USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois, Volume Two > Part 37
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Mr. Price is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Fairmount. He is familiarly known throughout the community as "The Deacon," a title which clings to him on account of his active service in the church.
William Brooks Murray is among the prominent and widely known business executives of Danville, where he is identified with the Miller Train Control Company. He also takes an active part in the civic and social life of the city and is president of the Rotary Club of Danville. Mr. Murray was born at Dunkirk, New York, August 5, 1875, the son of Eugene and Addie (Brooks) Murray.
William Brooks Murray was educated in the public schools of New York City. He studied engineering at Portland, Oregon, and New Haven, Connecticut, and in 1893 was employed as a railroad fireman. Two years later he became a railroad engineer. Later, he became inter- ested in stationary engineering with the Hill-Miller Com- pany of Washington, of which he became chief engineer in 1896, erecting engineer in 1898, and the following year he was appointed chief engineer of the Palais Royal. In 1908 he entered business for himself as general manager of the Murray Engineering Company, doing general con-
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tracting and machine construction work. In the latter work he served as advisory engineer for the Miller Train Control Company, and in 1911 gave up all connections to devote himself entirely to designing and perfecting a workable train control system. The system, as evolved by Mr. Murray, was first installed on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad in 1911, and its success has been cited by Congressman Esch, author of the Esch-Cummins Trans- portation Act, as justification for the installation of train controls on all railroads, as provided by the Act. In making the citation Mr. Esch stated that after what has been proven on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, the cost of installation was justifiable on account of the benefits to be derived in conservation of life, and prop- erty, and in facilitation of traffic.
Altogether forty-nine different railroads have been affected by this act, which requires adoption of train con- trol systems, and it is estimated that the first cost of the installations will not be less than two hundred million dol- lars. Many of the roads have already begun the installa- tion of these systems and among them the Miller Train Control System is now engaged in installing the Miller Control on the lines of the New York Central Railroad east of Cleveland, Ohio, a work which is being conducted under the personal direction of Mr. Murray.
Among those who are personally interested with Mr. Murray in the Miller Train Control Company is Mr. H. B. Miller, of Washington, D. C., who is general manager; J. W. Garber, of Washington, D. C., is president; and William Dupont, of Wilmington, Delaware, is chairman of the com- pany's executive committee.
Including Mr. Murray's professional and fraternal affiliations may be mentioned the Washington Society of Engineers, the Railway Signal Engineers Association, the National Railway Association, Chicago Engineers, Na- tional Association of Steam Engineers, and National Rail-
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way Appliance Association. He is president of the Rotary Club, and belongs to the Old Colony Club of New York, Elks Club, Masonic Lodge, thirty-second degree, and Chamber of Commerce. He is a Republican and a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Murray is familiarly known in Danville in engineering circles as "Safety First Bill Murray."
In 1902 Mr. Murray married Miss Georgia Farnsworth, of Silver Creek, New York. They have three daughters: Martha, Flora, and Laura.
George W. Johnson, who is identified with the Inter- state Baking Company, ranks among the progressive busi- ness men of Danville, and he is also a veteran of the World War. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 24, 1886, the son of Gus and Anna (Abrams) Johnson.
Gus Johnson was a native of Illinois and spent many years in the employ of the Pullman Car Company. Both he and his wife died in 1891 and are buried at Attica, Indiana. They were the parents of three children: Arthur E., druggist, lives at Indianapolis, Indiana; Luella, lives in Chicago, Illinois; and George W., the subject of this sketch.
George W. Johnson received his early schooling at Attica, Indiana, and was graduated from high school there in 1904. He then came to Danville and in September, 1905, entered Brown's Business College, from which he was graduated in 1906. He began his business career with the Webster Grocery Company as assistant secretary, and was identified with that concern until 1918. In may, 1918, he enlisted for service in the World War and was sent to Camp Kearney, California, where he was attached to the Eighty-first Infantry. He served as company clerk in charge of mail service and throughout the war was located
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at that camp, being discharged in February, 1919, with the rank of corporal. Mr. Johnson returned to the employ of the Webster Grocery Company until December, 1919, at which time he purchased an interest in the Manteufel Baking Company, the firm name then being known as the Interstate Baking Company. This partnership has con- tinued to the present time and the company's business extends throughout Danville and surrounding territory. This up-to-date bakery is located at 850-52 Fairchild Street.
