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 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
pany are: J. L. Smith, president; T. B. Griffin, vice-president and R. S. Hoff, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Griffin is the father-in-law of Mr. Smith and also a native of Lyon county, Ky.
Mr. Smith has for many years been identified with the many enterprises which have been necessary for the rapid building of a city the size of West Frankfort; for eight years he was president of the West Frankfort First National Bank and at present is the chairman of the board of directors; he is also president of the Franklin County Building & Loan Association; pres- ident of the Benton Lumber Co. of Benton, and actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business.
On January 1, 1891, there occurred the marriage of J. L. Smith to Miss J. C. Griffin, daughter of T. B. Griffin as previously noted. The result of this union-Etheline, who died at two years of age; Gania, now Mrs. R. S. Hoff; Frances, the wife of C. J. Turner, secretary and treasurer of the Benton Lumber Co .; Louise, who enters the Jack- sonville College this year; and Maxine, just entering High School at West Frankfort.
It is needless to add that a successful man in all his endeavors, is a valuable asset to his city; and that the social, patriotic and civil life of West Frankfort has valuable members in the persons of J. L. Smith and family.
348
1832 2
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Opdyke's Bakery
THEN West Frankfort was a small village with only a few frame buildings as the foundation for a wonderful booming city, there came from Evansville, Indiana, in 1905, Frank Opdyke, who established a bakery and made the first loaf of bread in West Frankfort. The rapid growth of West Frankfort and the business firms in frame buildings growing like mushrooms was hazardous, in that fire protection was almost unknown. In spite of the fact that several
of the buildings in which he started business were destroyed by fire, the "sticktoitiveness" spirit of our subject never faltered and his business continued growing under many
adverse conditions. In 1915, the modern brick building here shown was completed and was equipped with the most modern appliances for making bread and pastries. About this time our subject planned a loaf of bread containing the very highest stand- ards of excellency and assumed the trade mark of "Table Pride." With this new bread his trade grew so rapidly until now he has one of the largest equipped bakeries in southern Illinois, and he is planning further increases by the installation of the most modern electric bakery system. "Table Pride" bread is the byword in West Frankfort and suburban towns for the house wife who always desires a depend- able bread.
Our subject was born in Evans- ville, Indiana, May 15, 1885, the son of F. H. and Hettie (Tighe) Opdyke. His father being a baker, our subject mastered the many technicalities of this trade when very young. He was mar- ried August 18, 1904, to Miss Bessie Hartwell. Miss Hartwell, is the daughter of Albert and Armenta Hartwell of Johnston City. Mr. and Mrs. Opdyke are the parents of two sons, Frank, Jr., born September 27, 1909, and Jack Wallace, born November 5, 1919. Mr. Opdyke is an active and enthusiastic member of the B. P. O. E.
349
× 1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Campbell Hardware Company
O NE of the most important hardware stores in Franklin county is that of Campbell Hardware Company of West Frankfort, which is housed in a very modern building pictured here, where everything in the hardware line can be secured. Here will be found one of the most complete lines of stoves and ranges-a stove for every purpose.
The Campbell Hardware Company is a co-partnership, the partners being S. F. Campbell and J. S. Campbell, the former being the father of J S. Campbell.
J. S. Campbell, the ac- tive head of the business was born March 18, 1875 in Williamson county and spent his early life on his father's farm; receiving his early education in the local schools and then de- ciding to become a school teacher he took a short course in Carbondale Normal and for nineteen years was considered one of the most successful and popular instruc- tors in Williamson county, fifteen years of
which he was in the Marion schools-three years as superintendent of schools.
In 1916 his father, and brother J. S. Campbell, now proprietor of the Campbell Hardware and Furniture Company of Ben- 'ton, entering the business field of Franklin county, had expanded to the extent that J. S. Campbell decided to leave his school work and start a business career with his father and brother. His successful management of the Campbell Hardware Company has proved that he will be as successful and popu- lar in business life as that of educator. In 1919 he was elected president of the West Frankfort Booster Club and is the present president of West Frankfort High School Board. He was married in August, 1900, to Miss Stella Aurry of West Salem, deceased April, 1914; children by this marriage are Ruth and Lillian. In May 1918, he was married to Miss May Gallagher of Marion.
