USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century, Volume II > Part 81
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Mr. Crayton socially is identified with the Masonic order, the Elks, the Eagles and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also prominently con- nected with the United Spanish War Veterans and on June 19, 1910, at the. state encampment of this organization in Danville, was elected junior vice com- mander of the Department of Illinois. His introduction to public office took place in Potomac in April, 1905, when he was elected president of the village .. The duties of this position he discharged with an ability that greatly pleased the citizens. Having lost his father in early boyhood and having left home at fourteen years of age, when he began supporting himself and his mother, he had little advantages of education in youth. However, he has in a large degree made up for this omission, being a careful student and observer and a man. who is never satisfied with a superficial knowledge of anything that attracts his interest. He received great benefit from his training in a printing office:
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as a reporter, correspondent and editor, and at the time of the war with Spain he possessed opportunities of meeting many of the most promising young men of the county and the impulse which he then received has been to him of incal- culable value. For some years he devoted considerable attention to the writing of prose and verse and contributed to various periodicals of Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, New York and other cities. Since his admission to the bar he has devoted his entire attention to his profession. That as a young man he has made a success at the bar is the unanimous opinion of all who know him. It is also their opinion that he possesses an ambition and ability that will bring him into notice in a much wider field as the years pass.
SAMUEL BRACEWELL.
Samuel Bracewell, a well known liveryman of Danville, has spent his entire life in this county, his birth occurring in South Danville, on the 14th of January, 1876. His father, Isaac E. Bracewell, was born August 7, 1844, of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, and came to Danville about 1855. For twenty years he de- voted his time to the operation of mines, owning good mining property in this county and having in his employ a large number of men. He also served as the first mine inspector of Vermilion county, but during the last seven years of his life was compelled to lay aside all labor on account of ill health. His death occurred on the 28th of February, 1901. He was married in Danville to Miss Hannah Hay, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, in 1853. Her father was a native of England and a blacksmith by occupation. Samuel Bracewell is one of a family of four children, the others being: John C .; Maurice, a farmer of New Mexico; and Nettie, the wife of J. E. Gillespie, a farmer of this county.
During his boyhood and youth Samuel Bracewell attended the public schools of Danville and for two years was a student in the high school here. He then engaged in clerking in several of the leading stores of the city, over ten years being devoted to the shoe business and the greater part of that time as depart- ment manager. On the 15th of April, 1908, he embarked in his present business, opening a livery and boarding stable at 40-42 College street, where he remained for about twenty months and then removed to his present location at No. 37 Washington street on the 2d of February, 1910. Besides his livery business he is also engaged in dealing in live stock and has built up an excellent trade in both lines.
On the 28th of December, 1898, in Danville, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bracewell and Miss Margaret A. Shean, a daughter of Charles and Emma Shean and a native of this city. Her father, who was engaged in the bottling business here and was a very prominent citizen of Danville, passed away in June, 1906, but her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bracewell have two children : Helen and Brita.
The family are held in the highest regard by all who know them. Mr. Bracewell is connected with the Industrial Club and is an active worker in the
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ranks of the democratic party but has never cared for official honors. At one time he was a member of Battery A, Danville National Guards, for three years and has always been prominently identified with public affairs.
GEORGE WHEELER JONES, M. D.
Dr. George Wheeler Jones was born at Bath, Steuben county, New York, February 4, 1839, the oldest son of Dr. John Sproson Jones and Charlotte Wheeler, his wife. The family removed to Covington, Indiana, in 1846. His early life was spent in laying the foundation of a good education, as he was a most ambitious student. He was a devoted son and the tie between him and his mother was unusually close. He attended Wabash College and later made a choice of the medical profession, studying for a while under his father. Later he studied in Chicago under Dr. William H. Byford, graduating from what was then the medical department of Lind University, now the Chicago Medical College of the Northwestern University.
