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 34
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On November 1, 1919, Kimmel sold his interest to W. F. Burkitt, N. S. Helm and S. E. Knowles, but with the consent of Mr. Kimmel the name remained the same.
The Burkitt-Kimmel Abstract Co. is not con- nected with any other business, but gives all their time to the making of abstracts.
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W. B. Martin & Company
THE development of a large real estate, insurance and abstract company with large and various connections which entails an instinct for real organization work, is one which will test the capacity of any man. The W B. Martin Co., which is one of the strongest and largest realty and abstract organizations in Southern Illinois is the result of the work of W. B. Martin, who is a native son of Franklin County, born near Benton, April 8, 1872, the son of Andrew and Melvina (Jones) Mar- tin. In early life he had the advantage which most farmer boys have of attending the district schools for a short period in the winter, and assisting on the farm at other times. Later his father moved to Benton and established a grocery store where our sub- ject assisted in the W. B. MARTIN work and attended the Benton public schools, and then after a short experience of working in a clothing store he entered the employ of J. F. Mason where he received the early instructions in the particular business of abstract work. After a few years he entered the employ of Webb & Webb, where his aptitude for this work was given greater scope. In 1893, he formed a partnership with Simeon Moore, under the firm name of Martin & Moore, this firm continued for a few years when Mr. Martin purchased the interest of Mr. Moore and continued in this line of business until January, 1917, when he started the difficult task of making a new set of abstract books. In January, 1918, the present firm of W. B. Martin & Co. was
organized. In July, 1920, the company was incorporated with the following officers: W. B. Martin, president; R. R. Ward, treasurer and Mack McCreery, secretary. The charter has been secured for the pur- pose of buying and selling of real estate, loans, insurance and abstract work.
On May 25, 1898, occurred the marriage of W. B. Martin to Miss Minnie Follis. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of four children: Chas. A., who died March, 1918; Fay, born April 2, 1901; Ruth, born March 29, 1907. Mr. Martin is a popular and progressive citizen of Benton taking an active part in the af- fairs of Benton and all affairs for the better- ment of the commu- nity. He is a director of the Benton State Bank, and interested in other enterprises. MACK MCCREERY Mack McCreery, the other active member of the firm, is a son of Walker McCreery, descendants of the famous McCreery family, mentioned in several places in the historical sections of this book as one of the oldest and most distinguished pioneer families of the county. The McCreerys are represen- tative business men who are financially inter- ested in many industrial instituions of the county-constantly striving to build and increase the industrial activity of their county-few large business enterprises are started in Benton without their guiding hands. Mack McCreery is secretary of the Benton Chamber of Commerce, and one of the most influential business men of Benton and is a worthy descendant of his honorable sire.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Benton Amusement Company
THE amusement and moving picture bus- iness of Benton took an advance step early in 1918, by the organization of the Ben- ton Amusement Company. This company was organized by Benton people who knew that the show and moving picture business could be put on a high standard of excellency ifthe right stops were taken to create an organization with ample finances to give the public the best attractions. The com- pany was incorporated February 1, 1918, with a capital of $50,000, and immediately began acquiring the leases of theatres of Benton. The first theatre was the Hippo- drome, purchased of Geo. Colovas, and later the Opera House lease held by Chas. Bernham. Believing that better pictures and attractions could be secured by having control of a chain of theatres, the company entered the field at Mt. Vernon by buying the Plaza theatre and making of it an expensive and modern theatre building. This building is complete and the interior deco. rations compete favorably with the metro- politan theatres - equipped with an ex- pensive cooling system and all the latest appliances used in the large show houses. To make their chain of theatres complete in Mt. Vernon they also purchased the leaseholds of Star and Majestic. The company later entered the Salem field by
purchasing the Lyric theatre and building and acquiring the lease of the Orpheum. The company operates a chain of seven theatres, and will rapidly build and improve all properties.
The officers of the Benton Amusement Company are: F. D. Whittington, president; R. C. Cluster, vice-president and general manager; W. C. Ludwig, secretary and treasurer. The directors other than the officers are: W. W. McCreery, Mack McCreery, W. B. Martin and J. C. Ludwig.
