business in Rantoul and continued in it, till the land 51 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COVyTY business held out to liini more flattering in- ducements. About this time the Illinois Central nulro:\(l offered their lands for sale, anil witliin four or live years, fifty thousand (50,000) acres of land changed hands through his agency, all in the vicinity of Kantoid. Health again gave away, and since that time he has lived quietly in his home at Rantoul. now nearly seventy eight years of tee. His silver hairs speak plainly of the busy life he has lead. He possesses all those excellent qualities of head and heart that constitute the attri- butes of a true and successful man. JoHX George Ely, Among our respected German American citizens is Mr. Ely, the well known carriage maker, of Champaign. He was born in Kempton, Bavaria, June 13th, 182.5, He is the son of Enist and Magdalena (Pfifer) Ely. Young Ely received a good education then excellent schools of his native country. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the trade of carriage making and served his time, after which he worked as a "jour." He came to ,\merica while yet a young man. He stopped some time in New York City, and while there manied Miss Eliza Kehner. The date of tlie marriage was October 1st, 1.H.54. She died November fltii, isfJS. In the spring of 1S57, Mr. Ely concluded to try his fortune in the west. He came to Urbana, landing here April 10th, of the year above named. He found work in the shop of lioyden &, Oslield, which some of the older citizens will recollect. It ^;tood on the ground now owned by J. L. Charni, West Main street. He remained with the above named firm for three years. He then started a shop of his own. doing all kinds of general blacksmithing work, wagon making, etc. He continued in Urbana until 1803, when he moved to Chamjiaign and opened a shop. and continued with varying success, up to 1880, when he built the large three story brick building to acconnnodate his extensive and growing business. His business has grown from a small beginning until it is now one of the most extensive establishments of its kind in Central Illinois. He manufac- tures carriages of all kinds, buggies and spnng wagons, and does a general repair business. When Mr. Ely first began work for him- self, he had to make everything. Mat E. Busey came into his shop one day and want- ed him to make a buggy body for a pair of running gears. Mr. Ely drew the outline with chalk on the fioor. Mr. Busey express- ed himself as satisfied if the body would look that way when made. Mr. Ely finished it from the plan on the floor. That buggy body was the first one ever made in the county of Champaign. When Mr. E. first went to Champaign it was then called West Urbana. Tliere were but sixty houses in the town. The Illinois Central company were then erecting their round house. The out- look for the struggling village was not very bright, but Mr. E. had unbounded confidence in its future. Times has demonstrated that his judgement was not at fault. Thecity in a great measure owes its growth and pros- perity to that class of enterprising and ener- getic men to which Mr. E. belongs. They are the men who give life and vitality to a town. Mr. Ely's present wife was Dora Demlo. Their marriage took place April 0, 1864. He is the father of twelve children. The eldest is twenty eight and the youngest five years of age. George, Samuel. John and Louis, are working in the carriage shop. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ely are members of the Beformed Lutherrtn church. Politically, Mr. Ely is a pronounced democrat. Thus in short is a brief outline of the life of Mr. Ely. He came here poor in purse, but rich in the possession of youth, health and industrious habits. Through these he has built up a large business, and made himself an honor- able name among men. PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 52 Joiix AsiiMox Benedict. Among the hills of Delaware county, New York, John Ashnion Benedict was born, December '2. ls-20. He was the son of Martin Green Benedict, whose fatlier came from Connecticut into the then far west,and settled near ^rereditli, in that county. Many are the tlirillini^ stories of iu^ir breadth escapes from horrible massacre by Indians w'hich are re- lated of him. At one time the Indians raid- ed the country. He pretended to be their friend and durins: their raids in the day time buried his valuables. Early one morning shortly after the departure of the Indians, upon their raid of daily massacre he too departed, and sought in safety his boyhood home in Connecticut. Returning ire found his home burned to the ground. Martin Green, Ixjrn in 1800, was raised among these thrilling scenes, and took life in earnest. In early life he married Myra Ann Flint. He was a successful farmer and lived to see the woodland hills of Delaware county, made beautiful by the toil and labor of its early settlers. He died in December, 1876. John Ashmen was the eldest son by this union. He was educated in a district school near Meredith, and at the Delaware Academy. During the winter, when not needed for farm work, he taught school. In the Autumn of 18.54, at an evening party he met the maiden of his choice, Olive Lee. June 5, 18.56, they were married. She was the daughter of John and Mitty Lee, of Koxbury, New York. Soon after their marriage they too, determined to seek a home in the far west. Charles Fitch Post visited the father of John Ashmon, in the summer of 18.56 and at tiiis time tiie agreement was made to settle in the same locality. In October lie started. He first went to Cauibiidge, Wis., the home of Mr. Post. Fnjm iiere he and Mr. Post started for Champaign, 111., but meeting N. L. Seaver on the train they were advisetl to locate at Rantoul, which after visiting tliat place they concluded to do, and retiu'ned to Cambridge, for tlieir families and goods. John Ashmon stopped in Chicago upon his return to his future honre, and bought lumber for the first lumber yard in Rantoul. He arrived with his wife Nov. 1st, 18.56. Under the lirm name of Post & Benedict, they carried on a lumber business during 1857 and 18.5S, wlien Johu Ashmon bought out Post's interest, and carried it ou until fall of 1^.51), wlien he sold out to Abram Cross. During the winter of 57-.5S, lie taught the lirst public school in a frame building, corner of Crirard and Grove avenues. This was district No. 1, which had just been organized. In the tall of '59, this district built a more commodious school house. John Ashmon was a member of the board of school directors, who were the first elected and held office at the time of its erection. About January 1st, 1859, he formed a part- nership with Henry Wright, in the general merchaudise business— tirm name, Benedict »& Wright. Sold out his interest in spring of '60. Then went into the lumber and grain business with Peter Meyers. In the spring of '61, sold his interest to Meyers. Farmed during this and the coming year, and in May 1863, bought out M. Huffman, a general merchandise dealer of Ludlow. This busi- ness he carried on until the spring of '65. He sold out and iu the fall of "65, bought a general merchandise He continued in this death. Oct. 12th, 1881. His family consists of a wife and two sons ; John Lee, and Charles Post, who survive him, a little daughter, Ada Jane, having died Sept. 13th, 1863. In his husiness transactions, he was suc- cessful. His estate including a lire proof business block, .50x80 feet, two stories high, a pleasant residence, corner of Sangamon avenue, and Girard street, town and farm property and such personal property as was necessary to run his extensive merchandis- ing business. All his property was free from incumbrance. In politics he was a republican. He was a member of the town Board of Trustees for several years, once its president. For several j'ears also he was a member of the county board of supervisors and during his last term was chairman of that body. Was a member of the congres- out 0. B. Dodge, dealer, of Rantoul. business until his 53 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGy CuUyTY. sioiial convention of ISso, wliicli met at Mattoon, III. He was one of tlie original incorporators, and one of the tirst directors of the H., K. ct E. R. R. Incorporated Jan- uary itth, 1ST3. Although not a member of any churcli, his wife being a Meteodist, he took an active interest in tiie church of her choice. Prominent among tlie many good traits of character of 'John A. Benedict, was ins large hearted charity for the poor or unfor- tunate. He delighted to soften the couch of the afflicted and brighten the home of the sufferer, not by words of cheer and consola- tion alone, but by substantial lielp in the hour of need. Many are the individuals and families, that owe nuich of their prosperity to the helping hand (jf John A. Benedict, andclierish. to-day, his memory with the sin- cerest gratitude and veneration. Ai.oNZ() Lyons. Thirty-two years ago, Alonzo Lyijus came to Urbana. He brought with him his moth- er and yoiuigest sister. He continued his residence in the county until his death, wiiicli occurred Augu.st '^oth, 1878. He was born in Coleraiue, Franklin county, Mass., October is, lH->:i. His father, James, and motiier, Sophia (McCuUoch) Lyons, were natives of the same state. Mrs. Lyons came to this county ill is,")4, from Clinton, Indiana, where sh(^ had lived after leaving Massa- chusetts. The marriage of Mr. Lyons with Miss Julia E. Bassett., of Castleton, Ver- mont, took place in Urbana, January, 17th, is.5.5. Mrs. Lyons survives her husband and is still a resident of Tolono. The oldest child. Mrs. A. L. Carney, resides at Portsmouth, Ohio: the other children, two .sons and two daughters, live with their mother. Mr. Ly- ons came west in ls^7, with liis uncle, James McCulloch, to Clinton, Indiana, and clerked in his uncle's store, for several years. After- wards for a number of years he and his brother were partners in the mercantile bus- iness, at Clinton. In 18.50 they opened a branch store atCamargo, in Douglas county, Illinois. In 18.5.3, the partnership was dis- solved, Alonzo taking the latter store. In February of the next year he opened a store in Urbana with Dr. Ilollin Whitcomb in charge of same. In 18.58, Mr. Lyons and family removed to Tolono where he resided and continued in the mercantile business until the date of his death, above mentioned. The business of Mr. Lyons necessitated long trips over the country. He was not deterred by stormy weather, if business called him. Many times he was compelled to drive across the open country; the trips were long, and frequently night came on when he was a long distance from home, or from any house. He had many exciting experiences in driv- ing over the lonely prairies with but few land marks to guide him in his course. Once during a blinding snow storm, in the wide open prairie, he lost his way, and after struggling along attempting to strike the trail he almost gave up and feared he could never get home, but trusting to the instinct of his faithful though jaded hor-ses, they pulled him through and l)rought him safely home, though many hours late, and very much exhausted and suffering from the se- verity of the storm. ]Mr. Lyons was always interested in any movement that had for its object the public good or welfare of the community in which he lived, and gave liber- ally of Ids means to aid such enterprises. In his religious belief he wasa Universalist. Politically he was an ardent and staunch republican, thoroughly imbued with the be- lief that the application of its principles to governmental affairs would insure great good and the perpetuity of our republican form of government. He took an active in- terest in politics and was recognizsd as one of the leaders of his pai-ty in the county. He was a man of more than ordinary intel- lectual ability. He read much and digested well what he did read. He was a pleasant and agreeable couiiiaiiiou. In his death his family lost a kind hearted, good husband ami father, and the community a valuable and worthy citizen. PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 54 JrixiK J. I'. Texbkook Was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, November 2(1, 1809. His parents, Abraham and Catlierine, (Piatt) Tenbrook, emigrated to Indiana in Ibis anil settled in Franklin county, where the father died in 1832. He left a large family and their only support was their niotlirr and John P., who was tlien a lad of thirteen years. But he struggled along manfully and succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door until the family was self-sustaining. In 1837, finding him- self in possessicm of three good teams, Mr. Tenbrook resolved to try the country further west. He located in Monticello, in Piatt county. At that time the country between Urbana and Monticello was an unbroken prairie and the smoke of the camp-tire of the "Indians still ascended from the Big Grove. Mr. T. engaged in the hotel busi- ness in Monticello, and continued in it for twelve years. He came to Champaign coun- ty in 18.50 and located at Sadorus, where he has made his home ever since, with the ex- ception of a few years that lie spent in Ur- bana. His house was the tirst erected in the village of Sadorus. In 1837 he married Miss Eldula, daughter of Ilem-y Sadorus, the pioneer of Champaign county. She died in 18.52. She was the mother of four children, three of whom are living. Their names are: Heruy, Eliza, wife of Mr. Tim- mons, residents of Monticello, and Malissa, wife of Mr. Lochrie, residents of Iowa. Po- litically, Judge Tenbrook has been a life long democrat. His tirst vote was cast for Gren. Jackson, in 1828, and from that time to the present he has not faltered in his alle- giance to the party of his tirst choice. He has tilled many honorable positions in the county. He was county judge for a number of years, when the county was under the old organization, and has repiesented two dif- ferent towns, at different times in the board of supervisors. He has been a justice of the peace for many years. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and was the tirst Worshipful Master of Urbana Lodge No. 157, while under dispensation and the lirst after its organization. Judge Tenbrook has many friends in the county, whom he has won^by his genial, good na- tured disposition. In religious belief he is a CumberhuKl Presbyterian. m WlI.I.lAM IvKDHEI) Was born at March, in Cambridgeshire, England, September 23, 1830. He left home at the tender age of eleven years, and has made his own way in the world from that day to the present. He left London in September, 1850, bound for the United States and took passage on the Ocean Queen. He thus cut loo.se from the scenes of his childhood and youth and boldly struck out to the new world to wrestle with the difficulties and obstacles of life. He ari-ived in Chicago in December, 1850, and remained in that rapidly growing city until April 1857, when he located at Tolono, in this county. He was married July 7, 18.57, at Chicago, to Miss Mary M. Ladey. This excellent lady died July 16, 1883, at the home of Mr. Ptcdhed's mother, at March, England, whither Mr. Pedhed and she had gone on a visit to the scenes of his boyhood days. 55 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COrXTY. September iiBrd, 1884, lie was agaiu married. His secoiKl wife was Miss Alice E. Seed, of Central Lake, Michit^an. She is a highly educated and refined lady, and is still living. In September 1857, he opened tlie first grocery store in Tolono, with live hundred dollars of borrowed capital. Mr. A. Lyons whose biography appears in this issue, start- ed about the same time in Tolono, with dry goods, notions and groceries. From this small beginning Mr. Kedhed has accumulat- ed a comfortable competency. For twenty nine years he has been engaged at Tolono in the mercantile business with continuous success. He has been so careful in his busi- ness and so correct in his contracts that he has never been sued, although transacting an extensive business for many years. He has never had a case of his own in a court of I'ecord and has only sued one or two persons in his life. Honesty and integrity have characterized his every day life and he is emphatically a self made man, who has by his own unaided efforts succeeded admirably in a business, the pathway of which is strewn with many failures. J'knkose Stibiiam. Near the banks of the historic Delaware, in the city of Wilmington Del., October 24th, 1807, Tenrose Stidham lirst looked upon the world. His parent were Joseph and Anna (Gregg) Stidham. His early life was spent at the place of his birth. January 9th, 1836, the love that had existed between himself and Miss Mary Sergeant, a native also of Delaware, happily culminated in marriage. She was born February 4th, 1810, anil is still living ; and is, to-day, at the age of seventy years, as active and strong as those who have not lived half so long, nor borne any of the burdens of pioneer life. The surviv- ing ciiildren of Jliis marriage are: Joseph P., who married Sarah Elder, and resides in Lebanon, Mo. ; John T., who married Ennna White (now deceased), and later. Jennie Nichols, and now resides at Mahomet, 111. ; and Melissa A., who married Thomas iJ. Carson, now a revenue agent in the internal revenue service, residing at Urbana. Three of their sons are dead. Penrose Stidham was confirmed as a member of the Episcopal church in his youth and he lived a consist- ent and faithful believer in the tenets of that church. In the spring of 1836, soon af- ter his marriage, he, with his young wife, emigrated to what was then the border lands of the great west— to La Fayette, Indiana. Here he engaged in farming for a portion of the time. It was while residing there that he built a steam saw mill on the banks of the Wabash and followed that business for a number of years. Here he also served his neighbors as justice of the peace, ably and well. In 1848, having a firm belief in the rich resources of the vast and growing west, he was led to follow in the wake of advanc- ing civilization still farther toward the set- ting sun. He accordingly gathered his house- hold goods and personal property together and came to Urbana. He broke and open- ed up the farm just south of town, now owned by E. A. Shaw, where the doors of his hospitable home were ever open to his hosts of friends, until the day of his d^ath, which occurred September 30, 1862. At the time he built, his was the only house between Urbana and Sidney. His little home was once seriously endangered by a prairie fire that swept across the untamed prairie. Mr. Stidham and some of the family were sick, hence Joe and John held the horses and drove, Mrs. Stidham held the plow while they plowed furrows around the premises and sent to town for help; a wagon load came to the rescue and a successful fight was made against the dreaded enemy, after which Mrs. S. prepared a supper for the en- tire party which was of the kind for which she has always been noted, for she never took second place as a first class cook. Mr. Stidham was a Jeffersonian democrat and through all his life he was firm and unwaver- ing in his political faith. He was sheriff of Champaign county for the years 1853 and 18.54, and again for the years 1857 and 1858, being elected on the democratic ticket. He also served as chief deputy for two years. As sheriff and ex-officio collector, he visited PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 56 each precinct in the county to receive the taxes, giving two days to each precinct. He handled, in this way, tliousands of dollars, but never was robbed nor lost a cent. He was urged by S. H. Busey and Asa Gere to run again but on account ot tailing health he declined. Penrose was a modest man but he was very popular among the people. His word was relied upon as absolutely good and he had the entire confidence of the members of both political parties. He has kept a character tiiat was untarnished and a memory that will be cherished long by those who knew him. Winston Someks, M. D. Doctor Somers, the pioneer physician of Urbana, was born in the year 1800, near Eockford, Surry county, North Carolina. He received a fair education in the connnon schools at the place of his birth, and taught school in Nortli Carolina, where iliss Mary Graves Haynes went to school to liim. She afterward, in 1829, married him. She was born in Stokes county, in February, 1811. Their children were all born in North Caro- lina. William H., the eldest, is now a resi- dent of San Diego, California, (his portrait and biography appears elsewhere) ; James W., is a member of the Board of Review of the Pension office, at Washington, (see his portrait and biography in another column) ; Jolm W„ is a druggist at Ida Grove, Iowa; Joseph W. is traveling for an agricultural implement house, but resides in Urbana. Doctor Somers came alone on horseback from North Carolina, here, in 1843. On his 11 way, in the mountains of North Carolina, he stopped at a humble log house over night. Toward nu>rniug the Doctor thought he heard signiticant movements of the family and he got up, took his horse and went on his way. He feared they were going to rob him. The next day lie stopped at a lit- tle town and waited for a gunsmith to make him two revolvers. He had previously been unarmed. These curious old prinutive pistols were in the family for many years. Doctor Somers, after inspecting this wild prairie country made up his mind that this was where he would make a permanent home for himself and family. He returned to North Carolina and brought his family. He loaded his limited worldly effects into wagons ami with three horses he brought them and his family, consisting of his wife and four boys, to this wild and un- cultivated prairie. His oldest son, William H.. was then thirteen years old and his youngest, Joseph, was five. When he ar- rived here, his capital, so far as money was concerned, had been reduced to the limited sum of seventy-tive cents, but he had a brave heart, indomitable energy and good business capacity. He, of course, soon bought land and utilized his boys (a part of his capital) in fanning, while he practiced his profession in a circuit of fifty miles in diameter, Urbana being the center. He had to visit patients on the Middle Fork, and at Rantoul, Sadorus, Homer, and many times would be gone from home for days at a time visiting the sick, riding in a gijr or sleigh, carrying his saddlebags with a small stoclc of medicines, there being no drug store nearer than Danville. The denizen of to-day, who looks upon a local and near by population of 10,000, who traverses paved streets, lighteil by gas and electricity, who sees and mingles with peo- ple of the highest culture and looks upon the massive and imposing building of the State University, here located, will find it difficult to correctly imagine the Urbana of 1843, when the Somers family pitched its tent, strangers in a strange land. Instead of the evidences of our advanced civilization visible on every hand, as now, they only looked out upon a hamlet of a dozen small houses and cabins, built in a thicket of ha- zel brush and on the border of a boundless and uninhabited prairie. Instead of a teem- ing population, busy in the shops, offices, and on the farms, they encountered the few pioneers here at that day, supplemented by wolves and other "varmints" of the wilder- ness, who made successful warfare upon the chicken roosts and pig-sties ot the set- tlers. Instead of the advanced common 57 PlOyEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COLMl'. schools uow existing and rtouiisliing all over the county, crowned by a great University. located but a mile from their home, this family saw only here and there a log school house, and the pay schools kept by ambu- latory school masters of the Sam Crane va- riety. Such was the home to which Dr. Somers brought his family. After several years of arduous labor he went to Kush Med- ical college and graduated with high honors in 1S.53. He then practiced a year in the hos- pital in Chicago, after which he resumed his life work in Urbana. He was the tirst clerk of the circuit court of Surry county. North Carolina, the former incumbents hav- ing held the office under title derived from the king of Great Britain. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Enrollment for this district, at Danville, during the war. Be- fore resigning he made a voluminous report of the operations of the board, to the Pro- vost Marslial General. U. S. A., which was published in an official volume, by Dr. J. H. Baxter, Chicago. Medical Purveyor, who wrote Dr. Somers a highly complimentary letter thanking him for his contribution to medical science. He never read a novel in his life and opposed novel reading always. At the age of tifty he began and mastered the Greek and Hebrew languages so he could read the Bible in the original text. He was in the banking business, for a short time, with his son William. He died in 1871, leav- ing for his widow ample provision for her comfort the remainder of her days. She re- sides at the old home, now in her T6th year and in excellent health. He was very de- cided in his opinions, liberal in his religious views, but very earnest in the support of his favorite doctrines. He was a member and one of the founders of the Universalist church, in Urbana, and always contributed liberally to advance the cause he had so much at heart. He was anti-slavery in his views, even before he left the south, and was one of the earliest and most uncomi)ro- mising republicans. He lived an earnest, energetic life and was of the stutf of which hardy pioneers are made. He was emphat- ically the architect of his own fortune. He achieved a high rank in his profession and left a record for earnest endeavor and manly enterprise that should be an example to the yf)ung men of our day. A.'SA Fi.KMixi; Hav.s, Fourth cliild of William Hays and Margaret Fleming, was born near Greenville. Darke county, Ohio, October -24, ISi"), twenty nine years after Wayne's treaty with the Indians near his birth-place. His grandfather was William Hays, who settled in this county, at Gobiu's Grove, about 1838, and died on what is known among old settlers as the Isaac Albright farm, near the Somers" school house in January, 1852, His father was a fanner till elected sheritf of Darke County, and after his term of office, returned to his farm, where he resided till hisdeath, April G. 1848. The subject of this sketch, passed his boy- hood and early youth on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to Jeremiah Reis for four years to learn the blacksmith trade. For these years of faith- ful service, he received board, clothes, six month's schooling and a tifty dollar suit of clothes. He considered himself as well re- warded. The kindest of feelings always ex- isted between him and his old master. Hav- ing learned his trade he was innnediately employed by Mr. Ueis, and after a few months went to Indiana on a visit, and, being pleased with the country, went to work in a machine sho)) in Attica. About tins time he became acquainted with Cather- ine Tracy, whom he married, May 23, 1847. Meanwhile his old master solicited his return and otfered him a partnership. In August of 1848, he moved to Pleasant Hill, Indiana, where he followed his trade till December 1S50, when he moved to Peoria county, Illinois, where he resided till De- cember, 1851, when he moved to this county, PIONEKKS (IF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 58 aud settled on Benjamin Browntield's taiiu about four miles northeast of Urbana. In March, l«x Mr. Hays became a citizen of Urbana, settling near Kerr's tavern, and has since done his sliare towards tlie improve- ment and advancement of our city. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have two children; James VV.. who has been inincipal of the public schools of Urbana. since 1871. except- ing one year, and Mrs. H. O. Alexander, of Sturgis, Dakota. Mr. Hays joined the M. E. church at the age of eighteen years, and lias thus been identilied with the interests of his church for more than forty years. When entitled to participate in political affairs, he cast his influence and votes in favor of the whig party and has never regretted voting for the pathlindcr. (icn. Fremont. He is as strong in the republican faith and creed to-day as he was thirty years ago. but has never been an office liolder or seeker. Mr. Hays has been all his life. ;i hard worker, and by good habits, industry and correct conduct, has given his children a thorough eilucation and provided an elegant and comfortable home in this city, in which we trust he may continue to enjoy life for manv vears more. F. B. Sai.k. This gentleman, one of the leading farmers of northwest Champaign county, was born in Greene county, Ohio, June 9th, 1822. His father, John Sale, was a native of Virginia, and in early life moved to Ohio, and was one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist church, of Ohio. He was a pre- siding elder at the time of his death, and was a minister for over thirty years. F. B. Sale was the youngest of the family, of nine children. He was educated in the common schools while spending his boyhood and youth upon the home farm, where he remained, assisting to carry on the business until he was thirty one years old. October 11th. 1^44. he was married to Miss ;Maiia Cramer. Eight children were born to them, viz : Willis George, now a resident of Indianapolis: Edwin C, who is a grain merchant at Dewey, in this county; Charles E.. a resident of Nebraska; John A., who is now the secretary of the Illinois Resers'e Fund Association, at Rantoul Illinois: S. B., who is engaged in mercantile i)ursuits at Fisher, 111. ; Frank O., a dentist at Huron, Dakota; James P.. and Fannie. Mr. Sale is the grandfather of twenty three children, and says he has a tine prospect for forty more. In the fall of 18.5:^, Mr. Sale removed with his family to Urbana. where he was engaged in merchandising and trading xnitil 18.5fi, when he settled on a farm in Condit town- ship. He taught tlie ttrst school in the new building in district No. 1. and was the first teacher in the township, who received a salary as high as forty dollars per month. This was in 18.5fi-7. He was deputy assessor under C. H. Sherfy and Wm. Munhall, In the years 18.5()-7. In 18.5s>. he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has acted in that capacity most of the time since. In 1862, he enlisted in the 12.5th. Eeg., 111., Vol.. Infantry, under command of Col. Harmon. He was mustered in at Danville, 111., September :^rd. 1802. with a determina- tion to follow the fortimes of his conuades to the close of the war. He was a brave and resolute soldier and was elected captain of his company, which he commanded with ability and was a great favorite among his comrades. The long marches the hardships and privations of a soldier's life soon began to undermine his constitution, and he was compelled regretfully to resign and retire to the paths of peace; but his heart was still with the boys, who remained to defend their country. He did not fail to serve his countiy loyally at home with the same fidelity that had characterized his army life. He has been a local preacher in the M. E. church since 1857, and has been instrumental in bringing many souls into the fold of his Master. He was ordained deacon in the M. E. church at Bloomington, in 1866, by Bishop Ames ; in the same year he was appointed agent of the American Bible Society. His district was composed of the counties of 59 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Chanipais:n, Iroquois, Piatt and Macon. In 1>>T1. lie was ordained an Elder at Jack- sonville, by Bishop L. Scott. He has always been a republican since the party was organized, and is a radical tem- perance man. His voice lias always been raised in solemn warning against the evil of liquor drinking and selling. His inliuence lias always been for purity in politics and honesty in all things. In short. Mr. Sale is a high minded Christian gentleman, wliidi i^ rdi that need be said of nnv man. M^M^^.^ William Sim. .The drug and book store of William Sim is one of t!ie oldest business houses in the county. William Sim was born in Baltimore county, ^Maryland, November 2, 1825. He is tlie sou of Josepli W. and Kitu- rah(Mercer)Sim. He was reared inhisuative state and from there removed to Ohio, where he remained until he came west to Illinois and to I'rbana in is.54. He lirst en- gaged in teaching school in a building that was situated close to the old court house back of the M. E. church. He also was a teacher in the pulilic schools ^ieveral years before engaging in mercantile business. His first business venture was in the tli'ug and book trade in connei-tiou with Drs. C. A. Hunt and M. Liudicy. This was in the fall of 18.58. The partnership continued until 1801, when it was dissolved. Mr. Sim then formed a co-partnership with John T. Far- son and they purchased the stock of drugs of Bu.sey & Miller, and continued in busi- ness for three years, when Mr. Sim pur- chased Parson's interests and has con- tinued the business alone ever since. The drug business from 1862 to 1866 was very protitable, so much so that it enabled Mr. Sim to jjay off about 86.000 in- debtedness incurred by tiie old firm. Mr_ Sim is now the proprietor of as large and extensive a stock of drugs, books, paints, oils, notions and lUuggists sundries as can be found in the county. He is the owner of the business block occupied by him, also has a fine residence. He has reared and educated his childi^eu and started them in business. His boys, who have gone out from the oUfhome, are all doing well and are on the high road to wealth and usefulness. Mr. Sim married Miss Lucinda Liudley, who was born in 1828. The ceremony oc- curred at Fredericktown, Ohio, Aug. 9, 185.3. The following are the names of the child- ren : Anna, who is yet beneath the parental roof. Coler L. married Miss Nellie, daugh- ter of Col. Huiitoon. of Topeka. Kan.. They reside at AVichita, Kan., where he is engag- ed in the banking business. He has also an interest in a drug house at Topeka. Edward L. married Miss Belle Young and is in busi- ness in St. Louis, Mo. Walter T. married Miss Emma Coogan, and is in the employ of Messrs. Richardson & Co., wholesale druggist. St. Louis, Mo. Benjamin F. mar- ried Miss Nellie, the daughter of Dr. J. E. Morrison, of Urbana. He is with his father in the drug business. William E. is a student and at home. Mr. Sim and family are members of the M. E. church. He united with that christian organization in 1849 at Fredericktown, Ohio. He was a member of the official board there and has occupied the same position in the church here since 18.>j. Politically he was originally a whig, but joined the republican party on its formation and has been a con- sistent member up to the present. Mr. Sim was school treasurer for Urbana township for twenty-eight years. During that time he was the custodian of many thousands of dollars, all of which was accounted for in the most exact and busniess-like manner. Mr. Sim, as will be seen by the foregoing, is an old settler and old business man among us. Here among his neighbors, who know him best, where he has lived all these years since 18,'34, all unite in according to him the reputation of an honest, upright, christian gentleman and liberal-minded citi- zen. PIOXEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 60 Hon. 8. II. HisEY. i Among the many (dd settlers and promi- nent men of Cli;iini)aUu county, who have taken an active part and have contributed mucli to tlie growtli and prosperity of this section is the subject ot this slvctch. He is tiie eldest sou of Col. M. W. Busey, a slietch of whom will be found in another coknnn of this paper. He was born in Greencastle, Wasliington county, Indiana, October 24th, 18'il. He tliere grew to mans estate. His opportunities for receiving an education were meager, and at best were contined to the pay scliool system in vogue in the pio- neer days of tlie west. He, liowever, at an early age, aciiuired habits of close observa- tion and this, united with extensive reading in later years and aided by a naturally strong and vigorous mind, has matle him an unusu- ally well informed man on past and current topics of the day. In 1^30, when but twelve years of age, he came, with his parents, to this county. He remained at home at work for his father until his marriage inl8-iS, when he commenced farming on his own account. This occupation has taken up the greater part of his life, varying it at intervals to em- bark in other business, but in the end always retiu-ning to his lirst love and lirst vocation. In it he has been more than ordinarily suc- cessful, as his large landed estates would indicate. When the First National Bank of Champaign was originated he was one of its charter members. He sold out and in com- pany with his ])rotlier. Col. S. T. Busey, or- ganized the banking lirm of Busey Bros. He was the senior partner for a number of years. He was also engaged in the drug and grocery business for a short time. But. as intimated before, these were side issues to a great ex- tent while tanning and stock raising were his pursuits. When Mr. Busey came to this county it was new and the customs were somewhat different from the present. Then neighbor- hoods were few and far between. The peo- ple were eminently of a social turn of mind; news was scarce, and living so far apart the gossip of the neighborhood was not so com- mon as now. The young and old men were actjuainted for twenty miles around. Mr. Busey says it was the custom, and almost a duty to attend the dances and weddings that occurred in the county. He, being of a so- cial turn and not particularly averse to mild frolicking, frequently went twenty miles to join in and contribute to the hilari- ty of the occasion. The dances were usually given ou a rough floor of split timbers. There was no time and often no tools, to smooth down the rough places. These has- tily improvised dancing platforms were a little rough on the dancers as they generally danced in their stocking or bare feet, and in the morning one, two or more of the most vigorous were minus a toe nail or two. But then, they had lots of fun and the small loss of a toe nail or two did not cut nuich of a figure. Mr. Busey contracted marriage with Miss Artemesia Jones, in 1848. She was then a resident of Greencastle, Indiana. She is living and is the mother of eight living children, whose names are: John W., who is an extensive farmer of Comi)romise town- ship ; Augusta, wife of Mr. Morgan of :\Iin- neapolis, Minn. ; Elizabeth F., wife of Ozias Riley, Champaign : Mathew W., of the firm of S. T. ifc 31. W. Busey, bankers, Urbana; James B., farmer of Fisher 111.; Geo. W., bookkeeper; Alice, wife of G. Freeman; and William H., still at home. Mrs. Busey is a member of the Baptist church. Polit- ically, Mr. Busey is most soundly indoctrin- ated in the principles and political tenets of the democratic party. He has followed its fortunes through all its vicissitudes and vic- tories from 1844, at which time he cast his first ballot for James K. Folk, up to the present time. While he has not been a pol- itician in the strict sense of the word, yet he has exercised large influence in the coun- cils of the party, and it was always in the direction of sound policy, and the better- ment and futiu-e success of the organization. In local affairs he has been quite active, and has been a member, at different times, of the city council, school board, and board of su- pervisors. In 1877, he represented the dis- trict in the -Mh general assembly of the state. His course while a member of that 61 PIoyEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUyTY. body was maiked by a desire to legislate in the interest ol the masses and not for the few, and as such received the liearty com- mendation of iiis constituents. His prom- inence in |»()litical circles, and well known inteijrity of character, lias pointed him out as a suitable candidate to represent this district, in congress. He is now beinsr warmly urged by the leading mem- bers of his party in the district to allow the announcement of his name and become the standard bearer of his party in the coming campaign. We tiiink that in his selection the party would, for once, at least, exhibit ti-aces of returning reason. JOSKI'JI TuOItXTON KEI.I.KY. Was l)orn in Rockingham county. Virginia, May I4tli, 1^01). His father, Abraham, was born in Ireland, his mother who was Sarah Burgess was born in (Tcrmany. They emi- grated eacli to Virginia, but tiie year is not known. The father served three years in the revolutionary war and was also a sol- dier in the war of 1812, an aid of Col. Denny, although sixty-five years old at that time and tile father of fourteen children, Joseph T. being the youngest of the four boys of the family. The eldest brother of Joseph T. also made up a company and went into the war of 1812 under Gen. McAvthur. When Hull surrendered. Captain Kellcy was so incensed that he thrust his sword be- tween the spokes of a wagon wlieel and broke it. Wlien that war was over, the father, Abraham Kelley, started for home and died when only twenty-four miles from home, he was wrapped in a blanket and given a soldier's burial. When the son came home he took up tiie body and buried it be- side the mother wlio had died in 1810. When Joseph T. Kelley was fifteen years okl, being an orphan boy, he went to live with Joseph Vance, two miles north of Urbana. Chami)aigii with whom he lived until one. when, in 1880. lie Vance at the residence Joseph Vance, his wife, each county. Ohio, nearly twenty- married Sarah of her uncle, March 1.5th, 1881, he and on horseback, started for Hlinois, arriving at Danville. March 28. They settled at the salt works, six miles west of Danville. His wife's father had preceded them in 1821. and had been engag- ed in making salt with the Indians; he af- terwards leased the salt works from the state, and drove a profitable business imtil Chicago sprang up and began to ship in cheaper salt. The prairie schooners, loaded with wheat, drawn with six yoke of oxen, brought back salt which was sold at S1.25 per barrel. The price prior to that was 81.50. The salt works which Mr. Kelley operated turned out 120 barrels per week, which was a good paying business when prices were good. Mr. Kelley, in these days was an in- \ eterate worker, hauling wood by day and attending the furnace at night. It was dur- ing this period, when in 1833, the "stars fell," as the old settlers all put it in describ- ing the meteoric shower of that time. The light of the falling stars awakened Mr. Kel- ley; he awakened his wife to see the strange and startling sight. 