ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of  Genealogy Express
 

Macon County, Illinois
History & Genealogy

SMITH - Wm. C. Smith, b. July 2, 1819 Rutherford Co. Tenn., d. Jan. 28, 1899. Md. Leacy Pope. Children: John W. Smith, Willis B., Sarah E., Robert H. 

WARD - Laura Ward, died Mar. 21, 1889, age 2 yrs. 2 mos. dau. of L. J. Ward. 

WILLIAMS - Mrs. Howard Williams, d. 1892 age 23.  (Found in scrapbook - Newspaper clippings)

REED - Florence Reed, d. 1892, Apr. 7, age 21 yrs. 1 da., dau. of John O. Reed. 

MITCHELL - John Mitchell, d. 1893 age 22 yrs.

McGEE - Maggie McGee, dau. of Wm. F. McGee, died Apr 17, 1893

ODOR - Perry Ordor, died 1893, son of J. N. & Maggie Ordor.
(Note:  Buried in Salem Cem., Perry L. Odor was b. Nov. 13, 1869 & d. Aug. 23, 1893)

McDANIEL - Wm. McDaniel, died Jan. 24, 1894 about 8 yrs. of age.

LYNCH - Mrs. Eliza Lynch (wife of James Lynch) d. Jan. 2, 1894 age 104. 6 children: John, Henry, Thomas, Mrs. Susan Schench, Abe, Mrs. Hester Evins. (Services at Salem)  (Found in scrapbook - Newspaper clippings)

EVANS - Mrs. Thomas Evans, died May 20, 1894 age 71. Burial at Salem Cemetery. 11 children - 8 living: Mrs. Lizzie Evans, Ms. Dolph Williams, J. H. Evans, Mrs. Mathews, Wm. Evans, Mrs. C. Tooley, Mrs. G. Henely, Mrs. G. Ford. b. Feb. 15, 1823 Muskingum, Ohio. Md. Thomas Evans in 1841. 4 brothers: John, Henry, Abe, Tom and Mrs. Johns.

SMITH - Mrs. Joseph Smith, b. Germany, d. 1896 age 70, burial Salem Cemetery, sons: Andrew, Charles, John  

RANDOLPH - Rev. F. S. Randolph, d. Plainsfield, N. J., Jan. 18, 1815, d. 1896. Md. first in N. J. (?); md. 2nd Sarah E. Odor near Decatur, Ill.; md. 3rd Elizabeth Neff in Mattoon, Ill.

EVANS - Eliz. A., age 67?, d. 1897, wife of Wm. Evans.

SEIPER - Richard Seiper, d. 1897 age 40 - Salem Cemetery - wife and 5 children. 

PERDUE - Neva May Perdue, aged 17 mos. Sep. 6, 1897, dau. of Frank Perdue. (NOTE: See burial in Salem Cemetery - Neva Perdeu 1896 - 1897 - Death date was Sept. 6, 1897) 

KENT - Kent, Infant 3 yrs. died 1898, son of R. Kent.

PHILLIPS - Madison D. Phillips, b. Garrard Co., Ky. May (or Mar.) 16, 1835; d. age 62 yrs. 10 mos., Md. Sarah C. Elder July 18, 1855; 7 children.
(Note: Madison is buried in Salem Cemetery) 

GODETT - Lourin Godett, wife of John Godett, died 1899 age 39. Leaves husband and 3 children: Mary, John, Maude. 

THORNELL - (John) Thomas Thornell, died 1900 age 22. 

EVANS - J. C. Evans, died Aug. 30, 1900 age 24.

M. L. CASSELL DEAD
He Had Lived in Decatur Since 1865 Michael L. Cassell, a veteran of the civil war and an old resident of Decatur, died at 4:30 PM, Sunday, November 11, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Della Roberts, 307 North Franklin street, aged 76 years. paralysis was the cause of death. For nine years Mr. Cassell had been in poor health on account of a stroke of paralysis and last Tuesday, he suffered another stroke which proved fatal. Michael Cassell was born in Harrisburg, Pa, and later lived in Iowa. he came to Decatur in 1865 and has resided in the city ever since. He was veteran of the Civil war having served as a member of Company K, Fourth Iowa volunteers. Mr. Cassell leaves five children, all of whom were here at the time of his death excepting Charles Cassell, who lives in Missouri. The others are Mrs. Ira Meizenhelter, Mrs. Della Roberts, Mrs. C. W. Ray and Mrs. Ida Lobaugh. Mrs. Cassell died four years ago. Four brothers survive. They are Berry H. Cassell of Decatur, Henry and Gus Cassell of Putnam County and Squire John Cassell of Niantic. Mr. Cassell was a member of the United Brethren church and was devoted in his Christian faith. He was also a member of Dunham post, No 141, G. A. R. The funeral will be held Tuesday. There will be services at the house at 2:30 o’clock and at the Untied Brethren church at 3 o’clock. Rev. M. B. Spayd will officiate and the burial will be at Greenwood cemetery.

