Maroa Township

Maroa Township

This is the largest town in point of inhabitants, except the county seat within the limits of Macon county. It is located about thirteen miles north of the city of Decatur, at the junction of the Illinois Central and Illinois Midland railroads. The town plat is laid out at the point where the section lines of 2, 3, 10, and 11 intersect, and occupies a portion of each of the sections named. It is situated in the very heart of the finest cultivated, and richest agricultural region in central Illinois, and large shipments of grain and stock are annually made.

The original plat of the town was jointly laid out by the I. C. R. R. Co., and the Associate Land Company ; the former then owned the land now occupied by the northern portion of the town, and the latter, the southern portion ; the line dividing the two sections passing between the Illinois Central depot and water-tank, and on a line with the two roads that enter the town east and west. The Associate Land Company consisted of some of the officers of the I. C. R. R. Co., and other individuals, organized for private financial speculation in lands. They purchased the alternate sections of government lands, not already controlled by the railroad company, wherever they desired to locate a town, and then divided the sections into town lots and sold them at a great advance over the original cost. The Illinois Central Railroad was surveyed in 1851, but the road was not completed at this point until the spring of 1854, in which year the depot was built by the company, and John Crocker appointed agent, which position he filled for twelve consecutive years, or until 1866.

The first building, after the depot was erected, was by G. J. Schenck, in the fall of 1855, and is still standing. It was a dwelling-house, but for some time, a part of it was used as a store, where a small variety of general goods were retailed. The second dwelling-house was erected in the fall of 1856, by Mr. Schenck, for Samuel Barndt, who built the first blacksmith shop in the following spring. In the fall of 1857, M. Friedman built a dwelling and a store-house. This was the first regular store in Maroa, and Mr, Friedman has continued in business ever since, and is the oldest merchant in the place. The Prairie Hotel, built in 1858, was the first public house erected, though prior, and even since then, Mr. Schenck's residence was always a welcome place for the weary traveler. During the year 1858, a small school-house was built on the site of the present school-building, and Robert Collins taught the first school. The present fine brick school edifice was erected

The town now contains four churches, viz : Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Christian, and Methodist Protestant. The Presbyterian Church was organized January 30, 1859, at the I. C. R. R. depot, and their house for religious worship was built in 1867. Rev. A. T. Norton, Secretary of the Church Extension Society, was the founder. The depot was used as a place of worship, until the school" house was erected, when that was occupied until the building of their church. The Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Protestant are in good condition, and each have good churches. The Christian church was organized by A N. Page, May 4th, 1868, and their church was erected during the same year.

The Maroa Lodge, No. 454 A. F. and A. M., was chartered Oct. 4, 1865. The first officers were : J. H. Crocker, W. M. ; Rufus C. Crocker, S. W. ; Oliver J. Harlan, J. W. ; Samuel Lowe, Treas. ; T. S. Collins, Sec. ; A. C. Keever, S. D. ; Jacob Cooper, J. D. ; J. F. Blount and A. D. Wysong, Stewards; Mayer Friedman, Tyler. These, together with J. H. Axton, C. F. Emery, Joseph Lingle, W. L. Webb, G. W. Conover, H. S. Tisdale and G. A. Milmine, constitute the charter members. The present officers are ; W. M. Phares, W. M. ; J. Longstreet, S. W. ; J. A. Hartman, J. W. ; M. Friedman, Treas. ; W. H. Austin, Sec. ; F. M. Smith, S. D. ; E. Friedman, J. D. ; S. C. Crowell and E. J. Carter, Stewards ; H. S. Bennett, Tyler.

The Maroa I. 0. O. F. Lodge No. 34 was organized and first installation of officers held on the night of May 3, 1865. The following were the first officers: Thomas Hunter, N. G. ; M. Friedman, V. G- ; O. G. Harlan, Sec. ; James Huff, P. Sec. ; Jonah Lingle, Treas.

Mai'oa Grange No. 102 of the order of P. of H. was organized Jan. 20, 1873, with twenty-seven charter members. The following are the first officers: J. B. Garvin, M. ; Henry Jones, O. : T. B. Gardner, L. ; J. Longstreet, S. ; A. Wykoff, A. S. ; J. B. Parkhurst, C. ; M. P. Funk, T. ; J. Jones, S. ; W. O. Williams, G. K.; Mrs. Emma Williams, C. ; Miss Mary A. Garver, F. ; and Mrs Kit Cooper, P.

There is also a Lodge of Good Templars, and a Library Association, both in a flourishing condition, but we were unable to get the material to give any of their history.

This town was incorporated by special act of Legislature, March 7, 1867. The first board of Trustees were: Job A. Rice, John B. Carey, Henry Stauffer, Joseph Wilson and Henry Jones. Mr. Rice was the first president of the board and J. B. Carey was the first clerk.