'Mr. Kelley had an Irishman in his employ who was badly frightened. He said to Mr. Kelley, -'Jo let us blow out, be Jasus the day of indgmeiit has come." Mr. Kelley replied, '"No, Bill, that isn't according to Scripture." The Irishman replied, "Be Jasus the auld man has] changed his notion." During these pi- oneer days, Mr. Kelley and his neighbors frequently had to live on frost-bitten corn (meal), fat meat, pea cotfee and whiskey. After awhile they were able to send a load of salt to Terre Haute. Ind., and get a bar- rel of tlour and scmie genuine coffee; then they had the extreme luxury of hot biscuits and coffee for breakfast, on Sunday morn- ings. Mr. Kelley gave it as his opinion that the operation of the salt works was a heaven for women and dogs but li— for men and oxen. In 1849 he rented a farm of Cyrus Sti-ong, at old St. Joseph. He afterwards bought it for S^^iOS per acre and went to fanning, and kept a hotel for many years, there. It was at this hotel, famous for its hospitality, that a stranger once stopped for a few days, with Mr. Kelley. He was treat/- ed so well and was so well pleased with the ) PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 62 genial and hospitable landlord, tiiat lie said on leavini; that he would do him whatever favor was in liis power. Not long after a po^toflice was established, called St. Joseph, after the landlord. Mr. Kelley was made postmaster, and thns the stranger whom he had taken in had favored him: he was a politician of prominence who had the ear of the postmas- ter general, at Washington, and thus paid the debt of gratitudi? he owed to Mr. Kelley for his kindness. He kept this tavern, fa- mous always for its good cheer, until 18G4, when his wife died. He rented it to others for two or three years, and finally sold it to Sanford llichards. December ISOS, he mar- ried Mrs. Patience Bullock and they now re- side in Harwood townshii>. in this coimty. Mrs. Kelley is a Bai^tist. Mr. Kelley is not a member of any church, but his folks were all Methodists. He was a whig and has long been, aiul is now. a faithful republican, and will doubtless remain one as long as he lives. Mr. Kelley nt^eds no character from us, his record, has been made in the midst of the people and their universal verdict is that he has been a good citizen and a strictly honor- able man in all the relations of life. John C. Thomas. , One of the energetic and active business men of Urbana is John C. Thomas, of the lirm of Ford, Thomas & Satfell. He is a Kentuckian by birth, l)orn in Scott county, October 1, ls.5-2. He is the son of James Q. and Mary (West) Thomas, natives of the same state. His father was a soldier of the Mexican war. He was a farmer by occupa- tion. In l^ioo he came north and west to Hl- inois, and settled in Champaign county on the old Pusey farm in Condit townshij). He then followed farming iuid stock raising un- til advancing age compelled his retirement. He and his estimable wife are residents of Mahomet. They were the parents of six children, John C. is the tirst born. He was reared on his father's farm and received his primary education in the schools of his neighoorhood. The latter was supplement- ed by an attendance for two years in the graded schools of Mahomet. He subsequent- ly took a full course in the Champaign Busi- ness College. After his graduation lie be- came a teacher in the same institution and taught for two years. In 187.5 he formed a co-partnership with Mr. A. Robertson and opened the tirst tlrug store in the village of Fisher. Two years later lie sold his inter- est in the drug business and accepted a posi- tion as deputy sheriff under J. E. Oldham. He removed to Urbana and here he has since made his residence. In this position he served two years. He then engaged in buying and shipping grain from Urliana for an Indianapolis tirin and continued at that for one year. On the :30th of .October, 188:3, he purchased Mr. Saffell's interest in the firm of Ford & Saftell, agricultural dealers and importers of fine breeds of Norman Clydesdale and Belgian horses. On the 10th of March. 1884, Mr. Saftell became a mem- ber of the firm and since that date it has been known as Ford, Thomas iSr Saftell. This firm enjoys an extended reputation. They are known as the principal agricultur- al dealers in the county and the largest im- porters of horses in Central Illinois. Much of the success of the firm is due to the un- tiring eftorts and business-like methods in- troduced by Mr. Thomas. He attends to all the business detail and looks closely after the finances, wliile his partners are the sales- men of the concern. Mr. Thomas married Miss Bettie Williamson, February 1, 1877. She was born in Mason county, Kentucky, November 17, 18.51. Her parents. Thomas and Elvira (Curtis) Williamson, were na- tives of same state. They came to this coun- ty in 1863. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Baptist church. Politically Mr. Thomas comes from good old democratic stock and family. He wisely follosvs in their foot- steps and is an ardent and active democrat. He was a member of the board of educa- tion of Urbana for three years, l^rbana naturally feels a pride in the firm and busi- ness of which Mr. Thomas is a member. It is quoted as being unusually successful and hivs grown from moderate beginnings to the head of its kind in the county. 63 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Harrison \Y. Dkillixgek. It is eminently proper that the name and face of the subject of the following sketch should api)eai; among tlie list of old settlers of Champaign county. Though not now with us, he was for many years prom- inently identified with the county. He at present is a resident of Chester, Nebraska. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 6lh, 1819. He is adescendentfrom a German family, who originally settled in Pennsylva- nia. Philip DruUinger, the father of Harri- son, was born in that state in IT'.iO. When he was four years of age, the fandly moved to Ohio. Tliere Philip married Catherine West, of Pickaway county. There were three children of that union. Harrison is the only s\n'vivor. When Mr. DruUinger was nine years of age, the family removed to Union county, Indiana. In 1839, he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, his father hav- ing preceeded him the year before. In 1840, he came to Champaign county, and in October, of that year, married Mary Bartley, daughter of George Bartley, one of the early settlers of St. Joseph township. Mrs. DruUinger died in 1848, leaving two daugh- ters; Eliza and Mary. He contracted a second marriage in May, 1848, with Miss Elizabetii, daughter of S. S. Whiting. She was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and came to this county in 1847. By the latter marriage there are nine children. Their names in the order of birth are; William S., Lewis S., Henry P., diaries P., Julia A., Harrison S., Walter \V., Minnie F., and Nora F. From 1840, up to his removal to Nebraska, Mr. Hrullinger was a resident of St. Joseph township, and with the exception of three years, lived on the land that he entered. He was a successful farmer, and bought at ditfercnt times and paid for nine hundred acres of land, the greater jiart has been divided among his children. He was originally a democrat in politics, and voted with tiiat party until the agitation of the slavery (luestion, wiiich brought the Free Soil party to the front. He espoused the cause of freedom and voted for John C. Fremont, in 1S5(>. and has supported the re- publican ticket in every election since. He frequently represented his township in the board of supervisors, and was an active and useful member. He joined the Methodist church in Indiana, when nineteen years of age. His temperance principles were of the strictest character. He has not tasted any spiritous litiuors for twenty-five years, nor used tobacco m any form Few men in the county stood as high in the esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances as Harrison DruUinger. In losing him. Nebraska, gained an honest man and an incorruptible citizen. ' -W km \ Hon. Ci,ai!K K. (ii!i(i(is. No man ever lived in Champaign county who exercised a greater inliuence or accom- plished more good for the county than Clark li. Griggs. That splendid temple dedicated to learning, the University of Illinois, will always stand as a numument to his in- domitai)le energy and perseverance. Its location here in Urbana was due to his la- bors, his perseverance and masterly manage- ment when its location was pending for set- tlement. The building of the great 1., B. & PIONKEKS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 64 W. railway Is anotliei- result of his enter- prise, sagacity and continued perseverance. The difliculties surroundiiiK its building woukl have discouraged ahuost any other man, but the greater the ditticulty tlie higher his courage ntse. He absolutely knew no such word as fail. Clark Robinson Griggs was born in Briui- tield, Mass., March 0, lS'i4. He was liberal- ly educated in tlie sclu)ols and acadeuiies of his native state. At an early date he en- gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes by uiaciiiucry iu tlie town of Westboro. While a resident there he was elected to rep- resent his district in the legislature. He served acceptably for two terms. In the spring of 1859 he came to Chauipaign coun- ty and ]iurchased a farm on Yankee Kidge, two miles north of Pliilo. In the winter of the same year he met witli an a'.cident that changed the whole current of his life. He was shelling corn by machinery, when the glove on ills hand was caught in the gearing of the machine and tlie hanil ilrawn in and crushed. The accident resulted in the los- ing of three lingers of his right hand. He ■ then abandonetl faruiing, came to Urbana- and engaged in a small way in mercantile pursuits. When the war broke out he was appointed sutler to tlie 2.5th regiment Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and remained witii the aruiy until tlie close of the war. He then retinned to Urbana and engaged in land speculations until the winter of ISGT-OS, when he was elected to represent this legis- lative district in the genero^j assembly of the state. It was during that session of the leg- islature that the bill creating and locating the present University of Hlinois was pass- ed. There were a dozen places contending for the prize, it was in that tight where the sti-ong characteristics and energy of the man shone forth. His generalship and manage- ment of the question affecting its location was most masterly and was crowned with success. During that same session Mr. Grriggs procured tlie passage of a charter granting a line of railway through the state, which, upcm his retirement from the legis- lature, he projected under the name of the Danville, Urbana, Bloomington & Pekin railroad. It was soon after con.solidated with an Indiana line and the name was changed to Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western railway. Mr. Griggs was its presi- dent during its construction and for some time after its completion and operation. In 1871 he took up his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, and later removed to New York City, where he at present resides. He en- gaged largely in railroad building and late- ly constructed a line known as the Wheel- 12 iug and Lake Erie railroad. Mr. Griggs married Miss Lavonia C. Col- lar in Massachusetts. She was ever a faith- ful wife and mother. Three children re- sulted from that uni(m, named Nellie M., wife of \V^. W. Graham, of whom a sketch will be founil in another column, .\ddie L., wife of Gen. J. C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington. D. C, and Albert C. Griggs, a residentof Wilmington, Delaware. The Griggs family were members of the M. E. church. Politically Mr. Griggs is a re- publican. Mr. Griggs is a man of inlinite resources, untiring energy and great abili- ties. These have enabled him to succeed well during a life of arduous labor. Martin Rinkuart. Fifty-seven years ago Martin Kinchart tirst set foot upon Champaign county soil. Then he was a lad of seventeen years, with his life before him. Today, he is here. He has passed the mile-stone of his boyhood and early manhood, and is rapidly approacliing the one across wiio.se face is written "mature age." The three score years and ten allotted to mankind have been his, and nearly all these years have been passed within the borders of this county. To write the history of the county is simply to tell his story. The hardships and privations endured, tlie hopes and fears, that alternately cliased each other tlitted across the pathway of this sturdy old pioneer as he marched from boyhood dOwn to old age in this county. Martin Rinehart was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 18, 1813. His parents, Matthias and Elizabeth (March) Rinehart were natives of 65 PIOyEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. same county and state. Tliey came west in tlie fall of Is'iO. and made a settlement on the farm now owned b\ A. M. Pauley in Somer township. Tiiero young Rhiehart grew to manhood. In 183:2 during the Black Hawk war lie enlisted in Capt. Brown's com- pany of Mounted Rangers, and served one year. He furnished his own horse, gun and clothing. He received for his services one dollar per day. He and Thomas Butler are the only survivors of that war living in Champaign county. After this war was ended he returned home. In 183.5, he mar- ried Miss Sena, daughter of Wm. Corray. She died in 1878. The offspring of that union were the following nauied children: Elizabeth, who married William Hill, of Somer township: William M., who married Miss Mary Trickle, they reside in Monroe, Green county, AVis. Albert, who took to wife, Elizabeth Truman, and also live in the place last mentioned. .Mary, is the wife of T. J. Drake, they reside in Seward county. Neb. Isaac, married Mary J. Frame, and live in the latter named place. Seberry, married Jeimie Morton, and are residents of Monroe, Green county. Wis. Jennie, is the wife of William H. Browntield and lives in St. Joseph township. Mr. Rinehart united with the M. E. church in 1843, and still holds his membership in that religious denomination. Politically he votes with the republican party. At the time Mr. Rinehart came to this section of the state there were but thirty-live families living within, what is now. Cham- paign county. He relates many things that occurred here in those early days. We give a few. The year 1831 was almost without a summer, the cold weatlier continued until late in the spring and a hard frost set in on September 20th, and it was so severe that it froze the corn, cob and all. In consequence of the loss of the crop, times got close and money was exti'emely scarce. The following year the settlers were compelled to send to Kentucky for their seed corn. In December 1836. a deep snow lay upon the ground. It began to rain and continued all day, when suddenly it turned intensely cold making ice over the ground and freezing very hard. The sudden change caught many persons unprepared and they were frozen to death. Two men named Hildreth and Frame were crossing Four Mile Prairie on that day; they became bewildered and lost their way and were out when the change came. They killed their horses and Frame crawled inside the body of his horse for protection against the cold. But it proved his tomb as he was found therein frozen to death. Hildreth •wandered around all night, and when found in the morning was so badly frozen that he lost his toes and ringers. Mr. R.. also speaks of the early doctors of that day. Dr. Saddler was the first physician in tiie county and was counted a good one. It is related of him that he attended a family east of Ur- bana. This family had a large patch of fine, ripe and juicy watermelons. The doctor continued his visits long after the patient was convalescent and the family di-opped ui>- on the idea, that the watermelon patch was the chief attraction, and the cause of the doctors repeated visits. They gently broke the news to him that his patient was entirely well and hinted that further visits were en- tirely superfluous. The doctor went home and sent in a bill that covered all the visits. The family refused payment. Suit was brought to recover the amomit when the family rendered an account for watermelons devoured by the doctor as an offset, and ob- tained a small judgment against the doctor. All of tiie neighbors declared that the decis- ion was a most righteous one. Many otlier incidents might be mentioned of a similar character, illustrative of the times we speak of, but space forbids. Mr. Rinehart was very successful in life. He secured a competency and now in the declining years of his life, he takes things easy. Hkxhv C. Smith. This well known pioneer and business man, of Tolono, in this county, was born April 1."), 1S3T. at New Bremen. Auglaize county, Ohio. His parents immigrated from Prussia in is:r., and settled at New Bremen, O. His father, Christoi)her. died when Hen- ry C. was only five weeks old. In 1843 the PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNrY. 66 I widowed mother moved to Dayton, O. lu is4t3 young Henry was taken to the Shaker town, live miles from Dayton. In 1S49 lie ran away trom the Shakers, though they tried hard to detain him, and worked for the father of Gen. George Crooke for the liber- al salary of §-2.00 per month. In is.5-i he be- gan to learn the carpenter trade and served as apprentice, tln-ee years; receiving •^30 for lirst year, •■::40 for second and S'M for tlurd year. In 18.>5 he drove a herd of cows to Fon duLac. Wis. In is.")!) he went to Wam- pum, Wis. In 1857 he reuioyed to Tolono and follow- ed carpentry and contracting. In 1861 he was married to Martha Penniston, of Osh- kosh. Wis., who is still living as is also her father aged 91 years. In 11-164 he bought land and planted it in fruit trees, mostly ap- ples and pears, and also engaged in the lumber and coal business in 1S66. In 188.5 he started, with his sons, in the bakery, confectionery and fancy groceries in Tolono. His children were: :Mary Ellen, Edward R., Jennie L., Alonzo H., Hattie E., Daisy E., Annie M., and Arthur C. ; the lirst named died in 1863. When Mr. Smith hrst engag- ed in the carpenter business, there were many inconveniences not met with now, among whicli were wading slouglis and tall prairie grass upon the trackless prairies be- fore roads became fashionable. Rattle- snakes too, were wont to make unpleasant music for them as they wended their way to build a home for some new "tenderfoot" pioneer of the county, not to mention the mosquitos and greenheads that presented their bills, with a demand for instant settle- ment, to the knights of the saw and the plane. The rye cotfee and slough water they had to drink at some of the places they built houses, usually expedited the carpenter work; but when a good, well to do farmer was found to employ them who had white wheat bread and Java coffee, the work did not progress so rapidly. We can prove this by Henry C. Smith whose long residence and well known veracity among his neighbors will leave no doubt of its truth. Mr. Smith is apparently in the prime of life and is, to-day, carrying on a large and lucrative business. He en- joys a good joke and gets as much out of life as any business man in Champaign county. MvKoN Stoddaud IJkown. M. D. Dr. Brown was born at Col ton, St. Law- rence Co., N. Y., June 39. Is3-J. His lather, James Brown, was born at Bennington, Vt., and his mother, Sarah Smith, was a native of Conn. In 183.5 the family moved to Tole- do, Ohio, where the mother soon after died, leaving the subject of this sketch then but a babe, to the care of relatives. Before lie had arrived at mature years, his father moved to the then territory of Oregon, where he spent the remainder of Ids life and where he died a few years since at the aae of 83 years. In 18.5:2 Dr. Brown came to Urbana, and re- mained for some months in the employ of H. M. Russell, then in the |>rovision trade. During the following year he went away and remained for some years. In May, 18.58, he returned here to make this place his home, bringing with him his wife, who readily found a warm place in the regard of all with whom she came in contact. Dr. Brown was married on Oct. 8th, 1850, when he at- tended hislirst course of lectures in Chicago. Soon after that he entered the army as as- sistant surgeon of the 2oth Kegiment, Illin- ois Volunteers. Here he had a varied ex- perience, such as to eminently tit him for the higli position then and ever since held by him in his profession. For eleven months he was detailed for service in the U. S. general hospital at Nashville, finding time meanwhile to attend the classes of the medical college there, from which he grad- uated in 1863. He was with his regiment in all its rough experiences atChickamauga, and in East Tennessee. In the spring of ls(W, when Sherman re-o'gani/,ed his army for the Atlanta cam i)aign, he was detailed for duty with his brigade tield hospital, and soon after, on a competitive trial at the operating table, was chosen one of three operating surgeons for Gen. Wood's division, in which he remained until the expiration of the term of service of his regiment. Upon his return home he at once entered ujjon the practice, lirst as a partner with Dr. Good- win and afterwards alone. At one time he sm-rendered his practice to enter the drug trade at Champaign for a time, but after- wards again entered upon his professional duties and so continued until his removal to Danville. The doctor is emiuently a thiuker, and given to original research. He will never cease to learn in his profession until he ceases to live. During the war Dr. Brown became a free Mason, in which order iie has made great advancement and is iiighly esteemed. For eight years he was worshipful master of Urbana lodge, and for two years high priest of Urbana chapter of royal arch masons. Upon the formation of the republican party Dr. Brown heartily espoused its i)rinci- ples and cast his tirst vote for president for Frenmnt, in 1S5G, and since then has uni- forndy voted with that party. In 18(10 he was elected mayor of the city of Urbana for a term of one year, and afterwards served upon the board of education. About two years since, Dr. Brown removed with his family to Danville. A beautiful home on Fraidvliu street, Danville, is owned and occui»led by him, to which his old friends and neighbors are most heartily welcomed by himself and his accomplished and hos- pitable wife. Dr. Brown is and always has been noted for his easy, affable and popular manners. He is always courteous and liber- al in his judgments and very rarely, never willingly, gives offense to his associates. In a residence in Urbana of near thirty years it may probably be truthfully said, he never made an enemy. While ever entertaining the most ilecided and often radical opinions upon ])olitical and moral questions, and never for a moment undecided as to his own course, he lias so acted and spoken as to cause no heartburnings. His conduct has always been wise, liberal, decorous, yet in nothing has he omitted to speak and act when princiiile re(|uireil it. Stkphen Bovi). This old pioneer was born December IT, 1804, in Shelby county, Kentucky. His father, William Boyd, and his mother, who was Elizabeth Wiley, came to this county at the same time thai Stephen himself came, to-wit in the year 18;d1. The father was of Scotch descent, while the mother was a German lady. They both died here, in September, 18:38, there being but a few days between the dates of their death. Stephen, when he arrived in this county from Shelby county, Kentucky, was twenty- seven years old, and had in 1824 married Jemima Kitson who died in 1826, iu Ken- tucky. He settled three nules east of Ur- bana and lived there the renuiinder of his life, following here as he had in his old home, the occuiiution of a farmer. In 183?) he married Eliza Kinehart. His children were James Boyd, a well-to-do farmer who now lives at the old home place, (a sketch of whose life and his portrait appears else- PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY 68 where.) John Mattliias, who died in 18:i8. Jemima, who died in l»4C,. Elizabetli. who married Amos Conway, now residing in Dalvota. Mary, wiio married Frank Cham- plain, now residing in Cethir Vale, Cliautau- qua county, Kansas, Eiinna and Al Boyd, both residing near l^rbana. Stepiien Boyd was always a consistent and ardent demo- crat. He died August 14. IsTo. leaving behind him a splendid reputation for honesty and square dealing among tliose who knew him for the long period of time he lived among the early pioneers. He left to his heirs a goodly estate and did not owe a cent at the time of his death. His living children have all done well and are a credit to the memo- ry of Stephen Boyd, wiiose record of hon- esty we gladly preserve for future genera- tions. (tEORCJE K. Shawiiax. This old settler and prominent educator of Champaign county, was horn near Fal- mouth, Rush county. Indiana, March •10, 1S44. His father was William M. Shawhan, whose portrait and biograplij' appears else- where. His mother was Nancy Kedmond. He came with his father's family to Ray- mond township in this county in the spring of I'^.'iCi. For three years lie was deprived of the opportunity of going to school for the reason that schools did not get established there until in is.59. He then worked on the farm and attended school in winter till 1861. Though his opportunities were limited, he had applied himself with such industry that he was able to teach in Mil. He taught three months for tiftj- tlollars, and he says now he thinks that was more than it was worth. In the winter of ls(W-4 he attended school in Homer about 4 nuniths. He taught two years in Camargo, Douglas county, and enrolled 123 pujjils in one room. The aver- age for six months was over 70. Tlie next year lie graded the school and had an assist- ant. In ISOT he married Sarah Vista Brown, daugliter of Sanuiel Brown, an old settler in this county. She is still living. They have two children, Gertie and William Warren, both at home and attending school. He joined the Christian church in ixfil and is yet an adherent to the doctrines of that sect. After his marriage he taught four years at Sidney. Here he saw his need of a bet- ter eilucation and abandoned teaching to attend the University of Illinois in this city. He took the Literature and Science course, graduating in IST.5 with iiigli honors. He is prominent among the alumni of the University, and has been selected by them for a member of the board of trustees of this grand state institution. If Governor Ogles- by consults the best interests of the Univer- sity he will accede to their demand and ap- point him to that honorable position. Dur- ing this period of his career is where the in- domitable pluck and energy that character- izes the man was tirst displayed. He work- ed upon the University farm and taught pre- paratory classes to pay his way through the University. He_ solemnly asserts that he never should have succeeded in getting through to gradu- ation at this great University had it not been for the self-denial, ambition and assistance of his wife, who was a constant aid and in- spiration that never faltered in the darkest hour. Graduating at the University, he found all the schools in this county taken, so he went to Manstield, l^iatt county, and taught there for two years. Coming back to Homer in 1877 he took charge of the schools there and had taught four years and two mouths upon his fifth year, in 1881, when he was appoint- ed county superintendent of schools of this county to ttll vacancy caused by legislature changing time of election. He was nomin- ated by the republicans in 1882 for school superintendent and was elected by the larg- est majority of any man on the ticket. He has been renominated by the republi- cans for re-election and will certainly be triumphantly elected. Mr. Shawhan's rec- ord as a school officer is well known to our readers. He has brought the country schools of tills countj- to a higher standard than they have ever reached before. He was chairman of the committee of the aluuuii that pressed to a successful issue the change of name of the University. Mr. Shawhan is a conscientious worker in the cause of education, and does far more hard work and spends far more hours of toil 69 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. than is required l)y law or conteiiiplateil by the law-makers, lie is strict with reference to exaniinatiuns of teachers and it is impos- sible for a drniie or fraud to work his or her way into the schools of the county. He has establisiied a high grade for teachers and by his efforts teachers' conventions and organ- izations to improve their methods of teach- ing have become numerous. He has inspir- ed the pupils with liigh aims and laudable ambition by keeiiing before their minds the possibilities to be wrought out by hard work and close ai)V)lication. He has utilized the columns of the Champaiox County Her- ald to accomplish reforms in school work. By the free and liberal use of this paper he has painted the school houses and introduc- ed trees ami pictures, maiis and flowers, li- braries and beautiful lawns to the various disti-ict-^. No man has done more than G. R. Shawhan for the good of the schools of this county, and he is destined yet for still greater -uccesses in his chosen calling as an educator. Col. William N. Colku. Col. Coler was born March l;i, 1837 near Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio. His pa- rents were Isaac and Amelia (Nichols) Co- ler. who resided in Knox county, Ohio. Mr. Coler's mother died when lie was nine years old; his fatiier married a second wife and moved to Illinois afterward. Young Will iam N. was brought up on a farm and re- ceived in the schools of Ohio, a good educa- tion. He enlisted in the Mexican war and served his full term in Company B., ^nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, under Col. G. W. Morgan. After the Mexican war he en- tered the law office of his Colonel. G. W. Morgan, and commenced studying for the profession of law. He did not finish there but after coming to Illinois he concluded his studies in the office of Amzi McWilliams, at Bloomington. Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1S51. He came to this county in the spring of 1S52, and being pleased with .the country, concluded to make this his home. Before coming west he had met. courted and loved a maiden of the Buckeye state. Miss Cordelia Sim. August 9th, is.>3, they were married at the residence of his father-in-law. in Miller township, Knox county, Ohio. He and liis young wife, together witii William Sim and his wife whom Mr. Sim had married at tliesame time, came to Urbana and locatetl. Here he prac- ticed law for some years, afterwards remov- ing to Champaign and continuing the same occupation until he removed to New York in 1872. He had great contidence in the de- velopment of this county and while practic- ing law he also dealt largely in real estate on commission anhow that he entered large tracts of land and did an extensive real estate and loan business here and at Cham- paign for many years. Col. Coler. with H. K. Davis, published the tirst newspaper in this county, getting out the tirst number Sept. 2.5. 18.52. His children are: Flora Alice. Wm. N., Jr., Arthur Grant, Bird Sim, and Francis Walter. The daughter married James W., sou of Thos. H. Campbell, who was once Auditor of Illinois. Mr. Campbell is presi- dent of First National Bank at Huron, Da- kota, and resides there. William N., Jr., resides in New York with his father, and is in business with him carrying on a large and lucrative business as brokers and dealers in nuniicipal bonds, at No. 11 Pine street, N. Y. Arthur Grant, died at the age of fourteen years; the others are in school and reside at home. Col. Coler organized the 2.5th reg- iment Illinois Vols. Infty, and went to the front early in the war. He was the Colonel of the 2.5th until the fall of 18C2, when he resigned and resumed business at Cham- paign, where he remained until he removed to New York. There he resides doing a prosperous business, surrounded by all the comforts, and in fact, the luxuries of life, enjoying splendid liealtli. Col. Coler is a warm liearted, generous, and enterprising man who has made warm friends wherever his lot was cast. He has untiring energy, plenty of pluck and splendid abilities as a business man. Possessing tirm address with his good business talents he has been sue- PIONEERS OF CHAMPAiay COUNTY. 70 cessful in life and knows how to entertain his friends in the lionie he has secured in the beautiful residence city of Brooklyn. (iii.Ks F. McGek Was born in Missouri, Ajirii 25th, lS2(j. He is the son of James C. auvl Uehecca (Canna- dy) McGee. His (larents removed to Ver- milion county, niinols, about ls-2() and set- tled at the old salt works, near where Oak- wood now stands. In the fall of l>!o2 Giles came to ChamiJaiyn county and bought 320 acres of land on section one of Philo town- ship. There lie has lived ever since. When he purchased tlie land it was raw and unim- proved, but he has developed it and placed it all under a higli state of cultivation and, to-day, he has one of the hnest farms in the county. Mr. McGee was the first settler in Philo township Soon alter him came Wil- liam Hooper. Lucius Eaton and E. W. Park- er, and later came others. When he first settled there wolves were so numerous that he could not raise sheep. The Wabash rail- road and town of Philo were located after Mr. McGee settled there. He was so far away fiom civilization,. so to speak, that he was not called upon by the a.ssessor for three years after he opened up his farm. Deer were still plentiful. Mr. McGee relates a fight he had with a deer. He run one down with his horse ; when he came up with it he jumped from his horse on to the deer, he was armed with a club only; the deer stood at bay and gave fight, Mr. McGee finally killed the deer, but it was at the expense of badly torn clothes, many bruises and a used up condition generally. After that experi- ence he needed to be convinced that a deer was \ery dead before he took hold of it. His marriage took place in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 18.5.3; Miss Elizabeth Smoat was the lady of his choice. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1^:^, and is still living. They are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are living. Their names are here given in the order of their birth: AVilliam F., John H., who married Lucy McDonald; Nathan K., who took to wife Jennie Ilice; Mary E., wife of Andrew Longbrake; Ida B. married Charles Peimy; Curtis E. took to wife Luta Power: Thom- as D.. Walter S. and Charles H. are still be- neath the parental roof, Carrie L. died at the age of two years. Mr. McGee has been a member of the Christian church since he was fifteen years of age. In politics he votes with the repub- lican party. He is one of our most success- ful farmers, and has, by a life of honesty, established a splendid character for integri- ty and neighborly excellence and is a fitting forerunner of the peoi>Ie who have made Philo townshliJ a garden of beaut \. James C. Wake Was born May 27th, 1H41, at North Lewis- burg, Champaign county, O. His parents, were Lester Ware and Jane (Iteid) Ware, of Ohio. They came to Illinois at the same time the subject of this sketch came, in l!s.54, but removed further west, to Iowa, in 18.56. As before stated, James C. Ware arrived with his father's family at Mahomet when he was only thirteen years old. Soon after their arrival, five members were taken down with small-pox in a most malignant form, having been exposed at Terre Haute, Indiana. 71 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAiay roL'A'Tl' As no help could be obtained for either love or money. James C. had to do all the mus- ing and cooking. Three of his sisters died and were buried by members of tlie family. Stiangers in a new couutry. with such a dreaded disease among them, it was difficult to get any assistance, and had it not been for the Masonic fraternity, of wiiicli Mr. Ware's father was a member, the family would have sutfered. James C. went with his father and family to Iowa, in lS5(j, but in LSoS he returned to Maliomet, a young man of seventeen years, having worked most of the way from Iowa, here, and hav- ing upon his arrival, two dollars as his cap- ital to commence business upon ; but he was chock full of days works and he proceed- ed to invest tliis in farming at Maiiomet. Soon tlie war came, and as it did with hun- di'eds of thousands of brave young men, it interfered witii the even tenor of their bus- iness life. Young Ware enlisted in the tirst company that was organized in the county; the company not being accepted he enlisted again, tliis time in Co. 1, 2oth Reg. 111. Vol. Inf 'ty. He was in active service all through Ills term and was never sick or in hospital until lie was wounded at the battle of Chick- amauga, where he was wounded in the hip and sent to the hospital. He remained here and on light duty at Louisville, Ky.. for a few months, then returned to his regiment and remained at the front until his term was served. He bore the colors of his reg- iment in several hard fought battles. He was detailed by Major General Tliomas for duty in secret service in the Army of the Soutii. but was wounded before tlie time came for him to report. He was selected by the officers of his regiment, as Sergeant Major of Gen. Kosecrans" Roll of Honor Corps whieli that General commenced to or- ganize, but ilid not complete. On his re- turn from the war he concluded to settle down to the business of life. He had met and admired, Mildred, the daughter of Jon- athan Scott, (one of the pioneers of the county and a man of character). Subse- quently, in September, lvs;i, Mr. Ware was chosen by his party as candidate for Sherilf and was triumphant- ly elected. He is now serving his term of four years to tlie entire satisfaction of the people. He was supervisor of Maiiomet for four years. He is a republican in politics and votes as he shot wliile carrying a mus- ket in the army. He has always followed farming and stock raising and has been very successful. He leaned towards draft horses and has made that branch of the business a specialty. He lias brought to the county many Normans and Clydesdales as good as could be found in Scotland or France. He believes in keeping full Itlooded stock, and says tliat a well bred man is better than a "scrub."' He joined the Baptist cliurch in Mahomet, in 1N.5S. Mr. Ware is of a social turn of mind and enjoys a good story as well as any one. He can make the war historv of him- self and comrades exceeiliugly racy, when he recites it with the necessary embellish- ments. He is pioniinent in the G. A. R., and at the camp tires of the old soldiers he takes an acti\ e part where his good memo- ry and ability to talk affords much amuse- ment as well as instruction to his comrades. He is genial in his nature, honest in his dealings, has been faithful to every trust he has assumed, and has many warm friends among a people witli whom he lias lived for more than thirty years. .luiiN (;i;i:k. "Goncrations come and generations go, but time goes on forever." A geneiation of men have come and gone since John Gere came to Urhana and engaged in the mercan- tile business. He is, so far as our knowl- edge extends, the oldest merchant doing business in Champaign county. He was born among the hills and (ireen mountains of Vermont, so famous, like all hill countries, for producing men of large stature and brawny, sinewy forms. Mr. Gere was not an exception to the rule. Al- though he has reached nearly foui* score years, he bears about him j'et, the evidences PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 72 of an athletic form that time with all of its ravages has not been able to subdue. We judge, and in fact it is said of him. that in his younger days when youth lent vigor and strength to him that he was a bad man to tacKle or to land upon his back. Tradition further relates that he was not avei'se to a trial of feats of strength, muscle and endur- ance, but rather courted it on all proper oc- casions. He was born in Randolph county, Ver- mont, February 11, 1811. His parents, John and Polly (Clark) Gere were natives of the same state. The fannly moved to western New York and in 18:^0 the entire family came west to Illinois and settled in Clark county, where John Gere senior died. John, the subject of this sketch, remained in Clark county until the spring of 1847, when he came to Urbana. In June following he eml)arked in the mercantile business, and opened a geneial store on the comer where now stands the Herald building. He con- tinued there for two years when he and his brother, James S., erected a pretentious frame building on the ground now occupied by his present store building. It was, in its day, the largest store building in the county. Large as it was, however, it had to give way to the march of progress. The same build- ing stands innnediately north of the Her- ald oflice and has done duty in the past as a blacksnaith and general repair shop. Mr. Gere met with serious loss in the destruction, not only of his store building but of his dwelling house as well, in the disastrous fire of 1871 that swept away half of the city. But nothing daunted, l\e at once began the erection of his present biulding, and strug- gled through manfully and paid one hundred cents on every dollar. There has been no time in the past thirty-eight years that he could not buy all the goods he wanted and more. His credit was always A No. 1 where- ever he was known. This is a record that any man, particularly a business man, can be proud of. He passed through all the great disturbances in values, up through intiation, and down to specie payment, through finan- cial crises without number, in a period of more financial disasters and sudden change* in values than any country ever saw. Yet midst them ail he maintained his record for integrity and prompt payment and honest settlement of every obligation that appear- ed against him. While he has not been as successful as some others in the accumula- tion of wealth, yet he is richer in the inher- itance of a name against which there ap- pears no blot or stain. The record and char- acter of such men teaches the rising genera- tions that after all a fair and honorable 13 name is the best heritage to leave to posteri- ty. Mr. Gere has been particularly unfortun- ate in his helpmeets. He married Emily Catron in 18.38. She died some years later. He subsequently married Miss Sarah Davis, then Mrs. Phoebe J. Dare, both of whom are dead. In January, 1873, he married his pres- ent wife. Miss Harriet A. Crissey. Three of Mr. Gere's sons are living, viz: George W., a prominent lawyer of Champaign. He married Miss Mary Lee. Warren M. is in business with his father. Frank P. is depu- ty postmaster. Politically Mr. Gere's pre- dilections have been in the direction of the democratic narty. He has always been a very temperate man and has advocated the cause of prohibition for many years. He was a member of the city council when the city was first organized and was an alderman for over twenty years. Lieut. Samuel Osgood Was born in Gardner, Maine, m 1807. His father antl mother were puritans and came to this country from England and settled in Massachusetts. Sanmel, when a young man, came to Law- renceburg, Ind., and was married there in 1830 to Miss Iluldah Cheek, whose father was a wealthy slave owner named Page Cheek and noted for his hospitality and gen- erosity. The children of this marriage are as follows: Orlando, Mary, William, Lo- randa, Belle. Eva, Missouri, Charles, Samuel, Collins, Enuna anil Aifffti. He. with four of his children, united with the Baptist church in 1848. 