Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 55

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 55

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

After the war Mr. Lowry removed to Marion county, Iowa, and subsequently set- tled in Clark county, that state, engaging in farming there altogether for about two years. He next spent one year in Bates county, Missouri, where he carried on gen- eral farming for one year and at the end of that time returned to Macon county. He had been married in Decatur in 1852 to Miss Martha M. Pugh, a native of Fayette coun- ty, Illinois, born June 4, 1832, and a daugh- ter of Colonel Pugh, who was one of the early settlers and most prominent and in- fluential citizens of this part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lowry were born four children : Elvira E., the wife of Perry B. Vance, of Decatur ; William Isaac, a printer who resides in Springfield, Illinois; Mary A., who is at home with her mother; and Silas T., who married Bertie Lusk and re- sides in Decatur, where he is now a mem- ber of Company No. I of the fire depart- ment.

When Mr. Lowry returned from Missouri to Illinois he once more took up his abode upon a farm in Decatur township and was there engaged in the tilling of the soil for a few years. Afterward he was elected con- stable, in which capacity he served for two years and finally he again established his home in Decatur, where he lived a retired life, having put aside the more arduous cares of a business career. He was, however, called to public office, being chosen justice of the peace, in which capacity he was serv- ing at the time of his death. In the dis- charge of his official duties he was prompt, faithful and impartial and his "even handed justice won him golden opinions from all sorts of people." In politics he was a stanch Republican, having firm faith in the prin- ciples of the party and doing everything in his power to secure their adoption. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity in De- catur and was a very prominent and well- to-do citizen. He passed away April 8,

1887, to the deep regret of many friends and the great sorrow of his family, who had ever found him a loving and devoted husband and father. Mrs. Lowry still occupies her beautiful home at No. 726 North Main street and she also owns other property in Decatur. She has many friends in this city and she and all of her children are mnem- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal church.

TITUS T. SPRINGER.

The efforts of Titus T. Springer in behalf of Decatur have been of such material bene- fit to the city as to render his life one of signal usefulness to his fellow men. While laboring for his own success he has pro- moted the general prosperity by pushing forward the wheels of progress and advanc- ing commercial activity in the city where he has now made his home for eight years. No resident in all this state has more justly earned the proud American title of a self- made man and there is no history in this volume which proves more clearly the force of industry and of a recognition of oppor- tunity than does the life record of Mr. Springer.

A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Jackson county, in 1853. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in a little log cabin which was situated upon what was then the frontier. His parents were Alan- son and Margaret Springer, pioneer settlers of Jackson county. The father secured a tract of timber land amid the hills near the Scioto river and began the arduous and strenuous task of developing a new farm there. He worked untiringly and per- severingly but death claimed him when the subject of this review was about five years of age and the family was left in straitened circumstances. The mother, however, long survived her husband and passed away in 1899. For many years she put forth every

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effort in her power to promote the welfare of her children, assisting them as best she could until they were able to care for them- selves.

On account of the limited financial re- sources of the family it was necessary that the children should begin to earn their own living at an early age and when but a boy of eight years Mr. Springer, of this review, started out for himself. He hired out to work for fifteen cents per day and his board, and his life was one of unremitting toil. He learned to cut wood, peel tan bark, make rails and cross ties and he had to endure many privations and hardships in order to get the few necessities of life. He never wore a ready-made suit of clothes until after he had earned enough money to pay for it. The school privileges were limited to only about four months attendance during the winter season at a log schoolhouse, where the methods of instruction were almost as primitive as the little "temple of learning." In his youth Mr. Springer worked at every kind of employment that he could secure which would bring him an honest living. lle has cut thousands of cords of wood and it was in this way that he gained his early start in life.

