USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 10
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CLAUDE WARREN WARD.
Claude Warren Ward, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist and dairyman of South Wheatland township, cultivates a farm of one hundred and forty-one acres on section 16. His birth occurred in Macon county, Illinois, on the 3d of January, 1881, his parents being John and Martha (Le Master) Ward, who were likewise natives of this state, the former born on the 12th of September, 1842, and the latter on the 6th of February, 1844. John Ward was the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight children, while his wife was the second child born in a family of four. Their marriage was celebrated on the 29th of November, 1866. The father of our subject was a farmer by oc- cupation, and also bought and shipped high grade stock on an extensive scale, dealing principally in Marmaduke roadsters and Poland-China hogs. During the Civil war he fought as a defender of the Union for three years, enlisting in Company E, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and being mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, on the 15th of August, 1865. He participated with his regiment in the famous battles of Vicksburg and Jackson and also took part in numerous other hotly contested engagements. At the battle of Vicksburg he was wounded and carried from the field as dead but revived and was placed
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in the hospital at Belle Island, where he remained for four months. Upon his recovery he was paroled for thirty days, at the end of which time he rejoined the army and was again wounded in the engagement at Jackson, Mississippi. He was treated on the field for his injuries and remained in the service until the cessation of hostilities between the North and the South. At the time of his demise, which occurred on the 17th of May, 1892, he was a member of Dunham Post, G. A. R., at Decatur. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he served as supervisor for several terms, and also acted as township collector and assessor, ever proving a most capable and trustworthy public official. His widow, who still survives, is a devoted and consistent mem- ber of the Christian church.
Claude W. Ward, whose name introduces this review, was the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living. His four sisters are as follows: Rosa, at home; Minnie, a resident of Decatur, who is the wife of Adam Phillips and has four children; Maud, living in South Wheatland township, who is the wife of Leonard Kraft and has one child; and Mattie, who is the wife of Bert Wallace and resides in Decatur.
Claude W. Ward attended the public schools of this state in the acquire- ment of an education, and after completing his studies, worked on the home farm, assisting his father in its operation until the latter's death. Since that time he has managed the place for his mother, and in connection with the tilling of the soil is also engaged in the dairy business. The farm comprises one hundred and forty-one acres of rich and productive land on section 16, South Wheatland township, and in its cultivation he has met with excellent results, annually gathering bounteous harvests which find a ready sale on the market.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Ward has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its prin- ciples are most conducive to good government. He has resided in Macon county from his birth to the present time and is widely recognized as one of its pros- perous and popular young citizens.
WILLIAM H. DAVIS.
William H. Davis, manager for the Western Union Telegraph Company at Decatur and a man who stands high in the esteem of the people wherever he is known, was born in Union City, Indiana, October 8, 1856, and is the son of Royal H. and Sarah A. (Wilson) Davis, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. The father and mother are now living in Union City and have arrived at the ages of seventy-six and seventy-three years respectively. They were married in 1855 and eight children were born to them. The father learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until he retired from active labor in 1895.
Being the eldest son in a large and growing family, William H. Davis early began to face the world. He received his education in the public schools and
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at the age of sixteen entered the general office of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Chicago, beginning as messenger boy and applying himself dili- gently to the study of telegraphy, so that he was soon placed at a key and worked in Chicago about eight years. He was then sent by the company to various points in the United States and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the vocation to which he has devoted the best energies of his life, in 1887 he was appointed manager for the company at Decatur and has continued in that posi- tion ever since, conducting affairs so intelligently that the company's business has very greatly increased and under his supervision is constantly growing.
In 1888 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Myra R. Smith, a daugh- ter of Abraham and Minerva (Martin) Smith, both natives of Illinois. She was born in 1859 and is the second child in a family of three children. Mr. Davis is socially identified with Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., and also Celestial Lodge, No. 186, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Camp No. 144, Modern Woodmen of America; and Camp No. 26, Court of Honor. His study of political questions has led him to accept the principles of the democratic party as those best adapted for the perpetuity of the republic but in local issues he votes independently. He and his wife are active members of the First Meth- odist Episcopal church of Decatur and have many friends in the city where they have made their home for so many years, in the course of which they have be- come closely identified with the religious and social interests of the community. Mr. Davis was fortunate in the selection of a wife who during all their mar- ried life has presided over a happy household. He early acquired habits of application and industry that have been to him of inestimable value, and by a life in which he has been guided by worthy ideals he has gained the confi- dence and respect of the best people in the community.
GEORGE W. REYNOLDS.
George W. Reynolds is well known as one of the representative citizens of Whitmore township. He has been prominent in connection with public offices and also as a leading farmer and stock-raiser of the community, devoting his time and energies to the cultivation and improvement of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Piatt county, Illinois, February 22, 1852.