73 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGy COUSTY. He was a wliij;: wliile that party livetl. was an oriiiiiial abolitionist, and later a republi- can, luitil bis death. He served two terms as sherilT, of Dearborn county, Ind., was a leader in i)()litics and on account of his pop- ularity, a town was named after him— "Os- good." in Indiana. At the close of his second term, his eldest son being a mute from the time he was three years old. and having graduated from the deaf and dumb institute in Indianapolis, came to Kankakee where he accidentally siiot himself while hunting. This led Mr. Osgood to move to this state. When his son recovered he moved to Urbana, \n lf^54. and bought 100 acres of land one and a half miles south of Urbana. He served as justice of the peace here for several years. When tlie wai' broke out he was 54 years old, but when urged to remain at home, he replied "I'll never be too old to serve my country, and I'll never surrender to the reb- els." He kept his word by offering up his life; at the battle of Cumberland (Jap. January 3, 1864, our troops were driven back; he refused to fall back with his regi- ment, and when told to surrender, for an- swer lired into the ranks of his would-be captors. Six times he thus answered the command of the enemy to smreuder and sacriliced his life then and there by refusing to be taken alive. Charles at eighteen and Samuel at the age of sixteen entered the service with their father, in the same com- pany. His son William was captain in the '2.5th Ohio regiment. In the same battle in which Lieut. Osgood was killed his son Charles was taken prisoner and sent to Lib- by prison where he died of starvation in a few^ months. His son Samuel was wounded in the same battle, taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville, but by tiie aid of an okl negro he escaped, traveling eight nights and lying in the swamps by day. Lieut. Osgood was a man of strong intel- lect and was impulsive and generous to a fault. He was an incessant reader, Shakes- peare being his favorite author. He was as brave a man as ever gave his life to liis country. Anciur.Ai.n .Ma];tix Kkhk. This well known old settler, of Chauipaigu county, was born August 1"2. ISOI, in Surry county, ^orth Carolina. He was descended di his father's side from a strong and ener- getic stock of Scottish ancestors. His mothers maiden name was Miss Sarah Mar- tin, and she was of English descent. The Martins are known in the South as an intelligent and patriotic family, strongly de- voted to the union. One generation of the men had fought to build the union, and in after times another generation foujrht to save that union, when armed treason sought to tear it dow^i. Colonel Jack ^Martin was engaged in several daring exploits against the tories, and afterwards (ieorge and Sam- uel Martin fought bravely for the union dur-« ing the rebellion. Mr. Kerr was raised on his father's farm and was educated by his imcle Col. Martin. May 1st, 18.31, he was married to Miss Sallie Ann Fitzgerald in the old town of Rockford. His wife, who shared with her husband his joys and sorrows, and was to him a constant help during all the scenes and changes of their domestic life in three different states, for nrore than half a century, is still living. She has ever been an indus- trious and charitable woman, a loving mother and a devoted wife. Nine children were born to them : Mary PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 74 Ann, James P., Saiali E., Thomas John W., L., Fiances C, Martha M., liVde Caroline and George Martin: all ot whom are living, but two. Sarah died October 7, ISo'i, George died September 1(>, 1>^41, Mr. Kerr removed his family to Tennessee, where he resided till l^^-il, when he came to Urbana, and was a continuons resident of the county till his death. After reaching this county he built a hotel, known as tlie I'nion hotel, which artorded shelter and substantial hospitality for the public, and it was liere that the old settlers of the county always stopped, especially during the sessions of eoiut, and here they talked of and lived over the narly days. A great many movers on their way to Iowa and other western states, who stopped at this hotel were induced by Mr. Kerr, to make their homes in Champaign county, which he regarded as the garden spot. In 1S.5G, he bought of the I. C. R. R. Co., 320 acres of land which he afterwards im- proved. This land is now known as the Juo. O. Beaty farm, in Somer township. At ditferent times during his life, Mr. Kerr followed farming, yet it seemed to be his lot to serve the jieople in some capacity, and he always discharged his duties with tidelity and in a manner entirely satisfactory to the people. He hlled the oftices of constable and deputy sheriff in North Carolina, and in Tennessee where his abilities were known, he was almost contiimally in office. His relatives were also active men, and strong supporters of the luiion during the war. After coming to this ccmnty he was twice elected coroner; also he was deputy sheriff' for many years and liad charge of the county jail. When quite a young man he accompanied TjTa Glenn, one of the most extensive negro traders in North Carolina, to Georgia, with a large number of slaves. Mr. Glenn was so well pleased with Mr. Kerr that he offered to make him a full partner in the traffic. He could have made a fortune iu the busi- ness T)ut the sorrow and anguish he saw when families were separated and the cruel- ties and horrors of slavery were such that he declined. Mr. Kerr believed iu the Universalist doc- trine, yet he did not belong to the church. He was well posted in the scriptures, being a constant reader of the bible during the last twelve years of his life. In all his business and dealings with men he was industrious, sy.stematic and perfectly honest. He seemed to have a natural genius as a mechanic ; could make almost anything he wanted, and was a brick mason, and shoe maker which he followed as occasion demand- ed. He was a man of broad friendship and great hospitality. He enjoyed the society of his neighbors and friends whom he liked to talk with and have them eat at Instable. Mr. Kerr was fond of nmsic, and was a splendid performer on the violin. He made the instrument on which he learned to play. He looked on the bright side of life and made the best of every thing. He never looked down upon any one below him, nor looked up to any one above him in life. Always acconnuodating, open hearted and free, the poor and needy, found in him a true friend. Mr. Kerr died on the second day of .June, 1885, at his residence in Urbana. in the S4th, year of his age. Gk.nkkai. S. T. l>i xkv. This old citizen of our county was born in Greencastle, Indiana, in November, 188.5. Emigrated with his parents to this city in the following April. He worked on his father's farm until he was of age. In is.5fj he engaged iu merchandising, which he followed until 1862, when he sold out the drug store of Busey & Miller to enter the service of his country. He obtained a com- mission from Gov. Yates, to recruit a com- pany with which he went into camp at Kankakee, August 6, 1862. Was elected captain of company B, 76th Illinois volunteer infantry, and on the organization of the regi- ment was elected lieutenant-colonel. Aug. 22 went south to Columbus, Kentucky, then the base of supplies for Grant's army, at Corinth; thence to Bolivar, Tenn. Went with Grant to Coffeyville, Mississippi, gar- risoned Holly Springs and regiment was rear guard on return. He became colonel of r 75 PloyEERS OF CHAMPAIGN CUVA'T1\ regiment in April, is;:;, and led his regiment to join Grant's army in rear ol' Vicksburg, and landed at Chickasaw Bayou, the night Grant drove the rebels into Yicksl)urg. His division being sent to Snyder's Bluff to guard the rear, the officers of the division circulat- ed petition to Grant to send them to the front. Colonel liusey refused to sign it, stating that General Grant was iu conuuand and it was the duty of a brave sohlier to take any position assigned him, and not an- noy the commanding general who was re- sponsible for results; when chided by other officers he quietly remarked. "The 76th is ready to go when and where it is ordered anil will do the best it knows how, but I trust I have no officer willing to seek promo- tion by needlessly sacriticing a single man ;" three days later they were ordered to extreme left: the first night two of the loudest boast- ing regiments, most anxious for light, were surprised and routed with 114 men taken prisoners; the 76th turned out, prevented what might have been a general rout, ad- vanced the line on river bank, afterwards took and held the most advanced position on the entire line until the surrender. He led his gallant regiment thence to Jackson, Miss., held the post of honor, the extreme right, during the siege. Colonel Busey was the first union officer in the city after the evacuation by the rebel troops. He won the gratitiule of citizens by his efforts in subdu- ing fire and restraining the lawless. He re- fused promotion to Brigadier General, be- cause he didn't want to leave his regiment. Later he was offered connnand of the post Natchez, and urged by citizens and soldiers to accept; thisjihe declined for same reason. His regiment was then attached to the Re- serve Corps of Mississippi river. During this time he had led several expeditions into the country around. He and his regiment left ^Memphis, January 1st, ixc>r>. and was the first to report to General Canby, at New Orleans, of that vast araiy afterwards oper- ating against Mobile. He went to Pensaco- la, Florida, thence to Tollard, Alabama, and thence down the country to Blakely, the last stronghold to Mobile, which was car- ried by assault, April !), after a hot siege of ten days. The oldi,76th Avas the first inside the works and suffered more loss than all the rest of the command. Col. Busey was the second man on the rebel works, urging his men to deeds of bravery, the other man was killed and the Colonel was wounded after an almost hand to hand confiict with three different men, each of whom was per- suaded to "lay down." He was sent to the hospital at New Orleans, returned in June; thence he went to Texas, was nmstered for discharge at Galveston, and was discharged at Chicago, August G, lSC.5. He was after- wards commissioned as Brevet Brigadier General, on recommendation of Generals Andrews, Steel and General (iraiit, for gal- lantry in leailing his regiment in the as- sault on Fort Blakely. So our readers will see lie is entitled to the appellation of "General," which we give him at the head of this article. At the close of the war he followed farming until the fall of 1S07. when he and his brother S. H. organized Busey Bros.' Bank. He after- wards bought out his brother's interest and associated with him his nephew, M. W. Bu- sey, and the bank is known as Busey's Bank. General Busey married late in life, but he is an exception to the rule in such cases, for he succeeded in winning an exceptionally excellent lady, to whom he was married Dec. 2.5. 1S77, at Delphi, Inon the character of Mr. Somers. He was faithtul in every public trust. No man was more )>opiiIar in Somer than he. He had fairly w<»n the confidence and resv>ect of the pef>ple of all parties by his plain manners, good judgement, and sterling integrity. He died Mar.-h 2. iss>, after an illness, from pneumonia, of only one week. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him, for his many noble traits of character. I'lEV. William Muxhall. This gentleman, so well known to the i)i- oneers of this county, was usually referred to as "Preacher Munhall." He was born May 80, isio, at Harrishurg. Pa. We are unable to obtain reliaiiie inforniulicm as to his early life before comuig to this county. He uniteaign, and JSanmel C, single and residiijg in Chicago. He came to Urbana in is.")4, i)reafhed a sermon or two here and at- tiacted the attention of Col. W. N. Coler and others by his logic and elo(juence: they made up a purse and employed him to preach for a year. At the close of this engagement he united with the M. E. church. He also served as jjastor of the Congregational church of Champaisrn for one or two years. He was a democrat of the old school type and knew well how to maintain his princi- ples in argument. He was elected on that ticket for county treasurer and assessor in 18.55, and was reelected in l^^oT, serving four years. In the fore part of 1>>(')0 he bought out the Clarion, a newspaper owned by Mun- ger it Knapjj. which he continued to pub- lish under the name of Democrat and Pa- triot, until about 1XC,2. at which time he left this city and removed to Cleveland. Ohio, where he died March 9th. isfu. He was a man of strong impulses and of great abilities. His oratory was graced b\ the usie, same state. March 10, isi4. The family is of Eng- lish origin and Quaker belief. In November 1834, Mr. Allen left New York on a sail-vessel for Savannah, Georgia, and from there, walk- ed to Milledgeville. a distance of one hun- dred and tifty miles, and from the latter place on horseback to Columbus, one luui- dred and tifty more. He then took charge of twenty live slaves, and escorted them to Montgomery, Alabama. The road ])assed through the Creek Indian reservation. At Montgomery, he engaged to drive stage from that city to Columbus. He soon after took a steamer down to Mobile, where he taught school three months. He returned to New York in June, 18:3.5, and the same year went west to Gallia county. Ohio. He there purchased ;3«0acresof heavily timbered land. He cleared up one luuidred acres and farmed it for twenty tln-ee years. The land being poor 'the profits arising therefrom were meagre. In 18.5S, he sold his farm and came to this county, and bought land in Somer township, where he still lives. In 18:38, he was united in marriage with Miss MaryE., daughter of Col. Nial Nye. The following are the names of their children: Lewis, who is a resident of Em- poria, Kan.; Sarah, who lives at home; Samuel, a resident of Fairbury, Neb. ; Ira H., of Urbana ; Joseph, who lives at Perry, Iowa. Part of the family worship in the Congrega tional church, and the others are Metho dists. 79 PIONEERS OF CHAilPAIGy COUNTY. Politically Mr. Allen was a whig until that organization was abandoned, and since then has acted with the republican party. While Mr. Allen has not been an active politician, yet he is a man of strong and de- cided convictions. He believes tirnily in high protection for American industries and the party espousing those principles, receives his warm endorsement and vote. Mr. Allen has represented his township for four years on the board of supervisors. He has been Justice of the Peace for ten years and at present holds that office. He is modest and unassuming in manner, but lias a will of his own and is not easily swerved fiom a position once taken. These characteristics are written plainly by oiu' artist in the splendid portrait above given. Joll.N iijIoWXFIEI.I). Mr. Hrownlield was probably of Scotch- Irish descent. His father, Robert Brown- tield, at the time of the birth ot John, Oct- ober 7th, 17S.5, lived in Washington county, Penn. The maiden name of the mother was Ramsey. Subseciuently. and in th" boyhood of John, the family removed to Harrison county, Ky., from which place tlieyremo\ed to this county in October. 1S32, tlie yeai- be- fore the establisliment of the county, by law\ The father. Robert, is still remembered by the few remaining old settlers of lifty years ago. He was born June 4th, ITtiO. and lived to become a resident of tliis county, witli his son. He was a ."ioldier in the revolutionary war. He died in ISll. The mother died be- fore the family left Kentucky. John Brown- field was married about 1S04, to Anna Clem- ents, a sister of James Clements, another early settler. She was born in 1790 and died August 25th, 1S4.'), in the fellowship of the Freewill Baptist church, of which she was long a consistent member. Mrs. Browntield is still remembered as a kind-hearted, char- itable lady, devotedly attached to her chil- dren, of whom she had thirteen, most of whom long since joined her on the other shore. John Browntield volunteered under Col. Coleman in the war of 1S12 and spent several months in the Harrison camijaigus in the Maumee country, for which he re- ceived a government land warrant. Two years before their removal to this county, Mr. Browntield came here on a prospecting tour, and being pleased with the outlook, he bought out tlie improvements of one John Light, a squatter then living on Sec. 3.5, in Somer township, where his son. Thomas Browntield, now lives, and formally enter- ed the laud at the land office at Palestine, on September 2, 1830. This Light is still re- membered, by citizens, as one of the tirst pio- neers of this county. He was possessed ot some learning, for he was among the first, if not the first, school teacher who taught in this county. In 1831, about October 25th, the Brown- field family, tlestined to become so conspic- uous in family names and in the affairs of the county, reached their new home ant I became domiciled. Near their cabin ran \ the Ft. Clark road, the only road that was more than a trail, leading tlirough the coun- ty. Their neig]il)ors were Pliillip Stanford, the Rhineheaits, John Light, William and Robert Trickle, James T. Roe. Isaac Busey, Matthew Busey. and a few others. No store was then in the county and the nearest mar- ket was Chicago, then, only a military post, or some of the Wabash towns. Mr. Brown- field was a blacksmith by trade and at once became a useful man in the connuunity. At that time the facilities for grinding grain in the settlement were limited to a hand mill owned by Roberta Trickle, made of a short section of a hollow log enclosing the "upper and the nether mill stones," capable of grinding one bushel an hour. This was brought from Butler's Point. Vermilion county. This deficiency Mr. Browiilield set about remedying. In 1835, by the aid of one Holmes, probably the first Methodist preach- er who ever i>reached the gosi)el in the county, completed a horse grist mill near his home. This mill was capable of grind- ing from fifteen to twenty-five bushels of coin or wheat per hour. It was supplied with a bolting chest for bolting the flour, which was operated by hand. The machin- ery of this mill was so well constructed that a high velocity was given the stone. The larger wheel was twenty-four feet in diam- ter. The mill at once became very useful. PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 80 to the people, far and near, who came long distances to get their grain ground. In 1842 Mr. Brownfield commenced the erection of a saw and grist mill on the creek about three miles below Urbana, to be run by water power. The saw mill was completed in 1S43 and in 1844 the burr stones were removed to it from the liorse mill and there did duty until 1849 when they were probably super- ceded by Park's steam mill, in Urbana. The frame of the old horse mill still remains and is used by Thomas as a stable, while the burr-stones are still kept for the good they have done. Mr. Brownfield ran one of the first threshing machines brought to the county. He also for a time kept a small stock of groceries. Under the constitution of 1818 the probate business was entrusted to an officer known as the Probate Justice of the Peace, who, as such, had jurisdiction in the settlement of estates, probate of wills, «fec. To this office John Brownfield was elected in 1841, and in it he served the people acceptably for one term of two years. If he ever made any errors in this office they were errors of the pen and neither ot the head nor heart. He also, for many years, served as a justice of the peace. Mr. Brownfield, as above stated, raised thirteen children, only five of whom, William, Joseph, Thomas, James C, and Susan McClatchy, are living. The three first named live in this county. One of his daughters, Mary Ann, married Andrew Stevenson, the first sheriff of this county. He was married a second time to Mrs. McEl- roy, who survived him a few years. John Brownfield died July 6th, 1863, and will long be remembered by citizens as a very orig- inal and anomalous character. Born and reared at a time and in a section of country when and where educational facilities were out of the question, he was conspicuous for his lack of book learning and as conspicu- ous for his strong«»comnion sense, which never deserted him in any emergency. Although without a knowledge of the world of mankind, beyond his limited line of ob- servation, he was too shrewd and alert to be over-reachect by the most casuistic of sharpers. He would have proved himself equal to the ingenuousness of any of tlie modern confidence men, had they visited him in that day. His shrewdness in settling by the most peaceable of measures a threatened law suit, well illustrates his aptness in dealing with men. In his water mill above si)oken of he made use of a wiieel fashioned after one which somebody had patented, without thinking of infringing anyone's rights, others of the same patern being in use in the neighborhood. An agent H of the patentee came through the country looking after infringers upon his patent. He came to Urbana, one day, put up his team and enquired for Mr. Brownfield's mill and residence, and was told he was in town. The two soon met and the stranger made known his business. He said he was inform- ed that Mr. B. had in use one of his patent wheels— that he had already settled like infringements (m his letters patent with so and so and was disposed to settle with him without suit. Mr. Brownfield said if he had infringed upon the rights of any one he was willing to pay, but from the stranger's de- scription of his wheel, he doubted if his own wheel was any infringement. He invited the claimant to go with him to his mill and examine for himself. It was then near noon and it was agreed that the two should meet soon after dinner and together go to the mill, three miles away. After his dinner the stranger drove out with a sijirited team for Mr. Brownfield to pilot him to the mill, but he could not be found. After some further search he concluded to go alone and inspect the wheel. He soon reached the mill but found no wheel in it. The smoking embers of a bonfire near by plainly showed that the wheel and all evidence of its character, had been reduced to ashes. The evidence from which to base a suit was gone and the suit thus settled by peaceable means. Wi 1,1,1AM iNI. Stiawhax. The subject of the following sketch was a native of Kentiukv. He was born in Bour- bon county, October *2il, 1808. He was the son of John and Margaret (McCune) Shaw- han. John Shawhan emigrated from Penn- 81 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAION COUNTY. sylvania, to Ohio, and from there to Ken- tucky, before the Revolutionary war. Both l)areiits died tliere. William M. was raised uponth*^ farm, and spent the most of his life upon it and in his father's mill until he was past thirty years of age. He received but a limited education in the subscription schools of his native state, attending one school six weeks and another nineteen days. He remained in Bourbon county, until the fall of 1837, when he emigrated to Rush county, Indiana, and bought a farm in that heavily timbered region. Here he actively engaged in farm work, and soon accumulat- ed sufficient to pay for several hundred acres of valuable land. At the same time he was deeply absorbed in church and school work. He gave largely of both time and money, beside donating land for church, district school, and seminary sites. The accident which resulted in the death of his eldest son in 1846, changed tiie whole current of his life. He left his faim and removed in 1848, to Falmouth, a little village near his home. Here he remained until the spring of 18.56, when he came to Champaign county, and settled on section 19, of what is now known as Raymond township. He had for some years been engaged in the cattle trade and was induced to come to this county by the superior facilities afforded at that time for feeding and grazing large herds. He did not continue in the business long, how- ever, but contented himself with the care of small lots at home. Here he lived until his sudden death on May 2d, 187.5, in the church at Sidney. He had had an attack of heart disease about 20 years before. The second attack ended his life painlessly, and aside from his home, in the place he most loved to be, the church. He was twice married, first in 182.5 to Rhoda Redmond, who was the mother of his four oldest sons. She died in 1833. The second time in 1837, to Nancy Red- mond. She still survives her husband and at present is a resident with her son James in Urbana. The names of the children in tiie order of their birth are as follows: John T., eldest born was accidentally killed in 1845; Charles R., is a farmer and a resident near Belvidere, Nebraska. He married Amand^ ClilTord; Daniel M., married Jane Carson. They reside in Pike county, In- diana; Joseph H., married Mary Thompson, and resides inCynthiana, Kentucky; Marga- ret A., married David Frame; after his death, she married William Higginbotham, of Chicago, she is now a resident of Cham- paign; Mary Helen, married Robert H. Myers, she died in 1865; George R., married Vista Brown, and is a resident of Urbana; James R., took to wife Asenath Churchill and is also a resident of Urbana; William T., the >oungest of the family married Maud Piatt and is now a resident and ixjstmaster of Castleton, Nebraska. William M. Shawhan united with the Christian chmch at Fairview, Indiana, when about forty years of age. He was an active worker, and soon became an elder in the congregation there. When he came to this country he soon found the congregations in Old St. Joseph, Hickory Grove. Sidney and Camargo. As in Indiana, his time and money assisted in building and e.stablisliing these churciies. Many old residents remen>- ber him well. On churches and schools he was an enthusiast, especially during the years immediately preceding the death of his eldest son. His knowledge of the Bible was wonderful. The New Testament lie knew nearly by heart. Politically he was a democrat, though he had not cast a vote for about thirty years be fore his death. His last ballot was for the adoption of the Indiana Free School law. In Kentucky, he was a Captani of a militia company. In Illinois he served two years as supervisor of Raymond township. This was the only political office, he ever held. He was school treasurer of the township, almost continuously, from the organization of the first district until his death. He was physically a strong man, six feet, four inches high, with umscles able to endure almost any thing. Cradling wheat was pastime. From sunrise until the stars came out was a day, when he was in his prime. Few men could swing his scythe, as he always hung the point out so far from the snath. Eight and nine acres was a day's work. His mind was as vigorous as his body. His memory rarely failed, even to the minutest details. His will was strong and when once he had determined upon a course of action, he rarely changed. His judgment of men was seldom at fault. Few could impose upon him, and when they did, pity usually opened the way. He would do what he believed right, no matter who opposed. He did not build a grand fortune, but he secured a handsome competence, and left a name that his children and friends love to remember and honor. rniNEERS OF CHAMPAIGN CUV 1ST Y. 82 Jonathan N. Howsek Was born in Clermont county, Ohio, October Ifitli, 1S'3L His i»arents were Cliristopher H. and Elizabetii (Hoover) Howser, wiio were botli natives of Maryland. Jonathan N. Howser the subject of this sketch, work- ed upon a far;a during his boylKjod days and later farmed in Clermont county, Ohio, for himself, for about ten years before coning to Champaign county, Illinois, in 1855. He was nr.irried to Margaret J. Dillmm, of Brown county, Ohio, by Z. M. Lansdowne. August 24th, l^^S, who came with hira to Illinois, and who has, by her wifely assist- ance, helped him in the arduous efforts in building his fortune in his western home. She was born March 19th, 1^26, and is still living to enjoy the fruits of their labor. The children of this marriage were as follows : Eliza Ellen, born July 2Sth, 1844, who mar- ried John H. Hudson, a farmer living in St. Joseph towusliip; Leoniilas H., born June 28th, IS46, who is also a farmer in same township; Robert C, born February 7th, 1849, also a farmer in Page county, Iowa ; Martlia Jane, who married J. D. Laughlin, a farmer now in Page county, Iowa; Clnls- topher Lincoln, who is married and farming in St. Joseph, and Caroline who died in in- fancy. Mr. Howser and his wife have been consistent and faithful members of the Cliristian church f(nty-two years and yet cling to the same faith. They settled upon section 31, in St. Joseph township, and now own the liome place a well improved farm of 240 acres, besides an 80 acre tract in Ur- bana township. Mr. Howser held the ottice of higliway coniMiissioncr for three years, and it was un- der his supervision as such officer, that the iron bridge across the Salt Fork, near St. Joseph was built. In politics Mr. Howser is a true and tried republican. He is an unpretending modest man, and conunands by his record of honest endeavor and well regulated life the fullest confidence of our people among whom he lias lived so long. Samuel D. Jones Was born in Liverpool, England, July 10, 1816. His pariiuts, David and Elizabeth Jones, resided however in Carnarvonshire, Wales. He was married February 22, 1844, in Festiugoe, Wales; his good wife, who is still living, is in her 6Sth year, and is a well preserved lady bidding fair to bear him company for many years to come. They have had two children; Lucy died in Ver- mont ; Catlierine, married Garrett N. How- ard, wlio is now farming on section 28, in East Bend township, in this county. He was a soldier in the 125th regiment, Illinois, Vols. Mr. Jones and wife united with tlie Baptist church in 185R; the family on both sides were Baptists, tracing the same back to the time the Baptists first came to Wales. Mr. Jones and wife came to this country in 1850, and resided in Vermont for four years.. They then lived in the state of New York for about a year, and in 1><55, came to Illinois and settled in Kane county. In 18.58, Mr. Jones broke prairie on his farm in section 28, East Bend township, and. moved his family there in 18.59, where they still own a farm which they improved by their joint labors. Thev resided on the same until nine 83 PIUNKKHS OF CHAMPAION COUNTY years ago he removed to Urbaiia, to take c-harge of the poor-house and farm of this county, wliich position he still holds and conducts in such a business like and econom- ical manner that he will doubtless be retain- ed as long as his services can be secured. Mr. Jones is a republican, strong in the faith, though he has never sought ofiice, being content to be a faithful member in the ranks. The pjutiality of his neighbors call- ed him to serve as town clerk for ten years and town trustee for seven years. At the time he opened up his farm, there were only forty or lifty votes in Brown and East Bend townships combined. Mr. Jcmes is a good representative of the hardy race of which he comes and of those peculiarly admirable traits of charactei' so generously shown by them. Industrious, honest and true in all the relations of life, he is fairly entitled to the success he has attained by a life of use- fulness, and we sincerely hope a kind Provi- dence may grant to him and his life partner a green old age and the comforts they have so righteously earned. Brn.iamix p. Puathfu. The parents of Mr. Prather. were .James and Sophia I'rather, who came from Mary- land, in their early years and were among the first settlers on the Ohio river. They settled at ("hilo, ("lerniont county, Ohio- The lirst we gather of the life of Benjamin P. Prather, is when at the age of tifteen years he was entrusted with the running of a ferryboat between ("incinnati, Ohio, and Newport, Ky. Here he learned to like the life of a .steamboatman; for from this begin- ning he continued to follow the riv«'r and was for twenty years onttie Ohioand Mississippi rivers as an engineer, lie wa.s married at Felicity, Ohio. September 15, 184(j, to Sli.ss Caroline M. Stevens, daughter of Silsby Stevens, of Vermont. She survives him and resides on the line farm in Sonier township, which their joint labors has rescued from the wild prairie and made it one of the most desirable farms and homes in the county. The following children were born to them: William T., Jessie, and Jennie P. Tate, (all three of whom are deceased:) Homer, was nmrried to Miss Jessie Marriott; she died in December 1877, and he now resides in Dowell, Edwards county, Kansas; Scott, was married to Miss Etta Haley, in Novem- ber, 1881, and resides on his farm in Somer; Spees, was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Nye, September ;i4, 1SH4, and resides at his father's old home in Somer. Mr. Prather and family moved to Champaign in June, 1856, where he engaged in the grain business with Mark Carley: he built the dwelling house on the corner of State and Hill streets in Champaign which afterwards was for many years the home of Daniel (iardner. In September 18.58, he moved It) his farm in Somer; at that time there were no im- provements ni sight north or east of him and the eye rested upon a wild untamed i)rairi(i relieved only by the i>rairie flowers that bloomed in their season. Tlie howl <•{■ the prairie wolf often dlsturbeil tiu-ir slumbers, and frequently the young lambs were carrietl from the barnyard by these denizens of the prairie. Prairit> lires lit up the heavens at times so that a book might be read by the light although it was miles away; it traveled before a high wind faster than the llee test horse. Mr. Prather was a staunch and active re- publican all his mature life. He was a mend)er of the M. E. church and contributed freely to its support: he was among the tirst to donate liberally towards the Carley ChaptI near his farm. He held the office of supervisor for Somer townsliip, for the years 18()9. '70 and '71, and was a useful and influential mend)er of the board. Mr. Prather died February ;iird, 18S.5, leaving a comfortable competency for his family and a cha:acter fcu' integrity and upright ((uiduct through lite that connuand- ed the admiration of all those who had the honor of his aciiuaintance. PIONEtJHS OF CHAMPA MN COUNTY. 84 J. B. PoHTERFIEI.n. A sket9h of the early settlers of Cham- paign county, would be incomplete without a sketch of J. B. Porterlield, of Sidney, Ill- inois. He IS a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was born, August 10th, ISiJfi. His i>arents, Samuel and Nancy Porterfield, were natives of the same state. Mr. Porterlield was raised on the farm, but soon after obtaining his majority he aban- doned it to engage in contracting on rail- roads, the latter being more congenial to his lastes. His tirst contract was on the Alle- gliany Valley R. K., in Pennsylvania. After the completion of that contract he came west to Illinois, and was engaged on the C, B. & Q. K. li. From 1857 to 1868, he was engaged oil the Illinois Central road, building fence and furnishing wood and ties. He construct- ed the Eureka Springs R. R. in Arkansas in ISSi. In 18S4 lie was instrumental in or- ganizing the i»resent Sidney coal company, and iiV successfully sinking the tirst shaft ever sunk in Champaign county. Since 18.58, lie has carried on a large farm at Sidney, in addition to the various enterprises mentioned above. Tiie date of his arrival in this county was in April 1857. lie stopped in West Urbana, now Champaign, and made that his home until his removal to liis farm. He was married at \Vf)rtiiingt(jn, Pa., May 4th, 184s, to Miss E. H. Blain, who is still living. John Blain the father of Mrs. Portertield. came to Sidney in 18(W, where he still resides at the advanced age of eighty four years. The subject of this sketch is the father of thirteen children, nine of whom are living. 15 All are actively engaged in the business of life. Politically Mr. Porterlield subscribes to none of the formulated platforms of any liarty. He is not bound by the ipse dixit of any political organization, but takes an in- dependent position and votes for such meas- ures and men as in his judgment will be for the best interests of the whole country. Would that there were more like him— men who could rise to the true dignity of Amer- ican citizenship and divest their minds of partisan prejudice and vote as their best judgment dictates. A healthier, purer gov- ernment for the people and by the people, would be the result. Mr. Portertield's polit- ical status is that of an independent repub- lican. He now resides at Sidney, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of that pros- perous village. He is an ardent temperance man, and refuses to vote for any man in any party whose influence is not used on the side of temperance and good morals. Such men are needed to hold in check, the dangerous tendencies of our people and to furnish a model for tiie rising generation. WlI.I.IAM S. (iAKMAN. William S. Garman was born in Jackson township, Lebanon county, Penn., Jan. 30, 1826, where also his father, Sebastian Gar- man and his mother, Magdalana Stine, were born, whose great grand parents came from Germany. Their family consisted of six children, three boys and three girls; the boys being the oldest. The second son is the subject of this sketch. He has now two 85 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. brotliois and nvo sisters living in the same county and state. He received a common school education and was put to tlie tailor trade at about lifteen years of age in Myers- town, lie was kept at his trade till he was eighteen. In the tall of 1W4, he and a boy about his age, named Wm. Kobinson, left tlieir homes in September, on foot, with all their effects tied up in a bandanna handlver- chief , directing their steps towards the set- ting Sim. They came to Chambersburg and from thence on foot over tlie Alleghany mountains to Pittsburg, and from there to Cincinnati, by boat. He finally came to Dayton, where he remained working at his trade till the fall of '47. He then returned home and staid till the following spring, when the western fever came on him again and he returned to Ohio, and then to Indiana. He traveled over a greater i>ortion of the state and finally settled in Fayette county, and carried on business there the spring of 18.50, when he again started westward. He came to St. Louis, and from there to Ottawa, Illinois, thence to Peoria, and Bloomington, and linally landed at Ur- liana, 111 , April 20, 1850, where he was urged by the leading citizens to locate and open a tailor shop. No shop being liere he finally consented to stay awhile and he remains yet. It now became necessary to tind a place to open business, and buildings being scarce, only one painted house in the town and a good many log cabins. He linally found a cabin on East Main street, in whicli M. D. Harvey had a carpenter's bench where he did some repairing. He consented to vacate the cabin (which stood on the lot now occupied by Mr. Touliill's residence,) it was swept out and transformed into a tailor shop, with fashion plates tacked uji against the logs. The people being scarce, work proved to be the same. Board was chea]), he ])oarded with A. Bruer at the Ur- baiia house for 61.35 per week. He spent most of the summer on the wide unoccupied prairies, hunting deer and wolves, but as fall grew near, trade increased, his customers came from Mahomet, Sadorus, Homer, Sidney, Salt Fork and the Big Grove. Fall also brought cool weatlier from which the cabin was not able to shield the inmates. When Mr. Lewis, then sheriff of the couiily, rented him an unoccupied room in the court house, where lu' remained till he built the lirst tailor shop in IJrbana, in tlie fall of 1851. In June 18.51, he was married to Miss Nancy Mci5S, thrown from a horse and killed. He raised four children by his second marriage. I. H., the eldest, who is now in Cairo, Illinois; J. C, second, now in Vancouver, British Columbia; Jno. C, tliird and Mae, the youngest who are at home. He became a member of the church when 16 years old and belongs to the M. E. church. He has been identified with the republican party since its organization, and was elected coroner in IsfjO, and served as tleputy sheriff for two years under Sheriff' N. M. Clark. He carried on the merchant tailoring busi- ness near Miss Downs' millinery store till 1862, when he left for California, for his liealth. On his return he bought a farm, one and three-fourths miles northeast of Ur- bana, where he has since resitted. He is one of our most industrious and successful farmers. IMi^^0^ Jamks (r. Thompson. Mr. Thompson's father, George, came from Ireland, in his early life, and located in Otsego county, N. Y. Afterward a young girl named PeiH'Ioi)e Thornton went with her jiarents from hei native state of Rhode Island, to the same pounty. Here (ieorge Tliomiison learned to love her as she grew to woiiiauhood and married lii'r. .lames G. Thompson, the subject of this sketch, was born to them Noveml)er 28th, 1834. His early life was s])eni on the farm in New York state, until 1^46, wlieii be lef( the pa- PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 86 rental roof and went to Rliode Island, where he taught school that winter, 1840-7, and the next spring engaged in the nursery business at East Greenwich. At the expiration of the lirst year the owner of the nursery went to California, leaving Mr. Thompson in charge of the business, where he continued to thus labor until 18.52. lie tlien went to New York, where having become enamored of the imrsery business he followed it until 18.56, when he came to Illinois, and located live miles southeast of Urbana, and has fol- lowed the nursery and fruit business ever since. He was married December 14th, 1853, at I'rovidence, K. 1., to Amanda S. Vinton. The young wife went with her husband to New York, and also came with him to Ur- bana. Her health soon after failed and she returned to Khode Island in the hope of im- proving it, but she died there, July 28th, 18(jO. The children of this mariiage were James Irving, born in 1854 and died Decem- ber 26th, 1870. Mary E. O., born in 1828, died in 1860. Mr. Thompson wafe again mar- ried July 5, 1866, at Urbana, to Maggie C. Donovan. Of this marriage one child, Fred- die E. was born October 25th, 1875, and is still living. Mr. Thompson joined the M. E. church, in Guilford, N. Y., in 184:5, and has remanied a Methodist from that day to the present. He enlisted in Co. G. 76th 111. Vol. Infty., in August 1862, and followed the for- tunes of his regiment until December 20th, 1862,. when Van Dorn made his raid to Holly Springs, Miss., and burned the town, when* Mr. Thompson was captured by the rebels. He was sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, until exchanged in June, 1868, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, Co. G, 5th regiment, and sent to Cainp Mor- ton, at Indianapolis, to guard rebel prisoners there, where he remained until he w'as dis- charged July 5th, 186.5. Mr. Thompson is still engaged in his favorite business, that of conducting a nursery and fruit farm near this city, in which he is an eminent success. Politically he is a republican, and though not a politician, he is always to be depended upon to do his duty for the party which he believes is entitled to his support. Mr. Thompson is faithful in all the relations of life and bears a reputation for honesty in business, and integrity in all things which commands the highest regard of his feUow- men. Cai.vin Keei) Mokehouse. Just after the war of 1812, on the rirst ship that was chartered for the United States, after that war, William Morehouse took passage across the broad ocean for the land of liberty and plenty. He was from Dublin, Ireland. Although William was unmindful of the fact, and in fact, knew it not, Catha- rine Kline took passage upon the same ves- sel. During the passage, those on board naturally cultivated sociability. While thus on the ocean wave William met the young lady, for the first time, that was destined soon to become his wife, and later the moth- er of the subject of this sketch. She was born in Maryland and was the niece of Christian Kline, who carried on the business of Harper's Ferry and had charge of the government works that made all the guns the government used during the war of 1812. The couple settled at Baltimore, where. May 25, 1827, Calvin K. Morehouse was born to them. The parents, when Calvin was a babe, removed to Cincinnati in 18;J8, when it was only an Indian town and trading post. They went back to their Baltimore home in 1829 and in 18:^0 again removed to Cincinnati. In 18.3:3 they removed to the Wabash country. In 18.50 Calvin II. came to Urbana and in- spected the country. In 18.52 he bought land here, and in 185:3 removed here with his young wife, wlumi he had married in 1852. Her name was Rebecca J. Wimp and she is still living. They settled in Somer township and hare carried on farming operations ex- tensively ever since. The children born to them are Kossuth B., who resides and farms in same township, Jennie ])., who marrietl 87 PIONHERS OF CHAAfPAlUA COUNTV Mr. Sparks and resides in northorn Iowa, Clara B., who resides in Elgin, 111., and Flora, who married Mr. (irinK and resides in Sonier township. Mrs. Morehonse he- longs to the M. E. oluuch and is a laithlnl member of the same. Mr. Morehonse was bronght up a democrat and cast his Inst vote for James liiichanan for president, ni lim He subsequently voted for Douglas in I860, for McLellan in 1«&4, Seymour in 1808. In 18T2 he voted liis last democratic ticket in voting for Horace Greeley. He became imbued with the idea that the gov- ernment had the power, and that it was its duty, to furnish the money of tlie people m the shape of greenbacks and not deputize national banks to issue money for it at an enormous protit. He became, in otlier words, an enthusiastic greenbacker, and it was through his influence and energy that the greenback party got a strong foothold in this county. He is a good reasoner and an easy conversationalist, and being well posted upon the financial history of this and other governments he has ably maintained his po- sition in politics. He voted for Peter Coop- er in 1876, for Weaver in 1880, and for Sut- ler in 1884, and still clings, to the greenback labor party, confident that he is right and believing that his party has forced the old parties to do many things they would not otherwise have done, which is, doubtless, true. He has been supervisor of his town- ship from I860 to 1863, and from 1866 to 1868, both inclusive and was again elected in 1882, ami has since served in that cajiacity, and still holds the position, serving now on his twelfth term. He was one of the most ac- tive and influential members of the board of supervisors in securing the location of the State University at Urbana. He was one of the committee that hatl the matter in charge and to his efforts are largely due the success of the enterprise whU-h has been of so much benefit to our c(mnty. He is a fair, lumest and faithful legislator for the people. Enterprising and public spirited, he is not pieayiinish and small like some who seek to make a record of economy, yet he is always to be feared by those who would unjustly get the peophi's money from the county treasury. Mr. Morehouse was educated in the log cabin school house of the pioneer days, with greased paper and slab seats. He lived on that primitive diet of the early days, corn bread and sassafras tea. It was in this kind of an eilucational institution in Montgomery county, Indiana, that he competed with Hon. Joseph E. McDonald,of thatstate,for the best record in the multiplication table, for it was there that they were schoolmates t<)gether. Mr. Morehonse lives with his faithful helpmeet on a farm in Somer, which they have i)laced in a high state of improvement, and no where are more hospitable and cour- teous people to be found than at Ins moilel home. Eldkk Gkraiu) W. Hii.ky. This reverend gentleman and most efli- cient minister of the Gospel was born Sep- tember 2, 1813, in Clermont county. Ohio. His parents were John W. and Sarah (Con- nery) Kiley. Sh(utly after his birth his par- ents removed to Harriscm county. Kentucky, bat when he was six years of age they re- turned to Clermont county, where he re- mained with them until the summer of 183:1 He was converted during the winter or spring of 1833 at Bethel, Ohio, under the preaching of Rev. Aaron Sargent and be- came at once an active member of the church. In June, 1833, he was married to Miss Bethire McClain, and soon after, accompa- nied by his parents, he came to Illinois and settled at Bloomlield. He and his wife united with the church at Blooinfield, of which his father, who 'J.as a Baptist minis- ter, had the pastoral charge. In November, IS:^'., at the age of twenty-three years, the church gave him license to preach the Gos- pel. For forty-five years, with untiring in- dustry and righteous enthusiasm, he follow- ed this high calling with a success that, of itself, is a proud monument to his memory. The country was new, population sparse and settlements distixnt from each other; this made the labor of his calling very dif- ferent in chara.'ter fn.m that of the present PIONEKRS OF CHAMPAION COUNTY. 