Biographies: L

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George Lane	J. H. Lowe
Richard Laub	Daniel Lucas
Edward Leisy	Henry Lynch
Matthew Lind	Charles Lytle
Richard Lonsdale	more to come...

GEORGE LANE. This gentleman is pleasantly located in Trivoli Township, owning fifty acres on section 19, and another tract of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 19 and 30. In addition to his own property, he rents two hundred and five acres, operating therefore four hundred and fifteen acres. He has set out one hundred orchard trees on his home place, has fenced and otherwise improved it, erecting in 1888 a barn 36x48 feet, and in 1890 another 36x37 feet. The land is fertilized by a stream which flows through it, beautified by native groves, affording the best of pasture ground for the large herds of cattle which he raises and feeds. His principal occupation is cattle feeding and shipping, his transactions in that line being more extensive than those of any other man in the township. He feeds about twelve thousand bushels of corn a year, being obliged to buy more than half this amount.
     Mr. Lane uses the best farm machinery, running his corn crusher and grinder by steam, and having a steam thresher, with which he does much work during the season. He has threshed since he was sixteen years old, and held an interest in a machine for quite a number of years. Besides the cattle which he feeds, he also buys and ships hogs to some extent, feeding two or three carloads per year, and raises some draft horses. He is an excellent judge of stock, and has made more money by trade than in any other way. His home is located four miles from Farmington and three miles from Cramer, giving him convenient markets.
     Our subject is of Southern ancestry, being a grandson of Col. Lewis Lane, a native of North Carolina, who located on a farm in Tennessee in 1814. He was a private in the War of 1812, and a Colonel in the Black Hawk War. For some years he held the office of High Sheriff in Tennessee and a similar office in Hamilton County, Ill., to which he finally removed. He occupied himself in farming and hunting being a well-known sportsman and at one time the owner of eleven hundred acres of land. He was liberal and open-handed, spending his money freely, was as popular as any man in the county and moved in the best of society. At one time he was engaged in raising fast and fancy horses, owning some valuable specimens. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and lived to be over ninety years old. An heirloom in his family is a cane which he cut from timber on Andrew Jackson's place at New Orleans.
     The father of our subject was Joel P. Lane, who was born near Nashville, Tenn., came to Hamilton County, Ill., when a babe and was educated there. He made several trips back and forth between that and Peoria Counties, finally removing to the latter in the fall of 1834. In 1840 he brought some running horses which he traded for the land now occupied by our subject, upon which he located and resided until his death. During his early years he was not very energetic, but later in life became very successful. When the Civil War closed he had one hundred and forty acres of land, to which he added until his estate amounted to two hundred and sixty acres. His specialty was raising swine. He was a Democrat in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, active in all its work, a Class-Leader for years and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He died in 1874, when sixty-nine years old.
     The wife of Joel P. Lane and mother of our subject was Keziah Proctor, a native of Hamilton County, Ill., in which her parents, David and Jane Proctor, were early settlers. Her father was born in Virginia and was engaged in farming. Mrs. Keziah Lane is now living with our subject, being quite advanced in years. She is the mother of eight children, four of whom are still living. These are: Johnson H., a farmer in Trivoli Township; John W., whose home is in Abingdon; he of whom we write; and Alva C., a real-estate and loan agent in Eureka, Kan. The deceased are: Lewis H., who died here; Elza, Sarah and Mary.
     The subject of this sketch was born April 5, 1855, on the farm he now owns, and reared upon it, early beginning to take a share in the farm work, and pursuing his studies in the district schools. He remained with his parents until twenty years old, when, his father dying, he began farming for himself, finally buying out the other heirs of the homestead. He engaged in general farming, then went into the sheep business quite extensively, having as many as fifteen hundred bead, one thousand of which he brought from Kansas. He sold wool and mutton until the dogs became so numerous and troublesome that he disposed of his flocks and embarked in the cattle business. He feeds about four carloads, or one hundred and seventy-five head per year, in addition to those raised on his own place.
