Decatur Township (part 12 of 46)

Creek towiishii) cast of Maroa aiul with characteristic energy began its develoi)- ment. placing it under a higli state of cultivation. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death in 1892, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife, to whom he was married in Ohio in 1857, died in the year 1888. at the age of sixty years. She was a daughter of Jacob Dittus. who lived and died in Germany, in which country Mrs. Earth was born. V>y her marriage she became the mother of four children: John A., who is now living in York, Nebraska ; Jacob \\'.. whose name introduces this record; Mary, the wife of Joe Schall, also of York, Nebraska ; and Annie P., the wife of Oscar Allcrt. of Louisville, Colorado.

Jacob W. Barlh acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and later he pursued a business course in the Indianapolis Business University, in which he was graduated with the class of 18S8. The duties of the home farm next demanded his attention and he there remained until after the death of his father, when he disposed of his agricultural interests and in 1892 removed to Decatur. Here he established a real estate and insurance business, in which he has since successfully continued. He has won for himself a good clientage and has written a large amount of insurance, annually receiving therefrom a profit that has made his income a desirable one. He has also informed himself thoroughly concerning realty values and locations and has thus been enabled to place at the disposal of his clients propert}^ interests such as they desire, while in the conduct of his negotiations he has won fair success.

On the 27th of December. 1899, Mr. Earth was united in marriage to Miss Barbara K. Klenk. a daughter of David and Anna (Mezger) Klenk. They are well known in

Decatur and lia\c llic warm friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Barth of this review votes with the Republican party, but is not active in politics, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests and to the enjoyment of pleasures of home and social life.

Colonel Nathan W. Tupper was one of the earh' members of the Macon coimty bar, becoming an attorney of Decatur at an early date. He settled here in April, 1855, when the greater part of the ground on whicli the city now stands was a cow pasture, lie gained distinction as one of the leading attorneys of this part of the state and left the impress of his individuality and his talents upon the early judicial history of Macon county.

Colonel Tupper was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, July 8, 1830, a son of Harvey and Joanna (Willis) Tupper, both of wliom were natives of the Empire state, where they resided until 1833. They then removed to Akron, Ohio, and afterward to Sheboygan Ealls, Wisconsin. His death occurred at Sheboygan Falls and his widow afterward removed to Missouri, where her last days were spent.

As Colonel Tupper had little interest in farm work, desiring to become an attorney, he did not occupy and operate the farm which his father had secured for him in Wisconsin, but left that state and went to Potsdam, New York. There he boarded with an aunt while attending the St. Lawrence Academy, wherein he pursued his studies for a few years. He then began teaching school in Potsdam and afterward became principal of the schools at that place, but this he regarded merely as an initial step to other professional labor for throughout all this time it was his ambition to become a nicmber of the bar and also was the goal toward which he was striving. He devoted all of his leisure time outside of the school room to the study of law and thus continued his teaching and study until 1852, when he returned to Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, where he was admitted to the bar and then opened an ofifice, practicing in that place for one year. Early in the year 1854 he removed to West Bend, Washington county, Wisconsin, where he remained for a year and in 1855 he came to Decatur.

In the previous year - 1853 - Colonel Tupper had been married in St. Lawrence county. New York, to Miss Lamira M. Peck, a native of Alalone, New York, born February II, 1829, and a daughter of Samuel and Myra (Hickok) Peck, who were natives of Vermont. After their marriage, however, they settled in Malone, New York, where the father owned and operated a tannery and was also engaged in the manufacture of shoes. He died in that place but his wife, long surviving him, died at the age of ninety-two years at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tapper, in Decatur. Unto Colonel Tupper and his wife were born three children : Herbert Eugene died at the age of six months. Sheridan, who is now a very prominent actor on the American stage, residing in New York city, was associated with Roland Reed and other noted actors and at the present time is connected with the William H. Crane Company. He married Ada Shattuck, an actress, and they make their home in New York city, although Mr. Tupper owns property in Decatur near his mother's residence. He and his wife usually spend their summer months in this city, visiting his mother. Emorett, the youngest of the family, died at the age of ten months.

wild prairie land and what is now the public square of the city was then covered with weeds. In the village, however. Colonel Tupper opened a law office, forming a partnership with Mr. Thorpe, with whom he practiced for a number of years. He then entered into partnership with Judge William E. Nelson, who is still residing in Decatur and who is represented- elsewhere in this work. They opened an office in the old Power's Building, practicing there together for several years, during which time they secured a very large and distinctively representative clientage. Colonel Tupper had a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence. His arguments were forceful, his logic convincing and his appeals were strong so that his presentation of a case always carried weight with judge and jury and seldom failed to gain the verdict desired.

The Colonel continued in the active practice of the law until after the outbreak of the Civil war when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his aid to his country in defense of the Union. He became colonel of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Regiment and in command of his troops went to the front and participated in many important battles. In 1862 he was taken ill and never recovered his health throughout the remainder of his term of service. Returning to his home in Decatur on the 7th of January, 1864, he lay ill until the loth of March, following, when he was called to his final rest, thus practically giving his life in defense of his country. His political support was given to the Democracy in early life, but when the Civil war was inaugurated he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, which stood as the defender of the Union. He was a man of marked personality and strong individuality and the salient features of his career were such as to win for him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow men. He was ever fearless in defense of his honest convictions and no trust reposed in him was ever betrayed. He gained distinction at the bar and upon the field of battle and as long as memory remains to the American people he will be honored as one whose life was given as a noble sacrifice to his country. Mrs. Tup])er now owns a nice home at No. 247 West i'.ldcirado street, where she has resided for the past forty-eight years. She, too, is well known in Decatur and is a meinber of the Presbyterian Church here.

Amstead S. Knouff

AMSTEAD S. KNOUFF. In taking up the personal history of A. S. Knouff we present to our readers the life record of one whose success has been worthily achieved through his own efforts. Decatur's enterprise and commercial activity, which characterize both the city and the people, naturally cause one to ask what arc a man's business connection. The business history of Amstead S. KnoufY in recent years is one well known to the ])eople of this city for the Decatur Lumber & Manufacturing Company, with which he is financially connected, is well known to the public. The enterprise has become an important factor in industrial circles here and the methods employed in its conduct indicate the excellent business capacity, keen foresight and energy of the owners.

Mr. Knouff was born on the 17th of March, 1837, upon a farm in Guernsey county, Ohio. His father, Henry KnoufT, was a native of Frederick City, Maryland, his birth having occurred there about forty miles northwest of Washington, D. C. The family is of German lineage and there is a German Bible possessed by representatives of the name which is one hundred and sixty years old. In his boyhood days Henry Knouff accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, a home being established just across the line from Wheeling, West X'irginia, where for a number of years after attaining to man's estate Henry Knouff engaged in the shipping of produce, flour, bacon and other articles of food by flatboat to New Oreleans. This was before the advent of railroads when all transportation was by means of water. Later Mr. Knouff removed to a farm in Guernsey county, Ohio, and carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. In his political views he was a Democrat in early life, but at the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Republican party, which was the defender of the Union and remained one of its stanch advocates until his demise. In early manhood he was united in marriage to Mary Kinsey, who was born in the city of Dover, Delaware, and was of Scotch lineage. Her grandparents on the maternal side were slaveholders in Delaware, but gave to their bondsmen freedom. When i\frs. Knouff was quite a young girl her parents removed to the city of Philadelphia and later to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. A number of years afterward they went to Ohio, settling in the vicinity of West Virginia and it was in that locality that Mary Kinsey became the wife of Henry Knouff. She was a lady of superior mental culture, being well informed on many subjects. She read extensively, keeping in touch with standard works and current literature. In her religious faith she was a Methodist. Mr. Knouff, who was reared in the Presbyterian church, became a member of the Methodist church later in life and both were earnest Christian people. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four years and his wife passed awa\' at the age of eighty years.

In the public schools of Ohio A, S. Knouff of this review pursued his education, mastering the branches of reading, writing, arithmetic and higher mathematics, including algebra and geometry, chemistry, nat- iiral philosophy, astronomy, history, mental and moral, philosophy, elocution and the theory and practice of teaching. His early aml)iti(jn was to secure superior educational ad\antages and he devoted his meager earnings during his school years to the purchase of books. He has always been a great reader and is to-day a well informed man, keeping in touch with the world's progress along literary as well as other lines. He was graduated from the Ohio public schools at the age of sixteen years and when seventeen years was employed as a teacher there. his identification with educational work in that capacity covering a decade. He was quite successful in the schoolroom, imparting readily and clearh' to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In the meantime he had purchased a four year's scholarship in a college with a view to preparing himself for the profession of law, but conditions over which he had no control led him into commercial lines and his ambition to become a member of the bar was never realized.

