Marion County, Illinois - The whole text, 1909 (part 9 of 27)

Frank A. Boynton, our subject, spent his boyhood under the parental roof and received his primary education in the Brubaker school in Stevenson township. He worked on the farm during his young manhood and he has always been identified with farming interests ; he now owns a fine farm, highly improved and very productive, located in the northern part of Stevenson township. It consists of over five hundred acres, and no more choice land is to be found in this locality. He went to Wheeler, Jasper county, Illinois, in 1891, and was a storekeeper and ganger there where he remained for two years, making a success of his enterprise, but he returned to his farm in Stevenson township and in about 1903 came to Salem and is now engaged in the real estate and loan business with offices in L. M. Kagy's law office. He helped organize the Salem State Bank of which he is a heavy stockholder and director. He operated a threshing machine for twelve years with great success in Stevenson township, and he has been a stock shipper the greater part of his life.

Thus we see that Mr. Boynton has been a very busy man, and also one that had unusual executive ability else he could not have carried to successful issue so many extensive enterprises.

Our subject was married in 1892 to Anna Stevenson, daughter of Samuel E. Stevenson, a well known family of Stevenson township. One winsome child was born to this union, Gladys. At the time of his marriage Mr. Boynton was living on his farm. His first wife was called to her rest February 16, 1897, and our subject was again married May 17, 1906, his last wife being Ethel Stevenson. No children have been born to this union. Mrs. Boynton presides over their modern, commodious, beautiful and elegantly furnished home on South Broadway with rare grace and dignity, and she is frequently hostess to numerous admiring friends of the family.

Possessing the executive skill and pleasing personality that our subject does, it is not surprising that his friends should have singled him out for political preferment, consequently he has been honored with numerous local offices, all of which he has ably and creditably filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has served as Clerk of Stevenson township and later served two terms as Supervisor of that township. He is now city Alderman from the Second ward of Salem. Useless to say our subject is a loyal Republican, and he was at one time the nominee of his party for Sheriff, and at another time for Treasurer, but was defeated. He, however, made a most excellent race, being defeated by only a few votes, although the county is strongly Democratic. He is, indeed, a public-spirited citizen and witholds his co-operation from no movement which is intended to promote public improvement. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose. He is now one of the men of affluence and his advancement to a position of credit and honor in the business circles of Marion county is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors, and it would be hard to find a more popular or congenial gentleman in this section of the state than Mr. Boynton.

Rev. Hamilton N. Hays

In giving the following biographical memoir of the gentleman whose name appears above, the writer aims to avoid extravagant praise, but his life was so full of good deeds and was so replete with honor and success that it will be necessary to employ periods that are somewhat ornate in dealing with the same ; for although the seal has been set on the final chapter in his interesting life record by the angel that summons us all from this terrestrial sphere, his influence still pervades the lives of those with whom he came in contact, and he still lives in the hearts of those left behind.

Mr. And Mrs. Hamilton N. Hays

Rev. Hamilton N. Hays was born in Raccoon township, Marion county, September 28, 1848, the son of William C. and Delilah (Crawford) Hays, both natives of Tennessee, who came to Marion county, Illinois, in 1858, and lived here awhile when they went to Texas where they died.

The subject was educated in the home schools. Being an ambitious lad he applied himself in a most assiduous manner and was enabled to teach school very successfully for several years in Marion and Jefferson counties. He also read law and learned blacksmithing and farmed in Raccoon township. For many years he was a minister in the Christian church, and never failed to keep an appointment regardless of weather conditions.

On March 6, 1871, Mr. Hays was happily married to Nancy Jane Bingaman, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Bingaman, the mother a native of Tennessee and the father of Pennsylvania. The subject's wife was born May 4, 1842. Her father married three times, first to Mary Cox, by whom he had seven children, namely: Polly Ann, William Cox, Peter H., Henry R., John A. J., Rosamond and an infant. He had no children by his second wife. The children by his third wife, Elizabeth (Hendricks) Bingaman, who first married Samuel Hays, became the mother of four children, namely: Allen K., Hendricks, William J. and Mansel. The father and mother of Mrs. Hays were the parents of the following children : Nancy J., Adam L., David S., and Charles P.

The subject and wife were faithful members of the Christian church. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton N. Hays, but they out of their kindness of heart, reared a daughter whom they gave as good care as if she had been their own. She was the daughter of Adam Bingaman, now the wife of George Williams. They live with Mrs. Hays on the old homestead.

Reverend Hays was a prominent man, highly respected and well known. He was a successful business man, being regarded as one of the leading farmers of Marion county, and he was admired for his sterling character, his habits of industry and sobriety, kindness and generosity, and no man in the county had more friends than he. Mrs. Hays is a woman of many estimable traits and stands high in her community, being affable and possessing rare tact and judgment, so that it is with no little degree of pleasure that we give such worthy people representation in this work.

Henry Warren

sketch, whose life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points in his career and have led to desirable and creditable success. His connection with banking institutions and various lines of business has been of decided advantage to the entire community, promoting its welfare along various lines in no uncertain manner, while at the same time he has made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man.

Henry Warren, the widely known bank president and gallant Civil war veteran of Kinmundy, Marion county, Illinois, was born in this county in 1845, the son of Asa Warren and his mother's maiden name was Sina Howell. Grandfather Howell was supposed to have come from Virginia, settling with the pioneers in Marion county, Illinois, in a very early day, and spending his life on a farm doing much for the upbuilding of the community. He entered land from the government on which he spent the remainder of his life and on which he reared his family. He lived to be more than eighty years of age. He was a member of the old Hardshell Baptist church, as was also his wife. One of the first log churches built in this community was erected on his farm, of which he was one of the principal supporters. The major portion of his neighbors were Indians when he first came to this county, and the woods and prairies teemed with wild game of nearly all species and varieties. There were but few settlements in the county at that time. The green flies were so thick and aggressive that people could not cross the prairies in the day time during part of the year. He managed this farm until his death which then fell to his heirs. All of the second generation of Howells have passed on to their rest.

Asa Warren, father of our subject, came from Tennessee to Illinois when a young man and entered land from the government. He sold out in time and moved to Texas where he died when fifty-five years of age, being survived by four children, three of whom were boys. He was a man of much influence, integrity and force of character. He was a gallant soldier in the Mexican war, having served until peace was declared after which he returned to Illinois. He followed farming all his life. Both he and his wife belonged to the old school Baptists. The subject's mother was called to her rest at about the age of forty years. She was a kindly and good woman in every respect.

Henry Warren, our subject, was reared in Marion county, Illinois, having attended the common and district schools, part of the time in old log school-houses with their primitive furnishings. He worked most of the year on his father's farm during his school days. He was about twelve years old when he accompanied his father to Texas, and he returned from the Lone Star state to Illinois one year after his father's death, the home place in Texas having been sold. Then our subject worked out as a farm hand, sometimes receiving only eight dollars a month, continuing as a farm hand for twelve years. He then rented land for two years. Then he married and bought eighty acres of land which he improved and made into a good farm on which he lived for about thirty-eight years, which were prosperous, in the main, and during which he laid up a competency for the future. From time to time he added to his original eighty until he finally had eight hundred acres, all of which was in cultivation and kept in a high state of improvement and efficiency. He drained this large tract of land and securely fenced it with wood and wire. Substantial and modern buildings, a large dwelling, two barns and other out buildings were erected, and the place, which Mr. Warren still owns, is one of Marion county's model farms. While he still looks after the farm he keeps it rented. When our subject gave his personal attention to this place it was in somewhat better condition and. he devoted him time largely to grass and stock.

Mr. Warren moved to Kinmundy in 1896 and one year later opened under the most favorable auspices what is known as the Warren Banking Company's establishment, which met with instantaneous success and is today regarded as one of the most substantial and safest institutions of its kind in this part of the state. He is president of the same, having filled this position with much credit to his ability and the satisfaction of the many patrons of the bank since its establishment. His son, Henry L., who was made cashier at the organization of the concern, is still ably attending to these -duties. Mr. Warren owns the substantial building in which the business of the firm is conducted. He also owns a large, comfortable, modern and elegantly furnished dwelling house besides other buildings on the same street where he lives in Kinmundy. He deserves much credit for the wealth he has amassed partly because of the fact that he started life empty handed and has made it unaided, and partly because he has not a single dishonest dollar in his possession, having always been scrupulously honest in his dealings with his fellow men. During the last panic and -bank depression his was the only bank that kept open in the county.

