Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 48

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 48

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JOHN P. PARKER.

John P. Parker, a prominent citizen of Maroa, now retired from active business cares, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1853, and is a son of James S. and Rachel Parker, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of James II. Parker, on an other page of this volume. Our subject was only eighteen months old when brought by his parents to Illinois, and he is indebted to the schools of this state for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed during his boy- hood and youth. Until twenty years of age

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

he remained under the parental roof, giving his father the benefit of his labors in the operation of the home farm. Later he en- gaged in farming on his own account for ten years and is still the owner of four hundred and ciglity acres of valuable and well-im- proved land in Maroa township and eighty acres in Blue Mound township, besides a nice house and lot in the village of Maroa, where he now lives. While on the farm he gave considerable attention to the raising of cattle and horses and had a fine herd of registered shorthorns. He continued to handle fancy horses for five or six years after coming to Maroa, and as a stock- dealer he met with excellent success, being a good judge of all kinds of farm animals. Ile has traded to a considerable extent in western lands and has placed good inprove- ments on all the land which he owns, in this way materially advancing the interests of the localities where he owns property. He seems to have inherited much of the business ability of his father, who was a very successful man and who, during that first twenty-one years of his residence in Macon county, bought and paid for twenty- one hundred acres of land. For the past few years our subject has been living a retired life in Maroa, having already acquired a suf- ficient competence to enable him to lay aside all business cares.

Mr. Parker was married in 1875 to Miss Hannah E. Gray, who was born and reared in Maroa township, a daughter of John N. Gray. Two children blessed this union: Elzina, who died at the age of one year ; and James G., now twelve years of age. The parents are both active and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Parker is also connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and Order of the Eastern Star. He is a Re- publican in politics and served as road com- missioner one term. He is extremely benev- olent, being noted for his kindness and liber-

ality to the poor, and no worthy one has ever sought his aid in vain. Especially has he given his assistance to young men just making a start in life, having aided a num- ber in this way. His life has been manly, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected, and his example is well worthy of emula- tion.

WILLIAM S. GARVER.

William S. Garver, who is conducting business at No. 222 and 224 East Wabash avenue, Decatur, under his own name, is well known in commercial circles in this city. He is yet a young man, but has al- ready attained success that many an older man might well envy. He was born in Humboldt, Kansas, on the 6th of Febru- ary, 1870, and is a son of Samuel H. and Sarah J. (Magee) Garver. The Garver family was established in America at an early period in the colonization of this country, the first of the name in the new world being Jacob Gerber, who came from Europe. His descendants were John, Sam- nel; Nancy, Christian and Jacob F. Among his children, Jacob F. is the direct ancestor of the subject of this review, the grand- father of the Garvers who settled near De- catur, Illinois. The descendants of the or- iginal ancestors became residents of Wash- ington county, Maryland; of Lancaster, Franklin and Dauphin counties, Pennsyl- vania ; and of different parts of Ohio. The name has undergone many changes in spell- ing as the family has thus become separated. Those in Pennsylvania have generally spelled the name as does the subject of this review, while the branches of the family in Maryland and Ohio use the spelling of Garver, Gerber, Garber and even Carver is found. To-day representatives of the name are found in nearly all the states and terri- tories of the Union.

Christian Garver, the father of the Illi-

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nois branch of the family, removed from Lancaster to Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, and died in 1841. Jacob Garver, the grandfather of our subject, was married in 1820 in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, to Susan Hisey, and, removing westward, took up his abode near the city of Decatur. Illinois, in the year 1838. There he resided continuously until 1871, when he went to Humboldt, Kansas, where his wife died in 1878, leaving ten children. Jacob Garver passed away in Macon county, Illinois, in 1888 at the age of eighty-nine years. Their children were C. 11., Nancy, J. H., Barbara. Mary, D. Il., S. H., Susan, D. H. and A. II. After the death of his first wife Jacob Gar- ver was again married, his second union be- ing with Christina Servin, whom he wedded in 1881.

