Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 88

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 88

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Henning Jacobsen, of this review, completes the family. He began his education in the schools of his native land and after coming to this country he began his business career as clerk in a store in the village of Niantic and later was employed in a similar capacity at Jacksonville, Illinois, for two years. At the end of that time he went to Springfield, where he clerked in a dry goods store for three years, and next found employment in Chicago, where he remained until 1870. He subsequently spent a short time in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and from there returned to Niantic with his present partner. Herman Nottelmann. Here they opened a general store, which they still carry on, having built up a good trade. In 1880 MIr. Jacobsen became interested in the banking business as a member of the firm of F. Well, Jacobsen & Company, but sold his interest to Waller Pritchett in 1893 so that he could give more attention to his store. He and Mr. Nottelmann were at one time en- gaged in the milling business and to some ex- tent he is interested in farming. Besides his · business property he owns a beautiful home in Niantic and has farming land in this coun- tv. In business affairs he is prompt, energetic and notably reliable, and he usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Mr. Jacobsen has been twice married. In 1874 he wedded Miss Lucy Hall, of Niantic, who died a year later and the only child born of that union died in infancy. He was again married in 1880, his second union being with Miss Laura Boone, of Paris, Kentucky, who is a lineal descendant of Daniel Boone, the

great pioneer of that state. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and are now deceased. By occupation her father was a farmer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobsen have been born six children, five sons and one daughter, namely : Ferdinand, who died in infancy; Noah, who is now taking a course in civil engineering at the State University in Champaign; Eda, at home : Robert, who is attending Brown's Bus- iness College at Decatur : Henry and Herman at home.

Mr. Jacobsen and his family hold member- ship in the Christian church at Niantic and he takes a very active and prominent part in its work, serving as one of the elders at the pres- ent time. He is one of the best known men in Macon county and has the respect and con- fidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social life. By untiring industry and sound judgment he has won a merited success in all of his un- dertakings and is well worthy the high regard in which he is held by his fellow men.

COLONEL FRANK P. WELLS.

The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any great extent on the pages of history. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of these qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those around them should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers as they furnish means of subsistence for the multitude whom they, in their useful careers, have employed. Col- onel Frank P. Wells is to-day accounted one of the representative business men of Decatur and his efforts have been an important factor in gaining for the city its prominence as a

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commercial and industrial center. He is now the vice president of the Morehouse & Wells Company, wholesale and retail dealers in hardware, stoves, furnaces, mantels, guns and sporting goods.

Colonel Wells is one of the native sons of Decatur, his birth having occurred here in 1863. His father, William T. Wells, now de- ceased, was the founder of the business with which the son is connected and which has grown to be a most extensive enterprise. He was identified therewith until his death, which occurred on the Ist of March, 1898. He had married Helen Parsons and of the children born of this union Colonel Wells is one.

Reared in the city of his nativity Frank P. Wells spent his life in the manner of most lads of the period. He enjoyed the pleasures of the play-ground and performed the duties of the schoolroom, and after putting aside his text books he became interested in his father's business and following the father's demise took charge of the estate. He had pre- viously, however, became thoroughly ac- quainted with the business in all of its de- partments and therefore entered upon the work of supervision well qualified to perform the important duties devolving upon him. The father with George Morehouse founded the house in 1859. In 1896 the pres- ent business block was erected and is now one of the large and substantial buildings in the trade center of the city. It is built in an attractive style of architecture, a brick struct- ure forty by one hundred and fifty feet and seven stories in height with the basement. It would be a credit to a city much larger than Decatur and stands as a monument to the enterprise and business capacity of the owners. In addition they have a warehouse fifty by one hundred and fifty feet, used for storing the surplus stock. In 1894 the company was incorporated with a capital stock of one hun- dred and twenty thousand dollars. Its pres- ent officers arc George W. Morehouse, presi-

dent; Frank P. Wells, vice president ; Charles M. Hurst, secretary ; and E. P. Bishop, treas- urer. All of these gentlemen occupy credit- able positions in the business world and are continually enlarging the enterprise with which they are connected. On October 5, 1903, the stock was increased to two hundred thousand dollars. Several traveling salesmen represent the house upon the road, covering the state of Illinois and a part of Indiana. The business methods of the company have always been such as would bear the closest investigation, being shaped in accordance with the strictest commercial ethics. In connection with his other interests Colonel Wells is a director and treasurer of the United States Wire Mat Company.

