Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 70

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 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In public affairs Mr. Jones was prominent, influential and helpful. He quickly recog- nized opportunities and did everything in his power to advance the public growth along social, intellectual and moral lines. He served as county superintendent of schools in Macon comty for a few years, and the cause of edu- cation found in him a warm friend. In politics an earnest and stanch Republican, he was al- ways a hard worker for the party, and was one of the organizers of a Union League at the time of the Civil war. He belonged to the Masonic order in Springfield, and although he never united with the lodge in Decatur he assisted in forming the society here. Both he and his wife were members of the First Pres- byterian church. Since her husband's death Mrs. Jones has removed into the city and is now living at No. 1125 North Church street with her two daughters.

Decatur found in Mr. Jones a valued repre- sentative of its best interests. He was a citi- zen loval and true, a faithful friend, a devoted husband and father and a consistent Christian. Ile made the most of his opportunities not only in his own behalf, but for the general good and the public welfare, and his life was

so straightforward and honorable that all men respected and esteemed him and his name was untarnished by any unworthy word or deed.

EDWARD HARPSTRITE.

Edward Harpstrite has passed the sev- enty-sixth mile-stone on life's journey and now in the evening of his days is living re- tired in Decatur, enjoying a well earned rest. He also receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one who has attained advanced years. He belongs to that ciass of worthy representa- tive citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world, his birth having occurred in Baden on the 18th of February, 1827. His parents, John B. and Mary S. (Roamar) Harpstrite, were also natives of Baden, in which country they remained until 1833, when they decided to establish their home in America. Accordingly they left the port of Havre in a sailing vessel bound for New York. That method of ocean travel was very slow in comparison to that of the pres- ent day and it was not until sixty-one days had passed that the Harpstrite family ar- rived at their destination. From New York city they made their way to Trenton, New Jersey, thence to Reading. Pennsylvania, and on to Dayton. Ohio, where they re- mained for a year. Their next place of residence was Logansport, Indiana, where John B. Harpstrite found employment on the canal and thus provided for his family for a time. Later he was employed by Freeman Hunter on a farm for six years and thus gradually he made a start in busi- ness life in the new world. In 1844 he re- moved to Clinton county, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of new land. Not a fur- row had been turned or an improvement made upon this place and the family experi- enced all the hardships and trials of pioneer life during their early residence there. Mr. Harpstrite performed the difficult task of

MR. and MRS. ANDREW J. WILLIAMS

653

PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

opening up a new farm, but in the course of time his labors were rewarded with good harvests. He also engaged in the raising and feeding of cattle and other stock and was quite successful in his work. It was upon that old home farm that the mother of our subject died and was buried.

Accompanying his parents on their vari- ous removals, Edward Harpstrite therefore attended school in a number of different places. Ilis last term spent in the school- room was at Delphi, Indiana. He remained upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age and though his educational privileges were somewhat meager, his training at farm labor was not limited. The year 1855 wit- nessed his arrival in Macon county. Hc afterward settled in South Wheatland town- ship, where he invested his hard earned sav- ings in a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. This he improved and cultivated until 1860, when he sold the property and took up his abode in the city, becoming interested in the brewing business in company with his brother. Augustus Harpstrite, under the firm style of Harpstrite Brothers. This business was continued from 1860 until 1884, When Edward Harpstrite sold out to his partner and to Henry Shlauderman, Mr. Harpstrite retiring from business on account of failing health. He, however, owns two good farms which return to him an excellent income. One of these comprises one hun- dred and fourteen acres and the other one hundred and eighty acres and all is under a high state of cultivation.

In 1852 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Harpstrite and Miss Dorothy C. Rueb- samen, who was then a resident of Clinton county, Illinois, but who was born in Baden, Germany, in 1835. They traveled life's journey together for about twenty-four years and then Mrs. Harpstrite was called to her final rest in 1876. She had become the mother of eight children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Kate HI., who is

the wife of Peter Ullrich, a resident of Ce- dar Rapids, Iowa; Mary A., at home; Charles W., who is living in Sedgwick coun- ty, Kansas; Edward J., at home; Dexter; Jolm 11., who is likewise a resident of Sedg- wick county, Kansas; Bertha, at home ; and Emma F., who is still with her father.

