USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 51
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George Newman Parker was born in Crawford county, Illinois, on the 9th of April, 1843. His father, Samuel Parker, was a native of Ohio, having been born in Miami township, Butler county, Ohio, on the 22nd of May, 1816. He was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Newman ) Parker, and he was the grandson of James Parker. When Samuel Parker was a babe of two years his parents moved to Crawford county, Illinois, arriving in their new home on the 11th of October, 1818. Here the lad grew up and as soon as he was old enough took up the voeation to which his father had devoted his life. that is, farming. He spent all of his life in this pursuit, and made a fair success. He was married to Emeline Lanham. Her father was a veteran of the War of 1812, and died as a member of the Volunteer army. Emeline Lanham was born in Louisiana. Of her three children, George N. is the youngest. His oldest sister, Mary J., is Mrs. Barrick, of Robinson, and his older sister, Sab- rina Ann, who became Mrs. Dean, is now deceased. In polities Samuel Parker was a Whig-Democrat. He died on the 7th of September, 1904, his wife having died at the age of seventy-two, on the 16th of August, 1888.
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George Newman Parker was brought up on the farm, and while given some advantage in the way of education, had the healthful life of the farm as a background. The many hours a day that he spent out-of-doors cleared his brain and assisted him in comprehending cube root and the complexities of English grammar. Ilis elementary edneation was re- ceived in the common schools, and when he outgrew these he was sent to Palestine Academy. He later attended Union Christian College, Merom, Indiana. He lived at home on the farm nntit he was twenty- two vers of age, but at seventeen had started out in life as a school teacher. He taught school for several years and in November, 1865, was elected county superintendent of schools. Ile filled this position for four years, at the same time reading law in the office of C. C. Fletcher. He then gave up his school teaching and matriculated at the University of Michigan, in the law department. He left the University in 1870. and was admitted to the bar by the Illinois state supreme court in June, 1870. In 1878 he was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court. As soon as he was entitled to practice he settled in Robinson, Illinois, and opened an office. From that time up to the present he has been in practice in this city. Mr. Parker first practiced alone, but after eleven years he formed a partnership with J. C. Olwin. This association lasted for two years, and then he formed a second partnership with J. B. Crowley. Judge Crowley was appointed special treasury agent in charge of the United States fisheries in Alaska in 1893, and during his absence on this duty Mr. HI. S. Bogard became a member of the firm. Hle subsequently became attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany, and is general attorney for other corporations.
In polities Mr. Parker is a Demoerat, and for twelve years he has been a member of the Crawford county central committee. His term of service as a member of the state central committee lasted four years. Hle has done good work in both of these committees, and the Demoeratie party count him one of their most valuable men. In 1908 he had the honor of being sent as a delegate to the national convention in Denver when William JJennings Bryan received his third nomination For presi- dent. Mr. Parker is a member of the Elks, of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Modern Americans, and of the Tribe of Ben Hur. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Parker has been a very successful dealer in real estate and this business has always held a great fascination for him. For some time he published the Real Estate Erchange, a journal devoted to the needs of those who bought and sold property of any kind. He is also much interested in the oil business and a large share of his fortune is invested in oil lands or in the stock of oil companies. He is a member of the E. Lindsay Oil Company, the J. B. Crowley Oil Company, the George N. Parker Oil Company, the MeKean Oil Company and several others. He is also president of the Robinson Oil Company, which carried on ex- tensive operations in Indiana. He is interested in other lines of busi- ness as well, being secretary of the Robinson Pipe Tong Company, and is president of the Meyers Motor Company. His training as a lawyer has given him the ability to think rapidly and to act quickly, and in his business experience he has Found this a large factor in his success.
On the 5th of May, 1870, Mr. Parker was married to Julia Alice Crowley, the daughter of Samuel B. and Elizabeth Crowley. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are enthusiastic lovers of flowers and have one of the largest collections in Crawford county.
