USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 55
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THOMAS H. DEVLIN.
Thomas H. Devlin is occupying the re- sponsible position of superintendent of the Assumption Coal & Mining Company. In his boyhood days he became identified with this line of work in a most humble capacity and his advancement has come to him as the direct reward of his labor, capability and honesty. He was born in Ayreshire, Scot- land, on the 20th of July. 1866, a son of Thomas H. and Margaret (Spence) Dev- lin. The father died in 1892 in Scotland and the mother's death occurred in Spring Valley, Illinois, in 1893. Mr. Devlin, Sr., was for many years examiner in the iron and stone mines of the Baird Company of Scotland and was filling that position at the time of his demise. In his family were six children, of whom three died in infancy. The others are Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Warnock, of Spring Valley, Illinois; Thomas H., of this review ; and Margaret, the wife of Andrew Sweninger, of Assump- tion.
Thomas H. Devlin attended the public schools of his native country to a limited extent. but his educational privileges were somewhat meager. After coming to Amer- ica he became a student in the night schools in Spring Valley, Illinois. While still in Scotland he became connected with mining interests at the age of thirteen years. He worked in the shaft in his native country un- til 1881, when on the 25th of March of that year he sail for America with his mother. .After reaching the new world he engaged in farming for two years and later was con- nected with mining operations in the Braid- wood district in Will county, working in every department within the mines. He after- ward became an employe of the Spring Val- ley Coal Company and while in that service was promoted to the position of driving boss. On the 25th of January, 1897, he ac- cepted a position as mine manager, and in the fall of the same year he assumed the responsibility of the position which he now occupies, as superintendent of the Assump- tion Coal & Mining Company. In this ca- pacity he has supervision over about two hundred workmen, of which number one hundred and forty are miners under ground. Since assuming the management he has made considerable improvement in the mines and their method of operation. He found a number of leaks and repair work was also called for in other directions. The mine, of which he has charge, is one thousand and four feet deep from the surface of the ground to the surface of the coal veins and extends three-fourths of a mile to the south and west, covering about twenty acres of ter- ritory. It is necessary to follow the valley in order to obtain the product. There is an average of from four hundred and fifty to four hundred and seventy tons of coal taken out daily and the output finds a ready
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sale on the market. bringing to the mine owners an excellent financial return. Plans are now being perfected whereby mules that have been used in hauling will be superseded by electric power. The main road is oper- ated by electricity for over twelve hundred feet from the shaft bottom. One of the largest J. M. Christy box car loaders is being placed in the plant, and a new four- teen-foot fan is also being placed in posi- tion. Throughout his entire life Mr. Dev- lin has been connected with mining inter- ests, with which he is thoroughly familiar in all of the peculiar workings and his ex- cellent qualifications well entitle him to the position which he is now acceptably filling.
In Monroe, lowa. on the 29th of Septem- ber, 1885, Mr. Devlin was united in marriage to Miss Orma E. Wood, a native of Jasper county, Iowa, and a daughter of Eli F. and Elizabeth ( Fudge) Wood. The former was a native of Indiana and the latter of Penn- sylvania, but both are now deceased. Mrs. Devlin belonged to a family of eight chil- dren, four of whom are yet living. She has three sisters who are married and reside in Iowa. and all their families. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Devlin have been born five children, but Archibald, the eldest, died at the age of two years and eight months. The others are Alexander, Mabel, Charles and Statia, all at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Devlin are members of St. Mary's Catholic church and he is a Democrat in his political affiliations. He is now a member of the library board of AAssumption and is interested in all that per- tains to the substantial improvement of his adopted city. He owns a pleasant home in the southwest part of the town which is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and in- dustry. He has indeed been a busy man and from early boyhood days has labored un-
tiringly, making his way upward in the face of competition, winning advancement through ability and as the result of his close application and industry. His fellow towns- men accord him their respect by reason of what he has accomplished and his life rec- ord is a splendid illustration of the oppor- tunities which America offers to her citi- zens.
