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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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Carroll Twp. -
ABRAHAM SANDUSKY, Indianola, farmer and
stock-raiser, is a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, born on
the 24th of March, 1833. In the fall of the same year he
with his parents came to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he
lived with them until he was thirty-five years of age. On
the 16th of December, 1869, he married he began improving his
present place, and in 1871 he settled on the same, and has lived
here since. He owns seven hundred and seventy acres here
in one body, located fourteen miles southwest of Danville, and
three and one half miles from Georgetown or Indianola. It
is well adapted to stock-raising, in which he is largely
interested.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 788 |
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JAMES SANDUSKY.
It is now
considered no small honor to have lived during the pioneer days
of Central Illinois, and he who looked upon the wilderness ere
feet of white men had made their permanent inroads into this
region, it is viewed with more than ordinary interest. To those
hardy spirits are the people of to-day indebted for the great
advantages which they enjoy, the prosperous farms and villages
which have arisen from the wilderness and the advance of
civilization, which was led by the adventurous pioneer. To this
region came the Sandusky family at a very early date, and they
have left their ineffaceable mark not only by their industry and
perseverance, but in the implanting of those moral principles
which form the basis of all good society. Their children were
reared to habits of industry and sentiments of honor, while they
extended to high and low that cordial hospitality which is
especially prized where people are necessarily dependent upon
each other for many of the conveniences and comforts of life.
The subject of this notice and his estimable wife form no
unworthy offshoots of their respective ancestral trees, which
have grown and flourished and the names of which will descend to
coming generations. They endured all the hardships and
privations of life on the frontier, labored arduously in the
building up of a homestead and reared a family of intelligent
children, all but two of who have fled from the home nest and
taken their places as honored members of society. The two
remaining it is hardly necessary to say form the light and joy
of the household.
James Sandusky was born in Bourbon County, KY., July 17, 1817,
and has thus more than numbered his three-score years and ten.
His father Isaac Sandusky was likewise a native of the Blue
Grass State, where he attained to manhood and was married to Miss Euphemma McDowell, a maiden of his own neighborhood. Later
he served in the war of 1812 and was under Gen. Harrison at the
battle of Tippecanoe. He was a resident of Kentucky until the
fall of 1827 and then coming to Vermilion County, IL. Settled on
a tract of land near Brooks Point and built up a farm from the
wilderness, where he and his estimable wife spent the reminder
of their lives.
In the Sandusky family there were eleven children, who were
named respectively: Sarah E., Mary A., Julia A., Josiah, and
James, our subject Henry Clay, Ann
Eliza, Stephen A. Douglas,
Thomas, Susan A. and Laura. James was a boy of ten years when
his parents removed to Illinois. In preparing for the removal
the father had purchased large numbers of cattle, horses and
sheep to bring with him. The journey was made overland in the
primitive style, the travelers camping and cooking by the
wayside and sleeping in a tent at night. During that journey,
our subject saw a cooking stove for the first time, and it was
viewed not only by himself but by many others with great
curiosity. This article was purchased by his father from Rafe
Lytton of Cincinnati, Ohio and brought to Vermilion County,
being the first of its kind in the region.
Young Sandusky prior to the removal to the Prairie State had
been married in Woodford County, Ky. Dec. 6, 1846 to Miss
Mary Ann, daughter of James Green, a native of Woodford County, KY.
Her paternal grandparents were natives respectively of England
and Germany. After coming to America they were married in
Virginia, whence they soon afterward removed to Kentucky,
settling in Woodford County, where they spent their last days.
James Green upon reaching man’s estate chose for his wife
Miss Polly Hudson, whose family had figured conspicuously in the
early history of the State and whose paternal grandfather,
Raleigh Hudson of Scotch-Irish blood, did valiant service in the
Revolutionary War. The Hudsons, invaded the soil of Kentucky at
a time when Indians were plentiful and the forest abounded with
wild animals. The mother of Mrs. Sandusky was first married to
William Campbell and they became the parents of six children. Of
her marriage with James Green there was born one child only, a
daughter, Mary Ann, in Woodford County. They were wedded in the
fall of 1847 and the following spring emigrated to Illinois and
settled upon land owned jointly by Mr. Green and our subject.
Mr. Green departed this life in 1845 and the mother died at the
home of our subject April 14, 1870.
Eleven children likewise came to bless the union of James
Sandusky and his excellent wife. The eldest born, Sarah E.,
became the wife of Benjamin Girard of Georgetown Township and
they have nine children—Emma, Della, Mary,
Julia, James, Jessie, Euphemma, George and
Dottie. Mary A. And Julia A. Are deceased;
Josiah P. Married Miss Emma Boughton and they have four
children, Ettie, Fred, James Gould and
Grant. James I. married
Miss Mary Engleman and is farming on his father’s farm in
Georgetown Township; they have two children Clinton and Mattie;
Henry C a resident of Georgetown Township, married Miss
Mary Pratt and they have two children, Floyd E. and
Annie. Anna Eliza
married Thomas Bennett of Georgetown Township and they have one
child, Bertie; Stephen A. D. is a resident of Catlin Township;
Thomas is sojourning in Lyons County, Neb.; Susan T.
