Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 39

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 39

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FRANCIS M. LOWRY.

Francis M. Lowry was for a number of years connected with agricultural interests in Illinois and did his full share in winning for the state its splendid reputation as the best agricultural district of the country. He was a native of Kentucky, born on the 2d of September, 1825, and his parents, Eli and Elizabeth (Davidson) Lowry, were also born in the Blue Grass state. In an early day they came to Illinois, establishing their home in Fayette county, where the father engaged in merchandising for several years. He afterward removed to Shelby county, Illinois, where his death occurred. The mother of our subject died during the early youth of her son and the father afterward married again and his second wife has now passed away. There were two children born of the first union who are yet living, one in Marion county, Illinois, and the other in Shelby county, this state.

Francis \. Lowry received no special ad- vantages in his youth and what he ac- complished in life was due to his inherent force of character, his strong determina-

tion and his unfaltering diligence. He at- tended only the common schools and after- ward learned the blacksmith's trade, while residing in Fayette county. He did not find that occupation congenial, however, and resumed farming, which he carried on for several years in Christian county, there re- maining until 1854, when he took up his abode in Mount Auburn. There he again worked at the blacksmith's trade for a brief period, but after his marriage he resumed farming in Christian county and followed that occupation continuously throughout his business career.

While living in Fayette county, Francis M. Lowry was joined in wedlock to Miss Meekey M. Grider, a native of Montgom- ery county, Illinois, born on the 24th of May, 1827. Her parents were Jackson and Malinda (Scribner) Grider, the former a na- tive of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ten- nessee. In an early day in the development and improvement of this state Mr. Grider came to Illinois and throughout his entire life he carried on agricultural pursuits, his death occurring in Mount Auburn, Christian county. His wife passed away in Niantic, Macon county, in March, 1881. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lowry was blessed with seven children: Andrew J., who married Nellie Godfrey, and is a molder by trade, residing in Decatur; Mary E., the wife of Francis Smith, whose home is now in Mo- weaqua ; Francis M., who wedded Lillie Hoy- land, and is a blacksmith of Decatur; C. Edgar, who married Ollie Robbins, and is a machinist of Springfield, Illinois ; Malinda, who is the wife of William P. Jones, a coal miner of Macon county ; Harriet, who is an operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, and resides with her mother ; and Martha J., who is the wife of Earl Oben- jane, of Decatur. He is employed in the Review office and his wife in the Western Union Telegraph office.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Lowry

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donned the blue uniform of the nation and went south in defense of the Union. He was a brave and loyal soldier, ever true to the cause which he espoused, and for three years and five days he served in the army. Hle therein contracted the disease which caused his death on the 30th of June, 1873. He voted with the Republican party and he belonged to the United Brethren church, His life was in harmony with its teachings and its principles permeated his actions and his relations to his fellow men. He was always straightforward in his dealings and his genuine worth was acknowledged by all with whom he came in contact. After los- ing her husband Mrs. Lowry removed to the village of Niantic, where she resided until 1887, when she came to Decatur, where she has since made her home, living at No. 404 East Division street. She belongs to the United Brethren church in this city and is widely known in its circles and elsewhere in the county.

CAPTAIN ROBERT P. LYTLE.

For twenty-two years Captain Robert P. Lytle has been connected with the postoffice of Decatur, for twelve years serving as post- master and for the remainder of the time as assistant postmaster. He is acting in the latter capacity at the present and there has been no more trustworthy official ever connected with the mail service of this city than Mr. Lytle.

Born in Pennsylvania, on the 8th of July, 1837, his birthplace was in Erie county. His paternal great-grandfather was John Lytle, a soldier of the war of the Revolution. The grandfather was John Lytle and the father of our subject was Andrew Lytle. The lat- ter was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1806 and became a tanner by trade. Ile fol- lowed that pursuit for some years, but sub- sequently turned his attention to farming. For a number of years he served as an of-

ficer in the Pennsylvania militia, In the Keystone state he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy McKay, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who died in 1892, her home being in Waterford, Pennsylvania. The father died in 1876.

