USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 66
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On the 16th of November. 1852, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Permelia A. Dick, a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Gates) Dick, and to this union two children were born, Lolah and Mae. Lolah married Dr. William H. Woods and became the mother of one son, Charles H., who is now engaged in the practice of law in partnership with his grandfather. Mae, the youngest daugh- ter, was married to Colonel Charles McClure, of the United States Army, and now resides at Washington, D. C. They have one son, Lieutenant Charles W.
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McClure, of the United States Army, who is now in the Philippine Islands. Mrs. Walker was born in Sangamon county, Illinois. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Her paternal grandfather was John Dick and he married Mary Donner. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Walker was George Gates, a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife was a Miss Grove.
Charies A. Walker is a self-made man and his success at the bar indicates that he is an able lawyer. He is a man of positive character, strong convictions, and yet tender-hearted, kind, affable and courteous. He possesses fine natural endowments which have been developed through discipline, observation, study and many years of varied experience. He is a clear thinker, a logical reasoner and a good judge of human nature. He is known as a wide-awake, public- spirited citizen and has always been friendly to those principles that aim to secure the greatest good for the greatest number. He was favorable to the erection of a courthouse suitable to the wants of the people, but he promptly declared his opposition when he discerned the purposes of the county com- missioners in erecting a building far exceeding the needs of the county, and endeavored by every possible means to defeat their plans, becoming the leader in opposition to what he considered a stupendous wrong. To him, perhaps, more than to any other man in the county have the people looked for justice in times of emergency, and in him they have found a faithful, honest and competent friend and adviser. In politics Mr. Walker has always been a stanch supporter of the democratic party.
JOSIAH DECREVEL.
Josiah Decrevel, who has successfully engaged as a photographer at Virden for nearly twenty years past, is a native of Madison county, Illinois, and is a descendant of good French stock in both the paternal and maternal branches of the family. He was born November II, 1866, a son of Francis and Lea (Le Fevre) Decrevel. The parents were both natives of France and came to America in their childhood. After growing to maturity the father purchased. eighty acres of land in Madison county, upon which he spent the remainder of his life. He died February 14, 1876, and his widow was called away December 23d following. There were six children in their family, the two eldest of whoni died in infancy, the others being: Eva, the wife of Theophilus Genre, of Highland, Illinois; Josiah, of this review; Moses, a resident of Litchfield; and Rosa, who married Lucien Pantet, of Madison county.
Having been deprived of his parents at the age of ten years, Josiah Decrevel took up his home among relatives with whom he remained six years. He then engaged in farming and continued in that occupation until twenty-two years of age. A man of natural artistic talents, he became interested in photography which he studied closely and practiced for three years. In 1892 he came to Virden and established a photograph gallery and has developed his business until his establishment is regarded as one of the best in this section of the state. He is a close observer and a careful student. allowing no opportunity to pass
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that may add to his knowledge of a vocation to which he has for many years devoted his energies. The work turned out under his supervision compares favorably with any which is produced outside of the large cities and reflects great credit upon Mr. Decrevel.
On October 13, 1896, Mr. Decrevel was married to Miss Lena Lathrop. She is the eldest daughter of Charles and Catharine (Crane) Lathrop, the other members of the family being: Charles, a resident of Virden; Leigh, who makes his home at Marinette, Wisconsin ; Ralph, of Madison, Wisconsin; Mamie, whose home is in Denver, Colorado; Tennyson, of Central Point, Oregon; and Robert, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Decrevel are the parents of two children: Pierce, who was born July 7, 1897; and Lea, born August 31, 1898.
Although in no sense a politician Mr. Decrevel is an earnest supporter of the principles and candidates of the republican party. He is a firm believer in the authority of the Bible as a guide in the conduct of life and is a member of the Baptist church. Having as a boy learned the value of self-dependence and of an upright character, he made it a principle of his life to earn his way by honest endeavor and never to seek advancement in such a manner as to injure others. He is well established in business and has gained the confidence of the entire community, being, moreover, accorded the honor which belongs to one who earnestly endeavors in all the relations of life to perform his duty.
