USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 17
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During the period of his youth I. Newton Bricker pursued his education in the common schools and worked with his father upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. There is no event of special importance to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth and in fact his entire life has been in a measure quietly passed, yet his record is that of a man who is classed with the substantial 9
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citizens of the community. It is the business man, men who are capable, ener- getic and faithful in their own affairs, who constitute the real strength of a community. In the year 1872 Mr. Bricker was married in Macon county to Miss Clara Young, who was born and reared in this county. They began their domestic life upon his farm which he cultivated and developed, adding to it many substantial and modern improvements. Early spring found him busy in the fields preparing his land for the crops and in the autumn he gathered good harvests. In his barn and feed lots were found good grades of stock, which he raised and fed for the market and this brought him a substantial financial re- turn. He continued to reside upon the farm until 1904, when he sold that property and removed to Argenta, where he erected a good residence which he now occupies. Here he is practically living retired but engages to some extent in loaning money.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bricker was born a daughter, Grace, now the wife of Jacob Noble, of Sangamon county. In the fall of 1890 Mr. Bricker was again married, his second union being with Miss Lillie Anderson, a native of Ohio, who was reared and educated in that state and in Decatur, having become a resident of the city in her girlhood days. She is a member of the Presbyterian church of Argenta and is most widely and favorably known in the town. Politically Mr. Bricker is a republican and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day never seeks nor desires office. Both he and his wife are much esteemed in the community in which they live. He has long been regarded as a careful, conservative and conscientious business man, of strict integrity and of personal worth, who is thoroughly identified with the prosperity and progress of Argenta and Macon county.
OTTOMER SCHMACHTENBERGER.
Ottomer Schmachtenberger is now living retired in Decatur, having closed the record of an active business life of more than twenty years' connection with railway interests in this part of the country. He has made his home in Decatur since 1906. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 28, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Ann Eliza (Schaefer) Schmachtenberger. The father was born on a farm that now constitutes a part of the site of the city of Canton, Ohio, his natal year being 1823. He was a son of Rudoph Schmachtenberger, who was born in Germany and in his youth became a resident of Ohio, probably in the lat- ter part of the eighteenth century. On the journey across the Atlantic both of his parents died while on shipboard when making the voyage in one of the old- time sailing vessels. They had a son and daughter who, on arriving in New York, became separated, the sister of Rudolph Schmachtenberger being taken south and adopted by a southern family. Rudolph Schmachtenberger first set- tled in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Ohio, where he died at the age of about seventy years. His son, Samuel Schmachtenberger, became a lumber merchant and manufacturer of sash, doors and building supplies. In 1865 he removed westward to Clark county, Illinois, where he conducted a similar busi-
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ness and later made his home in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he continued in the same line up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife, who was born in 1824, survived until 1902.
Ottomer Schmachtenberger was a pupil in the public schools to the age of sixteen years, when he entered his father's employ, continuing in active connec- tion with the business until 1886. He then entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company as fireman and later was made engineer, running between De- catur and St. Louis. He likewise was engineer on the Alton Railroad between Bloomington and St. Louis, being in charge of both freight and passenger trains. He retired in 1906 and removed to Decatur. During his twenty years' service on the road he never had a wreck, always attending strictly to business and re- quiring his firemen to do the same. All men who worked under him were re- quired to be most careful and in this way all accidents and trouble were avoided.
On the 25th of November, 1879, Mr. Schmachtenberger was married to Miss Alice Beauchamp, of Clark county, Illinois, a daughter of William and Margaret (Hill) Beauchamp, who were natives of this state and successful farming people but are now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Schmach- tenberger are: Gertrude, who is now the wife of J. H. Shuman, of Roodhouse, Illinois, and has one child, Floyd H., born January 20, 1910; Mabel, a teacher in the public schools of Decatur; Floyd, who was born March 13, 1890, and now holds a clerical position in the office of the Wabash Railroad at Decatur; Gladys, a high-school student; and Leonard, who died in 1889 at the age of six years.
