USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
The Leader Iron Works, incorporated by William C. Field, William A. Shorb and W. T. Delahunty in July. 1903, for $40,000, succeeds the Leader Manufacturing Com- pany, which was organized in 1895. The plant, consisting of a substantial brick building covering an area of over 14,000 feet of floor space, is located one mile west of Lincoln Square and adjacent to Fair View Park. The firm makes a complete list of brick-making machinery and con- templates making and repairing of boilers and engines. Leader machinery is well and favorably known throughout the United States and even in South and Central American countries. The mechanical con- struction of the machinery is under the supervision of H. J. Votaw, who has been with the company since its organization.
The Suffern & Hunt Company was or- ganized under the laws of the state of Il- linois December. 1892; incorporators, Wil- liam H. Suffern and Robert I. Hunt; capi- tal stock, $50,000. They are exporters and manufacturers of kiln dried white corn goods, and jobbers and exporters of corn and oats. They operate one mill of 10,000 bushels capacity in Decatur and one of 4.000 bushels capacity in Lafayette, Ind. Their plants are thoroughly equipped with the latest machinery known to the millers' trade. Any innovation tending to better
their product or economize time or labor finds a ready trial by them and, if success- ful, is immediately installed. Their excel- lent manufactured goods find a ready mar- ket in the United States, England, Scot- land, Ireland, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa. They export large quantities of corn and oats to. continental Europe, shipping principally through the port of New Orleans, and in all do an aggregate business of about $4,000,000 per year. They employ seventy- five people in their plants, forty-two being in the Decatur mill. The company has re- cently transformed the mill in this city from a frame to a complete brick structure, spending $20,000 in improvements, which increased its capacity from 7,000 to 10,000 bushels per day. They are the largest in- dependent corn millers in the United States. The officers are: William H. Suf- fern, president; Robert I. Hunt, secretary and treasurer.
The H. H. Brown Manufacturing Com- pany, located at 320-24 East Main street, dates from the 'zos as "H. H. Brown & Co." In 1893 it was incorporated under its present name and capitalized at $20,000. The company manufactures a patent fas- tener for caskets and a cattle de-horner. The casket fastener is sold direct to all coffin manufacturers in the country. The de-horner is sold throughout the United States, and all the cattle-growing sections of South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Scotland, and Cuba. In the United States the sales are made through jobbers; in the outside countries are sold through their New York corre- spondent. Their advertising catalogue reaches every cattle country in the civilized world. The manager and principal owner of this company is C. H. Brown; the other stockholders are members of his family.
J. G. Starr & Son (W. H. Starr, pro- prietor ; C. A. Starr, manager), No. 113-117
105
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY
South Main street. Lincoln Square J. G. m marble and granite notintents Their trade is principally lical.
Starr & Son Harness Company was m corporated 1801. W. H. Starr. president. . M. Starr, vice president ; Baldwin Starr, secretary. Located No. Not-805 North Broadway, wholesale manufacturers of harness and saddlery The largest mail order harness house tto dealers only ) in the United States. The Starr trademark was founded by Joseph & Starr nearly hits years ago, and has continuously occupied the same location. They carry a fully line of harness and vehicles This firm is so well known in Macon and adjon mg counties that Starr's harness leads them all.
Ile Asbury Extract company, located on North Water street, mst north of the Wabash railroad, was organized in This. The firm manufactures a full line of ex tracts, pancake flours. shoe polish ; also crushed fruits for soda fountains. Its prod nets are wholesaled to the jobber and re taler throughout Iliness, Missouri and in diana 1. 1. Hunter is sole owner and manager
The Hostetler Printing House was ch tablished November & town, it is located at 219 and 221 South Park Street 1. 1. Hosteller is it- manager and proprietor. He does a life of commercial printing, bookbinding, compiling of catalogues, and manufactur - a general line of commercial blush books and office supplies.
The Decatur Fent & Awning Company, located at HIS Past William street, was of ganized by W. 1. Chamberlain in 1885, for the manufacture of tents, awnings and mat tresses The present company is composed of W D. Chamberlam and 11. W Averett. Sales are made through traveling men throughout Ilmais.
Downes & Son, located at 344 North Water street, established in business Chto ber. tool. They carry on a retail business
I - Seat Manufacturing Company was es tabli-hod Ings, box . for the manufacture of a skirt and warst holder Alice 1. Barbier 1º it- manager.
