USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 38
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James Delaney was identified with the democratic party and a stanch be- liever in its principles, rearing all of his sons to vote the democratic ticket. Al- though the father never aspired to public office himself, John S. Delaney served as road commissioner of Niantic township for sixteen sucessive years and suc- ceeded in opening up several roads in the township. The father was a lifelong member of the Catholic church, retaining his membership with the church at Decatur until a building was erected at Niantic, when he transferred his mem- bership and from that time forward was a liberal contributor to the Niantic branch. Mr. Delaney was a man of great industry, upright and honorable in every act, and one of the most public-spirited citizens of his township. He taught his children to respect labor and they grew up as independent and use- ful members of the community. He was generous and kind-hearted and made friends wherever he was known and no one had anything ill to say of James Delaney.
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Referring in detail to the firm of Delaney & Delaney, it is proper to say that the business was established in 1900 by N. A. Mansfield and John S. and James Delaney. They built their elevator the same year and continued to- gether until January, 1904, when Mr. Mansfield disposed of his interest and the firm was reorganized under the title of Delaney Brothers, consisting of John S., James and Lawrence Delaney. On October 15, 1908, the elevator caught fire from a passing train and a loss of twenty thousand dollars was inflicted which was partially covered by insurance. The elevator was promptly rebuilt, the capacity being about forty thousand bushels, and several improvements were made in the new building which have assisted materially in the operation of the plant. The firm is now prospering as never before and its members are justly regarded as substantial and progressive citizens who have the public welfare at heart and while they advance their own interests also assist in no small degree in promoting the permanent good of the entire region.
JOHN CLARK.
John Clark, who since 1908 has enjoyed a gratifying patronage as a grocery merchant of Decatur, owns a well appointed store at No. 1549 E. Marietta street and resides at No. 650 E. Conduit street. His birth occurred in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of December, 1876, his parents being Thomas and Helen (Henley) Clark, who are natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respec- tively. The father was the first in order of birth in a family of six children, while the mother was the eldest child of her father's second marriage. They were joined in wedlock on the 3Ist of December, 1875. Thomas Clark was brought to the United States by his parents when but two years of age, the family home being established in the Keystone state. He came to Illinois in February, 1882, and is now a substantial and respected resident of Decatur. He has been engaged in coal mining throughout his entire business career and during the past twenty- three years has been pit boss for the Decatur Coal Company here. Unto him and his wife were born fourteen children, seven of whom passed away in early life. The others are as follows: John, of this review; Mary, now living in Springfield, who is the wife of Edward J. Morrow and the mother of one child; and Joseph Edward, Helen, Richard, Margaret and Charles, all at home.
John Clark obtained his preliminary education in a convent school of Decatur and afterward pursued a course in the Scranton (Pa.) Correspondence School, receiving his diploma in mining in 1893. The following year he passed the ex- amination in mining for the state of Illinois, following that profession until 1902, when he entered the coal office as city scale clerk. In 1908 he embarked in the grocery business and has since conducted a successful establishment of that character in Decatur, having built up a large and profitable trade.
In 1898 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Annie McGonnigle, of Decatur, who was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, her natal day being March 25, 1882. They are now the parents of six children,
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namely : Louis Raymond, Helen Josephine, Mary T., Margaret, John and Cather- ine, all at home.
In politics Mr. Clark is an inflexible republican and for four terms he capably served as assessor of Decatur township. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Order of Eagles. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clark are faithful communicants of St, Patrick's church at Decatur. They enjoy an extensive acquaintance throughout the com- munity and well merit the regard and esteem which are uniformly accorded them.
FRANCIS M. HOSTETLER.
