USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Bardolph > History of Bardolph, Illinois > Part 3
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
OUR BARGAIN STORE
NE of our own Bardolph boys and one who has grown up among us, was born on the 22d day of Feb- ruary, 1882, on the old home place, one mile east pf Bardolph. His parents, William and Rachel (Baldwin) Jackson, were among the early pioneers of this section of the country, the former being born back in Virginia and brought here early in life by his father, William How- ard Jackson. Elmer grew up on the farm a hearty, sturdy youngster and at- tended the country schools, where he received practically all his education, al- though he attended a music school in Quincy, Ill., for a short time. Music being a favorite of his and having con- siderable ability that way, he progressed quite rapidly for the time spent at this ELMER J. JACKSON school. Returning home he farmed for himself from 1899 until 1902, on the old home place, but having a desire to go into the commercial world, he en-
tered the grocery business in partnership with his uncle, Nathaniel H. Jack- son, on the second day of November, 1902. This firm started out under the name of Jackson & Jackson, and besides a good stock of groceries, carried a line of patent medicines, the stock being located in the old Knapp building.
For nearly two years they remained here, adding to their stock, year by year, until quarters becoming cramped, on the 15th of August,1904, they removed their goods to the more commodious I. O. O. F. building, which had just been erected. As trade in- creased greatly, dry goods and shoes were added to supply the demands of their numerous customers, by thus extending the bus-
Photos by A. M. Beal
SOME BARGAINS
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
iness to the scope of a department store, second general store since the Bardolph fires, began its successful career. In 1906, Glenn Walker bought N. H. Jackson's interest, which he held for two years. During the life of the firm, Jackson & Walker, a great number of changes were made on the interior of the store, making it more convenient and adding greatly to its already attractive appearance. A neat, handy office was installed in the rear of the store, new shelves and numerous other fixtures added, making it a finely equipped place for business. In 1908 Walker sold out to Jackson, who has since been owner and manager of the firm. Elmer has had far more than ordinary success in the business world, and the growth of the firm from its birth has been somewhat on the phenomenal order. During the first four years of its life the stock was increased to four times its ori- ginal amount, while during the Jackson & Walker regime the stock was doubled. Since then business has been steadily on the increase year by year through the energetic and businesslike methods of its manager, who is a business man through and through. The Bargain Store, as his store is called, is a busy place, drawing trade from miles around and always hold- ing what it gets by its straight-forward and upright business methods. It is located on Main Street. The rooms occupied, as before stated, is the lower story of the I. O. O. F. building, and is 26 ft. wide by 70 ft. long, with a 14 ft. ceiling. Yet, though it is very commodious, so large is the stock that almost every bit of available room is filled to overflowing. Good quality of goods at reasonable prices is what makes a bargain, and this is what Elmer in his Bargain Store gives.
On the 8th of October, 1905, he was united in marriage with Miss Gertie Holcomb, of near Macomb, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cade Hol- comb. She is a tireless worker and has contributed her share to Elmer's success. Both are members of the M. E. church, are active workers in the Sunday School, he being secretary, and she a teacher of a class of Inter- mediate boys.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
OUR DEPARTMENT STORE
NE of Bardolph's oldest and most success- ful business men was born in Norwich, England, on the 21st day of February, 1870. At two years of age he came to America with his parents. His early life was spent on the farm, but shortly after his marriage to Miss Francis Lillian Chrisinger on Dec. 31st, 1891, he began carpentering at Macomb. About May 1st, 1898, he came to Bardolph to work for his brother, but on the 29th of August, of the same year, he entered business for himself in the building vacated by G. V. Booth. He began with a small stock of groceries, but a few months later added some dry goods. Frank's business abilities had a good opportunity for proving their FRANK BLYTHE worth, and right well they stood the test. Start- ing alone with only such goods as his then mea- ger amount of ready cash could buy, he gradually and rapidly added to his small stock until his store room was filled to overflowing, for during his first five years of business his stock was almost doubled each year. During his second year a line of shoes was added and soon by means of good ma- terial, together with right prices, his trade in these reached enormous pro- portions. In 1903, he bought the building he was occupying and remodeled extensively on the interior, making it more convenient and attractive. Three years