throughout the county are many.
l^+^[
YMAN A. BEN.JAMIN, a substantial farmer
owning farms on sections 14 and 23, in
Township 27, West Danforth Township,
has been for twenty-eight 3'ears a resident of Iro-
quois County, and is well known throughout this
section. He is a native of New York, his birth
having occurred in Jefferson County. July 18,
1829. He is a son of William Benjamin, who was
born July 8, 1800, in the same State and county.
The grandfather of our subject, Jonas Benjamin,
was born in Woodstock, Vt., and was a drummer
boy and soldier in the War of the Revolution.
This family was among the early settlers of New
England. Jonas Benjamin removed from ^'er-
mont to New York and settled in Jefferson County,
then a wilderness. There his son grew to man-
hood and married Charlotte Welsh, a native of
Jefferson Count3-. She was a daughter of Charles
AVelsh, one of the pioneers of that county. "Her
brother, Charles Welsh, Jr., was the first white
child born in Jefferson County. After his mar-
riage, Mr. Benjamin cleared and made a farm in
New York, and there reared his family and spent
the remainder of his life. He died at the age of
sixty-seven years, in February, 1867. His wife
survived him several years and died about the
year 1877. They both found a last resting-place
in the same cemetery, where beautiful monuments
have been erected to their memory.
Of their family of four sons and two daughters
who grew to mature years, Lyman A. is the eldest;
Charles is a farmer and contractor of Cook County,
111.; Anson is a farmer of Smith County, Kan.;
416
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
John served for thn.'C years in the late war and
has since died from exposure and disease con-
tracted in the army; Addie, now deceased, was the
wife of Mr. Hart, of Chicago; and Libbie is the
widow of Byron G. Fenny, of Adams, Jefferson
County, N. Y.
Lyman A. Benjamin passed his earl}' years on
his father's farm, receiving a good common-scliool
education, supplemented by several terms in the
Jefferson Countj^ Institute. After completing his
studies, he engaged in teaching during the winter
terms, and in the summer worked on a farm. In
the fall of 1855, he came West, locating first in
Du Page County, 111., where he purchased a farm,
which he operated until November, 1864, atwhich
time he sold it and removed to Iroquois County.
In Danforth Township, he bought a forty-acre
tract of raw prairie land, which he improved and
built thereon necessary farm buildings. To this
he added an adjoining fort}- acres in the course of
time, and afterward added another forty acres,
making one hundred and twenty acres of valuable
and well-improved farming land. He has a good,
substantial residence, good barns and other out-
buildings. On everj' hand are seen the evidences
of thrift and neatness, and he is accounted one of
the enterprising and progressive farmers of this
section.
In Jefferson County, N. Y., on the 28th of Jan-
uary, 1854, Mr. Benjamin was united in marriage
with Miss Pha?be A. Webb, a native of Washing-
ton County, N. Y., though reared and educated in
the county where she was afterward married. .She
is a daughter of Darius Webb, a prominent man
and a millwright by occupation, who is now liv-
ing in Oswego County, N. Y., at the advanced age
of eighty-six years. Our subject and his wife
have reared to mature j'ears a family of five chil-
dren: the eldest, Fred, is married and operates a
farm in this county; Rev. WiHiam D. is a minister
of the Blethodist Episcopal Church at Kempton,
Ford Count}-; Edwin N. is a farmer residing in
Red Willow Count}-, Neb.; Ida is a successful
teacher of this county, and has for six years been
a teacher of her home district; and Charles W.
assists in carrying on the home farm.
Mr. Benjamin is identified with the Republican
party, which he has always supported since its or-
ganization. Previous to that, he was an old-line
Wliig. He takes quite an active part in local poli-
tics, and has held quite a number of official posi-
tions of honor and trust. He is now serving as
Assessor, to which position he was first elected in
1878, and this he has held almost continuously
since that time. When occupying those offices,
he has always discharged the duties incident to
them with fidelity and satisfaction to his fellow-
citizens. To the cause of education he has always
given his hearty support, believing that good
public schools and instruction are of inestimable
benefit to the country. For a number of years, he
has served as a member of the School Board, and
has also taught several terms since locating in this
county. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin are worthy
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which he is Steward. Long residence in this sec-
tion has made Mr. Benjamin widely known, and
his strict integrity of character has won for him
the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has
come in contact.
E^ZE BOOI, who owns a farm on section 17
) Danforth Township, is a native of Holland,
^ where his birth occurred December 8, 1839.
