USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 33
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Following the completion of his law course in June, 1890, Mr. Gray came at once to Decatur, was admitted to the Illinois bar and entered into partner- ship with James M. Lee for the practice of law. A year later, however, their business relations were dissolved and Mr. Gray practiced independently for fourteen years but on the Ist of July, 1905, he formed a partnership with I. A. Buckingham and has since been a member of the well known firm of Buck- ingham & Gray, occupying today a most conspicuous and honorable position in connection with the work of the courts in their district. For years Mr. Gray was retained as attorney on some of the most prominent criminal cases of this section but in more recent years he has confined his attention to a more general line of practice. The firm of Buckingham & Gray is one of the most promi- nent in this section of the state, their clientage extending over several coun- ties. Mr. Gray is particularly strong in argument and seldom if ever at fault in the application of a legal principle. Moreover, he prepares for defense as well as attack and in many forensic encounters he has come off victor in the strife.
His activity and influence in political circles are well known. He has taken an active part in politics since 1884 and in 1888 was one of the prominent cam- paign speakers. In the former year he attended the national democratic conven- tion in Chicago, which nominated Grover Cleveland, although at the time he was only twenty-two years of age. There he became acquainted with a number of the distinguished political leaders of the country. In 1890, when he came to Decatur, he engaged actively in politics here and within a month was placed on the democratic county committee and in the spring of 1891 was made chair- main of the city committee. He has been a delegate to every state conven- tion since establishing his home in Decatur and for the past twelve years has been chairman of the delegation. In 1898 he was elected to the Illinois legis- lature from this senatorial district, was reelected in 1900 and again in 1902 and 1904, when he refused longer to accept the nomination. During the eight years
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of his service he took a most active part in legislative work, was chairman of the democratic caucus during the third term and chairman of the democratic steering committee during the fourth term, which appointment gave to him the floor leadership of his party. His personal popularity and the confidence uniformly reposed in him as a citizen, public spirit and loyal devotion to the general good is indicated in the fact that he is the only democrat that was ever elected for more than two terms from this district in the history of the party. In 1908 he was elected a delegate to the national convention at Denver and he is now serving as chairman of the democratic city committee as well as chairman of the executive committee of the county organization. Since 1898 he has been a recognized leader in democratic ranks in this part of the state and in this as in every other cause which he champions Mr. Gray is untiring in his efforts to attain success.
On the 14th of June, 1894, occurred the marriage of James M. Gray and Miss Lillian M. Belt, of Bunker Hill, Illinois, a daughter of J. H. Belt, formerly a promi- nent banker of that place but now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born two children, James M. and Lucile B. Fraternally Mr. Gray is connected with the Masonic lodge, is also a Knight Templar Mason and a member of Peoria Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in Decatur Lodge No. 401, B. P. O. E., and along more strictly social lines is connected with the Decatur Club and the Country Club of Decatur. His cooperation in community affairs is of a practical resultant character. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and aids in various measures which that organization pro- motes for the welfare of the city. His professional connections are with the local Bar Association and with the Illinois State Bar Association and of the former he is a director. His advancement at the bar has followed as the natural sequence of his ability and earnest purpose. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them has been another potent element in his success and the remarkable clearness of expression and adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others under stand not only the salient points of his argument but his very fine gradations of meaning may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplish- ments.
WILLIAM T. BEADLES.
William T. Beadles was a native of Cass county, Illinois, born May 13, 1838, and he lived a remarkably active and useful life of sixty-six years. The family settled in Macon county in 1851 and for over fifty years Mr. Beadles was a resident of this county, except for a few years which he spent in Moultrie county, Illinois. He was a farmer and conducted his affairs so prudently that he ac- quired a handsome competence, represented by one of the finest farms in the county. After a useful and well spent life he passed away February 18, 1904.
