John Newell Allen

John Newell Allen b. June 25, 1879
Esther Mary Allen b. Oct. 1897 md. Louis V. Petry on April 4, 1919
Lawrence Thompson Allen b. Oct. 20, 1897
John was my (Mary Paulius) Granddad Jack; Aunt Ester gave me a copy of the family tree that she gathered from family bibles.  I kept it and when the internet became so available and informative I have continued on.  She would be so proud.

John Allen, sitting.  Others unknown.

Attorney Lawrence T. Allen Swings the hammer while H. R. Long holds the stake for marking the site of the combination shelter, concession stand and comfort station to be erected this summer at Kickapoo State Park, west of Danville.  Left to right are:   State Rep. M. R. (Bob) Walker, Edward Leverenz, of Leverenz Electrical Company; Xavier Meyer, landscape architect of the State Department of Public Works and Buildings; Rep. William Wayland, W. J. Burke of Carson-Payson Company; Godloe E. Moore, local contractor; Harry (Scotty) McMullen, Danville Construction Company; Samuel Sanner, architect of the Department of Public Works and Buildings, and E. C. Hewes, publisher of The Commercial-News.

Data has been Contributed by Mary Paulius
on Aug. 12th, 2006
Taken from the History of Vermilion Co., - Newell Township p. 962
Copyrighted 1879

Martin J. Barger, Bismark, farmer was born in Newell township, Vermillion co., Il on the llth? of February, 1846, and is the son of William J. Barger and Elizabeth (Randy) Barger.  His father died when he was quite young, and his mother marrying again, he left home and apprenticed himself to the shoemaker’s trade, which he learned.        
     The subject of this sketch displayed a truly heroic spirit in his persistent effort to become enrolled with the Union defenders.  At the beginning of the war young Barger endeavored to get into the army while he was yet but sixteen years of age.  He was very small and delicate, and had a girlish appearance.  At that time the physique of the volunteer was closely scrutinized, as the supply of men was greater than demand.  Co. B of the 25 Reg. ILL. Vols. was organizing at Danville, and he presented himself to Capt. Thomas McKibbin, who was recruiting it, The Captain “laughed him to scorn,” and told him that they did not want boys, but men to fight at the same time pointing to some stalwart specimens standing by.  After this rebuff, he repressed his military ardor until the early spring of 1862, when some of the Davison and Myers boys, of the 25^th, were home on furlough.  He now determined on making another trial, in the spite of the ridicule, which beset him, from all who became acquainted with his intention.  When he applied to be mustered into the service, in the hope of saving transportation expenses.  Failing in this, he went to Springfield, but was rejected there.  Proceeding hence to St. Louis with his companions, he was also rejected there.  He then went to Rolla, and fared likewise there.  This point was the end of railroad travel.  A squad of convalescents was forming here to move forward to join their commands, and our hero stated his case to the commanding officer, and requested permission to join them and be furnished rations.  When they reached Springfield, Missouri, he renewed the effort, with the same disheartening result.  He continued on the squad to Forsythe, Missouri, where he joined the 25^th ILL. Reg.  He was dressed in civilian clothing, and before he found the command, was arrested and taken before Siegel’s provost marshal, but, on explaining himself, was released.  Making application at once to Capt. Wall of Co. B, he was told that it was no use, he would die in a few days.  Foiled again at the last resort of appeal, he did not know what to do, but finally decided to follow the army and be a solder, if for nothing else than to triumph over all opposers and opposing circumstances.  He was furnished arms and equipments, and an outfit of clothing.  In about a week the army was in motion for Batesville, Arkansas.  The first day he kept up, the second day did not get into camp with his command, the third day did not arrive until late at night, and the fourth day entirely lost sight of the army. He had some money, and bought his meals along the route, camping out at night.  He moved forward every day, way worn and weary, almost fainting from fatigue.   When he came into camp at Batesville about an hour after the command had arrived, - not having been seen for nearly a week, and supposed to be either captured or dead – the cheers of the boys arose to greet him, and signalized his triumph.  Henceforward he kept abreast of the best among them.   From hence the army moved to Cape Girardeau, where, after a time, it was paid off.  The captain asked him if he wanted pay.  “If you think I will make a soldier,” was the answer.  “O, you’ll do!”   Replied the captain, with an air of confidence and satisfaction.  Having signed the pay roll, he was legally a soldier; his hopes were realized and his triumph complete.  Old soldiers know the meaning of “sand” and ”grit” but few have seen a better exhibition of it.  He was in Mississippi in the summer of 1862, and marched to Louisville under Buell, and was present at the battle of Perryville, but not engaged.  He was in the battles of Stone River and Chickamauga; wounded and taken prisoner at the latter place, and held about ten days, when he was released on parole.  He was not exchanged until the next summer, while on the Atlanta campaign.   
     Mr. Barger remained with his regiment until exchanged, but not doing duty.  He fought his last battle at Jonesborough; was present at the subsequent battles of Columbia and Nashville.  The term of service of his regiment having expired, the recruits served out the rest of their time at Gen. Stanley’s headquarters.  He was discharged in March, 1865.  His wound incapacities him from hard labor, and he draws a pension.
     He was married on the 19^th of April to Mary A. Steward, who died on the 16^th of August, 1870.  He was married again on the 25^th of September, 1873, to Margaret W. Richie.  They have four living children:  Walter L. R., Anna M., Samuel B., and John W.  Mr. Barger is a republican in politics, and in religion a Methodist.

 (See More on Martin Barger)
(See Newspaper Clipping on Martin Barger)

SEE OBITUARY
 

Great Grandmother Barger in Light colored dress
(Contributed by Mary Paulius)

Great Grandmother Mary Allen
(Mary Paulius' Grt Grandmother)

Helen Barger, grandmother of Mary Paulius

Ester Mary Allen born at Hoopeston, IL, October 20, 1897
Married Louis V. Petry, April 4, 1919.
She is sister of Lawrence & John Allen, and daughter of Charles Allen.

**Data has been Contributed by Mary Paulius
on Aug. 20th, 2006
Taken from the Portrait and Biographical Album -  pp. 387 - 389
Chatman Brothers
Copyrighted 1885

Our family connection
Wilson, born Nov. 21, 1825, died Oct. 1912, married Judith Burroughs.
Daughter married Charles Allen.

            Major Wilson Burroughs.  Among the self-made men of Vermilion County none deserve greater credit than the subject of this notice who is in possession of a comfortable amount of this world’s goods, obtained by downright hard labor and wise management.  At the beginning, when he started out in life for him-self, he made it a rule to live within his income, and this resolve closely followed has given him that independence than which, there is no more comfortable feeling in the world.  In possession of a fine home and a splendid family, together with the respect of his fellow men, he surely has much to make life desirable.  His occupation through life has been principally agriculture, but he is now retired from active labor and has wisely determined to spend his remaining years in the comfort and quiet which he so justly deserves.