After retiring from the profession of teaching Mr. Knouff entered into partnership relations with his father-in-law in the live stock trade, shipping cattle and other stock to the eastern markets, principally to Baltimore, but occasionally to Philadelphia, Pittsburg and New York. For several years he followed that pursuit and later he devoted some time to the raising of cattle and sheep upon his farm in Ohio. Afterward he was engaged in the dry goods business and in the conduct of a general store in the Buckeye state. At the time of the Civil war he was engaged in the cattle trade and traveled over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad when it was hazardous to make such a trip, being menaced by the rebel forces. On one return trip he and his partner lost three thousand dollars in currency, the train being captured and burned and the passengers robbed by Colonel John

S. Mosby. At the time General Lee menaced Baltimore Mr. Knouff corralled his cattle under the range of the guns of Fort Henry for protection.

On disposing of his business interests in Ohio he removed to Illinois and engaged in the grain trade, also dealing in hay. He afterward conducted a grocery store at Pana, Illinois, for two years. In 1890 he ]}urchased an interest in the business of the Decatur Lumber & Manufacturing Com- ]jany, of Decatur, with which he is now actively identified as a stockholder and as one of its officers, being the secretary at the time of this writing. This company maufactures doors, sash and blinds, store and office fixtures and fine interior finishings and also deals in lumber, lath and shingles. The factor}- and lumber yards cover a space of ground one hundred and thirty by three hundred and twenty feet adjacent to the Wabash Railroad tracks, thus securing to them good shipping facilities. This company commenced business in 1888 with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars and in 1892 increased the capital stock to one hundred thousand dollars and enlarged the plant. They have from time to time made many improvements until now they have one of the best equipped plants in this part of the state. The company has furnished the interior finish for a large nimiber of the best buildings erected throughout this section of Illinois, shipping within a radius of one hundred miles. The present officers of the company are Thomas \'. Jones, president; J. B. Good, vice president ; H. M. Prescott, treasurer : and A. S. Knouff, secretary. All are practical men in their line of business and they have made a decided success in the control and enlargement of this enterprise.

William Armstrong Urs. Elizabeth Armstrong

Slie is a daughter of Abraham Dcpew, now deceased, who was born in Xew York and was a cousin of the Hon. Chauncey At. Dcpew. the present I'niicd ."States senator from Xew Yori<. There was a marked resembhmce in their facial contour and expression and JMrs. KnonlT's father was a man of tine physi(iue and marked personalitv. She has one brother livint:^ in Barnesville, Ohio, and two sisters in this state. one in l-".lIworth. Kansas, a fourth in Oregon, while her \oungest sister is in St. Louis and is the wife of T. U. llallard, the president of the Si. Louis Chamber of Commerce. Mr. and Mrs. Knonff lost two children in infancy and their only living child is X'irginia \l. She was educated in the public schools of Ohio, continued her studies in Zanesville and pursued a course in music in DePauw University of Indiana. She is now the wife of Dr. J. F. Fribley, of Decatur, who is a graduate of the Chicago College of Dental Surgery and is practicing his profession here. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, in this city.

Mr. Knoutt" cast his first presidential vote for .Abraham Lincoln and his views on political (|ueslions are full)- in accord with the principles and policy of the Republican party. He took an active interest in political work when in ( )hio. but he has never sought any position of public trust as a reward for his i)arty fealty. .About forty years ago he united with the Methodist Episcopal church under the jjastorate of Rev. C. W. P. Hamilton, the father of Bishop j. W. Hamilton, of that denomination, and his wife became a mendjer of the same church during her girlhood. Mr. Knouft' has a firm faith in the validity of the scriptures and believes in the doctrines and polity of the denominations. Both he and his wife hold membership in the h'irst .Methodi.st Episcopal church of Decatur. In matters of citizenship he is public spirited and progressive, co-o])eralmg in many movements for general progress and material upbuilding here. Wherever he is found he is a social, affable and genial gentleman, whose alTairs are conducted in an upright way and all honor and esteem him for his many virtues and genuine worth. .Success is not measured by the heights which one may chance to occu])y, but by the distance i)etween the starting point and the altitude he has reached and therefore Mr. Knouff has gained splendid success - a just reward of meritorious, honorable effort which commands the respect and ailmiration of all.

The deser\'ed reward of a well silent life is an honored retirement from business in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day after a useful and beneficial career Air. ..Vrmstrong is cjuietly living at his pleasant home in .Argenta. surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought him.

A native of Virginia, he was born in Highland county, that state, on the 231I of July, 1839, a son of James and Sallie (Smith) .Armstrong, the former a native of .'^colland and the latter of (iermany. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was a farmer by occupation. ( )ur subject was reared and educated in Virginia and before leaving that state he was engaged in farming upon rented land for a time.

In 1868 Mr. Armstrong came to Illinois and locating in Macon county was employed by the month on the farm of Robert Gray west of Maroa for three years. The following year he operated a rented farm and then removed to the Parker farm, which he cultivated on the shares, giving one-half of the proceeds for the rent of the ])lace. During the five years he spent there he met witii excellent success and has since steadily prospered in all that he has undertaken.

His tirst purchase of land consisted of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Friends Creek township, to which he afterward added one hundred and sixty acres more, and still later one hundred and fifteen acres, paying over fifty dollars per acre for all of it. He raised both grain and stock and always the best of each, and he made many improvements upon his land which was divided into two farms, supplied with all the conveniences and accessories found upon the model farm of the present century.

In 1861 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gladwell, who was killed by lightning June 18, 1866. By that union were born four children, namely : Edward, who married Mary Hensley and is now living in Champaign county, Illinois ; Elizabeth, who died about 1885 ; Sallie, wife of B. Walker, of Decatur ; and William who wedded Emma Taylor and makes his home in Friends Creek township. Mr. Armstrong was again married in 1871, his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth James, by whom he has one son, James H., who married Lula Yates and lives on the old homestead.

Mrs. Armstrong was born in Crambrook, Kent, England, June 7, 1837, and is a daughter of John and Jemima Chapman. In 1842 she came to America, landing in New York on the ist of October after being five weeks and five days out of sight of land. She first lived in Cincinnati, and from there removed to St. Charles, Missouri, in the fall of 1844, making her home in the latter place until her marriage December 18, 1856, to William James, who was also a native of England and a farmer by occupation. In March, 1865, they came to Macon county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in Maroa township, which Mr. James operated until his death on the 23d of December, 1868. By that union six children were born but three died in early life and one died after reaching womanhood.

'J'hose still li\ing are Charles James, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Oreana, Macon county ; and Mrs. William Clifton, whose husband is a farmer of Friends Creek township, owning two hundred and forty acres of land.

In 1895 Mr. Armstrong retired from the active management of the farm and removed to Argenta, where he bought a home and improved it. Two years prior to this he had erected a large brick building in the village, the lower floor of which is now occupied by the store of Kuhns & Ruddock, while the upper story is the Argenta Opera House. Mr. Armstrong also has seven acres of land at the edge of the town, for which he paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he has done much toward promoting the welfare of the place. He never forgets or ignores the bond of common interest which should unite the people of every community and he has always been ready to promote progress in every line. He is most efliciently serving as trustee of the village and both his public and private duties have always been faithfully and conscientiously discharged. Since attaining his majority he has affiliated with the Republican party, and both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he started out in life in limited circumstances he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way upward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, and is to-day one of the most substantial men of Argenta, as well as one of its most honored and highl}^ respected citizens.

Jacob Major

and is now living rclircd in W'arrensburg. His career has ever been such as to command the respect and confidence of men and he is a worthy representative of the pioneer settlers of this section of the state.

Mr. Major was born December 20, 1826, in Harrison county, Ohio, twenty miles west of Wheeling, West Virginia, and is a son of John and Edith (Webb) Major. The mother was born in 1800 and was of Quaker origin. By occupation the father was a farmer and in aiding in the operation of the old home farm in Harrison county, Ohio, our subject early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. During his boyhood farm machinery was still very primitive, the cradle being used in cutting grain. He began his education in the district school conducted in a hewed log house with a large fireplace at one end, and his studies were limited to reading, writing and ciphering, there being but one geography in the school. The teachers at that time boarded around among the patrons and received only twenty or thirty dolars per month. As a general thing they believed in the old saying of "spare the rod, spoil the child" and the liircli was often used without reason. Mr. .Major was only able to attend school for three or four months during the year and his education was completed when about nineteen years of age.

