USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 75
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regimental surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Regiment and acted in that capacity until February, 1864, when his own failing health caused him to resign. Earlier in the period of the war he went to Washington to use his best efforts to induce President Lincoln to accept the services of the One Hundred and Fourteenth and One Hun- dred and Sixteenth Regiments which were then in camp in Decatur and were cager to be called to the front. At that time President Lincoln offered Dr. Johns a position as sur- geon in cither regiment, but he did not ac- cept. It was largely, however, through his influence that the two regiments were sent south to engage in the successful struggle for the maintenance of the Union. Just before the national election of 1864 Governor Yates sent Dr. Johns to Tennessee to bring back the ill and wounded soldeirs who came home on furloughs and to vote. He continued a most active advocate of the Republican party until 1872, when he voted for Horace Greeley and later became allied with the Democracy. In his last years, however, he took little active in- terest in political affairs. although he always kept informed concerning questions of local. state and national interest.
Unto the Doctor and his wife were born five children : Hon. W. C. Johns; Sheridan W. Johns ; Mrs. Fannie W. Sedgwick ; Mrs. C. B. Moore, her husband being commander in the United States Navy ; and Mrs. George C. Dan- forth. In 1895 the golden wedding of the Doctor and his honored wife was brilliantly celebrated. All of the members of their fam- ily were present with many invited guests, and little Frances Moore, their granddaughter, acted as one of the receiving parties and was a most interesting figure on that occasion, wearing a gown that was the wedding dress of the bride fifty years before. Dr. Johns died April 22. 1899, and is interred in Greenwood. Mrs. Johns still occupies the old homestead in which she lived for so many years with her husband. Her mind bears the impress of many
of the historical annals of the county and state and she relates in most interesting manner tales of the early days.
Dr. Johns was a charter member of the De- catur Club and an active figure in its circles during the early years of its existence. He also held membership in the Odd Fellows So- ciety. He was a man of great strength, a man of commanding personalities, was cordial and genial and the circle of his friends was co- extensive with the circle of his acquaintances. His broad reading made him a well educated man, and his unusually strong intellect and ready comprehension and appreciation of every situation made him a most entertaining companion. He never faltered in his allegi- ance to any purpose or plan which he believed to be right and in business circles he sustained an unassailable reputation. His name became a synonym for integrity and while he won success it could not be grudged by the most envious because it was gained by such worthy methods and so honorably used. His ability, great mentality and physical activity enabled him to accomplish much in life and the state of Illinois has been greatly benefited by his residence within its borders.
IV. L. FOULKE.
Farming and stock-raising claims the time and attention of W. L. Foulke, who has spent the greater part of his life upon the farm on section 26, Maroa township, where he now re- sides. He was born in Macon county on the 2d of December, 1873, and is a son of Edward and Adelaide (Callady) Foulke, in whose fam- ily were five children, our subject being the fourth in order of birth. The father died Oc- tober 30, 1901.
W. L. Foulke acquired his early education in the district schools near his boyhood home and later attended the Westfield high school. At the age of eighteen years he left the home farm and has since been dependent upon his
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own resources for a livelihood. For six years he was employed in the Vandalia freight office at Decatur, but with that exception his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he now operates his father's old home farm in Maroa township, in which he has an undi- vided interest. At present he is largely de- voting his time to the stock business and is re- garded as a good judge of farm animals. He is a wide-awake, energetic young business man, and is meeting with good success in his work.
On the 30th of October, 1901, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Foulke and Miss Lelah Craig, a daughter of William H. Craig, and they now have a little daughter, Lydia Adelaide, who was born November 4. 1902. Mr. Foulke is a member of Macon Lodge. No. 8, F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the chap- ter and commandery of that fraternity, all in Decatur. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and he takes a commendable interest in public affairs. Well and favorably known, he has many friends throughout his native county, and he enjoys the confidence and high regard of all with whom he is brought in contact either in business or social life.
SIMON P. HOY.
