Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 32

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 32

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JOHN W. GRAVES.

John W. Graves is now a representative of mercantile interests in Decatur, having since June, 1902, engaged in the sale of aluminum goods and novelties. In this short space of time he has built up an excellent trade among acquaintances whom he had formerly made in a business way and also

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receives a liberal patronage from among those who approve of his excellent business policy and straightforward dealings. Mr. Graves is a native of Logan county, Illinois, his birth having oc- curred on the 19th of July, 1850. He is a son of Charles and Rachel (Cantrell) Graves, whose marriage was celebrated October 18, 1840. at Waynesville, Illinois. The father was born on the 30th of April, 1817. in Vermont, and died in the year 1850. lle had started from Peoria, Illinois, for California and his death occurred on the plains. This left to the widow the care of her two small children, our subject being then but an infant. She supported them by her own labor, putting forth every effort in her power to advance their welfare and happiness and during the evening of her days she found a pleasant home with her son John W., passing away at his residence on the 25th of March, 1892. She was then laid to rest by the side of her twin sister, Rebecca, who died on the 25th of March, 1849. Mrs. Graves was a daughter of Ze- bulon G. Cantrell, who settled in Waynes- ville, Illinois, in the spring of 1832. Her mother bore the maiden name of Sarah McCollam, and both were natives of Vir- ginia, the father's birth having there oc- curred on the 29th of June, 1773. while his wife was born February 8, 1779. They were married August 31, 1797, and removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky, and after- ward to Ohio. Having spent some time in the last named state, they then came to Illinois, settling in Sangamon county, in 1833, and in 1834 they removed to DeWitt county. Mr. Cantrell died at Waynesville, Illinois, September II, 1845, and his wife passed away on the 26th of May, 1843.

John W. Graves pursued his education in the public schools. In his carly youth he went to Wisconsin and at the age of four- teen years he enlisted in his country's ser- vice as a member of Company K, Forty-

sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in on the 22d of February, 1865. He remained with the army until after the close of hostilities and was honorably dis- charged on the Ioth of October, 1865. Fol- lowing his military experience he entered Galesville University of Wisconsin and was graduated in the class of 1869. Hc then engaged in teaching school for two years, after which he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in the capacity of fireman. He left that service in the fall of 1873 and removed to Centralia, Illinois, where he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company in a similar position. continuing with that cor- poration until the spring of 1877, when he came to Decatur. Here he followed carpen- tering for a short time and in 1880 he ac- cepted a position as engineer with the De- catur Coal Company, with which he was connected when it first opened its mines. For ten years or until 1902 he was employed by the Union Iron Works of Decatur as foreman of the wood department and then resigned his position there and opened his present store in the month of June, 1902, for the sale of aluminum good and novelties. From the beginning he has received a lib- eral patronage and is now carrying on a successful trade.

On the 8th of March, 1877, Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Mattie J. Edds, a daughter of Carroll and Elizabeth Edds. Their children are Edna C., who was born February 8, 1878. and was mar- ried on Christmas Day of 1899, to Harry R. Griswold, by whom she has two chil- dren. John Carroll and Jasper Edwin; Mat- tie A., born January 9. 1883; Walter A .. born August 10, 1885 ; and Nina Hazel, born January 26, 1888.

Mr. Graves is an exemplary member of Macon Lodge, No. 8. A. F. & A. M., in which he is a past master. He has been identified with the fraternity since 1892 and

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has thoroughly informed himself concern- ing its tenets and teachings, while in his life he embraces its beneficent principles. He also belongs to Macon Chapter, No. 21. R. A. M., and to Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 9. K. T., while of Dunham Post, No. 141, G. A. R., he is a charter member. For sixteen years he was also a member of the famous Goodman Band, being the tuba player. He was a member of the band dur- ing the period that the organization ad- vanced from a country band of sixteen mem- bers to one of more than state reputation, having a membership of forty. When he resigned in 1900 there were only four of the original members of the band still with the organization. He has always been a lover of music and his talent in this direction has been of value in musical circles in this city. In politics he is a Republican and a strong prohibitionist. There are few men of Mr. Graves' age who can boast of a military record in connection with the Civil war. The same spirit which he manifested when as a boy he responded to the country's call has always been one of his strong character- istics. Everything pertaining to the general welfare receives his endorsement and he has been a co-operant factor in many meas- ures for the public good.