R. C. Cluster, who came to Benton from Christopher where he had built and operated the Globe theatre, is an experienced theatre man and has been an able director in the operation and perfecting this chain of theatres. The Benton theatres are under his direct management, while the Mt. Vernon theatres are managed by George Newcome, and the Salem enterprises by Lennie Arnett.
Believing that the first requisite to make motion pictures popular is the best machines that eliminate the old time "flicker" which made the pictures difficult for most people, each theatre was equipped with the most modern machines, and also gold fibre screens which add to the beauty of the pictures and comfort of the spectators.
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Judge Thomas J. Myers
O NE of the distinguished members of the bench of Southern Illinois, and one who has given most extensive service in offices of public trust is Thomas Jefferson Myers, who was born June 28, 1869, on a small farm three miles east of Benton. He comes from southern parentage, his father being from Kentucky and his mother from Tennessee. He was educated in the district schools and the summer normal schools. He began teaching before he reached his 18th birthday, and taught in various parts of the county- Benton, Christopher, Mulkey- town and Akin besides country districts. He entered politics quite young and began public speaking before he reached his majority.
Judge Myers made his first political appearance in the cam- paign of 1888. He filled the office of township tax assessor several times for the town of Benton, serving his first time at
the age of twenty-one years. In the spring of 1900 he was nominated to the office of states' attorney and was elected in November, serving four years; was elected to the office of County Judge in 1906, in which capacity he served four years. In May, 1913, heentered the office of Secretary of State as corporation clerk, serving his full four years and then came back to Benton in the summer of 1917, and was appointed a member of the Franklin County Local Board, in which capacity he served for nineteen months as clerk of the board In the fall of 1917, while yet a member of the Local Board, he was elected to the office of County Judge, being the only Democrat on the Democratic ticket elected. He is serving his second term in that office. Be- sides being County Judge he is president of The American Mu- tual Union, of Benton, a mutual protective association organized in September, 1919.
Nealy I. Glenn
M TANY of the native sons of Franklin county and Benton haveby their deter- mined and studious efforts become popular professional men, among such is Nealy I. Glenn, who was born on a farm near Benton, October 13, 1887, the son of John and Lavina Glenn. Receiving his early education in common schools and later grad- uated from Ewing College; he was a popular school teacher for five years. Ambition directing him toward a professional life, he began the reading of law at home during his spare time and then entered the law university of Arkansas, where he received the LL. B. degree in 1913. Returning to Illinois he took the bar examination for per- mission to practise in Illinois and was admitted to the bar the same year. Always active
in the affairs of the Republican party he was honored by the election to the office of County Judge and served from 1914 to 1918. In 1917 he was a delegate to the Republican State Convention, and alternate to the same convention this year (1920). During the war period he gave his time unsparingly to the home activities and served on the advisory board.
On December 13, 1913, oc- curred the marriage of Judge Glenn to Miss Goldie King, daughter of Edward and Lillie King, prominent farmers of Northern Township. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are the parents of four children: Bernice, Clifford, Erwin and Loettia. Mr. Glenn is a very active member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Benton, and always ready to assume his civic duties.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Roy C. Martin
Nº profession develops with so much of accuracy and masculine vigor the native intellectual predominancies as that of law. The materials for the foundation of society, which are scattered around broadcast and in profusion, often the most heterogeneous and crude, have to be molded into form by the application of great principles. Standing conspicuously in thus molding and fashion- ing society in this county, Roy C. Martin, the present efficient state's attorney, has won laurels of which he can be justly proud.
Mr. Martin was born near Royalton, December 2, 1882, son of John M. and Mary (Vaughn) Martin. He led the average life of a farmer boy and attended the district school. Our subject later attended Ewing college and then taught school for five years, receiving an appointment as assistant bookkeeper at Chester peni- tentiary, remained there for more than four years, and
in 1911 was united in marriage to Miss Ninetta McMurray, secretary to the warden. Believing that a professional career was more ambitious,he entered the Valparaiso univers- ity, graduating in law and literature in 1913 with the degree of LL. B. He then entered the law office of John F. Regan at Mt. Sterling and was admitted to the
bar in 1914, and returning to this county, began the practise of law. In 1915, he was appoint- ed city attorney, and in Nov. 1916, elected state's attorney. Almost immediately he began to show his ability for such work, and the record shows $33,000 collected, sixty sentences to penitentiary and reformatory, one hundred jail sentences and twenty-five boys to St. Charles, which is an exceptional record. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are the parents of three children: Ruth Maxine, Mary Elizabeth, and Roy McMurray. Mr. Martin fraternally is an Elk and K.of P.
