USA > Illinois > Franklin County > Franklin County, Illinois, war history, 1832-1919; containing a brief review of the world war--complete history of Franklin County's activities--photographs and service records of Franklin County's soldiers, sailors and marines--industrial and biographical review of business and professional firms who have made this history possible > Part 33
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The history of the First National Bank of Benton is a very impressive business story of the achievements of Benton's progressive business men.
The bank opened for business on April 17, 1902. The first officers were J. T. Chenault, president; W. W. McFall, vice-president and G. C. Cantrell, cashier. The first board of directors consisted of five members- J. T. Chenault, W. W. McFall, S. W. Swain, H. C. Vise and J. F. Ammon. The original capital stock was $25,000.00. The first pub- lished statement of condition was made when the bank was thirteen days old and showed deposits of $9,894.41. On April 2, 1903, the capital was increased to $40,000.00. In January, 1914, the capital was again in- creased, making the capital stock $50,000.00,
at which point it remained until Nov. 15, 1918, when it was increased in the sum of $50,000.00, making the total capital $100,- 000.00. Up to July 1, 1918, the institution had paid to its stockholders the sum of $68,250.00 in dividends, besides placing $50,000.00 to the surplus account and $5,581.33 to undivided profits. At the time of the last increase of capital the shareholders paid in for 500 shares at the rate of $250 per share, or $125,000.00. Of this $50,000.00 was placed to capital; $50,000.00 to surplus, and $25,000.00 to undivided profits, raising the capital to $100,000.00; surplus to $100,- 000.00, and undivided profits to about $35,000.00, making it the largest bank in point of capital and surplus in this part of state. At the time of the last published statement the total resources were $1,375- 196.62. The present officers of the bank are: W. W. McFall, president; G. C. Cantrell and J. L. Ohle, vice-president; Geo. A. Powers, cashier; F. E. Goodin and H. W. Nolen, assistant cashier. The board of directors is composed of the following: W. W. McFall, Jesse Dimond, J. L. Ohle, A. L. Eskew, E. B. Nolen, Walter W. Williams, D. M. Parkhill, H. M. Rea, G. C. Cantrell and Geo. A. Powers.
The history of this bank would be incom- plete without a more complete mention of Geo. C. Cantrell, who has been identified with the growth of the bank since its organ- ization. Mr. Cantrell is a native of Benton, son of T. B. and Euphenia (Newman) Cantrell, the father being one of the pioneer merchants of Benton. Mr. Cantrell in early life learned the printing business, clerked in his father's store and later was business manager of the Benton Standard, the firm at that time known as Brownlee & Cantrell. After the fire destroying the plant of the Standard, he entered the hardware business and upon the organization of the First National Bank became the cashier and acted in that capacity until 1919 when he was elected vice-president. He was married Jan. 31, 1894, to Miss Maud McFall. Mr. and Mrs. Cantrell are the parents of two children: Margaret, born Mch. 17, 1895,and Robert, born Aug. 25, 1899. Mr. Cantrell is a Mason, Elk and Modern Woodman.
289
× 1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
.
DAN. H. ROSS.
PAUL R. LYON.
HARRY L.FRIER
· EDITOR·
PUBLISHER.
MRS. H.L. FRIER.
PAULINE FRIER.
The Benton Republican
THE activities of the newspapers of Franklin belong almost as much to the war history of the county as any other one thing, and The Benton Republican occupies a most prominent place, inasmuch as it was the first and only paper to publish a com- plete list of the draft, and its files will ever be a complete record of that.
The editor and publisher is Harry L. Frier, who purchased the plant nearly 23 years ago. He was born and reared in Shawneetown, his parents being Judge and Mrs. N. A. Frier, now of Benton.
At the age of 13 years he entered the office of L. F. Tromly, one of the real newspaper men of the state, with whom he spent 15 years in the various capacities from printer's devil to associate editor in the cities of Shawneetown, Ill., St. Louis and Poplar Bluff, Mo. The paper is Republican in politics, the editor having been partially compensated for party work by serving two terms each as postmaster and Master-in- Chancery.
