USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 74
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Edward B. Combs was a lad of nine years when he came with his parents to Illinois, and in the schools of Macon he acquired a good education. Nor was his practical training neglected, for during the periods of vacation he worked upon his father's farm and amid the busy activities of rural life formed good habits and learned lessons of industry, integrity and perseverance, qualities which proved valuable assets in his future career. He remained at home, assisting his father, until he attained his majority, when he left the parental roof to es- tablish the foundation for a happy home of his own through marriage. At that time he purchased three hundred acres of land in Mount Zion and South Wheatland townships, and later, as he prospered, he became the owner of three hundred and seventy-five acres in Clay county, Illinois. The appearance of his home farm, located on section 30, Mount Zion township, indicates clearly a life of thrift, of unfaltering perseverance and of hard, earnest labor, for when it came into his possession thirty-four years ago it was an undeveloped tract of land, with no buildings, and all of the excellent improvements with which it is equipped today were placed thereupon by Mr. Combs. The resi- dence which he erected is modern and up-to-date in every particular, the barns and outbuildings are substantial and commodious and the place is today the best tiled farm in Mount Zion township and perhaps in Macon county. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, paying especial attention to oats, wheat and corn, and sells on an average of over fifteen thousand bushels of the latter commodity annually. Aside from his farming interests, which rank him among the foremost agriculturists of his section of the county, he is interested in a fourteen county telephone line in Texas, of which his son Alfred J. is manager.
It was on the 13th of August, 1873, that Mr. Combs was united in mar- riage to Miss Luella Whittaker, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Smith) Whittaker, natives of Coshocton county, Ohio. The mother, who was born on the 28th of April, 1827, passed away in April, 1908, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. The father, whose birth occurred on the 22d of February, 1830, for many years followed farming in Wisconsin, was later engaged in the grain business in Illinois, and is now making his home in Colorado, where his
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time and attention are occupied in superintending extensive mining interests. His daughter, Mrs. Combs, who was born on the 19th of April, 1855, is the only surviving child of the family, a son, Alfred Judson Whittaker, having passed away about ten years ago, at the age of fifty years, leaving four children.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Combs have been born the following children: Alfred J., who was born on the 12th of June, 1874; Inez, who passed away at the age of twenty-two years; Maud I., who wedded Ora Herbert; and Pearl G. and Maimie E. They also adopted the only child of their daughter, Inez, who passed away when her son was but five weeks old, leaving a husband who still survives her.
Fraternally Mr. Combs holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics he gives stanch support to the republican party. He has, however, repeatedly refused to become a can- didate for public office to which his fellow citizens would elect him, preferring rather that his political services should be done in a private capacity, deeming his personal interests sufficient to fully occupy his time and attention. It has been this close attention to business, combined with a capacity for hard work and an unusual aptitude for good management, that has formed the basis of his present gratifying success, and the qualities which have proved salient features in his business career are quite worthy of emulation. Nor can his success in life, however, be measured in terms of material gain alone, for his personal traits of character have ever been such as commanded the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen, and Macon county numbers him among her valued and representative adopted sons.
ALBERT H. MOSS.
Albert H. Moss, one of the younger farmers of Pleasant View township, is comfortably established in his life work and has proven highly successful in agricultural and business affairs. He was born on the farm where he now lives, April 2, 1881, and is a son of William and Henrietta (Delbridge) Moss. The father was born in Germany, June 23, 1832, and came to "America at the age of fifteen years, settling in Macon county when conditions were quite different from what they are today. He has lived to see Decatur grow from a small village to a beautiful and flourishing city. The mother of our subject is also a native of Germany, born February 14, 1844. At the time of the Civil war the father was drafted into the army but his services being required at home he procured a substitute. He and his wife now make their home in Blue Mound. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom live and make their homes in Pleasant View township: Elizabeth, the wife of John Short; Fred; August ; Emma, the wife of Lewis Reis; and Albert H.
