USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 39
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WILLIAM E. KNIGHT, SR.
In some of Decatur's finest business blocks and residences are found the monument to the enterprise, labor and business ability of William E. Knight, Sr., a well known contractor of this city. He was born in La Salle, Illinois, October 5, 1857, a son of John and Elmira (Shepherd) Knight, natives of Baltimore, Maryland, who in the year 1855 removed westward to Illinois. The father was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred in 1859, when he was but forty-six years of age. His wife survived him until 1871 and passed away at the age of fifty years. He was a carriage manufacturer in Baltimore and in early days there employed slaves to do his work. In his business life he was quite successful.
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On the 4th of March, 1864, the family removed from La Salle, Illinois, to Decatur, where William E. Knight has since made his home. He acquired his education by attending the public schools until eighteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship. During that period he gained a comprehensive, practical knowledge of the business in its various phases and in 1891 he began general contracting on his own account. his work including all kinds of construction. He erected the Home Telephone building, the Danzeisen block and other large business blocks, together with many of the city's attractive residences. He always lives faithfully up to the terms of a contract and the work executed under his direction is of substantial character as well as of attractive style of architecture.
On the 13th of November, 1881, Mr. Knight was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Davis, of Lynnville, Illinois, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Davis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Illinois. The father followed farming for many years and died in 1893 at the age of eighty-two. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knight have been born seven children: Laura L .; Irene; William E., who is now preparing for a commercial career ; and four sons who died in infancy.
Mr. Knight and his family attend the Christian church. His political en- dorsement is given to the democratic party and he was elected alderman for a two years' term. He capably and faithfully discharged the duties of the posi- tion, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and the pleasures of social life. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and to the Modern Woodmen of America and enjoys the high regard of his brethren of those fraternities. A spirit of enterprise and progress actuates him in all that he does, being mani- fest in the relations of private life as well as in business.
JOHN E. COOPER.
John E. Cooper, who devotes his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits in Maroa township, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1856, his parents being Alexander and Elizabeth (Stoup) Cooper, natives of Ohio. The father's birth occurred in the year 1830, while the mother was born in 1832. Alexander Cooper, an agriculturist by occupation, followed that pursuit in Ohio prior to his removal to Indiana, from which state he came to Illinois. Here he purchased two hundred and ten acres of land, but passed away four years later, being called to his final rest in 1876. It was in Indiana that he wedded Miss Elizabeth Stoup, who now resides with her son John. They became the parents of ten children, three of whom, two sons and a daughter, have passed away. The surviving children are as follows: Mrs. Margaret Kaley, John E. Cooper, Mrs. Julia Gardner, Mrs. Lottie Brill, Mrs. Mollie Dine, Mrs. Kate Barger and Mrs. Thera Carroll.
John E. Cooper obtained his early education in the schools of his native county and later continued his studies in Illinois. Since the age of sixteen years he managed the home farm in Maroa township, Macon county. He owns about
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twenty-seven acres and also cultivates his mother's tract of seventy acres. His labors in the fields are annually rewarded by golden harvests and he has long been numbered among the enterprising and energetic agriculturists of the com- munity. Both he and his mother have resided here continuously for almost forty years and the circle of their friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances. Mr. Cooper gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, being a firm believer in its principles.
EDWIN CHAPPELL, SR.
Edwin Chappell, Sr., a prosperous farmer of South Wheatland township, Macon county, was born October 3, 1852, in Somersetshire, England, his parents being James and Jane Chappell, both natives of England but of French descent. The father departed this life in 1865, at the age of forty years, but the venerable mother is still living in the old country.
Mr. Chappell was educated in the common schools and grew up upon the farm where his father lived, becoming well acquainted with farming operations. As a young man he was ambitious and enterprising and desirous of making more rapid advancement than appeared possible in his native land, so he decided to seek his fortune under the flag of the American republic. Landing in New York, he went west to Kansas and after one month in the Sunflower state returned eastward as far as Macon county, Illinois, but afterward went to Texas, where he spent one year. In 1884 he purchased forty acres of land in this county, which is a portion of the farm on which he now lives, and a year later purchased forty acres adjoining, buying and selling at various times until today he is the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and two acres, which is one of the desirable properties in the neighborhood. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
On March 5, 1885, Mr. Chappell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Sterr of Kercheim-unter-Teck, Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to America in 1881 and joined her brother in Decatur, with whom she made her home until her marriage. She was born March 9, 1853, and has been to her husband a true helpmeet. Three children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chap- pell: Edwin James, born April 16, 1886, is at home; Emily, born May 30, 1887, married to Edward P. Brown, of Warrensburg, Illinois, and is the mother of one child, Pauline; and Anna C., born March 9, 1890, is the wife of John M. Tilton, a native of Macon county, now living in Shelby county, Illinois, and they have one child, Earl.
