History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two, Part 20

Author: Williams, Jack Moore, 1886-
Publication date: 1930
Publisher: Topeka, [Kan.] ; Indianapolis, [Ind.] : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 626


USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 20


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).


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A complete sketch of James H. Dyer appears elsewhere in this history.


The boyhood of Lucien B. Dyer was spent in Hoopes- ton, where he attended the public schools. He was gradu- ated from Culver Military Academy in 1908, from Prince- ton University in 1912, and spent two years in the Law School of Northwestern University, after which he took a course of instruction in engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1916 Mr. Dyer was one of the incorporators of the H. C. Finley Construction Company, Hoopeston, and was put in charge of paving work at Catlin, Illinois. He was thus engaged at the outbreak of the World War. He enlisted April 22, 1917, and returned to Culver Military Academy for special instruction, later being enrolled in the officers training school at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he was commissioned a captain of infantry. In Septem- ber, 1917, he was assigned to the Eighty-sixth Division at Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. Later, he became com- mander of Company M, Three Hundred and Forty-third Infantry, and through his own personal request was trans- ferred to Company D, Three Hundred and Eleventh Motor Supply Train, as commander. He served in various camps throughout the United States and was in charge of am- munition truck trains. His outfit sailed for France Oc- tober 1, 1918, and he served at Cherbourg, France, where he again joined the 86th Division. Captain Dyer was in charge of numerous ammunition truck trains that motored throughout France. He sailed from France August 6, 1919, and was discharged from the service. Upon his return to Hoopeston Mr. Dyer purchased the interests of the Finley Construction Company, which was reorganized as the L. B. Dyer Construction Company. He is presi- dent of this well known business enterprise.


In 1923 Mr. Dyer married Miss Frieda Willett, the daughter of John Willett, formerly of Hoopeston, now liv- ing in Missouri.


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Politically, Mr. Dyer is an independent voter. He is a charter member of the American Legion, and belongs to the "Forty and Eight" Society, Hubbard Trail Country Club, Elm Club of Princeton, and Chamber of Commerce, Hoopeston.


Capt. Charles F. Dyer, World War veteran, is promi- nent in legal circles in Hoopeston, where he is a member of the law firm of Dyer & Dyer. He was born at Hoopes- ton, February 25, 1887, the son of James H. and Lillian C. (Furness) Dyer.


A sketch of James H. Dyer appears elsewhere in this history.


Charles F. Dyer received his early education in the pub- lic schools of Hoopeston. He is a graduate of Culver Mili- tary Academy, University of Illinois, and Law School of Northwestern University. He was admitted to the bar in 1911 and immediately thereafter became identified with his father in general practice at Hoopeston, the firm being known as Dyer & Dyer. They have offices in the Willdon Building. Mr. Dyer served as city attorney from 1913 until 1925 and was reappointed to that office in 1929. He is also president of the Dealers Finance Company, Hoopeston.


In 1911 Mr. Dyer married Miss Irma L. Miller, the daughter of Oscar and Anna C. (Cunningham) Miller. The former is deceased and the latter lives at San Diego, California. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer have two daughters, Doris and Mary.


In the spring of 1917 Mr. Dyer was commissioned a first lieutenant and called into active service May 12, 1917, and was assigned to the first officers training camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. From there he was assigned to the Eighty-sixth Division, located at Camp Grant, Ill., where he was assigned to the Second Battalion of the Three Hun-


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dred and Forty-second Infantry, as Battalion Adjutant. While there he was appointed special judge advocate to try several of the Government's most important cases against draft deserters. He was later promoted to a captaincy and appointed operations and intelligence officer of said regi- ment. On September 7, 1918, he sailed for overseas duty with this regiment and upon his arrival in France, was as- signed to the Twenty-ninth Division and was given com- mand of Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth In- fantry. He was discharged from service May 15, 1919 ; re- taining a captaincy in the reserve corps, which he still holds.


Mr. Dyer is a Republican, a member of the Universalist Church, Vermilion County Bar Association, Commercial Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Hubbard Trail Country Club. He was one of the organizers of the local post of the American Legion, and is past commander. He also be- longs to the "40 and 8" Society.


Wade A. Holton .- One of the representative bankers of Vermilion County is found in Wade A. Holton, who is president of the First National Bank of Sidell. He was born near Sidell, January 24, 1886, the son of Dr. Henry C. and Ura A. (Ames) Holton.


