Champaign County IL

Biography of Judge Joseph Oscar Cunningham

Judge J. O. Cunningham. The publishers and editors of this work feel that only a meager tribute can be paid to the memory of Champaign County’s most beloved citizen in the following brief review of his life. Judge Cunningham was a great historian. He contributed liberally to historical literature, was himself the author of a History of Champaign County, and in the closing months of his life he gave generously from the riches of his great collection and from his experience and memory in an advisory capacity to the compilation of the present work. Joseph Oscar Cunningham was born at … 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 Charles N. Converse

Charles N. Converse. Identified with banks and banking all through his business life, Charles N. Converse, president of the Citizens State Bank of Altoona, Kansas, is widely known in financial circles where his judgment is deemed sound and accurate, and his reputation had long been that of a forcible, able and efficient business man. Charles N. Converse was born at Clinton, Illinois, June 22, 1863. His parents were Henry E. and Clara (Weaver) Converse, and his grandfathers were John Converse and Solomon Weaver. Solomon Weaver emigrated from Germany in boyhood and grew up at Clinton, Illinois, in which neighborhood he … Read more

Biography of Joseph H. Winkler

Joseph H. Winkler, firm of Clark & Winkler, lawyers, Oakland; born in Coles Co., Ill., March 14, 1851, where he attended school during the winter and learned and worked at the blacksmith trade during the summer until 17 years of age, when he entered the State Military College at Champaign, Ill., where he attended nearly two years, during which time he worked at his trade Saturdays and mornings and evenings, from which he obtained the means to meet all of his bills contracted while attending the above College; he then, in the fall of 1873, entered the Law School at … Read more

Biography of Cyrus E. Jackson

Cyrus E. Jackson. In an enumeration of the magnificent resources of Champaign County too much cannot be said of the banks and the bankers, since without their functions and their power all industry would soon be paralyzed. In this group of live and enterprising business men stands Cyrus E. Jackson, cashier of the Dewey Bank at Dewey. Mr. Jackson has been identified with that center of trade and population for a number of years, and is not only a banker but a merchant and one of the leading men in public affairs. Though a resident of Champaign County most of … Read more

Biography of Herman H. Behrens

Herman H. Behrens has been a resident of Champaign County for forty-four years. During all that time his home has been in section 18 of Ogden Township. In his immediate community he has witnessed changes and developments that would have been regarded as impossible in such a short time when he was a boy. In some of the more substantial items of progress Mr. Behrens has borne a most influential and worthy part himself. Mr. Behrens is all but a native of Illinois. He was born February 31, 1857, and six months later he was carried, an infant in arms, … Read more

Biography of Charles W. Witt

Charles W. Witt. Prominently known in Champaign County, and especially at Sidney, Mr. Witt is a native of that section and has made his years count for usefulness and service in different lines. He is now serving as postmaster of Sidney. He was born in that village February 25, 1871, a son of William and Mary (Wilson) Witt. His father was a native of Germany, but his mother was born in Champaign County. William Witt followed farming, for a number of years afterwards was a railroad man, and he died at Sidney, February 25, 1912, on Charles Witt’s forty-first birthday. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Francis G. Jaques

Francis G. Jaques. One of the early and most prominent members of the Champaign County bar was Francis G. Jacques, who began practice here prior to the war and continued his work with unabating interest until his death on November 14, 1896. Mr. Jaques was born in New York City January 5, 1839, a son of Robert Lee and Mary (Cooper) Jaques. Both parents were natives of New Jersey. Mr. Jaques was educated chiefly in New York City, studied law there, and also had a brief experience as a school teacher in Michigan. He came to Champaign at the age … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Truman O. Cord

Truman O. Cord has made a success of farm management and has in active operation one of the fine places in Sidney Township, located on Rural Route No. 58. While Mr. Cord has spent most of his life in Champaign County, he was born in Indiana, October 26, 1872, a son of Simon and Milcah (Cawthorn) Cord. Both parents were natives of Indiana, and both are now deceased, the mother having passed away in 1884 and the father on July 13, 1890. They came to Champaign County about 1876 and the father was also a farmer. There were seven children: … Read more

Biography of Joseph E. Johnson

Joseph E. Johnson. While he is still a young man, the career of Joseph E. Johnson has been one filled with successful participation in a number of ventures, and in its range and activities has invaded the fields of both commerce and finance. In the former direction he is at the head of a grain and lumber business that is recognized as one of the necessary commercial adjuncts of Broadlands, and in the latter capacity he is cashier of the Bank of Broadlands and a man of much financial knowledge and ability. Likewise, Mr. Johnson is a citizen who has … Read more

Harry Washington Todd of Davenport IA

Harry Washington Todd9, (Ira8, Ira7, Jehiel6, Stephen5, Stephen4, Samuel3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born July 9, 1856, in Vermillionville, Ill., married Nov. 13, 1899, Neva L. Dimmitt, who was born April 5, 1876, in Kansas. They lived in Urbana, Ill., where he was an instructor in the Illinois Agricultural College. Both of their children were born in Lasalle, Ill. He is now (1920) living in Davenport, Iowa. Children: 2611. Isabel Washburn, b. Sept. 7, 1900. 2612. George Eldred, b. June 26, 1902.

