USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 72
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Macon county, two of which he entered from the government in 1837. These are still owned by his grandchildren, having remained continuously in the pos- session of the family. He died in Decatur after a long residence in Macon county, during which period he contributed in substantial measure to the growth and upbuilding of this part of the state.
David Shellabarger, the father of our subject, also arrived in Macon county at an early day and was engaged in the dry goods business in Decatur for a num- ber of years. He also owned a farm in the northeastern part of the county and was a progressive business man who utilized the various opportunities that came to him. His death occurred in Decatur, while his wife passed away in Salina. Kansas. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are yet living: David S .; Mrs. G. F. Hargus, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Kate Black, of Springfield, Illinois; and Mrs. E. A. Hinkle, of Salina, Kansas.
In the country schools of his native county David S. Shellabarger of this review pursued his studies but his opportunities in that direction were very limited. His labor was needed on the farm and education in those days was a secondary consideration. He soon became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and learned to appraise unfaltering diligence at its true worth. In 1856 he came west by way of Chicago over the Illinois Central Railroad to Decatur, which at that time had no other railway line, the Illinois Central having been completed the year before. He was then a young man of nineteen years, courageous, ambitious and determined. He accepted a position in his uncle's lumber yard as a day laborer, working at a dollar and a quarter per day. He continued for some time in that position and later with J. H. Kaufman & Com- pany, lumber dealers, and on the death of John H. Shellabarger, who was a partner of Mr. Kaufman, he succeeded to his interest in the business, with which he was connected for two years. At the end of that time he disposed of his interest and in 1859 he bought an interest in the mill owned by Hinkle & Condell. After a time he sold out in that connection and purchased a mill on the Wabash tracks in company with his uncle, Isaac Shellabarger. This was afterward known as the Shellabarger Mills and David S. Shellabarger was active in the operation and management of the business until 1903, when he sold to the American Hominy Company. In 1878 he was associated with his brother, J. L. Shellabarger, and J. P. Griswold in the mills which were known as the Shawnee Mills, named for the Shawnee tribe of Indians at Topeka, Kansas, and further extended his business operations in the Sunflower state by building a mill at Wichita, Kansas, in 1874, in company with William Bowers. Ten years later he sold his interest in the Shawnee Mills at Topeka and in 1886 disposed of his interest in the Wichita Mills, at which time he purchased a mill at Salina, Kansas, in company with his son, Fred D. Shellabarger. The mill had a capacity of two hundred barrels which has since been increased to twelve hundred barrels and there are thirty-three elevators operated in connection with the business. David Shella- barger is the president of the Shellabarger Elevator Company, having thirteen elevators at different points, while four lumber yards are conducted in connection with these. A man of resourceful business ability, his plans are carefully formed and promptly executed. He is seldom if ever at fault in his judgment concern- ing the value of a business transaction or opportunity and his initiative spirit
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has carried him into important commercial relations. He is now president of a coal company and has become widely known in financial circles, being the first vice president of the National Bank of Decatur after it was reorganized, while in July, 1902, he was elected to the presidency and has since been its chief execu- tive officer.
In the public life of the community Mr. Shellabarger has been prominent for many years. His fellow townsmen would accord him almost any gift within their power and yet his aspirations have not been in the line of office holding. He has, however, served for two terms as alderman of the first ward, and was mayor of the city for one term, filling that office when the first water works was built. He was in the council when the movement was instituted and was occupy- ing the chair of municipal executive on the completion of that public utility. In public affairs as in private life it has been his habit to carry forward to success- ful completion whatever he has undertaken and his loyalty to the general good has been again and again demonstrated in many tangible ways, particularly in his cooperation with a generous suppport of projects instituted for the benefit of the city.
On the 7th of January, 1862, Mr. Shellabarger was married to Miss Anna E. Krone of Decatur, and unto them have been born seven children: William L .; Lucien C .; Fred D .; Adele S., the wife of E. B. Hillman of Quincy, Illi- nois; Marie S., the wife of Smith Crowder of Oakland, California; Grace S., the wife of J. M. Allen of Decatur; and Corinne S., the wife of Thomas H. Ramsey of Red Bluff, California.
Mr. Shellabarger has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1858 and has attained the Knights Templar degree in the order. For fifty-two years he has been a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church, being converted and joining the church when it sood on the exact site of the National Bank of Decatur, of which Mr. Shellabarger is the president. For eighteen years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school, for many years has been on the official board and has also served as one of the church trustees. He takes a very active interest in religious work and in fact in every movement that tends to uplift humanity and to advance intellectual and moral progress. The name of Shellabarger is indeed inseparably interwoven with the history of Decatur and has ever stood here as a synonym for honorable activity as well as for suc- cessful accomplishment.
