USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 26
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dollars per month. She was offered positions in the city schools but preferred to teach in the country, and did so for some time. During that period she attended different schools in the summer seasons and in 1906 she became a candidate for the position which she is now filling. Although a candidate of the minority party in Macon county, she received a majority of over two hundred votes and in office has given entire satisfaction to the public, making a great success in her administration of educational affairs in Macon county. She has created enthusastic local interests by holding spelling contests.
Miss Bowman belongs to the National Educational Association and is con- stantly alert to the demands and needs of the school and to efforts for the improvement and development of the educational system. Her work has indeed been of far-reaching effect and has won the approval of even the most conserva- tive. She believes in the comprehension of each student as an individual and that every teacher should study her pupils and know just how to adapt the work to specific needs.
BRYANT L. BRASFIELD.
Among the younger representatives of farming interests in Macon county Bryant L. Brasfield is prominent. He is only now in his twenty-fifth year, yet is the owner of and successfully operates two hundred and forty-five acres of valuable farm land, pleasantly and conveniently situated about two miles north of Harristown. He has been a lifelong resident of Illinois, his birth having occurred on the 10th of May, 1886, near Sweetwater, Menard county, his parents being Thomas Howard and Cynthia (Camp) Brasfield. The father was born in the year 1829 in Madison county, Kentucky, near Richmond, and was but four years of age when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Brasfield, removed from the Blue Grass state to Illinois, settling in Menard county, which was then largely a wild and undeveloped region. The Black Hawk war had occurred only the previous year and there were still many evidences of Indian occupancy throughout the state. Little of the native forest had been cut and much of the open land was still covered with the wild prairie grasses. It was an easy matter to obtain a farm by entering a claim from the government and the usual ex- periences of pioneer life were to be met with on every hand. It was amid the environment of the frontier that Thomas H. Brasfield was reared and in the public schools of Menard county he was educated. After attaining man's estate he took up farming and stock-raising on his own acount and became a prosperous representative of the agricultural interests of the community. He was a very public-spirited man and also a prominent factor in the ranks of the republican party, his opinions carrying weight in its local councils. He continued a valued resident of Menard county to the time of his death, which ocurred in 1900. He is still survived by his widow, who is now making her home in Eureka, Wood- ford county, Illinois.
Bryant L. Brasfield began his education in the common schools and after- ward went to Springfield, Illinois, there pursuing a business course. He also
BRYANT L. BRASFIELD
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spent two and a half years in Eureka College and a year and a half in the Uni- versity of Illinois, devoting his time to a literary course in Eureka and to the agricultural course in the State University. He worked upon the home farm during his vacation periods and afterward resided in Eureka from September, 1904, until March, 1910. He then went upon the show circuit with Carpenter & Ross of Mansfield, Ohio, with a shorthorn herd, traveling through Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, just for the experience. Later he purchased the farm of two hundred and forty-five acres in Macon county upon which he now re- sides and is here extensively and successfully engaged in breeding shorthorn cattle, having a fine herd upon his place. He also farms his land and his fields are highly cultivated. The farm presents every appearance of being cared for along the most progressive and practical lines and its substantial buildings, well tilled fields and high grades of stock indicate the owner to be one of the leading farmers of his part of the county. He took up his abode upon his present place in March, 1907, and his work is being attended by excellent results.
That Mr. Brasfield is a man of high principles is indicated in the fact that he is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity belonging to Lodge No. 306, A. F. & A. M., at Eureka, and also he belongs to the Christian church. The future undoubtedly holds in store for him substantial success, for he is already working his way upward along lines that promise excellent results for the future.
HENRY HAHN.
Henry Hahn, who follows the pursuits of farming and stock-raising in Maroa township, has won a gratifying measure of success in his labors in this connection. His birth occurred in St. Clair county, Illinois, on the 26th of October, 1857, his parents being John and Mary (Hirsch) Hahn. The former was born in Germany in 1830, while the latter's birth occurred in Illinois about 1835. John Hahn was a youth of fifteen when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in St. Clair county, Illinos. He was successfully engaged in farming throughout his active business career and is now living retired in St. Clair county. His first wife who bore the maiden name of Mary Hirsch, died when our subject was but fourteen years of age. She was the mother of five sons and three daughters, one of whom is deceased. The surviving children are as follows : Henry, of this review ; John; Charles; Fred; and Anna, Rosa and Celia, all of whom the resi- dents of St. Louis. For his second wife John Hahn chose Miss Eva Grone, by whom he has one child, Josie.
