USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 72
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Mr. Kendall has been for many years an ardent supporter of the democratic party and for four years served as postmaster at Humrick. He is a valued member of Lodge No. 632, A. F. & A. M., of Ridge Farm. His wife, who is a high-school graduate and has all her life been an earnest advocate of education, is an intelligent and worthy helpmeet of her husband, to whom she has been an unfailing source of comfort and happiness. Mr. Kendall has many friends in the county where he has spent all his life and where he has been known to be active, energetic and capable in his various enterprises and worthy of any trust reposed in him. By a useful and honorable career he has established a reputa- tion for integrity which is of inestimable value to any man and is worth vastly more than wealth gained through questionable means.
WILLIAM L. SPEAR.
William L. Spear, the efficient postmaster of Rankin, to which position he was appointed on the 9th of January, 1909, was born in Chester, Randolph county, Illinois, on the 7th. of September, 1843. His parents, Lewis P. and Lurene S. (Stowe) Spear, were natives of Ohio and Alabama respectively. Their marriage was celebrated at Chester, Illinois. The father passed away at Bloomington in June, 1893, while the mother was called to her final rest on the 25th of September, 1907, her demise occurring at Springfield. Unto them were born three daughters and six sons, the record of whom is as follows: Per- melia, who passed away on the 27th of September, 1847; William L., of this review; Harvey V., a resident of Coffeyville, Kansas; Stephen L., who makes his home in Springfield, Illinois; Charles E., a practicing attorney of Albion, Nebraska; Walter E., who passed away leaving a widow and one child; Catha- rine, who died in infancy; John S., who has been connected with the Indian service for many years and is now stationed at Fort Lewis, Colorado; and Catharine, the wife of Harry S. Hadfield, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
William L. Spear was largely reared in the city of Alton and when a youth of sixteen removed with his parents to a farm in Greene county, where he re- mained until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army, joining Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the 8th of August, 1862. He continued with that command for three years and participated in all the engagements of his regiment, including those at Par- ker's crossroads, Tennessee; Paducah, Kentucky; Tupelo, Mississippi; Nash-
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ville, Tennessee; Mobile, Alabama; and the siege and capture of Fort Blakely. After returning from the war he became identified with educational interests and successfully taught school for many years, following that profession in Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties of Illinois until 1891. In that year he located on a farm of eighty acres west of Rankin, Vermilion county, devoting his attention to its operation until 1901, when he disposed of the property and took up his abode in Rankin, where he has resided to the present time. On the 9th of January, 1909, he was appointed postmaster of the town and his promptness and fidelity in the execution of every duty have made his a creditable record in this connection.
On the 7th of April, 1870, Mr. Spear was united in marriage to Miss Fran- ces Dews, whose birth occurred in Yorkshire, England, on the IIth of June, 1844, and who came to Illinois with her parents when a little maiden of six years. Prior to her marriage she followed the profession of school teaching. She be- came the mother of four children, namely: Harry George, who is superintendent of schools at Greenup, Cumberland county ; Lurene C., the wife of John M. Griffith, of Danville; William F., who is employed as bookkeeper in the bank at Fithian, Illinois; and Mina E., at home.
Mr. Spear is a republican in politics and has capably served as justice of the peace for eight years, while for two years he was a member of the village board and for three years acted as township collector. He still maintains pleasant re- lations with his old army comrades through his membership in the G. A. R. In 1865 he became identified with the Masonic fraternity and throughout all the intervening years has been a worthy exemplar of the craft. His life has ever been upright and honorable, his actions manly and sincere, and as the years have gone by he has proven his right to be classed with the leading and representative residents of Rankin and Vermilion county.
PARIS J. PUGH.
One of the enterprising agriculturists of Love township is Paris J. Pugh. He is a native of this county and has passed his entire life here and is known as one of the substantial citizens, whose good fortune is due to honestly directed effort. He was born October 30, 1862, and is a son of Granville and Lydia (Thompson) Pugh. The father was a native of Ohio and came to Illinois as a lad of six years in 1830, continuing in this state during the remainder of his life, with the exception of one year's residence in Iowa. He was a successful farmer and stock-raiser. Politically he was affiliated with the republican party and in religious belief was identified with the Friends church. He died April 28, 1898, his departure causing general regret, as he was a man of very high char- acter and had made many friends. The mother is a native of Indiana and is now living in the seventy-fifth year of her age, making her home at Ridge Farm. She was the mother of eight children, seven of whom are now living.
