USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 71
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
A native of Illinois. Mr. Kile was born near Todds Point in Shelby county. now Moultrie county, December 1. 1840, and is a son of Josiah and Mary Kile. His father was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, in 1812, and in the fall of 1838 came to Illi- nois, settling in Shelby county, where for some time he was engaged in farming dur- ing the summer and in teaming to St. Louis
663
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
in the winter. Later he removed to Piatt county, this state, and four years later to Macon. Ile purchased a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres near Monticello, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his energies during his residence there. He died in 1891.
Isaac W. Kile acquired his early education in the Friends Creek schoolhouse near Mon- ticello, the little temple of learning being a log structure with slab benches and other primitive furnishings. At the age of twenty years he left the parental roof and worked on a farm at fifteen dollars per month for three months. About this time the Civil war broke out and in response to the presi- dent's call for troops, Mr. Kile enlisted July 25, 1861, in Company A, Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel 1. C. Pugh. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Hatchie's Run, Vicksburg, Jackson, Cold Water and sey- eral other engagements, and being wounded in the shoulder was in the hospital at Mound City for a time. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in 1864, and returned home.
Mr. Kile then commenced work for others but at the end of one month, he rented a farm in Friends Creek township. Macon county, and turned his attention to its cul- tivation. In 1868 he purchased eighty acres of land, for which he paid twenty- two hundred dollars, and on selling that he bought ninety-two acres in Whitmore township, on which he lived for fifteen years. lle then disposed of that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Friends Creek township, and is to-day the owner of sixty- five acres near Argenta and two hundred and twenty-three acres elsewhere in the county. A quarter section of this has been in the Kile family since 1848. For many years our subject was actively and success-
fully engaged in agricultural pursuits and fed nearly all the grain that he raised to his hogs, being quite extensively engaged in stock raising. About 1893 he purchased a house in Argenta, where he has since made his home and although he has practically retired from active labor he has charge of several farms besides his own. He is a man of excellent business ability, is ener- getic and reliable, and generally carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
In 1867 Mr. Kile was united in marriage to Miss Emma Thomas, of Piatt county. and to them have been born two children : William, who married Rose Miller and is living on the one hundred and sixty-acre farm belonging to his father ; and Charles, who married Luella Wilkinson and is en- gaged in the lumber business in Ivesdale. Mrs. Kile is an earnest member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church and is a most estimable lady. Fraternally our subject be- longs to the Knights of Pythias, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic of Argenta, and politically he is identified with the Democratic party. Ile has taken quite an active and influential part in the public af- fairs of his town, has acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace, was mayor of Argenta two years and postmaster three years. He made a most capable official and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him whether public or private and has manifested the same loyalty in days of peace as in days of war. All who know him have for him the highest regard and he has many friends throughout his adopted county.
JOHN C. BATCHELDER.
Illini township has no more progressive or enterprising citizen living within its bor- ders than the gentleman whose name intro-
664
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
duces this biography. Throughout his ac- tive business life he has been identified with the agricultural interests of this locality and is to-day the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres on sec- tions 30 and 31, the neat and thrifty ap- pearance of which well indicates his care- ful supervision. Substantial improvements are surrounded by well tilled fields, and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found.
