USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 78
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The last named was reared under the parental roof and attended the com- mon schools in the acquirement of an education. When twenty-one years of age
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he took charge of the old homestead farm and its operation has claimed his at- tention continuously since. That he keeps in touch with the modern spirit of progress which is manifested in agricultural lines and that his knowledge of farming is both thorough and comprehensive is indicated by the highly im- proved appearance of his place, upon which are found substantial buildings and all of the modern accessories necessary for facilitating farm labor.
On the 14th of February, 1906, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Cora Sisson, who was born in Paris, Illinois, on the 10th of February, 1881, her parents being John A. and Laura J. (Conley) Sisson, natives of Kentucky. In 1855 they took up their permanent abode in Illinois and the father still lives here, being now in his seventy-eighth year. The mother's demise occurred on June II, 1908. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom yet sur- vive. Mr. and Mrs. Black have two children, as follows: Dale S., whose natal day was January 21, 1907; and Dorothy M., whose birth occurred April 14, 1909.
Mr. Black is a stanch republican in politics but has never sought nor de- sired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America at ›Georgetown, while both he and his wife belong to the Christian church. They are well known in social circles and enjoy in large measure the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact.
HARRY RAIMER.
Harry Raimer, who has continuously resided in Danville for more than a half century, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the business interests of the city as a merchant tailor but is now living in honorable retirement. His birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of February, 1833, his parents being Joseph and Sallie Raimer. The father followed general agricultural pursuits in Lancaster county throughout his active business career and spent his entire life in the Keystone state, his remains being interred at Boldsburg.
Harry Raimer attended school at Boldsburg until fourteen years of age and then began learning the tailor's trade, working at that occupation until he had attained his majority but receiving no monetary compensation for his ser- vices. When twenty-one years of age he started out upon an independent career as a tailor and after spending about two years in Boldsburg went to Lewis- town, where he remained for a similar period. He then made his home in Milesburg for a year and next went to Pittsburg, while later he removed to Logansport, Indiana. Thence he returned home but later journeyed westward to Peru, Indiana, then to La Fayette and afterward to West Point and Attica, Indiana. The 28th of November, 1858, witnessed his arrival in Danville, Illi- nois, and here he purchased a stock of goods and embarked in business as a merchant tailor. His patronage steadily increased as the years passed by -and prosperity rewarded his efforts, so that he is now enabled to spend the even-
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ing of life in well earned ease. He is well known as one of the prominent and respected residents of Danville and justly merits the proud American title of a self-made man.
On the 2d of May, 1860, Mr. Raimer was united in marriage to Miss Caro- line Peyton, a native of Clinton county, Ohio. Unto them were born seven children, as follows: Lucy and William, both deceased; Edward, who wedded Miss Millie McKee, by whom he has four children-John, Edward, Mack and Amelia; George, who is a resident of Portland; May, who is the wife of Frank Gibbs, of Portland and has two children, Helen and Frederick; and two who died in infancy.
At the polls Mr. Raimer supports the men and measures of the republican party and he has ever been a most public-spirited and loyal citizen, taking an active and helpful interest in the general welfare. In all the relations of life he has manifested those sterling traits of manhood which command confidence and awaken regard and is therefore well worthy of the esteem uniformly ac- corded him.
HERMAN W. BARTEL.
Herman W. Bartel, president of the company which is now successfully operating what is known as the Danville Star Laundry, was born in Germany, July 17, 1865, but was only a year old on the emigration of his parents, Henry and Dorothy Marguerite (Wilhelms) Bartel, to America, the family reaching this country on the Ist of September, 1866. They first located in Sauk county, Wisconsin, where the father engaged in farming, and amid rural surround- ings our subject passed his boyhood and youth. He received his primary educa- tion in his home district and later attended a German Lutheran school. On the completion of his education he sought and obtained a position in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, with Gale Seifert & Company, hardware merchants, as general util- ity boy, his only resources at that time being an indomitable will, the desire to advance and to faithfully serve his employers. He remained with that firm for a period of five years, during which he thoroughly learned the hardware business.
His training there well fitted him to fill the higher position which he obtained on coming to Danville, Illinois, in 1887. Owing to his experience and knowledge he found no difficulty in securing employment and entered the service of Thomas Conron, then the leading hardware dealer of Danville, conducting the business now carried on under the name of the Thomas Conron Hardware Company, with which he remained for a period of years. Having saved his earnings, he then formed a copartnership with John A. O'Brien and established a small laundry, which was first located at No. 25 College street but later removed to No. 145 Vermilion street and subsequently to No. 25 North Jackson street, each removal being necessitated by the demands of their growing business. They recently located in their present quarters at Nos. 208-210 East Van Buren street, where they erected a suitable building and installed machinery of the most mod- ern type known to the laundry trade. They now employ on an average of forty-
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five persons in the work and management of their business, which has grown from the smallest to one of the largest concerns of the kind in the county. They also operated a dyeing establishment for one year, which was conducted under the name of the Danville Dry Cleaning Company, and was located at No. 220 West Main street, where they also employed quite a large force of skilled operatives. In 1907 the business was incorporated and is now conducted under the name of the Danville Star Laundry with Herman W. Bartel as president ; . Margaret O'Brien, vice president ; and John A. O'Brien, secretary and treasurer.
