USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 18
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In 1903 Mr. Donaldson was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Bruner, the daughter of George and Anna Bruner, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bruner lives retired at Armstrong. His wife is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Don- aldson have two adopted children, Robert L. and Leola, both at home.
Mr. Donaldson is a Republican and holds membership in the Methodist Church.
James E. Mullins is the proprietor of one of the best known and well patronized garages in Muncie. He is a native of Vermilion County, born in Pilot Township, May 18, 1889, the son of Caleb and Isabelle (Watson) Mullins.
Caleb Mullins was born in Knox County, Kentucky, in 1844, the son of Jacob Mullins, who brought his family to Vermilion County in 1856 and settled near Oakwood. They became successful farmers. Caleb Mullins died May 13, 1923, and his wife, born in Illinois in 1850, died Decem- ber 30, 1920. Both are buried in Johnson Hill Cemetery, Vermilion County. They had the following children:
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Wilson Hoyston, deceased; Anne, deceased; C. Frank, lives at Danville; William J., lives near Homer, Illinois; Zach- ariah, deceased; John Wesley, a World War veteran, served in France for twenty-two months with the Thirty- third Division, lives at Danville; James E., the subject of this sketch; and Grover C., lives at Danville.
James E. Mullins atended the public schools of Homer, Illinois, and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. In 1921 he became a dealer in farm implements and the fol- lowing year came to Muncie, where he established his present garage business. He is an expert automobile mechanic and through hard work is establishing an excel- lent reputation throughout the community. He also does general trucking.
On December 26, 1923, Mr. Mullins was united in mar- riage with Miss Iva Payne, the daughter of Samuel and Della (Gillian) Payne, natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively. They are residents of Fithian, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Mullins have a son, Ernest Elvin, born March 25, 1925.
Mr. Mullins is independent in politics.
Sylvanus J. Wade .- One of the most popular merchants of Muncie is Mr. Wade, who has also served as postmaster since 1914. He was born in Parke County, Indiana, Feb- ruary 21, 1861, the son of Thomas B. C. and Susan (Vin- cent) Wade.
Thomas B. C. Wade was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 4, 1821, and his wife was born in Parke County, Indiana, April 20, 1830. He was a farmer in early life and also a stone mason. He was four years old when he came to Parke County, Indiana, with his parents. Later, in 1869, Mr. Wade went to Kansas, where he engaged in farming. He also lived in Iowa and was living retired at
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the time of his death, May 19, 1896. His wife died Sep- tember 21, 1901. Both are buried in Vermilion County in the Stearns Cemetery, which is located near Muncie. Mr. Wade was a lifelong Democrat. There were three chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Wade: E. R., lives at Danville; Sylvanus J., the subject of this sketch; and Minerva E., married Grant Diggs, lives at Muncie, Illinois.
The boyhood of Sylvanus J. Wade was spent in Boone County, Indiana, and he attended the district schools. He also lived at Georgia City and Pierce City, Missouri. In 1876 Mr. Wade came to Muncie, where he was employed in the mines until February, 1914. Since that time he has served as postmaster of Muncie and also conducts a gen- eral store.
Since 1912 Mr. Wade has been a local representative for the Aetna Insurance Company, of Hartford, Con- necticut.
Politically, Mr. Wade is a Democrat. He held the office of police magistrate for the village of Muncie for sixteen years. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, and Illinois Postmasters League.
Edward Arthur Jones, who is proprietor of A. Jones' Sons Store, Catlin, is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Vermilion County. He was born at Catlin, November 24, 1871, the son of Arthur and Emma (Dickison) Jones.
Arthur Jones was born in London, England, and his wife was also a native of that country. He came to this country with his parents and they settled on a farm near Catlin, in Vermilion County. Mr. Jones attended West- field Business College, and in 1849, in partnership with
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his brother, Frederick Jones, established a general mer- cantile business at Catlin. In 1867 Mr. Jones purchased his brother's interests in the store, which was destroyed by fire in 1905. Mr. Jones was also an extensive lumber dealer of this section. He rebuilt his store in 1906 and continued in business until the time of his death in 1912. Mr. Jones was a Republican and held many township offices, and also served as postmaster for many years. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and belonged to Catlin Lodge No. 285, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Past Master, and Modern Woodmen of America. Emma (Dickison) Jones lives at Catlin. There were five children in the Jones family, as follows: Edward Arthur, the sub- ject of this sketch; W. H., insurance, lives at Catlin; Dora, married Fred Cook, lives at Catlin; and Nettie and Cora, both deceased.
