USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 24
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In politics Mr. Shoemaker is a republican, supporting the men and measures of that party by his ballot. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias at Maroa. In all his business dealings he has been found strictly re- liable, has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship and has always followed high ideals concerning his relations with his fellowmen.
HENRY D. HEIL, M. D.
For twenty-three years Dr. Henry D. Heil has engaged in the practice of medicine in Decatur. Early in his professional career his ability won him rec- ognition as one of the leading members of the medical fraternity in this city, and as time has passed, his reputation has spread until he is now ranked with the able physicians of central Illinois. From no professional man do we ex- pect or exact so many of the cardinal virtues as from the physician. If the clergyman is austere, we imagine that his mind is absorbed with the contem- plation of things beyond our ken; if our lawyer is brusk and crabbed, it is the mark of genius; but in the physician we expect not only a superior mentality and comprehensive knowledge, but also sympathy as wide as the universe. Dr. Heil in large measure meets all of these requirements, and is regarded by many as an ideal physician. Certainly if patronage is any criterion of ability, he ranks high among the leading members of the medical fraternity in De- catur, where he is now enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He is num- bered among the worthy native sons of Decatur, his birth having here oc- curred in the year 1858.
His father, William Heil, was born at Obertzell, Germany, in 1820, and devoted his life to the occupation of farming. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Dinkel, was born in Germany in 1826. They be- came acquainted in the new world and were married in Harrisburg, Pennsyl- vania, in 1854. The father came to America in 1847 and the mother arrived in 1852. Following their marriage they removed westward to Macon county, Illinois, where Mr. Heil purchased land, and here he and his wife spent their remaining days, his death occurring in 1872, while his widow passed away in 1885. In their family were seven children: Henry, William, George, Almina, Julia, Mary and Matilda, all of whom are now living, with the exception of Mary, who died in Macon county in 1895.
DR. HENRY D. HEIL
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Dr. Henry D. Heil obtained his early education in the graded and high schools and afterward pursued a college course. After completing his more specifically literary education, he spent three years in Rush Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1887. He has also pursued post-graduate courses in Rush Medical College and at Berlin, Ger- many. On the 13th of March, 1887, he located for practice at Decatur, which city has since been the scene of his professional labors. He has proven well able to cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physi- cian in his efforts to restore health and prolong life, and justly merits the extensive practice which is accorded him. His suite of rooms is in the Masonic block.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Dr. Heil chose Miss Mary Jane Bills, by whom he has three sons, Henry, George and John. On the maternal side she is descended from the early Pilgrims. Her father was a prominent farmer of this county, but was later engaged in mercantile busi- ness, and is now living retired in Decatur. Coming here at an early day, her great-grandfather entered three sections of land two and a half miles from Decatur, and some of this property is still in possession of the family.
Dr. Heil is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Macon Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He holds to high standards in his practice and continually promotes his efficiency by reading and investigation, so that he is a physician of liberal knowledge and broad experience. Moreover, he is a self- made man, his industry and ability constituting the measure of his advance- ment. He is a splendid representative of the most advanced scientific prin- ciples bearing upon his chosen life work. His research has kept him in touch with the progress of the profession; his perusal of medical journals and of the latest published work of medicine and surgery give him comprehensive un- derstanding of what is being done by eminent representatives of the profession throughout the world. Moreover, his sound judgment enables him to quickly determine the value of any idea presented, and if he has reason to believe in its efficacy, he adopts it for immediate use in his professional service. The consensus of public opinion places him in a leading position in the ranks of the medical profession in central Illinois, and his ability certainly finds its proof in the large practice that is accorded him.
BRADFORD K. DURFEE.
The problems of finance and intricate business questions find ready solution with Bradford K. Durfee, whose ability and broad experience well qualify him for the successful conduct of the business enterprises with which he is now connected. He is one of the oldest and most prominent representatives of real estate, loans and insurance in Decatur and is now the secretary of the Mutual Home and Savings Association.
His birth occurred in Marshall, Michigan, on the 25th of March, 1838. He is a son of Nathan and Margaret (Kirk) Durfee and is a descendent in the
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seventh generation of Thomas Durfee, the progenitor of the family in the new world. From his native land of England Thomas Durfee sailed to the new world, settling in Tiverton, Rhode Island, about 1662. From him the line of descent is traced down to Nathan Durfee, whose birth occurred near Fall River, Massachusetts, and who in his boyhood days accompanied his parents on their westward removal to Ohio. In that state the period of his youth was passed, his time largely being spent in Cleveland. He was married in 1837 to Miss Margaret Kirk and soon afterward started with his young wife for Michigan, their home being established in the town of Marshall, where the birth of Brad- ford K. Durfee, their eldest child, occurred. The father was proprietor of a furniture store in Marshall, where he resided until he sought a broader field of labor in the larger city of Battle Creek. He also conducted a furniture store there and later had a similar enterprise in Hastings, Michigan. The year 1857 witnessed his arrival in Macon county, where he established his home on the 3d of September, here remaining until his patriotic spirit, aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, prompted his enlistment in the Civil war and he joined an Ohio regiment of which his brother, B. R. Durfee, was colonel. Previous to the outbreak of hostilities he had stanchly espoused the abolition cause.