In 1898 he wedded Miss Mollie Chapman of McLeansboro. She has been of material assistance, and during the Victory Loan campaign represented the paper in con- ferences in St. Louis.
To this union were born three daughters and a son. The eldest, Pauline, will grad- uate from the University of Illinois this year as a language teacher. She assists in the office during vacation, having taken a course in journalism. The second, Pearl, will graduate next year from the same institution as a teacher of home economics. Florence will finish the Benton Township High School this year, and the son, Wendell, in the class of '23.
Few offices have a better record in long, faithful and efficient service of their em- ployes. The foreman, Dan H. Ross, and the linotype operator, Paul R. Lyon, have been with the paper, seemingly, so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.
Besides printing the newspaper the office does a general line of job and commercial printing of all kinds and is kept busy.
290
1832-
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
PEARL FRIER. SUPT MAIL ORDER DEPT.
H. L. BRANDT. MANAGER
O.H.MACHIELS. PROP'R
Mrs. O.L.MACHIELS, DRAPE ARTIST.
HELEN MACHIELS, BOOKKEEPER.
PEARL LEWIS, SUPT. KODAK DEPT.
ETTA VAUGHN, RECEPTIONIST.
MABEL DOTY. KODAK PRINTER.
LEONA DOTY. KODAK PRINTER.
Machiels' Studio
A SUCCESSFUL and high-class photo- graphic studio must be managed and directed by one who is especially qualified to solve the many perplexing problems which are constantly arising to satisfy a critical public. The most successful studio ever es- tablished in Benton is the present studio of O. H. Machiels, who has shown himself an ex- pert in this line of business. He was born in Blue Mound, March 9, 1881, son of Herman and Helen Machiels, his father being a harness and implement merchant. Our sub- ject left home at the early age of fourteen and went to Ohio to live with an uncle and was at once apprenticed in a studio. He later worked in Hamilton, Ohio, and in 1900 when only nineteen years of age established a studio at Wellburgh, West Virginia, which he conducted for two years. He then went to work for Schiller & Company at St. Louis, dealers in photographic supplies.
For two years he was traveling salesman for this firm, selling and demonstrating dry plates and general photographic supplies.
On March 12, 1902, at Decatur, Illinois, occured the marriage of H. O. Machiels to Miss Virgie L. Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Machiels are the parents of three children, Helen, born 1903; Ralph, born January, 1905, deceased at six months, and Lucile, born 1908.
Mr. Machiels came to Benton in May, 1914, purchasing the only photographic studio and immediately built it up until at the present time it is conceded to be the largest studio in southern Illinois.
Mr. Machiels is a member of the Masons, Elks and U. C. T.
The principal assistant of Mr. Machiels is Harry Brandt who came from Lincoln, Nebraska. He is a world war veteran, being attached to the 89th Aero, a photographic di- vision, serving overseas for eighteen months.
291
1832-2
1919
ROBT R. WARD. PRESIDENT.
W. C. LUDWIG. VICE PRES.
W. W. MCCREERY, VICE PRES.
W. G. MOORE, VICE PRES.
W
Wm. R. WARD .
CARROLL MOORE.
FOUNDERS.
THE BENTON STATE BANK Established 1875. "The Good Old Bank"
1
CARL BURKHART, CASHIER.
F. H. STAMPER, DIRECTOR.
C.H.MILLER, DIRECTOR.
W. B. MARTIN. DIRECTOR.
W. B. BLAKE. DIRECTOR.
J. M. SEYMOUR DIRECTOR.
R. D. KIRKPATRICK DIRECTOR.
292
1919 ×
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
The First Bank
IN the year 1875, William R. Ward and 1 Capt. Carroll Moore were engaged in the business of merchandising in the village of Benton, whose population then was less than six hundred. This business was con- ducted under the firm name of Ward & Moore, on the south side of the public square. The need being felt for a bank in this community, the Exchange Bank of Ward & Moore was formed and was given a corner in the rear of the store for the purpose of receiving deposits and loaning money. This was the first enterprise of this kind in the County, and as money was very scarce here in those days, it required a great deal of time and effort to accumulate total deposits of $50,000.00.
