USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 53
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
Dr. Jack is a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Decatur Medical Society. He is also a member of the Phi Rho Sigma college fraternity and the Knights of Pythias. On the IIth of June, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Nelson, of Bloomington, Illinois. The union has been blessed with one daughter, Cecilia. Dr. and Mrs. Jack are members of the First Presbyterian church and their genial social qual- ities have attracted many friends. It is doubtful whether a happier circle is to be found in the state than that which gathers at this home where refinement and the graces of sympathetic companionship abide. It is entirely within the bounds of truth to say that the warmest friends of Dr. and Mrs. Jack are those who know them best.
While the medical profession involves many responsibilities and requires of its successful disciples constant vigilance and sound judgment, guided by prin- ciples thoroughly tested by the brightest minds, it also is accompanied by many awards among which are abiding sentiments of grateful appreciation and the knowledge of work well done. No man in the community stands higher than the physician qualified by talents and by education and training for his life occu- pation. Any young man with the proper qualities of head and heart who chooses the healing art as his vocation is worthy of the confidence of the community and may reaonably look forward to a creditable and honorable career.
FRANCIS J. MOONEY.
Francis J. Mooney is devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres which was his birthplace and which he now owns. He was born here September 27, 1878, a son of Peter and Catharine (Nelligan) Mooney, who are now residing at No. 408 East El- dorado street in Decatur. The father was born in December, 1840, in County Armagh, Ireland, and his parents were Frank and Catharine (Graham) Mooney, who were also natives of Ireland, where they spent their entire lives, the grand- father of our subject there following the occupation of farming.
-
532
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Peter Mooney was the seventh in order of birth in a family of five sons and three daughters. His educational advantages were meager and after he had put aside his text-books he worked with his father upon the home farm in Ireland until the spring of 1864, when he went to Scotland. In the fall of the same year, however, he returned to his old home on the Emerald isle but almost immediately thereafter left for America, landing in New York in October. He made his way direct to Niantic, where he joined his brother. His financial resources were so limited that he had to seek immediate employment, which he found at farm work and since that time he has been identified with the farming interests of this section of the state. In the spring of 1866 he purchased eighty acres of land in Niantic township from the Illinois Central Railroad Company, borrowing the money with which to make the payment. For a year afterward he continued to work for the man who had made the loan and in 1877 he began farming for him- self on forty acres which he rented. He purchased land from time to time until he owned about sixteen hundred and eighty acres, becoming one of the most ex- tensive landholders of the county. He generously aided his children by giving each of them two hundred and forty acres of land but still retains the ownership of nine hundred and sixty acres, from which he derives a splendid annual income. Moreover, his farms have constantly increased in value owing to the rapid set- tlement of this part of the state and the improvements which he has made upon his land.
On the 9th of September, 1872, Peter Mooney was married to Miss Catharine Nelligan, a daughter of John and Harriett Nelligan, who were natives of Ire- land, the father of County Limerick and the mother of County Down. They came to American about 1852 and settled in Logan county near Mount Pulaski, where Mr. Nelligan died in 1895 at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother sur- vived until September 17, 1909, when she passed away in her seventy-eighth year. Mr. Nelligan was a farmer throughout all his life and owned a good tract of land of two hundred and seventy-three acres. Mrs. Mooney was the elder of two children and was born July 27, 1855. Her brother died twenty-six years ago. Unto Peter and Catharine Mooney were born four children. Katie M., born April 19, 1873, became the wife of R. A. Stengel, of Logan county, and they are now living in Sangamon county with their two children, Leo and Ray- mond. John D., born November 28, 1876, died when but a year old. Francis J. is the third of the family. Mary A., born September 1, 1882, is the wife of W. E. Gollings, of Decatur, and they have one child, Francis J., born August 24, 1907. The father, Peter Mooney, retired from active farm life in February, 1895, after long years devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He has al- ways been a democrat since becoming a naturalized American citizen and he and his wife are members of the Catholic church of Decatur.
