USA > Illinois > Williamson County > Historical souvenir of Williamson County, Illinois : being a brief review of the county from date of founding to the present > Part 21
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SAMUEL K. CASEY.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Jesse M. and Cynthia Casey, and was born on a farm four miles north of Marion, Illinois, March 6, 1865. He lived on the farm npon which he was born until January 1, 1895, when he went to Marion and took charge of the Egyptian Press, a weekly Democratic paper, which he has edited ever since, and with Jas. H. Felts founded the Marion Even- ing Post, a Democratic daily paper and one of the best daily papers in the south end of the State, which is published from the same office as the Press.
On February 16, 1887, Mr. Casey was wedded to Miss Annie B. Stil- ley, of Williamson County, who de- parted this life in February, 1892, leaving a daughter, Laura B. Casey, who still survives her.
LAURA B. CASEY.
Daughter of Samuel K. and Annie B. Casey. She was born February 4, 1888, and being left without a mamma at the age of four years, she lived with her grandpa Casey and Aunt Washie Oliver until she was old enough to attend the Marion public schools, where she graduated from the grammar department in 1903 and entered the high school.
ANNIE B. CASEY.
Wife of Samuel K. Casey, was born February 14, 1863, married February 16, 1887, and died Febru- ary 23, 1892. She, with her hus- band. was baptized into the Chris- tian Church at Lake Creek in 1887.
EUGENE F. BONES.
Eugene F. Bones, managing editor of the Marion Evening Post, is a na- tive of Williamson County. At the age of 14 years he commenced writ- ing for newspapers, his first work having been for Marion and Creal Springs papers, and at the age of 18 was a contributor to the Detroit Free Press.
Having chosen newspaper work for his occupation at an early age, he gave special attention to the school branches which were calcu-
lated to fit him for the work, and the manner in which he handles news matter today shows that he learned well that which he early an- ticipated would be required to make him a capable newspaper man.
He became a regular writer for the Egyptian Press at Marion in 1894, and 1899 became a member of the firm Casey & Bones, editors and publishers of the Press. In 1900 he went west and spent four years in editorial work on metropolitan pa- pers, which greatly broadened his knowledge of the business.
He returned and accepted his pres- ent position in January, this year, and the Post has shown great im- provement under his management. He is an all round newspaper man, being an able editorial writer and paragrapher, a capable news gather- er and compositor, an art printer and a successful solicitor.
In 1896 he was married to Miss Mabel Tate, a member of one of the best families of Thompsonville, Ill., whose sudden and unexpected death in November, 1903, broke up his happy home in Los Angeles, Cal., causing him to return to his old home to find a haven for his three sons, aged 6, 4 and 2 years respec- tively.
Editor Bones is 30 years of age and has a bright future in journal- ism before him.
MALCOM ARGYLE FELTS.
Was born in Williamson County, January 22, 1870. He is a son of Martin V. Felts and brother of James H. Felts. His youth was spent on the old homestead, where he was reared by a man of steady habits in the most favorable sur- roundings, conducive to a life of sobriety and virtue. Twenty years of his life were spent in this close communion with nature and nature's God, and he could not if he would, avoid acquiring (possibly we ought to say preserving) those mental and moral characteristics which go to form the greatest and purest of men.
With such a school the mere mat- ter of acquiring a knowledge of let- ters is of minor importance. Yet he secured the rudiments of a common school education and in 1896 and '97 attended the college at Creal Springs. He began teaching in 1890, and taught four terms in Wil- liamson County and three in John- son County. He had bought a half interest in the Johnson City Progress of his brother James prior to his ex- perience as a teacher, but after- wards sold and came to Marion and took a position as reporter on the Evening Post. He lately resigned, however, and is now engaged in handling agricultural implements
with his brother James. He is a
member of the Missionary Baptist church, though formerly connected
with the Christian or Disciple or- ganization.
On May 22, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Lulu M. Cham- ness, the daughter of W. M. Cham- ness of Saline County.
JAMES H. FELTS, Printer.
Was born February 1st, 1866, in Williamson County, Ill. He is a son of M. V. Felts, the veteran horticul- turist and apple man of Southern Illinois. Reared on the homestead farm about five miles north of Ma- rion, he took the usual routine of our country schools, ending with a term at the Crab Orchard Academy and one at Ewing College.
