USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 37
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Dr. Morgan acquired his literary education in the Illinois Wesleyan uni- versity at Bloomington. From early boyhood he had a desire to take up the study of medicine, and his literary work was directed with that end in view. After leaving school he became a teacher in the public schools, regarding this however as an initial step to other professional labor. He never abandoned his idea of one day becoming a physician, and, after his school teaching had pro- vided a sufficient capital to tide him over a study period in preparation for the medical profession, he became a student in the office and under the direction of Drs. Moore and Barnes of Decatur. He supplemented his preliminary read- ing by a course in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York city, which he entered in 1880, and from which he was graduated in 1883, with the valedictorian honors of his class. In his college days, as in his later professional career, he was actuated by a desire to attain the highest possible efficiency and skill and until the time of his retirement he remained a close and earnest student of his profession, constantly broadening his knowledge by wide reading and research. From the time of his graduation he gave almost his undivided at- tention to his practice, taking little part in other business pursuits and giving comparatively few hours to recreation. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Morgan located in Maroa, where for fourteen years he enjoyed the largest country practice of any physician in the county. In 1897, in order to secure the
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benefit of better schools for his children, he removed to Decatur, and soon built up a large practice in this city, his previous broad experience and compre- hensive knowledge being manifest in the ability with which he handled major as well as minor cases. He never sought or desired public office, and the only municipal position that he ever filled was that of a member of the board of education in Maroa for a number of years. Politically he is now and always has been a stalwart republican.
On the IIth of August, 1885, Dr. Morgan was married to Miss Margaret Happer of Springfield, and unto them have been born two daughters: Marie H., and Helen G., twenty-two and twenty years of age respectively. The fam- ily home is a hospitable one and the members of the household have many warm friends in Decatur and elsewhere in the county. After practicing medicine for more than a quarter of a century, Dr. Morgan's health began to fail, and three years ago or more he was compelled to retire from active practice on account of total deafness and a complication of diseases. He had, however, ac- cumulated a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable him to live re- tired and yet enjoy many of the comforts of life. He still retains his mem- bership in the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, the District Medical Society of Illinois, and the Decatur Medical Society. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Ionic Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M .; Macon Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M .; Beaumonoir Commandery, No. 9, K. T .; and Medinah Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Chicago. He also holds membership with Coeur de Leon Lodge, No. 17, K. P., of Decatur, and has twice represented the subordinate lodge and the Knights of Pythias grand lodge of Illinois. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and for more than twenty consecutive years was an official member of the board. His life has at all times been honorable and upright, actuated by noble principles, and throughout his professional career he had many opportunities, which he improved, for exemplifying the benefi- cent spirit of Masonry and the teachings of his church concerning the brother- hood of mankind.
FREDERICK B. TROUTMAN.
Frederick B. Troutman is an energetic and prosperous farmer of Harris- town township, cultivating one hundred and sixty acres on section 4. He is also a stock-raiser and a breeder of Duroc Jersey red hogs, in which business he has attained an enviable reputation. He was born on a farm near Wyckles, Illinois, June 18, 1877, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Morrison) Troutman. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits and the subject of this review grew up as a farmer boy and was educated in the district schools. However, he was not entirely satisfied with his common-school course and pursued his investigations further, becoming a student at the Decatur high school, where he continued for two years. His success in his chosen calling is a new evidence that a school education rightly used is an important assistant in any business with which one may become identified in after years.
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After laying his school books aside Mr. Troutman returned to the farm and continued with his father for several years. Upon arriving at the age of twenty-three he was married and for a year was connected with the Mueller Manufacturing Company at Decatur. Finding the farm more to his taste, he went to Christian county, where he continued for two years, and then came to Decatur township, Macon county, but at the end of three years located in Harris- town township, where he has since continued. Here he farms one hundred and sixty acres and has made a gratifying success not only in agricultural lines but as a breeder of hogs. His herd of Duroc Jerseys attracts many buyers and has gained reputation which extends beyond the limits of the county. Mr. Trout- man has brought to his work a sound judgment so important in the attainment of success and has an enthusiasm which has carried him over many difficulties that might have defeated a less resolute man.