            The ancestors of the Major were Southern people mostly, and his father, Jesse Burroughs, a native of Kentucky, was born in 1803.  Early in life he married May 8, 1823, to Miss Mary C. Wilson who was born in 1804 in Pennsylvania, the wedding taking place in Dearborn County, Ind., to which place the young people had emigrated with their parents.  They resided in that county for sixteen years, then coming to Illinois, in 1839, settled on a farm near Catlin  this county, where they lived a number of years, then changed their residence to Fairmount.  The father died on the 5^th of March, 1880, aged seventy-six years, ten months and sixteen days.  The mother survived her partner less than a year passing away February 25, 1881, age seventy-six years, three months and twenty-four days.

            To the parents of our subject were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, five of whom are living and whom Wilson was the second child.  He was born Nov. 21, 1825, in Dearborn County, Ind.  His early education was conducted in a log school-house with greased paper for window panes and other finishings and furnishings common to the buildings of that place and time.  It was never his privilege to attend a higher school.  He had the ordinary experience of a farmer’s boy in a new country, assisting in the development of the farm, plowing, sowing and reaping, becoming inured to hard work at an early age.  There were very few settlers in this region at the time of the arrival of the Burroughs family, there being a few Indians and French on the Sault fort of the Vermilion River.

            Four days before attaining the nineteenth year of his age young Burroughs was married Nov. 17, 1844 to Miss Martha Ann Thompson, daughter of John and Esther (Payne) Thompson, who came to Illinois from Dearborn County, Ind., in 1830, and settled on a farm in Vance Township, this county.  Their family included eight children, four of whom are living and of whom Mrs. Burroughs the second child was born May 11, 1827, in Dearborn County, Ind.  Her early education was conducted in a similar manner to that of her husband, and her father officiated as a pedagogue for several years.   After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs settled on a rented farm near Catlin, and like their neighbors frequently had difficulty to make both ends meet.  There was an abundance of labor and with but very little return.  They raised their own flax and wool, and Mrs. Burroughs spun and wove the fashioned the garments for her family.  Mr. Burroughs often thinks of the time when he went to church dressed in home-made line shirt and pants and a straw hat.  He maintains, however, that those were happy days, during which mutual affection and mutual

purposes enabled them to bear with courage the burdens of life and sustain their hopes for the future.

            Our subject operated five years upon rented land to such good advantage that at the expiration of this time he was enabled to purchase 100 acres – eighty acres of prairie at $5 per acre and twenty acres of timer at $4 per acre.  He paid cash down for the timber but was obliged to go into debt for the other.  He put up a frame house and haled the finishing lumber for it from a point east of Eugene, Ind., the trip occupying three days.  He lived at this place seven years then traded it for a tract of raw land, three and one-half miles southwest of Fairmount.  Removing to this he went through the same process as before, bringing the new soil to a state of cultivation, putting up another house and hauling the lumber as before from the same place.  This continued the home of our subject and his little family until after the outbreak of the late Civil War.

            Although there was much to engross the time and thoughts of Mr. Burroughs in connection with his personal interest he, nevertheless, responded to the call of his country and in August 1862, entered the army as Captain of Company E 73d Illinois Infantry.  He participated with one exception, in all the battles of his regiment, being prevented by illness from taking part in the fight at Murfreesboro, Tenn.  On the 18^th of December, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of Major.  Although in many of the important engagements which followed he was never wounded except, as he expressed it, “in the hat.”  He has a vivid recollection of the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Cree, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy’s Station, Franklin, the two days at Nashville and the fight at Dalton and Resaca.  After Lee’s surrender he was mustered out in June 1865, at Camp Butler, Ill.

            Upon retiring from the army Major Burroughs returned to his farm which he occupied until 1867.  Then, removing to Fairmount, he purchased a home and has since lived retired from active labor.  After giving to his two children each a farm he still has 324 acres left.  There were born to him and his excellent wife of four children, of whom Melissa, the eldest daughter, became the wife of I. N. Wilcox, who died Sept. 19, 1887, leaving his widow with one child, Harry B; Elsworth Thompson Burroughs, the eldest son of our subject, married Miss Laura Custer, and is the father of two – Fred and Frank—living near Westville:  Esther M., is the wife of William P. Witherspoon and the mother of three children—Stella, Wilson W. and Myrtle; they live in a home adjoining that of Mr. Burroughs.  The youngest child Newton W. remains at home with his parents.

            Mr. Burroughs usually votes the straight Republican ticket but further than this takes no active part in politics and has avoided the responsibilities of office, although serving as Director and Trustee in his district.  He has been a member of Town Council and as ex-soldier, belonged to George N. Neville, Post, and G.A.R. until its discontinuance.  Major and Mrs. Burroughs together with all their children, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Fairmount.  This was organized in 1869 and the Major has been one of its Elders since that time.  He has always entertained an active interest in the Sunday-school in which he has held the office of Superintendent many years.  He ranks among the foremost temperance men of this community and in all his dealings has preserved that honest and upright course in life which as been the unrest guaranteed of a substantial success and paved the way to a position in the front ranks among the responsible men of his community.  He knows by what toil and struggle his possessions were accumulated, and has a faculty of investing his capital to the best advantage.

[Source: Barb at moxy5@sbcglobal.net, who cautions "This comes from family papers, so none of it has been "verified" other than what my great uncle wrote in 1976 when he did a little genealogy"]

Edwards, Rev. Thomas - was born in Buckinghamshire, England on January 18, 1832 and died October 2, 1898. He married Emma Cadle and in 1853 they emigrated to America, in a sailing vessel that took 6 weeks to make the trip. 9 children were born, 6 of which survived. [Milton, Billy, Rose, Mattie and Annie Elizabeth.] Rev. Edwards entered the pulpit of the Free Methodist church near Snider, Illinois on Sunday morning, October 2, 1898, apparently in good health, to deliver the sermon. After announcing his text he fell to the floor and died before the congregation could reach him. A few days earlier he had expressed a wish that he might die in the harness, serving the Lord. The funeral was preached from the text that he had taken, just before his death, from Luke 18: 26 "Who can be saved..."
 

Data has been Contributed by Mary Paulius
on Aug. 14th, 2006
Taken from the Portrait and Biographical Album
Chatman Brothers
Page 741

William Irvin Allen, my Great Great Grandfather, born 1823 - came to Vermilion Co.,
where he was treasurer and justice of the peace, lawyer.  Brought much land in Grant Township,
 Vermilion County, and sold to Thomas Hoopes (for who Hoopeston was named.