Francis J. Mooney, whose name introduces this review, was about fifteen years of age when his parents removed from the farm to the city, after which he continued his education in the public schools of Decatur and spent three years as a high school student. He afterward began clerking in the clothing store of Otterheimer & Company and later acted as a salesman for Henry Bachrach, with whom he continued for about ten years. His health, however, became impaired owing to close confinement in the store and for about a year thereafter he en-
533
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
gaged in no business, spending much of his time with his sister on her farm. On the Ist of January, 1910, his father deeded him two hundred and forty acres of land on section 25, Niantic township, and he is now devoting his time and ener- gies to the further improvement of his property, which is one of the good farms of the county. In his work he shows that he has not forgotten his early train- ing upon the farm and his ready adaptability also enables him to vigorously take up the work and prosecute it with ability. He is making for himself a creditable position in agricultural circles in this part of the state.
JOHN HOBSON.
Farming interests claim the time and attention of John Hobson, who is the owner of sixty-one acres of land on section 10, Niantic township, and a tract of twenty-seven acres on section 26 of the same township. This constitutes a good farm of eighty-seven acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultiva- tion and to which he has added many modern and attractive improvements. He was born on a farm about two miles south of Chapin, Scott county, Illinois, No- vember 20, 1844, his parents being George and Sarah (Boyd) Hobson. His paternal grandparents were Silas and Patsy (Cline) Hobson. The grandfather, who was a farmer by occupation and a native of North Carolina, spent his last days in Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-three years when our subject was about twenty-two. His wife, who was also a native of North Carolina, lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and two years. In their family were three sons and one daughter.
On leaving Scott county George Hobson removed to Morgan county, Illinois, where he at first rented land and later purchased forty acres of land, making his home thereon for about four years. On the expiration of that period he came to Macon county, where he invested in one hundred and sixty acres, a part of which is now the farm that constitutes the home of John Hobson. He also bought a forty-acre tract of timber land, on section 26, and subsequently twenty acres of timber land on the Sangamon county line. He lived a busy and useful life although he was called to his final rest when fifty-three years of age. He was married in Morgan county to Sarah Boyd, a native of Kentucky, who came to Morgan county with her parents. She long survived her husband and was about seventy-one or seventy-two years of age at the time of her demise. In their family were nine children, some of whom died in infancy, while William Dennis and Silas, who are unmarried, live upon a part of the old homestead.
John Hobson, the sixth in order of birth, acquired a fair education in the common schools near the old home and through the periods of vacation worked with his father until twenty-four years of age, early becoming acquainted with the best methods of planting the seed and caring for the crops until the harvests were safely garnered in the autumn. He has ever made farming his life work and is the owner of an excellent tract of land which in its thrifty appearance bears evidence of the care and labor which he bestows upon it.
534
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
It was on Christmas Day of 1866 that Mr. Hobson was married to Miss Matie Dora Augusta Bruce, and they traveled life's journey together for about forty- two years. They became the parents of five children: James, who died at the age of two years ; George, a resident farmer of Sangamon county, who wedded Mary McDaniel and has four children; Charles, who is upon the home farm; Augusta, who is the wife of William Chrisman and lives with her father; and Bruce, who married Katie Blankenship and lives in Niantic township.
In his political views Mr. Hobson is a republican and cast his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1868. He is always fearless in support of his honest con- victions and when he has cause to change his opinions never hesitates to say so. He has served as school director and is now a school trustee, and the cause of eduction finds in him a stalwart champion. He is ever interested in matters per- taining to the general welfare and while he lives a busy life in the care of his farm he finds opportunity to promote measures of public progress.
WILLIAM PERRINE.