He commenced the practice of medicine in Terre Haute, Indiana, but soon enlisted as a volunteer surgeon for three months, later reenlisting for three years, serving as assistant surgeon of the Sixty-third Indiana Volunteers. In 1865 he was married to Miss Emelyn K. Enos, of Indianapolis, and located at Danville, Illinois. Here he commenced again the practice of medicine, also being associated with his brother, James Sanger Jones, in a drug store at the northeast corner of Main and Hazel streets, under the name of Jones Brothers. The brother James, gay-hearted and fun-loving, endeared to every one who fell under the influence of his merry ways and kind heart, died suddenly October 26, 1872, and after three years the drug store was sold, leaving Dr. Jones to devote his entire time to the practice of his beloved profession. For twenty- nine years his busy life continued in Danville and his labor was unremitting in the cause of healing. One of his friends bore testimony to his faithfulness when he said :
"His parents gave him pure blood and nature gave him a Grant-like frame, four square and solid as a tower, an iron constitution, a large, clear, active brain, a warm, loving, hopeful heart. He was my family physician and very intimate friend for over twenty years. I knew him from the heart out. Often has he carried my sick children on his bosom about the rooms, saying, 'I can do . more for a child when it knows me and is not afraid.' He has done the same with your children. How tenderly he watched and nursed our sick. How he toiled to know what was best for them. For almost twenty years I passed his office late at night from my own work. Yet, however late, his lamp was burn- ing ; his patients were in his heart; no day of toil was so hard as to keep him from studying; for their healing he must know the best and latest wisdom of the medical world. It seems that he never slept, that he was always at work with his patients, his medicine and books."
In the autumn of 1894 prostration from overwork compelled him to take the first vacation he had ever known. In company with a friend he went to the
GEORGE WHEELER JONES
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Bermudas in December, intending to return in the spring and resume the prac- tice of medicine in Danville. The trip was a delightful one and for three weeks he enjoyed the change with every appearance of returning health, but on Sun- day, January 6, 1895, he died suddenly at the Princess Hotel, Hamilton, Ber- muda, of collapse of the heart. His body was brought to Danville two weeks later and buried in Spring Hill cemetery, followed by a long line of weeping mourners, for he had many loving friends.
In his profession he was held in high esteem, receiving many honors at the hands of his professional brethren. He was a prolific writer, contributing many articles to the current medical magazines, and to the various medical societies. He was a member and regular attendant of the American Medical Association, the Tri-State Medical Society and was at one time president of the Illinois State Medical Society. He was also honored by an invitation to contribute a paper to the ninth international medical congress, which convened in Wash- ington, D. C., in 1887.
Politically he was a stanch republican. He led a life of purity and strict integrity, with brain and hands busy with incessant cares, loyal to friends, grateful for friendship, true to the principles of his religion. He was a man of literary taste and knowledge, taking time in his busy life to investigate the best the world brought him. He was a man of great courage, unyielding convictions and tireless energy, in his beloved profession of medicine. To the cry of the afflicted his ear was ever open, his skillful eye and hand ever ready to relieve; and the poor and needy found in him a helper. No labor was too arduous, no detail too trivial, no sacrifice too great for him when life and death hung in the balance, and his reward was sufficient in the consciousness of duty done.
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D. A. JANES.
D. A. Janes, the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Grant township, has successfully devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career. His birth occurred in Fayette county, Ohio, on the 10th of January, 1844, his parents being Har- rison and Mary (Horney) Janes, who were natives of the states of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. In 1862 they took up their abode on a farm in McLean county, Illinois, where the father continued to reside until called to his final rest. Subsequently the mother returned to Fayette county, Ohio, where she passed away when in the eighty-fourth year of her age. Unto them were born ten children, seven of whom are yet living.
