USA > Illinois > Macon County > Decatur > Past and present of the City of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois > Part 97
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also in Macon Chapter and Beaumanoir Com- mandery. He likewise belonged to the Odd Fellows' lodge in this city. He was member of the first school board of Decatur and was ever active in educational work, putting forth every effort in his power to advance the standard of the schools and render the course of instruction more effective as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. Af- ter his retirement from office he enjoyed a well earned rest up to the time of his death. which occurred May 20. 1903. His remains were interred with the ceremonies of the Ma- sonie fraternity and deep and sincere sorrow was manifested throughout the city. for Judge Hammer was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. His official service was characterized by unfaltering fidelity and thus he received the commendation of the opposi- tion party as well as the supporters of the Republican party. His honorable life record gained him high encomiums and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon Decatur and Macon county.
CHARLES C. RANDOLPH.
Charles C. Randolph is one of the large landowners of Macon county and is the senior member of the firm of C. C. & N. W. Ran- dolph. dealers in city and farm property in Decatur. They also loan money and handle large amounts of land in Missouri. Arkansas. Oklahoma and Texas.
Throughout his entire life Charles C. Ran- dolph has been a resident of Illinois and has always been imbued with the progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in the up- building and development of this state. ITis birth occurred in Logan county near Lincoln. the family home being on a farm in that lo- cality. His father. John Randolph, was a na- tive of Virginia and came to Illinois in pio- ncer times, settling in this state in 1829. Here he became an extensive landowner, entering
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thousands of acres from the government, a part of which he improved. He was an intel- ligent and progressive agriculturist, following advanced methods of farming and as a worthy pioneer he well deserves mention in the an- nals of the state because of the helpful part which he took in reclaiming the district for the purposes of civilization. lle had a wide acquaintance and was a man universally re- spected for his many excellent traits of char- acter. Ilis business integrity stood as one of the strongest elements in his career and made him well worthy of the trust imposed in him. His death occurred in Logan county about 1900, but his widow is living on the home- stead there. She bore the maiden name of Margaret Wallace and was a native of Ken- tucky. By her marriage she had several chil- dren, including De Witt, Charles C. and Mar- tin WI
As a farm boy Charles C. Randolph was reared. He obtained a good common-school education and assisted in the cultivation of the fields on the old home place until he at- tained his majority, when he began farming and stock-dealing on his own account. He made a specialty of the raising of hogs and cattle and annually his sales brought to him a very desirable financial return. As his cap- ital increased he made judicious investments from time to time and is now the possessor of a very extensive and valuable farm, ag- gregating twelve hundred acres of rich land under a high state of cultivation. Most of this is also underlaid with a good vein of coal and part of the land is situated in Logan county and the remainder in Macon county. Mr. Randolph continued to reside upon his farm until 1806, when he took up his abode in Decatur, where he opened an office and began dealing in real estate and also in loan- ing money. Hle handles not only city and farm property in this locality, but also deals in southern and western lands. lle has thor- oughly informed himself concerning realty values here and is thus enabled to make
judicious investments and profitable sales. In 1902 he associated himself with his brother N. W. under the firm name of C. C. & N. W. Randolph. He rents his farm lands in Logan and Macon counties so that he has opportunity to devote much time to his real estate opera- tions both here and in the south.
In August, 1897. Mr. Randolph was joined in wedlock to Miss Sophia Hutchinson, of this county, a daughter of Jesse Hutchinson. Mr. Randolph is a man to whom the most en- vious cannot grudge his success, so well has he earned it. He is kind in manner and ap- proachable and every comer has a claim upon his courteous attention. There has been noth- ing sensational in his career, every step has been thoughtfully and deliberately made and every advance has been at the cost of earnest labor. He stands to-day in his mature years a strong man-strong in the consciousness of a well spent life, strong to plan and perform, strong in his honor and his good name and a worthy example for young men to pattern after.