Since attaining his majority Mr. . Harp- strite has given his political support to the Democracy and for four years he served as a member of the city council, representing the fourth ward. During that time he ex- ercised his official prerogatives in support of every measure which he believes would contribute to the general good. He began life a poor boy, but by energy, industry and good management has become the possessor of valuable properties. His life has been characterized by qualities which in every land and clime command respect and his career has been creditable alike to the coun- try of his nativity and to his adopted land.

ANDREW J. WILLIAMS.

Sixty-seven years have come and gone since Andrew J. Williams became a resident of Macon county. Ile was then but a boy, yet here he spent his youth and early man- hood and as he reached mature years be- came a factor in the agricultural life of Macon county. When he passed away the community mourned the loss of a valued citizen and his friends one whom they had known only to honor and esteem. His birth occurred in Yazoo, Mississippi, on the Ist of January, 1831, his parents being Andrew J. and Rebecca Williams. The mother died in Mississippi during the early boyhood of her son and the father was afterward married in Macon county. His birth had occurred in Connecticut and in early life he had gone to the Yazoo valley of Missis- sippi, where he became a planter, remaining in that locality until 1836, which was the

654

PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

year of his arrival in Macon county. l'ur- chasing a tract of land in Decatur town- ship, he there engaged in farming for a few years, but on account of failing eyesight he retired from business and resided in the city of Decatur until his death. Only two of his children are now living: John, who is living retired in North Monroe street in Decatur; and Virginia, the wife of Isaac W. Ehrman, a laundryman of this city.

Andrew J. Williams was only five years of age when his father came to Macon coun- ty. It was in the public schools of this locality therefore that he acquired his edu- cation, but his opportunities for gaining knowledge from text books were limited as in his youth he largely assisted in the oper- ation of his father's farm. It was only through the winter months in his early boy- hood that he was enabled to attend school. His training at farm work, however, was not meager and he soon gained practical experience concerning the best methods of caring for and cultivating the fields. He remained at home until his marriage to Miss Lavina Veach, who died in Macon county in the early '50s. In 1858 Mr. Williams was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia A. Gulick, who was born September 27, 1840, at the place where she now resides. Her parents were Levi and Harriet (MleElroy) Gulick, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. They, too, became early settlers of Macon county, arriving in the year 1837 and here the father purchased a farm known as the old Packard estate now included within the city of Decatur, it being the present resi- (lence of Mrs. Williams. There Mr. Gulick made his home and carried on agricultural pursuits until his death.

After his marriage Mr. Williams pur- chased land in Decatur township and was engaged in its cultivation and improvement up to the time of the Civil war. As he could not content himself to remain at home

when his country was in danger and needed the aid of her loyal sons at the front he enlisted in 1862, becoming a member of Company B. One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Regiment under Captain McClurg and Colonel Tupper. The company partici- pated in the battle of Vicksburg, the Ar- kansas expedition, the Atlanta campaign, the march to the sea and the Carolina cam- paign and history records many acts of valor performed by the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois. Mr. Williams was never injured in any way, but on account of ill- ness contracted in the south he was dis- charged after a short service and returned to his home. He then resumed farming in Decatur township and continued to culti- vate his fields until his removal to the city of Decatur in order that he might live a re- tired life. He took up his abode at the home which his widow now occupies and spent his remaining days in rest from. further labor.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born eight children: Harriet Ellen, the wife of M. S. Perry, a farmer of Decatur township ; Francis F., who married Annie Bain and re- sides in Douglas, Arizona : Virginia A., the wife of David II. Hughes, of Decatur; Al- bertus G., who married Catherine Rife and is a merchant of Dillon, Montana ; Mary E., the wife of Fred L. Muzzy, of Decatur; W. L., who married Elsie Fickle and lives in Decatur: George, deccased ; and one that died unnamed in infancy.

