USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 76
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John Washburn pursued his education in the district schools of his native city until twenty years of age and during that period also assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. Later he removed to Newark, Ohio, where he en- gaged in teaching school for three terms and also spent one term as a teacher near Oberlin, Ohio, but thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial and profitable, he became connected with mercantile interests at Newark, where' he remained until 1855, when he came to Decatur, Illinois, which at that time was little more than a cross-roads village. There were no paved streets, only a few dwellings and a very limited number of business houses. Mr. Washburn secured a stock of merchandise, opened a store and has since been connected with the city. He has occupied the same store room for forty years and this is one of the oldest established mercantile enterprises of Decatur. The store is located at No. 219 South Park street and he resides at No. 249 West William street.
In Decatur, in 1867, Mr. Washburn was united in marriage to Zarilda A. Emmons, a widow with two children, Emma Elizabeth, aged fourteen, who died in December, 1885; and Eddie, aged six, who died in December, 1877. Mrs. Washburn passed away in March, 1879. In politics he is independent, voting rather for men and measures than for party. He is an enthusiastic and zealous member of the Decatur Retail Grocers Association and also has the welfare and progress of the city at heart. He has been a successful merchant but is entirely free from ostentation and display. He is remarkably well preserved for one of his years and has but recently returned from a trip to the east, visiting Ohio and his old home in New Hampshire, where his ancestors were among the makers of history, leaving their impress for good upon the development and progress of that section of the country. Decatur citizens, having long known Mr. Washburn, would regard no work of this character complete without mention of his life, and he has indeed been a most prominent factor in the commercial circles of the city.
JOSEPH AUSTIN.
Illinois owes its high standing among the states very largely to its early settlers and their descendants. Among these men and women have been found some of the noblest characters of which there is any record, and the splendid work they have accomplished is an enduring monument to their worth. Joseph Austin, a well known farmer of Blue Mound township, belongs to one of the pioneer families, and may himself be classed as a pioneer. He was born in
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Macon county October 31, 1837, and is a son of William A. and Ellen (Wor- nick) Austin. The father was a native of Amherst county, Virginia, where he was born April 28, 1806. He came to Illinois in 1828, when he was twenty- two years of age, and lived in this state sixty-four years, being called away in 1892. He became a leader in Macon county and was justice of the peace of his township for forty years. The mother was born in Tennessee in 1816, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1825, the family locating in Macon county when there were only three or four settlers in this region. Benjamin Austin, an uncle of our subject, was the first justice of the peace in Decatur, and it was from his office that Abraham Lincoln borrowed the books that developed his taste for the study of law. In another part of this work it is related that Mr. Lincoln had his feet frostbitten while visiting Miss Wornick, an aunt of our subject. Grandfather Austin was reputed to be one of the courageous men of the early times, and often declared that he could whip every Indian on the Sangamon river, while Grandfather Wornick was one of the fighters in the Black Hawk war. Unto William A. and Ellen Austin twelve children were born, four of whom are now living: Joseph, our subject; Benjamin, of Chris- tian county ; Lewis, of Missouri; and Thomas, of Blue Mound township. By his second marriage to Mrs. Sarah Augusta Dudley, William A. Austin had six children, of whom five are still living: Mrs. Thomas Stevens of Idaho; Samuel of Chicago; Wallace, of Seattle, Washington; James, of Kansas; and Mrs. Farris Rosengrant, of Kansas. Mrs. Austin passed away in 1894.
The subject of this review received his education in the early subscription schools and suffered many of the privations of pioneer life. At the age of fif- teen he began breaking the prairie with an ox team, continuing upon the home farm until he was thirty years of age, when he began farming upon his own account in Blue Mound township, and for twenty-two years past has lived at his present home where he carries on general farming, also working as a car- penter and blacksmith. He has always been industrious, and in the course of many years has built up an enviable reputation as a useful and unselfish mem- ber of the community.
