USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 8
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 8
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 8
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The grandfather of the subject on his paternal side was John Wesley James, a native of Tennessee, and an excellent farmer who passed to his rest about 1893 after a long and honorable life. His death occurred
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in Williamson county, this state, where he spent the major part of his life.
Joseph L. Wnorowski, the subject's grandfather on his mother's side, was born in Russia and received his education in the city of Moscow. He came to America when thirty years old, finally settling in Salem, Illinois, where he spent his remaining years, dying about 1890.
The subject's mother was known in her maidenhood as Sophia E. Wnorowski, who was born and reared in Salem where she received a common school education and developed many praiseworthy character- istics. She is living at this writing (1908). Six children were born to the parents of the subject, five of whom are still living, named in order of birth as fol- lows: Mrs. Florence Brasel, of Cartter, Illi- nois; O. A., our subject; Mrs. Berdie E. Stroment, living in Salem, this county; Guy L., of Wooden, Iowa; Mrs. Jesse Brasel, living at Terre Haute, Indiana.
These children all received a good com- mon schooling and were reared in a home of the most wholesome atmosphere, conse- quently they have developed characters of a very commendable type.
Our subject attended the common schools of Salem, from which he gradu- ated in 1897. But being amibitious for more learning and to become a teacher, he later attended the Carbondale State Normal School for some time. Not yet satisfied he entered Austin College at Effingham; then took a course in the Eastern State Normal at Charleston, thus gaining a splendid edu-
cation, for he made a brilliant record for scholarship in all these institutions.
After leaving school he began teaching, which he followed in a most successful and praiseworthy manner for a period of five years, having taught three years in Marion county public schools, one year as principal at Central City, Illinois, and one year as principal of the high school at Kinmundy, in all of which he showed that he not only had acquired a great fund of serviceable knowledge which he had a penchant for readily and clearly dispensing, but that he possessed the other necessary prerequisites of head and heart to make a first class and a high grade educator, and his reputation had overspread the bounds of Marion county, causing his services to be in great demand, when, much to the regret of pupils and school boards he gave up his teaching and accepted the position as assistant post- master at Salem the duties of which he at- tended to in a most able manner for a period of two years, when he resigned to become Deputy Circuit Clerk, having been appointed for a period of four years, and here he again displayed his great innate ability as a careful and painstaking business man by handling the duties devolving upon this po- sition with all dispatch and alacrity and in a most satisfactory manner to all concerned, when after a year in this office he tendered his resignation to become assistant cashier in the Salem State Bank, which very respon- sible and envied position had been proffered by the heads of that institution after they had carefully considered the names of many
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young and talented business men for the the principles in his daily life that he sought to impress upon others.
place, believing that Mr. James was the best qualified to handle the work in this con- nection, and the praiseworthy manner and wonderful technical skill he has displayed in this responsible position since taking up the duties of the same, shows that the man- agers of this institution were wise in their decision and selection. Mr. James is still thus connected with the Salem State Bank and has given entire satisfaction and in- creased the popularity and prestige of this already popular and sound institution.
Mr. James is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Wood- men, in his fraternal relations, and he is a faithful and consistent member of the Chris- tian church. He is known to be scrupu- lously honest, courteous and a gentleman of the highest address and honor and owing to the fact that our subject is yet quite a young man and has achieved such a place of honor and trust the future augurs great things for him.
