Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 51

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 51

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Mrs. Armstrong was born in Crambrook, Kent, England, June 7, 1837, and is a daughter of John and Jemima Chapman. In 1842 she came to America, landing in New York on the Ist of October after being five weeks and five days out of sight of land. She first lived in Cincinnati, and from there removed to St. Charles, Mis- souri, in the fall of 1844, making her home in the latter place until her marriage De- cember 18, 1856, to William James, who was also a native of England and a farmer by occupation. In March, 1865, they came to Macon county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in Maroa township, which Mr. James operated until his death on the 23d of December, 1868. By that union six child- ren were born but three died in early life and one died after reaching womanhood.

Those still living are Charles James, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Oreana, Macon county ; and Mrs. William Clifton, whose husband is a farmer of Friends Creek township, owning two hundred and forty acres of land.

In 1895 Mr. Armstrong retired from the active management of the farm and re- moved to Argenta, where he bought a home and improved it. Two years prior to this he had erected a large brick building in the village, the lower floor of which is now oc- enpied by the store of Kuhns & Ruddock, while the upper story is the Argenta Opera House. Mr. Armstrong also has seven acres of land at the edge of the town, for which he paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he has done much toward promoting the welfare of the place. He never forgets or ignores the bond of common interest which should unite the people of every community and he has always been ready to promote progress in every line. He is most efficiently serving as trustee of the village and both his pub- lic and private duties have always been faithfully and conscientiously discharged. Since attaining his majority he has affili- ated with the Republican party, and both he and his wife are earnest and consist- ent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he started out in life in limited circumstances he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way upward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, and is to-day one of the most substantial men of Argenta, as well as one of its most honored and highly respected citizens.

JACOB MAJOR.

Jacob Major is one of the honored citi- zens of Macon county, who has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey

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and is now living retired in Warrensburg. His career has ever been such as to com- mand the respect and confidence of men and he is a worthy representative of the pioneer settlers of this section of the state.

Mr. Major was born December 20, 1826, in Harrison county, Ohio, twenty miles west of Wheeling, West Virginia, and is a son of John and Edith (Webb) Major. The mother was born in 1800 and was of Quaker origin. By occupation the father was a farmer and in aiding in the operation of the old home farm in Harrison county, Ohio, our subject early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. During his boyhood farm machinery was still very primitive, the cradle being used in cutting grain. He be- gan his education in the district school con- ducted in a hewed log house with a large fireplace at one end, and his studies were limited to reading, writing and ciphering, there being but one geography in the school. The teachers at that time boarded around among the patrons and received only twenty or thirty dolars per month. As a general thing they believed in the old saying of "spare the rod, spoil the child" and the birch was often used without reason. Mr. Major was only able to attend school for three or four months during the year and his education was completed when about nineteen years of age.

He began his business career by working on a farm at eight dollars per month but as time passed he prospered in his chosen work and became the owner of one hundred acres of timber land, fifty of which he cleared, sawing most of the trees into planks for a plank road. He also cut some cord wood, which at that time was only worth a dollar and a half per cord. In the sum- mer of 1849 Mr. Major raised six hundred bushels of grain and the expense of harvest- ing it was only about seventeen dollars, that being the first year the grain separators came

into use. He continued to make his home near Columbus in Franklin county, Ohio, until 1858, when he sold his farm for thirty- five dollars per acre and came to Macon county, Illinois, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles south of Warrensburg. Subsequently he bought an additional sixty acres, making two hun- dred and twenty acres besides his town property in Warrensburg. He continued the operation of his land until 1883, when he removed to Warrensburg and has since practically lived retired from active labor, enjoying the competence secured in former years through his industry, perseverance and good management.

On the roth of February, 1848, Mr. Major was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Warley, a daugliter of Wesley and Jane (Virtue) Warley. She was born in Har- rison county, Ohio, was educated in the dis- trict schools of that state, and in carly life could rake and bind after the cradles as good as any man. She died on the Ioth of February, 1884, loved and respected by all who knew her. The children born to our subject and his wife are John Wesley, who married Martha Carr and is living in De- catur ; Susan Jane, who married Augustus Stine and is now deceased; Edith, who died in infancy; Martha, widow of Malcolm Beall and a resident of Warrensburg; George, who first married Tennie Burse and secondly married Rhoda Munson ; Maria, wife of Andrew Moore, of Decatur ; Cyrus, who married Hattie Dyer and re- sides in Webster City, Iowa; and James Taylor, who wedded Mary Vail and makes his home in Findlay, Illinois. Mr. Major has twenty-seven grandchildren living and eleven deceased ; and has four great grand- children, the oldest being eight years of age.

