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 42
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Mr. Hutson was married to Miss Pearl Rea, daughter of Enoch N. and Julia (Harrison) Rea. Mr. and Mrs. Hutson are the parents of two children-Eugene, now a student of the State University at Urbana, and a daughter, Dahpine, a sophomore in the Benton High School.
382
× 1832
1918
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
--
George B. Gray
THE city of Sesser is fortunate in having as citizens several men who are con- H stantly in touch with all civic affairs and ever ready to lend their assistance and co- operation in boosting for everything bene- ficial to the city of Sesser and surrounding country, and among such citizens there are none more prominent in the work than
George B. Gray. He was born in Marion county, May 25, 1862, son of Henry Gray, a prominent insurance man of that county. He was married to Miss Jessie Audereck of Centralia, November 25, 1904. Mr. Gray came to Sesser during the first year of its incorporation as a village, 1906. He has been postmaster since April, 1914; one of the incorporators of the Sesser Loan and Improvement Association and president of that organization; one of the organizers of the Sesser Real Estate Company and a member of that firm; president of the Goode-Barren Township High School Board and a director of the Sesser Lumber Com- pany. During the war period, Mr. Gray was one of the most active workers and served as president of the local organization of Red Cross at Sesser and has assisted in operating an emergency hospital for two years during the influenza epidemic-every activity for the benefit of the soldiers has his hearty cooperation and active assistance.
Chas. Gualdoni
FRANKLIN county on account of its F large coal fields and mines has many citizens of foreign birth, and among the most active and one that has made one of the best citizens is Chas. Gualdoni, who was born in North Italy. Mr. Gualdoni was among the colony that first settled in Murphysboro and when the coal field of Williamson county opened, went to Herrin, where the firm of Berra, Dell'Era and Gual- doni was formed. In 1906, Mr. Gualdoni came to Sesser to participate in the develop- ment of the town. His firm, through the influence of Mr. Gualdoni, and his con- fidence in the future of Sesser, was the first to begin the improvement of Sesser with modern brick buildings-the Opera House, Hotel and several other modern buildings are the results of his efforts.
Mr. Gualdoni is a stock holder in both banks in the city of Sesser, a member of the Sesser Commercial Club and always a prime factor in everything tending to build
and improve the city. He was an ardent worker for everything beneficial to the Red Cross and the soldiers during the late world war.
During the preparation of this history Mr. Gualdoni was making a return visit to his native country, but his partners know his wishes in work of this nature, and authorized this review.
383
.1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Stoelze - Hope Hardware Company
T "THE above firm is the successor of the Stoelze Hardware Co., which was established about eight years ago by John Stoelze, Jr., son of John Stoelze, a prominent hardware merchant of Murphysboro. John Stoelze, Jr. died during the influenza epidemic of 1918, and it is said that the many activities he was engaged in, such as the Red Cross, of Sesser, which he started, and much work of a like nature, weak- ened his constitution, as he was seem- ingly a tireless worker.
In July, 1919, Schroeder Hope, son of A. C. Hope, proprietor of Alexander Hotel of Carterville, a former sergeant in the ordnance department who was discharged March 15, 1919, purchased an interest in the business. Mr. Hope, while a young man has had considerable business experience-formerly service manager for Prestolite Storage Battery Co. of St. Louis and automobile sales- man for Hayton Bros. at Carterville.
As will be seen from the interior of the store, the Stoelze-Hope Hardware Co., maintains a very complete store of its kind. Everything in the general hardware line is carried in stock, and an especial effort is made to specialize on the better grade of hardware mer- chandise, such as the advertised Robeson cutlery, Keen Cutter tools,
Rochester stamping ware, Atkins saws and tools. The line of stoves is very complete and embraces the Estate, Florence, Majestic and Foster lines.
The Stoelze-Hope store is the Winchester arms agency for Sesser. In no other hardware store of the county can a better selection of these reliable guns be found.