D. A. Janes attended the common schools in pursuit of an education and remained under the parental roof until the time of his enlistment for service in the Union army. In 1862, when a youth of eighteen, he joined Company C, Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that command throughout the period of hostilities. He participated in many hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Chickamauga, Stone River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Frankfort and Nashville. After being mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee,
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he returned to the Buckeye state with a most creditable military record, having never faltered in the performance of any task assigned him. Securing a clerk- ship in a store, he held that position for three years and was then married. Following that important event in his life he became identified with general agricultural pursuits, cultivating rented land for a period of three years. In the spring of 1890 he removed to Ford county, Illinois, purchasing and locat- ing upon a farm which remained his home for five years. At the end of that time he disposed of the property and came to Vermilion county, buying a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Grant township. The further cultivation and improvement of that place has claimed his time and energies continuously since and in his undertakings as an agriculturist he has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of success.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life, Mr. Janes chose Miss Margaret Harden, a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Mary (Chichester) Harden, who were likewise born in that state and passed away in Mercer county, Ohio. Their children were eight in num- ber, six of whom still survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Janes have been born six children, as follows: Josie Ann, Cora and Mary, all of whom are deceased; James, an agriculturist of Mercer county, Ohio; Carrie, the wife of Edward Laffen, of Vermilion county; and John, who is married and operates the old homestead farm.
Politically Mr. Janes is a stalwart advocate of the democracy. The cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion, and for eight years he served as a school director. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, for today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. .
JOHN SLOZOS.
John Slozos, a successful merchant and leading resident of Westville, is the proprietor of a well-appointed grocery store and meat market, and is also serving as mayor of the town for the second term. His birth occurred in Russia on the 15th of July, 1864, and in the schools of that country he ob- tained his education. When twenty-three years of age he left his native land and took up his abode in the United States, wishing to test the truth of the many favorable reports which he had heard concerning the advantages of the new world. First locating in Pennsylvania, he there worked as a miner for two years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he remained for a similar length of time. Subsequently he came to Westville, Vermilion county, and here worked in the coal mine for about six years. At the end of that time- he embarked in business as a grocer and butcher and has since conducted an establishment of this character, now en- joying an extensive and profitable trade. He has erected a fine brick building, in which he also conducts a saloon, and in addition owns four residence prop- erties. He likewise has a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in
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Wadena county, Minnesota, and has long been numbered among the most pros- perous and respected residents of Westville.
: In 1889, in Chicago, Mr. Slozos was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Bartkinio, who was born in Russia in the year 1869. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children, namely: Estella, Bessie, Lena, Rosie, and four who are deceased.
Mr. Slozos is a republican in politics and is now serving in the office of mayor for the second term, his administration being characterized by many progressive measures. He formerly acted as a member of the town board for two terms. In religious faith he is a Catholic and his wife is also a communi- cant of the church of that denomination .- Coming to America in early man- hood, he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity which presented itself and has gradually worked his way upward to a position among the substantial and representative citizens of his community. His record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
ORNDORFF L. RIDGELY.
The Ridgely family is of English origin, the first of its representatives coming from England to America early in 1600 and locating in Maryland, where the family became a prominent one in the early days of that colony. Nicholas H. Ridgely, the grandfather of Orndorff L. Ridgely, was born on his father's tobacco plantation, near Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 1800, and was the son of Greenberry and Rachel (Ryan) Ridgely, also natives of the same state. There he grew to manhood and in the city of Baltimore received his education. He was there married at the early age of nineteen and shortly afterward, in 1820, went to Wheeling, Virginia, where he remained for several years, returning for a brief period to Baltimore. In 1829 he left that city never to make it his home again.
Coming west Nicholas H. Ridgely located in St. Louis, Missouri, and soon after his arrival there he became discount clerk in a branch of the United States Bank, which had been established in that city. For nearly seven years he continued with that bank, but in May, 1835, he received the appointment as cashier of the State Bank of Illinois, and at once came to Springfield and assumed that responsible position. He filled that office until the bank failed in 1841 and was one of the trustees who finally wound up its business, after which he carried on the banking business on his own account.