          William I. Allen, one of the prominent men of Vermilion County, in the latter half of the nineteenth century, came from Ohio in 1844, and entered land in what is now the northwestern part of Hoopeston.  It, at that time, however, was a tract of uncultivated land over which deers, wolves, prairie chickens and other wild creatures, had up to this time wandered undisturbed by man.  There was not a tree or brush in sight, and the pioneer after building his cabin, frequently stood in his doorway and counted numbers of deer, sometimes as high as sixty in a herd.  Mr. Allen was not married when he came here, but in 1848 he became the husband of Miss Emily Newell, the daughter of William Newell.  He broke his land and improved his farm, working during the summer months and teaching school in the winter.  Mr. Allen was a man of fine classical education.  When he graduated from his eastern college he wrote a letter home in Latin, which the family yet has in their possession.  Finally Mr. Allen sold out his land to Mr. Hoopes and he settled six miles west, where East Lynn now stands.  By entry and purchase he acquired 3,200 acres of land which was mostly devoted to grazing.  He built three houses and made other improvements remaining there until after the breaking out of the Civil war.  He enlisted in the 12th Illinois Infantry, which regiment was first ordered to Cairo and then to Paducah, Kentucky.  After a little he was promoted to be the captain of his company, but became disabled for service and was returned home.  He went back to his farm but in a few months bought 500 acres in the vicinity of Rossville.  A few years after he sold out again and returned to the northern part of East Lynn.  This town was located on a part of the old farm when the railroad came through later.
      In 1884 Mr. Allen moved to Cherry County, Nebraska, but he lived here only four years, when he returned to Hoopeston, where he spent the remainder of his days.  Mr. Allen was the father of six children.  One of them, Mr. Chas. Allen, has been a prominent citizen of Vermilion County, where he was born in 1851.  Mr. Charles Allen was represented Vermilion County in the state legislature for many terms and been a conspicuous member of each session.  His home has always been Hoopeston.  Mrs. William I. Allen was the daughter of James Newell and was born in Kentucky, in 1824, coming to Vermilion County with her parents when she was a small child.  Her father was a prominent early settler, the township of Newell being named for him.  The father of William Allen did not come to Illinois to settle but remained in Indiana as long as he lived.
      Lawrence Allen, the grandson of Mr. William Allen and son of Hon. Charles Allen, is at present county judge of Vermilion County.  He is a practicing attorney located in Danville.  Mr. Charles Allen married Miss Mary Thompson, the daughter of L. M. Thompson.  They are the parents of two sons, John N. and Lawrence.
      William Allen bears the distinction of being the first settler of the northern part of the county.
      Thomas Hoopes, the founder of Hoopeston, came to Vermilion County in 1853.  He had made a success of living in Ohio and had a farm with all improvements to be desired in that state but he came to Illinois to look at the prospects of the country.  It would seem that an eight hundred acre farm near Marion, Ohio, would have all the best possible conditions for any one, but it appears he was attracted to the newer country and turned with interest, if not longing, toward the natural grazing lands of the prairies of the northern  part of Vermilion County.
      That he was satisfied with conditions and the prairie called him with force, is indicated by the fact that he bought 480 acres of land from Mr. W. I. Allen on which he established his new home.  This land lay northwest of the present site of Hoopeston, crowning a hill on the old Chicago road.  As time passed Mr. Hoopes added to his land until he had seven or eight thousand acres.  He became the most extensive stock raiser in this part of the country sending his product to the eastern markets, and spending his profits for more land.  In July, 1871, the tracks of the C. & E. I. R. R. Were laid across his farm and the year following the Lake Erie & Western was running trans.  Mr. Hoopes saw the opportunity to build a town of importance at the crossing and at once had his farm platted and sold it for town lots.  He later sold one thousand acres of his farm to the firm of Snell and Taylor, who platted it and sold it for town lots.  After that Mr. Hoopes did not do much save to oversee his invested interests.  He traveled much in search of health for his wife.  Mrs. Hoopes died in 1886 and Mr. Hoopes survived her until 1893.

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(The following was contributed by Mary Paulius)

Charles A. Allen
Grandfather of Mary Paulius

Charles A. Allen, when campaigning for Illinois State Senator, August 1908, outside
Rossville, Illinois.

Allen, Hon. Charles A. , member of the Thirty-Sixth General Assembly from the Thirty-First District of Illinois, was elected on the Republican ticket in 1884, 1886, and 1888, and is consequently serving his third term.  He has brought to his position fine natural abilities, a large experience, and a conscientious fidelity to duty, which was enabled him to study the best interest of his constituents, to whom he has given uniform satisfaction.
     Mr. Allen is recognized as a gentleman of more than ordinary ability, and has been prominent in the councils of his party for years, both in Central Illinois and in the Legislative halls at the Capitol of the State.  In 1885 he served on the Judiciary Committee and with several other important bodies, and in 1887 was Chairman of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, being that year also on the Judiciary Committee.  In 1889 he was chairman of the Committee on Corporations and Educational Institutions, while at the same time remaining with the Judiciary Committee.  During the lively discussion over the matter of Gen. Logan’s appointment we was the first man on the roll call, at that time a very important position.
     All the interests of Mr. Allen have been centered in this county and vicinity, and here he has spent nearly his entire life.  He was born in Danville, July 26, 1851, and two years later the family removed to the Ridge, in the northern part of the county, where they were the earliest settlers.  Young Allen after leaving the district school entered the law department of the Michigan State University, by which he was graduated in 1876.  He began the practice of his profession in Rossville, where he remained until 1881, when the new town of Hoopeston began to assume encouraging proportions, and he, accordingly, removed thither, where he has since made his home.  In connection with his practice he has dealt considerably in real estate, and is now the owner of 1,200 acres of land.  In the meantime he became one of the most prominent attorneys of this part of the county, and he has held various responsible positions connected with local affairs.  Socially, he is a charter member of the K. of P., and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F.
     In Rossville, on the 4^th of April, 1879, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Mary Thompson, daughter of L. M. Thompson, a sketch of who appears else in this volume. Of this union there have been born two bright children, both sons – John N. and Lawrence T.  The family residence is pleasantly situated, and forms an attractive resort for its most cultivated and refined element.
     The father of our subject is William I. Allen, the first man to settle along the Northern line of this county.  He is still living, and is represented on another page in this work.

