Williamson County, Illinois - The whole text, 1905 (part 9 of 9)

Wax Flowers By Mrs. Mary E. Chamxess

Prior to incorporating as a village Mr. Harrison, Mr. Herrin and Mrs. Williams bored for coal and struck a nine-foot vein within about 1-50 feet of the surface. Of course, this at once settled the question of the future prosperity of the town, and it at once began to go ahead in leaps and bounds. Within three years the Chicago and Carbondale railroad was built from Johnson City to Carbondale, making Herrin on the way. The St. Louis and Big Muddy Coal and Iron Company sunk the first shaft for coal in 1.S9T. This was followed in 1S99 by the Sunnyside, the Chicago and Carterville shafts, and about that time by the Alexander Brothers mine. Since then seven more mines have been opened within a radius of five miles of the city. The Electric Belt Line and the Illinois Central both run into it, and several more roads are in prospect.

Herrix Post Office

This office was first opened as a fourth class Star Route office, with one mail a day. D. R. Harrison was appointed the first postmaster and he run the office thirty-three years and ten months, consecutively and was succeeied by W. A. Stotlar February 1, 1898. Mr. Harrison located it in his store on "Herrin's Prairie" on the spot where the Chicago and Carterville mine now stands. On the 1st of April, 1902, it became a presidential office with salary of .$1100 per year. In 1903 it advanced to $1200: in 1904 to $1400 and on the 1st of July, 1905, to $1600 per year. The gross receipts the past year, from April 1st to April 1st, were $4 4 S 4.39: domestic money orders for the year $60,103.55; foreign money orders for the year $33,- 2 95.2 3. Present office force, Americus Gassoway, Postmaster; Gus, Sizemore, Assistant Postmaster.

Christian Church At Herrin

The religious society bearing the above name (sometimes called also the Disciple Church and occasionally nicknamed the Campbellite Church) was organized in a District School House at Herrin about 1864 or '65 l)y Elder Samuel Wilson. An old Tennessee preacher by the name of .Matthew Wilson followed him and served the society acceptably for several years. He was succeeded by Wm. L. Crim, of West Frankfort. These were all able and faithful men, and the society grew and prdspired under their labors. Sometime aliout 1867 they erected a modest rliuich house which they occupied until 1898, when it and the ground it occupied were sold for a school and a favorable site purchased and the present neat church building was erected which is shown in our illustration. It stands down town on the east side of Park Avenue, corner of Maple, and has a seating capacity of about 400. It cost about $1500.

The following persons were the original members of the old church: .\ewton Bradley, Samuel Stotlar, William Williams. George Cox, Nathan Cox, Louisa Williams, Eliza Spillar, Sarah J. Cox, Eliza Stotlar and "Granny" I^awrence,

Elder Dempsey A. Hunter

The subject of this brief sketch, whose labors in the ministry have made his name a familiar household word over half a dozen or more states and territories in the West, is a native-born Williamson County product, where he first saw the light on a farm near Herrin. His father was Allen Hunter, who bought the farm when his son was one year old, and where he lived to the ripe old age of 83. He was a United Baptist preacher, preaching the Gospel Sundays and working his farm week days for upwards of fifty years. The son followel in the footsteps of the father, remaining on the farm and in the local schools until 18 years old. when he spent a year in the College at Enfield. Two years at Mc- Leansboro, followed by two more at Enfield, closed his school days, when he turned his attention to teaching as a profession. He had sandwiched teaching between terms at College up to this time, but from this period for thirteen years he did little else.

He first joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church, with which body he remained until 26 years old. At the age of 26 he joined the Christian Church and occasionally preached for them, but it was not until he was 33 that he laid aside all other business and gave himselt up to the work of the ministry. He first evangelized in Whfle County for three years and then spent two years in Southern Illinois and Indiana, when he took a pastorate at Gurnee, in Lake Couuty, XortUern Illinois. From the first he has been active and successful as a minister, laboring and traveling extensively in niinois, Indiana, Mis.^ouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Oklahoma, but whether as Evangelist oi Missionary or setlle'l as p;istor he was iiiways successful and welcome to his flock.