He began his business career by working on a farm at eight dollars per month but as time passed he prospered in his chosen work and became the owner of one hundred acres of timber land, fifty of which he cleared, sawing most of the trees into planks for a plank road. He also cut some cord wood, which at that time was only worth a dollar and a half per cord. In the summer of 1849 ^^^- i^Iajor raised six hundred bushels of grain and the expense of harvesting it was only about seventeen dollars, that being the first year the grain separators came into use. He continued to make his home near Columbus in Franklin county, Ohio, until 1858, when he sold his farm for thirtyfive dollars per acre and came to Macon county, Illinois, purchasing a farm of one hundred and sixty acres three miles south of Warrensburg. Subsequently he bought an additional sixty acres, making two hundred and twenty acres besides his town property in Warrensburg. He continued the operation of his land until 1883, when he removed to Warrensburg and has since practically lived retired from active labor, enjoying the competence secured in former years through his industry, perseverance and good management.

On the loth of February, 1848, Mr. Major was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Warley, a daughter of Wesley and Jane (Virtue) Warley. She was born in Harrison county, Ohio, was educated in the district schools of that state, and in early life could rake and bind after the cradles as good as any man. She died on the loth of I'ebruary, 1884, loved and respected by all who knew her. The children born to our subject and his wife are John Wesley, who married ^Martha Carr and is living in Decatur ; Susan Jane, who married Augustus Stine and is now deceased; Edith, who died in infancy; Martha, widow of Malcolm I'eall and a resident of Warrensburg; George, who first married Tennie Burse and secondly married Rhoda Munson; Maria, wife of Andrew Moore, of Decatur ; Cyrus, who married Hattie Dyer and resides in Webster City, Iowa; and James Taylor, who wedded Mary Vail and makes his home in Findlay, Illinois. Mr. Major has twenty-seven grandchildren living and eleven deceased ; and has four great grandchildren, the oldest being eight years of age.

Air. Major cast his first presidential vote for the Democratic candidate but afterward supported .Abraham Lincoln and has since been, an ardent Republican. He attended two meetings of tlio Know Xothiiig party in 1856. He has tilled the offices of justice of the peace and road supervisor and has always been found true to every trust reposed in him whether public or private. Since 184,^ ho has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, has been a constant worker and a firm believer in the faith. Although now seventy-seven years of age he is still hale and hearty, for nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws. His life is exemplary in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.

W. T. Cooper, now deceased, was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Macon county and by indefatigable energy and strong determination steadily worked his waj- upward from a very humble financial position to one of affluence, becoming a leading farmer of this portion of the state.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Cooper was born in the year 1842, a son of W. T. and Maria Cooper. The father was a farmer by occupation and came to this state when the country was very wild, casting in his lot with the pioneers who reclaimed the land for the purposes of civilization and laid the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of this locality. He was one of the first settlers of Macon county and built the first road west of Maroa. His wife is still living in Maroa and has reached the advanced age of ninety-one years. W. T. Cooper was reared upon the old homestead and early became familiar with the arduous task of developing a new farm. The practical experience which he gained in his vouth. however, proved of great value to him when in later j-ears he began business for himself. He started out in life on his own account when about twenty-one years of age and the 'occupation to which he had been reared he determined to make his life work.

As a companion and helpmate on life's journey Mr. Cooper chose Miss Eliza A. Cjray, a daughter of Robert and Catherine (iray, the wedding being celebrated December 2^, 1853. The lady was born at Lynnville, Morgan county, Illinois, and when eleven years of age was brought to this county, where she pursued her education in the public schools. At the time of their marriage Mr. Cooper rented forty acres of land for two years and they began their domestic life in a little house containing but a single room. There they made a good start and were enabled to purchase a farm of forty acres, on which they lived for about five or six years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Cooper purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land and built a home. This he afterward traded for one hundred and sixty acres which had been the old home place of Mrs. Cooper and which she still owns. Subsequently they purchased a half section of land in Nebraska and also built a home in Maroa. Throughout his business career, however, ?ilr. Cooper was interested in farming and for several years was also engaged in the hardware business in connection with his son Frank R. under the firm name of Cooper & Son. As the years passed he prospered, adding to his possessions until his property holdings became \cry valuable and he was the possessor of a very desirable inconie.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were born two children : Frank R., who married Miss Compton, lives in Decatur with his wife and two children : and Linnie Luane is the wife of Dr. W'eyl. a practicing physician of Maroa. Mr. Cooper was a devoted member of the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs. He held membership with the Alasonic fraternity and she belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, being selected at the organization as first worthy matron at this place. In his political views he was a Democrat and almost continuously held some position of public trust, serving for sbnie time as school director and also as road commissioner. He took an active interest in everything pertaining to the public good and his efforts for the general welfare were far-reaching and effective. He passed away January 19, 1902, and was laid to rest in the Maroa cemetery, where his widow has erected a handsome monument to his memory.

X.\THAX L. KRONE. Xathan L. Krone is a popular and well known druggist of Decatur anil il would be impossible to find a business man in this city that is more widely known than he. He has been a resident, of Decatur for sixty-one years and thus has been a witness of Decatur's development from a mere village to a city whose trade interests have caused a new chapter to be written in the commercial history of the Mississippi valley. He was born in York county, i'enusylvania, on the 14th of Afarch, 1833. His paternal grandfather, Michael Krone, a native of the same state, grew to manhood and married Miss Franklynbcrger. Their son, Daniel, the father of our subject, was also l)orn in I'ennsyhania and in early life learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, which he followed throughout the period of his active connection with business affairs. He was joined in wedlock to Miss Ruth Worley, who was likewise born and reared in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Xathan Worley, who was of German lineage. His birth, however, occurred in the Keystone state and he there met and married .Miss I'opp. who was of

\\ elsli descent. In the year 1839 Daniel Krone removed with his family from York county, Pennsylvania, to Decatur, Illinois, where he made a permanent location. Here he followed his trade for some time and he also became proprietor of the Macon House, while later he was in the employ of the A\'ayne Sulkyette Company. His death occurred in the spring of 1867 and his wife, survi\ing him for a number of years, ])assed away in the s|)ring of 1885. In their faiuily were several children : Margaret, wife of George \V. Bright, of Decatur; Annie, who is the wife of David S. Shellabarger. a ])rominent miller and manufacturer of Decatur; and Mrs. Sophia McClnrg, of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Nathan L. Krone spent the first seven years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Decatur, where he entered the public schools. He continued his work therein until his sixteenth year, when he left school and accepted a position as clerk in a dry goods st(jre, in which he was employeil for four years. He entered as a salesman in the drug store of King & Reed, of Decatur, with whom he remained for three years anil later formed a business connection with 1 )r. J. E. Roberts, a druggist, with whom he remained for seventeen years. On the expiration of that ]icriod Mr. Krone removed to Iowa, but after a short stay in Council P.luffs again came to this city and entered the employ of \V. C. Armstrong, who w^as the successor of Dr. Roberts. Sixteen years covers the period of his connection with with Air. .\rmstrong and certainly indicates his fidelity to duty, his capability and his trustworthiness. In 1893 he established his present store at the corner of Calhoun and Herkimer streets. His long service as a clerk well equipped him for carrying on an enterprise of his own. He is thoroughly informed in the business and has a most comprehensive knowledge of the drugs and other remedial preparations. His association with this one line of business has also gained him an extensive acquaintance in Decatur and when he established an enterprise of his own he gained the patronage of many whom he formerly met in a business way.

In 1854 Mr. Krone was united in marraige to Miss Jane Frederick, of this city, a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Robinson) Frederick, and a native of Ohio. They now have one child, Charles O., who is associated with his father in the store. Mrs. Krone is an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active and helpful interest in its work.

Mr. Krone is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Alacon Lodge, F. & A. yi. ; Macon Chapter, R. A. M. ; and Beaumanoir Commandery, K. T. In his political support he is a Republican and has been honored with local official preferment. For nine years he served as city treasurer of Decatur and his father was one of its trustees for four years. Over the record of his life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and as a public official he gave entire satisfaction to those whom he represented. His manner is genial and entirely free from ostentation, and without pretense or display he commands the respect of his fellow men who regard him as a valued friend. He has added much to the brightness of life and has been true and faithful in every relation in which he has been placed. Xow at the age of seventy years he commands uniform confidence and is an honored representative of the trade interests of the city, whose development he has witnessed through almost its entire history. Whatever has tended to prove of benefit to Decatur has received his endorsement and his active co-operation has frequently been of marked assistance in advancing the general welfare.

