These biographies are being transcribed by
Linda Tillman.

HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY

 
Charles Young, a Justice of the Peace in Pekin, was born at Athol Mass., Dec 4 1818. His ancestors were natives of the same state, and, like most of the loyal sons of that grand old common-wealth, fought in the Revolution. Both of his grandfathers, electrified by the burning words and matchless eloquence of the immortal Patrick Henry, sprang to arms at the first call for troops, and fought tell the close of the war. Charles was sent to Brattleboro, Vt., where he received an academic education. We next find him in New York, where is 1841, he united his destiny with the accomplished Miss Read, who, however, lived but a few years. About 1840, Mr. Young joined the New York Militia, where, for his commanding presence and military bearing, he was commissioned by Wm. H. Seward, a Lieutenant in the Light Artillery. Leaving New York, he went South, where he traveled extensively, and at the beginning of the war in 1860, he left New Orleans and came to Pekin. He was married in 1852 to Henrietta Hanaghan, who died in 1872, and who was the mother of his six children.
 
(Charles wife’s name was Henrietta Monaghan.)


THEODORE S YOUNG
 
Theodore S. Young, constable, Pekin, was born in Elm Grove Township, Tazewell County, November 14, 1846, the son of John S. and Margaret L. (Wilson) Young. The former was born in Athol Mass, November 10, 1816 and the latter, in Ohio, January 14, 1818. The mother came to Illinois with her parents in 1820, the country at that time being monopolized by the Indians, and her family were the first white people to locate in that section of the State. Her father, Seth Wilson, made a journey on horseback from the Tazewell County to Ohio that he might bring sprouts to his home in the wilderness for the planting of a fruit orchard.
 
Theodore S. Young received as good an education as the pioneer schools of that early day afforded, and remained on the parental homestead until he was twenty-four years of age, when he married Stella E Richardson, by whom he had one child, William T., born Nov. 28 1873. Mrs. Young died December 27, 1887, and on May 30, 1889, Mr. Young married, as his second wife, Miss Lena Brower, who was born in Pekin, Ill., June 30, 1870; of this union there is one child, Anna Bell, born March 13, 1891. In 1873 Mr. Young removed to Pekin where for ten years he was engaged in the teaming and express business but later he disposed of the bus and express line, and for four years, devoted his attention entirely to teaming. This also he was obliged to relinquish, as he sustained a serous injury in a runaway accident. In political sentiment Mr. Young is a Democrat; has served as Alderman one term, and was elected Constable in 1892, holding the latter position continuous to the present time (1904).

DIED
YOUNG – In this city, on Monday 29th inst. Mrs. Henrietta Young, wife of Charles Young, Esq.
 
Mr.  Monaghan, the father of Mrs. Young, emigrated with other relatives from the county Monaghan, Ireland, sometime previous to her birth, and commenced business in New York City, where some of her relatives Messers  Harrisons, still occupy prominent positions in the commercial world. Some years before the birth of Mrs. Young, Mr. Monaghan removed from New York City to Argyle, New York, where in 1884 she was born. She afterwards resided in Albany, New York City, and in South Carolina. Returning  North, she was married in Chenango County, New York to Mr. Young, he having previously been married, his first wife dying without issue. Mrs. Young leaves an interesting family of six children; her older daughters having arrived at maturity. The two younger are boys, one an infant of a few weeks. Mrs. Young was one of the noblest women with whom it has ever been our good fortune to be acquainted; and the loss to the children in the death of such a mother cannot be estimated. In every sphere of life she won the love and esteem of all who knew her. As wife, mother, or friend she had no superior; and her family and friends feel that her death has left a void that can never be filled.
 
Henrietta Monaghan Young
9 Jun 1833-29 Jan 1872

JOHN VAUPEL was born in Heussian Castle, Germany, March 1, 1820 and came to this county in 1855. He attended the common schools for five yeas and for the same length of time was in the military school. He served a term of six years in the flying artillery of
Germany. He was married to Margaret Sahmeihart Oct 19, 1851. They have five children: Christopher, born June 8, 1852; John, born Sept 12, 1858; George born Dec 26, 1860; Annie, born Nov 6, 1863; and Charlie, born Nov 3, 1865. Mr. Vaupel is engaged in farming on section 2. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, Pekin. In politics he is a Republican. Post-office address Groveland.

John Gainer
 
John Gainer, farmer, post office address, Pekin, was born in Wittenburg, Ger., April 13, 1830, and came to this country in May, 1834. His parents were George and Mary Maria Gainer, of Germany. He was educated in common schools and embarked in the agricultural pursuit, and resides on section 25. He does not belong to any church, but inclines the Presbyterian belief. In 1867 he chose for his wife Anna Frederika Reiling (Rueling). Emma Elizabeth, John Martin and Mary Alice Magdalena are their children.
 

Martin Gainer, a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Little Mackinaw Township, Tazewell County, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, January 29, 1827, and in 1835 came to Tazewell County where he obtained his education in the public schools. After reaching manhood, he purchased a farm at ten dollars per acre on section 35, Little Mackinaw Township, and has since acquired additional real estate, until he now owns 500 acres, which he has cultivated with more than usual success.

On March 19, 1861, Mr. Gainer was married to Elizabeth J. Bishop, daughter of William F. and Elizabeth Bishop, and of this union there were five children: John N., Martin V., Anna Astor, Josephine Savilla and Marie. Mrs. Gainer died March 3, 1871, and on August 21, 1875, Mr. Gainer married, as his second wife, Miss Mary Jane Lower, who has borne him five children, viz.: Melissa, Evelina, Lydia May (died in infancy), Henry Albert, Myrtle Minerva, and Fred Theodore.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Gainer were Martin and Margaret (Gainer) Gainer, natives of Germany. Martin Gainer was a wagon-maker by trade, and served seven years in the Prussian War.

The parents of the subject of this sketch were George and Maria (Counselman) Gainer also natives of Germany. George Gainer, like his father, was a wagon-maker by trade, and came to America in 1832, settling near Erie, Erie County, Pa., but in 1835 removed with his family to Pekin. The entire trip was made by water on the Ohio River to St. Louis, and thence up the Mississippi and the Illinois rivers. The ocean voyage to America consumed fourty-eight days. Coming to Tazewell County the father purchased a farm in Cincinnati Township, on which he resided for fourteen years, and was later engaged in farming in Little Mackinaw Township.

Mrs. Martin Gainer is a daughter of William and Lydia (Eisenberger) Lower, and was born in Clark County, Ohio, April 20, 1844. Her father was a native of that locality and came to Tazewell County in 1873, settling in Minier Township, where he engaged in farming and followed his trade as a carpenter. He died September 19, 1901; his wife is also deceased.

 

 

 

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