The following are the principal places where he has labored: On leaving Gurnee, where he spent one year, he went to Lynnville, Morgan County, then to Princeton, the County Seat of Bureau Co., then to Kes- Kerlf County, la., where he served the church at Delta and Sigourney for four years. This was followed by two years at Laurens, .-. iien he resigned and took charge of the church at Jefferson, Green County, la., where he staid for seven years, the first two as pastor .md the balance of the time as Evar.gelis', pat of the time under the direction of the Missionary Board. He served the church at Augusta, Butler County, Kansas, two years, then to Galena, near the Southeast corner of the state. He then received a call to serve the church at Herrin, his native town, where he is now settled since March, 1904.

Mr. Hunter has a vigorous and active brain, which brooks no limit in knowledge, but seeks to compass as wi:!e a field as possible. He has studied medicine, psychology, osteopathy as well as matters of general interest and utility connected with the ministry. He has never practiced medicine as a profession, and osteopathy but six months, filling the pulpit Sundays meanwhile. He took his degree in Psychology from Dr. Parkyn, of Chicago, confining his work generally to the ministry. He at one time took some interest in Fraternal Insurance and organized the Order of Giant Oaks, now consolidated with the American Guild at Richmond, Va. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and A. O. U. W., besides the greater orders of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Knights Templar.

He has three sons and one daughter living and grown to maturity. His eldest son, E. E. Hunter, is an electric light and steam engineer at Oklahoma City. Oklahoma. His second son, C. R. Hunter, is a train dispatcher at Boone, la., and his third son, Marshall, is the editor and publisher of the Herrin Daily Promoter. His daughter, Mildred Hunter, lives in Joplin, Mo. youngest child, Denipsey Dale, of diphtheria last December.

Mr. Hunter comes of a vigorous and long-lived stock on both sides. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lee, of the Virginia family of Lee's, is still living on the old homestead near Herrin, at the advanced age of 84.

Elder G. W. Syfbrt

Elder G. "W. Syfert. son of Nathan and Mary A. Syfert, was born in Shelby County, 111., June 6. l:s61. His early occupation was that of a miller, at which he worked until he entered into the ministry in 1S96. He entered Ewing College November 1st, IS96. remaining there four years. In 1901 he came to Herrin, Illinois. In 1901 he had the honor of baptizing 104 into the fellowship of the church, that being the greatest number baptized by any Baptist clergy in the state of Illinois. The work has continued to grow until we have the largest membership of any church in this part of Southern

Chamness Flouring Mill

Illinois. In clo.sing up his fourth years work here as pastor he has baptized 299 into the fellowship of the church, received 149 by letter and at present the membership is 543.

His wife was Laura Jones, of Fayette County, Illinois, and they have one child, a sou. Walter. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the U. M. W. of A.

Rev. James C. Blizzard

The subject of this sketch, who has a far wider reputation as a teacher than as a preacher, although he ranks high in both, is one of the native products of Southern Illinois, of which a clientele scattered far and wide over the whole tFnited States justly feel proud. Hundreds of his pupils who have received their training in his efficient hands and have taken their places in almost every walk of life, as ministers, lawyers, doctors, teachers or business men, rec^ftrd him with undiminished pride and affection through the lengthening years and the slowly silvering of theii- heads. In birth, education, training and occupation he began and continues to this day a typical "Egyptian" of the modern geographical school. He was born near Dudleyvil!°, 'id Co., March 12, 1S52, and is therefore comparatively a young m:i:i ^lill.

He was the son of Rev. J. J. and Catharine (McAdams) Blizzard, themselves native lUinoisians. Until 17 years oia he followed the plow summers and went to the "deestrict" school winters. He was soundly converted at that time and wanted to enter the ministi-y, but circumstances ordered otherwise, and he devoted about thirty years to training the young, and his life has been principally spent as a teacher.

He began to teach in 1S71, when but 19 years old, and taught continuously until 1890, a period of nineteen years. He was then elected Superintendent of Schools for Bond County for four years. He then took charge of the Mt. Vernon Business College for four years, then as Principal of Crab Orchard Academy for two years. Later he started a business college at Vienna, but the promisei support failing him it proved unsuccessful and was abandoned after a two years' struggle.

