USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 15
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John H. Park was born in Morgan county and educated in the district schools. He was early inducted into all the operations of the farm, continuing with his father until 1871, when he began for himself by renting land in this county, south of the location which he chose in March, 1898, as his home. Here he bought a tract of eighty acres, which he has greatly improved. At one time he devoted considerable attention to raising draft horses, but during recent years has confined his operations to general farming with the favorable results that are usually attained by the application of well directed energy. 8
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On March 14, 1880, Mr. Park was happily united in marriage to Miss Dora M. Rowe, who was born November 2, 1855, and is a daughter of John and Eliza- beth Rowe. The parents were natives of Ohio and the father died in that state, but Mrs. Rowe came to Illinois about 1877 with her children and located at Decatur, where she died in 1892. Four children of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are now living, J. Wesley, Willard, Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Anna Snyder. The beloved wife of our subject was summoned from earthly scenes October 28, 1896. She was the mother of four children: Jesse, who was born January 12, 1881, and died January II, 1901; Nellie, who was born May 16, 1884, and died May 8, 1902; and Clara, born in 1886, and Anna, in 1888, both living at home.
Although Mr. Park has been called upon to suffer great affliction in the death of members of his family, he has bravely borne up and sturdily continued in his appointed tasks. Like his father, he is a supporter of the republican party. He has acted as road commissioner, discharging his duties in such a way as to receive the general commendation of the people of the community. He is an in- dustrious and intelligent citizen and in his work as a farmer has attained deserved success.
NATHAN E. STICKEL.
Nathan E. Stickel is the owner of a farm of two hundred acres in sections 3 and 10, south Wheatland township, Macon county, which is recognized as one of the most productive farms in the region. He is well known as an active and progressive citizen, whose aim it is to keep abreast of the times and to as- sist to the extent of his ability in the upbuilding of the community.
He is a native of Macon county and was born April 1, 1869, a son of David H. and Lydia (Spangler) Stickel. David H. Stickel was born in Lewisberry, York county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1835. He was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1857, locating in Macon county with his brother Wesley Stickel. A few years later his parents came to this state where they made their permanent home. At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Stickel enlisted in Company I, Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and participated with his regiment in some of the important battles of the war, including the battle of Huntsville, Ala- bama, Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee, and also took part in numerous smaller engagements. On account of loss of health he was honorably discharged from service at the end of one year and returned to this state where he recovered his health and in 1868 went to Pennsylvania and was married. He later re- sumed general farming and live-stock raising in Illinois, departing this life in Macon county, July 23, 1909, after a long and useful career. In politics he was a strong republican. He was also an active member of the Methodist church, being trustee and steward at Elwin for a number of years and assisting very materially in building up the organization. Mrs. Stickel is a native of Mount Royal, York county, Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1842, and she is now making her home with the subject of this review. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stickel: Nathan E., our subject; Mary B., now Mrs. N. M.
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Jacobs, of Decatur, Macon county; and Charles, born December 17, 1881, who married Alma E. Huddelson, of Blue Mound, and died December 8, 1909, the wife departing this life October 25, 1909.
Nathan E. Stickel was educated in the public schools of Illinois and also attended high school for three months, at the end of which time he began de- voting his attention to the farm. For three years before his marriage he rented a farm owned by his father, on which he new lives, and then purchased eighty acres in section 3 of the same township, making his present farm of two hun- dred acres. In 1896 the father built a beautiful residence, modern in all respects, which is now occupied by the family and is one of the most attractive homes in the township.
