USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 92
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Judge Young has been active in Republican polities since the holding of that first memorable eanens until the present time. He is the only surviving member of that historical meeting. The Judge was candidate for the office of state's attorney in 1872, but was defeated along with the rest of the Republican ticket. He served as justice of the peace from 1873 until 1877 and in the latter year was elected county judge by a large majority. In 1884 he became state's attorney for Williamson county and in 1888 was elected circuit judge to fill a vaenney. For twelve years he was a member of the board of education for Marion district. He was a candidate for Congress before the Republican primary in ISAS but was defeated by a small majority. In 1979 he was appointed aide de camp on the military staff of Governor Cullom, with the rank of colonel, and subsequently he was reappointed to that position by Governor Hamilton
Ever since the close of the war Judge Young has been an active factor in army circles. He organized three posts of the Grand Army of the Republie in 1866 and has been a continuous member of that splendid organization since that time. For the past twenty years he has been post commander of Marion Post, No. 319, and he is division commander of the Union Veterans' Union. Department of Illinois In July. 1-69. Judge Young became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and he has been a member of the Grand Lodge of the state of that organization since 1873; he has heldl several important offices in the Grand Lodge, served on four of the important committees and is now, in 1912, a member of the committee on legislation. For the past ten years
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Judge Young has devoted his attention to his extensive law practice looking after collections, some polities, and other business in general.
Judge Young was married to Miss Martha Spiller, daughter of the late Elijah N. Spiller, September 24, 1871. To this union three children were born, all girls, one of whom is deceased. Miss Eva, the youngest daughter, is official reporter for the Williamson county circuit court, having held that position for the past eight years, during which time she has gained the reputation of being the best stenographer in Southern Illinois.
Judge Young is a man of broad human sympathy and great benev- olence. Charity in its widest and best sense is practiced by him, and his kindness has made smooth the rough way of many a weary traveler on life's journey. In his private life he is distinguished by all that marks the true gentleman. His is a noble eharaeter-one that subordinates personal ambition to public good and seeks rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self.
GALLATIN COUNTY BANK. The standard of every community is meas- ured by the character of its financial institutions, for unless they are stable the eredit of the municipality and its people is impeached. The Gallatin County Bank, of Ridgway, Illinois, is an institution which has grown out of the needs of its locality, and was organized by men of ex- ceptional standing, whose interests have been centered in it, and whose honor and personal fortunes are bound up in its life. Under sueh desir- able conditions a bank is bound to maintain a high standard and to make money for its stockholders, while at the same time safeguard the interests of its depositors.
The Gallatin County Bank of Ridgway, Illinois, was organized as a state bank in January, 1895, with a capital of $25,000, which was event- ually increased to $35,000. It had been originally started in 1893 by Robert Miek, president, and David Weidemann, cashier, with William Gregg and T. W. Hall, as a private institution. Mr. Weidemann is now cashier of the First National Bank of Henry, Illinois; Mr. Gregg is cashier of the City National Bank of Harrisburg, and T. W. Hall is president of the First National Bank of Carmi. Shortly after the death of President Mick, the bank became a state institution, with Judge Phillips as president and Mr. Weidemann as cashier, and the former still holds office, although the latter was succeeded in July, 1897, by George L. Land, who has continued as eashier to the present time. The present home of the bank was ereeted in 1910, and was fitted ont with the latest improvements, and now boasts of deposits of $140,000, and $125,000 loans, is continually paying dividends and has a surplus of $6,000. This is considered one of the strongest banking institutions of Southern Illi- nois and does business with some of the largest houses in its part of the state. The assistant cashier is W. B. Phillips, son of the Judge.
George L. Land, the able eashier of this bank, was born at Carmi, White county, Illinois, July 10, 1865, and is a son of John and Ann Eliza (Crane) Land, and a grandson of Yearby Land and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Rupert. Yearby Land was born in North Caro- lina, and was brought to Illinois when two years old, in 1809, He spent a number of years in Wayne county, but eventually moved to White county, where he and his sons, John and David Land, were engaged in a mercantile business under the firm name of Y. Land & Sons. His death oeeurred at his home in Carmi at the age of ninety years, and for some years the sons continued to carry on the business, which is still in existence at Carmi, being condueted by a son of John, E. A. Land, and is the oldest mereantile business in White county.
