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 38
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Clifford R. Thienes was born in Burling- ton, Iowa, January 21, 1890. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Burlington; at the age of sixteen he entered a preparatory school in California and after a two year course returned to Burlington with the determination to begin an early business career. He at once started working in a furniture factory to learn the business from the "ground up." In 1909, he started on the road as a furniture salesman, and while on his trips decided that West Frank- fort was an ideal location for a retail house furnishing store, and in 1913 consummated the plans for establishing the West Frankfort House Furnishing Company.
Clifford R. Thienes was married to Miss Georgianna Moore, of Chatham, in Spring- field on Dec. 29, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Thienes were very active in all home work during the war period, and their names will be found conspicuously mentioned in the home work section of this history.
Mr. Thienes is identified with all the affairs for the betterment and upbuilding of West Frankfort. He has served as alder- man for one term and is now secretary of the West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Joe Susman
MENS F BOYS CLOTHING HATS FURNISHINGS.
J.SUSM AN.
MIT& WAISTS
THE rapidly growing city of West Frank- fort has among its most enterprising and progressive citizens, one of the greatest examples of self-made business men, Joe Susman, proprietor of the ladies' and gents' ready-to-wear store pictured here.
Mr. Susman's rise to prominency in the mercantile history of southern Illinois, has been noted by most citizens It is here among the coal fields that the inspiration and incentive for his effort were developed- booming cities, small insignificant business firms developing into large commercial in- stitutions were an inspiration for one who had spent his life in learning every angle of a business, to start and duplicate or exceed the successes of others. In the earlier days of the coal field booms of Franklin and Williamson counties, Mr. Susman was em- ployed in different stores mastering the knowledge of the business in which he had previously gained much experience by traveling as a salesman and selling at whole- sale such goods as his ambition would lead him to handle through a large retail store.
In 1909, Mr. Susman secured a long time lease on his present location and immediately began building the foundation for the present large business. The first room occupied was
32 x 80-a little later 44 additional feet were added and also a wareroom 20 x 70. Other additions are to be added in the near future, making the store 96 x 80, with a new front that will conveniently display samples of the new arrivals in ladies' and gents' ready- to-wear apparel constantly arriving at this home of the best merchandise procurable, which is always sold at prices that are right for such high class merchandise.
Always having the idea that his customers demanded the best merchandise has been the cause of Mr. Susman's careful selection of only well-known brands of merchandise, such as Kuppenheimer and Society Brand of men's and boys' suits and overcoats, Lions shirts, Knox and Stetson hats, Cooper's underwear, Stacy-Adams, Packard and W. L. Douglas shoes.
During the war period, Mr. Susman lent his strength and energy in the home work, and every drive for funds found him sub- scribing for his share and many times above his proportion.
Mr. Susman is one of the most active of the coterie of West Frankfort business men who are boosting and advancing the repu- tation and advantages of their city.
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W. C. CRIM, ASST CASHIER .
E. R. EVANS, ASS'T CASHIER.
Safe and Reliable
4% Savings
WEST FRANKFORT STATE BANK Capital and Surplus, $51,000.00. Resources Over $ 630, 000.00.
C.W. CRIM, CASHIER.
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UM.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
West Frank fort State Bank
THEN West Frankfort began its growth from a small mining camp with pros- pects of soon building into a flourishing city, a group of business men of the solid financial type, saw the need of a strong financial in- stitution that would at once become the banking center of the conservative business element of the community-advancing step by step and assuring themselves and depositors of a banking institution that would survive any panic.
The West Frankfort State Bank was or- ganized May 25, 1905. The first president was Peter Wastier, who has continued in this capacity up to the present time. The first board of directors other than Mr. Wastier, was composed of J. E. Carr, Ed Duncan, W. E. Dawson, T. A. Henson, L. T. Clem and T. G. Puckett. J. M. Lockett was elected cashier, August 9th, 1905, and the bank opened for business, November 1, 1905. The first day's deposits were $6,750.80.
The bank had scarcely established itself when a devastating fire on November 18th, 1905, destroyed all the business houses from the bank to the railroad. An example of the safe and sane policy of the bank and the confidence of the public in its future, is shown that on May 2, 1906, only six months after the doors were opened for business and in spite of the handicap of the fire above mentioned, the deposits had reached $26,141.01. On this date, John M. Harris
was elected cashier and C. W. Crim, assist- ant cashier.
