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 36
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The new quarters were planned especially to meet the requirements of the business and to take care of the growing business of the concern.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Howard & Casey Company
HOWARD & CASEY
WHOLESALE GROCERS
RENTON is rapidly becoming the whole- sale center of a large and growing popula- tion, the number of wholesale institutions lo- cating here in the last few years being proof of the city's desirability as a wholesale center. The latest firm to build for permant location, is Howard and Casey Co., wholesale grocers, which is one of the oldest and largest firms in southern Illinois, and has been doing business in Benton and surrounding territory for over twelve years. Always desirous of giving their customers the best service possi- ble, in 1919, the erection of the large branch house, shown above, was started. It was opened for business Feb. 23, 1920. The
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building has over 20,000 square feet of floor space and is modern in every way. Robert E. Turnage, who has been with Howard and Casey Co. at Marion for eight years, is the local manager. Herbert R. Ashley and Everett Howell, salesmen, are both ex-ser- vice men from other counties, while Ira Dillion, shipping clerk, and Roy Munday, truck driver, are both Franklin county World War veterans.
This Company's brands-"Howard", "Ho-Ca-Co" and "Serv-Us" are recognized as signs of the best in pure food products. "Scout" coffee, which they roast and pack is justly famous.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
GENERAL HARDWARE MINERS SUPPLIES
BENTON HARDWARE &FURNIT: Co.
SLOVES RANGES " FURNITURE, RUCS
WALL PAPER
BENTON HARDWARE&
FURNITURE CO. Sats
PeBrunswick
Benton Hardware and Furniture Company
O NE of the largest business enterprises to be established in Benton, and which immediately assumed an important place in the business life of the city, is the Benton Hardware & Furniture Co. This large business institution was or- ganized in June, 1918, by a combination of the Monroe Furniture Company and new capital. The new company, which is incorporated, then occupied the large double store room on the northwest corner of the square on West Main street, which had recently been vacated by the Burkett Store Co. The new company immediately installed new and modern fixtures and a practically new stock of furniture and hard- ware. By application of modern business methods and the plan of selling the very best merchandise at the lowest possible margin of profit, the company has in the short time in busines ; built up a strong and flourishing patronage.
The president of the Benton Hardware & Furniture Co. is M. G. Monroe, the owner of the Monroe Furniture Company above mentioned. Mr. Monroe was born in Williamson county, Sept. 19, 1888. He came to Benton in 1912 as a bookkeeper for the Hamilton Utility Co., which position he
occupied until establishing the Monroe Furniture Co. in 1915. He was married in October, 1910, to Miss Maud Robertson of Johnston City. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe are the parents of one child, John William.
Another stockholder in the company, and active in its progress is L. J. Hake, a native of Washington county-a farmer boy who worked on his father's farm in the summer time and attended school in winter. Desirous of entering the business world he attended Browns Business College, graduating in 1904. For five years he was employed in a retail store in Vandalia and then took a course in window trimming and show card writing to better prepare himself for his business career. He came to Benton in 1900 and entered the employ of the Burkett Store Company, but previously had been employed in Garden City, Kans. and at the W. T. Wall Department Store in Cairo. Mr. Hake was married in August, 1910, to Miss Blanch Olive Tayton of Carbondale. Mr. and Mrs. Hake are the parents of one child, Mary Geneive.
The Benton Hardware & Furniture Co., have as one of their trusted employees, John Gambriel, a veteran of the world war, whose service record and picture will be found in the Honor Roll section of this history.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Harry Stotlar
A BIOGRAPHER finds sincere pleasure in recording the history and achievements of his subjects, and especially those who have created a worth while history by their own efforts, and, while building an affluence for themselves, have so con- ducted their various enterprises that the upbuilding and prosperity of their community has been allied with their own. The subject of this sketch, Harry Stotlar, is an example of the achievements possible by the younger generation, who will train themselves to recognize opportunities, grasp and carry them through to a suc- cessful termination by the close application to those business principles that make success worth while.