F A. Wood Manufacturing Pharmacy, located at 214 and 218 West Ham Street, was established Felirmany to, or by Fargli & Hent, on the Both of April. 1800, Mr. laught sold his interest to F W. Wood. They make bulk goods for physi clans: such as fluids, tablets, ointments. and powders. Bulk goods are also sold to smaller manufacturers.
good & Henger Manufacturing (m) pany, located at 519 and 520 Powers build ing. Was established August Foot, for the manufacture of ladies petticoats and night dresses Since its organization the bus- news has more than doubled itself and is still increasing so that the company con- templates adding more room and machin ury at once. Their goods are sold by tras eling salesmen in the following territory Ilmos, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota. Minnesota, and to some extent in many other adjoining states.
Herman Speis Bookbindery. located at 127 South Water Street, was established October. 1885. He does a large local bus news in bookbinding and in the manufac ture of commercial blank books.
The Beall Improvement Company. In cated at 610 and off Millikin bulding, was organized in now for the purpose of manu facturing corn and flour milling machinery. The factory is located at 316 East Decatur Street Their goods are sold through agents located at different points through ont the country . . n agent is maintained at Hierpool, England, one in Ontario, tan Ma and others throughout the I'mtel States and in Mexico and South America The officers are . G. D. White. secretary and manager, Hugh treat, president
106
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
The Decatur Trunk Factory, located at 308 North Water street, was established in 1890 as a stock company, but at the end of the first year was sold to J. R. Moore, who has since conducted the business as a pri- vate enterprise. He manufactures trunks, suit cases, telescopes, sample cases, and other lines of smaller articles. His sales are to the local trade as well as the follow- ing outside territory : Illinois, Indiana, Mis- souri, Kansas, and in specialties much con- tiguous territory, worked by traveling salesmen.
The Review Publishing Company, lo- cated at 365 North Main street, was incor- porated September 28, 1887. Capital stock, at present, $100,000. Officers: Howard C. Schaub, president; Inez J. Bender, vice- president ; Jerry Donahue, secretary ; J. P. Drennan, treasurer and manager. This company publishes the daily, weekly, and Sunday Review.
The Review Printing and Stationery Company, located at 365 North Main street, was incorporated September 4, 1895. Of- fieers: Howard C. Schaub, president; V. W. Henley, vice-president ; J. P. Drennan, treasurer ; E. V. Huston, secretary ; C. E. Uhler, manager. This company does a general line of job printing and bookbind- ing and manufactures a staple line of com- mercial blank books and office supplies.
The Herald-Dispatch Company, located at 222 East Main street, was incorporated in March, 1890. It was capitalized for $26,000. Officers: \V. F. Calhoun, presi- dent; C. N. Wagenseller, vice-president ; B. K. Hamsher, sceretary; Owen Seott, treasurer and manager. This company publishes the Daily and Semi-Weekly Herald.
The Herald Printing and Stationery Company, located at 222 East Main street, was incorporated November 20, 1899. It was capitalized for $15,000. Officers: \V. F. Calhoun, president ; Owen Scott, secre-
tary and treasurer; B. K. Hamsher, vice- president and manager. This company does a general line of printing and book- binding and manufactures a full line of commercial blank books and office supplies.
The Baker Company, at 905 West Main street, was established in 1900. They man- ufaeture Baker's Cascara Pepsin Tablets and Baker's Lotion.
The Cerrodine Company, located at 141 East Main street, established in 1890, man- ufactures the Cerrodine LaGrippe Cure, Ca- tarrlı Cure, Headache Cure, and Laxation Tonic ; also a specialty for Albaugh Broth- ers, Dove & Company. These goods are made from formulas owned and controlled by S. H. Jameson.
C. F. Savage, wholesale and jobbing, es- tablished in 1894, located at 258 North Park street. A general wholesale grocery business is carried on.
The Mueller, Platt & Wheeland Com- pany, located at 326 and 328 North Water street, was incorporated in August, 1896, capitalized for $70,000. E. M. Platt, presi- dent ; C. E. Wheeland, vice-president ; C. M. Luling, secretary and treasurer; G. WV. Mueller, manager. This company does a wholesale grocery and grocery fixture busi- ness, over a territory embracing a radius of about seventy-five miles.
Bachman Bros. & Martin Company, lo- cated at 359 and 363 North Water street, was incorporated in 1892. Capital stock, $20,000. Officers: W. G. Bachman, presi- dent : Charles F. Bachman, treasurer ; Luther F. Martin, secretary. This com- pany handles a general line of furniture and house furnishing goods. Their territory eovers a very large radius about Decatur.
The Henry Bachrach Company, at 100 and 104 Merchant street, was incorporated in March, 1902. Capital stock, $30,000. Henry Bachrach, president ; Albert ' Bach- rach, vice-president and secretary; Mrs. Tillie Bachrach, treasurer. The firm car-
107
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
ries a full line of clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods.
