Vermilion county Illinois, CHARLES BUHL ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 197-198 CHARLES BUHL. This gentleman occupies no unimportant position among the self-made men of this county who have arisen by their own efforts from the foot of the ladder and who by unflagging industry and perseverance have accumulated a competence and in their later years are retired and in the enjoyment of it. Mr. Buhl represents a goodly amount of property—indeed is recognized as a capitalist—and has contributed his full quota to the business interests of Danville and vicinity. He comes of substantial ancestry and is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Butler County, Feb. 8, 1812. Our subject remained a resident of his native place until a young man of twenty years, acquiring a practical education in the common school and being variously occupied. Finally resolving upon a change of location, he made his way in 1838 to Detroit and for two years thereafter employed himself as a teamster. In the fall of 1848, he visited Chicago and being favorably impressed with the outlook, established himself in the hat, cap and fur business on Lake street, second door west of Clark street where he operated successfully until about 1850. Then selling out he invested the proceeds in a farm of 697 acres, embracing the present site of Kensington and which he secured for the sum of $5,000. Nine months later he sold the bottom land—about 300 acres—to the Michigan Central Railway for the price which he had paid for the whole. For about ten years thereafter he engaged in farming, and then sold out and coming to Danville invested a portion of his capital here where he has since made his home. Mr. Buhl has been engaged in different enterprises since coming to Danville. He invested a portion of his capital in the lots embracing Nos. 117 to 123 on East Main street where he has put up buildings, the rents from which yield him a handsome income. He has at different times owned considerable land in the county and has now eighteen acres of valuable land just outside the city limits. Although a sound Republican politically he has never sought office, but was twice elected to represent his ward in the City Council and has served as a member of the School Board. From these, however, he withdrew before the expiration of his term. During the Civil War his son Sidney served as a soldier in the Union Army. Mr. Buhl was married in Pennsylvania July 9, 1834, to Miss Eliza Ann McConaughy, and they became the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Sidney, Frank, Emma and Laura. Mrs. Buhl was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1820, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth McConaughy, with whom she lived in the Buckeye State until her marriage. Mr. McC., was a farmer by occupation and the parental household included ten children—four sons and six daughters. Sidney Buhl, the only son of our subject married Miss Sally Myers and they have one child, a daughter, Georgia; he is in the employ of the American Express Company. Frank is a resident of Louisiana where he operates a fruit farm and nursery; Emma is the wife of William Myers, to whom she was married Jan. 4, 1888; Mr. M., is employed as a carriage salesman and they live in Danville. Laura was married June 5. 1883, to Mr. John Lawrence, a boot and shoe merchant, located at 117 East Main street. The daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Christian Buhl, the father of our subject, was a native of Germany, and came to America when a young man, and settled near Zeleinople, Pa., where he engaged in the manufacture of hats. He also became the owner of considerable land and spent the remainder of his life in that vicinity. He had married Miss Fredrika Gearing and they reared a family of ten children, of whom Charles was about the fifth in order of birth, and of whom seven are now living. Mr. Buhl died in Pennsylvania at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife survived him three years and was also eighty-seven years old at the time of her decease.