Although he joined the church when but 17 years old, he did not apply to the conference for a license to preach nor enter the regular ministry until 1902, when he was licensed by the Mt. Vernon District Conference of the M. E. Church, and took his first pastorate in 190/2 at Carterville. As a Sunday School worker he has had few equals from his youth up. He has been remarkably active and successful in all departments of the work, and for 16 consecutive years was Superintendent of the Sunday School in Bond County.

He has never been very active in politics, and without ambition in that field, although holding at various times minor offices, principally connected with the school.

On October i, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. White, daughter of Leander and Rebecca White, both old settlers ot Bond County. Three children have been born to them, all of whom have reached maturity and two have married. Their names are Alvin B. Blizzard, of Yellow Pine, La.; Mrs. Effie Stephenson, wife of the druggist at Mt. Vernon, and Miss Nellie M. Blizzard, bookkeeper and stenographer for Reed and North Lumber Co., at Carterville. He is at the present pastor of the M. E. Church at Herrin.

The subject of this sketch was the son of Samuel Bolinger, a native of Pennsylvania, and Carolina Nicodemus, a Maryland lady. The elder Bolinger came to Sulphur Springs, Ohio, in an early day and married there. His son was boin there Nov.

11, IMHi. l>iil was laUi'ii oy His palenls to Van Worl, Ohio, when bin three years old and from thence to El Paso, 111., when nine. After the death of his father at El Paso in ISSl, at the age of (J7, the family moved to Berrin Springs, Mich., where they remained for 13 years. The mother lived to be 71 and died while on a visit in Mobile, Alabama. After the death of his father, Bolinger quit the farm and went into the grocery business. He followed this for five years and then took up carpenter contracting and building, which he followed for fourteen years. At this time he 'lecame iuter^^^'ited in the Electric- L:g!u business and became a part owner with Fred \V. Richart and Chas. B. Ingrahani. Richart having a half interest and the others each a quarter. He is the Superintendent and devotes his entire time to the business. In politics he is a Republican and was City Treasurer of Herrin in 1900, serving one year. He is a member of the Mt. Vernon, ta.. Lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. -M.. and Herrin Lodge 430 I. O. O. F. He has never married.

Herrix Electric Light And Power Co

This promising industry was incorporated in 1900 with a capital of $20,000. Fred W. Richart is the President and General Manager, Chas. E. Ingraham Secretary and Treasurer and B. Bolinger, Vice President and Superintendent. These three gentlemen originated the business at Herrin. secured a broad franchise, incorporated the company, furnished the necessary capital to put the business on its feet, own all the stock and do all the work. They are, in fact, "the whole thing," and Herrin would find it troublesome to get along without them.

They furnish arc and incandescent lamps by night and fans and motors by day. The officers are a wideawake set of men, and fully alive to the importance of being up-to-date in everything. "Improvement all along the line" is their motto.

The building of the plant is 18x2S feet, of brick with metal roof, with a wooden extension for boilers and other machinery and coal bins, 2Sx .")0 feet. They use two boilers of .50 horse-power each: two engines: two dynamos of 30 kilowats each: 20 arc lights of the enclosed type, 1200 candle-power each: .500 incandescent lamps. The whole system is operated on 2 20 volts direct current on six miles of wire. They employ only two men besides Mr. Bolinger. The industry is being extended as rapidly, as the growing city requires it. and improvements are projected which will double the power in the near future.

Herrin is fortunate in its choice of a school board, securing the active oversight and control In the important matter of its public schools of a board who are quick to perceive its needs and prompt and liberal to the legal limit of taxation in supplying them. The late, rapid and almost unparalelled growth ot the city iio sooner demanded additional school privileges than the Board set about the erection of a new school building. They bought block No. 1 of Herrin's fifth addition in the second ward in the northwest part of the city, for which they paid $10(111. On this ideal site they erected the past season a substantial iMick structure of two stories with four rooms in each floor, capable of accommodating 600 pupils.