Simon P. Hoy is now district agent for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, with headquarters at Decatur. Many years of his life were devoted to the active work of the ministry and his influence therein was of no restricted order. His career has been such a one as makes the world better for his having lived and his influence is ever given on the side of right, the truc and the beautiful. Decatur numbers him among its valued and representative citizens, and his many friends in Macon county will receive gladly this rec- ord of his career.
Simon P. Hoy is a native of Fairfield
county, Ohio, his birth having there occurred on the 16th of June, 1837. He comes of New England ancestry. His father, Peter Hoy, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and there spent a portion of his early life. He was a farmer by occupation and was an active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He possessed considerable musical talent-a char- acteristic of the Hoy family-and had a splen- did voice. He died early in life, however, passing away on the 13th of August, 1837, his cleath being the result of a fall in crossing a stream on his return from church. He was a most devoted Christian gentleman, zealous in behalf of the church and its upbuilding, and his life was ever in harmony with his profes- sions. Although small in stature he possessed great strength. He had married Miss Mary Stump, a daughter of Joel Stump, who re- moved to Ohio from Pennsylvania when a young man, first settling in Pickaway county. He spent the remainder of his life in the Buck- eye state. lle was a man of great moral worth, of unquestioned honor and integrity and of high ideals as to family life. Hle was of German lineage and was a member of the Lutheran church which was also the faith of his ancestors. His daughter, Mary Stump, after losing her first husband was again mar- ried in 1839 to David A. Hoy, a brother of her first husband. By him she had ten children who reached years of maturity, namely: John B., who served in the Civil war as a member of Company HI. Forty-first Volunteer Infantry ; Joel W., who was also a defender of the Union during the Civil war for three months ; Adam M., who belonged to Company H, Forty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers ; Katherine E .: David W .: Jacob M .; Joshua; Albert ; Mary E. ; and Julia, the wife of John W. Jinks. All of this family are living.
Simon P. Hoy at the usual age entered the public schools and therein pursued his studies until he had mastered the common branches of learning. He afterward spent five months as a student in the seminary at Shelbyville,
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Illinois, under Professor Jerome, and later he engaged in teaching in the district schools of Shelby county for three years. When twenty- one years of age, while in Hancock county, Ohio, he was converted and became a member of the United Brethren church, joining the conference in the fall of 1860 at Lexington, Illinois, that he might devote his life to the work of the ministry. The church organiza- tion was known as the Illinois Annual Confer- ence of the United Brethren church. His first pastorate was the Broadwell mission, over which he had charge for a year. He was next appointed to the church in Decatur, Illinois, where he served for one year, largely advanc- ing the cause of Christianity through his zeal- ous and earnest efforts here. He then located in Shelby county, where he again engaged in teaching school for one year .. On the expira- tion of that period he re-entered the ministry and filled the pastorate of the church at Wash- ington, Illinois, for two years. At the annual conference in the fall of 1866 he was elected presiding elder of his district, his territory covering ten fields of labor. He was the youngest man in the ministry of this district, but he proved most capable in his labors as presiding elder, and under his guidance the churches did effective work. On the expira- tion of his term of service in that office he con- tinned in the active work of the ministry, preaching at the new Pana mission and after- ward at the Macon mission. During the period of his ministry his labors were greatly blessed with accessions in membership. Two churches were also built during his labors in the ministry, one at Wheatland at a cost of three thousand dollars, and the other at Blue Mound, which was also erected at a similar cost. Later Mr. Hoy served the Locust Grove circuit of Shelby county for one year and was then elected presiding elder. At the next annual conference the central Illinois conference was formed and he was given charge of the church at Lexington, Illinois, this being in 1871. Later he was once more
chosen presiding elder and continued to serve. in that capacity for two years, following which time he was stationed at Streator, Illi- nois, for one year, and while pastor there the new church building was completed.
In 1874 he located permanently in Decatur and entered the employ of D. Appleton as salesman for the American Encyclopedia. He continued in this line of business until 1882, when he entered the service of the Northwest- ern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Mil- waukee. Wisconsin. His identification with this corporation covers twenty-one years, and at the present time he is district agent with an office in room 312 of the Millikin Building in Decatur. He has a very thorough under- standing of the insurance business, its methods and its scope and keeps in touch with the great volume of detail work incident to carrying on this business throughout the district.
