History of Tazewell county, Illinois ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of state laws online

in 1855, and settled in this city, where he has been successfully en-
gaged in his present business. Frank B., Nina M., Chas. E. and
John G. are their living children.

W. B. Harvey, retired farmer, born in Licking Co., O., in 1825.
His parents were James and Mary (Billingsly) Harvey, natives of
Va. and Md., and who emigrated to this county in 1828, and settled
pear this city, there being only six families in the township at that



688 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

time. He took an active part in the Black Hawk war, and numbered
among the early pioneers of this county. He died in 1859. The
subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Eliza Barrett in
1849. She was born in Saline Co., 111., in 1827. Mr. H. has been
for years on the Board of Supervisors, Justice of the Peace, and a
participant in the organization of the town, and being otherwise
identified with the interests of the city and county. Trustee of the
Methodist Church, and among the few left of the early pioneers.

Eli E. Heiplc, grain dealer, P. O,, Washington ; born in Somerset
Co., Pa., in 1830; was married to Mary E.. Snyder, a native of
Somerset Co., Pa., in 1851. Came to this county in 1857, and set-
tled in Washington, and became engaged with Andrew Miles & Co.,
in the dry-goods business, with whom he remained until he opened
his present place of business, where he has since been actively en-
gaged. He has filled the office of Town Clerk for fifteen years and
was the first City Clerk elected in the spring of 1877, and is other-
wise prominently identified with the interests of the town and
county. He is well known throughout as a thorough, live business
man. Augustus and Frank are their living children.

Israel Hicks, farmer, sec. 30, P. O., Washington ; born in Bel-
mont Co., O., July 15, 1816. His parents were Asa and Annie
(Cox) Hicks, nativ^es of Va. and Ga. The family started from Ohio
in Oct., 1837, in wagons, and when near the Wabash river in Ind.,
the horses took fright and ran away. His father, attempting to get
out of the wagon, fell under the wheels, causing almost instant
death. This was a terrible blow to the grief-stricken family, who
after a reasonable time, resumed the journey westward, settling on
the old Dillon farm in Tremont township, which his father had
rented prior to his coming. He had but fifty cents left when the
family arrived at this place, and he commenced teaming, splitting
rails, and cheering the discouraged and broken-hearted mother. By
constant labor and untiring industry, in a few acres of land, which
he improved, and the dark clouds of adversity were soon scattered
from his home. After five years residence at Tremont, he moved
to Pleasant Grove, then came to this townshi}^ in the spring of 1 843,
and settled on his present farm. He was married, Feb. 24, 1848,
to Miss Susan M. Umphrey, daughter of Luke Umphrey, and who
was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., June 8, 1825. Her father was
one of the pioneers of this county, where he died in 1878. Julia
E. is their only living child. His mother died in his first home in
1853. Mr. H. has experienced the roughest side of pioneer life,
and only through a determined will has attained his present position
in life.

Elo7i E. Hornish, dry goods merchant. Main st., residence, corner
Main and Oakland streets. He was born in Wayne Co., Ind., in
1849. His parents were Martin and Elmira (Rupert) Hornish, na-
tives of Penn. and Va., and who' emigrated to this county in 1858,
and settled in this village and engaged in the grocery business.



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 689

where he died in 1859. Elon engaged with Rupert <& Hornish in
the dry goods business in 1868, and this firm dissolved in July of
the same year, when he went to New York. city and engaged as a
salesman. On Dec. 28, 1871, he married Frances L. Sticklcy, who
was born in Ohio in 1849; returned AVest in 1873, and formed a
partnership with C. B, Cummings at Pekin. He remained one
year and returned to New York in 1874, and to this city in 1875,
and formed a co-partnership with M. H. Hornish, and in July of the
same year purchased the interest of M. H., where he has since car-
ried on a successful and prosperous business. Robert S., George B.,
Morris E., and Ella R. are their living children.