Home of Hon. C. A. Allen
Fourth & Washington Streets
Hoopeston, Illinois

*The following has been contributed by Mary Paulius

Danville, Illinois Commercial News
April 10, 1960

     Lawrence T. Allen, Jr., a member of the Danville law firm.  Allen & Allen was Vermilion County's first public defender... His legal practice dates back to 1941, when he was admitted to the Illinois Bar following his graduation from De Paul University, Chicago with an LLB degree... Four years later, after his release from military service Allen "opened shop" with his brother John T. Allen.  He was assistant supervisor for Danville Township, assistant to the attorney general of the United States in this area, and a candidate for probate judge two years ago.  Besides this, Allen is active in and a past president of the Big Brothers Assn., a past chairman of Vermilion County's TB Drive and chairman and co-chairman of the American Legion's Sunshine Health Camp here.  Allen was born in Champaign, Feb. 2, 1915, the son of Lawrence T. and Bess Trevett Allen.  He attended Garfield Grade School and Danville high School, and then spent three years at Tabor Naval Academy of Marion Mass.  He spent his first year of college at the University of Illinois.  That same year he married the former Miss Jane Griffith of Alexandria, La.  In 1939 he enrolled at DePaul University and was graduated from there in 1941.  From June 1942, until 1945, Allen served in the Air Force, both in this country and overseas.  Allen is the fourth generation of his family to practice law in Vermilion Co.  His father, who died in 1950 was a Vermilion County judge, and his grandfather Charles A. Allen was a local attorney and a member of the Illinois State Legislature.  Two of the most satisfying experience of his career thus far, includes a reversal of a criminal conviction he won for a client in the U. S. District Court of Appeals in Chicago, and the successful restoration of local control over a Danville union.  The father of two Children, Tom 8? and Abby 11, Allen and his children reside at 14 Maywood Dr.  He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, YMCA, a director of the Trevett-Mattis Bank of Champaign, Elks Lodge 332, American Legion Pollywog Asst. and the Illinois and Vermilion County Bar Association.  Allen's principal hobby is fishing but driving shaw ponies is also a pastime attraction for the Danville attorney.

The following was contributed by Mary Paulius

from Portrait and Biographical Album
Page 506, 507, 508
Chapman Brothers
Copyrighted 1889

Thomas Hoopes. The old pioneers, who are fast passing away are naturally looked upon with that interest and respect with which mankind is prone to regard those things which, when once departed, can never be recalled. These thoughts involuntarily force themselves upon the mind in contemplating the career of the subject of this sketch, who was the first settler at Hoopeston, and whose honor it was named. He came to this county, and invested in land Aug.9, 1855. Returning to Ohio, he remained there until April 8, 1855, when he with his family removed to this county, and endured his full share of the hardships and privations of life in a new settlement, operating as a tiller of the soil a series of years, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors amid the comforts of a pleasant and well-ordered home in the southeastern part of the village, which has been the object of his fostering care. He retired from the active labors of life in June, 1882, and occupies a tasteful and commodious brick residence at the corner of Penn and Fourth streets. He is the owner of a good property, which he accumulated solely by his own industry and perseverance. He owns 2,233 acres of fine land, contracted to young men, and upon which they pay a low interest. He also controls 5,180 acres in his own name, making the total of his land holdings 7,413 acres.
     Mr. Hoopes was born on the 26th of June, 1806, in a log cabin in the woods of what was then Jefferson County, but is now the southeast corner of Harrison County, Ohio. His father in 1810 removed to a point seven miles distant in the same county, and there our subject sojourned until 1846. He pursued is studies mostly at home under the instruction of his mother, and also attended a private school. He remained a member of the parental household until reaching his majority, soon after which time occurred the death of his father, the property was divided. Thomas in 1829, purchased a two-thirds interest in the estate, and carried on the improvements which had been begun, clearing the land of the remaining timber upon it and preparing the soil for cultivation. There being six children in the family, the share of Thomas, estimated to be $335.04 in value, was accordingly one-sixth of the estate, and in contracting to buy out the other heirs, subject to the mother’s life interest, he was obliged to go into debt. The task before him he was aware, required more than an ordinary amount of courage and perseverance, but nature had generously endowed him with these qualities, and from that modest beginning he succeeded in building up the ample property of which he is now the owner.
     Our subject continued on the old farm until the summer of 1846, and on the 30th of July that year, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Gray, of the same county. Shortly afterward they removed to the vicinity Marion Ohio, where Mr. Hoopes purchased a farm of 803 acres on what was familiarly known as Sandusky Plains, and added 100 acres three years later. It was nearly fenced and has been largely devoted by our subject to pasturage. Mr. Hoopes began the improvement of his property, and in 1850 put up one of the first brick houses in that locality. He devoted his land mostly to grazing, and gathered together a large flock of sheep. He also took in cattle to feed, and continued this course profitably for a period of nine years. His property naturally increased in value, and became the source of a comfortable income.
     In 1853, however, Mr. Hoopes decided to see what lay beyond, and accordingly disposed of his interest in the Buckeye State, and after residing for a year in Marion Village came here to buy, moving here with his family in 1855. There were then but few settlers in Grant Township, this county, and frequently the traveler would go from fifty to 100 miles without passing a farm, a large proportion of the land still belonging to the Government. Mr. Hoopes at once bought of W. I. Allen 180 acres, upon which he established a homestead, and was uniformly successful in his labors as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. He later purchased additional land, and in due time became the owner of 7,413 acres; besides this he sold several thousand acres at different times. The first house which he put up was a frame structure of fair proportions, located at the top of a hill on the old "Chicago Road," lying north of the present site of town. He occupied this with his family for a number of years, and added other buildings as time passed on. He still continued sheep-raising, and frequently pastured large droves of cattle for other men. From the first he made it a rule to keep out of debt, live within his income, and meet his obligations as they became due. Mr. Hoopes, in 1863, disposed of his flocks of sheep on account of the difficulty in getting help to look after them, and at the same time laid aside many of the cares which had been his for many years. Since that time he has taken life more easily. On the 4th of July, 1871, the track of what is now the Danville and Vincennes Railroad was laid across what is now Main St., and the year following the Lake Erie & Western began running its trains. Mr. Hoopes always a man of wise forethought, judged that here would be a good site for a town, and accordingly commenced laying out a portion of his farm in town lots. He did not undertake town-making, but laid out his land after it had been started. Thereafter he engaged in selling these lots and looking after the interest of the embryo village. The town was named Hoopeston by one of the prospectors of a railroad. Mr. Hoopes afterward sold 1,000 acres to the firm of Snell & Taylor, who had a part of the land platted, and sold town lots. In 1873 Mr. Hoopes purchased a house a short distance west of that which he now occupies, and moved into it, occupying it until 1882, when he erected his present residence. In connection with his dealings in real estate, he still continued the general supervision of his farm, but employed agents to carry on the work. In the fall o 1874 he started for the Pacific Slope, arriving in California October 28, and sojourned there until the 27th of March, 1875. In the meantime he traveled over a large portion of the country with his wife, the latter being in delicate health.
     Mr. Hoopes cast his first vote in 1828 for a defeated candidate being then identified with the old Whig party, but upon its abandonment cordially endorsed the Republican party, whom he has since for the most part given his support. In local affairs however, he is not bound by party ties, but aims to support the man best qualified for the office. During his long residence in this county, he has pursued that upright and honorable course which has gained him the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, striving always to be not only just, but also generous as he has had opportunity.
     Mrs. Anna (Gray) Hoopes was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 25, 1810, and was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Eckley) Gray, who spent their last years in Fulton County, Ill. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born no children. Mrs. Hoopes departed this life on the 29th of April 1886, greatly mourned by her husband, and regretted by all who know her. She was a devoted wife, a lady possessing all the Christian virtues, and who was the uniform and efficient helper of her husband during his toils and struggles, and his cheerful, faithful companion amid the hardships and difficulties which they encountered. Her name is held in kindly remembrance by all who knew her.
     Nathan Hoopes, the father of our subject was born in Chester County, Pa., May 5, 1765, and was the son of Daniel A. Hoopes, a native of the same county. He lived there until reaching man’s estate, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Gardner. Soon afterward they removed to Ohio, and settled in the woods of what was then Jefferson County, about seven miles from where the town of Mount Pleasant grew up. He put up a cabin and began felling trees, and preparing a portion of the soil for cultivation. His first property consisted of only thirty acres, and at this little homestead occurred the birth of his son Thomas.
     Later the father of our subject disposed of this property, and purchased 160 acres of land, where he opened up a good farm, and upon which he spent his last days, passing away in the spring of 1828. The household circle was completed by the birth of seven children, six of whom lived to years of maturity, namely: James and Joseph, who were residence of Morgan County, Ohio, until their death; Sarah, Mrs. Nathan Williams of Harrison County, Ohio; Thomas, our subject; Ann, the widow of George W. Scott, living in Camp Chase; and Mary, Mrs. W. Spurier, who died in Harrison County, whiter she returned from Morgan County. The mother survived her husband only six years, her death taking place at the old homestead on May 12, 1834. She was a member and minister of the Society of Friends. Mr. Hoopes, our subject is not a member of any society.
     Mr. Hoopes owns large tracts of land, also buys any tract a young, but honest and industrious man may desire, lets him have it and pay a very low rate of interest, instead rent, and avoids double taxation; thus helping many young me to start, simply for the purpose of doing what good he can if he is proud of anything, it is of that, to be considered a philanthropist.

