Browse Items (475 total)

  • Collection: Photo File: Biography

Thomas Davis

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Photograph of Thomas Davis (d. 1913). He was a pioneer in Macon County, IL, and owned the first building in Macon, IL. He was the donor of the WCTU water fountain, and knew Abraham Lincoln. The Davis School east of Macon, IL is named after him. …

Martin L. Deck

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Photograph of Martin L. Deck (d. 11/8/1932). He was a former Decatur real estate man, and laid out an addition to Decatur. He also acted as an appraiser for a building and loan association. Deck also donated the ground for the First English…

Jan De Graff

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Photograph of Jan De Graff, a prominent Decatur contractor in the early 1900s. He mainly worked as a general contractor who erected many of the foremost residences. This photo was taken by Vandeventer, and used in the Decatur Daily Review on…

Benjamin Dill

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Photograph of Benjamin Dill (d. 1/7/1926). Dill was a Decatur contractor who built many houses and schools in and near Decatur. He also built the first house in Maroa, IL. Dill was an Alderman in Decatur for 2 years and commissioner of highways in…

Wilbur C. Dimock

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Photograph of Wilbur C. Dimock (d. 1/27/1920), one of the oldest real estate dealers in Central Illinois. He was also a member of the Johnson & Dimock real estate firm. He was one of Decatur's best known citizens and a trustee of the First Baptist…

W.H. Dodds

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Photograph of W.H. Dodds (d. 10/1944), the janitor at E.A. Gastman school for 18 years. He was also the property man at the YWCA building. The photo was taken by Vandeventer, and ran in the Decatur Herald or Daily Review on January 6, 1907.

Robert Faries

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Photograph of Robert Faries (d. 11/17/1919). Faries was a manufacturer, inventor, and president of the Faries Manufacturing Co. He bought Wilson Park, and renamed it Faries Park in 1910. He founded the Faries Manufacturing Co. in 1881, which…

John P. Faris

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Photograph of John P. Faris (d. 7/27/1910), the most prominent citizen and businessman in Niantic, IL. He started his grain business in 1861 called Faris & Cannon, and operated for 50 years. His offices were at 210 Review building in Decatur, IL. …

Miss Lelah Foster

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Photograph of Miss Lelah Foster (d. 11/13/1942), the County Recorder from 1920 to 1932. Foster was one of the first women in the nation to serve in an elective office, and the first in Macon County. She was active in the state Republican Women's…

Charles H. Goodmiller

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Photograph of Charles H. Goodmiller (d. 10/28/1952). Goodmiller built the first grocery story and filling station at Wyckles Corner, and became known as the "Mayor of Wyckles Corner". At 16, he began working for the former Mills Lumber Co., and…