Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 65

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 65

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On account of advanced age Mr. Dickson decided to retire from general farming in 1902 and on the 12th of August of that year removed to Decatur, where he has since lived retired. He served as assessor while in Milam township for two years, but has never been an active politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests. Since becoming a naturalized American cit- izen, however, he has given an earnest sup- port to the Republican party. His wife and daughters are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Decatur. In his business career he has been successful, for he came to America empty handed and as an employe on a farm began working hard to carn his living. His economy, industry and perseverance have been the strong elements in his success and have gained for him valu- able property holdings. The hope which led him to America has been more than realized, for in this country he has found not only prosperity, but has also gained the warm friendship and regard of many with whom he has been associated.

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. PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

WILLIAM BAUM.

William Baum, who is successfully engaged in farming on section 24, Illini township, was born on the 19th of May, 1851, near Chambersburg, in Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of William and Lydia (Swan) Baum, the former of German and the latter of English descent. The mother was a devout Christian and was noted far and near for her charity. By occupation the father was a fence builder. In the family were four chil- dren, of whom our subject is the youngest. One son and one daughter died in infancy. Samuel Baum, our subject's surviving brother, was a member of a Pennsylvania cavalry regi- ment during the Civil war and is now living at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Lutz, by whom he had a son, Harry, now living in Hickory Point township, Macon county, Illinois.

Our subject was quite young when his father died and he then went to live with a Mr. Allen near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, remaining with him until Mr. Allen's removal to Illinois in 1865. He received a fair district school education in his native county, and on leaving school at the age of fifteen years began work on a farm at seven dollars per month and was thus employed until he, too, came to Illinois in 1869. In the northern part of this state he was also engaged in farm labor at twenty dollars per month for one year and his wages were subsequently increased until he received twenty-five dollars per month. He began life for himself without a dollar and to his own industry, economy and perseverance is due his success in life. He has acquired a good farm of eighty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with every modern convenience. He paid fifty-two dollars and a half per acre for his land and has made it one of the most de- sirable places of its size in Illini township.

In 1876 Mr. Baum married Miss Annette Pharis, who is the fifth in order of birth in a

family of ten children, her parents being Thomas and Lydia Pharis. She was cducated in the district schools of Ohio and Macon county, Illinois, and is a faithful member of the Church of God. Mr. and Mrs. Baum have one daughter, the wife of G. W. Lehn, who is a young farmer of exceptional energy and ability whose farm adjoins that of our sub- ject. In his political affiliations Mr. Baum is a Republican and he has most capably filled the office of school director. Wherever known he is held in high regard and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.

THOMAS POWERS.

Thomas Powers, deceased, became a resi- dent of Macon county about 1863 and those with whom he was daily associated learned that his characteristics were those of upright honorable manhood and gave him their re- spect and regard. He was born in Waterford, Ireland, on the 21st of March, 1824, his parents, Thomas and Fannie Powers, being also natives of the Emerald Isle, where they spent their entire lives. In their family were four sons and a daughter that started for America, but the daughter died while on the ocean voyage. The eldest son was Father James Powers, who labored in the priesthood near St. Louis, Missouri, and is now deceased. Michael is a merchant of Curran, Illinois. Nicholas died in 1902.

Thomas Powers, the fourth son, acquired a good education in the best schools of his native country and then determining to try his for- tune in America he crossed the Atlantic and made his way direct to the village of New Berlin, Sangamon county, Illinois, where he secured a position as ticket agent with what is now the Wabash Railroad Company. He occupied that position for several years, dis- charging his duties in a manner very satisfac- tory to the public and to the corporation which he represented.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

While there residing Mr. Powers was mar- ried in Springfield, Illinois, to Miss Mary Murphy, also a native of Ireland, born Novem- ber 11. 1831. Her parents, Thomas and Bridget ( Ryan ) Murphy, spent their entire lives in that country. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Powers: William, now deceased: Beatrice, the wife of Thomas Delaney, a resident farmer of Illini township, Macon county: Fannie, the deceased wife of William Ball, her death being occasioned by a railroad wreck ; James and Thomas, who have passed away: Mary, who was killed in a railroad wreck: Catherine, the wife of An- drew Paine of Missouri ; and Anna Henrietta, the widow of Thomas Hayes, who was a clerk in the Wabash Railroad office in Decatur. She has one child. Mary Mildred, and they reside with her mother, Mrs. Powers.

