USA > Illinois > Champaign County > A Standard history of Champaign County Illinois : an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, civic and social development : a chronicle of the people, with family lineage and memoirs, Volume II > Part 4
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"The Harris policy came to mean that a bank was to be conducted on a theory that it had a public service to perform. That the best personal service was based on 'safety first' even if that expression was yet to be invented. That it was well to put stress on the character, rather than the wealth of the prospective borrower.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
"In 1873, at the great panic, when all other banks in this locality had to close their doors, the young Henry H. Harris had refused to close. He knew that a bank which wouldn't give you your money when you wanted it and needed it, wasn't doing its public duty. And Henry H. Harris, then much older, knew that in 1907-during that brief financial flurry when the 'clearing house certificate' was born. The First National stood like a rock, refusing to use the certificates or drafts, paying cash on demand, and loaning to its regular customers at its invariable rate of six per cent. Never has the First National failed to meet all obligations in cash on demand. That's a pretty big thing to say for fifty years. The First National can say it truthfully."
In many ways the First National has exercised its influence as a trustee of the community welfare. About twenty years ago, when the University of Illinois was in dire financial straits owing to the peculations of the Uni- versity treasurer, Henry H. Harris sent a message to the trustees request- ing them to send their warrants to the First National and that they would be cashed freely without discount until the state government had come to the aid of the university. The only memento of this favor is in the form of a letter from the secretary of the Board of Trustees of the University expressing their gratitude for the assistance rendered by the bank to the school during its recent financial trouble.
"The Harrises have always been practical farmers. The bank as a matter of course long ago recognized the importance to the community of good agriculture. It has always cooperated with the farmer. Its officers could talk intelligently with him about his problems-whether of financing or farming. They showed their faith in the future of county land long ago by acquiring many acres. Today the First National is naturally and logically the bank of the Champaign County farmer."
It has also proved an institution in time of need to the farmer. This was well illustrated during the dry year of 1913 when the farmers found it difficult to secure nioney to carry on their business or make necessary improvements. B. F. Harris, then vice president, sent out a circular letter which contained the following message: "We have so managed our affairs that despite the drought we are loaning and will loan at the same six per cent rate we have loaned for years. There is no better borrower than a good farmer. We are glad to cooperate with him." Thus the Harrises have the right to call the First National the "six per cent bank." It has been the "six per cent bank" not only in fair weather but in bad.
The building occupied by the bank in 1872 served its purpose until about 1900 when it was remodeled. Then followed further growth and development and in 1910 the bank's business had assumed such propor- tions that the building was torn down and was replaced by a magnificent five story structure, in type and character and architectural design unsur- passed in the state as a banking home.
Henry H. Harris, strong son of a strong father, did not live to see the bank celebrate its golden anniversary. The third generation took the rein. Another B. F. Harris became president. His brother Newton M. Harris is vice president. Hazen S. Capron is the cashier, following the long service of the late G. A. Turell.
There is an atmosphere of efficiency about this bank. The men who run it are men of big interests as has been said-men of large measures- of broad minds-they are able to think big. They are more than bankers. The Harrises have made successes in other undertakings, for they have diversified interests. The knowledge gained by handling their own varicd holdings has been profitable to customers of the bank who come for counsel.
In concluding this sketch of the oldest organized and continuous bank-
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
ing business in Champaign County a brief table of statistics may be appended, not to fortify the statements made above but as an illustration of what results flow from character and integrity in banking as in every- thing else. This table is a statement of deposits at the ten year intervals from the day the bank opened for business.
January 30, 1865
$ 7,359.65
January 2, 1875
114,022.62
January 2, 1885
248,437.37
January 2, 1895
460,875.23
January
2, 1905
831,399.54
January 2, 1915
1,626,274.38
CHARLES B. JOHNSON, M. D. Valuable work in his profession and an unusual variety of experience contribute to make the career of Dr. C. B. Johnson one of note in Champaign County, where he has lived for the past forty-six years. Doctor Johnson is a veteran Union soldier, is grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, and during the half century since he came out of the Northern army he has been in the active practice of medicine and is still a competent member of his profession and one of Champaign County's most useful citizens.
