Champaign County IL

Biographical Sketch of James Louis Edwards

James Louis Edwards. One of the comfortable country homes of Philo Township, a place adding to the distinctive character of prosperity and well ordered enterprise in that section, is the Edwards place, now occupied by James Louis Edwards, who acquired it from his father, George Edwards. The Edwards family has been identified with Champaign County for over half a century. James Louis Edwards is unmarried and with his sister Anna looks after the management of the farm and they keep house together. Mr. Edwards was born on the old homestead in section 18 of Philo Township in 1867, a son … Read more

Biography of Lewis Prather

Lewis Prather has been a resident of Champaign County for many years. He has been one of the live and energetic business men and farmers of the community, though he was well educated for the law. Successful in business, he has not neglected the public welfare and is a man who can be depended upon for helpful support wherever the best interests of his home community are concerned. Mr. Prather was born in Cumberland County, Illinois, April 20, 1862. His parents were James and Delilah (White) Prather, his father a native of Indiana and his mother of Illinois. The mother … Read more

Biography of Rufus B. Hoy

Rufus B. Hoy. A resident of Champaign County almost forty years, Rufus B. Hoy after a brief visit determined that this county should be his permanent home, and here his industry has borne fruit and his name is one that is spoken with honor and respect. Mr. Hoy was born in Hancock County, Ohio, November 6, 1850, son of Abraham and Mary (Fellers) Hoy. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio and both their ancestors several generations back came from Germany. Abraham Hoy and wife had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, Rufus being … Read more

Biography of Christian Schoon

Christian Schoon was for many years enrolled among the active and vigorous farmers of Champaign County, but from the fruits of his industry long continued he is now enabled to enjoy a life of comfortable retirement in his home in the Village of Gifford. Mr. Schoon, like many other of the most capable men who have tilled and cultivated the soil of Champaign County, is of German origin. He was born at the Town of Reepshold in the Province of Hanover, a son of George and Sophia (Burns) Schoon. He was the oldest of three children, the other two being … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Scott Wilson Elaine

Scott Wilson Elaine is one of the fortunate younger men of Champaign County who elected to remain on the land where they grew up as children and have prospered exceedingly by the increasing fruitage and value of farm productive efforts. Mr. Elaine was born September 15, 1874, on his father’s farm in section 27 of Champaign Township. That is his present home and by due diligence and ‘careful management he has surrounded himself with many of the best comforts and conveniences of modern rural life in this rich and prosperous section of eastern Illinois. His parents were Edward W. and … Read more

Biography of J. E. Fuller

J. E. Fuller. The Fuller home is a mile and three-quarters southeast of Ludlow, in section 8 of Harwood Township. It is a home of comforts and superior improvements, and is the domicile of people whose character and activities tend to raise the general standard of community life in Champaign County. Mr. Fuller was born in Michigan, son of Dexter and Elizabeth Ann (Curtis) Fuller. His parents were born in Massachusetts, moved from there to Ohio and finally to Michigan. J. K. Fuller was educated in Michigan schools, completing his training in a seminary at Spring Arbor in that state, … Read more

Biography of J. O. Alexander

J. O. Alexander. It is now nearly half a century since Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Alexander laid the foundation of their home and fortune by their marriage and during all that time they have lived in the vicinity of Rantoul, have been materially prospered and have also fulfilled that great duty of bearing and rearing children to usefulness and honor in the world’s work. Mr. Alexander is one of the honored old soldiers of Champaign County. He was born near the Sangamon River in Illinois, a son of Henry and Polly Alexander. He grew up on the farm and … 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 Henry Bernard Clark

Henry Bernard Clark. Life is a great drama, and many men play various roles and on many stages of activity. Such has been the experience of Henry Bernard Clark, a veteran jeweler, now living retired from a long business career at Rantoul. Mr. Clark is probably the only man in Champaign County and perhaps the only one in Illinois whose birthplace was the historic Isle of St. Helena, associated in the memories of men chiefly because it was the prison home of Napoleon Bonaparte and also the place where he died. He was born there, a son of Thomas and … Read more

Biography of Joseph C. Dodds, M. D., B. L.

Joseph C. Dodds, M. D., B. L. Long identified with Champaign County as a physician and surgeon and also as a citizen and business man, Doctor Dodds has lived in this county since he was ten years of age. He was born on Long Island, New York, June 15, 1864. At the age of ten he came to Champaign to live with his uncle, Dr. J. G. Chambers, brother of his mother. Here Doctor Dodds was educated, graduating from the Urbana High School, from the University of Illinois with the class of 1886, attended the University of Michigan Medical School … Read more

Biography of Daniel E. McHarry

Daniel E. McHarry. Among the numerous families whose activities of life have contributed toward the upbuilding of Champaign County we are pleased to mention the name of McHarry. William McHarry was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth McHarry, born in Strenraer, Scotland, in 1856. Daniel McHarry had preceded his family to America, became a soldier in the Civil War, and lost his life in the service. His family followed him to America when William was fifteen years of age. They came first to Mackinaw, Michigan, later moved to Chicago, and from there to Champaign County, where they engaged in farming. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Chancy L. Finfrock