Bradford K. Durfee was a pupil in the public schools of Battle Creek, Michi- gan, and following the removal of the family to Decatur on the 3d of September, 1857, he became a teacher in the district schools, following that profession through three winter terms. At that time he made his home on the old Durfee farm in Hickory Point township. The place, located northeast of Decatur, com- prised one hundred and sixty acres. Soon after locating there his father planted walnuts and from the tender shoots there have grown fine large trees. Brad- ford K. Durfee remained on the farm until the spring of 1863, when he came to Decatur, and entered the office of his uncle, H. B. Durfee. While in that office he prepared a set of abstracts of titles of Macon county and developed a system of abstract books, of which system a large number of copyrights were disposed of. Through his work in this connection he became familiar with the history of real-estate transactions in Macon county as far back as 1829-the be- ginning of history here. In 1865 he was admitted to the firm of Durfee, War- ren & Company and subsequent changes in the firm led to the adoption of the style of Warren & Durfee, at which time Bradford K. Durfee was associated with John K. Warren in the conduct of the real-estate and insurance business. This connection was maintained successfully until 1893 and they operated ex- tensively and successfully in the field of real estate, negotiating many of the most important property transfers that have been made in the city.
In the meantime, in 1879, Mr. Durfee secured the re-enactment of the law for the establishment of building and loan associations in Illinois. At that time it was thought unconstitutional but the law passed, finding a place on the statute books of the state. The opposition thereto seems ludicrous at the present time, when the conduct of building and loan associations is considered an im- portant and indispensable element in the substantial upbuilding of any city. In political circles Mr. Durfee also became connected with Decatur's welfare, hav- ing in 1884 been elected a member of the city council for a two years' term. On
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the dissolution of the real-estate firm of Warren & Durfee in 1893, Mr. Durfee in January of that year accepted the appointment of commissioner to the Northern penitentiary of Joliet, Illinois. In July of the same year he resigned to accept an appointment as insurance superintendent of the state of Illinois and served until May 5, 1897. In 1907 he went upon the road as traveling rep- resentative of insurance companies, spending a year and a half in' Pueblo, Colo- rado, and making annual visits to the city of Milwaukee, where he did auditing work. He is now the secretary of the Mutual Home & Savings Association of Decatur. He came in charge when the association was a failure and has re- deemed it. He has reorganized and enlarged it, placing it upon a sound financial basis, and while it does not attempt to offer the big returns formerly common to building and loan associations, it does assure a safe and excellent investment for both the workingman and the capitalist and provides a convenient and satis- factory loan for the borrower. The present officers are: W. C. Outten, presi- dent; George R. Bacon, vice president; B. K. Durfee, secretary ; and James S. Baldwin, treasurer. In addition Hiram Johnson, William S. Grubbs and Fred Norman are members of the board of directors. Mr. Durfee has contributed in large measure to the success of the undertaking since assuming management of the business as its secretary. His knowledge of former real-estate transactions in the county and his understanding of present conditions have both contributed to the success of the undertaking.
Mr. Durfee is also prominent in other relations of life. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and also became a member of the Knight Templar commandery of Decatur. He was reared under strong anti-slavery influences and his sympathies were with the republican party until 1872, since which time he has been an advocate of democratic principles. In 1878 he was elected as the regular democratic candidate to the thirty-first general assembly and during its sessions served on the committees on appropriations, insurance, banks and banking and labor and manufacturers. He gave close and earnest attention to the business which came before the legislature and in 1880 his course received the endorsement of the party in a second nomination. Again he was elected and became the democratic candidate for speaker of the house. To his activity and efforts along political lines several excellent results are directly traceable.
In October, 1868, in Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Durfee was united in marriage to Miss Lucy W. Hamilton of that city and their children were: Lucille, who be- came the wife of Louis Edward Eyman and died in February, 1907; and Edith N., who is a graduate of the Columiba College of Expression in Chicago and also studied for six months under the noted reader and teacher, Leland Powers, of Boston, Massachusetts. She has been very successful in teaching her art and also gives readings in the Christian and Presbyterian churches of Decatur.
The family are of the Episcopal faith and Mr. Durfee was a member of the building committee of the new St. John's church. He does not hold membership with the church but has always contributed generously to its support. He is a man of liberal views not only on religious questions but on all matters of vital interest and is regarded as one of the most public-spirited citizens of Decatur.
