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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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Danville Twp. -
GOTTLIEB MAIER, Danville, leather and
findings, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 28th of April,
1840. He remained a resident of his native country until
he had received a good education, and had learned the trade of a
tanner. In 1867 he came to the United States, first
locating at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he remained about one and
a half years. He then went to Loudonville, Ohio, for about
the same length of time, and then to Augusta, Kentucky, where he
was engaged in business on his own account as a tanner. He
remained in Augusta about three years, and in 1873 came to
Danville. Where he is now, on East Main street, he has a
store 22x70, with basement. He pays out annually about
twenty thousand dollars for hides, furs, tallow, "sheeps," etc.,
shipping most of these goods to Boston, Mass. He also
carries a fine stock of leather and findings. He is a man
who pays little attention to anybody's business except his own,
but is one of that class of men who are ranked among the best
citizens of any community.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co.,
1879 - Page 476 -
Submitted by Mary Paulius |
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Newell Twp. -
B. F. MARPLE, State Line, merchant, was
born on the 28th of February, 1837, in Knox county, Indiana, and
is the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Boyd) Marple. His
father died in October, 1842. His early life was devoted to
farming. He clerked in the railroad office at State Line for
some time, but abandoning this employment he embarked in the
drug trade, which he has since continued. He has been trustee
of schools in Kent township three successive terms. Mr.
Marple was married on the 16th of June, 1864, to Mary
E. Duncan. They have three living children : Charles,
Grace and Stella. In politics Mr.Marple is a
democrat, and in religion a Methodist.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 967 - Submitted by Mary Paulius |
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Danville -
ACHILLES MARTIN, post-office Danville;
real estate and abstract office, township Danville, was born in
Georgetown, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 25th of February,
1834, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Morgan) Martin,
who were both natives of Virginia and among the first settlers
of Vermilion county, having made their home here at an early
day. Mr. Martin, our subject, was brought up on his
father's farm, where he remained until he was about twenty-two
years of age. In 1861, at the breaking out of the late
war, he enlisted for three years in the 25th Ill. Vol. Inf., Co.
A, as private. He was in a number of the most severe
battles fought during the war; Pea Ridge, Stone River, Chickasaw
Mountain, siege of Atlanta and other engagements. He
received a wound in the left arm. From private Mr.
Martin rose to first sergeant, then to second lieutenant,
and from thence to first lieutenant. In 1864 he was
mustered out, at which time he returned to Vermilion county.
In 1868 he moved to Danville, which he has made his home ever
since, and has here been engaged in the real estate and abstract
business. Mr. Martin married Miss Lucretia
Underwood, of Wisconsin. She died in 1859. He
then married Miss Helena Monroe, of New York. He is
the father of one child by his first wife.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co.,
1879 - Page 380 |
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Danville -
JOSEPH McCLURE, Danville, miller, was born
in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 23d of January, 1819, and at
ten years of age came to Greene county, Ohio, where he served an
apprenticeship as a miller, which trade he completed at
twenty-one years of age. In 1857 he came west and located
in Danville, Illinois, where he has been one of the foremost in
his trade. He ground the first grist in Henderson &
Kyger's mill. He has been engaged with the firm now
known as M. M. Wright for fifteen yeas as manager.
He has been twice married. The name of his present wife
was Margaret Sanders, a native of Virginia. He has
a family of five children by his former wife, Elizabeth
Charles: Walter, Lether, Albert, Harvey and Mary.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 418 |
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Danville -
M. A. McDONALD, Danville, hardware
merchant. The subject of our sketch was born on the 11th
of November, 1836, in Vermilion county, Illinois, and is the son
of Alexander McDonald who was born in Elbert county,
Georgia, on the 14th of February, 1796. Mr. Alexander
McDonald was engaged in farming, and moved from Georgia to
Tennessee. He was married on the 24th of November, 1818,
in Lincoln county, to Katherine, daughter of John B.
Alexander. She was born on the 20th of April, 1800.
From Tennessee they moved to Illinois, and located in Vermilion
county about 1821. The land not being surveyed they moved
to Edgar county, where they raised one crop, when they returned
to Vermilion county and located on the Little Vermilion river,
near Indianola, on a farm, where he remained for a number of
years. He then moved to Georgetown to school his children.