Francis M. Hostetler, a retired farmer and merchant of Harristown, who owns about four hundred and twenty acres of valuable farming land in this county and an orange grove in Florida, was born in Clark county, Indiana, Feb- ruary 3, 1835. His parents, Jacob and Tabitha (Crum) Hostetler, were both natives of Kentucky and after their marriage lived in Indiana. In 1835, the same year in which our subject was born, the parents came to Macon county and located on section 14, Harristown township, where the father entered government land at one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre and in the course of years became a large landowner and one of the leading men in his community. He was an ardent supported of the democratic party and held several public positions of responsibility, serving as assessor for one year, as associate county judge, and for many years as justice of the peace. He departed this life at the age of sixty- three. There were three children in the family: Francis M., the subject of this review; Mary Jane, now Mrs. J. C. Campbell, of Decatur; and Malinda E., the wife of C. E. Hunsley, of North Dakota.
Francis M. Hostetler grew up on what was then the Illinois frontier and early became familiar with many of the hardships of pioneer life. He was educated in a log schoolhouse with split logs for seats and greased paper for windows, and he remembers that the first stove that was introduced into the region was placed in this little log schoolhouse and was regarded as a great curiosity and attracted many visitors. He assisted in the work of the farm and at eighteen or nineteen years of age hauled timbers to make culverts and bridges for the Wabash Rail- road, which was then in the course of construction through Macon county. From his earliest recollection Mr. Hostetler has been identified with farming operations and also at various times with the mercantile business and he attained high success both as a merchant and as a farmer, possessing unusual foresight and sagacity, and being endowed with those habits of industry and perseverance which are so necessary in the management of all business affairs. While a young man he received as a gift from a member of the family one hundred and sixty acres of land in this county, which he still retains, and to which he added from time to time until he became the owner of his present large and well equipped farm, paying from twenty to seventy dollars an acre for most of the land. At the close of the Civil war he engaged in the mercantile business at Tuscola, this state, for
F. M. HOSTETLER
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three years, and in 1876 he removed to Latham and was there actively connected with mercantile affairs for six or seven years, but he finally located at Harristown in 1884, where he has since made his home.
In 1857, in Decatur township, Mr. Hostetler was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wykle a native of Greene county, Tennessee, who passed away in 1907, and Mr. Hostetler was again married, April 21, 1910, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Bertie (Coleman) McAnderson, who was born in North Carolina, March 2, 1886, a daughter of William and Ann Eliza (Simmons) Coleman. Her first husband was John McAnderson, of Newbern, North Carolina, by whom she had one child, Lizzie, born in North Carolina, July 19, 1902. In March, 1903, she removed to Point Washington, Florida, and at Bartow, that state she met Mr. Hostetler, in December, 1909, the meeting resulting in marriage the following April. Mr. Hostetler has recently been in the habit of spending his winters in Florida.
He has been a lifelong democrat but has never been drawn into the whirlpool of politics, as his attention has been devoted to his various business interests. He is a member of the Christian church and gives liberally towards its support. He is also identified with Tuscola Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has made many friends in Macon county who admire him on account of his useful life and the interest he has always taken in those with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES A. THRIFT.
Charles A. Thrift, well known to the people of Macon county, having most acceptably filled the office of sheriff of the county for four years, and a success- ful farmer and business man, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, August II, 1860. He is a son of Andrew J. Thrift, who was a native of Kentucky and came in the early days to St. Clair county, this state, locating in Macon county in 1863. He was a farmer and starting in this county with one hundred and sixty acres of land he increased his possessions until he became the owner of a valuable tract of four hundred and eighty acres. He was a democrat and was a man highly esteemed by his neighbors and friends on account of many valuable qualities. He married Anna C. Peters, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to this state with her parents and is now living in the city of Decatur. They had four children who are now living: Alonzo M., of Decatur; Charles A., the subject of this review; Mary, now Mrs. Welden, of Centralia, Illinois ; and Mckinney, of Alton, Illinois.
