USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 32
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The parents are members of the Christian church and hold to high ideals in their religious life. For eleven years Mr. Wilson has been secretary of the Central Illinois Christian Conference. He gives his political support to the republican party and for seven years has filled the office of assessor, his con- tinuance in the position indicating his fidelity to duty as well as his promptness and accuracy. He has served as school director and throughout his entire life has done all in his power to further the interests of education, recognizing the fact that the public-school system constitutes one of the bulwarks of the nation.
FRANK W. JONES.
Although still a young man Frank W. Jones has already gained a creditable position at the Vermilion county bar and is now serving as city attorney of Danville. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, May 3, 1876, and is a son of John K. and Harriet (Pugh) Jones, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father, who is a farmer by occupation, now resides at State Line, Indiana.
Frank W. Jones obtained his elementary education in the country schools of Indiana and Illinois and subsequently attended Greer College at Hoopeston, Illinois, where he completed the scientific course and was graduated in 1899. He subsequently entered the Bloomington Law School and was graduated from that institution in 1902. In December of the same year he was admitted to practice in Illinois and the following year located at Danville, where he has since fol- lowed his profession. He has a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law and has already met with most excellent success. In April, 1909, he was elected city attorney of Danville and is now discharging the duties of that office with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the public. He was not
FRANK W. JONES
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long in building up an excellent practice and becoming one of the popular citizens of Danville.
Mr. Jones was married in 1901 to Miss Carrie M. Wade, a daughter of William .P. Wade, of Pana, Illinois, and they now have two sons, William Wade, and John Frank, while Harvey Shaw is deceased. The parents hold member- ship in the Christian church and Mr. Jones is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Eagles. Although still a young man he is widely and popularly known, figuring promi- nently in public affairs as well as in the profession which he has chosen as his life work.
EDWARD A. FOX.
Edward A. Fox, who was born near Oakwood, April 21, 1871, and is now engaged in business at that place, is a son of Joseph E. and Lavina A. (Sallee) Fox. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Illinois, and they were married in this state, where Mr. Fox farmed and worked at the car- penter's trade at the same time, continuing at these vocations until his death on the 13th of November, 1880. The mother was called from earthly scenes No- vember 22, 1881, leaving her son an orphan at eleven years of age and largely facing the world upon his own responsibility. The other children of the family were: Charles B., deceased; Mary C., deceased; William H., a resident of Ver- milion county ; Frank L., of Illinois; and Ora M., of Ohio.
For one year Edward A. Fox lived with an aunt and then began to work for John H. Jones, a farmer, receiving his board and clothes as a recompense for his labor. After two years, being now a stalwart lad and ambitious to get forward as fast as possible, he began working for wages in the summer and boarding with his grandfather in the winter while attending school. In this way the time passed until he reached twenty-one years of age, when he was mar- ried and for three years rented a farm. At twenty-four years of age he went to Kansas and spent four years in that state, working at the carpenter's trade. On his return to Illinois, he continued to follow his trade until 1906, since which time he has acted as manager of the warehouse and grain elevator of B. B. Miner at Oakwood, performing his duties in such a way as to merit the com- mendation of his employer and also of the public with whom he daily comes in contact.
On July 28, 1892, Mr. Fox was married to Miss Florilla Emmett, a native of Illinois and a daughter of George and Kathrine (Powell) Emmett. Her father was born in this state and her mother in Pennsylvania. They came to Vermilion county at an early day and here they continued until 1894, when they removed to Wilson county, Kansas, where the head of the family was called to his final rest in 1909. The mother is still living in Wilson county. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Emmett: Florilla, who became the wife of Mr. Fox; Gertrude, Florence and Guy, all deceased; Rolla and Harry, residents of Kan- sas; Charles, deceased; Donald, of Kansas; Ruth; and Mabel, deceased.
