USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 22
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Thurman D. Allen grew up in Greencastle, Indiana, where he was educated. He was graduated from DePauw University in 1891 and spent the following two years at Cornell University, where he studied electrical engineer- ing. He then located in Chicago, where he was employed by the Chicago Edison Company, now the Commonwealth Edison Company. After a year he came to Danville and was connected with the Danville Street Railway & Light Company in construction work. The next year he became a partner in the firm of Aylesworth & Allen, electrical con- tractors, located at 4 East North Street. This firm con- tinued in business for about ten years, when Mr. Allen purchased the interests of Mr. Aylesworth in 1907. He then organized the Allen Electric Company at 14 East
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North Street. Three years later the business was moved to 23 West North Street, which is the present location. The company are general contractors and carry a com- plete line of electrical supplies. They are also dealers in radios.
In April, 1897, Mr. Allen married Miss Viola Beck, of Danville, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Beck, natives of Indiana, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have no children.
Mr. Allen is a Republican, attends the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty- second degree; Gao Grotto; Mohamet Temple Shrine, Peoria, Illinois; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Danville Country Club and Kiwanis Club, having served as president of both of these organizations.
Capt. Alba Cornelius Honeywell Cromer, who is a vet- eran of the World War, is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Hoopeston, being a member of one of the oldest and best known families of this section. He was born at Hoopeston, October 5, 1884, the son of John Calvin and Estella (Honeywell) Cromer.
A complete sketch of the Honeywell family appears elsewhere in this history with the biography of Alba Honeywell.
Alba C. Honeywell Cromer received his early schooling in the public schools of Hoopeston, from which he was graduated in 1900. He spent four years at the University of Illinois. In 1903 he assumed charge of the vast estate of Alba Honeywell, his grandfather, who was failing in health. At the death of Mr. Honeywell in 1916 Mr. Cromer assumed complete charge of the estate as executor.
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CAPT. ALBA C. H. CROMER
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At the outbreak of the World War Mr. Cromer re- ceived a commission as first lieutenant and was sent to Rockford, Illinois, as an instructor. He was later assigned to a supply train and went to the east coast. Later, how- ever, he was sent to France with the Three Hundred and Eleventh Supply Train, Black Hawk, or Eighty-sixth Divi- sion. He was promoted to the rank of captain and after the close of the war made an extensive tour of Europe. He was discharged in October, 1919, from Fort Dodge, Iowa. Mr. Cromer then became interested in the Automobile Finance Company, of Indianapolis, Indiana, as secretary and treasurer, later becoming president. Subsequently he went to Chicago and purchased a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade. His next business connection was with the Hardinge Oil Burner Company.
Mr. Cromer is a Republican, a member of the Uni- versalist Church, American Legion, and Sigma Upsilon fraternity. He is also affiliated with Star Lodge No. 709, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Robert H. Swift, able chief of police in Danville, is widely known throughout Vermilion County. He was born at North Vernon, Indiana, June 24, 1867, the son of Samuel C. and Olive (Starling) Swift.
Samuel C. Swift, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Pennsylvania and as a boy learned the carpenter trade. He enlisted in the army during the Civil War when he was eighteen years old and served throughout the entire war as a member of the Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in battle but continued in active service nevertheless. After the close of the war, Mr. Swift removed to North Vernon, Indiana, where he engaged in the building and contracting busi- ness. He was among the early settlers of Danville and
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for many years was identified with the building interests of Elden T. and Charles J. Palmer, as well as with Cap- tain Frazier. He served as a member of the first volun- teer fire department, which was located on North Ver- milion Street. Mr. Swift was connected with the build- ing of the coal mining housing section at Grape Creek, Illinois, until about 1913, when he retired and lived at 510 North Washington Street, Danville. He died in 1924 at the age of eighty-one years and is buried in Atherton Cemetery, Danville. His wife, born at Cincinnati, Ohio, died in 1925. Mr. and Mrs. Swift were the parents of five children: George, died in infancy; Robert H., the sub- ject of this sketch; Clyde E., lives at Danville; Clara, the widow of David Komyathy, lives at Danville; and Albert H., who met with an accidental death in 1912.
