USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Chester S. Berry attended the district schools of Pike County, Illinois, and was graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1910. He attended Illinois College and began his teaching career at Martinsburg, Illinois, in 1911. From 1912 until 1914 he attended college and returned again in 1917, in which year he received his degree, Bachelor of Arts. During 1914-16 he taught at Pleasant Hill High School. His professional career follows: 1919-20 as prin- cipal of Pleasant Hill High School; 1922-24 as superin- tendent of schools at Nebo, Illinois, and 1924-30 as super- intendent of schools at Rankin.
On November 24, 1920, Mr. Berry was united in mar- riage with Miss Helen Clark, the daughter of Horace L. and Alice (Webster) Clark, natives of Pike County, Illi- nois. Mr. Clark lives at Urbana, Illinois. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have two children: Marion
736
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Louise, born February 1, 1922; and James Wesley, born March 23, 1926.
Mr. Berry is independent in politics. He is active in the work of the Methodist Church, of which he has served as Sunday School superintendent for five years. He is a member of Rankin Lodge, No. 725, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to Phi Alpha Literary Society.
William James Haskell, retired, is numbered among the substantial and highly esteemed citizens of Danville. He was born at Des Moines, Iowa, September 21, 1871, the son of William and Hester Ann (Heskett) Haskell.
William Haskell, deceased, was a native of Ohio. He was a farmer and early in life went to Iowa with his par- ents. He died at Des Moines in 1875, and his widow lives at Pomona, California. She is the daughter of Elizabeth Heskett. To Mr. and Mrs. Haskell one child was born, William James, the subject of this sketch.
William James Haskell began life as a newsboy. He attended the public schools of Iowa, Joliet, Illinois, and was ten years old when he was taken to Chicago where he at- tended school. He completed his schooling at Crawfords- ville, Indiana, and when sixteen years of age was a bell- boy in the Nutt Hotel, now the Ramsey Hotel. He also was employed in the Sherman and Robbins hotels and later learned the printer's trade while in the employ of the "Star." He was subsequently employed on the "Craw- fordsville Review" and the "Crawfordsville Argus-News." Later, he was a barber and after locating at Danville op- erated the shop in the Aetna Hotel for seven years. While thus employed he became interested in the sign and poster business and became successful in this enterprise, later in 1915 purchasing the Danville Bill Posting Company, which he consolidated with the small business, which he
WILLIAM JAMES HASKELL
737
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
had established on a small scale. Mr. Haskell became president of the Danville Poster Advertising Company and president of the Haskell Sign System Company. Although he has been retired from business since 1927, Mr. Haskell remains as president of these two companies.
In 1890 Mr. Haskell married Miss Eva Catherine Dud- denhoffer, the daughter of George and Elizabeth Dudden- hoffer, natives of Germany, and early settlers of Lafayette Indiana. Mr. Duddenhoffer later lived at Alton and finally settled at Danville, where he was well known as a manu- facturer of cigars. He is deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Haskell four children were born: Ruth, deceased; William George, who died in 1921, was connected with the Ameri- can Steel & Wire Company, Cleveland, Ohio, as an account- ant, married Dorothy Goff; Esther, married C. D. Steely, lives at Danville, and they have two children, Catherine and William; and Harold, identified with the Roxanna Petroleum Company, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He married Alice Barkman, and they have two children, Philip and Betty.
Mr. Haskell is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge, An- cient, Free and Accepted Masons, No. 38; Danville Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 182; Vermilion Council; Ath- lestan Commandery, Knights Templar No. 35; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Gao Grotto; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; Young Men's Chris- tian Association; Roselawn Country Club; and Rotary Club. He is a Republican and a member of the Presby- terian Church.
Edward Clarence Griffith, deceased, was one of the most popular business men and influential citizens of Hoopeston, where he was identified with the First National Bank in an official capacity for more than forty years. He was born at Leesburg, Ohio, August 3, 1850, the son of John and Charlotte (Whaley) Griffith.
13-Vol. 2
738
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
John Griffith was a native of Ohio, as was also his wife. He was a shoemaker by trade, and later in life owned and operated the Griffith House at Leesburg, Ohio. He was a Republican and a member of the Universalist Church. Both he and his wife are deceased and are buried at Lees- burg. They were the parents of seven children: Richard, deceased; Edward C., the subject of this sketch; Samuel, deceased; Charles, lives at Anaheim, California; Gertrude, Harriet, and Lillian, all deceased.