On the 24th of December, 1897, at Williamsport, Indiana, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bartel and Miss Lydia Colson Musgrove, whose parents are old residents of Danville, while her father is a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Bartel have two children, namely: Helen C., born August 6, 1899, and Fern M., born September 17, 1901.
The family are communicants of the Lutheran church and in his social rela- tions Mr. Bartel is connected with the Industrial Club of Danville. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he affiliates with the re- publican party but has never cared for office, his time being fully occupied with his business affairs. Yet his efforts have not been entirely devoted to his own advancement but have been potent factors in the growth and development of the community at large, the consensus of public opinion according him a high place among the honored and valued citizens of Danville.
C. M. PRATHER.
C. M. Prather, a member of the Prather family of Vermilion county, needs no introduction to his fellow townsmen. The name of Prather has figured long and prominently in connection with the agricultural development of this sec- tion of the state and to the work of farming C. M. Prather has devoted his life and is today the owner of two hundred and eighteen acres of valuable land in Ross township. He is a son of William and Mary Prather and was educated in the district schools, while spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. The farm where he now resides is the old family homestead, upon which his father settled at an early day and where all of the children of William Prather were born and reared. Here C. M. Prather early learned the lessons of life --- industry, integrity and enterprise, and was trained to farm work in such a man- ner that he was well qualified to take charge of the farm after attaining his majority. He is both persevering and diligent and his methods are practical, while the spirit of progress characterizes him in all that he undertakes. The farm comprises five hundred and twenty acres owned by C. M., M. W. and Nancy A. Prather; the land is rich and arable so that excellent crops are har- vested as the reward of the labor bestowed upon the fields during the time of planting and cultivation.
In 1895 Mr. Prather was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Held, a daughter of Henry and Nancy Held, the former a native of Bavaria, Germany, and a har-
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ness maker by trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Prather have been born four chil- dren, William H., Merle, Lucile and Louisa. The family are prominent socially in the community and the hospitality of many of the best homes of Vermilion county is freely accorded them.
Aside from his business, in which he is meeting with excellent success, Mr. Prather finds time to devote to the public welfare and his labors constitute an element in improvement and upbuilding. Since 1885 he has been officially con- nected with the schools as a director and has also served as clerk of the board. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and his life has been an upright and honorable one, characterized by all the qualities of truth and upright manhood.
JOHN H. FENDLEY.
John H. Fendley, whose business activity is a resultant factor in the at- tainment of his success, is now conducting a profitable enterprise as a real-estate dealer. A native of Vermilion county, he was born in Catlin on the 18th of May, 1870, and is a son of John S. Fendley whose birth occurred in Parke county, Indiana, October 26, 1839. In 1860 the father removed from his native state to Illinois and settled on a farm southeast of Catlin. In connection with its operation he was also engaged in general merchandising in that state until 1875, when he removed to Ridge Farm and followed mercantile pursuits at that place until 1889. In that year he disposed of his store and became deputy head con- sul for the Modern Woodmen of America, first under J. C. Root and later under Lieutenant Governor Northcott, controlling eastern Illinois and western In- diana. He organized all of the many camps within that territory and con- tinued his labors for the Woodmen up to within four years of his death, when he resigned owing to ill health, and lived retired until he passed away in Dan- ville on the 12th of February, 1910. He had been a resident of this city for eighteen years, having come here in 1892.
In 1859, John S. Fendley was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Lydick, a native of Montgomery county, Indiana, whose parents removed to that state from Kentucky, as did also the paternal grandparents of our subject. Of the seven children born of this union, three died in infancy, the others being: James W., who was born May 18, 1860, and is now a resident of Danville, being de- partment manager for the clothing firm of Reis, Strauss & Company; Lily, the wife of Charles M. Boaz, a resident of Danville; John H., whose name intro- duces this sketch, and Lue, the wife of James H. Kitchen, a contractor and builder of Danville.
The schools of Farm Ridge afforded our subject his early educational ad- vantages and he was graduated in 1887. Two years later he entered the employ of A. J. Darnell in the general merchandise business at Farm Ridge, where he continued until the fall of 1892. That year witnessed his arrival in Danville, where he found employment in the clothing store of Ike Stern which, on the death of Mr. Stern, came into the possession of Reis, Strauss & Company, with whom he remained until 1905. He then severed his connection with that busi-
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ness and turned his attention to real-estate, since which time he has handled a large amount of city property and northwestern land, principally in Dakota. He has built up a very large and profitable business and is today regarded as one of the most wide-awake and progressive citizens of Danville.