CHARLES WESLEY MINER.
Charles Wesley Miner, a prosperous farmer of Macoupin county and one who has through many years of usefulness and activity reflected credit upon all with whom he has been associated, was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, February 26, 1841. Since his boyhood he has made his home in Illinois and . now, having passed the seventieth milestone in life's journey, enjoys in peace and plenty the results of many years of conscientious application. He belongs to an old and respected New Jersey family and is a son of William V. and De- borah (Christopher) Miner, both of whom were born in New Jersey, and a grandson of John Miner, of New Jersey. The father came west with his family in 1856 and settled in Fulton county, Illinois, where he was identified for many years with agricultural interests. He died in 1877. Being an intelligent man of good social qualities, he made many friends as was attested by the general expression of regret at his departure.
At the age of fifteen Charles W. Miner came to Illinois with his parents. He received his early education in the public schools of New Jersey and Fulton county, Illinois, and even as a boy showed an interest in farming which gave bright promise as to his future. At the age of seventeen he began assisting his father upon the home farm and so continued until 1865, when he came to Macoupin county and took up farming on his own account in Nilwood township. In 1874 he purchased one hundred acres of land in Girard township of J. F. Roach, where he established his permanent home. During the thirty-five years
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that have elapsed since he established himself on his homestead he has made many improvements and the attractive appearance of the place is an indication of the careful thought given to his business. He has always been progressive in his methods, making use of the best known means of keeping the land in good condition and thus producing liberal annual returns.
On December 2, 1869, in Nilwood township, Mr. Miner was married to Miss Sarah F. Christopher, a native of Macoupin county, Illinois, and a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Fisher) Christopher, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in New Jersey. She is a granddaughter of John Christopher, and William Fisher, both of Illinois, the families having been traced back to the time of the Revolutionary war when members took an active part in freeing the colonies from the rule of Great Britain. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miner: Walter P., a resident of Kansas, who married Cora James and has six children, five sons and one daughter ; Charles, also of Kansas, who married Grace England and has two sons; William H., who is engaged in the study of medicine; and Minnie D., the wife of William Earl, of Girard, and the mother of two children, a son and daughter.
Religiously Mr. Miner is an earnest adherent of the Methodist church and served as steward in the local church for many years. Politically he is in sympathy with the principles of the democratic party but does not confine him- self to partisan lines in casting his ballot, as he belongs to the increasing num- ber of voters who take into careful consideration the character and ability of candidates upon the various tickets. He has never sought public office but has served with ability as commissioner of highways and for twenty years as a member of the school board. In all business transactions he has been governed by principles of justice and truth and the name of Charles W. Miner is, there- fore, honored wherever it is known in Macoupin county.
HERBERT ALVA LANCASTER.
In the list of farmers who are making a success of their business in Macoupin county should be named Herbert Alva Lancaster, of South Otter township, who is now in the prime of life and has given convincing evidence of his ability in the calling with which he has been closely identified since early manhood. He was born in Girard township May 1, 1871, a son of William and Mary (Hovey) Lancaster, the former of whom was born in England in 1836, and the latter in Massachusetts. The grandparents of our subject were Frank Lancaster, of Eng- land. and Gilbert Hovey, of Massachusetts. William Lancaster came with his parents to America in 1844, when he was eight years of age. The family located at Bunker Hill, Illinois, and as he grew to maturity the son assisted in a brick- yard of which his father was the owner. He was married in 1855 to Miss Mary Hovey and two years later came with his wife to Girard and started the first brickyard at that place. He continued in the manufacture of brick until his death, which occurred in 1898, his wife surviving until 1907. He was actively interested in politics and gave his support to the democratic party, serving as road Vol. II-33
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commissioner and as school director. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster were six children : Nellie, who married O. H. Parks, of California, and has three children; Walter, of Nebraska, who married Alice Barnes and is the father of two children ; Ray, also of Nebraska, who married Nettie Cripe and has a family of four children ; George, of Girard, who married Ada Morse and has one child ; Charles, who married Edith Morse and resides at Girard; and Herbert Alva, of this review.
