USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 2
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Judge Lindley was a member of the Board of Educa- tion of Danville for three years and during this time the new million-dollar high school was built. During the World war he made more than two hundred speeches as a "four- minute speaker" in behalf of the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, and was a member of the Legal Advisory Board of Vermilion County.
William J. Parrett .- One of the most influential figures in newspaper circles in Vermilion County is William J. Parrett, who is identified with the "Commercial-News" of Danville. He was born at Ottawa, Illinois, in 1873, the son of John and Emily (DeBolt) Parrett.
John Parrett was born at Newark, Ohio. Throughout his life he engaged in general farming and met with suc-
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cess. He is now deceased. His widow lives at Ottawa, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Parrett were born three chil- dren: Mrs. Thomas Reid, lives at Springfield, Illinois; Mrs. Edward Zelm, lives at Streator, Illinois; and William J., the subject of this sketch.
William J. Parrett began his newspaper career at Fonda, Iowa, and before locating at Danville worked as a reporter on newspapers in Sioux City, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa. He was connected with newspaper in Chi- cago in 1893; was manager of the Ottawa Journal in 1894- 95; manager of the LaCrosse (Wisconsin) "Republican- Leader" in 1896; advertising manager of the Aurora (Illi- nois) "News" in 1898; and came to Danville in 1898, where he joined John H. Harrison, owner of the "Commercial- News," as business manager and co-partner. Mr. Parrett's ability as a newspaper executive has been demonstrated in the fact that after coming to the "Commercial-News" he increased the circulation from eight hundred to thirty thousand, giving it the largest circulation of any news- paper in the United States in a city the size of Danville.
In 1904 Mr. Parrett married Miss Margaret Connor, of Danville, the daughter of John Connor. They have no children.
Mr. Parrett is a Republican and for eleven years has been a member of the City Election Commission. He served during the World war as a "Dollar a Year" man with the United States Department of Labor, and was a member of the Wilson peace party, attending the Ver- sailles Peace Conference in 1919. He has also been city collector for six years. Mr. Parrett is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Kiwanis Club, and is vice president and director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Parrett is the originator of "Dollar Day Sales," known to newspaper readers throughout America, and for this innovation in merchandising through the printed
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word has long enjoyed outstanding reputation. As first conceived, Mr. Parrett furnished plans for "Dollar Day" to two hundred twelve different newspapers in the United States for what is still believed to be a record for the sale of a single selling plan.
The "Commercial-News" has always followed a straightforward, aggressive editorial policy for the im- provement and betterment of Danville, and through it and its exertions the influence of Mr. Parrett and Mr. Harri- son has been felt in many directions and brought many public improvements and much public good to Danville. However, Mr. Parrett has also personally sponsored many movements for public good and among these holds credit for the adoption of the Danville City Plan, and the estab- lishment of Danville's municipal golf course, the first municipal course to be provided by any city in the State of Illinois. He also personally sponsored and helped organize the Associated Charities in Danville, bringing to- gether the charitable work of the city into a systematic plan of work.
John Higgins Harrison-The late John Higgins Harri- son was outstanding among the citizens of Danville both for his business ability and for his public spirited concern in the affairs of the community. He was born at Lebanon, Indiana, November 30, 1867, the son of Dr. Thomas H. and Minta (Higgins) Harrison.
Dr. Thomas H. Harrison was born at Ladoga, Indiana, December 10, 1842. He was a graduate of Ohio State Medical College and for a time practiced his profession at Lebanon, Indiana. Later, he became interested in the newspaper business at Lebanon and subsequently went to Michigan City, Ind. He was editor, publisher, and owner of the Lebanon Pioneer and the Michigan City Dispatch. Doctor Harrison became president of the State Benevolent
Postsharrison
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Boards of Indiana. He died August 12, 1890, and is buried at Thorntown, Indiana. His wife, born at Thorn- town, Indiana, August 21, 1844, died October 25, 1925, and is buried at Danville. The only child born to Doctor and Mrs. Harrison was John Higgins, the subject of this sketch.