This little institution filled a much needed want, and it was continuously operated by the same management until 1883, when Ward & Moore sold their merchandising business, and the little bank was then removed into a home of its own on the south side of the public square. It was opened for business daily under the manage- ment of its founders, Ward & Moore. On January 2nd, 1898, the bank was incor- porated under the laws of the State. The following are the first and last official state- ments of the condition of the bank at the call of the Auditor of Public Accounts:
RESOURCES
Jan. 1, 1898 June 30, 1920
Loans and Dis-
counts. .
$ 61,771.93 $ 821,544.06
Cash on hand .. 45,956.76 142,082.18
Furniture & Fix-
tures 900.00 10,000.00
Expense. 1,073.65
Real Estate.
6,500.00
Stocks & Bonds. .
139,397.83
$109,702.34 $1,119,524.07
LIABILITIES
Jan. 1, 1898 June 30, 1920
Capital Stock $ 30,000.00 $ 100,000.00
Surplus
50,000.00
Undivided Profits 2,257.00
13,500.00
Deposits
77,445.34 949,024.07
Dividends Un-
paid
7,000.00
$109,702.34 $1,119,524.07
The bank was located in these quarters until 1902, when it was removed to its present home on the east side of the Square.
The first officers of the Benton State Bank after incorporation were:
William R. Ward, president;
Carroll Moore, vice-president; Carl Burkhart, cashier.
In 1905, Mr. Ward died, and Carroll Moore was elected president, and Robert R. Ward, son of William R. Ward, was made 'vice-president. Carl Burkhart, cashier, and William C. Ludwig, vice-president, have been connected with this institution for more than twenty-two years. In 1919, Carroll Moore resigned as president and Robert R. Ward was made his successor. The directorate, Robert R. Ward, Carroll Moore, W. B. Blake, R. D. Kirkpatrick, J. M. Seymour, W. W. McCreery, W. B. Martin, C. H. Miller, F. H. Stamper, W. E. Moore and Carl Burkhart, has been un- changed for many years, and individually the directors have been identified with practically every large industry in the city.
This bank has marked the opening of its nineteen neighbors and noted the deposits of the County rise from $77,000.00 to approximately $15,000,000.00.
Its liberal policy to its friends and cus- tomers, and the years of banking experience has made this bank one of the leading in southern Illinois.
293
× 1832
Gminy
ES
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Arley E. Martin
"THE newspaper fraternity has many examples of progressive and earnest men who by their own efforts advanced themselves in their chosen profession to the point where they are honored by appoint- ments of a political nature for the services they have rendered their party and com- munity. Such a man is Arley E. Martin, editor and publisher of the Benton Standard and postmaster since 1913, who from the beginning of his career has displayed quali- ties of tact, integrity and business sagacity which have been guar- antees of a successful future to all who have noted his daily life. He is a splendid example of the self-made and self - educated man - winning noteworthy success in life through his own efforts, meeting and surmounting every obstacle intelligently and courageously.
Mr. Martin comes from one of the pioneer families of Franklin county, being born in a log cabin near the pres- ent Franklin county fair grounds, the son of Andrew and Melvina (Jones) Martin, who, soon after the birth of our subject, moved to Benton and entered the mercantile business. A limited grade school education in the Benton public schools was the only educational foundation for a start in life, as it was his desire to begin active business as early as possible. Until twenty years of age, he was a valuable assistant to his father in the store. Desiring to enter other fields he chose the newspaper pro- fession, purchasing a half interest in the Franklin County Independent. He at once began to build the foundation of a successful newspaper career by learning the mechanical end of the profession, gradually developing the technique of all branches.