On the 24th day of October, 1867, Mr. Austin was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ellen Abbott, who was born in Macon county in 1847, a daughter of Henry and Martha Abbott. Her parents were born and reared in Ohio and were early settlers of Macon county. Six children of the family grew to ma- turity : Martha Ellen, herein mentioned; Josiah, of Arkansas; George, of Blue Mound township; Sarah Ann, the widow of Amos Walker, and now living in Missouri; Elizabeth, the wife of William Bradley, of Decatur; and Catherine, of St. Louis. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Austin was brightened by the ar- rival of seven children, five of whom are deceased. The others are: Elizabeth, who married Henry Bough, of Blue Mound township, and is the mother of seven children, Raleigh, William, Fred, John, Vergil, Minnie and Flossie; and Minnie, who married William Maybe, of Decatur, and became the mother of one child, who married Oliver Patterson of Decatur. Mrs. Austin having been called away in March, 1880, Mr. Austin was married September 23, 1886, to Mrs. Virginia Stevens Owen, who was born in Decatur September 22, 1860, a daughter of Francis Marion and Margaret Ann (Walker) Stevens. Her
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father was born in Macon county in 1834 and died in 1892. The mother was also born in Macon county in 1837, and departed this life thirty-six years ago. There were nine children in their family, five of whom are living: Mary E., the wife of Rudolph Schiefer, of Chicago; Virginia, now Mrs. Austin; Lora Belle, the wife of John Wornick, living near Mount Auburn, Illinois; Emma, the wife of Irvin Hill, of Missouri; and Hattie, now Mrs. Scott Wornick, of Boody, Illinois. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Austin, six of whom are living: Elsie Ethel, born June 30, 1889, who married Frank Russell and is the mother of two children, Laura Virginia and Robert Harold; Lelah Augusta, born December 30, 1891; Joseph Stephen, born July 10, 1893; Polly Ann, born March 22, 1895; Ruby Dillard, born December 28, 1897; and Thomas Everett, born January 25, 1900, all of whom are now at home except Elsie Ethel. By her first husband Mrs. Austin became the mother of one son, Francis Walter Owen, born November 26, 1879. He married Lona Ogden and lives at Galesburg, Illinois. The paternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Austin was the first settler of Macon county and Stevens Creek was named for him. Mr. and Mrs. Austin had many relatives in the Civil war, her father serving through the entire war in the Forty-first Illinois Infantry. William Henry and James Milton Stevens were also valiant soldiers and Robert Wornick wore the shoulder straps of a lieutenant.
Mr. Austin is identified with the democratic party and has held the office of road superintendent in his district. He and his wife are valued members of the Methodist church. He is a self-made man, having worked his way up through his own energy and perseverance, and he understands the difficulties that must be overcome by one who starts at the bottom of the ladder. He and his wife are enjoying the ease and comfort that are the results of well applied effort and they have many friends, young and old, who are bound to them by the ties of sympathy which true worth attracts.
SAMUEL HEINLE.
Actively connected with the public interests of Macon county through his service as a member of the board of county supervisors, representing Friends Creek township, Samuel Heinle is also well known as a representative and progressive farmer whose time and energies are given to the cultivation and development of what is now a well improved and valuable farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 2. It was in this township that he was born on the 23d of May, 1872, his parents being George L. and Fredricka (Ehman) Heinle, both of whom were natives of Germany.
The father was reared to the aged of nineteen years in that country and then bade adieu to friends and native land preparatory to sailing for the new world, hoping that he might have better advantages and opportunities for business success than were accorded him on the east side of the Atlantic. He settled first in Crawford county, Ohio, where he secured employment as a farm hand, and while there living he married Miss Ehman, who was one of his country- women. Soon after their marriage they removed westward to Illinois, settling
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in Macon county, where Mr. Heinle purchased a forty-acre tract of land on which a log cabin had been built although few other improvements had been made. The arduous task of converting the land into productive fields lay before him but he resolutely took up the work and as the years went by his labors brought him substantial success, so that he was able to buy more land from time to time. His investments were made most judiciously and he event- ually became the owner of seven hundred and twenty-six acres. He was one of the well known and prosperous farmers of the county and made for himself a creditable position in public regard not only by reason of his success but also owing to the straightforward and honorable business methods which he ever followed. He filled the office of road commissioner for a time and was ever mindful of his duties of citizenship. Although he started out a poor man among entire strangers, he achieved both fortune and an honored name. His death occurred in this county July 18, 1899, while his wife passed away in 1895. Their family numbered five sons and three daughters: Fred, Samuel, Louis, Williams, Charlie, Kate, Paulena and Lizzie. Four of the sons are represented in this volume.