Mr. Warren was first married in 1867 to Mary C. Nichols, a native of this county, the accomplished daughter of Robert Nichols, and to this union the following children were born : William, born October 6, 1868, now a farmer and minister in Jefferson county, Illinois, to whom two children were born; Harry L., born September i, 1871, is living in Kinmundy associated with his father in the banking business, and who is married and the father of one child ; Charley W., born March 21, 1874, is assistant cashier in the bank, being married and the father of one child, Lowel F., born October 27, 1897.

Mr. \Varren's first wife passed to her rest in 1903, and the subject was again married in 1906, his last wife being Ida Shriver, a native of Marion county and the daughter of William Schriver, who was a native of Ohio. One child has been born to this union, May Margaret, whose date of birth fell on January 14, 1908.

the sixties when the fierce fires of rebellion were undermining the pillars of our national government, and he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served with credit and distinction to the close of the war and was honorably discharged. He draws a disability pension of twelve dollars. One brother, Larkin A. Warren, was also a soldier, having been a member of Sixth Missouri Cavalry. He died at New Orleans while in the army, after having served out his first enlistment of three years, and it was toward the close of the struggle when he was attacked by a disease while in line of duty from which he did not recover.

Our subject is a loyal Republican and in religious affiliations is a liberal subscriber and supporter of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Warren's methods are progressive and he is quick to adopt new ideas which he believes will prove of practical value in his work. Indolence and idleness are entirely foreign to his nature and owing to his close application to his business and his honorable methods he has won prosperity that is richly merited, while he enjoys the friendship and esteem of the people of Marion county.

John C. Martin

The subject of this sketch is a native son of Marion county, Illinois, and a representative of one of its sterling and honored families. He is known as a young man of fine intellectuality and marked business acumen. He is cashier of the Salem National Bank, one of the most substantial institutions of its kind in this part of the state.

Our subject attended the schools of Salem in his early youth where he applied himself in a most assiduous manner, having made excellent records for scholarship and general deportment, and as a result of his well applied time to his text-books he received a good education which has subsequently been broadened and deepened by contact with the world and systematic home study. After finishing the prescribed course in the home schools he spent two years at Jacksonville, Illinois, one year at the Jacksonville College, and one at Brown's Business College, having stood high in his classes in each.

At the early age of twenty-eight years, a period when most men are just launching into a career or tentatively investigating the world that lies before them in order to test their potential powers, Mr. Martin had already shown that he is a man of marked executive and business ability. He assumed the responsible and exacting position of cashier of the Salem National Bank in April 1907, whose duties he is faithfully performing to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a stockholder in this institution, which is popular with all classes of business men in Salem and throughout Mar- ion county, where it has long maintained a firm reputation for soundness owing to its careful management and the unquestioned integrity and scrupulously honest characters of the- gentlemen who have it under control. Fraternally Mr. Martin is a loyal member of the Masonic Order, the Woodmen and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The daily life of the subject would indicate that he believes in carrying out the noble precepts of these praiseworthy orders.

James Lloyd Haley

Among the enterprising and successful members of the legal profession in Marion county, Illinois, who deserve especial mention on account of their efficiency and recognized character and genuine worth, none more deserve to be given just representation than the subject of this sketch, who, while yet a young man, scarcely more than one-third of the years alloted to human life, having passed over his head, has stamped his individuality upon his community in a manner that will be permanent and has gained for him wide prestige and resulted in splendid success attending his efforts, so that he stands today as one of the best known and most promising of the younger professional men of his locality.

James Lloyd Haley was born in Stevenson township, this county, near New Bethel church, September 27, 1880, the son of Rev. Alonzo Haley, a native of Mississippi, who came to Illinois in 1857. He was bom in 1836 at Holly Springs, Mississippi. He settled in Jefferson county after coming here and he passed to his rest in 1888 at Walshville, Montgomery county, after an active and very useful life in the ministry of the Presbyterian church. The subject's mother was known in her maidenhood as Martha Wolverton, a native of Tennessee. The parents of the subject were married in 1850, and soon thereafter began ascending the Mississippi river in a boat. They landed at Cairo, Illinois, where their boat sunk and they lost all except the clothes which they wore at the time. The subject's mother, a woman of strong personality and beautiful Christian character, passed to her rest in March 1881.

Our subject is the youngest of a family of twelve children, only five of whom are living at the time of this writing, 1908. They are: Mrs. Oscar Marshall, of Salem; Mrs. Charles Barlow, of Walshville, Illinois ; Mrs. D. D. Haynie, of Salem ; Thomas F.. of Patoka, Illinois; James L., our subject.

James L. Haley was reared in Salem and attended the schools there, completing the course and making a splendid record for scholarship. He soon determined that his talent and calling lay along the lines of the legal profession, and he consequently set about preparing himself for this line of work at which he has so admirably succeeded. He read law with D. D. Haynie, making rapid progress from the first and giving unmistakable evidence of rare innate ability in this work. He was admitted to the bar in Kentucky on April 20, 1906, and was admitted to the bar in Illinois in March, 1907, and has been practicing ever since, his success having been instantaneous.

Our subject learned telegraphy and worked for seven years in nearly every section of the United States, covering the interval between school days and his study of law. He thus became well acquainted with the outside world and thereby greatly strengthened his education. He was a candidate for state's attorney in 1908, but was defeated at the primaries. He is a member of the Anchor Aerie 1828, Fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he is a Democrat and he still holds membership in the Order of Railway Telegraphers, Missouri Pacific Division No. 31. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Salem.

Mr. Haley has been admitted to practice in the local, state and federal courts, the name of the firm in which he is a partner being known as Haynie & Haley, which is regarded as a particularly strong one.

The Haley family is of southern stock. At the commencement of the war between the states the family divided on the slavery question, the father of our subject sympathizing with the Federal government, while the other members of the family remained in the South and cast their lot with the Confederacy. No communications have passed between them since that time.

library is one of the best, most complete and up-to-date in Marion county, and the practice of this firm is rapidly growing, so that they are not only called upon to take all kinds of local legal matters, but are often called to other localities to handle difficult and important cases.

James Lloyd Haley is a man of rare business acumen, foresight, sagacity and persistence. Coupled with this is a pleasing personality and courtesy of manner that win him friends wherever he goes, and make him popular with all classes, so that the future to such a man is unquestionably bright.

The enterprise of the subject has been crowned by success, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integrity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been done in the present instance, judging from the high standing of Mr. Trenary among his fellow citizens whose undivided esteem he has justly won and retained.

G. H. Trenary, the influential and popular superintendent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, with offices at Salem, Illinois, was born February 9, 1867, at Lafayette, Indiana, the son of Randolph B. Trenary, a native of Ohio who came to Indiana when a boy. He was a locomotive engineer, having run an engine during- the Civil war and he followed this profession all his life, becoming one of the best known railroad men in his community. He died in February, 1904, at Stone Bluff, Indiana. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Mollie Norduft, a native of Williamsport, Indiana, and the representative of a well known and highly respected family there. She passed to her rest in 1873. They were the parents of four children, three boys and one girl, namely: Charles W., of Kansas City, Missouri; G. H., the subject of this sketch; Evendar H., who died in 1888; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Mallett, of Stone Bluff, Indiana.

Our subject attended the common schools at Urbana, Illinois, leaving school when in the eighth grade for the purpose of beginning the study of telegraphy at Urbana. Becoming an exeprt at this exacting profession he followed it together with that of agent at various stations for thirteen years with great satisfaction to his employers who regarded him as one of the most efficient and reliable men in this line of work in their employ. He spent four years at Ogden, Illinois; one year at Urbana, one year at Waynetown, Indiana ; one year at Champaign, Illinois ; two years at LeRoy, Illinois ; three years at Veedersburg, Indiana; one year at Hoopestown, Illinois. From 1896 to 1899 he was chief clerk to the general superintendent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company at Chicago. For five years our subject held the responsible position of superintendent at Brazil, Indiana, from 1899 to 1904, since which time he has been superintendent of the Illinois division of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois road, with headquarters at Salem. The offices of this road were located here in December, 1906, having been removed from St. Elmo, this state. This road employs about five hundred people in all departments. The local offices occupy the entire third floor of the Salem State Bank building and is the busiest place in Salem. Mr. Trenary's private office is also on this floor. Everything is under a splendid system.

