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This and That ■ ■ ■ ■■■■ ..NEWS OF 25 YEARS AGO TODAY FROM THE HERALD OF 1906The biggest land owner Macon county ever had was the late Philo Hale, who at the time of hia death in 1847 was the owner of 10,000 acres in Macon county, and of 8,468 acres in neighboring counties, together with large areas in the present city of Decatur, With all this big estate, which was destined to be the most extensive land holding in the history of the county, Philo Hale died in a small and poor residence. He bought Macon county land because he believed in it. Those who remember 1 him tell how he talked on the streets corners about the i future greatness of this country, and how good this land would be some day.Backing his own judgment, he got possession of as much of it as he could, buying some and entering other tracts from the Government at |1.25 an acre. He was the county's first boomer and promoter. He published in eastern papers glowing accounts of the rolling prairies, the richness of the soil, and the great prospects of the new country. Mr. Hale died before his expectations were realized but he left a great fortune for his heirs, A grandson, Lawrence B. Sexton, Is now a wealthy and prominent man In New York, and still holds a part of the original estate.
Newspaper Details
Decatur Herald
Decatur, Illinois, US
Wed, Jul 29, 1931
Page 20
Full Page
Clipped by
Brent W.
IL, USA 23 May 2024
Other Publications Near Decatur, Illinois
Decatur Daily Review
Decatur Morning Review
Decatur Evening Herald
Decatur Republican
Decatur Weekly Republican