Edward Clarence Griffith obtained his education in the schools of Leesburg, Ohio, and following his graduation from high school entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as a telegraph operator. Later, he was an operator near Cincinnati, Ohio, and was located there until 1883, at which time he came to Hoopeston and entered the employ of the First National Bank as a bookkeeper. At the death of James McFerren, Mr. Griffith became cashier of the bank, on September 8, 1884, and served in that capacity until 1920 when he was elected vice president and director. He died March 4, 1924.
On September 13, 1877, Mr. Griffith was united in mar- riage with Miss Elvira B. McFerren, the daughter of Wil- liam and Eliza (Snyder) McFerren, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Montgomery, Ohio. Both are deceased and are buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston. Mr. McFerren was a prosperous merchant and large land owner of Level Station, Ohio, for many years and in later life lived at Hoopeston. There were seven children in the McFerren family, as follows: Amanda, deceased; Mary, the widow of Charles P. Huey, lives at Hoopeston; Elvira B. Griffith; Myrtie and Pingree, both deceased; Jacob S., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; and James, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffith a daughter, Mabel Clara, was born. She was the wife of Robert J. Cardiff, of Hoopeston. Mrs. Cardiff died
739
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
in 1923, leaving a son, Edward Wesley, who was born in 1920.
Mr. Griffith was a Republican, a member of the Univer- salist Church, and belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America, and Commercial Club.
At the death of Mr. Griffith the following resolution was passed by the First National Bank of Hoopeston: "Whereas, Edward C. Griffith for more than forty years served as cashier and then as vice president of the First National Bank, Hoopeston, by his extensive friendship and acquainted through the surrounding country was so greatly instrumental in the building up of this bank, died March 4th, in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Whereas, the loss of so prominent and worthy a man who was such a guide and help to this institution through his enduring efforts and extreme faithfulness, is keenly felt by not only the officers and employes of this bank, but by every- one who has ever known him. Be it resolved, by the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Hoopeston, by unanimous vote at this meeting held the 15th day of March, 1924, we deplore the death of so worthy an officer and hereby have this resolution spread upon the minutes of this meeting upon our records."
Merritt Andrew Southwick, deceased, was numbered among the highly esteemed and widely known citizens of Hoopeston, where he spent practically his entire life. He was born at El Paso, Woodford County, Illinois, October 23, 1859, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Joy) Southwick.
Joseph Southwick was born at Hoosac Falls, Rensselaer County, New York, and his wife was also a native of that section. He obtained his education at the Union Village high school, Washington County, New York. After finish- ing school he took up surveying. He surveyed and platted
740
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
the counties of Kennebec and Androscoggin in Maine, as well as Lebanon and Dauphin counties in the State of Pennsylvania. In 1857 he went to Woodford County, Illi- nois, where he purchased a farm. In 1875 he removed to Vermilion County, where he purchased another farm, and where he lived until his death, October 18, 1894. His wife died June 10, 1895. Both are buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston. Their children were: Merritt An- drew, the subject of this sketch; Henry, who died Feb- ruary 13, 1929; and Arthur W., lives at Vandalia, Missouri.
Merritt Andrew Southwick grew up at El Paso and Hoopeston, Illinois, and attended the public schools in the latter place. He was a graduate of Terre Haute (Indiana) Business School. Throughout his active career Mr. South- wick engaged in general farming and stock raising. He retired in 1902 and moved with his family to Hoopeston, where he lived until his death, May 26, 1911. Mr. South- wick is buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston.
On October 27, 1887, Mr. Southwick was united in mar- riage with Miss Clara Eva Moore, of Loda, Illinois, the daughter of John and Clara Elizabeth (Marr) Moore, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Indiana. Mr. Moore died September 26, 1885, and his wife died De- cember 29, 1923. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Southwick: Lillie E., who is a librarian in the Hoopeston Public Library; Gilbert Merritt, resides in Hoopeston, Illinois; and Walter Moore, resides in Hoopes- ton, Illinois.
Mr. Southwick was a life long Republican. He at- tended the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Southwick was a direct descendent of Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, who came from England and settled at Salem, Massachusetts, in 1630. Jonathan South- wick was a minute man and fought at the battle of Lexing- ton, April 19, 1775.