Samuel H. Garver, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Pennsylvania, and after arriving at years of maturity was married in 1856 to Miss Sarah J. Magee, a daughter of Jolin Magee, who came to Macon county, Illinois, from Ohio, in the year 1829. Mrs. Magee was born in Ohio and by her mar- riage she became the mother of ten chil- dren, eight of whom are now living, as fol- lows: J. U., who is superintendent of the pumping station on the Sandwich Islands ; Ellen, who is the wife of Samuel Quigley, of Jennings, Louisiana; Samantha, who is the wife of Louis Moomey, of Decatur ; Amelia the wife of James Huff, of Ham- mond, Illinois : William S., of this review : Frank, who is living on the old homestead farm in Macon county : Theodore, who is a member of the regular army in the United States Cavalry, and has entered upon his second term of three years, being now sta- tioned in the Philippines ; and two, who died in childhood. The parents are now resi- dents of Jennings, Louisiana.

William S. Garver was only four years of age when his parents came from Hum- boldt, Kansas, to Macon county, Illinois,

and here he was reared on the home farm, acquiring his education in the common schools. Entering upon his business carcer he engaged first in the grain, feed and grocery business at No. 620 East Eldorado street, in Decatur, during the years 1894 and 1895. In 1897 he opened a place at No. 1036 North Water street and in 1900 he came to his present location at Nos. 222 and 224 East Wabash avenue, Decatur, where he is buying and selling grain and feed and doing a custom grinding business. He is a man of energy and enterprise and is prospering in his work. Mr. Garver be- longs to Celestial Lodge, No. 186, 1. O. O. F. He is one of the young business men of the city and in trade circles as well as in social life he has gained many friends.

CHARLES C. H. COWEN.

To the real estate and insurance business the subject of this sketch is now devoting his attention, and is regarded as one of the most energetic and reliable business men of Warrensburg. His life has been mainly passed in Illinois, his birth having occurred in Magnolia, Putnam county, this state, June 24, 1861, and he was named for his father's preceptor, Dr. Charles C. Hildreth, of Zanesville, Ohio. His father, Dr. Jesse M. Cowen, was a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and a son of Robert Cowen. Our subject's great-grandfather, who also bore the name of Robert Cowen, was of Scotch-Irish descent and was one of three brothers who came to this country from Ireland at an early day. Robert Cowen, Jr., made farming his life occupation. He married Miss Martha Miller, who was a life- long resident of the Buckeye state and lived to be nearly ninety years of age.

Dr. Jesse M. Cowen, our subject's father, was graduated at the Ohio Medical College in 1858 and soon after receiving his de-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

gree came to Illinois, making the journey by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Henry, Illinois, and thence across the country to Magnolia, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until 1869 with the exception of the three years he spent in the army during the trying days of the Rebellion. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted as surgeon in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, which left Peoria under the com- mand of Colonel Greer. The regiment was first with the Army of the West and later with the Army of the Potomac. Before entering the service Dr. Cowen was mar- ried at Hennepin in 1860 to Miss Amelia Ann Dent, a native of Putnam county, Illi- nois, a daughter of George and Comfort Dent, who were from Virginia. Her father became quite an extensive farmer of this state. Mrs. Cowen was one of two daugh- ters in a large family, the oldest son being Thomas Ijams Dent, a prominent lawyer of Chicago. She was a distant relative of Mrs. Julia (Dent) Grant, the wife of General U. S. Grant. She was educated at the Rock River Seminary in Mount Morris, Illinois, and was a lady of culture and refinement, as well as a devout and earnest Christian worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1869 Dr. Cowen and his wife removed to Hennepin, Illinois, which was the old historic French trading post in the west and is to-day one of the quaint old towns of the state, being without railroad, telegraph or other connection with the outside world, although it was formerly, during steamboat days, one of the busy towns of the state. Mrs. Cowen died there of rheumatism of the heart when only thirty-six years of age, leaving many friends as well as relatives to mourn her loss. Our subject at that time was only fourteen and his brother Robert M. was twelve. The latter is now married and living in Peoria. He had six children but the oldest is now deceased. Dr. Cowen

was the only son in a family of several chil- dren. He long survived his wife, dying at llennepin of apoplexy in September, 1890, at the age of fifty-six years. Both were laid to rest in the Hennepin cemetery. For many years he was leader of the choir and chorister in the Methodist Episcopal churches of Magnolia and Hennepin and was also leader of musical clubs in both towns. Hle was a man highly honored and esteemed by all who knew him on account of his many sterling traits of character.