The subject of this review was educated in the district schools and as he grew up became thoroughly familiar with all the details of farm work. At twenty-three years of age he was married and has still continued upon his father's farm, which consists of four hundred and eighty acres and of which
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he rents one hundred acres on section 17, Pleasant View township. He is a large corn grower and, being a man of good judgment and great industry, lias been very successful in all of his undertakings.
On the 21st of December, 1904, Mr. Moss was united in mariage to Miss Bertha Botoner, a native of Christian county, Illinois, born February 5, 1883, and a daughter of William and Margaret (Short) Botoner. Her father, who was born in Washington, D. C., April 10, 1860, came to this state and here he died May 15, 1904, being buried in Hall cemetery, near Blue Mound. The mother was born in Sedalia, Missouri, September 23, 1862, and she is now living in Blue Mound. Three children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Botoner: Bertha, now Mrs. Moss; May, the wife of Rolland Davidson, of Pleasant View township; and Myrtle, now living with her mother. The two grandfathers of Mrs. Moss served in the Union army during the Civil war- Henry Botoner and William Short,-both of whom proved to be valiant soldiers for a noble cause. One child, Opal Lolita, born June II, 1908, has come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Moss. This child is a representative of the fifth generation, now living, of the same family-a statement which can be made of very few families of the United States.
Mr. Moss gives his adherence to the democratic party and socially is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Woodmen of the World. Although he was reared in the German Lutheran church, he is now a member of the Methodist church, as is also his wife. He is a representative of the class of self-made men who combine steadfast purpose and excellent executive ability. Such men generally succeed in what they undertake and are respected by their neighbors and the entire community. The offspring of an excellent family, he has worthily upheld its reputation and today ranks as one of the substantial citizens of Macon county.
GEORGE W. EATON.
'Among the soldiers of the Civil war now living in Decatur, the name of George W. Eaton is worthy of an honored place. He is living retired after a long life of activity and usefulness, three years of which were devoted to the service of his country. He was born in Washington county, Missouri June 4, 1831, and is the son of Lazarus Eaton, who was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, April 11, 1793. His mother was Lydia Bugg, who was born in 1796 and the parents were married September 18, 1815, in Haywood county, North Carolina. The father, who was a farmer, came to Perry county, Illinois, and here he departed this life August 22, 1872. The mother was called away No- vember 10, 1863. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Abraham Eaton, also a native of Rowan county, North Carolina, while his Grandfather Bugg was a native of North Carolina and emigrated to Missouri in the early times, ending his days there. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lazarus Eaton: Henry, born October 10, 1816; William L., born December 7, 1818; Isaac M., born September 3, 1820; Lazarus N., born August 22, 1822; John B, born
-
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July 18, 1824; Nancy J., born December 24, 1826; Eliza A., born March 8, 1829; an infant, born November 3, 1834, who died at birth; and Andrew J., born February 9, 1837. The children of this family were all born in Washing- ton county, Missouri, and our subject is the only one now living.
George W. Eaton had little opportunity for education in his boyhood, being reared under the most primitive pioneer conditions, and he therefore has re- ceived his instruction in the great school of experience. At sixteen years of age he began working on his father's farm in Perry county, Illinois and later was in the employ of farmers in that region, until 1855, when he was married and engaged in farming on his own account until 1862.
