USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 31
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JOHN MILTON SHEETS is one of that body of men who are either a powerful force for good or a strong force for evil, depending on the personality of the men themselves. This body of men are the editors of our newspapers. Mr. Sheets is the editor of the Oblong Oracle, and of all the editors in the state none is more active than he in the canse of good government. He is a thorough believer in the necessity for editorial fearlessness, and is particularly earnest in his fight for the purity of the country press, which has such a tremendous influence on the politics of the country. The Tribune in commenting on a speech that Mr. Sheets, as president of the Illinois Press Asso- ciation, had made before that association in Chicago says, "The suc- cess of any movement for reform depends upon the courage and breadth and force of the press." These words were practically quoted from Mr. Sheets, but the Tribune adds, "Such a movement depends upon the attitude of what may be called the lesser press but which is in fact the greater press-the newspaper of the smaller cities and towns, the so-called country press. The huge metropolitan news- papers are likewise influential and bear upon their shoulders a tre- mendons responsibility. But the country press is a greater power and sustains a greater responsibility. It is fortunate for the American people that this mighty force is not unfaithful to this service and that so many of those who control and direct it maintain a high sense of duty, courage and wakeful patriotism." Mr. Sheets is one of the leaders of these men of whom the Tribune spoke in such glow- ing terms, and while such men as he are standing in the positions of responsibility, we may trust that the snarl into which the public af- fairs of this commonwealth have been tangled will eventually be straightened out.
John Milton Sheets was born at Oblong, Illinois, in Crawford county, on the 29th of March, 1875. His father was also a native of Oblong, the date of his birth being the 20th of November, 1853. His great-great-grandfather, William Sheets, came to America from Ger- many and fought through the Revolutionary war. His great-grand- father was born in Virginia and was a veteran of the War of 1812, and helped to defend Fort Knox at Vincennes, Indiana. His grand- father was born in Indiana, in 1817. Ilis son John was the father of John Milton. The Sheets family has the distinction of fighting in every war the country has had, including the Black Ilawk war, ex- cept the Mexican, and application was made for enlistment for that war but the quota had been filled.
John Sheets. the father, has been engaged in a number of occupa- tions through his life. As a young man he was a farmer, then he went into the lumber business as the operator of a saw-mill, and his last en- terprise has been the manufacture of concrete. He is now interested in this business, which has proven to be very successful. He was married on the 27th of January, 1874, to Harriet Winger, a daughter of Adam Winger, who was born in Indiana. Eleven children were born of this marriage, John Milton being the eldest. Of this large family nine are
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living. Mr. Sheets, Sr., is a Democrat in his political views, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Wood- men of America. He is a devoted member of the Christian church.
John Milton Sheets was brought up in the environment of a coun- try town, with no particular incentive to take up the work in which he has spent the greater part of his life. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the high school. On the completion of his school work he entered the postoffice as a elerk, and when he was twenty-one years of age he received the appointment as post- master. He held this office until the change in administration brought about a change of officials. lle then went into the newspaper business.
