USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 28
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After attending school until seventeen years of age, Eckhardt C. Stein be- gan learning the furniture finishing business, which he followed for four years, when he turned his attention to the miller's trade at Wellesley, Waterloo county, Canada. The year 1884 witnessed his arrival in Decatur and for a year there- after he worked in a furniture factory but at the end of that time embarked in business on his own account in connection with William Lewis, establishing a feed store. After he became a partner of B. A. Brookshire, in the laundry business at No. 147 South Water street. This relation was maintained for two
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years, when Mr. Brookshire sold his interest to H. F. Ehrman, who sometime afterward also purchased the interest of Mr. Stein. The latter then became associ- ated with John H. Rainey and they purchased a laundry, owned by the firm of Fleming & Company. Later F. H. Whitmer became owner of a laundry at No. 147 South Water street and Messrs. Stein, Rainey & Whitmer consolidated both plants under the name of the Decatur Model Laundry Company, located at its present quarters. He is now president and general manager of the company. After the retirement of Mr Rainey the business was in- corporated October 28, 1899, and was reorganized and reincorporated on the 26th of October, 1900. Over fifty people are now employed and the laundry is the largest in the city. It has been built up chiefly through the efforts and business ability of Mr. Stein in his capacity as president and general manager, and the company today has a most complete and well equipped plant, while the excellence of the work turned out insures a continuance of a liberal patronage. Mr. Stein has been very successful in his business life, for he started out empty- handed and is today not only at the head of an extensive industrial enterprise but is also the owner of much valuable real estate, including a nice home at No. 1035 West Main street.
In August, 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Stein and Miss Magdalena Fretus, of Argenta, whose parents, William and Magdalena (Getz) Fretus, were well-to-do people of that locality. They were natives of Germany and became early residents of Macon county. The father is now deceased but the mother still survives and makes her home in Decatur. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stein have been born a son and four daughters: Martin, who is now assisting his father in the laundry; Emily, Beatha, Lauda, and Paula, at home.
The parents are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, in the work of which they are actively interested, contributing liberally to its support. In politics Mr. Stein is republican, for he believes that he finds in the principles of the party platform the best elements of good government. He has now resided in Decatur for more than a quarter of a century, within which period he has firmly established himself in a creditable and enviable position as a capable and successful business man.
FREDERICK J. WALTER.
Industrial activity in Decatur finds a worthy representative in Frederick J. Walter, conducting a general contracting business, his work including cement walks, steps and cellar floors, while making a specialty of concrete block work. His ability in this direction and his business integrity have brought him a gratify- ing patronage that crowns his labors with substantial success. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, July 19, 1869, and is a son of John and Martha Walter. The father, a native of Kentucky, was of German lineage and the mother was born in Germany. The father devoted his life to commercial pursuits, conducting a general mercantile store at Batavia, Ohio, where he established his home on his
FREDERICK J. WALTER
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removal from Kentucky about 1850. He died when his son Frederick was but a year old, and eighteen months later the mother also passed away.
The boy, thus left an orphan, was taken to the German Lutheran Orphan Home at Cincinnati and while there living attended the public schools but pur- sued his studies only to the age of twelve years, when he was taken to a farm, whereon he remained for five years, working diligently in the fields throughout that period, his compensation being one hundred dollars in money, his board and clothes. However, he remained two more years in active farm work and after- ward was employed in various positions in Cincinnati during a period of six months. The year 1884 witnessed his arrival in Decatur. He came to Macon county to work on the farm of John Ullrich, who owned a large place near Lov- ington and who was a relative of Mr. Walter's mother. He remained in Mr. Ullrich's employ for two years and then returned to Decatur, where he was employed in conection with cement and concrete work. After two years he went to Birmingham, Alabama; and was employed for six months in the large roller mills located near that city. Afterward in Nashville, Tennessee, he did cement and concrete work for the Nashville Roofing Company, with which he was con- nected for a year and a half, when he became a resident of Richmond, Virginia, where he worked for two years at tiling and roofing. He was next at Charlottes- ville, Virginia, where he established and conducted a concrete contracting busi- ness. In this he met with success during the three years of his residence there, after which he returned to Decatur.
The purpose of his visit to this city was to wed Miss Josie Rich, whom he married on the 22d of February, 1894. She is a daughter of Jesse B. Rich, a well known minister of the Christian church now living retired. There are two children of this marriage, Loraine E., born February 6, 1897; and Harold B., born August 13, 1899.