MR. AND MRS. W. T. BEADLES
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In 1862 Mr. Beadles was happily married to Miss Charlotte C. Hopkins of Macon county, who survives her husband and is now living in a substantial home at No. 1040, West Wood street, Decatur, Illinois. She recently disposed of the farm and is spending the evening of her life surrounded by those whom most most she loves. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beadles, eight of whom are now living namely: H. H., a farmer living one mile south of De- catur; M. D., a farmer of Barstow, Texas; C. R., a real-estate dealer of Chi- cago; W. T., Jr., who died in Nelson, British Columbia, in 1901; Marquis H., a letter carrier of Decatur ; Mrs. Katherine Cable, whose husband is a Methodist minister of Woodbine, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Burke, whose husband is a mail clerk on the Wabash Railroad from Toledo to St. Louis and lives in Decatur; Frank Bartram, who died in 1891 at the age of ten years; Mrs. Grace McHose, whose husband is assistant editor of the Times-Herald at Burns, Oregon; and Albert N., with the Evangelical Publishing Company of Chicago.
At the age of seventeen years William T. Beadles was converted to the Christian religion at Mount Zion, Macon county, and from that time during a period of forty-nine years he was an earnest member of the Methodist church. It became a fixed principle of his life to work for others. He served as Sunday school teacher, steward, class leader, trustee, Sunday school su- perintendent, and at all times put his entire energy into his work. He was for many years township president of the Sunday school and at the time of his death, notwithstanding his advanced years, was superintendent of the home department in the Sunday school of Grace church and superintendent of a mis- sion Sunday school. He devoted the tenth of all his yearly income to the cause of religion and sacredly adhered to this principle through life. He was an uncompromising opponent of the liquor traffic and did everything possible to advance the cause of temperance. Learning at one time that a union church was about to be sold under mortgage he assumed the debt, secured a preacher and kept the church alive. His life has been epitomized by one who said: "He lived on the heights of constant trust." It is said that even in his last illness, while in delirium, he spoke as if pleading with some individual to come to Christ.
ANDY MILLER.
Among the representative men of Macon county is Andy Miller, of Niantic township. He is one of the active and capable farmers of a community noted for the ability of its members and, although he has never sought public office or coveted notoriety, he has scored a success in his business and has attained a pros- perity which indicates sound judgement and good management. He is a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, where he was born December 1, 1856, a son of John and Rebecca Miller. The father was born in Germany and came to America with his parents when he was a small boy, his father, the grandfather of our subject, being called away very soon after he landed in this country. John Miller grew to manhood in Illinois and in St. Clair county was married to
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Rebecca (Thomson) Simpson, who was a native of that county. About 1865 Mr. Miller located in Macon county on the land now ocupied by the subject of this review. He was an industrious and economical man and became the owner of sixty acres in Niantic township and eighty acres of good farming land in Harristown township. He died in January, 1906, and his wife followed him to the grave in December of the same year. There were seven children in their family, all of whom are now living except William, who died at the age of thirty-eight years.
Andy Miller grew up as a farmer boy and was educated in the district schools, becoming well acquainted with the various classes of work upon the farm, so that when he was ready to begin active life for himself he needed little further in- struction. He devoted his services to the family until he arrived at twenty- one years of age and then he rented the home farm which he has since culti- vated. He and his two sisters, Clemmie and Clara, bought out the other heirs except the interest of one sister, Eva Oliver, who still retains her share in the property. The place has been developed into one of the most productive farms in this part of the country.
Although the father was reared a Catholic and the mother died in the faith of the Baptist church, the subject of this review is not connected with any religious denomination but is friendly toward them all. Industrious and capable in what he undertakes, he has made many improvements on the farm, providing it with modern machinery and facilities, with the necessary buildings, fences and all the accessories of an up-to-date establishment. At the same time he has shown the interest of a patriotic citizen in the progress of the community and has made many friends by his genial spirit which is one of his prominent characteristics. He may, therefore, be regarded as one of the fortunate citizens of Macon county.
JOHN B. MATTHEW, M. D.
