McLean County, Illinois - Chapter 35: Miscellaneous, Continued, 1924 (part 5 of 8)

Bert Marley Kuhn has been a resident of McLean County since he was one year old, his parents having moved here at that time. He received his education in the public schools of Hudson and Normal, being graduated from high school in 1879. After teaching school for one year at Yuton, in McLean County, he introduced a patent he had been work- ing on, known as the "Climax Tailor System," which has since been used extensively throughout the country by dressmakers. Mr. Kuhn traveled for three years introducing his system of dress cutting. This enterprise met with success and through wise investments he has become one of the successful men of McLean County. He has always been greatly interested in real estate and is a large property owner in Bloomington and Normal. Through his numerous building activities he has furnished employment to a large force of workmen. He is a stockholder in a number of corporations and at one time was sole owner of the Lincoln Street Railway.

In May, 1896, Mr. Kuhn was appointed by Governor Tanner as treasurer of the Soldiers Orphans Home at Normal and during his term of office handled $75,000 annually for the institution. He has served as trustee of the Deaconess Hospital at Bloomington.

On June 7, 1883, Mr. Kuhn was married to Miss Alice E. Squier, a native of Calhoun County, 111., and a daughter of Ashur G. Squier. Mr. Squier was a pioneer settler of Calhoun County, 111., and a prominent farmer for many years. Mrs. Kuhn is a graduate of Illinois State Normal University. To Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn three children were born as follows: Louis S., Waldo A., and Nellie.

Mr. Kuhn is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is one of the highly esteemed and influential citizens of McLean County, a man who in business and as a private individual manifests a keen and intense appreciation of all that pertains to the welfare of the city and its citizens.

August Fissel, dealer in grain and feed, is a well known business man of Normal. He was born in Bloomington, Nov. 6, 1871, and is the son of August and Wilhelmina (Mahnacke) Fissel.

August Fissel, Sr., wa a native of Saxony, Germany, born in March, 1841. He came to the United States in 1861 and worked at his trade as baker in New York, making "hard tack" for the soldiers at Governor's Island. After six months there he began traveling and went all over the country from Minnesota to New Orleans. While in St. Louis he worked as a steamboat cook and made a trip to St. Joseph, Mo., on the Missouri River. While working in St. Louis he was employed by a man from Bloomington and came here to work in the bakery shop of A. M. Sibel on

W. Chestnut Street. In 1875 he went into business for himself at Normal, where he remained until the time of his death in 1913. His wife, a native of Prussia, born June 6, 1845, died in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Fissel were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living.

August Fissel, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of Normal, and has always lived at Normal. He was in the employ of the city pump works of Normal for a number of years and in 1909 purchased his brother's feed store, which he has since operated. Mr. Fissel owns one-third of the old home place of 24 acres and also several pieces of city property in Normal.

In 1906 Mr. Fissel was married to Miss Emma Schrieber, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and to this union one child has been born, Herman, who is in business with his father.

Mr. Fissel is identified with the Republican party in politics and is a member of the Reformed Evangelical Church. He is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of McLean County.

George Champion, retired hardware merchant of Normal, is a veteran of the Civil War and a highly respected citizen of McLean County. He was born in Bristol, England, Feb. 24, 1840, the son of George and Eleanor (Ellis) Champion.

George Champion, Sr., was a seaman and died on the coast of Africa in 1843. His wife brought her three children to the United States in 1854 and settled in Kane County, 111. She died at Elgin, 111. To George and Eleanor (Ellis) Champion three children were born, as follows: Thomas E., lives retired at Normal, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; George, the subject of this sketch; and Athaliah Victoria Bright, who lives with her brother, George.

George Champion was educated in the schools of England and was graduated from a military school there. After coming to this country he became an apprentice to a wagon maker, but in a few years learned the carpenter trade and also the machinist trade. In June, 1862, Mr. Champion enlisted for service during the Civil War and served with Company B, 69th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the war he was employed by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad as a machinist and in 1867 he came to Normal, where he engaged in the hardware business with his brother, Thomas. In 1875 Mr. Champion bought his brother's interest in the business, which he continued to conduct successfully until 1906, at which time he sold the business. He then built a large brick building on Beaufort and Linden Streets in Normal, which he later exchanged for 260 acres of well-improved land in Lee County, 111. Mr. Champion also owns 160 acres of land in Cropsey Township, McLean County, and he is trustee for an estate of 1,600 acres of land in Illinois.

On Jan. 6, 1869, Mr. Champion was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Baker, a native of Peoria County, 111., born Dec. 5, 1847, and she died Dec. 16, 1898. To this union five children were born, as follows : Gertrude B., married James Wilson, lives at Pasadena, Calif. ; George, deceased, was the husband of Emily Moore, lives at San Diego, Calif. ; Ralph Ellis, deceased; Frank, lives in California; and Myrtle, married Earl Bowles, lives at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. George Champion was married the second time to Miss Hannah E. McKnight, who died March 5, 1908, and on Aug. 9, 1911, he was married to Miss Mary W. Huxtable, a native of Orange, Mass., born Sept. 13, 1865.

Mr. Champion is a Republican, served as mayor of Normal for three years, as alderman for two years, as city treasurer for three years, as city clerk for two years, as township clerk for four years, and as supervisor of Normal Township for seven years. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Grand Army of the Republic, and has held the office of post commander of the latter organization for 20 years. Mr. Champion has held every office in the Masonic Lodge and is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a reliable citizen of his community, a man who believes in progressive movements both in his work and in civic affairs.

Albert Bischoff, a well-known and successful merchant of Normal, is a native of Bloomington. He was born July 7, 1885, and is the son of Albert and Julia (More) Bischoff.

Albert Bischoff, Sr., came to the United States from Dresden, Germany, where he was born. He was 13 years old and after arriving in Bloomington was employed by Colonel Hefferman and several years later owned and conducted a saloon, known as the Merchants Exchange. His wife has lived at lllOVk N. Center Street, Bloomington, since the death

Albert Bischoff, Jr., was reared and educated in- Bloomington, where he has spent most of his life. He was employed in the Mormon Drug Company there for four years and later in the grocery store of George and William Freese. In 1908 he managed the meat market for Charles Grimes and six months later entered the employ of C. L. Schneider at Bloomington. In 1914 Mr. Bischoff came to Normal and was manager of the C. L. Schneider meat market, and five years later he purchased the business, which he now conducts on a most satisfactory and profitable scale.

In 1909 Mr. Bischoff was married to Miss Maude Tabor, a native of South Carolina, and to this union three children have been born, as follows: Helen, Julia and Charles.

Mr. Bischoff is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a stockholder in the Gable Meat Packing Company of Chicago. Mr. Bischoff is a progressive business man and is well liked in Normal and the surrounding community.

Enos I. Lanter, chief of the Normal Fire Department and member of the police force, is a native of Kentucky. He was born at Richmond, Ky., Dec. 30, 1880, and is a son of John and Mary (Parker) Lanter.

John Lanter was a native of Orange County, Va., and the son of Harvey and Nancy (Wright) Lanter. The Lanter family went from Virginia to Kentucky in the early days, where John Lanter engaged in general farming. He died in 1890 at the age of 38 years and his wife now resides in Kentucky. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Enos L, the subject of this sketch; and Anna, married William Tribble, lives in Kentucky.

Enos I. Lanter spent his boyhood on the home place in Kentucky and attended the public schools there. On Oct. 4, 1904, he came to Normal, where he was employed in the Chicago & Alton Railroad shops for eight months. He then worked for Funk Brothers Seed Company for six months, and then spent the next three years in the employ of the Portable Elevator Company at Bloomington. After working at other various occupations Mr. Lanter came to Normal in 1918, and was appointed on the police force, serving nights. Three months later he was appointed city fire chief, which office he has since filled in a capable and efficient manner.

On Dec. 21, 1900, Mr. Lanter was united in marriage with Miss Rosa E. Brookshire, a native of Clark County, Ky., and to this union two children have been born, R. Clay, deceased, and Carrie, lives at home.

Mr. Lanter is a Republican, a member of the Baptist Church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Masonic Lodge. He is well known throughout the county as a substantial citizen.

Rolla Basil Neal, the well known chief of the fire department of Bloomington, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Farmer City, May 24, 1889, and is a son of Minor B. and Mary Jane (Weedman) Neal.

Minor B. Neal was born on a farm near Farmer City, 111., and was a policeman there for many years. He is now truant officer for the city schools of Bloomington, where he lives. His wife died April 3, 1922, and is buried in Park Hill Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Neal had two children, as follows: Rolla Basil, the subject of this sketch; and Gladys, married Carl Lee.

Rolla Basil Neal was reared near Farmer City, 111., and attended the public schools there and also at Bloomington, where he was a student at the Brown Business College. His first position was with the Bloomington fire department from Jan. 10, 1911, to Aug. 30, 1913, when he resigned and entered the employ of the Union Gas Company. However, on Aug. 1, 1917, he returned to the fire department and was driver and pipeman at the central engine house. On May 8th, 1923, Mr. Neal was elected chief of the department, which office he has since filled in a most capable and efficient manner. He is the youngest fire chief that Bloomington has ever had and is perhaps the youngest in central Illinois.

On Nov. 18, 1912, Mr. Neal was married to Miss Sarah Belle Ornendorff, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ornendorff, who reside at 1011 South Main Street in Bloomington. Mrs. Neal died Aug. 30, 1923, and is buried in Park Hill Cemetery.