John Higgins Harrison attended the grade schools of Lebanon, Indiana, and after his graduation in 1884 from Lebanon High School he entered DePauw University, from which he was graduated in 1891. At an early age he learned printing in his father's newspaper plants and in 1888 went to Indianapolis, Indiana, as a reporter on the Indianapolis Sentinel. His newspaper career next took him to Chicago, where he was associated from 1891 until 1894 with the Chicago Times and the Chicago Mail as re- porter, telegraph editor, and finally assistant editor. In 1895 he became press agent for a large circus and two years later was press agent for a theatrical circuit. He came to Danville in 1897 for the Evening Commercial and at that time acquired a half interest in the paper and also became its business manager.
The Commercial was established in 1866. The pres- ent Commercial-News is the result of a merger of the fol- lowing papers: Commercial, established in 1866; News, established in 1872, consolidated in 1903; Press, estab- lished in 1887; Democrat, established in 1897; consoli- dated in 1908; and merged with the Commercial-News in 1927. Mr. Harrison was editor of the Commercial-News. He was also president of the Home Theatre Company. He was a trustee of Lakeview Hospital, DePauw University, and the Young Men's Christian Association.
Mr. Harrison was married on June 23, 1928, to Lucille (Brian) Gilmore, of Chicago, the daughter of Alexis and Helen (Kelley) Brian. Mr. Brian is deceased and his widow lives in Chicago and Brownwood, Texas.
In politics Mr. Harrison was identified with the Repub- lican party. He was chairman of the Board of Commis-
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sioners of Joliet Prison from 1905 until 1913 and during the World War was a member of the Illinois State Council of Defense. He held membership in St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, and had the following lodge affiliations: Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Vermilion Chapter, Royal Arch Masons No. 82; Danville Council, Royal and Select Master Masons No. 37; Athlestan Commandry, Knights Templar No. 45; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; and Medinah Temple of the Shrine. He also belonged to the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, No. 332.
Mr. Harrison was a member of the Republican State Central Committee during 1914-16; chairman of the Re- publican State Convention in 1918; and a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1916 and 1928.
John H. Harrison died at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, March 2, 1930, at the St. Francis hospital in Miami Beach, Fla. Mr. Harrison was stricken with a paralytic stroke Nov. 1, 1929, while in St. Louis, Mo., on business. He was taken to the Missouri Baptist hospital where he recovered to the extent that on Dec. 21, he was taken to Miami Beach, Fla., where he remained until his death.
Mrs. Harrison who was in Florida with her husband, returned to Danville with his remains. Funeral services were held at the Saint James Methodist Episcopal Church on March 6th and interment was made in Springhill Ceme- tery, Danville.
Mr. Harrison's death was deeply felt and sincerely mourned by Danville and Vermilion County. Those closest to this great man felt his loss most keenly. Expressive of the great esteem in which he was held by his employes, the following tribute appeared in the issue of March 4, 1930 of the Commercial-News, signed by the one hundred and one employes of that newspaper:
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"The chief is gone.
And in his passing we have lost not only an employer, but a friend and adviser and a co-worker.
The door of his office was always open to his friends and we who worked, not for him, but with him, were made to feel we were his friends.
He always kindly listened to what we said. His keen, analytical mind readily grasped the problem presented, whether it concerned the business or our personal affairs.
The solution may not always have pleased, but calm reflection would reveal its correctness. In time of trouble, there was always sympathy and solicitude.
He asked for our best service and his was the type of employer that received our loyal support. The producer had no fear of censure from the chief.
We knew him as an ardent partisan in politics, but never did political or other ulterior considerations ever enter into the matter of our service.
We knew intimately his high ideals, his interests in community affairs, his love of Danville and never was there a question in the minds of we who served with him as to his sincerity in matters that concerned the public's welfare.
We have lost our friend and counselor, but in this loss we are confronted with the knowledge that we are the bet- ter for having known and enjoyed to the fullness his friendship.
We have lost the material contact we loved so well, but his memory will live on in our hearts and our tribute to his life will be our determination to do our part in carry- ing on the policies upon which he built The Commercial- News."
Harrison Park, Danville .- Appreciation of the love of a mother who, through his long business career, was an adviser and friend, who devoted her life to his happiness
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and welfare, prompted the gift to the city of Danville of Harrison Park by John H. Harrison, editor of the Com- mercial-News, and his wife, Mrs. Lucille Brian Harrison. Formal acceptance of the 233.47 acre tract was made by the city on November 13, 1928. Public announcement of the gift of the park was made by Mr. and Mrs. Harrison November 11, 1928.