Roy A. Gulley
THE subject of this personal sketch, Roy A.Gulley, is a native of Franklin county, born in Barren township, near the present site of Rend, November 19, 1887, the son of L. R. and Sarah (Silkwood) Gulley. He was educated in the common school and later took special work in the Ewing college and the Illinois State Normal at Carbondale. He
began teaching school early in life and continued this profession for thirteen years. Deciding to quit the profession for a business life, he located in Sesser in July, 1910, and became manager of the Sesser Supply Company and continued in this capacity for two years. In 1919 he opened a general insurance and real estate office at Sesser and as he has always been one of the leading spirits in the building of Sesser, he at once built up a large and lucrative insurance and real estate business. He served
his county as supervisor of Goode township in 1911, and was alderman of the City of Sesser from 1914 to 1915. An active worker in the home activities during the World War and one of the Four Minute speakers who did good work in encouraging the people and developing enthusiasm. He is a member of the Christian church and superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Gulley has been secretary of the Sesser lodge 908, A. F. & A. M. for five years.
On February 17, 1909, in the State Capitol building at Springfield there occurred the marriage of Roy A. Gulley and Miss Mary Martel, daughter of O. S. and Mary E. Martel. Mr. and Mrs. Gulley are the parents of five children: Gerald, age ten years; Kathryn, age eight years; Lida, age six years; Ronald, age four years; and Albert, age one year.
384
AMIMM
mes - 1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL WAR HISTORY.
W. J. Mc Lane
T 'HE farms often produce men who are successful in other pursuits, and the sub- ject of this personal sketch, W. J. McLane, has been a successful farmer, later carpenter and now hardware merchant.
Mr. McLane was born in Garden City, Mo., Oct. 30, 1884. The family came to Illinois and settled just south of Sesser, where our subject engaged in farming until 1916 and was then employed a few years as a carpenter. On March 12, 1919, he pur- chased the present store from M. J. Cockrum, who established the store in 1905-one of the first stores in Sesser.
The picture here shows the interior of the store, and in spite of the fact that the store building is among the first built in Sesser, the stock is nicely dis- played and shows that Mr. McLane is rapidly developing into a live and up- to-date hardware merchant. At this writing, he is negotiating the lease of a modern store room in a brick building nearing completion.
Besides the complete line of general hard- ware, Mr. McLane has an extensive trade in stoves and ranges-"Buck's" and "Favor- ite" being the principal lines. A full and complete line of the well known "Diamond Edge" cutlery and all kinds of electrical and sporting goods are carried in stock.
The furniture department is very complete and the public may here purchase most any article of furniture desired, rugs and linoleum.
TAIP
Winchester Lumber Company
T HE lumber business of Sesser has been and is one of the most important industries. The rapid building of a large and flourishing city in a few years demands unlimited building facilities. The one firm that has been closely identified with the building of the city is the Winchester Lumber Co., who are successors of the J. W. Heine Lumber Co., which was built as the city grew. The Winchester Lumber Co. was organized May 5, 1917, by Lloyd and Roy Winchester. Lloyd, the manager, was born in Jackson county and Roy in Six Mile township of Franklin county after the family
had moved here. Lloyd was married in 1908 to Miss Zola Snyder-they have three children : Rea, Juanita and Dwight. Roy was married in 1910 to Miss Bessie Miller of Marion-they have one daughter, Violet.
The Winchester brothers are progressive citizens and take an active interest in every- thing that tends to build their town and community. Their lumber yard is a com- plete building headquarters-everything needed to build a residence or business building can be secured at their yards and at figures that compare favorably with any like establishment.
4WINCHESTER LUM ER C.
385
× 1832 1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
JOHNSON'S LUMBER YARD 1
EVERYTHING'
1
FROM
FOUNDATION TO ROOF.
PAINTS VARNISHES OIL TURPENTINE
CEMENT PLASTER LIME
ROOFING
Johnson's Lumber Yard
THE picture above shows the best build- ing in Franklin County, housing a com- plete lumber yard and stock of building material. It was built by the William Hutson Lumber Co., which concern had been in the lumber business in Sesser for about 10 years. The building was completed in 1918. The business was purchased May 2, 1920, by J. F. Johnson, chief clerk of the "South Mine" at Sesser. Mr. Johnson has for his manager, J. F. Smith, who is widely known in Franklin county as a man who begets and keeps the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact.
Mr. Johnson is a native of Indiana, being born in Fowler, on June 10, 1884, the son of a prominent farmer. When he was 8 years
of age his parents moved to Chicago where he entered the Chicago schools and later graduated from the Englewood High School and the Kimball Business College. At 18 years of age he entered the employ of T. C. Kellar and Company, coal operators, Old Colony Building, Chicago, and has continued with this firm for 15 years, the last 11 years of which has been at Sesser in the capacity of chief clerk. He established his residence at Sesser in 1909.
Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Mar- garet McGifford of Chicago, December 16, 1907, they are the parents of four children, Jessie F. Jr., Margaret, Jr., Winifred and Dorothy. He is a member of the Blue and Royal Arch Masonic Lodge of Benton.
386
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Valier State Bank
T THE NEW business communities which have developed in the last few years, have created new financial institutions to supply the demand for convenient depositories and exchange facilities. The youngest institution of this kind is the Valier State Bank, which was organized Sept. 10, 1918. This bank was organized and incorporated as a State bank with a capital of $25,000. J. F. Mackey, president of the Centralia Trust & Savings Bank, is the president; S. H. Long, cashier; and W. H. Hake, assistant cashier; other officers and directors are Thomas Kelso, W. E. Mackey, and W. G. Lambert, all of Valier, the last two names being prominent merchants.
The need of banking facilities and the immediate popularity of the Valier State Bank, is clearly shown by the fact that the first year's deposits were $55,000 and the resources $82,000. The last financial state- ment issued June 20, 1920 was as follows:
RESOURCES
Loans and Discounts $92,567.06
Overdrafts 1,461.01
Liberty Loan Bonds 6,986.34
Banking House, Furniture and Fixtures 14,003.87
Due from Bank, Cash, Exchanges,
Checks and Collections 42,475.23
Due from Insurance Co.
9,193.35
Total Resources
$166,686.86
LIABILITIES
Capital Stock Paid-in $25,000.00
Surplus Fund 2,500.00
Undivided Profits (net). 1,864.42
Deposits.
137,322.44
Total Liabilities $166,686.86
A continued, astonishing growth is shown by the fact that at this writing, July 23, 1920, the deposits had reached $180,000 with resources of $210,000.
This bank was the scene of a bold daylight holdup in July, 1920, by robbers who escaped with over $9,000, but as the bank is insured and the funds of depositors care- fully safeguarded no loss was incurred to depositors or the institution.
S. H. Long, the cashier, who has shown marked ability in banking circles and directed the upbuilding of this bank, came from Georgetown, where he was assistant cashier of the First State Bank of that city for five years. Mr. Long was born in Georgetown Jan. 1, 1891, the son of W. L. Long, a retired farmer, now deceased.
387
×1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Royalton State Bank
THE Royalton State bank was es- tablished September 15th, 1919, succeeding the Carterville-Royalton Banking Company which was organ- ized some eight years before. William Lovel, at present head of the institution, was cashier of the Carterville-Royalton Banking Company and with the new organization W. R. Tweedy became vice - president and Howard Lovel cashier. The board of directors other than officers just named are Sam Inger, George Cunitz and Solomon Snider. Ferrell Starnes is the bookkeeper.
The last official report for September, 1920, shows the total resources of $237,028.74. During the war period this institution achieved a record in liberty bond selling rarely equalled by any institution in this section of Illinois. Its allotment of the third liberty bond sale was $16,000 and it sold $58,000. Of the fourth drive it was allotted $22,000 and sold $60,000. It was very patriotic in meeting all other obliga- tions placed upon it by the war work, and its officers gave freely of their time and means to help win the war.
This little institution is up to the minute in its equipment, having a Corliss burglar proof safe and employing a Burroughs ledger posting machine.
The Lovel brothers, president and cashier respectively, were born on a farm near Carterville, William, March 8, 1888, and
ROYALTON STATE BANK Established 1919.
WILLIAM LOVEL.
HOWARD LOVEL
BANK
Howard, December 26, 1895. They are both graduates of the Gem City Business College of Quincy. William was married in November, 1913, to Miss Mildred Wolf of Marion and they have a little son. Howard was married to Miss Arah Smith of Royalton in December, 1918. They have two children.
388
41919/33
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
The Thompsonville State Bank
THE appellation "the biggest little bank in the county" is well fitted to this institution, for none enjoys a better record. The officers and directors are: W. L. Johnson, president; Harry A. Burns, vice- president; Bert Casteel, cashier; Robt. R. Ward, A. J. Puckett, E. S. Bundy and J. R. Garther, directors.
