USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
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In his political sympathies Mr. Eldridge was formerly a member of the republican party, but breaking away from it in the Liberal movement of 1872, he has since supported the democratic organiza- tion. He has been actively interested in politics, and is usually found doing active service on the stump in a political campaign. The only office for which he was ever a candidate, was that of county judge, for which the democrats nominated him by acclamation a short time before the election in 1877. He has three children, one son and two daughters. He is a man of strong social sympathies, of many popular traits of character, and is well liked by the people.
AMONG the successful foreign born citizens of the city of Decatur stands the name of Thomas Andrews. He is a native of South Wales, and was born August 28th, 1840. He is the youngest son of a family of three children (two sons and one daughter), who by the chances of fortune are as widely separated as is almost pos- sible. The brother is a resident of Africa, and the sister of Austra- lia. Mr. Andrews' parents died while he was yet young ; he was kindly cared for by his maternal uncle and aunt. He grew to manhood on a farm ; his education was limited, and received in the public schools of his native country. With his uncle's family he remained until his twenty-second year, when he resolved to emigrate to America and seek his fortunes in the new world, and left Liver- pool on the 3d of May, 1862, landing in New York on the 18th of the same month. After visiting friends in Rochester, N. Y., and remaining with them a week, he then set out for Wisconsin with a friend who had made the journey with him from Wales. In Wis- consin he went to work on a farm, and remained a year and a half, when, feeling the need of a more thorough business education, he
entered Bryant, Stratton & Spencer's Commercial College at Mil- waukee, and remained there three months. On account of his funds getting short he was compelled to seek employment for the purpose of replenishing his exhausted finances. He received a letter of recommendation to the proprietor of the Central House in Decatur, Ill., and came on here; after waiting five or six weeks he received the position as clerk. Remaining in that capacity for six months, he then went to the old Revere House as manager and clerk of the billiard hall and saloon ; he remained in the " Revere," in different capacities, for four and a half years, when he leased the saloon and billiard hall, and operated both as proprietor until the house was burned down. A few days later he leased and fitted up the room in the St. Nicholas Hotel, moved his stock there, and has continued the business with success up to the present time. Mr. Andrews came to this country a poor man, without money or influential friends. He started down at the foot, and by slow, patient toil has made a comfortable competency.
PRIEST'S HOTEL
PRIEST'S
HOTEL
PRIEST'S HOTEL , DECATUR, ILL.
WHITMORE TOWNSHIP.
HIS township is located in the north-eastern part of the county, and comprises the greater part of Town 17 North, Range 3 East, with seven sections from the north-west corner of T. 17 N., R. 4 E., containing about twenty-three thousand and forty acres of land. It is bounded on the north by Friends' Creek township, on the east by Piatt county and Oakley township, on the south by Oakley and Decatur, and on the west by Hickory Point township. It received its name in honor of a Mr. Whitinore, one of those adventurous spirits, who regardless of old home comforts and its surroundings, pushed forward to expose the trackless West, and located in this township, built a log cabin and began farming. The Sangamon river, which flows along the southern border, and its tributaries Friends' Creek, Stevens' Creek and a few other minor streams drain the lands and furnish an abundaut supply of water for stock pur- poses. The Champaign, Havana and Western Railroad, running through the township from south-west to north-east, enters the township at section 31 and passes out at section 2. This township was settled at an early date. In the year 1828 John Draper moved from Hickory Point township, whither he had removed from the Old Dominion with David Florey in 1825, and located on section 35 of Hickory Point. On his removal to Whitmore town- ship, in 1828, Mr. Draper built a cabin on section 18, Tp. 17, R. 4 E., and began to improve his possessions, now occupied by Dr. Johns' tile works. Among other early settlers were Robert Stewart and John White, who came with their families not long after the arrival of Mr. Draper, and located near the center of the township. By the year 1840 there had grown up quite a neighborhood in the vicinity of sections 15, 16, 21 and 22, Tp. 17 N., R. 3 East. The first marriage to occur in Whitmore was that of John Draper to Miss Amy Florey, (a sister of David Florey, who came from Vir- ginia in 1825, and located in Hickory Point township, and a few years later came to Whitmore township.) Mr. Draper and Miss Florey were married by the Rev. Samuel Miller. As will be seen the Draper family occupy and deserve the foremost position in the pioneer history of Whitmore township. The birth of Anderson Draper, son of John Draper and Amy Draper, was the first to occur within the limits of what is at present Whitmore township. Cynthia Draper was the first person whose death occurred. By the year 1841 the needs of the settlers became such that the erection of a school-house was a necessity, and accordingly a log school-house was erected on section 22, Tp. 17 N., R. 3 E., by the combined contributions of money and labor of the residents of the neighbor- hood. This building was also used for all church purposes, and the never-to-be-forgotted old-fashioned singing school. The first preach- er to deliver a sermon in this township soon after. its settlement was a Methodist circuit rider. The Rev. A. Bradshaw was the first minister to locate. Soon afterward the Rev. Mr. Lewis, one of the
early pioneers in the cause of the Redeemer, came to, and located within the limits of Whitmore. The first resident physician was Dr. Walters, who administered to the wants of the sick, and bound up the wounds of the afflicted. Soon after we find Dr. De Watney, a gentleman of French extraction, contending for a portion of the patronage of the settlers of this and adjoining townships.
