USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 69
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provement. Hlis charitable spirit, too, is shown in his many benefactions and yet there is perhaps in this city no man who gives with less display than James Millikin. He has never allowed the accumulation of wealth to in any way warp his kindly nature or to in- fluence his treatment toward those less fortu- nate.
JAMES WILLIAM RACE.
James William Race has been engaged in business in Decatur for forty-six years. Ile has always been successful and it is his wish that others will meet with like success.
G. A. JIMISON.
For over sixty-two years this gentleman has been a resident of Macon county and is to-day justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens. The difference between the past and the present can scarcely be real- ized even by those who were active partici- pants in the development of the county. The present generation can have no conception of what was required by the early settlers in transforming the wilderness into a well-settled and highly cultivated locality. Mr. Jimison has seen almost the entire development of this region and well remembers when a person could ride horseback across the prairies be- tween Maroa and Pulaski without seeing a farmhouse.
A native of Macon county, he was born in Friends Creek township, in 1841, and is a son of George and Hannah Jimison. The father was a native of Scotland, born in 1810, and came to America about 1818. After residing in the east for two years he removed to Ohio in 1820 and during the '30s came to Illinois, settling in Friends Creek township, Macon county, where he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land and later added to his property until at the time of his
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death in 1852 he owned two hundred and fif- teen acres. He made farming his life occupa- tion. In his family were eight children.
At the age of twelve years G. A. Jimison began earning his own living, by working as a farm hand at fourteen dollars per month and was thus employed until 1860, when he rented forty acres of land, on which he raised a crop of corn. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism he enlisted in 1861 in Company A. Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, nnder Colonel Pugh, and was in the battles of Fort Donel- son, Shiloh, Hatchie's Run and several other small engagements. He was very fortunate in that he was never wounded or taken pris- oner, and at the close of the war was mus- tered out in 1865 at Hall's Hill, Virginia.
Returning to his home in Friends Creek township, Mr. Jimison began farming on forty acres of land left him by his father and an- other forty-acre tract which his brother had purchased for him. Later he purchased forty acres more and kept adding to his property as he found opportunity until he had four hun- dred and forty acres. For the first tract he paid twenty-five dollars per acre and for the next eleven dollars per acre. He made all of the improvements upon his land and in his farming operations met with excellent success.
In 1867 Mr. Jimison was united in marriage to Miss Millie A. Woodward, who died a year later, leaving one son, Theodore, who is now in the Coast Artillery as sergeant major at New Orleans and has been in the service for eleven years. Mr. Jimison was again mar- ried in 1877. his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Mulinix, by whom he has six chil- dren : Minnie, wife of Albert Gould, of Friends Creek township; Lillie, wife of Bun Parr, also of Friends Creek township; George W .: Mollie : Ida. and Daisy.
Politically Mr. Jimison is identified with the Democratic party and he has filled the office of school director. In 1899 he removed to Argenta and has since lived a retired life. During the long years he has been a resident
of Macon county he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every enterprise for the public good and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, educational and moral interests. After a useful and honorable career he can well afford to lay aside all busi- ness cares and live in ease and retirement.
WILLIAM R. SCRUGGS.
Since 1869 the firm name of Linn & Scruggs has been an honored one in business circles in Decatur, and one which has marked value on commercial paper. He whose name introduces this record has since 1869 been an active partner in the firm, and as such is pro- prietor of one of the most important dry- goods houses in this city. He was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, on the 13th of Febru- ary, 1828. His father, Reaves S. Scruggs. was also a native of the Old Dominion, and was a farmer by occupation. He chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Mildred L. Otey, who was likewise born in Virginia, her birthplace being in the vicinity of Lynchburg.