LEDBETTER - Flora Ledbetter, 10 mo. old 1901, dau. of James Ledbetter. 

WILSON - George W. Wilson, b. June 23, 1864, d. Aug. 19, 1903 age 39. - Salem Cemetery (Note: Buried in Wilson Plot) 

LEBO - Charles Lebo, d. Jan. 23, 1903 age 31, s/o Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lebo. 

LOUISA ANN CASSELL
Mrs. Louisa Ann Cassell, wife of Berry H. Cassell, died last night at 8:10 o’clock at the home of her son, T. A. Cassell, 905 East Main street. Mrs. Cassell was 80 years old. She was one of the oldest settlers in this county.  She was born in Hagerstown, Md., her maiden name being Louisa Ann Sholtz, and came west to Springfield about 1830, where she lived for four years and then came to Decatur, where she has since lived. For the past nine years she has made her home with her son, T. A. Cassell. Mrs. Cassell leaves two sons, Hilton Cassell and T. A. Cassell and five grandsons, Louis B., Fred R., Otto B., Berry H,. Jr., Gren and one grand-daughter, Ray. Mrs. Cassell was a sister of Mrs. J. L. Peake who died about two years ago. For the past two years Mrs. Cassell has been an invalid, having been afflicted with gangrene and dropsy.

Source:  Daily Illinois State Journal - Springfield, Illinois - Pg. 4
Dated: Friday, Oct. 14, 1904
Berry H. Cassell
     Decatur, Oct. 12. - Special-  Berry H. Cassell, aged 32 years, died here today.  Mr. Cassell owned extensive property interests in and near Decatur and was prominently identified with the early history of the city.  He was noted for his wonderful memory of dates and events.

WILSON - Henry R. Wilson, d. Sept. 6 1909 age 64 - Burial Salem Cemetery. Md. Martha Josephine Wilson; 3 children: Herbert Wilson, Mrs. L. E. Theobold, Mrs. Walter T. Lord.

MORRIS - Thomas J. Morris, died Nov. 10, 1900 age 55.
(Note: See Burial in Salem Cemetery)

WILSON - Miss Mary Wilson, d. Sat. Jan. 1, 1910 age 62, dau. of Dr. & Mrs. Geo. A. Wilson. Leaves 3 sisters and 1 brother. 

Death of MRS. ROBERT REED
Mrs. Robert Reed died at her home three and one half miles southeast of Oreana April 13, 1911, aged 54 years and eight months. She had been a sufferer from cancer for the past 2 years and for the last three months had been confined to her bed. Through all her sufferings she was kind and patient and always thoughtful of those who cared for her.
     Barbara Fulk was born in Green County, Indiana August 13, 1856. She came to Macon County with her parents when she was quite young and has spent the remainder of her life in this vicinity. She married Robert Reed April 19,1875 and to them were born 14 children all of who are living. They are Albert F. and Mark T. of Decatur, John W., Mrs. Fannie Bullock and Ralph H. of Oreana, Lee A., and Mrs. Nellie Stuart of Oakley and Lester, Homer, Byron, Melvin, May and Fern who reside at home. Besides the children and husband she leaves one brother, John Fulk of Oakley, 16 grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn her loss. She was a noble wife and unusually kind and loving mother and an excellent neighbor. The funeral services were held at the Oreana Christian Church Sunday morning at 11 o'clock conducted by Rev. F. E. Galigern, pastor of the Oreana Christian Church. The music was furnished by a double quartet composed of Mrs. E E Conley, Misses Grace Kirby and Ida Strope, Mrs. J C Spooner, Misses Ira Thompson, Kenneth Cooper, J C Spooner and J. H. Moothart. The honorary pall-bearers were O. L. Stuart, D. Turpin, J. Stuart, H. Hirsch, D. Seitz and H. C. Bower. The active pall-bearers were J. H. Burgess, T. Pensinger, J. P. Dilling, N Larson, J W Duvall and M Boyer. The flowers were in charge of Mrs. C. Betzer and Mrs. E Thurman. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. Interment was in the Union Cemetery.