Robert E. Smith
O NE of the busiest attorneys in Franklin County, who by his talented ability, close attention to all the details that creates success, is Robert E. Smith, who was born on a farm near Benton, the son of Albert C. and Judith Smith, prominent farmers of this community who have always been iden- tified with the reliable citizens who are so necessary in the upbuilding and maintenance of sturdy citizenship.
After receiving the prelimin- ary education of a farmer boy in the district schools, our sub- ject then attended Ewing col- lege. Deciding that a profes- sional life was open to him, he entered the Dixon law school and after a thorough course of Blackstone and its require- ments, returned to Benton and became associated with W. S. Cantrell, where he finished his study under the tuition of that famous attorney. The insurance business of Mr. Cantrell's and
much personal business of this nature con- suming most of our subject's time, he did not try for the bar examination until Dec., 1913, and after being admitted to the bar at this time began active practice of his chosen profession. He was appointed City attorney and served in this capacity from 1913 to 1915. Since 1916, he has been the district attorney, six counties in the district, for the inheritance department of the state, under the general jurisdiction of the Attorney General's office at Springfield.
On Oct. 23, 1900, at Spring Garden, Jefferson county, there occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Veronica Thur- mond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Verina Thurmond. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children: Geoffrey, born July 15th, 1901, and Cantrell Smith, born Aug. 22, 1903, who was a victim of a shot fired by his teacher on Oct. 23, 1919, during a charivari party.
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Hon. James P. Mooneyham
HON. JAMES P. MOONEYHAM, who represented this senatorial district in the General Assembly at the close of the war period, is an honored son of Franklin County, but almost as well known through Southern Illinois as in this County, where he was born forty-eight years ago. He is a son of John Mooneyham, a pioneer from Tennessee, who came to Illinois in 1838, and in the Civil War assisted in organizing the 31st Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Logan's Regiment) and was made first lieutenant of Com- pany I, later lieutenant Com- pany F, 15th Illinois Cavalry. His mother, Minerva J. Maner- ing was also of a pioneer family.
Rounding out his preliminary education at Ewing College and later at the State Normal at Carbondale, he turned to read- ing law while still a young man and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-five. Began the practice of law in Benton, 1901, the next year he waselected
county judge. In 1918 he was elected to the General Assembly. In the legislature, he has proved a good Solon and gives ex- cellent account of the stewartship enrtusted him to the extent that merits the approval of his constituents. His attendance was almost perfect and he gave careful attention to the business.
In fraternal circles, Judge Mooneyham is quite prominent, being a Royal Arch Mason, K. of P., and Eastern Star. He is regard- ed as a progressive and enter- prising citizen with always an interest in the civic welfare of his community. He gave his time and means liberally during the war, assisting in the various drives for the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and other work of a similar nature.
Judge Mooneyham married Miss Anna Spangler of Dongola, November 15, 1899, and they reside at 519 N. Main Street, Benton.
John A. Logan
A DESCENDANT of the famous Logan family, which gave to Southern Illinois, our famous Gen. John A. Logan. Our sub- ject, John A. Logan, was born on a farm near Shawneetown, the son of John R. Logan, a civil war veteran and a cousin of Gen. John A. Logan. He received his early education in the district schools. He taught school two terms and then entered the Valparaiso (Indiana) University, special- izing in elocution and oratory, graduating with the degrees of B. S. and LL.B. Returning to Shawneetown he was chosen as the principal of the Shawnee- town High School and served in that capacity for the years of 1907 and 1908, and while in that work, in 1908, was elected a member of the legislature, and was forced to resign to attend his first session of the legislature which convened before the school period closed. In 1907, he was admitted to the bar and
began active practice of his profession and became the junior partner of the law firm of Bartley & Logan, the senior member being Senator Jesse E. Bartley. This partnership of Shawneetown's best legal talent was dis- solved in 1913, Mr. Logan coming to Benton, where, by his ability he soon won a large clientele. As was his famous namesake and relative, Mr. Logan has always been active in the Republican party, work- ing for its principles, being in demand as a campaign speaker. In 1916, he was candidate for Congressman at large, but was defeated in the primary, receiv- ing a large and encouraging vote under the condition, being the fourth of nine candidates.
