USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 28
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O. P. Clark spent his boyhood on a farm near Ridge Farm. He attended Vermilion Academy and in 1889 was
O. P. CLARK
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
graduated from Earlham College with the degree of Bache- lor of Science. He then taught school for three years and in 1892 became interested in the banking business as cashier of Dwiggins & Starbuck, at Georgetown. The fol- lowing year this institution was taken over by John G. Clark, father of the subject of this sketch, and P. H. Smith. It was operated as a private bank until 1900, at which time it became a national bank, with John G. Clark as president, and O. P. Clark as cashier. After the death of his father in 1917, Mr. Clark succeeded to the presidency. He has been associated with the Georgetown Building & Loan Association since 1896, having served as secretary- treasurer, and is now president.
In August, 1892, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Ada Elliott, of Vermilion Grove, the daughter of John M. and Sarah (Mendenhall) Elliott, natives of North Carolina and Illinois, respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are deceased and are buried at Vermilion Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of seven children, as follows: 1. Ruth, born in 1893, a graduate of George- town High School, Earlham College, and the University of Illinois, having received her Master's degree at the latter institution. She was married June 1, 1928, to Ward N. Black, who is superintendent of schools at Georgetown. 2. Elma, born in 1895, a graduate of Georgetown High School, Earlham College, and Columbia University, having received her Master's degree at the latter institution. She is now dean of the girls Westtown School at Westtown, Pennsylvania. 3. Zola, born in 1897, a graduate of Georgetown High School and Earlham College. She mar- ried Clyde Little, attorney, and lives at Cleveland, Ohio. 4. John E., born July 4, 1900, a graduate of Georgetown High School and the Law School of the University of Illi- nois. He is a member of the firm of Hutton & Clark, Dan- ville. He married Gladys Castle, of Ridge Farm, Illinois. 5. Mary, born in 1903, a graduate of Georgetown High
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School and Earlham College. She is a teacher in the Scotts- dale (Pennsylvania) High School. 6. Oren P., assistant cashier of the First National Bank, Georgetown, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. 7. Iola, born in 1908, a graduate of Georgetown High School, Earlham College, and the University of Illinois, having received her degree from the latter institution in 1929. She is a teacher of physical culture in the high school at Birmingham, Alabama.
Mr. Clark has always been a Republican. He has held the office of mayor of Georgetown, and has been a member of the local school board for the past twenty-eight years. He has also been a member of the board of trustees of Earl- ham College for eighteen years and a member of the board of trustees of Vermilion Academy for fifteen years. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.
Mr. Clark is the owner of a fine dairy farm of two hun- dred and twenty acres south of Georgetown, on which he now has fifty head of pure bred cattle.
Mr. Clark has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of Vermilion County.
Oren P. Clark is one of the prominent young bankers of Vermilion County, being identified with the First Na- tional Bank of Georgetown as assistant cashier. He was born in this city, November 7, 1906, the son of O. P. and Ada (Elliott) Clark.
A complete sketch of O. P. Clark appears elsewhere in this history.
Oren P. Clark acquired a city school education and after his graduation from Georgetown High School entered the University of Illinois from which he received his degree in
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1928. He has since been connected with the First National Bank of Georgetown as assistant cashier.
Mr. Clark is a Republican and is a member of Phi Pi Phi fraternity.
J. D. Cromwell .- A leading business man of Vermilion County is found in J. D. Cromwell, who is interested in the general mercantile business at Fithian. He was born here, December 28, 1858, the son of Jackson and Mary Jane (Meade) Cromwell.
Jackson Cromwell was born at Marion, Indiana, and his wife was a native of Conkeytown, Illinois. He fol- lowed farming throughout his life. He died March 31, 1920, and his wife died March 27, 1923. Both are buried in McFarland Cemetery. Their children were: Jackson and Maria, both deceased; J. D., the subject of this sketch; J. S., lives at Fairmount; Cora Reams, lives at Fairmount; Rosetta and Nellie, both deceased.
J. D. Cromwell attended the schools of Fithian. He has always lived here and for a number of years was inter- ested in general farming and stock raising. He is now recognized as one of the dependable merchants of Fithian, where he has a well established business.
