USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 19
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George R. Catlett .- The career of George R. Catlett has long been identified with the business life of Fair- mount, where he is president of the First National Bank. He was born in Vermilion County, August 23, 1864, the son of Hiram H. and Lorinda (Roudebush) Catlett.
Hiram H. Catlett was born at Charlottsville, Virginia, October 21, 1823, and his wife was a native of Ohio. He came to Vermilion County when he was twenty-two years of age, and for many years was one of the most successful stockmen in this section of the state. In partnership with his brother, Harold Catlett, he owned and operated one thousand five hundred acres of land. Mr. Catlett died in 1903 and his wife died April 30, 1910. Besides his exten- sive land holdings in Vermilion County he was the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in Nebraska. He was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. Hiram H. Catlett was the son of Lawrence T. and Sally (Harman) Catlett, natives of Virginia. Lawrence T. Catlett was a well educated man, and for a time engaged in the practice of law. He was also a saddler and from 1835 until 1846
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lived at Bloomingburg, Ohio. In October, 1846, he brought his family to Vermilion County, being one of the first set- tlers of the county. He died July 7, 1861, and his wife died January 10, 1871. Both are buried in Davis Cemetery, Vance Township, Vermilion County.
The boyhood of George R. Catlett was spent in Ver- milion County, and he received his early education in the district schools. He spent two years at the University of Mississippi and attended Franklin (Indiana) College. When he was twenty-one years old he was given a farm of one hundred and six acres by his father. At that time he also became associated in the cattle feeding business with his father. Mr. Catlett came to Fairmount in 1906 and since that date has been a resident of that place. In 1905 he had purchased the interests of C. F. Iles in the Bank of Iles & White, which then became known as Catlett & White. In 1912 Mr. Catlett took over the interests of Mr. White and the name of the bank was changed to the Exchange Bank, at which time Mr. Catlett became presi- dent. The institution became known as the First National Bank in 1919, and Mr. Catlett continued as president. He is also vice president of the First National Bank, of Homer, Illinois, and is treasurer of the Fairmount Building & Loan Association. He is the owner of one thousand, two hundred acres of fine farm land in Vermilion County and operates two thousand acres of land for the Catlett estate. He also has large land holdings in Indiana and Oklahoma.
In 1890 Mr. Catlett was united in marriage with Miss Bertie Tilton, the daughter of G. Wilse and Elizabeth (Albright) Tilton, natives of Indiana, both now deceased. Mr. Tilton was a pioneer merchant of Catlin and was also well known as a writer on the Commercial News, Danville. To Mr. and Mrs. Catlett were born two children, Shirley T. and Kemp R.
Shirley T. Catlett was born in 1891. He married Effie Werhman, and they live at Fairmount, where he is cashier
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of the First National Bank. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Mr. Catlett is a member of Fair- mount Lodge, No. 285, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree.
Kemp R. Catlett was born in 1897. He also attended the University of Illinois and is cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, of Homer, Illinois. He married Josephine Parrish, and they live at Fairmount. He is also affiliated with Fairmount Lodge No. 285, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Danville Consistory, and Mohammed Shrine.
George R. Catlett is a Democrat and holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
The First National Bank, of Fairmount, is recognized as a dependable banking institution of Vermilion County. It was organized as a private bank, July 1, 1904, by Charles Iles and Dr. Howard E. White, and was known as the Iles & White Bank.
On September 26, 1905, George R. Catlett purchased an interest in the bank, and the name was changed to the Exchange Bank. On September 1, 1919, it was incorpo- rated under the laws of the State of Illinois as the First National Bank, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. The officers were: G. R. Catlett, president; Dale Craig, vice president; and Shirley Catlett, cashier. The directors were: G. R. Catlett, Dale Craig, Shirley Catlett, Bertie T. Catlett, and Kemp R. Catlett.
The officers of the First National Bank for the year 1929 are as follows: G. R. Catlett, president; Kemp R. Catlett, vice president; Shirley T. Catlett, cashier; and John E. Cast, assistant cashier. The directors are: G. R. Catlett, Kemp R. Catlett, Shirley T. Catlett, Bertie T. Cat- lett, and Effie Catlett.