The earliest newspaper published in Maroa was the Times, started by T. J. Sharp in 1867. Another weekly paper, the Tablet, appeared in 1867, and still later the Maroa Tribune, which was succeeded by the Weekly News, an eight page, forty column paper, which is at present published by T. O Banion & Co.

The steam elevator was built in 1867 by J. W. Richards & Co. of Chicago, at a cost of about $15,000, and is at present owned aud operated by Crocker & Co. It is constructed for handling all kinds of grain, and has a capacity of 14,400 bushels. Emery & Co. also have a similar elevator in operation.

Boots - John Smelz; Austin Gault; Axton & Phillips. Hotels - Central House ; Sherman House. Livery - J. T. Holt : Sherman Livery. Furniture - H. E. Kent. Hardware - Pursinger, Adams & Co. ; B. T. Jamison ; Hines & Thompson. Hardware and Tinware - W. H. Hartman. Millinery - Mrs. C. M. Thayer; H. E, Kent. Bakery - G. W. Mumaugh ; J. W. Cawrey. Restaurants - W. O. Buck; Wm. Golge. Photographer - J. W. Smith. Harness Shop - Beatty & Pursinger. Watches and Jewelry - P. C. Tryner ; Austin Gault. Merchant Tailor - Theo. Schaffer. Meat Market - J. G- Dix ; Hoover & Camp. Shoe Shops - J. Kemphall ; C. P. Frus. Blacksmiths' Shops - S. S. Burnett; E. P. Kent; F. K Bohrer ; Thomas Hackney. Wagon Shops - Robert Stroud ; J. C. Stevenson ; M. M. Thomas ; G. T. Schenck ; Walter & Reed. Lumber and Coal - T. M. Leavitt; B. T. Jamison. Planing Mill - Nesbit Bros. The Tile Works of W. H. Long are one half mile, east of Maroa, situated on section 12, and were built by Long & Stoutenborough in 1878. They have a capacity of 250,000 feet per annum The Tile Works of W. H. Stoutenborough are also the same distance east of Maroa, and were built in 1879 by Stoutenborough & Co. The capacity of their factory is 250,000 feet per annum.

Maroa, being surrounded by one of the best farming sections in the state, has become one of the largest shipping points on the Illinois Central R. R in Macon county, except Decatur. The merchants have been men of energy and enterprise, who have spared no pains in advancing the business interests of the town. The citizens are of an intelligent and industrious class, who have used their united efforts in keeping pace with the van of progress. Maroa is well supplied with all the modern improvements usually found in places of its size. All the principal streets have sidewalks, which are shaded with trees of various kinds, which also add much to the beauty of the town. The town has been of steady growth, and with the increasing business interests of the place, there is no reason why Maroa should not in some future day become a city of some magnitude.

Biographical Sketches

It has been a disputed question as to what circumstances are best calculated to develop a strong and versatile character. All agree, however, that the endowments of nature are of supreme importance, and must go hand-in-hand with the other circumstances of life.

If it is true that circumstances have much to do in calling forth the qualities of the mind, then how important is it to study human biography ! It has been said that almost any life is an interesting study when written out in full. Certainly this would be the case with the life we are now about to glance at. The subject of this sketch, Abraham H. Bates, is the son of Joseph H. and Nancy B. Bates. His father was a clergyman, and though a man of small means, he had the blessing of a large family. A. H. was the ninth child out of a family of twelve. His parents moved from near Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1846, when the subject of this sketch was two years old, and where he was born, to Adams county, in the same state. Here the boy Abraham mingled agricultural pursuits with his books, until he was seventeen years old, when he entered an academy to prepare for college. After this, he entered Knox College, Galesburg, 111., where he graduated in 1866, being with one exception the youngest member of the class. As a college student, and especially as an academy student, Mr. Bates was a lover of sport, as well as a lover of study, and was often chosen first in literary contests, and in athletic exercises as well.

After graduating, he studied law for a while, but finding this study too confining, he went south on an extended tour for his health. His classical and legal studies having pretty well exhausted his finances, he found himself in the city of Houston, Texas, in the winter of 1870, with only five cents in his pocket. Having spent this nickel to buy a paper, he looked it over, and chanced to find an advertisement for the principal of an academy. He at once without hesitation applied for the position, and was accepted.

him several pretty close calls, still he quietly held his ground until his first term closed, when he returned north to prosecute his theological studies. This he did by entering the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, in the fall of 1871.

About the time he graduated in this institution, the controversy between the high and low church parties ran high. Such controversy not being according to his tastes, and also not having a decided preference for a rigid ritual, he entered the Presbyterian Church.

Having received a call to the Presbyterian church of Empire City, Oregon, in 1873, he at once set out for the Pacific Coast. Having arrivtd at San Francisco, he found a small steamer ready to sail up the northern coast in a few hours. This vessel never having carried a clergyman before, the sailors looked upon the young person with a good deal of suspicion. Their worst suspicions were confirmed when about three hundred miles out of port, when the steam cylinder head broke, and the vessel was compelled to start back to port under sail.

