USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 60
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The life of the average country boy fell to the lot of Edmund J. Hodges and he attended the rural schools as a care free boy. When he reached his majority he became engaged in merchandising. in company with his brother George of Hodges Park. After ten years the firm was dissolved and he continued business in that place on his own responsi- bility, remaining there for five years. He then abandoned comnicreial life and gave his attention to the real estate business in Cairo, remov- ing his family to that eity, but after five years of life in that business he came to Tamms, where he engaged in the lumber business, and his interests have expanded steadily with the passing of the years until he is now one of the well-to-do men of his section. He acquired a goodly aereage of fertile farm lands, and he has realized a pleasing degree of success as a grain producer. His domain of sixteen hundred acres maintains a considerable tenantry and adds very materially to the Vol. 3-26
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prosperity of the village to which he is attached. His grist mill eom- prises an industry chiefly of the manufacture of feed, and was but re- cently established, and both his mill plants are shippers to markets be- yond the confines of his county. Mr. Ilodges was reared in a Demo- eratie influence and espoused the cause of that party, but in later years he has been active in the interests of the Republican party. He has aided party work as a delegate to state conventions, as well as county meetings, and is the township committeeman and a member of the county central committee. Mr. Hodges is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Eagles and the Hoo Hoos.
On January 16, 1886, Mr. Hodges married Miss Amanda Powless, a daughter of Ilenry and Jane (Miller) Powless, old settlers of Union county. Three children were born to them. Edmund J. married Miss Gertrude Lutz, and is employed as a traveling salesman for the Harris Saddlery Company of Cairo. Two daughters, Winifred and Mildred, are the companions of their father in the home at Tamms, the mother and wife having passed away on March 17, 1907.
ALFRED IIANBY JONES. When a man has been active in so many fields and has reached as high a pinnaele of success in each one of them as has Alfred Hanby Jones, his deeds are usually allowed to speak for themselves, but attention must be drawn to some of the facts eon- cerning him with the hope that his life might be an inspiration to some of the young men just starting out for themselves who may read this account. His only asset when he started out in life was a good eduea- tion, and with this as a foundation he first built up a prosperous law business, then attained a wide-spread reputation as an honest and trust- worthy politieian, a paradox it would seem but, oceasionally, truths are paradoxieal. Later the seientifie side of his nature was permitted to develop, and with his appointment as state food commissioner, he began his years of service along these lines. He became a recognized anthority on the subject of food and dairy products, and was honored by the presidency of the National Association of the State Food and Dairy Departments. After the time that he spent in his professional, politieal and seientific work, he yet had time to spare for commercial pursuits, being one of the first men in this seetion to discover the wealth that lies in the old fields of the county. How could one man be so ver- satile is the natural question that comes into the reader's mind. Ver- satility is a gift. and not to be acquired, but how he became suecess- ful in all these lines is another matter. He did not have more oppor- tunities than the average man, but he never allowed one to slip past, and no matter how small it was he did his level best, so that he never failed to leave behind him an impression of faithfulness to details. IIe was a keen observer and learned through his varied interests to estimate a man very closely, and never to allow the most insignifieant detail to pass from his mind nnconsidered. He has now passed his three seore, but his strenuous life does not seem to have exhausted either his mental or physical vigor, and if a young business man desires wise counsel or advice, let him sit at the feet of Mr. Jones.