Mr. Trenary has jurisdiction over all transportation, a very responsible position, indeed, and one that not only requires a superior talent along executive lines, but a clear brain, sound judgment and steady habits, but he has performed his duties so well that the company deems his services indispensable. This road has a departmental division system.

Our subject was happily married in December, 1884, to Beulah R. Glascock, the refined and accomplished daughter of H. J. Glascock, an influential and highly respected citizen of Ogden, Illinois.

The commodious, modern, cheerful and model home of the subject and wife has been blessed through the birth of the six children whose names and dates of birth follow in consecutive order: G. W., born April 12, 1886, lives in Salem; Nell, born December 30, 1887; Genevieve F., born March i, 1893; Robert F., born October 22, 1895; H. Kenneth, born January 29, 1901 ; Randolph Bryant, born January 26, 1904.

These children have received every care and attention, been given good educations and each gives promise of bright and successful futures, exemplifying in their daily lives what a wholesome home environment and careful parental training can do in developing well rounded and highly cultivated minds and bodies.

Mr. Trenary moved his family to Salem in December, 1906. He has been honored by being chosen alderman for the city of Salem. Although a loyal Republican and well fortified in his political beliefs and anxious to see the triumph of his party's principles, Mr. Trenary has never aspired to positions of public trust at the hands of his fellow voters. However, his support can always be depended upon in the advancement of all movements looking to the public weal in his community whether educational, moral or civic.

In his fraternal relations, the subject is a member of the Masonic Order and the Modern Woodmen, and one would soon conclude by a knowledge of his consistent and gentlemanly daily life that he believed in carrying out the sublime precepts of these commendable organizations. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trenary are members of the Christian church. They are pleasant people to meet, and their cozy home is often the mecca for numerous admiring friends who seek the cheerfulness and hospitality so freely and unstintingly dispensed here. No better or more popular people are to be found in Marion county and they justly deserve the high esteem in which they are held.

G. A. Idleman

The subject of this sketch is one of those men who have met with success along the line of his chosen calling and he is today one of the prosperous and respected merchants of Salem, Marion county, where he conducts a modern and attractive store, having built up an extensive and lucrative business by reason of his peculiar adaptability for this line of work, his honesty of business principles and his courteous and kind treatment of customers whom he numbers by the scores.

G. A. Idleman was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1844, the son of Jacob J. Idleman, a native of Virginia, who moved with his parents to Ohio when he was a small boy. He devoted his life principally to agricultural pursuits, but he also devoted much time and labor along a higher plane of action, that of Methodist minister, becoming known as an able expounder of the Gospel and a man of good deeds wherever he went. He engaged in ministerial work for forty years, having worked hard on his farm during the week and preached on Sunday, and to show that he was an extraordinarily sincere men and desirous to do good for the sake of being true to the higher life as outlined by the lowly Nazarene, he never accepted a cent for his ministrial labors in all those forty years, merely preaching for the love of the work and the good he could do, which was an incalculable amount. He was called to his reward by the Good Shepherd whom he had so faithfully followed, in

1887, while living on his farm in Marion county, Illinois, where he moved in 1865, settling two miles south of Salem where he resided the remainder of his life.

The grandfather of the subject was Jacob Idleman, also a native of Virginia, and also a farmer who was known as a man of integrity and many sterling qualities. He reached the advanced age of eighty years, dying in Marion county, Ohio, where he had removed in an early day when the country was wild and unsettled. The subject's mother was Hannah Jones, whose people came from Pennsylvania. Her people lived to be very old, her mother having reached the remarkable age of ninety years. The subject's mother, a woman of gracious personal qualities, is still living in 1908, on the old farm homestead south of Salem at the still more remarkable age of ninety-four years.

Ten children constituted the family of the parents of our subject, four having died in infancy and two having passed away after reaching maturity. Those living are: G. A., our subject; Samantha, the widow of E. \V. Thompson, of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Gallic M. Kell, the widow of William Kell, living in Salem ; Mrs. Belle Sipes, who lives on a farm near Omega, Illinois.

G. A. Idleman, our subject, spent his boyhood days in Marion county, Ohio, where he received a common school education and where he remained until he was twenty years old, having assisted with the farm work while going to school. He came to Salem, Illinois, in 1865 with his parents, and has continued to make this his home. He fanned until he was thirty years old, thereby getting a good start in life. Since that time he has been engaged from time to time in various lines of business. He has been in the mercantile business here for a period of twentyfive years, most of the time in business for himself, but part of the time he was associated in business with others. He has been engaged in the grocery business for the past eight years, since 1900, and which he still conducts, having built up an excellent and lucrative trade as the result of courteous treatment to customers and his expert knowledge of the mercantile business, having always made this line of work pay, not only yielding him a comfortable living, but enabling him to gradually increase his business and at the same time lay up an ample competency for his old age. His customers are not confined to Salem and vicinity, but he is well known throughout Marion county, having always given his customers entire satisfaction as to the quality of goods he handles and to price, consequently he seldom loses a customer. Mr. Idleman built his present store building on First South street, which is one of the neatest and most substantial stores in Salem.

Mr. Idleman was united in marriage in 1870 to Mattie Clark, the representative of one of Salem's well known families. To this union one child has been born, Mrs. Lydia M. Hubbs, of Chicago. The subject was married again May 14, 1902, to Agnes Ray, the daughter of Riley Rose. She was born and reared in Salem. They have no children. Their home is a commodious and nicely furnished one in the most desirable residence district of Salem, and is frequently the gathering place for numerous friends of the family.

Our subject, has served his community in a most efficient and commendable manner as assessor of Salem township, having been the first Republican assessor ever elected in this township. In his fraternal relations he belongs to the Red Men, of Odin, Illinois. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Our subject has ever taken an active interest in the welfare of the community and gives an earnest support to every movement for the public welfare. A man of fine personal traits, he is highly regarded by all who know him, and he is counted one of Salem's most progressive and worthy business men.

John F. Donovan

The gentleman to a review of whose life and characteristics the reader's attention is herewith respectfully invited, is among the most progressive professional men of Marion county, Illinois, who by energy and correct methods has not only achieved success for himself, but has also contributed in a very material way to the commercial, industrial, civic and moral advancement of his place of residence. In the course of an honorable career he has established himself in a liberally remunerative enterprise and

John F. Donovan was bom in New York City November i, 1847, the son of William and Mary Donovan. The lineage of this family, as the name implies, is traced to Ireland, the father of the subject having been born there. He was a longshoreman, and was called from his earthly labors when our subject was young. The mother of the subject was also born in the Emerald Isle, and passed away comparatively young in life. They were Roman Catholics and people of sterling qualities and fine traits. They became the parents of two children.

John F. Donovan, our subject, was placed in the Juvenile Asylum in New York City, where he remained for about five years, or until he was twelve years old. He was then bound to a farmer in Randolph county, Illinois. After remaining in his new home for about eighteen months he took a leave of absence and never returned.

In 1862 our subject, feeling that he could not conscientiously stand idly by and see the nation in the throes of rebellion, enlisted in 1862 in Company I, One Hundred and Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for six months, when, greatly to his regret, it became necessary to drop his name from the company's roll on account of physical disability ; but he later re-enlisted in Company C, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and served with distinction until the close of the war, taking part in many hot engagements and famous battles. He was honorably discharged. His regiment was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, after the grand review at Washington, and was finally mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in August, 1865.

After his career in the army Mr. Donovan came to Centralia, Marion county, Illinois, where he remained for about six years, then came to Kinmundy, where he has since resided. He was always a close observer and a diligent student, and early in life decided that the law should be his profession, consequently he began the study of the same and was admitted to the bar in 1874, since which time he has devoted himself almost exclusively to the practice of law, winning a great reputation throughout this and adjoining counties as a learned, able and careful exponent of this profession, never erring in his cool calculating manner in drawing or presenting a case, whether criminal or civil, and he is also known as an orator of no mean ability. His success was instantaneous and his office has always been filled with clients.