The Central Malleable Iron Company. located at 005 North Lowber street, Was u corporated in 1002. Capital stock, Som, 000. This company manufactures malle able and gray iron castings.
Ile Culver Electric Company, in the to block on bast North street, was incor- porated in January, 1893. Capital stock, $25,000. Officers: John H. Culver, presi- dent and treasurer : Florence 11. Culver, secretary. This company does general con- tracting for electric light and water works plants.
The Fhrman Laundry Company, located at 122 and 124 West Prairie street, was in- corporated in lyon. Capital stock. $3.500. Officers: 1. W. Ehrman, president and manager ; Harry F. Ehrman, secretary and treasurer. This company does a general laundry business.
The Decatur Bridge Company, located at the corner of Eldorado and C. II. & D. Ry .. was incorporated October, 1902. Capital Stock, 830.000. Officers: Thomas 1. Black- burn, president ; George A. Caldwell, vice- president and superintendent ; William Melville Wood, treasurer and chief engi- neer; Edgar B. Tyler, secretary and gen eral manager. This company manufactures and contracts steel bridge supplies.
The Decatur Elevator Company, located at 257 North Main street, was incorporated in February, 1003. Officers: D. S. Shella- barger, president ; B. G. Hudout, vice pres ident : Oscar N. East, treasurer; Charles W. Cooper, secretary and general man ager. This company owns a line of ele- vators and carries on a general grain busi- ness. Their elevators are located in central Illinois.
The Decatur Furniture Company, located at the corner of Franklin and East William streets, was incorporated in 1882. Capital- ized at $100,000. Officers: J. Bering Bur
rows, vice president, John B. Priestley, secretary and treasurer. Hus company was organized for the purpose of manufac turing a special lite of furniture.
The Decatur Harrow Works, located at 1450 and Igen last Eldorado street, was in- corporated in November, 102. Capital Stock, $12,000. C. V. Wilson, president, O. K. Oppen, vice president ; C. l'. Thatch- er, secretary and treasurer. This company was organized for the purpose of manufac- turing a patent harrow.
The Decatur Model Laundry, located at 147 South Water street, was incorporated in 1899. Capital stock, $2,500. E. C. Stein, president ; Lulu Whitmer, vice president ; Frank 1. Whitmer, secretary and treas- ufer. This company does a general laun- dry business in and about Decatur.
The Decatur Plumbing and Heating Company, located at 300 North Water street, was incorporated June 3. 1890. Cap- ital stock. $20,000. W. H. Elwood, presi- dent ; J. B. Bullard, vice-president , I. E. Kizer, secretary and treasurer; W. E. Adams, general superintendent. This com- pany does a general line of contract and repair work and carries a full line of plumb-
The Decatur, Springfield and St. Louis Railway Company, Interurban, was incor- porated in May, 1003, for the purpose of constructing an interurban railway from Decatur to St. Loms. Officers: W. B. Mckinley, president; W. A. Bisby, local manager.
The Field & Sherb Company, located at 213 North Main street, was incorporated April 22. 1 2. Capital stock, 825,000. William & Field. president . W. T. Dila- hunts, vice president , William A. Short. treasurer; Walbur R. Batchelder, secretary. This company does a general line of con- tractulg and repair work and carries a full Inc of plumber-' goods.
The Harrington Monett Company, 9 to
108
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
12 Columbia block, was incorporated in January. 1903. Capital stock, $60,000. Walter Harrington, president ; Jasper J. Monnett, vice-president : John C. F. Har- rington, secretary and business manager and treasurer. This company does a gen- eral line of manufacturing and wholesale jewelry.
The Macon County Title and Trust Company, at 148 South Water street, was incorporated May 14. 1902, for the purpose of carrying on a general abstract business in Macon county. Capital stock, $50,000. W. C. Outten, president ; John Crocker, vice-president : B. O. McReynolds, treas- urer : Thomas B. Jack, secretary ; Charles T. Kellum, manager ; S. E. Kenney, assist- ant manager.
The Manufacturers' and Consumers' Coal Company, office 248 North Water street, was incorporated 1901. Capital stock, $100.000. Officers: D. S. Shellabarger, president ; J. F. Mattes, vice-president ; Robert I. Hunt, secretary : B. O. McRey- nolds, treasurer : S. A. Tuttle, general man- ager.
The J. M. Miller Broom Manufacturing Company, 213 East Marietta street. was in- corporated in February. 1903. Capital stock, $10,000. H. H. Crea, president : James M. Miller, vice-president and gen- eral manager ; WV. Frank Godwin, secretary and treasurer. This company does a large business in the manufacture of brooms and wholesaling and retailing the same.
