USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 33
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George A. Potter spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Blount Township and attended the district schools He became a teacher in the local schools and in 1899 entered what is now known as Washington University, Saint Louis, Missouri, where he took up the study of medi- cine. He received his degree as Doctor of Medicine in 1903 and engaged in practice at Hope, Illinois, and later was located at Royal, Illinois. He came to Danville in November, 1919, where he has since built up an excellent practice.
On April 6, 1904, Doctor Potter was united in mar- riage with Miss May B. McCoy, the daughter of John F. and Martha Jane (Gibbons) McCoy, natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. McCoy, who lives retired at Danville, was a leading architect in the city for many years. His wife died in 1918 and is buried in Springhill Cemetery, Dan- ville. To Doctor and Mrs. Potter were born seven chil- dren, as follows: Rosalyn, born June 23, 1905, a graduate of Danville High School and Illinois State Normal Univer- sity, now a teacher in the high school at Melvin, Illinois; Janet, born December 31, 1906, a graduate of Danville High School, attends Illinois State Normal University; Theodore B., born February 26, 1909, attends Danville High School; George Fisher, born January 15, 1911, attends Danville High School; Sarah May, born December
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8, 1912, attends Danville High School; Martha Ellen, born September 16, 1915, won the township scholarship in 1929; and Carolyn C., born May 2, 1923, attends the grade schools of Liberty District.
Doctor Potter is identified with the Vermilion County Medical Society, Illinois State Medical Society, American Medical Association, and Aesculapian Society. He is a member of the Christian Church, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, and Woodmen of the World.
Doctor Potter is the owner of a fine farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres, which is located ten miles northwest of Danville. His home on North Vermilion Street is among the most attractive residences in the city and is located on a beautiful estate of five acres.
Elijah Potter, great grandfather of Doctor Potter, was born in 1788. He fought throughout the War of 1812 and is buried in Johnson's Cemetery, northwest of Danville. His son, William Potter, helped in the building of the log cabin used as Republican headquarters during the cam- paign of President Benjamin Harrison. It was located on the present site of the Danville Chamber of Commerce.
Herbert Ernest Hutton has been established in the general practice of law at Danville, Vermilion County, since 1904. He has offices in the First National Bank Building, and has built up a law business of such scope and importance as to denote him one of the representative members of the bar of Vermilion County.
Mr. Hutton was born at Kentland, Indiana, May 9, 1880, the son of Dr. J. H. and Phoebe Jane (Rawlings) Hutton.
Dr. J. H. Hutton was born in Ohio. He spent a num- ber of years in Indiana and later lived at Hoopeston, Illi-
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nois, where he engaged in the practice of his profession as a dentist from 1885 until 1903. He died in August, 1925, and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston. His widow, born in Johnson County, Indiana, lives at Hoopes- ton. Doctor and Mrs. Hutton had two sons: Herbert Ernest, the subject of this sketch; and Harry C., born October 6, 1882, lives at Danville.
' In the public schools of Hoopeston, including the high school, Herbert Hutton acquired his early education. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws de- grees at the University of Indiana, and in 1904 began the practice of law as assistant state's attorney under John M. Keeslar, state's attorney. In 1905 he was appointed by the Governor of Illinois as public administrator and public guardian of Vermilion County, which offices were held by him for six years. In 1910 Mr. Hutton formed a partnership at Danville with the Hon. S. Murray Clark, now circuit judge. The name of the firm was Clark & Hutton. This partnership continued until the election of Mr. Clark as circuit judge in June, 1927. On July 1, 1927, Mr. Hutton formed a partnership under the name of Hut- ton & Clark, with John E. Clark, of Georgetown, Illinois. This copartnership is still engaged in the general practice of law at Danville.
August 21, 1909, Mr. Hutton married Myrtle A. Jack- son, of Danville, Illinois, the daughter of James Benjamin and Mary (Harris) Jackson, the former a native of Mar- tinsville, Indiana, and the latter of Springfield, Ohio. They are residents of Danville. To Mr. and Mrs. Hutton were born three children: Mary Jane, born February 16, 1911; Jackson Rawlings, born October 2, 1914; and Ernest, Jr., born November 8, 1918.
Politically Mr. Hutton is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian Church, Elks Club, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Knights of Pythias, Kiwanis Club,
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Sons of the Revolution of Illinois, Isaac Walton League, Danville Rifle Club, and Danville Country Club.
