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OTHER BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES:
BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY,
ILLINOIS
by H. W. Beckwith
Publ. Chicago: H. H. Hill and Company, Publishers
1879
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Blount Twp. -
WILLIAM LANE, Danville, farmer and
stock-dealer, section 22, was born in Guilford county, North
Carolina, on the 6th of August, 1795. He had no property
worth speaking of when he started land, mostly in this county.
He has divided it among his children, till he only has five
hundred and ten acres. His father moved to Ohio in 1812.
Mr. Lane came to this state in 1835, settling seen miles
northwest of Danville, only two miles from where he now resides.
He has been five times married: first to Phoeba Blanch,
now deceased, and the second time to Mary Steel, also
deceased; he afterward was united to Nancy Lacy deceased,
and then to Nancy Yager, also deceased; his present wife
of Minerva Connell. He is the father, by the first
marriage, of one child, now deceased; by the second wife, two;
by the third marriage, fifteen children, ten living, and by the
fifth union, five children, four living, making Mr. Lane
the father of twenty-three children. He frequently went to
Chicago with team in an early day, traveling five and six miles
on ice. His father was all through the revolutionary war.
Mr. Lane is a democrat and a Baptist.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 898 |
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Ross Twp. -
EMIL H. LANGHANS, Rossville, merchant, was
born in Aurich Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, on the 9th of
April, 1836, and is the son of John and Louisa (Clemens)
Langhans. He was instructed in the regular schools of the
country, and was four years under the private tutorship of the
Rev. Hulcher. At seventeen he came from the
Fatherland, and settled at Canton, Ohio, where he was employed
by his uncle in a store four years. He went to Wooster, Ohio:
and engaged in business for himself four or five years; then
traveled in Mid-Tennessee, looking for a business location; but
signs of the war appearing, he returned north, and went into
business in Lafayette, Indiana, part of the time as principal,
part of the time as employee. In 1862 he employed a substitute
for the nine-months service, paying him one hundred dollars. He
served in Co. E of an Indiana militia regiment six
weeks, in pursuit of John Morgan. He recruited in
Co. K., 50th Ind. Vo1s. one-year men, and was commissioned
captain. He served in Virginia, chiefly in the Shenandoah,
participating in some skirmishes. After the war Mr. Langhans
resumed his former occupation, a portion of the time as
commercial traveler in the wholesale drygoods business. In 1878
he settled in Rossville, this county, where he has continued in
mercantile pursuits. He was married to Elizabeth Black in
January, 1855. He is the father of three living children :
Emil D., Doretta and Edward G. He is an independent
in politics, and a Methodist.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W.
Beckwith - 1879 ~ Page 697 |
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Elwood Twp. -
JOHNATHAN LARRANCE, Ridge Farm,
farmer, section 35, was born in this county on the 7th of June,
1834. His father died when he was but three years of age,
and he was left to the care of his mother. Mr. Larrance
was married on the 5th of December, 1862, to Hannah A.
McGee, who was born in Ohio in 1837. They had seven
children by this union, six living: Perry, M., John C.,
Alice, Laura, Mark and Martha. The name of the
deceased is Marion. Mr. Larrance had no
property when he first married; but by good management and hard
labor, he now owns two hundred and ninety-five acres of good
land. He belongs to the Freemasons; is a republican, and a
member of the Friends church.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 ~ Page 595 ok |
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Elwood Twp. -
M. L. LARRANCE, Ridge Farm,
farmer, section 35, was born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, on
the 9th of May, 1818, and was raised to the occupation of a
farmer, at which he has had a life-long experience. He
came with his father to this state in the fall of 1827, being
among the early settlers of the county. The subject of
this sketch was married in this state in 1840, to Nancy
Mendenhall, who was born in Ohio in 1819. They had by
this union thirteen children, nine living: John,
William, Betsy, Emily, Richard, Charity J., David, Lydia B.,
and Farris. The deceased were Joseph and
three infants. Mr. Larrance, is a well-to-do
farmer, well respected by all with whom he is acquainted.