MRS. ROBERT REED
OREANA WOMAN CANCER VICTIM
Oreana, April 15-- Mrs. Robert Reed died at her home 3 1/2 miles south-east of Oreana Thursday afternoon. Death was caused by cancer from which she had been a sufferer for the past two years and had been confined to her bed for the last three months.
Louisa Barbara Fulk was born in Indiana, August 13, 1856 and was married to Robert Reed April 19,1875, in Decatur, Illinois.
Mrs Reed was the mother of fourteen children, all living and all present at the funeral. She leaves a husband and the fourteen children who are: Albert and Mark Reed of Decatur, Roy Reed of Casner, Lee Reed and Mrs. Frank Stuart of Oakley, John Reed, Ralph Reed and Mrs. Guy Bullock living near Oreana and Byron, Melvin, May and Fern all at home. She also leaves one brother near Oakley.
The funeral services will be at the Union Church Sunday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by the Rev F. E Gallgar of the Christian Church. Interment will be in Union Cemetery.

RUSSELL W. HILL
Russell W. Hill died Saturday morning at the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Hill, 349 East Herkimer street.  He had been ill for a week. His age was five years and two months.  Besides his parents he leaves a sister, Martha Hill.  The funeral will be held at 10:30 Tuesday morning at the First Christian church.  The interment will be in Long Point cemetery, south of Niantic.

MRS OTTO CASSELL died at 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon at her home on Cassell Hill. Her death was caused by typhoid fever after an illness of nine weeks. She was twenty-four years old. She was born in Logan county, Jan. 11, 1888. She is survived by her husband and two small children, Harold, aged two years, and Everett, aged four months. She is also survived by her father, W. H. Leimbach, and two brothers, W. H. Leimbach, JR., and Hubert E. Leimbach, all of Latham. She was a member of the Lutheran church in Mt. Pulaski. A short service will be held at Cassell’s hill at 7:45 a.m. The funeral party will go to Mt. Pulaski at the 9:05 train and the funeral services will be held at Mt. Pulaski. Interment will be in the Mt. Pulaski cemetery.

MRS. SUSAN STARR of 823 North Broadway died at 6:30 Friday evening at St. Mary's hospital.  She had been ill for four months.  her death was caused by Bright's disease.  She was forty years old.  She was born in Effingham July 23, 1872, coming with her parents to Decatur in 1882.  She is survived by her mother, Mrs. A. C. James, three sisters, Mrs. William Leighton of Chicago, Mrs. F. W. Dempsey of Des Moinses, Ia., and Mrs. Flo Merkle of Springfield, and one brother, H. C. James of Decatur.  The body was removed to Moran's undertaking establishment and prepared for burial.  The funeral of Mrs. Starr will be held at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon at Moran's chapel. The internment will be in Greenwood.

SECOND DEATH IN FAMILY IN WEEK
MRS. FANNY W. CASSELL
Ill Only Short Time

MOONEY - Funeral services for Frank J. Mooney of Decatur, son of the late Peter Mooney of this city, who died Sunday afternoon, were held at 9 o'clock yesterday morning in Decatur, Interment was made in Calvary cemetery at Decatur.  The Knights of Columbus were in charge of the burial.

David Albert
May 1919
David Albert, aged about 80 years died in Macon county hospital Friday. The old man came to the county farm 12 or so months ago. The weight of four score years and the added handicap perhaps of unwise judgment bore heavily upon him. Of his relatives, if any were living, he said nothing. Wednesday, he was removed from the county farm to the hospital, where his death occurred.
(Another paper)
.....Before Mr. Albert went to the infirmary about a year ago he made his home with a niece Mrs. Charles Bobb, 281 E. Leafland St. He was also the uncle of Mrs. Maude Ware and Elmer Chandler of Decatur. He was born near Harrisburg PA over 80 years ago. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at the Brintlinger & Sons chapel. The interment will be in Greenland.

B. HILTON CASSELL Dies At Age 74
Had Been in Ill Health Many Months
Born in Decatur, Home of Site of Linn & Scruggs Store

WILLIAM J. HAMILTON
William J. Hamilton, veteran of the Civil war and for many years an employee at the Wabash shops, died early Monday morning at the Soldier's home in Quincy.  He was seventy-nine years old.  He had been in feeble health for some time.  Mr. Hamilton was known to most of the old residents of Decatur.  He had lived here since the close of the Civil war and during most of that time was employed at the Wabash shops.  He had many friends here.  He was a member of Dunham post, 141 G. A. R.  He is survived by three children, Attorney Fred Hamilton of Decatur, and Miss Cora Hamilton and Mrs. Stella Mallory, both of Phoenix, Ariz.  The body was brought to the Moran undertaking establishment Monday to await arrangements for the funeral.

