USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 20
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 20
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 20
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JAMES. F. HYATT.
"Through struggle to triumph" seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the ma- jority of our citizens, and, though it is un- doubtedly true that many fall exhausted in the conflict, a few by their inherent force of character and strong mentality, rise above their environment and all which seems to hinder them, until they reach the plane of affluence toward which their face was set through the long years of struggle that must necessarily precede any accomplishment of great magnitude. Such has been the history of Mr. Hyatt, proprietor of the well known Linden Lawn Dairy, and in his life record many useful lessons may be gleaned.
James F. Hyatt was born in Versailles, Indiana, January 7, 1855, the son of Hiram and Bythynia (Alley) Hyatt, the former a
native of Indiana, and the latter of Ken- tucky. The subject's father was a stockman and farmer, and for many years carried on a stock business on an extensive scale near Versailles, having died in Clay City, Indi- ana, in 1905. His widow, a woman of many praiseworthy traits, like those of her hus- band, is still living at this writing (1908). They were the parents of five children who grew to maturity, and who reside in Indi- ana, with the exception of the subject, who is the eldest of the family. He was reared in his native county where he received a common school education, having attended the Quaker Academy for two years at But- lerville, Indiana. He decided to become ac- quainted with the manufacture of woolen goods, and accordingly early in life went to work in a woolen mill, also worked in a flour mill owned by his father, where he remained for several years. When twenty years old he went to what is now Clay City, Indiana, it being a railroad terminus before a post- office was established. A coal mine had been developed there. He secured employment with the coal company as weigh boss, later in a clerical capacity, having given the com- pany entire satisfaction in this work. In 1878 he started a small merchandise busi- ness which was successful from the first, and also became interested in coal mining, brick manufacturing, milling and various enter- prises which he carried on with his usual successful methods, and operated stores in a number of different places, in fact, he pur- chased large stocks of goods in various east- ern cities, shipping the same to different states and closing them out. His advance-
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ment was rapid and most successful. In 1894 to 1896 he sold all his interests in In- diana, having previously got possession of large tracts of land in Arkansas, establish- ing a colony in northeastern Arkansas, and has been instrumental in locating many fami- lies from the northern and eastern states on the same. He still carries on this business with gratifying results. He went to Chicago to live, where he resided until coming to Ol- ney in 1900.
At the time he came to Olney he pur- chased the Linden Lawn Dairy, which he has since managed in a most successful manner, having made many improvements, increasing the capacity of the dairy, enlarg- ing the barns, improving the fertility of the land, and in many ways making it one of the model dairies of the state. He has one hundred head of dairy stock. There is a great demand for all that his dairy produces in Olney, where all his dairy products are readily disposed of. This business was orig- inally established by the Linden Lawn Farming Company, a corporation organized or promoted by C. S. Mace, now deceased. Mr. Mace conceived the idea of forming a corporation for carrying on farming and dairying on an extensive scale, with the idea of also making it a co-operative institution. All employes invested twenty-five per cent. of wages in stock and received pro rata of pro- fits of the business. It grew to extensive proportions, consisting of farming, horticul- ture, dairying and stock raising. Modern buildings and equipment were provided. At the time of the death of Mr. Mace, the pro- moter, in 1900, the stockholders decided to
close the corporation and sell the property. Accordingly in September of that year, James F. Hyatt, our subject, purchased the same and has since carried on the work on a paying basis, assisted by his wife, who is actively connected with the management. The dairy has eighty stalls for milch cows, besides large sheds in close proximity. There is a silo with four hundred tons capacity, which was one of the first built in this county. Linden Lawn consists of one hun- dred and sixty-three acres, all inside the corporate limits of Olney. Land on part of three sides is platted and partly improved. The land is in a high state of fertility. Six- ty-five acres are in bearing order in fine con- dition. The dwelling is of pressed brick, stone trimmings, slate roof, is commodious, convenient, and has all modern conveniences and appliances, large verandas, stone, brick and concrete walks, large well, beautifully shaded lawn. The building occupies elevated ground, giving a splendid view of the city. The barn is metal roofed and has every modern equipment for furnishing high grade, sanitary milk. The barn has steam and electric power, electric lights, running water, concrete floors, and is in every way up-to-date. The dairy herd is mostly full blood Jersey. In fact, this is without doubt one of the very finest farms in Illinois, and one would be compelled to search long and far to surpass it in any state.