Samuel Heinle, whose name introduces this review, was reared on the old home farm, continuing with his father until the latter's death, after which he and his brothers conducted the place until the estate was divided. On December 20, 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Addie M. Hollingsworth, a na- tive of Warren county, Ohio, where her girlhood days were passed and whence she came to Illinois when a young lady of eighteen years. Her father, E. Hol- lingsworth, died in the Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. Heinle began housekeep- ing upon the farm that is now his home. It then comprised an eighty tract of land upon which slight improvements had been made. There was a small house upon the place and an old barn. He at once began to repair the buildings and to cultivate the fields and when his labors brought him substantial financial returns he erected a commodious and attractive residence, also a large barn, cribs and other outbuildings. He likewise introduced the latest improved machinery to facili- tate the work of the fields and continued to engage actively in farming until 1908, when he rented his land and removed to Otero county, Colorado, settling near Ordway in the beet, cantaloupe and alfalfa district. There he purchased one hundred and twenty acres and began the cultivation of the place. He re- mained in the west for only ten months, however, for, becoming ill, he returned to his old home in Illinois but still retains the ownership of his Colorado property. In connection with his farming interests in Macon county he raised and fed hogs. He also bought another tract of eighty acres of land and won recognition as one of the most progressive agriculturists of the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heinle have been born four children who are yet living, Edith Florene, Harold Samuel, Elsie Louise and Leona Pauline. They also lost a son Ernest Lee, who was the twin brother of Elsie and died at the age of four months. Mr. Heinle exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and has served as highway commissioner for two years, resigning that office ere his removal to the west. In the spring of 1910 he was elected supervisor of Friends Creek township on the democrat ticket by a good majority and is now taking a part in the deliberations of the board
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which has charge of the county affairs. He belongs to the United Brethren church at Shiloh and is a Master Mason, holding membership in Argenta lodge, A. F. & A. M. He has always been a man of progressive spirit. This was manifest in the manner in which he cultivated his farm and added to it all modern improvements. He is now the owner of a fine passenger Columbia automobile. His life work, intelligently directed, has gained him place with the substantial and representative citizens of the county and his individual worth in Friends Creek township is widely acknowledged by those among he has long lived and who can best judge of his strongest characteristics.
JEREMIAH P. NICHOLSON.
Jeremiah P. Nicholson, who is now serving as sheriff of Macon county, has made his home here for almost six decades and has long borne an enviable reputation as a prominent and respected citizen. His birth occurred in Garrard county, Kentucky, on the 10th of March, 1840, his parents being John and Julia N. (Underwood) Nicholson, who were likewise natives of that place. The pa- ternal grandfather, James Nicholson, who was also born in the Blue Grass state, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The male representatives of the family have for generations followed farming as a life work. John Nicholson, the father of our subject, was one of four brothers who came to Macon county from Kentucky, taking up his abode in Wheatland township in 1852, and turning his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children-six sons and six daughters. All are now deceased, with the exception of the following named: Jeremiah P., of this re- view; Mary Jane, the widow of James Durning, who resides in Mount Zion, this county, at the age of eighty-one years; Charles S., living in the state of Washington; John, who makes his home in Missouri; and Robert, of Indiana.
