USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 48
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SAMUEL THOMAS LEONARD.
Many of the early settlers of Illinois came from Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and other southern states and their descendants are now among the leading people of the state. The Leonard family of Virginia were pioneers of Illinois, and Samuel T. Leonard is a worthy descendant of that family. He was born on a farm near Illiopolis, Sangamon county, this state, November IO, 1868, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Foster) Leonard. His father was born August 23, 1833, in Roanoke county, Virginia, where he grew to manhood, re- ceiving a good education in the common schools. He came to Sangamon county, Illinois, with an older brother, John Leonard, and they settled near Mechanics- burg, where they broke the prairie with a wooden plow and several yoke of oxen. John Leonard was possessed of a land warrant and secured a tract of land near Illiopolis, where he obtained one hundred and sixty acres at one dollar and a quarter an acre. This land at that time was covered so deeply with water that the corners could be designated only by willow trees and bushes. Here the brothers built a cabin and for a time the father of our subject made his home there. John Leonard developed the farm and resided there until a few years before his death, when he removed to Illiopolis. The old farm is still in the possession of the family. Samuel Leonard was married February 25, 1864, to Elizabeth Foster, a native of Kentucky, who came to Macon county when she was twelve or thirteen years of age and was reared on a farm in Niantic town- ship. He farmed for a time on land near the county line between Macon and Sangamon counties, but finally traded this land for a farm near Niantic, and after he had developed the new property, he traded it for another farm in Niantic township, which later he exchanged for two hundred and eighty-nine acres on sections 12 and 13, Harristown township, where he located in 1880. This land cost him about sixty-five dollars an acre, and was well improved, having a hand- some residence of ten or twelve rooms in which he lived until he retired to the village of Harristown where he departed this life on the 28th of April, 1901. He was a man of great energy and was always highly respected by his friends and neighbors. In politics he was a democrat, and as an ambitious and perse- vering farmer, his life work was essentially a success. His wife was greatly loved by all who knew her, and her death January 31, 1906, was the occasion
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of profound regret. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, six grew to maturity : George William, now living on Ewing avenue in Decatur; James Gideon, who lives on a farm near Harristown; Samuel Thomas, the subject of this review; Luther A., now a resident of Spokane, Washington; Cotna Ann, now Mrs. John Helphenstine, living on a farm in Harristown township; and Harvey K., a sketch of whom appears in this work.
Samuel T. Leonard was reared in Macon county and received his education in the common schools. At twenty-three years of age he went to St. Louis and entered the Wabash Commercial School, where he studied bookkeeping and teleg- raphy. Returning home the following summer, he resumed farming, in which he has ever since continued, operating for fourteen years upon rented land owned by his father and also by a Mr. Cross. In the settlement of the family estate he receives one hundred and five acres of land in section 13, Harristown town- ship, and also thirty-six acres at (Wyckle Station on the interurban electric line.
On February 14, 1894, Mr. Leonard was united in marriage to Miss Mary Florence Cross, who was born February 4, 1878, and is a daughter of William and Eliza Helen (Teeguarden) Cross of this county. Mrs. Leonard received a good common-school education, and has been a constant support and encourage- ment to her husband. Three children have been born to them: Nova Maria, born February 10, 1895, who early gave evidence of unusual musical talent, and is now a teacher of music; Elizabeth Helen, born November 13, 1896; and Leo Eugene, born September 25, 1903.
Mr. Leonard has been a lifelong democrat and cast his first ballot in 1892 for Grover Cleveland. He is a member of the school board, and in 1894 was selected as assessor of his township. He holds membership in the Christian church, while his wife and daughters are identified with the Methodist church. Their home is one of the attractive centers in the neighborhood, and is the abode of peace and harmony. As the head of a happy family, the owner of a produc- tive farm and a man who is respected by all who know him, Mr. Leonard occu- pies an enviable position; but in the opinion of his friends, it is a position he has fairly earned.
CHARLES ASH.
Charles Ash, who is well known as a farmer, stock-raiser and breeder of pure bred Hereford cattle in Macon county, was born in this county, July 3, 1871, a son of Josephus and Mary (Powell) Ash. His father is still living in Harristown, this county. The subject of this review grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the district schools, also taking a course of six months in a business college at Decatur. From his early years he evinced a decided inclination toward farming and he has always been a great lover of farm animals, which is an important feature in the success of any man who devotes his life to agriculture and stock-raising. He continued with his father until twenty-one years of age and then, desiring to become independent, he began farming for himself upon his father's land. In 1894 he rented land on section
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3, Harristown township, which a year later he purchased at seventy-five dollars per acre, and he is now the owner of a highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1909 he erected upon his farm a modern residence, thirty- two by forty-eight feet and two stories high with basement. The building is heated with hot water and is well furnished, being provided with all modern conveniences, so that he and his family enjoy one of the most comfortable and attractive homes in this region. In 1894 Mr. Ash began the breeding of pure bred Hereford cattle, starting with one cow. By careful discrimination and rare judgment he has attained great success in his undertakings and now has upon his farm a herd of seventy-one pure bred Herefords and has built up an established reputation as one of the leading breeders of Herefords in the state.
