USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 25
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Jacob J. Smith was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and his wife is a native of Alsace-Lorraine. He was reared and educated at Louisville and was identified with the wholesale meat business, which had been established by his father. Mr. Smith also was live stock inspector in that city. He died in 1892 at the age of thirty-three years.
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His widow lives at Louisville. Their children were: Ella E., lives at home; and Arthur H., the subject of this sketch.
Arthur H. Smith received his education in the public schools of Louisville, Kentucky. He began life as a news- boy and later clerked in the offices of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, having entered the railroad's employ as an office boy. He later became a fireman on the road and finally engineer. In 1914 Mr. Smith accepted a posi- tion with the Coca Cola Company as a junior salesman in Louisville. After a year he went to West Virginia, where he remained with the company until 1917. In Janu- ary, 1918, he volunteered for service in the World War and served with the Thirty-ninth Engineers. He served in France as a member of a railroad transportation corps and was discharged July 8, 1919, with the rank of sergeant. He then re-entered the employ of the Coca Cola Company. at Atlanta, Georgia, and spent the following year as a salesman in Indiana. He returned to Louisville, Ken- tucky, in 1920 in charge of the sales department in that city and in 1924 was promoted to district manager, in charge of sales in Kentucky and Indiana. In September, 1928, Mr. Smith was transferred to Danville in charge of the business in this city. He purchased the Hudenhoffer Coca Cola Bottling Company, which he completely reor- ganized. The plant was remodeled and its output has practically doubled since Mr. Smith has been owner of the business. A daily output of nine hundred and sixty cases is the record volume of business handled by this modern plant. Five motor trucks are in operation.
On October 5, 1929, Mr. Smith married Miss Helen Goff, of Danville, Illinois.
Mr. Smith is affiliated with Willis Stewart Lodge, No. 224, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and is a member of the Commandery, and the Shrine at Louisville, Ken- tucky; American Legion; and Kiwanis Club. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church.
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Frank W. Mason, M. D., is a representative member of the medical profession in Vermilion County and one of the leading citizens of Danville, where he has engaged in practice since 1920. He was born at Newark, Ohio, Febru- ary 10, 1866, the son of Jacob W. and Elizabeth Ann (Smith) Mason.
Jacob W. Mason was a farmer all his life and lived in Licking County, Ohio, until 1881, at which time he moved with his family to Vermilion County, where he resided until his death in 1918. His wife died in 1926. Both are buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Mason were the parents of six children: J. Smith, lives at Oak- wood, Illinois; Dr. James S., lives at Urbana, Illinois; Leora P., Archibald R., and Etta F., all live at Fithian, Illinois; and Frank M., the subject of this sketch.
Frank M. Mason attended the public schools of Newark, Ohio, and was fifteen years old when his family settled in Vermilion County. He was a student of Wabash Col- lege at Crawfordsville, Indiana, and graduated from the Medical School of Northwestern University in 1894 and engaged in practice at Rossville, Illinois, with Dr. Michael T. Livingood until 1920 before locating in Danville. He has offices in the Temple Building.
Doctor Mason was married June 26, 1894, at Rossville, to Miss Katherine E. Livingood, Rossville, Illinois, the daughter of Dr. Michael Tryon and Hannah E. (Ruth) Livingood, natives of Pennsylvania. Doctor Livingood, deceased, was a leading physician and surgeon of Eastern Pennsylvania and Vermilion County. There were five children in the Livingood family: Dr. John R., a noted physician and surgeon of Vermilion County, who died at Memphis, Tennessee, December 12, 1893; Ellen R., de- ceased; Katherine E. Mason; Anna R., lives at Danville; and Elizabeth, married Thomas Dies, of Memphis, Ten- nessee. To Doctor and Mrs. Mason have been born three children: Michael Livingood, physician and surgeon, 54
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Erie Street, Chicago; Frank M., Jr., electrical engineer with Fairbanks, Morse & Company, Chicago, lives at Evanston, Illinois; and Katherine Livingood, married Eugene S. Lamm, of the E. C. Lamm Lumber Company, Danville. Both sons of Doctor and Mrs. Mason served in the World War, having seen active service with Base Hospital No. 12 for a period of twenty-three months, or until the signing of the Armistice.
Doctor Mason is a member of the Vermilion County Medical Society; Illinois State Medical Society; American Medical Association; and is also a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.