In 1897 Mr. Stickel was happily united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hill, a daughter of Joseph and Rose Mary (Stallings) Hill, who has proven to her husband a truly loyal and helpful companion. Their home has been blessed by the arrival of two children : Lloyd E., and Nathan C., now deceased. Mr. Stickel is a member of South Macon Lodge, No. 467, A. F. & A. M., and of Coeur de Leon Lodge, No. 17, Knights of Pythias, of Decatur. Politically he is identified with the republican party and he has occupied several public offices, serving as supervisor of the township, as collector for two terms, and is now a member of the school board. These duties he has discharged with great fidelity, receiving the hearty approval of the entire neighborhood. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Elwin, in which Mr. Stickel has served as trustee for ten years and also as steward. Mrs. Stickel is a member of the Ladies Aid Society and is actively interested in Sunday school work, she and her husband being interested workers in all causes that aim to promote the interests of the region.
WILLIAM T. HOWELL.
William T. Howell, a representative and enterprising farmer of Oakley township, has a good home on section 31 and his time and energies are success- fully devoted to the raising of grain and stock. He now owns and cultivates nearly four hundred acres of land, constituting one of the well improved and valuable farms of Macon county. Moreover he is one of the venerable citizens here, having passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. His birth occurred in Sangamon county, Illinois, November 2, 1829.
His parents were James and Jane (Alsberry) Howell, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born in Gallia county and about 1827 removed westward to Illinois, settling first in Sangamon county, while five years later he removed to Macon county, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. In fact the entire district was almost an unbroken wilderness and the year of his removal was that in which the Black Hawk war occurred. He entered land from the government, for the greater part of the broad prairies of Macon county were then under government control. Subsequently he bought land from time to time until he became the owner of over two hundred acres,
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which he transformed into a productive farm, upon which he reared his family and spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1871. He was laid to rest on the old home place and was survived by his wife for a number of years but at length she, too, passed to the home beyond.
W. T. Howell was reared to manhood in Macon county, spending his youthful days in Oakley township. He remained with his father until after he had passed the age of twenty-two years and assisted him in carrying on the farm. He was afterward employed as a farm hand by the month for three years and in this way got his start in life. He early learned the fact that diligence and industry constitute the basis of success and as the years passed on he won a very desirable measure of prosperity by reason of his close application and unfaltering perseverance.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Howell chose Miss Sarah Jane Trotter, whom he wedded on the 8th of March, 1853. Mrs Howell was born in Ohio and was brought to Illinois by her mother when a little maiden of six years. Previous to his marriage Mr. Howell had purchased eighty acres of land and had broken a part of this. He built a small house upon the place and after his marriage took up his abode there. With characteristic energy he began the further improvement and development of the property and from time to time has extended tthe boundaries of his farm until he now owns over two hundred acres of rich and valuable land, which responds readily to the care and labor that he bestows upon it. He erected a good two-story brick residence in modern style of architecture and it is one of the attractive homes of this part of the country. There is a large barn upon the place which he built, together with sheds and cribs and all of the accessories and improvements of a model farm of the twentieth century. He uses the best improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place indicates his progressive spirit. What he has accomplished also indicates that he has made wise use of his time and opportunities, for he has been dependent upon his own resources from almost the time he attained his majority.
On Easter Sunday in 1910 sorrow came to the home of Mr. Howell, for on that day his wife passed away. She was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, December 27, 1833, and was therefore in the seventy-seventh year of her age at the time of her death. In her demise the family lost a loving and devoted wife and mother and her friends one who was ever faithful to their best interests. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Howell had been born a son and three danghters: John W., now a resident of California; Laura, the wife of James Hoots of Decatur, by whom she has one daughter, Anna, now a young lady ; Henrietta, who, is acting as her father's housekeeper; and Fannie, the wife of George T. Hackler, living near Superior, Nebraska.
