USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 5
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The year which witnessed Mr. Powers' arrival in Decatur also chronicled his marriage, Miss Charlotte E. Given, of Smithland, Union county, Kentucky, becoming his wife. He had formed her acquaintance two years before in travel- ing on horseback from Mobile, Alabama, to Decatur, and the friendship which then had its inception, ripened into love and was consummated in marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Powers were born two daughters and two sons. Alice, the eldest, born September 30, 1856, died on the 22d of April, 1878. Charles G. Powers, the elder son, was born in Decatur, June 30, 1861. In the public schools of this city he mastered the elementary branches of learning, afterward attended the Illinois College at Jacksonville, and also pursued a commercial course in Brown's Business College. He was only thirteen years of age when he went to Jacksonville in company with his sister Annabel, who entered the Deaf Mute Institute there because of her hearing. For eight years he re- mained in that city. He entered upon the study of law in Decatur under the . direction of the firm of Crea & Ewing, attorneys, but was not admitted to the bar, his object in studying law being to gain enough knowledge of legal prin- ciples to enable him to manage his father's business. In 1884 the family re- turned to Decatur from Jacksonville, and Charles G. Powers took charge of the estate, which he yet supervises. In this connection he displays keen insight, sound judgment, unfaltering enterprise and progressive methods. The Powers estate is one of the largest in this section, and covers many business and resi- dence properties in Decatur. On the 21st of June, 1887, Charles G. Powers was married to Miss Effie Rogers, a daughter of Jason Rogers, of this city, and they have one child, John Howard, born August 23, 1895. The parents are members of the First Presbyterian church, and are prominent in the social circles of the city. Mr. Powers also belongs to the Decatur Club, the Elks Club
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and the Country Club, his recreation largely coming to him through his con- nection with those organizations.
Howard W. Powers, the second son, was born in Decatur, June 20, 1864, and completed his education in the schools of Jacksonville, being a graduate of the Illinois College of that city. He joined his brother in the management of the estate left by the father, and they have since been associated in business under the name of C. G. & H. W. Powers. They are recognized as gentlemen of excellent business sagacity and keen foresight and in the supervision of ex- tensive property interests have shown marked discrimination combined with an aptitude for successful management that is evidenced in the excellent results which attend their labors. On the 19th of December, 1903, Howard W. Powers was married to Miss Mabel Durfee, a daughter of Captain George Durfee, of Decatur, and they have three children: Howard William, born March 8, 1905; Given Durfee, April 20, 1909; and Robert Charles, June 29, 1910. Howard W. Powers has a home at Palm Beach, Florida, where he spends the winter months, while the summer seasons are passed in the north. He, too, is a mem- ber of the Decatur Club, the Elks Club and the Country Club.
Annabel Powers, born in Decatur, August 8, 1867, lost her hearing when five years of age through spinal meningitis, and two years later the family removed to Jacksonville for the purpose of educating her at the Deaf and Dumb State Institution, remaining in that city for ten years. She was mar- ried June 17, 1890, to Charles Kerney, of Evansville, Indiana, who died in Decatur, August 1, 1902, leaving a daughter, Charlotte Wright, born January 4, 1895. Mrs. Kerney was married again on the 26th of May, 1904, becoming the wife of William C. Tilley, of San Francisco, where they now reside. Mrs. Tilley owns a beautiful home of her own at Tiberon, across the bay north of San Francisco.
