USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 62
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In support of his family, Mr. Hill followed the occupation of farming and as previously stated invested in land, becoming owner of two hundred and four acres in Wheatland township, which he transformed into a valuable and produc- tive farm, making this one of the excellent properties of the county. He added to it many substantial improvements and placed his fields under a high state of cultivation so that generous harvests were annually gathered. He became recognized as one of the representative farmers of the community and con- tinued to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits until the 20th of March, 1874, when his life's labors were ended in death. The community thereby lost a worthy citizen, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family a devoted hus-
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band and father. In business circles he was always thoroughly reliable and he stood for what is best in the life of the individual and of the community.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Hill has removed from the farm to the city and now resides at No. 1253 West Wood street. She is a member of the Cuni- berland Presbyterian church and has many friends in Decatur and other parts of the county.
JOSEPH R. STOCKS.
In a history of those who have contributed to the agricultural development of central Illinois mention should be made of Joseph R. Stocks, who, though his earthly pilgrimage is over, was for many years a representative farmer and worthy citizen of this portion of the state. He was the owner of a farm of three hundred and thirty acres of land in Moultrie county, one of the fine farm properties of the district. His birth occurred near Chillicothe, Ohio, on the 26th of November, 1853, his parents being George and Myra (Epworth) Stocks. The father was a farmer by occupaton and on leaving Ohio brought his family to Illinois. The district in which he settled was still largely wild and unimproved. He took up land in Moultrie county, developed a farm there and reared his family thereon, continuing to make the place his home until he was called to his final rest.
Joseph R. Stocks was a youth of about fifteen years when he came with his parents to Illinois. He had begun his education in the public schools of Ohio and finished his course in Moultrie county. He worked on the farm at home during all of his school period when his time was not occupied with his text- books and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. At the age of twenty-one years, however, he started out in life on his own account and then rented land, which he cultivated for about five years. During that period he saved from his earnings an amount sufficient to enable him to buy a tract of land. To this he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until he became the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and thirty acres lying altogether in Moultrie county. His well directed labor wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place. He added to his farm all modern equipments and accessories and as the years passed on became numbered among the representative agriculturists of central Illinois.
Joseph R. Stocks was married on the 22d of October, 1874, to Miss Minnie E. Foulk, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Munich) Foulk. The father was a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, and on coming to Illinois at an early day settled in Macon county, where he won recognition as a prominent and in- fluential citizen. He was both a farmer and carpenter and was the owner of about two hundred acres of rich and valuable land in this locality. He is now living in the state of Missouri but his wife has passed away.
Mrs. Stocks was the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children and by her marriage has become the mother of the following children: Archie,
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who wedded Miss Angie Fletcher, by whom he has six children-Lloyd, Ada, Lester, Beulah, Beatrice and Irene; William, who resides on the home farm; George Elmer, deceased, who married Miss Stella Craven, by whom he had four children-Diamond, Pearl, Kenneth and Errol; Walter, who has passed away; Estella Mae, who is the wife of Wilbur Hill and has three children, Ambrose, Laura Ellen and Ernest; Samuel Ernest, who married Miss Clio Crowder and has one child, Lois Marie; Clarence È., who lives on the home farm; Bertha, living at home in Decatur, Illinois; Goldie E., who is still under the parental roof; Joseph H., who is attending school; and Gladys, at home, who is a high school student.
The family belong to the United Brethren church and take an active and helpful interest in its work and the extension of its influence. As the years passed, notwithstanding the demands made upon him by a large family, Mr. Stocks prospered in his undertakings and was able to leave his wife and chil- dren in comfortable financial circumstances. He was alert, determined and enterprising and his success was attributable to no outside aid or influence but was the direct result of his earnest labor and diligence. For three years prior to his death he lived retired in Decatur. He died March 6, 1908, and left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name as well as a good property.
GEORGE LOUIS HEINLE.
A representative of the Heinle family needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the name has long been closely, actively and honorably asso- ciated with the farming interests of Macon county. George Louis Heinle is now farming on section 2, Friends Creek township, and his neighbors and friends know him as a man of determined purpose who in the development and cultiva- tion of his place carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. He both tills the fields and raises stock, his farm comprising two hun- dred acres of rich and productive land. He also owns another tract of one hundred and sixty acres within two miles of the home farm and personally gives his attention to the cultivation of both places.
He was born on the old Heinle homestead, March 10, 1874, and is a son of George L. Heinle and a brother of Samuel Heinle, in connection with whose sketch on another page of this work mention is made of his parents. He worked in the fields in his youthful days and his training was practical. His educa- tional privileges were those afforded by the common schools and he remained with his father until the latter's death. He has ever been content to follow the occupation to which he was reared and which George Washington characterized as "The most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man."