Edward Arthur Jones was educated in the schools of Catlin and attended Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1895. He clerked in his father's store for a time and in 1900 became a part- ner in the business with his father and another brother, W. H. Jones. After the death of the elder Mr. Jones the sons continued the business until 1916, at which time Edward A. Jones became owner.
In 1903 Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Meneley, of Catlin. Their daughter, Melba, mar- ried Howard Clark, of Catlin, who is associated in busi- ness with Mr. Jones. They have a son, Joseph Clark. Mrs. Clark is a graduate of Catlin High School and later studied music.
Mr. Jones is a member of Catlin Lodge No. 285, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Danville Consistory, thirty- second degree, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican in politics and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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Ernest M. Dewhirst, M. D .- Among the most success- ful of the younger members of the medical profession in Vermilion County is Doctor Dewhirst, of Catlin. He was born in Clay County, Illinois, February 17, 1903, the son of Arthur and Nellie (Runyon) Dewhirst.
Arthur Dewhirst was born in Clay County, Illinois, and his wife is a native of Richland County. They are now residents of Bridgeport, Illinois. Mr. Dewhirst followed general farming throughout his active career and retired in 1923. He has lived at Bridgeport since 1917. Mr. Dew- hirst is a Republican and has served as school director and township assessor and collector. He is a member of the Methodist Church and has been superintendent of the Sunday School for fifteen years. To Mr. and Mrs. Dew- hirst were born six children, as follows: Gladys, married John Lough, lives at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Lola, married Frank Ping, lives at Bridgeport, Illinois; Ruby, married Rossiter Matson, lives at Los Angeles, California; Ernest M., the subject of this sketch; Leslie, who died in 1926; and Evelyn, at home.
Ernest M. Dewhirst received his early schooling in the public schools of Richland County, Illinois. He was a member of the graduating class of Bridgeport Township High School in 1921 and then entered the University of Illinois, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1925 and the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1928. His interne work was done at Interne Cottage Hos- pital, Santa Barbara, California, during 1927-28, and in November, 1928, Doctor Dewhirst came to Catlin, where he took over the practice of Doctor Cloyd. He has an extensive private practice and is also physician and sur- geon for the Peabody, Taylor-English, and United Electric Mines.
In 1927 Doctor Dewhirst was united in marriage with Miss Lorraine Van Vleck, the daughter of Charles F. and Anna (Hoover) Van Vleck, of Philo, Illinois.
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Doctor Dewhirst is identified with the Vermilion County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is a Repub- lican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to Omega Beta Pi and Phi Chi fraternities. Doctor Dew- hirst was vice president of the Class of 1927 at the Uni- versity of Illinois, and was active in the athletic and fra- ternal life of the university.
John W. Newlin, deceased, was a highly esteemed and well known citizen of Ridge Farm, where he spent many years of his life. He was born at Bloomingdale, Parke County, Indiana, August 14, 1841, the son of Jacob and Sarah (Woody) Newlin.
Jacob Newlin was a native of North Carolina, as was his wife. They were pioneer settlers of Indiana and entered land from the government, which they improved, and upon which they lived for many years. The Newlins became successful farmers. Both Jacob Newlin and his wife are buried in Bloomingdale Cemetery. Their chil- dren were, as follows: Sinia, Levi, Exum, Ira, Matilda, and Emily, all deceased; and John W., the subject of this sketch.
John W. Newlin attended the rural schools of Parke County, Indiana, and he was reared on a farm. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade and spent several years at Bloomingdale, Parke County, Indiana. In 1889 he removed to Ridge Farm, Illinois, where he followed his trade, and he later became a leading building contractor of this section of the county. He was recognized as an expert workman and numerous residences at Ridge Farm stand as testimony of his workmanship. Mr. Newlin retired from business in 1918 and died December 12, 1927. He is buried at Ridge Farm.
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On January 1, 1880, Mr. Newlin was united in marriage with Miss Mary Meriweather, the daughter of David and Almira (Harkness) Meriweather. To John W. and Mary (Meriweather) Newlin were born three children: Irvin M., born January 8, 1881, lives at Springfield, Illinois, mar- ried Xenie Cunningham, and they have a daughter, Florence Jean; Florence, born April 23, 1883, married on May 29, 1928, to William Rowland Cormack, who was born September 29, 1879. She is librarian of the Carnegie Library at Ridge Farm; and Clayton J., born May 29, 1885, lives at Normal, Illinois. He married Sally Maude Cox, and they have three sons, John Cox, Robert E., and William B.