88 day. He was regularly ordained to the Gos- pel ministry at the call of the Bloomtield church, August 13, is:«, and became pastor of that church, giving them half his time while the other half was spent at other points. He had only received, at this time the education he could get in the primitive schools of that day, and he soon felt keenly the want of a higher culture and more thor- ough education. In January, 1837, he rode on horseback from Bloomtield to Alton to attend Shurtlelf college, which was then, and is now, conducted by the Baptist denom- ination; but finding tiie expense too great for his limited means, he abandoned it and returned home the same month. Elder lliley learned the cabinet maker's trade and he worked at this at Bloomfield, giving all his leisure time to studying such helps as he could jirocure until the fall of 18.3S, wlien lie took his wife in a buggy and drove to Ohio to enter Granville college, still harboring an earnest desire for a col- legiate education ; before arrangements were completed he received a call to the church at Falnumth, Kentucky, at which place there was a good school and he thought for a time of accepting it, but his Bloomfield brethren were so earnest in their desire for his labors there that he came back from Ohio and be- came their pastor, and remained there for twelve years. We can form some idea of the immense labor he performed, in these early years, and the gratifying success which attended his ministrations by quoting from a memorandum which he made during his labors there, as follows: "During the whole of my ministry 1 have traveled on an aver- age about 1200 miles per year— seven years- making 8400 miles, preached 200 sermons per year, or 1400 sermons, fifty of which have been funerals, constructed nine churches, ordained three ministers, attended nineteen associations and three conventions. 1 received during the seven years from churches aliout seventy-five dollars per year. I paid out of this about twenty-five dollars for benevolent purposes; built three good meeting houses." In the fall of 1848 he removed to Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, and took charge of the church, meantime supplying the Bloom- field church once a month. In the winter of Is.'iS lie closed his labors at Paris, accepted the pastorati! of the Baptist church, of Ur- bana, and removed here in January, 18.59 ; he remained as pastor for eleven years, leav- ing it with a membership of nearly three hundred in 1870, to take charge of the church in Champaign, where he undertook the erection of a new meeting house ; he raised the funds, suiM!rintended the work and la- 10 bored untiringly till it was completed; at its dedication tlie church was indebted to him six hundred dollars on salary, all of which, on the day of dedication, he gave to the church. In 1872, having built the church in Champaign, he returned to the Urbana church and preached lor them for two years; from here he went to the South Street church, at Indianapolis, Ind., and preached two years, thence again to Paris where he remained until 1879, at which time he came back to Urbana to spend the remainer of his days. Though sixty-six years old he could not be idle and continued to labor, one year at Tolono and afterwards supplying Bour- bon and Fairmount, having an appointment at the latter place the Sabbath following his death, which occurred August 18, 1881, at his home in Urbana. His widow still survives him and resides in this city. His children are Ninian A., who married Ennna D. Porter, and is in the dry goods business here, and Ozias G., who married Frances Busey, and is in the jewel- ry business in Champaign. Five daughters were also born to them, but they died in youth. Mr. Kiley was formerly a Douglas demo- crat, but the war issues coming up he be- came an ardent republican. He was ap- pointed U. S. revenue assessor by President Lincoln in 1863, which office he held until the forepart of Andrew Johnson's term, when he gave way to the democrat that the new president appointed to succeed him. Though this good man is gone from among us his influence and high example is felt, to- day, and doubtless will be for years to come. Over the entire Bloomfield district the work of Elder Kiley is visible. Scarcely a church organization in it but his labors have helped to build up; scarcely a church spire in it but his hand, nerved by the grace of God, has helped to point toward heayen. Count- less christians, almost, have felt the cheer- ing solace of his kindly interest in their eternal welfare, and who shall say how far down the years to come the seed he sowed in the vineyard of his Master shall spring up in the hearts of those that come after him. He was a pure and noble man, whose highest ambition was to benefit his fellow men. Liberal in his charities, generous in his donations, of time and money, to the cause he served, kind to all with whom he came in contact, affable in demeanor, charitable to- wards the weaknesses of men, warmed by true christian love and upheld by an unfal- tering faith,who shall measure the extent of his usefulness during his long and intensely active life? 89 PIONKKRS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. William Wallace Graham Was born July 7, 184!2, at Huron, Wayne county, N. Y. He came to Urbana at the aK<' ot eighteen, in October IbKiO, to seelc his lortvnie. He looked for it on a farm near Tolono, husking corn during the fall and winter until March 12, 1861, when he began clerking for Ingersoll & Cutcheon, in their dry goods store in Urbana. While this latter occupation was more congenial to his tastes and ideas of life, yet he was destined for other and more serious duties. He was among the lirst to register his name upon the roll of soldiei's that went early in the war to defend the flag, so unrighteously attacked by treason. This occurred in June 1861. He joined the company of Captain Boyden, Co. K., 2.'-.th 111. lleg't, 111. Vol. Inf't'y. He left for the front in August 1801 ; h(! followed the fortunes of the regiment until October 1802, when he was discharged for disability, the exposure and hardshijis JMiing too great for the young patriot. He then clerked again for Ingersoll it ("utcheon until the spring of 1808, when he went south with Cutcheon A (Jriggs and remaiiK'd with them until May 18(J4. During the siiort time he had been in Urbana he had met Miss Nelli(! Griggs, the daughter of Hon. C. R. (4riggs. He was stricken with her gentle manners and winning charms and permitted his adniinition to ripen into love. Tlie result may be safely guessed. The young lady return(!d it with interest and the liai>py and line looking couple were made one May lit, 1804. He and his young wife soon after locateector. In 1870 he formed a copartnership with M. Lowenstern in the dry goods business, and was engaged in same business nearly all the time until 1880, when he went to Norwalk, Ohio, as a paymaster and contractor of tlie Wheeling and Lake Erie railroad. In this position he was very successful and ac- cumulated a comfortable fortune. In May, 1884, he resigneil the (jttlce to open a coal mine at Sherodsville, Carroll Co., Ohio, where he is now mining five hundred tons of the dusky diamonds daily. The children surviving are: Maud E. and King ]{., both at home with their parents at Norwalk, Ohio. He is a radical republican in politics and votes the ticket just as it is printed. Mr. Graham is a successfiU business man and gives his best energies to it, but he enjoys a hunt and a few days of recreation annually. He tells a story admirably and is a royal entertainer at his always hospitable home where he is ably seconde5, and settling at Url)aiia. He had, at his old home, in his boyhood, received a good education by working on tlie farm, upon which he was raised and going to school in the winter. Tliis, with one school year spent at the Fredericktown (Ohio) Academy was the op- portunity he improved to secure an educa- tion. Later, lie taught school in winter and farmed in sunnuer. Upon arrival at Urbana, in the fall of 180:5, he became the principal of the Urbana school for one term. In the spring of 18.54 he commenced the study of law, entering the ottic.e of Col. W. N. Coler at that time practicing law in Urbana; he; stutlied for two years and was then examined by a com- mittee consisting of Hon. O. L. Davis, Hon. Leonard Swett and Ward H. Lamon. The late Ex-Senator and Ex-Sui)reme Court Judge David Davis was then circuit judge and he reconuuended the young man to the supreme court of this state for admission to the bar to practice law. He was admitted, and at once formed a paitncrsliip with Col. W. Nf. Coler, under the lirm name of Coler ife Sim, which continued for about two years when J. C. Sheldon was admitted to the lirm and the name was then Coler, Sim e'er Sheldon. In lsr)S Mr. Sim withdrew from the lirm and practiced law alone about a year, when Hon. J. O. Cunningham propos- ed a partnership which was accepted, he having just graduated from a law college at Cleveland, O. The lirm was known as Sim &, Cumiingham. He continiu^d thus to practice with gooil success until IHfifi or 7, tlie conlinement began to tell upon his health; he accordingly withdrew from the i)racticc and engaged in farming, having prior there- to purcha.sed the farm now owned by E. A. Shaw and Fred I'ell, one half mile south of llrbana. He continued fanning and stock raising until the fall of 1873, when he was elected judge of the county court of Cham- paign county, in which position he ably served the people for one term of four years but declined to be a candidate for renomina- tion, and entered again into the active prac- tice of the law, in which he is still engaged. His long experience at the bar and upon the bench, together wifcli his studious habits and good reasfming faculties, make him a safe coimselor in the business affairs of those who contemplate submitting their claims to the courts. Judge Sim was mayor of the city for two terms, from June 1864 to June 1866, during which time he negotiated and consummated the building of the Urbana street railroad. He was married June 2.5, 18.57, at Urbana, to Sarah A., daughter of the late Col. M. W. Busey (whose portrait and biography ap- l)ears elsewhere) ; she is still living and has bornehim the following children: Cora A., who married John A. McClurg and resides in Urbana; Kitturah E., Mary E. and Anna, who reside at home. Judge Sim has for many years been a con- sistent member of the M. E. church, in which faith he is rearing his family. Politically, Judge Sim was in his early manhood a whig and was in his youth imbu- ed with abolition ideas. He cast his first vote for Gen. Winlield Scott. At about the time of his arrival in this county the late Senator Stephen A. Douglas introduced in congress his great state sovereignty uleas in the dis- (Hissiou of the famous Kansas-Nebraska bill. The young man of whom we write took a deep interest in the proceedings of that con- gress, joined and heartily supported the re- publican party then formed. Hi the cam- paign of 1856 he was a pronounced Fremont man and canvassed the county for the re- l)ublican tick(^t, laboring earnestly for its success. He has been an unswerving re- miblican ever since. He has a beautiful home on Green street in this city, to which he retires from business cares and enjoys its comforts surroimded by an interesting family who are diligent in making it attractive and pleasant for him. 91 riDUHNliS or CHAMPAIUN COUNTY. John M. Spp:>X'ER Was born in Alleghany county, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1827. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Asa A. Spencer. At tlie age of ten years John M., came with his parents to Tracy, Ohio, and afterwards in the fall of 1S59, he removed to this coxuity and settled in Crittenden town- ship, where his life work was done. He was married at Tracy, Ohio, November 3S, 18.5.5, to CjTena Merry, who is still living; and resides on the old home place with their children, James C, and Sheridan Spencer, who are both grown to man's estate. He was con- verted and joined the M. E. cliurch in 1857. He followed blacksmithing in Ohio, before coming west for ab(mt ten years. When he came here he brought with him twenty cows and made cheese for several years together with his farming operations. Later he en- gaged extensively in feeding and shipping cattle, which he found prolitable. He used to chase the deer over the prairie on horseback; he frequently swam the Embarrass river to go to church. He was an uncompromising republican ; he held the office of supervisor for Crittenden during the year isfi4, but he did not seek ollice; he was always, however, to be relied upon to do gootl, honest work for the party of liis clioiee. He was atllicted with paralysis for over seven years prior to his deatli, wiiich oc- curred at his liome, September 22, 18S.5. He was a man of decided views and strong convictions, but he was charitable towards those holding different opinions, and by his coiuteous treatment of all, won tin; love and respect of all who knew him. He was a faitiiful laborer in his church and was an untiring worker in the cause of Sunday schools. He believed that tiie children who were imbued with religious ideas would more certainly liud tlie fold than those whose early impressions were made by more worldly teachings. His deeds on earth were prompted by a pure heart and guided by a well balanced mind. He will long be re- membered by the peopleof Crittenden town- ship for his many virtues and acts of kind- ness. Francis Martin Snyder. This old settler, jirinter and journalist, was born November 19th, 18:^, at Honesdale, Wayne county. Pa. His fath(»r was Dr. Jacob F. Snyder, well known to the old settlers of Urbanaand vicinity. His mother was Miss Asenath H. Strong. His father died March 28rd, 1862, and his mother, January 26th, 1880. Frank. M. Snyder came with his father and family, October 17th. 18.50, from Terre Haute, Indiana, to make their future home: he had, in February 18.50, beguii to learn the printer's trade. When W. N. Coler and H. K. Davis started the Urhana Ihiion, Mr. Snyder was employed, and set the tirst type for a newspaper, in IJrbana. He has fol- lowed the business as joinneyman, e<(W, when the war issues came and he left his home and the democratic party at the same time and entered the army in Co. B, 7>th Regiment 111. A^)l. Infty, in July, and served three years. He particii)ated in the siege of Vicksburg, battles of Jackson, Mobile, and other minor engagements in which his gal- lant regiment took i)ait. He did a soldier's duty for his country and returned home in October, lb'6.5, somewhat broken down in health, but continued his former imrsuits, surmounting ditticultics and disasters, as befor(! reeiteil, tliat would htive discouraged a man with less determination and courage than he jiossessed. He v. David Gay was his successor in the publication of the Ke- l)ublican, having been his partner from June until September l'>;78\ Mr. Snyder is now serving his second term as town clerk of Urbana townsliip, a posi- tion he is well fitted to till. He is a member of the Baptist church and is one of the deacons of the church, in this city, and is also its clerk. He is prominent in Odd Fellowship, and has passed the chairs in both the Subordin- ate Lodge and in the Encampment. He has been secretary of tht^ Lodge No. i:59, and scribe of Encampment No. 9>. also adju- tant of Post 121), G. A. K., many years, and tlie records he has kei)t speak for him as a careful, painstakimr and correct otlicer. A conscientious christian, a bright and true Odd Fellow, an industrious and competent workman in his chosen calling, a staunch republican, a good citizen and neighbor, he has the coiitidence and respect of the entire community. William H. Jaqi ks. Mr. Jaijues was born February 8th, ISriii. in Geauga county, Ohio, then known as New Connecticut or Western Picserve. But little is known of his father, Henry Jaie-em]ition on the N. E. (jr. of Stc. 27. T. 22, K. 9, in this county. In 1861, removed to the Big Grove. In 1802, enlisted in Co. G, TC.th 111. Vol. Infty, under Captain Joseph J'ark. Having served three years, at the end of the war again returned to Urbana; was engaged here two years, and in 1807 went back to, and commenced improvement anew, of the old irc-emptloi. in Ludlow townshi)>. Was married on the 8th of No- vember, 1842, at Market Bosworth, in Lei- cestershire, to Miss Eliza Gilbert, youngest daughter of Mr. John (Gilbert, a tanner, who resided at Thurlaston In the above county. Throughout her married life, Mrs. Rough- ton has been distinguished as possessing, in a large degree, all those finalities of head and heart so essential in a good wife, mothei- and friend. To her habits of frugality and industry may be attributed, to some extent, the building up and the jieriJetuation of an elaborate and ideasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Roughton iiave been the parents of nine children, four sous and the tiaughters, of whom only one, Renben, is now living. Reuben, the third-born of the family, con- tented and liap|iy. ever remains beneath the paternal roof. Equals he may have, but none ever excelled lilm as a filial and dutiful son. His Indomitable energv as well as his cultivated taste are abundantly manifested by the arrangement of home surroundings. He married Ella, oldest daughter of Elislia N. and Julia A. Gennng, wlu) were among the earliest settlers of north Champaign county. They have three children. The religious element, ever in the ascend- ancy, he became in early life a nu'uiber of the Wesleyan Methodist church. At the age of eighteen became an accredited local preacher and in that denomination contin- ued in that cai)aclty for twelve years. Be- ing unable, however, to reconcile the liiL'h and exalted views he entertained of (ioil with (as he then belleveil) the scriptural doctrine of eternal life in torment, was driven t« Inlidelity, but was soon redeemed from so cheerless a condition of mind by being brought in contact with the benign Intluence of Universalism. in the year 18.59 he became a member of that church, and ex- pects t^) remain there until his latest hour. PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTT. 98 He has been a stalwart republican since 1860 and lias never left his lirst love to follow after that trinity of false gods, viz: Green- backisni,nuigwinn|jisni and St. Johnism. He served as justice of the peace ten years, in I^udlow to\vnshii>, and commissioner of highways six years; was elected and serv- ed on the lirst board of school directors in the village of Kantoul, and ten years as school director in Ludlow school district No. 2; he was, (luite a number of years, overseer of highways and census enumerator for the township in ISSO. In the same year visited his native country. He has, through life, cast his influence on the side of morality and virtue, has for more tlian forty years been an advocate of temperance, and has, both in Urbana and Kantoul, been identi- tied with Good Templars, Sons of Temper- ance, open temperance associations. Odd Fellowship and Free Masonry. He was a charter member of the Champaign Creamery association, the Kantoul Maplewood Ceme- tery association and the Illinois Reserve Fund Life Insurance association; also one of the originators and president of the North Champaign County Permanent Road Im- provement association and Farmers' Club, North Champaign County Auxiliary Histori- cal association, and has always been a high- minded and enterprising citizen of our county. James S. Gkrk. This early settler of Urbana was born in April, 1S17, in Genesee county, New York. His i)arents were John and Polly (Clark) Gere. James S., the subject of this sketch, came to this county in the fall of is:^>, from Gen- f)see county. New York, and settled at Ur- bana. He came here in debt and was pay- ing twelve and a half per cent, interest. He kept, for a number of years, the Champaign house and the stage stopped there for many years when that was the only means of trav- el through this section of country. During that time he formed a partnership with his brother, John Gere, and kept a general store for about ten years. He and his brother John bought 800 acres of timber in the grove near Urbana and about the same amount near Bourbon, Douglas county, Illinois, and they filled a contract for 200,000 ties and 15,000 cords of wood for the Illinois Central railroad. After the dissolution of the firm James S. furnished 60,000 ties for the Great Western (now Wabash) railroad. In Feb- ruary, 1857, he went to New Orleans and bought eleven tons ot sugar, which was sold out by the tirm of J. and J. S. Gere. lie had succeeded well in the mercantile busi- ness and he made about eleven thousand dollars out of his railroad contracts. This was a large sum of money in those days and he was what might be termed a rich man in the pioneer times of this county. He had a well-balanced mind and gave some attention to the law. For many years there were few cases tried here that he was not on either one side or the other. He held the office of justice of the peace for a long time and he was regarded as one of the ablest and fair- est men who tilled that position. He was married in the fall of 1839, in Clin- ton, Vermilion county, Indiana, to Miss Elizabeth Lee, who died in the winter of 18.55. Six children were born to them, as follows: Emma, who married iJurdette Wright, residing now at Arthur, Illinois; Mary, who married Newton I. Cooper ; War- ren B., who married Miss Jennie Thompson and resides at Areola, Illinois; Addle M., who married George Lochrie antl resides at Murray, Iowa; Olive L., who married S. B. Kadebaugh, now postmaster at Urbana, and Nettie, who is now deceased. Mr. Gere did not subscribe to the orthodox beliefs in reference to the future, but be- lieved in the doctrines of the Universalists. He was a democrat in politics and had the ability to defend with force and effect both his political and religious faith. Mr. S. P. Percival, of Champaign, relates an incident of interest as to Mr. Gere. He says that he (Percival), then a young man, was driving an ox team through Urbana and stopped on the street to listen to an auction- eer who was extolling the excellence of his goods. Mr. Gere approached him ( Percival) 99 PIONKEltS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. and said, "Young man. are you going to stop in this country?" Upon answering tliat he was, yir. Gere reniarl^ed, "Then you had better not be stopping around here, but go about your business, and you will make money." Mr. Percival obeyed the injunc- tion and made the money ; he says he has thought of it all through life and believes it was the best advice he ever received. Mr. Gere died April 10th, 18.58. Mr. Gere was a man of good judgment and seldom missed it in business calculations. It can safely be said that his social qualities and integrity were such that he had a friend in every citizen of the county. Fountain J. Busey. Among the few pioneers left of Cham- paign county is "Fount" Busey, of Sidney township. lie was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, February 17th, 1817. lie was the son of Matthew and Sallie (Fible) Busey. His father died in 1864 at the advanced age of eighty-live years; his mother still sur- vives and has reached the great age of nine- ty-five years. The Busey family came to the county in the fall of 1829. They settled on the tract of land now owned by Sol. Knox. Later they moved to a place since owned by Paris Shepherd, in Urbana township. There the subject of this sketch married Mi.ss Maria Sliepherd in 1841. Timt union has resulted in the following named children: Matthew, who married Miss Jane Bowman; Jerusha, wife of Lon Wilson; James H., unmarried; Ann, wife of James Thompson; Simeon F., married Miss Fannie Wilson; Mary and Luella. All of the children are residents of the countv. Mr. Busey was a boy of twelve years of age when his parents came to this county. He remained beneath the parental roof until a short time before his marriage. The lirst land he owned was an eighty acre tract near Urbana, a part of which is no a^ owned by J. H. Morris. He entereil it and paid $1.25 per acre. He traded that for land on the Sangamon and in 1848 sold tliat and jiur- chased the tract at Sidney, upon wh ich he has lived ever since. The village of Sidney had been laid out the year previous, but there was no store, or in fact anything, except a few stakes to indicate where the future town of Sidney was to be. The first merchant was James Whitconib and the tirst postmaster was Si. White. The only house then between Sidney and Urbana was Penrose Stidham's. Mr. Busey recollects well tiie lirst store tiiat was open- ed in Urbana by T. R. Webber. It was on the day before the night on which the stars fell. Mr. B. states he was in town that day and went out home, east of Urbana, and in the night it absolutely rained stars, but he adds he was not "scared." His motiier and he took their tirst grist of corn (about a half bushel) to a Mr. Smith's, who had a hand mill, and had it ground for the family use. The tirst band mill was owned by Mr. Field- er. It was located on the old Roe place. The tirst water mill was operated by a Mr. Hempenstall. It was in the Big Grove, and was subsequently known as the Morris mill. It ground corn and sawed lumber. A Mr. Russell subsecpiently put up a mill near James Boyd's, that ground wheat, but the flour had to be bolted by hand. Mr. B. also relates the incident of the grand hurrah and blow outafter the location of the county seat. It was agreed among the neighbors around Urbana and the Big Grove that when the county seat was located to have a big Fourth of July. Accordingly the brush was cut otf and cleared away where now stands the house of Joseph Park. A large floor was laid, the tiddler was called and they danced, sang and had a merry time, you may be suie. At that time the laud office was located at Palestine, on the Wabash river. Subse- quently it was removed to Danville. Many other incidents of the lirst settle- ment are related by Mr. Busey, that want of space prevents mention. Mr. B. has met with success in life and is the possessor of a competency. He has 500 acres of land all under line cultivation, well fenced and stocked. In addition he has giv- en his children 300 acres. He also owns a PIONEERS OF CHAMPA ION VOUNTY. 100 business house in Sidney. Politically, Mr. Busey comes from good old democratic stock, and is in lull com- nnniion witii that jiarty. lie cast his tirst vote for Martin VanBuren tor president in 1840, and from tliat day to the last election he lias steadily followed the varying for- tunes of that venerable itolitical organization. Henuy Wili.ky Rennkr Was born March 5, 1830, in Shenandoah Co., Va., about tifty miles south from Harper's Ferry. His father, Henry llemier, was a native of Virginia, and was born in Fieder- ick county. May 6, 1796. His grandfather, Isaac Kenner, was of Pennsylvania stock. H.W's mother was Mary M. (Willey) Renner, daughter of Parson Willey, of Woodstock, Va. She was born June 29, 1800. Her father was a German Refoi'med Presbyter- ian minister and was born in Switzerland, coming to the new world as a missionary when he reached man's estate. Miss Willey was frail in body, but strong in mind and christian faitli and works, and her children "rise up to call her blessed." The grand- mothers of Henry VV. were both of Huguenot blood and character. His parents were married April 18, 1826, and lived on a farm until 1840, when they moved to Woodstock, the county seat of Shenandoah county, where they resided twelve years, and re- moved to Licking county, Ohio. In 1869 they sold their farm and moved to Rantoul, in this county, the mother dying there Dec. 26, 1870. The father died there January 21, 1883, almost eighty-six years old. Henry W. Renner, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Phebe A. Will- iams, daughter of Hon. E. O, Williams, of I!) Licking Co., Ohio, April 2nd isryl. He packed their effects in a wagon and after a two weeks' drive, settled May 25, 1857, on section four, in Newcomb townshiji, now Condit, where they resided for eight years, and then removed to section lour in Rantoul township, where Mr. Renner with his pres- ent family yet resides. Miss Williams was the eldest cliild, and having lost her mother at the tender age of thirteen years, all her single life was spent in filling a mother's lilace. She joined the Presbyterian church in Jersey, Ohio, in childhood and contiiuied an active worker in church, choir, and Sabbath school, until her marriage and re- moval to Illinois. To this union were born five children, to-wit: Enos Henry, Anna Lucinda (wife of William A. Rusk) and Sylvester Willey, all living in Champaign; Alary C. and Libbie S., twin Misses of six- teen, living at home. His first wife died November 26, 1873. Mr. R. was again mar- ried September 2sth, 1876, to Miss Julia Smith, eldest daughter of James D. Smith, Es(i., of Wayne, Pa. Miss Smith was born Dec. 7, 1840, entered the High school at VVaterforil in 1s.t6, studied and taugiit until 1863, entered Western Female Seminary at Oxford, 0., and graduated in 186.5. She taugiit three years in the Seminary, when admonished by failing health and the advice of her physicians, she returned to her native state, but continued to teach until her mar- riage, the last four years being spent in Titusville, Pa. Of this union was born Oct. 4, 1881, one son, Charles Ashley, who died April 5, 1882. Mr. Renner seems cosmopolitan in his religion, being at home with all who hold the great central truths of tlie Ortliodox faith. He seldom tells to which division of the Grand Army he belongs. He was con- verted in childhood and united with the Presbyterian church in Woodstock and at once took a class in the Sabbatii school. At the age of seventeen he began going to out of the way places to teach, superintend or organize Sabbath schools, a work which he faithfully kept up until called to do similar work in connection with the Township and county Sabbath school association in this county. He was one of tlie original mem- bers of the Jersey Presbyterian church in Condit township, and held the position of trustee, secretiiry and ruling elder. In the First Congregational church of Rantoul, he was trustee, secretary and senior deacon. At present he is a member of the official board, of connnittee on church extension and church records and the district steward in the M. E. church at Rantoul. He is also a life member of the County Bible society. 101 PIONICKRS OF CHAMPAIGN CODNTY. \ The Champaign County S. S. association was organized July 34 and 25, 18G6, and Mr. K. toolv part in the convention at Rantoul in the following September; he became presi- dent of the Hantoul S. S. A., July 4th. 1867, which position he still holds and is conse- quently the ablest vice president in the county association. He was elected a mem- ber of the Co. S. S. A. in 1872 and still holds that position; he was president of the as- sociation in 1878-9. Mr. Kenner acted with the democratic party until the farmers movement in 1873 and when the greenback party was organized he joined it and voted for Peter Cooper in 1870 and for Weaver, in 1880. In 1884, liowever, he voted for the prohibition candidate John P. St. John. He is now chairman of the pro- hibition club in Rantoul. He has held the office of school trustee, commissioner of highways, supervisor from Condit, and has since served as assessor, collector and magis- trate. Mr. Renner learned the trade of blacksmith in his father's shop in Wood- stock, and the use of tools in the wagon shop; this has been of service to him on the farm. Such is a brief sketch of one of the best farmers and most earnest Sabbath school workers of our county. We trust that he may continue to be prosperous in business and sow seed in the field he has chosen that shall "bring forth an hundred fold." Hon. Auki. Harwood. This distinguished New Englandcr and resident of Cliampaign was born iu North Brooklield, Mass., November 2;^, 1814. He worked on his father's farm til! he was sev- enteen yeais of age and clerked in a store for two years. He attended school from time to time and finally graduated from Am- herst college in 1841, intending at the time to make teaching his profession in life. He paid the expenses of his school life from his own earnings, e.xcept small sums con- tributed by his father from time to time, to the amount of about one thousand dollars. Soon after his graduation, he married Miss Mary D. Batcheller, daughter of Deacon Tyler Batcheller, of North Brookfield, Mass., having prior to this marriage engage- ed to take charge of an Academy at Ed- wardsville, Illinois, and was to receive the full income for his salary. The board or trustees, however, concluded to place an- other teacher with him and thus divide the income. He said nothing of this change to his people, however, and married with the expectation of accepting even half the income in order to gain a foothold in the west. After starting for the west he concluded that the times were better in Kentucky than in Illinois, and with his young bride went to Shelby county. Kentucky. Here he found an intelligent peoitle, a good school and good pay, where his young wife could assist him. They were successful and were urged to stay by an offer of still better terms; but he thought it best to go where there was still more money and a larger population; he therefore, went to Lexington, Ky., in the heart of the Blue Grass region. Soon lie gained the recognition of some of the best families and got up a school for young la- dies in which calling he wis eminently suc- cessful, but his health failed; although urg- ed to continue by his wealthy i)atrons he concluded to change his occupation for one less injurious to his health. He then en- gaged in the shoo business, the first year his sales were :i?8,000, and the business in- creased regularly each year for nine years, when his annual sales amounted .54(),()()i) and he had accumulated a neat little capital for business or investment. In June, 18.52, when the Illinois Central railroad had been surveyed and its construc- tion had been connuenced he came to Dan- ville, 111., for the i)nrpose of buying a small farm, at the government sales, for a friend ; he was struck with tlu^ itros])ects of the country and caught the land lever in its most malignant form. On his return to Lexington a buyer for his shoe business was found waiting and he sold it for S17,()(M), not witiumt giving the matter however, careful thought and sulunilting it to his wife for final decision. It wasgoi)ig toa free state, and this doubtless had much to do with tlie decision. In the months of August and September following he attended the land .sales at Dan- PIONKKliS Of VHAMl'AiUN COUNTY. 102 ville, 111., and bought nearly 3,000 acres of the rich prairie lands in McLean, Cham- paign and riatt counties, most of which, by using land warrants, he bought at about Sl.OO per acre. After coming to Illinois to reside he bought of private parties nearly 2,000 acres more, paying for these a higher price. In February. lSo3, he removed to Bloom- ingt(m, 111., and after becoming settled, en- gaged again in the shoe business with Mr. O. Rugg as partner ; he had clerked for Mr. Harwood in Kentucky, and had married his (Harwood's) sister. While Mr. Rugg was managing this business, which was very suc- cessful, Mr. Ilarwood was imi)roving his over four thousand acres of lands. He built about forty miles of board fence, and placed up(m each farm a house costing about •'if.WO. December 8, 18.56, his wife died leaving to Mr. Harwood's sole care hve y(mng chil- dren. In June, 1858, he married Miss Isa- btdla D. Boyd, whose family had the year before moved from Kentucky. She is still living affording companionship and cheer to her husband in the latter years of his lite. Mr. Ilai-wood is imi)ressed with the belief that his happiness and success in life is due to the instinctive counsel of woman. His first wife bore him six children: Mary N., who married George W. Ilarwood, then of North Brooktield, Mass., and resides in Champaign; Emma L., who married Wil- liam O. Cady, of Bloomington ; Ella A., who married John C. Stevenson, also of Bloom- ington; Ida E., who, when an in- fant, was taken into the family of Dr. T. F. Worrell, of Blooming- ton, where as one of her two homes, she has resided ever since; Martha Frances, who died in infancy, and Lueretia, who died in 1882. His present wife is the mother of five children, as follows: Isabella Susan, who married Mr. Calvin C. Staley, of Champaign ; Willscm Boyd, a promising boy, died at the age of ten years; Caroline Rebecca and Francis Abel died in infancy; the other also died before receiving any name. In the spring of 18(36 the board fences on his lands in Cl)ami)aigu county, having been standing for ten years, he concluded to grow hedge fences to take their place. At the suggestion of his wile, who was desirous of having Mr. Harwood at home more, he mov- ed to one of his farms in Newcomb town- ship in this county, about four miles north- west of Mahomet. Here they remained four years, growing eleven miles of hedge and carrying on general fainiing and stock lais- ing extensively at the same time. During this four years he cleared from the live hun- dred acres he thus improved, over S8,()00, al- though but a novice in farming operations; this we mention to show the productiveness of Champaign county lands. In the spring of 1870, instead of returning from the farm to Bloomington, he removed to Champaign in order to be near his wife's people, who had removed to Areola. Here he purchased a pleasant residence and here he still resides. He has sold all his lands and is not now engaged in any mercantile or agricultural pursuit. Having a comfortable competency, made by a life of labor and by good judgment in investments, he finds, as he jocosely says, plenty to do, even now, in "minding his own business," and is firmly of the opinion that it will pay any man to do so whether on the farm, in the workshop, the store or in retirement at home. Mr. Harwood's mother was a member of a Baptist church, and his father, while not a member, was in sympathy with lier views. His first wife's mother was a Baptist but her father was a prominent deacon in the Congregational church in North Brookfield, Mass., and afterwards in the old Park street church in Boston. The mother of his pres- ent wife was a Baptist while her father was an efficient elder of the Presbyterian church, most of his life. Mr. Harwood himself, both his wives and all his children that reached ten years of age became connected with some church, Presbyterian or Congregational, early in life. At present, all living are con- nected with some Presbyterian church. He has never held any church office but has been a member of some Sabbath school nearly all his life, either as scholar, teacher or superintendent. Mr. Harwood is grandly orthodox in his belief in the Divine inspira- tion of the Bible and in Jesus Christ as the son of God, and as the only name under Heaven whereby we must be saved, if saved at all. In politics he is a republican, and casts his vote and uses his influence for pure pri- maries and a higher standard of political morals in the contests for i)referment. For two terms he was supervisor from Newcomb township; his second term he was chairman of the board. He was urged by both demo- crats and rei)ublicans to serve another term, but private business prevented, though he has never forgotten the kindly compliment paid him by their miitcd confidence, and has a warm place yet iu his heart for both the democrats and republicans of Newcomb. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1!^69 an«l 1870, that framed the present constitution of the state of Illinois, rei)resenting in that cfmvention the counties of Champaisn, Piatt, Moultrie and Macon. Mr. Harwood was an efiicient member ot that body of men, who made the chart which 103 PIONKERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. has guided this great commonwealth for nearly two decades, and bids fair to last for yet other decades of time without material change. Mr. Harwood has, by his own efforts, by a life of industry and honorable conduct, carv- ed out a goodly fortune and has erected also a character as a hlghminded, christian gen- tleman, which should serve as a model for otliers to follow. Dignilied in demeanor, courteous to all, faithful in every trust and relation in life, Mr. Harwood is passing his latter years, be- loved by his family and friends, and respect- ed and honored by all. Daniel Kugg. This gentleman Vt^ho conducts, to-day, the second oldest business house in Champaign, was born May 30, 1830, in the good old town of Heath, Franklin county, Massachusetts, whicli county is said to liave as many steep hills to the square mile as any other in New England. The centeimial celebration of the town was held last year, 18S.5, with imposing ceremonies. The Archives of this town will show that the Rugg family were among its early and substantial settlers. The parents of Mr. Rugg, both now deceased, were Reu- ben Rugg and Sarah (Nims) Rugg. His father was recognized as the strongest man in his district, wliile his nu)ther was one of tiie tallest women. They were, as may be seen, stalwart in stature and blessed with physical perfection, a heritage which cannot be too highly valued, for of such parents come long lived and perfect men and women. They were as stalwart and strong in tlieir religious convictions as they were in physi- cal structure. They were of Piu-itan stock and possessed those strict and orthodox at- tributes that have given the people of New England a reputation for rigid honesty and correct habits, that justittes the natural pride their prosterity feel in them. Their descendants have helped to people the great west with a race of broad-minded and enter- prising citizens that have made it the wonder of the world for thrift and sub- stantial progress. Mr. Rugg's parents, though living some live miles from their place of worship, were seldom absent and never late to church, either summer or winter. Mr. Rugg spent the larger portion of his life on a farm, prior to his coming west. During the winters of hisboylu)oil he attend- ed the coiuitry school until tar enough ad- vanced to enter the Shelburn Falls Acuidemy wiieie he obtained a liberal English educa- tion. He afterwards taught the district school, boarding around as was the custom in those days; being needed at home, he for some years took the management of the old home farm, where he remained until lie came west. March 8, 18.55, he was married to Miss Philena Dale Kallogg, in Shelburn, Mass. In the following summer, he and his young wife bid farewell to the scenes of their child- hood, emigrated to Bloomington, 111., deter- mined to carve their fortune in tlie then far west. There he engaged in the boot and shoe business, which he has successfully followed ever since. In December 18.58, he removed to Champaign, (then WestUrbana) and purchased the very desirable lot at the head of main street upon which now stands his large three story brick block called "The Metropolitan." It was erected in the sum- mer of 1872 in coiuiection with those of David Bailey and Frank Walker adjoining. Since residing in Champaign, Mr. Rugg has been a leading member of the Congregation- al church; he was its treasurer many years and was a member of its board of trustees during the erection of two churclies, one of which was destroyed by lire shortly after it was completed. In politics, Mr. Rugg has always been a republican and though not a politician, he can always be relied upon to further the best interests of the party. He has held the office of alderman several terms. October?, 1877, the iiap])y home circle was broken by the death of his wife, who was beloved by all who knew her. Six children were born to them, three ot whom are living; Fred D., the eldest, who since liis graduation at the University of Illinois in 1882, has been en- gaged in the business with his father ; Mary PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY 104 E., who married C. Feiiton Hamilton, and Carrie A., attending scliool at iiome. He was happily married again February 22, 1SS3, to Maria Thatcher Fairbank, of North Brook Held, Massachusetts. Mr. Kiigg was among tiie lirst business men of Champaign; he canu> there when a young man with limited capital, but by universal fair dealing, by keeping tlie most reliable goods an4, and settled at Middletown, now Ma- homet, and there he has made his home to the i)resent. When Mr. Boltin tirst went to that town theie were but two stores. One was kept by a man by the name of Hill and the other by a man by the name of Owens. He has lived there long enough to see the town grow up from a small, insignilicant village to one of nearly 1,0()U )iopulation. Mr. Boltin was tirst married to Polly Aim Brown, in Dark county, Ohio, October 27th, 1847. She died in Greenville, Ohio, in June 18.53. While a resident of (Jreenville, he married Mary Smith. The date of the mar- riage was October 5th, 18.54. She died in Mahomet in the fall of ISSi. He married his pres(;nt wife, Rebecca Sicklider, in Dark county, Ohio, February 21st, 1SS2. She is still living. He is the father of tiie follow- ing children: William Henry, married Ma- ry Woodrow, and is a resident of Mahomet; James, married Hannah Swanson, also of Mahomet; Alice is the wife of William Tanner, of Mahomet; Elwain is single, War- ren also; Mary married (iehart B. Tanner, and resides \n Mahomet, as does also Bezin, the youngest of the family. Mr. Boltin united with the Christian church about thir- ty-eight years ago and has always been an exemplary uu^mber. His political affilia- tions have always been with the republican party. He is now a justice of the peace. Mr. Boltin is numbered among the good moral citizens of Mahomet, and stands high in the estimation of the citizens of his com- munity. Andrew Bark. Among the excellent citizens of our county hailing from that land of stalwart men, Scotland, is Andrew Barr. He was born October 1st, 1835, at Lesmahagow, Lanark- shire, Scotland, of good Scotch parents, An- drew and Marian (Brownlee) Barr. Mr. Barr left his native land in 18.58 and came to Iro(iuois county this state. He farmed there until November, 1861, when he came to Ur- bana, and has since made this his home. He was married March 29th, 1S65, at Whitehead, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth McBeath, a lady of line education and thorough culture. She was born in 1841, and is .still living. 105 PIONKKPS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Tlicy have seven ehiklreii, iiiiiii('^ cents; horse feed, 12)^ cents; one-half pint whiskey, GI4 cents; one- half pint French brandy, is% cents; }4 pmt wine, 1S% cents; K pi"t gin, 12^ cents; X pint rum, 18% cents; 14 irint domestic brandy, 18% cents. The tirst fiscal statement was made by T. K. Webber and showed county oiders un- paid, .'i?8.5.2.5; fees for surveying 84 lots in the town of Urbana, .'g21; recording plat, !i?3.8r); fees of connnissioners and for station- ery, SIT.T."); making a total indebtedness of §127.36; deducting the revenue, $71.37. left S5.5.99; then deducting license of Alexander, S^.o.OO, left tlie indebtedness of tiie county, December 2, 18;«, at S.50.9i). March 3, 18;^, the county was divided into road districts and \Vm. Peters, Daniel T. I'orter, John G. Uobertson, Mijamin Byers, Phillip M. Stanford, Wm. Nox, jr., John Wliitaker were appointed road supervisors. March 4, 1834, tlie first grand and petit juries were appointcul as follows: (irand jury— Thomas Deer, Jefferson lluss, Wm. Nox, sr., Joseph Thomas, llenry Thomas, Robert Trickle, James Brownlield, Walter Rhodes, James Johnson, Samuel G. Beckley, John W. Swearingen, John B. Swearingen, John Zanes, Robert Prather, Valentine Uitf, Gabriel G. Rice, Mattiiew Busey, John Tine- man, Sanuiel Bromley. Arthur Beaird, Har- ris Wils(m, William Corray and James ()s- bourne. Petit jury— James Moss, Mattlnnv W. liusey, Elias Stamey, David Gabbert. William T. Webber, Augustine M. Webber, Larkin Deer, Stephen Boyd, Elijah Jackson, Andrew Wilson, Adam Yeazle, James Free- man, Jacob T. llobljs, John Codtlington. Jacob Heater, ISloses Kirby, Elias Kirby, John Brownlield, sr., William Coddington, Elias Tliomas, Moses Argo, William 1. Pe- ters and Hiram Rankin. PIONEKRS OF (HAMPATGN COUNTY. 108 At a ineotinpof the county commissioners, lu'ld December 1, is:;4, it was ordered tliat lieieafter tiie court meet at tlie liouse of Isaac Busey, Tiio court appointed T. K. Webber, ai?ent, in July is:;."), to sell the lots in IJrbana, at t'olhnvini? prices: Corner hits on Main street, on public square at >?.S0 each; corner lots elsewhere, 520; back lots, .■«10. January ISSO, a temporary court house was ordered to be built on lot 25, to be of hewn lotcs, good size. The buildini: was to be 24x20 feet, one and one-half story, shingle roof, hewn joists and sleepers, one door and two windows on each side. The contract was let to John Craig, but the building was never linished to tlie satisfaction of the com- , missioners and court continued to be held in private houses until l^?u, when a frame com-t house 22x30 feet, with two rooms, was built by Moses and Willinms Ilarvey. This i)uilding was replaced in 1S49 by a brick building o()x40 feet, two stories, with ottices below and court and jury rooms above. In l^'>9 this building was torn down and the present court house erected at a cost of 840,000. The following is a list of the commission- ers, the tirst three already having been men- tioned. In 1S?)4, John Brownheld, William Nox, Dnniel T. Torter; ISSG, Cyrus Strong, Hiram Johnson and Wm. Xox; 183^, James Clements was elected for one year, Daniel T. Porter for two and Jefferson Hiiss for three years. After this one was elected each year as follows: James Clements, 1H31), Daniel T. Porter, 1H40, Jefferson Ilnss, 1841, Janu'S Clements 1S42, Wni. Taylor, 1S43, John W. Swearingen, 1S44, Archa Campbell, 184.-), B. F. Harris, 184«, William Nox, 184T, James Clements, l!-'4^. The probate Judges are as follows : Moses Thomas elected in ISSJi, and served until 1887, when John B. Thomas was elected. M. W. l?usey was elected in 1839, Joiiii Brown lield, 1841, Daniel T. Porter, 1843, who .served until 1848, when Archa Campbell was elected. In 1848 the new ccmstitution ( T. II. Webber being a member of the conven- tion which adopted it) made a change, or- ganizing a county court with one judge and associate judges. Under this law, in 1849 John B. Thomas was elected county judge; Jes.se W. Jaciuith and Mattliew Johnson, associates. 18.5:^, Elisha Harkness was elected judge and M. D. Colleen and Wm. Stewart, associates. In 18.57, Eilward Atev was tilected judge. Lewis Jones and John 1". Tenbrook, associates. In 18.59, Fielding li. Scott was elected in place of Jones. In 1800 the county adoiited the township organizaticm and witli it another change was made. J. (). Cunningham was elected coun- ty judge and served four years, bcsing suc- ceeded by A. M. Ayers, in 18C);5, who served until 1873; J. W. Sim in 1873, J. W. Langley, 1877, the i>resent incumbent. Moses Thomas was hrst county treasurer and served imtil 18:^7, when (ireen Atwood was elected. Jacob Bradshaw was electt'd in 18:^.9 and served until 184:^ when Col. M. W. Busey was elected who served until 1851, when Elisha Harkness was elected. Wm. H. Pearce was elected in 1853, C. M. Sherfy, in 18.5.5, Wm. Munhall in 18.57, P. M. Parks 18.59, K. T. Miller 1801, re-electetl in 180:^., (t. W. Keiniard in 186.5 and 1867, and J. M. Davies in 1809, who was succeeded in 1811 by John W. Hill, who in turn was succeeded by Thomas A. Lewis, the present incum- bent. The Sheriffs of the county are as follows: John Salisbury in 18;B3, A. II. Stevenson in 1834 and 18:^/5, David Cox 18:18 to 1844, Wilson Lewis 1844 to 18.50, Edward Ater 1850, F. M. Owens 1854, Penrose Stidham 18.50, N. M. Clark 18.58, K. C. Wright 1800, Nathan Towl 1802, J. I). Johnson 1864, T. J. Scott 1866, Peter Myers, 1808, H. C. Core 1870 to 1874, J. 1). Johnson 1874 to 1878, J. E. Oldham 1878 to 1882, J. C. Ware 1882 to 1886. School commissioners are as follows: John Mead 18:^8, Moses Thomas 1840, John B. Thomas 184() and 1848, Wm. Peters 18.50, Paris Shepherd 18.52, J. W. Jacpiith 18.54, John B. Thomas 18.54, Thomas K. Leal 18.57 to 1873, S. L. Wilson 1873, Calista E Larned 1877 who resigned in 1881 and (i. R. Shaw- han, the present incumbent, was appointed. Clerks of the county court: T.R.Web- ber from 1833 to 1853, when the offices of county and circuit clerks were divided, T. A. McLaurie 18.53 to 18,57, S. J. Toy 18.57 to 180.5, N. M. Clark 1865 to 1809, J. W. Shuck 18()9to 1873, J. S. McCul lough 1873 the pres- ent incumbent. Circuit clerks are as follows: T. R. Web- ber 18:« to Ism, W. H. Somers 18.50 to ]8(M, (). O. Alexander 1804 to 1878, E. T. Whit- comb 1868 to 1870, J. W. Porter 1870, the present incumbent. The revenue increased in 18:^(5, to .S2.58.8.5, December 3, 1S:)0, Jonathan Osborne and Isaac Busey were appointed a committee to locate a state road from Urbana to Hloom- iuL'ton, to run by the house of John Bryan. Josei)h Stayton and Elias Thomas, on sann- date, were appointed to locate a road from Urbana to Paris. At the December term, 18:^(), a license was granted Wm. Osborn to keep a ferry on the Sangamon river at a point where the state road crosses it, lead- ing from Moses Thomas' to Bloomington— Osborn to pay $2.00 license. The following 109 PIONKERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. ferry rates were established at tlie same vneeting, viz: Ferrying one man, dh cents; one horse, dM cents ; one-liorse wagon, 25 cents; two-horse wagon, :^7K cattle per head, 014 cents; sheep and hogs per head, 3 cents. At the March meeting is.i~, it was ordered tiiat the otlice of assessor and treasurer be let to the lowest bidder; and Tliomas L. Freeman having bid the sum of 5^12.50 was appointed to thatoflice and qualitied as such. In IS^T the liabilities of the county were $2l(j:My.\ and the revenue being §258.85, the county had money in the treasury for the first time, amounting to $ii2M}>i, to which add 5i4:>L5u, notes on sale of town lots in Urbana, and cash donations, unpaid, j>45, made the cash and resources of the county .1?4T(i.50. March 18:^7, it was ordered that the follow- ing property be taxed one-half per cent., viz: Horses, mares, nudes, asses and neat cattle over the age of three years, clocks and watches with their appendages, antl pleasure carriages. In 1837 license to retail goods were grant- ed and licenses charged as follows: A. Bruer, *5.00; James T. Koe, .IJS.OO; T. K. Webber, «15.00; James H. Lyons, S25; Daniel T. Porter, S5.00; Noah Bixler, .$5.00. June, 1837, ordered that Matthew W, Busey have a writ of ad quod tlamnum, for con- demnnig a mill seat on north end of Ey, S W}4 Sec. 8, 10, 9. Same year Green At- wood was allowed a license to keep a tavern at Homer. Also a license was granted to Isaac A. Brown to keep a tavern at Sidney, each to pay a license of $4.00. September, 18:^7, a writ of ad quod dannuim was granted to Charles Haptonstall to build a mill. A like writ was granted at same meeting to A. H. Jose for a mill seat on Sangamon river, on lot 15, Sec. IG, T 30 R 7. At same meeting it was ordered thata bridge be constructed over the Salt Fork at Cyrus Strong's ferry anil that Major Nox attend to advertising tor bids and to insert an ad- vertisement in the Danville Kiuiuirei-. The building of this bridge was let October, 1837. to \Vm. I. I'eters, for the sinu of $42() and he to have one year to build it. The first county prison, to be completed by March, 18:'.'.), was arranged for January is;>i; it was to 1m! is led s(iuare, Tlie lower story to have two windows, one foot .square each. Building was to have a brick aiul log foun- dation and to be built of logs, and to be two stories. It was struck ott to C(tl. M. \V. Bu- sey at the sum of $8.50. March 19, 18:W, it was ordered that an election precinct be established on the Mid- dlefork and that election-^ be held at house of John Maiming, near the town of Brother- ton in said precini/t. June 18;i8, a license was granted Groen- eiidyke & Cotfeen to retail goods at Homer, ami that they pay for same, S15. At the same meeting a county road was ordered from south end of Market street, in Urbana, to Sidney. December 18;i8 A. Bruer was granted a license to keep a tavern in Ur- l)ana and that he pay $2.00 for same. At the December term, 18:59, it was order- ed the cleik convey to the officers of the Methodist Episcopal church, a lot to be se- lected by them, if they shall have erected a house of worship thereon in twelve months. And we also make to the Baptist society the same offer in all respects. The Methodist people raised the money and built a church which was afterwards known as Benner's livery stable. The Baptist people, however, did not comply at that time. Col. M, VV. Busey having donated a three acre tract to the county, permission was given to erect a school liouse on same. De- cember 18:^9, Col. Busey, Jacob Bradshaw and Elias Staniey were appointed a com- mittee to select a suilahle s]n)t for said house. June term, 1840, it was "ordered that we sell to Rev. A. Bradshaw-, lot 51 (where Hubbard's hardware store now stands) for the sum of $3, the same to be deeded to the Methodist society when it shall be shown that the society has a legal riglit to receive a deed. Also tliaiwe sell to David Cox, for Baptist church with same restrict- tion, lot 76, east of Kerr's tavern, for $2.00." The salary of T. R. Webber, as clerk, .was not very heavy; he was allowed ?77.98 in full for his services as clerk for year ending June 7, 1841. At the June term, 1842, M. D. Cotfeen rep- resented that it was too far for the people of Homer to go to the house of James Cope- land, in the Salt Folk iirecinct, to vote; he therefore presented a iietition that the name of the })recinct be changed to Homer pre- cinct and the voting he done at the school house in Homer, which was ordered done. October 2, 184:^, the contract for l)iulding a bridge across the Sangamon at Mahomet, was awarded Williams Harvey of Urbana. June, 1844, on petition of citizens, an election precinct known as the Middlefork precinct, was ordered, and that the voting place be at house of Saiiuicl Swinford, and Samuel Swinford, Saniucl Kerr and James Kellor were appointed judges. At same meeting, Janu'S Orr, sr., Henry Swearingen and Elias Thomas were appointed jinlges of Homer, Marshall Cloyd, John Crabb and .buues Myers, of Urbana. and Jonathan PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 110 Maxwell, Benjainiu F. Harris and Joseph T. Everett of Hanganion precincts. Tlie tax books for the year 1844 show that tiie taxable property is increasing, the amotnn returned being S3:^,873. The levy was as follows: 'iO cents on the :«;100 for state purposes, making «rifi8.75; 20 cents for county, Sf50S.75, and 10 cents for road mak- ing S!m37. William 1). S(miers seems to have been tlie county physician in 1S44. At the De- cember meeting of the county court it was "ordered that l')r. William D. Somers have an order on the treasury for the sum of $2M) in fnll for medical charge for attending Jiobert H. Newlon. At the June meeting, 1S45, William 1). Soiners was appointed to take the census of the county. C-ol. M. W. Busey, county treasurer, made his report July 184<). He reports a balance on hand of .S561.37 as foll(»ws: i^S.S'J.OO in paper money; $15.5.52 in gold and .S7:i.s.5 in silver. The county seems to have been in good condition as Col. Busey was (nderedto loan the county funds at per cent, interest, reserving a sufficient sum to pay outstand- ing orders, and tliat he take ample security in all cases and that he collect the interest in advance, that the notes be so drawn that a from the school house, which wei'e soon ]iro- duced and the afternoon spent in roasting a))ples and drinking apple toddy. James Kirb\' William and Ashford Trickle, James W. lioyd, Moses Deer, Mrs. Mary Ann Moore, "of Danville, Fount Busey. Sol Nox, .lames Boland, Susan Trickle, now Mr. Kir- by's wife, were present and will long re- member the circumstance aliove narrated. It is esi)ecially vivid in the mind of James Kirby, oue of "the early s«'ttlers who gave us these facts. Mr. Kirby, in speaking of the early weddings saiil, that uosi)ecial invita- tif)ns were issued to attend, but every one attended who felt so inclined. Wliiskey was as free as water. At oue wedding he attended (the parties now living across the grove) nine gallons of wliiskey were used and not a man was drunk. The drinks they usetl those days were mint slinu's, black strop, tansy intters and egg-nog. PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 112 Urbana and Somer Townships. Read at Old Settlers' Reunion, July 20, 1886. BY J. O. CUNNINGHAM. The local history of these two townships, and infa?t the early history of the county during the period to which I shall refer, wliich will be anterior to the period of histo- ry of others given here today, are practical- ly one, for around the Big Grove, and upon territory embraced in botli townships, were made the first settlements of the county. INDIAN OCCUPATION. Our earliest historic accounts accord the territory in this part of Illinois to the own- ership of the Kickapoo Indians, as Indian titles were tlien regarded. In the year 1819, at Edwardsville, Illinois, at a treaty between the Kickapoo nation and the United States government, represented by Ninian Ed- wards, a treaty was concluded by which that people relinriuished their rights here, and then passed west of the Mississippi. The Indian occupation spoken of here to- day, was subsequent to this date, and by bands of the Piittawotamies who hunted, and at times abode here. Tradition, support- ed by the testimony of many old settlers, some of whom are here to-day, says that the site of Urbana and along the Bone Yard Branch was tlie site of an Indian village of the Pottawotamies. The presence there of good water, fuel and an abundance of game, made it a favorite cami)ing ground with them. They also frequently camped at the Clements or Clay Bank ford, further down the creek. They buried their dead at Ad- kins' Point, near where John Thornburn now lives. FIRST WHITE OCCUPANCY. So far as I am informed the first white men to see tliis country, were the United States surveyors who divided the country into townships and sections. These town- shii^s were surveyed in the summer of 1821 by Benjamin Franklin Messenger, under the autliority of the Federal government. Tliere doubtless were hunters, trappers and traders, and perhaps squatters here before that date, but tliey left no name. The earli- est scpiatters known to us, were Runnel Fieldej-, wlio is said to have been the first white inhabitant of the county, who settled in 1822, near the nortli east corner of Sec. 11, Urbana, and built a cabin there, which I have often seen. Fielder entered no land until June 21, 1828, when he entered tlie WK NW Sec. 12, a part of the Roe farm now owned by Bate Smith, on which he planted an orchard, the first in either town ji not the first in the county. Some ot theVrees 32 may be seen yet. Then there were Jolni Light who had a cabin where Tom Brown- field now lives; Gabriel Rice, who had his cabin on Sol Nox's place ; Phillip Stanford, who lived near where William Roberts now lives and afterwards entered part of tliat farm, and David Gabbert, wlio built liis cabin just north of this park. This cabin was the first home of the family of Col. M. W. Busey, who came here in 183(3. The Col- onel had been here before, for he entered the 80 where we now are, in 1830. Besides these, there were Daggett, who settled on the west side of tlie grove, and Wm. Tomp- kins who built his cabin on the creek, near where Ilalberstadt's mill is, afterwards, in 1828, entering the land which he sold to Isaac Busey in 1830. Tompkins had a son living in a cabin near the Harvey cemetery, who was also a squatter for he never owned any land. In his cabin, it is said, was born the first white child in the county. Soon after 182S, permanent settlers began to come in. Thomas Holland, in 1828, Matthew Bu- sey, in 1829, Isham Cook, in 1830, and soon thereafter, and in some cases before, came James T. Roe, John Brownfield, T. R. Web- ber, W. T. Webber, Jacob Smith, Jacob Heater, John G. Robertson, Isaac G. Beck- ley, Sample Cole and James Clements. Be- fore many of these, perhaps, was Phillip M. Stanford, Sarah Coe, the Trickles, Robert and William, Elias Kirby, Mijamin Byers, the latter of whom was a justice of the peace for this part of Vermilion. They all settled about the Big Grove in these two townshijis and soon began to enter the lands. These names I love to recall as being the names of those who laid the foundation of our present greatness. FIIIST LAND ENTRIES. The first entry in Urbana was made by Fielder, as above stated, in 1828, and tlie firiOn Somer was made by Sarah Coe, who, in 1829, entered the W^ SE^^ Sec. 27, now in William Roberts" farm. During the three years following, entries of lands now lying in both townships, were made by Mijamin Byers, Isaac Busey, John Whitaker, Will- iam Tompkins, Philip Stanford, Charles Busey, Martin Rhiiieheart, Walter Rhodes, John Light, John Brownfield, Robert Trickle and others. DISEASES. Like all new countries, blessed with a soil hohiing the elements of wealth, this country, when first settled, and until by cul- tivation and artificial drainage facilities were afforded for the surface water to pass rapidly away, was the liome and nursery of malarious diseases. They appeared in the form of ague, chill fever, tlux, and other 113 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. bowel complaints aiul were a great hin- drance to tlie rapid settlement of tlie conn- try. Tliese diseases were universal and tiie latter part of every summer and every fall people looked for a visitation from these diseases as much as they looked for tin* ripeiung of their crops. It was understootl that unless the work of the season was com- pleted before the sickly season came on, it had to go over, for during that period all would be sick, or if some were spared, their time wfinld be monopolized in the care of their sick. Many times there were not well persons enough in a family or neighborhood to care for the sick. Physicians were few oV entirely wanting. Dr. Fithian, the veter- an physician of Danville, was often called to til is county, while Dr. Stevens of Homer, and Dr. Somers of Urbana, who were early on the ground, had a wide range of practice in these diseases. The effect of these annu- al recurrences of miasmatic diseases upon the individual was to weaken and sap the constitution of the strongest. The death roll of the first thirty yeai's of our history, if it could be called, would startle iis even at this distance of time. Strong men and women gradually weakened and finally fell before the unseen foe, while little children, ague ridden from their birth, endured a dwarfish growth for a few years, and went shaking to their graves. While this is true of many, we yet have monuments of the olden time in many whitened heads all around us, which have reached or long since passed the allotted three score years and ten, and still linger as good specimens of well preserved manhood and womanhood, eiinal in healthful appearance to any found in our more favored localities— men and women who have here spent their thirty, forty, fifty, or even near sixty years. We may now congratulate ourselves that, drain- age accomplished, we can compare with any country for healthfiilness. EAKI.Y DEATHS. So far as I can ascertain the first death among the white inhabitants of the county, was Isham Cook. In 1830 he entered land in section 5, north of l^rbana. In the fall of that year he died and was buried there. The farm is known as the Dean farm. In 1S31, a woman named Pugh, a member of a family traveling through, died at llhine- lieart's, and was the first death in Somer townshi)). The wife of Isaac Busey ractiee as the first lawyer of the county. KELIGIOUS. One Mahurin, a Baptist, was the first minister to proclaim the gospel liere. He became chaplain of a regiment in the Black Hawk war and never returned. John Dun- ham, of the United Brethren churcli, early became noted as a religious leader all through this part. Alexander Holbrook, who lived where Capt Howell now lives, was a Methodist exhorter and often made the wfjods ring with his wild eloquence. William Phillips, known to the settlers as "Bub Phillips," and Rev. J. Holmes, who was a transient mill wright, were local preachers of the same persuasion and materially aided the moral work. Father John G. Robertson, who in 1830 entered land in Sec. 10, Urbana, and who, as a Bai)tist layman, was ever a zealous christian worker, is said to have held the first religious meetings in the then village of Urbana. He died at Mahomet a few years ago. The first Methodist class and the germ of the present society in Ur- bana, was organized in 18:36, at tlie house of Walter Rhodes, the first leader. The Bap- tist church of Urbana was organized in 1841, at the Brumley school house, two miles east. The Roes, Brnmleys, Trumans, Cooks, Coxes and Nancy Webber were among the con- stituent members. The officiating clergyman was Rev. Newell. COUNTY SKAT. On P'ebruary 20th, 183.3, John Reynolds, governor of Illinois, signed the act of the legislature creating the county of Champaign from the lands attached to Vermilion. The act appointed JohnF. Richardson, of Clark county, James P. Jones, of Coles county, and Stephen B. Shelledy, of Edgar county, connnissioners to locate Urbana, which it was declared should be the county seat. These men met, as required by law, at the house of Phillip M. Stanford and found va- rious points contesting for the honor of be- ing the capital of the new county. Stanford wanted it at his house, north of the grove, where the principal part of the population of the settlement was then located, in which his neighbors all joined him. At that time the only post office in this part of the coun- ty, known as VanBuren, was kept on the adjoining farm of Mathias Rhineheart. Isaac Busey and William T. Webber, own- ers respectively of the wK nw^i and e}4 neji of section 17, in Urbana, and Col. M. W.Busi^y who owned contiguous lands,were makinti liberal offers of land for county pur- poses. Tlie Stanford location was on the Ft. Clark road and was surrounded by a con- siderable population, while the latter site was covered by hazel brush and decidedly in the backwoods. It was thought that the commissioners had decided in favor of Stan- ford's, when Isaac Busey prevailed upon them to go home with him to stay all night before driving the stake that was to settle the controversy. They went, and before another sun rose, tradition informs us, the stake was driven in a patch of hazel brush where the court house now stands. The driving of that stake, although an unimport- ant circumstance at that time, has proved an eventful one upon many things happen- ing since. Tliere are those who indulged in dark hints at the time of undue influences, the echo of which may be heard yet, but no doubt the commissioners acted from honest motives. Had Stanford's been accepted Somer would have been the site of the coun- ty seat instead of Urbana. The circum- stances soon began to work necessary changes. Population began to gather on the south side of the grove; stores, limited however to a few articles only, were open- ed in Urbana. Courts were held here and roads were opened leading to other parts of the county. The postoffice had its name changed from Van Buren to Urbana, and T. R. Webber, in addition to the offiice of clerk of the circuit court, and perhaps other offices, became postmaster. The location of the county so far from the Wabash and Illinois rivers and from Lake Michigan, the only public means of trans- portation, from necessity made its growth in population slow. It is probable that in 1S33, wiien this county came into existence, its population did not exr-eed 800. In 1H3.5, 115 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. it was only 1250 and in 1850 only 2,649. MY OWN OBSEKVATION. In 1853, twenty years after this became a county, I first saw these beautiful land- scapes, then almost in a state of nature, and determined to make this my future home. Except in the limited increase in population, the county had made but little advancement in twenty years. From two postoffices, Van Buren aud Luddiugton, .afterwards changed to Homer, the number had increased to Ave only. None of the streams were bridged except the S.alt Fork at Homer. The roads were little better than traces across the pi-airie aud through timber belts, with bat little improvement in the lanes in the way of grading and culverts. The settlements were confined to the groves and timber belts almost exclusively. I only remember a few farms opened a mile from the timber. The road from Urbana to Mahomet— from timber to timber— had perhaps not to exceed six farms opened upon it. Few could be found who were daring enough to assert that these prairies would ever be settled. Lands could be had at from a few cents per acre for gov- ernment lands under the graduation law, to ^10 per acre, for choice improved locations. There were, perhaps, five or six cheap church buildings, one of which was in Ur- bana, and not to exceed a dozen school hous- es of all kinds. No railroad or other public means of conveyance touched the county, altiiough the Illinois Central, the pioneer railroad, was located and partly graded. Transportation to the county was conducted entirely by private conveyance, and mostly from the Wabash towns, to which merclian- aise was brought from the eastern cities by canal and by river steamers. The county had advanced to its third court liouse, a fair looking two story brick structure. The public business was mostly transacted by T. R. Webber, Esq., then and for many years clerk of both courts aud master in cliancery. His office held all tlie records of the county, which were well and neatly kept. Tlie population of these two towns, not then as now divided into two towns, for not until long thereafter was township or- ganization adopted, was confined exclusive- ly to a little belt immediately about tlie Big Grove, there being no settler in the neigh- borhood more than a mile from the timber. Of tliose known as old settlers who have since removed or died, I knew and can name many: James and Asa Gere, Archa Gamp- bell, Edward Ater, M. P. Snelling, Robert Logan, T. R. Webber, James Porter, J. W. Jaquith, Penrose Stidham, Jacob Smith, Mathew Busey, Bartlett Elrodd, J oshua Tay- lor, John Shepherd, D. O. Brumiey,T. L. Tru- man, James T. Roe, John Gilliland, John, Robert,Benjamin,Joseph,Samuel and Joseph F. Brownfield, Jacob Heater, James and Waitmau T. Somers, Lewis Adkins, Mathias and Martin Rhineheart, James C. Young, William Adams, James Dean, John Cant- ner, Dr. Winston Somers, A. G. Carle, J. D. Wilson, Stephen Boyd, Elisha Harkness, Wilson Lewis, Asahel Bruer, C. M. Van- derveer, William and Z. E. Gill, JohnCrabb, James Myers, James Clements, John Sliep- herd, John Campbell and Benjamin Chil- ders. There were few houses in the settlement of a character much above the pioneer cabin or block house and few permanent barns. The people were mostly from Indiana and the southern states, with a few from New York and the eastern states. From habit and taste hospitable, the stranger who came among them was kindly received and hos- pitably entertained. What they wanted most was emigrants to till up their mag- nificent country, and so the stranger was warmly welcomed. The principal business of tlie farmers was the raising and fatten- ing of cattle and hogs for the market. Very little grain was raised for sale, other than to cattle feeders, owing to the want of transportation. Such was this county when in 1853 my eyes were gladened by what seemed to my enthusiastic gaze the most enchanting prospect under the sun. The next year, 18.54, the trains of the Illi. nois Central railroad awoke the echoes on our prairies and in our groves and proved, in fact, the turning point in the history of this county. Population flowed in and capi- t al sought investment. Lands were greedi- ly sought out and the echoless pi'airies be- came the home of civilization. Tlie pio- neers became restless under tiie pressure and many of those above named sought broader fields in the far west. School houses, churches and railroads multiplied, our villages became cities and populous vil- lages sprang up all over the county. The State University came and sat down in our midst, bringing with it culture, taste and refinement in the liberal arts, and the ham- let, which I iound in 1853, with but one lit- tle wooden church and no house fit to be called a school-house, has become a great seat of learning where our sons and our daughters may, if they choose, drink deeply from wisdom's fount. The population of less than 3000 has become 50,000 and the county holds a position in the political and educational affairs of the state second to few. All this and much more has been brought about in this one county under the liberaliz- PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COVNTY. 116 ing intluences of our free iustitiitions, in a third of a century. Loooking to the near future to be partici- pated in by many of us we wonderingly ask, "What next." Withdrawing our gaze from what we may yet see and participate in, and looking to the far away future of our county and city, when we and tliose with us shall have been gathered to our fathers, we also naturally ask : Who'll press for gold this crowded street, A huudred years to come? Who'll tread yon church with willing feet A hundred years to come? Pale, trembling age and fiery youth. And childhood with its brow of truth. The rich and poor, on land or sea, Where will the mighty million be, A hundred years to come? We all within our graves shall sleep A hundred years to come; No living soul for us shall weep, A hundred years to come. But other men our land will till And others then our streets will fill. And other words will sing as gay. And bright the sunshine as to-day, A hundred years to come. CoNDiT, Brown, Newcomb and East Bend Townships. Read at Old Settlers' Reunion, July 29, 1886. BY F. B. SALE. CONDIT. This township was formerly the east half of Newcomb and was organized into a town- ship in 1867. The first settler was Ethan Newcomb, who settled in the county in 1828 at what is known as Newcomb's Ford on the road or trail from Big Grove to Cheney's Grove and Bloomington. The following are among the old settlers : Fielding Loyd, who settled in 1834; John Phillippe, in 1837; Steven Pusey, in 1839; Lewis Adkins, son of one of the oldest settlers of Big Grove and son-in-law of John Phillippe, in 1840; C. F. Columbia, in 1844; William and Dave Hawk, John and Abe Fisher and Wm. Morain, in 1847; the Cramers in 18.52; the Gulicks in 1850; B. Ham in 18.53; Alfred, Zack, Richard, Dock, John, Harrison W.and Deskin Gulick, with a widowed mother, all came from Vir- ginia in the year mentioned; Hale A. John- son, the Putnams, F. B. Sale, Wm. Lenning- ton, Newark Lax and many others, came to the township in 18.56. Sale had been in the county since October, 18,53. The first school teachers were Columbus Taylor, Miss Betsy Banes, Miss Discy A. Newell, David Cheney, Nancy Butler and F. B. Sale. The first preaching place was at Phill- ippe's. The Methodist elder John Britten- ham ; first preachers, Levi Pitner, A. Brad- shaw, J. C. Long and Mr. Arnold. The first postoffice was established in 18,57, F. B. Sale postmaster; it was called New- comb and retained that name until the com- pletion of the narrow gauge railroad in 1876, when the name was changed to Fisher and the office removed to that place. The first supervisor was A. B. Condit, in honor of whom the township was named. The township now has eight school houses, three churches, has neither railroad, village, saloon, blacksmith shop nor manufactory of any kind, does not owe a cent, and has no dead beats. It is strictly an agricultural township. BROWN. Organized from East Bend in 1869. First settler one Wm. B. King, in 18;M, who was the only one for years in what is now Brown township. The first entry of land was in 1845 in Sec. 4. Wm. Brown was an early settler on Sec. 3. The town takes its name from him. Thomas Stevens, a wealthy cat- tle dealer, settled in the north part in 185,5, (now in Gibson), Ithaman Maroney in the extreme northwest corner about same time. He enlisted in tlie army in 1862 and did not return to this county. Wm. H. Groves, the oldest living settler, came in 1854, and still lives on section 34. Among the earliest set- tlers we mention Carl Dobson, C. C. Harris, now of Champaign. Wm. Peabody, now in Oregon, David Cooter, John Strauss, Ly- man Smith, Adams, Steven Brown and others. The Chicago branch of the Wabash R. R. cuts tlirough the northwest corner of the town and a flourishing village called Foos is the station. The H., R. & E. also runs through the south and on it Fisher is situated. NEWCOMB. Newcomb, formerly couiposed of range 7 and 8, in town 21, divided in 1867. Sanga- mon river runs through east side. First set- tler is said to have been one Mitchell in 18.35 at Pancake's Point. He was a Kentuckian and did not remain long. Wm. Pancake and Jesse W. Pancake came in 18.37; Joseph T. Everett, 1841 ; Major Sam'l Houston, 1849 ; J. S. Hannah and J. J. Hannah, 18.57; Wm. Lane, Goo. Kimble, P. Hinton, Augustus Blacker, Sam'l Rhodes, Sam'l and Allen Hubbard, R. Lester, Banes Broderick, 18,53; Rector and Merrill E. Hollo way, J. H. Funston and Hiram Trotter, 1856. First school teacher. Miss Martha Newell, at Jesse Pancake's old house in 1851. First birth, Joseph Pancake, son of Wm. P. and wife. First preaching at J. S. Hannah's, Methodist Episcopal, by Rev. Parker. First postoffice, Shiloh Centre, ni 1874. Shiloh church built in 1865; U. B. church, section 3, built in 1874. 117 PIOXREES OF CHAJfPAIOy COUXTT. EAST BEND Derives its name from the bend in the San- gamon river, which extends further east in this township than at any other point It and Brown township once had the name of Sodom, which was the name of the first post- office. Thompson Dickson, t. M. First Settlers : Franklin Dobson and Lot King in ISST : Nicholas Devore in 1S41, his sons. A. J. Devore and John Devore. still live in san^; Harvey Taylor. 1S45: Gardner Sweet, 1S4S: J. L. Cosner (still there). Thompson Dickson and Harmon Hilberry. 1S52: Ben Dolph and Richard Chism. 1S.54; Xoble Byers, John Stansberry and Isaiah Ferris, 1S56: Alfred Houston, Joshua Peck- ham. Phillip Hummel. Charles Knapp and John Hamit. 