USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
On February 21, 1867, Mr. Record was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Swope, and unto them have been born four daughters and three sons: Nellie, a trained nurse, who is a graduate of the Lincoln Hospital of Chicago; Carrie, who was formerly a school teacher but is now deceased; Grace, the wife of George Flint and the mother of three children, Frances M., Clarence R. and J. Kenneth; Clarence C., who died at the age of nine years; John, a graduate of the schools of Lincoln, Illinois, and now aiding his father in the operation of the farm, where he lives with his wife, who was formerly Margaret Diamond, and their children, Grace and James A .; Charles, a graduate of the James Millikin Uni- versity of Decatur and of the Union Theological College of New York city, who
409
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
is now a Presbyterian minister in New York state, and married to Ida Diller of Decatur; and Pearl, who is at home with her parents.
Mr. Record has been a resident of Macon county since 1878 and since 1890 has occupied the farm upon which he now lives. He has leased a portion of the Samuel Powers estate of five hundred acres and is busily engaged in the cultivation of the fields, his practical methods in tilling the soil and caring for the crops bringing to him substantial returns in large harvests. He is deeply interested in politics and ever keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His political allegiance is given to therepublican party and he has served as chairman of the board of supervisors and as assessor for two years. His religious faith is that of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is past commander of the Dun- ham Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Republic, his membership in the latter organization enabling him to maintain pleasant relations with his old army com- rades. He is as true and loyal in matters of citizenship today as when he fol- lowed the old flag where rung the cry of battle and was heard the cannon's roar. His wife is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
FRANK J. MITTAN, M. D.
Thorough professional training in this country and Europe well equipped Dr. Frank J. Mittan for the duties which now devolve upon him as a general practi- tioner of Decatur. He is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in De Witt, on the 13th of April, 1865. His parents were George H. and Eliza M. (Erwin) Mittan.
Entering the public schools at the usual age Dr. Mittan passed through con- secutive grades until he became a high-school student at Farmer City, Illinois. His professional training was received in Rush Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891. In the meantime, however, he was engaged in teaching school for four years, but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor and when opportunity offered began preparing for the practice of medicine. Following his graduation he spent ten years in practice in Colfax, during which time his constantly broadening ex- perience qualified him in large measure for the responsible duties that are now devolving upon him. He came to Decatur in 1903, after a year spent in pro- fessional work in Europe, during which time he attended some of the leading clinics of the old world and observed the methods of practice of some of the most renowned physicians and surgeons of Europe. He is doing excellent work in Decatur and has been accorded a liberal practice, which is indicative of the skill and ability which he has displayed in the performance of his daily pro- fessional duties. His office is splendidly equipped with electricity, sterilizers and all modern appliances which produce immediate and permanent results, and Dr. Mittan keeps in touch with the most advanced methods of the profession.
On the 24th of November, 1886, Dr. Mittan was married in Bellflower, Illi- nois, to Miss Emma L. Butcher, and they are cordially received into the social
410
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
circles of Decatur. While living in Colfax, Dr. Mittan served as president of the school board for eight years and has always been a stalwart champion of the cause of education. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, in which he has attained the Knights Templar degree. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Central Church of Christ. That he is interested in the progress of his profession and wishes to keep in touch with the advance- ment of the medical fraternity is evidenced in the fact that he is a member of the Decatur Medical Society. Since starting upon his professional career he has made continuous advancement and, actuated by laudable ambition, he is bound to reach a still more creditable and enviable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity.
IRVEN J. HECKEL.
Irven J. Heckel is one of the self-made men of Macon county. Beginning upon a rented farm thirty years ago, he applied himself with much diligence that at the present time he is the owner of a highly improved farm of two hundred acres and is assured of a competence for himself and family; or if he so desires may retire from active labors at any time, knowing that a handsome income is available each year. His success is a striking illustration of the possibilities in America awaiting any man who will labor intelligently, provided he exercises patience and persistence in the earlier stages of his career.
Mr. Heckel was born in Long Creek township, Macon county, January 12, 1859, and is a son of John Joseph and Elizabeth (Hanks) Heckel. The father was a native of Erfurt, Prussia, Germany, born May 4, 1810, and was educated at the celebrated Wittenberg University. He became master of sev- eral languages and all his life was a student and thinker. After serving three years in the Prussian army he came to America and settled in Long Creek town- ship, this county, about 1834. He began upon a small tract of raw land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, and he became one of the successful farmers of the county. The mother of our subject was a second cousin to Abraham Lincoln and a playmate of the president in his early boyhood. She was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, April 23, 1822, and was married May 3, 1840, to Mr. Heckel, who lived to be eighty-two years of age and departed this life on February 6, 1892. The beloved wife and mother was called away four days previously. In their family were eight children who are now living.