Mr. Logan was married Aug., 1913, to Miss Ellen C. Combs, daughter of Dr. G. W. Combs of Gallatin. Mr. Logan frater- nally is a Mason, K. of P. and Modern Woodman, and an ac- tive worker in these societies.
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Hon. James W. Crawford
THE farming districts have given to Southern Illinois some of the ablest public men, who, born and reared among the agricultural people and knowing their needs and the needs of their communities, have been able to serve them to the best advantage and to forward measures cal- culated to develop the vast resources of this rich section of the state. In this connec- tion may be mentioned James W. Crawford, ex-member of the State Legislature, whose rec- ord in that august body stamped him as a man of eminent ability and a citizen whose energies were devoted to the welfare of his commun- ity. Mr. Crawford was born in Franklin Coun- ty December 3, 1866, a son of John Wesley and Serena M. (Bonds) Crawford.
James W. Crawford's early educational train- ing was secured in the common schools of Benton, where he also attended high school, and then spent two years in the seminary at DuQuoin. After spending some time as a school teacher in Texas he became a law student in the office of W. F. Ford of Texas, and in 1895 was admitted to the bar, locating in Benton in 1898. Until 1905, Mr. Crawford was en. gaged in farming, but in that year entered
the office of W. S. Cantrell and began the practise of law, having charge of the real estate end of the business, and in connection with his law practise he created a large real estate and insurance business. He owns two hundred and eighty-five acres of land two miles west of Benton and there makes his home. For a number of years Mr. Crawford has been a hard worker in the ranks of the Republican Party, and in 1908 his services were recognized and rewarded by elec- tion to the State Legis- lature. During his term of office he served on the committees of cor- porations, drainage and waterways, primary elections, railroads, re- form, statutory revision and judiciary and was chairman of the judicial apportionments.
In 1890, Mr. Craw- ford was married to Miss Louisa M.Almond, daughter of Alvin M. Almond, a native of Mississippi, who moved to Arkansas and there died. The following children have been born to this union; Clarence A., Vida, Ora, Ollie Belle, Emmett, Lois, Fay and Charlie. Mr. Crawford is a Chapter Mason, and has passed through the chair in the Odd Fellows and belongs to the Knights of Pythias and Elks, the Woodmen and the Court of Honor.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Sidney M. Ward
NE of the most ambitious and progress. ive young attorneys of the county is Sidney M. Ward, who is rapidly creating a large clientele by his close application to commercial law and its attributes.
Sidney M. Ward was born June 2, 1893, in Manitou, Colo., son of B. M. and Nettie (Espy) Ward. He received his early educa- tion in the common schools of Manitou and Benton, coming here in 1905 to make his home with his mother's father, Sidney B. Espy, grad- uating from the Benton high school in 1912.
Inclinations and ambitions being directed toward the legal profession, he entered the law department of the Northwestern University, graduating in 1916 with the degree of L.L. B. and was admitted to the bar the same year.
He at once began the practice of law in Benton and during the fall of 1916, acted as city attor- ney, and at the close of the year
was appointed assistant state's attorney under Roy C. Martin, in which capacity he served until March, 1920. While assistant state's attorney he ably assisted Mr.Martin in making the wonderful record which the state's attoney's office achieved during this time.
In April, 1918, he was appointed United States commissioner for the eastern district and ably administered to the affairs of this office during the time when it was an important adjunct of the local draft board and other patriotic offices of the war time. It is needless to say that our subject entered into the spirit of the work and often overstepped authority for the rapid co-operation then necessary.
He was married to Miss Blanche West of Chicago, Jan- uary, 1915, while a student there. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are the parents of two children, Richard, born Dec. 8, 1915, and Jane, born July 1, 1917.