On March 15, 1900, Mr. Troutman was married to Miss Rosa D. Musser, of Decatur, who was born and reared in Harristown township and is a dangh- ter of Adam B. and Mary A. (Cormany) Musser. She is blessed with fine mental endowments and a good education and has proven a true assistant to her husband, always exerting an influence for further advancement and by her ex- ample inspiring others to lives of usefulness. Two children have been born to them : E. Lucille, born June 17, 1903; and Alice A., October 23, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Troutman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Harristown and active workers in its interest. He has been a lifelong repub- lican and cast his first presidential ballot for William Mckinley in 1900. He is an avowed champion of the principles of his party. Although a young man he has made a start which gives great promise of a constantly increasing sphere of usefulness.
SAMUEL C. McCONNELL.
Samuel C. McConnell is one of the well known farmers of Whitmore town- ship, whose worth in the community is widely acknowledged. He owned two neat and well improved farms and his energy and well directed activity are manifest in the excellent appearance of these places. His life work has ever been in harmony with high and honorable principles, and his record proves what may be accomplished by determined purpose intelligently directed.
A native son of Illinois, he was born in Scott county on the 15th of No- vember, 1850. His father, Thomas McConnell, was born in Virginia on the 17th of April, 1826, and was reared in the Old Dominion upon a farm. When a young man, he removed westward to Illinois, settling in Scott county among its early residents. The conditions and hardships of pioneer life were there to be seen, and Mr. McConnell bore his part in the work and progress of development as the years passed on. He was married in Scott county to Miss Sarah Truesdall, who was born in Virginia, where she was reared to the age of fourteen years, and then came to Illinois with her father, who was another of the worthy pioneers that Virginia furnished to Illinois. Following his mar-
MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL C. MCCONNELL
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riage, Thomas McConnell carried on farming in Scott county for a number of years but in 1861 removed to Macon county, settling in Whitmore township, where he cultivated a rented farm for a few years. He reared his family and spent his last days in this county,, passing away January 22, 1872, when but forty-five years of age. His wife long survived him, her death occurring in 1891. Their family numbered three sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, those still living being: Charles, who is a business man of Wichita, Kansas; Jennie, the wife of John Prey, of Sedgwick county, Kansas; Laura, the wife of Reason Reed, of Wichita, Kansas; and Samuel C., of this review; William, born in 1854, died October 12, 1886; and Mary, the wife of C. D. Sterns, was born August 28, 1852, and died August 14, 1877.
Samuel McConnell came to Macon county with his parents when a lad of nine years, and was reared in Whitmore township, the common schools of that locality affording him his educational privileges. He remained with his father until the latter's death and afterward lived with his mother until twenty- four years of age. He was married in Whitmore township on the 18th of February, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Jane Good, who was born and reared in Macon county, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Barnett) Good. Her father was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois about 1847. Here he was reared and married, the wedding being celebrated in the house in which Mrs. McConnell new resides. The wedding day was June 29, 1852, and Miss Elizabeth Barnett became his wife. She was a native of Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, and in her girlhood days came west with her parents to Macon county, Illinois. Her father, George P. Barnett, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, spent the days of his minority there, and in 1849 came with his family to Macon county, settling in Whitmore town- ship. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. McConnell. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made when this property came into his possession, and with de- termined purpose and unfaltering energy he began the development of the farm. In 1851 he erected the residence that is now standing upon the place, hauling the pine lumber and shingles in a wagon from Chicago. He continued a valued representative of the pioneer life of this county until his death, which occurred January 23, 1866. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Barbara Mussleman, was also a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she resided to the time of her marriage. She died in Macon county, July 24, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Mrs. McConnell has four sisters, namely: Barbara Ann, who is now the wife of B. J. McAllister and has two children, Nevin and Grace; Linda, who is the wife of Theodore Colman and has three children, Lloyd, Mae and Fan- nie; Mary, who is the wife of Theodore Funk and has two children, Mae and Carrol; and Emma Mae, who is the wife of W. R. Adams and has five chil- dren, Laura, Doris, Roy, Ethel and Florence.
Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McConnell located on a farm in Whitmore township, which he rented and cultivated for several years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings and at length invested in a farm near Argenta in Friends Creek township, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty 19
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acres. This was already an improved property, to which he further added modern equipments and accessories. He erected a good house, also built a substantial barn, a double corn crib and a granary. He fenced and tiled the fields and carried on the farm work along most practical and progressive lines. Later he and his three brothers bought the place which he now occupies-a tract of sixty acres-for their mother, who spent her last days here. Follow- ing her demise, Samuel McConnell purchased the interest of his brothers in the property, and in 1896 took up his abode upon the farm, which is one of the old developed properties of the county. Later, however, he rented the place to his son and removed to his present farm, which is situated on section 32, Whitmore township, and was the home of Mrs. McConnell's grandfather. He has devoted his life to the raising of grain and stock and has been quite suc- cessful in raising and feeding stock for the market, this constituting an im- portant branch of his business.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have been born two children: Lewis Irwin, who is married and for ten years has resided upon the farm formerly occupied by his parents; and Valerie Pearl, the wife of Thomas H. Acorn, a farmer of Whitmore township. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis McConnell have three children, Ethel May, Hazel Lucille and Velma Edith.
In his political views Mr. McConnell is a democrat, earnest in his support of the party principles, but at local elections where no issues are involved he votes independently. He has served as township school trustee for a number of years, and has also done good and effective work in the interest of education as a member of the school board. He was also pathmaster for several years and has served on the petit jury but has never desired or sought public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to business affairs, in which his well directed labors have brought to him substantial success. He has served as ad- ministrator for and has settled four or five estates. His labors have been an element in the growth and progress of his community, for his cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement for the general good. He is a careful conservative business man who has the confidence and esteem of the entire community, and his business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his life work.
THOMAS BLACKBURN.
Ireland has contributed to America many of her most active and useful young men, who under the republic have accomplished a noble work in assist- ing in the onward march of civilization. Every department of American life has felt their presence but nowhere has it been more clearly manifest than in the agricultural and stock-raising communities. Macon county, Illinois, as a great agricultural center has attracted many of the stalwart sons of Erin and among them was Thomas Blackburn, now deceased, the subject of this review. He was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1816. He was educated in his native land and there grew to manhood, after which he came to America and for a number of years was a contractor in the construction of the Wabash Railway.
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However, he was attracted to agricultural pursuits and, selecting central Illi- nois as his choice of location, he began farming in Logan county and later pur- chased eighty acres of land in section 22, Niantic township, Macon county, and there established his home. He made all the improvements, building a comfortable dwelling and constructing outbuildings and fences, gradually extending his pos- sessions until he owned two hundred and forty acres in Macon county and and became known as one of the most flourishing farmers of the region.
At St. Louis, Mr. Blackburn was united in marriage, about fifty years ago to Miss Mary Clary, who was also born in County Limerick, Ireland, where she grew to womanhood, and came to America with her brother. Eight chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn: Matthew J., a policeman in Chi- cago; Margaret, who married John Day and lives at Lanesville, Illinois; Fannie, the wife of Patrick Blair, of Springfield, Illinois; Richard, who was born in Logan county; Ellen, living at home; Mary, who married Joseph Witt and lives at Mount Pulaski, Illinois; Catharine, at home; and William J., also at home.
Mr. Blackburn was called from earthly scenes in April, 1893, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife departed fourteen years later, in 1907. They were both buried in the cemetery at Illiopolis and were consistent members of the Catholic church. Mr. Blackburn gave his adherence to the democratic party but never sought public office, as his interest was devoted principally to his family and his farm. He was a man of high character and, starting in life with a worthy ambition, he lived to witness its realization. In his estimable wife he found a true helpmeet, who proved to him a safe adviser and to her chil- dren a loving mother. The names of this worthy couple will long be cherished for they had many friends in the county of their adoption.