In 1860 Mr. Hoy was united in marriage to Aliss Amanda F. Morris, a daughter of Na- thaniel and Eliza ( Fisher ) Morris. She died in her sixtieth year on the 11th of February, 1901. Seven children had been born of this union : Edward M., who is a druggist of Springfield, Illinois; Mollie, who is the wife of Frank J. Hodgins; Charles D., who is bookkeeper for the firm of Linn & Scruggs, of Decatur ; Josie E., who is the wife of Harry Lathrop: Ira B .; and two who are now de- ceased. These are Alice M., the first born, and Crala L., the third of the family.
In reviewing the life history of Mr. Hoy it seems that special providence has watched over him and guided him. When he was but an infant of six months his mother was carry- ing him in her arms on horseback, when the animal stumbled and fell and the mother and babe were thrown to the ground with great force, but Mrs. Hoy shielded her child by striking upon her own elbows, and though her arms were lacerated in a fearful manner the babe was uninjured. During his pastorate at the Broadwell mission rather than miss an appointment for religious service that he had
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THOMAS B. JONES
MRS. THOMAS B. JONES
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
made, Mr. Hoy forded the Sangamon river on horseback at great peril of his own life. It was in 1861, at the time of high water. The fording of the river was a very dangerous operation, but he made it in safety, and his compensation for that service was but a dol- lar and a quarter. On another occasion Mr. Iloy was crossing a stream in a buggy with his wife and child when the bridge cut loose from its fastenings and started to float down the stream. Quick as a flash he urged his horse on and plunging into the stream it quickly brought them forth in safety to the shore. Other proofs of the care which the Creator has for his children and which Mr. Hoy has specially received might be given. In his own work in behalf of the church he has greatly promoted moral development. He was a strong forceful speaker, energetic and zealous and willing to make an effort or sac- rifice to keep his appointments. No task was too arduous for him, and his labors were at- tended with splendid results, many additions being made to the church during his various pastorates.
THOMAS B. JONES.
Thomas B. Jones, a retired farmer resid- ing at No. 1259 West Wood street in De- catur, is a representative of one of the old families of Macon county, whose residence here dates from 1851. Our subject was born in Marion county, Illinois, August 6, 1845, his parents being Joseph E. and Sarah (Neel) Jones, the former a native of Ten- nessee and the latter of Virginia. They were married very early in life and when Mr. Jones was eighteen years of age they came to Decatur, where he secured employ- ment in the lumber mills as a foreman and later he was engineer in what was known as the Eastman Mill. Subsequently he was made superintendent of the Macon county poor farm, of which he had charge for eleven years. le then purchased that farm
and devoted his energies to general agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 20th of March, 1866. His widow afterward sold the farm and re- moved to Mount Zion township, where she purchased another tract of land, upon which she made her home until called to her final rest on the 17th of July, 1894. This worthy couple were the parents of five children : Yong P .; Thomas; Amanda, the wife of Martin Cooper, of Decatur; Ozro, who married Luella Albright and is a farmer of Traverse City, Illinois; and Will- iam Columbus, who wedded Sarah Grover and now resides on the old home farm in Mount Zion township.