The construction was begun in May, 1904, but by reason of delay in securing brick they were unable to finish it until November 1st. 1905. The contractor was Edward Mullins. It is heated with steam, with the boilers in a sub-basement under the north half of the building. It has slate roof and is finished in Georgia Pine, hard oil finish. The plastering is the Acme, with a white coat finish.

The last school census shows 1100 children of school age and IS 3 4 under it, showing that the board must immediately provide another school Iniilding. The old school buildins is filled to overflowing, having two teachers in its primary and the new school has 210 pupils in one room.

North Side School - Principal, W. G. Ferges: 5th grade, Mr. Whittaker: 4th grade. Mrs. .Tennie Lawson: 3rd grade. Mr. Fleming: 2nd grade, Phoebe Smith: 2nd primary, Nannie Kendall: 1st primary. Mattie Stocks and Ethel Wilson.

As indicating the devotedness and efficiency of the present board of education, it may be noted that its members, led by its president, whose enthusiasm in school affairs is unbounded, already have well in hand location and plans for another school house, which will be pushed to completion as soon as a tax levy for that purpose can be legally laid. And in addition to that the president

(it llie Board is not only committed, but enthusiastically devoted to erecting a High School, an up-to-date building, in the near future, which will give ample accommodations to that class of pupils for some years to come. He will doubtless find In the other members hearty support, and the city can confidently count on it as soon as it can legally be reached.

The First National Ba.Nk Of

This bank was the pioneer bank of the city. It was run as a private bank by D. R. Harrison from 1895 to 1S99, and on April 1, 1900, incorporated under its present charter with $25,000 capital stock, which has since been increased to $50,- 00(1. Its officers are D. R. Harrison, president: Ephraim Herrin, vice president: .lohn Herrin, cashier: Henry LaMaster, assistant cashier: Cot a Herrin, bookkeeper: D. R. Harrison, Eph. Herrin. Geo. H. Harrison, Ed Elles and ,1. D. Peters, directors.

Report of the condition of The First National Bank of Herrin. at Herrin, in the State of Illinois, at the close of business March 14, 1 9 0 5 :

STATE OF Ii>LIXOIS, County of Williamson. I. John Heri-in, cashier of the above named bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. .lOHX HERRIX,

Was born August 2, I.Sol, in Jlercer County. Pa., where he remained on a farm with his parents until 2 4 years old. He comes of a vigorous and long-lived family, his father, Enoch Perrine, dying at the age of 86, and his mother at 85. He came to this County April 1, 1856. and the year following, on December lU, married Susan Reeves, daughter of James Reeves, by whom he had three children, of whom two are now living.

He enlisted August. 1862. in the 81st Illinois, served at the Siege of Vicksburg, was taken prisoner at the battle of Gemtown, Miss., and was taken to the infamous prison-pen of Andersonville. where he languished for six months, until the victorious Sherman released them. He was mustered out after three years of service at Vicksburg, Miss., in August, 1865. In politics he has always been a Republican, and voted that ticket when there were but 7 5 votes of that party cast in the County.

He was a member of the first Republican convention ever held in the County. It was called in 1860 and convened in the basement of the old Presbyterian church erected by the pastor, N. C. Hunt.

G. B. Russell

G. B. Russell was born .May 9. ISTO, in Johnson County. Mo. He was brought up a farmer's boy and received only a common school education. About ten years ago he took up the photographic business, first at Creal Springs, but in October. 1899, he came to Herrin and opened a studio, where he still remains, the leading photographer of the district. His wife was Maggie Eaton, of the Tygett settlement, to whom he was married September 4, 1892. Three children are the fruits of this union.

George H. Harrison, pioprietor of .Mulberry Hill Stock Farm, dealer in jacks and mules, shorthorned cattle and Poland China hogs, is the son of D. R. Harrison, president of the First Xational Bank and a native product of the town. He was born on Herrin's Prairie December 14. 1S61. .\t the age of 18 he left school and spent two and one-half years at Shurtleff College, when he returned home and has since turned his attention to the rearing and sale of choice stock. When 21 his father gave him 120 acres of land just out of town, known as the Bradley estate. He has since added 160 acres more, making 280 of the best land in the County.

