USA > Illinois > Williamson County > Williamson County, Illinois, in the World War : containing a brief review of the World War-complete history of Williamson County's activities-photographs and service records of Williamson County's soldiers, sailors and marines > Part 37
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Herrin City Hospital
Dr. J. T. Black, Supt.
To fill the need of a hospital for the rapidly growing City of Herrin, the City Hospital here shown was built in 1912, and was operated from that time until August, 1918, by Drs. Carl Baker and W. R. Gardi- ner, at this time Dr. J. T. Black purchased the interests of Drs. Baker and Gardiner, and became superintendent.
Dr. Black graduated from the Southern Illinois Normal, at Carbondale, in 1904, and from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1909. After graduating there, he desired hospital practice before starting on his career and was connected with the Lincoln State Hospital and Colony for a time before beginning his practice at Herrin in February, 1910. Sometime later, to be better prepared in his profession, he took a post graduate course at the Chicago Post
Graduate Hospital, and now ranks as a leader in his profession.
Dr. Black was married March 13, 1913, to Miss Maud Reid. To them have been born two sons, Waldo Briggs, born August, 1914, and James Taylor, born March, 1917.
As a fraternal worker, Dr. Black has been very active, having reached the Shriners in the Masons, and also is a member of the Odd Fellows, Red Men, Modern Woodmen and Woodmen of the World.
The hospital is equipped with X-Ray and other electrical apparatus for the treatment of such diseases as has been found to yield to electrical and other modern treatments.
The other physicians of the city take ad- vantage of this complete hospital for their patients, and it is one of the institutions that Herrin is quite proud of.
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The Herrin News
"Coal Belt's Greatest Newspap_r"
THE HERRIN NEWS is recognized in Williamson County' and throughout southern Illinois as an honest and fearless critic of events and of public opinion. While Republican in politics, which is reflected only in its editorial column, it is not an organ of any party or group or individual. Its publisher is of the school of personal jour- nalism, believing as Greeley and Dana did as to what constitutes an approach to an ideal newspaper. The purpose of this paper is to survey from week to week the most significant things that are happening in this community and section of the state and to point out, so far as possible, the real nature and per- manent worth of what is being thought, said or done. Its test of social value, not whether this or that thing is popular or likely to prevail, but whether it is honest, whether it is just, whether it promises benefit for all rather than profit for a few.
The Herrin News is among the very few newspapers in this section of the state, that observes from week to week an editorial column and has always in these columns an honest and fearless discussion of some timely topic and usually of a local nature. The paper enjoys the enviable position in south- ern Illinois journalism of being the most widely quoted in news stories and editorials. It therefore wields a political and social in- fluence that is rarely to be found in a country weekly.
In the history of the city, there have been
many newspapers established here, and two or three of them were dailies, but with a single exception, The Herrin News has seen them all pass. It was the first newspaper in Herrin, being virtually founded with the city by Charles L. Ingraham in 1899. The plant that first printed the little five column, hand set, quarto, ready print inside, was brought , overland from Makanda, where it had for a few years issued The Makanda News.
In October, 1904, Hal W. Trovillion of Bloomington, Ind., bought the plant and busi- ness of Mr. Ingraham and has continued to operate the plant and edit the paper ever since. One of the first innovations put into effect by the new publisher was to advocate the organization of a typographical union which was largely made up of employees of The Herrin News office and to place the union label in the sub-head, and which has remained there to this day.
The Herrin News office is located in the Odd Fellow's building at 217 N. Park Ave. The publication day is Thursday and the subscription rate is $1.50 per year. The plant in addition to handling The Herrin News and also printing The Zeigler News, of which Mr. Trovillion is editor, supports one of the most modern printing establish- ments to be found in southern Illinois. "The Coal Belt's Greatest Newspaper," is an earned title which The Herrin News has gone under for a number of ycars, and its career still warrants the undisputed use of the title today.
335
Howard & Casey, Wholesale Grocers
HOWARD & CASEY Q WHOLESALE, CROCEYS.
"THIS large wholesale grocery was estab- lished in Herrin, May 1, 1913, by Howard & Casey of Mt. Vernon, Ill., the parent com- pany. This firm has another large branch at Marion, the history of which is given under the Marion section of this book. The business was first located in the Ford build- ing and later in Dillard's garage until the present commodious building, erected espe- cially for the business, was completed in August, 1915, and which consists of two floors, 50x100 feet each. A large warehouse, 50x100, across the street, is also used.