After the wedding festivities were over Mr. Walter returned with his bride to Charlottesville, where he continued in business for two years, and then came again to Decatur, where he purchased a photographic studio, which he conducted for about five years. He then sold out to a Chicago firm and turned his attention to general contracting and the manufacture of concrete blocks. In this he has been very successful and has erected many residences and other buildings from concrete blocks of his manufacture. He has also built frame and brick residences, which he sells on the easy payment plan, and as a speculative builder he has con- tributed not only to his own success but has also enabled many to gain homes of their own through the plan which he arranges for payments. He has done much work in laying cement walks, steps and cellar floors and the liberal patronage accorded him is proof of his ability as well as business integrity. His prosperity also indicates close application and determination, diligence and careful manage- ment on his part, for he started out in life empty-handed and with few of the advantages that most boys enjoy. He is now the owner of considerable real estate in Decatur.
Mr. Walter belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having joined Jefferson Lodge in Charlottesville, Virginia, which is one of the oldest Masonic lodges in the United States. He likewise holds membership with the Royal Neighbors and the White Cross and his wife is an enthusiastic memebr of the Eastern Star and
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White Shrine. They belong to the Edward Street Christian church, in which he is serving as a trustee, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His influence has always been on the side of progress, reform and improvement, and in a quiet but nevertheless effective way he has contributed to the moral and political as well as the material welfare of his adopted city.
JAMES McLAUGHLIN HILL.
James McLaughlin Hill, deceased, who for many years was prominently identified with the farming interests of Macon county and owner of six hundred and eighty acres of land in Harristown township, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1821. He was a son of George and Eliza (Mclaughlin) Hill and came to Illinois in his boyhood with his parents, who settled on a farm near Ottawa. Here he grow up and became acquainted with the operations of the farm, gaining such education as was available in the rude log schoolhouse of the pioneer days. After arriving at manhood he removed to Morgan county and there on December 28, 1845, he was married to Miss Martha Helen Hoagland, who was born near Lexington, Kentucky, June 13, 1827. She was a daughter of Martin and Maria (Conover) Hoagland and came in her childhood to Morgan county with her parents, where her father engaged in farming. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Hill she was owner of land which she inherited from the family estate. This land they disposed of and Mr. and Mrs. Hill then removed to Cass county, locating near Little Indian. Not being entirely satisfied with the conditions in Cass county, Mr. Hill visited Macon county in the winter of 1863-64 and purchased six hundred and eighty acres of land, which became the family homestead. This land he purchased from Walter Turner, who had in 1859 built a barn of three stories, one hundred and forty feet in size, and also a residence, both of which structures are now standing. Some time after arriving at his new home Mr. Hill re- modeled the residence, adding one more room and making it one of the most attractive homes in the neighborhood. Here he continued as a general farmer and as a breeder of shorthorn cattle until 1867, when he was called from earthly
scenes. Although he departed this life more than forty years ago he is remembered as a man of upright character, industrious, enterprising, large hearted and a friend who never betrayed a trust. He was an upholder of the democratic party but never sought public office, as his energy was devoted to his family and his business. He was an earnest and sincere member of the Chris- tian church and by his useful life set an example indeed worthy of emulation.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill, the eldest of whom, Maria Eliza-named after her two grandmothers-was born October 15, 1846. She became the wife of John D. McGuire and for a few years lived on the home farm and was the mother of three children. Maude, who married Jesse E. Gouge and lives in Alberta, Canada, is the mother of two children : Roy Hill, who married Clara Tousley, and was a railroad man, who lost his life in a railway
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accident and left three children; and Claude Mclaughlin, who married Ione Doyle and now lives in Webster City, Iowa. George Martin, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Hill, was born March 22, 1855, and died at home at the age of twenty-nine years. Helen, the third child, was born in Cass county, April 15, 1860. She received a good education, as did her sister and brother, being a student for three years at the University of Illinois, the sister and brother at- tending Eureka College. On January 15, 1884, she became the wife of George F. Towne, a native of Danvers, Massachusetts, where he was born November 6, 1858. He is a son of Daniel and Pauline (Ferguson) Towne and was reared to the age of sixteen in his native state, when he came to St. Louis and joined his brother, a manufacturer of shoes in that city. Being an ambitious young man and desirous of advancing as rapidly as possible, he learned the trade of shoe cutter in his brother's shop. Later he visited another brother in Champaign county, this state, where he became acquainted with farming life, and from the farm went to Harristown as clerk for another brother of the family. It was while acting in this capacity that he chose a life companion and he and his wife took up their home upon the old homestead which she inherited from her father. One child, Laura, has come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Towne. She was born December 10, 1888, and was graduated from the Decatur high school in 1906. She then spent three months at the National Park Seminary at Forest Glen, Maryland, near Washington, D. C., and in February, 1910, entered Millikin University and expects to complete her col- legiate education in the University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Towne is at the present time acting as salesman for the Peoria Drill & Seeder Company of Peoria. He is an adherent of the republican party and the family hold membership in the Christian church at Harristown, of which Mr. Towne was formerly deacon. He is also a member of Summit Lodge, No. 431, A. F. & A. M., at Harristown, and has served as representative of the lodge in the grand lodge three years. He is greatly esteemed not only by his lodge brethren but by many friends whom he has made as a business man and citizen.
