USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 23
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Aileen Jameson, Margarete E. Kelly, Hazel King, Mary Isabele Legg, Sylvia Lee Delda Lawrence, Jessie Leon, Ruth Mame Lan- ham, Hallie May Miller, Edna Claire Mc- Clelland, Georgette Morgan, Lillie Maud Nichols, Frances Catherine Nye, Josephine
Estelle Nickens, Jessie Sumuelva Mont- gomery. Lillian May Quimby, Pearl Record, Hallie Rugh, Florence Scott, Mabel E. Thorn, Katherine Troutman, Edith T. West, Samuella Young, Madge Arline Young.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ORLANDO POWERS.
Among the eminent men of Illinois whose life record forms an integral part of the history of Decatur, Hon. Orlando Powers was numbered. In his death the city lost one of its most progressive residents and active and honorable business men, as well as one whose influence was felt in marked degree along the line of intellectual and moral advancement. As the day, with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity. its evening of completed and successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His career was a long, busy and useful one, marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of public and private life, and crowned with honors con- ferred upon him in recognition of superior merit. Ilis name is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Illinois, with its best de- velopment and its stable progress, and his memory is cherished as that of one who made the world better for his having lived.
The life record of Orlando Powers began on the 21st of May, 1812, near the village of Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, and his youth was that of the usual farm boy who assists in the operation of the fields through the months of summer, while in the winter seasons he pursues his edu- cation in the common schools. It was in that manner that Mr. Powers passed his boyhood days until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he started for Havana, Cuba, in response to a request of his brother William that Orlando should go to that island and assist him in carrying on his business there. Making his way to New York, Mr. Powers, of this review, took passage upon the schooner Helen, but was
destined never to reach the port for which he sailed, for that ship was wrecked in a severe storm when it had been under way for three days. The rescue of Mr. Powers was almost marvelous. Ile and Captain Tucker, who commanded the vessel, to- gether with three of the sailors. drifted upon the open sea for eleven days, clinging to the disabled hulk, part of which was out of water. They subsisted upon a scanty supply of sea biscuit and raw potatoes and a very short allowance of water. When nearly famished because of lack of food and almost crazed by want of drink, they were picked up by a French brig bound for Bor- deaux and eventually landed at La Rochelle, whence they were taken on to Bordeaux by land. Mr. Powers had no money nor clothing, save that which he wore, and was even without a hat, but found a kind friend in an English gentleman who relieved his immediate wants and cared for him until opportunity came for him to return home. Re-crossing the Atlantic he landed at New York and through the assistance of business acquaintances of his elder brother he was enabled to promptly discharge the indebt- edness which it had been necessary for him to incur. He did not tarry long in the me- tropolis, but proceeded at once by steamer up the Hudson river to his home, where he had been long mourned as dead. After vis- iting his people he once more made an at- tempt to enter the business world, and this time sailed from New York to Mobile, Ala- bama. For some time he remained in the south, being engaged in business enter- prises in Alabama and Mississippi in con- nection with his brothers and brother-in- law, Chauncey Wilkinson, during which
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
time he conducted operations at Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Prairie Bluff and Aberdeen, and in 1849, on leaving the south, he took up his abode in Decatur.