WILLIAM H. HILA .. The Murphysboro Paving Brick Company. a large industry situated at Murphysboro, Illinois, is one of the concerns
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which have in late years made the industrial interests of Jackson county become a potent factor in the business world, and have assisted in build- ing up and developing this part of the country in a manner that could have been accomplished, perhaps, in no other way. The agitation for good streets, probably fostered by the advent of the automobile, has caused even the smallest and poorest of towns and villages to make im- provements in the way of street paving, and as the center of a com- munity that is the home of progressive, wideawake citizens, Murphys- boro offers all the advantages that could be found for a business carry- ing on operations in Southern Illinois.
This company was organized March 31, 1909, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, which has been increased to one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, and the present officers are William H. Hill, of East St. Louis, president ; II. D. Sexton, of East St. Louis, vice-pres- ident ; and HI. II. Jenkins, of Murphysboro, secretary and treasurer. Owning a fifty-aere tract of land, the company uses about twenty-five acres, giving employment to one hundred and twenty-five persons. In 1911 the output, which had formerly been but six millions yearly, had increased to eleven millions, this enormous increase being due to the fact that an innovation was made in the manner of manufacture, which not only has been a success financially, but produces a better grade of brick. Both large and small brick are manufactured, and the output of 1911 would pave twenty miles of street. In addition to furnishing nearly all the paving brick for the southern Illinois towns, the company ships to Memphis, St. Louis and Chicago and to other points in the country.
William H. Hill, the president of this thriving industry, and one of East St. Louis, representative business men, is a native Illinoisan, hav- ing been born in the village of Summerfield, June 4, 1867. He received his education in the public schools, Foster Academy at St. Louis, and in a business college at Poughkeepsie, New York, and after some business training succeeded his father, who was a building supply dealer. Mr. Hill continued in that enterprise until 1909, and also carried on general contracting at East St. Louis. In addition to being president of the paving brick company, he aets in the same capacity for the Queen City Quarry Company, of East St. Louis, which is located at Alton, Illinois, and a director of the Southern Illinois National Bank and the Southern Illinois Trust Company, both of East St. Louis.
On November 5. 1890, Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Thomas, of East St. Louis, and two children have been born to this union, namely : Gertrude E. and Ruth Jeanette. Mr. Hill is a con- sistent member of the Methodist church, while fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, in which he has attained the thirty-second de- gree and belongs to the Shrine. Knights Templar and Commandery, and with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Hill is an excellent organizer, and his talents in this line have not been confined to his own interests, as he has always been a leader in movements for the better- ment of civie conditions. Although he has been in business in Mur- physboro for only two years, he has attained a secure position in the esteem of the eitizens of that community, and the character of the en- terprises with which his name has been connected has shown that this confidence is well merited.
WILLIAM E. TRAINOR. One of the most prominent, promising and highly respected young citizens of Jasper county is William E. Trainor, who was born here and who is one of those particularly excellent native sons whom the county is so well pleased to claim as its own. He has iden-
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tified himself with all movements which seem likely to contribute to the advantage of the community and is a leader in all worthy enterprises. Mr. Trainor was born in St. Marie township, Jasper county, January 15, 1876. His father, William Trainor, was a native of Pittsburg, Pen- sylvania, the date of his nativity being May 4, 1836. He became a citi- zen of Illinois and was engaged here in agricultural pursuits during his active career. He was a youth fifteen years of age when his parents came to this state from the Keystone state. In 1864 he was married to Rebecca Bowen, of Lawrence county, Illinois, and seven children were born to them, William, the immediate subjeet of this review. being the youngest in order of birth. The elder gentleman removed to Newton with his family in 1880 and went into the office of the sheriff. Ile was subsequently elected to that office and remained continually in some public capacity until his demise in 1898, being a member of times elected to the offices of sheriff and treasurer. Ile was a tried and true Democrat and he will long be remembered as a man who lived in accordance with the Golden Rule. He was reared a Catholic, but eventually affiliated with the Baptist church. His widow, a much respected lady, survives and makes her home in this place. William Trainor, Sr., was a soldier in the great conflict between the states, becoming second lieutenant in Com- pany B, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry. He was one of the leading members of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The earliest years of William Trainor, the son, were passed on his father's farm, but when he was about five years old the family came into Newton. He received his education in the Newton public schools and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1894. Upon leaving school he went into the treasurer's office, under his Father, who was then the incumbent of the office. When his father was succeeded by John H. Isley as treasurer he was made deputy treasurer and he held the same office with the two succeeding treasurers, Taylor Randolph and John W. Ilamilton. It is safe to say that no one is more familiar with financial affairs in Jasper county than Mr. Trainor, who was identified with them for so many years and in so many administrations. In 1908, in recog- nition of his ability and fitness for publie trust, he was elected by the Democratie party to the office of circuit clerk and still holds the office, his services having been of such character as to redound to his credit and to the honor and profit of his constituents.