The subject of this review was reared at the parental home and was given the advantages of education in the public schools, working upon the farm during
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his boyhood and until he reached the age of maturity. By this time he had gained a thorough knowledge of farm operations and had shown an energy and ability in his work which indicated a successful career as an agriculturist and stock- raiser. Like all ambitious young men, he desired to become independent and in order to attain this position, which is one of the most worthy aspirations that can occupy the mind of any young man, he rented a farm, which he conducted for three years. At the end of this time he purchased the farm where he has since lived and which consists of one hundred and twenty-five acres in section 31. This property he has brought to a fine state of cultivation. The house, barn and buildings are all in excellent condition and the farm is thoroughly modern in every particular.
On February 27, 1887, Mr. Pugh was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Hiberly, a native of Newport, Indiana, and a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Menges) Hiberly. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Ohio, the latter having departed this life October 24, 1906. Mr. Hiberly makes his home in the state of Washington. Mrs. Pugh is one of a family of nine chil- dren born to her parents, four of whom are now living. To Mr. and Mrs. Pugh four children have been born: Mary A., now the wife of Ernest V. Foltz, of St. Bernice, Vermilion county, Indiana ; Granville F., now living in Idaho; Joseph M., living at home; and an infant deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Pugh are members of the Presbyterian church and by atten- tion to their duties and interest in the general welfare have made many friends in this region. Whatever property Mr. Pugh has acquired he has earned through his energy and wise management. He began with a laudable ambition, which has never deserted him, and by patience and close application he has accom- plished one of the important objects of life-the possession of a comfortable home and the knowledge that if he so desires he can live at ease for the re- mainder of his days.
CHAUNCEY N. TRIMBLE.
It is pleasing to know that there are successful farmers in Illinois who were born on the farms where they now live and have followed in the good work established by their fathers, today being recognized as among the most enter- prising and capable agriculturists and stock-raisers in the state. By remain- ing upon the farm they have retained that independence, which is one of the greatest blessings of life and which, after all, is one of the prime objects of our existence-as many learn after years of struggle against adverse conditions.
Among the number briefly referred to above is Chauncey M. Trimble, of Sidell township, Vermilion county. He was born March 30, 1866, and is a son of Matthew and Lydia (Harvey) Trimble, the former a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to Vermilion county in the summer of 1863, driving from Ohio a herd of seven hundred sheep and during the entire trip having for his assistants a boy and a dog.
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Here he herded the sheep for two years and from this herd received his first start, becoming ultimately one of the leading farmers in his region. He lived upon his well conducted farm of one hundred and twenty acres until 1893, when he retired and removed to Sidell, where he now resides, at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Trimble, who was a woman of fine mental capacity and a model wife and mother, departed this life April 30, 1907. She was the second wife of Mr. Trimble and was married to him in 1864, being at the time a widow. Her first husband was Oliver W. Harvey, who died in the Civil war and left two children, Jane and Charles W. By her second marriage Mrs. Trimble was the mother of two children, Chauncey N., our subject, and Lucy, who became the wife of Elmer Hite, of Kansas. The first wife of Mr. Trimble was Cassandria Pigman, to whom he was united in Ohio, and who died in 1862. For many years Mr. Trimble, the father of the subject of this review, engaged extensively in dealing in live-stock and was regarded as one of the best buyers in central Illinois. He took a great interest in education and his children were given the best advantages of the common schools. Originally. a republican, he changed his views upon mature consideration and for some years past has advocated the principles of the democratic party. He has served in various local positions of public responsibility, but he never aspired to political honors, as his attention during his entire active career was almost wholly taken up with the duties of the farm.
Chauncey N. Trimble was reared on the farm and as he grew up became intimately connected with all the duties pertaining to a well regulated farming establishment. At twenty-one years of age he began for himself, taking charge of forty acres of land on the home place. After this he began renting land in the neighborhood and for twelve or fourteen years had charge of as many as three hundred acres yearly and was very successful in his work. After the re- tirement of his father Mr. Trimble purchased eighty acres of the home farm and in 1909 he bought the remaining forty acres, also still continuing upon a large scale as a renter of land in this region. In his various operations he has shown a diligence and good judgment that are so essential in all successful busi- ness affairs.
On January 4, 1893, Mr. Trimble was united in marriage to Miss Effie Bales, of Carmel, Indiana, and of this union six children have been born: Dana, Lena, Russell C., Raymond L., Glen R. and Lois E., all of whom are living at home. Mr. Trimble is a democrat in his political tendencies and for three years occupied the office of road commissioner in this district. For twenty- three years past he has held membership in Sidell Lodge, No. 225, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he is also a member of Sidell Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Trimble is in an important degree a self-made man, having depended very largely upon himself ever since he began his active career, making his own way and discharging his obligations as he went along, and asking no special favors of anyone. He believes that every individual has within himself the power of accomplishing any reasonable thing, provided he will apply the necessary energy
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and common sense and Mr. Trimble has demonstrated this to be true. By his straightforward course he has gained the respect of his neighbors and all who have had business relations with him, and he is today one of the honored and representative men of Vermilion county whose word is as good as any man's bond, even though the bond be "signed, sealed and delivered."
