USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 49
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clealings. Associated with other enterpris- ing business men he built the opera house of Pana and became secretary of the com- pany. Later he purchased his partners' in- terests and was its manager for two years, at the end of which time he sold out. He owns considerable land in the vicinity of Pana and also has farming interests in Shelby, Fayette and Montgomery counties.
In 1884 occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Emma D. Hauck. a daugh- ter of Henry Hauck, of Springfield, Illinois. Her death occurred in 1901 and she left one child ; Marie Carretta. Mr. Smith is a mem- ber of the Elks fraternity of Shelbyville, and in his political affiliations he is a Repub- lican. His interest in public affairs has not been manifest through a desire for office, but through earnest and effective co-opera- tion in measures for the general good and the progress of his city. He has long been a resident of Pana and his stanchest friends are those who have known him for the great- est length of time, a fact which indicates an honorable and upright career.
ARTHUR BURTON KIRK.
One of the most enterprising and pro- gressive citizens of Buckhart township is Ar- thur B. Kirk, who was born August 3, 1864,- on the farm where he now resides and has spent his entire life in Christian county. His parents were Henry and Hannah Kirk. By occupation his father was a farmer and stock-raiser. During his boyhood and youth our subject acquired a good practical educa- tion in the district school near his home and he early became familiar with the work of the farm. He has continued to actively engage in agricultural pursuits up to the present time but for the past two years has devoted considerable attention to the selling
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of pumps and to the plumbing business. He deals in all kinds of goods along that line and has built up an extensive trade in Peters double cylinder force pumps, which give the utmost satisfaction. A customer once se- cured is always sure to give him further patronage when anything in his line is de- sired. In 1903 he sold fifty-two pumps, which was one for each week, and so far this year (in 1904) his sales have been almost double that amount. Wide-awake and en- ergetic he has met with good success in this undertaking and in business circles is re- garded as a most reliable and straightfor- ward man.
On the 7th of October. 1880. Mr. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Sad- ler, the ceremony being performed at the home of her father. Samuel J. Sadler, near Grove City. Two children were born to them. Ruth and Hobart, but the latter died in infancy. Ruth was born July 28. 1893. and on the 9th of January. 1903. they adopt- ed a little girl three years old who bears the name of Mildred Kirk. The family stands high in the community where they make their home. In his political views Mr. Kirk is an ardent Republican. On the 27th of March, 1888, he was made a Mason at Fisher Lodge, No. 585. A. F. & A. M., of Grove City, with which he still hold member- ship, and since October. 1882, he has been a member of the Christian church at Edin- burg, Illinois.
JOSEPH S. WILSON.
Joseph S. Wilson. the well known station agent at Morrisonville and one of the prom- inent citizens of that place, was born in Win- chester, Illinois, on the 7th of August, 1850. and is a son of Dr. William H. Wilson, a physician and a noted Whig, who once en-
tertained President Lincoln at a banquet. The early life of our subject was passed in a rather uneventful manner upon the home farm until the Civil war broke out. Early in the spring of 1864 he enlisted as a musi- cian in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was or- dered to Memphis, Tennessee, to do guard duty around that city. During the middle of the following summer the rebel general. Forrest, attempted a raid on Memphis to liberate a lot of prisoners. The camp of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh lili- nois was surprised early in the morning while all were asleep. and Company E. to which our subject belonged, met with serious loss. thirteen of its members being killed by the enemy. They were shot down as they at- tempted to rise from their beds but soon the regiment rallied to the support of a negro battery and held the main force of the enemy in check, so that but few of them entered the city of Memphis. It was. Mr. Wilson who first gave the alarm to his company. He remained in the service until late in the fall of 1864, when he was discharged and the following winter re-entered school, his edtu- cation being interrupted by his enlistment.
In 1869 Mr. Wilson entered the employ of the Northern Missouri Railroad as office boy at R. & L. Junction, Missouri, and was later transferred to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he served as night baggageman on the Wabash Railroad, at the same time leain- ing telegraphy. He remained at that place until 1875, when he came to Morrisonville and has since held the position of station agent here to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is very accommodating and popular and with exception of a few vaca- tions he has always been found at his post of duty.
