USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN
HANSIS LO Dalen
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
http://archive.org/details/historyofvermili02will
HISTORY
of
VERMILION COUNTY ILLINOIS
BY JACK MOORE WILLIAMS
IN TWO VOLUMES
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME TWO
HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY TOPEKA-INDIANAPOLIS 1930
977.365 W 6Th V. 2
@1. Meblenathan
History of Vermilion County
C. V. McClenathan is prominent in business and finan- cial circles in Danville, where he is president of the Sec- ond National Bank. He was born on a farm near Catlin, Illinois, October 3, 1864, the son of George S. and Sarah (Remley) McClenathan.
Both George S. McClenathan and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania. About 1854 they came to Illinois and settled in Vermilion County. The McClenathan family is of Scotch lineage and of Quaker belief. The great-grand- father of C. V. McClenathan was a native of the land of hills and heather and at an early period in the settlement of Pennsylvania he crossed the Atlantic in one of the old time sailing vessels, taking up his abode near Philadelphia. The Remley family is of English descent and dates its origin in America to the time of William Penn. The ma- ternal grandmother of C. V. McClenathan bore the maiden name of Margaret Penn and was a relative of the cele- brated family to which the renowned philanthropist and pioneer, William Penn, belonged. On removing to Illinois, George S. McClenathan settled in Catlin Township, where he purchased land and engaged in farming, being one of the most successful agriculturists of his community, and also serving acceptably as a township official. Eventually he removed to the village of Fairmount where both he and his wife lived retired. He died in October, 1896, and she died April 22, 1900. Both are buried in Oakridge Cemetery, near Catlin.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
C. V. McClenathan was reared on the home farm, ob- tained his early education in the country schools, and re- mained at home until he attained his majority. He then went to Wichita, Kansas, where he remained eight years. He entered the Kansas National Bank, in the mortgage and loan department, and afterwards was placed in charge of the loan business of that institution. He returned to Danville in 1893 and became cashier of the State Bank, which was incorporated in 1901 as the Danville National Bank. In 1920 he was made vice president of the Second National Bank and five years later was elected president of that institution. As a financier Mr. McClenathan stands high in public esteem. He is also a director of the First National Bank of Homer, Ill., director and treasurer of the Equitable Building and Loan Association, of Danville, and also a director of the Vermilion Abstract Company, trus- tee Danville Country Club, and treasurer of the Musebeck Show Company.
In 1905 Mr. McClenathan was married at Louisville, Kentucky, to Alice Weston McIntosh, the daughter of Thomas McIntosh, a native of Will County, and a prom- inent merchant of Danville.
Mr. McClenathan was elected to the Illinois State Leg- islature in 1900 and reelected to that office in 1902. Dur- ing his incumbency he was made chairman of a new com- mittee that had just been created being the only Democratic chairman in the legislature. This was a joint committee on penal and reformatory institutions and labor and in- dustrial affairs. As chairman of the same he introduced and passed the anti-convict labor bill, and also drew a bill to strike off the employes who were not in actual service in the house and senate, but it never came to vote.
During the World War Mr. McClenathan rendered pa- triotic service to the government in connection with vari- ous drives and campaigns.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Mr. McClenathan is a member of the Presbyterian Church; Olive Branch Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; Modern Woodmen of America; and Danville Commercial Club. He is a trustee of the Lake View Hospital Association. He has various other interests in Danville besides those mentioned. A contemporary biographer has said of him : "His friends are legion, as his genial courtesy and kindly bearing are cal- culated to win confidence, which his sterling integrity and unquestioned candor serve to maintain."
John A. Cathcart, president of the Palmer National Bank, of Danville, has had many years of experience in banking. He was born at Mason City, Illinois, March 31, 1876, the son of John M. and Sarah J. (Alexander) Cathcart.
John M. Cathcart was born at Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and his wife was a native of Belfast. Their marriage took place at Lincoln, Illinois, where Mr. Cathcart engaged in the grain business for many years. He was a highly esteemed and well-known citizen of that section. He died in 1907 and his wife died in 1917. They are buried at Indianola, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart three children were born: Florence and William G., both deceased; and John A., the subject of this sketch.