Bexjamix F. Lanham

Benjamin F. Lanham, who is a retired builder of Decatur, has passed the seventyfifth mile-stone on life's journey and the rest which has been vouchsafed him is well merited. His life has been one of industry and enterprise, in which his efforts have been crowned with success, and now in the evening of life he is resting from further labor amid a wide circle of warm friends who esteem him highly for his genuine worth. Mr. Lanham was born upon a farm ten miles east of Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, his natal day being July 8, 1828. His father, Elijah Lanham, was a nati\e of Maryland and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Nellie Constant, who was born in Kentucky. From their respective states, however, in early life they removed to Clermont county, Ohio, where they became acquainted. Subsequenth^ they took up their abode in Sangamon county, Illinois, arriving here in 1826, when pioneer conditions still existed for the work of improvement and progress had been scarcely begun. They took up their abode upon a farm which Mr. Lanham improved, placing the land under a high state of cultivation and mtroducing the equipments known at that day. There he reared his family and died September 11, 1847. His political support was given to the \Miig party and in matters of citizenship he was progressive, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare and advance the best interests of the community. His widow, long surviving him, passed away in Decatur on the 3d of November, 1870. She had long been a member of the Methodist church and was an earnest and most consistent Christian woman. In the family were eight children, five of whom had reached mature years and three died in infancy.

began his education in the common schools. When he had put aside his text books he began learning the carpenter's trade preparatory to making that pursuit his life work. His father instructed him in this industrial art for Elijah Lauliam was a carpenter as well as an agriculturist and also a brick mason. He continued with his father until he was nineteen years of age and then started out upon an independent business career. Attracted by the opportunities of Macon county, he took up his abode within its borders in 1856, living upon a farm for four years, while in i860 he established his home in the city of Decatur. Here he has since resided and willi the work of improvement and development he has borne an active part. Through the line of his business operations he has done much for the development of the city and to-day man}' of the substantial structures of Decatur stand as evidence of his handiwork. He has here erected not only residences, but also churches and schoolhouses, and has done much of the building in the surrounding country. He continued his active connection with his chosen vocation until 1899, when he retired to ])rivatc life. He had in the meantime been accorded a liberal patronage and the public reposed in him entire confidence because of his fidelity to the terms of a contract and his excellent work as a builder.

The home life of .Mr. Lanham has ever been most pleasant. In April, 1855, he wedded Miss Marinda Stockton, of Sangamon county, Illinois, a daughter of Ira and Ruth (Fugett) Stockton. Her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother was born in Virginia. Tliey became residents of Sangamon county in 1836 and in 1855 took up their abode in Macon county, where Mr. Stockton died in 1892. The mother, however, was not long permitted to enjoy her home in this county for her death occurred in 1858. Mrs. Lanham was born

February 16, 1833, in Bath county, Kentucky, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children, of whom a son and four daughters are now living, namely : (iertrude; Isadora, the wife of A. H. Cope, of Decatur; Lucy, the wife of N. P. Foulks, of Portland, Oregon; Arthur F., at home; and Nellie, the wife of Stephen Ryan, of St. Paul, Alinnesota. For almost forty years Mr. and Mrs. Lanham have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity.

He gives his political support to the Republican party and in former years took an active interest in its work, but never sought office. As he prospered in his business undertakings he made judicious investments in real estate and is now the owner of some valuable jiroperty which enables him to live retired, enjoying the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

William H. Williams

This venerable gentleman, who is now an octogenarian, having passed the eightieth mile-stone on life's journey, is at the present time living retired and the rest which is vouchsafed him has been well earned. Through activity, business energy and strong purj)ose in former years he gained the competence that now enables him to enjoy many of life's comforts and luxuries without recourse to further labor.

Mr. Williams was born near Annapolis, Maryland, on the 12th of August, 1821, and is a son of John and Olivia (Fobes) Williams. The ancestral line can be traced back to Roger Williams and to Miles Standish. The father, also a native of Maryland, served his country in the war of 1812 and in 1836 he removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1843, when fifty years of age. His wife died in 1869. She was a daughter of Azariah Fobes, who belonged to an old Massachusetts family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. were born eight children, namel)^ : William H., of this review ; Mary Eleanor, who is the wife of Allen Scott ; Charles, who died at the age of five years ; Lilburn A. ; Louisa, the wife of Robert Watson ; Julia, the wife of Charles A. Polland ; Sarah, the wife of Alfred Florey ; and Emily Susana.

\\'illiam H. \\ illiams spent his early life in the place of his nativity and in 1836 went to Ohio. When still a boy he worked for his uncle, Azariah Fobes, under whose direction he learned the tailor's trade in Gambier, Ohio. He afterward followed that pursuit for fourteen years. He had been well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties by excellent mental training, having supplemented his public school course by study in Kenyon College. In 1843 he resumed work at his trade and continued to follow that pursuit during his residence in Ohio. In 1853 Mr. \\'illiams arrived in Macon county and during the first winter here he engaged in teaching in a country school. He then purchased a farm near Decatur and in connection with its cultivation he engaged in the dairy business, in fact, made it his chief occupation until 1893. when he retired from further business cares. For forty >'ears he had been an active factor in agricultural circles in this count)' and his business methods were such as would bring to him excellent success and also an honorable name. Year by year he added to his capital until, having acquired a handsome competence he put aside further business cares and took a trip to California. L'pon his return he established his home in Decatur, where he has since lived.

In the year 1847 Mr. ^^'illiams was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Hairipshire, who was the third child of Peter and Elizabeth (KliIl^-^ Hampshire, whose home was near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The luarriage was celebrated in Ohio, in which state Mrs. Williams had located in 1846. She belonged to a family of eight children, namely : Rebecca, now deceased ; William, who has passed away ; Lovina ; Susan, who is the wife of Ephraim Bear; Samuel; John and David, who are now deceased ; and Barnev. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have reared a family of five children, three S9ns and two daughters, and are still happily traveling life's journey together. They hold membership in the .Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability and of genuine worth. Mr. Williams is a modest, unassuming man. but has ever been an excellent citizen and is one of the esteemed residents of Macon county, possessing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command confidence, regard and friendship.

L. .\. Melvin. who carries on farming and stock raising on section 21, Friends Creek township, was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1848, and is a son of John H. and Elizabeth Jane Melvin. who were life-long residents of that state. The father, who was also a farmer by occupation, was born in 1815 and died in 1881, and the mother was born in 1824 and died in 1849.

In the state of his nativity our subject was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his time. .\t the age of sixteen years he donned the blue uniform of the northern army, enlisting in 1864 in Company F. F'irst Ohio Light .\rtillery. He was at Decatur. Alabama, and in manv small engagements, and at the close of the war was mustered out at Camp Dennison, ( )hio. on the 23d of July, 1865.

that time wont to Mel. can county, Illinois, where he liveil for two years. He then spent a short lime in Piatt count\-, this state, and in 1872 first came to .Macon county, where he farmed for three years and then in iS/d purchased fortv acres of land in I'iatt county, where he resided for six years, and on disposing of tliat place he hought eighty acres in Friends Creek township, Macon county, where he is now living. IVosperitv at length crowned his efforts and he and his wife now own one hundred and sixty acres here; a hah' section three miles north of the home place and one hmidred and sixty acres in l)e Will coimty. 'Sir. Melvin is a progressive farmer and a selfmade man. who was not only without capital on coming to this state but had to l)ormw the money to buy his railroad ticket. lie has worked early and late, lived ec<Miomically and managed his affairs in a worth}- manner, so that he is now quite well-to-do. He has erected a good house and barn upon his place and made all necessary improvements. He raises grain mostly. Ijut also raises some stock.

Tn 1872 Mr. Melvin married Miss Martha .-\. Chandler, a native of Indiana, and lhe\' ha\e six children, namely: Lulie. who married Charles Parr and now lives in Piatt comity: Henry, who married .Mma ( )lson : Ernest, who married Lillie llanrruff and resides in Cisco; Maud, wife of (1. I'". Harlan, of Cisco; and .Mabel and .\iyrtlr, both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin hold membership in the Methodist Kpiscojial church and he also belongs to the (jrand Army of the Republic. His political support is given the Ke]>ublican party, and he served on the grand jury in 1903.

enjoying the income he accumulated in former years. He has many interesting reminiscences of early days in this county antl well remend)ers when Decatur was a mere village and the surrounding country mostly wild and uninii>royed.

Mr. Mettlen was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of December, 1830, his parents being Robert and h'lizabetli (Custer) Mettlen, wdio were also natives of J'ennsylvania and of Scotch and German descent, respectively. Leaving their old home in the east the family came to Illinois in 1840 in company with the Dailey family, consisting of two grown people and nine children. As a bare-foot boy our subject walked the greater part of the way, as did all the others who were able to do so, the remainder of the part\- making the journey in a prairie schooner. Their route lav through ( )hio, Indiana and the Rlack Swamp, and they were five weeks n])on the road. On arrixing in Macon county they spent the first winter in Decatur and then reiuoved to a farm northwest of the city. In the fall of 1 841 the Mettlen family located on North Water street, where Milton john.son now lives, the site of his residence l)eing then a cornfield. They resided there until the spring of 1844, when he removed to Stephen's creek, northwest of the city, on l;ind later owned by Orlando Powers, and upon that place the father of our subject (lied till- following fall. Only fifteen acres of land had been broken at that time, the remainder being wild prairie covered with brush. Mrs. Mettlen survived her husband about ten years, dying on the 20th of .August, 1854, and two days after her death her daughter Martha also passed away. There were six children in the fa:nilv, namely: .Samuel Jordan, now decease;!; .\lexander T., our subject: Joseph C, a resident oi Dillon, .Montana : David K., a |)rominent citizen of that ])lace ; Martha, deceased ; and one who died in infancy.