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The wife of Mr. Fox having been called to her last rest in February, 1902, he was a second time married, the lady of his choice being Miss Celestia Lane, of Oakwood, a daughter of John H. and Laura (Smith) Lane, both natives of this county and still living here. They were the parents of seven children : Celestia; Ella, the wife of Frank Stedman; and Lulu, Minta, Bertha, Florence and Charles, all living at home. One child, Cecil H., born May I, 1895, was the result of the first marriage of Mr. Fox; and there is also one child by the second union, Frances G., born April 7, 1909.
Politically Mr. Fox is identified with the republican party. He has never sought public office, but votes for those measures and men that he considers most essential to the welfare of the community. Having been early thrown upon his own resources, he is a self-made man and his life up to the present time has involved several vicissitudes which might have discouraged one less resolute than himself. However, he has never yielded to discouragement and, having overcome difficulties, he is now stronger than ever before and better able to meet whatever fortune the future may have in store for him. It is to the stout and resolute heart that the final victory comes, and all experience shows that it is only by conquering difficulties that we attain the object of our ambition. Mr. Fox has many friends whom he has gained by a life of industry and rightly directed endeavor - the only life worth living and the one that leads to ulti- mate triumph.
THOMAS E. SILKEY.
Thomas E. Silkey, now living retired in Danville, was for many years actively engaged in the conduct of important industrial and commercial interests, and his initiative spirit and careful execution of his plans brought him the success which now enables him to enjoy the comforts of life without recourse to fur- ther labor. He is the owner of the Silkey Flats of Danville and of valuable farm property in the state.
Ohio numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Dres- den, Muskingum county, in 1851. His father, John P. Silkey, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1824. During the period of his residence in Ohio he organized a company there for service in the Civil war, but the medical ex- amination showed him physically unfit for active duty at the front and he was not accepted. He was married in 1850 to Miss Mary McMahan, who was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, about 1827. While a resident of Ohio John P. Silkey engaged in the hardware business but after removing to Illinois be- came a commercial traveler. He died February 6, 1907, and his wife passed away in August, 1874. Unto them were born six children, of whom five are still living: Joseph B., who married Miss Harriet Cooper; Jennie B., the wife of John T. Freeman; Charles M., who wedded Annie Hershey and lives in Pulaski, Illinois; Annie M., the wife of J. Henry Freeman, of Ogden, Illinois ; and Thomas E.
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The last named was a youth of twelve years when the family left Ohio and came to Illinois, arriving in this state in 1863. He attended school in Urbana and after completing his education became engaged in the hardware and tinware business, spending four years at Sidney, Illinois, after which he removed to Ogden, Illinois, where he made his home for twenty-one years. A part of that period he was associated with his brother, who managed the local interests of the firm, while Thomas E. Silkey went upon the road as a traveling salesman. In 1892 he turned his attention to the manufacture of stoves and ranges at Muncie, Indiana, under the name of the Joseph Bell Stove & Range Company, of which Joseph Bell was president and treasurer; E. Snell, vice president; E. A. Dufrene, secretary; and T. E. Silkey, manager. They established a large plant at Muncie and conducted a growing and profitable business, Mr. Silkey remaining in active connection therewith until 1900, when he sold out. In the meantime, in 1898, he had become a resident of Danville, where he still makes his home. While in Ogden he engaged in the furniture trade in connection with the hardware business, but at the present time he is living retired on ac- count of his health. He has made judicious investments in real estate and is the owner of valuable property, including two farms comprising two hundred and sixty acres in Champaign county. He has never occupied the farms, pur- chasing them merely as an investment, and from them he derives a good in- come. He also owns what is known as the Silkey Flats on Franklin street in Danville. He occupies the one at No. 308 Franklin street and is living retired, enjoying well merited rest.
Mr. Silkey was married in 1893 to Miss Allie E. Richards, a daughter of J. T. and Nora Richards, of Muncie, Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Silkey have been born two sons. Charles E., born January 5, 1894, is now in his third year in high school. Paul, born in June, 1895, is also attending school. Mrs. Silkey and one of her sons belong to the Kimber Methodist church.
