USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, volume II > Part 8
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
which brought on a general engagement around the entire line, in which the Eighth lost severely. This was the first active fight Mr. Steele had been in, and his fighting metal was severely tested. His regiment was changed from the right to the left and was under W. H. L. Wallace. Late in the day they received rations for the first time in two days. Night closed in with the enemy unsubdued and the Union troops rested on their arms. Early Sunday morning the white flag was seen to float from the enemy's works. Fort Donelson sur- rendered and the Union forces took possession of the work and remained in camp for a time and then marched to Fort Henry, where they embarked for Savannah, thence proceeded to Pittsburg Landing and went into camp about half a mile from Shiloh church. There Mr. Steele lay with his regiment until he was unexpectedly called out by the long roll, crossed the road leading to Corinth and formed in line of battle to the left in the edge of the timber, where they remained for a while with the bullets of the enemy passing over them from the fighting in front. They moved down and then opened fire; shortly the front line fell back and Mr. Steele with fifty of his regiment were left alone. They soon fell back but with lines badly broken, while the enemy's lines were intact. They soon formed, however, and checked the advance of the rebels, getting behind a road fence where they made a stubborn resistance and did some gallant fighting. His regiment was now consolidated with the Eighteenth Illinois, having about one hundred and fifty men, and were com- manded by General Lieb. They charged the enemy and captured two guns. They lay on their arms during the entire night in a heavy rain, had had noth- ing to eat since the night before, having gone into action in the morning be- fore breakfast. The next morning Buell's army passed them and soon opened the battle which relieved Mr. Steele and his command from active duty. Soon after the battle he was taken ill, which illness developed into typhoid fever. He was conveyed to a hospital tent, where he was left for a time, and then placed on board of a hospital boat which took him to Quincy. There he re- mained until he was able to be moved, when his father came and took him home to Decatur. He rejoined his regiment in July at Jackson, Tennessee. From there the regiment was ordered to Toons Station to guard the railroad, where it remained until it was ordered on the Tallahatchie campaign. It was found that Mr. Steele was unfit for active duty with his company on account of lingering illness, and he was detailed for duty in the quartermaster's depart- ment of McPherson's corps. He remained in this service until he was cap- tured at Holly Springs, December 20, 1862, by Van Dorn's forces with all the stores at that place. There was no defense made. A few companies of the Second Illinois Cavalry under Major McPherson got out with little loss. Mr. Steele was paroled, sent to Memphis and from there to Benton Barracks, spend- ing a portion of the time under parole at Decatur, but reporting every two weeks at parole camp. He finally received permission to go home and report by letter every ten days. He remained at home until June 20, 1863, when he went to Benton Barracks and from there was sent to Vicksburg, thence up the Yazoo, arriving at their point of destination on the evening of July 3. Cannonading was still going on when they landed but had ceased before they were unloaded, by reason of the flag of truce raised on the enemy's works. On
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the morning of July 4, Mr. Steele rode into Vicksburg with General McPher- son's staff officers. August Ist he was assigned to duty by Colonel Coolbaugh as agent of the railroad at Big Black, where his duties were about the same as an agent in the civil service. He remained on duty there until June Ist, when the government abandoned the road and he was ordered to report to General McPherson's headquarters, then at Big Shanty, Georgia, and was detailed in the mail service, carrying mail from Chattanooga to the general's headquarters. He continued in this mail service until the death of McPherson, and then brought his horse as far as Louisville and was there ordered to report to the regiment at Vicksburg. He waited there for a time for the regiment and then intercepted it and was mustered out August 15, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service. His next move was to Natchez, where he engaged with a sutler for a time and then went to New Orleans."
When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid, Mr. Steele returned to Decatur, in June, 1865, and has since made his home in this city. On the 16th of October, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ganley, of this city, who was born in Ireland. They became the parents of one child, Stasia.
The rigors and hardships of war greatly undermined Mr. Steele's health, and since 1882 the government has given him a pension. His political views have ever been in accord with the principles of the republican party, and on the 6th of April, 1910, he was elected to the position of town clerk of Decatur, in which capacity he is now acceptably serving. On the 18th of April, 1866, he became a member of Original Post, No. I, G. A. R. This organization ceased to exist in 1869, and in 1888 he joined Dunham Post, with which he is now identified. In 1893 he was elected senior vice commander and thus served for a year. He was afterward elected commander for a year and served as officer of the day for four years. He was then chosen to the position of adjutant and has acted in that capacity for a long period, being the present incumbent. He is very popular and prominent among his fellow members of the Grand Army post and throughout the community is known as a genial gentleman, whose many sterling characteristics have won him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact. During his long residence in Decatur he has become widely known, and all speak of him in terms of high regard.
JOHN W. DUVALL.