From The Early Pioneers of Vermilion Co.
(Contributed by Mary Paulius)

L. M. Thompson

Few men who have undergone the hardships Incident to the life of a pioneer live to retain the vigor of youth as thoroughly as Louis M. Thompson, who was born seventy years ago last month.  Dearborn County, Indiana was his birthplace.  He came to Vermilion County with his parents in the fall of 1831, and has lived here ever since.
     In 1848 he was married to Judith A. Burroughs and the same year moved and settled on a farm he still owns, which lies southeast of the city and corners with the corporation.  Here he resided until 1873, when he moved to Rossville, spending the years in looking after his land holdings which have increased to 800 acres.  The farm on which he first settled was raw prairie and he broke it up with  and made the improvements with his own hands.  In those days he hauled his corn to Attica and Lafayette, Ind., the trip frequently requiring two days, when he would "Stake out" his oxen and sleep under his wagon of a night.  The few houses in Rossville were all log structures.
     In February, 1890, his wife died and late in 1891 he was married to Mrs. Belle Bales, who is proving a loving helpmate to him in every way.  Six children, five girls and one boy, were the fruit of his first marriage.  The girls are all grown to womanhood and are presiding over homes of their own with that dignity and grace that makes an ideal wife and mother.  The son, John G., is assistant attorney general of the United States.
     Mr. Thompson has served his community as town clerk, seven years collector; Collector twice, and road commissioner.

Bess Thompson
(Mary Paulius' aunt)

The following pictures are of Ira Richard Jones
and wife Emily Newell (Allen) Jones
 

The following pictures are of Mary Paulius' grandparents.

Hiram Makemson
Posted with permission: Mary Paulius <prudy@hcis.net>

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM
Page 718
Copyrighted 1889 Chatman Brothers.

Hiram Makemson is the youngest of four children born to Andrew and Hannah Makemson, natives of Kentucky, where they were residents of Harrison County until 1828, when they emigrated to Illinois and settled in Newell Township, about two and one-half miles from where their son, the subject of this sketch, now resides. Mr. Andrew Makemson was a stalwart Republican, and always faithful to what he considered the best interests of his country. He and his wife were both worthy and sincerely good members of the Methodist Church, and were highly esteemed not only by their religious associates but also by the large circle of friends which their many good qualities had gathered around them. Their death was a loss to the community and they were followed to their last resting place in Lamb’s Cemetery by a large concourse of relatives and acquaintances. Mr. Makemson died in 1880, and his wife in 1889.
     The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison County, KY., April 2, 1825, hence was only three years old when his parents removed to Illinois. His youthful days were enlivened by witnessing, and when old enough participating in the various hunting parties which where made up from time to time in the neighborhood, which sometimes had for their object the providing of food for the table, and at others the dispersing of depredatory packs of wolves or roving bands of Indians, which served to make things lively for the settlers, and varied the monotony of the usual routine of farm life.
     Mr. Makemson remained under the parental roof tree until he reached his majority, getting such education as the short term of the public school each year, assisted by an occasional term of subscription school, afforded, and making himself useful when out of school in whatever capacity he could be employed. On April 29th 1852, he took to wife Miss Prudence Campbell, a charming maiden of Newell Township, where she was born September 18, 1834. The was the daughter of John and Almira Campbell, natives of New York, who came to Illinois in the early days of its settlement and located in Newell Township, where they reared a family of nine children, of which Mrs. Makemson was the youngest.
     Upon the return of Mr. and Mrs. Makenson from Danville, where their marriage took place, they immediately entered into possession of their present home, where they have continued to reside happily and contently ever since, rejoicing in the addition to their family of five children, namely: Amira D., who remains at home to comfort and cheer the parents for the absence of the other members of the family; Mary A., wife of W. W. Current: Bertha P., wife of Morton Bird, and lives in this county; Sherman T. married Miss Sadie Bird, on the 4th of November, 1886, and lives on a portion of is father’s farm. Mrs. Sherman Makemson is a daughter of Moser and Polly Bird, and shares in the prosperity and excellent reputation which her husband justly enjoys as a resident of the township. They have no children. Joseph C., the youngest child, is also at home, where he assists his elder sister to drive dull care away from the old place.
     Mr. Makemson owns, and with the assistance of his sons operates, an estate of 816 acres of land, all lying in Newell Township, and under good cultivation. Politically, he votes with the Republican party, in whose principles he is a firm believer.