He had held several offices of public trust; he was assessor and
collector for several years. He died in Georgetown about
1861. Thus passed away one of hte pioneers of Vermilion
and Edgar counties, - a man that was loved and respected by all.
M. A. McDonald, our subject, remained on the farm until
he was about eighteen years old, when he entered school, where
he received a common-school education. He then commenced
clerking in his father's drug-store in Georgetown and from there
he went to Pontiac. He was married in Terre Haute to
Anna W. Jackson; she was born on the 17th of July, 1840, and
is the daughter of Charles D. Jackson, of New York, who
moved west and settled in Vincennes, Indiana, in 1817, and from
there he went to Terre Haute. By this marriage they have
had eleven children. In 1861 Mr. McDonald came to
Danville and commenced clerking in a dry goods store. He
then went into the hardware business, and has continued in this
since.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co.,
1879 - Page 385 |
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Sidell Twp.
-
A. McDOWEL, Indianola, farmer and
stock-raiser, section
33,
was born in Todd county, Kentucky, on the 13th of September,
1814, and came with, parents to Crawford county, Illinois, in
about 1817. He came to Vermilion county in 1827. His father was
a native of Greenbrier county, Virginia, and died in
Crawford county, Illinois. His mother also was
a
native of Virginia. Mr.
McDowel
has
been twice married. His first wife was Mary
F. Hildreth.
She was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and was born in
1813. They were married in 1838, and she was a faithful wife and
mother until her death, in 1854.
Mr. McDowel
the second time married
S. A. Seals,
in 1860; a native of Edgar connty, Illinois, born on the 6th of
January, 1842. He has five children by his former wife;
Louisa,
wife of Mr. Epley, Margaret, wife of
Wm. Parish,
during his life; Columbus William and Nancy
A., James H.
is
deceased. By his present wife he is the father of
John I.,
Alice J., Amanda, Thomas, Cyrns and Ora,
and two deceased:
Mary M.
and George
B. Mr.
McDowel
has been a
hard working and energetic man, commencing without anything but
good health and a determination to have a home. He has
succeeded, for he now owns a fine farm of four hundred and fifty
acres under good cultivation, which was accomplished by his own
industry.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 1030 -
Contributed by Mary Paulius |
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Carroll Twp. -
J. A. McDOWELL, Indianola, farmer and
stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois.
He was born in Carroll township, on the 16th of November, 1841,
and has here always made his home. He lived with his
parents until 1863, when he took charge of his sister's farm,
and in 1864 he moved to a place of his own. On the 25th of
April, 1865, he married Miss Mary Ramsey. She was
born in this county, and died on the 26th of November,
1866. On the 18th of November, 1869, he married Miss
Emma C. Porter. She was born in this county, on the 3d
of April, 1849. They had six children, five living:
Gracie P., Jennie E., Carrie, Freddie W., and Ray W.
In November, 1869, he came to his present farm, and in 1875 he
occupied his present elegant brick residence. He owns six
hundred acres of land in this county, located in the southwest
part of Carroll township and the southeast part of Sidell
township.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 790 |
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Carroll Twp. -
J. B. McDOWELL, Indianola, farmer and
stock-raiser, was born in Christian County, Kentucky, on the
26th of January, 1802, and lived there about fourteen years.
He then, with his parents settled in what is now Crawford
County, Illinois, and lived there seven years. They then,
in 1823, came to his present place, and he has lived here since.
On the 20th of March, 1834, he married Miss Eleanor Yarnell.
She was born in Harrison county Kentucky, and died here.
They had five children, four living: Jane, Wm. R., John A.
and Sarah. On the 20th of April, 1850, he married
Miss Nancy Ellis. She also died here. His
present wife was Miss Sarah Purley. Mr. McDowell is
in Capt. Hult's company, Col. Rossmore, during the
Winnebago war. They marched to Joliet and built a fort,
and scouted along the Fox River. He has hauled produce to
Chicago by team as early as 1836. When he first came to
this county they had to camp out, and they did considerable
hunting. He has owned over eleven hundred acres of land,
but has given all to his children except one hundred and
ninety-five acres in this county and one hundred and sixty in
Douglas, which he reserves as a competency for his old age.
