Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 49

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 49

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GEORGE FAITH.

This well known and progressive citizen of Illini township, who is now so success- fully engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 11, was born in Cumberland county, Maryland, on the 26th of January, 1863, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Hasine) Faith. Ilis paternal great-grand- father was born in Alsace-Loraine, Ger- many, though it then formed a part of France, and he was of French descent, while his wife was born in Amsterdam, Holland, and was of Dutch ancestry. Our subject's father was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 25, 1823, and in early manhood he mar- ried Miss Catherine Ilasine, a native of the same state, whose birth occurred on the 5th of March, 1826. For some years he worked at the machinist's trade in Cumberland, Maryland, but finally selling his property in the east he came to Illinois in the spring of 1871 and settled on a farm west of War- rensburg in Macon county, his time being devoted to agricultural pursuits until his retirement from active labor. He and his wife are now living in Decatur and they have the respect and esteem of all who know them. More extended mention is made of them in the sketch of Charles H. Faith, on another page of this volume.

George Faith is the eleventh in order of

PETER BETZER

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birth in a family of fourteen children, nine of whom came with the parents to Illinois. Our subject completed his education in the schools of Warrensburg, and on laying aside his text books at the age of nineteen years he devoted his entire time to farming, giving his father the benefit of his labors until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Stanton, Kansas, and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of government land. After constructing a dugout, in which to live. and a sod barn, he began to break and im- provehis land and planted a number of trees. Selling out in 1899, he returned to Illinois, and entered the employ of C. J. Off. of Peoria. training race horses. Two years later we again find him in Warrensburg and he is now successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising on his own account, feeding over one hundred and thirty hogs and a large number of cattle for market. He has a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Austin township and carries on his work in a most approved manner.

On the 26th of February, 1890, Mr. Faith married Miss Alice Schroll, of Warrens- burg, the only child of D. L. and Alice (Watkins) Schroll. Her father is a veteran of the Civil war and endured all the hard- ships of army life while assisting the gov- ernment in her efforts to preserve the Union. Mrs. Faith was educated in the district schools of Macon county and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Warrensburg. The children born to our subject and his wife are David Franklin, whose birth occurred August 21, 1891 ; and Edna Joy, born October 11, 1893. Politi- cally Mr. Faith is independent, and socially is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Good Templars. In this county where he has so long made his home he is widely and favorably known, and wherever he has lived he has made many friends for he is pleasant and courteous in manner.

PETER BETZER.

Peter Betzer, who was one of the old and prominent citizens of Macon county, took up his abode in this part of the state in 1856, and up to the time of his death re- mained a valued citizen of the community, interested in all that pertained to the gen- cral welfare and active in support of many measures for the public good. Ile was a native of Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, born on the 17th of January, 1820. Ilis pa- rents were William and Margaret (Mc- Ilarvey) Betzer, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ross county, Ohio, at an early period in the development of that portion of the Buckeye state. There the father engaged in farming until his death, and the mother also passed away there.

Mr. Betzer was educated in the common schools of his native county and in early life learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed in Ohio for a number of years. While still making his home in the state of his nativity he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bunn, also a native of Ross county, Ohio, born on the 30th of Sep- tember, 1823. Her parents were Ezekiel and Mary (Prutzman) Bunn, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ross county, Ohio, the father becoming identified with agricultural pur- suits. Ilis death occurred in that county, after which his widow came to Decatur and spent her last days in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Betzer, where she died at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Betzer were born four chil- dren : W. O. died October 16, 1875; Alice M. is now the wife of Dr. C. D. Camp, a practicing physician of Chicago; Margaret is the wife of Benton Blackstone, who is connected with the firm of Linn & Scruggs, of Decatur ; and Frank C. married Florence Ellis and they have three children; Frank

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E., Florence Ada and William Cass. He and his family now reside with Mrs. Bet- zer and he is engaged in the grain business in Decatur.

