Marion County, Illinois - The whole text, 1909 (part 7 of 27)

4-4 in the Government survey, the northeast township in the county is Meacham. A little more than half of this township is beautiful level prairie land, slightly undulating in a very small part. The prairie is all cultivated and a good part of the timber land is cleared and in good farms. A small part of the timber, like that of Omega, is somewhat broken and hilly. The Chicago branch of the Central Illinois crosses the northwest corner, but has no station in the township. Kinmundy and Farina in Fayette county are its markets for the larger part, although some produce is taken to Clay county station on the Springfield branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern.

The first settler was Cornelius Dunham. He came with his family from New York in 1823, and located on section 13, but in 1836 he went to Iowa, leaving his family behind. The family afterwards went to Wisconsin.

The prairie was first, occupied by a man by the name of Ingram. He located near a point of timber since known as Ingram Point. This was about 1824. John Chesser located a farm in what is now known as Schrutchfield's Prairie. It was then called Chesser's Prairie, but he only lived there one year, and in 1833 so^ to Terry Schrutchfield, and the name changed to that of the new settler. One Wright also located in the same prairie about this time. Schrutchfield lived in Xenia about ten years, having came from Indiana in 1823. His son, John Schrntchfield, inherited the same farm and occupied it many years.

Felix G. Cockrell, of Morgan county, Kentucky, came to Meacham with his wife in 1837. They had two children at this time and had six more born to them here, seven of whom reached maturity. Mr. Cockrell lived on the farm where he first settled until his death about eighteen years ago, near ninety years of age. Two of the sons are still living, Hon. James Cockrell and Clayburn Cockrell, both of this county. Mrs. Cockrell died in 1865. Mr. Cockrell married again in 1868, and three children were born to them.

William Orender settled a claim in 1837, but sold it to John Deremiah, who with his brother, Thomas, entered in section 3, in 1837. John Orender located on what is known as the Svvitzer place, but sold his claim to Svvitzer in 1838. All the Orenders moved to Fayette county, where all the family died. George Neal and his father-in-law, William Chaffin came to Meacham the same year, 1837, as did also John Meacham and his wife, Nancy, and her son-in-law, and her single daughter, Henrietta Lilly. They came from Tennessee in 1837. Henrietta married William Deremiah soon after their arrival. Meacham's house was the voting place for the precinct and thus his name attached to the township.

that time his nearest neighbor was five miles away. After four years he went to Wisconsin, where he married, and the next year returned to Marion county and lived just north of the city of Kinmundy. This was in 1828. The next year he moved to Fayette county, and after a short stay moved to Salem, and in 1837 he entered land in Meacham, where he made himself a home and where he lived many years, and where he died at a ripe old age.

In 1839 a Mormon, who had been driven out of Missouri, came to Meacham. His name was George W. Orman, and he preached at his home to such of his neighbors as would come. John Schrutchfield was converted to that faith and joined the Mormon church, but the doctrine was not acceptable to the people and there were no more converts.

A post-office was established h 1840 on the Salem and Ewington road and called Mount Liberty, but when an office was established at Kinmundy, it was discontinued. The township is now served by rural routes.

Felix Cockrell built a horse mill in 1844, Andrew Shields a blacksmith shop about 1835. The Elder graveyard was the first burial place. It is still used occasionally as a place of interment. The first sermon preached in the township was at the house of Nancy Mitchell in 1837. by William Chaffin, a Christian preacher. The Methodists built the first church in 1840. It was of logs hewn by Wesley Oliver. William Blundle was the first preacher. During the Civil war politics divided the church, and it went down and for a time there was no church in the township, but school-houses were used. Now churches have been built and the spiritual needs of the people are cared for by visiting ministers.

The first school was taught by Hiram K. Farris at the Farris school-house. William Deremiah was the second teacher, at the Elder school-house. These schools were taught early in the thirties. In 1839 the Cockrell school-house was built and the first teacher was Miss Susan Jones, afterward Mrs. "Buck" Pace, of Salem. Meacham now has good school-houses conveniently located to meet the needs of an increasing population. The township is purely agricultural and ranks with the best in the county.

Samuel E. Stevenson was the leading citizen of this township at its formation, and his name was given to it. About half and half timber and prairie, but the timber has been ait away and now perhaps not more than one-fourth is timber. It, like Haines, on the south, and Alma on the north, is good farm land, and the township has many fine farms. Its survey numbers are town 2 north, range 3 east of the third principal meridian. Near the west side about half way north and south is an elevated prairie, from which a splendid view of nearly half the township may be had. The Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad runs across the north part of the township from east to west, about two miles south of the north line. There are no towns or villages in the township.

About 1815, a man by the name of Dumb, settled in the north part of the township on a small creek, which has since borne his name. John Davidson settled the Daniel Holstlaw farm in 1821 and shortly after Thomas Fulton settled in the south part of the township. Richard Holstlaw, with his wife and eight children, came from Indiana in 1830, and settled on the old state road, but he died three years after, but the family left their impress on the township in after years, through the son, Daniel, who left eleven children, who have been prominent in both this and luka townships, one of whom, D. W. Holstlaw, has just begun a term as State Senator, being elected in November, 1908.

About 1800 William Middleton left Virginia and settled in North Carolina. On April 15, 1831, he left there and came to Marion county, Illinois, arriving in Stevenson township the middle of May the same year. He brought thirteen children with him, the fourteenth, James, did not come with his father. Joel H. settled in this township. The rest scattered in after years. He left a numerous offspring.

North Carolina to Kentucky, thence to Marion county. His son, William, married Rachael Huff, and from them all the Gastons of this township sprung. William moved to Raccoon township in 1833, and later to Stevenson. He went to California in 1849, anc' died there in 1865. The widow lived in Stevenson township until her death in 1899, at the age of ninety years.

David R. Chance first settled in Haines township, but went later to Iowa, and after a few years returned and settled in Stevenson township. Mr. Chance was a leadingpreacher of the Christian church, among the early settlers. His children scattered some going to Iowa, some to Missouri, Texas, and one to Jefferson county.

James P. Rogers came from Georgia to Illinois by wagon in 1818 and stopped two years at Carlyle, and in 1820 came to Walnut Hill prairie. In 1834 he came to Stevenson and settled on section 32. He died in 1863. James Rogers, of Stevenson, and Mrs. V. L. Harper, of Salem, are his surviving children.

William Hix Huff came a single man to this county in 1839, and the next year married Mary Grain. He died in 1863. Nine children survived him, of whom Green, Henderson, and Mrs. Libbie Brazel yet live in Stevenson, and George and Mrs. Harriett Gaston live in Haines township. Mrs. Huff herself is still living in Stevenson township, very feeble, in her ninty-first year.

in 1831. He went to Iowa in 1834, but returned in 1843, and settled on section 14, in Haines township. Of his children S. S. Chance, of Salem, for many years a faithful county officer but now retired; Mrs. Elizabeth Metcalf, widow of Joshua Metcalf, and Rachael, wife of James Hanna, both living in Salem township, are the only living. J. O. Chance, who was Clerk of the Supreme Court, died at Mt. Vernon.

The Brubakers, Eli, Noah and Jacob came in 1842, and Israel Warner came the same year. The Brubakers are still a large family in this township. Samuel Stevenson came in 1846, and was at his death in 1899, the wealthiest man in the township. His brother, Noah, still lives in the township.

Joel Middleton was the first blacksmith, and was a fine workman, making knives and forks, as well as plows, with wooden moulboards. He built his shop in 1831, and worked at his trade about twenty years.

The doctors who first practiced in the township were Middleton and Hall. Richard Holstlaw bought a mill of John Sutton, and set it up on his farm. It was of about fifteen bushels capacity.

The first church was built by the Baptists, on Dumb's creek, but the first preaching was at the house of Mr. Breese in 1831. There are now a Christian church, Gaston Grove; Methodist Episcopal church. Rabbit Grove; two Presbyterian churches, old and new Bethel, and Summit Prairie Baptist church, and Romine Prairie German Baptist church in the township.

Banister Switch on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, near the middle of the township east and west, is a flag stopping place for local trains. About 1869 a large hay barn was built here by L. G. Porter and Eli Brubaker, but they sold to John Boynton in 1875. It was blown down ',n 1880. Mr. Boynton rebuilt a barn thirty-four by eighty-two feet, with an ell twenty-four by thirty feet, and baled hay for several years. It is now gone, burned down we believe, years ago. A town house was built near the switch.

The farmers of Stevenson township are a forehanded set of men, and are aiert to improve their farms and their stock and have organized horse companies to improve the breed. The county home and farm is located in this township about seven miles southeast of Salem. It consists of a onestory frame front about fifty feet long and thirty deep, with two wings each about sixty feet long, - extending back in the form of a capital U, surrounded by a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. It is well kept and the farm well tilled, but the buildings are old. and but poorly calculated to serve the purpose of a county home. There is in addition a small house or two in the rear that may be used besides barns and other outbuildings. H. C. Pigg is the present superintendent. The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad crosses the southwest corner of the township.