Mr Batchelder was born in Pittsfield, Illi- nois, January 21, 1861, and was only two years old when brought by his parents, Samuel E. and Sarah Marilla (Clark) Batchelder, to this county, the family lo- cating in Illini township. During his boy- hood he pursued his studies in the district schools of his native township, and in 1881 and 1882 was a student in the Normal School at Bloomfield, Iowa, where he took a course in commercial banking and general business. On completing his education he returned to his father's farm, where he re- mained until 1888, when he removed to the north half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 30, Illini township, and commenced farming on his own account. To the culti- vation and improvement of that place he devoted his attention until 1893, when he took up his abode upon his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres. Besides this property he owns an eighty-acre tract in Custer county, Nebraska. He has re- modeled the barn upon his home farm, mak- ing it fifty-four by sixty feet in dimensions and with accommodations for sixty head of cattle. Ile also has stable room for sixteen horses and a large mow above. The cattle business claims much of his time and he usually keeps on hand three carloads. He buys his stock in Kansas City and after fattening them ships them to the Chicago markets. He also ships the hogs which he raises to that city. In the operation of his land Mr. Batchelder uses the latest im-
proved machinery and everything about his farm is thoroughly up-to-date and con- venient. He has a fine system of water works, which supplies both his house and his barn with water, and the former also has hot water pipes. The residence is heated by a furnace and an acetylene gas system furnishes the light, there being twenty- seven jets throughout the house. Upon the place there is also the tenant's house, and two sets of farm buildings, besides a scale house, stockpens, etc. A mill, operated by a gasoline engine grinds the feed for both J. A. Brown's and Mr. Batchelder's stock. Mr. Brown is a brother-in-law of our sub- ject and lives a quarter of a mile north. The farm is laid out into fields of convenient size and a grove of hard maple and walnut trees add greatly to the beauty of the place, which is considered one of the best im- proved and most desirable farms in the county. Mr. Batchelder was the first man in Illini township to put a telephone into his house, although there is scarcely a resi- dence without one at the present time.
On the 22d of February, 1888, was cele- brated his marriage to Miss Susan L. Har- per, a daughter of Lucien and Ruth Esther (Kenney) Harper, both of whom were na- tives of New Hampshire and the former was of Irish and Scotch descent and the lat- ter of English and Scotch. For many years Mr. Harper was a merchant of Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he died in 1865, his remains being interred in a cemetery at Derry, New Hampshire. His father was a very prominent man in early days and was a member of congress in 1811. Among her most cherished possessions Mrs. Batchelder has some old letters written by her grand- father at that time, and has a yard stick which her father used in his store. She is a cousin of Marcia Emery, a poetess of some note now living in Boston. Mrs. Batchelder is the only child born to her parents. Her primary education was obtained in district
MR. and MRS. HENRY JOSTES
667
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
schools, and later she was a student in the erine Jostes, who came to this country in city schools of Georgetown, Colorado, and . 1870 but were not long permitted to enjoy their new home as the mother died soon after her arrival here and the father passed away in 1877 when about seventy-seven years of age. Of the nine children born to them only our subject and his sister, Ame- lia, are now living, the latter being the wife of John Rahler, a farmer of Shelby county, Illinois.
Martinez, California, and at the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois, where she pursued a literary course and made a special study of music. Becoming quite pro- ficient in that art she successfully engaged in teaching music in Illini township for three or four years and is now organist of the Congregational church there, to which she and her husband belong, the latter being a member of the choir. Ile, too, is a mu- sician of considerable ability and has been leader of a band, which he made a credit to his work. They had three children: Ruth Esther, who was born February 2, 1890, and died at the age of one month; Ina Lorette, born January 28, 1892; and Milton Harper, March 27, 1894. Both are now in school, where for the past four years the daughter has missed only three days and the son none. The former now devotes considerable at- tention to vocal music.
Mr. Batchelder is a supporter of the Re- publican party and its principles and he is an honored member of Summit Lodge, No. 431. F. & .A. M., at Harristown, of which he is now worshipful master. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive and he occupies an enviable position in the es- teem of his fellow men. His pleasant, genial manner makes him many friends and he stands high both in business and social circles.
HENRY JOSTES.