After cfrifting at sea for several days with unfavorable winds, it occurred to the captain that, as things looked disastrously unfavorable, he had better invite the clergyman to pray. This he did, and no sooner were prayers over, than a strong north-west gale arose and carried the vessel in safety back to port. It is enough to say that from that hour the tone and bearing of the sailors toward Mr. Bates changed entirely. The vessel being duly repaired, he again set out for Empire City, where he arrived in December, 1873.

Empire City being then the most western incorporated town in the United States, and being upon the wild Pacific coast, Mr. Bates was delighted with the strangeness of the situation, and entered upon his work with zest.

Many chapters could be written of his two years experience here as a preacher - climbing mountains, fording rivers, facing dangers of town, forest, and ocean. Contending with many dangers and difficulties, he yet gave a part of each day to study. His first attendance on the presbytery of his church was at Eugene City, over a hundred miles distant. This is the way he reached Eugene City - 4 miles in a small skiff, 2 miles on foot, 16 miles in a wagon,

Being friendly toward education, he began the erection of an academy on Coos Bay, but before the building was completed, the illness of his mother and sister in Illinois induced him to resign his entire work, and return to his native state.

In 1878 Mr. Bates spent his summer vacation in Europe, and most of his time in the art galleries of London, Paris, and other cities. Upon his return, he delivered a number of lectures on his trip abroad, which were eagerly listened to. Mr. Bates confesses that no two spots in Europe have greater fascination than Mr. Spurgeon's tabernacle in London, and the galleries of the Louvre in Paris.

In June, 1880, Mr. Bates was united in matrimony with Miss Lydia E. Parker, youngest daughter of the late James S. Parker} of Maroa. In July following he tendered his resignation as pastor of the Presbyterian church, being impelled thereto by a desire to take a vacation of several months, and also to carry forward several literary enterprises. His ministry was characteiized by peace and good-will, and a good degree of prosperity, the church becoming at once self-sustaining, which it had not been before.

ment, however, is the quiet study of literature, especially the classics. His success so far has been so decided that we are warranted in believing there is a brilliant future before him as a speaker and writer.

Andrew J. Thrift

Among the prominent and substantial farmers of Maroa township, stands the name of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Christian county, Kentucky, October 19th, 1815. Samuel Magruder Thrift, his father, was a native of Fairfax county, Virginia. The Thrift family were originally from England, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. The grandfather, Charles Thrift, was a soldier in that memorable struggle for independence. Samuel M. Thrift moved to Kentucky in 1811, and settled in Christian county, where he remained till 1831, when he removed to Illinois, and settled in St. Clair county. He died in Washington county, Illinois, September 3d, 1872. He married Sarah (Fleming) Cowan. She was a native of South Carolina. By this marriage there were eight children; six daughters and two sons. Two of the children have survived the parents, - the subject of this sketch, and Elvina D. Andrew J. spent his youthful days upon the farm, and in the winter seasons attended the subscription schools of his neighborhood. He acquired the rudiments of an education. To this, he has, in later years, added a fund of information by extensive reading, and close observation of men and incidents as they transpire ; and is to-day well posted on past and current events. Being of a modest disposition he makes no pretences to superior knowledge, but in a quiet, sensible way impresses his hearers with the idea that he is a man of more than ordinary intelligence. While a resident of St Clair county he followed the occupation of a farmer. He remained there until March 1st, 1864, when he came to Macon connty, and purchased land in sec. 36, T. 18, R. 2 E. He first purchased a quarter-section, to which he has since added until now he has a large farm, and all under the best cultivation, and as well improved as any in the township. On the 8th of January, 1835, he was united in marriage to Minerva Jane Hawkins. She was a native of St. Clair county, and the daughter of Marshal B. and Elizabeth (Woods) Hawkins. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Thrift died, January 10th, 1851. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thrift seven children - three sons and four daughters. Five of them are yet living. Their names are, Isabel L., wife of Charles L. Marker ; Minerva Jane, wife of Gustavus M. Bower, William A., Samuel M., and James P. Thrift. Sarah E., wife of George B. Short, and Emily E. are dead. On the 4th of September, 1851, Mr. Traft married Anna C. Peter. She was born in Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., but was a resident of St. Clair county at the time of her marriage. By the union there have been nine children - four boys and five girls. Five of the children are still living. Those deceased died in infancy. The names of those living are, Douglas A., Alonzo M., Charles A., Mary L., and Grace Truman. The last four are yet beneath the parental roof. All of the children, with one exception, are living in the neighborhood of the old homestead. Mrs. Thrift is a member of the Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Thrift is a Jeffersonian democrat, and a profound believer in the political principles as expounded by that eminent statesman. He cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and since that time has kept the faith, and remained true to the party of his first choice. He is not, however, a politician in the strict sense of the word, only so far as to express his sentiments and preferences through the right of suffrage. In his private life he is above reproach, and wherei ever known is regarded as an upright and honorable gentleman.

