USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 29
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C. F. Blayney is a native of Pennsylvania. He spent his early life there and later lived in Nebraska. He sub- sequently engaged in the grain business at Montpelier, Ohio, and also owned elevators at Eden, Ohio. He later lived at Angola, Indiana, and for several years was the owner of a hotel at Fremont, Indiana. Mr. Blayney owned and operated a fruit farm near Paw Paw, Michigan, and for a number of years was the proprietor of a drug store at Elkhart, Indiana. Since 1915 he has lived at Fairfield, Illinois, where he is the owner of several large farms. He
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and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. She was born at Bryan, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Blayney were born two children: G. E., the subject of this sketch; and Clela, married Dale Black, lives at Fairfield, Illinois.
G. E. Blayney obtained his education in the public schools of Angola, Indiana, where he also attended Tri- State College. He spent three years as a clerk in Why- song's Drug Store, Angola, after which he entered Val- paraiso University, being graduated as a pharmacist in 1911. He spent the following six months as a pharmacist in the O'Malley Drug Company, at Dwight, Illinois, and then purchased a drug store at Elkhart, Indiana, which he successfully conducted for three years. He later owned a store at Fairfield, Illinois, and for a time was connected with Vanetta's Drug Store, Chicago Heights. He came to Danville in 1916 and purchased the Philpott Drug Com- pany, which he successfully managed until November, 1919, at which time he came to Georgetown and purchased the F. E. Kesper Drug Company, which was operated under the name of Blayney & McGee until June, 1920, when Mr. Blayney became sole proprietor. The store was completely remodeled in 1925 and is among the attractive stores of the city.
On August 5, 1913, Mr. Blayney was united in marriage with Miss Glycie Krouse, of Elkhart, Indiana, the daugh- ter of P. G. and Rebecca (Benfer) Krouse, natives of Penn- sylvania, now residents of South Bend, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Blayney have a daughter, Mary Jane, born August 21, 1916.
Mr. Blayney is a Republican and is serving his third term as assistant supervisor. He is a member of the Meth- odist Church, and is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Russell Lodge No. 154, Danville Con- sistory, Ansar Shrine, Springfield, Illinois, and Gao Grotto, Danville. He is secretary of the Home Building Loan Association of Georgetown.
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M. S. Fletcher, M. D .- During the twenty-five years that he has been established in a general practice at Georgetown, Doctor M. S. Fletcher, a veteran of the World War, has proven his skill as a physician and his worth as a citizen, and today stands out as one of the county's fore- most men. He was born at Ridge Farm, February 17, 1869, the son of Henry and Mahala (Haworth) Fletcher.
Henry Fletcher, a native of Vermilion Grove, spent his entire life in Vermilion County and was numbered among its most successful farmers. He died in 1909 and is buried at Pilot Grove. His wife, born at Georgetown, spent her entire life in Vermilion County and died in 1926. Mr. Fletcher was a Republican, a member of Friends Church at Pilot Grove, and a charter member of the Modern Wood- men of America. He served as supervisor of Elwood Township for several terms. To Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher were born eight children: Oliver, born in 1861, died in 1865; John, born in 1864, lives at Ridge Farm; Albert, born in 1867, died in 1899; M. S., the subject of this sketch ; Cassius, born in 1872, died in 1876; William, born in 1876, postmaster at Joliet, Ill .; Lydia, married John Wasson, lives at Chrisman, Illinois, and Ola, married Joseph Pierce, lives at Ridge Farm.
M. S. Fletcher attended the district school, Ridgefarm High School, and in 1889 he taught school in the Busby district at thirty dollars a month. In 1900 he entered the University of Illinois. By hard work he was able to sup- port himself throughout his college career and in 1894 he entered the Medical School of the University of Pennsyl- vania, where he spent two years. He received his degree as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Illinois, at Chicago, in 1898, and in 1899 received his Bachelor of Science degree from this University at Champaign, Illinois.
In the spring of 1898 he began the practice of medi- cine at Jamaica, Illinois, where he remained almost a year. He then was located at Ridge Farm for a period of three
M. A. Fletcher, BA, M.D.
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years, after which he served as county physician at Dan- ville for three years. He came to Georgetown in 1905, where he has since remained, and where he has established an excellent practice.
Doctor Fletcher enlisted for service during the World War, July 26, 1917, and received the commission of first lieutenant. He was stationed at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, Indiana, and later was transferred to Camp Buell, Kentucky, being discharged from the service on January 6, 1919.
