USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 77
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725
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
many years as steward of the German Methodist church and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He also served as local preacher of that church. He departed this life June 23, 1910, and is buried in Blue Mound township. The mother died September 16, 1910. There were ten children in the family, eight of whom still survive: John, a resident of Kansas; William, of Blue Mound township; Mary, the wife of Lewis Bailey, of Blue Mound township; Charles, of Decatur; Samuel, of Blue Mound township; Bettina, the wife of Eugene Weiffenbach, president of a college at Warrenton, Missouri; David, of Blue Mound township; and Ferdinand H., our subject.
Educated in the district schools, the subject of this review grew up under the direction of his father who early taught him the various duties pertaining to the farm. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age and then, having married, he settled on one hundred and seventy acres of land on section 10, Blue Mound township, where he has since lived. This place was given to him by his father, who purchased it from John Sleeter. Mr. Pistorius and his family occupy a beautiful residence and he has made many improve- ments, building corn-cribs, implement sheds, etc., so that he now owns one of the desirable farms of Macon county. In addition to raising cereals he handles live-stock quite extensively and, as he is a man of good judgment, his efforts have met with a gratifying degree of success.
On the 5th day of March, 1902, Mr. Pistorius was united in marriage to Miss Edith Fieker, who was born in Shelby county, Illinois, March 5, 1883. She is a daughter of Christian and Martha (Brink) Fieker, the father having been born in Germany in 1846 and the mother in Washington county, Illinois, in 1854. They lived for a number of years upon a farm in Shelby county but are now retired and make their home at Rockville, Missouri. Nine chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fieker, seven of whom are now living: Arthur, a resident of Rockville, Missouri; Annie, the wife of Otto Ludwig, also of Rockville; Edith, now Mrs. Pistorius; and Bertha, Theodore, Frederick and Reuben, all of Rockville. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pis- torius: Juanita Jewel, born March 17, 1904; and Donald Fieker, born Sep- tember 7, 1906. Henry Miller, an uncle of our subject, served as a captain in the Civil war, and now lives at Urbana, Illinois. Frederick Miller, another uncle, lost his life in battle for the Union.
An adherent of the republican party, Mr. Pistorius stanchly supports its candidates and is at present serving as school director. He and his wife are active members of the German Methodist church and are liberal contributors toward its support. He inherited many of the noble traits of his father and has for years been known as one of the influential men of Blue Mound town- ship. He is a good farmer, a clear-headed business man and a citizen who never hesitates to render assistance to any worthy cause. It is men of this calibre that give solidity and strength to the state and ensure the permanency of free institutions.
726
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
CHARLES C. LE FORGEE.
Charles C. Le Forgee, senior partner of the law firm of Le Forgee, Vail & Miller, has during the years of his active connection with the Macon county bar been associated with some of the most important civil and criminal law cases tried in the courts of this district. His constantly expanding powers have made him a man of pronounced ability in his chosen field of labor and he is now regarded as an able and conscientious minister in the temple of justice who, while devoted to the interests of his clients, never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.
Mr. Le Forgee was born in Decatur in 1867 and is a son of Jesse and Julia A. E. (Smallwood) Le Forgee. The father was a native of Fleming county, Ken- tucky, born January 1, 1833. The family, as the name indicates, is of French origin and was founded in Kentucky by Abraham Le Forgee, who emigrated from France, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the city of Blue Licks. The great- grandfather was Abner Le Forgee, a native of Kentucky, whose son, Ayres Le Forgee, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in August, 1795. After arriving at years of maturity he married Dorinda Cassidy, a daughter of Michael Cassidy, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and at the age of fourteen years crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Kentucky. He served with the American troops in the Revolutionary war from the battle of Lexington until the colonies had achieved their independence. He bore all of the hardships and trials which came to the soldiers during that long struggle. On one occasion he had his feet frozen and several times was wounded by the Indians. After the war he settled in Kentucky, entering three thousand acres of government land in Fleming and Nicholas counties. He became a man of notable prominence and activity in that state. He was elected to the Kentucky legislature, serving for fifteen terms, and was also a member of the state senate for two terms. He often bore active part in shaping the legislation of Kentucky, leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon the framing of the laws of that commonwealth. His death occurred in 1815. In religious belief he had always been a Presbyterian. It was his daughter, Dorinda, who became the wife of Ayres Le Forgee. The latter during the greater part of his life followed the carpenter's trade and also for a number of years operated a large mill at Poplar Plains, Kentucky. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and afterward drew a pension from the government in recog- nition of the aid which he had given in that struggle. In 1856 he became a resi- dent of Decatur where he lived retired until called to his final rest in 1870. For more than sixty years he was a devoted member of the Methodist church and his wife, who also belonged to the same church, passed away in that faith in 1868 at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of ten children: Martha, the wife of D. W. Litster ; America, the wife of Dr. W. J. Chenoweth, of Decatur ; Ayres ; Jesse ; Mary E., the widow of James Le Forgee; Frank ; Robert ; and three others who are now deceased.