Mr. Hyatt was united in marriage in 1888 to Iva Grim, a native of Coal City, In- diana, the daughter of Henry and Charity (Gray) Grim, natives of Ohio, both now de- ceased. The father of Mrs. Hyatt was a
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farmer and merchant, a civil engineer and surveyor, and a pioneer of Coal City. One son, Frederick, a lad of much business pro- mise, now seventeen years old, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt.
In 1902 Mr. Hyatt purchased the opera house block, a three-story brick structure. He remodeled the interior and converted the top floors into a modern opera house, refur- nished and entirely overhauled the same. The interior decorations and arrangements compare favorably with the smaller opera houses in the large cities. This splendid, safe and comfortable play-house is greatly appreciated by the citizens of this commu- nity and much credit is given the owner for its establishment.
In his political relations Mr. Hyatt is a Republican. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 926, at Olney. He is president of the Business Men's Association of Olney. Mrs. Hyatt is a member of the Christian church.
James F. Hyatt is a thoroughly practical business man, which fact, coupled with his undoubted ability as an organizer and pro- moter, contains the secret of the success of the institution of which he is the head.
WILLIAM L. DRAPAR.
Mr. Drapar has for many years been an honored resident of Marion county, whose interests he has ever had at heart, and who has, while advancing his own welfare done
much toward promulgating the civic, in- dustrial and moral tone of the vicinity. His career has been one of hard work and in- tegrity, consequently he is deserving of the respect in which he is held by everyone.
William L. Drapar was born in Fayette county, Illinois, October 29, 1850, the son of John B. Drapar, a native of Tennessee, who came to Illinois when a mere lad, in the days when the inhabitants wore buck- skin breeches and when the forests abounded in wild game and the hills and prairies were overrun by the red men. Grandfather Dra- par was also a native of Tennessee, who brought his son, father of our subject, to this state, settling in Fayette county. Grand- father was a well known lawyer in his day and served as Judge of Lafayette county. Vandalia, the county seat, was then the state capital. Judge Drapar, like most pio- neer men, was the father of a large family. he and his faithful life companion becoming the parents of fifteen children, three pairs of twins. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and a soldier in the Mexican war. He sub- sequently moved to Salem where he was called from his earthly labors at the age of fifty-six years, and he was buried at Xenia, Clay county.
John B. Drapar moved to Salem in 1856. He was a blacksmith of extraordinary skill, and for some time drove a stage-coach on the old Vandalia line. He enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war, but never saw service. He died about 1896.
The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Jeanette
-
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Abel, who was born in Bowling Green, ing. They do a general milling business Kentucky, the representative of a South- and their products are known not only ern family of honorable repute. The throughout Marion county where they have date of her birth occurred February 16, a very extensive trade, but all over this 1828, and she was summoned to join the part of the state and to remote sections of this and other states. "choir invisible" in 1904, while living at the home of our subject in Salem and she is buried in the cemetery here. The follow- ing children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Mr. Drapar was united in marriage first in 1872 with Sarah J. Fair, whose parents died when she was two years old and she John B. Drapar: Margaret, widow of Eli- was reared by a family named Castle who sha Ledgerwood, who is living in the state of Washington; William L., our subject; . the war. She was a woman of many com- Edwin, who died when four years old; an infant girl, deceased.