In a private school William R. Scruggs ob- tained his education, and under the parental roof he remained until he reached fifteen years, although a period of his youth was spent upon the farm. He at that time went to Huntsville, Alabama, where he remained for a number of years. At the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army. being true to his loved south- land. When the terrible struggle was over, he returned to Lynchburg and soon afterward went to Bedford county, Virginia, while later he became a resident of New York city. In the latter place he found employ- ment in the capacity of a clerk and continued there until 1869, when he came to Decatur. Here he invested his capital in a dry-goods
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business in partnership with W. H. Linn under the firm name of Linn & Scruggs, both being active, enterprising men of keen sagacity. They built up a large business, and the part- nership was of a most harmonious and pleas- ant character, being continued until the death of Mr. Linn in June, 1900. There was no change in the firm name, even then, for W. H. Linn, Jr., succeeded to his father's interest in the business, and over the door of the estab- lishment the firm style of Linn & Scruggs is still seen. This firm is one of the best known not only in Decatur but in central Illinois. The store is situated in the Powers block, a five-story building, and occupies the corner, which is one hundred and thirty by one hun- dred and forty fect.' A large force of clerks is employed and a full line of dry goods, car- pets and notions is carried. The stock is very extensive, and the business of the house has assumed extensive proportions. The business methods institued at the organization of the firm have always been continued and have ever commanded uniform confidence and therefore have gained the liberal support of the public. Mr. Scruggs is fair and just in his treatment of his employes and demands of them the same courteous treatment and honor- able dealing that he has ever accorded to those who trade in his establishment.
In 1867 was celebrated the marriage of Wil- liam R. Scruggs and Miss Minnie T. Chad- sey, of New York city, where she was reared and educated. They have two children, Sal- lie. at home ; and Reaves, who was a student in the Alton Military College, and now is a resident of Niagara Falls, New York. Mr. Scruggs is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and his wife a member of the Baptist church, and they do all in their power to pro- mote growth and extend influence of the church. It is but just and merited praise to say of Mr. Scruggs that as a business man he ranks among the foremost ; as a citizen he is honorable. prompt and true to every engage- ment : and as a husband and father is a model
worthy of all imitation. He is unassuming in manner, sincere in his friendship, and steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right.
JOSEPH K. HARDY.
Joseph K. Hardy, who has now departed this life, and who for many years so conducted his farming interests that he won success, becoming a prosperous citizen of his commu- nity, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 11th of February, 1836, and was the eklest of the ten children of George D. and Elizabeth ( Marsh) Hardy. The father's birth occurred in the east, but the mother was a native of the Buckeye state. In the family are three broth- ers and three sisters who yet survive: John, who lives in Shelby county, Indiana; Moses. a resident of Sheridan county, Missouri : Oli- ver, of Mount Auburn, Illinois ; Mrs. Johnson, a widow of Blue Mound ; Mrs. Hulda Van Cleve, of Blue Mound; and Mrs. Phoebe Wagant, of Missouri.
In the district schools of Ohio and Indiana Joseph K. Hardy acquired his education, and at the age of nineteen he left school and began working on a farm, having previously become familiar with the labors of fields and meadow by assisting his father through the periods of vacation. In 1868 he came to Illinois and lo- cated in Christian county, near Mount Au- burn. In September, 1869. he removed to Macon county and purchased forty acres of land, while his wife also bought an equal amount, and he continued to add to this as his financial resources increased, until he had two hundred and forty acres, valued at thirty thou- sand dollars.
Mr. Hardy was twice married. He first wedded Sarah Jane Cross, and unto them were born two children: Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Bowen, whose husband is a farmer of Chariton county, Missouri; and Joseph William, who married Matilda Whitman, and is a farmer living in Morrisonville, Illinois. Mr. Hardy
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next wedded Maria Hurst, the widow of George Junken, who was killed at Chicka- mauga during the Civil war. Her parents were Benedict and Barbara ( Foster ) Hurst, natives of Maryland, and of English and German de- scent. In their family were ten children, nine daughters and one son, of whom six daughters are still living. Mrs. Hardy was the sixth of the family. She was educated in the common schools of Wayne county, Indiana, and on the 21st of March, 1869, gave her hand in mar- riage to Mr. Hardy. By his second union he had three children, but only one is living. George E. and Saralı Ivy were twins, but the latter died at the age of seventeen months. The son married Ida McGrew, of Chariton county, Missouri, and they reside on the old home farm in Macon county. They have two sons, Edgar McGrew and George Evart.