F. W. Westhoff, professor of music at the Illinois State Normal University, is one of McLean County's prominent citizens. He was born in St. Charles County, Mo., June 14, 1863, the son of Theodore and Mary Ann (Roderfeld) Westhoff.

Theodore Westhoff was a native of Germany, as also was his wife. After their marriage they came to the United States and upon their arrival in New Orleans their oldest child died. They settled in St. Charles County, Mo., in 1852, where Mr. Westhoff engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Westhoff had eight children, four of whom are now living.

F. W. Westhoff, the subject of this sketch, was reared in St. Charles County, Mo., and received his education in the district schools there. He began his musical career at the age of eight years, when he studied music with an uncle, Englebert Roderfeld, a prominent German musician who had come to this country with the Westhoff family. Mr. Westhoff later studied vocal music at the Lindenwood College under Emil Wolf and at the age of 16 years he conducted a large choir in a German Catholic church at St. Charles, Mo. In 1882 he went to Edwardsville, 111., where he studied piano under Prof. Henry Wolf. He studied the cornet under Willie Schwarz and in 1884 Mr. Westhoff began his orchestra work at Decatur, 111. In 1891 he was engaged as supervisor of music in the Decatur schools, in which line of work he met with marked success. Professor Westhoff was called to the Illinois State Normal University at Normal in 1901 and since that time has taught music there, having four classes each day, and he also does a great deal of orchestra and band work and has complete charge of the glee clubs.

On Oct. 9, 1889, Professor Westhoff was married to Miss Lonia Gaebler, a native of Decatur, 111., born April 4, 1862, and the daughter of William and Margaret (Hughes) Gaebler, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. The Gaebler family came to Decatur, 111., many years ago, where Mr. Gaebler was employed as a stone mason. To Prof. F. W. and Lonia (Gaebler) W'esthoff four children have been born, as follows: Frank, foreman of the Beaverboard Company, Chicago; Mar- garet, supervisor of music, lives at home; Herbert, died at the age of 10 years; and Clarence, city salesman for the Whitaker Paper Company of Chicago.

Professor Westhoff has written a great deal of music and also textbooks used in the public schools. During the recent Illinois Centennial he wrote the piano music for the story of the pageant of Illinois, the words of which were written by Miss Grace Arlington Owen of Bloomington.

William W. McKnight, a prominent and successful business man of Normal, was born at Granville, 111., Jan. 11, 1874, and is the son of Dr. William and Sarah (Moore) McKnight.

Dr. William McKnight was a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was born in 1823. He was the son of David McKnight, a pioneer settler of Ohio from Pennsylvania, having come there in 1812. David Mc- Knight was a successful farmer, and his son, Dr. William, father of the subject of this sketch, was a prominent physician for many years. He was graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago and then took up the practice of his profession at Granville, 111., where he remained for 33 years. In 1883 he brought his family to Normal on account of the school advantages here, and practiced there for 10 years, when he retired. Dr. McKnight died in 1908. His first marriage was to Miss Henderson, and to that union five children were born, two of whom are now living, as follows : Margaret J., the widow of George M. Adams, and she is in business with her step-brother, William W., the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. W. E. Stansbury, of Chicago. Later, Dr. McKnight was married to Miss Sarah Moore, who was born in Granville, 111., Sept. 2, 1840, the daughter of Shepherd and Margaret (Hawthorne) Moore. To this union two sons were born, as follows: William W., the subject of this sketch; and Joseph N., who lives in Denver, Colo. Mrs. McKnight died Nov. 6, 1923, and is buried in Evergreen City Cemetery at Bloomington.

William W. McKnight received his education in the public and high schools of Normal and attended Illinois Normal State University. When he was attending high school in 1891 he had charge of the Daily Panta- graps subscriptions and news agency at Normal. He had charge of this agency for a period of 29 years until 1923. January, 1895, he and his sister, Hannah McKnight, who later married George Champion, Sr., entered business together at Normal under the firm name of McKnight & McKnight. Mrs. Champion died in 1908 and her place in the business was taken by her sister Margaret J. Adams. Mr. McKnight has built up a splendid business in geographical publication and handles a complete line of school supplies, books and stationery. He does an extensive mail order business also. The firm has been in the same location, southeast corner of Broadway and North Streets, since starting in business Jan. 1, 1895, and own the double store building in which they are located.

On Dec. 25, 1907, Mr. McKnight was married to Miss Isabel Travis, who was born in Shelby County, 111. She is the daughter of the late James S. and Catherine (Crane) Travis, natives of Pennsylvania who came to Illinois many years ago. To William W. and Isabel (Travis) McKnight one child has been born, William W., Jr., who attends school.

Mr. McKnight is serving his second term as city treasurer of Normal and he is treasurer and director of the Citizens Savings, Loan & Building Association of Normal, and a director of the First National Bank of Normal. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Past Master of Normal Lodge No. 673, A. F. & A. M. He was president of the Illinois Booksellers and Stationers Association during 1923-24. He is a reliable business man and an excellent citizen.

Glenn Huffington, general contractor and builder, is a veteran of the World War and a progressive- young business man of Normal. He was born in the city where he now lives, March 13, 1892, and is the son of R. M. and Sarah W. (Simshauser) Huffington.

R. M. Huffington is a native of Clark County, 111., and his wife was born in Bloomington. Mr. Huffington came to Normal in 1883 and engaged in the contracting business, and became successful. He was actively engaged in business until 1920 when he sold his business to his son, Glenn, the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Huffington have two children, Grace M., lives in Indianapolis, Ind., and Glenn, our subject.

business since completing his education at Normal, and is among the successful young men of his community. Mr. Huffington carries a complete line of paints and building materials, and his building activities are devoted to residences exclusively.

On May 8, 1917, Mr. Huffington volunteered for service in the World War and was assigned to the air service as a mechanic, and stationed at camps in Illinois, Texas and Florida. After the close of the war he was discharged on June 18, 1919.

Mr. Huffington was married on March 11, 1922, to Miss Florence S. Snyder, a native of Cairo, 111., and the daughter of John and Jessie S. (Farrin) Snyder, the former a native of Paris, 111., and the latter of Cairo, 111. Mr. Snyder is deceased and his widow lives at Normal. Before her marriage, Mrs. Huffington taught kindergarten from 1919 until 1922. During that period she taught at Chats worth, 111., and at the Soldiers' Orphans Home. Mrs. Huffington was graduated from Illinois State Normal University in the class of 1918.

Col. Dudley Chase Smith. - A resident of Normal, but a citizen whose interests outspanned his own town, or even his own county and state, was Col. D. C. Smith, who spent the better part of his long and useful life in McLean County.

Born of parental stock which had a part in the successful waging of the Revolutionary War for the colonies, Colonel Smith was himself a native of Illinois. His paternal grandfather was Benjamin C. Smith, a Revolutionary soldier under Israel Putnam. The grandfather was one of the early settlers of Vermont. His grandmother was a sister of Dudley Chase, twice United States senator from Vermont, and judge of the Supreme Court of that state. Salmon P. Chase, the great secretary of the treasury in Lincoln's cabinet, was a nephew of Senator Chase, and another distinguished relative was a brother of the senator, Bishop Philander Chase, well known in the religious history of the northwest, and founder of Jubilee College, near Peoria.

read law, and then started out in life for himself by locating in Dayton, Ohio, where he became editor of the first newspaper in that town. Sometime afterward, he removed to Bloomington, Ind., where he was influential in securing for that city the location of the state university. While a resident of Bloomington, Addison Smith was married to Nancy Fitzgerald Hicks, of Hopkinsville, Ky.

Having suffered some financial reverses, Mr. and Mrs. Addison Smith decided to remove to Illinois, and they located in Shelbyville in the year 1832, where Mr. Smith bought the land on which the northern part of the town was afterward located.

Dudley Chase Smith was born on Dec. 9, 1833, about a year after his parents had located at Shelbyville. He was the seventh child and the only son in a family of ten children. The home of the family was a log house, much in the prevailing custom of those times, and the settlement where they had their home was a typical frontier place, the nearest town of any considerable size being Alton, eighty miles away, where they went to market. In 1846 one of the newcomers to Shelbyville was Joshua L. Dexter, who established a store. He came from Maine, and after he had been located at Shelbyville for a comparatively short while he was married to the second daughter of Addison Smith. After this, he took Dudley Smith into his store as a clerk and collector. In this position, young Smith received valued instruction from Samuel W. Moulton, who had come from Salem, Mass., and who arose to a position of influence in Illinois, being member of the Legislature. Mr. Moulton showed young Smith, how to draw up forms of legal papers, such as notes, deeds and mortgages. In 1855 Mr. Moulton became the author of the bill which was enacted as the free school law of Illinois, and which two years later resulted in the founding of the Normal University. Naturally, Mr. Moulton was named as member of the first governing board of that institution, a position which he occupied for twenty-five years.

In 1851, his employer, Mr. Dexter, persuaded Dudley Smith to spend a year in Jubilee College, and the next year, at the age of 19, young Smith was taken into the Dexter store as a partner. The firm grew in prestige and its trade was prosperous, having attracted customers from distances of twenty miles or more from the town. On the death of Mr. Dexter, the firm became Roundy, Lufkin & Smith, all being brothers-in-law of Mr. Dexter.

on, and he dismissed his plans for a commercial career to enlist in the army. He was mustered in under the first call for troops, as a member of Company B of the 14th Illinois. Soon after his mustering in, he was chosen a lieutenant, and had that rank when he went into the battle of Shiloh in 1862 and was severely wounded. He went home to recuperate, but returned to his company as soon as possible and was made captain. In 1863, the death of his only remaining partner, Mr. Lufkin, compelled him to return to Shelbyville to settle up the business of the firm.