His parents were natives of North Carolina. His political
views are Republican, and he is a member of the Friends church.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 ~ Page 593 ok |
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Ross Twp. -
MILTON LEE, Rossville,
merchant, was born in Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, on the 3d
of March, 1837, and is the son of James and Gary (Williams)
Lee. In 1844 he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Vance township, Vermilion county, Illinois, where he
lived until 1866, when he removed to Rossville, where he has
been employed the past six years in merchandising. He enrolled
in Captain Frazier's Co. (C), 12th Ill. Vol. Inf.,
in April, 1861, being the twelfth man enlisted in Vermilion
county. He was mustered out at Cairo about the 1st of August by,
reason of the expiration of enlistment, which was for three
months. In the same month he reenlisted in Co. I, 35th Ill.
Vols. The second lieutenant of his company having died, Mr.
Lee was elected, at Sedalia, Missouri, by the enlisted men,
to that vacancy, being promoted from third sergeant. He served
in the siege of Corinth, and or Buell's retreat to
Louisville, subsequently taking part in the battle of
Perryville, shortly after which he was promoted to first
lieutenant. In November, 1862, a pioneer corps, consisting of
two enlisted men from each company and one lieutenant from each
regiment, was organized; and the several detachments from the
35th Ill., 8lst Ind., 4th Iowa and the 25th Ill. constituting
his brigade, were formed into Co. K, 2d Battalion, Pioneer
Brigade, commanded by Captain, afterward Brevet Brig.-Gen.
Morton, and Lieut. Lee vas given the
command of this company, which he led in the battle of Stone
River. He was sent back from Elk River to Nashville to fit out
the pontoon train, and was employed in the organization of the
pontooniers, whom, with the train, he conducted across the
Cumberland Mountains. He held a position at the mouth of Battle
Creek throughout the intensive and critical period of affairs at
Chickamauga. The pioneer corps was disbanded in June, 1864,
and the men and officers returned to their regiments. Lieut.
Lee rejoined the 35th in front of Kenesaw Mountain, where
he fought on the 27th of June. He was mustered out with the
regiment at Springfield, Illinois, on the 7th of September,
1864. He was married on the 7th of October, 1868, to
Catharine Gundy. They have two children living:
Herbert and Catharine. Mr. Lee is a.
republican in politics.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W.
Beckwith - 1879 ~ Page 681 |
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Newell Twp. -
JOHN N. Le NEVE, State
Line City, Indiana, farmer, was born in Newell township,
Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 7th of October, 1841. He is a
son of Obadiah and Polly (Lemons) Le Neve. He traveled in
the south during the war; was a clerk in the sutler
establishment of Charles Pratt in Nashville, Tennessee,
in the summer of 1864. Previous to this employment Mr. Le
Neve was a clerk in a dry-goods store in Vincennes, Indiana,
six years. In politics he is a republican.
Submitted by Mary Paulius
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith - 1879
~ Page 960 ok |
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Danville Twp. -
E. A. LEONARD. One of the leading
business men of Danville is Mr. E. A. Leonard, president
of the Danville Lumber and Manufacturing Company. He was
born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1828. During his
early life he had the advantages of none but common schools, yet
by his own efforts he has acquired a good business education.
About 1853 he went to California, where he spent five years and
a half mining, prospecting, etc. Returning in 1858, he
located in Defiance county,
Ohio, where he remained until 1865, w3hen he
came to Danville and began in the lumber trade with Mr.
Holden, the firm name being Leonard & Holden.
In one year he bought Mr. Holden's interest, and
conducted the business alone until 1871, when the firm became
Leonard & Yeomans. In 1873 there was a change made
again, which resulted in the establishing of the present
company, with Mr. Leonard as president, which position he
still holds. They enjoy from fifteen to twenty men, and do
a business aggregating from $75,000 to $80,000 per annum.