Mr. Stotlar was born October 15, 1881, in Wil- liamson County, Illinois, the son of James L. and Alice (Cox) Stotlar. The Stotlars are originally from Pennsylvania, coming to Illinois and settling in Wil- liamson County in 1855- the City of Herrin being builded principally on the old Stotlar homestead. Nearby was the farm of George Cox, a native of Virginia, (the father of Mrs. James L. Stotlar), two of whose sons enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, both losing their lives in battle.
At the age of 17, Harry Stotlar entered the employ of his uncle, W. N. Stotlar, from whom he a short time later purchased an interest in the business with a borrowed capital of $3000. After three years, foreseeing the rapid building era of the community, he assisted in or- ganizing and incorporating the Stotlar-Herrin Lum- ber Company-the history of which appears on other pages in this book. Mr. Stotlar first appeared in the development work in this county in 1905 when the Snyder-Klotzer lumber yard at Christopher was taken over by his firm. After reorganizing this business he came to Benton, in 1907, to organize and consolidate two of the best yards that had been purchased to the Stotlar-Herrin group, and since that time six other yards in the county have been added to the Stotlar-Herrin chain. These changes always added greater responsibilities but
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his capacity for organization and promotion work was greater than these tasks, and a surplus energy was directed toward many other industries-and it is further to his credit that every enterprise to which he directed his ability was of vast importance in the upbuilding of the county. His earlier and present real estate operations provide the means for the great influx of population to own their homes; the manufacturing enterprises of which he has been the leading spirit, have added population to the county. His interests in the mining enter- prises which have been sold or merged into large cor- porations, have had and now have the benefit of his enthusiasm and discerning business judgment. While the many enterprises with which he is actively iden- tified would seemingly tax the capacity of any man, Mr. Stotlar exercises a guiding hand over the en- tire Stotlar-Herrin chain of lumber yards in Franklin County, and is President of the West Frankfort Bank and Trust Company, Zeigler State Bank, Franklin Coun- ty Building Association, Christopher Building and Loan Association and direc- tor in several other asso- ciations and industrial en- terprises. He owns a farm near Benton and is always ready to help in the agri- cultural development of the county-a booster and one of the leading spirits of the Franklin County Fair Association.
Rated as one of the wealthiest men in Franklin County, he is one of the most popular-no worth while industrial enterprise, philanthropic or civic movement finds him too busy to assume a portion of the work or financial obligation. He always found time, during the World War, to help in all the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Y. M. C. A., and Liberty Loan drives, contributing liberally thereto himself and using his institutions to help promote the different liberty loans.
On March 24, 1912 occurred the marriage of Mr. Stotlar to Miss Mary A. Cantrell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Cantrell, one of the pioneer families, conspicuously mentioned in the history and development of the county.
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Benton Lumber Company
"THE bird's eye view I of the modern lum- ber yard and shed of the Benton Lumber Company shown here, is the result of the rapid growth of Benton, and the need of an institution of its kind. The Benton Lumber Company was incorpo- rated May 7,1918, the in- corporators and officers being J. L. Smith, pres- ident; W. W. Williams, vice-president; C. J. Turner, secretary and manager. J. L. Smith, the president, is the head of the West Frankfort Lumber Company of West Frankfort, and his personal review will be found on another page; W. W. Williams, vice-president, is the widely known attorney, a full review of whose career will also be found in another section; C. J. Turner, secretary and active manager of the com- pany, was born in Wellington, Kans., Sept. 14, 1893. He has spent most of his time since
leaving school in railroad work, being engaged in that work in West Frankfort when he was married to Miss Frances Smith, daughter of J. L. Smith, above mentioned, August 1, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are the parents of a son, John T., born Dec. 17, 1918.
The Benton Lumber Company, as can be seen from the photograph, makes a specialty of shed-dried lumber. Their capacity and stock is large and varied, and everything necessary to build any building can be secured at this large lumber yard.
Metropolitan Confectionery
M AINTAINING an up to date confec- tionery and candy store is an art which the pro- prietors of the Metro- politan Confectionery mastered in Greece be- fore coming to America to make their future home.
The proprietors are Tom Bastas, George Kla- dis and Spiras Bastas. The first two members of the firm coming to Ben- ton in June, 1919, from St. Louis where they were engaged in similar business. The latter member of the firm, Spiras Bastas, is a brother of Tom, and came to Benton from Duluth, Minn., where he has been since his discharge from the army in which he had eleven months of overseas service.