Mr. Newlin was a Republican and a member of the Society of Friends Church.
Ferris H. Jones is a veteran of the World War and one of the popular young business men of Catlin, where he is proprietor of the F. H. Jones Store. He is a native of Cat- lin, born March 20, 1894, the son of Henry R. and Anna V. (Champion) Jones.
Henry R. Jones, a highly esteemed citizen of Catlin, is a native of this place. He spent his boyhood on a farm and after his marriage came to Catlin, where he engaged in the meat business with his brother, Walter A. Jones. Mr. Jones also served as postmaster for a period of seven- teen years and was town collector for eight years. He later lived in Chicago, Illinois, where he was cashier of one of the J. R. Thompson restaurants. In 1917 he re- turned to Catlin, and was associated for a time with the Taylor-English Coal Company. He has been identified with his son's general mercantile business since 1925. Mr. Jones is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to Catlin Lodge No. 285, Ancient Free and
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Accepted Masons, Past Master, Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of five children: Grace V., married Charles H. Hughes, lives in Chicago; Claude R., lives at Lewistown, Pennsylvania; Russell F., lives at Catlin, is a World War veteran, having served in France with the One Hundred Thirty-second Infantry, Thirty- third Division; Ferris H., the subject of this sketch; and Lloyd W., lives at Danville, also a World War veteran.
Following his graduation from Catlin Township High School in 1913, Ferris H. Jones went to Chicago, where he accepted a position with the credit department of the Carson, Pirie, Scott & Company. At the outbreak of the World War he went to Danville and enlisted in the band of the One Hundred Forty-ninth Field Artillery, Forty- second (Rainbow) Division. He went to France with this outfit and served in the following battles and drives: Luneville, Baccarat, Champagne, Marne, St. Mihiel, and Muese-Argonne. He was discharged at Camp Grant, Illi- nois, May 12, 1919, after having served with the Army of Occupation in Germany from November 17, 1918, until April 4, 1919. After his discharge from the service, Mr. Jones was employed by the American Bridge Company, at Gary, Indiana. In October, 1919, he purchased the gen- eral store of Henry Jones, Jr., at Catlin, in partnership with his brother, Russell, and they continued in business together until 1927, when Ferris H. Jones became owner of the entire business, the company thereafter being known as F. H. Jones Store.
On January 1, 1920, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Hazel M. Stallings, the daughter of LeRoy and Pearl (Burgett) Stallings, of Fairmount, Illinois.
Politically, Mr. Jones is a Republican. He was elected supervisor of Catlin Township in April, 1929, and is also serving as a member of the Board of Education. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has the
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following lodge affiliations: Catlin Lodge, No. 285, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons; Order of the Eastern Star, No. 377, Gao Grotto; Mystice Order of Veiled Proph- ets of the Enchanted Realm, and belongs to the Danville Consistory; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Republican Veterans League.
Richard R. Zook, who died August 23, 1928, was a lead- ing citizen and representative business man of Hoopes- ton, where he was vice president and general manager of the Illinois Canning Company. He was born at Shep- pardstown, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1862, the son of Jacob and Lavina Zook.
Jacob Zook, a native of Pennsylvania, was a manu- facturer of bricks and was numbered among the prominent men of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He was also an ex- tensive real estate owner. He was twice married. To his first marriage two daughters were born, Mrs. Annette Lee, deceased, and Mrs. Lillian Manche, deceased, and to his second union four children were born as follows: Mrs. Florence Beaven, of Hillsboro, Maryland; Mrs. Carrie Bishop, of Wilmington, Delaware; Richard R., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Minerva Savage, of Norfolk, Virginia.
Richard R. Zook grew up in Pennsylvania and attended the public schools. He was employed at various occupa- tions early in life and for a time conducted a general mer- cantile business at Cheneyville. Later, he came to Hoopes- ton, where he became a horse buyer, shipping to the mar- kets. He also conducted a livery business on the present site of the Kimberlin Garage. In 1908 he went with the Illinois Canning Company as field manager. He remained with that concern until the time of his death and worked his way up to the office of general superintendent, being
RICHARD R. ZOOK
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
finally elected vice president and general manager in 1927. Honesty and square dealing were outstanding character- istics of Mr. Zook's business dealings, and throughout his business career he was a friend of the working man. He was always held in the highest esteem by all who knew him.