His father died in Crawford county, Illinois, on his return from
a visit in Kentucky, in 1824. His mother died here on the
present place about 1849.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 784 |
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Sidell Twp. -
WILLIAM R. McDOWEL, Indianola, Illinois,
farmer, section 29, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on
the 7th of September, 1839. His father is one of the early
settlers of the county. Mr. McDowel married, in
1864, Miss Sarah Ramsy, daughter of Thomas Ramsey.
She was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1844, and the result
of their union is six children: Katie and Bell.
Mr. McDowel owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, and
his political views are democratic.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 1031 |
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Grant Twp. -
JACOB S. McFERREN, Hoopeston, banker and
real estate broker, was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 1st
of October, 1845. His parents were William and Eliza
(Snyder) McFerren. He received a business education at
Bartlett's Commercial College, Cincinnati. His father
having always followed the mercantile business, he was reared to
the same pursuit. At the age of fifteen he quit school to
take a half interest with his uncle in a store at Level, Ohio,
the latter furnishing the capital, and he conducting the
business and sharing one half the profits, the style of the firm
being, A. S. McFerren & Co. Two years later his
uncle formed another partnership, and commenced operating in
grain; but a heavy decline and other had speculations caused the
firm to suspend with heavy liabilities, which so affected the
firm of A. S. McFerren & Co. that the quite extensive
business which the subject of this sketch had built up was
discontinued, and their affairs were settled up, and all their
debts paid in full. In his short, independent business
career Mr. McFerren had made a clear profit of $3,000;
but by the unfortunate speculations of his partner he lost all
but $800, which so reduced his capital that he was obliged to
begin on a salary. So, in August, 1865, he started west,
and located at Paxton, Illinois, where he took charge of the
books of J. W. Scott, of that place, for a short time,
and afterward found a permanent situation with R. Clark,
one of the oldest merchants of Paxton, as book-keeper. At
the end of a year Mr. Clark's health failing, he offered
to turn over his stock of goods to his nephew, A. L. Clark,
and Mr. McFerren, and loan them all needed capital.
The proposition was accepted, and the firm became Clark &
McFerren. This partnership and enterprise proved
highly fortunate. Their trade suddenly attained a basis of
substantial prosperity, and their capital steadily and rapidly
increased. Mr. McFerren at length determined to
embark in banking and real estate brokerage, and, accordingly,
associated with himself T. W. Chamberlin, under the style
of McFerren & Chamberlin. They opened a bank in
Hoopeston on the 1st of August, 1872, and did a remunerative
business, passing safely through the panic of 1873, keeping
their doors open throughout that trying period. Early
in1874, owing to ill-health, Mr. Chamberlin retired from
the partnership. Mr. McFerren's bank is one of the
most safely conducted institutions of the kind in the country,
and its credit is deservedly high. The business transacted
by it has constantly augmented in volume. Maintaining his
working capital at a uniform figure, he has judiciously invested
the profits in first-class farming lands in Vermilion, Iroquois
and Ford counties, which are now valued at $60,000. He
attributes his success to careful economy, to keeping his own
books, and maintaining a close, personal supervision over the
details of his business, and to strictly living up to his
contracts, and compelling others to a like exactness in
discharging their contracts with him. In the spring of
1877 Mr. McFerren was elected the first mayor of
Hoopeston on the temperance ticket. The town had always
been controlled by the liquor interest, but at the end of his
term of two years it was cleared of every saloon and groggery.
It is not the least of his merits that he has been a consistent
and earnest laborer in the temperance cause, and has thus
assisted largely in building up the city, infusing life into it,
rendering it respectable, and contributing to its good name and
reputation. He has been treasurer and director of the
Hoopeston District Agricultural Society, and is at present
school treasurer of town 23, range 12. He was one of the
original projectors of the Ford County Agricultural Society, and
is still a stockholder in it. Havign a taste for travel,
Mr. McFerren has gratified it by an extensive tour of the
United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the
British provinces to the Gulf of Mexico. He was married on
the 4th of April, 1871, to Miss Susie P. Clark, daughter
of R. Clark, who died on the 28th of July, 1871.
