USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 74
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After watching the heart-broken parish- ioners follow the remains of their loved priest to the last resting place in Calvary, Bishop Ryan began looking around for
some one to take his place. At Mattoon there was a priest who had attained an age barely above that of middle age, but yet who had made signal and distinguished ad- vances in the work of the priesthood of the church. This priest was Very Rev. Father Murphy, the present rector, who was called to the pastorate of St. Patrick's in the early part of July, 1898, and who said his first mass in the church on Sunday, July 17.
Very Rev. Father Jeremiah Murphy is a native of Mill street, County Cork, Ireland, where he was born on Christmas day of 1856. Near to the hallowed haunts of his childhood, at the national school at Cullen, he studied until his sixteenth year, and then for a short time became a preceptor. Obedient to the Divine call he entered St. Brendan's Seminary in Killarney where, with class honors, he completed the classics However, in 1876, at the age of twenty years, he bade farewell to the green shores of Erin and the dear folks at home' and set sail for America. Arriving in this country he commenced at once upon a course of philosophy and theology at the Seminary of St. Francis in Milwaukee.
He was ordained a priest by Right Rev. P. J. Baltes, of the Diocese of Alton, June 29, 1881. His first mass was celebrated July 2, in the Church of Our Savior, Jackson- ville, Illinois. The occasion was not char- acterized by the pomp and display which usually attend such celebrations. It was low mass at which a few devout wor- shipers assisted, while the only attendant at the altar was Rev. Father Hickey. For a short time he acted as assistant priest at Decatur and was then assigned to Virden as a pastor. Later he received charge of St. Patrick's church at Cairo, Illinois, which mission he resigned to pursue a course of study under the Jesuits. Soon after he re- turned he received an appointment as pastor at Winchester, where he built a beautiful church and parochial residence. From
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thence he went to Mattoon where he re- mained for six years. In that city St. Jo- seph's school and numerous other buildings and improvements stand as a monument to his zeal.
Those who know Dean Murphy best know that his work has been tireless and he has accomplished much since his resi- dence in Decatur. On his arrival he found a debt of twenty-one thousand dollars hang- ing over the church and his constant en- deavor has been to sweep that debt out of existence. Those who have watched his in- cessant labor know that it will not take him a great while longer to accomplish his object. When the debt is finally discharged the fact will no doubt be commemorated by a fitting celebration.
Besides laboring to remove the debt on the church property Dean Murphy has made some notable improvements in St. Patrick's church. The remodeling of the interior of the church at great cost and the installing of a new heating apparatus are among the improvements he has effected.
CHARLES J. HARTLEY.
Charles J. Hartley is the senior member of the C. J. Hartley Company of Decatur, contractors and builders of special machin- ery, also doing all kinds of general repair work. The business of which our subject is the head has grown to extensive propor- tions under his capable management, and the industry to-day is a profitable one, con- stantly growing in volume and importance.
Mr. Hartley was born in Quincy, Illinois, September 4. 1848, and is a son of James and Sarah (Moffitt) Hartley. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Hartley, was a native of Virginia, who removed from the vicinity of Wheeling, West Virginia, to Kentucky about the close of the Revolutionary war, taking up his abode in Greenup county in
the latter state. He had loyally served in the cause for independence with the Vir- ginia troops, taking part in the long war from its beginning to its close and thus valiantly aiding in winning independence for the nation. He resided in Kentucky for a number of years and at length was drowned in the Licking river about 1820. Thomas Moffitt, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland and, crossing the Atlantic to the new world about 1803. located in Rochester, New York. While living there he saw General LaFayette, who was paying a visit to America. In 1810 Mr. Moffitt removed to the west and be- came a resident of Nauvoo, Hancock coun- ty, Illinois, where he carried on the occu- pation of farming. He reached the very ad- vanced age of ninety-six years ere he was called to the home beyond.
James Hartley, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, but during his youth went to St. Louis, Missouri, where for some time he engaged in the manufacture of car- riages. Later he became a millwright, spending the latter part of his life in Quin- cy, Illinois, where he died in 1852, at the age of fifty years.
