USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Maurice J. Seed passed his early life in Lawrenceville and Bell- mont in attendance at the public schools. Finishing the course pre- scribed by the common schools he entered the Northwestern Academy at Evanston, graduating therefrom in June, 1899. He completed a course in the University, receiving his Bachelor's degree in 1902, hav- ing devoted special attention to English and political economy. le was awarded the N. W. Harris prize of $100.00 for his thesis on the trust question, and was awarded Phi Beta Kappa honors. On the eom- pletion of his university course, Mr. Seed purchased the Mount Vernon Daily and Weekly Register, the official Republican organ of Jefferson county, and he has since that time conducted the paper in a manner that has brought it up to a high standard of excellence, both as a dis- penser of the news and a paper especially suited to the needs of the
1371
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
home. Mr. Seed has been secretary of the Republican central committee, and is especially prominent in political circles. He is affiliated with a number of fraternal organizations, among them being Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 31. A. F. & A. M .. II. W. Hubbard Chapter, No. 160, Royal Arch Masons, Patton Commandery, No. 69, Knights Templar, and Jef- ferson Lodge, No. 131, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Mount Vernon.
On October 18, 1905, Mr. Seed married Elizabeth Fickes, of Steu- benville, Ohio, a graduate of Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan. Three children were born to them, one of whom died in infancy, those remain- ing being Ruth Elizabeth and Helen Georgia.
MCDANIEL CARROLL, postmaster at Ina, was for thirty years a teacher in the public schools of Jefferson county, and in that capacity did much towards promoting the educational interests of Southern Illinois. A son of John Thomas Carroll, he was born January 27. 1858, on a farm in Jefferson county, Illinois, coming from excellent Virginian stock, his paternal grandfather, James Carroll, having been a native of the Old Dominion state.
Born in Tennessee, March 13, 1830, John Thomas Carroll subse- quently migrated to Illinois, locating in Jefferson county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, March 11, 1863, while yet in manhood's prime. He married, December 8, 1850, Anna M. Shafer, and they became the parents of six children, namely: William R., living near Bonnie, Illinois ; James II., of Ina ; Luranie J., deceased ; MeDaniel. the subject of this brief biographical record; Sarah E., de- ceased ; and Rosalee, deceased. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Anna M. Carroll married Joseph Etherton, a native of Tennessee, and to them five children were born, as follows: Mrs. Laura Sweeten ; George C., deceased ; Arizona, deceased ; Zora, deceased ; and Mrs. Mary O. Keller. The mother also died at a comparatively early age, her death occuring February 20, 1881.
After leaving the public schools of Jefferson county, MeDaniel Car- roll continued his studies at the Southern Illinois Normal University in Carbondale, entering in 1881 and completing the course in 1884. Fitted for a professional career, he began teaching school in 1881, and for thirty years was employed as an educator in Jefferson county. During his vacations and his leisure time Mr. Carroll has worked at the carpenter's trade, making good use of his mechanical talents, and sinee 1901 has served continuously as postmaster at Ina.
Mr. Carroll married, November 11. 1886. Mary Elizabeth MeCul- longh, a daughter of James and Susan MeCullough, and to them four children have been born, namely: Ina, wife of John Tippi. of Mount Vernon, Ilinois; Nona, attending Ruskin Cave College, in Tennessee : Ada, who was graduated from Ruskin Cave College in the spring of 1912: and B. De Graw. attending school. Fraternally Mr. Carroll is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
WINFIELD S. PInLuPs. The records of Gallatin county show that never before have there been so many able members of the bar within its confines. With so many important matters before the country which involve serious problems of jurisprudence, it is exceedingly necessary for the lawyer of today to be able to cope with them and lend his aid in obtaining justice. Because of the necessity for successful qualifica- tions, the present day lawyer is being asked to occupy positions of trust and responsibility, and among those heading large institutions where
1372
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
the interests of many are to be conserved, the proportion of lawyers is large. One of those representatives of this learned ealling who has attained to considerable prestige both as a lawyer and financier is Win- field S. Phillips, of Ridgway, Illinois, president of the Gallatin County State Bank. Mr. Phillips was born at Normandy, Bedford county, Tennessee, January 20, 1854, and was nine years of age when brought by his parents to Golconda, Pope county, Illinois.