Mr. Chappell as a patriotic citizen of his adopted country made a careful study of the teachings of the various political parties and as a result accepted the platform of the republican party as the one upon which he has pinned his po- litical faith. He and his family are esteemed members of the English Lutheran church of Decatur and by their influence and example have shown themselves to be worthy followers of the Great Master. Mr. Chappell as a boy acquired habits of industry, which he has had opportunity to put into daily practice in
MR. AND MRS. EDWIN CHAPPELL
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the course of an honorable and useful life and he does not regret that he cast his lot under the protection of the stars and stripes. Here he has found friends and has acquired a competence that promises to keep the wolf from the door however long he or his beloved wife may live. His kindly disposition has en- deared him to people of the entire neighborhood and no man can have a higher recommendation than the respect and confidence of his neighbors.
BENEDICT A. McGORRAY.
The office of sheriff of Macon county, occupied by Benedict A. McGorray, is one of high responsibility and calls for a man of sterling qualities and un- impeachable record. He has filled the position to the satisfaction of the courts and the people for four years and has demonstrated his peculiar fitness for a place which requires a cool head, good judgment and the rare ability to know the right thing to do at a critical moment. The sheriff is the conservator of peace, and while he is the terror of evil-doers, he is the friend of every law- abiding citizen. The very presence of the sheriff, backed as he is by the legal authority of the county and the good-will of every right-minded citizen, gen- erally means peace where there was discord, and where the right man occupies the sheriff's office the tax-payer feels that his property is safe.
Sheriff McGorray was in the course of years naturally attracted to the posi- tion he occupies. He traces his lineage far back on the Emerald isle, where the McGorrays have long lived and flourished and from whose blood many of the strong-armed representatives of law and order in America, not only in Illinois but elsewhere, have been drawn. He is the son of Benedict and Catharine (O'Brien) McGorray, the former a native of County Derry and the latter a native of County Galway, Ireland. The father came to America in 1832, at the age of seven years, and the girl who later became his wife landed on these shores at eleven years of age. In 1853 the couple were united in marriage at Belleville, Illinois, moving four years later to Decatur, which they made their permanent home. The railway reached the inland village in 1854 and at the opening of the Civil war Decatur was one of the most flourishing towns in the interior of the state. Mr. McGorray was connected for many years with the brick busi- ness and occupied for two terms the office of justice of the peace of Decatur township. He was an ardent lover of the country of his adoption and when the call for volunteers in behalf of the Union was made in 1861 he was among the first who presented themselves to fight under the stars and stripes. The quota for Illinois being full, he did not allow this to dampen his ardor but crossed the Mississippi river to Missouri, where he enrolled his name in the First Missouri Engineers under Colonel Bessell. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Fifth United States Heavy Artillery, a colored regiment with white officers, in which he served with the highest credit. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg under General Grant and was under General Pope at Island No. 10. Mr. McGorray departed this life after many years of usefulness, in 1902, leaving a memory cherished
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by a wide circle of friends and relatives. His widow still survives at the age of eighty-three and makes her home at Decatur with a daughter, Mrs. Ham- mon. Nine children were born unto Benedict and Catharine McGorray, seven of whom are living. The names of the children are: Mary A., the wife of John S. Dempsey, of Springfield, Illinois; Sarah E., a widow; Benedict A., the sub- ject of this sketch; Daniel E., in the south; John, who died in 1885; Margaret, the wife of Harry Schlaudeman of Pasadena, California; Catharine; Cora, the wife of P. P. Hammon of Decatur; and Winfield S., deceased.
Sheriff McGorray was born at Decatur, March 25, 1858. He received his education in the public schools and later was connected with the brick business for a number of years. Later he was identified with the ice business, but has devoted his entire attention to the duties of his office since 1906, when he entered upon a term of four years, expiring December 5, 1910. A republican in politics, he has always upheld the principles for which his father fought. He owns a well improved farm in South Wheatland township, which is now under lease.
On the 30th of June, 1890, Benedict A. McGorray and Miss Lillie Schlaude- man, a native of Macon county, were united in marriage. Their union, which has proven a most happy one, has been blessed with two children: Charles H. and Catharine H. At the head of a peaceful and contented family circle, the years have passed pleasantly and the honors which have come because they were well earned give assurance of continued prosperity.
MELVIN PORTER PARRISH, M. D.
In a history of the medical profession in Decatur it is imperative that re- ference be made to Dr. Melvin Porter Parrish, who is not only one of the promi- nent physicians and surgeons of this city but also of central Illinois. His skill and ability have carried him far beyond the point of mediocrity and his continuous reading and research are manifest in the power which he displays in coping with the intricate problems that continuously confront the physician.