Charles C. H. Cowen's early education was limited to the common branches taught in the public schools of Hennepin but a solid foundation for knowledge acquired in subsequent years was laid by his parents at home. Until eleven years of age he assisted in the work of the farm during the summer months, while during the winter season he attended school. During the early '8os he entered the employ of Ed White, who was serving as postmaster at Bureau Junc- tion, Illinois, and was engaged in business as a general merchant and grain dealer. He remained there four years, during which time the business passed into other hands. The following year was spent at Peoria in the wholesale dry goods house of Day Brothers & Company, and he was next em- ployed in a dry goods house in Chicago for one year. For two years he was engaged in railroad claim work for the Missouri Pa- cific Railroad Company at St. Louis, Mis- souri, and for the Santa Fe, at Galveston, Texas, and at the end of that time came to Warrensburg, Illinois, where he resumed merchandising with his former employer, Ed White. The business being sold to D. C. Myers in 1896, Mr. Cowen has since been engaged in the insurance and real estate business on his own account.

On the 17th of August, 1893, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Cowen and Miss Millie Pearce Batchelder, a daughter of John J. and Mary F. (Thorndike) Batchel-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

der. Iler elementary education was acquired in the district school near her childhood home and she afterward attended the De- catur high school, where she was graduated in 1889. Later she was graduated at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, which was then under the presidency of Dr. Bateman, who had formerly served as state superintendent of public instruction. In 1891 and 1892 she taught in the Ryerson school of Chicago, after having cadetted in the Ogden school on the north side of that city. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of two children : Joy Batchelder, born January 9, 1896; and Nira Elizabeth, born April 22, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Cowen are both mem- bers of Illini Congregational church, located on land set apart for church purposes on her father's farm, and she is also a charter member of Concordia Club, which is a literary and musical organization formed in 1899. Our subject and his wife are very popular socially and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community where they now make their home.

JOHN WHEELER BROWN.

For many years J. Wheeler Brown was connected with agricultural interests in Christian county, Illinois, but in more recent years has devoted his time and energies to the banking business, which he is now fol- lowing in Blue Mound. He was born near North Stonington, Connecticut, September 17, 1838. His father, John Denison Brown, was born in North Stonington, March 23, 1800, and was the oldest son of John and Sally (Denison) Brown. His ancestry, however, can be traced back to Lady Anne Bordell, a member of the English nobility. After arriving at years of maturity the father of our subject was joined in wedlock to Mary Ann Wheeler, who was the third in a family of twelve children born unto

Peres and Desire ( Wheeler) Wheeler. The mother of our subject traces her ancestry back for thirty-five generations, through Godfrey I, Henry 11, Lambert 111, Lady Geoberga, wife of Lambert of Lorain I, Charles, duke of Lorain, Louis II, King of France, Charles HHI, King of France, Louis HI, King of France, Charles H, King of France, Louis I, King of France, to Em- peror Charlemagne, born in 742 .1. 1). The Wheelers were also connected with the Grant family, of whom General U. S. Grant was the most illustrious member, and both the Grant and Wheeler families were repre- sented in the Revolutionary war. At an early period in the development of Christian county, Illinois, John Denison Brown lo- cated there with his family, and in 1839 secured a tract of land on which he de- veloped a good farm, making there a com- fortable home for his family. When thirty- two years of age he united with the Baptist church at Stonington, Christian county, 111- inois, and seven years later was chosen one of its deacons, in which capacity he acted for over thirty years, and though seventy years of age at the time of his death, he was active to the last in anything that con- cerned the church and its welfare. Both the father and mother of our subject have passed away.

