Champaign County IL

Biography of Joel Wood Pinkston

Joel Wood Pinkston. A portion of the Blue Grass State, long famous for the cordiality and southern hospitality of its inhabitants, may be said to have been transferred bodily to central Illinois in the beautiful rural home of Mr. and Mrs. Joel W. Pinkston, who are in every way representative of the best traits of their Kentucky origin. Mr. Pinkston is a former supervisor of Newcomb Township, and his farming interests are there, while his postoffice is Mahomet. Along with the hospitality that characterizes this place there is a high degree of business efficiency. The Pinkston home is known as … 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 John Cecil Somers

John Cecil Somers is one of the youngest bankers of Champaign, and his career and experience have been worked out in one-institution. When he was seventeen years of age he entered the Commercial Bank of Champaign, and by doing the duties which lay nearest and making himself generally useful to his superiors and to the bank’s best interests he was promoted through clerkships until he now has entire administrative management of the bank and is one of its stockholders. Mr. Somers was born at St. Joseph, Illinois, January 26, 1887, and is barely thirty years of age. His father, John … Read more

Biography of Louis William Schluter

Louis William Schluter. A splendid farm and country estate two miles east of Gifford represents the toil and effort and expenditure of character and industry on the part of the Schluter family covering a long period of years. The present manager of that farm, and one who knows full well how to get the best out of the soil, is Louis William Schluter, a young and progressive farmer whose activities have brought him commendable prominence among the agriculturists of this section. Mr. Schluter’s home is in section 36 of Kerr Township. He is a native of Champaign County and a … Read more

Biography of Alonzo S. Brand

Alonzo S. Brand. The career of Alonzo S. Brand, whose home is in Sidney Township, on Eural Route No. 58, has been characterized by that vim and vigor of achievement which is the admiration of all purposeful men. To say that he is a self-made man is hardly doing credit to his ability at overcoming difficulties in his way to success. Mr. Brand was born in Noble County, Ohio, January 15, 1872, a son of Greenberry and Mary (Baker) Brand. His parents were also natives of the same county and his father a farmer. Alonzo was the oldest of their … 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 Joseph Clinton Wampler Pittman

Joseph Clinton Wampler Pittman. The passage of sixty years or more has removed from Champaign County the greater number of its earliest pioneers, although through worthy descendants their names are preserved and their memories perpetuated. It was sixty-one years ago, in 1856 that Joseph C. W. Pittman was brought into this section of Illinois, being then a child of seven years. In his home community of Mahomet Mr. Pittman is known as a man of most substantial resources and of that influence that springs from strong character and worthy motives. His early life was one of toil and the meeting … Read more

Biography of J. W. Remley

J. W. Remley. The winning of a comfortable prosperity after many struggles with fortune and the establishment and provision for a home and place as an honored and influential citizen of his community is short measure of the accomplishment of J. W. Remley, who for many years has been identified with Champaign County. Mr. Remley is proprietor of the Pleasant Vale Stock Farm in Harwood Township, in section 14. He was born in Ross County, near Chillicothe, Ohio, a son of Alexander and Cutright Remley. His parents were also natives of Ohio. There were five children in the family and … Read more

Biography of Otto Huber

Among the younger generation of Rock Island’s prominent business men whose names are deserving of special mention for what they have achieved in their chosen vocations in life, stands that of Otto Huber, who is the present secretary and treasurer of the Rock Island Brewing Company, a Rock Island industry whose formation, growth and present scope, has been related elsewhere in this book. Mr. Huber was born in Rock Island January 19, 1866, and attended schools in that city until he was ready to enter the Illinois State University at Champaign, where he spent three years. Afterward he studied two … Read more

Biography of Charles Fairfield

Charles Fairfield. One of the most valuable and best cultivated agricultural estates in northern Champaign County is that owned by Charles Fairfield, a modern farm lying in Brown Township, not far from Fisher. For a number of years devoted to general farming, it has recently taken on the added department of blooded stock raising, and under the progressive and able management of its owner is developing into a farm that is extending its reputation beyond the limits of its immediate community. Mr. Fairfield is known in Brown Township as one of the agriculturists who has not allowed his extensive personal … 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

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 William Oscar Dale

William Oscar Dale. During many years of residence in Champaign County William O. Dale has reached that enviable position where his word is accepted in business matters the same as a bond, and all his friends and acquaintances repose the utmost confidence in his judgment and integrity. Mr. Dale, with the aid of his capable wife, has developed a fine country home in Mahomet Township, known as the Fern Dale Farm, and’ at the same time he has acted on the principle that the community deserved some of his work and has interested himself for a number of years to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jerry Gorman

Jerry Gorman. One of the most widely known men of Champaign County is Jerry Gorman. Mr. Gorman has had an unusual career of achievement. He is a hard working and thrifty Irishman,’ never had any special advantages when a boy, and has relied on honest toil and judgment born of experience to place him in the front rank of farmers and land owners. He was born in Ireland, came to America when a young boy grew up on farms in Grundy County, Illinois, where he worked out as a hired laborer, and in 1875 he came to Champaign County. At … Read more

Biography of Charles F. Hamilton

Charles F. Hamilton. The business life of Champaign owes much to the enterprise and energy of Charles F. Hamilton. He first became identified with the city in the lumber trade, and while he has numerous interests elsewhere he has always remained loyal to this city and it is not only to him a home but a place where his many well considered investments have contributed much to local improvement and benefit. Mr. Hamilton is a native of Macoupin County, Illinois, where he was born November 26, 1864, a son of Julius and Virginia L. (VanDeventer) Hamilton. His parents were both … Read more

Biography of James Rowland

James Rowland. More and more as time goes on American people appreciate the sacrifices and heroism of that host of men who preserved the Union in the dark days of the ’60s. It was a wonderful heritage left by them “Much more by far than all the crowns that Europe’s monarchs ever wore, the heritage heroes left a nation free from shore to shore.” Comparatively few of the old veterans of that struggle still survive, and wherever they are found they enjoy increasing respect in proportion to their decreasing numbers. One of them is Mr. James Rowland, whose country home … 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 Charles M. Eagleton

Charles M. Eagleton is one of the best known men of Champaign, where he has lived for over thirty years. His father died while in the service of the Union. Government during the Civil War, and the son was thus early thrown upon his own resources. He has made good in the work and responsibilities that destiny has assigned him, and his name is spoken with respect throughout a large community of this rich and prosperous section of Illinois. Mr. Eagleton was born in Jasper County, Illinois, October 24, 1858, a son of Alexander M. and Mary J. (Fair) Eagleton. … Read more

Biography of Martin Orlando Stover

Martin Orlando Stover. Farmers are the uncrowned kings of America today, and if they do not hold the political destiny of the country in their hands they are at least the custodians of the resources which are the most vital and necessary to the welfare and existence of the millions who live in the great cities and industrial centers. Champaign County has a wealth of men who are doing their part in the development of American agriculture, and it is no disparagement of what others are doing and have done to name Martin Orlando Stover as a recognized leader among … Read more

Biography of Jacob Redmon

Jacob Redmon. In these days when the American nation is, once more girded for battle, the people pay increasing honor and respect to the comparatively few survivors of that great struggle of fifty years ago when the object was the destruction of the institution of slavery as it is now the abolition of autocratic governments from the face of the earth. One of the veterans of that war against slavery living in Champaign County is Mr. Jacob Redmon of Ogden. He has lived to attain and pass the age of three quarters of a century and practically all his life … Read more