Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 90

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 90

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ITILLORY BEALL.

After years of active labor, mainly along agricultural lines, the subject of this review is now living a retired life enjoying the com- petence which he acquired through former

toil. He is a native of Virginia, born Jan- uary 29, 1838, and is a son of Hillory and Jane (Newland) Beall, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, and from that state removed to the Old Dominion in 1830. By occupation the father was a farmer. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Our sub- ject's great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

Our subject is one of a family of nine chil- (Iren, five sons and four daughters, the others being Nancy, who is the wife of. Uriah Bar- rett and lives in Oklahoma : Sarah Jane, de- ceased: John, who is proprietor of the Beall Improvement Company of Decatur and is one of the old settlers of Macon county: Parker, who makes his home in Warrensburg, and is engaged in farming : Mary, the wife of David Schroll, of Warrensburg : William, also a res- ident of that place : Elizabeth, wife of Andrew J. Widick : and Frank, deceased.

During his boyhood Hillory Beall, Jr., went to Ohio, where he was reared and educated, pursuing his early studies in an old log school- house, but his educational advantages were rather limited. After leaving school he learned the millwright's trade, which he followed for ten years, being thus employed in Springfield, Bloomington. Decatur and Clinton. Illinois. In 1856 he came to Macon county and for some time engaged in farming in Illini town- ship, where he made his first purchase of land. About twenty-seven years ago he removed to Niantic township and bought one hundred and sixty acres, the nucleus of his present farm. As time passed and his financial re- sources increased he kept adding to his prop- erty until he now has several hundred acres besides a beautiful home in Niantic, where he is now living retired.

At Springfield. Illinois, in 1867, Mr. Beall was united in marriage to Miss Honora Hingey, of Riverton, this state. Her parents were natives of Canada and are both now de- ceased. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beall, namely: John Franklin, a resi-

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dent of Niantic; Egbert Lawrence, who makes his home in Lovington; and Edward Parker, who is living on his father's farm in Niantic township. Mrs. Beall is a member of the Catholic church of Niantic and is a most estimable lady. Being a strong temperance man our subject votes with the Prohibition party. A man of natural ability, his success in business is but the just reward of honor- able dealing, good management and unremit- ting industry, and the prosperity that has come to him is certainly well merited. His course in life has ever been such as to com- mand respect and he stands high in the es- teem of his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM GUSHARD.

The life record of a representative of American citizenship frequently contains much that is of value to the student of biography who wishes to judge of the elements and qualities that enter into a successful carcer. The life record of William Gushard has been an open scroll inviting closest scrutiny. Ilis achievements represent the result of honest endeavor along lines where mature judgment has led the way. He possesses a weight of character, a native sagacity and discriminat- ing judgment and a fidelity to purpose that command the respect of all. He has led an honorable career and is recognized as one of the leading merchants of Decatur, being the senior member of the firm of Gushard & Com- pany, dealers in dry-goods and millinery.

A native of Ohio, William Gushard was born in Stark county, that state, on the 5th of March, 1862. For many years his father, George Gushard, carried on merchandising there and his death occurred in Stark county, in 1892. For his second wife he married Mrs. Hannah Rorabaugh, who died on the 25th of May, 1865. She was the mother of our sub- ject.

William Gushard spent the first eight years

of his boyhood in Stark county, Ohio, and at the usual age entered the public schools. He afterward accompanied his father on his re- moval to Wabash county, Indiana, where he continued to pursue his studies until his fif- teenth year. He then returned to Ohio, estab- lishing his home in Akron, where he resided for nine year's and during that period he en- tered upon his business career as a salesman in a dry-gods establishment. His endeavors to master the business both in principle and detail gained him a broad knowledge of the methods employed in mercantile circles. When thus well equipped for further advance- ment along that line he became a trusted em- ploye in the dry-goods house of G. Y. Smith & Company upon his removal to Kansas City, Missouri. For two and a half years he con- tinued with that firm and then with the money he had acquired through his own industry and economy he began merchandising on his own account in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. lle was afterward numbered among the mer- chants of Topeka, Kansas, and was there very successful in his business operations.