Town i, range 4 east, is known by the name of Romine. It lies as its numbers indicate, in the southeast corner of the county. A portion of this township is rough, broken land, and nearly all was originally heavily timbered. A small section of Donoho Prairie lies within this township. Skillet Fork is the principal stream. It takes a meandering course across the township from near the middle on the north to near the east line on the south. A sn>all branch on the west is known as Paint Rock. The soil in the lowlands is very good, that of the hills not so productive. Most of the timber of value has been cut off and now nothing remains of the once magnificent forest but "tie" timber, and coal props. The township was named after Abram Romine, one of the early settlers. It. is said that a man named Adams was the first white man to live in Romine, but no trace of him remains. Joseph Helms and John Dillon came to the township in 1826. Helms located on section 28 ; Dillon did not enter any land and left the township. William Brewer, of Kentucky, brought his family in 1827 and settled on section 29. W.

P. Byers, born in Virginia, moved to Kentucky and then to Tennessee, where he married Nancy Sutton and in 1827 moved with his family to Marion county and settled in Romine. He left eleven children at his death in 1873, a few of whom are still living. William Donaho settled on the strip of prairie extending into this township from Haines and his memory is kept alive by the name of the prairie where he first settled. Ellis Branson came from Tennessee and settied on section 30 in 1838, in Haines. but moved into Romine in 1881. Ephraim Meadows moved by ox teams from Tennessee in 1829, bringing his wife and six children to Romine. He was the first County Surveyor and a man of character.

Joseph Stonecipher, the founder of the numerous family of Stoneciphers of this county, came with his mother and sister from Tennessee in 1840. They traveled by ox team and settled on section 31.

The first school was taught at the home of Benjamin Litteral, with Henry Darnell as teacher. Another very early school was taught in a miserable log hut by Thomas

Cohorn. He "boarded round" and received ten dollars per month. The first schoolhouse was a log house with a sawed plank floor. It was near the Stonecipher home. The first church was on Donaho Prairie and was built of logs. There are two. Baptist, one Methodist Episcopal and one Christian church in the township.

This township, on account of the rough, hilly character of a portion of its territory, was a favorite hiding place for criminals in past days, but it is fast becoming settled so thickly that the hiding places are disappearing and the law-abiding element is largely in the ascendant and crime is not as frequent as in the more populous centers. The people are a virtuous, industrious class of farmers, who are content to live at peace with each other and the world. There were two post-offices in the township until the establishment of the rural free delivery, which now supplies the best mail facilities to the people. There are no towns in the township and the only industry is agriculture and the day is not far distant when this township will lead in farm products.

Miscellaneous

The first wall paper ever brought to this county was brought here by the late Martin Buckhout. It was bought in New York in the forties and shipped to New Orleans, thence up the river to St. Louis and by wagon to Salem. This was in the late forties.

The first piano brought to Salem, if not to the county, was brought by river to Shawneetown from Virginia by Bryan W. Lester, grandfather of Ed., Harry and George Lester and of Mrs. J. W. Finn, of Salem, as a present for his daughter, the late Mrs.

Herron, and brought from Shawneetown (to which point it had been brought by river), by John Earnhardt, father of Abe Earnhardt, with a two-yoke ox team. Mr. Earnhardt was ten days making the trip. This was about 1835.

The Salem company that struck oil in a well near Centralia in December last shot their second well January 23, 1909, and the indications are! that it is a paying oil well.

Salem was a stage stopping place from about 1824 to 1854, when the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad was built. Many drivers lived in Salem, among whom he last living were "Crook" Garner and "Sandy" Nelm. The first died about fifteen years ago and the last in 1906. They drove stage when only one house was on the road after they left Salem until they reached Carlyle, and that stood on what is known as the .mound, about half way between the two points, and was a stage stand.

The soldiers of the Black Hawk war were expected to furnish their own horses and arms and all equipments, and these were listed with the officer in charge, and if lost or destroyed were charged to the government, and paid for upon proper certificate being made. The following is a list of the losses of Marion county men: Capt. W. N. Dobbins, horse wounded, rifle lost; First Lieut. Steven Yocum, lost one U. S. halter; Second Lieut. - - -, horse killed ; John F. Draper, lost U. S. halter; Hamilton Farthing, lost one rope; William S. Booth, lost halter ; Joseph Gray, horse killed ; Ben Allen, lost halter; David W. Allmon, horse lost; Welles Chandler, horse killed; Samuel Craig, horse wounded, lost halter; Green R. Dunkin, lost U. S. kettle; Green Fields, horse killed, lost U. S. coffee pot; Nathan Fields, lost U. S. frying pan ; William King, .lost U. S. camp kettle, horse killed; James Lovell, horse killed; Henry McDaniels, horse lost ; John McGuire, lost U. S. halter ; Dudley H. Mabry, horse killed, lost rifle, also U. S. halter; Norflit B. Nelms, horse killed; Calvin Piles, horse killed, lost halter; John Phelps, horse killed, lost halter; J. J. Richeson, lost halter; Wellers Smith, horse killed; Bird M. Thompson, horse killed; John B. Uhis, horse killed; James Williams, horse killed; Levin Wright, horse killed, lost halter; Edwin Young, horse killed. When a soldier's horse was killed the soldier was immediately discharged by the colonel or other officer. It was two Marion county men who made the trip through the swarms of savages after the fight at Kellogg's Grove for help. One was David Allmon. The name of the other is unknown to the writer, nor have I been able to ascertain it. They bade their comrades farewell, as none expected them to get through alive, but on foot they made the journey to the camp of the troops, more than twenty miles, in safety, and carried word of the fight and brought reinforcements to the defeated and discouraged detachment.

By Prof. J. H. G. Brinkerhoff

William Jennings Bryan, son of Silas L. Bryan (see biography) and Mariah Elizabeth (Jennings) Bryan, was born in Salem, Illinois, March 19, 1860. As a boy he was not different from other healthy, hearty American boys, fond of play and fond of good things to eat, but rather given to serious sport than to mischief. Among his earliest ambition was the desire to become a minister, but in early youth that desire was lost in the ambition to become a lawyer like his father and as that ambition seemed to be permanent his training was directed to that end. When William was six years old the family moved to a large farm just outside of the corporate limits of Salem, and here he studied, played and worked until ten years old, his mother, a remarkably strongminded, clear-headed, Christian woman, being his teacher, his guide and task-master, his work being such chores as fall to the lot of boys in well regulated, prosperous farm homes. At the age of ten years he entered the Salem public school, which he attended five years, but was not particularly bright in his studies; his examinations show thoroughness rather than brilliancy, but his interest in the literary and debating societies was early developed and remained while he attended the school and still abides, as is shown by the Bryan oratorical contest held annually in this school, and for which Mr. Bryan provides a first and second prize of ten and five dollars respectively.

In 1872 his father made the race for Congress, and William, then twelve years of age, became much interested in the campaign, and from that time on he cherished the thought of some day being a public man and a leader of the people.

At the age of fourteen he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem. While at Jacksonville he took membership with the First Presbyterian church, and upon his removal to Lincoln, Nebraska, he placed his letter with the First Presbyterian church of that place, and where his membership still remains.

At fifteen years of age he entered the preparatory department of Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and for eight years was a student in that college, spending only his vacations at home. Mr. Bryan while at college was not a great admirer of athletic sports, but took a mild interest in base ball and foot ball, and was rather an enthusiastic runner and jumper, and in a contest open to students and alumni, three years after his graduation, he won the medal for the broad standing jump, twelve feet and four inches being the distance covered.

While at the preparatory school the first year he entered a prize contest and declaimed Patrick Henry's great speech, and ranked near the foot. The second year he declaimed "The Palmetto and the Pine," and stood third. The next year as a freshman he tried for a prize in Latin prose and divided the second prize with a competitor. The same year he gained second prize in declamation. In his sophomore year he took first prize with an essay, and in his junior year first prize in oration and was thereby made representative of his college in the intercollegiate oratorical contest at Galesburg, in 1880, where he received the second prize of fifty dollars. That great orator, Gen. John C. Black, was one of the judges and marked him one hundred on delivery. At the close of his college life in 1881, Mr. Bryan stood at the head of his class and delivered the valedictory. This much is given for the encouragement of young men, showing that improvement only comes with effort, and to persevere, though the first attempt finds you near the foot.

In the fall of 1881 Mr. Bryan entered Union Law College at Chicago, and spent much of his time in the law office of Lyman Trumbull. After graduation he returned to Salem for a short time, and won his fee in the county court of Marion county.