After his marriage Thomas Powers resided in New Berlin, Illinois, for several years and then came to Macon county, purchasing a tract of land in Maroa township. He made a number of substantial and modern improve- ments upon his place and engaged in farming there with excellent success for about twenty years. On the expiration of that period he sold his farm and removed to Decatur, where he conducted a dray line for a short time. He then went with his family to Springfield, Il- linois, where he lived retired until called to his final rest, his death occurring October 10, 1883. Hle voted with the Democracy and had firm faith in the party and its principles, but never sought or desired office. His church . relationship was with the Catholic church of Decatur and his widow and daughter now be- long to the same organization. Mr. Powers was an honest, upright man, very successful in his business affairs and wherever he lived he won the confidence and trust of his fellow- men. After her husband's death Mrs. Powers resided in Springfield until 1891, when she re- turned to Decatur, where she has since made her home, owning and occupying a nice resi- dence at No. 545 North Monroe street, where

she is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Hayes. She also owns the adjoining property at 543 Monroe street.

ROBERT T. WILLIAMS.

After many years connection with the agri- cultural interests of Macon county, having lo- cated here in 1864. Robert T. Williams is now living a retired life in Decatur and has justly earned the rest which is now vouchsafed him. He is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Montgomery county, October 5, 1837, his parents being Colonel John and Car- olina ( Morrow) Williams. The Colonel spent almost his entire life in Montgomery county, having removed to Kentucky from Virginia in his early boyhood days. His wife was like- wise a native of the Old Dominion and in her girlhood days accompanied her parents to the Blue Grass state, the family home being estab- lished in Montgomery county. Joining the Kentucky militia, the father became a lieuten- ant under William Henry Harrison, and gained considerable distinction in military af- fairs. In the community in which he lived he was known as a progressive, prominent and influential man and was frequently called to positions of trust, having at one time been sheriff of his county. As a means of liveli- hood he followed the occupation of farming. His wife's father, Robert Morrow, lived for many years in Montgomery county, but ere his removal from Virginia served his country in the Indian war under the command of Gen- eral Anthony Wayne. He was an honored pioneer settler of Kentucky and aided in re- claiming that state from the dominion of the red men and in utilizing it for the purposes of civilization. The Morrows were originally from the north of Ireland and were of Scotch Presbyterian stock.

Robert T. Williams, whose name introduces this record, acquired his early education in private schools near his home and later became a student in the seminary at Mount Sterling,

JEROME B. DAVIS

MRS. AMELIA DAVIS

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

Kentucky. In 1859 he took up the study of law with the intention of making its practice his life work and continued to read the text books bearing on that subject until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he of- fered his services to his country and joined the Fourth Kentucky Infantry. The period of his enlistment covered three years and he was mustered out with the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry, having served under the command of General Thomas. As a soldier he was brave and faithful to duty, never faltering in his al- legiance to the cause which he espoused.

After being mustered out Mr. Williams sought a home in Illinois, arriving in Macon county in 1864. He located in Mount Zion township, where he purchased a tract of land, which he at once began to improve and culti- vate and as the years passed and his financial resources increased he extended the bound- aries of his farm until it now comprises four hundred acres of choice farming land. Year by year he worked as an active and enterpris- ing agriculturist and annually added to his income until. having become the possessor of a very comfortable competence, he removed to Decatur, where since 1892 he has lived a re- tired life.

