Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 41

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

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Mrs. Derry is a member of the Douglas Avenne Methodist Church. Fraternally Mr. Derry belongs to the Modern Woodmen and has held every office In that order, being now one of the high dignitaries. In polltics he is a Re- publican and gives the party his hearty support upon all occasions. For some time he was Tax Collector of Springfield Township, and while living In Rochester was Alderman for a number of years. He is a progressive man, who believes in carrying on business according to modern methods. His success has been rapid, but has been legitimately attained. He has never been afraid of hard work and has intelligently directed hls efforts in whatever line he has pursued with the result that he has progressed. Socially he and his family are prominent, and all have many friends in the community in which they reside.

De SILVA, Emannel, an industrions and success- ful farmer of Sangamon County, has Ilved on his present farm for thirty-five years and has brought his land to a fine state of cultivation. He was born in Portugal, May 11, 1850, son of Jolın De Silva and wife, botli natives of Portu- gal, the former born in 1829 and died about 1894, and the latter died in 1875. . The parents were farmers in their native country and came to America in 1864, locating in Sangamon County, where they spent one year, then moved to Portage. Hill. Later they came to Springfield, where they spent onle year, than moved to a farm five miles northeast of the city. where they lived five years, when they moved to Saw- yer Avenue, Springfield, and spent seven years there. The mother died in 1875 and the follow- ing year the father returned to Portugal and spent five years there, then returned to Illinois and located on the farm where his son Emanuel

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now llves, and where his death occurred. Both he and his wife were buried in Oak Ridge Ceme- tery. He had one other son besides Emanuel, who came to America, and who is also a farmer. This son has five childreu: William, Frank, Robert and Eli, farmers, and Lonis, at home with his father.

Emanuel De Silva has heen engaged in farm- ing since he was twenty-six years of age and has met with gratifying success. He is an eu- ergetle and intelligent man and pays careful attention to all the details of his work. He owns seventy-three acres of excellent land and devotes it to general farming. Ife is accounted a useful and public-spirited farmer and in poli- tles is a Republican, having served three years as School Director. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church and is interested in many charitahle and public causes.

Mr. De Silva was married In Springfield, February 16, 1876, to Mary De Fratles, born June 6, 1855. Her father died In 1875 and her mother in 1903, having located In Saugamon County at an early day. Mr. DeFraties was a gunsmith and for a number of years carried on a business of his own. Flve children were born to Mr. DeFraties and his wife, of whom two survive, Mrs. De Silva, and Mrs. Anna Veare. Mr. and Mrs. DeSilva became parents of six children, three sous and three daughters: Mamie, a dressmaker in Springfield; Auna and Pauline, living at home, the latter learning the dressmaklng trade; John, In drug business in Chicago: Emanuel, Jr., at home; Joe, working in a shoe factory in Springfield. Mr. DeSilva readily makes friends and is known as being honest and reliable in his dealings.

DE SOUZA, Canada B .- Nearly every country of the world has given the United States some reliable and desirable citizens, fewer from Portugal than from many others, hut they are none the less welcome. The people of this faraway land are frugal, industrlous and re- ligiously Inclined, and when given the oppor- tuuities offered here develop into excellent ex- amples of American citizenship. The above is true of the Portuguese In general, hut there are special instances when those of that nation- ality deserve more than passing mentlon, and this Is the case of Canada B. De Souza, of Mechanlesburg Township, Sangamon County. He was born in Portugal, September 29, 1851, belng a son of Joseph and Mary (Spindel) De Sonza. Unfortunately he has no knowledge of his mother, she having died hefore he could re- member her gentle and fostering care. The father was engaged in agricultural pursuits in his native land, where he died about 1900.

Having heard of better advantages to he ob- tained in America, Canada B. De Souza decided to take hls chances and, after much planning and much saving, secured the money to embark on the long trip, from which he landed in Boston, Mass. From that city he came direct to Spring- field, where he secured employment on a farm.

For the ten years that followed he worked with one great object in view, eventually ownlng land of his own. Little by little he saved up the money, until in 1881, he bought forty acres of thnberland In Mechanicsburg Townshlp. From then on he lahored early and late, first clearing off the timber, then planting his land with the seed hest adapted to lt. From time to time he has added to his farm until he now owns 220 acres in one body, which Is as good farming land as can be found In Sangamon County. All of this is under cultivation, with the exception of five acres, left In timber, which he uses for pasturage. On this land he carries on a general farming business, raising cattle, horses and hogs in addition to gralns. By ex- perlmeuting he has learned the best methods of farming and often sets an example his neigh- bors are not slow to follow.