Our subject's early education was acquired in a primitive log school house with greased paper windows, a fireplace with a mud and stick chimney and slab benches. He was only able to attend school about three months during the winter season, as during the remainder of the time he had to work on the farm. He has broken many an acre of prairie in Hickory Point township and the first plow which he used had a wooden mold-board made by his father. He has cultivated corn with a single shovel plow and has cut grain with a sickle and later with a cradle. During those early days the women of the family used to drop most of the corn and cover it with a hoe. They also spun and wove most of the cloth to be converted into clothing for the family. During the boyhood of our subject all the candles used in the Mettlen household were made by dipping but after the death of the mother a mold was bought for that purpose. When they came to this county deer, wild turkey and all kinds of game were plentiful and furnished most of the meat for the early settlers.

Mr. Mettlen of this review remained at home with his mother until his marriage, which was celebrated on the ist of January, 1852, the lady of his choice being Miss Malinda Jane Hanks, who was born near the Boiling Springs church in this county in January, 1831, and was a daughter of John and Susan Hanks, the former a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln. Five children blessed this union, namely : John, now deceased; Martha, who married Frank Bear and had two children, both now deceased; Sarah, wife of Frank Beal ; Emma, wife of Marion Moore, of Jasper county, Illinois ; and Jane, deceased. The mother of these children died in August, 1874, and was buried in the Boiling Springs cemetery.

Kerr, who was born near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1840. By her former marriage she has one son, Edgar Kilpatrick, who is married and has one son ; and one daughter, Florence Slayback, who has six children. Mr. Mettlen has sixteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and seven step-grandchildren.

After his first marriage Mr. Mettlen located on section 30, Hickory Point township, where he owned eighty acres of land, on a part of which the village of Bearsdale now stands. He made his home there from 1852 until 1861 and then removed to section 34, the same township, which farm at that time was only partially improved. He cleared the remainder of the tract, tiled the land and erected good substantial buildings. To the cultivation of his farm he devoted his time and energies for many years but is now living a retired life, enjoying a well earned rest.

Since casting his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce Mr. Mettlen has supported the Democratic party, and has taken quite an active and influential part in public aftairs. On the organization of Hickory Point township he was elected the first highway commissioner and most capably filled that office for the long period of thirty years. He has also served as school director many years and is now school treasurer of his township. During his boyhood he many times attended religious services held in the barn of Joseph Rife, Sr., this being before the church was built at Boiling Springs. He has seen almost the entire development of Macon county and his name is inseparably connected with its upbuilding and progress for he has ever borne an important part in the work of improvement. His first wife spun the wool which Grandma Flornback converted into blankets that won the premium at the State Fair in 1869 and which were presented to Mrs. Mettlen as a souvenir. Among the most valuable relics belonging to our subject is a solid silver medal presented to his uncle, Alexander Mettlen, September lo, 1813, for bravery displayed in the fight on Lake Erie in the war of 1812. In size it is large as two silver dollars and weighs as much as four dollars.

Samuel Ritchie

SAMUEL RITCHIE. Samuel Ritchie, publisher of "The Big 3," the Warrensburg Times, Forsyth World and Oreana Herald, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1840. He was the son of Samuel and Susan (Hinzie) Ritchie. His father was a farmer, of Scotch-Irish stock, and his mother was a German. They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, though one of the latter died in infancy. With the other eleven children they moved to Macon county, Illinois, in the spring of 1856. They came all the way in one two-horse wagon, carrying cooking utensils and bedding with them, stoppings nights at "moving houses" along the turnpike roads and arriving in Decatur June ", 1856. The first summer they lived in a little house owned by Jacob Bear, near what is now Bearsdalc. They bought some prairie land a few miles north and put up a substantial house, which after the lapse of nearly fifty years, still stands, in fairly good condition, though now unoccupied. It is called tlie "Old Ritchie home." Samuel Ritchie, Sr., with his boys, at once commenced to improve the land, and for two successive years Samuel Ritchie, Jr., then a youth of sixteen years, broke raw prairie land with four yoke of oxen. Several j-ears later in connection with his brother William, he bought a tract of land a few miles farther west and they engaged in farming for themselves. Still later Samuel engaged in grain buying at Forsyth, AVyckles and later in Warrensburg. He also bought and shipped live stock from 1868 to the present date, and is still engaged in that business. In the fall of 1869 he was married to Miss Clara M. Dudley, of Sangamon county. For five years they resided on their farm, and then moved to Warrensburg, which was then a new town.

In January, 1885, Mr. Ritchie commenced the ])ublicalion of the Warrensburg Times, which he has successfully managed, with the assistance of his wife, up to the present time.

Mr. Ritchie for many years has been a zealous member of the Church of God. He and his wife assisted in organizing the church at Warrensburg in 1875, and are charter members of the same. He is much interested in educational work, and is a trustee of Findlay College, Ohio, which position he has held for six years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, "deepdyed," as was his father before him, and his five brothers are also Democrats.

Mr. Ritchie has quite a legal turn of mind, and although he never read law at school, nor associated with any lawyer, only in a general way, yet he has given the study of law some attention, so that his advice and his services are constantly being sought, and his judgment and decisions on legal cases are respected and usually found to be correct. He has filled the office of justice of the peace several years, and has also served as village attorney in W'arrensburg a number of years. He is now serving his third term as notary public. If he had given his early time and attention exclusively to the study of law he would doubtless have made an eminent attorney.

Samuel Ritchie and wife have seen the building and growth of the village of Warrensburg, also the building of what is now the Peoria division of the Illinois Central Railroad, which was commenced in the fall of 1871, and which cut off a corner of their farm on the southwest. As soon as the vil- lage was laid out in lots .Mr. Ritchie bought a strip of land west of his farm and next to the town plat and had it laid off in lots, which is now known as "Ritchie's addition to Warrensburg." For twenty-six j-ears Mr. Ritchie and wife lived in East Warrensburg, ]int two years ago they purchased a piece of ground of seventeen acres in the west end, which is a sort of suburban residence, where they have a commodious house and pleasant grounds, so this will probably be their permanent home, unless they shcTuld decide to leave Warrensbtirg. They have no children of their own, but have reared and educated a niece of JMrs. Ritchie's, wdiose mother died when she was but three years old. She has a fine musical education, being a graduate of the mtisical department of Findlay College, Ohio. She is now the wife of R. Herrod, a hardware merchant, and resides in Warrensburg.

In a newspaper way Samuel Ritchie and wife are known as the "Times Pair," and have traveled extensively through the United States, from the lakes on the north to the gulf on the south, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, visiting nearly every state in the Union and most of the large cities and places of interest, thus acquiring much valuable information in regard to our own country, and for the benefit of the patrons of their paper.

This paper was tounded in January, 1885, and from a little- two by four sheet with a ready print inside, and outside printed in Mt. Pulaski, it has grown to its present vast proportions - four pages, eight columns wide and all Warrensburg print. The Eorsyth World and Oreana Hcr?.ld are also printed at this office.

S. Ritchie, publisher, and Mrs. C. M. Ritchie editor, constitute the "Times Pair," and stand at the head of this great enterprise. -Miss .\ettie S. Lindsay is the competent lady foreman at the ofificc, which has a strong force and a large amount of work is turned out from this printing office every week.

This office has a splendid \'aughn's Ideal newspaper printing press, a fine Gordon job press and an immense amount of type and other printing material. The office was enlarged two years ago last spring to accommodate the rapidly increasing business. In fact the Warrensburg Times is well known - not only in Warrensburg and Macon county, but all over the United States, and even to the Philippines and far distant China.