On October 3, 1878, Mr. Cromwell married Miss Mary Elizabeth Long, of Perrysville, Indiana, the daughter of William J. and Nancy E. (Gritton) Long, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Long died February 17, 1915, and his wife died October 20, 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell the following children were born: Charles Elmer, died January 20, 1882; Hallie Jackson, died December 21, 1884; John Winfield, died November 26, 1920; Arthur Earl, garage owner, lives at Fairmount, Illinois; Everett Ortha, died May 30, 1890; Lena E. Richard, lives at Fithian; Leona W. Hopper, lives at Fairmount; and Wilma E. Anderson, lives in Chicago.
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Mr. Cromwell is a Republican, a member of the Meth- odist Church, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, and Royal Neighbors.
At the time the court house in Danville was being built in 1877, Mr. Cromwell hauled one-eighth of the brick used in the construction of the building.
In 1876 he hauled one-fourth of the brick used in build- ing the Centennial Hotel at Danville. He also worked six months during that time in a general store for Mr. Webster.
Frank G. Doney, capable postmaster of Fithian, is a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Vermilion County. He was born at Fithian, November 2, 1880, the son of Barton T. and Belle (Owens) Doney.
A complete sketch of Barton T. Doney appears else- where in this history.
Frank G. Doney attended the public schools of Fithian, and throughout his early business career was identified with his father's store at Fithian, being in the latter's employ for twenty-seven years. He became a partner in the business, which was disposed of in March, 1925. Mr. Doney was then employed for a year in the shops of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad at Danville. He assumed the office of postmaster at Fithian, May 5, 1926.
On July 29, 1903, Mr. Doney was united in marriage with Miss Anna J. Fisher, of Fithian, the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Board) Fisher. Mr. Fisher was born at Richmond, Indiana, and died May 1, 1916. His widow has spent her entire life at Fithian. Their children were: Sina, married Everett Underwood, lives at Georgetown, Illinois; Maude, died in April, 1923, was the wife of Joseph Williams; Anna J. Doney; R. L., who died April 24, 1929; John, lives at Fithian; Fremont, who died June 6, 1910;
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Hazel, married Clarence Payne, lives at Fithian; Fay, lives at Danville; and Doris Lucille, lives at Fithian. Mr. and Mrs. Doney have no children.
Politically Mr. Doney is a Republican. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Church, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Wood- men of America, and Royal Neighbors.
Barton Taylor Doney, deceased, was identified with the business life of Fithian for a number of years, and was among its most honored citizens. He was born at Spencer, Indiana, in 1849, and died at Fithian, January 17, 1928.
Mr. Doney was reared and educated in Indiana. He came to Illinois about 1873 and settled at Newton, where he conducted a blacksmith shop for two years. He then removed to Fithian, where he spent the remainder of his life. He became one of the most successful merchants of this section and owned and operated a general mercantile business here for almost half a century. He also served as postmaster at Fithian for a period of eighteen years. Mr. Doney retired in March, 1925, and died three years later. He is buried in Stearns Cemetery, near Fithian.
Mr. Doney married Miss Belle Owens, of Owensburg, Indiana. She lives at Fithian. Four sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doney: John, lives at Danville; Frank G., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; Clyde B., lives at Villa Grove, Illinois; and Benjamin, who died February 6, 1908.
Mr. Doney was a life long Republican. He served as assessor of Oakwood Township continuously for twelve years, and was also a member of the local school board. He was a member of the Christian Church and Modern Woodmen of America, being a charter member of the local lodge.
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John Urbas .- One of the leading citizens and most prominent business men of Westville is John Urbas, who has been the proprietor of a funeral home there for almost a quarter of a century. He was born in Lithuania, June 6, 1882, the son of Michael and Antanna (Darzinika) Urbas.
Michael Urbas and his wife were born in Lithuania, where they spent their early lives. He followed farming until he came to the United States, and then was employed as a cabinet maker in Chicago. He came to Westville in 1904 and the following year went to Spring Valley, where he remained for two years. He then returned to West- ville, where he now lives retired. He is eighty-eight years of age. His wife died in 1908 and is buried at Spring Val- ley. To Mr. and Mrs. Urbas the following children were born: Elizabeth, deceased; Joseph, lives in Chicago; John, the subject of this sketch; and Eva, married Peter Gelt- kovisky, lives at Westville.