His parents have been life-long members of the Universalist
church. He is a republican in politics.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 747
NOTE: Found this family at |
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Danville -
MARTHA McMILLEN, Danville, was born in
Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 13th of October, 1821, and is
the wife of the late R. H. McMillen, who was born in
Ohio, near Columbus, on the 17th of June, 1816. His father
was a farmer and a miller by trade, having in operation a flour
and saw-mill on his farm. Here Mr. McMillen was
engaged in working in the mill and on the farm. In 1832
he, with his parents, came on Illinois, and located in Vermilion
county. His father built about the first saw and
flour-mill in Denmark, and here Mr. McMillen helped his
father. He was married near Denmark, in this county, to
Martha Oder, the subject of this sketch. She moved
with her parents from Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from
there to Vermilion county, Illinois, at an early day.
Some twenty-two years ago they moved from Blount township to
Danville township, on the farm opposite the present homestead,
and from there they moved to where Mrs. McMillen still
resides. Here Mr. R. H. McMillen died, on the 4th
of May, 1876, with ulcer of the stomach, after being sick some
three months. Thus passed away one of the good old
settlers of Vermilion county, and a man that was loved and
respected by all. He and Mrs. McMillen had been
members of the Christian Church for the last thirty years.
They had two sons in the late war, - J. G. and Wm. M.
Both enlisted in the 125th Ill. Vol. Inf., and did good service,
being honorably mustered out. William is now
farming on the old homestead, and J. G. is farming in the
county. By the marriage of R. H. McMillen to
Martha Oder they had nine children, seven of whom are
living.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 377 |
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Elwood Twp. -
A. W. MENDENHALL, Ridge Farm, dentist, was
born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 12th of November, 1834, and
came to this state in 1877, settling in Ridge Farm. He
received, while young, a good education, which he has applied in
the way of school-teaching, commencing at the age of nineteen
years. He has taught about fifteen terms of six months
each. Mr. Mendenhall learned the trade of dentistry
in 1868, which occupation he has successfully followed since.
He is a good workman, as well as a straightforward, upright
business man, well respected by all who know him. He has
been twice married: first, on the 22d of September, 1858, to
Sarah Jay. She was born in 1834, and died in 1873.
They had by this union five children, one living: Eva L.
The names of the deceased are: Mary, Emma, Alice E.
and Anna C. He was then married on the 6th of July,
1876. His wife was born in Indiana on the 23d of February,
1844. They have by this union one child: William,
born on the 10th of May, 1879. Mr. Mendenhall is a
republican, and he and his wife both belong to the Friends
church.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 601 |
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Elwood Twp. -
I. C. MENDENHALL, Ridge Farm, farmer and
minister of the gospel, section 35, was born in Green county,
Ohio, on the 25th of April, 1834. He was raised a farmer,
and this occupation has followed through life. He came to
this state with father in 1857. The subject of this sketch
was married i 18355 to Margaret Bond. She was born
in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1831. They are the parents of
eight children, seven living: Mary, Ward, Almeda J., Charles,
James, Maggie. The name of the deceased was Albert.
Mr. Mendenhall is an ordained minister of the Christian or
Newlight Church. He is well respected in his community-
practicing what he preaches. He has charge of the church
at Georgetown, and also Church No. 11. He is Republican in
politics. Mr. Mendenhall owns eight acres worth $45
per acre.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 601 |
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Carroll Twp. -
JOHN MENDENHALL, Ridge Farm, farmer and
stock-raiser, is one of the early settlers of this county.
He was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1809, and lived there
fifteen years. He then with his parents came to Illinois
and settled near his present place. He lived with his
parents twenty-two yeas. On the 24th of November, 1831, he
married Miss Rebecca Mills, who was born in Tennessee.