In his political affiliations Mr. Hardy was always a stanch Republican, and was tax col- lector for two terms and school trustee and school director. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he was en- titled to membership because of his service as a corporal in Company E, Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry. He was wounded in the head and shoulder at Mission Ridge. His religious faith was that of the Methodist denomination, and his membership with the church at Blue Mound. In his business affairs he was very successful, and in addition to his farm prop- erty he owned four lots and a nice residence in Blue Mound which Mrs. Hardy has occupied for some time. His widow is living retired, save the management of her investments, the rental from the farm bringing a good income which supplies her with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Hardy lied May 30, 1903.
PETER J. DEMPSEY.
Peter J. Dempsey was for many years a member of the police force of Decatur and stood as a stalwart defender of the rights and
liberties of the people and the preservation of the dignity of the law. So loyal was he in the discharge of all his duties that he won high commendation from all concerned, and well does he deserve mention in this volume. Illi- nois numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Clinton on the 29th of May, 1858, his parents being Michael and Mary (Dunn) Dempsey. The father was a native of Queens county, Ireland, and the mother's birth occurred in County Limerick, Coming to America at an early 'day each lo- cated in Massachusetts, and in that state they were married. Subsequently they resolved to establish a home in the west, and accordingly made their way to Clinton, Illinois, where they resided for eight or ten years. Following this they located in Decatur, where Mr. Dempsey worked at his trade of marble cutting for a few years. He then became mail agent on the Peoria, Decatur & Eastern Railroad, and occu- pied that position for several years, after which he went upon the Wabash Railroad, running out of Decatur in a similar capacity for ten years. In the discharge of his official duties he was prompt, faithful and reliable, and now he is enjoying a well earned retirement from further labor, making his home with his chil- dren in Decatur, his wife having previously passed away.
Peter J. Dempsey was largely indebted to the public schools of Decatur for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed, and when he had mastered the branches of learning therein taught he began assisting his father in the marble works, being employed there until eighteen years of age. He then obtained a position in the freight depot in this city on the line of the Indiana, Decatur & Western Rail- road, and that he was most loyal to the trust reposed in him is indicated by the fact that for eleven years he continued to serve in that capacity. His work was ever free from error, and he received little criticism upon his meth- ods of discharging his duties. Upon leaving the freight department of the railway service
T. E. DOWNING
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he obtained a position on the Decatur police force, and acted in that capacity for seven years or up to the time of his death.
Mr. Dempsey was married May 2, 1883, in St. Isadore's church at Bethany, Illinois, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Dwyer, a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born May 5, 1856, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Cath- erine (Cody) Dwyer. Her father was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and at an early day braved the dangers incident to an ocean voyage in order to become a resident of the new world that he might enjoy its better busi- ness opportunities. He settled in Morgan county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for a few years and then removed to Moultrie county, this state, where he continued to carry on agricultural pursuits until the infirmities of old age caused him to retire. He then took up liis abode in Dalton City, Illinois, where he lived in honorable retirement from further labor until called to the home beyond on the 18th of August, 1900. His widow, who was born in Killarney, Ireland, now owns a nice home in Dalton City, where she is greatly respected because of her many excellencies of character. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Demp- sey was blessed with two children : Zella, who was born October 4, 1886; and Lucile, born January 4, 1895.
It was on the 25th of September, 1898, that Mr. Dempsey was called from this life. He had held several minor offices in the city, in addition to his service on the police force, and was ever found loyal to the confidence reposed in him, discharging his duties to the best of his ability. In politics he was a stanch Re- publican, never wavering in his allegiance to the party. Both he and his wife were mem- bers of St. Patrick's Catholic church of De- catur, and his funeral was the second preached by Father Murphy, now the priest in that church. Mr. Dempsey was a leading resident of Decatur and had many friends here because of his genial manner, jovial disposition and
unfailing courtesy. Mrs. Dempsey and her children now reside at No. 1139 North Clay- ton street, and she owns the property there located.