In taking up the personal history of Charles J. Hartley we present to our read- ers the life record of one who has become widely and favorably known in industrial circles in Decatur. He attended the public schools until about twelve years of age and was then thrown upon his own resources so that the mental training which he obtained afterward was received by study at night. He followed various occupations in order to earn an honest living, and at the age of fifteen became employed in a machine shop. This gave him opportunity to continue his education by attending night school and he devoted his time to the study of me- chanics and natural philosophy, being thus engaged from 1863 until 1868. He was first with the firm of Gardner & Robertson in
DR. M. DeWITT POLLOCK
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their jobbing shops and from 1868 until 1873 was employed in the engine works of M. T. Greenleaf in Quincy. Ilinois. Through the succeeding six years he worked in various shops in Ilannibal, Missouri, and again went to Quincy, whence he came to Decatur in 1879. For a few months he worked as a machinist in the Union fron Works and then returned to Quincy and later went to Fort Madison, lowa, but made a permanent location in this city in March, 1882. Here for two years he was employed in the W. L. Oakes Novelty Works and then engaged as foreman and superinten- dent with the Warren & Durfee Wooden Tray Works, filling that position for two years. The firm then incorporated under the name of the Warren & Durfee Mann- facturing Company, Mr. Hartley continu- ing as its superintendent. The manufac- tured output, however, did not prove suc- cessful and the company took up the manu- facture of a grain weigher, the invention of William Dunkel, which they continued · for two years, but the machine did not prove a success. In the meantime Mr. Hartley had himself patented a grain weigher and in 1897 assumed control of the plant. He began manufacture under the firm name of C. J. Hartley & Company and also estab- lished a general machine shop. He asso- ciated with him in this business his son, Arthur J. Hartley, when on the 17th of March, 1902, the business was incorporated, under the name of the C. J. Hartley Com- pany. The success of this enterprise has been almost phenomenal. The output of 1902 more than doubled that of 1901. They are contractors and builders of special ma- chinery and manufacture grain weighers and lifting jacks. They also do a general machine and repairing business and the vol- time of their trade has grown to extensive proportions.
In 1871 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hartley and Miss Eunice Spencer, of Quin-
cy, Illinois, and unto them were born five children, Arthur J., Joseph F. and Elva Incz, who are living; Florence, who died in 1882; and one that died in infancy. Mr. Hartley belongs to lonic Lodge, No. 312, F. & .1. 31. ; and Park Lodge, No. 56, A. O. U. W., of Quincy, Illinois. The record of Mr. Hart- ley is that of a man who by his own un- aided efforts has worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable business methods- which he has followed have won him the support and confidence of many. Without the aid of influence or wealth, he has risen to a position among the most prominent men of the state, and his native genius and acquired ability are stepping-stones on which he mounted.
MILTON DE WITT POLLOCK, M. D.
In this enlightened age when men of in- dustry and energy are constantly pushing their way to the front, those who, by their own individual efforts, have won favor and fortune may properly claim recognition. Dr. Pollock has won a creditable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity and although a comparatively young man he has at the present time a liberal patronage which many an old practitioner might well envy. He is one of the citizens of Decatur that Pennsylvania has furnished to Macon county. His birth occurred in the Key- stone state, April 20, 1863, his parents being James 11. and Lydia M. ( Phillips) Pollock, the former a native of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, born October 24, 1822, and the latter of Vermont. It was in the fall of 1863 that the family came to Illinois, set- tling in McLean county near Bloomington, where the father engaged in general farm- ing. Hle made his home there until 1871. when he removed to Champaign county,
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Illinois, and settled upon a farm. Through- out his entire life he carried on agricultural pursuits and was still living on the old homestead in Champaign county until a short time before his death, which occurred in Foosland, Illinois, June 16, 1899. ITis wife died on the 4th of April, 1903. She was born at Vershire, Vermont, June 25, 1831, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children: Dr. Milton D., of Decatur ; Dr. Robert MI., a physician, Dr. Samuel H., a dentist, and Joseph P., a retired merchant, all of Rockyford, Colo- rado: David W., a merchant of Foosland, Illinois: U. S. Grant, who lives on the old homestead : and Emma, wife of W. S. Hin- ton, of Champaign county, Illinois.