After his marriage he began farming on his own account,
improving some wild land belonging to his father. In 1834
or 1835 he hauled his first load of produce to Chicago. He
is no office seeker. He owns two hundred and twenty acres
of land in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and
management. By his marriage there have been eleven
children born, seven living: Miliken, Jane, Sarah, Aaron,
John, Reecca E. and Louisa. His parents,
Aaron and Lydia Horney (Anderson) Mendenhall were
natives of North Carolina and Nantucket Island. They were
married in Greene county, Ohio, and settled here in 1824, where
both have since died.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 786 |
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Ross Twp. -
ANDREW MILLER, deceased, was born in
Kentucky on the 31st of December, 1812. He was the son of
Cornelius and Alice (Bairden) Miller. He came with
his parents to Vermilion county, Indiana, about 1831. In
1843 he permanently settled in Vermilion county, Illinois where
he died. In 1845 he began improvement on the place where
his widow now resides. He was successful in his business,
and acquired considerable property. At one time he owned
twelve hundred acres of land. He sold some portions of
this, and liberally endowed his heirs with the remainder.
He was a democrat.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 680 |
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Ross Twp. -
CORNELIUS W. MILLER, Thomas, Warren
county, Indiana, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois,
on the 23d of September, 1843. He is a son of Andrew J.
and Catharine (Moyer) Miller. He was married on the
11th of February, 1877, to Mary Lloyd, who was born on
the 11th of April, 1854. He owns one hundred and
ninety-two acres of land, which lies in sections 19, town 22,
range 10, and 24, town 22, range 11. He is the father of
two children: James U., born on the 4th of February,
1878, and Ida May, born on the 7th of April, 1879.
In politics he is a democrat.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 679 |
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Danville -
FIELD MILLER & SON, Danville,
manufacturers of what is known as the Beetoven organs, is one of
the most enterprising firms of the city. Frield Miller,
the senior member of the firm, is a native of Baden, Germany,
and in 1830 came to the United States with his parents, he being
six years old. His parents first located in Lebanon
county, Pennsylvania, where they remained about seven years, and
then removed to Richland county, Ohio. It was there, while
Mr. Miller was yet a boy, that he received his education
at the country schools, and was employed for a long time when
the feeder of the canal through Mercer county was built, using
his earnings in the support of his parents. He has had
thirty-two years' experience in the manufacture of organs.
He first learned the trade of a wagon-maker, and afterward
learned the trade of manufacturer of organs in Williams county,
Ohio. From there he went to Canada locating at Woodstock,
after having spent about three years at Tillsonburg in the
making of wagons and carriages. At Woodstock he began the
manufacturing of organs, remaining there about eight years, when
he went to Toronto, where he became a member of a joint stock
company for about eighteen months, during which time he had
charge of about one hundred men. In 1875 he came to
Danville and began the making of the Beethoven organ. At
this time his son, J. M., became a member of the firm,
the firm name being F. Miller & Son. They first began
their work in what was known as the old Shroeder
building, and in 1876 built their present factory on East Main
street. Here they have a capacity for manufacturing ten
instruments per week. They have in all three different
styles of organs. Though they have been here but a few
years, their work has already a name and reputation ranking with
old established houses.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H.
Hill and Co., 1879 - Page 486 |
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Ross Twp. -
GEORGE W. MILLER, Rossville, farmer, was
born on the 26th of November, 1841, in Vermilion county,
Indiana. When two years old his parents, Andrew J. and
CAtharine (Moyer) Miller, removed to the present limits of
Ross township, Vermilion county, Illinois, where he has since
lived. His farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres,
valued at $8,500, lies principally in sections 8, 9 and 16, town
22, range 11. He was married on the 15th of February,
1872, to Viana C. Haas, who was born on the 27th of
November, 1852. They have four children: Louisa C.,
born on the 8th of March, 1873; Andrew D., born on the
12th of October, 1874; Samuel J., born on the 13th of
October, 1876; Mary E., born on the 27th of December,
1878. Mr. Miller is a greenback democrat, strongly
tinctured with independence of all parties.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 ~ Page 680 |
| |
Danville -
JAMES H. MILLER, Danville, tax-collector,
is one of the self-made men of Danville. He was born in
Jefferson county, Virginia, on the 20th of December, 1823.