Our subject was appointed postmaster of Kinmundy, first in 1877, having served in a most acceptable manner for eight years and was removed by President Cleveland. He was re-appointed in 1902 and is still ably serving in that capacity. He has been mayor of Kinmundy at different times for fifteen years. He was instrumental in organizing the Marion County Grand Army of the Republic, being at the head of the Reunion Association. He has served as inspector general of Illinois on the national staff, also on the department staff, also chief mustering officer for Illinois. Mr. Donovan was president of the Southern Illinois Emigration and Improvement Association, also officer of the day of the Southern Illinois Reunion Association. He has held various offices in the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Donovan was united in marriage November 3, 1880, to Ellen King, a native of Marion county, the daughter of John B. and Rebecca J. (Evans) King, a highly respected and influential family whose people were from Ohio. Her father was a soldier in the Civil war, from Illinois, having been a member of Company A, Eighty-eighth Chicago Board of Trade Regiment, in which he served throughout the war.

In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, having filled all the chairs in the local lodges, and he has been representative of these lodges in the grand lodges.

Mr. Donovan is a man of distinct and forceful individuality, of marked sagacity, of indomitable enterprise, and always upright in his dealings with his fellow men, loyal and faithful to every trust imposed in him, public-spirited, and in manners courteous and kindly, easily approachable. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, and his activity in industrial, professional and civic lines and financial circles forms no unimportant chapter in the history of Marion county.

Earl C. Huggins

Coupled with Mr. Muggins' innate ability as an attorney, his unusual clearness of perception, analytical tact and soundness of theory is his courteous manners, persistency and unswerving integrity, rendering him one of the strong young attorneys of this locality and one of the successful practitioners of this county, and to him the fu: ture is particularly bright owing to his natural ability and past splendid record.

Earl C. Huggins, whose law and insurance office is located in Kinmundy, Illinois, was born in Marion county, this state, September 9, 1877, and, unlike many of his early companions and contemporaries, who sought precarious fortunes in other fields, most of them finding merely the will-o'-thewisp of success, Mr. Huggins preferred to remain on his native heath, believing that greater things awaited him right here at home than could be found otherwhere, and, judging from the success which has attended his efforts, such a decision was a most fortunate one not only for himself, but also for the people of this vicinity. He is the son of Steven D. and Lena (Crundwell) Huggins, well known and influential family for many years in this county. Grandfather Huggins was a Kentuckian, having come to Illinois, settling in this county on a farm which he purchased, and on which he remained during the rest of his life, dying here at the age of seventy-five years. His widow/ a grand old lady of beautiful Christian character, is still living in 1908, at the advanced age of

Stephen Huggins, father of the subject, was born in Marion county, this state, attending the public schools here, working on his father's farm until he became of age, when he was married, after which he farmed for a time with much success, then moved to Kinmundy and followed teaming, later engaging in the coal mining business in this vicinity, being still interested in mining. His residence is in Kinmundy.

Mrs. Lena Huggins, mother of our subject, was brought to America from England when a child, and her people eventually settled at Salem, this county, where her parents died when she was young. She attended the public schools in Salem, where she remained until the age of sixteen. After the death of her parents she was taken into the family of Wily Cunningham, who was a soldier, having been killed in battle during the Civil war. After the death of Mr. Cunningham his widow married again, her second husband having been Mr. Samuel Jones. They moved to Stevenson township, Marion county, where our subject's mother remained until her marriage.

The following children have been bom to the subject's parents: Roy, whose date of birth occurred March 21, 1876, is a painter by trade, living at Granite City, Madison county. Illinois; and Earl C., our subject.

University

brilliant record for scholarship. Following this he clerked in the post-office for one year, then he acted as clerk in a grocery store for a period of one year, being an efficient clerk in both, but believing that his true calling lay along more worthy planes, he began the study of law under Judge C. H. Holt, at that time a resident of Kinmundy, being County Judge at the time. He made rapid progress in his studies and entered the Illinois Wesleyan University, College of Law, from which he graduated high in his class in 1903, having won a record as one of the ablest pupils that ever passed through this well known institution. After leaving the law school, Mr. Huggins formed a partnership with his former instructor, Judge Holt, the partnership being a particularly strong one, and continuing in a most successful manner until August, 1904, when the judge moved to Salem, the county seat. Since that time our subject has continued the practice of law with his office in Kinmundy, but the volume of business has been very large for one man to handle. However, Mr. Huggins has ably dispensed with it all and is keeping his usual large number of clients, his business extending well over Marion county and invading surrounding counties, being general in its nature. He is known as a very careful and conscientious worker.

Although Mr. Huggins does not aspire to positions of official preferment, he is at present serving very efficiently as city attorney of Kinmundy, being in his second term. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and his influence can always be depended upon in placing the best men in the county offices and in support of all movements looking to the development of the community at large, whether political, educational or moral.

Fraternally our subject is affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias, having filled the chairs in the latter, and one would judge from a study of his daily life that he advocates the sublime principles of these praiseworthy orders.

Our subject possesses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. - Mr. Songer was one of the brave sons of the North who offered his services and his life, if need be, in the suppression of the great rebellion during the dark days of the sixties, which render it fitting that he should be given conspicuous notice in the present historical work.

A. W. Songer, the well known and popular president of the First National Bank of Kinmundy, Illinois, was bom in Clay county, this state, November 2, 1832, the son of Frederick and Jane (Helms) Songer, - a sterling pioneer family of that locality. Grandfather Songer was a native of Virginia, a fine old southern gentleman. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, eventually moving to Indiana where he spent the balance of his days. His marriage occurred in Virginia and most of his family were born there. He was called from his earthly career when about sixty years old. He was a Lutheran in his religious affiliations. Eight children were born to this family, one of them having become a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Grandmother Songer, a woman of many strong attributes, survived her husband until she reached the advanced age of eighty years. Grandfather Helms was also a native of Virginia, who moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and from there to Tennessee, where he worked at his trade of blacksmith. Charles, one of his sons, moved to Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life, having lived many years near Indianapolis. The balance of the family were early settlers in Illinois and from here scattered to the western states, principally to Nebraska and Texas. One of them was a soldier in the Black Hawk war and another fought in the Mexican war. The Songer family, represented by the great-grandmother of our subject, was from Germany. The great-great-grandfather of the subject died in Germany, his widow coming to America shortly after his death, one of her children dying on the ocean on the way over. She settled in Virginia.

The father of the subject remained in Virginia until he was about twenty-two years old. He received only such education as the public schools afforded at that early day. However, he became a well informed man. He was a carpenter and builder of considerable note. He lived for some time in Indiana, where he was married, later moving to Illinois about 1821, settling in Clay county, where he remained until 1835, when he moved to Marion county, entering about two hundred acres of land from the government which he transformed into a fine farm through his habits of industry and skill as an agriculturist, living on this until 1872, in which year he moved to Kinmundy, where he died at the age of seventy-three years, owning an excellent farm which he left as an estate. He became a man of considerable influence in his community. He was an active and loyal member of the Methodist church as was also his wife. He was a Justice of the Peace for a number of years. For a time he owned and successfully operated a saw and grist mill. There were ten children in this family, seven of whom lived to maturity. A brother of our subject, Samuel T., was a soldier in the Civil war, a member of Company G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having served for three years, engaging in all the campaigns and battles of his regiment up to the date of his discharge which was at the termination of his enlistment. He is living in 1908 and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he takes a just pride. William F., brother of the subject, was also a soldier, having performed conspicuous service in the Mexican war. He was at one time State Representa - tive in Oregon, in which state he stil. re-

A. W. Songer, our subject, received his early education in the common schools of Illinois. Being a diligent student and ambitious from the start he has become well educated. He remained on the home farm assisting his father with the work about the place during the months that he was not in school until he was twenty-one years old. Learning the carpenter's trade, he followed this for three years, then in 1861, when he felt his patriotic zeal inspired as the result of our national integrity being at stake when the fierce fires of rebellion were raging in the Southland, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Regiment, having been mustered in as second lieutenant and was soon promoted to first lieutenant and consequently served as an officer of that regiment for four years and five days when he was honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865, after having taking a conspicuous part in the following engagements: Perryville, Kentucky; Stone River, Tennessee; Chickamaugua, having been captured at this battle and was taken to Libby prison, where he remained three months, when he was sent to prison at Macon, Georgia, later to Charleston, South Carolina, thence to Columbia, South Carolina, then to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he was exchanged, after having been a prisoner seventeen months and eight days, and thirty days thereafter he was mustered out of the service at St. Louis, Missouri.