At the usual age Dr. Pollock began his education in the district schools of Cham- paign county and advanced to a grade that would entitle him to receive a teacher's certificate. In the fall of 1885 he became a member of the firm of J. H. Pollock & Sons, general merchants and grain dealers, of Foosland. Illinois, who were recognized at that time as among the heaviest local grain shippers in central Illinois. Dispos- ing of his business interests in January, 1891, the Doctor went west, locating at Rockyford. Colorado, and determining to make the practice of medicine his life work he became a student under the direction of Dr. C. S. Marks, of that place, and on the completion of a course in Rush Medical College, of Chicago, he was graduated in the class of 1895.
After his graduation Dr. Pollock was united in marriage to Miss Emma M. Miles, of Foosland, Illinois, a daughter of Thomas S. and Harriet (Crow) Miles. The young couple began their domestic life in Decatur, where the Doctor opened an office and began the practice of his profession. He has steadily advanced in public favor and if patronage is any criterion of skill Dr. Pollock may well be accounted one of the
most capable physicians of his adopted city. He is a student who reads broadly, thinks deeply and with ready adaptability uses the knowledge that he has gained for the bene- fit of his fellow men. He holds member- ship in the Decatur Medical Society, also in the State Medical Society and in the American Medical Association and thus he keeps informed concerning the advanced ideas of the profession and the new methods of work that have been instituted and adopted by leading physicians throughout the country. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Decatur. He now has convenient and well appointed offices at 513, 514 and 515 Powers building.
EDWIN J. ROBERTS.
For over a third of a century this gentle- man has been identified with the farming in- terests of Macon county, and in the prosecu- tion of his chosen work he has met with excel- lent success, being industrious, careful and painstaking in carrying on the labors of the farm. His early home was in New England, for he was born on the 5th of July, 1842, in Barnstead. Belknap county. New Hampshire, and his parents were George S. and Eliza A. ( Bunker) Roberts, also natives of that state, and the former of Welsh and the latter of English descent. Throughout life the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. Leaving his old home in the east he came to Illinois in 1865, and after spending about three years in Woodford county, he removed to Macon county in the spring of 1868 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 16, Illini town- ship. paying thirty-five dollars per acre for one hundred and twenty acres and sixteen and two-third dollars for the remaining forty acres on which our subject now resides. Here he died in 1897. and his wife passed away in 1885. Their children were Sarah Elizabeth, who died at the age of four years; Edwin J.,
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of this review ; George F., a physician of Min- neapolis, Minnesota, who married Ella Thayer, of Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois ; and Everett L., a miller of Gothenburg, Ne- braska, who married Anna B. Clarke, a daugh- ter of Bradbury Clarke, of Illini township, this county.
Edwin J. Roberts grew to manhood in his native state and received a good practical edu- cation in the common schools and at the Pitts- field Academy. He attended the latter insti- tution only during the summer, while through the fall and winter terms he engaged in teach- ing school, receiving at first thirteen dollars per month and his board and afterwards twenty dollars per month, the highest wages paid at that time. For three winters he taught in the same township in New Hampshire, and after coming to Macon county, Ilinois, he had charge of a school in Illini township for three years, his wages at that time being fifty dollars per month. In the early 'zos Mr. Roberts made his first purchase of land, consisting of a forty acre tract for which he paid thirty dol- lars per acre, and later bought forty acres of his brother for fifty dollars per acre. He came into control of the remainder of the old home- stead on the death of his father, and to the cul- tivation and improvement of his farm he de- voted his energies for many years, but is now practically living a retired life while he rents his farm. He is secretary of the Illini Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was formed in March, 1875, with risks which amounted to fifty thousand dollars, but now amount to four hundred and fifty thousand dollars all placed. As there have only been five assessments it is a very safe and economical investment for one. The territory of the company extends over six townships : Niantic, Maroa, Illini, Harristown, Austin and Hickory Points, and it is called the Illini Mutual because the office is located in that township. The present officers of the company are John A. Connely, president ; Charles S. Bullard, treasurer, and Edwin J.
