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 24
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A. K. ELLIS, Originator and Chief of the Elles Store Co., series of large busi- ness houses in Williamson
rents until he was fifteen years old. When about eighteen, he began to work at photography at Madison- ville, Kentucky, and worked there one year. He afterwar's worked in various towns and cities in Ken- tucky, Indiana and Illinois, but fi- nally, after choosing a Kentucky lady for his life partner, he came to Marion, March 25, 1891, and made it his permanent home. His wife's name was Alice Lilly, of Glencoe, Kentucky, and their marriage was consummated September 25, 1884. Five children have come to this union, but two only survive. Mr.
Wilder has always prospered at his business, but on the 25th of last February, his studio and all its treasures were consumed by fire. He had about $1400 worth of goods and only $300 insurance. The studio stood on North Market street, where the new Hyde building now
J. G. APPLEGATH, Manager of Elles Bros. Store at Whiteash.
Branch
Secretary
ARTHUR BAKER, of the Elles Store Co., Carterville, 111.
C. E. ANDERSON, Manager of Herrin Branch of Elles Store Company.
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
SAMUEL H. GOODALL. President of the Carterville District Mining Company.
J. W. MITCHELL, Sup't. of New Virginia Coal Co.,
Johnson City, Il.
A. E. HARPER, President of the Marion Electric Light and Water Company.
stands, and where a new gallery is being fitted up for him. He united with the Baptist church in Ken- tucky when but four years old, and is now a member and treasurer of the First Baptist Church of Marion, and always a vigorous and success- ful Sunday School and Church worker.
MARTIN V. FELTS, Farmer.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Hardy Felts and Joanna Binkley. Both were natives of North Carolina and came to Tennes- see when children. Martin Felts was born February 6, 1837, in Ten- nessee. His mother died when he was a lad of seven years. At the age of sixteen, he came with his father to Marion, where his father died. Mr. Felts was reared on a farm and has followed that occupa- tion all his life. After the death of his father he lived for two years with Washington Binkley until the latter's death, when he took charge
cf the farm and managed it on shares for four years, until June 1, 1863, when he married Miss Rebec- ca Lucky, the daughter of J. M. Lucky, of Tennessee. Mrs. Felts is still living and almost as active as when first married. and scarcely a gray hair in her head. They have two sons, whose portraits appear in this volume. Their only daughter, Mrs. Condace Grant, died in 1901. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Felts moved on the Benton road, five miles north of Marion, on the O'Daniel farm, and bought from Lewis Parks one hundred and ten acres of land which they have con- tinued to cultivate until the present time, a period of forty years. The
picture of the old homestead which adorns these pages, justifies his choice of a locality ant shows what nature will do for man when di- rected by intelligence and industry. The old home has been now for some time in the hands of renters, and to some extent shows the usual marks of the owner's absence. He has quit farming now and has bought and built a fine cottage in Marion, where he expects to spend his remaining days. Mr. Felts has always given a great deal of atten- tion to fruit raising, and is widely known as the best apple man in Southern Illinois. He is called the apple king of Williamson County. Fe planted and owns twenty acres of the best orchard in the county. They are largely Ben Davis and Wine-sap trees, and a single crop from two and one-half acres, num- bering one hundred thirty trees, brought him on the first of Septem-
ber, 1899, $500.00. He sold to Newhall Sons, of Chicago, who took them from the trees. The trees were fourteen years old, and yield- ed from four to six barrels each. Mr. Felts has been a Master Mason in Marion for forty-one years. He is also a member of the Christian Church and a Deacon.