After settling the estate, Captain Smith again volunteered and raised a regiment, of which he became colonel. This was the 143d Illinois, which took part in the later campaigns of the war and continued in active service until the end of the war.

Returning to Shelbyville after the close of the war, Colonel Smith retained his business interests there until 1870, when he sold them out and came to live in Normal, where his sister, Mrs. Lufkin, had preceded him. It was at this period of his life that he sought in travel the broadening of his mind and experience which had been denied him because of his limited book education in his boyhood. He spent much time for the next few years in visiting parts of Central and South America, twice went to Europe and also made a trip to Alaska. Once after having visited the far west, he returned home just when the last stretches of the Union Pacific Railroad were being laid.

One of the friendships formed by Colonel Smith during the Civil War was with John P. St. John, lieutenant-colonel of the 14th Illinois. Lieutenant-Colonel St. John later becoming prohibition governor of Kansas.

Colonel Smith was married on Jan. 2, 1885, to Miss Bernardine Orme, daughter of Gen. William W. Orme, a prominent veteran of the Civil War and a lawyer in Bloomington. Col. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of seven children, all of whom are now living.

One of the dominant characteristics of Colonel Smith's life was his generous disposition toward all good causes and institutions. He had never aspired to public office or political position of any kind, and remarked once that the superintendency of a Sunday school was the only elective position that he ever held. This was in the Presbyterian Church at Shelbyville, in which church he erected a memorial window in honor of his mother. While Colonel Smith affiliated with the Presbyterian Church during his residence in this community, he never confined his in- terest to his own denomination. One of the public and humanitarian causes to which he gave time and interest for many years was the McLean County Tuberculosis Society, of which he was long president. This society sponsored the present Fairview Sanatorium. Colonel Smith was a liberal donor to many educational institutions and young people had cause to thank him for his benefactions. Always a student and close reader, Colonel Smith had acquired a large private library to which he devoted his hours of leisure. In politics, Colonel Smith was a Republican, but an independent and patriotic one who thought of his country's interests as above party interests. One of the tributes paid to the memory of Colonel Smith was the following expression from President David Felmley of the Normal University: "In the death of Col. Dudley Chase Smith, which occurred on May 22, 1920, this community lost a man who for more than a half century had been one of its most prominent and highly respected citizens. Although he had not held public office, or engaged in active business during his period, he was widely known throughout the state and beyond its borders because of his uprightness of character, his extensive knowledge of men and affairs, his interest in the public welfare, and his liberal contributions to causes for promoting human betterment. His story is the story so frequently found in America, the land of opportunity, the story of a youth of slender resources rising to affluence and a commanding position by virtue of his pluck, his strength of purpose and sterling character."

Editorially, the Daily Pantagraph said of Col. Smith the day after his death: "Of Col. Smith it can never be said that he outlived his usefulness. His geniality, kindness, generosity and wise counsel will be sadly missed. Col. Smith's life was and will continue to be an inspiration. He was an American in all that great word implies. Possessed of an unusual business sense, he accumulated a large fortune, which to him, however, was only an instrument through which he was enabled the better to serve humanity. No man thought less of money as mere material wealth than did Col. Smith. He lived simply, and ostentation was repulsive to him. Accepting the opportunities of free America, Col. Smith throughout his long life never forgot the obligations to his country which every American owes, but "all too many fail to recognize. As a young man he fought to preserve the Union in the civil war, and rose to high rank in the service of his country. Thereafter as an always loyal member of the party which preserved the union, he continued to serve, al- though always in the ranks. He possessed all the qualifications of the ideal public servant, and might have gone far in public life had he so desired. When the United States became involved in the World war, Col. Smith fought as effectively, although by force of circumstances not in the same way as he fought in the Civil War. He and his entire family were leaders in all war activities, with an only son in the army and a daughter just behind the lines and under fire in France caring for those wounded in action. Thus was the example of the father followed unimpaired in the second generation. * * * As an American who stood ever ready to give his all for his country should the occasion require; as a citizen who held always in mind the welfare of his community; as the loving husband and father; as the loyal friend and unerring counsellor, Col. D. C. Smith will live in memory as an ideal for present and future generations."

Daniel M. O'Neil, deceased, was a prominent pioneer citizen of Mc- Lean County. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1834,, and left his home to come to America in 1850. His father died at the age of 43 years and shortly afterwards his mother brought her family of nine children to America. Daniel M., the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth. After coming to this country they located in St. Louis, where Mr. O'Neil was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad, cutting timber. He located in Bloomington in 1852 where he and his brother, William, opened a grocery store. This business is now conducted by James and William O'Neil, his sons.

Daniel M. O'Neil became an engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, which occupation he followed until the time of his retirement in 1893. At the time he retired from service he was the oldest engineer on the road. During the Civil War he carried thousands of troops to camps out of St. Louis. After the time of his retirement, Mr. O'Neil became an alderman in the city of Bloomington, and served continuously in that capacity for 18 years. He also served as acting mayor of the city from 1914 to 1915. He was one of the organizers and directors of the Corn Belt Bank for 25 years, and was the organizer of the Order of Locomotive Engineers in Bloomington. He died Feb. 13, 1922, at the age of 88 years, and is buried in Bloomington.

Mrs. D. M. O'Neil

In 1860 Mr. O'Neil was married to Miss Johanna Pyne, a native of Ireland, and the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Keefe) Pyne, early settlers of Bloomington. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil 12 children were born, as follows: Mary, married Frank Hanley, lives in Bloomington; Philip J., a mail clerk, lives in Chicago ; Daniel P., retired, a sketch of whom appears in this volume ; Mrs. Thomas H., retired, lives on North Evans Street, Bloomington ; Johanna, married William Fahey and lives in Bloomington; Margaret, married Daniel Hayden, lives in Chicago; James E., a member of the firm of O'Neil Brothers, grocers; Nellie, married William Morrisey, lives in Denver, Colo.; William, a member of the firm of O'Neil Brothers; Agnes, married John Shields, lives in Bloomington; Julia, married Dr. Greenleaf , whose history appears elsewhere in this voiume ; and Loretta, who died at the age of two and one-half years. Mrs. O'Neil died Jan. 30, 1912, and is buried in St. Mary's cemetery.

Mr. O'Neil was a member of the Catholic Church and belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was highly respected and was known as a substantial citizen of McLean County.

Mr. O'Neil left to his children a large estate of nearly 2,000 acres of valuable McLean County land as well as considerable bank stock and Bloomington city property.

Daniel P. O'Neil, who is now living retired at Bloomington, after a successful career as a farmer and business man, is a native of Bloomington. He was born Sept. 27, 1868, and is a son of Daniel M. and Johanna (Pyne) O'Neil, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Daniel P. O'Neil spent his boyhood in Bloomington and attended the public schools there. After working in his father's store for several years, he attended college in Kankakee, 111., and also attended the Old Evergreen Business College. Mr. O'Neil then returned to his father's store where he remained for 14 years. In 1897 he engaged in general farming and stock raising on 240 acres of land in McLean County, which he operated for 25 years. He was a fancier of thoroughbred horses and through his many sales became prosperous. By wise investment in city and government bonds, Mr. O'Neil has accumulated a considerable fortune. He lives at 402 North Lee Street.

On April 26, 1897, Mr. O'Neil was married to Miss Elizabeth Mc- Queeney, a daughter of Luke and Elizabeth McQueeney, natives of Ireland and pioneer settlers of McLean County. Mr. McQueeney died at the age of 86 years and his wife was 90 years of age at the time of her death. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil have no children. They are members of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and have an extensive acquaintance in McLean County.

Thomas J. Hayden, retired, is a substantial citizen of McLean County. He was born Dec. 1, 1864, in Bloomington, and is a son of Thomas J. and Margaret M. (Moore) Hayden.

Thomas J. Hayden was born in Ireland, as also was his wife. He came to the United States when he was 17 years of age and after arriving in New York City went to Buffalo, where he remained two years. He then came west to Wisconsin where he remained until 1859, when he removed to Bloomington. After being employed in a distillery for a short time he entered the employ of the Chicago and Alton Railroad, in the blacksmithing department, where he remained 32 years. Mr. Hayden died in 1897, and is buried in St. Mary's cemetery, Bloomington. His wife died in 1904. They were the parents of the following children: Johanna, deceased; William, deceased; Thomas J., the subject of this sketch; Catherine, died in May, 1923, was the wife of John G. Burhyte; Daniel W., lives in Chicago; and John J., lives at Kankakee.

Thomas J. Hayden was reared and educated in Bloomington and began life as a machinist. After working at that trade for four years he spent one year in Chicago, after which he returned to Bloomington and entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. Mr. Hayden was in the employ of the railroad for 22 years and after retiring engaged in general farming in Towanda Township, McLean County, where he owns 162 acres of well improved land, which is now being farmed by his son, John F. The Hayden family lives at 1007 North Evans Street, Bloomington.

In 1894, Mr. Hayden was married to Miss Elizabeth O'Neil, whose family history appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Hayden six children have been born, as follows: Thomas J. Jr., served in the World War at Camp McArthur most of the time, a farmer, lives in Old Town Township; McLean County, married Florence Killion, who died Aug. 27, 1923;

Daniel A., a veteran of the World War, having served in the navy, now assistant cashier of the Corn Belt Bank in Bloomington, lives at home; Josephine, died at the age of five years; Jerome W., a student in the Loyola Medical School in Chicago; John F., a farmer; and James E., attends high school.

