Douglas County IL

Biography of Albert W. Wallace

Albert W. Wallace is president of the First National Bank of Tuscola, one of the leading banking institutions of central Illinois. The First National Bank was organized in November, 1869, with a paid up capital of one hundred and thirteen thousand dollars. Its first president was William P. Cannon (a brother of Congressman J. G. Cannon) and W. H. Lamb was the first cashier. Mr. Cannon remained president until 1872, when he was succeeded by Henry T. Caraway, who remained president up to January 1, 1898, when he was succeeded by Mr. Wallace. Mr. Lamb remained cashier up to July … Read more

Biography of Albert F. Fidler

Albert F. Fidler is one of the self-made and highly successful young farmers and business men of the County, and is a son of Levi Fidler, who was born April 28, 1819, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Albert F.’s grandfather, Samuel, was a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was of Dutch ancestry. Adam Fidler (great-grandfather), who came originally from Germany, was the founder of this branch of the Fidler family in America. Our subject’s grandfather, Samuel Fidler, fought in the war of 1812, and his great-grandfather, Adam, in the war of the Revolution. Samuel Fidler was a brick plasterer and con-tractor … Read more

Biography of Henry C. Jones

Henry Clay Jones, the affable and genial treasurer of Douglas County, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, December 2, 1842, a son of Calvin and Hannah (Case) Jones. He was reared to manhood in his native County and in 1860 removed to Douglas County. In 1862 he joined Company K, Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry, and served as a private soldier in the Civil war until June 12, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. He was wounded in the leg in the battle of Liberty Gap, which prevented him from keeping up with his regiment until the battle of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Atwell

William E. Atwell was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, in the year A. D. 1831, and there grew to man’s estate, when he moved to a farm in Pendleton County in the same state. He wedded Miss Nancy Barrett, of near Cynthiana. She died in June, 1897. They had twelve children, all of whom are living and doing well in the world. Mr. Atwell is a son of William and Ursla (Fields) Atwell, who were natives of old Virginia. His grandfathers were Hugh Atwell and Leban Fields, the former born in Virginia and the latter in North Carolina.. Mr. Atwell, … Read more

Biography of T. W. Swigart

T. W. Swigart, the leading harness dealer and one of the most successful business men in Newman and Douglas County, was born in Carroll County, Maryland, in sight of A Westminister, July 3, 1831, and was a son of Joseph Swigart. When nine years of age T. W. Swigart removed with his parents to Seneca County, Ohio, where he spent a large portion of his life on a farm. From the years 1848 to 1851 he devoted his time to learning the trade of harness maker at Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was a young man of good habits and of splendid … Read more

Biography of Ira M. Mulliken

Ira M. Mulliken, junior member of the well-known firm of Barr & Mulliken and one of the rising young business men of Newman, was born in Champaign County, Illinois, December 17, 1865. His father, James W. Mulliken, was a native of Johnson County, Indiana, and removed to Champaign County in about 1852. His mother Catherine was a daughter of Rev. Samuel F. Miller, who was horn in 1815, and at present resides in Arcola. (See sketch of W. H. Bush, of Hindsboro.) In about 1868 the father of I. M. Mulliken removed to a farm near Hindsboro, where the latter … Read more

Biography of Isaac Skinner

Isaac Skinner was born in Vermillion County, Indiana, January 5, 1829, and is a son of Joseph Skinner, who was among the earliest settlers in the neighborhood of Newman, coming, in 1839, from Vermillion County, Indiana, and settling along the timber a mile and a half southwest of where Newman now is. There were no schools in the vicinity when he first came to the County. He worked for his father until of age and then engaged in farming on rented land. In about 1853 he had saved money enough to enter one hundred and sixty acres of land. His … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas S. Wyatt

Thomas S. Wyatt, ex-Sheriff of Douglas County, was born in Todd County, Kentucky, January 13, 1838. His father, Needham Wyatt, a blacksmith, was born in Tennessee. Thomas Wyatt, the father of Needham, was born in North Carolina; was a Revolutionary soldier, and was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. The mother of-Thomas S. Wyatt was Mrs. Martha A. (Mann) Wyatt, sister of Rev. William W. Mann, a prominent member of the Methodist Church of Kentucky. Thomas S. Wyatt’s early life was spent in his father’s blacksmith shop. lie received but ten months’ schooling, yet became a fair scholar through studious … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. Avery Howard

W. Avery Howard, who has recently become a partner in the broom corn business with W. H. Hancock, is a native of Fultonville, New York, and was born February 26, 1846. His early years were spent’ at Fort Hunter and later he engaged in the manufacture of brooms here with his uncle, E. Howard. In 1888 W. A. Howard withdrew and associated himself with Henry Herrick, of Amsterdam, New York, and acted in the capacity of superintendent of factory and broom corn purchaser. In 1894 he went to St. Louis and for three years superintended the broom corn business for … Read more

Biography of John T. Irwin

John T. Irwin, retired farmer, and for many years a highly respected citizen of the county, is a son of George and Jemima (Russell) Irwin, and was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, May 28, 1824. His father was a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and his mother of Cabell County, West Virginia. George Irwin was born October 23, 1799, and died May 23, 187r. He followed the occupation of farming principally; emigrated from his native county to Lawrence county, Ohio, in the year 1818. He was a son of Thomas Irwin, Who was a native of Ireland, and served in … Read more

Biography of James W. Henderson, M. D.