The year following his arrival in Macon county Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Gill, a daughter of Harrison Gill, of Bath county, Kentucky, and unto them have been born six children : Margaret, Ilarry I ... Roger, Cordelia, Warren and Sybil. Mr. Williams became widely known as a lead- ing and enterprising agriculturist of his community and since establishing his home in Decatur has gained many friends here. His achievements should inspire all young men who read this record with a truer estimate of the value and sure rewards of character.

JEROME B. DAVIS.

Jerome B. Davis, deceased, was for many years one of the honored and highly es- teemed citizens of Macon county, his home

being in the village of Macon at the time of his death. He was then living retired after many years devoted to farming. lle was born in Cohocton, Steuben county, New York, July 7, 1829. his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Van Warmer) Davis, the former of Scotch and the latter of Dutch descent. They reared a large family in the Empire state. There our subject grew to manhood and was educated in much the usual manner of boys of his day.

On coming west Mr. Davis first located in Kendall county, Illinois, and at Newark he was married October 24, 1850. to Miss Amelia Ilollenback, a daughter of George and Sophia (Sidel) Hollenback. Her father was a native of Virginia but when a young man removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1829, and was there married. He subse quently came west and after residing in Kendall county, Illinois, for a time, he lo- cated permanently on a farm in Macon county, this state, where he made his home until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-two years. His wife was sixty- two at the time of her death. Her father died at the age of eighty years and her mother at the age of seventy. Mrs. Davis' paternal grandfather was eighty-two at the time of his death, and her grandmother reached the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Her ancestors came to America be- fore the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Davis was born in Kendall county, Ilinois, on the ist of December, 1831, and is a twin sister of Hon. George Ilollenback, a prom- inent citizen of Aurora, Illinois. In the family were twelve children, ten of whom reached manhood and womanhood and six are still living, but Mrs. Davis is the only one of the number living in Macon county. She was only six months old when the Black Hawk war broke out, at which time the family fled to Fort Dearborn (now Chi- cago) for protection, being among the first to reach that place. Her brother, Clark

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

Hollenback, was a soldier of the Civil war and died from the effects of wounds re- ceived in the service. Mrs. Davis was reared and educated in her native county, and is a lady of culture and refinement, well informed, and possessing remarkable intel- lectual powers.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, as follows: Sophia is now the wife of Arthur McNicholl and has six children. George H., living near Lake Benton, Min- nesota, is married and has twin children. Daniel H., of Decatur, is married and has two children. Melvin H., a prosperous farmer of Macon township, is married and has one child. Carrie Belle married Clem Smith, of Louisiana, and died in April, 1903, leaving two sons, both of whom are mar- ried.

In 1851 Mr. and Mrs. Davis went to New York state, where he was engaged in farm- . ing until 1857, when they returned to her native county, settling on the Fox river, near Aurora. He continued to carry on agri- cultural pursuits in Kendall county until the 15th of January, 1865, when they came to Macon county and located on a farm five miles southeast of Macon, having purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild land, which he at once began to cultivate and improve. At that time the country was full of sloughs and ponds and wild game was abundant, and Mr. and Mrs. Davis were eye witnesses of almost the entire develop- ment of this state. Their first home here was a little shanty, which was later replaced by a nice comfortable residence; good barns and outbuildings were also erected ; and Mr. Davis planted every tree upon the place and ditched and tiled the land, spend- ing about three thousand dollars in improve- ments. He handled considerable stock and continued to engage in general farming until the ist of January, 1894, when he retired from active labor and removed to the village of Macon, where he purchased a pleasant

home and improved the place, it being still the home of his widow. For fifty years they traveled life's journey together, shar- ing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, but soon after celebrating their golden wedding the husband was called away, dying on the 26th of November, 1900. The funeral services were held in the Meth- odist church and after the sermon, which was preached by Rev. Willard, he was laid to rest with Masonic honors, having long been a member of that fraternity. In August, 1868, Mr. Davis united with the Methodist Episcopal church and was ever afterward a devout and earnest Christian, taking an active part in church work. He voted with the Republican party and held the offices of school director and road mas- ter in his township. Honest and reliable in business, he met with well deserved suc- cess and was able to leave his widow in com- fortable circumstances. The old home- stead is now rented and Melvin H. Davis now manages his mother's business affairs. Since the death of her husband and daughter she has failed somewhat in health owing to the shock caused by these sad events. She is a most estimable lady and is highly re- spected by all who know her, her lovely character having won her the friendship of all with whom she has been brought in con- tact.