J. C. JACKSON, Furniture.
J. C. Jackson was born June 20. 1842, and was raised on a farm in Sumner County, Tennessee. He came to Marion when eighteen years old, where he has resided ever since. Until 1878 he followed the trade of carpenter and builder, when he took a hand in politics and served as Deputy Sheriff until 1882. From 1882 to 1886 he was Clerk of the County. In 1877 he was first elect-
ed mayor, serving one term, but was re-elected in 1883 and again in 1885, breaking the record by serv- ing three successive terms. He served several terms as Alderman and member of the School Board, and was School Treasurer for twelve years. While himself a member of the M. E. Church South, he is one of the trustees of the M. E. Church North, to which his family belongs. He was married August 25, 1863, to Cynthia E. Calvert, three years af- ter coming to Marion, when twenty- one years old. Five children are the fruit of this union, three of whom are still living. A Democrat in politics, he first voted for Geo. B. McClelland for president.
ROBERT SPARKS, Contractor and Builder.
The subject of this sketch was born in March, 1876, near where No. 3 mine now stands, about three miles northwest of Marion. He lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Sparks, until he was sixteen years old, but began work for him- self at the age of 14. He secured the rudiments of an education at our common schools, but at 17 years of age he dropped his books and took up the saw and hammer. Showing a natural aptitude for the business, he has successfully pros- ecuted it till the present time. Among the jobs he has carried through may be mentioned the Felts & Baker substantial brick building, near the northwest corner of the public square; the new Telephone building; Mr. Schwerdt's fine resi- dence on South Market street; re- modeling the A. F. White building on the south side of the public square and putting in a new front.
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MARION ELECTRIC LIGHT POWER HOUSE.
and the new Opera House block, on north Market street, upon which they are still engaged. He is a member of Ben Hur and the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. He is still unmarried.
JEREMIAH CASH, Pioneer.
Was born July 6, 1824, in Har- den County, Kentucky, where he lived and followed the plow until 20 years old. He then learned the blacksmith and wagon business, which he followed until an attack of measles, which settled in his eyes, so injured them that after working at the business for seven years he was compelled to abandon it, and for six years was comparatively idle.
In 1884, while blacksmithing, he married Miss Amanda M. Williams, by whom he had six children.
In February, 1865, he came to Williamson County with his family and settled at Bainbrilge, where he lived until 1870, when he took charge of the Poor Farm, and run it for seven years. He then bought a farm near Marion, which he run for four years and again took charge of the Poor Farm for three years more. After this he moved to Carterville and went into the grocery business in company with his son Charles, but in 1886 he sold out his interest to his son and until 1897 worked at carpenter work and house-paint- ing. He then opened a grocery store at Crainville, where he re- mained till February, 1904, but af- ter one year sold out and moved to Marion.
His first wife died in 1884, and two years later he married Saphron- ia Emily Crain, by whom he has had two children, but both are dead. The names of his children by the first wife are Charles M., insurance,
Carterville: Susan E., wife of Daniel Walker, Johnson City; Louisa M., wife of James Tippy, Marion; Mil- dred C., wife of Cornelius Brown, Oklahoma; Noah Claybourn, Marion. Mr. Cash has been an active member of the Missionary Baptist church for forty-four years. He is a Democrat and a member of the A. F. and A. M.
ROBERT C. THOMPSON, Mine Boss.
Is a native of England, born July 25th, 1849. His wife was Ann Hen- derson, a native of County Durham, England. They were married in England July 23, 1868, and two of their twelve children were born there. They came to Kentucky in
July, 1878, and two years later they moved to Murphysboro, where Mr. Thompson went to work imme liate- ly in the mines. He was a miner in England, and was at home in this great coal field.
In 1898 they moved to Marion, and two years later bought a farm about four and one-half miles north- west of town, where they still make their home. For about sixteen years past Mr. Thompson has had charge of various mines in this re- gion, and is now mine boss of a mine about two miles north of his home. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and while living at Murphys- boro was for two years one of the Supervisors of the County and over- seer of the poor. He was also for two years mine inspector for his County. They are members of the M. E. church. The names and resi- dences of their six living children in the order of their birth are:
Mrs. Rebecca Chandler, Seattle; Joseph Thompson, Marion; Mrs. An- na Chapman, Marion: Miss Margaret Thompson, Marion ; Miss Clara
Thompson, Marion, and Harry Thompson, Marion.