came to Salem from Ohio at the close of mendable traits of character, and to this union the following interesting family was born: Ira and Louie, twins, born July II, 1874. The first named is living in Holden- ville, Oklahoma, where he is Assistant Cashier of the Second National Bank. He is also City Recorder of Holdenville. He is a graduate of the Salem high school in which he made a splendid record, and he is also a graduate of the Flora Business
William L. Drapar, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Salem where he re- ceived the customary common school edu- cation. At an early age he assisted his father in a blacksmith shop. When twenty- one he was thrown on his own resources, but being a youth of indomitable energy and courage, he went to work with a will and has prospered all his subsequent life. He College. For three years he was manager went into the milling business in 1872 at of a large lumber company in Oklahoma in which state he is very popular. Louie lives in Chicago where he has a responsible position with the Santa Fe Railroad Com- pany, which regards him as one of their most faithful and trusted employes. Leslie, the third child, was born July 28, 1878. He is also a graduate of the Salem high school. He is now living in New Mexico in the employ of the Harvey Dining Service Company. He has been a dining car con- ductor for years. He had the distinction of serving for one year as superintendent of the dining service at Yale University. He Salem and has been thus engaged since that time, becoming known as one of the leading milling men in this part of the state, having been eminently successful in this enterprise from the first. He worked for E. Hull, father of Senator C. E. Hull, for eighteen years. Since January, 1890, he has been associated with Senator Hull in business, op- erating the Salem Brick Mill, the style of the firm being Hull & Drapar. The present building which this firm occupies was erected in 1860, but has since been remod- eled into a modern and substantial build-
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is an expert at this line of business and has gained wide notoriety among the peo- ple of this business. George, the fourth child, was born November 12, 1882. He holds the responsible position as cashier and bookkeeper of the Sherman House in Chicago. Babel, the winsome and accom- plished daughter of the subject and wife, was born March 5, 1890, and she is yet a member of the family circle, keeping house for her father.
Mrs. Drapar passed to her eternal rest on August 15, 1894, after a useful and beautiful life. Mr. Drapar was again mar- ried on June 14, 1899, to Isabel Bell, daugh- ter of Philo Bell, of Sumner, Illinois. Mr. Bell was a stage driver on the old Vin- cennes & St. Louis line before the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was built. This wife died without issue May 3, 1907, of a paralytic stroke. She was a woman of strong char- acter and had many faithful friends.
Mr. Drapar has always taken consider- able interest in political affairs. He served as City Alderman for six years in a most creditable manner. He was school director for five years, during which time the local schools felt a great impetus. He was tax collector for one year, refusing to serve longer, much to the regret of every one con- cerned.
Fraternally, Mr. Drapar has been a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows since 1874, occupying all the chairs, both Subordinate and Encampment. He has attended the Grand Lodges regularly for twenty-two years. He met with the
Sovereign Grand Lodge at St. Louis several years ago. Mr. Drapar has been a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church since a boy. He belongs to that class of citizens who by their support of the moral, political and social status for the general good, promote the real welfare of their respective commu- nities.
A. M. PEDDICORD.
It is interesting to study the life record of such a man as the gentleman whose name appears above owing to the fact that he began life under no favorable auspicies and has had to battle his own way through the world, but he has succeeded remarkably well and has shown how a man can "go it alone" when once his face is set in the right direction and he has the courage of his convictions. Therefore, for this and many other reasons, not the least of which is the fact that he is one of the brave veterans of the great war of the Rebellion, efficiently serving his country during its dark days, we take pleasure in giving him a place in this work.
A. M. Peddicord was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, June 4, 1841, and he was about fourteen years old when he came to Marion county, Illinois, and spent most of the time since then in Carrigan township. He is the son of Nelson and Rebecca Peddi- cord, the subject's parents having been cousins. The father died when the subject was very young and he has but little recol-
A. M. PEDDICORD.
LIKHANY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.
