Champaign County IL

Biography of Fred J. Holl

Fred J. Holl, who has lived in Champaign County for half a century, having grown to manhood here, has made his career chiefly that of merchant, and is proprietor of one of the oldest and most completely stocked mercantile establishments in the village of Sadorus. Mr. Holl in his career has exemplified the sturdy virtues of the German fatherland, where he was born December 16, 1861, a son of Fred and Christina (Kreager) Holl. His parents immigrated from the fatherland in the spring of 1867, bringing their little family to Champaign County and locating on a farm in Pesotum Township. … Read more

Biography of Herman M. Smoot

Herman M. Smoot has had a very determined and energetic business career at Homer and at the age of forty his prosperity is now assured as well as his position as a man of affairs and influence in his community. Mr. Smoot was born on a farm in Vermilion County, Illinois, June 19, 1877. His parents were John and Sarah C. (Lewis) Smoot, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were brought to Illinois when children, and grew up in Vermilion County, where after their marriage they lived on a farm in Vance Township. In … Read more

Biography of George Clinton Brown

George Clinton Brown. When the early settlers came to Champaign County perhaps few of them realized that they were seeking homes in a very desirable part of the state in relation to profitable farming. Those who were industrious and frugal had the satisfaction of finding this out and no family has been more deserving of its good fortune than that founded by the late David Brown and now worthily represented here by George Clinton Brown, one of the substantial farmers of Homer Township, who is also widely known as a breeder of race horses. George Clinton Brown was born in … Read more

Biography of Nancy Irene Downs Mrs.

Mrs. Nancy Irene Downs. At no time in the world’s history has the position of woman been so notable, not nerely as a factor in the home but as a power in economic and political affairs and in that practical philanthropy which serves to soften somewhat the cruel actions of conflicting nations. Champaign County has many noble women and there is every reason why special attention should be paid by this work to their achievements and lives. One of them is Mrs. Downs, who since the death of her honored husband has taken his place as a practical farmer and … Read more

Biography of Martin Kaucher Busey

Martin Kaucher Busey, cashier of the Mahomet Bank, is another member of that well known family in Champaign County which from pioneer times has been identified with the important work of developing the land and the business and financial affairs of this rich section of Illinois. The wise and judicious management of the financial resources of the county was never more important than at the present time, and among the bankers of Champaign County Mr. Busey is entitled to special consideration because of his long and efficient service with one institution since early youth. Mr. Busey was born in this … Read more

Biography of Lucius Noyes Sizer

Lucius Noyes Sizer was a member of the firm Sizer Brothers, comprising himself and his brother Oscar Bertrand Sizer, proprietors of the Maple Lawn Stock Farm in Newcomb Township. Both brothers became too well known to require any extended introduction. They proved themselves capable as farmers, stock raisers, and business men and in every relationship of life. Of the two brothers, Lucius Noyes Sizer was born in Kankakee County, Illinois, November 15, 1860. His brother Oscar Bertrand was born in Champaign County, December 29, 1863. His birth occurred on the farm where he now resides. He is the only survivor … Read more

Biography of Frank Miller

Frank Miller was until his recent death one of the enterprising farm managers of Champaign County and had under his adequate direction and control one of the largest individual farms of the entire county. It is the extensive Matis farm of 510 acres, situated in section 10 of Champaign Township. The home is on Rural Route No. 1 out of Champaign. During the six years he had charge of this estate he demonstrated his capacity for handling a big farming proposition on progressive lines and in a manner profitable to himself and to the owners of the land. Besides general … Read more

Biography of Merit V. Cuppernell

Merit V. Cuppernell and his wife, Mary M., were both born near Sackett’s Harbor in New York State, were married there and in 1870 came to Champaign County, Illinois, where they spent the rest of their years, performing the duties of their home and private business and also extending their influence widely throughout the community. On coming to Champaign County Mr. Cuppernell located in Rantoul, where he engaged in the milling business. He was at first employed by Peter Myers. As the years went by strict attention to business and economy enabled him to buy a mill of his own, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Paul J. Strahle

Paul J. Strahle is one of the younger business men of Champaign, is active and aggressive, and has already acquired a secure position as a unit in the commercial community. A native of Champaign, he was born February 20, 1892, the only son and child of John G. and Catherine (Dawson) Strahle. His mother was born in England and died at Champaign, March 1, 1912. John G. Strahle is also a native of Champaign County, was for a number of years a tailor by trade, but is now associated with his son in business. Educated in the public schools of … Read more

Biography of John M. Peters

John M. Peters, who now lives retired in the village of St. Joseph, has exemplified above everything else that quality of permanence which enters into the best class of personal and national character. Mr. Peters was for sixty-five continuous years a resident of one place, the farm where he grew up as a boy and whose acres he tended so skillfully and diligently during his own active life. From the work of his hands and brain he has prospered, has reared useful children, and has made his name widely respected over his native county. Mr. Peters was born at Tipton, … Read more

