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ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A part of Genealogy Express
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Welcome to
Piatt County,
Illinois
History & Genealogy |
The following Biographies have been extracted
from the following source:
Historical Encyclopedia
of
Illinois and History of Piatt County
Vol. II -
1917
Transcribed by
Sharon Wick
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
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JAMES P.
RAY, was born in Marion County, Ill., May
1, 1848, and came to Unity Township in young
manhood, here engaging in farming, becoming the
owner of 320 acres of land. On Mar. 19, 1874,
Mr. Ray was married to Electa B. Wooters,
and they lived upon their farm for a number of
years, finally retiring to Bement Township,
where he died Mar. 31, 1896. Fraternally
he was a Mason.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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PETER REMMERS
(deceased), was for many years one of the successful
agriculturalists of Piatt County, and a man whose example of upright
living and honorable dealing places him high in the memory of those
who were associated with him. He was born in Germany, Sept. 8,
1846, a son of Jerico and Magdeline Remmers, who
came to Logan Co., Ill., from Germany, and there lived for some
years prior to moving to Piatt Co., and during their life in the
United States they were farming people. Both are now deceased.
Peter Remmers attended the common schools of
Germany, and learned farming there and in the United States.
After attaining to man's estate, he engaged in farming in Logan Co.,
Ill., until 1888 when he came to Piatt Co., buying 120 acres in
Goose Creek Township, and the balance in Willow Branch Township.
In 1909 Mr. Remmers retired, moved to De Land,
renting his farm to his sons, and here he resided in the handsome
residence he had bought, until his death which occurred Oct. 1,
1913.
On July 14, 1876, Peter
Remmers was married to Anna Bruhn, born in
Germany, Oct. 22, 1854, a daughter of Peter and Fannie
(England) Bruhn, who came to Logan County, Ill., in 1872.
Mr. and Mrs. Remmers became the parents of the
following children: Jerico, who lives in Logan Co.,
Ill.; Marie, who is Mrs. Bert Husinger
of Goose Creek Township; Vandaline, who is
Mrs. Libbert Lubbers, of Iowa; Peter,
who lies in Willow Branch Township; Anna, who is
Mrs. Ike Lubbers, of Monticello, Ill.; Kate,
who is Mrs. Otto Lubbers, of DeWitt Co., Ill.;
John, who is on the home farm; and Jennie
and Henry, who live with their widowed mother at De
Land. The family were formerly Baptists, but now attend the
Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Remmers was
a Democrat. He was a man of industrious and thrifty habits and
worked hard and steadily, and lived to see his efforts produce
comfort for his family and respect for himself.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 792 |
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DANIEL
RHOADES, came to Piatt County in 1844, locating on a farm in
Monticello Township, where he died in 1853. His widow survived
him and made her home at Monticello until her death, which occurred
in 1873. Their children were as follows: Emanuel, Jeremiah,
Elizabeth, Mary, and Nathan E.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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CHESTER A. ROBISON, a general
farmer and dairyman who is putting into practice many modern ideas
with reference to agricultural work, is justly counted among the
substantial young men of Sangamon Township. He was born in
Goose Creek Township, this county, Dec. 22, 1890, a son of
Clement Vallandigham and Alice (Garver) Robison, natives of
Ohio and Macon County, Ill., respectively. The paternal
grandfather, William Robison, when when his son
Clement was thirteen years old, in 1880, came to Piatt County, and
located in Goose Creek Township. In 1890 the father moved to
Monticello, Ill., where he has since resided.
Chester A. Robison attended the district schools of
Goose Creek Township, and when eighteen years old began working in a
grocery store at Monticello. A year later he went to Champaign
County, Ill., and was engaged for another year in a piano factory.
Returning to his native township he worked on his father's farm of
204 acres until 1912, and then acquiring a portion of this farm,
lived on it until Feb. 29, 1916, when he moved to eighty acres of
land that his father owned in Sangamon Township. Here he
carries on general farming and has a fine dairy. Mr.
Robison has a brother, William Robison,
who lives at Garrett, Ill., and a sister, Mamie,
who is Mrs. Wallace Piatt, of Monticello, Ill., he
began the second child of the three born to his parents.
On Mar. 31, 1911, Mr. Robison was married to
Joyce Boyd, born in Missouri, a daughter of
William and Ellen (Turner) Boyd. Mr. and Mrs. Robison
have one son, Clement Boyd, who was born Apr. 7,
1912. The De Land Methodist Church holds his membership.
In politics he is a Democrat. For some years Mr.
Robison has been a member of Monticello Camp, M. W. A.
A live, enthusiastic young farmer, Mr. Robison is a
valuable addition to any community, and is destined to attain higher
things than have yet come to him.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 793 |
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WILLIAM ROBISON, a farmer of more than ordinary
experience and capability, who is making practical use of his
knowledge, is one of the substantial men of Bement Township.