The only restrictions accompanying the deed of the land were that the real estate should be held in trust by the city of Danville for the benefit of the public and for- ever be used only as a park and for recreational purposes by and for the public. The park was given in memory of Mr. Harrison's mother, Mrs. Minta Harrison, and is to be known as "Harrison Park." Mr. Harrison and his mother, during her lifetime, had often discussed its scenic beauty and advantages as a public park. Sixty-four acres of the tract was under lease for many years to the Danville Coun- try Club and Mr. Harrison and his mother were wont to sit on the clubhouse veranda and look out over the beautiful golf course to the wooded acres and hills across the river and discuss what its use as a public park would mean to the future of Danville. Following the purchase of the land from Carroll Williams and the Interstate Water Company, the Danville Country Club gave up its lease to move to its new location on the west side of Lake Vermilion, and the clubhouse was bought by the city.
In addition to the 64 acres under lease to the Danville Country Club, the tract runs through to the road by the old Woodbury farm, the river dividing the park. Bridges will be built, making every part of the park accessible to the public. Already an entrance has been made from the west side off the Woodbury Hill Road, making the beauti- ful grove, with deep ravines on either side, available for picnic purposes.
Harrison Park has been pronounced one of the greatest scenic spots in Illinois. Its hills and its ravines, the river
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cutting it in two, its wooded slopes, all blend to make it the most beautiful spot in Illinois. Nature left nothing to be supplied in the way of scenery. A spring of ice cold water at the bottom of one of the ravines on the west side adds the touch of completeness.
The park is a natural arboretum, presenting the op- portunity for the study of trees, such as is offered by no other wooded tract in Illinois. Oaks of all descriptions, ash, maple, beech, dogwood, red cedars, black walnut, but- ternut, hickory, hawthorn, linn, cottonwood, coffee, locust, sycamore, wild cherry, willow are but a part of the mar- velous assortment of trees. Stately white pines, native to Illinois, are found on the west side, perhaps the only touch to the natural beauty added by man, for they were planted some eighty years ago by Dr. W. W. R. Woodbury. The park offers tremendous possibilities along the line of de- velopment, exclusive of the magnificent nine-hole golf course, built and maintained by the Danville Country Club for many years and which represents an outlay of several hundred thousand dollars, of which the public will now reap the benefit.
It is safe to predict that Harrison Park will in the years to come become one of the scenic attractions of Illi- nois, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Elmer O. Furrow .- One of Danville's prominent men is Elmer O. Furrow, who holds the rank of State's Attor- ney. He is a veteran of the World War, having served in France with the Thirty-third Division. Mr. Furrow was born at Potomac, Vermilion County, March 29, 1885, the son of William Henry and Jessie H. (Ray) Furrow.
William Henry Furrow was born at Potomac in 1853. Throughout his life he engaged in general farming and stock raising in Vermilion County. He retired in 1919
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and removed to Oakwood, Illinois, where he died Novem- ber 13, 1925. His widow lives at Potomac. To Mr. and Mrs. Furrow were born three children: Estelle, married Elmer Rickert, lives at Potomac; Elmer O., the subject of this sketch; and George, who died August 25, 1927.
William Henry Furrow was the son of William R. Fur- row, who was born in Ohio in 1830. He became a pros- perous farmer and stockman of Vermilion County, where he died in 1901. He is buried at Armstrong, Illinois. Jessie H. (Ray) Furrow was the daughter of John L. Ray, who came to the United States from Ireland. He was a tailor by trade and spent many years at Mayview, Illinois.
After completing his early schooling at Danville, Elmer 0. Furrow was graduated from the University of Illinois with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1909. He was grad- uated the following year from the Law School of the University of Colorado and engaged in practice at Steam- boat Springs, Colorado, until 1913. He then returned to Illinois and engaged in private practice at Danville until August, 1917, at which time he enlisted for service in the World War. He attended the Officers Training School at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he was commissioned first lieutenant, Field Artillery. He subsequently was sent to France, and attended the Saumur School of Artillery. Throughout the war period he was attached to Battery B, One Hundred Twenty-fourth Field Artillery, Thirty-third Division, and was later commissioned captain. He partici- pated in the engagements at Meuse-Argonne, and the St. Mihiel Offensive, and was cited for gallantry at Epinon- ville, France, October 4, 1918. He was discharged at Camp Grant, May 9, 1919. After the close of the war Mr. Furrow resumed the practice of law at Danville. In December, 1924, he took the office of State's Attorney, and was reelected to office in December, 1928. He had previously served as assistant State's Attorney for three years.