In the public schools of Girard Herbert A. Lancaster possessed good ad- vantages of education, also making himself useful in his father's brickyard dur- ing his boyhood days. In 1889, when he was eighteen years of age, he began farming on three hundred and twenty acres in South Otter township and has ever since continued upon this place. He engages in general farming, but makes a specialty of feeding and buying stock. As he is a good judge of animals and keeps well informed as to market conditions he has met with marked success and the years have witnessed a gratifying increase in his income. He is also a stock- holder in the Nilwood State Bank.
On January 2, 1889, Mr. Lancaster was married at St. Louis to Miss Bessie Dix, a native of South Otter township and a daughter of Charles and Helen (Davidson) Dix, the former of whom was born in Connecticut and the latter in Illinois. The grandfathers of Mrs. Lancaster were Thomas Dix, of Connecticut, and Alexander Davidson, of Alabama. To Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster six children have been born : Nellie E., who married C. H. McMahan, of Nilwood township ; and Mary E., Myrtle A., Alva L., Paul Roscoe and Helen Mildred, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Lancaster is a firm believer in the Bible and is affiliated with the Baptist church. He also holds membership in Peach Tree Lodge, No. 633, M. W. A., of Girard. His study and observation of political parties led him years ago to in- dorse the principles of the democratic platform and he is an earnest supporter of its candidates. He has served to the general satisfaction of the people as as- sessor of South Otter township and also as a member of the school board. Thor- oughly competent and reliable, he is greatly respected by his neighbors and friends as a steadily growing factor in this section.
FRANCIS WILLIAM COOPER.
Francis William Cooper, one of Nilwood's leading business men, was born in this village on the 11th of January, 1863, and is a son of the late Henry and Mary (Murphy) Cooper, the father a native of England and the mother of Ireland. The history of Henry Cooper appears at greater length elsewhere in this work.
Practically the entire life of Francis William Cooper has been spent in Nil- wood, with whose business activities he is still prominently identified. In the acquirement of his preliminary education he attended the public schools of the village, the course therein pursued being supplemented by two years' study at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, which institution he entered in 1883. Re- turning home at the expiration of that time he began his business career, entering
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the service of the Central Union Telephone Company as manager of the exchanges in the different towns. He withdrew from this position at the end of three years to become bookkeeper for H. Cooper & Sons, who were engaged in the coal and grain business. In 1899 Mr. Cooper and his brother purchased the Nilwood Car- bin Coal Company, of which enterprise our subject became the sole proprietor two years later. He disposed of this business in 1903 to the Weaver Coal & Coke Company, being retained in the capacity of manager, and he is now president and manager of the Illinois Central Fuel Company. In 1900 he also embarked in the mercantile business, but withdrew from this venture at the expiration of seven years in order to devote his undivided attention to his coal and grain interests. Mr. Cooper has met with most gratifying success in his various undertakings and in addition to his other interests is a director and secretary of the Nilwood State Bank.
On the 29th of October, 1890, at Litchfield, Illinois, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss S. Chassie Cline, a native of Madison county, this state. Mrs. Cooper is a daughter of James W. and Mary (Thompson) Cline, the father a na- tive of Illinois and the mother of Ohio, while the maternal grandfather, R. H. Thompson, was a native of Pennsylvania.
Fraternally Mr. Cooper is identified with the Masonic Order and has attained high rank in the York Rite. He belongs to Girard Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M .; Chapter, No. 132, R. A. M .; Litchfield Commandery, No. 30, K. T .; and he is also a Knight of the Mystic Shrine, being affiliated with Medinah Tem- ple, Chicago. In addition to his membership in the various Masonic orders he is affiliated with Orient Lodge, No. 95, K. of P .; and Nilwood Camp, M. W. A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cooper belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. In matters politic he is a republican, but always casts an independent ballot at municipal elec- tions, considering that it is a question of the man best adapted to subserve the interests of the community, rather than a matter of party principles. He has al- ways taken an active interest in local affairs, having served for five terms as presi- dent of the village, while for twenty years he was treasurer, and school director for ten. Mr. Cooper is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of the town, who takes an active interest in the welfare of the community and directs his energies toward its development.