and Laura
H. K. are at home with their parents.
As will be seen by referring to the sketches of Josiah,
William
and Abraham Sandusky, as well as that of James C. Sconce, the
Sandusky family came originally from Poland where they were
closely allied to royalty. In their native country their name
was spelled “Sodowsky.” The city of Sandusky, Ohio derives its
name from one of the earlier representatives of this family, who
settled in northeastern Ohio, where the Indians had suffered
numerous wrongs at the hands of the white man. In a spirit of
revenge they vowed to put to death the first white person who
should venture into what they esteemed their domain. This
unsuspecting individual proved to be an Indian trader by the
name of Sodowsky, and ancestor of our subject and who was one of
their best friends. They carried out their purpose but when
learning his true character deeply lamented the cruel deed. In
order to partially atone for it they gave his name to the embryo
town which had begun to grow up. As the whites came in the more
modern name was gradually adopted.
The Sandusky’s as far back as the records go, have been mostly
engaged in agricultural pursuits making a specialty of live
stock and being very successful. The father of our subject
brought in the first drove of good cattle from Kentucky to
Illinois, in the driving of which young James assisted. He also
brought in the first flock of sheep which ever graced the
prairies of Vermilion County, driving them from the Blue Grass
regions in the fall of 1827. Their ox-team was likewise in the
first driven from Kentucky to this county. Thus it will be seen
the Sanduskys have borne no unimportant part in opening of this
portion of Central Illinois.
Mr. Sandusky voted for William H. Harrison in 1840 but in 1856
felt he had reason to change his political views and identified
himself democracy of whose principles he has since been a strong
supporter. He has never sought political preferment and has
never held office with the exception of serving two terms as
School Director. The horses on Mr. Sandusky’s farm are from a
stock of horses that have been in the Sandusky family for nearly
a hundred years, brought to Kentucky by his forefathers and from
there to Illinois by his father. A portrait of Mr. Sandusky is
shown in his work and represents a worth member of an honored
family.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 399 -
Submitted Mary Paulius |
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Carroll Twp. -
JOSIAH SANDUSKY, Indianola, farmer and
stock-raiser, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on his
present place in Carroll township, on the 11th of September,
1837, and has always lived on this place. At the age of
twenty-two he began doing business on his own account, farming
and raising stock, and has followed the same since. By the
death of his parents his present, the old homestead, farm became
his property. On the 18th of December, 1873, he married
Miss Margaret Moreland. She was born in Bourbon
county, Kentucky. They had two children, one living:
Pearl. He owns one thousand acres in this county.
He is largely interested in stock-raising, and confines his
business to the finest breeds. At the present time he has
eight trotting horses, among which is Denmark, with a record of
2.40, and promises 2.20 at no distant day. The group also
includes Black Cloud, who has made 2.40.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page Page 789 |
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Elwood Twp. -
A. P. SAUNDERS, Ridge Farm, general
merchandise and grain-dealer, was born in what was then Wirt
county, Virginia, on the 7th of April, 1850, and, his father
being a farmer, was raised to that occupation until the age of
sixteen, at which time he commenced clerking in a store.
Although he did not have a good chance to get an education, by
occupying leisure hours i home study he managed to acquire
sufficient to enable him to carry on business. He came to
this state in 1874, and opened out his present general
merchandise store in Ridge Farm, where he carries about fifteen
hundred dollars' worth of stock. He is doing good
business, and is also engaged in the grain trade. Mr.
Saunders was married on the 25th of April, 1877, to Ada
Lewis, who was born in this state in 1856. He belongs
to the A. F. & F. M., and his political views are democratic.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 607 |
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Newell Twp. -
WILLIAM C. SAUNDERS,
Danville, abstract clerk, was born on the 28th of May, 1824,
in the county of Norfolk, England. In 1835 he came with his
parents, John and Maria (Raynor) Saunders, to
America. A residence of one year was made in Indiana, when
they came to this county and located in Danville, his father
engaging in blacksmithing. His mother died on the 26th of
September, 1842. Shortly after this he became employed in
the county clerk's office, by Amos Williams, who at
that time held all the important offices. In 1844 he went
to Iowa, and on the 28th of November, 1848, Mr. Saunders
was married to Ellen Sleef. He was the
first
mail messenger from Chicago to Burlington on
the Chicago, Burlington
&
Quincy railroad, which position he held five
years, when he was transferred to the Burlington
&
Missouri River railroad. In the spring of
1862 he returned to Danville, and since that time has been
engaged chiefly in the county and circuit clerks offices.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 956
Submitted by Mary Paulius |
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Carroll Twp. -
JAMES S. SCONCE, Indianola, farmers
and stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois,
born on the 14th of November, 1831, and has always made his
home in this county. He lived with his parents until
he was twenty-four years of age, during which time he
received a liberal education, and at the age of twenty-three
he took a drove of cattle to Wisconsin, and sold out the
same during the summer. In 1855 he took a position as
clerk in the store of Bailey & Sconce, at Indianola,
Illinois, and remained in this until 1859, when he went to
Kansas, and preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land in
Lyon county. At the end of three months he returned to
Illinois, and traded his Kansas farm for land here in
Illinois. He then engaged in stock business - buying,
selling and shipping - which he continued until fall of
1860, when he married Miss Emma daughter of Harvey
Sodowsky. She was born in this county. After
his marriage he lived one year with his father-in-law, and
then came to his present place, and has lived here since.