A. J. STONER, M. D.
In the death of the honored subject of this memoir not only Decatur but the Prairie state as well lost one of her best and most valued citizens-a man sincere, upright, just and conscientious in word and deed. His life was a busy and useful one and extensive pro- fessional pursuits claimed his attention, vet his career was not that of one intent on money-making or of self-aggrandizement, but was ever dominated by the noble desire to aid and uplift his fellow men and to pro- mote the welfare of city, state and nation. A complete record of what he accomplished for the city, of the good deeds he performed and of the kindly sympathy which he invari- ably extended to others could not be compiled. for he was modest and unostentatious in all his acts, guided not by the hope of recogni-
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tion and praise, but by an honorable purpose and noble duty.
Dr. Stoner was born on the 2d of August, 1824. in Cincinnati, Ohio, and when but a boy came to Illinois. Here he lived in the family of Dr. Sutphan, of Perry, who was one of the pioneer physicians of the state and it was while surrounded with the influences of that home that Dr. Stoner became deeply interested in the science of medicine. Form- ing a determination to make its practice his life work while yet a youth he studied in the office and under the direction of his friend and benefactor, Dr. Sutphan. Subsequently he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which he was graduated and then became a student in the College of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, in which he also completed the course.
Dr. Stoner entered upon his professional career in Chambersburg. Illinois, where he opened an office and soon gained some patrons. Afterward, however, he removed to Mount Sterling, Illinois, where he remained until the close of the Civil war, when he severed his business relations there and re- moved to Decatur, his remaining days being passed in this city. In 1866 he established a drug store at the corner of South Park and State streets. It was long one of the old land marks in the business district of Deca- tur and a liberal patronage was continually accorded to its proprietor who was widely and prominently known in business circles. Ilis methods commended him to the public confidence and he won favor by reason of his genial nature and obliging disposition. For a number of years the management of the drug business was intrusted to the late Cap- tain W. J. Brown. For many years Dr. Stoner continued in the active practice of hiis chosen calling and kept in touch with the advancement made in the science of medicine. lle studied long and carried his researches far and wide into the fields of medical knowl-
edge so that his efforts were most effective. and helpful in the alleviation of human suf- fering. In many a household he was known as the loved family physician and after he re- tired from the more active practice of his calling he was accorded a large office and consultation practice. At one time his patron- age extended through central Illinois and it is probable that no physician in Decatur was ever more widely known. The weather was never too inclement for him to respond to the call of the sick and suffering and he often- times took long rides to visit patients when he knew that no pecuniary reward could be expected. He continued as owner of the drug store until about five years prior to his death, when he retired and was succeeded by his son, Dr. Fred Stoner.
The Doctor was a man of strong, forceful spirit, of great benevolence and of kindliness. He contributed to various enterprises of a charitable character and yet he never sought the praise of his fellow men or their recogni- tion. He gave freely and without display. In both his professional and business career he was very successful and the poor and needy shared generously with him of his means. He was a man of untiring energy and zeal and his long life which ended No- vember 13, 1901, was without a blemish, for his character was always honorable and up- right, and thus his memory is cherished by all who knew him.
Dr. Fred Stoner, a son of Dr. A. J. Stoner, was educated in the public schools of De- catur. He afterward became manager of the drug store, which was conducted under the firm style of A. J. Stoner & Son from 1887 until 1890. His professional knowledge was gained as a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago and in the University of Nash- ville, Tennessee, spending the years between 1890 and 1896 as a student in these institut- tions. He then practiced medicine in Deca- tur and also managed the drug store until
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selling his interest to the present firm of A. J. Stoner & Son in 1899. He is now practic- ing medicine in this city and vicinity.
FRANK A. CRABB.
The business career is one which illustrates the power of industry and perseverance in the active affairs of life. Every step that he has made has been premeditated and then sanc- tioned by mature judgment: it has contrib- uted its share to the sum of prosperity which has attended his efforts as a coal dealer.
Mr. Crabb was born in Springfield, Illi- nois, on the 22d of January, 1869, and comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the city of Springfield. His great-grandfather, Elijah Isle, was one of the pioneers of the capital city, living there when it was but a mere ham- let and taking an active part in its develop- ment and progress. Ile gave the land upon which the Wabash Railroad shops were built and also gave the right of way to the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad. He was thus closely connected with the industrial development of the city. Janius D. Crabb, the father of our subject, was a native of Ohio and came thence to Illinois, establishing his home in Litch- field when seventeen years of age. About the time of the close of the Civil war he began operating coal mines and for many years was connected with the Litchfield Mining Com- pany, doing an important work in the devel- opment of the coal resources of the state. He was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Loose, also a native of Ohio and a daughter of Jacob Loose, one of the oldest residents of Spring- field, who in an early day was the owner of the land upon which the governor's mansion now stands.