In 1893 was celebrated the marriage of Frank P. Wells and Miss Mary F. Hanson, of Michigan, and they occupy a pleasant home in Decatur where their circle of friends is very extensive. Mr. Wells belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is at pres- ent lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Illinois In- fantry. For a time he was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, being commissioned lieutenant colonel under J. S. Culver of Springfield, Illinois. He is a true type of the Anglo-Saxon race and of those men who build cities and lay the foundation of com- monwealths. He is a young man, yet he has attained prominence in the business world. His integrity is above question and this, com- bined with his clear, sound judgment makes the people rely upon him and follow his lead- ership. The social qualities of the man are indicated by his large circle of friends. He is always pleasant and genial, characteristics that arise from his kindly nature, and his friend- ship is most prized by those who know him best. Already he has attained a very enviable position in commercial circles in Decatur and one need not have the gift of prophecy to understand that his will be a successful future.

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HARRISON S. BAKER.

In the history of the Past and Present of Decatur it is meet that we make reference to Harrison S. Baker for he was closely associ- ated with business affairs in this city for a number of years and his efforts proved of material benefit to Decatur. He was recog- nized as one of the leading contractors here and built many of the best business blocks. He also represented one of the early families of the city, having come here with his parents in 1855 when the now flourishing metropol- itan center was a small town of but limited business capacity yet giving promise of future growth because of the enterprise and activity of its citizens.

Mr. Baker was born in South Bend, Indi- ana, on the 28th of September, 1844, his par- ents being Joshua and Rebecca (Sumtion) Baker, both of whom were also natives of Indiana and resided in South Bend until 1855, when they came with their family to Decatur. The father purchased land now included in what is known as the Millikin estate in this city. Upon that tract he engaged in farming, gardening and horticultural pursuits for many years and the products of his land brought to him good return for his labor, so that having acquired a handsome competence, he was at length enabled to retire from business life and enjoy the comforts and conveniences that his former labor had brought to him. Both he and his wife died in the home which is now occupied by the widow of Harrison S. Baker.

The subject of this review was a lad of about eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this city. He con- tinued his education in the public schools here and after putting aside his text books he learned the carpenter's trade and then worked as a journeyman for a number of years. Becoming proficient in his chosen field of labor and feeling that he was competent to take charge of important building operations he then began contracting on his own account. The public recognized his capability and ac-

corded him a liberal patronage and as the years passed his business grew in volume and importance. He erected many of the best business blocks of the city, including the De- catur Herald block, the Mueller block, the Morehouse & Wells block and many of the other large business structures and store buildings of. this city. He also took and exe- cuted the contracts for five of the leading churches of Decatur and many of the fine resi- dences of the city stand as monuments to his skill and handiwork. He was always thor- ough and painstaking in his work and his careful supervision of the labors of those whom he employed insured accuracy and good workmanship. Faithfully living up to the terms of a contract he won the unqualified confidence of the public and his business career was therefore attended with a gratifying measure of success.

It was in Decatur that Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Danforth, a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and a daughter of William F. and Elizabeth Dan- forth, who removed from St. Clair county to Fayette county, this state, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. Danforth followed farming throughout his entire life. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born four children: Louis S., the eldest, who re- sides with his mother, is a contractor and builder carrying on business in partnership with his brother, George W. The latter mar- ried Miss Dora Thiels and they have a pleas- ant home in Decatur. Irene May, the third member of the family, is the wife of Bruce B. Manning, a resident of this city. Charles, the youngest, died at the age of twenty-two months.

