USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 34
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On July 12, 1906, Mr. Belton was united in marriage with Miss Grace Mater, of Danville. They have two chil- dren: Sara Elizabeth, who attends the University of Illi- nois; and William R., clerk, First National Bank, Danville.
John A. Gannon is widely known in Danville, where he is a court reporter. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 25, 1893, the son of Edward and Margaret (Tur- ner) Gannon.
Edward Gannon was born near Wilmot, Wisconsin, March 20, 1866, and his wife is a native of Spring Grove, Illinois. He grew up on his father's farm and in early life engaged in general farming. He went to Chicago in 1891, where he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for some time. About 1899 he became a member of the Chicago police force, with which he has since been identi- fied as a member of the Lawndale Station. He is a Repub- lican in politics. Margaret (Turner) Gannon is the daugh- ter of George and Mary (Dorsey) Turner, natives of Scot- land and early settlers of Spring Grove, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Gannon were born four children: John A., the subject of this sketch; Lawrence P., civil engineer, identi- fied with the Illinois Highway Department, lives at Paris, Illinois, is a World War veteran; Florence, a graduate of the University of Chicago, married Walter Peterson, lives in Chicago, Illinois; and Edward, Jr., a member of the fly- ing squadron, Chicago Police Department, is a World War veteran, having served in the United States Navy.
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John A. Gannon received his education in Chicago and is a graduate of Crane Technical High School and Barrett Institute, Chicago. After leaving school he was employed in the city offices as a stenographer and in 1912 was appointed secretary to the warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Chester, Illinois. He served in that capacity until October 5, 1917, at which time he enlisted in the army for service in the World War, as a member of the Nineteenth Infantry, attached to Fort Logan, Colo- rado. He was later stationed at Fort Houston, Texas, and also served on the Mexican border. He attended the Offi- cers' Training School at Camp Pike and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Mr. Gannon was discharged from the service on December 24, 1918. He then was attached to the United States Attorney's office as chief clerk in East Saint Louis, Illinois. Mr. Gannon came to Danville as a court reporter in October, 1927.
In 1921 Mr. Gannon was united in marriage with Miss Kathryn Carr, the daughter of Harry and Edith (Young) Carr, of Saint Louis, Missouri. They have a daughter, Shirley Ann, born February 22, 1926.
Politically, Mr. Gannon is a Republican. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 332, and belongs to the American Legion and "40 and 8 Society."
The Vermilion Malleable Iron Company, of Hoopeston, is one of the five industries which are classified in the major division of those operating in this city. This busi- ness was first organized under the name of the Hoopeston Malleable Foundry Company, and was financed by local capital in the year 1907. At that time there was built a foundry building and an annealing plant. These two buildings yet remain and form the nucleus of the present plant. The original company failed at the time of the
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panic of 1908 and the plant lay idle for some years, until it was purchased by the present owners.
In the fall of 1912 the plant came to the notice of Chi- cago capitalists, who shortly thereafter purchased the property from the receivers of the previous bankrupt organization. At that time the plant had been laying idle for two years or more and consisted only of the two orig- inal buildings and the brick building which is still used by the present company as a general office. The present com- pany, known as the Vermilion Malleable Iron Company, was then incorporated and formed with Fred A. Poor, of Chicago, as president. The same organization still operates the foundry business, although the plant has more than doubled in the capacity of output during the past ten years.
The productive capacity of the company has been increased from two thousand five hundred tons to its pres- ent output of five thousand to six thousand tons per year. During the last ten years the number of employes has been more than double over the number of persons employed by the original company. The pay roll of the company averages more than one thousand dollars per day. Many improvements have been made in the factory and plant as a whole. While these have not been of the revolutionary or sensational type, they have greatly added to the value of the property.
The Vermilion Malleable Iron Company produces only a high-class malleable iron, known as "Certified Malleable Iron," that is to say, the malleable castings are certified as to quality, strength and elongation by the American Malle- able Castings Association, and the entire manufacturing process is conducted under the inspection of the Associa- tion. Certified malleable iron is around fifty per cent stronger than the ordinary malleable product. It approaches very closely to steel and has supplanted to a
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great degree many parts formerly made from steel castings.