T. EDWARD DOWNING.
T. Edward Downing is connected with the business circles of Decatur as a plumb- ing and heating contractor, and is also a dealer in gas fixtures. His natal day is De- cember 8, 1872, his parents being Wayne and Elizabeth Downing, both of whom are now residents of Decatur. In their family were ten children, two sons and eight (laughters. Eight of this number are now living. The father of our subject was born in this country, but the mother is a native of the Emerald Isle and was brought to America when quite young by her father, Patrick Casey, now deceased, who was a well known Irish citizen of Decatur.
In the public schools of this city T. Ed- ward Downing acquired his education and when he had mastered the common branches of English learning he put aside his text books and at the age of fourteen years en- tered the employ of H. Mueller, who was then located on East Main street and with whom he learned the plumbing trade. . For eleven years he remained with that house, his long connection being an indication of capability, close application and fidelity. In 1897 he resigned his position that he might engage in business for himself and formed a partnership with W. J. Wells. They located at No. 224 West Main street, where they continued in business until the spring of 1901, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Wells then embarked in business alone on North Main street, while Mr. Downing remained at the old location. His patronage is extensive and his business profitable. He now has in his employ seven men and although he has been in business but a comparatively brief period large and
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important plumbing and heating contracts have been awarded him. He has put in the plumbing and heating systems in some of the best and largest buildings in central Illinois, including the Christian county courthouse at Taylorville, the Logan county courthouse at Lincoln, Illinois, the Elks auditorium at Champaign, the new Car- negie library of Decatur, the National Bank of Stonington, St. Mary's Catholic church, school and parsonage, at Paris, Illinois, the Douglas Hotel at Tuscola, St. Patrick's Catholic church of Decatur, and also in some of the best residences of this city and county.
In December, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Downing and Miss Cath- erine McGrath, of Litchfield, Illinois. Five children have been born unto them, those living are all sons, namely: Edward, Roy, Louis and Harold. A little daughter died in infancy. Mr. Downing is a member of Decatur Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Army of America, and he and his wife hold membership in St. Pat- rick's Catholic church of this city. He stands to-day as one of the prominent self- made men of Decatur, who has worked his way up from the bottom round of the lad- der and now he stands on the plane of af- fluence. His business patronage is ex- tensive and the income derived therefrom makes him one of the leading and prosper- ous young business men of the city.
CAREY L. HOLMAN.
Carey L. Holman, a wide-awake and up-to- date farmer residing on section 9, Whitmore township, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Ross county, that state, on the 28th of May, 1861. His parents, Martin and Mary (Ferba) Holman, were also born in Ohio, where they continued to make their home for several years after their marriage,
but during the Civil war they came to Macon county, Illinois, and located on a farm near Decatur, on the Bloomington road. In their family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters, and seven of the number reached years of maturity, but Mrs. Sabrina Dillahunt and Mrs. Eva Samuels are both now deceased. The sons that are still living are William, a resident of Decatur ; Albert, of Iowa; David, who makes his home south of Oreana ; Carey L , of this sketch, and Norman, of Marshall, Texas.
Carey L. Holman remained on his father's farm until he attained his majority, and re- ceived his education in the district schools of the neighborhood. On the 19th of December. 1888, he was married in this county to Miss Mabel Toney, a daughter of John and Mary ( Nesbitt ) Toney, who were natives of Ken- tucky and North Carolina, respectively. Her father was about fifteen years of age when he removed to Indiana. Her maternal grand- father, William Nesbitt, was of Irish descent, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Dobbins, was of Scotch extraction, and could trace her ancestry back to the seven- teenth century. The family was founded in North Carolina at a very early day in its set- tlement. Mrs. Holman was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on the 6th of April, 1869, and is now making preparations to visit her old home there which she has not seen since the age of twelve years. Her education, which was begun in the public schools of her native county, was completed in the high school of Decatur, which she left in her senior year. She is a well read woman, having a special fondness for history, and her eldest daughter seems to have inherited that taste. In her father's family were seven children, of whom two died in infancy, those still living being Claude L., Jesse, Mabel, Emmett and Grace. All are residents of Piatt county, Illinois, with exception of Mrs. Holman, and Emmett is now the only one unmarried. Unto our sub- ject and his wife were born six children, but
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two died in infancy. Those living are Grace, Fred, Park and Reva.