G. R. Hornish, grocer. Main st., res. cor. Pine and Holland ; born
in Wayne Co., Ind., in 1839; married Mary E. Grady April 1, '61.
She was born in Woodford Co. in 1838; came to this Co. in 1857
and settled in this city, where he engaged as salesman with J. W.
Dougherty, with whom he remained eight years, when he opened
his present place of business, where he has since carried on a suc-
cessful and prosperous trade. Grant, Joseph G., Mary H., and Lulu
E. are their living children.

/. T. Hoover, dentist, north side Commercial Square, res. High st. ;
born in Belmont, O., in 1838. Parents were Jacob and Phoebe
(Frazier) Hoover, natives of Penn. and Va. Emigrated to this
State in 1855, and settled in Peoria, where he served an apprentice-
ship and opened his first place of business, and in 1863 came to this
city, where he has since followed his profession and continued in a
prosperous and successful career. Married Emma S. Couch a native
of Peoria in 1865,. May E., Abbie E., and Edna E. are their liv-
ing children.

Nicholas Huguet, Jr., farmer, sec. 11 ; P. O., Washington ; born in
France in 1808. His parents were Nicholas and Maggie (Chawry)
Huguet, native of that country. Was married, in 1830, to Miss
Sophia Cunig, and emigrated to America in 1850, and settled on his
present estate of 198 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Julius, Maurice,
Charles, Nicholas, Jr., Peter, Josephine, Gabriel, Annie, Mary and
Julia are their living children. Are members of the Catholic
Church.

JaclcHon Hukkl, retired farmer ; residence, Washington ; born in
Fayette Co., O., Oct. 12, 1823. At 20 years of age he left home
and went to Champaign Co., where he served an apprenticeship at
the tanning bwsiness, and engaged in that business for seven years in
Cass Co., Mich. Was married, in 1847, to Miss Sarah J. Nicholson,
by whom he has one daughter, Samantha A., wife of S. D. Murphy,
of Chicago. In 1855 he moved to Atlanta, 111., and became en-
gaged in the mercantile business, when his wife died, March 27, '56.
After a residence of one year in Lincoln he became extensively en-
gaged in the wool trade and farming implements, and for ten years
dealt largely in real estate, when he sold his proi)erty and moved to
McDonough Co., and in Jan., 1875, settled in this city, where he



690 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

has since made it his home. His present wife, Sarah Kern, daugh-
ter of Jacob Kern, was born at Mt. Pleasant, Pa., Dec. 28, 1829.
They were married in this city Dec. 1, 1859. James H., Mary C,
Ida Belle, and Gracie, are their children. Mr. H. is Elder and
Sunday-school Superintendent in the Baptist Church, being well
known throughout the town and county.

S, W. Harkey, D. D., pastor St. Mark's English Lutheran Church,
born in Iredell Co., N. C, in 1811. His parents were John and
Sarah (Welcher) Harkey, natives of that State. He commenced his
course of studies at Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg, in 1830;
graduated from that institution in 1834, and entered upon his official
duties at Philadelphia, then to AVilliamsport, Woodsborough, Md.,
Frederick City, and in 1852, emegrated to the West and entered
the State University at Springfield, 111., as professor, at which place
he enlisted, in 1864, as chaplain, serving until the close of the war,
when he went to St. Louis and officiated until 1871, when he came
to this city and became pastor of the German lAitheran Church a
short time, when he was called to fill the pulpit of the English
Lutheran Church, where he is still occupied in his professional
calling.

Rodger Jenkins, farmer, sec. 29 ; P. O., Washington ; born^ in
South Wales, in 1811. His parents were John and Rachel (Wal-
kyns) Jenkins, natives of that country. Mr. J. emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1845, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he resided five
years, when he came to this county, and settled in Deer Creek
township, and in 1858 moved to this township and settled on his
present estate of 240 acres, valued at ^65 per acre. Was married,
in 1848, to Miss Elenor Davis, a native of South Wales, where she
was born in 1817. Margaret, John, and Morgan are their living chil-
dren ; lost two — George B., and Geo. B. 2d. Mr. J. is one of the
early settlers of the county, and is Trustee of the Presbyterian
Church of Deer Creek, of which the family are members.