Alfred Hanby Jones was born at Flat Rock, Crawford county, Illi- nois, on the 4th of July. 1850, his middle name "Ilanby" having been given him in the hope that he would emulate the worthy bishop of the United Brethren for whom he was named. The family of which he is a member was founded in this country during the early part of the eighteenth century by his great-grandfather. Moses Jones, who was a native of Wales. This old pioneer settled in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, and there acquired a large estate, which at his death
Alfred Agences
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passed into the hands of his eldest son, Moses. Five other sons were born to him, and Aaron and two of his brothers decided to try their fortunes in the wilderness to the westward. Aaron, who was born in 1776, went first to southern Pennsylvania in 1798. and there he re- mained for four years. In 1802 he moved still further west, settling down on the banks of the Little Miami river at Clough, Ohio, and in 1810 again moved, this time to a farm in Butler county, Ohio. He had married about the time he left Virginia, his wife being Mary Shepherd, and by this time he had a large family of children, among whom was John M., father of Alfred. When the former was a boy of seventeen, in 1832, his father made what was destined to be his last move, when he took his wife and ten children to Crawford county, Illinois, and lo- eated upon the land that is known to-day as the Aaron Jones farm. He entered this claim, paying $1.25 per acre, the holding consisting al- together of one hundred and twenty acres. This was the first claim entered west of the road known as the Range road, running from Chicago to Cairo, and was nothing but the uneleared wilderness, so the father and his eight sons had days of felling trees and elearing away brushwood before the land began to approach a fit condition for planting. On this original farm, which is now owned by William J. Jones, the great-grandson of Aaron Jones, lies the old burying ground where most of the Jones family are interred. Aaron and Mary Jones passed the remainder of their lives here, both dying in 1847. This courageous couple by the hardest of labor and careful self-denial sue- eeeding in edueating each of their sons, and the father was able to enter in the name of each one of them, save John, a fine farm of eighty acres. John, unfortunately, was not yet of age at the period of his father's prosperity.
John Miller Jones was born on the 25th of December, 1815. at Ox- ford. Ohio, and received three months of sehooling in that state. The school to which he was sent was a subscription school, and he was taught to read, but he did not learn to write until he was a grown man. On the 19th of November, 1837, he was married to Elizabeth Ford. a daughter of John Ford, who came to Illinois from Kentucky in 1832 and settled on the Allison Prairie. At that time the country was in- fested by Indians, and it was almost certain death to attempt to live on their holding, so for two or three years the Ford family, with many others, lived in a fort known as Fort Allison, which was surrounded by a strong stockade, expecting at any moment the blood-chilling whoop of Indians on the war-path. Elizabeth was born on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1818, at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the life and scenes of her girlhood made her the worthy wife of a pioneer. She was willing to marry John M. Jones knowing that his two hands were all that stood between her and starvation, and her trust was more than rewarded. Immediately after their marriage the young husband bought an ox on credit, and hired himself ont to cut cord wood. During that first winter they saved fifty dollars, enough to enter twenty acres of land. Here he built his home and toiled, as few men have toiled, to rear and educate his family of children. His wife was well versed in all the ways of thrift and economy and with her help he saved enough to buy more land, until at one time he owned eight hundred apress, all within four miles of his home. Having been forced to content himself with a very meager education, he was determined that his sons should not suffer. To that end he and his wife endured real suffering and privation in order that the boys might go through the common schools, and later that they might go to college, though in the education of their later years they were all able to help themselves to some extent. The family
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of Mr. and Mrs. Jones consisted of four sons and two daughters, a modest number compared with his own brothers and sisters, who num- bered fifteen, he himself being the eleventh and a twin. The eldest of Mr. and Mrs. Jones' children is J. William Jones, who is a farmer residing near the old farm; Absalom W., Alvira and Cynthia A. are deceased; Alfred Hanby will receive further notice; and Henry F. is a physician at Flat Rock, Illinois. The father of this family was a Re- publican in his political beliefs, and held various township offices. Both he and his wife were members of the United Brethren church. Mrs. Jones died in 1885, at the age of sixty-seven, and he survived her only a few years, dying in 1887.