After the war Mr. Songer returned to his home in Illinois and worked at his trade for a time. He then came to Kinmundy and entered into the milling business in which he continued with the most gratifying results until 1907, becoming known throughout the locality as one of the leading men in this line of business. He sold his mill and devoted his attention to the banking business in which he has been eminently successful. He had been connected with the State Bank of Kinmundy for some time, becoming president of the same. It was consolidated with the First National Bank, becoming the First National on August 26, 1906, the date of the consolidation, since which time Mr. Songer has been president. This is one of the solidest and most popular institutions of its kind in this part of the state and its prestige was greatly strengthened when Mr. Songer became its head for the public at once realized that their funds would be entirely safe in his hands owing to his conservatism, coupled with his peculiar business sagacity, and since then the business of the First National has grown steadily.

The domestic life of our subject dates from 1868, when he was united in marriage with Margaret C. Nelm, of Cairo, Illinois, the daughter of Norflett and Lydia (Dickens) Nelm. Her paternal ancestor, Dickens, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, which rendered the wife of our subject eligible to the Order of Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. The grandfather of the subject's wife was a Baptist minister. Her father was a soldier in

Three children have been born to the subject and wife as follows: Mary E., born December 25, 1871, is the wife of J. T. Brown, ot Marion county; Frederick is married and living in Kinmundy. Neither of them have children of their own. The third child of the subject and wife died in infancy.

Mrs. Songer was called to her rest September 9, 1907, after a most happy and harmonious married life and one that was beautified by Christian character and many kind and charitable deeds which made her beloved by all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Methodist church, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which order Mary E. ( Songer) Brown was also a member.

Mr. Songer, as might be expected, is a consistent member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 255, known as the Hix Post. He is now commander of the same. In politics he is a Republican and is well grounded in his political beliefs, his influence always being felt for the good of his party and in support of the best men possible for local offices. He has never aspired to positions of trust and emolument at the hands of his fellow voters. However, he has been Alderman of the city of Kinmundy several times. His efforts have proven of the greatest benefit to his fellow men of Marion county as well as to himself.

James F. Howell

Examine into the life records of the selfmade men and it will always be found that indefatigable industry forms the basis of their success. True there are other elements that enter in - perseverance of purpose and keen discrimination - which enable one to recognize business opportunities, but the foundation of all achievement is earnest, persistest labor. This fact was recognized at the outset of his career by the worthy gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article and he did not seek to gain any short or wondrous method to the goal of prosperity. He began, however, to work earnestly and diligently in order to advance himself in the business world, at the same time doing what he could for the welfare of the community at large, and as a result of his habits of industry, public spirit, courteous demeanor and honorable career he enjoys the esteem and admiration of a host of friends in Marion county, where he has long maintained his home and where he is known as one of the representative citizens of the great state of Illinois.

James F. Howell was born in Marion county, this state, March 25, 1840, and he has elected to spend his entire life on his native heath, believing that better opportunities were to be found at home than in other and distant fields of endeavor. He is the son of Jackson D. and Agnes (Gray) Howell. Grandfather Howell came to Illinois from Tennessee in 1825, settling in this county, having taken up land from the government, eighty acres at the time of his coming. He afterward bought one hundred and twenty acres more from the government, a part of which was timbered and a part was on the prairie. He cleared the timber land, this being the part he first purchased, clearing and farming the timbered land first. There were not any settlements on the prairie at that time, all the settlements there were then being in the timbered lands. The first Monday in May each year was wolf day. All the settlers gathered on that day and made a general drive, often taking large numbers of prairie wolves. There were also large numbers of deer at that time and our subject has helped kill as many as forty or fifty at one time. Grandfather Howell lived on the land he secured from the government during the rest of his life, being known as one of the strongest characters of those pioneer times. He reached the age of eighty-five years, his wife having been called to rest at the age of fifty. There were ten children in this family, all of whom lived to maturity and reared families of their own. The subject's grandfather was the fifth in order of birth. Two of these children lived to be over eighty years of age. The others lived to be about seventy.

The subject's father obtained what little education he could in the district schools of this county ; however, there was but little opportunity for schooling at that time. He worked on his father's farm until after he reached maturity, then he pre-empted land, and lived on it, finally owning three hundred and sixty acres, mostly prairie land, on which he carried on general farming. He made his home on this land during the rest of his life, owning it at the time of his death. He died while on the road home from California. His remains were brought to Ki'imundy and laid to rest. He was a man of fine personal traits and exercised much influence in the upbuilding of his community. There were ten children in this family, six of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Howell's first wife was called to her rest at the age of forty-one, and he was again married. To this union two children were bom, one living, in 1908. The mother of the subject was born in Tennessee and was brought to Illinois by her parents when about six years old.

James F. Howell, our subject, was born about one and one-half miles from where he now lives. The home he owns and occupies is the fourth one in which he has lived since leaving his father's old homestead. Our subject now owns twenty-six acres of the original purchase by his father from the government. He has always devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, owning at this writing one hundred and six acres of as good farming land as may be found in the county, being kept in a high state of productiveness, general . farming being carried on in a manner that stamps the subject as one of the foremost farmers in this locality.

Mr. Howell was married in 1858 to Isabel J. Robb, who was born in the township where she has always lived, being a representative of a well known and highly respected people. Her people came from Ten- nessee, being among the earliest settlers in this county. Mrs. Howell was called to her reward February 3, 1907, at the age of sixty-six years, after a harmonious and beautiful Christian life.

The children born to this union are named in order of birth as follows: Arminda H., born June 18, 1859, is the wife of H. A. Brown, and the mother of eight children: Reufinia E., born February 24, 1861, is the wife of Benjamin Garrett and the mother of five children; Leander, bom April 24, 1863, who became the father of four children, is deceased; Ida M. and Nettie, twins, were born September 23, 1866, the latter dying when four years old, the former becoming the wife of G. C. Warner; Charles H., born January 24, 1869, is married and has three children : Samuel E., born January 12, 1871, is married and has one child; Ellis M., born January 12, 1875, is married; Eva M., born November 14. 1877, became the wife of Lloyd Perrill and is the mother of two children: James E., born August 5, 1880, is married and has one child. He now lives in Roumania, in the employ of the Standard Oil Company.

The subject has been twice married, having been united in the bonds of wedlock with his second wife February 20, 1908, his last wife being Martha Anglin, a native of this county, her people having come from Tennessee in 1839. The maternal grandfather of the subject's wife came from Ireland and her father's people from Scotland, first settling in Alabama, later moving to Tennessee and then to Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Minerva Howell, an aunt of the subject by marriage, was born in Tennessee in 1829. Her people were from old Virginia, who later came to Illinois when she was one year old, her father settling in Marion county, later moving to Williamson county, Illinois, where he died when about seventy years old. Mrs. Howell remarried. She became the mother of eleven children, four of whom lived to maturity, two of them living in 1908. Her husband died at the age of seventy-six. He was also born in Tennessee.

James F. Howell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political relations he affiliates with the Democratic party. The subject's first wife was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

In matters pertaining to the welfare of his township, county and state, Mr. Howell is deeply interested, and his efforts in behalf of the general progress have been far-reaching and beneficial. His name is indelibly associated with progress in the county of his birth, and among those in whose midst he has always lived he is held in the highest esteem by reason of an upright life and of fidelity to principles which in every land and clime command respect.

Wilfred W. Merz

ing if a record of his activities and achievements are given prominence, and a tribute to his worth and high character as a business man, a public-spirited and enterprising, broad-minded citizen, for although he is yet a young man he has shown by his persistency and eminently worthy career what can t»e accomplished by the young man who has thrift, energy, tact, force of character and honesty of purpose, and representing as he -does one of the best and most highly esteemed families of the country, whose ancestors did so much in the pioneer days to prepare the country for the enjoyment and success of succeeding generations, Mr. Merz is peculiarly entitled to proper mention in this work along with other leading and honorable citizens of Marion county.

Wilfred \V. Merz, the popular and efficient agent of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, also of the Wells, Fargo & Company Express, at Salem, Marion -county, was born at this place February 13, 1872, being the eldest child of Nicholas Merz, who is a member of the Council of Aldermen of the city of Salem, and an influential and highly respected citizen who has lived in Salem practically all his life. Nicholas Merz's parents were born in Germany and migrated to America in early life, and -soon established comfortable homes in the new world and lived to a ripe old age.

The mother of our subject was known in "her maidenhood as Elizabeth A. Smith. She was born at Decatur, Illinois, and died at Huey. Illinois.