Dr. Henry C. Holton, a prominent physician and sur- geon of Sidell, is a native of Indianola, Illinois. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools and studied at the University of Illinois for one year. He then taught in the schools of Vermilion County for ten years, after which he read medicine in the office of Doctor Martinie. He was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, in 1883, and began the practice of his profession at Homer, Illinois. He later was located at Archie, Illinois, and since 1887 has engaged in private practice at Sidell.


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Doctor Holton is a Republican, and belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, having been presented with the fifty-year jewel by the lodge, and he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Vermilion County Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society, and American Medical Association. To Doctor and Mrs. Hol- ton three children were born: Max, born July 14, 1884, who is cashier of the First National Bank, Sidell, married Inez Barton, and they have a son, Earl F .; Wade A., the subject of this sketch; and Caryl Ames, lives at London, Ohio. He married Celia S. Cathcart, and they have two sons, William Cathcart and Richard Henry.


Wade A. Holton attended the public and high schools of Sidell and began his business career with the First Na- tional Bank of Welettka, Oklahoma, as a bookkeeper. He returned to Sidell in 1903 and three years later became assistant cashier of the Lyons-Alexander & Company, a private banking institution. In October, 1920, Mr. Holton was made cashier of the First National Bank of Sidell and the following year became president. He is also a director of the Sidell Building & Loan Association.


In 1913 Mr. Holton was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Crew, the daughter of W. R. and Laura (Mc- Daniel) Crew, the former a native of England and the latter of Illinois. Mr. Crew is deceased and his widow lives at Carlinville, Illinois. Charlotte (Crew) Holton died in 1919 and is buried at Carlinville. Her son, Kenneth Holton, is a student in the Sidell public schools. Mr. Hol- ton was married the second time in 1922 to Miss Edith Conley, the daughter of Hugh H. and Alice (Saunders) Conley, natives of Newport, Indiana, both now deceased. Mr. Conley was a Civil War veteran and a successful attorney.


Mr. Holton is a Republican in politics and has served as supervisor continuously since April, 1925. He is a mem-


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ber of the Baptist Church, and has the following lodge affiliations: Sidell Lodge No. 798, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Past Grand; Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; and Knights of Pythias.


The First National Bank, Sidell, is among the oldest and most dependable banking institutions of Vermilion County. It was organized as a private bank in 1887 by William Lyons, William J. Alexander, Joseph Alexander, and William G. Cathcart. It was originally known as Lyons-Alexander & Company. In 1907 Mr. Lyons disposed of his interests and the bank was thereafter known as Alexander & Cathcart. It continued as a private enter- prise until 1909, at which time Alexander & Cathcart pur- chased the charter and holdings of the First National Bank, of Sidell, and following the merger of these two banks the name was changed to the First National Bank of Sidell.


The first officers of the newly organized bank were as follows: William G. Cathcart, president; William J. Alex- ander, vice president; John A. Cathcart, cashier; and Wade A. Holton, assistant cashier. The directors were: W. G. Cathcart, W. J. Alexander, J. A. Cathcart, Anna Cathcart, and Harvey Sconce. The bank now has a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, and a surplus of twenty-five thousand dollars. The present officers are: Wade A. Hol- ton, president; John A. Cathcart, vice president; Max C. Holton, cashier; and Don C. Lewis, assistant cashier. The directors are: Hetty Alexander, Parker W. Bennett, John A. Cathcart, Wade A. Holton, and Max C. Holton.


The statement as of December 31, 1928, follows: Re- sources: Loans, $219,340.78; Overdrafts, $141.94; United States Bonds, $25,000.00; Other Bonds, Stocks, etc., $22,- 254.24; Bank Building and Equipment, $6,842.35; Due from


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United States Treasurer, $1,250.00; Cash and Exchange, $84,291.77. Total, $359,121.08. Liabilities: Capital Stock, $25,000.00; Surplus, $25,000.00; Undivided Profits, $3,- 664.94; Reserved for Dividends, $3,750.00; Circulation, $25,000.00; Certified Checks, $925.00; Deposits, $275,781.14. Total, $359,121.08.


The First National Bank of Sidell is a member of the Vermilion County Federation of the Illinois Bankers Asso- ciation and the American Bankers Association.