The statement of the First National Bank as of March 27, 1929, is as follows. Resources: Loans and discounts,
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$165,851.07; Overdrafts, $650.96; United States Govern- ment securities, $25,126.56; other bonds, stocks and secur- ities owned, $6,100.00; Banking House, $4,250; Furniture and Fixtures, $3,090.79; Reserve with Federal Reserve Bank, $12,570.21; Cash and Due from Banks, $27,163.02; Redemption Fund with United States Treasurer and Due from Treasurer, $750.00; Total, $245,552.61. Liabilities: Capital Stock paid in, $30,000.00; Surplus, $6,000.00; Undi- vided Profits, net, $1,287.24; Reserves for Dividends, Con- tingencies, etc., $2,963.97; Circulating Notes Outstanding, $15,000.00; Demand Deposits, $140,750.35; Time Deposits, $49,551.05. Total, $245,552.61.
Don A. Jones is among the most progressive and suc- cessful business men of Ridge Farm, where he is proprietor of Jones Garage, local dealers for the Chevrolet automo- bile. He was born near Metcalf, Illinois, March 15, 1874, the son of William M. and Charity Elizabeth (Blanchard) Jones.
William M. Jones was born at Springfield, Ohio, and his wife was a native of Chrisman, Illinois. He came to Illi- nois after the Civil War, in which he had served as a member of an Ohio outfit. He became a successful farmer and owned a well improved farm near Metcalf, Illinois. He died in 1908 and his wife died in 1894. Both are buried at Chrisman. Mr. Jones was a Democrat and served as road commissioner and as a member of the school board. He was a member of the Baptist Church and Grand Army of the Republic. Charity Elizabeth (Blanchard) Jones was the daughter of Horatio Blanchard, who was born in 1804. He was engaged in the building of the first building on the site of Chicago, having driven a team of oxen there. He is buried near Chrisman. To Mr. and Mrs. William M.
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Jones only one child was born, Don A., the subject of this sketch.
Don A. Jones was educated in the public schools of Metcalf, Illinois, and in 1893 was graduated from Central Normal College, Danville. He remained on his father's farm until 1908, at which time the elder Mr. Jones died, leaving the land to his son. In 1910 Don A. Jones located on a farm of two hundred and twenty-two acres east of Ridge Farm, where he remained until 1917. He then sold his interests and came to Ridge Farm. He purchased the Bantas Garage in October, 1928, and at that time took over the agency for the Chevrolet automobile. He operates the largest garage in the city and does general repair work.
In 1895 Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Barth, the daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Barth) Barth, both natives of Stroudsburg, Germany, and now deceased. He was an early settler of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have no children.
Mr. Jones is a member of the Methodist Church, and he belongs to Ridge Farm Lodge No. 632, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Medinah Temple, Chicago. His wife is active in the Order of the Eastern Star. They are prominent mem- bers of the community in which they live.
Mrs. Cora M. (Enos) Test, well known throughout Ver- milion County as the efficient postmaster of Indianola, is a native of Illinois. She was born near Arcola, the daugh- ter of Frazier P. and Frances C. (Robertson) Enos.
Frazier P. Enos was born at Oxford, Ohio, and his wife was a native of Greensburg, Indiana. He came to Illinois with his parents and lived at Arcola and Tuscola. In 1900 he removed to Vermilion County and spent eight years on the William Vanneman farm. He retired in 1908 and died
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February 24, 1925. His wife died in 1905. Both are buried at Ridge Farm. Mr. Enos was a Republican and a member of the Society of Friends Church. He served about ninety days during the Civil War with an Indiana outfit and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. To Mr. and Mrs. Enos were born six children, as follows: Cora M., the subject of this sketch; Jessie, married L. E. Woods, lives at Star City, Indiana; John W., lives at Danville; Orpha, lives in Chicago, Illinois; Birney Garfield, who died in June, 1901; and Earl C., postmaster, Vermilion Grove, Illinois.
Cora M. Enos attended the public schools of Arcola, Illinois, and in 1888 was graduated from high school. She lived with her grandparents, John and Margaret (Bran- non) Enos, for a number of years, and in 1900 went with her father. She came to Indianola in 1909. She had mar- ried Richard J. Test, on January 22, 1908. He is the son of John and Phoebe (Sheets) Test, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. Both are deceased and are buried in Conkey Cemetery, Paris, Illinois. He was a veteran of the Civil War. Richard J. Test was born at Paris, Illinois, December 10, 1867. He followed general farming until 1909 and served as deputy sheriff from 1911 until 1915, and as constable from 1908 until the present time. He is also assistant postmaster. Mrs. Test was acting postmaster from March 24, 1922, until August 12, 1922, and was appointed postmaster by President Warren G. Harding on August 12, 1922.