On Xovember 27, ls92. he was united in marriage with iliss Laura Blankenship, of Marion. They have four children, three boys and one girl. Both himself and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church of Herrin. He is a Democrat politically, and a member of the .\. F. & A. M.

D. R. Harrison, president of the First Xational Bank of Herrin, was born October loth, 1834, on the old David Herrin homestead, and has lived there almost continuously ever since. His father was George H. Harrison and his mother Delilah P. Herrin. His father died January 12, 1848, but his mother survived until March 28, 1899, dying at the age of 84. His only sister, Mrs. Louisa Williams, died lately at the age of 6 9 years.

He was a farmer b.v occupation, training, and preference, and followed it until about 1860. when he opened a general merchandise store at Herrin, in company with his uncle. Oliver Herrin. In 1895 he added the business of private banking to his farms and merchandise, and kept up the combination until 1899. The private bank was continued until it was merged into the First Xational Bank of Herrin in April, 1900, when he became its president.

He was a merchant for 41 years, and when the Postoffice was established at Herrin, he furnished it room free gratis, and was appointed the first postmaster, holding the office continuously for 3 3 years and ten months, until Mr. Stotlar took it. He was Township and School Treasurer for 14 years and Xotary Public for 36.

When fifteen years old he united with the Missionary Baptist Church and has been active and useful in its ranks ever since. He was appointed first clerk at its organization, and has served in that capacity up to the present time, for about 40 years. His church records do not show a single entry except in his own hand-writing.

His first wife was .Miss Julia A. Walker, the daughter of .Matthew Walker and Hester More, his wife. They were married January 10, 1861, and have had five children, of whom one died in infancy. Their names are George H., the eldest; Annabel, wife of E. E. Mitchell, cashier of the First Xational Bank of Carbondale; Albert M., a dentist in Rockford, Illinois, and Luella, wife of J. C. Hundley, of Carbondale. His wife died July 9, 1874, at the age of 38, and on the 18th day of Xovember, five years later, he married Elizabeth H. Backus, the widow of .\ndrew Backus. Her maiden

Mr. Harrison hasn't a grey hair in his head, is straight as an arrow, prompt and sprightly in action, blood pure and head clear. Although he has already passed the allotted three score and ten, he bids fair to abide many years longer. He is a Democrat in politics, and a 32- degree Mason.

Ephrai.M Herrix

The father of the subject of this sketch was Jackson Herrin, son of David Herrin, one of the first settlers on the prairie to which he afterwards gave his name. He entered a tract of 600 acres from the government and laid the foundation for the prosperity of his family and later for the town which bears his name. Jackson died in July. 1901, at the age of So. His wife, who was Olive Spiller, died in 1845, after giving birth to four children. After her death he married Xarcissa Reed, by whom he also had four children. She lived to the age of 75.

The subject of this sketch was the son of the first wife, and was born on Herrin's Prairie Oct. IS. 1S43. He was always a farmer and stock raiser, and is so yet. interspersed with real estate and banking. He has been prominent and active in the establishment and development of his town of which we speak more particularly in .giving a history of the town itself. When the Civil War broke out he responded by enlisting in the 12Sth 111., Co. D, August 10, 1862. Upon the dissolution of that unfortunate regiment he was with many others transferred to the 9th, of which Sam Hughes was Colonel when it was organized. His first smell of powder was at Snake Creek, below Chattanooga. He afterwards accompanied Sherman in his famous march "from Atlanta to the Sea," and was mustered out at Springfieli July 9th, 1865. He returned to his home and four years later, May G, 1S69, married Fatima Brown, the daughter of John Brown, hy whom he has had six children, three boys and three girls. The three sons and one daughter are living. Their names are John, the eldest', cashier of the First National Bank of Herrin: Mark H., engaged in stock raising and dealing at Herrin; Jefferson, a butcher at Herrin, and Cora, the bookkeeper for the bank.