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His labors in behalf of the general good have long been a tangible element in the progress and improvement of the city, while his enterprise, activity and high sense of personal honor and integrity have been the salient features in the at- tainment of his success in business life. He was a delegate to the convention that nominated Grover Cleveland for president in 1892.
ELLEN M. LUKENS.
The name of Lukens has for more than a half a century figured in connection with the history of Macon county. At the family home in Argenta reside Ellen M. Lukens and her sister, Mary. The father, Aaron Lukens, came to this country in 1857 and, purchasing a tract of land in Friends Creek township, there took up his abode and began farming. He opened up a farm of about four hundred acres and became a well known agriculturist and business man of his part of the state. He was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared to mature years, and was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Anna Foulke, who was also born and reared in Montgomery county. Mr. Lukens engaged in the lumber business in the Keystone state but also followed farming there, making his home in Pennsylvania for some years or until after the birth of his children. In 1857, however, he bade adieu to the east, coming with his family to Illinois, thinking to find better business oportunities in the wide and rolling prairies of this state. Reaching Macon county, he invested in land which he converted into a well improved farm, making his home thereon for several years. He then removed to a farm near Maroa upon which he spent his last years, his death occurring there on the 3d of September, 1869. His wife survived him for about five years and passed away in November, 1873. One of their sons, William Lukens, enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry with which he went south and continued in active service with his regiment, until his death, which occurred at Youngs Point, Louisiana, June 22, 1863. His remains were brought home for burial and were interred in Greenwood cemetery of Decatur. David Lukens, another son of the family, was born upon the old homestead farm in Pennsyl- vania and at length succeeded to the ownership of the place. He continued in active connection with agricultural interests until 1900, when he, too, passed away and was laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery. A sister, Mrs. Margaret Smedley, who is a widow, resides in Philadelphia and has two children, Anna and Nathan Smedly. Mary is living in Argenta. Dr. Edward Lukens was also a soldier of the Civil war, serving throughout the period of hostilities with the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The latter located in Decatur where he married and his last years were spent in that city. Grace Lukens is now the wife of John Bixby and resides in Chicago. R. H. Lukens reached adult age but died in 1876 The youngest of the family is Ellen M. Lukens, who resides with her sister Mary in Argenta, where they own a neat and attractive home.
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The parents were members of the Society of Friends in Philadelphia and reared their family in that faith. They were earnest Christian people who lived peaceable, quiet lives in accordance with the teachings of the sect. After the death of the father the family removed to Decatur, where they resided for six years, and then returned to the home farm north of Aregnta, where they lived until the spring of 1910. At that time a tract of land of thirty-five acres in Argenta was purchased, together with their present home. The deceased mem- bers of the family have been laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery of Decatur, in the beautiful and well kept family lot. The father was numbered among the early settlers here and the other representatives of the name have been well known, their substantial qualities winning for them the friendly regard and good will of all with whom they have been associated.
JOHN K. WARREN.
On the list of Decatur's honored dead apears the name of John K. Warren, whose worth as a man and citizen placed him high in public regard. All who knew him respected and honored him and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was born in Philadelphia on the Ioth of August, 1834, his parents being Josiah and Ann (Reynolds) Warren, the former of English and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. In his native city the son spent his youthful days and was accorded the opportunity of acquiring an academic education. He afterward engaged in farming in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and in the year 1855 made his way to Chicago, hoping to be benefited in health. The change did not bring the desired result, however, and he decided to go south. He started as a passenger on one of the trains of the Illinois Central Railroad, which had just been completed. Stopping over night in Decatur, he found when he awoke in the morning that he was free from asthma, with which he had been seriously troubled for many months. This caused him to settle in Macon county and within a week he purchased a farm three miles northeast of the city. In the spring of 1856 he returned to take up his permanent abode here, accompanied by his mother, who spent her remaining days in Macon county.
After living on the farm for two years Mr. Warren removed to Decatur in 1858 and the following year established a real-estate and insurance office. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Henry B. Durfee and under the firm style of Durfee & Warren the business was continued until 1865, when Bradford K. Durfee was made partner. In 1868 H. B. Durfee retired from the firm and the firm name became Warren & Durfee. In 1893 Mr. Durfee retired and Mr. Warren continued the business alone until his death. The firm prepared the first set of abstracts of titles ever used in Macon county and were pioneers of copyrights as applied to abstracts of titles in the United States. Mr. Warren enjoyed good health for some years after coming to Illinois but in 1873 his old asthmatic troubles returned with violence and he spent much of the succeeding five years in California and Texas for the benefit of his health, which was greatly improved by his sojourn in the south.