1S58. The H., R & E. R. R. runs through the south part. The principal station is Dewey, about 100 inhabitants, mostly German. In the town are three stores, besides dne large implement warehouse, one blacksmith shop, one church, German Lutheran, school house. mill, and an extensive business is done in grain and produce. The principal operators are E. C Sale. John Heineman and J. H. Linebarger. St. Joseph, Stanton and Ogden Townships. Read at Old Settlers' JEieunion, July 29, ISSTi. BY C. H. GALLION. ST. JOSEPH. Geographically, St Joseph township lies in the second tier of townships from the east coimty line, and is bounded ou the north by Stanton, ou the east by Ogden and Homer, on the south by Sidney, and on the west by Urbana. The original sursey was made in 1821 by Jacob Judy, then deputy surveyor-general, and it was made a politi- cal township when the county adopted township organization. The Aboriginal history of St Joseph township is identical with that of the whole county. However, when the Red men roamed this country in search of a suitable burying ground for their dead braves, they chose the site where the present village of St Joseph stands. This fact is still evi- denced by .several mounds which are yet visible, and from some of which have been exhumed the bones of human beings. But when the Indian jielded the territory, and it was opened to settlement for the white man, such names as tlie Stajtons. the bwearingens, the Peters" and the Bartleys. came into prominence. The first settler in the town.ship was Nicholas Yount. who came in 1S2S, and built a log cabin on the farm where J no. M. Peters now lives. Two years later. Joseph Stayton. father of David B. Stayton, moved from Kentucky, and was the first permanent settler in the township. In the spring of 1S31 Yount sold his improve- ment to W. il. Peters, also from Kentucky, who for many years acted as justice of the peace, and whose descendants consist of the numerous families by that name who still reside in the township. The next fall. Jno. W. Swearingen, also from Kentucky settled near Hickory Grove. In the spring of 1S32 came the Bartleys, and soon afterward Caleb Shreve and Jno. H. Strong's father. Orange Strong, settled on the banks of the Salt Fork. The first person ever buried In St. Joseph township was the mother of Nicholas Yount. and the first child ever bom in the township was a child of Joseph Staytou"s. which died in infancy. The first school was taught in 1S33 by Jno Ford, and the school house was the kitchen of Squire Peters* residence. The first village in the township was the Old Town of St. Joseph, situated on the State Road at the Salt Fork crossing. At the height of its glor\-, this village could boast only of three stores, a post office, a tavern, a blacksmith shop and several dwellings. The naming of St Joseph is described by the following circumstance. It is related that at one time, when Joseph Kelley kept the tavern stand, a stranger came along and stopped with Mr. Kelley, and the two became quite agreeable friends and for several days had a jovial time to- gether. When the stranger departed. Kelley. out of consideration for the good time they had had in company, refused to charge him anything, whereupon the mysterious strang- er told the landlord, that he would "do something for him"' for his kindness. Soon afterward, the stranger, whom it seems was some politician of more than ordinary in- fluence, and in some way connected with the administration, at Washington, secured the establishment of a post office, the need of which he had i>erhaps learned during his stay at Kelley's. Kelley was appointed post master, and in his honor it was called St. Joseph, from Kelley's first name. The present thriving village of St. Joseph dates its existence from the building of the Indiana, Bloomington and Western railway in 1^*66. The earliest settler on the site of the town was Catharine Hoss. who entered 40 acres of land in 1839. The first, busines.s house was opened in 1870. in the west part of town by Wm. O. Shreve and Van B. Swearingen. These gentlemen have since been activelv identified with the busine.ss PIUXEEBS OF CHuLMPAIGN COUNTY. 118 interests of the place, and have contributed not a little to its prosperity. Shortly after. A. K. Ralph moved np a store building from the old town, and open- ed the tirst business house in the east part of the \lllaffe. In the early part of 1S80. the village was incorporated under the laws of the state, and at present comprises some twenty-live business firms, two public halls, two hand- some churches and a large and well con- ducted graded school. On the construction of the L, B. and W. Ry.. a station called ^layview was establish- ed in St. Joseph township about 4 miles west of the \-illage. and now consists of a store, post office, blacksmith shop, grain elevator and a handsome Methodist church. St. Joseph township has held its place among the foremost townships, and in an early day. had much to do in the civU government of the county. The law es- tablishing this county provided for the election of three commissioners, to be the highest in authority in the county. Jacob Bartley. of St Joseph, was a member of the first board. Six of the members of the first grand jury, and three of the first petit jury were from Sl Joseph. The first poor farm in the county was in St. Joseph township, the one now owned by Abe Hoy. The first bridge in the county spanned the Salt Fork where it is crossed by the State road in St. Joseph, and the first regular preacher in the county made St. Joseph one of his appointments. The first organized drainage district in the state under the new law. was in St. Joseph, and -.'.nder the head of public improvements, SL Joseph to^^-nship donated 825.000 for the constiuction of the L. B. and W. Ry. The first supenisor was S. S. Rankin, and the subsequent representatives in the county board have been Mahlon Glascock. V. B. Swearingen. H. W. Dmlltnger. G. W. Doyle, Jno. L. Smith. David B. Staylon, Abe Thompson, W. O. Shreve and the present incumbent. V. .J. Gallion. STANTON. Stanton township at one time formed a part of St. Joseph, but was cut off in 1S69 and in 187S it was reduced to its present limits by the incorporation of part of it into Ogden township. The first settler of whom we can learn was John Trimble, who enter- eil SO acres of land on the east side of the Spoon river, near the Vanfleet farm. But chief among the early settles was Levi Crayne. who settled on Salt Fork when the whole township was a vast prairie. He came from Ohio and lived longer in Stanton than anv other man. Frederick O. Franken- berg was the first man to settle in the west part of the township. The Whitzell broth- ers came soon after and Jonathan Hunt, who made a settlement there in IS-SS was one of the first justices of the peace. The Hayworths moved on the farm they now occupy in l^^il and are well known and re- spected citizens. E. W. Swisher has long held the oflSce of justice of the peace in the township, and Erastns J. Clark figured largely in political circles. Atthough Stan- ton township contains no village, the resi- dents find excellent marketing facilities at St. Joseph, and to the industrious farmers of Stanton is the wonderful growth of that village largely due. This township is somewhat noted as con- taining the largest settlement of Friends or Quakers in the county. The first supervisor of Stanton was L. C. Melette. who was followed by Isaac Weaver. J. D. WhitzeU. E. T Johnson. L. H. White. E. M. RusseL Isaac L. Lefever, Jesse Mel- lette and David Maddocfc. the present su- pervisor. OGDEN. Ogden township is situated in the ex- treme eastern part of the county, and is soaiewhat irregular in shape, being 10-^ miles long from north to soutii. and 3-i mUes wide from east to west The first sur- vey was made in 1821 by James Thompson, deputy surveyor, and the organization of the township was effected in ISTS. The first settlement was made iu Hickory Grove by Hiram Rankin, who soon after moved to St. Joseph. The next settlement was made in Burr Oak Grove. Ln the northern part of the township. Garrett Moore, who was among the earliest men to make improvements in Ogden township was the first constable in Champaign county. The Richards, Free- mans and the FLrebaughs are all familiar names among the old settlers. The first supervisor was E N. Miles. Eleazer Free- man is at present supervisor. Rantoul Township. Rr:ad at Oid Srtffe-r«" Rcunum, Juiv 29, 18SB. BY -JOHX KOrGHTOX. The country now known as Rantool was formerly known as Mink Grove, from the grove bearing that name near the present town of Rantoul, which was a general rendezvous for the Indians. The first white settler was Archa Campbell, who built a house in the township in the fall of 1S4S. The house was fourteen feet square, one story, and built ot split lo«rs, it was roofed with rough boards twelve or fourteen feet long- 119 PIONEKUa OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. Mr. Cainpbell's nearest neighbors were Franklin Dobson, on the Sangamon river, nine miles west, and Lewis Adkins, at nortli end of Big Grove, eight miles south. Mr. Campbell farmed until 18.58, when he sold out to Guy B. Chandler. It was througii the influence of Mr. Campbell that the Illinois Central railroad located the present station where it now is. In 1852 Lewis L. Hicks entered a section of land two miles north-east and was fol- lowed by his brother-in-law and sister, Gil- bert Martin and wife in 18.53. In 18.55 John W. Dodge came here from Twinsburg, Ohio, for the purpose of pre-empting land for the Ohio colony. He remained until November and by that time had caused to be erected no less than eigliteen cheap houses, on as many quarter sections, within a radius of six miles of the grove. He caused to be bought for himself and his friends 3,295 acres of land, costing, including commis- sions S3.09 per acre. John Penfield, one of the prominent men of the township remov- ed here in 18.56. In 18.55 John Roughton started a blacksmith shop near the resi- dence of A. Darnell. J. W. Dodge per- manently located here May 9, 1856, soon after his brother-in-law, James T. Herrick, arrived, followed by James Smithers, John B. Perry, .Columbus Games, Frank Fads, Anderson Brown and Benjamin Bradley. J. J. Boiswas appointed agent of the I., C. It. R. May 1, 1857 and holds that position at present. He was also agent for the Ameri- can express company until January 21, lb66, when he was succeeded by E. J. Udell, the incumbent, who discharges the duties of that office to the entire satisfaction of everyone. Mr. Udell has also been tel- egraph operator since September 1, 1864. G. W. Carter settled in 1856, Abraham Cross in same year, John A. Benedict arrived November 1, 1856, he has since died, his biography and portrait appears on another page of this book, Wm. O. Bissell came in 18.55. Tlie town plat of Rantoul was platted in the summer of 18.56, by John and Guy D. Penheld, who have done much to build up the town since. Among the new comers to the town were Muns West, C. F. Post, T. E. Frederick, Dr. I). M. Mar- shall, Wm. R. Jolinson, Zimri Reynolds, Dr. J. Sweatt, Isaiah Estej) and Mrs. N. L. Seaver. The town is well supplied with stores, which are supported by a rich country. The growth of the townsiiip has been wonder- ful and it is not surpassed in improvements and energy of its citizens by any township in tiie county. Ludlow, Harwood and Kerr Townships. Read at Old Settlers' Reunion, July 29, 1886. BY .J. M. HARXIT. The Illinois Central R. R. was completed to Pera, now Ludlow, in 18,5:3, and a turn table put in there, which was moved to Cham- paign in 18.54. The first agent was John Lucas. He died in Ludlow in 18T0. The first school w^as taught by Miss Mary Wood, in the R. R. freight house, in 1858. The first settler, not considering the em- ployers of the I., C. R. R. were Dr. EmuKms, Jas. Barklow, B. F, Dye, Isaiah Estep, L. L. Hicks, R. W. Claj'pool, A. Hunt andSeth I'arsons. John W. Dodge, now of Rantoul, and others, known as the Ohio settlement, settled in the years 1855, 6 and 7; about the same time Uncle Sam'l Lewis, and his son Wm. and family, G. C. and W. H. Walker, with their father, now dead. Z. Genung, John Roughton, Sam'l Livingston and James and Patrick Malloy, a number of whom are still residents of the township have witness- ed the growth of the county from raw prairie laud to a tine farming country. Squire Roughton's farm being now regarded as ihe best improved in the township. There was but little improvement from '.58 to '65, after which the township settled rapidly and is now very largely under cultivation. John Springsteen was the first blacksmith, John P. and Samuel Middleeoff the first merchants. Uncle John, as he is called, still resides here, John P. Middlecoft' resides in Paxton and his brother Samuel died in the service of his country— in the war of the re- bellion. I believe M. Huffman was the first post master. The town, to-day, has two general stores, three grain buyers, one hardware, two grocery and provision stores, one boot and shoe store, two blacksmith shops, a graded school and two churches— the M. E. and Christian, and it is said tliere are but two stations on the line of the lUin. ois Central from which tliat company transports more grain than they do from Ludlow. HARWOOD. Jeremiah Delay was the first settler locat- ing on section 30, in 18,52; Jacob Hufi'man settled on section 1 the same year, and Michael Hulfman tlu> ne ct year on section 3. He was the first Justice of the P3ace in Pera township. Mr. Bullock settled on sec- tion 33 shortly after, but in what year I am not informed; James Custer settled on sec- tion 1 in 18.54; A. N. and Wm. Leneve set- tled on section 12 in is,5.5, and J. 1). Ludlow PIONEERS OF < IIAMPAIGN COUNTY. 120 on section?; John and VVilUam Crawford, O. P. and Holsomber Soper, settled in the township, shortly after; Dr. J. C. Maxwell, James Marlatt, R. W. and A. Claypool, made improvements in ISofi. The first school taui^ht in the township was taught in a log building, on section 11, where John S. Weber's farm residence now stands, (and had previously served as a pre-emption shanty for several different parties) in tiie year 18(50, by Augustus S. Crawford, from this until the close of the war, the settle- ment was slow, but in 1S05 the township be. gan to settle rapidly, until to-day, there is not a quarter section of unfilled land in the town. The townsliip is divided into school districts two miles square. KEKK. Wm. McMillen was the first settler— he settled at Sugar Grove in 1831 ; John Mann- ing settled tliere shortly afterwards, and died soon after; Samuel Kerr settled near Sugar Grove in 18:34; Allen Skinner settled where Lewis Kuder now lives, in 1835, and entered lantl there ; D. S. Holber located on section 21, perhaps in 1836, and John Walker in 1838. The log house built by him is still standing and owned now by Wm. Tomliu- son. Solomon Wilson came shortly after- wards, and the same year Samuel Sanford and Robert Brian came, likewise Thomas Short and Wm. Carter. L. Kuder, the oldest settler now living in the township, located there in the fall of ViSS. His brothers, Solo- mon, Christopher, John and Elias, were early settlers in this township, also Josephus, James and Perry Martin and Levi Wood, and all were largely engaged in growing and feeding stock. Lindsey Corbley was an early settler here, and became wealthy deal- ing in stock, and making good use of the rich pasture lands owned by him in this township. Solomon Mercer, Lafayette Pat- ton, William Snyder and A. C. Hilard, were likewise early settlers in this township. The first school was taught by Levi Asher, in 1838, in a log school house on section 21. Champaign and Hensley. Read at Old Settlers' Reunion, JulyZ% ISSfS. BY II. J. DUNLAP. Although the history relating to the set- tlement of both the towns of Champaign aiul Hensley has been assigned to me, 1 be- lieve that Champaign was fully discussed last year, while Hensley, so far as I am able to learn, has never had any well organized at tempt made to set forth in unperishable his- tory the names of her first settlers. The first settlers of any connnunity are not always the most permanent, although, in the ca.se of this township, many who canu; at an early date yet remain. 1 am indebted to Lothrop's history for some of my facts; to Salem Hensley and Joshua Dickerson, for others. When I first saw the township in April or May, 1^5fl, there were but few hou.ses except in the northwest corner, now it is one of the most prosjjerous towns in the county and better farmers, farm buildings and farm sur- roundings, it would be hard to find. I be- lieve that a man named Robert Childreth was the first man to locate and he settled in the northwest portion of the town but did not remain long; he came about the year 1834. After him came Isaac and Jacob Ham- mer in 183(5. They located near Childreth and built a log house. These men were fol- lowed shortly afterward by John Philips, and Fomitain Busey and, in 1837, by Heze- kiah Phillippe who moved from Condit. Mr. Phillippe died several years ago but the homestead is now occupied by his son, An- drew J. Phillippe. 1 find among those who came soon before 18.55 the names of Andrew and Joshua Dickerson, James M. Graham, now in Kansas, William Fisher, Richard Waugh, who now lives in Mahomet town- ship, a man named Warerman who built a house on the Bloomiugton road near where a new house was recently built by A. C. Burnham, Charles Miner and Samuel Hyde, both good farmers and who have gone to their reward, David Wolfe who still lives, Nat. C. Beasley, who died several years ago, Samuel and James Shaw, both dead. Thom- as Herriott who removed later to Kansas, H. C. West still a resident, and John S. Beasley also deceased. Among those who came in 18.55 were A. P. Hensley and his sons, two of whom, Salem and P. S., still remain in the town. The first house was of logs and I ijresume that the first frame house was one built in 18.53 or '54, on the Simpson fann as it was known, for Willis King. Joshua Dickerson built a frame house for Mr. Ross on the David King place in '55, and says that there were only three houses visible from the ridge. The first school was held in a log house built by the Hammers in the northwest part of the town and the first school house was built in the Waugh neigh- borhood later. I am unable to tell nnich about the early settlers of the town although I was personally acquainted with many of them; but I never had the least idea that 1 should be called upon to tell of their virtues, for I am sure they had but few if any faults, but had 1 known of it 1 might have asked many questions that would have brought out interesting answers. 121 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. The Preemptors' Fight. AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOTI-Y CONTESTED BATTLE BY THE PKEKMPTOUS OF CEN- THAL ILLINOIS IN DEFENSE OF THEII£ LAND. BY JOHN KOiroHTON. The grant of lands made by congress to the Illinois Central R. K. Co., designed to aid in the construction of their road, includ- ed every alt(;rnate or even numbered section on either side of the entire length. All lands still in iKtssession of the government and lying witiiin lifteen miles of the road were reserved to the United States (taken out of market) so that the company uught select otiier lands in lieu of even numbered sec- tions on its immediate line which had jne- viously been taken up for settlement. In 185.5 the railroad company having made their selections those still remaining were again brought into market by the proclama- tion of the president, Franklin Tierce. Pre- vious to the time appointed for public sale a large majority of said lands were entered under the then existing Preemption Act. At said sale, which soon followed, all the lands in the then Danville district, those which were as well as those which were not preempted were sold, provided that should the preemptor make satisfactory proof to the government the purchaser would re- ceive back his money without interest. The speculators, who in those days were dubbed "Land sharks," taxed their ingenuity in de- vising methods by which to entice, or if need be, to drive away the poor man from his home and fireside. With some who cared not to become actual tillers of the soil tliey easily effected a compromise. Others affrighted by threats of litigation accepted a small bonus and left their lands. Those re- maining in Champaign county, occupying as they then did nearly four thousand acres being mon^ resolute could not be intimidated. Then came the tug of war and in dead earn- est did Greek meet Greek, each determined to fight it out to the bitter end. Were those lands subject to preemption was the only issue. The speculator set up the i)lea that "tiiey were reserved to the United States," and therefore exempt by the act under which the preemjitions were made. On the other hand it was claimed that while it was true that these lands had been "reserved" for tiu' iiurjjoses above .set forth, it was e(|ually true that the president by iiis proc- lamation put an end to the reservation and by his declaration that they were now sub- ject to private entry he announced tiie fact that they wer« also subject to preemption. Litigation coumienced. The siiprcnu' court of the state was appealed to for its decision. In that court the speculator obtained a vic- tory. It was, however, cuiTently believed that the victory was obtained by collusion with the preemptor who was defendant in the case. A number of suits in ejection fol- lowed in the inferior courts and as a matter of course the same decision rendered. The preemptors of the county met together in council, at Champaign, organized a preemp- tors" protective association, apix)inted a con- vention to be held at Onarga and elected delegates to the same. Notices were scat- tered abroad and every one interested was invited to be present and participate in its proceedings. John Koughton and N. L. Seaver, of Eautoul and Luther Eads, of Champaign, attended the convention from Champaign county as delegates. Quite a number also attended from counties on the main line of the I. C. R. R. The convention passed a series of resolutions expressive of its indignation against its oppressors, levied a tax of 30 cents per acre upon every pre- emptor with a view of raising a defense fund and appointed John Roughton to wait upon them and take their notes for that amount payable in one year afterdate to the order of N. L. Seaver, who had been elected treasurer of the association. It also ap- pointed an executive connuittee and in- stracted that committee to select a suitable case for appeal to the supreme court of the United States and to employ a competent attorney to prosecute the same. It also listened to an address delivered by an at- torney from Danville, who came there for the purpose of submitting to the convention a proposition to carry u]i to the supreme court any case that might be selected for that purpose. He asked that a connuittee be appointed to confer with him. John Koughton, N. L. Seaver and a gentleman from Woodford county were appointed as that committee. They retired to a private room, received his proposition and reported to the convention. It was as follows: For For taking up a case from the circuit court and carrying it on to its completion, if suc- cessful, eight thousand dollars; if unsuc- cessful, five thousand. The jiroposition was rejected by nearly a unanimous vote and the executive connuittee urged to prosecute its missi(m as si)ee(lily as possible. A few weeks afterward Mr. A. B. Ives, an attor- ney who resided at Bloomington and who had been employed in dt'fending some of the cases which had been trietl reported to N. L. Seaver and Joiui Koughton, one of them at the same time expressing it as his oi)inion that it was the best that could be found. He also expre.s.se(l a desire to meet PRiNKKllS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY 122 the committee witli a view of being employ- ed by tliem as their attorney. Luther T. Eads, who had been apix)inted chairman of the committee was therefore urged to call its members together. He, however, having become somewhat disappointed in conse- quence of tiie rejection of Mr. Drake's prop- osition at the convention refused to do so. Mr. Ives being advised as to the condition of affairs came to Kantoul where he entered into an agreement with Messrs. Houghton and Seaver to carry up the case he recom- mended and continue tlie same until a decis- ion was obtained. In consideration for which, Mr. Koughton was to collect the tax levied by the convention and turn the notes over to him at their face value. Afterward the gen- tleman in Woodford county agreed to do the same. Mr. Ives went to Washington and Mr. Koughton visited every preemptor in Champaign county, from whom he collected jiotv^s amounting to between seven and eight hundred dollars and turned them over to him. The lirst and second winter sessions of the supreme court dragged along their weary length and no decision was obtained. "Uncertainty! Fell demon of our I'ears! the human soul. That can support despair, supports not thee." When the third came the yearnings of ev- ery heart were those expressed by Frowde in his "Fall of Saguiitum:" "But be not Ions', for in the tedious minutes, Exquisite interval, I'm on the rack; For sure the greatest evil man can know. Hears no proportion to the di-ead suspense." However, before the expiration of this term victory perched upon the preemptor's banner— for in the month of September of the year 1860, Mr. Ives communicated the intelligence from Washington City, that the supreme court of the United States had giv- en their decisi(m reversing the decision of the supreme court of the state of Illinois. How many of the old preemptors of 185.5 now remain on their lands it would be diffi- cult to determine. Suffice it, however, to say by way of conclusion, that this writer, aided by his only son, Reuben Koughton, has succeeded in rearing upon his a pleasant home where he now lives and where during the remainder of his earth life he expects to "So live, that, when his summons c.raes to join The innumerable caravan, that moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death. And no not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scour-red tfi his dungeon; but sustamcd and sootird Ily an unfaltering trust, approach his grave. Like one that draws the drajicry of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.'' EARLY SUNDAY SCHOOLS, A. O. HOWELL. My>self and family removed to this township in Octol)er, 18.58, and purchased the farm on which we now reside. I or- ganized a Union Sunday school in the old brick court house, April 'J, 1854. The officers were A. O. Howell, superintendent, and M. A. Barnes, secretary. Kev. W. W. Blanch- ard was pastor of the Congregational ciuirch at that time and had many doubts about the success of the enterprise. The lirst Sunday there were 30 members in attendance ; the second, .58; May tliird, 128. Tiie Meth- odists and Baptists were cordial, in good feeling and co-operated with the new school. Many of our members were prepar- ing to build and remove to "the depot," af- terwards called "West Urbana," now Cham- paign city. Sunday school, with its offi- cers, library, &c., was removed to an unlin- ished building of Deacon Moses Snelling, on University avenue, now the residence of Mr. James Wright. We had rough boards for seats and a goods box for a pul- pit. Here we re-opened and re-organized the hrst Sunday school ever held in Cham- paign, on the 4th day of March, 1855. We changed our name from "First Union Sun- day school of Urbana, 111.," to First Con- gregational Sunday school of Champaign. We built the tirst Congregational church on corner of University avenue and 6tli street, (sometimes called the "Duck Pond church) where our Sunday school numbered, on one Sabbath, 202. Thus I supposed for many years, that I had the honor of arranging and superintending the lirst Sunday school with a library and regular organization in this county for 4 years, but many years after I learned from B. F. Harris that he had anti- dated me two years. His Sunday school was held in a little church on his farm on the Sangamon. He carried his library to his Sunday school every Sabbath in a red haml- kerchief and back to his house at night. I carried my library to the court house in a candle box, in my then new rockaway buggy, and back at night. The four years' war kill- ed off and scattered our thoi'ough members, and since tlien, oh, how sadly changed is our once humble and thorough church and Sunday school. 1 wish to say here that this was not the beginning of all the good church and Sunilay sciiool work done in this county. It would be difficult to over esti- mate the noble work done by our venerable Father Bradshaw for many years previous to this, but in consequence of his iunnense- ly large circuit, the meetings and sessions 123 P{ONh:Kf{S or tH AMP AKIN I'OUNTV. of church and Sunday school work were necessarily quite semi-occasionally. KEV. A. BKADSIIAW. I find from the old niimites of Illinois Conference of M. E. church that in liSo9, in the month of September, 1 was apijointed to Urhana mission. In October 1 landed in Urbana with my family. I do not know what had been done about a Sabbath school prior to that time, but the spring following we organized a Sabbath school, in which Baptists and Presbyterians took a part, es- pecially Milton Vance, a dry goods jner- chant, but the Sabbath school was under the auspices of the M. E. church. It was in the spring of l"vW 1 made the purchase of a church lot from the county for S3, and the sunnner following we erected a church building :^)x40 feet, enclosing it, but did not finish it for some time. The Baptists had no church organization in Urbana, but I think they had in the Brumley neighbor- hood. But from the spring and summer of 1840 the M. E. church had a small Sabbath school organized in Urbana. I can not give particulars, nor can I say at what date the Baptist church organized a Sabbath school in Urbana or organized a church in Urbana, or built a church, &c. i know the little church house we put up iu 1840 was the first in the county. From 1840 to 18.50 the Sab- bath schools iu Urbana were no big thing. OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS. To the meetings of the old settlers, where they attempted to rescue from oblivion the incidents and recollections of the early tlays. we are largely indebted for the successful carrying out of the enterprise of publishing this book. A immber of the old settlers, feeling the need of an organization of the people who settled this county anil bore the brunt of frontier life, and desiring that the history of the county mighl be collected from the set- tlers themselves while they still lived, assembled at the court house in Urbana, May 10, 1870, and were called to order by Thomson K. Webber, who nominated Hen- ry Sadorus, of Sadorus, as iJiesidcnt, who was elected by acclamation. .1. S. Wright was tiien elected vice-president. The quali- fications necessary to be an old settler were as follows: '"Those who were twenty years of age in 1840 ami resided iu this county at that time."' The following persons then regi'^tcriMl as olii settlers: Henry Sadorus, William Sadorus, J. S. Wrigr.t, T. K. Webber, John (i. Robinson, Fielding .Scott, Stephen Boyd, John Max- licld, .\sah(d Brewer, .lain«'s Clements, Jos. Maxwell, Paris Shepherd, Wm. Kock, Rot>- ert Browntield, John Corray, James Myers, D. O. Brumley, T. L.Truman, James Kirby. Abraham Yeazel, H. W. Dnillinger, James Bartley. B. F. Argo, John K. Patterson, Hiram Rankin, David Swearingen, Samuel Mapes, Thomas Richards, Micheal Fire- baugh, J. J. Swearingen, F. J. Busey, Har- rison Heater, Joiin R. Brownfield, Thomas Swearingen, Wm. Romine, David Argo, B. F. Harris. Mrs. Elizabeth Busey, Mrs. Stephen Boyd. Mrs. Bryant, Mrs. Wm. Har- vey, Mrs. John Maxwell, Mrs. Sarah Robert- son, Mrs. Fielding Scott, Mrs. Wm. Rock. At this meeting T. R. Webber, James S. Wright and B. F. Harris were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution and by- laws for a permanent organization. T. R. Webber suggested that as Archa Campbell lacked a little of comine within tiie rule and in consequence of his long residence and thorough acquaintance, tliat tlie rule be suspended and that he and C. F. Columbia and J. T. Everett be admitted as members, which was done. This meeting adjourned to June 1.5, 1870, when it again met. Tlie committee report^ ed a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. The constitution provided for a president and vice-president, a secretary and treasurer; an election was held and resulted in the election of Henry Sadorus as presi- dent, James S. Wright, vice-president and T. R. Webber secretary and treasurer, to hold their office until October 1871. The meeting adjourned to October .5, 1870. The next meeting of which there is any record to be found was held August Ifi, 1882, at the fairground. J.O.Cunningham was select- ed as chairman and E. Eaton as secretary. They resolved to hold a general meeting of the old settlers at the fair ground August 29, 1882, being the first day of the county fair, and J. W. Langley, S. II. Busey and W. F. Ilarily were ajipointed a committee to prepare a program. The meeting was held August 29, and was largely attended. A new constitution and by-laws were adopt- ed, and J. O. Cunningham was elected presi- dent, E. Eaton s»!criUary and F. B. Sale treasurer. Robert Fisher, J. S. Wri;iht and S. H. Busey, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for next meeting. The next meeting was held in Crystal Lake Park, Urbana. June 2s, 1S8.S. This was the celebration of the semi-Cen- tennial of the county of Champaign, and this meeting was in every way a success. The old .settlers gatiiereil trom many coun- ties and gave the day to talking over the old times and in jogging the memory of each ollu'i' as to many laughal)le, as well PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIOK COUNTY. 124 as many serious incidents of half a century ago. J. O. Cunningham invited the old settlers wlio had been residents for lifty years and over to come forward, and J. F. Scoggni, the piiotographer, would take a ijhotograph of them. Those who came forward were Silas Johnson, Rev. A. Bradshaw, F. J. Busey, M. E. I}usey, David Swearineren, Eleazer Freeman, James Browntiehl, Edward Ater, Mrs. W. I. Moore, Mrs. L. B. Gunn, James W. Boyd. Nathan Ilaline. James Kirhy, J. C. Johnson, Harrison Heater, Mrs. Malinda Bryan and Mrs. Emily Scott. After which tlie meeting was called to order and lisU^n«»rk Trihunc. The cleanest, brig-hest and neatest newspa- per iniblished in Illinois. Its editor knows how to sciueeze an enf)rnious amount ol read- ing matter into a small space.— B/«7f I'limcr- ojj'x Ucmooui, JS'ew York City. It is conducted by one of the brijf htest news- ijajter writers in Illinois, and is as Kood a fam- ily newspaper as is printed anywhere.— /?idwm- opotis Herald. The Hek.-vlu is an excellent paper. The people of the county ought to support such a paper with enthusiasm.— D((?ri))»c News. It is a credit to tlie editors and the county it represents.— i'fUfoJi Recnrd. One of the very best county papers in Illi- nois.— Sc/?Mjyie/' Citizen. It is in the front rank of journalism.— Pi((«- hurfj Uhncrver. It is the model county paper of IlHnois.— TaiihirviUe RepuMlean. The best of our exchanges. Any county in the state would be prouci of the Hlhai.d.— Sullivan News. It shows {ri"eat editorial ability and enter- prise and is the model e()\intry newspaper of the state of Illinois.— iV7r)»i(ic(,'/;*t<;r ' Trihunc. \ Such a paper is only possible Ln a county I populated by a wide-awake, enterprisinp- peo- ple.— CVia/te.stoa Plainilealcr. One of the best weeklies in the state.— i Bloominuton Bulletin. j It is the leading- paper of central Illinois and ! is always brim full of news.— Tuscola. Repxdili- [ can. I As a family newspaper the Herai.d is un- I surpass(}d.— DoKi/Za.s Count)) Review. \ It Is a paper to be proud oi.—JacksonoiUe I Jimrnal. I An ornament to journalism.— JV/dttooii Jour- nal. I The most enterprising and ably conducted I journal in central Illinois.— (,7iri.s»ji(f»i^(/wniC(;. The most enterprising- newspaper in the : ?xa.tc.— been born to them the fol- lowing children, viz: Aubert who is married and is a farmer near Homer; Lucy, at home; Bruce, is a mail agent, running Irom 'J'oledo to St. Louis, is married and has a pleasant in Hom- er; Carle, is at home; Frank, is a dentist, living in SpringHeld. Massa- chussets, and lias a good i)ractice; Em- ma, mai-ried E. V. Babb. a wealthy young farmer, of Compromise town- ship: Fred, is at home. In politics, the Doctoi- was a Whig in older days PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY 133 and a republican ever since. He has always taken a prominent purt in matters pertaining to the public good and has for several terms represented Homer township on the Board of Sup- ervisors ot the county. Although Mr. Conkey is now seventy years of age he is hale and hearty and bids fair to live for many years and enjoy the beautiful home he has built on the former bleak prairie which is now blooming like the rose. He has only JMO acres of the finest land in the county left after dividing up with some of his children, yet he has suf- ficient to keep him in ease and com- fort should his life and that of his es- timable v/ife be spared for a quarter of a century. JuPGK Calvin C. Staley. Judge Stalev was born near Guan- dotte. West Virginia. July 14. 1850. He, with his family, came to Urbana in 1854. and in the »ipring his father l)Ought a larm on which the University now stands and liuilt the first house west of the mechanical building, where 1 hey resided until the sprinar of 1860, when ihey removed to their farm, now Staley stal ion. Here his father died in 180:3. Calvin worked upon the farm while receiving a common school edu- cation, working a part of the time for W. H. liomine for his b ard while at- tendinghigh school. Then took acourse at the University of Illinois and fol- lowinir tliat he attended the Michigan Universitv. taking the law course. from which he graduated in 1877 with the honors of his class. He was mar- ried in November, 1882, to Isabella S. Harwood, daughter of Hon. Abel Har- wood. of Champaign. She died Feb- ruary 10. 1888, leaving three children, Isabella, Eliza and Annie. Judge Sta- ley has been a consistent christian and member of the Presbyterian church in Champaign since 1882. His first vote was cast for the republican ticket and has remained unswervingly of that faith ever since. His voice has been heard in almost every school house in thi- county in favor of republican principles and candidates. Upon grad- uating in 1877, he formed a partner- ship with Col. Langley, which contin- ed in the practice of the law alone un- til June, 1890, when he was appointed by Goyernor Fifer, county judge of Champaign county, to succeed Judge Langl y. who had resigned. The re- publican primaries of 1890 resulted in the choice of Judge Staley by the re- publican party as its candidate for that responsible otfice. He was elected in November and ha since filled that office with credit to himself and his party and to the entire satisfaction of the members of the bar and of the people having business in his court. He is studious, careful, painstaking and faithful to his trust. He has splendid natural abilities; is a hard worker and will, we confidently be- lieve, take still higher position at the the hands of his constituents. Few men have done more work in the way of public speaking for his party on the stump and in other ways than Judge Staley. He is a fluent and convincing speaker, knows what is needed by the people and speaks accordingly. He is always w^elcomed in whatever locality he is called. He has had to fight the bread and butter question single handed, having had much hard experience in this line when he was attending the University of Illinois, as he then had to earn his own support while pursu- ing his studies; this has in a great measure tended to bring him into contact with the world in a very em- phatic manner. 134 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY "William G. Browx. Was born Marc-h 29. 1840. in Koser Coshocton countj', Oliio. His father's name was John G. Brown and was born in Massachusetts. His mother's name was Clarinda Howe. The}' came to Urbana March 27, 1855. William G. aceompanied his parents. He at- tended the pii))lic schools in Ohio and Url)ana, and received a good common school education. He farmed in his boyhood and engaged in mercantile pursuits for about four years. When the late war brolce out, he at once en- listed in company K, 25tli Illinois In- fantr}', serving eight months, wlien he was transferred to Batterv L, Second Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery, where he served for three }'ears. mak- ing three years and eight months service. His health was very seriously impaired in the arm}' and at this time it is onl}' l^y taking the best care of him.self that he is able to discharge his duties. After his return from the war, and partially regaining his health, he took a position as Deputy Circuit Clerk, which he held for nearly nine years, Ihen eutereil the County (Uerk's office and staid there about nine j'ears, making eighteen years of con- tinued work. This hnig term of ser- vice in the court as well as the tax and probate de))artments of the county made him one of the best informed men ill matters pertaining to these de- partments in the comity. Tlie people recognizing his siijx'rior ([iiiililical ions and also appreciating the excellent service Mr. Brown had rendered his country, ehn-ted him in Noveml^er, 1888, to the office of Circuit Clerk, a position he occupies with credit to himself and satisfaction to all with whom he has business. He is affable, accommodating and makes a popular officer. He was married April 12, 18()T. to Miss Harriet A. Wolfe, Avho died in 1882. There were Ijoru to them four children : Mary A., married to Orville L. Davis, local editor of the dailj' Gazette, Champaign ; Fred G., an archit^'ct, residing in Chicago ; Inez I), and William Jay, at home. Mr. Brown is and has been for many years a member of the Methodist church. In ]Jolitics he is and always has been an unswerving republican. Chalmers M. Shkkfv Was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. His fathers name was Jaeolt Sherfy, of (Tettyshurg, Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent His mother's name was Amelia McNull, of London connty, Virtrinia, of Scotcli-Uennan parentage. For the solid, sterling qualities possessed by tlie subject of this sketch he is indebted in a f^reat measure to his parents. His l)arents removed to Indiana and after- wards removed to Perrysville. in same state, in ls:'.L In 1845 young Chalm- • Ts, havint;- formed a hijjfh opinion of tilt; art preservative, entered a printing ollice as "devil." He worked in Per- rysville for about a year, then went to Terre Haute where he worked from PIONEERS OP^ CHAMPAIGN COUNT V 135 1845 to 1851 and then returned to Per- ryville. Not liking the printing busi- ness as well as he expected and an ad- vantageous offer being made him, he entered the mercantile business. At the end of a year a proposition was made to him to go to Urbana and take charire of a general store there. 8o May i:5, 1852, he arrived in Urbana. took cliarge of the store and showed that he po.ssessed ability in this line. In a .'^hoi-t time he associated with him in business William Gessie, and pur- chased the store he had charge of. The firm was known as Gessie right future for that city and at the close of his term of office, engaged there in tlie banking business in which he continued for 22 years. He also did a large business in real-estate and insurance, being the second insurance agent in the county. In 1879 he formed a partnership with G. C. Willis, of Champaign, as Willis ii Sherfy, for the dealing in leal-estate, insurance and loaning money, which partnership continued un'il January 1, 1891, when Mr. Slit-rty purchased the interest of Mr. Willis nnd now conducts the business alone. He was united in marriage October 18, 18G9. to Miss Eunice M. i^each, of Champaign, now deceased. There was born to them one child. Fannie Belle, who is now an ac- complished youuL' lady and the pride of her father. In religious matters, although Mr. Sherfy is not a church member, he is a constant attendant at the First Fresbvterian church of Cham- paign. In politics he is an unswerving republican and takes a prominent part in forwarding the interests of his party. On account of partial paralysis Mr. Sherfy is not as active as he was in his early days, yet his long years of exper- ience and wide extended acquaintance give him a business second to none in his line in Central Illinois. He is a member of the executive board of the Champaign County Old Settler's Asso- ciation and is energetic in rescuing from oblivion the things pertaining to the early settlement of this county. Samukl VanBrunt, QdAM^ Was born September 1, 1841, in Durke c(mnty, Ohio. His father's name was Samuel VanBrunt, of New Jersey. 