Mr. Schmachtenberger is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and also of the Modern Americans. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and his family attend the Methodist church. He is now the owner of improved city real estate and residence property and is also interested in Texas and Arkan- sas farm lands. He deals some in real estate and owns a modern home at No. 1329 West Macon street. He started out in life empty handed and as the years have passed has won success, gaining his prosperity by economical living, con- servative business methods and judicious investment. His holdings, with the income derived therefrom, are now sufficient to enable him to live retired and rest from the arduous labors to which he formerly gave such close attention.
HENRY W. FATHAUER.
Henry W. Fathauer, who is actively engaged in the pursuits of farming and stock-raising, makes his home on section 17, Mount Zion township, and is the owner of four hundred acres of well improved land in Macon and Moultrie coun- ties. His birth occurred in Baden, Germany, on the 12th of June, 1859, his par- ents being Christian and Louise (Reimer) Fathauer. The father, who was a farmer by trade, passed away in 1880, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1878. Christian Fathauer had emigrated to the United States in company with his son Henry in the year 1873 but after a short time returned to the fatherland, leaving our subject here to care for himself.
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Henry W. Fathauer received his early education in the schools of his native land and after coming to America continued his studies in Macon county, being at that time a youth of fourteen years. Since that early age he has been de- pendent upon his own resources for a livelihood, being first employed as a farm hand. In 1880 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account by renting a tract of eighty acres and the success which has crowned his labors is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of four hundred acres of finely improved land in Macon and Moultrie counties. The land is all tilled and under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Fathauer resides on section 17, Mount Zion township, in a modern and attractive dwelling. In connection with the tilling of the soil he makes a specialty of stock-raising, breeding Duroc Jersey hogs. He well merits the pround American title of a self-made man, for the prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his intelligently directed labors and good management. He is now able to indulge in all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life and recently purchased an automobile.
On the 28th of February, 1884, Mr. Fathauer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Reeter, of Macon county, her parents being Fred and Caroline (Busher) Reeter, natives of Hanover, Germany. They took up their abode in this county in 1882 and here the father successfully carried on general agricul- tural pursuits until the time of his demise in 1888. Mrs. Fathauer has two brothers and one sister living. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, as follows: Ida M .; Caroline Louise; Walter W., whose natal day was November 26, 1892; Viola L .; and Ora G.
Mr. Fathauer is a republican in politics but does not consider himself bound by party ties and at local elections frequently casts an indepedent ballot, sup- porting the candidate whom he believes best qualified. For nine years he held the position of school trustee and for eight years has acted as a school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, and his life record is an excellent exemplification of the fact that opportunity is open to all and that the road of usefulness and unfaltering activity eventually leads to the goal of prosperity.
TOM W. PITNER.
Tom W. Pitner is a representative of the manufacturing interests of De- catur, where he is engaged in the manufacture of burial shoes, conducting one of the two enterprises of this character in the country. He was born December 21, 1875, in the city which is still his home, his parents being W. C. and S. R. (Starr) Pitner. The father's birth occurred near Nashville, Tennessee, August 19, 1828, and the mother was born in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1839. The family is of German lineage, although the grandfather was born in Ten- nessee. In the maternal line Mr. Pitner comes of Scotch and Welsh ancestry. In the year 1866 his father became a resident of Decatur and is a prominent and well known photographer, having practiced his art for fifty-five years and
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having now the oldest established studio in the city. A man of liberal educa- tion, he was at one time a student in McKendree College, at Salem, Illinois. He had driven overland from Tennessee to North Prairie in 1837 and settled upon a farm, while later he turned his attention to educational interests and after- ward to photography. His father was a soldier in the American army in the war of 1812 and when the country became engaged in civil warfare W. C. Pit- ner enlisted in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years and nine months. He was mustered out at St. Louis and afterward came to Decatur, where he established his photographic studio, which he still owns, although he is now practically living retired. He has one brother, ninety-seven years of age, who still engages to some extent in the practice of medicine in Clay city, Illinois, and another brother, eighty-nine years of age, who is a retired minister. W. C. Pitner has reached the age of eighty- two years and is one of the most highly respected and honored residents of De- catur.
