Champaign County IL

Biographical Sketch of William Henry Trees

William Henry Trees has lived a career that entitles him to a place of honor and respect among the citizens of Champaign County. For years he was a successful farmer and is now a local business man at Sidney. He was born in Champaign County February 5, 1872. He is a son of Ephraim and Helen (Martin) Trees. Both parents were born in Ohio. His father came to Champaign County in an early day and located on a farm near Thomasboro. That farm he cultivated and was getting to a position where he could be considered prosperous when he met … 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 Isaac Hixenbaugh

Isaac Hixenbaugh is an old time resident of Champaign County, was for many years identified not only with farming but also the civic affairs of Ogden Township, and is now enjoying the comforts of material prosperity and the rewards of his earlier strenuous efforts in a pleasant home at Homer. Mr. Hixenbaugh was born near West Warren in Marion County, West Virginia, May 4, 1846, a son of Isaac and Martha (Ogden) Hixenbaugh. His mother’s brother, John Ogden, was the man after whom Ogden town and Ogden Township in this county were named. Isaac Hixenbaugh was one of eight children, … Read more

Biography of Martin V. Moore

Martin V. Moore. One of the most interesting old time citizens of Homer Township is Martin V. Moore, who when a young man enlisted from this county and went out to fight the battles for the preservation of the Union, and in all the years since then has maintained the traditions of honor that actuated him on many a hard fought battlefield. Mr. Moore was born at Eugene, Indiana, a son of Enoch and Adaline (Force) Moore. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of New Jersey. Enoch Moore when a small boy migrated with … Read more

Biography of Alva Gilmore

Alva Gilmore. With all due credit to the great metropolitan dailies that keep people informed of the life of the world, the local paper now as always has its great field of influence and value and is an indispensable factor in the life of a community. One of the leading papers of Champaign County is the Fisher Reporter, which has been regularly published since 1890 and is now a weekly visitor to all the leading homes in the northern part of the county. Since 1902 its editor and proprietor has been Mr. Alva Gilmore, a practical journalist and business man, … Read more

Biography of Joseph Brayshaw, M. D.

Joseph Brayshaw, M. D. The success of the capable and competent surgeon has attended the career of Dr. Joseph Brayshaw, who for the past fifteen years has been successfully engaged in practice at Homer. Doctor Brayshaw was born in Perry County, Illinois, January 15, 1868, son of Helvetius Pyle and Elizabeth (Brayshaw) Brayshaw. His father, who was of mingled English and Greek descent, was born in Perry County, Illinois, while the mother was a native of England. The father was a farmer and spent the last twenty years of his life in Missouri, where he died January 1, 1895. Besides … Read more

Biography of A. P. Johnson

A. P. Johnson. Among the learned professions there are, probably, none that demand so much tact, judgment, patience, natural executive ability and specialized knowledge as that of the educator. The individual who enters into this field, selecting it as his chosen life work and calling, must be prepared to make many sacrifices, to endure numerous disappointments, to often spend himself for others without apparent return of gratitude, and to give the best years of his life often without the emoluments that equal efforts would in all probability bring in any other profession. It is a vocation for which there are … Read more

Biography of David Maddock

David Maddock, who died in 1909, was a citizen of the type and virtues who should long be remembered not only among his descendants but by all who find encouragement and inspiration in a life of practical utility and a devotion to the best interests of mankind. Mr. Maddock lived in Champaign County for nearly half a century. He was born near West Elkton, Ohio, a son of Eli and Absillit (Woodward) Maddock. His father was a native of Ohio and his mother of North Carolina. When David was a young man, after he had obtained his education in the … Read more

Biography of George N. Leas

George N. Leas. No name can be recalled more profitably for the instruction and enlightenment of future generations in Champaign County than that of the Leas family. One of its representatives is Mr. George N. Leas, a prosperous land owner, farmer and business man at St. Joseph. Mr. Leas is a native of Champaign County, having been born in Stanton Township, April 10, 1869, son of William C. and Margaret (Argo) Leas: His paternal ancestors were from Indiana, while the Argos came from Ohio. The Leas family located in Champaign County in early days. William C. Leas was a gallant … Read more

