USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 60
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J. H. ARMSTRONG.
J. H. Armstrong is a young and enterpris- ing farmer residing on section 27, Friends Creek township. He is one of Macon county's native sons, his birth having oc- curred in Maroa township on the 2d of December, 1871. His parents are William and Elizabeth Armstrong, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume. Our subject was but five years old when the family removed from Maroa to Friends Creek township and here he grew to man- hood amid rural scenes. When not in school he assisted in the work of the home farm and early acquired an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On attaining his majority he began farming for himself upon a one hundred and sixty acre tract which then belonged to his father, but was purchased by our subject in the spring of 1903, and to the cultivation of this place he has since devoted his time and attention with re- sults that are highly satisfactory to himself. He raises the grain best adapted to the soil and climate of his native county and is also interested in the raising of hogs for market. His father made all of the improvements upon the farm with the exception of the house, which is one of the oldest in the township and is now being repaired by our subject. He is very progressive in his farming methods and is meeting with well deserved success.
In. 1895 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Lula Yates, a daughter of D. C. Yates, now living in Missouri, and they have one child, Opal, who was born January 23, 1896. Mrs. Armstrong is a most estimable lady and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Socially Mr. Armstrong is a Mason and is also a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America. The Republican party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles but he takes little part in politics aside from voting.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
J. D. BOTTRELL.
In taking up the personal history of J. D). Bottrell we present to our readers the life record of one who has a wide acquaint- ance in this part of Illinois and whose ac- tivity and integrity in business life as well as in social relations has brought him the warm regard and friendship of many with whom he has come in contact. He was born near Mount Auburn in Christian coun- ty, November 28, 1859, a son of Daniel and Mary Ann (Dunn) Bottrell, both of whom were natives of England, whence they came to America in the fall of 1855, settling in Christian county. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, purchased one hun- dred and eighty-five acres of land two miles northeast of Mount Auburn that is now the property of Daniel Bottrell, Jr. The father was a veterinary surgeon at Red Root, England, and practiced his profession until coming to the United States, but here devoted his attention to agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred in the winter of 1871. His wife survived him until February, 1873, and was then laid by his side in Mount Auburn cemetery. They were the parents of ten children: Jane, born June 15, 1837, died March 9, 1839; Jane. the second of the name, was born August 18. 1839. and is now the wife of Henry Gough of Butler, Bates county, Missouri ; Daniel, born July 26, 1841, is a retired farmer of Illiopolis, Illinois: Samson, born April 30, 1844, is a farmer living near Mount Auburn ; Emma, born May 10, 1846, is the wife of Thomas Wilson, who is living near Dalton City, Macon county, and who was a surgeon in the Ninth Illinois Infantry and was wounded at Fort Donelson ; Mary, born January 31, 1847, is the wife of B. F. Sud- duth; Annabelle, born October 30, 1861, ‹lied on the 7th of November of the same year ; Thomas, born October 26, 1851, mar- ried Alice Hershey, and lives north of Os-
bornville, in Christian county; John and our subject complete the family.
In the common schools of Christian and of Macon counties J. D. Bottrell was edu- cated. He left school at the age of nine- teen and previous to this time he had be- come familiar with farm work, by assisting in the labors of field and meadow through the months of vacation. His school life end- ed, he began farming near Dalton, living with his sister, and when twenty years of age he bought a farm of eighty acres, which he owned and operated for a year and a half. He then sold that property and worked for others for a year, after which he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Milam township, which he conducted for a year.
During that time Mr. Bottrell wedded Miss Emma Hershey of Mosquito town- ship, Christian county, and after living upon one farm for two years they removed in 1856 to the old Hershey homestead in Mosquito township, there remaining un- til October, 1895. They then came to Blue Mound and Mr. Bottrell now occupies a beautiful and substantial residence in the castern part of the city. He still owns, however, one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mosquito township, which is now rented and brings to him a good income.