In the First Christian church of Danville, Mr. Fendley was married May 9, 1898, to Miss Grace E. Dickerson, by Rev. Sam Jones. She was born on the 3rd of August, 1875, in Athens county, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph E. and Martha Dickerson, who were natives of Ohio but became residents of Dan- ville at an early day. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Fendley have two chil- dren, namely: Maurine, who was born in Danville, August 4, 1899, and John S., born January 25, 1902.
At national elections Mr. Fendley gives his support to the democratic party but in local elections is independent, supporting the men and measures that he believes will best advance the public welfare. He takes quite an active interest in political affairs and does all in his power to promote those interests calcu- lated to advance the material and moral welfare of the community in which he lives. He and his family hold membership in the Christian church and he is also identified with Northcott Camp, Modern Woodmen of 'America. He has always lived in Vermilion county and the fact that many of his stanch friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indi- cation that his courage in life has been that of honorable, upright manhood.
A. W. ROSEBERRY.
A. W. Roseberry, successfully engaged in business as a coal dealer of Dan- ville, is the senior member of the firm of Roseberry & Wann, conducting an enterprise of this character at No. 304 East Harrison street. His birth occurred at Camp Point, Illinois, on the 10th of September, 1857, his parents being I. J. and Nannie (Williams) Roseberry, both of whom were natives of Indiana. The father came to Illinois when a young man and engaged in business as a contractor and builder of Camp Point until 1867, when he removed to Berlin, this state. In 1869 he took up his abode in Piatt county and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1906. His aid and cooperation could always be counted upon to further any movement or measure calculated to advance the general welfare and his fellow townsmen honored him by election to several local offices. His wife was called to her final rest in 1910.
A. W. Roseberry obtained his education in the public schools of Mansfield, Illinois, and subsequently followed the profession of teaching in Piatt county for three years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. On abandoning educational interests he became identified with railroad work, first acting as station agent for the Wabash and Northern Pacific Railroads and afterward entering the supply department of the Chicago & East- ern Illinois Railroad at Danville, which position he held for twelve years. In August, 1907, he embarked in the coal business on his own account and the
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY
following year admitted B. C. Wann to a partnership under the firm style of Roseberry & Wann. The enterprise has enjoyed a steady growth and is prov- ing a profitable undertaking.
In 1884 Mr. Roseberry was united in marriage to Miss Ollie L. Fleming, a native of Ohio. They have two children, namely: Earl M., of the Kittle- Roseberry Electric Company ; and Ralph E., who is in the service of the Second National Bank. Fraternally Mr. Roseberry is identified with the Modern' Wood- men. His life has been a busy, industrious and useful one, and his relative worth is widely recognized by his fellow townsmen.
FRANCIS M. GUSTIN.
Among the well known fraternal men of Danville, also a business man of acknowledged ability, is Francis M. Gustin. He is a native of the Buckeye state, born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1849, a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Dearth) Gustin. The former was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1824 and his father, Banajah Gustin, was one of four brothers who came from England at an early day and settled in Vermont. The mother was born in 1829 in Butler county and was married in Ohio, coming to Indiana with her husband and fam- ily in 1852. Their children were: Francis M., our subject; Mary Theodosia, who died in infancy; Charles Elwin, who died at ten years of age; William Horace, who married Fannie Lamb and is the father of one daughter; Elbert Rush, who married Caroline Duckwall; Cassius O., who married Emma Crise and is now deceased; Emma J., who died at eighteen years of age; Edward C., who married Carrie Shepler and has three sons living.
The subject of this review came with his parents to Indiana when he was three years of age and has but a dim recollection of the overland trip to the new home in the west. He was reared upon the home farm and educated in the common schools, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the various details of agriculture and stock-raising as he grew up. At twenty years of age he began working by the month for State Senator Miller, of Miami county, this state, and after taking unto himself a partner for life, he rented the same farm upon which he had been working and cultivated it independently for a number of years, gaining a great deal of experience in business affairs that has assisted him very materially in other lines. Removing to Danville in 1890, he entered the livery business and for ten years leased the place he now occupies. At the ex- piration of that period he bought the building which he has remodeled and transformed into one of the most attractive structures of the kind in this part of the country. He has now been in the livery business in Danville for twenty years and, being a man who keeps up-to-date in anything with which he is con- nected, the horses and vehicles of his establishment are recognized anywhere in the county by their attractive appearance. His business has shown a growth from year to year which indicates liberal returns upon the investment.