Joseph AWso, farmer, section 18; P. O., Washington; born in
Venango Co., Pa., July 27, 1805, and was the second son of Robert
and Jane (Mercer) Kelso, natives of New Hampshire, who emi-
grated to the West in 1800, and after an eventful life, died in
Switzerland county, Ind., in 1835. The subject of this sketch
started from Switzerland county, Ind., in March, traveling by ox
teams and arriving in this county April 20, 1832. After looking
the county through, he settled on his present farm, where he entered
80 acres of land". Having but little money, he commenced the
cultivation and improvement of his place, and, by continued perse-
verance and industry, has made an entire success. The land sur-
rounding his fine residence now numbers over 320 acres of valuable
land. He was married to Miss Sarah Nelson, in 1829, a native of
Switzerland county, Indiana, where she was born Dec. 25, 1811.
Robert, John, Jane, Joseph, Jr., Wilson, and Matilda are their
living children; lost five, Charles, David, William, Sarah, and



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 691

Eliza. There were five families who accompanied this veteran
pilgrim to his Western home, some of whom are still living. Mr.
K. is truly a self-made man. Commencing life with no advantages,
but by his indomitable energy he has acquired his well earned
wealth. He is well known throughout the county, and honored and
respected by all.

George W. Kingsbury, merchant, of the firm of Kingsbury &
Snyder. Born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1827, and emigrated to
this county in 1840, settling in Deer Creek township, and engaged
in farming, where he married Caroline Harlan in 1853. She was
born in N. Y. in 1825. Came to this city in 1857, and engaged
as clerk with Horton & Kingsbury until 1866, when he formed the
present copartnership, which has since been in successful operation,
Florence, Julia and Harlan are their living children. Members of
the Lutheran Church.

Conrad Laiorentz, Jr., farmer, sec. 32, P. O., Washington. Born
in Groveland township in 1853. His parents were Conrad and
Barbara Lawrcntz, who emigrated to America in 1830 and settled in
Peoria, and two years afterward moved to St. Louis, thence to this
county, settling in Groveland township, where he died. Was among
the early pioneers of this county. The subject of this sketch was
married, in 1875, to Miss Annie C. Friedinger, a native of Grove-
land, where she was born in 1857. George E. and Christian V. are
their children. In 1873 he settled on his present estate, which con-
sists of 115 acres, valued at §40 i)er acre,

John Loioman, farmer, sec. 31 ; P. O., Farmdale. Is the oldest
son of Martin and Elizabeth (Howard) Lowman, natives of Lincoln
Co., N. C, who emigrated to this county and settled in Holland's
Grove, near Washington City, May 12, 1831, where father and
son entered a quarter section of land and were three days erecting
a cabin of split rails, when they engaged in opening and improving
a farm. In 1871 his father moved to Mo., where his mother died,
when he returned and is now living in Woodford Co. The subject
of this sketch was married, in 1 838, to Miss Elizabeth Gordon,
daughter of George Gordon, a veteran of the Black Hawk war, and
one of this county's early pilgrims, where he died in 1853. She
was a native of Dearborn Co., Ind., where she was born in 1821.
Mr. Lowman served as a scout in the Black Hawk war, and has
experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. In 1845 he settled on
his present estate, consisting of over 300 acres of valuable land,
where he has since made it his home. His collossal frame measures
six feet eight inches in his stockings, and his greatest weight is 255
pounds. Mary, Hannah, Rebecca, Martin H., John W., James C,
Jane, Elizabeth, Henry C., Samuel M., Annie and Edward W. are
their living children.