On the 29th of October, 1872. was cele-
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brated the marriage of Mr. Wilson and Miss Medora Lyle. The lady is of French de- scent on the paternal side, while his mother was a descendant of Chief Justice Waite. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have the following children : Stan H., Bessie A., Wycoff and Jo H. The last named is now in the employ of the Wabash Railroad.
Mr. Wilson has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs since com- ing to Morrisonville and has been honored with positions of public trust and responsi- bility. Three times he has served as mayor of the city, has also been alderman several terms, and has been a member of the school board, all of which offices he has filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents.
CHARLES HALL.
Since attaining to man's estate this gen- tleman has been identified with the agri- cultural and commercial interests of Chris- tion county and for many years has been en- gaged in the grain business at Willey, where he has made his home since 1872. He is a native of this county, born in what is now May township, January 15, 1846, and is a son of William B. and Louisa (Moore) Hall. His father was born in Virginia in 1810, and removed to Illinois about 1834, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Chris- tian county. As a contractor and builder he erected the first church in Taylorville and in other ways was actively identified with the development of this section of the state. He died in September, 1901, and his wife passed away March 16, 1854.
Charles Hall attended the common schools of this county and Taylorville, completing his education, however, at Mount Zion, Ma- con county, Illinois, where he was a student
for one year. After putting aside his text- books he engaged in farming until 1872 and then removed to Willey and embarked in general merchandising and the grain busi- ness. He sold his store in 1885 but is still dealing in grain as manager for the firm of Hill Brothers & Crow. He owns good resi- dence property in Willey and also a nice farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Tay- lorville township. For the long period of twenty years he served as postmaster, rail- road agent and express agent at Willey, and the duties of those positions he most capably and satisfactorily performed.
In 1883 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Mary McAAdoo, a daughter of Sam- uel McAdoo, who was from Tennessee, and two children bless this union : William B., who is now attending business college in Decatur ; and David C., at home. The wife and mother is a consistent and earnest mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and the family is one of prominence in the com- munity were they reside. Socially Mr. Hall is a member of Taylorville Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., and is held in high regard by all who know him.
R. E. HOLBEN, M. D.
Dr. R. E. Holben, although one of the younger members of the medical profession in Christian county, has already attained an enviable position in its ranks, his years seem- ing no limit to his ability. In fact there is so much more demanded of the medical graduate of the present than in years past that the young physician enters upon his work well equipped to meet its arduous and responsible duties, and Dr. Holben has there- fore won the confidence and patronage of the public.
A native son of Christian county, he was
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born on the 29th of April, 1879. a son of M. A. and Margaret ( Harmony ) Holben, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Re- moving westward in the year 1870, they took up their abode in Christian county and are still living on a farm within its borders, the father having devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits.
Dr. Holben spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm. and when not giving his attention to the duties of the schoolroom or the pleasures of the play- ground he assisted in the operation of the fields, the long months of summer being passed in this way. Not desiring to make agricultural pursuits his life work, however, lie continued his education preparatory to entering upon a professional career. He spent some time as a student in Washington University of St. Louis and then entered the Medical College of St. Louis, in which he completed a course and won his degree, be- ing graduated with the class of 1901. His practical training was received in the Wa- bash Hospital, at Springfield, Illinois, and subsequently he was connected with St. John's Hospital. at St. Louis, Missouri, where the varied experience that comes in hospital work added greatly to his knowl- edge, skill and efficiency. He thus came to Mount Auburn, on the 20th of June. 1901. well equipped to take up the duties of a gen- eral practice in medicine and surgery, to which he has since devoted his time and en- ergies.
On the 25th of June, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Holben and Miss Edna W. Berry, a daughter of T. T. Berry, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Their social standing is high and the circle of their friends is extensive.