HIRAM B. SAVAGE.
Those who know aught of Hiram B. Savage speak of him only in terms of respect and esteem, not more because of the capable management which he has displayed in the conduct of his agricultural pursuits than the upright and honorable principles which have ever governed his life. Born in Carter county, Kentucky, on the 20th of December, 1841, he is a son of James and Martha (Jordan) Savage, both natives of Kentucky where they were reared and mar- ried. In 1854 the family arrived in Illinois, locating in Edgar county where they remained for two years, after which they came to Vermilion county, taking up their abode on the Redmond farm in Vance township, and although subse- quent removals were made, the parents continued to reside within the borders of this township until the time of their death, the father passing away on the 24th of September, 1884, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother in 1895, after she had passed her eighty-fourth year.
Hiram B. Savage was a lad of thirteen years when his parents left the old Kentucky home and came to Illinois, and his education, which had been begun in the Blue Grass state, was completed in the common schools of this state. His educational training, however, was of necessity meager, for at an early day he was assigned those tasks which usually fall to the lot of the country lad, and his time was fully occupied from early spring planting until the harvests were gath- ered in the late autumn. Thus only for a short period during the winter months, when the work of the farm was suspended, was he able to attend the schools near his home, but he made the best of the opportunities which were his and later supplemented the knowledge thus acquired by broad outside reading. He remained under the parental roof. until 1864, when he embarked in business on his own account, operating a farm in the capacity of renter for two years. In 1866, he purchased his first property, becoming the owner of forty acres of land in Vance township, which he operated while boarding at home with his parents. In 1872 he bought another forty-acre tract near his original purchase and, as the place was equipped with farm buildings took up his abode thereon and contin- ued to operate both farms. Five years later he again added to his holdings, be- coming the owner of eighty-one acres lying across the road from his home place, and in 1892 moved to his present farm, which he acquired by purchase in that year. It consists of one hundred and twenty acres of land on sections II and 12, Vance township, and here he has carried on agricultural pursuits for the past eighteen years. Recognizing the fact that he could find no better investment for his money than Illinois farm land, he continued to add to his holdings from time to time as he prospered, and in 1904 purchased eighty-one acres in Catlin town-
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ship and a year later invested in one hundred and twenty acres adjoining his homestead. He also owns fifteen acres of good timber land, and altogether is the possessor of four hundred and fifty-two acres of rich land in Vermilion county, constituting him one of the large land owners of his section. He has given his attention entirely to general farming and his efforts therein have been most successful. He practices rotation of crops, makes a careful study of soil and climatic conditions and his untiring industry, his well directed labors and his progressive methods are being crowned with results that are most satisfactory and gratifying.
Mr. Savage laid the foundation for a happy home life of his own in his marriage, in 1874, to Miss Sarah Clester, of Vance township, who was born near St. Joe, Illinois. Unto this union have been born four children: Cora E., residing at home; Emma E., the wife of Walter S. White, of Homer, Illinois ; Herman Roy, a farmer of Vance township; and Hiram Bolar, Jr., operating the home farm.
A stanch democrat in his political belief to the extent of casting his vote in support of the candidates of that party, Mr. Savage has never, however, de- sired nor sought public office as a reward for party fealty, preferring that his duties of citizenship should be performed in a private capacity. He is, never- theless, deeply interested in all those things which have to do with the public life of the community and is a strong advocate of measures which have a bearing upon the upbuilding and improvement of. Vermilion county. Although he has reached the sixty-ninth year of life's journey he is still active in the world's work, and the position which he occupies in the esteem and regard of his fellow- men speaks for a life of honorable endeavor and high principle.
GUY E. ALBERT.
Guy E. Albert is the proprietor of a general mercantile store at No. 218 Logan avenue in Danville, one of the leading establishments of its kind in the city. His birth occurred in Blount township, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 6th of September, 1868, his parents being Samuel and Hulda A. (Hilleary) Albert. The first representatives of the 'Albert family in this country came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, whence they afterward removed to Ohio. The maternal ancestors of our subject were also natives of Germany, coming from the fatherland to New Jersey and later taking up their abode in the Buckeye state. Samuel Albert, the father of Guy E. Albert, was born in Ohio in 1833 and accompanied his parents on their removal to this county. Here the grandfather devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock- raising and Samuel Albert likewise gave his time and energies to agricultural interests throughout his active business career. His demise, which occurred on the 26th of February, 1885, was the occasion of deep and widespread re- gret, for he had won an extensive circle of friends during the many years of his residence in this county. His wife was called to her final rest on the 27th of January, 1886. Unto them were born four sons and one daughter, as follows :
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Guy E., of this review ; Henry M., who follows farming on the old home place ; George, who passed away October 25, 1857; John, who died in infancy, and Sarah J., who died February 23, 1881.
