Macon County Biographies B Baker, Ida Wykoff Baker, James M.    Baker, Newton N.     Baker, William D.  Barnes, William A.     Barnwell, David   Bear, John W.   Bell, Alexander W.   Benedict, Kirby Blankenship, John F. Boyd, William M. Braden, Samuel Brett, Richard H.   Brown, John A.   Buckingham, L. A. Bunn, D. L.    Burke, Micajah M. BAKER, Miss Ida Wikoff, business woman, born in Decatur, Ill., 31st July, 1859. Her father, Peter Montfort Wikoff, was a native of Warren county, Ohio, who removed with his father to Illinois while quite young. He was a descendant of Peter Cloesen Wikoff, who came from Holland in 1636 and settled on Long Island, where he held a position under the Dutch Government. He married Margaret Van Ness. Mrs. Baker's mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Fletcher, was born near Crotches' Ferry, Md. On 25th April, 1878, Ida was married to Joseph N. Baker, then a merchant of Decatur, and now connected with the Citizens' National Bank. Of two children born to them, one, a daughter aged nine, is living. In 1889 Mrs. Baker's sister, Miss Laura B. Wikoff, set on foot a plan to organize a stock company composed of women only, for the purpose of promoting the industrial, educational and social advancement of women, and for literary, scientific and musical culture in the city of Decatur. Articles of incorporation were issued to the Woman's Club Stock Company 15th August, 1889, and a building was finished and occupied by the first tenant 1st November, 1890. Mrs. Baker was named one of the nine directors at the first annual meeting, was elected secretary ct the stock company 12th January, 1891, and has served in that capacity ever since. In December, 1889, the Woman's Exchange was established as a branch of the Industrial and Charitable Union. Mrs. Baker was elected president and served until forced by illness to resign. After partly regaining her health, she served as treasurer and business manager. She is a member of the Woman's Club, of the Order of the Eastern Star, and of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Her life is one of constant activity. (American Women Fifteen Hundred Biographies, Volume 1, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow) JAMES M. BAKER was born September 19, 1811, in North Carolina, and came to Macon County in 1830; was married to Arraanna H. Hodge, who was born in North Carolina, May 15, 1816, and removed to Macon County in the winter of 1830-31. Of their children — Robert was born September 10, 1830. S. A. E., was born March 7, 1848; married to James Gregory, and died in March, 1873. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 250. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. NEWTON N. BAKER was born in Lincoln County. North Carolina, February 28, 1803; moved to Rutherford County, Tenn., when he was eleven years old, and moved to Macon County in 1830 and settled 5 miles east of Decatur; was married to Tabitha J. Hodge in 1835, and died May 27, 1872. His wife was born in Orange County, North Carolina, in 1814, who came to Illinois in 1829, and settled in Sangamon County, remained one year and then removed to Macon County; she is stIll living in Decatur. Of their children — Amzi H., was born in 1836; was married to Anna White, in 1867, and is now living in Decatur. Mary C, was born in 1839; was married to S. C. Davis, in 1857, and is stIll living in this county. Joseph N., was born __________, and is now living in Decatur. James W., was born , also living in Decatur. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 249. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. WILLIAM D. BAKER was born in Lincoln County. North Carolina, on the 12th of September, 1800, and came to Macon County in the fall of 1828, and settled in what is now Long Creek township. Mr. Baker was a member of the first grand jury of the county; he married in Tennessee, Marrila Martin. Their children are Matilda L., wife of Andrew Dennis, Jas. T. Baker, Rev. Wm. P. Baker of GrayvIlle in White County, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith and Rev. N. M. Baker. Mr. Baker was one of the few men of whom in a long life no one can say ought against. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 250 WILLIAM. A. BARNES, Second Master in Chancery. — Wm. A. Barnes was born in Claremont, Sullivan County, N. H., March 15, 1824, and came to this County in 1853. He now holds the positions of president of the board of education of Decatur, president of the public library board, and president of the Citizens' Association of Decatur. Was Master in Chancery from 18 — to 1864. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 57. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. DAVID BARNWELL was born in South Carolina in 1802, and moved thence to Davidson County, Tenn., where he married Elizabeth Haddick, who was about the same age, and born in Tennessee. They removed to Illinois in 1833, and first settled in what is now Long Creek township. Mr. B. died in 1836 or 1837, in Fayette County. Mrs. B. died about 1840, in Macon County. Of their six children — Alfred A. was born January 30, 1823, in Tennessee; died 1871. Edward A. was born August 30, 1824, in Tennessee; now resides in Cerro Gordo. Richard G. was born April 31, 1828, in Tennessee; resides in Idaho Territory. Almira C. was born September 3, 1829, in Tennessee; married Orrin Foster, and now resides in LaBette County, Kansas. John B. was born May 19, 1832, in Tennessee; resides in Macon County. Nancy E. was born about 1834; died in infancy. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 251. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. JOHN W BEAR, Ninth Sheriff. - Mr. B. was born about 1830, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in the spring of 1854. He was elected sheriff in 1862, and served two years, and also served as a member of the city council, and was a justice of the peace. He is now a resident of Wichita, Kansas. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 53. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. ALEXANDER W. BELL was born in East Tennessee in 1812, and came to Macon County in 1829, and located in what is now Mt. Zion township; was married to Mary Montgomery, who was born in 1816, in Tennessee. Mr. Bell was a member of the company from Macon County that enlisted in the Black Hawk war. Of their children — James M. was born April 17, 1848. Maggie L. was born April, 1851; married to Geo. T. Outten. Mattie A. was born April 21, 1854; married to J. Edgar Davis. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 248. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. KIRBY BENEDICT was born November 25, 1810, at Kent, Connecticut, and was married to Charlotte G. Curtis, October 23, 1834, who was born September 20, 1810, in Newton, Connecticut; they removed to Sangamon County, Illinois, in 1835, and to Macon County in March, 1836, where he engaged in the practice of law, and remained here until 1849, when he removed to Paris, Illinois; in the fall of 1853 he was appointed by President Pierce as one of the associate justices of the territory of New Mexico, in which capacity he served for three years, when he was appointed chief justice of the same territory, which position he held until his removal by Andrew Johnson in the winter of 1866. After this he again engaged in the practice of law and was editor and proprietor of the New Mexico Union, until he died on the 28th day of February, 1874. Mr. B. held the office of probate justice of the peace of Macon County from 1838 to 1842 and was the third resident practicing lawyer of Macon County; he received a common school education, and afterwards became proficient in the French and Spanish languages; he studied law with Judge Quitman in Natches, Mississippi, where he was admitted to the bar. Of their children — Ophelia C. and Laura K., died when young. Worthine C, married James Smith and resides near Moweaqua, Illinois and Kirby S., resides at Tuscola, Illinois. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 250. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. JOHN F. BLANKENSHIP was born in Virginia in 1801; married to Hannah Wilson who was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and is now living in this county, Mr. B. died a few years ago. Of their children - Francis I., was born March 6, 1827. P. W., was born January 9, 1832. J. T., was born March 25, 1834. Wm. F., was born August 15, 1837. George A., was born January 4, 1840. Nancy W., was born June 27, 1843. Robert L., was born September 28, 1874; died 1873. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 249. WILLIAM M. BOYD, Fifteenth County Treasurer. — Mr. Boyd was born on the thirtieth of May, 1842, in Warren County, Virginia, and came to Decatur, Illinois, in the fall of 1860. He was elected County treasurer in the fall of 1869, and served two terms, and was elected as a member of the city council in 1875, and has been for several years occupying an important and responsible position in the banking house of Peddecord & Burrows. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 55. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. SAMUEL BRADEN was born November 5th, 1769, in Ireland, and emigrated to America the year peace was declared; after remaining in Philadelphia a short time he located in ________county, South Carolina, where he married Nancy Young, who was born in the latter state, near Charleston, during the Revolutionary war, (date unknown). They removed from South Carolina to Kentucky, and thence to Tennessee, and from the latter state to Macon County, Ill., in September, 1828. Mr. B. died in 1833, and Mrs. B. in 1842. Of their three children — Sidney R,, was born November 4th, 1814, in Tennessee; removed to Illinois with his father, and returned to Tennessee the following year, where he died in 1830. John Y., was born March 22, 1818, in Tennessee; was married January 23d, 1840, to Laura A. Hunting, who was born in Vermont, December 24, 1819, and came to Macon County in 1840. Of their nine children— Sidney R. Braden was born November 