Mr. Powers had visited this city in 1847, his mother and his two brothers, George and Samuel, having located here some years before. Being favorably impressed with the embryo city and its future prospects he resolved to ally his interests with the place, and up to the time of his death remained a continuous resident of Decatur from 1849 with the exception of a brief period of one decade, which he passed in Jacksonville, Illinois. On locating in Decatur, Mr. Pow- ers became identified with industrial inter- ests as the owner of a saw and grist mill. This he operated for a time and then em- barked in commercial pursuits, establishing a boot and shoe store. He became widely known in business circles here and extended his activity into many lines which proved of value to Decatur as well as a source of profit to himself. For many years he was the owner of the only set of abstract books in Macon county. In matters of business his judgment was always sound and reliable and while he was conservative to the point of safety he was also progressive and quick to note opportunities which come to all. In the carly years of his residence here he realized that Illinois was destined to be- come a great and populous state because of the fertility of its soil, which offered splen- did opportunities to the agriculturist. Wisely he made investment in real estate, acquiring large property interests, includ- ing both farm lands and city realty. As the years passed he improved and developed his property and as he found good oppor- tunity for sale he disposed of his invest- ments at a very desirable profit. His enter- prise was also an active factor in the permanent improvement and material ex- pansion of Decatur. In 1889 he erected an opera house, which would be a credit to a
city of much greater size. It is beautifully and artistically decorated and is most com- plete as to arrangements. thus furnishing a place of entertainment of which Decatur and her people have every reason to be proud. No improvement for the general good sought his co-operation in vain and it would be to recount most of the en- terprises of Decatur to give a list of the concerns which have benefited by his assist- ance.
On the 27th of September, 1849, MIr. Powers was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte E. Given, of Smithland, Union county, Kentucky. It was while he was traveling on horseback from Mobile, Ala- bama, to Decatur, on his first trip in 1847, that he met this lady, and the friendship that thus originated eventually led to their marriage. She was a daughter of Henry Given, of Smithland, Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mlrs. Powers were born four children : Alice, who was born September 30, 1856, and died on the 22d of April, 1878: Charles G., born June 30, 1861 ; Howard William, born June 20, 1864. and now a resident of Decatur : and Anabel, who was born Au- gust 18, 1867, and is the widow of Charles Kerney, of Evansville, Indiana. Mrs. Pow- ers died May 3, 1897, and Mr. Powers passed away July 1, 1902, his remains being interred in Greenwood cemetery, by the side of his wife. Charles G. Powers, the elder son, was born in Decatur, June 30, 1861, received his education in the schools here, and when thirteen years of age re- moved with his family to Jacksonville, where he completed his education in the Illinois College, being graduated in the class of 1884. After two years he returned to Decatur and entered the office of Charles A. Ewing, who was the agent for the Powers properties. In this way he gained insight into his father's business. He also read law for two years, but not with the intention of practicing it. On the expiration of that
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period, the family having in the meantime returned to this city, he joined his brother in business, and they took charge of their father's affairs, comprising business inter- ests unsurpassed in volume and importance. Since that time the brothers have continued in the management of the estate. They are gentlemen of excellent business sagacity and foresight, and in the supervision of the property interests have shown marked dis- crimination and unfaltering diligence. On the 2d of June, 1887, Mr. Powers was united in marriage to Miss Effie Rogers, a daugh- ter of Senator Jason Rogers, and unto them have been born two children : Orlando Rog- ers, who was born January 10, 1891, and died on the 18th of April, of the same year ; and John Howard, who was born August 23, 1895, and is now at home. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Powers is serving as a trustee. In politics he has always been a Repub- lican, but has never consented to hold office. Anabel Powers was married June 17, 1890, to Charles Kerney, of Evansville, Indiana, who died August 1, 1902, and she and her brother Howard are living on the old Pow- ers homestead. She has one child, Char- lotte Wright, born January 4, 1895. How- ard William Powers received his education in Decatur and Jacksonville and is asso- ciated with his brother in the management of the estate.
Mr. Powers gave his political support in carly life to the Whig party and when Mr. Lincoln was first placed on the Republican ticket as nominee for the presidency he . joined the ranks of the new organization, with which he continued to affiliate up to the time of his death. He was a man of generous impulses and gave freely of his means to charitable and benevolent objects, and yet his giving was always free from ostentation or display. He long held mem- bership with the First Presbyterian church of Decatur, and many thousand dollars
found its way from his purse to the church exchequer. Hle contributed very largely toward the building of the two edifices which have been occupied by this organi- zation and in many church offices he la- bored for the welfare of the denomination and the extension of its influence. Some years ago he founded a scholarship in the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the Northwest. With Mr. Powers friendship was inviolable and he gained many friends throughout his life, the circle of his friend- ship being almost co-extensive with the cir- cle of his acquaintances. When those who needed assistance came to him his aid was never withheld, if it could be rendered, and many a business man and firm in Decatur owes its prosperity in large measure to the generous assistance received from Mr. Pow- ers in time of need. His own business ca- reer was unassailable. Honor and integ- rity characterized his every act and he was never known to take advantage of his fel- low men in any business transactions, He enjoyed to the fullest extent the respect and esteem of those with whom he was long associated.