The officials of the Vermilion Malleable Iron Company at present are as follows: F. A. Poor, president; P. W. Moore, vice president; F. C. Moore, operating vice presi- dent; H. C. Holloway, secretary; F. A. Preston, treasurer; R. W. J. Harris, general manager; C. L. Collier and W. L. Berkey, superintendents.
Charles Milton Bruff, Jr .- One of the representative young business men of Hoopeston is Charles Milton Bruff, Jr., a veteran of the World War, who is president and treasurer of the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Company. He was born at Brooklyn, New York, August 8, 1889, the son of Charles Milton and Jessie (Johns) Bruff.
A complete sketch of Charles Milton Bruff appears else- where in this history.
Charles Milton Bruff, Jr., attended the public schools of Chicago, his family having located there when he was a very small child. He was graduated from Hyde Park (Illinois) High School in 1907 and began his business career with the Morden Frog & Crossings Works, Chicago Heights, Illinois, of which his father was superintendent. In 1916 Mr. Bruff came to Hoopeston and became asso- ciated with the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Company as a cost accountant and bookkeeper. He has since been interested in this concern with the exception of the period of time spent in service during the World War. At the time of the death in 1928 of Ellsworth Iliff, Mr. Bruff was elected president and treasurer of the company.
Mr. Bruff enlisted for service in the World War, April 3, 1918, and was sent to Fort H. G. Wright, Long Island, where he was attached to the heavy artillery. Later, he was assigned to Battery E, Sixty-eighth Heavy Artillery,
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and served in France for eight months with that outfit. He was discharged from the service in March, 1919, at Camp Grant.
In 1919 Mr. Bruff was united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. McCoy, the daughter of Nelson and Mary (Fin- ley) McCoy. Mr. McCoy, who died in 1917, was a native of Hoopeston and a leading citizen of this section of Illi- nois. He was treasurer of the Woodmen of America and in business life was identified with the Hoopeston Water Company. His wife is also deceased.
Mr. Bruff is a Republican in politics, and holds mem- bership in Chicago Heights Lodge No. 851, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; American Legion; Commercial Club; Chamber of Commerce; Isaac Walton League; and Hubbard Trail Country Club.
Charles Milton Bruff, deceased, was a leader in the business life of Hoopeston for a number of years, where he was identified with the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Company. He was born in the Carolinas, November 15, 1861, and was a small boy when his parents removed to Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia.
Mr. Bruff engaged in public work as time keeper on the construction of the great Croton aqueduct that supplies New York City with water. He came to Chicago in 1892 and was connected with the Calumet Iron & Steel Com- pany of South Chicago. Later, he was superintendent of the Morden Frog & Crossing Works, and when the plant was moved to Chicago Heights in 1905 he went with them. In 1914 he became associated with Ellsworth E. Iliff and came to Hoopeston, where they established the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Company. Mr. Bruff served as vice president
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and secretary of the company until his death, April 13, 1919.
On August 24, 1887, Mr. Bruff was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Johns, of New York City. They had the following children: Arthur Stanley, deceased; Pearl B., married Robert E. Palmquist, lives in Chicago Heights, Illinois; Charles Milton, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this history; May Charlotte, married Rufus C. Orr, lives in Chicago Heights, Illinois; and Winifred B., married Edwin Rennebohm, lives at Madison, Wisconsin.
Mr. Bruff was a member of the Masonic and Elk Lodges, Knights of Pythias, Industrial Club of Chicago Heights, and Commercial Club. He was a liberal and generous man, prominent and respected in his community.
Emory Herbert Richcreek is a well known and excellent citizen of Hoopeston, where he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business at 108 North Market Street. He was born at Strawn, Livingston County, Illinois, Septem- ber 5, 1875, the son of Jerd Coon and Minnie (Wilhelm) Richcreek.