They had three children, two of whom are living:
Anna and Harvey J. The farm contains twenty-one
hundred acres, well located, and upon which is a very
elegant brick residence. His parents, Samuel
and Nancy (Waters) Sconce, were natives of Bourbon
county, Kentucky, and were born on the 29th of October,
1802, and on the 2d of September, 1808, respectively.
He came to Illinois in 1828, and settled in this county in
1829, Mrs. Sconce came here in 1829 with her
parents. The marriage took place at Brooks' Point in
this county, in 1830, at the residence of Mr. Waters.
They engaged in farming, and continued this until 1852,
during which time he was very successful, and was one of the
prominent and well-known farmers of this section of the
county. In 1852 he engaged in the general merchandise
business in Indianola, the firm being Bailey & Sconce,
which continued until 1858. Mr. Sconce
continued until the big fire in the village, since which
time he lived a retired life until his death, on the 9th of
January, 1874. Mr. Sconce was one of the early
settlers of this township, in which he served a number of
years as assessor and collector. In 1849 he drove
about two hundred fat cattle to Philadelphia, where he sold
about half the lot, and drove the balance to New York, going
afoot the entire trip. He also hauled produce to
Chicago in early days. Mrs. Sconce is living
here with her son.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 787 |
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JAMES SHANNON
was engaged in selling goods here (Georgetown) at an early
date, and his brother John was engaged in the
practice of medicine. They went from here to
Mackinawtown, in Tazewell county, and one cold winter's day
the latter wandered off into the stream, and after going a
mile in the water went out into a cornfield, where he froze
to death, and his remains were not discovered until long
after, when they had been partially devoured.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 517 |
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Sidell Twp. -
JOHN SIDELL. What is usually
termed genius has little to do with the success of men in
general. Keen perception, sound judgment and a
determined will, backed by persevering and continuous
effort, are essential elements to success in any calling,
and their possessor is sure to accomplish the ends hoped for
in the days of his youth. Our subject is another
example of what can be accomplished by honest, steady and
industrious application to business, and his name is worthy
a place in history. John Sidell was born in
Washington county, Maryland, on the 27th of June, 1816.
His father died when he was eight years of age, and he
remained in his native county until nineteen years old,
working by the month on a farm. For the first month he
received one and a half dollars, and, not being satisfied,
in 1838 he came to Green county, Ohio, which place he
reached with but nineteen dollars and a limited supply of
clothes. He was soon engaged to work on a farm for
twelve dollars per month, and as soon as he had saved enough
money, came west on horseback, passing through Illinois and
into Iowa, not finding a location at that time. He
returned to Ohio, this time taking a contract to cut wood
for thirty-three and one-third cents per cord, this being
the hardest work he ever undertook. This was his
starting-point of success, for from that time on he became a
dealer in stock, and since he came to this county (1860) has
been one of the largest stock-dealers in the county.
Mr. Sidell has been twice married. His first
wife was Elizabeth Cline. They were married on
the 20th of January, 1846. She was a native of Greene
county, Ohio, born on the 16th of December, 1823, and died
on the 1st of May, 1854. He was married the second
time to Miss Ada B. Ransom, on the 20th of January,
1857, a native of Canada, born on the 15th of June, 1837,
and remained his wife until her death of Canada, born on the
15th of June, 1837, and remained his wife until her death,
on the 4th of October, 1868. He is the father of one
son and one daughter by his first wife: George A.
and Allie E., and, by his second wife, three:
Jennie H., Joseph J., and Lula B. Mr. Sidell
has served the people of the county as representative.
He was a whig until the organization of the republican
party, when he joined its ranks.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago:
H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 - Page 1032 |
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JOHN SLOAN was
probably the first blacksmith here (Georgetown).
Dr. Thomas Heywood was one of the earliest to practice
medicine. He was a man of good education and excellent
judgment. He was educated in Ohio, and came here to
begin his practice. After a time he removed to a farm
southwest of Georgetown, in Carroll township, and continued
his practice until his death. Dr. Richard Holmes
practiced here a while, and then went to Ohio.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 517 |
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Georgetown Twp. -
A. B. SMITH, Danville, farmer and
stock-raiser, is a native of Washington county, Tennessee.
He was born on the 25th of December, 1817, and lived there
eleven years. He then, with his parents, came to
Illinois, and settled near Georgetown. He lived with
his parents until he was twenty-three. On the 8th of
October, 1840, he married Miss Eliza Lockett.
She was born in Wythe county, Virginia. After his
marriage he settled on his present place. He is no
office-seeker, and he held no offices except those connected
with the school and roads. He owns five hundred acres
in this county, principally located nine miles southeast of
Danville. In early days Mr. Smith made
journeys by team to Chicago, making his first trip in 1832,
and he has sold wheat there as low as forty-two cents per
bushel. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Smith,
were natives of Tennessee, where they were married on the
15th of August, 1812. He was born on the 7th of March, 1793,
and she was born on the 29th of May, 1793. Both died in this
township.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 529 |
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Middle Fork Twp. -
A. G. SMITH, Potomac, farmer and
stock-dealer, section 8, was born in Vermilion county,
Illinois, on the 5th of June, 1855. His father,
John Smith (English), of this township, is one of the
largest landowners and most extensive stock-dealers in this
county. Mr. A. G.