later, being excessively crowded, he bought the Knapp building, before used as a drug store, which joined him on the southwest, and after making a doorway between the two, placed all his groceries in the new place, reserving the old for dry goods, shoes, hats, etc. After this change, hardware was added, and our "Bardolph Department Store" came into existence. During the last six years of its existence business has steadily increased. In 1900 he became postmaster, which place he has held ever since. During his thirteen years in Bardolph, Frank has, by strict attention to business and business principles, gained a wonderfully large and lucrative trade. For this Bardolph is proud of him. You find him in league with those interests that help our town. During the Firemen's Fair a few years ago he gave liberally of time and money to make this a success, and all other things that tend to advance the town receive substantial support from him. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian church of this place.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
THE ICE CREAM MAKER
A NOTHER of our Bardolph boys and one who has been engaged as a tonsorial artist for sev- eral years, was born on the old home place, one mile and a quarter east and one-half mile south of Bardolph in Mound Township. His parents, James and Margaret Kepple Jackson, are among our oldest citizens. His schooling was received both in the country and in the town, though chiefly in the country at the Jackson school, east of here. At 11 years of age he, with his parents, moved to town, where in December, 1893, he be- gan barbering in the old hotel, which stood where the Central Telephone of- fice now stands, under the direction of JAMES ELBA JACKSON George Goss. On the 5th of June, 1904, he began business for himself in the red barber shop which used to stand just northeast of where the blacksmith shop is now. He has worked at this trade practically ever since, and excepting two years spent at Good Hope, from 1908 to March 1, 1910, has been at Bardolph most of the time.
This in itself recommends his work, for he has during all his years of business enjoyed good patronage from the Bardolph people. On his re- turn from Good Hope in 1910, he re-entered business in the John Parvin building, adding the ice cream trade to that of barbering, and in both has built up a fine trade. For together with being a good barber, he is a num- ber one ice cream maker. His cream is as fine as you find anywhere and far superior to some. This business, as well as barbering, requires strict, attention to business and hard work, two things that "Jennie," as he is commonly called, has given to his work. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Overstreet, of Macomb, Ill., on the 28th of October, 1896, who has done her share in making his business a success. M'ost all kinds of soft drinks and sundas are served, they having amply equipped them- selves for this work.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
OUR MEAT MARKET
Photo by A. M. Beal
ROBABLY one of the best in the state of Illinois, not even excepting those of the larger cities, is in charge of the firm of Casner & Irvin.
The building is of cement blocks and is 28 ft. wide by 70 ft. long, with a 14 ft. ceiling. Three main divisions are made in this. The front room, or business place is taken up with the usual furnishings which are, without exception, of the highest grade material, there being a pair of scales valued at $125, and a meat cutter at $75. Other tools and instru- ments are of corresponding value, thus fitting out the shop in first class style. This room is always kept neat, clean and cool, making the things sold over the counter very appetizing to all who buy, for it is the motto of the firm that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness," and in following this, their utmost endeavor is put forth.
In the second or middle division is located a large refrigerator opening into the business place, which is 6 ft. by 8 ft. and ten feet high, being put in at the cost of $277. Here, even in the hottest weather, meat can be kept as well as in the coldest winter days. This room is the living room in the winter for the firm, and through their free-heartedness is used almost weekly and often several times a week for committee meetings of various
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
sorts and descriptions. Although this demands extra lighting and some- times keeps the owners up beyond their usual sleeping hour, yet never a cent will they accept for such accommodations. The back room holds all necessary equipment for cutting up meat, rendering lard, etc., during the winter, and is handy and convenient for this purpose. Here again, through the generosity of the proprietors, are held all festivals or similar gatherings through the winter season and at any time, no matter when, all are made to feel that they are welcomed to use it free of charge for any public affair, since there is no other convenient place to hold this kind of gather- ing in town, this opportunity is gladly accepted. Once a week our village band meets here for practice and for this also there is no charge. The most praiseworthy comments have been received by Bardolph citizens re- garding their meat market by people from far and near.