Captain Lytle, whose name introduces this review, is indebted to the public school system of his native city for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He afterward at- tended the Waterford Academy at Water- ford. Pennsylvania, where he pursued his studies for a year. lle then accepted a clerkship in a general store owned by the Sharon Iron Company at Clay Furnace, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Buffalo, New York, where he was in a commercial college during the winter of 1857-58. During the latter year he came to Illinois and settled first at New Boston in Mercer county, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper in a general store, but after the inauguration of the Civil war he could not content himself to remain in business life while his country was in dan- ger and he therefore gave up his position to enlist on the 20th of August, 1861, at Springfield, as a member of Company G, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry under the command of Captain Southward and Colo- nel N. B. Buford. The regiment was sent to Cairo, Illinois, in September of the same year and was assigned to General John .1. McClernand's Brigade, which was composed of the Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth and Thirty-first of the Illinois regiments. With his com- mand Captain Lytle participated in a mim- ber of engagements and skirmishes. He was present at the battle of Belmont, Mis- souri, on the 7th of November, 1861, and the regiment being detached from Mc- Clernand's Brigade and assigned to the gun- boat flotilla, participated in the siege of Island No. 10. He took part in the siege

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of Corinth in June, 1862, was at Nashville, Tennessee, from September 11 to Novem- ber 23, and during this time participated in the battle of La Vergne, followed by the battle of Stone River. On the 19th and 20th of September. 1863, he was in the battle of Chickamauga and in the battle of Mission- ary Ridge on the 25th of November, 1863, at which place he was wounded in the right leg and right arm. In consequence he was Sent to the hospital. When he had par- tially recovered his, wounds he rejoined his regiment at Loudon, Tennessee, and par- ticipated in the battles of Rockyface Ridge, Resaca, Burnt Hickory and Kenesaw Moun- tain. In the last engagement, June 27, 1864, he lost his left arm. On the 20th of Sep- tember, 1864, he was honorably discharged and, being mustered out of service, returned to Pennsylvania.

Captain Lytle spent the winter of 1864-5 in the Keystone state and in the later year went to Nashville, Tennessee, in the inter- est of the American Bridge Company, re- maining in the south until the company closed up their business there. He then returned to the north and since 1866 has been a resident of Decatur. He was first employed as a bookkeeper by William Lint- ner & Company, of this city, remaining with that house for six and a half years. In 1872 he organized the Decatur Coffin Company in partnership with Thomas T. Roberts, the business being carried on under the firm style of Roberts & Lytle. Thus he contin- ued in the manufacture of coffins and cas- kets until 1875, when he sold his interest, for in that year he was appointed postmas- ter of Decatur, in which capacity he served for twelve years under various administra- tions. On the expiration of his term in 1887 he again entered commercial circles as a member of the Lytle & Eckles Hard- ware Company and for five years was asso- ciated with that business. In 1893, how- ever, the firm disposed of its interests and

soon afterward Captain Lytle was appointed assistant postmaster under William F. Cal- houn. His previous connection with the office and his thorough understanding of the business make him a most capable as- sistant and one who merits the highest con- fidence and regard of those with whom he is associated in an official capacity.

On the 12th of January, 1864, Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smith of Waterford, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Mary Smith. Four children were born of this union: Harry Wells, who is now in Kansas City, Mis- souri ; Frank A., of Decatur; Robert B., who died in 1891 ; and Edith May, the wife of Craig Smith, a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Both the Captain and Mrs. Lytle are well known in Decatur and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances. They reside at No. 521 West Williams street and they are members of the First Presbyterian church, with which the Captain has been identified for more than thirty years. He takes a most active and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the progress and improvement of the church. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican and has labored earnestly for the success of the prin- ciples which he believes will best promote county, state and national welfare. He was for ten years chairman of the Macon County Republican Central Committee. For three years he was township and city col- lector and in these various positions has manifested the same loyalty to duty that he displays in the postoffice. He is a man of broad capabilities, is ever courteous and at all times is a gentleman in the truest and best sense of the term. He cares not for display nor is there about him the least shadow of mock modesty. He is a gentle- man of fine traits and thorough culture, oc- cupying a leading place in the regard of his friends as well as in official circles in De-

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catur. He takes an active interest in the Grand Army and its work and is past com- mander of the post at Decatur, which was the first ever organized, this being the birth- place of the order known as the Grand Army of the Republic. IIc was made senior vice commander of the department of Illinois in 1888 and has frequently been a delegate to various national encampments.