Sarah S. Ritchie, the maternal grandmother of our subject, is a native of Giles county, Virginia, born March 22, 1828, and at present resides near Shattuc, Illinois, in her eightieth year. Her first husband was John H. Smith, who was born September i, 1831, at Chillicothe, Ohio, and died at Metropolis, Illinois, October 2, 1888. He was the father of nine children (the mother of our subject being the eldest), only one of whom is living, John Lewis Smith, of Carlyle, Illinois.

Nicholas Merz by his first wife is the father of five children, of whom four are living in 1908, and whose births occurred in the following order: Wilfred W., our subject; Nellie, the wife of Richard Ellington, of St. Louis ; John L. , living in Chicago ; Nona died in Chicago, July 8, 1905 ; Orval Nicholas living in Salem, Illinois. To Nicholas Merz and his second wife one child was born, Mabel, who is living with her parents in Salem.

Wilfred W. Merz was reared in Salem, having attended the city schools where he applied himself in a most assiduous manner, outstripping many less ambitious plodders until he graduated from the high school as salutarian with the class of 1900, having made an excellent record for scholarship.

After leaving school Mr. Merz farmed on his father's place for two years, making agriculture a success. He then left the farm and accepted a clerkship with the mercantile firm of Cutler & Hays in Salem in whose employ he remained for one and one-half years, giving entire satisfaction as a salesman and by reason of his adaptability for this line of work and his courteous treatment of customers did much to increase the firm's popularity and trade.

In 1893 Mr. Merz entered the railroad business with the Baltimore & Ohio, and was assistant agent at Salem during 1893 and 1894. On. January 16, 1895, he was appointed agent for the Chicago, Paducah & Memphis Railroad Company at Kell, Illinois. This road later passed into the control of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois in 1907, and after about eight months of acceptable service at Kell, Mr. Merz was promoted to the position of agent at Salem for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois road, and he has since been their faithful employe at this important post, with the exception of five months as agent at Tuscola, Illinois, from January to June, 1904, and as assistant cashier of the Salem State Bank from October, 1904, to October, 1905, which position he held with honor and resigned the same to re-enter the railroad service. He is regarded by the company as one of 'the most conscientious and reliable agents in their service. Since the division was established at Salem in 1905, this office has become one of the most important along the company's line.

Mr. Merz was happily married August 24, 1897, to Nettie Kell, daughter of J. M. Kell and wife, a well known family of old Foxville. Mrs. Merz is a representative of one of the oldest families of Marion county, and one of a family 'of nine children, seven of whom are yet living, Maudie and Robert dying in infancy. Her father and mother are still living at the time of this writing, the mother being one of ten sisters all of whom, are living in 1908, a most remarkable record. Her father, John M. Kell, was a soldier in the Union ranks during the war between the states and was one of a family of twelve children, one of his brothers being killed in the last skirmish of the Civil war after a service of three years. Mrs. Merz's grandfather, on her maternal side, was Robert Wham, a well-to-do pioneer of Marion county who rendered distinguished services as a soldier in the Mexican war. He had a brother, French L., who died in Andersonville prison. Mr. Wham passed away January 10, 1905, at a very old age.

Mr. and Mrs. Merz are the parents of three bright and interesting children who have added cheer to the cozy, modern and nicely furnished home which is so graciously presided over with rare dignity and grace by the subject's wife, the names of their children being as follows: Robert W., born July 6, 1898; Helen Louise, born February 6, 1900; Gladys Roberta, born June 6, 1902. The fact that the birth of these children all occurred on the sixth of the month is a singular coincidence.

Mr. and Mrs. Merz own their own beautiful home on East Main street. Both are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are known as among the best members of the congregation with which they have always been popular. The subject has spent his entire life in Salem where he is well and favorably known, having gained and retained undivided respect of all as a result of his sober, industrious and honorable career. He is always to be found on the right side of all questions looking to the betterment of his community and may well be said to represent Marion county's best citizenship in every particular.

James Henry Kimberlin

Upon the roll of representative citizens and prominent and influential business men of Marion county consistently appears the name which initiates this paragraph. He has been a resident of Salem for many years, during which time he has gradually won his way into the affections of the people, for he possesses those sterling qualities of character which commend themselves to persons of intelligence and the highest morality, so it is no cause for wonder that he has achieved so high a position in the general estimation of all who have come in touch with him. For many years he was a professional man, gaining wide popularity in this manner, but he is now rendering efficient service at the Salem post-office.

James Henry Kimberlin was born in Richland county, Illinois, January 18, 1860, the son of W. O. Kimberlin, a native of Indiana, having been born February 2. 1826, near Scottsburg, Scott county. He left Indiana and came to Richland county, Illinois, in 1856, settling on a farm where he became known as one of the progressive agriculturists of that community and made a comfortable living until the year 1884, when he was called from his earthly labors by the "grim reaper". His widow, who was Hannah E. Reed, born near Salem, Washington county, Indiana, October 31, 1825, a woman of many praiseworthy traits, is living on the old homestead there at this writing (1908), being eighty-three years old, yet able to do her own house work. Her long life has been one of self-sacrifice for the good of her family and others so that now in her serene old age she can look back over the years without cause for regret. The father of our subject was a soldier in the Union ranks during the great Civil war, having been a member of Company F, Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was with Grant at Vicksburg and was in many other important battles. He was in the hospital service for some time, also did general duty at New Orleans, having remained in the service up to January 12, 1866, when he was discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and arrived home February 2d, following which was his fortieth birthday. He had two brothers killed in battle during this war. Their names were Daniel and Jacob. Another brother, Isaac M., went through the service in the Seventh and Eleventh Missouri Volunteer Infantry, having been a member of Company G. Dr. H. L. Kimberlin, another brother of the subject's father, who is now living at Mitchell, Indiana, was a Government Reporter on Governor Morton's staff.

The paternal grandfather of the subject was Jacob Kimberlin, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Indiana when a young man. He devoted his life to farming and died about 1871. He was well known about Greenfield, where he operated a toll gate, subsequent to the war. The subject's maternal grandfather was Joseph Reed, of Scotch-English ancestry.

Eight children were born to the parents of the subject, only two of whom are now living. George W., the subject's only living brother, is living at Noble, Richland county, with his mother on the old farm. Among the papers held by the Kimberlins is the original land grant by the government for their old homestead made to Joseph Reed and signed by President Franklin Pierce.

James Henry Kimberlin, our subject, spent his boyhood on the parental farm in Richland county where he performed his part of the work about the place from year to year after he reached the age when he could be of valuable sen-ice to his father. He attended the neighboring schools in the meantime where he applied himself in a manner which insured a good education. After leaving school and working at various minor employments for several years he finally accepted a position as commercial traveler which he followed with marked success for three and one-half years, giving entire satisfaction to his employers, when, much to their regret he was compelled to tender his resignation on account of temporary ill health. After this our subject took up the study of ophthalmology, which he decided should be his life work, consequently he made rapid progress in this work, having attended the Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology at Chicago, from which institution he graduated with high honors with the degree of Fellow of Optics in 1892. He at once began practice and his success was instantaneous, having practiced at Olney, Shelbyville and Salem, having established his business in the last named city in 1900, since which time he has been a resident of this city. His work in this line was always considered first class and he achieved wide popularity in the same.

Mr. Kimberlin was, however, induced to give up his profession to become deputy post-master of this city, which position he is filling to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, showing that he has rare executive as well professional ability.

Mr. Kimberlin was united in marriage to Eva Myers, November 19, 1903, the daughter of the late Theodore Myers, of luka, Illinois, and the accomplished representative of a well known family. One child, a bright and interesting lad, bearing the name of James Henry Kimberlin, Jr., was born to the subject and wife May 4, 1905.

Mrs. Kimberlin is one of a family of five children. One child died after reaching maturity. Theodore Myers was a farmer, and was a soldier in the Civil war.

In his political affiliations our subject is a strong Republican, and he is a well informed man on political and all current questions. He is a Protestant in his religious belief. He is recognized as a man of sterling integrity and of strong convictions as to all matters affecting the best interests of the community and is always found on the right side of every moral issue.

George Cox

In the field of political life, teaching and the railroad business in Marion county, Illinois, the subject of this sketch has won distinction, and today is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Salem. He has figured prominently in public affairs, ever lending his influence in the development of all worthy causes looking to the development of the locality at large, being an advocate of progressive measures. He is now filling the position of Deputy County Clerk and the promptness and fidelity with which he discharges his duties have won for him the favorable criticism of leading representatives of both political parties.

