USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 43
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The subject of this review received his education in the public schools and high school of Decatur, and also took active career by a course in a business college. In 1889 he became identified with the Millikin Bank and served as bookkeeper for six years. He was then made receiving teller of the bank and
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occupied that position for about nine years, becoming thoroughly acquainted with banking operations and gaining a fine reputation among the business men of the community. Desiring to operate independently, he entered the loan and investment business, to which he has since mainly devoted his time. In Jan- uary, 1910, he assisted in the promotion of the Decatur Southern Traction Rail- way, on which work has been commenced, the first part of the construction being between Decatur and Pana. In his business career, Mr. Nicholson has shown an ability that gives bright promise for the future. He has steadily forged ahead and has carried everything of importance which he has handled to a successful conclusion.
On October 6, 1891, 'Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Lota H. Cresap, who is a native of Champaign county, this state, born April 12, 1870. She is a daughter of Hamilton Cresap, now deceased, who was a prominent farmer and stock dealer, and with his brother settled upon a large tract of land in Champaign county previous to the civil war. The maiden name of the mother was Theodosia Campbell. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson : Ruth, Irma, Mildred and William, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Nicholson has been a lifelong republican, and is a stanch believer in the principles of his party. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church, and is identified with the Masonic order and the Mystic Shrine, accepting earnestly the spirit of brotherhood upon which the order is founded. He has spent his entire life in Macon county, where he is widely known. He has the ability of making and retaining friends, and is ever ready to extend any assistance in his power to advance any movement benefiting the community. The reputation of Mr. Nicholson among those who know him is irreproachable.
JOHN CLARK BATCHELDER.
John Clark Batchelder is a representative of the farming and livestock in- terests of Macon county, his home being now in Illini township, where he is busily engaged in tilling the soil and raising and feeding stock. He was born in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and was a grandson of Nathaniel Batchelder, a mem- ber of one of the old New England families. His father, Samuel E. Batchel- der, was also born in the old Granite state and pursued his education there. When about forty years of age he removed to the west to enjoy the better busi- ness opportunities that might be afforded in this section of the country. He died in 1893 and his wife passed away in October of the same year. They were the parents of four children : Mrs. Augusta B. Eaton; Abbie W., who died in 1893 ; John Clark, of this review; and Mrs. Kate M. Brown.
John C. Batchelder was only about three years of age when his father came with the family to Illinois and purchased a place known as the old Pickerell farm, comprising about one hundred and sixty acres. The son acquired all of his early education in the public schools of the neighborhood and afterward pur- sued a two years' course in Bloomfield, Iowa. He worked upon the farm throughout all the vacation periods and thus became familiar with the best meth-
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ods of tilling the soil and caring for the stock. At length, when he was twenty- seven years of age, he began farming on his own account on a place a few miles north of his present home. He made most of the improvements upon that prop- erty and continued to reside there for five years. On the death of his father he took charge of the old homestead, which he has since carefully cultivated, transforming it into one of the fine farms of the district.
On the 22d of February, 1888, Mr. Batchelder was married to Miss Susan L. Harper, a daughter of Lucian Harper, and unto them have been born three children, but Ruth, the eldest, is now deceased. Those still living are Ina L. and Milton, who are preparing for college.
Mr. Batchelder's lodge relations are with the Masons, he being a past master of the lodge of Harristown and a member of Beaumanoir Commandery No. 9, K. T., of Decatur. His political support is given to the republican party, and while he neither seeks nor desires office, he has served as school director and as trustee. In all the relations of life he has made a creditable record. He is diligent in business and therefore deserving of all success, and in matters re- lating to the public welfare he is interested to the extent of giving hearty co- operation to many movements for the general good. His life has been quietly passed, and yet has been characterized by the many substantial qualities which in every land and clime awaken confidence and respect.
WILLIAM SAWYER.
William Sawyer, who has been successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising throughout his entire business career, now resides on a tract of three hundred and ninety-six acres on sections 6 and 8. Decatur township, and section 1, Harristown township. His birth occurred in Macon county, Illinois, on the 19th of April, 1841, his parents being John and Eliza (Kettering) Sawyer, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1811. They came to Illinois in the early '30s and took up their abode in Macon county, here continuing to reside throughout the remainder of their lives. John Sawyer followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and at the time of his demise owned over five hundred acres of valuable land in this county. His political allegiance was given to the democracy, while fraternally he was identified with the Masons, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He passed away in 1893, when eighty-two years of age, and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of friends during the long period of his residence here. He was twice married and by his first wife had six children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth. Mrs. Eliza Sawyer was called to her final rest in 1848, at the age of thirty-four years, and for his second wife John Sawyer chose Mrs. Harriet Gulick, by whom he had three children and whose demise occurred in 1891.