The Emery family are of Scotch and English ancestry. David and Mahala Emery, the parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of New Hampshire, but subsequently removed and settled in Tioga county, New York. Charles F. is the eldest son in a family of five children - three sons and two daughters. He was born May twenty-sixth, 1833. He received a good education in the common schools of his native state. At the age of fourteen years he entered the printing office of the Ithaca Chronicle as " carrier " boy, where he remained two years. In the winter of 1849-50 he was appointed " messenger boy " in the New York Senate at Albany. In the summer of 1850 he made up his mind to go to California. His idea was to ship on board some vessel which would in time take him to the " Golden State." With this object in view he shipped from New Bedford on the " Stephania," a whaling vessel bound on a voyage to the Arctic Seas. After being out on her for one year, he left the ship at the Sandwich Islands, and in a steamer sailed for San Francisco. After his arrival in California he engaged in mining business, in which he continued for one year. He then shipped as second mate on the brig "Magdalena," which went down the coast of California on an expedition in search of guano. While stopping at an island in the Pacific Ocean, he assisted the captain of the brig in an attempt to kill a sea lion. During the struggle the monster seized Mr. Emery by the leg, crushing the knee joint, and so mangling and wounding him that he was taken to the Sandwich Islands, where he lay nearly two years before he entirely recovered from the terrible wound. After his recovery he went back to the island in the Pacific Ocean, where they had discovered guano, and remained there eight months in charge of a gang of men, superintending the loading and shipping of guano to Rich- mond, Virginia He then returned to the Sandwich Islands, and from there went to San Francisco. From the latter place he sailed as second mate of a brig to Australia, and from thence to Callao, South America. From the latter port he sailed around Cape Horn in a Spanish vessel to Barbadoes, iu the West India Islands, then to New Orleans, and from there to Liverpool, England, and then to New York city. After a long absence he returned home to visit his parents. They induced him to go west on a visit to his uncle, then living in Clinton, Illinois, who was engaged as a railroad contractor. His visit was lengthened out, and he was finally induced to stay. He then purchased land in Austin township, Macon county. One year later he went to Texas, and engaged in sheepraising. The business not proving as profitable as was expected and the war of the rebellion coming on, and sentiment changing, and the people becoming Hostile towards those entertaining Union sentiments, - all conspired to hasten his departure from that state.

He returned to Illinois and engaged in farming, in which he continued until August 8th, 1802, when he enlisted as private in Co. " D," One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. When the regiment received its orders to join the army, he was made acting-quartermaster, although he did not receive his commission as regimental quartermaster until some time later. In December, 1863, he was promoted Assistant Division Quartermaster U. S. Vols., with the rank of Captain. He returned home on the twenty-third of January, 1864, was married to Miss L. A. Ward, a native of New Hampshire, but a resident of Macon, Illinois, at the time of her marriage. In February following he reported for duty, and was assigned Assistant Chief Quartermaster of the Fifteenth Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee, General John A.

Logan commanding. In the Atlanta campaign he was appointed Chief Quartermaster of the Corps, and remained upon the staff' of Gen. Logan until after the surrender of Atlanta. He was then granted a short leave of absence, and returned home, and while there was taken sick with pneumonia and confined to his home until February, 1865, when he recovered, sufficiently strong to join the army, which was then at Goldsboro, North Carolina. He there assumed the duties of Quartermaster of the Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Gen. Giles A. Smith commanding, with the rank of Major. He remained in that position and in that command until the close of the war, and participated in the grand review at Washington. The command of Gen. Smith, after the war, was ordered to Brownsville, Texas ; Major Emery remained upon his staff as Chief Quartermaster until September, 1865. The duties being light, and consequently irksome to an active mind and disposition like Major Emery's, he asked to be relieved. His resignation was accepted, and he was honorably discharged the same month. His commissions date as Regimental Quartermaster, with rank as First Lieutenant, March 2, 1863 ; Assist. Division Quartermaster, with rank of Captain, December 5th, 1863 ; Division Quartermaster, with rank of Major, September 20th, 1865. After he was mustered out he returned home to Austin township, cultivated his farm and engaged in real estate business as agent for non-residents. He remained on the farm until 1872, when he removed to Maroa, and commenced banking, buying and shipping grain, and continued his real estate business.