Henry Hahn obtained his education in the district schools and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-six years of age he took up farming independently and the work of the fields has claimed his time and energies continuously since. In 1895, he commenced farming upon two hundred acres of land and three years later took up his abode on his present place of three hundred and twenty acres
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in Maroa township, Macon county, where he is now carrying on his agricultural interests with excellent result, raising stock in connection with the tilling of the soil. He rents this property but owns a tract of eighty acres on the east, which he purchased in 1907.
On the 27th of February, 1895, Mr. Hahn was united in marriage to Miss Gusta Rosenberger, a daughter of Conrad and Kathrena (Eckert) Rosenberger, who were natives of Germany and Illinois respectively. They were the parents of six sons and three daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hahn have been born five children, three of whom died in infancy. The others are: Irvin C., whose natal day was September 2, 1898; and Lena Louisa, whose birth occurred on the 25th of August, 1903.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hahn has supported the men and measures of the democratic party, believing firmly in its principles. He has always endeavored to live at peace with his fellowmen, acknowledging the rights of others, and has manifested a spirit of consideration and kindliness that has gained him a warm place in public regard.
OLNA STANTON HIGHLY.
Among the farmers' sons of Macon county who have had the good sense to remain upon the farm and thus to add to the material wealth of the county as well as to assure themselves of a solid financial basis is Olna Stanton Highly, who was born April 4, 1864, and is a son of Henry L. and Jane (Gibson) Highly. The father was a native of Ohio, born June 12, 1835, and settled in Macon county in 1862, where he was actively engaged in farming nearly forty years, retiring to Macon ten years before his death, which occurred January 12, 1910. His wife was born in Pennsylvania, January 29, 1837, and accompanied her parents on their removal to Ohio, where she was married in 1862, her wedding trip being by wagon overland to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Highly first lived on a farm west of Macon and one year later settled on a tract of land two miles south of the present homestead of the family. She is now living in Macon with her niece. She and her husband made many friends during their long residence on the farm and assisted to the extend of their ability in bringing about the great changes that have been witnessed in this region since the Civil war. They were the parents of two children: Olna S., our subject; and James Howard, who is now living on the old homestead in this county.
The subject of this review was educated in the common schools, but, feeling the importance of further training in order to be better prepared to meet the responsibilities of life, he became a student in a commercial college in Spring- field, Illinois, where he pursued a course for six months. After laying aside his books he returned to the farm, where he applied himself with the greatest dili- gence, assisting his father in its operation. At twenty-six years of age he was married and removed to the place where he now resides. He inherited one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father and in 1907 purchased eighty acres adjoining, so that at the present time he has a farm of two hundred and
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forty acres, which under his efficient management has been improved until it is one of the most desirable farms in South Macon township. The family residence with its surroundings forms a neat and attractive home and the entire farm reflects in its neat and well kept appearance the orderly character of its owner.
On February 5, 1890, Mr. Highly was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Combs, a daughter of Jabez and Sarah (Whittaker) Combs, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Illinois. Mr. Combs came to this state in the early days with his parents, who lived in Christian county previous to locating in Macon county. Mrs. Highly is the eighth child in a family of twelve children and was born October 29, 1867. Three children have blessed the household of Mr. and Mrs. Highly: Lena Jane, born November 23, 1890, the wife of John Thompson, of Macon county; Lloyd A., born March 5, 1894, living at home; Myra Pauline, born March 28, 1898.
Politically Mr. Highly is independent, voting according to his judgment as to the necessities of the times. He is a strong advocate of education and for eighteen years past has served most acceptably as a member of the school board. Socially he is identified with Beacon Lodge, No. 434, Knights of Pythias, and is an active working member of that organization. He and his family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church of Macon and are identified with every good work of the neighborhood in which they live.
B. A. SCHUDEL.
B. A. Schudel has devoted his time to public service as the postmaster of Macon for the past thirteen years, having been appointed to that position in 1897. His birth occurred in Macon on the 19th of October, 1871, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Seng) Schudel, who were natives of Switzerland and Illinois respectively. The father crossed the Atlantic to the United States with his parents in early life, the family home being established in Greene county, Illinois. He came to Macon county a few years later and has here resided continuously since. He was first employed as an insurance agent, then learned the painter's trade and subsequently embarked in the mercantile business at Macon. At the present time he is living retired in Decatur, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. Unto him and his estimable wife were born eight children, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth.
B. A. Schudel obtained his education in the public schools of this state and also pursued a course in Brown's Business College of Decatur. After putting aside his text-books he went west and worked on the staff of a newspaper in Lincoln, Nebraska, for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Macon and in 1897 was appointed postmaster of the town, in which capacity he has served continuously since. His duties in this connection have been dis- charged in a manner entirely satisfactory to the public and his fitness for the office is widely acknowledged.