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John Land, the father of George L., was for a minber of years en- gaged in farming in connection with the mercantile business, which in 1879 became known as D. R. & J. Land, and he finally retired in 1885 and still resides at Carmi, as does his wife. lle was succeeded by his son, George L., as D. R. Land & Company, which continued until the death of D. R., and George L. was then joined by his two brothers, E. . A. & II. C. Land, but subsequently George L. Land left the firm to become cashier of the Gallatin County Bank, and H. C. became cashier of the Bank of Omaha, Gallatin county, which was organized as the Exchange Bank of Omaha by David Weidemann, and of which George L. Land has been president for some time. He has not been active in political mat- ters, preferring to give his attention strictly to his banking business, although he is also interested in a coal business at Eldorado, Illinois.
Mr. Land was married at the age of twenty-seven years. to Miss Mol- lie B. HTiek, of Carmi, daughter of John Wick, of New Haven, who died when she was a child. Three children have been born to this union, all residing at home: Walter 11., Madeline E. and Lonise. Mr. and Mrs. Land are well-known members of the Missionary Baptist church, and have been active in its work. They have numerous friend- throughout this community, where members of both families have been prominent in various walks of life.
PAUL GUSTAVE SCHUH might appropriately be termed the father of the wholesale drug business of Cairo and Southern Illinois, if his long association with that industry can give any claim to the distinction. He came to Cairo during the first year of the Civil war as a soldier of the Union, and his residence began with his discharge from the army, con- tinning without interruption during the years which have followed. So closely has his life been interwoven with that of Cairo that it would in- deed be difficult to speak extendedly of the one withont mention of the other. A drug merchant from an early day and over an active and help- ful participant in commercial affairs, the Schuh Drug Company, to whose nurturing and upbuilding he has given the best energies of his vigorous mind and robust body, is a most fitting monument to the snecess of his career.
Mr. Schuh came to the United States happily unembarrassed by any lack of preparation for a career involving industry and intellectual training. He had the advantages of higher education, had studied the classies, and had in his youth been encouraged by the atmosphere of an intellectual home. His father was a Lutheran minister in the Black For- est of Wurtemberg, where Paul Sehnh was born on January S. I>30. The father, Christian Michael Schuh, was born in 1790, and was properly educated for his high calling. He passed away in Isas, after a long and useful career as an expounder and exponent of the Lutheran faith The mother of Paul Gustave Schuh was Augusta Geysel, and he is the youngest of their eleven children. Those of the family who came to America were Carl Alexander, who spent his life at Easton and other Pennsylvania points, settling in Cairo just prior to his death He left four sons: Harry W., Samuel IL .. Hermann (. and Franklin, who shed in Charleston, Missouri. Hermann died in Columbia, Illinois, leaving two children. Charlotte, a sister, was twice married, and died at Runge. Texas, the mother of three children. Panl Gustave was the fourth and last of this German- American group.
The year 1853 is memorable with Paul Schuh as being the year of his advent in the United States. He joined his brother Hermann in St. Louis, and the two engaged in the drug business in that city, and later in Alton, Illinois. It was there that Paul Schuh was enlisted in the
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"Yeager" Company in April, 1861, being among the first to answer the call to arms. His company was ordered to Springfield and mustered in with the Ninth Illinois Infantry, with Colonel Payne in command. The regiment was sent to Cairo, where Mr. Schuh's enlistment period expired, and he immediately re-enlisted on July 21st and served in the medical purveyor's office until his detail to the post hospital. He was discharged in January, 1863, on account of a myopie affection of the eyes. Taking up civil pursuits once more, Mr. Schuh put in a small stock of drugs three doors below Sixth street, where he was located for eight years. He then moved one block north on Commercial street, at which plaee he subsequently erected a business block, and there he has since been located, associated now, however, with his sons, the firm name having been changed to Paul G. Schuh & Sons. In 1880 Mr. Sehuh be- gan a small jobbing business in drugs and in 1893 he formed the Schuh Drug Company, erecting a three-story brick building at Tenth and Com- mercial streets. The new company was incorporated with a capital stock of $50.000 and Paul Schuh was chosen president. Walter Denzel is its secretary and treasurer, and Harry W. Schuh is vice president and gen- eral manager. The institution has come to be one of the most important wholesale houses of Cairo, and is the only wholesale drug house in Southern Illinois; a unique feature, as well as one that is highly con- ducive to the future prosperity of the concern. The business has grown apace since its inception, and it is recognized as one of the solid and rep- resentative corporations of that section.