In 1898 he bought a half interest in the Johnson City Progress, and entered the newspaper ranks, with R. N. Jones as his partner. Three years later he sold out and joined forces with S. K. Casey, in the Egyptian Press at Marion, where he still remains.
He was married December 28th, 1899, to Miss Minnie E. Chamness, daughter of M. E. Chamness, of Ma- rion.
He is an elder of the First Mis- sionary Baptist church of Marion, and the Clerk. He is also a member of the Williamson County Baptist Missionary Association. He takes little interest in politics, but votes the Democratic ticket, and is now running for Clerk of the Circuit Court. His principal interest in life centers in the christian religion and church, of which he is an earnest, active and useful member.
OLIVER J. PAGE.
Oliver J. Page, the son of Jacob Page, was born Angust 2, 1867, in Edwards County, Illinois. His father dying when he was an infant, he lived with his widowed mother in Crawford County until he became a man. He began teaching in the schools of Crawford County when twenty years old. Two years were spent teaching in the rural schools, and the third year he became prin- a cipal of the High School of Hutson- ville. Crawford County. After year's rest he taught one year in Eureka College, Eureka, Illinois. From Eureka he was called to take charge of the Christian church at Metropolis, Illinois, which position he retained for three years. During the last year of his pastorate he served in a double capacity, heing also principal of the Metropolis High School. The year following, he was promoted to the position of superin- tendent of the city schools of Me- tropolis and directed a corps of sev- enteen teachers. He was re-elected the next year, but he resigned to be- come the editor and publisher of the Massac Journal Republican, which he sold after about three
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
years' management and bought the Leader at Marion. After two and a half years' management of this paper, he sold out to Mitchell and Roberts.
In 1900 the history of Massac County appeared, of which he was the editor, publisher and principal author. The work was mainly in- tended to give the history of Fort Massac, and is a very creditable pro- duction. As a matter of history, the old fort has since been changed into a National Park and is now un- der the supervision of the Daugh- ters of the Revolution. While edit- ing the Metropolis Journal, he was elected to the 41st General Assem- bly of Illinois, from the 51st Sena- torial District, and was the author of several very important pieces of legislation. He introduced the reso- lution of and report upon the con- dition of the old Lincoln Monument, then going to rnin. He was made chairman of the committee which passed upon it, and drafted, intro- duced and secured the passage of the bill appropriating $100,000 with which it was rebuilt. In 1900 he was elected clerk of the Supreme Court of the Southern Illinois Dist- rict of Illinois to fill a vacancy, and served for two years. He was the first and last and only Republican ever elected to that office. In the political campaigns of 1900 and 1902, he was in the field continuous- ly, under the direction of the Re- publican State Central committee, and in each campaign was called in for a week's service in Cook County. Illinois, where from the same plat- form with the late lamented Mark Hanna, he addressed an audience of 15,000 voters.
On the 17th day of October, 1904, Mr. Page leased the Leader Office of the Leader Printing and Publishing Company, for two years, Mr. Ar- thur Roberts retiring. On the 5th of November he purchased the plant and good-will of the Record Office of Mr. J. P. Copeland, and discon- tinued publishing the Record. Two days later he issued the first number of the "Daily Non-Partisan," which at two weeks old commanded a city circulation of 400.
He was married May S, 1891, to Miss Linnie D. Seeders, a teacher in Crawford County. Of this union three children have been born: Paul, Heber and Bourke, who fill their beautiful home on South Mar- ket street with sunshine. Mr. Page belongs to Fellowship Lodge No. 89. A. F. and A. M., Monitor Lodge No. 236 K. of P., and Lodge No. 800 of the Elks. He also belongs to the Woodmen.
THE EGYPTIAN PRESS. Addenda.
Since the Press article was writ- ten, a radical change has been
brought about in the office force of
this paper, occasioned by a pro- longed spell of sickness of S. K.
Casey, a former chief. Mr. Casey
has resigned all active participa- tion in its affairs and leased his in- terest to E. F. Bones, N. VanLinder and J. H. Felts, who now run it un- der the name and style of The Felts & Linder Publishing Co. Mr. Bones becomes editor in chief of both the Press and Post, Mr. Linder takes charge of the press-room and Mr. Felts of the office. The combination is a strong one, and will prosper.
ARTHUR ROBERTS, Ex-Editor of the Marion Leader.