John Urbas was reared and educated in his native land and was fifteen years old when he came to this country with his parents. He was employed in a grocery store in Chicago for several years and during that time attended night school. He also attended Barnes School of Anatomy and Embalming, from which he was graduated in 1905. In February, 1906, he established a business at Spring Val- ley, where he was associated in partnership with Antonio Carp. After two years Mr. Urbas sold his interest in the business and came to Westville in 1907, where he conducted a funeral home on State Street until 1909. He then re- moved to his present location on West Street. A new mortuary is in the process of construction on this site and promises to be the finest type of funeral home in Ver- milion County. A chapel will be erected in connection with the mortuary and the latest type of funeral equipment will be installed by Mr. Urbas.
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In 1914 Mr. Urbas was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Lugousky, of Westville, the daughter of Charles and Anna Lugousky, natives of Lithuania. The former died in 1926. Mrs. Lugousky lives at Westville. Mr. and Mrs. Urbas are the parents of two sons: John, born in 1915, attends Westville High School; and Cyril, born in 1916, student.
Mr. Urbas is identified with the Republican party in politics and served as postmaster of Westville, as well as alderman. He is a member of Saint Peter's and Saint Paul's Catholic Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Redmen's Lodge, and Citizens Club.
As a pastime, Mr. Urbas finds much pleasure in hunt- ing and is the owner of several fine hunting dogs.
J. Frank Haworth .- Prominent in business and finan- cial circles in Westville, J. Frank Haworth has played an important part in the growth of his city, where he is presi- dent of the First National Bank. He was born at Bloom- ingdale, Indiana, March 12, 1880, the son of Beriah and Sarah (Trimble) Haworth.
Beriah Haworth was born in Georgetown Township, Vermilion County, and his wife was a native of Ridge Farm, Illinois. He grew up in that section of the county and received his education in the district schools. He engaged in farming until 1880, at which time he and his brothers purchased a pottery. He met with an accidental death in 1884, at the age of forty-four years. His widow later remarried and lived in Kansas until the time of her death in January, 1929. To Beriah and Sarah (Trimble) Haworth were born the following children: Charles E., lives at Argonia, Kansas; William W., lives at Argonia, Kansas; Nellie, married Robert Weller, lives at Wichita, Kansas; J. Frank, the subject of this sketch; Donna, mar-
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
ried R. S. Hammond, lives at Argonia, Kansas; and Bessie E., married L. W. Englehardt, lives at Fort Myers, Florida.
J. Frank Haworth was four years old when his father died. He then went West with his mother and lived at Argonia, Kansas, until 1898, at which time Mr. Haworth returned to Illinois and settled at Vermilion Grove. He entered Vermilion Grove Academy in 1898 and four years later accepted a position as bookkeeper in the First Na- tional Bank, of Georgetown. At that time O. P. Clark was president of the institution and three years later Mr. Clark purchased a controlling interest in the First Na- tional Bank of Westville. At that time Mr. Haworth was transferred to Westville as vice president of the local bank. In 1915 he purchased Mr. Clark's interest in the bank, in partnership with A. L. Summers, and the latter became president with Mr. Haworth as vice president and cashier. In March, 1923, Mr. Summers died and at that time Mr. Haworth became president of the bank.
The First National Bank of Westville was organized in December, 1904. It has a capital stock of $25,000, sur- plus of $25,000, and deposits amounting to $700,000. It is recognized as one of the leading financial institutions of the county and succeeds in rendering first class banking service to its large clientele.
In 1913 Mr. Haworth was united in marriage with Miss Laura B. Smith, of Hoopeston, the daughter of Samuel D. and Anna (Wolf) Smith, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Smith died in 1919 and his wife died in 1920. Both are buried at Hoopeston, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth are the parents of five children: John Franklin, born in 1915, attends George- town High School; William B., born in 1916, attends Georgetown High School; Catherine Anne, born in 1918; Ruth Eleanor, born in 1920, died in 1928; and Charles Richard, born December 31, 1923.
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Mr. Haworth has always been a Republican. He is a member of the Friends Church, and is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Georgetown Lodge No. 154, Danville Consistory, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and Redmen Lodge. The Haworth home is at George- town, where Mr. Haworth has served as a member of the school board and as treasurer of the board for the past twenty years. He also owns a farm of eighty acres in Grant Township, where he enjoys spending his leisure time.