When age conferred upon Orlando Powers the right of franchise he sup- ported the whig party, but joined the republican party as a supporter of Abra- ham Lincoln during his first presidential candidacy. He never faltered there- after as an advocate of republican principles, for he deemed them most effective forces for good government. He long held membership in the First Presby- terian church of Decatur, and was one of its most active and helpful workers, giving generous assistance toward building its house of worship, also to sup- port its local interests and its missionary endeavors. He was the founder of the scholarship in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the northwest. He never made religion a thing apart from his life-a Sunday observance as it were-but found in the teachings of the church the principles which guided his conduct and shaped his relations with his fellowmen. A tale of sorrow or distress awakened his ready sympathy, and when it was in his power to render assistance he did so. If a census could be taken of Decatur's citizens whom he has helped in one way or another, the number would reach up to a large fig- ure. Business firms and individuals alike received his assistance in hours of need, and his unostentatious method of giving aid makes it certain that many were the recipients of his bounty of whom the public have no knowledge. When a public project was instituted for the benefit of Decatur, he was among the first to espouse the cause, and his citizenship was characterized by an un-
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faltering loyalty. He was ever devoted to the welfare of his family, and the close companionship which existed between himself and his wife made theirs largely an ideal relation. The death of Mrs. Powers occurred May 3, 1897. For five years more Mr. Powers trod life's pathway, and on the Ist of July, 1902, was called to the home beyond. His were "the blest accompaniments of age-honor, riches, troops of friends." It was his to preserve the precious prize of keen mentality to the closing hours of life, and when the end came, it was as "one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."
The Powers family is now represented in Decatur by the two brothers, Charles G. and Howard W., who, managing the estate, are still actively con- cerned in the business interests of the city and are, moreover, leading figures in the social life of Decatur, and also Mrs. Annabel (Powers) Tilley, who spends most of her time at her winter home in California.
JOHN ALLEN.
It is refreshing in this day when so much is written about graft and po- litical dishonesty to consider the history of John Allen, whose public record has been free from attack. The position to him has been purely that of po- litical preference, arising in no degree from personal considerations. He now occupies the position of circuit clerk and official abstractor for Macon county, continuing in the former position without interruption for ten years.
He was born in Evansville, Indiana, June 16, 1863, and is a son of James and Ellen (Vickery) Allen, both of whom were natives of Ireland, and came to America in childhood. The father was engaged in the boot and shoe busi- ness for a number of years in Evansville, where he died in 1901, having for about four years survived his wife.
John Allen was educated in the public schools of his native city, and in his youthful days sold newspapers and worked in a printing office. Throughout his life he has eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for advancement, and promotion has at all times been honestly won. For several years he was employed in a grocery store in Vincennes, Indiana, and in 1884, when twenty- one years of age, came to Decatur and for several years was connected with a grocery store on Merchant street, later engaging in the real-estate business. He was elected to the board of supervisors of Decatur township in 1897, which position he held for four years, being chairman of the board for one year and was a member of the first board of review.
In 1900 he was elected circuit clerk and has three times been elected to that office, receiving at the last election the highest vote ever given to any can- didate in Macon county-a fact which is indicative of his popularity as an offi- cial and of the unqualified confidence reposed in him. He is now serving for the tenth year in that position and in the discharge of his duties his prompt- ness, faithfulness and efficiency have gained him high encomiums.
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In 1903 the county board sought to establish a set of modern indices by tracts of land, commonly known as a tract index, and reposing full confidence in the ability of Mr. Allen, entrusted him with the responsibility of preparing these books. When completed the county board contracted with Mr. Allen to compile abstracts of title for hire, and for the past four years abstracts of title have been compiled and sold under the direction of John Allen to the people of Macon county with a success beyond the expectation of the county board, and the net earnings from the sale of abstracts have paid the cost of compila- tion of the tract index books. Macon and Cook counties are the only counties in the state that have as yet successfully engaged in the compilation and sale of abstracts of title. These tract books, fifty in number, were made under Mr. Allen's personal supervision and have proven a valuable acquisition to the rec- ords of the office of the county recorder. The plan has met with the approval of the property owners in the city and county.
On the 27th day of September, 1888, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Flora Hester, a native of Indiana, and to them has been born one son, Edgar Hester Allen. The parents are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Allen is connected with several fraternities. His home is in one of De- catur's attractive suburbs known as Allendale, located a short distance west of the Millikin University.
Few of the residents of Decatur have a wider acquaintance or are held in higher regard than John Allen, whose devotion to duty has won him the favor- able opinion of all with whom he has come in contact. Moreover, he is a gentleman of genial manner and kindly disposition, and these qualities, com- bined with his deference for the opinion of others, have gained for him high regard. His trustworthiness and loyalty in office may well constitute an ex- ample for other Illinois officials.
