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John W. Dillavou
John
W. Dillavou has justly won the proud American title of the self-made
man, for at the early age of twelve years he began earning his own
living. Work - earnest, persistent work - constitutes the foundation
upon which he has built his prosperity and his example may well serve
as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what
may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. He now has
an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 13,
Kendrick township, and in all particulars it is well improved.
Mr. Dillavou is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in
Randolph county, on the 21st of April, 1849. His father, John Dillavou,
was born in the Empire state in 1815 and was reared to manhood in New
York. He then removed to Pennsylvania, where he formed the acquaintance
of Miss Sarah E. Rhodehammel, whose hand he sought in marriage. She was
born on the 24th of April, 1815. Soon after their marriage they removed
to Pickaway county, Ohio, and subsequently took up their abode at
Hagerstown, Indiana, where they lived until becoming residents of
Dewitt county, Illinois. There Mr. Dillavou purchased land and
developed a farm, which he continued to cultivate until his death. He
passed away in 1867, while the mother is still living, now making her
home in Champaign, Illinois. Of their family of eight children, four
have passed away, while those still living are: Jacob R., also a
resident of Champaign; John W., whose name introduces this record;
Jerome, who is living in Glidden, Iowa; and Mrs. Minerva Lukens, of
Farmer City, Illinois.
John W. Dillavou was reared to farm life. His advantages in youth were
limited, for at the early age of twelve years he started out to provide
for his own livelihood. He worked at farm labor, his wages being
increased as his years and strength enabled him to perform more and
more of the labor usually allotted to a man upon the farm. He early
came to realize how valuable an asset are industry and perseverance in
achieving success, and these qualities have characterized him
throughout his entire life.
It was in 1876, in Illinois, that Mr. Dillavou was united in marriage
to Miss Mary E. Chaney, who was born in Mason county, that state, on
the 21st of April, 1854, and is a daughter of Granville and Julia
(Smylie) Chaney. Her father was born August 2, 1834, in Tennessee, and
the mother’s birth occurred in Missouri, on the 16th of September,
1828. They became early residents of Mason county, Illinois, where Mr.
Chaney followed the occupation of farming, owning a tract of land which
he cultivated until he sold out preparatory to removing to Dewitt
county, that state. In the latter county he also purchased land, which
he continued to develop and improve until his life’s labors were ended
in death in the year 1875. His widow still survives him and now makes
her home in the city of Dewitt. By her marriage she became the mother
of nine children, of whom six are yet living: James, who resides in
Wichita, Kansas; Martha Kelley, living in Weldon, Illinois; Mrs. Ellen
Taylor, also of Dewitt; Mrs. Neona Taylor, whose home is in Weldon;
Mrs. Dillavou; and C. W., who is living in Greene county, Iowa.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dillavou have been born ten children, who in order of
birth are as follows: Lillian F., the wife of Charles Dresback, a
resident of Deland, Illinois, by whom she has one child, Howard; Cora,
the wife of Charles Mosteller, a farmer of Kendrick township, by whom
she has one son, Roy; Mabel, who married Edwin Westbrook, now in the
employ of the government in the Philippine Islands; James, who married
Mina Downing, by whom he has two children, Byrel and Claude, their home
being in Kendrick township; Laura, the wife of Chaunce Stream, a
resident farmer of Bristol township, by whom she has one daughter,
Levina; and Warren, Myrtle, Ethel G., Floyd and Virgil, all yet at home.
The family residence is pleasantly located in the midst of an excellent
farm and near by are good substantial buildings for the shelter of
grain and stock. A fine grove has been set out by Mr. Dillavou and adds
to the value and attractive appearance of the place. The fields are
well tilled and everything about the farm is indicative of the careful
supervision and progressive spirit of the owner. He is systematic in
his work, progressive in his plans and practical in his methods. His
business therefore is attended with a gratifying measure of success and
he has thus become one of the substantial residents of the county.
Mr. Dillavou is a republican in his political views, though the honors
and emoluments of oflice have no attraction for him. He is a stalwart
defender of the party principles, which he always supports by his
ballot at the polls. His fellow townsmen, however, recognizing his
worth and ability, have demanded his services in public oflice and for
eighteen years he was a justice of the peace, discharging his duties
with promptness and fidelity, his decisions being strictly fair and
impartial, so that he won high encomiums from all law-abiding citizens.
He was also road supervisor for several years, assessor for two years,
and census enumerator in 1900. He is a member of the Baptist church,
which the family also attends and in the work of which they are much
interested. Since 1891 he has been a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at
Scranton and is loyal to its spirit of beneficence and helpfulness. No
trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. On
the contrary he is always faithful to the duties and obligations of
citizenship, of business and of private life, and wherever he is known
he is greatly respected.
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