Frank A. Crabb, whose name introduces this record, obtained his carly education in the ward schools of St. Louis and afterward attended the high school in which he was
graduated with the class of 1890. Later he pursued a three years' course in Smith's Academy and then entered upon his business career in the employ of the Staunton Coal Company at Staunton, Illinois, being assigned to duty in the boiler-room, where he remained for three years dating from 1897. He equipped the electric elevator plant for use and afterward passed an examination where- by he won a certificate as a hoisting engineer. He then had charge of the Stone Coal Com- pany at St. Louis as its superintendent, acting in that capacity until the plant was sold. His father then removed to Litchfield, Illinois. while the son came to Decatur, arriving in this city on the 13th of February, 1901. He then purchased the business of the Nives & Koons Coal Company, which he has since con- ducted on his own account. Ile does a large retail business in the sale of anthracite and cannel coal, Indiana block coke and also bi- tuminous coal. He is agent for the Spring- field Coal Company and also the Litchfield Power Company and through his business connections has become an important factor in the development of the coal resources of the state, his work being of an important character that contributes not alone to his prosperity, but also to the advancement of business activity in this section of the state. Mr. Crabb is also the owner of the Glen Echo Stock farm, which is situated one mile north of Decatur and is devoted to the breed- ing and raising of fine horses.
In 1900 Mr. Crabb was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Davis, a daughter of David and Blanche (Keating) Davis. They now have one daughter, Sallie Margaret. Mr. Crabb is quite prominent socially and belongs to the Benevolent. Protective Order of Elks, to W. C. Roe Camp. No. 7201, M. W. A., and to the Decatur and Country Clubs. In his political views he is a Republican. A young man of unusual business ability, of progressive ideas and unfaltering energy, he has gained for himself a prominent place in the business
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world and has also through his genial man- ner and unfailing courtesy become a popular citizen of Decatur and one who has gained many friends.
HENRY L. ARCHER.
Since 1862 Henry L. Archer has been a resident of Decatur and for over a third of a century he was identified with the business interests of the city, but is now living a re- tired life in his pleasant home at 1021 East Cantrell street. He was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, on the 20th of February, 1845, a son of Thomas L. and Amelia Archer, both of whom were natives of the Blue Grass state, where they continued to reside until their removal to Decatur in 1862. Owing to ill health the father lived retired during his stay here and after going to Moultrie county, Illinois, in 1870. He died in that county while his wife passed away in Chicago. They were the parents of four children who are still liv- ing, namely: Henry L .: Isaac, who is em- ployed in the Union Iron Works of Decatur ; Samuel, a farmer of Edgar county, Ilinois; and Mrs. C. F. Reynolds, who is living in Chicago.
Henry L. Archer pursued his education in the public schools of his native state. In 1856. at the age of eleven years, he first came to Illinois, and settled in Moultrie county, where he worked at odd jobs for two years. At the end of that time he returned to Kentucky and made his home with his parents until the removal of the family to Decatur in 1862. Here his father and brother-in-law purchased a saloon, which our subject assisted in carry- ing on until about the close of the Civil war, when he enlisted on the 17th of February, 1865, as orderly sergeant in Company I, One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, under Captain Walter Barnes and Colonel Keener. The company was in no engagements as the fighting was all ahead of them. They went first to Louisville, Ken-
tucky, then on to Nashville, Tennessee, Sa- vannah and Atlanta, Georgia. At the last named place Mr. Archer was discharged on the 16th of January, 1866. Returning to Decatur he purchased a dray line and en- gaged in the dray and transfer business for several years or until 1896. During that year he purchased the Brunswick Hotel saloon, which he conducted for eighteen months and then sold out in 1898 on account of ill health and has since lived retired, having in the meantime accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to lay aside all business cares and spend the remainder of his life in ease and quiet.