HUGH W. HILL.

This is a utilitarian age and the man whose business is of worth to the world is he who wins success. To-day Hugh W. Hill is numbered among the capitalists and retired manufacturers of Decatur and is a venerable citizen of eighty-one years, respected and honored not only because of his success, but also because of the manner in which his prosperity has been won. He started out in life a poor boy with limited advantages, educational and otherwise, and that he is to-day numbered among the wealthy men of his adopted city is due to

his own well directed and enterprising ef- forts. He has been a resident of Macon county for many years and no history of this section of the state would be complete without mention of his life.

Mr. Ilill was born in North Carolina, on the 18th day of July, 1822, and of that state his parents, John and Asenath (Andrews) Hill, were also natives. In 1835 the father removed with his family from North Caro- lina to the new state of Missouri, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of that locality. There he spent his remaining days, passing away in the year 1851. His wife, however, had died prior to the family's removal from North Carolina, her death having occurred in 1824.

In the usual manner of farmer lads Hugh WV. Hill was reared. He worked in the fields from the time of carly spring planting until crops were harvested in the autumn and it was only for a brief period during the winter months that he was enabled to pur- sue his education. Ile mastered the com- mon branches of learning in a log school house, to which he was compelled to walk for a distance of three miles, returning in the same manner each evening. He was a youth of only thirteen years when his father removed to Missouri and there he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm in the timber, sharing with the others in the family in the hardships and trials inci- dent to frontier life. It was in the year 1860 that Mr. Ilill came to Illinois, locating first in Bond county, where he remained for eighteen months. In February, 1866, he came to Macon county and was first identified with farming and stock-raising here. As he had no capital with which to purchase land he leased a farm located about nine miles from Decatur and with characteristic energy he began the cultiva- tion of crops that he might provide a liv- ing for himself and family. For eight years he remained upon that land, devoting his

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energies to general farming and stock- raising and while there he gave considerable attention to the breeding and raising of hogs. Certain troubles that he had with his hogs led to his success in business life. His hogs would root and he felt that he was compelled to resort to some measure that would prevent this as the animals were injuring his pasture lands. Becoming in- censed at a hog that was engaged in its usual delightful occupation of rooting he caught the animal and with an awl punched a hole through his snout and inserted there- in a piece of wire, after which he twisted the ends together. This proved effective for the hog could root no longer. This led to an invention which has become of world wide value and is now in universal use. Mr. Hill began studying some method which would be an easier and quicker way of ringing hogs' noses and as the result of his thoughts and experiments he gave to the world the invention which is known as the hog ringer and which is to-day used not only extensively throughout the United States. but throughout the entire world wherever those animals are raised. Imme- diate success, however, did not follow his work, for after securing a patent on his in- vention he found some difficulty in gaining co-operation of any one with capital. He was himself without sufficient means to manufacture the ringer and place it upon the market and when he made business pro- positions to different men of capital in the locality to join him in the work he found little encouragement. At length, however, he formed a partnership with Charles P. Hlousum under the firm style of H. W. Hill & Company. A wide system of advertis- ing was entered upon and when the public recognized the fact that Mr. Hill possessed an article of much value to the farmers the business increased with great rapidity so that the work continued almost night and day in order to meet the demands made