In March, 1882, Mr. DeSouza married Malinda Dillon, born in Sangamon County, Ill., daughter of Ahram and Christina Dillon. Mr. and Mrs. De Souza have children as follows: Ahram, Canada, Mary, Frank and Emanuel, all at home. Thesc have been given excellent educatlons, for, although his own advantages were limited, he belleves In education for his children of whom he is very proud, and entertalns high hopes for their future.

Politically Mr. De Souza Is a Democrat, hut he has been so occupied with his own affairs that he has not taken a very active part In local matters, although if occasion arose he could be counted upon to take the side of law and order. Frugal, hard-working, and quick to embrace any opportunity offered to hetter hls condition, this son of Portugal has carried out his plans and ought to be proud of what he has accomplished. It is not an easy matter for one foreign-born to come to a new country, being ignorant of cus- tomns and language, and not only get along, but be eminently successful, so that Mr. De Souza must be accorded the highest of pralse. He owns a fine farm, supports local improvements, and has reared up a family that is a credit not only to himself and wife, but also to the community in which they have lived.

DE SOUZA, Manuel (deceased) .- Springfield has had representatives from almost every part of the world among its population, and the city has proven a happy home for those who sought here what they could not find in their native lands, freedom to earn a comfortable living and to worship according to the dictates of their con- science. The late Manuel De Souza came from the Island of Madeira, where he was born November 2, 1840, heing a son of Frank and Rosa Ann DeSouza, natives of that island, where the father was a stock farmer.

Manuel De Souza was adopted by an aunt, Mrs. Mary De Frates, when he was two years old, and hy her was brought to Springfield. He attended school there, and afterwards learned the machinist trade, at which he worked dur- ing the remainder of his life, becoming very

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

expert and commanding high prices for his services. Mr. De Souza passed away August 22, 1906, having lived in Springfield for sixty- eight years. Durlug this time he served the Republican party as Alderman from hls ward, and was Supervisor more than once. He was made Superintendent of the Water Works, and in this capacity his skill as a machinist came into good play, so that he was able to render most efficient service to the city. For many years he took an active part as a Mason, an Odd Fellow and member of the A. O. U. W., of Springfield. The Presbyterian Church of this city held his membership, and he died firm in the falth of that denomination.

Mr. De Souza was married in Springfield, March 26, 1860, to Charlotte Roderick, born in 1841, on the Island of Madeira. Her father died July 16, 1911, the mother also being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. De Souza had the following chll- dren : Frank, born December 23, 1866; Joseph, born November 11, 1868; Lottle, born May 27, 1871; Louis, born May 11, 1878; Rose, born July 26, 1880, and Ruth, born Aprll 9, 1882. Mrs. De Souza owns her residence at No. 1205 East Jefferson Street. The family has been active in many movements and its individual members enjoy the confidence of all with whom they are brought In coutact. Mr. De Souza was a public-spirited man, and contributed both time and money to secure improvements In the city. He belleved In its future and was taken away In the midst of a husy, happy life, when he still had much to live for. He left a fine family that is held In high esteem. Mrs. De Souza has elght grandchildren all living in this city. She has a son and daughter at home. She has lived forty-one years In her present home. Mr. De Souza worked at Abraham Lin- coln's house for several months and was there when the later was elected President. He always ate at the table with Mr. Lincoln.

DE SYLVER, John, who is proprietor of two hotels at Springfield. Ill., favorably known to a wide circle, including huslness men, poli- ticians and others who are continually at- tracted to the capital of the State, is a repre- sentative citizen along many lines. He owns and conducts both the De Sylver Hotel and the Brunswick Hotel. He was born In the city, May 5. 18GS, a son of John and Luey (Figueira) De Sylver. The parents of Mr. De Sylver were both born in Portuguese posses- sions, the father In 1831. and the mother on the Island of Madelra, in 1836. They came to Amer- ica and to Springfield, in 1851. The father had been trained more or less in agricultural pur- suits, and these he continued in Illinois until his death, which occurred at the home where he had resided in Sangamon County, in April, 1909. He had acquired considerahle real estate and a part of it is in the city of Springfield, and is of much value. He married twice, his first wife dying in 1SSO. He marrled as his seeond wife Miss Jessle Silva, who survives him. He

was the father of seven children, three sons and three daughters, namely: Julia, who died in 1901, was the wife of Charles Seaman; John ; Lewis, who Is a resident of Springfield ; Minuie, who is the wife of Joseph Roderick, of Spring- field ; Frank, who died early ; Mamie, who is the wife of Elmer Roderick, of Springfield, and Minnle Lucy, born in June, 1870, died in 1877.