July 4, 1883. Mr. Bryan began the practice of law in Jacksonville, Illinois ; he had desk room in the office of Brown & Kirby, and now came the real test, waiting for business. The first six months were trying and he was forced to draw upon his father's estate for small advances, and at one time he seriously thought of seeking new fields, but the beginning of the year 1884 brought clients more frequently, and he felt encouraged to stay in Jacksonville, and now feeling that he could see success, on October i, 1884, he was married to Miss Mary Baird, of Perry, Illinois.

In the summer of 1887 business called Mr. Bryan to the West, and he spent one Sunday with a classmate, A. R. Talbot, who was located in Lincoln, Nebraska. So greatly was he impressed with the opportunities of the growing capital of the state that he returned to Illinois full of enthusiasm for the city of Lincoln, and perfected plans for removal thither. In October, 1887, a partnership was formed with Mr. Talbot, and during the next three years a paying practice resulted.

As soon as Mr. Bryan settled in Lincoln he identified himself actively with the Democratic party, of which he had been a member in Illinois, and to the principles of which his whole being was bound, and made his first political speech at Seward, in the spring of 1888. Soon after he was sent as a delegate to the state convention, and in the canvass of the First Congressional District he made many speeches in favor of J. Sterling Morton, and also spoke in thirty-four counties in favor of the state ticket. Mr. Morton was defeated by thirty-four hundred, as the district was strongly Republican. In 1890 there was but little hope for the Democrats in the First District, and Mr. Bryan was nominated without opposition. \V. J. Connell was the Republican nominee. A challenge to conduct the canvass by a series of joint debates was issued by Mr. Bryan and accepted by Mr. Connell, and at the close Mr. Bryan won by a plurality of six thousand, seven hundred and thirteen. Mr. Bryan was elected to Congress again from a new district which had been formed when the state was re-apportioned in 1891. The Republican state ticket carried the district by six thousand, five hundred, but Mr. Bryan was elected by one hundred and forty plurality. During the four years he was in Congress, he was very active, taking part in every important debate and speaking many times. He declined to run again for Congress but later permitted his nomination for the Senate, but the Republicans carried the state and Thurston was chosen Senator.

The Democratic National Convention convened at Chicago July 4. 1896, and for four days a battle of giants ensued over the monetary plank in the platform. Speeches were made for and against the free silver coinage plank by such men of master minds and national reputations before the convention as Senator Tillman, Senator Jones, Senator Hill, Senator Vilas, ex-Governor Russell. Senator Tillman favored the majority report of the committee, which favored the free coinage; all the rest opposed. The debate was closed by Mr. Bryan in support of the majority report in a speech which rang so true and was such a master piece of oratory that the convention was swept off its feet and brought to Mr. Bryan the nomination for the Presidency on the fifth ballot on Friday, July loth. After a most remarkable campaign he was defeated by William McKinley being elected.

Four years later Mr. Bryan, greater in defeat than other men in success, was again the choice of the Democratic party for the Presidency, and again suffered defeat, Mr. McKinley being re-elected. In 1904 the Democratic party nominated Alton B. Parker, of New York, for President, and he led the party to the most crushing defeat ever suffered by any party since the days of John Quincy Adams.

In 1908 the Democratic party again nominated Mr. Bryan, and the Republican party William H. Taft and again the decision was against the former. Thrice defeated yet with each defeat growing greater, advocating great principles which he sees his political opponents adopt, he stands today the greatest living American.

When in 1906 and 1907 he took a trip around the world, he was received everywhere with such ovations as are seldom accorded to any, and were never before to a private citizen, and his welcome home in the city of New York was a demonstration of love and respect from Americans to an American that has never been equalled in the history of the nation. Mr. Bryan may 'never be President, but he has made an impress on the nation for good that can never be effaced and from his life the peoples of the world have received an uplift that will be felt to bless generations yet unborn. In his life of moral purity, in his sincere Christianity, and in his addresses on the duties and responsibilities of life he has given a new impulse to many a youth for better things and if his work closed now the one address "The Prince of Peace," will stand a monument, more enduring than chiseled marble or moulded brass, standing forever as it must in the higher aims, purer thoughts, nobler impulses and grander lives of the men and women of the America of the future.

Jeter C. Utterback

Prominent among the leading journalists of southern Illinois is the well known and highly esteemed gentleman whose name furnishes the caption of this article. As editor and proprietor of one of the influential papers in his part of the state he has been a forceful factor in moulding sentiment in his community and directing thought along those lines which make fof the enlightenment of the public and the highest good of his fellow men.

Jeter C. Utterback is a native of Jasper county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 8th day of August, 1873. His father, B. C. W. Utterback, a Kentuckian by birth, was the son of Thomas Utterback, who was also a native of the Blue Grass state, and a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Grayson county. In an early day Thomas Utterback became prominent in the affairs of his county and stood high in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. In 1836 he migrated to Illinois and settled in the northwestern part of Richland county, where he also became a local leader and a man of wide influence. He was a farmer by occupation, and in due time accumulated a large and valuable estate in the county of Richland, in which he spent the remainder of his days, dying a number of years ago, deeply lamented by the large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to prize him for his sterling worth.

B. C. W. Utterback was reared to maturity in Richland county, and, like his father, followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood. In the early seventies he disposed of his interests in the county of Richland and removed to Jasper county, where he continued farming and stock raising until 1878, when heturned his land over to other hands and took up his residence in Newton, where he is now living a life of honorable retirement. Nancy Ann Hinman, who became the wife of B. C. W. Utterback in January, 1856, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, where her father, Titus Hinman, a native of Ohio, settled in an early day. She bore her husband ten children, seven of whom survive, namely : Eva, wife of George E. Hutson, of Dundas, Illinois; Thomas H., Assistant State Librarian, who lives in the city of Springfield ; Hester, now Mrs. T. C. Chamberlin, of Newton; Charles C. resides in Salem; Albert L., of Caney, Kansas,

Jeter C. Utterback spent his early life in the town of Newton, grew up under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of an excellent home environment and while still a lad laid his plans for the future with the object of becoming something more than a mere passive agent in the world of affairs. In due time he entered the schools of his native place and after attending the same until completing the prescribed course of study, in 1889 began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Newton Mentor, where he made rapid progress and soon became quite proficient, besides obtaining a practical knowledge of other branches of the profession. After mastering the trade he worked for a short time in Webb City, Missouri, and then accepted a position in the office of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he continued until 1891, when he came to Salem, Illinois, and entered the employ of Mrs. Belle C. Johnson, editress and manager of The Republican, with whom he continued until affecting 'a co-partnership with his brother, T. H. Utterback, for the purchase of a paper four years later.

The Republican under the joint management of the Utterback brothers, continued to make its periodical visits about one year, when the plant passed into the hands of G. C. Harner, the subject going to the town of Carrollton, where he followed his chosen calling until his return to Salem in 1896, when he again became interested in The Republican, buying the paper that year from his brother, who in the meantime had succeeded Mr. Harner as editor and proprietor. On becoming sole proprietor of The Republican Mr. Utterback infused new life into the paper and it was not long until its influence began to be felt throughout the county, not only as an able political organ, but as a clean, dignified and popular family paper, through the columns of which appeared all the latest news, also much of the best literature of the day, to say nothing of the numerous productions from the pens of local writers. Since assuming control he has enlarged the paper as well as added to its interest and popularity besides purchasing new machinery, presses and other appliances and thoroughly equipping the office until the plant is now one of the most valuable of the kind in Marion county, and in all that constitutes a live up-to-date sheet The Republican compares favorably with any other local paper in the southern part of the state. Mechanically it is a model of the printer's art, and politically is staunchly and uncompromisingly Republican, being the official party organ of Marion county, while its influence in directing and controlling current thought in relation to the leading questions and issues of the day has brought it prominently to the notice of party leaders throughout the state.

As an editorial writer, Mr. Utterback is clear, forceful, elegant, at times trenchant, and in discussing the leading questions before the people he is a courteous but fearless and formidable antagonist. On all matters of public policy he occupies no neutral ground, but fearlessly and honestly advocates what he considers to be for the best interest of the people and regardless of consequences. In addition to its prominence and influence as a party organ, Mr. Utterback has endeavored to make his paper answer the purpose of an educational factor and such it has indeed become, as its contents, both political and general, tend to improve the mind and cultivate the taste rather than appeal to passion and prejudice, after the manner of too many local sheets.

In recognition of valuable political services as well as by reason of his fitness for the position, Mr. Utterback in February, 1907, was appointed by President Roosevelt, postmaster of Salem, the duties of which responsible position he has discharged with commendable fidelity, proving an able, courteous and truly obliging public official. At the time of his appointment the office was in the third class with a salary of $1,700 per year, but since then the business has increased to such an extent that it is now a second class office with fair prospects of advancing.