He was born in Piatt County, in 1862, a son of William
Robison, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1833, who
married Amanda Crawford, born in the same county,
in 1845. They came to Illinois in 1861, but after a year
returned to Ohio. After a short stay, however, they came back
to Illinois, and rented land in Bement Township until 1879, when the
father bought 202 acres in Goose Creek Township. This farm he
operated for some time, and then retired and went to live at
Monticello.
William Robison
attended the common schools of Piatt County until he was nineteen
years old, at which time he began working for his father on the
farm, so continuing until 1888, when he began farming for himself on
the homestead. Five years later he bought 160 acres of land in
Vermilion County, Ill., but later sold his farm and spent a short
period at Monticello. He then bought ninety and one-half acres
of land in Bement Township, which he is still operating. In
addition to his farm, he owns sixteen city lots at Monticello.
In 1888 Mr. Robison was married to Fannie
Miner, a daughter of Ira and Mary (Buffert) Miner.
She was born at Monticello in 1869, and died in October, 1915.
Mr. and Mrs. Robison had two children, namely:
Nellie, who married Logan Hampton,
lives with her father on the farm; and Lynn, who is a student in the
Monticello High school. Mr. Robison is a
Democrat. As his interest has been centered upon his work and
family, he has never taken an interest in outside matters and so
does not belong to any societies or fraternities.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page 793 |
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FRANCIS
M. SHONKWILER. It is often said that the professions
are overcrowded, that a man cannot even make a living in one, yet
yearly we find young men entering the field and rapidly winning
their way to competence and fame. One who is Piatt County is
advancing in the ranks of the law is Francis Shonkwiler, who is
located in Bement. He is still a young man, being in his
thirty-first year, but he has been engaged in the practice of his
chosen profession for nearly a decade and has won the reputation of
being one of the ablest young lawyers in the county.
Our subject is the son of Simon Shonkwiler who was born
in Scioto County, Ohio, November 15, 1806. After reaching
years of maturity his chief business was farming. He was first
married to Elizabeth Reed who became the mother of six children,
those who lived to mature years being, Elizabeth, Mary,
Harriet,
Daniel and Jacob. All are now living in Piatt County, except
Elizabeth, formerly the wife of T. P. Wildman, who died in April,
1889. Mary is the wife of John H. Masterson, and
Harriet, the
wife of George Smetters. The mother of this family died in
Missouri about 1849. The second marriage of Mr. Shonkwiler was
solemnized in the year 1850 in Missouri, his bride on this occasion
being Mrs. Anna Webster, nee Schee. This estimable woman died
in Unity Township, Piatt County, in June, 1885. She was the
mother of six children, of whom four grew to years of maturity, our
subject being the youngest. Jennie is now the wife of
Samuel Welfley; Oliver M. is a farmer in O'Brien County, Iowa; and
Martha
O., is the wife of Charles B. Moore.
The father of our subject first came to Piatt County in
1836, having prior to that time resided for a few years in Putnam
County, Ind. He was engaged in farming here until late in the
'40s when he removed to Missouri, living there, however, but a short
time and returning to Piatt County to spend the remnant of his days.
He died on his farm in Unity Township May 10, 1889. He was at
one time the owner of some seventeen hundred acres of land and was
largely interested in stock-raising. He was noted for his
powerful voice and could frequently be heard calling his stock for a
distance of five or six miles. During the war he was a stanch
supporter of the Union, and although threats of violence were made
by the enemies of the Union, he hoisted the old flag at his home and
kept it there until peace was declared. Prior to 1860 he was a
Jacksonian Democrat, but from that date acted with the Republican
party. He was well known throughout the entire county and
highly respected. He was a member of the United Brethren
Church.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs
was born at the parental home in Unity Township, Piatt County, June
21, 1860. He remained on the farm pursuing the course of study
taught in the common schools and learning useful lessons from home
example, until he was eighteen years of age. He then entered
the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., where he continued his
studies for more than four years. In 1883 he was graduated
from the law department and elocucution class, and going to
O'Brien County, Iowa, he formed a law partnership with the Hon.
George W. Schee. The two gentlemen practiced together at
Primghar about a twelve month when the partnership was dissolved and
Mr. Shonkwiler located at Sanborn, in the same county.
Scarcely a twelve month had passed when he determined to return to
his native county, and opening an office in Bement in the winter of
1885-86, he has continued his legal studies there.
In 1888 Mr. Shonkwiler was a candidate for State
Senator on the Democratic ticket and in his canvass made speeches
that embodied able, logical and forcible arguments. His
opponent was M. W. Matthews, of Urbana, who won the prize,
although Mr. Shonkwiler made a very respectable race.