JOHN MORAN.
John Moran, who has operated consider- ably in real estate and dealt in fine horses in Assumption, is also the leading retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars. He was born in Wayne county, New York, August 12. 1852, a son of James and Nora (Donovan) Moran, the former a native of Queens coun- ty, Ireland, and the latter of County Cork. Ireland. In 1835 James Moran crossed the Atlantic to the new world on a sailing vessel, which was three months in completing that voyage, encountering severe weather and facing many perils ere reaching port in safe- ty. He took up his abode in Canada, set- tling amid the forest, at a place called Brock, now the prosperous town of Brockville, On- tario. On arriving there he purchased a small tract of land and erected a little shanty around which the wolves would gather at night, howling dismally. They would often at times get upon the shanty. His sister also lived there with him and later on he sent for his younger brother. While aboard the ves- sel, however, this brother contracted ship fever and on reaching his destination was severely ill. James Moran lived at such a distance from a town that he took his sick brother and started in search of a physician, walking four miles in order to secure medi- cal aid. After receiving some medicine they started on their homeward journey, but the brother soon became utterly helpless and
JOHN MORAN
JAMES MORAN
MRS. JAMES MORAN
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James Moran started to carry him on his back. Long before reaching home, how- ever, the brother died and placing him at the roadside Mr. Moran had to walk several miles in order to get a wagon in which he might haul the remains of his deceased brother home. Later the sister also died and the two members of the family lie buried side by side on the old farm in the midst of the Canadian forest. The hardships en- (lured by the father of our subject if writ- ten in detail, would make a long chapter and one of deep interest. He had three brothers anel a sister who lived to be eighty years of age or over, but all are now deceased.
About 1849 James Moran left Canada and crossed the border into the United States, going to New York. He was first employed on the Erie canal and was a very hard working man. About 1850 he met and married Miss Nora Donovan, who also crossed the ocean on a sailing vessel, being about three months on the water. In 1854 James Moran removed with his family to Illinois, settling in Christian county. He at first bought forty acres of unimproved land adjoining the corporation limits of Mowea- qua. Later he purchased thirty-seven acres on the prairie in Moweaqua township, and in 1866 bought one hundred and forty-four acres in Flat Branch township Shelby county. Hard labor was required in the clearing and developing of his first tract. which was known as the Eastman farm. He had an ox team to assist him in his work and from early morning until late at night he continued the labor of clearing the fields and preparing them for the plow. AAll was wild and unimproved in this region at that time. Deer were to be seen in droves and there were many ducks, wild turkeys, geese, cranes and prairie chickens. Moweaqua was the only place that contained a mill and people
would go from Bloomington and other long distances to that mill, making the journey in wagon. At the beginning of the Civil war corn sokl at ten cents per bushel, but ere the close of hostilities it brought one dol- lar per bushel. Until 1885 the father of our subject continued to engage in farming. when he determined to put aside the more active cares of business life and remove to Assumption, where he lived in honorable re- tirement from further labor until called to his final rest. August 18, 1901. His wife and the mother of our subject passed away April 18, 1898, and both are buried in St. Mary's Catholic cemetery. His life was one of great activity and energy and he cer- tainly deserved great credit for what he ac- complished.
Unto James and Nora Moran were born seven children: John, whose name intro- duces this review .: Dennis, who is proprietor of a saloon in Kenney, Illinois ; Mary, who died at the age of thirteen years : Kate and Bettie, who are living with their brother John : Nora, who also lives with the family: and Belle M .. now the wife of joseph Mal- hiot. who is proprietor of a saloon in .As- sumption.
John Moran has been a resident of Illi- nois since two years of age. In the public schools of Moweaqua and Assumption he pursued his education and was reared upon the home farm, there remaining until 1888. when he came to Assumption. Here he se- cured employment as a bartender and in 1891 he opened a saloon south of his pres- ent place of business. In 1892 he estab- lished a branch store in Moweaqua and in 1893 a third at Edinburg. The same year he opened his present place of business. which he has since conducted. He retails wines, liquors and cigars and conducts his establishment upon straightforward business
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methods and has a well equipped saloon. In November, 1901, in company with a large number of business men of Assumption, he lost heavily through fire, but he soon re- built his store. erecting a fine brick block north of the Illinois State Bank.