On the 30th of January, 1870, Mr. Archer married Miss Aurella Chilcote, of this county. Her father, Robert Chilcote, was an early settler of Macon county, and is now living retired in Decatur. Mr. and Mrs. Archer have one child. Bonnie Hazel. The wife and mother is a member of the Christian church of Decatur and is a most estimable lady. Fraternally Mr. Archer is connected with the Grand Army Post of Decatur, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He has never cared for official honors but has always taken a deep interest in public af- fairs and is as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as in time of war. He is widely and favorably known and in the city where he has made his home for over forty years he has a host of warm friends who es- teem him highly.
ECKHARDT C. STEIN.
Eckhardt C. Stein, the president and man- ager of the Decatur Model Laundry Com- pany, was born in Waterloo, Waterloo coun- ty, Ontario, October 4, 1858, and is a son of Henry and Christine (Wegfahrt) Stein, who were natives of Germany. The father was a bricklayer by trade and he and his wife are now residing in Berlin, Ontario.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY.
Henry Stein left the fatherland when a young man, although his parents remained in Ger- many. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world he took up his abode in Canada, where he has since remained. Unto him and his wife have been born five children, of whom Eckhardt C. is the eldest. The others are Christian, William, Martha, and Annie, de- ceased.
In taking up the personal history of Eck- hardt C. Stein we present to our readers the life record of one who is well known in De- catur, because of his activity and honorable business interests here. Having acquired his education in the public schools of his native country he started out in life on his own ac- count when twenty-one years of age, first being employed as a painter by the firm of Hoffman & Company, furniture dealers and manufacturers of Berlin, Ontario. He con- tinned with that house for three and a half years and then entered the employ of the firm of Reiner & Stein, millers of Wellesly. Ontario, with whom he was associated for six years. The junior partner in this enter- prise was Eckhardt Stein, an uncle of our subject. On severing his connection with that house Mr. Stein of this review was em- ployed by the Commercial Milling Company of Detroit, Michigan, for a year, after which he returned to the employ of Reiner & Stein, with whom he continued for a number of years longer. Desiring to try his fortune in the northwest, however, he removed to Spo- kane Falls, Washington, and spent one year in the Echo Mills of that place. In 1889 he came to Illinois, locating in Decatur, where he has since made his home. Here he was first employed in the Decatur Furniture Fac- tory. for one year, and then became asso- ciated with W. Lewis in the feed business under the firm name of Lewis & Stein. This relationship was maintained for one year. when together with P. M. Brookshier he purchased the Decatur Steam Laundry. That partnership was maintained for a few months,
after which Mr. Brookshier sold his interest to Harry E. Ehrman, who was Mr. Stein's partner for a time, but the latter sold out.to Mr. Ehrman. He afterward continued as manager of the plant for a while. He then bought a laundry with John H. Rainey as an associate partner and conducted this busi- ness for three and a half years. F. 11. Whit- mer, who about this time purchased the De- catur Steam Laundry, entered into business relations with Mr. Stein and Rainey and the two plants were consolidated under the name of the Decatur Model Laundry Company in 1808. The company was composed of Mr. Stein, F. Il. Whitmer and John H. Rainey, the subject of this review being the president and manager, which positions he has ever most acceptably filled since 1899. Ilis present partners in the enterprise are Lulu Whitmer, who is the vice president of the company. while Frank 11. Whitmer is the secretary and treasurer.
In 1887 Mr. Stein was united in marriage to Miss Magdelena Fretus, who resided near Argenta in this county. They have four children : Martin, Emelie, Bertha and Lauda. Canada has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left that country to enter the busi- ness circles of the Republic with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Among this number is Mr. Stein. He sought wider fields in which to give full scope to his am- bition and his activity-his dominant qual- ities. Hle found the opportunities he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the grow- ing middk portion of the United States. Though born across the border he is thor- oughly American in thought and feeling and is patriotic and sincere in his love for the stars and stripes.
JAMES E. OSBORNE.
There is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise from the ranks to a
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position of eminence is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that surround his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of in- dividuals differ but slightly; and, when one man passes another on the highway to reach the goal of prosperity before others who per- haps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which proba- bly encompass the whole human race.