One of the leading citizens of Macon who has laid aside all business cares and is now living retired at his beautiful home in that village is Henry Jostes. Although an adopted son of America his loyalty is above question and was manifest by his service in the civil war. He was born in Germany April 8, 1840, a son of William F. and Cath-
Henry Jostes preceded his parents to the new world, landing here in 1857. He commenced work on a farm in Macon county, Illinois, where the town of Boody now stands and continued to be employed by the month as a farm hand until the Civil war broke out. Feeling that his adopted country needed his services, he laid aside all personal interests and enlisted in July, 1861, in Company E, Forty-first Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, which was assigned first to the Sixteenth Army Corps and later to the Seventeenth and was under the command of Generals McPherson and Sherman. le re- mained at the front for three years and par- ticipated in the battle of Fort Donelson, the sieges, of Corinth and Vicksburg, the battle of Hatchie's Run and many other important engagements. When his term of enlistment expired he was honorably dis- charged at Springfield, Illinois, in August, 1864, and returned home with a military record of which he may be justly proud. He was always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the stars and stripes and the cause they represented.
Soon after his return from the army Mr. Jostes was married January 12, 1865, to Miss Julia Shoop, who was born in Penn- sylvania, March 3, 1843, and was four years old when she came to Macon county, Illi- nois, with her parents, Daniel and Lena (Yoder) Shoop. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1854, and her mother long survived him, passing away in 1888, at the age of sixty-one years. Mrs.
668
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Jostes has two sisters living: Mrs. Matilda Snider, whose husband is a farmer near Sterling, Illinois; and Mrs. Rosa Moss, whose husband followed farming near Blue Mound, this county. Here Mrs. Jostes was reared and received her education in an old log school house in Blue Mound township, it being furnished in a primitive manner, heated by a large fireplace and lighted by greased paper windows.
The children born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Emma, now the wife of William Fedderman, who follows farming near Moweaqua; Agnes, who died in infancy; William, a farmer of Pleasant View township: Mary, wife of Richard Dorsey, a farmer of Pleasant View town- ship; Frederick, who is engaged in the stock business on a ranch in Grant county, Nebraska; Benjamin, who is with his brother in Nebraska; Lena, wife of Frank Phillips, a tinner of Blue Mound, Illinois ; and Lillie and Effie, both at home. The sons, William and Frederick, are graduates of Brown's Business College of Decatur, and all of the children have been given good common school advantages.
After his marriage Mr. Jostes located in Blue Mound township, where he purchased forty acres of wild prairie land, which he tiled and drained, transforming it into a good farm. Two years later he bought another forty acre tract and kept adding to his property from time to time as his finan- cial resources increased until he now has three hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land in Blue Mound township. His first home was a log cabin, twelve by four- teen feet in dimensions, to which he made an addition after residing there for three years. Still later this home was replaced by a nice two story frame residence, and he also built a good barn and other outbuild- ings. He continued to actively engage in the operation of his land until 1896, when he removed to Macon and bought a lovely
home-one of the finest in the village. It is- surrounded by five acres of ground adorned by beautiful shade trees.
Mr. Jostes was formerly a member of the Grand Army Post at Blue Mound, but is now connected with the one at Macon, and by his ballot supports the men and meas- ures of the Republican party. For eleven years he filled the office of school director and has ever taken a deep and commend- able interest in those enterprises calcu- lated to advance the welfare of his town and county. His wife and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in its work and give liberally toward its support. As a young man he came to the United States and without capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obsta- cles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have been more than realized and he is now the possessor of a comfortable home and competence which enables him to live in ease and retirement.
H. H. BROWN.
The middle portion of the nineteenth century may properly be termed the age of utility, especially in the west. The vast region known as the upper Mississippi val- ley was but then opened up to civilization and the honored pioneers, who found homes in this fertile but undeveloped region, were men who had to contend with the trials and difficulties of frontier life. Immediately following those who claimed the wild land and began the work of civilization here by developing farms, came another class who were soon as active factors in commercial and industrial life. It is to the latter class that Henry H. Brown belonged and central Illinois has largely profited by his labors. It is encouraging and interesting to note that many of the residents who came to Illi-
669
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
nois empty-handed worked their way up- ward from humble financial position to a position of affluence; that as the years passed and the country improved, pros- perity attended their efforts and wealth rewarded their earnest endeavors. The ca- reer of Mr. Brown proved his capability in business circles and at the same time demonstrated the honor and integrity which were crowning points in his life record.
