USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 79
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death, which occurred when he was thirteen years of age. He then, in 1836, entered Augusta College, of that state, from which he was graduated in 1841, at the age of seventeen, the youngest member in a class of thirteen. After his graduation he as- sisted his father in the commission business in Cincinnati, Ohio, but in the meantime studied medicine with Dr. Nick Marshall, of that city. Subsequently he entered the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and remained there one terin, after which he engaged in the practice of medicine at Hills- boro, Kentucky, where he remained for three years. In 1853 he was graduated from the Kentucky University, of Louis- ville, and soon after went to Texas, where he commenced to build up a good practice, but he remained there for only a few months. He was in favor of colonization, and on expressing his opinions freely his neighbors disagreeing with him made known their desire that he should leave that community, and so he returned to the north. At the urgent request of William Martin, one of Decatur's well-known pioneers, he came to this place and opened an office.
In Fleming county, Kentucky, Dr. Chen- oweth married Miss America Leforgee, a granddaughter of the celebrated Mike Cas- sidy, of Kentucky, who was a companion of Daniel Boone. Two children have been born unto our subject and his wife, Cassidy and Eliza R. The latter is the widow of Richard Piper, and with her daughter, Alice S., makes her home in Decatur with her father. Cassidy is a graduate of Rush Med- ical College of Chicago, and is the junior partner of the firm of Drs. W. J. & C. Chen- oweth. He has a high reputation as a physician and enjoys a very large city practice.
During the war Dr. Chenoweth served as a soldier of the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry for fifteen months, and is now a member of the Grand Army Post. He is also a meni-
J. J. IMBODEN
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ber of the Illinois Army and Navy Medical Association and is treasurer of that organ- ization. He and his wife hold membership with the first Methodist Episcopal church of this city. The Doctor is well and favor- ably known in Decatur and for a radius of twenty miles around the city. He has ever been a close student. of his profession and his application and natural ability have gained for him the enviable position which he occupies in professional circles.
JOHN G. IMBODEN.
Success in any undertaking comes through a thorough mastery of the business and by following the most approved busi- ness methods. It is in this way that John G. Imboden has attained a prominent place among the substantial citizens of South Wheatland township, where he now makes his home. He is entitled to distinction as one of the most progressive and enterpris- ing men of the county.
He was born in Decatur on the 25th of March, 1856, and is the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, all boys, whose parents were John and Sarah (Mark) Imboden. His father was a native of Penn- sylvania, born in 1818, and spent his early life in the east. In 1855 he came to Deca- tur, Illinois, and embarked in the meat busi- ness, opening a market at the corner of Main and Wood streets, which is now con- ducted by his son, C. M. Imboden. Hc was also quite extensively engaged in the packing and slaughtering business until 1880, when he sold out to his two sons, C. M. and J. G. Imboden. After a useful and well spent life the father died on the 31st of December. 1899.
John G. Imboden was also identified with the packing business in connection with his father during his minority and after he reached man's estate, but in 1900 he dis-
posed of his interests in Decatur and re- moved to his farm south of the city in South Wheatland township. Here he has established a model home, known as Way- side Place, where he can enjoy not only all the beauties of country life but also has all the modern conveniences of a city residence. Mr. Imboden now devotes the greater part of his time and attention to the raising of stock. He deals in all of the choice grades and fattens considerable stock for market each year. Being an expert in his line, he has for several years been called upon to act as judge of live stock at various fairs and expositions throughout the United States, serving in that capacity in the north- west, the states of lowa, Illinois and New York, in fact all the leading shows within the last quarter of a century, including the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. He has often been a judge at the Fat Stock Shows in that city and there he exhibited in 1888 the Angus steer Dot, the first Angus steer that ever won grand championship at the American Fat Stock Show. At pres- ent he is engaged specially in buying, feed- ing and shipping choice stock to various markets. While associated with his father and brother in the butchering business at Decatur he met with success and in all his undertakings he has steadily prospered. He did all the buying for the firm for twenty years. Mr. Imboden is operating an ex- tensive feed plant built on an economical plan and was the first in Macon county to construct a concrete tank for the use of his stock, now having one in his barn and two in his feed lot. In addition to his other stock he now has twenty-five head of Texas calves, which he is fattening for market.
