USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 23
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When a very small boy Samuel King Shaffer was taken by his parents to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he resided for a number of years, acquiring his education in that city and in the schools of Logan county, Ohio. He continued a resident of his native state until 1853, when at the age of twenty-two years he sought a home in Illinois, thinking that he might have better business opportunities in a less thickly settled district. Accordingly he came to Macon county and took up his abode in Decatur, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 22d of December, 1891, in the house which his widow now occupies. He was for forty years engaged in the real-estate business in Decatur and was a leading representative of that field of industry. He was thoroughly informed concerning property values, knew what was upon the market and negotiated many important realty transfers. So long and prominently was he connected with the real-estate business that his opinions came to be accepted as authority upon any important question relating to real estate.
Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage upon the 21st of June, 1859, to Miss Erie M. Shaffer, of Chesterville, Ohio, a daughter of Tobias Shaffer, and follow- ing their marriage the young husband brought his bride at once to Decatur, where the family home has since been maintained. Unto them were born nine children :
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MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL K. SHAFFER
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Maria and Margaret, who died in infancy; Frank G., who married Miss Lucy Walker, of West Virginia, and now has one child Marie; D. H., who died in his sixteenth year ; Richard T., who married Lulu E. Huff, of this city, and has two children, Leta May and Ralph; one who died in infancy ; Charles H. who died when thirty-five years old; Guy T., who resided at home with his mother; and Vallie F., the wife of Edward McCune, by whom she has two children, Charles Spencer and Eunice M.
Mr. Shaffer belonged to no secret associations but was for more than thirty years a leading and influential member of the Methodist church of Decatur, ever loyal and faithful to its teachings, active in its work and generous in its sup- port. His political allegiance was given to the republican party but while he believed firmly in its principles he did not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. In business he was ever reliable and trustworthy and his success was attributable entirely to his own efforts. His real-estate operations enabled him to make judicious investments and from time to time he purchased property that enabled him to leave his widow in very comfortable financial circumstances when, on the 22d of December, 1891, he was called to his final rest. Mrs. Shaffer is very widely known in Decatur, where she has an extensive circle of friends. In addition to the home at No. 604 West North street, which he has now occupied for a number of years, she owns considerable other property here and from her realty holdings derives a substantial and gratifying annual income.
SCOTT CANNON.
Among the farmers of Macon county now deceased may be named Scott Cannon, who was called from earthly scenes February 6, 1892. He was for forty-four years an important factor in the agricultural development of the country and attained marked success not only in his farming operations but as an influential citizen, attracting many friends and ably contributing toward build- ing up the best interests of the region with which he was so long identified.
He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 18, 1839, and was a son of Byron and Sarah Cannon. In 1848 the family came to Macon county, driving through with teams as there were few railroads in the country in those days. The father settled on a farm, where he continued until his death, leaving a widow and seven children, the subject of this review having arrived at an age when he could assist materially in the support of the family. Under the circum- stances it was possible for him to receive but a limited school education although in after years by reading and observation he largely overcame this deficiency. At twenty-one years of age he bought forty acres of land, on which he built a residence, later occupying a commodious modern building. By industry, econ- omy and good management he was able to purchase more land until his farm embraced one hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid as much as forty dollars an acre. The family also owns a tract of eighty acres in Blue Mound township which belonged to the father of our subject. Mr. Cannon greatly im- proved the farm by the erection of buildings, fences and other structures and
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by setting out an orchard and shade and ornamental trees. At his death his remains were interred in Long Point cemetery.
On December 29, 1870, Mr. Cannon was united in marriage in Blue Mound township to Miss Lucy J. Hall, who was born in Macon county, November 12, 1849, a daughter of James and Frances (Blankinship) Hall. Her father was born January 16, 1818, in Robertson county, Tennessee, and came to Illinois in his boyhood. The mother was a native of Rutherford county, Tennessee, and came to this state with her parents early in her life. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cannon: Edward, who died in infancy; Emily, now at home with her mother; Lillie, who maried Dr. Henry M. Newkirk and lives in Harris- town, this county, and has three children, Bruce Cannon, Garth Galen and Mar- garet Frances; and Velma Bruce, who received a good education and is now bookkeeper for the Electric Light & Railway Company at Decatur, Illinois.
Mr. Cannon was in sympathy with the democratic party but he never asked nor desired public office. His interests were centered in his family and his busi- ness, although as a patriotic citizen he responded heartily to every worthy enter- prise. In his wife he found a sympathetic companion, who was to him a con- stant support and encouragement during the twenty-two years of their married life. Mrs. Cannon continued to live on the family homestead until 1894, when she removed to Harristown, where she now lives.
SAMUEL C. ALLEN.