Mr. Henry Rhodes, a very pleasant and intelligent old gentleman, who is still living a short distance west of Oreana, has the honor of being the first justice of the peace. The first blacksmith shop was opened and occupied by George Eicholtz, who was ably quali- fied to attend to the wants of the settlers in that line of business. We also find S. T. Miller on section 21, Town 17, Range 3 East, with a blacksmith shop able to do all kinds of work in that line.
The Tile Works of Dr. John, of Decatur, are located on section 18, T. 17, R. 4 E. They have an annual capacity of 175,000 feet of tileing, and are run to their full extent. These works were built by Messrs. Martin and Johns, and subsequently purchased by Dr. Johns, who is now the sole proprietor. The first land entries were made by John White, May 8th, 1830, eighty acres in section 13, T. 17 N., R. 3 E .; John Draper, April 15th, 1831, eighty acres in section 18, T. 17 N., R. 4 E. The following are the supervisors who have represented the township: James Lichtenberger, elected in 1860 ; Henry Rhodes, in 1861 ; James Lichtenberger, re-elected in 1862; John Gill, elected in 1863; Charles Wooster, in 1864; Joshua Green in 1865; Joshua Green, re-elected in 1866; James Lichtenberger, in 1867; J. G. Harnesberger, elected in 1868, and re-elected in 1869; James Lichtenberger, re-elected in 1870 ; Joshua Green, re-elected in 1871 and 1872 ; J. C. Ruddock, elected in 1873, '74, '75, '76, and '77; C. H. Garver, in 1878; Richard Kirby, in 1879, and is the present incumbent.
Daniel Florey, a very old and highly respected citizen, a native of Virginia, came to this county in 1825, and is now living on section 21. His first wife came in 1828, and died in 1834. O. L. Stewart is a native of this county, born in 1833, and now resides on section 14. Geo. W. Betzer, living on section 13, is a native of Ohio, and emigrated here in 1841. John Magee also came in 1841, and now lives on section 29. He is a native of Delaware. J. Ray, David Ray, J. T. Stearnes, and Samuel T. Miles are prominent among the oldest and most influential citizens now living in the township.
OREANA.
Oreana is a village located on section 9, Tp. 17, R. 3 East. It is situated on the beautiful prairie, and is the only village or town in this township. It lies on each side of the Champaign, Havana and Western Railroad, which traverses this township. The first house erected in Oreana was a dwelling, built by Henry Morrisson, in the year 18 -. In the same year S. G. Coale opened the first store of
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general merchandize, which business he followed for a number of years. Another important event in the history of Oreana was the establishment of a post-office, with S. G. Crocker as post-master. In 1874 the Baptist Congregation had so increased in numbers as to be able to build a church, thereby being entitled to the honor of erecting the first church edifice in the village. The Rev. Mr. Ingmeyer was the first minister to locate in Oreana. Dr. Chene- worth was the first physician to practice medicine in this village. Oreana is a live business point, and commands the trade of quite a large territory. It is about seven miles north-east from Decatur. The following is a list of the present business houses in this place: General Stores-Frank M. Pratt; Ruddock & Kirby. Grain
Dealers-Frank M. Pratt; Day, Sons & Co. ; Ruddock & Kirby. Blacksmith-George Satch. Carpenter-Adam Harroff.
Whitmore township comprises some of the best farming lands of Macon county, and is well adapted to agricultural pursuits in all its branches-including its kindred industry, stock raising. Large quantities of corn, flax, wheat, oats, hay, potatoes, and vegetables of all kinds, are raised here annually. Its territory is admirably drained by the Sangamon river, which forms the greater part of its southern boundary, and Friends' Creek and its tributaries, which flow through the eastern portion of Tp. 17, 4. The farm improve- ments are among the most substantial in the county, and its citizens are a moral, industrious and energetic class of people.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
OLIVER L. STUART.