Mr. Baker met his death in an electric street railway accident, being killed on the 15th of October, 1902. This was a great blow not only to his family, but to many friends and the community thereby lost a valued citizen. In politics he was a Republican, giving an intelligent support to the party and in all

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matters of citizenship he was public-spirited and progressive, co-operating in many meas- ures for the general good. He was very suc- cessful in all his building undertakings and was an intelligent, honest, upright man, widely known and held in the highest regard in the city in which he lived from boyhood times until his death. Mrs. Baker and her son, Louis, reside at her beautiful home at No. 709 West Main street. The family is one of the oldest on this street and its representatives are prominent and influential people of Decatur. Mrs. Baker is a vahied member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city. Her sons are now leading contractors, being worthy successors of their father in business life, and already they have an extensive patronage which is constantly growing.

ROSS A. NICHOLLS.

Ross A. Nicholls, who owns and operates a nice farm in Decatur township, was born in Medina county, Ohio, on the 19th of April, 1858, and is a son of Washington S. and Mary ( House) Nicholls, also natives of the Buckeye state. The father was one of a family of five children, the others being Charlotte, wife of Mitchell Elson; R. Frazier ; Albert; and one who died in early life. The mother of our subject had three brothers and two sisters, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Nicholls, now de- ceased : Joseph; Eli: Eleazer; and Kate, wife of Charles Crocker of Ohio. In 1867 Washington S. Nicholls brought his family to Illinois and settled in Macon county east of where the village of Blue Mound is now located. Ilere he died on the 23d of April. 1877. honored and respected by all who knew him. His widow is still living and now makes her home near Blue Mound. In the family of this worthy couple were nine chil- dren : Albert, who is now living in Nebraska : Eleazer, who resides near the old homestead in this county; Sarah, who married D. I.

Banghman and died leaving one son and three daughters ; George, who makes his home near Moweaqua, Illinois ; Ross A., of this review ; Elton, who lives one mile west of Blue Mound: Naomi, wife of J. Damery ; Alpha. wife of Thomas Wright, who resides near Macon; and Oren, who is married and lives on the old homestead.

On the 17th of March, 1881. Ross A. Nicholls was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ribelin, who was born April 13, 1861, a daughter of G. W. and Elizabeth Ribelin. She is one of a family of three children, the others being Ella, the widow of Harry Bohannon, of Decatur: and Mary, wife of A. Sackett, who resides near Blue Mound. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls have become the parents of five chil- dren, as follows: Arza Washington, born March 29. 1882; Verna, who was born Octo- ber 8, 1883. and died October 16, 1884; Stella, born February 2, 1885; Earl. born October 3. 1892; and Ray, born November 22, 1894. All are at home.

In 1902 Mr. Nicholls purchased his present fine farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Decatur township and in its operation he is now meeting with good success, being a prac- tical and painstaking agriculturist who thor- oughly understands the vocation he follows. His political support is given the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, however, be- longs to the Christian church and is also con- nected with the Royal Neighbors. They are people of prominence in the community where they reside and are held in high regard by all who know them.

CHARLES K. GUTHRIDGE.

Charles K. Guthridge, now deceased, was a native of Martin county, Indiana, born on the 11th of February, 1861. When he was five years of age his parents removed from In-

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diana to Fayette county, Illinois, and he was reared upon a farm there, early becoming fa- miliar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted in the cultivation of the fields. His educational privileges were those afforded by the district schools and he continued in Fayette county until 1881, when he removed to Piatt county, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming.

Mr. Guthridge first married Lasella Woot- ers by whom he had four children, three still living, namely : Cloyd. Arthur and Geneva. who are living with an aunt near Bement, Piatt county. It was during his residence in that county that Mr. Guthridge was again married. .August 10, 1892, his second union being with Miss Cora Trabue Monroe, a native of Be- ment, born on the 20th of January, 1871. The lady is a daughter of Newton .1. Trabue, who is now living a retired life in Decatur. She was, however, adopted by Mr. Monroe, of Bement, Piatt county, who is a retired farmer living in that town. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Guthridge were born two children : Ruth, who was born July 23. 1803, and is living with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe in Bement : and Ruby. who was born August 30, 1895, and is living with her mother in Decatur.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Guthridge took his bride to his farm in Piatt county. Illinois, and there successfully engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits until his health be- came impaired. On account of this he re- moved with his family to Riverside. California, on the 13th of December. 1895, and they were residents of that beautiful city until the death of the husband and father on the 9th of June. 1896. After his death Mrs. Guthridge and her children remained in California for only a brief period and then returned to Bement, Il- linois, where she made her home until 1899. when she came to Decatur.