Educated in the common schools, the subject of this review assisted in the work of the home farm until 1880, when in connection with his brother, Charles A. Heckel, he rented a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Oakley, Illinois, which they operated with a marked degree of success for three years. In 1883 Mr. Heckel purchased a tract of fifty-four acres of unimproved land in Long Creek township, which became the nucleus of the beautiful farm of two
MR. AND MRS. IRVEN J. HECKEL
413
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
hundred acres which he now owns. This farm is thoroughly tiled and improved with a fine modern residence and with buildings, fences, shade trees and all the accessories seen upon the best farms. Here Mr. Heckel engages in general farming and stock-raising and yearly fattens hogs and cattle for the market.
On October 3, 1893, Mr. Heckel was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Lichtenberger, of Long Creek township. She is a daughter of C. H. and Elizabeth (Nesbit) Lichtenberger, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Macon county. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Heckel: Vera Elizabeth; Lynn L., who died in infancy; and John J., born June 2, 1899.
Mr. Heckel accepts the principles of the democratic party as those best adapted to enhance the prosperity of the American republic. He is a worthy member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is identified with the Chris- tian church. He has been greatly blessed in a wife of high character, who has always been to him a loving helpmeet and a safe adviser in times of emergency. Together they have traveled the path of life, setting an example well worthy of imitation. Their home is one of the pleasant gathering places, where friends and acquaintances may always be assured of a cordial welcome and where hospitality has found a congenial abode.
STAMEN KEAGY.
While Stamen Keagy was still an active factor in the world's work, he de- voted his time and attention to farming, and during the period of his residence in this county lived about two miles west of Harristown. He was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Keagy, na- tives of Germany, although they came from Switzerland to the new world. The family home was established in the Keystone state, and in the public schools there Stamen Keagy pursued his early education. On removing westward, he became a resident of Indiana, and his next removal brought him to Illinois, at which time he located in Monroe county. He was in the county for about five years before his death. He purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he carefully cultivated for some time, then sold. Afterward he started to Kansas to buy land, but his death occurred when he was on the way. Previous to disposing of his interests in Macon county, he had not only been well known as a representative farmer, but also as a leading and extensive stock raiser, mak- ing a specialty of that branch of his business, which proved to him a profitable source of income.
Mr. Keagy was married in 1856 to Miss Emily A. Glasgow, a daughter of James and Hester (Baldwin) Glasgow. The father was a native of Kentucky, whence he removed to Indiana and later came to Illinois. In this state he first settled in St. Clair county and afterward went to Monroe county, whence he removed to Macon county, where the family has been represented for many years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keagy were born five children. Ophrah is now a retired agricul- turist, but is still the owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable 21
414
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
and productive farming land. His farm is situated about twelve miles south of Decatur near the town of Macon, and the place presents a most attractive ap- pearance, owing to the excellent improvements he has made upon it. He was born in Monroe county, this state, on the 21st of January, 1861, and following the removal of the family to Macon county he pursued his education in the public schools here. When he was seventeen years of age, his guardian pur- chased a farm of sixty-four acres and upon that tract of land he began business on his own account. Subsequently he sold the property and purchased his pres- ent farm, to the development and improvement of which he gives personal su- pervision, although he leaves the actual work of the fields to others.
He now lives with his mother in Decatur, and is a well known representative of the business interests of the county. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons. Orphia, the second member of the Keagy family, is deceased. Dama is at home. Ida is the wife of J. I. Lebo and has one child, Chester. Ira S. the youngest, wedded Mary Johnson and has one child, Ruel.
Mr. Keagy was a public-spirited citizen, while cooperating in all practical measures for the general good. He served as a member of the school board and the cause of education found in him a warm and helpful friend. In business affairs his judgment was sound, his enterprise unfaltering, and his determina- tion keen, and because of these qualities he won substantial success, enabling him to leave his family in comfortable circumstances.
LEVI T. CROSS.
Among the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Macon county is Levi T. Cross, whose home is located on section 14, Harristown township, where he is the owner of ninety acres of land which has been highly improved under his management. He first saw the light of day in Christian county, this state, May 3, 1863, and at the present time is forty-seven years of age, being in the prime of a vigorous and useful manhood. He is a son of James W. and Sarah (Hearst) Cross. His father was born in Maryland and went with his parents to Indiana at an early day, where he grew to manhood and was married. The mother of our subject was also a native of Maryland and also accompanied her parents to Indiana. She and her husband subsequently removed to Christian county, Illi- nois, where he prospered in his farming operations, but finally removed from the farm to Blue Mound, where he died in 1909. His wife departed this life on the home farm in 1893. Their remains lie side by side in Hunter cemetery, Christian county.