The subject of this sketch is a na- tive of this County, and one of its most promising young men. He was born at Corinth, in Northern Precinct, July 26th, 1872. His early life was spent on his father's farm, with such advantages for schooling as a farmer boy usually secures, until about 17 years old, when he entered the Illinois Nor- mal University at Carbondale. At this excellent institution he contin- ued his studies for eight years, not graduating until June, 1897. His stulies. however, were not contin- nous, but alternated with intervals of teaching, in which he had the un- rivaled advantage of putting the knowledge he acquired to immedi- ate use, thus acquiring the experi- ence and skill as a teacher, lectur- er and editor, for which he has al- ready become famous. His reputa- tion as a teacher having preceded him to Pope County, he took a posi- tion in the city schools of Golconda, and for three successive years was elected Superintendent. Before the close of his third term, however, he resigned and went into the Insur- ance and Loan business, in Du- buque, Iowa. His skill and reputa- tion as a teacher, however, forbade his burying his native talent in an insurance office, and after a few months at Dubuque, he was invited by the Slayton Lyceum Bureau, of Chicago, to go on the platform in the interest of the new and marvel- ous discovery of Liquid Air. He ac- cepted the offer, and spent seven months in the public laboratory of that city and the laboratory and li- brary of the great Chicago Univer- sity in ascertaining the chemical and physical properties and laws of the liquifaction of gases, and inci- dentally collecting the data and pre- paring the subject matter of the proposed lecture.
The result was one of the most thorough, valuable and successful lectures ever delivered on scientific subjects in the country, and which has given him an enviable reputa- tion as a lecturer, and an authority on the subject of which he treats. Entering the field in 1900, he filled
312 engagements in all the principal cities of 38 states, including 23 col- leges and universities. He was but little more than a year covering this field, covering five and a fourth lectures a week. At its conclusion he entered into a contract with the same Bureau to deliver the lecture on the Atlantic Coast, Canada and the Islands of the Sea. A sudden and dangerous sickness of his only child, Arthur, however, compelled him to cancel the engagement, and he hurried back to Golconda.
Finding it impossible to resume the lecture platform at any certain date, he once more accepted the superintendency of the Golconda city schools, and was again re-elect- ed for three successive terms. As hefore, he resigned at the beginning of his third term, and purchasing the Marion Leader of O. J. Page, moved his family to Marion and en- tered upon the editorial work, in which he is still engaged. In this field also he has shown talent of no mean order, building up his paper from the start and increasing its subscription from 1400 to 1700 copies weekly since it came under his control.
In May, of the present year, he organized a company which took the name and style of The Leader Printing and Publishing Company, of which he was elected editor and manager, with a capital of $8,000. It took control on the first of June of the present year. The improve- ment of its jobbing department is particularly noticeable, as they have purchased some new presses and machinery, and new type, and they are making a specialty of fine high- grade printing.
The following gentlemen compose the list of stockholders and officers of the company: John H. Duncan, president: O. H. Burnett, vice presi- dent: L. C. Campbell, secretary and treasurer: Arthur Roberts, editor and publisher; T. M. Mitchell, O. J. Page, Lloyd C. Campbell, J. F. Throgmorton, John M. Dodd, I. B. Bundy, F. T. Joyner, Leonard Culp. W. T. Felts, stockholders.
His marriage to Miss Della Ma- lone, daughter of L. A. Malone, of Corinth, took place December 24th, 1895. Two children have been the fruit of this union. Arthur Roberts, Jr., and Stewart.
Since the above was written Mr. Roberts has resigned his position on the Leader and O. J. Page suc- ceeds him.
SAMUEL DUNAWAY, Head Bookkeeper, Frisco Ry .. at
Danville, Ill.
This gentleman was born in Ma- rion, IN., February 11th, 1878. His parents were William Albert Duna- way, son of Samuel Dunaway, and
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Mary Clara, now the wife of Chas. M. Kerns. His father died August 31st, 1880, and his mother married Mr. Kern December 5, 1883.
Samnel was educated in the pub- lic schools of Marion, and graduated from the High School in the Class of 1895. He took a thorough busi- ness training in the Gem City Busi- ness College at Quincy, Illinois, from which he graduated in 1899, with the degrees of Commercial Law and also of accounts. He first took a position as assistant bookkeeper for the Fort Dearborn National Bank, under Mr. L. A. Goddard, now its president, and after several years' service was placed in charge of the books of the Frisco System at Danville, where he still remains. He was married in March, 1899. to Miss Mattie Oakley, of Marion. Mr. Dunaway's mother is a member of the First Baptist church and also belongs to Leroy A. Chapter of the Eastern Star, No. 350. His sisters are Daisy, Amelia and Anna Louisa.