Mr. Imboden was married in 1882 to Miss Zelma U. Shaw, a daughter of Dr. Shaw, of Macon, Illinois, and to them have been born three children, namely : Nina B., now Mrs. J. A. Anderson, of Ravenswood, Chicago; Edward P. and Zada 7. The parents and
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children are members of the First Metho- dist Episcopal church of Decatur and are held in the highest regard by all who know them. In his political views Mr. Imboden is a Republican, but at local elections he usually votes for whom he considers the best man regardless of party ties. He has contributed many articles to agricultural and stock papers, especially the Breeders' Gazette, and has done much to promote the interests of the farmer in this section of the state. He is justly regarded as one of the leading and representative citizens of his community and has the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life.
WILLIAM R. SCHROEDER.
William R. Schroeder is a well known business man of Warrensburg, dealing in harness, saddlery and sewing machines, and is a worthy representative of an honored family of this place, his parents being Max R. and Marie E. (Hagely) Schroeder, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. His father was the first post- master of Warrensburg and was long and honorably identified with the business inter- ests and public affairs of the village.
The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, February 28, 1871, but was reared and educated in Warrensburg, Illinois, whither the family removed when he was quite young. Under the able direc- tion of his father he learned the harness- maker's trade and commenced work at four dollars per week, being employed as a jour- neyman in northern Illinois for three years. At the father's death he was succeeded in business by his son Rudolph, in 1885, and the latter afterward formed a partnership with our subject under the firm name of Schroeder Brothers, this connection contin-
uing until the 8th of December. 1892, since which time William R. has been alone in business. The stock which he carries is mostly home-made and he is able to furnish anything needed in his line. Ile makes a specialty of manufacturing harness to order and devotes considerable attention to pony harness. He keeps in stock whips and all kinds of horse goods and he built up an extensive trade, which extends for many miles throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Schroeder also acts as local agent for the Wheeler & Wilson and New Home sewing machines, and has prospered in this branch of his business. He is an expert mechanic as well as a good and reliable business man, and the success that has come to him is certainly well deserved. He now owns his place of business and also a nice home in the southwestern part of the vil- lage.
Mr. Schroeder was married February 28, 1893, on the anniversary of his birth, to Miss Eva Raymond, a native of Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, and a daughter of F. A. and Frances (Tabor) Raymond. Her paternal grandmother is still living at the age of eighty-six years and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ed. White, in Warrensburg. Mrs. Schroeder is the only surviving child of her father's family, and she was educated in the public schools of her native place. She is now receiving part payments of French spoilations claims, her great-grandfather. Captain Benjamin Tabor, having been part owner of the ship Fox, which was confiscated by the French in 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder have two children, namely: Lucy Ellen, born De- cember 17. 1894; and William Raymond, born December 2, 1898. The wife and mother is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and is a most estimable lady. Mr. Schroeder is a member of the same church and is a prominent Odd Fellow, serving as deputy grand master in his lodge
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at Warrensburg. He also belongs to the encampment and canton at Decatur, and to the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has served as clerk for seven years. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, is now serving his second term as clerk of Illini township, and has also been a member of the board of village trustees. He has witnessed almost the entire development of Warrensburg and has done all in his power to advance its interests, supporting every measure which he believed calculated to promote the moral, educational or social welfare of the com- munity.
PHILIP P. HAMMAN.
Philip P. Hamman, a member of the firm of Hamman Brothers, has gained for him- self a creditable position in business circles in Decatur and associated with his brother is conducting an enterprise which is prov- ing profitable. He was born in Pike coun- ty, Ohio, in the year 1869, and came to Ma- con county with his parents, William and Mary Hamman, who are also natives of the Buckeye state, whence they removed to Illinois in 1879. The father became identi- fied with farming interests west of War- rensburg and there remained until his death, which occurred in July, 1899, when he was sixty years of age.