Robert H. Swift attended the public schools of Dan- ville. He worked as a boy in the grocery store of Fred C. Hacker, and later was connected with the Wabash Rail- road at Tilton, Illinois, as a call boy. He subsequently became a locomotive fireman and in 1890 entered the employ of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad at Mus- kegon, Michigan, as roundhouse foreman. He served in that capacity for about five years and then returned to Tilton, Illinois, as roundhouse foreman. In 1903 Mr. Swift became a member of the local police force under John Beard, mayor of Danville. He later became sergeant under Mayor Platt and as captain under Mayor Madden. In 1922 he resigned and returned to the employ of the Wabash Railroad again as night roundhouse foreman. Due to an accident which he suffered in the shops, Mr. Swift was forced to retire from that work and in May, 1927, he was appointed chief of police of Danville, which office he has since filled with exceptional merit.
On September 28, 1892, Mr. Swift married Miss Mary C. Klage, of Danville, the daughter of William and Fred- erica (Radcliff) Klage, natives of Germany, both now
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deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Swift were born three chil- dren: Otto H., who is identified with the K. & S. Stores, Danville; Hilda A., married Leslie Taylor, who died in 1921, and she is now the wife of Paul Peeler, of Clinton, Indiana; and Lillian M., lives at home, is employed as book- keeper by the Danville Motor Company.
Mr. Swift has always been a Republican. He attends the Methodist Church, and his wife was reared as a mem- ber of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Swift is also identified with the Loyal Order of Moose, charter member, and he belongs to the Railwaymen's Relief Association, and Court of Honor.
Edgar N. Osborn, deceased, was well and favorably known in Danville, where he successfully conducted a floral business for many years. He was born at Mahomet, Illinois, September 26, 1870, the son of Jonathan and Fil- lota (Ross) Osborn.
Jonathan Osborn was a direct descendent of Daniel Boone. He was a native of Kentucky and died in 1916. His wife, born in Ohio, died in 1910. Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Danville. Their children numbered ten, of whom Edgar N., the subject of this sketch, was the third in order of birth.
Edgar N. Osborn spent his boyhood on a farm in Cham- paign County, Illinois, and obtained his education in the district schools. He was eleven years old when his parents moved to a farm near Danville. He was employed as a boy in the greenhouse of Frank Smith, of Danville, and after several years engaged in business for himself at 2200 North Vermilion Street. In 1906 he purchased the property at 101 East English Street, where he continued in business until the time of his death, which occurred May 2, 1928. His widow, Retta Osborn, has continued to
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manage the business and has met with deserved success in her undertaking. Early in life she was a school teacher. She spent several years in the county recorder's office and was also employed as a clerk by Mr. Wolford in the build- ing and loan business. In 1891 when the Palmer National Bank was organized Mrs. Osborn also served in the bank as clerk, making a total of fourteen years in the employ of C. J. Palmer and Mr. Wolford. In the year of 1905 she was employed by Harvey Adams, as a clerk in the Ver- milion County Building Association. She maintained an office in the Baum Building, where she was employed by the various fire insurance companies of Danville, being stamping secretary. Mrs. Osborn's wide business experi- ence has served to aid her greatly in the management of the business with which she is now connected.
To Edgar N. and Retta (Sheffer) Osborn, whose mar- riage took place in 1894, the following children were born: Dorothy Myra, married Wallace Eslinger, lives at Dan- ville, and they have a son, Wallace Osborn Eslinger, born in 1927; Sarah L., married Harry L. Beane, lives at Dan- ville, and they have a daughter, Dorothy Jane, born in 1924; and Laura Marian, lives at home.
Retta (Sheffer) Osborn was born in Danville, the daughter of William B. and Myra (Walker) Sheffer. The former was born at Williamsport, Indiana. He was a Civil War veteran and died October 22, 1912. His widow, born at West Lebanon, Indiana, now lives at Danville. She is eighty years of age.
Politically, Mr. Osborn was a Republican. He served as a member of the election board in the Seventh Ward, Fifth Precinct, Danville, for a number of years. He was a member of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church, and Modern Woodmen.
Mrs. Retta Osborn is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Civil War Veterans. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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H. H. Howard .- Numbered among the progressive young business men of Danville is H. H. Howard, who is president of the Howard-Martin Tire Company, Inc. He is also a veteran of the World War. Mr. Howard was born at Volo, Illinois, October 21, 1886, the son of O. A. and Nellie (Rogers) Howard.