Biography of Augustus M. Evans

Augustus M. Evans. In the administration of the affairs of county government the duties of few offices are more important than are those of the sheriff. To occupy this position acceptably the incumbent must be a man of unquestioned courage, for even in the most law abiding communities he is frequently called upon to face situations demanding quick, decisive and fearless action; he must possess no inconsiderate amount of detective ability, to be used in the solving of perplexing cases, and he must, withal, be a man of executive ability and force of character in order to inspire respect in … Read more

Biography of C. Maxwell Caldwell

C. Maxwell Caldwell. As a general electrical contractor C. Maxwell Cal dwell has more than made good in Champaign, and a few years ago he established his business in a two-story building which in point of equipment and service is without question the best small plant in the state, Chicago not excepted. He is in the general electrical contracting business and also handles supplies and does manufacturing in that line. It is the only business of the kind in central Illinois. Mr. Caldwell was born in Logan County, Illinois, September 7, 1879, a son of A. M. and Letitia (White) … Read more

Biography of Patrick Molloy

Patrick Molloy. Among the honored names of Champaign County none stands higher in the records of honesty, thrift and community esteem than that of the late Patrick Molloy. He was a native of Ireland. He came to America in early life and while living in Ohio met and married Catherine Gleason. She was born in Parish Gilbairn, four miles from Bursycane and ten miles from Nenagh, Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Catherine Gleason. When she was fourteen years of age her parents came to America and settled in Butler County, Ohio, where she grew up and married. After their … Read more

Biorgraphy of Mathew L. Yeazel

Mathew L. Yeazel. One of the old and honored families of Champaign County is that which bears the name of Yeazel and which has been represented here for more than three-quarters of a century. Its members have been mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits and have been noted for their honorable and upright dealings and their good citizenship. A worthy representative of the name is found in the person of Mathew L. Yeazel, who for nearly sixty years has been a resident of Homer Township, where he is now carrying on operations on the Old Homestead farm. Mr. Yeazel was born … Read more

Biography of Chester W. Richards

Chester W. Richards. Members of the Richards family have been active figures in business affairs in Champaign County for over half a century. The name is especially identified with the First National Bank of Urbana, of which the late Patrick Richards was for many years president and of which his son, Chester W. Richards, is now vice-president. Chester W. Richards is a lawyer by profession, and has an extensive general practice in all the courts of this county. The late Patrick Richards was born at Quebec, Canada, December 17, 1835, but soon after his birth his parents removed to Utica, … Read more

Biography of Louis V. Jurgensmeyer

Louis V. Jurgensmeyer. In the community of Homer one of the names most significant of large business activities is that of Jurgensmeyer. Mr. Louis V. Jurgensmeyer has spent his life in that town and surrounding community and it would be difficult to say in what one field his accomplishments are best known. He has been a merchant, has done much to develop Homer as a business town, but he is also an extensive farmer and stock breeder, and has some of the finest hogs found in this section of Illinois. He was born at Homer May 3, 1876, a son … Read more

Biography of Abraham Graham

Abraham Graham. The quiet life and substantial accomplishments of the farmer have been the lot of Abraham Graham, who is now living in the town of Penfield, retired from the strenuous labors which marked his early youth. Mr. Graham has been identified with Champaign County almost half a century, and his life record is one that will be read with pleasure by his many friends and acquaintances as well as by his family. He long ago accumulated sufficient to protect him against the days that are to come, and the respect in which he is held is no less than … Read more

Biography of William H. Thompson

William H. Thompson of Ogden first knew Champaign County in the years just before the outbreak of the Civil War, when most of this section of Illinois was a country of swamp and prairie and when its magnificent development had hardly begun. Mr. Thompson’s individual career has been a factor in the improvement and development of Champaign County farm land, and out of that work he has acquired a commendable degree of prosperity that now enables him to live in comfort and plenty. Mr. Thompson was born at Waynesburg in Greene County, Pennsylvania, a son of Andrew J. and Catherine … Read more

Biography of Isaac Divan

Isaac Divan when a small boy fought for the preservation of the Union, some years later came to this part of Illinois, built a home and developed a farm, and for the past nine years has enjoyed the comforts of retirement in his pleasant and attractive home at Ogden. Mr. Divan was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 26, 1848, son of Jacob and Ellen (Jones) Divan. His father was a native of Pennsylvania. There were nine children, six daughters and three sons, in the family, all of whom received their education in the primitive district schools of Licking County. … Read more