Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 84

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 84

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KILBURN H. ROBY.

Enrolled on the list of men who have been the builders of Decatur, the promoters of its business life, its political interests and its educational welfare is the name of Kil- burn H. Roby and an investigation into the history of the city soon convinces the stu- dent that he has played no unimportant part in public affairs here. He has gained distinction at the bar and although now re- tired from the active practice of law. is still closely associated with the city as a representative of its financial interests, be- ing now the president of The National Bank of Decatur.

His life span thus far covers two-thirds of a century, for he was born on the 2d of September, 1837, in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire. Back to an early epoch in the colonization of the new world does he trace his ancestry, for when Massachusetts was first being opened up to the civilization of

the old world his ancestors, emigrating from England, established their home in the old Bay state. Upon the first settlement of New Hampshire a branch of the family was planted there. Soon after the war which brought independence to the nation, John Roby, the great-grandfather of our subject, removed from Chelmsford, Massa- chusetts, to Hillsboro county, New Hamp- shire, and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of what was then a frontier district. Representatives of the name have since re- sided there. The Granite state was the home of John Roby, the grandfather of our subject, throughout his entire life and he reached the advanced age of eighty years. His traits of character were strongly marked and were of a sterling nature. He pos- sessed a remarkable memory and could re- peat the greater portion of the Bible. His son, Clinton Roby, was born in New Hamp- shire in 1808, and in 1834 he married Miss Lois Harwood, who was born in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, in 1811, and was also a representative of an old Massachu- setts family of English lineage. Two chil- dren were born of this union, the younger being the subject of this review.

On the home farm the boyhood days of Kilburn H. Roby were passed and his stud- ies were largely pursued in Appleton Acad- emy, of Mount Vernon, although later he continued his education in Northfield Sem- inary, which was under the auspices of the Methodist church and was located at North- field, now Tilton, New Ilampshire. He has ever remained a student of current events, keeping well informed on the issues of the day and their bearing upon the history of the country. The west with its almost lim- itless opportunities attracted the ambitious young man, and the spring of 1858 wit- nessed his removal from New Hampshire to Illinois. He was not disappointed in the country to which he had come and has since remained a resident of this state, winning

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prominence and success in professional and financial circles. He spent the summer of 1858 in Quincy and in the succeeding au- tumn began teaching school in Marion coun- ty where he remained for two years, largely engaged in following that profession. In the meantime, however, he began prepa- ration for the bar, his first preceptor being John P'. Reynolds, who was at one time a distinguished lawyer of Cincinnati and later of Chicago. Mr. Roby continued his read- ing with the firm of Bryan & Schaeffer, of Salem, Illinois, and in September, 1860, he entered the law office of Tupper & Nelson, of Decatur, as a student.

The next step of importance in his life record was his enlistment in Company A, Forty-first Illinois Infantry, in August, 1861. He was stationed at St. Louis, Cairo, and Paducah, Kentucky, but after four monthis was discharged on account of ill- ness. Returning then to Decatur he re- sumed his legal studies and in the spring of 1862 was admitted to practice. Not long after this his former preceptor, Mr. Tup- per, entered the army, and Mr. Roby then entered into partnership with Mr. Nelson, an association that was maintained for fif- teen years, the partnership being terminated by the election of Judge Nelson to the bench in 1877. For many years Mr. Roby was the senior member of the firm of Roby, Outten & Vail, but in recent years has re- tired from the bar, where for so long he was an eminent and leading figure. . Be- cause of the ability of its members the firm with which he was connected maintained a foremost place in legal circles and the repu- tation of Mr. Roby was second to none who argued cases in the courts of this district. His legal learning was broad and accurate and this made him a safe adviser and able counsellor. His preparation of cases was thorough and exhaustive and he learned to prepare not only for the expected but also for the unexpected, which happens quite

as frequently in courts as out of them. He won many notable cases and for long years had a distinctively representative clientage, which was an indication of his skill and ability in his chosen profession. In 1893 he became connected with the Decatur Na- tional Bank, which was reorganized in that year, at which time he was chosen president, in which position he still continues to serve. The other officers are D. S. Shellabarger, vice president ; B. O. McReynolds, cashier ; and George W. Bright, assistant cashier. The company does a general banking busi- ness and the institution is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, while the sur- plus is one hundred thousand dollars and the undivided profits twenty-five thousand.

