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ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
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Welcome to
Piatt County,
Illinois
History & Genealogy |
Biographies
Source:
Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois
Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical
Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens
of the County
Together with Portraits and Biographies of all
the
Presidents of the United States
and Governors of the State
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros
1891
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Henry W. Gantz,
one of the enterprising business men of Deland, Piatt County, is
a native of Ohio born in Richland County, September 3, 1845.
His father, David Gantz, was born in Pennsylvania and went to Ohio
about 1840, being one of the early settlers in Richland County.
He entered land in Wyandot County a few years later and settled in
the forest where Indians were yet numerous, moving into a log cabin
without a floor. The Gantz family is a German origin, but our
subject has little knowledge of the ancestral history.
The wife of David Gantz and mother of our subject was
known in her maidenhood as Miss Mary Laninger. She likewise
was a native of Pennsylvania and with her husband held membership in
the Lutheran Church, whose tenets of faith both endeavored to adhere
to in daily life. The father died in 1872 and the mother in
1873. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are
still living.
Our subject was born in a pioneer log cabin and reared
on a farm. He obtained his preliminary education by an
attendance of from thirty to fifty days each year at the log
schoolhouse which was the temple of learning in the newer sections
of country. He remained with his parents until he was of age,
when he began working by the month on a neighboring farm. In
1867 he determined to seek his fortune farther west and in the fall
of that year he came to the Prairie State. Locating in DeWitt
County he spent several months as a farm laborer, but during the
year 1868 engaged in operating rented land.
In 1870 Mr. Gantz bought a farm in Monticello Township,
Piatt County, and in 1876 removed thereto. He devoted his
mental and physical energies to farm work some eight years longer,
then removed to Deland and established a large tile factory.
After carrying it on about a year he disposed of the plant and
purchased an interest in the hardware and grocery store of I. L.
Rinehart. As a member of the firm of I. L. Rinehart & Co. he
is bearing his part in the commercial affairs of the town, aiding
his partner to still further work up what is already a good trade in
hardware and groceries.
The way in which Mr. Gantz takes hold of any enterprise
has given him a high reputation for push and zeal, and his honorable
dealing is well known throughout the country contiguous to Deland.
He came to this State with but $35 as a cash capital, but has so
improved his time that he now owns two hundred and sixty-two acres
of improved land in Goose Creek Township, Piatt County, and village
property in Deland of considerable value. He has held local
offices and is a Republican in politics. He belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church, among whose members, as in the community
at large, he is regarded as a trustworthy and upright gentlemen.
The pleasant dwelling of Mr. Gantz is made cozy and
attractive by the efforts of an intelligent, amiable woman who
became Mrs. Gantz October 1, 1873. Prior to that date she bore
the name of Amanda Porter. She is a native of DeWitt County
and an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her
congenial union has resulted in the birth of three bright children -
Hattie E., Inez and Ira.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.,
1891~ Page |
Lafayette M.
Glazebrook, a veteran of the
late war, in which he won an honorable military record, and
the genial and popular Postmaster at Lintner, is one of the
prominent business men of Piatt County, a member of the firm
of Glazebrook & Duncan, dealers in grain, coal and lumber at
the village mentioned. A native of Putnam County,
Ind., our subject was born September 28, 1845, to Bradford
and Theresa (Morrow) Glazebrook, natives of Ohio. He
was reared to man's estate in the county of his birth, and
obtained the preliminaries of his education in the public
schools of Greencastle and for one college year attended
Asbury University. After leaving college, he taught
school for one term in his native State. But a few
months after the war broke out, though he was a mere youth
of sixteen years, he threw aside all personal aims and
ambitions to take part in the great conflict, becoming a
member of Company H, Forty-third Indiana Infantry which
formed a part of the army of the Southwest.
Notwithstanding his youthful age, our subject showed
himself to be possessed of true soldierly qualities and
fought with undaunted courage and valor on many a hotly
contested battlefield. He took part in the battle of
Island No. 10, was with his regiment at New Madrid, at Ft.