DAVID PATTERSON.

In reviewing this history of David Patter- son one is reminded of the words of a great New York financier, who said: "If you are not a success, don't blame the times you live in, don't blame the place you occupy, don't blame the circumstances you are sur- rounded with-lay the blame where it be- longs-to yourself. Not in time, place nor circumstance, but in the man, lies success. If you want success you must pay the price." Realizing the truth of this, Mr. Patterson has paid the price of concentrated effort, indefatigable energy, of perseverance and well applied business principles and has won the victory which he determined to gain when he started out upon an independ- ent business carecr. He is to-day an ex- tensive landowner of Macon county and one of the representative citizens of Decatur.

A native of Scotland, Mr. Patterson was born in Dumfrieshire, in April, 1835, a son of George Patterson, who died when the subject of this review was but six years of age. Two years later the mother also passed away and thus David was left an orphan when a little lad of eight summers. He went to live with an aunt, with whom he made his home for three years and during one year of that time he earned a small sum of money by herding cattle. When a * youth of eleven years he began work as a farm hand and during the summer months was given some money for his services,

while in the winter months he worked for his board and the privilege of attending school. It will thus be seen that his youth was a period of toil. He had few of the ad- vantages which most boys enjoy, the cares and responsibilities of life coming to him very early. After working as a farm hand for a time he secured a position as a sheep- herder in the mountains and was thus em- ployed until he was about fifteen years of age, when he determined to prepare for a trade and served an apprenticeship to a car- penter in Dumfrieshire, the man by whom he had previously been employed going as security on the apprenticeship bond. This was certainly indicative of his former faith- fulness and fidelity to the earlier employer. During his apprenticeship he also attended school for three months during the year and thus his education was completed, save that in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. He attend- ed school altogether for perhaps a year, but life's practical duties have brought him knowledge that has proven of marked ben- efit in the active affairs of life. After com- pleting a four years' apprenticeship, during which time he had become master of car- pentering. he was employed as a journey- man for a year, but business opportunities were not very great in his native land and he resolved that he would come to Amer- ica, where he hoped to have better advant- ages for advancement.

Having no money, Mr. Patterson bor- rowed a sum sufficient to pay his passage across the occan. Ile made the journey in a sailing vessel and seven weeks and three clays had passed ere the voyage was com- pleted and anchor was dropped in the Amer- ican harbor. Mr. Patterson was then about twenty years of age-a young man resolute, determined and enterprising. Coming at once to Illinois, he located first in Sanga- mon county, where he had relatives living and soon afterward secured a position at

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the carpenter's trade in Atlanta, Logan county, where he worked for two weeks. Ile then went to Buffalo Hart Grove, in Sangamon county, and afterward spent some time in Missouri, residing in Benton and in St. Clair counties of that state for six years. lle prospered in his work there and, making judicious investments of his money, became the owner of a good farm of three hundred and ten acres in St. Clair county. Ile not only was interested in general farming but also became quite well known as a stock-dealer. In partnership with a consin he purchased four hundred head of cattle in Missouri with the intention of bringing them to Illinois, where he hoped to dispose of them at an advanced price, but the speculation proved unfortunate. This was the year of the great frost in Au- gust, 1863, and he thus lost all that he had previously saved. He did not allow his losses, however, to affect his courage or his ambition, and on returning to Illinois he worked at his trade in Mount Pulaski, Lo- gan county. Later he returned to Missouri and for a year and a half followed carpenter- ing in Sedalia.