Among the citizens of Macon county it would be difficult to name one who occupies a higher place in the esteem of the people of the county than the gentle- man whose name stands at the head of this review. A native of Illinois, he has all his life been closely identified with the interests of this state and in professional and business circles has gained a reputation as one of the progressive and sub- stantial men of the commonwealth. He owes his remarkable success mainly to his own energy and ability and to the good judgment that has been a promi- nent characteristic of his life. Always courteous and affable, his integrity is above question and his honor above reproach. As a physician he has been un- usually successful and he stands deservedly high among his professional brethren.
Born in Christian county, this state, March 2, 1850, Dr. Matthew is a son of Oscar F. and Margaret (Britton) Matthew. The father was a native of Virginia, born January 30, 1824, and departed this life February 12, 1881, at the age of fifty-seven years, being buried in Brunk's cemetery at Cotton Hill, Sangamon county. He was one of the early settlers of that county, with which
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his name will ever be identified. Arriving here in 1836, he located on a farm near Springfield and as the years passed associated with many of the leading men of Illinois, among whom were Abraham Lincoln, Governor Yates, Senator Cullom and others whose names are prominent in the history of the state. He helped to haul the stone with which the old state house, now the courthouse of Springfield, was built and he and David Beam hauled the tiling from St. Louis that is in Bunn's Bank at Springfield. After the bank was built and ready for business the authorities of the state of Illinois desired to make a deposit of cash and Mr. Matthew, Jacob Bunn and two other men went to St. Louis and brought the money overland to Springfield. There were many thousands of dollars involved and the money, in gold and silver, was packed in ax boxes so as to avoid suspicion on the part of inquisitive persons. It was brought safely through without military guard to the great satisfaction of the state officials and the bank officers.
The mother of our subject was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, December 2, 1821, and died December 16, 1898, after a long life of many useful and unselfish acts. She was the daughter of Benjamin Britton, who was a soldier in the Mexican war. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew, six of whom are living : W. S., prominently identified with the Methodist church, who served as presiding elder of the church at San Francisco, California, for eight years, and is now in charge of the First Methodist church of Boise City, Idaho; John B., of this review; Rebecca Jane, the widow of Daniel Puffenberger, now residing in Edinburg, Illinois; Thomas L., a farmer of Oxford, Kansas; Lafayette Lin- coln, a live-stock shipper of Edinburg; and May Matilda, the wife of John T. Vigol, of Mexico, Missouri.
Dr. Matthew received his preliminary education at Cotton Hill Academy, Sangamon county. Laying aside his books for a time, he turned his attention to farming but soon came to the conclusion that his tastes lay along professional lines, and many years' experience have demonstrated that his conclusion was correct. He began his medical studies under Drs. J. H. and L. H. Clark, two prominent practitioners of Taylorville, Christian county, and later entered the American Medical College at St. Louis, graduating after a course of four years, May 22, 1875, with the title of M. D. Later he pursued a post-graduate course at Tulane University of New Orleans and in 1909, in recognition of his distinguished services, was granted the honorary degree of M. D. by Bennett Medical College of Chicago. Dr. Matthew began practice at Mount Auburn, Illinois, where he continued with marked success for seventeen years, but on the 9th of Novem- ber, 1892, he located at Blue Mound, where he has since continued.
On the 24th of March, 1868, Dr. Matthew was united in marriage to Miss Amanda E. Lawley, who was born at Crow's Mill, Sangamon county, June 9. 1849, and is a daughter of William B. and Sarah (Duncan) Lawley. Her father was a native of Tennessee, born in 1820, and her mother was born in the same state in 1830. Mr. Lawley, who was a farmer of Sangamon county, departed this life in 1880, his wife being called away fourteen years later. Their remains were interred in Cotton Hill cemetery. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Lawley, four of whom are now living. The family record is as follows: D. W., who at the age of seventy-five is now living retired at Cotton Hill, Illi-
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nois; Elijah, deceased; Amanda E., now Mrs. Matthew; Sarah, the wife of William Knotts, of Chatham, Sangamon county; Leonard W., a farmer of Cot- ton Hill; James P., now postmaster of Glenarm, Sangamon county ; and Thomas and Jerome, deceased. Three of the sons performed valiant service under the stars and stripes in the war of the Rebellion, these being D. W., Elijah and James P., who were members of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry under Colonel Samuel Shoup.