Desiring a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Springer was united in marriage in 1870 to Miss Nannie St. Clair, a daughter of Thomas St. Clair of Ohio. The young couple soon afterward decided to seek a home in the west, believing that they might have better opportunities than in Ohio. Accordingly they started for Illi- nois, driving across the country to Loving- ton, where they arrived in March, 1876. Mr. Springer had about twenty-seven dol- lars in his pocket. This constituted his en- tire capital, but he possessed resolution, courage and determination and upon this he has built his success. He first rented a small farm on the prairie and during the summer months engaged in the tilling of

the soil, while through the winter seasons he cut wood, going from four to six miles to the timber regions. He traded wood to his neighbors for pigs, calves, cows or any kind of stock and in this way he grad- ually got a start. In two years he had ac- cumulated enough money to make a small payment upon a forty-acre tract of land and with characteristic energy he began its im- provement, having the added stimulus of knowing that the farm was his own. His labors soon wrought a great transformation on the place and where was once wild prairie was seen rich fields of corn, giving promise of golden harvests.

For five years Mr. Springer there carried on agricultural pursuits and then traded his farm to Frank Blaine for his general store in Lake City, Mr. Blaine removing at that time to Decatur. It was predicted that Mr. Springer would lose money in this transaction, but time soon proved that the prediction was not correct. lle brought to bear upon his mercantile enterprise the same energy, keen foresight and sound busi- ness judgment that he had ever manifested. In six months he had purchased a large and very complete stock of goods for a country store and was having large sales, his cus- tomers coming from miles around. At the end of two years he was able to purchase from Mr. Blaine the store building and it was not long after this that he bought of A. Wait, of Decatur, a farm in Moultrie county, for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. Again his friends regarded the trans- action with dismal foreboding. So high a price had never been before paid for land in this locality, but Mr. Springer said that in the course of years he would be able to command one hundred dollars per acre for the place. This has not only proved true, but to-day the farm is worth easily one hun- dred and fifty dollars per acre. Whatever he has undertaken Mr. Springer has car- ried forward to successful completion.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

Seeking a still broader field of labor Mr. Springer came to Decatur in 1895 and en- tered its business circles as a grocer. From the establishment of his store here his suc- cess has been uniform, rapid and gratify- ing, and to-day he conducts one of the largest retail grocery establishments in the city. In 1900 he removed to enlarged quar- ters at No. 108-114 Merchant street, where he has since been located. One of the se- crets of his success is that he has always been most progressive in his methods, be- ing not a follower but a leader in mercan- tile circles. His patronage is now large, his business profitable and his success could not justly be envied by any, because it has been so worthily won.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Springer as the years have passed several children have been born, namely: Alanson ; Lydia K., now the wife of C. E. Shiery ; William T .; Charles C., and Jessie K. The family has a pleas- ant and attractive home in Decatur and the hospitality of many of the best residences in the city is extended to them.

Since 1887 Mr. Springer has been a valued and exemplary member of the Masonic fra- ternity, has attained to the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and is also a mem- ber of the Mystic Shrine. In politics Mr. Springer has always been an earnest Demo- crat and has been called upon to serve in a number of township offices. He was a jus- tice of the peace for eight years and super- visor for six years. In the spring of 1903 he was the candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of mayor and, although this is a strong Republican city, he ran far ahead of his ticket, receiving a large support from Republicans, who recognized and appre- ciate his worth and who felt that they would receive from him a business administration that would prove of material benefit to De- catur. No improvement or measure which he believes will contribute to the general

good or to the advancement of the city along material, intellectual or moral lines has by him been neglected. His life record is that of a typical western man, belonging to that class whose efforts have resulted in the upbuilding of this wonderful section of the country, the growth and progress of which has been so great and rapid as to seem almost phenomenal. Mr. Springer has never had a dollar that he has not himself earned and that has not been honorably won. Although his early life was fraught with hardships, difficulties and trials he overcame these and to-day is one of the prosperous residents of Decatur, whose life record should be a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.

HENRY B. KUHNS.

