A happy combination of characteristics is possessed by the honorable
gentleman of whom the biographer now essays to write, for he has shown
during his long residence in Salem, Marion county, Illinois, that he is a
man of rare business acumen, foresight and sagacity, at the same time
possessing laudable traits of character such as integrity, industry,
sobriety and kindliness; these, combined with his public spirit and model
home life, have resulted in winning for Mr. Pace the unqualified esteem of
all who know him.
H. T. Pace was born one and one-half miles south of
Salem on a farm, February 3, 1850, and, believing that better opportunities
awaited him right here at home, he early decided to cast his lot with his
own people rather than seek uncertain success in other fields, and, judging
from the pronounced success which has attended his subsequent efforts, one
must conclude that he made a wise decision.
The subject's father was
George W. Pace, a native of Kentucky, who came to Jefferson county,
Illinois, when a young man, but soon after locating here he moved to Marion
county, where he engaged in farming, later in the furniture business, having
spent many years in this; he also learned the tailor's trade and conducted a
tailor shop for a time soon after coming here. He was a man of considerable
force and influence, honest, hard working and hospitable, who spared no
pains in rearing his family in the best possible manner, always holding out
high ideals and lofty aims. He was noted as a great story teller as well as
a kindly, neighborly man. He was born December 18, 1806, and passed to his
rest June 1, 1867. He was one of the oldest pioneers of Marion county, being
one of the best known and most beloved men in the county and familiarly
called "Uncle George."
The mother of the subject, whose birth
occurred on the same day of the month as that of her husband, December 18th,
in the year 1808, was known in her maidenhood as Tabithia J. Rogers, a
native of Tennessee, the representative of a fine old Southern family, and
she "crossed over the mystic river" to join her worthy life companion on the
other shore February 26, 1881, at the age of seventy-three years, after
closing a serene and beautiful life of the noblest Christian attributes and
wholesome influence. One of the most commendable traits in our subject was
his devotion to his mother, with whom he lived until her death, joyfully
administering to her every want and sacrificing much in his own life that
she might be comfortable and happy. Nine children were born to the parents
of the subject, only three of whom are living at this writing, 1908. The
living are: O. H. Pace, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, at the age of sixty-eight
years; Mrs. O. E. Tryner, living at Long Beach, California, at the age of
sixty years; H. T., our subject. The parents of the subject were married May
13, 1830.
H. T. Pace remained under his parental roof-tree during the
lifetime of his parents. He attended the common schools in Salem, where he
diligently applied himself and received a good education. However, thirsting
for more knowledge, he attended college at Jacksonville, Illinois, for a
short time. The stage having allurements and he having natural talents as a
comedian, he traveled for three years with some of the best companies on the
road as a black-face comedian, winning wide notoriety through this medium.
Tiring of the stage, he went to Denver in 1880, where he clerked for a
while in a jewelry store, later worked as a Pullman conductor between Denver
and Leadville over the South Park Railroad. In 1884 Mr. Pace came back to
Salem and has remained here ever since prospering in whatever he has
undertaken.
The harmonious domestic life of the subject dates from
1884, when he was united in marriage with Alice H. Andrews, the accomplished
and popular daughter of Samuel Andrews, who sacrificed his life for his
country, having met death in the Union lines while fighting in defense of
the flag. At the time of their marriage Mr. Pace was supposed to be on his
death bed from a sudden and serious illness. The married life of this couple
has been a most ideal one and has resulted in the birth of seven children,
five of whom are living. Their names follow: Claude S., of Salem, engine
foreman at the Chicago & Eastern Illinois shops; Effie Jenella, Lynn Harvey,
Ned R., Gladys D., Lowell died in infancy, as did also the last child, Mona.
After his marriage Mr. Pace went into the piano business, which he has
since conducted for twenty-five years, the greatest success attending his
efforts, his house being known throughout Marion county, and his trade
extending many miles in every direction, as a result of his skill in
managing this line and his uniform fairness and courteousness to customers.
His piano parlor is one of the popular business houses of Salem. Mr. Pace
keeps a modern and up-to-date line of musical instruments, talking machines
and similar goods.
Fraternally Mr. Pace is a member of the Masonic
order, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen and the Eastern Star, being the
Worthy Patron in the latter order.
Mr. Pace is now the only member of
this worthy family in Marion county, and he is one of the oldest native born
residents of Salem. Among his interesting collection of relics and curios is
an old clock which his father and mother bought when they first went to
housekeeping.
In all the relations of life our subject has been found
worthy of the trust imposed in him, being a man of rare business ability,
force of character and possessing praise-worthy qualities of head and heart
which make him popular with all whom he meets, and he is today regarded by
all classes as being one of the staunchest, most upright and representative
citizens of Marion county.
Extracted 11 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 42-44.