John A. Cathcart acquired his early education in the grammar and high schools of Mason City and Sidell, Illi- nois. After leaving school he became interested in the grain and lumber business with his father. In 1898 he became associated with Lyons, Alexander & Company Bank of Sidell, as bookkeeper. He has since been con- nected with that institution, which is now known as the First National Bank, and he is vice president. He was also
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
elected president of the Palmer National Bank of Dan- ville, January 1, 1929.
Mr. Cathcart married in 1899 Miss Mabel Wright, of Sidell, Illinois, the daughter of Silas and Nancy (Driscoll) Wright, both deceased. They have a daughter, Josephine. She is a graduate of Sidell High School and attended Columbia University.
Mr. Cathcart is a Republican, a member of Sidell Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons No. 798, past master; Homer Chapter Royal Arch Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Medinah Temple; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Danville Country Club. He holds membership in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Sidell, and is a trustee of Lake View Hospital.
George F. Rearick .- One of the representative profes- sional men of Vermilion County is George F. Rearick, a leading member of the Danville bar. He is a native of Beardstown, Illinois, born March 31, 1863, the son of Jacob W. and Elizabeth (Kuhl) Rearick.
Jacob W. Rearick, deceased, was a native of Germany. He was an early settler of Cass County, Illinois, and served as county judge. He was a hardware merchant for many years. Mr. Rearick is buried at South Mound, Kansas, and his wife, who died in 1863, is buried at Beardstown, Illi- nois. To Mr. and Mrs. Rearick the following children were born: Elsie R. McFarland, lives at Cimarron, Kansas; Lydia S. Rearick, lives at Chicago, Illinois; Susan Geisen- heimer, lives at Chicago, Illinois; Elizabeth Beeley, lives at Princeton, Illinois; and George F., the subject of this sketch.
George F. Rearick first attended the public schools of Beardstown and following his graduation from Beards- town High School he entered Ohio Wesleyan University.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
In 1885 he read law with William J. Calhoun and was admitted to the bar in 1888. Since that time Mr. Rearick has practiced his profession at Danville. He has offices in the First National Bank Building.
On September 27, 1893, Mr. Rearick was united in mar- riage with Miss Grace Haggard, of Danville, the daughter of Byron and Charlotte (Creamer) Haggard, natives of Ohio, both now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Rearick were born five children: Walter R., insurance, lives at Hart- ford, Connecticut; Elizabeth C., teacher of physical educa- tion, Jacksonville, Illinois; Francis G., lawyer, lives at Chi- cago, Illinois; Edward C., electrical engineer, lives at Cran- ford, New Jersey; and Harold H., attends Beloit College.
Mr. Rearick is a Republican. He has served as super- visor, city attorney, and as mayor of Danville. He is a member of St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, and is identified with the Vermilion County Bar Association, Illi- nois Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
George W. Telling .- One of the substantial business men and leading citizens of Danville is George W. Telling, who is president of the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank. He was born at Springfield, Illinois, July 6, 1871, the son of Edward T. and Sarah F. (Taylor) Telling.
Edward T. Telling was a native of England. About 1860 he came to the United States and settled in Morgan County, Illinois, where he became successful as a farmer. He died June 28, 1908. His wife was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, and now resides in Danville.
George W. Telling attended the grade schools of Cham- paign County and later the high school at Danville. He also took a commercial course of study at the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois. Mr. Telling entered the field of banking with the firm of Lyons, Alexander &
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Company, at Sidell, Illinois, in the capacity of assistant cashier. After three years he became cashier of the First State Bank of Broadlands, in Champaign County. Mr. Telling served in that capacity for eleven years and in 1906 came to Danville as cashier of the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank. He was elected president of the institu- tion in 1911. Besides his financial activities he is an ex- tensive land owner and is also a director of the Webster Wholesale Grocery Company of Danville.
In 1898 Mr. Telling married Miss Anna Lyons, the daughter of William Lyons, who was a prominent banker of Danville. Their son, Gordon R. Telling, is assistant cashier of the Commercial Trust & Savings Bank.