Biography of Solomon Mercer

Solomon Mercer, whose recent death was deplored by a host of friends, had been identified with Champaign County from the period of early youth, and had borne the heat and burden of the day during his early efforts at establishing a home and improving a farm. His later years were years of comfort and the growing esteem of his friends. Mr. Mercer was born in Monroe County, Ohio, at Millwood, a son of Aaron and Mary (Cecil) Mercer. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Ohio. The father left Virginia in early youth, settling in Ohio, … 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 Edwin S. Swigart

Edwin S. Swigart, a former mayor of the city of Champaign, is a thorough business man, and his reputation as a successful manager of large and important interests was one of the chief reasons why the people of Champaign desired him as their mayor. A native of Illinois, he was born near Farmer City in DeWitt County, December 11, 1861. His parents, Jacob and Rebecca (Davis) Swigart, were both born in Ohio. Jacob Swigart, who was born in 1827 and died in 1907, removed to DeWitt County, Illinois, in 1847. Rebecca Davis was taken to DeWitt County in 1837, when … Read more

Biography of Samuel Mason Gregg

Samuel Mason Gregg. The dignity of labor raises the farmer to a level of importance corresponding to that occupied by any class of producers. To labor long and faithfully, giving the best of one’s ability and talent along any line of endeavor is to fulfill the destiny of mankind and to make possible a happy, contented old age. Samuel Mason Gregg, one of the substantial farmers and highly esteemed citizens in the vicinity of Rantoul, has made his life one of constant industry and honorable labor, and though always busy he has never failed to find time to make friends … Read more

Biography of Heber Judson Morehouse

Heber Judson Morehouse. In acknowledging the valuable services of Mr. Morehouse as a member of the advisory board of editors in this publication, the publishers are but doing justice in presenting an appropriate sketch of his career. Mr. Morehouse has been a resident of Champaign County for over forty years, has always taken a keen interest in the county’s affairs and can speak with authority on the many varied developments of his time, especially in and around Mahomet. Mr. Morehouse was born in Ionia County, Michigan, May 18, 1856, a son of Albert F. and Sarah C. (Freeman) Morehouse. He … Read more

Biography of William O. Smith

William O. Smith. For more than half a century a resident of Champaign County, William O. Smith is known to the people of this section as a man who did his brave and efficient duty in the Civil W T ar, as an active and industrious farmer, and as one who in all the relations of a long and busy life has lived up to the best standards of citizenship. He is also known through his children, a number of whom now occupy worthy and honorable places in community affairs. Mr. Smith was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1839, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin H. McKinsey

Benjamin H. McKinsey is one of the younger business element of Champaign, a vigorous and progressive citizen and a man who makes good his promises and professions at whatever cost or sacrifice to himself. He was born in Urbana, August 21, 1888, son of Jacob and Mary E. (Young) McKinsey. His father was born at Antioch, Indiana, while his mother is a native of Leverett, Champaign County. Jacob McKinsey came to Champaign County about 1886, locating at Urbana, and for a number of years was an agent for Cole Brothers, lightning rod manufacturers. He continued a resident of Urbana until … Read more

Biography of John T. Freeman

John T. Freeman. Because of the intelligence and good judgment of many of the large farmers of Champaign County, this section of the state contributes much to the general food supply and scarcely any other industry is so well worth engaging in or so compensating when everything else is considered. One of the wide awake, modern and prosperous farmers of this section of Illinois is found in John T. Freeman, who owns large tracts of cultivated land in Homer and Ogden townships. John T. Freeman was born in Champaign County, Illinois, July 25, 1854, and is a son of Thomas … Read more

Biography of J. B. Bensyl

J. B. Bensyl. The Bensyl family came to Champaign County in pioneer times, and one of the number is Mr. J. B. Bensyl, now in business at Ogden. His active career has been spent in the county, and he was born in St. Joseph Township May 9, 1855. He was the fourth in the family of nine children born to Lewis and Mary (Corray) Bensyl. His parents were both born in Ohio, and each was two years old when their respective families came to Illinois. Lewis Bensyl and wife were married in this state, and Lewis Bensyl was long a … Read more

Biography of M. H. Argo

M. H. Argo is one of the men who have spent their lives in Champaign County, have witnessed its growth and development from almost wilderness days, and their own share in the transformation of the country is such that no work of this character could afford omission of the names and deeds. Mr. Argo was born on Salt Fork in St. Joseph Township of Champaign County, his birthplace being three miles northwest of the village of St. Joseph. His birth occurred there August 14, 1853, and he is a son of true pioneer people, Moses and Ellen (Shepard) Argo. His … 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