For a period of little over a year, the bank made no advance in deposits, in fact sus- tained a loss of a few thousand, but a surplus was being accumulated. When the next change in officers occurred on August 28, 1907, the deposits were $23,518.28 with a surplus of $1,000-C. W. Crim on this date was elected cashier.
The next change in officers occurred April 1, 1908, when W. C. Crim was elected assistant cashier. On April 9, 1910, E. R. Evans was also elected assistant cashier.
The last report, on October 7, 1920, shows that the West Frankfort State Bank has fulfilled the expectations of its officers and stockholders - deposits, $527,909.32; re- sources $630,000.00; capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus $26,000.00.
The present active officers and employees are C. W. Crim, W. C. Crim, E. R. Evans, Rama H. Sweet and Iva Watson. Messrs. Evans and Sweet are world war veterans. The officers are: Peter Wastier, president; R. W. Allen, vice-president; C. W. Crim, cashier; W. C. Crim, E. R. Evans and Rama H. Sweet, assistant cashiers; Iva Watson, stenographer and bookkeeper. The directors are: Peter Wastier, A. A. Becker, C. H. Miller, W. L. Estes, R. W. Allen, W. C. Crim, E. R. Evans and C. W. Crim.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL WAR HISTORY.
Judge William G. Mitchell
JUDGE William G. Mitchell has the dis- tinction of being the youngest city judge in Illinois, which distinction has been gained by his untiring efforts as City attorney in the neighboring city of Eldorado and his immediate popularity after taking up in West Frankfort his residence and future home. He was born in Eldorado, January 1, 1889, the son of T. G. Mitchell, a retired business man and banker. The Mitchell's are descendants and pioneers of this vicinity, Col. George Marvel, his maternal grandfather was one of the first settlers of this county. During the re- bellion he assisted Gen. John A. Logan in rais- ing the first company of soldiers from this coun- ty, and served under this famous general for the period of the war and became one of his trusted colonels. Uncle Green Mitchell, his paternal grandfather, was born and reared in Cave township, being one of its first super- visors. For years he was engaged in business in Locust Grove, and being also an orda ned Methodist minister, his home was widely known as a gathering place for the circuit riders and other religious folks.
The judge's education was obtained in the public schools of Eldorado, St. Charles Military Academy and the Northern Illinois College of Law, at Dixon, graduating from the latter institution with degree of LL. M. in 1913, being admitted to the bar in July of the same year-this in connection with a series of special studies under Judge Creighton, of Wayne county, completed his legal training. After admittance to the bar he returned home and began active practice of his profession. He was elected in 1913, to the office of city attorney of Eldorado by the largest majority ever received for that office and served until 1915. The official records show that during his regime the
people were successfully represented in more cases than were tried in the three preceding administrations, and that he was especially active in prosecuting violators of the liquor laws.
Believing in the future of West Frankfort, and that it was destined to become one of the most flourishing cities of southern Illinois, he established himself here in 1915 and entered a partnership with J. L. Harmon. In 1917 he opened a law office of his own, and in 1919 became a candi- date for the office of City Judge. His per- sonal popularity and reputation as a force- ful attorney, honesty in all his public and pri- vate undertakings were attested by the result of the election-a majority of 200, and within 21 votes of the combined vote of all opposing candidates. He at once began the task of work- ing the City Court of West Frankfort, the tribunal of the com- munity with the result that it is the busiest City Court in Southern Illinois-150 cases on the docket at this writ- ing. This year he established a grand jury system that all criminal cases could be tried in West Frankfort, eliminating the necessity of going to the county seat on local criminal cases
It is a difficult role for a man to establish confidential relations with all classes in a Cosmopolitan city, but the facts are that from his likable personality and sincerity of purpose, he has the confidence of the entire public. He shows an active interest in the man with a Union card, his natural sym- pathies being with the working people.
He was married Jan. 9th, 1915, to Miss Myrtle Hamilton, of Eldorado. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of one daugh- ter, Nelle Musgrave, who died at the age of twenty months. He is a member of the Elks, Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
NAILSGLASS -ROOFING
TREECE LUMBER JO.