In 1852 after the passage of the state banking law, in company with others, Mr. Ridgely organized Clark's Exchange Bank and was elected its first presi- dent. Two years later, at the age of eighteen, his son Charles succeeded James Campbell as cashier and from that time to the present has been connected with the bank. A few years later Mr. Ridgely purchased the interests of his part- ners and continued the business in his individual name. In 1859 he admitted his son Charles as a partner, and the business was continued under the firm
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name of N. H. Ridgely & Company. Subsequently, in 1864, William Ridgely, another son, also entered the firm, and the business was continued by the three until 1866. In October, 1866, associated with his sons, Charles and William, J. Taylor Smith and Lafayette Smith, Mr. Ridgely organized the Ridgely Na- tional Bank and was elected its first president, a position he retained until his death, and it is safe to say that no bank ever secured the confidence of the people in a higher degree.
From the day of his arrival Mr. Ridgely became an important factor in the growth and development of Springfield and was instrumental in securing the removal of the state capital to the city, the bank furnishing the money necessary to secure its location. That note is preserved in the Ridgely family as a highly prized heirloom.
In 1848, in connection with his former banking partner, Colonel Thomas Mather, Mr. Ridgely purchased the old railroad from Springfield to Naples, rebuilt it and gave it the name of the Sangamon & Morgan Railroad. It was later consolidated with the Great Western and is now a part of the Wabash system, being the first part of the present western division of the Wabash road to be built. In 1854 he established the Springfield Gas Works, which, although private property, was of great value to the city. He became president of the company, a position which he also held until his death.
An enterprise which has been of incalculable benefit to the state of Illinois and which has relieved the people of much of the great burden of taxation, was the building of the Illinois Central Railroad. In securing the passage of the law giving the railroad its charter, Mr. Ridgely was largely instrumental, and while he was associated with the men who built the road, he would not accept a directorate in it. Realizing that by the building of that road, with others, there would be an immense rise in the value of land in the state, he invested largely and became the owner of many thousands of acres, being one of the largest landowners in the state, and much of his wealth was obtained in that way.
Mr. Ridgely was twice married and reared a family of thirteen children who grew to maturity, all of whom he liberally provided for, even before his death, establishing them in homes of their own and in the various branches of business in which they engaged. He was called to his final home on the 31st of January, 1888, and it can well be said that his summons hence left a void in business and financial circles of his adopted city.
One of the best financiers of his day and daily brought in contact with all classes of people in business and social life, Mr. Ridgely was withal of a modest and retiring disposition, never seeking public attention or notoriety. In his whole life he was never accused of doing a single dishonorable deed. He was a man of few words in business transactions and always said what he meant and meant what he said. His "yea" was yea, and his "no" no, but he well knew how to say "no" in a business transaction without giving offense or causing a man to lose his self-respect.
Orndorff L. Ridgely, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Spring- field, Illinois, on the 20th of May, 1864, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. Vin- cent Ridgely, who now reside in St. Petersburg, Florida. The other members
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of the family are: Edward W., a resident of Golden, Illinois; Charles N., de- ceased; Vincent N. and Reddick W., both residents of St. Petersburg, Florida ; Clarence M., of Litchfield, Illinois ; and Dr. Roy R., of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Orndorff L. Ridgely began his education in the public schools of Spring- field and was fifteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Galesburg, Illinois, where he continued his studies for a time. Later he was employed for several years as letter carrier in that city and for four- teen years was connected with the Consolidated Coal Company of St. Louis. In 1894 he came to Danville as district superintendent for that company and continued in that position up to the time of his death. He was a man of superior business ability, possessing a quick insight into all the problems of the extensive interests with which he was connected, and he was universally es- teemed by those with whom he came in contact, either in business or social life.