Doctor Mason is a Democrat of Jeffersonian principles. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Masonic Lodge, thirty-second degree, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Ben Hur, and Kiwanis Club.
Merle J. Watt .- One of Danville's prominent young men is Merle J. Watt, who is president of the Piggly Wiggly Vermilion County Corporation. He is a native of Illinois, born at Newton, October 14, 1899, the son of Wil- bert and Luta (Phillips) Watt.
Wilbert Watt, who died in 1902, was a well known resi- dent of Newton, Illinois, for many years. He was born there and followed farming early in life. Later he learned the carpenter trade and was thus engaged at the time of his death in Deloris, Colorado, where he was forced to go a number of years earlier due to ill health. His wife died in 1906 and is buried at Newton, Illinois. They were the parents of five children: Russel E., lives at Danville; Dale L., a World War veteran, engaged in the lumber business at Neosho, Missouri; Virgil F., interior decorator, lives at Clinton, Indiana; Merle J., the subject of this sketch; and
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Juanita, married Oliver Smith, a console artist engaged in radio work in New York City.
Merle J. Watt was six years old when his family located in Danville. He attended Oaklawn and Elmwood schools and was a newsboy on the streets of Danville for eight years as a carrier of the Commercial News. He began his business career in the grocery store of George Rund, later was employed by Charles Koch, and the Danville Co- Operative Society. In 1919 he formed a partnership with his uncle, L. W. Phillips, and opened a grocery and meat business at 2215 Henderson Street, Danville. After a few months the business was moved to 1901 East Main Street, and two years later Mr. Watt purchased the interests of his uncle and continued the business, also acquiring another store at 942 Harmon Avenue. In February, 1928, Mr. Watt sold out and took over the Wide Awake Grocery Store at 19 West Main Street, which was one of the oldest and best established groceries in the city. He is still the proprietor and owner of this establishment. In July, 1928, he formed the Piggly Wiggly Vermilion County Corpora- tion, and became its president. This concern owns and operates seven stores in Danville and employs approxi- mately thirty-five people.
In 1921 Mr. Watt was united in marriage with Miss Edith Fay Myers, of Danville, the daughter of Charles and Mollie (Sisk) Myers, the former a native of Kansas and the latter a native of Indiana. Mr. Myers lives in Dan- ville and his wife lives in Detroit, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Watt a son was born, Wilbert Charles Watt, born October 26, 1925.
Mr. Watt is a member of the Third Church of Christ and his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian Church. He is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty- second degree; Gao Grotto; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332; Isaac Walton League; A. B. C.
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Club; and Walnut Hill Boat Club. He has always been a Republican in politics and served on the city council of Danville for two terms.
Mr. Watt has a reputation throughout Vermilion Coun- ty as a breeder of thoroughbred German police doys and devotes much of his leisure time to this particular hobby.
Melville R. Walker .- Among the well known and highly respected citizens of Danville is Melville R. Walker, who is identified with the Danville Lime & Cement Company. He was born at Rossville, Illinois, December 27, 1870, the son of Melville R. and Elizabeth (Weir) Walker.
Melville R. Walker was born in London, England. In early life he was a farmer and later a general merchant. The last seventeen years of his business career were spent as a building contractor. He died at Rossville, Illinois, May 28, 1888, and his wife, born at York, Ontario, Canada. died October 21, 1916. Both are buried at Rossville. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker were: Minnie C., born April 20, 1866, died April 17, 1921; Clara M., born March 24, 1869, died July 12, 1913; MelvilleR., the subject of this sketch; and Irvy, born January 28, 1874, died in August, 1898.
Melville R. Walker obtained his education in the public schools of Rossville. At twenty-two years of age he be- came interested in general contracting and followed that until 1903. He then engaged in the building material busi- ness in Danville, his business being known as the Danville Lime & Cement Company. It is located at 511 Oak Street. The firm does a large volume of business annually and Mr. Walker ranks among the city's representative busi- ness men. While a building contractor he erected Potomac High School, Rossville High School, and the Presbyterian Church at Rossville.