Jerd Coon Richcreek was born in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1845. He was well educated and for a number of years was a teacher in the schools of Ohio and Illinois. Later he became superintendent of the Sullivan Farm in Livingston County, which is now known as the Hiram Sibley Farm. After six years Mr. Richcreek removed to Strawn, Illinois, where he was the owner of a grain elevator and implement business. He also was a lumber dealer. In 1880 he sold his interests and removed to Montana, Kansas, where he farmed successfully until 1893. In that year he was elected probate judge of Labette County, Kansas, and served for two years. He became the owner of six hundred acres of land and in 1895 purchased a lumber yard at Oswego, Kan-
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sas. He was appointed postmaster there and served under President Roosevelt's administration. He then entered the hardware and implement business in Oswego and was thus engaged at the time of his retirement in 1917. At the time of his death, January 1, 1929, Mr. Richcreek was the owner of valuable parcels of land in Oswego, Kansas, and had over five hundred acres of fine farm land. He was a Republican. Minnie (Wilhelm) Richcreek was born in Germany in 1856 and came to this country with her broth- ers and sisters in 1873. She lives at Oswego. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Richcreek were: Emory Herbert, the subject of this sketch; Alice, married B. W. Reed, lives at Wichita, Kansas; Genevieve, married Carl Belt, lives at Coffeyville, Kansas; Tecumseh, lives at Wichita, Kansas; and Orville Kenneth, World War veteran, lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is the owner of the Franklin Hotel.
Emory Herbert Richcreek received his education in the public schools of Labette County, Kansas, having attended Pleasant Valley School No. 48. He was five years old when his family removed from Strawn, Illinois, to Kansas. In 1893 Mr. Richcreek assumed charge of his father's farm of six hundred and forty acres, which he operated until 1897, at that time removing to Oswego, Kansas. He then established a feed, flour and seed business, known as the Richcreek Flour, Feed and Seed Store. After a year Mr. Richcreek sold the business and was identified with his father's lumber interests until 1901. He came to Hoopes- ton in 1902 and the following year purchased a grocery store. After six months he entered the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad for a short time, soon after which he again entered the grocery business. In 1913 he purchased the J. E. Watson Grocery Company, 202 North Market Street, which he continued to operate suc- cessfully for twelve years. This store was subsequently traded for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near
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Hoopeston. Since 1923 Mr. Richcreek has been interested in the real estate and insurance business. He purchased a section of the Mann Block in 1920, which he still owns. He also is the owner of extensive other real estate parcels in Hoopeston. In his insurance business he represents the following companies: Northwestern Fire Insurance Com- pany; Rhode Island Insurance Company; National Union Insurance Company; Great Lakes Insurance Company; American Automobile Association; and North River Fire Insurance Company.
On September 9, 1896, Mr. Richcreek was united in mar- riage with Miss Lulu Powell, the daughter of O. W. and Elizabeth Powell, natives of Ohio, and now residents of Washington Court House, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Richcreek have a daughter, Thelma, a graduate of Hoopeston High School. She lives at home.
Politically, Mr. Richcreek is a Republican and he has always taken an active part in local politics. He is a mem- ber of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 496; Modern Woodmen of America, No. 257; Loyal Order of Moose, No. 1227; and Farm Bureau. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Hoopeston.
D. Arthur Thomas, a veteran of the World War is num- bered among the progressive young business men of Catlin, Illinois, where he is identified with the Catlin Motor Com- pany. He was born here, May 13, 1896, the son of David and Elizabeth (Engelman) Thomas.
David Thomas, his father, was a successful farmer and stockman of Catlin Township, and a native of Illinois. He was born at Tilton, Illinois, and died at his home near Cat- lin, Illinois, August 10, 1929. He owned and operated one hundred and eighty acres of well improved land near Cat- lin. Mr. Thomas was a Republican, a member of the Meth-
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odist Church, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had the following children: Ethel, mar- ried J. T. Dickinson, lives at Seattle, Washington; Helen, at home; D. Arthur, the subject of this sketch; Herman, Hazel, Cedelia, and an infant, all four deceased.
D. Arthur Thomas grew up at Catlin and following his schooling he entered Brown's Business College. At the outbreak of the World War he enlisted in the service of Infantry Company I, Camp Jackson, Columbia, South Car- olina, later transferred as sergeant to the Division Head- quarters, Twentieth Division, at Greenville, North Caro- lina. After several months he was then transferred to Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, where he was dis- charged in February, 1919. Upon his return to Catlin, Illi- nois, he became interested in the automobile business and sold Ford cars for DeLong Motor Company, Fithian, Illi- nois, and Barker Motor Company, Danville, Illinois. In December, 1920, he went to Los Angeles, California, where he continued to sell Ford automobiles. Upon his return to Catlin, he became identified with the Catlin Motor Com- pany and in 1923 purchased a half interest in the business. He became sole owner of the concern in 1926. The Catlin Motor Company, dealers in this territory for the Ford Motor Company, have an up-to-date and well-equipped garage and render expert service.
