Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 38

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 38

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Mr. Greene gives his political support to the Republican party and while residing at Harristown he served for eight years as postmaster, occupying the position under the administration of Presidents Lincoln and Johnson. His substantial brick resi- dence in Decatur was erected in 1882 and in addition to this property and to his ex- tensive interests here he is the owner of good farms which he rents. In the church with which he is connected he has held of- ficial preferment and is recognized as one of its strong working members. Through the past five years Mr. Greene has spent the winter months in southern California, but throughout much of the remainder of the year he is located in Decatur, superintend- ing his important business interests. His history is the record of one who has at- tained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of the middle west. With consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own

fortunes and one whose prosperity amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title "a self- made man."

ANDREW ROTHFUSS

In the year 1863 Andrew Rothfuss, now deceased, became a resident of Decatur, and the business circles of the city found in him a valued addition to their ranks. He became well-to-do and his influence and en- ergy were the foundation upon which he buildled his success. A native of Germany, his birth occurred on the 3d of April, 1832, his father being Jolm Rothfuss, a native of the fatherland. There he and his wife spent their entire lives and Mr. Rothfuss engaged in general farming. He died when his son, Andrew, was but two years of age, and the mother, long surviving him, passed away in 1875.

In the public schools of his native country Andrew Rothfuss acquired his education. He was the only member of the family that ever came to America, but when about twenty-two years of age he became imbued with a strong desire to seek his home in the new world and accordingly made arrange- ments for leaving the fatherland. Bidding adieu to friends and native country, he crossed the Atlantic and landed in the new world without funds. He had previously learned the baker's trade in Germany and after coming to the United States he trav- eled all over the country, working at his trade in many of the principal cities of America. He also followed this pursuit on different steamboats on the rivers here and finally in 1863 he came to Decatur. He then established a saloon in the old public square under the Millikin Bank and later purchased a buikling on the south side of the square on East Main street. There he

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continued in the saloon business for many years.

During this time Mr. Rothfuss was mar- ried in Decatur to Miss Rosina Keck, also a native of Germany, born on the 2d of Sep- tember, 1839. Her parents always lived in Germany but three of their children came to the United States, although all are now deceased. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rothfuss: Lillian, who mar- ried Iver Phillips and died in 1901; Rosa, who died at the age of six years; Anna Margaret, the wife of J. Casper Bolay, who was born in Germany, November 24, 1867, and is now conducting a saloon in Decatur where he is living with his wife and two children, Andrew and William, one little boy having died in infancy; Andrew Lewis, who died in February, 1901; Will- iam Jacob, who married Miss Elma Cock- rell and resides in Decatur, being employed in the large dry goods store of Bradley Brothers.

After his marriage Mr. Rothfuss contin- ued in the saloon business until 1891, when he sold out to his son-in-law, Mr. Bolay, and then lived retired until his death, which occurred June 27, 1903. His wife passed away in 1879. In his political affiliations Mr. Rothfuss was a Democrat, but never an office seeker. Both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church of Decatur and he took a deep interest in the work of the church, contributing gen- erously to its support. He was a self-made man, having no capital when he came to the new world, but gradually he added to his possessions and at the time of his death he owned the business block from No. 10I to 111 inclusive on East Main street, which is on the public square and is a very val- uable piece of business property. He also owned a beautiful residence at No. 305 West Wood street, which was the family home and which is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Bolay. All of this property he left to

his daughter Mrs. Bolay and his son Will- iam Jacob Rothfuss. He was one of the leading and well-to-do citizens of Decatur and a very prominent representative of the German-American citizenship in Macon county.

BARTON S. TYLER.

