USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 18
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The subject of this review was educated in the public schools and reared upon the home farm, continuing there until he was nineteen years of age, when he began life on his own account, conducting independent operations upon his father's farm for one year, at the end of which time, in 1895, he took up his residence on a farm in Hickory Point township, where he has since lived.
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In 1898 Mr. Hockaday was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Parlier, a daughter of Allen and Alice (Wicks) Parlier, natives of Perry county, Illinois, who removed to Macon county and here became identified with farming inter- ests. Mrs. Parlier was called from earthly scenes in 1904. She was the mother of a family of six children: Gertie, now Mrs. Hockaday; and William, Ernest, George, Grace and Fred, all of Peoria, Illinois. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hockaday, Ruth P., who is now eleven years of age.
Mr. Hockaday is identified with the republican party, but represents an element of the party that is not confined to traditions but is able to see good points even in a candidate of the opposition. He votes with his party on national issues but reserves his decision at local elections, sometimes favoring a candidate irrespective of his party affiliation. As a progressive young man Mr. Hockaday seeks to be guided by the best light available not only in politics but in farming and in all other affairs with which he is connected. It is safe to prophesy that he will attain added success in his chosen calling as the years pass.
ANDREW J. KAISER.
Among the successful commercial enterprises of Decatur is that owned and conducted by Andrew J. Kaiser-an excellent fruit, produce, flour and feed business, which is carried on at Nos. 151-157 Thatcher place. He early realized the fact that "there is no excellence without labor" and also that in business, as in other relations of life, "honesty is the best policy." Close application and unfaltering energy, therefore, have constituted important features in his prog- ress since he entered the mercantile field. He was born in Buffalo, New York. Setpember 24, 1867, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Luley) Kaiser, both of whom were natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, the former born in 1830 and the latter in 1833. They came to America before their marriage, the father settling in Buffalo in 1851. The following year he wedded Margaret Luley and in order to provide for his family, worked at the brick mason's trade, which he followed for twenty years. Later he conducted a grocery business and was quite successful in that undertaking. He died in 1875 and his wife, long sur- viving him, passed away in April, 1909, both having continued residents of Buf- falo to the time of their demise. A son of the family is still living in Buffalo and a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Andrews, is a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Andrew J. Kaiser, who was the other member of his father's household, pursued his education in the public schools of Buffalo to the age of ten years and then began working to assist his mother, following the death of the husband and father. He was employed in connection with the packing business of Jacob Dold & Sons, entering the slaughtering house, but worked his way upward through various positions until he became city salesman. He remained with that firm for six years, at the end of which time he went to St. Paul, Minne- sota, as representative for the firm of Luley & Son, beef and pork packers. There he continued for a year, after which he was employed by Armour & Com- pany as their representative, at St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota.
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He filled that position for seven and a half years and was then transferred by the house to take charge of their Chicago market. Subsequently he became identified with Morris & Company and was located at Pittsburg, at Indianapolis and at Decatur successively. In 1894 he came to this city and established a whole- sale fruit, produce, flour and feed business, which has proven a profitable under- taking from the start. He is now accorded an extensive patronage and each year indicates larger sales and more substantial profits.
On the 4th of October, 1893, Mr. Kaiser was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Noltimier, of St. Paul, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Noltimier, who were farming people and early settlers of Cottage Grove, Minnesota. They came form Germany in 1860 and the father has now lived retired for thirty years. Mrs. Kaiser has five brothers and two sisters and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser occupy a com- fortable home at No. 1146 North Water street and in addition to this property he is the owner of considerable other realty in Decatur.
Mr. Kaiser is indeed a self-made man. Starting out in life at the age of ten years, deprived of many of the advantages and opportunities which most boys enjoy, he has worked his way steadily upward undeterred by the difficulties and obstacles which he has confronted and, as the years have passed, by his industry and determination has triumphed over all that has barred his path to success and he is now numbered among the well-to-do merchants of Decatur. More- over, his business methods are such as will always bear close investigation and scrutiny and he, therefore, enjoys an honored name among colleagues and con- temporaries.