Mr. Hayden and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and they are well known and highly respected citizens of the community. He is now living retired in a fine residence at 1007 North Evans Street, Bloomington.

S. P. Irwin, reporter of decisions of the Supreme Court at Bloomington, is a representative citizen of McLean County. He was born in Lodi, Wis., Feb. 19, 1870, and is the son of Dr. E. Howard and Sarah E. (Pashley) Irwin.

Dr. E. Howard Irwin was born in Pennsylvania and received his education in the district schools there, after which he studied medicine at the University of Michigan. He practiced his profession for many years at Lodi, Wis., where he died. His wife, a native of Lake George, N. Y., is also deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Irwin were the parents of five children, four of whom were sons.

S. P. Irwin was reared and educated in Wisconsin. After attending the University of Wisconsin for one year he entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in the law department in 1894. Mr. Irwin then began practicing his profession at Bloomington and two years later became assistant to Isaac N. Phillips, Governor Fifer's law partner. Mr. Phillips was Supreme Court reporter at that time and in 1910 Mr. Irwin succeeded him when he retired on account of poor health. Since that time Mr. Irwin has served in that capacity and has been reappointed on three occasions by the judges. He devotes his entire time to this work and is thoroughly capable and efficient.

On Thanksgiving day in 1891 Mr. Irwin was united in marriage with Miss Cora Snider, a native of Rutland, 111., and the daughter of C. E. Snider. She is a graduate of the Illinois State Normal University, and has taken a year's graduate work at the University of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Irwin five children have been born, as follows: Alta E., Doris E., Marjorie F., Phillips, and Louise G. Irwin. They have all received unusu-

Alta E. Irwin is a graduate of University High School at Normal, received her B. A. degree at James Milliken College at Decatur, her M. A. degree at the University of Wisconsin, and for several years taught school at Nan in Siam. She is now studying for her Doctor's degree at the University of Wisconsin.

Doris E. Irwin is a graduate of University High School at Normal, received her B. A. degree at James Milliken College at Decatur, and after teaching school for five years at Chatsworth and Mackinaw, 111., is now studying in the New York School of Social Work.

Marjorie F. Irwin is a graduate of University High School at Normal and the Nurses Training School at Frances Willard Hospital in Chicago, and is now attending Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Va.

Phillips Irwin is a graduate of University High School, and also attended the University of Illinois. He is in the employ of the American Railway Express and is studying law at the John Marshall Law School. He married Miss Nina Short, a native of Champaign, 111., and they have two children, Phillips, Jr., and Betty Jane Irwin.

Louise G. Irwin is a graduate of Fairfax Hall, school for girls, Basic, Va., and is now attending the John B. Stetson University at DeLand, Fla.

In politics Mr. Irwin is identified with the Republican party and he is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. He is a member of the Rotary Club, the Bloomington Club, and the McLean County Automobile Association. He and his family reside at 1003 Franklin avenue, Normal.

Dr. Henry G. McCormick, a popular and successful dentist, in charge of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Normal, was born at Normal, Oct. 14, 1880. He is a son of Prof. Henry and Numantia (Kinyon) McCormick, the former vice-president and for many years prominent in the affairs of Illinois State Normal University.

Michigan in 1903, where he studied dentistry. He located at Normal for two years and from there went to Manhattan, Kan., where he practiced his profession until 1909. After returning to Normal he resumed his practice there until 1918, when after taking civil service examination, he

appointed dentist of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Normal. On May 16, 1908, Dr. McCormick was married to Miss Louise Stingley, a native of Manhattan, Kans. They have no children. Dr. McCormick is a Republican and has served as a member of the council of Normal for five years. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge of Normal, the Consistory and Commandary of Bloomington. He lives at 505 South Fell Street, Normal. Dr. McCormick is an able man in his profession and a citizen of progressive ideals.

W. J. Arbogast, president of the Normal Commercial Club, is a leading citizen of McLean County. He was born at Farmer City, 111., July 2, 1867, and is the son of D. H. and Minerva (Payne) Arbogast.

D. H. Arbogast was a native of Ohio, born May 2, 1826, and his wife was born in Tennessee. Mr. Arbogast came to Illinois in 1832 and settled on a farm near Farmer City, in DeWitt County. He died in 1916, and his wife who was born in 1829, died in 1914. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are now living.

W. J. Arbogast spent his boyhood on his father's farm and received his education in the schools of Farmer City. He was graduated from high school in 1887 and then went into the general contracting business at Farmer City, where he remained until 1893. He then moved to Normal and continued in that line of work until the time of his retirement in 1908. Mr. Arbogast became heir to 271 acres of well improved land in McLean County, which he now owns besides land in Texas and Mississippi. He resides at 305 North School Street, Normal.

On June 1, 1893, Mr. Arbogast was married to Miss Mary Fry, a native of Randolph Township, McLean County, and the daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Bishop) Fry, the former a native of Green County, Pa., and the latter of Hey worth, 111. The mother of Mrs. Arbogast was one of 13 children, all of whom grew to maturity and reared families. A Bishop reunion is held every year and Mr. and Mrs. Arbogast have attended 28 out of 30, all of which have been held in Miller Park, Bloomington. To W. J. and Mary (Fry) Arbogast one child has been born, Florence Minerva, born Feb. 24, 1912.

In 1917 Mr. Arbogast was elected president of the Normal Commercial Club, which office he still holds. He is a Republican, and in 1923 was appointed superintendent of hard road construction. Mr. Arbogast is a member of the Christian Church and is a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Consistory of Bloomington. He was selected by John McBarnes in 1921 to serve on the building committee in the erection of the McBarnes Memorial for soldiers and sailors of McLean County who took part in the World war. He also served as superintendent of construction when the memorial was erected. Mrs. Arbogast is a cousin to Mrs. Celia McBarnes, wife of the late John McBarnes.

W. J. Arbogast is a representative citizen of his community and the Arbogast family is one of the well established and well known families of McLean County.

Frank H. Petrie, a progressive business man of Bloomington, was born at Fleming, Ky., June 25, 1861, the son of David A. and Hannah (Lewellen) Petrie.

David Petrie was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., the county which furnished more Revolutionary soldiers than any other county in the United States. The Petrie family originally came from Holland. David Petrie went to Kentucky when he was a young man and worked at the carpenter trade there. He and his wife are now deceased. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: John A., born in 1857, married Samantha Pierce and they had two children, Edith and Nina, and he later married Emeline Alkire ; Clarence, born in T859, married L. B. Childs, and they have three children, David, Winifred and Herbert ; Frank H., the subject of this sketch; Lucy Grace, born in 1863, married Dr. Hammill, and they have two children, Ray and Marshall; Lydia Anne, born in 1865, married Marshall Moore; Phoebe Alice, died at the age of four years ; Charles A., died at the age of three years ; and Claude, born in 1871, married Marian Rowe, and they have two children, Audrey and Vivian, lives at Greenview, 111., and he is editor of the Greenview Review.

to McLean County and worked at the carpenter trade. He took part in the construction of several grain elevators, which were owned by Warren Darnell.

In 1915 Mr. Petrie became interested in the burial vault business in Bloomington. The business was located first at 230 East Front Street, and five years later was moved to 810 West Front street. The following year Mr. Petrie removed to his present location at 503 West Washington street, where he owns a modern factory building. The concern is known as the Norwalk Vault Company, and Mr. Petrie has county rights in Logan, Menard and McLean County. The Norwalk burial vaults are waterproof, air-proof and sealed. During his first year of business Mr. Petrie sold nine vaults, the second year, 49, the third year 126, and in 1922, 165.

Mr. Petrie was married to Miss Lottie Rogers, a native of Covell, III, born Aug. 21, 1864, and the daughter of Wesley H. and Mary I. (Hart) Rogers. To this union one child was born, that died in infancy.

Mr. Petrie is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and belongs to the Masonic lodge, A. F. and A. M. No. 43, Bloomington, III, of which he is Past Master.

Frank L. Washburn, of the firm of A. Washburn and Sons, florists and nurserymen, with business headquarters at 318 North Main Street, Bloomington, is a well known and successful business man of McLean County. He was born at Danvers, 111., Jan. 11, 1869, the son of Andrew and Cordelia Washburn.

Andrew Washburn came to McLean County from Connecticut in 1866 and settled at Danvers. He was a captain during the Civil war in the 29th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war. There were six children in the Washburn family, as follows : Frank L., the subject of this sketch; George A., in business with his brother at Bloomington; A. Edwin, lives in Canada; Emma F., married H. H. Edmunds, superintendent of schools at Clinton, 111. ; Edna Boundy, lives in Beloit, Wis. ; and Lucy Prather, lives in Bloomington.

Andrew Washburn engaged in the nursery and floral business in 1894 at Bloomington, and the business is now conducted by his two sons, Frank L. and George A. Washburn. They have two large greenhouse establish-

Frank L. Washburn attended the public schools of McLean County, where he has spent his entire life. In 1907 he was married to Miss Emma S. Randolph. They have no children. The Washburn home is located two miles west of Bloomington.

Mrs. Delia H. Rigby, C. S. B. - The history of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Bloomington, 111., which appears in another chapter of this work would be incomplete without specific mention of its principal pioneer worker, Mrs. Delia H. Rigby, C. S. B.