On the 21st of February, 1900, in Danville, Mr. Ridgely was united in marriage to Miss Ann S. Wolford, but their happy married life was but of brief duration, for on the 17th of December of the same year Mr. Ridgely was called to his final rest. His political support was given to the democratic party and it was well known that, while he did not seek nor desire office, he was actuated at all times by a public-spirited devotion to the general good that was manifest in tangible co-operation with various movements and pro- jects that were started for the benefit and upbuilding of the community at large. Those who came within the circle of his friendship found him a most genial companion and at all times he held friendship inviolable. His death was a distinct loss to the business circles of central Illinois and to the com- munity at large.
Mrs. Ridgely was born in Arcola, Illinois, November 17, 1873, and is a daughter of M. J. Wolford, president of the Palmer National Bank of Dan- ville, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the age of three years she came with her parents to this city, where she pursued her studies in the public schools and was graduated from the Danville high school. She also pursued a course in music at the Auditorium Conservatory in Chicago, and the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Massa- chusetts. She is a lady of charming personality, who has a wide circle of friends in Danville, where almost her entire life has been passed. She is a charter member of Governor Bradford Chapter of the Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution at Danville, and is quite prominent socially.
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LEVIN T. PALMER.
While Levin T. Palmer arrived in Danville with a cash capital of but twenty-four dollars, in the course of years he became a leading representative of financial interests in the conduct of an extensive and profitable banking and loan business, in which connection he worked out involved business problems and became the leader in the initiatory and subsequent movements which made
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his undertaking one of the leading business enterprises of Danville. More- over, in all of his dealings he rigidly adhered to those principles of commercial honor which, coupled with his energy, perseverance and unquestioned business ability, made him what he was.
He was born on Long Island, December 3, 1814, a son of Charles Palmer, who was born in Newtown, New York, December 18, 1790, and died on the 30th of August, 1822. Charles Palmer was a farmer by occupation and Levin T. Palmer was reared to that occupation. He was only eight years of age at the time of his father's death. He acquired a common school education and continued his residence in the east until in his twenty-first year, when, in 1835, he came to Illinois.
In July of that year Mr. Palmer arrived in Danville. The exigencies of the situation demanded that he secure immediate employment and he entered the services of Dr. Fithian in a clerical capacity. He clerked for one year for the Doctor and then went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained for a few years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Danville and formed a partnership with R. T. Leverich for the conduct of a dry-goods and general merchandise business. He continued in that field for about fourteen years and then turned his attention to the loan and real-estate business in con- nection with T. C. Forbes, with whom he remained as a partner until 1872, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Palmer was joined by his son, Charles J. They conducted a banking and loan business under the style of L. T. and C. J. Palmer up to the time of the father's death, which occurred on the 26th of August, 1900. Thus from a penniless condition, Mr. Palmer worked his way steadily forward, improving every opportunity until he became ranked as one of the leading financiers of the community.
It was on the 17th of August, 1842, that Mr. Palmer was united in mar- riage to Miss Esther Gilbert, who was born in Ontario county, New York, on the 19th of November, 1824, and died in 1908. She was a daughter of Solo- mon Gilbert, who was born in Massachusetts, June 19, 1778, and departed this life on the 5th of February, 1857. Her mother bore the maiden name of Esther Green, and it was on the 6th of April, 1809, that she gave her hand in marriage to Solomon Gilbert. She, too, was a native of the old Bay state, born De- cember 13, 1789, and her death occurred in Danville on the 31st of January, 1839. When very young Solomon Gilbert removed to Ontario county, New York, where he married Miss Green, who was a daughter of Captain Henry Green, a soldier of the war of 1812. In 1828 Solomon Gilbert left the Empire state and started for the west in the month of April, traveling by team across the country until he reached Danville in July. He was one of the founders and builders of the city in that he was one of the first settlers and took a very active part in everything that pertained to public progress. He built the first grist mill in Danville, and through private and public activity, did much for the welfare of the city. Gilbert street was named in his honor.
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