Samuel C. Allen left the impress of his individuality upon the public life of Macon county in many ways. He was a prominent factor in business circles in an early day, held a number of local offices and was also a factor in the moral progress of the community. His many sterling traits of character gained him high place in the regard and confidence of his fellowmen and no history of the pioneer development of the county would be complete without mention of Samuel C. Allen.
He was born October 3, 1810, in Loudoun county, Virginia, ten miles south of Leesburg, and was a son of James and Elizabeth (Lee) Allen. The Allen family is of Irish origin. The great-grandfather, Robert Allen, lived in County Antrim, Ireland, and died at the venerable age of ninety-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Janet Hair, died in the city of Larne, Ireland, at the age of seventy-five years. Robert Allen was a farmer by occupation and the old homestead on which he lived is still in possession of his descendents. He was also a man of considerable influence in the community and served as a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. Unto him and his wife were born twenty- four children, eighteen of whom reached adult age and one of the number be- came the grandfather of Samuel C. Allen of this review. He was born on the Emerald isle, and, coming to America at the age of sixteen years, lived with a Quaker family in New Jersey. He, too, followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He died in 1799 at the age of eighty-four years. He had four
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sons who were soldiers of the Revolutionary war, of whom one was killed, while two others died in service.
The maternal grandfather of Samuel C. Allen was David Lee, who was of Scotch descent and lived in New Jersey until 1775, when he removed to Vir- ginia. He married a French lady and their daughter Elizabeth was born in New Jersey but was reared in Virginia, where she gave her hand in marriage to James Allen, who was born in the Old Dominion and became a farmer of that state. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. James Allen settled in Loudoun county, Virginia, and as the years passed the following children were added to their family, namely : William, David L., Samuel, James, Samuel C., Lemuel, Margaret, Sarah, Mary, Teresa, Jane, Elizabeth, and one who died in infancy. The father of this family passed away in Loudoun county in 1845.
Upon the home farm in his native state Samuel C. Allen was reared and after attaining adult years managed the place for a time. On the 3d of October, 1831, however, he left the Old Dominion and on horseback traveled through Ohio and Tennessee. The following year he came to Macon county, Illinois, where his brother David had secured the first deed ever made out for land in this county. This brother, Captain David L. Allen, was a prominent figure in the history of Decatur. He gave Central Park to the city and also the lot on which the Citizens Bank now stands was deeded to the city as a site for a school- house. He did more than any other citizen of an early day for the development and substantial upbuilding of Decatur and the county and his memory should ever be honored by the residents of the city who are now benefiting by his gener- osity and public spirit.
.On reaching Macon county Samuel C. Allen purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, a part of which has since been platted and divided into city lots, lying within the corporation limits of Decatur. For a few years after his arrival he operated a gristmill belonging to his brother David, which was the second mill erected in the county and the only one in operation. In 1841 he was appointed postmaster and after the expiration of his term of office he de- voted his time to farming and clerking until 1850, when he embarked in mer- chandising, which he followed for five years. At different times he was called to positions of public honor and trust. Before he engaged in merchandising he had served as assessor and later filled the office of county treasurer for four years, proving a most capable custodian of the public funds. In politics he was always a stalwart republican and did all in his power to promote the growth and secure the success of the party. He was also deeply interested in the moral welfare and progress of the community and for more than half a century was a consistent and helpful member of the Baptist church, with which he united during the early period of its existence.
In December, 1858, Mr. Allen went to Adams county, Ohio, and there mar- ried Mrs. Jane E. Reid, the widow of Minor Reid. She was born in Virginia and was a daughter of Enos and Mary (Davis) Gore, who were likewise natives of the Old Dominion. With his bride Mr. Allen returned to Macon county and they began their domestic life upon the farm. Their son, Edwin G., is a promi- nent business man of Decatur, at the head of the Allen Elevator Company. He has traveled extensively, gaining thereby the knowledge and culture which only
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travel can bring. He married Miss Minnie Sine and they have a family. Will- iam L., the second son, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Orville R., a graduate of Rush Medical college and now engaged in the practice of medicine at Stanwood, Washington, married Mamie Stockbridge. Milton died at the age of three years and Frank D. died in 1898.
After leaving the office of county treasurer Mr. Allen engaged in farming until the death of his wife, who passed away in June, 1880, at the age of fifty- three years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church and her many excellent qualities gained for her the kindly regard and warm friendship of all who knew her. Mr. Allen afterward retired from active business and lived with his son Edwin until his death, which occurred on the 3d of January, 1899, when he was in the eighty-ninth year of his age.