L. W. BENSON.
Well known, not only by reason of the success which he has attained in agricul- tural circles but also by reason of the prominent place which he has taken in the public life of the community in which he resides, L. W. Benson is numbered among the prominent and influential citizens of Harristown township, with the inter- ests of which he has been closely identified for more than two decades. One of Illinois' native sons, he was born on a farm near Chestnut, Logan county, March 29, 1861, his parents being Dr. C. H. and Elizabeth (Patten) Benson. The father was born in Thornhall, England, where he was reared to manhood, after which he came to America and located for a time in Illinois. While in this state he engaged in Tract Society work and also studied medicine, in the practice of which he was engaged for a number of years. He was a soldier of the Civil war, lay- ing down all personal interests to aid his country in her hour of need. He was united in marriage in Nashville, Tennessee, to Miss Elizabeth Patten, who was born and reared in that city.
L. W. Benson was reared upon a farm until twelve years of age, when he removed with his parents to Latham, Illinois, and there grew to manhood. In the common schools he acquired a fair education and remained at home for a time after laying aside his text-books. He was still in his teens, however, when
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he started out in business on his own account, his initial step being taken as a farm hand, since which time he has continued to devote his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. On the 9th of April, 1882, he was united in marriage at Latham, Illinois, to Miss Alice A. Joynt, who was born on a farm in Logan county, near Latham, and is a daughter of E. A. and Clarissa Sophia (Aldridge) Joynt.
Mr. Joynt, the father of Mrs. Benson, was born in London, England, April 4, 1833, a son of Evans D. and Mary Ann (Killick) Joynt. When about eleven or twelve years of age he went to sea and was thus engaged for almost four years, when he ran away from the service at New Orleans, making his way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis and thence to Alton, and later made his way to Jersey county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand at a salary of five dollars per month. He was thus engaged until twenty-two years of age, but during the intervening years had visited his old home in London three times and had the unusual record of having crossed the Atlantic ocean twenty-one times by the time he was twenty-two years old. On his last trip to his native country he was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Sophia Aldridge, with whom he had been acquainted since childhood and who had been reared by an aunt of his. Immediately after his marriage he went to Logan county and there, in connec- tion with a brother, operated the Powell farm for a couple of years. He then made arrangements with the Ililnois Central Railroad Company to purchase eighty acres of their land in Logan county at a price of ten dollars per acre, but he suffered such heavy losses, however, through his horses dying, that he asked the company to take back forty acres of the property. Even after their as- surance that they would be lenient concerning his payments he nevertheless felt that he would rather have forty acres clear, and so prevailed upon them to take back forty acres. Success attended his later efforts, however, and he subse- quently purchased another tract of forty acres, paying fifty dollars per acre therefor, and on that site the village of Latham was laid out in 1872. The tract was subdivided into town lots and after giving the villlage the right of way for roads, etc., and every other lot, he had the benefit of selling the remaining lots; from which he realized a most substantial sum. He is yet the owner of about fifty-five acres of valuable land, and is considered one of the prominent and sub- stantial citizens of Latham. As the years passed he and his wife became the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. The eldest, John James, died in 1909, leaving a family of five children. Stephen and Clara, the next in order of birth, were twins. The former married Carrie Herod and makes his home in Harristown township, and Clara became the wife of William Brown and resides at Moweaqua. Alice married L. W. Benson, of this review, and Fred, who married Rinda Plumber, has three sons and makes his home in Decatur. Mr. Joynt has ever been a stalwart rejublican, has served as road commissioner and as alderman of Latham,and does all in his power to further the development and up-building of the village with whose interests he had been closely associated since its beginning.