The bank was started as a private insti- tution in 1900 by John C. Bundy, and was later sold to J. T. and L. E. Chenault, of Benton, the latter becoming cashier and resident manager. The present management bought the bank May 4, 1910, and imme- diately incorporated it into a State bank. At that time the deposits ran something like $50,000.00, while now they do not fall below $240,000.00. The original capital was $25,000.00, and besides paying its stockholders a handsome dividend each
year, an accumulated surplus of $12,500.00 has been added.
This substantial growth has been to a large extent due to the careful and business- like management of B. L. Casteel, who as cashier, has the real local responsibility of conducting the institution along safe and sane policies.
The community of Thompsonville depends more largely than any other in the county upon agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and the farmers have always found the Thompsonville State Bank an institution ever ready to lend them any assistance needed, and at the time they needed it. It is no wonder therefore that the bank is one of the most solid and popular ones in Franklin county. Cashier Casteel is also vitally interested in all things that tend to build up the community.
389
-1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY. __
CHAS. CRISP
SHOES WY DRY
CLOAKS
SUITS
CODOS
HAT
COATS
.. .
Charles Crisp
TT is characteristic of pure Americanism to give credit to a fellow citizen who has step by step, honestly and industriously, climbed the ladder of success. Some large enterprises are developed by a rapidly growing community where trade is forced, but the test of business building is in small com- munities where it is a case of the "survival of the fittest"-the best business man gradually winning trade from others. Such continuous developing of a large industry must be engineered by a man who has carefully prepared himself in the school of experience. There is no greater example of a self- made man, who has gained success by building "from the ground up" than Chas. Crisp, of Akin, a small farming community about ten miles east of Benton. He was born March 29, 1871, the son of John F. Crisp, a woodworker. At the early age of twelve he entered the business world as a clerk and general utility boy for John N. Miller, receiving the sum of fifty-cents a week and board. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of Bowman Bros., and continued with this firm until he reached his majority. This was an epochal year in the life of our subject, as he entered business for himself, married his life's help-mate, and became a Mason ---- Three events which he happily recalls with fond remembrances. Learning the mercantile business as he had, in these small country stores which sold a large variety of merchandise, he was at an early age far above the average business man. His first business venture on his own hook was at Parrish, among the many friends he had made through his long years of apprenticeship. In 1902 he sold his
business and moved to Akin, where by steady and honest business methods he has built one of the largest retail business institutions in Franklin county. The pictures in this page show two of the seven buildings necessary to house the mer- chandise sold by this large institution-complete, in that under one management are stores selling everything used in the home or on the farm. This enterprise is exceptional, as where no competition exists, there is a tendency to exact a large profit- the Crisp store has never had this reputation-all commodities are sold here cheaper than in cities where competition is strong.
Mr. Crisp was married May 17, 1899, to Miss Laura Bell Burns, daughter of G. W. Burns of Thompsonville, a prominent railroader. He has in Mrs. Crisp a life partner-always active in all the varied problems that have contributed to the success of the Crisp stores. He loyally attributes much of his success to his wonderful help-mate.
Mr. and Mrs. Crisp are the parents of three children: James Vernon, Harry Lee and Helen Monette. The two sons have just graduated from the Benton High School, and will enter college this year-James to the law department of Chicago University, and Harry to Peacock's Military Academy at San Antonio, Texas.
Mr. Crisp is an uncle of Curtis Crisp, one of the World War heroes, whose photograph and military record will be found in the Honor Roll section of this book. Curtis is now a valued employee of the Crisp stores.
390
× 1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
M. Heard & Son
STORE AND BANK AT LOGAN
NE of the most prosperous business men of the county and who has contin- uously builded a business monument to his posterity, is M. Heard, the senior member of the firm of M. Heard & Son, at Logan and Rend City.
M. Heard was born October 3, 1852, on a farm in Hamilton county, and resided here until thirty-five years of age when he moved to Thompsonville and engaged in the livery business and two years later opened a hard- ware and farm machinery store and con- tinued in this line of business until 1916. In 1912, he bought a general store in Logan, and in 1917 purchased a store in Rend City, which business institutions have been suc- cessfully conducted by Mr. Heard and his sons, who are able assistants of their father.
In connection with the two stores at Logan and Rend City, Mr. Heard has established
banks which have been operated as private banks until this year (1920) when they were changed to State banks.
Mr. and Mrs. Heard have raised nine children, two of which are deceased, Mrs. Claudia M. Jones, who died Aug. 7, 1917, and Ross M. Heard, who was killed in the battle of Argonne Forrest, Oct. 11, 1918. Ross' picture and military record will be found in the Gold Star section.