MRS. A. C. REYNOLDS, Proprietor of the Commercial Hotel.
This lady was born in Robinson County, Tennessee, September 12, 1841. Her parents were Thomas N. Barham and Elizabeth Perry, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Marion in 1856, bringing Mrs. Reynolds, then only 15, with them, and where Judge Barham died in 1867. She was married to John H. Reynolds March 26th, 1859, and has been a resident of the place ever since. He was born in Warren Co., Tennessee, August 24, 1833, and came to Marion in 1858. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and worked at the business for ten years. He served as a Justice of the Peace for sixteen years continuously until his death, which occurred September 8. 1891. They had twelve children, six girls and six boys, of whom seven survive. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and has always been an active worker in the cause.
WILLIAM M. REID, Farmer.
The subject of this sketch was born January 28th, 1836, near Lex- ington, Ky., and was one of a fam- ily of eleven children of Colonel Reid, who moved to Randolph Co .. Mo., in the fall of 1836. He was compelled by circumstances, as well as by a spirit of independence and adventure, to look out for himself at the early age of sixteen, and go- ing to Davenport, Iowa, learned the trade of a carpenter, which he fol- lowed for twelve years. After working for the government for a while in St. Louis and Columbus, Ky., he returned to Davenport and enlisted in the 45th Iowa Inft .. Co
D., and served with credit in many a hard-fought battle in the West till the close of the war. After be- ing mustered out, he came to Car- bondale, Jackson Co., with a broth- er, N. G. Reid, where they raised cotton for a couple of years.
In 1870 he moved with his fam- ily to Spillertown and has heen
identified with Williamson County affairs ever since.
His marriage to Miss Bethany J. Spiller took place at Spillertown February 17th, 1868, and he is the proud father of nine living children, five sons and four daughters. Four of the five sons are physicians and one is studying law in Denver, Col- orado. Although ( perhaps because) he has always suffered the disad- vantage of a limited education, in- cident to a rearing in a new coun- try, he has always been foremost and active in school matters, and gave to all his children a fine educa- tion.
In politics he is a Democrat, in Fraternal matters a Master Mason of the Blue Lodge and for 40 years a consistant member of the Chris- tian church.
JAMES A. CRAINE, Architect and Civil Engineer.
Was born at Murphysboro, Ill., October 17, 1874. His father, John E. Craine, was a "Pennsylvania Dutchman," but came to Jackson County soon after the war and later settled in Creal Springs, before the town was heard of. He married the only sister of W. F. Cody-Buffalo Bill-and it was from his home the famous scout began his career.
He was a carpenter and builder by trade, and taught his son the business. He died at Murphysboro about 1900, at the age of 73.
James began to help his father at the trade very early in life, and his general education was necessarily limited. As he grew older, how- ever, he developed remarkable skill both in designing and building, and when only 17 drew full pay as a
stair builder and interior finisher in the city of St. Louis. In 1893, at the age of 19, he attended the Academy of Architecture and Build- ing in St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1894. The excellent training he received from his fath- er enabled him to make rapid prog- ress, and he spent but a year in mastering a four years' course. Af- ter he left college he spent some time working with his brothers at Murphysboro, and to his knowledge of architecture added mining and civil engineering. This is his field. and he has been assiduously devoted to it since he left college. He was the originator of the Craine Con- struction Company, which has erect- ed many of the most important buildings in Southern Illinois. He
has recently found it necessary, however, to discontinue it in order to devote himself more fully to his growing business as architect and civil and mining engineering.
He is the present city engineer of the City of Marion. He is a pro- moter of the Gas and Sewerage Sys- tems of Marion and is giving it all necessary attention. The fine city map which accompanies this vol- ume was drawn by him in the inter- est of the Gas and Sewerage Sys- tems, and not at all as a Real Es- tate map. It, however, answers the purpose of both.
He has no time to dabble in pol- ities, but devotes himself exclusively to his business.
BERNARD S. CRAINE. Civil and Mining Engineer.