William Perrine, one the largest corn raisers in Macon county, justly occupies a position as a leading farmer of central Ilinois. He was born at Sandy Lake, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1852, and is a son of Lewis and Caroline (McCluskey) Perrine. The father was also a native of the Keystone state, born in 1824, and emigrated to Morgan county, Ilinois, in 1855, but three years later removed to Christian county. He departed this life at the age of 77 years. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania in 1833 and was called to her reward in 1904. There were seven children in their family, six of whom are now living: Alvina, the wife of Henry Waller, of Parsons, Kansas; Emeline, the wife or John Hawkins, of Christian county; William, the subject of this review; Luellen and Wellington, both of Christian county; and Flora, the wife of Frank Kinkaid, also of Christian county.
Educated in the common schools of Christian county, William Perrine was early made acquainted with the various details of the farm and even as a boy displayed an aptitude for agriculture and stock-raising that indicated unusual ability in that direction. He continued at the parental home until he arrived at the age of maturity, with the exception of two years which he spent in Colorado. After returning to Illinois he rented eighty acres of land in Christian county, but soon began buying from his father, who was a heavy landowner in this part of the state, and purchased in all eight hundred and thirty-seven acres in Pleasant View township, Macon county, of which five hundred and sixty acres were on section 4, one hundred and ninety-three acres on section 33 and eighty acres on section 34. Upon his land are four neat and commodious residences and many improvements which have largely added to its value. Mr. Perrine deals very extensively in mules and in his sheds can accommodate two hundred and fifty animals at one time. He is also a very large corn raiser, plowing each year more than five hundred acres for this purpose, and also raising oats and wheat upon an extensive scale. His grass and pasture lands are kept in excellent con-
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM PERRINE
537
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
dition and in his various operations he makes use of the most improved modern machinery, thus facilitating the work and securing handsome returns upon the outlay. It would be difficult to find anywhere a better managed farm property than that over which Mr. Perrine presides.
On the 4th of May, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Kittie Kipper, who was born in Christian county, and departed from this life one year after her marriage. He was married July 19, 1875, to Alice Warren, by whom he had one child, Warren E., born May 31, 1876. On May 4, 1903, Mr. Perrine was married to Mrs. Eliza (Baulos) Hawkins, a daughter of Jules and Emma (Lastfull) Baulos. Her father was born in France in 1832 and is now living at Buffalo Hart, Illinois. The mother died in 1878, leaving four daughters, three of whom are living: Anna, the widow of William Sanks, of Springfield, Illinois ; Julia Katherine, who died at the age of three years; Eliza, now Mrs. Perrine; and Lois, the wife of Fred Beck, of Edinburg, Illinois. Mr. Baulos had been previously married, and his children by his first wife were: Fannie, who reared Mrs. Perrine and is the wife of Jacob Cooper, of Edinburg, Illinois; Victoria, the wife of Benjamin Richards, of Butler, Missouri; and Thomas, of Los Angeles, California. Mr. Baulos was a third time married, his last wife being Miss Ann Williams, who is the mother of one son, William. Mrs. Perrine had two children from her first husband: Orville Hawkins, born April 27, 1895; and Kittie, born December 5, 1896. Mr. Perrine has one son, Warren E., who was married about 1898 to Miss Jessie Adams and they are now living on his father's farm in Pleasant View township. Their children are: Zella and Neti, aged six and five years respectively.
William Perrine is an adherent of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to the prosperity of the country. He has never sought political honors but served acceptably as a director of the school board in his township. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian and Methodist churches respectively. That he is a man of large business capacity is evidenced from the activity to be seen upon his farm and the strictly up-to-date appearance of everything about the place. He represents that class of men who come to the front in any undertaking that enlists their interest and who early become business leaders in any community. Among his associates he is recog- nized as a man whose word is never broken and one who never deserts a friend. Mrs. Perrine is a worthy helpmate to her husband and is greatly respected for her many admirable traits of character.
JAMES W. REAVIS.