His mother died when he was four years old; he then resided with
his grandmother until he was ten years of age, and since then
has been dependent upon his own resources. In the early
part of his life he had but little opportunity of securing an
education, but by his own efforts he became a fair scholar.
In 1846 he went from Virginia to Pickaway county, Ohio, and
there remained about six years. In 1852 he came to
Danville, where he has since resided. He has built two
residences and one business-house. He, by energy and good
financiering, has accumulated a good property. For the
last twenty years he has held the office of tax-collector,
except during the year 1874, when Mr. Thos. Parks held
the office one term; he is also assessor of Danville township,
the entire revenue derived from taxation passing through his
hands. Any man who, being left an orphan, as he was, and
beginning work for himself as he did, at a salary of
seventy-five cents per week, and paying his own expenses out of
this, and who, by an honest and legitimate business, has
accumulated a good property, is certainly worthy the respect of
the better class of citizens of any community. He has not
only won, but enjoys, and he is surely entitled to, the
confidence of the citizens of Danville.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 405 |
| |
Middle Fork Twp.
ROBERT MILLER, Armstrong, farmer, section 25, was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania. His father being a
farmer, he worked on the farm until twenty-one years of age.
His father came to this state and first settled in Champaign
county. He remained there one year, and then moved to
Indiana, where he stayed six years, and then returned to this
state. Mr. Miller was married to Elizabeth Small,
on the 25th of September, 1870. She was born in Vermilion
county in 1852. They are the parents of five children:
Joseph W., Anna B., Robert P., Benjamin F. and Thomas E.
Mr. Miller raises principally corn, which he feeds at home.
He owns one hundred and ninety-nine acres of land, worth $30 per
acre. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania; Mrs.
Miller's parents were natives of Indiana.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 830 |
| |
Danville -
XAVER MILLER, Danville, was born in
Germany on the 25th of November, 1838. In September, 1856,
he emigrated to America, and landed in New York city. He
then came direct to Illinois, and located in Danville, where he
has been a resident since with the exception of two years.
While here in Danville Mr. Miller was in the hotel
business, and afterward started a sample and billiard room.
This he has now. Mr. Miller came to America a poor
man, but, with hard labor and good management, he has been quite
successful in life, and ranks among Danville's prominent
Germans. He was married in Danville to Abelilna Uhlein,
of Baden, Germany, by whom they have seven children.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 417 |
| |
Ross Twp. -
JOHN MILLIGAN,
Rossville, grain dealer, was born in the county of Fermanagh,
Ireland, on the 19th of February, 1835, and is the son of
John and Fanny (Funston) Mil1igan. He was reared a farmer.
At the age of seventeen he came, in company with his brother
Oliver to Toronto, Canada, and next year (1852) the whole
family came and bought a farm of two hundred and nine acres in
the county of Simcoe, fifty miles north of Toronto, where his
father still lives. Here the subject of this sketch worked
about four years, when he obtained the position of steward of
the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, Toronto, which he retained until
1863, when he was transferred to the Malden Lunatic Asylum at
Amherstburgh, county of Essex, continuing in this position six
years. He was married on the 26th of January, 1864 to
Caroline 'Charlotte Crane, who was born in Suffolk, England,
on the 28th of February, 1838, and emigrated with her parents to
Galt, Canada, in 1853. Mrs. Milligan was
appointed matron of the Malden Asylum, and discharged the duties
of that position three years, and until her husband severed his
connection with the institution. In July, 1875, the family came
to the states and settled in Rossville, Vermilion County,
Illinois, where Mr. Milligan opened a general
store in company with his brother-in-law, Oscar G. Crane.
In the fall of 1878 he sold his interest to his partner, and is
now engaged in handling grain. He is the father of three
children: Mary Maud, Frances Caroline and Edith Blanche.
Mr. and Mrs. Milligan are members of the Episcopal
church.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 953 |
| |
Elwood Twp. -
ADAM M. MILLS, Ridge Farm, lumber dealer,
was born in this county, on the 7th of December, 1834, and was
raised on a farm until twenty-three years of age, at which time
he commenced clerking in a store one year; then commenced buying
and shipping cattle, which he continued at intervals until 1868,
at which time h went into the mill business. This he
continued until he went into the lumber trade, in 1873.
