Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 42

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 42

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the splendid character of their output. Both are men of long experience in this line, hav- ing practical understanding of the business both in principle and detail and added to the more mature judgment of the father is the energy, laudable ambition and helpful- ness of the son, thus making the firm a strong business combination.

In 1895 Charles U. Downey became a Mason, being raised in Ionic Lodge, No. 312, F. & A. M. In 1896 he was joined in wed- lock to Minnie M. Hall, a daughter of Elias and Marie Hall, of Clinton, Illinois. They now have two children, Lyle W. and Ver- neille L. Mr. Downey has spent almost his entire life in this locality and is imbued with the progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west. He is a genial man to meet, whose career of usefulness and activity has netted for him a good income.

JOSEPH LOVE.

Joseph Love, who in 1893 became a resi- dent of Decatur where he was engaged in the manufacture of mattresses, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 7th of April, 1847, his parents being Samuel and De- borah (Mitchell) Love, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. Samuel Love came west with his family in an early day and established his home in Champaign county, Illinois, where he purchased a sec- tion of land from the government, for which he paid two dollars and a half per acre. Not a furrow had been turned or an im- provement made upon the tract but with characteristic energy he began to clear it and to plow and plant it. He also erected good buildings and in course of time de- veloped an excellent farm which he con- tinned to cultivate and which he made his home until his deatlı. His wife also passed away on the old homestead in Champaign

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county and some of their children now re- side upon the same farm there.

Excellent educational privileges were af- forded to Joseph Love. He pursued his early studies in the district schools and later became a student in the Champaign University, in fact, he was one of its first pupils and the thorough training which he there received well prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. On put- ting aside his text books he began farming near the old homestead in Champaign coun- ty and while thus engaged he returned to Ohio in 1875 and was there married to Miss Eliza J. Hanlon, a native of Jefferson coun- ty, Ohio, born in 1849. Her parents were William and Mary (Stark) Hanlon, and her father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his entire life in Jefferson county. His widow still resides there and has reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Love: Nellie H., who is now a teacher in the San- gamon street school in Decatur; Mary, who occupies a position as private secretary in the Boys' School in Lake Forest, Illinois ; Louella, who is a stenographer and teacher in Brown's Business College of Decatur ; Florence, who is at home with her mother; and one that died unnamed in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Love engaged in general farming in Champaign county until 1893, when he came to Decatur and estab- lished a mattress factory near the home which is now occupied by his widow. In the new enterprise he prospered and con- tinued in the business up to the time of his death. He did excellent work and secured a liberal patronage, his products finding a ready sale on the market. In business af- fairs he was strictly reliable and he became a well known and respected representative of trade interests in this city. Hc was en- ergetic, a man of firm purpose and strong will and in all his dealings with his fellow men he was upright and honorable. In his

political views he was an earnest Repub- lican, believing firmly in the party and its principles yet never secking office. Both he and his wife were members of the Pres- byterian church of Decatur and his life was in harmony with its teachings. He died January 18, 1898, leaving not only a com- fortable competence to his widow but also an honorable name. Mrs. Love now occu- pies a beautiful home at No. 812 North College street, where she resides with her daughters. They are well known in Deca- tur and enjoy the favor and friendship of many a household here.

EDMUND S. McDONALD.

It is seldom that a single individual wins success and prominence along more than one line, and yet Edmund S. McDonald is to-day accounted one of the distinguished lawyers of Decatur, is also actively con- nected with the corporation interests of the city and is one of the large landowners of Macon county. In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand, are the con- comitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice; and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the falchion of every person who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the diametrical re- sult of capacity and unmistakable ability. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the

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able lawyer, he now stands among the lead- ing representatives of the legal fraternity of Decatur.