John De Sylver, with his brothers and sis- ters, attended the schools of his home township. Afterward he assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-five years of age, when he entered into the hotel husiness at Springfield, immediately meeting with success In the undertaking, and recently has added to his business scope and responsibilities. He is proprietor of the De Sylver Hotel, at No. 505 East Madison Street, and his more recent ac- quisition was the Brunswick Hotel. Both houses are condueted on the American plan, and it is the aim of Mr. De Sylver to give his guests real comfort, an excellent table and atteutive service.

Mr. De Sylver was married by Rev. Van- ders Cantrall in Illinois, ou October 13, 1891, to Miss Alice Conner, who was born at Pleas- ant Plaius, Ill., June 12, 1871, a daughter of Jefferson and Louisa (Adams) Conuer. Mrs. De Sylver's father was born November 1, 1859, and died December 23, 1883, and her mother was born August 28, 1864, and died October 22, 1899. Mr. Conner was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the parents of six children, Mrs. De Sylver being the oldest: Annie, who is the wife of William C. Conner; Addie Belle; Albert, and John, these three residing at Spring- field, and Sylvester, who died at the age of three years. Mr. and Mrs. De Sylver have one ehlld, Ernest, who was born July 9, 1893. They attend the Second Presbyterian Chureh. He is a Republican in politics, but takes more Inter- est in his business than iu office-seeking. He is identified fraternally with Aerie No. 437, Eagles, with Nest No. 1191, Owls, and with the Court of Honor, with which lils wife is also identified.

DICKMANN, Casper (deceased) .- The records of Sangamon County are filled with the strug- gles of those brave pioneers who came there full of confidence for its future, investing their scanty earnings in farm land. The 'fifties saw the settlement there of inany foreign-born men, who sought In the new land a home and free- dom. In those early days Sangamon County farm land was not so valuable as it is today. Those settling upou it had to overcome much, and yet many lived to reap large returns from this very land. One of the most successful of these early farmers. was the late Casper Dick- mann, born in Germany, October 5, 1826, a son of a German-born farmer. Neither of the par- ents ever left the fatherland, but died within its confines.

Like thousands of other German boys, Casper Dickmann grew up In the country neighborhood

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in which he was born, enjoying such educa- tional privileges as the schools there afforded, and after working some time for his father on the farm, left home to come to America in 1856. Landing at New Orleans, he made his way to St. Louis, and a short time later left that city to press on to Springfield and vicinity. There he bought land and farmed on it until his re- tirement in 1886, when he located in the city. His death occurred May 11, 1907. and he died firm in the faith of the German Lutheran Church, to which he had belonged for many years.

On January 27. 1876. Mr. Dickmann was mar- ried in Springfield to Anna E. Schmoll, born in Germany September 7, 1834, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Oshman) Schmoll. Her par- ents also spent their lives in Germany. The father died in 1868 and the mother in 1843. Mrs. Dickmann made a trip home in 1909, en- joying very much her visit to her birthplace. Mr. and Mrs. Dickmann had children as fol- lows : Conrad. who lives in Springfield; Cath- erine E .. wife of Rev. William Roesener, a min- ister of the German Lutheran Church, who lives at Bremen, Ind .; and Mary, wife of Rev. Gott- lieb Theis, lived at Stuttgart, Ark .. but died six months after marriage. There are nine grand- children. Mrs. Dickmann owns her pleasant home at No. 315 West Carpenter Street, as well as the farm of 160 acres, which lies on the county line between Sangamon and Morgan Counties. Mr. Dickmann made a success of his farming and was proud of his work. While never interested in public affairs, to the ex- tent of desiring office, he could always he counted upon to give his support to any measure he believed would work out for the good of the community. and had many warm personal friends throughout both Sangamon and Morgan Counties, where he lived for so long.