His father, Miner Reynolds, was a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, born in 1810. There he grew to manhood and was married to Miss Susanna Brady, also a native of that county. Following their marriage Mr. Reynolds followed farming in Ohio for a number of years and about 1849 removed westward to Illinois, settling in Piatt county, where he carried on general agricultural pur- suits for a number of years. He next became a resident of Whitmore town- ship, Macon county, where he purchased land and developed a farm. Upon this property he reared his family and spent his remaining days, his death oc- curring in 1876. His wife had passed away a number of years before, when George W. Reynolds was a child. In the family were three sons and six daugh- ters, all of whom reach mature years, while one brother and three sisters are yet
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living, the brother being James Reynolds, now of Kansas. The sisters are: Mrs. Madden, of Decatur county, Iowa; Martha, the wife of Phil Bowser, of Colorado; and Mrs. Miranda Hester, a widow living in Smith county, Kansas.
George W. Reynolds was reared upon the home farm in Macon county, for he was but a young lad which his parents removed to this part of the state. His early education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a year's study in the State University at Iowa City, Iowa. He devoted four years to herding cattle in the west, particularly in Nebraska, and then returned to his native state. In November, 1880, he was married in Piatt county to Miss Ida M. Shaff, who was born and reared in Ohio, a daughter of Michael Shaff, who removed from the Buckeye state to Illinois.
Following his marriage Mr. Reynolds rented land and engaged in farming for a few years in Piatt county. He also bought and sold land while living there and eventually invested in the one hundred and sixty acres upon which he now resides. This he at once began to farm and his labors are manifest in the ex- cellent improvements upon the place and in the neat and thrifty appearance of the fields. He has erected a good residence, together with substantial barns, corn cribs and buggy sheds, and he has also tiled and fenced the fields. There are fruit and shade trees upon the place of his planting and in fact the excellent appearance of the farm is attributable entirely to his intelligently directed labors. In connection with the tilling of the fields he has raised and fed stock but makes a specialty of raising grain.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have been born five sons and four daughters : Cecil D., who aids in carrying on the home farm; Bert, now of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, where he is employed as an electrician after having previously studied for seven years in the Millikin University, of which he is a graduate; John, a telegraph operator, now at home; Roy and Carl, who are still under the parental roof; Janetta, the wife of William Campbell, a farmer of Whitmore township; Mabel, Fay and Marie, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Reynolds has been a lifelong republican. He cast his first ballot for president for General U. S. Grant in 1872 and has supported each presidential nominee of the party since that time. Locally, however, he votes an independent ticket, regarding only the capability of a candidate. He was appointed supervisor to fill out an unexpired term and later was elected and reelected until his service as a member of the county board covered six years. He also was elected a member of the town board and served as assessor for one term. On other occasions he has assisted in assessing the township. While a member of the county board he was appointed one of three to investi- gate the tax index system for keeping the county records and, making favorable report upon this, it was adopted and has proved a great saving of time and ex- pense. He also served on a number of important committees while a county supervisor, acting as a member of the committee in charge of the county farm for about five years. He retired from office in 1910 with a most creditable official record. With little interruption he has been identified with the board of education for many years and the cause of the public schools finds him a stal- wart and helpful champion. He has served as a delegate to county and state conventions of his party and also on petit and grand juries. His life has been
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characterized as of signal usefulness to his fellowmen and at all times has been actuated by high and honorable principles.
His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Argenta. He be- longs to the Masonic lodge at Argenta and Decatur chapter, R. A. M., and was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Argenta. He is one of the most progressive farmers, enterprising business men and public-spirited citizens of Whitmore township, enjoying and meriting the high regard and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. His friends are many and all who know him entertain for him warm regard.
CHARLES E. TANDY.
The office of county treasurer in a great commonwealth such as Illinois is a prize coveted by many, but few there be that win. The winners are usu- ally men of well proven conservatism, of good judgment in business affairs, of unexceptionable character and regarded by the tax-paying interests as safe conservators of the public money. These requirements are not always easy to meet, but in the case of Charles E. Tandy, whose name appears at the head of this biography, the conditions seemed in the minds of the voters to be complied with and for two years past the duties of the treasuryship have rested on his shoulders. Having been a resident of Macon county for forty years past, he is well known and the utmost confidence is felt in his ability and faithfulness.