CHARLES A. MILLER, M. D.
Dr. Charles A. Miller, for the last six years in active practice at Macon, where he has gained an enviable reputation in his profession, is a native son of Illinois, born in Jackson county, November 5, 1875. His parents were Robert H. and Elizabeth (Oakes) Miller, the former of whom was born in Cam- bridge, Ohio, in 1837, and came to Jackson county, this state, about 1860. He was married shortly after the close of the Civil war and for fifty years has been identified with the farming interests of his county. The Doctor is one of a family of three children, the others being: Hattie, now living at home; and Ernest, who married Venita Hall, of McLeansboro, Illinois, and is now engaged in banking at Makanda, Jackson county, this state.
Dr. Miller received his preliminary education in the public schools of Jack- son county and, feeling a strong inclination for a professional career, began his higher studies in 1896 at Ewing College, Franklin county, this state. He continued for two years when, in order to replenish his finances, he engaged in teaching school. After two years as a teacher he attended the Southern Illinois
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Normal School of Carbondale, where he continued for one year. He was next a student in the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis for two years and then he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago-the medical de- partment of the University of Illinois-graduating from that great institution in 1902 with the degree of M. D. He began practice at Boody, Macon county, but after two years in that community came to Macon county, where he has since continued. Dr. Miller has won merited distinction in his profession by conscientious application and has availed himself of every opportunity for in- formation concerning the various departments of the healing art. He is a constant student, his library containing many of the leading works on medicine and surgery, while he is also a close reader of the best medical magazines and reviews. He is blessed with a cool judgment and having been thoroughly trained early in his career under some of the most able teachers in America, he is well equipped for the responsible work in which he is engaged.
In 1902 Dr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Kate McMurphy, a daughter of A. C. and J. A. McMurphy, of Carbondale, this state. She is second in order of birth in a family of three daughters. The oldest, Miss Daisy, is a trained nurse in Chicago, and the youngest, Carrie, is now Mrs. B. F. Norfleet living in Lexington, Kentucky. Mrs. Miller was born in 1877 and is a woman of unusual intelligence and a devoted wife and mother. Two children, twins, Berna and Cecil, born November 18, 1903, have come to brighten the home of Dr. and Mrs. Miller.
The Doctor holds membership in South Macon Lodge, No. 467, A. F. & A. M., and also in Beacon Lodge, No. 434, Knights of Pythias, and Camp No. 362, Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are both identified with the Order of the Eastern Star, which is one of the auxiliary organizations of Masonry. Dr. Miller has from the time of arriving at man's estate been an earnest supporter of the republican party. He is not affiliated with any religious de- nomination but attends the Methodist church, of which his wife is a member and to whose beneficences they are liberal contributors.
JOHN EMMETT HENEBRY.
John Emmett Henebry, a practical and progressive farmer living on section 26, Niantic township, not far from the town of Illiopolis, was born in Dewitt county, Illinois, November 29, 1869. In his life work he has given proof that industry and energy are substantial elements in the attainment of success. His parents were Phillip and Bridget (Thorp) Henebry, now residents of Bement, Illinois. They were farming people and lived in various places until at length they purchased land in Long Creek township, removing to that farm when their son John was but a mere child. They there resided until he was about twelve or thirteen years of age, when they became residents of Piatt county, Illinois, but afterward again settled in Dewitt county. Subsequently, however, they went once more to Piatt county.
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John E. Henebry aided his father in the farm work until twenty-one years of age, at which time he went to St. Louis, where he was employed in con- nection with the operation of the street car system of that city for about two months. He then returned home and the following spring hired out by the month as a farm hand. Subsequently he worked in the railway shops in Clin- ton, Illinois, for a few months but believing that he would find farming a more congenial and profitable occupation, he rented land in Piatt county and began farming on his own acount. Two years later he went to assist his father on a place which the latter had purchase in Champaign county and after a year there spent John E. Henebry began farming near Dalton, Illinois.