L. W. WHEELER.
L. W. Wheeler resides on section 2, Oakley township, and is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of three hundred acres. The active man- agement of the place, however, he largely leaves to others, although for a long period he personally engaged in the raising of grain and stock. He was born in Macon county, May 9, 1838. His father, Garland Wheeler, a native of Vir- ginia, removed from that state to Kentucky, where he was united in marriage in Bullitt county, to Miss Elizabeth Whitledge, who was also born in the Old Dominion, but was reared in the Blue Grass state. Garland Wheeler followed farming in Kentucky for many years and thirteen children were born unto them there. In September, 1834, the family left their old home for Illinois and working their way northward to Macon county, the father entered two hun- dred and forty acres of prairie land and eighty acres of timber land in Oakley township, where he began the development of a new farm. He became a well known and prosperous agriculturist of the community. Upon this place he reared his family and spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1864.
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His wife survived him for a number of years and passed away in January,, 1879.
L. W. Wheeler is the youngest of the family and the only one of the four- teen children born in Macon county. There were six sons and eight daughters, thirteen of whom grew to years of maturity, but only the subject of this review now survives. He was reared on the home farm, remaining with his father and mother until they were called to their final rest. Previous to the death of his parents, he took charge of the property, bending his energies to the de- velopment of the fields and the care of the crops. He is almost wholly a self- educated man and practical experience, reading and observation have brought him much valuable knowledge. As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney he chose Sarah Kemp, who was born in Scott county, Illinois, but was reared in Macon county. Their marriage was celebrated on the IIth of No- vember, 1858, and they began their domestic life on the home farm, which was afterward inherited by L. W. Wheeler and his brother Garland. They worked together for some years. Afterward L. W. Wheeler purchased other land and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, improved with three sets of good farm buildings. The equipments upon the place are modern and in- dicate the progressive spirit of the owner. In connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Wheeler engaged in breeding and dealing in cattle, horses and hogs and in both lines of his work met with substantial and gratifying returns. He has resided at his present place of abode since June, 1906.
In 1865 Mr. Wheeler was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. There were four children of that marriage: Mary E., who grew to womanhood and was married, but has now passed away; William A., who died at the age of thirteen years; and Samuel and Edward, also deceased. On the 25th of September, 1869, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Anna Boyd, a native of Coles county, Illinois, and there were two sons of that marriage: Oliver, who died at the age of two years; and George R., who was married and passed away on the 5th of June, 1900. He was a well educated man and for some years successfully engaged in teaching. At his death he left a wife and son, Boyd Wallace Wheeler, who resides with his grandparents. On the 25th of September, 1879, in Oakley township, L. W. Wheeler wedded Margaret Ross, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, and was there reared to the age of six- teen years. Her education was acquired in the schools of that state and of Illinois. Her parents were Taylor and Sarah Ross, both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Illinois in 1868, settling in Taylor county. There have been two sons born of the last marriage of Mr. Wheeler: Richard C., who is a farmer of Oakley township and is married and has two children, John Ross and Hazel Amanda; and Linn Virgil, who occupies the old home farm on which his father was born. He, too, is married and has two daughters, Verna Veech and Esther Mina.
In his political views Mr. Wheeler was formerly a democrat, but of late years has been independent, supporting the men whom he regards best qualified for office. He is a strong advocate of temperance and is a prohibitionist in principle. From his youth to the present time he has never used intoxicants nor tobacco. In 1900 his eyesight failed so that he cannot see to any practical
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purpose. He has passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey, and his has been an active, useful and honorable career. He is regarded as a good business man and a public-spirited citizen, and wherever known he is held in high esteem. Macon has few native sons who have so long remained within her borders. For more than the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten he has been a witness of the growth and progress of this portion of the state, and has made for himself an excellent record throughout the entire period.
DE WITT C. CORLEY.