In his political views Mr. Howell is a stalwart democrat yet not so strongly partisan that he will not cast an independent ballot at local elections if he thinks the best interests of the community will be conserved thereby. The only offices that he has ever held have been those of highway commissioner and school director, for he has always preferred to give his attention to his business affairs and to leave office holding to those more desirous of securing the honors and emoluments of political preferment. His entire life has been passed in Illinois
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and he has lived in Macon county since it was largely an undeveloped wilderness. His memory goes back to the time when there were no railroads through Decatur and in fact he has witnessed the growth of that city from little more than a crossroads village. He has seen the crude farm machinery of the early day re- placed by the modern reaper, mower and harvester and can remember that time when it was no unusual thing to see candles used in lighting the homes of the early settlers. The fireplace, too, was a feature in every household, for in the days of his youth the modern cooking stove was unknown. The wives and daughters spun and wove cloth, while the father and sons worked in the fields. Many changes have occurred since those early days and progress has wrought a marvelous transformation. Mr. Howell has rejoiced in all that has been accomplished for the benefit of mankind and the upbuilding of the community and is today one of the honored and venerable citizens of Macon county, respected by all with whom he has been brought in contact.
C. F. SCHENCK.
C. F. Schenck, successfully engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Maroa, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 8th of February, 1862. His parents were Aaron and Rebecca (Barkalow) Schenck, who spent their entire lives in Ohio save for the period of their later days, when they resided with a daughter in Maroa. Their family numbered ten children of whom eight reached years of maturity.
C. F. Schenck pursued his education in the common schools of his native state and was reared upon the home farm in Ohio, giving his time and energies to the work of tilling the fields until twenty years of age, when he came to Maroa. During the succeeding two years he worked at the painter's trade and then went to Decatur where he remained for a year and a half, clerking in the store of R. Liddle. Returning to Maroa in 1885 he was engaged in the cigar manufacturing business, starting on a small scale. From 1887 until 1891 he had a partner, W. F. McClung, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Schenck & McClung. Since that time Mr. Schenck has been alone and the business has enjoyed continuous, substantial and rapid growth which is indicated by the fact that he now employs twenty-six people in the manufacture of cigars. This is by far the largest cigar factory in Macon county, the output being about a million and a half cigars annually. After starting in this business he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, representing his own house, and so continued until his sales reached a million a year. He also acted as book- keeper and managed the business, which under his careful guidance and by reason of his progressive methods has developed into one of the extensive and profitable enterprises of the county. In addition to his industrial interests he is the owner of valuable farm land in both Idaho and Texas. His plantation in the latter state is situated near Houston, where he is engaged in the raising of rice. His farm in Idaho is situated in the Twin Falls district and is devoted to the raising of small grain. Both of these properties he manages from his office
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in Maroa although he frequently makes trips to both the south and the north- west.
In 1886 Mr. Schenck was married to Miss Lilly A. Stoutenborough, a native of Macon county and a daughter of William H. Stoutenborough, of Maroa. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian church. He is now treasurer of the building committee of the new Presbyterian church, which is being erected at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars and a new parsonage. The entire property will be worth about forty thousand dollars when completed. Mr. Schenck belongs also to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp, and in both of these has served as an officer. He is a man of unfaltering purpose and of laudable ambition and in his business affairs has displayed marked aptitude for successful management, together with a prompt and ready recognition and utilization of opportunities.
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RICHARD J. ROBERTS.
Richard J. Roberts, whose death on the 16th of October, 1910, removed one of the old settlers of Decatur, his residence here covering a period of over fifty-three years, was born March 14, 1833, in Emmetsburg, Pennsylvania. His parents were John and Mary (Hughes) Roberts, the former also a native of the Keystone state and the latter of Wales. Spending his boyhood days in his father's home, Richard J. Roberts was trained to habits of industry and upon his mind were impressed lessons concerning the value of integrity, perseverance and upright character. He attended the district schools, the sessions of which were held in a log schoolhouse and when not busy with his text-books his time was largely occupied with the work of the home farm. In 1852, when nineteen years of age, he started westward, making his way to Cleveland, Ohio. He had previously learned the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed in Cleveland. In the fall of that year he came to Illinois, traveling over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad to Peru and thence made his way by boat to Peoria, where he also worked at the carpenter's trade. Subsequently he went to Chicago and on the 31st of January, 1856, in Springfield, Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Steele. They then located in that city, where they lived for a year and on the Ist of April, 1857, they came to Decatur, where Mr. Roberts sought employment at carpentering. He became a contracting carpenter and was engaged in that business until after the outbreak of the Civil war.