Charles A. Thrift came to Macon county with his parents in 1863. He received his education in the public schools and on laying aside his books devoted his attention to the farm, continuing under his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he was married and located on land which was owned by his father-in-law. . In 1891 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, comprising part of his present farm in Hickory Point township. By industry and good management he was able to purchase more land and now owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which is under a fine state of cultivation
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and has become quite valuable. For a number of years he was interested largely in the cattle business and fed a great many cattle upon his farm. Some years ago he removed to Decatur and he has since rented his land, his attention be- ing applied especially to the mercantile business. In October, 1905, he pur- chased the business of J. M. Hughes & Company in Decatur and is now con- ducting it under the title of C. A. Thrift & Company, carrying farm machinery, seeds, wagons and buggies, and in these lines satisfying a growing demand, from a wide region.
In January, 1887, Mr. Thrift was united in marriage to Miss Jennie A. Mc- Kinley, who is a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Foren) Mckinley, natives of Ohio and Alabama respectively. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Kinley : William, John, Emma, Eugene, Amanda, Alice, Elsie, Esther, Jennie and Edward. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Thrift has been blessed by four children : Grace Lorraine, who was born March, 1889, and is now a student of the Millikin school; Helen Mckinley, who was born January, 1892, and is a student of the same school; Charles Lawrence, born February, 1899; and Dorothy Jean, May, 1901.
Mr. Thrift has been for many years an active politician in Macon county. He has been identified with the democratic party and has acted as school director, collector, and sheriff of the county from 1902 to 1906, and for two terms as county supervisor, occupying that position at the present time. Socially he is affiliated with Lodge No. 312, A. F. & A. M .; with Lodge No. 700, I. O. O. F .; and Lodge No. 235, K. P. He has for many years held membership in the Methodist church at Forsyth, Illinois. From the beginning of his career he has shown an energy and ability that seldom fail to produce gratifying results, and he has been successful not only as a farmer but also as a public officer and as a merchant. He is blessed with a cheerful and loving wife, and a happy family and has the confidence and respect of those with whom he has been associated either politically, socially or in business.
GEORGE W. LEHMAN.
George W. Lehman, a well known business man of Decatur, who has also filled with general acceptance important public offices in Decatur and Macon county, is a native of Ohio. He was born near Springfield and is a son of Peter F. Lehman, who was born in Pennsylvania about 1829, but at the age of two years removed to Clark county, Ohio, and came to Macon county in the fall of 1865. He purchased a farm north of Bearsdale, upon which he located, and the son assisted in breaking the sod and named the town in honor of a Mr. Bear, who lived on that spot. This town was located on a railroad switch, which was put in upon the solicitation of Mr. Lehman and his son. The father was supervisor of Hickory Point township for many years and took quite a prominent interest in local politics. As a farmer and stock-raiser he attained marked success. He died in 1885, at the age of fifty-six years, and the general
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expressions of regret indicated the high esteem in which he was held by the community. He wedded Mary J. Albin, who was born in Ohio about 1828 and is now living at 556 West Wood street, Decatur. Eight children were born to them, five of whom are now living: George W., of this review; Ida L., the wife of James B. Good, of Macon county ; Emma L., now Mrs. Samuel Cousins, of Franklin, Illinois; Kate, now living with her mother; and Minnie, the wife of Charles Andrews, of Decatur. The mother had five brothers, Robert, Lemuel, George, Cyrus and Samuel, all of whom were brave and patriotic American citi- zens, as demonstrated by service under the stars and stripes at the time of the Civil war. Robert participated in Sherman's march to the sea. George was wounded at the battle of Chattanooga and subsequently died from the effects of his wounds. Lemuel gave up his life at the battle of Chickamauga. The Albin family is a family of fighters, grandfather Albin having served in the war of 1812.