J. F. Quartier .- One of the outstanding business men of Westville is J. F. Quartier, proprietor of the Quartier Company. He was born in Belgium, June 8, 1884, the son of Eugene and Virginia (Blary) Quartier.
Eugene Quartier was a native of Belgium and his wife was born in France. They came to the United States in about 1884 and settled in Danville, where Mr. Quartier was employed in the mines. In 1894 he became interested in the grocery business in South Danville, and in 1900 established a branch store at Westville. The Danville store was destroyed by fire in 1912 but Mr. Quartier continued as proprietor of the Westville store until 1920, when he sold the business to his son and retired. He died Decem- ber 30, 1926, and his wife died in 1925. Both are buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville. Mr. Quartier was a Republican. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Quartier: Victoria, died in infancy; Eugene, died in 1913, had served as mayor of Westville and as tax col- lector of Georgetown Township; Marie, died in 1916, was the wife of John Montgerard; John, died in 1918; Celia, died at the age of ten years; and J. F., the subject of this sketch.
J. F. Quartier was educated in the schools of Danville, afterwards going into the store with his father. He also
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became interested in the insurance business, which he has continued to the present time in connection with his other enterprises. When he became proprietor of the Quartier Company in 1920 he established a furniture business in connection with the former, which has been numbered for many years among the leading grocery stores of Ver- milion County. A branch furniture store was established at Georgetown in 1924. The local stores have an exten- sive trade within a radius of thirty miles of Westville.
In 1907 Mr. Quartier married Miss Mildred Copeland, of Danville, the daughter of W. G. and DeBora (Hoover) Copeland. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland were natives of Ver- milion County. There are three children in the Quartier family: Julien, associated in business with his father; Mildred, and Ernest John, students.
The family residence is located at 24 North Main Street, Danville.
Arthur L. Stewart is a successful business man of Dan- ville, where he is identified with the Stewart Rug Service, 1203 Oak Street. He was born at Liberty, Indiana, March 7, 1882, the son of Benjamin and Virginia (Bunting) Stewart.
Benjamin Stewart was born at College Corner, Ohio. He was employed in his father's sawmill until he was twenty-five years of age and then removed to Oxford, Ohio, where he owned and operated a farm for several years. He later lived at Liberty and Everton, Indiana, and also was a resident of Anderson, Indiana. About 1910 he located at Peru, Indiana, where he resided until the time of his death in 1918. He is buried at Anderson, Indiana. His widow, born at Liberty, Indiana, lives at Danville and is eighty-four years of age. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, as follows: Dallas E., farmer, lives near Indianapolis, Indiana; Minnie Myrtle,
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died in infancy; Cortland Clifford, lives at Alton, Illinois; Leah I., married John Moore, lives at Anderson, Indiana; Laura Oma, married Earl Spargur, lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; Martin, died in infancy; Arthur L., the subject of this sketch; and Margaret Louise Baker, married George Reynolds, lives at Huntington, West Virginia.
Arthur L. Stewart attended the public schools of An- derson, Indiana. As a boy he was employed in a glass factory and was identified with the glass industry as a blower until 1911. He was employed at Simms, Indiana, and later was located at Chicago Heights, Illinois, Marion, Indiana, Muncie, Indiana, and Danville. He came to Dan- ville in 1906. In November, 1911, he purchased a portable vacuum cleaning rug machine and this was the beginning of his well established business of today. He organized a sweeping club and made contracts for the cleaning of homes, offices, stores, etc. In 1917 another department was added to the business, that of cleaning and repairing Oriental rugs. The business has increased to such an extent that the service building on Oak Street has been enlarged on numerous occasions. The Stewart Rug Serv- ice renders high grade service not only to his local cus- tomers but also many cleaning plants throughout the Uni- ted States, making a specialty of servicing Oriental rugs. It maintains service throughout the United States and has an unusually large volume of business. Mr. Stewart has made numerous inventions which pertain to the cleaning process and these are also shipped to various points throughout the United States and Canada.