Mr. Shonkwiler is independent in his exercise of the right of
suffrage and is a strong advocate of temperance. He has been a
close student of literature and has spent much time in the perusal
of many of the best writers of ancient and modern times. He
was employed as counsel by Henry Wildman who was indicted for
wife murder, the Hon. D. W. Voorhees as assistant counsel.
The case never came to trial as the defendant was lynched at
Monticello.
Mr. Shonkwiler has a happy home wherein he
enjoys the companionship and sympathy of a cultured and refined lady
who was known in her maidenhood as Miss Alice Thompson.
She is a daughter of E. P. Thompson, now of Bement, where her
marriage was solemnized June 6, 1886. She was born in the old
Bay State and displays many of the characteristics of the residents
in the eastern part of the country. The home is brightened by
the presence of a little son, Horace A. Mr. and Mrs.
Shonkwiler have many friends in Bement.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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WILLIAM
H. SHONKWILER has passed the most of his life in Unity
Township. He has devoted himself to farming and has placed
himself among the substantial men of his vocation in Piatt County,
his farm comparing well in every respect with the best in its
vicinity. Putnam County, Ind., is the birthplace of our
subject, and January 25, 1841, the date of his birth. He is a
son of Adam and Melinda ( Spurgeon ) Shonkwiler, natives of
Kentucky. His mother is still living. His father, who
came with his family to Piatt County in 1843 and was a pioneer of
Unity Township, died here February 18, 1870, at a ripe age.
Our subject was two years old when his parents brought
him to Piatt County, and consequently he has no recollection of any
other home. He received his education in the common schools of
Unity Township and gained a thorough knowledge of farming under the
instruction of his father. When he arrived at years of
discretion he selection farming as the occupation most suited to his
tastes and has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
He owns one hundred and thirty-six acres of land on section 23,
Unity Township, whose fields are well tilled and its improvements
are an excellent class, including a comfortable residence and good
outbuildings.
The marriage of Mr. Shonkwiler with Miss Mary
J. Moore took place in Unity Township March 20, 1861. Mrs.
Shonkwiler was born in Coles County, this state, May 15, 1842, but
she was reared to womanhood in Piatt County. She is a daughter
of the late George W. and Lydia ( Pownel ) Moore, her father being a
native of Kentucky. They were pioneers of this State and first
settled in Coles County, where Mr. Moore engaged in farming.
In 1849 he started for California in search of gold and died while
crossing the plains. His wife died in Coles County.
Mr. and Mrs Shonkwiler are the parents of nine
children, namely: Anna M.; Ida B., the wife of John
Stoveall;
Minnie C., wife of Caleb Stoveall; Ruth E., wife of Jacob Landgrebe;
Della L., Effie N., Jennie M., Nora B. and Adam O., who died when an
infant.
Mr. Shonkwiler is a man of sterling worth who is looked
upon with respect by his fellow-citizens. His daily life is
guided by sound principles. In politics he gives his support
to the Democratic party. He has satisfactorily filled the
office School Director and is pleased to do all that he can to
advance his township. Mrs. Shonkwiler is a sincere Christian
and is identified with the New Light Church as one of its most
earnest members.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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J. O. SPARKS,
was born in Ohio in 1820, and came to Bement in 1858 and became
a merchant of that place. In 1851 he was married to Barbara
Bradford and they had two children, namely: Mrs. J. Fred Knapp,
and Mrs. C. W. Piatt. Mr. Sparks is a very
prominent Mason, rising to be a Knight Templar.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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JUDGE G. L. SPEAR, was
born in New York in 1823 and came to Piatt County in 1860, and there
he was made postmaster of Bement, and was elected a police
magistrate. He was a justice of the peace for eighteen years,
and later was elected county judge. Judge Spear was
also a farmer and school teacher. In 1844 he was married to
Laura C. Segar, and she born him two children, Emory and
Laura. In 1858 Judge Spear was married (second)
to Clarissa Abbey and they had two children, namely:
Mrs. J. A. Hardenbrook and Elmer E.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
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DANIEL STICKLE, who
was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, and was for many years an honored
resident of Monticello. In 1851 Mr. Stickle came to
Monticello and established the first general merchandise store at
the county seat and conducted it for a time, then engaged in farming
on 830 acres of land in Piatt County. In 1865 he returned to
Monticello and lived there in retirement. He was married to
Annabel Piatt in 1842, and their children were as follows:
Charles, Susie, Richard, Mina, Anna, Nellie, and Kate.
Mr. Stickle was postmaster of Monticello under President
Buchanan, and represented his township on the county board, was
the first mayor of Monticello, and in 1858 was the first mayor of
Monticello, and in 1858 represented his district in the State
Assembly.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Piatt County - Vol. II - Publ. 1917 - Page |
NOTES:
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