T. QUICKEL.
T. Quickel, a retired agriculturist residing on section 18, Long Creek town- ship, is the owner of more than a section of land, all of which he leases. The rest which he now enjoys is the fitting reward of a life of untiring industry, indefatigable energy and well directed effort. His birth occurred in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of February, 1835, his parents being Michael and Katherine (Krone) Quickel. About the year 1660 three brothers of the name emigrated from Germany to America, landing at Baltimore, Maryland. One settled in York county, Pennsylvania, and the other went to North Carolina
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but all trace of these two has been lost, our subject's direct ancestor being the only one of whom there is any record. The ancestors of T. Quickel were on the whole leading, cultured and prominent people, several of them following the profession of teaching and one serving as a justice of the peace. All lived to attain a ripe old age, the grandfather of our subject being one hundred and three years old at the time of his demise. Michael Quickel, the father of Mr. Quickel of this review, passed away in 1846 when fifty-one years of age, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1897 at the age of ninety years. One of their sons died as the result of hardships endured in the Civil war, while two of their daughters yet reside in Pennsylvania.
T. Quickel, whose name introduces this review, attended the schools of the Keystone state in the acquirement of an education and remained on his father's farm until a youth of eighteen, when he left home and began learning the mil- ler's trade. Wishing to augment his knowledge, he again entered school and subsequently taught in Pennsylvania for a period of ten years, proving an able and successful educator. In 1864 he journeyed westward in search of a favor- able location. After traveling all over the state of Iowa he came to Illinois and at the end of six months' residence in Decatur selected Long Creek township as a permanent place of abode, locating on a partly improved farm of eighty acres in section 13 in 1867. He paid forty dollars an acre for the property and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his farm by ad- ditional purchase from time to time until it now embraces more than a section of land. General agricultural pursuits claimed his attention throughout his act- ive business career and in connection with the tilling of the soil he also devoted considerable time to the raising of stock, fattening hogs and cattle. For two terms he likewise taught school in Macon county. There are miles of tiling on his estate and the farm is a model one in every respect, growing more valuable each year. Though still giving his supervision to its operation, the property is being cultivated by tenants and Mr. Quickel is living practically retired. The prosperity which has crowned his efforts is directly attributable to his own la- bors, for he started out in life for himself with nothing except a sound body and mind. He still resides on his farm, preferring the peace and quiet of rural surroundings to the bustle and confusion of city life. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army but, accidentally breaking his ankle, he was unable to go to the front.
Mr. Quickel has been married twice. In September, 1866, he wedded Miss Mary A. Reeser, of York county, Pennsylvania, her parents being William and Elizabeth Reeser. One daughter, Katherine Elizabeth, was born of this union. The wife and mother passed away in Long Creek township in 1870 and the fol- lowing year Mr. Quickel was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth A. Hursh, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. Her parents, Chris- topher and Katherine (Spahn) Hursh, were prominent residents of the Key- stone state. By his second wife Mr. Quickel has one son, Oscar H., whose birth occurred on the 7th of March, 1873.
In politics Mr. Quickel is a stalwart democrat and for several years he served as a school director. He is a member of the Grange and also belongs to the Methodist church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life.
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He speaks the German language and is a well informed man, keeping in touch with the progress of the times. His tastes are simple and he is temperate in all things. The period of his residence in Macon county covers more than four decades and he is widely and favorably known within its borders. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
WILLIAM F. BERRY.
William F. Berry, who is recognized as one of the represenative farmers of Macon county, was born in Menard county, Illinois, in 1855. He is a son of John C. Berry, who was also a native of Menard county and a son of John M. Berry, a noted Presbyterian minister and one of the early circuit riders of Illinois. The father of our subject was educated under pioneer conditions in Menard county and became a farmer, later removing to DeWitt county and locating in Macon county about 1870. After cultivating rented land most of the time ยท for a number of years he removed to Missouri and died in Cooper county in March, 1906. He yielded to the gold excitement and traveled overland to Cali- fornia in 1859, although the journey was in some degree undertaken for the bene- fit of his health. He returned home without any large amount of the yellow metal but he brought with him a goodly store of health, so that he lived for forty-seven years after his eventful journey and witnessed the great trans- formation by which the west was redeemed from the wilderness for the use of man. The mother of our subject, who was Jane Duncan before her marriage, was born at Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1833 and accompanied her parents on their removal to Sangamon county, where she was married. She is now making her home with the subject of this review. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Berry: Benjamin, who died in infancy; Mary, now Mrs. Roberts, of Kansas City; William F .; Martha, now Mrs. Cook, of Farmer City, Illinois; and John H., James C. and Edward A., all of Missouri.
William F. Berry was born in Menard county, this state, and educated in the public schools of DeWitt county, Illinois, where his parents took up their residence when he was an infant. He grew up as a farmer boy and began for himself after his marriage, renting land in Macon county. He acquired an enviable reputation as an energetic and capable farmer and in 1904 removed to his present location on a section of land owned by J. Smith, which he operates with the assistance of three sons. He is also the owner of forty acres of good farm land in Maroa township, this county.