George Cox was born in Parke county, Indiana, July n, 1848, and came to luka, Illinois, September 4, 1868. His father was Alfred Cox, a native of Ohio, who migrated to Indiana when a very small boy. Joshua Cox, grandfather of George Cox, was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, who migrated to Indiana at a very early date and entered land when the United States land office was at Vincennes, he being compelled to go to Vincennes to make his payments, making the trip on horseback, and it was his custom to camp and hunt on the way.

Grandfather Cox was a farmer of great ability for those early times. His widow survived him several years. George W. Overpeck, grandfather of the subject on his mother's .side, was born in Pennsylvania. His father and mother having died in early life he drifted to Hamilton county, Ohio, and died in the spring of 1867, having been survived several years by his widow. They spent their lives on a farm.

The father of the subject is now a resident of Illinois and makes his home among his children here and at Shattuc, this state. The mother of the subject was known in her maidenhood as Mary Overpeck, a native of Ohio. She passed to her rest in April, 1902, at Shattuc, Illinois, at the home of her daughter. Both the father and the mother of our subject were the oldest representatives of their respective families. Following children were born to them, seven of whom are living at this writing, 1908, named in order of birth as follows r George, our subject; Mary Jane, wife of P. B. Anderson, of Shattuc, Illinois ; Sally Ann, wife of H. C. Brown, of Vandalia, Illinois; John, of Clinton county, near Huey, Illinois ; Amanda, deceased ; Perry, of luka township, this county; Warner, of Decatur, Illinois; Eva, deceased: Julia is the wife of Milton Andrews, of Ouray, Colorado; Libby is deceased as are also the last two children born to this couple.

George Cox was reared on the parental farm in Parke county, Indiana, and attended the common schools there, also the graded schools by working mornings and evenings to pay his tuition, as his parents were poor and could not defray the expenses of an education for our subject, but he was possessed of an indomitable will and forged ahead despite obstacles winning definite success in after life as a result of his energy and persistency. After completing the course of study laid down in the graded schools he attended school at Rockville for a time, after which he taught school with great success for several years, becoming known as one of the able educators of the county and his services were in great demand. He continued teaching until his health failed. He then went to railroading, locating in luka September 4, 1868, as indicated before. He attended school that winter at Xenia, Illinois, passing the examination for teacher's license. He then took a course in the Wabash Commercial College at Vincennes, Indiana, after which he returned to railroading first as brakeman, then a freight conductor, later as passenger conductor on the old Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio, Southwestern Railroad. During all these years of railroad service he would at times return to teaching school in both Indiana and Illinois. In 1880 our subject moved on a farm in luka township and for twenty-one consecutive years taught school during the winter months, farming the remainder of the year. He made a success of whatever he undertook whether it was farming, teaching or railroading. In the latter he won the confidence of his employers who regarded him as one of their most valuable employes.

In April, 1908, Mr. Cox became Deputy County Clerk, which position he is holding with much credit to his innate ability and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

When teaching school our subject was principal of the luka schools. He was offered many important positions as a teacher but declined as he desired to teach near home and live at home.

Mr. Cox was united in marriage in 1879 to Mary E. Young, the talented and accomplished daughter of W. J. Young, of luka township, . one of the pioneers of Marion county. Mr. Young was an influential citizen and served as a lieutenant during the Civil war.

Mr. Cox still owns a valuable farm of eighty acres in which he takes a great interest, having improved it up to a high standard of Marion county's valuable farms, it ranking with the best of them. It is located four and one-half miles southeast of luka. An excellent residence and several substantial out buildings stand on the place.

Mr. Cox has been a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools at different times but was defeated by a few votes. In politics he is a Democrat. In his fraternal relations he is affiliated with the Masons at luka and is an honorary member of the Modern Woodmen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and both belong to the Eastern Star.

The early pioneers of Marion county, Illinois, have about all "crossed the great divide." Year by year their numbers have continued to diminish, until of the hundreds who settled here in the twenties and thirties only a few of them remain. There are, however, many men and women now living in the county, who, though coming here in what might be properly termed the second period after the pioneers, have borne well their part in making this a prosperous region. They are no less worthy of praise in the part they bore in the labors and privations of this early period than are their parents. Among these is the subject of this sketch, who has spent the major part of his mature years in the county where he has become widely known and where his labors have benefited alike himself and the community at large.

The father of the subject left Pennsylvania when a young man, and settled in Delaware county, Indiana, and came to Illinois in 1865, in Jo Daviess county and in 1869 came to Marion county where he remained the balance of his life, having reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, after a life of hard work in agricultural pursuits. The subject's mother, a woman of many fine qualities and a worthy companion of her noble husband, lived to be seventy-three years old, and was in her religious belief a member of the old school Baptists. There were seven children in this family, six living to maturity. Samuel, the oldest brother of the subject, was a soldier from Indiana in the Union lines and was killed at Marietta, Georgia, where he was buried. A brother of the father of our subject had a son, John T. West, who was also a soldier in the Civil war, having been in a Pennsylvania regiment.

Charles H. West, our subject, came with his father to Marion county in 1869. He attended the public schools in Delaware county, Indiana, where he worked on his father's farm during the summer season, having remained a member of the family circle until he was thirty-one years of age. He then leased his father's farm in this county for a number of years, and after his father returned to Illinois he purchased the same which he has managed with the greatest success for a period of twentyfive years, developing it into one of the leading farms of the community and gathering from its fertile fields from year to year bounteous harvests.

Mr. West owns at this writing, 1908, twelve and one-half acres in Kinmundy in one section of the city and also a ten-acre orchard in another section of the city, also forty acres one-half mile east of the town, containing a fine orchard, all well located and good land. He also has excellent property in the central part of the town, and fifty acres of horticultural land, which is very valuable owing to the large and choice varieties of trees on it. This property claims much of his attention since Mr. West delights in horticultural work, being well versed in its various phases. He owns a modern, large, nicely furnished and altogether one of the most desirable residences in Kinmundy or vicinity. All this he has made himself practically unaided as a result of his genuine business sagacity, persistency and honesty.

Mr. West was united in marriage in 1877 to Rose X. Dillon, a native of Marion county, whose father was from Kentucky; her mother's people being from Ohio. Three children have been born to this union, named in order of birth as follows : Harry T., who was born in 1878, is married and has two children; Maud L. is the wife of A. G. Porter and the mother of one child ; the third child died in infancy.

Mr. West is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and their auxiliaries. In politics he is a Republican and is an Alderman in the City Council of Kinmundy, which position he fills with great credit.

In township and county affairs Mr. West takes an active interest and when his judgment approves of any measure that is advanced he is not hesitant in giving his approval and active aid. In many ways he has given his time and service for the general good. He has a wide acquaintance and the favorable judgment the public passed upon him in the early days of his residence here has been in no degree set aside or modified as the years have gone by.

William C. Ixgram

Standing in an eminent position among the industrial representatives of Marion county is the subject of this sketch, who is recognized as one of Kinmundy's leading citizens, having for many years been interested in the local flouring mill the reputation of which has spread all over this locality as a result of his able management. In this regard he is controlling an extensive and important industry, for the product of his mill is large and the annual shipment of flour made to the city markets bring in return a very desirable income to the stockholders of the company. His success has been won entirely along old and time-tried maxims, such as "honesty is the best policy" and "there is no excellence without labor."

William C. Ingram was born in Indiana in 1848, the son of Samuel and Minerva A. (Powers) Ingram. Grandfather Ingram is supposed to have been born in Kentucky and moved to Warrick county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming and where he spent the balance of his days in honest and useful toil ; there raising his family and passing from his labors into the great beyond, after reaching a very advanced age. His faithful life companion also lived to an advanced age. They reared a large family, all but one of whom lived to be men and women and reared families of their own. A number of their sons were gallant infantrymen in the Union ranks during the war between the states. The Ingram lineage is from Eng- land, and were early settlers in Kentucky, having come there in the brave days of Daniel Boone when the principal tasks of the pioneers were the clearing of the primeval forests and the banishment of the wary red men.