Blake Silkwood Motor Company
T THE above firm is the successor to the Blake & Harris Motor Company which was established in 1915 by R. T. Blake and J. M. Harris as co-partners. September 1st, 1920, Mr. Harris sold his interest in the com- pany to T. M. Silkwood.
R. T. Blake is the president of the First National Bank of West Frankfort and T. M. Silkwood, the other partner in the firm, is from Mulkeytown, and has for the last twenty years written insurance in Franklin county and for the past six years has always considered West Frankfort a fertile field for his work. He moved to West Frankfort with his family this year. The Silkwood's are one of the pioneer families of Franklin county. Basil Silkwood, progeni- tor of the Silkwood family in Franklin county, was first settler of the western part of the county.
A short biography of Mr. Blake appears in the history of the First National Bank of West Frankfort,
The Blake & Silkwood Motor Company are the selling agents for the Buick and Haynes automobiles. The company is equipped to do complete service work on the cars they sell and also for rebuilding of used cars that they take in trade. As the owners of this company are thorough business men and have the honor and esteem of their fellowmen, there is no doubt but what the Blake & Silkwood Motor Company will long be numbered among the prosperous business institutions of the county.
BLAKE&SILKWOOD MOTOR COMPANY-
350
FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Sam Arsht
A CONSPICUOUS example of mer- chandising instinct possessed by our best business men, who were born in Europe, is Sam Arsht, born in Poland, Russia, Septem- ber 16, 1886. He had been employed with an uncle who was a clothing merchant, and later was in business for himself. He came to the United States at the early age of nineteen and while learning our customs and language worked in a shoe store in Lynn, Mass. ; and then deciding that the central west held more opportunities, located in Staunton, Illinois, and conducted a feed business for about four years and then entered the mercantile field at Benld, and then to Sawyerville for three years where he sold out and entered the clothing business at St. Louis-coming to West Frankfort in 1914, where he established himself in a clothing and shoe business which he con- ducted for about one year and then seeing an opportunity to establish a store in the new mining field of Orient he left West Frankfort for that place. During the four
years in Orient he was constantly enlarging his interest and while there established the Rex Shoe Store in West Frankfort, retaining a large interest in the Orient store. He moved back to West Frankfort and estab- lished the "Fashion Shop" which soon began to be the popular shopping place for ladies' ready-to-wear. Not being satisfied to restrict his opportunities to West Frankfort and Orient he opened the Leader Department Store in Zeigler, in 1918, which was a successful business undertaking from the start. During 1919 he began the erection of a large theater building in Zeigler with a large store room which is now occupied by a clothing store-a picture of which building and an industrial sketch is in the Zeigler section of this book.
The large new business building pictured here was built by Mr. Arsht this year.
Mr. Arsht was married to Miss Ida Ritter of St. Louis, September 17, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Arsht are the parents of one child, Raymond, born 1912.
Mr. Arsht has a very active assistant in his various business enterprises, Mrs. Arsht, who has a highly developed mercantile instinct and devotes most of her time to making popular the Fashion Shop.
The group of pictures are Mr. and Mrs. Sam Arsht, the Rex Shoe Store, interior of the Fashion Shop and the new Sam Arsht building.
351
× 1832
1919 ×
Andrew and Theodore Zougles' Moonlight Candy Kitchen and Moonlight Cafe
INTERIOR OF MOONLIGHT CANDY KITCHEN, WEST FRANKFORT
A BOUT thirteen years ago there came from Greece, among the great number of immigrants of that period, Theodore Zoug- les, a native of Argos, Greece. Finding the opportunities in the United States were very favorable, he, a few years later, influenced his younger brother, Andrew, to also come to this Country. Andrew landed on January 1st, 1910, and he immediately went to St. Louis where his brother was employed and secured employ- ment with his uncle in the candy and confectionary business. At the beginning of the Balkan war, 1911, Theodore returned to pay his debt to his fatherland. He served in the Greek army for four years and was twice severely wounded. After his term had expired he returned to St. Louis.
Andrew came to West Frank- fort May, 1916, and opened the Columbia Candy Kitchen which he sold on November 29th, 1917, and opened the Moonlight Candy
Kitchen. At this time, Theodore joined him in his business enter- prise and the two brothers soon built for themselves a large and flourishing business.
In January of this year (1920) Theodore opened the Moonlight Cafe in Benton and a division of interests was thereby formed. Andrew retained the management of the Moonlight Candy Kitchen of West Frankfort and Theodore assumed the management of the Moonlight Cafe in Benton.