In 1895 he arrived in Decatur, Illinois, where he established a dry-goods and mil- linery store as the senior member of the firm of Gushard & Company, his partner in this enterprise being Walter Buck. Their store is located at No. 207-211 North Water street and is fifty fect in breadth by one hundred and twenty feet in depth, the buikling is three stories in height and all three floors are utilized for the accommodation of their large stock of millinery and dry-gods. Between forty and fifty clerks are employed which in- dicates to some extent the volume of business transacted. Every department is complete and is now in a thriving condition. The firm also has a branch store at Burlington, Iowa, which is a general establishment managed by John J. Summersby.

In 1895 Mr. Gushard was united in mar- riage to Miss Della Perkins, of Topeka, Kan- sas, and their union has been blessed with

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three children : Geraldine, Ilannah Louise and Ruth Elizabeth. The family residence is situated on North Dunham street and the attractive home is surrounded by a large lawn, ornamented with beautiful trees many of which being pine, the place is called Pine Hurst. This home is celebrated for its gracious hospitality which is greatly enjoyed by the many friends of the family. Mr. Gush- ard has a business career which any man might be proud to possess. Starting out in life empty-handed and brooking no obstacles that could be overcome by determination and honorable effort he has steadily worked his way upward. The difficulties he has encoun- tered have seemed to serve as an impetus for renewed effort and he has kept apace with the universal progress along business lines, adapt- ing himself to meet conditions and making the most of every opportunity until he now occu- pies a creditable and honorable position in trade circles. He stands to-day strong in his credit and his good name and his example is one well worthy of emulation.

JAMES FREEMAN.

In commercial circles in Decatur James Freeman was long an active and prominent factor, having established and conducted one of the large mercantile enterprises of the city. Indolence was utterly foreign to his nature and his activity, keen discernment in business af- fairs and indefatigable energy enabled him io develop an enterprise of importance to the city and which at the same time proved an ex- cellent source of revenue for himself and fam- ily.

Mr. Freeman was a native of Boston, his birth there occurring on the 6th of April, 1836. He was a representative of one of the old families of New England. his ancestors hay- ing emigrated to America in 1632, only twelve years after the Pilgrims landed on the shores of Massachusetts from the Mayflower. Ben-

jamin Freeman, the father of our subject, was born in New England and during the boyhood of his son James brought his family to Illinois, settling in Hillsboro, where he en- tered land, but as he died a few years later the family returned to Boston, where our sub- ject resided for a number of years.

It was on the LOth of November, 1865, that Mr. Freeman was joined in wedlock to Miss May L. Wilson, of Jacksonville, Illinois, the second daughter of Andrew F. and Louisa ( Wheadon ) Wilson. Mrs. Freeman was born in the city of Jacksonville, her parents having settled there in 1838. Subsequently they re- moved to Moweaqua, Illinois, where the father died in 1901, in the ninety-first year of his age. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he never failed to cast his ballot for its men and measures. For many years he was a member of the Baptist church and his life was in consistent harmony with his professions. Mrs. Freeman, like her husband. comes of good old Revolutionary stock, the grandfathers on both sides having been patriots in the Continental Army in the war for American independence.

Mr. and Mrs. Freeman began their domes- tic life upon a farm near Moweaqua and there he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1879. when he retired from that field of labor and removed to Decatur, making his home in this city until his death. Here he opened a large boot and shoe store, the first extensive one here, and was thus connected with the mer- cantile interests of the city until his life's labors were ended. For a long period he was associated in business with his brother, John Freeman, but for the last few years was sole proprietor of what was one of the leading commercial institutions of the city. He car- ried a large and well selected line of boots and shoes and received an extensive patronage. which he well merited because of his progress- ive business methods, his straightforward dealing and his carnest efforts to please his customers.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

In early life Mr. Freeman took an active part in politics and served for a number of terms as supervisor in a manner which re- flected credit upon the county and his con- stituents. He was also deputy United States marshal under his uncle. Watson Freeman, and was ever conscientious and prompt in the performance of any public duty or the exe- cution of any public trust. Of the Decatur Club he was a valued and popular member and he was past grand director and a member of the supreme lodge of the Knights of Honor. Pleasant and genial in manner, he was ad- mired and respected by all. He appreciated friendship and therefore won it, and he was quick to recognize the good in others and render them his regard because of this. It is a well known truth that we see about us that which we have in ourselves and this trait of character in Mr. Freeman showed that he was the possessor of all the sterling qualities which he respected in his fellowmen.