On the Ist of December, 1863, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Roby and Miss Annie Haworth, a native of Clinton county, Ohio. By this marriage there have been born seven children, of whom six are now living.

Mr. Roby has long been an ardent advo- cate of Republican principles and although never seeking office he has taken an active interest in the work and success of the party. The only public office he ever held was the dual one of clerk and attorney of Decatur, in which capacity he acted for two years, save that he is now the treasurer of the board of education, to which position he has been annually appointed since Septem- ber. 1892. The public, however, recognizes his devotion to the welfare of the city be- cause of the active co-operation, which, as a private citizen, he has given to many measures for the public good. llis labors and influence have been a resultant factor in the progress of the city, the expansion of its business affairs and its substantial growth.

MRS. NANCY J. HOUSLEY.

This well known and highly esteemed lady belongs to one of the old and most

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prominent families of Decatur. She was born in Kentucky, August 22, 1833, and is a daughter of John W. and Elvira (Oxley) Tyler, and a half-sister of Barton S. Tyler, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Her father, who was a native of Fayette county, Kentucky, came to Illi- nois at an early day and in 1836 located in Macon county, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers. Ile was one of those who laid broad and deep the foundation for the present development and prosperity of the county and for more than half a century he made his home within its borders, taking a deep and abiding interest in whatever per- tained to the general good. He was a min- ister of the Christian church and followed closely in the footsteps of the Master. His first wife died in 1836, leaving three chil- dren: Theodore M., who died about 1887; John, a resident of Decatur; and Nancy J., of this review. He afterward married Mrs. Sarah Roney, who passed away in 1892, and his death occurred in 1888. By the second union there were the following chil- dren, who are still living: Dr. B. B. Tyler, a prominent divine of the Christian church now located in Denver, Colorado; Rev. J. Z. Tyler, of Cleveland, Ohio; Charles Tyler, who is living in Oklahoma; Mrs. Stephen Cook, a resident of Denver, Colorado; Miss Alice Tyler, whose home is in Des Moines, Iowa; Mrs. Sue Odor, of Decatur; and Mrs. J. A. Meriweather, of Decatur.

On reaching womanhood Miss Nancy J. Tyler was united in marriage to Rufus Housley, and to them were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Nellie, the eldest, is now the widow of George W. Harris and resides in Kansas City, Missouri: Mary A. is the widow of C. R. Morrison and makes her home with her sister in Kansas City; Fran- cis is deceased ; Katie is the widow of John A. Rogers and lives with her mother in Decatur, being employed in the millinery department of Bradley Brothers store;

William R. is a painter and resides in Mon- · tana; Edwin L. is also a painter and is now living in Robey, Illinois; and Elvira died in infancy. Mrs. Housley has a nice home at No. 846 East Cantrell street, where she and her daughter now reside. They stand high in social circles and have many warm friends throughout the city. Mrs. Housley is a member of the Christian church and her daughter belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church of Decatur.

LOUIS KOEHLER.

Louis Koehler, one of the most success- ful merchants of Decatur and one whose business activity, enterprise and careful management constitute the secret of his prosperity, is proprietor of a fine retail grocery and market. He was born in this city April 19, 1859, his parents having been Henry and Barbara (Will) Koehler, who, as the name indicates, were natives of Ger- many. They came to the United States fifty-four years ago, settling in Buffalo, New York. Later they established their home in Decatur and here the father died as the result of an accident in April, 1885, at the age of fifty years. His wife died when her son Louis was but five years of age, leav- ing two children, the subject of this review and a daughter, Emma, who is now the wife of John Weglege, of Dayton, Ohio. The father was a butcher by trade and for some time was an employe of Peter W. Wycoff, of Decatur.