Smith ships from ten to fifteen car-loads of cattle
every year, besides quite a number of hogs. He is so
far following the example of his father that he is one of
the most thorough business young men in the county. He
was married on the 7th of October, 1875, to Lizzie Wilkie.
She was born in Scotland on the 12th of April, 1855.
They are the parents of two children: John C., born
on the 27th of April, 1877, and Laura, born on the
27th of April, 1879. Mr. Smith owns five
hundred and forty acres of land, worth $30 per acre.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 826 |
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Georgetown Twp. -
BLUFORD J. SMITH, JR., Georgetown,
farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county,
Illinois. He was born on his present place, on the
26th of September, 1843. He lived with his parents
until he was twenty-four years old, when he went to Missouri
and engaged in farming, living there seen years. He
then returned to his present place, retaining his farm of
one hundred and eighty acres in Jackson county, Missouri.
He married Miss Diana Sigler on the 8th of October,
1867. She was born in this county. They have one
child, - Elmer M. Mr. Smith and his brothers,
James B. and Thomas J., own and farm the old
homestead here, which consists of two hundred acres, located
four miles east of Georgetown. His father, B. J.
Smith now deceased, was born in Tennessee, on the 6th of
July 1806, and moved from there to Kentucky; thence to
Indiana, and to Illinois, entering the present place.
He worked on his farm, clearing and improving, during the
winters, and in summers he worked in the lead mines at
Galena. he married Miss Rachel Pribble
She was born in Ohio. He was in the Black Hawk war,
under Captain Sherman. They had eight
children: America, Sarah, Debra, Bluford J., Jackson,
Richard, James B. and Thomas J. Mr. Smith
died on the 16th of December, 1877, and Mrs. Smith
died on the 15th of August, 1870.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 545 |
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Danville Twp. -
DAVID A. SMITH, Danville, farmer, was
born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 2d of September, 1812,
and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Harmon) Smith.
His father was a paper-maker by trade. He was married
in Virginia, and with his wife moved to Ohio, where he
followed his trade, and there remained until 1863, when he
moved to Vermilion county. He died in Indiana, but was
buried here; his wife also died, and was buried in Vermilion
county. Mr. Smith, the subject of subject of
this sketch, learned the paper-maker's trade, then the trade
of a millwright, and afterward that of a miller. He
was married to Martha J. Parker, of North Carolina,
who came to Indiana when she was quite young. Mr.
Smith was a resident of Richmond, Indiana, but went to
La Fayette, where he remained some five or six years in the
mill business; thence to Warren county, and remained there
in same business about five years. Mr. Smith
was very successful in the mill business having retired in
good circumstances. In 1853 he came to Vermilion
county, Illinois, and purchased land, and also the present
homestead. He returned to Indiana, and in 1855 he
moved on the present farm, where he has remained since.
Here his first wife, who was a good and kind mother and
loving wife, died. He then married Mrs. Hannah
Brant Lee. Mr. Smith had three sons in the late
war, who did good service. William H. enlisted
in the 125th Ill. Vol. Inf., and on account of sickness was
honorably discharged after serving over two years.
David J. enlisted in the first call. After his
time was up he reenlisted in a battery, and did good
service. Samuel P. enlisted in the
one-hundred-days service. He, after his time was up,
tried to reenlist in the three-years service, but, on
account of being too young, was refused. There are six
children living, all by the first wife: William H., David
J., Samuel P., Andrew J., Casius Wilson and Sarah
Jane.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 436 |
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Butler Twp. -
F. M. SMITH, East Lynne, farmer, section 4, was born in
Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 7th of March, 1833. In
1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 33d Ind. Vol. Inf., and was in the
battle of Springhill and several skirmishes. He served
three years, being on detached duty most of the time, and was
mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia. He was married on the
18th of February, 1874, to Mary C. Swisher. They
have two children by this marriage: William T. and
Eliza A. Mr. Smith has held the offices of school
director and commissioner of highways. He is a very
industrious man, and well respected by the people in the
neighborhood in which he resides. He is a republican in
politics. Mr. Smith owns one hundred and
twenty acres of land, worth $30 per acre.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H.
Hill and Co., 1879 - Page 1013 |
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Blount Twp. -
GEORGE G. SMITH, Higginsville, farmer,
section 33, owns three hundred and fifty acres, worth $30 per
acre, was born in Scioto county, Ohio, on the 31st of August,
1829, and was brought up on a farm. He went to school in
winter and worked on farm in summer. He came with his
father to this state in 1839, settling in this township ten
miles northwest of Danville. He was married on the 25th of
March, 1852, to Eliza A. Fairchild, who was born in this
county on the 27th of November, 1833. He is the father of
nine children: Elisabeth L., John E., Elias D., Marshal M.,
Wesley C., Sarah, Eva J., Woodford G. and Josiah O.
Mr. Smith has held the office of collector one term, office
of supervisor of township ten years, which office he still
holds. His grandfather on his father's side was in the war
of 1812, and was in the battle at which Hull surrendered.