HARDWARE SASH DOORS
ULT VARNISHES &FENCING
Treece Lumber Company
AS a type of the wide-awake, progressive and enterprising southern Illinois business man no better example could be found than Rolla M. Treece, president of the Treece Lumber Company, of West Frankfort.
Mr. Treece was born near Wolf Creek, Williamson county, April 18, 1885, son of J. M. Treece, who was a blacksmith and wagonmaker, and who has since become a veterinary surgeon and located in Herrin, where he has an extensive practice in his profession and has for several years been identified with the civic life of that city as alderman and in other positions of trust. Rolla did not have many opportunities for an education but finished the grade school of Wolf Creek. Leaving the farm at eighteen years of age he started out in life for himself, working on public work or around the mines. Continuing this class of work for four years he saved enough money to start a fruit stand and small grocery, which he soon developed into a large mercantile business. Believing there were greater opportunities in the real estate business, he sold the store, reserving a small stock and the building. His initiative ability found a fertile field in the real estate business and the building of homes and finding ways and means for the less fortunate to build homes. His advice and counsel in home building for those who were compelled to buy and build on the payment plan, won for him many life-long friends as practically all the property he sold by these methods is now worth more than double the original investment. Enthusiasm for the real estate and building business forced Rolla to broaden his field of endeavors. West Frankfort at that time seemed to hold many opportunities for his work, and in 1913 he opened a real estate office and small lumber yard. He soon won the confidence and respect of other West Frankfort business men and he and some other West Frankfort boosters organized the Home Building and Loan Association, of which he has been a director since.
The Association has been very prosperous, and the stockholders are proud of their record of never losing a dollar on an investment or being compelled to close a mortgage-loans to date of over $200,000. Mr. Treece is one of the loan appraisers who are credited with this achievement.
The growth of Mr. Treece's real estate and lumber business was really sensational, and with due modesty he has always said he could not account for the rapid growth. His friends say that since he has been identified with the business interests of West Frankfort he has displayed those characteristics of industry, integrity and progress- iveness that are bound to have a beneficial effect on the commercial activities of any community. Such a reputation would naturally create the public confidence essential to a rapidly growing business Believing that his business could be handled more efficiently as a corporation, in 1916 he reorganized The Treece Lumber Company as successors and incorporated the new company for $25,000- Mr. Treece is president and Mrs. Ola B. Treece, his wife, secretary and treasurer.
On May 3, 1916, there occurred the marriage of Rolla M. Treece to Miss Ola B. Garrison of Mt. Carmel. Mrs. Treece at once became a valuable assistant and helpmate. Mr. and Mrs. Treece are popular in all social circles of West Frankfort with many friends and a wide acquaintance in southern Illinois. In home activities during the war period they were always active doing what they could to back up the boys at the front.
West Frankfort has no more loyal citizen than Mr. Treece-always a booster giving liberally of time and means for anything that will better his town or county. Besides the offices previously named Mr. Treece is president of the West Frankfort School Board, a member of the Board of Education and a partner in the Treece & Brown Realty Co. He is a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
O.G. PLUMLEE. T.M.SILKWOOD.
PLUMLEE-PHARIS WHOLESALE GROCERY CO.
W.E. PHARIS.
R. P. BLAKE.
PLUMLEE - PHARIS WHOLESALE GROCERY TO
S.L. PLUMLEE.
ZANG CO
-
E. B. PHARIS.
Plumlee-Pharis Wholesale Grocery Company
O NE of the latest industries to be estab- lished in Franklin county is the Plumlee- Pharis Wholesale Grocery Company of West Frankfort. It was incorporated March 1, 1920 with a capital stock of $100,000.00. This institution was organized by S. L. Plumlee and E. B. Pharis who while in different stores had for several years con- ducted similar business enterprises. By the combination of their interests and additional capital from other business men they were able to enter a field suitable to their business ability. The officers of the company are: S. L. Plumlee, president; E. B. Pharis, vice- president; O. G. Plumlee, the son of S. L. Plumlee, secretary-treasurer. Directors other than the officers are R. P. Blake, president of the First National Bank; W. E. Pharis, a brother of E. B. Pharis, automobile busi- ness, and T. M. Silkwood, insurance business.