On July 11, 1895, Mr. Zook married Mrs. Ella (Moore) Trostle, the daughter of William Maxwell and Mahala (Brown) Moore, natives of Indiana. Mr. Moore died in 1913 and his wife died in 1923. Both are buried at Zion City, Illinois. The Moores located in Iroquois County, Illinois, about 1861 and were highly esteemed members of that section for many years. Mr. Moore retired in 1893 and lived in Chicago until 1907, at which time he located at Zion City, Illinois. To Richard R. and Ella (Moore) Zook were born three sons: Maxwell, lives at Hoopeston ; Eugene, born in May, 1903, died January 7, 1908; and Paul, who attends the University of Illinois.
By a former marriage to Willis F. Trostle, Mrs. Zook was the mother of one son, Bernal M. Trostle, of Peublo, Colorado. He married Bertha Sudan, and they have three children : Banetta, Lois Jean, and Betty June. Mrs. Zook's first husband, Willis F. Trostle, died August 1, 1893, and is buried at Milford, Illinois.
Mr. Zook was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Commercial Club, and Chamber of Commerce, Hoopeston.
William F. Temple is a leading and well known citizen of Fairmount, where he is serving as postmaster. He was born at Sidney, Illinois, February 11, 1867, the son of George W. and Elizabeth (Biggs) Temple.
George W. Temple was born in Pennsylvania, the son of George and Nancy (Hanks) Temple, natives of Ken- tucky. He is buried in Kentucky and his wife is buried in Kansas. She was a cousin of Abraham Lincoln. George
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W. Temple came to Sidney, Illinois, before the Civil War, and became a prosperous farmer and stockman. He also served as road commissioner of Champaign County for thirty-six years. He was a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Temple died in 1889 and his wife died in 1895. Both are buried at Sidney, Illinois. They were the parents of the following children: Win- field Scott, lives at Danville; Jerry, deceased; Josie, the widow of John Wapples, lives in California; Bergen, de- ceased; Mary, the widow of James Pate, lives at Fair- mount; William F., the subject of this sketch; Laura, mar- ried Sheridan Cole, lives at San Francisco, California; and Moses S., lives at Croswell, Michigan.
William F. Temple obtained his schooling in the public schools of Sidney, Illinois, and is a graduate of Sidney High School. In 1897 he came to Fairmount, where he became interested in the shipping of live stock. He re- mained in that business until 1910, at which time he was appointed postmaster of Fairmount. He served for five years and then purchased the hardware business of J. S. Crommell, which he successfully conducted until 1928. At that time he again became postmaster. He has also served as town clerk for six years, as supervisor for one year, and as a member of the town board for six years. He is chairman of the Vermilion County Republican Committee.
In 1895 Mr. Temple was united in marriage with Miss Zuma B. Wilson, the daughter of Van and Lucy Wilson, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. They are now residents of Sidney, Illinois. Mr. Wilson is a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Temple have no children.
Mr. Temple has always been a Republican. He is an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to Fair- mount Lodge No. 590, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Ansar Temple, and Modern Woodmen of America.
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Before her marriage, Mrs. Temple was a teacher in the schools of Vermilion County for twenty years and served as assistant county superintendent of schools.
Herman F. Keeney, who is principal of Catlin Town- ship High School, is among the representative young men of Vermilion County. He was born at Catlin, January 1, 1902, the son of Walter Scott and Laura (Driscoll) Keeney.
Walter Scott Keeney is a native of Catlin, born in August, 1864. His wife was born in Indiana. Mr. Keeney is numbered among the most successful farmers and stock- men of Vermilion County. He is a Republican, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Keeney have two children: Inez, married M. B. Stine, lives at Danville, and they have four children, La Verne, Floyd, Raymond, and Curtis; and Her- man F., the subject of this sketch.
Herman F. Keeney attended the public schools of Cat- lin and entered the University of Illinois after his gradua- tion from Catlin Township High School in 1921. He completed his university work in 1925 and began his teach- ing career at Reddick, Illinois, where he remained for two years as a teacher of agriculture. During 1927-29 he taught agriculture and science at Catlin Township High School, and in 1929 was appointed principal of the school. In 1929 he took post graduate work in education at the University of Illinois. While a student at the University of Illinois he was a member of the Reserve Officers Train- ing Corps, and received the commission of second lieu- tenant. In 1928 he was appointed first lieutenant and assigned to the Three Hundred Twenty-fourth Tank Bat- talion, Eighty-sixth Division.
