Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 44

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 44

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out the county and a liberal patronage was accorded him. Eventually he sold his busi- ness to Messrs. Fisk, Scoville and Bach- man and removed to South Wheatland township, Macon county, where he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and three acres, three miles southeast of Decatur. There he carried on general farming for seven years, when on account of advanced age he returned to the city and has since lived retired here.

On January 16, 1856, in Decatur, MIr. Butzien was married to his cousin, Miss Fredericka Butzien, who was born in Ger- many August 22, 1834, a daughter of his mother's sister. Her death occurred Janu- ary 29, 1899. There were five children born of this marriage: Henry, born Decem- ber 21, 1856, married Emma Prall and they now reside in Denver, Colorado, where he is engaged in the furniture business ; Emelia, born June 2, 1859, is deceased ; Albert, born March 25, 1861, has passed away; Frederick, born March 4, 1863, is also deceased; and Alice L., born Decem- ber 15, 1866, is now the wife of A. J. Linth- icun. They reside with her father in Decatur and Mr. Linthicun superintends his farming interests, riding out each morn- ing to the farm and returning in the even- ing. MIrs. Butzien and the deceased chil- dren are all buried in Greenwood cemetery, Decatur.

MFr. Butzien has made for himself a most enviable and creditable business record. He is a self-made man, whose good fortune is not attributable to luck, but has resulted from earnest labor, careful management and diligence. He now owns the residence which he occupies at No. 246 Mill street ; business property on East Main street; a residence at No. 502 East Prairie avenue; and his farm of one hundred and three acres in South Wheatland township. He has never held any offices, although his friends have solicited him to become a candidate for

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county coroner. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy. He aided in or- ganizing the German Aid Society in De- catur, which meets in Turner Tall and of which he is now the oldest member. Ile also belongs to the German Lutheran church at Decatur. For half a century he has lived in the city and is well known as one of its pioneer residents and prominent and intlu- ential representatives. Ilis life record shows what can be accomplished in this land where ambition and effort are not hampered by caste or class and where all are equal before the law and where the road to opportunity and success is open to those who will walk therein.

LOUIS D. BARBEY.

From a very early age Louis D. Barbey has been dependent upon his own resources and because of his carefully directed labor, his firm purpose and his unfaltering per- severance he has gained for himself a cred- itable position and desirable success as a representative of the business interests of Decatur, where he is now conducting a gro- cery store. He was born in Bond county, Illinois, on the 29th of July, 1874, and is a son of J. S. and Adella Barbey, both of whom were natives of Switzerland. After coming to America the father became a prominent furniture dealer and undertaker of Greenville, Illinois, where he was en- gaged in business for eighteen years. He was well known and highly respected and through a long period was a representative merchant of that town. He has now passed away, but his widow resides in St. Louis, Missouri. By that union were born seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those still living are E. J., who is married and resides in West Virginia; J. S., who is employed in the Moorchouse & Wells store in Decatur; Louis D .; Della, the wife of J.

T. Tinsley, of Pennsylvania ; and Charley, who is an electrician of St. Louis. .

Louis D. Barbey began his education in the common schools of Greenville, Illinois, but at an early age put aside his text books, to become a factor in the business world. When a youth of fourteeen he arrived in Decatur. Previous to that time he worked in a drug store in Greenville for a short period. On coming to Decatur he secured a position in a grocery store at the meager salary of three dollars per week, but as he mastered the business and made his labors of value to his employer his wages were correspondingly increased and for eight years he remained in the service of J. G. Cloyd. He managed to save most of his salary during that period and in May, 1900, with the capital that he had thus acquired he opened a grocery store on his own ac- count, being associated with W. T. J. Coop- er, under the firm style of Barbey & Cooper. Their store is now located at No. 116 East Prairie avenue, where the firm carries a large stock of fancy and staple groceries. Having throughout almost his entire life been connected with this line of trade Mr. Barbey is thoroughly familiar with it and splendidly qualified to carry on a successful business. The firm is now well established in trade, employing nine clerks and assist- ants.

On the 30th of November, 1897, occurred the marriage of Mr. Barbey and Miss Har- riet Farner, a daughter of Michael and Jen- nie (Shutter) Farner. The lady is a native of Decatur and a representative of one of the old families of this portion of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Barbey attend the Christian church and they occupy a pleas- ant home at No. 128 East Marietta street, which was recently purchased by him.

In his political affiliations Mr. Barbey is a Republican, but has never sought or de- sired office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs. He is popular with

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

his fellow citizens because of his social nature and creditable record in business cir- cles. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias Lodge and to the Fraternal Army of Amer- ica. He has led a very busy and active life and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. . A self-made man, he has yet attained success that many a man of twice his years might well envy. He has won and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens and is distinctively one of the leading merchants of Decatur, with whose interests he has now been long iden- tified.