His parents were natives of Virginia. Mr. Smith has
given entire satisfaction in the filling every office he has
held. He is well respected by all who know him.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 899 |
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Grant Twp. -
JAMES W. SMITH, Rossville, merchant, was
born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 18th of December,
1833, and is a son of William and Catherine (Yeazel) Smith.
He was brought up to till the soil. When eighteen years
old he moved to Edgar county, Illinois, and in 1869, to Labette
county, Kansas, returning to Edgar county in 1872. He
returned to his native county on the 1st of January, 1879,
establishing his home in Rossville, where he is at present
employed in the store owned by his brother, John R. Smith.
He has followed merchandising sixteen or seventeen years, most
of the time in Grandview, and the rest of the time at Paris,
Edgar county. He has traveled through twenty-eight states
of the Union and some of the territories. From 1862 to
1865 he was deputy provost marshal for Edgar county, under
Dr. Wm. Fithian He was educated principally at the
high school at Grandview; he was local correspondent of the
"Cincinnati Gazette" during the years 1874-5. He married
on the 10th of February, 1852, Miss Francis L. Smith
They have two children living: William W., and
Nellie, wife of John Tate. Mrs. Smith is
a republican in politics.
dSource: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 719 |
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Middle Fork Twp. -
JOHN SMITH (English), Potomac, farmer, section 5, was
born in England, in February, 1824; he remained at home until he
reached the age of twenty-one. He came from England to the
state of New York in 1834, and remained there until 1836, when
he removed to this state and settled in the township in which he
now resides. He was married to Adaline Moorhead
on the 3d of December, 1844; she was born in Virginia on the
12th of December, 1823. They are the parents of four
children: Martha J., born on the 15th of October, 1850,
and now wife of William Kuykendam, of Danville;
Alvin G., born on
the 6th of June, 1855; Robert H., born on the 22d of May,
1858; Laura J., born on the 4th of March, 1861.
When Mr. Smith was married he did not have enough money
to pay the preacher for marrying them. He now owns three
thousand acres of land, worth $30 per acre, his home place
containing one thousand four hundred acres of well-improved
land, and fattens from one hundred to two hundred cattle and
from two hundred to three hundred cattle each year. He has
never mortgaged a piece of land, nor has he ever been more than
three months behind with any payment on land. Mr.
Smith does not attribute his success in business
altogether to his own exertions, but accords a large degree of
his prosperity to the management and labors of his faithful
wife, who has always performed her part as a helpmeet well.
His parents, both natives of England, died in Middle Fork
township. He is a republican and a Methodist.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H.
Hill and Co., 1879 - Page 818 |
| |
Grant Twp. -
JOHN R. SMITH, Rossville, merchant, was
born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 1st of March, 1836,
and is the son of William W. and Catherine (Yeazel) Smith.
He was reared amidst the surroundings of agricultural
life; moved into Ross township in 1851; attended school at the
academy at Galesburg, Illinois, during the school year of
1856-7. Since that time he has been employed in
merchandising, farming, hotel-keeping and mail-carrying.
At present he keeps a general store and is doing a good business
in Rossville; is affable, accommodating and gentlemanly.
He has been constable in Grant and Ross townships; collector in
the latter two terms, and deputy sheriff under Lyons
Parker. He was married on the 3d of March, 1859, to
Josephine R. Stewart. They have five living children:
Ellen Minerva, Alfred F., Herbert,
Jesse, Harry. He is a republican.
Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 720 |
| |
Danville Twp. -
JOSEPH SMITH, Danville, miller. The
Lustro Mills, which are now so well known to the people of
Vermilion county, were built in 1870 by Knight & Fairchild,
the firm making several changes before the present proprietors,
Smith& Giddings, took it. This firm was established
in 1875, though Mr. Smith, the senior member of the firm,
was connected with the mills as early as 1874. The mills
have three run of stone and a capacity of flouring about forty
barrels per day. Their trade is both merchant and custom
milling.
Mr. Joseph Smith was born on the 1st of August,
1819, in Oxfordshire, England. In 1834 he came to the
United States with his people, they locating in Herkimer county,
New York. He came to Vermilion county as early as 1838,
though he only remained about one year. In 1840 he began
learning the trade of a miller in Elmira, New York. He
remained milling in that state about ten years, then came to
Indiana and began in the same business at La Fayette. From
there he went to Lebanon, Boone county, Indiana, where he
purchased an interest in a mill and continued the business until
about 1855, when he came to Vermilion county and located at
Myersville, still in the same line. From there he came to
Danville, and was for one year connected with M. M. Wright.
About this time he was unfortunate enough to have a team run
away with him, and by this accident was crippled for five years.