On the 9th of August, 1863, in this city, Mr. Roberts enlisted for active service in defense of the Union, joining the One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Infantry under command of Captain Hayes and Colonel John Moore. Early in the war he sustained injuries from which he never recovered and after six months' service he was honorably discharged. Following his return to Decatur he took up the business of house moving. He was the first to enter that field and for a long period was the only house mover of the city. He continued the business for forty years and became well known in that connection. In the spring
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of 1904 he was appointed overseer of the poor and continued in that position until his death, which however, followed a long illness. In this position he was both capable and kind and did much not only to aid those immediately under his supervision but also to relieve the suffering of the deserving poor in other parts of the county. He was ever a man of kindly and benevolent spirit and had great sympathy for the unfortunate.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roberts there were born four children: Ida, who died in early life; Eddie, who was accidently killed; Annie who became the wife of F. Imboden, and died leaving a daughter, Erma Frances; and Mabel W., who is the only surviving member of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts traveled life's journey together for more than fifty-four years, celebrating their golden wedding in 1906. It was a notable occasion never to be forgotten by those who participated therein.
Mr. Roberts was a member of Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M. and Macon Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M., belonging to the fraternity for forty-seven years, during which period he exemplified in his life its beneficent principles. He also belonged to Dunham Post, No. 141, G. A. R. His political allegiance was giveri to the republican party but he never sought or desired office, save that which he was filling at the time of his death and which came to him by appointment of the board of supervisors. He long held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was indeed an honorable and unright one, which, although quietly passed, was fruitful of much good by reason of his devotion to his family and his friends and the helpful spirit which he manifested toward all with whom he came in contact.
FRANK L. HAYS.
Frank L. Hays, secretary of the Decatur Club, was born in Delaware, Ohio, on the 23d of August, 1836, a son of Thomas and Abby (Johns) Hays. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools to the age of sixteen years and afterward devoted two years to pursuing the classical course in the Ohio Wesleyan University. He entered business circles at Delaware, Ohio, in connection with the dry goods trade but in 1855 sought the opportunities of the new and growing city of Decatur, where he arrived in July of that year. Here he began clerking for the firm of Stamper & Elliott, remaining with that house until October, 1857, when he utilized the capital which he had saved from his earnings in the establishment of a business of his own under the firm name of F. L. Hays & Company. They began with a capital of three thousand dollars. The business was continued under the original partnership relation until 1872, when the firm became Hays & Bruce and so continued until 1876. In 1865 Mr. Hays erected a business block on Water street and the trade was therein conducted. In 1876 E. D. Bartholomew became the junior partner and the firm style was changed to Hays & Bartholomew, but the latter sold his interest in 1879 to Thomas Hays and the old firm style of F. L. Hays & Company was resumed. In this way the business was carried on continuously and successfully until 1888, when they sold out and F. L. Hays retired to private life.
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His history contains an interesting military chapter, for in August, 1862, he was instrumental in raising a company for service in the Civil war which became Company F of the One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was commissioned its captain and in October, 1862, the troops marched against the Confederate general, Bragg, in Kentucky. In January, 1863, the regiment was sent to Tennessee and became a part of the reserve corps of the Army of the Cumberland. With his command Captain Hays participated in the battles of Chickamauga and Resaca, Georgia, and in June, 1864, was promoted to the rank of major and was made additional paymaster, so continuing until February, 1865, when shortly before the close of the war he resigned. While acting as paymaster he was stationed at Louisville, Kentucky, Springfield, Illinois, and Indianapolis, Indiana.