In addition to his connection with the drug business, Mr. Sehuh has found leisure to become identified with various other organizations, among them being the Greater Cairo Building & Loan Association, of which he is president, and the First State Bank & Trust Company, he having been a member of the directorate of that institution since its or- ganization. Mr. Schuh is also prominent as a fraternalist. He is a past master in Masonry and has belonged to the craft of the "square and compass" for more than forty years. He has taken the Royal Arch degree in Masonry and holds membership in the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
Mr. Schuh has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Julia Horsmeyer, born at Lippe-Detmold, Germany. She died after three years of wedded life, leaving one son, Julius P' .. now engaged in the man- ufaeture of lumber in Louisiana. In 1871, Mr. Schuh was again mar- ried, and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Schuh are: Carl H., who is a member of the firm of Paul G. Schuh and Sons, and Alma, the youngest of the family, who is the wife of Frank Murray, of the Sehuh Drug Company.
FREDERICK J. KUNY, for several years past a resident of Mound City, Illinois, is secretary and treasurer of the Williamson-Kuny Mill & Lum- ber Company of that city, and has been identified with that community in various manners since his advent there in 1893.
He was born in Muehlheim, Baden, in the German Empire, Septem- ber 18, 1864. His father was John J. Knny, a mechanic and farmer, and the son Frederick grew up in the atmosphere of thrift and industry, so typical of German life. His edneation was acquired in the peda- gogical institute of Loerrach. Baden, and at the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to a commercial institution in Frieburg, as salesman and bookkeeper. His apprenticeship completed, he went to the French district of Switzerland, where he might make a detailed and eareful study of their business methods and study the French language, during which time he was located in La Chaux de Fonds. Having concluded
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his service there he entered the German army, and when the term of his enlistment had expired he immediately came to the United States.
On reaching Decatur, Illinois, he decided to remain there, and accord- ingly seeured a position with a plumbing and heating establishment in the capacity of officeman and warehouseman. Leaving Decatur, he went to St. Louis, where he secured employment in a similar establishment, and which firm subsequently sent him to Mound City as manager of their branch house there.
He remained with them until the year 1902, when he engaged in the wholesale lumber business in Cairo, and later he joined forces with Al- fred W. Williamson, the result of their allied forces being the William- son-Kuny Lumber & Mill Company.
Mr. Kumy is regarded as being a business man of exceptional ability. He is president of the Mound City Commercial (Inb, as well as being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and a Hoo lloo.
('HARLES LYNN. Randolph county, Ilinois, figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state, justly claim- ing a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is cor- tain to conserve conseentive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of this section. Among the essentially repre- sentative citizens, whose loyalty and public spirit have contributed to its growth, is Charles Lyn, who was formerly connected with the post- office serviee of the state but who is now living retired on his fine estate. widely known as the Menard Mansion. Together with his brothers and some other gentlemen, he is owner of the old historie Menard property. which comprises some six hundred acres of most arable farming land located near Fort Gage.