The proprietors have all received their first naturalization papers and will soon be full-fledged American citizens. They are
popular business men, always ready to do their share in anything for the upbuilding of their town and adopted country.
The bright and cheerful surroundings of the Metropolitan Confectionery makes it a popular place and one can always be sure of receiving the best in plain and fancy drinks and iced refreshments, as well as the best in expert-made candies and confections.
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Benton Confectionery
O NE of the newest business industries of Benton is the Benton Confectionery, which was established August, 1919, by Loren J. Williams. This confectionery is one of the most complete and sanitary places of its kind in Franklin county, and has become the popular resort for the young people of Benton who are always welcome and met
with that congenial attitude which popu- larizes a place of this kind. Standard and mixed drinks of all kinds are served dur- ing all seasons; creams and ices that meet the approval of the most fastidious. A growing demand for the best candies and like dainties has been created by always having a fresh and complete assortment to select from.
Loren J. Williams was born at Meredosia, Morgan county, Jan- uary 3, 1892; the son of C. H. and Jessie (Nolen) Williams. Learning the barber trade when quite young, he came to Benton in 1914 and worked in different shops, purchas- ing one of his own in 1918, which he sold when he opened up the Ben- ton Confectionery. Mr. Williams is one of the popular young busi- ness men of Benton and is a member of the B. P. O. E. and the M. W. of A.
Burkhart Shoe Store
S INCE January 1st, 1907, the Burkhart Shoe Store has been the only store of its kind in Benton-the only shoe store dealing in nothing but ladies' and men's footwear. It was established on the above date by Jean Burkhart, now of Marion. The store has been under the management of Ben F. Sparks until July 10th when Clyde L. Nichols, formerly of Centralia be- came the manager. Mr. Nichols is a World War veteran serving nine months overseas and previous to the war was employed by the Steds Shoe Store of Centralia. The people of Benton are sure to find Mr. Nichols a worthy successor of Mr. Sparks.
Huston Howell has been with the store since it was established and is a thorough footwear salesman and has many customers from Benton and community.
The principal lines are the Stacy-Adams and Bostonian shoes for men, Selby and John Kelley for ladies and Billiken and Godman for children. A complete line of hosiery for men and women and children in silk and lisle is carried in stock. There is no doubt but what the Burkhart Shoe Store will continue to be the popular shopping place for ladies' and men's footwear.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY. . .
Edward T. Dobry
T THE building of a large and flourishing marble and granite business, selling the product to the bereaved relative of the deceased, demands a personality that is not easily developed, but must come from an instinct for this particular business. Our subject, Edward T. Dobry, while his early training was far from being directed toward such work has created a name for himself as a successful salesman and manufacturer of marble and granite tomb-stones and monuments. He was born at Green Bay, Wis., on July 21, 1886, the son of John and Antonia (Socoup) Dobry and attended the common schools, and at an early age was apprenticed to a harness maker, and then came to Benton at the age of 21 years and entered the employ of the Jackson Saddlery Company where he remained for ten years.
On Sept. 7, 1909, he was married to Miss Lena Thurman, daughter of E. M. Thurman of Marion, a large monument and granite dealer of that place. In September, 1907, Mr. Dobry formed a partnership with Ralph Thurman, brother of Mrs. Dobry. During the war period Mr. Thurman was called to the colors and Mr. Dobry bought his partner's interest and has since conducted the business under the name of the Benton Marble & Granite Co.
The business is growing very rapidly, and the product is sold all over Southern Illinois. No job is too big or too small for this firm to handle. Mr. Dobry employs an expert designer which assists greatly in creating the reputation of the Benton Marble & Granite Company.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
11
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7
W@ WERNER, JR
JAKE WERNER.
WT WERNER, S!
Werner Brothers' Meat Market
T "HIS meat market was established by
Wm. Werner, Sr., father of the Werner brothers who now conduct the plant, over 33 years ago, and is the oldest market in the county devoted exclusively to the butchering and retailing of meats.
The place is a fitting monument to its founder, who devoted the best years of his life to its establishment, and whose cardinal principle was that he "would not sell any- thing that he wouldn't eat himself." His sons have scrupulously and conscientiously maintained this standard of cleanliness and the sanitary handling of all fresh meats.