During the pioneer epoch in the history of Macon county James W. Reavis became a resident of Oakley township. He was then a youth of fourteen years, having been born in Tennessee, in the vicinity of Nashville, on the 16th of June, 1839. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Reavis, the father owning and cul- tivating a tract of land near Nashville until about 1853, when they severed their connections with the south and made their way northward to Macon county, Illi-
27
538
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
nois. They settled upon a farm in Oakley township but the father bent his en- ergies to carpentering and in this work he was assisted by his son, James W. Reavis, who was a vigorous youth of fourteen years when the family came to Illinois. His education, begun in the schools of Tennessee, was continued in Macon county.
At the outbreak of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused, James W. Reavis responded to the country's call for troops, being assigned to duty with Company A of the Eighth Illinois Regiment. He was then about twenty-one years of age and he remained at the front for four years or until the close of the war. During that period he participated in many hotly contested battles, in the long marches and the hard campaigns, but never faltered in the performance of any duty whether upon the lonely picket line or standing where shot and shell rained thickest on the firing line. When the war was over he was honorably discharged and returned to a farm in Oakley township, where he re- mained until his marriage.
It was on the 30th of August, 1868, that Mr. Reavis was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Forrest, of Oakley township, a daughter of G. W. Forrest, who was a lifelong farmer and became a prosperous resident of that township, where he owned and cultivated a good tract of land of one hundred and seventy-five acres. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reavis were born two children: Nellie, now the wife of G. L. Spence, of Decatur, who is an engineer on the Wabash railroad running from Decatur to Chicago, his connection with the road covering a quar- ter of a century; and Elmer, who is single and resides at home with his mother at No. 1143 North Main street.
After his marriage Mr. Reavis devoted his life to railroad work in one way or another until the time of his death in January, 1903. He was a valued mem- ber of the Grand Army Post and of Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M. To his membership ties in these organizations he was most faithful. Moreover, he was a popular man, his many social qualities and admirable traits of character making him well known and liked.
JAN DE GRAFF.
Jan De Graff, a representative of the building interests of Decatur, who since he took up contracting here has held to the highest standards of workmanship and has thus secured a liberal and growing patronage, was born at The Hague, Hol- land, October 14, 1865, a son of J. and Gertrude (De Beer) De Graff, also na- tives of Holland, where the family had lived for centuries. The father was a baker by trade and conducted a bakery in his native land until, determining to try his fortune in the new world, he came with his family to the United States in 1866 and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he also conducted a bakery. Both he and his wife are now deceased.
Jan De Graff was a pupil in the public schools of Grand Rapids, although his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited. However, by study and reading in his leisure hours, he managed to counteract the lack of early educa- tional advantages and has become a well informed and practical business man.
539
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
In training for business life he took a course in drafting and architectural work and in due course of time received his diploma. He learned the carpenter's and miller's trade and established a general contracting business. He is not only an expert in building but also in general mechanical lines, having developed his natural powers and talents to a high degree of proficiency. He removed from Grand Rapids to St. Louis, afterward traveled through the south and later went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he accepted a position as general foreman of the large electric power plant, which was completed in 1906.
In the spring of 1907 Mr. De Graff came to Decatur, where he established himself in a general contracting and building business and concrete work. By turning out first class work he has gained an enviable reputation and now has a most extensive patronage, being all that he is able to handle. Some of the most attractive and beautiful residences of Decatur in the last three years have been erected by him. Decatur welcomed him to the ranks of her representative busi- ness men and he expects to make this city his permanent place of abode. What he has to do he does promptly and he is as reliable as he is prompt and proficient.
In June, 1906, Mr. De Graff was married to Eva Waterland, a daughter of Henry and Eliza (Robbins) Waterland, of Litchfield, Illinois, who was born July 5, 1871. Her father was a native of England and the mother of Ontario, Canada. Mr. Waterland was a contractor and builder of the Wabash Railroad for twenty years but passed away about a decade ago. The mother still survives and is now living in Decatur. Mr. and Mrs. De Graff have a little daughter, Theresa.