Tom W. Pitner attended the ward and high schools of Decatur until graduated with the class of 1894. Later he devoted two years to study in the Jacksonville college and on the completion of his education was employed by Bixby, Pitner & Company, manufacturers of burial shoes. In that connection he gained his practical experience in the line of business in which he is now engaged. After the death of his brother he purchased his share in the business and later became sole owner of the enterprise. He is engaged successfully in the manufacture of burial shoes, a patented article, the patents being owned by him. Mr. Pitner has been successful from the outset and his trade shows substantial increase an- nually.
On the 4th of August, 1903, Mr. Pitner was united in marriage to Miss Emma M. Muthersbaugh, of Decatur, a daughter of J. H. and Alice R. (Alexander) Muthersbaugh, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Bement, Illinois. They became well known residents of Decatur, where the father died May 13, 1909. Mrs. Muthersbaugh still survives and yet makes her home in this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pitner has been born a little son, Tom W., whose birth occurred September 14, 1906. In his political views Mr. Pitner is a republican and in religious faith a Methodist. Mr. Pitner has become well established as a leading and representative business man of the city and well merits the success which has come to him.
ALBERT A. BAUER.
Among the successful business men of Macon county the name of Albert A. Bauer occupies an honored place. A native of the Buckeye state, he was born at Loyal Oak, Summit county, December 22, 1865, and is a son of John J. and Catherine (Eberhart) Bauer. The father was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1825, and the mother in Medina county, Ohio, Septem- ber 5, 1828. John J. Bauer, who was a farmer and a man of many worthy traits
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of character, departed this life on the 18th of January, 1908, his faithful wife having been called away three weeks previously, on December 29, 1907. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are now living: M. M., a practicing physician of Lake, Ohio; B. B., a resident of Medina county, Ohio; J. M., of Cleveland, Ohio; Cora, the wife of W. H. Stocker, of Akron, Ohio; and Albert A.
The subject of this review was educated in the common schools and high school of his native township and began his active career as a school teacher in Summit county. After leaving home he was employed for two years on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad but later went to Cleveland and for eight years served as foreman in the Cleveland Rolling Mills. Being attracted westward, he came to Blue Mound, Illinois, in 1889 and for five years served as clerk in the store of which he is now one of the proprietors. Returning to Cleveland, he was for six years foreman of a wire mill, but in 1901 he took up his permanent residence in Blue Mound, purchasing a half interest in the firm of Bradley & House, the junior member having died. The title of the firm was changed to Bradley & Bauer, and the firm deals exclusively in furniture, undertaking supplies, hardware, agri- cultural implements, buggies, queensware, wall paper and also does a heating and plumbing business. In 1902 Mr. Bauer took a course of instruction in the National Embalming School at St. Louis, and the undertaking department of the firm receives his special attention. He is also in charge of the plumbing and heating department and, being a thorough mechanic, he is enabled to give expert attention to this work. The firm owns three store rooms, having a frontage of one hundred and twenty feet and extending back one hundred feet, and carries a large and well selected line of goods, which meet the demands of a constantly growing patronage.
On the 8th of December, 1889, Mr. Bauer was united in marriage to Miss Dora House, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, a daughter of Elazier and Flora (Martin) House. The father was a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and came to Illinois at an early date, settling at Blue Mound. He died in 1889, at the age of sixty-eight years. There were three children in the family : Samuel, who died in 1890; James E., who died in 1900; and Dora, now Mrs. Bauer. One child, Ruth House, born August 23, 1892, brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bauer. She received a good education in the public schools and later studied music under Mrs. Beal of Decatur. She is now a successful music teacher and is living at home. The family occupy a handsome residence in the northwest part of Blue Mound, which has been twice rebuilt under the direction of Mr. Bauer.
Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are both members of the Methodist church, and he is chorister. He is also manager of the Blue Mound band. He is an adherent of the democratic party but has never aspired to political honors, preferring to devote his attention to his private affairs. Socially he holds membership in the Masonic order and has taken the Royal Arch degree. He is past master of the blue lodge and grand lecturer of the order and is also identified with the Woodmen of the World. During the nine years in which he has been promi- nently connected with the business interests of Blue Mound he has made a host of friends. Exceedingly thorough in all he undertakes and conscientious in the discharge of every trust, he has won deserved standing as a progressive and
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capable man of business, who has assisted materially by his kindly and generous disposition in adding to the comfort and happiness of those with whom he has associated. As a musician he has talents of a high order and in this depart- ment he is doing a work which is highly appreciated by the entire community.
JAMES M. SCOTT.
Among the farmers of Macon county who deserve notice in this work on account of success in their calling is James M. Scott. He was born in Clinton county, Illinois, October 30, 1849, and is a son of James R. and Maria (Bous- man) Scott. The father was a native of South Carolina where he was born in 1827. The mother was born in Ohio in 1829. They both came to Illinois very early in life with their parents who settled in Clinton county. Mr. and Mrs. Scott located in Macon county in 1861. The beloved mother departed this life in 1889 and the father in February, 1901. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are now living: James M., our subject; Bolivar C., of Kansas; Olive, now Mrs. H. B. Dills, of Decatur ; John R., of Blue Mound town- ship, Macon county ; and George F., of Harrison county, Iowa.
James M. Scott received his education in the common schools and as he grew up became thoroughly familiar with all the details of agriculture and stock- raising. He continued with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age, then becoming foreman of the Blue Mound elevator, in which position he con- tinued for six years. After serving for one year in a similar capacity at Boody, he began to farm on his own account and after his marriage he settled in De- catur for a time and later devoted his attention to farming in Blue Mound and Pleasant View townships. He is now in charge of one hundred and sixty acres which he cultivates most successfully and where he also raises a high grade of live-stock, receiving good returns upon the time and labor expended.
On the 9th day of December, 1885, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Ida Betz, who was born in Ohio, November 27, 1863. She is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Weidman) Betz, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1832 and the latter in Wisconsin in 1834. They came to Illinois in 1866 and now make their home in Blue Mound. There were nine children in the family, six of whom are living: Charlotte, now Mrs. Charles Herman, of Christian county ; Ida, herein mentioned; John, of Blue Mound; Rose, the widow of Stephen Etter, and now living near Illinois; Mary, the wife of Benton David- son, of Blue Mound; and Charles, of Farmersville, Montgomery county, Illi- nois. Four children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Scott: Dove, born August 19, 1886, a graduate of the high school of Blue Mound and now a successful music teacher; Fay D., born January 3, 1889, also a graduate of the Blue Mound high school, and a very successful teacher in Macon county ; Beulah Fern, born May 8, 1896, in Saline county, Nebraska, now at home, and Robert L., born in Christian county in July, 1898. Joseph M. Scott, an uncle of our subject, now lives in Blue Mound, and Samuel, John and Alexander Weidman,
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uncles of Mrs. Scott on her mother's side, enlisted from Ohio and Wisconsin and nobly served in the cause of the Union.
Mr. Scott is identified with the democratic party and although he has not sought political honors, he has served faithfully as collector. He holds mem- bership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and acted as deputy in that or- ganization for five years. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Christian church and an earnest worker in behalf of the social and religious progress of those with whom she is associated. Our subject began his active career upon his own re- sources and has made a success of it. The head of a bright and intelligent family, he has been greatly blessed in the companionship of a wife who has been indeed to him a true helpmate. Their home is the abode of comfort and happi- ness and the center of culture and good will, whose influence is felt in the entire community.
FRANK DOUGLAS TORRENCE.