]MRS. C. M. RITCHIE. :Mrs. Clara M. (Dudley) Ritchie, editor of the \\"arrensburg Times, was born at Mendon, Adams county, Illinois, not far from Ouincy, August 2"/, 1847, and has always lived in this state. She is the daughter of Timothy and Monimia (Benton) Dudlev, who were of English descent, of old Puritan stock, and both were born in New Haven county, Connecticut, in 1808, and moved to Illinois in iS^fi, and settled near the town of Mendon. Mrs. Ritchie remembers interesting stories of the early settlers of that part of the state, as told by her parents, and particularly of the Mormons, as they were thickly settled about Nauvoo, which was not far from her old home. Her parents were both of a literary turn of mind, and both weie school teachers in their younger days. Mrs. Ritchie was the youngest in a family of four children, composed of one boy and three girls. \\'hen she was but five years old her parents moved to Jacksonville, in order to educate their children. I'^jr nine years Mr. Dudley was a traveling agent for the American Bible Society and canvassed Morgan, Macoupin, Scott and Bond counties. .-Mthough but a little girl at that time she would fre(iuently accompany her father on his tri]is anil calls them her early "missionary tours." llcr Ijrother died of quick consumption, after one year in Illinois College, and one sister graduated from the Presbyterian Academy of Jacksonville. Mrs. Ritchie received her education in the public schools of Jacksonville and commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years. During the Ci\il war her parents moved to W'averly, and later to Loami, not far from S])ringfield. .'>he was married at Loami September 26, 1869, to Samuel Ritchie, of Macon county, who owned a large farm twelve miles northwest of Decatur, to which place she moved with her husband, and continued teaching school for a number of years after her marriage. She followed the occupation of teaching almost continuously for fifteen }'ears. From 1876 to 1879 she taught in the school at W'arrensburg, which was then a new town.

.Mrs. Ritchie has always been greatly interested in church. Sunday-school, missionary and temperance wurk, and has always been actively engaged in these lines of work. She was a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars for many years, also of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and is still a member of that organization : has been a teacher in the .Sundayschool for thirty years and was superintendent for ten years ; was always much interested in work among the children, and conducted a "P.usy Bee Mission Band" in ^\'arrensburg for twelve years. She was always possessed of a missionary spirit, and is now secretary of the board of directors of the Women's General Missionary Society of the Church of God, which organization she has been connected with ever since her marriage. Although reared a Congregationalist, and for several years a member of that church, she bclie\es thoroughly in the doctrines of the Church of God. She was always musically inclined.

and learned to read music at the age of eight years, and has been chorister and organist of the Warrensburg church of tiod for twenty-eight years.

My experience in newspaper work covers a period of nearly nineteen years, and I have laid the flattering unction to my soulthat if I had started in newspaper work when I was in the "bloom of youth" I might possibly have accomplished something in this direction ; as it is, I have simply a smattering of what a woman can do with a "country newspaper."

When I was a girl - O blissful period of the long-ago past - I don't remember of haxing any particular ambition to become an editor or to be connected in any way with a newspaper. 1 rather regarded editors and |)ublishers as superior beings, of a higher order of intelligence, and even goodness, than other people ; in fact, onh- a very little lower than the angels of Heaven ! lUit having mingled with them for nearly twenty years, and getting a closer insight into their characters and dispositions, their motives and aims, I find them to be made out of just common clay, after all!

When I was eighteen years old I became a schoi)l teacher, and like many young girl teachers, who fancy they are doing something wonderful w'hen they begin to teach "the young idea how to shoot, ' I kept what we called a "journal" of my every-day work and at stated periods sent this journal to an absent sister, also a teacher, that she might be apprised of the remarkable (?) work that I was doing! Years after, at the death of this sister, my letters to her, including these journals, were returned to me. On looking them over I found they were gotten up in regulation newspaper style! The girlish journal was issued monthly, and was dignified by the name of "(iazette!" It was \'ol.

I, and each month was numbered. It was devoted to "Art, Science and the Current News of the Day;" though where the "Art and Science" came in it would be difficult to tell! My "Gazette" had the very pert motto - "Independence in Thought, Word and Deed." I had dubbed myself "Editress," and in the editorials made profuse apologies to my patrons for all mistakes_, the poor print, scarcity of news, etc., etc., just as amateur editors do nowadays. I recall this simply to show that after all I must have had some unrecognized aspirations for newspaper work.

One day in early January, 1885, Mr. Ritchie suddenly announced that he was going to engage in the newspaper business ! I meekly inquired: "How?" He replied by saying that he expected me to write pieces, the news and so on, but that he would be the editor, publisher, business manager and general boss! The very idea! Now wasn't that cheeky? But who ever saw a newspaper man that didn't have an abundance of cheek? And that's all right, for who could run a newspaper without it ? And with this understanding, our work began, and the Warrensburg Times was established and my actual "newspaper experience" commenced.

For several years we used ready print inside, and the mechanical work was done first in Mt. Pulaski, and then in Decatur. As the years rolled on and I did much of the writing, my liege lord permitted me to share the honors of editorship and graciously granted mc the position of associate editor.

In the spring of 1894 we established our our own printing office in Warrensburg, and then the hard work began. In the meantime I had learned to set type, and picked u]) a deal of information about the printing offices where we had our papers printed. We hired a boy, to work in the office and run the press, and to learn all about printing from me, who knew so little, Mr. Ritchie continued to do the outside work, solicit "ads," furnish printing materials for the office, write telling articles for the paper, buy and ship stock, and very obligingly take all the lickin's when something appeared in the paper which didn't suit somebody. I have usually been accredited with writing all the " goody-goody" articles, such as funeral notices, obituaries,, etc., (when we send people to ' Heaven on flowery beds of ease,') resolutions of respect, cards of thanks, weddings, where the bride looked sweet and lovely, revival meetings, etc., while Mr. Ritchie has been blamed for the sharp articles and the shakings up that the people get for their misdemeanors, when in fact, many of the latter I have written, as I rather enjoy writing articles of that character.

A few years later Mr. Ritchie promoted me to the chair of editor-in-chief, while he continued as publisher and business manager. For the last five years we have our papers all home print, and it takes hustling to get it up and have the matter all fresh and bright.

As editor of the paper I enjoy the work amazingly well, with the publisher as a strong bulwark upon which to lean. If anything goes wrong at the office and the devil gets saucy and talks of putting me out, I simply have to call up the publisher, and the devil is settled at once. If a form gets " pied " as once happened last winter, he calmly steps in and chaos soon, becomes order.

My time is not all spent at the printing" office, as much of my editorial work is done at home, but the telephone does good service, and with its aid I am always in close touch with the office force and know how business is moving on there.

JOllX J. EATCHELDKR. John J. Batchclder, deceased, through the years of his identification with Macon county, enjoyed the highest respect of his fellow citizens by reason of his strict integrity and many sterling qualities of mind and heart. His early home was in New England, for he was born at Pittsfield, New Hampshire, June 16, 1824, his parents being Colonel Nathaniel and Abigail (Jenness) Batchclder. Mis father died on the 3d of December, 1858, in consequence of injuries sustained while felling a tree. By occupation he was a farmer and stock-raiser, making a specialty of the breeding of Morgan horses. J. J. Batchelder was tlie second in order of birth in a family of five children, and was educated in the high schools of Pittsfield and Gilmanton, New Hampshire. On leaving school in 1846 he took up the carpenter's trade, which he followed at Holyoke, Massachusetts, until 1849, and then went south, spending some time in Georgia, Alabama. Mississippi and Tennessee, where he was employed as a bridge builder. Returning north in 1857 he settled in Harristown township, Macon county, Illinois, where he lived until 1864, when thinking he would meet with better success elsewhere, he sold his farm and removed to Illini township. Here he purchased land and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred August 23, 1898. He formed what was known as the Yankee settlement and was regarded as one of the leading and valued citizens of his community. Success attended his efforts toward acquiring a home and competence and he became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of rich and arable land in Illini township.

Mr. Batchelder was twice married, his first union being with Miss Malinda .'V. C;reen,.by whom he had one child, Howard M., a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, who married Annis R. Childs and is government meat inspector at that place. For his second wife our subject wedded Miss Mary Thompson Thorndike, who is the fifth in a family of seven children, her parents being John Larkin and .Maria (Joy) Thorndike. Her father was born in Concord, New Hampshire, April 23. 1796, and died January -23. 1884; while her mother was born in Durham, New Hampshire, April 25, 1804, and died September 20, 1845. Mrs. Batchelder began her education in South Berwick, Afaine, and later attended the Bowdoin street school of Boston, Massachusetts, and also the Boston Normal School on Mason street, that city. While there she made her home with an aunt, Mrs. Pearce. By her marriage to our subject she became the mother of three children: Mary Pearce, wife of Charles H. Cowen, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Warrensburg, Illinois; Bessie Ingleton, wife of Joseph T. Tucker, a farmer and stock-raiser; and Georgiana, who lives with her mother in Warrensburg, to which place they removed in 1899, shortly after the death of our subject.

As a Republican, ^\r. Batchelder took quite an active and prominent part in local politics and was called upon to serve as supervisor of his township for a number of terms and as townshij) treasurer for thirty years. He was a charter member of the Illini Congregational church and was a man highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. In his business dealings he was ever prompt, reliable and entirely trustworthy, and although he gained a greater degree of success than came to many of his fellow citizens it was because he was very energetic, perservering and capable in managing his business affairs. In his death the community lost one of its best citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family a considerate husband and father. Since the age of seventeen years Mrs. Batchelder has been a member of the Congregational church and Iier earnest Christian life has endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.