Mr. Hutton is the president of the Danville Chamber of Commerce. In college he was president of his senior class. He has filled offices in various organizations in Danville, as follows: President of the Isaac Walton League; president of the Danville Rifle Club; president of the Danville Country Club; president of the Danville Kiwanis Club; chancellor Commander of the Damascus Knights of Pythias.
Jesse Otis Faris, jeweler and optometrist, is promi- nently identified with the business life of Danville. He was born at Carrollton, Missouri, October 24, 1870, the son of Cary Campbell and Eliza (King) Faris.
Cary Campbell Faris, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Hillsboro County, Ohio, in 1831. Throughout his life he engaged in general farming, and spent several years in Kansas, having gone there in 1870. Upon his return to Ohio he engaged in farming until the time of his retirement. He died in 1909 and his wife, who was born in Ohio in 1837, died in 1926. Both are buried at Pricetown, Ohio. Mr. Faris served during the Civil War as a member of the Thirty-first Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. He was a Republican, a member of the First Christian Church, and the Grand Army of the Republic. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Faris: Benjamin Franklin, retired, lives at Spring- field, Ohio; Carey Clifton, jeweler and optometrist, lives at Marion, Indiana; Robert Lincoln, retired army officer, lives at Greenfield, Ohio; Jesse Otis, the subject of this sketch; Charles Foster, postmaster, lives at Hillsboro, Ohio; Addie, married Edward Sonner, lives at Walla Walla, Washington; Belle, deceased, was the wife of Ben-
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jamin Knight; and Tessie, deceased, was the wife of Thomas Smith.
Jesse Otis Faris attended the public schools of Price- town, Ohio, and The Hillsboro Academy. He later attended the Chicago School of Opthamology and in 1894 estab- lished an optical business in Wabash, Indiana. He dis- posed of this business there in 1900 and removed to Danville, Illinois, when he opened a jewelry and optical business at 51 North Vermilion Street. In 1912 Mr. Faris retired but four years later re-entered the business at the location which bears his name now at 131 East Main Street. In February, 1929, this business was reorganized and now operates under the name of Faris Company. Besides his extensive reputation in the jewelry business, he is widely known as an expert in his profession as an optometrist.
In 1893 Mr. Faris married Miss Jennie Harreld, the daughter of William and Josephine Harreld. They have four children, as follows: (1) Carl V., born October 23, 1894, a graduate of Bridgewater College and a registered optometrist. He married Bernice Hume and they have one son, J. O. Faris, Jr., born March 28, 1916. (2) Beulah, born December 5, 1896, married L. P. Livengood, lives at Danville, Illinois. They have two children, Hilda Mae, born August 6, 1918, and Byron Nelson, born December 8, 1922. (3) Nina, born May 30, 1902, married Joseph C. Payne. They have three children: Joseph Jr., born November 20, 1925; Patrica Louise, born August 11, 1928; and Rachel Ann, born December 25, 1929. Both Mr. and Mrs. Payne are graduates of the University of Wisconsin. (4) Ralph Gordon, born February 19, 1906, a graduate of Missouri Military Academy. He married Lois Terry and lives in Danville, Illinois. Mr. Faris and his wife and all the family are associated in the various branches of Masonic orders. Mr. Faris, Carl V., and Ralph Gordon are affiliated with Olive Branch Ancient Free and Accepted
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Masons, No. 38; Vermilion Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 82; Danville Council, No. 37; Athlestan Comandery, Knights Templar, No. 45; Danville Consistory, thirty- second degree; Gao Grotto; Carl V. is a member of Ansar Temple; Elks Club; and Rotary Club. Mr. Payne and Mr. Livengood are both members of Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree.
In politics Mr. Faris is identified with the Republican party. He holds membership in the Third Church of Christ, and is affiliated with the following Masonic bodies: Olive Branch Lodge No. 38; Vermilion Chapter No. 82, Royal Arch Masons; Danville Council No. 37; Athlestan Commandery, Knight Templar, No. 45; and Danville Con- sistory.
John E. Clark holds rank as one of the most success- ful of the younger attorneys of Danville and Vermilion County. He was born at Georgetown, Illinois, July 4, 1900, the son of Oliver P. and Ada (Elliott) Clark.