Frank Douglas Torrence, superintendent of city parks of Decatur, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1855, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Thatcher) Torrence, also natives of the Keystone state. The father was born near Carlisle and the mother at Beaver Falls. She was of Quaker parentage and received a fine education, serving as teacher in the University of Pennsylvania in her young womanhood. James Torrence was a blacksmith and taught his trade to each of his five sons. The family was of good fighting stock on the paternal side and the men were known for generations as warriors. Grandfather Torrence served in the Revolutionary war and became a colonel in the patriot army and his father was also a soldier. James Torrence followed his trade during his entire ac- tive career and died in central Ohio. Later his wife came west and departed this life at the home of our subject. Eight children came to brighten their home. Joseph, one of the older sons, gained a national reputation, enlisting under the stars and stripes in the Civil war and becoming a general. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville and after the war went to Chicago as a blacksmith and amassed a fortune there. He died in Chicago in November, 1896. The other members of the family were: Oscar, a soldier of the Civil war, who carried messages for General Grant and lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness; James H. and Stewart A., twins; Frank D., our subject; Seneth, deceased; Eliza, who married . Stewart Hodge, of Pennsylvania, and is deceased ; and Elizabeth, the wife of John Dailey, who was killed at the battle of Atlanta.
Frank Douglas Torrence was educated in the public schools and followed the blacksmith's trade for several years, then becoming interested in civil engineering, to which he devoted his attention exclusively until 1901. In 1876 he located at Bement, Piatt county, Illinois, where he followed his profession with marked success. In 1901 he came to Decatur as superintendent of the city parks and has since continued in that position. At the time he assumed the office Fairview park was entirely unimproved and was a field rented by the city. Mr. Torrence pro- moted a movement for an appropriation of eight thousand dollars by the city for
FRANK D. TORRENCE
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the purchase of the land, the payments extending over a period of four years. He has devoted a great deal of attention to this park and it now contains fifty acres and is one of the most beautiful spots in central Illinois. When Mr. Torrence assumed charge Lincoln park of twenty-two acres was a dumping ground but he is now transforming it into a lovely place of recreation, in which a modern drive- way has been completed and a street, which has been named Torrence avenue in honor of its projector. The park is located on the Sangamon river in one of the most charming. spots in Illinois. Mr. Torrence also has supervision of Central Park, which consists of three acres in the heart of the city and is one of the most attractive breathing spots that could be conceived. His home is at the entrance of Fairview park and under his supervision it has been made one of the most inviting residences in the city.
On August 4, 1874, Mr. Torrence was united in marriage to Emma Phillips, a daughter of Joseph Phillips, of Ohio, who died July 17, 1905, One child, Rebecca, was born July 2, 1878. Our subject was married a second time, in 1907, to Nellie Atherton Elliot whose father was for many years a prominent merchant of this city.
Mr. Torrence is affiliated with the White Cross, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias and the Decatur Club. His religious belief is indi- cated by membership in the Congregational church. In him his fellow townsmen have found those worthy qualities and traits of character that make the useful citizen and no man in Decatur is more highly respected. He owes his high stand- ing to his industry, integrity and good judgment. He also is the happy possessor of a genial nature and kind heart that endear him to all with whom he comes in contact.
HENRY L. HOCKADAY.
Among the younger generation of farmers of Macon county who are making good headway in their chosen calling in Henry L. Hockaday, of Hickory Point township. He is a native of this county, born January 21, 1875, and is a son of Benjamin B. Hockaday, who was born in Ohio in 1832 and came to Illinois at twenty-three years of age, settling in Macon county. Here he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land for his father and later it was divided among the three children of the family. In 1888 he removed to Emory, Illinois, where he engaged in the grocery business. The mother of our subject, Sophia L. (Layman) Hockaday, was born in this state in 1848 and departed this life in 1877. In the family were six children, four of whom are now living: Charles, a resident of Decatur; Mollie, now Mrs. Parlier, of Macon county; Lillie, now Mrs. Malone, of Macon county; and Henry L.
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