Roberts, secretary, our subject having filled that position for twenty-one years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
In 1864 Mr. Roberts married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Daniels, the only daughter of Na- thaniel and Mary Ann ( Langley) Daniels. She was born in Lee, Strafford county, New Hampshire, July 16, 1840, and like her hus- band she was educated in the common schools and Pittsfield Academy, where she took the English course. Harry E. Roberts, the only living son of our subject and his wife, was born June 3, 1866. He attended the Wesleyan University for a time and later was graduated at Grand Prairie Seminary in Onarga, Illinois. He married Miss Abbie M. Eaton, by whom he has one child, Laurence B., born July 31, 1897, and they live on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 17, Illini township. Ernest E., another son, was born November 6, 1870, and died July 2, 1871. Since the age of three years Margaret May Cheeseman has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and has been given the same ad- vantages as a daughter. She was born July 28, 1883, and was educated in the common schools.
As a Democrat Mr. Roberts takes an active interest in political affairs. For eight years he efficiently served as supervisor of his town- ship and was chairman of the board two years of that time. He was also chairman of the committee on plans and specifications for the new court house. For thirty years he has been an active and earnest member of the Con- gregational church of Illini township, to which his wife and children also belong, and has been deacon of the same for a number of years. They receive and merit the high regard of the entire community in which they live. Mr. Roberts' public and private life are above re- proach, for his career has ever been one char- acterized by the utmost fidelity to duty.
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II. C. JOHNS, M. D.
The contemporary and friend of Abraham Lincoln, a leader in political circles of the state, an extensive farmer and stock-breeder, and one of the most active promoters of agri- cultural interests in Illinois, a man of strong purpose and unfaltering fidelity to duty, Dr. Johns was an eminent and influential factor in the public life and business circles of Illinois for many years. He was known and honored throughout Decatur and the state and through- out the entire country his name was a familiar one in connection with the advancement and interests of agriculture.
Dr. Harvey C. Johnes was a native of Del- aware county, Ohio, born on the 20th of June, 1819, and was in the eighty-second year of his age when his life record was ended. The family name was originally spelled Johnes, but owing to the misdirection of business letters and other communications which came to him it was concluded to drop the "e," and so the present spelling of the name was adopted. It was in 1846 that the Doctor made this change. His early literary education was pursued in Granville, Ohio, and determining to become a member of the medical profession he afterward entered the Jefferson Medical College of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1842. Open- ing an office in Circleville, Ohio, he began practice in that city, but later removed to Piatt county, Illinois. At this time he largely aban- doned professional life in order to devote his time and energies to agricultural pursuits be- cause of the splendid opportunities which this state offers in that direction. Occasionally, however, he was called to visit a patient and rendered valuable aid in this direction in many a pioneer household. His time and energies, however, were largely given to general farm- ing and stock raising. He made a specialty of the breeding of cattle and hogs, and through- out his remaining days was identified with agricultural interests.
It was because of failing health that Dr.
Johns removed from Ohio to Piatt county, set- tling there in the year 1849. Five years later he came to Decatur, and in 1857 built the fam- ily home, which stands on a splendid building site, commanding a fine view of the surround- ing country. The furniture of the Doctor and his wife was brought to Macon county by wagon. They owned the only piano between Danville and Springfield, and it was the first one in Decatur. On the arrival of the piano the question arose concerning a plan for trans- ferring it from the wagon to the hotel in which the Doctor and his wife were boarding. The landlord was questioned as to whether there were any men around who could assist in un- loading the musical instrument. He replied that there were none, but that court was in session and that when it adjourned several men would come to the hotel for supper and probably assistance could then be gained. The wagon was still standing in front of the door when about supper time three men came walking down the street and volunteered their services in unloading the piano. These men were Abraham Lincoln, David Davis and Leonard Sweet, who begged that in return for their services Mrs. Johns would play for them and gladly she complied.