Politically Mr. Telling is a Republican. The cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion, and for four years he rendered active service as president of the Danville School Board. He manifests a keen and enthusiastic interest in every civic project looking toward community welfare. During the period of the World war Mr. Telling served as county chairman for the United States certificates of indebtedness and sent his county "over the top" on each drive. He was also chairman of the Boys' Working Reserves for Vermilion County during the war.
Mr. Telling is treasurer of the Danville Chamber of Commerce and belongs to the Danville Country Club; Further Light Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, past master; Danville Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree, treasurer; Ansar Temple, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 332. He holds membership in the St. James Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Telling is characterized as a careful, conservative financier, whose success is attributable to his unfailing good nature and kindly consideration of others.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Al W. Heskett .- Prominent in business and civic affairs, Al W. Heskett, secretary of the Fidelity Building Associa- tion of Danville, is a native of Indiana. He was born at Roachdale, August 6, 1898, the son of Dr. Wilbur C. and Katherine E. (Wells) Heskett.
Dr. Wilbur C. Heskett, deceased, was a physician and surgeon of Indiana. He was born at Hamilton, Ohio, and was a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, as well as the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College. He practiced his profession at Roachdale for over twenty years and later settled at Indianapolis, where he was engaged in practice at the time of his death in 1926. He is buried at Roachdale. His widow lives at Nashville, Tennessee. Doctor Heskett was a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge, thirty-second degree, and was identified with the Indiana Medical Society and the American Medical Association. There were two sons born to Dr. and Mrs. Heskett: R. C., who lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; and Al W., the subject of this sketch.
Al W. Heskett attended the public schools of Indianapo- lis and was graduated in 1916 from Manual Training High School in that city. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in 1922 and then came to Danville, where he became associated with John W. Webster in the insurance business. In 1924 he was made a partner and the firm became known as the Webster- Heskett Insurance Agency. At the death of Mr. Webster in 1928, Mr. Heskett became secretary of the Fidelity Building Association. At that time he also purchased the insurance business, which he still conducts.
On September 29, 1925, Mr. Heskett was united in mar- riage with Miss Elizabeth Webster, the daughter of John W. and Esther (Baum) Webster, of Danville. Mr. Web- ster was born at Springfield, Illinois, and was graduated from Danville High School, DePauw University, and the Harvard School of Law. He engaged in the practice of
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
law at Danville for several years and then became inter- ested in the Fidelity Investment Building Association and the insurance business. At the time of his death, May 6, 1928, he was secretary of the Fidelity Building Association of Danville. Mr. Webster was a member of Saint James Methodist Episcopal Church, Elks Club, and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was president of the board of trustees of Lakeview Hospital, and a member of the Salvation Army Board and the Illinois State Board of the Anti- Saloon League. Mr. Webster was married April 15, 1900, to Esther Baum, who survives him. To Mr. and Mrs. Heskett a daughter was born, Esther Webster Heskett, born February 18, 1927.
Politically, Mr. Heskett is a Republican. He belongs to the Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, Danville Country Club, Union League Club of Chicago, and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
Michael E. King .- One of the most influential figures in banking circles of Vermilion County for many years was Michael E. King, who served as president of the Second National Bank of Danville from 1902 until the time of his death, March 16, 1929. Mr. King was born at Dubuque, Iowa, September 24, 1857, the son of Austin and Ellen (Maley) King.
Austin King was born in County Clare, Ireland, Sep- tember 7, 1822, and his wife was a native of Milltown, Mal- bay, County Clare, Ireland. Both are deceased and are buried at Danville. Nine children were born to this union, all of whom were reared in Danville.
The boyhood of Michael E. King was spent at Dubuque, Iowa, and in Danville. When ten years of age he was a mule driver in the coal mines of this section. He began his business career as a retail grocer and later became the suc- cessful owner of a large wholesale grocery business. Mr.
7H. 8. Ating
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
King was identified with banking interests of Vermilion County for many years and served as president of the Sec- ond National Bank of Danville, as stated above, from 1902 until his death. He was also chairman of the Board of Directors.