At the age of twenty years Mr. Phillips began to teach in the country schools near Goleonda, continuing therein for six years, and pursuing his law studies with Thomas H. Clark, of Golconda and D. M. Kinsall, of Shawneetown. He came to Ridgway in 1880, and on July 8th of that year was admitted to practice, in which he has continued here to the present time with great success. The general high esteem in which Mr. Phillips is held was made manifest in 1906 when, in a Democratie county of 6,000 majority, he was elected county judge on the Repub- liean ticket, and at the end of four years was presented by the bar association with a beautiful gold-headed cane, an honor never before conferred at the end of four years, although on two occasions it has been given to others after eight years of service. He has been prom- inent in conventions of his party, served as chairman of the county central committee for fifteen years, was chairman of the congressional committee for a long period, and is now state central committeeman for the twenty-fourth district. He was appointed a trustee of the Southern Illinois State Normal University by Governor Yates and re- appointed by Governor Deneen, serving in that capacity for eight years, and was also one of the first trustees of James Millikin University at Decatur, Illinois. IIe is a prominent member of the State Bar Asso- eiation. Mr. Phillips has been equally prominent in financial circles, being president of the Gallatin County Bank, of which he has been the head sinee its organization as a state institution. This bank, which has its own handsome building and is equipped with modern fixtures throughout, is known as one of the solid and substantial banking busi- nesses of the southern part of the state and its officials are men of the highest integrity and standing in the business and financial world. Mr. Phillips is also one of the original stockholders of the Norris City State Bank, of White county, and he and his son have owned the controlling interest in the bank at Omaha. Gallatin county, for two years.
On May 11. 1879, Mr. Phillips was married to Leuella Porter, of Gallatin county, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, daughter of Captain B. C. Porter, an old steamboat captain who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have had the following children: Sarah Agnes, who married Otis C. Moore, of Chester, Illinois; W. Braxton, a graduate of the business college at Quincey, and now assistant cashier of the Gallatin County Bank: Anna Aliee, who resides at home with her parents; and Clyde W., who like his brother completed his edueation in the Quiney business college. Mr. Phillips is a Master Mason and belongs to the Odd Fellows. He and Mrs. Phillips hold membership in the Presbyterian church, with which he has been connected sinee boy- hood. He has been active in church work for a number of years, and is now aeting in the capacity of elder. Mr. Phillips has associated himself with every movement that would tend to advance Ridgway in any manner, and in every field of endeavor his standing has been high. His popularity is not confined to the members of his profession or his business associates, but extends throughout this section of the state, where he is well known and highly esteemed.
1373
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
LOUIS LINCOLN EMMERSON. Conspicuous among the really big men of Mount Vernon who have attained to high places in financial eireles in Southern Illinois is Lonis Lincoln Emmerson, for twenty-five years past a resident of Mount Vernon, and a participator in practically every enterprise worthy of note in his section of the country. He has from the beginning of his association with Mount Vernon filled various positions calling forth qualities of strength and dependability, and in his present connection with some of the most thriving commercial and financial institutions in the country those splendid traits have increased commensurately with the added responsibilities.
Born December 27, 1863, at Albion, Illinois, he is the son of Jesse Emmerson and Fannie (Snardet) Emmerson, and the grandson of Alan Emmerson, a native of Kentucky who migrated to Indiana and later settled in Illinois, near Albion, in 1817. There Alan Emmerson married a daughter of the Mounts family. He was but twenty years of age at that time, and he and his wife lived together in harmony for sixty-five years. They reared a family of fourteen children, and in 1876 the aged pair passed away within a period of three months. IIe was a veteran of the Black Hawk war, rendering valiant service to his country in that confliet. Their son JJesse married Fannie Suardet, as previously mentioned, and four children were born of their union: three sons and one daughter. They are Morris, who is publisher of the News Herald in Lincoln, Illinois; Charles, cashier of the First National Bank at Albion; Louise, the wife of Otto Krug, of Sullivan, Indiana ; and Louis Lincoln, of Mount Vernon. The father, Jesse Emmerson, was a prominent and familiar figure in his locality throughout his life time. He was always active in political eireles, serving in a number of public offices. At one time he was clerk of Edwards county, and during the Civil war served as county sheriff. He died in 1891, and the wife and mother survived him for almost twenty years, passing away in 1911, on November 16th.