Fraternally Mr. De Graff is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He holds membership in the Christian church and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. He is prompted by laudable ambition in all that he undertakes, and his energy and determination are enabling him to forge his way to the front. Already he oc- cupies a creditable place in the ranks of the representative business men of De- catur and his further advancement is assured.
ALBERT T. SUMMERS.
Albert T. Summers, conducting the largest collection agency in Illinois out- side of Chicago, his business being carried on under the name of A. T. Summers & Son, was born December 21, 1857, in Paris, Illinois, and since 1873 has re- sided continuously in Decatur. His parents were Charles and Cynthia M. Sum- mers, nee Trogdon. The father, a lawyer by profession, was killed at Mattoon, Illinois, August 20, 1858.
Coming to Decatur when a youth of sixteen years, Albert T. Summers con- tinued his education in the high school of the city, from which he was graduated in June, 1875. He afterward entered De Pauw University of Indiana, where he was graduated in June, 1878, and in 1880 after careful and thorough pre- liminary reading he was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon practice but early found that he could be of greater service to the community by doing
540
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
a general collection business and since 1880 he has directed his energies in that field of labor with splendid success. His business has grown steadily and rapidly until it is now the largest collection agency in Illinois outside of Chicago. He has admitted his son to a partnership under the style of A. T. Summers & Son, and they collect claims everywhere and also negotiate all classes of loans and deal in commercial paper. Their business is carefully systematized in its various departments, and the methods which they employ are resultant, bringing a success highly satisfactory to their clients and of which they have every reason to be proud.
On the 18th of October, 1881, Mr. Summers was married in Lincoln, Illi- nois, to Miss Helen M. Pegram, and they have three children, a son and two daughters : Charles P., who married Miss Florence Jones, of Decatur, and is in partnership with his father; Helen L., and Ruth B. W.
Mr. Summers has never held public office but is a stanch republican, his study of the political conditions and situation of the country convincing him that the interests of good government are best conserved through that party organi- zation. He is a member of nearly all the prominent secret societies, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Masonry and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He has been honored with various offices, serving at the present writing as district deputy grand master of the twenty-ninth Masonic district of Illinois. He has likewise taken the degrees of the York Rite in Masonry, being prominent in the Knights Templar commandery of Decatur. He also has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and attends the Episcopal church. His strongly marked personal characteristics are persistence, responsibility, reliability, honor and fair dealing. His residence in Decatur covers a period of thirty-seven years, during which time he has seen the city grow from ten to thirty thousand. Many busi- ness men have come and gone in that time and a large number of these have been Mr. Summers' clients. "Be useful" has been the watchword of his busi- ness, for he believes that if a man makes himself useful in the community in which he resides he will be appreciated, that his labors will produce the result desired of service to his fellowmen and of success for himself. Mr. Summers is widely known in Decatur and in fact over a large section of the surrounding country and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
CLARENCE JEROME HILL.
With the passing away of Clarence Jerome Hill, Macon county lost one of its progressive and representative agriculturists, who throughout the period of his active life was closely identified with farming interests here. He was a native of the county, born in Elwin, May 20, 1873, a son of Benjamin Frank- lin Hill, who likewise followed farming in Macon county.
Clarence J. Hill spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and through the winter months pursued his education in the district
541
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
schools near his father's home, while in the summer seasons he worked on the home farm, receiving practical instruction from his father in the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. On reaching man's es- tate he began farming on his own account and as the years passed and he care- fully saved his money he was enabled to invest in farm land, becoming the owner of a good property of ninety acres. He brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and erected new and substantial buildings, making many improvements on the place which today make it one of the valuable prop- erties of the county. Everything about the place indicates that he was in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifest in agricultural lines, while his interests were so wisely and carefully conducted that he won substantial success and was numbered among the representative and progress- ive farmers of the locality, and at his death he left to his widow some valu- able farm land in addition to city property in Decatur, one of which is the residence she now occupies, at No. 1207 West Wood street.
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.