The Zougles brothers will soon be full fledged American citizens. Andrew has his first papers and his second papers will make him an American citizen in April, 1921. Theodore received his first papers before the Balkan war, but they were lost while he was in service; but determined to become a citizen he again applied for first papers, and will become a full citizen in February, 1921.
r
INTERIOR OF MOONLIGHT CAFE, BENTON
352
1832
.1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
HENSON FURNITURE CO.
Henson Furniture Company
T THE modern furniture and hardware store shown here is the result of seven- teen years of honest merchandising by N. J. Henson. The Henson Furniture Co. is a co-partnership of N. J. Henson and E. R. Henson, the partnership being formed in 1910. The Henson Brothers have been identified with the building of West Frank- fort from the time that West Frankfort was just beginning its growth and was then considered a small mining camp. N. J. Henson, the elder brother, has always been considered one of the real boosters who have always pulled for the growth of West Frankfort. For four years he was a part owner of the West Frankfort American in partnership with Tom A. Sinks. He is the vice-president and has been an officer in the Home Loan Association for five years. He has been elected as alderman three different terms and prior to this was town clerk of Denning township for four years. For six years he was secretary of the City School Board. He is a member of the Masons, Elks, Oddfellows and Modern Woodmen.
E. R. Henson, before joining his brother in the Henson Furniture Co. was in the general merchandising business. He was always active in the affairs of the City and
is the present secretary of the School Board, formerly occupied by his brother.
The Henson Furniture Co. opened their Frankfort Heights store December, 1919, and for the short time this store has been conducted by the Henson Furniture Co., a really remarkable trade has been built up.
The Henson Furniture Co. have a com- plete line of stoves and everything necessary to furnish the home. It is the one store where the reliable Buck Stoves and Hoosier Kitchen Cabinets can be bought.
The top picture shows their modern store in West Frankfort, while the bottom repre- sents their recent purchase at Frankfort Heights.
353
N
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Leo Krause
"THE large and complete gents' furnishing and clothing store of "Joseph's" in West Frankfort has as its efficient manager, Leo Krause. Mr. Krause is one of those young and enthusiastic business men who by their genuine public spiritedness has gained a host of loyal friends and many cus- tomers for the store.
Mr. Krause was born in Chicago, Sept. 12, 1889, and was reared and educated in the environments of Chicago and St. Louis, and at an early age began his business career by clerking in a gents' furnishing store in Chicago but came to West Frankfort in Sep- tember 1914; and in the busi- ness world of that flourishing city began an active business life far different from that of Chicago, and his initiative and resourcefulness developed rapid- ly in a field fertile for such endeavors.
Mr. Krause was married Nov. 28, 1910, to Miss Florence
Samuels of St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. Krause are the parents of one child, David Morton, born May 28, 1920. They are popular mem- bers of the younger social set of West Frank- fort. In the recent war work, Mr. Krause was an active and enthusiastic worker, and there were few committees on such work that did not include the name of Leo Krause as one of the members. A popular fraternal worker in the orders to which he gives his preference, the proof of which lies in the fact that he has been honored by dif- ferent offices-n o w Exalted Ruler of the B. P. O. E. and Past Chancellor commander of the K. of P.
The Joseph Clothing Store first opened its doors for bus- iness in West Frankfort Nov. 1, 1914, in the same location it now occupies, the Webb-Sum- mers building on the south side of east Main street. Mr. Krause was selected as manager at that time and soon built up the busi- ness to a large gents' emporium.
Automotive Sales Company
T 'HE above automobile sales organization is the successor of the Frankfort Auto Company which was organized April 17th, 1916, by R. M. Medill, R. B. Mitchell and H. E. Kirkpatrick. The firm was changed to the Automotive Sales Company in Jan- uary, 1919, and Charles A. Newton, who had formerly been employed for the Johnston City State Bank, became president and treasurer, and H. E. Kirkpatrick, secretary. April 1st, 1919, a branch was opened at Johnston City and Mr. Newton be- came the manager, while Mr. Kirk- patrick remained manager of the par- ent organization of West Frankfort.