John E. Clark attended the public schools of George- town, Illinois, and following his graduation from high school in 1917 attended Earlham College. He was gradu- ated from the University of Illinois in 1922 and from the Law School of the same university in 1925. Mr. Clark was admitted to practice at the bar of Illinois in February, 1926, and located in Chicago with Victor B. Scott. The following year he came to Danville, where he has since been identified in practice with H. Ernest Hutton, under the firm name of Hutton & Clark. They have offices in the First National Bank Building.
In 1926 Mr. Clark married Miss Gladys Castle, the daughter of John E. and Myra (Haworth) Castle, of Ver- milion County. Mr. Castle died in 1927 and his widow lives at Ridge Farm, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark a daughter, Mary Jo, was born December 9, 1927.
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Mr. Clark is a Republican, a member of the Friends Church, Masonic lodge, Elks, the American Legion, Amer- ican Business Club, Phi Pi Phi and Phi Alpha Delta fra- ternities. He also belongs to the Collegiate Club of Chi- cago and the Chicago Bar Association.
William J. Payne, deceased, was prominent in the city of Danville for many years. He was born in Vigo County, Indiana, April 10, 1855, the son of Allen F. and Mary Ann (Jewell) Payne. Both Allen F. Payne and his wife were natives of Indiana. They are deceased and buried near Brazil, Indiana
William J. Payne grew up on his father's farm near Brazil and attended the district schools of Clay County. In early life he was a farmer. After coming to Danville Mr. Payne was identified with the Illinois Printing Com- pany, the Danville Daily News, and for eight years was secretary of the Illinois Free Employment Bureau. He was also extensively interested in Florida real estate. Mr. Payne served as assistant postmaster of Danville for a period of seventeen years. He died May 12, 1928.
On August 19, 1879, Mr. Payne was united in marriage at Rockville, Indiana, with Miss Rachel Anne Oliver, of Turner, Indiana, the daughter of William and Sarah Ann (Fortner) Oliver, natives of England and Indiana, respect- tively. Both are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Payne were born seven children, as follows: William Allen, manager of the Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, Florida; Ger- trude, teacher, Danville; Frank, salesman, Western Brick Company, Danville; Harry, general superintendent, Illi- nois Light and Power Company, Danville; George O., identified with the Mid-West Brick Company, Ottawa, Illi- nois; Isabel, married Eugene Smart, Mansfield, Ohio; and
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Joe C., identified with the Faris Jewelry Company, Dan- ville.
Politically Mr. Payne was a Republican and he was a member of the Republican County Central Committee. He was a charter member of the Modern Woodmen. Mrs. Payne and the children were members of the Church of Christ.
Hugh J. Marlatt .- Among the leading and highly suc- cessful business men of Danville is Hugh J. Marlatt, who is president of the Marlatt Battery & Manufacturing Com- pany. He was born in Warren County, Indiana, April 21, 1885, the son of Edward Hale and Wilhelmina (Meredith) Marlatt.
Edward Hale Marlatt, deceased, was a native of Indi- ana. He was born at Westpoint, in 1853, and spent his boyhood on a farm. He went to Attica, Indiana, in 1898, where he established a wholesale and retail feed business. He was thus engaged until the time of his death, March 13, 1926. His wife, born in Warren County, Indiana, in 1856, died August 27, 1928. Both are buried at Attica, Indiana. The business which was established by Mr. Marlatt is now operated by his sons, Charles E. and John O. Marlatt. Mr. Marlatt was a Democrat and a member of the Metho- dist Church. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marlatt: Etta, deceased; Charles E. and John O., who live at Attica, Indiana; James I., lives at Aberdeen, Washington; and Hugh J., the subject of this sketch.
Hugh J. Marlatt was educated in the public schools of Warren County, Indiana, and attended Attica High School. When a young man he entered the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad as round house clerk. In 1906 he went with the Marrs-Tanner Electric Company, Dan- ville, as an electrical apprentice. He remained in that company's employ continuously until 1910, at which time
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he went to Chicago with the Automatic Telephone Com- pany for one year. He was later identified with the United Electric Construction Company. In 1912 he entered the employ of the city department, Chicago, as an electrical mechanic, but the following year was made supervising electrical engineer on the municipal piers. In the Spring of 1914 he was given the position of redesigning the elec- trical installation on the municipal pier, holding this posi- tion until 1916, when the pier was completed. The follow- ing year Mr. Marlatt was in charge of maintenance work on the pier. He went to Aberdeen, Washington, in 1917 and was located with the Grays Harbor Shipyard as an electrical mechanic until November, 1918. He then was superintendent of Grays Harbor Railway & Light Com- pany until June, 1919, when he returned to Chicago. He re-entered the city's employ for one year and in September, 1920, came to Danville, where he became interested in the manufacture of batteries at 19 North Walnut Street. In 1921 the Marlatt Battery Manufacturing Company was organized by Hugh J., Charles E., and John O. Marlatt. The business was begun in a small way and in October, 1925, a modern factory building was built at 1112 Indus- trial Avenue. An addition was erected in 1927. The com- pany was incorporated in January, 1928, with the follow- ing officers: Hugh J. Marlatt, president; John O. Marlatt, vice president; and Charles E. Marlatt, secretary-treas- urer.