THE STUART family are of Scotch ancestry. The ancestors of the present family settled in Virginia at an early day. William Stuart, the grandfather of Oliver L., removed from eastern to western Virginia, and settled in Wythe county. He afterwards re- moved to Tennessee, where he remained until his death. His son, Daniel Stuart, was born in Virginia, and removed with his father to Tennessee in 1823. In 1829 he emigrated to Illinois, and set- tled in Whitmore township, Macon county, where he remained until his death in 1856. He was a farmer. He married Sarah Florey ; she was born in Virginia, and settled in Whitmore town- ship in January, 1871. By this marriage there were five children, three sons and two daughters. Two sons and one daughter sur- vived the parents, viz. : Mary, wife of Edward M. Kile; John T., and the subject of this sketch. O. L. Stuart was born in Decatur, September fifteenth, 1833. His father moved his family from De- catur to Sec. 13, T. 17, R. 3 E., the next year after O. L.'s birth ; there he grew to manhood. He passed his youth like most of the farmers' sons of the pioneer era of the state. His education was received in the log school-houses, under disadvantages and incon- veniences that would shock the youth of the present day ; but, not-
withstanding all obstacles, he received a fair education. He remained at home until his marriage, the date of which was June first, 1854. He married Miss Elizabeth Kile, daughter of Joseph W. and Mary Kile. They are among the old settlers of this section of the state. By this marriage there have been seven children, six of whom are living, all girls. Their names are : Mattie E., Bertha Luella, Jessie F., Mary Belle, Atta G., and Carrie H. Stuart. The same year that witnessed his marriage also witnessed his removal to Sec. 14 of Whitmore township, where he commenced farming for himself and has continued to reside to the present. Both he and his wife and members of his family are members of the M. E. Church. Politically, he has been a republican. He began voting when the republican party was formed. He cast his first presiden- tial vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and from that time to the present he has been an earnest and active supporter of its princi- ples. His father was a soldier of the Black Hawk war, and was in the disastrous battle known as "Stillman's Defeat." He was one of the pioneers of Macon county. His son, the subject of this sketch, may also be regarded as one of the old settlers, if forty-seven years' residence in the county will entitle him to that honor. In all these years, among neighbors and friends, he has borne the reputation of a peaceable, quiet and honest man.
MAROA TOWNSHIP.
N the northern part of the county, occupying the Con- gressional township, 18 N., R. 2 E. is situated Maroa township. There are also included within its borders, six sections in the north-western part of T. 18 N., R. 3 E., viz :- Sections six, seven, eight, seventeen and eighteen. It comprises an area of forty-two square miles, or twenty-six thou- sand six hundred and eighty acres. The soil is a rich prairie loam. The surface is generally level, with but little or no timber, except a few artificial groves. It is well drained by Lake Fork of Salt creek in the north-west, Jones' Fork in the west and Stevens' creek in the southern and central parts. The Illinois Central Rail- road passes from north to south through the township, entering it in section two, and leaving it on section thirty-five.
The honor of first settling this township belongs to James Petty- john, who came from Kentucky and settled on section five in the year 1839. Garrett J. Schenck, an Ohioan, located on section nine. William Cooper from Indiana, and Joseph Hilt from Ohio, set- tled on section nine. George Gray, John Gray, Robert Gray, and Milton Funk, emigrated from Kentucky, and settled on section five.
The first marriage in this township, was that of Joseph Garrett and Mary A. Pettyjohn, at James Pettyjohn's house, by the Rev. George Clifton, in the year 1856. The first birth was that of Char- lotte Pettyjohn, which occurred on the 10th of February, 1852. John H. Pettyjohn, who died August 15th, 1852, was the first per- son who died in that township.
The first school was taught by Thomas Shaw, about the year 1852. The first school-house was a frame one built by a Mr. Clough. Rey. Thomas Davenport preached the first sermon at the residence of James Pettyjohn, at an early day. Some of the early preachers were Rev. Robert Hensen, Rev. George Clifton, and Rev. Peter Garrett. Milton Funk was elected the first justice of the peace about 1855. Esquire John Crocker and Esquire Ross were also early justices. The first blacksmith shop was established by David Schenck in 1855, in the present town of Maroa. The first resident physician, was Dr. Smith, who settled in 1850. Doctors Thayer and Brown were also among the early physicians.
The following are the first three land entries made in township, No. 18 North, Range 2 East of the 3d principal meridian. Al- fred Downen entered section seven, 30-58 acres. This entry was made September 6th, 1836. Thomas M. Geddis entered September 16th, 1836, 112.63 acres in section 6, also 30.45 acres in same section, township, and range.