Mr. Moran is a lover of good horses and now owns three registered roadsters, includ- ing Laura Anderson. He has also specu- lated to some extent in real estate and owns a half block of lots in the eastern part of the town, together with two good farms, for one of which he paid seventy dollars per acre and for the other one hundred dollars per acre. One is located in Flat Branch township. Shelby county, and the other in Assumption township. Christian county. Mr. Moran has now practically retired from business, leaving the control of his saloon to employes. He is ever ready to help in the work of improvement for the benefit of the city and he gives his political support to the Democratic party, while religiously he is connected with St. Mary's Catholic church. He is a gentleman of affable man- ner, genial and courteous to all.
FRED WHEELER.
Fred Wheeler was born in Waterloo, New York, on the 26th of August. 1845. When he was a year old his parents removed to Beverly. Washington county. Ohio, where he was reared to manhood. At sixteen years of age he began learning photography and after two years of thorough and practical preparation he began business for himself, Dening a studio in Zanesville, Ohio. From that time forward he has devoted his at- tention entirely to the art. From Zanesville he removed to Parkersburg. West Virginia. and the year 1877 witnessed his arrival in Taylorville, Illinois, where he opened a stu- dio and has conducted a good business since
Ilis studio is supplied with all modern equipments and accessories necessary for the successful conduct of his business and he keeps thoroughly in touch with the most advanced methods in photography.
On the 28th of March, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wheeler and Miss Alice Simpson, a daughter of J. L. and Isabel Simpson, of Taylorville. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler are well known in this city and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. He manifests an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and is a public- spirited, progressive citizen, widely known in Christian county.
FRANK L. TAYLOR.
One of the able representatives of the Christian county bar, now successfully en- gaged in practice at Assumption, is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Blue Mound township. Macon county. Novem- ber 10, 1860, and he is a representative of an old and prominent family of this state. His father, James Y. Taylor, was born at Rush- ville, Schuyler county, Illinois. September 9. 1819. while his father was from Kentucky. Throughout life he followed farming and became one of the promi- nent early settlers of Blue Mound township. Macon county, his home being on section 4. On the toth of March, 1846, he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth, Moffett, who was born in Sangamon county, this state, January 29. 1824. and died on the ist of October. 1887. Ilis death occurred May 5. 1804. They were the parents of seven children but only three of the number are now living, these being Frank L., whose name introduces this sketch: Charles M .: and Louisa, wife of John A. Barnes, of Storm Lake, Iowa.
John B. Moffett, our subject's maternal
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grandfather, was one of the honored pio- neers of Sangamon county, where he lo- cated in 1821 at a place seven miles south- west of Springfield. He was born in Bath . state senate in 1870 and 1872. He became county, Kentucky, and was married the year a member of the state board of equalization in 1876 but at the end of two years resigned that position to again take his seat in the state senate. of his arrival in Illinois, to Miss P. C. Mor- gan, a native of southern Indiana, who died in 1826, leaving two children, Rebecca, and Elizabeth, the mother of our subject. After the death of his wife he worked at his trade -that of a wheelwright-for some time and being a natural mechanic was able to per- form almost any labor. He next engaged in cabinet-making in Springfield and after- ward turned his attention to contracting and building, the county being indebted to his architectural skill for its courthouse. The millwright's trade next claimed his atten- tion and he erected a steam saw and flouring mill at Rushville, Schuyler county, Illinois, which was probably the first of the kind built in the military district, which is that part of the state lying between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and was set part for the benefit of the soldiers of the war of 1812. With his family he located in Rushville the same year, having married in the meantime Miss Polly A. Taylor, a daughter of Judge Taylor of Springfield. In 1842 he located on a farm in Blue Mound township, Macon county, where he spent his remaining days, dying there in the fall of 1862. He erected the second schoolhouse in that township. For many years he was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and did much evangelistic work in his day. Pre- eminently public spirited, he never withheld his support from any object which he be- lieved woukl advance the moral, social or material welfare of the community. The family to which he belonged came originally from Scotland and was of Scotch-Irish line- age.