A deep feeling of sadness spread through- out Decatur when it was announced that Barton S. Tyler had passed from this life, but while those who knew him remain his memory will be cherished not so much on account of the splendid success which he achieved in business, not because he con- tributed to the improvement of the city and promoted its commercial activities, al- though they would make him worthy to be long remembered, but because of his life of helpfulness, of good cheer, of broad sym- pathy and his deep interest in and labors for the benefit of his fellow men. His na- ture was so kindly and genial that he won not merely regard but that deeper feeling which, call it friendship or love, binds man in close relation to his fellow men in ties which naught can sever. Thus it was that Decatur has seldom so widely and sin- cerely mourned one of her residents, but for fifty-seven years he was closely asso- ciated with the history of Macon county and there were few of its citizens who did not know Mr. Tyler-by reputation if not personally.

Barton S. Tyler was born on the 19th of August, 1845, on the old family homestead situated about five miles east of Decatur at what is known as Antioch Station. His parents were the Rev. and Mrs. John W. Tyler. The father, a native of Fayette county, Kentucky, removed to Illinois at an early day and in 1836 arrived in Macon county, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers. Ile was among those who laid

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broad and deep the foundation for the pres- ent development and prosperity of the county and for more than a half century he made his home within its borders, taking a deep and abiding interest in whatever pertained to the general good. His death occurred in 1888 and his wife passed away in 1892. Their family was a large one, of whom the following survive: Dr. B. B. Tyler, a prominent divine of the Christian church now located in Denver, Colorado; Rev. J. Z. Tyler, of Cleveland, Ohio; Charles, who is living in Oklahoma ; Mrs. Stephen Cook, a resident of Denver, Colo- rado; Alice, whose home is in Des Moines. Iowa; Mrs. Sue Odor, of Decatur; and Mrs. J. A. Meriweather, of Decatur. Mr. Tyler of this review also had a half-brother, John, and a half-sister, Mrs. Nancy J. Hous- ley.

In retrospect one can see Barton S. Tyler as a farm boy, working in the fields and meadows or attending the country schools. He was reared amid the refining influence of a good Christian home and while his edu- cational privileges did not embrace a col- lege course he learned from his parents something of far more value, for by them he was instructed in lessons of industry, honesty and of reliability. After starting out upon an independent business career he followed various occupations until he took up his abode in Decatur. In 1871 in com- pany with W. C. Armstrong and James Nicholson he made a trip overland in a wagon to the west and located in a little town in southern Kansas, but after remain- ing there for three years he returned to Macon county. He first became connected with the grain trade at Casner, where he engaged in the purchase and sale of the cereals raised in this locality. He also con- ducted a store there.

Mr. Tyler finally removed to Decatur, where he was first employed by the firm of Pratt & Company. On the 5th of August,

1895, he began the grain business on his own account in partnership with T. A. Bone and on the 31st of January, 1897, the firm of B. S. Tyler & Company was incorporated with Frank Evans as a partner of the gen- tleman previously mentioned. In the spring of 1902 Mr. Tyler further extended the scope of his labors by becoming the senior partner in the firm of Tyler, Ilarney & Company, and of both business enterprises Mr. Tyler was the president up to the time of his demise. His operations in grain were extensive, annually increasing both in volume and importance. He handled and shipped very large amounts of grain and his business was so capably and wisely con- ducted that it brought to him a splendid financial return. Perhaps no representative of the grain trade in Illinois was more wide- ly known throughout the state or held in higher regard by grain dealers than was Barton S. Tyler. He was for some years actively and prominently connected with the Illinois Grain Dealers' Association, of which he was one of the founders and in the con- trol of its interests he took a most important part until about two years prior to his death, when on account of ill health he was forced to leave the active management of the asso- ciation to others. For a number of years he served as its secretary and was after- ward its president. This was an organiza- tion resulting in much benefit to grain deal- ers throughout the state and Mr. Tyler was also active in bringing about legisla- tion favorable to grain men. In all matters pertaining to the good of the grain business he was an untiring worker and on several occasions he labored for measures which he believed to be right as a matter of principle, but which he knew would be detrimental to his personal success. In his business af- fairs he was ever guided by industry, per- severance and determination which became elements in his character in carly life. lle gained an unassailable reputation and no

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one ever connected with him in trade trans- actions had aught to say against his hon- esty and fair dealing. He was entirely trust- worthy and he would sacrifice his own in- terests rather than injure others. His life record is another proof of the old adage that honesty is the best policy, for his labors were crowned with a fair measure of suc- cess so that he left his family in very com- fortable circumstances.