Since the establishment of a post-office at Salem many years ago, no young man was appointed postmaster until the honor fell to Mr. Utterback, and to say that he has been praiseworthy of the trust and discharged the duties as ably and faithfully as any of his numerous predecessors is to state a fact of which all are cognizant, and which all, irrespective of political alignment, most cheerfully concede. The high esteem in which he is held as an editor, public servant and enterprising citizen, indicate the possession of sterling manly qualities and a character above reproach, and that he is destined to fill a still larger place in the public gaze and win brighter honor with the passing of years, is the belief of his friends and fellow citizens, based, they say, on the able and conscientious manner in which he has fulfilled every trust thus far confided to him. Mr. Utterback, although a young man, has achieved success such as few attain in a much longer career, and the hope the people of Salem and Marion county entertain for his future seems fully justified and well founded.

Mr. Utterback is a splendid type of the intelligent, broadminded American of today, and personally as well as through the medium of the press he is doing much to foster the material development and intellectual growth of his city and county, besides exercising an active and potential influence in elevating the moral sentiment of the community. He holds membership with the Pythian Lodge of Salem, and has labored earnestly to make the organization answer the purposes which the founders had in view, exemplifying in his daily life and conduct the beautiful principles and sublime precepts upon which the order is based. He is a believer in revealed religion, and while subscribing to the Methodist faith is not narrow in his views, having faith in the mission of all churches and to the extent of his ability assisting the different organizations of his city, although devoutly loyal to the one with which identified.

tiful and attractive homes in Salem, which is a favorite resort of the best social circle of the city, and within its walls reigns an air of genuine hospitality which sweetens the welcome extended to every guest that crosses the threshold. The presiding spirit of this attractive domicile is a lady of intelligence and gracious presence who presides over the family circle with becoming grace and dignity, and whose popularity is only bounded by the limits of her acquaintance. The maiden name of this estimable woman was Charlotte B. Merritt, and the ceremony by which it was changed to the one she now so worthily bears as the wife and helpmeet of the subject was solemnized on the 2nd day of November, 1898. Mrs. Utterback is the daughter of Hon. T. E. Merritt, of Salem, ex- Senator from Marion county, and a man of influence and high standing both politically and socially. Mr. and Mrs. Utterback have one child, a son, Tom C, who was born October 17, 1901, and for whose future his fond parents entertain many ardent hopes.

In the pursuit of his business career Mr. McQuin has displayed unfaltering devotion to the principles he has learned to cherish and his honesty and integrity have earned him a place among the representative and staunchest citizens of Marion county, Illi-

Robert T. McQuin was born in Johnson county, Indiana, October 16, 1853, the son of William I. McQuin, a native of Kentucky who went to Indiana when a young man. He was a carpenter by trade. He moved from Indiana soon after our subject was born, locating at Oconee, Shelby county, Illinois, where he lived for three or four years. Then he moved to Salem, Illinois, in July, 1859. The first work he did here was on the Park Hotel, which was built in that year by Amos Clark and which was known then as the Clark House. William I. McQuin continued to live in Salem, where he was regarded as a man of integrity and influence, until his death in October, 1899. The mother of the subject of this sketch was known in her maidenhood as Mary E. Sturgeon, who was a native of Kentucky and a woman of many estimable traits. Her mother lived to reach the remarkable age of ninety-seven years. One of her brothers was a policeman in St. Louis, Missouri. She died in April, 1908, in Denison, Texas, where she was living with her son, Edwin S. Mc- Quin.

The father and mother of the subject were' the parents of nine children, five of whom are living. Their names in order of birth follow: Tarlton, deceased; William F., deceased; Robert T., our subject; James S., who is living at New Castle, Indiana, and is secretary and treasurer of the Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet Company, which is doing an extensive business all over the world ; Sarah E., deceased; Agnes, deceased; Edwin S., living at Denison, Tex., being a conductor on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas

These children all received every advantage possible by their parents, who tried to raise them in a wholesome home atmosphere, setting worthy ideals before them at all times.

Robert T. McQuin, our subject, lived with his father until he was twenty-five years old. assisting with the work about the place and attending the public schools of Salem, in which he diligently applied himself, and received a fairly good education. When twenty years old he began working as a harness maker and two years later commenced the shoemaker's trade, following this with much success until 1881, when he launched into the shoe business for himself, having continued the same ever since with satisfactory results, building up a large and extensive trade by reason of his honest business principles and his uniform courtesy to customers. His trade extends to all parts of the county and his store is well known to all the citizens of Salem and surrounding towns for his patrons have learned that he handles the best grade of footwear in the market and always gives good value. He augmented his business in 1889 by adding a complete stock of harness and by doing a general line of repair work. He now handles a full line of harness and similar materials. He manufactures most all of his heavy harness and some buggy harness, being recognized as the leading dealer in this line in Marion county.

Mr. McQuin was happily married to Jennie Slack, October 16, 1879, the refined and accomplished daughter of Frederick \Y. Slack, who lived in Salem at that time. Her family were natives of Kentucky. It was rather singular that this family moved from Kentucky to Oconee, Illinois, and then to Salem simultaneously with the McQuin family ; however the last move was made a few years after the McQuin family came to Salem. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Maud, who is the wife of Dwight W. Larimer, in the abstract business in Salem ; Ralph is the second child and a student of the Salem public schools.

Mr. McQuin has been twice honored by being elected City Council of Salem. He is associated with his brother-in-law, W. S. Slack, in the monument business in Salem, which is also a thriving business, the firm name being R. T. McQuin & Company.

Our subject is a Modern Woodman in his fraternal relations and he belongs to the Presbyterian church, having been a consistent member of the same for a period of thirty-four years in 1908. Mrs. McQuin also subscribes to this faith. Our subject has been a deacon in the church and is now a ruling elder.

Mr. McQuin has ever been known as a loyal citizen and has done his share in aiding the march of progress and development in this county, and during his residence in Salem his characteristics have won for him recognition as a man of upright dealing and by his many virtues he has won the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.

Walter C. Irwix

One of the progressive and well known business men of Salem, Marion county, Illinois, is the subject of this sketch, who has spent his life in this vicinity, a life that has been very active and useful, for he has not lost sight of the fact that it is every man's duty to aid in the upbuilding of his county in all lines of development while he is advancing his own interests, and because of the fact that he has ever taken an interest in the public weal, has led an honorable and consistent career, being at present one of the best known druggists of the county, the publishers of this work are glad to give him proper representation here.

Walter C. Irwin, of the Salem Drug Company, was born in luka, this county, in October, 1866, the son of Dr. J. A. Irwin, a native of Johnson county, Missouri, who came to luka at the close of the war, having been a surgeon in the Confederate army under General Price's command. He was at the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Missouri, and also the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in addition to many other smaller engagements. He successfully practiced his profession from 1865 to 1905, and is now living at St. Augustine, Florida, where he went in 1905 on account of his health.

The mother of the subject was Mary Dubbs, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Illinois in 1865. She was a woman of many praiseworthy traits and passed to her rest in 1894 at luka. Four children were born to the parents of our subject, named in order of birth as follows : Walter,subject of this sketch; Byrdie, the wife of Charles A. Bainum, cashier of the First National Bank at Bicknell, Indiana; J. Max is practicing medicine at St. Augustine, Florida; Maggie Alice died in 1880.

Walter Irwin was reared at luka, where he attended the common schools, later taking a course in Lincoln University at Lincoln, Illinois, which he attended for two years, making a brilliant record as a student. After this he attended the Business University at Lincoln for one year, having graduated from the same. He then returned to luka and was engaged in general merchandising and the drug business until 1894, when he came to Salem and embarked in the drug business. While at luka he was postmaster under Cleveland and resigned to come to Salem, and his father was appointed postmaster in his place. Our subject has been in Salem ever since, with the exception of two years spent as a traveling salesman, when he resided in Bloomington, this state.

The Salem Drug Company was organized August 26, 1907. Prior to that time Mr. Irwin owned the store, having established it in 1904, and with the exception of the two years noted he has been continuously identified with it, building up an excellent trade with the people of Salem and the entire county, as the result of his unusual knowledge of this line of business and his courteous and impartial treatment of cutsomers.

township, this county, the accomplished daughter of Samuel E. Stevenson, now deceased, for whom the township was named, lie was a prominent citizen of the county for many years.

One son, a bright and interesting lad, has added cheer and comfort to the home of our subject, who bears the name of Eugene E., and whose date of birth occurred November 5, 1893, while the family was residing at luka.

