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OTHER BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES:
Source:
THE PAST AND PRESENT
of
VERMILION COUNTY, ILLINOIS
- ILLUSTRATED -
Published: Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1903
Thos. Hoopes |
THOMAS HOOPES.
More than one Illinois man whose name figures today upon the
pages of history was born, as was Mr. Hoopes, in a log
cabin and reared amid the hardships and privations and
privations of pioneer life, but it is only under the pressure of
adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and
strongest in men have been brought out. Although Thomas
Hoopes did not direct his energies into channels which
brought him political renown or military distinction, he became
an important factor in reclaiming the great prairie districts of
Illinois for the purposes of civilization and achieved success
which awakened admiration and respect, and as long as the town
of Hoopeston stands he will be honored as its founder and first
settler.
On the 26th of June, 1806, in a little log cabin which
stood in what was then Jefferson county, but is now Harrison
county, Ohio. Thomas Hoopes first opened his eyes
to the light of day, being the fourth in order of birth in a
family of six children. Primitive pioneer conditions then
existed in the Buckeye state and accordingly he was deprived of
many of the advantages which could have been enjoyed in a more
thickly settled region. His education was largely acquired
under the direction of his mother, although later he had the
opportunity of attending a private school for a month.
About the time he attained his majority his father died, and he
received as his share of the estate three hundred and
thirty-four dollars and four cents, which served as the nuclus
around which he gathered his fortune in later years.
Mr. Hoopes continued on the home farm until his
marriage, which occurred July 8, 1846, Miss Anna Gray, of
Harrison county, Ohio, becoming his wife. Soon afterward
he purchased eight hundred acres of land near Marion, Ohio, and
settling thereon put up one of the first brick houses in that
part of the state. He also made many other substantial
improvements upon his farm and devoted most of his attention to
stock-raising, having a large flock of sheep grazing upon his
farm all the time. In August, 1853, he came to Vermilion
county to ascertain definitely the condition of the land and the
prospects of the county. That he was satisfied with the
investigation is indicated by the fact that the 1855 he brought
his family to the west and purchased of W. I. Allen four
hundred and eighty acres of land, on which he established his
home. It lay northwest of the present site of Hoopeston,
crowning a hill on the old Chicago road. As time passed he
added largely to his landed possession until he became the owner
of seven or eight thousand acres. For years he was one of
the most extensive stock-dealers and raisers of this part of the
state, making large shipments to the city markets and investing
his profits in land. On the 4th of July, 1871, the track
of what is now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was laid
across his farm and the year following the Lake Erie & Western
also began running trains through this district. Mr.
Hoopes, who was always a man of keen sagacity and foresight,
believed that here would be a good site for a town and began
laying off his farm in town lots, thereafter devoting his
energies to the sale of these lots and to the supervision of the
interests of the embroyo village. The place was named
Hoopeston by one of the railroad prospectors. Mr.
Hoopes, subsequently sold one thousand acres of his land to
the firm of Snell & Taylor, who had a part of it platted
and sold as town lots. From that time until his death
Mr. Hoopes was engaged in no active business enterprise,
save the supervision of his invested interest. He spent
much of his time in traveling with his wife, who was in delicate
health, they visiting many portions of this country in the hope
that she might be benefited thereby.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoopes had no children but reared
Mary R. Scott from a little six year old girl, who made
her home with them until her marriage to J. A. Cunningham,
who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Hoopes
was a man of benevolent spirit, charitable in thought and
action, and many have reason to remember him for the kindly
assistance he rendered in their hour of need. No man ever
accused Thomas Hoopes of taking unfair advantage of his
fellow men or of performing any act that was not strictly
honorable. While not a church member, his life was
governed by the most rigid principles of honesty and morality.
The golden rule was his guide through life and he despised all
unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any
undertaking for any purpose. In his political views he was
first a Whig and afterward a Republican, but the honors of
emoluments of office had no attraction for him. His wife
passed away April 25, 1886, and his death occurred October 4,
1893. He left an estate valued at more than half a million
dollars, which indicated his activity in business, his careful
investment and keen discernment, but more than this he left a
legacy to the state of one its beautiful and thriving towns; to
the town he left the result of labors for the general good; to
his friends the memory of a kindly spirit; and to humanity the
example of a life of untarnished honor.
Source: The Past & Present of Vermilion County, Illinois-
Chicago - The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1903 - Pg. 62 ok |
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GEORGE HUMRICHOUSE needs no introduction to the readers
of this volume, for as president of the Danville Wholesale
Grocery Company he is well known. During his residence here he
has been active in cooperating in many movements for the public
good and his business affairs have largely been of a character
that have contributed to the general development and
improvement.
A native of Illinois, he was born in Monmouth, on the
7th of September, 1868, and on the paternal side is of German
descent, while his maternal ancestors were of Scotch origin. His
parents were James W. and Priscilla Grace Humrichouse, who are
still living and are now residents of Frankfort, Indiana. For
many years the father was actively engaged in farming and the
real-estate business, but is now practically living retired.
George Humrichouse received a good practical education
in the grammar and high schools of Homer, Illinois, and, being
well fitted for teaching, he successfully followed that
profession in Champaign and Vermilion counties for eight years,
after which he embarked in the retail grocery business, being
associated with his father as part owner of the store from 1897
to 1902. Their location was at 112 East Main Street and they
built up a good business. In 1902 however, our subject was one
of the incorporators of the Danville Wholesale Grocery Company,
of which he is now president, and it is mainly through his well
directed efforts that the business has been built up. He is a
wide awake, energetic and progressive business man, who usually
carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes,
and he has made the firm with which he is now connected widely
known throughout this section of the state. Carrying a
first-class line of goods, their trade has steadily increased
until it has now reached extensive proportions, this being
largely due to the reliable and progressive business methods of
the members.
At Ridgeway, Missouri, July 23, 1891, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Humrichouse and Miss
Mary Stoughton, a daughter of Nathaniel N. Stoughton, who is still
living in Ridgeway and is a representative of one of the old
families of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Humrichouse has been born
a son, Elton, whose birth occurred in Homer, July 1, 1892, and
they also have an adopted child, who was taken from the
Children's Home.
They are earnest and consistent members of the First
Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Humrichouse is also
identified with the One Hundred Thousand Club. In politics he is
independent, giving his allegiance to those men and measures
which he believes will prove of public benefit. He has taken the
degrees of the Lodge of Perfection and the Royal Arch chapter of
the Masonic fraternity and is also identified with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of
Pythias. Being a lover of outdoor sports, he takes quite an
enthusiastic interest in baseball and is a genial, social
gentleman, who makes friends wherever he goes. He is popular
both in business and social kirtles and is today regarded as one
of the leading citizens of his adopted city.
Source: History of Vermilion
Co., Ill. - Vol. II - Pub. 1911 - , Pages 166 & 167 -
Submitted by Mary Paulius |
NOTES: |