Alfred Hanby Jones spent his early life on his father's farm, at- tending the common schools until he was sixteen. He then was sent to a United Brethren school, Westfield College by name, situated at Westfield, Illinois. Here he remained for a period of three years, and then went to Lebanon Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio. In 1870 he received the degree of B. S. from this institution, and put his education to immediate use by entering upon the career of a school teacher. He had no intention of making this his life work, but nsed it solely as a means to earn enough money to take up the study of law. After one year spent in Saint Mary's, Kansas, as superintendent of schools, he re- turned to Illinois. In 1872 he came to Robinson and began to read law in the offiees of Callahan and Jones, at that time the leading firm of lawyers in that part of the country. Under the tutelage of two mem- bers of the profession, whose legal knowledge and experience were un- excelled, Mr. Jones made rapid strides in his studies and was soon ready for his bar examination. He was admitted in 1875, and his abil- ity was soon recognized by his appointment as state's attorney in 1876, to fill the unexpired term caused by the death of Colonel Alexander. In 1886 he was elected to the state legislature from his district, and served one term, but has never cared to accept an elective position of this kind since.
His interest in political affairs has always been of the keenest, and he seems to enter as enthusiastieally into local politics as into state and national matters. For eight years he was city attorney and mem- ber of the city council, and it was during this period that Robinson was raised from the status of a village to that of a city. For thirty- two years Mr. Jones was a member and chairman of the Republican county committee, not a break having occurred in this long term of service. For ten years he was a member of the Republican state een- tral committee and he has twice been a delegate to the national conven- tion, participating in the nominations of William McKinley and Presi- dent Taft.
He has been very active in public work in educational matters, hav- ing served for fifteen years as a member of the school board for his eity. In 1898 he was appointed president of the board of trustees of the Illi- nois Eastern Normal School, and served in this capacity until 1899, when he was appointed state food commissioner. The duties of this of- fice take up a large share of his time, and, as has been mentioned, he has been president of the National Association of State Food and Dairy De- partments, which is composed of all the state food commissioners from every state as well as the national food officials.
Many of Mr. Jones' business investments have been made in the oil and gas region, and he has also been much interested in railroad affairs throughout his distriet. He has been the attorney for the "Big Four" Railroad and its predecessors for twenty-five years. When the Paris and Danville Railroad was to be built he did the contracting for
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the work, and when it was rebuilt about five years ago he secured the right of way for the new road. This road was the Danville and Indiana, and is now a part of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway system. In his religious affiliations Mr. Jones is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a trustee of the church and was chairman of the building committee that built the new Methodist Epis- copal church.
Mr. Jones' first marriage was the result of a love affair in which his wife was little more than a school girl. She was Ella M. Thomp- son, and he married her at Greenhill Seminary on the day of her grad- nation. She only lived three years, and on her death left a son, Gus- tavus Adolphus, who is now assistant eashier in the First National Bank of Robinson. Mr. Jones was again married in 1878, to Catherine A. Beals, a daughter of William G. Beals, of Pickerington, Ohio. She likewise is a member of an old pioneer family, her grandfather having been one of the early settlers in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have no children living.
GEORGE WASHINGTON GUM. One of the younger generation of busi- ness men in Clinton county who is doing mneh towards advancing his community's commercial interests is George Washington Gum, the proprietor of a flourishing mercantile business at Keyesport and a member of a family that has long been identified with the county's ac- tivities. The Gum family was founded in this part of the state by the Rev. Isaae Gum, a pioneer cireuit rider of the Methodist faith. John R. Gum, the father of George W., was born about four miles from Keyes- port, in Bond county, Illinois, November 22, 1851 and during pioneer days carried the mail from Litchfield to Greenville. He was too young to enlist in the Civil war but an elder brother participated in it as a member of an Illinois regiment. He grew to manhood on the old Gum homestead in Bond county, where he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all of his life, and where he still makes his home. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Gum was married to Matilda E. Barth. daughter of Jacob Barth, a native. of Germany, and five children were born to this union, namely : E. G., who is rural free delivery mail car- rier at Delmore; Clara C., who married E. J. Bareroft; George Wash- ington ; Ana Belle, who resides with her father, for whom she is keep- ing house ; and Bert E., who is engaged in teaching school in Keyesport. The mother of these children met death in a runaway accident Septem- ber 4, 1907.