Mr. Werner came to the United States after the Civil War and located first in Belleville. Then he went to St. Louis and later to DuQuoin, Ill., where he spent 5 years on a farm. Besides the two boys who now conduct this market, there are surviving three daughters-Mrs. E. Andris of Marion; Mrs. John A. Ludwig of Benton and Mrs. S. G. Groves of St. Louis, Mo.
In connection with the shop on the square, which has been in almost the same spot for 33 years, is a slaughter house a mile from town that is fitted with the latest equipment for the rendering of lard and the making
of all kinds of sausage. This plant has for years been fitted with a modern Ammonia System of Cold Storage, and the retail establishment is just now being furnished with the same style of cold storage system.
Wm. Werner, the elder, was born in Germany on September 13, 1846, and died in Benton Dec. 12, 1919. His wife, who was Miss Bertha Elizabeth Frederick of Belle- ville, Ill., died Dec. 23, 1904. While a native-born German, America had no more loyal citizen than Mr. Werner, and none who contributed more cheerfully of his means.
Of the two sons who now compose the firm, William Jr., is the older. For two years before his father's death he was the buyer. Jake, the younger member of the firm, gives most of his time to the details at the slaughter house.
William Jr., was wedded to Miss Carrie Baumgartner of Johnston City on March 9, 1898. To this union has been born Eva, aged 21; Carl, aged 18; Fred, aged 14, and Helen, aged 8 years.
On Nov. 15, 1902, Jacob E. Werner and Miss Annie Merkel of Marion, were wedded. Until a short time ago they were in the butch- er and fancy grocery business at Christopher.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
F. D. Whittington
O NE of the most popular and efficient County officials is F. D. Whittington, the present circuit clerk and recorder of Franklin County. Mr. Whittington was born October 26, 1876, the son of W. J. and Phoebe E. (Bain) Whittington, pioneer citi- zens and farmers living near Benton W. J. Whittington was a veteran of the Civil War serving three years, from 1861 to 1864. F. D. Whittington, the immediate subject of this sketch, worked on his father's farm and attended the district schools in the winter time. In 1898 he began the profession of school teaching and continued in this work for six years. In 1905 he took up the trade of car- penter. Three years later he established one of the first mov- ing picture theatres in Benton. He continued in the theatre bus- iness until 1917 and in 1918 or- ganized the Benton Amusement Co. of which he is president.
Mr. Whittington has always been an active and stalwart Republican and has been elected to various offices. He was first elected clerk of Benton township in 1902 and has altogether held this office for four terms. In 1916 he was elected circuit clerk and recorder in a very hotly contested election, receiving the majority of 96, running ahead of his ticket.
Mr. Whittington was married September 11, 1898, to Miss Matilda E. Little, daughter of John Little, a prominent farmer, deceased in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Whittington are the parents of four children: Lena, Juel, Valley and Allie. He is a very prom- inent worker in fraternal circles, being a member of the B. P. O. E., K. of P., I. O. O. F. and Modern Woodmen.
In the primary election of the fall 1920, he was renominated and of course elected on Novem- ber 2, 1920.
Center Dry Goods Company
T THE mercantile industry has many examples of young men who have in a few years become proficient mercantile men, but none who have made more rapid strides in this line of endeavor than Virgil H. Center of the Center Dry Goods Company of Benton-recognized as the real com- petitive shopping place for women in Benton.
Mr. Center was born in Mt. Pulaski, February 4th, 1888, son of C. H. Center, a mine manager, now of DuQuoin. He received his educa- tion in the grade and high schools of DuQuoin, and then entered the mer- cantile field as a clerk for Pope & Company, general merchants of that place. Applying himself to general merchandising he, in a few years, became proficient, and this company sent him to Benton in 1911 to open a branch store. This store was soon sold and Mr. Center then entered the employ of the Nolen Mercantile Company, and remained with this firm for two years. In 1915, the Center Dry Goods Company was or- ganized and incorporated, and the present store of the Center Dry Goods Company was opened for business on
March 6th of that year. From the first opening day this store has enjoyed an ever increasing trade. The policy of the store is that of quick sales-no large stock of unseasonable merchandise crowds their shelves-the stock being kept fresh and up to the minute with a rapid turnover forced through liberal advertising, constantly keeping before the public the fact that the Center Dry Goods Company is the home of the latest fashions at the right price.