A native of Ohio, he was born in the year 1867 of the marriage of John and Elizabeth (Donnelly) Parrish, the former a pioneer farmer of Vermilion county, Illinois. On the westward removal the father made the journey from Coshocton county, Ohio, in a prairie schooner. Casting in his lot with the early settlers, he secured a tract of land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. This was located in Sidell township, Vermilion county, and with characteristic energy he began the development of the place, which his labors transformed into a productive farm. Year by year he care- fully tilled the soil and his practical methods resulted in the production of good crops. He was also prominent in the affairs of the community and was called to fill local office, serving as supervisor, as a member of the school board, and in other positions. He was as well known for his honesty as for his activity in business affairs and at his death left a most creditable record. He passed away November 1, 1909, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife, whose death occurred on the 28th of January, 1905, died at the age of sixty-three years.
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Dr. Parrish was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm and he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He spent the summer seasons at work in the fields and in the winter months pursued his studies in the district school until he had mastered the branches that constituted its curriculum, after which he attended the high schools at Fairmount and Danville, Illinois.
His literary course completed, he turned his attention to preparation for the medical profession. His early studies and experiences in this line came to him in connection with the Wabash Hospital at Springfield, Illinois, and later he matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago, in which he pursued his course to graduation as a member of the class of 1895. He then received the appointment of house surgeon in the Wabash Hospital of Peru, Indiana, and proved so capable in that connection that he was transferred to Decatur, where he has now lived for fourteen years, arriving here in May, 1896. At first there was but a dispensary here, but subsequently the hospital was removed to this place and in connection therewith, as well as in the private practice of his profession, Dr. Parrish has gained recognition as one of the eminent surgeons of central Illinois. He is a member of the Decatur Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and in 1910 was made secretary of the surgical section of the state society.
In 1896 Dr. Parrish was married to Miss Frances Emma Barkley, a native of New York, and to them have been born three children, George Melvin, John Smith and Francis Barkley. Dr. Parrish is well known in fraternal and social circles. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and Knights Templar commandery in Decatur and to the Decatur Club. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party where national questions and principles are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He carefully considers every point of interest to the community and supports measures and movements which he deems of bene- fit to the city along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. His attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his professional duties and in this field he has displayed ability which has gained him marked distinction.
F. L. WREN.
F. L. Wren, a successful grocer of Niantic, Illinois, was born on a farm in Moultrie county, this state, April 3, 1872, a son of E. M. and Mary E. (Brown) Wren. He was educated in the district schools until he was eleven years of age, when he began working for one of the neighboring farmers, receiving thirteen dollars per month for his labor. At the age of twelve years he lost his mother and in 1885 the father removed to Hammond, Piatt county, this state, where the son entered the service of J. R. Wortham, a merchant and landowner. After working for four years for Mr. Wortham on a farm, he was taken into the store as a clerk and there he became acquainted with the grocery business dur- ing a period of four years, when he opened a store of his own in Hammond,
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conducting it for five years. In 1900 he disposed of the store and removed to Niantic, where he began clerking. But Mr. Wren is not a man to be long satisfied with a subordinate position and having acquired a little capital, he established a grocery of his own in 1905, which he has conducted with such success that it is now one of the leading stores of the town. A man of good business ability, Mr. Wren occupies an honorable position in the community and is highly respected by his business associates.
On March 13, 1898, at Oconee, Shelby county, Mr. Wren was united in marriage to Miss Etta Hill, a daughter of Rev. M. V. and Josephine Hill, the father being a well known Methodist minister. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wren, but Paul R. died October 11, 1910, at the age of eight years, nine months and twenty-three days. The other child is Esther E.
Mr. Wren was reared a democrat, but his experience in the world has greatly broadened his views and for some years he has been independent in politics, voting for those men whom he considers most worthy of his support regard- less of their party affiliation. He and his wife are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America whose principles he regards as being essentially those that apply to the great teachings of universal brotherhood. Mr. Wren has exemplified in his life that a young man of good habits and ambition may succeed, even though he may not have possessed advantages in his early life and has only himself to rely upon. He has also learned that talent is not a necessity for success, but the object may be gained by persistence and a reasonable endowment of common sense. He and his wife are respected members of the community where they have made many friends by their upright lives.
EDWARD L. HARRIS.