HENRY MARTIN.
Many brave men who wore the blue when the Union was in danger are yet with us although nearly half a century has elapsed since the great conflict began which involved four years of terrific contest and a vast sacrifice of human life. Many of these soldiers left the farm like Cincinnatus of old, returning to the plow after peace again spread her wings over the land. Among the number was Henry Martin, who is now living retired in this county and who is numbered among its honored citizens. He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in Septem- ber, 1838, and is a son of William and Comfort (Hopkins) Martin, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born in 1800. He lived for a number of years in Circleville, Ohio, engaging in the commission business, but later moved with his family to Cincinnati and in 1849, came to Illinois, where
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he dealt in land and grain. He continued in this state until his death in 1879. Mrs. Martin was born in 1803, and was the mother of eight children three of whom are now living: William, Henry, and Mrs. Jane Johns.
The subject of this review was educated in the pay schools of Ohio and came with his parents to this state when he was twelve years of age. Here he grew to manhood and became interested in the management of different farms with which his father was connected. On the 21st of April, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Infantry, and in September of the same year reenlisted in Company I, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, continuing in the field until he was dis- charged for disability in October, 1862. Returning home, he became restored to health and in September, 1863, rejoined Company I, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel William Pitt Kellogg, serving in many important engagements in the south, and he was honorably discharged November 4, 1865. Resuming operations as a farmer, in which he attained a commendable degree of success, he finally took up his residence upon the father's farm in Hickory Point town- ship, where his father had erected a dwelling and outbuildings and where our subject set out trees and hedges. Here he continued until about 1900, since which time he has rented most of the farm and is enjoying a well earned rest.
In February, 1871, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Colladay, a daughter of Jacob W. and Julia (Stull) Colladay, both natives of Philadelphia, who came to this state and settled in Macon county. Six children of Mr. and Mrs. Colladay are now living.
Mr. Martin has been a lifelong supporter of the republican party, believing that the party which was mainly instrumental in saving the Union is best adapted to perpetuate the principles upon which the republic is founded. For the past six years he has filled the office of justice of the peace, exercising a rare judg- ment in his official capacity, which has met the approval of the entire community. Socially he is identified with Decatur Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Republic. He is enjoying a prosperity which is the result of many years of careful manage- ment and which should be the lot of all who practiced self-denial in earlier years, thus accumulating a competence for later life. A public-spirited citizen, Mr. Martin is respected by the people of the entire region where he is known. He is largely a self-made man, and as he can always be depended upon to do exactly as he promises, he justly merits the confidence of all who know him.
CHARLES EDWARD LEONARD.
Charles Edward Leonard, a respected farmer and live-stock raiser of Harris- town township, Macon county, was born on a farm near Illiopolis, Illinois, March 1, 1862. He is a son of John and Rhoda (Humphrey) Leonard, the former of whom was born March 9, 1829, in Roanoke county, Virginia and came to Illinois in 1852, settling in Sangamon county. He lived for a time near Mechan- icsburg, but acquired near Illiopolis a tract of land which was very wet and, there- fore, useless for farming purposes. In order to remove the difficulty he sent to
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Piatt county for oxen and plows by means of which he was able to make a ditch and the land became as productive as any in the county. Mr. Leonard was married in his native state before going westward and was accompanied on his journey by his wife and brother Samuel. He became highly successful in his farming operations and was the owner of seven hundred acres of land where he con- ducted agriculture and live-stock raising upon an extensive scale. ' Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs Leonard, seven of whom grew to maturity: Virginia Ann, living in Illiopolis who married Johnson Noel, now deceased, and has six children ; Mary Catharine, who married Henry Fait and became the mother of four children, and who also lives in Illiopolis; John F., a resident of Roodhouse, this state, who married Nancy Thomas and is the father of ten children; George D. living near Illiopolis, who married Sarah Coleman and is the father of six children; Charles Edward, the subject of this review; Emma Josephine, living in Illiopolis; and Jessie Lee, living near Illiopolis, who married Claude Fryer and has become the mother of four children. Mr. Leonard the father of the family, was an unholder of the principles of the democratic party but never sought public office. He was a good and upright citizen and a stanch friend of educa- tion, donating ground for the district school which is now called the Leonard school. Religiously he accepted the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was an earnest member. He was called from earthly scenes in March, 1910, his faithful wife having departed in February, 1908.
Charles E. Leonard was reared upon the home farm and received his educa- tion at the country schoolhouse. After laying aside his books he continued to work upon the farm and later rented land of his father and for eighteen years farmed a portion of the old homestead. In February, 1904, he moved to his present location, on section, 18, Harristown township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres which he purchased at one hundred and thirty-five dollars an acre. He also owns an interest in one hundred and sixty acres of land near Illiopolis and is recognized as one of the efficient and successful farmers of the township, a man of marked energy and ability who could have succeeded in any thing that would have engaged his attention.