DILLARD, R. Martin, of Springfield, Ill., be- longs to one of the old families of Sangamon County, of which he is a native. He was born in Springfield Township, January 22, 1847, son of Benjamin Franklin and Mary (Crowder) Dillard, the father a native of Virginia, born August 10, 1810, and the mother a Kentuckian, born in 1818. The grandfather, William Dillard, was born in Virginia and in 1830 came to Sangamon County, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. Benjamin F. Dillard was educated In Virginia and as a young man re- moved to Kentucky, where for a number of years he was engaged as stage driver. In 1830 he settled in Springfield Township, Sangamon County. The place where he located was known as the old McKinnie Settlement. His wife had come to Sangamon County with her parents when a small child, the trip being made by wagons. Her parents were also farmers. Ben- jamin F. Dillard was married in Sangamon County, where he lived until his death. Septem- ber 1, 1869, his widow surviving him until 1870. When he came to Sangamon County he also

made the trip by wagon and upon his arrival entered eighty acres of land, which he improved and operated, and he was active and successful in this work until the time of his death. Both died on the home place, where their five chil- dren had been born. They were: Eustatia, wife of Edward E. Keys, died recently; John J. died on the home place in 1864; William R. lives on the old home place ; Mary E., deceased ; R. Martin.

R. Martin Dillard was educated at the Lib- erty School, about four miles north of Spring- field, and his first work was performed on his father's farm, where he grew to maturity and remained until he reached his majority, when he began farming on his own account. He continued this occupation until 1903, then took up his residence in Springfield, and now occu- pies a most comfortable residence at No. 633 West North Grand Avenue. He is employed by the Lincoln Park Coal & Brick Company.

Mr. Dillard was married in Springfield by Rev. E. B. Rogers, of the Central Baptist Church, May 3, 1893, to Lucy Frances Coy, who was born in Macon County, Ill., on a place near Mount Zion and eight miles east of Deca- tur, August 18, 1854. She is a daughter of John T. and Martha A. (Cox) Campbell, the father born in Virginia, December 22, 1831, and the mother a Pennsylvanian, born December 6, 1835. Seven children were born to Mr. Camp- bell and wife, the oldest being Mrs. Dillard and the others as follows: Emma, wife of Lewis Carpenter, a farmer of Colorado; Luella, wife . of William Maxie, a farmer of Fort Scott, Kan. ; Clara, wife of Thomas Prigmore, of Reeds. Mo .; Martha, wife of Charles Broodway, a farmer living near Joplin, Mo., where he has an ex- tensive strawberry farm; and Wiliam. Lucy Frances Campbell married (first) George W. Coy, September S. 1871. Mr. Coy was a native of Indiana, born in 1850, and died in 1891. Five children were born of this union: Clara, born May 18, 1872, died in 1881; Rose, born Decem- ber 21, 1874, wife of John Burns, of Springfield; Arthur L .. born November 4, 1876; John W., born January 25. 1878; Edward A., born De- cember 21, 1880. By her second marriage Mrs. Dillard had two children, namely: Alice, born September 27, 1894, a telephone operator and living at home; Benjamin Franklin, born April 10. 1896.

Mr. Dillard is a member of the Baptist Church and in politics is a Republican. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has a large circle of friends. He remem- bers his attendance at the first State Fair ever held at Springfield, and has witnessed many changes and improvements in the city and its environments since he was old enough to take cognizance of such matters.

DILLER, Isaac Roland, has spent his entire life in Springfield, which is his birthplace, with the exception of a few years when he was away at school. Mr. Diller was born July 14, 1854, son

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of Roland Weaver and Esther Coates (Ridge- way) Diller. The father was born at Downing- town, Chester County, Pa., October 3, 1822, and his wife was born in Philadelphia, Pa., August 20, 1821. Roland W. Diller In early life, learned the trade of printer, settling in Springfield, in 1844, there securing employment on the Illinois State Register. He worked in the State An- ditor's office and, having learned surveying in the East, took a contract for platting part of the State of Iowa. He served as Lieutenant in a company enlisted under Gov. Ford in the Mor- mon War. In 1849, he formed a partnership with Charles S. Corneau, under the firm name of Corneau & Diller, purchasing the drug store of Wallace & Diller, and for over fifty years conducted the business on the east side of the Square. Mr. Diller was converted in religious falth in 1866, and shortly after united with the Presbyterian Church, being elected a Ruling Elder and serving faithfully in that capacity until lils death, August 18, 1905. Mrs. Diller was of Quaker descent, but also nnited with the Presbyterian Church in 1866, and lived a con- sistent Christian life uutil her death, March 31, 1889.