On the 28th of October, 1873, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Jones, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Hugh and Vandalia Jones, both of whom died when Mrs. Tyler was a small child. They became the parents of four children, but Ralph, Lelah and Gussie are now de- ceased. The surviving daughter, Gertrude, is with her mother, occupying a pleasant home in Decatur, which was left to them by the husband and father. Mr. Tyler's home life was largely ideal. There was a close and most congenial companionship between himself and his wife and the activ- ities of the one were supplemented by the sympathy and encouragement of the other.

With Mr. Tyler friendship was inviolable and he always maintained a most kindly at- titude to his fellow men, arising from a sin- cere interest in their welfare. He lìeld mem- bership with the Benevolent, Protective Or- der of Elks and also with the Modern Woodmen of America. Decatur profited by his efforts and zeal in her behalf and his en- couragement and co-operation proved im- portant factors in promoting her welfare along more than one line. Mr. Tyler was largely instrumental in holding the first corn carnival of Decatur. He was the first to suggest and start the movement and labored indefatigably for its success. It be- came an event in the history of the city, to which the residents of Decatur have ever pointed with pride. With the exception of the brief period which Mr. Tyler spent in Kansas his entire life was passed in the

county of his nativity and because of his many excellent traits of character he gained a wide acquaintance and the favorable re- gard of all with whom he has associated. Thus it was that his loss was deeply felt throughout the community when on the 27th of July, 1902, when nearly fifty-seven years of age, he was called to his final rest. The history of the county was largely fa- miliar to him from an early period in its development and he could relate many in- teresting incidents concerning this district when it was yet upon the frontier. Perhaps no better estimate of his character could be given than the words of a business man who knew Mr. Tyler for years and who said "Bart Tyler was a man in the best sense that the term implies and I know of no bet- ter way of describing his character."

JAMES N. SAMPSON.

James N. Sampson, who is now success- fully engaged in farming on section 34, Friends Creek township, has had a rather eventful life. He was born in Gould, York- shire, England, in 1851, a son of John and Sarah Sampson, and when an infant lost his father, who died during the great epi- denic of cholera in that country. Our sub- ject spent his early life upon the sea, sail- ing from England, and in that way he trav- eled all over the world. At one time the ship on which he sailed was wrecked while crossing the North Sea. It was caught in a storm and sprung a leak. The sea was very high and the engines were all under water. Those on board had all given up hope when their signal of distress was seen by another steamer, which sent a life boat to their as- sistance. Mr. Sampson helped lower a life boat from their own vessel but it was smashed to pieces. A second boat was then lowered and after a great deal of difficulty all were finally taken on board the other stcamer.

George Starr

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About twenty-five years ago Mr. Samp- son came to the United States and first lo- cated in Decatur, Illinois, where he acted as sewer inspector for twelve years and built the first trap that was ever used in a sewer in that city. For the past five years he lias devoted his time and attention to farming, on a fine place of one hundred and sixty acres left to his wife on section 34, Friends Creek township, where he resides, and a forty aere tract just across the road from their home. There was nothing on the farm when it came into his possession, but he has erected a good, substantial resi- dence, barn and other outbuildings and now has a well improved place under a high state of cultivation. He raises grain and some stock, and in his farming operations has prospered.