At the usual age Louis Koehler became a student in the public schools and therein mastered the common branches of learning, but when only ten years of age he began working in the butcher shop with his father. He afterward went to Buffalo, New York. where he was employed in the years 1874-5 and in 1876 he returned to his native city. Ile then took charge of the café in the St.

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Nicholas Hotel, where he remained for five years and in the spring of 1888, with the capital he had acquired there through his own energy and determination he estab- lished a grocery store at the corner of Wood and Broadway, where he was located for five years. He then removed to the corner of East Wood and Broadway, and after being located there for eleven years he erected his present handsome brick build- ing known as the Koehler Block at Nos. 632-638 East Wood street. This is a two- story structure forty by eighty fect. It has excellent timber supports and is splendidly equipped for the carrying on of the business. His establishment is the largest retail gro- cery house in the city and he not only deals in groceries but also carries a large line of fruits and vegetables, queensware, tinware and wooden and willow ware. Hle also opened a butchering department, car- rying home killed meats and dealing in both fresh and salt meats and fish and game in season. His spacious show windows are handsomely decorated with foliage plants and his goods are displayed to the best ad- vantage throughout the store, which is neat and attractive in appearance. A glance into this large and finely kept establishment often solves for the housekeeper the per- plexing problem of "what to eat." Mr. Kochler has built up a splendid trade and is now one of the most prosperous mer- chants of the city. He has been a close ob- server of the needs and wishes of the people and carefully superintends every detail of the work in connection with his store. Hle has been eminently successful and takes just pride in the perfection of his establishment and a choice of goods carried.

Mr. Koehler has been twice married. Ile first wedded Miss Mary Troesch of Effing- ham, Illinois, in 1880. She died July 13. 1800. at the age of thirty-six years, leaving three children : Lela R .. Willa B. and Louis H. In 1894 Mr. Kochler was again mar-

ried, his second union being with Miss Mary Leach, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Leach of Decatur. Ile belongs to Easterly Camp, No. 1626, M. W. A., is also con- nected with the Knights of the Maccabees, with Decatur Court, No. 243, Tribe of Ben Hur and with Lincoln Camp. He is an honorable man, his reputation is above re- proach and his word is as good as his bond ; he is also a progressive man, keeping in touch with the advancement of the times in business life as well as in other affairs ; he is also liberal and generous, whose conduct with his fellow citizens has broadened his nature and his views and who now looks upon life from a broad humanitarian stand- point. His friends appreciate his sterling worth and all who know him have admira- tion for his honorable and successful ca- reer.

CHRISTIAN DAAMMEIER.

Christian Dammeier, who is now living a retired life on section 26, South Macon township, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world and like many of those who have sought homes on this side of the Atlantic he has risen from a position of comparative ob- scurity to a place among the substantial and prominent citizens of his community.

Born in Germany July 19, 1832, he is a son of Casper and Sophia (Neimeier ) Dammeier, who were life-long residents of that coun- try, but his maternal grandfather, Henry Neimeier, came from Germany to America when our subject was about seven years of age and located in Baltimore, Maryland, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. It was in 1852 that our subject came to the United States, making the voyage on a sail- ing vessel, the Austeina, which sailed from Bremen. Although they were ten weeks in crossing the Atlantic, the trip was a

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pleasant one. Two deaths occurred during the voyage and also two births. There were two hundred and eighty-five passengers on board. Landing in New Orleans, Mr. Dam- meier proceeded up the Mississippi river to Cairo, Illinois, where he arrived nine days later-on the 30th of December, 1852. From there he walked to East St. Louis, which was then a village of only three houses. After spending a few days with an uncle on the bluffs near Collinsville, he obtained employment with Henry Peters, for whom he worked four months, receiving nine dol- lars per month for the first two months, and eleven dollars per month for the re- mainder of the time. In this way he carned enough to send his father the money which he had borrowed to pay his passage to America. He continued to work as a farm hand by the month until after the Civil war broke out, when prompted by love for his adopted country, he enlisted at Edwards- ville, Illinois, in May, 1861, becoming a member of Company I, Ninth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Sixteenth Army Corps. For three years and three months he remained in the serv- ice, taking part in the battles of Fort Donel- son, Shiloh and many other important en- gagements and skirmishes, one hundred and ten in all. After the battle of Shiloh he was with the mounted infantry. He was finally discharged at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 21, 1864, with a fine military record.