He is a son of Charles and Ellen (Driefspraw)
Booi, both of whom were natives of tlie same
country. The parents emigrated to the New
World in 1847, sailing from Rotterdam on the
12th of May, and after a long voyage of about
three months arrived in the United States. They
went direct to Chicago by w.ay of the Erie Canal
to Buffalo, and from there by way of the Lakes.
Mr. Booi located in Cook County, twenty miles
south of the then village of Chicago and near the
present site of the town of Pullman. Tliere he
opened up a farm and endured many privations
and hardships. In 1852, his wife met her death
by drowning in the Calumet River, when endeavor-
ing to cross it upon the ice. He continued to re-
side on his farm at that place until his death in
1856. They had a family of four cliildien: Zacke,
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
417
who now resides in Kahiinazoo, M't'l'-! Agnes, now
deceased; Eze, of tliis sketcli; and Sopliia, who is
married and lias a family.
The early days of our subject were passed on
his father's farm in Cook County. After the
death of his father, he was thrown on his own re-
souices and worked by the month for neighboring
farmers during the succeeding three years. He
then rented a farm for a ^-ear, and next bought out
llie heirs of the old homestead and operated a
portion of it for a number of years. This he sold
in 1872 and three years later removed to Iroquois
County, i)urchasing a faim in Danforth Township,
where he now resides. He first bought one hun-
dred and thirty-five acres and has since sold a
number of lots from it, now having one hundred
and fourteen acres, all of which are within the cor-
poration limits of Danforth. He has improved and
cultivated this property until it is one of the most
valuable and desirable farms in this part of the
State. He started in business for himself with
nothing but a good constitution and ready hands,
and by long years of industry and enterprise has
.achieved his present success, being accounted one
of the most progressive and thrifty farmers of the
township.
In 18511, IMr. Booi was united in marriage with
Edith Margaret Coiper, who like him was born in
Holland and reared there until the age of fifteen
years, when she emigrated to Illinois. Mr. and
]Mrs. Itooi are the parents of seven children:
Charles E., who is married and has five children, is
a farmer of this township; Minnie is the wife of
Henry lUirnelt, a carpenter of Danforth; Ellen is
the wife of Henry Zeedik, a farmer; Edith, who is
the wife of John Kramer, a clerk of this village;
Daniel, a young man still under the ])arental roof;
Volhtrl, also at home; and Ezie, who married in
this county, March 14, 1883, Trintya Wagnum, a
widow, who was born in Holland. To them have
l)een born Ihrcc children: .lohn, Cornelius and
(iertie.
Mr. IJooi cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln
and has supported every nominee of the Republi-
can party for President since. In local poli-
tics, he is independent, voting for the man w'hom
lie considers bestqualilied for the position. Almost
his whole life has been spent in Illinois, and for
seventeen long years he has been a resident of
Danforth Township. He is a most honorable man
and has the respect and friendship of all who know
him.
UDOVICO LAMOKEAUX, dealer in grain,
coal and farming implements, is a respected
citizen of Gilmaii, and was born in the
Empire State, his birth having occurred in Wester-
loo Township, Albany Countj', July 11, 1842. He
is a son of Peter and Emeline (Eerrington) Lam-
oreaux, who were also natives of New York State,
where they were reared and married. The father
died in the prime of manhood, at about thirty-
three years of age, leaving his widow with three
little children, the eldest of whom was only seven
years of age. Heroically she struggled to keej)
her children together and carry on the work of
the farm. She is still living in New York, at the
advanced age of seventy-five years, and has been
a woman of unusual ability, winning the love and
respect of all who knew her. As soon as our sub-
ject was large enough to assist his mother, he lent
a willing hand and soon became her main depend-
ence. The cares of life fell heavily upon the
shoulders of one so young, but the united efforts
of mother and son provided for the necessities of
the family and educated the younger members.
Thus nobly did he perform the duties devolving
upon him, and the same faithfulness and loyalty
to right and duty have characterized his subse-
quent career. His brother Adelbert is eraplo^-ed
in the Pullman Car Works, and his sister, Mrs.
Mar^' Sn3'der, lives in Albany County, N. Y.
As may be inferred, our subject had very lim-
ited educational ad vantages, as the work and re-
sponsibilitj' of the farm necessarily permitted of
little time to be spent in school. He was early in-
ured to hard work, and the habit has never yet
left him. His education has mainly been acquired
by reading, and through observation and exper-
418
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ience he has gained a practical knowledge which
could have beeu gained in no other way.
