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 35
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Steiner's Sanitary Grocery
TILLIAM E. Steiner came from Shaw- neetown in August, 1919, and purchased the sub- urban store of Wm. T. Hubbard at 402 East Church street. Since then the stock has been doubled many times on account of the rapidly increased patronage.
When the World War broke out Mr. Steiner was conducting a grocery store in Shawneetown. This he dis- posed of to accept a position from the DuPont Powder Co., as Manager of the Y. M. C. A. canteen at Jacksonville, Tenn.
Mr. Steiner was born at Evansville, Ind., March 29, 1870, his parents being John N. and Marguerite Elizabeth (Roeder) Steiner.
He was educated in the common schools at Evansville, and spent two terms in Depauw University, at Greencastle, Ind.
For over 16 years he was in the employ of the Adams Express Co., both in the Evansville office and as messenger. In 1902 he came to Shawneetown and entered the grocery business with C. A. Frier, under the firm name of Frier & Steiner. After a suc- cessful business of six years the firm sold out, Mr. Frier removing to Fairfield. Later Mr. Steiner again entered the grocery business.
In January, 1903, he was wedded to Miss Attie Frier, daughter of Judge and Mrs. N. A. Frier, who now reside in Benton. To this union has been born three daughters and one son, namely, Madge, aged 16, who is a Sophomore in the Benton Township High School; Mabel, aged 14, a Junior in the same school; William Edward, aged 6, and Maxine, aged 2.
308
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
SADDLERY CO
A:D. JACKSON SADDLERY C!
A. D. Jackson Saddlery Company
O NE of the earliest industries of Benton and one that has survived all conditions of a county in which many diversified means of up-building a community has existed, the A. D. Jackson Saddlery Company is a monument to its founder and present man- agement. This company was founded in 1885 by A. D. Jackson, who was born in Chester county, Pa., February 9, 1829. When six years of age he left home and went to live with an aunt who was a Quaker and had instilled in him all of her sterling qualities which remained with him through- out life and descended to his family of four children, Henry R. Jackson, William D. Jackson, Charles A. Jackson and Anna Belle (Jackson) Reid. At a very early age, A. D. Jackson learned the trade of making harness, saddles, collars and other horse furnishings, and later went to Philadelphia where he finished his trade and became a journeyman, working through the East and South and finally coming to Benton in August, 1855, and immediately opened up a small harness shop which was the foun- dation of the large industry bearing his name at this time. He was married to Miss Jennie R. Dudley, March 4, 1861.
The trade at the little shop grew gradually but steadily and the capacity of the store and factory was increased year by year. The firm was incorporated in 1897, in which year a very destructive fire destroyed the stock and buildings, causing a loss of $40,000.00, no insurance being carried on
the buildings or stock. The place was rebuilt however and is now of sufficient size and capacity, covering practically a city block, to adequately handle the large business transacted not only with customers in Illinois but many clients in the surrounding states.
As the sons, William D. and Charles A. grew to manhood they became apprentices to their father, and learned the trade in every essential under their father's careful tutelage. The father died May 6, 1906, the management of the business falling upon Charles A., who had not only become an expert in this particular part of the business, but had been sent to Bryant and Stratton's Business College, in St. Louis, to secure the business training for this end of the business. He represented the company on the road for many years, and has accordingly a personal acquaintance with a large number of his customers.
The present officers of the A. D. Jackson Saddlery Co. are: Charles A. Jackson, pres- ident and treasurer; Anna Belle Reed, vice- president; W. A. Gott, secretary.
In spite of the fact that the automobile industry has in some respects caused a decrease in the Harness and Saddlery bus- iness, this firm has continued to grow, and as the needs for automobile accessories become necessary, the people will find that this progressive firm will be ready to meet the demands of its many customers through- out the country.
309
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL WAR HISTORY.
The McFall Hardware Company
FROM small beginnings large merchandise institutions are ofttimes created, espec- ially when managed by men of perseverance and business sagacity. The McFall Hard- ware Co. is the result of such a begin- ning. The company was organized in 1898, by W. W. McFall, A. L. Eskew and G. C. Cantrell, as a co-partnership, by the pur- chase of a small stock of hardware from Judge Flannigan, then operated under the name of the Benton Hardware Co. Un- der the direct man- agement of A. L. Eskew, the business grew rapidly and in 1902 was incor-
porated and larger quarters secured. The incorporating officers were, and are now: W. W. McFall, president; A. L. Eskew, vice-president and general manager; G. W. Cantrell, secretary-treasurer and S. E. Eskew, assistant manager. Dealing in farm implements of every description, hardware, tinware, paints, and varnish, the work of building such an institution as the present McFall Hardware Co., has been of such a nature that the management can be proud of its business monument.