At the usual age Thomas Jones entered the public schools and pursued his educa- tion here until he had mastered the common branches of learning and became well fitted to meet the practical duties of life. In his youth he was also trained to the work of the farm and he assisted his father in its operation until his marriage which im- portant event in his life occurred December 8, 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Boardman, a native of Bartholomew county, Indiana, born June 17, 1841. Her parents were Captain Isaac C. and Margaret (Cheddy) Boardman. Her father served as a captain in the Mexican war for one year and one month and became an early settler of Macon county, where his extensive oper- ations as a stock-dealer made him known as one of the leading stockmen of the state. lle also engaged in the raising of grain on a large scale and his business interests . brought to him a splendid financial return. Elected clerk of Macon county, he held that position for a number of years and was also a member of the board of supervisors for many years. Both he and his wife spent their last days in Decatur and were recog- nized as leading and highly respected citi- zens of that place. In their family were eleven children, namely : Thomas, who
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
died on the old homestead in November, 1902, at the age of fifty-six years; Eliza, wife of Jacob Sine, of Decatur; Rebecca, who is the widow of Joseph Sine and lives on a farm in South Wheatland township; Malissa, wife of Yong P. Jones, of Decatur ; William, who married Elizabeth McDaniel and resides in South Wheatland township ; Mary, widow of James Walton and a resident of South Wheatland township ; Charles, who wedded Mary Ballenger and lives in South Wheatland township: Ed- ward, who married Mary Blassengame, now deceased, and makes his home in South Wheatland township; Martha, the wife of our subject; James, who died at the age of nine years; and Buena Vista, who died at the age of fourteen.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones has been blessed with five children: Margaret, who died at the age of eleven months ; Mary, the wife of John Lambert, who re- sides upon a farm near Elwin, this county ; Thomas Smith, who died at the age of fif- teen years; Charles, who married Abbie May and resides on his father's farm in South Wheatland township; and Jessie May, the wife of Frank Sprague, a resident of Oden, Indiana.
After his marriage Mr. Jones removed to Decatur and was variously employed there for about a year. He then purchased a tract of land in South Wheatland township, a mile and a quarter southeast of the vil- lage of Elwin, and to the improvement and cultivation of his farm devoted his time and energies until the spring of 1903. He had placed his fields under a high state of culti- vation and annually harvested good crops. He also raised high grades of stock and his annual sales of cattle and hogs brought him very gratifying success. Removing to the city of Decatur in the spring of 1903 he erected his present home at No. 1259 West Wood street and is now living a retired life, here enjoying a rest which he has
truly earned and richly deserves. He still owns the farm of eighty acres in South Wheatland township and also a building lot near his home in Decatur. His political allegiance has been given to the Democracy and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Elwin. Mr. Jones has been very successful in his business affairs and is a representative of a well known and leading family of Macon county. His in- terests were capably managed and sound and keen sagacity characterized all of his business dealings.
JONES MALONE.
For seventy-one years Jones Malone has been a resident of Illinois, and he has there- fore witnessed almost its entire development. He has seen its wild lands transformed into beautiful homes and farms, its hamlets grow into villages and flourishing cities, and all of the interests and evidences of an advanced civilization introduced. Since 1865 he has made his home in Macon county and has been particularly active in promoting its interests. Mr. Malone was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, November 10, 1821, a son of Wil- liam and Elizabeth ( Hodaway) Malone, who were natives of Virginia, but were married in Rutherford county, Tennessee, where they continued to reside until 1832, when they brought their family to Illinois and settled in Perry county. There both died when about fifty-four years of age.
After spending the first eleven years of his life in his native state Jones Malone accom- panied his parents on their removal to Illinois. This state was at that time an almost un- broken wilderness. wolves and deer were fre- quently seen and all kinds of wild game was plentiful. Our subject was the oldest in his father's family and received but a limited edu- cation in the subscription schools. After liv- ing for some years in Perry county, he re-
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moved to Washington county, where he was engaged in farming for seven years, and about the close of the Civil war he came to Macon county, locating upon his present farm of sec- tion 8, Whitmore township. The unbroken prairie stretched for miles around him and much of the land was under water, it having to be thoroughly tiled and drained before fit for cultivation. He paid thirty dollars per acre for his property, which is to-day worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre owing to the rise in land values and the many improvements he has placed thereon.