Mr. Lanioreaux was united in marriage Novem-
ber 12, 1862, with Miss Mariette Bell, a native of
Wcsterloo, Albany County, N. Y., where their
marriage was celebrated. The year 1868 witnessed
the removal of our subject to Iroquois County,
and after spending some time in tlie lumber busi-
ness in Gilman, he removed to a farm, but soon
returned and has since made Gilman his home.
He was employed in the grain ottice of D. B. Cook,
of Bushnell & Co., for about one year, and in that
of F. W. Hatch for the same period of time. In
1875 he became manager of the business in wliich
he is now engaged. AVith the exception of about
two j'ears he has held the position continuously
since.
Mr. Lamoreaux, his wife and only child, Ger-
trude, are active members in the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, of which he is both Steward and
Trustee. Politically, he was a Democrat from
1864 to 1884, casting his first vote for McClellan.
Since the latter date he has been an uncompro-
mising Prohibitionist. Socially, he is a member
of White Holly Camp No. 524, M. W. A. Mr.
Lamoreaux applies himself closely to business
affairs, but amid the multiplicity of his duties
finds ample time for church, Sunday-school and
charitable work, to all of which he gives his liearty
support. He is widely and favorably- known, and
this esteem is well deserved, for he has lived an
upright, wortlij' life, and is a trusted friend, in
whom one can place implicit confidence.
IP^.OBERT AVILKINSON, who has been prom-
Ljji^ inently identified with the business inter-
'J^\ ests of Sheldon, and is one of its leading
and influential citizens, was born in Sturgis,
Mich., March 14, 1851. and is a son of John and
Marj' Wilkinson, both of whom were natives of
England. They crossed the Atlantic to America
in the summer of 1850, and located in Michigan,
whence they removed to Kendall County, III.,
in the summer of 1854. Mr. Wilkinson en-
gaged in farming, and was a very successful busi-
ness man. At the time of his death he owned
about six hundred acres of land. He died in Lis-
bon, 111., in July, 1872, at tlie age of fifty-five
3'eais, and his wife died in December, 1882, at the
age of sixty-seven years. Our subject was the
sixth in order of birth in their family of eiglit
children, five of whom are yet living. One son,
George, died in 1864 of spotted fever.
Our subject was reared to manhood in Kendall
County, 111., and after acquiring his education in
the public schools engaged in teaching for a time.
On attaining his majority he commenced farming
in Kendall Countj'. He was married March 1,
1877, to Miss Emma, daughter of Isaac H. and
Susannah (Fry) Eastburn, of Sheldon, 111., and
two years later he sold his farm, removing in tlie
spring of 1879 to Iroquois County. Here he pur-
chased land two miles north of Sheldon, but came
to the village in September of 1881. By the un-
ion of our subject and liis wife were born six chil-
dren, but the four eldest died in childhood.
Stanley- E. and Mary Lois are still with their par-
ents.
Mr. Wilkinson spent the winter of 1880-81 in
Colorado on account of ill health, and returned
somewhat improved to Sheldon in the following
spring. In November, 1885, he embarked in bus-
iness as a dealer in coal and agricultural imple-
ments. In the year 1887 he sustained a severe
loss by fire, his entire stock of agricultural imple-
ments being burned, but his business tact had se-
cured him by proper insurance, so, Plicenix-like, a
new building was erected on the old site, which
lie had purchased, and he continued in business
until 1890.
In May, 1891, Mr. Wilkinson embarked in the
banking business, in company with his brother-
in-law, George W. Eastburn, and as proprietors of
the Citizens' Bank, which was opened on the 14th
of May, they have since been doing a good busi-
ness, which has far exceeded all their best expec-
tations. Mr. Wilkinson is also a stockholder
in and President of the Perfection Paper Bag-
hokler Company, and aided in the organization of
the tile works, but has since sold his interest in
the organization. He is Treasurer of the Building
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
419
and Loan Association, of .Sheldon, 111. He also
owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming
land within two miles of Sheldon.
In politics, INIr. Wilkinson was first a Republi-
can, hut recently he joined the Prohibition party
and has been one uf its supporters. At the age of
fifteen years he united with the Methodist Episco-
jjal Church, and since that time has been one of
its faithful workers. He holds membership with
the Good Templars' society, and the cause of tem-
perance finds in him a stanch advocate. His life
has been an honorable and upright one, well
worthy of emulation. He is a man of excellent
business ability, is progressive, possesses good
judgment, and has steadily worked his way up-
ward to a positi(m of wealth and afHueuce.