LAWRENCE R. PROVOST.

This well known citizen of Decatur town- ship is devoting his attention principally to the raising of small fruits and has become an expert in his line. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on the 16th of No- vember. 1835, and comes of a family of French Iluguenot origin, which was founded in Amer- ica by three brothers, one of whom settled in New York, another on Staten Island, while the third. James H. Provost, located in New Jersey. It is to the last branch that our sub- ject belongs. llis paternal grandfather took part in the war of 1812 as a fifer.

James Provost, the father of our subject. was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 27. 1808, and was reared and educated at that place. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade and became an expert car- riage maker. Ile was married at Newark, New Jersey, in 1836. to Miss Lavisa .A. Baker, and for some years they made their home at

New Brunswick and Rahway, New Jersey, but in 1862 removed to Port Royal, North Carolina, where they remained until the latter part of 1804. While there Mr. Provost was the master mechanic for the United States quartermaster in charge of the government shops. After the war he returned to New Jersey, and in 1871 came to Decatur, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest on the 24th of April, 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. Ilis wife died May 10, 1887. They were faithful members of the First Presbyterian church and had the respect of all who knew them. Unto them were born eight children, namely: P. B .: Lawrence R. : Abraham P .; Isaac S .; Isabella, wife of Fred Boyer; Phoche, deceased wife of William Z. Brown; Mary B., deceased wife of Jefferson Main ; and James, who died in infancy.

The educational advantages afforded Law- rence R. Provost during his boyhood were limited as he was only able to attend school for three months during the winter season. At an early age he served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade at Rahway, New Jersey, and received thirty dollars per year in compensation for his services. He next went south and was engaged in the carriage business at Suffolk, Virginia, for three years, being at that place when Abraham Lincoln was elected president. When the war broke out he came to Illinois and for ten years was engaged in farming in Green Valley, Taze- well county. He then removed to Lawrence, Kansas, where he followed the same pursuit. and thus became identified with the carly de- velopment of that state but becoming discour- aged with the outlook there he returned to Illinois in 1867 and has since made his home 11 Decatur township, Macon county, where he raises small friuts of different kinds, though his specialty is strawberries. He has seven- teen acres devoted to the culture of small fruits and has become a leader in his line, taking pride in producing the best found on the market.

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In 1855 Mr. Provost was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. High, of Rahway, New Jersey, who died in Kansas at the age of thirty-one years. The children born of this union are James H., now a resident of Okla- homa ; Emma, wife of George Bush, of New- ton, Kansas: Jasper L., of Osage county, Kansas; George L., of Burlingame, Kansas ; William, also a resident of Burlingame; Mel- vin, a resident of Oklahoma; and Mary, wife of L. O. Green, of Peabody, Kansas.

On the 3d of December, 1872, Mr. Provost was again married, his second union being with Miss Nancy Scroggs, of Goshen, Ind- iana, by whom he has two children: Sadie; and Daisy, wife of Harmon Tuttle, of De- catur. Mrs. Provost was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1836, and is a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Moore) Scroggs, who were also natives of Beaver county and were of Scotch and Welsh de- scent. The mother died at the early age of thirty-two, when Mrs. Provost was only four years old. Leaving Pennsylvania, the father removed to Goshen, Indiana, where his death occurred on the 25th of April, 1877. By trade he was a tanner and carriage trimmer and in politics was a Republican. For several gen- erations the family has been connected with the United Presbyterian church and several of its members have been ministers of that denomination.

In religious faith Mr. Provost is a Presby- terian and in politics is an ardent Republican. He has efficiently served as school director and does all in his power to promote the moral, educational and social interests of his com- munity. He is a wide-awake and progressive business man and endeavors to accomplish whatever he undertakes.