XHEARD AND LIONS DEALE
POSTOFFICE
BANK
STORE AND BANK AT REND CITY
391
1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY. ILL WAR HISTORY.
Charles E. Phillips & Company
THIS firm is successor to J. R. Martin & Co., and does a big business in general merchandising in Thompsonville. It was established in 1915, C. E. Phillips being the leading spirit in the firm almost from its organization.
Mr. Phillips was born near Thompsonville, November 21, 1886. Almost all his life he has been interested in the community's activities. For several years he taught school, and for a term edited a newspaper and did a general line of printing.
Mr. Phillips was married in 1910. His wife was Miss Myrtle Bourland of Harris- burg. They have a little seven year old daughter in her second year of school.
No business man in the community is more popular and no store has a better line of merchandise of every description. Farmers drive in from a radius of many miles to trade with Mr. Phillips because he has the
PHILLIPS & CO.
confidence of every one who has ever had any dealings with him.
The McCreery Lumber Company
HE McCreery Lumber Co. was organ- -
ized in Thompsonville in 1918 to pur- chase the yards of T. G. Puckett & Co., and the Walker & Summers Lumber Co. The officers are W. W. McCreery, president, Mack McCreery, vice-president, both of Benton, and Wm. N. McCreery, secretary and local manager.
The yard is one of the best equipped in the county, doing a general business in all kinds of building material within a radius of fifteen miles. The McCreerys, father and sons, are ripe in practical knowledge in the business, having conducted a yard in Benton
many years ago, and have a decided advan- tage over men of less mature experience.
Wm. N. McCreery, the local manager, has a home within a short distance of the yards. He was wedded in 1915 to Miss Fay Davis of Benton. The union has been blessed with one boy, now four years old.
Mr. McCreery has entered fully into the business and social interests of the com- munity, being at present Mayor of Thomp- sonville. Under his administration the vil- lage has shown more advancement than in many years before.
392
× 1832
1919 *
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Sam Y. Donko
A MONG the dependable citizens and business men of foreign birth, none rank higher in the estimation of the public than Sam Y. Donko of Logan, who has one of the best business places in that town.
Sam was born March 9, 1879, in Lithuania, and emigrated to this country eighteen years ago, and immediately became a member of the "melting pot"-training into citizenship by first working on a farm in Minnesota. He came to Franklin County in 1911 and worked in the mines and in a butcher shop. In 1915, he moved to Logan where he entered business for himself, and by his thrifty habits and reputation for square business methods was able to build the present business place pictured here, in 1918, where he conducts one of the most sanitary meat and grocery markets in the county. He has a complete ammonia refrigeratory plant, which is a guarantee of well kept meats and produce.
He was married October 22, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Donko are the parents of one child, Olgo, now two years of age.
R. Y. Walker
A' KIN is a small inland town near the east- ern boundary of the county-there are not many business enterprises, but one that is very important to the farmers who make Akin the shopping point, is the mill operated and owned by R. Y. Walker, who is also dealer in flour, meal, bran, ships and chopped corn.
Mr. Walker was born in Indiana, Wells county, Jan- uary 25, 1857. He was reared in Champaign coun- ty, Illinois, but returned to Indiana where he married Miss Alice Brown at Marion on January 21, 1881. He came to Akin twenty-nine years ago and engaged in farming and upon the death of his father, purchased the farm. He later rented the Peters & Gullie mill which he operated only a year before it burned.
He at once began the erection of a new and modern mill, which has a capacity of thirty barrels of flour and also facilities for grind- ing meal, bran and ships.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walker are: Mrs. Mary Etta Plaeger, Mrs. O. L. Grady, and Robert L., a veteran of the World War.
-
393
1832
1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
I. Inger & Brother
.
T THIS firm consisting of two brothers, Ike and Sam Inger, operated the only lumber yard in Royalton during the war period and at the present time. They established their lumber bus- iness in March 1915, after selling out their mercantile interests in Royalton to the Franklin Supply Company. By their fair and honest deal- ng, they have built up a large business which serves the southwest section of Franklin county and the northwest portion of Williamson. They were both born in Poland Russia and came to America when little boys. They spent their early years in St. Louis, Ike later going to Chicago where he entered business, Sam to Herrin, and some ten years ago each locating in Royalton. Ike was married
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