Indomitable energy and unfaltering perseverance, when guided by careful, conservative management of business affairs, seldom fail in the acquirement of success, and such has been the record of John W. Duvall. Self-made and almost wholly self-educated, he has, during the years of his active connection with business interests, worked his way forward until today he is ranked among the most substantial and prosperous residents of Whitmore township. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Belmont county on the 14th of July, 1848, and is a son of Elihu Duvall, who, although born in Pennsylvania, was reared in
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
the Buckeye state, to which his parents had removed in his early childhood. The family home was established in Belmont county, and there he grew to manhood and was married. For some years he was identified with agricultural pursuits in that locality and then, in 1857, came to Illinois, making permanent location in Macon county. The winter of that year was spent in Decatur, and in 1858 the family took up their abode in Whitmore township, where the father was engaged in operating a rented farm for a few years. Later he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, which formed the nucleus of what later became the Duvall homestead. Bending his efforts to its development and improvement, it was not long before he had converted the tract into productive fields which he continued to cultivate until his death, which occurred in 1863. He was long survived by his wife who, in her maidenhood, was Castary Jones, a native of Ohio.
Coming to Macon county as a lad of nine years, John W. Duvall has, there- fore, spent almost his entire life within its borders. The educational privileges afforded him were limited to those offered by the district schools of that day, which he attended during the winter months, but it is principally to his later read- ing and observation that he owes his present broad and comprehensive knowl- edge. His early practical training, however, was not neglected, and in the fields and about the home farm he spent the seasons of vacation, becoming familiar with the tasks that usually fall to the country lad. Amid the busy activities of rural life he also learned many lessons concerning the value of industry, perseverance and integrity, and the wholesome environment of the farm was conductive to a healthy growth and the acquirement of good habits. He con- tinued to live on the old homestead, to which he succeeded at the time of his father's demise and in the cultivation of which he has since been engaged. From time to time, as fortune favored, he invested in more property adjoining the original farm on the east, and is today the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land. In 1904 he erected a neat, up-to-date residence equipped with all of the most modern improvements including furnace heat, gas light and hot and cold running water and surrounded by a neat lawn in- closed within an iron fence. He also has built substantial barns and commodious outbuildings, and well kept fences protect his fields. In fact the farm is one of the best tilled and highly improved properties in the township and stands as a monument to a life of well directed effort and intelligently applied labor. Till- ing the soil, however, has not been his only vocation, for he has given consider- able time and attention to successful stock-raising interests, raising and feed- ing cattle, hogs and horses. He makes a specialty of hogs and horses, and the superior quality of his stock commands ready sales and good prices on the market.
It was in 1882 that Mr. Duvall was united in marriage to Miss Alice Vulga- mott, who was born and reared in Macon county and is a daughter of John Vulgamott, a native of Ohio. She passed away in March, 1899, and was laid to rest in Union cemetery. Besides her husband, seven children survived to mourn her loss, three sons and four daughters, as follows: J. W., Jr., a business man of Decatur; Dollie, at home, who took the census of Friends Creek township in 1910; Nellie, who is keeping house for her father; Fay, who received thorough
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
comprehensive training in the State Normal School and is now engaged in teach- ing in Macon county ; Wilbur, Anna and Russell E., all at home.
Mr. Duvall is a member of the Argenta Presbyterian church, as was also his wife, and in the public life of the community he has been a prominent figure. A stanch advocate of the principles of the republican party, he has voted for every presidential nominee on that ticket since casting his first vote for General U. S. Grant. His standing among his fellow citizens is indicated by the fact that he has again and again been called to accept public office, serving on the township board as assessor for four consecutive years and as township trustee for six years. In 1910 he was elected supervisor of the township and is now filling that position. He has served on the petit jury, has been sent as delegate to various county conventions, has served for years as township committeeman and is now a member of the committee on roads and bridges. That he is a stal- wart champion of the cause of education is indicated by the fact that he has been identified with the schools of the county as director for the past twenty years. The same qualities which made him a successful business man have character- ized his public service and the promptness and thoroughness with which he has fulfilled the duties of each office in which he has served have won him the approval and commendation of every citizen, regardless of party ties. Public- spirited and progressive in his citizenship, no measure or movement which has for its object the material, political, intellectual or moral development and up- building of the community lacks his hearty cooperation.
A long residence in Macon county has made J. W. Duvall widely and favor- ably known to a large circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, and he is recognized as one of the most progressive, sub- stantial and successful business men of the locality. His personal traits of char- acter are such as speak for valuable and desirable citizenship in any community, and in both public and private life by the consensus of public opinion he has been tried and not found wanting.
LEONARD A. WAGONER.