Mr. Kirkpatrick was formerly employed in the Ernest Coal Com- pany of Johnston City for three years and previous to that was a traveling salesman for several years. He was born in Mulkeytown, Jan- uary 13, 1887, the son of I. M. Kirk- patrick, a descendant of the pioneer Kirkpatrick family, one of the first families to settle in Franklin county.
Charles E. Newton, the president and treasurer, is a former World War veteran, and the son of J. H. Newton, a prosperous retired farmer. The Automotive Sales Co. has in a short period developed into one of the largest dealers in automobiles in southern Illinois and while they have held the agency for several different cars, in the future they expect to restrict their sales to the Cadillac and Oldsmobile, and will be distributors for Franklin and Williamson county.
354
1832 Mira 1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Davis, Howell & Henderson
INTERIOR OF AMERICAN CANDY SHOP
O NE of the most popular firms identified with the upbuilding of West Frankfort, although engaged in business enterprises of an amusement and luxury class, is Davis, Howell & Henderson, who have so conducted their enterprises as to create for them a spirit of fellowship that makes them leaders in their city.
Vade C. Davis, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Tennessee, born in Union City on January 23, 1880. He came to Illinois in 1908 and engaged in the general mercantile business and later opened a bil- liard hall. Always taking an active part in community affairs and in- vesting heavily in real estate, he has been honored by positions of a civic nature and for two years was alder- man of West Frankfort.
W. A. Howell, is from DuQuoin, born in that city in 1872, the son of Welsh parents who came from Wales in 1865. Mr. Howell came to West Frankfort in 1914 and had previously been in the billiard hall business in Marion.
L. D. Henderson is formerly of Carterville and Cambria, being pro-
prietor of a billiard hall in Carterville and later postmaster at Cambria.
"The Smoke Shop" which was established by the partners in 1917, is one of the most popular amuse- ment places in West Frankfort. As will be seen from the interior view here shown, it is large and handsomely equipped. The billiard tables are all modern and always kept in first class condition. The front of the hall is occupied by an up-to-date cigar and tobacco de- partment -the largest and most complete in West Frankfort.
In June of this year (1920), the partners opened the American Candy Shop, the only American candy and confectionery in West Frankfort. As will be seen by the interior here shown, the shop is most handsomely equipped for the display of candies and con- fections and for the serving of soft drinks, creams and other iced dainties. While only in operation a few months, the American Candy Shop is taking a leading place as a popular resort of its kind, being patronized by the best citizens.
INTERIOR OF BILLIARD HALL AND SMOKE SHOP
355
× 1832
.1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
E. R. Brown Furniture Company
T 'HE large store shown above is the result of the efforts of E. R. Brown, who from a thorough business training has developed into one of West Frankfort's leading bus- iness men.
Mr. Brown was born Sept. 18, 1885, on a farm in Denning township, the son of G. A. Brown, a successful farmer. Living the average life of a farmer boy and attend- ing the county schools, he later entered the Herrin High School, there being no high school in West Frankfort at this time. His studies at Herrin were mostly devoted to a business course, but before entering business life he taught school for two terms, and then started his business career as assis- tant manager of Witt Mercantile Company, now the Coalfield Stores, which position he held for seven years. In 1919, he resigned this pos- ition and entered the grocery and dry goods business for two years; and then receiving an offer as man- ager of the Witt Co., he returned to them for three years. In 1914, he bought the controlling interest of
the L. C. Dorris Furniture Co., and soon purchased the entire holdings of Mr. Dorris and established the E. R. Brown Furniture Co. The business under the proprietorship of Mr. Brown has developed rapidly until it is a large institution where everything for furnishing the home can be secured at the lowest price and most liberal terms. Mr. Brown is also president of the Brown & Jones House Furnishing Co. of Zeigler and also a member of the real estate firm of Treece & Brown, of West Frankfort.
On Oct. 9, 1909, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Grace Sloan, of McLeansboro, daughter of A. L. Sloan, a retired business man.
E.R.BROWN FURNITURE CO.
West Side Motor Sales Company
THE West Side Motor Sales Company was organized in the fall of 1918 by Allen M. Dillard. In September, 1919 the business was purchased by J. A. Lewis of Carrier Mills. To rapidly develop the busi- ness, Mr. Lewis, in May, 1920, formed a co-partnership with Rolla Treece of West Frankfort, and Cyrus Barnett of Opdyke.
