USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 12
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veteran, the agent for the Standard Oil Company, lives at Princeton, Indiana; Ray, lives at Mobile, Alabama, where is a chief clerk to the vice president and general manager of the Gulf, Mobile & Northern Railroad, is a World War veteran, having served as a second lieutenant; Ralph E., the subject of this sketch; and Carl, who lives at Princeton, Indiana. Mr. Fred Lauten is a member of the German Lutheran Church and Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Ralph E. Lauten obtained his schooling at Princeton, Indiana, and following his graduation from high school in 1916 he attended Lockyear's Business College at Evans- ville, Indiana. He enlisted in Company M, Second Indiana Infantry, National Guard, which was later mustered into the federal service as Company M, One Hundred Fifty- second Infantry, Thirty-eighth Division. He trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and spent almost a year in active service in France. Following the Armistice he attended the American Expeditionary Force University, located at Beaune, France. He was discharged July 9, 1919, at Camp Sherman, Ohio, as battalion supply sergeant. Upon his release from the service, Mr. Lauten became associated with Morris & Company, packers, and was connected with their Danville offices for six months. Since January, 1920, he has been connected with the Danville Lumber Company. He began as bookkeeper and in January, 1923, was made secretary of the company. Two years later he assumed his present duties as general manager as well as secretary and treasurer. Mr. Lauten is also identified with the Fear- heiley-Lauten Service Stations, owners and operators of several gasoline service stations in Danville.
On October 9, 1923, Mr. Lauten was united in marriage with Miss Florence Phillips, the daughter of J. Bert and May (Zorns) Phillips, of Vermilion County, now residents of Danville. Mr. Phillips is secretary and treasurer of the
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Campbell Brothers Packing Company. Mr. and Mrs. Lauten have a daughter, Polly Ann, born July 23, 1926.
In politics Mr. Lauten is an independent voter. He is a member of St. James Methodist Episcopal Church; Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second Degree; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; American Legion; American Business Club; Chamber of Commerce; and Young Men's Christian Association.
Col. Ernest Fecker, Jr., deceased, was owner and presi- dent of the Fecker Company. He was born on August 2, 1862, in New York City, his parents being Ernest and Pauline (Huber) Fecker, both natives of Germany. His mother died on the 24th of September, 1906, and his father August 17th, 1912. In their family were three children the brother of our subject being Frank Fecker, who is now deceased, and a sister Mrs. Hans Demuth, who makes her home in Hollywood, California.
Reared in Brooklyn, New York, Ernest Fecker, Jr., attended the grammar schools of that city until fourteen years of age and after starting to work continued his stu- dies in an evening high school of New York for a time. He was first employed in a paper box manufactory owned by his father and for about five years devoted his time and attention to that business, but later became interested in the brewing business. He served his apprenticeship in the brewery of Peter Engle of Schenectady, New York, and later attended a brewing academy from 1885 to 1886. It was in 1890 that he embarked in the brewing business on his own account, conducting operations for six years under the name of Fecker Brewing Company, their plant being located on the Dudley and Bloomingdale road, now called Winchester Avenue. At the end of that period he
COL ERNEST FECKER, JR.
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sold his interest in the business to a syndicate and took the management of the United States Brewing Company, being in charge of breweries Nos. 3, 4 and 5 for some time, but in 1903 he purchased the present plant which he con- ducted under the firm style of Fecker Brewing Company and served as president until his death, November 2nd, 1925. He died at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.
On the 27th of July, 1889, in Chicago, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fecker and Miss Clara Simon, a daughter of Nicholas and Barbara Simon, residents of Chicago, both of whom are now deceased. The children born of this union are: Clara, Frances, who is now Mrs. A. R. Levis of Alton, Illinois, Pauline, Martha and Ernest III now deceased, Frank, mention of whom is made else- where in this volume, Lydia, Herbert and Harold, twins.
Mr. Fecker was an Episcopalian in his religious belief. He was a member of the Germania Masonic Lodge of Chi- cago and the Further Lights of Danville. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a member of the Turn Verein of Danville. His political support was always given to the men and measures of the republican party and during his residence in Chicago he was a member of the Bridewell board from 1891 to 1897 inclusive. He took a very active and prominent part in political affairs and was chosen a member of Governor Tanner's Staff on which he served from 1896 to 1900. His genial, pleasant manner made him many friends and he was popular both in business and social circles.