He was not only one of the venerable citizens of Decatur but one of its oldest residents in years of continuous connection with the city. When he came to Macon county Decatur was a little frontier village containing not more than a dozen families. Wolves came from the timber and could be heard howling at night. Wild deer were plentiful and venison was a frequent dish upon the pio- neer tables, but the deep snow of 1830 and the very severe weather of that winter killed many. The first white settlers in the county were two brothers of the name of Lorton from St. Joseph, Michigan. They were Indian traders and did a thriving business until the red men ceased visiting this part of the country save in small numbers. The first real pioneer was the hunter and trapper, Will- iam Donning, who came from Vandalia in the fall of 1820 and built a log cabin near the site of the home of Captain D. L. Allen, brother of Samuel C. Allen. That cabin whs the first building erected for a residence within the limits of the county. In 1824 Donning sold out to John Ward. The first permanent settler was Leonard Stevens, Sr., who built a log house in 1821, three miles north of Decatur. A decade later Samuel C. Allen arrived and with the history of Macon county was closely identified from that period until his demise. He was public-spirited and took an active and helpful interest in everything per- taining to the progress and welfare of the community and bore an important part in shaping the early history and substantial development of the city and county. He was an interested witness of the changes which occurred and bore his full share in the work of general transformation brought about through the settlement of the county and the development of its business activities and pub- lic interests.
JOSEPH C. RORK.
Some men are born with a natural business sagacity and from the very be- ginning of their active career they exercise a cool and clear judgment which leads to constantly growing financial success. They make no serious blunders and seem to be naturally endowed with a capacity which the ordinary man may in some degree acquire by years of close observation and application, although in his case its application is by no means infallible and he never gains the facility of his more liberally endowed fellow.
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Joseph C. Rork, whose name stands at the head of this review, apparently belongs to the former class. A large land owner, he has met with marked suc- cess in other lines and it today one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of Macon county. Born on a farm near Boody, Illinois, April 20, 1859, he is the son of Joseph and Ellen E. (Murray) Rork, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the father being born in 1823 and the mother in 1816. Coming to America, they were married in New York in 1851. In 1857 they located in Ken- tucky but the year following they settled permanently on a farm near Boody in Macon county. About 1865 Mr. Rork sold his farm and located in Long Creek township on a tract of forty acres of land in section 29. Ultimately he became the owner of a beautiful farm of five hundred and ninety acres which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He was a prominent feeder of cattle and hogs, and although he started with practically no resources, except those that were in- herent within himself and the sympathy and cooperation of his wife, he became one of the most successful farmers in this part of the county. Mr. Rork was called to his last rest November 5, 1893, and his beloved companion departed this life December 2, 1900 They were the parents of three children : Curtis W., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Joseph C., of this review; and Mrs. Elizabeth Foley, who died September 1, 1891.
Joseph C. Rork received his education in the common schools and at eighteen years of age began devoting his attention to the farm, assisting his father and giving evidence, even when quite a young man, of special aptitude for agricul- tural pursuits. At twenty-six years of age he began operations for himself on the family estate, including the home place, and he has ever since followed gen- eral farming and live-stock raising and has been a prominent factor in advancing the farming interests of the county. In addition to his farm of two hundred and forty acres he rents one hundred and ten acres in the neighborhood from a niece and keeps about one hundred and sixty acres in cereals, the remainder of the farm being used as pasture. He erected a beautiful home which is provided with modern improvements and is one of the most attractive residences in the township. For a number of years he bought and sold land and at one time owned eight hundred acres of valuable land in this county. He is the owner of a thousand acre cattle ranch and rice plantation four miles from Eunice, Louisiana, and is also interested in coal mines at Lovington, this state, which are now being developed, and is president of the Farmers Insurance Company.
On September 9, 1884, Mr. Rork was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Dunn, a daughter of William and Annie (Dempsey) Dunn, of Mount Zion town- ship, this county. The parents are both natives of Ireland and were early set- tlers of Macon county where Mr. Dunn attained a high standing as a farmer. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rork : William, born July 7, 1886; and Frank, born September 27, 1887, and both sons are now living on the home farm. Mrs. Rork was called away February 16, 1889, and Mr. Rork was a second time married, February 23, 1893, the lady of his choice being Miss Lizzie Breene, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Gill) Breene. Mrs Rork's parents were born in Ireland and have been residents of this county since early in the '40s. There were five children by the second marriage: Everett, born February 16, 1895;
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Wayne, born February 27, 1901 ; a son who died in infancy; Mary Ellen; and Madonna.
Mr. Rork is a member of the Catholic church and is an adherent of the re- publican party. He is a man of large capacity and sound discernment, always kindly in his relations to others and fair in his business dealings. He is recog- nized as a member of society who has contributed to its best and endurng in- terests by the example he has set, and, therefore, he enjoys in a high degree the sincere respect and increasing confidence of all who know him.
WILLIAM ADDISON HOLMAN.