After his marriage Mr. Betzer settled upon a farm in Ross county, Ohio, and was engaged in its improvement and cultivation for a few years, or until 1856, when, thinking that he might have better business oppor- tunities in the west, he came to Illinois, settling in Macon county. Here he pur- chased a tract of land in Hickory Point township and resided thereon for eleven years, devoting his energies to general farm- ing with good success. Then on account of impaired health he sold his property and in 1867 took up his abode in Decatur, pur- chasing a residence on North street, after which he lived a retired life until called to his final homc. He died on the 17th of January, 1876, which was the fifty-sixth anniversary of his birth.

In public affairs he had been prominent and active and he served as assessor of his township in Macon county for one year and as township collector for two years. His political allegiance was given to De- mocracy and his religious faith was indi- cated by his membership in the German Reformed church of Ross county, Ohio. The Betzcr family became prominent in Macon county and Mr. Betzer was widely and favorably known, the sterling traits of his character winning him the friendship and favor of many with whom he came in contact. His business career was attended with prosperity, owing to the capable con- duct of his affairs, his laudable ambition and his indefatigable industry. Mrs. Bet- zer. who still survives her husband, owns a nice brick residence at No. 406 West Ma- con street, where she is living with her son and his family. She also has other property on North street, in Decatur, and thus is comfortably situated in life.

HARRY L. HOLIDAY.

Harry L. Holiday, who is a traveling salesman of Decatur, was born in Fairfield, lowa, December 8, 1860, and is a son of John l'. and Frances A. (Wright) Holiday. The father was of Scotch ancestry and was a native of Xenia, Ohio, while the mother, who was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, was of Irish lineage. When only nine years of age John Holiday was left an orphan but in connection with his three sisters he maintained the old family home until all had reached adult age. By trade Mr. Holiday became a carpenter and followed that pursuit throughout his active business career. About 1840 he came to Macon county, journeying by stage from Indiana to Mount Zion. He then forded the river on horseback and continued on his way until he reached Decatur, arriving here before any railroad was built in the county. He was thus one of its pioneer settlers and he took an active and helpful part in the work of progress and improvement. A number of years later he removed to Fair- field, Iowa, where the subject of this review was born. He had been married before coming to the west and eight children graced the union, of whom one died in in- fancy. The others are as follows: J. W., who married Emma Davis, by whom he has four children, and is now living in Bur- lington, Iowa; C. W., who married Jennie Leisk, but is now a widower; J. Frank, who wedded Sallie Delzell and is located in Morning Sun, lowa; James F., who wedded Mary Priest, of Decatur, and has one son; C. D., who married Emma Christman and is living in Chicago; Harry L .. of this review; Fannie, the wife of Lyman Crosthwait of Nebraska, by whom she has three sons. In 1869 the father re- turned from Iowa to Macon county, Illi- nois, where he continued to work at his trade until his death. He assisted in the erection of many buildings in this city and

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did considerable contracting on his own account. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in that faith June 26. 1897, when seventy- nine years of age. His widow still survives him and is now living with her son, Dr. J. W. Holiday, of Burlington, Iowa, in the seventy-eighth year of her age.

Harry I. Holiday, who was the seventh in order of birth in their family, pursued his education in the schools of Decatur and after putting åside his text books learned the carriage-maker's trade, which he fol- lowed for four years. On the 24th of June, 1886, he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company as a salesman and has since remained with that corporation, for which he is now doing special work, his duties being of an important and responsible nature. That he has the entire confidence of those whom he represents is indicated by his long continuance in the one em- ploy.

On the 27th of January, 1894, Mr. Holi- day was united in marriage to Miss Eu- genia Maxfield. a daughter of B. F. and Charlotte J. (Davis) Maxfield. The father was a native of Kentucky and the mother of Illinois. Of their three children one is now deceased and the youngest sister of Mrs. Holiday is Ella M. Maxfield, who re- sides in Decatur with our subejet and his wife.