     Mr. Lane was fortunate in securing for his wife an amiable, capable young lady, a native of Timber Township, known in her maidenhood as Miss Ida Fahnestock. Her father, William Fahnestock, made an early settlement in Timber Township, where he was engaged in farming and coopering, but is now in the hotel business at Glasford. Mrs. Lane received her education in this vicinity and for some years was successfully engaged in school teaching. She and her husband have two children—Frank and Howard.
     Mr. Lane is an ardent Democrat, but will accept no offices. Honorable in all his actions, intelligent, courteous and of a friendly spirit, he is deservedly popular, while his energy, tact and thrift make the outlook for the future bright indeed. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 372-373, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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LAUB, RICHARD, miller, res. Brimfield. of the firm of Cady, Laub & Belcher. Was born in Reading, Berks Co., Pa., Aug. 7, 1836. Came to this county in the Winter of 1857. Married Miss Annie E. White for his first wife. She was born in Buck Co., Pa., June 1836. She died in Brimfield Dec. 24, 1863. The fruit of this marriage was six children, two boys and four girls, two living, viz., Elmer E., Sarah J. For his second wife, married Fannie M. Robinson. She was born Aug. 29, 1836. Mother of two children, Llewellyn R., Charles Alfred. Member of the I. O. O. F. In the winter of 1858, rented a mill at Edward's Station, where he remained one year. Thence to Peoria where he had charge of the Fayette and Star mills for three years. Thence to Brimfield where he followed farming for three years. Then engaged in the Osage seed and plant business for five years. In the Spring of 1870 went into the produce business in company with A. W, Belcher, and in 1874 built the Brimfield mill where he has been engaged since. Capacity of mill 100 barrels per day. (The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, page 719, submitted by Janine Crandell)

EDWARD C. LEISY. Edward C. Leisy is perhaps most widely known outside of Peoria as the president of the Leisy Brewing Company, but in the city his work has included not only the upbuilding of this mammoth enterprise but extended also to other fields whereby Peoria has largely profited. He is the builder of some of the finest structures of the city and has again and again shown his faith in Peoria by placing his investments in business projects here. His sound judgment and enterprise are forces which overcome difficulties and obstacles, and he has at all times been able to coordinate seemingly diverse elements into a unified and harmonious whole.
     Mr. Leisy was born in Keokuk, Iowa, November 16, 1859, and, as the family name indicates, comes of German ancestry. The family record running back two hundred years in Germany shows that throughout this entire period representatives of the name have been connected with the brewing business, and their adaptability thereto comes largely to them through heredity. John Leisy, the father of Edward C. Leisy, left his native land to establish a home in America and resided for some time in Keokuk, Iowa, where he owned and operated a brewery. He was also at one time connected with the brewing business in Cleveland, Ohio, under the name of the Isaac Leisy Brewing Company. The thorough training which he received in Germany well qualified him for the successful conduct of the business after coming to the new world. When the family removed to Peoria, Edward C. Leisy purchased the plant which is now conducted, in its enlarged state, under the name of the Leisy Brewing Company. It was in 1884 he purchased the Old City Brewery which had been established in 1849 and was the oldest in the city. In 1890 the Leisy Brewing Company was incorporated, prior to which time the business had been conducted under a partnership relation between Edward C. Leisy, who is now the president, Albert Leisy, secretary and treasurer; John Leisy, vice president and Gustave Leisy, who at present is not connected with the business. These gentlemen are brothers and have continued in the line of trade which was the ancestral business of the family through many generations. When John Leisy, the father, came to the new world he brought with him between thirty-two and thirty-three thousand dollars in gold. He therefore had no difficulty in establishing himself in business on this side of the Atlantic, and under his guidance his sons were trained to the work in which he had been so carefully reared.