Mr. Silkey has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1874, while his father joined the organization in 1854. In his political views Thomas E. Silkey is a democrat and has optimistic faith in the party and its principles His life has been a busy and useful one and throughout his business career he has manifested an aptitude for successful management. Whatever he has un- dertaken he has carried forward to completion and his labors have been result- ant factors in the attainment of the prosperity which now places him with the men of affluence in his adopted city.
HON. JOSEPH B. MANN.
Hon. Joseph B. Mann, the leading attorney of Danville, who is now serving as corporation counsel, was born in Somerville, New Jersey, November 9, 1843, his parents being John M. and Elizabeth (Bonnell), Mann, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. The Mann family is of Scotch and Holland origin, while the Bonnells were of French and Irish extraction. On com- ing to this country the paternal ancestors of our subject settled in Pennsylvania
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and his great-grandfather Mann was in the battle of Germantown, where he had command of a militia regiment. His great-grandfather Mattison was a private soldier in the Revolution.
John M. Mann, our subject's father, was also a lawyer by profession and was engaged in practice in New Jersey for thirty-five years. He was promi- nently identified with public affairs, serving as a member of the legislature of that state, and as county clerk and surrogate of Somerset county, besides filling a number of minor offices. Both he and wife died in Somerville. In their family were eight children, of whom Joseph B. Mann is the youngest. The family has ever been a patriotic and loyal one and four of the sons entered the Union army during the dark days of the Civil war. William was an adjutant in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; Charles B. was major in the Seventy-fourth Indiana regiment; Samuel B. was ser- grant major in the Third New Jersey Volunteer Infantry; and John W. was adjutant of the Twenty-seventh New Jersey Regiment. Charles B. was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga and John W. died from disease resulting from a severe attack of typhoid fever contracted while in the army.
During his boyhood and youth Joseph B. Mann attended both public and private schools, preparing for college at Poughkeepsie, New York. He entered the sophomore class of Rutger's College at New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the fall of 1862 and was graduated from that institution in June, 1865. In the fall of the same year he came west and commenced preparing for the legal profes- sion in a law school in Chicago, where he continued his studies until the spring of 1866. He then came to Danville and entered the law office of Oliver L. Davis as a student, being admitted to the bar in March, 1867. After prac- ticing alone for a few months, he was elected city attorney of Danville in May, 1867, and held that office for one year, refusing reelection. In the fall of 1867 he formed a partnership with Judge E. S. Terry, which connection continued until March, 1868, when he entered into partnership with his former preceptor, Oliver L. Davis, this connection continuing until Mr. Davis' election to the cir- cuit bench in 1873. In 1875 Mr. Mann formed a copartnership with W. J. Cal- houn and later De Witt C. Frazier was also admitted to the firm, the three en- gaging in practice together until the election of Mr. Calhoun to the office of states attorney of Vermilion county. In 1885, upon the retirement of Judge Davis from the bench, Mr Mann became his partner and continued in practice with him until Judge Davis' retirement in 1888, when Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Mann again formed a partnership which continued until 1892. In that year our subject removed to Chicago, where he formed a partnership with Curtis H. Remy, remaining there until the fall of 1901, when he returned to Danville and has since engaged in the practice of his profession in this city. He is a well read lawyer, thoroughly familiar with precedents, and in trial cases has been remark- ably successful.
In January, 1874, Mr. Mann was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Davis, a daughter of Judge Oliver L. and Sarah M. Davis. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mann have been born three children, namely: Fred B., Oliver D. and Nellie D., all of whom are yet living.
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Since casting his first presidential vote in 1864 for General George B. Mc- Clellan, while living in New Jersey, Mr. Mann has been a stalwart supporter of the democratic party and its principles. On that ticket he was elected a mem- ber of the Illinois general assembly, taking his seat in January, 1881, and served one term. He also served one term as alderman of his ward in the city council of Danville and in 1909 was appointed corporation counsel. His official duties have always been discharged in such a manner as to win commendation and in both professional and social life he occupies an enviable position.