In 1897 Doctor Fletcher was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Baum, of Ridge Farm, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Beal) Baum. Mr. Baum is deceased and his widow lives at Ridgefarm. Mrs. Fletcher was educated in the Ridgefarm High School, and for ten years taught in the same high school. Doctor and Mrs. Fletcher have a daughter, Mildred, born in 1900. She is a graduate of Georgetown High School and Penn College in Iowa, and also has a degree from the University of Illinois. She is the wife of Kenneth Schecter, of Georgetown. They have a daughter, Sally Sue, born August 31, 1928.
Doctor Fletcher is a Republican, a member of the Friends Church, Georgetown, and belongs to the American Legion. He served as president of the Georgetown School Board for fourteen years and has always taken an active part in the social and civic life of the community.
The maternal great-grandfather of Doctor Fletcher, James Haworth, was the founder of the city of George- town, having filed a plat of the town, March 30, 1827. The paternal great-grandfather, Henry Fletcher, was teaching school at Vermilion Grove at that time and it is claimed that he was the third school teacher in Vermilion County. This data gives the date of residence in Vermilion County of these ancestors of Doctor Fletcher as one hundred and two years ago.
25-Vol. 2
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Charles Brooks, who is the efficient and well known cashier of the First National Bank of Westville, is a native of this place. He was born December 11, 1885.
Mr. Brooks was educated in the public schools of West- ville and began his business career in Chicago. Upon his return to this city in November, 1918, he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank. In June, 1921, he resigned to become assistant national bank examiner. However, in May, 1923, Mr. Brooks returned to the First National Bank of Westville as cashier, in which capacity he now serves.
Mr. Brooks married Miss Nell Murphy, of Westville. They have no children.
Politically, Mr. Brooks is a Republican. He and his wife are active in the social life of Westville, and have a wide circle of friends.
Ernest Paxton .- Numbered among the prominent citi- zens and successful business men of Georgetown is Ernest Paxton, who is vice president and secretary of the "Grab It Here Stores." He was born at Owensville, Kentucky, March 31, 1901, the son of C. S. and L. V. (Warner) Pax- ton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.
Ernest Paxton was reared and educated at George- town and after his graduation from high school in 1920 he became interested in the management of the "Grab It Here Store," the original store being located at George- town. Stores were subsequently opened throughout Illi- nois and Indiana until the company now owns and operates thirty branch stores. The business was incorporated in 1924 with C. S. Paxton as president, and Ernest Paxton as vice president and secretary. Mrs. James Rice is also a member of the firm. The Illinois stores are located in the following cities: Georgetown, Westville, Sidell, Fair-
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mount, Newman, Danville, Indianola, Hume, Potomac, Broadlands, Hoopeston, Kansas, Paris, Tuscola. There are two stores at Georgetown and five located in the city of Danville. The Indiana stores are located as follows: Dana, Cayuga, Kingman, Covington, Veedersburg, Attica, Hillsboro, and Williamsport. The company operates its own bakeries at Danville, where the headquarters of the business are located. Approximately one hundred people are employed. The well known slogan of the company, "Where Ma Saves Pa's Dough," accurately describes the shopping powers afforded the customers of this large establishment.
In 1921 Mr. Paxton was united in marriage with Miss Grace Shipps, of Bakersfield, California, the daughter of John and Cora (Frazier) Shipps, natives of Catlin, Illinois, and now residents of Bakersfield, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Paxton have been born two sons: Joseph Sherman, born in 1923; and Norman Frazier, born in 1925.
Mr. Paxton is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge, and Knights of Pythias, and is a director in the Georgetown Building and Loan Association.
W. C. Dukes .- A substantial citizen and enterprising and dependable business man of Georgetown is found in W. C. Dukes, building contractor. He was born at West- ville, Illinois, February 8, 1864, the son of Ellis and Nancy (Bowen) Dukes.
Ellis Dukes was born near Westville, Illinois, where he engaged in general farming until 1875. He then went to Montgomery County, Kansas, where he spent the remain- der of his life. He died in 1879 and his wife, a native of Vermilion County, died in 1877. Both are buried in Kansas. They were the parents of the following children: R. N., lives in Ohio; J. H., who served as road commis-
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sioner of Georgetown Township for twenty-five years, died at Westville in 1928; Mary, who died in 1878, was the wife of Henry Robertson; George W., who died in 1877; W. C., the subject of this sketch; and Rachel F., married U. C. Graham, lives at Pierceton, Indiana.