Mr. Lewis was born in Carrier Mills, September 5th, 1895, son of H. H. Lewis, a live stock dealer of that place. Mr. Lewis rapidly de- veloped into a business man --- after graduating from the Gem City Business College and entering the Citizens, Savings Bank where he was assistant cashier for five years, and then entered into the automobile
business by securing the Ford agency for that community. He is an Elk, Mason and Oddfellow.
The West Side Motor Sales Company is a popular tourist headquarters of West Frankfort, and besides having a force of dependable mechanics, has the agency for the Dodge and Nash automobiles.
356
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
West Frankfort Amusement Co.
THE STRAND THEATRE
To create better amusement facilities and guarantee the public the best possible attractions, the West Frankfort Amusement Company was organized and incorporated in November, 1919. The officers are W. R. Hayes, DuQuoin, pres- ident; James Clayton, secretary-treasurer; Sam Arsht, T. A. Reid, T. E. Yemm and N. B. Layman, directors.
When the organization was completed they purchased the Strand theatre from John Garden and the Rex theatre from Arsht & Stone and immediately the theatres were placed under the management of James Clayton, an experienced theatre manager who had been manager of the Orpheum theatre of Harrisburg for several years. Mr. Clayton had just been discharged from the army; his picture and service record will be found in the Honor Roll section of this book.
As will be seen from the pictures of the Strand and Rex theatres, they are modern theatre buildings. The Strand theatre is
perhaps the most complete of any theatre in southern Illinois and has a seating capacity of 850-feature pictures, vaudeville and legitimate plays are produced. The Rex has just recently been remodeled and modernized in every way-a seating capacity of 650 which is usually filled every night on account of the popular pictures shown.
The Strand and Rex receive a deserved patronage. The popular manager has won a permanent place in the hearts of West Frankfort theatre-goers.
1832
THE REX THEATRE
357
FRANKLIN COUNTY LL TOR.
West Frankfort Ice Company
ICE MANUFACTURING AND STORAGE BUILDING
O NE of the largest business and manufac- turing institutions of West Frankfort is the West Frankfort Ice Company. This company was organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, in 1915, the incorporators being A. L. Durst, president; C. A. Durst, secretary and C. W. Crim, treasurer. A. L. and C. A. Durst are father and son. The elder Mr. Durst for eighteen years was a general mechanic for the C. & E. I. railroad, several years of which were spent in and around West Frankfort. West Frankfort appealed to him as an ideal location for an ice plant and his thorough knowledge of mechanics was of great assistance in the planning of this enterprise. C. A. Durst, the son, previous to the organization of the West Frankfort Ice Company was engaged in the jewelry business. He is considered one of the popular young business men of West Frankfort, always assuming his portion of the civic work and obligations. For six years he was treasurer of the City of West Frankfort. He is an Elk and 32nd degree Mason. A. L. Durst is a Royal Arch Mason. C. W. Crim, the treasurer, is cashier of the West Frankfort State Bank-a biographical sketch of Mr. Crim appears in the history of that institution.
The plant of the West Frankfort Ice Company has been extended from time to
time as the business grew. At the beginning the plant had a capacity of twenty-five tons and no storage. In 1916, only a little more than a year from the organization, the plant was remodeled and the ice manufacturing capacity increased to thirty tons and a new building erected; in 1918, a new cold storage and ice storage warehouse were erected, with a capacity of three thousand tons ice storage and twenty thousand cubic feet of cold storage space.
The pictures here show a part of truck equipment necessary for the movement of the ice sales from the plant to consumers and to railroad cars, the company doing an extensive business in many cities in Illinois that are not as fortunate as West Frankfort in having an institution of this kind.
THE OLD STORAGE BUILDING
358
1832
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Early History of Christopher
Y YEARS AGO, before the Civil War the territory in and around Christopher was settled. Among the first settlers was L. S. Harrison, H. W. Harrison, Christopher Har- rison, James Swofford, Sam Williams, Martin Williams, James Burkkit, William Burkkit and William Hodges.
Then the City of Christopher was covered with heavy black oak timber, a small part was prairie land, the same being void of timber. The first original town plat was made by Dr. F. O. Harrison and S. A. Harrison in the winter of 1880 and comprises some twenty acres lying between the I. C. R. R. and a strip immediately north of Dr. F. O. Harrison's residence and between Victor and State streets. For a great many years practically all the town was located on this tract of land.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.