On August 1, 1862, at Duquoin, Illinois, Mr. Eaton enlisted in Company A, Eighty-First Illinois Infantry, under Captain James P. Cowan, to fight for the cause of the Union. The regiment was organized in Jackson county, Illinois, and mustered into service August 5, 1862, for a period of three years. Our subject became sergeant of his company and participated in many battles and numberless skirmishes. He was present at the battles of Raymond and Jack- son, Mississippi, Champion's Hill, Black River and the siege of Vicksburg, which lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863, and was almost one continuous bat- tle. Going home on a furlough of thirty days, he rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg and took part in the Red River expedition, which was one of the important movements of the Army of the West. Later he went with his com- mand to Memphis, Tennessee, and was present at the Guntown fight. The regi- ment was ordered to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and made the trip on steam- boats up the Missouri river to Jefferson City in pursuit of the rebel General Price and on this expedition did considerable fighting. Returning to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, the regiment went down the river to Nashville, Tennessee, and was in the great battle near that city. Near the close of the war Sergeant Eaton went as far south as Mobile, Alabama. He returned to Montgomery, Alabama, and remained in that city for a month after Lee's surrender, to as- sist in maintaining peace. From that city the regiment went across the country to Vicksburg, where it was mustered out of service August 5, 1865. Sergeant Eaton drew his pay at Chicago after his return home. He was three times wounded, first at the battle of Vicksburg, where his hip was dislocated by a fragment from an exploded shell. He was also shot in the head and in the arm.
On March 15, 1855, in Perry county, Mr. Eaton was married by Squire Henry Brown to Miss Nancy E. Killingsworth, a native of Tennessee, whose parents were of the same state. Six children were born of this union: Mary E., Pleasant F., 'Alfred S., John H., Minnie and one who died at birth. His wife having been called away, Mr. Eaton was a second time married in Perry county, November 15, 1877, to Mrs. Mary Hurt, who was born in that county, October 6, 1845. She was the daughter of John and Amanda (Baxter) Bal- dridge, who came from Tennessee and settled in Perry county. Of the chil- dren born to the second marriage of Mr. Eaton six are now living: Gertrude E., born August 22, 1878, who is now the wife of John Crossman, of Macon county, and the mother of two children, Helen E. and Virginia; Flora, born August 9, 1880; George R., of Decatur, born November 5, 1882, who married
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Elsie Whittaker and has two children, Ruth, deceased, and Ralph; Hershel, of Decatur, born January 17, 1885, who married Veva Clements, and has four chil- dren, Helen S., Opal E., Carl E. and Olga; Homer, born January 10, 1887; Leona, born August 18, 1889; and Ruth and Ralph, deceased. The first hus- band of Mrs. Mary Eaton was James B. Hurt, of Franklin county, Illinois, to whom she was married February 8, 1867, in Perry county. One child, Lizzie V., was the result of that union. She was born October 26, 1867, and is mar- ried, being the mother of seven children, Viola, Florence, Forrest, Lucille, Wilbur, Norma and Mildred, all of whom are living.
Mr. Eaton is a member of Dunham Post, No. 141, Grand Army of the Re- public, of Decatur, and of the Methodist church. Politically he is in sympathy with the platform of the democratic party, but he often votes independently, being a man of broad mind who admires high character in a candidate even if he be of the opposite party. He is greatly respected by all who know him and as a brave soldier and useful citizen in times of peace he deserves an honorable place in the history of Macon county.
THEODORE A. GARDNER.
Theodore A. Gardner, the owner of a rich and productive tract of land com- prising one hundred and twenty acres in Maroa township, derives a gratifying annual income from his farming and stock-raising interests. His birth occurred in Carroll county, Indiana, in 1855, his parents being Thomas and Sarah (Squire) Gardner, both of whom were natives of Butler county, Ohio, where they were reared and married. The father was born in the year 1829, while the mother's birth occurred in 1830. Leaving the Buckeye state, they located in Indiana, where Thomas Gardner purchased a small tract of land and followed farming for six or seven years. In 1858 he came to Illinois, purchasing a farm of sixty acres in De Witt county, where he made his home for eight years. On the ex- piration of that period, in 1866, he came to Macon county, purchasing and locat- ing upon a quarter section of land just across from the present home place of our subject. There he carried on his agricultural interests continuously and suc- cessfully until 1902, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to the town of Maroa. Subsequently he took up his abode in Decatur, which city numbers him among its respected residents at the present time. His prop- erty holdings embrace three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Macon county and he is widely recognized as a most substantial and representative citi- zen. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has ably served his fellow townsmen in several minor offices. Unto him and his wife, who passed away in 1904, were born eight children, as follows: S. E., who is a resident of Decatur; Charles, living in this county; Theodore A., of this review; Wilbert, who makes his home in Missouri; Mrs. Lucy Ferrell, of Macon county; and three who died in infancy.