The following are the supervisors since township organization :- William Crawford, elected in 1860, and by re-election served until 1865, when Anderson Franklin was elected. John Crocker was elccted in 1866, R. Gray in 1867, John Lyons in 1868, and held the office by re-clection to 1872. Jason Rogers elected 1872, John
Orr elected 1873, and re-elected in 1874 and 1875. John Long- street was clected in 1876, and re-elected each succeeding year, and is the present incumbent.
THE TOWN OF MAROA .*
This is the largest town in point of inhabitants, except the county seat within the limits of Macon county. It is located about thirteen miles north of the city of Decatur, at the junction of the Illinois Central and Illinois Midland railroads. The town plat is laid out at the point where the section lines of 2, 3, 10, and 11 intersect, and occupies a portion of each of the sections named. It is situ- ated in the very heart of the finest cultivated, and richest agricul- tural region in central Illinois, and large shipments of grain and stock are annually made.
The original plat of the town was jointly laid out by the I. C. R. R. Co., and the Associate Land Company ; the former then owned the land now occupied by the northern portion of the town, and the latter, the southern portion ; the line dividing the two sections passing between the Illinois Central depot and water-tank, and on a line with the two roads that enter the town east and west. The Associate Land Company consisted of some of the officers of the I. C. R. R. Co., and other individuals, organized for private financial speculation in lands. They purchased the alternate sec- tions of government lands, not already controlled by the railroad company, wherever they desired to locate a town, and then divided the sections into town lots and sold them at a great advance over the original cost. The Illinois Central Railroad was surveyed in 1851, but the road was not completed at this point until the spring of 1854, in which year the depot was built by the company, and John Crocker appointed agent, which position he filled for twelve consecutive years, or until 1866.
The first building, after the depot was erected, was by G. J. Schenck, in the fall of 1855, and is still standing. It was a dwell- ing-house, but for some time, a part of it was used as a store, where a small variety of general goods were retailed. The second dwell- ing-house was erected in the fall of 1856, by Mr. Schenck, for Samuel Barndt, who built the first blacksmith shop in the follow- ing spring. In the fall of 1857, M. Friedman built a dwelling and a store-house. This was the first regular store in Maroa, and Mr. Friedman has continued in business ever since, and is the oldest merchant in the place. The Prairie Hotel, built in 1858, was the first public house erected, though prior, and even since then, Mr. Schenck's residence was always a welcome place for the weary traveler. During the year 1858, a small school-house was built on the site of the present school-building, and Robert Collins taught the first school. The present fine brick school edifice was erected
* For much of the data pertaining to this town, we are indebted to G. J. Schenck, and Maroa News Almanac, published in 1874.
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in 1866, at a cost of about $7.000. It contains four rooms, well furnished, and has accommodation for two hundred pupils.
The town now contains four churches, viz : Presbyterian, Metho- dist Episcopal, Christian, and Methodist Protestant. The Presby- terian Church was organized January 30, 1859, at the I. C. R. R. depot, and their house for religious worship was built in 1867. Rev. A. T. Norton, Secretary of the Church Extension Society, was the founder. The depot was used as a place of worship, until the school- house was erected, when that was occupied until the building of their church. The Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Pro- testant are in good condition, and each have good churches. The Christian church was organized by A. N. Page, May 4th, 1868, and their church was erected during the same year.
The Maroa Lodge, No. 454 A. F. and A. M., was chartered Oct. 4, 1865. The first officers were : J. H. Crocker, W. M .; Rufus C. Crocker, S. W .; Oliver J. Harlan, J. W .; Samuel Lowe, Treas. ; T. S. Collins, Sec .; A. C. Keever, S. D .; Jacob Cooper, J. D .; J. F. Blount and A. D. Wysong, Stewards; Mayer Friedman, Tyler. These, together with J. H. Axton, C. F. Emery, Joseph Lingle, W. L. Webb, G. W. Conover, H. S. Tisdale and G. A. Milmine, constitute the charter members. The present officers are; W. M. Phares, W. M .; J. Longstreet, S. W .; J. A. Hartman, J. W .; M. Friedman, Treas .; W. H. Austin, Sec .; F. M. Smith, S. D .; E. Friedman, J. D .; S. C. Crowell and E. J. Carter, Stewards ; H. S. Bennett, Tyler.
The Maroa I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 34 was organized and first in- stallation of officers held on the night of May 3, 1865. The follow- ing were the first officers : Thomas Hunter, N. G .; M. Friedman, V. G .; O. G. Harlan, Sec .; James Huff, P. Sec .; Jonah Lingle, Treas.