SILAS PACKARD.
For seventy-three years Silas Packard has been a resident of Decatur-a record perhaps paralleled by that of no other citi- zen here. The little village in which his boyhood days were passed has developed into a city of metropolitan proportions and advantages, being among the largest in the state and with its improvement Mr. Packard has kept abreast, always maintaining a place among its leading business men until to- day he is accounted one of its most promi- nent capitalists. He carly had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing country and acting in accord- ance with the dictates of his faith and judg-
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ment, he has garnered in the fullness of time a generous harvest which is the just recompense of indomitable industry, spot- less integrity and marvelous enterprisc.
Silas Packard claims Vermont as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred there on the 15th of April, 1829, but when he was only about a year and a half old he was brought to Decatur, Illinois, by his parents, Silas and Lydia (Tracey) Pack- ard, the former a native of the Green Moun- tain state, while the latter was born in Massachusetts. The family was of English extraction. Silas Packard. Sr., was a farmer by occupation, but he was not long per- mitted to engage in that pursuit here or to enjoy his new home for in the fall of 1830 he was called to his final rest. Upon his widow devolved the care of a large fam- ily of children, namely: Charles, Anson, Edward, Mason, Marietta, Elizabeth and Silas.
Decatur was at that time a mere village and its advantages were proportionate to its size and importance. The public-school system had not been established and Silas Packard, the subject of this review, pur- sued his education in a subscription school. As the family was left in somewhat strait- ened circumstances it was necessary that he early provide for his own support and for five years he was employed as a farm hand. Then attracted by the possibilities for the rapid acquirement of wealth in the far west, owing to the discovery of gold in California, he resolved to seek a fortune on the Pacific coast and in 1850 purchased a teain and started with a company of twenty- three wagons from the present site of the Transfer House on West Main street, De- catur. They crossed the plains and made their way through the mountains of the west until they reached the mines. Such a trip was fraught with many hardships, but it also brought much valuable experience and knowledge to the young man, making him
realize the responsibilities of life and the difficulties incident to a successful business career. It taught him that there is no royal road to wealth, but that perseverance and energy are the surest basis of pros- perity. In California he engaged in gulch mining and was fairly successful so that he brought with him upon his return to De- catur enough capital to enable him to em- bark upon an independent business career. It was in 1855 that Mr. Packard again reached this city. Establishing a lumber- yard, he continued its conduct for several years and was afterward in the hardware business, while at the same time he carried on agricultural pursuits, having purchased a tract of land, to the development and im- provement of which he gave his personal supervision. He became a dry-goods mer- chant of Decatur, continuing his operations in real estate through the purchase and sale of farms and as his financial resources in- creased he became a factor in the banking interests of Decatur. His greatest success, however, has been achieved through his operations in realty. His purchases have been very carefully made and thus he has been enabled to realize a good profit when disposing of his landed interests. For six- ty-two years he was the owner of the eighty acre tract of land constituting Riverside Park. A part of this has been platted and laid out into town lots and substantially and attractively improved.
In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Silas Packard and Miss Mary Sawyer, a native resident of Decatur and a daughter of Jolın and Eliza (Ketring) Sawyer, who were numbered among the pioneer settlers here, coming from Pennsylvania to this city in the year 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Packard have had no children of their own, but reared an adopted daughter, who is now the wife of Robert I. Hunt, a prominent busi- ness man of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Pack- ard have a beautiful home in one of the
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finest residence districts of Decatur and its gracious hospitality has been enjoyed by a circle of friends that is constantly increas- ing. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and its work has received their co-operation and also generous and financial support.