Frank J. Fecker, a well known citizen of Danville, is president of the Fecker Company, malt and food products, 329-341 East North Street. He was born in Chicago, July 6, 1901, the son of Col. Ernest Fecker, Jr., now deceased, and Clara (Simon) Fecker.
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Mr. Fecker was two years old when his family located in Danville. He attended the public schools, and was a student at Western Military Academy, Alton, Illinois for three years. He graduated from Danville High School and Brown's Business College. For a few years he was asso- ciated with Smiths' the Florist. In 1923 he became identi- fied with the interests of the Fecker Company as a book- keeper. After the death of his father in 1925, Mr. Fecker was elected president of the Company.
Mr. Fecker is a Republican, and is a member of the Holy Trinity Church. He has the following lodge affilia- tions: Olive Branch Lodge; Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Scottish Rite; Athelstan Commandery, Danville; Gao Grotto; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; Loyal Order of Moose and A. B. C. Club.
Hon. Thurman F. Shouse, former mayor of Danville, has been identified with that city for many years. He is a Methodist minister but since leaving the pastorate on account of ill health has had a successful experience in several lines of commercial work. Mr. Shouse was born at Effingham, Illinois, November 9, 1869.
The Shouse family has lived in the United States for a number of generations, coming originally from Ger- many, and first settling in Pennsylvania. His father, Thurman F. Shouse, Sr., was born near Logansport, Indi- ana, in 1823. He was reared there and shortly after his marriage moved to Effingham County, Illinois, where he became well known as a substantial farmer. He died at Effingham in 1885. He also taught school in early life, teaching some of the subscription schools in the pioneer days. He served as a school director and in politics was an independent Democrat. He also held membership in the Baptist Church. His wife, Mary Jane (Thomison)
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Shouse, was born in Tennessee, in 1826, and died in Effing- ham County, Illinois, in 1898. They were the parents of the following children: Eliza Jane, married Thomas Garner, both deceased; Margaret A., married Eli R. Ren- frow, of Shumway, Illinois; John H., died at Eldorado Springs, Missouri; Columbus S., died in March, 1926; Rev. Joseph D., retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, lives at Newton, Illinois; Samantha A., married Estes Garner, lives at Centralia, Illinois; Rhoda A., mar- ried John A. Riley, lives near Effingham, Illinois; Docia E., married William Engle, lives near Effingham, Illinois; Thurman F., the subject of this sketch; and Viola, deceased.
Thurman F. Shouse was reared on his father's farm in Effingham County, attending the public schools, and grad- uating from the high school at Altamount in 1892. For two years he continued his education at Austin College, and after having qualified for the Methodist ministry, he joined the Southern Illinois Conference. As a pastor in that conference he was stationed for two years at John- sonville, in Wayne County, Illinois; at Moccasin, Illinois, for two years; at Coffeen, Illinois, for three years; at Tower Hill, Illinois, from 1901 until 1904; and in 1904 he came to Danville as pastor of the Lincoln Methodist Epis- copal Church, holding that post of responsibility until 1909. He then joined an Oklahoma conference and for two years was pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Newkirk, Oklahoma. Being threatened with a nervous breakdown, Mr. Shouse resigned from the ministry and returned to Danville, where he became associated with the Eckert Carriage Company, of Auburn, Indiana, as a trav- eling representative. In 1912 he became superintendent and financial secretary of the Springhill Cemetery Asso- ciation, Danville, and in this position he has served until the present time and also served the following churches as pastor: Central Park Methodist Church for three
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years, Grace Methodist Church five years, and Vermilion Heights Methodist Church one year.
In April, 1923, Mr. Shouse was elected mayor of Dan- ville, beginning his official term on the first day of May. He was elected on a platform pledging himself to a clean, moral city, and economical administration, and he lived up to his platform in a way that brought him high per- sonal credit. Danville, when he became mayor, was encum- bered with a heavy debt, the deficit amounting to approxi- mately $183,000. During his term in office he reduced the debt over $50,000. In the meantime the essential munici- pal improvements were not neglected. A total of about ten miles, comprising one-fifth of the entire paving of the city, was either constructed new or resurfaced.