Theodore A. Gardner, who was but three years of age when brought to Illi- nois by his parents, obtained his education in the schools of this state and has
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resided within its borders continuously since. After putting aside his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, devoting his attention to the cultivation of rented land until 1887. In that year he brought eighty acres of land in Maroa township and has since made an additional purchase of forty acres, so that his farm now embraces one hun- dred and twenty acres. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, which branch of his business adds ma- terially to his income. He recently purchased an interest in the farm belonging to his mother-in-law and adjoining his home place.
In 1880 Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Julia Cooper, a daugh- ter of Alexander and Elizabeth Cooper, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner now have five children, namely : Earl, who was born in 1890; Josie, born in 1893; Paul, whose birth oc- curred in 1895; and Linnie and Albert, who were born in the years 1897 and 1900 respectively. They also adopted a daughter, Ina, who is now the wife of Robert Long, of Macon county.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Gardner has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion and he has served as a school director. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias at Maroa, while religiously he is identi- fied with the Methodist church. He has made an excellent record for upringht manhood and honorable citizenship and may well be classed with the representa- tive men of the community.
OLEY D. ASH.
Oley D. Ash, a progressive and prosperous farmer, is now engaged in operating a rented farm in Harristown township, and his well directed efforts are meeting with most gratifying success. His birth occurred on the 7th of April, 1875, in Harristown township, on the farm which is yet the family home- stead and is a son of Josephus and Mary (Powell) Ash. The mother passed away in August, 1904, while the father still survives and resides on the old home farm.
Reared to farm life, the boyhood days of Oley D. Ash were spent under the parental roof, and he acquired a good education in the common schools near his father's home, which was later supplemented by a six months' course at Brown's Business College at Decatur, Illinois. He also received thorough train- ing in farm work in the fields under his father's direction, and this practical experience, combined with good commercial training, served as an excellent preparation for the conduct of an independent business venture. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he entered the business world on his own account as a renter, and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits in that capacity. At one time he rented both his father's and his father-in-law's
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farms, and his efforts have been so successful and his interests so carefully managed that in 1910 he was able to purchase a farm of his own, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in Hickory Point township. It is a valuable property, for which he paid one hundred and eighty-seven and a half dollars per acre and which is now returning to him good rental. He is progressive in his methods and close application and untiring industry are salient elements in his business career.
It was on the 25th of August, 1897, in Harristown, that Mr. Ash was united in marriage to Miss Norma A. Waldorf, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 28, 1877. She was a little maiden of six summers when she came to Harristown with her parents, George W. and Lucretia (Brady) Waldorf, and she acquired a good common-school education in the schools of that township. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: Harold Peyton, who was born April 25, 1902; and Wayne Waldorf, born April 21, 1904.
Mr. Ash gives his support to the republican party but has never desired nor sought public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his private business interests. He and his wife hold membership in the Christian church, in the work of which they are both deeply interested, the latter having served as Sunday school teacher for a number of years. Their many excellent traits of heart and mind have made them highly respected and esteemed in the community in which they resided, and they have a large circle of friends who greatly enjoy the warm hospitality of their home. Mr. Ash early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, and as the years have gone by his record has been one of indefatigable effort, close application and intelligent direction.
TIMOTHY P. HARDBARGER.