Henry B. Kuhns, who is engaged in gen- eral merchandising as a member of the firm of Kuhns & Ruddock, of Argenta, was born in New Jersey, on the 4th of July, 1851, his parents being John and Barbara Kuhns, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and therefore the subject of this re- view was reared to the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the duties of field and meadow as he assisted in the plow- ing, planting and harvesting. He attended the public schools of his native state and remained upon the home farm until twenty- six years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career. For five years he worked by the month as a farm hand, after which he decided to give his attention to mercantile rather than to agri- cultural pursuits and established a general store at Oreana, where he was engaged in business for ten years. He found this pur- suit congenial and his capable management and energy made it profitable. At length

WILSON S. GAGE

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

determining to make his home in the middle west, he removed to Argenta and on the Ist of September, 1893, he formed a part- nership under the firm style of Kuhins & Ruddock, a connection that has since been maintained with mutual pleasure and profit. They have a large store and carry a com- plete line of dry goods. Their stock is worth ten thousand dollars and their busi- ness is large and profitable. They conduct their store along progressive, up-to-date lines, carry a good assortment and sell at reasonable prices-qualities which always insure patronage.

In 1888 Mr. Kuhns was joined in wed- lock to Miss Leah Garver, a daughter of C. HI. Garver, a well known resident of Ma- con county. Two children have been born of this union: John C. and George H. Mr. Kuhns is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, his wife of the United Brethren church, and both are held in the highest esteem by a large circle of friends, while the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is freely accorded them. Mr. Kuhns also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Wood- men Camp. llis political support is given the Prohibition party and the cause of tem- perance finds in him a warm friend. For two terms he served as a member of the vil- lage board and whether in office or as a pri- vate citizen he is always the same loyal ad- herent of measures for the general good, giving active help to interests for the wel- fare of the village and its people. Ile owns a good residence and several lots in Ar- genta and his property holdings also include a half interest in a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Macon county. There is no royal road to wealth. It always comes as the result of the labor and sound judg- ment of some one, and in the case of Mr. Kuhns we find one whose prosperity is the direct outcome of his own diligence and en- ergy. He is now a prosperous merchant

and moreover he enjoys the respect of his fellow men because of his close adherence to the ethics which govern commercial life.

WILSON S. GAGE.

Wilson S. Gage, deceased, was for many years identified with the commercial and agricultural interests of Macon county and was recognized as a useful and valued citi- zen of the community in which he made his home. He claimed New England as his birth place, being born in Roxbury, New Hampshire, May 21, 1825, a son of Daniel and Polly (Shaw) Gage. In the paternal line he was a lineal descendant of the British General Gage, of Revolutionary fame. His father was born in 1780, his mother in 1788, and they became the parents of ten chil- dren whose names and dates of birth were as follows: Marion, July 28, 1808; Simp- son S., February 6, 1810; Catherine, May 5, 1813; Susan H., November 3, 1815; Alpha S., May 5, 1818; Ruth, October 28, 1820; Elizabeth B. and Mary A., twins, July 7, 1823: Wilson S., May 21, 1825 ; and Martha L., April 20, 1827. In early life the father engaged in farming in New Hampshire, and from that state removed to Ohio in 1833. locating in Washington county, where he bought land near Marietta and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits.

Our subject began his education in the schools of his native state and after the re- moval of the family to Ohio he continued to attend the country schools for some time, and later taught school for a few years. For four years he was employed as book- keeper in the Buckhorn Iron Works, of Ohio, and was similarly employed in a like establishment for two years in a near-by town. He then went to Missouri, where he was bookkeeper for the Moselle Iron Works for a time, and subsequently was engaged in mercantile business on the Frisco line

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

for a number of years or until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he returned to Ohio and purchased a part interest in the Stacy Hotel at Zanesville. He subsequent- ly removed to Illinois with his family and was engaged in merchandising at Macon for several years in partnership with a Mr. Whitaker. On retiring from that business he bought a farm east of the village, which he improved and cultivated for two years, and then traded the place for the farm of two hundred acres in Pleasant View town- ship where his widow now resides. He continued the operation of his land up to the time of his death, which occurred Jan- uary 26, 1896, his remains being interred in Macon cemetery. He was a' man of good business and executive ability and achieved success in his undertakings.