T. J. YOUNGBLOOD
Abstracts, Loans, Real Estate and Insurance.
Was born in Laclede County, Mis- souri, March 8, 1857. His father was Solomon B. Youngblood, who was born on the Jacob Sanders place, about seven miles northeast of Ma- rion, in 1828. He married Lucinda Tyree, a native of Southwestern Missouri, where she was born in 1827 and died in 1869. The elder Youngblood returning to William- son County lived till 1891, dying at the age of 63.
INTERIOR VIEW OF MARION ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.
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SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
BROCKMAN.
Six years old, standard bred driving gelding. Crowell, Marion, Illinois.
Owned by J. B.
The early life of our subject was spent in Missouri, where he received such education and training as the meager advantages of that country then afforded, securing a total of only two terms of subscription school of three months each. In 1875 he came to Stone Fort, at the age of 18, and after one term at the public school, went to select school until he had fitted himself for teaching, which occupation he fol- lowed until 1885, when he took up the study of law. He kept up the practice of teaching winters, how- ever, and read law summers at odd times as he got opportunity, and was admitted to the bar in 1889. The following winter he taught his last term of school. Receiving the nomination on the Republican ticket for county superintendent of schools he moved to Marion, was elected in spite of opposition, and served two terms. This experience brought him into politics, and he never took up the practice of law, but took up the Real Estate, Insurance and Ab- stract business, and in April, 1899, was elected Mayor of Marion, serv- ing one term. January 27, 1892, he was united in mariage to Miss Nora Erwin, daughter of T. J. and Angeline Erwin, of Stone Fort, by whom he has had one boy, now eleven years old. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
BILLY BRYAN,
Billy Bryan is a trotting stallion owned by J. P. Chamness, Marion. Is four years old, 16 hands high, weight 1000 pounds and time 2.35. He always won first or second in class where he was put. He was
sired by Archbishop, dam Field- mont, grand dam Chariton and great grand dam Barrington.
LEWIS HUNTER.
Lewis Hunter is a beautiful ma- hogany bay, 16 hands high, weight 1250 lbs., 9 years old, high style, good knee and hock action, rich in color, heavy mane and tail, heavy flat bone, will suit any breeder that knows a good horse when he sees one. Has never been worked for speed, but is a fine gaited trotter
and gentle to drive in harness. Pedi- gree on application. John W. Gray, owner, Marion, Illinois.
BLACK RILEY, No. 66661.
Large English Berkshire Boar, born November 1, 1900, weight 900 pounds, bred by W. H. Ker. Todd and Larned, owners and breeders of English Berkshire swine, Pinckney- ville, Illinois.
MARION CORNET BAND.
This popular musical organization is composed of the following play- ers: Charles Reynolds, leader; Frank Elles, clarinet; Bert Elles, slide trombone; Herbert Raymond, cor- net; Will Davis, alto; John Balder, baritone; Charles Norman, tenor; Rolly Crain, tuba; Fred Peebles, snare drum; Louis Scurlock, bass drum. They meet in the City Hall for practice twice a week.
THE BARBERS OF MARION.
The Marion Tonsorial Artists number no less than 23 active mem- bers. They have six or more shops where the 23 supple beautifiers, or perhaps more accurately "de-facers" of the genus homo, wield the imple- ments of their weekly harvest of hirsute adornment. As becomes gentlemen of the soap and lathering profession, they stick close together, albeit it forming a sleek and pros- perous union which is numbered 267. Grant Durham is the President; Lee Searles vice president; John Heck, secretary and Walter Wiley, treas- urer. They meet the last Monday
NONE BETTER. Short-horned Durham Bull Jim. Four years old, weighs 1800 pounds. D. B. James, owner, Carterville, Illinois.
154
SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
W. F. Sander's group of Horses, Mules and Colts, on his farm. two miles east of Marion. Mr. Sanders and his daughter with them.
in each month.