In his political affiliations Mr. Holiday is a Republican, firm in support of the principles of the party, but never an office- seeker. He has witnessed the growth and development of Decatur from a very early period. He has seen it when it was but a village and in his boyhood days he had ample opportunity to indulge his love of hunting in this locality. He yet enjoys that sport and follows it to some extent during periods of rest and recreation. In his business affairs he is methodical and during his long connection with the Stand-

ard Oil Company he has kept an accurate account of all business transactions to which he can refer on a moment's notice. In all his trade dealings he has been strictly fair and reliable and is justly re- garded as a man of strong individuality and upright character and as one of the carly settlers of Macon county he certainly deserves representation in this volume.

JABEZ J. COMBS.

Jabez J. Combs, an honored and highly re- spected citizen of Macon, now living a re- tired life, was born in Wilkes county, North Carolina, December 7, 1824, and is a son of William and Asenath (Ellis) Combs, also natives of that state, the former born in 1802, of English ancestry, and the latter in 1800 of Welsh lineage. In early life the father was engaged in farming in North Carolina and from there removed to Indiana in 1833, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that state, where he improved a farm and made it his home until his death in 1866. His wife survived him a few years and died in 1872. They were married in North Caro- lina and became the parents of eight child- ren, five of whom are still living, namely : Jabez J., of this review; Niram, a farmer of Hancock county, Indiana: Martha, who lives on the old home place in the Hoosier state; Eli, who is also living on the home farm and is unmarried ; and William, who married Bell Fauset and occupies a part of the old homestead.

The subject of this sketch was quite young when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana and upon the home farm in that state he grew to manhood, his education being acquired in a log school house with slab seats, greased paper win- dows and an old-fashioned fireplace. The farm consists of over five hundred acres and is to-day one of the finest and best im-

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proved places in that part of the state. but when the land came into possession of our subject's father it was covered with a dense growth of timber and was entirely unimproved. In those early days the fam- ily had to haul their corn thirty miles to mill and were forced to endure all the hardships and privations of pioneer life.

On attaining his majority Jabez J. Combs left the parental roof and learned the black- smith's trade, at which he worked for sev- eral years. In the meantime he was mar- ried, November 4, 1849, to Miss Sarah Whitaker, who was born December 2. 1832, a daughter of James and Susan (Cullison) Whitaker. Twelve children blessed this union, namely: Judson is now proprietor of a general store at Moweaqua, Illinois ; Edward B. is a farmer of South Macon township this county; Albert is now a bookkeeper in a general store in Paunec, Nebraska, but was formerly engaged in teaching school and was principal of the schools at that place for several years ; William M. is at home with his parents ; Susan died at the age of five years; Eli S. is carrying on a lumber and coal yard at Findlay, Illinois : James A. was at one time bookkeeper in the Woodcock Bank of Macon but is now with his brother, Eli, in the lumber and coal business at Findlay : Mary G., wife of O. S. Highley, a farmer of South Macon township; Flora B., wife of Frank Tomlinson, a farmer of the same township; Ada L., wife of Benjamin Arm- strong. superintendent of the coal mines at Niantic, Macon county; Ethel, wife of Orin Lindley, a farmer of South Macon township; and Sarah, wife of Robert Pat- terson, Jr., a dealer in horses and mules at Macon. Mr. and Mrs. Combs take a just pride in their family as none of their sons drink or have any bad habits. They also have twenty grandchildren and one great- grandchild.

Coming to Illinois in April, 1861, Mr.