Louis Lincoln Emmerson passed his hoyhood and youth as a student in the publie schools and the high school of Albion, in which city he lived until he had reached his twentieth year. Completing his school- ing, he became engaged in business in Sullivan, Indiana, and was thus occupied for one year. In 1886 he located in Mount Vernon and be- came interested in mercantile pursuits, in which he continued snecess- fully for a number of years. In 1901 he became cashier of the Third National Bank, filling that position acceptably and capably until 1909, when he was elected to the presidency of the bank. In that year further honors became his, when he was appointed to the seeretaryship of the Steele-Smith Dry Goods Company of Birmingham, Alabama, a depart- ment store owned principally by Mount Vernon capital, and in which he is a prominent stockholder. Mr. Emmerson has become connected with numerous other commercial and financial enterprises in and about Mount Vernon, by reason of his peculiar ability in the successful admin- istration of any business requiring traits of progressiveness, aggres- siveness and, withal, proper conservatism. He is a stockholder and director of the Mount Vernon Iee Company, the Illinois Knitting Com- pany and the Mount Vernon Car Manufacturing Company, all of them being institutions of solid organization, and branching out with the passing of time with an avidity consistent with safe managership. Mr. Emmerson has been secretary of the Mount Vernon Building & Loan Association for the past ten years, and is connected with mimeron; other smaller banks and commercial organizations throughout Southern Illinois as a director and stockholder. He was one of the principal organizers of the Albion Shale Brick Company recently incorporated, Vol. III -19
1374
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
and he is president of the company. This is adjudged to be the largest shale brick plant west of the Alleghany mountains, having a capacity of 100,000 bricks daily, and incorporated with a capital stock of $200,000. In addition to his many other positions of trust and honor, Mr. Emmerson was at one time appointed to fill a vacancy as commis- sioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, which post he accepted and discharged the duties in connection therewith in a highly creditable manmer.
Mr. Emmerson is an adherent to Republican principles, and has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the party, as well as a dom- inant factor in Republican state politics. He has been county chair- man of the Republican party for the past ten years, and is state com- mitteeman from his district. He is prominent as a fraternalist, being especially so in Masonic circles, in which society he has taken the thirty- third degree. Ile is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Modern Woodmen. He is a communicant of the First Presbyterian church of Mount Vernon, materially aiding the work of that organization on all occasions.
In 1887 Mr. Emmerson married Miss Anna Mathews, the daughter of Thomas Mathews, of Grayville, Illinois. Two daughters have been born to them: Aline, aged eighteen, now a student in the Belmont Col- lege of Nashville, Tennessee, and Dorothy, aged fifteen, a student in the Mount Vernon high school.
SIGEL CAPEL. A lawyer by profession, Sigel Capel, of Harrisburg, has won a high place for himself at the Saline eounty bar, and by reason of his untiring industry and comprehensive knowledge of the law and its application has built up a substantial patronage. A son of John I. Capel, he was born September 8, 1870, in Saline county, on the home farm about eight miles west of Harrisburg.
Born in Wilson county, Tennessee, in February, 1845, John I. Capel was left fatherless when a small child, and as a lad of fourteen years came with his widowed mother to Illinois, living first for a short time in Wayne county, from there coming to Saline county. During the progress of the Civil war he enlisted in Company F. One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served as corporal of the company until the close of the conflict, at times having command of the men in his company. He subsequently bought land in Saline county, and has since been actively and profitably engaged in tilling the soil on the farm which he improved from its wildness. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and a very active and enthusiastic worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. having been very influential in the building of the New Ebenezer church of that denomination. Ile mar- ried, just previous to his enlistment in the Civil war, Mary E. Nolan, who was born in Tennessee, and came to Saline county, Illinois, as a child with her parents.