Major Emery is the proprietor and owner of the largest elevator in Maroa, and handles large quantities of grain annually. In politics Major Emery is most soundly indoctrinated in the principles of the republican party- He early espoused the cause of freedom and human rights, and from his first vote through all subsequent elections, he has uniformly cast his ballot for the continuance of republican ideas and principles. He has always taken an active part in shaping the politics and assisting in the success that has for many years crowned that political organization. He has represented his township for several terms in the Board of Supervisors, and while a member of that body sustained the reputation of a successful and prudent member. As a mark of respect, and in recognition of his worth as a man and a citizen, he received the nomination for the office of Member of the State Board of Equalization for the Fourteenth Congressional District upon the republican ticket, and, if elected, we have no doubt, he will discharge the duties of the office in a manner creditable to himself and the party who will honor him with their suffrages. His long connection with real estate transactions and thorough knowledge of business appertaining to the duties of his office, render him eminently qualified for the position. Major Emery is an active, wide-awake business man and liberal-minded citizen. All enterprises having for their object the increase of the national wealth or interests of his town or county receive his hearty co-operation and substantial support. His marriage has been happily blessed with one child, a son, named Frank. Major Emery is a respected member of the Order of Free Masonry.

Edward Foulke

The ancestry of the Foulke family on the paternal side are Welsh, and on the maternal, English. The ancestors came to America in 1698. They were Quakers, and came with William Penn when he made his second visit to this country. They settled near Philadelphia, and from these have grown the present family. John M. Foulke, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery county, Pa. From there he removed to Baltimore, while in his twenty-seventh year. While a resident of Baltimore he married Ann Sinclair, who was a native of Baltimore. Soon after his marriage he came west, traveling over the mountains by stage-coach. He stopped in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until 1840, when he returned to Baltimore and continued there until 1857, when he came to Illinois and located on section 26, T. 18, R. 2 E. Macon county, and here he remained until his death, which occurred March 13th, 1874. His wife, and mother of Edward Foulke, died in Baltimore in 1844. Two children were born to John M., and Ann Foulke; Lydia A., and the subject of this sketch. The latter was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, July 31st, 1834. He received a good education in the common-schools, and when at the age of sixteen years he went to Norristown, Pa., where he entered the Freemount seminary, and remained there several years under the tutorship of Rev. Samuel Aaron, a Baptist minister. In that school he perfected his education, particularly in agricultural chemistry, which study he has, later in life, found very useful. In 1856 he came west, and purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Maroa township, of the Illinois Central Railroad company. He commenced its improvement, and there he has remained to the present. On the 15th of October, 1864. he was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Colladay, a native of Philadelphia. Five children are the fruits of this union; three sons and two daughters. Their names are Anna, John M., Edward, William Llewellyn and Caroline Edith Foulke. Politically he is a member of the republican party. Mr. Foulke enjoys the confidence and esteem of his friends and neighbors.

John S. Parker

The subject of this sketch was born in Preble county, Ohio, March 1st, 1842. His father, Robert Parker, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1810 ; came west with his parents to Ohio in 1834, and remained there until 1856, when he came to Illinois and settled in Maroa township, Macon county, and engaged in the real estate and loan business. He remained in Macon county until 1878, when he removed to De Witt county, 111., where he at present resides. He married Lydia C. Hankersou, who was born in Warren county, Ohio.

John S. Parker is the eldest child in the family, and came west with his parents in 1856 ; he received a fair education in the common schools of the county, and when not at school his time was occupied in working on the farm, which, in short, has been his chief and only occupation since arriving at man's estate. On the 27th of January, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Pape. She was born in England, but came with her parents to America while she was yet in her infancy. She was a resident of Macon county at the time of her marriage. Two children have been born to bless and hallow this union - a son and daughter, named Robert Benjamin and Lydia Ann Parker, aged respectively nine and six years. Both Mr. Parker and his estimable wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. Politically he is a staunch democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for George B. McClellan for President in 1864, since which time he has remained true to the party of his first choice. There were four brothers in the family of Robert and Lydia C Parker, two of whom are living, viz., John S. and James B. Garrett, a younger brother, died Jan. 24th, 1865, while in the service during the late war. William T., another brother, died on the same day at home.

John Crocker, (deceased), the gentleman whose portrait heads this brief memoir, was a native of the New England states, born in New Hampshire August 2d, 1804.

In early manhood, fired with the glowing accounts of the richness of our young prairie state, Mr. Crocker determined to emigrate to Illinois, which he did in the year 1839. He settled first in Jacksonville, Morgan county, where he engaged in farming, and was subsequently an attache of the State Asylum for the Insane located at that place. Being tendered a more lucrative position by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, he accepted their proposition, and in October, 1854, removed to what is now the town of Maroa, and became the station agent at that point. He continued to occupy this position until 1866, or for twelve years, during which time he engaged in buying and shipping grain and dealing in lumber. After this he associated himself wfith the banking business, in which he continued until his death, April 6th, 1879.