On the 28th of January, 1857. Mr. Gage was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Harriet Sterigere, who was born in Frank- lin county, Missouri, October 27, 1831, and was educated in the country schools of that state and at Norristown, Montgomery coun- ty, Pennsylvania. Her father, David Steri- gere, was born in the Keystone state of German parentage and at an early day went to Missouri, where he married Emily Pat- ton, a native of that state and of English and Irish descent. He became the owner of a number of slaves who were taken from him at the time of the Civil war. He raised considerable wheat and tobacco, all his farm work being done by the negroes. He served as circuit judge of the ninth judicial dis- trict of Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. Gage became the parents of seven children, namely: D. Leslie, born April 2. 1858, is married and lives on the home farm : Willard E., born December 7. 1860, is married and is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Missouri: Daniel S., born August 2, 1863, makes his home in Fulton, Callaway county, Missouri; Emily S., born February 24, 1868, is the wife of

Marion W. Gage, who lives near Marietta, Ohio; Marian 11., born September 7, 1871, is the wife of Herbert Royston, of St. An- gustine, Florida; Charles E., born Febru- ary 22, 1876, is deceased; and Franklin, born November 16, 1866, died in infancy.

By his ballot Mr. Gage supported the men and measures of the Democratic party, and in his social relations was connected with the Masonic fraternity. He held mem- bership in the Presbyterian church, to which his estimable wife also belongs, and she is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He was a man of the highest re- spectability, and those who were most inti- mately associated with him speak in unqual- ified terms of his sterling integrity, his honor in business and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life. His death oc- casioned the deepest regret throughout the community and Macon county thereby lost one of its most valued citizens.

WALTER DELAHUNTY.

Walter Delahunty, now deceased, was a well known business man of Decatur who took up his abode here in 1865 and became active in connection with business affairs, gaining for himself wide and favorable ac- quaintance in the city. He was born in the County of Kilkenny, Ireland, on the 5th of June, 1842, and was a son of William and Ella Delahunty, both of whom were natives of the same county and always lived there, spending their entire lives on the Emerald Isle.

The subject of this review spent his youth and pursued his early education in Ireland and remained a resident of his native land until 1865, when at the age of twenty-one years he crossed the Atlantic to America, believing that he might have better business opportunities in the new world, concerning whose advantages he had heard much. He

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was two weeks upon the water and then landed in New York city, whence he came direct to Decatur. His capital was very limited and it was necessary for him to provide for his support. He began work here as a shoemaker in the shoe store owned by William F. Busher. There his efficiency and fidelity enabled him to work his way steadily upward. That he was a most capa- ble representative of the firm, true to their interests and active and energetic in busi- ness is indicated by the fact that he re- mained in the employ of the house for four- teen consecutive years.

It was during that time that Mr. Dela- hunty was united in marriage to Miss Bridget M. Finn, a native of County Lim- erick, Ireland. Her father, Thomas Finn, spent the greater part of his life in County Limerick, residing upon a farm, to the cul- tivation and improvement of which he de- voted his energies. At length, however, accompanied by his wife and eight children, he crossed the briny deep to the new world and, establishing his home in Decatur, here lived retired up to the time of his death, which occurred when he had attained the age of eighty-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Delahunty have been born eight chil- dren : May Ellen, who was born December 14. 1874, and is the wife of Albert Cocoran, a farmer living near Lake City, Illinois; Catherine, who was born August 14, 1876; Walter Francis, born January 29, 1878; Theresa Honora, who was born June 15, 1879, and is the wife of Ed. Moriarity, of Decatur; James J., who was born Decem- ber 10, 1886, and is yet with his mother ; Myrtle H., born March 25, 1891; one that died unnamed ; and Thomas D., who died on the 23d of July, 1883.