Educated in the public schools of Christian county, Levi T. Cross grew to manhood upon the home farm, and there assisted his father until he was twenty- one years of age. Having gained a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits, he began farming for himself upon rented land, where he continued with some success for three years. As he was ambitious for more rapid advancement, he removed in 1888 to Decatur, where he was interested in the draying business for fourteen years, and through good management he acquired the means by
415
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
which he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, paying eighty dollars per acre. He has made a number of improvements which have greatly enhanced the value of the property, and it is now worth two hundred and twenty-five dol- lars an acre. The farm has an air of neatness and thrift that is a good index of the character of its owner.
At Decatur, October 15, 1884, Mr. Cross was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Heckwine, who was born and reared in Christian county. Her parents, John and Sophronia (Fischer) Heckwine were natives of Germany and Switzer- land, respectively. The mother came to America when she was twenty years of age, and the father after he had arrived at full maturity. They became ac- quainted in this state and were married at Chicago, taking up their residence later near Mount Auburn, Christian county. Mr. Heckwine was called away when the daughter was quite young, and she grew up under the loving care of her mother. Two sons have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cross. Orville L. who was born in Christian county, August 6, 1885, was graduated from the Decatur high school in 1902, and is now acting as foreman of the field force of the Decatur Herald. Rolla C., who was born in Decatur, September 25, 1888, is living with his parents.
Mr. Cross is a man of much experience and is the happy possessor of firm- ness, sagacity and foresight, which traits have contributed in an important de- gree to his success in life. He is a democrat, although he has not devoted much time to public life, his attention being mainly given to his own affairs. His wife is a member of the Christian church at Decatur, and Mr. Cross holds member- ship in Celestial Lodge No. 186, I. O. O. F., and also in Camp No. 1626, M. W. A., both located at Decatur. He also contributes to the support of enter- prises calculated to benefit the community and possesses those qualities of char- acter that are most essential to good citizenship.
GEORGE JOHNSTON.
George Johnston, who owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Austin township, is one of the worthy citizens that Scotland has furnished to Macon county, and in his life he exemplifies many of the sterling traits of the Scotch race, especially their industry and integrity. His birth occurred in town of Dumfries, March 18, 1846, his parents being James and Mary (Rodger- son) Johnston, who were natives of the same locality. They had a family of eight children, namely: James, Janet, John, George, Elizabeth, William, David and Thomas. It was in the year 1851 that James Johnston came to the United States, landing at New Orleans, whence he made his way by the Missis- sippi and Ohio rivers to Alton, Illinois, and thence continued his journey to Springfield, making settlement east of that city. He worked on the old state house at Springfield. He was a man of excellent character and industrious habits but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for death occurred in August, 1853. His wife survived him for a number of years and passed away
416
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
in 1871. She was a woman of very fine character and was universally respected and esteemed by all who knew her.
George Johnston began his education in the schools of Scotland, which he attended for about two years. He was quite young, however, when he accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the new world, so that his mental training was largely received in the public schools of Sangamon county, Illinois. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed success- fully for a few years, proving most capable in imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Throughout the period of his boy- hood and youth he worked upon the farm when not busy with the duties of the schoolroom, and at the age of twenty-four years he started out in life on his own account, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres about four and a half miles northeast of Latham, on which he now resides. It has been his home continuously for forty years and its fine appearance is the visible evidence of his life of well directed thrift and enterprise.
On the 20th of January, 1870, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Jane Wright, a daughter of John and Nellie Wright, who were early settlers of Sangamon county. Mrs. Johnston was born June 21, 1844, and her death occurred in 1895. She held membership in the Presbyterian church and lived a consistent Christian life, being universally respected. When death claimed her she was laid to rest in Mount Pulaski cemetery. By her marriage there were three children. Robert Edward, the eldest, completed his education in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso and is now engaged in operating the home farm. He married Mussetta Cheek and unto them were born three children, George, Harry and Jane. Mary E. is the wife of Benjamin Barry and has three children, Bessie, Robert and Helen. Mrs. Barry also completed her education at Valparaiso, Indiana. Walter, the youngest of the family, died in early childhood and was laid to rest in the Mount Pulaski cemetery.
During the early years of his residence in Macon county Mr. Johnston en- gaged in raising and selling horses and cattle and was very successful in the business until the widespread financial panic of 1893 left but little market for stock. He then discontinued business in that line and again began raising grain. Later he turned his attention to the raising of hogs and has met such success in this business and has studied the question so thoroughly that he is considered authority on hog-raising in central Illinois. He has written articles upon the subject and made an address at the Farmers Institute of Macon county, which was very favorably commented upon by the press. He prepared an article on soil fer- tility which was widely read and which awakened the deep interest of all who read it.
