Lewis C. Deck, one of the prominent citizens and successful
business men of Girard, mayor of the city in 1889 and 1890, and identified
with its affairs in many directions, belongs to one of the old pioneer
families of Illinois. He was born August 6, 1848, in Palmyra township,
Macoupin County, and is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Steele) Deck, and a
grandson of Isaac Deck.
The grandfather of our subject was born in
Virginia, moved to Tennessee and later, with the early pioneers, came to
Illinois, locating for some years near Upper Alton. He came to Macoupin
County with the early settlers, purchasing a partly improved farm in the
vicinity of Bunker Hill, where he died in 1872.
Jacob Deck, father
of Lewis C. Deck, was born in Madison County, Illinois, August 25, 1825, and
lived there until after the death of his first wife, when he removed to
Macoupin County, located first in Palmyra township and then removed to North
Otter township, where he acquired a farm of 160 acres, in the improvement of
which he passed the remainder of his life. His death took place March 3,
1882. He married Nancy Steele as his second wife. She was born in South
Carolina, a daughter of Moses and Nancy (Watts) Steele, and died June 13,
1899. The six children of the family are: Lewis C., William B., Mary E.,
Melissa A., John A., and George M.
Lewis C. Deck obtained his
education in the schools of North Otter township and Girard, and at the
State Normal School at Normal, Illinois, and subsequently at Kentucky
University, at Lexington, Kentucky. During the years that he spent in thus
cultivating his mind and training his faculties, at intervals he engaged in
teaching and became well known through the county as one of the best
qualified educators. In 1884 he gave up the profession in which he had met
with such success, in order to enter upon a mercantile life, forming at this
time a partnership with B. F. Clark. The firm of Clark & Deck became a
leading one in Girard, their well appointed store being devoted to the
handling of drugs, groceries, books and stationery. The business methods of
the firm secured and kept patronage, and the house continues to stand for
excellence of goods, honest prices and courteous treatment. Since January 5,
1895, Mr. Deck has been in the drug business alone. He carries a fine stock,
worth at a conservative estimate about $5,000.
On December 27, 1883,
Mr. Deck was married to Mary Josephine Long, who was born in Mercer County,
Kentucky, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary J. Long. Two sons have been
born to this marriage: Harry L. and Lewis W. The family home is one of those
handsome ones for which Girard is noted, and it is often the scene of social
functions.
Politically Mr. Deck is a Democrat and upon many
occasions he has been elected by his party to offices of responsibility. In
1888 he was elected clerk of the city, and in 1889 he was elected mayor, a
position he filled with dignity and efficiency during that and the following
year. Many reforms were inaugurated under his administration and many civic
improvements were carried out. Although he is a keen business man, his
cultivated intellect and cultured tastes lead him to encourage all that goes
to make up the higher life of the city, and he is ever a friend of advanced
education, art and music, believing these things should go hand in hand with
practical advancement, such as he wishes his city to make. He is one of the
directors of the Girard Building & Loan Association. In religious belief, he
is a member of the Christian Church. Fraternally he is a member of the
Mutual Protective League.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 195-196.
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