The death of Mr. Williams occurred De- cember 15. 1896. He had served as high- way commissioner in Decatur township for a number of years, but otherwise held no office nor sought political preferment as a reward for party fealty. He gave strong endorsement to Republican principles, how- ever, and always voted for the men and measures of the party. He was a valued representative of the Grand Army Post of Decatur and had many friends outside

655

PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

of the fraternity, his excellent traits of character having endeared him to those with whom he was brought in contact. He was one of nature's noblemen, who without pre- tense or ostentation so lived as to enjoy the esteem and regard of all with whom he was associated. Mrs. Williams now re- sides at No. 1345 North Union street, where her lawn covers a half block square. She also owns ten acres of land on College street near the Peoria, Decatur & Evans- ville Railroad. She was left in comfortable financial circumstances by her husband and in social circles she is highly esteemed, be- ing widely and favorably known in this city.

WILLIAM F. BROOKSHIER.

The subject of this sketch is one of the self- made men of Macon county, who through his own unaided efforts has attained a place among the leading and well-to-do farmers of Pleasant View township where he now makes his home. Ile was born near Winchester, in Clark county, Kentucky, December 23, 1833. his parents being Martin and Amanda ( Cum- mins ) Brookshier, both of English descent. The father was also a native of Kentucky, where the family was established at a very early day in its history by our subject's pater- nal grandfather, who was from North Caro- lina. and settled in Clark county, where he bought a tract of land. The maternal grand- parents of our subject were from Virginia and North Carolina. Martin Brookshier be- came the owner of eighty-four acres of land in Clark county, Kentucky, on which he raised corn, oats and wheat, tobacco being an unprofitable crop at that time, though it has since been raised with profit in that state. Ile also raised some cattle, sheep and hogs, and was the owner of one slave before the war. In his family were the following children: Min- erva, who died during her girlhood ; William F .: Martin A., who died in 1900; Elias Il., a

preacher living in Monroe county, Indiana; Wiley, a widower living in Clark county, Ken- tucky; (. H., a retired farmer living in Springfield, Illinois; John N., a resident of Clark county, Kentucky; Amanda, wife of William Berryman, of that county; Achilles, deceased ; James Q., living in Madison county, Kentucky; Mary .A., who died in girlhood; Elizabeth, also deceased; W. W., who makes his home in Madison county, Kentucky, and Lucy, who died unmarried.

Reared in the state of his nativity, William FF. Brookshier pursued his studies in the com- mon schools of Clark county, the school house being built of logs with a puncheon floor and seats and a large fireplace at one end. At the age of fifteen began earning his own liveli- hood by working as a farm hand at seven dol- lars per month. He was thus employed for eleven months and was obliged to rise each morning at four o'clock. Later he learned blacksmithing, and during the two years of his apprenticeship he was given only fifty dollars per year in compensation for his services. Subsequently he worked one year for another blacksmith in Kentucky, and at the end of that time removed to Danville, Indiana, where he was employed in a mill one summer. Ile then returned home and resumed work as a farm hand. His next employment was getting out ties for the Wabash Railroad in Vermilion county, Indiana, and Vermilion county, Illi- nois, and saw the first train run into Decatur in 1857. Later he worked one year for old Uncle Johnny Taylor, nine miles southwest of Decatur.

Mr. Brookshier was then married to Miss Mary E. Hurst, and they located on the Tay- lor farm, where they spent one year. He then removed to a farm near Mount Auburn, in Christian county, where the following two years were passed, and for five years lived on the Augur farm in the same county, after which he worked at the blacksmith's trade in Mount Auburn for one year. In 1863 he came to Macon county and bought railroad

656

PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

land one and a half miles south of Blue Mound, paying ten dollars per acre for one forty acre tract, and eleven dollars for the other forty acres. This he sold in 1881 for sixty dollars per acre and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres where he now lives in Pleasant View township, for which he paid forty-five dollars per acre. He has erected all the buildings upon the place and today has a very desirable and well improved farm under a high state of cultivation. Besides his home property he owns ninety-two acres in South Macon township, for which he gave sixty-five dollars per acre. He is a very energetic, en- terprising and progressive farmer, and the success that has come to him is certainly well merited. At present his sons operate the land while he is now practically living a retired life, enjoying a well earned rest.