In 1879 Mr. Sampson was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Hildebright, a na- tive of Friends Creek township. Her father, Henry Hildebright, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1824, and spent the first eigh- teen years of his life in his native land. He then came to America, landing in New York. Walking across the Alleghany mountains, he first settled in Ohio, where he worked as a coal miner for two years, and then came to Macon county, Illinois, making his home in Friends Creek township through- out the remainder of his life. In 1859 he married Miss Margaret Iletzel, who was from Berlin, Germany, and to them were born two children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Sampson, and Mrs. Manford Beckham. The mother died in 1870, and in May, 1879, Mr. Hildebright was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Bayer, who is still living. For fifty-three years he was a resident of Macon county and during that time he steadily prospered in his farming operations, owning at the time of his death four hundred acres of choice land, which was worth about fifty thousand dollars, and which has been equally divided between his

daughters. After a useful and well spent life he died December 28, 1897, at the age of seventy-four years, honored and respected by all who knew him.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sampson were born two children: Sarah, who died at the age of nine years; and Lizzie, at home. The parents are both earnest members of the Baptist church and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Sampson is a Royal Arch Mason and Sir Knight and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America at Argenta. His po- litical support is given the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and he takes a deep and commendable interest in the af- .

fairs of his adopted country.

GEORGE STARE.

In the history of pioneer development of Decatur mention should be made of George Stare, for he came to the present site of the city when it was all wild prairie land and from that period up to the time of his death was actively associated with business in- terests and with the carly substantial de- velopment of the county. Ile was born in York county, l'ennsylvania, in 1829, and there his boyhood and youth were passed. On leaving his native state in 1850 he went to Ohio, but the following year returned to Pennsylvania, and on again coming west in 1852 spent some time in St. Paul, Minne- sota. It was in 1853 that he first visited Decatur and the following year located permanently here. Believing that the op- portunities of the west were better than the business privileges of the east he estab- lished his home in Macon county, finding here a region in which the work of civiliza- tion and progress had scarcely begun. A few houses were scattered here and there through the district, but much of the land

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was still uncultivated and many of the now thriving towns and villages had not then sprung into existence.

Mr. Stare established the first planing mill in Macon county and engaged in the manufacture of lumber for some years, in partnership with his brother, the late John Stare. The product of their mill was in de- mand as the number of settlers increased and they did a good business. Near their plant on Cerro Gordo street, about fifteen or sixteen years ago, they made a fruitless search for natural gas, sinking from eight to nine thousand dollars in the undertaking, but the enterprises with which he was con- nected generally prospered and he left his family a handsome competency. In trade circles in Macon county he was prominently known and in all his dealings he was found to be reliable and upright.

On the 6th of March, 1856, Mr. Stare was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Barnett, a native of Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, and they became the parents of five children, who are now living, namely: Wil- liam, who is engaged in the manufacture of tile at Mendota, Illinois ; Mary J., who is the widow of Henry Kreidler and is living with her mother in Decatur; Emma, the wife of A. W. Miller, of Riverside, Cali- fornia : Eva, the wife of Frank M. Butcher, a resident of Los Angeles, California; and Nonette, the widow of Herbert Lorraine Hovey, of Rockyford, Colorado. Besides his widow and children, Mr. Stare had sev- eral brothers and sisters living at the time of his death, these being Moses Stare, of Decatur : Elias A. Stare, of Waukesha, Wis- consin : Mrs. II. Kain. Mrs. Knapp, Miss Nancy Stare and Mrs. Z. T. Blaine, of De- catur : Mrs. J. Markley, of Sangamon : Mrs. E. B. Eicholtz, of St. Louis; and Mrs. Higgins, of Pawnee, Illinois.

In public affairs Mr. Stare was prominent and during his long residence in Decatur was actively identihed with every worthy

enterprise. He gave an unfaltering support to the Republican party, but never sought political honors, though he was a member of the city council in 1873 and 1874. He was a charter member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, being originally con- nected with Stapp's Chapel, and it was mainly through his efforts that Grace church was built. He always took a very active and prominent part in church work, was a teacher in the Sabbath-school, and a member of the official board of the church throughout life. A man of considerable influence, he left the impress of his indi- viduality upon public thought and opinion and aided in shaping the public policy as Decatur and Macon county emerged from primitive conditions and pioneer environ- ments to take their place among the leading cities and counties of this great common- wealth. His life was upright, his actions manly and sincere and his loyalty to the public good and to straightforward prin- ciples was unquestioned. He passed away on the 5th of July, 1892, leaving behind him a memory that is cherished by his many friends. At his death the following resolu- tions were passed.