Biography of J. W. Bensyl

J. W. Bensyl, whose home is an attractive place just east of Urbana, enjoys the honor and respect of all the people of Champaign County, particularly for the valiant service he rendered as a soldier of the Civil War. Mr. Bensyl was in the army for over four years, and his subsequent life and activities have been of a piece with the loyalty and devotion he showed his country in time of stress. Mr. Bensyl was born at Danville, Illinois, November 23, 1839, a son of John and Elizabeth (Corray) Bensyl. Both parents were natives of Ohio. Elizabeth Corray, a … Read more

Biography of George Holtapp

George Holtapp is one of the conspicuous factors in the modern agricultural activities of Champaign County. The name is one that has been identified with Champaign County history for many years, and he is one of the younger generation and with a brother is managing the resources of a fine farm in Harwood Township in section 33. The home is on Rural Route No. 3 out of Rantoul. Mr. Holtapp was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Barbara (Hoffman) Holtapp. His parents were natives of Germany. There were seven sons in the family, George, Fred, Charles … Read more

Biography of Jay G. Buchan

Jay G. Buchan. The natives and their descendants of Scotland, the land of hills and heather, have played important parts in the history of the United States, and it is something that justifies pride to be able to trace a direct Scotch ancestry. This good fortune belongs to Jay G. Buchan, one of Newcomb Township’s best known and most esteemed citizens. His father and grandfather were natives of Scotland, but his own birth took place in Champaign County, Illinois, March 12, 1877, being the fourth in a family of six children born to Rahymond and Margaret (Buchan) Buchan. The survivors … Read more

Biography of Alexander Mahaffie

Alexander Mahaffie. An honored survivor of the great Civil War and a substantial retired farmer of Harwood Township is found in Alexander Mahaffie, who was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1835. For many years Mr. Mahaffie has been a respected and esteemed resident of Champaign County and he has been identified with many of the things which have been beneficial to this section. The parents of Alexander Mahaffie were William and Elizabeth Mahaffie, who moved from Ohio to Indiana when he was eighteen months old. There he grew to manhood and obtained a district school education. When the Civil … Read more

Biography of Samuel P. Atkinson

Samuel P. Atkinson. Perhaps Champaign has no more sturdy and progressive citizen than is found in Samuel P. Atkinson, manager of the S. P. Atkinson Monument Company. He is a thorough American, with a backing of colonial ancestry and Revolutionary stock; and is a veteran of the great struggle which prior to 1914 the people of the United States has called the saddest page on the world’s history. Mr. Atkinson is a vigorous and able business man, but he is much more, for he has the true welfare of his city at heart and is zealously working to advance movements … Read more

Biography of Oliver B. Dobbins

Oliver B. Dobbins. As a lawyer Oliver B. Dobbins has gained some of the better distinctions and successes of the profession. He has been in practice in the profession in Champaign County twenty-three years. His ability is sought in cases of more than ordinary importance. During his career Mr. Dobbins has appeared in more than a hundred cases in the Supreme and Appellate Courts of the state. Of such cases he has succeeded in winning at a ratio of three out of four, and at one time he secured favorable decisions in twelve successive appeals. An individual distinction of which … Read more

Biography of Roy R. Cline

Roy R. Cline, one of the younger members of the Champaign County Bar, had as preliminary to his practice a number of years of experience in the patent office at Washington, D. C., carrying on his law studies in the national capital at the same time, and now besides his general practice, he is serving as inheritance tax attorney for the District of Piatt, Champaign and Moultrie counties. He was appointed to this position in February, 1917, by Attorney General Brundage. Mr. Cline is a native of Illinois, born in Piatt County October 22, 1884, a son of Jacob H. … Read more

Biography of J. E. Nye

J. E. Nye. By reason of long residence in Champaign County, for a period of sixty years, by the ability shown in varied undertakings and by the honesty and high character of its members the Nye family is one of the best known in the county and the name is everywhere spoken with respect and esteem which are their due. Of this family is J. E. Nye, who came to Champaign County when a boy of two years of age and is now able to take life somewhat at leisure in one of the fine country homes south of the … Read more

Biography of Charles George Decker

Charles George Decker. Since coming to Champaign County twenty-four years ago Charles G. Decker has demonstrated his thorough capacity and broad knowledge of farming and stock raising. His many years of practical experience contribute to his agricultural equipment, and his entire career has been devoted to the cultivation of the soil. Mr. Decker was born in Jennings County, Indiana, October 28, 1864, a son of George and Mary (Johannes) Decker. His parents were born in Germany. His father was brought to America when a boy, lived in Ohio and in the early days took rafts of provisions down the Ohio … Read more

Biography of Edward Butzow

Edward Butzow

Edward Butzow, a resident of St. Joseph Township for a long period of years, has had a career that challenges admiration and respect. It has the solid basis of industry and is crowned by a success of his own achieving, won by the strictest regards to honest principles and integrity of character. Mr. Butzow is one of the sturdy sons of the fatherland who in such numbers came to America in early years, poor in cash but with ambition and energy. He was born October 23, 1839, at Walkendorf in Mecklenburg Schwerin, son of Ernest and Sabina (Brosaman) Butzow. Ernest … Read more