Mr. Irwin has prospered as a result of his well directed energies and has considerable business interests besides his drug store, among which may be mentioned a half interest in the Fibernie Sweep Clean Company, manufacturers of a preparation for cleaning floors, carpets, etc., the main office being located at Salem with branches in Springfield, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The business of this concern is growing at a rapid stride. Mr. Irwin is a stockholder and director in the Salem National Bank. He is also proprietor of the White Foam Company, which manufactures a preparation for cleaning fabrics without rubbing and which at present promises to become in immense demand. Our subject is also a stockholder and director in the Oleite Manufacturing Company, of St. Louis, which manufactures leather dressings.

Mr. Irwin has served in a most acceptable manner as a member of the Salem Board of Education. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, the American Home Circle, Ben Hur and the Eastern Star, and Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are members of the Presbyterian church. They live in a modern, comfortable and nicely furnished home, which is presided over with rare grace and dignity by Mrs. Irwin, who often acts as hostess to numerous admiring friends, and everyone who crosses its threshold is made partaker of the good will and hospitality that is always unstintingly dispensed here, and because of their genuine worth, integrity, uprightness and pleasing manners no couple in Marion county enjoy to a fuller extent the esteem and friendship of all classes than our subject and wife.

Hon. Charles E. Hull

One of the notable men of his day and generation, who has gained success and recognition for himself and at the same time honored his county and state by distinguished services in important trusts, is Hon. Charles E. Hull, of Salem, who holds worthy prestige among the leading business men of Southern Illinois. Distinctively a man of affairs whose broad and liberal ideas command respect, he has long filled a conspicuous place in the public eye, and as a leader in many important civic enterprises as well as a notable figure in the political arena of his day, he has contributed much to the welfare of his fellow men and attained distinction in a field of endeavor where sound erudition, mature judgment and talents of a high order are required.

Aside from his honorable standing in private and publjc life, there is further propriety in according him representation in the work, for he is a native son of Marion county, which has been the scene of the greater part of his life's earnest labors, his home being in the beautiful and attractive little city of Salem, where he it at present the head of a large and important business enterprise, and where he also commands the esteem and confidence of all classes and conditions of the populace.

Mr. Hull belongs to an old and highly esteemed family that figured in the early history of Kentucky, to which state his great-grandparent. John Hull, emigrated from Xew Jersey in 1788. Here Samuel Hull was born in 1806. About the year 1815 the Hulls disposed of their interests in the South and migrated to Illinois, settling at Grand Prairie, Clinton county, where John Hull died in 1833. Before his death he sent his son, Samuel, into what is now the county of Marion to a place near the site of Walnut Hill, where he. in 1823, at the age of seventeen, attended the first school ever taught in the county. At this time Marion was created from Jefferson county and the young man remained here, marrying in 1831 Lucy, the daughter of Mark Tully, the founder of Salem. He was made Recorder in 1833, which office he held until 1837, when he was made Sheriff, filling the latter position by successive re-elections six terms, the most of the time without opposition. Later in 1849 he was further honored by being elected County Judge, this being under the old law which provided for two Associate Judges, but Mr. Hull's knowledge of law together with his fitness for the position enabled him to discharge his judicial functions without much assistance from the honorable gentleman who occupied the Ijencb with him. He proved an able and judicious judge, and during his incumbency of four years transacted a great deal of business and rendered a number of important decisions, but few of which suffered reversal at the hands of higher tribunals. Shortly after retiring from the bench he was appointed by President Pierce postmaster of Salem, and four years later he was reappointed by President Buchanan, holding the position during the latter's administration, and in this, as in the other offices with which he was honored, proving a capable and popular public servant.

Samuel Hull was a pronounced Democrat and influential meml>er of the party untill the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he became a Republican and a great admirer of President Lincoln, whom he supported in the election of 1860. and for whom he ever afterward entertained feeling of the most profound regard. Me was a prominent figure in the affairs of Marion. county for over eighty years, during which period he became widely and favorably known, and his influence was always on ttie side of right as he saw and understood the right. During his later years he lived a life of honorable retirement at his beautiful rural home near Salem, having purchased the land from the Government shortlv after coming to Marion county, building with his own hands in 1831 a double log house, which still stands - the oldest building in Marion county. This sterling citizen and faithful official lived to a good purpose and his memory is cherished as a sacred heritage not only by his immediate family and friends, but by the entire community, all with whom he was accustomed to mingle, feeling his death as a personal loss. He reached a ripe and contented old age and it is a fact worthy of note that he and his faithful wife and helpmeet died the same night after a mutually happy and prosperous wedded experience of fifty-nine years. Samuel Hull and wife were held in high esteem by nearly every citizen of Marion county, their circle of friends and acquaintances being large and their names familiar sounds in almost every household in both city and country. He served in the Black Hawk war, besides participating in many other exciting struggles during the pioneer period, as he was a leader among his fellow men and always stood for law and order, sometimes, too, at his personal risk. The land which he entered and improved and on which he spent the greater part of his life is now owned by his grandson, Charles E. Hull. This piece of land, now within the city limits of Salem, has the unique distinction of the fewest transfers, it having been transferred by purchase from Samuel direct to Charles.

Erasmus Hull, son of the aforementioned Samuel and father of the subject of this sketch, was born August 31, 1832, in Marion county, Illinois, and spent his entire life near the place of his birth, having for many years been identified with the town of Salem, and a leader in its business and financial interests. He was a merchant and banker and in addition to achieving marked success in those capacities he was also an enterprising man of affairs, public spirited in all the term implies and wielded a strong influence in behalf of all measures and movements having for their object the material advancement of the community and the social and moral welfare of the people. A leading spirit in the organization of the Salem Bank, in 1869, and one of the original stockholders, he was a member of the board of directors from that time until his death, and to his mature judgment, sound business ability and familiarity with financial matters were largely due the continued growth and signal success of the institution. He was also interested in the Marion County Loan and Trust Company, the predecessor of the bank, and always kept in close touch with the finances of the state and nation as well as with general business affairs, on all of which he was well informed and on not a few was considered an authority.

Mr. Hull was the first Supervisor of Salem township, also Chairman of the County Board for a number of years, besides serving a long time as School Director. In these different capacities he discharged his official duties faithfully and effectively, taking a leading part in educational matters and using his influence in every laudable way to promote the prosperity of the com- munity and the happiness of the people. In addition to his mercantile and financial business he was quite prominently interested in the manufacture of flour and lumber, beginning to operate a mill in 1853, and continuing the business with encouraging success as long as he lived. He also conducted a large packing house in Salem before the days of trusts and combines and built up an important and far-reaching industry, buying nearly all the hogs in the adjacent country and shipping his meats to the leading markets, where they commanded good prices. He was a man of brain and of practical ideas, combined with solid judgment, wise foresight and he seldom failed in any of his imdertakings. In politics he was an unswerving Democrat, and an influential worker for the success of his party and its candidates, though not a partisan in the sense of aspiring for office. He discharged his duties of citizenship in the spirit becoming the progressive and broad minded American of the day in which he lived, while the deep interest he manifested in his own locality made him a leader in all laudable enterprises for its advancement. His career, which was strenuous, eminently honorable and fraught with great good to his fellow men and to the world, terminated with his lamented death on the i6th day of June, 1896, in his sixty-fourth year; his taking off, like that of his father, being keenly felt and widely mourned in the town where he "had so long and creditably lived, and where his success had been achieved.

was Dicy Finley. Her father, Rev. William Finley, a well known and remarkably successful minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, came to Marion county in an early day and for many years labored zealously to disseminate the truths of religion among the people and win souls to the higher life. During the years of his activity, he traveled extensively throughout Southern Illinois, preaching and organizing churches, and it is said that the majority of Cumberland Presbyterian societies in the central and southern portions of the state were established by him, while others and weak congregations were strengthened and placed upon solid footing through his efforts. Mrs. Hull bore her husband three children and departed this life on May 16, 1903. beloved and respected by all with whom she came in contact. Of her family one of the children died in infancy, Mrs. Mary Bradford being the second in order of birth, and Charles E. Hull, of Salem, the subject of this review, the youngest of the number.

On his father's maternal side the subject dates his family history to the earliest settlement of Illinois, his great-grandfather, Mark Tully, migrating to what is now Marion county, while the feet of savages still pressed the soil and settling near the site of Salem, where there was no vestage of civilization within a radius of eight or ten miles, his rude cabin having been the first human habitation where the thriving seat of justice now stands. He moved here from Indiana and entered a tract of land from which in due time he cleared and developed a farm, and later when the county of Marion was set off and organized, he donated ground for the seat of justice, which was surveyed and platted in 1823, and to which he gave the name of Salem. In honor of the town in the Hoosier state from which he came. He took an active part in the county organization, was its first Sheriff and held a number of offices from time to time, and to him belongs the credit of keeping the first tavern in Salem, which appears to have been quite well patronized, while the town was being settled and for eighty years thereafter, being kept after his death by a daughter. He also erected a mill, the first in Salem, which was highly prized by the pioneers for many miles around, although a primitive affair equipped with the simplest kind of machinery, and originally operated by means of a sweep. Later it was somewhat improved and operated by horses or oxen in what was called a tread, but after the lapse of several years the original structure was remodeled, a large addition built, and new and improved machinery installed, and steam power introduced, this being the first mill in the county to be run by steam. Mr. Tully was a true type of the sturdy, strong willed pioneer of his day. He was energetic, public-spirited, distinctively a man of affairs, and to him as much perhaps as to any other, is the town of Salem indebted for the impetus which added so materially to its growth and prosperity. As a leader among the pioneers of his time, he did a work that few could accomplish and wielded an influence which had a decided effect in establishing the social status of the community upon a high moral plane. After a long and useful career he was called from the scenes of his earthly struggles and triumphs- in the year 1867, leaving a number of descendants, some of whom still live in Marion county, and are among the substantial and respected people of the communities in which they reside.