The subject of this review was a youth of ten summers when he arrived in Macon county and upon the home farm he was reared and in public schools of the neigh- borhood he acquired his education. To his father he gave the benefit of his services in the work of field and meadow until he was twenty-three years of age. He left home with a twenty dollar gold piece in his pocket and from that time on has made his way unaided, being one of the success- ful business men of Decatur. Forming a
partnership with his brother, John W., they established a transfer line and storage ware- house and have since conducted business under the firm style of Hamman Brothers.
Philip Hamman has given his undivided attention to the business and his constant care has been an important element in its success. Ile regards no details as too unim- portant to claim his attention and his unre- mitting diligence and well directed labors have won for him creditable and desirable success.
In August, 1895, Mr. Hamman was united in marriage to Miss Cora B. McGorray, a daughter of Benedict MeGorray, of De- catur. They now have two children : Arden and Phillis. Mr. Hamman is a member of Coeur de Lion Lodge, No. 17, K. P. : also of Easterly Camp, No. 1626, M. W. A. In politics he votes for the man rather than party and has never taken an active part in political work, preferring to devote all of his energies to his business affairs. The firm of Hamman Brothers occupies a high place in public regard by reason of the straightforward methods they have ever fol- lowed.
CASPER C. ELWOOD.
For many years Casper C. Elwood was con- nected with business interests in Decatur as a clothing merchant and manufacturer and his enterprise, added to the commercial and in- dustrial activity of the city, make him a valued factor in trade circles. His business carcer was at all times characterized by straightfor- ward dealing and by unfaltering allegiance to the ethics of commercial life and thus he gained the respect and confidence of his fellow- men. He became a resident of Decatur on the Ioth of March, 1857, and was therefore among the first representatives of its business affairs.
A native of Herkimer county, New York, Mr. Elwood was born May 26, 1827, his par-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
ents being Jonas and Margaret (Lipe) El- wood, both of whom were natives of the Em- pire state and there they remained until called to their final rest. The father was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife died in Herkimer county, New York.
It was in that county that Casper C. Elwood was educated, attending the public schools. He spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and the work of plowing, planting and harvesting became familiar to him. He con- tinued to reside with his parents up to the time of his marriage, which occurred in Her- kimer county in 1854, the lady of his choice being Miss Charlotte Suits, who was born in (Hazen) Suits, also of Herkimer county. Mr. Suits was a tailor by trade and always fol- lowed that occupation in order to provide for the needs of himself and family.
Mr. Elwood was the only representative of his father's family who came to the west. In the fall of 1855 he bade adieu to the Empire state and with his family came to Illinois, set- tling first in Sycamore, where he engaged in business for fifteen months. On the 10th of March, 1857, he arrived in Decatur and here began working for James William Race in the clothing business. After a short time he was admitted to a partnership by his en- ployer under the firm style of the Race Cloth- ing Manufacturing Company, doing business at No. 135 North Water street. This is now one of the largest clothing manufacturing plants in this part of the state. They manu- facture all kinds of men's clothing and neck- wear. In connection with this they own and conduct a retail store. Mr. Elwood continued in the business until his death and the success of the concern was largely attributable to his labors, his keen business sagacity, his enter- prise and sound judgment. He applied him- self diligently to the work of building up a profitable business and his labors were re- warded as the years passed by with a hand- some competence. He made for himself a
business record that any might envy. He never incurred an obligation that he did not meet or made an engagement that he did not fill and his word became a synonym for in- tegrity in all trade transactions.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elwood were born four children : Cora M. and Lula R., who reside with their mother; Clifford, at home; and Frank, who is now secretary of the Race Clothing Manufacturing Company of De- catur. He, too, is living with his mother so that the family are all still together.
It was in 1892 that they were called upon to mourn the loss of the husband and father, who on the 21st of January of that year passed that county a daughter of David and Emma. away. In his political views he was a Repub-
lican, always exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party, yet never seeking nor desiring office. He held membership in the Mason's fraternity and both he and his wife were members of the Universalist church. Long he was recognized as one of the leading business men of the city and his name was honored in commercial and in social circles. His life record is indeed commendable and he left to his family an un- tarnished name as well as a handsome com- petence. Mrs. Elwood owns a beautiful brick residence at No. 270 West North street, where she and her children reside and she also has an interest in the Race Clothing Manufactur- ing Company. The family is very prominent in Decatur society and no history of the city would be complete without mention of Mr. Elwood, so long an active factor here in manu- facturing and mercantile circles.