Of this family Jesse Le Forgee bgecame the father of Charles C. Le Forgee, whose name introduces this review. In the town of Poplar Plains Jesse Le Forgee was reared and educated and afterward learned the wood carver's trade under the direction of his father in Wyoming, Kentucky. He came with his parents to De-
727
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
catur in 1856 and the following year he married Julia A. E. Smallwood, the wed- ding being celebrated July 20, 1857. Her parents were James M. and Iva (Powell) Smallwood, also pioneer residents of Macon county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Le Forgee were born five children, but Iva, the eldest, and James, the youngest, died in infancy. Walker L., who studied medicine and was graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago, married Miss Jessie Drake and died a month later. Dorinda C. is the wife of John E. Patterson, a real-estate dealer of Decatur ; and Charles C. is the other surviving member of the family.
In politics Jesse Le Forgee was a democrat and his religious faith was that of the Christian church, in which he served as deacon for many years and otherwise took an active and helpful part in the church work. He also belonged to Celestial Lodge, No. 86, I. O. O. F., and to the Rebekah degree of that order. For more than a half century he was a resident of Decatur, where he died December 28, 1907. His widow still survives him and is one of the honored pioneer women of the county.
Charles C. Le Forgee pursued his education in the public schools of Decatur and at the age of sixteen years entered his father's office to learn the real-estate business, but at the time he attained his majority he decided to study law and pursued his reading under the preceptorship of Judge William E. Nelson. Later he entered the law department of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, and was there graduated with the class of 1889. In that year he returned to his native city where he opened an office. His recognized ability has brought him into close connection with some of the important cases, both criminal and civil, that have been tried in the courts of central Illinois. In 1890 he was ad- mitted to the Decatur bar and in 1892 he became a partner of J. C. Lee under the firm style of Le Forgee & Lee. The present firm of Le Forgee, Vail & Miller was formed in 1910 and is still occupying a commodious office on the fourth flour of the Title & Trust building. In all the intervening years since his admission to the bar he has been actively connected with the profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community. His is a natural discrimination as to legal ethics and he is so thoroughly well read in the law as to be able to base his arguments upon thorough knowledge of and familiarity with precedents and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to recognize the main point at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough prepara- tion. His pleas have been characterized by a terse and decisive logic and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the cause in a sentimental garb of illusion, which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved.
Mr. Le Forgee was married to Miss Isabel Vennigerholz, a daughter of Julius H. and Isabel Vennigerholz. Their children are Isabel Vallette and Charles G. While a representative of one of the old families of the county, it has been his individual ability that has brought Mr. Le Forgee to his present creditable posi- tion in the ranks of the legal fraternity in Decatur.
INDEX
Acom, H. O. 340
Bowman, Leona F. 259
Adams, J. Q. 473
Boyd, J. P. 619
Ahrens, G. A.
35
Brasfield, B. L. 260
Allen, John 46
Brelsfoard, W. C. 397
Allen, S. C.
232
Bricker, I. N. 167
Allen, W. L.
227
Brodess, A. W. 192
618
Armstrong, John .435
Broughton, Wait 593
Ash, Charles
479
Brown, E. J.
67
Ash, O. D.