Hon. Charles E. Hull was born November 7, 1862, in Salem, and spent his early years like the majority of town lads, assisting his parents where his services were required, and during certain months pursuing his studies in the public schools. While a mere child, he evinced a decided taste for books and his progress in his studies was so rapid that he completed the high school course and was graduated at the early age of fourteen, standing among the best students in the class of 1877. Actuated by a laudable desire to add to his scholastic knowledge he subsequently entered the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale, where he took the full classical course, which he finished in three years, one year less than the prescribed time, graduating in 1880 with the class honors.

Shortly after receiving his degree from the above institution Mr. Hull engaged in merchandising at Salem, continued to the present time a business established by Samuel and Erasmus Hull, in 1853, and since that time his life has been very closely identified with the business interests and general prosperity of the town, in addition to which he has conducted several mercantile establishments at other points and become a prominent figure in the public life of Marion county, and the state at large. Possessing sound sense,, well balanced judgment, and a natural aptitude for business, his mercantile experience soon passed the experimental stage and within a comparatively brief period he built up a large and lucrative patronage, and became one of the best known and most popular merchants of the town. Advancing with rapid strides and outstripping all of his competitors, he was soon induced to project his business enterprises into other parts, accordingly, as already indicated, he established stores in various towns and villages of the county, and at one time had five of these establishments in successful operation in addition to his large general mercantile house in Salem, all of which proved successful and in due season made him one of the financially solid and reliable men of Marion county. After some years he closed out two of his stores but he still retains the other three, two in Salem and one in Kinmundy, and enjoys a well merited reputation as one of the most enterprising and successful business men in the southern part of the state.

In addition to his large mercantile interests Mr. Hull is connected with other important business enterprises, having been a director of the Salem bank since 1895, and cashier of the institution during the years 1906-7, and in 1889 he organized the Salem Creamery, which he operated for a period of fifteen years, during which time he did an extensive and lucrative business, using as high as twenty thousand pounds of milk per day, and making a brand of butter for which there was always a great demand. By reason of indifference on the part of the farmers in the matter of supplying milk, Mr. Hull disposed of the creamery at the expiration of the period indicated, the better to devote his attention to his other interests, which have become important and far reaching in their influence, adding much to the material prosperity of the city and to his fame as a leading spirit in business circles. Among the various enterprises of which he is the head, is the Salem Brick Mill, which, under the firm name of Hull & Draper, has become one of the successful industrial concerns of the place, also the Hull Telephone System, established in 1898, and of which he is sole proprietor. This important and much valued enterprise, one of the best of the kind in Illinois, extends to all parts of Marion county, connecting all the towns and villages and numerous private residences, besides having connection in the adjoining counties, thus bringing Salem in close touch with all the leading cities of the state and nation, and proving of inestimable value to the people as well as to the business interests of the various points on the line. Under the personal management of Mr. Hull, who has operated the plant ever since it was established, the system has been brought to a degree of efficiency second to no other.

which dates from 1853. The paper originally was established by John W. Merritt, and since the above year has been the best patronized and most successful sheet in Marion county, and one of the most influential in Southern Illinois, being the official organ of the local Democracy, and a power in the political affairs of this part of the state. Under the management of Mr. Hull it has steadily grown in public favor, and now has a large and continually increasing subscription list, a liberal advertising patronage, and with an office well equipped with the latest machinery and devices used in the art preservative, and its columns teeming with the news of the day as well as with able discussions of the leading questions and issues upon which men and parties are divided, it promises to continue in the future as it has been in the past, a strong influence in political affairs and a power in moulding and directing opinion on matters of general interest to the people.

Aside from the various enterprises enumerated, Mr. Hull for a number of years was quite extensively interested in the Sandoval Coal and Mining Company, of which he was general manager until disposing of his shares in the concern, and he is now and long has been one of the largest holders of real estate in Marion county, being an enterprising and up-to-date agriculturist. In the midst of his numerous and pressing duties, he finds time to devote to other than his individual affairs, being interested in the community and its advancement and in all worthy enterprises for the good of his fellow men. Ever since arriving at the years of manhood he has been a leading factor in public matters, and in a material way has been untiring in his efforts to promote the prosperity of Salem and Marion county, taking an active interest in all movements and measures with this object in view besides inaugurating and carrying to successful issue many enterprises which have tended greatly to the general welfare of the community. In political matters and kindred subjects he has not only been interested but has risen to the position of leader. He has been a life-long Democrat, and since his twenty-first year has exercised a strong influence in the political affairs of Marion county, and became widely and favorably known in party circles throughout the state, a prominent figure in local, district and state conventions, he has borne a leading part in making platforms, formulating policies; as a campaigner, he is a judicious adviser in the councils of his party, a successful worker in the ranks, and to him as much if not more than to any other man in Marion county, is the party indebted for its success in a number of animated and exciting political contests.

In 1896 Mr. Hull was elected to represent the Forty-second Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Clay, Washington, Marion and Clinton, in the Upper House of the State Legislature, in the campaign of which memorable year he ran far in advance in his home town of any other candidate on the Democratic ticket, receiving more votes than were polled for William Jennings Bryan, the popular head of the na- tional ticket, and the idol of Democracy. Mr. Hull's career in the General Assembly was eminently honorable, and he took high rank as an industrious and useful member, who spared no effort in behalf of his constituents, besides laboring earnestly and faithfully for the general good of his state. In 1904 he was renominated by his party, and in the ensuing election his Republican competitor withdrew from the race, it being evident that he would be overwhelmingly defeated. The district that year was composed of the counties of Marion, Clay, Clinton and Effingham. In the senate he became the minority leader, and in addition to serving on a number of important committees, took an active part in the general deliberations of the chamber, participating in the discussions and debates, and to him belongs the credit of leading in the fight for a direct primary, also of being the only minority leader who ever succeeded in holding his party together on minority legislation. Mr. Hull's senatorial experience is replete with duty ably and faithfully performed, and such was the interest he manifested for his district that he won the confidence and good will of the people irrespective of political alignment, all of whom speak in praise of his honorable course and the broad enlightenment spirit which he displayed throughout his legislative career. As already stated he is a familiar figure in the conventions of his party, both local and state, and for a period of twenty-eight .years he has not missed attending a Democratic national convention.

For several years Mr. Hull owned and occupied the place where Mr. Bryan was born, but after the campaign of 1896 he sold it to Mr. Bryan, between whom and himself the warmest friendship has ever prevailed. The two were classmates when they attended high school, since which time they have labored for each other's interests, and as stated above, their attachment is stronger and more enduring than the ordinary ties by which friends are bound together. Mr. Hull has served the people of his city as School Director, and for a period of two years he was president of the Inter-State Independent Telephone Association, besides being for a number of years a member of the executive committee. He also served for a series of years on the executive committee for the operators on the scale of agreement, with the United Mine Workers of America, a position of great responsibility and delicacy, as is indicated by the fact of his having devoted one hundred and twelve days in one year to the settlement of wage scales and of disputes between the contending parties, besides having been called upon repeatedly to adjust differences and harmonize conflicting interests, which arose from time to time, between the two organizations.

The domestic chapter in the life of Mr. Hull dates from May 10, 1883, when he was happily married to Miss Lulu Hammond, the accomplished and popular daughter of Hon. J. E. W. Hammond, the latter a prominent merchant and influential politician of Marion county, Illinois, who served in the Legislature, on the County Board of Supervisors, and for many years was one of the public spirited men and representative citizens of Salem. On her mother's side Mrs. Hull traces to the Lovells and Hensleys, who were among the earliest settlers of Marion county, as is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Senator Hull's beautiful and attractive home on North Broadway, the finest and most desirable private dwelling in the city, is brightened and rendered doubly attractive by the presence of two intelligent and interesting daughters, namely : Lovell, born January 8, 1888, and Louise, whose birth occurred on the 3ist day of May, 1897, these with their parents constituting a happy and almost ideal domestic circle.