Their large trade in this section of South- ern Illinois can be credited in a large man- ner to their efficient manager, Carl Neilson, who has been with the firm since first estab- lished here.
The sales force of an institution of this
kind is also the builders of the business -- the sales force of the Herrin branch are A. K. King, Du Quoin, city salesman, 14 years service; R. E. Bandy, Herrin, 5 years' service; and Fred Mosier, Herrin, 5 years' service.
The territory supplied by this branch con- sists of Christopher, Sesser, Zeigler, Orient, Pershing, Royalton, Bush, Hurst, Clifford, Colp, Carterville, Energy, Cobden, Makanda, Carbondale, Johnston City, and Freeman.
The private trade marks of this firm "HO-CA-CO" and "HOWARD" are guaran- tees of the best when seen on the shelves of your grocery. They are also the distributors of the "SERV-US" brand for Southern Illi- nois. "Scout" brand coffee, their private blend, is without an equal for this priced coffee.
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The Herrin Journal
D. C. Grear, Proprietor
"THE HERRIN JOURNAL was established in 1913, by D. C. Grear, who had pre- viously conducted only a job printing busi- ness, coming here from Marion in 1911, where he was city editor of the Marion Leader for two years.
Mr. Grear is one of those printers and publishers who "grew up" in the business. Born in Murphys- boro, Ill., April 17, 1878, where his father was editor and publisher of the Mur- physboro Independ- ent, "Dave," as he is called by most every- one that knows him, says he started "stickin' type" when he had to stand on a box to reach the case. Several years' ap- prenticeship with his father resulted in making him a real printer, but as the wages for printers in those days were in- adequate and stories of the big wages in the Herrin coal fields drew him hence and away from his early profession, but the adage of "once a printer always a printer" held good in Dave's case and later he joined his father in publishing the Du Quoin Daily Herald in 1908, and later in charge of the West Frankfort Ameri- can, until he went to the Daily Leader of Marion.
Mr. Grear was married to Miss Della Bailie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Bailie, of Herrin, in 1902. They are the parents of a son, Herald, born 1910, and one son, Earl, who passed away in 1915 at the age of 19 years.
Mr. Grear has never been active in politics, but has been elected as president of the board of education two terms and is the present incumbent.
He is a very popu- lar fraternal worker, being a member of about every fraternal organization in Her- rin, among which are the Elks, Masons, Red Men, Eastern Star, and Court of Honor. In the Ma- sonic work he has reached the degree of Royal Arch.
The Herrin Jour- nal is a semi-weekly publication, issued on Tuesday and Friday of each week and enjoys a creditable circulation and ad- vertising patronage, which speaks highly of Dave's ability and good fellowship, as Herrin is not a one-paper city.
The job department of the Journal is com- pletely equipped, and as should be expected from one who grew up in the business, the work is of a very high quality and the shop enjoys a profitable business.
337
Herrin Ice and Cold Storage Co.
HERRIN
THE very modern and adequate plant of the Herrin Ice & Cold Storage Company of Herrin is an institution of which the com- munity is proud as well as fortunate in hav- ing. While other cities about here are suf- fering of ice famines in the hottest seasons of the year, the big Herrin plant is taking care of this entire community in the most popu- lous region of Williamson County.
The plant was built some eight years ago by George S. Cook and his son, C. D. Cook, of Columbus, Ind., and until three years ago operated by the latter as manager. They were practical ice manufacturers and put in the most modern machinery then known to the business.
Three years ago, the entire plant was sold out to Du Quoin interests, who have a similar plant in that city, and the new owners have done quite a little repairing and built many additions and made enlargements to take care of the ever increasing business. At present the capacity of the plant is seventy- five tons of ice a day with a very large stor- age capacity for 600 tons of ice. The com-
pany manufactures more than it can dispose of locally at times and ships throughout the year many cars.
A large and commodious storage is main- tained and a number of wholesale fruit and grocery companies avail themselves of this cold storage. The storage capacity is twenty tons.
A large sanitary ice cream factory is an important adjunct to the business. This de- partment supplies practically all of the ice cream used in this end of the county. The capacity of the cream plant is a thousand gallons a day and a storage is provided for three thousand gallons. The popular brand is "Jersey" cream.