The following is a list of the members of the union in Marion: J. B. Parker, V. A. Scurlock, Walter Wiley, Arthur Davis, Lee Scarles, Lonnie Byers, John Heck, Ed Dur- ham, Freeman Sisk, Ed Sisk. R. Crisp, Charles Fowler, Kid Calvert, Will Hudspeth, W. H. Absher, Will Durham, Frank Howe, Grant Dur- ham, Temsan Durham
and Ed Threet, colored.
GEO. W. BINKLEY, Deceased.
The subject of this sketch was born in Tennessee June , 1806. He came to Williamson County while it was yet a wilderness and became very prominent in shaping its de- velopment and in the affairs of Southern Illinois. He was County Surveyor and Justice of the Peace, and a member of the 5Ist District in the State Legislature in 1×57 and '58. He was bodily and mentally a very powerful man; of strong will and force of character, of good judg- ment and sound mind and morals. He was universally esteemed and highly respected during his lifetime, and widely mourned and missed at his death.
He was the father of three chil- dren and the foster father of seven. His children were Joseph, who died in infancy; Mrs. Alt L. Godding and Mrs. Jesse M. Casey. He and his wife, Maria Binkley, always had an open door, a well-spread board and a warm heart for every nee:ly per- son, particularly the young, and were regarded as the foster parents of all in the county who needed love and. "Wash" and "Maria" always had a home for the homeless and none went away hungry.
His wife was also a native of Robinson County, Tennessee, where she was born November 24, 1809.
She died in her old home in William- SOI County, Illinois, January 15, 1887, aged 77 years, one month and 21 days. Her maiden name was Lewis. She was married to George W. Binkley February 24, 1829, and came with her husband to Illinois the same year. Her husband pre- ceded her to the land of shadows many years, having died August 20, 1859, aged 53 years, 2 months and 14 days.
JESSE M. CASEY, Deceased.
Was born February 19, 1832, and died January 5, 1897, aged 63 years, 10 months and 16 days. His wife was Cynthia Binkley, the second
daughter of George w. and Maria Binkley, and she died May 13, 1883. They were the parents of Mrs. Henry Stein, of Murphysboro; Samuel K. Casey, of Marion, and Mrs. C. R. Oliver, of Whiteash.
LABOR UNIONS OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
While we have neither time nor space to discuss the principles or policy of these societies, we may say in a general way that labor is thor- oughly organized here and the unions meet with very little opposi- tion. Society has come to recognize them as a useful educational force which serves to educate our foreign- born citizens in the doctrines and policy of the republic, familiarize them with American ideas and meth- ods, obliterate class distinctions founded on race or creed and solid- ify an inharmonious and heteroge- neous population into a united and patriotic community.
It serves also to discourage, and will eventually obliterate, all lan- guages here but the English. To what extent they are able to shorten the hours of labor or increase wages is probably not yet fully understood, but it is the least valuable service their unions render the community.
Viewed in this light, all good citi- zens look upon their efforts with more or less of favor, and none offer any violent opposition.
The following is a list of the prin- cipal labor unions of the County. Those omitted could not be obtained, which is regretted. They are:
Local Union 1880 U. M. W. of A., chartered August 30, 1901, with E.
MULE "PETE." D. B. James, Carterville, Illinois, owner. One year old, 15 hands high. Blue ribbon at Williamson Co. Fair on September 13. 14. 15 and 16, 1904.
155
SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
W. F. Sanders and his span of matched mules which took the blue ribbon at the MarionFair, September, 1904.
A. Younkins, president, D. A. Tippy, secretary. This local was a branch from 717, working under the South- ern Illinois coal mining and wash- ing company. It now has a iem- bership of 335, one of the tanner locals of the 7th sub-district. The present officers are Bailey Butler, president; Charles Smothers, secre- tary.
Local 2704 N. M. W. of A., char- tered September 28, 1904, first lo- cated at Pallard with James Bough president and Green Hopkins, secre- tary; working under the Watson Coal Co. The present officers are Henderson Clarida, president; J. B. Fry, secretary; membership 40.