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On January 22, 1876, Mr. Walker was united in mar- riage with Miss Grace C. Barnett, of Crawfordsville, In- diana, the daughter of Lewis W. and Mary Elizabeth (Mc- Intire) Barnett. The former died August 23, 1922, and the latter died August 4, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have five children, as follows: Mrs. Ralph Rouse, lives at Danville; Melville R., Jr., manager of the Danville Lime & Cement Company, Danville; L. C., secretary-treasurer of the Dan- ville Lime & Cement Company, Danville; E. M., general contractor, lives at Tulsa, Oklahoma; and C. W., con- nected with the engineering department of the Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Chicago, Illinois.
Politically, Mr. Walker is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
James Culbert is numbered among the most successful pioneer business men of Rossville, where he has owned and managed greenhouses for the past thirty-three years. He was born in Scotland in August, 1844, the son of Peter Culbert. Both Peter Culbert and his wife were natives of Scotland, where they spent their entire lives. They are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Culbert were the parents of seven children, only three of whom survive: James, the sub- ject of this sketch; Mary Marchmand, twin sister of James, lives at Saint Joseph, Missouri; and Mrs. Anna Kidd, lives at Green Ridge, Missouri.
The boyhood of James Culbert was spent in Scotland, where he was educated. He also attended the public schools of Canada and was nineteeen years of age when he came to the United States. He became interested in gar- dening with his brother in Saint Louis, where he owned and operated a greenhouse until 1892. He then located at Danville, where he was employed by Al Giddings. In 1896 Mr. Culbert came to Rossville, where he has since
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ranked among the city's representative citizens. Although now eighty-five years of age he is still active in business affairs and is perhaps the oldest florist in the county.
In 1880 Mr. Culbert married Miss Antoinette Johnson, of Saint Louis, Missouri. To them were born two children: Nettie, married William Strathman, lives at Danville; and John, lives at Rossville.
John Culbert was born at Saint Louis, Missouri, Sep- tember 9, 1884, and was six years old when his family came to Vermilion County and settled in Danville. He attended the public schools of Danville and Rossville and since com- pleting his schooling has been interested in greenhouse work with his father. He was married December 25, 1913, to Miss Mabel Case, of Rossville, and they have two chil- dren: Robert Culbert, born in 1915; and James Culbert, born in 1922. Mr. Culbert is a Republican and has served as a member of the local school board. He is at present serving as a member of the Village Board. He holds mem- bership in the Methodist Church and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Politically, Mr. Culbert has always been a Republican.
L. H. Schlecht .- One of the best known business men of Vermilion County is L. H. Schlecht, who is secretary and treasurer of the Rossville Packing Company. He was born in Jefferson County, Missouri, February 26, 1885, the son of Louis and Louise (Schneider) Schlecht.
Louis Schlecht was born in Jefferson County, Missouri, where he now lives retired. He was educated in Saint Louis and throughout his active career followed farming. He still lives on the farm where he spent his boyhood. His wife, born in Jefferson County, Missouri, died in 1887 and is buried at Maxville, Missouri. To Louis and Louise (Schneider) Schlecht were born four children: Pauline,
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married Louis Chartrau, lives at Saint Louis, Missouri; Cecelia, married Fred Hof, lives at Saint Louis, Missouri; Elizabeth, married Antone Broz, lives at Saint Louis, Mis- souri; and L. H., the subject of this sketch. By his second marriage Louis Schlecht had three children: Antone, who died in 1923; Charles; and Hubert, lives at Fenton, Missouri.
L. H. Schlecht grew up on a farm in Jefferson County, Missouri, and attended the rural schools. He studied also at Bryant-Stratton Business College, Saint Louis, Mis- souri, and began his business career as a clerk in the employ of the Inland Type Foundry Company, Saint Louis. In March, 1904, he became associated with the Cudahy Packing Company as a stock clerk and resigned as assist- ant cashier in September, 1906. Mr. Schlecht's next busi- ness connection was with the Saint Louis Brewing Com- pany as assistant bookkeeper and cashier until October 3, 1908, at which time he came to Hoopeston, Illinois, with the Hoopeston Malleable Iron Works. In March, 1910, Mr. Schlecht became identified with the city offices of Hoopes- ton and for a year was employed in the auditing of the records of Floral Hill Cemetery. On July 1, 1910, he be- came bookkeeper and cashier for the Hoopeston Canning Company and served in that capacity until February 1, 1925, when he came to Rossville and purchased an interest in the Rossville Packing Company. The company has ap- proximately seven hundred and fifty acres under cultiva- tion and specializes in the raising of sweet corn, beans, beets, and asparagus. They employ two hundred and sev- enty-five men and women and have an output of five thou- sand cases per day.