TRAVIS BROWN.

Travis Brown is the junior member of the firm of Brown & Son, who are engaged in the monument business in Decatur. He was born

near Boody in Blue Mound township, Macon county, on the 8th of February, 1871, and is a son of Nelson F. and Mildred (Pasley) Brown. The father, a native of Ohio, was born in 1843 and for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Blue Mound town- ship. On the Ist of September, 1896, how- ever, having retired from farm work, he joined his son, Travis, in the establishment of the present firm of Brown & Son. His wife was born in Kentucky and the subject of this re- view is their only child. He attended the com- mon schools in his early life and supplemented his preliminary knowledge by study in the Baker University of Baldwin, Kansas. He also pursued a course of study in Brown's Business College and in 1892 he returned to the home farm, whereon he resided, assisting in its cultivation and further improvement un- til 1895, when he became a resident of De- catur. Joining his father in the establishment of the firm of Brown & Son they purchased a part interest in the Decatur Monument Com- pany, with which they were associated until 1898, when they became sole proprietors, buy- ing out their partners in that business. They make a specialty of Barre granite and Mis- souri red stone in their monument work. The business methods which they employ, the skilled labor and the product of the workmen makes the output of this house of a most pleasing character and the patronage is there- by constantly increasing. Already the busi- ness is large and important, having become one of the strong industrial interests of the city. There has been nothing sensational in the career of either father and son, their lives having been devoted to business cares, and untiring industry, perseverance and good business judgment have formed the founda- tion upon which they have builded their suc- cess.

On the IIth of October, 1894. Travis Brown was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Wiegand, a daughter of J. H. and Min- nie Wiegand, of Boody, Illinois. They are

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well known young people of this city and the hospitality of many of the best homes here is extended to them. Mr. Brown is a member of Easterly Camp, No. 1626, M. W. A., and for two years he has served as a member of the board of managers of this camp. He has also been recorder of Decatur Circle, No. 49, American Home Circle. His success has been the result of persistent effort in the line of honorable and earnest toil; his aims have always been to attain the best and his life has marked a steady growth.

DAVID B. BATCHELDER.

David B. Batchelder, who is a retired far- mer of Decatur, was born in Pittsfield, New llampshire, September 5, 1834, a son of Col- onel Nathaniel and Abigail (Jenness) Batch- elder. The ancestry can be traced back to Rev. Stephen Bachilir, who was a leading non- conformist and founded the town of New Hampton, New Hampshire. As will be seen there has occurred a change in the spelling of the surname since his day. The grand- father of our subject was Elijah David Batch- elder, who married a Miss Lane, of English lineage. The father of our subject was born in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, November 25, 1791, and became a colonel of militia in the old training days. Ile was married May 10, 1820. to Abigail Jenness, a daughter of John Jenness, and, devoting his life to agricultural pursuits, he became a prominent and prosper- ous farmer. His death occurred December 3. 1858, and his wife, who was born in 1792, passed away February 5, 1851. The subject of this review has a sister, who is the widow of J. C. Clough and now resides in Chicago.

David B. Batchelder acquired his education in his native county, attending the schools of Pittsfield, New Hampshire. In 1853. when about nineteen years of age, he went to Ala- hama, where he remained until 1857 and in connection with his brother, J. J. Batchelder,

he engaged in building bridges for the Mem- phis & Charleston Railroad Company. The year 1857 witnessed their arrival in Macon county, Illinois. and here the brother re- mained, but our subject afterward went to California, where he engaged in mining until 1868. He then returned to Macon county and purchased a half section of prairie land in Illini township, which he broke and improved, transforming it from a wild state into fertile fields. Subsequently he sold this property and bought another half section of improved land which he still owns. Thereon he en- gaged in general farming and was also an ex- tensive stock-raiser, making a specialty of polled Angus cattle. He bought and sold con- siderable stock and this branch of his business returns to him a good income. In 1875 he erected a substantial modern barn on his place and in 1881 erected a nice house. The farm has about eight miles of tiling on it and is splendidly improved. The walnut grove is noted as one of the finest in the county and is very valuable. It is frequently visited by people from the east and the farm is regarded as one of the best in Illini township.