O. A. Howard, retired, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was reared and educated there and followed general farm- ing and stock raising until 1914, at which time he came to Illinois and settled at Round Lake. He is now a resi- dent of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have the follow- ing children: H. H., the subject of this sketch; Vera, who died in 1923, was the wife of Joseph Davis, lives at Round Lake, Illinois; Bessie, married William Molidor, farmer, lives at Round Lake, Illinois; and Sarah, married Ray- mond Ripburger, lives at Round Lake, Illinois.
H. H. Howard grew upon a farm near Volo, Illinois, and received his schooling in the district schools. He also attended the schools of Waukegan, Illinois, having gone there in 1899. Mr. Howard worked tirelessly in his efforts to support himself and at the same time acquire an edu- cation, and in so doing worked evenings in a grocery store as a clerk while attending day classes. In 1907 he became a traveling salesman for Bremner Brothers out of Chi- cago. Three years later he became a representative for the Steel-Wedeles Company of Chicago, and in 1916 estab- lished the International Maccaroni Company, at Joliet, Illinois. This business was sold by Mr. Howard in Febru- ary, 1918, and at that time he enlisted in the United States Army, Engineering Corps, for service in the World War. He was sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa, and in June of that year sailed for France, where he saw active service until July, 1919. He participated in the drives of St. Mihiel and the Argonne. Following his discharge from the service Mr. Howard came to Danville and organized and incor- porated the Howard-Martin Tire Company, Inc., on Febru-
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ary 5, 1920. He has continued as its president. The busi- ness was originally located at 111 East North Street, later being moved to 114 North Hazel Street, in September, 1924. They handle automobile tires and a general line of replacement parts.
In 1921 Mr. Howard married Miss Ruth Burchans, of Danville, the daughter of James H. and Josie (Phillips) Burchans. Mr. Burchans is chief electrician for the Chi- cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, Danville.
Mr. Howard is a Republican and a member of the Meth- odist Church. He is identified with Rising Sun Lodge No. 115, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Chapter No. 41, Waukegan, Illinois; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Shrine, Springfield, Illinois; Gao Grotto, Danville; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Woodmen of the World.
Philip Barton Voorhees, deceased, was an important figure in the business and social life of Danville, where he always manifested a keen interest in civic affairs. He was born on a farm in Newell Township, near Danville, January 8, 1875, the son of Peter and Mary (Button) Voorhees.
Peter Voorhees spent practically his entire life on a farm in Newell Township, Vermilion County. He died in 1903 and his wife died in 1902. Both are buried in Springhill Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees had five children, as follows: Arthur, died in 1920; Rose, died in 1910, was the wife of Gen. A. G. P. Dodge, who died in Chicago, Illinois, in 1918; Julia, died in 1901, was the wife of Ben Crawford, deceased; Daniel W., who died in 1923; and Philip Barton, the subject of this sketch.
Philip Barton Voorhees spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his early education in the schools of Danville. He was graduated from Vanderbilt
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University, at Nashville, Tennessee, and attended Colum- bia University, New York City, from which he was gradu- ated in law. He then went to Los Angeles, California, where he was a professor in law until 1902. Upon his return to Danville Mr. Voorhees became interested in the real estate business. He managed the properties of the Dodge estate, as well as the estate of his own family. Although Mr. Voorhees was admitted to the bar of Illinois he never practiced that profession. He died May 25, 1918, and is buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville.
In 1897 Mr. Voorhees was united in marriage with Miss Esther Palmer, the daughter of Charles J. and Mary (Davis) Palmer. Mr. Palmer died in 1921 and his wife died in 1917. Both were natives of Danville, where they ยท spent their entire lives. Mr. Voorhees was married the second time in Danville, September 14, 1910, to Miss Kate Abdill, of Danville, the daughter of Edward C. and Anna B. (Peters) Abdill. Mr. Abdill, born at Perrysville, Indiana, died in 1901, and his wife, a native of Salem, Illinois, born in 1843, died in 1922. Both are buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville. They had the following children: (1) Charles Peters, married Florence Foster, of Covington, Indiana, lives at Danville, and they have a son, Russell Foster Abdill; (2) Bertha W., married Ernest English, lives at Danville, and they have three children: Kathleen, married J. E. McMillan; Connell Abdill Eng- lish, lives at Saint Louis, Missouri; and Anne L. English, lives at Danville; (3) Kate, the widow of Philip Barton Voorhees, the subject of this sketch; and (4) Harry B., who died in 1919.