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In his political views Mr. Schudel is a republican and his fellow townsmen have called him to various positions of public trust and responsibility. He acted as mayor of Macon for one year, was alderman for two terms, served as town- ship collector for one term and for a similar period was town clerk. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to South Macon Lodge No. 467, A. F. & A. M., and the chapter at Blue Mound. He is also a member of Beacon Lodge, No. 344, K. P., and Macon Camp, No. 362, M. W. A. In early manhood he joined the Methodist Episcopal church of Macon and has since been one of its most active and valued members. His salient characteristics are such as have gained him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been as- sociated and he is well entitled to a foremost place among the substantial and representative citizens of his native county.
WALTER T. DOWNING.
Among the worthy citizens of English birth and parentage now living in Macon county may be named Walter T. Downing, a well known farmer of Har- ristown township. He first saw the light of day at Fish Lake, Yorkshire, Eng- land, November 15, 1862, and is a son of James and Margaret (Jubb) Downing. The father was engaged in farming, an occupation with which the ancestors of the family were for many generations identified.
The subject of this review was educated in the common schools of England and at seventeen years of age he decided to cast his lot under the American flag, his brother James, an uncle and a great uncle, Thomas Acom, having previously settled in Illinois. Accordingly he crossed the ocean and began working for his uncle by the month, continuing for about three years and in the meantime be- coming familiar with the habits and customs of this country. About 1882 his parents came from their old home and are now living in Harristown township. At twenty years of age our subject began farming independently by renting land and continued until 1905 when he moved to a farm of forty acres inherited by the lady who became his wife. By industry and economy he was soon able to purchase seventy acres adjoining, for which he paid one hundred and seventy- six dollars an acre. This was at the time of the record price for farming land in this county. He has since made many improvements and, taking into consideration the advance in prices, the land is now estimated to be worth about two hundred and twenty-five dollars an acre. Mr. Downing now has a beautiful place of one hundred and ten acres, which is regarded as one of the model farms in this region.
On June 28, 1900, in Logan county, Mr. Downing was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Davis, who was born on a farm in Niantic township, Macon county, November 27, 1878. She is a daughter of Samuel P. and Henrietta (Stout) Davis, both natives of Ohio, who emigrated to Illinois and became the owners of land in Harristown township, this county. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Downing: Henrietta, born April 2, 1901 ; Margaret,
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born December 4, 1902; Gertrude, born January 15, 1905; Irene, born December 24, 1907; and Richard Walter, born June 13, 1909.
Mr. Downing has found in his wife a worthy and sympathetic assistant. She is a valued member of the Christian church. Before leaving his native land Mr. Downing became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, but he has never affiliated with any religious denomination since taking up his residence in Illinois. He is a stanch supporter of the republican party and socially is con- nected with Niantic Camp, No. 329, Modern Woodmen of America. His breth- ren of the order find in him a worthy and capable assistant, agreeing with many friends outside of the organization that he is a man always to be relied upon and one who has fairly earned the honorable reputation he has acquired in the county of his adption.
PETER O. BECK.
Peter O. Beck, successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, makes his home on section 31, Long Creek township. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Macon county, his birth having occurred in Harris- town township on the 25th of November, 1859. His parents were John and Nancy (McDaniel) Beck, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio re- spectively, the former born on the 26th of July, 1829, and the latter in the year 1833. Their marriage was celebrated in Decatur, Illinois, in 1853. Leaving the Keystone state, the paternal grandparents of our subject removed to Ohio, whence they came to Illinois in 1839. Peter Beck, the grandfather, was an agri- culturist by occupation and in 1847 he located on a quarter section of land in Harristown township, this county. He erected a house and improved his farm, devoting his energies to its operation until the time of his removal to Kansas, when he disposed of the property. His remaining days were spent in the Sun- flower state. John Beck, the father of Peter O. Beck, was a lad of ten years when he came to this state with his parents and here he has resided continuously since with the exception of the period of fourteen years which he spent in Mis- souri. He now makes his home with our subjecet and is well known as one of the esteemed and venerable citizens of the community, having passed the eighty- first milestone on life's journey. His wife was called to her final rest in March, 1904.
Peter O. Beck attended the public schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. The pursuits of farming and stock-raising have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and have brought to him a gratifying annual income. Since 1900 he has resided in Long Creek township, where he cultivates rented land, operating the Hill estate of three hundred and five acres and also an adjoining tract of eighty acres.