It was on the 29th of October, 1845, in Cir- cleville, Ohio, that Dr. Johns had been united in marriage to Miss Jane Martin, and after a brief residence of less than four years in the state of their nativity they came to Illinois. In his business affairs here the Doctor was very successful. He was also a type of the repre- sentative American citizen who while promot- ing his individual interests likewise advances the general welfare. There is no man in all the state of Illinois who deserves greater grat- itude for labor performed in behalf of agricul- ture and stock-raising interests. He was made a member of the first state board of agricul- ture of Illinois, but even previous to this time had begun to import thoroughbred stock and was the first to introduce fine blooded stock into this part of the country. He it was who
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introduced Durham cattle into Illinois, and from that time until his labors were ended he was greatly interested in the improvement of stock, and thus added largely to the welfare of the state for prices were proportionately ad- vanced as the grade of cattle, horses and hogs were improved. llis farming lands situated in l'iatt and Macon county and this portion of Illinois were extremely valuable. The rich productive soil yielded splendid crops, while every equipment conducive to the best inter- ests of his stock was added to his farm. It was in 1852 that the agricultural board of Illinois was organized and Dr. Johns rode a mute all the way from Monticello to Spring- field to participate in the work of its first meeting. Ile was chosen one of the vice pres- idents of the board and was elected its second president. For a period of ten years he con- tinued his association with the board in this official capacity and formed many close and lasting friendships with men prominent in stock-breeding and farming interests through- out Illinois and neighboring states. In con- junction with Mr. Jacoby and James M. Brown, of Springfield, he was sent to Europe by the Illinois State Breeders' Association, to purchase thoroughbred horses and cattle. They performed their mission successfully, bringing some of the finest thoroughbred stock ever introduced into the state. The state leg- islature had appropriated fifty thousand dol- lars for this purpose and the stock sold at such excellent prices that money was returned from the sale into the state treasury. This, together with the introduction of stock made by Dr. Johns individually, formed the foundation of the stock-breeding interests of Illinois. The Doctor continued an active member of the Illi- nois State Agricultural Association until about 1864, and up to that time he and his col- leagues, Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Brown, were the mainstays of the organization. Dr. Johns was also vice president of the National Agricul- tural Association and was one of its managers at the big exposition which was given by the
organization in Chicago and which has become a historical event of the state. In business affairs the Doctor was far-sighted, capable and enterprising, and his indefatigable energy and sound judgment proved salient features in winning him most gratifying prosperity.
The Doctor was both prominent in political and business life, and left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the state in that way. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party, and in 1852 he was elected a member of the state legislature from Piatt county. He became an active participant in the memorable contest which occurred in the assembly growing out of the election of Ly- man Trumbull to the position of United States senator. In that session Dr. Johns first gave his support to Abraham Lincoln, of whom he was a warm admirer and personal friend, but when he saw that many votes were being given to Madison he and other supporters of Lincoln, at Mr. Lincoln's personal solicitation cast their ballots for Mr. Trumbull, who ul- timately secured his election. At other times, however, Dr. Johns' service was of more de- cided benefit to Lincoln. The latter was a frequent visitor at the Johns' residence in De- catur and close ties of friendship and of com- radeship were formed between the two gentle- men. As a delegate to the first national con- vention of the Republican party held in Phila- delphia. Dr. Johns supported John C. Fremont for the presidency and in that convention placed Abraham Lincoln in nomination for the vice presidency.
During the war of the rebellion, following the battle of Fort Donelson, the Doctor ten- ‹lered his services as a volunteer surgeon to Governor Yates and was sent to the front to minister to the sick and wounded. He had charge of a boat load of wounded soldiers, and did much effective service during the latter part of the war, his medical skill being of the utmost importance in relieving the pain and suffering of those who were wounded in de- fense of the old flag. He was commissioned
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