The Ryan Clothing Company, 239 North Water street, was incorporated in 1898 with a capital stock of $7.500. M. Ryan, president : Jerome B. Longeni. secretary and treasurer. This company carries on a clothing and gentlemen's furnishing supply house.
The Scovill Company, corner North Park and Water streets, was incorporated in 1808. Capital stock. $15,000. George W. Scovill, president ; Guy N. Scovill, vice-
president; J. J. Scovill, treasurer; E. A. Scovill-Carpenter, secretary. This company carries on a general trade in furniture and house furnishing goods.
The B. Stine . Clothing Company, 102 East Main street, was incorporated in 1890. Capital stock, $32,000. Officers: B. Stine, president ; Leo G. Heilburn, secretary and treasurer. This company carries a general line of gent's furnishing goods and ready made clothing.
B. S. Tyler & Company, 108 East Wil- liam street, was incorporated in January, 1897. Capital stock, $15,000. Officers: T. A. Bone, president and treasurer ; Frank L. Evans, secretary and general manager. This company does a general grain busi- ness : they own a line of grain elevators in central Illinois.
D. W. Brenneman & Company, 148 and 152 North Franklin street, was established thirty years ago, and reorganized in 1892 with D. W. Brenneman, M. G. Brenneman and W. P. Shade as owners. This company is engaged in the wholesaling of liquors throughout Illinois and Indiana.
The American Hominy Company, of which the Shellabarger Mill and Elevator Company and The Pratt Cereal Mill Com- pany form a part, was incorporated in May, 1902. Capitalization. $3.500,000. The daily capacity of their combined plants is 85.000 bushels of corn. The capacity of the two Decatur plants is 22,000 bushels. This company makes corn meal and flour, hom- iny, grits, cerealine flakes, flaked hominy and corn oil. Their territory is America. Europe. Africa, Australia, China and Japan.
The Riddell, Stadler and McClelland Company, 140 and 146 North Franklin streets, was established in 1902. J. Sher- man McClelland is its manager. This com- pany does a wholesale grocery and grocers' fixtures business covering an adjacent ter- ritory of about 100 miles in radius.
The Williams Manufacturing Company,
100
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY
1021 North Main street, manufacture > corn- the gent's inrushing and ready made cloth- mg. He carries a large stock.
planter- and grain weighers; also does a general repairing business.
Tenney & Sikking, 147 and 103 South Main street, manufacture shoveling boards and handle firm implements.
The Maris Candy Company manufac tures the latest novelties in candies as well as the staple brands, John M. Maria is it's manager
The Home Manufacturing Company, col Hast Eldorado street, makes ladies' wrap pers. sunbonnets, dressing saugues, and charles M. Allison is the pro proctor.
The Decatur Mattress Factory. 020 Last Eldorado street, confines itself to the man facture of mattresses.
The Matfitt & Meterres lee Company. 200 and 204 North Broadway, manufac tures artificial ice and handles natural ice
The Combination Fountain Company. 702 Fast Division street, manufactures soda fountains and refrigerator -.
The Northwestern Feed Mill, 539 West Green street, manufactures and handles all kinds of mil feed. George S. Lyons is proprietor.
The Decatur Hard Plaster Company. 311 at1 343 Wabash avenue, manufacture wall plaster, and deals in cement, limc. plaster paris, fire brick, and rooting gravel. John H1. Oren, proprietor.
Bruce S. Wondraf, 786 Fast Cantrell street, manufactures dagar boves.
Ingame & Company, composed of W. 1. Ammann, Martin Gahring and Fred Black, do a general hne of brickmaking for the outside as well as the local trade.
James H. Hall, 150 Past Main, carrie on a general gent's furnishing and ready made clothing establishment. His life is complete and up-to-date.
Ottenhammer & Company, 258 10 2(M) North Water, curis a stock of clothing and gent's furnishing goods. His stock is large and select.
Joseph & Sommerfeld. 17 East Main. carries an assorted stock of gent's furnish- ing goods and clothing.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
The Bench.
The first Great Court held in Decatur was in May. 1830. S. 12. Lockwood of the Supreme Court pressing. In 1835 a laws was passed by the State Legislature separ ating the Circuit Court from the Supreme court.