Henry H. Brown was born in Pottsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, August 10, 1820. His early life was spent in the vicinity of his native home. Ile was in- clined to be studious in his boyhood days and at an early age he was admitted to the academy in Pottsdam, New York, where he pursued his studies for four years and was then graduated with honors from that institution. While yet a young man he came to the middle west, settling first in St. Louis. There he followed various pur- suits in most of which he prospered. On leaving that city he took up his abode in Springfield, Illinois, where he engaged in general merchandising, forming a partner- ship with Mr. Wright under the firm name of Wright & Brown. Theirs became one of the largest and leading commercial houses of central Illinois. It was in 1862 that Mr. Brown retired from this line of business and removed to Decatur. After remaining here but a short time he became interested with the late Franklin Priest in several enter- prises. His life work was of decided ad- vantage to this locality. He was successful in nearly every undertaking to which his attention was given throughout his active business carcer. After remaining in De- catur for a few years he became identified with A. Ruth & Company as proprietor of a large dry-goods house, which was con- ducted along legitimate and progressive business lines and was prosperous. After a few years, however, Mr. Brown retired from this concern and was elected to the
office of tax collector, and was also county collector, acting in that capacity for a period of eight years. At the end of his last term he was appointed a deputy sheriff under the late ex-Sheriff Fostmeyer.
In 1878 Mr. Brown organized the II. H. Brown Manufacturing Company, which be- gan the manufacture of gasoline stoves and at one time did a very extensive and profit- able business, the trade reaching mammoth proportions. In 1893 the company was in- corporated and Mr. Brown was elected its president, hokling that position up to the time of his death. . Although he retired from the active management of the business about four years prior to his demise he allowed his capital to remain in the enter- prise and did not withdraw the use and in- fluence of his name. He was also the in- ventor of a steel device used to fasten down the corners of burial caskets. It is now extensively utilized throughout the country and is manufactured and marketed by the company in Decatur at the present time.
On Christmas day of 1847, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brown and Julia S. Brown, the ceremony taking place at the residence of the bride's parents in Springfield. The widow and one son, Charles H. Brown, now survive the husband and father. His deep- est interests centered in his home, which was to him his castle. Ile was a man of modest and retiring disposition, but his family and friends found him a most com- panionable and genial gentleman, always considerate of the feelings of others and with generous deference for the opinions of others. As a citizen, too, he was consid- erate of men of sterling worth and his many excellent traits of character gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he was associated. Holding membership in the Universalist church, he took an active part in its work, regularly attended its services and contributed liberally to its financial sup- port. Through the whole course of his
670
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY
career the prime moving spirit that prompt- ed all of his actions seems to have been improvement and advancement. The idea of leaving whatever he touched better than he found it was always dominant with him. Ile was a man of true character, whose rec- ord must be studied carefully to be rightly understood because he was never ostenta- tious in anything that he did. In all his views, political, religious and social, he was broad gauged and liberal. He was a man of action rather than of thought and while others might argue and debate he went to work and demonstrated.
"He was a man, take him for all in all ; I shall not look upon his like again."
CHARLES H. BROWN.
