William Ellsworth

ILLIAM ELLSWORTH, one of the younger children, but eldest son of John and Phebe Ellsworth, of New York, is of American parentage. John Ellsworth grew to manhood in his native State, and enlisting in the Revolutionary War, served seven years as a soldier in defense of American liberty. He fought under Gen. Wayne, and miraculously escaped death on several occasions, his clothing being pierced through and through with the enemies' bullets. He passed through many of the thrilling scenes of that period, and much of the time performed special duty as a messenger, carrying important dispatches. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge, and lived many years to talk of its thrilling inci-

> 1130 dents and the glorious victory which followed. John Ellsworth had learned the trade of a carpenter when a young man, and after his return from the war pursued this and farming the Remainder of his life.

After marriage they settled near Bowling Green, Ky., where their son William, of our sketch, was born, on the ist of September, 1817. Six years later John Ellsworth set out with his family for Illinois, and located in St. Clair County, about thirty miles from St. Louis, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the father having attained the age of eighty-four years.

William Ellsworth set out early in life to earn his own livelihood, working first upon a farm in St. Clair County, Ill., and employing himself for a number of years at whatever his hands could find to do. After reaching manhood he was married to Sarah Tolbert, of St. Clair County, Ill. Three children were born of this union: John, who lives in Wichita, Kan.; George, a resident of Cowley County, that State, and Jane married Joseph Bishop, and they are living at Heyworth. Mrs. Sarah Ellsworth died in St. Clair County, in 1 847. The second marriage of our subject took place in St. Clair County, Ill., Nov. 8, 1848, with Mrs. Mary E. Chesney, widow of Robert Chesney, and daughter of Kincheon and Elizabeth (Elder) Pitts. By her union with Robert Chesney there was born a daughter, Harriet, who married John S. Bishop, and they live in Randolph Township. Mrs. Ellsworth was born near Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 10, 1823. Her parents were natives of the same State, her father being engaged in farming. They left their native State in 1828, and came with their two children, Mary E. and Nancy, to St. Clair County, Ill., where they located upon a farm. Afterward, in 1873, they removed to Nashville, Washington County, this State, where the father died in November, and the mother in March, 1875, both aged seventy-five years, and both members of the Baptist Church, as also were John Ellsworth and his wife before they died.

Mrs. Ellsworth remained under the home roof until her marriage, assisting her parents in the labors of the farm and household duties. By her marriage with our subject she became the mother of eight children, of whom the record is as follows:

Kincheon, who married Miss Mary J. Bishop, and they live on a farm in Downs Township; William S. married the adopted daughter of William Elders, and is engaged in butchering in Heyworth; James M., deceased; Emily became the wife C. I. Mc- Combs, a farmer and blacksmith of Downs Township; C. Walter married Miss Minnie Candle, and is carrying on a real-estate business at Wichita, Kan.; E. W. is unmarried, and does business with his brother, C. W., in Kansas, and Mary B. is the wife of John Crookshank, and resides with her father on the old homestead.

After marriage Mr. Ellsworth said in St. Clair County until the fall of 1859, when he removed with his family to McLean County, and located in Downs Township, where he has since lived. He at one time owned considerable land. The homestead embraces 170 acres, in a good state of cultivation, with a handsome and convenient residence and all necessary out-buildings. He is considered one of the representative men of this county, being enterprising and industrious, prompt to meet his obligations, and in all respects is fulfilling the duties of a good citizen. Mrs. Ellsworth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subject, politically, affiliates with the Republican party.

ETER R. NAFFZINGER owns and occupies a fine homestead in Montgomery Township, Woodford County, where he lives retired from active labor, the farm being managed by his son. The subject of our sketch is a native of Germany, born Oct. 11, 1824. His parents were Peter and Barbara (Beck) Naffzinger, natives of Germany, the father born Feb. 23, 1789, and the mother in 1796. They were married March 8, 1812, and ten years later emigrated to the United States. They landed in New York City, whence they proceeded to Canada, where they remained three years, then returned to the States and located in Butler County, Ohio. There Mr. N. purchased forty acres of land, which he cultivated and upon which he lived until 1 843. He then removed to Woodford County, Ill., where his death occurred in September, 1885. The tolt ll.'JI lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Naffzinger: Elizabeth, who married Michael Kistler; Jacob, who married Magdalena Rokie; Magdalena, who became the wife of Michael Kinzinger; Barbara, who became Mrs. Daniel Otto; Phebe, Mrs. Christian Scheattler; Peter R., of our sketch; Catherine, who married Michael Zimmerman; Valentine married Miss Elizabeth Stiger. The parents were connected with the Mennonite Church.

The subject of this history was but two years of age when his parents came to America. He was reared at home; educated in the common schools, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in Woodford County, Ill., Jan. 26, 1851. The lady of his choice was Miss Magdalena, the daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Rokie) Ingle, natives of Germany, where they were married in 1816. Joseph and Barbara Ingle became the parents of eight children — Joseph, Catherine, Barbara, Magdalena, Mary, Christian, and two who died in infancy unnamed. They also are members of the Meunonite Church.