Mr. Packard votes with the Republican party and has ever been firm in his advo- cacy of its principles, but political honors and emoluments have had no attraction for him as he has preferred to give his time and attention to his business affairs. He began life as a farm hand and now stands among the capitalists of Decatur. Such a history should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, proving as it does the potency of industry in the active affairs of life. He has always been willing to de- vote his wealth and his energies to any feasible undertaking that would increase the prosperity of the city and add to the comfort of its inhabitants. His life has been a success. Ife has accumulated a large for- tune and has used only such means as will bear the closest scrutiny. He has bestowed on worthy causes large sums of money. and uses his fortune to the advantage of the community as well as to his own profit. To such men as he is the development of the west due. He has for nearly forty years been an active factor in advancing the city of Decatur, and during that entire time has so conducted all of his affairs as to com- mand the esteem, confidence and respect of all classes. Personally he is sociable, ever willing to accord to anyone the courtesy of an interview. AAlthough a man of great wealth, he is unostentatious in a marked degree, and in this age, when anarchistic and socialistic doctrines are inflaming the masses, the demeanor and actions of such men as he do more to quench the fire of envy and malice than all other means com- bined.
Mr. Packard's actions have during his life
been such as to distinctively entitle him to a place in this publication, and although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents, probably no biography published in this book can serve as a better illustra- tion to young men of the power of honesty and integrity in insuring success.
S. O. HILBRANT.
S. O. Ililbrant, who is engaged in the banking business in Argenta, was born in Botkins, Ohio, in 1872, a son of Samuel and Jemima llilbrant. The father was also a native of the Buckeye state and about six- teen years ago he came with his wife to Macon county, Illinois, settling on a farm near Argenta, where both are now living. Mr. Hilbrant there owns eighty acres of valuable land, constituting an excellent farm, and he also has some town property. S. O. Hilbrant was but a boy when brought by his parents to Illinois and in the schools of Argenta his carly education was acquired. Later he attended the busi- ness college at Valparaiso, Indiana, and thus well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life he entered upon the task of winning for himself a creditable position in the business world. Returning 10 Argenta, he gave his attention to farm- ing, which he followed for two years, and then removed to Medaryville, Indiana, where he occupied the position of assistant cashier in a bank. Hle spent two years in that place, during which time he gained a good knowledge of the banking business. Returning to Argenta once more, he was appointed cashier in the bank of Gerber & Son and has since attained a third interest in the institution, which was founded in 1887. This is an important factor in the business circles of the town and the suc- cess of the bank is attributable in no small degree to the business sagacity, the enter-
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prise and the ability of the popular cashier. Harry Parr, a promising young man, is act- ing as bookkeeper in the bank.
In 1898 Mr. Hilbrant was united in mar- riage to Miss Minnie L. Sternberg, a daugh- ter of Charles H. Sternberg, and a native of Medaryville, Indiana. Her father owns seven or eight hundred acres of land in that locality, is likewise engaged in the cattle industry and is the owner of three dredge boats. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hilbrant have been born three children: May, born May 6, 1899; Robert E. and William Edward, born in August, 1902. Mrs. Hilbrant holds membership in the German Lutheran church and both our subject and his wife occupy an enviable position in social circles and in the regard of their many friends.
Mr. Hilbrant votes with the Republican party and he served as tax collector in 1901 and 1902, making the best collections ever made in Friends Creek township. His fra- ternal relations connect him with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In matters of citizenship he is progressive and his aid is never sought in vain in behalf of enterprises for the gen- eral good. The banking firm with which he is connected owns the telephone system of Argenta, which operates three hundred and seventy-five telephones. He is a pro- gressive, wide-awake young business man, possessed of the energetic spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the central states, and has already at- tained success that many an older man might well envy.
MRS. LOVINA MEYERS.