Thomas Stotlar

The Stotlar family, one of the oldest and most substantial families of the County, are of German origin and date back in this country to Jacob Stotlar, who in an early day came from Germany to Pennsylvania and was killed by the Indians. His son, Joseph Stotlar, who was a scout in the war of 1S12 rnd was present at the surrender of t>en. Hull, settled near Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, is son, Samuel, was born in Adams Co. in 1S13 and died in tS76 at the age of 62. His wife, and the mother of Thomas, was born in ISIS and died in 189 3 at tlje age of 77, on the old Samuel Stotlar homestead in Herrin.

where he drove his stakes and spread his tent November 27, 18-50. His schooling was limited to the common schools of the town, supplemented with three terras at the old college ar Carbondale. under the tuition of Clark Braden. He began teaching in ISGO, but after teaching one term the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in the 9th 111., Co. G, being sworn in at Cairo August 11, 1S61. His first commander was Col. Payne, with Mercer as Lieut. -Col., who became Colonel on the promotion of Payne to Brigadier General, and when Mercer became in turn Brigadier, Jesse J. Philips became Colonel and afterwards Brigadier, to be followed by Col. Hughes, the last of the list of fighting col onels, and before the war closed, all but Hughes became generals, and hi would have been but for the close of the war.

The brave 9th served at Forts Henry and Donaldson, going with Grant to Shiloh, where Thomas had his left arm shot in two and went to the hospital at Mound City for a while. His father came for him at the hospital and took him home, where he staid till the last of August. 1862. He then returned to Mound City and remained up to September 16, when he started back to his regiment. He only got as far as Cairo when he was discharged on account of his wound, which was still troubling him. He then returned to his home at Herrin and the cornfield.

was married to Miss Louisa Cox, daughter of George and Sarah Jane Cox, of German parentage, and natives of North Carolina and Mississippi. She died February la, 19(tl, having given birth to three children, Edwin N., manager of the lumber business in Marion, Norah, the wife -'f Dr. Ford at Herrin and Leroy A., who died at home in April, 1905. After a little more than two years from his wife's death, December 15, 1903, Mr. Stotlar married his present wife, who was Florence Brown, the daughter of John Brown, of near Herrin.

In 1903 Mr. Stotlar heli)ed to organize the present Stotlar - Herrin Lumber Company, and became its first vice ))resident. A year later he assisted in the organization of the State-Savings Bank and was elected its president. He also owns stoclv in the First National Bank of Marion and is a director and a stockholder in the Williamson County Bank of Marion. He has been a member of the Christian Church of Herrin for 36 years, and an elder for about 10. He is a Republican in politics.

P. N. Lewis

Philip N. Lewis, the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm seven miles south of Marion, Williamson, County. lUinQis. January 29, 1S7(). On this farm was what was known to most of the early settlers as the Ward Flat or Race Track, a level tract of land a half mile long, lying one mile south of Wards Mill, the old water mill on the Saline

Philip is the second son of D. M. and Harriet Lewis, and one of thirteen children, twelve of whom lived to be grown, and ten of whom are still living. His father, commonly known as "Dan" Lewis, was one of the oldest citizens, he himself being born and raised in this same neighborhood, and living there until his death, which occurred a few years ago at the age of 73. He kept the Wards Mill Post Office for iifteen or twenty years for the accommodation of his neighbors, and was always known as a man of strictest integrity and honest dealings with his fellowmen. He was never a party to any litigation, and was never accused of violating the laws of the countiy.

Harriet Lewis was the eldest child of William C. Cash and Finney Cash, who came to Hlinois in an early day from Kentucky. She was a woman of extraordinary intelligence, strong religious convictions, gentle and patient disposition, and that beautiful womanly character that won the hearts of all she met and attached them to herself as lifelong friends. From parents such as these i nuip inherited those traits of character that have enabled him to achieve success in all he has undertaken, and command the esteern and confidence of all good men.