Mrs. Bottrell is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Ebert) Hershey of Christian coun- ty, both of whom are natives of Pennsyl- vania, born of German ancestry. The father was fourteen years of age, the mother two years old when with their respective parents they removed to Ohio, the families settling near Massillon. In April, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Hershey came to Illinois and located upon a farm of about three hundred and sixty acres in Mosquito township, Christian county. The father, born August 23, 1818, died May 9. 1880, and the mother, whose birth occurred March 2, 1822. passed away November 1, 1892. They
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
were laid to rest in Stafford cemetery in Mosquito township. Of their family of ten children Mrs. Bottrell is the young- est. The others are James W., born April 6. 1859: Nancy, who was born September 19, 1847, and is the wife of John Goodrich of Shelby county, Illinois; Margaret Ann, who was born December 9. 1848, and be- came the wife of Samuel Reazin, her death occurring December 30, 1876, while he died December 20, 1898; Isaac Edward, born June 10, 1861 : James E., who was born Sep- tember 6, 1851, and died January 3. 1898; John F., who was born September 12, 1852, and is living near Hebron, Nebraska, with his wife, who bore the maiden name of Maria Morris: Sarah Alice, who was born July 14, 1857, and is the wife of Thomas Bottrell : Maria E., who was born April 17, 1855, and is the wife of Frank Over- meyer of Belvidere, Missouri ; and Emma Frances, born May 30, 1863. Mrs. Bottrell was educated in the district schools of Mos- quito township and lived at home up to the time of her marriage. Unto our sub- ject and his wife have been born three chil- dren: Bertha, who was born July 1. 1886, and died six days later ; Homer Benjamin, who was born June 14, 1889, and is attend- ing school in Blue Mound; and Mabel Pearl, who was born November 11, 1893. and is in school.
Mr. Bottrell exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and in 1897 he served as mayor of Blue Mound. He has also been president of the school board here and everything pertaining to the public good receives his endorsement and co-opera- tion. He holds membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church, of which he is one of the stewards and he belongs to Blue Mound Lodge, No. 682, F. & A. M., and to the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 607. In the former he has been senior deacon and for a number of years has been the treas-
urer, while in the latter he was master of the exchequer for one year. He likewise has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen Camp. No. 310, and is ever true and loyal to the teachings of these fra- ternities, exemplifying in his life their be- neficent spirit. His success in life is the re- sult of his own well directed efforts, for he started out with little capital and has grad- ually advanced until he now occupies an en- viable position among the substantial citi- zens of the community, having a comforta- ble competence which enables him at the present time to live retired.
MRS. MARY E. SMITH.
Mrs. Mary E. Smith is residing in Deca- tur and for long years has been a resident of Macon county, having formerly lived on a farm within its borders. She bore the maiden name of Mary E. Baker and was born in this county on the 24th of Decem- ber, 1831, being a representative of one of its oldest and most prominent pioneer fam- ilies. her father. William D. Baker, having located here in 1828. He was a native of North Carolina and when a youth of fifteen years became a resident of Rutherford coun- ty. Tennessee. In Elkton, Kentucky, he learned and followed the carpenter's trade. He was married there to Miss Marilla Mar- tin and in 1828 he left the south, making his way northward to Illinois. He estab- lished his home in Macon county in what is now Long Creek township. The wild prairie lands stretched away for miles and one could ride long distances without com- ing to a fence or building to impede prog- ress. Decatur at that time was merely talked of as a prospective town site. The work of improvement was still in an incipi- ent condition and Mr. Baker took an active and helpful part in developing the county and promoting its welfare and growth along
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
the lines of substantial improvement. Hle was a member of the first grand jury and court was held in the open air in Decatur township, a log being the judge's seat. Ile carried on farming with excellent success for many years and after more than a half century's residence in Macon county he passed away in 1883 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife was called to her final rest in 1803 at the ripe of age of ninety-four years. They were very prom- inent and influential people in pioneer times and in later years the Baker family was very widely and favorably known in Macon county. In her parents' home Mrs. Smith spent her girlhood days and was instructed in the duties of the housebokt while in the subscription schools of the neighborhood she acquired her education.