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In 1925 Mr. Furrow married Pauline Davis, the daugh- ter of Floyd and Catherine Davis, natives of Indiana.
Mr. Furrow is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, Elks Club, Knights of Pythias, Loyal Order of Moose, Modern Woodmen of America, and Rose Lawn Country Club. He also belongs to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Hon. Lawrence T. Allen .- For many years Lawrence T. Allen has been a prominent citizen of Danville, a leading member of the bar, and actively concerned in all that serves to promote the welfare of his community. He was born at Hoopeston, Illinois, October 24, 1882, the son of Charles A. and Mary (Thompson) Allen.
Charles A. Allen was born at Rossville, Illinois, the son of William I. and Emily (Newell) Allen. William I. Allen served throughout the Civil War and held the rank of captain. He was county treasurer of Vermilion County and also served as justice of the peace. His wife, Emily Newell, was the daughter of Esquire Newell, after whom Newell Township, Vermilion County, was named. Charles A. Allen was graduated from the law school of the Univer- sity of Michigan and became a leading attorney of Ver- milion County. He was active in local politics and served for twenty-four years as a member of the Illinois State Legislature. He married Mary Thompson, the daughter of Lewis M. and Judith (Burrough) Thompson, early set- tlers of Danville.
Lawrence T. Allen received his early education in the public schools of Hoopeston and following his graduation from Greer College attended the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois, from which he was grad- uated in law in 1905. He took an active part in college athletics and was also a member of the University band
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and glee club. He was admitted to the bar in 1905 and at once engaged in the practice of law at Danville. From 1910 until 1918 he served as county judge of Vermilion County and in 1922 was appointed assistant United States District Attorney for the Eastern District of Illinois. In 1924 under the appointment of the United States Attorney General's office he served as special government prosecutor in full charge of the federal prosecutions of the noted Williamson County liquor cases.
Mr. Allen was married November 4, 1911, at Cham- paign, Illinois, to Miss Bess Trevett. They have two sons, John T., and Lawrence T.
Mr. Allen is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Elks Club, Sons of the American Revolution, Sigma Chi and Phi Delta Phi fraternities, and Danville Country Club. During the World War he served as major in the Tenth Illinois Infantry.
William Franklin Banta is a highly esteemed and widely known citizen of Ridgefarm, where he has spent his entire life. He was born in Elwood Township, Vermilion County, December 9, 1857, the son of James Henry and Mary (Russell) Banta.
James Henry Banta was a native of Flat Rock, Bour- bon County, Kentucky. The Banta geneology, printed in 1893, states that the Bantas are descendants of Epke Jacobse, who came from Friesland, Netherlands, to New Amsterdam in February, 1659. The present Banta family at Ridgefarm is the ninth generation of this family. The history of the family also states that they were a very re- ligious people. James Henry Banta, father of the subject of this sketch, was a farmer and was also interested in the grain business. Both he and his wife are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Ridgefarm. They were the parents of the following children: James A., deceased; William Frank-
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W.7 Banta
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lin, the subject of this sketch; Nancy Elizabeth, deceased ; Sarah Ann, deceased; Margaret Ellen, lives at Dana, Ind .; Amy Dorcas, lives at Danville, Ill .; Andrew Jackson, lives at Long Beach, Calif .; and John Harley, lives at Ridge- farm.