J. R. QUAYLE.
The subject has always sought to in- culcate in the minds of the young the higher things of life, the beauties of mind and soul known only to those who are willing to de- vote themselves to a career of self-sacrifice, hospitality, persistency and uprightness, and during the long years of his professional life Mr. Quayle succeeded in carrying out
J. R. Quayle was born in Peoria county, Illinois, December 5, 1859, the son of Rob- ert Quayle, a native of the Isle of Man, a full blooded Manxman. He was an influ- ential and high minded man, whose sterling traits are somewhat reflected in the life of his son, our subject. He migrated to America about 1856, locating first in Henry county, Illinois, where he farmed. After living there for a short time he moved to Peoria county, later to Marion county in January, 1866. He was a hard worker and made a success of whatever he undertook. He was called from his labors in Septem- ber, 1879, while living in Marion county. He was a great Bible student and he read and talked the Manx language fluently. James Quayle, grandfather of the subject, was born, reared and spent his entire life on the Isle of Man, and his death occurred there. His wife was a Miss Harrison, who reached the remarkable age of ninety-six years.
The mother of the subject was Ellen (Corlett) Quayle, also a native of the Isle of Man, where she, too, was reared, and where she married Robert Quayle. She was a woman of many estimable traits, hav- ing led a wholesome life and in her old age was the recipient of many kindnesses at the hands of her many friends and neighbors.
She made her home on the old homestead near Vernon, Marion county, until her death, September 6, 1908, where the Quayle
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family moved'in 1866. This family con- mand. He was not only well grounded in sisted of the following children, named in order of their birth: Elizabeth, who died in 1880; J. R., our subject ; Anna, the wife of Nathan Roberts, of Patoka, this county ; Thomas E., who lives in section 12, this county, on a farm; James C., also a farmer in Patoka township, Marion county ; Kate, who is the wife of J. C. Bates, of Patoka township; Mollie, who makes her home with her mother; Mona, the wife of G. I. Arnold, of Foster township, Marion county.
These children are all comfortably situ- ated in life and received good common school education. They are all highly re- spected and lead such well regulated lives as their parents outlined for them in their childhood.
J. R. Quayle, our subject, attended the country schools east of Vernon until 1880, working at intervals on his father's farm. He was always a close student and made the most of his opportunities. After complet- ing the course in the common schools he was not satisfied with the knowledge he had gained and entered school in the University at Valparaiso, Indiana, taking the teachers' course, also a commercial course. He made a brilliant record at this institution for scholarship and good deportment.
Believing that teaching was his proper field of activity Mr. Quayle began his first school in 1878 and he taught the major part of the time up to 1906 with the greatest success attending his efforts, during which time he became widely known not only in Marion but adjoining counties as an able instructor and his services were in great de-
the text-books employed in the schools where he taught but his pleasing personality made him popular with his pupils, the vari- ous phases of whose natures he seemed to understand and sympathize with, so that he inspired each one to do his best in the work at hand, and many of his pupils have since won distinction in various lines of endeavor, all freely admitting that their success was due in a large measure to the training and influence of Mr. Quayle. The teaching of our subject was confined to Marion county with the exception of two years which were spent in Fayette county, where he also be- came popular.
Mr. Quayle has been twice married. His first wedding occurred January 8, 1889, to Lyda E. Livesay, the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Livesay, a well known family of Patoka township, Marion county, and to this union four children were born as follows: Guy, born in 1891, died at the age of seven years; Gladys E., born in 1892; Fanny, now deceased, who was born in 1897; Roberta, who was born in 1900.
The subject's first wife was called to her rest in June, 1906, and Mr. Quayle was married December 15, 1907, to Ida M. Qualls, daughter of Alfred Qualls. She is a member of an influential family of Salem and was born and reared there.
Mr. Quayle has been an influential factor in politics in his county, always assisting in placing the best local men available in the county offices and his support can always be depended upon in furthering any worthy movement looking to the better interest of
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the community and county. In 1883, 1888 and 1889 he was Tax Collector of Patoka township, having been easily elected to this office and performed the duties of it in a most satisfactory manner. He was chosen by his friends to the responsible position of Supervisor in 1901 and 1902 and elected County Clerk on the Democratic ticket in 1906, and is now, 1908, serving his first term. He is said to be one of the ablest men in this office that the county has ever had, being careful and painstaking as well as congenial and friendly so that all his con- stituents are very highly pleased with his record. They predict that he will become a very potent factor in local politics in the near future.