Five children have been born unto Dr. and Mrs. Matthew, three of whom died in infancy, and Charles Edgar died at the age of thirty years. William Oscar Matthew, the only surviving member of the family, was born at Mount Auburn, July 17, 1881. After attending the public schools, he graduated from the high school of Blue Mound and for five years was a student at the North- western University at Evanston, Illinois. After completing his education he turned his attention to farming and has charge of four hundred and fifty-nine acres, which originally belonged to his father, but of which two hundred and eighty acres had been deeded to the son. Here he has engaged extensively in general farming and in the raising of cattle, hogs and sheep. In 1907 he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Beckett, a daughter of John B. Beckett, of Blue Mound. She was a student of Northwestern University and is an ac- complished lady of fine mental endowments. They have one son, Solon Beckett Matthew, who was born April 7, 1910.
Dr. Matthew is actively identified with a number of medical societies and for ten years past has been treasurer of the Illinois State Eclectic Medical Soci- ety. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, the National and Illinois State Eclectic Medical Societies, the Macon County Medical Society and other organizations of a similiar nature. He is examiner for the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York; the Franklin of Springfield; the Prudential; the Fidelity Mutual and the Bankers Life Insurance Companies of Illinois and of Des Moines, Iowa; and the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company and others; and is also examiner for a number of fraternal organizations. He has for a number of years been a member of the Masonic order and has taken the blue lodge and Royal Arch degrees. In politics he is a stanch republican. Dr. Matthew has been an ex- tensive traveler in this country, beginning in 1876, when he visited Philadelphia and other eastern cities. In 1902 he and his wife made an extensive tour of the west and three years later they visited New Orleans and the south. In 1909 the Doctor spent two months in Texas and Mexico and few men are better informed concerning the resources and possibilities of America. In business affairs he has been highly successful and in addition to his farm he owns eighteen tenant houses and one of the most beautiful private residences in this part of the state. He has through life been a close observer, thus learning a great deal that is not laid down in books, and is a generous contributor to all worthy enterprises. He is a willing worker in every cause that seeks to advance the community or to alleviate the ills of those less fortunate than himself. In his good works he finds a sympathetic assistant in his estimable wife, who has proven in all respects a worthy helpmate. Dr. and Mrs. Matthew are both members of the Methodist
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church and she is actively connected with the Ladies' Aid Society, the Mission- ary Society of that organization and also with the Order of the Eastern Star. As leaders in their community they deserve prominent mention in the history of Macon county.
JACOB E. CHAPMAN.
Jacob E. Chapman, a prosperous farmer of Blue Mound township, Macon county, who has won his way to fortune through many difficulties, was born in Nor- folk, England, February 20, 1848. He is a son of John and Mary Ann (Wymer) Chapman and came with his parents to America when he was five years of age. The family stopped for a time in New York and later moved to Indiana, finally locating in Macon county, this state, in 1864, where the parents were called to their reward. Eleven children were born to them, six of whom are now living: Jacob E .; J. M., a resident of Decatur; Delbert and William W., both of Blue Mound township; John W., of Decatur; and Ida, the wife of Frank Brown, of Blue Mound township. Those deceased are: Charles, who died at twenty years of age; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Newton Howland; Harriet, who mar- ried John Howland; Margaret, who married Irvin Hill; and one who died in infancy.