WILLIAM A. McMAHON.
William A. McMahon, a young man of excellent business ability, whose clear insight and ready appreciation of opportunities have enabled him to work his way upward, is now private secretary to C. B. Spang, of Georgetown, Illi- nois, and is also a partner with Mr. Spang in real-estate operations and in the manufacture of cement machines. He was born June 17, 1876, and is a son of William and Martha (Perry) McMahon. The father acquired his early edu- cation in the schools of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and when a boy went to Canada, where he took up work upon a farm, being there employed until eight- een years of age. He next became a resident of Logan county, Illinois, where he rented land and carried on farming for about ten years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Iroquois county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he added as his financial resources increased, making it a valuable property of two hundred acres, upon which he resided continuously until 1905. He then disposed of that property and purchased three hundred acres near Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was regarded as one of the enterprising and representative agriculturists of the communities in which he resided, dis- playing excellent business ability and unfaltering diligence. He met an acci- dental death upon his farm and the property descended to his children, by whom it is still owned. In his family were ten children: Eliza Jane, Charles C., Ed- ward L., Harvey S .. Frank, William A., Flora B., Hattie E., John R. and one who died in infancy. Of these children Edward L. and Frank have also passed away.
William A. McMahon is a native of Iroquois county and after mastering the elementary branches of learning there in the country schools he spent one year in Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga, Illinois, and three years as a student in Greer College at Hoopeston. He afterward pursued a correspondence course under an expert accountant of New York city and thus by liberal educational training became well equipped for practical and responsible duties in the busi- ness world. Starting in business life, he spent one year in the employ of the firm of Young & Hamilton at Cissna Park, Illinois. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in the country schools for four years and also had charge of the pen- manship department at Greer college in Hoopeston for four years. On the expiration of that period he came to Danville, where he remained for one year, removing thence to Georgetown, where he entered upon active business rela-
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tions with Mr. Spang in 1901. He started as a clerk in the office and has been appointed through intermediate positions until he now has charge of Mr. Spang's business interests, which are very extensive. He is also associated with Mr. Spang in the ownership of real estate and in the manufacture of cement ma- chines. Mr. McMahon is likewise interested in Florida lands. He has made for himself a most creditable business standing and his enterprising spirit, per- severance and determination have enabled him to pass many on the highway of life who perhaps started out in advance of him.
On the 18th of October, 1904, Mr. McMahon was married to Miss Melvina C. McWhorter, a daughter of James T. and Carrie (Strayhorn) McWhorter. The father is a miller by trade and now resides in Georgetown. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McMahon have been born two children, Edward and Mary, who are the life of the household. In his political views Mr. McMahon has been a repub- lican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He holds member- ship in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, the family being prominent in all church affairs. He has: always lived in this section of the state and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication of an upright and well spent life. He mani- fests sterling qualities not only in his business activities but also in his social and citizenship relations and is justly accounted one of the valued residents of the community.
JOHN SEITER.
Among the representative farmers of Newell township may be named John Seiter, who eleven years ago became permanently identified with Vermilion county as a landowner in that township. He was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, February 22, 1855, and is a son of Nicholas and Margaret (Stidleman) Seiter, both natives of Germany, who settled in Indiana with their respective parents. There the father died in 1865, the mother surviving for forty years and being called away in 1905.
John Seiter was educated in the common schools until twenty-one years of age, when on account of his father's death he was thrown upon his own re- sources and from that time has depended upon his own exertions for whatever success he has attained. He early became acquainted with general farming operations and after ceasing to work by the month he rented land until 1899, when he bought sixty acres of the farm which he now owns. This he im- proved and developed, increasing his holdings from time to time, and he now has one of the highly productive farms of the township.