Mr. McDonald was born in Wood county, West Virginia, on the Ohio river, Septem- ber 2, 1851. His paternal grandfather, John McDonald, was a native of Scotland, and died during the infancy of his son John, who was the youngest of a family of two sons and two daughters. The father of our subject was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and during his infancy was taken to Ohio, the family home being established near the Ohio river, in Cincinnati. While yet a boy, he was employed in a distillery and in the milling business. Later he was employed on the river, running between Cincinnati and New Orleans. He first act- ed as a pilot and afterward became captain and part owner of a vessel. On abandoning the water he came to Illinois, in 1853, and spent the first year of his residence in this state in Scott county. In 1854 he removed to Decatur, and soon after located in Long Creek township, Macon county, where he purchased a tract of land and carried on general farming until his death, which oc- curred in 1880, when he had reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy L. Sisson, died in July, 1901, at the age of seventy-three years. She belonged to one of the old and prominent families of Vir- ginia, and her ancestors did active service for their country in the Revolution and in the war of 1812. Unto John and Nancy L. (Sisson) McDonald were born eight chil- dren : Florence L., who is now the wife of Zenas R. Prather ; Edmund S .; Andrew F. and Randoll F., twins: Alice, who is the wife of Ira Baird; John A .; George W .; and Sheridan, who died at the age of eight- een months. With the exception of the last named all are yet living.

At the usual age Edmund S. McDonald began his education in the public schools

and afterward pursued a three years' course in the Northwestern University, completing his studies there in 1872. He then engaged in teaching school for two years and he be- gan reading law in the office of Nelson & Robey, of Decatur, and they directed his studies for three years. He was then ad- mitted to practice, but desiring to be still better prepared for his chosen work he spent two years as a student in the office of the firm of Crea & Ewing. In 1880 he opened an office of his own in the Powers block, where he remained until 1889, when he re- moved to his present location in the Opera House block. He has enjoyed a lucrative practice and has one of the best law libraries and best equipped offices in Decatur. In 1891 he was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court. His knowledge of the law is comprehensive and exact. He is a strong advocate of the jury, concise in his appeals before the court and is a safe counsellor. His logical grasp of facts and principles and of the law applicable to them has been a potent element in his success. He throws himself easily and naturally into an argument and his presentation of a cause speaks a mind trained in the severest school of investigation, and to which the closest reasoning is habitual and easy. Mr. Mc- Donald, however, has not confined his atten- tion entirely to his legal practice, but has made extensive and judicious investments in various corporations of the city and is one of the largest landowners in Macon county.

In August, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. McDonald and Miss Annabelle Thomas, a daughter of Mrs. Jennie Thomas, of Decatur. Their children are Edmund Urban and Valerian. Mr. McDonald be- longs to the Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M .; to Celestial Lodge, No. 186, I. O. O. F .; and to Coeur de Lion Lodge, No. 17, K. P. In politics he is an active Republican, taking a helpful part in campaign work, and

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has delivered many addresses in support of the party and its principles. In 1889 he was elected city attorney and in 1891 was re-elected to that office. His time is now largely occupied with the important duties of an extensive practice. Affable and genial in manner he makes many friends and is held in high regard by all who know him.

REV. WILLIAM H. DAVIS.

Throughout his entire life William H. Davis devoted his time and energies to a work of great benefit to his fellow men. For many years he practiced medicine and for nearly a quarter of a century he was a representative of the Christian ministry, laboring for the spiritual welfare of the church as he had previously done for the temporal welfare. In 1888 he became a resi- dent of Decatur and the recognition which is ever given true worth of character was accorded him. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, August 13. 1824. his parents being Isaac and Mary (Brown) Davis, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In 1828 they removed westward, settling in Pike county. Illinois, where the father engaged in farm- ing for a few years. He afterward estab- lished his home in the village of Perry in Pike county, and there engaged in mer- chandising for several years. He next re- moved to Logan county, Illinois, where he remained for a short time, coming thence to Macon county, locating in the village of Mount Zion. He there lived retired, en- joying well earned rest up to the time of his cleatlı.

