USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 14
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Dr. Lewis Hardy Clark, our immediate subject, was the third child in the family of Dr. Joseph H. Clark. He first saw the light of day in Christian county, Illinois, June 29, 1844. Reared on the farm, he shared the simple pleasures and also the hardships of the homes established under primitive sur- roundings and lacking most of the conveniences now regarded as indispensable in every household. He attended the district schools and in his nineteenth year was granted a teacher's certificate and began teaching school in his native county, continuing as a teacher for several years. Previous to this time, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia and served from September, 1861, to February 28, 1862. The experience he gained in the war, although he was then just merging into manhood and too young to serve in the regular forces, made a lasting impression and has been a great benefit in shap- ing his after life.
Dr. Clark began the study of medicine under his father in 1866, later attend- ing the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati and graduating from that in- stitution in 1868. His studies have been conducted on broad principles, as he early recognized that all schools of medicine have at least some principles of truth, and he also applies allopathic remedies in cases to which they seem best adapted. The tendency toward unification in medical practice as in many other lines is becoming generally acknowledged and in many communities practi- tioners of all reputable schools meet in harmony. Dr. Clark practiced at Tay- lorville from 1868 until 1881, when he removed to Decatur, where he has since resided. At Taylorville he served as councilman for a number of years, but the duties of his chosen profession have mainly occupied his attention and he has never aspired to political honors. As a practitioner he has proven eminently successful and during an active experience of more than forty years in one of the most arduous of professions has accomplished a great deal of good throughout a wide region in alleviating the ills of his fellowmen. He is a member of the Macon County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Eclectic Medical Association. He also holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Court of Honor, Modern Woodmen of America and Loyal Ameri- cans. For twenty years past he has filled the office of deacon of the First Bap- tist church and in all the relations of life he is known as one whose constant aim is to perform his duty.
On the 29th of October, 1868, by Rev. G. J. Barrett, Dr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Elnora Maxwell, of Christian county. One daughter has blessed this union: Juanita E., who is a graduate of the Decatur high school and who is the happy possessor of musical ability in an unusual degree. Her talent became manifest during her school days and after completing the high- school course she received musical instruction under some of the best masters in the Chicago conservatories. As organist of the First Baptist church, which possesses one of the best pipe organs in central Illinois, she has assisted materially in adding to the interest of the services. She is also teacher of a large class of pupils in various stages of advancement.
It has been said that every hour employed usefully is so much capital that ultimately draws prodigious interest. Certainly does the truth of this thought appear as a result of the long and honorable career of the gentleman whose
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name appears at the head of this review. Imbued with right principles in youth, he has adhered to the best traditions of a family which has produced many names worthy of any honor that may accrue to them and of the highest confidence of their associates and friends.
JOSEPH F. TRIMMER.
The Civil war attracted many of the promising young men of our country, who offered their lives to support the stars and stripes and were received into the army often before they arrived at years of maturity. These young men were made of good fighting material and on many a closely contested battlefield they demonstrated their worthiness. Among the number was Joseph F. Trimmer who is now engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming and is the fortunate owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Hickory Point township this county.
He first saw the light of day in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1845. His father, Joseph F. Trimmer, Sr., was also born in Pennsylvania in 1818 and came to Illinois in 1853, settling upon a farm in Macon county. The grandparents of our subject belonged to old Pennsylvania families whose ancestors came from Germany many years ago. The father was a landowner in the Keystone state, but on settling in Illinois he rented land and continued as a renter for eleven years, at the end of which time he bought the Mound farm which he had pre- viously been renting and which constituted one hundred and sixty acres. Later he purchased a farm one mile east, which also included one hundred and sixty acres, and at the time of his death, in 1886, he was the owner of three hun- dred and twenty acres of land. He was a republican in politics and was greatly respected by friends and neighbors in the community. The mother of our sub- ject before her marriage was Catherine Fetrow, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820 and lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven years, departing this life in 1907. There were nine children in the family: Andrew; William, who died in 1864; Abraham, of Ohio; Joseph, our subject; Mary, who married Isaiah Henry, and is now a widow; Daniel, of Indiana; Henry, deceased; John, of De- catur; and George, deceased.