After his marriage L. W. Benson, whose name introduces this review, lo- cated upon a farm a mile northeast of Latham, which he operated for six years, and then, in the spring of 1888, removed to his present home, consisting of three
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hundred and twenty acres on section II, Harristown township, known as the F. M. Hostetter farm, which he has since worked in the capacity of renter. In the conduct of his agricultural pursuits Mr. Penson has employed up-to-date methods, has used the most modern machinery to facilitate farm labor and has kept abreast of the progress which is being made in agricultural lines quite as much as in other branches of business activity. With him laudable ambition has consti- tuted a stimulus for far-reaching effort, and, placing his dependence upon the safe and substantial qualities of energy and wise management, he has steadily worked his way up to the position which he now occupies among the progressive and prosperous agriculturists of Harristown township.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Benson was blessed with three children : Charles Elmer, who died at the age of fourteen years; Lela May, who has ac- quired a good common school education; and Vera Viola, who is yet attending school. Although Mr. Benson has been progressive and successful in business, he has also been a potent factor in the public life of the community in which he resides. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has voted with the republican party, casting his first presidential ballot for James G. Blaine in 1889. He was tax collector for two years and has also served as school trustee for several years. In 1905 he was elected to the office of supervisor and in 1907 was reelected to that office, notwithstanding the fact that his is a strong demo- cratic township-a fact which indicates something of his popularity among his fellow citizens. In connection with his public office he has served on various committees and last year was a member of the fee and salary committee. In his fraternal relations Mr. Benson holds membership with the Knights of Py- this lodge at Niantic, and also with the Modern Woodmen at Harristown, and has served as banker of the latter body for a number of years.
Such in brief is the life record of one who has for more than two decades been closely identified with the agricultural interests of Harristown township and whose efforts at the same time have been potent factors in promoting the general welfare in many ways. He has won a high place in the estimation of his fellowmen not only because of the gratifying success which he has attained in agricultural lines but also by reason of his broad public spirit, his loyalty in all matters of citizenship and his many sterling traits of character.
ANDREW JACKSON CONOVER.
The agricultural interests of Macon county find a worthy and successful representative in Andrew Jackson Conover, who resides on a tract of two hun- dred acres on sections 5 and 8, Decatur township, one hundred and fifty-two acres of which belongs to him and his wife. His birth occurred in this county on the 22d of December, 1864, his parents being Albert and Adela (Gonge) Conover. The maternal grandparents, William and Parthenia (Martin) Gouge, were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively and were probably of English ancestry. Albert Conover, the father of our subject, came of Holland lineage and was the ninth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children, his
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natal day being February 13, 1840, and the place of his birth Cass county, Illi- nois. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Macon county and later devoted his leisure hours to study, becoming one of the best mathe- maticians in the county. In 1862 he enlisted for three years' service in the Union army as a member of Company D, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, being mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, on the 7th of July, 1865. He continued in the field for about a year and was then transferred to hospital service at Pa- ducah, Kentucky, where he acted as steward during the remainder of his term of enlistment. On the Ist of January, 1860, he had wedded Miss Adela Gouge, who was the fourth child in a family of thirteen and who was born in this county on the 24th of September, 1842. When the Civil war was ended Albert Cono- ver returned to Macon county, purchasing and locating upon a farm of eighty acres near Elwin, to the operation of which he gave his attention for about two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Cass county, Missouri, where he engaged in the flour milling business, erecting the first mill in the county. Five years later the structure was destroyed by fire and as there was no insurance on the property, Mr. Conover was left practically penniless. His loss was all the more deplorable by reason of the fact that a few days previous to the fire he had refused an offer of five hundred acres of land for his interest in the mill. In order to earn a livelihood he began teaching, following that profession in Missouri for two terms and then once more returning to Macon county, Illinois. During the last two years of his life he was engaged in the grain business at Bearsdale and there passed away on the 12th of December, 1890. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, the record of whom is as follows: Amanda, whose natal day was September 4, 1860, gave her hand in marriage to H. N. Lehew, of Bearsdale, and was called to her final rest on the 14th of June, 1907. Anna M., whose birth occurred March 8, 1862, makes her home in Decatur and is the wife of John Boland, by whom she has three children. Andrew Jackson, of this review, is-the next in order of birth. Hattie D., who was born on the 21st of November, 1867, is the wife of E. P. Husted and resides in Guymon, Oklahoma. Charles, whose birth occurred March II, 1870, died in infancy. Lillie, born March 12, 1871, became the wife of F. A. Eyman, of Harristown, Macon county, and now lives in Joliet, Illinois. She is the mother of seven children. Mattie, whose natal day was September 12, 1873, gave her hand in marriage to W. T. Brown, of Peoria, by whom she has four children. The family reside at Guymon, Oklahoma. Dollie L., who was born February 28, 1876, died on the 6th of October, 1878. Fayetta, whose birth occurred December 29, 1880, wedded M. G. Musser, of Peoria, by whom she has one child. Their home is now in Los Angeles, California.