On the Ist of January, 1900, George L. Heinle was married to Miss Lula Mary Myers, who was born and reared in Macon county and is a daughter of Wash Myers, one of the prominent and well known farmers of this region, now residing in Argenta. Mr. Heinle took his bride to his farm, a tract of ninety-
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four acres, which he further improved, adding all the accessories and equip- ment of a model farm of the twentieth century. His other investments in land have made him the owner of three hundred and sixty acres, comprised within two well improved and valuable farm properties, and he likewise owns real- estate in Argenta. In addition to raising the grain best adapted to soil and climatic conditions, he also raises and feeds stock, largely making a specialty of heavy draft horses. This branch of his business is a substantial source of income and he is regarded in the community as one of the leading stock-raisers.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Heinle has been blessed with one child, a daugh- ter, Grace Gertrude. The parents belong to the United Brethren church and its teachings find exemplification in their well spent lives. Mr. Heinle belongs to Argenta Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he has attained the Master Mason degree, and he also holds membership with Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Argenta. He is a stalwart advocate of the democracy and was elected and served for six consecutive years as highway commissioner. For five years he was a member of the board of education and is now township school trustee and district clerk. He has ever been most loyal to the public trusts reposed in him and that he seeks the welfare of the community is shown by his genuine and hearty cooperation in matters relative to the public good.
JOB W. STOCKS.
Job W. Stocks, a retired farmer residing at No. 1048 West Decatur street in the city of Decatur, is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ross county, that state, on the 28th of March, 1860. He is a son of George and Miriam (Epworth) Stocks and is of English descent. His father was born in Berry Brow, England, and was a son of Benjamin and Mary Stocks, Benjamin Stocks was a mechanic and worked in the factories of England, never leaving his native land. He and his wife were buried at the old home there.
George Stocks was educated in the schools of England and as a young man came to the new world, thinking to have better opportunities and find better privileges on this side the Atlantic. While making the voyage to the new world he met the lady whom he afterward married, the wedding ceremony being performed a short time after their arrival in the United States. Both the Stocks and Epworth families went to Ohio, where they made their first settlement in the southern part of the state, probably in Vinton county near the Ross county line. George Stocks worked at odd jobs for a time and later became connected with railway interests, becoming a practical civil engineer. In England he was associated with old Jimmy Griffiths, prominent in English history, Mr. Stocks acting as one of his assistants. For some time he worked as a civil engineer in railroad construction here but afterward purchased a farm in Vinton county, Ohio, clearing the land and preparing it for the plow. He remained upon that place for about nine years and then sold the property, after which he came to Illinois. In this state he first rented a farm of Robert Patterson, about six
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miles south of Decatur and near the village of Elwin. He was there for six years, after which he purchased a farm in Moultrie county and about a year later took up his abode upon that place. This has since been known as the old Stocks homestead and the father resided thereon until his death. His remains were in- terred in the New Hope cemetery near Dalton City and in his passing the com- munity mourned a representative and esteemed resident of the county.
Job W. Stocks was the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children and was but a baby at the time of his parents' removal to Illinois. He is in- debted to the public school system of Macon county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and later he worked upon the farm with his parents. At the age of twenty-one he began farming on his own account, securing eighty acres of land, which he brought into cultivable condition and from his fields eventually gathered rich and abundant harvests. He had a team when he went upon the farm but little else, and it was his close application and untiring energy that made him one of the successful agriculturists of the community. At length he sold that property but purchased other land and is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres in his present farm, which he now rents. His place is located in Lovington township, Moultrie county, and he became well known as one of the enterprising agriculturists of that community. At length, however, he de- termined to put aside active business cares and retire to private life. He there- fore leased his land and took up his abode in Decatur, now making his home at No. 1048 West Decatur street.
On the 15th of February, 1883, Mr. Stocks was married to Miss Cora A. Thomas, a daughter of Milo and Sarah Thomas. They have four children : Arthur E., who married Cecil B. Wilt and resides upon the home farm; Dot E., who was educated in the Lovington high school and is now at home; Olive and Clarence Otis, who are also under the parental roof.
The family attend the Christian church and are interested in its work and growth. Mr. Stocks belongs to the Woodmen lodge and for a number of years he served as school director, the cause of public education finding in him a stalwart champion. He is deeply interested in all matters of progressive citizen- ship and on all affairs of vital importance to the community he stands loyally for what he believes to be right.
WARNER PROCTOR.