In November, 1880, Mr. Beck was joined in wedlock to Miss Maria Hop- kins of Macon county, her parents being William and Ann Hopkins who
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were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. The father, who took up his abode among the early settlers of this county, followed farming as a means of livelihood. He passed away in 1897 but is still survived by his wife. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beck have been born the following children: A. C., who is now the wife of Charles Kemp; Edna, who gave her hand in marriage to Lester Carmeau; William F., whose birth occurred November 27, 1885, and who is now a resident of Kansas; Orville E., whose natal day was February 16, 1889; Mil- lard Vernon, who was born on the 9th of May, 1890; Fleeta L .; Maggie, who died May 7, 1904; Lester Earl, whose birth occurred February 28, 1900; and three who died in infancy.
Mr. Beck gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has ably served his fellow townsmen as commissioner of highways and also as tax collector, holding the latter office for two years. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while in religious faith he is a Methodist. He is well and favorably known through- out the community and the qualities which have made him popular are such as win confidence and command esteem in every land and clime.
GEORGE E. MOELLER.
George E. Moeller is one of the well known citizens of Decatur and a pro- gressive business man, who is an officer in one of the important manufacturing enterprises of the city, being secretary and treasurer of the Decatur Coffin Com- pany. He was born at Somerset, Ohio, May 1, 1858, and is a son of Otto H. and Eliza J. (Pardee) Moeller, the former a native of Chambersburg, Pennsyl- vania, and the father of Somerset, Ohio. The father was one of a family of seven- teen children by two marriages, all of whom were brought up together and grew to maturity. He was engaged in the drug business in Somerset, and became one of the pioneer druggists of Decatur, removing to this city in 1859, where he died less than a year after his arrival. While in his native state he promoted a railroad through the Hocking valley, to extend from New Lexington to Somer- set, and it is now a part of the system of the Pennsylvania Railroads. The mother departed this life in February, 1909, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Six children were born to them, five of whom are now living: Mrs. O. A. Alex- ander, of Decatur; Mrs. A. M. Lapham, of St. Louis, Missouri; William J., of Decatur ; Louis K., of Galena, Kansas; and George E., the subject of this review.
Educated in the public and high schools of Decatur, George E. Moeller be- gan business life in the local postoffice, under Captain R. P. Lytle, as mailing clerk in 1877. After three years of valuable experience in this line he became traveling salesman for the Decatur Coffin Company and continued upon the road for about fifteen years. Having purchased stock in the company, he was elected its vice president in 1897 and upon the death of O. Z. Greene, president, in 1910, became secretary and treasurer, in which positions he has since continued. This company is one of the largest concerns of the kind in Illinois, being conducted upon the most approved business principles, so that it gives promise of steadily
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increasing patronage as the years pass. Mr. Moeller has attained his present responsible position by his earnestness, unquestioned honesty and willingness to work. His first experience with the great world was as a newsboy, while attending school. In fact, he was ready for any odd job that presented and thus he made a start that carried him through to success.
On April 23, 1891, Mr. Moeller was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Ayers, of Jacksonville, Illinois, and three children have been born to them, Helen A., George A. and Sydney D. The family now occupy a beautiful residence at No. 890 West William street. It is one of the most attractive homes in Decatur and represents in an important degree the energy and wisely directed persever- ance of its owner, who has attained a deserved standing as one of the leading men of the city. In the past few years Mr. Moeller has added much to Decatur in buildings and houses, having build a dozen or more store buildings and resi- dences at a cost of sixty thousand dollars. Socially he is identified with the Country Club. He is a valued member of the First Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as elder, and his life has been such as to commend him to the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM S. WHITEHOUSE.
William S. Whitehouse, a retired agriculturist of Mount Zion township, has been a resident of Macon county for almost two-thirds of a century and throughout his active business career successfully carried on the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. His birth occurred in Washington county, Virginia, on the 3d of January, 1834, his parents being George and Nancy (McCall) Whitehouse. The father was born in Ohio on the 27th of June, 1793, while the mother was a native of Virginia. In January, 1835, they took up their abode in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where the family home was maintained for eleven years or until 1846, which year witnessed their arrival in Macon county, Illinois. In the meantime, however, the father had passed away, his demise occur- ring in the Hoosier state in 1840. He was a tanner by trade but abandoned that occupation to become identified with general agricultural pursuits. On coming to Macon county Mrs. Whitehouse located on a, farm of eighty acres, the boundaries of which she later exntended by additional purchase. She died in Macon county in 1876.
William S. Whitehouse, who was a lad of twelve years at the time of his arrival in this county, attended the district schools until fifteen years of age and then began providing for his own support by working at farm labor. In 1862 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing one hundred and fifteen acres of land on section 6, Mount Zion township. The log cabin which stood on the property and which the family occupied for some years after their arrival here has since been replaced by a more modern structure, our subject having erected a substantial up-to-date and attractive residence. The work of the fields claimed his attention throughout his active business career and in connection with the tilling of the soil he also devoted considerable
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