In June, 1887, Mr. King was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Cavanaugh, of Danville, the daughter of Frank and Ella (McLean) Cavanaugh. Their children were: Earl Francis, who is deceased; and Austin W., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. Cath- erine (Cavanaugh) King died January 25, 1904, and is buried in Danville.
Politically, Mr. King was a Republican. He was a de- vout member of the Catholic Church, and held membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Knights of Columbus.
Austin W. King is one of the representative young business men of Danville, where he is identified with the Second National Bank. He was born in this city, June 20, 1890, the son of Michael E. and Catherine (Cava- naugh) King.
A complete sketch of Michael E. King appears else- where in this history.
The boyhood of Austin W. King was spent in Dan- ville, where he received his early education. He later at- tended Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and subse- quently attended the University of Pennsylvania. He be- gan his banking career in Danville as a clerk in the Second National Bank and is now one of the directors.
During the World War Mr. King served as a noncom- missioned officer.
Mr. King holds membership in the Catholic Church, Danville.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
George F. Edmund ranks high among the successful young business men of Danville, where he is identified with the firm of Edmund & Dickson, morticians, 440 North Vermilion Street. He was born at Woodhull, Henry Coun- ty, Illinois, May 22, 1891, the son of Andrew J. and Mar- garet (Peterson) Edmund.
Andrew J. Edmund was born at Schmolon, Sweden, in 1831. He came to this country about 1866 and settled in Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade as a car- penter. About 1870 he located in Henry County, Illinois, where he purchased sixty acres of land. He became the owner of two hundred and twenty-seven acres of fine land and became a successful farmer. He also owned real estate at Woodhull, Illinois. Mr. Edmund was a Repub- lican and a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church. He died in 1918 and his wife, born in Sweden in 1850, died in 1907. Both are buried at Woodhull, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Edmund were born seven children, as follows: Emma, married Melcher Stevens, lives at Andover, Illinois; Hilda, married Oscar Hagg, lives at Cambridge, Illinois; Selma, married Perry Westerland, lives at Orion, Illinois; Ida, married Emil Peterson, lives at Woodhull, Illinois; Anna, died in 1906; John W., lives on the old homestead; and George F., the subject of this sketch.
George F. Edmund attended the public schools of Henry County and Brown's Business College, Rock Island, Illinois. He was employed in a general store at Woodhull and in 1910 went to Rock Island, where he was associated with Gustofson & Hayes, as a salesman. The following year he returned to Woodhull and in 1912 purchased a furniture and undertaking business at that place, which was known as the Edmund Furniture Company. He was graduated from the Worsham School of Embalming, Chicago, in 1912 and became a registered operator in January, 1913. Two years later he removed to Orion, Illi- nois, where he established an undertaking business. In
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1919 he built a thirty-thousand-dollar funeral home and furniture house, which he disposed of in 1924 to Peterson & Wallen Company. In 1924 he came to Danville and pur- chased the J. W. Turner Company, Incorporated, and later Mr. Turner purchased a third interest in the business. Mr. Dickson also became a member of the firm finally, having taken over the interests of Mr. Turner. In 1924 the J. W. Strauss residence was purchased, and is now used as a funeral home by Edmund & Dickson. They rank among the dependable funeral directors of the city and they have an extensive clientele.
In 1913 Mr. Edmund married Miss May Rehnstrom, the daughter of Stephen and Caroline (Johnson) Rehn- strom, of Andover, Illinois. They have two sons, George and James.
Mr. Edmund is a Republican, a member of Saint James Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to Olive Branch Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons No. 38; Dan- ville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Gao Grotto; Iris Chapter Order Eastern Star, Past Patron; Orion Country Club; Chamber of Commerce; and American Business Club, vice president and director.