On November 14, 1906, Mr. Trainor became a recruit to the Bone- diets by his marriage to Mayme E. Mccullough, of Newton, daughter of Nicholas McCullough, and they now share their delightful home with a small daughter, Emma Katherine. Mr. Trainor belongs to the Preshy- terian church, but his wife and danghter are Catholics. Itis only fra- ternal order is the Ben Hur lodge. He stands as one of the most publie spirited citizens of the township, ever ready to aid in all things that tend toward the public weal, and with such citizens as he the prosperity of any community may be well assured as a certainty.
.JOHN ROBERT CROSS. An eminent member of the legal profession of Southern Illinois, whose connection with a number of important cases of litigation has brought out his legal talents and his knowledge of law and jurisprudence, is JJohn Robert Cross. of MeLeansboro, ex-mayor of this city and a man who for many years has held positions of honor and trust within the gift of his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Cross belongs to a family that has been connected with the history of Hamilton county for more than seventy years, and was born on a farm not far from Mebeans- boro, December 15, 1859, a son of Pleasant Marion and Sarah A. ( Wil- liams) Cross.
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Pleasant Cross, the grandfather of John Robert Cross, was born in 1799, near Ellijay, Gilmer county, Georgia, and came to Hamilton county, Illinois, in 1839. He was a mechanie by occupation and also owned a farm, which he hired others to operate for him, his shop being situated about six miles west of MeLeansboro. Ile was a Democrat in his political views, and religiously was connected with the Methodist church, his wife being a Presbyterian. Mr. Cross was married in Ten- nessee, to Elmira Stacy, and they were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Angelina, who married Alfred Carns and lived in Gallatin county ; Lucinda, who married William Whipple and resided in Hamil- ton county ; Matilda, who married Thomas Babbington, and moved to Nevada; John C., who married Naney Burton and resided in Hamil- ton county, Christopher C., who died young; Elizabeth, who married Asa Cross and lived in Hamilton county ; Sarah, who became the wife of Charles Epperson. now deceased, and then married Jacob Stelle, and now lives in MeLeansboro; Pleasant Marion; Elmira, who became the wife of J. W. Goins, of Hamilton county; Nancy, who married Mas- ton Williams and now lives in Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Lury Ann, who mar- ried John Davis and resides near MeLeansboro; and Mary Jane, who married Elijah Goins and lives in Hamilton county.
Pleasant Marion Cross was born January 8, 1833, in Tennessee, and came to Hamilton county, Illinois, in 1841, the remainder of his life be- ing spent in agricultural pursuits on the old Cross homestead, which was situated about six miles northwest of MeLeansboro, where he died March 4, 1891. He was a Mason and a Democrat, and with his wife at- tended the Missionary Baptist church at Middle Creek, Illinois. On Au- gust 26, 1856, Mr. Cross was married in Hamilton county to Sarah A. Williams, who was born March 20, 1835, in Tennessee, and came to Ham- ilton county in 1837 with her parents, Wiley and Mahala (Bond) Wil- liams. Mrs. Cross died June 24, 1903, in Hamilton county, having been the mother of four children, as follows: Pleasant Walter, who married Nancy Jones Clore and now is engaged in farming in Hamilton county ; Gilbert Wiley, also a farmer of Hamilton county, who married Eliza- beth J. Cates, daughter of J. A. and Sarah Cates; John Robert, of Me- Leansboro; and Elza Marion, who married Mary Tennyson and lives in this county.
John Robert Cross attended the common schools in the vicinity of his father's farm, on which he worked until he was twenty-one years of age, and also spent one year in teaching school. He was married May 29, 1881, in Hamilton county, to Emma Ellis, who was born February 9, 1863, in Shelby eounty, Indiana, daughter of Lewis and Olive (Bas- sett) Ellis, and to this union there have been born four children : Iva M., born January 20, 1882, married Isaac Hardesty, of Mcleansboro, and has two children, Helma and Walter Wade; Inez M., born June 1, 1884, who married Joseph F. Reeder; and Nona, born April 13, 1888, and John E., born July 20, 1900, who live with their parents.