Pillow, and at Memphis, Tenn. He again faced the enemy
at the battle of Helena; was present at the battle of Little
Rock, and the engagement at Camden. He and his
comrades did some hard fighting at Marke's Mills in
Arkansas, and there he and others were captured but he
rebels and taken prisoners to Tyler, Tex. Our subject
had a hard time of it in the prison there as he had to
suffer untold hardships. He was finally exchanged, and
was honorably discharged March 15, 1865.
After his hard experiences of life on the battlefield,
Mr. Glazebrook returned to his old home in Putnam County,
Ind., and spent the ensuing two years in various parts of
his native State until 1877, when he came to Illinois.
He resided in Macon County until 1884, and then came to
Lintner, where he lived ever since. In that year he
formed a partnership with M. H. Wilson, and they carried on
the grain, coal and lumber business together under the firm
name of Wilson & Glazebrook, until June, 1888. On the
6th of that month he entered into his present partnership
with Mr. Duncan and they are carrying on a fine business.
The building in which they transact their business is 20x60
feet in dimensions, is one story in height, and is well
adapted to the purposes for which it is used. Messers.
Glazebrook & Duncan, carry about $5,000 worth of
merchandise, and their sales amount to about $20,000
annually. Their grain business is quite extensive, and
they handle from three hundred to three hundred and fifty
carloads of various cereals, and they also deal extensively
in coal and lumber, controlling the trade of the town, and
sell probably fifty carloads of the latter a year.
Mr. Glazebrook has been twice married, and of the
children born to him two survive, Milton B.
and Midget.
He is a man of marked intelligence, well-versed in the
topics of the day and the biographer found him to be a
courteous and entertaining gentleman, and it is the
testimony of his fellow-citizens that he is eminently
deserving of the confidence in which he is held in financial
circles. He is closely identified with the prosperity
of Lintner, as one who generously endeavors to help forward
all enterprises that will in any way promote its growth.
He was appointed Postmaster at the village in 1888 and is
discharging the duties of that office to the perfect
satisfaction of all concerned. He is one of the
leading members of the Grand Army Post at LaPlace, and has
officiated as the officer of the day on various public
occasions. Politically, his affiliations are with the
Democrats. He is identified with the Independent Order
of Odd-Fellows.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.,
1891~ Page |
John
Goodson has made farming his principal occupation and
that he has been successful is attested by the appearance of his
fine and well-managed farm with its many valuable improvements, on
section 14, Unity Township, Piatt County. Mr. Goodson
is a native-born citizen of this State, his birthplace in Douglas
County, and the date of his birth Sept. 1, 1844. His parents,
Thomas and Sarah (Monroe) Goodson, natives of Franklin
County, Ohio, were pioneers of that part of Illinois. His
father was a farmer by occupation and developed a good farm in
Douglas County, where he died. The mother is still living.
They had nine children, seven boys and two girls, as follows:
John, George, Jesse, James, Frank, Charles, Albert, and two
girls who died unnamed. George, Jesse and James
are deceased.
Mr. Goodson was reared much as other farmers'
boys and passed his boyhood on his father's farm in Douglas County,
assisting him in its labors. He was seventeen years old when
he went to California, in 1862, and he was engaged in the pursuits
to which he had been bred in that State till 1875, when he returned
to Illinois. In 1878 he came to Unity Township to reside and
has ever since made his home here, devoting himself assiduously to
the work of managing his farming interests at this point. He
owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 14, which is
very fertile and is under admirable tillage. Mr. Goodson
has erected substantial commodious buildings for every needed
purpose, and the improvements on his place make it one of the
choicest farms in the vicinity.
Our subject has by no means been without help in the
work of building up his cozy home, as by his marriage in Woodland,
Cal., Mar. 17, 1872, to Miss Julia Ingraham, he secured a
wife who has co-operated with him in his labors and been indeed a
true helper. Mrs. Goodson was born in Napa County,
Cal., Aug. 12, 1853. Her pleasant weeded life with our subject
has been blessed to them by the birth of one child, Mollie G.