S. L. Plumlee came to West Frankfort about eight years ago from Mulkeytown, where he had been in the milling business for about seven years previous to which he had been a school teacher for about seven- teen years. E. B. Pharis before entering the business field of West Frankfort was a former lumber merchant of Goreville and later was traveling salesman for the Eagle Lye Company of Milwaukee.
S. L. Plumlee is the father of Fernie Plumlee, a gold star soldier shown in that section of this book, who was killed in action in France near Vesle River.
From the past experience of the heads of this company and the large business which they have immediately created, a successful future is predicted for the Plumlee-Pharis Wholesale Grocer Company.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL WAR HISTORY.
SALESO SENKENPOE
S
zazate
Ford
W. E. Pharis & Son
T THE life of W. E. Pharis is both interest- ing and unusual, for his rise in life has been due entirely to his own undaunted efforts and an innate ability to accomplish whatever he has set out to do. He was born in Christopher, August, 1873, son of Bollivar Pharis, a farmer and merchant. During these early years Christopher was only a 'cross road" trading point and the Pharis store was typical of the small general stores for such settlements. After Mr. Pharis' father's death the mother continued the store, with the assistance of the sons. On April 23rd, 1894, occurred the marriage of W. E. Pharis to Miss Lula J. Jones, a descendant of the pioneer Jones family from Browning Hill. Christopher seemed to hold no opportunities for the young married couple-this being before the coal operations started in the Christopher district-and in 1897 they moved to Marion. The West Frankfort coal fields began to be developed a little about that time and our subject decided to try to build for himself in this new field; opening a small restaurant with the active assistance of his wife, he began at once a career that in less than a score of years brought him to the top among the men of means in West Frankfort. The restaurant business was continued for eight
years, and then having confidence in the automobile industry which was just starting he secured the agency of the Ford automo- bile, which business has since received his untiring efforts and business instinct and is now considered one of the most prosperous business institutions in West Frankfort.
Mr. Pharis' business judgment and in- fluence have been sought in many directions, and several other business enterprises have had such benefit-since the organization of the West Frankfort Trust & Banking Com- pany in 1913, he has served as vice-president; he is also treasurer of the West Frankfort Building & Loan Association and director in the Plumlee-Pharis Wholesale Grocery Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Pharis are the parents of a son and daughter-the son, Paul M., born October 10, 1896, is a veteran of the World War and his picture and service record will be found in the Honor Roll section of this history; Juanita, the daughter, was born October 2, 1900, and is a popular member of the younger social set of West Frankfort.
The Pharis family all did their duty during the war period, the "home activity" section credits the family with being active in all such work.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.L
Zwick Mercantile Company
F 'ROM urchin on the street to a big cor- poration head is the record of Harry M. Zwick, president of the Zwick Mercantile Company of West Frankfort and Frankfort Heights. Mr Zwick came from the land of his birth in Russia to America and landed in New York City at the age of eleven years. That he began life under adverse circum- stances can be best understood from the fact that he had no money and could neither read nor write his own name. It was while riding on a street car one day in New York City, with a number of other boys, on their way to a ball game, that he began
state, taking up the route of his brother, M. P. Zwick, of Herrin, who had by this work succeeded in starting a small store in that place. After a short time at this diffi- cult method of merchandising he was ready to take the next step in creating a large mercantile establishment, and came to West Frankfort, at that time a village of only a few hundred inhabitants, and opened a store
100F
1810
Swick's
to realize the value of an education. His companions were reading newspapers on the way out, and Harry was attempting to do the same, but it was all Chinese to the chap, and the boys noticed him perusing the col- umns with the paper upside down with no pictures on the page to look at. It was at the instigation of his companions at that time that he began a diligent search for an education. These boys in turn taught him the elementary rudiments of three R's- readin', ritin', rithmetic-and from that time to the present day he has let pass no opportunities where enlightenment could be gained by diligent study and research. His success along this line he attributes largely to the work of Benjamin Franklin, in that well known writing of the inventor of the printing press-"Poor Richard" and similar works of Mr. Franklin.
After selling needles and matches on the streets of New York City until near the age of fifteen he came to Illinois and for more than three years sold from a wagon and carried a pack on his back and "peddled" in various localities of this section of the
for his brother, above mentioned. Later he acquired the store for himself and imme- diately began an active career as a business man "on his own hook." How well he has succeeded in these short fifteen years is best demonstrated by the rapid strides in the business fraternity that his thrift, untiring energy and keen business foresight have attained.