On February 2, 1923, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Pauline Jones, born August 30, 1899, and the oldest child of William and Ona (McDonald) Jones, of Catlin, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Thomas have two children, Kathleen Jane, born May 23, 1925, and Robert William, born April 5, 1928.
Mr. Thomas is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, American Legion, Catlin Lodge, No. 285, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Danville Consistory, thir- ty-second degree.
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Maude Mae Palmer has for almost twenty years been the capable and well known postmaster of East Lynn. She was born on a farm in McLean County, Illinois, the daugh- ter of Thomas A. and Lucetta O. (Halfhill) Palmer.
Thomas A. Palmer was among the first settlers of McLean County, Illinois. He was born in Ohio, the son of John and Rachel (Steadman) Palmer, both of whom were natives of Virginia, but later removing to Ohio, from whence they later emigrated, in a covered wagon, to Illi- nois, when their son, Thomas A. was fifteen years of age; they settled in McLean County, removing to East Lynn, Vermilion County, in the early nineties. John Palmer died at the age of seventy-six, and his wife at the age of sev- enty-seven years; both are buried at East Lynn. Their son, Thomas A., followed farming until he moved to East Lynn, the same year as his parents, when he engaged in the transfer business. From 1910 till his death in 1916, Mr. Palmer was assistant postmaster at East Lynn. He was also greatly interested in the poultry business, and was building up a flock of pure bred White Rocks at the time of his death. In politics, Mr. Palmer was a Democrat, although he cast his first vote for Abe Lincoln, in 1864; his last vote was cast for Woodrow Wilson, in 1912.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were Maude Mae, the subject of this sketch, and Clarence E., who was married to Miss Georgia Hardy, in South Bend, Indiana, where they have since resided; their children are Richard Lynn, Delbert, Chester, Ethel Mae, and Thelma. When Miss Palmer was three and one-half years of age, she lost her mother through death, and grew up in the home of her grandfather Palmer.
Maude Mae Palmer received her education in the public schools of East Lynn, and following her graduation, she was employed as a clerk in the general store owned by E. C. Kelley, in East Lynn. In 1910, she was appointed post- master, as the result of a civil service examination, in
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which she stood first in a group of four contestants. She has served through the Wilson, Harding, Coolidge and Hoover administrations. She also conducts a small shop in connection with her administrative work. Since 1919, she has served as state secretary of the Illinois Branch of the National League of District Postmasters of the United States, and has represented the Illinois Branch as a dele- gate to the following national conventions: Detroit, Min- neapolis, Washington, District of Columbia, Chattanooga, Chicago, Cleveland, Louisville, Omaha and Niagara Falls.
Miss Palmer is a member of the Methodist Church and for more than twenty years has been the teacher of the Triangle Class of the East Lynn Methodist Episcopal Sun- day School.
T. W. Willingham .- One of the most influential figures in educational circles in Illinois is T. W. Willingham, who is president of Olivet College. He was born at Sebree, Ken- tucky, January 20, 1893, the son of John A. and Ella (Timmons) Willingham.
John A. Willingham was born at Louisville, Kentucky. His father was an officer in the Civil War and was a mem- ber of the Kentucky State Legislature for many years. John A. Willingham spent his early life as a merchant and in 1893 became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He served as pastor of the Church of the Nazarene from 1910 until 1917. He died May 21, 1917, and is buried at Vermilion Grove, Illinois. His widow lives at Olivet, Illinois. She was born at Hanson, Kentucky. Her family received a tract of land, the deed to which was given for services in the Revolutionary War, and which was signed by George Washington. To John A. and Ella (Timmons) Willingham the following children were born: Maud, died in infancy; Mrs. Mabel Flowers, lives at Har-
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per, Kansas; Mrs. Lorine Walker, lives at Belle Plaine, Kansas; T. W., the subject of this sketch; Flora, lives at Olivet; Ruth, lives at Lexington, Kentucky; Mrs. Kathleen A. Richards, lives at Georgetown, Illinois; and John A. Jr., lives at Olivet.
T. W. Willingham spent his boyhood in Kentucky and was educated in Ruskin Cave College, Tennessee, and Olivet College. He also studied in the McCormick Theolog- ical Seminary, Chicago, and served as a minister of Naza- rene Church from 1915 until 1922. He then became treas- urer of Olivet College and served in that capacity from 1922 until 1926, at which time he was appointed president of the college.