In 1894 Mr. Ash was united in marriage to Miss Susan E. Smith, of Harris- town township, who was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, April 28, 1876, a daughter of Lawson H. and Caroline M. (Bell) Smith. Five children have been born to them: Emery, who died in infancy; Martha C., born June 11, 1897; Mabel F., born May 10, 1902; and Marie and Mary, born May 20, 1906.
Mr. Ash has been an adherent of the republican party since he arrived at voting age and cast his first presidential ballot in 1892 for Benjamin H. Harrison. He is an active member of the Christian church and for a number of years has served on the board of trustees, and in all his transactions he is governed by a desire to deal justly and to give value for value received.
JOSEPH F. ESKRIDGE.
On the long list of those who with patriotic spirit, responding to the coun- try's call for troops, donned the blue uniform and marched under the folds of the starry banner to the nation's defense in the Civil war, appears the name of Joseph F. Eskridge. He was but a boy in years when he enlisted but his loyalty was no less than that of many a man of twice his age. After the war he settled down to the pursuits of peace and a quiet, honorable life gained him the confidence and good-will of his fellowmen and brought him to a period when he could retire from business and enjoy the fruits of his former toil.
He was born in Sussex county, Delaware, on the 8th of August, 1844, a son of J. F. Eskridge, who in the year 1847 removed to Piqua, Ohio, where the family home was maintained for about five years. On the 14th of October, 1852, however, they journeyed westward with Moultrie county, Illinois, as their destin- ation. In the party were the parents, two sons and two daughters. The town of Lovington in which they settled was a very small and unimportant place, its chief point of interest being the old Black Horse Tavern or hotel. In March, 1853, the family removed to what was known as the old Andrew Foster farm in that county about a mile and a half northwest of Lovington. There they continued until 1858 and in 1859 they removed to Bates county, Missouri. They did not like the location, however, and on the 15th of September, 1860, they returned to Illinois, settling at Stringtown, Moultrie county.
In the meantime Joseph F. Eskridge had pursued his education in the different localities as a public-school student and had also been trained to habits of
MR. AND MRS. J. F. ESKRIDGE
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industry, economy and diligence, assisting his father through the performance of many duties in the hours that were not devoted to his studies. He was still in his teens when he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a mem- ber of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. With that command he went to the front and participated in a number of important en- gagements in which his regiment took part. He never faltered in the face of danger and as the years passed on made for himself a creditable record as a loyal defender of the old flag.
After the war Mr. Eskridge took up farming on his own account and made it his life work. He became the owner of one hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land in Fulton county, Illinois, near Farmington, and the cultivation and development of that property brought him a good financial return.
Mr. Eskridge was married twice. He first wedded Miss N. J. Martin, Au- gust 18, 1867, and unto them were born four children: Elmer, who married Ellen Forman and has four children; John, who married Martha Seaman and has four children; Frank, who married Ella Phillips; and one now deceased. The mother of these children died April 25, 1880. On the 3d of October, 1883, Mr. Eskridge was again married, his second union being with Carrie E. Wil- cox, who still survives him. She is a daughter of J. Q. and Sarah (Ellsworth) Wilcox, natives of Delaware and Ohio respectively. Her father died January 19, 1909, but her mother is still living at the age of eighty-three years and makes her home in Indianapolis. Mrs. Eskridge was born in Mackinaw, Illi- nois, in 1859.
The death of Mr. Eskridge occurred on the 26th of August, 1909, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. He was a member of the Methodist church and his life was in harmony with his professions. He always attempted to follow closely the golden rule and was respected by all who knew him because of his fidelity to honorable, manly principles. Mrs. Eskridge now makes her home in Decatur, where she has lived for seven years, her present residence being at 1725 North Morgan street.
CHARLES E. WARD.
Charles E. Ward, whose increasing trade indicates his business ability and spirit of unfaltering enterprise, is now proprietor of one of the leading whole- sale fruit and grocery establishments of Decatur, and his example indicates what may be accomplished when earnest purpose and laudable ambition lead the way. He was born near Huntington, Indiana, June 30, 1867, a son of William B. and Sarah A. (Morrow) Ward, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. The father passed away at Bement, Illinois, September 13, 1910, where he was associated with one of his sons in the conduct of a grocery business that had been established by Charles E. Ward. The Ward family comes of Scotch- Irish ancestry and the grandfather was one of the prominent practicing physi- cians of Bloomington, Indiana, at an early day.