In 1873, at Paw Paw, Miami county, Indiana, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gustin and Miss Alice C. Osfall, who was born in 1853 in that county, a daugh-
FRANCIS M. GUSTIN
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
ter of Joseph and Barbara Osfall. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gustin two died in infancy. Lewis V., born in 1875, was married in 1901 to Dorothy Hanna and is now engaged in the undertaking business in Chicago. Ralph E., born in 1877, was married in 1902 to Myrtle Clapp, and they had two children, Raymond, deceased, and Harold, now at home with his parents in Rockford, Illinois, where his father is engaged in the undertaking business. Clarence M., born in 1880, married Mamie Hine in 1904, and one child has been born to them, Marjorie. The father is engaged in the livery business a few doors south of our subject's establishment on Walnut street in Danville.
Mr. Gustin is a valued member of the Methodist church and a stanch be- liever in the Bible. He was reared a republican and has always adhered to that party. Although not a seeker for public office he served as assessor in one of the largest townships of Miami county, Indiana. Up to the time of his election two years had been the length of term for an assessor but the period was then extended to four years. He was reelected for a term of four years and after serving eight years in office, on account of a change in the law, he was a hold- over for another year, making a continuous period of nine years during which he served as assessor of his township.
Fraternally Mr. Gustin is one of the prominent men of the state. He is now past representative of Danville Lodge, No. 69, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Marsh Encampment, No. 46, also a member of Canton Danville, No. II, and Mercy Rebekah Lodge, No. 72, all of which organizations are identified with Odd Fellowship. He has passed through all of the chairs from the lowest to the highest in the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, and at the present time is serving as grand senior warden of the Grand Encampment, I. O. O. F., of the state of Illinois. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason and holds member- ship in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38; Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M .; and the Oriental Consistory of Chicago. In addition to the various lodges named he is a member of Vermilion Camp, No. 254, Modern Woodmen of America ; Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 73, I. O. R. M., and Loyal American Lodge, No. 144. Mr. Gustin is a man of strong social characteristics and has a host of friends in the organizations with which he is connected. He has never, how- ever, neglected his business affairs and is known as one of the energetic and successful business men of Vermilion county, whose word is as good as his bond and who is ever ready to assist in forwarding the best interests of his state, his county or his town.
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR.
It is seldom that one remains active in business or official circles when he has attained the age reached by William H. Taylor, who has recently celebrated the seventy-ninth anniversary of his birth. He is, however, a member of the police force of Danville, occupying the position for twelve years or more. He was formerly identified with the fire department and in every public relation of life has proven himself worthy of the trust reposed in him. He was born in
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Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, July 13, 1831. His father, Hugh Taylor, a native of Delaware, was born November 19, 1788, and died June 3, 1845. He was a brickmaker by trade and the last work that he did of that kind was in manufacturing brick used in the building of the courthouse at Somerset. He married Susan Snow, who was born September 1, 1801. She was descended from Revolutionary ancestry, her grandfather having been a captain of the war for independence. Unto Hugh and Susan (Snow) Taylor there were born four sons and four daughters : Elizabeth, the eldest, became the wife of Judge Greer, of Decatur, who for twenty-two years was the honored county judge of Macon county. Mary became the wife of John E. Rosette, who in 1865 was appointed United States district attorney for the state of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Rosette had four daughters, three of whom married officers in the United States army-Cynthia, the wife of Colonel Rucker; Annie, the wife of Major Bennett; and Leone, the wife of General Hennessy. All were stationed on the Pacific coast. John S. Taylor, the third member of the family, became first lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, and was killed at 'Arkansas Post, January 1I, 1863. William H. is the next of the family. Susan Taylor became the wife of John Blackford. Unto them were born four sons. Walter Taylor died in Charleston, Illinois, in July, 1910. although he had made his home in El Paso, Texas, for over thirty years. Sarah became the wife of Robert Hodgen, a real estate man of Charleston, Illinois. Robert. K. Taylor, the youngest, is a resident of Detroit, Michigan.
William H. Taylor attended the country schools of his native county in his boyhood days and in early life learned the sadler's and harnessmaker's trade. The Civil war, however, found him imbued with a strong spirit of pa- triotism and in 1862 he offered his services to the government, joining the One Hundred and Seventh Regiment of Illinois Infantry, with which he served for nearly three years, when he was mustered out at the close of the war. He acted as sergeant and color bearer and engaged in all of the principal battles in which his regiment took part. He was wounded at Franklin, Tennessee, No- vember 30, 1864, this being one of the hardest battles of the war; eleven Con- federate generals being killed or wounded in the engagement, seven being killed outright. There were more generals killed and disabled in forty-five minutes in that battle than met death in the three days' battle of Gettysburg. Three of these generals were found in the ditch of the breastworks. All four brothers of the Taylor family were soldiers of the Civil war and the military record of the family is a most creditable one.
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