The stimulus that he has given to agricultural development and the influence that he had had in causing farmers to hold to high ideals have not comprised the extent of his important service to the public. He has filled township and county offices and has always been greatly interested in the cause of education, being at different times officially connected with the schools. He was supervisor of his township for three and a half years and has filled the offices of township clerk and school trustee. He was also special drainage commissioner and he did excellent work in that connection, his labors being far-reaching and bene-
417
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
ficial. He was likewise one of the directors of a fraternal insurance organization. He has labored for the cause of temperance and has been a member of the county executive committee on local option. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and is prominent in church work. Mr. Johnston served as township president of the Sunday School Association of Macon county for thirty years and is now a member of the executive committee of the Sunday School Asso- ciation of this county. In cooperation with others he has done very good work toward organizing the Sunday schools. and training the young people for the recognition of their moral responsibilities. 1
Like other sons of Scotland, Mr. Johnston is a lover of Burns. He was born near the last resting place of the great Scotch poet and has a Scotchman's pride and reverence for the memory of the sweet singer of Bonnie Scotland. Each year he joins with other Scotchmen of central Illinois in celebrating the anni- versary of the poet's birth and one one such occasion he contributed the follow- ing poem as his part of the program:
In seventeen hundred fifty-nine Was born a child in Scotia's line, Between clay walls, 'neath a thatched roof, ' Who lived to give the world full proof
That not in titles, not in rank And not in wealth like London bank
Was his power to move mankind- This lay in his poetic mind.
In childhood, youth, and manhood's pride Though he was poor and sorely tried, That could not quench the inward fire- He was born, he knew, to tune the lyre.
While fated to a life of toil He truly loved his native soil. His country now that love returns- Her dearest name is Robert Burns.
In Scotland he is loved and famed, And now by all the world acclaimed The first and best in lyric art, The poet of the human heart.
Other bards have stirred the mind, But none lie in the heart enshrined, None regard and love have won Like Caledonia's gifted son.
Among the immortals is his name, Sure and undying is his fame.
418
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
None now to doubt, none now dare frown- The world is filled with his renown.
O Robert Burns, O Robert Burns! Long as the earth diurnal turns Never among the sons of men Shall there be seen your like again.
JOHN MOONEY.
John Mooney, the owner of a well improved farm on section 26, Niantic township, Macon county, was born just across the road from where he now lives March 21, 1873, and is a son of Hugh and Margaret (Reed) Mooney. The father was born in County Armagh, Ireland, very late in the '20s or early in the '30s and was a son of Francis and Catharine (Graham) Mooney. He re- ceived a limited common-school education and while a young man went to Scot- land, where he followed mining and where he married Margaret Reed. About 1857, desiring to seek more favorable opportunities, he left his family temporarily in Scotland and came to America and worked for a time on a farm in Sanga- mon county, Illinois. In 1860 he began to rent land in Macon county and the same year sent for his family, which then consisted of a wife and one daughter. He continued to rent land until he purchased the farm where his daughter now lives, making his home there for the remainder of his life. He was called away March 7, 1882.
There were seven children in his family: Agnes, who married Thomas Moore and lives in Niantic township; Francis, who married Jennie Corcoran and is now engaged in the real-estate business at Decatur; Catharine, who married Hugh Moore and is now deceased, having left one child; Jennie, who lives on the old homestead and owns one hundred acres of it; Margaret, who married Tisdale H. Murphy, of Farmersville, Montgomery county, Illinois, and has ten children; John, our subject; and Matthew, who is married and lives in Niantic. The father was a supporter of the democratic party during his entire life after settling in Illinois. He was reared in the Catholic church, but his wife was a Scotch Presbyterian. He was a man of unusual energy and will power-one who could have made his way anywhere-and he succeeded in finding a home in a strange land, leaving to his children a competence and also what is of more value, a good character.
John Mooney was educated in the common schools and at eighteen years of age went to Springfield, where he took a course in the Springfield Business College. The father being called away when our subject was about nine years of age, he continued with his mother until after reaching his majority. Hav- ing inherited one-seventh of the family estate, he now cultivates eighty acres, which under his charge has become highly productive and is one of the most valuable farms of this size in that part of the county.
419
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
On the 25th of October, 1899, Mr. Mooney was united in marriage at Illi- opolis to Miss Mary Stapleton, who was born on a farm in Logan county, Illi- nois, a daughter of William and Henrietta (Ryan) Stapleton. Her father was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America with his brother after arriv- ing at manhood. Her mother was also born in Tipperary and came to this coun- try with her brother. They were married in Logan county, this state, and Mrs. Stapleton now lives with her youngest daughter in Illiopolis, her husband having been called away in 1904. There are three children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Mooney : Gertrude Marie, Margaret Sylveria, and Catharine Eleanor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.