To-day among the prominent men of the entire west stands James E. Osborne, and his name at once brings to mind one of the important industries of the country-the de- velopment of the oil resources. Mr. Osborne was born at Greens Fork, Wayne county, In- diana, on the 7th of September, 1860, and is a son of Cyrus and Hannah A. (Murphy) Osborne. The paternal grandfather was Al- mire Osborne, a native of New York, while the maternal grandfather of our subject was born in Ohio, whence he removed to Indi- ana, spending his last days in West Lebanon, that state. Cyrus Osborne was born in New York and became a stockdealer of Indiana, where he carried on business for a time, later removing to Decatur to make his home with his son, James E. He died January 28, 1903, at the age of seventy-three years and his widow, now surviving, is a member of the family of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Osborne were born eight children, of whom James E. Osborne was the sixth in order of birth. Those now living are M. L., a resident of Indianapolis ; Mary, the wife of WV. P. Kanode; and Zora, the wife of E. F. Pannell.
The fourth surviving member of the fam- ily is Mr. Osborne, whose name introduces this record. He was reared upon the home farm and attended the public schools. In his early youth he learned telegraphy, but not finding that a congenial occupation he came to Decatur in October, 1890, and here ac- cepted a position as a clerk in the sheriff's office. He was afterward employed in a cler-
ical capacity in the office of the recorder and in 1891 he entered the employ of the Pacific Express Company. He has since been agent for the company in Decatur and has assumed other responsibilities at various points for the company. Mr. Osborne, however, has made his wealth through speculation. He began dealing in real estate and, finding that it proved profitable, he laid out an addition to Decatur in which he realized five thousand dollars, this forming the nucleus of his pres- ent extensive capital. Believing that he might profit by operations in Chicago real estate he also began purchasing property there and now enjoys a good income from two or three flat buildings in that city, together with dozens of properties in Decatur. When Texas oil began attracting the attention of the public Mr. Osborne was informed by a friend that if he would come to the Lone Star state he might have the opportunity of a lifetime there. Proceeding southward he investigated the condition of the oil fields and at length purchased more than two thousand acres of land just across the Louisiana line from the Beaumont field, on what is known as the Jennings property. He purchased a portion of this at a very low figure, but for about seven acres he paid two thousand dollars per acre. Mr. Osborne and his friends then or- ganized a company, our subject being the prime mover in the establishment of what is now the Southern Oil Company, of Jennings, Louisiana. This was formed in 1901. E. F. Rawson is president of the company with Mr. Osborne as president of the board of directors and the business manager of the enterprise. Contracts for four wells were let, but the first proved "dry" and the second was not a success, but the third known as the Jennings Gusher has won fame for the South- . ern Company and brought wealth to its men- bers. Ninety thousand barrels of oil have flowed from the Jennings well No. 3, in a test run of one day and the first output of the company was seventy-five thousand bar-
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rels per day. There are now five wells in operation, and the quality of oil produced is better than that secured from the Beaumont field. Mr. Osborne, who retains some of his original land holdings, was offered forty thou- sand dollars an acre for four acres within a short distance of the gusher. lle refused to sell. however, although by proper manipula- tion he might have realized one hundred thousand dollars from a few acres of ground. He is also the originator of the Northern Oil Company in the same field. This was or- ganized in 1902 and has an output from four wells of twenty-four hundred barrels of oil per day. He also organized the Columbia Oil Company and is now one of the best known oil men, operating in Texas and Lou- isiana fields. lle has, however, not confined his attention entirely to this one line, but has made judicious investments in other prop- erties. Hle is the president of the Star Gold Mining Company at Cripple Creek, Colorado, which was organized in 1903. Recently he has made a purchase of forty-three acres of land at Yellville, Arkansas, and has laid it out into lots, which is known as the Osborne addition to that city. He has unusual powers as a business manager of tact and discrimina- tion. The successful speculator is not he who places his money carelessly in any investment which on the face seems to promise good re- turns, but he who studies closely the situa- tions, keeps in touch with the progress and thoroughly understands the investments which he makes. Such a man is Mr. Osborne and his success therefore is richly merited and has been capably won.
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