On March 1, 1860, in Long Creek town- ship, she gave her hand in marriage to Rev. John R. Smith, who was born near Jack- sonville. Morgan county, Illinois, on the 12th of May, 1830. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Ilugh Smith, both natives of Ten- nessee. The father engaged in farming for a number of years in Morgan county, Illi- nois. Subsequently he removed to Sanga- mon county, Illinois, and there he again carried on agricultural pursuits for some time. Later he became a resident of Kan- sas, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days.
Rev. John R. Smith acquired a good edu- cation in the schools of Virginia, Illinois, and at Bethel College in McElmoreville, Tennessee. Determining to prepare for the ministry he studied in order to fit himself for this holy calling and became a preacher of the gospel in connection with the Cum- berland Presbyterian denomination. His entire life was devoted to this work and he accepted pastorates in various places, do- ing effective service in behalf of the cause of the ministry. He preached in various
places in Macon county-his home and was widely known throughout this section of the state. At the time of the Civil war he served as a soldier, being loyal to the cause of the Union and doing everything in his power to nphokl the stars and stripes and the cause they represented. Mr. Smith died in Macon county, March 11, 1864. but the influence of his life yet remains for good with many who knew him during his active ministry.
Twenty-one years after the death of her first husband Mrs. Smith became the wife of William C. Smith on the 17th of March. 1885. The latter was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, on the 2d of July, 1819. and was but nine years of age when with his parents he came to Illinois. He was educated in Macon county and then settled on a farm at the edge of South Wheatland and Blue Mound townships, where he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. In his farm work he was progressive, practical and en- ergetic and placed his land under a high state of cultivation, so that the fields re- turned to him a good income and his crops found a ready sale on the market. He took a deep interest in church work and for many years was an eller in the Cumberland Pres- byterian church. Rev. John R. Smith was a member of the Masonic order of Deca- tur and in his political views was a stanch Republican, while William C. Smith was a Democrat in his political affiliations. He (lied January 23, 1899. . After his death Mrs. Smith resided upon the home farm for nine months and then removed to Deca- tur, purchasing a residence near her sister, Mrs. Dennis, her home being at No. 810 North Union street. She also receives an income from the farm of one hundred and eighty acres, a part of which lies in South Wheatland township and the remainder in Blue Mound township.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
JOSEPH G. BIXBY.
Among the young men of Decatur who have won prominence in the control of business enterprises and have gained suc- cess through a close following of the rules that govern industry, close application and strict integrity is Joseph G. Bixby. He was born in Assumption, Christian county, Illi- nois, on the 23d of March, 1868, and is a son of Lorenzo P. and Martha J. (Starr) Bixby. For many years the father was en- gaged in the commission business in Deca- tur and later was employed in the whole- sale department of the harness establish- ment of J. G. Starr & Sons. He died at the age of sixty-seven years and is still sur- vived by his widow and their three chil- dren: John S., Eva M. and Joseph G.
The last named, like the other members of the family, entered the public schools at the usual age of six years and therein continued his studies until he had largely completed the various branches of learning taught in Decatur. At the age of eighteen he entered upon his business career, becom- ing an employe in the office of the Decatur Coffin Company, where he remained for two years. During the succeeding eight years he was traveling salesman for the company and during that time he became the orig- inator and inventor of burial shoes, which he patented in 1895. He then began their manufacture in company with Frank S. Pit- ner under the firm name of Bixby, Pitner & Company and upon the death of Mr. Pitner his younger brother, Thomas W. Pitner. succeeded to the business and thus the same firm name has always been retained. The company manufactures burial shoes on an extensive scale. This product is sold to the jobbing trade in New York, San Fran- cisco, New Orleans and in other cities throughout the United States and a large export trade is also enjoyed. The shoe is an extension-make, casily adjustable, and has found a ready sale on the market. The
business was begun on a small scale but has constantly been increased in order to meet the growing demands of the trade and since the Ist of January, 1903, the firm has occu- pied extensive quarters, comprising three floors of a building at the corner of South Park and State streets. They employ more than thirty operatives in their establish- ments and the business is constantly grow- ing, having more than doubled in the recent years. The success of the business is not only due to the fact that the article manu- factured meets the public want in this di- rection but also because of the firm's capa- ble manner of introducing their product to the trade and placing it upon the market.