He helped his father on the farm until the age of seventeen, when he started out into the world to fight life's battles for himself.' His parents were always great readers, and from this Philip early acquired a love for newspapers an I good books, so that while the other men where he worked spent their noon hours and other spare time at cards, marbles and other sports, he invariably occu|)ied himself with a good paper or a good book. Having acquired a very fair common school education, at nineteen he found himself employed to teach a country school. By teaching and going to school alternately he was soon able to hold the prinripalship of the Carterville schools. l,S94-9."i. Leaving the Carterville schools he again entered college, graduating in the fall of '9G. After graduation he went to Western Iowa, where in company with Barney Ferrell he was employed as principal of the Castana (Iowa) Normal School, which was just bein.g organized at that place. He conducted this school for five years, when failing health necessitated his taking up some out-door occupation. Resigning his position in ine Normal, he took up real estate worl;, handling farm lands in Iowa, NeiH-aska and the Dakotas He had long been desirous of engaging in tl-H I'iinldng brisini'ss. iMit was compelled to wait uutil he could earn the necessary laoney dirough his own efforts. Two years of successful real estate work, however, not only restored his health, but gave him sutficient funds to take up his cherished work. After looking over several cities in Colorado, California, Oregon and Washington, he decided to come back to v\ illiamson County. Illinois, and start a bank at Herrin. He was one of the organizers of the Hei-rin State-Savings Bank, of which he is now Cashier. He first superintended the erection of the new bank building, which is admitted to be the finest brick structure in the County.

Mr. Lewis was married on October 2G, 1903, to Miss Ethel G. Putnam, the daughter of a wealthy farmer and stockraiser of Western Iowa. She is a very successful ; eacher. a talented musician, and possesses many rare traits of noble woiuanhood.

Mr. Lewis is a Democrat politically, but is not a member of any church. He is an earnest advocate of justice and right living, and the highest standard of morals among men and women. With "conservatism and courteousness" as his watchword, the Herrin State-Savings Bank promises to be one of the foremost financial institutions of the County.

President of the Stotlar-Herrin Lumber Company and Vice President of the Herrin State-Savings Bank, was born June 12, 1S57, in Dayton, Ohio. He is the fifth child of Sanuiel Stotlar, and was reared on the Stotlar Homestead at Herrin. Like the most of farm boys his education was only such as can be acquired at our common schools, and he very early began to devote his attention to the rearing and buying an-l selling of live stock, mostly horned cattle. He was a success at this, and followed it until he went into the lumber business about the time the town was laid out. For the first four years he ran the business alone, when the present Stotlar- Herrin Company was incorporated, and he hecame its president. He was made Vice President of the Herrin State-Savings Bank at its organization. His wife was Miss Sarah Cox. the daughter of George Cox, of Williamson County, and .Tane Cox. his wife. They were married Oct. 14, 1S7fi, and have one child. Ruby, the wife of Paul Herrin.

17, 1S46. His life has been spent in farming and stock raising and dealing until in February, 1904, when he moved into Herrin. Since then he took an interest in the new State-Savings Bank and has been busy building and renting houses and general management of his property interests. His father, J. J. Dillard, lived to the advanced age of 8 3, but his mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Roberts, died in 1SG2, at the age of 42.

He was married October 1, 1SG7, to Elizabeth Mannering, by whom he has had seven children. The names of the living are James J., Marshall, (ieorge, Monte, Clarence N., and Raleigh. He is not a politician, but has been a member of the Christian Church since 1.SG2.

Robert R. Stotlar

Assistant Cashier of the Herrin Slate-Savings Bank, is the son of H. M. Stotlar and Miss E. C. Spiller, his wife. He was born and reared in Herrin. He was a member of the first class in Herrin High School, attended the Southern Illinois Normal at Carbondale in 1S92, where he took a special course in mathematics and the sciences. He was with the Standard Oil Co. from March to SeiJl ember, 190 4, and took his present position in the Herrin State- Savings Bank Ajiril 17. 190.5.

Dr. W. H. Ford

Was born March 10, 1S7S, about five miles southeast of Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois. He is the oldest son of W. N. and Amanda Jane Ford, both of whom are still living and reside in Herrin, his father being one of the most prominent real estate men of the County. He moved to Herrin in the Fall of 189S, when the now beautiful city of Herrin was but a small villa.ge of three or four hundred people, and has since been identified as one of the most earnest workers for the up-building of Herrin and the Counly in general.

