USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 26
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Mrs. McLaren died in 1883, at McAlester, Oklahoma, leaving three children, Archibald B .; Annie, the wife of William Townsley, of Cuba, Illinois ; and Lizzie, who married George Craft, of Cuba, Illinois. Be- sides the loss of his wife Mr. MeLaren lost his mother and a son during his residence in Oklahoma. He later married Eliza Lewelling. at Streator, Illinois, but has no children by this second marriage.
Owing to the migratory life of the family and the primitive condi- tion of part of the country in which his youth was spent. Archibald B. McLaren gained only snatches of education and after he was grown and married did not possess even a common school education. As a mere lad he was induced to enter the mines at McAlester, by the advice of a physician, who told him, in brief, "either mine or move." Bur- rowing into the depths of the earth seemed to agree with him, and he worked at his father's side then and for some time after the family returned to Illinois.
While living at Streator he left the mines to take up railroading, but he preferred the life underground and in less than a year was back in the diggings. In 1895 he left this locality and went to Carbon Hill in Grundy county, where the Star Coal Company had other mines. Here it was that ambition awoke within him, and the interesting event that enabled him to become, instead of one who works with his hands, one who works with his head, took place. At this time he was a co- workman with other miners, as black and grimy as any one of his fel- lows, with no thought of ever becoming anything else, but he had wise friends and a wonderful wife, and at the advice and urging of these he was persuaded to take a course in the Scranton Correspondence Schools on the subject of mine managing. His wife was a powerful
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faetor in his sueeess, encouraging and aiding him in doing the work efficienty, and later helping him to prepare for the examination. How thorough had been his preparation was shown by the ease with which he passed the state examination. He was appointed a manager by the Star people some time before he left their serviee.
From Carbon Hill Mr. McLaren eame to Williamson county in 1901. Mr. Goodall, the superintendent of the Chicago Big Muddy, and the man who had originally developed the property, was about to retire. Mr. MeLaren was offered the position, as his successor, which he ae- eepted, and has held ever since. This position is one of the most re- sponsible superintendencies in the Marion vicinity, the mine giving em- ployment to some three hundred men and producing about eighteen hundred tons of coal daily.
Mr. MeLaren met his wife at Streator, when they were both ehil- dren, and he was a boarder in the Peters' home, of which family she was a member. She was Emily, the daughter of Joseph Peters, and was born July 1, 1878, Her father was a native of England and Mrs. MeLaren was born across the water. As a young boy, while he was attempting to master the science of digging coal, she was wont to aid him in his attempts to .master fractions, as she later helped him to equip himself for the position he now holds, so in literal truth she has been a helpmate. The children of this union are William, Joseph, Eliza, Mary and Esther.
Mr. MeLaren is a Republican, but evinces no special interest in the game of polities, although he holds himself ready to accept any eivie responsibility with which he may be shouldered. He served Carbon Hill as a conneilman, and has also performed a life service for Marion, acting from the Third ward. He is at present serving his third term on the school board. He is an active member of both the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, being a member of the Blue Lodge and of the Chapter at Marion, and belonging to the Mt. Vernon Commandery. to the Oriental Consistory and to the Medina Temple at Chicago. He was made a Knight of Pythias at Streator, was transferred when he went to Carbon Hill, and again on his removal to Marion. Here he is a member and chairman of the Knights of Pythias building committee. and is also a member of the joint committee of the Knights of Pythias and the Masons on the erection of their hall in 1911. He is likewise a member of the building committee of the Methodist church in the erec- tion of their new edilice, under construction in 1911. He was one of the promoters of the Citizens Trust and Banking Company, holding stock in that institution, and he is also a stockholder in the El Dorado, Marion and South Western Railway Company.
The above long list of outside interests goes to show that Mr. Me- Laren has not allowed the responsibility of business cares to wholly absorb him, but has sought a wider field of activity. Scarcely onongh credit ean be given to this man, who simply through inertia might have allowed his splendid faculties to atrophy, but instead set to work and overcame his early handicap. In doing this he did not. after having reached the goal. turn from his old friends, but in his good fortune always has an eye for the ill fortune of others, is glad to help any man with his counsel and advice, just as he himself was helped. This is perhaps the trno reason for his popularity.