Senator Hull's fraternal association represents the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks', the Knights of Pythias. Independent Order of Red Men, and the Modern \Yooclmen, in all of which lie has been an active and influential worker, besides being honored with important official positions from time to time. In the midst of his many strenuous duties as a business man and public servant, the Senator has not neglected the higher obligations which man owes to his Maker, nor been unmindful of the claims of the Christian religion - to which deep and absorbing subject he has devoted much profound study and investigation, and in the light of which he has been led into the straight and narrow way which leads to a higher state of being here, and to eternal felicitv bevond death's mystic stream. Subscribing to no human creeds or man-made doctrines, he takes the Holy Scriptures alone for his rule of faith and practice, and as an humble and consistent member of the Christian, or Disciple, church, demonstrates by his daily life the beauty and value of the faith which he professes. He has been identified with the religious body since his young manhood, and for more than twenty years has been the able and popular superintendent of the Sunday school, besides filling other official stations. . Mrs. Hull is also a faithful and devout Christian, an active member of the church, and deeply interested in all lines of good work under the auspices of the same. Since her fourteenth year she has been the accomplished organist of the congregation in Salem, as well as an efficient and enthusiastic teacher in the Sunday school. Senator Hull is a liberal contributor to benevolent enterprises, and it was through his initiation and influence that the present handsome temple of worship used by the Christian church, was erected, his contributions to the building fund being twenty-five dollars for every one hundred dollars contributed by the congregation. In addition to his munificence already noted, the Senator has given largely to various worthy objects of which the world knows nothing, in this way exemplifying the spirit of the Master, by not letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth, or in other words, doing good in secret in the name of the Father who hath promised to reward such actions openly.

Senator Hull is a splendid specimen of well rounded, symmetrically developed, virile manhood, with a commanding presence and a strong personality, being six feet in height, weighing two hundred and thirtyfour pounds, and moving among his fellows as one born to leadership. He is a noticeable figure in any crowd or assemblage, and never fails to attract attention, not only by his powerful physique, but by the amiable qualities of mind and heart, which show in his face, and always make his presence pleasing to all beholders. He has directed his life along lines which could not fail to effect favorably the physical 'as well as the mental man, having from his youth been singularly free from thoughts which lower and degrade self-respect, and from those insiduous habits which, pollute the body and debase the soul, and which today are proving the destruction of so many young men of whom better things have been expected. Mr. Hull is a total abstainer in all the term implies, having never tasted, much less taken a drink of any kind of intoxicants, nor used tobacco in any of its forms; neither has he ever taken the name of God in vain. He is pleasing and companionable, a favorite in the social circle, and a hale and hearty spirit, whose presence inspires good humor, and who believes in legitimate sports and pastimes and in the idea that fret and worry are among the greatest enemies of happiness. With duties that would crush the ordinary man, he has his labors so systematized that he experiences little or no inconvenience in doing them. He believes in rest and recreation and is an advocate of vacations, and he invariably takes one every summer, but not in the manner that many do, by locking his office and hieing away to the seaside, lake or forest, to spend the season in tiresome sports. His vacations, which are always enjoyable, are spent in the hayfield, where he finds the recreation conducive to good health and a contented mind.

Personally Mr. Hull is a gentleman of unblemished reputation, and the strictest integrity and his private character and important trusts have always been above re-, proach. He is a vigorous as well as an independent thinker, a wide reader, and he has the courage of his convictions upon all subjects which he investigates. He is also strikingly original and fearless, prosecutes his researches after his own peculiar fashion, and cares little for conventionalism or for the sanctity attaching to person or place by reason of artificial distinction, tradition or the accident of birth. He is essentially cosmopolitan in his ideas, a man of the people in all the term implies, and in the best sense of the word a representative type of that strong American manhood, which commands and retains respect by reason of inherent merit, sound sense and correct conduct. He has so impressed his individuality upon his community as to win the confidence and esteem of his fellow-cTtizens and become a strong and influential power in leading them to high and noble things. Measured by the accepted standard of excellence, his career, though strenuous, has been eminently honorable and useful, and his life fraught with great good to his fellows and to the world.

Benjamin E. Martin, Sr

It is safe to venture the assertion that no one attains eminence in business or any profession without passing through a period of more or less unremitting toil, of disappointments and struggles. He who has brought his business to a successful issue through years of work and has established it upon a substantial basis, and yet retains the appearance of youth, who has in his step the elasticity of younger days and shows little trace of worry or care that too often lag the footsteps of the direction of large affairs, must be a man possessed of enviable characteristics. Such is a brief word picture of the worthy gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch, as he now appears, after a long, active and prosperous business career, the peer of any of his contemporaries in all that enters into the make-up of the successful man of affairs or that constitutes a leader in important business enterprises. Therefore, by reason of the fact that Mr. Martin has attained worthy prestige as a business man, and also because he was one of the patriotic sons of the North who went forth on many a hard fought battlefield to defend the flag in the days of the Rebellion. and also because of his life of honor, it is eminently fitting that he be given just representation in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand.

B. E. Martin was born in what was formerly Estillville, now Gate City, Virginia, February 27, 1845, tne son °f John S. Martin, also a native of Virginia and the representative of a fine old Southern family. The father of the subject was Clerk of the Court in his home county for a period of twentyfour years. He moved to Illinois in 1846 and entered government land near Alma, the land that Alma now stands on. He laid out the town of Alma and there went into the mercantile business, in which he remained until the breaking out of the Civil war. He died in that town in 1866. He was a man of unusual business ability and became well known in his community. The mother of the subject was Nancy Brownlow, a native of Virginia. She dide shortly after she moved to Illinois. She is remembered as a woman of gracious personality. Seven children were born to the parents of our subject, four sons and three daughters, named in 01- der of birth as follows : Eliza, deceased ; Mrs. Nancy Bradford, of Greenville, Illinois, Emily, deceased; Robert; Mrs. Kate Bennett, of Greenville, Illinois; Thompson G., of Salem; B. E., our subject, being the youngest. The father of these children was married three times, his first wife being Malinda Morrison, of Estillville, Virginia, to whom three children were born, two dying in infancy, the one surviving becoming Col. James S. Martin, now deceased, who lived to be eighty years of age, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The second wife was the mother of the subject of this sketch ; the third wife was Jane See, to whom one child was born, who died in the Philippine Islands.

teen years of age, attending the local school. When only sixteen years old he could not repress the patriotic feeling that prompted him to shoulder arms in defense of the nation's integrity, consequently on July 25, 1861, he enlisted in the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer infantry. He was in many skirmishes and engagements, having fought in the great battle of Shiloh, where his regiment lost two hundred and forty-seven men in the two days' fight, and he was in several small engagements as they advanced on Corinth. His brother, Thomas G., was in every engagement and skirmish in which this regiment was involved, never being sick a day. and never missing a roll call. He enlisted in 1861 and at the expiration of his term of three years re-enlisted as a veteran and served until the close of the war. Our subject had three brothers and one half-brother in the army.

After his career in the army Mr. Martin went into the drug business at Greenville, Illinois. He later went to Olathe, Johnson county, Kansas, where he engaged in the same line of business from 1867 to 1869; then he returned to Marion county, Illinois, and resumed the drug business here, in which he remained a short time. Selling out his stock of drugs, he began selling agricultural implements, adding the lumber business in connection with his brother. He made a success of all the lines in his various locations. In 1877 he established his present business, that of wholesale seeds, in which he has quite an extensive trade, having become known as the leading seed man in this locality, consequently his trade extends to all parts of the country. He uses the most modern and highly improved machinery for cleaning seeds.

Our subject was united in marriage in November, 1866, to Florida Cunningham, who was born and reared in Salem, the daughter of John Cunningham, then a merchant of Salem. He was a man of honest principle and influence in his community.

Eight children have been born to the subject and wife, one of whom died in infancy, the others are now living in 1908. They are: Mary, the wife of Charles T. Austin,' of Indianapolis; B. E., Jr., who is engaged in the general mercantile business in Salem; Bertha is the wife of John Gibson, living in Manila, Philippine Islands; Nancy is living in Salem; John C. is cashier of the Salem National Bank ; Edith and Gena.

The subject has achieved success in an eminent degree owing to his well directed energy and honesty and persistency. He is a stockholder and director of the Salem Naitonal Bank. He owns a modern, comfortable and nicely furnished residence.

Mr. Martin has served as Supervisor of Salem township. He discharged the duties of this office with his usual business alacrity and foresight. He is a Democrat and has always been active in politics. In his fraternal relations he affiliates with the Masons. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, also the Gideons. He is an honorary member of the Woodmen, and he is well and favorably known in lodge circles, business life and social relations, being regarded as one of the most trustworthy and substantial citizens of Salem and Marion county.