Mr. Shouse is a Republican. He is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, No. 38; Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and in November, 1927, became a Consistory member, now being a thirty-second degree Mason. Dur- ing the World War he acted as captain of a district in Danville in the promotion of various war drives.
On February 23, 1888, Mr. Shouse married Miss Effie R. DeVore, the daughter of Daniel A. and Margaret (Miller) DeVore, both deceased. Mr. DeVore was a well known cattle dealer of Effingham County, Illinois. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shouse: Harry E., deceased; and Edna Ruth, married Frank M. Fagan, who is general foreman of Springhill Cemetery Association, Danville. Mr. Fagan served in the World War, having enlisted in the Navy in the spring of 1918. He was sta- tioned at Great Lakes Naval Station as a machinist. He was discharged from the service in March, 1919.
Mr. Shouse has three grandchildren, Harry and Dale Fagan, and Ruth Elnore Shouse. An adopted son, Gerald E. Shouse, was connected with the United States Air Forces at Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens, Michigan; and now resides in Danville.
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Claude P. Madden .- Among the prominent men of Dan- ville may be mentioned Claude P. Madden, widely known throughout Vermilion County as an auctioneer for the past twenty years. He was born in Parke County, Indiana, June 24, 1880, the son of Anson G. and Marilda (Pithoud) Madden.
Anson G. Madden was born at Kingman, Indiana, in 1859, the son of Samuel C. and Lydia A. (Marks) Madden. He was born in Parke County, Indiana, and his wife was born near Lafayette, Indiana. His father was George Madden, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, who settled in Parke County, Indiana, in 1816. Anson G. Madden, father of the subject of this sketch, was educated at Kingman, Indiana. He was a farmer in early life and for twenty- five years was well known as a stock shipper. He has been an auctioneer in Indiana for over forty years and lives at Cates, Indiana. He served as circuit court clerk of Foun- tain County, Indiana. Mr. Madden is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with King- man Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Chapter, Consistory, thirty-second degree, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Marilda (Pithoud) Madden, who died at Kingman, Indiana, in 1883, was the daughter of Elisha and Margaret (Ratcliff) Pithoud, both natives of Fountain County, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Madden an only child was born, Claude P., the subject of this sketch.
Claude P. Madden grew up at Kingman, Indiana, where he was educated. He also attended Bloomingdale Acad- emy for two years. He remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age and in 1905 engaged in auctioneering in Fountain County, Indiana. Four years later he came to Danville, where he has met with marked success in his chosen work. He is also well known as a dealer in horses and cattle. His auctioneering activities extend throughout Illinois and Indiana.
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On February 4, 1928, Mr. Madden was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Catherine Pemberton, daughter of W. S. and Lucy (Guthrie) Pemberton, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illinois. Mr. Pemberton resides in Vermilion County, where he is a successful dairyman. His wife is deceased.
Mr. Madden is a Democrat in politics. He was elected mayor of Danville in 1919, re-elected in 1921, and again elected to office in 1925. He is a member of Anchor Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, No. 980, and Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332.
H. Wayne Baker .- One of the representative young business men of Danville is H. Wayne Baker, who is vice- president, secretary, treasurer, and general manager of the Baker Motor Company, Inc., agents in Danville for the Willys-Knight and Whippet automobiles. He was born near LeRoy, McLean County, Illinois, April 26, 1903, the son of Benjamin F. and Celia (Williams) Baker.
Benjamin F. Baker, who is president of the Baker Motor Company, Inc., is a highly esteemed and well known resi- dent of LeRoy, Illinois, where he lives retired. He was born at McLean, Illinois, October 11, 1871, the son of Joseph Baker, a leading agriculturist of McLean County for many years. Benjamin F. Baker grew up in Illinois and was educated in the public schools. He attended Illi- nois Normal College and spent three years as a student at the Kentucky Medical College. He became interested in the grain business at Glen Avon, Illinois, and owned and operated three elevators there for ten years. In 1906 he purchased the LeRoy Telephone Company, which he later merged with the telephone companies at McLean, Bell- flower, Heyworth, Atlanta, Saybrook, Armington, and Downs, Illinois. The new organization was known as the
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Cornbelt Telephone Company and Mr. Baker remained as owner and president of this company until his retire- ment in 1926. He has extensive land holdings throughout Illinois and ranks as a leader in the civic life of the com- munity in which he lives. Mr. Baker is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church and belongs to LeRoy Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker one child was born, H. Wayne, the subject of this sketch.