15, 1840, and married Jane E. Cox, May 23, 1861, and died January 11, 1875, of wounds received at Vicksburg during the late war. John E. Braden was born September 26, 1842; married Mary E. Bear, October 21, 1875. Alzina P. Braden, born December 3, 1844; married Charles Nichols, December 25, 1861; died September 13, 1863. Jerome O. Braden was born February 13, 1847; married Ella Howerton, December 15, 1873. Thos. J. Braden, born August 25, 1849. Maryette A. Braden, born September 13, 1851; married WIlliam Biven, April 27, 1871; died April 11, 1872. Flora A. Braden, born August 26, 1853; married WIlliam L. Bear, December 30, 1874. George A. Braden, born September 29, 1855. Cora A. Braden was born November 8, 1857. George M., was born in 1816 in Tennessee, and removed to Illinois with his father. He died in 1852. Mary Y. - (See Miller.) Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 249. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. RICHARD H. BRETT was born in Prince Williams County, Va., November 1st, 1772; was married to Margaret Lee, November 22, 1798, who was born May 6, 1779. They moved to Macon County in 1835. Of their 14 children - Margaret was born Sept. 17, 1799; died 1860. Frances was born March 31, 1801; was married to Jacob Munch. John was born May 17, 1802; was married to Sarah Fergerson. Jane was born March 29, 1804; was married to Reuben Rogers; she is now dead. Mildred was born December 14, 1805; married to George Montgomery in January, 1837, and has since died. Penelope was born October 14, 1808; married to Franklin Montgomery in 1836. Sarah was born July 13, 1811. George E. was born February 4, 1813, and died in November, 1835. James E. was born October 11, 1814; died July 3, 1833. Mary E. was born March 21, 1816; was married to John Gulick in April, 1848; she is now dead. Daniel was born December 21, 1817; was married to Elizabeth Wheeler, February 4, 1847. Ann M. was born June 24, 1819; died in September, 1836. Alexander was born March 2, 1822; was married to Rebecca Hays, who afterwards died; he then was married to Martha Cox. Frederick S. was born January 3, 1825, and was married to Martha Montgomery. Mr. B. died_________; Mrs. B. died_________. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 251. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. JOHN A. BROWN, Fourth Master in Chancery.- John A. Brown was born July 23, 1843, in Abington, Mass. Removed from that state, with his father, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence to Missouri in 1857, and thence to Illinois in 1860, and to Decatur, Ill., in 1865. Was connected with the newspapers at Decatur, Illinois, for three years. He then commenced the study of law, and after the usual course of study was admitted to the bar in 1876, and immediately entered into a co-partnership with F. B. Tait in the practice of law at Decatur, He was appointed by Judge C. B. Smith master in chancery of Macon County, in 1873, and has performed the duties pertaining to the office faithfully and efficiently. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 57. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. L.  A. BUCKINGHAM, Twelfth State's Attorney. — Mr. Buckingham was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, July 25, 1840. He studied law with Tilden & Caldwell in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1853, and came to Macon County in September, 1863, at which time he formed a co-partnership with Capt. J. S. Post in the practice of law, and has been in active practice ever since. He was appointed city attorney for the years 1873, 1874/5 and 1876, respectively, and in Nov., 1876, was elected state's attorney for Macon County for the period of four years. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 57. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. D. L. BUNN, Ninth State's Attorney. — D. L. Bunn, "was born on the banks of the raging Okaw," as he strenuously insists, McLean County, Ill., on the 27th day of September, 1837, and came to Macon County in 1855. He was appointed prosecuting attorney by Gov. Yates, in 1862, to fill out the unexpired term of James P. Boyd, and was re-elected in 1864, and served four years, and then "retired in good order." Mr. B., in his official capacity, was regarded by all as a successful prosecutor, and faithfully discharged the duties of his office. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 56. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. MICAJAH M. BURKE was born in Kentucky, April 6, 1804 and came to this county in 1834, and married Lucy A. Pasly, who was born in Kentucky, April 21, 1814. Mr. B. died May 26, 1863. Of their children - John H. was born March 29, 1835. James W. was born November 21, 1837. Robert Y. was born May 5, 1840. Thomas was born April 3, 1843. Delpha was born August 9, 1845. Joseph was born February 20, 1848. Lewis B. was born January 8, 1851. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 252. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. HOME ©2008 Genealogy Trails