IFARVEY W. SHRINER. Foremost among the leaders of the legal profession in Southern Hlinois, Harvey W. Shriner stands pre-eminent as one who has achieved sueeess in his chosen profession. He has long praetieed in all the courts of the state, and has handled successfully
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some of the most important cases that have come to litigation. His courteous and kindly disposition, together with his alert and enter- prising mind and his excellent preparation for his work, has brought about his reputation as one of the representative men of Clay county.
Ilarvey W. Shriner was born in Vinton county, Ohio, October 25, 1861. He is the son of Silas and Susan (Lnse) Shriner, both natives of Ohio. Silas Shriner was a farmer and came to Clay county, Illinois, in October, 1864, where he remained until his death, which occurred in June, 1906. His father Francis Shriner, the grandfather of Harvey W., was a native of Pennsylvania, who afterwards removed to Ohio and devoted his life to farming interests. The mother of Harvey W. Shriner is still living and is a resident of Flora. She is a woman of splendid character and pleasing personality and is passing her declin- ing years happily in the love of her children. Six children were born to her, five of whom are now living. They are: Ibbie, deceased; Mrs. Louisa Frame, of Chicago; Harvey W., of this review; Albert G., of Springfield, Illinois : Mrs. Ida MacGregor, of Flora ; and Pearl V., who is living on the old farm home, five miles from Flora.
Mr. Shriner received his early education in the public schools of Flora, later attending a business college at Cairo, Illinois. He then completed a course at the National University at Lebanon, Ohio, in which institution his scholarship was of an especially high order. Af- ter graduating therefrom he taught school for six winters in Clay county, performing his work with all efficiency and winning high rep- utation as a teacher. But the life of a pedagogue did not appeal to him, and he felt that he possessed the ability for greater things. The law especially appealed to him, and after some deliberation he began the study and was admitted to the bar in February, 1887. In June of that year he formed a partnership with one D. C. Hagle, prominent in legal circles in these parts, and that partnership endured until dissolved by the death of Mr. Hagle in 1897. The two formed a particularly strong combination and built up a splendid practice during the years of their association. Since the death of his partner, Mr. Shriner has conducted his practice alone, although his ever increasing popularity makes him a very busy man.
Since his earliest association with the legal profession Mr. Shriner has taken an active part in the political life of his community. In 1888 he was elected state's attorney of Clay county on the Republican ticket, and was re-clected in 1892, which term was followed by re- clection again in 1896. The excellency of his service is vouched for by the number of terms he was called to the office. Ile was a member of the board of education of Flora for several terms and supervisor of his township. In 1904 Mr. Shriner was named for the office of repre- sentative to the state legislature, and he was elected to the office by a flattering majority. running away ahead of his ticket at the election. IIe employed his time as a representative in a manner that was con- clusive proof of the wisdom of his constituents. He was known to be one of the strong advocates of local option, and did much for the fur- therance of the cause. In November, 1905, Mr. Shriner was appointed deputy revenne collector for Division No. 4 of the thirteenth district of Illinois, which position he has filled with all credit and efficiency.
Aside from his many other interests Mr. Shriner has devoted some of his time to farming and is the owner of a very fine farm in Stanford township, Clay county, near to Flora. It is well equipped and wisely managed, and among his stock, of which he is an excellent judge, may be found many of the better breeds. In a fraternal way, he is a Ma- son and a Woodman. Ile has ever been a power in the civic life of his
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community, and his labors in behalf of his city and county have been of a most unselfish nature. The dominant qualities of his life have heen of an intense and foreeful nature, and the sueeess of his career is but the natural outcome of such a character as his.
Mr. Shriner has been twice married. In September of 1885 he was united in marriage with Emma Critehlow, of Louisville, Clay county, the daughter of an old and highly esteemed family of that place. Three sons were born of their union : Austin D., Carlton C. and Silas. Mrs. Shriner passed away in January, 1896. In recent years Mr. Shriner married Miss Franeis Higginson, of Flora, and they are the parents of a daughter, Mabel.