The history of the McFall Hardware Co. would be indeed incomplete without a personal review of the ever active manager,
A. L. Eskew, who is an example of the versatile business man who has marked his career with unceasing toil and honorable occupation and transactions. From a lad wholly unknown his rise has incessantly been in the ascendancy. Born in Augusta, Ark., Oct. 21, 1872, the son of Lafayette and Anna (Shuh) Eskew, he received a common school education and helped his father on the farm and at odd times clerked in stores until 18 years of age, when upon the death
of his mother he came to Franklin county and was in his uncle T. J. Fink's store at Ewing, for two years. Severing the ties of relatives, he was employed for a time by Senator A. M. Stratton, of Mt. Vernon, in the implement business. At this time, realizing the need of further education, he resigned his position and entered the Ewing college. After a term in college he came to Benton and was manager of the Hudson hotel for three years. On Nov. 12, 1897, our subject was married to Miss Hallie McFall, daughter of W. W. McFall. Soon after his marriage he was employed at McFall's mill until the organization of the McFall Hardware Company. Mr. and Mrs. Eskew are the parents of four children, Wm. A., Clarence Eugene, Helen and James. Mr. Eskew has never been active in frater- nal circles, but is a member of the B. P. O. E.
310
1832
-1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Hickman's Law Office
F the outstanding lawyers of Franklin county, this firm, composed of Robert E. and George A. Hickman is conspicuous; they are the sons of Dr. Z. Hickman, a Civil War veteran. They were born and reared within a few blocks of the place where they now maintain and have had their offices for more than twenty years.
The Hickman brothers are good examples of what may be done by young men without a college law education-they obtained their first insight and familiarity with their Blackstone by studying in the law offices of other successful attorneys- Robert E. with Judge R. H. Flannigan, and George A. with Hart & Spiller.
R. E. HICKMAN
The Hickmans are Democrats in politi- cal faith-Robert E. serving as first Judge of the City Court of Benton, and for some years as Master of Chancery, and George A. as State's Attorney of the county from 1908 to 1912.
Both the brothers are considered very forcible trial lawyers, and have conducted the defense of some of the most notable criminal cases of the county.
The spirit which they have shown on public questions for the betterment of civic and industrial life of their county has made them popular with all classes.
The Honor Roll section of this history contains the photograph and service record of Robert E., who was captain of company "F" during the Spanish-American war.
G. A. HICKMAN
J. Ottis Hart, M. D.
A business career for professional men is not uncommon especially when iden- tified with some branch of the profession in which they have been educated. Such is the experience of Dr. J. Ottis Hart, pro- prietor of the Hart's Drug Store of Benton. Dr. Hart was born in Eddyville, Pope county, the son of Dr. S. F. and Martha A. (Randolph) Hart. His father was a prom- inent physician and druggist of Carrier Mills. Our subject wisely decided to follow the pro- fession of his distinguished sire, first by graduating from Val- paraiso (Indiana) University in pharmacy in 1900, and then the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1902, with the degree of M. D. He took up the practice of medicine in E. St. Louis, leaving there in 1904 for Carrier Mills, where he prac- ticed his profession for one year and then to Smithsboro for a year before coming to Benton
in 1906. A suitable location secured, he opened his present drug store, which, on account of the Doctor's thorough knowledge of drugs and kindred subjects, has always been a most reliable place where one could obtain professional advice and the necessary treatment.
Dr. Hart was married Aug. 25, 1901, to Miss Mina E. Jackson, daughter of Charles A. Jackson, of Eddyville. Dr. and Mrs. Hart are the parents of two children, Haskel C. and Durward F.
Dr. Hart is active in fraternal circles having received all the Masonic degrees; a member of the Odd Fellows and Red Men.
During the war period, Dr. Hart was physician for Com- pany "F," rendering the com- pany efficient medical attention without charge, and was also active in all home service work during these times.