upon the house. The patronage came from foreign countries as well as from all sections of the United States and the business grew to mammoth proportions, becoming one of the leading industrial concerns of Decatur. Each year the sales increased and thus Mr. Hill steadily added to his capital, meet- ing the success which he well merited be- cause of his perseverance, his capability and his energy. He continued in the business until 1894, when he sold his interest in the plant and retired to private life with a hand- some competence. In the meantime he had made judicious investments in real estate, becoming the owner of valuable farms in Macon county, which is situated in one of the richest agricultural districts of this entire county. His farms are highly culti- vated, being made very productive through tiling. He has placed about thirty-six miles of tiling upon his land, using pipes of four, sixteen, eighteen and twenty-four inches. His early experience in farm work has made his later labors in this direction of value and he became recognized as one of the most progressive and capable agri- culturists of Macon county. In addition to his other business concerns he has been largely interested in coal mining, becoming the owner of two mines in Decatur and another near Niantic, Macon county, from which he derives a good income.

In 1843 occurred the marriage of MIr. Hill and Miss Eliza J. Stevenson and for almost sixty years they traveled life's journey together. Mrs. Hill, who was a native of North Carolina, proved a most faithful companion and helpmate to her hus- band and when she was called to the life beyond on the 30th of June, 1902, there ended a married relation that had been almost ideal. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born a son and five daughters: Clara, the wife of John Biddle; John N., who is a prosperous farmer and dealer in live stock, controlling important agricultural interests

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in Illinois ; Alice, the deceased wife of Jona- than Guess; and Catherine AAsenath, who became the wife of Thomas A. Bone, a grain dealer, and died leaving three chil- dren: Virginia E., who died at the age of two years; and Augusta, who died at the age of twenty-four years.

Mr. Hill proudly cast his first vote in support of the candidates and measures of the Whig party and continued one of its advocates until the organization of the new Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He has since followed its banners and yet maintains a deep interest in its success. He has never been an aspirant for political hon- ors or office, preferring to devote his ener- gies to his business affairs. Although his early life was a period of earnest toil, in which he was deprived of many of the . comforts and conveniences which go to make life worth the living, he is to-day one of the prosperous men of Decatur. A gen- tleman of great natural ability his success in business from the time of the establish- ment of his manufacturing enterprise was uniform and rapid. As has been truly re- marked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early oppor- tunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, deter- mine and give shape to his own character ; and this is what Mr. Hill has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever suported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.

WILLIAM D. CHAMBERLAIN.

There is no country which offers as ex- cellent advantages to young men for ad- vancement in business life as America, but

while this is so, it is also a well known fact that "labor is king;" that progress in commercial or industrial circles depends upon earnest, persistent and honorable ef- fort, untiring industry, and these form the basis of the prosperity that has come to Willian D. Chamberlain, of Decatur. where he is now extensively engaged in the manu- facture of awnings and tents.

Mr. Chamberlain was born near Chapin, Morgan county, Illinois, March 26, 1849, a son of Griffin and Elizabeth (Averitt) Chamberlain. The father was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and in 1828 became a resident of Morgan county, Illinois, remov- ing to the west with his father, whose name- sake he was. Griffin Chamberlain, Sr., en- gaged in manufacturing, conducting a large powder mill in Richmond, Virginia, before his removal to Illinois. In the family were four children, three sons and a daughter, but Peter T. Chamberlain, who is now living in Kansas, is the only survivor. The father of our subject after attaining his majority became a well known factor in business circles in this state. In connection with his father-in-law, Nathan G. Averitt, he was one of the first settlers in Harris- town township, establishing his home in the locality known as the "prairie." Mr. Chamberlain entered a quarter section of land from the government and this in course of time he brought to a high state of cultivation, transforming it into a val- uable farm. He erected thereon a fine ten room residence, also commodious out build- ings for the shelter of grain and stock and his farm was recognized as one of the best improved in the county. A year after the erection of the residence, however, it caught on fire and in his efforts to save the build- ing Mr. Chamberlain was injured and died from the effects in 1871, when fifty-three years of age. He left a widow who is still living and two sons, William D). and James H.