Joseph F. Trimmer came to Illinois with his parents as a boy in 1853 and one of his early recollections is the long trip in a wagon drawn by three horses, the journey requiring several weeks. He received his education in the public schools and on leaving school devoted his attention to the work upon the farm in which he assisted his father most assiduously. When he was seventeen years of age the great Civil war was in full progress and threatened to engulf the re- public, and like thousands of valiant young men, he offered his services in be- half of the flag and was accepted as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving for one year from February, 1864. Upon being honorably discharged in September, 1865, he returned home, re- maining on the farm for one year, at the end of which time he began renting land for himself. In this capacity he continued for six or seven years, acquiring a
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small capital with which he purchased eighty acres of land in Madison county, Iowa, and here he lived for seventeen years. In 1888 he returned to Macon county and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres where he has since resided and engaged in agriculture and stock-raising with a fine degree of success.
In 1868 Mr. Trimmer was united in marriage to Miss Dianatha T. Henry, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Walters) Henry, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Iowa and were there identified with farming interests. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry: Lucinda, who became Mrs. H. Davis, of Iowa, and is now deceased; Emanuel H., deceased; Mary J., who be- came the wife of G. Wheeler and is now deceased; Isaiah H., deceased; Wes- ley H., of Iowa; Cyrus, also of Iowa; Diantha T., herein mentioned; Jacob, de- ceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Trimmer seven children have been born: Minnie, now Mrs. Peter Keister, of Macon county, who has two children, Mabel and Florence; Francis, deceased; Roe, of Macon county; Clara, now Mrs. Drake, of Iowa; who has two children, Helen and Clyde; and Ora, Florence and Pearl, all living at home.
Mr. Trimmer is socially identified with Decatur Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Republic, at whose meetings the veterans of the Civil war renew the friend- ships of more than forty years standing and once more participate, in imagina- tions, in the trials and triumphs that resulted finally in the permanent establish- ment of this great republic. Mr. Trimmer is a stanch republican in his politi- cal views, but in local affairs often votes for the man rather than the party. He has not sought public office but he has acceptably served as a member of the school board and in discharging his various duties he applies the lessons which he learned in the school of experience, beginning in the dark days of the Re- bellion and continuing through brighter days to the present time. He is a wide- awake, enterprising and energetic citizen and is greatly esteemed by the many who know of his good qualities. He was fortunate in the selection of a help- mate and in his wife he has found an unfailing source of comfort and support, their home being the abode of happiness and the center of kindly greetings for friends and acquaintances of this region.
ROY O. WEAVER.
Roy O. Weaver, well known as a farmer of Macon county and living at the old homestead in Hickory Point township, was born August 23, 1882. Mr. Weaver represents the third generation of the family in this county, the older members having arrived in Illinois at an early day, when there were few settlers and when the country was largely open to preemption. Land which then was held by the government at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre has advanced until it commands one hundred and twenty-five to two hundred and fifty dollars per acre, and the entire appearance of the country has been transformed. This great change has been wrought by the active hand of man and, judging by the past, the march of improvement will continue indefinitely.
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The father of our subject, Charles Weaver, was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Illinois with his parents, Samuel and Sarah Weaver, when he was four years of age. The family settled in Macon county and Charles Weaver worked upon the farm and after the death of his father inherited the home- stead, the other children of the family being: Catherine, now the widow of Jacob Lehman and living at Forsyth, this state; Nancy, now Mrs. Keister, of Decatur; Susan, now Mrs. Crossman, of Harristown, Illinois; and Alfred, of Decatur. The mother of our subject was before her marriage Sarah Shively, a native of Pennsylvania, and three children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver; Arthur, who married Minnie Spera, now living in Kansas; Roy O., and Pearl, now Mrs. Hockaday.