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lection of him. The subject's mother was born in Mason county, Kentucky, and died about fifteen years ago. There were six children in the family of Nelson Peddicord and wife, namely: Emanuel J., who first married Hester Lawrence, and they became the parents of three children ; his second wife was Sallie Hooker and they became the par- ents of five or six children ; Emanuel's third wife was Nancy Roberts; A. E., the second child of Nelson and Rebecca Peddicord, served in the Union army in the One Hun- dred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, having remained single, and he died soon after the close of the war; F. M. mar- ried a Miss Faggin and they are the parents of five children; A. M., our subject, was the fourth child in order of birth; Sarah M. was twice married; Priscilla died when young.
The subject of this sketch was compelled to make his own way after he was four- teen years old and he has succeeded admir- ably well. When he reached maturity he was married to Eliza Britt in August, 1869, in Marion county. She was the daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Roderick) Britt. Her parents lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio and In- diana and finally settled in Marion county, Illinois, and they died here. Mr. Britt was a farmer. The subject's wife was the ninth of a family of ten children.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Peddicord: Francis M., who is forty-one years old in 1908, married Mary E. Foltz and they are the parents of seven children; Mary E. died when four-
teen months old; Sarah E., who is now thir- ty-nine years, married Thomas P. Walker, and they have three children living and two dead.
As already intimated Mr. Peddicord was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, having enlisted in Company K, Thirty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on August 10, 1861, under the command of Gen. John A. Logan. He served in a most gallant manner for a period of four years. He was taken prisoner on the march to the sea at Meridian, Mississippi. He was in the bat- tle of Fort Donelson, was in the siege of Vicksburg and Champion's Hill. He was in Andersonville prison for a period of six months, later being moved to Florence. He contracted the scurvy while in prison, hav- ing been in prison when peace was declared.
Our subject has an excellent farm con- sisting of two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in section 34, seventy-seven acres of which are in timber. The subject has made most of the improvements of his farm which now holds high rank with Marion county's best farms. It shows good management and is well stocked. He has a comfortable residence which is well fur- nished.
Mr. Peddicord was Road Commissioner for two terms and gave entire satisfaction. He is a loyal Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Peddicord are faithful members of the Bap- tist church. Our subject deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he had little chance to attend school in his youth. The only school-house in his com-
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munity was built of logs, and the terms of tled at Pond Grove, near St. Marie, Jasper school were very short. But he has been a hard worker and has succeeded despite early disadvantages, until today he is one of the county's most representative agriculturists and has many friends throughout the same.
RICHARD LEWIS.
--
Energy, sound judgment and persistency of effort, properly applied, will always win the goal sought in the sphere of human en- deavor, no matter what the environment may be or what obstacles are met with, for they who are endowed with such characteristics, make stepping-stones of their adversities to higher things. These reflections are sug- gested by the career of Mr. Lewis, who has forged his way to the front ranks, and stands today among the representative men of Rich- land county.
Richard Lewis, the well known proprietor of the Metropole Hotel in Olney, Illinois, was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, Au- gust 17, 1844, the son of Thomas and Sa- rah ( Mattingly) Lewis, the former having been born near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and the latter in Kentucky. The father was reared in his native state and came to Ken- tucky with his parents when young, where he married and became a farmer. James Mat- tingly, grandfather of the subject, was a planter and a slave owner in Kentucky where he lived and died. Thomas Lewis removed to Illinois with his family in 1846 and set-
county. Soon afterward he changed his place of residence to another part of Jasper county. He was one of the pioneers of that section and improved a good farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres six miles south of Newton, which in late years he gave to his youngest son. He died at the home of the subject in Olney in 1883, at the age of sev- enty-three years. His wife had previously died at the age of sixty-three years. Their family consisted of six children, three boys and three girls, two of the youngest daugh- ters being deceased. The subject is the fifth in order of birth. He was two years old when the family located in Jasper county. His par- ents being poor, his early education was very limited on account of his having to work hard to help support the family, working on the farm early and late. There were only a few schools in the county which was new at that time, so he was enabled to attend school only about six months; later he did a great deal of home reading and by practical experience became generally educated and is today a well informed man.