The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he be-
longs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and to the Anti-Horse Thief Association. In politics he is a Democrat and is now serving as notary public. He owns his home in Mount Auburn and at this writing in 1903 is building a fine office, which contains a suite of three rooms, that will be equipped with all the latest appliances and accessories in use by the modern physician. In addition to his private practice Dr. Holben is serving as examining physician to the Court of Honor and the Northwestern Life and the Franklin Life Insurance Companies. He is a mem- ber of the Decatur Medical Society.
H. C. MILLER.
H. C. Miller, a well known farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 2, Prairie- ton township, was born in Pennsylvania, on the 19th of April, 1863, his parents being William H. and Mary E. Miller, who were also natives of the Keystone state. It was about 1868 that the family came to Illinois and here the father engaged in farming. though by trade he was a harnessmaker and had previously followed that occupation in the east. He died in 1896 but the mother of our subject is still living and now makes her home in Moweaqua.
II. C. Miller was only five years of age when brought to this state and here. he was reared and educated, attending the common schools of Macon and Christian counties. While assisting his father in the operation of the home farm he acquired a good prac- tical knowledge of agricultural pursuits and at the age of twenty years began farming on his own account upon rented land. Three years later he removed to Moweaqua, where he engaged in teaming for five years, and at the end of that time located upon his present place in Prairieton township. Here
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he owns sixty-one acres of rich and arable land, upon which is a good residence and substantial outbuildings, and in connection with its operation he is engaged in the breed- ing of fine Poland China hogs.
In 1889 Mr. Miller wedded Miss Mira J. Widick, a daughter of Abner Widick, one of the leading farmers of Prairieton town- ship, and four children bless this union : Floyd E., Zeva May, Clarence O. and Fred H., all at home. The parents are both earn- est and consistent members of the Christian church, and are also members of the Fra- ternal Army of America. Mr. Miller's po- litical support is given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for three years he has efficiently served as school director. In business affairs he is thoroughly reliable and he has the respect of the entire com- munity in which he lives.
MICHAEL J. FITZGERALD.
Although one of the younger representa- tives of the legal fraternity in Christian county, Mr. Fitzgerald has already met with success in his chosen profession and is ef- ficiently serving as city attorney of Assump- tion. A native of Illinois, he was born near the town of Nokomis, Montgomery county, July 15, 1870, and is a son of John and Mary ( Raftes) Fitzgerald. His father was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1840, and was only nine years of age when he came to the United States. Landing at New Orleans he proceeded up the Missis- sippi river to Alton, Illinois, and from there by stage to Jerseyville, Jersey county, this state. He subsequently removed to Mont- gomery county and aided in the development of both counties. After a useful and well spent life, mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, he died in 1892. His widow still
resides on the old home farin near Noko- mis. Of the ten children born to them six are now living, our subject being next to the eldest of the family. The Fitzgeralds are of French origin and the name was for- merly Geraldine. The family was founded in Ireland at the time of the Norman in- vasion and the name was subsequently changed to its present form.
Michael J. Fitzgerald received his pre- liminary education in the district schools of Montgomery county and later attended the Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he was graduated in the law depart- ment with the class of 1897. He was then admitted to the bar and began practice in Assumption in July. 1898. He received his first appointment as city attorney that year and in 1901 was re-appointed, serving one year each time. In 1902 he was duly elected to that office and re-elected in 1903, so that he is now serving his fourth term. He has made a careful study of all cases intrusted to him and has met with good success in practice owing to his thorough and compre- hensive knowledge of the law. He is a member of the Christian County Bar Asso- ciation and both as an attorney and citizen he stands high in the esteem of his fellow men. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church and of Decatur Council, Knights of Columbus, and in politics is an ardent Den- ocrat. He is one of the popular young men of Assumption and makes friends wherever he goes.
JOHN ORR.
John Orr is the oldest merchant of Pana when judged by the length of his continu- ons connection with the business affairs of the city. For thirty-one years he has con. ducted a grocery store here and is still its
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proprietor, enjoying a trade which has con- tinually increased as the years have gone by. His name therefore is inseparably in- terwoven with the commercial development of Pana, and he should in consequence find representation in the history of the county.