John Cessna
(Posted with permission by Mary Paulius)

Portrait and Biographical Album
Page 313 and 314
Printed Chatman Brothers 1889

  John Cessna is busily engaged in tilling the soil and raising stock on his well-managed, comfortably improved farm on section 10, Pilot Township.  He is a representative self-made man and by industry and prudence has succeeded in accumulating a competence and in building a cozy home where he may pass his declining years well fortified against want and poverty.  Mr. Cessna was born in Cochocton County, Ohio, June 29, 1833, his parents being Jonathan and Margaret (Divan) Cessna.  His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, his mother in Belmont County, Ohio.
     At the age of seventeen the subject of this sketch accompanied his parents to another home near Toledo, Ohio, where they lived but a short time.  They then went down the Ohio River on a trading boat to Cairo, Ill., where the father died in 1844.  After that sad event the subject with his mother and sister returned to Coshocton County, Ohio, and in about two years the mother remarried again, becoming the wife of Joseph Richardson.  In 1848 the family once more came to Illinois and located on the homestead Mr. Richardson then purchased in this county, and now occupied by mother of our subject.  Mr. Cessna has but one sister now, the widow of Elisha Grimes, living on her husband’s homestead.  She has eight children, namely: John M., Elisha C., William and Jacob (who are deceased), Alvin, Margaret, Ellen, Charles and Belle.
     John Cessna, of who we write, commenced life as a farm hand.  He wisely saved his earnings and in a few years had money enough to buy a good farm.  In 1857, smitten with a desire to accumulate wealth still faster, he went to California by the way of New York and Panama.  In the Golden State he found employment on a ranch and was well paid well for his work in that country, where good reliable help was scarce.    Twenty-two months of life in that climate satisfied our subject and he retraced his steps homeward, and on his return invested some of his capital in an 80 acre farm, which he subsequently disposed of at a good advance price, and then bought his present homestead, which then comprised but 140 acres. He has kept adding to his landed property till he now owns 260 acres of fine land, with excellent improvements, that add greatly to its value, and he is profitably engaged in a general farming business, raising cattle, horses and hogs of good grade.
     Mr. Cessna has twice married.  The maiden name of his first wife was Ann Rebecca Truax.  She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1841, and died in the pleasant home she had helped her husband to build up, in 1876.  Her people were of Irish origin.  Of her marriage with our subject seven children were born, two of whom are dead; those living are William, Mary, Charles E., Lemuel E., and Elizabeth.  Mr. Cessna was united in marriage to his present wife in 1877, and to them have come six children, two of whom are dead, Frank and Johnathan.  The others are Ann R., Albert B., Mont P., all at home.
     Mr. Cessna has been a hard working man, but his labors have been amply rewarded, as he knows well how to direct his energies so as to produce the desired results.  He is possessed of sound sense, discretion and other good traits, is honest and strait forward in his manner and dealings, and is prominently connected with the Masonic order as Master Mason.
     In politics, he is a good democrat, and is loyal in every fiber to his country. He has held school offices and has served on the juries of his county.  Our subject’s mother died since the above was written, her death occurring June 30, 1889.

William Moore Mansion
Fourth & Penn Streets, Hoopeston, Illinois

Posted with permission: prudy@hcis.net

“Portrait and Biographical Album, Vermilion Co., IL “
Chicago:  Chatman Brothers, 1889
Page 398, 399

George M. Villars

George M. Villars, one of the best known residents of this county, and the owner of a fine property, was born in Danville Township, Oct. 16, 1832, and is consequently but little past the prime of his life.  He is the offspring of a good family, being the son of the Rev. John Villars, who was born in Jefferson County, PA., Feb. 14, 1797.
      The paternal grandfather of our subject was James Villars, who it is believed was also a native of Jefferson County, Pa., and who was born July 28, 1774.  His father was a native of England, and it is supposed spent his last years in the Keystone State.  Grandfather James Villars was there reared to man’s estate and married Miss Rebecca Davison, April 19, 1796.  In April, 1806, they removed to Ohio by means of a flat-boat, which landed them at Cincinnati, then but a hamlet.  They settled in what is now Clinton County, where Grandfather Villars purchased quite a large tract of land and improved the farm, upon which he resided until his death.  In 1812 he put up a substantial double hewed-log house with a large stone chimney in the center of the building and a huge fireplace on each side.  The structure stood for a great many years and was a fitting monument to the character and enterprise of the builder.
      The father of our subject was piously inclined from his youth and when a young man united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.  In 1823 he was given a license to exhort and from that time labored as a local preacher.  In the fall of the 1830 he came to this county with his family, making the journey overland with teams, camping and cooking along the wayside and sleeping in the wagons at night.  He had, however, visited the country prior to his removal here and had entered a tract of land upon which he had a log house built ready for the family upon their arrival.  From that time on, in addition to his ministerial labors, he carried on the improvement and cultivation of his land, living there until 1857.
      In the year above mentioned the father of our subject decided to seek another home beyond the Mississippi, and immigrated to Nemeha County, Neb., where he was one of the pioneers and to which he made the journey overland as before.  He lived, however, only until the following year, his death taking place in March 1858.  He had been twice married, the first time, March 14, 1815 to Miss Elizabeth McGee.  This lady was born Sept. 25, 1797, and died in Vermilion County, April 22, 1848.  His second wife was Elizabeth Campbell, and they were married Oct. 19, 1849.  She was a native of Harrison County, Va., and born Sept. 2, 1816.  Of the first marriage there were born ten children and of the second marriage three.  The father left the Methodist Episcopal Church after a time and identified himself with the United Brethren and was a preacher in the latter Church at the time of his death.  He was a life member of the American Bible Society and bequeathed to it the sum of $6,000.
      Our subject still retains a vivid recollection of the many of the incidents of pioneer life in Illinois, when deer, wolves and other wild animals abounded together with Indians who were often to be seen in roving bands going across the prairie.  He acquired his education in the primitive schools, the first of which was taught in a log house.  The seats and flour were made of puncheon, and writing desks were manufactured from planks with wooden pegs for legs.  As soon as old enough, young Villars began to assist his father in the various labors of the farm and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage.  He then settled on a tract of land which his father had given him and upon which were two log cabins.  In one of these our subject and his bride commenced their wedded life.  Their home consisted of one room sixteen feet square, and in this they lived a number of years and until they were able to put up their present residence.  The furnishing of this humble dwelling was in keeping with the fashion of that day, but they probably experienced as much happiness and content as the young people who now commence life upon a grander scale.
      Mr. Villars has been life-long farmer and still owns the land upon which he settled at the time of his marriage.  He has now 186 acres located five miles east of Danville on sections 7 and 12 of Danville Township.  It has all been brought to a good state of cultivation, is well stocked, and upon it Mr. Villars has erected a good set of frame buildings.  His marriage with Miss Amanda Srouf was celebrated at the bride’s home in this township, Oct. 20, 1853, and there have been born to them eleven children, of whom the record is as follows:  John W. married Martha Mable, and is a resident of Warren County, Ind.; George Henry married Martha Brewer, and lives at Fort Belknap, Mont.: Martha J. is the wife of William P. Lynch, of this county:  Rachel, Mrs. Presley Martin, lives in Vermillion County, Ind.; Augusta is the wife of William Gnaden, and they live in Danville Township; Ella married William F. Shaffer, and resides in Warren County, Ind: Sophia and Janet remain with their parents.
      Mrs. Villars was born near Hanover, Hancock Co., Ind., Feb 7, 1832, and is the daughter of Sebastian Strouf, who was born in Kentucky, July 25, 1796.  Her paternal grandfather, John Strouf, it is believed, was a native of North or South Carolina, and his father, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Villars, was a native of Germany.  John Sprouf removed from one of the Carolinas to Kentucky, where he was an early pioneer, then moved on into Ohio, locating in Brown County during its early settlement.  He served in the war of 1812 and spent is last years in the Buckeye State.
      Sebastian Sprouf, father of Mrs. Villars, was born July 25, 1796, and was a young child when his parents settled in Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and was married Sept. 11, 1817, to Vallyrier Parker.  She was born in Ohio and the date of her birth was June 25, 1796.  In 1830 they removed to Indiana, settling in Hancock County, where they lived until 1834.  That year they came to this county, making the journey overland with teams, locating in what is now Newell Township.  The parents remained residents of this township until their decease, the mother passing away Oct 29, 1874, and the father less than a year later.
      There were born to the parents of Mrs. Villars, eleven children, viz:  Nancy, Martha, George, Mary, Wilson, Sarah, Jane, Amanda, Arie and Christiana.  Four of these,
      Mary, John, Arie and Christiana, died young.  Our subject and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church, of Pleasant Grove, in which Mr. Villars has served as Class-Leader and labored in the Sunday-School.  In politics at large he was a sound Democrat, but in local affairs votes independently, aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified for office.  We invite the attention of our numerous readers to a fine engraving of the handsome home and surroundings of Mr. Villars.