George Washington Gum spent his youth on his father's farm in Bond county, his early education being secured in the Pleasant Grove district school, from which he was graduated at the age of twenty years. The next term he began teaching school at West Chappell. Fayette county, and after continuing there for two terms he took two summer courses at Valparaiso University. to fit himself for advanced work. After four years spent in teaching the public schools of Keyesport he clerked for one summer in the store of Frank Laws, and on the follow- ing November 13th, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Barcroft, he purchased the old Laws stock, and the firm of Gum & Bareroft was formed. an association which continued until May. 1908. when Mr. Gum purchased his partner's interest and has sinee conducted the business alone. Mr. Gum has a fine stock of first-class goods, and his progressive spirit has led him to adopt many of the ideas of the big city department stores. He keeps fully abreast of the times, constantly replenishing his stock with modern articles and endeavoring to give his enstomers the best value obtainable for the money. This policy has caused his business to
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grow steadily, as he has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen in the only way that such confidence and esteem can be acquired-a fair price and honest goods to all. His politics are those of the Republican party, but so far his business has elaimed all of his at- tention, and outside of taking a good citizen's interest in public mat- ters he has had little to do with public affairs. He is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows, and his re- ligious views are those of the Christian church.
On December 24, 1903, while teaching his first term in the Keyes- port public schools, Mr. Gum was married in this city to Sadie A. Dill, daughter of Ambrose and Rebecca Dill, of Keyesport, an old and well- known family. Mr. and Mrs. Gum have had no children. She is a member of the Methodist church, and well and popularly known in elmirch circles.
CHARLES HENRY FILE. One of the successful business men of Bond county, who at the same time belongs to that typically American prod- uet, the self-made man, is Charles Henry File, a native son of the county. He is a man of varied interests, owning a large farm in Old Ripley township: conducting a livery barn in Pocahontas; and being prominently identified with the development of the oil fields. Mr. File was born in Old Ripley township, January 24, 1872, the son of James F. File. The father was born near the same place in the year 1848. He was reared amid rural surroundings and spent his life on a farm. Al- though only seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the Civil war, he ran away from home to join the army, but owing to his youth was brought back and his plans of leading a military life frustrated. Sev- eral of his brothers were in the Union army. James F. File was mar- ried at the age of nineteen years to an adopted daughter of Charles Pickern, Ella Piekern. Mrs. File was reared in Pocahontas and became the mother of six children, five of whom are living at the present time and C. H. being the eldest of the number. The father was a loyal Demo- crat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was identified in various ways with the many-sided life of the com- munity. He died in 1901, in Serento, Illinois, where he was leading a retired life, the demise of his cherished and devoted wife occurring some years earlier.
At a very early age the problem of making his own livelihood pre- sented itself to Charles Henry File. At the age of nine years he began working at various occupations, and in the meantime attended the pub- lie schools, during the most of his educational period working for his board. He was the eldest in a family of very modest resources and as there is no arguing with necessity he was soon forced to that self-sup- port which gave him the self-reliance which has been one of the greatest factors in his suecess. Ile has divided his time in late years between Pocahontas and Old Ripley township, in the latter neighborhood own- ing an excellent farm, which he has brought to a high state of cultiva- tion. In Pocahontas he conducts a well-patronized livery barn and this as well as his agricultural work is suecessful. IIe was also interested in a creamery in Old Ripley. He is a direetor in the Pocahontas Oil Com- pany and is deeply interested in the development of the oil resources of this section. IIe is, indeed, a substantial and progressive citizen.