311
1832
1919 ×
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Kirkpatrick Motor Company
WOWPATRICK MOTOR CO
KIRKPATRICK
MOTOR CO
T "HE automobile business is rapidly recruit- ing to its ranks the best business and specialty men of our country, and Benton, has in this respect, given to the industry one of its ablest young men who by his previous education and experience is sure to create for himself a successful business career in this line of endeavor.
R. J. Kirkpatrick, proprietor of the Kirkpatrick Motor Co., was born at Osage Mission, Kansas, Sept. 25, 1887, son of R. D. and Martha E. (Penny) Kirkpatrick, distinguished pioneers of Franklin county, who at this time had left their native state to conduct a newspaper in Kansas, later as a manufacturer of linseed and castor oil in St. Louis, but journalism again called them and returning to their native community purchased the Benton Republican-other large interests demanding attention the newspaper was sold and Mr. Kirkpatrick, senior, devoted the remainder of his life to stock, agricultural and coal mining pursuits. By these parental notations it can be seen that our subject had the opportunity for early training along various lines. He
graduated from the Benton High School in 1914, and after a short interval attended the University of Illinois at Urbana, graduating in 1911 with degree B. of S. and mechanical engineering. For five years he sold mining machinery for the Sullivan Machine Co. and then was employed by the United States Fuel Co. as electrical engineer. Purchasing his present business from the Walker-Rea Motor Co., he at once assumed active charge of same, and is proving to the business world that he a true descendant of a worthy sire.
The Kirkpatrick Motor Co. is the home of the Ford automobile and Fordson tractor, genuine Ford parts and accessories.
R. J. Kirkpatrick was married to Miss Phyllis White, June 28, 1916, at Wallace, Idaho, while he was on a western trip for the machinery company he represented at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are the parents of two children, Ester Jane, born April 12, 1917, and Minnie Lou, born Nov. 28, 1919.
He gives his lodge preference to the Masons and Elks.
312
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Clayton-Crisp Drug Company
T THE principal drug store in Benton is the Clayton -Crisp Drug Co., the interior of which is shown here. It is easily recognized as a most modern store with the very best of fixtures and everything that makes a complete shopping emporium for drugs and accessories, as well as cool and refreshing drinks and iced dishes-a popular headquarters for both men and women. The store was purchased by Dr. J. W. Clayton and J. E. Crisp from Sisk Bros., July 18, 1919.
Dr. Clayton is a former pioneer of Franklin County, practicing his profession for many years at Ewing, but now of Johnston City.
Mr. Crisp, is a very efficient pharmacist, having been identified with drug stores in this and surrounding counties for several years. He was born in Jonesboro, Sept. 9, 1889, and after graduating from the Jones- boro High School, attended the University of Illinois, College of Pharmacy, graduating
in 1915. He was then appointed state pharmacist at Chester penitentiary and later employed as drug clerk at Jonesboro for four years. He was married June 8, 1913, to Miss Minnie E. Logan. Mr. and Mrs. Crisp are the parents of two children, John Logan and Helen Josephine. He is a mem- ber of the Masons, Elks, K. of P. and W. O. W.
Moore
THE general merchandise store of Moore H & Moore is one of the oldest mercantile institutions in Benton. The original store was established by Ward & Moore-W. R. Ward and Capt. Carroll Moore, later being sold to W. R. Browning and W. E. Moore, the latter a son of Capt. Moore. The store was conducted under the firm name of Browning & Moore until 1907, when Mr. Browning retired, Joseph E. Moore purchasing his interest.
W. E. Moore was born 1865, son of Capt. Carroll Moore and at an early age began to work in his father's Store and contin- ued in the same line of endeavor to the present time. He was married to Della Hawkins, Sep- tember, 1901. They have one son, Marian Moore, who grad- uated from high school this year. Upon the decease of his first wife, Mr. Moore in 1903 married Miss Pearl Prindle. Unto this
Moore
union has been born Dorothy and Charles. He is an active Republican and has served as county supervisor for two terms and as alderman of the City, and is at present superintendent of highways. He is a mem- ber of the Masons, I. O. O. F. and Modern Woodmen societies.