741
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Herbert J. Green is prominent in business circles in Hoopeston, where he is president of Green Brothers, Inc. He was born at Rotchford, Essex County, England, May 1, 1883, the son of John and Hannah (Mann) Green.
John Green was born in Essex County, England. He was a machinist by trade and after coming to the United States in 1891 he settled at Hoopeston, where he was employed for a short time by the American Can Company. Later he established a business of his own, but soon re- entered the employ of the American Can Company, then known as the Union Can Company. Mr. Green, however, soon established his own business again, and became one of the successful business men of the city. The establish- ment, known as Green Brothers, Inc., is now owned by his son, Herbert J. Green, the subject of this sketch. John Green, who lives retired at Hoopeston, is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Star Lodge, No. 709, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. There are sixteen children in the Green family, as follows: Jennie, married Fred Swafford, lives at Springfield, Illinois; Nellie, married Grant Alexander, lives at Cleveland, Ohio; Alice, married Fred Parks, lives at Hoopeston; John, lives at Geneva, Illinois; Catherine, married Clarence Frantz, lives at Hoopeston; Mary, deceased; Herbert J., the subject of this sketch; George, deceased; Harry, lives at Jackson, Michigan; two children died in infancy; Millicent, mar- ried Alexander Murphy, lives at Hoopeston; Daisy, de- ceased; Glenn, a World War veteran, lives at Saint Peters- burg, Florida; Stanley, a World War veteran, served in France with the Eighty-sixth Division, lives at Port Wash- ington, Wisconsin; and Fred, a World War veteran, lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Herbert J. Green received his education in the schools of Hoopeston. He then entered the employ of the Amer- ican Can Company as an apprentice machinist and later was connected with the company's plant in Chicago. He
742
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
then went to Simco, Ontario, Canada, for the Dominion Canners Company, Limited, as production manager. Mr. Green's next business connection was as production man- ager for the Texas Oil Company at Port Arthur, Texas. Upon his return to Hoopeston in 1921 he became identified with his father's business and in 1928 purchased the inter- ests of his brother, at that time becoming president of the concern. The modern plant was built in 1926.
In 1907 Mr. Green married Miss Grace McConnell, the daughter of William Rankin and Rosetta McConnell, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. Both are deceased and are buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopes- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Green have two daughters, Winifred and Rosetta.
Mr. Green is a member of the First Church of Christ; Star Lodge, No. 709, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree; and Chamber of Commerce. He is identified with the Republican party in politics.
Green Brothers, Inc .- A necessary adjunct to any city is a machine shop that is capable and ready to care for all kinds of machine repairs. Hoopeston is especially fortu- nate in that its needs are well taken care of by the Green Brothers Machine Shop, which in size and equipment is not excelled in Eastern Illinois.
The business was originally established in 1909 by John Green and his two sons, in a small combination blacksmith and machine shop. In 1926 the business was incorporated as Green Brothers. The Greens knew their trade thor- oughly and the quality of work turned out was such that the business grew very rapidly. The need for larger quar- ters necessitated several moves until in 1925 the present new fire-proof, brick building on West Main Street was constructed. This is a large building of substantial and
743
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
pleasing appearance. Its equipment is fully modern and is all powered by electricity. The interior of the shop with its busy and progressive air compares only with sim- ilar shops in cities of forty thousand population or more. The equipment includes all standard and special machines necessary for contract manufacturing and machine job work of all kinds. The plant engages in manufacturing to a greater extent than is generally known. At present the more important lines manufactured are undertakers' embalming stretchers, grills and baskets and garage equip- ment. A large quantity of ornamental iron work for homes, lodges and clubs is manufactured of quite elaborate and pleasing designs, or one may have some special design made on order. Among recent installations of such work is the stair case and two beautiful lamps, which are a part of the new home recently constructed in Hoopeston by A. W. Murray. Besides lines of its own designs and manufacture this shop also contracts for such special man- ufacturing jobs as are wanted.