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Charles E. Ward pursued his education in the public and high schools of Bement, Illinois, to the age of seventeen years, when he accepted a position as clerk in a grocery store, there remaining until 1888. Undoubtedly one of the strongest elements in his success is the fact that he has always continued in the line in which he embarked as a young tradesman. In the year mentioned he started in business on his own account with a cash capital of one hundred and twenty dollars, which he had saved from his salary as a clerk. He was success- ful from the beginning and he increased his stock to meet the rapidly growing demands of his trade, becoming proprietor of one of the leading establishments of Bement. He also extended the scope of his activities by opening a branch store at Hammond, Illinois. At length his health began to fail and he sold his store at Bement to his father and brother. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman with the Proctor & Gamble Soap Company, spending four months in this way. When feeling that his improved health would permit him to again conduct a store, he purchased the fruit business of J. Y. Chisholm & Company of Decatur. This was in November, 1900. Success attended him in the new undertaking and in order to have a larger location for his increased business he bought out Harpstrite & Company, who were conducting a similar business and combined the two houses. His trade shows a substantial annual increase and in order to take care of his extensive patronage he erected the present handsome and modern business block at Nos. 700-710 East Cerro Gordo street. This was completed in June, 1907. It is a three story structure fifty by one hundred and twenty-five feet and is well stocked with a large line of fresh fruit, fancy groceries and specialties, cigars and tobacco, which are sold to the country and city trade. He employs twenty people, including four salesmen, and is himself a hard worker who pays close and strict attention to his business, in which he is making substantial progress, bringing him a very gratifying annual income.
On the 15th of September, 1892, Mr. Ward was married to Miss Naomi Deitch, of Indianapolis, Indiana, a daughter of Joseph and Rachel (Mullikin) Deitch, who were of French ancestry. They were natives of Indiana and the father was a well known and prosperous business man of Indianapolis. His death occurred in 1879. His widow still resides in that city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ward have been born two sons: Joseph L., now a high-school student; and William D. They own and occupy a modern and attractive home at No. 775 West Macon street and Mr. Ward also owns other city real estate and is finan- cially interested in two of the Decatur banks. He is likewise a director of the Polar Ice & Storage Company and his business enterprises and property interests indicate the success which has crowned his labors, making him one of the lead- ing business men of the city. He is resourceful and energetic and carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His well formulated plans are based upon sound judgment and keen discrimination and constitute the basis of his growing prosperity.
Mr. Ward is prominent and popular in fraternal circles. He belongs to Bement Lodge, No. 365, A. F. & A. M., and has also taken the degrees of the chapter and commandery in Masonry. He likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Tribe of Ben Hur. His political allegiance is usually
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given to the republican party although he votes for the candidate rather than for party and his religious faith is that of the Christian church. His life is actuated by high and honorable purposes and throughout his business career he has displayed many sterling qualities and characteristics which have commanded for him the high regard, good-will and confidence of all with whom he has been associated.
HUGH W. HOUSUM.
A native son of Decatur, where he has so directed his labors that he has won signal success, Mr. Housum was born March 25, 1878, his parents being Charles P. and Eliza J. (King) Housum, natives of Ohio and Mississippi respectively. The father came to this city when a young man immediately following the close of the Civil war, and the mother came in her girlhood with her parents. They were married in Decatur and here established their home, but the mother died in 1890 and the father is now living in Orlando, Orange county, Florida. He was long connected with the business life of this city, having for twenty years or more been a member of the firm of H. W. Hill & Company, manufacturers of hog ringers, through which association he became widely known in manufactur- ing circles. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has a very wide acquaintance in Decatur, where his social qualities and public spirit, as well as his business activity, brought him prominence. He was an active member of the old Volun- teer Firemen's Association and also a veteran of the Civil war, serving through- out the period of hostilities as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His life therefore in its various phases of activity has been a most useful one and at all times has commanded the respect of his fellowmen.
Hugh W. Housum spent his youthful days in his parents' home, acquiring his education in the public and high schools of Decatur to the time of his graduation with the class of 1895. He then entered Brown's Business College and was graduated in 1896. In the meantime he had determined to make the practice of law his life work and to this end he began reading in the office and under the direction of Judge William C. Johns, whom he also served as a stenographer. A year later his brother, Joseph Housum, became associated with Judge Johns. After two years this partnership was dissolved but Hugh W. Housum remained with his original preceptor until 1900, when he entered the office of Judge Hugh Crea, under whom he pursued his studies, also serving as law clerk, until he passed the bar examination and was admitted to practice on the 9th of December. 1902. Prior to his admission he served for two terms as court reporter under Judge Edward P. Vail and his service as law clerk and reporter gave him much knowledge concerning the practical workings of the courts. He has been admitted to practice in the United States district and circuit courts and has been asso- ciated in the work of his profession with Hugh Crea since his admisson to the bar. Although one of the younger representatives of the legal fraternity, he by
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no means occupies an obscure position but is rather found in the foremost ranks of the successful lawyers, for his ability was soon demonstrated and much impor- tant clientage has been accorded him.