Doctor Johnson was born at Pocahontas in Bond County, Illinois, Octo- ber 8, 1843. His grandfather, Charles Johnson, was a native of North Carolina, and went with the troops of that state to battle against the Brit- ish armies and the Tories in the times of the struggle for independence. Doctor Johnson's father was James Johnson, an early settler in Illinois and a farmer. In 1849 he went out to California when that was the mecca of gold seekers and adventurers from all parts of the world, and he died soon after his arrival on the gold coast. James Johnson married Elizabeth Jane Volentine.
Doctor Johnson spent his early life on a farm, attended the public schools, and early showed a tendency and desire for studious pursuits.
On August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company F of the One Hundred Thirtieth Illinois Infantry. He was with that regiment in all its cam- paigns, marches and battles for more than three years. He was finally mustered out in August, 1865, several months after the close of actual hostilities. . On coming out of the army in 1865, Doctor Johnson con- tinued the medical studies he had previously begun, and in 1868 he began practice at Chatham in Sangamon County, Illinois. In 1871 he removed to Champaign County and soon afterward, 'in 1872, he completed the regular course of study in the Medical College of Ohio, now the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated with the . M. D. degree.
For the past thirty-eight years Doctor Johnson has practiced with home and offices in the city of Champaign, and he has become widely recognized as one of the leading physicians of the county. For many years he served on the Champaign County Pension Board, and he has recently accepted the appointment as medical member of one of the Champaign County exemption boards. He was a member of the Illinois State Board of Health for eight years, from 1897 to 1905, and for two years was president of the board.
Perhaps the work to which he has been most devoted in recent years has been that of the Champaign County Anti-Tuberculosis Health League. He is now president of this League and is also a member and president of the Board of Directors which has in charge the construction of the Cham- paign County Tuberculosis Sanitarium. In politics Doctor Johnson has always been staunchly aligned with the Republican party.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Doctor Johnson married January 1, 1874, Maria L. Lewis, of Chatliam, Illinois. Their children are: Lewis W., born April 15, 1875; Charles Sunderland, born May 12, 1877; James Edward, born March 10, 1879; Fred Volentine, born December 3, 1880; Alice Sarah, born February 26, 1884; and George Thompson, born March 6, 1886. The children all grew up in the atmosphere of the university city and they are all graduates of the University of Illinois.
Doctor Johnson has devoted considerable time to literary pursuits, and has just published a very commendable book entitled "Muskets and Mediums," which is receiving a flattering patronage, and promises to fulfill every expectation of its author. He is an active member of the State Historical Society and is much interested in local history.
THOMAS M. LYMAN gave many consecutive years to the management of an Illinois farm, and through hard work and intelligent management obtained the financial competence which enabled him a few years ago to retire from business and enjoy the comforts of a good 'home in the city of Champaign.
Mr. Lyman was born in Vermilion County, Illinois, February 6, 1866. His parents, Bernard and Mary (McLennan) Lyman, were both natives of Ireland. His father came to America as a young man about 1854, lived for a time near Eaton, Ohio, and subsequently removed to Vermilion County, Illinois. He farmed a few years near Ridge Farm and made his farm in Champaign County the scene of his productive labors for many years. He died in Champaign County in 1904 and his wife passed away in 1902. Their children were: Lucinda, wife of John Martin, living in Adams County, Nebraska; John, a retired farmer in Champaign; Mary Jane, who died in childhood; Bridget, who married John W. Early, both now deceased ; Thomas M .; William, deceased; Catherine,' deceased wife of James B. Hagan ; and Mary, wife of William McMahon, of Champaign.
Thomas M. Lyman was born in Vermilion County but was reared and educated in Champaign County. The country schools supplied his early instruction. He lived in the wholesome atmosphere of a farm and that was the vocation he took up when 'he started to make his own way in the world. Mr. Lyman was a progressive farmer until April, 1914, when he retired and removing to Champaign bought a fine home in that city.