On the Ist of September, 1891, Mr. Bix- by was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Ey- man, a daughter of Isaac O. and Mattie Eyman, but she died after a short married life on the 4th of June, 1894, when only twenty-six years of age, leaving a little daughter. Helen, who died at the age of eighteen months.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bixby is connected with Chevalier Bayard Lodge, No. 189. K. P .; belongs to the W. C. Roe Camp, No. 7201, M. W. A .; Decatur Lodge, No. 401, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; to the Manufacturers' & Jobbers' Club ; and to two prominent social organ- izations of this city-the Decatur and Coun- try Clubs. Spending almost his entire life in this city, Mr. Bixby has a wide acquaint- ance and a large circle of friends and is popular with those who know him because of sterling traits of character, a social, genial nature and thorough reliability in all life's relations.
HENRY WELGE.
Henry Welge is one of the most prosper- ous and successful farmers of Friends Creek township, his home being on section I, where he owns and operates a well improved
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ALBION DAGGETT
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
and valuable farm. He was born in 1844 in Germany, where his parents, Henry and Louisa Welge, spent their entire lives. His father was also a farmer. In his native land our subject grew to manhood and at- tended school until fourteen years of age, acquiring a good practical education. He then aided his father in the work of the home farm until he entered the German army, in which he served from 1861 to 1871. He took part in the Franco-Prussian war and was in a number of important battles.
In September, 1871, Mr. Welge bade good-bye to home and friends and sailed for America. After a voyage of eleven days he landed in New York city and proceeded at once to Macon county, Illinois, where he arrived on the 27th of September. Here he commenced work for an uncle, who a few years later gave him forty acres of land, which he operated for a time. He then bought eighty acres more, paying for the same thirty dollars per acre, and has since added to his property from time to time until he now has two hundred acres in the home place and one hundred and sixty acres a little to the west of there. He has made all of the improvements upon his farm, has set out trees, built a comfortable resi- dence and good barn, and now has one of the most desirable farms of its size in the county. The fields are well tilled and every- thing about the place indicates the owner to be a man of progressive ideas, very in- dustrious and of good business ability. His attention is principally given to the raising of grain.
Mr. Welge was married in 1872 to Miss Sophia Cook, also a native of Germany, and to them have been born five children : Christian; Henry, who married Ada Watts and lives in Macon county ; Charlie, who is also married ; Fred ; and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Welge are members of the Lutheran church and are people of the highest re-
spectability. Ile votes with the Democratic party and has filled the office of school di- rector in a very creditable and satisfactory manner.
ALBION DAGGETT.
Albion Daggett is successfully engaged as the district agent in the insurance busi- ness at Macon and is also serving as justice of the peace, a position which he has filled for a number of years with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents. Hc is thoroughly impartial in meting out jus- tice, his opinions being unbiased by either fear or favor, and his fidelity to every trust reposed in him is above question.
A native of Maine, Mr. Daggett was born in Piscataquis county, on the 4th of Sep- tember. 1833, and is a representative of a good old Puritan family that was estab- lished in America at the landing of the pas- sengers from the Mayflower. His parents were Elisha and Martha ( Bolster) Daggett. The father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, died in 1872 at the age of seventy- eight years, and the mother died in 1902, at age of ninety-one years. Our subject is the oldest of the four children of the family that are still living, the others being Henry and Thomas, both residents of Maine ; and Mrs. Ruth A. Briggs, of Urbana. Illinois, who has two daughters.
In the public schools of his native state Albion Daggett acquired his primary edu- cation, which was supplemented by a course at Foxcroft Academy, Maine, which is still in existence, and there he spent two winters. At the age of twenty years he began teach- ing. On leaving the Pine Tree state he came to Illinois in 1856, and during the first winter spent here he was employed as a teacher in Lee county. He then rented a farm, which he operated during the summer months, while through the winter he con- tinued his work in the school room during
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
the four years of his residence in Lee coun- ty. He then removed to Champaign county, where he carried on farming for the same length of time, when on account of an acci- dent he was forced to abandon that occupa- tion and turned his attention to painting. After his marriage in 1806 he came to Ma- con, where he has since made his home and where he worked at that trade for about seven years. Since then he has engaged in the insurance business and been very successful.