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In the common schools, such as existed in the primitive days in Illinois, William D. Chamberlain began his education. A little later, however, several influential res- idents of Ilarristown township, desiring to have better educational facilities, leased a suitable building, employed teachers and established a private educational institution which was known as the Harristown high school, in which a two year's classical course might be pursued. Mr. Chamberlain availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded and later he pursued a three year's course in Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois, thus be- coming a well informed man, of broad gen- eral learning.

For one year he engaged in teaching school and in 1872, following the death of his father, he returned to the home farm, where in connection with his brother, James H., he engaged in agricultural pur- suits, conducting the old home place until 1877. He then purchased a half interest in a general store in Harristown, entering into partnership with his father-in-law, I. F. Peck. They conducted that business for two years and, still retaining the ownership of the store, they formed a partnership with T. W. Cann and established a grocery on Water street, Decatur. This was con- ducted under the firm name of I. F. Peck & Company for three years and at the expira- tion of that period both stores were sold and the partnership was dissolved.

It was at that time-in the year 1885 -- that Mr. Chamberlain began the manufact- ure of mattresses for the wholesale trade. Not long afterward he extended the scope of his business by opening a department for the manufacture of awnings and tents and the trade in the latter was increased so that in course of time his entire attention was devoted to this line. His business has be- come so extensive that Decatur is now recognized as a producing center for such products. Ile manufactures awnings and

tents of every grade and description and his sales arc very extensive. The firm also rents large shipments of stock for camping purposes. He sold to Clinton one thousand chairs and has furnished chairs to various Chautauqua Association, including those of Pontiac, Bloomington, Urbana, Danville and Shelbyville. In 1903 he made extensive shipments to two Chautauqua assemblies in Illinois and to the Kentucky State Fair, also to the Chautauqua at Jackson, Mississ- ippi, and at other places. The business is now conducted under the name of the De- catur Tent & Awning Company, at No. 118 East Williams street, with William D. Chamberlain as manager. The leading partners in the enterprise are Mr. Chamber- lain and H. W. Averitt. The business has assumed mammoth proportions and is the outcome of the enterprise, clear judgment and experience of him whose name intro- duces this review.

On the 10th of March, 1873, Mr. Chamber- lain was joined in wedlock to Miss Florence M. Peck, a daughter of I. F. and Mary (Cann) Peck, of Lafayette, Indiana. Mrs. Chamberlain died January 12, 1902, at the age of forty-seven years, leaving two chil- dren, Gertrude and Cecil. In his social re- lations Mr. Chamberlain is connected with Decatur Camp No. 144, M. W. A., and was one of the seventeen charter members upon its organization in 1883. He is also a charter member of the Fraternal Tribunes and he belongs to the Christian church on Edwards street in Decatur, of which he is now serving as deacon. Having spent his entire life in Illinois, he has been a witness of much of its development and progress. He can recall in his boyhood days the howling of wolves and remembers seeing dcer roam upon the prairies. He also re- members the building of the Wabash Rail- road in 1854, an enterprise which elicited the interest of people throughout this por- tion of the country. He is now one of the

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prosperous residents of his adopted city and the success of his present enterprise has more than come up to his expectations. He has come to be regarded as one of the influ- ential and substantial business men of his town. His plant is well equipped and is a growing industry, but undoubtedly will in time have to undergo enlargement. Ile has excellent financial ability and understands the handling of men, a combination of de- sirable attributes which invariably insure success.

ROBERT H. WOODCOCK.

In early manhood Robert H. Woodcock became a resident of Macon county and has since been largely identified with its de- velopment, material upbuilding and business growth. He found a district in which the land was largely unimproved and its surface was dotted here and there with ponds or crossed by sloughs. Many changes have since occurred and now this is one of the richest farming districts of the state and in its midst is a thriving commercial and indus- trial center and many smaller towns show- ing great business activity. Mr. Woodcock is actively and successfully engaged in the private banking business and in real-estate dealing and in both branches is meeting with prosperity.