He was married January 29, 1895, to Miss Ellen J. Curtin. Mrs. Lyman was born in the city of Chicago, daughter of Michael and Ellen (Clancy) Curtin: Both parents were natives of Ireland. Her father came to America before the Civil War, first locating in Massachusetts and afterwards going to Chicago, where he was connected with the Allerton Packing Company for many years. He died in November, 1894, and Mrs. Lyman's mother passed away in December, 1903. They were the parents of ten children : Jeremiah, Thomas, Patrick, William, all deceased, and the fifth child, a son died in infancy ; Ellen, wife of Mr. Lyman; James, of Chicago; John, of Chicago; Mary, wife of William P. Ward, of Cham- paign County ; and the tenth and youngest, a daughter, died in infancy.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman were born nine children: Mary A., now a student in the University of Illinois; Bernard A., a member of the fresh- man class of the State University ; Helen J., deceased ; Margaret, deceased ; Julia Laurentine, deceased; Thomas M., deceased ; Monica Lucile; Thomas Mark; and Frances L.
Politically Mr. Lyman has always been a democrat. For nine years he served as road commissioner and is now a member of the drainage commission and has served in that capacity for ten years. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Catholic Knights of America, and he and his family are devout members of Holy Cross Catholic Church.
W. R. COLE is one of the former prominent business men of Champaign County now living retired. He and Mrs. Cole occupy a very attractive home on Belle Avenue in Rantoul. Mrs. Cole is a member of an old and prominent family of Champaign County, and is a sister of one of the foremost physicians and surgeons in the world, Dr. D. A. K. Steele, one of the founders of the University of Illinois medical department. Mrs. Cole and her brother both taught in the school at Rantoul and they are of a family of teachers, preachers and lawyers.
A native of Canada, W. R. Cole was born at Adolphostown, a son of Conrad B. and Sarah Ann Cole. He was only an infant when his mother died. He grew up and received his early education at Nappanee, Canada, and at the age of twenty-six, in 1870, came from Kingston, Ontario, to Rantoul, Illinois, to visit his brother, L. B. Cole, who was at that time a coal, grain and lumber merchant. He assisted his brother in the business for several years.
In 1872 Mr. Cole married Mary E. Lavinia Steele. She was born at Grandcote in Perry County, Illinois, daughter of Rev. Daniel and Mary Leatham Orr (Anderson) Steele. Her parents were natives of northern Ireland. Rev. Daniel Steele came to America in 1851, locating in Ohio, and in 1868 removing to Rantoul. He was a Presbyterian minister and for a number of years filled a pulpit in Rantoul. As the result of a run- away horse he sustained an injury which crippled him through his later years. He took up the drug business and employed Mr. W. R. Cole, and they were associated until his death on January 5, 1891. He was a man of exceptional character and ability and for many years was closely identi- fied with Rantoul. His fellow citizens showed their confidence in his judgment and integrity by electing him to a number of offices. Mrs. Cole's mother died February 13, 1899, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, two months and nineteen days. She was a noble character, and her many kindnesses endeared her to a large circle of friends.