J. Wheeler Brown received but limited educational privileges, attending school for only about three months in each year. His first teacher was the late Judge William Hammer, who died but a few years ago. and under whose instruction he pursued his preliminary studies in the winter of 1843-4. His best mental training, however, was received from his father, who was him- self a well educated man, taking an active interest in educational affairs, and who, in connection with Judge William S. Frink, of Taylorville, was instrumental in securing the services of two of the most prominent teachers that ever came to the west-Miss

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Burnham, who taught in Stonington, and Miss Holland, who taught in Taylorville, both from Governor Slade's school in Mas- sachusetts. When not engaged in the duties of the school-room Mr. Brown worked in the fields and meadows and early became familiar with the experiences that fell to the lot of farmer boys in the west in those days.

On the 30th of September, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca T. Catlı- erwood, a daughter of Joseph and Lydia Catherwood, and one of a family of ten children, four of the number, Catherine, Joseph, Allen and Mrs. Brown are now de- ceased; the others being John, William T., Mrs. Eliza J. Bonnel, J. Steele, Lydia A. and Mrs. Emma Powell. Mrs. Brown re- moved with her parents to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1846, and there her father died. The family afterward went to Shelby coun- ty, Illinois, in 1857, and in 1859 took up their abode near Old Stonington, Christian county, Illinois. On the 30th of September, 1862, Rebecca Catherwood gave her hand in marriage to J. Wheeler Brown, and for twenty-eight years she resided with him upon the old home farm.

Mr. Brown continued to reside on the old homestead which had been purchased by his father in 1839, until September, 1890, when he removed with his family to Normal, Illinois, there remaining for nearly two years. On the Ist of August, 1892, he went to Moweaqua, and in connection with Will- iam Miller, now of Decatur, Illinois, and the late Hon. D. P. Keller, he established the Commercial Bank under the firm style of Miller, Brown & Keller. This institution opened its doors for business on the 2d of December, 1892, and Mr. Brown re- mained in Moweaqua until the Ist of May, 1896, when he came to Blue Mound, having in connection with Ralph Ayers purchased the bank of J. M. Brownback. About the Ist of May, 1900, Mr. Brown purchased his partner's interest and in turn sold him his

own interest in the Commercial Bank at Moweaqua. Ile then transferred one-third of the Blue Mound bank to his son, John A. Brown, and the present firm of J. W. Brown & Company was established. They are now conducting a good banking business, having a large patronage and enjoying in high de- gree the confidence of the public.

After the removal to Blue Mound Mr. Brown was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 2d of October, 1896, and was laid to rest in the old Ston- ington cemetery. Her mother, Mrs. Lydia Catherwood, died in Taylorville in the spring of 1897. at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. She was noted for her strong religious character and her upright life. In the fall of 1867 Mrs. Brown was converted and immediately united with the "Nebraska Schoolhouse Class," which at that time was an auxiliary of the Methodist Episcopal church at Moweaqua. In 1890 she transferred her membership to the church in Normal, and after the removal of the family to Moweaqua she joined the Methodist church in that place, remaining a consistent member there until her death. She took great pleasure in aiding in the work of the churches to which she and her husband be- longed, being especially active in the Ladies' Missionary Society, and as long as health permitted she faithfully attended the church and worshiped at all its services. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother and her loss was very deeply felt, not only by her immediate family, but by many friends throughout the county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born four children: John Arthur, who is now the junior member of the banking firm of J. W. Brown & Com- pany, of Blue Mound; Mary A., now Mrs. J .. Riley Anderson, and the mother of ten children; Grace L., wife of O. E. Briggs; and S. Agnes, at home with her father.

Mr. Brown has always given his political support to the Republican party. He has

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held nor sought no office save township po- sitions. While living upon his farm he was called upon by his fellow townsmen to serve in a number of local offices and was super- visor, overseer and justice of the peace. Pe was also school director for seventeen years. In May, 1845, he became one of the scholars in the Sunday-school organized at Old Stonington-the first Sunday-school formed in Christian county, Illinois. In November, 1850, he united with the Baptist church at that place and has held membership there- with continually since. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, belonging to Blue Mound Lodge, No. 682, F. & A. M. In his business life he has prospered. For long years lic followed farming, and in connection with his banking and property interests in Blue Mound he still owns six hundred acres of land in Prairieton township, Christian county, a part of which is included within the old homestead, which came into his father's possession in 1839. He was only about a year old when the family came to Illinois, and in this state he has spent his remaining days, always living in this por- tion of the state. He is, therefore, well known to its citizens and his life history has been such as to win for him the regard and confidence of his fellow men.