Sketch of George M. Villars' house

Earnest Norris, President
More on Mr. Norris

Earnest Norris
Delivering bundles of laundery in Hoopeston, Illnois "way back when"

-------------------------

Posted with permission: prudy@hcis.net

“Portrait and Biographical Album, Vermilion Co., IL “
Chicago:  Chatman Brothers, 1889
Page 679

Thomas J. Allison           

            Thomas J. Allison, Alvin, farmer was born on the 30^th of September, 1840 Newell township, Vermilion county, Illinois, and is the son of Otho and Mary (Leonard) Allison.  He enlisted on the 15^th of August, 1861, in Co. K, of which he was fifth-sergeant, 37 Ill. Vol., Col. J. C. Black.  He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, and Van Buren, Ark..; Sugar Creek, Neosho, Newtonia, Cape Girardeau and Chalk Bluffs, Mo., and the siege of Vicksburg.  He was taken prisoner in Louisiana on the 29^th of September, 1863, and held in confinement until the 22d of July, 1864.  He was married on the 26^th of March, 1867, to Samantha Cunningham.  They have two living children:  Bertha and Charley.  He is re a republican and a Methodist.

Contributed by Mary Paulius

“Portrait and Biographical Album, Vermilion Co., IL “
Chicago:  Chatman Brothers, 1889
Page 726

Beriah Haworth

            Beriah Haworth resides on Section 14, Range 12, Elwood Township, Vermilion County, near the place where he was born, Sept. 155, 1847.  The father of Beriah was named David, who is now deceased.  Our subject was educated in Vermilion Grove Seminary, and has always followed farming as his occupation, and has lived in this township on his present farm as long as he can remember.
     Our subject was united in marriage with Miss Anna Lewis (Oct. 30, 1879), daughter of William Lewis (deceased) a pioneer of Crab Apple Grove, just across the line in Edgar County, Ill., but has lived mostly in this county.  Three children have come to brighten the home of our subject, named respectively:  Carrie W., born Sept. 13, 1882, Homer, Oct. 12, 1884; and Mary, Dec. 6, 1888.  Mr. Haworth owns a farm of seventy-five acres of good land, and in connection with his agricultural pursuits in engaged in stock-raising.  His favorites are the Clydesdale and Morgan horses, Short-born cattle and Poland-China Swine.
     Our subject and his estimable wife are devoted members of the Quaker Church.  Mr. Haworth, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, but has carefully refrained, from the cares and responsibilities of the office, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests.

Contributed by Mary Paulius

“Portrait and Biographical Album, Vermilion Co., IL “
Chicago:  Chatman Brothers, 1889
Page

650 and 651

John W. Fisher

   John W. Fisher, of Carroll Township is recognized as one of its most wealthy farmers, who has accumulated a fine property solely by the exercise of his own inherent industry and perseverance.  His early advantages were quite limited, he being thrown largely upon his own resources and obliged to fight the battle of life for some time with little to encourage him.  The fact that he is now the owner of 980 acres of land is sufficient in dedication of manner in which he has spent his time, and illustrates forcibly what he may accomplish by a resolute will, prudence, economy and good management.
     The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 25, 1840, on the old Fisher homestead in this township where he grew to man's estate and acquired a practical education in the common school.  He worked on the farm and about the time of reaching his majority was married in 1861 to Miss Mary L. Dye.  After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fisher settled on forty acres of land in Carroll Township, which Mr. Fisher had purchased prior to this time and which formed the nucleus of his present large estate.  He later received from his father's estate 176 acres, and like the wise man of Scripture, has been enabled to add to his talent in a marked degree.  Upon locating here, his land was a cornfield without trees, and the improvements which embellish the present homestead have been effected by him.
     Eight children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, the eldest of whom, a son, Everett, died at the interesting age of fifteen years; Charles married Miss Jennie Meyers and lives in Sidell Township, they have one child, Charles who is farming near Sidell; Olive died when two years old; Eddie is home with his parents; Armeda married Douglas Miller of Carroll Township, and they have one child, Winona; Mattie died when eight years old; Josephine and Jacob remain with their parents.  Mr. Fisher votes the straight Democratic ticket, but in looking after his extensive farming interest, has a little time  devote to politics.
     Our subject is the son of David P. and Jane (Weaver) Fisher, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Massachusetts.  The maternal grandfather of our subject, Michael Weaver, lived to be a centenarian and was one of the leading pioneers of this country, to which he came from Ohio where he had accumulated a large amount of property.  He was noted for his strict honesty and upright dealings with his fellow men.  The Weaver family was of excellent ancestry, and various members of them are reverted to elsewhere in this album.
     David P. Fisher, the father of our subject, lived in Indiana before coming to this State and had only $1 in his pocket when he came to this country.  By untiring industry and great prudence in living he gained a solid footing, financially, becoming the owner of nearly 1,000 acres of land.  His career is that of an upright man had a good citizen and he lived to reach the age of seventy-two years, passing away in 1880.  His wife survives and lives with her son Michael, being now seventy-six years old.  The five children of the parental household were named respectively:  Michael, John W., our subject, Mary J., George W. and Lucinda.  Mary was married and died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving two daughters, Jeannie and Nora.  The other brothers and sister of our subject are still living.
     Mrs. Fisher is the daughter of Lawrence and Mary Ann (Van Treese) Dye, to whom were born nine children, viz; Hiram, (deceased) Martha, Phoebe, (deceased) Elizabeth, Albert who died in infancy, Angeline, John, Mary L., Mrs. Fisher.  All but the youngest were born in Kentucky.  Mrs. Fisher was only one and one-half years old when her parents came to Illinois and settled in Georgetown Township.  The mother died at the age of forty-three years.  The father lived to be seventy years old.  During the Civil War and when he was past fifty years old, he enlisted as a Union soldier from conscientious motives, feeling that it was his duty to give his services to his country.