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Mr. Warren became deeply interested in railroad building and between 1867 and 1872 was very actively engaged in securing the building of new railway lines to important points. He was connected with the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur now the Peoria, Danville & Evansville Railroad from the first until the trains were run over that line into Decatur He was also associated with the Indiana & Illinois Railroad, which was organized in 1853 and which is now a part of the Wabash system. He served as its president from 1868 until 1871 and was instrumental in securing the reorganization of the company, resulting in the eventual con- struction of the line. Through his activity in railway connections he did much to promote the interests of Decatur, for the growth of every city depends in very large measure upon its railway facilities. In 1868 he organized the Deca- tur Gas Light & Coke Company, of which he was president.
In May, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Warren and Miss Emma Powers, of Decatur, and they were for many years well known socially in the city. In politics he was a republican and his party elected him to the office of municipal chief executive in 1867. In other positions to which he was called as well as that of mayor he served with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ents. In early life he was a member of the Presbyterian church, but later joined the Episcopal church, and was ever a man of honor and uprightness whose life commended him to the confidence and high regard of all. He has left his impress indelibly upon the history of Macon county and its substantial and permanent upbuilding.
ANDREW HEMINGER.
There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect uniformly accorded Andrew Heminger, but through many years connection with Illinois his has been an unblemished character. With him, success in life has been reached through close application intelligently directed. He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable between his fellowmen and himself and it is this which has won for him the esteem which is now so freely given him by all who know him. Stark county, Ohio is the place of his nativity and the date of his birth December 12, 1836. His parents were Frederick and Maria (Willard) Heminger, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married .. Subsequently they re- moved to Stark county, Ohio and in 1839 went to Wood county, Ohio, settling near Toledo, where their remaining days were passed. The father was a prominent farmer of that locality.
The boyhood and youth of Andrew Heminger were spent in Wood county, where he was reared to farm life, pursuing his education in the old-time typical log schoolhouse with its puncheon floor, slab seats and other crude furnishings. In April, 1857, he followed Horace Greeley's advice to young men and went west as far as the territory of Kansas. At that time Jefferson City, Missouri, was the terminus of the western railroad and Kansas City was a mere hamlet. There were no buildings in the levee district and no bakery in the town and at
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that time Mr. Heminger could have homesteaded land within the present city limits. He remained in Kansas, however, for only about six weeks, after which he returned to Illinois, settling in Cerro Gordo, where his first work was break- ing prairie with five yoke of oxen and a thirty-six-inch plow. For his service he was paid fourteen dollars per month. He continued to work as a farm hand until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when his patriotism was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and on the 11th of August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry. He served for three years, lacking one month, as a private and was honorably discharged July 11, 1865, at Camp Butler, Illinois, after participating in the Atlanta campaign, in the battles of Franklin and Knox- ville and in other important engagements.
When the war had ended Mr. Heminger returned to Cerro Gordo and began farming on his own account. For three years he rented land and then made his first investment in property, buying at that time a modest forty acres, which, however, constituted the nucleus of his later extensive possessions. His second purchase of one hundred and sixty acres was made in 1873 and for this he paid twenty-nine dollars per acre. This farm is now within a half mile of the city limits of Cerro Gordo and is worth two hundred and fifty dollars per acre on more. About 1890, however, Mr. Heminger sold that property for seventy-five dollars per acre, which at that time was the highest price ever paid for land in his township with the exception of the price paid for a forty-acre tract. He con- tinued to buy and sell farm lands and at one time owned four hundred and fifty- eight acres in Macon county but disposed of his holdings and in 1898 removed to Decatur, where he has since made his home. He has, however, through the intervening period continued his speculations in farm lands and also in Decatur city properties. He is now the owner of five hundred and ninety-one acres in Macon county, much of which is located near Decatur and is very valuable. He also owns three business properties, three flat buildings and various other properties and from his holdings derives a substantial and gratifying annual income. Until quite recently he has been regarded as one of the most active and prominent financiers of Decatur and although now practically living retired, he still looks after his holdings and is one of the most successful men of the city. He is a splendid type of a self-made man, for owing to the limited financial resources of his father he had to start out for himself in a very humble capacity. His business acumen, however, was soon manifest and his success is attributable in no small degree to the fact that he has recognized and utilized opportunities that other have passed heedlessly by.
Mr. Heminger has been married twice. In June, 1862, he wedded Miss Rachel Long, of Piatt county, who died in 1873. Their only child died in infancy. In 1877, Mr. Heminger wedded Miss Melinda Schoolcraft, of Piatt county, and they became the parents of four children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are Bertha F., who is the wife of Merl Cobb, of Webster Groves, St. Louis county, Missouri, and has one child, Lenora F .; and Maud, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Wallace, likewise of Webster Groves. Missouri.
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