Previous to coming into Christian Science, Mrs. Rigby was a member of the First Methodist Church of Bloomington, and was a valued worker in all its varied activities, receiving the appointment of conference organizer for the Home Missionary Society from its leading members. Later, she presided over the suffrage department of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, for which she worked enthusiastically. Was a delegate to the World's Fair in Chicago on this line of work.

Always delicate and frail of physique, and having sought healing of various physicians without avail, she asked for the prayers of her pastor. This, too, failed to bring the much desired healing. It was then that her attention was called to Christian Science. She tested its merits and realized physical healing. She found, too, that this scientific Christianity uplifted one morally and spiritually, and with Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, Mrs. Rigby at once began healing, and her success was phenomenal. She went to Chicago to further advance herself by taking a primary course from Mrs. Caroline B. Noyes, C. S. D., one of Mrs. Eddy's oldest students. On her return, she devoted all her time to the practice of Christian Science.

Later in May, 1889, she fitted herself for an authorized Christian Science teacher by taking the Normal Course in the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, personally taught by Mary Baker Eddy. Since returning to this field, she has taught a large number of students whom she

Mrs. Della H. Rigbt

"This is to certify that Mrs. Delia H. Rigby was a highly valued teacher in the public schools of this city for ten years. She had a high appreciation of her profession, was successful both in discipline and instruction, and was loyal to all the highest interests of the school, considering the individual interests and peculiarities of her pupils. Her sunny disposition won for her the universal regard of her pupils and associates. All her conduct was regulated by the highest Christian principles."

Hon. Louis FitzHenry, District Judge of the U. S. Court, in writing of her, said in part: "I know of her more as a citizen than otherwise. It has been my pleasure to have enjoyed acquaintance with her for over thirty years. Her remarkable ability and splendid character attracted public notice while she was a teacher in the public schools of Bloomington. Later, she became interested in Science, having been one of Mrs. Eddy's pupils.

"She became a practitioner and for more than twenty years has been the recognized leader of Science in this community. During that time, she has brought much relief, consolation and comfort to many of our citizens, and it is the general public conception that no small part of the wonderful advance made by Science in this community has been the result of her earnest conscientious efforts.

"During her long residence in Bloomington, born here, she has been identified with, and 'has given substantial, enthusiastic support to, every public movement which has had for its purpose the uplifting of the morals of the community and the development of Christian citizenship."

Prof. D. C. Ridgley for seventeen years head of the Geographical department of the Illinois State Normal University, now of Clark College, Worcester, Mass., writes of her:

"Mrs. Rigby's work as a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, from the time of its organization to the present time may be expressed in one word - Loyalty - loyalty to Principle; loyalty to the explicit teachings and direction of her teacher, Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science; loyalty to the board of directors of the Mother Church ; loyalty to every progressive step made by the band of workers in the local church; loyalty to a scientific practice of Christian Science, for the good of human kind as laid down in Science and Health the Christian Science text-book.

As an authorized teacher of Christian Science, a graduate in 1889 of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College of Boston, and as a member of the board of directors of this church for a score of years, Mrs. Rigby has been prominent in the development of Christian Science in the local field."

Mrs. Rigby was married to Amos W. Rigby, June, 1882. He has been connected in a business way with several of the leading industries of the city. For twelve years being a partner with J. H. Niehaus in The Peoples Restaurant and The Boston Cafe. Mr. Rigby has retired from active business life. He is respected by all who know him for his sterling uprightness of character, also being a firm believer in Christian Science, always having been closely identified in all the footsteps of constructive growth in Christian Science with his wife since her healing. They have no children.

Joseph W. Stubblefield, retired, is a member of a well-known pioneer family of McLean County. He was born on a farm in Mount Hope Township, McLean County, Nov. 13, 1856, the son of George M. and Eliza Jane (Murphy) Stubblefield.

George M. Stubblefield was a native of Ohio and came to McLean County in 1824 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stubblefield. His father entered land from the government and was orie of the large land owners of the county. George M. Stubblefield followed farming during his entire life and met with success. He died in 1920 and is buried In Funks Grove Cemetery. His widow now lives at Bloomington. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Charles, died in 1915; Mary, married Albert Longworth, who is deceased; Samuel, deceased; Joseph W., the subject of this sketch; George, died in infancy; Isaac F., married Martha Rogers, lives at Bloomington, and Thaddeus, married Leota Houghman, lives at Bloomington.

Joseph W. Stubblefield was reared on the farm and received his education in the district schools of McLean County and attended Baker Business College at Bloomington. He then engaged in general farming and stock raising in Mount Hope Township until 1920, when he retired and moved to McLean. Mr. Stubblefield lives in a fine brick dwelling there and still owns 470 acres of land with his wife.

In 1882 Mr. Stubblefield was married to Miss Louie M. McCormick, a native of McLean County, born Nov. 27, 1862, and the daughter of Marion and Belinda McCormick. The McCormicks came to McLean County from Ohio in 1835, and settled on a farm in Mount Hope Township. They were married in Mount Hope Township in 1861. Mr. 'McCormick died Jan. 9, 1916, and his wife died Aug. 6, 1921. To Joseph W. and Louie M. (McCormick) Stubblefield four children have been born, as follows: Marion, born in 1886, married Florence Horn, lives at McLean, and they have two children, Francis and Rachael; Eunice, born in 1888, now deceased, was the wife of Oscar Dodgson; Myrtie, born in 1890, unmarried, lives at home, and Ansel, born in 1893, married Pearl Nafzinger, lives on the home place and they have two children, Josephine and Barbara Lou.

Ansel Stubblefield is a veteran of the World War. He enlisted at Mc- Lean and was stationed at Camp Grant and later at Washington, D. C. While at Camp Grant he was commissioned second lieutenant and he was then stationed in the officers' training camp at Washington, D. C.

Joseph W. Stubblefield is a Republican and a director of the McLean State Bank. He is a member of the Methodist Church, of which he has been a trustee for 25 years, and he belongs to the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Stubblefield is a representative and dependable citizen of McLean County and has many friends.

Timothy Benjamin, now living retired in Bloomington, is a member of a prominent pioneer family of McLean County. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., April 9, 1853, and is a son of John R. and Sarah M. (Beaver) Benjamin.

John R. Benjamin was born in New York in 1824, the son of Darius and Martha (Rogers) Benjamin, natives of Chatham, N. Y. Darius Benjamin, who was a farmer by occupation, served in the War of 1812, and Ebenezer Benjamin, his father, was a captain in the Revolutionary War. The original paternal ancestor in America was John Benjamin, who came over from England on the ship "Lion," arriving in Boston harbor, Sept.

John R. Benjamin was married in Pennsylvania to Sarah M. Beaver, who was born in Chester County, Pa., in 1819. After a number of years they moved to Illinois, arriving in McLean County in 1854. They located in Old Town Township and the following year removed to Dawson Township, where Mr. Benjamin became the owner of 400 acres of land. He died Oct. 17, 1889. In religious faith he was a Quaker and together with others organized the first Friends Church in McLean County. Politically he was identified with the Republican party. The town of Benjaminville was named after Mr. Benjamin. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John R. Benjamin, as follows: Deborah, married T. J. Moore, lives at 1117 East Monroe Street, Bloomington; Timothy, the subject of this sketch; Martha E., the widow of W. B. Mills; George 0., married Dora Wampler, lives in Bloomington; John; and Charles.

Judge Reuben Moore Benjamin, an uncle of Timothy Benjamin, was one of the most distinguished lawyers, educators, authors, and jurists of Illinois. He was born at Chatham Center, Columbia County, N. Y., June 29, 1833, and died in August, 1916.

Timothy Benjamin was educated in the schools of Benjaminville and attended Brown's Business College. He then engaged in farming in Old Town Township, and after renting land for 10 years, purchased a quartei' of a section. After farming until 1881 he went west for a short time, and upon his return farmed until 1894 when he moved to Bloomington. After two and one-half years Mr. Benjamin removed to a farm near Holder, 111., where he lived for four years. He sold out and bought a farm near Colfax; sold out and returned to Bloomington and resided on East Washington Street for seven and one-half years. In 1909 he again returned to his old homestead, remaining there until 1919. Mr. Benjamin now lives at 1106 East Grove Street, Bloomington.

In 1875, Timothy Benjamin was married to Miss Anna Coale, a native of Huntington, Ind., and the daughter of Joshua Coale. She died in April, 1877, leaving one son, Arthur L., who lives in Old Town Township, McLean County. He married Grace Price and they have four children, as follows: Anna, married Roy Percy; Roland, married Miss Ott; Louis; and William.

nis and Mary Jane (Dickey) McBarnes. Agnes McBarnes is a sister of John McBarnes, the donor of McBarnes' Memorial Building- which is mentioned more extensively elsewhere in this work. Miss McBarnes was educated at the State Normal University at Normal, 111., and Wesleyan University and taught school for 15 years in McLean County. Her parents were very early settlers in McLean County, coming here in 1853. They settled in Old Town Township ; they are both deceased and are buried in Evergreen Cemetery at Bloomington.

To Timothy and Agnes (McBarnes) Benjamin three children were born, as follows: Sadie M., who is a graduate of Wesleyan University, and the Illinois College and is a teacher; John M., married Mary Fitz- Henry, and they have two children, Dorothy and Kenneth; and Russel J., married Anna Layden, and they have three children, Eugene, Martha Ann, and Timothy.

Mr. Benjamin is a Republican and served as school director for 21 years and as road commissioner. He is a Quaker. The Benjamin family has been well and favorably known in the community for many years, and Mr. Benjamin is highly esteemed as an excellent citizen.

