USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 29
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In 1905 Mr. Swallow was united in marriage to Miss Grace Hamilton, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and they have two children: Richard H., who was born August 16, 1906; and Barbara Northrup, born October 15, 1909. Theirs is a hospitable home, its good cheer being greatly enjoyed by their many friends in Danville. Mr. Swallow belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while in the Masonic fraternity he has attained a high degree of the Scottish Rite. He is recognized as one of the leading representatives of the republican party in Vermilion county and is serving as treasurer of the county republican central committee but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties. His devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial and he has already established himself in a successful and growing practice in his native city.
EDWIN RANDALL.
For sixteen years Edwin Randall has now been a resident of Danville and during that time has become prominently identified with the industrial inter- ests of the city, being today president of the company operating the Eureka Lumber & Planing Mills. He is of English birth, born in London, February 8, 1874, and is a son of James and Eliza (Reed) Randall, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a brick and tile manufacturer at Bed- ford, where he died May 18, 1892, but the mother is still living and continues to reside in England.
Edwin Randall was principally reared and educated in Bedford and remained a resident of his native land during his minority. It was in 1896 that he crossed the ocean and came to the United States, making his home in Danville since that time. For the first eight years of his residence here he engaged in farm- ing in Newell township, Vermilion county, but in 1904 began contracting along building lines in Danville and two years later established the Eureka Lumber & Planing Mills, which were incorporated with Mr. Randall as president and treasurer; E. M. Watson, vice president ; and Mrs. Randall as secretary. They manufacture all kinds of building material and employ on an average from eight to ten men. Their business has doubled each year from the beginning and their trade extends throughout the surrounding country.
In Danville, March 1, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Randall and Miss Kate M. Gritton, a native of this county, and to them has been born one son, Harold, whose birth occurred in Danville, May 7, 1900. In religious faith they are Methodists and in his social relations Mr. Randall is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the One Hundred Thou-
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sand Club. Since becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States he has affiliated with the republican party but has taken no active part in politics aside from voting. He is a progressive, wide-awake business man of known relia- bility, and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own industry and good management.
O. W. ALLISON, M. D.
Although one of the later arrivals of Catlin and numbered among the younger professional men of that village, Dr. O. W. Allison has, nevertheless, by reason of the comprehensive training and experience which he has received in the line of his profession, won a place for himself among the leading physicians and surgeons of the county, having already secured an extensive and repre- sentative practice which is constantly growing in volume and importance. One of Indiana's native sons, he was born in State Line on the 13th of December, 1876, a son of W. H. and Minerva (Daniels), Allison, the former born in Illi- nois and the latter in Indiana. Both parents still survive and make their home in State Line, Indiana. Their family consisted of two children, their daughter Kathrine being now the wife of L. Hotaling of Tuscola, Illinois.
Their only son, O. W. Allison, was reared under the parental roof and at- tended the public schools in the acquirement of his early education, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school in due course of time. Later he attended school at Terre Haute, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1901, and he received his professional training at the Rush Medical College of Chicago, winning his degree with the class of 1905. Im- mediately after his graduation from the latter institution he spent four months as interne in the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago and later served for six months in a hospital at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Then, with thorough practical experience to serve as a supplement to his professional training, he came to Catlin in 1906, opening up an office here for the practice of his chosen calling, and has since made this town the field of his operations. Although his resi- dence in this town has been comparatively brief, the position to which he has already attained is but another proof that ability and worth will ever win quick recognition. Still young in years, he has manifested in this, the beginning of his career, certain qualities which have already won him a foremost place in the medical ranks of the community and which augur well for continued and increasing success in the future. Something of his standing in the community is indicated by the fact that, in addition to an excellent private practice which has been accorded him he has been chosen medical examiner for various fra- ternal organizations and business enterprises, among which are the Modern Woodmen of America, the Court of Honor, the Illinois Life Insurance Com- pany, the Interurban Traction Company and the Peoria Life Insurance Com- pany.
It was on the 24th of December, 1907, that Dr. Allison laid the foundation for a happy home life by his marriage to Miss Lillian Benson, a native of
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Vermilion county, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Benson. Her father still resides in this county, although the mother has passed away. Mrs. Allison is one of a family of four children and by her marriage to Dr. Allison has be- come the mother of a little daughter, Audray, born on the Ist of August, 1909. The parents occupy a prominent place in the social circles of the city, while Dr. Allison is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Mound Lodge, No. 274, A. F. & A. M., of State Line, Indiana ; Mayfield Lodge, No. 635, K. P., of Catlin; the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 341, also of Catlin; and of the Court of Honor. Of these he has ever been an exemplary member, conform- ing his life to the high principles upon which the various crafts are based, and in both his private and professional life he has manifested those sterling traits of character which make for good citizenship in any community. His profes- sional interests are promoted through his membership in the Vermilion County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Aesculapian Society of the Wabash valley.