Mr. Quayle is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Woodmen. He takes a great deal of interest in lodge work and his daily life would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble precepts of these commendable orders.
Mr. Quayle is not only a public-spirited and honorable man in his official and busi- ness life, but he leads a most wholesome home life and sets a worthy example for his children and others, delighting in the higher ideals of life as embraced in educational, civic and religious matters. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and no people in Marion county are the recipients of higher respect and genuine esteem from their many friends than they.
HENRY WARREN.
Prominent among the energetic, far- sighted and successful business men of Marion county, Illinois, is the subject of this sketch, whose life history most happily il- lustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an hon- est purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points in his career and have led to desirable and creditable suc- cess. His connection with banking institu- tions and various lines of business has been of decided advantage to the entire com- munity, promoting its welfare along various lines in no uncertain manner, while at the same time he has made an untarnished rec- ord and unspotted reputation as a business man.
Henry Warren, the widely known bank president and gallant Civil war veteran of Kinmundy, Marion county, Illinois, was born in this county in 1845, the son of Asa Warren and his mother's maiden name was Sina Howell. Grandfather Howell was sup- posed to have come from Virginia, settling with the pioneers in Marion county, Illinois, in a very early day, and spending his life on a farm doing much for the upbuilding of the community. He entered land from the government on which he spent the re- mainder of his life and on which he reared his family. He lived to be more than eighty years of age. He was a member of the old Hardshell Baptist church, as was also his wife .. One of the first log churches built in this community was erected on his
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farm, of which he was one of the principal supporters. The major portion of his neighbors were Indians when he first came to this county, and the woods and prairies teemed with wild game of nearly all species and varieties. There were but few settle- ments in the county at that time. The green flies were so thick and aggressive that people could not cross the prairies in the day time during part of the year. He man- aged this farm until his death which then fell to his heirs. All of the second genera- tion of Howells have passed on to their rest.
Asa Warren, father of our subject, came from Tennessee to Illinois when a young man and entered land from the government. He sold out in time and moved to Texas where he died when fifty-five years of age, being survived by four children, three of whom were boys. He was a man of much influence, integrity and force of character. He was a gallant soldier in the Mexican war, having served until peace was declared after which he returned to Illinois. He fol- lowed farming all his life. Both he and his wife belonged to the old school Baptists. The subject's mother was called to her rest at about the age of forty years. She was a kindly and good woman in every respect.
Henry Warren, our subject, was reared in Marion county, Illinois, having attended the common and district schools, part of the time in old log school-houses with their primitive furnishings. He worked most of the year on his father's farm during his school days. He was about twelve years old
when he accompanied his father to Texas, and he returned from the Lone Star state to Illinois one year after his father's death, the home place in Texas having been sold. Then our subject worked out as a farm hand, sometimes receiving only eight dol- lars a month, continuing as a farm hand for twelve years. He then rented land for two years. Then he married and bought eighty acres of land which he improved and made into a good farm on which he lived for about thirty-eight years, which were prosperous, in the main, and during which he laid up a competency for the future. From time to time he added to his original eighty until he finally had eight hundred acres, all of which was in cultivation and kept in a high state of improvement and efficiency. He drained this large tract of land and securely fenced it with wood and wire. Substantial and modern buildings, a large dwelling, two barns and other out buildings were erected, and the place, which Mr. Warren still owns, is one of Marion county's model farms. While he still looks after the farm he keeps it rented. When our subject gave his personal attention to this place it was in somewhat better condition and he devoted him time largely to grass and stock.