There seemed sometimes to him to be but little chance of
recovery, but he did recover, and at present may be found almost
any time at the Lustro Mills or on his farm, which is located
close to the city, a pleasant, genial gentleman as well as a
good financier.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 391 |
| |
Oakwood Twp. -
DR. SAMUEL T. SMITH was born in Fayette
county, Tennessee, on the 11th of December, 1818. His
father was Nicholas Smith, a farmer, and also an ordained
elder in the Christian church. Dr. Smith is of
German descent. He moved to Wayne county, Ohio, with the
family, in 1820. He there were a vast number of the
Smiths - over four hundred. The Doctor was raised on a
farm. He moved to Williams county in 1840, and remained
there till 1850. He sold his farm and went to studying
medicine in 1845, with Drs. Hall and Morrison. He
served as justice of the peace at this time. He stayed
here till 1850. At the breaking out of the California
excitement he engaged with a train from St. Louis, and went as
physician in the Great April Line. Here he learned much of
cholera. He came back in 1852 to Ohio, and next year to
Illinois. He practiced medicine in Grundy county four
years, and then came to Vermilion, in 1858. He went into
the 39th Ill. Reg. as physical; was post surgeon at
Mitchellville, Tennessee. His health failed and he came
back to Conkey Town, and then to Fithian, in 1871. In 1877
he moved to Muncie, where he still remains. In 1866 he was
married to the widow of Simon A. Dickson. They have
three children. The Doctor has a large practice in this
part of the county, and is well known in professional circles
over the county as a first-class M. D.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 869 |
| |
Middle Fork Twp. -
WALTER SMITH, Potomac, farmer and stock-dealer, was born
in Warren county, Ohio, on the 10th of January, 1830. He
remained at home, and his father being a weaver, learned the
weaver's trade, until he reached the age of 22. Mr.
Smith has been married twice: first to
Irena Lane, on the 25th of November, 1852. She was
born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 9th of March, 1839,
and died on the 8th of February, 1875. They had eight
children by this union. He was then married to Nancy A.
Blerens, on the 31st of January, 1876. She
was born in Vermilion county, in 1854. They have two
children by this marriage: Hattie E., born on the 8th of
December, 1876, and Winfield C., born on the 24th of
March, 1878.
Source: History of Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H.
Hill and Co., 1879 - Page 824 |
| |
Georgetown Twp. -
WM. D. SMITH, Georgetown, farmer and
stock-raiser, was born in Washington county, Tennessee, on the
29th of December, 1822, and lived there nearly six years; then,
with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled in Vermilion
county, near his present place. He lived with his parents
until he was twenty-four, when he came to his present place and
has lived here since. On the 22d of August, 184S, he married
Miss Sarah F. Littner. She was born in Knox county,
Tennessee, on the 1st of July, 1831. They had thirteen
children, nine of whom are living, viz: James F., Sarah F.,
Thomas, Phebe, Theodore, William D., jr., James, Andrew S.
and Susan. He owns two hundred and eighty-five
acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and
management. He teamed to Chicago, beginning as early as
1836. From 1842 to 1846 he made seven trips by flat-boat
to New Orleans, from Eugene, Indiana. He followed
threshing for twenty-six years, and took the premium at Catlin
fair for best threshing. He was also considered one of the
best feeders.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 527 |
| |
Vance Twp. -
WILLIAM SMITH, Homer, Champaign county,
farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, son of James and Mary
Smith, was born in Clarke county, Ohio, in 1827, and came
with his parents to Vermilion county, in November, 1829, and
settled within a quarter of a mile of where he now resides.
His father was born in Pennsylvania, on the 15th day of July,
1792, and died in this county on the 22d of July, 1872.
His mother was born in Ohio, on the 25th of January, 1794, and
died in this county on the 29th of July, 1854. The subject
of our sketch was united in marriage on the 8th of May, 1849, to
Miss Lucy A. Sadler, daughter of William and Keziah
Sadler, who were early settlers of the county. She was
a native of Virginia, and was born on the 8th of June, 1829.
By this union they have a family consisting of four sons and two
daughters: James E., William E., Byron, Abraham L.,
Mary B. and Sarah J. Mr. Smith owns a fine farm
of three hundred and ninety-five acres, with good improvements,
which he has obtained by his industry. He attended the
centennial in 1876. He has resided in this county fifty
years, and has not once had the attendance of a physician.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 986 |
| |
ABRAHAM
LINCOLN SOMERS, cashier of the First National Bank of
Westville, which position he has occupied since the organization
of the bank, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1872, a son of
Moses and Phoebe Somers. The father died in 1891 and the
mother is now a resident of Westville, Illinois. The education
of A. L. Somers was acquired in the public schools of his
native city and the desire of becoming independent and providing
for his own support led him at the age of eighteen years to
secure work in the coal mines. He remained in his native county
until 1897, when he came to Vermilion county with his mother and
sisters. Here again he was employed in the mines for about five
years or until 1902, when he was elected to the position of tax
collector, serving for a term of three years, his reelection
being proof of his capability, loyalty and the confidence
reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
While still acting in that capacity Mr. Somers
was called to the cashier-ship of the First National Bank of
Westville upon its organization in 1904. He has been the only
incumbent in this office and the success of the bank is
attributable in no small measure to his efforts and ability. He
is an obliging official, courteous in his treatment of the
patrons of the bank and at the same time watchful of the
interests of the institution which he serves. The bank was
capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and its capital and
surplus now amounts to twenty-nine thousand eight hundred
dollars. Its officers are O. P. Clark, president; J.
F. Haworth, vice president; and A. L. Somers,
cashier. These gentlemen, together with L. J. Blary and
T. H. Spang, constitute the board of directors. The record
of the bank, as shown by the report of the comptroller of
currency, is most satisfactory. The business has been developed
upon the platform of "safety first, liberality next," both of
which are essential to successful banking.