Local Union 2216 U. M. W. of A., chartered January 8, 1903, with W'm. Towers president, Thomas Falls, secretary, working under the Carterville District Coal Co. Has a membership of 150. Present otfi- cers are Thos. Gahagan, president, and E. A. MeIntosn, secretary.
Local Union 508, United Brother- hood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, chartered November 26. 1901, with a membership of 20; present membership 70. Present officers are Wallace Peebles, presi- dent; Frank Woodside, secretary.
International Hod-Carriers and Building Laborers Union, No. 121, chartered October 27, 1002, with Leroy Bradley, president, and Chas. Calvert, secretary. Present mem- bership 16. Present officers are C. C. Calvert, president; John Latham, secretary.
Local Union 292 of International Steam Engineers, chartered Febru- ary 11, 1905, with Henry Weaver, president, and E. A. Elles, secretary. Membership 18.
Local Union 382 of International Brotherhood of Teamsters, chartered October 1. 1903, with a membership
of 7: C. T. Davis, president; J. L. Bond, secretary. Now has & mem- bership of 30, with J. B. V. Coth- ram, president, and A. M. Garrison, secretary.
Local 205 Bartenders Interna- tional League, chartered November 4, 1901, has a membership of 20; Drew Reynolds, president, and C. H. Davis, secretary.
Local 523 Retail Clerks Protec- tive Ass'n., chartered February 6, 1902, with a membership of 49. Now has a membership of 65. Pres- ent officers, R. H. Jeter, president, Miss Fannie Davis, secretary. This is one of the most essential unions in the labor ranks.
Federal Labor Union 6415, char- tered May 15, 1900, with X. Davis president; John Jolley, secretary, and with a membership of 9. Now has membership of 75; Joseph Hill, president; Wm. Prather, secretary.
Local Union 1380 U. M. W. of A., chartered July 3, 1900, with W. A. Sanders, president; John Sanders, secretary, working under the Chi- cago and Big Muddy Coal Co. Has a present membership of 175; Hun- ter McAlphin, president, John Hill, secretary.
United Powder and High Explo- sive Workers Local 126. organized February 24, 1904, with Samuel Powell president, Samuel Aikman secretary. Has a present member- ship of 26. Present officers Geo. Davis secretary.
Local Union 717 U. M. W. of A., chartered October 16, 1899. This is the oldest local union in Marion. Its first officers were W. B. Evertt, president, and Ab Franklen, secre- tary. It has a membership of 225, working under the Southern Illinois Coal Mining and Washing Co. Pres- ent officers are Scott Howard, presi- dent, and Pete Holland, secretary.
Marion Trades Council, char- tered September 7, 1901; Henry Brown, president; John Peebles, secretary. Has
a representation from seventeen local unions of three delegates each. Present officers are Bailey Butler, president; R. L. Bryan, secretary; P. J. Smith, busi- ness agent.
Brotherhood of Painters, Deco- rators and Paperhangers, No. 431, chartered September 10, 1901, has a membership of 19. Officers, Coth- ran, president; Ed Enchliff, secre-
BEN LUD.
Standard-bred Stallion Trotter: seven years old; 161, hands; 1280 pounds: color, rosewood bay. Ben L. Washburn, owner, Carterville, Illinois.
156
SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
A little bunch of fine premium Poland China Hogs, owned by Mr. W. F. Sander, two miles east of Marion, Illinois.
Local U. M. W. of A. No. 2556, chartered October 30, 1903: presi- dent C. W. Burke, secretary John Wallace. Present membership 105. Operates in connection with New Ohio Washed Coal Co., No. 3.
Journeymen Barbers Internation- al Union, Local 267, chartered June 9, 1902. Has a membership of 23; present officers, Grant Durham, pres- ident; John Heck, secretary.
Brick, Tite and Terre Cotta Work- ers Alliance No. 167, organized in 1903. Present membership 22; Henry Belford, president; Samuel Quick, secretary.