During his youth the family was so poor, according to our subject, that it took all their money at one time to buy one hoe, which was turned over to an older brother, William, for use. He, however, was not satisfied to do all the work and made a wooden hoe which he insisted on our subject using to help. Dick says he accordingly put in many days of hard work with a wooden hoe, which has probably been the experience of but few peo- ple now living in Illinois. The family lived
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in a log house for a number of years without windows, but the father finally sawed out a small place for one window, in which they lived until the house was destroyed by fire. The nearest neighbor was three miles away. Wild game of all kinds was plentiful, includ- ing deer, bear, wild turkey, and wolves were numerous and sometimes troublesome. The father was compelled to get up at night many times for the purpose of driving them out of the dooryard and away from the sheep and hogs. The father was a shoemaker and made all the shoes and boots for the family. Rich- ard was allowed one pair of shoes per year, being compelled to go barefoot from early spring until snow fell in the late fall.
Mr. Lewis was one of the supporters of the national government during the trouble in the sixties, having enlisted in 1861, but not being old enough and being opposed by his family, he did not go to the front. He then took charge of the home place and for a few years was very successful. He sold hogs at Olney during the war for twelve dollars per one hundred pounds. In 1865 he en- listed in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and immediately went into the field. He was first sent to Louisville and then to Nashville, also to Tullahoma, Tennessee, returning to Mur- freesboro, where he remained until he was mustered out. After the war he came back home and located on a farm of forty acres, which he had bought with two wagon-loads of hogs prior to enlisting. In the mean- time his father bought forty acres more with the money the subject had sent him, mak-
ing him eighty acres in all, with which to start life. In 1866 and 1867 he raised crops of wheat and sold wheat the latter year for two dollars per bushel. On one occasion he took thirty bushels to Olney for which he re- ceived sixty dollars. Meeting an' old com- rade, Jim Clark, son of "Old Sam Clark," after the war, the young men repaired to a place for social refreshment and being looked upon by the proprietor of the place as young and unsophisticated, were induced to try their luck at a game. It was the subject's lucky day and he made fifteen dollars very easily. It became a puzzle to his father how the son could come home with so much money for thirty bushels of wheat. During those days Mr. Lewis was on his way to the polls at St. Marie to vote and passed a place where a young lady was breaking flax with a flail and casually made the remark, "That is the girl for me." He did not know her, but after- ward met her quite unexpectedly and it is a coincidence worth recording here that she is his wife today.
After the marriage of Mr. Lewis he con- tinued on the farm and was prosperous for several years, buying more land until he had a splendid place, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres. He was ambitious to get ahead and bought a threshing machine out- fit, going in debt on his credit, which was unquestioned. The panic of 1873 came on and it was impossible to get money, so he lost all. After he had turned over all his property except a homestead interest which he traded for two houses and lots in Olney, he found judgment still hanging over him.
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He paid one judgment of six hundred dol- lars by disposing of one house and lot and went to work at whatever he could find to do for several years.
In September, 1897, he bought a hotel business opposite the Illinois Central depot in Olney, which he conducted for about a year. He then conducted a similar business on West Main street for two years, after which he took charge of the old Commercial House, which he christened the New Olney House, and conducted the same for three years. He then sold out and leased the Metropole ho- tel, which he soon after sold. After a trip to St. Louis he returned to Olney and again engaged in the hotel business on West Main street for about a year. Selling out, he again took charge of the Metropole hotel, which he has since conducted successfully. It is the leading hotel in this part of the country and would be a credit to larger cities, being carefully conducted and managed in such a manner as to constantly gain prestige with the traveling public. It is a three-story brick structure, modern in every detail, with thirty- six rooms, electric lights, steam heat, hot and cold water, and all other equipment that can be found in an up-to-date hotel. Its cuisine is excellent and courteous treatment is al- ways accorded guests, so that the place is popular with the traveling public. Its genial and pleasant proprietor is familiarly known as "Old Dick Lewis."
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