USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 61
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George W. Disney was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and Illinois and continued at home until seventeen years of age. In May, 1863, he enlisted at Decatur in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry, under Captain Wheat West, serving for six months, when he was mustered out at Camp Butler, Illinois. On February 8, 1865, he again enlisted for a period of one year, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. He was mustered in as corporal but became
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sergeant and was honorably discharged and mustered out at Memphis, Ten- nessee, September 11, 1865. He served in southwestern Missouri under com- mand of Colonel Lackey, of Bloomington, and General Rosecranz, and there saw a great deal of service with bushwhackers. He considers himself very fortunate indeed to have escaped with his life.
After laying aside the accoutrements of war, Mr. Disney spent one year in Pennsylvania and then came to Macon county, where he took up his home and became for many years identified with its business interests. He is a single man, having never entered the state of matrimony. In politics he accepts the principles of the democratic party but often votes for the man irrespective of his party affiliation. A stanch believer in the Christian religion, he holds mem- bership in the Church of God and is an earnest worker for the cause. He is also a member of Dunham Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Republic, and there gathering with his comrades, he revives the memories of many years ago and once more fights the battles which saved the Union and sounded the knell of human slavery throughout the whole world.
WALTER A. CARR.
That Macon county has proved attractive both as a place of residence and because of the good opportunities offered along agricultural lines, is indicated by the fact that many of her native sons have chosen to remain within her bor- ders, finding in the rich and fertile soil of central Illinois an excellent scope for well directed efforts and intelligently applied labor. Among this number is Walter A. Carr who, in the operation of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, is meeting with most creditable success. His birth occurred in this county on the 26th of April, 1878, and he represents a family which has long been con- nected with agricultural pursuits in Illinois.
His father, Nathan A. Carr, was born in St. Clair county, this state, March 29, 1838, but came to Macon county in 1865, making his home here since that time. For many years he was closely and actively connected with agricultural interests but is now living retired in Decatur, having reached the seventy-sec- ond milestone on life's journey. In early life he had married Melissa J. Writ- tinghouse, who was also born in St. Clair county, Illinois. Her birth occurred in 1840 and she passed from this life in February, 1910, at Decatur, after hav- ing reared to maturity a family of ten children.
This number included Walter A. Carr, of this review, who spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, acquiring a good education in the public schools of Illinois. He remained at home until twenty years of age when, in 1898, he decided to try his fortunes in the northwest, and, making his way to the Puget Sound country, remained there about eighteen months. He then returned home, but after a short time the call of the west again proved irresistible and for some time he was variously engaged in California and Mexico. After his second return home, in the summer of 1901, he took up his abode permanently in Illinois and has here since continued.
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Two years later, on the 5th of February, 1903, Mr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss May Hohn, who was born on the 14th of March, 1880. She was the sixth in the family of seven children born unto William and Martha Hohn, residents of Illinois.
After his marriage Mr. Carr removed to his present home, a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Milam township, Macon county, the tract being the property of his father. Here he carries on general farming and also engages in stock-raising, and the close application and careful management which he gives to his interests are proving strong elements in a most creditable success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Carr has been blessed by a son, Bernard E., who was born on the 24th of December, 1895. Mr. Carr holds membership in Beacon Lodge, No. 434, K. P., and since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise has voted for the men and measures of the democratic party. Although he has ever been deeply interested in the questions and issues of the day, and indorses those measures which have for their object the welfare of the com- munity in which he makes his home, his interest is merely that of the private citizen who does not seek public office as the reward for party fealty. He has preferred rather to concentrate his energies upon his private interests which, wisely managed, are bringing to him prosperity both substantial and gratifying.
DAVID HOFF.