Guy E. Albert obtained his early education in the district schools of his native township and continued his studies until he had attained the age of eighteen. Following the death of his mother he continued the management of the home farm in association with his brother, Henry M., for a period of four years. At the end of that time he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, being a partner in the establishment of a general store at Snyder, Vermilion county, in the conduct of which he was actively engaged for three years. Feel- ing, however, that the life of the farm was more beneficial and congenial to him, he disposed of his mercantile interests and once more became a tiller of the soil. His next removal was to Danville, where for several years he worked in some of the leading stores. In 1905 he embarked in business on his own account, opening a general mercantile establishment at No. 703 West Madison street. At the end of a year his trade had increased to such an extent that larger quarters were necessary and he therefore came to his present location at No. 218 Logan avenue. The number of his patrons, including many of Dan- ville's leading citizens, is continually growing, owing to his straightforward and reliable business dealings and his earnest desire to give satisfaction.
On the 22d of November, 1893, Mr. Albert was united in marriage to Miss Daisy W. Fairchild, a daughter of Francis M. and Ina Fairchild, who for many years were representatives and respected residents of this county. The father was extensively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. Mr. and Mrs. Albert have a daughter, Ina H., whose birth occurred in Blount township in 1894.
In his political views Mr. Albert was originally a democrat but for many years he has supported and advocated the principles of the prohibition party, believing that the liquor traffic is one of the worst evils with which our coun- try has to contend. During the years 1895 and 1896 he served as town clerk of Blount township. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lincoln Methodist Episcopal church. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquain- tance in the county where his entire life has been spent and has long been numbered among its most substantial and esteemed citizens.
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JOHN MARSHALL BOYLE.
John Marshall Boyle, who is now successfully engaged in the practice of law in partnership with Ray F. Barnett in Danville, is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth occurring in Roberts, September 20, 1879. His father, John Boyle, was born near La Salle, Illinois, and is of Irish descent, his parents hav- ing come to America from the Emerald isle and settled in. La Salle county, this state. Throughout life he has followed farming and also engaged in business as a dealer of live stock. He now makes his home in Vermilion, but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Plunkett, died on the 30th of May, 1909.
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Her parents were also of Irish origin and on coming to the United States settled in New Jersey where her birth occurred.
John Marshall Boyle began his education in the public schools of Roberts, Illinois, where he remained a student until 1895. He then secured a position in the postoffice at that place and continued in the government service until the Ist of September, 1899, when he entered the University of Illinois Academy, where he continued his studies for a year and a half. He next entered the Col- lege of Literature and Arts and was graduated from the law department of the University of Illinois in 1906. For one year he was editor of the college paper and was in charge of the postoffice at the university, thus working his way through college. He started by reading proof on the college paper and for a time worked in a restaurant at night, doing anything that would aid him in securing an education. He often rose in the morning at six o'clock and con- tinued his work and study until midnight. After his graduation he was ap- pointed city editor of the Champaign Daily News, which position he filled from 1906 until September, 1907, and then came to Danville, securing a position in the states attorney's office, which he still fills. In December, 1908, however, he formed a partnership with Ray F. Barnett and they have since engaged in the general practice of law, meeting with very gratifying success. In connection with their legal business the firm also represents the Northern Life Insurance Company in the eastern district of Illinois. They are wide-awake, energetic young men and undoubtedly have a brilliant future before them.
In his religious faith Mr. Boyle is a Roman Catholic and he is prominently identified with several fraternal organizations, being a member of the Elks, the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus and Northcott Camp of Modern Woodmen of America. He is also identified with the Mutual Protective League, of which he was president in 1909, resigning on account of the sickness and subsequent death of his mother. The republican party finds in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he takes a very active and commendable part in political af- fairs. He is also a member of the Vermilion County Bar Association, and, although a young man, he has made an excellent record during the period of his active connection with the profession and his ambition, diligence and fidelity to his clients' interests will undoubtedly bring to him increased success as the years go by. He is careful and thorough in the preparation of his cases and his careful analysis combined with logical deductions has constituted him one of the strong members of the Danville bar.
ASBURY B. DUNCAN.
The name of Asbury B. Duncan has long been associated with the mercantile interests of Danville, although he is now living a retired life. Moreover, he is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, his birth hav- ing occurred near Potomac in 1855. He was educated in the common schools of this county while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof and he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for
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