Samuel K. Smith

-Macon county's development had not been carried on through many years nor had it reached an advanced stage of progression when Samuel K. Smith established his home in this county and became actively identified with the business interests and with the improvement of this portion of the state. It was in the year 1852 that he located here. He was born in Caldwell county, Kentucky, in February, 1824, and was a son of William and Rebecca (Maxwell) Smith, both natives of Kentucky. The father died when our subject was only a boy. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native state and he remained a resident of Kentucky until about twenty-eight years of age, when he determined to seek a home in Illinois, believing that in this new but rapidly developing district he would have good business privileges. Accordingly removing to Macon county, he settled upon a farm in ]\Iount Zion township. Here he purchased a good tract of land and with characteristic energy began its development and cultivation. He continued to carry on general farming throughout his remaining days and in his business affairs he prospered. He di\ided his place into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, plowed and ]3lanted his land and because of the practical methods which he ever followed was enabled to gather rich harvests as a reward for his labors.

wedded Miss Eliza Miller, who died in Mount Zion. She was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for many years and she bore him seven children : Sarah, who is now the deceased wife of the Rev. R. G. Cardinal; Mary, the wife of A. R. Scott, of Bethany, Illinois; Eliza, the wife of Dr. McMillan, a practicing physician of Bethany ; Josephine, who is the wife of j. T. McGaughey, of Mount Zion; Laura, the wife of Thomas L. Boone, a grain dealer of Bethany ; Maggie, the wife of I'"red Williams, a resident of Texas; and .Samuel D., who is now living a retired life in Mount Zion. After the death of his first wife Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Cynthia A. Powell, of Cass county, Illinois, a daughter of Hugh R. and Susan (Price) Powell, who were early settlers of Cass county, where the father carried on general farming until his death.

Mr. Smith was never an office seeker and yet his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, several times called upon him to serve in local offices, wherein he discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. He voted with the Republican party in early life and afterward became a stanch Prohibitionist, because of his deep sympathy with the cause of temperance and his earnest desire that the sale of intoxicants shall be suppressed. Both he and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and for several years he served as one of the elders of the church and took a very helpful part in its work, contributing generously to its support and doing everything in his pow'er for its improvement and upbuilding. He died in the Christian faith August 16, 1896, after having been a resilient of the county for forty-four years. During that time he had become very wide- Iv known. He w'as a faithful friend, a good neighbor, a devoted and loving husband, a consistent Christian gentleman, his loss was felt throughout the entire communiiv. Alter her husband's death Mrs. Smith removed to Decatur and purchased her present home at No. 717 West Xonh street, making many improvements here. She also owns a farm at Bethany, this county, and thus her property interests return to her a good income, supplying her with all of the comforts and manv of the luxuries of life.

Lieut. Col. Axsel Tlpper

When the tocsin of war sounded and the dark cloud of destiny gathered over the country, bringing in its wake destruction and death, a strong feeling was aroused throughout the length and breadth of the - land. The south remained in opposition to the supremacy of the national government at W'ashingtijn and the north donned the blue uniform in defense of the L'nion. There is in all modern times no account of such desperate warfare as was then waged and in many a home there came gloom and sadness because of the destruction of life which took place upon the southern battlefields. Lieutenant Colonel Tupper was one whose life was given on the altar of his country. His memory is enshrined in the hearts not only of all those who knew him, but also of his fellow countrymen who love their native land and have gratitude for its preservers. Certainly he deserves mention in the history of Macon county, where he was li\ing at the time he joined the army and where he had become known as a respected, worthy and upright citizen.

Lieutenant Colonel Tupper was born in St. Lawrence county, Xew York, June 5, 1832. a son of Harvey and Johanna (Willis) Tu|j]>er. His parents, likewise natives of the Empire state, resided there until 1833, in which year they became residents of .\kron. (Jhio. but subsequently they established their home in Sheboygan county.

\\ iscunsm. where the lather carried on farming. He died in that place, but the mother afterward went to Missouri, where her last days were spent.

Lieutenant Colonel Tupper was but a small lad when his parents went to Ohio and was a youth of fourteen when they arrived in Wisconsin, where he acquired the greater part of his education. He studied law with Hon. X. W. Tupper, his brother, in the counties of Sheboygan and Washington. Wisconsin, and in June. 1854. was admitted to the bar. after which he began practice in the village of Hartford, where he soon won recognition as a young man of more than ordinary ability and prominence.

He was married in Hartford. Wisconsin. December 16, 1855, to Miss Mary Wiley, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Mary Wiley. Her father was born in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, and her mother in Youngstown. Ohio. When twenty years of age he removed to <^)hio. where he engaged in farming for a time, but later turned his attention to the real estate business, buying and selling much land in that locality. There he resided until 1847, when he removed to Harrison, Washington county. Wisconsin, where he was engaged in farming and also in real estate dealing. There he died in 1852 and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in Harrison in 1888. Mr: and -Mrs. Tupper became the parents of two children: Leonidas H., born January 15, 1837. became a student in Cornell University at the age of eighteen years and pursued his studies there for five years. He then went to Xew York city and became one of the editors at different times of the Xew York World, Xew York Journal and .Xew ^'ork Sun, being a prominent factor in journalistic circles in that city for a long period. Because of ill health, however, he left the .Atlantic coast and spent a few years in I-ouisiana. He then relumed to Brook- lyn, New York, and for one year was connected with the Brooklyn Standard Union, after which he devoted his attention to Hterary work, writing for magazines for a few years. He had many friends in New Y'ork city and Brooklyn and, in fact, in every locality in which he was known, and he was very prominent in social circles and also active in philanthropic and benevolent work, the poor and needy finding in him a valued friend. Becoming ill he was taken to one of the hospitals of New York city, where he remained for a few days and was then taken by his mother to his sister's home in Sheboygan Falls. Wisconsin, where his last days were spent, his death there occurring on the 1st of September, 1902. The daughter, Ella, was born April 17, 1858, and is now the wife of Aretus Tupper, a resident of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, now one of the most wealthy and prominent citizens of that place. J^Irs. Tnpper resides at her attractive home in Decatur at No. 273 West Cerro Gordo street. She yet remains true to her liusband's memory and well may she cherish her recollections of his honorable manhood, his kindly nature and his unfaltering bravery in the hour of danger.

The last six years of Lieutenant Colonel Tupper's life were passed in Decatur, where he located as a young man full of hope and with a determination to win a creditable place at the bar. Perhaps no better account of his career can be given than by quoting from the funeral sermon which was delivered at his grave on the 22d of April, 1862. The minister. Rev. J. H. Moore, in speaking of his removal to Decatur said:

" Here likewise his talents were soon acknowledged, and his business became profitable. Yet he did not rapidly accumulate property, for, as is usual with men of such a spirit as he possessed, he spent freely what he had earned and was benevolent to a fault*. Such men never suddenly become wealthy, but fail not, if life is spared, to rise to distinction, and live in the hearts of their fellow men. Nor are such men ever indifferent to the stirring events which are going on in the world around them, but are constantly awake to whatever is likely to affect, for weal or woe, the destinies of mankind.

" Colonel Tupper was not long in surrounding himself with numerous ardent and devoted friends. His social qualities were of a high order and those who knew him most intimately, who knew the nature of that deep under current of manly, generous feeling, not so readily discerned by the superficial observer of character, loved him best, and esteemed him the most sincerely. In all his intercourse with the members of his own profession he showed himself to be a gentleman in the most emphatic sense of that term. He was manly, frank, open in all his business transactions at the bar and with the community at large. He was quick tempered, impetuous as a mountain torrent, and fearless as the grave; but generous, honorable and just. Whatever sentiments he espoused, he dared fearlessly to utter and defend, on all suitable occasions, regardless of consequences, so far as they might aiTect himself. But he cherished a decent respect for those who honestly and sincerely differed with him in opinion. He was proverbially large-hearted, kind and sympathetic. No man was more ready to do a favor than he. He strongly felt for the suffering, the weak and the defenseless. As a husband, he was a model of tenderness and affection. He was a loving and indulgent father and unsurpassed in all the qualities of good neighborship. So acute and tender were his sensibilities that scarcely could he either eat or sleep, or in anywise take rest, while any member of his own family. Or any of his friends were suffering from pain or disease - such a man could never have been a bad man. And though we may not say that he was a Christian in the most exalted sense of tliat term }et liis was a noble nature and the longer he had lived, the more would he have endeared himself to society and the more would the noble qualities of his soul have unfolded themselves to the world. With such attributes of character as these, he could not fail to secure the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lived. He was a rising star, but recently emerged from the mists of the morning twilight, shining more refulgently as it neared its meridian height. But a thick cloud, shall I say, has suddenly passed over that rising luminary, hiding it from our vision forever? Have its fires paled, and its light gone out in darkness and obscurity? Nay, verily. But rather may it be said, it was, ere it reached its noontide splendor, snatched from its particular orbit to make one more in that bright constellation which our storm}^ heavens have so recently revealed. Colonel Tupper deserves for his gallantry, shown on more than one bloody battle-field, henceforth to be mentioned along with those other fallen heroes, leaders of our citizen soldiers, in this the second great struggle of the American people for the maintenance of free democratic institutions. He entered the service of his country with a willing and cheerful heart. He uncovered his arm in her defense. She had sheltered him and his fathers in the past, and he was now ready to swear by his life's blood that his own loved ones should live in the future beneath her broad-spreading aegis and know no fear nor ever feel the blush of shame. He was not the man to fold his hands and quietly and with indifference behold the heart-sickening spectacle of traitors, with fell intent, striking his beloved country, dismantling her forts and trailng her banner in the dust. A genuine, warm-hearted patriot, feeling that his own honor and that of all whom he held dear to him on earth, was inseparably blended with the Iionor of his country, he would have chosen to die, rather than to look upon her degradation and shame. And he is a coward and a base driveler, whoever he may be, and whatever may have been his antecedents, who is willing to survive the wreck and ruin of his country. Who that posseses any of the attributes of a noble nature, would wish to live without a country he can call his own or that could endure to see it become a hissing and a by- word among the nations of the earth ? Verily none but such as are already fit for manacles and chains and the tyrant's whip could become reconciled to such a state of things. The Almighty has implanted in man's heart for the most obvious reasons the passion of patriotism and intended that it should burn with an inextinguishable flame; and whoever is true to God and his race is by no means a stranger to its powerful and generous impulses.