11 i> mothei's name "as Melvina Brown, of Virginia. Samuel, -Ir., came with his father in 1853, to this county and located in Sidney township where he engaged in farming. His education was obtained at the public schools. April 19, 1866, he was united in marriage to Rathel B. Sampson, daughter of VVillard and Margaret Sampson. She was born in 1846. The following children were born to them : Marcus G.. • ho was killed on a i-ailroad near Lexington, Mo , in 1888: Raymond B., Gertrud > R.. Earl I., Edgar. Merton C. Chest r S., Clyde died in the fall of 1888. Mr. VanBrunt is an active member of the Christian church, of which denomination he has been a member for the past eighteen years. In politics he has always been a strong republican and a leader in his vicinity. His occupation has been that of a stock dealer and farmer. He was driving oxen Vireaking i)rairie when the war broke out and he ■promptly answered the call of his country and enlisted Company I. 10th Illinois Cavalry, September 22, 18(il, and was mustered out January (), 1866. He was careful of his small wages while in the service and inve>ted the same in land. He now owns lUiO acres of well-improved land with very valu- alJe buildings. His home is one of the 136 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. handsomest and most pleasant in the township. He is also engaged in the mercantile and grain business at Deers station. While he has always taken an active part in politics, he yet finds his time so fully occupied that he has no time to bother with offices, al- though he has filled the office of High- way Commissioner for two terms and has been school director for a number of years. Mr. Van Brunt is an every day sort of a man, has the confidence of all who know him and is an excel- lent citizen and neighbor. Mrs. Margaret Smith, Is one of the oldest living settlers in the county, having been a resident of this immediate vicinity for near sixty years. She was born December 13, 1814, in Washington county, W'est Virginia, at Glades Springs. Her father's name was James Beatt}', of same county. Her mother's name was Hester Fulton, of London county, Virginia. Her parents died when she was about seven years old. She was married Januarj' 81st, 18B8, to Jacob Smith, in Sliell)y county, Kentuck}-. Mr. Sinith was born in Shelby county, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Smith came to this fJuuty Ot-tober 1(), 1888. They came in an old Virginia wagon, drawn by oxen, and .settled on a part of the farm now owned b}- the t'amil}', about a itiile east of Urbana, where tliej- built a log cal)in. Mrs. Smith says, "W(> first lived in this i'al)in with two rooms and a leanto with a lynn bark loft, puncheon floor, no windows. We were happy and thought we were for- unate in having such a good house. Monday after we came the first town lots in Urbana were sold at auction. The Brumley school house near us was the first school house in the neighborhood, Andrew Stephenson, John Gardner and Chancy Standish were among the first teachers. Mr. Smith built a new house in 1837, which was a good one for that day. The flooring was sawed bj" a whip saw, and the lath was made bv hancl, all by Mr. Smith." Mr. Smfth was school director, road oyerseer, etc.. but did not care for ofiices, found enough to do to attend to his own lousiness, which he did, and b}' in- dustry and good management, in which he was ably assisted by his wife, had six hundred acres of well- improved land all paid for when he died, in March, 1854. Theliabits of economy and thrift have extended to the children who, to-day, are among the best and most successful farmers in the county. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith the following children : Elizabeeh, who is at home ; Malinda J., died at the age of 3 years ; James N., farmer, living near ; Eliza A., married a Mr. Turner, and lives in Woodbury, county, Iowa ; Sarah Mar- garet, married Mr. Shroyer and lives in Oswego, Kans.; William H., a farmer, living in Kimball county, Texas ; Armstrong B., a farmer, in Urbana township ; John T., died in infancy ; David M., a farmer, and Ja- cob Mervin, a farmer. Mrs. Smith has been a member of the Baptist church in Urbana for over 30 years and is an earnest, faithful christian. She lives quietly on the old farm which she has seen brought from a wilderness until it now is in a high state of cultivation. Her daughter, Elizabeth, and her son, Mervni, and family siiare the old home with her, and here, surrounded by grand-children, she enjoys thi' fruit of a well-spent life of industry and takes pleasure in looking back and talking of the privations as well as the je)ys of the early days. PIONEFAIS OF CUAMPAKIS (ULWTY iri- David Rice. "NVas born iu West Virginia April 7th, 183G. His father was Shelton Kice, of East Virginia. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Brown, of near Richmond, Virginia. His parents re- moved to Sadorus township in March, 1854, when that part of the county was wild and almost unbroken. The sub- ject of this sketch attended the public schools in 'S'irginia and obtained a good common school education. Early in life he commenced business for him- self and did much to iiliprove the land which he now owns. On their settle- ment in the western part of the town- ship of Sadorus, they had to come to Urbana for mail also brought their wheat and I'orn to the mill at the same place. They frequently took their grinding to Terre Haute where they ]jurcluise(l their gi-ot-eries. Mr. Rice was one of three young men who pur- chased the first thresher brought to that pint of the county. Tlie machine was made at l^ic(iiia, Ohio. For many years tlu'Si' young men threshed the grain for almost the entire western part of tlie county. March 3rd, 1859, Mr. Rice was married to Miss Sarah Haines, daughter of Elijah C. Haines. of Sadorus townsliip, ftjrmerl}- of Ohio. Two children have been l)orn to them, viz : Carrie M.. l)orn in 18()(), married to J. T. Hutchinson and lives in Sa- dorus township ; Carrie M., married to Dr. C. M. Craig, a prominent phy- sician and druggist of Tolono. Mr. 28 Rice has always taken a prominent part in politics, being a straight re- publican. He wields a wide influence politically and at the same time com- mands the respect of all parties, which was evidenced in the spring of 1891 when he was elected supervisor from his township which usually sends a democratic represenlative. Mr. Rice is the owner of 520 acres of well im- proved land, which he has become the possessor of by dint of his own energy and thrift. He has recently purchased a cosy home in Sadorus where he takes life easier, yet his attention is fidly occupied in looking after his farms and stock. He being considered one of the best stockmen in the count}'. Hugh Jackson Robinson, Wa^ horn March 28. 1888, near Bel- fast, Ireland, and was the seventh child of Robert and Maria (Jackson) Robinson. His mother was a first cousin of General Andrew Jackson, who with her husband named the subject of this sketch after the uncle of Andrew Jackson, viz: Hugh Jack- son, his grandfather. Robert, the father, emigrated to this country when Hugh was a child and settled in Dutcli-^ ess county. New York, tvhere he at- tended the public schools and received a good common schoo' education while being trained in practical farming. Robert Robinson removed with liis family to Fon du Lac county, Wiscon- sin, in the spring: of 1849, where he l)nrchased wihl land and built for him- 138 noXERRS OF CHAMPA KJS COCMy self a home where his earthly labors were brought to a close b}' death in June, 1852. Young Hugh J., not be- ing satisfied with the country, and be- ing thrown on his own resources, went to Chicago by steamboat and walked from that city to Urbana, Illinois, ar- riving here October 6, lHr»2. foot sore, weary and lonesome, with I)ut three dollars and fifty cents in his pocket. There were no settlements on the road except along the timber and groves, which were few and fa" between and no public conveyance of any kind. Young Robinson at once got employ- ment with J. ife J. S. Gere, who were tlien getting out ties for the construc- tiun of the Illinois Central road. He hauled and unloaded the ties in the higli prairie grass where Champaign now stands. In the following spring he went with his employers to Bourlion, in Douglas county, and helped build a mill, and m filling a contract for 250.- 000 ties for the Central and Wabasli roads. Becoming a partner with J. S. Gere, they put 6,500 cords of wood on the track of the Central road. He was thusengaged untill858when he bought his first piece of land, which he now occupies as his home. He was married on October 8, 1856. to Miss Jane, daugh- ter of Dr. Jacob Thrasher, (jf Geauga county, Ohio. Three children were liorn to them, viz : Robert T.. William Cullen and Maitie J. Robert niaiiied Miss Lillic Kellnr. Wm. ('nllcii married Mi.ss Edith St van. and Mattie vvasmai- ried t^ William R. Miller. The wife and mother died at hei- home July 4, 1874. Mr. Ri>binson was next married to Miss Jennie Hutchinson, daughter of Capt. Scott Hutchinson, of Calliuun county, Michigan. The result of this marriage was a son. John W., who died at the age of four and a-half years. Mr. Robinson is and always has been a strong democrat in polities, but was never an ofiice-seeker. although his ))arty has honored him many times. He has filled the oflfice of supervisor of his townsiiip the greatest part of the time since the county adopted town- slii|) organization. He was elected as iliairinan of the board of supevvisoj's in iXiX) and filled the position to the satisfaction ofjiveryone. Socially, few men have a larger number or warmer friends than he. He was a cliaiier member of J. R. Gorin Lodge, A. F. k A. M., at Sadorus, and served as its master for several years. In religion he was raised an Episcopalian, but takes a more liberal view, and alt lion ^h not a church member, favors the doc- trines of the Universalist church. He is now president of the Champaign County Old Settler's Association and takes a lively interest in everything pertaining to the [terfecting and accu- mulating of the early history of this count V. RoBEKT PeTEKS. One of the oldest and most re-pec^ed of the old settlers of St. Joseph town- slii]) is Robert IVters, who has been a resident for over sixty year.--. His father's name was Willi.ini Peters ami his mother's Saiah McNutt, both of Kentucky. They came to this county from Kentucky in 18:)0 and settled about a mile south of old St. Joseph. At this time there were about nine hundred Indians camped near Mr. Peters' farm. He said they hauled all their grain to Chicago, gi-ew their own fiax and made all their own clothing. Robert Peters attended school in a log house near his father's farm. Part of the time the school was held in the kitchen of his father's house. The schools in those days were subscription schools, educational advantages being very limited. Mr. Peters was mai'ried in August. 184S. to Mary E. Sweai- inger. who was born March -M, 18:>1. There have been born to them eleven chilnren. viz: Sarah Catharine, Isaac S., .John II.. [''ranklin, Susan J., Eliza J., Thomas J., Charles R., Alta lielle, William A. and Mary E.,all 1 ving ex- cept Franklin. Thomas, (^harles and .\lta : all are married except .lolm II. Mr. Peters was f irnierl v a democrat in I'luyKEUS OF I IIAMI'AKJX CorXTV. 139 pMitic.*, but voted for I>incoln for his second term and has voted the repub- lican ticket ever since. In relip:ious matters he is very zealous. He has been for a number of years a consistent memher of the Chri>;tian church. Mr. Peters was born January (S, 1827, in Rush county, Indiana, and is in the sixty-fitth year of his a^'e. He has lived in St. Joseph for nearly sixty-two years and is known by aluiost every one in the eastern part of the county. He is very proud of his ruiiily and has ffood reason to be, as his children are anionj? the best and most thrifcy citi- zens of the community. "Uncle Hob," as he is familiarly called, has a repu- tation that any one niiyht envy. We have been over the township, are well accjuainted and we hear every nne re- ferring? to Uncle Hob as one of the best men in the cdmiiy and he is honorably entitled to I his hijj^h opinion ot his ueiyhbors. He lives on the old farm near th(> thriving? town of St. Joseph with his wife and in a few years will, if spar, d, celebrate their ofolden anni- versaiv. Here, surrounded by their children and ^rand-children, loved and respected by their neitjhbors he and his wife are pleasantly spending- their de- clininii- years and patiently waiting for the time when they shall be called to theii- home aci'o^s the river. >rAHV AXN MoORE, \\ as a memln'r of one of the first fain- ilie.s to settle in the ]ng grove and l>e- fore C'banipai(), havinir I)nilt a liousc he movcil into it. The land lias all lieen laid out into town lots, except a Idock which \v/is the residence of the family. Mr, Kirk- jiatrirk received the main part . Cannon died in bSHI) and Ml. Cannon married Miss Aseneth Black in August, 1890, of Urbana, who is still living. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church of Urbana for over twenty - five years, having filled the office of deacon for many years. Politically, he has al- ways been a republican casting his first vote with that party and for each candidate of that party ever since. After he returned from the army he was elected to the office of constable and has made an efficient .^fficer, fill- ing that office with satisfaction to all concerned for eighteen years. He was appoinled to the office of deputy sheriff and has filled that responsible position for the past eight years and now holds that office under S. C. Fo.x, the present sheriif. His long experience as constable during which time he was more or less con- nected with the sheriflT's office, and his term of eight years as deputy makes him one of the most efficient officers in the county. He is thoroughly conver- ant with all the duties of the office, is acquainted tlirougliout the entii'c county and a hirge part of central Illinois and is almost invaluable in his position. He has the reputation of being one ol" the best officers in this part of the state and has, during the twenty- six years of his offi(-i;il life ])roven himself to be possnsscd of more than ordinary executive ability and tlie right tii;m in the right place. Mahlon Glascock. Prominent among the men who have developed and made St. Joseph town- ship what is, is Malilon Glascock, who was born in Fauquire county, Virginia in 1815. He inherited all the sturd}" cjualities characteristic of the old- fashioned Virginian. His father was named Moses, a native of the same State. His mother, Rebecca Bishop, was also of old Virginia stock ; she died in 1875, Moses only living until 1829. The subject of this sketch re- moved to Ross I'ounty, Ohio, where, in 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Jester, with whom he lived hap- pily until her death, which took place in '1858. In the fall of 1854 he re- moved from Ohio to Illinois, stopping at Sidney until the next s})ring, when he moved to where he now resides on the state road, in St. Joseph township. In 18()1 he married Miss ^larv Gill, of Urbana, who died in 1801. In 1865 he was tigain married to Mrs. Mary Hankiu, who is still living. ^Ir. Glass- cock has had eight children to help iuak(» his home happy, \iz. IJurr, who bves at home and has charge of the large farm ; Allnirt, wlio is dead ; Acpiilla, a well-to-do fanner, living in the vicinit}' ; William, who died in in- fancy ; these wen> children hv the first wifi'. Tlie r(»sult of the last mar- riage is Grant, .losse. Lida. and Alta, all at home. In politics. Mr. (ilascock was an I'lONEERS OF (HAMl'AiaN COUNTY. Vi3 old time whig, and east, his lirst vote for General Harrison, and at the last presidential election voted for General Benjamin Harrison, antl for every re- publii-an candidate between. He at- tended the great Harrison meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in 18iO, and went from Bainliridge in wagons to Chille- eothe and on a canal boat to Columbus. He has always been a strong partisan and a staunch friend of the old flag. His sons. Burr and Aquilla, were )x)th soldiers in the late war. In relig- ious matters Mr. Glascock is a ]\[ethodist, having joined that de- nomination in earl}' youth. He has until late years been prominent in pii]:)lic mattm-s and represented his township on the Board of Supervisors for four years. Although advanced in years Mr. Glascock is hale and hearty, has a large and pleasant home on 540 acres of well-improved land, where, amid peace and plenty, he is enjoying life, loved and respected by all who know him. 'inarm',': '•■' ///,'"ir.-^ Calvin J. Sabin. Among the l)usiness men of Cham- paign no one stands higher for moral worth and strict l)usiness integrity than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Hanover. Chautauqua county, Xew York, June 8, 1831. His father's name was El)onezer Sabin, l)orn in Jamaica. Windom county, Vermont. His mothtM*s name was Jerusha Gage, of same state, and from whom Calvin J. inherited many of the qualities which have made him suc- cessful in social as well as business life. His parents not being jjossessed of an overabundance of the goods of this world, the education of Mr. Sabin depended in a great measure upon himself, so at the age of 1(5 we find him working during the day and studying at night. In this way he secured a fair education which was in every way practical. He early learned the trade of a machinist, which has been of great service to him in his biisiness. His special liking was railroading. He went to Galena, Oct. 29, 1854 and, as engineer, took in the first passenger train from Galena to Dunleith. He followed this occupation until 1866, coming to West Urbana, now Cham- paign, and for several years was pas- senger engineer on the Illinois Cen- tral. On quitting the road, he en- gaged in the agricultural implement business with Mr. Angle as Angle & Sa]:)in. He finally succeeded to the business, and has since Jan. 1, 1877, been conducting it by himself. He has the reputation of having the most complete stock of goods in Central Il- linois. His large trade and wide rep- utation would seem to bear us out in this statement. December 13, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. Whitcomb, of Kansom, Mich. There has been born to them Irwin C, who is doing a prosperous imjalement business in Farmer City ; Elmer C and Frank C, firemen on the Illinois Central ; Irle C, a clerk in the trainmaster's office of the I. C. R. R. at Cliampaign ; R03' C. and Nellie I., at home. In politics Mr. Sabin is and always has been a repulilican. He does not interest himself in public matters very much, having his hands full of his own business, ^et is an al- derman and finds time to look after the interests of his constituents in mat- ters pertaining to the city and its growth. His 3'ears of experience and practical ideas of lousiness, make him a valued citizen and no one occupies a higher position in the community than he. 144 PIONEEliS OF CHAMPAWS (:ui■^^'J^)^ Mathew E. Stamky. Is a son of one of the oldest families of this county and who came here be- fore the county Avas organized, and while Chicago was yet in Vermilion county, which then occupied almost the east half of the State. The sub- ject of this sketch was born November 16, 1835, in what is now known as Somer township. His father's name was Ellis Stanley, who came from North Carolina. His mother's name was Drusilla Busey, daughter of Mat. E. Busey, who came from Kentucky to this county in 1829. and settled near Urbana. They were among the first settlers and did much towards improv- ing the country. The subject of this sketch attended school in the old log- school house on M. E. Busey's farm, also later attended school in Urbana. He hunted deer on the present loca- tion of Champaign long before a hou.se was built there. He assisted in plant- ing many trees which now make a forest. He assisted in breaking up the viryin ijrairie, and from a wild township. Mr. Stamey was married to Mary T. Broshar in 1871. and three children have been born to them, viz : Frank, born December <3, 1875 ; Belle, liorn November 1, 1878 ; Daisy, born May 11, 1882. In politics Mr. Stamey IS and has always been a republican. He has taken quite an interest in pub- lic matters and has represented Hens- ley township on the Board of Super- visors, also served several terms as Highway Commissioner. He has also engaged in business, but has given his attention mainly to farming and deal- ing in real-estate in which, on account of his general knowledge of the county and excellent judgment, he has been quite successful and now owns 825 acres of well improved land in this county and about the same number of acres in other states. He resides at 103 Prospect avenue. Champaign, where he has a pleasant home. He is in the prime of manhood, surrounded with a fine family and consequently f'ujoys the blessings of life. .losHiw Smith, waste (jf land, seeminglv too ))leak to Was Ikjiii rluiie "iit, 18H7, in Piqua live upon, there has grown iq) beau tiful, well improved farms with fine groves and orchards, and thi' wild land is the most productive in the world. Mr. Stamey was married to .Miss Ida (). Gray at Kantoul. March 28, 18()5. she died in January, 1872, leaving one son. William, born January 19, I8B8. and is now farming in Condil county, Oliio. He was the son of Westley Sniitli. of near Norfolk, Vir- ginia.and liliza (Cisna) Smith.of Penn- sylvania. His grandfather foinierly owned the land or foi'ty acres of the same, on which Harrisbmg. Pennsyl- vania, is now built. T'he ])arents with Joshua came to this comity in Vlari'h. IS42 and settleil on the Sanya- rioNEELis OF (IIami'ai<;n county. Vi5 mon River, near the farm of Phil Sey- mour. Here the subject of this sketch was raised attending a sub- scription school occasionally, until he was old enough to work for himself when he worked in the summer and went to school through the winter. He afterwards learned the trade of blacksmithing but preferred farming, which he followed successfully. March 0, 18fi0, he was iniited in mar- riage to Miss Martha Dickson, of near Mahomet. Three children have been born to them, viz. : Eliza Jane, married to Albert Wright, living near Ma- homet; Luella Kate, who died when young, and Clara Belle, who married O. M. Brown, living in Piatt county. He has been a member of the Metho- dist church since 1858. In politics he has always been a straight republi- can and takes a deep interest in such matters. He has served as assessor for two years and acceptabl}'^ filled the office of school director for the past twentA' years. April 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company D., 25 Regiment of Illinois Infantry. He was hurt in Jiuie 1862, and in October 1862, was discharged on account of his injuries. In the early days he haided grain to Park's mill in Urbaua, and passed over the present site of Champaign when it was wild uncultivated land, and when there was not a house be- tween Urbana and Sangamon. Social- ly Mr. Smith has a wide acquaintance and man}' warm friends. He is a member of Mansfield Lodge, No. 773, A. F. and A. M., Urbana Chapter, No. 80, R. A. M., and Urbana Command- ery, No. 16, Knights Templars. He is also a member of E. Scott Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mahomet. In all of the societies he takes a livel}' interest. He has a farm of 110 acres well improved, large enough to occup}'^ all his time and affords him a com- fortable living. He gives his atten- tion to stock raising in which he is veiy successful. Mr. Smith is a good citizen and neighbor, attends to his own business and enjoys the respect of the entire commiinity. wm m J t^^ M'. t'vnS •M) «!»»*• Simon Baltzell, Was born October 28, 183o, in Ohio. His' parents were Georire and Lydia (Layman) Baltzell, of Oliio. The great grandfather of Simon came from Ger- many and in the early days settled in Kentucky. They crossed the Ohio on a raft. It is claimed that the great grandfather was the first white man to set foot on Kentucky soil. On the site where (Cincinnati now stands he built a cabin and there lived and died. The grandmother of the subject of this sketeli was chased by Ihe Indians so close that she jumped into the Ohio river and swam down some two miles to a settlement. General Jackson was then in command of some troops. He soon learned her story, after she had recovered sufficiently to tell it, and at once pursued the Indians. The father and mother of the subject of this sketch weie both bom in Hamilton county, Ohio. The father died in Oglaze coun- ty, Ohio, in 1885. The mother remained a widow and raised the family of seven children. She sheared her sheep, carded and spun the wool, also raised flax and wove and made the clothing- for the family. She also made all the shoes for the family and supported them un- til her boys grew large enough to help her. She removed with her family to Champaign county in the fdl of 1856, and settled on a farm six miles south- east of Urbana, adjoining the farm of J. S. Powell, where she died in 1863, and her remains rest in Mt. Hope cem- etery. Few women were more devoted 146 PIUNEEUS UF CHAMPAIOy CUiyTV or made more sacrifices for their chil- dren than she. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the late war Septem- ber 28, 1861, in Company I. 10th Illin- ois Cavalry as a private. He went throuf?h the several lines of promotion and was first lieutenant when he was mustered out at Springfield, January «), 18G(). The old tenth cavalry took part in all the principal battles and skirmishes west of the Mississippi river. Mr. Baltzell was married Jan- uary 1, 1868, to Viola M. Powell, old- est daugrhter of J. S. Powell. One child has been born to them, Estelle F., who is at home. Mr. Baltzell was a black- smith in Trbana previous to the war and a member of the firm of Baltzell & Sperry. He has been a resident of this vicinity since 185G, with exception of the time he was in the army and in 1859 when he took the Pike's Peak fe- ver. In 1868 he removed west of Cham- paign where he purchased a good farm, has the same well improved and enjoys life. He is a good citizen and is hon- ored and respected in the entire com- munity. Z:'/.::'^," '■ Hon. .Iaiijus ('ojivnoN Siikm>o\. Was I'orn in ('iarencn. Erii- comity. New York, Novemlter 2nd. 1827. Hi-< parents wt-rf* Corydoii ami Eunice il)io\vn» Slicjdoii. Tlic former was a native of New York, the latter of Vt'i- iiioiit. When six yeais old lie lemoved to (JhirksHeld. Huron county. Ohio. Wlicii about 21 years old. lit- appriMi- tic.cd himself to a ship Ijuilder al Hu- I'on. Ohio, and for about four vc;irs followed that bu iness there and at Milan and Cleveland, Ohio, becoming quite proficient in ttie art. Often when a craft had been completed, he shipped as one of the sailors to man her, and thus became something of a seaman. He received a good common school education and attended Baldwin Insti- tute at Berea. 0.. for one year. He married Eunice M. Mead, a farmer's daughter, who was educated in the common schools and at Oberlin Col- lege. Five children were born to them of whom only one is now living, Nel- lie, wife of Rev. C. B. Taylor, formerly of this citv, now located at Rantoul as pastor of the M. E. church. Their son, Clarence C. died only a few weeks ago. and is sadly mourned by the whole community. Mr. Sheldon came to this county on May 11. 18r)3, he having taught school the previous winter near Periysville. Ind.. footing it all the way and carry- ing all he possessed on earth, which consisted of a S'^cond suit of clothes, a 40-acre land warrant and $60 in cash. With the cash and warrant lie entered 40 acres of land three miles south of where Champaign now stands. The same fall he sold it for $•") per acre. He sought and found eniployinent at once with the engineering corps in the con- struction of the I. C. R. R., then being built. He received one or two contracts in it>i construction, nut of which he made some money, which he saved un- til he got enough to purchase a home for himself and wife, which he had married as before stated. In 185.") he entered the law office ol W. N. Coleras student and was admitted to the bar at the fall term. Abraham Lincoln, then practicing in this court, being the com- mittee appointed to examine him. In the fall of 186i he formed a partner- ship with Frank (4. Jaciues, then and now of Urbana. which was very suc- cessful from a financial point of view, and was continued until lS(it)wheii Mi-. S. retired taking the real estate branch of the business, to which ho had given special attention. In this lie was en- tirely succ(>ssl'ul. Iiivestinir for others and occasionally lor himself, he has succeeded in iiecoming tlit; owner of over a thousand acres of well-improved land in this county, free from incmii- brance. He was elected to the Legis- lature in 1^<7(» and served in the 27th " General Assembly, being the lirsf ses- •~ion aft(>r 11iea(lopti(m of the new con- st itution of 1.S7<>. In 1.S72 he was elected as Senator finiii this, 'he •■'>i)th district I'lUNHtUiS III' I JIAMI'AK.W ( (ilW'jy. 147 and served lour years. l)urin«j: this time he was succes.^ful in pretting the appropriation for the main and me- chanifal buildingsof the Fniversity of Illinois. His first vote was tor Zacha- riah Taylor and he was in the republi- can party when it was fo)'nied. He remained a republienn until ls88. when he voted for Clinton l\. Fi>k. the Pro- hibition candidate for President. He was the prohibition candidate for con- gress in the l.")th district in 1888. Mr. Sheldon has long been a consist- ent and prominent member of the M. E. church. He is a liljeral contributor to its treasury and lives uf) toitsteach- ings in a way that causes all to regard him as truly a christian gentleman. His record as a man, a citizen, a christian and his relations as husband and father are without a blemish. More need not be said. EinviN .Ti'STix Udkll. The subject of this sketch is the foui-fh son and eighth child of a family of si.x sons and four daughters. His father, (rardiner Udell, was a thrifty farmer, owning and cultivatinir a small farm in the imvn of We>terloo, Albany counlv. New York, where Edwin was born October 2:?, 18;W. He attended the district school and assisted his father on tlie farm until he was seven- teen, when he came to Hlinois in com- pany witli an elder brother, Calvin (i. Udell. After lemaining a few months near Princeton. Ibireau county, they loi.-ated on a farm (raw prairie) seven miles northeast of Pontiac, Ijiving- ston county. p{ere he had the usual experiences of settlers, in the unbroken prairie when neighbors were far away. Getting lost at night with an ox team in charge, encountering fierce bliz- zards, and being chased by starving prairie wolves, are among his early recollect ons. For about eight years he taught school in Livingston, Grun- dy and Marshall counties, and in 1864 removed to Rantoul where he has since resided. He was, upon ' is arrival, em- ployed as manager of the Hlinois Cen- tral telegraph olfice at Rantoul, and served in that capacity until Sept. 1, 1890. just 20 years. In 186') he was ap- pointed agentof the American Express Co., which position he still holds. He has for many years done a thriving Ijusiness as real-estate and collection agent. He was married October 4, 1865. to Helen Ostran 'er, near Otta- wa. III. Mrs. Udell still lives and has lieen and still is an active worker in the M. E. church and in the temper- ance cause. She is also a member of the board of education. Mr. Udell, though a probationary member of the M. E. church, is rather inclined to Uni- tarianism or Universalism. The chil- dren of the marriage are Rudolph S., telegraph operator at Makanda, 111. : Eugene V., who is assistant railroad agent and telegraph operator at As- sumption, 111. ; Bertram C, a lad of 18; the five-year old twin boys, John L. and Paul L., and a bright little two- year old girl, Ruth. They lost a boy and a girl in infancy and a cherished daughter, Etta Minerva, was taken from them in 1881 in her fifteenth year. He is a straight republican in "polities and is prominent in the coun- cils of his party. He has held the local offices of township collector, village trustee, village clerk and treasui-er, and has served 12 years on the school l)oard. In 1880, President Hayes ap- pointed him supervisor of the fifth census district of Illinois, composed of 14 counties and 233 enumeration dis- tricts. This work was faithfully done, as Mr. Udell does everything entrusted to Ills hands. He has been town -hip treasurer for several years, and last April was elected justice of the peace to succeed Daniel Steele, decea.sed. Mr. Udell has good literary abilities. He has v.'ritten a great deal for news- papers and masrazines. He has good poetic imagination and has written (juite a number of real poetic gems. Such puldications as Potter's Maga- zine. Hoi?ton Pilot. Youth's Companion 148 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY and Chicagro Tribune have published many ot bis poenis. Among the many good poems he has written we mention those which have attracted the most marked attention, to-wit : "The Clnck upon the Shelf," "Erin. Why Thy Tears," "December," "For a Son"s Album" and "Days Agone.'' Mr. Udell has lived for more than a quarter of a century among our peo- ple and he holds to-day the high regard of all good people who know him. Public spirited, pu-hing and reliable, he has been prominent in all depart- ments of social and business life in the communitv in which he resides. William Sadohus. To write a history of this man who. for rver (57 years has been a resident of Choinpaiyn county, is to write a bis- t.ciy ol tbf county. Such wo cannot here undertake, but must (!ontont our- selves with a biography, briefly sketch- ing the incidents of a career which spans iiKii-e that! three-fourths oi' our national life and whose residence here anti-dates the county "s existence as a <()unty by nearly ten years. The name is pi'obably of German oi'igin and the family descended from the stock of that ppople wliicli early in tlie last centui-y tnok posses>i(Hi of the eastern centi-al counties of Hennsvlvania. an. Iiom in 17S:J. and Maiy Titus, u.itis cs of tliMl -late, were fhfv parents of William Sadorus, who was born July 4. 1812, being the hrst born of the family. In the spring of 1817, when W^iUiam was a little less than five years old, his parents embarked upon a tlat-boat. built for the purpose, on Oil creek. Crawford county. Pa., and .set out for a home ^n the west. They little thought of the untold wealth that there lay beneath tlieir feet already oozing from every spring and bayou, or of the world-wide reputation which the creek and the town, subsequently to grow up and be named after the family ot Mrs. Sadorus. wei-e to achieve. They knew they were leaving a cold, unfriendly soil, but did not dream of the "oil kings'' it was to produce nor ofthefar- fanied city of Titusville which was to be called into life by the oil which the soil contained. A few weeks brought the faiuily to Cincinnati, then the ris- ing western town, by way of the Alle- glieny and Ohio rivers. Here they dwelt two years and then, by succes- sive moves, reached Connersville, Flat Rock and Raccoon. Ind., from which latter place they again, in March, 1824. set out for the we^t. this time making their ti'st and final stop on the bank- of the Okaw. in what was then Edgar county, 111 This point chey reached on April 9th and set up their camp. A Ijrief survey of their surroundings sat- isfied Mr. .Sadorus that he need look n"> farther. A soil of unexampled fertil- ity, with a broad expanseof timber and prairie, welcomed them. Here he de- termined to make a home tor himself and his descendants. It was veritably a land of promise. This last move was made in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen. The wagon contained the wife and mother and six children of whom the ^^ubject of ths sketch was the eldest, be then being a little less than twelve year< old : Henry T. Sa- dorus being the younges*. a babe in his mother's arn)s. .V family nnmed Smith accompanied the Sadorus family and stopped one snmmer in the new home, and then moved westward leaving their companions alone in the wilder- ness. The nearest neigh i)ors ol' the family were Runiel Fielder, a squatter on lands two miles northeast of the site ofl ilxiiui, and .lame.-. Hayworth. an- other .-quatter. on the site ot .Monti- cello. I'aris, Edgar county, was the nearest post-otfice in Illinois, though Enyene. Indiana, was nearer than I'aris. Thei-e was then no hecatur. .M(int irelln. Cliarleslon. I rbana nnr PIONEElOi OF CHAMPAIOX CiJUyTY. 149 Danville. These names, like the coun- ties of which they are the seats of jus- tice, were yet to appear on the map. A simple wagon tent did duty as a home lor the pioneers until after irround had lieen broken with the rude, wooden mould-board, iron plow-share plow brought with them, and some seed put in the ground as a jirovision for the future. While living in this frail home, the heads of the two fam- ilies with all the members except Wil- liam and a Smith boy about his own age, left the two boys for foui weeks in the tent to care for the goods and stock, while they made an excursion to some distance. The boys held the fort surrounded as they were by wild men and howling wolves. The temporary liomn l)appened to be set up wiihin a few rods of the spot which afterwards became the permanent home of the family. Soon after setting up their home, the family was visited by Indians of the Kickapoo, Delaware and I'otta- wattoinie tribes, remnants of which tribes were still roaming through the country and hunting wild game. Mr. Sadorus well remembers Shemaugre. or •"Old Soldier." as he called himself, and Wall homing, chiefs of the Potta- wattomie and J)elaware tribes, who. with their followers, often resorted to the Sadorus home for shelter and iood. These people were always treated kindly by tlie family and in return re- ceived nothing but kindness from the wild men. Before I800 the Indians had all letb this part of Illinois and were seen no more. Before the Hrst winter set in the family had been comfortably housed in a cabin of s[)lit logs, well cliinked and daubed, after th(* fashion of the pio- neers everywhere, but though the family home from that time on for many years, llie cabin did not have a glazed window tor six years. Before that time the hole in the wall which answf^rnd for a window had nothing in it to kenp out the cold but a piece of greased muslin. The winter found the family well supplied with provisions, grown upon tlit- sdil or caught liy the chase. The public lands in their neigh bor- liood had been surveyed but two years and were not yet in market, and the fainilv were sfjuatters on these lands for more than ten years before entries w^re made. On December 11, 1834, William Sadorus. being then 22 years old, entered the n^a ne4 Sec. 1, T. 17, R. 7, and his father entered the se-^ of the same section, on which the family home had been located. These were the tirst entries of lands oa the Okaw. Willi.im Sadorus now lives on the land so entered by him almost half a cen- tury since. With no people in this country when the Sadorus family came, of course there were no schools, until by the coming of population a demand was created. This event, iiow- ever, did not take place until William had passed the school age. All the op- portunities for schooling he had, after coming to Illinois, were received at a school taught at Georgetown, Illinois, where his father sent him for some months when a young man. Population began to flow into their neigiiboi-hood for permanent residence about twelve years after their coming ard slowly increased until the cominy^ of the railroad era. since which, as if by magic, the prairies have been seized upon and made to .serve the uses of man. On the nth day of March, ims, Mr. Sadorus was married to Mary Ann Moore, of Lake Fork, and soon after- wards made for himself a cabin home on lands owned by him near his fath- er's. Of this marriage were born : (xeorge W. B. and Henry W., who live near their father ; Margaret E., wife of 0. C. McConney, of Sadorus ; Sam'l S., who lives in Nevada : Sarilda, mar- lied to Thomas Hixon, of Jasper coun- ty, Mo.; Sarah S., Married to Charles Mills, of Pana. 111., and John T., de- ceased. Mrs. Sadorus died about 1848. Subsequently Mr. Sadorus was manned to Miss Jincey Ann Brumley, of (Jr- bana, from which marriage were born a son and daughter, both of whom died young. After the decease of the sec- ond Mrs. Sadorus. Mr. S. a third time entered into the marriage relation, this time with Mrs. Charity Hastings. One daughter, Ida, has been born of this iTiarriage who, now a young woman, is at home with tier parents, (xeorge W. B. Sadorus entered the army in 1862 in Co. E., 12') III. Reg , and came out in 1865 as captain of his companv. Henry W. Sadorus enlisted in (;<.. (i. 25 111. Reg.. August 25, 1861. and was honorably mustered out of thr service September 1, 1864. Mr. Sadorus has all his life been en- gaged in farming, at which business he has realized a handsome compe- tency. He was for a time the owner of a" small stock of general merchan- dise, one of the tirst stores in his town, but soon retired from that business. tbO PloyEERS OFCIIAMPAIOA COLWrY He has always been a democrat in pol- itics and believing in the democratic maxim, that the "otKce should seek the man and not the man the office," has never sought nor held office above that of school director. For many years he has been a member of the Baptist church and one of the active promot- ers of that faith in his neighborhood. ft will be seen by those knowing anything of the early history of this county, that Mr. Sadorus is the olde.st resident of (Miampaign county. His i-rother, Henry T., came to the county by the same wagon but. wher. quite a young man. he went to (,'alifornia and itook up his residence in the mountains, where he spent fifteeii years, thus re- moving him from this field of,coiripeT tition. At the annual Old Settlers' Meeting held fortius county in August. 1890, Mr. Sadorus presented hiiiiself as a candidate for the prize offered for the oldest person in citizenship and without a question bore off the prize, a gold-headed cane. He is now vener- able in years, honored by his neighbors and highly favored by his Maker, of whom he is a sincere worshipper. His children live near him and the evening of life promises an honored close. M.\LIXn.