In 1924 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Erma Fix, the daughter of Edward W. and Anna Fix, the former a native of Warren County, Indiana, and the latter of Danville. Mr. Fix lives at Saint Louis, Missouri. His wife died in December, 1923, and is buried in Springhill Cemetery, Danville. He is extensively interested in the manufacturing business, being one of the founders of the Quality Stove & Range Company and the Oakland Foundry.
Politically, Mr. Johnson is identified with the Repub- lican party. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, Kiwanis Club, and Bakers of Illinois, and he has the following club affiliations: Anchor Lodge, No. 980, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Ansar Temple; Iris Chapter; and American Legion.
The Interstate Baking Company is among the well established and up-to-date bakeries of Vermilion County. It is located at 850-52 Fairchild Street, Danville. This pioneer business house of Danville was organized as the Manteufel Baking Company in 1898, its original location being at 863-65 East Fairchild Street. The business was begun in a small way, employing only three men. About 1914 it was enlarged and the present extensive plant built
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on Fairchild Street. In 1920, at the time of Mr. George W. Johnson's entry into the firm the name was changed to the Interstate Baking Company.
Modern equipment is in use throughout the plant, which employs eighteen men and operates five motor trucks in Danville and vicinity. The average monthly business has increased from one thousand dollars to approximately ten thousand dollars. The plant is open to the public for inspection at all times. Its trademark, "Par-X," is out- standing as a symbol of high grade bakery products.
The Interstate Baking Company may be justly proud of its modern facilities for the baking of bread. From the electric dough mixers, to the rounding machines, even the process of weighing has been eliminated. The bread then is moulded by machine, which eliminates handling by hand, and it then goes to the proofing pan before reaching the electric ovens. After the baking process is complete, the bread is automatically wrapped and sealed by a machine which handles fifteen hundred loaves per hour.
Herman Manteufel .- Prominent among the pioneer business men of Danville may be mentioned Herman Man- teufel, founder of the Interstate Baking Company. He is a native of Germany, born at Hessenaussa, May 10, 1869, the son of Louis and Hermina (Pope) Manteufel.
Louis Manteufel was born in Germany in 1839 and his wife was born in 1842. He was a graduate of a mining college in Germany and became prominent as a mining engineer, being superintendent of a mine at Hessenaussa. He came with his family to the United States in 1878 and settled near Hobart, Lake County, Indiana. He spent the remainder of his life as a farmer and stockman. Mr. Manteufel died in 1912 and his wife died in 1918. Both are buried near Hobart, Indiana. Mr. Manteufel was a Repub-
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lican and a member of the German Methodist Church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Manteufel: Helen and Laura, both deceased; Paulina, deceased, was the wife of Adolph Wendt, of Chicago, Illinois; Bertha, deceased; Marie, married Fred Mayhak, lives at Gary, Indiana; Herman, the subject of this sketch; Louis, lives on the old homestead near Hobart, Indiana; and Paul, lives at Oak Park, Illinois.
Herman Manteufel spent his early boyhood in Ger- many and Hobart, Indiana, where he attended the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he went to Chicago, Illinois, where he learned the baker's trade with the Heis- ler & Young Baking Company. In 1887 he was employed at the Palmer House, Chicago, and was one of the bakers at that hostelry at the time of the visit of President Cleve- land on his wedding trip. Mr. Manteufel came to Dan- ville in 1892 and entered the employ of the Linne Baking Company. Six years later he established a baking busi- ness of his own, known as the Manteufel Bakery, at 863-65 East Fairchild Street. The modern plant was built at 850-52 East Fairchild Street in 1914. A complete sketch of the growth and development of this business appears elsewhere in this history. Mr. Johnson has been identified with the enterprise since 1920.
In 1899 Mr. Manteufel married Miss Margaret Hosch, the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Koch) Hosch, natives of Germany, both now deceased. The Hosch family emi- grated to the United States about 1860 and settled at Reading, Pennsylvania, later removing to Danville in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Manteufel a daughter, Esther, was born. She is a graduate of Danville High School and is employed in a clerical capacity in the auditor's office of Vermilion County.