In this city on the 6th of August, 1901, Mrs. Guthridge gave her hand in marriage to her present husband. C. S. Christian. Hle is a native of Marion, Linn county, Iowa, born

September 24. 1855, and is a son of James T. and Malinda J. ( Moore) Christian, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Amherst. Virginia. After the Mexican war Mr. Christian, the father, removed to lowa, where he resided continually until 1861. Ile then put aside all business and personal con- siderations in order that he might aid his country in the preservation of the Union, en- listing in the Union army as a captain of the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry under Colonel Bis- sell. After the war he returned to Mount Vernon, lowa, and subsequently he traveled all over the country. He was for some time engaged in the hotel business and finally he settled in Pinkneyville, Illinois, where he owned and operated a mill, remaining at that place for several years. ITis wife died there in 1876 and he afterward married Malissa Stoker. Later he removed to Lithia Springs, Missouri, where he died and where his widow yet resides.

C. S. Christian acquired a good college edu- cation in Oberlin. Ohio, and in 1877 he went to Tilden, Illinois, where he accepted a posi- tion as station agent and telegraph operator for the Big Four Railroad Company, acting in that capacity for four years. He was then transferred to LaSalle, Illinois, as agent and telegraph operator for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, with which he was con- nected for thirteen years. On the expiration of that period he came to Decatur and occu- pied a position in the office of county treasurer for two years, after which he engaged in the life infsurance business in this city for a short time. Ile next became connected with the music trade and is now engaged in dealing extensively in pianos, graphophones, music and musical specialties, keeping a stock at his residence and selling throughout the surround- ing country. He handles all standard makes of pianos, including the Story, Clark, the Steinway, Farraud and others.

Mr. Christian was first married to Irene ( Metroy of Du Quoin, Illinois, a daughter

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of J. G. and Mary O. Melroy. Her father was a tailor of Du Quoin, and both he and his wife are now deceased. Mrs. Irene Christian dicd leaving ten children, namely : Edith Belle; Egbert J., an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad; Frances; Calvin S., who is a soldier in the regular army at Vancouver, Washington; John Melroy; Hazel; Beulah ; and Edith. The two who are now deceased are Eugene and Harry C.

Mr. Christian has held no political posi- tions in Decatur, his attention being fully oc- cupied by his business affairs. He votes, how- ever, with the Democracy and is a stanch ad- vocate of its principles. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge, the An- cient Order of United Workmen and the Court of Honor, all of Decatur. Mrs. Christian is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Decatur. She now owns the resi- dence which she occupies at No. 1043 West Decatur street and she also has two good farms, one of eighty acres near Rinard and another of eighty acres near Pierson, Piatt county. Her daughter, Ruby, resides with her and Ruth, a child of Mr. Christian's first mar- riage. is also a member of the household.

G. F. ALBERT.

One of the representative and prominent farmers of Illini township is G. F. Albert, whose home is on section 14. He was born in Clark county, Ohio. August 28, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Louisa (Lehman) Al- bert, both of whom were of German descent. The father was born in Maryland in 1814 and in 1828 removed to Ohio, where he learned the blacksmith's trade in the shop of his step- father. He continued to make his home in that state until 1881, when he came to Macon county, Illinois, and purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres three miles north of Warrensburg, where he lived for several years. At present he is a resident of Decattir

and although eighty-nine years of age he en- joys good health. The mother of our subject, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in Ohio before the removal of the father to Il- linois.