Mrs. Test is a Republican in politics, a member of the Church of Christ, and belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors, Illinois Postmasters League, and American Postmasters Association.
Mr. Test is affiliated with Vermilion Lodge, No. 265, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Gao Grotto, and Mod- ern Woodmen of America.
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Wilbur W. Gibbs, who is one of the most successful mer- chants of Indianola, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Riola, April 1, 1886, the son of Albert H. and Mary K. (Dye) Gibbs.
Albert H. Gibbs was born in Iowa. Early in life he came to Illinois, where he followed his trade as a brick mason. He was located at Danville for some time and later worked at Riola, where he was married. He then settled on a farm and after a number of years removed to George- town, Illinois. He returned, however, to Riola and in 1909 came to Indianola, where he purchased an interest in James Healy's store. His son, Fred Gibbs, became half owner of the business and later Albert H. Gibbs sold his interests to Wilbur W., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Gibbs has since lived retired at Indianola. He is a Repub- lican. Mary K. (Dye) Gibbs was born at Riola, Illinois, and died in 1913. She is buried at Indianola. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs: Fred, general merchant, Indianola; Wilbur W., the subject of this sketch; Nora, married Chester Baum, lives in Carroll Township, Vermilion County; and Addie, married Vere Ross, lives at Anderson, Indiana.
Wilbur W. Gibbs was educated in the public schools of Indianola, where he has spent practically his entire life. He became a clerk in his father's store after his graduation from Indianola High School, and later purchased his father's share in the business. The store was finally sold to Fred Gibbs and Wilbur W. Gibbs became interested in the breeding of pure bred Poland China hogs on his farm of eighty acres near Indianola. He continued in that work for nine years and then became associated with the Sidell Motor Company, Indianola. Later, he was connected with the International Harvesting Company as a salesman and in 1922 went with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad at Danville. Four years later he purchased the grocery
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and meat business of Blaine Willison, which he has since most successfully conducted.
In 1914 Mr. Gibbs married Miss Susie Matkin, the daughter of Theodore H. and Sarah (Rainey) Matkin, of Indianola. Both Mr. and Mrs. Matkin are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs a daughter was born, Veneta.
Politically, Mr. Gibbs is a Republican, and he has served as precinct committeeman and road commissioner, and he is affiliated with Vermilion Lodge, No. 265, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Past Master; Gao Grotto; and the Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm.
Harry E. Watkins, of Indianola, is cashier of the First State Bank & Trust Company. He was born at Danville, Illinois, October 15, 1893, the son of Albert F. and Emma J. (Bracewell) Watkins.
Albert F. Watkins, who lives retired at Danville, is a native of Wisconsin. He spent his boyhood there and early in life became a miner. He was employed in the old Kelly Mines of Danville after coming to Illinois and finally be- came superintendent of the Stansbury and Watkins Coal Mine, at Hungry Hollow, near Danville. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1920. Mr. Watkins is a Republican, and a member of the First Congregational Church. His wife is a native of Danville. To Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were born four children: Winifred, de- ceased; Mabel, married Rev. W. C. Reeder, lives at Spring- field, Illinois; Byron, a World War veteran, lives at Dan- ville; and Harry E., the subject of this sketch.
Harry E. Watkins grew up in Danville and received his education in the public schools. Following his graduation from high school in 1911 he entered Brown's Business Col- lege. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Fidelity Investment & Loan Association as a bookkeeper.
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On November 1, 1917, Mr. Watkins enlisted for service in the World War and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, and later was discharged on account of disability. He re- enlisted in August, 1918, and went to Spartansburg, South Carolina, where he was attached to the Fifth Anti-Air- craft Machine Gun Company. He was sent to France and later was transferred to Company D, Three Hundred Fifth Field Artillery, Seventy-seventh Division. He was dis- charged as a first class private in April, 1919. Mr. Watkins then became associated with the Conron Hardware Com- pany, as a salesman and in 1920 became cashier of the First State Bank & Trust Company.