George W. Lehman was educated in the common schools of the county and spent one year at Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois. He began his business career upon the farm and also engaged in grain dealing until 1885, when he came to Decatur and for two years traveled for a Chicago firm, selling agricultural implements. Retiring from the road, he was engaged in the grocery business in Decatur for four years and then associated with a brother in the implement business as the Spencer-Lehman Company. After some years' ex- perience in public office he became a member of the Lehman-Lewis Land Com- pany, in which he has since continued. This company handles lands in the Red river valley, North Dakota, and as the men in charge are well qualified by ex- perience and ability the operations have been carried on with a goodly measure of success.
Mr. Lehman for many years has been closely connected with political interests and has been prominent in the councils of the democratic party. For two years, from 1894 to 1896, he was chief of police of Decatur and in 1898 was elected sheriff of Macon county, serving for four years. In 1905 he was elected mayor of Decatur, which office he filled for a term of two years. As a public officer. Mr. Lehman earned the approval of the best citizens of all parties and con- ducted the affairs of the various offices he filled with a conscientiousness and ability that reflected on him the highest credit.
About 1879 Mr. Lehman was united in marriage to Ida M. Lewis, a native of Hamilton, Ohio, whose father was David M. Lewis, a farmer. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lehman : Don R., a lawyer, now married and living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Evelyn, a graduate of the Currey School of Ex- pression, Boston, and now a teacher in that school; and Everett, who is now a student taking the general course at Millikin University.
Mr. Lehman has been for a number of years a member of the Methodist church and socially he is affiliated with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has through life been unusually active and efficient in whatever he has undertaken and has made many friends by his capable management of private and public affairs. He easily ranks as one of the most respected citizens of the country. A man of strong individuality, his contact with the world has
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broadened his mind and developed his sympathies, so that he recognizes the limitations and needs of the various classes of society and never judges others harshly. As a patriotic citizen he takes a lively interest in everything pertain- ing to the community and is ever ready to assist in any way possible to advance its interests.
EDMUND S. McDONALD.
For thirty years past Edmund S. McDonald has been actively engaged in the practice of law in Decatur and has gained a reputation as one of the eminently successful attorneys in central Illinois. He has acquitted himself with the highest credit in public office and as a business man has shown an ability that has made him one of the large landowners of Macon county. Of Scotch ancestry on the paternal side, he was born at Sisson's Landing in Wood county, Virginia, now West Virginia, September 2, 1851, and is a son of John and Nancy L. (Sisson) McDonald, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia and there in infancy lost his father, who came to this country from Scotland. Very early in life John McDonald was taken to Milford, Ohio, now a suburb of Cincinnati, where the home of the family was established. As a boy he was employed in the milling and distilling business and later on the river, running between Cincinnati and New Orleans. On abandoning the river in 1853, he came to Illinois and spent a year in Scott county, at the end of which time he came to Decatur and soon afterward located in Long Creek township, Macon county. Here he purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming until his death, March 3, 1880. The mother of our subject departed this life in July, 1901. She belonged to one of the old and prominent families of Virginia and was a woman of many estimable qualities, that gained for her the respect of all with whom she was associated.
Edmund S. McDonald was educated in the public schools and for two years engaged in teaching. However, his mind was atracted to professional lines and for three years he read law in the office of Nelson & Roby, of Decatur. He was then admitted to practice but, desiring to prepare himself still further for his chosen work, he spent two years as a student in the law office of Crea & Ewing, also of Decatur. In May, 1880, Mr. McDonald opened a law office in this city and has continued in active practice ever since. He soon demonstrated his ability as a counselor and pleader and he has been identified with many of the most important legal causes in central Illinois. He has never chosen any specialty in his profession, preferring a general practice. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar of the United States supreme court, and from the beginning of his career he has always maintained a well equipped office, being the owner at the present time of one of the best selected law libraries in the state. While his attention has been mainly given to his profession he has made a number of lucrative invest- ments and is a prominent landowner of the county.