This is preeminently an age of organization and cooperation. Men are bound together for mutual good, whether in the promotion of business affairs or of social or fraternal relation. William Addison Holman is a prominent represen- tative of fraternal insurance interests, being supreme vice president of the Loyal Americans. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, September 4, 1844, and is a son of Martin and Ferly (May) Holman. The father, who was also born in Ross county, Ohio, was a farmer and moved westward to Macon county, Illi- nois, in 1865, settling north of Decatur on the Bloomington road in Hickory Point township. There he rented land which he cultivated for two years, after which he purchased an improved farm of eighty acres on section 26, Hickory Point township. There he made his home and greatly improved and developed the farm which he converted into highly cultivated fields. At different times he was called upon to serve his township in various offices, the duties of which he faithfully and promptly discharged. His death, which occurred October 22, 1886, was most unexpected and was the occasion of deep loss in the community where he was uniformly esteemed and respected. He was a devoted member o fthe Universalist church and his labors were an effective element in the growth and upbuilding of the organization. His widow survived him for some time and died in Louisiana when more than fifty-three years of age. In their family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters, and seven of the num- ber reached years of maturnity, but the daughters, Mrs. Sabrina Delahunt and Mrs. Eva Samuels, are both now deceased. The living sons are William A .; Albert, a resident of Iowa; David, who is living south of Oreana, in this county; and Carey L., a resident farmer of Whitmore township.
William A. Holman pursued his early education in the district schools of his native county and afterward had the benefit of instruction in a business col- lege, thus qualifying him for the solution of the problems which are continuously arising in connection with business transactions. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming on his own account in Hickory Point township and fol- lowed that pursuit continuously and successfully until 1888. The appreciation of his worth and ability on the part of his fellow townsmen has led to his selec- tion for various offices. He was deputy assessor for a number of years and from 1903 until 1908 was overseer of the poor. He has also served as assessor for one year and for a considerable period has been a member of the board of
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supervisors. He acted as chairman of that board in 1908. He has been a mem- ber of the board of review of Macon county and in 1910 he was elected presi- dent of the state association of supervisors, county commissioners and county clerks. The object of this association is the creation of a better feeling among officers of the various counties and the promotion of the welfare of the officers by such legislation as in their judgment will be for the better conduct of county government. Mr. Holman has served as committeeman of the republican party and has been a delegate to various county, state and congressional conventions. He has twice represented the first ward as a member of the board of city alder- men and at all times has exercised his official prerogatives in support of such measures as he deems of value and benefit in the scheme of public government and municipal and county progress.
In 1885 Mr. Holman was married in Macon county to Miss Carrie Ford, a native of Ohio, and they have a large circle of friends in Decatur where the hospitality of many homes is cordially extended them. Mr. Holman be- longs to Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M. He gives most of his time, how- ever, to the Loyal Americans, of which he is supreme vice president. This or- ganization has a membership of thirty thousand and business is carried on in twenty-six different states. Much of this is done under the direct supervision of Mr. Holman who has been a factor in carefully systematizing the work of the order, in accomplishing substantial results and increasing its membership.
ANDREW J. SHOEMAKER.
Andrew J. Shoemaker, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Maroa township, is busily engaged in its cultivation and also devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock. His birth occurred in Scioto, Ohio, in 1862, his parents being Jacob and Parmelia (Dever) Shoemaker, who were born, reared and married in the Buckeye state. The father was born in 1823, while the mother's birth occurred in 1833. Jacob Shoemaker who devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, is now living retired in Scioto county, Ohio. His property holdings embrace a tract of forty acres of rich and productive land. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in an Ohio regiment, fighting valiantly in defense of the Union cause. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children: Andrew J., Sarah, Abraham, Eliza and Jasper, all living; and John, George, Dora, Joseph, Ida and Minnie, all deceased.
Andrew J. Shoemaker acquired his education in the schools of his native state after putting aside his text-books worked on his father's farm. He was employed at farm labor in Ohio until about 1888, when he came direct to Macon county, Illinois, here working as a farm hand by the month for four years. Dur- ing the following ten years he was engaged in the cultivation of rented land and subsequently purchased a tract of forty acres northeast of his present farm, re- siding thereon for eight years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought the farm on which he now makes his home. It com-
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prises one hundred and twenty acres of land in Maroa township and is well im- proved in every particular. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Shoemaker also raises stock and in both branches of his business has won success.'
In 1888 Mr. Shoemaker was united in marriage to Miss Generva Grady, a daughter of Joseph and Isabella Grady, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this state at an early day. The father passed away in 1905 but the mother still survives. Unto them were born eight children, four of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker have three children, namely: John, whose birth occurred in 1889; Emma, who was born in 1897; and Oma, born in 1905.
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