Macoupin County
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Biography - JOSIAH DECREVEL

Josiah Decrevel, who has successfully engaged as a photographer at Virden for nearly twenty years past, is a native of Madison county, Illinois, and is a descendant of good French stock in both the paternal and maternal branches of the family. He was born November 11, 1866, a son of Francis and Lea (Le Fevre) Decrevel. The parents were both natives of France and came to America in their childhood. After growing to maturity the father purchased eighty acres of land in Madison county, upon which he spent the remainder of his life. He died February 14, 1876, and his widow was called away December 23d following. There were six children in their family, the two eldest of whom died in infancy, the others being: Eva, the wife of Theophilus Genre, of Highland, Illinois; Josiah, of this review; Moses, a resident of Litchfield; and Rosa, who married Lucien Pantet, of Madison county.

Having been deprived of his parents at the age of ten years, Josiah Decrevel took up his home among relatives with whom he remained six years. He then engaged in farming and continued in that occupation until twenty-two years of age. A man of natural artistic talents, he became interested in photography which he studied closely and practiced for three years. In 1892 he came to Virden and established a photograph gallery and has developed his business until his establishment is regarded as one of the best in this section of the state. He is a close observer and a careful student, allowing no opportunity to pass that may add to his knowledge of a vocation to which he has for many years devoted his energies. The work turned out under his supervision compares favorably with any which is produced outside of the large cities and reflects great credit upon Mr. Decrevel.

On October 13, 1896, Mr. Decrevel was married to Miss Lena Lathrop. She is the eldest daughter of Charles and Catharine (Crane) Lathrop, the other members of the family being: Charles, a resident of Virden; Leigh, who makes his home at Marinette, Wisconsin; Ralph, of Madison, Wisconsin; Mamie, whose home is in Denver, Colorado; Tennyson, of Central Point, Oregon; and Robert, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Decrevel are the parents of two children: Pierce, who was born July 7, 1897; and Lea, born August 31, 1898.

Although in no sense a politician Mr. Decrevel is an earnest supporter of the principles and candidates of the republican party. He is a firm believer in the authority of the Bible as a guide in the conduct of life and is a member of the Baptist church. Having as a boy learned the value of self-dependence and of an upright character, he made it a principle of his life to earn his way by honest endeavor and never to seek advancement in such a manner as to injure others. He is well established in business and has gained the confidence of the entire community, being, moreover, accorded the honor which belongs to one who earnestly endeavors in all the relations of life to perform his duty.


Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 665-666.


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This page was last updated 07/01/2022