Chancy L. Finfrock is one of the younger members of the Champaign bar and for the past three years has been associated in practice with Roger F. Little. Mr. Finfrock was born in Urbana, May 19, 1892, a son of John H. and Jordena (Johnson) Finfrock. His father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Ohio. John H. Finfrock came to Champaign County in 1875. Locating at Urbana, he identified himself with his regular business as a flour miller and was one of the substantial citizens of that district until his death in July, 1896. The mother is still … Read more

Biography of Joseph E. Lowery, M. D.

Joseph E. Lowery, M. D. As a competent physician and surgeon Doctor Lowery has been known in Champaign County for a number of years. He began practice over thirty years ago, his early experience in the profession being in the State of Iowa. Doctor Lowery is a native of Stark County, Ohio, where he was born November 13, 1861. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Simmons) Lowery, were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and school teacher. In 1869 the family located in McLean County, Illinois, and in 1882 went to Greene County, Iowa, where Joseph Lowery died in … Read more

Biography of Alexander Funkhouser

Alexander Funkhouser. Some men go through the world, subject to its various experiences, doing their work well and accumulating property, but after all is said and done they apparently have not placed the proper emphasis upon life as living and have not accentuated the many interests which lie around them. Of those families of Champaign County that seem to have realized most adequately the breadth and fullness and depth of life and its possibilities perhaps none deserve mention more than the household of Alexander Funkhouser. Mr. Funkhouser is a prominent farmer near Rantoul, and his activities have been closely identified … Read more

Biography of Lawrence E. Farlow

Lawrence E. Farlow. While one of the younger residents of Fisher as a business man, where he has lived for the past five years, Mr. Farlow lacks none of that enthusiasm, energy and enterprise which are fundamentals in success and the advancement of a community. His responsibilities in a business way are chiefly as manager of the Fisher Farmers Grain and Coal Company. Mr. Farlow is a native of Jefferson County, Illinois, where he was born January 2, 1889, a son of S. M. and Marian (Redmond) Farlow. His father was also, born in Jefferson County and the larger part … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Bert E. Lynch

Bert E. Lynch has made his career one of fruitful endeavor amid the scenes and associations of his early childhood and youth. He is leading a very active and enterprising life as a farmer in Sidney Township, and has a well ordered farm and good country home on Rural Route No. 57. Mr. Lynch was born in section 14 of Sidney Township, March 17, 1870, a son of William F. and Cynthia E. (Lunger) Lynch, both of whom were natives of Indiana. His father came to Champaign County in the fall of 1862 and located his cabin home on section … Read more

Biography of Patrick T. Madigan

Patrick T. Madigan In the erection of a substantial business structure in the field of insurance Patrick T. Madigan of Longview, Illinois, was able to build upon a foundation formed by a good business education, a worthwhile and practical training and an inherent ambition. These have formed the real concomitants of his success, although combined with them have been the accompanying desirable factors of perseverance and natural ability. Mr. Madigan was born on a farm in Raymond Township, Champaign County, Illinois, July 8, 1878, a son of John F. and Katherine (Foley) Madigan, natives of Illinois. John F. Madigan came … Read more

Biography of Howard Wrean

Howard Wrean. From the occupation of railroad engineer, which he followed for a number of years, Mr. Howard Wrean has turned to the quiet and productive resource of farming, with an excellent estate in section 6 of Harwood Township. Mr. Wrean is one of the competent agriculturists of Champaign County, and he and his family are people of many associations in this section. Mr. Wrean was born near Ludlow, a son of George and Amelia F. Wrean, his father a native of Nova Scotia and his mother of Denmark. They married in Pennsylvania and were the parents of seven children, … Read more

Biography of Benjamin Franklin Harris

Benjamin Franklin Harris, grandson of the late B. F. Harris and son of Henry Hickman Harris, was born on the old Harris farm in Champaign County, where his father was also a native, on September 30, 1868. He had of course liberal advantages during his youth and every incentive to make the best of his personal talents. Besides the common and high schools he attended the University of Illinois 1887 to 1889, and in 1892 was graduated from the law department of Columbia University. The law was only part of his preparation for life, not a profession. He returned home … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ross A. Flatt

Ross A. Flatt represents the younger and progressive business element of Champaign County, and in many ways has shown his splendid capabilities in business affairs. He is a son of A. J. Flatt, the well known grain and general merchant at Leverett, concerning whom further mention is made on other pages. Ross A. Flatt was born on his father’s farm in Somer Township of Champaign County April 10, 1890. He grew up on the farm, attended the common schools and finished his education in the Champaign High School. When his school work was finished he began assisting his father in … Read more