Mr. Orr is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Jefferson county, that state, in 1847, his parents being Andrew and Anna Orr. The father, also a native of the Buckeye state, was a farmer by occupation and in 1856 removed to Illinois, where he secured a tract of land on Spring creek, seven miles from Taylorville. He after- ward removed to Buckeye prairie, where he engaged in farming until his death, being one of the well known and respected agricul- turists of the community.
When a young lad John Orr accompanied his parents to Illinois and was reared on Buckeye prairie until seventeen years of age. In 1868 he came to Pana, desiring to fol- low commercial rather than agricultural pur- suits, and establishing a grocery store has since continued in that line of trade, cov- ering a period of thirty-one years down to the present time. He carries staple and fancy groceries and his store is well appointed!, while his earnest desire to please his cus- tomers, his systematic methods and his hon- orable dealing have secured to him a very desirable and constantly growing patronage. His father-in-law, M. J. Jones, was for twenty-one years his partner in this enter- prise.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr. Orr and Miss Martha J. Jones, of Oconee, Illi- nois. Her father was a very prominent and influential citizen of Pana for many years. AAlthough he was a Republican in politics such was his personal worth and ability that he was called to fill the office of deputy sher- iff under Josiah Hill, a supporter of the
Democratic party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Orr have been born four children, of whom three are still living: Bessie, the wite of J. J. Pierpont, of Pana: Calla, wife of M. B. Atherton, also a resident of Pana ; and Ruth, who is still at home with her parents.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Orr are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested in its work and active in the extension of its influence. In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Orr has attained the Royal Arch degree and he is also a charter member of the Modern Woodmen Camp at Pana. Illinois. His po- litical allegiance is given the Democracy and he is now serving as a member of the board of county supervisors, acting at the present time as chairman of the judicial and finance committees, and also as a member of the committee on poor claims. He has likewise been a school director and alderman and in his official service is prompt and notably re- liable, regarding a public office as a public trust-and no trust reposed in hin has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree.
R. C. MCCAULEY.
R. C. McCauley, who is successfully en- gaged in the furniture and undertaking busi- ness in Morrisonville, is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Washington county, this state, on the 3d of September, 1859. His father was John McCauley, who was born in Kentucky of English ancestry and belonged to an old pioneer family of that state. Our subject was quite small when his parents died and he was forced to go into the world without home influences. He worked at farming until twenty-five years of age, his education being limited as he was only able to attend the district schools for a short time during the winter months. He subsequently worked as a farm hand by the
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month until he felt competent to carry on a farm for himself and then rented land which he operated until his removal to Morrison- ville in 1884. Here he purchased the meat market now owned by J. H. Miller, and for several years successfully carried on the same. In 1892 he turned his attention to his present business, starting with a small stock of furniture worth two thousand dol- lars, but as he steadily prospered in this venture he has enlarged his business and to- day occupies two stores with over five thou- sand square feet of floor space in one and one thousand seven hundred and fifty square feet in the other. Both are filled, and he carries a well selected stock. Mr. McCauley now makes a specialty of the undertaking business and receives a liberal share of the public patronage in this line, his services be- ing often sought throughout many parts of the county. He has a branch undertaking establishment at Harvel, Illinois.
In 1882 Mr. McCauley led to the marriage altar Miss Addie M. Dodson, a daughter of J. C. and Ann ( Green) Dodson. Her father is a retired farmer of this county and is of English descent. Our subject and his wife have two children : Walter E., who is now assisting his father in business ; and Emma, at home.
In his social relations Mr. McCauley is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Morrison- ville, and is now past master. He also be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Army and is a director and vice president of the Building & Loan Association of the city. Politically he is identified with the Republican party and served as city treasurer for one year. Pub- lic spirited and progressive, he gives a lib- eral support to all enterprises which he be- lieves calculated to promote the public wel- fare and he never withholds his aid from
charitable undertakings. Both as a business man and citizen he stands high in public es- teem1.