'1T'(>HN C. COMNEK, a successful and well-
known physician and surgeon of Crescent
City, was born near Richmond, Wa^ne
County, Ind., Js'ovcmber 6, 1844, and is a
son of Lewis and Mary (.Jennings) Conner. His
father was born and reared in INorth Carolina, and
when a 30ung man emigrated to Indiana, wliere
he met and married Miss Jennings, who, however,
was also a native of North Carolina. Mr. Conner
engaged in fanning in Wayne County, Ind.. and
there reared his famih'. He resided for a few
years in Grant County, but returned to Wayne
County, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He w.as a very prominent member of the United
Brethren Church, and took quite an active (lart in
cliureli work, earnestly laboring in the Master's
vineyard. He was called upon to fill a number of
local offices, and was a higlily respected citizen.
The Doctor was reared to manhood in the .State
of his nativity, and acquired his literary education
in the public schools. When only seventeen years
of age he entered the service of his country, .ind
on August 11, 1862, donned the blue as a member
of Company I, One Hundred and First Indiana
Infantry. He was mustered in as a private for
lliree years' service, and acted as a drummer for
a time. lie was promoted to the rank of Corporal
at the battle of PerryvlUe, Ky., the first engage-
ment in which he participated. He also met the
enemy in battle at Chickamauga, Mission Ridge,
Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Keiiesaw Mountain,
Atlanta, and went with Sherman on his memor-
able march to the sea. He marched to North Car-
olina with the troops that captured .Johnson at
Raleigh, and then went on to the Capitol Cit}',
where he partic ipated in the Grand Review. He
was mustered out at Louisville, K3'., June 24,
1865, after almost three years of service. Al-
though a mere lad when he entered the army, he
proved a faithful soldier, ever found at his post of
dut3'. When the war was over the Doctor returned
to his home in Indiana, and attended Joncsboro
College for two years. He also engaged in teach-
ing.
Wishing to engage in the ])raeticc of medicine.
Dr. Conner began studying in Jalapa, hid., in
1869, and took his first course of lectures in Cin-
cinnati, in 1876. The following year he returned
to that school and was graduated in the Class of
'77. He then entered upon practice in Jalapa,
where he engaged in the prosecution of his pro-
fession for nine years. He then changed his place
of residence, removing to Stark County, Ind., in
1882. He afterward practiced for two years in
Stark County, and subsequently' opened an office
in Clifton, 111., where he remained for four jears.
He then located in Crescent Cit^', and during the
five }'ears of his residence here he has built up a
large and constantl3' increasing business.
Dr. Conner has twice been married. In Jalapa,
Ind., February 28, 1872, he married I\Iiss Alma
Jackson, who died in Knox County, in 1880. In
1884 he was again united in marriage, this time with
Mrs. Ella (McAllister) Malaney, a native of Indiana.
Hy her former marriage Mrs. Conner had two
sons, but one met death by accident, Cecil, who
died at the age of ten 3'ears. The otiier son, Wal-
ter, is still with the Doctor.
Since attaining his majority, Dr. Conner has
been identified with the Democratic party, having
been one of its supporters since he cast his first
Presidential vote for Gen. Hancock. He has been
honored with several local offices, and is now the
Supervisor of Crescent Township. Socially he is a
420
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.
member of the Masonic order belonging to Lodge
No. 688, Clifton, A. F. & A. M.; of Post No. 717,
G. A. R., and of Camp No. 1425, M. W. A.
Among bis professional brethren he ranks high.
He keeps abreast with his profession by the study
of medical journals, and his excellent skill and
ability are .icknowledged by thfe liberal patronage
he receives. He is considered a successful physi-
cian and is also popular as a citizen.
'LONZO P. G00DYP:AR, a member of the
,rm of Williams & Goodyear, general
/// 14) merchants of Woodland, was born near
^ Bennington Center, Wyoming County, N.
Y., twenty-two miles from Buffalo. The family
traces its line of ancestry back to England. The
founders of the family in America were banished
from the Mother Country on accountof their love
of liberty, and crossing the broad Atlantic settled
in Hamden, Conn. At one time they owned
three townships in New Haven, and the farm
deeded them by King George was in possession of
the family until about three years ago. The grand-
father of our subject was a Captain in the State
militia, and was ordered to New Orleans under
Gen. Jackson during the War of 1812, but was
crippled and could not go.