The education of H. Wayne Baker was received in the public schools of LeRoy, Culver Military Academy, and Canton High School. His college work was taken at Illi- nois Wesleyan College, University of Wisconsin, Wabash College, and Vanderbilt University. He began his busi- ness career in Miami, Florida, where he engaged in the real estate business. Upon his return to LeRoy, Illinois, in June, 1926, Mr. Baker was associated with his father's business interests. In July, 1928, he came to Danville, where he purchased the Taylor Motor Company, in part- nership with his father, the business thereafter being known as the Baker Motor Company, Inc. They are local dealers for the Willys-Knight and Whippet cars and have the finest display rooms in Danville. About fifteen men are employed by the Baker Motor Company, Inc.
In October, 1925, Mr. Baker married Miss Cornelia Murray, the daughter of Edwin and Cornelia Murray, of Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Murray is president of the Murray-Durell Shoe Company, of Nashville. Two chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker: Betty, born in 1927; and Benjamin, born in 1929.
Mr. Baker is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, Sigma Chi fraternity, American Business Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He is affiliated with LeRoy Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Baker is identified with the Danville Automobile Dealers Association, the Illinois Automobile Dealers Asso-
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ciation, and the National Automobile Dealers Association. He is also a member of the Danville Flying Club.
Hon. S. Murray Clark, judge of the Circuit Court of Vermilion County, is prominent among the members of his profession in Danville, and is a highly esteemed mem- ber of the community. He was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, May 15, 1869, the son of Dr. John G. and Mary (Holaday) Clark.
Dr. John G. Clark was born in North Carolina, May 2, 1836. He studied dentistry and for several years engaged in practice at Covington, Indiana, later removing to a farm near Crawfordsville. He retired from his profession, due to ill health, and in 1870 settled on a farm in Elwood Town- ship, Vermilion County, where he lived until 1890. He spent the following five years in Vermilion Grove and then lived at Georgetown, Illinois, where he was president of the First National Bank. Both Doctor and Mrs. Clark are deceased. He was a member of the Society of Friends Church and was one of the founders of the Friends Acad- emy at Vermilion Grove, Illinois. There were three chil- dren in the Clark family: Oliver P .; S. Murray, the subject of this sketch; and Emma, married Prof. C. E. Cosand.
S. Murray Clark was educated in the public schools and also attended Vermilion Academy until 1887. He was a, student at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., for two years and in 1893 was graduated from the law department of Illinois Wesleyan University. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in that year and took up his private practice at Ridge Farm Illinois. The following year he came to Dan- ville and became associated in practice with George G. Mabin under the firm name of Mabin & Clark. This part- nership continued until 1902, at which time Mr. Clark was appointed county judge of Vermilion County to succeed
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S. MURRAY CLARK
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Judge Thompson, who was elected at that time to the cir- cuit court. He served three months and then was elected county judge, holding that office until 1906, when he re- signed to become assistant district attorney of eastern Illi- nois. Mr. Clark later former a partnership with H. E. Hutton under the firm of Clark & Hutton. In June, 1927, he was elected judge of the Circuit Court, in which ca- pacity he is still serving.
On August 6, 1895, Mr. Clark married Miss Myra Men- denhall, who was born at Catlin, Illinois, January 6, 1871, the daughter of Dr. M. C. and Cynthia (Kennedy) Men- denhall, the former a native of North Carolina and the lat- ter of Indiana. Both Doctor and Mrs. Mendenhall are de- ceased. He was a leading physician for many years at Catlin, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have no children.
Politically, Judge Clark is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; Loyal Order of Moose, No. 1001; Knights of Pythias; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Modern Woodmen of America. He is identified with the Vermilion County Bar Association and Illinois Bar Association.