LEWIS P. LEATHERS.
The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual. It enables many a man to conquer obstacles and diffi- culties and to advance on the road to pros- perity, because he has many times passed others who perhaps started out more ad- vantageously equipped than he. It is this element in the life record of Mr. Leathers that has made his a prosperous career. He has perhaps not won the measure of financial success that many desire, but is rich in all the qualities of an honorable manhood that win respect, confidence and admiration.
Mr. Leathers was born in Shelby county, Illinois, May 26, 1858, his parents being David and Lydia (Cowkenouer) Leathers. The father of our subject was a native of Ohio, while his parents were residents of Pennsylvania prior to his birth and removed from the Keystone state to the Buckeye state and later to Shelby county, Illinois. David Leathers volunteered for service in the Civil war as a member of Company H, Seventh Illinois Cavalry and was with his command for nearly three years. He was then wounded in the battle at LaGrange, Mississippi. and died in the hospital at Mem- phis when but twenty-eight years of age. During the period of his illness in the hos- pital his wife became ill and died a few days prior to his death. Mr. Leathers was a young man of splendid purpose, courageous in battle and ever loyal to the cause which he believed to be right, having the welfare of his country close at heart. Unto him and his wife were born four sons: Francis M .; Lewis P .; Andrew, a twin to our subject,
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who died in infancy ; and Jasper R. His wife was a native of Ohio and removed to Shelby county, Illinois, during the early set- tlement of that locality, being a representa- tive of one of its pioneer families. The Cowkenouer family came originally from Russia.
In his boyhood days Lewis P. Leathers resided with relatives and endured many hardships unknown to boys who enjoy the privileges and opportunities of home life. He had but meager educational advantages for when still very young he began to earn his own living by working as a farm hand at ten dollars per month in Effingham coun- ty, Illinois. He was thus employed for one year and on the expiration of that period re- turned to Shelby county, where he contin- tied to follow farming in the employ of others up to the time of his marriage in 1878. He then purchased eighty acres of timber land, built thereon a log cabin and began his domestic life in the midst of the green woods. He cleared away the timber, however, and cultivated a portion of his land for three years. He then removed to Cow- den, Illinois, where he remained for a year, and in 1890 he came to Taylorville. Here he first engaged in general work and for some time was employed by Reuben Wilkin- son. He was appointed sexton of Oakhill cemetery on the 16th of June, 1902, and is now acting in that capacity, his labors being most acceptable to the people for the grounds are kept in splendid condition and the city of the dead is made beautiful through his labors.
On the 17th of June, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Leathers and Miss Bell Hoover, a daughter of David Hoover, of Shelby county, Illinois. Six children graced this union, of whom four are yet living, namely: Margaret F., Marion R., Lewis
F. and Cordia. Those who have passed away are John L., a twin brother of Lewis F., who died at the age of six months ; and Gertrude, who died in infancy. Margaret F. is a grad- uate of the high school and is now a popular teacher in the West school of Taylorville, while Marion R. is a telegraph operator at the terminal station in St. Louis, Missouri. The younger children are yet under the pa- rental roof.
When eighteen years of age Mr. Leathers became a member of the Methodist Protest- ant church, the organization being formed in a log schoolhouse in Shelby county. He retained his membership there for six years, at the end of which time the society dis- banded and he united with the Christian church at Holiday, Illinois. Some years later he was ordained an elder in that church and has continuously acted in that capacity, be- ing now an elder in the Christian church of Taylorville. His wife also belongs to the same church and they take a very prominent and active part in its work. Mr. Leathers is a leading member of the Christian En- (leavor Society and has been very helpful to young men and women who are trying to lead a better life. He is also a prominent member of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation and was the secretary of the local society for one year. He gives to every movement for the moral advancement of the community his hearty co-operation and has done his full share toward the betterment of humanity and for the advancement of church interests in Taylorville and the other communities in which he has resided.
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