HENRY LEMONS.
Henry Lemons, a prosperous farmer of Girard township, has been a resident of Macoupin county for fifty years and has been an interested witness of the mar- velous transformation of this part of the state, making it one of the garden spots of Illinois. He is a native of Missouri and was born in 1853. Being placed in an orphan asylum in his infancy, he never knew the tender care of a loving mother. At the age of seven years he became a member of the family of W. C. Roach, of Bird township, Macoupin county, Illinois, and grew to maturity under the favoring conditions of a peaceful home. He received advantages of education in the district schools and at the age of seventeen began working out among
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farmers of the township. In 1877 he engaged in farming on his own account near Girard and three years later took up his residence on the place where he has since lived. He is industrious, energetic and efficient in his work and now enjoys the results of well applied labor, being known as one of the reliable and substantial men of this section.
On the 8th of August, 1877, Mr. Lemons was married to Miss Mary E. Roach, of Girard, a daughter of John F. and Martha H. (Cherry) Roach. The father was born in Tennessee and the mother also. Mrs. Lemons is a granddaughter of William Roach, who was a native of Tennessee. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lemons, namely: Ethel, who married Marion Riffey, of North Otter township, and has two sons: John R., a farmer of Nilwood township, who married Carrie Huber and has one daughter; H. Coy, of Springfield, who married May Blair ; Calvin C., who lives in Waterloo, Iowa; Roscoe H., who is living at home; Mattie E., of Springfield, Missouri; and Erma and Fay, both of whom are at home
Mr. Lemons is a stanch believer in the Bible and is a valued member of the Baptist church. Politically he has given his support to the republican party ever since he arrived at his majority, and socially he is identified with the Old Settlers Club. In the management of his business affairs he has displayed sound judg- ment, which in connection with his unflagging industry has secured his success. The neat and attractive appearance of his place is evidence of his interest in a calling to which he has given the best efforts of his life. He and his wife are greatly esteemed by a wide circle of friends and their home is a center of generous hospitality. The keynote of the success of Mr. Lemons is economy, industry and perseverance and, as he has reared his children with these principles ever in view, they are abundantly prepared for lives of usefulness and honor.
JAMES M. HETTICK.
In a review of the life of James M. Hettick, deceased, it may seem a trite statement to those who are familiar with his history to say of him that he has risen unaided from comparative obscurity to a place in the ranks of the leading agriculturists in the state of Illinois, and that his business record is one which not many have equaled; and yet this is the fitting eulogy that must ever distinguish him among those of the passing generations whose deeds are com- memorated in this volume, in order that coming generations interested in the welfare of Macoupin county may know who were the men most potent in their influence in the development and upbuilding of this prosperous section of the country. Beginning at the very bottom of the ladder he advanced steadily, step by step, until he occupied a position of prominence and trust possessed by but few men. Through his entire career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he did not keep nor giv- ing a promise that he did not fulfill. Ever a man of his word he stood as an example of what determination and force combined with the highest ideals of business honor can accomplish. One has not far to seek in Mr. Hettick's career
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for the causes that led to his prosperity since they are easily discovered along the lines of well tried and old time maxims, honesty and fair dealing, promptness and fidelity, the qualities which mark the finest type of citizenship of any nation. Macoupin county acknowledges her indebtedness to him and is grateful for what he has accomplished in behalf of the advancement of his community for he gave liberally of his time, energy and financial support towards every movement de- signed to further the general welfare especially in the cause of education.
Mr. Hettick became one of the rich men of Macoupin county, yet his wealth did not warp his nature nor isolate him from the friends and neighbors who were less generously rewarded in their pursuit of that vanishing ideal- success. Naturally retiring in his disposition he was always modest in reference to his own achievements or importance in the community. He despised any suggestion of flattery and never courted general favor, preferring to follow the bent of his own individuality and to be judged according to his own merit. He was as punctilious in the choice of his friends as he was prudent in all the choices of his life, and yet when the ultimate good was concerned his generous spirit included every member of the community whose best interests he had always at heart.