     Edward C. Leisy spent his youthful days under the parental roof and acquainted himself with the business in his father's establishment. He has been identified with brewing interests in Peoria since the purchase, in 1884, of what is now the Leisy Brewery. From the beginning success has attended the undertaking here and the firm today does the largest brewing business in the state outside of Chicago, their plant having a capacity of two hundred and fifty thousand barrels annually. Their barrel and keg trade has been extended throughout the states of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, while their bottle products are shipped throughout the west to the Pacific coast, one firm in Los Angeles, California, handling nothing but the Leisy goods. To provide for their growing bottle trade the company, in 1910, erected at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, an extensive addition to their bottling plant, and equipped it with the latest improved machinery, including two machines which fill, cork and label ninety bottles a minute each. During the busy season this plant runs night and day and turns out over four hundred thousand bottles in the twenty-four hours. The beer is bottled from enameled storage tanks under government supervision in a two story brick building absolutely fire proof. In shipments by the barrel and keg the business has reached a corresponding ratio, and the Leisy Brewing Company controls the biggest switching interest on the Rock Island track, distributing twenty-eight carloads daily. They employ three hundred and sixty people and pay out annually two hundred thousand dollars in salaries. For the accommodation of the trade in this city and agencies seventy-five wagons and one hundred and sixty horses are used. The plant is a most extensive one, including a number of buildings, and the business transacted each year approximates two million dollars. The upbuilding of this mammoth enterprise is due to Edward C. Leisy and his associates, and yet this does not cover the scope of his business activities. In many other connections Peoria has profited by the labors, enterprise and ability of Mr. Leisy, who is a director of the Merchants National Bank and also of the Home Savings and State Bank of Peoria. He is president of the Jefferson Deposit Company, owner of the Jefferson building, which is the finest and largest office building in the city, and a director of the new Jefferson hotel which has just been completed and is the finest hotel in the state outside of Chicago. The Jefferson building is a strictly modern steel structure twelve stories in height with attractive interior finishings and most modern equipment. Metal and marble have been used in the interior decoration and mosaic tiled floors. The building contains over four hundred stores and office rooms and is occupied by the Home Savings and State Banks, the Peoria Journal and many other of the leading business concerns of the city. It represents an investment of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and stands as a perpetual monument of the enterprise of the man who erected it. After the destruction of the Grand Opera House by fire Edward C. Leisy and his brothers began the erection of the Orpheum Theater on Madison street, which was completed, equipped and furnished at a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and will compare with the finest theatrical structures in the middle west. All this indicates how largely Edward C. Leisy has been identified with the improvement and upbuilding of the city and how important has been his work in its behalf.
     In 1893 Edward C. Leisy was united in marriage to Miss Emma Welte, of Peoria, a daughter of Ferdinand Welte, and they have four children, Florence, Lucile, Lena and Elizabeth. Mr. Leisy stands for all that is of general interest to the Peoria public and is now president and largely the financial backer of the Peoria Baseball Club. He belongs to the Schiller Lodge of Masons and to the Redman Camp and is also a member of the Creve Coeur and the Country Clubs. Speaking of the Leisy brothers one of the local papers said, "They are men with brains, and with the constantly increasing capital at their command have ideas that extend beyond their original business and make for a city beautiful." They are still in the prime of life, and what they have done is an example of what they will continue to do. Their future is rich in hope and the promise of still greater achievements. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, pages 20-22, submitted by Janine Crandell)

MATTHEW LIND. Among the residents of Peoria, who after years of meritorious conduct, have entered into rest, the late Matthew Lind is deserving of mention in a volume which presents in biographical form the history of this section of the country as told in the lives of its citizens. He was born in Milltown, Cumberland County, Pa., June 11, 1829, being descended from sturdy Scotch ancestry. A public school education was supplemented by a course of study in a business college in Baltimore, Md., whence he emerged well equipped in mind for the duties which lay before him.