Hon. William G. Moffett, an uncle of our subject, served as supervisor in Macon coun- ty for several terms and was elected to the
Reared upon a farm, Frank L. Taylor re- ceived his preliminary education in the dis- trict schools and later attended the Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he , was graduated on the completion of a busi- ness course. After his return home he en- gaged in farming and also taught school for some time. In the fall of 1891 he accepted the appointment of deputy sheriff, which position he filled for six years and was bailiff in the circuit court for two years and a half. During these years Mr. Taylor read law and for three years was a student in the office of Judge E. P. Vail, now of Chi- cago. In May, 1902, he was admitted to the bar after a rigid examination and at once opened an office in the Opera House block of Decatur. Seeing a favorable opening at Assumption he removed to this place in June, 1903, and now has his office over the Illinois State Bank. Although his residence here has been of short duration, he has se- cured a good clientage, having already won a reputation for ability and close attention to business, which will eventually place him among the leading members of the Chris- tian county bar.
On the LIth of September, 1884, at Boody, Illinois, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Herbert, a daughter of William and Mahala ( Smith) Herbert. Her father was an extensive grain dealer of Ma- con county and of that county her paternal grandfather was a pioneer. She was born in Pleasant View township, Macon county,
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December 9. 1865. and is the eklest in a family of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Tay- lor have two children : Ethel M., aged four- teen : and Guy C., aged thirteen. The latter was born in the same house and room, in Blue Mound township, Macon county, where his father's birth occurred. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Taylor is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political support is given the Re- publican party. He is a member of both the Macon County and Christian County Bar Associations and he stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren.
ISOM ADAMS.
said "Agriculture is the most useful as well . Elizabeth Jacobs. He took his bride to the
More than a century ago Washington as the most honorable occupation of man." and this truth stands to-day as it did then. Farming also forms the basis of all business prosperity and the life of the farmer is the life of independence. Mr. Adams is to- day one of the most prominent and success- ful representatives of agricultural interests in Christian county, having an extensive farm in Prairieton township, his home be- ing on section 21. He has resided here con- tinuously since 1856, having succeeded to a portion of his father's old homestead.
Mr. Adams was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, February 21, 1831, and is a son of Allerton and Elizabeth (Gorden) Adams, who were likewise natives of the Blue Grass state. The father was also an agriculturist and engaged in the tilling of the soil in Kentucky until 1833, when he came to Illinois. After residing for a few years in Sangamon county he came to Chris- tian county in 1836 and took up his abode in the midst of a settlement now known as Adams Grove. There he secured a tract of
land and improved a large and valuable farm, upon which he reared his family.
Isom Adams was only five years of age when his parents permanently located in Christian county and here he has since re- mained. He was the eldest son and second child in a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and with one exception all of these reached years of maturity.
Under the parental roof Mr. Adams of this review was reared and as his age and strength increased he assisted materially in the development of the home farm and at the same time acquired his education through attendance on the public schools. After ar- riving at years of maturity he sought a com- panion and helpmate for the journey of life and in 1851 was united in marriage to Miss old homestead and continued to reside there for five years. In 1856 he removed to the place which he now operates and as the years have gone by and his financial re- sources have increased he has added to his farm from time to time until now within its boundaries there are comprised seven hun- dred and eighty acres of land. This is very arable and productive and his efforts have made his farm one of the best improved in the county. Much of the land when it came into his possession was wild, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement upon it, but with characteristic energy he began its development and as the years have passed he has transformed the raw tract into fields of great value and beauty.