CHARLES EDWIN BLYTHE.
This is an age of marked commercial activity and the man who wins pros- perity must be alert, energetic and determined, must recognize and improve opportunities which others pass by heedlessly and must take advantage of every legitimate chance offered by the trade for the development and expan- sion of his particular enterprise. Possessing all these requisites, Charles Edwin Blythe is now successfully engaged in business as an undertaker and funeral director at Danville, Illinois.
He was born in Columbus, Wisconsin, on the 12th of April, 1868, and is a son of George and Mary E. (Keefer) Blythe, both of whom are still living and reside in Covington, Indiana, where the father is engaged in farming. He was born at Little Grimsby, near Lincolnshire, England, and came to America with his father and five brothers at the age of eight years, the family first settling in Chicago. Our subject's paternal grandmother lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and eight years, five months and twenty-three days, but she never came to the new world as her husband died one year after his arrival here. There are now twenty-nine of his male descendants living here, in- cluding numerous cousins and five uncles of our subject who are all hale and hearty.
Charles E. Blythe received his education in the public schools of Columbus, Wisconsin, and his first business venture was to engage in the general transfer business at Covington, Indiana, for six years. He came to Danville, February I, 1903, and was engaged in the transfer and feed business with J. F. Clem. He continued in that line of trade until 1908, building up a very large and lucrative trade, his business amounting to several thousand dollars annually. In 1908 he sold out and embarked in his present line as an undertaker and funeral director. From a small beginning he has steadily enlarged his business.
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and now has one of the best establishments of the kind in the county. He conducts the only cut rate undertaking place this side of Chicago.
On the 8th of- April, 1896, Mr. Blythe was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Murray, a daughter of George Murray, of Covington, Indiana, his family being old settlers of that place. Both of Mrs. Blythe's parents are now deceased. In religious faith Mr. Blythe is a Methodist and he holds membership in the Matinee Association. He also belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Woodmen of the World. On na- tional issues he usually affiliates with the republican party, but at local elections where no question is involved he votes for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices regardless of party ties. He stands for progress at all times and seeks his own success and the city's advancement by no devious methods but along lines of activity which will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
WILLIAM O. CUNNINGHAM.
It is to men like William O. Cunningham, a farmer of Newell township, that the prosperity of the country and the permanency of its institutions are largely due. A man of industry, perseverance and faithfulness in the realization of worthy ideas, he has lived to see his dreams come true and now, loved by his children and respected by the entire community, he is enjoying the fruits of a well earned repose.
His eyes first opened to the light of day on a farm in Newell township, December 15, 1838. He is a son of James and Mary (Andrews) Cunningham, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky and the latter of New York state. They met in Illinois and were here married, settling on a portion of the land now owned by the subject of this review and his family. They began housekeeping in the little log cabin, many years before the introduction of rail- roads and the telegraph; neighbors were few and far apart; and the country was still in a great measure in its primitive condition, few improvements be- ing seen except in favorable locations on the streams and in the immediate vicinity of settlements. Indians still roamed over a large part of Illinois, wolves and wild animals often came at night to the very door of the house and aroused the inmates with their cries. It was years before the land was cleared, drained and plowed and redeemed to a state where it produced paying harvests. In the log house where Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham began their domestic life, all their children were born. The father conducted the farm until 1864, when he retired and made his home at State Line for thirty years. After that time he lived with the subject of this sketch until called away at the advanced age of ninety-one, in 1901, eleven years after the death of his wife.
William O. Cunningham remained at his boyhood home until he was eight- een years of age. He enjoyed such opportunities of education as were avail- able in the district school and grew up a robust, ambitious young man not en- tirely satisfied to remain within the horizon that had bounded his vision since his youth. He yearned to see the world and, accordingly, in 1856, he went to
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Nebraska, where he remained for one year, at the end of which time he re- sumed his journey westward across the plains and arrived in California, where he farmed and worked in the gold mines for three years. About 1863 he re- turned to Illinois and rented part of his father's land which he cultivated until 1866, when he bought two hundred and thirty acres of land and engaged in farming with such success that he now owns in this county five hundred and sixty acres and besides this has given to each of his seven children eighty acres of land or its equivalent. He also owns a tract of eighty-eight acres in Indiana and, as is easily to be seen, has been one of the most successful farmers in this region. This he has accomplished by the application of principles of industry and perseverance which he early learned and which seldom fail of their reward. At the present time he has seven hundred and ten acres of land.