Mr. Crocker was married to Mary Neal Pillsbury, also a native of New Hampshire. By this union they were blessed with a family of five children - three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Crocker's

Being one of the first to locate in Maroa, Mr. Crocker became early interested and identified with the improvements and progress of the place, and lived to become one of its leading business men and see it grow to a thriving and important town. As a man and a citizen he was universally respected. Of good parentage, he kept the parental shield bright, and the people of Macon county have known him and his family as among their best citizens. In youth his opportunities for culture were good, and he was a man of very general information. Pious, honest, and upright, he always endeavored to obey the poet's admonition to " be just, and fear not.'' He has not acted upon the principle that - but has sought rather to let the whole tenor of his life pass so that its memory may hereafter linger, the fit semblance of a beautiful dream.

George B. Short

The subject of this sketch comes from a family of pioneers of the state of Illinois. His grandfather, Moses Short, was born in Kentucky, and was of the stock of those hardy men who made famous the " dark and bloody ground." His adventurous spirit would not permit him to stay in his native state, but he came -to Illinois before the commencement of the present century, and here he found work which suited minds cast in an heroic and courageous mould.

He joined the Rangers, and was made a captain in the service. He is spoken of by Governor Reynolds, in his " History of Illinois," as being a man who rendered valuable services to the state, and one who knew no fear, or scorned to turn his back upon an enemy. He remained a captain for seven years. His brother, Jacob Short, was a major in the same service. Moses Short died in St. Clair county. His son, W. B., was born in the same county, in March 1803. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war of 1827, and also of 1832. He died on the 28th of October, 1869, while on a visit to Holden, Missouri. He married Nancy Hill. She was born in Pennsylvania. Her parents, Peter and Sarah Hill, emigrated to Illinois, and settled in St. Clair county in 1814. She died in 1859. There were eleven children born to W. B. and Nancy Short - four sons and seven daughters. Three of the children have survived the parents.

The subject of this sketch is the second in the family. He was born four miles south-east of Belleville, in St. Clair county, Illinois, August 12th, 1826. He remained at home until his twentieth year, when he enlisted in Company " G " (Capt. Wm. Bissell's), and went as a soldier into the Mexican War. The company was made up from Belleville and vicinity. It was part of the command under General Wool in the army of the Rio Grande under the command of Gen. Zachary Taylor. Mr. Short participated in the battles fought by the latter officer, and remained in the service until discharged at Camp Crockett, San Antonia, Texas. He suffered from the malaria, and was sick the greater portion of the time he was out.

He returned home, and on the 19th of December, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Stookey. She died on March 22d, 1852. One child, named Barbara E., is the only fruit of that union.

In the spring of 1853, Mr. Short, in company with four others, made the trip to California by the overland route. They traveled in ox-teams, and were five months in reaching their destination. While in California, he engaged in farming, and in the winter seasons in mining. He remained in California from the fifth of November, 1853, to the fifth of November, 1855, when he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York. After his arrival at home, he went to farming, in which he has continued till the present time.

On the thirtieth of September, 1856, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Thrift. She was born in St. Clair county, and died in Maroa township, Macon county, Illinois, September 30th, 1877. By this marriage there were six children born, three of whom are living. Their names are - Isolina, Henrietta, and Golda Short. All are yet beneath the parental roof. Mr. Short remained in St. Clair county until April 26th, 1863, when he removed to Maroa township, Macon county. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Sec. 36, T. 18, R. 2 E., and there he has remained quietly cultivating his farm to the present. He is a member of the Baptist church, as was also his esteemed wife.

since that time has been true to his first and earliest political teachings. Mr. Short is a good representative of the offspring of the pioneers of Illinois.

Free-hearted, open and frank, social and hospitable, both at home and abroad - honest himself, and expecting honesty in others, he is a fair type of the men who came to Illinois and gave it the start which has helped to make it (soon to be) the foremost in the Union.

Frederick W. Miller

The subject of this sketch is a living example of what can be accomplished in this free country, by the exercise of industry and economy, united with practical common sense and good management. Mr. Miller was born in Jackson county, Indiana, June 11th, 1832. His parents dying while he was yet in infancy, he never knew parental affection. He was placed among strangers, and at twelve years of age became self-supporting. At the age of seventeen years he moved with a Mr. Franklin to Missouri, and stopped in St. Charles county. There he remained sixteen years at work upon a farm. In 1863 he came to Illinois and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 17, Maroa township. He afterwards added eighty acres more in section 14, same township. In the winter of 1877 he purchased twenty acres in section 11, one half mile from the village of Maroa. Upon this purchase there is a fine dwelling-house. Here he at present resides. On the 3d of November, 1855, he married Sarah Ann Mockby. She died March 15th, 1864. By this marriage there were two sons, named William Henry and Charles Anderson Miller. On the 3d of October, 1865, he married Lydia Margaret Stewart. She is a native of Harrison county, Ky. By this union there have been four children, two of whom are living. Their names are : Lucy Matilda, and Benjamin Franklin Miller. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is also an honored member of the ancient and honorable order of Free Masonry, and belongs to Maroa Lodge No. 454. Politically, he is a democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan in 1856.