MRS. MARTHA FLETCHER
Mrs. Martha Ann Fletcher, wife of Teron W. Fletcher, died at 5:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon in the family residence, 1088 South Franklin street.  She was forty-six years old last January.  Her death was caused by a complication of diseases with which she had suffered since Nov. 22.
Mrs. Fletcher's maiden name was Martha A. Barlett.  She was born in Christian county Jan 29, 1873.  She had lived in Decatur for twenty-six years and was one of the best known and best liked woman in the southeast part of the city.  For the last eighteen years she had resided in the house where her death occurred.  She was a member of Grace Methodist church, and also of Golden Crown Camp, Royal Neighbors of America and of the Daughters of Pocahontas.  She was greatly interested in church work and in lodge work, and she was a friend in anyone in need.  She was never too busy to help out in cases of illness in the neighborhood and she was never appealed to in vain.
Mrs. Fletcher is survived by her husband and two children, Perry and Luella Fletcher.  There are two grandchildren.  She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barlett, and three brothers, C. M Barlett of Decatur, J. A. Barlett of Mt. Auburn and J. E. Bartlett of Florida.  The body was removed to the Moran undertaking establishment and prepared for burial.

Source: Decatur Review, Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois
Dated: November  18, 1921

Charles S. Leonard

Charles S. Leonard, formerly of Decatur, died at 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at his home in Washington, D.C.   He was a brother of Mrs. Charles Cassell. His boyhood days were spent in Decatur and he will be remembered by many of the old residents.

Obituary of Lydia Ann Palmer Bryant
Died: February 27, 1927
Woman Dies of Broken Skull
Mrs. Lydia Ann Bryant Succumbs Sunday To Injuries From Fall
Mrs. Lydia Ann Bryant died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Marshall Garrett, 879 South Stone Street, at 2:50 o'clock Sunday afternoon. A week ago Saturday she slipped and fell down cellar steps, fracturing her skull. She never regained consciousness after the fall.
Lydia Anna Palmer was born in Ohio Oct. 24, 1845, and her husband, John Wesley Bryant, preceded her in death 12 years ago. She leaves five children W. G. Bryant, Rushville, Mrs. Marshall Garrett, Decatur, Mrs. Sarah Potter, Decatur, Mrs. Laura Mullmax, Decatur; and John L. Bryant, Springfield. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Perryman, Cowden; and Amelia Kyle, Ashland, O. She is also survived by Walter Montooth, of Shelbyville, whom she raised from childhood, and 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was a member of the United Brethren church of Parkersburg. The body was removed to J. J. Moran & Sons funeral home and prepared for burial. Funeral services will be conducted in the Moran chapel at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon by Rev. Matthew Mueller. The body will be taken to Parkersburg early Tuesday morning. Friends may call at the Moran undertaking establishment until the hour of the funeral.

MRS. MAUDE B. WARE
Funeral Monday
Mrs. Maude B Ware, 75, of 1815 E. Prairie Ave, a lifelong resident of Decatur, died last midnight in St. Mary's hospital. She had been in failing health three years.
Mrs. Ware was born in Decatur Oct 20, 1871. She married Howard Ware in 1897. He died in 1910. She was a member of the East Park Baptist church.
She leaves three daughters, Mrs. Glen Pilcher, Mrs J. W. Davis and Mrs. Arthur Gallivan, all of Decatur; two step-sons, Walter Ware of Decatur and Dr. Harry Ware of Clarksburg, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Charles Bobb of San Diego, Calif., and Mrs. Frank Graham of Decatur; four grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be in the Moran & Sons funeral home at 2 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Boiling Springs cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

Source: Decatur Herald & Review
Date: Jan. 5, 2007
(Contributed by Sheila Shilling)

MAYME LENA (ROBB) KELLEY DECATUR - Mayme Lena (Robb) Kelley, 91, of Decatur, IL, died Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be 6 to 8 P.M., Sunday, January 7, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 8, at the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown, IL.  Memorials may be made to American Heart Association. Mayme was born November 14, 1915, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Chester Earl and Lillian Mae (Demlo) Robb. She married Paul E. Kelley in 1942 in St. Louis, MO. He preceded her in death. Mayme worked part time as an Income Tax Consultant. She was a wonderful wife and mother and enjoyed crafts and doing hand craftwork. She also loved to travel. She is survived by her daughter Sheila Norene Schilling and husband Fred; sons Paul Eugene Kelley, Jr. and wife Nan, Kerry Alan Kelley and Kevin Jon Kelley, all of Decatur, IL; 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren; sister Darlene Jones of Nampa, Idaho. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul, daughter Bonnie, sister Helen, and brother Wayne. Obituary written by family members.
(Contributed by Sheila Shilling)

WILLIAMS - Howard Williams, age 32 b. near Elwin. 