He bought out a paper that had been in cirenlation for two years, known as the Oblong Ledger, and changed the name to The Oracle. lle then had an opportunity to buy The Leader, which he seized upon and combined this paper with the one he had just purchased. The first issue of The Oracle was published on the 4th of June, 1897, and from that day down to the present the cireulation has steadily in- creased. It is now about twelve times as large as it was originally. The plant of the paper is new and contains mueh modern printing machinery. Connected with the paper is a very fine job department. where excellent work is done. The Oracle is an eight page weekly. and its politics are Democratic, though as Mr. Sheets says the dis- graceful situation in Illinois to-day is due neither to the Republican nor to the Democratic parties, but to "bipartisan political dishonesty." Consequently his paper, while loyal to the Democratie principles, denounces those men who. hiding behind the shoulder of this great party, work for the interests of "big business." The paper has been instrumental in raising the price of real estate by bringing before the publie eye the merits of some of the properties in the county. The paper is anti-saloon in policy and was very efficient in the fight to drive saloons out of the county. When the question of good roads came up before the public The Orach led the forces, and kept insisting day after day that good roads were necessary to the progress of the county, and now the county owns many stone roads, and the roads all through the section have been greatly improved and are kept in good condition. The Oracle took the initiative in advocating the laying of conerete walks, with the result that Oblong has now more eonerete walks than any other town of its size in the state. Another valuable campaign in which the paper led was the one which advocated the building of a railroad from Charleston to Mount Car- mel. This line is now operating under the name of the Oil Belt Rail- road, from Oblong to Hardinville. Mr. Sheets was not only active in urging that the people do all in their power to secure the railroad, but he was one of the incorporators himself and has always been in- terested in its success, especially since it is owned by local capital. lle gave it the name it now bears. He is an ardent advocate of scien- tifie farming and it was mainly through his efforts that the town established a small farm near the limits, which is under the direc- tion of the agricultural department of the State University. Another matter that is close to the heart of this editor is the general education of the townspeople after they have completed their school life. The ease with which people in the smaller towns drift into a rut and lose interest in the affairs of the outside world. schlom attempting to keep abreast of modern thought in either seience, literature, the stage or the pulpit, was clearly seen by Mr. Sheets and he did much towards bringing good leeturers to the town. He first began the work speak- ing from the columns of his paper, but later he took direct charge of
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it and has brought many noted men to the town. His business ability is undoubted, and he was one of the incorporators of the First Na- tional Bank, of which he is now one of the direetors.
Mr. Sheets is deeply interested in historical subjeets, especially in the modern ways in which history is being handled, and in the psy- chological and sociological phases of the study. Ile is a member of the American Ilistorieal Society, which has headquarters in Washing- ton, and also of the Illinois State Ilistorieal Association. In a pro- fessional way he is a prominent member of the societies to which he belongs, the Demoeratie Editorial Association and the Illinois State Press Association. During 1911 he was president of the latter or- ganization, being the youngest man who had ever been elected to that offiee. While he was presiding officer he made the address that has been mentioned before, his subject being mainly the Lorimer question. The address was a powerful one judging from the ap- plause with which it was greeted and the comments which it elieited from the reporters. The Tribune says, "President J. M. Sheets, editor of the Oblong Oracle, was the man to take the bit between his teeth and overturn association precedents at the elose of a long, impas- sioned plea for purity among the country newspapers, and a stand for independence in polities when 'yellow dog' candidates were named by party bosses." The sentiment of Mr. Sheets' address may be gathered from the following : "Shame on the situation in Illinois to-day. Polities is good when wholesome and without taint, but in Illinois to-day some men in power are a hindranee to good govern- ment, and the sooner the Brownes, the men he has assisted to office, and those of his ilk, regardless of party affiliation, are divoreed from the polities and official family of the commonwealth the sooner will our great state make the retribution necessary to resume its position in the vanguard of deceney, honor, and statehood rank." From this extract it should not be difficult to see where Mr. Sheets stands. The Tribune in further comment says, "In Illinois we are passing through a erueial period, in which the powers of misrule are making a desperate stand against exposure and ruin. Whether this fight for honest government shall triumph depends chiefly upon the courage and eonseienee, the insight and eandor of the so-called country edi- tors whose enlightened eivie spirit spoke out in the address of the president of the Illinois Press Association. It is the still small voiee of the smaller paper that utters what the still small voiee in the eon- seienee of the people speaks. And that voiee is a voice of thunder." No finer tribute could be paid to Mr. Sheets than the above words, and we may only hope that he may be spared to continue the good work in which he has been so active.
On the 25th of November, 1896, Mr. Sheets was married to Pearl Odell, a daughter of W. J. Odell, who has sinee died. He was one of the leading hotel men of the county, and was well known through- out the seetion. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have one child, John King Byron Sheets, who was born on the 15th of January, 1912, being the fifth generation of Johns in the Sheets family. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets are members of the Methodist church and in the fraternal world Mr. Sheets is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America.
