USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 30
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On the 5th of April, 1909, Mr. Groninger was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose remains were laid to rest in Hall cemetery. She was a lady of most excellent characteristics, a lover of good literature, progressive in her ideas, refined in manner and kindly and generous in spirit. Her loss was keenly felt not only in the family, where she had ever been a most loving wife and devoted and indulgent mother, but also in the community where she had long been honored and loved by her friends and neighbors as an excellent example of true and noble womanhood. She passed away in the belief of the Christian church, whose teachings had ever been exemplified in her daily life. Mr. Groninger holds membership in the German Lutheran church, while he gives
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stanch support to the principles of the democratic party. For a number of years he held the position of road boss, and has ever been deeply and helpfully interested in all matters that pertain to the public life of the community, casting his influence in behalf of those projects which have for their object its permanent upbuilding and development. Although he has long since passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, his memory remains remarkably clear and goes back through long years of active connection with the agricultural interests of his adopted country to his early life in his native land. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in the new world, however, for here he found the opportunities which he sought for advancement in business lines, and has won most substantial prosperity. The full measure of his success, however, cannot be taken in terms of material success alone, for he has acquired an enviable place in the opinion of his fellow citizens, among whom he has even been an especial favorite.
JOHN WASHBURN.
All Decatur knows and respects John Washburn, who since 1855 has been identified with mercantile interests in this city. He came here when Decatur was a village and with its upbuilding and improvement has been closely associated, contributing at all times to its progress and advancement. His life has indeed been honorable and worthy of emulation, and although he is now eighty-one years of age he still remains a factor in the world's work, being proprietor of one of the oldest established mercantile enterprises of the city.
His birth occurred in Lyme, Grafton county, New Hampshire, June 1, 1829, his parents being John and Sarah (Tucker) Washburn, the latter a grand- daughter of one of the soldiers who fought under the immediate command of General George Washington from the beginning until the close of the Revolu- tionary war. He was a member of a Massachusetts regiment and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was also one of the famous Boston tea party and aided in throwing the tea overboard into the sea, thus showing open resistance to the tea tax. John Washburn remembers the stories which his grandfather told concerning the Revolutionary war and of hearing him sing the old song of the British soldiers, the tenor of which was:
"Indian pudding and pumpkin pie; Hurrah! how that will make the Yankees fly."
Three brothers named Washburn were founders of the family in the new world. They left England on one of the old time sailing vessels and settled at Bridgeport, Massachusetts, near Boston, arriving soon after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. For generations representatives of the name lived and died there. The old home place was in possession of the famliy for one hundred and forty years but changed ownership about a year ago.
John Washburn, the father of him whose name introduces this review, was born June 29, 1795, and died January 6, 1872. He was a New Hampshire
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farmer, devoting his entire life to general agricultural pursuits. His wife, who was born September 13, 1794, died January 9, 1874. The family is noted for longevity. A sister of Mr. Washburn, Mrs. Mary E. Richardson, is living in Westfield, Massachusetts, at the age of eighty-three years, and a cousin and other relatives of the family remain residents of the eastern states. A brother, Ben- jamin T. Washburn, was born July 6, 1832, and died June 11, 1908. John Sloan, a great-uncle of Mr. Washburn, on the paternal side, died in June, 1824, at the remarkable old age of ninety-six years, while his wife, Esther, passed away in December, 1828, also ninety-six years of age. These were the first white settlers of Lyme, New Hampshire.
John Washburn pursued his education in the district schools of his native city until twenty years of age and during that period also assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. Later he removed to Newark, Ohio, where he en- gaged in teaching school for three terms and also spent one term as a teacher near Oberlin, Ohio, but thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial and profitable, he became connected with mercantile interests at Newark, where he remained until 1855, when he came to Decatur, Illinois, which at that time was little more than a cross-roads village. There were no paved streets, only a few dwellings and a very limited number of business houses. Mr. Washburn secured a stock of merchandise, opened a store and has since been connected with the city. He has occupied the same store room for forty years and this is one of the oldest established mercantile enterprises of Decatur. The store is located at No. 219 South Park street and he resides at No. 249 West William street.
In Decatur, in 1867, Mr. Washburn was united in marriage to Miss Zarilda A. Emmons, who died in 1879. In politics he is independent, voting rather for men and measures than for party. He is an enthusiastic and zealous member of the Decatur Retail Grocers Association and also has the welfare and progress of the city at heart. He has been a successful merchant but is entirely free from ostentation and display. He is remarkably well preserved for one of his years and has but recently returned from a trip to the east, visiting Ohio and his old home in New Hampshire, where his ancestors were among the makers of history, leaving their impress for good upon the development and progress of that section of the country. Decatur citizens, having long known Mr. Wash- burn, would regard no work of this character complete without mention of his life, and he has indeed been a most prominent factor in the commercial circles of the city.