William Sawyer obtained his early education in the subscription schools and afterward attended the academy at Mount Zion, Illinois, for one term. After
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM SAWYER
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putting aside his text-books he remained on the farm with his father until the time of his marriage, when he established a home of his own. The pursuits of farming and stock-raising have always claimed his attenion and have brought him a gratifying financial return annually. He now resides on a well improved farm of three hundred and ninety-six acres in Decatur and Harristown town- ships and in its cultivation utilizes the most modern and progressive methods of agriculture.
In 1868 Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage to Miss Virginia Gulick, who was born on the 4th of October, 1851, her parents being John and Mary E. (Brett) Gulick, natives of Virginia. They came to Macon county in 1830 and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in 1857 and the mother in 1868. Their children were four in number, Mrs. Sawyer being the second in order of birth. Our subject and his wife are parents of five children, as follows: Mary, whose birth occurred November 29, 1869, and who gave her hand in marriage to A. F. Park, of Washington, Iowa; Eliza A., born July 21, 1873, who is the wife of Theodore Hayes and makes her home in Forsyth, this county ; Emma O., whose birth occurred March 15, 1880, and who resides in Macon county with her husband, Frederick Hayes, by whom she has two children; William Jr., born January 19, 1882, who wedded Miss Celia Lincoln and lives in this county with his wife and two children; and Elsie L., whose natal day was May 14, 1885, and who resides in this county with her husband, George E. Murray, by whom she has two children.
When national questions and issues are involved Mr. Sawyer supports the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist church and he likewise attends its services. They have always lived in Macon county and are well known and highly esteemed within its borders, having won the warm friendship and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
LAWRENCE REIS.
On the list of Macon county's honored dead is found the name of Lawrence Reis, who for many years was prominently and successfully interested in various lines of endeavor in this county. He was one of Germany's contribution to the citizenship of Illinois, his birth occurring in that country August 10, 1849. His parents, Wendle and Frances (Young) Reis, were also natives of the father- land, where the former was born on the 17th of August, 1816, and the latter on the 20th of June, 1817. They remained residents of their native land until 1858, when they crossed the Atlantic ocean that the father might improve the opportunities here offered for advancement in business lines, and the children of the family benefit by the better advantages offered in educational and other lines. Upon landing in the United States they made their way to Macon county, Illinois, and here their remaining days were passed, the father passing away on the 16th of August, 1898, and the mother March 16, 1899, their remains being interred at Pleasant View cemetery. They had been married in 1841, and unto 22
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their union were born six children, but only one member of the family is now living, Carrie, the widow of William Hurst, who makes her home in Colorado.
A little lad of nine years when he came with his parents to this country, Lawrence Reis completed his education, which had been begun in the schools of Germany, in the country schools near his father's home in Macon county, Illinois. Reared to farm life, he early mastered the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad, and as his strength and experience increased with the passing of the years he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields, until he had gained a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the various branches of agriculture. He remained with his parents on the home farm until attaining man's estate, when he laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own by his marriage, on the 26th of October, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth Botoner, who was born in Washington, D. C., on the 20th of December, 1856. Her parents were Henry and Mary Botoner, natives of Washington, D. C., and of Germany, respectively. The father, whose birth occurred in the national capital, came to Macon county, Illinois, in 1867, and here passed away. While a resident of Washington he had served as a soldier of the civil war. His wife, whose birth occurred in the fatherland, was laid to rest beside her husband in the Waltz cemetery at her death. Their family, consisting of eleven children, is as follows: Sophia, the wife of John Amos, of Peoria; Elizabeth, the wife of Lawrence Reis, of this review; William, who was born April 10, 1860, and passed away May 15, 1908, at the age of forty-eight years; Henry, who resides north of Blue Mound; Minnie, the wife of George Bolt of Colorado; Kate, who wedded Tony Dukes of Colorado; Josephine, who died at the age of nineteen years; Frank, living in Ohio; Mary, the wife of C. Reiset of Ohio; John, mak- ing his home in Illinois; and Anna, the wife of Ollie Tills, residing near Macon.
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Reis went to Decatur, where he was employed in the rolling mills for about a year, after which he removed to Spring- field and for a similar period worked in a lumber yard. He then returned to his father's farm in Macon county, which he operated for a while, and then went to the western part of the county where he was engaged in railroad work for some time. Later he returned to agricultural pursuits to which he gave his attention until the time of his death. For a period of sixteen years he had left the actual work of the farm to his sons, while he engaged in operating a huck- ster wagon, in which connection his efforts proved most successful. His entire life was one of continuous activity, characterized by indefatigable industry, close application and progressive methods, and his labors were therefore resultant factors in the attainment of prosperity which made it possible, at the time of his death, to leave to his family a most comfortable competency. After his demise his wife purchased forty acres of the old Reis estate, and has since been most successful in the management of the business affairs which have devolved upon her. About two years after the death of Mr. Reis the present beautiful resi- dence was erected and here his widow makes her home with a son and daughter. They operate about ten acres of the farm, while the remainder of the place is leased to others.