No class of men in America deserve the undying gratitude of lovers of lib- erty so much as the soldiers who on the field of battle at the risk of their lives successfully defended the Union. These brave men went forth by thousands and tens of thousands and many never returned. Others came home bearing the honorable scars of war, a constant reminder of their fidelity to the flag which they had sworn to uphold. Among the valiant men who suffered in the war is David Hoff, retired, and now living at No. 557 West Macon street, Decatur. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, January 15, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Susanna (Spellman) Hoff, both of whom were natives of Boonsboro, Mary- land. They were married in their native state and removed to Ashland county, Ohio, coming to De Witt county, Illinois, in 1862. Here the father died and the mother departed this life in Macon county. The grandparents of our sub- ject were natives of Maryland but spent the greater part of their lives in Ohio.
David Hoff was educated in the common schools and just as he was prepar- ing to take up the active duties of life the great Rebellion threw its shadows over the land. He enlisted November 11, 1861, for a term of three years in Com- pany G, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Arlow Smith, of Ashland. The regiment participated in many of the leading battles of the Army of the West, including the battles of Corinth, Chattanooga, Perryville, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Stone River and many skirmishes. At Resaca, Georgia, private Hoff escaped capture or loss of life almost miraculously. He and his comrades suddenly found themselves within twenty feet of an overwhelming body of
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Confederates. Our subject dodged through the underbrush in a zigzag course, and although the bullets pattered like hail through the leaves, they all went amiss, and after a few moments, during which time he made the greatest race that he ever knew, he found himself safe and unharmed. The incident made a vivid impression which still arises with great distinctness in his mind and even now causes a feeling of uneasiness. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, 1864, Mr. Hoff received a dangerous wound in the arm. He was sent to the field hospital at Nashville, where after intense suffering the arm was am- putated August 27, two months after the injury was inflicted. He was honorably discharged December 11, 1864, at Camp Butler, Illinois, having served three years and one month. Returning to Macon county, where his parents were then living, he has ever since made his residence in this county. For twenty years he was constable and collector at Maroa and for a number of years past he has lived at Decatur, where he has served as bailiff of the court.
On April 27, 1877, Mr. Hoff was united in marriage to Miss Levra O. Bann, and one child, Raymond D., born at Maroa, August 2, 1878, is the result of the union. The son married Cleada Yohe, a native of Christian county, Illinois, and is now identified with the telephone business.
Mr. Hoff from the time of casting his first ballot has been a stanch sup- porter of the republican party. His religious belief and practice is founded upon the golden rule and he has made many friends by his kindly disposition, who justly honor him not only for his excellent war record but for his services as a man and a citizen. The esteem in which he is held by his old comrades is indicated by the fact that he is at present junior vice commander of the Grand Army Post of Decatur.
EZEKIEL THOMAS WILLOUGHBY.
Ezekiel T. Willoughby, who comes of pioneer ancestry, is the owner of a valuable farm in Macon county and has well earned the comfort and ease in which he is now living in Decatur. He was a true soldier when the republic was in danger and has always been a patriotic and useful citizen. He was born in Collinsville, Madison county, Illinois, August 13, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Sallie Ann Willoughby. The father came from the state of Delaware, of which he was a native, to Madison county, Illinois, in a wagon in the early part of his manhood. The mother was also a native of Delaware but they were mar- ried in Madison county, this state. The wedding trip of the young couple was one of the unique journeys of early days, consisting of a visit to friends in Delaware. This required an entire year. Returning to Illinois, they settled in Madison county, where the father died. There were three children in the family, Hester Ann, Ezekiel T. and John Henry B., all of whom are now living. The mother was again married, her second husband being George Pratt, who departed this life in 1851. She died in 1850, leaving one child, Mary Susan, by her sec- ond husband. The daughter is now a resident of Collinsville. Our subject's grandfather, Willoughby, was a native of Delaware and emigrated to Illinois,
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where he died in 1856. The grandfather on the mother's side also came from Delaware and located in Madison county.