On December 25, 1881, Mr. Seiter was united in marriage to Miss Martha Garner, a daughter of Addison and Angeline (Shaw) Garner. Mr. Garner was a native of Virginia and his wife of Ohio. They removed to Illinois in 1878 and Mrs. Garner is still living in Danville, her husband having departed this life in 1907. They were the parents of eight children: Martha, the wife
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of the subject of this sketch; Albert, of Danville; Frank, Warner and Adda, also of Danville; Thades, deceased; Frederick, of Danville; and Rowena, de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Seiter nine children were born: Carrie, deceased; Clara and Frank, both at home; Grover, deceased; Thalia, Martha and Grace, who are all living at home; and two who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Seiter are conscientious and active in the discharge of their duties which they owe to their neighbors and the community. Politically he is in sympathy with the democratic party, but he has never been a seeker for office. By industry and perseverance Mr. Seiter has acquired his farm and a home provided with the comforts of a well regulated household, and here he and his family enjoy the result of self-denial and toil. He has inherited many of the sturdy character- istics of a worthy ancestry, and among them is fidelity to his family, which is one of the important elements in the establishment of a home and thus forms a basis for civilized society.
EDWIN R. PARTLOW.
Edwin R. Partlow, secretary of the Equitable Building & Loan Association and also conducting a general insurance agency, has built up an extensive busi- ness to which he devotes his entire time and attention. His close application, his strong purpose, his conservative and honorable methods constitute the basis of the success which classes him with the leading and representative business men of Danville, his native city.
He was born February 6, 1867. His father, Asa Partlow, also a native of Danville, was a son of Reuben Partlow, who came from Kentucky to Illi- nois in pioneer times and was closely associated with the upbuilding and progress of Vermilion county. Asa Partlow was one of the first white male children born in this city, his natal year being 1833. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Mary Murdock, a native of Indiana, and both have now passed away, Mr. Partlow's death occurring on the 29th of April, 1892, while his wife, surviving him for many years, died on the 22d of May, 1909. Asa Partlow was for many years one of the well known and prominent merchants of Dan- ville, being for a period a member of the firm of Lamm, Partlow & Company, the predecessors of the firm of Partlow & Company, general merchants. Under the latter caption he continued in business until 1871. The following year he became connected with insurance and building association interests and from 1875 until 1883 was secretary of the old Peoples Building & Loan Association. From 1880 until 1892 he was also secretary of the Equitable Building & Loan Association and in the latter year was succeeded by his son. He met with substantial success in both merchantile and insurance lines and, carefully direct- ing his interests, achieved results that were directly attributable to his enter- prise and ready utilization of opportunities. A man of high character, his posi- tion in public regard was an enviable one and upon the history of Danville he left the impress of his individuality, for at all times he was a cooperant factor in the measures and movements that were instituted for the public good.
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Edwin R. Partlow is one of a family of three sons and two daughters, but only one brother, Augustus A., is now living. At the usual age Edwin R. Partlow entered the public schools of Danville, and passing through consecutive grades was graduated from the high school with the class of 1885. The follow- ing day he entered his father's office and has been continuously connected with the business since that time. He is not only secretary of the Equitable Build- ยท ing & Loan Association, to which office he succeeded in 1892, but also con- ducts a general insurance business, representing some of the most substantial fire and accident insurance companies. In both connections he has secured a large clientage and to the further development and management of his interests he devotes his entire time.
On the 19th of September, 1893, Mr. Partlow was united in marriage to Lerene M. Fanson, a native of Bowmanville, Ontario, and they have one daughter, Edna M. Mr. Partlow is well known in fraternal circles. In the Masonic fraternity he has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and is deputy master of the Lodge of Perfection and junior warden of the chapter of Rose Croix. He is a past chancellor of Damascus Lodge, No. 84, Knights of Pythias, belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and other organizations, which find him loyal to their teachings, exemplifying in his life the beneficient and helpful spirit which underlies these societies. The salient features in his life command the confidence and respect of his fellowmen. The qualities which he has displayed in relation to all mat- ters of general moment mark him as one of the public-spirited citizens of Dan- ville. He stands as a worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer fam- ilies of the city and his record is a credit to a name which has long been an honored one in Vermilion county.
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