G. E. Browning
NE of the most honorable professions is that of undertaker and embalmer- showing the nice discernment and resource- fulness in dealing with the relatives of the deceased, preparial for burial and the many other arrangements that are necessary for the funeral-showing at all times the "dear- est friend" spirit that lifts the burden from the bereaved, are abilities not easily culti- vated but which come from long experience and an adaptability for this particular work. Such a man is G. E. Browning, of Benton, who has been identified with such work for many years, receiving his early training with his father, Wm. R. Browning, who was a business man of long experience and later an undertaker and embalmer of wide repute. His father came to Benton in 1882 and be- came identified with the clothing and gents' furnishing business and later general mer- chandise as Browning & Moore, which were also undertakeis of the community. In this atmosphere of combined business and pro-
fessional life, our subject, G. E. Browning was reared. Born at Ewing, Dec. 11, 1878, he was educated in the Benton public school and graduated from the Benton High School, and at once entered the store and became an active assistant to his father, and upon the firm of Browning & Moore being dis- solved, the firm of Browning and Son, undertakers, was started in 1914, and our subject from his experience and study of the profession, became a liscensed embalmer. After his father's death in 1916, he started in business for himself, and maintains the most modern undertaking parlors, where every convenience is maintained for this worthy profession.
On Jan. 9, 1900, our subject was married to Miss Pearl Prigmore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Prigmore.
Mr. and Mrs. Browning are the parents of one child, Maude, who was born Aug. 7, 1901, now Mrs. Estra Sanders.
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Benton Milling Company
F
THE above picture represents one of the oldest manufacturing institutions now in active operation in Benton. After many owners and managements had been forced to relinquish control, the business was in- corporated in 1900, with the following officers: E. B. Nolen, president; J. L. Ohle, vice-president; Dr. L. W. Brand, secretary and treasurer, and M. G. Mann, manager.
The mill has been remodeled, new and modern machinery installed and equipped to make it one of the most modern milling plants in southern Illinois, having a daily capacity of 150 barrels of flour besides a large manufacturing capacity of all kinds of feed and meal for all purposes. Recently
there has also been erected a three story warehouse with 10,000 feet of floor space.
In addition to their manufactured prod- ucts they are large jobbers of sweet feed, chick and dairy feed, flour, meal, oats, corn and hay.
Considerable credit for the success of the Benton Milling Co. can be given to Mr. Mann, the manager, and R. W. Brotherton, the miller, whom the company made special efforts to secure.
"Perfection" flour, created by the Benton Milling Co. is a most reliable product, and the housewives of southern Illinois are rapidly becoming positive in their demand for their home product.
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Layman & Johnson, Attorneys
O NE of the most prominent law firms of Franklin county, a firm that has been identified with the upbuilding of Benton. When other legal firms have dissolved for many reasons, the firm of Layman & Johnson have by their keen insight and knowledge of conditions and respect for one another, worked faithfully and harmoniously together since their partnership in 1911.
The senior member of the firm, Thomas J. Layman, was born in Benton, Nov. 27, 1878, the son of Thomas J. Layman, a pioneer of Franklin county and veteran of the civil war, who was also an at- torney with a successful and honorable career. He received his pre- paratory education in the Benton high school, followed by graduating from the State Normal at Carbondale, in 1902. Taking up the study of Thomas J. Layman law with his uncle, C. H. Layman, he was admitted to the bar in 1904. He served for a while as United States commissioner and in 1910 was elected County Judge, and was a creditable representative of the bench for
four years. On Oct. 31, 1906, he was united in marriage to Miss Lula Whittenberg. Mr. and Mrs. Layman are the parents of three chil- dren, Martha, Harriet and Thomas J., Jr. Mr. Layman gives his lodge preference to the Masons and K. of P.
William B. Johnson, was born in Hamil- ton county, on Sept. 24, 1884, the son of a prominent farmer, Chas. M. Johnson. Re- ceiving his early education in the district school, he later attended the Ewing college. Decid- ing on a professional ca- reer, he then entered the law department of the Illinois University, from which hegraduated in'11, but had been admitted to the bar in Dec., 1910. After his thorough course in the university, he joined Mr. Layman in their partnership in 1911, William B. Johnson and has always been con- sidered a man of large legal capacities Hewas married March 29, 1906, to Miss Irna Webb, daughter of a prominent farmer and banker. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two children, Wm. Webb and Walter Carlton.
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