In 1902 Mr. Somers was united in marriage to
Miss Isabel Courtney, of Indiana, and they have four
children: Elizabeth, John, Paul and Dorothy. Mr.
Somers is prominent in several fraternal organizations,
holding membership with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and
the Red Men. He is a man of engaging social qualities, which win
him friends, and he ranks prominently in business circles. His
position is attributable entirely to his own labors and he
deserves much credit for what he accomplished, for he started
out upon a humble financial plane. He has since closely studied
the business situations with which he has been connected, has
improved his opportunities and upon the sure foundation of
industry and close application has builded his advancement.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 277 |
| |
Sidell Twp. -
W. W. STARK, Grove farmer section 29 and
son of John aand Mary Stark, who were
natives of Bourbon county, Kentucky. They removed to Parke
county, Indiana, at an early day. From there he came to
Vermilion county, in about 1828, and settled at the old Sandusky
farm at Brook's Point, where W. W. Stark was born, on the
17th of October 1832. They removed to Sidell Township in
1855, where they lived until their death. Mr. Stark
was married on the 10th of November, 1868 to Miss Mary,
daughter of Dr. J. B. McHoffee; they have three daughters
and one son: Viola, Blanche, Daisy and James R., -
William B. died. Mr. Stark has crossed the
plains several times. He went to Pike's Peak in 1859, and
returned in 1862. He made a trip to Montana in 1864, and
back in 1866, and to the Black Hills in 1876, where he had a
fight with the Indians. He then went to Colorado, and
spent the summer, and then returned home, where he has been
engaged in farming. Mr. Stark is a member of the A.
F. & A. M., and in politics is a democrat.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 1031
Contributed by Mary Paulius |
| |
ESAU STARR,
Georgetown, farmer adn stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion
County, Illinois; he was born on the 10th of February, 1826, and
has always lived in this county. His father died when he
was about four years of age. He lived with his mother
until he was twenty-three. On the 31st of May 1849, he
married Miss Rebecca Sherer, who was born in this county
on the 23d of October, 1831. After his marriage he rented
one year; he then bought his present place and settled. He
has made many trips to Chicago by team, dating back as early as
1840. He had six children, three are now living: James
T., Carrie A. and Lydia J. He owns one hundred and
eighty seven and a half acres of land in this county, which
is principally the result of his own labor and management.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 527 |
| |
Elwood Twp. -
G. R. STEELE, Ridge Farm, practicing
physician, was born in Putnam county, Ohio, on the 1st of
October, 1848, and came to this state in 1861. He settled
in Edgar county, and for three years studied medicine under
Dr. Miller, of Paris, Edgar county. He attended two
courses of lectures at the Miami College, at the expiration of
which time he received a diploma for the practice of medicine.
Mr. Steele commenced the practice of medicine in Paris in
the spring of 1875, and continued one year. He then
practiced one year in Fairmount, after which he came to Ridge
Farm. The Doctor has had quite an extensive practice
attended with good success. He was married on the 21st of
October, 1872. His wife was born in Edgar county, this
state, on the 17th of October, 1853. Mr. Steele is
a member of the A. F. & A. M. and his political views are
republican.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 606 |
| |
Blount Twp. -
GEORGE Y. STIPP, Danville, farmer and
local minister, section 22, was born in Warren, on the 13th of
April, 1826. Until eighteen years of age he worked on the
farm, having but ordinary educational advantages. In 1830
he moved to Illinois with his parents, settling in Newell
township. Mr. Stipp has taught about twenty-five
schools in his lifetime. Mr. Stipp has been three
times married: first to America A. Smith, on the 11th of
November, 1847. She was born in this county on the 21st of
November, 1831, and died on the 21st of July, 1870. They
had nine children by this marriage, six living:
Theodore L., Isaac N., Anna J., Sarelda A., Daniel V. W. and
Samuel. The names of the deceased are Mary,
Georgey and an infant. Mr. Stipp was then
married to Mary E. Hewes, on the 3d of February, 1871.
She was born in Vermilion county, Indiana, on the 27th of April,
1849, and died on the 24th of February, 1875. One child
was the result of this marriage. He was then married to
Elisabeth H. Hursely, on the 14th of January, 1877.
She was born in Ohio on the 18th of July 1838. Mr.
Stipp has held the office of justice of the peace in this
township for seven years, and supervisor of township four terms.
He is a Baptist minister of considerable natural ability.
He has been engaged in several public debates on various
theological questions, with other ministers; one with W. P.
Shocky, a very noted Universalist minister, adn another with
Prof. Clark Braden, of Cornell University, and with
several others of less note. He owns two hundred acres of
land, worth $30 per acre.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 896 |
| |
Newell Twp. -
THEODORE L. STIPP, Bismark,
farmer, school-teacher and minister, was born in Newell
township, on the 24th of December 1,1848, and is a son of
George Y. and America A. (Smith) Stipp. He began private
law studies in 1868; was admitted to practice in the Circuit
Court of Warren County, Indiana, in the April term of 1870. He
attended a course of lectures at the University of Michigan in
the winter of 1570-1, graduating the 29th of March, 1871.