Brought up on the home farm, Sigel Capel acquired his rudimentary education in the rural schools of his district, after which he attended Ilayward College two terms. At the age of seventeen years he began teaching school, and at the same time made such good use of his leisure moments in reading law that in 1893 he was admitted to the bar. Since that time Mr. Capel has been constantly engaged in the practice of his profession in Harrisburg. Elected state attorney in 1896. he served his constituents ably for four years in that capacity, and was later ap- pointed by Governor Yates to a position in the state insurance depart- ment, with which he was officially connected for three years. Mr. Capel is widely known as a skilful and able lawyer, and is enjoying a large
1375
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
and lucrative practice, while in private life he is held in high esteem by all who know him.
Mr. Capel married, in June, 1893, Jennie Parks, who was born in Harrisburg, and into their home three children have been born, namely : Hobart ; Gwendola; and Leonore, who died in infancy. Mrs. Capel is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Capel is identified with various fraternal organizations, including the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
THOMAS B. SULLINS. The standard of excellence among educators all over the country is being raised higher and higher, and especially is this true in Illinois, where the people are so proud of their public school system. One of those who have been prominent in the educa- tional field of Clinton county for some years is Thomas B. Sullins, superintendent of the schools of the city of Trenton, and editor and half-owner of the Trenton Sun, an independent newspaper devoted to the best interests of the community. Mr. Sullins is a native Mis- sourian, having been born in Ripley county.
He received his early education in the public schools of Madison county, after graduation from which he became a student of the West- ern Normal College, at Bushnell, Illinois, and subsequently took the course in the Eastern Normal School at Charleston and Austin College, Effingham, from which he was graduated in the class of 1905, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then became principal of the ward schools of Effingham, a position which he held for three years, and eventually became superintendent of the city schools of that place, and in 1910 he came to Trenton, where he had been appointed superintend- ent of the eity schools. Since accepting this position Mr. Sullins has made numerons improvements in the school system here, agricultural and bookkeeping courses being added to the curriculum in 1910, and in 1911 a complete commercial course. Ile is a man of high ideals, a deep student and thinker and an efficient educator, a man who can truly be said to have found his work. He is not satisfied that the educational methods of yesterday will do for tomorrow, but is constantly laboring to better conditions in every way, realizing that many improvements are to be made before the system will have become perfect. He is popu- lar alike with associates and pupils, and has numerous friends in Tren- ton. The Trenton Sun is an up-to-date, wide-awake sheet, containing clean, breezy articles, pithy local news items, and well-written edito- rials, Mr. Sullins wielding a virile and trenchant pen. The paper is recognized as one which wields a great deal of influence and does much to mold public opinion in this part of the county, but has not given its allegiance to any political party, its proprietors preferring to take an independent stand.
On August 22, 1902. Professor Sullins was united in marriage with Miss Daisy Gullick, of Alhambra, Illinois, and they have been the par- ents of three children. namely: William Perry. Hattie Fern and Ruby Marguerite. Politically Mr. Sullins is a Democrat, but he has never cared for public office. In fraternal matters he is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Trenton Lodge. For fifteen years he was an adherent of the faith of the Presbyterian church, but later joined the Christian denomination, having served for several years as superin- tendent of the Sunday school of the Trenton church, which his wife also attends. She was born in Sebastopol, Madison county, Ilinois. May 21, 1880, and is a daughter of William and Frances (Berthons) Gnllick. both of whom were born near Highland. Illinois. Both Professor and
1376
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Mrs. Sullins are well and popularly known in the society circles of Trenton, where they have a beautiful home.
JOHN ALEXANDER. It is held by some that there is no longer room at the top, that there is practically no chance for the youth of moderate circumstances to rise to the head of affairs because of the changed con- ditions of modern business. This theory is refuted, however, in the career of Jolin Alexander, who, starting in life with no particular advan- tages, has triumphed over all obstacles in his way and has set an example of success won withont double dealing or unfair advantage over any man. Today there is no better known man in the business world in Jackson county, and his life may prove an encouraging example to the aspiring youths of the present generation. Mr. Alexander is a native of Scotland, having been born in Glasgow, June 12, 1862, a son of James and Jessie (Glenn) Alexander.
