Champaign County IL Genealogy – Page 21 of 25

Biography of Joseph M. Mullikin

Joseph M. Mullikin has made a name for himself in the farming enterprise of Champaign County and has been a land owner and progressive agriculturist for the past thirty years. His efforts in business and his attitude in civic matters have been in every way commendable, and there are few country places around Champaign which will better repay inspection than that of Mr. Mullikin, located on Route No. 1 out of the city of Champaign. Mr. Mullikin was born in Johnson County, Indiana, February 7, 1863, but has lived in Champaign County since early infancy. He is a son of … Read more

Biography of Robert Allen Sturgeon

Robert Allen Sturgeon. For more than a quarter of a century Robert Allen Sturgeon has been a resident of Champaign County, and during this time it has been his fortune to have built up a prosperous business, to have established an extremely creditable record as a public official and to have made a lasting place for himself in the confidence of. the community through honorable conduct of the activities of life. In the difficult field of realty operation Mr. Sturgeon has achieved standing and reputation, and in the office of justice of the peace has proven a conscientious and efficient … 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

Biographical Sketch of Charles Chester Place

Charles Chester Place. For more than half a century the Place family has been identified with one locality in Champaign County, section 36 of Sidney Township. This is the farm home of Charles Chester Place, who was born there and has followed up the pioneer enterprise of his father with signally successful efforts of his own. Mr. Place was born February 9, 1880, and is a son of Jefferson R. and Henrietta (Cash) Place. His father was a native of Ohio and his mother of Pennsylvania. Jefferson R. Place came to Champaign County in 1865, and at that time bought … Read more

Biography of James A. Talbott

James A. Talbott has not only achieved that success represented by large land holdings and rich and prosperous farms, but also the riches of friendship and community esteem. All this is well indicated by the title affectionately bestowed upon him and most people know him as “Uncle Jimmie” Talbott. Mr. Talbott and his family reside in Harwood Township, in section 36, near Gifford, but his farm possessions spread over a large area and include 1,600 acres of choice Illinois soil. Mr. Talbott is a native of West Virginia, and was the fourth of eight children born to J. V. and … Read more

Biography of William Harry Coffman

William Harry Coffman, justice of the peace, is one of the old timers of Champaign County, went from this locality into the War of the Rebellion, from which he returned a captain, and for more than half a century has been a farmer, business man and public official. Though his years now number fourscore, he is still looking after the duties of his office as justice of the peace and also handles considerable insurance. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 13, 1837, a son of Noah B. and Elizabeth (Lamb) Coffman. His father was a native of, Virginia … Read more

Biography of Joseph White

Joseph White. Among the numerous families of Champaign County, Illinois, whose industry and activities of life have aided in its upbuilding is that of White. Joseph White is one of the prosperous and successful farmers located east of Rantoul, some three miles. In the early years of his young manhood he came to Champaign County, and there with his good wife, whose maiden name was Jane Osborn, they began to found a permanent home for themselves. The young couple experienced many trying hardships incident to pioneer life, but possessing strongly those qualifications which go to make up a splendid citizenship, … Read more

Biography of David G. Fisher

David G. Fisher, now living retired at Champaign, began farming in this county nearly half a century ago. He realizes as few men still living do the difficulties and the handicaps to which farming was subject in those early years, and he has also realized along with extensive experience financial independence and the success which is the object of all ambitious men. Mr. Fisher was born in Fulton County, Illinois, December 3, 1839. His parents, Frederick and Sarah (Fouts) Fisher, were both born in Clark County, Indiana. When they went to Illinois in 1833 they passed through Champaign County, but … Read more

Biography of David B. Wright

David B. Wright was born in Millerstown, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1867, a son of John B. and Elmira (Cox) Wright, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania. His father, who died in Missouri, enlisted in the Forty-second Pennsylvania Infantry and served until the battle of Gettysburg. He and his wife had five children: William I., deceased; James A. of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; David B.; Minerva, widow of John L. McKinsie of Champaign; and John B., deceased. When David B. Wright was seven years of age he was sent to a soldiers’ orphans’ home in Pennsylvania, where he remained until he was … Read more

Biography of Frank A. Parker, D. O.