As the years passed, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reis was blessed with eight children, of whom one has now passed away. Carrie, the eldest, who was born
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in Springfield on the 7th of June, 1872, is the wife of Peter Peterson, and lives in Assumption, Illinois. She has two children, Lewis and Louise. Mary F., born in Macon county, August 9, 1874, wedded William Mounts and also makes her home in Assumption. Of their four children, three are now living: Nellie, Earl, aged seven years, and Edith Mounts, aged five years. The eldest son, Law- rence, who was born November 5, 1895, was accidentally shot while hunting, his death occurring July 19, 1910, at the age of fourteen years. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Assumption. Winnie, the third in order of birth in the Reis family, born October 18, 1876, in Macon county, Illinois, is married and resides in Hanna, North Dakota. Lewis, whose birth occurred in this county on the 2Ist of July, 1879, married Miss Emma Moss and resides in Pleasant View township. He has one child, Elsie. Kate, the fifth of the family, was born in Macon county, May 29, 1882, and is the wife of Clarence Cranmer, who resides in Pleasant View township and is mentioned elsewhere in this review. Lulu, born in Macon county on the 18th of November, 1884, resides with her mother. Phoebe, born in the same county November 7, 1892, passed away October 15, 1893, and is buried in the cemetery at Pleasant View. Frank, who completes the family, was born on the 14th of January, 1895, in this county, and makes his home with his mother, assisting in the operation of the home place.
The death of Mr. Reis occurred on the 2d of November, 1901, and interment took place three days later at Pleasant View cemetery. He passed away in the faith of the Catholic church, and throughout his life exemplified the teachings of that denomination. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen camp, and in politics gave stanch support to the principles of the democratic party. Not only did his well directed efforts and good business ability bring him a most sub- stantial degree of prosperity, but his honorable methods and fair dealing awak- ened the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, and his record was another example of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simulta- neously. Mrs. Reis, a lady of broad intelligence and kindly nature, is popular among her many friends and neighbors because of her excellent traits of heart and mind, and enjoys the unqualified regard and esteem of all who know her. She was christened in the Lutheran faith, and although she has not affiliated herself with the church here, has, nevertheless, ever guided her life by the pre- cepts of that denomination, and is an earnest, Christian woman, who has reared her family according to the highest standards of noble manhood and woman- hood.
JOHN ARMSTRONG.
John Armstrong, a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Decatur and now living retired from active life after many years of useful- ness, is a native of the Buckeye state. He was born at Mansfield, March 17, 1838, and is a son of James and Nancy (Hall) Armstrong. When he was quite young his parents removed to Perry, Hocking county, Ohio, where the father, who was a merchant, carried on business, remaining there until his death. When seventeen years of age John Armstrong became apprenticed to a carpenter at
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Jacktown, Licking county, Ohio, six miles south of the city of Newark. While serving his apprenticeship he received thirty-five, forty-five and fifty-five dollars and his board for each of three years respectively and after completing the trade he worked for one year under his employer and taught district school for one winter.
Just as he was preparing to take an active part in the peaceful pursuits of life, the country became involved in the great Rebellion and as a patriotic Ameri- can citizen, he proffered his services in defense of the flag, becoming a mem- ber of Company C, Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in July, 1861, enlisted for three years. The regiment was sent to Camp Chase, Columbus, for two weeks and then to St. Louis and became a part of the Army of the West. Private Armstrong participated in many engagements, being present at the battles of New Madrid, Missouri, and Island No. 10, and later at Corinth, Iuka, Parker's Crossroads, Tuscumbia, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek and Ruff's Mills, receiving a flesh wound in the neck at the latter place. How- ever, he soon recovered from his injury and at Atlanta, July 22, 1864, was again wounded in the neck, the bullet striking a bone at the head of the spinal column. He was left unconscious on the field and after being carried to a temporary hospi- tal the doctors came to the conclusion that no bullet was lodged in the neck of their patient, but sixteen days latter a nurse discovered a foreign substance in the wound and with a pair of shears removed the bullet, which our subject has since retained as an interesting memento of his thrilling experience in the army. He was sent to a hospital near Columbus, Ohio, and after a partial recovery was appointed commissary sergeant and remained there until mustered out of service June 6, 1865. His regiment participated in the grand review at Wash- ington but our subject was not able to be present, being occupied elsewhere. The entire time he served in the army was almost four years.