Mr. Center was married October 19th, 1914, to Miss Laura Casey of Ewing, a descendant of the pioneer Casey family of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Center have one daughter, Josephine. They are popular citizens, always taking an active part in the social life of Benton. During the war period Mr. Center was active in all home work and was one of the county directors of the Red Cross or- ganization. He is an Elk and Mason. Mr. Center has always been a leader in B. Y. P. U. circles, and was for some time vice-president of the state organization of that religious society.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Rea Brothers Realty Company
A MONG the large realty organizations that have and are doing much toward the development of Franklin county's won- derful resources is the firm of Rea Brothers- Hosea and S. C. D., who are Franklin county boys, born and reared in this county. The Rea family is one of the oldest Franklin coun- ty families, the grandfather settling in the northwest part of the county where the Rea settlement was founded. It is of record that he owned one of the first stores in the county. C. D. Rea, the father, purchased considerable land in the neighborhood where the city of Valier is now located, this city being built on land formerly owned by him. It was here the Rea brothers were born and reared-Hosea on March 8, 1876 and S. C. D. on Nov. 27, 1885. Other members of the family are a sister, Mrs. Roberta Rea of Arkansas City, Kan., and Copple, a mem- ber of the Dimond Motor Sales Co. of Benton.
The Rea brothers began their business ex- perience early in life, and did not take time for a higher education although S. C. D. went through the Benton High School. Their first active business as partners was in the real estate and timber business at Valier in 1906. They came to Benton in 1910 and engaged in the real estate and insurance business which has developed into one of the most important of the county. Their present place of bus- iness is the old quarters of the First National Bank, where they also conduct the business of the Building and Loan Association of which S.C.D. is secretary.
Hosea and S. C. D. Rea have always taken an ac- tive interest in county and city affairs, the for- mer serving his county as supervisor of Tyrone township and later as commissioner of Benton. S. C. D. was mayor of Benton, term of 1915-19. They are both Masons.
Thomas S. Browning
"OUR generations of Brownings have Fleft their stamp upon the history of Illinois. The first representative of the Browning family settled in what is now Franklin county, in 1776. They were pioneers in the fullest sense of that most ex- pressive word. Thomas S. Browning, the immediate subject of this sketch is the grandson of John Browning who settled at Browning Hill in 1804, coming from North Carolina via Tennessee thence to Illinois in 1796.
Levi Browning in 1841 opened up a general store in Benton. For years he was compelled to "tote" his goods from Chicago, then a small town, by oxen team. His son, Thomas S. Browning, assisted his father in the store until his death July 22, 1905. After this our subject was employed by the Commercial Agency of R. G. Dun & Co. for ten years, then one year as a commercial salesman. In 1908 he began business for himself in the Levi Browning building
which had been built on the old Browning corner as a memorial. Since starting in bus- iness Mr. Browning has again built up a mercantile business which will no doubt be- come a monument for the Browning family for other generations.
Thomas S. Browning was married to Miss Juliette E. Robertson, daughter of M. W. and Malvina (Dunaway) Robertson of Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Browning are the parents of three children, Barton R. deceased, Thomas Samuel, employed by the C. W. & F. Coal Co., Chicago and Levi M. a Junior in the Benton High School. Mr. Browning has al- ways been a popular citizen tak- ing an active part in his town and county affairs and served for several years as county clerk and city clerk. He is a thirty- second degree Mason, Elk and member of the Court of Honor. For twenty years a Grand Lec- turer in the Masonic fraternity and member of the Grand Lodge committee for sixteen years.
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11
Benton Auto Sales Company
POSSIBLY the most recent automobile sales company to be organized in Frank- lin county is that of the Benton Motor Sales Company, which is a trade name assumed by Eagle Summers for the large business he is rapidly building.
Mr. Summers is a veteran of the World War, enlisting in the aviation department on December 15, 1917, and serving at Scott Field as an aviation mechanic until dis- charged June 2, 1919. His picture and service record appear in the Honor Roll section of this book.
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