On February 22, 1865, Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Chandler, who was born in Newell township and whose parents came to this county from Kentucky. Mrs. Chandler departed this life in 1892. Seven of their children are still living: Irvin, of Vermilion county ; Alice, of Danville; James, of Indiana; Sophia, also of Danville; Porter, of Vermilion county ; Minnie, now living in California; and Roy, of Rochester, Indiana. In March, 1893, Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Henrietta Clem, a native of Indiana, whose father died in 1908 and whose mother is still living. She is the oldest of seven children, the other six being: Annie, August, Albert, Mel- vin, Grace and Margaret. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham four children have been born: Ray, who was born March 13, 1894; Mary, born February 25, 1898; Scott, born July 5, 1900; and Lowell, born August 3, 1903.
Politically Mr. Cunningham is affiliated with the republican party. He has devoted his attention to his private affairs and has not sought public office, al- though for two terms he served as assessor of his township, performing his duties with a fidelity that met the approval of tax payers generally. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 240, at Illiana, Indiana, and has filled all the chairs of the subordinate lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham and their family are members of the Christian church and for many years he has been a deacon in the church. He is an earnest believer in revealed religion and a follower of the great Master whose teachings were those of brotherhood and unselfishness. Mr. Cunningham has all his life been industrious, resolute and energetic in every- thing he has undertaken, and in his vocation as a farmer he has attained suc- cess by putting into actual practice the principles here named.
E. B. COOLLEY, M. D.
Dr. E. B. Coolley, a leading member of the medical fraternity in Vermilion county, has continuously practiced within its borders for more than two decades and since 1903 has been located at Danville. His birth occurred in Douglas county, Illinois, on the 17th of April, 1867, his parents being Rev. C. F. and Paulina (Biggs) Coolley, both of whom were natives of Indiana. The father, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, was probably transferred less than any
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other preacher on the circuit, making only one move in twenty-four years. For twelve years he expounded the gospel at Newman and subsequently spent a similar period at Fairmount, Illinois, his labors proving a potent force in the moral advancement of those communities. He was identified with the Lin- coln (Ill.) University for two years. From the time of his ordination until his death he missed but one regular meeting of his presbytery (one out of sixty- one) and this was caused by fatal illness in his family. He passed away in 1905, having for eight years survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1897. Unto them were born four children, as follows: Mrs. Dr. Burres, of Urbana, Illinois; Dr. E. B., of this review; Mrs. Etta Church, of Newman, Illinois ; and Mrs. Dr. Hannell, of Lincoln, Illinois.
Dr. Coolley was graduated from Rush Medical College in 1889, at the age of twenty-one, and has practiced in Vermilion county since that time. He was elected president of the Vermilion County Medical Society in 1903 and of the Aesculapian Society, the oldest medical society west of the Allegheny moun- tains, in 1909, and secretary of the medical section of the Illinois State Medical Society in 1910. He has been a member of the medical staff of Lake View Hospital since his residence in Danville.
On the IIth of June, 1891, Dr. Coolley was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Fowler, a daughter of Wiley and Mary Fowler, of Pilot Grove, Vermilion county. They now have two children, namely: E. Burt, Jr., who was born March II, 1894; and Marion Fowler, whose birth occurred August 10, 1898.
In fraternal circles Dr. Coolley has attained high rank, being now a thirty- second degree Mason and past thrice potentate of Danville Lodge of Perfec- tion. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen. His wife has been active in club circles of Danville and has taken a prominent part in the work of organization. Dr. Coolley is fond of good horses and holds the Amateur record in several gentlemen's driving clubs, having won various cups. He spends his leisure time in this outdoor sport. He never bets on any kind of a race, however, but is merely interested for the pleasure it affords him. He has been president of Danville Matinee Club since its organization.
DAVID W. FITHIAN, D. D. S.
Dr. David W. Fithian, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Ross- ville, where he is also filling the position of village clerk, was born December II, 1874, in this county. A son of E. C. B. and Anna (Hayes) Fithian. His father was a son of Dr. Williams Fithian, one of the first settlers in the county, and from that time to the present representatives of the name have taken an active and helpful part in carrying forward the work of progress and promoting the welfare and upbuilding of this section of the state. E. C. B. Fithian was born in the city of Danville and later removed to Fithian. He made farming his life work and upon that pursuit depended for a source of livelihood. He died about two years ago and his remains were interred in the Stearns cemetery near Fithian.