Warner Proctor, deceased, made farming his life occupation and met with most excellent success in business affairs. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Fleming county, on the 17th of June, 1828, and continued a resident of that county throughout life. His father, William Proctor, was also a native of Kentucky, and had the following children: William, John, Lafayette, Wash- ington, Eldrich, Lucinda, Amanda, and Nollica, who were lifelong residents of the Blue Grass state.
Warner Proctor was reared and educated in much the usual manner of boys of his time and on reaching manhood was married January 12, 1854, in Scott
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county, Kentucky, to Miss Sarah E. Miller. She was born December 15, 1838, and was the daughter of John and Jane (Leresque) Miller, who were also natives of Kentucky. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the prominent men of his community. For ten years Mr. and Mrs. Proctor led a happy married life, but on the 5th of May, 1864, he passed away, leaving a widow and six children. John W., the eldest, is married and has six daughters and two sons. Martha Jane and Mary Elizabeth, twins, were born in 1856. The former married J. R. McLean and resides with her mother at No. 303 West Main street, Decatur. Mary Elizabeth married C. M. Chasteen, and is also a resident of Decatur. Sarah Margaret, the next of the family, was married in Kentucky to Frank Perry and now makes her home in Decatur. Robert C., born in Kentucky, November 27, 1861, is married and lives in Reedville, Mas- sachusetts. Warner Lee, born September 28, 1864, is deceased, and was laid to rest beside his father in the family burying ground in Kentucky.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Proctor continued a resident of the Blue Grass state for some time, but in 1882 came to Illinois, arriving in Decatur on the 8th of January, and here she has since made her home, her residence at the present time being at No. 303 West Main street. Like her husband, she is a consistent and earnest member of the Christian church, having in early life united with the Bethlehem congregation in Bourbon county, Kentucky. She is a woman of many estimable qualities, and during her residence in Decatur has made many warm friends who esteem her highly.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS.
It is universally conceded that Illinois, with its rich and fertile soil, contains some of the finest farm land to be found in the entire Union, and among those who are successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in this state is numbered Francis M. Rogers. More than a half century has passed since he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his birth occurring in Mason county, Illinois, on the 24th of December, 1858, his parents being Frank and Helen (Pettijohn) Rogers, The father was a native of Kentucky and came to Illinois in early boyhood, set- tling first in Mason county. Later he took up his abode in Macon county and here remained until his death, which occurred in March, 1872, after many years devoted to general farming. He was fifty-two years of age at the time of his demise. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Helen Pettijohn, was also a Kentuckian by birth but at an early day came to Illinois with her parents, the family home being established in Macoupin county. There she gave her hand in marriage to Frank Rogers, and she yet survives her husband, making her home with her son Francis, who is the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children, of whom all are living but three. Of those surviving, with the excep- tion of two, all are married and have families of their own.
At an early day Francis M. Rogers was brought by his parents to Macon county, and here he acquired a good education in the common schools. He also received thorough practical training in agricultural lines, for early in life he
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became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the farm lad and as his years and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the cultivation of the fields, continuing to assist his father until the latter's death. He then took charge of the old homestead and has continued its operation to the pres- ent day. He practices rotation of crops, raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and his well tilled fields yield abundantly at harvest time. He also raises and fattens stock for the market and both branches of his business are proving profitable.
In February, 1902, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Bertie Coff- man, who was born in 1873 and was the eldest in a family of eight children born unto Jacob and Catherine (Woolumer) Coffman. They were both natives of Ohio and came to Illinois in 1875, locating in Sangamon county. By her mar- riage Mrs. Rogers became the mother of two children, of whom the eldest, Lloyd, died at the age of three years and six months. The surviving son, Floyd, was born on the 10th of October, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are both identified with the church interests of the community, the former holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and the latter in the Christian church. In politics he gives his support to the republican party, and twice he has been elected by his fellow citizens to the office of assessor. He is not, however, a politician in the sense of office-seeking and aside from that office his political activities have been those of a private citizen, his business interests demanding his time and attention. The long years of his residence in Macon county have brought to him a wide acquaintance, and the high place which he occupies in the regard of all with whom he has come in contact is an indication of his upright character and sterling worth.
JOHN P. GARDNER, JR.
Throughout his entire life John P. Gardner, Jr., followed the occupation of farming and by reason of his well directed thrift and industry was enabled at his death to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He was born July 5, 1839, in what is now Gardner township, Sangamon county. His father, John P. Gardner, Sr., was born in Kentucky in 1805 and came to Illi- nois in 1833, remaining a resident of this state until his death, his remains being interred in the family burying ground at Farmdale, Illinois. At his demise he left a widow and six children, Hiram, James, William, John, Sarah and Lucy. They also lost one child, Mary, in infancy.