When the war was over Major Hays returned to his home and family. In September, 1861, he had married Miss Hattie White and unto them were born three sons and a daughter: Harry, now living in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Robert, a resident of Los Angeles, California; Frank L., of Chicago; and Madge, the wife of Dr. George C. Stemen, of Denver, Colorado.
In his political views Major Hays is a republican, voting for the candidates of the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has served as city clerk of Decatur and was a member of the board of review in 1906. In 1892 he was elected commander of the Grand Army post of Decatur, of which he had previously served as quartermaster for fourteen years. He is now resident secretary of the Decatur Club, in which connection he has charge of the house books and dues and also has general supervision over the club. His residence in the city covers a period of fifty-five years, in which he has witnessed much of the substantial growth and progress of Decatur, bearing his full part in the work of general development and improvement.
KILBURN H. ROBY.
It is a pleasure to meet a man who by a long life of usefulness and in- tegrity has gained the universal esteem of the community, and is enjoying the friendship and the honors which are the result of his own unselfish character. Such men are justly entitled to the respect in which they are held. Kilburn H. Roby, one of the oldest members of the Macon county bar, belongs to this class of men.
He was born at Mount Vernon, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, Sep- tember 2, 1837, and is a son of Clinton and Lois (Harwood) Roby. On both sides of the house our subject is descended from English ancestry, the early American representatives of the family arriving in Massachusetts during the colonial period. Soon after the Revolutionary war the great-grandfather, John Roby, moved from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, to Hillsboro county, New Hamp- shire, into what was then a wild frontier country. Members of the family have lived in that part of New Hampshire ever since, and from that region they have gone forth to various states of the Union. John Roby, the grandfather of our subject, was born in New Hampshire and lived to the age of eighty
KA Roby Sr
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years. He was a man of peculiar traits, one of his characteristics being a re- markable memory, as he could repeat a great portion of the Bible. The father of our subject was born in New Hampshire in 1808, and was married to Lois Harwood in 1834. She was a native of Hillsboro county, born in 1811, whose ancestors removed from Massachusetts into New Hampshire at a very early day.
Kilburn H. Roby was the younger of two children, and the farm upon which he was born was his home until he reached the age of twenty years. He received his early education at Appleton Academy, Mount Vernon, New Hampshire, and at Northfield Seminary, now Tilton Seminary, an institution under charge of the Methodist church, which has for many years been in operation in New Hampshire. The schools named above were very thorough in those early days and gave their pupils a fine start in mental training, which to many of them has proved of untold value in after life.
In the spring of 1858, being then twenty-one years of age and desirous of making a place for himself in the world, Mr. Roby came to Illinois, spending the first summer at Quincy. In the fall he secured a position as teacher in the public schools of Marion county and there continued for two years. How- ever, his mind was bent upon a professional career, and in 1859 he began the study of law under John P. Reynolds, for many years a member of the Cincin- nati bar and now living in Chicago. Later he continued his study in the office of Bryan & Schaeffer, at Salem, Illinois, and in September, 1860, came to De- catur and entered the office of Tupper & Nelson. While still a law student, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was sent with his regiment to St. Louis, Cairo and Paducah, being discharged at the lat- ter place after four months' service on account of illness. Returning to De- catur, he resumed the study of law and was admitted to the Illinois bar in the spring of 1862. Mr. Tupper, of the firm of Tupper & Nelson, entering the army, Mr. Roby became a partner of William E. Nelson and continued with him about fifteen years, when the association was terminated by the election of Mr. Nelson to the bench. Our subject continued the practice of law until 1881 as senior member of the firm of Roby, Outten & Vail, one of the best known and most successful law firms of Decatur. As a lawyer Mr. Roby early gave indication of ability of a high order, and within a few years after he began practice he gained recognition as one of the able men at the bar. He has been identified with many of the most important cases in central Illinois, and be- fore court or jury no man has commanded a more respectful hearing.
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