JOHN E. MeGOUGHEY, prominent in the practice of his profession,- that of the law,-in Lawrenceville since 1890, is recognized in his eom- munity as one of the solid and substantial business men who have con- tributed much to the prosperity and advancement of this city. A suc- eessful lawyer, a wise business man, a capable one in any public official position, and an admirable eitizen and a man of family, Lawrenceville recognizes no finer example of citizenship than is represented by this worthy gentleman.
Born in Jackson county, Indiana, on March 31, 1862, John E. Me- Goughey is the son of John MeGoughey and Harriet E. (Meyers) Me- Gonghey. The father was a native of Kentucky, born there on July 27. 1809. He was a farmer hy occupation, and he came to Illinois on the 11th of April, 1870, loeating in Lawrence county. ITis marriage to Harriet Meyers took place in Jackson county, Indiana, and in that state they made their home for a number of years. They became the parents of four children, of which number John E. is the third born. Previous to his marriage with Harriet Meyers, Mr. MeGonghey had been married, and was the father of eight children. Ile was a Demo- erat in politics, and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterians, in which he was reared by his Scotch parents. He was a man of fine in- telleet, generous and kindly instincts, quiet in his manner of life, and in every way an admirable and estimable citizen. He died February 14, 1873. Ilis widow still lives, and on the 14th of October, 1911, she celebrated the seventy-sixth anniversary of her birth.
John E. MeGonghey lived in Indiana with his parents until he had reached the age of eight years, when the family home was moved to Lawrence county, Illinois, destined thereafter to be his home and the field of his business activities through life. He attended the publie schools of the village where they lived, and having finished the com- mon sehools himself earned the money to make possible his attendance at a normal school in Mitchell. Indiana, conducted by Professor Lugen- beal, now president of Winona Lake College. Following his course of study in this private school, which was most thorough and ealeulated to fit him for entranee at any college, he took up the study of law un- der the preceptorship of E. B. Green, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and so well did he progress with his studies that on February 24. 1890, he was admitted to the bar of Illinois. He began the practice of his pro- fession on March 1. 1890, making but little delay in becoming estab- lished in a business way, and immediately formed a partnership with one W. F. Foster, which association continued until two years later, after which he remained alone until 1895. In that year he formed a partnership with JJ. D. Madding, the arrangement enduring for four years and on the dissolution of that partnership Mr. MeGoughey con- dueted an independent praetice until 1909, when he became associated with N. M. Tohill.
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Mr. MeGoughey is a Democrat, but is not a politician nor an as- pirant for political honors. He has held various offices since he became connected with the business and professional life of Lawrenceville, and was state's attorney between 1892 and 1896. One line of business in- dustry which has particularly attracted his attention is the oil busi- ness, in which he has been active for some time. He has been the legal representative of practically every independent oil producer in this section of the country, including the Indian Refining Company, and the Central Refining Company. Mr. McGoughey is a member of the Christian church, and in a fraternal way is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he holds the Knight Templar degree, and he is a men- ber of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On September 24, 1890, Mr. MeGoughey was united in marriage with Bessie A. Ennis, of Mitchell, Indiana, a daughter of Charles Ennis, formerly in the railroad business at that place, but now retired from active service. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Goughey,-Guy, John and Helen.