On October 21, 1915, Mr. Willingham married Miss Mary Cusick, of Courtland, Michigan, the daughter of Rev. Charles A. and Loretta (Davenport) Cusick. He died April 26, 1921, and his wife died March 7, 1929. They were natives of Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Willingham were born three children: Miriam Irene, T. W., Jr., and Charles, all students.
Mr. Willingham is a Republican and a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
Clay Cooke is among the best known business men of Ridge Farm, where he is interested in general insurance. He was born here, July 21, 1888, the son of Joseph F. and Druzilla P. (Campbell) Cooke.
Joseph F. Cooke was born in Vermillion County, Indi- ana, and his wife was born at Georgetown, Illinois. Mr. Cooke engaged in general farming throughout his life. He operated two hundred and forty acres of land, which was part of the original Cooke homestead. Mr. Cooke was a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1907 and is buried at Bethel, Illinois. His widow
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lives at Ridge Farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooke eight chil- dren were born: Nettie, married Arthur Jones, lives at Ridge Farm; Roy F., lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; Mae D., the widow of A. B. Hughes, lives at Detroit, Michigan; Clay, the subject of this sketch; Harley D., lives at Indian- apolis, Indiana; Blanche, married Claude Maffett, lives at Georgetown, Illinois; Lura, married John Sheppard, lives at Eugene, Indiana; and Glenn L., lives at Detroit, Mich- igan.
Clay Cooke was educated in the public schools of Bethel and Ridgefarm, Illinois. He has spent his entire life in this section and until 1921 ranked high among the farmers of the county. He came to Ridge Farm in 1922 and was associated with the Northwestern Coal Company for a time, later with the United States Fuel Company, and in October, 1924, he purchased the insurance business of Hiberly & McMahon. Mr. Cooke represents the following companies: Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, Ltd .; Hartford Fire Insurance Company; Con- necticut Fire Insurance Company ; Reliance Fire Insurance Company; Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Company; Minneapolis Fire & Marine Insurance Company; National Fire Insurance Company; Fidelity Phoenix Fire Insurance Company; Sun Fire Insurance Company; North British & Mercantile Fire Insurance Company; American Casualty Company; Western Automobile Casualty Company; Hart- ford Accident Indemnity Insurance Company; Ocean Acci- dent & Guarantee Insurance Company; Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.
In 1907 Mr. Cooke married Miss Gertrude Pierce, the daughter of Win and Lelah Pierce, natives of Champaign County, Illinois, now residents of Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Cooke died December 19, 1916, and is buried at Ridge Farm. To this union two children were born, Louise and J. Frank. Mr. Cooke was married the second time in 1922 to Miss Grace Boston, the daughter of Thomas and Amer-
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ica (Hildreth) Boston, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Illinois. Mr. Boston, a Civil War veteran, died February 22, 1928. His wife died in 1901. To Clay and Grace (Boston) Cooke have been born two children, Jack and Gretchen.
C. S. Montooth .- Prominent in educational affairs in Vermilion County is C. S. Montooth, who is superintendent of schools at Allerton. He was born at Toulon, Illinois, February 25, 1879, the son of James and Mary E. (Wilson) Montooth.
James Montooth was born in Ireland. He was a small child when his parents came to this country and settled in Illinois. He served throughout the Civil War as a mem- ber of the Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. He later served as sheriff of Stark County for four years. Mr. Mon- tooth died in 1922 and his wife died in 1911. Both are buried at Elmira, Illinois. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Della Rennick, lives at Toulon, Illinois; Mary L., and Edith S., both deceased; Mrs. Laura Milnes, lives at Neponset, Illinois; Dr. J. L., lives at Morris, Illinois; S. W., lives at Toulon, Illinois; and C. S., the sub- ject of this sketch.
C. S. Montooth attended Toulon (Illinois) Academy and received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois. He has served as principal or superintendent for the past twenty-one years, including four years at Chrisman, Illinois, and five years at Allerton, Illinois.
On July 29, 1906, Mr. Montooth married Miss Alice W. Logan (Bachelor of Science, University of Illinois), of Edinburg, Illinois, the daughter of David and Martha E. (Sprinkle) Logan, natives of Illinois. Mr. Logan died at
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