In 1872 there were consigned to them at this point 258 cars of
lumber and building materials; in 1873, 194; in 1874, 202; in
1875, 195; in 1876, 133. They are the leading business
firm of Danville in this line of manufacturing, their facilities
for furnishing good stock at low prices being unequaled.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith - 1879
~ Page 444 |
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Newell Twp. -
PHILIP LEONARD,
Bismark, farmer, was born in Harrison county,
Kentucky, on the 20th of December, 1820, and is the son of
Valentine and Mary (Fowler) Leonard. His father was a
native of North Carolina, and for several years in his youth was
a captive among the Indians. He died at the extreme old age of
ninety-six years. In the fall of 1830 the family settled in
Newell township on the tract of land now owned and occupied by
William R. Campbell, on section 3, T. 20, R. 11. Squire
Leonard was married on the 25th of March, 1841, to
Angelina E. Williams. He was postmaster twenty years, and
has been justice of the peace a longer period. Only two appeals
were ever taken from judgments rendered by him; one of these was
to gain time, and in the other case his judgment was sustained.
He was personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln, and
enjoyed his confidence, and, during the war, held a civil
appointment at his hands. He took the stump and did effective
service in enlisting men in NeweIl township. His son, John, was
a member of Co. D, 125th Reg. Ill. Vols. He was crippled in the
army, and laid in the rebel prison at Richmond nine months.
Mrs. Leonard was a daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Bloomfield) Williams, and was born in Worcestershire,
England, on the 17th of September, 1825. She came with her
parents to America in 1831 or 1833. Mr. Leonard has eight
living children. In politics he is a democrat, and in religion a
Christian or Disciple. He owns two hundred acres of land, worth
$8,000.
Submitted by Mary Paulius
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith - 1879
~ Page 953 |
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Newell Twp. -
JONATHAN LESHER deceased, was born in
Berks county , Pennsylvania in 1831. He was married on the 1st
of November, 1855, to Mary Lang, in Fountain county,
Indiana. He was a firm supporter of the war for the Union, and
being examined was found unfit for military service;
nevertheless he afterward furnished a substitute for the army.
In 1869 he removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, and settled in
Newell township, where he died on the 1st of November, 1872.
Mr. Lesher united with the Lutheran church at the age
of fourteen, and continued a consistent member throughout his
life.
Submitted by Mary Paulius
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith - 1879
~ Page 968 ok |
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Danville -
JOHN G. LEVERICH,
Danville, master in chancery, whose portrait appears in this
work, is a fair example of what may be attained by perseverance,
industry and energy. He was born on the 10th of October 1819, in
Newtown, Queens county, New York, a suburb of New York city, and
is the son of John and Alletta (Berrien) Leverich, both natives
of New York. John Leverich, the father of Mr. Leverichs a
blacksmith by trade, and followed farming. He was a sergeant in
the company of' New York militia in the war of 1812. . Both
parents died on Long Island, New York. At fourteen years of age
Mr. Leverich accepted a clerkship in New York City where he
remained until l84l. This year in the company of Judge 0. L.
Davis, he set out for the far west, arriving and locating the
same year in Danville, which has been ever since. Here he
commenced clerking in a store, and from that he entered the
mercantile business in company with his brother, R. T. Leverich,
keeping a general stock of merchandise. He continued in business
in the oldest brother for about five years. In 1860 he was
appointed master of chancery in the state of Illinois.
He has ably and punctually discharged his official
duties and shares as a result of gratifying degree of
popularity. In 1847 Mr. Leverich married Miss
Sarah Tilton, by
whom they had five children, two deceased. In politics he is a
republican, of which party he has been a member every since its
organization.
(Submitted by Mary Paulius)
Source: History of Vermilion
County, Ill. by Beckman - Publ. 1879 - pp. 394&395 |
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Danville -
RICHARD T. LEVERICH
He is a Danville, farmer and is the subject of this
sketch. He was born in Queens County, New York, on the 27th of
August, 1815, and is the son of John and Alletta (Berrien)
Leverich. His father was a blacksmith by trade, sad lived on a
farm, and here Mr. Leverich was brought up, engaged in farming.
In 1835 he, in company with Dr. Fithian, left New York for
Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. He had made arrangements
with Dr. Fithian to clerk in his store. Mr. Leverich went
Dayton, Ohio Riding Dr. Fithian's horse from there to
Indianapolis. From here he took the stage to Perrysville,
Vermilion County, Indiana and from there to Danville, where he
arrived on the 14th of September; 1835, taking him about two
weeks in making the trip.
The first two years he clerked for Dr.