SAMUEL R. GEPFORD.
Samuel R. Gepford, who is now successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising on sec- tion 36, Illini township, was born in that town- ship on the Ioth of November, 1870. a son of George and Letitia (Shepard) Gepford, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania ir
MRS. FANNIE KEPLER
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
1825 and the latter in Illinois in 1834. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to Macon county at an early day and pur- chased land in Decatur township now owned by Mrs. Baker, of Decatur. He afterward disposed of that property and in the early '6os bought the farm where our subject now lives and where he died in 1885. He had one brother who died in California during the gold excitement in that state. The mother is now living with our subject on the old homestead in Illini township.
Samuel R. Gepford passed his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer lads, aiding in the labors of field and meadow during the summer months and attending Childs district school in Illini township through the winter until fifteen years of age. Ile then worked on a farm until he attained his majority, when he went to. Phelps county, Nebraska, where he spent three months during the winter. On his return to Macon county he worked for one year in the Wabash Rail- road car shops at Decatur and for six months in Doake's livery stable. He was then mar- ried and engaged in the draying business for one year. The following year was spent upon his present farm and for two years he was em- ployed on a farm in Piatt county, Illinois. He then resumed draying in Decatur. and at the end of a year again accepted a position in the Wabash Railroad shops, where he was em- ployed two years. Since that he has resided on the old home farm, being one of the heirs to the place as well as to some land in Decatur township. He is now successfully operating eighty acres and is also interested in stock- raising.
On the 6th of September, 1892, Mr. Gep- ford was united in marriage to Miss Arletta Crow. a daughter of A. J. and Margaret (Dobbs) Crow, who were born in Whceling, West Virginia, and are now living in Decatur, where the father works at the carpenter's trade. Mrs. Gepford obtained her education in the schools of Elmwood, Peoria county, Il-
linois. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children but two died at birth. The others were Ethel May, who was born August 6, 1893, and died July 16, 1894, being buried in Boiling Springs cemetery; Sylvan Ray, born April 30, 1895; and Maude Agnes, born July 20, 1897. In his political views Mr. Gepford is a Republican and lic takes consid- crable interest in public affairs.
MRS. FANNIE KEPLER.
Mrs. Fannie Kepler, a well known and highly esteemed resident of Maroa, is a na- tive of Franklin county, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of Hamilton and Carolina Williams. By occupation her father was a school teacher. She received a good practical edu- cation in the schools of her native county and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when she gave her hand in marriage to Gideon Brintlinger, who made farming his life work. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted for three years in an Ohio regiment and was stationed at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, for some time. While he was in the army his wife was left with the care of five small chil- dren and most capably did she perform her duties to her family. By that union seven children were born, namely: Daniel Brint- linger, the only son, is a resident of De- catur. He had four children, Elmer, Mahlon, Austa and Abner, who died at twenty-one years of age. Mrs. Mina Diller lives in Jacksonville, Texas, and has two children: Mrs. Fannie Ross and Charles Braden, both of Decatur. Mrs. Mary Bra- den lives in Crowley, Louisiana, and has five children : Mrs. Stella Wyckoff, Dessie, Irene. Bernice and Eddie. Mrs. Anna Ben- nett makes her home in Maroa, this county. and has three children: Florence, Arthur and Roy. Mrs. Lizzie Trowbridge, also a resident of Maroa, had six children : Chase,
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Seward, Vera, Fay, Russell and one who Dale. Jennie is the wife of C. W. Wyckoff, died in infancy. Mrs. Bessie Kepler lives in Decatur and has four children: Earl, Homer, Ralph and Florence. Mrs. Belle Jones, a widow living in Decatur, had one son, Preston, who died at the age of seven years. One daughter married a son of our subject's second husband and another mar- ried a son of her third husband.
