Woodford County Biographies

The biographies in this section were transcribed from:

"From Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 1878)"

"Portrait and Biographical Album of Woodford County, Illinois (1889)"

"The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (1900)"

and "Montana, its Story and Biography" (Chicago: American Historical Society, 1921)

If you are looking for the Surname beginning with the letter:
A-C	D-F	G-J	K-M
N-P	Q-S	T-V	W-Z

Portrait and Biographical Album of Woodford County, Illinois (Chapman Bros., 1889)

Henry Eft came to Illinois in 1869 a comparatively poor man. He did not at first invest in land, but for two years engaged in farming as a renter, south of El Paso. He then came to Panola Township, and bought a tract of land on section 26 that is now included in his present farm, and since that date he has been numbered among the practical, sagacious farmers and stock-raisers of this section of Woodford County, who have contributed to its advancement. His land when it came into his possession (the second purchase of 160 acres), was a barren tract of wet, swampy prairie, and seemed hardly fit for cultivation. But he shrewdly saw its possibilities, and by patient labor carefully drained it and prepared it for tillage, and it proved to be very fertile, and today yields him bounteous harvests in return for the care and money he has spent on its improvement. To his original 100 acres he has added more land, and now has a valuable farm of 340 acres of finely cultivated land, provided with ample buildings, and all necessary improvements.

Mr. Eft comes of good old New Jersey stock, and is himself a native of that State, born in Salem County, Nov. 29, 1831, a son of John and Ann (Hanthorn) Eft, natives of New Jersey, the Eft family being among the early settlers of that State. His father is now living in Salem County, and although he has attained the remarkable age of ninety-four years, and has been a hard worker all his life, he is still hale and hearty. He enjoys the respect and veneration of all about him, as his long life has been well spent, and he has always walked in the path of honesty and uprightness.

Our subject was reared to man's estate amid the pleasant scenes of his birthplace. His educational advantages were not such as are enjoyed by the youth of today, but he made the best of them, being desirous of securing a good knowledge of books, and in early life he attended the subscription schools, and after the schools were made public he was a student in them for awhile. but the most of his learning he has acquired without the assistance of instructors, as he has always been fond of reading, and has been a close observer of men and events. March 30, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Haines, who he had chosen to walk by his side to assist him in his lifework, and aid him in building up a home. She is a native of the same county as himself, and a daughter of John and Harriet Haines, also natives of New Jersey. Of the nine children that have blessed the union of our subject and his wife, six are living. John, William, Ann (wife of William Kingdom), Joseph, George, Elizabeth. Those deceased are Charles, Frederic, and one that died in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Eft farmed on rented land in New Jersey a number of years, and then came, as we have before mentioned to Illinois in 1869. We have seen that he has been very much prospered since locating in Panola, and besides increasing the size of his farm, having it well-drained and putting it under admirable tillage, he has erected substantial buildings and a fine windmill of the Eureka make. Since he settled here Panola Township has greatly improved. There were practically no roads here at the time of his arrival, and there were many sloughs and rough places to cross, and the streams were some of them unbridged. Since then great changes have been wrought, waste pieces of prairie have been transformed into good farms, other farms have been improved, and in many cases a better class of buildings have been erected, and throughout the township a general air of neatness, thrift and prosperity prevails. Our subject may be proud of the fact that he has had a hand in bringing about this state of affairs. He and his wife have shared together the hardships necessitated by their pioneer labors, and now, while yet in life's prime, are together enjoying the fruits of their early toils.

A self-made and a self-educated man, possessing in a high degree those attributes that win success in any walk in life, and noted for his integrity in business, our subject occupies an important place in the community. Public spirited and liberal he contributes to its advancement in every direction, favoring all schemes for the improvement of township or county, and giving of his means to support religious institutions, although not a church member. He has been School Director, and has thus furthered the cause of local education. In politics he belongs to the old Jacksonian Democracy.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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From the Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (1878)