704
Bruce, Lewis 344
Ashenfelter, C. W. .354
Buckles, Derias 643
Austin, Joseph
717
Bunn, D. L. 615
Austin, J. B. 70
Burks, C. A. 253
Burrows, Lowber 689
Busher, W. F.
204
Buxton, T. C. 315
Baker, E. S. 87
Barber, E. E. 447
Barkman, E. W. 652
Barnes, W. A. 475
Barnes, William 456
Barnhart, Henry 591
Carr, I. J.
257
Batchelder, J. C. 429
Carr, W. A. 597
Carter, J. S. 632
Battles, C. W. 164
Bauer, A. A. 171
Bauer, O. F. 314
Cassity, L. H.
82
Beadles, W. T. .330
Chapman, J. E.
337
Beck, P. O. 267
Chappell, Edwin, Sr. .390
Childs, T. S. .199
499
Clark, John
.379
Clark, Kate E. 713
Clark, L. H.
134
Black, W. H. .565
Blackburn, Thomas 374
Blaine, Z. T. 594
Bonsteel, L. S. 503
Bossler, L. D. 647
Bower, H. C.
270
Bowers, J. W.
69
Calhoun, W. F. 102
Camp, E. D. 224
Cannon, Scott 231
Carr, C. M.
.349
Batchelder, M. E. 184
Carter, J. W. 10
Cassell, B. H. 129
Benson, L. W. 179
Bering, J. E. 194
Chodat, Louis, Sr.
Berry, W. F. 687
Betz, S. B. .323
Bivans, Robert .520
Cofer, Peter
25
Combs, E. B. 698
Conklin, D. H. 636
Connaghan, James 364
Connard, G. S. 541
Connard, M. E.
85
Conover, A. J.
181
729
Alvord, L. H. .640
Bromley, O. L.
Austin, T. J. 629
Austin, W. M. 256
730
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Cook, O. A. 158
Cooper, J. E. 389
Gardner, J. P., Jr. 610
Cope, L. N. 505
Gardner, T. A. 703
Corley, D. C. 49
Gepford, J. F. 470
Cottingham, Elroy 693
Cottle, G. F. 627
Coulter, W. K. 444
552
Cranmer, Clarence
437
Gorin, J. R. 60
Gorin, O. B. 20
Gray, J. M. 328
Gray, R. A.
366
Crosson, William
303
Gray, R. E.
226
Curran, W. H. 450
Green, Joshua
111
Gregory, Joseph 216
Daut, Henry 529
Davis, A. T. 514
Davis, B. L. 575
Davis, W. H.
97
Decatur Coffin Co. 568
De Graff, Jan 538
Hahn, Henry 263
Hall, C. A.
602
Hanes, Jacob 677
Denison, C. A. .317
Hankins, C. S. 680
Denison, C. N.
.30
Hanks, A. J. 210
Hardbarger, T. P. 705
Hardy, W. F. 101
Harris, E. L. .396
144
Dodd, J. M.
494
Harry, M. L.
309
Doran, Peter
.601
Hartley, J. W.
579
Downing, W. T.
266
Hartman, W. E.
387
Hartman, W. H.
398
Drysdale, A. H.
.509
Dudley, F. J. 27
241
Hays, Charles 143
Hays, F. L. 153
Heckel, C. A. 109
Heckel, G. C. 66
Heckel, I. J. 410
238
Heinle, Charles H. 490
548
Evans, F. L.
555
Heinle, G. L. 606
Heinle, Samuel .719
Helphinstine, J. L. 399
246
Henebry, J. E.
376
Henson, J. A. 92
Henson, R. A. 474
Hicks, P. T. 518
Higgins, C. W. 710
Highly, O. S. 264
Hilbrant, Samuel 546
French, C. W.
460
Hilbrant, O. S.
542
Hill, A. T.
59
106
Durning, C. M.
296
Duvall, J. W. 78
Eaton, G. W. .701
Ekiss, Edward 621
Erisman, O. L. 543
Evans, R. L.
29
Fathauer, H. W. 169
Ferry, J. P.
493
Fierek, J. J. 448
Finson, C. H.
.307
Flach, H. J. .498
Fombelle, J. S.