In 1876 Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Eva J. Shockey, who was born in Kentucky in 1856 and is a daughter of James M. and Augusta (Ross) Shockey, also natives of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in 1862 and both died in this county. Mrs. Berry is the only child of her parents now living, those deceased being James M., Nancy, George R., 'Alice, Jennie, Dora and Grant.
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The union of Mr. and Mrs. Berry has been blessed by six children. Samuel A., born in 1877, was married to Miss Delia Dukes, of Macon county, and is the father of four children. Ora G., born in 1879, married Minnie Carpenter, of Macon county, and is the father of two children. Anna L., born in 1881, be- came the wife of J. Reed and the mother of two children. J. C., who was born in 1883, married Ida Page and is the father of two children. Clarence W., born in 1885, is living at home. Clara, born in 1887, also resides at home.
Mr. Berry has always taken the interest of a patriotic citizen in the growth and welfare of the region where he lives and he usually votes for the candidates of the republican party. He is industrious and energetic in anything he un- dertakes, and he and his estimable wife have set an example of perseverance and patience which assists so materially in smoothing out the rough ways and making life agreeable.
CURTIS W. RORK.
Among the flourishing farmers of Long Creek township, Macon county, should be named Curtis W. Rork, who was born in Blue Mound township, near Boody, January 1, 1863. He is a son of Joseph and Ellen E. (Murray) Rork, who were natives of Ireland, born near Dublin, the father in 1823 and the mother in 1816. They both arrived in America about 1847 and were mar- ried in 1851 in New York, continuing there for six years. Coming west, they located in Kentucky for one year, at the end of which time they removed to Macon county, Illinois, settling on a farm of thirty acres near Boody. About 1865 the father sold out and removed to Long Creek township, where he pur- chased forty acres of land on section 29 from a Mr. Cunningham. It was raw prairie land but by hard work it was improved, attaining a reputation as the finest land in this part of the state. Here Mr. Rork engaged in growing cereals and in stock-raising with marked success, increasing his holdings from year to year according to the degree of his prosperity until he became the owner of a fine farm of five hundred and ninety acres, upon which stand two modern resi- dences and which he beautified by planting shade trees and making many other improvements. He made a specialty for a number of years of feeding cattle and hogs, which he shipped to Chicago and Indianapolis markets. Starting practically without a dollar, he attained a position of independence by hard work, in which he always found a willing assistant in his wife, and they were both widely noted for their kindness and their many charities. Mr. Rork re- tired from active farming in 1890 but remained upon the farm until his death, which occurred November 5, 1893. The beloved wife was called away De- cember 2, 1900. Three children were born to them: Curtis W .; Joseph C .; and Mrs. Elizabeth Foley, who died September 1, 1891.
The subject of this review grew up as a farm boy and was educated in the public schools and since eighteen years of age has devoted his attention to farm- ing. After the death of his father he received his share of the family estate and now is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land, occupying the
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old homestead which was built by his father and which is endeared to him by many fond associations. Like his father, he has pursued general farming and stock-raising, giving special attention to the raising of fast horses. He has de- voted to his work an enthusiasm and ability that seldom fail to yield gratifying results, and as a horse breeder he has gained an enviable reputation which ex- tends beyond the limits of Macon county.
On February 10, 1909, Mr. Rork was united in marriage to Miss Mayme Welch, of Denver, Colorado, a daughter of Daniel and Bridget (Burke) Welch, who were born in County Kerry, Ireland, and coming to this country were married at Anderson, Indiana, in 1865. Mr. Welch reached New York, March I, 1863, and established himself in Indianapolis, where he maintained head- quarters for railway construction for many years. His wife was called away thirty years ago and he is now retired from active labor and spends his time with his children in Illinois, Oklahoma and Denver, his son James now being general superintendent of the Colorado & Southern Railway.
Mr. Rork is a supporter of the republican party but has not aspired to po- litical honors although he has served with great acceptance to the tax-payers and people of his region as commissioner of highways. He is affiliated with the Catholic church and in all the relations of life has so conducted himself as to gain the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He is justly regarded as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Macon county.
LOWBER BURROWS.