Andrew J. Conover, whose name introduces this review, acquired his educa- tion in the common schools of Macon county and after putting aside his text- books lived on a farm with his grandfather until he had attained his majority. He then clerked in the store and grain office of his uncle at Harristown for one year, spent a similar period in California and subsequently worked at different places in Iowa until twenty-eight years of age, being principally engaged in the grain business. He was married in 1893 and during the following three years was employed by the Shellebarger Mill & Elevator Company. Subsequently he
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was engaged in the grain business in association with William Richey of War- rensburg for ten years, on the expiration of which period he took up his abode on his present place of two hundred acres in Decatur township, where he has carried on general farming and stock-raising continuously since. Alert, ener- getic and enterprising, he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity in the con- duct of his agricultural interests and is widely recognized as a substantial and respected citizen of his native county. In addition to his home property he and his wife own a tract of one hundred and six acres on sections 7 and 18, Decatur township.
On the 28th of June, 1893, Mr. Conover was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Etta Troutman, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bear) Troutman, of this county. She was born on the 2d of October, 1868, and was the second in order of birth in a family of three children, the others being as follows: Ella, whose birth occurred in October, 1867, and who died in infancy; and Frank S., whose natal day was January 26, 1873, and who wedded Elizabeth Barner, of Belle Plaine, Kansas. They now reside at Bearsdale, Macon county, and their children, are three in number. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conover were born two children, namely : Frank T., whose natal day was April 22, 1894, and who passed away on the IIth of the following July; and Albert T., whose birth occurred October 21, 1897.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Conover has sup- ported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in the principles of that party. At the present time he is serving as highway commissioner of Decatur township. Fraternally he is identfied with the Masons, belonging to Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., of Decatur, Illinois, and also to the chapter. He is likewise a member of Bearsdale Camp, No. 1597, M. W. A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Conover belong to the First Methodist church of Decatur and exemplify its teachings in their daily lives. They occupy a prominent position in social circles, and their home is the abode of a warm-hearted and generous hospitality which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
ERNEST H. LUNN.
An extensive and profitable business is now carried on by Ernest H. Lunn, well known in connection with the building operations of Decatur as a contractor in brick and stone. He was born in Swasey, Nottinghamshire, England, March 22, 1867, a son of Henry and Emma (Dodson) Lunn. The father, whose birth occurred in 1837, died in Decatur in 1904 and the mother is still living here. He followed contracting throughout his entire life and in this way became closely associated with building operations in Decatur, to which city he came with his family in the year 1870. He was recognized as one of the foremost contractors of Macon county, having erected many buildings and fine brick residences here. Moreover, he was a public-spirited citizen and a devout Christian man who held membership in the Methodist church and often acted as local minister. He spoke words of wisdom and comfort and inspiration in the church services,
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visited the sick and needy throughout the city and was very charitable, sharing his success with those less fortunate and extending a helping hand to all who needed material aid. He conducted many funeral services for members of the church and on such occasions spoke with great tact and kindliness to the bereaved, his words frequently proving a comfort to sorrowing hearts. He left his impress for good upon the lives of all with whom he came in contact and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to many who knew him.