In Perry county, Mr. Malone was married in 1845 to Miss Nancy Huggins, who was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, December 6, 1828. Her parents were Patrick and Eliza- beth ( Mitchell) Huggins, who were natives of Pennsylvania and died of cholera on the same day in .August, 1833, leaving eight chil- dren. After their deaths Mrs. Malone was reared by an aunt, Mrs. Mary Walker, who was her mother's sister and with whom she remained until her sixteenth year. She then lived with her second oldest sister. Mrs. Re- becca Lard, until her marriage. Her father was a prominent and prosperous farmer and left to each of his children forty acres of land. Seven children, six daughters and one son, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Malone, namely: Mrs. Addie Cronce, a resident of Washington : Mrs. Jennie Myrl, now de- ceased; Mrs. Margaret F. Bishop, of Maroa; Mrs. Mary Wilson, of Olney. Illinois; Ephraim, who is married and living in Hick- ory Point township, this county; Emma, at home : and Mrs. Eva Belle Harris, who was married in September, 1903. and resides in Perry county, Illinois. Our subject and his wife have eleven grandchildren.
In religious faith Mr. Malone is a Baptist. and in politics he is a stalwart Democrat. He is thoroughly familiar with pioneer conditions and in common with the other members of his father's family he endured all the hardships and privations of frontier life. He has used
the scythe and cradle in the harvest fields long before reapers were invented and he has plowed with an old wooden mold board. While living in Perry county he made the first gang plow invented in the state but the patent was stolen from him. It was con- structed for the purpose of both plowing and harrowing. Mr. Malone has broken many an acre of prairie with an ox-team and has ma- terially aided in the development and improve- ment of this state. Ile has assisted in molding tallow candles and also some made out of beeswax. The early settlers found many a bee tree in the woods and honey was so plentiful that it often sold for twenty-five cents a gallon. Fires were then lighted by means of tlint and tow, as the friction matches had not come into use. On coming to Illinois Mr. Malone made the journey on horseback across the prairies, passing few settlements, and he was several weeks on the road. Ite can re- late many interesting incidents of those early days and he well deserves prominent mention on the roll of Illinois' honored pioneers and representative citizens.
JOHN E. NICHOLS.
There has been a wonderful development in life insurance business in recent years and its value as an institution is now universally recognized and there has certainly been no one line of business that has proven of more general benefit than this. John E. Nichols is to-day occupying a prominent position in in- surance circles as manager for the Manhattan Company, his territory covering the entire state of Illinois outside of Chicago.
Mr. Nichols has been one of Decatur's na- tive sons and his popularity is well known among friends with whom he has been ac- quainted from boyhood. He was born in this city, August 23, 1863, and is a son of Charles and Alzina ( Braden ) Nichols. The father was a native of Rochester, New York, and in
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the year 1858. leaving the cast, became a resi- dent of Decatur. He was employed by the government to purchase horses and he also engaged in general farming in Decatur town- ship. In 1885 he went to Nebraska, locating in Box, Butte county, and was there a prominent and influential citizen. He served as county judge during his residence there and was also postmaster under President Cleveland's first administration. He belonged to Macon Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M., while in Decatur, be- coming one of the charter members of that organization and in his life exemplified its beneficent spirit. His death occurred on the 30th of January, 1898, and his wife passed away in 1863. She was a daughter of J. Y. and Laura (Hunting) Braden. The mother was a native of Vermont and of New England ancestry, while the father was born in Ten- nessee. Mr. Braden became one of the pioneer settlers of Macon county, Illinois, and ably as- sisted in the carly work of development and improvement here.
John E. Nichols, the only child born unto his parents, acquired his early education in the public and subscription schools of Rock- port, Illinois, and later attended the commer- cial college in St. Joseph, Missouri. Subse- quently he engaged in teaching school for a period of ten years, following the profession in Macon and Piatt counties from 1880 until 1890. As an educator he met with success, for he was zealous and interested in his work and had the ability to impart with readiness and clearness to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1800, however, he abandoned the schoolroom in order to become solicitor for the Manhattan Life Insurance Company and for nine years following continued to de- vote his energies to that branch of the busi- ness. Ilis success from the start won him dis- tinction and gained him the confidence of the company. With the exception of four years spent in Chicago his efforts have always been confined to Decatur and vicinity. In recogni- tion of his capability and the excellent work
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