The job department of the business makes a specialty of repairing automobile parts, boiler and engine work, although it is equipped to and does do all sorts of machin- ery rebuilding and repairs. The welding department does any and all kinds of acetylene welding and is equipped to handle any kind of metal that can be welded. This work is done by experienced, high-class workmen, who are spe- cialists in this line and who strive to always do dependable and satisfactory work. For special kinds of job work this shop has recently installed some of the best kind of special equipment for rebuilding and regrinding motor blocks, and regrinding pistons. It has special up-to-date tools and equipment for the rebabbiting of motor blocks and con- necting rods. In fact, no pains or expense have been spared to provide this shop with complete up-to-date ma- chinery, tools, and high-class personnel, which enables it to turn out first-class work that is fully guaranteed.
744
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Besides local work this shop is constantly catering to peo- ple in need of its services within a radius of sixty miles of Hoopeston.
Recently Mr. Herbert J. Green bought out his brother's interests, and he is now active manager of the shop. "Bert" Green, as he is popularly known, is first of all a thorough mechanic himself and can personally handle any sort of a job that is brought in. Besides this, he is a real executive and business man, and it is largely to his skilful coordination of men and machines that the business has built up its present reputation and growth. He is one of those individuals who, although he is usually very busy, always greets everyone with a smile. He displays the willingness to carefully estimate the smallest job in such a way that it is inevitable that he gain the good will of his customers.
The business motto might well be: "No matter how small the job we will give you a full measure of satisfac- tion."
Robert D. Kimberlin, owner of Kimberlin's Transfer Company, Hoopeston, is recognized as one of the substan- tial business men of Vermilion County. He was born at Hoopeston, October 29, 1886, the son of John H. and Mary (Fetters) Kimberlin.
John H. Kimberlin was born in Pennsylvania. He came to Hoopeston in 1883 and in that year established the transfer and livery business, which is now conducted by his son. He died in 1903. Mr. Kimberlin was a Repub- lican, and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was also a member of the Hoopeston Fire Department. There were six children in the Kimberlin family, as fol- lows: William, lives at Monticello, Indiana; Frank, de- ceased; Robert D., the subject of this sketch; Fay, mar- ried Robert Peak, lives at Arcola, Illinois; George, lives
745
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
at Waukegan, Illinois, is a veteran of the World War, having served in France with Company B, One hundred Thirty-third Infantry, Thirty-third Division; and Grace, married Floyd Murphy, lives at Arcola, Illinois.
Robert D. Kimberlin has always lived at Hoopeston. He received his education in the public schools and in 1903 took over his father's well established transfer business. In 1919 the building was converted into a garage and since that time motor trucks have been used exclusively by the company. They are specialists in local and long distance moving. The building also has a capacity for storing sixty automobiles. Mr. Kimberlin is local agent also for the Dodge and Plymouth automobiles and maintains a first class service station, in which five men are employed.
In 1912 Mr. Kimberlin was married to Miss Nettie Whitaker, the daughter of James F. and Ida Whitaker, of Hoopeston. They have a son, Robert F.
Mr. Kimberlin is a Republican, and is affiliated with Star Lodge No. 709, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Rose Croix, sixteenth degree; Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica; and Chamber of Commerce. He served as chief of the Hoopeston Fire Department in 1926.
John L. Guingrich, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Hoopeston, is a man of varied experiences and during his active career has been identified with a number of Illinois committees. He was born near East Lynn, Iroquois County, Illinois, January 4, 1877.
The early education of John L. Guingrich was obtained in the Carey school district, Iroquois County. At an early age he assumed a part of the responsibilities of his father's farm, his mother having been left a widow when Mr. Guingrich was a comparatively young man. When nine-
746
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
teen years of age he went to Claytonville, Illinois, where he worked as an apprentice druggist. After four years he attended Grier College, Hoopeston, and completed the course in pharmacy at Scio College. The following year he was employed as a pharmacist in Elliott Brothers Drug Store, Hoopeston, and in 1900 became associated with Wil- liam P. Oberhauser, druggist, Peoria, Illinois. In 1904 Mr. Guingrich was employed by John Kneer. He later went to Ottawa, Illinois, where he worked for T. E. Gapen & Sons, pharmacists, and in 1906 he was called to work at Alton, Illinois, in the drug store of Sam Wyss, where he remained for three years. Mr. Guingrich then purchased a drug business, which he conducted successfully for four years, also being engaged in the real estate business along with the drug business, until he removed to Cissna Park, Illinois. In 1910 he purchased a farm near Warsaw, Illi- nois, where he remained for two years. He then became interested in the insurance, loans and real estate business exclusively, and in 1912 became an active broker at Cissna Park, Illinois. In 1920 he located at Hoopeston, where he has met with marked success in his business undertaking. Mr. Guingrich has offices at 2071% East Main Street.