Joseph W. Fawkes

The subject of the following sketch deserves to be ranked among the leading inventors of the age. The family, on the paternal side, are of English ancestry and of Welsh extraction on the maternal. His father, Joseph Fawkes, was a farmer, and a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He belonged to the middle classes, and was possessed of a reasonable amount of property. Joseph W. is the third son in a family of seven children. He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., September 25th, 1825. His boyhood days were not different from most boys who grow up on the farm. He received such an education as the common schools of his county afforded. The great dream of his younger years and maturer life was to become an inventor, and originate machinery that would benefit the large class of cultivators of the soil, and lessen their toil, and make more pleasant and remunerative that great industry. Added to this desire was a genius that developed early in the boy. At the age of sixteen years he invented and made a model for cutting " shoe lasts," of irregular shape, which, with some later improvements, has come into general use. His next invention was a " seed drill," which was patented and has been in general use throughout the country for many years. On the 29th of August, 1854, he received a patent for his " lime spreader." This invention was exhibited at public fairs and in various places in the

States of Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina, and whenever shown valuable premiums were awarded it. His great invention, however, was the "steam plow," which excited favorable comment in both Europe and America. It was patented January 28th, 1858. It was afterward improved, and two other patents on it taken out. For this invention he now holds a number of valuable medals and testimonials. The one he prizes the most highly is the <l Scott Legacy Premium,'' presented by the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia. Upon its face it bears the following inscription : " Presented to J. W. Fawkes, of Lancaster, Pensylvania, for Steam Plow." On the other side, " Presented to the most deserving." He also has a medal of great intrinsic value, presented him by the Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania, and an autograph letter from James Buchanan, President of the United States, dated at Washington January 25th, 1860, iu which he informs him that " he has been requested by the United States Agricultural Society to present Mr. Fawkes ' the Grand Gold Medal of Honor,' awarded him at Chicago in September last." Mr. Fawkes brought his steam plow west, and exhibited and operated it at different State Fairs in the Western States, and at all it received favorable mention, diplomas, and valuable premiums. The invention was a failure so far as getting the plow generally introduced, and also a failure in a financial way. The trouble was, that the invention was in advance of the times. The sluggish and conservative intellect of the masses cannot, nor do not keep pace with the active, energetic mind of the inventor. Few of the latter class live to see the full fruition of their hopes. Yet Mr. Fawkes does not despair of seeing in his life the steam plow introduced and successfully operated in Illinois.

He came west to Illinois in 1863, and settled in Decatur, where he followed house-raising, and operated a machine shop. In 1869 he purchased land in Maroa township, Macon county, which he improved, and from that time to the present has been busily engaged in cultivating the soil. He, however, by no means, dropped his inventions. Since living in Illinois he has seen the great necessity of ditching the vast area of low flat lands in the state, and with this idea in view he invented the "steam steel shovel scraper" for ditching, which in this country may be regarded as a very valuable invention. On the 18th of October, 1853, while yet a citizen of Pennsylvania, he married Miss A. E. Baughman, a native of Lancaster county. By this marriage there are seven children, all living - six boys and one girl. Their names are Howard B., William C-, Jacob H., Joseph W., Charles G-, Leslie H., and F. F. Fawkes. Both he and his wife are members of theM. E. Church. Politically he was originally an old line whig. His first presidential vote was cast for General Zachary Taylor in 1848. He afterwards joined the republican party, and still continues a member. Upon the subject of temperance he is a total abstinence man, and has been a worker in the temperance cause for a great many years. At home and abroad he is a sociable and agreeable gentleman.

Milton P. Funk

The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Morgan county, Illinois, June 9th, 1833. The ancestry of the Funks is German. Samuel Funk came to America in 1776, and settled in Virginia, and from him have sprung the present family. He married Elizabeth Cordell. Members of the family left Virginia and settled in Tennessee, where Martin C. Funk, the father of Milton P., was born. Martin C. married Janie Lieb. She died in June, 1878. Mr. Funk left Tennessee in 1828, and came to Illinois, and settled in Morgan county, where he improved a farm and lived until 1845, when he died. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the children. Like all farmers' b >ys of Illinois of forty years ago, he was deprived of educational advantages and facilities for attending good schools and receiving such learning as now falls to the lot of the youth of the present day. His father dying while Milton wras yet in his youth, he was compelled to help support himself and others of the family, and at an early age became a producer as well as a consumer. He grew to manhood and remained in Morgan county until the 28th of March, 1855, when he came to Maroa township, Macon county, and purchased eighty acres of raw land, built a cabin and went to work improving it. There he has lived till the present time. On the 22d of September, 1853, he married Isabella Todd. She died September 14th, 1874. By this marriage there have been three children living, named Henry M., John N., and Mary A. Funk. On the 22d of December, 1875, he married Miss Melissa Smith of Effingham county, Illinois. By this later marriage there is one child, named Ibra Maud Funk. He is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian. Politically he is a sound and thorough democrat, and gave James Buchanan his first vote in 1856. Mr. Funk is esteemed by all who know him. He is a good man, and an enterprising and first-class citizen.