Joseph Fairhall, Jr., is numbered among the most suc- cessful business men of Danville, where he is connected with Fairhall's Electric Repair and Machine Shop, 6 South Gilbert Street. He was born in London, England, August 24, 1878, the son of Dr. Joseph and Elizabeth S. (King) Fairhall.
Dr. Joseph Fairhall was born at Settingbourne, Eng- land, February 5, 1853. He was educated in the public schools of London, England, and is a graduate of the Uni- versity of London, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He served for seven years as a volunteer in the Irish Volunteer Regiment, and was an official in the army and
11-Vol. 2
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navy store in England until 1887. In that year he came to the United States with his family and settled in Chicago, where he became interested in the coal business as vice president and general manager of the Grape Creek Coal Company, with offices in Chicago. Later, he removed to Grape Creek, Illinois, and conducted his various business interests from that place. He purchased the Grape Creek Clay Works in 1890 and operated the only clay products company in that section of the country for a number of years. Doctor Fairhall began the practice of medicine at Grape Creek in 1894 and three years later settled at Danville, where he has continued in practice to the present time. He has offices in the Baum Building. Doctor Fair- hall is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and holds the highest office in the state as major general and department commander of the Patriarchs Militant branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also vice president of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Elizabeth S. (King) Fairhall, to whom he was married on November 17, 1877, was born at Ashford, Kent County, England, February 9, 1853, and died March 25, 1928. Mrs. Fairhall was identi- fied since 1901 with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Patriarch Militant and was the organizer of this branch. She was the first president and is known throughout the United States and Canada as "Mother" Fairhall and at her death a monument was erected at Springhill Cemetery, Danville, by the ladies of United States and Canada, belonging to this branch and was dedicated or unveiled on June 2, 1929. She is buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville. To Dr. and Mrs. Fairhall were born four children: Joseph, Jr., the subject of this sketch; Leo Victor, M. D., lives at Dan- ville; Lawrence Turner, instructor in chemistry, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a World War veteran, having served as a major with the Chemical War-
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fare Division; and Lucy Winifred, married Lloyd G. Smith, lives in New York City.
Dr. Joseph Fairhall, Sr., is the son of Joseph and Esther (Barns) Fairhall. He was born at Queensboro, Isle of Sheppy, Kent County, England, August 12, 1813, and died at Milton, England, August 18, 1885. His parents were Joseph and Ellen (Weller) Fairhall. He was born in Lin- field, Sussex County, England, in 1782 and died in 1885. His wife was born at Queensboro, Isle of Sheppy, Kent County, England.
The name of Fairhall was originally spelled "Faire- halle," and appears in the records as such in England. One of the heirlooms of the Fairhall family, which has been owned by the family for many generations, is a clock, which is estimated to be three hundred years old.
Joseph Fairhall, Jr., the subject of this sketch, received his schooling in London, England, and Danville. He was an apprentice to William Stewart, who operated the Dan- ville Foundry and Machine Company, in whose employ he remained for four years. He then went with Robert Holmes & Brothers, in charge of electric work in their shop. In 1902 Mr. Fairhall established an electrical repair- ing and machine shop at 6 South Gilbert Street, where he specialized principally in the maintenance of elevators in office buildings in Danville. Mr. Fairhall is now manu- facturers agent and service manager for the Warner Ele- vator Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the first amateur wireless operator to be licensed in Danville, and for a number of years was engaged in the work of manufacturing radio sets.
On May 1, 1928, Mr. Fairhall married Miss Evelyn S. Smith, of Danville, the daughter of John M. and Martha J. (Morris) Smith, natives of Indiana. Mr. Smith died in 1906 and is buried near Covington, Indiana. His widow lives at Danville.
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Mr. Fairhall is a member of the Episcopal Church, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Danville Lodge, No. 69; Marsh Encampment, Lodge No. 46; Danville Canton, P. M. No. 11, past captain, and was commissioned this year adju- tant to Brig. Gen. O. C. Poltorff, commanding the Second Brigade of Illinois with rank of major; and Modern Wood- men of America. He is a Republican. Mr. Fairhall is past president of the Vermilion County Radio Association, and is identified with the American Radio Relay League, and American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
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