Finding the law not congenial to his tastes, he abandoned the
profession and became identified with the Church of Christ, and
was ordained a minister on the 24th of August, 1873. His labors
have since been extended over a wide field, embracing Warren,
Fountain and Vermilion counties, Indiana, and Champaign and
Vermilion counties, Illinois. Mr. Stipp has never
been a political aspirant for office, but in the campaign of
1875 was favorably mentioned as a candidate for congress on the
independent ticket, and received the support of the Vermilion
county delegation in the Tolono convention, which nominated
J. H. Pickrell. He was married on the 28th of March, 1872,
to Emma P. Norris. They are the parents of two living
children:
Emina Belle and Theodore E.
Mr. Stipp owns sixty acres of land, worth
$1,800.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 964
Contributed by Mary Paulius |
| |
Elwood Twp. -
JOHN P. STOKES, Long, farmer,
section 24, was born in Ohio on the 25th of January, 1828, and
commenced in his younger days to learn the blacksmith trade, at
which he worked three years, but quit on account of sore eyes.
He then learned the trade of a carpenter, and afterward clerked
in store for three years. He came to state in 1855,
settling four miles East of Ridge Farm. Of late years he
has followed farming. He owns one hundred and twenty-four
acres of land worth forty dollars per acre. Mr. Stokes was
married to Nancy Long on the 1st of August, 1857.
She was born in this county on the 8th of July 1838. Thy
are the parents of ten children, seven living: Sallie A.,
Jodie C., Charley B., Lewis H., Mary E., Mattie B. and
Eddy. The deceased were James W., Samuel V. and
Anna D. Mr. Stokes had but little property when he
was married, but has, by hard labor, industry, economy and good
management, got a good home. He is well respected by all
who known him. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 600 |
| |
Elwood Twp. -
A. A. SULCER, Ridge Farm,
physician, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 28th of
February, 1839, and remained on the farm until eighteen years of
age, at which time he commenced the study of medicine. He
attended Rush Medical College two terms, at the expiration of
which time he received a diploma for the practice of medicine.
He was assistant surgeon in the 113th Ill. Vol. Inf. three
years, where he had occasion frequently to perform amputations
both of the upper and lower extremities. He came back from
the army and practiced in Catlin a few months; then went
to Danville and there practiced three years. He came to
the Ridge in 1869, where he has been practicing since. Mr. Sulcer has had an extensive practice, attended with remarkable
good success. He was married on the 12th of Jan., 1870, to
Mary J. Duncan, who was born in this county. The
Doctor is a republican, and in his religious views he is a
liberal. Mrs. Sulcer is a member of the
Friends church.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 604 |
| |
Carroll Twp. -
J. P. SWANK, Indianola, farmer and stock
raiser, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 18th of
December, 1824, ona farm on the present site of Indianola, and
lived there with his parents until the 18th of February, 1850,
when he married Miss Phebe Dickson. She was born in
this county on the 27th of May, 1829. After his marriage
he engaged in farming on his own account, adn in 1855 came to
his present place. They had five children: Albert D.,
Gilbert, Robert P., Nancy S. and Edward. He
owns three hundred and thirty acres in this county, which he has
earned by his own labor. His parents, Capt. William and
Polly Lloyd Swank, were natives of Putnam county, Ohio.
He served in the war of 1812, enlisting as a private, adn was
promoted to captain. In 1823 he settled in Younts Grove,
Vermilion county, Illinois. They had eight children.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 785 |
| |
Carroll Twp. -
WILSON SWANK, Indianola, farmer and
stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois, born on
the 15th of July, 1825, in Elwood township, where he lived
twenty-five years. He then went to Wisconsin, and lived
there five years. On the 25th of January, 1825, he married
Miss Mary Jane Dickson. She was born in this
county, and died in 1856. In 1858 he went to Minnesota,
thence to Texas, and in 1859 he returned to this county.
On the 20th of March, 1865, he married Miss Eliza Bayless.
She was born in Mason county, Kentucky. They have four
children, three living: Emerson, Rosa A. and
Annie. He is no office seeker, and has held no offices
except those connected with the schools. He owns one
hundred and seventy acres of land in this county, which he has
earned by his own labor. He has hauled produce to Chicago
as early as 1838, and is well acquainted with the hardships of
early days in the county.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 786 |
| |
Blount Twp. -
LEWIS SWISHER, Danville, farmer and
stock-dealer, section 35, was born in Guilford county, North
Carolina on the 31st of November, 1806. His father moved
with him to Ohio when he was but twelve years of age, where he
remained until the year 1827. He then moved to this state
in 1828, being among the first settlers of the county. He
settled two miles north of Danville. The subject of this
sketch left there on account of milk-sickness, of which disease
he had a slight attack, and settled where he now resides.
Mr. Swisher was married on the 21st of January, 1830, to
Elisabeth Starr, who was born in Ohio on the 14th of
August, 1811. They have had by this marriage nine
children, eight living. Mr. Swisher had but very
little property with which to commence, but he has obtained a
nice property consisting of one hundred and ninety-five acres of
well improved land, with good dwelling-house and other
buildings.
Source: History of
Vermilion County, Ohio - Chicago: H. H. Hill and Co., 1879 -
Page 894 |
NOTES: |