     The avocation of an architect and builder, which Mr. Lind chose for his life-work, was learned under I. G. Reynolds, a well known millwright, of Peoria. After thoroughly mastering the business he began operations as a member of the firm of Lind, Haggerty & Hunter, continuing in active employment until his death, which occurred April 27, 1888. During that time he assisted in erecting some of the best mills in the country. His work was, like his integrity, ever to be relied upon. Himself a thorough workman, he insisted upon those whom, he employed being equally painstaking and skillful in their respective departments, while no poor material found place in the buildings he erected. True to his heredity, he was a stanch Presbyterian, devout and earnest, he was a high degree Mason and a Knight of Honor.
     The marriage of Mr. Lind was celebrated November 25, 1856, his companion on the interesting occasion being Miss Mary Stitt, a native of Wellsburg, W.Va. Her family came to this State in 1852, settling in Bloomington. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lind came immediately to Peoria, taking possession of the home which is still occupied by the widow. It bears about it the indications of the presence of refined womanhood, and those who cross its threshold are sure of a cordial welcome from the estimable woman who presides therein.
     The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lind are three in number—Willard W., the first-born, who has adopted his father's trade, is married, but still living in Peoria; Frank R., the second son, has also established his home here; Lewis W., a promising young man, died May 27, 1884, at the early age of twenty-two years, and is buried in Springdale Cemetery.
     Elsewhere in this volume we present a lithographic portrait of Mr. Lind, who is highly esteemed as one of the representative citizens of Peoria. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), page 427, submitted by Janine Crandell)

RICHARD LONSDALE. One of the most attractive rural abodes in Kickapoo Township is situated on section 32, and was the home of the late Richard Lonsdale. It is now under the able management of his widow, Mrs. Ann (Wadsworth) Lonsdale, who is wisely conducting affairs, keeping up all improvements upon the estate and securing from it an adequate income. It consists of between five hundred and six hundred acres, divided into fields of convenient size, adorned with orchards and groves, and supplied with a complete line of farm buildings, all well built and sufficiently commodious for their purposes. Crowning the whole is the family residence, whose tasteful exterior shadows forth the comfort and attractiveness of its internal arrangements and the household economy.
     Mr. Lonsdale was born in Lancashire, England, September 26, 1817, being the fifth in a family consisting of fourteen children. His parents, Thomas and Ellen (Holstead) Lonsdale, came to America in 1842, settling in Peoria County, Ill., where they departed this life. Mr. Lonsdale was united in marriage with Miss Ann Wadsworth on Christmas day, 1838, their marriage rites being celebrated in his native shire. He was employed as an engineer in a cotton factory and continued to reside in the mother country until 1849. He then emigrated to America and settling in Kickapoo Township, this county, engaged in farming the remainder of his life.
     The death of Mr. Lonsdale took place at his home June 10, 1888. A reliable citizen and honorable man was thereby removed from among men, and a kind and devoted husband and parent from the family to which he was so dear. He had held the office of Highway Commissioner, creditably discharging its duties. His political adherence was given to the Democratic party. The fine estate which he left affords a standing record of his industrious life and prudent management of his worldly affairs, while the place which he holds in the memory of those who knew him is the best monument which could be reared to his personal character.
     The parents of Mrs. Lonsdale were natives of Yorkshire, England, known as John and Betty (Ovenden) Wadsworth. They had eleven children, of whom Mrs. Lonsdale was the tenth in order of birth. She was born in Yorkshire, April 24, 1818, and under the careful training of good parents grew to womanhood with a mind filled with useful knowledge, a heart of goodness, and the habits that enabled her to worthily fill any sphere in life to which she might be called. She remained with her parents until her marriage and removal to Lancashire, in which place they afterward made their home until called hence.