In 1910 Mr. Marlatt was united in marriage with Miss Florence E. Jeffry, the daughter of Arthur O. and Anna (Puff) Jeffry, the former a native of Rockford, Illinois, and the latter of Saint Louis, Missouri. He died in February, 1925, and is buried at Charleston, Illinois. His widow lives at Danville.
Mr. Marlatt is independent in politics. He is a member of Saint James Methodist Episcopal Church; Windsor Lodge, No. 836, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons;
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Rotary Club; and Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the International Manufacturers Association and Illinois Manufacturers Association.
I. N. Doughty, who is general superintendent of the Western Brick Company, is among the highly successful and widely known business men of Danville. He was born in this city, May 29, 1884, the son of James F. and Oceana (Morin) Doughty.
James F. Doughty was born at Montpelier, Vermont, in 1856, and died in 1918. He is buried in Springhill Ceme- tery, Danville. He was reared at Montpelier, his parents having died when he was a young boy. He came to Dan- ville early in life and entered the employ of the Kelly Coal Company, with whom he was identified for many years, finally becoming general superintendent of their seven mines. He later was associated with the Hartshorn inter- ests in Ohio and also operated a mine for the Western Brick Company. Mr. Doughty was a Republican, and a member of Catlin Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. His widow, born at Danville, is still a resident of this city. Their children were: Edith, deceased; I. N., the subject of this sketch; and Russell, born in 1900, died in 1910.
I. N. Doughty was educated in the public schools of Danville, in 1902 was graduated from Danville High School, and in 1906 from the University of Illinois. He then went to San Francisco, California, for a short time and upon his return to Danville, became connected with the Illinois Power & Light Company, in the engineering department. In 1907 he was put in charge of the work of building the street railway at Paris, Illinois, and during 1908-1909 was city engineer for the city of Harrisburg, Illinois. In 1910 he went as construction engineer for the
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Western Brick Company, in charge of the building of the company's plant. During 1910-1912 he was superintendent of No. 2 Plant; during 1913-1916 was superintendent of No. 1 Plant; and in 1917 was made general superintendent of the company.
In 1917 Mr. Doughty married Miss Ethel Gerard, the daughter of John and Loretta Gerard, deceased.
Politically, Mr. Doughty is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian Church, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, No. 332, American Concrete Insti- tute, and American Ceramic Society.
Leslie P. Livengood, who is agency manager for the Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company at Danville, is a native of this city, and one of the popular young business men of Vermilion County. He was born May 1, 1894, the son of Dr. J. A. and Flora (Parker) Livengood.
Dr. J. A. Livengood, deceased, was a leading physician and surgeon of Danville. He was born at Wallace, Indi- ana, attended Butler College, and was graduated from Rush Medical College with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He practiced in Chicago and Danville and for many years was surgeon for the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad. He was affiliated with the Masonic Lodge. Doctor Liven- good died in February, 1896, and is buried at Wallace, Indiana. His widow, born at Hillsboro, Indiana, lives at Danville. The subject of this sketch, Leslie P., was the only child born to Doctor and Mrs. Livengood.
Leslie P. Livengood secured his early education in the public schools of Danville and attended the University of Illinois. He has always been interested in the insurance business, having been first associated with the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa as field supervisor. He resigned in 1920 and has since held his present position
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as agency manager at Danville for the Minnesota Mutual Insurance Company. He is a graduate of the Life Insur- ance Sales Research Bureau, Hartford, Connecticut. Offices are in the Baum Building.
In 1916 Mr. Livengood married Miss Beulah F. Faris, the daughter of J. O. Faris, of Danville, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. They have two children, Hilda Mae and Byron Nelson.