After his marriage, Mr. Naffzinger purchased 100 acres of good land, upon which he erected a handsome and substantial farm dwelling, which he still occupies. He subsequently added to his original purchase and now has 200 acres of good and productive land.

Mr. and Mrs. N. became the parents of ten children, of whom Barbara and Mary are deceased; Catherine became the wife of Samuel Garber; Valentine married Miss Susan Knapple; Joseph is deceased; Benjamin married Miss Florence McLachlin; Phebe is deceased; Samuel, Rosa and Anna are at home. Our subject and his wife belong to the Mennonite Church, and politically Mr. Naffzinger is a stanch Democrat. During the late war he was drafted into the army, but secured a substitute and returned home.

/EORGE McN AUGHT, deceased, was one of [Ij the most substantial business men of Lex- 5) ington, where he was engaged for a number of years. He was a native of Owen County, Ind., born near Indianapolis, Jan. 17, 1812, his parents being Thomas and Catherine (Bartholomew) Mc- Naught, the former a native of the North of Scotland, and the latter the daughter of Gen. Bartholomew who fought under Gen. Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe.

Thomas McNaught, the father of our subject, emigrated to America when a young man, before his marriage. George was the first born son and one of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, twelve of whom lived to become men and women who married and had families of their own. Of these seven still survive. The father removed to Indiana at an early period in the history of the State. Our subject only enjoyed the advantages of a nine months' education in school, but he was fond of reading and through his own exertions became a fair scholar and well informed upon all matters of general interest. He remained under the home roof until he attained to years of manhood and in August, 1839, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy, the daughter of Col. John and Mary Franklin. In the fall of 1840 our subject made his first trip to McLean County, and purchased from Gen. Bartholomew a tract of land three miles west of Lexington. He then returned to Indiana after his family and the following spring took possession of his purchase, where he became successfully engaged as an agriculturist and stock-trade. This was before the time of railroads, and during the first year he drove his animals to Chicago which was then a small town. (He continued in this business, shipping later by railroad, until his death, which occurred May 25, 1864.

Mr. and Mrs. McNaught had become the parents of six sons, all of whom were living at the time of his death. John T. is now deceased; James, who has become prominent as a law practitioner, is attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad and resides at Seattle, the Queen City of Washington Territory, where he has accumulated a fine property; M. Frank is in the grain and stock business in Southwestern Kansas; George W. is engaged in mercantile pursuits in the northern part of Iowa; William N., of Lexington, is engaged in the hardware trade and also conducts the business of his farm; Joseph F. is the partner of his brother James in Washington Territory; John T., deceased, left a wife and son, Elza, the latter being an importer of and dealer in Norman horses at Normal.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Me- Naught was married to Dr. J. L. Brook, an old physician and druggist, who departed this life in September, 1867. Mrs. B. was then married in 1870 to Rev. Butler, who was a pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-five years, and who died Oct. 16, 1886. He was a most efficient minister and highly esteemed by all who knew him.

DIAS, one of the prominent cigar manufacturers of Bloomington, established his present business in 1875, and is located in the Royce Block at No. 103 East Front street, and also No: 103 North Main street. Mr. Dias was born in, England in 1842, and is the son of Elisha and Rachel (Noble) Dias, who were of English birth and ancestry and emigrated to the United States in 1856, landing on the 4th of January, and soon afterward settled in Boston, Mass. Elisha Dias was an appraiser and auctioneer and died in Cambridgeport in 1865. The mother departed this life in Boston the year of their arrival here. Of their family of nine children, only three are living: Priscilla and Rebecca, the latter of whom is married, and both are residents of Detroit, Mich., and our subject.

Young Dias received his early education in the schools of his native country and soon after coming to the United States commenced to do for himself. He was first employed by S. <fe J. Myers of Boston and then engaged to learn cigar-making, serving an apprenticeship of three years. The war then coming on, he enlisted as a soldier in the 3d Massachusetts Infantry, serving a three months' term and then re-enlisted in the 38th Massachusetts and served for two and one-half years. He participated in several battles and skirmishes and was slightly wounded at Winchester. Soon after entering the army he was promoted Corporal and served bravely and faithfully until the close of the war.

After his retirement from the array Mr. Dias went to St. John's, N. B., and was foreman of a cigar manufactory there for four years. Thence he went to Detroit and engaged in business for himself until 1872. Selling out he proceeded to South Bend, Ind., and engaged in the manufacture of cigars from 1870 to 1875. He then came to Bloomington and established his present business. From a modest beginning he has made good progress and now employs sixteen men, keeping one on the road continuously.

Our subject was married in 1870 to Miss Esther, daughter of Daniel J. and Amelia (Solomon) Holland, natives of England. Mrs. D. was born in New York City and of her marriage with our subject there have been born four children — Alexander E., Amelia R. Henry N., and Rachel, deceased. Their pleasant and comfortable home is located at No. 601 East Jackson street, and they enjoy the friendship and association of some of the best people in the city. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Moses Montefiore (Hebrew) Congregation, and in politics our subject uniformly cases his vote with the Republican party. Socially he belongs to the Order of Red Men and to the B'nai B'rith.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and bio (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.