Conscientiously applying himself to his trade and profession, after one year he
believed himself capable of editing and publishing the paper and purchased his partner's, J. S. Barr's interest. In 1908 he purchased the subscription list of the Benton Standard, the plant of which had burned, consolidating both papers under the name of the Benton Standard, his work and field rapidly increased. As the Standard was the official paper of the Democratic organization of the county, considerable prestige was gained by the consolidation.
Mr. Martin has al- ways been one of the active leaders of the Democratic party in Franklin county and in 1908 was elected to the the chairmanship of the county central com- mittee.
In 1916 he completed the present home of the Benton Standard, on East Main street, and has a splendidly equip- ped job and newspaper plant, which is under the foremanship of Arch Johnson, while Mr. Martin continues the editorship. The popu- larity of the Benton Standard is proven by the large circulation and advertising patronage enjoyed.
On April 11, 1900, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Martin, daughter of John D. Martin, a former post- master at Madisonville, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of an only son, A. E. jr., who was born Sept. 4, 1901, now an assistant at the postoffice.
The dissemination of news, the discussion of public questions and the promotion of the general welfare of his community through the columns of his paper, have constituted Mr. Martin's life's object as a private citizen, both to his city and his county. These have been no less important and earnest than the seven years he has now served the public through the Benton postoffice, which mark him as one of the influential and prominent citizens of Franklin county.
294
=
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
W. L. Eskew Lumber Company
10
FORTY years ago, W. L. Eskew, a pioneer of Franklin county, started a little lumber yard, locating same on Webster avenue, just west of the Webster School, two years later moving to 209 South Main street. This lumber business grew very rapidly, and on December 16, 1913, the W. L. Eskew Lumber Co. was incorporated with C. H. Miller, president; Carl Burkhart, secretary and treasurer and J. A. Summers, manager. In 1918, the present fine brick building was completed where considerable of the most important and expensive lumber, building material and hardware is housed.
Mr. Summers has been identified with this institution since 1908, when he entered the employ of W. L. Eskew. Previously to entering the retail lumber business the
experience of Mr. Summers had been such as to unquestionably qualify him for his present position-a farmer boy until 18 years of age and then working in the saw mills and timber lands of Arkansas. Four years of working in the lumber and timber in its natural and semi-finished state, gave Mr. Summers probably the best knowledge of lumber of any lumberman in this county. In 1902, he took up the trade of carpentry and continued in this capacity until he accepted the position with Mr. Eskew as above stated.
The business of the W. L. Eskew Lumber Co. is continuously growing and builders will find it to their advantage to investigate both their large stock of lumber and building material.
295
1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL WAR HISTORY.
.
· INTERIOR OF BANK .
A. N. WEBB, PRESIDENT.
N. S. HELM, CASHIER.
W. R. BROWNING, VICE - PRES.
MERCANTILE BANK AND ·TRUST COMPANY·
W.H. ALVIS, VICE - PRES.
-
S. E. KNOWLES, ASST. CASHR.
H.G. DAVIS, DIRECTOR.
J. L. BROWNING, DIRECTOR.
Q.E. BURGESS, DIRECTOR.
296
1832
1919
Mercantile Bank and Trust Company
THE organization of the Mercantile Bank & Trust Company is the result of the rapid growth of Benton and com- munity, and therefore the need of greater banking facilities which would attract addi- tional capital to Benton. The bank was organized in 1912 as a State bank, with a capital of $25,000. The original officers and incorporators being J. T. Chenault, who was president and cashier, and A. L. Cleveland, vice-president. In 1914, the capital was increased to $50,000, and N. S. Helm, the present cashier, became identified with the institution. Mr. Chenault was president until 1915, when A. L. Cleveland was elected president and was active in the affairs of the bank until he retired in 1919, A. N. Webb being elected to fill the office.