One of the most highly esteemed and honored residents of Whitmore township is the lady whose name introduces this sketch, her home being on section 11, where she
has a most beautiful and attractive place. She was born in Shelby county, Ohio, Jan- uary 22, 1837, and is a daughter of Samuel and Christina (Fisher) Boyer, both natives of Pennsylvania. She is the only one of their ten children now living. In the county of her nativity she was reared and educated and in 1855 she gave her hand in marriage to John Meyers, who died about 1875.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyers were born eight children, of whom seven are still liv- ing, namely: Alice, the wife of Isaac Bar- nett, of Argenta, Illinois; Anna, wife of William Adams; Belle, wife of Harvey Stearns, of Decatur; Clara, at home with her mother ; Edward M., who married Sadie McCarthy and lives in Indiana; Charley, who married Nettie Shuter; and John, who married his cousin Fannie Boyer.
Just before the Civil war broke out Mr. and Mrs. Meyers came to Macon county, Illinois, and settled one and a half miles north and west of her present home in Whit- more township. At that time much of the county was wild and unimproved and wild geese and other game was to be had in abundance. For many years after the death of her husband, Mrs. Meyers conducted the farm of eighty acres on section 11, but of recent years she has rented the place. She displayed excellent business ability in the management of her affairs and not only sup- ported her family but also paid off the debt resting on the farm at the time of her hus- band's death, and besides her farm she now owns some Decatur property. Her place is one of the most attractive homes on the Decatur road, the front yard being literally crowded with flowers of all kinds, represent- ing nearly every native specie, and she takes great delight in showing her flowers to the many who call to see them. Her pleasant and comfortable residence was erected about 1887 and the other buildings upon the farm are good and substantial. For thirty years Mrs. Meyers has been an active and con-
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sistent member of the Christian church and her life has ever been in harmony with her professions. During her long residence in Macon county she has witnessed the mar- velous transformation in the face of the country : wild prairies have been converted into well cultivated and highly improved farms: towns have sprung up and villages grown into flourishing cities; railroads, the telegraph and telephone have been intro- duced : and all the evidences of an advanced civilization are now found within its bor- ders.
JEROME R. GORIN.
With the passing away of Jerome R. Gorin Decatur lost a citizen who left the impress of his life and character upon vari- ous interests which have contributed to the material upbuilding. the permanent devel- opment and the intellectual and moral prog- ress of this city. Coming here at an early day he took an active part in shaping the policy of Decatur as it emerged from vil- lage conditions to take its place among the leading cities of this great commonwealth. Ile kept apace with universal progress and improvement and exerted his efforts in be- half of the public good, but while he did much for the city in the way of business development and public improvement. it was the kindly nature of the man, his char- itable spirit and his genial disposition that won for him the love and unqualified re- gard of people of every class of society.
Jerome R. Gorin was born in Hopkins- ville, Christian county, Kentucky, his natal day being October 12, 1817. He was a son of John D. and Mattie (Thomas) Gorin and a representative of an old Virginian fam- ily. His father was born in the Old Do- minion, but during his boyhood went with his parents to the Blue Grass state, where he spent the period of his boyhood and youth. In the spring of 1828 he came to 11-
linois, which only ten years before had been admitted to the Union. He took up his abode in Vandalia, then the capital of the state, and became a representative of its business interests as both a merchant and farmer. He was also prominent in public affairs and for some years acted as receiver in the loan office. He died in Vandalia, April 20, 1846, at the age of fifty-six years, and his wife passed away on the 13th of July, 1876, at the advanced age of eighty- nine years.
Jerome B. Gorin was a youth of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to Illinois and in 1833 he made his way to Decatur, joining his two okler brothers and a sister, who were then residents of this city. His brother, Henry M. Gorin, was for many years clerk of the court here, but left the office in 1841. His sister, Elvira, who had located in Decatur in 1830, became the wife of General Isaac Pugh and she and her husband passed away here after reaching advanced ages. Almost continui- ously from the time when as a young man of sixteen years Jerome Gorin entered upon his business career in Decatur up to the time of his death he resided in this city. llis residence here was interrupted by only a short absence.
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