Mr. Warren moved to Kinmundy in 1896 and one year later opened under the most favorable auspices what is known as the Warren Banking Company's establishment, which met with instantaneous success and is today regarded as one of the most sub- stantial and safest institutions of its kind in this part of the state. He is president
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of the same, having filled this position with much credit to his ability and the satisfac- tion of the many patrons of the bank since its establishment. His son, Henry L., who was made cashier at the organization of the concern, is still ably attending to these duties. Mr. Warren owns the substantial building in which the business of the firm is conducted. He also owns a large, com- fortable, modern and elegantly furnished dwelling house besides other buildings on the same street where he lives in Kinmundy. He deserves much credit for the wealth he has amassed partly because of the fact that he started life empty handed and has made it unaided, and partly because he has not a single dishonest dollar in his possession, hav- ing always been scrupulously honest in his dealings with his fellow men. During the last panic and bank depression his was the only bank that kept open in the county.
Mr. Warren was first married in 1867 to Mary C. Nichols, a native of this county, the accomplished daughter of Robert Nichols, and to this union the following children were born: William, born October 6, 1868, now a farmer and minister in Jef- ferson county, Illinois, to whom two chil- dren were born; Harry L., born September I, 1871, is living in Kinmundy associated with his father in the banking business, and who is married and the father of one child; Charley W., born March 21, 1874, is as- sistant cashier in the bank, being married and the father of one child, Lowel F., born October 27, 1897.
Mr. Warren's first wife passed to her rest
in 1903, and the subject was again married in 1906, his last wife being Ida Shriver, a native of Marion county and the daughter of William Schriver, who was a native of Ohio. One child has been born to this union, May Margaret, whose date of birth fell on January 14, 1908.
Mr. Warren was one of the patriotic de- fenders of the flag during the dark days of the sixties when the fierce fires of rebellion were undermining the pillars of our national government, and he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with credit and distinction to the close of the war and was honorably discharged. He draws a disability pension of twelve dollars. One brother, Larkin A. Warren, was also a sol- dier, having been a member of Sixth Mis- souri Cavalry. He died at New Orleans while in the army, after having served out his first enlistment of three years, and it was toward the close of the struggle when he was attacked by a disease while in line of duty from which he did not recover.
Our subject is a loyal Republican and in religious affiliations is a liberal subscriber and supporter of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Warren's methods are progressive and he is quick to adopt new ideas which he be- lieves will prove of practical value in his work. Indolence and idleness are entirely foreign to his nature and owing to his close application to his business and his honorable methods he has won prosperity that is richly merited, while he enjoys the friendship and esteem of the people of Marion county.
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FRANK A. BOYNTON.
Through struggles to triumph seems to be the maxim which holds sway for the ma- jority of our citizens and, though it is un- deniably true that many a one falls ex- hausted in the conflict, a few by their in- herent force of character and strong men- tality rise above their environments and all which seems to hinder them until they reach the plane of affluence. It is not the weaklings that accomplish worthy ends in the face of opposition but those with nerve and initiative whose motto is, "He never fails who never gives up," and with this terse aphorism ever in view, emblazoned on the pillar of clouds, as it were, before them, they forge ahead until the sunny summits of life are reached and they can breath a breath of the purer air that inspires the souls of men in respite. Such has been the history of Frank A. Boynton and in his life record many useful lessons may be gained.
Mr. Boynton was born four miles east of Salem in Stevenson township, April 18, 1861, the son of John Boynton, a native of Haverhill, Scioto county, Ohio, who came to Illinois about 1859, settling on the farm on which his widow now resides. John Boyn- ton was a prosperous and influential farmer all his life. He ably served as school di- rector of Stevenson township for many years, and after a very successful and useful life he passed away in 1900.
The grandfather of the subject on his pa- ternal side was Asa Boynton, who was a
native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, who mi- grated to Ohio in an early day and settled on the French "grant" in Ohio, and the place where he settled was named Haverhill, after the Massachusetts town from whence he came. He was, like many of the early pioneers, a man of sterling qualities, brave and a hard worker.