J. JI. STOUTENBOROUGH.

One of the well improved and highly cul- tivated farms of Maroa township is that be- longing to J. H. Stoutenborough on section 8, where he is successfully engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising at the present time. His early home was in Ohio, his birth oc- curring in Warren county, that state, and his parents are Garrett and Margaret Stout- enborough, whose sketch appears on an- other page of this volume. Although born in the Buckeye state, our subject was prin- cipally reared in DeWitt county, Illinois, his early life being spent upon a farm. At the age of twenty years he began farming on his own account upon land belonging to his father and was thus employed for five years. During the following season he was engaged in the tile business at Maroa and in 1881 he removed to his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which was given him by his father. He and his father have made first class improvements upon the place, including the erection of a good house and barn, and have set out both shade and fruit trees. The well tilled fields yield a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them and everything about the farm denotes the supervision of

a careful and painstaking owner as well as a man of good business ability who thor- oughly understands the vocation he has chosen as a life work.

Mr. Stoutenborough was married in 1880, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella Baird, a daughter of William Baird, who is a wealthy retired farmer and an early set- tler of Maroa township. By this union were born four children but only one is now liv- ing-Frank B., now eighteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Stoutenborough are both members of the Christian church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Stoutenborough is a Republican and he takes a deep and commendable in- terest in public affairs as every true Ameri- can citizen should do.

J. A. EYMAN.

J. A. Eyman, whose business interests in Argenta would be a credit to a city of much larger size, belongs to the class of self-made men whose enterprise, industry and integ- rity have been the foundation upon which they have builded their success. Advance- ment, gradual and continuous, has marked his business career and he is now carrying on a mercantile establishment which an- nually returns to him a good income. A native of Illinois, he was born in Hlini town- ship, near Warrensburg, August 7, 1869, and is a son of Horatio and Salina J. (Milor) Eyman, the former a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and the latter of Macon county. By occupation the father was a farmer and owned and operated one hundred and twenty acres of land in Macon county. The mother was a daughter of Mrs. Mar- garet A. Freeman, one of the oldest settlers of Macon county.

Upon the home farm J. A. Eyman was reared and his early education was obtained

EDWARD C. BASSEY

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

in the district schools. Later he became a student in the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois, and was thus well equipped for the responsible duties of a business career. Putting aside his text- books be accepted a clerkship in a furniture store in Michigan, in which he remained for two years and then returned to Illinois, embarking in business on his own account in Argenta. Ile purchased the furniture store of S. Gerber for nine hundred dollars, and conducted the business at the old stand for three or four years, when his increased trade justified his removal into the Carr building, in which he remained for four years. In October, 1902, he erected the building which he now occupies. It is a modern two-story brick structure splendid- ly equipped for the conduct of the business. llis stock consists for the most part of household furnishings and stoves. It is very large and complete and presents a splendid appearance. It would do credit to a town many times the size of Argenta. The arrangement of the goods is neat and attractive, prices are reasonable and the business methods of the house commend it to the patronage of the public. Mr. Eyman is now enjoying a large trade and his suc- cess is certainly well deserved. He also carries on an undertaking business in con- nection with his store. His brother. HI. HI. Eyman, clerks for him and lives with him. The stock now carried is valued at eight thousand dollars and comprises all grades of goods, such as are in demand by a gen- eral trade.

In 1900 Mr. Eyman was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna B. Reynolds, a native of Argenta and a daughter of Mrs. Frances McKee. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eyman one daughter has been born, Neffa May, whose birth occurred January 3, 1902. Mrs. Ey- man belongs to the Cumberland Presby- terian church. Mr. Eyman holds member- ship with the Masons, with the Odd Fel-

lows, the Knights of Pythias and the Mod- ern Woodmen and is a valued representa- tive of these fraternities, enjoying the high regard of his brethren of the orders. His political allegiance is given the Repub- lican party and he is now serving as one of the trustees of the village. He owns a beautiful residence here in addition to his business property and is one of the enter- prising, progressive men of the town, deep- ly interested in its welfare and manifesting his interest by hearty co-operation in move- ments for the general good. Along legiti- mate lines of trade he has gained prosperity and his record is creditable and honorable. His genuine worth has gained for him the respect of his fellow men and Argenta counts him one of its most prominent and influential citizens.

EDWARD C. BASSEY.

Edward C. Bassey is a splendid type of the self-made man, a man who at the out- set of his career had no pecuniary advant- ages or the aid of influential friends, but with the realization of the fact that there is no royal road to wealth placed his de- pendence upon the qualities that always insure success-indefatigable industry, un- abating energy and unfaltering persever ance. Step by step he has advanced until he is to-day connected with one of the most prominent industries that have given De- catur leadership in the industrial circles of Illinois, being the secretary of the F. B. Tait Manufacturing Company.