WOOD - Joseph Wood, d. June 18, ___?, age 44, b. St. Clair Co., Sept. 22, 1846, son of Robert Wood. Leaves wife and children. 

WHITE - Will White, age 27. 

ROSE - Renny Rose, dau. of Mrs. Alice Rose, 3 yrs. - Salem Cemetery

NEWELL - Charles Newell, age 37, from Miami Co., Ohio. Md. Lizzie Godett - 3 children.

MORRIS - Elva Morris, d. July 31, age 27, niece of Hiram.

MORRIS - Cornelius Morris died age 82. Wife, 3 sons: Thomas, Elmer, George, 4 daughters: Mrs. Chester Frew, Mrs. E. W. Barkman, Mrs. Samuel Jameson, Mrs. Lenard Light.

McGEE - Cleveland H. McGee, 5 yrs. Sept. 3, son of W. F. McGee.

McDANIELS - Emanuel McDaniels, died at age 64 - Burial Salem Cemetery. Wife and 6 children survive: B. F., Mrs. Margaret Cooper, Albert, Mrs. Adelline Brown, Mrs. Alva Wilson, Dr. McDaniels.

LEFEVER - Charley LeFever, age 24, June 22, son of Samuel Lefever. 

LORD - Mrs. Sarah Lord, wife of Thomas Lord. 

CUNNINGHAM - Orville Cunningham, d. Sept. 3, age 23 - Salem Cemetery, son of F. M. Cunningham. (Found in scrapbook - Newspaper clippings)

Mrs. Bertha Banfield, wife of William Banfield, died at 1: 15 Tuesday afternoon at the Ed Hill farm west of the city.  Her death was caused by quick consumption.  She was 23 years old and is survived by a husband and a baby daughter aged 4 months.  The funeral will be held at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning from the family residence and the body will be taken to Tuscola for interment.