After the death of his parents Ezekiel T. Willoughby made his home with John Anderson, a farmer of Madison county, for about six years, at the end of which time he took up his residence with an uncle in St. Clair county. On August 13, 1862, being then twenty-two years of age, he volunteered at Lebanon, St. Clair county, in Company C, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois In- fantry. The regiment participated in the battles of Fort Dernsy, Louisiana, March 14, 1864; Pleasant Hill, April 9, 1864; Tupelo, July 14, 1864; Nashville, December 15-16, 1864; Fort Blakely and Mobile, Alabama, April 7, 1865, and was also in thirty-three skirmishes. During the period of service the regiment marched on foot twenty-one hundred and eighty-seven miles, traveled by train eight hundred and forty miles and by water fifty-eight hundred and thirteen miles. The records also show that the regiment captured two stands of colors, four hundred and forty-two prisoners and eight pieces of artillery. Private Willoughby was one of the men whom the officers could always rely upon and he never shirked any duty during the three years of his service. He was mus- tered out at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 1, 1865, and paid off at Springfield.
After a short visit to St. Clair county, he came to Macon county in October, 1865, and purchased a farm of eighty acres, on which he lived for thirty-six years. Industrious and enterprising, he prospered through good management and safe investments and became a leading man in his locality, increasing his original farm by the purchase of three hundred and forty-five acres, which he now owns in addition to the home place. Since 1901 he has been living retired in a beautiful residence, of which he is also the owner, at No. 945 West Macon street.
On February 28, 1867, Mr. Willoughby was married in St. Clair county by Rev. Mr. Joy to Miss Mary M. Oglesby, who was born in that county, Feb- ruary 13, 1848. She is a daughter of William B. and Edith (Moore) Oglesby, the former of whom was a Methodist minister and was born February 3, 1815, in St. Clair county. He was a cousin of "Uncle" Dick Oglesby, of this state. Her mother, also a native of St. Clair county, was born July 10, 1815, and was married April 25, 1841. Her grandfather Moore was a native of North Carolina, while her grandfather Oglesby was a native of Pennsylvania and an early set- tler of St. Clair county. William B. and Edith Oglesby came to Macon county in 1875, the former dying near Macon Station on October 28 of the same year. Mrs. Oglesby departed this life February 13, 1887, leaving two children, Mary M., now Mrs. Willoughby; and Martha V., who married John Walker, of Macon county, February 27, 1868, and was the mother of seven children, two of whom died in infancy; the others being: Edith R. who was born in 1871 ; Cornelia who was born in 1873 and died in 1882; George W., born in 1875; Carrie, who was born in 1877 and died in 1889; and Mary E., born in 1880. The mother of these children was called away June 6, 1883.
To Ezekiel and Mary M. Willoughby, ten children have been born, three of whom died in infancy. Edwin O., born October 2, 1870, is living on his father's farm in Macon county. On September 14, 1892, he was married to Lenora Johnson, of Ohio, and they have one child, W. Ervil, now living. Wil-
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liam A., born September 21, 1872, was married in Shelby county, this state, March 6, 1901, to Luella Hilvety. Sally Ann was born December 16, 1873, and on January 1, 1902, was married at Decatur to Wheeler C. Cullison, of Ohio. Two children have been born to them, Merrill and Mary Olive, and the family are now living on the farm of our subject. Henry W., born December 6, 1875, was married in Macon county, August 12, 1897, to Goldie E. Pennypacker, by whom he had two children, Dewey and Boggs. He was married a second time July 15, 1905, to Laura Belle Logue. Emily Edith, who was born June 28, 1879, and died April 9, 1910, was married January II, 1899, to Louis Cullison, of Ohio, and was the mother of three children, Raymond E., Ernest E. and Mary Leila, all of whom are living. Ida Olive, born October 2, 1880, is living with her parents. Chester Earl, born October 18, 1884, was married November 20, 1907, to Ada Stein and now lives in Decatur.
Mr. Willoughby is a stanch friend of education and served for many years as a member of the school board. He is a believer in the authority of the Bible and attends the Methodist church. Politically he adheres to the republican party and socially he affiliates with Dunham Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Re- public, of Decatur, where he meets his old comrades and renews recollections of the years when he devoted his life to the service of his country. He is recog- nized as a man of the strictest honor and all who know him appreciate his sterling qualities.
PETER DORAN.