Born in Morgan county, Illinois, Sepember 13, 1862, Charles E. Tandy 1s still on the sunny side of fifty years and is in the prime of life. He is the son of George W. and Catherine E. (Scott) Tandy, both of whom were born in Kentucky. The father came to Morgan county when a lad, in 1834, and the mother about ten years later. It was a new country. The warlike Indians had departed to the western side of the Mississippi river and a great influx of popu- lation from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and states of the east poured into a land described as one of the most attractive and productive in America. At first only the valleys along the streams were cultivated, but after the introduc- tion of iron plows for breaking up the tough soil of the prairies the state began to move into place as the chief agricultural region of the Union. The father of Mr. Tandy, who was one of the men to assist in breaking the virgin prairie, is still living, a survivor of the pioneer days when the state of Illinois was in its infancy. He and his wife located in Macon county in 1870, settling on a tract of eighty acres in Harristown township, of which Charles E. is now the owner. Mrs. Tandy passed away in 1905, after a long life of unselfishness and usefulness.
Charles E. Tandy was reared upon a farm and attended the country school, later taking a course of study at Brown's Business College, Jacksonville, Illinois, and also in the business college at Springfield, Illinois. Although he has from choice and natural ability been a practical farmer from the beginning of his ca- reer, he has taken advantage of educational facilities and enriched his mind
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with ideas of the best thinkers. Having a taste for politics, he served as town collector of Harristown and was for two years a member of the board of review. Coming into a wider field as the years passed, he was appointed deputy county treasurer under W. T. J. Cooper, serving in that capacity one and a half years. The death of Mr. Cooper in 1908 created a vacancy, which was filled by Mr. Tandy under appointment of the county supervisors until the fall election of 1908, when he was duly elected by the voters of the county for the full term of four years. His administration has given general satisfaction and has greatly heightened the respect entertained for his unfailing courtesy to all alike and many desirable traits of character in one holding a position of responsibility. His social qualities are exemplified also by membership in the Masonic frater- nity, of whose protective principles he has for years been an earnest advocate. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, recognized as one of the strongest beneficiary orders on the continent.
Mr. Tandy was united in marriage, February 3, 1887, to Miss Caroline L. Talbott, who is a native of Harristown township, and they have four children: Edna F., deputy in the office of the county treasurer; Willis C .; Clarence L .; and Hobart E. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and aim to exemplify by their lives the teachings of the book of books. From farmer boy to county treasurer of one of the great counties of Illinois is a long step and implies genuine worth and a life founded on principles of generally acknowledged stability. That this step has been made by the present incumbent of the office is an incentive which others may profitably note, for there is no position in the gift of the people which it is not possible for the ambitious, de- serving man to attain.
WARREN FOLLANSBEE HARDY.
There is no doubt that the newspapers largely control public opinion in America. Here the press has a freedom known nowhere else in the world and here the newspaper business has been brought to its highest degree of efficiency not only in gathering the news but in disseminating it to the millions of readers. The general consensus of opinion is that a free press is a necessity in a free government and all wrongs will in the end right themselves even in the realm of the newspaper. If a newspaper takes undue advantage of its freedom or fails to present the truth it will in the end receive merited condemnation. If a newspaper consistently maintains high ideals it will gain the confidence of its readers and its influence will be in proportion to the sincerity with which it ad- heres to what is just and true.
Warren F. Hardy, the subject of this review, is a representative of that branch of the press which aims to maintain an honorable standard and thus to gain and retain the respect and confidence of the people. As managing editor of the Decatur Herald for three years past, he has displayed those qualities that count for most in the journalism of the country, and has gained an enviable reputation in Decatur and Macon county as a man of marked ability in a diffi- cult profession and a citizen whose great object it is to upbuild the community.
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He was born at Blue Hill, Maine, December 14, 1878, and is a son of Daniel W. and Lydia (Follansbee) Hardy, the father being a minister of the Congre- gational church.
The subject of this review was reared in a genial home and early possessed advantages of training that have had a controlling influence on his life. In 1896 he was graduated from the Waterville, Maine, high school, after which he attended Colby College for two years, then entering Amherst College, gradu- ating from the latter institution in 1900 with the degree of A. B. Mr. Hardy lost no time in beginning upon his life work. He had a natural liking for the newspaper and immediately after leaving college became connected with the Lowell (Mass.) Mail as a reporter. Here he received his introduction to the calling for which he has proven to be eminently adapted. We next find him as court reporter on the Springfield (Mass.) Union and from this position he became city editor of the Evening Union and later city editor of the Morning Union, being also night editor of the same paper for three years, thus securing a varied experience that has qualified him for any position in the newspaper field. In January, 1908, he came to this city as managing editor of the Decatur Herald and has filled this office with an ability that has met with the general approval of the people of the city and also of readers in central Illinois where the Herald has an extensive circulation. Under his management the paper has been greatly strengthened and its sphere of influence extended. He is a clear and forcible writer and has gained just recognition among his brethren of the state press as one of the wide-awake and progressive newspaper men of the mod- ern school, who are capable of a comprehensive grasp of the great issues which effect the state and control the destiny of the nation.