His father was one of the pioneers of the county, coming here in
an early day. Mr. Mills was married on the 22d of
March, 1876, to Cynthelia Wall, who was born in this
county in 1840. They have by this union one child:
Frank, born on the 10th of August, 1877. Mr. Mills
has held the office of village trustee. He is a
republican, and a member of the Friends church.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 595 |
| |
Elwood Twp. -
RICHARD MILLS, Vermilion
Grove, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of this county, and
was born on the 21st of November, 1841. His father was one
of the early settlers of this county, having settled here in
1822; hence he learned some of the realities of pioneer life.
He remained here until his death in 1852. The subject of
this sketch being the oldest son, the responsibility rested upon
him. He has engineered the farm well in partnership with
his brother, W. H. They handle about one hundred
head of cattle a year. They are young men of good business
tact, well respected in the neighborhood in which they reside.
Mr. Mills is a republican in politics and a member of the
Friends church.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 598 |
| |
Elwood Twp. -
ROBERT MILLS, Ridge Farm, butcher and
grocer, was born in England, in April, 1824. He left there
when twelve years of age, and followed the sea thirteen years.
He sailed on the Mediterranean sea six years, then went to
China, and after a time returned to England. Afterward he
took a trip to the Rio Grande, and then went to Constantinople,
the capital of Turkey; from there to Rasida, then to Liverpool,
and then to Greenland, whale-fishing, for seven years.
After this he went back to England, thence to the Spanish Main,
thence to Scotland, and afterward to Canada, where he stayed
three years, working on a farm. He came to this county in
1838, and settled in Ridge Farm, where he has resided since,
being one of its first settlers. He is the oldest settler
now living in Ridge Farm. He was married in 1858 to
Rachel Nuckles, who was born in Indiana in 1833. They
have had six children by this union, three of whom are living:
Anna, now wife of J. Harold, Mary and
Linnie. The deceased were John and two
infants. He enlisted in the late war, in 1865, in the
150th Ill. Vol. Inf., Co. E., and served one year as private,
and was mustered out at the close of the war.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 - Page 597 |
| |
Newell Twp. -
JOHN
MYERS, deceased, was born on the 28th of
January, 1808, near Hagerstown, Maryland, and was reared there.
The Myers family moved to Dayton, Ohio, in an early day. From
there two of the sons, John and Samuel, removed to
Indiana, and located near Lafayette. In 1840 they came to
Vermilion county and purchased the mill-improvement begun and
owned by Peter Chrisman, and commenced building their
grist-mill. In 1841 they brought their families to Newell. The
village received its name from these brothers. They ran their
mill about twenty years and sold it to William Goodwin.
John now began farming, and for some years the brothers were
engaged together in the manufacture of coffins. John
Myers died on the 8th of January, 1878, leaving two
children: Frank A. and Mary E.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Illinois - H. W. Beckwith -
1879 - Page
959 - Contributed by Mary Paulius |
| |
Danville Twp. -
LEONARD MYERS,
Danville, city-marshal. It is something quite common to meet old
citizens who have held an office for several terms; but we do
not remember having met any who have held one office, and a
difficult one through which the people may be pleased so long as
Mr. Leonard Myers, who, for nine years, has
been marshal of the city of Danville, having been elected to the
eight different times, appointed once. He is a native of
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The early portion of his life was spent in his native
county of Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1858 he came to Vermilion
County, and began farming and dealing in stock. This he followed
for about five years, Then he moved to Danville 2nd began the
butchering business, and at the e same time bought and shipped
stock, horses being his principal line of stock-trade, of which
he bought and shipped many a car-load to the east. He is one of
the old residents of Danville and Vermilion County and as an
officer has probably traveled more miles, made more arrests, and
sent more criminals to the penitentiary than any officer of the
law in eastern Illinois. He also has the supervision of the
Police department, 2nd has been an officer so long that he seems
to be recognized as authority in almost any of the city offices
and under any circumstances.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H.
H. Hill and Co., 1879 - Page 420 &
421 - Contributed by Mary Paulius) ok |
NOTES: |