The early education of Isaac R. Diller was acquired in the Springfield public schools and he was gradnated from the High School in 1871. He attended the Chicago College of Pharmacy in 1873-74, and was graduated from the Phila- delphla College of Pharmacy In the Centennial Class, in 1876. He entered his father's drug store, upon leaving school, and followed that business until 1901, with the exception of two years devoted to Y. . M. C. A. work. IIe has been connected with the local branch of the Association since he helped organize it in 1874, and has always been most actively inter- ested In its good work. Since 1907, Mr. Diller has been engaged in the business of Real Es- tate, Mortgage Loans and Insurance.

Mr. Diller was married in Springfield, III., June 30, 1880, to Addie May Hughes, who was born In Springfield, February 19, 1856, daugh- ter of William Thompson and Dorinda (Scott) Hughes. Mr. Hughes was a native of Ken- tucky, but was opposed to the institution of slavery and moved to Illinois at an early day. His wife, Dorinda Scott, was a native of San- gamon County, where her father was one of tlie early settlers, being one of the first min- Isters of the Christian Church. while supporting himself and his twelve children by farming. Mr. Diller and his wife have one son, Willlam Hughes, born February 26, 1884, who, having been graduated from Yale University and Har- vard Law School, is now practicing law In Springfield.

Mr. Diller united with the Presbyterlan Church In 1866, after the great revival conducted by Rev. E. P. Hammond, and is now an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church and Clerk of the Session. Mr. Diller has always been much interested in all lines of religious work, and during the past few years has devoted much of

his time to the work in the interests of the young men of Springfield. He was reared a Democrat, but in 1885, he became identified with the Prohibition party and for several years past has served as Connty and City Secretary of that party. Mr. Diller has been active in furthering the best interests and moral welfare of his community, and has many warm friends and supporters In his work. His earnestness and singleness of purpose are nniversally rec- ognized, and he is highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities of mind and heart.

DILLON, Ebenezer B., of Cooper Township, is one of Sangamon County's old and honored farmers and a highly esteemed citizen of the town of Roby, Ill. Mr. Dillon is a native of Sangamon County, having been born in Cooper Township, November 1, 1833, a son of James and Hannah ( Williams) Dillon, natives of Ohio and New York respectively. James Dillon came to Sangamon County as a pioneer at a very early day and, settling in Cooper Town- ship, engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued to follow until his death in 1851, his widow surviving nntil 1864. Of their fam- ily of three sons and five daughters, Ebenezer B. is the sole survivor.

Mr. Dillon's education was secured in the old log schoolhouse, with its slab benches and pnn- cheon floor, and was taken when he could get it, or when he conld spare the time from his duties on his father's farm. Raised to the life of a farmer, on attaining his majority he decided to make farming his life work, and this he has done. Mr. Dlllon is a Democrat in his political views, but has never aspired to office, prefer- ing to give his time and attention to his farm.

On January 18, 1862, Mr. Dillon was married In Cooper Townshlp, to Lucretia Cantrall, daughter of Willis and Pauline Cantrall, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Alabama. Mr. Cantrall, who was a farmer, operated in Indiana for some years, but came to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1851, and here both he and his wife resided nntll their death. Of their family of five boys and five girls, Mrs. Dillon, her sister, Mrs. Mary Becraft, of Pleas- ant Plains, and one brother, Edward, of Quincy, Ill., survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Dillon there have been born ten children, as follows: Me- linda, the wife of Canada De Souza, living on a farm near Jordan; Mary Ann, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Driscoll, also deceased ; Hannah, wife of Q. Spinnell, a farmer of San- gamon County ; Lnella, wife of Frank Cantrall, of Springfield ; William and Ebenezer, deceased ; Alice, wife of Norman Ridgeway, a farmer of Cooper Township; Josephine, wife of Yankton Holmes, of Mechanlesburg; Georgla, wife of Charles Smith, of Kansas City; and David, who Ilves at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dillon have twenty-six grandchildren. Mrs. Dillon is a consistent member of the Roman Catholic

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 41

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774