Decatur gained a valuable citizen when Peter Doran established his home here. He was a life-long resident of Illinois, and for many years was closely and prominently associated not only with the building interests but also with the public life and welfare of the community. He was born in Quincy, Illi- nois, June 7, 1846, and was a son of John and Margaret (Martin) Doran. The father was a farmer by occupation and a native of County Donegal, Ireland. However, when young he came to the United States and settled at Quincy, Illi- nois, where he secured employment in a packing factory. Afterward he re- moved westward to Clyde, Illinois, where he lived for a few years, and subse- quently took up his abode in Litchfield, Illinois. He purchased land in that locality and the place became known as the old family homestead.
Peter Doran was educated in the Christian Brothers school, a Catholic in- stitution, but, being the eldest son in the family, he early had to begin work in order to assist in the support of the younger members of the household. His entire life until his later years was one of untiring diligence and unabating ef- fort, and his success was attributable entirely to his own labors and progressive spirit. He early accepted a position in connection with the grain business, and the experience which he gained in that direction led him to continue in the same field of labor when he started out upon an independent business career. Re- moving to Morrisonville, he there became proprietor of a grain elevator and continued actively in the grain trade for many years, his business creating a market for the farmers of the locality. In all of his dealings he was thoroughly
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trustworthy as well as enterprising, and his progressive spirit and the reliability of his methods gained for him a business that in volume and importance was most gratifying, and in time brought to him a substantial return, enabling him in his later years to live retired. He continued actively in business at Mor- risonville for a long period, and then put aside business cares, removing to Decatur, where his remaining days were spent in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He was the owner of two hundred and seventy-five acres of fine farm land in Texas, and this with other property real and personal, enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.
On the 4th of May, 1887, Mr. Doran was married to Miss Mary Walsh, a daughter of Jeremiah and Anna (McCann) Walsh, the former a native of Ireland, whence he sailed for the new world when about fifteen years of age, landing at New York. He had made the voyage in company with his father's family, who continued their journey into the interior of the country, settling at Litchfield, Illinois. Mr. Walsh was largely educated in this country and here learned his trade. For many years he remained an active business man but at length his health failed and for three years he was an invalid. Unto him and his wife were born six children. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Doran also numbered six children: Anna, Margaret and Stella, all of whom have finished school, while Joseph, Harold and Mary are still in school.
Mr. Doran was a prominent and influential resident of Morrisonville, tak- ing an active and helpful part in matters relating to the general good. His fel- low townsmen, appreciating his work and ability, elected him to the office of mayor, and his administration was businesslike and progressive, culminating in a number of valuable reforms and improvements in the city government. He believed in a high moral standard in municipal affairs as well as in private life, and he therefore sought the best interests of the community. He and his fam- ily all belonged to the St. Morris church while in Morrisonville, and were promi- nent and active in church work. Mr. Doran was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. His last years were spent in an honorable retirement from labor with leisure to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. He won many friends dur- ing his residence in Decatur, enjoying the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. His death occurred August 1, 1910, and at his passing he left be- hind him many who for years had entertained for him warm regard and cher- ished him as a friend, neighbor and citizen.
CHARLES A. HALL.
Charles A. Hall, a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Macon county and the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Nian- tic township, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, November 28, 1847, and is the son of James H. and Sarah A. (Pritchett) Hall. The father was a valiant soldier of the Civil war and was a member of the Sixth Kentucky Volunteer In- fantry under Major Nelson. He served for more than three years in the Rebel- lion, being present in many of the greatest battles and participating in a num-
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ber of the important campaigns, but during all this time, although frequently exposed to the bullets of the enemy, he received no injury whatever. In 1863, while absent from his regiment on a furlough, he brought his family to this country, locating them upon one hundred and sixty acres of land which he purchased in Niantic township. After his honorable discharge from the service of his country, he joined his family in Macon county and actively engaged in farming. After the death of the mother of our subject, the father was married a second time. By his first marriage there were eight children: Isabella, now deceased, who married H. W. Wells, of Niantic township and became the mother of two children; James P. of Niantic township; Charles A., the sub- ject of this review; Sallie, who married Robert Harp and is now deceased; Lucinda, who married Henning Jacobson and is also deceased; Lydia Agnes, who became the wife of James I. Boone, of this county, and is deceased; Alonzo, now a practicing physician of Niantic; and Walter Nelson, who died at two years of age.