WILLIAM CROSSON.
From the ranks of the employed, working by the month as a farm hand, to the ownership of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty-one acres, is the record of William Crosson, who is now numbered among the representative and progressive agriculturists of South Macon township. He is one of Ireland's contribution to the citizenship of Illinois, his birth occurring in the north of Ireland on the Ist of January, 1844. His parents, William and Mary (McGar- vey) Crosson, were also natives of the Emerald isle, where the mother passed
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away when her son William was but nine years, of age. His father, who yet makes his home in Ireland, has reached the venerable age of ninety years.
William Crosson, who was the eldest in a family of six children, was reared in the country of his nativity and in the common schools received a good educa- tion. He remained with his father until after attaining his majority, and then, aroused by the reports concerning the advantages to be found in the new world, he left Londonderry, September 7, 1867, with America-the land of oppor- tunity-as his destination. Arriving at New York, he made his way to Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent the following winter, and in May, 1868, came to Illinois, locating in Bureau county. There he obtained employment as a farm hand, working by the month, and in that capacity he labored for ten years, or until, desiring that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, he removed to Shelby county and there rented a farm of fifty acres, engaging in agriculture on his own account. That farm remained his home for two years after which, feeling that the money which he had been able to accumulate through careful saving and wise expenditure would permit such a step, he purchased eighty acres of land in Macon county, which tract formed the nucleus of his present excellent farm. He at once began the further development and improvement of that tract, and with the passing of the years, as he prospered, he was able to add to his original purchase until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-one acres located in section 12, South Macon township, which is now one of the good farming properties of the locality. About twenty years ago he erected what is now the main part of his home, and has since added to it until now he has a fine modern residence. He has introduced many improve- ments upon the place, and here engages in general farming and also gives much attention to stock-raising, both branches of his business proving most successful.
The home life of Mr. Crosson had its foundation in his marriage, in Septem- ber, 1876, to Miss Martha Watts, a daughter of Mt. Zion and Mary (Turner) Watts, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. Mrs. Crosson was one of a family of thirteen children, her birth occurring on the 7th of September, 1846. By her marriage to Mr. Crosson she became the mother of seven children, of whom the eldest, James M., was born April 29, 1877, and now makes his home in Macon county. He married Miss Minnie Lindermood, and they have one child. William J., the second in order of birth, was born on the 7th of Decem- ber, 1878, and is employed as railroad telegraph operator. Edward B. passed away in infancy. Mary E., who was born February 7, 1882, is a stenographer of Decatur, and Margaret C., who was born January 5, 1884, is a milliner of that city. Martha G., whose birth occurred in August, 1886, is attending busi- ness college in Decatur, and Annie A., born April 11, 1889, is yet at home.
Mr. Crosson and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church of Macon, while the former gives his support to the democratic party when national issues are involved. In local politics, however, he is independent, reserving the right to cast his influence in behalf of those men and measures which in his opinion are best adapted to conserve the general good. He is a firm believer in the policy of the best good to the greatest number, and his genuine worth and public-spirited citizenship have been recognized by his fellowmen, who elected him to the position of road commissioner, in which he served for one term. For
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twelve years he has been a school director, and the cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion. All matters relating to the material, intellec- tual and moral welfare of the community receive his hearty cooperation, and he has ever done all in his power to promote the welfare of his adopted country. He has never regretted his determination to come to America, for here, where opportunity is open to all young men possessed of energy, ambition and deter- mination, he has met success, prosperity having come to him as the legitimate result of well directed effort and intelligently applied labor.
FREDERICK E. WILSON.
Frederick E. Wilson, a well known and respected resident of Macon, has been successfully engaged in the buying and selling of live stock throughout his entire business career and during the past seven years has also devoted consider- able attention to auctioneering. His birth occurred in Macon, Illinois, on the 22d of February, 1859, his parents being William and Amelia (Delbridge) Wilson, natives of Germany. The father passed away in 1862, when forty-six years of age, and the mother afterward wedded Henry Harbor, of St. Clair county, Illinois, by whom she had three children. She was called to her final rest in April, 1892.
Frederick E. Wilson, the elder of two children born unto his parents, attended the public schools for a brief period but his opportunities in this direction were limited and his education has been largely self-acquired. When still but a boy he manifested an inclination to deal in and handle live stock and this branch of activity has claimed his time and energies throughout his entire business career. his attention being principally given to the buying and selling of horses and mules. During the past seven years he has likewise been engaged in auctioneer- ing and farming in partnership with his son, Emanuel C., and in his various undertakings has won a gratifying measure of prosperity. He owns an attrac- tive and substantial home in the town of Macon and is an enterprising and representative resident of the community.