At the end of that time he sold his farm property in St. Clair county and again came to Illinois. For some time thereafter his energies were devoted to the dual occupa- tion of carpentering and farming, for while working at building operations he also man- aged a farm which he had rented in Logan county. Thus he again managed to gain a start in the world and when he had won a sufficient sum of money he purchased fifty-six acres of land on section 18, Austin township, whereon he resided until his re- moval to Decatur. He then put aside carpenter work in order to devote his en- tire attention to the farm and gradually he has advanced until he is to-day one of the most prosperous and extensive landowners of the county. From time to time he has added to his property until he now owns

fourteen hundred acres of land in Macon county. He erected one of the best farm residences of his township, his home being a commodious one and in the rear stand good barns and all the necessary outbuild- ings for the shelter of grain and stock. He carried on farm work along progressive lines and throughout his connection with that department of business was classed with the most enterprising agriculturists of the community. In 1887 he left his farm and took up his abode in the city of De- catur, where he is now engaged in real estate operations. Here he has built four residences at an average cost of five thous- and dollars, and he also owns a business lot at the corner of Church and Williams street, another at the corner of Cerro Gordo and Church streets, a house on North Ed- wards street and forty-three acres of land near the Pugh street school, all of which property he has acquired since coming to Decatur.

In 1868 Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wright, a native of Scotland, and unto them have been born three children, one of whom is now deceased. John T., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits and resides in Decatur, married Emma Christensen and has three children, one son and two daughters; David, who is also a farmer living in De- catur, married Laura Christensen, a sister of his brother's wife, and they have three children ; Joseph died at the age of four years. The mother of these children passed away in September, 1875, and in October, 1876, Mr. Patterson was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Fannie (Smith) Parks, a native of Effingham county, Illinois.

In his political affiliations Mr. Patterson has always been a Democrat, but has never been an active politician. He has, however, served for a number of terms as a school director, for six years was township trustee and for two years represented his town on

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the board of supervisors. His attention, however, has chiefly been given to his busi- ness affairs and along lines of well directed effort he has achieved success that enables him to be numbered among the capitalists of his adopted county. Obstacles and diffi- culties have impeded his progress and yet he has surmounted these and gone steadily onward to the goal of prosperity. His career is that of an upright and conscien- tious business man who well merits the prosperity that has come to him.

FRANK II. WHITMER.

Frank HI. Whitmer is one of the younger representatives of business interests in Dc- catur, yet is one of the most progressive and prominent. Could the citizens of a half century ago have been told that there would in the course of a few years be instituted a central system of heating for a locality, whereby heating plants in private homes coull be dispensed with, the tale would have been received as the idea of a dreamer, and yet this has come to pass and to-day there is scarcely a city of any size in the United States that does not possess such a system. Frank HI. Whitmer is now the general manager of the Whitmer Steam Heating & Power Plant of Decatur, which industry is classed among the most import- ant and extensive here.

One of the native sons of the city, Mr. Whitmer was born February 6, 1875, and is a son of Ilenry M. and Anna (App) Whit- mer. The father was born in Pennsylvania near Harrisburg and was a mechanic of natural ability in that direction. In his younger years he was engaged in the manu- facture of sash and door frames. In the year 1859 he came to Decatur, finding here a small city with few industrial interests, yet giving promise of future development. Mr. Whitmer engaged in brick contracting

and met with success in his undertakings in the west. Ile was the only one of the family, however, to come to Illinois. In 1892, sceing an opening for the establish- ment of a new business, he established the Whitmer Steam Heating & Power Plant of Decatur and continued his connection therewith until his death, which occurred November 3. 1899, when he was sixty-four years of age. He was a man of splendid business ability and of keen discernment and his efforts proved valuable in the cx- pansion of the city and its material growth. His widow still survives him and is living in this city. They were the parents of the following named: Edward, who is a resi- dent of Jacksonville, Ilinois; Alberta B., who is the wife of Harry Byrne, of Chi- cago; Howard, deceased; Cora, the wife of Arthur L. McNabb, of Decatur ; and Frank H., of this review.