Mr. File was married November 4, 1907. the young woman to become his wife being Rosana Boyer, of Old Ripley township, daughter of John Boyer, a prominent farmer. Mr. File's father-in-law was a lieuten- ant in the Union army at the time of the Civil war, and was one of five brothers who served during the great conflict between the states, all
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being aligned with the cause of the preservation of the integrity of the Union. Mr. and Mrs. File maintain a hospitable home and possess a wide circle of friends. Mr. File belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which order he has been a member since his twenty-first year and in whose affairs he takes an enthusiastic and whole-hearted interest.
SENATOR ALBERT E. ISLEY. In 1908 there took his place in the state senate a young man of the type upon which the state founds its hope of cleaner and better politics, Albert E. Isley, of Newton, who still repre- sents this district in the upper house of the state assembly. He is par- ticularly well fitted by nature and training for the duties of his office and manifests in himself that combination of the theoretical and prac- tical which produces the man who hegets fine ideas and knows how to make them realities. Ile has carried with him to the senate well defined and unfaltering ideas of duty toward his constituents and is in refresh- ing contrast to the self-seeking politician who has proved the menace of modern society. As a lawyer he has taken rank among the best in the seetion and has been in active practice since 1897.
Jasper county is particularly to be congratulated upon the number of native born sons it has been able to retain within its boundaries and Senator Isley is one of these. The date of his birth was January 18. 1871. His father, Emanuel F. Isley, was born in Iowa, in 1840. The ekler gentleman was born and reared upon a l'arm and he is still a suc- cessful representative of the great basie industry. In his younger years he was a school teacher. Hle came to Illinois about forty-five years ago and located in Jasper county, upon the very homestead farm which is now his place of residence. He was married about the year 1867 to Vanda Apple, of Indiana, and into their household were born eight chil- dren, Senator Isley being the second in order of birth. The father is one of the most loyal of Democrats and he is not unknown to public office, having for instance been county supervisor. . Originally he was a member of the Lutheran church, but is now of the Christian congre- gation. The family is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent and share the staunch and rugged characteristics of that people. The family cirele has never been entered by death, father and mother and all the sons and daughters being alive.
The early life of Senator Isley was spent on the parental farm in Jasper county and he enjoys the wholesome experiences and rugged dis- cipline of rural existence, from actual participation becoming familiar with the many secrets of seed-time and harvest. He received his pre- liminary education in the common schools of the neighborhood and having finished their curriculum he himself assumed the preceptor's chair and for about seven years taught school in Jasper county. His school teaching was interspersed by attending college at Valparaiso. In- diana (now Valparaiso University), and he was graduated from that noted institution in 1896, with the degree of LL. B., his desire to become identified with the legal profession having come to fruition in his early school-teaching days. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois and he has been actively engaged in practice since 1898. Ile was very soon found to be of the right material to which to entrust public responsibil- ities and in his brief career he has held a number of public offices. The first of these was Democratic member of the board of managers of the state reformatory at Pontiac, the appointment coming under Governor Yates and being of four years' duration. Hle ultimately resigned and was shortly afterward elected state's attorney of Jasper county, which office he held for four years with general satisfaction to all concerned.
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llis election to the state senate came about in 1908 and he is still serving in that office. Hle has by no means been a mere figure-head in the state assembly, his influence. in truth, having been of the best and strongest sort. He was the leader in the anti-Lorimer movement, an agitation which was to stir state and nation, and he made the first speech against that senator. He was a member of the committee to revise county and township organization and the road and bridge laws of the state. He was one of the leaders in general legislation before the senate and was recognized as one of the ablest debaters and parlimentarians of the upper house. His readiness in debate, his mastery of every subject he handles are everywhere remarked, as well as the unfailing courtesy with which he treats friend and foe alike. He has an extraordinary power of marshalling and presenting significant facts so as to bring conviction and is a true lover of his country and its institutions. He has been, in- deed, the direet source of a great deal of legislation favorable to the in- terest of his constituents. He is a Democrat by inheritance and the strongest personal eonvietion and his word has great weight in party councils.
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