The father of our subject, Marks Goodyear, was
born in Hamden, Conn., June 30, 1809, was
there reared and educated, and for three years was
a student in Yale College. He was married in the
Nutmeg State to Eliza Hodges, a native of Lon-
donderry, Somersetshire, P^ngl.and, who emigrated
to America when about five years of age. In
1834 Mr. Goodj-ear removed with his family to
the Empire State, where lie developed a new
farm. In 1837 he came with a team and sleigh to
Cincinnati, Ohio, a distance of three hundred and
fifty miles, and then shipped his goods to Pekin,
111., while he continued on with his teams across
the country, reaching his destination on the 8th
of March. In the spring of 1841 he commenced
transforming a trnct of wild piairie laud into a
fine farm, upon which he made his home for half
a century, tlis death occurred March 15, 1891.
His widow still survives him and is vet living on
the old homestead. Mr. Good^'ear was a man of
sterling worth. Honorable and upright in all his
dealings, his word was as good as his bond. In
politics, he was a Democrat, and all of his sons are
supporters of the same party. At his death he
left a good property.
The members of the family were Alonzo P.,
whose name heads this sketch; Mrs. Mary Hay-
ward, who is living in Chicago; Dudley M., a resi-
dent of Washington, Tazewell County; James S.,
a resident farmer of Tazewell County; Mrs. Har-
riet E. Eaton, who is living in the same county;
Alfred W., who resides near the old homestead;
and Robert H., who is engaged in farming in Mc-
Lean Count3'.
A. P. Goodyear was born October 23, 1836, and
has spent almost his entire life in this State. He
was reared on a farm in Tazewell County, and
during his j'outh he worked for his board while
attending school. At the age of twent3'-three he
began earning his own livelihood 1)3^ working as a
farm hand, and was emplo3'ed in the vicinity of
his childhood home until 1868, when he removed
to Wasliington. He there embarked in the gro-
cery business, whicli he followed until 1871, when
he again resumed farming. In 1874 he came to
Iroquois County, and purchasing land near Wood-
land carried on agricultural pursuits until 1892,
since which time he has been engaged in business
in Woodland, as a partner of Judge Williams.
They have a general merchandise establishment,
and are now enjoying an excellent trade, their
liberal patronage being secured by tlicir courteous
treatment and fair dealing.
On December 22, 1859, in Tazewell Count3', Mr.
Goodyear married Miss Mary Humphre3', a native
of Tompkins Count3', N. Y. Her fatlier was born
in Hartford, Conn., and her mother was a native
of Penns3'lvania; the3' came to Illinois in 1834.
LTnto Mr. and Mrs. Good3'ear have been born four
children: Alonzo F., who was born in Tazewell
County, acquired his primary education in the
common schools, and afterward was a student in
the Normal College of Valparaiso, Ind, He then
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
URBANA
r
/0Ci
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
423
became a successful teacher, and was Assistant
Scliool Superintendent under E. J. Blake. Wish-
ing to enter tlie legal profession, he became a stu-
dent in the Union Law School, of Chicago. He is
now engaged in practice in Watseka, and is serv-
ing as State's Attorney. Mary E. is the wife of
,Iohn Webster, of Milford Township; Olive E. is at
home; and Charles S., a wide-awake and enter-
prising \oung business man, assists his father in
the store. The children have all been provided
with excellent educational advantages, and all
have engaged in teaciiing school.
Mr. (ioodyear cast his first Presidential vote in
IMGO, for Ste|)hen A. Douglas, and has since been
a stanch supporter of the Deniocratic party. lie
is a good business man, higlily respected througii-
out tlie comnuinitj^ and the success that he lias
achieved in life is due to his own efforts. The
firm of Williams & Goodj'ear have one of the
leading mercantile estal)lishments in Woodland.
c^ IVESLEY IIAK\'EY, who is now living a re-
\ rJl tired life in Cissna Park, certainlj' deserves
"W^ representation in this volume, for no other
resident lias so long made his home in this com-
munity. He has been an eye-witness of its growth
for more than iialf a century, and his name is in-
separably connected with its history. He was born
on New Year's Day of 1821, in a log cabin in
Washington County, Ind., his parents being Robert
H. and Sarah (Richards) Harvey. His father was
born in Nortli Carolina, but in an early day re-
moved to Tennessee, where their marriage occurred.
About 1810, they emigrated to Indiana, where he
cleared and developed a farm. The mother died