Douglas County IL

Biographical Sketch of William T. Brian

William T. Brian, one of the old and favor-ably known citizens and a member of one of the pioneer families of the County, was born in 1845 in Douglas County, and is a son of William and Anna Lewis Brian, who were born in the same County. William Brian (father) located in what is known now as the Brian neighborhood in about the year 1843, where he entered a large tract of land at one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre, and adding to that later considerably more at thirteen dollars per acre. At the time of his death, in … Read more

Biography of Jehu Everett Davis

Jehu Everett Davis, a prominent banker and business man of Pesotum, has pursued a very active career ever since leaving school. He represents one of the old established families in this section of Champaign, County. Mr. Davis was born at the village of Pesotum July 4, 1874, a son of James Edwin and Lavina (Crawford) Davis. Both parents were born in Ohio and came to Champaign County in 1867, locating at Pesotum, where they still reside. His father has been in the grain business and in other activities for many years. The only child of his parents, Jehu Everett Davis … Read more

McQueen, George Dallas – Obituary

The sad news of the death of Mr. George Dallas McQueen, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Demp Cutsinger, of near Chrisman, reached the city, Monday. The deceased had been in failing health for some time and went to the St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, where on Sept. 28th a surgical operation for cancer of the stomach and other complications was performed. His condition was known to be serious and having recovered from the operation, he went to the home of his daughter where he remained until death. George Dallas McQueen was born May 4, 1844, and was united … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel B. Logan

Samuel B. Logan, one of the very oldest of the pioneers now living in Douglas County, and the first sheriff, was born near the village of Washington, Mason County, Kentucky, April 30, 1816. He is a son of Joseph and Mary (Morris) Logan. The former was a native of Mason County and the latter of the state of New Jersey. John Logan (grand-father) was one of the early settlers from Pennsylvania, and after his arrival in Kentucky he lived in a fort. Joseph Logan (father) was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was in the battle of the … 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

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.

Biography of Joseph Ashurst

Joseph Ashurst, principal and superintendent of the Camargo public schools and present nominee of the Democratic Party for the office of County superintendent of schools, has been a leading educator in the County for several years. He was born in Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky, April 16, 1872, and is a son of Henry Clay and Elizabeth (Thurman) Ashurst, who were both horn in Pulaski County, Kentucky. His grandfathers, Henry Ashurst and Joseph Thurman, were natives of Virginia and early settlers in Pulaski County, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits. His father, Henry C. Ashurst, was one time sheriff of … 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

McQueen, Minnie Corrinne Smith – Obituary

Mrs. Minnie Corrinne McQueen, age 79, a lifelong resident of the Tuscola vicinity, died at her home here [March 9 1947] at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. She had broken a hip in a fall at her home October 23, and had been bedfast since that time. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Gilead Church at 2.30 p.m. Tuesday. Rev. Guy Holmes of Peoria was in charge assisted by the pastor of the church, Rev. Harry Stewhart. Burial was in Broadus Cemetery. Mrs. McQueen was born four miles south of Tuscola, July 10, 1867, daughter of Leander and Sarah Simonton Smith. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alvy J. Parke

Alvy J. Parke is one of the hustling, go ahead, young business men of the County, located at Hindsboro, engaged in the grain and implement business, was born on a farm in Sargent Township March 11, 1876, and is a son of B. F. and Harriet (Wierman) Parke. Both of his parents were born in Champaign County, are living, and for the past year resided in Shelby County, Tennessee. Mr. Parke was reared to manhood on the farm and received his education in the high school of Oakland. In 1897 he married Miss Myrtle Lewis. A. J. Parke started up … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Callaway

George Callaway, a retired physician of Tuscola and a large land owner of Douglas County, is a native of Christian County, Kentucky, and was born May 4, 1848. In 185o he removed to Illinois and was principally educated in the Illinois. College at Jacksonville. After leaving school he read medicine with Dr. J. L. Reat, at Tuscola, Illinois, and subsequently entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in the class of ’73. Dr. Callaway commenced the practice of medicine at Virginia City, Montana, having gone first in 1871 to that territory as surveyor in the employ … 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

Biography of James L. Reat, M. D.