Frank G. Anderson, mayor of Allerton, is also one of the popular young business men of that place, where he is identified with the Anderson & Allen Lumber Company. He was born at Allerton, March 16, 1898, the son of Gus and Josephine (Brown) Anderson.


Gus Anderson is a prominent citizen of Allerton. He was born in Sweden and was twelve years old when he came to this country with his parents. They settled in New York and later located at Paxton, Illinois. Mr. An- derson became a prosperous farmer of Champaign and Vermilion counties and also engaged extensively in the grain business. He has been active in the civic and social life of Allerton and has lived here retired since 1909. Mr. Anderson is a Democrat and has served as road commis- sioner and school director. His wife is a native of Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson two sons were born: Fred, farmer, lives at Allerton; and Frank G., the subject of this sketch.


Frank G. Anderson has always lived at Allerton. After his graduation from high school in 1919 he attended the University of Illinois. In 1920 he became manager of the Harry Allen Grain Company, Allerton, and four years later formed a partnership with Ralph Allen, the firm being known as the Anderson & Allen Lumber Company.


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The company owns a large lumber yard at Allerton and carries on a large volume of business annually.


Mr. Anderson is identified with the Republican party in politics and has served as mayor of Allerton continu- ously since 1923, having been elected to office on four successive occasions. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to Broadlands Lodge No. 791, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Danville Consistory, thirty- second degree, and Mohammed Temple. Mr. Anderson is unmarried.


Ross Goodwin, popular garage owner of Indianola, where he has the agency for the Willys-Knight and Whip- pet automobiles, is a native of Vermilion County. He was born at Indianola, November 28, 1900, the son of Edward and Isabelle (Jackson) Goodwin.


Edward Goodwin was born at Georgetown, Illinois, and his wife is a native of Indianola. For many years he fol- lowed general farming and stock raising. He now holds a township office. Mr. Goodwin is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin: Hallie, married Claude Williams, lives at India- nola; Orpha, married first to Lester Baldwin, and later to Thomas Fitzsimmons, lives at Georgetown, Illinois; Mil- dred, married Guy Cunningham, lives at Vermilion Grove, Illinois; Ross, the subject of this sketch; Edna, married Lee Henderson, lives at Indianola; and Ferryl, married Rex Bradshaw, lives at Indianola.


The boyhood of Ross Goodwin was spent at Indianola, where he attended the public schools. At an early age he became interested in the automobile business and took a course in automobile mechanics. He also studied at the American School of Aviation, Chicago, and in 1921 estab- lished his present business at Indianola. Mr. Goodwin


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does general repair work and employs four expert mechan- ics in his garage. He also deals in automobile accessories and is local dealer for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Com- pany.


On June 16, 1927, Mr. Goodwin was married to Miss Laverne Sheppard.


Politically, Mr. Goodwin is a Republican and he is a member of the village board.


Charles B. Cunningham is among the well known resi- dents of Allerton, where he is interested in the hardware business, and is also serving as a member of the village board and as deputy sheriff of Vermilion County. He is a native of Lafayette, Indiana, born September 6, 1875, the son of A. J. and Sarah E. (Clark) Cunningham.


A. J. Cunningham was born at Americus, Indiana, the son of Isaac Cunningham, a native of Edinburg, Scotland, who was one of the first settlers of Indiana. He was a meat packer and rafted his products down the canal to Saint Louis and New Orleans, Louisiana. His son, A. J. Cunningham, was a graduate of DePauw University, and became a successful farmer and stockman. He was a Dem- ocrat and served as justice of the peace. He held mem- bership in the Presbyterian Church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are deceased and are buried near Lafayette, Indiana. They were the parents of four children: Charles B., the subject of this sketch; Lawrence Porter, deceased; Joseph D., lives at Westville, Illinois; and Pearl D., the widow of Fairfax Kirkpatrick, lives at Lafayette, Indiana.


The boyhood of Charles B. Cunningham was spent at Lafayette, Indiana, where he attended the public schools. He was graduated from Lafayette High School in 1901 and from Purdue University in 1905. He remained on his father's farm until 1911, when he came to Allerton and


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became marshal of the village. Mr. Cunningham has been deputy sheriff of Vermilion County for the past twenty years and since 1915 has been a member of the village board as president of the streets and alleys committee. He is interested in business as assistant manager of the hardware business of Harry Parish, and has been identified with that enterprise since 1911.