Joseph E. Moore, a cousin of W. E. Moore, spent his early life on his father's farm. He is a graduate from the Keokuk, Iowa, medical university with a degree of M. D. Not caring to actively practice his profes- sion he entered the drug business and was a successful druggist for ten years, selling out and enter- ing the general mercantile field in 1907, as above stated. He was married to Miss Bertha St. Clare in November, 1900, and to this union have been born Virginia and George. Thephoto- graph of J. E. Moore could not be secured in time for insertion
313
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Fitzgerrell Motor Company
2
SUCCESSFUL business men, it is said, are
generally born and not developed, and especially is this true if various business enterprises are indulged in and not a special- ty made of a particular business. Such a business man is W. J. Fitzgerrell, proprietor of the Fitzgerrell Motor Co.
Mr. Fitzgerrell was born in Perry county son of Sylvester and Margaret Fitzgerrell, who came to Benton while our subject was an infant. His father started in the hard- ware business and was the senior member of the hardware firm of Fitzgerrell & Hudel- son, and naturally our subject received an early knowledge of this business. Attending the common schools of Benton and grad- uating from the Benton High School, he then completed a business course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy. His father dying in 1909, he and his brother, C. A. Fitzgerrell, purchased Mr. Hudelson's inter_ est and conducted the business until Feb. 1913, when they sold out the business to
W. E. Campbell, and our subject started in the same business in West Frankfort where he conducted a successful business until 1918, and entered the First National Bank of that place, of which he had been a director since 1915, as vice-president and active cashier. In 1919, he purchased his present business of the Williams Motor Co. of Ben- ton and after organizing his forces and placing O. T. Sweeney in charge, motored to Florida for a long needed vacation. Re- turning to Benton this spring (1920) he assumed active charge of his new business with the enthusiasm shown in other business enterprises.
The Fitzgerrell Motor Co., besides having a most complete repair department, with expert mechanics, is agency for the Overland, Willys-Knight and the Buick cars, and maintains an accessory department where everything required for the automobilist can be secured.
314
* 1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Nolen's Undertaking
d
NOLEN'S
UNDERTAKING
A MONG the professions demanding a keen sense of deportment and pro- fessional bearing that soothes the bereaved, is that of undertaker and embalmer. The age of a firm of this kind generally denotes their success in this profession as a com- munity does not give to this profession their patronage from a sense of financial economy. Nolen's Undertaking is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Benton, being established about twelve years ago by E. B.
Nolen, and has continued until the present time. Mr. Nolen has had associated with him during these years, W. W. McCreery, and later, W. E. Jacobs, who has recently moved to his old home in Kokomo, Ind. Mr. Nolen will continue the business under the name of E. B. Nolen, undertaker and embalmer. A reader of these pages will often find the name of E. B. Nolen con- nected with different firms and activities, which is proof of his successful career.
O. L. Grady
THE subject of this sketch, O. L. Grady, has spent practically his entire life in the plumbing business. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 24, 1883, son of S. M. Grady, a plumbing contractor of that place. His early life was spent as an assistant
O.L.GRADY.
DEGRADY PL
ATING
to his father. At the early age of 18 he started out in the world for himself and landed in St. Louis, where he worked at his trade for two years, and then in Kansas City for a while, locating first in Illinois at Carbondale for three years. He came to Benton March 8, 1900 and immediately started in business for himself. The proof of his success and complete mastery of the many technical problems in plumbing con- tracting work is the fact that practically all of the large building operations in Benton requiring plumbing work have been done by Mr. Grady.
Mr. Grady was married September 27, 1911, to Miss Ethel Walker of Benton, daughter of R. Y. Walker. They are the parents of three children: Thelma Alice, Otis Lee, Jr. and Margaret Louise. He is a member of the Elks and K. of P. He is one of the popular young business men of Benton and always accepts his civic obli- gations in a spirit that meets the popular approval.
315
× 1832
1919 %
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY. L
Pope & McReynolds
O NE of the leading mercantile organiza- tions of Franklin county is that of Pope & McReynolds, which firm is a suc- cessor of P. S. Pope who was one of the pioneer business men of Benton. The store was purchased in 1913, by J. E. Pope and George McReynolds, who were employees of P. S. Pope and the former being the elder son. The store continued under this co-partnership ar- rangement until August 19, 1919, when another son, B. W. Pope became a third partner and a branch store was established in Christopher in October of the same year.