Leonard A. Wagoner is one of the well known farmers and stock-raisers of Oakley township, owning and cultivating a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 6 and also an equal amount on section 7. He also has another tract of eighty acres on section 6, his possessions therefore ag-' gregating four hundred acres. He is numbered among the early settlers of this part of Illinois in that he has been a resident of Macon county since 1865. He was born in Carroll county, Indiana, July 16, 1853, and is a son of John Wagoner, who was born in the Hoosier state and was there married to Miss Barbara Blickenstaff, who removed to Indiana from Ohio. The father was a farmer in Carroll county, thus providing for the support of his family, which included three children. Subsequently he removed to Iowa, but soon returned to Indiana, and in 1865 came to Macon county, subsequently settling upon the farm where his son Leonard now resides. He cultivated this place for a num-
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
ber of years and the family was reared on the home farm. Following her husbands' death, Mrs. Wagoner removed to Cerro Gordo, where she spent her last years, dying there about 1904. In the family were four sons and two daughters: Leonard A .; Daniel, now living in Indiana; Noah, who reached mature years and was married but is now deceased; Isaiah, living in Idaho; Katie, the wife of John M. Shibely, of Long Beach, California; and Amanda, the wife of J. B. Metzger, of Cerro Gordo.
Leonard A. Wagoner was reared on the old home farm, having been a resident of Macon county from the age of twelve years. He remained with his mother until he had attained his majority and largely assisted her in the work incident to the development and improvement of the place. He was mar- ried in Cerro Gordo township, in 1882, to Miss Martha Miser, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Illinois. Following his marriage, he purchased seventy acres of land in Long Creek township and turned his attention to its cultivation. He made some improvements upon that place and continued to till the fields for nine years. He then sold out and returned to the old home- stead. He began here with one hundred and twenty acres, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and improved with modern equipments. From time to time he has added to this property until he now owns four hundred acres, all of which is fine farm land. It responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it, and his property is now one of the excellent farms of this part of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner have been born two sons and two daughters: William, who is cultivating his father's place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 7; David B., who was educated at Mount Morris, Illinois, and aids in carrying on the home farm; Ida May, at home; and Cora Fay. Both daugh- ters were also educated at Mount Morris. Another daughter, Dora, died at the age of fifteen months and one daughter in infancy. In his political views Mr. Wagoner is a republican but has never sought or desired office. His re- ligious faith is that of the Church of the Brethren and his membership is in the Brick church. He has been a resident of the county for forty-five years and is numbered among its active and prosperous citizens, possessing good busi- ness ability and at all times enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow- men because his business activity balances up with the principles of truth and honor.
OSCAR B. CROSS.
Oscar B. Cross, who was elected overseer of the poor of Macon county on the 20th of October, 1910, has already proven himself well fitted for the posi- tion. His birth occurred in Christian county, Illinois, on the 13th of June, 1858, his parents being J. Wilson and Sarah A. (Hurst) Cross, both of whom are deceased. They passed away in Christian county, the father dying on the 24th of September, 1909, while the mother was called to her final rest in 1894. They reared a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living, as fol- lows: Mrs. D. J. Cartwright, who is a resident of Blue Mound township, this
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
county ; Mrs. Mary M. Duff, of Sangamon county; Oscar B., of this review; Mrs. A. E. McMillan, likewise of Blue Mound township; and L. T., who fol- lows farming in Harristown township, Macon county.
Oscar B. Cross was reared to manhood on the farm where his birth oc- curred and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. He came to Decatur in August, 1892, and on the 20th of June of the following year was appointed patrolman under Mayor D. C. Moffitt. He served as an efficient officer of the police department until December 6, 1910, when he was suspended by the present mayor, C. M. Borchers. As police officer he served continuously under the following mayors: D. C. Moffitt, D. H. Lehman Conk- lin, B. Z. Taylor, G. W. Stadler, C. F. Shilling, E. F. G. W. McDonald and C. M. Borchers. During his service as a patrolman he remained on one beat on Franklin street for eight years, his being the roughest patrol in the city. In addition to his duties in this connection, he has served the Powers Opera House as an officer each evening for eleven years, still holding that position at the present time. He is justly proud of his career as a policeman, having a clear record and having never been called before a mayor or chief of police for conduct unbecoming an officer. On the 20th of October, 1910, he was elected overseer of the poor of Macon county, being one of nine candidates and receiving sixteen votes out of the twenty-two cast by the supervisors of this county. He was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of R. J. Roberts, a pioneer of Decatur. His record as a public official also covers five years' service in the capacity of health officer.
Mr. Cross has been twice married and is the father of five children, his eldest son being Lyman C. Cross, who was born of the first marriage. For his second wife he chose Miss Laura Harris, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has the following children: Sarah A .; Lloyd Wilson; Russell S .; and James Nelson, named in honor of Judge William E. Nelson, who performed the mar- riage ceremony in Decatur. Fraternally Mr. Cross is identified with the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 144, and also to the en- campment. His fellow townsmen entertain for him warm friendship and kindly regard, and he is highly esteemed by all who know him.