Mrs. Goodson's parents were Orin and Sarah (Gordon) Ingraham,
natives respectively of Connecticut and Mexico. Her father was
a ship carpenter and also a farmer after his marriage, and is
supposed to have perished at the time of an earthquake shock in
Callao, South America, in 1868. Her mother died in Napa
County, Cal., in the same year. They were the parents of four
children: Julia, wife of our subject; Charles, Carrie
and Thomas. Charles is deceased.
Mr. Goodson is a truthful, upright, honorable
man and his citizenship is creditable to his adopted township.
He takes a great interest in whatever concerns the township and has
helped to forward its public interests whenever he has held civic
office. He was elected Commissioner of Highways in the spring
of 1884, and has held that position ever since and has also been a
School Director. He is identified with the Democratic party
and gives it his earnest support.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.,
1891~ Page |
William Graham.
It is not alone in prominent pulblic station that we find men whose
works may well be emulated by others, but in the humbler walks of
life are to be found many examples worthy of imitation. The
gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs has an honorable
civil and military record, and may be classed among those whose
lives are deserving of mention, and whose example might well be
followed by all who desire the respect of their fellow-men. He
is a farmer and stock-raiser of Piatt County, pleasantly located on
section 13, Willow Branch Township.
The parents of our subject were Fleming and Mary
(Davis) Graham, who are believed to have been natives of Ohio.
They were of Scotch and German ancestry, respectively, and the
mother was the daughter of a soldier in the War of 1812. The
parental family consisted of seven children, five of whom survive,
namely: John, whose home is in Montgomery County, this
State; William, of whom we write; James, living in
Pickaway County, Ohio; Davis and Lewis whose names are in
Richardson County, Neb. The birth of William Graham
occurred in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 5, 1841, and he was reared
to manhood at the place of his nativity. His education was
obtained in the subscription and public schools, and although the
curriculum was not as extended as in the schools of to-day it was
sufficient to endow a studious and attentive lad with a practical
education.
A few weeks after his twentieth birthday young
Graham enlisted in the Thirty-third Ohio Infantry, being
enrolled in Company H, Aug. 18, 1861. The regiment was sent to
the front and became a part of the Army of the Cumberland under
Gen Buell, first entering the smoke of battle at Pikeville,
Ky.,. and later taking part in the memorable engagements at Ft.
Donelson and Perryville. At the last mentioned battle Mr.
Graham was wounded in the right knee and was laid up in the
hospital six months. When convalescent he was discharged for
disability, returning to his home in February, 1863. The
effects of his wound wore away and in May, 1864, he again enlisted
becoming a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio
Infantry, and entering the Army of the Potomac, then under the
leadership of Gen. Grant. He was chiefly engaged in
grand duty at City Point, Bermuda Hundred, Portsmouth, and in and
around Petersburg. He received his final discharge in August,
1864, and returning to his native State, again took up the duties of
civil life.
In 1865 Mr. Graham came to Piatt County and for
some two years was employed as a farm hand, his wages averaging
about $20 per month. Having spent his early life on the farm,
he understood the duties which devolved upon him, and being
industrious and faithful to his employer's interests, he was
numbered among the most desirable hands in the vicinity. Ere
long he was able to undertake farm work for himself, although for
several years he operated rented land. In 1884 he purchased
and took possession of eighty acres, which was practically
unimproved, and of which he has made a comfortable home farm.
In his efforts he has been ably seconded by his wife, who, in her
own department of their affairs has been energetic and prudent.
The lady to whom Mr. Graham owes the comfort of
his home life bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Cox and
became his wife Dec. 31, 1868. She was born in Ross County,
Ohio, Oct. 21, 1848, and is a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Woolever)
Cox. Both parents were born in Ohio, the one in Ross and
the other in Fayette County, and they were of English and German
descent respectively. Mrs. Graham was a child four
years old when her parents came to this State and she was reared and
educated in Piatt County. Her parents had high standing in the
community in which they resided and their loss was deeply mourned
when they were called hence. Mr. Cox breathed
his last May 14, 1875, and Mrs. Cox died Sept. 8, 1889.