On November 2, 1922, Mr. Watkins was united in mar- riage with Miss India Dale McMillian, the daughter of John A. and Elvie D. (Gasper) McMillian, the former a native of Pensylvania and the latter of New York. Mr. McMillian is president of the First State Bank & Trust Company, Indianola. He is also supervisor of Carroll Township. Mrs. McMillian died in April, 1927, and is buried at Indianola. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have a son, Ray Allen, born April 6, 1925.
Mr. Watkins is a Republican, a member of the First Congregational Church, and belongs to Vermilion Lodge, No. 265, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Past Master in 1925; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Gao Grotto; Order of Eastern Star; and Knights of Pythias.
Joseph R. Atkinson .- One of the most substantial young men of Sidell is Joseph R. Atkinson, who is serving as postmaster. He is also a veteran of the World War. Mr. Atkinson was born in Champaign County, Illinois, October 8, 1895, the son of Lafayette and Mabel (Rush) Atkinson.
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Lafayette Atkinson was born in Virginia in 1855. He came to Illinois with his parents when he was ten years old and they located on a farm in Champaign County. Mr. Atkinson became a successful farmer and was also a car- penter by trade. He was a member of the Christian Church, and belonged to the Knights of Pythias and Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Atkinson died in 1919 and is buried at Sidell. His widow, born at Ogden, Illinois, lives at Piqua, Ohio. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson: Joseph R., the subject of this sketch; Gladys, married Paul Harlan, lives at Indianapolis, Indi- ana; Wilma, deceased; Howard and Gordon, both live at Piqua, Ohio.
The early education of Joseph R. Atkinson was received in the public schools of Sidell. Following his graduation from Sidell High School in 1914 he attended Eastern Illi- nois State Normal College. He taught school until his enlistment for service in the World War, May 7, 1918. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, where he remained until July 26, 1918. He was then sent to Philadelphia and sailed in August for England, where he was active in the Queenstown Naval Yards until the close of the war. He was later transferred to Liverpool and engaged in per- sonnel work. Mr. Atkinson was discharged on June 14, 1919, as a first class seaman. He resumed his teaching at Mount Olive Consolidated School, Edgar County, Illinois, and was located there from 1919 until 1923, when he re- signed. He became postmaster of Sidell on August 27, 1923, and was reappointed to office on March 22, 1928.
On December 24, 1919, Mr. Atkinson was united in mar- riage with Miss Helen Blanchard, the daughter of Henry and Edith (Fritchie) Blanchard. Mrs. Blanchard lives at Sidell. She is the daughter of Amos W. and Mary Jane (Taylor) Fritchie, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson have
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two children: Julia Mae, born July 27, 1924; and Gerald Waldo, born April 30, 1928.
Mr. Atkinson is a Republican in politics. He is an active member of the Christian Church, and belongs to Sidell Lodge No. 798, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is secretary of the Board of Education, Sidell.
James H. Dyer, of the Vermilion County bar, has had a wide and successful practice at Hoopeston for many years and is active in the business and civic affairs of that community. He was born on a farm in Calloway County, Missouri, February 28, 1856. His father, Henry H. Dyer, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, April 9, 1831. He was married to Sarah J. Wescott, who was born in New York City, July 26, 1837. Their marriage took place at Mansfield, Ohio, November 22, 1853, where he had a posi- tion as teller in the Bank of Mansfield. In 1854 he moved from there to Missouri and in 1860 to Colorado, crossing the plains by covered wagons. There were then no rail- roads west of Omaha. In 1867 he returned from the West with his family, again crossing the plains by covered wag- ons, accompanying a wagon train with one hundred armed men, for protection against the Indians, who were at that time in bitter warfare against the white settlers. The cara- van camped at night in the sod forts which had been con- structed by the Government, about thirty miles apart along the trail, from Omaha to the West. While enroute they had several skirmishes with the Indians but no serious battles.
Henry H. Dyer located in Chicago and engaged in busi- ness there for a time, and later lived in southern Illinois. He moved to Hoopeston with his family in 1875, and there began the practice of law, in which he was actively en-
JAMES H. DYER
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gaged up to the time of his death, which occurred Novem- ber 24, 1881. His wife died March 18, 1925, at Creal Springs, Illinois, and both parents are buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston. There were born to this mar- riage, besides the subject of this sketch, three children: Susan U., married Lucien E. Griggs; Jennie P., married John B. Wallbridge; and Edward N., married May Haines. All are now deceased and are buried in Floral Hill Ceme- tery, Hoopeston.