On June 12, 1926, Mr. Keeney was united in marriage with Miss Jane Squires, the daughter of Brice and Ada
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(Hodson) Squires, residents of Catlin. Mr. Squires and his wife now reside in Catlin. Mr. and Mrs. Keeney have a son, John Fletcher, born March 30, 1928.
Mr. Keeney is a member of the Methodist Church and is Sunday School superintendent. He is affiliated with Gardner Lodge No. 573, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias, and Alpha Tau Alpha fra- ternity.
An outside interest of Mr. Keeney's is the breeding of fine sheep and he has taken numerous prizes at County and State fairs.
Pete Okuly is a widely known and highly esteemed cit- izen of Fairmount, where he is manager of the holdings of the Illinois Steel Company. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 9, 1871, the son of George and Frances (Steiner) Okuly.
Both George Okuly and his wife were natives of Stroudsburg, Germany. Following their marriage they emigrated to the United States and settled at Niagara Falls, New York, where Mr. Okuly followed his trade. Later, they lived at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in February, 1875, the family removed to Oakwood, Illinois, where Mr. Okuly was section foreman on the old Indianapolis, Bloom- ington & Western Railroad, now a section of the Big Four Railroad. He was thus employed for twenty-six years, after which he removed to Fairmount. He lived there retired until the time of his death, January 19, 1904. His wife died in September, 1925. Both are buried in Green- view Cemetery. Mr. Okuly was a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church. There were nine children in the Okuly family, as follows: Carrie, married William Moore, both deceased; Adam, lives at Decatur, Illinois; Barbara, the widow of Henry Robbins, lives at Danville; Margaret, lives at Danville; Myrtle, the widow of Thomas Reeves;
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George, lives at Niantic, Illinois; Pete, the subject of this sketch; Lena, married M. Crawford, lives at Oakwood, Illinois; and Bertha, married William Long, lives at Ham- mond, Indiana.
Pete Okuly attended the public schools of Oakwood, Illinois. At an early age he learned telegraphy and was employed as an operator by the Big Four Railroad at Lilly, Illinois, for eight years. He then went to East Saint Louis as an operator for the Chicago, Peoria & Saint Louis Railroad, and later was employed as a brake- man and finally as a conductor on that road. In 1904 he came to Fairmount and was employed as a miner for the Consolidated Coal Company. He subsequently worked for the Shirkey Coal Company, and then entered the First National Bank, of Fairmount, as bookkeeper. He also clerked in the Runyon general store for almost five years and then purchased the Temple Restaurant, which he con- ducted for a short time. On account of ill health, Mr. Okuly was forced to retire from business for almost two years after which he went with the Casparis Stone Com- pany, of Fairmount, as a shipping clerk. On May 1, 1921, the Illinois Steel Company purchased this quarry and Mr. Okuly remained as shipping clerk. In 1928 the company moved all of its equipment from Fairmount and left Mr. Okuly in charge of the property at this place. Mr. Okuly is the owner of valuable real estate in Danville and Fair- mount, and also owns the Shell Service Station, at Fair- mount.
On June 24, 1892, Mr. Okuly was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hughes, the daughter of Rev. David Hughes, a native of Muncie, Illinois. He was a minister of the Baptist Church and for a number of years lived at Crawfordsville, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Okuly were born three children: Delmar, who is manager of the Shell Service Station, Fairmount, is a World War veteran, hav- ing served in France. He married Reva Gillespie, and they
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have four children: Delmar, Jr., Eloise, LeWanda, and Beverly; (2) Gladys, married Arthur Boorde, lives at Dan- ville. They have two children, Garreth and Jack; (3) Helen, assistant postmaster, Fairmount.
Mr. Okuly is a Republican in politics. He has served on the village board for ten years, as a member of the school board for seven years, and as postmaster of Lilly, Illinois, for five years. He is a member of Fairmount Lodge, No. 590, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 973; Knights of Pythias, No. 268; and Rebekah Lodge. His wife is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. He and his family have an extensive acquaintance throughout Vermilion County and are well liked.
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