Mr. Voorhees was always a Democrat. He attended the Episcopal Church, and held membership in the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and Danville Country Club. He was an ardent worker in support of Lakeview Hospital, Danville, and served as a member of the Board of Directors.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
Charles W. Collings, assistant postmaster of Danville, is a prominent citizen of Vermilion County, where he has spent practically his entire life. He was born at Muncie, Illinois, May 24, 1888, the son of John Quincy and Emma Frances (Wise) Collings.
Charles W. Collings received his education in the public schools of Muncie, Illinois, and was twelve years of age when his family came to Danville, where he completed his schooling, being a graduate of Danville High School in the class of 1906. The following year was spent as a clerk in the grocery store of Charles Thornton, and later Mr. Collings was employed by W. M. Jeremy. On June 15, 1907, he entered the local post office as a carrier, but served in that capacity only fifteen days, at that time being made clerk. On October 1, 1917, he was appointed assistant postmaster, in which capacity he has continued to serve until the present time.
In 1912 Mr. Collings was united in marriage with Miss Enos Young, of Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Collings have two daughters: Thelma, and Martha, and one son, Marion.
Mr. Collings is a member of the First Christian Church, Danville, and is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
William M. Cannady, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Danville, is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Vermilion County. He was born in Danville Township, November 30, 1865, the son of William M. and Hannah (Deamude) Cannady.
William M. Cannady was born in Indiana and was a small boy when his family removed to Vermilion County. He engaged in general farming and stock raising through- out his life. He died in 1877 and his wife, born in Lick-
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ing County, Ohio, died in January, 1866. Both are buried in Snyder Cemetery, near Danville. Their children were: George Clark, who lives at Danville; Ella M., the widow of John C. Burroughs, who was accidentally killed, and she lives at Portland, Oregon; and William M., the subject of this sketch.
William M. Cannady was reared and educated at Dan- ville. He was cared for by his uncle, Silas W. Deamude, his parents both having died when he was very young. Mr. Cannady was employed first by the Danville Buggy Company, now the Henry Hulce Company, for about six years, and he then entered the shops of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad as a painter. Two years later, due to ill health, he entered business college and in 1900 he became chief clerk in the office of the assessor and col- lector, later holding the same offices himself. In 1909 Mr. Cannady became interested in the real estate and insurance business and opened offices at 18 West North Street. Eight years later he moved to 12 West North Street, where he maintained offices for eight years, after which he located at 10 South Vermilion Street. On January 1, 1929, Mr. Cannady moved his offices to the Jacobs Build- ing, 1281/2 North Vermilion Street, where he is now located. He ranks among the leading realtors of the city and is also extensively engaged in the insurance business.
Mr. Cannady was married the first time in 1886 to Miss Lizzie Atkins, of Danville, who died in 1891. She was the daughter of William B. and Frances Atkins. The former was born in Ohio and died in 1910. His wife died in 1912. Both are buried in Springhill Cemetery, Dan- ville. By his first marriage Mr. Cannady had a daughter, Elizabeth Atkins Cannady, who died in infancy. He was married in 1895 to Miss Eva F. Turner, of Urbana, Illi- nois, who died in 1904. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Turner. He was born in New York and died in 1871. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, died in
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1914. Both are buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Urbana, Illinois. Four children were born to William M. and Eva F. (Turner) Cannady: John, born in 1896, lives at Dan- ville; Eva, born in January, 1898, died in infancy; Helen, born in June, 1899, married Howard L. Lawrence, teller at the First National Bank, Danville; and Edwin Clark, born in 1902, lives at Danville.
Mr. Cannady was married the third time in June, 1927, to Miss Myrtle M. Hornady, of West Lebanon, Indiana, the daughter of John H. and Armatha (Skillman) Hornady. Mr. Hornady died in 1917 and his wife died in 1922.
Mr. Cannady has always been a Republican. He holds membership in St. James Methodist Episcopal Church, and is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Tribe of Ben Hur, of which he has been Chief for the past nine years. He is past presi- dent and at present secretary and treasurer of the Dan- ville Real Estate Board. Mr. Cannady has a wide ac- quaintance in the community where he has spent his entire life and is well liked by all who know him.