Taxpayers of Spring Bay Township

EICHHORN, Peter, Sr., brewer; P.O. Spring Bay; was born at Walldorf, in Baden, Germany, Aug. 30, 1828; emigrated to America, June 8, 1847; located first at Dresden, Ohio, remaining there about one year, employed in a cooper shop; from there to Cincinnati, working about nine months as a brewer, then about three months in St. Louis; thence, in 1849, to Peoria, Ill., working as brewer and also keeping a saloon and boarding house; in 1851, came to Spring Bay Township, building a brewery the same year, which he has continued ever since. Married Josephine Schultz at Peoria, in 1850; she was born at Weier, at Baden, Germany, March 15, 1832, and died Nov. 10, 1869; married Miss Catherine Winkler, at Peoria, May 12, 1870; she was born (in what is now Woodford Co.) Aug. 6, 1848; nine children by first marriage---George C., Louisa (now Mrs. Ehringer, of Washburn), Peter, Jr., Frederick, Mary, Henry, Anna, Bertha, Rosa; four children by second marriage---Herman, Julius, William and Edward Anton. Mr. E. owns 80 acres of timber land, 2 1/2 miles from Spring Bay, and 640 acres of land in Nebraska.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1900)

Herman G. Eichhorn, M.D.

Among the younger members of the profession in Woodford county is Dr Eichhorn, a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Spring Bay. He was born in that village, April 20, 1872, a son of Peter and Catherine (Wenckler) Eichhorn. The father was born in Germany, in 1820, and there was reared and educated. Coming to America, in 1844, he first located in Peoria, Illinois, but later moved to Spring Bay, where he successfully engaged in the brewery business until his death which occurred August 25, 1885. At one time he owned the property now occupied by the "Peoria Transcript," and became quite well-to-do. The Doctor's mother was reared and educated in Woodford county, her father, Christian Wenckler, being one of the pioneers of the county, locating here about 1830 or 1832. She is now the wife of christian Guenther, of Spring Bay, whose sketch appears in this volume. By her first marriage she had four sons, namely: Herman G., our subject; William, who is married and engaged in farming; Charles, who is also doing for himself; and Algernon, at home with his mother.

The primary education of Dr Eichhorn was obtained in the public schools of Spring Bay, and later he entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, where he pursued a four years' course. He then took up the study of medicine, attending lectures at the Northwestern Medical College, where he was graduated in 1896. For a short time he engaged in practice in Peoria, but in the spring of 1897 he returned to Spring Bay and opened an office. His skill and ability in his chosen calling were soon recognized and he has already built up an excellent practice, which is constantly increasing, and in fact he now has more practice than one man can well attend to, in justice to himself.

Dr Eichhorn has been twice married, first in Chicago, in the spring of 1896, to Miss Olga Horwitz, of that city, who was reared and educated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and died December 28, 1898. At Lacon, Illinois, he was again married June 28, 1900, his second union being with Miss Louise Ehringer, one of the belles of that place, and the only daughter of Albert Ehringer, one of its business men. She was born in Washburn, Woodford county, but was reared in Lacon. She is a most estimable young lady, highly accomplished and a splendid housekeeper, a general favorite, and has a host of friends. The Doctor is independent in politics, voting for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices regardless of party affiliations. He is a prominent citizen of Spring Bay and surrounding country and is popular both in social and professional circles, and is a cultured and agreeable gentleman in every way.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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The Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, 1900)

Tjark Eilts, agent for the Henning Brewing Company, of Mendota, Illinois, for the city of Minonk, is a native of Hanover, Germany, his birth having occurred July 9, 1843. He accompanied his parents, L. E. and E. K. Eilts, to the United States in 1856, and for sixty-four days was tossed to and fro upon the broad Atlantic. Coming direct to Illinois, the family located in Peoria, where the father worked at various pursuits. Our subject had attended the public schools in his native land prior to his emigration, and after becoming a resident of this republic it was not his privilege to devote much time to his education while he was young. The father is still living, and on the 12th of March, 1900, passed the eighty-third anniversary of his birth. The mother died in August, 1899, when about eighty-two years old. They have been identified with the German Lutheran church for many years, and their lives have been noble and worthy of praise, in every respect. To their children they leave the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and record. Margaret, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Peter Wuebbens, and resides near Flanagan, Illinois, and John J. and Tjamde are unmarried and living with their father.