Henry Mahle, grain dealer; residence. Main street. Born in
ClaYion Co., Pa., in 1832. His parents were Louis and Elizabeth
(Lilly) Mahle, natives of Hesse Cassel, Germany. Married Sybilla



692 HISTOEY OF TAZEWEI,L COUNTY.

Lawson, May 10, 1855. She was born in Gettysburgh, Pa., in 1834 ;
came to this county in 1865 and settled in the city, where he has
been engaged principally in the grain business. Has filled the office
of Township Trustee for many years, and was elected to the City
Council after its incorporation in the spring of 1877. Amanda J.,
Charlotte E., Lincoln E. and John W. are their living children.
Members of English Lutheran Church.

William B. Ilerchanf, real estate and insurance broker, Washing-
ton city. Born in Steuben ville, Jefferson Co., O., in 1830. His
parents were John and Margaret (Sanonton) Merchant, natives of
Pa., who at an early day emigrated to O., where they have since
died. Mr. M. was married, in 1857, to Miss Jane H. Eagleson,
a native of O., and in the following year came to this county and
settled south of Washington, and became extensively engaged in
farming, where his estimable wife died in 1862. Six years later he
removed to this city and engaged in real estate and insurance busi-
ness with his only son, Alvin E., where they have conducted a suc-
cessful and active practice. Mr. M. has been an invalid for some
months, and is still suffering from an affection of the lungs. He is
held in high esteem and respect by a large circle of friends in this
community, where he has become widely known and appreciated.
His worthy son, possessed of excellent business abilities, is his con-
stant attendant, and we know of no young man who has more warm
friends than Alvin E. Merchant. Are members of the Presbyterian
Church.

Joseph B. Miles, Jr., farmer; residence Washington. Born in
Athens, Athens Co., O., Oct. 11, 1828. Is the son of Joseph B.
Miles, Sr., who was born in Rutland, Mass., June 21st, 1781, and
removed, with his parents, to Ohio while very young, and settled at
Belpre, on the Ohio river, in what is now Washington Co. On
reaching his majority he settled in Athens Co., O., where he re-
mained until the summer of 1843, when, with his wife and seven
children, he removed to this county and settled on sec. 28, where he
resided until 1857, when he removed to the town of Washington,
where he died Aug. 18, 1860, aged seventy-nine years, one month,
and twenty-eight days. Was married to his second wife, Elizabeth
M. Falton, April 14, 1822. The subject of this sketch came to this
county in Aug., 1843, settled on and improved the S. E. quarter of
sec. 28, where he resided until Oct., 1857, when he moved into the
town of Washington, where he still resides. Enlisted in the Union
Army on Aug. 16, 1861, as First Lieut., Co. B, 47th Regt., Vol.
Inf. Commissioned to take rank as First Lieut, from the 25th day
of Aug., 1861. Was promoted and commissioned to take rank as
Capt. from Sept. 2, 1861. Promoted to take rank as Major, Aug.
21, 1863. Participated in the battles of New Madrid and Point
Pleasant, Mo., Island No. 10, luka. Miss., Jackson, Miss., seige and
assault of Vicksburg, Miss., Mechanicsburg, Miss., Richmond, La.,
Fort De Russey, La., Henderson Hill, La., Pleasant Hill, La.,



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 693

Monsura, Yellow Bayou and Lake Chicot, where he was severely
wounded by a gunshot through the neck and shoulders, June 6,
1864. AVas brought home to Washington ; returned to the field
and joined his regiment at Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1864, and was
mustered out of the service Oct. 11th, 1864. His elder brother,
Daniel D. Miles, enlisted Aug. 16, 1861, and commissioned to take
rank as Captain, Aug. 16, 1861; promoted to Lieut. Col,, Sept. 1,
1861, and died from wounds received in action at Farmington,
Miss., May 9, 1862. Deceased was a native of Athens, O., M'here
he was born Aug. 18, 1827; was married Dec. 31, 1855, to Miss
Ellen Wood, daughter of the late Dr. G. P. AVood.