Maroa Grange No. 102 of the order of P. of H. was organized Jan. 20, 1873, with twenty-seven charter members. The following are the first officers : J. B. Garvin, M .; Henry Jones, O .: T. B. Gardner, L .; J. Longstreet, S .; A. Wykoff, A. S .; J. B. Park- hurst, C .; M. P. Funk, T .; J. Jones, S .; W. O. Williams, G. K .; Mrs. Emma Williams, C .; Miss Mary A. Garver, F .; and Mrs. Kit Cooper, P.
There is also a Lodge of Good Templars, and a Library Asso- ciation, both in a flourishing condition, but we were unable to get the material to give any of their history.
This town was incorporated by special act of Legislature, March 7, 1867. The first board of Trustees were : Job A. Rice, John B. Carey, Henry Stauffer, Joseph Wilson and Henry Jones. Mr. Rice was the first president of the board and J. B. Carey was the first clerk.
The earliest newspaper published in Maroa was the Times, started by T. J. Sharp in 1867. Another weekly paper, the Tablet, ap-
peared in 1867, and still later the Maroa Tribune, which was suc- ceeded by the Weekly News, an eight page, forty column paper, which is at present published by T. O'Banion & Co.
The steam elevator was built in 1867 by J. W. Richards & Co. of Chicago, at a cost of about $15,000, and is at present owned and operated by Crocker & Co. It is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, and has a capacity of 14,400 bushels. Emery & Co. also have a similar elevator in operation.
The following is a list of the leading business houses in Maroa :- Banks-Crocker & Co .; Emery & Co. Dry Goods-M. Fried- man & Son; D. E. Wagner ; M. Grady. Hats, Caps and Gro- ceries-H. D. Smith. Groceries-David Bennett. Drugs and Boots-John Smelz; Austin Gault; Axton & Phillips. Hotels- Central House ; Sherman House. Livery-J. T. Holt : Sherman Livery. Furniture-H. E. Kent. Hardware-Pursinger, Adams & Co .; B. T. Jamison ; Hines & Thompson. Hardware and Tin- ware-W. H. Hartman. Millinery-Mrs. C. M. Thayer ; H. E. Kent. Bakery-G. W. Mumaugh ; J. W. Cawrey. Restaurants- W. O. Buck ; Wm. Golge. Photographer-J. W. Smith. Harness Shop-Beatty & Pursinger. Watches and Jewelry-P. C. Tryner ; Austin Gault. Merchant Tailor-Theo. Schaffer. Meat Market- J. G. Dix ; Hoover & Camp. Shoe Shops-J. Kemphall ; C. P. Frus. Blacksmiths' Shops-S. S. Burnett; E. P. Kent; F. K Bohrer ; Thomas Hackney. Wagon Shops-Robert Stroud ; J. C. Stevenson ; M. M. Thomas; G. T. Schenck; Walter & Reed. Lumber and Coal-T. M. Leavitt; B. T. Jamison. Planing Mill- Nesbit Bros. The Tile Works of W. H. Long are one half mile. east of Maroa, situated on section 12, and were built by Long & Stoutenborough in 1878. They have a capacity of 250,000 feet per annum The Tile Works of W. H. Stoutenborough are also the same distance east of Maroa, and were built in 1879 by Stouten- borough & Co. The capacity of their factory is 250,000 feet per annum.
Maroa, being surrounded by one of the best farming sections in the state, has become one of the largest shipping points on the Illi- nois Central R. R. in Macon county, except Decatur. The mer- chants have been men of energy and enterprise, who have spared no pains in advancing the business interests of the town. The citizens are of an intelligent and industrious class, who have used their united efforts in keeping pace with the van of progress. Ma- roa is well supplied with all the modern improvements usually found in places of its size. All the principal streets have side- walks, which are shaded with trees of various kinds. which also add much to the beauty of the town. The town has been of steady growth, and with the increasing business interests of the place, there is no reason why Maroa should not in some future day be- come a city of some magnitude.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AH, Bates.
IT has been a disputed question as to what circumstances are best calculated to develop a strong and versatile character. All agree, however, that the endowments of nature are of supreme importance, and must go hand-in-hand with the other circum- stances of life.
If it is true that circumstances have much to do in calling forth the qualities of the mind, then how important is it to study human biography ! It has been said that almost any life is an interesting study when written out in full. Certainly this would be the case with the life we are now about to glance at. The subject of this sketch, Abraham H. Bates, is the son of Joseph H. and Nancy B. Bates. His father was a clergyman, and though a man of small means, he had the blessing of a large family. A. H. was the ninth child out of a family of twelve. His parents moved from near Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1846, when the subject of this sketch was two years old, and where he was born, to Adams county, in the same state. Here the boy Abraham mingled agricultural pursuits
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