116
Foster, A. C. 346
Freeland, C. W. .679
vunk, John
706
Gerber, P. E. 590
Gideon, A. L. 586
Giles, Sard 308
Cox, G. M.
Glasgow, M. C. 248
Creamer, W. D. 318
Cross, L. T.
414
Cross, O. B.
81
Groninger, F. A. .298
Ground, Peter R. 624
Gulick, Lafayette
133
Gushard, William 50
Delaney & Delaney 378
Delaney, Thomas .513
Dickson, L. B. 558
Disbrow, Alonzo
141
Disney, G. W. .596
Divan, J. W. .641
Harrison, M. M.
Drake, Nicholas 201
Haworth, Mahlon
Hawver, J. W. 53
Durfee, B. K.
Heil, H. D.
Eskridge, J. F. 480
Heinle, Fred
Heminger, Andrew
Gabriel, J. T. 440
731
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Hill, B. F. 604
Hill, C. J.
540
Lehman, G. W. 384
Hill, J. M. 284
Lehman, J. M. 131
Hobson, John .533
Hockaday, H. L. 177
Hockaday, J. R.
. 682
Hodge, J. W.
189
Leonard, J. G. 696
Leonard, S. T. 478
Lewis, C. S. 356
653
Linn & Scruggs Dry Goods & Carpet
Company
56
Loeh, Peter 648
Lonergan, M. V. 516
Loving, J. N.
64
Lowry, J. M.
566
Lukens, Ellen M. 244
Lunn, E. H.
183
Lyons, G. W.
120
Lytle, R. P.
33
McConnell, S. C. 370
McDonald, E. S. 386
MeGorray, B. A. 393
McKirahan, C. N. 550
Major, W. R. 508
Martin, Henry 285
Martin, I. N.
423
Mathias, W. H. 289
Mattes, E. D.
39
Mattes, J. F. 18
Matthew, J. B. 334
Melton, W. A.
722
Miller, Andy
333
Miller, C. A.
.375
Miller, C. Y.
420
Miller, J. H.
218
Millikin, James 5
Mills, A. H. 664
Mills, I. R. 666
Mills, L. A.
496
Mittan, F. J. 409
Moeller, G. E. 268
Moffett, E. R. 426
288
Moma, W. D. 187
Mooney, F. J. 531
418
Moore, D. W. 348
Moran, J. J. 24
Morgan, E. A. 368
Morris, R. L.
37
Morris, Robert 36
Moss, A. H. 700
Lee, J. C.
486
Le Forgee, F. A.
574
Le Forgee, C. C. 726
Leonard, C. E.
286
Leonard, H. K. 497
Hoff, David
598
Holman, W. A.
236
Holmes, J. P.
663
Hoots, Edgar
88
Hostetler, F. M.
380
Hostetler, J. A. W. 611
Housum, H. W.
485
Howell, W. T. 149
Hubbard, Joshua
576
Hudelson, R. D. .634
Hurtt, W. F.
160
Huston, W. N.
320
Imboden, C. M. 488
Jack, C. M. .530
Janvrin, Emery 466
Janvrin, Joshua 464
Jimison, G. A. 325
Johns, W. L.
723
Johnson, Gustavus 571
Johnson, Milton
559
Johnston, C. R. 443
Johnston, George 415
Jones & MeLaughlin 403
Jones, H. C. 17
Jostes, Henry
326
Jostes, William 712
Kaiser, A. J. 178
Keagy, Stamen 413
Keister, J. F. 118
Kelly, Adam 562
Kile, W. H.
293
Kipp, Fred 339
Kirby Brothers 57
Kitch, Solomon 310
Knight, W. E., Sr.
388
Kolp, E. S. 623
Kraft, G. W. 458
Kraschel, Fred
274
Kraschel, M. A.
405
Krone, N. L.
360
Laux, Charles 573
Leavitt, T. N. .202
Lebo, J. I. 338
Mueller, Adolph
658
Mueller, F. B.
661
Moffitt, C. W.
Mooney, John
Lehman, P. F. 620
Lindsey, C. W.
732
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
Mueller, G. W. 38
Sanders, J. W.
55
Mueller, H. Mfg. Co. 654
Sanner, A. E. 614
Mueller, Henry 659
Sanner, W. P. 578
Mueller, O. B. 662
Sawyer, William 430
Schenck, C. F.