W. C. Dukes spent his early youth on a farm near Westville and later lived in Montgomery, Kansas, where he completed his schooling. He then returned east to Ohio and in 1884 located in Vermilion County. Four years later he became interested in the meat business at West- ville, which he successfully conducted until 1900. He then removed to Georgetown, where he entered the building business as a contractor. In 1910 he went to Greene County, Indiana, where he farmed until 1916. He then returned to Georgetown where he resumed his building activities.
In 1886 Mr. Dukes married Miss Catherine Ellsworth, of Westville, the daughter of S. T. and Zerelda (Graves) Ellsworth, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. Mr. Ellsworth died in 1901 and his wife died in 1886. Both are buried at Westville. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dukes, as follows: (1) Maude, born in 1886, a graduate of Georgetown High School, married in 1905 to Dr. J. H. Myers, dentist, lives at Georgetown, and they have a daughter, Kathryn Myers. (2) Fan M., born in 1888, married Roy Bennett, lives at Georgetown. (3) Fred M., twin brother of Fan M., a graduate of Georgetown High School, now a well known physician at Dugger, Indiana, married Cecilia Weaver, of Urbana, Illinois, and they have four children: William, Richard, Joseph, and Marcella Dukes. (4) Bert E., born in 1890, a graduate of Georgetown High School, lives at Georgetown, married Nellie Price. (5) R. F., a sketch of whom appears else- where in this history. (6) Clarence E., born in 1894, lives at Georgetown. He is a veteran of the World War. He
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married Eva Bell, and they have a son, Don Ellsworth Dukes.
Mr. Dukes has always been a Republican. He has served seven continuous terms as supervisor of George- town Township and was overseer of the poor for two years. He holds membership in the Christian Church, and is a member of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Catlin Lodge No. 285. Mr. and Mrs. Dukes have a wide circle of friends in Vermilion County and are highly esteemed members of their community.
R. F. Dukes, who is cashier of the First National Bank, of Georgetown, is a veteran of the World War and one of the most prominent young business men of the city. He was born at Westville, in 1892, the son of W. C. and Catherine (Ellsworth) Dukes.
A sketch of W. C. Dukes appears elsewhere in this history.
R. F. Dukes obtained his education in the public schools of Westville and attended the Georgetown High School. He was employed as a clerk in Henderson Brothers gro- cery store and later was connected with C. E. Pritchard's lumber business. In 1912 he became a mail carrier in the local post office but after six months resigned to accept the position as a clerk in the First National Bank. He was later promoted to assistant cashier but in June, 1918, enlisted for service in the World War, and was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, where he remained throughout the war period. Upon his return to George- town, Mr. Dukes became cashier of the First National Bank, in which capacity he has since served.
Mr. Dukes was married in July, 1920, to Miss Florence Taylor, of Janesville, Illinois, the daughter of Stephen and
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Mary Taylor. They have a son, William, born March 29, 1923.
Mr. Dukes is a member of the American Legion and has numerous other lodge and club affiliations.
John A. Frazier, of Georgetown, represents one of the prominent and respected families of Vermilion County. He was born at Georgetown, October 15, 1873, the son of William and Jennie (Alexander) Frazier.
Abram Frazier came from New Market, Tennessee, to Georgetown in 1826. Soon after he returned to Tennessee and in 1828 again made the trip to Georgetown, bringing with him his brother, Abner. They engaged in the general mercantile business on the site of the present Frazier store in Georgetown. In 1859 Abram Frazier retired from busi- ness, and disposed of his interests to Captain Kyger, who later served in the Civil War as a member of the Seventy- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The business continued as Frazier & Kyger until 1867, and from 1867 until 1873 was known as Frazier & Moore, the members of the firm being Abner Frazier and William Moore. In 1873 it became Abner Frazier & Son. William Frazier, father of the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the Civil War in 1862 and served as a member of the One Hundred Twenty- fifth Volunteer Infantry. He was with General Sherman on his March to the Sea, and also participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C. From 1875 until 1880 his store was known as Abner Frazier & Sons, the third member of the firm being John Frazier. It carried on business from 1880 until 1885 as Frazier Brothers; from 1885 until 1892 was conducted by William Frazier; from 1892 until 1900 it was known as William Frazier & Son, John A. Frazier, the subject of this sketch, being the junior member. Since 1900 J. A. Frazier has continued
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proprietor of the business, which has been successfully carried on for exactly one hundred and one years.