After leaving the firm of Busher & Com- pany Mr. Delahunty entered into partner- ship with his brother-in-law. P. W. Finn, in the establishment of a retail liquor business in Decatur. They afterward purchased

other saloons and continued in that business until the death of our subject, who passed away on the 23d of August, 1902. In his political views Mr. Delahunty was inde- pendent, supporting the men whom he thought best qualified for office and taking an active part in politics. He and his fam- ily are all members of St. Patrick's church of Decatur and he contributed generously to its support. He was a man of social nature, always cordial and genial, and these qualities made him popular with a large number of friends. In his business he was very successful and was thus enabled to leave his family in comfortable circum- stances. Mrs. Delahunty now owns and occupies a beautiful home at No. 912 East North street and is also the owner of a large and valuable farm in Moultrie coun- ty, Illinois, near Lake City. She and her family are prominent here and have many friends in Decatur.

VICTOR DEWEIN.

Victor Dewein, who is now successfully engaged in the grain business at Warrens- burg as the junior member of the firm of of Faith & Dewein, was born in Peoria, Illi- nois, on the 21st of October, 1876, and being left an orphan at the age of four years he was adopted by his grandparents, Valentine and Margaret (Shafer) Dewein, both natives of Germany, the former born in Alsace-Loraine, April 1, 1817, and the later in Baden-Baden, April 28, 1823. The first of the family to come to America was Frederick Dewein, who was the grandfather of Valentine, just mentioned. He accom- panied Lafayette across the sea in 1811 and located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1823. Prior to coming to America he had served as commissary in the eastern division of the French army. His son, Valentine Dewein. Sr., served

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seven years in the French army under Na- poleon 1, and on coming to America in 1830 located in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a tailor by trade but after his removal to Cincinnati engaged in the manufacture of bagging. IIe died there September 9, 1844.

Valentine Dewein, Jr., our subject's grandfather, was quite young when he ac- companied his parents on their emigration to America. He received no educational advantages outside of those afforded by the old log schoolhouses of those days. In 1845 he was married in Maysville, Ken- tucky, where his wife had located on com- ing to this country, and immediately after- ward he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began work as a shoemaker. In 1847 he removed to Peoria, Illinois, and embarked in the wholesale leather and shoe findings business on South Adams street. He met with excellent success in this venture and in 1877 was able to retire from business. He was secretary and treasurer of the Pe- oria & Rock Island Railroad, was a director of the Toledo, Peoria & Wabash Railroad, and also a director of the Merchants Na- tional Bank of Peoria; in fact he was one of the most prominent and influential bus- iness men of that city. He served as alder- man for some time and always took a very active interest in public affairs. After a useful and well spent life he died on the 19th of February, 1891, and his wife, who survived him for a few years, passed away April 13, 1899.

Victor Dewein was for twelve years a student in the public schools of Peoria, and was graduated at the high school in 1895 and at Brown's Business College in 1896. Two years later he came to Warrensburg. where he had charge of the office of the C. J. Off canning establishment for three years. The following six months were spent in travel, during which time he cov- vred seventeen thousand miles. Leaving

home in January he went first to New Or- lcans, from there to San Antonio, Texas, and on into Mexico, visiting Aghuas Cali- entes, Guadelaxara, the city of Mexico, Vera Cruz and other important cities of that country. Returning to the United States he stopped first at El Paso, Texas, and from there went to Los Angeles and San Diego, California, visiting all the points of interest throughout the surrounding country. On the 29th of March he started for the Yosemite Valley with an escort of six Chinese cooks and an Irish horseman. This was before the regular touring season opened and there was six feet of snow on the ground. Mr. Dewein climbed to the top of the Yosemite Falls, two thousand six hundred and thirty-four feet above the level of the valley, and from there he commanded a view of what is considered one of the finest scenes in our country. Leaving the Yosemite he visited San Francisco and the Santa Clara valley-the famous fruit dis- trict of California. He next went to Port- land, Oregon, Astoria, Tacoma and Seattle, Washington ; then by boat to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia; and on his return from the coast stopped at Salt Lake City, Cripple Creek, Colorado Springs, Den- ver and Kansas City. After reaching Peoria he started east and visited Buffalo and New York, where he saw the Columbia beat Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht, Shamrock II. He spent some time in Philadelphia and Washington, D. C., and returned to War- rensburg in 1901. These were trips long to be remembered and from which he will derive a great deal of pleasure throughout life.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 55

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