Roy O. Weaver was born on the farm where he now lives and educated in the district schools. Upon laying aside his books, having determined to devote his life to farming pursuits, he worked on the farm with his father, continuing under the latter until the parents retired to Decatur in 1906, since which time the subject of this review has had entire charge of the farm, which consists of two hundred acres and is one of the highly productive and well managed farms of this region.
On September 15, 1903, Mr. Weaver was happily united in marriage to Miss Grace Hockaday, a daughter of James and Martha (Walker) Hockaday, na- tives of Ross county, Ohio. The parents came to Illinois in 1856 and settled in Decatur, where they are still living. There were nine children in their family, seven of whom are now living: Frank, Mrs. Ida Huddleston, Mrs. Anna Wicoff, James L., Mrs. Letitia Littleton, Guy, and Grace, herein mentioned. To Mr. and Mrs. Weaver five children have been born: Danville Eldon, born April 20, 1904; Dorothy Evelyn, born September 26, 1905; Ina Marie, born February 19, 1907; Martha Virginia, born June 21, 1908; and Alma, born September 9, 1909.
Mr. Weaver takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in local, state and national affairs and usually casts his ballot with the democratic party. He was fortunate in the selection of a wife and by her womanly qualities she has made his home a pleasing abode, the center not only of a happy family circle but a gathering place for friends and acquaintances of the family, where they may always be assured of an earnest and sincere greeting. In his business as a farmer Mr. Weaver has attained the success which is ever the reward of honest and well directed effort.
ALONZO DISBROW.
Among the soldiers who associated nobly in putting down the rebellion and then resumed the occupations of the farm, in which they have attained deserved success, may be named Alonzo Disbrow, of Hickory Point township, Macon county. He was born in the state of New York, January 7, 1843, and is a son of Orin D. and Abigail (Smith) Disbrow, both of whom were natives of New York. The father was a mason by trade and desiring to improve his condi- tion came to Illinois in 1853, settling in McHenry county, where he remained
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for a few years, when he removed to Moberly, Missouri, where in 1858 he died suddenly while at work. The mother of our subject was called from earthly scenes in 1885. There were seven children in the family: Lewis, deceased; Charles, a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri; Robert E., deceased; Thomas J., of Independence, Iowa; Alonzo, our subject; James E., deceased; and Delia, who died at twelve years of age.
Alonzo Disbrow passed the first ten years of his life in the state of his birth and then came with his parents to Illinois, receiving his education in the public schools of New York and Illinois. When the shadows of the Civil war gathered over the land he was eighteen years of age and in the fall of 1861, feeling that it was his duty to assist in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry for a period of three years. The regiment was sent to the Army of the East and participated in some of the memorable campaigns of the war. Private Disbrow did valiant service in a number of the leading battles. He was present during the great Peninsular campaign and on the firing line at Antietam. At the time of Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania he was on detail duty at the city of Washington and his regiment was among the first to arrive on the memorable battlefield at Gettysburg. His experience in the war was a thrilling introduction to the great battle of life in which he has since been engaged and in which he has borne a valiant part. Nor was he the only member of his father's family who assisted in upbuilding the stars and stripes. It is a remarkable fact that six sons of this family wore the uniform of the blue and one, Lewis, gave up his life for his country.
After receiving an honorable discharge from military service our subject in September, 1864, returned to Macon county and took up his home on the land where his mother and oldest brother had settled in 1861. He assumed charge of the farm, which he paid for at fifteen dollars an acre, the land being pur- chased from the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Later he bought ninety- five acres adjoining and is now the owner of a fine farm, which is provided with a goodly number of improvements and embraces one hundred and thirty-five acres. He also owns a farm of four hundred and eighty acres in the province of Manitoba, Canada, and a tract of eighty acres of farming land in Nebraska, and in his agricultural operations has shown good judgment which reflects high credit upon his early education.