JOHN W. WALKER.

For many years this gentleman has been a resident of Macon county and his name is in- separably connected with the agricultural and commercial interests of this region. He has a wide reputation as a most capable business man and his life demonstrates what can be ac- complished through energy, careful manage- ment, keen foresight and the utilization of the powers with which nature has endowed one and the opportunities with which the times surround him.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Walker was born in Madison county, this state, on the 29th of October, 1838, and is a son of Edmond B. and Rebecca (Chance) Walker. The father's birth occurred in North Carolina in 1800, and he was seventeen years of age when he came to Illinois with his parents and located near Belleville in St. Clair county, becoming early settlers of that portion of the state. There he carried on farming and stock-raising quite successfully for several years and became the owner of about two hundred acres of valuable land. He died in December, 1847. in the faith of the Baptist church, of which he was a life- long member, and to which his wife also be- longed. They were married at the home of the bride on Rich Prairie, north of Belleville, and became the parents of nine children, of whom four are still living, namely : Joel T., who is at the head of the firm of Walker & Snell, and has charge of the ele- vator at Moweaqua : John W., of this sketch; Elijah, who is a prominent business man of Assumption, Illinois, where he runs an ele- vator and also conducts an implement store : and Edmond B., an extensive farmer residing near Blue Mound in Blue Mound township, this county. The mother of these children was born in 1812 and came to Macon county with her two youngest sons in 1863, making her home with her children until her death, which occurred in February, 1892. Iler father, Rev. Joseph Chance, was a native of Kentucky and a minister of the Baptist church. He married Miss Sarah Linton, who was born in Virginia and died in December, 1864. He was born in 1778 and died in 1840.

During his boyhood and youth John W. Walker received a good common school edu- cation in St. Clair county and for three months attended a school in Marion county, taught by his cousin, Jacob (). Chance, afterward clerk of the appellate court and still later of the supreme court of the United States. At the age of twenty-three years our subject entered

the Union army, enlisted at Summerfield, Il- linois, on the 12th of August, 1862, as a mem- ber of Company C. One Hundred and Seven- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, being discharged at Camp Butler on the 6th of August, 1865, at the close of the war. He participated in thirty-three battles and skirmishes, including the engagements at Pleasant Hill, April 9. 1864; Marksville Prairie, Nashville, Fort Derusia, Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort. He was always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it repre- sented, and he never missed a battle or march in which his regiment took part during the entire three years he was at the front.

While Mr. Walker was in the army his mother and two brothers had come to Macon county and purchased a half of what is now known as the Brennaman farm in South Ma- con township, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and on leaving the service he also located here, buying ninety-two and a half acres of prairie land in the same township, which he broke, tiled and fenced and im- proved by the erection of a good house and barn.

Having secured a home of his own, Mr. Walker was married in February, 1868, to Miss Martha V. Oglesby, a daughter of Wil- liam B. and Edith ( Moore) Oglesby, and six children were born of that union, but only three are now living, namely: Edith R., wife of Frank Meyer, a farmer of Laurens, lowa; George W., who is manager for HI. 1. Baldwin, a grain broker of Decatur; and Mary E., wife of Orin L. Wright, a farmer of South Macon township. The mother of these chil- dren died at Pleasant Valley farm near Walker Station, June 6, 1883, and Mr. Walker, was again married September 9, 1884, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Kautz, a daughter of Frederick and Mary Kautz, who were from Brown county, Ohio. Twins were born to our subject and his second wife but

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

the daughter died in infancy. The son, Tom P., assists his father in business and resides at home.