Edward L. Harris, who established the firm of E. L. Harris & Company of Decatur on the Ist of February, 1909, has since conducted an extensive business in plumbing, heating and lighting and also as a dealer in engineers' supplies. His birth occurred in Montgomery county, Illinois, on the 30th of January, 1868, his parents being James L. and Jane L. (Landon) Harris, who were natives of Massachusetts and Illinois respectively. He attended the grammar and high schools of Litchfield in the acquirement of an education and in 1882 began learn- ing the plumber's trade, entering upon an apprenticeship with H. Mueller & Son, of Decatur. For a period of nineteen years he remained in the employ of that concern, working as a journeyman plumber. During the following eight years he conducted business as a member of the firm of Field, Shorb & Com- pany. One the Ist of Febuary, 1909, he established his present enterprise at No. 352 North Main street and under the style of E. L. Harris & Company has since built up a large business in plumbing, heating, lighting, etc.
On the 16th of April, 1895, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Helen L. Rourk, of Sterling, Illinois. Unto them were born three children, namely: Irene, who was born February 18, 1896, and died July 2, 1896; Lloyd D., whose
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birth occurred on the 10th of January, 1898; and Edina E., who passed away in October 11, 1909, when ten years of age.
When exercising his right of franchise Mr. Harris is not bound by party ties, but casts an independent ballot, supporting the men and measures that he be- lieves will best conserve the general welfare. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. In his business career he has made steady advancement and has attained a creditable position by his indefatigable labor and effort.
WILLIAM CLARK BRELSFOARD.
Although still living upon a farm, his present home being about five miles north of Warrensburg, William Clark Brelsfoard has practically retired from the active work of the fields, for he has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. He was born March 22, 1833, near Middletown, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Jane (Van Cleve) Brelsfoard. The father was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born in 1796. When he decided to remove west- ward, he made a trip on a raft to Cincinnati, Ohio, being at that time a young man. He served in the war of 1812 under Mad Anthony Wayne and helped to build the last fort at Defiance, Ohio. He then removed northward to Middle- town, Ohio, where he made a permanent settlement, residing there up to the time of his demise. Upon the tract of land which he there secured and trans- formed into a good farm, William C. Brelsfoard was born and reared, and in the schools of his native state he pursued his education. At the age of thirty years he removed to Illinois, settling first in De Witt county and in 1866 he took up his abode upon his present farm, remaining thereon continuously since. or for a period of more than forty-four years. He borrowed the sum of two thousand dollars with which to make a payment upon his first one hundred and sixty acres and through the development and cultivation of his land and the sale of his crops he soon gained a sum sufficient to pay off his indebtedness. As his financial resources have further increased he has added to his property until he is now the owner of four hundred acres of fine land, constituting one of the valuable farms of the county. It is pleasantly and conveniently situated about five miles north of Warrensburg, so that the conveniences and opportunities of the city are easily obtained.
Mr. Brelsfoard was married in October, 1855, to Miss Susan Detro, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, near Eaton. They traveled life's journey happily together for twenty years and were then separated by the death of the wife, who passed away in 1875. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brelsfoard were born seven children. Benjamin married Miss Emma High and they have four children, Orville, Frank, Elmer and Myrtle. William married a lady from Minnesota and resides in South Dakota. Maria is the wife of John Bost. Pearson married Marie Mure and has three children. Henry married a Miss Denger and has one child, who is his namesake. Lydia is the wife of Edward Giddle and has several
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children. Eugene married Dennis Bost, by whom she has four children, Jesse, Ethel, Eunice and Beatrice and they live in Canada. After losing his first wife Mr. Brelsfoard was married again, in October, 1886, his second union being with Ella Bost, a native of Douglas county, Illinois, and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Logan county.
Mr. Brelsfoard has been somewhat prominent in community affairs. He several times served as road commissioner and has done much to improve the condition of the public highways in his part of the county. He has also served on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. His life has been a very busy and useful one, and while carefully managing his business affairs so as to gain creditable success, he has at the same time mani- fested a public-spirited interest in everything pertaining to the general welfare and has done much to aid in the work of public progress.
W. H. HARTMAN.
The business interests of Maroa and Argenta have been stimulated through the efforts and activities of W. H. Hartman, now well known and prominent among the business men of Macon county, within whose borders he has made his home since 1864. He now resides in Argenta but has a wide acquaintance throughout this part of the state. His birth occurred in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania, November 27, 1840, and there he was reared and educated, pursuing his studies in the public schools. His youthful environment was that of the home farm and he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.
In days of peace the spark of patriotism in most men lies latent but with the rumors of war it is at once fanned into flame. Such was the record of Mr. Hartman, who, when his country became involved in a military contest concerning the right of part of the states to secede from the Union, joined the army of the north, enlisting on the 3d of August, 1862, as a member of Com- pany H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. There was little time spent in preliminary preparation and drill, for six weeks from the day on which he enlisted Mr. Hartman was participating in the battle of Antietam, facing the heavy fire of the enemy. The regiment on that occasion lost one hundred and four men. Later he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville and in many skirmishes and battles of lesser importance, serving until the end of the term of his enlistment, when he was honorably discharged in the spring of 1864.
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