James Alexander was born in January, 1837, in the city of Glasgow, where his father, John Alexander, was forester to Lord Douglas. He was educated in his native country, where he spent four years in a mer- chant's office to learn the business, and then apprenticed himself to the machinist's trade. In 1865 he came to the United States, and for two years was employed by the Eagle Foundry in St. Louis, Missouri, from whence he went to Galesburg, Illinois, and for a like period was employe of the machine shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1871 Mr. Alexander came to Murphysboro, where for three years he was engaged in a general merchandise business, and at the end of that time, with his brother, Walter Alexander, founded the firm of Alexander Brothers Foundry and Machine Shop, which did a large business until the brothers sold out in 1897. Mr. Alexander was president of the Jack- son County Homestead and Loan Association and of the Southern Illi- nois Building and Loan Association, and a director in the First National Bank. He was a man of the highest business integrity, and in his death the county lost one of its foremost citizens. In 1859, in Scotland, he was married to Miss Jessie Glenn, and five children were born to this union : John, Walter, Mary, Kate and Janet. Mr. Alexander was a trustee in the Presbyterian church, and was fraternally connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order United Workmen, in which he was a master, and the Knights of Honor, and with the exception of the first named, represented all of these in the Grand Lodge. His wife was a member of the Ladies of Honor, and was a most estimable woman, be- ing possessed of those qualities of mind and heart that go to make up the highest type of Christian womanhood. Mr. Alexander's brother, Walter Alexander, with whom he was engaged in business for so many years, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1837, and came to the United States in 1863, working for some time at the trade of machinist in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he was working when he was sent by the Government to Mound City, Illinois. For two years he worked in the navy yard there during the Civil war, and subsequently went to the Eagle Fonndry, at St. Louis. He became foreman of the shops of the Grand Tower Min- ing, Manufacturing and Transportation Company, a position which he held until he engaged in business with his brother, but in 1897 the firm sold out and Mr. Alexander retired from business activities and until his death, July 14, 1909, he lived a quiet and contented life. He was a director in the Chicago-Herrin Coal Company, and a business man of rare judgment.
John Alexander received his education in the public schools of Mnr- physboro, and at the age of thirteen years began to learn the trade of molder in his father's shops. He then served one term as court reporter.
Temas Olivander
1377
HISTORY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
being the first to follow this line of work in Jackson county, and when twenty years of age seenred employment as a stenographer with the firm of Kingman & Company, of St. Louis, implement dealers, and during the eighteen years that followed he continued with this firm, rising from the position of stenographer to that of bookkeeper and subsequently became cashier. In 1901 he returned to Murphysboro, where he became one of the organizers of the Chicago-Herrin Coal Company, of which he is seere- tary, treasurer and general manager, and organized the Carterville and Herrin Coal Company, with which he holds like positions. He is see- retary and treasurer of the Chew Mercantile Company, of Herrin, sec- retary of the St. Louis-Carterville Coal Company, and a director in the Anehor Iee and Packing Company of Murphysboro, the First National Bank of Murphysboro and the Ilerrin Building and Loan Association, of which latter he was organizer. In 1907 the First National Bank of Herrin was organized, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and a surplus of ten thousand dollars, the officers being: John Alexander, president ; R. A. Karr, vice-president ; and Paul D. Herrin, cashier. The bank building, a structure thirty-four by one hundred and ten feet, two stories in height and built of steel gray brick with granite pillars, is fur- nished in mahogany, and modern in every respect, being one of the finest business edifiees to be found in this town. The bank is on a sound, substantial footing, and the business integrity of its officials has been all that is necessary to win the confidenee and patronage of the people of this community. Mr. Alexander is a trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Murphysboro, and is fraternally connected with the Masons. the Knights of Pythias, and several social clubs. In political matters he is a Republican. ITis integrity and honesty have never been questioned. and his publie spirit as a eitizen is commendable. Such a man, naturally, has many friends, and Mr. Alexander is no exception to this rule, as those who feel a warm, natural regard for him are numerous in this city.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.