The former was a Democrat in politics. He was twice married
and had eight children, of whom the following are living.
Besides Mrs. Graham, there are: Sarah, wife of
William Pierce, of Missouri, John, a resident of Piatt
County, of Missouri; John, a resident of Piatt County;
Margaret, wife of Samuel Neal, of Monticello; Mary,
widow of William Jones, who was a member of Company F, One
Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, and also a member of the
Grand Army Post at Monticello, living in the latter place; Nancy,
wife of LaFayette Moore, their home being in Ottawa;
and Eliza, wife of Charles Kellar, who resides in
Monticello.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Graham are hospitable and
entertaining, taking an active part in the social life of their
neighborhood and having an extended circle of acquaintances.
Their home is brightened by the presence of one daughter, Ella,
who was born June 18, 1874, and is in the dawn of a womanhood
bright with promise. She and her mother belong to the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Cisco, Mr. Graham
belongs to the Grand Army Post at Monticello and is a member of the
Republican party. He is now serving as School Director of his
district. He is one of those who manifest an interest in the
public good by aiding as much as possible the wheels of progress,
and with other members of his family circle has many well-wishers.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.,
1891~ Page 206 |
John W. C. Gray.
The men who have devoted themselves to developing and extending the
agriculture of Piatt County, are deserving of more than passing
notice, and occupying an honorable place among these is he subject
of this biographical review. His farming interests are
centered in Unity Township, of which he has been a resident for more
than thirty years. A view of his fine estate is presented to
our readers.
Mr. Gray is a native of Pickaway County,
Ohio, and was there born Nov. 15, 1827. His father, the late
Benjamin Gray, was born in Virginia and died when our
subject was quite young. Thus deprived of a father's care,
Mr. Gray spent his boyhood with an uncle in Franklin
County until he was twelve and one-half years old. At that
early age he started out in life to earn his own living. He
first engaged with a man in driving cattle to Philadelphia and New
York and was thus employed for about twelve years. During that
time he crossed the Alleghany Mountains going East twenty-five
times, performing the journey on foot, and twice on his return he
rode over the mountains on horseback. After he was through
driving cattle he engaged in shipping stock from Ohio and Illinois,
and also in herding in the latter State and in Iowa until 1869.
In 1857 our subject took charge of a large ranch
comprising some twenty-five hundred acres of land, known as the
Crane Farm, and at the same time continued shipping
cattle. In 1859 he came to Unity Township, and located near
where he now lives, but subsequently sold that farm and settled on
his present homestead, which is pleasantly located on section 11.
In his various enterprises success has followed his efforts, and he
is one of the substantial men of the township. He has disposed
of all the land that he formerly owned but eighty acres, which he
has developed into a valuable piece of property, placing upon it an
ample set of well built farm buildings and many other excellent
improvements.
Mr. Gray was married in Monticello, Oct.
22, 1861, to Mrs. Eliza Crane, whose maiden
name was Eliza Monroe. She was born in Indiana
and died in Unity Township, Jan. 26, 1865. The second marriage
of our subject took place Mar. 15, 1866, when Mrs. Rosanna
(Murray) Myers became his wife. Her parents,
James and Margaret Murray, were born in New Hampshire and died
in Illinois when eighty-eight years of age. Mrs.
Gray was born in New Hampshire on the 12th of November, 1830,
and came West to Wayne County, Ind., in the year 1843. In
February, 1847, she was united in marriage with Henry
Myers, of Butler County, Ohio, and came to Menard County, Ill.,
in March, 1851. In August of the same year Mr. Myers
died. Of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers,
one died in infancy, and the other, Joseph H., is an
extensive farmer in Menard County, he was united in marriage with
Mattie Steel, Feb. 16, 1875.