John Mikel, now living retired at Bloomington, for many years was one of the leading farmers and stockmen of McLean County. He was born in Darke County, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1841, the son of William and Catherine (Warner) Mikel.

William Mikel was born March 25, 1813, and was among the earliest settlers of Illinois, having settled on a farm in McLean County in 1845. He became a prosperous farmer and at the time of his death owned 640 acres of good farm land. He died Oct. 11, 1879, and his wife, a native of Pennsylvania, is also deceased. They were the parents of the following children: Elizabeth Leach, lives at Bloomington; Sylvanus, deceased ; Margaret, deceased ; John, the subject of this sketch ; Nancy Davis, deceased ; Catherine Martin ; Susan, deceased ; Andrew, lives in Kansas; Mary, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Jacob, deceased; William, lives in Illinois; Joseph, deceased.

John Mikel was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools. He has always followed farming and has been among the prominent stockmen of McLean County. Mr. Mikel now owns 450 acres

On June 16, 1871, Mr. Mikel was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Bunn, a native of Illinois, born Feb. 6, 1854, and the daughter of David and Hannah Bunn. Mr. Bunn's first wife died when Mrs. Mikel was but four months old and he later married Ellen Ritter. To that union one child was born, John, deceased. Mr. Bunn was married a third time to Elizabeth Horr, and six children were born to that union : Elmer, Martha, Katie, Temperance, Josiah, and Sallie, all deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. John Mikel the following children were born : Sallie, born March 17, 1872, lives in Bloomington; Louis, born June 5, 1873, lives at home; William, born Sept. 11, 1879, died Dec. 29, 1886; David Keith, born April 4, 1888, Downs Township; and two children died in infancy. Mrs. Sallie Craig had one child, John, born Sept. 17, 1903, died July 14, 1909. She is now rearing a girl, Catherine.

Mr. Mikel is identified with the Democratic party in politics and is a member of the Christian Church. He is one of the substantial citizens of his community.

F. S. Foulk, the well known mayor of Normal, was born three and one-half miles southwest of Decatur, 111., June 22, 1865, the son of John and Mary Ann (Pearson) Foulk.

John Foulk was a native of Perry County, 111., as also was his wife! They were married in Pennsylvania and came to Illinois in 1856 and settled on a farm near Decatur. Mr. Foulk was a cabinet maker by trade in Pennsylvania, and after coming to Illinois engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1878 the family moved to a farm three miles west of Saybrook and remained there until 1887 when they moved to the town of Saybrook, where Mr. Foulk died in 1900. His wife died Jan. 1, 1922, at the age of 97 years. She retained all her faculties up to a week before her death. Mr. and Mrs. John Foulk had 10 children, nine of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Maria A. Russell, lives at Decatur; Seville Cornelius, lives at Whitewater, Kan. ; Rev. S. W., deceased, was pastor of the United Brethren Church, at Holton, Kan. ; David J., died in Garden City, Kan. ; Elizabeth, married J. P. Smith, lives at Arrowsmith, 111. ;

F. S. Foulk was born in a log cabin and slept in an old time trundle bed and was reared amidst pioneer surroundings. At the age of 12 years he came to McLean County with his parents and lived on the farm. He received his education in the district schools and began farming for himself at the age of 21 years. Mr. Foulk followed general farming and stock raising in Arrowsmith Township until February, 1915, when he came to Normal. In July of the same year he went to California to attend the exposition and in the spring of 1917 was elected to the city council of Normal. Mr. Foulk is serving his third term as mayor and as an official he has been very progressive and efficient. During his first year of office improvements amounting to $90,000.00 were made in the streets of Normal.

Mr. Foulk was married Dec. 15, 1886, to Miss Elizabeth R. Kepner, a native of McLean County and the daughter of James Kepner. James Kepner was a Civil War veteran, having served with Pennsylvania troops, and he came to Illinois shortly after the war. Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Foulk have two children, as follows: Chesleigh, farmer and stockman, lives near Arrowsmith, 111. ; and Frank Earl, farmer and stockman, lives near Fletcher, 111.

Mr. Foulk has always been a Republican and has taken an active interest in local affairs. He has held the office of school director for 20 years and belongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 673 of Normal and the Knights of Pythias, Hope Lodge No. 140, of Saybrook. Mr. Foulk is a member of the Methodist Church, and he is a highly respected citizen of McLean County.

Frank Albert Walker, now living retired at Normal, has been a prominent farmer and stockman of McLean County for many years. He was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, March 8, 1856.

When Mr. Walker was six months old his parents moved to Illinois and settled on a farm one mile north of the present town of Normal. He received his education in the district schools and then engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Walker was very successful in his

Mr. Walker was identified with the Republican party and later the Prohibition party in politics. He is unmarried and his sister, Anna Walker, keeps house for him. Mr. Walker is a substantial citizen and stands high in the community and county.

Jacob N. Hilton, now living retired at Bloomington, has been a prominent farmer and stockman of McLean County for many years. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1851, and is a son of John W. and Mary (Vasbinder) Hilton.

John W. Hilton was born in Virginia and when he was a young man removed to Ohio, where he engaged in general farming and also followed his trade as a blacksmith. In 1872 the Hilton family came to McLean County and settled on land eight miles northwest of Bloomington, which was purchased for $42.50 per acre. This land is still in possession of the Hilton family. After coming to Illinois, Mr. Hilton built a blacksmith shop on his farm and did work for the neighbors. He died in 1885 and his wife died in 1881. Mr. Hilton was a Democrat and while living in Ohio served as justice of the peace. As the result of an accident he ever after had a stiff arm, and thus was unable to serve during the Civil War. However, he hired a substitute to take his place. When Morgan's raid occurred in Ohio, the troops passed within three miles of Mr. Hilton's home and Shackelford's men attacked Morgan's men at that spot. Mr. Hilton got out his horse and taking his rifle joined Shackelford's forces. Morgan was captured that day.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hilton were the parents of the following children: Margaret Jane, married William Kirkpatrick, both deceased; Thomas H. married Elizabeth Hastings and had four children, Belle, Oliver John L., Bertha, moved to Utica, Nebr., in 1884 pr '85 where he died about 1886; Mary Agnes, married John V. Dickerson, both deceased; and Jacob N., the subject of this sketch.

Jacob N. Hilton grew up on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools of Ohio and Illinois. At the age of 24 years he was married to Miss Louisa Bohrer, a daughter of Frederick C. and Maria (Zigler) Bohrer. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton went to

Kansas, where he purchased a section of land five miles north of Peabody, Kan. In 1882, however, they returned to Illinois and rented land until the time of Mr. Hilton's father's death, when they purchased the old home place. Mr. Hilton became a successful farmer and at one time owned 700 acres of well-improved land in McLean County. He has lived retired since 1909 and owns a fine home in Bloomington, which is located at 401 West Chestnut Street.

To Jacob N. and Louisa (Bohrer) Hilton the following children were born: Alfred Willis, a farmer, lives near Bloomington, and has one daughter, Margaret L. ; Mary Edna, married Elmer Gerber, and they have five children, Loda, Helen, Ruth, Joseph N., and Charles; Charles W., has one child, Nelson V., and lives in Wheaton, 111. ; Nellie, married Frederick Stappenbeck, and they have four children, Guy, Gale, Grace, and Glenna; Guy is a dairyman and farmer residing eight miles northwest of Bloomington and has two children, Hazel and Guy, Jr. ; Rolph, has one child, Marie; and Gladys, married Leslie Ernst. Mrs. Jacob N. Hilton died in September, 1922.

Henry A. Welch, retired, has been a leading farmer of McLean County for many years. He was born in Downs Township, Sept. 3, 1872, the son of James A. and Myrtle Jane (Bishop) Welch.

James A. Welch was a native of Downs Township, McLean County, born Jan. 6, 1849, and the son of Henry and Minerva (Caldwell) Welch, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Henry Welch came to Illinois when he was a young man and located on 160 acres of land in McLean County. He became a prosperous farmer and at the time of his death owned 1,400 acres of land. Mr. Welch died at the age of 65 years and his wife died at the age of 81 years. James A. Welch followed farming during his entire life and was well known as a stockman. He was married on Nov. 23, 1871, to Myrtle Jane Bishop, a daughter of James Bishop, a native of Ohio. Mr. Welch died Nov. 14, 1922, shortly after having celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. James A. Welch had four children, as follows: Florence, married J. O. Killion, lives at Bloomington; Mary is the wife of Frank Stubblefield,

Henry A. Welch was educated in the early day schools of McLean County and began life farming on the home place. He owns 232 acres of well improved land in Downs Township, which he now rents. Mr. Welch has lived retired at Bloomington since 1904.

On Feb. 20, 1895, Mr. Welch was married to Miss Jeanette Craig, a native of Illinois, born Sept. 23, 1875, and the daughter of Alexander and Sallie B. (Campbell) Craig. Mr. Craig served throughout the Civil War and died Feb. 12, 1892, and his wife died May 21, 1887. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Elizabeth; Mrs. Welch; John A., deceased; and Ray M., lives at Bloomington. To Henry A. and Jeannette (Craig) Welch one child was born, Lcrin J., born Dec. 1, 1895, married Rue Tyler, a native of Springfield, 111. He lives at Bloomington and is a bookkeper in the McLean County Bank. To Lorin J. Welch and wife two children were born: James Tyler and John Lorin.

Henry A. Welch is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge. He is one of the dependable and highly respected citizens of his community.

