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Thomas Davis
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. …
Buel T. Davis
Photograph of Buel T. Davis. He was a resident of Decatur from 1909 to 1916, when he left for Champaign to represent the Waterbury interest in community development work in Florida. Davis started the Better Life Movement here in 1910. When he…
Hugh B. Crea
Photograph of Hugh B. Crea (d. 1/31/1918). He was an attorney, and practiced law in Decatur for over 50 years. He was the attorney for the Millikin & Co., Millikin National Bank, Illinois Central Railroad, Illinois Midland Railroad, and Wabash…
Ralph O. Conklin
Photograph of Ralph O. Conklin (b. 2/4/1978, d. 1/1/1955). He was the son of Amos Conklin, and the co-owner of the old Conklin Bakery Co., where he pioneered the manufacture of pre-sliced bread in 1929. Conklin was a member of the First Methodist…
A.W. Conklin
Photograph of A.W. Conklin (b. 3/25/1835, d. 3/28/1909), a prominent Decatur manufacturer. Conklin helped establish the Decatur Bag Factory, which later became known as the Tait factory. He also established the Decatur Steam Bakery, which became…
Dr. Orlando G. Collins
Photograph of Dr. Orlando G. Collins (b. 11/13/1868, d. 12/9/1946). He was the son of Seth Benson Collins, and came to Decatur i 1892 after graduating form the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. He was a specialist in teeth extraction, and a life…
Howard C. Burks
Photograph of Howard C. Burks (b. 1858, d. 1/10/1922). He was the founder and president of Decatur Drug Co., and built the largest drug business in Illinois at the time. Howard Burks married Mary Wise Burks (1887-1968). The photo was taken by…
George W. Bright
Photograph of George W. Bright (d. 4/7/1917), the oldest Mason in Decatur at the time of his death. He was the last charter member of Beaumanoir Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templar. He was an assistant cashier at the National Bank of Decatur for 20…
W. Nay Boggess
Photograph of W. Nay Boggess (d. 9/5/1927), an attorney in Decatur for 33 years. He was associated with Thomas B. Jack in the law firm, Jack & Boggess, for 10 years, and then later as Deck, Jack & Boggess. Boggess served 3 terms as the city…
Roy Bendure
Photograph of Roy Bendure (d. 7/23/1932), former chief of police in Decatur. He was appointed chief of police in 1909, and discharged by Mayor Borchers in 1910. He worked as a private detective, and a special agent for the Illinois Traction System.…