Five trucks are operated to take care of the business and there are fifteen employes given regular work when the season is in full swing.
The officers of the company are as follows: W. R. Hayes, president; James Naumer, vice- president; C. H. Weinberg, secretary-treas- urer. R. Kunz is general manager and F. C. Smith is manager of the ice department.
338
Southside Supply Company
SOUTH SIDE SUPPLYCO.
MEAT MARKET
THE Southside Supply Company, a well known general merchandise establishment of Herrin, southwest corner of 14th and Walnut Streets, was incorporated in 1917. It succeeded the Harry Dale store which served largely the employees of the St. Louis-Carterville Coal Company. I. D. Gosnell be- came president of the new organization and early in the spring of 1919, F. H. Odell bought stock in the company and was made general manager of the business.
A general line of merchandise is carried. There is a meat and grocery department and mining sup- plies are also carried. From a small business this institution has grown rapidly until it takes rank with any of the medium sized department stores in Herrin.
Mr. Gosnell, the president of the company, was born in the old village of Blairsville in this county in 1877, and came to Herrin in 1896, and took a place in the mines. He was superintendent of the St. Louis-Carterville Coal Company for nine years, ac- quiring an interest in the company, which he dis-
posed of a few years ago and then went into the mercantile business. Mr. Gosnell was married to Miss Lula Boren in 1900. Fraternally he is an Elk and a Mason.
F. H. Odell, manager of the firm was born April 21, 1866, in Peoria, Illinois. His father was a mer- chant and he early learned the business, but later went into railroad service. While a young man he spent four years in the west and upon returning entered the employ of the C. B. & Q. Railroad in April, 1888, and later became agent for that line in Peoria. Several years ago he was transferred to this city, which was one of the biggest shipping stations on the entire system of the Burlington. He resigned from railroad service in February, 1919, and retired from the service altogether after putting in over thirty consecutive years.
Throughout the war period this firm contributed generously to all war work and subscribed to the various drives. Mr. Odell's only child, Harrison, went into service and served in France throughout the war, coming out with the rank of sergeant.
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Yuill Brothers Mercantile Co.
THIS enterprising firm is one of Herrin's newest general merchandise corporations, organized in 1918. It has two stores, one located at 115 West Cherry Street in Herrin, the other at Freemanspur, in the north end of the county and only recently established. The officers of the corporation are: H. H. Taylor of Chicago, president; J. B. Irwin, vice-president; John H. Yuill, treasurer; H. D. Yuill, secretary. This company serves the Taylor Coal Company's employees as also the general public. President Taylor is also head of the mining company which bears his name.
The Yuill Brothers started in business under the firm name in 1915 when they bought out the Herrin City Meat Market, located in a portion of the build- ing they now own. The individual members of this firm were John H., Archie, Frank A., and Harvey D. Yuill, all brothers, all possessing excellent busi- ness training. This business was conducted until 1918 when the Yuill Brothers corporation was formed and the business enlarged and a general merchandise and full grocery line added, making it up to the standard in a general store along with any in Herrin.
"Quality Supreme" is the motto of this growing
business establishment. They have builded their trade up on a close observance of this slogan and are holding their place by fair dealing and honest merchandising in this community.
When the war came, two members from this firm answered the call to colors. Frank was captain of the first inducted party of soldiers that went from this board district to Camp Taylor, Ky. He served throughout the war in France and won a commis- sion as lieutenant. Harvey went . away in an early draft contingent to Ft. Thomas, Ky., and was im- mediately rejected for physical reasons and placed in limited service class. At his own expense, he later submitted to an operation and conditioned himself for another examination and asked to be permitted to be sent again to a cantonment. He was in one of the last contingents sent out, being specially inducted and sent to Chicago University training school where he remained until discharged after the armistice was signed.
Few firms have such a record of furnishing fifty per cent of their local managing force for the army as was the record set by the enterprising and loyal firm of Yuill Brothers Mercantile Company of Herrin.
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D. M. Dawson
TUST as the name W. L. Douglas stands for reliable shoes all over this nation, so D. M. Dawson means good "furniture, rugs, stoves and linoleums," to the people of Her- rin and this portion of Williamson County. With the recent establishing of a branch store at Christopher, the name is being widespread now throughout Franklin County and with the same meaning, as well as at Carterville in this county, where he has just opened a third big furniture store under the same name.