In 1918, Mr. Zwick opened the store at Frankfort Heights. On January 2, 1920, the two stores were incorporated for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars under the corporate name of the Zwick Mercantile Company of West Frankfort, the names included in the original incorporation were Mr. Zwick, Harry Lowenthal and Lewis Scheur, the latter has since resigned from the business, and Mr. Lowenthal as manager of the Frankfort Heights store has proven himself a business man far above the ordi- nary and entirely worthy of the confidence reposed in him by Mr. Zwick.
It was never Mr. Zwick's idea that the Zwick Mercantile Company would continue as a closed corporation, but instead, faith-
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Zwick Mercantile Company Continued
fulness, efficiency and industry of employees was to be recognized and invoked as a potent factor in the future destiny of the corporation, and they are to share in the future prosperity by liberal stock holdings that are to be accorded them on terms that cannot but appeal directly to the interest of the large number of employees whom Mr. Zwick realized had been instrumental in making possible the Zwick Mercantile Com- pany, Inc. How well this plan has been carried through is shown by the present list of employee stockholders: Harry Lowenthal, Luther Harris, Martin Devlin, Miss Fern Bennyhoff, Mrs. Bessie Reynolds, Mrs. Eula Cochran, Walter Seyfert and S. H. Pickett.
With the new incorporation was also com- pleted arrangements for a wholesale estab-
lishment with offices in New York City, which gives new and unusual buying powers, with an output in many sections of the United States. That the corporation, with its able director and valuable assistants will succeed there is no doubt.
It can be said without flattery or the throwing of a single bouquet in the direction of Mr. Zwick, few have accomplished the success he has achieved, even with an enlightened monetary beginning. He is a good business man and likewise a good citizen; enterprising and progressive, and has done much toward the advancement of West Frankfort as one of the principal commercial centers of the great Southern Illinois coal belt.
West Frankfort Bottling and Ice Cream Co.
T HE West Frankfort Bottling and Ice Cream Company is the result of business secured at West Frankfort by the Johnston City Bottling Company. About eight years ago this company was organized in Johnston City and by the installing of a very large and modern equipment, it was necessary to reach out to the surrounding cities for orders to take care of their capacity. West Frankfort being a fertile field was a very suitable place for an agency, but the business grew so rapidly that in 1916, the building herewith was purchased and the equipment for the manufacture of ice cream and soft drinks was soon installed.
The present manager of the West Frank- fort Bottling & Ice Cream Company is C. M. Ielase, who has been with the company since its original organization at Johnston City, coming to West Frankfort in 1918
He is a stockholder in the corporation and also trustee
The officers of the Johnston City Bottling Company who are owners of the West Frank- fort Bottling & Ice Cream Company are: Tom Colombo, president; Emiel Ottolini, vice-president and J. H. Colombo, secretary and treasurer.
This year arrangements are being made to build a new place at West Frankfort.
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West Frankfort Lumber Company
J.L. SMITH.
Insurance.
0
Real
Estate.
THE history of the West Frankfort Lumber Company is analogous with that of J. L. Smith, president of the com- pany. Mr. Smith is an example of the sagacious business man who has built a business monument for himself by principles which have gained for him not only a financial reward but the respect of his fellowman.
J. L. Smith is a native of Kentucky, born Jan. 23, 1872, whose parents were farmers in Lyon county. About the time he reached his maturity, he came to Illinois and engaged in lumber business in Thompsonville, with his brother, H. T. Smith, now deceased. In August, 1894, the firm of H. T. Smith & Bro. was formed in West Frankfort, which was a co-partnership of H. T. Smith and J. L. Smith. The merchandising instinct of Mr. Smith, in 1896, turned to different channels and he engaged in the general merchandising business in which he con- tinued until 1906, when he sold out and again entered the lumber business by the organization of the J. L. Smith Lumber Co. In 1910 the firm was incorporated as the West Frankfort Lumber Co. with J. L. Smith, T. B. Griffin, L. T. Clem, and E. J. Summers as the incorporators, all of whom were practical business men of wide exper- ience. With this organization, the business grew rapidly and the company became an important factor in the building of West Frankfort. The present officers of the com-
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