For many years Mr. Bassey has been a resident of Decatur. His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 24th of Feb- ruary, 1848, and he is a son of llenry and Christina Bassey, both of whom spent their entire lives in their native land. In the schools of that country he pursued his education between the ages of six and sev-

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enteen years. Later he still further pre- pared for business life by a commercial course in a college at South Salzgitter. On completing his education Mr. Bassey en- tered upon his business career as a clerk in a grocery store, where he was employed for three years, and at the age of twenty-one he became manager of a store. Following this period in his life Mr. Bassey came to the new world, taking passage upon a west- ward-bound sailing vessel which left the port of Liverpool for Boston, Massa- chusetts. The voyage completed, he made his way direct to New York city, and thence to Cairo, Illinois, coming from the latter place to Decatur. For a time he was em- ployed by J. A. Jones, a prominent farmer, in whose service he remained for fourteen months. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper for John and Samuel McRob- erts, wholesale and retail dealers in gro- ceries, with whom he remained for two years. He was next employed by H. Mueller, and for two years was connected with that firm. He was next in the United States railroad mail service, running from Terre Haute, Indiana, to Peoria, and later from St. Louis to Decatur, while still later he was transferred to another route, going by way of Lafayette, Indiana, to St. Louis, Missouri, on the night line. When a short time had elapsed, however, he resigned this position and returned to Decatur, again en- tering the employ of the H. Mueller Manu- facturing Company in the capacity of book- keeper and office manager, a position he held for three years. In Chicago, Illinois, he was employed by the Western Woolen Milling Company for a time and ou again coming to Decatur he accepted the position of office manager for F. B. Tait & Com- pany. In 1897 this business was merged into the new firm of F. B. Tait Manufactur- ing Company, which was incorporated. At that date Mr. Bassey became secretary of the company, in which capacity he has con-

tinued to the present time, and he is now one of the stockholders of the concern. This company was capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, and the present officers arc F. B. Tait, president and treasurer ; D. W. Tait, vice president; and E. C. Basscy, secretary. The officers, together with C. E. Boyer, constitute the board of directors. This is unquestionably one of the most im- portant industries of the city and one of the largest of its kind in the state. They have a modern, extensive and well-equipped plant and its products find a ready sale through- out the United States at the highest market prices. The company has ample capital for conducting its business and the men who are guiding its affairs are thoroughly experi- enced and possessed of every business qual- ification necessary for the prosperous con- duct of the enterprise. The company man- ufactures all kinds of corn and farm im- plements and their goods are shipped throughout the corn growing belt of the United States. They also handle a varied line of high-class buggies, carriages, wagons, general farming implements and gasoline engines and are jobbers for the same. The plant covers an entire block of ground two hundred and sixty by one hundred and fifty feet and the buildings are of brick and most modern in every particular. In addition to the main building, which is occupied by the offices, sample rooms and warehouse, and which is four stories in height with a base- ment, there is a machine shop, a foundry and a blacksmith shop, all built of brick. The company employs from eighty to one hundred skilled workmen and eight travel- ing salesmen upon the road.

In 1870 Mr. Bassey was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Bernhardt, a sister of Mrs. II. Mueller. She, too, was born in the fatherland, and in her early girlhood came to the United States. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children : Ed- ward H., who is now in the employ of Pet-

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tibone, Mullikin & Company, a railroad sup- ply house, of Chicago ; and Ella, at home. The family residence is at No. 545 North Jackson street, and in addition to this Mr. Bassey is the possessor of valuable city property. lle is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and also has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen. His position to-day as one of the most prominent and prosperous bus- iness men of Decatur is in marked contrast to his condition when he came to America as a young man. His career is certainly creditable, and there is perhaps no history in this volume that indicates more clearly the force of energy, determination and hon- orable effort in the active affairs of life. Ile has certainly met with excellent success, and the position to which he has already attained in business circles tests his su- periority in the control of important con- cerns.

ROBERT WALTER.

The world acknowledges the leadership of Germany in musical circles and it is sel- dom that one can find a son of the father- land who has not a deep love for music and considerable ability in that direction. Hay- ing cultivated his talents along that line, Robert Walter has attained considerable prominence in musical circles and has for a number of years been leader of the Good- man Fourth Infantry Band playing the E flat clarinct.