In 1875 Mr. Disbrow was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Wentworth, a daughter of Benning and Catherine Wentworth, natives of Ross county, Ohio, who emigrated to this state and settled in Macon county. They were the parents of six children, all daughters: Mary, who has been three times married and is now a widow; Esther; Ellen; Laura, who became Mrs. Bear and is now de- ceased; Jane, now Mrs. Z. Baughn; and Bartlett, now Mrs. L. Bean, of Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Disbrow three children have been born: Lewis, at home; Catherine, now Mrs. S. A. Clatterbock, of Sioux City, Iowa, and Benning, at home.
Mr. Disbrow is a firm believer in holy writ and has for a number of years held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is identified with the republican party and is an earnest advocate of its principles. As a soldier he belongs to the Grand Army Post No. 41, of Decatur. Here he learned
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
the great lesson of self-independence and in war he gained experience by con- tact with men which is often of much more value than great book learning. He is a man of good address, well informed and tried courage, and has arrived at an age where he can at ease enjoy the results of many years of labor. It is scarcely necessary to add that the subject of this review stands high in the opinion of his fellowmen.
CHARLES HAYS.
Charles Hays, a popular farmer of Hickory Point township and a worthy descendant of a well known family of Macon county, was born September 27, 1859. His father, John R. Hays, was born in Indiana, in 1830, and came with his parents to Illinois when he was four years of age, the family locating near Monticello and later removing to this county. He was a son of John and Re- becca (Hadley) Hays, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York state. In this county the father of our subject grew up and was educated in the district schools, after leaving which he devoted his attention to farming. He received some land from his father and became quite a successful farmer. At the time of his death, in 1900, he was the owner of about six hundred acres of land. He was an industrious and intelligent man, who performed his part in advancing the welfare of this region and making it a desirable location for the best class of people. He had the confidence of his neighbors and served for one term as supervisor of his township. He married Rachel Montgomery, a native of Clark county, Ohio, who was born April 9, 1837, and was a daughter of Will- iam and Amelia (Suver) Montgomery. She came to Illinois with her parents and was here married. She survived her husband for ten years and was called away January 3, 1910, in the seventy-third year of her age. Mrs. Hays was a woman of fine character and one who contributed in an important degree toward the prosperity and happiness of her family. She was the mother of five chil- dren : Charles, our subject ; William J. and Frank, both residents of Decatur; Cynthia, who died at nine years of age; and one child who died in infancy.
Charles Hays was educated in the public schools of this county and grew up as a farmer boy, becoming well acquainted with the various duties of the farm and under his father evincing an interest and proficiency in his work which was a prophecy of a successful career as an agriculturist and stock raiser. About the time of the death of his father he assumed charge of his present farm, which was part of the old home place. Here he has since lived and is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in this county, being one of its substantial and prosperous farmers.
In 1889 Mr. Hays was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Landis, a daughter of Henry and Amanda (Reeser) Landis, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, who came to Illinois about 1866. Here Mr. Landis carried on farming, becoming independent financially, and he and his wife are now living retired in Decatur. They have four children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hays; James, of De- catur ; William, of San Diego, California; and Etta L., now Mrs. Cooper, living near Harristown, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Hays four children have been born :
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Edwin, born in 1891, at home; Robert, born in 1893; and Ora and Oma, twins, born in 1895.
Mr. Hays affiliates with the democratic party and, although he has not been an office seeker, preferring rather to devote his principal interest to his own private affairs, he has served with commendation as assessor of his township. He has always taken a lively interest in the development of Macon county, as here he was born and all his life has been identified with its growth. He is widely acquainted with the people of this region and it is greatly to his credit that his best friends are found among those who have known him from his boyhood. No one begrudges him and his wife the comforts with which they are supplied, as these comforts are the result of well spent time and labor.
MATTHEW M. HARRISON.