In 1854 Mr. Adams was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in Jan- mary of that year. They had two children. one of whom died in infancy. The other was Nancy Isabel, the deceased wife of Will- iam Gorden of Macon county, Illinois. In 1858 Mr. Adams was again married, his
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MR. AND MRS. ISOM ADAMS AND DESCENDANTS
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second union being with Miss Lydia Bilyeu. a daughter of John Bilyeu, one of the promi- nent pioneer settlers of Christian county. Mrs. Adams was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, and has always lived in this state. Thirteen children have been born of the second marriage, but the two eldest are de- ceased : Allerton, who died in infancy ; and Josiah, who passed away at the age of six- teen years. The others are: Elizabeth, the wife of George Creews: John, a well-to-do farmer of Christian county; Lucy J., the wife of James Workman; Sallie Ann, the wife of Alexander Mathews, also of this county : Virenda, the wife of Jacob Bilyeu : Wilber, a prosperous farmer of Macon county ; James, also a farmer of this county : Minerva, the wife of Date Robbins, a farmer of Christian county; Thomas J., an agri- culturist of this county ; Malinda, the wife of Isom Bilyeu, also a farmer of this coun- ty : and Isom, who is yet at home.
Mrs. Adams is a member of the Christian church and an earnest worker in its behalf. Mr. Adams has always been known as a sin- cere and helpful friend of the cause of edu- cation and served for a number of years as a member of the school board, during which time he put forth every effort in his power to advance the standard of the schools. He has, however, never cared for political pre- ferment, but has desired rather to give his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. For a half century he resided in Christian coun- ty, being, therefore, numbered among its early settlers. He has witnessed its growth and improvement as the years have gone by. feeling a just pride in what has been accom- plished here and as time has passed he has prospered in his business undertakings, until to-day he is one of the extensive landowners and prosperous farmers of this community.
JOHN P. MOORE.
After years of active labor, principally de- voted to agricultural pursuits, John P. Moore is now living retired in Assumption. He was born in Ohio and is a son of James and Margaret ( Rodman) Moore. The for- mer was born in Ohio, April 29, 1805, and died on the 30th of September, 1872, in Shelby county, Illinois. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania and was of Scotch- Irish descent. Her birth occurred February 27. 1796, and her death July 14, 1866. In their family were six children, three sons and three daughters, but our subject, who is the oldest of the family, is the only son now living. His brothers were W. R. and S. M. Moore, both of whom were married and left families. His sisters are Mrs. M. Padget. who resides in Rural township, Shelby county, Illinois: Mrs. C. D. Petzer, who is living in Assumption ; and Mrs. Sarah Mar- row, also of Rural township, Shelby county.
In his boyhood days John P. Moore ac- companied his parents on their removal to Marion county, Indiana, being then but three years old. The family home was es- tablished in the midst of a forest in a country that was upon the frontier and as he grew to manhood he shared in all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. In 1864 he came to Christian county, Illinois, settling four miles northwest of Assumption, in Assump- tion township. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land on section 28 and at once began its cultivation. He tiled and improved it, adding many modern equipments and to-day it is one of the choice farms of the county. Mr. Moore continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until 1891, when he put aside business cares and is now living retired in Assumption. en- joying a competence which he earned in for-
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mer years. Ilis farm is now operated by a tenant.
On the 4th of May, 1848, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Brau- hard, who was born near Cincinnati. Ohio, December 28, 1827, and they became the parents of eight children : James M., born April 20, 1849. is mentioned below. Mar- garet H., born January 25, 1855. is the wife of B. J. Johnson, of Owaneco. Sarah E., born July 20, 1857. is the wife of Leo John- son, of Assumption township. Caanthus H., born February 29, 1860, is a merchant of Pana; Albert L., born June 16, 1862, is also represented in this volume : Oliver M., born June 16, 1865. is engaged in the livery busi- ness in Assumption ; and Frank E., born February 13, 1868, is a traveling salesman living in Pana.
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