BORN IN 1822, CAME TO DECATUR IN 1839 AND LONG A MOST PROMINENT CITIZEN

BERRY H. CASSELL was born in Dauphin County, PA, May 23, 1822. The family was of old German stock and moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania early in the settlement of that state. At the age of 17, Mr. Cassell came to Illinois and being impressed with the appearance of the country about Putnam county returned home and induced his parents to move to this state.
ACROSS THE PRAIRIES
The family started in the fall of 1839, going down the Ohio river from Pittsburg to Louisville. From the latter place they made the trip overland in two large wagons through an unbroken wilderness. Across the prairies of waving grass there was no trail to guide the travelers. The tall grass waved in front of them and on each side as far as the eye could reach. In the timber, however, they were able to follow a trail left by emigrants who had gone before.
STOPPED AT DECATUR
The party arrived in Decatur in November, 1839, and as the snow was deep they decided to remain here during the winter. In the spring all except Berry Cassell went on to Putnam county, but the latter decided to remain here.  Decatur was then located in the center of thirty acres, the center of which was the old square. What is now Central park was then a timber and hazel brush patch and Mr. Cassell said, “It was the worst place for snakes in those days that I ever saw. I ran on to one big snake in there one day that caused me to run and it was the only snake I ever ran from”.
BEGAN AS TINNER
In 1840, Mr. Cassell opened a tinner’s shop. He had a dollar and a quarter at that time and called on Captain Allen to go into partnership with him. Mr. Allen furnished the capital for the enterprise and a shop was opened on Franklin street in the cellar of a building close the intersection of Park and Franklin streets. The business prospered so that in the next spring the firm took the room on the first floor. In about a year Mr. Cassell bought a lot at the corner of South Park and Franklin streets and erected a small building to be used as his shop. Shortly afterward he sold the lot and moved the building to the lot at the corner of Water and East Main streets, no occupied by Linn & Scruggs.
SOLD L.& S. CORNER
In the fall of 1852, he sold the Linn & Scruggs corner, 80 x 150 feet for $800. About that time Mr. Cassell started in business with William Prather, opening a hardware and furniture store in the Cantral building on East main street. In about a year the firm was compelled to seek larger quarters and moved to a building on the spot where the Morehouse & Wells Co. building now stands. At that time there was a great immigration to this part of the state and business was flourishing. Most of the immigrants located on farms and there was an urgent demand for farming implements which the firm handled. Money came fast and the firm prospered. Macon county at that time embraced part of Christian. Platt and Moultrie and Decatur drew trade from forty miles around. In 1855, the firm sold out to J. R. Gorin.
BOUGHT LAND
Mr. Cassell early began to buy land in the new country. In 1852, he purchased 240 acres of land, the first 160 acres beginning at what is now the intersection of Wood and Broadway streets and extending north to the Wabash railroad, thence east to Jasper street and south to Wood and west to Broadway. There was no railroad at that time and the Wabash later received its right of way from Mr. Cassell. Another piece of land was soon purchased lying southeast of the other and taking in that territory where the brickyards are located southeast of the city. For the first piece of land, Mr. Cassell paid $12.%) an acre. He has since sold forty-foot lots off of it at $1,000 each.
OWNED HERALD HOUSE
In 1856, Mr. Cassell purchased the Herald house, which stood on the lot now occupied by the St. Nicholas hotel and conducted the hotel for several years, changing its name to the Cassell house. Since giving it up he has devoted his time to looking after his real estate. During the time he was in the Herald house he had an opportunity to become intimately acquainted with Lincoln and Douglas. That was in the period of the exciting political campaigns in which both the men were taking such an active part. They spoke in the vicinity many times and always topped at the Herald house, Mr. Cassell could relate many of the stories told by Lincoln, many of which are not found in books. I was in the Cassell house that the convention of the editors of the state was held in February, 1856, and named the date of the convention which was held a few months later in the city of Bloomington when the Republican party was formed.
GAVE DEPOT SITE
When the people of Decatur were especially anxious for the Illinois Central to build passenger station here, Mr. Cassell gave the company five acres of land for depot purposes. Mr. Cassell sold to Henry Prather and William Martin thirty acres of land between Broadway and the railroad tracks and these two men with Mr. Cassell gave to the Wabash five acres of land for depot purposes. It was stipulated that a station should be erected but the Wabash did not build and a lawsuit to recover the property followed. There was a compromise and Mr. Cassell got back land where part of the buildings on Front street now stand and the Wabash got the land where the station is now located.
AS PUBLIC OFFICER
Mr. Cassell served as clerk of Decatur in 1850, as clerk and treasurer in 1851, and clerk until 1855 when the city was incorporated. He also served as assessor several times. He was the last recorder of Macon county. He was elected in 1846 and in 1848 the officer of recorder was merged into that of circuit clerk. The education he acquired was picked up after the time he began to work. He was a fine penman and says he learned to write by scratching the letters on tin with a scratch awl and in that way learned to write a good hand. Although having attended school but a short time he managed to obtain a good education. he was an extensive reader and was well informed on many subjects. in his earlier days Mr. Cassell was very fold of music and spent much of his spare time in that way. He played a clarinet in the first band of which Decatur ever boasted and also played several other musical instruments.
HIS MEMORY
He had a wonderful memory for dates and events and could GE a clear description of the location of every building of what is known as the original town of Decatur. His close association with the business of the city and the active part he took in its growth probably made his recollection more distinct than most of the older settlers. During recent years, Mr. Cassell’s eyesight had been affected and he did not go about much.
CASSELL’S CASTLE
His beautiful home on Cassell’s Hill was erected in 1887 and contains twenty-two rooms. The hill is twelve feet higher than the pavement on Lincoln square and fifty feet higher than the pavement at the corner of East Prairie and Broadway. It is only a few feet less in elevation than John’s Hill. The house is reached by a private approach that would be Webster street if that were extended. The interior of the house is finished in hard wood cut on Cassell’s Hill and seasoned and specially prepared for this purpose. The grounds about the building are platted in a circle and contain about four acres. Outside the circle and immediately surrounding it on the east and north are about fourteen acres of land retained by Mr. Cassell until his death. Governor Oglesby made his first public speech on the spot where the house now stands. It was on July 4th, 1842, when a big celebration took place. The platform stood on the grounds now covered by the west and of the front porch and from this form Mr. Oglesby made an old fashioned Fourth of July oration and Henry Elliott read the Declaration of Independence.