Emma T. Clark Funeral
(Contributed by Mary Paulius)

Jacob S. McFerren

J. S. McFerren

  The Hibbard House, at the time of its building, was the finest hotel in the county, and the stores are almost all unoccupied.  The line of Market Street has been pretty nearly abandoned by the mercantile gentlemen, although some good stores remain there.

Page 747 History of Vermilion Co.

       Jacob S. McFerren, Hoopeston, banker and real estate broker, was born in Warren county, Ohio on the lst 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 speculations caused the firm to suspend with heavy liabilities, which so affected the firm of A. S. McFerren & Co. that the quite expensive 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 he 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 the 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, 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 lst of August, 1872, and did a remunerative business, passing safely through the panic of 1873, keeping their doors open throughout that trying period.  Early in 1874, 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, 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 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 treasure 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.  Having a taste for travel, Mr. McFerren has satisfied 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 4^th of April, 1871, to Miss Susie P. Clark, daughter of R. Clark, who died on the 28^th of July, 1871.  His parents have been life-long members of the Universalist church.  He is a republican in politics.

From: Portrait and Biographical Album
Pages 740 & 741
Chicago, Chatman Brothers 1889
(Contributed by Mary Paulius)

Allen Lewis.  It is fifty-one years since Mr. Lewis, the oldest living resident of his township, first set foot upon the soil of Vermilion County.  He had emigrated hither from his native state of New York, coming on foot the entire distance, with the exception of fourteen miles, being about one month on the way.  His purpose was to secure a tract of new land in the wild West, and which he hoped in time would prove to him a valuable acquisition, although the prospect then was anything but flattering.  He entered ninety-seven acres on section 22.  After six months stay, he went back to New York State, where he remained three years and was married to Miss Jeanette Green.
     Upon returning to this county for permanent settlement, our subject and his young wife made a grip from Chicago to Rossville in a "Prairie schooner."  They sojourned near Rossville four or five years, then rented an hotel, which furnished one of the early stopping places for travelers coming from Milford, and was the first house of its kind in this region.  Mr. Lewis officiated as "mine host" three or four years.  He had entered considerable land in the meantime, but finally concluding it was little value, sold it at $4 to $5 per acre.  There were few people coming in at first, and wild animals, especially deer, were plentiful.  Of these he believes that he has seen as many as 300 in one day, so whatever else the settlers lacked in the way of provisions there was plenty of wild meats, and in the summer season there were quantities of gooseberries, mulberries, blackberries, etc.
     Mr. Lewis during his residence in this county has improved a greater many acres of land.  His present farm cost him only $1 per acre, and he settled upon it in 1853.  Prior to the establishment of a post office at Rossville he was made Postmaster of a place called Rio, and this frequently was the result of an income for the Postmaster of only $1.25 per quarter or about $5 to $6 a year.  He assisted in the establishment of the first school, and has a large portion of the time officiated as School Treasurer.
     To our subject and his estimable wife there were born four children, only two of who are living.  They son Sylvester, married Miss Hattie Clanahan; and they have four children, and live three-fourths of a mile north of the old farm.  Isabelle, the daughter, is the wife of Albert Boardman, and they are living in Rossville, for the purpose of educating their two children.  Mrs. Jeanette (Green) Lewis was born in Ontario County, N.Y., and is the daughter of Benjamin Green, who was one of the early settlers of that region, and whose farm adjoined that of the Lewis family.  Mr. Green died some years ago; he was the father of Ira Green, who is represented elsewhere in this Album.
     The parents of our subject were Sylvester and Catherine (Dubois) Lewis, and the father was born in New York State, near the Hudson River.  He came to the West while it was a wilderness, living in the woods four years before seeing a wagon.  He opened up a good farm upon which he spent the remainder of his days.  He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, while his wife was a Baptist in religion.  They were parents of nine children.  Allen our subject, in religious matters, inclines to the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member at Rossville.  He is one of the oldest living residents of his township, and has made for himself a good record as a man and a citizen.

From: Portrait and Biographical Album
Pages 783
Chicago, Chatman Brothers 1889
(Contributed by Mary Paulius)

Gwilse Tilton is a prominent merchant and Postmaster in the township in which he lives.  His father Enoch Tilton, was born in Fayette County, Pa.  His mother Elizabeth Wilson, was born in Beaver county, of the same state.  They settled in the place that Mr. Tilton died.  Not long after this, his wife also died at Potomac, this county in 1887, leaving a family of nine sons, of whom our subject was second.  The place of his birth was Beaver County, Pa., and the time Jan. 8, 1836.  In 1862 he traveled to this county, and taught school for years.  Thus for thirteen years of his life had been spent in teaching, as he had been a school-master nine years prior to his coming to Vermilion county.  He then found employment as a clerk under the late Richard James.  This position he kept for two years, after which, in 1868 he formed a partnership and went into business for himself.  Eventually Mr. Tilton bought out the entire business, which he has since conducted in his own name.  He carries an unusually fine stock of merchandise.  In addition to his store at Catlin, he owns one which is operated by his son.
     Mr. Tilton was appointed Postmaster under the administration of Cleveland.  He held the office of Superintendent and almost all the offices in the township.  For fourteen years he was connected with the Vermilion County Agricultural Society, being its President for three months, and it's Vice-President for Several years.  Our subject is a member of the Catlin Lodge A.F. & A.M., No. 285, and was Master of the lodge for five years.
     Our subject's life is a notable record of vast energy, untiring labor, and fervent and unfading courage.  Those who knew him familiarly loved and valued him more and more, the longer their intercourse lasted.  His marriage with Elizabeth Albright, occurred in Ripley county, Ind.  They had three children:  Charles Virgil, who is in company with his father; Elsie Venus, who is the wife of A. McGregor; and Bertie Victor.  Mr. Tilton has been a correspondent of the "Danville News" for fifteen years.  Mr. Tilton is rather a good and loveable traits and sentiments which he so happily possesses.