Mr. Batchelder has been twice married. He first wedded Abbie M. Bailey, a daughter of John Bailey of Lawrence, Massachusetts. She was born March 27, 1849, and the wedding occurred February 7. 1870. She died Febril- ary 23, 1898. Five children were born of this union : George Grant, born January 19, 1871, died of diphtheria, November 25, 1878; Ad- die Marilla, born November 2, 1872, died August 27, 1873; Lizzie Bailey, born July 18, 1874, died of diphtheria November 29, 1878; Laura Esther, born October 18, 1877, is the wife of Oliver Batchelder ; and Wilber Rich- ard, born June 6, 1880, is secretary and a member of the Field & Shorb Company, of Decatur. On the Ioth of April, 1900, Mr. Batchelder was again married, his second union being with Gertrude Wardwell, a cousin of his first wife. She was born in Andover, Massachusetts, December 18, $855,

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PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.

a daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Ilan- nah E. ( Wells) Wardwell, who were natives of Massachusetts and were of English line- age.

Mr. Batchelder continued to engage in farming until 1800, when he retired to De- catur and is now living at No. 1533 North Church street. He always did his share for the upbuilding of the county and assisted in organizing the public schools and also the Congregational church of Illini township. He holds membership in a church of that denomination in Decatur and is now one of its trustees. His wife is a lady of true refine- ment and culture, coming of a prominent east- ern family and both Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder have the warm regard of many friends.

THOMAS W. TOMLINSON.

Thomas W. Tomlinson, who is now carry- ing on farming on section 5. South Macon township, was born in St. Clair county. Illi- nois, November 20, 1847, his parents being John B. and Elizabeth (Cotton) Tomlinson, who were married in St. Louis, Missouri. The father was a native of England and was a butcher by trade. Emigrating to America in 1833, he first located in St. Louis, where he worked at his trade until 1845 and then re- moved to St. Clair county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm the following year and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Later he sold his property there and came to Macon county, accompanied by his family. He bought a farm east of Macon, which was then all wild prairie covered with ponds and slough, and to its improvement and cultiva- tion he devoted his energies until called to his final rest on the 31st of December, 1881. In early life he was a Whig and later a Repub- lican but during Grant's administration he became a Democrat. although he was a great friend of the General. Of his twelve children only six are now living: Mrs. Elizabeth Car-

roll. Miss AAgnes Tomlinson, Thomas W., Mrs. Rachel Bradley, Miss Mary Tomlinson and Frank, all residents of Macon county with the exception of Mrs. Bradley, who makes her home in Alabama.

Thomas W. Tomlinson received his educa- tion in a log school house which stood on the boundary line between St. Clair and Monroe counties, the boys, who sat on one side of the room being in Monroe county and the girls on the other side in St. Clair county. Ile re- mained under the parental roof until twenty- three years of age and in 1874 went to Cali- tornia, where he engaged in farming for two years. He then returned east to visit the Cen- tennial Exposition in Philadelphia and did not go back to the Pacific coast for some time but came to Macon county, Illinois, where he was married May 12, 1878, to Miss Ellen Brad- ley, a daughter of Wilham and Mary Bradley.

After his marriage Mr. Tomlinson went to Washington Territory, where he remained three years, and at the end of that time re- turned to Macon county on account of the ill- ness of his father and staid with him until his death. A year later our subject removed to Nebraska, where he spent three years, and from there went to Kansas, but during the drouth of 1893 and 1894, he moved back to Illinois and then went to Texas, living for two years in Houston. He still owns his farm of four hundred and eighty aeres in Kansas. In the fall of 1896 we again find him in Macon county, where he bought his present farm of ninety acres on section 5, South Macon town- ship, and has since engaged in its operation. The place is supplied with modern machinery and the fences and buildings are in good re- pair, in fact everything about the farm pre- sents a neat and thrifty appearance. In con- nection with general farming Mr. Tomlin- son is engaged in dairying to some extent. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and religiously he and his family are communicants of the Catholic church.

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Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois, Part 90

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