Mr. Manteufel is a member of the German Methodist Church, Knights of Pythias, No. 84, and belongs to the
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Illinois Bakers Association, American Society of Bakers Engineers, and American Bakers Association. Politically, he is a Republican.
Charles Maurice Crayton .- Holding high rank in legal circles in Vermilion County, Charles Maurice Crayton is also well known in Danville as the efficient state superin- tendent of Free Employment Offices. He was born at Hillsboro, Indiana, November 9, 1872, the son of George May and Elizabeth Murphy (Guilliamo) Crayton.
George May Crayton was born in Fountain County, Indiana, in 1828, the son of Thomas and Susan (May) Crayton. He was the son of an Irish immigrant, who settled in North Carolina, and his wife, Susan (May) Cray- ton, was a grand-daughter of Captain Billie May, and a daughter of George May, early pioneers of Indiana. Cap- tain Billie May was an officer in the Mexican War and a prominent man. The maternal grandfather, John L. Guil- liamo, was born in Scotland and was an early settler of Tennessee. George May Crayton was a merchant for many years at Hillsboro, Indiana, where he died in 1880. His wife, born in Fountain County, Indiana, in 1837, died August 3, 1910. Both are buried at Hillsboro. Their chil- dren were: Henry A., lives at Danville; John M., William A., T. V., and Thomas E., all deceased; Jennie, married Joseph Parker, lives at Los Angeles, California; and Charles Maurice, the subject of this sketch.
The boyhood of Charles Maurice Crayton was spent at Hillsboro, Indiana, and Potomac, Illinois, where he at- tended the public schools. He also was graduated from Indiana Normal College, taught school for several years, having been granted a teacher's certificate by James Bingham, later attorney general of Illinois. Mr. Crayton taught for two years and then entered the office of the
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"Potomac Rustler," of Potomac, Illinois, where he learned the printer's trade. He was connected with numerous publications, including the "Hillsboro Clipper," and the "Georgetown Herald." At the outbreak of the Spanish- American War he enlisted, April 20, 1898, in Battery A, Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served in Porto Rico. He was discharged November 28, 1898, and went as a reporter for the Danville "Daily Democrat." He shortly afterward purchased the "Potomac Republican," which he edited and sold in April, 1900. He then accepted the city editorship of "The Citizen," located at Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He resigned in July, 1902, to become editor of the "Potomac Republican." While serving there he studied law and in 1906 was admitted to the Illinois State Bar. He estab- lished offices at Potomac, Illinois, but after two years removed to Danville, where he was appointed assistant state's attorney. He resigned from this office in October, 1914, and formed a partnership with John M. Boyle, with offices in the First National Bank Building, the firm being known as Crayton & Boyle. In July, 1917, Mr. Crayton was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Illinois National Guard. He resigned August 27, 1917, and entered the Second Officers Training Camp at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant in artil- lery. On November 27, 1917, he was ordered to France with his outfit and sailed on December 23rd. Upon his arrival in France he was sent to Samur, and attended a French field artillery school, as well as the motor school at Vincennes, France. Later, he was assigned to the Fifty- ninth Coast Artillery Corps. He participated in the Saint Mihiel offensive and served in France until January 22, 1919. He was discharged February 14, 1919, and returned to Danville.
In April, 1919, Mr. Crayton was elected assistant super- visor of Danville Township, and later resigned to accept the appointment of election commissioner of Danville for
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two years. On February 19, 1923, he was appointed state superintendent of eighteen employment offices, located with headquarters at Danville. Mr. Crayton maintains his law offices in the First National Bank Building.
August 11, 1901, Mr. Crayton married Miss Minnie B. Parker, of Potomac, Illinois, the daughter of A. M. and Elizabeth (Ather) Parker, the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter of Vermilion County. He was justice of the peace at Danville and deputy sheriff of Vermilion County for a period of twenty-four years. Both he and his wife are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crayton had the following children: Kathleen E., married Fred J. Burt, lives at Buffalo, New York, and they have a daughter, Elizabeth Crayton Burt; Lois G. and Mildred M., both at home; and Maurice P., who died in 1923.