De Witt C. Corley, a leading member of the Decatur bar, who has prac- ticed continuously in this city since 1880, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, December 24, 1852. His father, Henry W. W. Corley, was a native of Ken- tucky and in his boyhood days came with his parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Shelby county in 1823, where he was reared, mar- ried and spent his after life on a farm. He was at the time of his death recog- nized as one of the oldest residents in his county, not in years but in continuous residence therein. He wedded Miss Cynthia A. Powell, and died in March, 1890, at the age of seventy years.
The home farm was the playground of De Witt C. Corley in his youth and his training school for life's practical duties. His educational training was ac- quired in the public schools, and in Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, from which he was graduated in the class of 1877, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then turned his attention to teaching in the public schools, which he followed for three successive years, but regarded this merely as an initial step to further professional labor. Desiring to become a member of the bar, he devoted his leisure hours while teaching to the study of law, and in 1878 continued his reading in the law office of Moulton, Chafee & Headen, at Shelbyville, Illinois. In 1879 he came to Decatur and continued his studies with Brower A. Bunn as his preceptor. During the winter he taught in Sul- phur Springs school, and in the summer of 1880 successfully passed the re- quired examination which admitted him to practice before the Illinois bar. In the spring of 1881 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace and served for four years in that position. He then entered upon the practice of law, which he has always followed independently. He now ranks with the leading attor- neys of the city, his reputation being won through earnest effort, close applica- tion and unfaltering loyalty to the interests of his clients. He has ever been careful in the preparation of his cases, martials his evidence with the precision of a military commander, and while presenting every detail that may possibly bear upon the case, he never loses sight of the important point upon which the decision of every case finally turns.
On the 7th of July, 1887, Mr. Corley was united in marriage to Miss Laura Fulton, a daughter of Robert E. and Sarah Jane (Bigger) Fulton. Her father is now deceased, while the mother resides with Mr. and Mrs. Corley, whose
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marriage has been blessed with four children: Helen, who is a graduate of the University of Michigan, is now a teacher of languages at Big Rapids, Mich- igan; Howard is a sophomore in the University of Illinois, pursuing the engi- neering course; Seymour is a senior in the Decatur high school; Warren, a lad of ten years, completes the family.
The parents are active members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Cor- ley is serving as one of its trustees. In politics he is a stanch republican, but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to Celestial Lodge, No. 186, I. O. O. F., and to Decatur Encampment, No. 37, and is popular with the members of that organization. His qualities as a man, as a member of the bar, and as a citizen are such as commend him to the confidence and good-will of all, and he belongs to that class who uphold the legal and political status of the com- munity and seek also its intellectual and moral progress.
WILLIAM GUSHARD.
William Gushard, who in 1895 established the important mercantile concern that is now known as the William Gushard Dry Goods Company of Decatur, passed away at his residence at No. 1000 Marietta street, dying very suddenly on the 23d of October, 1909. His birth occurred in Stark county, Ohio, on the 5th of March, 1862. His father, George Gushard, carried on merchandising in Stark county, where his demise occurred in 1894. He had been twice mar- ried, his second wife and the mother of our subject being Mrs. Hannah Rora- baugh, who was called to her final rest on the 25th of May, 1865.
William Gushard spent the first eight years of his life in his native county, entering the public schools at the usual age. On leaving Stark county he went with his father to Wabash county, Indiana, where he continued his studies until a youth of fifteen. Returning to Ohio, he made his home in Akron for the fol- lowing nine years and during that period embarked on his business career as salesman in a dry-goods establishment. Mastering the business in principle and detail, he gained broad and practical knowledge of the methods employed in the mercantile world and, being thus well equipped for further advancement, he became a trusted employe in the dry-goods house of G. Y. Smith & Company, of Kansas City, Missouri. He remained with that concern for two and a half years and then invested the capital which he had accumulated through industry and economy, becoming the proprietor of a mercantile establishment in Ex- celsior Springs, Missouri. Subsequently he was numbered among the leading merchants of Topeka, Kansas, being very successful in his business operations. In 1895 he came to Decatur, Illinois, and here established a dry goods and milli- nery store as the senior member of the firm of Gushard & Company, his partner in this enterprise being Walter Buck. The old store was located at No. 207 to 211 North Water street and its dimensions were fifty by one hundred and twenty feet. The building was three stories in height and all three floors were utilized for the accommodation of their large stock of millinery and dry goods. From
Mr Jushard.