Mrs. Cole has only her one brother, above mentioned, Dr. Daniel Atkin- son King Steele, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, March 29, 1852. He was graduated in medicine from the Chicago Medical College in 1873, and in 1906 was given the honorary degree LL. D. by the University of Illinois. He was one of the founders in 1882 and since 1894 has been president and professor of principles and practice of surgery and clinical surgery in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical department of the Illinois University at Chicago. In 1907 he also became president of the University Hospital and for many years was professor of clinical surgery in the Post-Graduate Medical School. He is attending surgeon to various Chicago hospitals, was president of the Chicago Surgical Society in 1907, was president of the Chicago Medical Society in 1884-85, and by his skill as a surgeon and his researches in medicine his name is known world wide in the profession. He married Alice L. Tomlinson of Rantoul, September 7, 1876. She is a college trained woman and a cultured writer. Doctor and Mrs. Steele made a trip together around the world in 1912.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cole continued to reside in Rantoul. There were born into their home four children, named Mary Maude, Alice Bell, Lilly Lavinia and Daniel Thomas. Mary Maude graduated with honors and as valedictorian of her class from the Rantoul High School and then continued her studies in the University of Illinois, graduating as valedictorian of her class in that institution. As a result of her unusual ability she was given a scholarship and $400 to continue her studies and has attained the master's degree. She taught one year in the Rantoul High
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
School and had taught several terms before finishing her education. She is now the wife of George Harvey Scott, who was a member of the same class in the Rantoul High School and was also in her class at the University of Illinois. Mr. Scott is now professor of mathematics in a college at Yank- ton, South Dakota, and has filled that chair for the past sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have five children: William Arthur, Franklin Daniel, Irving Cole, Mary Elizabeth and Clara Lavinia. Irving C. died in infancy. William A. was a member of the United States army while guarding the Mexican border, was promoted from corporal to sergeant, and is now in the detail of the United States army destined for early action in France .. Franklin D., the second son, has distinguished himself as a youthful orator and has won prizes in high school and college oratorical contests at Yankton, Vermillion, Brookins and Mitchell, South Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Cole lost their second and third children. Alice Bell died at the age of thirteen months and Lilly Lavinia at the age of eleven years. The youngest child, Daniel T. Cole, entered the medical department of the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1900, and was graduated in 1905. He is now a successful physician practicing at Odell, Illinois. He was recently appointed, with the rank of first lieutenant, to the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States army. He is now located with the Medical Reserve Corps at a base hospital somewhere in France. Dr. Daniel Cole married Miss Ethel Martin of Rantoul, and they have a daughter, Mary Lois.
For thirty years Mr. W. R. Cole was successfully engaged in the drug business at Rantoul. Then desiring a change and having acquired a finan- cial competence, he exchanged his business property for land in Saline · County, Illinois. . Since then he and his wife have enjoyed the comforts of a good home at Rantoul. They are members and liberal supporters of the First Congregational Church and for a number of years he has been a deacon. In politics he is a stanch Republican.
Mrs. Cole is one of the cultured women of Champaign County. She and her husband have traveled a great deal and have seen much of the beauty and grandeur of American scenery. She has always been interested in literature, especially poetry and history. It has been a task spread over many years to neatly compile some scrap books of the choice bits of informa- tion and literature which she has come across in her reading and these books already find increasing value with the passing years. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been closely identified with Champaign County and their lives have meant much to the welfare of the little city of Rantoul, where they now reside and can look back over many years of happy associations and of good work well done.
JOSEPH FULTZ, now living retired at Rantoul, has had a career filled with labors and ministrations of kindness, and has done what good he could as he went through the world. The practical side of his career has been as a farmer, and for a number of years he served as a local minister of the Methodist Church, a work of inestimable value which cannot be measured by any ordinary human standards.
Mr. Fultz was born in Washington County, Indiana, a son of Frederick and Mary Fultz, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Indiana. Frederick Fultz was twice married, had eight children by his first wife and geven by the second. Joseph Fultz was the youngest of the first family. He was carefully reared, had a common school education and became a farmer even before he reached his majority.
At the age of twenty-one Joseph Fultz married Mary Bottorff, daughter of James and Lydia Bottorff, both of whom were born near New Albany, Indiana. James Bottorff was of German parentage. After their marriage
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Joseph and Mary Fultz began their wedded life on a farm in Washington County, Indiana, and farming was the work which Mr. Fultz pursued in order to provide the advantages and home life of his growing family.
Eight children were born to them, Lewis B., Herman, Ernest, Elsie, Orval, Grover, Goldie and Vesta. All were students in the district schools of Indiana. Herman Fultz married Anna Oliver, located at Salem, Indiana, and had seven children, named Gertrude, Audrey, Ina, Helen, Ruby, Ever- ett and Fred. Lewis B. Fultz, who lives at Mount Pleasant, Michigan, married Viola Bennett, and their children are Chester, Glay, Wayne and Dale. Ernest Fultz, whose home is at Milford, Illinois, married Lottie Hilt, their five children being Claude, Howard, Glen, Carl and Derrel. Elsie married Elmer Bates, their home being in Michigan, and their three children are Marvel, Robert and Murriel. Orval is the wife of Louis Chaney, and they have a son, Victor. Grover married Roma Burkhardt, they live on a farm near Rantoul, and their four children are Clare, Dana, Dorothy and Erma. Goldie is the wife of Henry Sullivan, their home being on a farm near Rantoul, and their one child is Mildred. Vesta is the wife of Ed Gauntt, and they have a farm near Ludlow, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Fultz strained every effort and made many sacrifices in order that their children might be well reared and well trained for the duties and responsibilities of life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fultz are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Fultz served as church trustee for a number of years. He was a township supervisor in Indiana, and politically he formerly voted as a Democrat but latterly has been a strong and ardent Prohibitionist and foresees in the near future the bright day when America will be committed to temperance, not only locally but nationally.