In 1881 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Elva McDaniel, who was born on the 2d of January, 1862, her parents being Manuel and Rachel C. ( Hill) McDaniel, natives of Macon county. Illinois. Mrs. Wilson was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children and by her marriage has become the mother of three sons. Emanuel C., whose natal day was June 27, 1883, was married on the 6th of January, 1908, to Miss Rose Cutter, who passed away on the 28th of December following. He now resides in Macon with his parents. Arthur E., who was born on the IIth of December, 1885, is a member of the New York Club of the National League. Ernest E., whose birth occurred September 17, 1887, died on the 27th of January, 1889.
When national questions and issues are involved Mr. Wilson supports the republican party but at local elections casts an independent ballot, voting for the candidate whom he believes best qualified. His fraternal relations are with
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South Macon Lodge, No. 467, A. F. & A. M., and Beacon Lodge, No. 434, K. P., and his wife belongs to the ladies' auxiliary of the latter order. Both are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist church at Macon. They have spent their entire lives in this county and are well known and highly esteemed within its borders.
JOHN NEWSHAM.
John Newsham, owner of a beautiful farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, South Macon township, and known as one of the enterprising citizens of the township, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, October 9, 1856. He is a son of John and Catherine (Cottom) Newsham. The father was born in England and came with his parents to America in his boyhood, settling in Illinois. Here he was married in 1852, his wife being a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was born September 20, 1830. Mr. Newsham engaged in farm- ing and was an industrious and capable man, who gained the respect of his neighbors and of all with whom he came in contact. He departed this life May 24, 1876. Mrs. Newsham survived her husband twenty-five years and was called away September 15, 1901. She was a woman of many excellent qualities and one who left the world better for having lived in it. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Newsham, the subject of this review being the third in order of birth.
Educated in the public schools, John Newsham continued upon the farm until he arrived at the estate of manhood. After taking unto himself a life part- ner he began farming on his own account and in 1893 purchased the farm on which he has since lived, devoting his attention to general farming and the rear- ing of live stock for the market. Since gaining possession of the farm Mr. News- ham has made many improvements, modernizing the residence, erecting new outbuildings and fences, setting out shade and ornamental trees and purchasing up-to-date appliances, so that at the present time his farm is one of the most desirable properties in the township. In the meantime the owner has prospered financially through good management and well applied industry.
On July 3, 1879, Mr. Newsham was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Cook, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Monsell) Cook, natives of Pennsyl- vania, who came to Illinois about 1857 and settled in Macon county. Two chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Newsham being the eldest. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Newsham has been brightened by the arrival of four children. Viola A., who was born April 5, 1880, is now living in Decatur. William W., born August 18, 1881, married Miss Nona March, of Macon county, and is now living in this county and has one child. Eleonora W., born Decem- ber II, 1883, is the wife of George Mills, of Keyesport, Clinton county, Illinois. Frank E., born September 3, 1899, is still at home.
Mr. Newsham is socially identified with South Macon Lodge, No. 467, A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Politically he is a republican, but he is a strong advocate of prohibition
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and usually votes independently in local affairs. He and his family are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Macon and for some years he has acted as steward of the church, his wife being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society and the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies. Mr. and Mrs. Newsham have many friends in this community and are interested in all worthy. movements that aim to advance the permanent welfare of the region.
CHARLES H. FINSON.
Charles H. Finson, who was a soldier of the Civil war and is today a responsible farmer and stock-raiser of Macon county, was born on a farm near Bethel, now Chapin, in Morgan county, Illinois, February II, 1847, a son of John D. and Narcissa (True) Finson. The father and mother were both natives of Maine and there they grew to maturity. Mr. Finson, desirous of tak- ing advantage of the excellent opportunities offered in the agricultural regions of the west, came to Morgan county, this state, where he located upon a farm and soon demonstrated that he had made no mistake in selecting Illinois as his adopted state. After becoming established in his new home he communi- cated with the lady of his choice in the Pine Tree state and upon his solicitation she came west and they were married in Morgan county. He became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Morgan and Scott counties and was an industrious and enterprising citizen, greatly esteemed by his neighbors and loved by his family.