Mr. Major cast his first presidential vote for the Democratic candidate but afterward supported Abraham Lincoln and has since been, an ardent Republican. He attended

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two meetings of the Know Nothing party in 1856. lle has filled the offices of jus- tice of the peace and road supervisor and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him whether public or private. Since 1843 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, has been a constant worker and a firm believer in the faith. Although now seventy-seven years of age he is still hale and hearty, for nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws. His life is exemplary in all re- spects and he has ever supported those in- terests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commen- clation.

W. T. COOPER.

W. T. Cooper, now deceased. was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Macon county and by indefatigable en- ergy and strong determination steadily worked his way upward from a very humble financial position to one of affluence, becom- ing a leading farmer of this portion of the state.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Cooper was born in the year 1842, a son of W. T. and Maria Cooper. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and came to this state when the country was very wild, casting in his lot with the pioneers who reclaimed the land for the purposes of civilization and laid the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of this locality. He was one of the first settlers of Macon county and built the first road west of Maroa. His wife is still living in Maroa and has reached the advanced age of ninety-one years. W. T. Cooper was reared upon the old homestead and early became familiar with the ardu- ous task of developing a new farm. The practical experience which he gained in his youth, however, proved of great value to

him when in later years he began business for himself. He started out in life on his own account when about twenty-one years of age and the 'occupation to which he had been reared he determined to make his life work.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Cooper chose Miss Eliza A. Gray, a daughter of Robert and Catherine Gray, the wedding being celebrated Decem- ber 23. 1853. The lady was born at Lynn- ville, Morgan county, Illinois, and when eleven years of age was brought to this county, where she pursued her education in the public schools. At the time of their marriage Mr. Cooper rented forty acres of land for two years and they began their domestic life in a little house containing but a single room. There they made a good start and were enabled to purchase a farm of forty acres, on which they lived for about five or six years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Cooper purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and built a home. This he afterward traded for one hundred and sixty acres which had been the old home place of Mrs. Cooper and which she still owns. Subsequently they purchased a half section of land in Nebraska and also built a home in Maroa. Throughout his business career, however, Mr. Cooper was interested in farming and for several years was also engaged in the hardware business in con- nection with his son Frank R. under the firm name of Cooper & Son. As the years passed he prospered, adding to his pos- sessions until his property holdings became very valuable and he was the possessor of a very desirable income.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born two children: Frank R., who married Miss Compton, lives in Decatur with his wife and two children ; and Linnie Luane is the wife of Dr. Weyl, a practicing physician of Maroa. Mr. Cooper was a devoted mem- ber of the Christian church, to which his

NATHAN L. KRONE

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wife also belongs. He held membership with the Masonic fraternity and she belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, being se- lected at the organization as first worthy matron at this place. In his political views he was a Democrat and almost continuously held some position of public trust, serving for some time as school director and also as road commissioner. He took an active interest in everything pertaining to the pub- lic good and his efforts for the general wel- fare were far-reaching and effective. He · passed away January 19. 1902, and was laid to rest in the Maroa cemetery, where his widow has erected a handsome monument to his memory.

NATHAN L. KRONE.

Nathan L. Krone is a popular and well known druggist of Decatur and it would be impossible to find a business man in this city that is more widely known than he. He has been a resident of Decatur for sixty-one years and thus has been a witness of Decatur's development from a mere vil- lage to a city whose trade interests have caused a new chapter to be written in the commercial history of the Mississippi val- ley. He was born in York county, Penn- sylvania, on the 14th of March, 1833. His paternal grandfather. Michael Krone, a native of the same state, grew to manhood and married Miss Franklynberger. Their son, Daniel, the father of our subject, was also born in Pennsylvania and in early life learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, which he followed throughout the period of his active connection with busi- ness affairs. Ile was joined in wedlock to Miss Ruth Worley, who was likewise born and reared in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Nathan Worley, who was of German lineage. Ilis birth, however, oc- curred in the Keystone state and he there met and married Miss Popp, who was of

Welsh descent. In the year 1839 Daniel Krone removed with his family from York county, Pennsylvania, to Decatur, Ilinois, where he made a permanent location. Here he followed his trade for some time and he also became proprietor of the Macon House, while later he was in the employ of the Wayne Sulkyette Company. His death occurred in the spring of 1867 and his wife, surviving him for a number of years, passed away in the spring of 1885. In their family were several children: Margaret, wife of George W. Bright, of Decatur; Annie, who is the wife of David S. Shella- barger, a prominent miller and manufact- urer of Decatur : and Mrs. Sophia McClurg. of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Nathan L. Krone spent the first seven years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Decatur, where he entered the public schools. Ile continued his work therein until his six- teenth year, when he left school and ac- cepted a position as clerk in a dry goods store, in which he was employed for four years. He entered as a salesman in the drug store of King & Reed, of Decatur, with whom he remained for three years and later formed a business connection with Dr. J. E. Roberts, a droggist, with whom he remained for seventeen years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Krone re- moved to lowa, but after a short stay in Council Bluffs again came to this city and entered the employ of W. C. Armstrong. who was the successor of Dr. Roberts. Six- teen years covers the period of his connec- tion with with Mr. Armstrong and certainly indicates his fidelity to duty, his capability and his trustworthiness. In 1893 he estab- lished his present store at the corner of Cal- houn and Herkimer streets. Ilis long ser- vice as a clerk well equipped him for carry- ing on an enterprise of his own. He is thor- oughly informed in the business and has a most comprehensive knowledge of the drugs