HARVEY D. MCCOLLUM is one of the younger sons of Clay county who have been identified with the best business interests of Louisville since they inaugurated their business careers, and he is one of the ablest and most progressive of the younger class of business men. He was born in Clay county, Mareh 13, 1879, and is the son of James C. and Mary (Long) MeCollum. The father was also a native of Clay county, born there August 9, 1844, while the mother was born in Wayne county on May 5, 1853. James McCollum lived on his father's farm and at- tended the village schools as a boy and until he had attained years of young manhood, when he came to Louisville and entered into the mer- chandise business, with which he has been successfully identified for years. lle is a man of considerable wealth, which he accumulated as a result of his energy and thrift, and he is now living a retired life in Louisville. He is an ardent Democrat and has been one all his life. Ile has been a leader in the business life of Louisville for a great many years, and was connected with the most worthy and prominent in- dustrial and financial institutions of the city. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and is now vice-presi- dent of that institution. Ilis father was James MeCollum, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in about 1830. He became the owner of a traet of government land, which he improved, and on which he passed the remainder of his life. When he passed away he was looked upon as one of the wealthy farmers of his district. His father, Alex McCollum, the great-grandfather of the subject of this review, was one of the eight men killed at the battle of New Orleans. The mater- nal grandfather of Harvey MeCollum, Darling Long, was a native of West Virginia. He came to Illinois in about 1853, settling in Clay county. where he passed the remainder of his life.
Ilarvey D. MeCollum was reared in Louisville, and he passed through the schools of this city. after which he entered the University of Illinois at Champaign, being graduated from that institution in 1901, from the law department. In the following year Mr. MeCollum was admitted to the bar, and he conducted his first law practice as the partner of Judge Albert M. Rose. This partnership existed with all satisfaction to both parties until the election of Mr. Rose to the circuit bench in 1906, at which time Mr. McCollum became the partner of John W. Thomason, another brilliant young attorney of Lonisville. For the past two years Mr. MeColhim has conducted a private prac-
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tice and in that. as with his partners, he has been particularly fortu- nate and successful, his practice extending to all courts. In addition to his legal interests, Mr. MeCollum gives some time to the manage- ment of the fine farm of which he is the owner, and which is an added source of prosperity to the already independent young attorney. Ile holds considerable stock in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, of which his honored father is vice-president, and is connected with certain other institutions of an industrial and financial character. Ile is an enthusiastie Demoerat, as is his father, and is untiring in his labors for the good of the eause. Twice he has served terms as master in ehaneery, and in 1909 he was elected to the state legislature. He is local attorney for the Baltimore & Ohio and the Illinois Central Rail- road Companies, and is justly regarded as being one of the leading legal men in the county. Ile is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Modern Woodmen, the Benevolent and Proteet- ive Order of Elks, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.
HERMAN M. REA. There is no such word as luek in the lexicon of business men, for experienee has taught them most convincingly that sueeess is the result of persistent application of intelligent methods that demand time for their development. To executive ability and organizing sense must be added publie confidenee and a thorough knowledge of the field to be oeeupied, which latter ean only be gained by gradual and steady approaches. Sudden acquisition of wealth is a rare oeeurrenee, and often followed by speedy and irremediable collapse. In any event, none of the citizens of Christopher would in- timate that Herman M. Rea owes his distinction to any adventitions aid. His present enviable position is due to manly energy, sterling honesty, inflexible sense of justice, tireless energy and intimate ac- quaintanee with business methods. He is a native of Franklin county. Illinois, and was born five miles north of Christopher, September 25. 1877, a son of Frank G. and Bretana Elizabeth (Buckner) Rea.
The grandparents of Mr. Rea. Abner and Mary (Overturf) Rea, na- tives of Tennessee, eame to Illinois in early life, took up land from the Government, and here spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Rea became one of the wealthiest agriculturists in Franklin county, and before his death presented each of his children with a farm. in addi- tion to a sum of money. Frank G. Rea, who for many years was en- gaged in farming in Franklin county, and was also a successful mer- chant of Christopher for fifteen years, is now living retired in this city. He has had a prosperous career and the honorable lines along which he eondueted his business have served as an example for his son, who has inherited many of his admirable traits.