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At the usual age Dr. Fithian of this review entered the district schools and after mastering the branches of learning therein taught became a pupil in the Danville high school. He then engaged in teaching for a year but re- garded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for at the end of that time he took up the study of dentistry, which he pursued in the office of a well known dentist of Springfield, Illinois. Later he entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in April, 1899. In the following month he came to Rossville, where he opened an office and has since remained in practice, covering a period of eleven years, during which he has made steady progress. His work in this connection is of excellent char- acter. He keeps in touch with the advanced and improved methods of the profession, his office is equipped with the latest mechanical devises which are elements in operative dentistry and his knowledge of the science is manifest in the excellent work that he does. Aside from this he is one of the landowners of the community, having a farm of two hundred and twenty acres, situated two and a half miles south of Fithian, which town was named in honor of the members of his family of an earlier generation.
On the 5th of July, 1899, Dr. Fithian was united in marriage to Miss Jessie R. Fellows, a daughter of Edwin and Mary (Berkley) Fellows, of Vermilion county. Dr. Fithian belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Metho- dist Episcopal church. Along more strictly professional lines he is connected with the County Dental Society and with the Illinois State Dental Society. His political support is given to the republican party and he is now serving as vil- -- lage clerk, which position he has filled for eight years. His life has been ac- tuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good and his efforts have been effective and far-reaching forces in the upbuilding and progress of the community. He has made a creditable record as a citizen, as practitioner and in the social relations of life and few men are more popular or more widely known in his portion of the county than Dr. Fithian.
GEORGE G. MABIN.
For a third of a century, George G. Mabin has been regarded as one of the leading attorneys of Danville. Unflagging application, intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which ensure personal success and prestige in this great profession which stands as a stern conservator of justice. Mr. Mabin possesses these qualities and in the practice of his chosen profession has met with most excellent success.
A native of Tennessee, he was born in Memphis, March 30, 1853, his par- ents being Howard and Mary (Lee) Mabin, natives of Ireland and Tennessee respectively. The father was a young man at the time of his emigration to the United States, at which time he settled in Tennessee, and when the Civil war broke out, he joined the Confederate army, being killed in the siege of Vicks- burg. George G. Mabin was a mere boy when he came to this state and is in- debted to the public schools of Illinois for the early educational privileges he
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enjoyed. Later he attended the University of Illinois and after coming to Ver- milion county, in 1875, successfully engaged in teaching for two years, study- ing law at the same time. He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and at once opened an office in Danville, where he has since practiced with good success.
In 1881, Mr. Mabin was united in marriage to Miss Margaretta Henderson, a native of Ohio, whose father was a minister. They have become the parents of two children, namely: Gordon H. and Isabel. The son is a graduate of the Danville high school and the University of Chicago and was admitted to the bar in 1910, but he prefers farming to a professional career and is now operat- ing a large tract of land belonging to his father in Mississippi.
As a republican, Mr. Mabin has taken quite a prominent and influential part in public affairs and during the '8os was three times elected city attorney of Danville, serving in all six years. Throughout his incumbency in public office, he proved a very capable official at all times, proving true to the trust reposed in him and performing the duties that devolved upon him with an efficiency that not only brought credit to himself but reflected honor upon his constituents. Preeminently a man of affairs, his has been a life of continuous activity which has been crowned with substantial success. Outspoken and honest, he is never afraid to express his views, but always accords to others the right of an opinion.
WILLIAM HAWKINS.
Spending the evening of life in his beautiful home in Catlin, William Hawkins is now living in honorable retirement, enjoying in well earned rest the success that came to him as the logical result of well directed effort and earnest endeavor. One of Indiana's contributions to the citizenship of Illinois, he was born in Wayne county, that state, on the first of January, 1831, a son of Na- than and Sarah (Wright) Hawkins, both natives of Indiana, where their en- tire lives were spent. In that state they reared their family, consisting of ten children, of which number six are yet living. The Hawkins family came orig- inally from Ireland but, being Quakers, were driven from that county on account of their religious belief and first settled in Jamaica. Shortly after- ward they came to the United States, no long after the first settlement was made at Jamestown, and located in what is now South Carolina, near the city of Charleston. Later the family scattered throughout the northern and eastern states and when the west was open for settlement some of the more adven- turious moved to the new country. Today representatives of the name are found all over the country.
William Hawkins is indebted to the common schools of his native state for the educational advantages acquired, and in the Indiana homestead he spent the period of his boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the work of the fields when not busily engaged with his text-books. At an early age he be- came familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad, and with the passing of the years, as he increased in strength and experience, his duties became more and more important and his training in agricultural lines thorough
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