The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Decatur and spent his youth in the usual manner of the boys of the period, enjoying the pleasures of the playground, which were alternated with school and other duties. At the age of cighteen years, however, he entered upon his business career in connection with the operation of the heating plant. The Whit- mer Steam Heating & Power Plant has fifteen thousand feet of mains and fifty thousand feet of radiation and covers seven blocks of Decatur. Seven boilers are used with a total capacity of seven hundred and forty horse power. Two teams are con- stantly employed in hauling coal, the plant using thirty tons of coal per day. Ordi- narily only five boilers of the seven are in operation. These are Babcock & Wilcox water tube boilers of one hundred and fifty horse power capacity cach, and there are two Oakes fire tube boilers of one hundred horse power cach and three of eighty horse power each. There is an average pressure carried of from one hundred to one hun-

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dred and fifteen pounds. The plant was established, as before stated, in 1892 by Henry M. Whitmer, and the son Frank H. Whitmer early became interested in its workings. The business grew rapidly and in 1894 two large boilers were added, one of which is kept in reserve. Two pumps are kept busy, supplying water which is forced into two large tanks and from there is conveyed to the boilers, while two are kept in reserve. A double system is used, so that if one part of the plant is disabled from any cause the other can be immedi- ately put in operation. There are four reg- ular firemen and one extra fireman em- ployed and its extensive business in its vari- ous departments is under the management of Frank H. Whitmer. The plant is now one of the most important enterprises in Decatur. In 1899 Mr. Whitmer also be- came interested as a third owner in the laundry at 147 South Water street, Decatur. For a time the owners were J. H. Rainey, E. C. Stein and F. H. Whitmer. During the first year, however, Mr. Whitmer pur- chased Mr. Rainey's interest and the busi- ness has since been carried on under the name of the Decatur Model Laundry Com- pany. All the latest machinery necessary to enlarge and modernize the plant was purchased so that it is now as complete in its equipments as any establishment found in any city of the Mississippi valley.

In 1896 Mr. Whitmer was happily mar- ried to Miss Lula Mallory, a daughter of Rollin V. Mallory. of Decatur. They oc- cupy an enviable position in social circles, where the hospitality of many of the best homes in this city is graciously and freely accorded them. Mr. Whitmer became a member of Chevalier Bayard Lodge, No. 189, K. P .. in 1896, and he is also a member of the Iroquois Club and of the lodge of Stationary Engineers. What he has already accomplished in the business world is an in- dication of his ability and argues well for a

successful future. He stands as a well known representative of industrial circles here and one whose faith in Decatur is in- dicated by his active co-operation in public measures for the general good.

ROBERT TAGGART.

Mr. Taggart became a resident of De- catur in 1890, but was connected with a business where acquaintances are extensive- ly and rapidly formed and thus he became widely known, enjoying in large measure the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated so that his death was deeply deplored by many friends. Dur- ing his residence in Decatur he was pro- prietor of the Central Hotel. A native of Ireland, his birth occurred on the Emer- ald Isle, on the 15th of August, 1857, his parents, being Thomas and Martha (Kings- bury) Taggart, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to America about 1859, bringing with them their fam- ily. They settled in Xenia, Ohio, where the father secured a position as baggage master on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, serving in that capacity continuously until his death. His wife also died in Xenia.

Robert Taggart attended school in Xenia and he was a self-educated as well as self- made man. By doing chores and little odd jobs he saved up enough money to educate himself and thus prepared for the business world. He went to Cincinnati, where he at- tended a business college for one term. Re- turning then to Xenia he there began brick- making, but continued in that work for but a short time. He afterward accepted a position as a clerk in a hotel in Xenia known as the old Corey House and thus re- ceived his first experience and training in the work which was to be the source of his income throughout the greater part of his life. He proved a popular clerk because

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 39

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