On the 6th of February, 1895, in Decatur, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Van Dongen, who was born in the village of Macon in Macon county, Illinois, September 26, 1867, and is a daughter of Joseph and Bridget (Kane) Van Dongen. Her father was born in a village near Antwerp, Febru- ary 27, 1829, and was twenty-one years of age when he came to America. He represented an old Belgium family and in his native country he acquired a good education. After crossing the Atlantic to the new world he remained in the east for a few years and was employed as coachman and as clerk in a hotel in Jersey City, New Jersey. Subsequently he came west and for a brief period was in Chicago, where he was married. The mother of Mrs. Henebry was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and came to the United States with a cousin when thirteen years of age. She was living in Jersey City at the time she became acquainted with Mr. Van Dongen. Following their marriage they re- moved to Morris, Illinois, where they conducted a hotel for a few years and thence came to Decatur, where they also managed a hotel for several years. Afterward they removed to other towns and later came to Macon, where Mrs. Henebry was born. For about a year they were residents of Tolono, where Mr. Van Dongen was employed as a watchman. He lived in Decatur for a time and afterward spent twenty-one years upon a farm which he rented, there passing away on the 11th of January, 1902.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Henebry resided on different farms for about four years and then removed to Macon county. Here he has en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits and is now occupying the Knap farm on section 26, Niantic township. In addition to cultivating the fields he is en- gaged in breeding pure bred Percheron horses, high grade shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep. His live stock interests are a very important branch of his business and are bringing to him substantial return.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Henebry has been blessed with five children: Phillip Felix, who was born on a farm near Penfield, Champaign county, Illi- nois, January 20, 1896; Anna, who was born September 17, 1898, in Piatt county ; Joseph F., who died in infancy; Josephine, born in Macon county, May 6, 1903; and Bernard who was born on the Knap farm in Niantic township on the 15th of May, 1906.
Mr. Henebry is a democrat but not an office seeker. He was reared in the Catholic faith and with his wife attends the church at Niantic. The limited financial resources of his father made it necessary that he early depend upon
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his own labors for support and his life has been a busy, active and useful one, in which there have been but few idle moments. His diligence and industry constitute the basis of his advancement and have brought him substantial re- turn and as the years have gone by he has made for himself a place mong the enterprising agriculturists of Niantic township.
DELANEY & DELANEY.
One of the leading business firms of Niantic is Delaney & Delaney, dealers in grain, buggies, farm implements and live stock. The firm is composed of John S. and Lawrence Delaney, natives of Illinois, and sons of James and Mary (Doyle) Delaney. Both of the parents were natives of Ireland. James De- laney came to America when he was about twenty years of age and in Sanga- mon county, this state, he met Mary Doyle, who afterwards became his wife. For a time he rented land in Sangamon county, but in 1860 bought a small tract near Oreana. Prospering in his undertakings, in 1865 he came to Niantic township, Macon county, and purchased one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, establishing a home where he spent the remainder of his life. By in- dustry and good management he increased his holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of five hundred and twenty acres and was known as one of the extensive live-stock dealers of the county. He departed this life in 1894 but is survived by his widow who is living in Niantic and has arrived at the venerable age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity, and eight of whom are now living: Anna, who married John Hogan and lives at Illiopolis; Patrick W., who lives in Decatur; Thomas, a policeman, also of Decatur; John S., born February 3, 1859, and living in Niantic; Maggie, the wife of James Muldoon, and living on the old home place; Michael L., who married Maggie Doran, and is the owner of an elevator at Chatsworth, Illinois; Lawrence, who married Rosa Graham, deceased in 1904, and is the father of seven children; James, who married Alice Burns and died October 18, 1909; and Jerry C., of Bellefourche, South Dakota, who married Ella Stableton and has one child.
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