151
Schmachtenberger, Ottomer 168
Schroeder, F. E.
419
Schroll, D. L.
400
Schudel, B. A.
265
Scott, J. M. 173
Scroggin, C. R. 445
Scroggin, T. J. 112
Shafer, H. J. 319
Shaffer, S. K. 228
O'Brien, T. E. 350
Oldham, H. L. 119
Oliver, R. E. 708
Shlaudeman, Henry
345
Orr, J. N. 507
Parish, H. I. 295
Park, J. H. 147
Parrish, M. P. .394
Pasold, J. I. 198
Peniwell, M. E. 406
Pennypacker, E. E. 255
Perrine, William 534
Persinger, R. E. .544
Phillips, D. J. 695
Phillips, G. S. 278
Phillips, S. H.
453
Smith, Paul
563
Pistorius, F. H.
724
Smith, W. S.
694
Pitner, T. W. 170
Powers Family 40
Powers, E. G. 642
Prentice, T. J. 28
Steele, J. F.
75
Proctor, S. H.
709
Proctor, Warner 608
Quickel, T. 685
Race, J. R. .582
Reavis, J. W. 537
Record, J. H. 408
Redmon, W. E.
89
Reeser, Ed 570
Reis, Lawrence 433
Reynolds, G. W. 98
Richardson, G. W. 553
Tandy, C. E.
100
Taylor, A. R. 580
Taylor, William 556
Thrift, A. J. 439
Thrift, C. A. 383
Tietze, O. H. 697
Timmons, W. F. 193
Torrence, F. D. 174
Tranghber, A. C. 258
Rork, C. W.
.688
Trimmer, A. J.
161
Trimmer, J. F.
139
605
Stocks, J. W.
.607
Stookey, Lewis 669
Stouffer Brothers 666
Sudy, J. C.
622
Summers, A. T. .539
Tait, D. W. 425
Ridgley, William .468
Ritchie, William
449
Roberts, E. J. .630
Roberts, R. J.
152
Robinson, W. B.
90
Roby, K. H. 154
Rogers, F. M. 609
Roney, J. A. 569
Rork, J. C. 234
Shultz, M. W.
122
Simpson, G. S. 108
Smetters, Samuel 277
Smith, A. R. 438
Smith, C. B. 584
Smith, E. O. 673
Smith, J. W. 587
Smith, L. A. 668
Smith, O. W.
557
Spaeth, Anton 549
Spore, Tabitha 545
Stahl, G. A.
551
Stein, E. C. 279
Stewart, David 132
Stickel, N. E.
148
Stocks, J. R.
Mueller, Phillip .662
Mueller, Robert 661
Nelson, W. E. 13
Newsham, John 306
Nichols, J. E. .510
Nicholson, J. P. 721
Nicholson, W. H.
428
Nye, C. C. 506
Null, E. W. 163
Shellabarger, D. S. 683
Shettel, W. M. 200
Shoemaker, A. J. 237
Shorb, W. A. 671
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
733
Troutman, F. B. 369
Troutman, Samuel 290
Tuggle, Isaac 500
Tupper, N. W. 612
Turpin, Doctor
128
Webber, A. G. 454
Welsh, Bert 519
Wheeler, L. W. 47
Whitaker, H. O. 561
Whitehouse, W. S. 269
Willard, J. G. 358
Williams, C. C. 487
Willoughby, E. T. 599
Wilson, F. E. 305
Wilson, H. B. 275
Wood, W. C. 585
Woodcock, H. R. 223
Wree, L. C. 639
Wren, F. L.
395
Ward, C. E.
483
Ward, C. W. 96
Warren, J. K. 245
Washburn, John 714
Weaver,' Roy O. 140
Uhil, Ferdinand 355
Ulery, E. S. 222
Urmston, O. P. .463
Van Koughnet, F. M. 446
Vest, Josephus
190
-
Waddell, J. L. 16
Wagoner, L. A. 80
Wait, A,
469
Walden, J. L. 162
Walter, F. J.
280
Walters, W. H.
564
Young, C. C.
692
3
951
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