Matthew M. Harrison is one of the prosperous farmers of Macon county, who takes great pride in his farm and, therefore, has attained deserved success. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, November 17, 1856, and is a son of Matthew Harrison, who was also a native of the Buckeye state, born in 1815. He fol- lowed farming all his life and died in 1859, when our subject was three years of age. The mother before her marriage was Lydia A. Plummer, a native of Ohio, who was born in 1818 and after the death of her first husband married Mitchell Liedam, the family coming to Illinois in 1868 and settling in Macon county. The mother was a woman of many noble qualities. She departed this life in 1898. By her first marriage she became the mother of fourteen children, six of whom are now living: Mrs. Fanny Cassel, a resident of Macon county ; Mrs. Sarah Wilt, also of this county; Mrs. Mary Lintner, of Joplin, Missouri ; Joseph, of Indian Territory; Matthew M .; and Eliza, now Mrs. Mount, of Decatur.
The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of his native state and grew up upon the farm, coming to Illinois at twelve years of age. He was early taught habits of industry and, being ambitious to advance in the world, he began working out while still a boy and after gaining a fair degree of experience in the various duties of the farm he rented land and engaged in agricultural pursuits on his own account. As years progressed he became pros- perous and four years ago he acquired a well located farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Hickory Point township, where he now lives.
In 1884 Mr. Harrison was united in marriage to Maggie L. Renshaw, a daughter of John and Lydia A. (Steel) Renshaw, who were natives of Co- lumbus, Ohio, and came to Illinois, where they became identified with the agricultural interests. They were the parents of four children: Carrie, now Mrs. Green, of Bloomington, Illinois; Maggie L .; Cora, now Mrs. Keller, of Los Angeles, California; and May, now Mrs. Reddick, of Decatur. Ten chil- dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison : Guy R., born in 1885, now living at home; Gertrude A., born in 1887; Benjamin, in 1888; John, in 1890; Fanny B., who was born in 1892 and died in infancy; Carrie, born in 1894; Mattie, in 1896; Joseph, in 1899; Margaret in 1901 and Alice, in 1903.
MR. AND MRS. M. M. HARRISON
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Mr. Harrison is a stanch supporter of the republican party and is socially identified with Lodge No. 312, A. F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 17, K. P .; and Lodge No. 144, M. W. A., all being located at Decatur. In the various relations of life Mr. Harrison has attempted to perform his duty and as a result he has made many friends, who were attracted by his manly qualities of perseverance, in- dustry and square dealing Mrs. Harrison, who is an intelligent and estimable lady, has been a constant support to her husband and as the mother of a large family she has inculcated by her example those principles of unselfishness and willingness to aid others which are so important in the promotion of happiness and goodwill.
JOHN H. PARK.
John H. Park, who is known as a useful and praiseworthy citizen of Macon county, is a native son of Illinois and was born in Morgan county, May 26, 1847. He is a son of John J. Park, who was born in Kentucky, November 18, 1813, and came to Illinois with his parents, Thomas and Jane (Fox) Park. The family settled in Morgan county upon one hundred and five acres of land and there the older members passed to their reward. John J. Park, the father of our subject, sold out his interest in Morgan county and bought land in Sangamon county, beginning with one hundred and twenty acres, to which he added eighty acres and became the owner of a well improved farm of two hundred acres. In 1865 he moved to Decatur, this county, and sold his farm and acquired a farm of eighty acres in Macon county, upon which he lived for three years, at the end of which time he retired to Decatur. He was the owner of the Park Place addition to Decatur, having himself laid out this addition. He was a useful citizen, who contributed according to his ability and opportunity in upbuilding any enterprise with which he was connected. He affiliated with the republican party but never aspired to official preferment. He departed this life in 1894, at the age of eighty-one years. The mother of our subject before her marriage was Eliza Jane Caldwell, who was born in Kentucky, August 19, 1820, and came to this state with her parents, who settled in Morgan county. She was called away April 15, 1901. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Park: Nancy J., who was twice married; John C., deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. Judson; David T .; Robert, who died in infancy; John H., the subject of this review; Mary C., now Mrs. McGinnis; James M .; Margaret; Samuel; and William M.
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