Jacob Minch, farmer, sec. 35; P. O., Washington. Was born in'
Washington township in 1840, and is a son of an early pilgrim.
Was married, in 1861, to Miss Anna E. Berket, daughter of Wil-
liam Berket, also a native of this township. They have four chil-
dren — Mary C, Ella V., Arthur C, and Bessie S. Mr. M. resides
on the homestead, consisting of 180 acres, valued at $60 per acre.
He enlisted in the 47th I. V. Inf., Co., B, and served three years
and three months. Was wounded slightly at Yicksburg, but never
missed a roll-call, and was not confined during the time of his ser-
vice. Participated in battles of Point Pleasant, Mo., Island No. 10,
luka, Miss., siege and assault of Yicksburg, Richmond, La., Fort
De Russey, La., and all the battles tliat regiment was in.

Phillip Moschel, farmer, sec. 21; P. O., Washington; born in
Bavaria, Germany in 1833, and. emigrated to America in 1853, set-
tling near Groveland township, where he resided six years, when he
moved to Woodford county, where he was married, in 1861, to Miss
Mary Centmeyer, a native of Bavaria, where she was born in 1836.
In 1866 he returned to this county, and settled in this township on
his present estate in 1875, consisting of 160 acres, valued at $60
per acre. Mary, Carrie, and George are their living children.
Members of the Lutheran Church.

B. F. Myers, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Washington; born in Pick-
away Co., O., in 1850, and emigrated to this county with his
parents, Solomon and Mary (Bufford) Myers, in the fall of 1864,
and settled in \\'ashington. The following year he removed to his
present estate of 80 acres, valued at $2,000. ' Was married, in 1869,
to Miss Mattie Gibson, who was born in this county in 1853.
Carrie V. and Mamie A. are their children.

Henry Myers, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., AVashington ; born in
Pickaway Co., O., in 1847. His parents were Solomon and Mary
(Bufford) Myers, natives of O. The family came to this county in
1864, and after one year's residence in Washington the subject of
this sketch settled on his present estate of 80 acres, valued at $65
per acre. Same year of his coming he was married to Miss Barbara
Puntches, a native of Pickaway Co., where she was born in 1848.
Time and Nellie May are their two living children.

John C. Nof singer, farmers, sec. 5 ; P. O., AVashington ; born in



694 HISTOEY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

Tazewell Co., 111., in 1843. His parents were Christian and Bar-
bara (Schetch) Nofsinger, natives of Germany, who were early
settlers in this connty, and where they still reside. In 1868 he
married Catherine Baughman, a native of Woodford Co., where she
was born in 1852. Peter, Christian, Joseph, John, and Annie are
their living children. Are members of the Ornish Church.

L. 8. North, dry goods merchant, north side of Commercial
Square. Has occupied his present place of business since 1869.
Is a thorough business man, and enjoys the confidence of the com-
munity at large.

Charles Oesterley, former, sec. 32 ; post-office, Farmdale ; born In
Germany in 1820; married Catherine Freibelin in 1848, who was
born in Germany in 1826. The same year he emigrated to America,
and resided for one year near Buffalo, N. Y., when he moved to
Pennsylvania, and six years after came to this county and settled
on his present estate, consisting of 105 acres, valued at $35 per
acre. Fronecar, John, Henry, Catherine, and Paulina are their
living children. Are members of the Evangelical Church.

Phillip Orth, fiirmer, sec. 4; post-office, Washington; born in
Germany in 1827, and emigrated to America in 1849, settling in
Jeffi^rson county, N. Y., M'here he resided until 1856, when he came
to this county and settled on his present estate of 190 acres, valued
at $50 per acre. He was married in 1855, to Miss Catherine Shafer,
who was born in Germany in 1836. John, Theodore, Emma,
Lizzie, and Phillip, Jr. are their living children. Are members of
the Lutheran Church.