" Colonel Tupper, we have said, cheerfully, we might have said eagerly, entered the service of his country; and nobly did he sustain himself in every position and relationship from the day that he enlisted until his short but illustrious career was ended. He was beloved by his men, popular with his brother officers and ready and efificient in the discharge of every duty whether in the camp, on the fatiguing march or facing the enemy upon the field of battle. In short, he showed himself to be the true soldier, brave as the bravest and generous as brave. On the bloody held of Donelson he rushed into the fight, fearless of the terrible shafts of death as they fell thick and fast around him. He breasted the storm of battle with a lofty heroism, marching on to nobler deeds of daring as the combat thickened.

" His friends rejoiced when he emerged from that fearful struggle unscathed by his country's foes and honored by all who witnessed his noble bearing. But a still more fearful conflict awaited him and his brave men. Rut no matter, for he had a heart

That coutlict came, at length, at Pittsburg landing, April 6th ; more terrible than had been anticipated and more terrible than it should have been. Somebody was at fault, but who,- we leave for the future to disclose. Yet by how much the more sudden, unexpected and overwhelming was the onset of rebel hordes, by so much the more conspicuously shone the invincible valor of our glorious western army. They finally rolled back the tide of battle: they were victorious, though the slaughter was immense and the odds fearfully against them. But in no previous engagement has the superiority of the armies of the republic been so clearly manifest as on that occasion. The enemy ought, under the circumstances, to have taken our whole army, before high noon of that eventful day. If all the favorable circumstances had been ours, the advantage of the attack, the surprise and of almost double the number of forces, we would certainly have captured them and scarcely felt the struggle. Why they did not take us is absolutely a stupenous wonder ; and thanks to a kind Providence and our incomparably brave men that that they did not. In that bloody fray Colonel Tupper led on the brave Forty-first Regiment in person, the veteran Pugh having been detailed to the command of a brigade. .And never were brave men more bravely led. He infused his fiery spirit into every breast. Not one of them faltered, or turned his back to the foe. And rest assured, my friends, that when the men of that noble regiment return home, whether living or dead, you will be proud to acknowledge that every man of them was a hero. And thus will it ever be with our brave citizen soldiers. There will be no running, no pale and unmanly fear, if they are led on bv brave and skillful officers.

" On that e\er memorable day, that bloodv Sundav, the bloodiest hitherto recorded in .\merican history, the noble Tupper fell, fell gloriously, fell in the defense of constitutional liberty, fell bearing aloft the ensign of his fatherland, that ensign which has Hoated in proud triumph over every sea, and commanded the respect of every land and dishonored never, only by traitors. He fell with his sword unsheathed and his face to the foe. Thus ever fall the brave 'who rush to glory or the grave." He fell, but the banner that he loved still proudly waved o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

"And now, for whom did he fall? For what was his blood poured out? For you, my fellow citizens, and for me ; for your rights and mine ; for your wives and children and for mine ; for generations yet unborn ; for the struggling and down trodden of all lands ; for God and Liberty and native land.

" And shall we ever be unmindful of the loved ones he has left behind? Shall we be partakers of the benefits of his death, and forget to bestow the gratitude upon those he loved which would have been more particularly due to him. had he continued to live and walk among us? - Shall not the warm, gushing sympathies of this community ever flow out strongly toward his stricken widow, and his now fatherless children? Will not an appreciating people, blessed by such a sacrifice as this, cheer and console these stricken ones, through all the pathway of their future trial, and so encourage and strengthen them that they shall feel that the staff upon which they have hitherto leaned with so much confidence and security, has in a measure been restored to them in the thanks and kind offices of those who share with them their heavy griefs to-day ?

are liis murderers. Could j-ou but look upon tliat pale visage, it is marred by traitor liaiuls. Til ink of it. my countrymen, and here, over the dead body of the slaughtered brave, swear anew allegiance to your country and eternal uncompromising enmity to treason. Rest thee now our fallen brother, in the grave which affection and gratitude have prepared for thee !

"Colonel Tupper leaves behind a stricken wife, worthy of the relationship she bears to the honored de;ul. and two Unely children, a son five and a daughter three years of age. P)Ut he leaves them the inheritance of a noble name, he has secured for them the consideration of a grateful country and by that country shall they never be forgotten. I claim them as henceforth belonging to my country, as the jewels of my country, because they are the relics of her patriot dead. We hail you then to-day, disconsolate, mourning friends, tossed as you are upon life's stormy sea, forlorn, it is true, but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed, enveloped in clouds and rocked in this fearful tempest, but yet assured that there is an .Almighty one who rides upon the whirlwind and controls the storm, infinite in goodness and ])ledgcd to be the husband of the widow and a father to the orphan.

'"May the kind Providence who has hitherto watched over our families, and our country, temper the storm to the shorn lamb, keej) under his divine protection the loved ones of the departed, and preserve to them and to us a country and a home, honored, feared and respected, even to the ends of the earth, and by the latest generations of men."

Successftdly engaged in the practice of medicine in lUuc .Mound. Dr. John B. Mattlu-w has worthily won his reputation as a skilled ph\sician. lie was born March J. 1850. on a farm near Palmer in Christian count}'. Illinois, his parents being Oscar F'. and Margaret ( lirilton) Matthew. The ancestr\- of the family can be traced back to the time of Cromwell when a Matthew was appointed by the Iron Chancellor as .governor over one of the T5ritish colonies and thus served for eight years. lie was the first framer of a rejiublican form of government imder the old colony system. After his death the adherents of the royal cause seized u])on the op])ortunity to proclaim Charles II king of England and to invite Berkley to resume his rule of the colony.

The jiaternal great-grand])arents of our subject were Xathaniel and Mary Matthew. It is not definitely known at what time the former left England, but it is an authentic fact that he was one of seven brothers and two sisters who came to America at an early period in the colonization of this country. They were of Quaker faith and settled in Jamestown, \irginia. Xathaniel Matthew was a cooper by trade and made his home in the Old Dominion until his death, which occurred August 27, 1829, while his wife died on the i ith day of the same month and year.

Simon Matthew, the grandfather of our subject, was born F'ebruary 12, 1787, and died in Virginia June 18. 1848. at the age of sixtv-one years, four months and six days. His wife. .\nna Smith, died October 24. 1834. at the age of thirty-eight years, three months and thirteen days. They were the parents of nine children: James D.. the eUlest. was born Xovember 24. 1813; John M., the next in order of birth, was born December iq, 1813; Charles D. was born Mav 24, 1818; Catherine Amanda was born Xovember 5. 1821 : Oscar F.. the father of our subject, was the next younger; Francis M., born June 29, 1826, left Springfield, Illinois, in 1853 for California to dig gold and located near where Los Angeles now stands. There he continued to reside most of the time until 1890, when he entered the office of sheriff as a deputy and died there in 1901. His first child was born while crossing the plains and she afterward taught the first free shchool in Los Angeles county. In 1851 Francis M. Matthew married in Springfield and his wife died in California in 1902, leaving four daughters and one son, thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The other members of the family of Simon Matthew were Sarah E., born March II, 1829; David L., October 6, 1831 ; and William Paul, July 25, 1834.