The primary education of G. F. Albert was obtained in the Good Intent district school in Clark county, Ohio, and later he attended the Southwestern Normal, then known as the Hol- brook school, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he completed his studies in 1867. During the following summer he worked at the carpenter's trade in that state and then started on horse- back for Illinois, arriving in Macon county on Thursday. He took the teacher's exam- ination under Edward Park immediately after- ward, and passing, he began teaching the fol- lowing Monday at the Mount Pleasant school in Hickory Point township. He taught for seven winters and during the summer worked on a farm. At the end of that period he set- tled down to farming on section 2, Illini town- ship and in 1874 purchased his present farm on section 14. consisting of one hundred and thirty-seven acres adjoining the corporation of Warrensburg. He also owns an eighty acre tract which lies to the east of his house. He is a wide-awake, progressive farmer and his efforts have been attended with well mer- ited success.

On the 24th of September, 1872, Mr. Albert was united in marriage to Miss Mattie S. Ritchie, who was educated at the State Nor- mal School at Normal, Illinois, and was mar- ried soon after leaving that institution. Her parents were Samuel and Susan (Hinzie) Ritchie, who were born in Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of Ger- man lineage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Albert were born five children but the second is deceased. The living are as follows: Leslie is engaged in farming on the eighty acres belonging to his father and also on a rented tract. Bertha has taught four terms at Warrensburg and is now living at home with her father. Edna attended the State Normal School until her

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mother's death, which occurred Angust I, is now the leading thoroughfare of the city. 1899, and has since remained at home to keep house for her father. Chester, who completes the family, was for two terms a student at Brown's Business College in Decatur and for the same length of time at the Gem City Busi- ness College in Quincy. He is now living in Colorado. The daughters have both given considerable attention to the study of music and have become quite proficient on the piano.

Since casting his first presidential vote for Seymour, Mr. Albert has affiliated with the Democratic party, and for several terms he served as assessor of his township. Pleasant and genial in manner, he makes many friends and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. His home is noted for its hos- pitality and good cheer.

JOSEPH B. EIIRIIART.

Joseph B. Ehrhart, who for many years has been engaged in business in Decatur as a painter and decorator and who is regarded as one of the leading representatives of this line of industrial activity, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of June, 1838, a son of John Ehrhart. Both his father and mother spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania and the former carried on black- smithing there. He was three times married. our subject being one of the six chidren of the last union. Two of the number are now living, the brother being Samuel Ehrhart. The four who have passed away all reached years of maturity.

Mr. Ehrhart of this review received but limited educational privileges. He attended school to some extent in Newbury township, York county, Pennsylvania, and in 1855 when but seventeen years of age he came to Illinois. He settled in Macon county and began work- ing as a farm hand near what is now East Eldorado street, a corn field at that time cover- ing the district, and he plowed corn at what

lle also broke prairie within the present cor- poration limits of Decatur and was thus identi- fied with the early development of the county. Later he was employed as a brakesman on the construction train when the railroad track was laid to Bement, Illinois. Subsequently he was apprenticed to the painting and decorating trade under S. S. Dellahunt, with whom he served for a year. On the expiration of that period, although but a young man, he began contracting on his own account. llis first shop was located where the office of the Shell- abarger Mill now stands. There was then a two story building there, the lower floor being occupied by Solomon Epler & Gamen, car- riage and wagon makers, and Mr. Ehrhart utilized the second floor for his paint shop. In connection with the painting of wagons and carriages he also did house painting and in those days he had to carry all of his supplies to his place of work as he had no conveyance for transporting them. In the winter of 1864 he superintended a crew of eleven men and in this way executed a contract for painting eleven hundred cultivators for the firm of Barnes & Lintner. He has been continuously engaged at his trade since entering upon his apprenticeship with the exception of a period of three years when ill health caused by blood poisoning forced him to rest from his labors. He has built up a very large trade and is now the oldest painter and decorator of the city. His business has grown as the years have passed by and the patronage now accorded him brings to him a very gratifying financial return. In the fall of 1864 he joined the band known as Elijah Howes Band of Boston and was identified therewith for thirty years. Later it was under the instruction and supervision of Professor Goodman and is now known as Goodman's Band. It is one of the most famous bands of the state.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 88

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