Mr. Cunningham is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to Sigma Kappa Phi fraternity.


Throughout his college career Mr. Cunningham was a member of the football squads and for three years was a member of the varsity football team. He was also a mem- ber of the baseball teams.


William G. Cathcart .- One of the best known and most highly esteemed men of Vermilion County was William G. Cathcart, prominent business man of Sidell and president of the First National Bank. He was born at Natrona, Mason County, Illinois, February 8, 1869, and died October 14, 1920. Mr. Cathcart was the son of John Marshall and Sarah J. (Alexander) Cathcart.


John Marshall Cathcart was born at Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Ireland, March 11, 1842. He came to Morgan County, Illinois, about 1860 and farmed there for several years. He was married November 15, 1866, to Sarah J. Alexander, and the family later removed to Mason County, Illinois, where Mr. Cathcart became interested in farming and the grain business. He went to Nebraska in 1884 but three years later returned to Illinois, where he engaged in the lumber and grain business. Mr. Cathcart retired in 1900 and died at Pensacola, Florida, February 21, 1910. He was a devout member of the Christian Church through-


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out his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart were born three children: Florence H., who died in May, 1899; William G., the subject of this sketch; and John A., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.


The boyhood of William G. Cathcart was spent on his father's farm. He obtained his schooling at Jacksonville, Illinois, and in 1884 became associated with his father in the live stock business in Nebraska. He returned, how- ever, to Illinois in 1887 and became bookkeeper in the First National Bank at Paris, Illinois. After six months he re- signed and accepted the position as cashier of the private bank of Lyons, Alexander & Company, Sidell. In 1907 Mr. Cathcart, in partnership with his brother, John A. Cathcart, purchased Mr. Lyons' interests in the bank, which thereafter became known as Alexander & Cathcart. On March 1, 1909, the bank was merged with the First Na- tional Bank of Sidell, and incorporated as the First Na- tional Bank. Mr. Cathcart became president and held that office until the date of his death. He was also the owner of three thousand acres of land in Ohio and one thousand five hundred acres in Illinois, and ranked among the largest land owners in this section of the State.


On June 12, 1890, Mr. Cathcart was united in marriage with Miss Anna Sconce, the daughter of James S. and Emma (Sowdewsky) Sconce, natives of Indianola, Illinois. Mr. Sconce died in 1888 and his widow lives at Sidell. Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart were the parents of a daughter, Celia. She is the wife of C. A. Holton, of London, Ohio, and they have two sons: William Cathcart, born May 27, 1923; and Richard Henry, born March 17, 1926.


Mr. Cathcart was a life long Republican and held the office of mayor of Sidell for a number of years. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served as Sunday School superintendent for a period of seven years. He was affiliated with Sidell Lodge No. 798,


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Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 182; Chicago Consistory, thirty- second degree; and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332.


Forrest A. Dicks .- One of the outstanding young busi- ness men of Allerton is well known as a general merchant. He was born at Broadlands, Illinois, November 11, 1900, the son of Dr. Thomas A. and Mary Harriet (Thompson) Dicks.


Dr. Thomas A. Dicks is a native of Indiana. He is a graduate of the Kansas City Medical College and through- out his professional career has engaged in practice at Broadlands, where he resides. He is a Republican, active in local politics, and holds membership in the United Breth- ren Church. He is affiliated with Broadlands Lodge No. 791, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Con- sistory, thirty-second degree; Champaign County Med- ical Society; Illinois State Medical Society; and American Medical Association. Doctor and Mrs. Dicks are the par- ents of the following children: Arch, who died in 1922, was a veteran of the World War, having served as second lieutenant in the United States Aviation Section; Hazel, deceased; Hilma, married LeRoy I. Hobbs, lives at Dan- ville; Carl, lives at Broadlands, Illinois; Forrest A., the subject of this sketch; and Kenneth, lives at Broadlands.


Forrest A. Dicks grew up at Broadlands, where he re- ceived his early education. He was graduated from In- dianapolis (Indiana) High School in 1919, spent two years at the University of Illinois, and in 1922 was graduated from Worshams School of Embalming. He then purchased an interest in his brother's hardware business at Broad- lands and established an undertaking establishment in con- nection with it. He has remained as a partner in this business although he has devoted most of his time to his


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store at Allerton since 1928, which was purchased from Bert Downey. It is one of the largest stores of its type in the county and carries a complete line of high grade merchandise.