Local 710 U. M. W. of A., organ- ized by Joab Cook, of Du Quoin, on the same day that the 1898 agree- ment was signed between the U. M. W. of A. and the Illinois Coal Op- erators Ass'n. The oldest local union in Williamson County. First president, James Kelly. Has been the banner local of the County. Present membership 135; present officers, James Cochran, president; A. B. Williamson, secretary; work- ing under the New Ohio Washed Coal Co.
Marion Typographical Union, No. 578, chartered July 19, 1902. Its first officers were Ben Newsome, president : Chas. W. Burke, vice president : Joe M. Bond, financial secretary; N. Van Linder, recording secretary : Emery Hogan, sergeant- at arms. Present officers are T. E. Craig, president; Hiram Rice, vice president; Mento Bradley, financial secretary; N. Van Linder, recording secretary: Elmer Miller, sergeant-at- arms. The union at present num- bers 14. All the news offices in Ma- rion work under its rules, and its organization has been extended to embrace Carterville It is in a fine flourishing condition, and has never been in arrears with its per capita tax for the International Union from which it received its charter.
MINING.
Complete list of coal mines ship- ping coal located in Williamson Co., Illinois, compiled by B. S. Craine, Mining and Civil Engineer, Marion, Ill., Chief Engineer of the Peabody Coal Co., Chicago, Ill.
Southern illinois Coal Mining and Washing Co., No. 3, located on Sec. I, Town 9, Range 2 East ; main office at Marion, Ill .; depth 110 feet; daily capacity, 2500 tons: vein 9 to 10 feet coal; washer capacity 1500 tons; iron tipple; first-class equip- ment throughout; three years.
Southern Illinois C. M. and W. Co., No. 2, Sec. 1, Town 9, Range 2 East, depth 85 feet; 9 to 10 feet of coal; wooden tipple; daily capacity 1200 tons; operating 7 years.
Chicago Big Muddy Coal Co., Sec. 32, Town 9, Range 2 East: depth 80 feet : mining 8 feet of coal; woo len tipple: daily capacity 1200 tons; operating 4 years.
Watson No. I, Sec. 3, Town 9, Range 2 East: depth 60 feet; min- ing & foot vein of coal; capacity 800 tons : wooden tipple: operating 6 months.
Watson No. 2, Sec. 34, Town 9, Range 2 East; depth 70 feet; wood- en tipple: mining & feet of coal; capacity 800 tons:
running 6 months.
Carterville Mining Co., Sec. 32, Town S. Range 2 East; depth 60 feet; thickness of vein 9 feet; ca- pacity 1500 tons: wooden tipple.
Carterville Coaling Co., Sec. 31, Town 8, Range 2 East: depth 90 feet: wooden . tipple; capacity 1500 tons.
New Ohio No. 1., Sec. 3 Town 9 Range 3 East: depth 65 feet; vein 8 feet; wooden tipple; capacity 1500 tons; washer capacity 600 tons; op- erating 8 years.
New Ohio No. 2, Sec. 33, Town S, Range 3 East: depth 60 feet; vein 8 feet: wooden tipple: capacity 1000 tons: washer capacity 600 tons: op- erating 15 years.
New Ohio Coal Co. No. 3, Sec. 36, Town S, Range 3 East; depth, 100 feet; vein 8 feet; wooden tipple; ca- pacity 1500 tons: operating 1 year. St. Louis and Carterville Coal Co., Sec. 29. Town 8. Range 2 East; depth, 100 feet; vein S feet; wooden tipple; capacity 1500 tons; operat- ing 1 year.
C. C. Co., No. 1, Sec. 2, Town 9. Range 3 East; depth. 60 feet: vein 8 feet; wooden tipple: capacity 500 tons: operating 12 years.
...
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ENGLISH BERKSHIRE BOAR, "BLACK RILEY." Thos. Todd, owner and breeder of pure-blooded. Berkshires. Pinckneyville, Illinois.
157
SOUVENIR OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
.
"CHAMPION OF ILLINOIS."
Single-comb, Black Minorca. Black Diamond Poultry Yard, T. A. Lauder, Proprietor, Carterville, Ill.
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