Frank A. Parker, D. O. Among the different recognized schools of the healing art, the science of osteopathy has undoubtedly made notable progress within the last decade. Its principles have been found to be so sound and its cures of the ills of the human body so remarkably successful that its practitioners can show lists of satisfied patients each year increasing, from every walk of life. Among the leading osteopathic practitioners at Champaign no one is better known or more thoroughly relied on than Dr/ Frank A. Parker, who has been engaged in the practice of his science here since … Read more

Biography of Samuel B. Varney

Samuel B. Varney. As told on other pages of this work, the founding and early growth of Champaign was largely due to the construction of the Illinois Central Railway. One of the first active settlers in the community was Samuel B. Varney, a pioneer whose influence did much for Champaign in its formative stages and whose name is one to be spoken with respect and cherished with honor. He died when Champaign was a small and struggling town, and the only one of his children still living is Mrs. L. V. Crane, who resides at 412 West Church Street in … Read more

Biography of Charles Gordon

Charles Gordon. Now enjoying the comforts of a home in Rantoul that is one of the best residences of that town, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon are able to look back with pardonable pride upon a long and active career spent in Champaign County. Mr. Gordon gained his success as a farmer. Industry, combined with good judgment, gave him a competency many years ago, and he is looked upon as one of the large land holders and substantial citizens of this section. A native of Ireland, he was born in Wexford County, a son of John and Mary (Whalen) Gordon. A … Read more

Biography of Van B. Swearingen

Van B. Swearingen was at once one of the most successful business men and most honored citizens of Champaign County. His name is especially associated with the community of St. Joseph, where the best years of his life were spent. Mr. Van Swearingen was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 2, 1837, and died January 21, 1901. His father, Andrew J. Swearingen, was a native of Pennsylvania who early migrated to Ohio, where he married Mary Brady. From Ohio he brought his family to Illinois, first locating near Homer and afterwards a mile south of the village of St. Joseph. … Read more

Biography of William L. Yancey

William L. Yancey. The various items in the career of William L. Yancey show that he is one of Champaign County’s farmers who have made more than an ordinary success, and that while acquiring material prosperity he has not neglected those public interests which claim his attention in common with all good citizens. Though he started life comparatively a poor man, he now has a farm in Mahomet Township which is easily among the best in that section. He is a native son of Champaign County and his record is such that everywhere his word is considered as good as … Read more

Biography of Thomas J. Colvin

Thomas J. Colvin. One of the substantial commercial enterprises of Urbana, with forty years of successful and reliable business history back of it, is the meat market conducted by Thomas J. Colvin. When Mr. Colvin entered upon his career in this venture, he had little to back him save the experience he had gained as his father’s assistant, his ambition, determination and industry, but out of these he has developed a paying and prosperous business, which has become so well known at Urbana as to be accounted a necessary commercial asset. The proprietor, with a supreme faith in the future … Read more

Biography of W. M. Ealey

W. M. Ealey, who has followed a varied and active career as a teacher, minister of the Gospel and as an earnest, hard-working citizen in whatever capacity life has called him, has for many years been a resident of Champaign County. He was born near Brazil in Clay County, Indiana, May 18, 1853, a son of William and Wealthy (Hicks) Ealey, his father a native of Kentucky and his mother of Indiana. His mother was born August 30, 1834, and is still living at Urbana at the age of eighty-three. William Ealey went into the Union army from Indiana as … Read more

Standard History of Champaign County Illinois

These 475 biographies were collected from the manuscript “A Standard History of Champaign County, Illinois,” written in 1918 by J. R. Stewart. A citizen’s inclusion in this manuscript indicates only that they or someone on their behalf chose to “subscribe” to its publication.

Despite this, the presence of a biography in such works can provide family researchers with a vivid look into the lives of their ancestors. For historians, these works offer a glimpse into the events that helped shape a community. However, it’s important to remember that this type of work is not definitive proof, as the information was collected at the time and can often be misleading or even false. Stories handed down may not be true, and details of someone’s life may be altered to make them appear greater than they actually were. Therefore, researchers should verify the facts provided here with additional sources. With that in mind, please enjoy!

Biography of William H. Smith

William H. Smith, who owns and occupies one of the beautiful and attractive country homes near Urbana, represents one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of this county. Here Mr. Smith was born July 22, 1844, a son of Jacob and Margaret J. (Beattie) Smith. His father was a native of Shelby County, Kentucky, and his mother of Virginia. Margaret Beattie went to Kentucky with her parents at the age of eight years, and somewhat later the family went on to Missouri. While en route through that state they were both taken ill, and both died near Jefferson … Read more

Biography of Julius A. Heinz

Julius A. Heinz, while one of the younger men of Champaign County, has acquired many successful interests since coming to Pesotum and is a real leader in the life and affairs of that town. Mr. Heinz was born in Kickapoo Township of Peoria County, Illinois, September 29, 1880. His parents Frank and Mary (Heitter) Heinz were also natives of the same county. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, while the maternal ancestry came from Prance. Frank Heinz followed farming during his active career and he and his wife are now living retired in Peoria. They were the parents … Read more

Biography of Louis Denhart

Louis Denhart. If true success consists in a steady betterment of one’s material circumstances, a growing enlargement of views and increasing influence as a member of the community, the life of Louis Denhart has been exceptionally successful by all the standards that might be applied to it. Mr. Denhart, who though looking after the cultivation of a large amount of farming land, resides in the town of St. Joseph, was born in Harrison County, Indiana. His parents were John and Elizabeth Zimmerman Denhart, both natives of Germany. They came to America when still single, and were married in this country … Read more