ROBERT N. BAKER.

Robert N. Baker was a life long resident of Macon county and spent many years in Decatur, where he became widely known as a citizen of worth and one of business enter- prise and integrity. He was born on a farm near Antioch in Macon county on the 10th of September, 1834, and was a son of James and Arrahnah (Hodge) Baker, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. In an early day they came to Macon county and established their home upon a farm near Antioch, first living in a log cabin after the

primitive manner of the times, but later building a more comfortable and modern residence. The father continued to engage in farming on the old family homestead near Antioch throughout his remaining days, but he died in the prime of life, passing away when about forty years of age. For a num- ber of years thereafter his widow resided on the old home farm and then removed to the village of Mount Zion, where she made her home with her daughter for a few years. Afterward she came to the city of Decatur, where she continued to reside until called to her final rest in 1896. There were but two children in the family, the daughter being Sarah Ann, the wife of James Greg- ory, of Lovington, Macon county.

Robert N. Baker, who was the older, began his education in the common schools near his native place and acquired a good prac- tical knowledge of the English branches of learning. He was reared upon the old home farm and after he had attained his majority he engaged in farming on his own account near his father's homestead for a few years, but later he sold his property and came to Decatur. After his marriage he was employed as express messenger by both the American and Pacific Express Companies, but finally secured a position with the latter which enabled him to remain at home. Previous to this time his services had called him upon the road. Ile con- tinued with the express company until his death and was one of its most faithful and trusted employes. In his work he was sys- tematic and methodical, prompt and re- liable and he enjoyed the confidence of all with whom he came in contact.

In the city of Decatur Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Sylvira M. Mat- thews, a native of Fayette county, Indiana, and a daughter of Gerard and Sarah (Cooper) Matthews, who were natives of Baltimore, Maryland, whence they removed to the west, settling in Fayette county,

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Indiana. There the father was engaged in farming for thirteen years, after which he took up his abode in Springfield, Illi- nois, where he spent one winter. On the expiration of that period he settled on a farm in Sangamon county, this state, mak- ing it his home for several years and then came to Macon county, purchasing a farm in Blue Mound township, on which he con- tinned to reside up to the time of his death. His attention and energies were devoted to general farming and to the raising, buying and shipping of stock and his business af- fairs were capably managed. He died at the age of forty-eight years, in the prime of life, and his wife passed away when forty- seven years of age. They were the parents of five children, who are now living, namely : Mrs. Baker; John, a retired farmer residing in Decatur; Mrs. J. C. Bell, a resident of Springfield, Illinois; Mary J., whose home is in Nebraska: and Mrs. S. M. Trump, who resides in Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker was born one son, Lewis G., who married Emma Wagner, and resides in Decatur. He is now express messenger for the Pacific Express Company, his route be- ing between Decatur and Moberly. He also has one child, Gladys, aged eleven years.

Mr. Baker was a citizen of prominence, active in public affairs and several times was solicited to become a candidate for public office, although his aspirations were not in that direction. He served as city marshal of Decatur for one year and was urged to become a candidate for sheriff of Macon county, but declined the nomina- tion. In his political views he was a Re- publican and took a deep interest in poli- tics, believing firmly in the principles of the party and doing everything in his power to secure their adoption. He held membership in the Masonic Lodge at Decatur and be- longed to the First Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member.

His life was honorable, his actions kindly and sincere and the salient traits of his character were such as won for him the regard and good will of all with whom he was associated. Ile passed away April 1, 1899, but his memory is still cherished and revered by those who knew him. Mrs. Baker now owns and occupies a nice resi- dence at No. 404 West Decatur street, which was built by her husband. She is an estimable lady and has many friends in this city.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 48

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