James W. Henderson, M. D. One of the old and honored physicians and business men of Southeastern Kansas is Dr. James W. Henderson, who first became identified in a professional way with Labette and the surrounding country thirty-two years ago. Labette County was at that time new and all its towns, farms, roads, and other facilities were in a primitive condition. Doctor Henderson had his share of the hardships of pioneer practice. To almost a generation he was known as the kindly, courteous and helpful physician and friend, and the esteem in which his name is held is as satisfactory … Read more

Biography of James P. Heaton

James P. Heaton, who was a prominent citizen of Newman and a member of its board of education, was born August 16, 1845, and died March 14, 1897, aged fifty-one years, six months and twenty-eight clays. He was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, where his early youth was passed among the picturesque hills and scenery of that mountainous region. He was a son of William and Mary Heaton. At the age of sixteen years he came to Illinois and located on the Ridge, four miles north of Newman. At that time there was no church building in that section … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James S. Reeder

James S. Reeder was born March 4, 1840, in Darke County, Ohio, and came with his parents in 1856 to this locality, where he engaged in farming. He enlisted August, 1862, in Company G, Seventy-ninth Illinois Infantry, and served three years. At the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862, he was wounded and taken prisoner; after being in the enemy’s lines twenty-seven days he was exchanged, and participated in the battles of Liberty Gap and Chickamauga; at the latter, September 19, 1863, he was captured and taken to Richmond prison, thence to Andersonville, Charleston, South Carolina, and Florence, making … Read more

Biography of William A. Coolley

William A. Coolley. Of the financial institutions of the smaller communities of Champaign County, which, by reason of the character of their officials and the manner in which their business has been conducted, have acquired and held in greater or less degree the confidence of the public, one of the best and most favorably known is that operating as the Bank of Broadlands, a house which has been built upon an honorable policy and maintained along straight-forward lines. Much of the success that has attended this institution has been brought about through the splendid business and financial ability of William … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William W. Reeves

William W. Reeves, of Tuscola, one of the youngest members in active practice at the Douglas County liar, was horn on a farm near Villa Grove, Camargo Township, December 25, 187o, and is a son of George R. Reeves. The latter, who was a native of Delaware County, Indiana, was born in 1836, and his death occurred in 1881. He removed to Douglas County in 1865, and was engaged in farming up to the time of his decease. W. W. Reeves’ mother was before her marriage Miss Nancy E. Wilson. She was born near Urbana, Ohio, and was a daughter … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John L. Goff

John L. Goff served as sheriff of Douglas County from 1887 to 1891, and at the time of his death, in 1892, he held the office of supervisor. He was married to Miss ,Josie R. Rice, a daughter of Martin Rice, deceased, of Camargo (see sketch). Mrs. Goff owns a half section of land, part of which is in Camargo and a part in Tuscola Townships. She resides in Tuscola.

Biographical Sketch of W. T. Pulliam, M. D.

W. T. Pulliam, M. D., is one of Tuscola’s leading physicians. The Doctor has been in practice for many years, and has, by his energy and efficiency, achieved a success and reputation in the healing art second to none. He is thoroughly educated, and a most honorable and congenial gentleman. He received a literary and scientific education at the University of Illinois, after which he studied medicine in the Indiana Medical College, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1882. Since that time he has been fully devoted to his chosen profession at Tuscola, where he now enjoys … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Roderick

Daniel Roderick is one of the oldest settlers now living in Douglas County. He came to near Danville, Illinois, with his father, Samuel R., sixty years ago. The latter died in Vermilion County, and soon afterward Daniel came to what is now Garrett Township and kept generally about twelve yokes of oxen. He was horn July 16, 1816, and his education was almost entirely neglected, but he is known as “honest, old Dan Roderick.”

Biography of S. A. Reel

S. A. Reel, physician and surgeon, farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in stock, Oakland; born in Gibson Co., Ind., May :3, 1829, where he attended school and engaged in farming until 18 years of age, when he taught school and studied medicine for two years in Missouri and Arkansas, when he cut a raft of lumber, which he took down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, and, after disposing of the same, he returned to Indiana, then to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the Eclectic Medical School one term; in the fall of 1852, he located in Pleasant Grove Tp., Coles … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William A. Wiseman

William A. Wiseman, a well known physician of Camargo, where he has been in successful practice for several years, was born at Waterloo, Lawrence County, Ohio, January 1, 1853, and is a son of Abner and Martha J. (Irwin) Wiseman. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Ohio. Isaac Wiseman’s grandfather was also born in Virginia and his maternal grandfather, George Irwin, was born in Virginia. Dr. Wiseman was reared in his native County, where he attended the public schools and subsequently, in 1878, became a student at DePauw University, where he pursued a regular college … Read more