In 1910 Mr. Schlecht married Miss Mary Ernst, of Hoopeston, the daughter of John and Lena (Webler) Ernst. The former is deceased and the latter lives at Ross- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Schlecht have four children: Eugene,
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attends the University of Illinois; Mary Louise, Richard Ernest, and Eleanor Jane, all students.
Mr. Schlecht is a Republican, a member of the Metho- dist Church, Masonic Lodge, and Hubbard Trail Country Club.
Mrs. Rose C. Auth .- One of the best known women of Vermilion County is Mrs. Rose C. Auth, who is the efficient postmaster of Rankin. She was born near Rankin, in Iroquois County, the daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Carlon) Ruddy.
Both Mr. Ruddy and his wife were born in Illinois. He followed general farming throughout his life and owned a large farm in Iroquois County. He removed to Rankin in 1904 and has since lived retired. His wife died in 1916 and is buried in Union Cemetery, Rankin. Their children were as follows: Hugh, lives at Rankin; Ethel, at home; Catherine, married Frank Dorman, lives at Rankin; Rose C., the subject of this sketch; and Nellie, married James Henneberry, lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Rose C. Ruddy was a young girl when her parents set- tled at Rankin. She attended the public schools of Ran- kin and in 1911 was graduated from the Rankin High School. She also attended Illinois State Normal College and was a teacher in the schools near Rankin for four years before her marriage. She was married June 11, 1917, to William S. Auth, the son of Christopher and Mary (McGrath) Auth, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ireland. Mr. Auth lives retired at Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His wife is deceased. There were six chil- dren in the Auth family, as follows: John, a World War veteran, lives in Montana; Joseph, lives at Mitchell, South Dakota; Sister Bernadetta, lives at Bridgewater, South Dakota; Sister Sylvester, lives at Jefferson, South Dakota;
WILLIAM S. AUTH
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Sister Boniface, lives at Aberdeen, South Dakota; and William S.
William S. Auth enlisted for service in the World War and served in France with the Headquarters Company of the Second Division Regiment. He was taken ill while in service and died in France, February 10, 1919. He is buried in the American Cemetery, France. Mr. Auth was a prominent young man of Rankin and was serving as as- sistant postmaster under George A. Griffith at the time of his enlistment. He was educated at Normal, Illinois, and taught in the district schools of Vermilion County for sev- eral years. To Mr. and Mrs. Auth a son was born, Wil- liam, who died in infancy, December 5, 1918.
Mrs. Auth was appointed postmaster of Rankin in 1919 during the administration of President Woodrow Wilson. She was later reappointed to office during the Coolidge administration.
Mrs. Auth is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Royal Neighbors.
C. S. Wilson is one of the dependable and well known citizens of Rossville. He was born at Centerville, Pennsyl- vania, October 12, 1872, the son of Samuel and Martha (Shupe) Wilson.
Samuel Wilson was a native of County Cork, Ireland, and his wife was a native of Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools of his native land and was sixteen years old when he came to America, accompanied by his sister, who was fourteen years of age. The voyage required thir- teen weeks and after their arrival in the United States they settled at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Wil- son was employed in the building of Fort Pitt. He later became a general merchant and conducted a business at Sutterville, Pennsylvania, for a number of years. He
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retired in 1896 and removed to Pittsburgh, and later to Sutterville, Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of eighty-nine years. He was a Republican. Mr. Wilson's death occurred December 18, 1902, and his wife died Octo- ber 4, 1923. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born four chil- dren: William, lives at Burgettstown, Pennsylvania; C. S., the subject of this sketch; George Emerson, who met with an accidental death in 1919; and Margaret Olive, who died in infancy.
C. S. Wilson received his education in the public schools of Centerville, Pennsylvania. He was employed in his father's store for a time and also was a newsboy. He be- came identified with the transportation department of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad about 1889 and followed the machinist's trade until 1912, at which time he came to Ross- ville as a machinist for the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail- road. About 1920 he was promoted to night roundhouse foreman and seven years later was appointed machinist inspector, in which capacity he now serves.