Ernest H. Lunn was but three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States, and in the city schools of Decatur he pursued his education to the age of fourteen years, when he began learning the bricklayers' trade, serving a four years' apprenticeship. Soon afterward he started in business for himself as a contractor in brick and stone work and from the beginning he has been successful. In 1902 he took in a partner, but after five years the partnership was dissolved and he afterward conducted the business alone until recently, when his brother became associated with him. The importance and excellence of his work are indicated in the Central block, the Millikin Children's and Orphan's Home and many other buildings. He has erected many of the best brick and stone residences in the city and ranks with the leading contractors of central Illinois, his work being not only attractive in style of architecture but also in finish, design, workmanship and durability.
On the 8th of September, 1892, Mr. Lunn was married to Miss Caroline Blenz, of Decatur, a daughter of Adam Blenz, a native of Germany who was one of the early settlers of St. Louis and afterward became a pioneer butcher of Decatur, owning one of the first slaughter houses here. He was very success- ful and the family were prominent, being widely known to all the early citizens. He was also the owner of a famous running horse-Butcher Boy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lunn have been born four children: George, who has born September 3, 1893, and is learning the business with his father; Edgar, a high school student ; Donald; and Vera Belle. Mr. Lunn belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and gives his political support to the republican party, while in his religious faith he is a Methodist. An analyzation of his life work shows that diligence and determination have been the salient points in his career and upon the foundation of industry and perseverance he has builded his success.
MOSES E. BATCHELDER.
An excellent farm of three hundred acres pays tribute to Moses E. Batchelder, who has won a creditable position among the representative agriculturists of Illini township. The place is situated about five and one half miles northwest of Harristown and judicious cultivation has made this a valuable and productive tract. He has now passed the eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in New Hampshire on the 12th of July, 1823. He is a son of Moses Batchelder, Sr., who was born in the year 1782 and died in 1861, and a grandson of David Batchelder. His grandmother had three brothers in the Revolutionary war, all enlisting from Massachusetts and doing valiant service in the attainment of American liberty.
MR. AND MRS. M. E. BATCHIELDER
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Moses E. Batchelder arrived in Macon county in the fall of 1864 and here invested in land. He had been educated in the east and his thorough home training well qualified him for the practical and responsible duties that devolved upon him following his removal to the west. He had been engaged in the lum- ber business in the east but after coming to Illinois took up farming and stock-raising and has been quite successful in this department of labor. He is today the owner of three hundred acres about four miles north of Harris- town. The land is arable, responding readily to the care and labor which he be- stows upon it, and his careful cultivation of the fields results in the production of large crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
In 1852 Mr. Batchelder was married to Miss Sarah Batchelder, a daughter of Nathaniel and Annie (Janice) Batchelder, of New Hampshire. They be- came the parents of five children. The eldest, Fred, married Elizabeth Jones, who died leaving three children, one of whom is married and has a child- the great-grandchild of Moses E. Batchelder. Nathaniel C. and Frank reside at home. Ed married Molly Lloyd, and lives at the homestead. Clarence com- pletes the family. The three sons living at home now have the management of the farm. Mrs. Batchelder died on the 31st of August, 1910, at the age of eighty-eight years and was buried in Illini cemetery. Through his carefully con- ducted business affairs Mr. Batchelder always provided a comfortable living for his wife and children. In the management and operation of the farm his judg- ment has been sound, his methods practical and the results desirable. He has not allowed business cares to exclude his active participation in other interests, however, for he has served as a trustee of his township and as a member of the school board, while with the Congregational church he holds membership and conforms his life to its teachings.
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