John P. Gardner, Jr., was reared to the occupation of farming and made it his life work. For many years he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Curran township, Sangamon county, and was diligent and determined in the prosecution of his work, thus converting his land into richly cultivated fields. His methods were practical and progressive and as the years passed the good crops which he raised brought him a substantial annual income and gained him a place among the men of affluence in the community. For fifteen years prior to his death he lived upon one farm and was numbered among the prosperous
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and enterprising agriculturists of the community. He there owned three hun- dred and sixty acres of rich and productive land.
On the 3d of December, 1884, at Springfield, Illinois, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Emma F. Pollard, of Sangamon county, who was born near Island Grove, February 20, 1852. Following their marriage they took up their abode about five miles west of Springfield, establishing their home upon a farm which they occupied for about fifteen years. The death of Mr. Gardner occurred January 1, 1898, and his remains were interred in Oak Ridge cemetery of Springfield. His life of diligence and determination enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances, and the honorable methods which he displayed in the conduct of his business affairs gained for him an untarnished name. He was not a member of any secret societies. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party, yet he took little active part in political affairs. His religious faith was that of the Christian church, his membership being with one of the congregations of that denomination in Springfield.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardner there were born six children: James E., a farmer, who is married and resides at the town of Gardner in Sangamon county ; Charles P., who makes his home in Springfield; Harvey P., of St. Louis, Missouri, who is connected with the ticket office department of the Wa- bash Railroad in that city; Florence E., who resides at home with her mother in Decatur; Kendall B., who is also at home; and Leonard W., who completes the family.
Following her husband's death, Mrs. Gardner removed to Macon county, taking up her abode in Decatur, where she has since lived. The family resi- dence is at No. 445 West Prairie avenue, and in addition to this property Mrs. Gardner also owns a farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Sangamon county, which returns to her a very gratifying income. Mr. Gardner was almost sixty years of age at the time of his death. His had been an active and useful life, devoted to the welfare of his family, and wherever he was known he was held in highest regard.
JOSEPH A. W. HOSTETLER, M. D.
In the days when Macon county was largely an undeveloped region, when its native forest trees were uncut and its prairies uncultivated, Joseph A. W. Hostetler was born in one of the pioneer homes of this region, his birth occur- ring in the little village of Decatur, on the 7th of February, 1835. His father, Joseph Hostetler, had removed from Indiana to Illinois in 1832, but in 1838 re- turned to the former state, settling at Bedford, Lawrence county. Subsequently he removed to Wisconsin and in 1855 again went to Indiana, remaining in that state until 1861, when he removed to Illinois, here residing until his death in 1870, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Lovington. In early life he devoted his time and energies to farming but several years prior to his death was graduated in medicine.
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Joseph A. W. Hostetler remained with his father in the various localities in which the family home was established until about twenty years of age. He studied medicine under his father's direction for a time and later under the supervision of his brother, Dr. D. J. Hostetler, while subsequently he was gradu- ated from a medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio. He began practice in 1856, following his profession until 1862, when he could no longer content himself to remain at home while the stability of the Union was threatened and entered the army as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Regi- ment, with which he served for three years. At the close of the war he re- turned home and resumed the practice of his profession, in which he made for himself a creditable name and place.
Dr. Hostetler was married on the 5th of August, 1856, at Bedford, Indiana, to Miss Carrie Newland, of that place, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. James M. Matthis, pastor of the Christian church. Mrs. Hostetler is a daughter of the Rev. William Newland, who was a minister of the Chris- tian church, filling the pulpit at Bedford. He also organized and built the oldest Christian church in that locality, about four miles north of Bedford, and acted as its pastor for thirty-five years. He gave his time and talent freely to the work of the ministry and never would accept any compensation for his services.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Hostetler were born the following children: Virgil N., a coal dealer, living at Cedar Falls, Iowa; William J., who is married and has two children, and who is engaged in the printing business in Decatur; and Ger- trude and Lucy, who are attending school in Decatur.
Fraternally Dr. Hostetler was connected with the Odd Fellows and his life was in harmony with the beneficent teaching of the order. His political al- legiance was ever given to the democracy. He held membership in the Chris- tian church, as do all of his family, and his life was actuated by high and hon- orable principles and characterized by many good deeds. He was acquainted with pioneer life in its various phases and lived to witness the remarkable de- velopment and growth of this section of the country. His death occurred in 1904 and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret not only to his family but to many friends who had learned to admire and esteem him for his many substantial and commendable traits of character. Mrs. Hostetler still survives her husband and resides at No. 241 West William street. Like him, she is held in high regard by all who know her and has an extensive circle of warm friends in this locality.
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