Rev. William II. Davis was reared amid the refining influences of a good home and received his carly mental training in the common schools of Pike county, Illinois, to which place he had been taken by his pa- rents during his early childhood. Later he attended college in Springfield, Illinois. Ilis

strong mentality and tastes led him to seek activity in professional lines and determin- ing to enter upon the practice of medicine he began studying with his uncle, who was a practicing physician in Griggsville, Pike county, Illinois. For a few years he con- tinned his reading under the direction of his uncle, and then went to Chicago, where he attended the Rush Medical College, being graduated there in the class of 1852. Fol- lowing the completion of his collegiate course he returned to Griggsville, where he practiced for several years.

While in that place Rev. Davis was united in marriage in 1848 to Miss Eleanor C. Randall, a native of Alton, Illinois, born on the ist of August, 1828, and a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Snadon) Randall. The father was a farmer by occupation and with his family resided in Madison county, Illinois, during the greater part of his life. Both he and his wife passed away in that county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis was blessed with ten children, six of whom are living. Isaac first married a Miss Pratt and after her death wedded a Miss John- son. They reside in Chicago and he is cashier for the Pratt & Buckley Elevator & Grain Company of Decatur. Edward R. married Miss Peake and resides in Spring- fieldl, while his business connection is that of a traveling salesman for a cracker house of Decatur. Newton married Miss Tacy Entriken, of Ohio, and is bookkeeper and cashier for F. M. Pratt, a grain merchant of Decatur. Charles wedded Miss May Kerr and after her death married Nellie Freid- land and is deputy clerk of Boone county, Missouri. J. Frank is bookkeeper for Cham- bers, Bering & Quinlin Company of De- catur. George, the youngest of the family, is a harness manufacturer of Decatur, Those who have passed away are Mary Elizabeth. Ella L., Mary Emma and James Barger.

After his marriage Dr. Davis continued

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to engage in the practice of medicine in Griggsville for seven years. He then aban- doned that profession in order to enter the ministry and began preaching as a member of the Illinois Methodist Episcopal confer- ence. Ile first preached at Jacksonville, Illinois, and afterward at different places in the circuit for twenty-three years, when on account of advanced age and ill health he gave up the active work of the ministry and established his home in Decatur in 1888. Here he took charge of a small church, but after a time his health became worse and he was forced to abandon ministerial work altogether. His life was one of great usefulness both in the medical fraternity and in the ministry. He always labored for his fellow men and his efforts were most effective in building up the church and pro- moting the cause of Christianity. He was not denied the harvest of his labors nor of the aftermath and many there are who yet have reason to bless his memory for the aid which he gave them in understanding life and its purposes. In early years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he favored every improvement that would benefit his fellow men and tend to advance moral development. His death occurred on the 11th of January, 1899, but though he has passed away his memory is still revered and is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him. In October prior to his demise Rev. and Mrs. Davis celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, having for fifty years traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its ad- versity and prosperity and doing all in the name of Him who came not to be minis- tered unto but to minister to mankind. Mrs. Davis is now a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Decatur and the family is well known in this city. She has a nice residence at No. 1204 North College street, where she and her sons reside.

CHAMBERS A. MCLEAN, M. D.

Chambers A. McLean, a physician of De- catur who for forty years has made his home in Macon county, was born in Flem- ing county, Kentucky, on the 24th of May, 1832. His parents were James and Charlotte M. A. (Argo) McLean, the for- mer of Scotch-Irish lineage and the latter of Scotch descent. John McLean, the grand- father of the Doctor, came to America from the north of Ireland and located in Ger- mantown, Brighton county, Kentucky, where he followed the occupation of farm- ing. He was a strict Presbyterian in his religious faith and lived an upright, honor- able life, leaving the impress of his indi- viduality for good upon the community with which he was associated. He reached the advanced age of eighty-five years and passed away respected by all who knew him. The maternal grandfather of the Doc- tor was Purnell Argo, who was of Scotch birth and after crossing the Atlantic he took up his abode in Fleming county, Kentucky. During the residence of James McLean in that county he followed the blacksmith's trade for a number of years. His wife died when their son Chambers A. was only about six years of age and the father afterward wedded Mrs. Rebecca (Moren) Scott. His death occurred about 1842. By his first union he had three children but James Will- iam and Nancy are now deceased, leaving the Doctor the only survivor. By the second marriage there were two children: MIrs. Eliza Ann Hilligoss, now deceased, and one that died in early childhood.