Mr. Gray is a gentleman of true nobility
of character, always pleasant and considerate in his intercourse
with others. He has cultured and refined tastes, is a genuine
lover of books, and among the attractions of his home is a library
of well-selected books. He is of a literary turn of mind and
possesses a poetical talent which has often found expression in
verses of real merit, such as his poem written for the exercises of
Memorial Day in 1889; and his poem for the Farmers Mutual Benefit
Association which was greatly appreciated.
Mr. Gray is well known in local politics
and public life, and is one of the stanch supporters of the
Republican party in this vicinity. He represented Unity Township as
a member of the County Board of Supervisors and has been Highway
Commissioner four years and Justice of the Peace six years. Mrs.
Gray is a member of the New Light Church, and our subject has
been a profound student of the Bible many years, although he is not
connected with any church. In his religious views he is
liberal, and generous in his contributions to different religious
objects. Socially, he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and
is a member of the Bement Lodge, No. 365, and also Bement Chapter,
No. 65. He has been crop re porter for Piatt County since June
16, 1876, and on the staff as weather reporter for eight years.
Fruit growing engages considerable of his attention, and he is a
member of the State Horticultural Society.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.,
1891~ Page |
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John R.
Grove. If by success in life we mean securing a
comfortable home and the means for a good support, then is our
subject one of the successful men of Piatt County. He owns and
occupies a farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres on
section 14, Willow Branch Township, which has been developed and
placed in its present condition of improvement by himself, and
attests to his industry and thrift. Many of the best and most
successful farmers in this part of Illinois are natives of the
Buckeye State and such is the case with Mr. Grove. He
was born in Pickaway County, January 26, 1849, and is one of
fourteen children comprising the family of John and Hannah
(Lackey) Grove. His living brothers and sisters are
Thomas, whose home is in this township; Maria, wife of
Mathew Creighton, living in Cerro Gordo, this State;
Susan, widow of Richard Brown, her home also being in
Illinois; Jane, wife of William Baker, living in
Bement; Sarah, wife of Nelson Hurt, living in
Bloomington; William H., in Piatt County; Sanford, in
Ross County, Ohio; and Missouri, wife of A. J. Clarkson,
in Macon County.
Mr. Grove grew to man's estate in his native
county, and even in boyhood became acquainted with the details of
farm life which he adopted as his vocation. His education was
obtained in the public schools, which, while not equal to those of
the present day, were quite good and afforded the opportunity to all
studious lads to acquire practical knowledge. As is the case
with all men of intelligence. Mr. Grove has added to
the fund of knowledge obtained in the schoolroom by reading,
observation and experience. In 1872 with his wife and family
he came to this State and at once established himself in Willow
Branch Township, Piatt County, where he has continued to reside.
His pleasant home is presided over by a lady who bore the maiden
name of Melissa Cook and became his wife July 2, 1869.
She is an excellent housekeeper, an affectionate mother, and with a
social and kindly nature which is appreciated by her neighbors.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Grove comprises four children -
Hannah E., Thomas W., Cora C. and Herbert. The
oldest daughter is the wife of Owen H. Judgen, Deputy Circuit
Clerk of Piatt County.
Mr. Grove has held the office of School Director
a number of years and is now a Township School Trustee. In
politics he is a Republican, and in religion a Methodist, both
himself and wife being identified with the church organization in
Cerro Gordo and he is now serving as Steward. He belongs to
the Masonic Lodge in Cerro Gordo and occupies the chair of Senior
Warden. In local political circles he cuts quite a prominent
figure, being one who believes in working for the principles in
which he has faith. He is recognized as one of the intelligent
as well as successful citizens of the county, enjoys the confidence
of the business community and commands the esteem of his neighbors.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Album
of DeWitt and Piatt Counties, Illinois,
Publ.
Chicago: Chapman Bros.,
1891~ Page 947 |
NOTES:
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