Fithian at
twelve dollars per month, and on account of business he worked
for his board the third year. From there he entered into
partnership with L. T. Palmer in the general store business.
These gentlemen continued in partnership some fourteen years.
From that he entered into partnership with his brother, J. G. Leverich, which connection continued about five years. Then
Mr. Leverich continued alone in business some five years longer. He
then came to the farm. There he has resided ever since. He was
married in Danville, on the 22d of November, 1843, to Miss Lydia
I. Gilbert, who was born in Ontario county, New York, on the
15th of September, 1692, and is the daughter of Solomon Gilbert,
who was one of the pioneers of Vermilion county. Mrs. Leverich
states that her parents brought the first stove to Danville. On
her way to Danville from New York, with her parents, who came
down the Ohio river in a flatboat, she fell into the Ohio river
at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and came near drowning. She was
rescued by a stranger, after going under water the third time.
By their union they have had seven children, five living.
(Submitted by Mary Paulius)
Source: History of Vermilion
County, Ill. by Beckman - Publ. 1879 - p. 384 ok |
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Danville -
JOHN H. LONG,
Danville, saloon keeper, was born in Center county,
Pennsylvania, on the 31st of March, 1838. While in
Pennsylvania Mr. Long was engaged in teaching school.
He, in 1860, came west to Illinois, and joined a circus at
Freeport. He remained with the circus but a short time,
and in 1860 he came to Danville, where he has been a resident
ever since. When he first came here he was engaged in
teaching school in South Danville, thence as superintendent of
the Carbon coal mines, which was very extensive mine, employing
as high as two hundred and fifty hands, with the capacity of
mining five hundred tons of coal daily. He remained with
the coal company for four or five years. He then entered
the grocery business, which he continued for about one year.
Then he opened a billiard-room, where he was very successful.
Then in the saloon business, and this he has carried on in a
very orderly manner. He is now improving his room to enter
into the theater business, and will be known as Long's
Gaiety Theater. Mr. Long represented the first ward
as alderman for four years in a faithful manner. He was
married in Columbia City, Indiana, to Phoebia Shavey, a
native of Paris, France, by whom they had two children.
She died on the 15th of February, 1879, of consumption, after
suffering many weary months.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith - 1879 ~
Page 429 |
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Elwood Twp. -
LEVI F. LONG, Long, farmer, section
31, was born in this county, on the 6th of August, 1838.
His father was one of the pioneers of the county, having come
here in 1833. He cast his first vote for General Jackson,
and his last for George B. McClellan. The subject
of this sketch had but little with which to commence life, but,
by industry economy and hard labor, he has acquired a good
property of three hundred and sixty-seven acres of land.
HE carries on farming quite extensively, and raises some horses,
cattle and hogs. Mr. Long was married on the 7th of
May, 1864, to Martha Keen, who was born in Parke county,
Indiana, on the 28th of August, 1840. They are the parents
of nine children, seven of whom are living: James B.,
Sallie B., William F., John L., Mattie L., Eva M. and
Josephus. The deceased was Flora E. and
Gracy. Mr. Long has held the office of school director
ten years, and overseer of roads five years. In politics
he is a democrat and a Presbyterian in religion. His
parents were natives of Kentucky.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 ~ Page 596 ok |
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Elwood Twp. -
SAMUEL V. LONG, Long, farmer,
section 25, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, on the 11th
of September, 1819, and was raised a farmer, and this
occupation he has followed through life. Soon after
becoming of age he drove a four-hourse team to Missouri, and
came to this state in 1843, settling where he now lives.
Mr. Long had but forty acres of land when he first married,
but by industry, economy and perseverance he has acquired a
good property of one hundred and forty-nine acres. He
has been twice married: first, on the 14th of Oct. 1845, to
Margaret Kendall, who was born in Ohio. They had by this
union eight children, four living: Jemima, James W. Charley
and Jacob. the deceased were: Lacon, Mary
J., Lena and one infant. Mr. Long was then
married, in May, 1869, to Barbara Prine, who was born
in 1841. They have one child by this union: John C.
Mr. Long's parents were natives of Maryland, and those
of his wife of Ohio. He is a republican and a Methodist.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 ~ Page 598 ok |
NOTES: |