Tjark Eilts, as the eldest son and mainstay of his parents, remained with them and assisted in the support of the family until he was nearly thirty years of age. For six years, thereafter he was actively engaged in farming, and eighteen years ago he embarked in his present line of business. For a score of years he has been a citizen of Minonk, which has grown rapidly, and, though he is not a politician, he does his duty as a patriot, and performs his full share of the obligations devolving upon him, as a voter and inhabitant of a prosperous republic. His business ability is beyond question, and that his firm appreciates his services on its behalf is shown by the long period of his connection with the one house.

On the 12th of July, 1873, Mr Eilts married Miss Imke Cordsen, daughter of Jacob and Renoldt Cordsen, both of whom died when she was a young child. E. Catherina, the first-born of our subject and wife, became the wife of Otto Klatt, and their only child bears the name of Otillie. Jacob E., the eldest son of Tjark Eilts, married Mary Vosberg. He resides at Minonk and is now in his father's employ. The younger members of the paternal family include Irena A. and Villamena E.; John J., who died at the age of twenty-eight months; Annie T., who attends school; Matilda, who died when twenty-seven months old, one who died unnamed, and John J., now eight years of age.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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Past and Present of Woodford County, Illinois (1878)

Metamora Township

Engel, Peter R., farmer; Sec. 19; P.O. Metamora; was born in France in 1822. When he was nine years of age, he came with his father's family to the United States, spending about three months in Lancaster Co., Pa., and then removing to their present home in the Fall of 1831. His father, Peter Engle, died March 1, 1875, over 80 years of age. Mr. Engle was married in 1846 to Miss Babrary (sic) Naffzeger, who was born in Germany in 1823. They have eight children living -- Catharine, Jacob, Peter, Joseph, Alpha, Samuel, Leah B. and Amelia. He owns a farm of 187 acres, valued at $75 an acre; also owns a farm of 120 acres about two and a half miles east of Metamora, and one of 160 acres in Livingston Co. Total value of real estate, $40,000.

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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Portrait and Biographical Album of Woodford County, Illinois (Chapman Bros., 1889)

David Evans. Probably no man has been more closely identified for the past eighteen years with the business interests of El Paso than the subject of this biography. Since 1871 he has operated extensively as a grain dealer and from that year until 1884, was associated in partnership with Mr. Jenkins who has been for the past four years a resident of California. The firm transacted a large business and since being dissolved, Mr. Evans has operated singly and alone. He came to Woodford from Peoria County, where he had been occupied in farming and milling on the Kickapoo River, fifteen miles from the city of Peoria. This mill was established by his father in the pioneer times and is still the property of the family.

Our subject attained his majority in Peoria County, Ill., of which he became a resident in 1840. Upon reaching manhood he succeeded to his father's business in connection with the mill which was established in 1844 and with which he remained until 1871, the year of his removal to El Paso. He was born in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pa., his early home being on the Bethlehem Pike. His father, Evan Evans, was likewise a native of Montgomery County and the son of Walter Evans who traced his ancestry to Wales. The latter settled in Pennsylvania where they flourished for several generations and were almost invariably occupied in farming and milling. They were generally Baptists in religion.

Walter Evans, the paternal grandfather of our subject, married a Pennsylvania lady, Miss Smith, and they spent the remainder of their lives in Montgomery County, passing away when ripe in years. Their son, Evan, the father of our subject, was one of the elder members of a large family, and he upon attaining to man's estate married Miss Amelia Morris, a lady of Welsh descent. They remained in Pennsylvania until the birth of all their family and then about 1840 decided to change their residence to the farther West. After being engaged in milling a number of years the father turned his attention to farming exclusively. The wife and mother departed this life when about forty-five years old, and the elder Evans was subsequently married in Montgomery County, Pa. to Mary A. Hill. There were born to the latter three children, one of whom, Sarah, died young. Mr Evans and his second wife lived to be quite old. He and both his wives and most of their children belonged to the Baptist Church.

The subject of this sketch was the youngest of the three children of his father's first marriage, the others being Walter M., and Elizabeth, who are deceased. Both had been married and left families.

Our subject and his wife are active members of the Baptist Church in which Mr. Evans has been a deacon for many years and to which he contributes liberally. Politically, he is a sound Republican and has served a number of terms as School Director, also represented his ward in the City Council several terms. He is the friend of education and is especially interested in church matters. (See later biography below.)