LEONARD H. CASSITY.
Leonard H. Cassity, a prosperous and representative citizen of Decatur, is at the head of the Cassity Electric Company, doing contract work and dealing in general electrical supplies. His place of business is located at No. 357 North Main street and his home is at No. 1330 North College street. His birth occurred in Lucas County, Iowa, on the 30th of December, 1876, his parents being J. C. and Eliza (Allen) Cassity. The father, who was born in Indiana in 1856, ac- companied his parents on their removal to Iowa when nine years of age and has since been a resident of that state. The pursuits of farming and stock-raising have claimed his attention throughout his entire business career and he still de-
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
votes his time and energies to the work of the fields with excellent results. His wife, who was the second in order of birth in a family of twelve children, was born in Iowa, March 28, 1859, and passed away on the Ist of January, 1897. Our subject is the elder of two children, his sister being Ethel A., who was born August 28, 1881, and makes her home with her father.
Leonard H. Cassity obtained his early education in the public schools of Chariton, Iowa, graduating therefrom in 1897. Later he spent a year in Parsons College of Fairfield, Iowa, and then studied in James Millikin University of Decatur for two years. After completing his education he entered the service of the Western Electric Company at Chicago, remaining in the employ of that concern for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Decatur and on the 15th of December, 1908, embarked in business on his own account, opening an office in the Home Telephone building at No. 219 North Main street. On the 15th of February, 1910, he removed to his present location at No. 357 North Main street and is now conducting a good business, doing contract work and dealing in general electrical supplies. He keeps in touch with the notable progress that is manifest in the electrical world and is qualified to put his knowledge and ideas into practical use in the conduct of the business in which he is now engaged. His enterprise is incorporated under the name of the Cas- sity Electric Company.
In 1907 Mr. Cassity was united in marriage to Miss Ola McIntosh, a daugh- ter of T. R. and Mary McIntosh, residing near Forsyth, Illinois. She was the eldest child in a family of three children, having been born January 16, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Cassity now have two children, namely: Ronald, whose natal day was March 15, 1908; and Carroll, whose birth occurred December 15, 1909.
In politics Mr. Cassity is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church of Russell, Iowa. He is like- wise a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 614, A. F. & A. M., at Forrest, Illi- nois, and Decatur Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F. His life is upright and honorable, his many good qualities winning for him the high regard of all who know him.
MARTIN E. CONNARD.
Martin E. Connard, a prosperous and leading resident of Elwin, is success- fully engaged in business as a grain merchant. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of this county, his birth having here occurred on the 16th of May, 1868. His father, Charles E. Connard, who was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of November, 1829, was a son of John and Dorothy (Schriver) Connard and a grandson of Ebenezer Connard. The last named was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and came of German an- cestry. Charles E. Connard, the father of our subject, was the eldest child and only son in a family of five children, his sisters being Hannah, Sarah Ann, Catharine and Angeline, all of whom are deceased. In 1840 he came to Illinois 5
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with his parents, locating on the farm near Elwin which remained his place of abode during the rest of his life. General agricultural pursuits claimed his at- tention throughout 'his entire business career and during the last thirty years of his life he was likewise actively engaged in the grain business, being asso- ciated with his sons in that business. He was uniformly respected and esteemed and became widely recognized as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the county. At the time of his arrival this state was still but sparsely settled and largely undeveloped, and the work of progress and improvement remained to the future. During his lifetime Mr. Connard not only witnessed a most won- derful transformation but largely aided in the labors which transformed the wild tract into a splendid commonwealth. He became a charter member of the Elwin Methodist church in 1849 and for sixty years acted as one of its stewards, holding that position at the time of his demise, which occurred on the 27th of September, 1899. The farm on which he passed away had been his home for a period of fifty-eight years. In 1855 he had wedded Miss Nancy N. Eager, by whom he had nine children, of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 30th of Sep- tember, 1878, and the following year Mr. Connard was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth J. Rozzel, of Macon county, by whom he had three children.
Martin E. Connard obtained his early education in the public schools of this state and later spent part of a year as a student in the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon. After putting aside his text-books he entered the grain establishment of his father and brother at Elwin and in 1897 purchased an interest in the business and has since had charge thereof. After the father's death he and his brother, G. S. Connard, of Decatur, bought the interest of the other heirs in the grain business and now control the business. In the spring of 1902 Mr. Connard of this review organized a telephone system, building lines through the country districts. In May, 1910, however, he sold out to the Macon County Telephone Company, of Decatur, and at that time had one hun- dred and sixty-five subscribers. He still owns stocks and bonds in that con- cern, however, and likewise inherited a part of his father's estate, which has not yet been settled. In 1902 he erected a beautiful modern residence in Elwin and has since made his home therein. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it it in his nature to carry for- ward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the de- served and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
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