P. H. Parker, grocery merchant, firm of C. J. Gibson & Co. ;
residence Church street; born in Woodford county, in 1854; is a
son of Hiram Parker, who settled in McLean county in 1837. The
family moved to this county in 1870, and he became engaged in his
present business in this city. He was married, in 1875, to Miss
Mary B. Foster, a native of Peoria, where she was born in 1850.
In the spring of 1878 he formed the present partnership, where he
has since carried on a successful trade.

Peter Portman, firmer and stock dealer, sec. 24 ; P. O., Washing-
ton ; born in Sanburgh, France, in 1822, and emigrated to America
in July, 1848, and settled near his present estate, consisting of 290
acres, valued at $100 per acre. He was married, in Woodford Co.,
in 1853, to Miss Josephine Uqnat, a native of France, by whom
he has ten children — Nicholas G., Emil J,, Rosa M., Josephine
G., Mary F., Peter N., Louisa M., Frankie J., Charles L., and
Clement A. In 1837 they returned to their native country, (after
renting the farm,) where they spent four years, and in 1861 he
opened a livery stable in this city, where he resided until 1864,
when he moved again on the farm, where he has since made it his
home. Are members of the Catholic Church.

Charles Rapp, jeweler, north side of the square ; born in Washing-
ton, 111., in 1851 ; is a son of Earnest and Christian (Smith) Rapp,



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 695

natives of Germany. The subject of this sketch commenced his
apprenticeship at Fairbury, in 1873, and the following year engaged
with an extensive house at Peoria, where he remained two years,
when he returned to this city and opened his present place of busi-
ness, where he entertains his customers with the finest and best
selected stock of jewelry in the city. In 1877 he married Frances
Miles, a native of this city. They have one child. Pearl May.

Joseph Ropp, farmer, sec. 8 ; P. O., Washington ; born in Alsace,
France, now Germany, in 1823. His parents were natives of same
place, and emigrated to this country in 1836, and settled in Wood-
ford county, where they lived a short time, when they came to this
county and settled in this township, where he lived until his
removal to McLean county, where he died. The subject of this
sketch then moved to Elm Grove township in 1839, where he pur-
chased and resided until his coming to Washington township, and
settled on his present estate of 156 acres, valued at $70 per acre.
Married Catherine Burkey in 1850, a nativs of Germany, where
she was born in 1829. Elizabeth, Barbara, Amos, Phoebe, Daniel,
Katie, and Fannie, are their living children. A member of the
Omish Church.

Frederick Rickman, firm of Rickman & Harrington, Washington ;
born in Germany in 1834: and emigrated, with his parents to Amer-
ica in 1854, stopping one year in Canada, thence to Spring Bay, and
after a few years moved to Peoria, where his father still resides.
The subject of this sketch came to this city in 1855, and engaged in
wagon making until he formed the present copartnership, where he
has since been successfully engaged. Was married, in 1857, to Miss
Sophia Baker, a native of HI. Frederick N., Lizzie, Loney,
Frank, Annie D., Laura, Hattie and Tilly B., are their living chil-
dren, lost one, William.

William F. Rochin, boot and shoe merchant, S. W. cor. Commer-
cial Square; residence. High st ; born in Wurtemburgh, Germany,
in 1833. Parents were David and, Elizabeth Roehm, natives of
Germany. Emigrated to America in 1847, and settled in Detroit,
Mich., where he resided until 1855, when he moved to Peoria.
Was married, in 1856, to Miss Catherine Eantzi, a native of
Germany, where she was born in 1831. Came to this county in
1865 and opened a small shoe shop on Main street, forming a i)art-
nership with Wm. Fletmeyer, which was dissolved in the same year.
In 1869 he was enabled to open his j)resent place, where he has
since carried on a large trade. Katie, I^ouisa, Mary, Julius, Theo-
dore, and Emil, are • their living children. Are members of the
German Liberal C'luirch.

William A. Ross, blacksmith, firm of Ross & Zinscn, north side
Commercial Square; born in Franklin Co., O., in 1826. His
father was Hugh M., a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he
was born in 1791. His mother's name was Nancy Crosseta, a