Julge Lockwood came to Ulino in an carly day and was quite a factor in its carly history. He presided as tirent Judge from 1830 to 1835. In the same year the State Legislature elected Stephen 1 Logan of Springfield, Illinois, to succeed Mr. Lock- wood as tirent Judge. This county then formed part of the First Judicial District. Judge Logan resigned his position in 1837 and William Brown of Jacksonville was ap pointed by Governor Duncan to fill the vacancy He was followed by Jesse B. Thomas, who in a very short time was snc ceeded by S. I Treat who hold the office from 1839 to 1848. David Davis of Bloom ington shorceded him and held the position from 0810 to 1853 In 1851 Charles Pomer son of Macon county became his successor, and held the position until 18. when he was succeeded bs Arthur | Gallagher, who Served until 1873.
1. 1 Smith was elected trent Judge im 1873 to succeed A. J. Gallagher He was re elected m 1870. Ins teria ending in 1880.
Jaren Kaufman. 245 to 249 North Water In the meantime another judgeship was street, does a general hne of business in created in this inicial district, to which
110
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
WV. E. Nelson was elected in 1877 and served two years in the position.
E. P. Vail was elected as successor to C. B. Smith in 1889 and held the position until 1903.
In 1903 W. C. Johns was elected to suc- ceed E. P. Vail. Mr. Johns is the present incumbent.
The Bar.
The following is a list of the lawyers who have at various times practiced law in Ma- con county, including the present members of the Macon County Bar :
Sheridan Wait. member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby, came to De- catur in 1852. He was General Oglesby's adjutant general in the Civil war.
Colonel Nathan W. Tupper of Washing- ton, New York, removed to Decatur in 1854 for the purpose of practicing law. In 1862 Mr. Tupper was commissioned as colonel of the 116th regiment of Illinois Volunteers. Colonel Tupper died at Decatur, from ex- posure and hardships of army life, March 10, 1864.
George W. Powers was admitted to the bar in 1843 and died in 1848.
Kirby Benedict, from the state of Con- necticut, located in Decatur in 1836, he being the second resident lawyer in the county, Charles Emerson being the first.
James B. Boyd, a native of Ohio, came to this county in 1855 and was shortly after elected county surveyor. In 1860 he was elected prosecuting attorney, serving until 1862, when he resigned to accept the posi- tion as lieutenant colonel of the 116th regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He was wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, from the effects of which he died in 1869.
The Hon. John R. Eden of Sullivan prac- ticed in Macon county a short time.
Captain Joel S. Post was born in Wayne county April 27, 1816. In 1839 he removed to Decatur and the next year entered the
office of Charles Emerson as a law student. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1841.
In 1846 he became a soldier in the Mexi- can war, a member of the 4th regiment of Illinois Volunteers, commanded by Col. E. D. Baker. In 1856 he was elected to the state Senate, serving two terms. While a legislator he championed the bill establish- ing the State Normal University at Normal, Illinois.
John W. Smith was born in this county in February, 1843. He graduated at Al- bany Law School in New York, beginning the practice of law here as a member of the firm of Emerson & Smith. IIe is the author of a history of Macon county ; he now re- sides in Chicago.
A. B. Bunn, a native of Ohio, settled at Mt. Pulaski in 1844. In July, 1850, he lo- cated in Decatur, entering the office of Joel S. Post, being admitted to the bar in 1851. He was elected to the state Legislature in 1866. He held the office of assessor of in- ternal revenue and also served as city clerk and attorney of the city of Decatur.
S. G. Malone, a native of Ohio, was ad- mitted to the bar in Indiana in 1848. He came to Decatur in 1856, entering the firm of W. S. Freese and Judge Prather.
Hon. Richard J. Oglesby was born in Kentucky in 1824. He came to Decatur with his uncle, Willis Oglesby, in 1836. In 1844 he began the study of law in Spring- field and was admitted to practice in 1845. He opened an office in Sullivan and re- mained there until 1846. He then enlisted for the Mexican war, being commissioned first lieutenant of Company C, 4th regiment of Illinois Volunteers. On his return home he again took up his practice, locating at Decatur. In 1849 he took a trip to Cali- fornia as a result of the "gold fever." Re- turning in 1852 he again resumed his law practice. In 1856 he made a tour of Europe, Asia and Africa; returning he entered the
111
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
law firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby In its first graduating class. Coming to be that he was elected state senator. In INO he was elected colonel of the 8th Illmois Infantry At the battle of Fort Donelson he was in command of a brigade. At Cor- inth he was wounded. He had been pro- moted brigadier general in April. After partial recovery he was promoted to major general, for bravery. His commission dated from November, 1802. Owing to inability. on account of his wound to do field work. he tendered his resignation, which was not accepted, however, and he was detailed on court martial duty at Washington. In May, IS04, ou hus return home, he was elected governor of Illinois. In 1872 he was re- elected to that office, but resigned to accept the U'mttel States senatorship in 1873. In INS2 he was again elected governor of 11- finans, this being the last public position held by him.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.