In October, 1866, Mr. Daggett led to the marriage altar Miss Emma L. Innis, of Champaign county, Illinois, who was born in New Jersey, April 15, 1842, of New Eng- land ancestry. Her father, David Innis, is now deceased, but her mother is still living and continues to reside in Champaign coun- ty. Of the seven children born to our sub- ject and his wife two died in infancy. Ern- est L., born in Macon county, January 28, 1869. married Minnie Merris, by whom he has three children, and he is now engaged in farming in Mount Zion township. Jesse A., born August 16, 1871, was graduated at Brown's Business College of Decatur in 1892 and is now state agent for the Security & American Insurance Company, having received his business training along that line under his father. He married Belle Whit- taker. Daisy V., born in Macon, March 27, 1876, is a popular and successful school teacher, who was employed in the primary department in Macon for some time and has recently accepted a similar position at Lov- ington, Illinois. Ora E., born May 24, 1880. owns a half interest in the Macon Telephone Company. He is also a graduate of Brown's Business College. Carl R., born June 22. 1883, is a graduate of Brown's Business College and is his father's assistant in the insurance business.
Mr. Daggett has always taken a deep in- terest in political affairs and is one of the standardbearers of the Republican party.
llis fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill the offices of constable, city marshal, alderman and justice of the peace. Ile was first elected to the last named office in 1885 and is still filling that position in a most cred- itable and satisfactory manner. About 1863 he was made a Mason in Champaign county and is now a member of South Macon Lodge. No. 467. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active interest in its work. He has taught in the Sunday school for many years, has served as manager of church affairs and at present holds the of- fice of trustee. He is also president of the cemetery association which has well kept and beautiful grounds, everything being in first class order. As a public-spirited and progressive man, Mr. Daggett has done much to promote the interests of his town and county and is recognized as a most valued and useful citizen, never withhold- ing his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
A. H. DAVIDSON.
.A. H. Davidson, whose fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, pleasantly located about a mile south and a half mile east of Blue Mound, is one of the valuable agricultural properties of Macon county, is a native of Mosquito township. Christian county, where his birth occurred February 28, 1860. His parents were Hezekiah and Nancy J. ( Proffitt-Galowa) Davidson. The father was born in Kentucky, September 5. 1826, and his father was an old citizen of that state, whence he came to Illinois in 1829, settling in Greene county. He first lived in a tent until a log cabin could be built and there amidst the wild scenes of frontier life he made his home and reared his family. All of the clothing and shoes
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
were made at home by members of the fam- ily and many of the hardships and trials of pioneer life were borne. The home farm is now occupied by the town of Wrights- ville. There the grandfather entered from the government about a half section of land, which he improved and cultivated, making his home thereon until his removal to Chris- tian county, Illinois, The father of our sub- ject went to Christian county in 1859 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land constituting the farm upon which he now resides at the advanced age of seventy- seven years. He has been twice married. his first union being with Amanda Solomon, by whom he had one child, A. B. Davidson. a carpenter who is married and resides in Blue Mound. After the death of his first wife Hezekiah Davidson wedded Nancy J. Galona, a native of Tennessee, who was born near Chattanooga, whence she re- moved to Hinois, the family settling near Carlinville. Macoupin county, where her father purchased land and improved a farm. lle carried on the tilling of the soil and also engaged in raising stock. Mr. David- son has followed the same pursuits and has been a very active and successful agricul- turist of his community. His political sup- port has long been given the Democracy and for nearly sixty years he has been a member of the Baptist church. Unto the parents of our subject were born nine chil- dren. A. Il. being the eldest. The others are as follows: Sarah C. became the wife of W. A. Henderson, a farmer living in the northern part of Christian county. She died January 22, 1903, and was buried in Hunter cemetery. Libbie M. is the wife of William L. Carpenter, a farmer and stock-raiser of Vermont, living near Granby. Mary La- mattie is the wife of J. I .. Marshall, a farmer of Mosquito township, Christian county. Rosa B., who was a successful school teach- er, is now at home with her father. Leon- ard A. is employed in Bohon's general store
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