Jeremiah P. Nicholson was a youth of twelve when he came to Macon county with his parents, and in the acquirement of an education attended the country schools for a few years. His advantages in this direction were limited because of the fact that his father was in straitened financial circumstances, and early in life he was obliged to assist in the support of the family. He aided his father in the work of the fields, and was later employed as a farm hand by others, his wages helping to defray the living expenses of his father's family. The clothes that they wore were spun by the mother of wool that was obtained from sheep which the father raised.
In 1861, his patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, Mr. Nicholson enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years or until honorably discharged. He was mar- ried in 1866 and began farming on his own account, being actively and success- fully identified with agricultural pursuits until 1889. In connection with the tilling of the soil, he also devoted considerable attention to the feeding of cattle and the buying and selling of horses, meeting with excellent results in both branches of his business. In 1889 he abandoned the work of the farm and took up his abode in Decatur, where he was engaged in the livery business for
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about two years, while during the following two years he was identified with mercantile interests as a dealer in farm implements. In 1894 he was elected sheriff and served for four years. Subsequently he acted as superintendent of streets for several years, and then once more embarked in the livery business, conducting what is now the Lindsay barn on West Wood street. In 1906 he entered the sheriff's office as deputy under B. A. McGorry, acting in that ca- pacity until the fall of 1910, when he was again elected sheriff of Macon county. He owns a fine home at No. 430 West Decatur street, but after his election took up his residence in the county jail. He is in every way well fitted to discharge most satisfactorily the duties devolving upon him as sheriff, and also to care for the prisoners in his charge.
On the 26th of January, 1866, Mr. Nicholson was united in marriage to Miss Catherine A. Wallace, a daughter of Robert Wallace, of Long Creek township, Macon county. The record of their children is as follows: Mina, at home; William H., a resident of Decatur, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work; Julia A., who is yet under the parental roof ; I. C., of Decatur; Robert A., who makes his home in Texas; and C. C. and Lester B., both living in Decatur.
Mr. Nicholson is a republican in politics, and has always been an active worker in the local ranks of the party. He served as supervisor of Long Creek and Mount Zion townships for several years, and for many years held the office of road commissioner. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, and he also belongs to Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 21, and Dunham Post, G. A. R., of Decatur. Mr. Nicholson has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten and receives the veneration and esteem which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey, and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.
W. A. MELTON, M. D.
Diligence and determination as the accompaniments of strong native intelli- gence can always win success whether in commercial or professional lines, and it is these qualities that have gained Dr. Melton a creditable and enviable place as a member of the medical fraternity in Macon county. He is located in War- rensburg where he has built up a good practice, coming to him in recognition of his energy and ability in the field of his chosen calling. Kansas numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Burlingame on the 10th of February, 1863. His parents were W. A. and Oxiana (Beckes) Melton, the former a farmer and mechanic who at one time was a resident of Knox county, Indiana, whence he removed to Kansas and is still living at the age of seventy- two years. In 1893 he removed to Oklahoma where he took up land and still resides in that state. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, joining the Second Kansas Cavalry, with which he served as a private throughout the period of hostilities, taking part in a number of im- portant battles as well as in the long hard marches and in the dreary waiting
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in winter quarters. He never faltered in the performance of a military duty, however, and with a creditable record returned to his home.
Dr. W. A. Melton, reared under the parental roof in Kansas, pursued his education in the common schools of that state and in a private school, after which he entered upon preparation for the practice of medicine, pursuing his professional course in the medical department of the Northwestern University of Chicago. He was graduated in 1896 and soon afterward located in War- rensburg, where for more than fourteen years he has now successfully en- gaged in practice, his ability being manifest in the prompt manner in which he relieves suffering and checks the ravages of disease. He is very careful in the diagnosis of a case and most conscientious in his professional service. In early manhood he taught school for seven years, this aiding him in pursuing his medical course.