C. P. BURNETT. A man of unquestioned integrity and ability, pos- sessing sound judgment and excellent business taet, the late C. P. Burnett, of Eldorado, founder of the widely known mercantile firm of C. P. Burnett & Sons, spent the best years of his life in Saline
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county, and was actively identified with the establishment of many of its enterprises of importance and worth. He was born in 1851, in Saline county, Illinois.
Coming from Raleigh to Eldorado in 1871, Mr. Burnett embarked in business with his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Burnett & Musgrave, and having put in a stock of general merchandise val- ued at ten thousand dollars conducted a general store for ten years. Selling out his interests in the firm to Mr. Musgrave in 1881, Mr. Burnett opened a general store on the opposite side of the street, and conducted it so successfully that in 1885 he admitted one of his sons to partnership, the firm name becoming C. P. Burnett & Son. Four years later another son was taken into the firm, which was then changed to C. P. Burnett & Sons. On October 19, 1892, Mr. Burnett was called to the life beyond, passing away at a comparatively carly age, his death being mourned as a public loss.
The business which Mr. Burnett established and which has sinee been continued under the name of C. P. Burnett & Sons, was incor- porated in March, 1903, with a capital of forty thousand dollars, which has sinee been increased to fifty thousand dollars, and is now ably conducted by the four sons constituting the firm. This enter- prising firm has a well stocked store, containing three departments, in which everything pertaining to dry goods may be found, and is carrying on a very large and luerative mercantile business, its sales amounting to two hundred thousand dollars each year. In addition to its dry goods store, this firm has established a lumber yard, and in the sale of lumber, brick and building material does an annual business amounting to seventy thousand dollars. The firm likewise established a private bank at Eldorado, C. II. Burnett being made president and L. E. Burnett, vice-president. The bank has a paid up capital of forty thousand dollars, with deposits amounting to three hundred thousand dollars, while its loans equal its deposits. The firm also owns considerable valuable land in Saline county, in- eluding the old Burnett homestead, and several of Eldorado's bnsi- ness buildings.
Mr. C. P. Burnett married Clementine Musgrave, who survived him about nine years. Nine children were born of their union, one of whom, E. W. Burnett, the first son to be admitted to the firm. sur- vived his father but nine months, dying at the age of twenty-nine years. Four sons and four daughters are now living, the sons being C. Il. Burnett, L. E. Burnett, R. E. Burnett and C. P. Burnett. Fra- ternally Mr. Burnett was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, while living in Raleigh having served as master of his lodge, and in Eldorado having been a charter member of the local lodge.
REV. FREDERICK WILLIAM MCCLUSKY. Union Academy of Southern Illinois, one of the leading educational institutions of this seetion. which is fully aceredited with the State University at Champaign- Urbana and with the leading colleges of the Central West, is located amid pieturesque surroundings, on the divide between Anna and Jonesboro, and about one-half mile distant from the business center of each place. It was founded in 1883, on September 17th of which year it was opened with an enrollment of forty-seven pupils. Ench year has seen new buildings creeted, numerous improvements inde and an increase in attendance, and the latter has been especially marked during the last seven years, during which time the Rev. Fred- erick William McClusky has aeted as senior principal.