After his marriage Mr. Cross continued to farm until 1889, when he moved to McLeansboro and purchased a residence. On November 4, 1889, he began to read law with Judge T. B. Stelle, and on June 27, 1892, he was admitted to the bar. He practiced in partnership with Judge Stelle until 1905, when on account of ill health he was obliged to give up his activities and retire. On June 1, 1907, having recovered his health, he entered into a partnership with David J. Underwood, this association continuing until April 1. 1911. when the firm was mutually dissolved, and since that time Mr. Cross has practiced alone. He has been very prominent in Democratic politics, serving as eity attorney for four terms and as mayor of MeLeansboro from 1909 to 1911. Frater-
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nally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen, and is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist church, in the faith of which he was reared. Mr. Cross has proven his ability as a lawyer in a number of notable eases. Of a sound, logical mind, he is also possessed of the gift of oratory, being an effective and convincing speaker. In his handsome residence in Mebeansboro he has one of the finest and most complete law libraries to be found in Hamilton county, and in addition to valuable city property he is the owner of several traets of excellent farming land near MeLeansboro. The family is very well known in this part of the state, where its members have achieved prominence in every walk of life, and Mr. and Mrs. Cross are popular with all who know them, especially in church circles, where they have been active workers.
WILLIAM S. TITUS. One of the moving spirits of the town of Law- renceville is William S. Titus. There is scareely an industry in which he has not had a share in some way, either as promoter, stockholder, or as the man who was instrumental in persuading them to locate in Law- reneeville. A great part of his energy has been given to making Law- renceville a modern and prosperous city. Hle was twice elected mayor. and during these terms the campaign of publicity that he inaugurated brought some of the largest and most important industries that the city now owns knocking at her doors. The successful man of to-day is either fawned on by parasites or looked at rather askance by respectable peo- ple who have not been able to win any very large portion of this world's goods. In the case of Mr. Titus, however, the parasites know flattery is useless, and his methods are so open and above-board that he has the trust of all people, be they successes or faihires.
William S. Titus was born at Mount Carmel, Illinois, on the 24th of July, 1868. llis father was Daniel E. Titus, who was a native of Canada, having been horn at Burmosh, Nova Scotia, in 1826. When Daniel Titus was only a small boy he was taken to Toronto to live, and there he grew up. He was educated in the public schools, and when the time came to choose a profession he selected engineering, so in ad- dition to his earlier schooling he had a course in engineering. He came to Illinois a widower with one child, Ruah. and with the engineering crew of the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad, as it was then called. The line is now part of the Big Four and the New York Central System.
Mount Carmel was very attractive to the young engineer and he decided to locate in the town. He built a furniture factory and soon had a flourishing business established. For many years the operation of this plant was his occupation, but one night it was destroyed by fire, and since his health had been failing for some time he did not re- build, feeling that the strain and responsibility of this business was too great. During the later years of his life he went into the insurance business and was very successful. He followed this line of work until his death, which took place in 1901, on the 2nd of March.
Daniel Titus married JJudith Harvey, of Mount Carmel. Five chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Titus, of whom William Titus was the third child. Mrs. Titus lived until March, 1911, and was able to en- ter into and sympathize with her son in his successes. Mr. Titus was an enthusiastic Democrat, but he never cared to hold office. He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a member of the Odd Fellows.
The boyhood of William Titus was spent in Mount Carmel and his elementary education was received in the public schools of the town. All during his school life he was eager to enter the business world, and as soon as he was released from the school room for his vacation he im-
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mediately entered on his business career as a clerk in different stores. Thus while he was yet a school boy he began to acquire a reputation for keenness and business ability. During the four years of Cleveland's first administration he served as deputy postmaster. He then came to Lawrenceville and entered the Bank of Lawreneeville. This bank was later organized as the National Bank and subsequently became known as the First National Bank. Mr. Titus was first the assistant cashier and then was elected cashier. He held this place for nineteen years, re- signing four years ago to go into the real estate business. After one year in which he conducted the business alone he went into partnership with Thomas T. Jones. The main part of this business is operated on the plan of the building and loan associations. The company builds houses and then sells them on monthly payments. This method is not only profitable to the tirm, but it enables men to own their homes where it would be otherwise impossible.