Arthur J. Graves, the well-known superintendent of the Bloomington Cemetery and florist of Bloomington, was born in McLean County in 1863, and is a son of Linus and Virginia F. (Hayden) Graves. His father was a native of Brookfield, Vt., where his birth occurred in 1815, and his mother in Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1829.

The Graves family is of English descent, and traces its genealogy in America back to Thomas Graves, who landed on the shores of the new world in 1645. Linus Graves came from Vermont to McLean County in 1840, his future wife having arrived with her parents in 1836. Their marriage took place in McLean County in 1847. Linus Graves was the organizer of the Bloomington Cemetery Association, of which he was the superintendent for many years. He was a public spirited man and a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. In politics, he was an earnest and active Republican, although not an aspirant for public office. He departed this life Jan. 18, 1897.

In boyhood Arthur J. Graves attended public school and later attended Illinois Wesleyan University. After finishing his studies he went to Colorado, taking up a claim on which he remained two years. He then went to New York City, where he was engaged with the Charles Frohman Stock Company for six years. In 1896 he returned to Bloomington and was elected to his present position as superintendent of the Bloomington Cemetery, and also of the Maplewood Greenhouse. Mr. Graves now owns five large greenhouses in McLean County.

On March 20, 1899, Arthur J. Graves was married to Miss Katherine Jacoby, a native of Bloomington and the daughter of Peter and Susan Jacoby, natives, respectively, of Germany and Terre Haute, Ind. They were early settlers of Bloomington where Mr. Jacoby and his brother, Jacob, were engaged in the grocery business ; the latter served on the board of education of Bloomington for 20 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Graves the following children were born; Esther Virginia, now the wife of Edward S. Brown, residing in Benjaminville, and Ruth, now a school teacher in Lexington High School, Lexington, 111.

In politics Mr. Graves is a Republican and he belongs to the Elks Lodge and is a 33d degree Mason. He has a wide acquaintance in Mc- Lean County and is recognized as one of the representative and substantial citizens of the community.

Moses Blair, deceased, was a prominent pioneer farmer and stockman of McLean County. He was born in Ireland and came to the United States when he was a young man, locating at Jacksonville, 111., where he remained five years. Mr. Blair then came to Bloomington and purchased 160 acres of land in Blue Mound Township, which he improved. He was extensively engaged in stock raising and specialized in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Blair took an active part in the progress of the community and the development of the county. He died in 1885.

On Sept. 30, 1857, Mr. Blair was united in marriage with Miss Bridget Murphy, a native of Ireland, born Jan. 16, 1839, and the daughter of James and Sarah (Tobin) Murphy. At an early date Mr. Murphy came to this country, making the trip in a sailing vessel which required six weeks. He became a successful farmer and stockman of McLean County, and owned 160 acres of land. Mr. Murphy died in 1866, and his wife died in 1840. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Philip, address unknown; Mary, married John Evans, both deceased; Mrs. Blair; Sarah, married Michael Cleary, both deceased; and Michael, who died while the family were making the voyage from Ireland to America.

To Moses and Bridget (Murphy) Blair, fourteen children were born, as follows: John, deceased; Sarah Jane, married Edward Sacry, lives at Holden, 111. ; Mary Ann, the widow of Stephen Spencer, who died Nov. 15, 1895, and she lives with her mother at Bloomington; William, a grain buyer, lives at Cropsey, 111. ; Elizabeth, died at the age of ten years ; Thomas, a farmer, lives in Dawson Township, McLean County; Ella, the widow of Peter Hopt, who died in 1917, and she resides in Bloomington; Frank, a farmer, lives with his brother Thomas, in Dawson Township, McLean County; Annabel, and Rosabel, twins, died in infancy; George a farmer, lives in Ohio ; Joseph, a farmer, lives in Blue Mound Township, McLean County ; and Alice, died in infancy, and Benjamin, deceased. Mrs. Blair has 36 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. She lives with her daughters at 213 Seminary Avenue, Bloomington.

In politics Moses Blair was a Republican and he was a member of the Christian Church. The Blair family is one of the prominent families of McLean County, and Mrs. Blair is well known and highly respected in the community.

Sidney B. Bean, a locomotive engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad since September, 1887, has lived in Bloomington since that time. He was born at Marshall, Mich., July 7, 1863, and is the son of Sidney and Sarah (Morris) Bean.

Sidney Bean, a native of Michigan, lost his life during the Civil War while serving with a Michigan company. His wife, who was born in Syracuse, N. Y., died in Bloomington in 1886. There were two children in the Bean family: Mary, the widow of William Hall, formerly an engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; and Sidney B., the subject of this sketch.

Sidney B. Bean spent his boyhood at Marshall, Mich., and began railroading at the age of 17 years with the Chicago & Alton Railroad, in whose employ he has remained continuously. Mr. Bean has had the run

Mr. Bean was married first to Miss Kate Mollenbrock, and to this union two children were born: Clarence, born in 1896, lives in Los Angeles, Cal., is a veteran of the World War; and Theodore, born in 1898, connected with the valuation department of the New York Central Railroad at Cleveland, Ohio, also a veteran of the World War. Mrs. Bean died in 1903, and on July 2, 1908, Mr. Bean was married to Miss Effie Detree, a native of Tunkhannock, Pa., born July 2, 1874, and the daughter of Moses W. and Lucy (Billings) Detree, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Detree, who served throughout the Civil War with Company F, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, died at Pittston, Pa., Feb. 25, 1904. His wife resides with Mr. and Mrs. Bean in Bloomington. She is 80 years old and is a remarkably smart woman of her age. Mrs. Bean has one brother, Edgar Billings Detree, also an engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. A sister, Jennie May, is deceased.

Mr. Bean is capable, energetic, and during his long period of service with the Chicago & Alton Railroad has established an excellent reputation.

John Jefferies, deceased, was a well known and highly respected citizen of McLean County. He was born on a farm in McLean County, April 26, 1863, the son of Philip and Isabel (Morrison) Jefferies.

Philip Jefferies was born in England and his wife was a native of Ireland. They were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania, and later moved to Ohio and thence to Illinois, settling in McLean County. Mr. Jefferies owned 140 acres of land which he improved and for many years he was a leading stockman of the county. He died Dec. 24, 1907, and his wife died April 14, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Jefferies were the parents of eight children, as follows: Mary, William and Jane, deceased; Eva, the widow of John L. Scott, lives in Nebraska; John, the subject of this sketch; Charles, a farmer, lives in Minnesota; George, deceased and one child died in infancy.

John Jefferies grew up on his father's farm, and received his education in the district school. He rented land for several years and at the time of his death, June 3, 1914, owned 400 acres of good farm land in

On March 4, 1886, Mr. Jefferies was married to Miss Estella Johnson, a native of Lexington, McLean County, born June 6, 1867, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sipe) Johnson. Mr. Johnson came to Illinois from Knox County, Ohio, and was a successful farmer of McLean County. He served throughout the Civil War in the 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Johnson was a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. He died Jan. 15, 1912, and his wife died Oct. 23, 1914. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Mrs. Jefferies; Sherman, deceased; Minnie, married William Greenfield, lives in Indiana ; Benjamin, a farmer, lives at Bluffton, Ind. ; and one child died in infancy.

To John and Estella (Johnson) Jefferies six children were born, as follows: Ira, born Jan. 20, 1887, a farmer, living in Minnesota; Perry, born July 2, 1889, died Nov. 14, 1918; Clarence, born Nov. 4, 1895, is a veteran of the World War, having served from May 1, 1917, until May 1, 1919, seven months of which were spent overseas; Earl, born July 28, 1897, a farmer, lives at Cooksville, 111. ; Bessie, born June 28, 1899, lives with her mother in Bloomington; and Delmer, born Feb. 23, 1901, a farmer, lives at Bluffton, Ind. Mrs. Jefferies has four grandchildren.

John Jefferies was a Republican and served as road commissioner and school director. He was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Jefferies was a man of energy, strong purpose and industry. In his business affairs he was upright and fair and as a citizen he upheld high standards.

Edward S. Downs, a locomotive engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, was born in Bloomington, in 1868, and is a son of James S. and Emma Elizabeth (Lamb) Downs.

James S. Downs was born in England, Dec. 25, 1842, and came to this country when he was a young man, locating in Buffalo, N. Y. In 1867 he came to Bloomington and was employed as an engineer by the Chicago & Alton Railroad. In 1895 Mr. Downs' train was wrecked at Gardner, 111., and his fireman was killed. As a reward for his bravery in remaining at the throttle, Mr. Downs was presented with a purse of $125 which he declined to take, but accepted it for the fireman's widow.

Later some of the passengers on the ill-fated train presented Mr. Downs with a gold medal. He died Dec. 23, 1904, and his wife died March 30, 1920. They were the parents of five children: Edward S., the subject of this sketch ; Frank, lives in Chicago ; Nellie, married Francis Morris, lives in California; Lee, lives in Bloomington, and Roy, lives in Chicago.

Edward S. Downs attended school in Bloomington and began working for the railroad when he was a young man. In 1897 he was promoted to engineer and for a number of years has been on the north end out of Bloomington.

On June 23, 1897, Mr. Downs was married to Miss Jennie Buzzard, who was born at Newville, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1866, the daughter of B. D. and Arminta (Brown) Buzzard. Mr. Buzzard was born in Fort Wayne County. Pa., and served throughout the Civil war. He died March 6, 1900, and his wife died Dec. 29, 1921. To Mr. and Mrs. Downs two children have been born, Ada, and Harold, both at home.