On July 16, 1887, Mr. Leonard was happily married at Springfield, Illinois, to Miss Hannah Collins, who was born in Springfield February 7, 1869. She is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Desmond) Collins. The father was born in County Cork, Ireland, and the mother at Waterford, Ireland. Both came to America when grown and in New York they were married, locating in Springfield soon afterwards. Mr. Collins was identified for some time with the railroad business but became interested in the dairy business and prospered, acquiring a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sangamon county. Mrs. Collins was called away March 18, 1901, but her husband is now living with his daughter near Niantic. Eleven children have blessed the house- hold of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard: Charles Edwin, who was born October 11, 1888, and is now assisting in the work of the farm; Margaret Rhoda, born May I, 1890, a graduate of the high school and also a student for two terms at the State Normal School and two terms at Millikin University, being now a popular teacher in the country schools; Jessie Lee, born November 6, 1892, also a teacher and a graduate of the high school and a student for two terms at Millikin Univer-
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sity ; Herbert, who was born January 29, 1895, and died at the age of two years, nine months and twenty-six days; Paul, who died at the age of twelve years, in 1909; John Curtis, born June 28, 1899; Erma Josephine, born July 31, 1901; Lucille Esther, born March 19, 1903; Mary Helen, born March 27, 1905; Harold Eugene, born July 22, 1907; and Carl, born October 27, 1909.
Mr. Leonard has been a lifelong democrat and cast his first presidental ballot for Grover Cleveland in 1884. He has not sought political honors, but he has served most acceptably as school director of his district and for five years acted as road commissioner of Sangamon county, during which time he assisted very materially in improving the roads of the county. Socially he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, of Illiopolis, having been a charter member of that organization. He is also identified with Niantic Lodge, Woodmen of the World. Mr. Leonard has proved in all the relations of life trustworthy in the highest degree and as a citizen has been patriotic and public-spirited, devoting to the duties of public office the same interest that he bestows upon his private affairs. In his wife he has found a worthy assistant and loving companion whose presence and example have been to her husband and family an unfailing source of comfort and happiness.
CHARLES WILSON MOFFITT.
Charles Wilson Moffitt, an enterprising and properous agriculturist of Decatur township, resides on a well improved farm of one hundred and ninety acres on section 16. His birth occurred in Decatur, Macon county, Illinois, on the 9th of June, 1858, his parents being David C. and Eva Catherine (Wilson) Moffitt, who were natives of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and Circleville, Ohio, re- spectively. The father was the third in order of birth in a family of five children, while the mother was the second child born in a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. David C. Moffitt came to Illinois in 1854, first locating in Piatt county, where they remained for two years, on the expiration of which period they took up their permanent abode in Macon county. The father of our subject, who was a brick mason and contractor by trade built the first brick structure ever erected in Decatur. He successfully carried on business for a number of years or until the time of his retirement in 1896. During the Civil war he acted as quartermaster of the supply station at Decatur. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, honored him by election to positions of public trust and responsibility. He acted as city alderman for three terms and for one term acceptably served as mayor of Decatur. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He passed away on the Ist of March, 1898, his death being occasioned by heart failure. His widow still survives and makes her home with her son. She also has four daughters, the record of whom is as follows: Ida, who was born April 26, 1854, gave her hand in marriage to Henry May, of Decatur, and passed away in 1878. Her only child, a son, died in Oklahoma in December, 1893. Carrie E., whose natal day was July 8, 1856, wedded Andrew
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Dempsey, of Decatur, by whom she has three children. Annie, who was born March 6, 1860, is the wife of John I. Hanks, of Harristown, Illinois, and has one daughter. The other sister of our subject died in infancy.
In his youthful years Charles W. Moffitt attended the public schools of Decatur and after completing his education learned the brick mason's trade under the direction of his father, working in partnership with him until the latter's retirement. He continued in business alone until 1905 and then took up his abode on his present farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Decatur township, which he had purchased in association with his father in the spring of 1894. During the past five years he has devoted his attention to the pursuits of general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Poland China hogs, South Down sheep and shorthorn and Jersey cattle. He has won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is widely recognized as a sub- stantial and representative citizen of the community.
On the 20th of November, 1894, Mr. Moffitt was united in marriage to Miss Grace Towle. Her parents were Frank P. and Florence (Sprague) Towle, natives of Virginia. They came to Illinois in pioneer times and located in Macon county. Mrs. Moffitt has one brother, Ralph Towle, who belongs to the United States army and lives at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Mr. Moffitt is a republican in politics and is now capably serving as one of the highway commissioners of Decatur township. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Decatur. His wife is a faithful member of the Methodist church and he like- wise attends its services. They are well and favorably known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended to them.
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