Well known in the business circles of Decatur Charles H. Brown has been an ac- tive factor in controlling interests which have become of value in promoting the in- dustrial and commercial activity of this city. He is a native of Springfield, Illinois, born on the 11th of May, 1852. His parents were Henry H. and Julia S. (Brown) Brown. In the public schools of Decatur and Chicago he acquired his education and early in life he became a railroad employe. He is to-day one of the oldest railroad men living in this city. He was connected with the engineering corps that made the orig- inal survey on the Decatur & State Line road, now a part of the Wabash system, this work being executed in 1870. In 1871 he was employed as ticket agent in Decatur for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, serving in that position for two years. Sub- sequently he acted as agent for the Paris & Decatur road, now a part of the Vandalia line, from 1873 until 1876 and in the latter year he entered the service of the Wabash Railroad Company as ticket agent at De- catur, continuously serving until 1891, when
he resigned. His connection with railroad interests was of long duration and always of the most honorable character. He was so loyal to the trust reposed in him that the corporations which he served enter- tained for him the highest regard and re- posed in him the most unqualified confi- dence. As ticket agent he was always oblig- ing and courteous to the patrons of the road and he won many friends through the pos- session of these estimable qualities. On resigning he became general manager of the Brown Manufacturing Company and is now also its secretary. One of the features of this company is the manufacture of a de- vice for dehorning cattle, the invention be- ing in use extensively in the United States and is largely exported to the wholesale trade in foreign countries, including Africa, New Zealand, Holland, Cuba and South America and throughout the cattle coun- tries of the world. Mr. Brown was also president of the Robinson Manufacturing Company during its existence in Decatur and was vice president of the Savings & Loan Association for many years.
In 1873 occurred the marriage of Charles H. Brown and Miss Mary A. Ellis, who died in 1883, leaving two sons. The elder is William E. Brown, now the president of the Brown Manufacturing Company. He maintains his residence, however, in Chi- cago and is in the employ of the National Casket Company. He is an expert engraver and designer. Roy H. Brown, the younger son, is an artist and illustrator in oils of enviable reputation. He studied in Deca- tur and later in the Art League of New York and was with Jean Monheim of Paris. He is now a member of the Art League of New York and was one of the exhibitors in the Art Institute of Chicago in December, 1899, his oil painting Cranberry Bog receiv- ing special attention and commendation.
Since the year 1872 Charles H. Brown has been a member of the Masonic frater-
F. R. GOODE
673
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
nity and in his life has exemplified the be- neficent spirit of the craft. He belongs to lonic Lodge, No. 312, F. & A. M .; Macon Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M .; Decatur Coun- cil. No. 16, R. & S. M .; and Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 9. K. T. He is a man of much force of character and strong in- dividuality and his pleasant, social manner has won him a host of warm friends.
JOSIAH BROWN, M. D.
On the list of charter members of the Macon County Medical Society is the name of Dr. Josiah Brown. Dr. Brown was born at Whitby, Canada, August 24, 1827. 11c was a son of Abram and Bathsheba Brown, who were Quakers from New England. Dr. Brown attended school in Canada and at Wilson, New York. As a child, he desired to become a physician and always studied with that end in view. His father died when Josiah was but twelve years old, leav- ing a small estate to be divided among a large family. With this little assistance, and by dint of energy and hard work, and by teaching school for a time he was able to enter the Augusta, Georgia, Medical Col- lege, then one of the best schools in the country. At the end of the course he was graduated and began the practice of medi- cine at Gaylesville, Alabama. It was at this. place that he married Miss Sarah E. Brown, Together they moved to Maroa, Illinois, where they lived about two years. In 1859 they located at Decatur, making this city their permanent home.
Their first two children died in infancy. A daughter, Minnie S., died in February, 1881, at the age of eighteen years. A son, Dr. Warren Brown, is a practicing phy- sician of Tacoma, Washington. Another son, Dr. Everett J. Brown, is a worthy snc- cessor of his father at Decatur. Still an- other son, Frederick A. Brown, is prac- ticing law in Chicago.
Dr. Josiah Brown died May 6, 1889, at his home 665 Prairie avenue, Decatur, IHli- nois, where his wife and daughter, Mrs. Charles R. Murphy, still reside. Dr. Brown was a member of the Masonic Lodge, In politics he was a Republican. In religion he was a Presbyterian and was a member of that church for more than twenty-five years.
By those who knew him best he will ever be remembered as a cordial, true friend : an able and successful physician, sound in his judgment and correct in diagnosis, a keen observer and a good adviser. He was strict- ly temperate and always maintained a high standard of right.
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.