J. E. Pope was born June 10, 1888, and has been actively en- gaged in his present line of en- deavor from the time that he was old enough to work in his father's store. Mr. McReynolds, the other member of the firm, is a native of Indiana, born October 21, 1867, in Gibson county and for several years was engaged in general
merchandise business and later in the drug business. He came to Benton in 1905 and entered the employ of Mr. Pope. In 1913, he joined J. E. Pope in the purchase of the store as above noted. He has a son, Howard Elliot McReynolds, a World War veteran, who is employed in the Christopher store.
INTERIOR OF BENTON STORE
The two stores are modern in every particular with the very latest fixtures and display cases for the large line of clothing car- ried. The well known brand of Schloss Bros. and Sherman & Sons in ready-made clothing are carried in both stores. Other advertised brands of merchandise are: Arrow Brand collars and shirts, Queen Quality union made dress shoes; Endicott Johnson work shoes, Rothchild Bros. hats and Lacka- wanna overalls, both union made.
The stores are popular and en- joy a very large trade which is continually increasing on account of the many genuine mercantile bargains and their efforts to always please their customers.
INTERIOR OF CHRISTOPHER STORE
316
832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
David M. Logan
A MONG the representative business men of Benton is David M. Logan, who in the short time he has been identified with the mercantile industry of Benton has won a host of friends and customers for the firm with which he is identified. Mr. Logan was born at the Logan homestead near Junction, Gallatin county. His father was Robert Logan, one of the prominent farmers of the vicinity, who came to this state with his parents from Virginia in 1840, first settling near Shawnee- town and later moving one mile north of Junction where the Logan homestead was created. Robert Logan enlisted in Co. D., 120th Ill. Vol., at the age of 22 and served in the Union army for three years and nine months. At the age of thirty-two he was married to Mary Catherine Munch, of Portsmouth, Ohio, to which union was born nine children.
David M. Logan grew to maturity in Gallatin county, to which public schools he is indebted for his preliminary education. As a youth he engaged in farming and later with a mercantile firm in Venice. In 1908, he received an appointment at the Chester penitentiary and after several years successful work there he went to Pontiac State Re- formatory where he pursued the same kind of work until coming to Benton in 1919. After
a few months with different mercantile institutions to become acquainted with the field, he with E. C. Kanady, a brother-in-law, formed the partnership of Logan & Kanady, which is now one of the busiest groceries and markets of Benton.
In 1910, at Menard, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Logan to Miss Linnie Dowell, daughter of Deputy Warden and Mrs. Chas. Dowell. Mr. and Mrs. Logan are the parents of four children: Mary Elizabeth, Helen Louise, Charles Dowell and David M., Jr.
W
W. G. Thomas
M ANY successful mechanics are those who by circumstances have not had the benefit of an apprenticeship, but from a de- sire and ambition to perfect themselves in a chosen trade, develop into experts by close study and application. Such a man is
W. G. Thomas, watchmaker and jeweler of Benton. Mr. Thomas was born on a farm near Benton, January 15, 1870. Dividing his time between farming and watch repair- ing at home, he was able to purchase a farm of his own at thirty years of age.
Mr. Thomas started in his pres- ent business, January, 1912, after being the master mechanic of the Hart & William mine for several years. This position being the result of a complete mechanical knowledge -- from large machin- ery to the smaller complicated watches and jewelry.
He was married April 23, 1888, to Miss Francis A. Welsh, daugh- ter of a neighboring farmer; she died Oct. 6, 1900, leaving two daughters and two sons: Edgar, Charles, Ada, and Mary-Charles was killed in Sept., 1918. On June 6, 1903, Mr. Thomas mar- ried his present wife, Eva Briley, the result of this union is three children, Deuard, Fern and John.
317
1832- 1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
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The Coal Belt Candy Kitchen
THE new and most modern building pictured above was erected in the spring of 1920, for the Coal Belt Candy Company. It is located on East Main street near the C. & E. I. Railroad. The rapid growth of this institution from a small jobbing business occupying a floor space of 24 x 40, in June, 1919, to the present large building in less than a year, is an example of the possibilities for rapid business growth in this territory. The business has had the advantage of the supervision of real business men who know the wants of merchants of the community.
The company is incorporated under the Illinois laws. The stock is controlled by local capital. It was established for the purpose of doing a wholesale jobbing bus- iness, specializing in fancy groceries, grocer sundries, candy, cigars, tobacco, etc. Four salesmen are employed who cover all the principal railroad towns in southern Illinois.
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