The ancestry of the Dyer family can be traced back in a direct line, to William Dyre or Dyer,-spelled both ways in documents, who was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1587. He emigrated to America at about the age of forty years and the records of the Colonies show that along with eighteen others he founded the town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, March 7, 1638. He was also one of eight English- men who founded Newport, Rhode Island, April 28, 1639, and he was elected clerk of the new colony. He afterwards became first secretary of Rhode Island and later attorney general. He died in 1677. Mary Dyer, his wife, is a noted character in the early history of the Quakers. She adopted that faith and became an active minister of that denomina- tion, and as such incurred the enmity of the Government. She is described as "a person of comely stature and coun- tenance, of a piercing knowledge of many things, and of a wonderful sweet and pleasant discourse." She was arrested while preaching at Boston and brought to trial before Governor Endicott, and being questioned, owned herself to be a Quaker, and upon her refusal to desist from preaching, she was sentenced to death, and executed June 1, 1660. The "Friends" records at Portsmouth thus note her death: 'Mary Dyer, the wife of William Dyer, of Newport, Rhode Island, was put to death at the town of Boston with the like cruel hand, as the Martyrs were, in Queen Mary's time, upon the first day of the 6th month, 1660." The occasion of her death aroused so much feeling
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in the Colonies that within a year Charles II required the abolishment of the death penalty against Quakers.
James H. Dyer was married October 18, 1877, at Hoopeston, to Miss Lillian C. Furness, born March 29, 1856, at Blackwood, New Jersey. Her father, John D. Furness was born in Westmorland County, England, and emigrated to America, with other members of the family when quite young, residing in Philadelphia. Both par- ents died in early life and are buried at Pallatin, Illinois. Mrs. Dyer was raised by her aunt, Elizabeth Atkinson, who emigrated from England to America in a sailing vessel over ninety-six years ago. There were born to this mar- riage three children: Louis H., born December 23, 1879, Hoopeston; Charles F., born February 25, 1887, Hoopeston, captain of Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth In- fantry, Twenty-ninth Division, in the late World War; and Lucien B., born October 17, 1889, Hoopeston, captain of Company D, Three Hundred and Eleventh Motor Supply Train, Eighty-sixth Division, in the late World War. Both served in France.
James H. Dyer has resided in Hoopeston since 1875. After finishing high school he graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Chicago, and then commenced the study of law in his father's law office, later continuing his law studies in the Law Department of Wesleyan Uni- versity at Bloomington, Illinois. He was admitted to the Bar in 1881, by the Supreme Court of Illinois, and at the death of his father, in that year, immediately began the active practice of his profession. In 1911, his son, Charles F. Dyer, was graduated from the Northwestern University Law School and was admitted to the bar, and became a member of the law firm of Dyer & Dyer.
Mr. Dyer served as alderman in the city council for eight years, later as mayor, was a member of the school board for several years, and was chairman of the Board of Instruction, during the World War, also a member of
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various committees to put over the Liberty Loans, and to raise funds for the Red Cross, and other war activities. He was instrumental in securing the location of the Car- negie Library Building at Hoopeston, and was a member of the committee that supervised its construction, and has been an active member of the Library Board ever since its organization.
Mr. Dyer has also engaged in other lines of business, besides his profession. In 1905, in conjunction with H. C. Finley and M. H. Lewis, he organized the Illinois Lumber, Grain & Coal Company, with a capital stock of $100,000, and was connected with that company as vice president for twenty years, disposing of his interest in 1925. In 1919, with the late John L. Hamilton and James A. Cunningham, he organized the Hoopeston National Bank, with a capital of $100,000, and since that time has been vice president of that institution.
Mr. Dyer has helped to permanently improve the busi- ness section of the city by constructing several attractive business blocks.
Mr. Dyer is a member of the Commercial Club, Cham- ber of Commerce, and the Hubbard Trail Country Club. He has a fine law library, and a private library in his home, and devotes much of his leisure time to reading. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States, also has made a tour of the West Indies, and Central America, and has traveled widely throughout Europe.
Capt. Lucien B. Dyer, a veteran of the World War, ranks high among the dependable and highly successful young business men of Hoopeston, and is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Vermilion County. He was born in this city, August 17, 1889, the son of James H. and Lillian C. (Furness) Dyer.
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