William Franklin Banta remained with his parents on the farm until he was 12 years of age, when the family removed to Ridgefarm. He received a limited education but never failed to take advantage of opportunities to sup- plement his education and early in life was recognized as a well informed young business man. Mr. Banta served an apprenticeship at the miller's trade and followed this busi- ness until 1882, when he purchased the mill property, which he continued to own and operate until his retire- ment from the grain business in October, 1908. The original mill building was erected in 1871 by Davis & Com- pany. It was later equipped with a full set of rollers, op- erating by gradual reduction process and which utilized Nordyke Norman & Company's system of milling. This mill turned out the very best of flour, the Peerless brand being fine and pure. The Ridge Farm Mill grew steadily in popularity and Mr. Banta shipped about 700 carloads of grain annually and 300 cars of hay. He gave employment to many men and never failed to advance the business in- terests of his town. Since his retirement from the grain business in 1908 Mr. Banta has been interested in the stock and bond business with offices in the City National Bank Building, Ridgefarm.
On November 14, 1889, Mr. Banta was united in mar- riage with Miss Buena V. Jerome, born in Milwaukee, Wis., the daughter of Oliver and Sarah Jane (Crawford) Jerome, natives of Ohio and Canada. The Crawfords were early settlers of Vermilion County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jerome are deceased. Three children were born to Mrs. and Mrs. Banta: Russell Crawford Banta was born De- cember 30, 1890, and died July 3, 1917. He married Miss
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Edith Elder of Georgetown, Ill. She now resides in Holly- wood, California. One child was born to this union, Wil- liam Russell. Helen T. Banta was born December 8, 1893, and died January 6, 1919. She was married to Russell P. Jones of Ridgefarm. To this union three children were born : Billie Banta, and twin daughters, Helen Elizabeth, and Anna Buena. The twins are being reared by Mr. and Mrs. William F. Banta. Robert Jerome Banta was born December 20, 1902, married Ida Gerlough Terry of Sidell, Illinois. They have one son, Robert Terry Banta.
Politically, Mr. Banta has always been a Democrat, and he has served as a member of the local school board for thirty-two years. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, thirty-second degree, and since November 3, 1880, he has been a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Banta has without doubt inherited from his sturdy ancestors those qualities of character which are inseparable from the successful business man and useful citizen.
Fred Lincoln Endicott .- In the responsible public office of county treasurer Fred Lincoln Endicott is devoting to the welfare of the people the talent and experience which have carried him to individual success and in his practical application of his abilities to the public service he is doing much for the local progress and well being. Mr. Endicott was born in Pilot Township, Vermilion County, June 22, 1876, the son of Austin and Ella (Ray) Endicott.
Austin Endicott was born in Pilot Township, and spent his entire life in Vermilion County. He was born in 1842 and died in 1878. Mr. Endicott was a carpenter and farmer. He was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and Masonic lodge. His widow, born in Indiana in 1855, lives at Frankfort, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Endi-
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cott had only one child, Fred Lincoln, the subject of this sketch.
Austin Endicott was the son of Samuel and Nancy (Neal) Endicott, natives of Indiana. They were early settlers of Vermilion County, where Mr. Endicott became successful as a farmer and stock raiser. Ella (Ray) Endi- cott is the daughter of John and Hattie (Woodard) Ray, also natives of Indiana. Both are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Champaign County, Illinois. Hattie (Woodard) Ray was the sister of Wilkie Woodard, who laid out the city of Lafayette, Indiana.
Fred Lincoln Endicott has always been interested in farming. He spent his boyhood in Vermilion County and received his education in the district schools. In 1914 he purchased two hunded and twenty acres of land from Hon. Joseph Cannon, which was located in Oakwood Town- ship, near Muncie, Indiana. He added to his holdings later with a purchase of forty acres from the estate of the Cannon heirs. This farm, located in Montgomery County, Indiana, is now rented by Mr. Edicott. He also owns a well improved farm of thirty acres near Danville.
Mr. Endicott served as tax collector of Pilot Township for a period of six years, and as road commissioner for nine years. He was elected county treasurer of Vermilion County in November, 1926, and took office on December 6, 1926.
In September, 1905, Mr. Endicott was united in mar- riage with Miss Nettie Epler, the daughter of John W. and Nancy (Williams) Epler, of Champaign County, Illi- nois. Mr. Epler died in 1926 and his wife died in 1924. They are buried at Fisher, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Endi- cott were born four children: 1. Alma, married Cord Davis, lives at Oakwood, Illinois. They have two daugh- ters, Nettie May and Margaret. 2. Charles, married Mereith Moorehouse, lives at Terre Haute, Indiana. They have three children: Wayne, Thelma, and Adine. 3.
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