On June, 22, 1910, Mr. Hardy was united in marriage to Miss Olive Belle Milner, formerly woman's editor of the Decatur Herald. Mr. Hardy is a re- publican in politics and a member of the University Club, of which he was president 1910-1911. In college he was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity and his religious belief is indicated by his membership in the First Congrega- tional church of Decatur. In the course of his life he has aimed to deal justly and judge gently and in his career as a journalist he has been governed by a moderation that makes more binding the ties of society and strengthens those relations by which men recognize each other as in a common brotherhood.
HON. WILLIAM F. CALHOUN.
Hon. William F. Calhoun, postmaster of Decatur, to which position he was appointed by President Mckinley in 1897, since which time through reappoint- ments he has continuously filled the position to the satisfaction of the general public, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1844. His parents were John and Catharine (Kiner) Calhoun, who were also natives of the Keystone state. The Kiner family is of Holland-Dutch lineage. The Cal- houns are among the oldest and most prominent American families. The pa- ternal grandfather, John Calhoun, a representative of one of the early families
W. F. CALHOUN
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of Perry county, Pennsylvania, was married in that county in 1794 to Miss Jane Dill. He was a contractor and builder and his son and namesake, John Calhoun, Jr., followed the same pursuit. Both died in Perry county, Pennsyl- vania. The latter was a very prominent and influential resident of his com- munity and by the vote of his fellow townsmen was called to fill several local offices. He married Catharine Kiner, and unto them were born three sons and two daughters; William F .; Winfield Scott, who resides at Tuscola, Illinois; Jennie, deceased; John Dill, a resident of Winona, Illinois; and Ella, the wife of Edward Hill, of Des Moines, Iowa.
In taking up the personal history of Dr. William F. Calhoun we present to our readers the life record of one who is most widely and favorably known in Decatur and throughout this part of the state. His early education, acquired in the public schools of Pennsylvania, was supplemented by an academic course at Mount Dempsey, that state. But when seventeen years of age his spirit of patriotism surmounted all else in his life, and he joined the army, putting aside his text-books for that purpose. He enlisted as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, and was connected with the Fifty Army Corps. He was continuously at the front with his command, par- ticipating in the battles of Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericks- burg and Chancellorsville. In January, 1864, he reenlisted, joining the Twen- tieth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was made orderly sergeant of Company K. with which he continued until the close of the war, being present at Appomat- tox at the time of the surrender of General Lee. He was on active duty under General Sheridan during the term of his second enlistment and participated in a number of hotly contested battles and skirmishes, including the engagements at Winchester, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, Toms Brook, Waynesboro, Five Forks, Sailors Creek and Appomattox: Following the close of the war he was mustered out at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in August, 1865, having done faith- ful duty in defense of his country upon the long hard marches and on some of the battlefields where shot and shell fell thickest.
The war over, Dr. Calhoun returned to his old home but was not satisfied in Pennsylvania, and in October of the same years came to Illinois, first settling in La Salle county. There he studied dentistry and for twenty-three years pursued his profession in Seneca, Farmers City and Clinton, Illinois, but in 1889 he retired from practice and came to Decatur, where he turned his at- tention to the newspaper business, establishing the Dispatch, which was later consolidated with the Herald. With this newspaper he is still identified as presi- dent of the company. For years he was the editor of the Herald and under his management the journal was brought to a prosperous condition, which it still enjoys. He wielded a trenchant pen and his clear, concise and forcible presentation of vital questions and subjects made the Herald a welcome visitor to many a household.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Dr. Calhoun has been a stalwart advocate of the republican party and its principles, and has been honored with a number of public offices. In 1882 he was elected to the state legislature and was reelected for three successive terms. In 1887 he served as speaker of the house and was regarded as a most excellent legislator, always
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just and wise in his rulings. Moreover, when occupying a seat with the other members of the house he took an active part in promoting constructive legis- lation, serving at different times on all of the important committees and was on the steering committee that elected John A. Logan to the United States senate. He was prominently identified with all the important questions that came up during his connection with the assembly, sought the welfare of the state in his support of all bills that were presented, and at no time occupied an equivocal position but stood fearlessly in defense of what he believed to be right. In November, 1897, Dr. Calhoun was again called to office in his appointment to the position of postmaster by President Mckinley. For thirteen years he has occupied this position, his services being entirely satisfactory to the general public. A new postoffice building was erected in 1908 under his administration, at a cost of eighty-four thousand, seven hundred and eighty-two dollars, and the site on which it stands was purchased for twelve thousand dollars. It oc- cupies the place where formerly stood the home of the Hon. William E. Nelson. The building is modern in construction and equipment, is light and well ven- tilated and is one of the best buildings used exclusively for postoffice purposes in the state. It is an ornament to the city and a credit to the effort of Dr. Calhoun.
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