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forty to fifty clerks were employed at that time. On the 30th of May, 1906, the location was changed to the Wait building at the northwest corner of William and North Water streets. That year the concern was incorporated under the state laws and on the death of William Gushard it was reorganized with the fol- lowing officers : Clyde F. Trisch, president ; James A. Carroll, vice president ; W. Harold Wiley, treasurer; and J. A. Keith, secretary. The William Gushard Dry Goods Company, as the enterprise is now known, occupies two floors and a base- ment and has fine display windows. The basement stock comprises dinnerware, fancy china, cut glass, house furnishings, packing room, shipping department and work rooms for window trimmers and carpet makers. On the first floor may be found a general line of dry goods, the ladies' and children's shoe department and the offices of the company. The second floor is given over to a millinery emporium, ladies' ready to wear garments, corsets, furs, children's department, carpets and draperies. During the busy season as high as one hundred and fifty people are employed. Mrs. Gushard still retains her husband's large in- terest in the dry goods business and is a lady of excellent executive ability and sound judgment. Mr. Gushard was likewise a director of the Decatur Foun- tain Company and was widely recognized as one of the representative and most prosperous business men of the city.
On December 26, 1895, Mr. Gushard was united in marriage to Miss Della Perkins, who comes of a good Kansas family and who was a popular school teacher of Topeka, where she taught for more than ten years. By her marriage she became the mother of three children, namely: Geraldine; Hannah Louise; and Ruth Elizabeth, who is deceased.
Fraternally Mr. Gushard was a Knight Templar Mason and a Modern Wood- man of America. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First Episcopal church, in which he served as a trustee. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was a most public-spirited and loyal citizen. He was a member of the Houghton Lake & Fishing Club and had but recently returned from a fishing trip when his demise occurred. Mrs. Gush- ard is a member of the Women's Club of Decatur and also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Following the death of her husband she purchased lots on the site of her present home, which is at No. 1171 West Main street and is a beautiful location, being opposite the entrance to the James Millikin University.
JOHN W. HAWVER.
Among the residents of Decatur to whose well directed efforts in the field of agriculture is due the fact that they are now able to live retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of years of earnest and honest toil, is numbered John W. Hawver. Born in Indiana on the IIth of September, 1851, he is a son of John and Elizabeth (Studebaker) Hawver, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively, who came to Illinois in the spring of 1869. The family home was established in Piatt county, near Bement, and there the father passed away
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in 1894 at the age of seventy-four years. He had been a farmer throughout his entire life and in politics was a democrat. His widow still survives, and at the ripe old age of eighty-five years makes her home at Cerro Gordo, Piatt county.
John W. Hawver, who was the eldest in a family of five children, was reared a country lad and amid the busy activities of rural life spent the period of boy- hood and youth. The winter months were devoted to the acquirement of an education in the common schools near his father's home, and in the summer seasons he worked upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad. Upon laying aside his text-books he re- mained with his father, assisting him in the cultivation of the fields, until twenty-two years of age, when, tiring of the narrow confines of country life and wishing to see something of the world, he left home. Turning his face toward the west, he made his way to Kansas, and later to Oregon and Cali- fornia, spending from two to three years in each state, and altogether was away from Illinois about nine years. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Illinois, locating in Piatt county, and there took up the occupation to which he had been reared. In the spring of 1895 he removed to Oreana, in Whitmore township, Macon county, and there resided until 1908, when he re- tired from active life. He had engaged continuously in agricultural pursuits since his return from the west, and throughout that period his labors were of a most resultant character, making it possible in the latter year to leave the farm and, with a goodly competence, seek the comforts offered by city life. He now occupies a pleasant and attractive home at 1595 North Church street, and there the proverbial hospitality of the family is enjoyed by a large circle of friends.
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