On March 27, 1910, Mr. Guingrich married Miss Rosa- line L. Herman, the daughter of John and Mary (Bahl- man) Herman. Mr. Herman, who died in December, 1927, was a native of Saint Johns, Indiana. He was a black- smith by trade and for twenty-two years owned and op- erated a shop, being an expert in the shoeing of race horses. He was a Democrat and held many township offices. His wife, born at Eagle Lake, Illinois, died in No- vember, 1926. Both are buried in Quaker Cemetery, Cissna Park, Illinois. They had three daughters: Tylla, married William Landes, lives at Cissna Park, Illinois; Lillie, married William Dryden, lives at Cissna Park, Illi- nois; and Rosaline L., wife of John L. Guingrich, of Hoopeston, Illinois.
747
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Mrs. Guingrich is a graduate of Wellington (Illinois) Township High School and Illinois State Normal College. She was a teacher in the schools of Iroquois County for seventeen years and in 1926 was appointed principal of Cheneyville High School. She is the author of several English handbooks.
Mr. Guingrich is chairman of the Code of Ethics Com- mittee in the Farm Lands Division of the National Asso- ciation of Real Estate Boards. He is vice president of the Illinois Association of Real Estate Boards, and past presi- dent of the Hoopeston Real Estate Board. He is also a member of the National Association of Real Estate Boards.
Mr. Guingrich is independent in politics. He is a mem- ber of the Christian Science Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Tribe of Ben Hur, Eagles Club, and Chamber of Commerce.
John Guingrich, deceased, was a native of Ohio. He was born near Hamilton, August 24, 1832. He attended the district schools and at the age of sixteen years, in 1849, he accompanied his father to California. He became a successful gold digger and remained on the Pacific Coast for eight years. He then returned to the East and settled in Tazewell County, Illinois, where he cleared land for farming. In 1870 he settled on a farm two and one-quarter miles northeast of East Lynn, where he lived until his death in September, 1882. He was a Whig early in life and later became a Republican. Mr. Guingrich was also a Mason.
On May 7, 1867, Mr. Guingrich was united in marriage with Miss Susan Bahr, who was born near Bavaria, Ger- many, in 1844. To them were born ten children: Anna, married Henry C. Ziegenhorn, of Independence, Missouri; Joseph P., of Gridley, Illinois; Samuel, who died at the
748
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
age of twenty-five years; Benjamin F., of Garrison, Iowa; Sadie, married August F. Ziegenhorn, of Claytonville, Illi- nois; Adena, died at the age of two years; John L., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; Ada, married F. D. Frank, lives near Claytonville, Illinois; Emanuel, who died in 1918; and William, lives at Remington, Indiana.
It is interesting to note that to John Guingrich belongs the credit for laying the first drain tile in that section of Illinois and proving the success of sub-drainage. In 1876 while laying tile through a swamp on his farm Mr. Guin- grich came across some mammoth bones, which caused considerable comment over that section of the country. Upon investigation by a well known professor of zoology from Yale University the bones were discovered to be the skeleton of a mastodon. It was at that time one of the first to be found.
Mr. Guingrich's father, Joseph Guingrich, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France. He served in the regular French army during his youth and after coming to the United States engaged in farming in southwestern Ohio, near Hamilton, in Butler County. There he married a Miss Gerber, also a native of Alsace-Lorraine. She died in 1840. To this union were born the following children: John, Anna, Lena, Lydia, Barbara and Kate. Joseph Guingrich was a "forty-niner", who helped blaze the trail to Califor- nia during the gold rush. He left for the West early in the spring of 1849, taking with him his son, a boy of six- teen years, who was later the father of John L. Guingrich. They made the journey in a covered wagon, driving oxen and enduring all the hardships of that first emigrant pro- cession which started westward. He remained there for a period of four years, during which time he accumulated a fair amount of gold. He left his son there and returned to his home in Ohio for a time. In the spring of 1854 he was again seized with the "gold fever" and returned to California. Both father and son returned to Illinois in
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.