Charles A. Hall was educated in the public schools and as a boy grew up on the home farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with all of its operations. At twenty-one years of age he acquired the interests of the other heirs in his father's farm and made a home there for each of his three sisters until they were married. About 1874 he sold the farm and purchased the land which he has since owned in Niantic township, paying fifty dollars an acre-the highest price that had been paid for land in the neighborhood up to that time. He has since remodeled the residence, introducing a hot-water heating plant and gas and mak- ing it thoroughly modern throughout. In 1906 he built a cement barn which is the only structure of the kind in the township, and in many ways he has added to the value and appearance of his farm, making it in all respects a highly desir- able property. He is also the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of im- proved land at Dexter, Stoddard county, Missouri, which he acquired in 1906, at fifty dollars per acre. Mr. Hall is a thorough farmer and has attained a well earned success in his life work.
On January 20, 1874, Mr. Hall was united in marriage at the Christian church in Niantic to Miss Laura Averitt, of Harristown township, a daughter of Nathan and Penelope (Templin) Averitt. On the same occasion and at the same place two other couples were married, Lucinda, the sister of our subject being married to H. Jacobson, and Clara B. Pritchett, a cousin, becoming the wife of J. H. Chamberlin. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall. Lucie Aliff, a graduate of Hamilton College at Lexington, Kentucky, later taking a course of study at Louisville, is now the wife of Ferdinand F. Culp, who lives near Warrensburg and has one son, Harold. Clara Averitt, a graduate of Hamilton College, is now living at home. Charles Nathan died at the age of four months. Russell Pritchett has been a student for the past two years at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
Mr. Hall was reared as a democrat and voted for Horace Greeley for presi- dent, but since 1896 he has been identified with the cause of prohibition. Since 1866 he has been a member of the Christian church at Niantic and has served with great acceptance as deacon, elder and Sunday school superintendent in this church, having also been a charter member of the same. He is a valued member
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of the Modern Woodmen of America and has occupied all the chairs in the local lodge. Mr. Hall was fortunate in the selection of a wife and to her prudence and good judgment he owes much of his success. He is justly recog- nized as one of the substantial and useful men of the community-a man with the highest sense of justice and honor-and one whose life has exemplified in a striking degree the principles that are the basis of all right thought and action.
BENJAMIN F. HILL.
Although many years have passed since Benjamin F. Hill was called from this life, he is still remembered by many who knew him and who found him ever a straightforward, honorable business man and worthy citizen. He devoted his life to farming, making his home in Wheatland township. He was num- bered among the native sons of Macon county, his birth having here occurred on the 20th of February, 1836. His parents were Francis and Hannah Hill, in whose home he spent his youthful days and acquired his education in the public schools. During the periods of vacation he worked in the fields, and when school was in session his morning and evening hours were largely occupied with the chores and other light work on the farm. After he had attained his majority he determined to make the occupation to which he had been reared his life work and accordingly rented land, which he carefully and systematically cultivated until from his earnings he had saved enough to enable him to purchase a farm of his own.
On the Ist of October, 1857, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Adaline M. Ridgway, a daughter of John and Sarah (Bridges) Ridgway. Her father, a native of Kentucky, came northward to Illinois and was a landowner of Sanga- mon county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born the following children: Sarah A., living at home with her mother; John Francis, who married Jennie Mount and has eleven children, Harry, Edith, Ray C., Ethel L., Benjamin F., Ruby M., Elmer, Guy, Harold and Caroline; Lillie, who is the wife of Ira Warnick and has one child, Bernard; Hattie, the wife of Clarence Montgomery and the mother of three children, Cecil, Benjamin and Lela; Clarence, who married a Miss Taylor and died leaving a widow and five children, Bonnie, Hattie, Edna, Freda and Clarence; Cyrus, Caroline, Benjamin F. and Benjamin O., all now deceased.
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