Mr. Titus is a director of the First National Bank and also of the Citizens Banking Company. He is a stockholder in the Farmer's Bank and is vice-president of a private bank known as the "Bank of Birds." It will be seen from his connection with these various institutions that his finaneial abilities are of a high order, and that they have speedily been recognized by his associates in the world of finance. He is one of the stockholders in the Citizens Telephone Company, and is a heavy stockholder in the Lawrenceville Laundry Company. One of his chief interests is located outside of the state of Illinois. This is the Adrian Gas and Oil Company, which is located at Adrian, Texas. He is pres- ident of this company, which struck salt in large proportions on their property a few years ago, and soon expeet to begin operations for mining this mineral.
Mr. Titus is a Democrat, and has served two terms as eity treasurer. He was first clected as mayor on the non-license platform, and his sec- ond term was won on the street paving platform. It will be seen from these platforms that Mr. Titus stood for the progressive element, and that he was determined that Lawrenceville should be the equal of any town of her size in the land. His enthusiasm and insistence on the practicability of the measures he wished passed fairly forced the coun- eil to vote as he desired. During his administration the street lights, sewers and paved streets came into being; the water mains were ex- tended and the city hall was built; the area of the city limits was ex- tended, and many manufacturing concerns were induced to locate here. Among these were the Indian Refining Company, which is capitalized at a million dollars; the Central Refining Company, which operates a half a million dollar plant ; the American Asphalt and Rubber Company, with a large plant. In fact this was the Golden Age for Lawrenceville. and Mr. Titus was the power that made all this possible.
To an active man like Mr. Titus the very practical ways in which the fraternal orders live up to their principles, and the large amount of good which they accomplish in an unostentatious manner, would naturally have a strong appeal. This is seen to be the case in the num- ber of orders of which he is a member. He is a Mason, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, to the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the Yeomen of America.
Mr. Titus was married on the 28th of September, 1890, to Adda E. Musgrave, of Lawrenceville, a daughter of Joseph and Amanda Mus- grave.
CECIL, WALKER. Among the many talented attorneys at law in South- ern Illinois few surpass the members of the bar now in active practice in
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Jasper county, among whom Cecil Walker, city attorney, is one of the leaders, although in years still to be accounted one of the younger gen- eration. He has a fine legal mind and has proved successful in much im- portant litigation. In affairs political he plays a leading role, and from his earliest voting days has given hand and heart to the men and meas- ures of the Democratic party.
Cecil Walker is a native son of Newton, a fact of which Newton is justly proud. The date of his nativity was September 11, 1875. His father, Alfred N. Walker, was born near Mt. Meridian, Indiana, Febru- ary 12, 1849. This gentleman was a well known representative of the Fourth Estate and for a long period conducted the Noirton Press, or as it was at that time known, the Newton Weekly Press, a paper of Demo- cratie sentiment and the official organ of the county. He edited this sheet for eighteen years, and his able and logical editorials did much to in- fluence public opinion. In 188] he sold out to the present owners. He was also engaged in the ice and dairy business, and when his health de- clined he went into the business of stock raising. His stock farm was the scene of most intelligent endeavors in this line, his specialty being Jersey rattle and his was the first venture in thoroughbred cattle rais- ing in the county. Ile set the pace and it is not to be gainsaid that his precedent was the chief factor in bringing about the present general excellence in stock in the county. The death of this valued and worthy citizen occurred May 8, 1893, but his influenee will not soon be lost or his memory obliterated. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Ella A. Gibson, and she is a cousin of Judge Gibson. They became the parents of three children, two of whom, Edith C. and Kenneth, are de- ceased, Mr. Walker being the only survivor. The mother survives and makes her home at Newton, Illinois. The elder Mr. Walker was greatly interested in publie matters, but was never an office secker. In religious conviction he was a Presbyterian and he was affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
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