A native of Scottville township, where he resided his entire life, James M. Hettick was born May 29, 1842, his parents being Perry and Sarah (Armstrong) Hettick, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Tennessee. The ances- tors of the family on the paternal side were among the early settlers of Penn- sylvania in the days when no white man was secure from the atrocities and hor- rors of Indian barbarity. Thus the Hettick family also suffered from the red man's violence, the great-grandfather meeting his death during an Indian raid on their settlement, while the grandfather, Andrew Hettick, likewise a native of the Keystone state, was captured by the Indians when only sixteen years of age and was held a prisoner for two years. At the end of that time he made his escape, later finding his way to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he located. . There he was married and subsequently removed with his family to southern Illinois, purchasing land near St. Louis. Owing to illness he sought a more favorable location and came to Carrollton, Greene county, where he resided for two years. In 1818 he took up eighty acres of government land at Scottville and continued to live there until his death in the early '50s. He was a typical pioneer, fond of hunting and fishing, using, according to the primitive customs of his day, horse's hair for fish lines. Largely occupied in the struggle for existence and living on the frontier far from the seat of government he was less interested in national affairs than in questions of local interest, although he gave his con- sistent support to the whig party. The farm which he cultivated for many years and where still stands the sycamore tree under which he built his camp fire on his first arrival in this county passed to Perry Hettick, his son and the father of the subject of this review. Devoting himself to the cultivation of the soil Perry Hettick improved the old homestead greatly and erected upon it a comfortable home, one of the most substantial in Scottville township. He added to his holdings until they comprised four hundred acres of rich and pro- ductive land which he bequeathed to his family at his death in 1882. A man of exceptional strength of character, he was an important factor in the early his-
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tory of Macoupin county and gave his loyal support to the republican party. His wife survived him many years, passing away September 5, 1909, at the home of her son Robert in this county.
Passing his childhood under the parental roof James M. Hettick obtained his education in the district schools and grew to manhood under conditions most favorable for the development of habits of industry and usefulness. He was connected with the mercantile business at Whitehall for one year but returned to his home and assisted with the work on the farm until he was twenty-six years of age. Being the oldest of the children of the family, he was accustomed to the burden of responsibility from his youth up and thus developed strength of judgment which was one of the most valuable assets in the later conduct of his life. In November, 1868, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and for many years applied himself to general farming and stock-raising, feeding cattle and raising hogs on an extensive scale for the purpose of ship- ping to the St. Louis and Chicago markets. With his usual keen discernment he foresaw the latent possibilities in rising land values due to the rapid increase in the population which was annually being augmented by the vast stream of migration pouring over the eastern and southern boundary lines into Illinois. In consequence he invested heavily in land, a step which time and his immense profits proved to have been most judicious. He retained up to the last seven hundred and thirty-two acres, a large part of which he rented upon a basis of half the income.
On the 18th of November, 1868, Mr. Hettick was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Crum, born in Barr township, Macoupin county. She was a daughter of Gordon and Sedonia (Rucker) Crum, who were early settlers of Illinois and are now deceased. There were two children in the Hettick family, one of whom died in infancy. 'A' great tragedy which saddened the last year of Mr. Hettick's life was the death of his wife which occurred on March 9, 1910. She had been in declining health for more than a year but bravely endured her sufferings with heroic patience and continued her household duties until a few days before her death. She was taken to Springfield, Illinois, where the best surgical skill was engaged in her behalf but proved unavailing in warding off the final catastrophe. Throughout her life she had been faithful in her duties and was a devoted wife and mother. She was dearly loved by the whole community in which she was known for her passion for nature and her horticultural skill which was so richly displayed in her home and its surroundings. She excelled in the culinary art and was a model housekeeper and a true home-maker. In her religious faith she was a Universalist, and was also a member of Scottville Lodge, No. 5II, Order of the Eastern Star.
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