Combs first settled in Christian county, where he engaged in farming upon rented land for four years, and then removed to the village of Macon, which at that time con- tained not more than a half dozen houses. After working at his trade in that place for four years he resumed farming upon rented land in South Macon township, this county, and continued to engage in agricul- tural pursuits for twenty-two years. At the end of that time he sold out and returned to Macon, where he has since lived a re- tired life, enjoying a well earned rest. Here he owns a nice home and eight lots, the residence being surrounded by beautiful shade trees and a small orchard which fur- Dishes its fruits in season. When Mr. Combs came to this part of the country ponds and sloughs were to be seen on every hand, there were no roads, and it looked as though this region would never be fit for habitation. There were only two houses between Macon and Mt. Auburn, and our subject has watched with interest the development of the county, at the same time aiding in its upbuilding. He has contrib- uted liberally of his means to churches and schools and in other ways has mate- rially advanced the interests of the com- munity in which he has lived.

For over half a century Mr. and Mrs. Combs have traveled life's journey together as man and wife, their mutual respect and love increasing as the years have gone by. As children they attended school together and through the long years that have since passed they have never had a quarrel or misunderstanding of any kind. Both are earnest members of the Baptist church of Moweaqua and their lives have been in har- mony with its teachings. Politically Mr. Combs is a Republican but has never cared for office, though he served as road com- missioner for a few terms. He is now near- ing the eightieth milestone on life's journey but is still hale and hearty for nature deals

MOSES E. BATCHELDER

MRS. MOSES E. BATCHELDER

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kindly with the man who abuses not her laws, and he has the confidence and respect of all who know him.

MOSES E. BATCHELDER.

There is particular satisfaction in revert- ing to the life history of the honored and venerable gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears impress of the early historical annals of the country and from the fact that he is a worthy repre- sentative of a very old and patriotic family. He was born on the 12th of July, 1823, in Hampton Falls, Rockingham county, New Hampshire, of which state his parents, Moses and Abigail (Drake) Batchelder, were also natives. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Rev. Stephen Batchelder, who was born in England in 1561, and came to America in 1632. He was an Episcopalian minister and was eject- ed from his vicarage because of his religious views. He brought with him to this coun- try his grandson. Nathaniel Batchelder, Jr., who founded the old homestead at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, in 1638. The latter's fourth child was Josiah Batch- elder, whose youngest son was David, the grandfather of our subject. David Batch- elder wedded Mary Emery, who was per- sonally acquainted with the nurse of Ilan- nah Dustin, who was captured by a north- ern tribe of Indians. Mrs. Batchelder was familiar with all the circumstances leading up to this capture. At night Mrs. Dustin and her nurse would be placed on rugs of skins and the Indians would lie all around them with their feet upon the women. After several days spent in captivity the Indians got drunk on some rum they had secured and in the night Mrs. Dustin and the nurse quietly got up and killed the seven red men while they slept. They thus made their es- cape, and on her return home Mrs. Dustin

found that her husband had erected a new house on the site of the one burned when she was taken prisoner. Our subject well re- members his grandmother telling this and other wonderful tales of carly New England life. She was born in 1741 and died in 1834. Three of her brothers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war and endured all the hardships of army life at that time. On one occasion one of her brothers was granted a . twenty-four hour leave of absence and re- turned home. Being in rags his mother asked him if her other sons were in the same condition, and when told that they were she went to a cupboard, got a pair of sheep shears and told her youngest son to go to the barn and shear some sheep and bring the fleece to the house. She then sent for a shoemaker and with his assist- ance and that of three women she made three full suits of clothes, including stock- ings and shoes, all from raw material, before the twenty-four hours expired, which was no easy undertaking in those days, when all sewing had to be done by hand, not to say anything of the carding, spinning and weaving. All of her sons survived the war.

Moses E. Batchelder was educated in the school at Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, where he attended during the winter months until seventeen years of age, while he worked on the home farm during the sum- mer. After leaving school he engaged in general farming and also assisted in carry- ing on a lumber business in the east. On the 22d of January, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. L. Batchelder, a daughter of Colonel Nathaniel Batchelder, of Pittsfieldl, New Hampshire. She was born in March, 1822, and was educated in Pitts- field. Five children blessed this union : Fred Janness, who married Elizabeth J. Jones, and lives in llini township; Na- thaniel Cary and Frank Drake, both at home with their parents; Edward L., who is en- gaged in farming south of Warrensburg,

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Illinois; and Clarence Emery, who owns and operates a farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Lamar, Missouri.