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and other remedial preparations. His asso- ciation with this one line of business has also gained him an extensive acquaintance in Decatur and when he established an enter- prise of his own he gained the patronage of many whom he formerly met in a busi- ness way.

In 1854 Mr. Krone was united in mar- raige to Miss Jane Frederick, of this city, a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Robin- son) Frederick, and a native of Ohio. They now have one child, Charles O., who is as- sociated with his father in the store. Mrs. Krone is an acceptable member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and takes an active and helpful interest in its work.

Mr. Krone is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Macon Lodge. F. & A. M .; Macon Chapter, R. A. M .; and Beaumanoir Commandery, K. T. In his political support he is a Republican and has been honored with local official preferment. For nine years he served as city treasurer of Decatur and his father was one of its trustees for four years. Over the record of his life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and as a public official he gave entire satisfaction to those whom he represented. His manner is genial and entirely free from ostentation, and without pretense or display he com- mands the respect of his fellow men who regard him as a valued friend. He has added much to the brightness of life and has been true and faithful in every relation in which he has been placed. Now at the age of seventy years he commands uniform confidence and is an honored representa- tive of the trade interests of the city, whose development he has witnessed through almost its entire history. Whatever has tended to prove of benefit to Decatur has received his endorsement and his active co-operation has frequently been of marked assistance in advancing the general wel- fare.

BENJAMIN F. LANHAM.

Benjamin F. Lanham, who is a retired builder of Decatur, has passed the seventy- fifth milc-stone on life's journey and the rest which has been vouchsafed him is well merited. His life has been one of industry and enterprise, in which his efforts have been crowned with success, and now in the evening of life he is resting from further labor amid a wide circle of warm friends who esteem him highly for his genuine worth. Mr. Lanham was born upon a farm ten miles east of Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, his natal day being July 8, 1828. His father, Elijah Lanham, was a native of Maryland and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Nellie Constant, who was born in Kentucky. From their respective states, however, in early life they removed to Clermont county, Ohio, where they became acquainted. Subsequently they took up their abode in Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving here in 1826, when pioneer conditions still existed for the work of im- provement and progress had been scarcely begun. They took up their abode upon a farm which Mr. Lanham improved, placing the land under a high state of cultivation and introducing the equipments known at that day. There he reared his family and died September II, 1847. His political sup- port was given to the Whig party and in matters of citizenship he was progressive, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare and advance the best interests of the community. His widow. long sur- viving him, passed away in Decatur on the 3d of November, 1870. She had long been a member of the Methodist church and was an earnest and most consistent Christian woman. In the family were eight children. five of whom had reached mature years and three died in infancy.

Benjamin F. Lanham, who is the third of five who reached adult age, spent his boy- hood days in Sangamon county and there

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

began his education in the common schools. When he had put aside his text books he began learning the carpenter's trade pre- paratory to making that pursuit his life work. Ilis father instructed him in this in- dustrial art for Elijah Lanham was a car- penter as well as an agriculturist and also a brick mason. lle continued with his father until he was nineteen years of age and then started out upon an independent business career. Attracted by the opportunities of Macon county, he took up his abode within its borders in 1856, living upon a farm for four years, while in 1860 he established his home in the city of Decatur. Here he has since resided and with the work of improve- ment and development he has borne an ac- tive part. Through the line of his business operations he has done much for the devel- opment of the city and to-day many of the substantial structures of Decatur stand as evidence of his handiwork. He has here erected not only residences, but also churches and schoolhouses, and has done much of the building in the surrounding country. Ile continued his active connec- tion with his chosen vocation until 1899, when he retired to private life. He had in the meantime been accorded a liberal patronage and the public reposed in him entire confidence because of his fidelity to the terms of a contract and his excellent work as a builder.

The home life of Mr. Lanham has ever been most pleasant. In April, 1855, he wedded Miss Marinda Stockton, of Sanga- mon county, Illinois, a daughter of Ira and Ruth (Fugett) Stockton. Her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother was born in Virginia. They became residents of Sangamon county in 1836 and in 1855 took up their abode in Macon county, where Mr. Stockton died in 1892. The mother, however, was not long permitted to enjoy her home in this county for her death oc- curred in 1858. Mrs. Lanham was born

February 10, 1833. in Bath county, Ken- tucky, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children, of whom a son and four daughters are now living, namely : Gertrude ; Isadora, the wife of A. HI. Cope, of Decatur ; Lucy, the wife of N. P. Foulks, of Portland, Oregon; Arthur F., at home; and Nellie, the wife of Stephen Ryan, of St. Paul, Minnesota. For almost forty years Mr. and Mrs. Lanham have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity.