Jacob E. Chapman possessed little opportunity for education but attended the public schools for a short time in New York and later in Indiana. At fourteen years of age the family requiring his assistance, he began working on his own account, receiving five dollars per month, and of this amount he gave half to his parents. At fifteen he was receiving seven dollars per month and at sixteen his wages were advanced to fifteen dollars per month, half of which he con- tributed to the family treasury. The first man he worked for near Decatur was George Forest, who has long been dead. He returned to Indiana for a year and then again took up his residence near Cerro Gordo and Oakley, Illi- nois, receiving as high as forty dollars per month for his labor. At thirty-one years of age he was married and settled on eighty acres in Macon county, which he leased for five years. This land is located in section 5, Blue Mound town- ship, and now belongs to Mrs. Chapman. She also own twenty acres of tim- ber land on section 31 and he is the owner of two hundred and ninety-five acres on section 5; eighty acres on section 6; eighty acres on section 5; and one hun- dred and thirty-five acres on section 3. Seven years ago he built a handsome residence and made a number of improvements in 1907, so that the farm is one of the finest properties in the township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and has been highly prosperous in his undertakings.
On December 24, 1880, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to Miss Maria Evans, who was born in Blue Mound township, March 26, 1854. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Stith) Evans, her father having been born in Ohio, March 1, 1820, and her mother in Indiana. Mrs. Evans was called away September 12, 1897, and Mr. Evans, May 28, 1910. There were nine children in their family: Amos, who died in 1882 and is buried in Salem ceme- tery; Jordon, of Blue Mound township; Maria, now Mrs. Chapman; Ruth, the
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wife of D. D. Chapman of Blue Mound township; Minnie, the wife of Charles Hagy, of Blue Mound township; Arthur, of Decatur; and Alvin and two others deceased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman five children have been born: Maggie Irene, who was born November 26, 1882, and is now living at home; William E., born March 1, 1885, also living at home; Bessie A., born February 22, 1887, who be- came the wife of David Albers, of Blue Mound township, and is the mother of two children, Margaret and Helen; Edna E., who was born August 12, 1892, and is living at home; and Katie, born October 25, 1895, also at home.
Mr. Chapman is identified with the Masonic order and has advanced through the Royal Arch degree. He is not connected with any religious organization but his wife is a valued member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He sup- ports the principles and candidates of the democratic party and, although he has not sought official preferment, he served with great acceptance for eighteen years as member of the school board. Mrs. Chapman had an uncle, James Stith, in the Civil war, who enlisted from Illinois and died in the army. Mr. Chapman began as a poor boy and by diligence and economy gained a start, making it possible for him to attain the present honorable position he occupies in Macon county. He has a remarkable memory and remembers that the first bushel of corn he planted for himself he purchased of Rev. N. M. Baker of Decatur in 1870, paying at the rate of one dollar per bushel for it. The same year he paid seventy-three cents a bushel for corn to feed his horses. He now lives in com- fort, surrounded by every convenience that is to be desired and in possession of ample means for the remaining years of his life. Such are the results of well directed industry.
JAMES ISRAEL LEBO.
South Macon township is the home of a number of capable and enterprising men, who have been instrumental in advancing the interests of the township and enhancing its prosperity. Among the number is James I. Lebo, who owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which has through his industry and good management been brought to a high state of cultivation. He was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, January 1, 1866, and is a son of Jacob and Isabel (Ash) Lebo. The father was the seventh child in a family of nine children and was born in Pennsylvania, coming to Illinois about 1868. He settled in Harristown township, this county, and was engaged in agricultural operations until 1904, when he retired. A republican in politics, he held the office of supervisor of Harristown township one term and for a number of years acted as school director of his district. The mother, a native of Indiana, was born July 5, 1841, and was married March 1, 1864. She had three children : James Israel, the subject of this review; Nellie, who was born February 12, 1877, and died in August of the same year; and Alice, who was born March 17, 1878, and married Luther Miller, of Macon county, now living in Harris- town township and is, the mother of six children.
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James Israel Lebo was educated in the public schools and was reared upon the home farm, where he continued until his marriage, when he purchased the place on which he has since lived. Here he has engaged in general farming and stock-raising and his application has been rewarded by the returns that usually follow well directed labor.
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