In the county of his nativity Dr. McLean spent the days of his early boyhood and youth and there acquired his preliminary education in the common schools, which he attended only through the winter months, for during the summer season his services were needed upon the home farm. Thus he was reared to farm life, becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that

E. M. MERRIS

MRS. E. M MERRIS

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fall to the lot of the agriculturist, but he spent about fifteen months learning the shoemaker's trade. When a young man he began studying medicine, which he prac- ticed for fifteen years. He then attended the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated in that institution with the class of 1871. Hle is, however, largely self-educated, having acquired the greater part of his knowledge by arduous study at night. He has burned the mid- night oil on many an occasion and has thus made himself familiar with higher mathe- matics, Latin and German. Ile is now a gentleman of scholarly attainments, well in- formed and of broad culture, and while he has gained a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the science of medicine he has also extended his reading into many other fields.

On the 17th of June, 1855. Dr. McLean was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Taylor, a daughter of Charles .\. and Judith (Newcombe) Taylor. Six children were born unto them, four sons and two daugh- ters, but only Mabel and William are now living. Those deceased are Sabina .A., Jo Henry, Charles B. and John J. William married Miss Margaret P. Crocker and is now a resident of Maroa, Illinois, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine. Hle has four children: John C., Franklin C., Edwin P. and Louise.

On leaving college Dr. McLean of this review went to Maroa and began practice. He made his home in that place for twenty years and during that time enjoyed a large and lucrative patronage, the public recog- nizing his skill and ability in the line of his chosen calling. When two decades had passed he came to Decatur, where he has since resided. Here he has also engaged in general practice and has enjoyed a good business, which has brought to him a com- fortable living. The Doctor is conscien- tious in his work and has a deep interest in

the practice of medicine both from a seien- tifie standpoint and because of his sympathy with his fellow men. He also has the strict- est regard for the ethics of the profession and by continued reading his knowledge has compassed all of the improvements known to the medical fraternity and when his judg- ment has sanctioned any new idea or method of progress he has readily adopted it for the good of his fellow men. In his political views he is connected with the Democracy, but has neither sought nor de- sired official recognition. Ile belongs to the Masonic fraternity and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. Hc enjoys an enviable standing in the pro- fessional and social world of Decatur and is possessed of those admirable personal char- acteristics which win and retain friendship.

ELLERY M. MERRIS.

For many years this gentleman was ac- tively identified with the agricultural in- terests of Macon county and through indus- try, enterprise and good management he acquired a handsome competence which now enables him to live a retired life in his pleas- ant home at Macon. A native of Illinois, he was born in Sangamon county on the Ist of March, 1823, and is a worthy representa- tive of an honored pioneer family of cen- tral Illinois, his parents being Stanton and Elizabeth ( Piper) Merris. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject's father was born in Vermont in 1794. a son of El- lery and Elizabeth ( Bromley) Merris, and was a farmer by occupation. In early life he accompanied his father on the latter's removal to Canada, where he spent four or five years and then went to Ohio, becom- ing one of the pioneer settlers of that state. Ile made his home there for about six years and in the meantime was married in 1810. By his next removal he became a

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resident of Springfield, Illinois, which was then on the western frontier and contained only four or five log houses. Three years later Mr. Merris settled in what is now Scott county, four miles east of Naples, which at that time formed a part of Morgan county. Ile bought two hundred and eighty acres of prairie and timber land on the river bottom and engaged in farming there. until his death, which occurred on the 5th of January, 1847. His widow subsequently made her home with her son, Stanton, in Pike county, Illinois, where she died in 1856. She was a native of Kentucky. They were the parents of the following children, namely: Eliza, who died April 1, 1854; Julia, who died at the age of twenty-three years ; Ellery M., of this review; William; Daniel, who was engaged in farming up to within the last ten years but is now con- ducting a broom manufactory at Canon City, Colorado; Stanton, and Elizabeth. Only two of the number are now living.