After retiring from military life Mr. Armstrong visited Hocking county, Ohio, where he was married and soon afterward came to Christian county, Illi- nois, locating on a farm of eighty acres which he improved, occupying his time in the winter by teaching school at forty dollars per month. After eighteen months he disposed of his farm and moved to Decatur, where he entered the employ of D. C. Shockley and continued for twelve years. Desiring to become independent, he formed a partnership with Lyon & Gibson and started a planing mill now operated by the firm of Lyon & Sons, and for eighteen years Mr. Arm- strong was identified with this project, finally closing out his interest and de- voting his attention to the duties of superintendent of construction at Decatur. In this capacity he had charge of the building of the Oakland street school, the Anna B. Millikin Home, the new Methodist Episcopal church, an addition to the Decatur high school and many other buildings. He has also engaged in build- ing houses upon his own account and has sold them to good advantage.
On July 13, 1865, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Reicheldifer, a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and one son, Harley J., was born to them. He was educated in the ward schools and the high school of Decatur, after which he entered Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, where he graduated in electrical engineering. In the state of Washington he was married to Miss Margaret Casey and is now engaged in the successful practice
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of his profession in Portland, Oregon. He is the father of one child, Mary Margaret Armstrong.
Mr. Armstrong was reared a democrat but gives his earnest adherence to the republican party. He served with general acceptance for a year as member of the city council of Decatur and for four years as supervisor of Decatur town- ship. During the latter term of office Fairmount park was acquired by the city and Mr. Armstrong was one of the prominent factors in its purchase. He and his wife are both identified with the Methodist church, of which he is an official member, now serving as trustee. He is prominently connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and has filled the various chairs in the local post and at- tended a number of the national reunions. He also holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star, In the evening of a long and busy life Mr. Armstrong is en- joying a well earned rest. In his early manhood he was a good soldier for the cause of liberty and in the various duties of an active career extending over many years he put into practice the same courage and fidelity that nerved him to face the enemy on the field of battle. No man rejoices more than he over the result of the war and it is no exaggeration to say that to such noble men as he the nation owes its existence today. All patriotic citizens unite in gratitude to the old soldiers and in the wish that they may live long in comfort and prosperity.
CLARENCE CRANMER.
Although numbered among the younger farmers of Pleasant View township, Clarence Cranmer has, nevertheless, not only won for himself a most promising position among the progressive farmers of this locality but has firmly estab- lished himself in the regard and esteem of his fellow citizens. A native of Mis- souri, he was born in Cuba, that state, on the 16th of January, 1881, and is a son of Orin and Desdemona (Mounts) Cranmer. The father was born in Pennsylvania in November, 1855, and the mother in Missouri, in 1856, and they now make their home in Cuba, Missouri. Their family of nine children is yet unbroken by the hand of death, and is as follows: Clarence, of this review; Clyde, residing in Greeley, Colorado; Otto, of Assumption, Illinois; Ralph, of Cuba, Missouri; Walter, who makes his home in Blue Mound; Homer, of White Cloud, Kansas; Roy, living in St. Louis, Missouri; Guy, of Cuba, Missouri; and Lloyd, yet at home.
Clarence Cranmer attained his education in the schools of his native state, and after laying aside his text-books he came to Blue Mound and was here engaged as a farm hand, working by the month, for about five years. On the 22d of June, 1904, he laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Reis, who was born in Blue Mound, Illinois, in 1882. She is a daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth Reis, mention of whom is made on another page of this volume. After their marriage the young couple began their domestic life on the farm which is yet their home. It consists of
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one hundred and sixty acres of land which Mr. Cranmer rents from May and Jef Kreidler, and here he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He practices rotation of crops, has made a careful study of soil and climatic condi- tions, and is carrying on his agricultural pursuits according to the most modern and approved methods, so that his efforts are producing excellent results.
Interested as all American citizens should be, in the political situation of the country, Mr. Cranmer has thoroughly informed himself concerning the ques- tions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. He takes a deep interest in all matters concerning the public welfare, and is a stanch advocate of all those projects which have for their object the up- building and development of the community. He possesses those sterling quali- ties which go to make up good citizenship and which win and hold the respect and good will of his fellowmen, and his wife occupies a prominent place in the social circles of the community in which they reside. Possessing the am- bition and determination to succeed, which is characteristic of young American manhood, Mr. Cranmer is bringing into play in these early years of his career qualities which, if closely followed, are bound to accomplish results, and the degree of prosperity which he has already attained in agricultural lines gives assurance of the success to follow.
ALVAH R. SMITH.
Alvah R. Smith, a well known farmer and stock raiser, who occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Harristown township, Macon county, was born on a farm near Dalton City, Moultrie county, Illinois, Decem- ber 12, 1877, his parents being William S. and Margaret E. (Bushart) Smith. When he was about seven years of age his father sold his farm in Moultrie county and came to Harristown township, where he bought one hundred and sixty-four acres of land, which he farmed for about twenty years. At the end of that time he traded his farm for the property on section 20, which has since been retained in the family.
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