On the 5th of September, 1900, Mr. Housum was married to Miss Anna Pauline Reinstorf, of Decatur, and they now have two children, Hugh Crea and Margaret Ruth. Mr. Housum and his wife are members of the Episcopal church and he is serving as a member of its vestry. He belongs to Decatur Lodge, No. 401, B. P. O. E., and also to the Country Club of Decatur and gives his political support to the republican party. In the field which he has chosen he is making steady progress, resulting from his understanding and utilization of the fact that in no profession is a career more open to talent than in the prac- tice of the law. Preparing his cases with great thoroughness, he presents his cause clearly, concisely and forcibly and already the court records record many favorable verdicts that he has won.
JOHN C. LEE.
A vigilant and attentive observer of men and measures, John C. Lee has wide general knowledge to serve as a factor in professional success, and since coming to the bar he has established a most enviable reputation for thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence and ability to accurately apply the points at law to the points in litigation. A farm in Whitmore township, Macon county, was the birthplace of John C. Lee, whose natal day was February 16. 1868. His parents, John and Ann (Ward) Lee, were both natives of Ireland and in early manhood and womanhood crossed the Atlantic to the United States. They were married in New Jersey and during their residence there one child was born to them. Subsequently they came west to Illinois, settling in Morgan county, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. In 1867 he removed to Macon county with his family, settling on a farm in Whitmore township, where he and his wife resided until they were called to their final rest, the death of Mr. Lee occurring February 14, 1904, while his wife passed away September II, 1892. The republican party received his political endorsement and he was so zealous and earnest in its support that he became an active factor in its local councils and filled some of the local offices. Both he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic church.
Upon the home farm John C. Lee was reared, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the district schools. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for four years in the district schools of Macon county and while in his twentieth year took up the study of law under the preceptorship of his uncle, Thomas Lee, while later he continued his reading in the office of McDonald & LeForgee of Decatur. He pursued his law studies during the summer months and in the winter seasons engaged in teaching until after his admission to the bar on the 19th of Novem- ber, 1891. Through the succeeding winter he continued to teach and in the spring of 1892 he opened a law office in Decatur, where six months later he
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formed a partnership with C. C. LeForgee and for five years practiced under the firm name of LeForgee & Lee. At the end of that time he became a partner of David Hutchison, with whom he was associated for two years under the firm title of Hutchison & Lee. He afterward practiced independently for five years and was then associated with W. J. Dickinson for two years as Dickinson & Lee. Since that time he has been alone in practice and enjoys the reputation of being one of the foremost barristers of Decatur. He does not specialize in any particular department but continues in the general practice of law, wherein he has steadily progressed since his admission to the bar. An earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles, make him an effective and successful advocate.
On the 11th of April, 1891, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Clara B. Bixler, of Macon county, and they now have four children: Ralph L., a graduate of the Decatur high school of the class of 1909; Charles E., who is in his third year in the high school; and Vera I. and Robert E., who are attending the ward school. The parents are members of the Second Presbyterian church and are prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes of Decatur being freely accorded them. Mr. Lee has attained the Knight Templar degree in Masonry and also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America. He belongs to the Macon County Bar Association and in more strictly social lines is connected with the Decatur Club and the Decatur Fishing Club. He has qualities of geniality and cordiality which render him popular and which have gained for him a large circle of warm friends.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS WILLIAMS.
Christopher Columbus Williams is living on the Childs farm and has charge of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable and productive farm land pleasantly and conveniently situated about three miles south of Warrensburg. His methods of tilling the fields are practical and produce good results. He is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Putnam county on the 19th of December, 1851. His parents were John M. and Nancy (Smith) Williams. The father was a native of Kentucky and on removing northward to Indiana settled in Putnam county, where he lived for a short time. He then went with his family to Iowa, where he spent one winter, after which he took up his abode at North Lancaster in Schuyler county, Missouri. He was there engaged in the grocery business for about nine years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, afterward became a resident of Logan county and still later removed to Macon county.
Christopher C. Williams was a lad of about twelve years when the family came to Macon county. He acquired his education in different states as the family removed from one place to another and when a lad of twelve years began working out as a farm hand but when fourteen years of age began working for himself. The first land that he rented was in Logan county. He has since rented different tracts in this state and about ten years ago took up his abode
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