Daniel Mapes
SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BUTTON, DUNN, MAPES, ORR, PETTIT, SWEARINGEN
DANIEL MAPES, a representatives of one of the pioneer families of Champaign County, spent his earliest youth in the western part of New York State, where his birth took place July 23, 1827. The family is of English ancestry, the grandfather of our subject, Samuel MAPES, having been born across the Atlantic. He married a lady of German descent, and raised a family of sons and daughters, among whom was Samuel, who, after reaching manhood, was married to Miss Sarah BUTTON, and became the father of our subject. The Button family was of Scotch ancestry.
After their marriage Samuel Mapes and his wife remained in New York State until the fall of 1827, and then removed to the Eastern part of Ohio. After a residence there of two years, they pushed further westward into Indiana, Thence they migrated South, locating across the river in Kentucky, and remained in the vicinity of Cincinnati for the two years following. Not being yet satisfied with their location they removed once more, in the fall of 1833, and coming to this county settled on a tract of land in St. Joseph Township, near what was called "the bend," on the edge of a timber tract. Mr. M. possessed but limited means, and had a large family to support, but made the best of circumstances and succeeded in providing comfortably for all. He was finally enabled to purchase forty acres, which is included in the homestead of our subject, and where the death of Samuel Mapes took place, in August, 1874, when seventy-three years of age. The wife and mother died early in life, and the ten children were provided for by the father to the best of his ability. They consisted of seven sons and three daughters, nine of whom lived to mature years, and with the exception of two sons, all were married. They were named respectively, William, Alonzo A., Daniel, Asa B., James, Jackson, Samuel, Melissa B., Elizabeth and Permelia. Melissa became the wife of Park ORR, and Elizabeth married Z. M. DUNN, of St. Joseph Township; Permelia married E. PETTIT. But two of the family now survive, Samuel and Daniel of our sketch.
Daniel Mapes was a boy of six years when his parents came to this county, and received a limited education in the subscription schools. He remained under the home roof until twenty-one years of age, and then commenced life on his own account, working out by the month until his marriage. He chose from among the maidens of his neighborhood Miss Elizabeth, the daughter of John W. and Zilpha SWEARINGEN. After marriage the young people located on section 24, upon land included in the present homestead of our subject. This, through his perseverance and industry, has become a finely improved farm, containing 167 acres, upon which are good buildings and all the appointments of a first class country estate. This is now under the management of his sons, while our subject, and his wife, in 1883, took up their residence in the town of St. Joseph, where they are spending their later years, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mapes seven are still living, namely, John M., who resides on the homestead; William H. and Benjamin, in Nebraska; Thomas M., with his brother on the farm; Siegel A., of Nebraska; Effie J. and Charlie at home. Mr. Mapes since becoming a resident of this locality, has taken an active interest in local affairs, serving as School Director and occupying other positions where his excellent judgment was of service to his township. Both he and his estimable wife became members of the Christian Church at St. Joseph years ago, in which Mr. M. has officiated as Elder, and has contributed liberally to its support. Politically, he is a Democrat of the old school, and holds stanchly to the principles in which he has believed since he began to exercise the right of suffrage.