In April, 1898, occurred the marriage of Dr. Melton to Miss Olive Le- hem, who is now deceased. For his second wife he chose Miss Helen S. Aik- man, whom he wedded in 1904, and they are now the parents of a daughter and two sons, Viola W., William D. and Robert B. Dr. and Mrs. Melton have many friends in Warrensburg but while he is appreciative of the social ameni- ties of life his attention is chiefly given to his professional duties and he keeps in touch with the onward march of the profession and holds membership in the state medical society and the American Medical Association as well as the local society. Moreover his reading of the medical journals and the best literature of the profession adds much to his knowledge and ability and has pro- moted his proficiency in no uncertain manner. His practice is now extensive and of an important character.
W. L. JOHNS.
W. L. Johns, a popular merchant of Boody, Illinois, comes of good pioneer stock and was born in Macon county, April 6, 1862. He is a son of Adolph and Charlotte (Sutman) Johns, both of whom were born in Germany in 1832. They came to America in 1853 and settled in Macon county, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1867. He was buried in Tyler cemetery. The mother departed this life in 1901. There were eight children in their family, six of whom are now living: Lottie, the wife of Otto Trummer, of Iowa; Frederick, of Kansas; Mary, the wife of Fred Pistorius, of Blue Mound township, Macon county; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Nieder- meyer, of Decatur; Adolph August, of Pekin, Illinois; and W. L., our subject.
Educated in the public schools of Macon county, W. L. Johns was reared as a farmer boy and at thirteen years of age began working by the month, so continuing for fifteen years. In the course of this time he became thoroughly familiar with all kinds of farm work and, having married at the age of twenty- eight, he settled on the home place, three and one-half miles southwest of Boody, where he lived for twelve years. However, he was attracted to mercantile pursuits and in 1902 he removed to Boody, where he opened a general store,
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which he has conducted very successfully, carrying a well selected stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, paints and oils, clothing, hats and caps, etc. Being a man of pleasing address, he has attracted patrons from a wide region in his part of the county and is recognized as one of its prosperous and growing busi- ness men.
On the 16th of December, 1890, Mr. Johns was united in marriage to Miss Lena Moss, who was born in Macon county in 1873. She is a daughter of Peter and Rosa (Schupe) Moss, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in Macon county. They are now living in Pleasant View town- ship. There were two children in their family: Lena, and Lewis, of Mowea- qua, Illinois. Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Johns: Benjamin Earl, born March 1, 1892; Ralph, April 8, 1895; Raymond, April 4, 1897; Virgie, October 11, 1899; Vera, March 14, 1901; and Dale, November II, 1906.
Mr. Johns is a stanch advocate of the republican party and has served in a number of public offices, discharging his duties in such a way as to meet the ap- proval of citizens irrespective of party. He filled the office of road commis- sioner for three years, tax collector for one year and is now a member of the school board. Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are both valued members of the United Brethren church, of which Mrs. Johns is one of the stewards and Mr. Johns is trustee and also treasurer of the board of trustees and of the Sunday school. The head of a promising family and also of a flourishing mercantile business, he has no rea- son to regret his venture eight years ago when he located in Boody. He belongs to that class of citizens who take pleasure in assisting others and who are in- terested in the permanent welfare of all with whom they are identified. It is such men who stand at the helm and are responsible for the progress everywhere visible in the American republic. Mr. Johns and his estimable wife by their worthy qualities have attracted many friends who are found among the best people of Macon county.
FERDINAND H. PISTORIUS.
Of stanch German ancestry, Ferdinand H. Pistorius, a well known farmer of Blue Mound township, was born in the township where he now lives Sep- tember 23, 1867. He is a son of John and Caroline (Miller) Pistorius, both of whom were natives of Germany, the father having been born in 1832 and the mother two years later. John Pistorius came to America when he was about eighteen years of age and settled in Macon county. He started out as a poor boy to make his way against the obstacles of the world, beginning as a farm hand and later was employed as a railroad laborer. He saved his money and bought land when it was cheap, acquiring about a thousand acres in Macon county, so that he was able to give each of his children a farm when they were ready to begin life upon their own account. He was an intelligent and clear- headed business man and became very prominent in the community, serving for
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