The subject of this sketch was born in Morgan county, Indiana, August 26th, 1843. The Compton family are of English and Scotch descent. Their ancestors came to America and settled in Virginia, about the close of the sixteenth century. Ephraim Compton, the father of W. J., was born in Culpepper county, Virginia. He removed with his father to Ohio, while yet young, and remained there until 1842, when he went to Indiana. In 1844 he returned to Ohio, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Illinois and settled in Champaign county, where he still resides. He married Elizabeth Johnson. She was born in Ohio. By this marriage there were ten children, six of whom are now living, and all have arrived at the age of maturity. The subject of this sketch is the second in the family. His education was obtained in the common schools of the county, and in the South-western State Normal School, situated at Lebanon, Ohio. He spent one year in the latter place, and fitted himself for the profession of teaching. After his arrival in Champaign county, he worked upon his father's farm, and in the agricultural store in Mahomet, and remained in the above named county until the fall of 1861, when he went to Lebanon, Ohio, and entered the school as above stated. From there he returned to Illinois, and taught school in Logan county during the winters of 1862, 1863 and 1864. It was while he was engaged in teaching, that he made the acquaintance of his wife, Miss Mary Conover. The marriage took place October 20th, 1864. Her parents, Tylee and Hester Conover, came from Ohio to Illinois in 1857, and settled in Logan county ; Mrs. Compton was born in Shelby county, Ohio, but was a resident of Logan county, Illinois, at the time of her marriage. After Mr. Compton's marriage he engaged in farming for two years, then removed to Maroa, and entered the service of J. M. Richards & Co., who wrere largely interested in the grain business. He remained with the firm one year, then removed to Bloomington, and was employed in the Phoenix Nursery for two years, then returned with his family to Maroa, and took a position as book-keeper in the flouring mill of T. Conover. He continued in that capacity for three years, then purchased the business and leased the mill, and operated it for three years longer. He then sold out and entered into a co-partnership with C. F. Emery, in the purchasing and shipping of grain. This business arrangement still continues. The firm have superior facilities, and handle large quantities of grain each year. Politically Mr. Compton is a member of the republican party. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864; since that time he has seen no reason to change his political views, and consequently is recognized and known as a stalwart and staunch believer in republican principles. He is a member of Maroa Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M., and of Goodbrake Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., of Clinton, Illinois. In both orders he is known as an active and bright mason. His marriage has been blessed with three children, all girls, named Minnie, Aggie, and Lillie, aged respectively, twelve, eight and three years. In his habits he is temperate, and is an advocate of the temperance cause. Socially and personally, Mr. Compton is an agreeable and pleasant gentleman. As a business man he is quick, prompt, energetic, and reliable, and honorable in all of his transactions with his fellow-men. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Christian Church.

John Longstreet

The ancestry of the Longstreet family is of Scotch-Irish and German extraction. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born in New Jersey. He removed to Ohio about the year 1810, and settled in Warren county. His son, Aaron Longstreet, father of John, is still a resident of that state. He married Mary Galiher. Her father, John Galiher, is still living, although at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Longstreet died in 1841. Mr. Longstreet afterward married Nancy Ward. She died in 1876.

By the first marriage there were three children - all boys. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of these children. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, September 2d, 1832. Like most farmers' sons, his boyhood was passed upon the farm, assisting in the work during the summer months, and attending the country schools during the winter. He grew to manhood, and remained beneath the parental roof until his twentieth year, when he commenced life for himself. He leased a farm, and continued its cultivation for three years, when he embarked in the mercantile business in the town of Middletown, Butler county. One year later he and his brother leased the home-farm for two years. He remained in Ohio until 1862, when he came west, and settled in Maroa township, where he has resided and continued farming until the present time.

On the first of November, 1857, while yet a resident of Ohio, he was united in marriage to Miss Yashti Wycoff. She is of German extraction. The Wycoff family were originally from New Jersey. They came west to Ohio, at a period when the city of Cincinnati had but two houses. They were among the very early settlers of the state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Longstreet has been blessed with seven children, all of whom are living, and yet at home. Mr. Longstreet is an honored member of the order of Freemasonry, and belongs to Maroa Lodge, No. 454, and Goodbrake Chapter of Clinton, Illinois. Politically he is a believer in the principles as enunciated in the platform of the republican party. He has represented his township in the Board of Supervisors for five consecutive terms. He is an influential member of the Board. He is a member of the Finance Committee, and was one of the five of that committee who negatived the refunding of $187,000 of the Macon County Bonds. His frequent re-elections attest his fitness for the responsible plaoe, and is also expressive of i the confidence reposed in him by his constituency.