Mr. Dawson began in the furniture busi- ness in a humble way and like all big insti- tutions that have succeeded, he grew steadily until a few years ago, he enlarged his store on N. 16th Street, until today it is the largest furniture emporium in southern Illinois.
"Your credit is good here," is the trade slogan of this big store, and that policy, honestly adhered to, has brought comfort and good taste into many a home that would not otherwise be enjoying them today. By handling only the products of old establishd
and reliable houses, fair treatment to all, the greatest furniture business in Williamson County has been built up, and is increasing every year.
Mr. Dawson was born in Franklin County, near Christopher, Illinois, November 4, 1875, the descendant from an old Alabama family of prominence. After attending the country schools of his vicinity, he was for a time a student at the Southern Illinois Normal Uni- versity. He taught school for a time after leaving college and later came to Herrin and entered a partnership with his brother, the late C. C. Dawson, in 1898, in the mercantile business. The partnership was dissolved later and in 1907, Mr. Dawson engaged for a time in the implement business. It was some two years later when he seemed to strike the business he was best cut out for when he established a furniture store, which by energy and hard personal work he has builded up to a proportion that he might fittingly be styled "the furniture king of Egypt."
341
Lombard Society Store
PROBABLY the most successful mercantile establishments in this county owned and managed by Italian-American citizens is the Lombard Society Store and Meat Market, located at 110-114 North 14th Street, in the city of Herrin. Starting back in 1901 as a small store, it has grown steadily until today it is doing next to the largest business of any store in this end of the county. It has been singularly fortunate in the selection of man- agers and execu- tive committees which have con- tributed largely to its success. The business first a co-oper- ative partnership, and grew to such a degree that in 1917 the business was incorporated KEAT NAM and each mem- - ber became a shareholder.
There are now in excess of four hundred m e m- bers. Of this number some fifty or more are residents of Murphysboro.
The store handles a complete line of dry goods, shoes, domestic and imported gro- ceries, hardware and miners' supplies. Its meat market is the largest in Williamson county as well as the busiest.
While the stockholders in this institution are all of the Italian colony of Herrin, the trade of the firm is not confined to its own
people, but enjoys a profitable general trade from the public at large.
Up until three years ago, the firm occu- pied rented quarters. Seeing the need for more room as well as the opportunity. to secure a permanent home, the firm purchased the Raddle build- ing which was formerly occu- pied partly by the postoffice. This big two- story handsome brick is now oc- cupied up-stairs and down-stairs by the company, and also the ad- joining room to the south, which is leased.
The present officers are as follows: Bart Colombo, presi- dent; Emil Pes- sini, vice-presi- dent; Chas. F. Taveggia, m a n- ager; John Bar- baglia, secretary; Frank Branca, treasurer. The executive com- mittee consists of Bart Colombo, chairman; Agostino Puricelli, Guiseppi Rancillio, Batista Merlo, Ernesto Vansaghi, Michele Merlo, Egildo Garaglio.
During the war period this firm gave sev- eral of its members and clerks to the service. The firm was always one hundred . per cent in meeting its war work assessments and donations. The membership was very pa- triotic in assisting with all war drives and bought Liberty Bonds liberally.
342
Turner Hardware Company
STARTING his business career in 1901 with the Herrin Supply Company, G. J. Turner, of Herrin, first located on North Six- teenth street in a frame build- ing, which was later de- stroyed by fire, and where he conducted a combination grocery, market and hardware store, and then moving to his present location on West Cherry street. He disposed of the grocery business in 1914. For some time he also had an interest in the Herrin City Meat Market, but gave up his other interests to de- vote his energies exclusively to the general hardware line, and his present complete hardware store shows his wise business judgment as it is complete in every detail.
A large line of stoves and ranges and accessories and his many orders for the installation of Mueller furnaces attest to the popu- larity of his business. Mr. Turner was married to Miss Minnie Kerley, daughter of John R. Kerley, Simpson, Ill., in 1894. Their children are a daughter and a son. Mary, born March 30, 1895, and John R., Octo- ber 26, 1897.
Mr. Turner never sought political honors, but his fel- low citizens elected lıim as township school trustee in 1915-1918, and at the last city election, 1919, he was elected City Treasurer. He is a popular member of the Masonic order.