The subject's mother was Eliza Copen- hagen, born near Ironton, Ohio, on the land where the town is situated. Her people came from Virginia, having been among the fine old Southern families who migrated from that state to Ohio in the early days. She has made her home on the old home- stead in Stevenson township from that time to the present day, and there she is held in highest esteem by a host of acquaintances and friends. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Boynton, six of whom are living at this writing (1908). Their names are: Asa died when fourteen years old; Frank, our subject; Elmer, of Salem, Illinois; Lucy who passed to her rest in 1905; Loren K., of Ruleville, Mississippi; John Ellis, who lives with his mother in Stevenson township; Delmont, who lives in Stevenson township on a farm joining the parental homestead; Ida, who lives with her mother.
Frank A. Boynton, our subject, spent his boyhood under the parental roof and re- ceived his primary education in the Bru- baker school in Stevenson township. He worked on the farm during his young man- hood and he has always been identified with
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farming interests ; he now owns a fine farm, highly improved and very productive, lo- cated in the northern part of Stevenson township. It consists of over five hundred acres, and no more choice land is to be found in this locality. He went to Wheeler, Jasper county, Illinois, in 1891, and was a storekeeper and gauger there where he re- mained for two years, making a success of his enterprise, but he returned to his farm in Stevenson township and in about 1903 came to Salem and is now engaged in the real estate and loan business with offices in L. M. Kagy's law office. He helped organ- ize the Salem State Bank of which he is a heavy stockholder and director. He operated a threshing machine for twelve years with great success in Stevenson township, and he has been a stock shipper the greater part of his life.
Thus we see that Mr. Boynton has been a very busy man, and also one that had unusual executive ability else he could not have carried to successful issue so many ex- tensive enterprises.
Our subject was married in 1892 to Anna Stevenson, daughter of Samuel E. Steven- son, a well known family of Stevenson township. One winsome child was born to this union, Gladys. At the time of his mar- riage Mr. Boynton was living on his farm. His first wife was called to her rest Febru- ary 16, 1897, and our subject was again married May 17, 1906, his last wife being Ethel Stevenson. No children have been born to this union. Mrs. Boynton presides over their modern, commodious, beautiful
and elegantly furnished home on South Broadway with rare grace and dignity, and she is frequently hostess to numerous ad- miring friends of the family.
Possessing the executive skill and pleas- ing personality that our subject does, it is not surprising that his friends should have singled him out for political preferment, consequently he has been honored with nu- merous local offices, all of which he has ably and creditably filled to the entire satisfac- tion of all concerned. He has served as Clerk of Stevenson township and later served two terms as Supervisor of that town- ship. He is now city Alderman from the Second ward of Salem. Useless to say our subject is a loyal Republican, and he was at one time the nominee of his party for Sher- iff, and at another time for Treasurer, but was defeated. He, however, made a most ex- cellent race, being defeated by only a few votes, although the county is strongly Demo- cratic. He is, indeed, a public-spirited citizen and witholds his co-operation from no move- ment which is intended to promote public improvement. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illus- trates his steadfastness of purpose. He is now one of the men of affluence and his advancement to a position of credit and honor in the business circles of Marion county is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors, and it would be hard to find a more popular or congenial gentleman in this section of the state than Mr. Boynton.
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JAMES F. HOWELL.
Examine into the life records of the self- made men and it will always be found that indefatigable industry forms the basis of their success. True there are other elements that enter in-perseverance of purpose and keen discrimination-which enable one to recognize business opportunities, but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, per- sistest labor. This fact was recognized at the outset of his career by the worthy gen- tleman whose name forms the caption of this article and he did not seek to gain any short or wondrous method to the goal of prosper- ity. He began, however, to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself in the business world. at the same time do- ing what he could for the welfare of the community at large, and as a result of his habits of industry, public spirit, courteous demeanor and honorable career he enjoys the esteem and admiration of a host of friends in Marion county, where he has long maintained his home and where he is known as one of the representative citizens of the great state of Illinois.
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