A native of Greene county, Illinois. Charles Lynn was born on the 9th of April, 1847. and he is a son of Alexander W. Lynn, whose birth occurred in the state of Tennessee. The paternal grandfather of Charles Lynn, namely. John Lynn, was born and reared in county Antrim, Iro- land, whence he came to the I'nited States about the year 1800, settling at Kingsport. Tennessee. John Lynn tled From Ireland because he had been a participant in the Irish rebellion which resulted in the death of the famous Robert Emmet. He was a Protestant in his religions faith and after his arrival at Kingsport he married and there passed the ro- mainder of his life. His sons were William, John, Samuel, James, Jo- seph, Alexander and Charles, of whom Alexander and Samuel came north and identified themselves with various interests in Hlinois. Alex- ander Lynn married Mary Barr. a native of Summer county, Tennessee, and they removed to Illinois in the year 1835. After passing one year in Morgan county. this state, they located in Greene county, where Mr. Lynn turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He left the south on account of the slavery question. although he was not an Abolitionist. He was called to eternal rest in 1872, at sixty-five years of age, and his cherished and devoted wife died in 1593. in her eightieth year Their children were: Kate, who married Samuel Hopkins and died in the "Menard Mansion" in 1904, leaving a son, Lynn C .. John, who died at Carrolton, Illinois, in 1871; Martha, who died, unmarried, in 1986; William, who died in 1887: Alexander W., a resident of Fort Gage; Charles, the immediate subject of this review: Mary, who is deceased : and James, who is interested with his brothers in the historic property at Fort Gage.
Charles Lyun was a business man as a merchant in Carrolton, Hli- nois, in his early manhood and was then appointed postmaster of the eity, serving in that capacity for a period of six years. His education
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was acquired in the city schools and academy and his mercantile experi- ence proved of value to him later in his career. Becoming interested in politics, as a Republican, he found favor among the leaders of Illinois, and in 1885 was appointed purchasing agent for the Southern Illinois penitentiary. He served in that position for eight years, at the expira- tion of which he retired to his farm. Subsequently the state auditor selected him to become building and loan examiner of Illinois and he was interested in that work for the ensuing three years. Finally resigning that position, he was appointed special agent for the postoffice depart- ment for the installation of rural delivery service and while covering his territory south and west of Chicago he was detailed to serviee in that city, Cincinnati and St. Louis. Later on he was appointed post- offiee inspector, attached to the Chicago division, and he served as such until 1908, when he retired to his Fort Gage home. Falling naturally into politics, Mr. Lynn served his party in Greene county as its central committee chairman, and by association made the acquaintance of state leaders of the party. IIis knowledge of Illinois public men of both po- litieal faiths is broad and accurate and he has ever felt a friendly inter- est in the work and life of Senator Cullom. He is a close observer and an analytical measurer of public men, and his retentive memory makes him an entertaining talker upon political events and politieians.
The Lynn property comprises some six hundred acres of fine land ad- jacent to the "Menard Mansion," and the home of the Lynn brothers is the most historie spot in Illinois. The "Mansion" was built in 1813, by Colonel Pierre Menard, and is widely renowned as the "Menard Man- sion." Colonel Menard died in 1844 and the property then fell into the keeping of his son, Edmund, a highly educated but easy-going young man, who had no interest in the money side of life, and was not a finan- cial sueeess. At his death Mr. Lynn, in partnership with a few other gentlemen, bought the property, which has, since then, come into the Lynn family almost wholly.
On the 15th of March, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lynn to Miss Mary E. Coehran, of Freeport, Illinois. She was a daughter of Senator James S. Coehran and died in 1892, without issue. Mr. Lynn is popular with all classes of people and is everywhere accorded the un- alloyed confidence and esteem of his fellow men.
JOHN CANTRIL. The farming interests of Bond county, Illinois, are in the hands of skilled agrienlturists, the majority of whom have made the cultivation of the soil their life work. Born on farms and taught from childhood the work of the farmer, they are ably fitted to carry on their operations and to get the best possible results from their land. One of the representative men of Greenville township, who has followed agri- cultural pursuits all of his life, is John Cantril, who was born in Bond county. Ilinois, September 29, 1860. a son of David and Rebecca (Greene) Cantril.