The present directors and officers are: A. N. Webb, president; W. R. Browning, vice-president; W. H. Alvis, vice-president; N. S. Helm, cashier; S. E. Knowles, assistant cashier; H. G. Davis, J. L. Browning and A. E. Burgess, directors.
The rapid growth and popularity of this bank is shown by the comparison of growth, at two year intervals, since organization:
TOTAL RESOURCES
June 1913 $ 94,259.79
June 1915.
178,649.13
June 1917
334,030.40
June 1919. 417,300.67
June 1920 504,212.37
The condensed statement at the close of business, June 8, 1920, is as follows:
RESOURCES
Cash and due from Banks $123,281.26
Loans and Discounts. 323,049.05
Other Resources 11,704.37
U. S. Liberty Bonds. 31,650.00
Banking House F. and F 14,527.69
Total $504,212.37
LIABILITIES
Capital Stock $ 50,000.00
Surplus
5,000.00
Undivided Profits 10,357.86
Deposits 438,854.51
Total $504,212.37
It will be seen from the above dates that the bank has prospered under the direction of the present cashier, N. S. Helm, who is a practical banking official and business man of experience. He was born Sept. 27, 1872, the son of a prominent farmer of Marion county. He was a school teacher from 1895 to 1901 and then entered the business world as salesman for the International Harvester Co., which position he retained for five years. It was during his trips to North Dakota that he decided to open a bank in Streeter, N. Dak., which he did in 1916, becoming cashier and later vice-president until 1910, when he decided to return to his native state, but still retained his interest there. From 1910 to 1912 he was cashier and manager of the bank at Mill Shoals, from which place he came to Benton. Mr. Helm was married July 28, 1907 to Miss Lucy Alvis, daughter of E. J. Alvis, a retired farmer and president of the Citizens Bank of Kell. Mr. and Mrs. Helm are the parents of two children: Mary Eleanor and John Edmund. He is a Royal Arch Mason, Modern Woodman and Odd Fellow. They are popular citizens, taking an active interest in all welfare and church work.
297
1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Campbell Hardware Company
M OST communities have their example of self made business men, who by their close attention to business, learning it from the ground up have advanced step by step until conspicuous in the business world. Such a man in Benton is W. E. Campbell, who was reared on a farm in Williamson county near Marion, and lived the average life of a farmer boy until twenty-one years
iture, making his store a complete home outfitting market where the best or medium priced home furnishings can be secured at the right price.
Mr. Campbell is proud of the fact that in his twenty years of hardware experience he has only sold the very best stoves and ranges -- the old dependable Round Oak and Foster.
Mr. Campbell was born Sept. 10, 1876, the son of S. F. and Mary (Taylor) Campbell; was married July 15,1900, to Miss Eugenie Lewis of Marion, whose parents were neighboring farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of three children, Eugenia, born Feb. 12, 1902, and Maurice born July 14, 1903, who have just graduated from the Benton High School, and Mary Howell, born Aug. 6, 1912, dying at the age of six months. Mr. Cambell is a popular business man-the kind that wins customers and retains them by honest business methods
of age, and then taught school for one year. Although receiving only the education of a district school, by thoroughly mastering it he was able to pass the school examina- tion with the highest grade of the county at that time. Ambitious to enter the businesss world, he began as a clerk in his uncles' store, J. N. & W. H. Campbell, at Marion, re- ceiving a salary of two dollars a week and board. Six years later finds him half partner in the business, obtained on credit, and then six years of successful business under the name of Lewis & Campbell, when Mr. Lewis sold his interest to our subject's father. Eighteen months later they sold out and after a rest of ten months, Feb. 10, 1913, finding an opportune opening in Benton purchased the hardware business of Fritz- gerrell Bros. Since this purchase, Mr. Campbell has built up a wonderful bus- iness, adding, in 1917, a fine line of furn-
that guarantee a steady growth. Upon entering either the furniture or hardware stores, the prospective customer at once realizes that he has entered a store con- trolled by a modern business man who will treat him with the courtesy and respect due-begetting a confidence that insures a sale from the large and varied stock and a pleased customer.