Before closing this review it would not be amiss to quote the following paragraph which appeared in a Salem paper some time since under the caption, "A Remarkable Record" :

"There resides in this city four brothers who have a record which is remarkable and doubtless without a parallel among their fellow countrymen. They were all soldiers in the Civil war ; two enlisting in the Fortieth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and the other two in the One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment of this state in 1862. They participated in every battle in which their respective regiments were engaged, were never in a hospital, and none of them ever received the slightest wound, notwithstanding they were in the thickest of rights where thousands were slain or wounded. At the battle of Shiloh nearly three hundred of the Fortieth Regiment were killed or wounded, but 'Tom' and 'Ben' were among those who came out without a scratch. These four brothers with the remarkable record are James S., Thomas, Robert and Benjamin E. Martin, honorable, substantial citizens of Salem."

H. T. Pace

for he has shown during his long residence in Salem, Marion county, Illinois, that he is a man of rare business acumen, foresight and sagacity, at the same time possessing laudable traits of character such as integrity, industry, sobriety and kindliness; these, combined with his public spirit and model home life, have resulted in winning for Mr. Pace the unqualified esteem of all who know him.

li. T. Pace was born one and one-half miles south of Salem on a farm, February 3, 1850, and, believing that better opportunities awaited him right here at home, he early decided to cast his lot with his own people rather than seek uncertain success in other fields, and, judging from the pronounced success which has attended his subsequent efforts, one must conclude that he made a wise decision.

The subject's father was George \Y. Pace, a native of Kentucky, who came to Jefferson county, Illinois, when a young man. but soon after locating here he moved to Marion county, where he engaged in farming, late1." in the furniture business, having spent many years in this; he also learned the tailor's trade and conducted a tailor shop for a time soon after coming here. He was a man of considerable force and influence, honest, hard working and hospitable, who spared no pains in rearing his family in the best possible manner, always holding out high ideals and lofty aims. He was noted as a great story teller as well as a kindly, neighborly man. He was born December 18. 1806. and passed to his rest June i. 1867. He was one of the oldest pioneers of Marion county, being one of the best known and most beloved

The mother of the subject, whose birth occurred on the same clay of the month as that of her husband, December i8th, in the year 1808. was known in her maidenhood as Tabithia J. Rogers, a native of Tennessee, the representative of a fine old Southern family, and she "crossed over the mystic river" to join her worthy life companion on the other shore February 26. 1881, at the age of seventy-three years, after closing a serene and beautiful life of the noblest Christian attributes and wholesome influence. One of the most commendable traits in our subject was his devotion to his mother, with whom he lived until her death, joyfully administering to her every want and sacrificing much in his own life that she might be comfortable and happy. Nine children were bom to the parents of the subject, only three of whom are living at this writing, 1908. The living are: O. H. Pace, of Mount Vernon. Illinois, at the age of sixty-eight years: Mrs. O. E. Tryner, living at Long Beach, California, at the age of sixty years; H. T.. our subject. The parents of the subject were married May 13, 1830.

H. T. Pace remained under his parental roof-tree during the lifetime of his parents. He attended the common schools in Salem, where he diligently applied himself and received a good education. However, thirsting for more knowledge, he attended college at Jacksonville, Illinois, for a short time. The stage having allurements and he having natural talents as a comedian, he traveled for

Tiring of the stage, he went to Denver in 1880, where he clerked for a while in a jewel 17 store, later worked as a Pullman conductor between Denver and Leadville over the South Park Railroad. In 1884 Mr. Pace came back to Salem and has remained here ever since prospering in whatever he has undertaken.

The harmonious domestic life of the subject dates from 1884, when he was united in marriage with Alice H. Andrews, the accomplished and popular daughter of Samuel Andrews, who sacrificed his life for his country, having met death in the Union lines while fighting in defense of the flag. At the time of their marriage Mr. Pace was sup posed to be on his death bed from a sudden and serious illness. The married life of this couple has been a most ideal one and has resulted in the birth of seven children, five of whom are living. Their names follow : Claude S., of Salem, engine foreman at the Chicago & Eastern Illinois shops; Effie Jenella, Lynn Harvey, Ned R., Gladys D., Lowell died in infancy, as did also the last child. Mona.

After his marriage Mr. Pace went into the piano business, which he has since conducted for twenty-five years, the greates' success attending his efforts, his house being known throughout Marion county, and his trade extending- many miles in every direction, as a result of his skill in managing this line and his uniform fairness and courteous- ness to customers. His piano parlor is one of the popular business houses of Salem. Mr. Pace keeps a modern and up-to-date line of musical instruments, talking machines and similar goods.

Fraternally Mr. Pace is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen and the Eastern Star, being the Worthy Patron in the latter order.

Mr. Pace is now the only member of this worthy family in Marion county, and he is one of the oldest native born residents of Salem. Among his interesting collection of relics and curios is an old clock which his father and mother bought when they first went to housekeeping.

In all the relations of life our subject has been found worthy of the trust imposed in him, being a man of rare business ability, force of character and possessing praiseworthy qualities of head and heart which make him popular with all whom he meets, and he is today regarded by all classes as being one of the staunchest, most upright and representative citizens of Marion county.

For the high rank of her bench and bar Illinois has always been distinguished, and it is gratifying to note that in no section of the commonwealth has the standard been lowered in any epoch of its history. To the subject of this review, who is at the time of this writing, 1908, the popular and influential Clerk of the Circuit Court at Salem,

Marion county, we may refer with propriety and satisfaction as being one of the able and representative members of the legal profession of the state. He prepared himself most carefully for the work of his exacting profession and has ever been ambitious and self-reliant, gaining success and securing his technical training through his own determination and well directed efforts. He not only stands high in his profession but is a potent factor in local politics, his advice being often relied upon in the selection of candidates for county offices and he has led such a career, one upon which not the shadow or suspicion of evil rests, that his counsel is often sought and heeded in important movements in the county, with gratifying results.

D. D. Haynie was born in Marion county, Illinois, November 22, 1848. His father was William D. Haynie, a native of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was born August 29, 1798. He came with his mother to Winchester, Tennessee, when he was ten years old, and remained there until he reached young manhood. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, having performed gallant service in the same, after which he returned to Kentucky, settling near Hopkinsville, where he married Elizabeth B. Frost, and where he lived for several years, finally in 1832 moving to Salem, Illinois, bringing three slaves with them, which they later liberated. They lived in Salem, developing the primitive conditions which they found, for many years, rearing eleven children, namely: Abner F., deceased, having died in 1850; General Isham N., who died in

1868, having been adjutant general at the time of his death, formerly colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; William M., died in 1855; Rebecca was the wife of James Marshall, who moved to Texas and died there about 1857; George W., quartermaster of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Regiment, who died in 1891, when seventy years old; Mary and John B., both died in infancy ; Elizabeth is the widow of Hon. B. B. Smith, who was one of the first and best lawyers in southern Illinois, and who died in 1884, his widow now residing at Mount Vernon, Washington : Martha J., now deceased, was the wife of Dr. Thomas Williams, of Jacksonville, Florida, dying in Philadelphia in 1906; Sarah C. is the wife of L. L. Adams, of Spokane, Washington; D. D., our subject, was the youngest of the family.

Our subject made his home with his father until he died in 1870, the subject's mother surviving until 1884. They were people of excellent qualities of mind and heart, and spared no pains in giving their children every advantage possible, and the wholesome home influence in which they were reared is reflected in the characters of the subject and the other children.

D. D. Haynie attended the common schools when a boy, making rapid progress. Being ambitious and thirsting for all the book learning possible, he entered the State Normal at Bloomington, Illinois, after a course in which he made an excellent record, he returned home and clerked, but believing that his true life path lay along the higher lines of the legal profession, he begun the study of law and was admitted to the Salem bar in 1871. His success was instantaneous and he soon built up a good practice. His unusual attributes soon attracted attention and he was appointed clerk in the Pension Agency located in Salem, which position he held with much credit for a period of six years. He then devoted some of his time to farming with gratifying results, at the same time continuing his law practice which had by this time been built up to a very large practice. He has continued with great success ever since he first began practice in 1885. During this time he has served his county and city in many official capacities. He was twice elected president of the City Board of Education, and afterward was a member of the same for two terms ; during his connection with the same the educational interests of the city were greatly strengthened. He was elected Police Magistrate in 1904 and elected Circuit Clerk as a Republican and is serving in this capacity in 1908, making one of the best clerks the court has ever had. In all his political and official career, not the least dissatisfaction has arisen over the manner in which he has handled the affairs entrusted to him, and he has by this consistent record gained a host of admiring friends throughout the county. Mr. Haynie's happy and harmonious domestic life dates from August 26, 1875, when he was united in marriage with Emma J. McMackin, the accomplished and cultured daughter of W. E. McMackin, who was lieutenant-colonel of Grant's Twenty-first