After his marriage Mr. Holman was en- gaged in farming upon rented land for a few years, but in 1889 he purchased his present place on section 9, Whitmore township, con- sisting of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land under a high state of cultiva- tion. Since it came into his possession he has planted trees, put up fences, erected a good barn in 1902, and has made many other useful improvements, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place. In connection with general farming he feeds con- siderable cattle for market, and is meeting with good success in his undertakings. He is a progressive business man, of known reliabil- ity, and he has the confidence and high regard of all who know him. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church of Ore- ana, and they have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout their adopted county.
WILLIAM O. JONES.
On the list of those who have practiced at the bar of Macon county and whose careers have reflected honor and credit upon the pro- fession appears the name of William O. Jones, who became a resident of Decatur in 1859. lle had formerly been a law student under Abraham Lincoln at Springfield, and his course was a merit to his honored preceptor. Mr. Jones was a native of Cortland, Alabama, born on the 19th of August, 1828, a son of Charles Lewis and Elizabeth Speak Mc.Atee (Owen) Jones, the former a native of Prince George
county, Maryland, the latter of Fairfax county, Virginia. On leaving his native state the father removed to Alabama, where he remained for a few years, and then went to Morgan county, Illinois, removing afterward to Springfield, this state, where he resided until his death. The mother later made her home
with her chiklren and died at the home of her son, William O., in Decatur.
In Morgan county, Illinois, William O. Jones attended the public schools and later continued his studies in the city of Spring- field. He entered upon his business career at the age of sixteen as a clerk in a dry-goods store of the capital city and followed that pur- suit for ten years or until twenty-six years of age. In the meantime, however, he had formed a desire to make the practice of law his life work, and to this end he devoted his leisure hours to the study of law, making Abraham Lincoln's office his headquarters dur- ing the period which he was able to devote to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence. Mr. Lincoln was a near neighbor of our sub- ject. residing just across the street from the Jones residence. Mr. Jones, of this review, continued as a student for several years, and then became editor of the Springfield Journal, but had charge of that paper for only a short time or until 1859, for in that year he removed to Decatur and opened a law office in this city. He was not long in convincing the public that he was well qualified to handle important liti- gated interests, and he continued in active practice until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he enlisted in his country's service. He was made a lieutenant colonel and went to the front, but was only in the army for ninety-eight days, being then honor- ably discharged on account of ill health. At the end of that time he returned to his home in Decatur and soon afterward purchased a farm west of the city and near Fairview Park. To the supervision of his property and to light labor in connection with the cultivation and development of the fields he then gave his attention until his death. His health was never very rugged, and on the 5th of Decem- ber, 1873, he passed away.
Ere going to the war Mr. Jones was united in marriage on September 10, 1857, to Miss Sarah B. Groves, a native of Kentucky. born January 11, 1835, and a daughter of John R.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
and Maria Louise ( Grooms) Groves, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, in an early day. The father there carried on farm- ing until the death of his wife, after which lic abandoned the plow and removed to the village of Mechanicsburg, where he lived re- tired until his own demise. Mr. and Mrs. Jones became the parents of seven children : Charles Lewis, who married Kittie M. Cokley, who resides in Decatur ; Frederick Owen, who married Katie Russell and is living here; Marie Louise, who is with her mother ; James Thomas, who died at the age of one year and three months ; Albert Hale, who married Car- rie Clark and is residing in Decatur; Edna Grooms, who is living at home; and Willie, who died in infancy.
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