In politics Mr. Livengood is identified with the Repub- lican party. He is a member of the Central Christian Church, Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Danville Country Club, Roselawn Country Club, Exchange Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332.
Mr. Livengood enlisted as a private in 1910 in Battery A, First Illinois Field Artillery, and was later commissioned first lieutenant of the battery. He resigned in 1916.
Major Russel Curtis Rottger, who is district commer- cial manager for the Illinois Bell Telephone Company at Danville, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Jackson- ville, May 16, 1891, the son of Curtis H. and Jessie Rottger.
After completing his early education in the public schools of Jacksonville, Illinois, Russel Curtis Rottger was graduated from Springfield High School, and 1913 received the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illi- nois. Since that time he has been identified with telephone interests. He began as clerk to the commercial superin- tendent of the Central Union Telephone Company, and in 1914 was promoted to state cashier for Illinois for the same company. The following year he was made chief clerk to the general manager with headquarters at Spring-
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field, Illinois, and in 1916 was elected treasurer and gen- eral manager of the Vermilion County Telephone Com- pany. In 1918 he became president of the company and when it was sold to the Illinois Bell Telephone Company in 1928 Mr. Rottger was made district commercial man- ager.
In his military affiliation Mr. Rottger is major in the Illinois National Guard, Thirty-third Division, and holds the rank of Major in the United States Army Reserve Corps. He is former president of the Rotary Club, and holds membership in the Danville Country Club, Elks Club, Roselawn Golf Club, Hamilton Club of Chicago, Masonic Lodge, thirty-second degree, and Chamber of Commerce.
On November 21, 1914, Mr. Rottger married Florence Mildred Smith, at Oak Park, Illinois. They have a daugh- ter, Rosemary Jane.
Oscar M. Bredehoft, deceased, was for many years a leader in the business life of Danville, where he was founder and president of the Bredehoft Dairy Company, 617 North Vermilion Street. He was born in this city, June 28, 1879, the son of George and Julia (Eichelman) Bredehoft.
Oscar M. Bredehoft was reared in Danville and early in his business career became identified with the bakery business. Previous to that he had been employed as a clerk for Peter Beyer, for many years one of the best known shoe dealers in Danville. He later went with Henry Bahl, shoe dealer, and then went on the road as a shoe salesman. Deciding to enter business for himself, he went to Gainesville, Florida, where he purchased a bakery. His next venture was the bakery on East Fairchild Street, Dan- ville, of Herman Manteufel. After conducting the busi- ness for a number of years he sold out to the present Inter-
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State Baking Company, and went into the dairy business. This was in 1919. The business grew rapidly and only a few years ago a new and modern plant was erected on North Vermilion Street, near the Big Four Railroad Sta- tion. Mr. Bredehoft died August 2, 1928, and is buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville.
Mr. Bredehoft is survived by his widow and five daugh- ters, the latter being as follows: Mrs. Frank Abbott, lives in Chicago; Dorothy, employed at the Bredehoft Dairy, Danville, Illinois; Virginia, Barbara, and Georgia, all liv- ing at home. A brother, Leo Bredehoft, of Bredehoft & Ball, wholesale grocers, also survives Mr. Bredehoft, as well as a sister, Miss Mabel Bredehoft.
On June 18, 1899, Mr. Bredehoft married Miss Helen F. Griffin, who was born in Washington, Indiana, the daughter of Rev. James L. and Verna (Charley) Griffin, natives of Virginia and Indiana. The Reverend Griffin was a minister of the First Church of Christ in Danville, hav- ing come here in 1893 where he remained until his death in 1895. His widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Brede- hoft.
Mr. Bredehoft was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a staunch Republican.
Joseph S. Belton, who is secretary-treasurer and man- ager of the Bredehoft Dairy Company, is well and favor- ably known in Danville. He is a native of this city, born October 12, 1877.
The boyhood of Mr. Belton was spent in Danville, and following his graduation from high school in 1891 he accepted a position as billing clerk with Webster Grocery Company, with whom he was identified continuously for thirty-three years. He was advanced from billing clerk to bookkeeper, and later served as road salesman for a period
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of twenty-five years. He became sales manager in 1920 and became vice-president in 1922, and treasurer of the company in 1924. Mr. Belton resigned from the company's employ in December, 1928, and assumed the management of the Bredehoft Dairy Company on February 1, 1929.
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