     Mrs. Lonsdale bore her husband twelve children, whose record is as follows: Martha is the firstborn; William married Ellen Mitchell, who died in Kickapoo Township: John married Miss Eva Manville who died in Kickapoo Township October 5, 1883, leaving two children—Myrtle A. and Minnie A. The widower subsequently married Ellen Wolstenholme who has borne him one child-—James A. Richard married Miss Euphemia Jones; Mary H., is the wife of Charles Warner; Sarah A. is the wife of William Wolf; Ernest was killed in Peoria by an accident when twenty-one years old. The other members of the household band died when quite young.
     The surviving children of Mrs. Lonsdale have received excellent educational advantages and the home instruction which would strengthen and develop their mental abilities and worthy traits of character, and by which they have been fitted for a useful and honored career in life. They are numbered among the best citizens of their respective localities and add to the worth of the name which they bear. Mrs. Lonsdale is a communicant of the Church of England, endeavoring at all times to practice the precepts of Christianity and to deserve the "well done" when her earthly race is accomplished. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Peoria, Illinois (1890), pages 378-379, submitted by Janine Crandell)

LOWE, J. H., physician and surgeon, res. Brimfield. Son of G. F. and Martha (Phillips) Lowe; father native of Tennessee, and mother of Illinois; family consisted of ten children, five boys and five girls. The subject of this sketch was born in St. Clair county, Ills., November 30, 1841, was educated at Lebanon, McKendree College and graduated in 1862. Studied medicine with Dr. Ferryman, Belleville, Ills., for nearly two years, attended lectures at St. Louis and Chicago medical colleges, where he graduated in 1871-2. His first practice was in St. Clair county, Ills. In 1872, came to this town of Brimfield, where he has practiced medicine since. Married Julia A. Sutton, daughter of Asa Sutton; she was born in Peoria county, March 25, 1848. The fruit of this marriage is three children, viz Leo, born March 7, 1874; Lester, born May 27,1877; Carrie, born August 6, 1878. Members of the M. E. Church. His father held a commission as captain in 117th Regt. I. V. I., Co. C. Dr. Lowe has a fine practice, good home, and is one of the leading men of the town. (The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, page 719, submitted by Janine Crandell)

LUCAS, DANIEL, retired farmer, res. Brimfield. Grandson of Isaac Lucas, who was born near Boston, Mass., and at the age of seventeen enlisted in Revolutionary war, participating at the battle of Bunker Hill, Cowpens and Stony Point, at the last named battle was one among the number to volunteer to charge the British in a hand to hand fight, when Gen. Wayne told them, "If any man feared to go to hell let him retire from the ranks." Married a Miss Smith with whom he attempted to settle in Ohio, near where Marietta now stands, where the father of this sketch was born in 1788, being the second white child born in the State, found the Indians so troublesome that they returned to Washington county, Pa., where his father married Isabella McKenzie, a native of that county. In 1811, they returned to Ross county, Ohio, near Chillicothe, where his father was soon after drafted and served under Gen. Harrison. On the 12th day of August, 1815, Mr. L. was born near Chillicothe, and received his education in a log school-house with puncheon floor and desks, with paper windows, remained at home assisting in improving and cultivating a farm until the Spring of 1838, came to Indiana, married Miss Elizabeth Simison on the 8th of May, of that year. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1819. In 1854, emigrated to Brimfield, Ill., and located on Sec. 15. In 1878, removed to the village still retaining their farm. The fruit of this marriage was five children, three sons and two daughters. The sons participated in the late war, one of which was killed at Vicksburg. Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Presbyterian Church. Republican. (The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, page 719, submitted by Janine Crandell)

HENRY WHITCOMB LYNCH. Henry W. Lynch is prominently before the public in Peoria at the present time as postmaster of the city and yet long before entering upon the duties of this position he has been known as a representative and valued citizen because of the extent and importance of his business connections. He is one of the foremost representatives of the coal trade in the central part of the state, conducting his sales along wholesale lines while at the same time he is interested as an owner in various coal mining properties of this state and of Indiana. His birth occurred in Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois, on the 26th of July, 1857, his parents being Jesse and Harriet (Whitcomb) Lynch, the former a native of New York and the latter of Michigan. The son entered the public schools of his native county and after mastering the branches of learning therein taught, continued his education in the University of Illinois, where he spent two years. Turning his attention to the profession of teaching, he took charge of a school south of Chenoa and later accepted a clerkship in a grain elevator at Ballard. Afterward he became connected with the railroad service as an employe of the Toledo, Peoria, Warsaw & Western Railway Company, acting as agent at Sheldon, Illinois, from 1881 until 1888.