In 1925 Mr. Dicks married Miss Mary Kitchen, the daughter of Harvey and Lou (Fenley) Kitchen, natives of Indiana and Illinois. They are residents of Danville.


Mr. Dicks is a member of the Methodist Church; Broad- lands Lodge No. 791, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, 32nd degree; Gao Grotto; Modern Woodmen of America; Delta Sigma Phi and Omega Beta Pi fraternities. Politically, he is a Republican.


Chester M. Baum, of Indianola, ranks as one of the lead- ing and most successful stock feeders of Vermilion Coun- ty. He was born in Carroll Township, Vermilion County, August 15, 1889, the son of Wimm C. and Fiona (Molt) Baum.


Wimm C. Baum was born in Carroll Township, Ver- milion County, and spent his entire life in that section. He became one of the most prosperous farmers and cattle feeders in that section. He died in 1922 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Indianola. His widow, born at Fair- field, Illinois, lives at Indianola. Mr. Baum was a Repub- lican. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Baum: Belle, married Samuel Baldwin, lives at Indianola; Nell, lives at Indianola; and Chester M., the subject of this sketch.


Chester M. Baum received his education in the district schools of Carroll Township, Vermilion County. At an early age he became identified with the cattle feeding busi- ness and for several years was associated with his father. After the latter's death Mr. Baum took over his father's interests. He is the largest cattle feeder in this section


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of the State and also is well known as a general farmer. Mr. Baum ships his stock from Texas and Mexico and also buys there for local cattle feeders.


In 1909 Mr. Baum was united in marriage with Miss Nora Helen Gibbs, the daughter of Albert H. and Mary (Dye) Gibbs, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Illinois. Mr. Gibbs lives at Indianola. His wife died in 1913 and is buried at Indianola. To Mr. and Mrs. Baum have been born three children: Helen, Catherine, and Wimm C., all students.


Mr. Baum is a Republican. He is a member of India- nola Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge of Perfection, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332.


Dale Wallace, retired, is a highly esteemed pioneer citizen of Hoopeston, where he has been a resident for more than half a century. He was born at LaPorte, Indi- ana, November 5, 1849, the son of Dr. John Porter and Lydia Ann (Winchell) Wallace.


Dr. John Porter Wallace was born in Steuben County, New York, and his wife was a native of Rush County, Indiana. He was a graduate of Bath (New York) Semi- nary and after leaving school went to LaPorte, Indiana, where he remained for several years before locating at New Salem, Indiana. He became a successful merchant and also served as postmaster. He subsequently read medi- cine under Doctor Carley and after completing his course practiced at New Salem for a time in connection with his mercantile business. In 1855 Doctor Wallace removed to West Union, Fayette County, Iowa, where he established Round Grove Academy, and he was connected with this in- stitution as president. Later, he lived at Kirksville, Mis- souri, and was superintendent of schools at that place. He entered the real estate business at Garden City, Kansas,


DALE WALLACE


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and was living there at the time of his death. His wife is also deceased. Doctor Wallace was a Republican and a devout member of the Christian Church. To Doctor and Mrs. Wallace were born three children: Dale, the subject of this sketch; Evangeline St. Clair, born in 1855, married William S. Moore, both deceased; and Grant, deceased.


Dale Wallace was educated in the Round Grove Acad- emy at West Union, Iowa. Early in life he learned the printer's trade, later was employed at Cedar Falls and ElDora, Iowa, and in 1869 went to Marysville, California, later locating in San Francisco. In 1870 he went to Port- land, Oregon, but the following year returned to Iowa, and in October, 1871, located at Hoopeston, where he estab- lished the North Vermilion Chronicle, on January 10, 1872, of which he was publisher and editor. In 1873 the paper became known as the Hoopeston Chronicle. The plant was originally located on North Market Street, across from the park. In 1876 it was removed to the basement of the First National Bank Building. Through the efforts and per- sonality of Mr. Wallace the Hoopeston Chronicle became one of the leading newspapers of Vermilion County. The plant was leased in 1882 to Charles W. Warner and two years later Mr. Wallace retired from the publishing busi- ness and entered the real estate, insurance and loan busi- ness, which he successfully conducted until his retirement in 1911.




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