Jo Vick, Druggist
"THE first drug store establishd in Herrin was that of Jo Vick, who came here from Marion in 1899, opening a drug store at 108 South Park Avenue, where he has been con- tinuously since that time. Mr. Vick came to Herrin when it was just a prairie town with very few stores, and has the record of the oldest business man operating continu- ously and at present doing business in the original building.
Mr. Vick was born at Marion in 1858, and started in the drug business in 1874, being employed with the Cline Drug Store at Marion from 1877 until he came to Herrin in 1899. He was married to Miss Carrie
Eubanks in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Vick have one daughter, Lucille.
The Jo Vick drug store is stocked with everything found in a complete and modern drug store and where .prescriptions are care- fully compounded by an old line expert. Here may be found a full line of druggists' sundries, toilet preparations, perfumes and the Santox and Red Cross line of proprietory medicines, school supplies, stationery,
candies, cigars and tobacco, etc.
Mr. Vick is an esteemed member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and stands high among the people of this city and section.
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H. A. Tate
SELLING automobiles in these days when there are so many makes of machines on the market and so many features to give one car an advantage over another is no easy profession, and no one in Williamson county has probably mastered the art of successful salesmanship to the degree that is possessed by H. A. Tate of Herrin, sales agent for the Motor Sales Company of this county. He has been connected with this firm since 1913, and in that time has disposed of many cars in this part of the County, probahly selling more cars than any one man in the County. The past year he has sold in excess of one hundred high grade automobiles and trucks. The Maxwell, Nash, Dodge Brothers and Jordan embrace the cars sold by this firm.
Mr. Tate was born near Galatia in Hamilton county, on a farm, the son of Oscar Tate. After leaving the farm when a young man, he was for two years clerk in a department store in Benton, and in 1900 came to Herrin, where he followed his avocation as a salesman, being connected with the
Harry Dale store and later with the W. A. Stotlar store. In 1907 he entered a partnership with H. O. Fowler and L. C. Koen, operating under the firm name of Fowler, Tate and Koen, which firm built up a big business but was voluntarily dissolved eight years later, Mr. Tate becoming associated with the Motor Sales Co., whose headquarters are in Marion history on another page.
Mr. Tate was married in 1898 to Miss Julia Kayes, daughter of George Kays, a prosperous farmer, residing near Thompsonville. They have one son, Otto, born February 21, 1900, who is a gifted baritone singer and was ac- cepted by a leading lyceum bureau at Chicago. for a prominent place among the talent furnished for high class en- tertainment.
Mr. Tate is a citizen that Herrin is proud of. His genial and happy nature is popular and his many customers are proof of his popularity and ability.
His reliability as an automobile salesman is so well established that the public knows his recommendations are real values.
B. E. Hamilton, Grocer
REARED in Pope County, son of Dr. and Mrs. S. J. Hamilton, B. E. Hamilton started to work in a grocery store in Golconda at an early age and continuing there for seven years, when he moved to Herrin and entering the employee of the Herrin Supply Co. He continued with this firm, in the grocery de- partment, for eight years, and then decided to start. in business for himself, but at this time could find no suitable location and established a temporary location until he could secure his present location on the northeast corner of Harrison and Park Ave- nue.
Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Blanche Connell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Con- nell, of Vienna, Ill., and have three children -Connell, born October, 1907; Mary, born July, 1910; and Jack, born July, 1913.
Mr. Hamilton gives his lodge preference to the W. O. W.
F. O. Bailey
F. O. BAILEY, who has the only exclusive elec-
tric supply shop in Herrin, began business in this city eight years ago under the firm name of Bailey & Smith, associating with him Carl Smith. The partnership was dissolved some five years ago and since that time Mr. Bailey has had a very com- plete electric supply shop at 115 N. 14th Street, handling practically everything needed in the elec- trical line in this community. He is at present employing six men. Recently he has added to the line automobile accessories.
Mr. Bailey came to Herrin some eleven years ago from Birmingham, Ala., where he was born April 26, 1884. For a number of years he was employed in the mines in Herrin and in connection with his duties there learned a lot about electricity. By hard home study in hooks, he became a good practical electrician and a year before engaging in business for himself, he was connected with the Central Illinois Public Service Company.
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