Samuel Ingram, the father of the subject, was reared in Indiana, and was almost wholly without educational advantages. His date of birth is recorded as 1824, consequently'his boyhood was during a time when schools had scarcely been established in the Hoosier state. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits of which he made a success being a hard worker. He left Indiana in 1854 and moved to Edwards county, Illinois, but came on to Marion county, landing here April 6, 1857, and bought a farm on which he remained and greatly improved, living there in comfort until 1866, when he moved to Kinmundy, still working his farm ; continuing this for ten years when he sold out and retired from active work. He is still hale and active at this writing (1908), having attained the ripe age of eighty-four. As a result of his well spent life his old age is happy, for it is free from want and worry and pervaded with no unpleasant memories or regrets and compunctions over a misspent past, for his life has been one of honor and industry, most worthily lived. There were eight children in his family, six of whom are now living and have families of their own. The mother of the subject, a woman of beautiful Christian character, passed to her rest at the age of seventyeight years. This fine old couple were always devout Methodists.

The great-grandfather Powers of the subject spent most of his life in Indiana, living to an old age. He was a Democrat and a Baptist. Grandmother Powers died in middle age. One of Mrs. Ingram's brothers, John Powers, was a soldier in the Civil war.

William C. Ingram, our subject, was brought to Illinois by his parents when six years old and to Marion county three years later, having been placed at once in the public schools here where he received his education, and in other similar "schools of this state. He worked on his father's farm and for others as a farm hand until he was twenty-one years old, when he rented a farm and worked it on his own account for two years, making a good start in this way. He then purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in this county on which he remained for a few years when he went to carpentry and farming, later purchasing a saw mill which he successfully operated for twenty-five years, which he recently sold. He has also owned two other saw mills, and has been known as one of the leading mill men of this locality for many years Some time ago he came to Kinmundy and purchased an interest in the Songer flouring mill which has been in operation for forty years, the subject now owning forty shares in this mill and is a director in the same, which has a wide reputation for the excellency of its products, customers not only coming in person from all parts of the county, but many orders are constantly pouring in from adjoining counties and distant cities. The subject's son is also a part owner in the mill.

Our subject has also been a merchant, and owing to his honesty in business, his natural ability and his discriminating foresight, he has always made a success at whatever he undertook, so that today he is regarded as one of the financially substantial men of the county, every dollar in his possession having been honestly earned by hard work.

Mr. Ingram was united in marriage in 1869 to Mary R. Gray, a native of this county, daughter of James H, and Susanna Jane (Hannah) Gray. They were from Tennessee and lived on a farm. Her father was president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Kinmundy at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-seven years. In their family were ten children, seven of whom lived to maturity, but were short-lived people.

Six children were born to the subject and wife as follows : Jane who was born in 1871, died when two and one-half years old; Charles H., who was born in 1874, is now living in Oklahoma and is the father of six children : Nellie A., who was born in 1876, is the wife of M. E. Huston, who lives at Maroa, Illinois, and is the mother of one child; Isaac D. was born in 1879 and is now associated with his father in the mill, is married and has three children ; Robert L., who was born in 1880, is living in the state of Washington, is married and has one child; William G., born in 1882, died at the age of twenty-one years.

The subject's first wife passed away in 1883. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Mr. Ingram was married a second time, the date of his last wedding occurring in 1888. Nancy I. Gray (nee Booth), who was then the mother of two children, was his second choice. W. H. Gray, a sketch of whose life appears in this work, is her son. Her other child is dead. There has been no issue by the subject's last union. Mr. Ingram is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and he attends the Methodist church, of which his wife is a faithful member. In politics he supports the Republican ticket and he takes a keen interest in public affairs, though he has no ambition for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to give his attention to his own business affairs.

W. S. Conant

Marion county, Illinois, is characterized by her full share of the honored and faithful element who have done so much for the development and upbuilding of the state and the establishment of the institutions of civilization in this fertile and well favored section. Among these worthy native sons the name of the subject of this sketch is properly installed.

W. S. Conant was born in this county, September 22, 1854, the son of William R., and Fannie (Swift) Conant. Grandfather Conant was a native of Massachusetts, who moved from that state to Georgia and then to Illinois, settling in Marion county, coming here in an early day and being the first school teacher in the county. He entered land here and farmed for some time, having passed to his rest about 1840, at the age of about fifty years. His wife died within one week of her husband. Grandfather Swift was a native of Tennessee, who moved to this county about 1830, entering land here which he developed into a farm and where he reared his family. He died a short distance from where he first located, having moved to the former place, his death occurring about 1870, when he was about seventy years old. His widow survived him about ten years. She was a Presbyterian. There were five children in this family, all of them living to maturity.

The father of the subject was born in Georgia and came to Illinois with his parents when he was but a boy. His father being a teacher, he received some education, but the father of the subject was a hardworking man and did not take time to properly improve his education. He was always a farmer. He entered land which he later added to by purchase Until he had a valuable farm of two hundred acres, which he left at his death. The mother of the subject died when she was two years old, in 1856, his father having died at the age of forty. He was a Democrat in political belief.'

W. S. Conant, our subject, had the advantage of a common school education, and having applied himself in a diligent manner he became fairly well educated, not leaving the school room until he was nineteen years old. He worked on his father's farm until he was twenty, when he went to work on his own account. He farmed with his brotherin-law, then rented a farm and so continued for four years. He then bought a farm in 1 88 1 of three hundred and twenty acres. It was unimproved prairie land, but the subject devoted seven years of hard work on the place and developed a fine and well improved farm. He still owns this place. He then bought a residence property, and in time sold that and purchased the farm where he has since resided, which consists of twenty-four acres on which there is a modern and substantial residence together with convenient out-buildings. The subject carries on general farming in a most successful manner, skillfully rotating his crops so as to keep the soil in good productive condition. He also devoted much time to stock-raising, being a good judge of all kinds of live stock, especially cattle and horses. He frequently feeds for the market, but is now selling his stock for other purposes. He raises a good class of horses. For six years he engaged in buying and selling live stock in connection with his farming and made this business a success in every particular.

Our subject was united in marriage in November, 1877, to Agnes I. Morgan, daughter of J. B. and Martha (Doolen) Morgan, who came to this county at an early day. There were two of the Doolen brothers who went through the Civil war, and are living in 1908.

ject and wife, as follows : Alartha, born in 1880. who died in infancy; Gracie; Florence, who was bom in 1881, died when three years old ; William, who was bom September 22, 1885, died when six years old; George, who was born July 8, 1887, is a farmer, married and has one child; Clarence C. was born July 14, 1894; Lewis was born in 1897, is single and living at home.

The subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in his fraternal relations, and also a Modern Woodman, belonging also to the Royal Neighbors, having filled all the chairs in an able manner in the Woodmen. In his religious affiliations he subscribes to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, as does also his wife. Mr. Conant is a loyal Democrat although he does not find much time to devote to political matters.

Samuel D. Graham

The enterprising citizen whose name heads this article needs no introduction to the people of Marion county. He has been for some time prominently identified with the financial and industrial interests of the community where he resides and always manifesting an active interest in the public welfare. His long life has been a most active and useful one in every respect, and has resulted in the accumulation of an ample competence for his closing years as well as in much good to his fellow men and

Samuel D. Graham was born in Rush county, Indiana, in April, 1836, the son of Hezekiah and Sarah (Smith) Graham. Grandfather Graham was bom in Scotland and came to Pennsylvania in the seventeenth century. Both he and his brother, Isaac, came from Scotland and both fought in the Revolutionary war. Grandfather was a captain and he had his eyes burned by the explosion of a gun in the hands of one of his own soldiers and 'eventually lost his eyesight from the effects of it, having been blind for twenty years before his death. He never drew his pension although it was allowed. It is in the hands of the government yet. He was about eighty years old when he died, leaving eight children living out of a family of nine, all of whom lived to maturity, five of whom moved to Ohio, where they made homes and reared families and where they died. Grandfather was deacon in the Baptist church for forty years, and he and Grandmother Graham were Baptists and always lived the Christian life.

Grandfather Smith was a native of Pennsylvania, who moved from there to Butler county, Ohio, after the death of his first wife. He and our subject's father were married by the same minister and with the same ceremony. In Grandfather Smith's family there were seven children, who lived to maturity. The youngest daughter by this marriage, Rebecca McClelland, was the mother of Gen. George B. McClelland. There was no issue from the second mar- riage. Grandfather Smith lived to be well advanced in years. After his remains had been buried twelve years, they wfere taken up for removal and it was found that his body was petrified. Grandfather Smith was a Revolutionary soldier and one of his sonsin-law, Oren Davis, was with him as a soldier, and his son, Charles was in the Black Hawk wrar.