Politically, Mr. Crayton is a Republican. He holds membership in the Christian Church, Loyal Order of Moose, United Spanish War Veterans, Veterans of For- eign Wars, and American Legion. He is identified with the Vermilion County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
Lionel Martelle, who is city service supervisor for the Hoover Company, is among the active young business men of Danville. He is a veteran of the World War, having served in France with the Princess Pat regiment, Can- adian forces. Mr. Martelle was born in Paris, France, April 14, 1894, the son of Alexander and Millicent (Asche) Martelle.
Alexander Martelle was born in Paris and his wife is a native of Cardiff, Wales. He is a graduate of Sorbonne University, Paris, and the University of Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he studied art. He was first violinist in the Paris Symphony Orchestra for many years and studied
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art with the celebrated Solomon J. Solomon, A. R. A. During the World War Mr. Martelle served as captain in the French army and was an interpreter. He is now con- ducting a studio in London, England. Mr. and Mrs. Mar- telle have three children: Rose and Lillian, who live in London; and Lionel, the subject of this sketch.
Lionel Martelle received his early education in Paris, and in 1908 was graduated from Rugby College, in Eng- land. Two years later he came to the United States and located at Los Angeles, California, where he spent a year with the Pathe Motion Picture Company as a camera man. In 1911 he entered vaudeville, and worked on the Keith, Proctor, Orpheum and Pantages circuit, his act being listed as Martelle & Company. On August 26, 1914, Mr. Martelle enlisted in the Princess Pat regiment, Canadian Light Infantry, and went to France with this outfit. He saw continuous active service at the front until August 26, 1918, when he was severely wounded at the battle of Soissons. He spent many months in hospitals in France and England, and Toronto, Canada, and was discharged from the Sulphur Springs Military Hospital, Tampa, Florida, in March, 1922, with the rank of major. In 1919 he was decorated by H. R. H. Prince of Wales at Toronto, Canada, receiving the Medaille Militaire. He has also received personal letters from King George V, Prince of Wales, and Princess Mary.
Mr. Martelle returned to his profession in vaudeville in 1922 but on account of poor health was forced to aban- don this work. He returned to Los Angeles in 1924 as a motion picture camera man but later during that year went to Covington, Indiana. He came to Danville in 1925 and the following year became identified with the Illinois Power & Light Company. Since 1928 he has been asso- ciated with the Hoover Company.
In 1924 Mr. Martelle married Miss Lena B. Hollings- worth, of Covington, Indiana.
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Mr. Martelle is a Republican, a member of Saint James Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge, thirty-second degree, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Loyal Order of Moose, and American Legion. He also belongs to the National Vaudeville Association and Society of American Magicians.
Orla O. Kreager, who is well known in Hoopeston as the proprietor of the Hoopeston Hatchery, is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Gratiot, Licking County, Ohio, July 3, 1890, the son of Marion and Ida May (Fink) Kreager.
Marion Kreager was born in Licking County, Ohio. He spent his early life on his father's farm and later became successful as a general merchant at Gratiot, Ohio. In 1905 he removed to Hoopeston, where he was connected with the Grand Union Tea Company. He also had an interest in a mercantile business at Hoopeston for several years. Mr. Kreager removed to Lakeland, Florida, in 1919, where he now lives retired. He is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. His wife, also born in Licking County, Ohio, died in March, 1904, and is buried at Gratiot. Their children were: Orla O., the subject of this sketch; Ira Owen, mention of whom is made below; and Leona, deceased.
Ira Owen Kreager lost his life while in service during the World War. He was born at Gratiot, Ohio, March 5, 1893. At the outbreak of the World War he enlisted in Company B, Three Hundred Fifty-eighth Infantry, Nine- tieth Division, and served with the rank of corporal. He was killed at the front and was the only soldier from Hoopeston to lose his life in active service. It is in his honor that the local American Legion Post is named.
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Orla O. Kreager attended the public schools of Gratiot. He has been a resident of Hoopeston since 1905, at which time his family located here. He was associated with the Sprague Manufacturing Company, now the Sprague-Cells Company, and later went with the Illinois Public Service Company. He enlisted August 23, 1917, for service in the World War, and served as a member of Company B, Third Illinois Regiment, National Guard, which was later made Company B, One Hundred Twenty-ninth Infantry, Thirty- third Division. Mr. Kreager saw active service in France and participated in the battle of Saint Mihiel and Meuse Argonne drive. He was discharged June 6, 1919, and upon his return to Hoopeston re-entered the employ of the Illi- nois Public Service Company. In 1921 Mr. Kreager became identified with the A. W. Murray Plumbing Com- pany, Hoopeston. Since 1926 he has been interested in the Hoopeston Hatchery as manager.