After the death of her first husband Mrs. Brintlinger married Peter Bennett, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and came to Illinois with his family in early life, being one of the early settlers of Austin township, Macon county, where he owned and oper- ated one thousand acres of land. About twenty-eight years ago he removed to the village of Maroa, which then contained but two houses, and was engaged in the drug business there for fifteen years. The fol- lowing three years were spent in Kenney, where he did a banking business in part- nership with Dr. Axton, but at the end of that time he returned to Maroa and re- sumed business with Mr. Smelz. This con- nection continued up to the time of his death, which occurred September 20, 1886. He was a very successful and reliable busi- ness man who did not confine his attention wholly to one line, but was interested in a number of enterprises. Upon his farm he raised a large number of cattle and hogs. besides great quantities of grain, and in this as in other undertakings he prospered. The Democratic party found in Mr. Ben- nett a stanch supporter of its principles and he efficiently served as supervisor, tax col- lector and road commissioner in his town- ship. He belonged to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which our subject also belongs. There were seven children born to them, as fol- lows: Katherine is now the wife of Charles Smith. of Crowley, Louisiana, and has two children by a former marriage, Linn and
of Decatur, and has three children : Forrest, l'reston and Savarre. Jessie married J. Bradley and lives in Decatur. Thomas Edwin and Grovie are at home with their mother. The former completed his educa- tion at Bloomington, Illinois, and is now bookkeeper for Hitt & Company of Maroa. Susie and Jessie died in infancy.
Mrs. Bennett was again married Octo- ber 3, 1889, her third union being with Samuel Kepler, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, and received his education in the public schools of Dayton, that state, in which city he was reared. He had also been married twice before and has four children living: George and Horace, both residents of Decatur; Elza D., who makes his home in Columbus, Ohio; and Tentie, who lives in Colorado.
Mrs. Kepler is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in this county, which she rents, besides consid- erable rice land in Louisiana. Several years ago she took an active interest in real estate and did a good business in that line, getting up several excursions into Louisiana for the purchase and sale of lands in that state. In addition to her other property she owns a beautiful home in Maroa, which was erected by her two years ago. She is a woman of exceptional business ability and keen discrimination and has met with suc- cess in the conduct of her business affairs. Pleasant and ladylike in manner, she makes friends wherever she goes and is held in high regard by all who know her.
J. B. CLARK.
J. B. Clark, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a well known farmer residing on section 19, Blue Mound township, was born on the ioth of May, 1837, in the state of Tennessee, a son of James and Sarah
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
(Gaines) Clark, both natives of Tennessee. By occupation the father was a blacksmith. In the family were nine children, as follows : Thomas, who married and lived in Tennes- see : Martha, wife of James Hoover, a miller of Kentucky; Joseph, who married Eliza- beth Smith. and follows farming in Ran- dolph county, Missouri: Jane, who died when a young lady : J. B., of this review ; Martin, a machinist, who wedded Millie Morgan and died in August, 1901 ; George. who is married and engaged in blacksmith- ing in Missouri.
J. B. Clark received his education in the common schools of Kentucky and Illinois. It was in the latter '50s that he came to this state and took up his residence in Sangamon county, where he worked for James An- thony for two years, and was then with Charles Sage four years. Still later he was in the employ of Coby Smith, in Sangamon county.
In 1861 Mr. Clark came to Macon county and here he enlisted on the 5th of August. that year. in Company E. Forty-first Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. under Captain Armstrong and Colonel Pugh. The regi- ment, which was assigned to the Seven- teenth Army Corps, was under the com- mand of General Tupper. The first engage- ment in which our subject participated was at Fort Highman, followed by the battles of Fort Donelson. Corinth, Shiloh and Vicksburg. After the battle of Corinth he was in the hospital at Keokuk. Iowa, for seven months, and then went to St. Louis. where he re-enlisted. For some time his command guarded the river from that city to Natchez. Tennessee. At length Mr. Clark received an honorable discharge at Vicksburg in February, 1865, and returned north. At Shiloh he was struck by a ball in the finger, and after his re-enlistment he was crippled by a horse falling upon him in a skirmish. His leg was badly bruised and broke out in sores, which were over a year
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