FRANK IRVIN
NELSON CASNER
NELSON CASNER
The senior member of this firm and the only man remaining in the business who was here when he entered, was born on the 10th day of Oct., 1858, in Hocking County, Ohio. His parents, Nelson and Susanna Haines Casner, lived on the farm, the former dying when Nelson Jr. was a babe of six months. Here they continued to live until he was seven years old, when his mother having married again, they all came to McDonough County, Illinois, locating on the John Benney farm. All his schooling was received at the Willey School, southwest of Bardolph. After working on the farm a number of years, he went west, taking up a homestead in Norton County, Kansas. It is worthy of note also that during the first year there, there was only one woman in Norton County. After two years here and sickness troubling him, he came to Illinois in 1880 and worked for "Uncle Billy" Ryle for some time.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
In the fall of 1883 he and Iantha Throckmorton were united in mar- riage, she being of Bardolph, having moved here at an early age from Ohio. The next two years he farmed and then, in partnership with Wil- liam L. Throckmorton, bought the grocery and butcher shop owned by Jack Oldnow and Burns Aten. This building stood where the fire house now stands and was an old frame structure. In this they remained until April 1st, 1893, when early Saturday morning the fire alarm was sounded. The flames soon had control and their place of business, with many others, was shortly in ruins. This blow was severe, but assisted and encouraged by many friends, they erected the brick building which the bank now occu- pies and re-entered business. In 1896, Nelson bought out his partner and for two years run the business alone, when C. N. Vincent bought one-half interest. One year later they sold this place to Chandler for a bank and renting the Knox building, on the spot where the meat market is now, continued work for two years. During this time two more fires were suf- fered, the first in 1898 being a total loss, while the latter the next year was only partial. Discouraged, he dissolved partnership and moved to Jefferson County, Iowa, locating in Packwood, where he entered the butcher business. After nine months, he returned to Bardolph, buying the George Goss meat market. At this trade he has continued ever since, excepting about one year, just before he built the cement structure which the firm now oc- cupies. In all his career Nelse has had an eye to the public good, endeav- oring to accommodate his many customers in every way possible. He is a member of the M. E. church and of several fraternal organizations.
FRANK IRVIN
The junior partner of the same firm and about the latest business man in town, was born in McDonough County, near Sciota, on the 27th of May, 1871. His parents, Robert and Ellen Kellough Irvin, lived on the farm where Frank spent his boyhood days. He received his schooling in the country. At ten years of age he removed to Warren County with his parents, living there until his marriage with Miss Mina May Phillips of Walnut Grove. Renting a farm for himself he settled down peaceably in married life. In 1904, coming to Bardolph, he bought what was once the Old Abe Horrocks place, north and west of town, and farmed for a number of years. During this time he and his wife both affiliated themselves with the M. E. church, she being an active Sunday School worker. Buying land in the west, he sold his property here Oct. 1st, 1908, and moved to Wyoming, remaining there until the next March, when on account of not liking the country as well as expected, he returned to Bardolph. During that summer he worked in Bushnell, entering the meat market as a clerk the 1st of August. On the first day of January, 1911, this new firm was formed, and Casner & Irvin began work together, Frank having bought one-half of the business. Frank is a quiet, unobtrusive worker and is will- ing and anxious to see any enterprise furthered that benefits the town or community at large.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
OUR TONSORIAL ARTIST
NE of our good, trusty barbers was born at Huntsville, Schuy- ler County, Illinois, on the 30th day of December, 1884. His parents were Leonard and Lyla (Stanford) Pratt, the former as a native of Iowa and the latter of this state. G. C. attended the public schools at Hunts- ville all his school days. After leav- ing school he became a jockey, which trade he had worked at off and on since he was ten years old, until he was twenty years of age. In 1904, he entered a barber shop of his own at Huntsville without any special train- ing where he stayed for six months and then went to Augusta where he barbered under direction of his broth- GROVER C. PRATT er-in-law, J. P. Hernetet, for two years and a half. Natural ability and atten- tion to business made a first class barber of Cleve, and after one year spent at barbering in the south and west, he worked in Rushville until April 8th, 1908, when he came to Bardolph, having bought out the shop then owned by J. E. Jackson. At this time there were two shops in town, his own and the one owned by G. A. Jackson, but at the end of four months this latter shop sold out to him, and he moved his place of business to this building. By strict attention to business and by doing high quality of work he built up an ever increasing trade. July 4th, 1910, however, he sold out and after a few months settled in Bushnell.