In 1919 Mr. Kreager married Miss Evelyn Floyd.
Politically Mr. Kreager is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church; Ira Owen Kreager Post No. 384, American Legion; and Star Lodge No. 709, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Russell Iliff is perhaps one of the most prominent young business men of Hoopeston, where he is secretary and general manager of the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Company. He is a native of Chicago Heights, Illinois, born September 29, 1900, the son of Ellsworth E. and Anna (Kohler) Iliff.
The sketch of Ellsworth E. Iliff, deceased, appears else- where in this history.
After his graduation from Hoopeston High School in 1922, Russell Iliff entered his father's factory. He was anxious to learn the business from the foundation and in 1922 became an apprentice in the laboratory. Mr. Iliff
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has continued in the business and has held the offices of secretary and general manager since the death of his father in November, 1928.
Mr. Iliff married in 1925 Miss Florence Lottinville, the daughter of George and Louise (Schroeder) Lottinville, natives of Martinton, Illinois, and now residents of Kemp- ton, Illinois, where Mr. Lottinville is a hardware mer- chant. Mr. and Mrs. Iliff have a daughter, Eloise Ann, born in 1926.
Mr. Iliff is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with Star Lodge No. 709, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Hoopeston Chapter, No. 181, Royal Arch Masons.
Ellsworth E. Iliff, who died November 29, 1928, was a prominent business man and highly esteemed citizen of Hoopeston, where he was one of the founders of the Iliff- Bruff Chemical Company. He was born at Lincoln, Nebraska, October 8, 1872, the son of Fred Iliff.
Fred Iliff was born in Indiana and early in life removed to Nebraska, where he engaged in general farming. He also conducted a livery business at Lincoln. He is deceased.
Ellsworth E. Iliff spent his boyhood at Rensselaer, Indiana, and was educated in the public schools. He was also a graduate of Lafayette Business College. After leaving school he spent three years as a telegraph oper- ator in the employ of the Monon Railroad. He then went to Chicago Heights, Illinois, where he was identified with the Victor Chemical Works. He resigned in 1914 as super- intendent of the plant and at that time, in partnership with C. M. Bruff, organized the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Com- pany at Hoopeston. They are manufacturers of Mono Calcium Phosphate. At the time of his death Mr. Iliff was
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president of this concern. He is buried in Floral Hill. Cemetery, Hoopeston.
Mr. Iliff married Miss Anna Kohler, the daughter of John and Catherine (Minicus) Kohler, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. Mr. Kohler died in 1920. His widow lives at Hoopeston. To. Mr. and Mrs. Iliff were born three children: Marie, lives at home; Don- ald, deceased; and Russell, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this history.
Mr. Oliff was always a Republican. He was a member of Chicago Heights Lodge, No. 851, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Danville Consistory, thirty-second degree; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Illinois Athletic Club; Hubbard Trail Country Club; Commercial Club; and Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Iliff was a home loving man and very popular in the city of Hoopeston.
The Iliff-Bruff Chemical Company .- The magic of one of the world's oldest and most interesting professions enters into the products of the Iliff-Bruff Chemical Com- pany, established in Hoopeston in the year 1915 by Ells- worth Iliff and Milton C. Bruff.
"Snow White Phosphate," that in turn goes into the make-up of a thousand products of food is manufactured in wholesale quantities by The Iliff-Bruff Company, con- sidered as one of Hoopeston's most substantial and grow- ing major industrial enterprises.
Other products of the field of chemistry are also manu- factured by The Iliff-Bruff Company, which each year since its establishment in Hoopeston, has taken a step for- ward in the ranks of such industries in the entire nation.
Plans of the company in the future to utilize the waste material from the making of Snow White Phosphate, by
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the manufacture of chemical by-products, announced early in the year 1925, are going forward at the present time. In the test laboratory of the plant, experiments are going forward that are expected to culminate in the placing of other products on the world market by The Iliff-Bruff Company in quantities that will further associate their name with those of the leaders in the chemical industry of the nation.
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