Mr. Brookshier's first wife died in 1869. By that union he had five children, three of whom are now living, namely : Lola May, wife of James Chapman, of Blue Mound town- ship: Benedict M., who married Rosa Price and is in the employ of a wholesale house in St. Louis, Missouri; and Barbara Etta, wife of William B. Gordon, who is in a wholesale house in Cincinnati, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Brookshier married Mrs. Mary J. ( Logan ) Boyd, who died July 20, 1902, leav- ing four children by our subject : Jonathan W., who married Laura Easley and follows farming in South Macon township ; Joseph E .. who married Lulu Shaddock and lives on sec- tion 12, Pleasant View township: Edwin F., at home with his father, and Mabel, wife of Frederick Weicklein, living on section 13. Pleasant View township.

Since attaining his majority, Mr. Brookshier has affiliated with the Democratic party, and he has long been an earnest and consistent member of the Christian church. He has led an upright, honorable and useful life, and he has won the confidence and high regard of those with whom he has been brought in con- tact either in business or social life. He helped

organize and proposed the name of Pleasant View township and was also one of the four men to organize the school district in which he lives.

SAMUEL GRIMM.

Samuel Grimm, who is practically living a retired life in Decatur, though to some extent is interested in the real estate busi- ness here, came to Macon county on the 17th of March, 1875. His carly home was in Pennsylvania, for he was born in York county, that state, on the 5th of June. 1856, a son of Joseph and Kate (Sowers) Grimm, who spent their entire lives in York county. By occupation the father was a farmer. The first of the family to come west was our subject's brother, John S. Grimm, who ar- rived in Macon county, Illinois, in the spring of 1872, and located on a farm in Hickory Point township, where he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for seven years. At the end of that time he returned to the Key- stone state and is still residing in York county.

Samuel Grimm received a good practical . education in the common schools of his na- tive county and he also acquired an excel- lent knowledge of those duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His brother having previously located in Macon county, Illinois, he too came to this county in March, 1875, as previously stated, and be- gan work here as a farm hand, being em- ployed on several different farms in the vi- cinity of Forsyth until 1877. That year he rented a farm near the same village in Hick- ory Point township from the late Charles Ewing, of Decatur, and continued to operate that place for thirteen years.

At the end of that time Mr. Grimm pur- chased a farm of seventy acres near the vil- lage of Boody, where he lived for three years, and then removed to a farm near La

FREDERICK KRASCHEL

MRS. FREDERICK KRASCHEL

661

PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

Place, Illinois, where he lived for two years. He next moved to Elwin, Illinois, where he bought ninety-five acres of land, mak- ing his home there for three years. On dis- posing of that property he went to St. Charles county, Missouri, where he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty-four acres and engaged in its cultivation for two years, but in March. 1903, he returned to Illinois and now makes his home in Deca- tur. Here he has purchased several build- ing lots in the western part of the city and erected houses thereon, which he now rents, deriving therefrom a good income. These are located on West Wood and West Macon streets and his own private residence is at No. 1120 the former street.

On the 14th of December. 1881, Mr. Grimm was united in marriage to Miss Tempie E. McCollom, who was born in Anna. Illinois, on the 31st of July, 1860. Her father, John McCollom, who was a cooper by trade, came to this state at an early day and is now living retired with our subject and his wife. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grimm were born six children, as fol- lows: Arthur, deceased: Edward, who is employed in the car shops at St. Charles, Missouri : Clifford. a clerk in a shoe store at St. Louis, Missouri : William, at home with his parents ; Phyllis, deceased ; and Doris, at home.

In religious faith both Mr. and Mrs. Grimm are Methodists but have never united with the church at Decatur. Mr. Grimm gives his political support to the men and measures of the Democratic party and takes an active interest in public af- fairs, though he has never cared for office. Hle stands well in business circles, being a man of known reliability, and by his well directed efforts he has acquired a com- fortable competence. He started out in life for himself empty-handed and his success is due entirely to his own industry and good management.

FREDERICK KRASCHEL ..