     On the 1st of February of the latter year Mr. Lynch came to Peoria where he has since made his home and entered business circles here as manager of a coal company that was operating extensively in central Illinois. He has been engaged in business on his own account since 1894 and in the intervening period his course has been characterized by continuous progress resulting from the wise and judicial use of time, talents and opportunities. He has been a leading factor in the development of the coal trade in this and adjoining states, eventually becoming one of the most extensive operators in Illinois. He handles the product of various mines of the middle west and in a number of these is largely interested financially. He has studied the trade and its possibilities, has bent his energies to the mastery of every problem connected therewith and in this way has advanced to a position of leadership in his chosen field.
     As previously stated, however, Mr. Lynch is also well known because of the service which he is now rendering to the public in office. In politics he has ever been a stalwart and earnest but conservative republican and his opinions have carried weight in the local councils of his party. He was first called to office in when elected alderman from the old first ward and his first term's service received commendation and approval in his reelection in 1897. Further indorsement of his record as councilman came to him in his election to the office of mayor in 1899 and to the city he gave a businesslike, practical and progressive administration. In 1906 he was again called from private life to public office in his appointment as postmaster of Peoria, to which he was reappointed on the expiration of his four years' term. The local press said of him: "As alderman, mayor and postmaster his official course has been marked by the same earnest qualities that have made him a successful business man. He has always endeavored in an official capacity to perform his duties in the interest of the public welfare and in this his sterling integrity and his capabilities have made him a valued public official." Neither is Mr. Lynch unknown in the financial field for he figures in local banking circles as the vice president of the Central National Bank.
     On the 24th of July, 1884, Mr. Lynch was united in marriage at Oxford, Indiana, to Miss Frances M. Baldwin, a daughter of Ira and Phoebe Baldwin, and unto them have been born two sons, Ralph A. and Harold W., both yet at home. The family attend the Congregational church in which Mr. Lynch holds membership, and he belongs also to several fraternal organizations including the Masonic, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen and Maccabee lodges. He is a member of Illinois Lodge No. 263, F. & A. M., the chapter, commandery and the Scottish Rite. He is likewise a member of the Creve Coeur and Country Clubs. In business and social circles he stands equally high. He is a man of firm purpose, dependable under all circumstances and in any emergency. His quietude of deportment, his easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything sinister or anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities. (Peoria, City and County, Illinois (1912) by James M. Rice, pages 13-14, submitted by Janine Crandell)

LYTLE, CHARLES A., druggist, res. Brimfield. Son of Samuel S. P. and Anna Bell Lytle, natives of Pennsylvania, family consisted of seven children, four of which are now living. The subject of this sketch was born in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Pa., March 24, 1845, where he received his early education. Studied medicine with Dr. J. L. Ziegler of Mt. Joy, Pa., and attended lectures at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and graduated in the year 1861, and practiced two years at his old home. Was in the Navy, South Carolina and Georgia Blockading Squadron and was assistant surgeon and had charge of 160 men. In 1865, went to Monroe, Wis., where he engaged in the drug business as clerk for J. K. Eilert, where he remained until 1877, when he came to Brimfield and engaged in the drug business on his own hook. Married Alice S. Banks, daughter of James A. Banks. She was born in Haverill, Mass., 1848. The fruit of this marriage is two children, Grace and Samuel. Member of the I. O. O. F. Carries a stock of $3,000. (The History of Peoria County, Illinois, 1880, pages 719-720, submitted by Janine Crandell)