Politically Mr. McDonald has given his support to the republican party and for many years has been recognized as a power in the politics of Macon county. In 1889 he was elected city attorney of Decatur and at the expiration of his term
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was reelected to the same office, serving four years in all. In the spring of 1907 the voters of Decatur selected him as mayor of the city. During his term of office a large sewerage system was installed, the water-works, owned by the city, was rebuilt and many public improvements were made. While mayor of the city he became a member of the Mayors Association of Illinois and greatly assis- ted in building up the association to its present importance. He served as presi- dent of the organizaion for one term and now holds the chairmanship of its executive committee.
In August, 1892, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Annabelle Thomas, of Decatur, and two children have been born to them, Edmund Urban and Valerian. In his wife Mr. McDonald has found an intelligent and helpful companion, who has been to her husband and children a constant support and encouragement in the pursuit of every worthy end.
Mr. McDonald was for five years a member of the Illinois National Guard and at the present time holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and a number of local lodges. His religious belief is indicated by his membership in St. John's Episcopal church of Decatur. Personally pleasing and affable, Mr. McDonald is a public- spirited man, ready and willing at all times to assist in forwarding the interests of the community. His advice is often sought in relation to important public policies and experience has shown that his opinions on public questions affecting this region are generally correct. No man in Macon county stands higher in the esteem of those who know him best, representing as he does in a remarkable degree the qualities of a good citizen, a kind husband and father and a real gentleman.
WILLIAM E. HARTMAN.
For the past twenty years Argenta has numbered William E. Hartman among its active, enterprising and progressive business men. He is a prominent repre- sentative of its mercantile interests and has gradually enlarged the scope of his activities until he now has one of the most extensive and best appointed stores of the town. He was born at Maroa on the 31st of May, 1870, and is a son of W. H. Hartman, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His edu- cation was acquired in the public schools of his native town and he received his business training in his father's hardware store, assisting him for some time in its conduct and management, so that he was well qualified to take charge of the store independently, when in 1891 he bought out his father and became sole proprietor of the business. For some years they had carried on a tin shop and also dealt in shelf hardware. Afterward they increased their stock from time to time, adding heavy hardware, and today William E. Hartman has a large and well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware and tinware. He likewise carries a large line of machinery, farm implements and carriages, having a com- modious room for storing the stock. Further extending the scope of his busi- ness, he added furniture and has built up a fine trade in this branch. His busi-
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ness in all departments is liberally patronized, owing to his honorable methods and progressive spirit. He is one of the prominent and leading merchants not only of Argenta but of Macon county, his life being an exemplification of what may be accomplished through close attention to business and progressive methods.
On the 15th of August, 1891, in Argenta, William E. Hartman was married to Miss Edna I. Welton, who was born, reared and educated in this town. They are the parents of seven children: Ernest Hartman, who is now a student in the Decatur high school; Leslie, who is assisting his father in the store; Eva, a student in the conservatory of music in Decatur; Clyde, Herbert, Merwin and Florence, all at home. Mr. Hartman purchased a five-acre tract of land upon which he erected a large residence thoroughly modern in style of architecture and its equipments. In fact it is one of the best homes in the village, tastefully furnished, and is moreover the abode of a warm-hearted and generous hospitality.
William E. Hartman has followed in the political footsteps of his father, for his mature judgment has endorsed the principles of the republican party and he has taken an active and helpful interest in promoting its growth and electing its candidates. He has himself served in various public offices and through the discharge of his duties the best interests of Argenta have been advanced. For fifteen years he was a member of the town council and for two terms filled the office of mayor. He also has served for a number of years as school treasurer, being the present incumbent. To his political duties he brings the same clear insight and enterprising spirit which are manifest in the conduct of his business affairs. In the moral development of the town he is also interested and he and his wife are active members of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as an elder. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Argenta, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand. He has likewise twice represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state and is a member of the Sons of Veterans camp at Decatur. Argenta owes much to him in the way of business development and because of his public spirit, which has been again and again manifest in active cooperation with all those move- ments which tend to promote the material, intellectual, social and political wel- fare of the community.
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