Charles H. Finson was reared upon the farm and received his education in the public schools. In April, 1864, at the age of seventeen years, he offered his services in support of the government and was accepted as a member of Company I, Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He was first under fire at Tupelo, Mississippi, and later was present in some of the important engage- ments of the war, among them the battles of Nashville and Spanish Fort and was also in many minor engagements. He served his country valiantly and after the close of the war, in January, 1866, was honorably discharged and mustered out of service, returning to Morgan county, where he again resumed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. At twenty-one years of age he began farm- ing for himself as a renter of land in Morgan. county and a few years later, after his marriage, he went to Crawford county, Kansas, with the intention of making his permanent home in that state. However, he did not find conditions as favorable as he expected and he again took up his residence in Morgan county, later spending a few years in Scott county, where he purchased fifty acres of land and also owned sixty acres which he inherited from his father. He sold his farm in 1889 and purchased land in Macon county, paying sixty-five dollars an acre, and here he established his homestead and now occupies a beautiful farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 7 and 8, Harristown town- ship. Here he has met with gratifying success, in the pursuit of which he has devoted the principal years of his life. His farm is under perfect cultivation
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and he has erected good buildings, enlarged and remodelled his residence and made many other valuable improvements. He has seen no reason to regret taking up his home in this county.
On October 29, 1869, in Morgan county, Mr. Finson was united in marriage to Miss Susan Mansfield, a native of Morgan county and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Mansfield. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Finson, William, born November 24, 1870, in Crawford county, Kansas, married Bertha Sanford and is now engaged in the grain business at Monticello, this state. Edward L., a resident of Niantic, who was born in January, 1872, married Ida Kapp and has one child, Maud C. Lena is now Mrs. Thomas Knapp, of Missouri, and the mother of one child, Harold. James lives with his brother at Monticello.
Mr. Finson, as was his father, is a supporter of the republican party and cast his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant. He has never aspired to politi- cal honors, preferring to devote his time to private interests. He is a man of exemplary habits and although his name is not on the rolls of any religious de- nomination, he is a liberal contributor to all worthy causes and in all respects, as he has demonstrated through a life of usefulness, is a patriotic and loyal citizen.
SARD GILES.
Sard Giles, a highly sucessful farmer of South Macon township, Macon county, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, December 27, 1850. He is a son of Andrew G. and Rebecca (Payne) Giles, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer and departed this life in his native state before the Civil war. The mother is still living in Ohio and has reached the advanced age of eighty-five years.
The third child of a family of four children, the subject of our review was reared upon the farm and educated in the public schools. He engaged in various ocupations and at twenty-three years of age, believing that more favorable con- ditions for a young man who had only his own resources to depend upon existed in Illinois than in his community, he came to this state and worked by the month until 1877, when he began farming upon rented land. At the end of two years he purchased eighty acres in Pleasant View township, this county, and later disposed of this tract and entered the tile business, to which he de- voted his energies for about ten years, in the meantime, however, acquiring two hundred acres of land in Pleasant View township. Desiring to devote his entire attention to agricultural operations, he leased the tile factory, sold the land which he had acquired in Pleasant View township and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres in section 26, South Macon township, which he owns today. After living on this farm one year he moved to Macon and, prospering in his agricultural operations, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in section 35, South Macon township, and later acquired one hundred and sixty acres more in the same township. He bought sixty-five acres in South Wheatland town-
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ship and there lived for three years, when he sold this property and bought an additional forty acres in South Macon township. Having purchased a residence in Macon, he moved to town and after three years became owner of the hand- some residence in which he has since made his home. He is now the possessor of a beautiful farm of six hundred and eighty acres and is one of the progressive farmers of the county.
In 1885 Mr. Giles was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Davis, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Maria Davis, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Illi- nois in the early days. Mrs. Giles was born February 22, 1862, and was seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children. To Mr. and Mrs. Giles two chil- dren have been born: Leta, born February II, 1887, and married to William F. Timmons, of Macon county, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work; and Elmo S., born November 28, 1892, and living at home.
Mr. Giles politically is in sympathy with the republican party, believing that its principles of protection and centralization are of very great importance in the maintenance of prosperity and for the perpetuity of the American republic. Since his early manhood Mr. Giles has been actively identified with general farming and live-stock raising, except during the time he was engaged in the tile business, and his operations have always reflected credit upon himself as a man of the highest integrity and honor and upon the vocation he so ably repre- sents. He and his wife are attendants of the Methodist church and are liberal contributors to all worthy causes.
MERRILL LEROY HARRY.
Merrill LeRoy Harry, general superintendent of the Decatur Railway & Light Company and recognized as one of the competent and progressive electri- cal managers of the state, is a native of Michigan and was born at Bay City, June 8, 1878, a son of Charles L. and Clara J. (Affleck) Harry. The father was born in Ohio and became a mechanical electrical engineer. He settled in Bay City, where he was married July 5, 1877. Mrs. Harry was born February 28, 1858, and was the eldest of a family of six children. She became the mother of two children: Merrill LeRoy, our subject; and Florence, who died at the age of five years.
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