It was while here that on the 24th day of October, 1910, he was united in marriage with Miss Maude Casner, of Bardolph, at Keokuk, Ia. They began housekeeping in Bushnell, though staying but a short time, for seeing an opening in Bardolph, he returned to his old shop which his father-in-law, Mr. Nelson Casner, had purchased, and removed from its original place near the hotel to a convenient place adjoining his meat market. Here by the same diligent hard work, as was ever Cleve's charac- teristic, he has gradually again built up a good paying trade. His little shop is neat and tasty and carefully taken care of.
Various changes and improvements have lately been made, adding to the comfort of his numerous customers. Cleve is ever a "booster" and any- thing adding to or helping build up the town he is in for, and always gives such enterprises good, substantial support. Knocking is out of his line of business.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
OUR HARDWARE STORE
Photo by A. M. Beal
JOHN FRANK DOUGLAS
0 HE eldest son of Adam and Kate (Kelly) Douglas was born Oct. 12, 1864, in Macomb Township. His parents were both natives of Scot- land, the father coming over in 1862 and the mother in 1849. During his boyhood Frank attended the public schools and later the Macomb Branch Normal School. After this he farmed on the home place until Jan- uary 1st, 1903, when he engaged in the hardware, agricultural implements and lumber business in partnership with H. N. Jackson. In September of the next year Frank Bethel bought Jackson's interest in the concern. This partnership continued until September of the year, 1911, when they sold their business to the Walker Brothers. The firm has always enjoyed a good trade, as both were capable business men. They were large-hearted fellows and whenever they could assist the public they willingly did so, and in any of those gatherings where lumber was needed for festivals, pic- nics or anything of like nature, all were welcome to use it free of charge for the good of the cause; thus Bardolph has been enabled to hold her gatherings with convenience and comfort which they could scarcely have done were it not for this kindness. On the 24th day of February, 1897, Mr. Douglas was united in marriage with Miss Alice Parvin, daughter of John and Mary (Hogland) Parvin. She was one of Bardolph's most pop- ular young ladies and had lived and gone to school here all her life. Polit- ically Frank is a republican and does what he can for the advance of his party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F., M. W. A., K. of P., and A. F. & A. M.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
WILLIAM W. HENDRICKS, M. D.
ON of James and Ellen (King) Hendricks, was born on a farm near Plymouth, in McDonough County, Ill., on the 15th day of Novem- 1872. Here he began his schooling and after finishing the grades at- tended the Plymouth High school. He was ever a studious, hard-working young man, determined to always strive for self-improvement and to attain the highest things possible. Thus in 1889 he entered the Western Normal College at Bushnell where he took an elective course. Leaving here in the spring of 1891, he entered the Sterling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, in the fall of the same year.
After four years of diligent work he graduated in the spring of 1895 and was ready for active work. He began practicing at Beardstown, Ill., immediately where he stayed for 18 months, then located in Bardolph where he has been ever since. His strict attention to business, his quiet, kindly manner has gained for him a large practice, and won him hosts of friends. It has always been his endeavor to keep abreast with the times in everything relating to his profession and in doing this has at one time and another taken special work in various schools of medicine, at one time being gone several months and having a substitute here to take his place.
On the 23d day of October, 1901, he was united in marriage with Miss Joanne LeMatty of New Philadelphia, daughter of Joseph B. LeMatty, a practicing physician of that place. He is an active member of the Presby- terian church, as is also his wife. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and for a few years acted as W. Master.