James Lee Reat, M. D., one of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons of Illinois, and who has been long and honorably connected with the professional and industrial interests of Douglas County, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 26, 1824. The Reat ancestors are traced back to Scotland, where the name was pronounced in two syllables, with the accent on the last. Two brothers emigrated to this country during the war of the Revolution, one of whom espoused the cause of the rebels, the term by which the patriot colonies were then known, and served through that struggle with … Read more

Biography of James A. Williams

James A. Williams, who has won his own way in the world and reached a degree of success beyond the average of men at his age, was born in Monongahela City, Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 1862. He is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Van Vorhis), natives of the same County. James Williams wedded Nancy Van Allen and they were among the early settlers of Washington County, the latter having been born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Abram Van Vorhis, was one of the early farmers of that section and also traded in stock considerably. He was of … Read more

Cutsinger, William Edward – Obituary

William Edward Cutsinger, who resided about 6 miles north of Hindsboro, passed away on Monday evening, August 1st [1938] at his home, following an illness of several months duration. Death was due to a complication of diseases. The deceased was born on May 29, 1867, near Newman, and has lived here all his life. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. I. Cutsinger, who resided south of Newman for several years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Zua [McQueen] Cutsinger, and three children, namely, William Cutsinger, of Chicago; Mrs. Hazel Wilson, of Gary, Ind.; and Miss Naomi … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Washington D. Boyce

Washington David Boyce was born at the foot of Blue Ridge near Leesburg, Lee County, Virginia, in the year A. D. 1802 and died in Camargo Township in February, 1882. He was among the first settlers in that Township, where he entered forty acres of land. He established the first blacksmith shop at the village of Albany.

Biographical Sketch of Samuel W. Smiley

Samuel W. Smiley, grain buyer at West Ridge, and member of the firm of Smiley & Watson (B. T. Watson, of Bourbon), is one of the wide-awake and energetic business men of the County. He came to Douglas County in 1889, and located in Bourbon Township, where he was engaged in business. Subsequently he and B. T. Watson formed their partnership, and Mr. Smiley located at West Ridge. This firm bought at this place from July 1 to November 10, 1899 13o,ooo bushels of corn and oats. Samuel W. Smiley was born at Greencastle, Indiana, February 11, 1855, and is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T. M. Richards

T. M. Richards, a leading merchant and grain buyer of Haves, Illinois, was born in Douglas County, Illinois, August 7, 1864, and is a son of Thomas Y. Richards, who was a native of Hardin County, Kentucky, where he was born in 1818. The latter moved to this County in the ‘forties and was engaged in farming. He was three times remarried and was the father of nine children, of whom all are dead excepting T. M. and G. R. Richards. His last wife was Hester A. Reat, and she was the mother of the above named boys (see sketch … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William H. Newport

William H. Newport of the neighborhood of West Ridge, and one of the most successful farmers in Douglas County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 9. 1840, a son of John and Susanna (Rensberger) Newport, natives of Ohio. He has resided on his farm of several hundred acres for thirteen years, and while he has always been a tenant he has been most successful. In 1862 he was married to Miss Fannie Mishler, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. To their marriage have been born five children, Charley, Israel, Eli, Otis and Grover Newport. Mr. Newport is a … Read more

McQueen, Melinda Catherine Cochran – Obituary

In last week’s issue of the paper, we announced that Mrs. J. P. McQueen had suffered a stroke of paralysis on the 8th of April and that she was in critical condition at the time of going to press on Thursday, being in an unconscious condition. She remained in that condition until relieved by death, the messenger coming about 8 o’clock Friday evening [April 12, 1918]. The deceased had been a resident of Newman for the past twenty-eight years and prior to removal here had lived on a farm in South Prairie, where she had a large circle of warm … Read more