The Civil war was a severe school for a young man in which to receive his introduction to the great world, and yet thousands of the leading citizens of the north and south wore the blue or the gray, and in the camp, on the march or on the battlefield, gained the lessons that nerved them for a successful career in the peaceful vocations of life. Among the men now living in Macon county who saw service on the firing line is Timothy P. Hardbarger. He was then just emerging from boyhood, being but seventeen years of age and one of the young soldiers of the Confederacy, but the impressions at that time made on his mind are as clear as if but of yesterday.
He first opened his eyes to the light of day in Roanoke county, Virginia, February 15, 1848, a son of Henry and Margaret (Kingry) Hardbarger. Henry Hardbarger was a native of Germany and came to America as a boy with his parents, who settled upon a plantation in Roanoke county. He participated as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was twice married and became the father of twenty-one children, the subject of this review being a child of the second marriage and ninth in order of birth in a family of eleven children. Three of his brothers were soldiers of the Confederacy and he himself having been
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conscripted into the service, became a member of the Nineteenth Virginia Bat- talion of Light Artillery, which was stationed at the city of Richmond and participated in its defense. He continued in the army until the close of the war, his total period of serving being about twelve months. The state of Virginia suffered tremendously on account of the great armies which devastated it for four long years and even at the present time has scarcely recovered from the vast destruction of property which then took place.
The young soldier, after returning to his old home, decided to seek his fortune under more favorable surroundings, and in 1867 he came to Sangamon county, Illinois, and began to work by the month on a farm. In 1874, having in the meantime become married, he located in Christian county, but at the end of two years removed to Macon county, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising.
In 1869 Mr. Hardbarger returned to familiar scenes in Virginia and on November 12, 1873, was united in marriage to Miss Mary McFall, of Roanoke county. His wife accompanied him on his return westward the following year and has been to him in all the vicissitudes that have followed, a constant encour- agement and a never-failing source of strength. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hardbarger. Minnie, who married James Hacky, now resides in Logan county and is the mother of six children; Blanche, who became the wife of Herbert French, lives in Macon county and has four children; Bessie Maude, now residing in Arkansas, married Thomas Wilson and has four children; Oscar, the fourth member of the family, is employed by the month at farm labor; Clyde, who married Miss Lena Henderson, is living in Decatur and is the father of two children; Cleveland died at the age of twelve years; John married Grace Markwell; May became the wife of Charles Schott, of Harristown, this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Hardbarger are both consistent members of the Christian church and their home is noted for its hospitality and good cheer. He has all his life been a stanch democrat, but has found it necessary to devote his attention to his large family rather than to use his energies in the excitement of the political campaign. While laboring to become independent in life, he has not been unmindful of his duties as a good citizen, and, as the result of a kindness of heart and consideration for- others, which are prominent characteristics in his career, he has always been accorded the respect and esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances.
JOHN FUNK.
Ohio has contributed to Illinois many of her sons who have assisted nobly in building up the permanent interests of the state and added greatly to the material prosperity. Among those who deserve honorable mention is John Funk who first saw the light of day on a farm in Hocking county, Ohio, and is now the fortunate owner of a well improved farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 35 and 2, South Macon township, Macon county. On the paternal side he is a descendant of Teutonic ancestry, his great-grandfather
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coming to America from Germany before the Revolutionary war and settling in Pennsylvania, at which time the country westward was largely unknown and occupied by Indians and a few adventurous white men who lived by hunt- ing and trapping. The great-grandfather took an active part in the Revolution- ary war and was captain of the company with which his three sons were con- nected. The two eldest were in the ranks and the next youngest son, being too young to be accepted as a volunteer, served as teamster, in which position he performed efficient service in behalf of the colonies. According to the story which has been handed down by the family, the great-grandfather had the honor of moving the household goods of George Washington and his family when the "father of his country" made the trip from Mount Vernon to the national capital to become the first president of the United States. It is said that the entire party at one of the resting points en route to the capital ate their dinner on a log, General Washington gracefully presiding as the host of the occasion. The great-grandfather was a minister of the Dunkard church and a man of considerable prominence in his day.
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