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OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
HISTORY
1746235
OUR FIRST SUCCESSFUL PRINTER
ILLIAM ALBERT MAXWELL is a son of Henry A. and Mary E. Maxwell and was born in Bardolph, Ill., on Jan. 9, 1877. In his boyhood days he attended the Bardolph public schools, and graduated therefrom with the class of 1893. After his graduation he worked at various employments, but being of a literary turn, his thoughts turned to the newspaper proposition. In the summer of 1893, he entered the Eagle office at Macomb to learn the printer's art as the first step in carrying out his desires. After gaining a limited knowledge of the business he set about going into the business on his own account and, with what at that time was considered reckless audacity, conceived the idea of es- tablishing a newspaper in Bardolph, his na- WM. A. MAXWELL tive town. Considering the narrowness of the field, the ten or a dozen newspapers al- ready struggling for an existence within the county, and in addition, the much more serious and important fact that his financial resources could be represented by a single figure, the venture certainly did seem to be of the most chimerical and visionary sort, but "Bert," as he was called, took a more optimistic view of conditions and set to work to lay the foundation for his proposed enterprise. He chose as the name of his proposed new creation, The Bardolph News. The subscription price was fixed at $1 per year, the same to be paid upon the delivery of the first issue of the paper, its issue to be dependent upon his securing 300 subscribers. Of course there were the usual predictions of failure, suggestions of "foolish ven- ture," "town can't support," etc., etc., but the enthusiasm and persistence of the young would-be-editor conquered all obstacles and the desired number of subscribers was secured. While this was good encouragement, it wasn't cash. Machinery and materials must be purchased. A friend or two who had faith in the proprietor and his enterprise, advanced sufficient funds for the first payment of an outfit, and on August 30, 1893, the Bardolph News became a reality. The paper soon became established upon a sound footing. In 1895 Bert sold out to his brothers, Fred H. and W. Kee. Soon
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
after he went to Smithfield, Ill., and there established the Smithfield Sun. This he conducted successfully for about one year when he sold the Sun. He then went to Sac City, Iowa, where he purchased the Sac County Demo- crat. After conducting this for upward of a year, he sold out and came to Macomb, Illinois, where he established the Macomb Times. This venture proved unfortunate. Macomb already had three strong, well-established newspapers and while the Times was ably edited, there did not seem to be a profitable opening for it in the already crowded field. Accordingly the proprietor sold the plant late in 1899, and removed to Yukon, Okla., where he established the Yukon Sun, which he conducted successfully for some time. While at Yukon Bert entered the political field and became the dem- ocratic candidate for his district as member of the territorial legislature. The contest was warm. Bert took the stump and canvassed the entire dis- trict with the result that he was elected by a good majority. He served his term with distinction, being chairman of one important committee and was recognized as one among the strong and influential members of that body. On account of the health of his family he removed in 1904 to Idaho Springs, Colo., where he engaged in newspaper work on the Idaho Springs Gasette and where he interested himself in several mining propositions. Some of these interests he still retains, being at present secretary and a large stockholder in a large mining corporation. The old longing for active newspaper management again breaking out, he purchased the Brigh- ton Blade at Brighton, Colo., which he is now successfully conducting. In October, 1896, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Cora E. Overton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Overton, at Smith- field, Ill. The couple have one child, a son, Overton Kee, a bright and win- some lad, the joy and pride of his father and mother.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
THE PRESS
HE first newspaper issued in Bardolph was The Bardolph Gong, which was issued by George Litzenburg, well remembered by our older cit- izens, in the year, 1869. The editor of the publication very frankly stated in his prospectus that he chose to name his paper the "Gong" for the reason that "it required no great amount of skill or intelligence to play on that instrument." The Gong sounded but once, however, there being but one issue of the publication, which was printed at Macomb. It was a spicy little sheet and its contents showed that its editor was well qualified for newspaper work. At last reports Mr. Litzenburg was still living at
Photo by A. M. Beal
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