Biographical Record of Livingston and Woodford Counties, Illinois (1900)

David Evans, deceased, through the years of his identification with Woodford county, enjoyed the highest respect of his fellow townsmen by reason of his strict integrity and true manhood. He was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1829, a son of Evan and Amelia (Morris) Evans, also natives of that state. He is a descendant of Jenkin Evans, who with his brother David came from Wales to America in 1694. His grandparents, Walter and Mary (Smith) Evans, spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania. There the father continued to make his home until 1840 when he removed to Peoria county, Illinois. By occupation he was a farmer and miller. He was twice married and by each union had three children, those of the first marriage being Walter, Elizabeth and David. His second wife was Mary A. Hill.

The subject of this sketch began his education in the schools of Pennsylvania, and after the removal of the family to this state attended school in Peoria county for a time. After attaining his majority he engaged in the grocery and milling business successfully for a time, and then returned to his father's home, where he was needed. Later he conducted a mill and farm on the Kickapoo river, fifteen miles from Peoria, until 1871, when he came to El Paso. Here he formed a partnership with William M. Jenkins, and together they engaged in the grain business for twelve years, at the end of which time Mr. Evans purchased his partner's interest and carried in the business alone, Mr. Jenkins removing to San Bernardino, California. He had one large elevator destroyed by fire, but soon erected another much larger and one of the best on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of El Paso, and served as its vice-president for several years, till the time of his death. As a business man he was energetic, progressive and thoroughly reliable, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.

At Blue Rapids, Kansas, October 10, 1876, Mr Evans married Mrs Eunice C. Ryder, of Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of Hiram and Lucy Ann (Bowler) Brewster. The ceremony was performed by Rev W. A. Briggs, a nephew of the noted Governor George N. Briggs, of Massachusetts, and who was for sixteen years pastor of the Oaklawn Baptist church of Providence, Rhode Island, and died November 12, 1897. In speaking of the happy married life of Mr. and Mrs. Evans their pastor said: "Together they have lived more than twenty-one years. They had begun to speak of a silver anniversary, but the call to the Golden City brought to him a higher and holier joy, while she is left to comfort her heart with the thought that

"Though the circling years of time may find us
Far apart and sundered more and more,
Still the farewell always lies behind us
And the welcome always is before"

Mrs. Evans is the ninth generation from Sir William Brewster, who came over in the Mayflower, and on the mother's side is the ninth generation from John Alden and Priscilla Mullen. Her grandfather, George I. Bowler, was a captain in the war of 1812.

By his ballot, Mr. Evans always supported the Republican party and its principles but he was never an office seeker. He served, however, as alderman of El Paso for four years and as school director part of the time. While serving as director he was mainly instrumental in lifting a nearly twenty-one-thousand-dollar mortgage, at ten per cent interest, from the school, which it was hard for the community to meet, and with the other directors he bonded the district at six per cent. At the end of nine years the debt was paid.

Mr. Evans died October 28, 1897, after two weeks illness from paralysis. He was one of nature's noblemen and the world is better for his having lived. He was an active and prominent member of the Baptist church of El Paso, of which he was a deacon for almost twenty years, and treasurer for sixteen years. Those who knew him best speak in unqualified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in business, and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life. At his death Mrs. Evans received the following testimonial in regard to the appreciation of Mr. Evans as a member of the Board of Baptist State Missions of Illinois:

"Acknowledging the hand of God in taking to himself our brother, Deacon David Evans, we desire to place upon record our high appreciation of this character and interest in our work. For many years he sustained a sympathetic and generous relation to state missions. His prayers and alms always went together. Resolved that we extend to the widow our sincere sympathy. That a copy of this action be sent to his bereaved family, and copied into our minutes. E.J. Thomas, E. C. Hewitt, A. R. Newton, J. F. Howard, Com. The above report was adopted by the board of the Baptist General Association of Illinois at Bloomington, April 12, 1898. S.F. Gleason, Rec. Sec."

Rev Howard in the Standard said: "The church has met with a deep loss in the death of Deacon David Evans, the son of a deacon, himself a deacon over twenty-five years. He magnified his office. He did not think himself great or good, but he was both. He was the young man's example, the poor man's friend, the church's pillar, the pastor's comfort, the Lord's dear servant. His deathbed was triumphant; his entrance into glory abundant."

Transcribed and donated by Amy Robbins-Tjaden

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