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Rev. MeCInsky was born at Alder Creek, New York, June 27, 1866, and when four years of age was taken to Forestport, where his father was engaged as a merchant and lumber dealer until Frederick was fifteen years old. He was educated in the graded schools of Forest- port, and then attended Holland Patent Academy, Clinton Grammar School, School Park College, Missouri, and the Union and Auburn- Seminaries, graduating from the latter in 1894, at which time he be- came principal's assistant at the Evening High School, Brooklyn, New York, which had an attendance of from fifteen hundred to eight- cen hundred students. In the same year he became Presbyterian minister at Forestport, and from 1895 until 1899 had the charge at the Memorial church of that faith in Brooklyn. While still in the seminaries, Rev. MeClusky was stenographer for the student volun- teer movement for foreign missions, as well as precentor of the Sun- day-schools of Olivet Chapel, with upwards of one thousand members. For nine years he was a member of the Second Battery of the National Guard, and during the summers of 1891 and 1892 served as orderly and stenographer on the staff of Adjutant General Josiah Porter, at Peekskill State Camp. Also, while at Auburn Seminary, Rev. Mc- Clusky was baritone of the seminary male quartettc. From 1899 until 1902 Rev. McClusky filled the charge at Whitesboro, New York, and for nineteen months was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Union- ville, Missouri, at the end of that time coming to Union Academy as principal, in which capacity he has served to the present time, a wise and unbroken administration of more than seven years. From the first the large colleges have recognized the indispensability of prepara- tory schools. The earliest efforts at realizations were crude and in- effective ; but they have paved the way to the marked success of later years. It is impossible and unnecessary to trace in detail the advance in pedagogical thought; it has been gradual, never revolutionary, and more discernable in the present result than in the stages of its progress. It would be invidious and inaccurate to attribute leadership in this advance to one school or another, all have contributed to it in a greater or less degree ; but no one will take exception to the assertion that great credit is duc, in the general reckoning, to the wisdom, in- sight and persistence of the principal of Union Academy. Rev. Mc- Clusky is a man of remarkable mental attainments, and it is rare to find a man who has a grasp of more of the facts that constitute human knowledge than he. Since coming to Union Academy he has taught literature, history and elocution, and it has been the subject of uni- versal remark that he is familiar with all the innumerable facts throughout the whole realm of his departments. He has, furthermore the faculty of apt illustration and is always able to apply the prin- ciples under consideration. Rev. MeChusky has been blessed by a spirit of gencrous toleration, and although he is a man of strong con- victions. those convictions have never led him to intolerance of the opinions of others, nor have his convictions ever led him to personal prejudice against those who have held opposing views .. Since he has been in charge of the fortunes of Union Academy. the attendance has nearly tripled and twenty thousand dollars of new buildings have been erected. Rev. McClusky is very popular with the students, as well as those who have met him in a social or business way.
In 1894 Dr .. McClusky was married to Miss Lillian B. Dean, who was born at Salem, Ohio, and four children have been born to this union, aged as follows : Frederick D., fifteen years ; Howard Y., eleven ; Margaret E., nine ; and William Kenneth, who died at the age of two days. Mrs. McClusky moved to Kansas with her parents when she
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was still in young girlhood and at the age of fourteen years entered Park College, Parkville, Missouri, having received her preliminary training in the public schools of Clinton, Kansas. In 1888 she re- ceived the degree of A. B. from Park College, and then studied music under a private teacher. Mrs. Agnes Lockhart Richards. Eventually she took a course in Frank Herbert Tubbs' private school, went to the musical department of the Pierce City (Miss.) Baptist College for less than one year, and the two years following were spent at Fort Smith. Arkansas, where she maintained a private vocal studio. She has taught musie ever since, and has engaged in concert and lecture work. While engaged in pursuing her musical studies Mrs. McClusky taught for two years at Park College having the classes in history, mathematics and Latin, then became superintendent of public schools of Parkville for one year, and for some time was a teacher in the grammar schools of Eureka Springs. She is a lady of culture and re- finement, and has been an admirable assistant to her husband in his arduous work.
THEODORE F. GEROULD, M. D., one of the best known physicians and surgeons in Centralia, has brought to the practice of his profession a well trained mind of natural ability, a sympathetic heart and warm human interest in the lives of others. With such gifts, natural and ae- quired, it is no wonder that today he has one of the largest practices in the city and the surrounding country.
Dr. Geronld was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 15th of September. 1879. ITis father was II. T. Geronld, who came from an eastern family, being born in Massachusetts. The grandfather of Dr. Gerould was Lyman Gerould, a native of New Hampshire. Here he owned and operated a large woolen mill, but the attraction of the great Northwest proved too strong for him, so he came out to Minne- sota and settled in Minneapolis. Later he bought some farm land near the city, and lived the quiet life of a farmer until he died. His son II. T. moved to Cairo, Illinois, in 1874, where he held the position of superintendent of the Gas and Electric Light Company. After a time he went to Minneapolis, and moved from there to Centralia in 1893. Hle died February 2, 1912. In polities he was a Republican, and his religious affiliations were with the Episcopal church.