Charles G. Jump, who is well known in Danville as ticket agent and station master for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, takes an active part in the affairs of his community. He was born at Lincoln, Indiana, Octo- ber 20, 1876, the son of William H. and Anna Ladica (Trapp) Jump.
William H. Jamp, retired, is a native of Indiana, as is also his wife. They have spent their entire lives at Lincoln, where Mr. Jump was prominent as a successful farmer. Their children were, as follows: Emma, died March 13, 1907, was the wife of Walter Burke; Charles G., the subject of this sketch; Laura V., died November
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1, 1881; Madge, married Dr. P. G. Puterbaugh, dentist, Chicago, Illinois; Anna B., lives at home; Morton, died June 24, 1912; and Frank L., farmer, lives near Lincoln, Indiana.
The boyhood of Charles G. Jump was spent on his father's farm and he received his education in the schools of Lincoln, Indiana, and in 1893 he went to Topeka, Kansas, where he learned telegraphy. In 1896 he went to Farmer City, Illinois, where he was employed by the Big Four Railroad as telegraph operator. After a year he came to Danville and spent eighteen months as an operator here for the Big Four Railroad, after which he was sent to Urbana, Illinois, for six months. He then accepted a position as operator with the Illinois Central Railroad at Champaign, Illinois, but soon after went to Tolona, Illi- nois, and from there to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was employed by the Western Union Company for a short time. From there he went to Tuscola, Illinois, as an oper- ator for the I. B. & W. Railroad, and later to Odin, Illinois, in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The following year was spent at Terre Haute, Indiana, with the Vandalia Railway, and from there Mr. Jump went to Hillsdale, Indiana, with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad. After a year he was employed by the Wabash Railroad as an operator at Peru, Indiana, under Supt. E. A. Gould. He served in that capacity for five years and then, in June, 1905, came to Danville and accepted a posi- tion with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad as ticket agent in the old Collet Street Station for four months. From there he was sent to Chicago Heights as ticket agent and six years later was promoted to traveling pas- senger agent, in which capacity he served for three years. In May, 1914, he returned to Danville as ticket agent for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad at the old Col- let Street Station. He sold the last ticket in the old sta-
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tion and the first ticket in the new station. At the present time Mr. Jump is ticket agent and station master.
On June 26, 1900, Mr. Jump married Miss Lucille M. Reeves, of Chicago, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Reeves. Mr. Reeves, a native of Indiana, died in 1883, and his wife died in 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Jump were born two sons: R. St. Clair, who is assistant sales man- ager for the Atlantic & Pacific Stores, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Herbert L., who is identified with the Colby Furniture Company, Chicago, Illinois.
Politically, Mr. Jump is a Republican. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and is prominent in lodge circles in Danville, being past Master and present Grand Lecturer of Anchor Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and past Thrice Potent Master and Most Wise Master of Rose Croix, Danville Consistory. He is also a member of Eastern Star, Iris Chapter, of which he is Worthy Patron at present. Mr. Jump is a member of the Rotary Club, Danville.
G. T. Cass, M. D .- A member of the medical profes- sion distinguished by more than eighteen years of service in Danville, is Doctor Cass, a native of this city, and a member of one of the old and substantial families of Ver- milion County. He was born November 3, 1871, the son of John O. and Mary B. (Thayer) Cass.
John O. Cass was born on a farm near Danville, where he now lives retired. He is eighty-two years of age and his wife, born at Hillsboro, Ohio, is eighty years old. He attended the rural schools of Vermilion County and was enrolled in the college at State Line, Illinois. He taught school for a few years, but spent the greater part of his life as a farmer. For a time he lived at Crescent, Illinois, and later at Rankin, Illinois. He also farmed near Van
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Buren, Arkansas, and was the owner of a newspaper, the "Van Buren Argus," at that place for several years. In 1879 he returned to his farm near Danville, where he remained until 1894. He then went back to Arkansas for five years, after which he again returned to Danville. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cass: G. T., the subject of this sketch; and Carrie, born in 1874, died in 1911, was the wife of Zill Samson, and they had a daughter, Maida, born in 1895.
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