He gives his political support to the Re- publican party and in former years took an active interest in its work, but never sought office. As he prospered in his business un- dertakings he made judicious investments in real estate and is now the owner of some valuable property which enables him to live retired, enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS.

This venerable gentleman, who is now an octogenarian, having passed the eightieth mile-stone on life's journey, is at the present time living retired and the rest which is vouchsafed him has been well earned. Through activity, business energy and strong purpose in former years he gained the competence that now enables him to enjoy many of life's comforts and luxuries without recourse to further labor.

Mr. Williams was born near Annapolis, Maryland, on the 12th of August, 1821, and is a son of John and Olivia (Fobes) Will- iams. The ancestral line can be traced back to Roger Williams and to Miles Standish. The father, also a native of Maryland, served his country in the war of 1812 and in 1836 he removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1843, when fifty years of age. His

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wife died in 1869. She was a daughter of Azariah Fobes, who belonged to an old Massachusetts family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born eight children, namely : William H., of this review; Mary Eleanor, who is the wife of Allen Scott; Charles, who died at the age of five years; Lilburn A .; Louisa, the wife of Robert Watson; Julia, the wife of Charles A. Polland ; Sarah, the wife of Alfred Florey ; and Emily Su- sana.

William H. Williams spent his early life in the place of his nativity and in 1836 went to Ohio. When still a boy he worked for his uncle. Azariah Fobes. under whose di- rection he learned the tailor's trade in Gam- bier, Ohio. Ile afterward followed that pur- suit for fourteen years. He had been well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties by excellent mental training, having supplemented his public school course by study in Kenyon College. In 1843 he re- sumed work at his trade and continued to follow that pursuit during his residence in Ohio. In 1853 Mr. Williams arrived in Macon county and during the first winter here he engaged in teaching in a country school. He then purchased a farm near De- catur and in connection with its cultivation he engaged in the dairy business, in fact. made it his chief occupation until 1893. when he retired from further business cares. For forty years he had been an active factor in agricultural circles in this county and his business methods were such as would bring to him excellent success and also an honor- able name. Year by year he added to his capital until, having acquired a handsome competence he put aside further business cares and took a trip to California. Upon his return he established his home in Deca- tur, where he has since lived.

In the year 1847 Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Hampshire. who was the third child of Peter and Eliza- beth (Kline) Hampshire, whose home was

near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The marriage was celebrated in Ohio, in which state Mrs. Williams had located in 1846. She belonged to a family of eight children, namely: Rebecca. now deceased ; William. who has passed away ; Lovina ; Susan, who is the wife of Ephraim Bear ; Samuel ; John and David, who are now deceased : and Bar- ney. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, and are still happily traveling life's journey together. They hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability and of genuine worth. Mr. Williams is a modest. unassuming man, but has ever been an excellent citizen and is one of the es- teemed residents of Macon county, pos- sessing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command confitlence. regard and friendship.

L. A. MELVIN.

L. A. Melvin, who carries on farming and stock raising on section 21. Friends Creek township, was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1848, and is a son of John H. and Eliza- beth Jane Melvin, who were life-long resi- dents of that state. The father, who was also a farmer by occupation, was born in 1815 and died in 1881, and the mother was born in 1824 and died in 1849.

In the state of his nativity our subject was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his time. At the age of sixteen years he donned the blue uniform of the northern army, enlisting in 1864 in Company F. First Ohio Light Ar- tillery. He was at Decatur, Alabama, and in many small engagements, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on the 23d of July. 1865.

The following two years Mr. Melvin spent at home with his father, and at the end of

Alexander & Metlen

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that time went to MeLean county, Illinois, where he lived for two years. He then spent a short time in Piatt county, this state, and in 1872 first came to Macon coun- ty, where he farmed for three years and then in 1876 purchased forty acres of land in Piatt county, where he resided for six years, and on disposing of that place he bought eighty acres in Friends Creek town- ship, Macon county, where he is now living. Prosperity at length crowned his efforts and he and his wife now own one hundred and sixty acres here ; a half section three miles north of the home place and one hundred and sixty acres in De Witt county. Mr. Melvin is a progressive farmer and a self- made man, who was not only without capi- tal on coming to this state but had to bor- row the money to buy his railroad ticket. He has worked early and late, lived econom- ically and managed his affairs in a worthy manner, so that he is now quite well-to-do. He has erected a good house and barn upon his place and made all necessary improve- ments. He raises grain mostly, but also raises some stock.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 51

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