Mr. Fultz's father donated land for the first Methodist Episcopal Church in his neighborhood in Washington County, Indiana. The passing years have witnessed three different churches built on the same plot of ground. In 1916 they dedicated a fine chapel. Perhaps the brightest memories of Joseph Fultz are the twelve years of service he gave to the church as local pastor. During that time he not only preached from the pulpit but vis- ited the sick, comforted the dying, baptized the converts, attended funerals, solemnized marriages, and found a host of Christian deeds ready for per- formance. His good wife shared with him in all these labors, and many a home has blessed their presence.
SAMUEL P. ATKINSON. Perhaps Champaign has no more sturdy and progressive citizen than is found in Samuel P. Atkinson, manager of the S. P. Atkinson Monument Company. He is a thorough American, with a backing of colonial ancestry and Revolutionary stock; and is a veteran of the great struggle which prior to 1914 the people of the United States has called the saddest page on the world's history. Mr. Atkinson is. a vigorous and able business man, but he is much more, for he has the true welfare of his city at heart and is zealously working to advance move- ments that will be of the greatest permanent benefit to the whole com- munity. His entire life has been a busy, useful and interesting one.
Samuel P. Atkinson was born in Central Ohio, November 26, 1844. His parents were Peabody and Marenda (Elliott) Atkinson, both of whom were descendants of Revolutionary heroes and natives of New Hampshire. The old Atkinson homestead situated ten miles from Concord, New Hamp- shire, was the cause of a pilgrimage made by Samuel P. Atkinson in 1916, and in the vicinity, with other kindred of generations gone, rest the ashes of his grandfather, Joseph C. Atkinson. To Peabody Atkinson and wife seven children were born, namely: Henry and Mary, both of whom are
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
deceased ; Joseph, who is living in Ohio; George, who is deceased; Samuel P .; and Annie and Nettie, both of whom are deceased. The father of the above family died from an accident in August, 1863, and the mother passed away in 1866.
Samuel P. Atkinson completed his junior year at Marietta College of Ohio, and entered the senior class at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, from which he graduated with high honors in June, 1866.
In 1864, when the need of soldiers was the greatest, he with his two brothers, leaving their widowed mother alone upon the farm, enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Army of the Potomac in Maryland and Virginia. When this regiment was mustered out more men were missing from its ranks in killed, wounded or prisoners of war than any regiment which left Licking County, Ohio, during the Civil War. Six soldiers in the Revolutionary War, three in the War of the Rebellion and six thus far in the present world's conflict is the quota from the Atkinson family for voluntary military service.
After completing his collegiate course Mr. Atkinson went to Attica, Indiana, where he remained one year engaged in teaching school. On April 20, 1868, he came to Champaign and soon became interested in farming, and for twelve succeeding years cultivated his fields in the summer months and taught school in the winter seasons. In the spring of 1880 he left the farm and engaged as salesman for J. W. Booker in the monu- ment business at Champaign. In 1881 he became a partner in the bus- iness.' He continued until 1884, when he sold his partnership interest to Mr. Booker and embarked in business for himself, purchasing the monu- ment business of Falls & Bagley. The S. P. Atkinson Monument Company is now located in the commodious building erected by Mr. Atkinson in 1904 at No. 106 South Neil Street. He has occupied other excellent loca- tions, for the first four years at the corner of Taylor and Neil streets, where the Citizens' Bank is now located, after which he purchased the Flatiron Building, in which the Champaign Gazette is located, and which he still owns, but removed to his new site in 1904.
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