William Frazier, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Georgetown, Illinois, December 4, 1842, and died at Georgetown in November, 1916. He married Jennie Alexander, who was born at Eugene, Indiana, Octo- ber 25, 1846. She died in November, 1927, at the age of eighty-one years and is buried at Georgetown. William Frazier was the son of Abner and Mary (Millikan) Frazier. To Mr. and Mrs. Frazier were born four chil- dren: Birdie, died at the age of nine months; John A., the subject of this sketch; a daughter died in infancy; and Mayme, born in 1880, deputy county circuit clerk, lives at Danville. She married Roy Seymour, who died in 1918.
John A. Frazier attended the public schools of George- town and throughout his business career has been identi- fied with the business which was founded at Georgetown by his grandfather in 1828. It is among the largest stores in this section of the county and handles a complete line of men's furnishings and shoes.
On April 4, 1895, Mr. Frazier was united in marriage with Miss Stella Fowler, of Georgetown, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Jane (Calvert) Fowler. Mrs. Frazier is a graduate of Georgetown High School in the class of 1893, and served for twenty-eight years as a mem- ber of the local board of education, having resigned from that office in 1928. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Frazier have two children: Mary Elizabeth, born January 9, 1897, a graduate of Georgetown High School, and Illinois Women's College, and has taken graduate work at Columbia Uni- versity, now a teacher in the Danville High School; and William Fowler, born December 12, 1898, a graduate of Georgetown High School and Wabash College. He has also taken graduate work at Columbia University and is now director of athletics in East Saint Louis High School.
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He is a veteran of the World War, having served in France with the United States Marines. He was married August 10, 1927, to Gladys Elizabeth Tucker, of Hume, Illinois, and they have a son, William Tucker Frazier.
Mr. Frazier has always been a Republican, and has held the office of mayor of Georgetown for two terms.
C. S. Paxton .- An almost meteoric business success has been achieved by C. S. Paxton, president and founder of the "Grab It Here Stores," and one of the most prom- inent citizens of Georgetown. He was born at Charleston, West Virginia, July 26, 1879, the son of C. F. and Mar- garet (Zirkle) Paxton.
C. F. Paxton was born in Roanoke County, Virginia, spent part of his life in Kentucky, and in 1901 came to Georgetown, where he was living retired at the time of his death in 1915. He was a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. His widow, born in Virginia, lives at Georgetown. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Paxton: C. S., the subject of this sketch; Ira, lives in New Mexico; T. C., lives at Georgetown; Atha, lives at Georgetown; Nina, deceased; Frank, lives in Chi- cago; Sarah, married George Gardner, lives at George- town; and Collins, lives at Other, Illinois.
C. S. Paxton was six years old when his family went to Kentucky from Virginia. He attended the University of Kentucky and Hamilton University at Nashville, Ten- nessee. In 1901 Mr. Paxton settled at Georgetown where he was employed in the coal mines for three years. He became a clerk in the Miner's Cooperative Store at George- town in 1905, and the following year purchased a small store with a capital of $185. Today Mr. Paxton is the owner of the largest individually owned chain of grocery stores in this section of the country, having transacted a
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million dollars worth of business in 1928. The company owns and operates thirty stores in Illinois and Indiana, with headquarters at Danville, where a large warehouse handles a stock of groceries valued at $200,000.
In 1900 Mr. Paxton married Miss Lucy V. Warner, of Owingsville, Kentucky, the daughter of Reuben and Louise Warner. Mr. Warner died in 1895 and his wife died in 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Paxton are the parents of two chil- dren: Ernest, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history; and Margaret, born in 1905, married James Rice, lives at Georgetown.
Mr. Paxton is a member of the Methodist Church and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican in politics and has served as mayor of Georgetown.
Charles Muirhead, chief of the fire department at Dan- ville, is among the well known men of the city, where he has spent his entire life. He was born here, September 23, 1884, the son of David and Marion (Fisher) Muirhead.
David Muirhead and his wife were born in Scotland. He came to this country in 1883 and settled at Danville, where he was employed in the coal mines for many years. He died in this city in 1917 and is buried in Danville. His widow lives at 603 Chandler Street. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Muirhead, as follows: Robert; David; Charles, the subject of this sketch; William; James; John M .; and Thomas T., who died in 1926, was a World War veteran. All are residents of Danville.