"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in His wise providence to take from us by death our beloved brother, George Stare, we therefore adopt the following as a tribute to his memory :

"Brother Stare was a member of Grace church from the time of its organization to the day of his death. In his private char- acter and in his official capacity as trustee, steward, class leader and Sunday-school worker, he was consistent, earnest, faithful and efficient.

"By his wise counsel. faithful work and generous, self-sacrificing devotion, he did much to build up the church and make it the strong organization it is.

"We, the members of Grace church, greatly respected and loved Brother Stare-

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while living; we revere and cherish his memory now that he has gone from us. We feel that in his death the community has lost a highly respected, substantial and useful citizen, and we. as a church. have lost a faithful and true brother and fellow worker in the church.

"We desire to assure his beloved wife, Sister Stare, and all the members of the family, that in their deepest affliction they have the sincere sympathy and earnest prayers of the entire members of Grace church.

"Resolved. That a copy of this memorial be presented to Sister Stare."

(Signed) D. S. Shellabarger. J. G. Badenhausen, H. Il. Oneal.

Mrs. Stare owns a beautiful home at No. 5338 North Franklin street, where she is living with her daughter. Mrs. Kreidler.

ISAIAH QUERRY.

Among the native sons of Macon county who have witnessed almost her entire de- velopment and growth and have aided ma- terially in its upbuilding and prosperity, especially along agricultural lines, must be numbered Isaiah Querry, who was born on the edge of the timber in Whitmore town- ship. January 6, 1839, and has spent his en- tire life in that locality. His parents were Elisha and Polly (Florey) Querry, both na- tives of Virginia and the latter a sister of Mrs. David H. Stuart who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. In 1829 the father came west in an old prairie schooner and entered a tract of land on section 14. Whit- more township, where our subject was born. He subsequently bought more land and con- tinued his farming operations here until his death, which occurred in 1856. His wife survived him for some time and died at the age of seventy-four years. In their family

were eight children, all of whom reached years of maturity and six of the number are still living, namely: Nathaniel, John, Isaiah, Loretta, Sarah and Eliza, but our subject is the only one residing in Illinois.

Like most boys of his day Isaiah Querry acquired his education in a log schoolhouse and his early life was spent in a rather un- eventful manner upon the home farm. In the spring of 1861 he led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah Jane Strope, a native of Ohio, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm near the timber, where they lived for a year and a half. At the end of that time Mr. Querry returned to the old homestead and tenderly cared for his mother during the last fourteen years of her life. Selling forty acres of the home place he bought an improved tract of eighty acres on section II, Whitmore township, for which he paid fifty-two and one-half dollars per acre, but which is now worth one hun- dred and twenty dollars per acre, owing to the improvements he has made upon it and the rise in land values. In early days he used a single shovel plow and ent his grain with a cradle but as time has passed he has equipped his farm with the latest improved machinery and to-day has one of the model places of the locality. He has made a specialty of the raising of full blood- ed Poland-China hogs and draft horses and as a stock-raiser has met with success.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Querry have been born the following children: Mrs. Annie Burrows, now a resident of lowa; Mrs. Laura Mathias, of Hickory Point township, this county ; Walter, who married Mabel Mathias and lives in Whitmore township; Nettie, widow of Dave Welton and a'resi- dent of Argenta ; Edith, a resident of De- catur ; Rinda and Lena, both at home; and Mary, who died of consumption in the win- ter of 1902, her death being a sad blow to her parents and many friends.

Politically Mr. Querry is an ardent Re-

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publican and has once or twice been a dele- gate to the county conventions of his party. He attends the Old Settlers' reunions and takes an active interest in their meetings. For sixty-four years he has made his home in Macon county and has been an eye wit- ness of almost her entire development. The difference between the past and the present can scarcely be realized, even by those who have been active participants in its growth and upbuilding, and the present generation can have no conception of what was re- quired of the early settlers in transforming the wilderness into a well settled and highly cultivated country. In the work of pogress and improvement Mr. Querry has ever borne his part.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 38

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