H. T. Gerould married Sophia Fleming, whose father had migrated from his native state of Ohio in his youth and had settled in Cairo, Illinois. Here he became cashier of a bank and in time acquired con- siderable wealth. Mrs. Geroukl was born in Ohio, and Dr. Gerould was an only child.
After the completion of his preparatory work, Dr. Gerould at- tended the University of Illinois, at Champaign, and then, having decided to make medieine his profession, he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago. After completing two years of the course offered at the latter institution he went to the JJefferson College in Philadel- phia, where he graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1901. For a year he remained in the east, practicing at Wild Wood, New Jersey. then he returned to the west and located in Centralia, in 1902. In addition to the large practice that he has built up from that time he has considerable surgical work. He is surgeon for the Hlinois Central Railway Company, for the Marion Coal Company, and for the En- velope Factory. He has devoted all of his time to the practice of med- ieine, and cares little for polities.
In his religion he is a communieant and regular attendant at the Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonie Lodge and Vol. 3-14
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Chapter in Centralia, and also belongs to the Elks, being past exalted ruler in the Elks lodge, No. 493. From 1904 to 1908 he performed the duties of coroner.
THOMAS BELL WILLIAMSON, M. D. One of the foremost Eclectic physicians of Jefferson county, Thomas Bell Williamson, M. D., of Opdyke, is associated by membership with the Missouri State Eclectic Medical Society and with the National Eclectic Association, and in the diagnosis and treatment of the various ills to which mankind is heir keeps abreast of the times, being familiar with the more modern methods now used. A native of Illinois, he was born October 4, 1885, near Belle Rive, Jefferson county.
His father, the late Thomas Williamson, was born in 1833, in Kentucky, and there spent his early life. Coming to Illinois in 1860, he located in Jefferson county, where he became an extensive land- holder, at one time owning a whole section of land. He died while in manhood's prime, his death occurring in 1886. He was twice mar- ried. He married first Peggy Butler, who died in 1881, leaving two children, namely: William II., deceased: and Mrs. Nancy Ann Lin- vell. He married for his second wife Dora A. Phillips, a daughter of William Phillips. In 1896 she passed to the life beyond, leaving but one child, Thomas Bell, the subject of this personal narrative.
Left an orphan in boyhood, Thomas Bell Williamson received his early education in the common and high schools of MeLeansboro, Illi- nois, and in 1902 was graduated from Ewing College, in Ewing, Illi- nois. Then, at the age of seventeen years, he began the study of medicine in Saint Louis, at the American Medical College, where he was graduated with the class of 1906, having for a year previous to his graduation been connected with the Metropolitan Hospital, the last few months of the time being an interne. In June, 1906, Dr. William- son began the practice of his profession in Opdyke, Illinois, and has here built up an extensive and highly remunerative patronage, his skill and ability being recognized and appreciated throughout the com- munity. The Doctor has also been successful in accumulating prop- erty, now owning two farms, one of eighty acres lying near Opdyke, and another of one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin county. He likewise owns considerable live stock, and has valuable residential property in Opdyke. He is now vice-president of the Opdyke Bank.
On August 5, 1906, Dr. Williamson married Lillian D. Kern, a daughter of Joseph Wesley Kern, formerly of Snowflake, Franklin county, but now eashier of the Opdyke Bank, of which he is an ex- president. The Doctor and Mrs. Williamson have one child, Lucille Frances, born December 13, 1908.
Fraternally Dr. Williamson is a member and a past master of Jef- ferson Lodge, No. 368, Ancient Free and Aceepted Order of Masons, of Opdyke ; of 1I. W. Hubbard Chapter, No. 160, Royal Arch Masons, of Mount Vernon; and of Opdyke Camp, No. 6457, Modern Woodmen of America. lle is also a member and the past and present worthy patron of Jefferson Chapter, No. 686, Order of Eastern Star, to which Mrs. Williamson also belongs, being worthy matron, and which they were both very influential in organizing, it having been instituted March 16, 1911.
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