Charles Muirhead received his education in the public schools of Danville and as a boy was employed in the coal mines. In 1911 he entered the employ of the local fire department, where he spent six years. He then returned to the mines and in 1922 was appointed deputy sheriff of Vermilion County under Sheriff Timm. He served in that
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capacity until May 1, 1923, at which time he again became identified with the fire department as assistant chief. In 1925 he became custodian of the Masonic Temple Build- ing, but in May, 1927, assumed his present duties as chief of the fire department.
In 1915 Mr. Muirhead married Miss Anna M. Brown, of Danville, the daughter of Charles and Minnie Brown, natives of Germany, now residents of Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Muirhead have no children.
Mr. Muirhead has always been a Republican. He attends the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Anchor Lodge No. 980, Past Master; Danville Consistory, Past Thrice Potent Master; Vermilion Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 82; Danville Eastern Star, No. 854, Past Patron; White Shrine of Jeru- salem, No. 65; and Grotto.
George S. Hoff .- Numbered among the highly success- ful business men and representative citizens of Danville is George S. Hoff, realtor and specialist in farm loans and insurance, with offices in the Daniel Building. He was born in Butler Township, Vermilion County, February 7, 1859, the son of Amos and Harriet A. (Blackford) Hoff.
Amos Hoff was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, and was among the earliest settlers of Butler Township, Vermilion County, where he successfully engaged in gen- eral farming until 1905. He then retired and removed to Rossville, Illinois, where he resided until 1917. He then came to Danville and lived there until the time of his death in 1920. He is buried at Potomac, Illinois. His wife was born in Fountain County, Indiana and died in 1921. Mr. Hoff was active in church work throughout his life and was one of the organizers of the Baptist Church at Point Pleasant, which is now abandoned. The following
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children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoff: George S., the subject of this sketch; Jerusha A., the widow of John O. Jenkins, later married B. E. Lane, and they live at Hen- ning, Illinois; Minnie C., died in 1925, was the wife of Samuel H. Crandall; and Margaret M., married Henry Howell, lives near Henning, Illinois.
George S. Hoff attended the rural schools of Butler Township and completed his schooling at Danville. He began his teaching career in a district school known as Hedge Corner, near Rossville and in 1884 entered Normal University at Normal, Illinois, where he spent two years. He then resumed teaching and in 1889 taught at the Oak- wood School. He purchased a farm four miles north of Muncie, Illinois, and two years later became principal of schools at Catlin, Illinois, and from there to Indianola, Illinois. In 1895 he re-entered Normal University and subsequently became principal of the Ottawa schools. However, due to ill health, he was obliged to retire from the teaching profession, and in 1897 Mr. Hoff came to Danville, where he became interested in the real estate business. He has always made a specialty of handling farm loans and was one of the organizers and secretary and treasurer of the Farm Loan Association of Danville. He has now associated with him in business his daughter, Miss Reva Clair Hoff, the firm being known as George S. Hoff & Daughter. The Danville National Farm Loan Association is among the largest loan associations in the State, having loans outstanding in Vermilion County amounting to more than one million seven hundred thou- sand dollars.
In 1888 Mr. Hoff was united in marriage with Miss Carrie B. Vinson, the daughter of John E. and Elizabeth E. (Trimmel) Vinson. Mr. Hoff gives to his wife much credit for whatever success he has made in life. The for- mer, Mr. Vinson, was born in Kentucky, died in 1893. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
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rode the circuit of Vermilion County for many years. His wife, born in Vermilion County, died in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Hoff's only child is Reva Clair. She was educated in the public schools of Danville and following her graduation from Danville High School in 1909 she entered Northwest- ern University, where she specialized in the study of music. She was graduated in 1913 and was identified with chau- tauqua and lyceum work for five years, after which she became associated with her father's business in Danville. She became a member of the firm in 1923. Miss Hoff is secretary and treasurer of the Danville National Farm Loan Association, which is the local representative of the Federal Land Bank of Saint Louis, Missouri. She is also Past President of the Danville Business and Professional Women's Club. Her experience in chautauqua and lyceum work have served her greatly in making her rank among the most able speakers at civic and business meetings. She is frequently called upon to make speeches and addresses throughout the county and state. Miss Hoff lives at home with her parents in Danville.
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