298
1832 8
DE 1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
...
N.S. HELM, DIRECTOR.
1
S.E.KNOWLES, DIRECTOR.
W. F. BURKITT. PRESIDENT.
FLORA E. BURKITT, SECRETARY.
Burkitt Kimmel Abstract Company
T 'HE pioneer abstracters of Franklin county were C. C. Payne and W. H. Williams, doing business under the firm name of Payne & Williams. They began making abstracts some time prior to 1869. Payne & Williams sold their abstract books to James F. Mason, who continued in the abstract business until his death. M. J. Mason succeeded his father. M. J. Mason sold a one-half interest to Fred C Pulliam and the firm was called Mason & Pulliam. Pulliam sold back to Mason and in a short time thereafter Mason sold to W. F. Dillon and J. M. Joplin and the firm name became Dillon & Joplin. About the year 1902, Dillon sold his half interest to W. F. Spiller and the firm name was changed to Joplin & Spiller. The next abstracters after Payne & Williams were John Mulkey and Henry Hudson who began to make abstracts about the year 1870. Mr. Mulkey was circuit clerk and Hudson his deputy. They had no abstract books but made abstracts from the indexes in the circuit clerk's office. Hudson making the abstracts and Mulkey certifying to them as circuit clerk. Mr. Mulkey soon retired from the abstract business and Mr. Hudson opened up an office about 1875 and continued in the business alone until about the year 1905, when he formed a partnership with C. W. Stilley under the firm name of Hudson & Stilley.
R. H. Flannigan began making abstracts about the year 1876, using a tract index, which he made. After making abstracts a few years he sold his tract index to James E. Mason.
I. R. Spilman was the next abstracter to start an office. He made a complete abstract book a little different from any that had been made. He sold out to R. R. Webb and T. M. Webb and the firm was called Webb & Webb. A. L. Mayfield of Decatur bought a half interest in the firm and it was then called Webb & Mayfield. W. F. Dillon purchased the interest of the Webbs and the firm name was changed to Dillon & Mayfield. Mayfield sold to W. W. McCreery and the firm was then known as Dillon & McCreery. McCreery sold to J. M. Joplin. Dillon & Joplin now owned all of the abstract books in the county, except the tract index
of Henry Hudson and when Spiller bought out Dillon all the books went to Joplin & Spiller.
The abstracters now were Joplin & Spiller and Henry Hudson. Hudson sold a one-half interest in his office to C. W. Stilley and about the same time W. F. Burkitt made a tract index and opened an abstract office, in 1905, which was called Burkitt's Abstract Office.
About the year 1909, W. F. Burkitt and C. W. Stilley bought out Joplin & Spiller and the firm of Burkit 's Abstract Office and Joplin & Spiller were consolidated under the firm name of Burkitt & Stilley. Mr. Stilley retiring from the firm of Hudson & Stilley. A short time thereafter, Stilley sold his interest to Burkitt. Stilley then formed another partnership with Hudson.
About the year 1913, George B Holmes and Harold S. Campbell made a card index and opened up an abstract office. Holmes bought out Campbell and incorporated under the name of the Franklin County Abstract Co. The Franklin County Abstract Co. sold to J. J Hill and Hill to C. W. and Perry Stilley. The Franklin County Abstract Co. and the firm of Hudson & Stilley consolidated and the firm was called the Franklin County Abstract Co.
In October, 1916, H. E. Kimmel of DuQuoin, bought out the Franklin County Abstract Co. He and W. F. Burkitt, the owner of Burkitt's Abstract Office, consolidated and incorporated for $20,000.00 under the name of Burkitt-Kimmel Abstract Co.
This Company now owned all the abstract books and card indexes in Franklin county, having the Payne & Williams' books, Flannigan's Tract Index, Spilman's book, Hudson and Burkitt's Tract Index, and the Franklin County Abstract Company's card index and had the largest plant in the State outside of the large cities.
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