Page 211

ARCHIBALD SATTLEY - Archibald Sattley was a man of that great breadth of business vision, undaunted spirit and business enterprise which developed the marvelous resources and wealth of the western states and territories. He became one of the founders and vice-president of the Sattley Manufacturing Company, one of the leading industrial institutions of Springfield, and was at its head until his life's labors were ended in death. While he attained success, he also made for himself a most honorable record, for no man in the community enjoyed a higher reputation for integrity of word and deed.

Mr. Sattley was born in Rochester, Illinois, September 2, 1837, a son of Archibald and Harriet Sattley, both of whom were natives of Vermont. The father's birth occurred near Vergennes on the 8th of October, 1794, and the mother's birth occurred in the Green Mountain state, May 7, 1801. Archibald Sattley, Sr., in company with his brother Robert, left Vermont in 1818 and removed to Rochester, New York, but after remaining in that city but a brief period they continued their westward journey, and in the fall of 1818 established their home near Carmi in White county, Illinois, where they remained until June, 1819. At that date they arrived in Sangamon county, Illinois, and settled where the village of Rochester now stands, naming the town in honor of the town where they met. Archibald Sattley then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he followed continuously until his death. Both he and his wife passed away on the old homestead. They were the parents of the following children: Melvina, Albert, Mary, Eliza, Marshall, Edmund, Henry, Charles and Archibald.

Archibald Sattley spent his entire life in Illinois and early became imbued with the progressive spirit of the west. At the age of fourteen years he went to Christian county, Illinois, where he attended the common schools. He did not have the advantages of a collegiate education as so many young men do at the present, but he possessed strong character, determined purpose and laudable ambition and upon these qualities he builded his success. He utilized his time to the best possible advantage and so directed his efforts that they were followed by good result. After putting aside his text books he engaged ind riving a stage between Taylorville, Illinois and Springfield for about one year and in 1889 he removed with his family to the latter city, which continued to be his place of residence until his death.

On the 25th of October, 1860, Mr. Sattley was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Ferguson, who was born in Christian county, Illinois, June 16, 1840, a daughter of James and Mary Jane (Young) Ferguson, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They were married, however, in the vicinity of Rochester, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming for some years and then removed with his family to Christian County, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until, having acquired a handsome competence, he put aside business cares. He and his wife have now passed away.

After his marriage Mr. Sattley engaged in the manufacturing business. Following his removal to Springfield he became an active factor in the industrial life of the city, being one of the founders of the Sattley Manufacturing Company engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements of all kinds, and the business has been developed from a small beginning until it is now one of the largest manufacturing concerns of the city and sends out annually to all parts of the country plows and other agricultural implements, the business having now reached an extensive yearly figure. While giving general supervision to the principal departments of his enterprise, Mr. Sattley also regarded no detail as to unimportant to claim his attention and his careful oversight, close application to his work and keen business discrimination were manifest throughout his career as a manufacturer. He continued in active connection with the business until his death, which occurred July 24, 1901.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sattley were born nine children: Benjamin, died at age of five years; Clyde A., is connected with the business of the Sattley Plow Company; James F. was formerly superintendent of the branch office of the Sattley Manufacturing Company of Des Moines, Iowa, but is now engaged in the oil business; Frederick L. is president of the Sattley Stacker Company, under which name the business of the firm is conducted in Indianapolis, Indiana; Herman Lee is employed by the Sattley Manufacturing Company at Springfield; Lucy Jane is the wife of E. E. McKinney, formerly a foreman and now a salesman of the Sattley Manufacturing Company; Daisy Edna is the wife of Lewis M. Wiggins, the steward at the Leland Hotel at Springfield; Lloyd Marshall is also employed by the Sattley Manufacturing Company and makes his home in Springfield, and Roscoe Conkling is connected with the business founded by his father and resides at home.

Archibald Sattley gave his political support to the Republican party, but aside from voting he took no active part in political affairs. Both he and his wife were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield. In the year following her husband's death Mrs. Sattley, on the 26th of December, 1902, witnessed the destruction of her home by fire, but afterward built a fine residence at No. 1621 South Sixth street, where she and her children resided until her death, which occurred on the 1st of January, 1904. She was buried by the side of her husband at Taylorville, Illinois. She was ever a close companion of Mr. Sattley, an ideal family relation existing between them and he found his greatest happiness in ministering to the welfare of his family. Success to him meant not an aggregate amount of dollars and cents, but a means to contribute to the best interests of those with whom he was most closely connected. However, there was in his business career much that commended him to his fellow men, for his life record was the force of activity and energy in business circles, and also proved the value of honesty and integrity in the commercial world.