Herman M. Rea received his educational training in the common schools of Christopher, and as a youth worked in his father's store. Hle then entered the postoffice at Zeigler, where he acted as clerk for six months, and his first experience in the real estate field eame as an employe of Ilorn & Dimond, with whom he continued five years. Sinee that time Mr. Rea has been in business with Jesse Dimond & Company, a firm that does a tremendous business in real estate, buying land all over the state, and in addition trades for stores and mines. Mr. Rea is president of the Christopher Electric Company and of the Horn-Dimond Coal Company, secretary of the Benton District Coal Company and the West Frankfort Coal Company. vice-president of the First National Bank of Christopher and a director of the First National Bank of West Frandfort. Although immersed in business. with so many large interests claiming his attention and demanding
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much of his time, Mr. Rea yet finds leisure to devote to those domestic and social relations in which he finds his chief enjoyment. He is a prominent member of the Masonie fraternity and of the Modern Woodmen of America. A Republican in polities, the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow townsmen resulted in his election as collector of Tyron township, although at that time the district was strongly Democratic. He has given the greater part of his time to his business interests, however, and has never sought public preferment.
In 1894 Mr. Rea was married to Miss Ida Clark, daughter of Scott Clark, an early settler and prominent agrienlturist of Mulkeytown, who also for some years was the proprietor of amusement enterprises during season, and who died about 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Rea have six children : Leo, Clyne and Thelma, all of whom are attending school ; and Helen, Mildred and Mary, at home.
PHILIP B. LESEMANN, D. D. S. A representative member of the den- tal fraternity in Nashville, one who holds high rank in his profession and whose ability and courtesy have won him the confidenee and pat- ronage of a large elass of citizens, is Dr. Philip B. Lesemann. IIe eomes of a pioneer German family whose identity with the United States dates from 1844, when its founders immigrated from the vil- lage of Bergkirche, Prussia, and established themselves in Washington county, Illinois. That historie year of the Mississippi flood Henry Lesemann expatriated himself from his native land and brought his family to the New World. His father was then an old man, and the family settlement was made some six miles northeast of Nashville, where, upon the Henry luek farm, the father and mother and other members of the family lie buried. Henry's first wife died in young womanhood and his second one died about four years after their ar- rival in Illinois. Farming elaimed Henry Lesemann after he came to the United States, but in his native Prussia he was a cabinet-maker and fashioned and finished spinning wheels. The children by his last marriage were: Louisa, who married Louis Wehking and both are de- eeased; Frederick, the father of the Doctor; Christiana, who married William Sehlake, both being now deceased ; and Ernst. He was a thie- ologieal student in Boston when he died. The children of Henry's first wife were William, of Kinmundy, Illinois; and Mrs. Henry Steffen, who is deeeased.
Frederick Lesemann was born in 1838, and passed an uneventful life in the country near Nashville. Toward the evening of life he moved into the county seat and died there in 1903. He married (first) Louisa Grote, who died, the mother of Augusta, who passed away as Mrs. Fred Hoffman; and Matilda, now Mrs. Charles Millier, of Gran- ite City, Illinois. For his second wife Mr. Lesemann married Matilda Poehler, who still survives, and the issue of this marriage were Rev. Louis, a graduate of Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton, Mis- souri, and a degree man of the Biblical Institute of the Northwestern University, is a Methodist minister of Chicago, and married Miss Eleanor Tieman : Dr. Philip B., of Nashville; Samnel J., D. D. S., of Altamont, Illinois, and a graduate of the Louisville College of Den- tistry : Amelia, the wife of Albert Lyons, of Granite City, Illinois; and Dr. Frederick J., a physician of Chicago, who is a graduate of Rush Medical College.
Dr. Philip B. Lesemann was born in a country home near Nashville, August 1, 1871. While eoming to mature years he had both rural and urban experience and his career in school was passed chiefly in the county seat. At twenty years of age he began his preparation for
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Ehren J. Bruch, M. W.
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dentistry as a student in the Louisville College of Dentistry and took his diploma from that institution in June, 1895. He opened his office in Nashville the same year and his citizenship has been maintained here since. He is a member of the State Dental Society and is ex- president of the St. Clair Distriet Dental Society. He is secretary and treasurer of the Bridget Hughes Hospital of Nashville, and has de- voted his energy and his skill to the achievement of desirable results in his profession. Ile is in elose touch with advanced thought, keeps thoroughly abreast of the advances made in dentistry, and has se- cured a practice of unmistakably representative character.
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