A native of Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, Mr. Woodcock was born August 30, 1835, a son of Edmund and Susanna (Funk) Woodcock, the former of English lineage and the latter of German descent. From Pennsylvania the parents removed to Illinois in 1849. The father was a wagon- maker by trade and followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family, including his wife and ten children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, the subject of this re- view being the third in order of birth. Those still living are Mary, Sarah, Robert H. and

Etta B. The father died in Quincy, Illi- nois, in 1856, and the mother's death oc- curred in Carrollton, this state, at the very advanced age of mnety-five years.

Robert H. Woodcock supplemented his early educational privileges by a course of study in the seminary of Greene county, Illinois, and was graduated when twenty- one years of age. After leaving school he went into a dry-goods store as bookkeeper, serving in that capacity for two years and then came to Macon county. In 1862 he took up his abode in the village of Macon. where he established a grocery store, which he conducted for three years, selling out in January, 1865. The following August he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company as agent, being the third man to hold the position at this place, and his term continued sixteen years. Two years previous he had become agent for the American Express Company and acted in the latter capacity altogether for eighteen years. Ile then engaged with 11. Faling for eight months in the banking business, then purchased the interest of his partner and has since engaged in the banking busi- ness, with the exception of a period of two years. He has also dealt largely in real estate, buying and selling land, and sold most of the property belonging to the Illi- nois Central Railroad Company for fifteen miles on each side of the railroad track and fifteen miles north and south. He conducts a private bank, which has a good patronage, for he is known as a most reliable man and has back of his institution ample securities.

Shortly after coming to Macon county, Mr. Woodcock was married October 29, 1863, to Miss Frances J. Rives, who was born in Greene county, this state, March 18. 1841. Her parents, Rev. James and Eliza- beth (Hood) Rives, were from North Caro- lina and spent their last days in Greene county, Illinois. Her father was a Repub- lican in politics and a minister of the Meth-

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odist church, taking a most active part in all church work. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have one son, Harold R.

In his political views Mr. Woodcock is an earnest Republican, active in the party, and has been honored with a number of local offices. He served as alderman of Macon for two years, was mayor one year, and for fourteen years was supervisor, one-half of which time he was chairman of the board. He has been a delegate to various county, state and congressional conventions and has exerted a strong influence in the local ranks of the party. Socially he is connected with South Macon Lodge, No. 467, A. F. & A. M., and with one exception is the oldest Mason in Macon, having joined the order at Lincoln, Illinois, in 1866. He was active in establishing the school system and his labors have been effective and helpful along many lines for the public good. When Mr. Woodcock came to Macon county he made the journey on horseback over the prairies, on which the grass grew almost as high as the horse's back. There was only one house within four miles and a tract of only eighty acres was under cultivation at that time. He has done his full share for the develop- ment and progress of the county, has watched with interest its growth and as a pioneer citizen as well as leading business man well deserves representation in the his- tory of the county.

HAROLD RIVES WOODCOCK.

Harold Rives Woodcock, who is associ- ated with his father in the banking business at Macon, under the firm style of R. H. Woodcock & Company, was born in this town, June 6, 1871, and in the public schools acquired his literary education, while his business training was received in Brown's. Business College, of Decatur, in which he completed the course in the class of 1890.

Previous to this time, however, lie had served as bookkeeper from 1887 to 1889, in the Woodcock & Hight Bank of Macon, and following the completion of his school course he became cashier in the Heilman grocery house of Decatur. In 1891 he was cashier in the R. H. Woodcock & Company Bank in Macon, and later occupied a sim- ilar position in the First National Bank at Collinsville, Illinois, from March until July, 1902. He then returned to Macon and has since been engaged in the banking business as cashier and partner, being thus associated with his father under the business style of R. H. Woodcock & Company.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 32

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 988

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 988