The subect of this sketch was the son of J. E. Craine, a native of Pennsylvania, and Catharine Parker Craine, who was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was born at Mt. Erie, Wayne County, Illinois, June 24, 1868, and while an infant came with his parents to Murphys- boro, Jackson County. His father was a practical architect and build- er, and raised an older son, J. E. Craine, to the business of Civil and Mining Engineering.
Upon leaving school the subject of this sketch went to work for his brother, and through him received a thorough practical training in his profession. This is the best school in the world, and he had the assist- ance and special training of one of the very best of teachers, for Mr. J. E. Craine is widely known as an ex- pert in his line, and is at present President and General Manager of the Chicago and Carterville Coal Company, which is recognized in the profession as the model coal mine of the country. That his brother had the benefit of five years' training under such a teacher is a sufficient explanation of the high position in his chosen profession he has since been able to attain.
Since Mr. Craine graduated from his brother's practical school, he has for fifteen years been actively en- gaged in every branch of work be- longing to his profession, and has achieved distinction in all.
For the last two years he has been the general superintendent of the great coal mining works of the Southern Illinois Coal Mining and Washing Company at Marion, and during that period was made Chief Engineer of the whole system, which position he still holds and dis-
charges its high responsibilities and duties with credit to himself and
complete satisfaction to his em- ployers.
He was married June 12th, 1895, to Miss Addie Netherton, of a Ken-
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
tucky family from Benton, but laterally a resident of Murphysboro. They have two children, Joe Bern- ard, aged 8 years, and Pearl, aged 6.
A. L. CLINE, Grocer.
Was born in Williamson County September 20, 1861. He was reared on a farm and received his educa- tion in the common school. His father was T. J. Cline, who also fol- lowed farming, and died in 1897. His mother's name was C. J. Asher, who still survives.
Mr. Cline entered the grocery trade in July, 1878, and has fol- lowed the business ever since. He was one of the original promoters, organizers and stockholders of the Marion Pressed Brick Company, and is now its president.
He and his wife have been active members of the M. E. Church South for 15 years. He and his brother, J. M. Cline, selected the site of the present beautiful church building on South Market street, bought the ground and helped erect the struc- ture. He is one of the stewards of the organization and its treasurer.
He is a Democrat politically, but too husy a man to be active in poli- tics, although he was for two years the City Treasurer, and is a member of the Merchants' Association of Marion.
His wife was Florence MCCown, daughter of the late Major W. D. and his wife, Celia Mccown. They were married February 8, 1874, and have had six children, three of whom are living. Their names in the order of their births are Albert Elmose, Earl D. and Lawrence. The dead are a daughter, who died in infancy; Otto, who died at the age of one year, and Minnie Ethel, at three and a half years. Earl is fol- lowing the grocery business with his father.
FABIAN A. NANCE, Grocer.
Is a native of Mayfield, Graves Co., Ky., where he first saw the light March 10, 1861. His father, William P. Nance, was a minister in the M. E. church South, and came to Jackson County, Ill., in 1867. In 1869 he moved to Williamson Coun- ty, where he died in 1871. The wife, whose maiden name was Mar- tha A. Eaker, died in 1901.
Mr. Nance was general manager of the Marion Electric Light plant for nine years, from 1893 to 1901, when he entered the grocery trade on North Market street, which he still runs. His wife was Mary J. Broad, daughter of William Broad. They were married October 5, 1881, and have had seven children, of whom six are living. They are Wil- liam C., George H., Ed F., Valde- mir B., who died in 1891; Clarence A., Warder P. and Robert D.
Mr. Nance served in the state
militia for eleven years, reaching the rank of Lieutenant. His term expired in 1892. He and his wife have been members of the M. E. church South for 25 years.
GEORGE H. GOODALL.
This most active, enterprising and deservedly popular business man of Marion, began life in this city November 5, 1860. Ilis whole career so far has been pursued here or radiated from this city as its center. His schooling is such only as our excellent city schools fur-
nished, without collegiate trim- mings. In the spring of 1882 he entered the mercantile ranks and followed the business for about 16 years. In the fall of 1897 he hegan to build the new Goodall Hotel, which was finished two years later. In '95 he became interested in the in hardwood lumber business,
which he has been engaged ever
since. He is a member of the Wil- liamson County Agricultural Asso- ciation, Marion Mercantile Associa- tion, Williamson County Savings Bank and is prominent and active in all of them.
His energy and enterprise makes him active in promoting every legitimate enterprise for the prog- ress and prosperity of the city and county.
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