Professor Walter was born in Saxony, Germany, of German parentage, on the 22d of May, 1859, and when only about twelve years of age began studying music which course he followed in connection with the pursuance of a course in the public schools. lle first made a specialty of the violin and afterward turned his attention to the clari- net. A young man of eighteen years he

determined to try his fortune in the United States and in 1877 crossed the Atlantic. For two years he traveled with the Golden Dra- matic Company through the central west and south and in 1886 he came to Decatur, where he has since resided. The following year he was made director of Goodman's Fourth Infantry Band. In 1857 a brass band was organized and called the Decatur Cornet Band. In 1860 the Decatur Silver Cornet Band was organized with about fif- teen members and in 1867 another organ- ization was effected. In the year 1872 Pro- fessor Goodman was secured as leader and at once began the re-organization of the band which has ever since retained his name. For ten years he remained as its leader or until his death in 1882. In 1887 Professor C. A. Foster, who had formerly been at the head of the musical organiza- tion, again became the leader and thus served until 1887, when he was succeeded by Professor Robert Walter. When the last named took charge there were twenty- four members and by his untiring efforts the band had been increased to thirty-six members. Professor Walter is a thorough musician and as an interpreter and director of band music has few equals, being a master of the clarinet he has developed a first class reed section from among his tal- ented pupils. The Goodman Band has kept abreast with the times in their repertoire of music and by constant rehearsals is able to render some of the most beautiful strains of the greatest composers. The Goodman Band was made a regimental band of the Fourth Regiment in 1901 and is still in the service.

In 1890 Professor Walter took charge of the opera house orchestra and has since acted in this capacity, succeeding Olaf Bull as its director. His great love of music has been fostered throughout the years from his early boyhood and his talents have been developed by careful and broad study. lle

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

is very prominent socially and is a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity. Courteous and genial in manner he has won friends wherever he has gone and is a valued representative of the musical schools of Decatur.

EDGAR D. CARR, M. D.

Careful preparation and advanced study have well equipped Dr. Carr for the practice of medicine, and Argenta is fortunate in having a man of marked ability to admin- ister to the needs of the sick and suffering here. The Doctor is one of the native sons of the town, his birth having occurred in 1863. His father, Dr. Robert F. Carr, was a graduate of the Albany Medical College of New York and came to Argenta in 1856, being one of the first physicians to locate in this part of the county. His practice ex- tended over a wide area and he formed an extensive acquaintance, being held in the highest regard both socially and profes- sionally. He died in the year 1893.

In Lincoln, Illinois, Dr. Edgar D. Carr pursued his early education and then de- termined to follow in the professional foot- steps of his father and make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the Rush Medical College of Chicago and was graduated with the class of 1887. He then took up his abode in Argenta, opened an office and engaged in practice for four years. Desiring to still further broaden his knowl- edge and increase his efficiency as a medical practitioner he then went to Europe, spend- ing cighteen months in Berlin, where he did post-graduate work in clinical medicine. He has always been a close and earnest student, discriminating and sound in judg- ment and his labors have been attended with splendid results. Returning from Europe to his native land, he once more

located in Argenta, where he has since re- mained in practice. He is very careful in the diagnosis of a case and his opinions are very rarely, if ever, at fault. His interest in his profession is deep and sincere and arises from his love of scientific research and from a genuine interest in humanity- two qualities which are absolutely essential to the highest success in the medical pro- fession.

The Doctor belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, being a Knight Templar and a member of Peoria Consistory. In his polit- ical views he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. Several years agohebuilt a store and stocked it with drugs. He has since engaged in this line of trade and in the same building he has his office, which is well equipped with all the appliances that are of value in the conduct of his practice. His patronage is extensive and the favorable judgment which the public passed upon him at the outset of his career has in no degree been modi- fied or set aside, but on the other hand has been strengthened as the years have passed by. He is a member of the County, State and American Medical Societies, and thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession.

FRANK M. MERIDITH.

Frank M. Meridith is one of the younger representatives of business interests in De- catur, but is now prospering in his under- takings and his labors are adding to the sum total of business activity upon which the prosperity and growth of the city rests. He was born in Bath county, Kentucky, on the 12th of August, 1868, and is a son of Thomas and Ella (Anderson) Meridith. On leaving his native state the father be- came a resident of Champaign county, Illi-

DR. D. W. PORTER

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

nois, where he followed farming and also engaged in teaching. His death occurred when he had attained the age of fifty-three years. In the family were nine children, but only six are now living, namely : Ver- million P., Robert S., Thomas G., Hester, Belle and Frank M.

The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Champaign county, Illinois, mastering the branches of learning that usually constitute the curriculum in the public schools of this state. At the age of twenty years he began railroading, being first employed by the Wabash Railroad Company. He was afterward with the Van- dalia Company and subsequently with the Nickle Plate Road, serving first as brake- man and afterward being promoted to the position of conductor. In 1895, however, he severed his connection with railroad service and on the 21st of December, of that year, became an active factor in business interests in Decatur as proprietor of a stor- age, transfer and furniture industry located at No. 700 to 706 North Broadway. He has since conducted a large establishment and success has attended his efforts. He has now an extensive outfit, including moving vans and a number of teams, in addition to his warehouse and storage rooms.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 44

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