Hon. Walter C. Lindley, who has served as judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois since September 29, 1922, is a native of this state, graduating with honors from the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Law, University of Illinois, and in a career of twenty years as a member of the bar has fully justified the ex- pectations entertained of him while a university man. Judge Lindley was born on a farm in Big Spring Town- ship, Shelby County, Illinois, July 12, 1880. His paternal ancestors came from England and settled in New Jersey in Colonial times. Subsequently a branch of the family
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
moved to North Carolina. They were affiliated with the Quaker Church, and Judge Lindley's grandfather, on com- ing north, first settled in the noted Quaker community of Wayne County, Indiana. The grandfather was Osmond Lindley, who was born at Guilford Court House, North Carolina, in 1837. As a young man he moved to Wayne County, Indiana. He married there and became a pork packer and farmer. In about 1866 he moved with his family to Shelby County, Illinois, and was a school teacher and farmer there until his death in 1879. His wife was Achsah Wilson, who was born at Guilford Court House, North Carolina, in 1839, and died at Fairmount, Indiana, in 1919.
Alfred W. Lindley, father of Judge Lindley, was born at Dublin, in Wayne County, Indiana, September 7, 1856, and was about ten years of age when his parents moved to Shelby County, Illinois, where he was reared and fin- ished his education. The greater part of his active life has been spent as a farmer. He has been an important and successful figure in the agricultural life of Shelby and Cumberland Counties, and still owns a large amount of farm land in those counties. He also engaged in the bank- ing business and was president of the First National Bank of Chrisman, and of the Neoga National Bank. He is still a director in those institutions. His home was in Shelby County until 1895, when he removed to Neoga. Mr. Lind- ley is a Republican, and has served on the Board of Super- visors of Shelby County. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church, though originally a Quaker. He married Irene Carey, who was born in Grant County, Indiana, Sep- tember 7, 1858. Walter C. Lindley is the oldest of their children. Miss Jennie A. Lindley, at home with her par- ents, is a teacher of music. The two other children were Virgil, who died at the age of two years, and Vernon, who died when ten years old.
Walter C. Lindley, during his youth, lived on a farm and in the town home of his parents at Neoga. He was
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
educated in the public schools of Shelby County, graduated from Neoga High School in 1897, and from 1897 until 1901 was a student in the College of Liberal Arts at the Uni- versity of Illinois, taking his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1901. From 1901 until 1904 he attended the College of Law, graduating in 1904. In 1910 the College of Law awarded him the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence. From 1901 until 1905 he was instructor of rhetoric in the Acad- emy of the University. While a student Judge Lindley became a member of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa honorary scholarship fraternity, Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, and Theta Kappa Nu honorary legal fraternity. He also served as managing editor of the Daily Illini, was president of the Students' Republican Club, associate editor of the Illinois Magazine, chairman of the Senior Ball Committee, and chairman of the Cap and Gown Committee. He graduated at the head of his class from the Law School, and stood second in the entire gradu- ating class of the university, a class numbering two hun- dred forty-five.
Admitted to the bar June 30, 1904, Mr. Lindley began practice at Danville, and until 1922 was a member of the firm of Lindley, Penwell & Lindley, handling a large gen- eral practice in all the courts of Eastern Illinois. From 1912 until 1918 he served as master in chancery of the United States Court, and from 1916 until 1920 was a mem- ber of the Board of County Commissioners of Vermilion County. The late President Harding appointed him judge of the United States District Court on September 29, 1922. His Eastern District comprises forty-five counties, extend- ing from Kankakee County on the north to Alexander County, including the City of Cairo, on the south, and St. Clair County on the west.
Judge Lindley married April 30, 1913, at North Egre- mont, Massachusetts, Miss Louise Dewey Brown, daughter of Charles F. and Carrie (Dewey) Brown, both now de-
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ceased. Her father was a prominent bridge contractor, for many years having headquarters at Chicago, Illinois. He helped to build the bridge at Thebes, Illinois, and many others in the United States, including the bridge across the Mississippi River at Memphis, Tennessee.
Judge and Mrs. Lindley have three children: Mary Aletta, Louise Dewey, and Walter C., Jr.
Judge Lindley is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with Olive Branch Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons No. 38; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Medinah Temple, Chicago; Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks No. 332; White Oaks Lodge No. 469, Knights of Pythias. He has served as a director of the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club, president of the Danville Country Club and the Vermilion County Bar As- sociation. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Asso- ciation and American Bar Association. He is also a mem- ber of the College Club of Danville, the Union League Club of Chicago, and the Hamilton Club of Chicago.
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