Lowber Burrows was long a most honored and distinguished citizen of De- catur and to the closing hours of his life he preserved the precious prize of keen mentality, although he was nearing the eightieth milestone on life's journey when the end came. Such a man must Victor Hugo have had in mind when he said: "Though the frost of winter was on his head the flowers of spring were in his heart." In appearance Mr. Burrows seemed a much younger man and in spirit and interests was yet in his prime. Fifty-eight years he lived in Decatur and from the day of his arrival until the closing hours of his life he was a promi- nent factor in the city, contributing as few others have done to its development and progress.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Burrows was born in the city of Philadelphia, November 9, 1830. His parents were cultured and well-to-do people. His father, John Wesley Burrows, was of English extraction, while his mother came of Dutch parentage. Spending his youthful days in their home, Lowber Burrows attended the public schools of Philadelphia until he entered business circles with bookkeeping as his first experience along mercantile lines. He came to Decatur as clerk through the influence of Jasper J. Peddecord, with whom he formed in time a partnership for the conduct of a general mercantile store. From the be- ginning the venture was successful and the business gradually increased. At that time the firm owned the only fireproof safe in Macon county and their patrons frequently asked the favor of allowing them to place their ready money in this
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safe for protection. Soon the safe became nearly filled with the money bags be- longing to the patrons of the store, and examination revealed the fact that over twenty-five thousand dollars were on deposit there. In view of the responsibility resting upon the firm in keeping so large a sum, the depositors were asked to allow the various deposits to be placed to their credit subject to check. This was agreed to and thus the first banking business of Decatur was organized. It be- came a popular department of the house of Peddecord & Burrows, and in three years the business of that department had grown so rapidly that it was decided to dispose of their mercantile interests and devote their undivided attention to banking. In 1857 William Martin was admitted to a partnership under the firm style of Peddecord, Burrows & Company. He retired after two years and the old firm of Peddecord & Burrows was then resumed. This partnership was main- tained without interruption until 1878, when William M. Boyd joined them under the firm style of Peddecord, Burrows & Company. There was no other change until 1889, when Mr. Boyd died, but the style of the house was not changed until the death of Mr. Peddecord in 1899, when the business was reorganized under the name of L. Burrows & Company. From the outset the business of the bank continued to increase along substantial lines and a general banking business was conducted. Mr. Burrows proved that he was able to solve intricate financial problems and met every demand made upon him in this connection. His bank, as from the beginning, remained the foremost financial enterprise of the city, its stability unweakened in times of financial storm, its integrity ever being above question.
Mr. Burrows, however, was a man of marked business ability and did not confine his efforts to one single line. His resourcefulness enabled him to reach out into broad fields and many interests profited by his support, his cooperation and his sound business judgment. He became a half owner in the Decatur Furniture Factory which had been established by W. A. Barnes and William Lintner for the manufacture of pumps, while later they took up the manufacture of certain lines of furniture. When the firm of Peddecord & Burrows purchased the furniture factory they began the manufacture of high grade furniture and also continued the manufacture of pumps for a time. Mr. Burrows became an extensive investor in real estate. He purchased property when ten dollars an acre was considered a high price for Macon county farms. He sold thousands of acres in Macon, Moultrie, Shelby and adjoining counties at a less figure, and even then there was no rush for purchases. He lived to see much of this prop- erty increase ten and some of it twentyfold in value, and holding much of it, he derived in his later years a very substantial income from his holdings.
After residing for two years in Decatur, during which he satisfied himself of its future prospects, he returned to Philadelphia and there on the 14th of March, 1854, was married to Miss Lavinia Bering, a sister of J. Edward Bering, although the latter did not come to Decatur until long after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burrows. With his bride Mr. Burrows immediately returned to his western home and as there was no railroad entering the town at that time they completed their journey by stage coach. Fifty years later, on the 14th of April, 1904, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, postponing it for a month because of the Lenten season. Theirs was a most happy married life and an ex-
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ceptionally congenial relationship, terminating only in death on the 8th of Jan- uary, 1908, when Mrs. Burrows passed away. They were the parents of four children yet living: J. Bering Burrows, a resident of Decatur; Mrs. Ida M. Daniel, of Columbus, Ohio; Miss Maude I. Burrows, of Decatur; and Mrs. M. Bell Strange, of Minneapolis. Their eldest son, Lucien L. Burrows, died in 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Burrows were among the founders of St. John's Episcopal church and took a most active and helpful part in its work. Mr. Burrows served as a member of the vestry for many years, entering upon the position when the membership of the church did not exceed a dozen. The meetings were then held in the old Masonic hall and later in a second floor room on Water street. In 1858 a lot on Water street was purchased at a cost of five hundred dollars and the church building was erected. The first Christmas in the new church build- ing was duly celebrated and it is believed to be the first time Christmas was ever observed as a holy day in Decatur. Here, too, was said to be the first children's Christmas tree and the custom of decorating the church at Christmas with ever- green and on Easter with flowers was first introduced by St. John's although largely since copied by other religious bodies. On the occasion of his seventy- ninth birthday anniversary the vestry of St. John's as a testimonial of high esteem and appreciation adopted resolutions in honor of Mr. Burrows and at the same time presented him with a handsome gold-headed cane of ebony, ap- propriately inscribed, and a large bouquet of American beauty roses.
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