Peter E. Murray, a well known citizen of Bloomington, was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 10, 1868, and is the son of Michael and Jane (Proudfoot) Murray.

Michael Murray, a native of Ireland, came to this country in 1861. locating in Pennsylvania. In 1873 he removed to Kansas and later to Washington where he died. His wife, a native of Scotland, is also deceased. There were four children in the Murray family; Mary, married James McNulty, both deceased; Peter E., the subject of this sketch; John, and James, deceased.

Peter E. Murray received his education in the schools of Kansas and his first business association was with the Big Four Railroad as clerk. Three years later he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as brakeman, and was later employed by the Rock Island Railroad. In 1900 Mr. Murray entered the service of the Chicago & Alton Railroad as a conductor. He lives at 208 Union Street.

On Nov. 18, 1900, Mr. Murray was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Skelley, a native of Davenport, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Skelley, natives of Pennsylvania, and now deceased. There were ten children in the Skelley family, as follows: Daniel, deceased; Jerome, lives in Illinois; Mary, the widow of Jerry Cunningham, lives at Rock Island, 111. ; Margaret, deceased ; Catherine, deceased ; one child died in infancy ; John, lives at Pasadena, Cal. ; Rose, married William Salzman, lives at East Moline, 111. ; Elizabeth, the widow of Charles Humphrey, lives at Chicago, and Mrs. Murray. To Mr. and Mrs. Murray four children have been born: Jennie, Edward and Elizabeth, at home, and Eugene, who is studying for the priesthood at Washington, D. C.

Theodore A. Braley. - Who can estimate the influence of a man who was for 38 years actively connected with the daily newspapers of his community, as reporter, editor and manager of their editorial policies. If any such estimate can be accurately made, then one can set forth the value of the work and worth of Theodore A. Braley, for almost a generation an active writer and worker in the newspaper field of Bloomington, most of the time as editor of the Evening Bulletin. Mr. Braley's death occurred on March 19, 1919, when he expired very suddenly while on a visit in Chicago. He and Mrs. Braley had gone to the city for a short stay for recreation and were stopping at the Blackstone hotel. The fatal attack came on in the night and after only a few hours of mortal struggle the end came peacefully.

Theodore A. Braley could be truly said to be a self-made man. He came up from the ranks by his own efforts until he became a recognized leader in the city of Bloomington, not alone by the commanding influence of a strong editorial writer, but by his personal aggression and public spirit in everything which he believed to be for the best interests of the community.

Mr. Braley was born in the state of New York in the little town of Oneonta, in the year 1860. He was therefore in his 59th year when he was taken away, and his life was suddenly ended while he was apparently in the prime of his vigor of middle life. Mr. Braley came to Bloomington when a mere boy to visit with relatives, and he afterward made this city and county his home. He attended the public schools and after completing the course in the grades he attended and graduated from the

Theodore A. Bralet

Bloomington High School when he was but 16 years of age. He tried clerking in a store for a short time, but that work did not appeal to his active mind, and he then took up his first work as a newspaper reporter on the old Sunday Eye, which was then conducted by George L. Hutchin. After serving his apprenticeship on the staff of the Sunday Eye, he first entered the field of daily journalism as reporter and later city editor of the Daily Leader, a newspaper which is no longer in existence. For nine years he pursued his course with the Leader, and then his ambition for becoming his own boss was realized when in 1891 he formed a partnership with James F. O'Donnell, and they two bought the plant of the Evening Bulletin, which had previously been published by Owen Scott, who had lately been elected to congress. Mr. Braley became the active manager of the editorial end of the Bulletin, while Mr. O'Donnell took the position of business manager.

Under the doubly able management of these two men, the Bulletin soon became a great force in the affairs of the city. It grew in circulation and popularity, and took its place among the leading daily newspapers in Illinois. This position it ever afterward maintained.

Mr. Braley was married on Jan. 18, 1882, to Miss Caroline R. Parke, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Parke, her father being one of the best known and most highly esteemed of the earlier merchants of this city. Mr. Braley was then just entering upon the most active stages of his newspaper career, and for over 30 years afterward as he grew in prestige and influence in his sphere of labor, Mrs. Braley was ever his most devoted admirer, and assisted him in the upward climb. Mr. and Mrs. Braley made their home at the family residence of Mr. Parke, and the parents lived with them during their declining years and until their deaths. After they were gone, Mr. and Mrs. Braley continued ever afterward to reside in this fine old home, which was one of the best and most comfortable in Bloomington. Mrs. Braley still resides there.

The body of Mr. Braley was brought home to Bloomington, and his funeral, held on March 21, at the home where he had lived so happily many years. Rev. William Baker, pastor of St. Matthews Episcopal Church, had charge of the services. The pallbearers were former associates from the various departments of the Bulletin office, and the interment was at the Bloomington cemetery. On the day before the funeral, the Bloomington Rotary Club, of which he was one of the charter members, passed a resolution on his death, in which is was stated that the club had "lost a distinguished member; the newspaper field one of its most brilliant and able writers; the community a respected and revered citizen ; his personal friends a sympathetic, broad-minded and kindly man ; and his home a generous and wholesome soul."

Perhaps no truer or comprehensive estimate of the work of Mr. Braley in the newspaper field could be made than to reproduce the statements concerning him which were made by a writer in the Pantagraph at the time of his death. This writer said in part:

"Mr. Braley occupied a unique position in the community, from many standpoints. As an editor he had a style and distinctive method of treatment of topics of the day which won him a large clientele of readers who followed his journalistic work with avidity and never lagging interest. He was a supreme paragrapher, and had the knack of expressing in a few cogent sentences sentiments and opinions which could not be better made known in columns of solemn discussion. He nearly always waved aside the more serious aspect of a subject, unless it were one of vital concern to the community, and with a well-turned quip would set forth his point of view which at once disarmed opponents and pleased friends. The Bulletin had been a democratic organ from the time of its establishment, and under the editorship of Mr. Braley he had followed the traditional policy of party loyalty, although in a manner all his own at times He took part in politics simply because of his love of the game, and never manifested the slightest personal ambition for office during the long time in which he had acted as editor of the party paper. Personally, Mr. Braley was of an exceedingly genial and sunshiny disposition. He never lost his pleasant exterior no matter under what weight of pressure of serious affairs. He was big hearted and generous, and many an unfortunate has had him to thank for a lift over some rough place in the road. Mr. Braley was a lover of the social side of life, and that was the reason for his leadership in social affairs for several years. None of the great social gatherings of Bloomington in the last 20 years would have seemed complete without his presence."

On the morning after his death, the editorial columns of the Pantagraph contained the following tribute to the work of the editor of the only competing newspaper in the community: "In the passing of Mr. Braley the editorial side of the newspaper field loses its oldest writer in point of active and continuous service. For more than forty years the people of this community have read the productions of his facile pen, first as re- porter of the daily news, later as city and telegraph editor and finally as editorial writer of the Daily Bulletin. Mr. Braley was justly recognized as a writer of unusual talents. He was possessed of a distinctive style and was master of the editorial paragraph. He seldom commented upon a subject at length, but expressed his thought in the fewest possible words and frequently with a humorous turn that was highly original. He also excelled in his editorial appreciations of departed personal friends and prominent citizens. Personally Mr. Braley was most likeable. Although modest and retiring, he was intensely human, with a broad tolerance and sympathy for the frailties of human nature. He was not of those who take themselves too seriously, and his philosophy of life was cheerful to the end. Bloomington loses a lovable character in the death of Theodore A. Braley."

Anonymously, one of his co-workers in the newspaper field penned the following eloquent lines concerning Mr. Braley at the time of his passing away: "To the workers in the Bloomington newspaper field, the death of Theodore Braley comes with a shock that is even more acute, if possible, than to the other friends of the community. Associated as he has been for 30 years with his co-writers in the daily recordings of the happenings of the city and outside world, he has been regarded as the dean of his profession. Gifted with a pen far out of the ordinary, his talent was widely recognized. His satire was polished ; his critiques gently swathed ; his observations never envenomed. His writing perfectly replicated his disposition. Anger was in him an unknown quantity. He would mollify the belligerent with a smile. A cataclysm found him unruffled. His poise was never perturbed. The world rolls on and most of us will speedily be forgotten after we are gone. But this can not be true of Theodore Braley, at least to the many who knew him intimately and appreciated him at his full worth as a true friend. His impress upon the community will be lasting. Few have played so prominent a part in its development. Not only in the newspaper field, but in the commercial, club and social life, he has been a lofty figure, a man among men. There will be poignant grief in many hearts at his passing. The degree of sorrow can be no greater than that experienced by his associates in the journalistic field, who, perhaps, knew him best. Thirty' is written, alas, too soon. 'Brad' has gone. He has ventured upon the common hazard that we all must run, but we can say with Browning, that 'Death upon his face is rather shine than shade, a tender shine by looks beloved made.' "

George W. Parke. - One of the men who had a direct and widespread influence in what might be called the secondary stage of the development of McLean County and its county seat, was George W. Parke, one of the pioneer merchants and bankers. The only living descendant of Mr. Parke is Mrs. Caroline Parke Braley, wife of the late Theodore A. Braley, who was for many years editor of the Bloomington Daily Bulletin. Mrs. Braley is making her home in the large house at Lee and Monroe streets, in which her parents resided for many years and in which Mr. and Mrs. Braley made their home from the time of their marriage to the death of Mr. Braley in 1919.