In 1901 Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Carrie John of Swayzee, Indiana, the daughter of H. C. and Sarah (Collins) John, natives of Indiana. Mr. John died in 1925 and his wife died in 1929. Carrie (John) Stewart died February 25, 1904, and is buried at Swayzee, Indiana. She was the mother of two children: Ethel Vera, born June 3, 1902, a graduate of Danville High
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School and for seven years a teacher at Garfield School, married on June 8, 1929, to Otha Mitchell, of Swayzee, Indiana. They live at Danville. (2) Lowell Reece, born September 4, 1903, a graduate of Garfield School. He is now an engineer on the New York Central Railroad. He was married March 24, 1922, to Ruby Rife, of Danville, and they have two children, Marion and Gene Stewart. Mr. Stewart was married the second time in 1907 to Ella Menier, of Danville. She was reared and edu- cated by Rev. S. S. Jones, of Danville.
Mr. Stewart is a Democrat. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Christian Church, and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.
P. L. Testa, popular garage owner of Georgetown, is among the reliable and substantial business men of Ver- milion County. He was born at Braidwood, Illinois, May 29, 1885, the son of John and Mary (Testa) Testa.
John Testa, a native of Italy, is a well known resident of Cardiff, Illinois. He was about twenty years of age when he came to the United States and settled at Braid- wood, Illinois, where he engaged in the general mercantile business. He has lived retired since 1919. His wife is also a native of Italy. To Mr. and Mrs. Testa the fol- lowing children were born: Angela, married William McLean, and she died in 1919; Mary, married Caesar Antonina, lives at Wilmett, Illinois; Minnie, twin sister of Mary, married Thomas Tyrell, lives at Cardiff, Illinois; P. L., the subject of this sketch; Anton, lives at Hillsboro, Illinois; Lucy, married William Monahan, lives at Hills- boro, Illinois; and Phillip, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this history.
P. L. Testa attended the public schools of Braidwood, Illinois, and Carbon Hill. He was employed in his father's
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
store for several years and in 1894 engaged in the mer- cantile business for himself at Cardiff, Illinois. After a year he sold the store and removed to a farm near Cardiff, where he spent two years. He then went to Bensenville, Illinois, where he owned and operated a general store for seven years. Mr. Testa later worked in the coal mines, and in December, 1927, came to Georgetown, where in partner- ship with his brother, Phillip Testa, he purchased the garage business of J. R. Dillon. Later, they became local agents for the Ford automobile, trucks and tractors. They are recognized as leading automobile men of this section of Vermilion County and operate one of the most up-to- date garages and service stations.
In 1909 Mr. Testa was united in marriage with Miss Laura Tyrell, of Cardiff, Illinois, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sinnett) Tyrell, natives of Ireland. Mr. Tyrell died at Campus, Illinois, in 1900 and his wife died there, March 6, 1927. To Mr. and Mrs. Testa the following children have been born: Alvin, born in January, 1912, attends Georgetown High School; John, born in May, 1913, attends Georgetown High School; Loretta, born in 1917, student; Harvey, born in July, 1919, student; and Phillip, born in April, 1928.
Mr. Testa is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Phillip Testa, who is identified with Testa Brothers Motor Company, Georgetown, is a veteran of the World War and is recognized as one of the enterprising and suc- cessful young men of Vermilion County. He was born at Carbon Hill, Illinois, May 8, 1893, the son of John and Mary (Testa) Testa.
A complete sketch of John Testa appears in the biog- raphy of P. L. Testa, to be found elsewhere in this history.
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Phillip Testa received his education in the public schools of Carbon Hill and Cardiff, Illinois. He studied automobile mechanics at Grier College, Chicago, and began his career as a mechanic in the employ of the Simmons Motor Company, Chicago. After eighteen months in that company's employ Mr. Testa returned to Cardiff and was connected with a garage there until 1917, at which time he enlisted for service in the World War. He was sent to Fort Wright, Long Island, New York, and attached to the Coast Artillery. He sailed for overseas duty in Octo- ber, 1917, and saw active service in France throughout the war period. After his discharge in March, 1919, Mr. Testa located at Georgetown, where he was employed in the garage of J. R. Dillon. He and his brother, P. L. Testa, have been the owners of this popular garage since Decem- ber, 1927, and are local Ford dealers.
Mr. Testa is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Georgetown, and belongs to the American Legion. He is unmarried.
G. E. Blayney, proprietor of Georgetown's leading drug store, is a representative and widely known citizen of Ver- milion County. He was born at Grant, Nebraska, Sep- tember 24, 1889, the son of C. F. and Clara (Hepker) Blayney.
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