\ B.MtTLKV. Was the oldest diniglitci- of Hirniii i.nd .lane ( Sweiiringen i Wankin. They cauH^ to this (•(Minty from near Mays- villf. Kfiilurky. ai)()Ut 1S2S and s«>tt!t'd cast of the pre-ent town of St. .loseph and in a few years moved to what is known as the IJankin farm, on ihc nhl state road, cast of old St. .loseph. ileic ihey lived lor maiiy years ami no one ill ill! llie county Ii.mI a wider repnla- liun for liberality in helping the poor and needy than Hiram Rankin. Here the subject of our sketcli, who was born in Kentucky, near Maysville, was raised. When about eighteen years of age_ she was united in mar- liage to Benjamin Bart ley, whose parents came to this same ])art of the county aliont 1880. There were born to them four children, viz . .Mary. Eliza- beth .lane. Catharine and i^ydia. The youngest dantrhter, Lydia. was mar- lied to \'an B. Swearingen. one of the leading men of this township. One child. Grant, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Swearingen.' who is still living at St. .Tosep:!', and is one of the pro-porous business men of the county. Mr. Bartley died and Mrs. liartley after- wards niariied Stephen Boyd, one of the old settlers of Urbaiia township. He died and several years afterwards Mrs. Boyd wa>^ again married to .lames Bartley a cousin of hor first husband. They resided near St. .Joseph. About twelve years ago Mrs. Bartley met with an accident which caused her to lose her life. A team ran away with her, throwing her and others from the buggy, so injuring her that she only lived three days. Mrs. Bartley was a thorough christian woman in every respect, from early life taking an active interest in religous matters and was a member of the Christian church when she died. Mrs. Bartley inherited from her father a charitable dispo.^i- tion and no one ever went from her door in want. A person who knew her for many years said: "Mrs. Bartley did more for the poor than any person in St. .Joseph township." She was of a hopeful, jovial disposition. and although she had her full share of sorrow she aimed to make the best of everything and made everyone ' feel better for having the pleasure of her acquaintance. She was known throughout the county and every man, woman and child respected and loved "Aunt Lin" as she was familiar- ly called. She was a neighbor in deed and the entire community mouined her ilcalh wlien, she -was called to hev honie liev(md. rioSHKliS (jF ClIAMl'AHi.X COl'STV. 151 UojiKKT ()j{K P.OKTKRFIELI). Was born in Anu.strougoountA, IVnii- sylvania, Janmirv ],,1827. His father's name was Samuel ; liis mothers name was Nancy Davis, both of Pennsyl- vania. His father came to SidiniM' in 1863. I)uying town property and a farm. The subject of this sketch re- sided in Pennsylvania and attended the public schools, receiving a fair education. In 1852 he went to Cali- fornia, where he mined and traded in stock for nine 3" ears, when he returned to the states and. in the fall of 1861, came to Sidney, wheie his l)rother, the well-known A. B. Focterfieid re- sided, and at his earnest solicitation he purchased a . farm in section 26 of that township and has resided tliere ever since. December i, 18t)2, he was united in marriage, at Sidney, 111., to Elizabeth Fram-e, formerh' of Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania. There were born to them the following chil- dren : Chaml)ers Roland, who is now and has for sevi^ral years been occu- pying a ])osition in the treasury de- partment at Washington ; Lilly, Etta, Kezzie, Koy ami -Jessie, who are at home. Mr. Porterfield is justly proud of his family. His liome is one of the most pleasant and hospitable to be found in the county. Religiously tlu' family are Methodists, and althougli Mr. I'orteifield is not a member of the church, he gives his aid and support to the cansc. In politics Wv. I'orter- field was a \\ liig in early days, but sa3's his trip to California changed his views and he now votes with the demo- cratic party. He has satisfactorily filled the position of Commissioner of Highways of Sidney township and in April, 1890, was elected to represent the township on the Board of Sup(>r- visors. He is one of the solid citizens of the township and has done nuich in his thirty years' residence to im- prove the county. He says when he first purchased his farm, the country was so bleak and wild looking that he never thought it could possibly be brought tf) the high statt' of cultiva- tion it has. "'iiSifl Andrew J. Rock, Is a son of one of the first settlers of Champaign county. He was the fourth child of William and Nancy (Beavers) Rock, who were natives of Maryland. The}^ removed to Indiana in 1831 and came to Sadorus town- ship in 1835, where William Rock took up a claim of forty acres which is now owned b}' A. J. Rock. Here the first family house was built which was constructed of poles. In after years a brick house was built which "is still standing. Young Andrew took several teams to Chicago and hauled the liunber, .shingles, nails, etc., with which to build the house. The brick in the same was made by Asa Gere, assi.sted l)y H. M. Russelland others, of Urbana. lubject of our sketch worked tie 152 PIOy'EERS OF CHAMPAUjy COUNTY on his father's farm until niue- teeu years of age wlieu lie left home to look around a little. He returned in 1852 and was married to Miss Mercy Peabody. They went to housekeeping in a house they built on ninety acres of land. In 1859 Andrew J. sold this property to his father and purchased 2(K) acres of land in Jasper county. Missouri. This land being wild he rented land in the vicinity but was driven out by the reix'ls. He shook the dust from his feet and in August, 18B1, moved to Fort Scott. Kansas, where he left his famih' and enlisted in the (Jth Kansas Cavalry During the war he served as a scout through Kansas and rendered invaluable service to the Union cause. His term of enlistment expiring in 18()4, he was mustered out and returned to his family which had been made desolate bj' the death of his wife. October 6th. mn. Two childi'en, Franklin and Nanc}-. were the result of this marriage. Franklin operates an extensive rancli near Leadville, Colorado, while Nancy is happily married to John Mattox. a farmer of Sadorus township. ]\lr. Rock was again united in marriage to Mrs. Martha ( Merrick ) Quick, daughter of Charles and Lucinda Merrick, of New York state. Mr. Kock and his family returned to his old home in this county where he spent the winter of 1864 and the following fall built a handsome brick residence opposite the home of his father and where he now resides. He went to Kansas again in 1867 and purchased a quarter section of land and engaged in stock raising for six years. In I86i( his wife died, leaving two daughters, Harriet and Ida. Harriet is now the wife of Orny Plat, a farmer of Sadorus townsliip. Ida being at home. Mr. Hock was again married August b"), 1870. to Miss i'^lizabeth liurkliart. of Kansas. 'I'liey resided thereuntil 1871 and then returned to his present home in llliii (lis. His wife (lii'd in 1871), leaving Mertie. John H.. Lulu and Maude ail at tioMie. .Mr. Hock was married again in the fall of 188.") to Miss Elizabeth (iriltin, daughtei- of iiev. and Mrs. .Natiian (irilliii. She was hoiii ill Lal-'avette coiuitv, Missouri, ill I8|S. His wife is a prominent member of the Baptist church of Sadorus and an energetic worker. Mr. Kock having been a resident for over fifty-six years has a wide ac- quaintance and is considered one of the solid citizens and farmers of that part of the county. In politics he is a democrat, what is known' as a war democrat. He is a fair man, a good husband and father, and wields a large influence for goo to this county in l'\'briiaiv, 185.'). anible position in a manner very satisfactory to the people. Few men in the county have a wider ac(iuaintan(e. Whether occupying the position of alderman, mavor, or attending the responsible position of county treasui-er, he is the same plain Paul Woody, a friend of everyone. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the or- der or Knights of Pythias. His pleas- ing address and obliging di.-position make him a favorite with all who make his acquaintance. .loM.V F. St'HWEIZER, Was born inObersioluuiigau, (). Stutt- gard, Kingdom of Wurteniherg, Ger- many, March 14, 1S27. His parents, Jacob and Margaret Sehweizor, were natives of that country. There were eighteen children boni to them, four- teen boys and four girls. The father died in 18G5. Two of the ehikhen. the .subject of this sk(^teh and his brother, George G.. v>ho is a resident of Phila- delphia, came to America. John F. worked at home in his father's hotel until 21. He left home March -4, 1848. and arrived in this e{mntrv June first, iollowing. He workcnl on a farm in New Jersey for two mouths, after- wards went to Philadelphia. He went from there to Cincinnati where he ob- tained a situation in the wholestale eloihing house of Mack Brothers and remained there until 1850, after whicli he (uigaged in the dry goods and no- tion business on his own account until May 24, 18r)7, when he came to I'r- bana and opened a clothing house. H«> won the confidence of the peoi)le and was quite succe.ssful in his busi- ness. In 1882 he removed his store to Champaign, where he is still engaged in business. In October, 1855, at Cin- cinnati, he was married to Ann Bar- bara Herl)streit. a native of (iermany. Two cliildreu were born to them, viz : Margarette W., who married Paul W. Woody, the present county treasurer, and a member of the firm of Schweizer A: Woody, Champaign, and William P., who is a tobacconist in Cham- paign, also married. Mrs. Schweizer died in Champaign July 4. 1878, at the age of 4i5 years. She was a mem- ber of the Evangelical Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Schweizer i.s and alsvays has been a sound repulili- can. He oast his first vote for John C. Fremont in 185B. He has been eminently- successful in busine.ss, ow- ing to strict attention and fair deal- ing. His stock and buildings were twice destroyed by fire, but each time he redoubled his efforts and regained his foothold. He admitted his son-in- law, Paul W. Woody, as a partner in 187(), which has proven to be a w'ise step. In 1868 the business was en- larged and merchant tailoring added. In 1800. a handsome business build- ing was erected by the firm and the largest plate glass front in the county put in. The building is a model clothing house and one of the finest in Central Illinois. The firm carr}' one of the largest stocks of goods outside of Chicago and do a corresponding large business. Although born in a foreign land, no one thinks more of his adopted country than he. He is especially proud of his palatial store- room, which is a justifiable weakness. Mr. Schweizer seems to be in the jnimeoflife and as active and ener- getic in ills business as when he came to this county in 185(5. He is a firm friend, sociable, just and cor- rect in all his dealings. No business man stands higher in the comnuMjity than he. and no one in the county has more friends. With plenty of this world's goods, a good reputation and a growing business, he is enjoying life and laving up for his children. 156 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAlOy COVNTY i N John Dallenbach. Que of the solid Germaii citizens of Champaign and one of the l^est known old settlers in the county is the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in Berne, Switzerland, February 7, 1820. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Hausy) Dallenbach, both natives of Switzerland. In 1838 the subject of this sketch came to this country and .settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He received his education in Berne, Switzerland, which well fitted him for the battles of life. He was united in marriage March 7, 1848, at Pittsburg, to Miss Rosana C. Agler, who is still living. Eight children have been born to them, viz : Lizzie, now Mrs. Wil- liam Will, residing at 325 E. 43rd St., Chicago ; Mary, now Mrs. Adam Imig, of Sheljoygan, Wis.; Jcjhn and Wil- liam, now residing in Champaign ; Sanmel, residing at 6320 Evans Ave., Chicago ; (ieorge and Fred, residing in Champaign, and Emma, youngest daughter, at No. 78 N. Ada street, (Miicago. In 1857 Mr. Dallenbach came to ('ham]xiign. which was then in its infancy. He bought a farm ami tiietl tliat at first, but soon becoming discouraged, he rem(ne(t to town and opened a meat market He and his estimal)lc wife were economical and determinearl()i'. kitchen, sleeping and dining room. Here the}' lived, attended to their business, owing no man anything that they did not pay promptly, and it was not long until John Dallenbach was recognized as one of the solid men in man}- respects of the thriving young tow-n of Cham- paign. Honesty and right was char- acteristic of Mr. Dallenbach, and it was with sincere regret that the peo- ple of Champaign learned that he in- tended retiring from a business he had honored and by which he had amassed a goodly portion of this world's goods. The weight of years however, and a desire to give his boys a chance, de- cided him to retire from business, which he did in 1877. He is liberal and public spirited and freely con- tributed to the building of almost ev- ery church building in Champaign and vicinity and no worthy object was presented to him without receivmg a contribution. His family is the pride of his heart. His children are all in- dustrious and economical and are among the best citizens and business men. He is a firm republican, also a member of the Masonic order. He is now advanced in years, takes life easy and no one. walking the streets, has more friends or is more respected than John Dallenbach. rioxHtjRS or ciiampakss couxtv. 157 Hkxijy Moktimkk Russkll. Was born in Pembroke, Geneseo coun- ty, New York. November 18, 1826. His parents were Nathaniel Russel', who is still living, and Hannah (Ger^) Rus- sell, who died in Clark countj', HI. When a lad of lo, his famil\- and he came from New York to Walnut Pra- rie, Clark county, Hi., by wagon. Henry came to Champaign county, July 27, 1847. and stopped three miles .south of Sadorns and worked at brick- making during the summer and on October (5, 1847, only a few weeks be- fore becoming of age, removed to Ur- bana wh^ re he has lesided ever since. He received a good common school education in Clark county, Illinois. He taught school the winter of 1847-8, and in July, 1848, engaged with the Western Stage Co. and remained with them unMl staging ceased in this part of the country. He then went into the grocery and provision business with A. O. Clapp and Thomas J. Price. He first bought one out and then the other and continued in that business until 1860. He also started the first bakery in Urbana in connection with his other business. He was married to Miss Anna Waters, whostill lives, and three children have been b:)rn to them. The two oldest, l)oth girls, died in infancy. Charles M., the third child, is married and resides at Fort Wayne, I nd. Mr. Russell did not enter the army as an enlisted man. but was with the army most of the time during the war. He went from here with the 2r)th Illinois Infantry. .Vugus't 'i. 1864. He was in llie secret service of the government most of the time until the do^e of the war and in fart until thi' fall nf ISC"). .\t Donelson he took a haml in tiie tight and helped to silence a battery, taking t In; place of a soldier who was nnal)le to go in on that day. He was in tlie militia at Memphis and also at Natchez i'or a time. He was ch'ef of the mili'ary and detective police in the Natchez district during the year 1864, wliicli vv.is at that time a very impor- tant po-;ition. He has never aspired to orticp. Itut s rved his ward as alderman for al)out 14 years and we state • hat w' know to be true, when vve say he was one of the most efficient aldermen the city has ever had. He was a U. H. storekeeper from 1871 to 1874. He then establi-uperintendent of its Sabbath scliool and has been among its most substantial and conscientious supporters. The Herald hopes that lie and his estimable life companion mav live many years to enjoy the coni- petency he has accumulated by a life of temperance, economy and untiring industry. 158 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY histohy of the sadobus settlement. BY J. O. CUNNINGHA^r. The four townships of Sadorus, Pe- sotum, Colfax and Tolono, as now organized, embrace the scene of the second oldest settlement of this coun- ty, formerh- known as •' Sadorus Grove,"' from the name of the first permanent white family which made its hospitable shelter and fat lands their home. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. The territory of which we are to speak is a section of the valley of the Okaw river, which takes its rise but a few miles away, runs southwestward- ly one hundred and twenty miles, measured in a direct line, though much farther by following the inean- derings of the stream, and after wash- ing the shores of the ancient Kas- kaskia, the first permanent seat of civilization in Illinois, empties into the Mississippi river. The land for some miles each side of the stream slopes gently to it, so as to afford natural drainage, and is as fertile as ever was the famed valle}' of the Nile. If the theory of geologists concern- ing the presence in this latitude of the glacier in pre-historic periods he true, then the Okaw valley entertained one of those chilly monsters if indeed it does not owe its origin to a furrow ploughed by one, for along the mar- gin of the stream and throughout its entire valley, are or were in early times numerous boulders of granite, gneiss and limestone, dropped by these visi- tants or surrendered by them when they went out of business. In no ])art of this county are these stranger rocks so plentiful as in the vicinity of this stream. One of these rocks h'ing a short distance southwest of the vil- lage, near Wm. Sadorus' sugar camj), measures seven steps around at the ground and five feet above tlie ground. How far the monster extends below the surface of the ground has never bcicn ascertained. It must weigh many tons and challenges our admi- ration for the might}' force which ))ore it from it.^ native h'dge in tlie faraway north and llnally dropped it here at our doors and for our arliniration. FIRST VISITORS. Who first saw these lovely and fer- tile plains? This question finds its answer only in conjecture. The mound Ijuilder. he of whom no one knows anything save that he was a mighty worker, has left monuments of his industry upon the Sangamon not far awaj-, and doul)tless looked upon this valley. The wild Indian, who was everything liut a worker, was found an inhabitant of Illinois by John Nicholet, in 1634 and by Joliet and LaSalle, later visitants. But who of our race, for whom the Almighty seems to have fashioned this goodh^ heritage, first looked upon its gentle beauty and perhaps mentally measured its capabilities to meet the wants of man? Doubtless white trap- pers as captives ranged through this country, but not with thoughts of sub- duing and appropriating it. The first whites to look upon this valley, of whom we know anj'thing, were a party of United States surveyors, under liichard T. Holliday, who in 1822 .sur- veyed the four townships named, into sections and marked their corners. Three years l)efore this, in 1819, by a treaty between the United States and the Kickapoo Jndians, the title to the lands passed to our government, and were now ready for occupancy under the pre-emption laws though not in the market for entry. FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT. We now come to the part of our narrative most important to us and of interest to those who may come after us, for whose use largely all our re- searches are made. The histor}' of the Sadorus family is so nearly the history of the towns of which we write and of the period al)t)ut which we write, that the history of one tells the story of all. Henrv Sadorus, formerly known as *' Orandpap " Sadorus. was born in Bedford county, Penn., July 2(i, 1788, four years before tlie adoption of the federal constitution. The spring of 1817 found him living, with his little family, of whom our fellow citizen William Sadorus, then about live years old, having been born eJuly 4, 1812, was the oldest, on Oil Creek. Crawford county. Pa. The " western fever," wliicli has prevailed among Americans since the landing of the Pilgrims, at- tacked him and from the native tim- I' lux Eli us: ur ( nAMi'Aias couyTy 159 bers of that region he constructed a raft or flatboat, upon which ho loaded his worldly goods and his faniil}- for a long journey westwardT The flat- boat was buift on the waters of Oil Creek, and down it the adventurers set forth in pursuit of a home in the west, they knew not where. Follow- ing this creek to its junction with the Alleghen}' that stream soon bore them to Pittsburg and from there their frail J)ark l)ore them to Cincinnati in safe- ty, barring one shipwreck at the head of the famed Blenuerhassett's Island. The flatboat having served its purpose, was sold in Cincinnati for .|1,7(H) in James Piatt's shinplaster money, making the traveller rich for the time, but in six months it sliar(»d the fate pf its kind and was no good and Mr. Sadorus was poor again. The family remained in Cincinnati two years w'hen the}' again drifted we.st- ward. stopping successively at Con- nersville. Jr'lat Rock and Raccoon, in the state of Indiana, where they found themselves in the spring of 1^24, still with a desire to "go west." Early in the year Mr. Sadorus and a neighl)or, one Joe Smith, fltted themselves 'out each with a team of two yoke of oxen, and a covered wagon, suitable for moving their families and goods. Thus accoutered the}' again set their faces westward intending to go to the Illinois country, possiblv as far as Peoria or Fort Clark as the place was then known. An almost trackless forest then lay between them and their place of destination. They passed the site of the city of Indian- apolis, then but recently selected as the state capital, where the foundation of the old capitol l)uilding had just l)een laid, and crossing the Wabash river by a terr}- at Clinton, Indiana, they soon encountered the Grand Prairie. After entering Illinois, they encountered onl}- one house l^etween the state line and theO'Kaw and that was the home of Hezekiah Cunning- ham, on or near the Little Vermilion river, where he kept a small trading post for traliic with the Indians. On April i(, lS2-t, the party reached (he isolated grove at the head of the OTvaw river, since and now known as " Sadorus' Grove."' and as usual en- camped for the night, near the place which eventually became their perma- nent home. A brief .survev of their surroundings satisfied the party that a point had l^een i-eached which fully met all their demands for a home. So far as the}' then knew they were 30 or 4() miles from neighbors, surrounded by as fruitfid a coimtry as was to be ' found, in which wild game abounded and where every want might easily be supplied. Accordingly they determin- ed here to remain and set about mak- ing themselves comfortable. They found that the grove whose shelter they had accepted was 3 or 4 miles long and nearly equally divided by a narrow place in the timber where the railroad now crosses the stream, so the two heads of families partitioned the tract between themselves. Smith taking the south end and Sadorus the north end. The "Narrow's" as it was called, being the line. A brief survey of the surroundings of the situation will give a better idea of the actual condition of these pion- eers: Illinois had then been a stat3 in the Union six years and Edward ('oles, its second governor, was still in office. Its population which was then less than 100,000 was confined to the southern counties. Neither Cham- paign, Piatt nor Vermilion counties had been established and their terri- tory and all north of them to the Wis- consin line belonged to Edgar county. There was then no Danville, Urbana, , Charleston, Decatur nor Monticello, not to speak of their younger and more brilliant rivals. Five years previously, in 1819, by a treaty between the U. S. "Government and the Indian* tribes the Indian title to this country and to all south of the Kankakee river; had been relinquished and only two years before the U. S. surveyors had performed their work, and the mounds bv which the section corners were niarked were yet fresh. Not an acre of land had been entered which now forms this county and so far as we are informed only one white man's cabin, that of Runnel Fielder, two miles northeast of the site of Urbana. was to Ite found in the same territory, Field- er had then been here two years and was a squatter on the public domain. The only residents of what is now Ver- milion c-ounty was James D. Butler, at Butlers Point, near Catlin, and his neighbors, John Light, Robert Trickle and Asa Elliott and Dan Beckwith and Jesse Gilbert at Dan- ville and Hezekiah Cunningham on Little Vermilion. The whole state of 160 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAiay COUSTy. Illinois north of us was uninhabited by white men, except the military station at Cbicaofo, and wild Indians roamed and hunted at pleasure over these prairies and through these groves. Having so divided the beautiful grove of timber between them the two pioneers proceeded to make ar- rangements for a permanent stay in the place chosen for a home, by build- ing for each a cabin. Smith who had chosen the southern part of the grove, erected his cabin near where the old Grandpa Sadorus' old home now stands. It was built of split linn logs, 16x16 feet, covered with split oak- en boards with linn puncheons for a floor. The roof, after the manner of cabin building, was laid upon logs or poles laid lengthwise of the cabin, each succeeding pole being a little higher than the last, and converging towards the ridge. These boards, for the want of nails, which were not to be had, were held in place bj poles laid length- wise over the buts of each course. The door was made of split boards held in place by wooden pins. The window was only a hole cut in the wall to let in the light, subsequently covered with greased muslin to keep out the cold. TLe Sadonis home, which was built two miles north on section 36 in Coltax, but in the firove, was le.^-s pietentinus. It was built of the same material 10x20 feet, but entirely open on one side, what is called a "half-faced camp." Windows and doors were entirely dispensed with. Settled in these crude homes, the pioneers set about plantinK and preparing for the future. The summer was spent in cultivating little patches of corn and garden with a crude prairie plow they had broui^ht with them and in luuitint: wild (canie for their meat and peltries, the result beint; that as fall apiiroached the larders of the families were well supplied with the best the country af- forded. The wolves, however, ate up much of their sod corn. In the fall the heads of the two families, havinfj laid in for their families, concluded to know what lay to the west of them. Fill- ing their packs with a small .supply of pro- visions, with their rifles on their shoulders, they s«-t out on foot for the west again, leaving their families housed as we have seen. They traveled as far as lake I'eoria, where Smith detei mined to remove his family, 'i'hey went by way of Mackinaw and Kickapoo Creek, through Indian coun- try. Kt'iurniny; as they went after an ab- sence of two weeks, they found everything quiet. Smith at once sold his cabin and im- provements to Sadorus, the consideration being the hauling of a load of goods from the O'Kaw to the Illinois liver, which was paid according to the agreen'ent, and the south end of tbe grove with all of its ap- purtenances, passed to Mr. Sadorus. Thus came and went the first representative of the numerous and respectable family of Smiths of this county. IN THEIR J'ERMANENT HOME. r The Sadorus family lost no time in taking possession of the Smith cabin. Its comforts were exchanged for the '•half-faced camp," and all claim ti) the upper lialf of the grove was abandoned. The land thus dccujiied by the Sadorus family subsequently, 9 years thereafter, became the home of James Mil- ler. The Smith cabin was "daubed" that fall, which means that the interstices be- tween its logs were tilled with chinks and mud to prevent the cold from intruding and its foundations were banked with earth with a like purpose. A mud chimney was built outside with a fireplace opening inside the cabin, and carried up above the cabin roof with sticks and mud. A cl ).\t:i.RS OF CHAMPAiay cuustv. 161 to Sadorus and liis lierds and all on that side belonging to Piatt, an Abialiani and Lot attair, that had jio distuibancf tnmi in- tnideis for more Uiaii a (luarter of a cen- tnry. IN THK NEIGHBORHOOD It will be ii'ferred that the term 'iieifi;!!- bor." had a somewhat dillereut meaiiini? than from that given it now. and it is a fact that "dist.Tnce lent enchantment to the view" of the few they liad. As already seen residents at Danville, Monticello, Ur- hana and on tlie lower Little Vermilion river were liie neare.>t neighbors of the Sa- dorus family, hut it must not be supposed that the intervening distances prevented neighborly acts or cut off social intercourse. Air. William Siulorus, from whom 1 have received mii>t of the facts here Kf'i'l'ed to- gether, was twelve year.-< old when they took upilieir residence on the OKaw, and is now in hi> 80ih jear. speaUs withenthusi- asuiof their neighbors (.f sixiy years ago and the warm hospitality encountered in every cabin, of the "raisings,"' the "huskillg^^" and The "hunting circles" which brouglit the scattered settlers together and kei>t alive sociability. He remembers the Cook fami- ly which settled on the we.st side of the 13ig Grove in 1880. and before being domiciled binied the husbanfl and father, the hrst death of a white settlt-r of the county. He also remembers the coming of Stephen Boyd, Jake Heater, the Buseys, Charlie Matthew and Isaac, the latter he sajs, kept the first lirst-class hotel in Urbana in his cabin on the creek bank. He also remem- bers the coming of Noble Byers, the only Justice of the Peace in this part «if Vermil- ion chn G. Robertson and of the Webbers. These are warmly remem- bered by Mr. Sadorus for the friendships whicli grew np between them as pioneers, and ceased only at their deatli. The tirst additions to the population in the immediate neighborhood of the Sadorus family were Henry Evving, who with his family, came from Connersville, Ind., two years after Mr. Sadorus came and built a cabin in the grove north of where the vil- lage now is. He staid a year and moved on west. William Martpiis soon after came, took possession of the Ewing cabin, staid two ov three years and cleared a small plat of land and then he too, went west. One Aikens Wright came about 18:30 and settled west of the creek, a mile or more away. He was a desperado and had a bad reputation among his neighbors and finally moved away under compulsion. John Cook and family, the second permanent settler in the grove, came about the begining of 1><39 aud settled on .section thirty inTolono township, where he died over thirty years since. The Millers, Lsaac, James, Benjamin and John, came at an early day from Indiana, and en- tered land and became permanent residents. Before 1 hem came William Kock, in lJS.36, and settled on the land where he subse- (juertly dit-d. Following him and settling lower down were Kzra Fay. the first New Light preacher in the county, who settled on the Ellars farm: John Haines, father of E. C. Haines; Lawson Laughlin and William Toler, his father-in-law, the first to be bur- ied in the Kock graveyard; and John U'Bryan. with his sons William, Joseph and Hiram. Fay afterwards moved to Lake Fork. INDIAN.'*. Although the Indian title to these lands had been extinguished by treaty in 1819. yet as late as 1833 these wild men wandered at will and hiinied over these prairies. Be- fore the Sadorus family had built their first camp on the O'Kaw, they were visited by strolling bands of these red men. Their chief errands were to procure something to eat, and they always got what they came for, says Wm. Sadorus. This hospitality was not thrown away for the red men were always the fast friends of the Sadorus fam- ily. The Indians were of the Pottawatomie, Kickapoo and Delaware tribes. William Sadorus remembers Shemaugre the Potta- watomie chief and says the chief never failed to call when passing through this country on his hunting expeditions, always dividing with the family his supply of game. Shemaugre then lived at the ford of the Kankakee river near Bourbonnais Grove. He claimed the Indian camping ground on the site of Urbana as his native place, and is still remembered by many of the pioneers of the Big Grove as the friend of the early white settler. He is remembered by many as the "Old Soldier," a name some- times assumed l>y him. His name is seen affixed to some treaties with the United States government as "Shemaugre." He was disowned by bis people and lived by himself when known to our people. Wallhoming, a Delaware chief, was also a frequent visitor at the Sadorus home. At onetime he, with several followers, came over from the Ambraw river, bearing a keg of whisky, which they had purchased of a trader, saying they wanted to stay and have a big drunk, which they did, but all the time peaceable. The supply lasted them several days, notwithstanding the leak in the end opposite the spiggot, which Mrs. Sadorus had made to facilitate consumption. At the close Wallhoming and his friends 162 PIONEERS OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. gave an all night exhibition of Indian dances, which the Sadorus boys witnessed with interest. Big John Lewis, a Delaware, was one of the party. About a year after the bie drnnii VVainumiing came again, this time sober, bringing witli him tiicoon skins, which he gave Mr. badorus, saying they were to "pay for big drunk." Ata(u)llier time when Mr. Sadorus had gone beyond the Wabash to mill and Mrs. Sadorus and lier little chiidri'ii were left alone, a party of Indians came to the cabin, asked for Mr. Sadorus and were informed that he had gone to mill. They informed the while man's squaw that she would starve, but were assured that they had plenty. They then Jeft the cabin for the chase and in a few hours returned bearing the hams of severa' deer which they had siaui and gave them to the family. Mrs. Sadorus returned the favor by instructing the boys to go to the corn shocks in tlie corn lields and roll out a supply of yellow pumpkins, which had been put there to save them from the frost. With mutual expressions of kindly feelings the red visit- ors and the Sadorus family separated as they had often done before. The cabin of Mr. Sadorus was always made a stouping place by Shemaugre and Wallhomiug and their hunting parties, but not a single act of hostility or of thievery was ever perpetrated by them. Wm. Sa- dorus remembers the call at their cabin of an Indian named Tom Jelloway and his daughter, on iheir way to some western point wliere the dauuhter was charged with having killed a squaw, and whither the father was vtilmilrtriiy taking her to meet the charge. The result of the trial he never heard. Shemaugre died and was buried on the banks of the Kankakee, where he had lived. GAMK. P.efoie the Sadorus family came here tlie BulTalo and the larger game had di>ap- peared irom the country, leaving only the bones of deceased members of the race and their wallowing holes, as evidences of their former occupancy. The bones have disap- peared and the sink holes in the prairie where tliey took their recreation^, we me now engaged in tiling out and reclaiming for agriciiltnral inriioses. Of deer. wolve>, raccoons, minks and rabbits, there was plenty at the time of the settleni'iit of the country. Foxes and groundhotrs have come to the country since. As late as iN'Ji* a lynx was killed l)y John Cook on the creek. The Sadorus men svere great hunter^ in early dajs and William sa.\s he has huiiled norih as far as Spring ('reek, in lid(|Uois coniily. lu such excursions he would be gone some- times as long as three weeks, camp- ing out and living by the chase. Within a few years, his passion for hunting, finding no gratitication in the lields so long ago hunted over by him, he has soiishtout hunt- ing grounds in Arkansas and other western states. I'OST-OFFICK AND STOKKS. When the Sadorus family tirst came to the grove their nearest post-oflice and their county seat was I'aris, Edgar county, but having no need of postal facilities they did not patronize tlie town for either purpose. The road oHicials at Paris at one time warned Mr. Sadorus to appear on the streets of Paris on a given day to work his poll tax, but it being Hfty-two miles from home the mandate was disobejed. Their first trading, and for tifteen years, was done at Eugene, Ind., with the Colletts and afterward with Samuel Groenendyke. There each fall they drove their hotfs. 'Ihey raised from 100 to oOOeach year. Their herd had the run of the timber and fattened on the mast until the corn hardened in the fall wl'en a "round up" was had and the herd put in a tield and fed until the packing season in Eugene, when a force sufficient was summoned and the drove taken to market. The pork brought from -31 to 52.50 percwt., and the trip consumed fnnn ten days to two weeks of time. In the course of a few years Danville had a post-otiice and became iheir trading point. The tirst letter received by the family came thr'.i lioiirs. The trip to Chicago of tho-e days was most comfortably ma; to know that these Koods were l)ouglit of (iurdou S. Uul)bard, then and fur many >ears before and since an extensive trader with the frontiersmen and lndi.in.->. He had stores at Chicago, on the lro(|uoi-* river at a place called BuiK'omb and ai D.invllie. and was well-km)vvn teitler.-.. The return trip was made by way of Si.iing Creek and Mink Grove to Urbaua. Only one house was seen between the Kaidiakee river and Urbaua, that of Charley Busey, twu miles north of Urbana, on what is know.i as the John Stewart farm. Mr. Henry Sadorus says of Chicago then, that il was "very .•«cafteriiig and its streets were as full of dog-fennel as are those of 8adorus village now." William Sadoius relates a similar triji to Chicago in 1S4(), in the big Pennsylvania wag(»n, loHtbd with si.xty bushels of wheat. This trill was made by way i, courts were opened in due time and Mr. Sadorus, as the record will show, took an early part in the pioceedings. He well remembers the early judges, Harlan, Treat and Davis, and the early sherifls, Saulsbnry, Stevenson, Cox, Ater, IjCwis and Stidham. .'(OCIAI, EVENTS. As before stated, the early settlers were, though living far apart, very so(!iable among themselves and hospitable to all strangers. The young people gathered together from considerable distances for corn "huskings" and "railings" and celebrated the conclusion of tlie Work with a dance. Whiskey was plenty at twenty cents a gallon and did not produce near as bad a drunk as the highly taxed and drugged article of this day. Mr. Sadorus iniilt a log barn :^0.\00 feet at one time and called his neighbors from the Big (irove. Salt Fork, Mouticello, Lake Fork, and away down on OKaw, to help to raise it. li took two days to do the work but the young peoiile danced all night the second night. A barrel of whiskey and large aumunts of provisions were used, but no bad drunks nor fights resulted. Melinda Jiusey (nflerwards Mis. Bryan) of Urbana, was one of the company. Ill this wa> acquaintances were made aiul kept up, marriages were contracted and life-long friendships formed. Wm. Sadorus in 1838, when twenty-six years old, married Mary Moore, of Lake Fork, Shelby county, and settled on land he had entered four years before, building for himself a log cabin as was the custom everywhere, but receiving tne aid of his neighbors. SCHOOLS. No schools were opened in the settlement until 1839, when a man named Hooten taught a family school in Mr. Sadorus' kitchen for a short time. Mr. Sadorus sent his son William to a school at Georgetown, Vermilion county, and while he was there the surveyor was engaged in plating and laying out the town. It afterwards became the seat of the Georgetown Seminary and quite an educational centre. Henry Sadorus was also sent to a school ten miles this side of Danville The first public school in the settlement was taught by John Hamilton, in 1840, in a log school-house, built about one mile north of the village, in the upper end of grove. It is said this school was taught before a lloor had been laid or a window put in the house and before it liad been "chinked and daubed." REI.IOIOU.S. William Sadorus says that the lirst .sermon preached and the first religious exercises held in the Grove was by Peter Cartwright, but he can not give the date. He was followed by Arthur Bradshaw, who was aiipointetl to the Urbana mission in 1839. His field embraced the territory for a long distance down the O'Kaw and Ambraw. lU-4 PJOyEEHS OF CHAMPAlOy CUCXTY The settlers prepared a set of puncbeon benches, which were hauled from house to house, where appointments were made by Bradshaw. The timber was of linn and so was light and easily handled. These ap- pointments were not very frequent hut were well attended. PERMANENT HOME. Id 18.38 Mr. Sadorus built for himself and family a very pretentious permanent home, after having lived in their cabin home four- teen years. It was a two-story frame build- ing about m feet front by 20 feet, attached to which was an ell of considerable size. It had for its supports big granite boulders, gathered from the fields. The siding was hauled from Coal Creek, Ind., while other portions of the sawed lumber was brought froui Moses Thomas' mill near Homer, while some was brought from Heptoustall's mill, a short distance below Urbana. This house was roomy and afforded the host better facilities for extending that hospitality to strangers for which he was noted. This home and that of William Rock, three miles farther south, were in their time the best cm the creek and were often the scenes of social gatherings arid always of generous hospitality. MILLS. The first milling facilities enjoyed by the .settlement were a choice between a mill in Morgan county, Illinois, and mills beyond thej Wabash in Indiana. These were in part supplied by a horse mill made by Mr. Sadorus in 1830. It was made of dressed boulders and run by horse power. It would grind only a bushel of corn in two hours or four or five bushels in a day. It would grind but not bolt the grain and was better than to go one hundred miles east or west to mill. They subsequently resorted to .lohn Brownlield's mill in the Big (Jrove and to 'I'honias' mill at Homer. CRIME. The r)nly homicides were the killing of I)e Haven bs I'atterscm, in 1S5M, and later tiie killing of .John Itice, by Thompson Laugh- lin. Dr. Haven was killed by a weight thrown by I'atteison and IJice by a gun^^hot. Patterson was tried and sent to tlie peni- tentiary and Lauglilin was tried and ac- qiiitled. ('ONTI.IISIO.V. In the course of time, here as everywhere else in our country, the seclusion of the frontier gii\ e way to the forces of civili/a- tion, and the iron horse jdouKhed its way through Sadorus' Grove about on the line of the "Narrows," adopted by Sadorus and his fellow pioneer, Joe Smith, as the line between their possessions and across the land entered by William Sadorus in 1834. In the period of the state internal im- provement craze in 1837 a line was run through the grove for this road about half a mile north of the present location, but notliing more came of it, until eighteen years afterwards, in the fullness <>f time, the Wabash road was built and now its thirty trains a day thunder past William Sadorus' door and through the silvan shades where he and his father, aluio-t seventy years since, tirst broke the solitudes which prevailed since Creation's morn. Mr. Sadorus. now a patriarch of almost eighty years, lives with his tliiid wife not far away from the point where they tirst pitciied their camp on April 0th. 1S24, while his brother Henry, younger by twelve years, lives a mile away. A dense population has taken possession of the adjacent timber and prairies and elbowed the hunters and their game therefrom. The old pioneer, Henry Sadorus, died July 18, 1S78, aged almost ninety-five years and now with his faithful wife who died thirty years before, sleeps in the little cemetery near his home, but immediately upon the banks of the stream he loved so well and so long. His name is borne by his township and village and will never be forgotten. I