February 26, 1901, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage at Mattoon, Illinois, with Miss Lenora Farris, born in Coles County, Illinois, March 14, 1883, the daughter of John and Laura (Byers) Farris. Mr. Farris was born in Clark County, Illinois, and died in 1910. His wife, born in Law- rence County, Indiana, lives at Bloomington, Illinois. Her father, George Byers, served in the Civil War. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson: John Samuel, who is manager of the W. F. Hall Printing Company, Chi- cago, Illinois, married Marie Fisher, of Chicago; and Mabel Olive, married Raymond Marth, lives in Chicago. She is a graduate of Rossville High School, German Deaconess Hospital, Chicago, and the Childrens Memorial Hospital, Chicago. She is a registered nurse.
Mr. Wilson was elected town trustee of Rossville in April, 1927, and re-elected in May, 1929. He and his wife are leading members of the Christian Church, and he is
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affiliated with Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Ross- ville Lodge, No. 527; Danville Consistory; and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Wilson is a member of East- ern Star, Past Matron in 1923, and belongs to the Nomad Club, of Rossville.
E. C. Smith is perhaps one of the best known young business men of Rossville, where he is identified with the Rossville Motor Company. He was born here, December 23, 1890, the son of George S. and Minnie (Smith) Smith.
George S. Smith, deceased, was a native of Rossville, where he spent his entire life. He was a farmer and was numbered among the successful stockmen of Vermilion County. He died in 1904 and is buried at Rossville. His widow lives at Rossville. Mr. Smith was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and Masonic Lodge. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith were: E. C., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Josephine, who died at the age of three years.
E. C. Smith was reared and educated at Rossville and later attended Culver Military Academy during 1908-09-10 and upon his return to Rossville he entered the Farmers National Bank as a clerk. He became cashier in 1916 and was elected president of that institution in 1919. However, when the Farmers National Bank was merged with the First National Bank in June, 1924, Mr. Smith left the financial field and at that time acquired an interest in the Rossville Motor Company as manager. Since April, 1929, the company has also carried farm implements. They are local agents for the Buick automobile.
On September 11, 1912, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage with Miss Emma Louise Burhenn, of Dixon, Illinois, the daughter of J. P. and Emma Burhenn. Mr. Burhenn lives retired at Rossville. His wife died in December, 1928,
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and is buried at Dixon. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no chil- dren.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church and his wife is identified with the Lutheran Church. He is affiliated with Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 527, Rossville; Morris Chapter, No. 216, Rossville; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Ansar Shrine, Springfield, Illinois; and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332. He is also a member of the Hoopeston and Rossville Country Clubs. Politically, he is a Repub- lican.
Fred S. Austin, owner and editor of the Rossville Press, is recognized as one of the able newspaper men of Ver- milion County. He was born at Round Grove, Whiteside County, Illinois, May 12, 1885, the son of Wellington J. and Cora Belle (Simonson) Austin.
Wellington J. Austin was a native of Pennsylvania, born November 21, 1855. His wife was born at Round Grove, Illinois, April 22, 1859. He was a graduate of Northwest- ern University, and for a number of years was a merchant at Clark, South Dakota. He later entered the government service in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Austin died December 29, 1918, and his wife died March 24, 1901. Both are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago. Their children were: Fred S., the subject of this sketch; John W., lives in Chi- cago; Alice M., married Claude Thatcher, lives in Chicago; and Harold E., lives at Louisville, Kentucky.
Fred S. Austin attended the public schools of Round Grove, Illinois, and Chicago. He was graduated from Englewood High School and began his business career as a stenographer. He later became interested in the news- paper business and in 1907 went to Saint Paul, Minnesota, and subsequently to Montana and Oregon. He became the owner of a newspaper at Havre, Montana, in 1915, and
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later owned and edited numerous other publications in the West. He founded the Devil's Lake (North Dakota) World in 1916 and after three years went to Canton, Illinois, where he became editor of the Canton Daily Ledger. In 1922 he took over the management of the Pekin (Illinois) Daily Times, and the following year came to Hoopeston as advertising manager of the Hoopeston Daily Times. Since July 3, 1925, Mr. Austin has been owner and editor of the Rossville Press.
On May 12, 1917, Mr. Austin was united in marriage with Miss Gena Andrea Tovsrud, of Mayville, North Da- kota, the daughter of Jens R. and Anne (Endreud) Tovsrud, natives of Norway and residents of Harlow, North Dakota.
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