It was in 1864 that Mr. Batchelder brought his family to Illinois and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Illini township, Macon county, paying for the same thirty dollars per acre, In 1867 he bought another one hundred and sixty acre tract for ten dollars per acre and to the cultivation and improvement of his land he has since devoted his attention with marked success. He has also raised consid- erable stock and has found that branch of his business quite profitable.

Since his earliest years Mr. Batchelder has always taken a great interest in politi- cal affairs and well remembers the cam- paign cries of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," and "Old Tipp's the boy that swings the flail and makes the Locos all turn pale." He also remembers when Jackson was first elected president in 1828. At that time men would work from fourteen to fifteen hours and would only earn fifty cents per day. Mr. Batchelder cast his first vote for the Whig candidate of 1844, and since the or- ganization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. He served as school director a good many years and has always aided in promoting any enter- prise calculatod to advance the educational, moral and social welfare of his community. He and his wife are to-day the only charter members of the Congregational church of Illini township now living in the town- ship, and they are people highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.

WALTER POPE.

Although a number of years have passed since Walter Pope departed from the scene of earthly activities he is yet remembered by many who knew him well and esteemed

and honored him. He was an active factor in business life in Decatur for long years and was one of the early settlers of the county, dating his residence here from 1856.

Mr. Pope was born in County Waterford, Ireland, on the 19th of November, 1835, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Pope, were also natives of that county and there spent their entire lives. The son acquired a common school education on the Emerald Isle and remained a resident of his native land until about twenty-one years of age, when, thinking to benefit his finan- cial conditions in the new world he crossed the Atlantic to America. He had heard favorable reports concerning the business opportunities of this country and he re- solved that he would make his home here. He first settled in Quebec, but only re- mained there for a short time, after which he came direct to the city of Decatur, where his remaining days were passed. He began work here as a common laborer and a few years later he purchased a horse and dray and began teaming. This was the extent of his outfit for several years and then when his financial resources had increased he purchased more horses and drays until he controlled and operated nearly the entire drayage system of Decatur. He continned in the transfer business until October, 1894. receiving a very liberal patronage, whereby a large sum of money was anunally returned to him in compensation for his services. At length failing health obliged him to put aside the arduous duties of a business career and for several months he lay ill at his home and then death came and on the 2Ist of July, 1893, he passed away.

Mr. Pope was married in Decatur in 1864 to Miss Margaret Turner, also a native of Ireland, and a daughter of James and Mary Turner, who were likewise born on the Emerald Isle, where her father, a brick-layer by trade, was connected with the building interests for a number of years. In 1850,

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accompanied by his family, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, taking up his abode in New Orleans, but the climate did not seem to agree with hinr and because of his ill health he started to return to Ireland. He died, however, ere reaching his destination. His widow went back to Ireland in later years and there spent her last days.

Mr. and Mrs. Pope never had any child- ren of their own. They were very con- genial and companionable, however, and theirs was a happy married life. Mr. Pope never sought or held office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs and the enjoyments of social life. Hle voted with the Democratic party, believing firmly in its principles and desiring its suc- cess. In his business affairs he was very successful and became a prominent citizen of Decatur, widely known and honored be- cause of his fidelity to strict business ethics and his just and honorable dealing at all times. Mrs. Pope is now the owner of much valuable property in the eastern part of the city, including her residence at No. 702 East Wood street, also three other houses and lots on the same street, a house and lot on East Williams street and another on East Jackson street. She is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic church and like him she shares in the high regard of many friends.

DAVID E. BRETT.

There are in every community men of great force of character and exceptional ability, who by reason of their capacity for leadership become recognized as foremost citizens and take an active and prominent part in the affairs of the locality with which they are connected. Such a man is David E. Brett, who is serving as supervisor of Hickory Point township.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 49

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