David Cantril was born in Indiana, and came to Illinois about 1857. settling near Stubblefield. Boone county, where he worked on varions farms. traveling all over the southwestern part of the county. In 1858 or 1859 he was married to Miss Rebecca Greene, daughter of Andreas Greene, a Bond county agriculturist, and to this union there were born three children, namely: John, Emma, who died in 1880, and George. who died at the age of two years. After his marriage, David Cantril purchased 100 acres of land and developed a fine farm, but August 16, 1866, he died of cholera, his mother and nephew also passing away of that dread disease within three days. About two years later Mr. Cantril's widow was married to Casper Ulmer, by whom she had three
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children, and until 1875 lived on the farm by the brick church, but in the year mentioned she and her husband moved to town, where Wallace Ulmer was born, and there she died in 1897.
John Cantril received a district school education in the neighbor- hood of his father's farm, and as a young man went to the West, working in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, łowa and Nebraska, but in 1883 he returned to Bond county and went to farming the old family homestead. On June 6. 1886, he was married to Miss Ella Harris. daughter of James and Elizabeth Harris, farming people of Bond county, and to this union there were born seven children : Lulu. Maude, Harry, Tracy, Forest, Maurice and Arnold. Mr. Cantril remained on his father's farm until 1909, in which year he purchased the tract he is now operating, a farm of 130 acres, and in addition rents HO aeres, devoting the entire amount to general farming and stock raising.
A Republican in polities, Mr. Cantril has contented himself with up- holding the candidates and principles of his party, and has never sought public preferment for himself. His farm is one of the best to be found in this section of Bond county, the land being well drained, tiled and graded, and produces excellent erops. The fences and build- ings are in a good state of repair, and he has a handsome residence sit- uated on Greenville R. F. D. No. S. He is publie spirited and takes a deep interest in anything that effects his community, while personally. he is genial and courteous, and as a result is very popular with his fellow citizens. A splendid business man, an excellent farmer and a sincere friend. Mr. Cantril is a typical representative of the best class of agri- culturists in this part of the state.
JAMES B. SMITH. General James B. Smith is Warden of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary and has for several years been identified with pub- lie affairs at Menard. All the years of his citizenship have been given to his state and whether in private life, miltary service or as public official. he has pursued the same carnest and straightforward course which commends him so universally now.
General Smith might ahnost be termed a native of Oldham county. Kentucky, but he was born in Johnson county, Indiana, his birth having occurred November 25. 1839. He grew up on the paternal homestead in the corneracker state to the age of sixteen years, at which time his parents moved to Indiana, whence he came to Hlinois in 1557 and settled in Clay county, near Clay City, where the General has since made his home.
General Smith's father was Frank P. Smith, who spent his life largely as farmer and merchant. He died in 1987, at the age of 55 years. He was born in Kentucky but his people were from near Fair. fax Courthouse, Virginia. He married Harriet Troutman, who died in 1906, at the age of eighty-eight years. Their children were: S Webber. who passed his life at Columbus. Indiana, and died there leaving a family; James B. of Illinois, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Emma MeCreary of Detroit, Mich. ; and Frank P., of near Franklin, Ichimn.
The common schools have the credit of having equipped James B Smith for his duties as a citizen. For some months he was a student m Moore's Hill College and he seems to have accepted the calling of his father-that of farming as his own, when he began the independent years of his life. His plans were interrupted suddenby by the culmina- tion of the political unrest of the nation by open reduction of the South- ern states and the call of the president for troops to restore order. Before his twenty-second birthday, in October, Istl. he enlisted at
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Clay City as a private in Company K, Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Stephen G. Hicks, and became a finite part of the Army of the Tennessee. The command got into the enemy's country at Paducah, Kentucky, and took part in the battle of Shiloh. The engagements with Van Dorn at Holly Springs and the fight at Corinth followed in quick succession and the campaign proper against Vicksburg and the siege and capture of the city were all participated in by Mr. Smith. Following the capitulations of Vicksburg, the For- tieth Illinois took part in the chase of General Johnson's army east- ward and fought that force at Jackson, Mississippi. From there the Federals returned to Vicksburg and were sent by transport to Mem- phis, from which place they marched across the state to Chattanooga and attacked General Bragg's army.
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