Mr. Walker continued to reside upon his first farm from March, 1868, until 1877. when he traded the place for a farm of two hundred and ninety-two and a half acres adjoining Walker Station, to which he gave the name of Pleasant Valley stock farm. He became quite extensively engaged in the buying and shipping of cattle and hogs and in 1880 in- duced the Illinois Central Railroad to put in a switch and sidetrack and got up the petition to build a station here, to which was given the name of Walker in his honor. He then began to deal in grain as well as stock and in 1882 built the first elevator here. He shipped his first carload of cattle in April. 1875. and continued in business alone until 1885, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Elijah Walker. R. T. Allison and W. B. Nenbegin, under the firm name of Walker Brothers & Company, and purchased the south elevator at Macon, which they ran in connection with the one at Walker. Later our subjeet retired from the firm and for one year managed the business at Walker. He and his brother then purchased Mr. Allison's interest in the business, which they carried on under the style of Walker Brothers until 1888. when our subject became sole proprietor and dis- posed of the south elevator at Macon. He carried on the business alone at Walker until his elevator was destroyed by fire in Decem- ber. 1804, but in the meantime he had pur- chased an interest in the north elevator at Macon in partnership with J. F. Vongunday. In the spring of 1895. in partnership with Frank Snell. Mr. Walker erected a new ele- vator at Walker, which they sold in 1896 to his older son, George Walker, who is now manager for Il. I. Baldwin. Besides the ele- vator at Walker the firm of Walker & Snell own one at Moweaqua and another at Rad- ford! eur subject being manager of the one at Walker. He has a nice home at that place,

surrounded by beautiful grounds consisting of two and a half acres.

Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, Mr. Walker has affiliated with the Republican party. His father was a Whig in politics. For several years he served as school director but has always refused to hold other official position, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. He and his brother are charter members of the blue lodge, No. 467. F. & A. M., of Macon, which they joined thirty-eight years ago, and he also be- jongs to the Grand Army Post at that place. Religiously he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and give liberally to both church and school work. Mr. Walker has made for himself an honorable record in business, and by his well directed efforts has acquired a handsome competence. As a citizen, friend and neighbor he is true to every duty and justly merits the esteem in which he is held.

VIRUM ABBOTT.

In the year 18,1 Nirum Abbott became a resident of Decatur. He was a carriage- maker and wood-worker by trade and be- cause of his proficiency in the line of his chosen vocation was a valued addition to the industrial circles of the city. A native of Connecticut, he was born February 14. 1837. and was a son of Nirum and Eliza- beth Abbott, who were also born in the east. The mother died during the early childhood of her son Nirum. The father afterward removed to the west, making his way to Michigan, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade for a short time. He then became a resident of northern Illinois, where he followed the same pursuit and finally he removed to Minnesota, where he engaged in farming until his death.

Nirum Abbott, whose name introduces this record. acquired a common school edu-

JOHN BARRON

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

cation and then began preparing for a bus- iness carcer by learning the trade of wagon and carriage making. He soon mastered the business, becoming an excellent work- man, and later he owned a shop in Chaskey, Minnesota, where he carried on operations for several years. He continued to follow his chosen pursuit in that state until 1871, when he came to Decatur. Here he was em- ployed in the agricultural works for some time, but afterward resumed work at his trade, which he followed continuously up to the time of his demise.

Mr. Abbott was married in Rockford. Illi- nois, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa M. Cooling, a native of England, and a daughter of John and Ann Cooling. They came to America in an early day and settled in Ogle county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming and where both he and his wife eventually passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott became the parents of seven children, of whom three are now living, as follows: Hattie, the wife of Will- iam Brancher, of Danville, Illinois; Charles J., who married Luln Curry and is a painter in Decatur,; and Myrtle, who is residing at home with her mother.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 65

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