Frederick Kraschel, residing on section 34. South Macon township, is a man whose successful struggle with adverse circum- stances shows what can be done by indus- try and economy, especially if a sensible wife seconds his efforts to secure a home and competence. Starting out in life empty-handed. he was obliged to make his way without any of the aids which are usu- ally considered essential to success, but he steadily worked his way upward and is to- day the owner of a fine farm.

Mr. Kraschel was born in Germany, Jan- uary 27, 1842, a son of John and Mary (Schroder) Kraschel. The father spent his entire life in that country and died there about 1848. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, where he made his home until fourteen years of age. In 1856 his mother, accompanied by her three children, Frederick, John and Sophia, crossed the broad Atlantic with the hope of bettering their financial condition in the new world, and settled in Tonawanda, New York, where our subject and his brother obtained work on farms. The mother also worked out until our subject was married, when she went to live with him, making her home there until her death.

After going to New York in 1856, Mr. Kraschel worked by the month as a farm hand for seven years at as low wages as two dollars per month and then, in 1865. came to Illinois and purchased forty acres of land in Pope county, partially covered with timber. About this time he was married, in April, 1865, to Miss Anna Sandman, a daughter of Joseph Sand- man, and renting his own land be removed to a farm belonging to his wife, it being a part of her father's estate which she had inherited. Here the young couple began their domestic life in an old log house with puncheon floor and large fireplace. The cabin was only sixteen feet square, con-

662

PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

tained but one window and the cracks be- tween the logs were daubed with mud. After residing there for seven years both farms were sold, and Mr. and Mrs. Kraschel removed to Macon county in 1870 and rented a farm near Boody. A year later our subject was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died June 26, 1871, leaving the following children: Mary, deceased ; Joseph, now a resident of California ; Rosa, wife of William Eckhart, a farmer of Sonth Macon township; Johnnie, who died at the age of five years. Mr. Kraschel was again married January 2, 1874, his second union being with Miss Nancy Jane Poe, a daugh- ter of Frank and Elizabeth Poe. Five chil- dren blessed this union but only three are now living, namely: Melvin, a farmer of South Macon township; and Ella and Nel- son, both at home.

For three years after coming to Macon county, Mr. Kreschel operated rented land and then bought eighty acres of raw prairie near Boody, which he tiled, ditched and im- proved by the erection of a house and barn, making that place his home for twenty- two years. He then purchased a farm of one hundred acres in South Macon town- ship and in 1897 bought sixty acres more, on which he took up his residence the fol- lowing year. He has since devoted his ener- gies to the improvement and cultivation of this place, has set out an orchard, built a barn, bored deep wells and erected wind- pumps. He is quite extensively engaged in the raising of Duroc Jersey hogs and he also feeds some cattle for market.

Coming to the new world without a dol- lar, Mr. Kraschel has made all that he pos- sesses, winning success through his own untiring energy and diligence and the as- sistance of his estimable wife, who has in- deed been a true helpmate to him. She has labored with him in the fields from early morning until late at night and he gives her credit for much of the success that has

crowned their efforts. She never com- plained under the most trying circum- stances and always had a word of encour- agement and cheer for her husband at all times. Before she was married she worked out. She chopped wood and fed stock, besides doing the washing and cooking, and sometimes worked in the field at one dollar per week. By his ballot Mr. Kraschel supports the men and measures of the Dem- ocratic party, and he has filled the offices of road commissioner and school director in a most creditable manner. It was during his term that the first gravel road was made in Wheatland township, and he was one of the grand jurors that tried to indict the mob which hung Bush in Decatur. Fraternally he is a member of Beacon Lodge No. 434, K. P.

ISAAC W. KILE.

Isaac W. Kile. of Argenta, is practically living a retired life in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves by reason of his industrious ef- forts of former years. Accomplishment and progress ever imply labor, energy and diligence, and it was these qualities that enabled our subject to rise from the ranks of the many and stand among the success- ful few. He is now one of the highly re- spected citizens of Argenta and his long residence in Macon county and the active part he has taken in its development well entitle him to representation in its history.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 70

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