After his return from the army Mr. Dam- meier continued to work by the month until his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated April 20. 1873. Miss Susan M. Bainter, who was born January 17, 1846, and is a daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Easter) Bainter, becoming his wife. Her father, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in 1858, and her mother passed away when Mrs. Dammeier was only four years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Dammeier began their mar-

ried life on a partially improved farm of forty acres in South Macon township, where they have since made their home. There was a small house, fourteen by eighteen feet, upon the place, and in that they lived for over twenty years and it is still stand- ing but about ten years ago a more com- modious and substantial residence was erected by Mr. Dammeier as a place of abode. He has also built two barns, has laid over eight thousand tiles, and in other ways has improved the place until it is now one of the most desirable farms of its size in the locality. All of the trees and shrubs which now adorn it were planted by Mr. and Mrs. Dammeier. Formerly he raised a great many hogs for market but for the past thirteen years he has lived retired from active labor, renting all of his farm with the exception of about eight acres and the house in which he lives. He has plowed with five yoke of oxen hitched to an old fashioned plow and has used other primitive farm im- plements in carrying on his work before modern machinery was introduced. Indus- trions, enterprising and honest, he met with success in his labors and is to-day able to lay aside all business cares and enjoy the fruits of former toil.

Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, Mr. Dam- meier has affiliated with the Republican party, but has always refused to accept of- fice of any kind. He is an honored member of Dunham Post, No. 141. G. A. R., of De- catur, and both he and his wife formerly held membership in the church of God at Macon, but since its dissolution they have attended the Presbyterian church. They are people of the highest respectability and well merit the regard in which they are held.

JACOB C. HENDRICKS.

Jacob C. Hendricks was born in Pennsyl- vania, Angust 21, 1828, and therefore for more than three-fourths of a century has

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been a witness of the world's progress and taken a deep and commendable pride in the accomplishments of his own country. His parents were Samuel and Magdalene (Woodling) Hendricks, whose family num- bered six children, the eldest of whom, John, died in 1903, at the advanced age of seventy- eight years.

Jacob C. Hendricks spent his youth and acquired his education in Pennsylvania. For many years thereafter he was connected with the carriage-making trade, having learned that business in the Keystone state, where he followed the pursuit for nine years. It was on the IIth of April, 1865, that he arrived in Decatur and with the in- terests of the city he has since been identi- fied. Here he secured work as a journey- man at his trade and was thus employed for eighteen years. In 1883 he built a car- riage repair shop on West Green street, where he engaged in business on his own account until 1899. Since that time he has given his attention and energies to the manufacture of bee hives and to the sale of bee supplies. He also keeps on hand pure honey which he sells to the retail trade. His life has been one of untiring industry and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as a direct result of his own labors.

Mr. Hendricks was married in Pennsyl- vania, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary J. Orwig, who was born and reared in the Keystone state, where the wedding was celebrated in 1852. They traveled life's journey together for more than one-third of a century and then Mrs. Hendricks was called to her final rest in Decatur on the 14th of February, 1898, leaving her husband and several children to mourn her loss. She was a kind and loving wife and a devoted mother, and in friendship she was ever faith- ful and truc. The children of the family are as follows: Mary Jane, who is now living in New York city; Helen, who for-

merly engaged in teaching school in Deca- tur and is now a popular school teacher of Chicago; Edith, who became the wife of E. W. Smith and died leaving two children ; Bertha, who conducts a china decorating establishment in Denver, Colorado; A. W., who married Minta Keizer and is now dep- uty sheriff of Macon county, his home being in Decatur ; Harry, who is living in Denver, Colorado; Frankie, who died in childhood ; and Etta, the wife of George Hart, of San Jose, California. All of the children were well educated, being provided with school privileges that well prepared them to meet the responsible and practical duties of life.

Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont Mr. Hendricks has al- ways exercised his right of franchise in sup- port of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, but otherwise has taken no active interest in political affairs. He owns his own shop, house and lot in Decatur and these are the visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise. Ile has seen Decatur grow from a city of seven thousand to its present metropolitan proportions and has been actively interested in much of its de- velopment during the long years of his resi- dence here.

JACOB TROUTMAN.

More than forty-eight years have elapsed since this gentleman arrived in Macon coun- ty and he is justly numbered among her early settlers and leading citizens. Through- ont the years of his manhood he has been identified with the agricultural interests of this locality and is today the owner of a fine farm on section 7, Decatur township, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved in a worthy man- ner.

.A native of the neighboring state of Indi- ana, Mr. Troutman was born in Fulton county, October 2, 1848, and on the paternal

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side is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, Michael Troutman, being a native of Scot- land, whence he emigrated to America in Colonial days. He took part in the Revo- lutionary war under the command of Gen- eral Washington and valiantly aided the colonies in their struggle for independence.

Peter Troutman, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Henry county, Kentucky, in 1816, and from that state removed to In- diana in 1832, settling in Fulton county, where in the midst of the forest he hewed out a farm. He was not only engaged in agricultural pursuits but also practiced med- icine for twenty-five years but was at length forced to abandon his profession on ac- count of ill health. He became one of the prominent and influential citizens of Ful- ton county and as a self-made man he ac- quired a comfortable competence through his own well directed and industrious ef- forts. A few years prior to his death he re- moved to Kansas, where he engaged in the real estate and loan business, and he died near Victor, that state, on the 4th of No- vember, 1900. In Indiana he wedded Miss Mary Bruce, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Abraham Bruce, who was born in Germany and on crossing the At- lantic to the new world settled in the Key- stone state, whence he removed with his family to Indiana, becoming one of its early settlers. He was a farmer and millwright by occupation and became a wealthy man. Mrs. Troutman died in Macon county, Illi- nois, in 1869. When a young man the father of our subject united with the Methodist Episcopal church and served as a class- leader and as superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. He and his family were the principal contributors toward building the Sharon church and he was a trustee of the same. Socially he was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and in politics was a Republican. He always took an active interest in public affairs and voted

for William Henry Harrison and also for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison.

Unto Peter and Mary (Bruce) Troutman were born the following children: Eliza- beth Jane, the eldest, is the wife of J. H. Cox, a farmer of Sumner county, Kansas. Joseph served throughout the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Six- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, partici- pating in thirty-two battles and in the march to the sea with Sherman, and after his return home he fell from an apple tree and broke his leg, which superinduced gen- eral debility and resulted in his death. Samuel, who was a member of the same regiment as his brother and was with Sher- man on his celebrated march to the sea, is now living in Decatur. Phoebe is the wife of Jeremiah Miller, of Decatur. Jacob is the next in order of birth. Julia is the wife of Asa Gulick, a resident of Harristown township. John makes his home in Kan- sas. Levi died at the age of twenty years. All of the children were born in Indiana.

Jacob Troutman was only eight years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Macon county. Illinois. the jour- ney being made by team, and on reaching their destination they took up their resi- dence in a two room log cabin with punch- eon floor. Our subject passed his boyhood and youth under the parental roof and pur- sued his studies in the district schools of the neighborhood and the public schools of De- catur. He early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He could swing the ax and cradle and at the age of thirteen began following the old McCormick reaper. Later he en- gaged in breaking prairie and hauling logs for fences.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 84

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 988

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 988