The educational advantages which Ellery M. Merris enjoyed were limited as he was only able to attend school for about nine months during his entire boyhood, his serv- ices being needed at home in the work of the farm. The subscription school which he attended was conducted in an old log structure, so common on the frontier at that time, one log being cut out for a win- dow and covered with greased paper. The building was heated by an old fashioned fire- place which would hold a back log ten feet in length. From Sangamon county our sub- ject removed with his parents to Scott county, Illinois, where he subsequently en- tered a tract of government land, which he fenced with rails that he split and that were in use for forty years.

Mr. Merris remained with his father until his marriage, which was celebrated March 17, 1842. the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Van Gundy, who is of German de- scent. Her father, David Van Gundy, was

a miller by trade and followed that occu- pation in Pennsylvania in early life. Later he removed to Ohio and from there to what is known as the American Bottom near St. Louis, Missouri. There he wedded Miss Mary Conrad, who was born in Madison county, that state, June 29, 1822. Mr. Van Gundy spent his last days with his son George in Scott county, Illinois, where he died in 1862, his wife having passed away some time previously. They had eight children, of whom five are still living, name- ly: Mary, wife of John Smallwood, a re- tired farmer living near Lincoln in Taze- well county, Illinois ; John, a retired farmer of Decatur; Adam, a retired farmer of Bluffs, Scott county ; Martha, wife of Eras- mus Allison, who is living retired in St. Louis, Missouri; and Nancy, wife of our subject.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Merris were born fif- teen children: George W., who died of cancer in February, 1897, leaving a wife and five children; Asa and John A., both re- tired farmers of Macon; Elizabeth, wife of Peter Blair, a mechanic and carpenter of Findlay, Illinois; Sarah, wife of John Arm- strong, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Macon town- ship : Julia, wife of Charles Renshaw, a car- penter of Hennessey, Oklahoma; Martha, wife of John McCool, a farmer of Missouri ; Daniel, who is engaged in farming near Oakley, Illinois; Ida, wife of Eli Combs, of Findlay; David and Franklin, both de- ceased; and three who died in infancy. George W. served for three years in the Union army during the Civil war as a mem- ber of Company H, One Hundred and Six- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was honorably discharged in August, 1865. For about half the time he was ill in the hos- pital, spending one year in the hospital at Camp Butler. Mr. and Mrs. Merris have fifty-four grandchildren and fourteen great- grandchildren.

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After his marriage our subject purchased forty acres of wild land in Scott county, a part of which is now within the corporate limits of Bluffs, and he paid for the same two hundred dollars. He improved that place and engaged in its operation for twelve years, after which he sold out and removed to Pike county, purchasing a tract of one hundred acres one mile west of Griggsville for forty-five dollars per acre and selling it three years later at sixty dollars. He next located near Lake Fork in Logan county, where he bought a farm and lived on the same for eight years. On disposing of that property he purchased eighty acres of land in South Macon township, this county, it being now the Combs farm, and after resid- ing there for three years, Mr. Merris bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on Findlay creek, five miles east of Macon. He fenced the land, built a comfortable resi- dence and placed the land under a high state of cultivation. Later he exchanged that place with his son for a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Milam township, which he now owns and which he has great- ly improved in many ways. This place he now rents. He also purchased another farm, on which he lived for some time, but sold that in the summer of 1902. In the spring of 1887 he removed to the town of Macon and has since lived retired. Here he owns three lots and a house which he has remodeled and enlarged, making a very pleasant and desirable home for himself and wife. While living in the country he gave considerable attention to the raising of shorthorn cattle, Berkshire hogs and sheep and found that business quite profit- able. Ile has not only gained for himself a comfortable competence but has also as- sisted his children in getting a start in life and all are now quite well-to-do.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 42

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