The boyhood of Dr. W. H. Ford was spent on a faim in Jackson Co.. near Makanda, where he helped his father farm until the Fall of 1895, when he entered a medical college It St. Louis, Mo. He pursued the stu 'y of medicine until the 10th of March, 1S9S, at which time he graduated, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately came to Herrin, established a Drug Store and be,gan the practice of his profession.

On the 10th of January. 1900. he was married to Nora Stotlar, daughter of Thomas and Louisa Stotlar, and immediately after his marria.ge he established him a comfortable home in Herrin. where he still re- sides. He is one of the ilirettois of the Herrin State and Savings Bank, and has idenlified himself as one of the substaiuial ciiizeiis of ihe County.

Banlv of .Johnson City, Williamson County, Illinois, was organized by .1. S. Lewis and M. Oznient in 1901, with a cash capital of $10,000 and individual responsibility between $7r,,000 and $100,000, opening their doors for business in a small frame building .July 26, 1901. Business started with great promise, the first day's deposits being $1224.12, which has now reached the neat siiiii of $57,000.00, and is gradually increasing.

On the 7th day of Xoveniber. 190:J, the bank moved into its own home, a substantial brick and stone builiing of two stories, erected at a cost of nearly $10,000, and furnished with the latest banking conveniences in the way of vault and furniture. Mr. Ozment is shown in the picture, at the ' Cashier's window. Messrs. Lewis and Ozment own also the Bank at Stone Fort in Saline County, with Mr, C. B. Ozment as cashier.

Mr. J. S. Lewis was born in Kentucky August G, ISol. After his school days he attended medical college, graduating in 1S78. On Oct. 28, 1S7S, Mr. Lewis was married at Metropolis, Ills., and has five children. Myrtle, Roscoe, Mabel, Fern and Orman. In 18 85 Mr, Lewis abandoned the practice of medicine for business, coming to this part in 1901. He is a Universalist, a Republican and a Mason. Mr. Lewis has been very successful.

Mr. M. Ozment was born in Saline Co., III., October 8, 1S6S. Following his school days he graduated in' the business course of the Gem City Business College August, 1893, and March 3, 1897, was married at Stone Fort, 111. Their two children are named Arel and George. Mr. Oznient taught school in Saline and Williamson Counties for six years, coming to ,Johnson City July 17, 1901. In politics he is a Democrat, is a member of A. F. & A. M.; R. A. M.; I. O. O. F. and M. W. of A., and also a member of the Baptist church since 1887. Mr. Ozment has been successful and has a bright future.

Samuel B. Baker was born near .Missionary Ridge, Hamilton County, 111,, December 2.S, 1S37, His father dying when he was but eight years old, the stipport of his mother and two younger brothers devolved lar.gely on him. He worked for 25 cents a day in the corn, colton and tobacco fields of the South, When 2(1 years old he had saved up a little money, and going lo Memphis went lo buying furs in company with .lim Walker. They bought principally in Arkansas and sent their goods lo a -Memphis house.

Being of Union sentiments, however, he found the atmosphere too sultry for him about 18(!1. After the breaking out of the war he went to St. Louis and joined a company of scouts and guides under Capt. J. H. .Johnson, They served under Gen, N. P, Banks until his death and then followed the fortunes of Gen. Franz Sigel. They foughti at Pea Ridge and in company with Capt. Johnson, L. Jenkins and others, and saw Gen. .VlcCullock, of the Confederate army shot from his horse. Capt. Johnson was mortally wounded at Lang De- Bayou, north of Helena, Ark., under Gen. Curtis on his raid when Helena was captured in 18G2. Baker took him to Cape Girardeau and staid with him until he died. After the death of Johnson he served for a time under Gen. Powell Clayton, and then joined Co. D.. 13th 111. Cavalry at Carbondale, where he remained until the close of the war. Two of the Tanner boys were in the same company with Baker, James Mc Tanner and Frederick. Frederick died July 7, 1864, and Baker helped lo bury him at Pine Bluff, Ark. On or about August 30, 1865, Baker was mustered out at Pine Bluff, and returned to Williamson Count.;' and his family.

While the war was in pro.-jress he had married Miss Sarah Robinson, at Carbondale, X'ovembsr, 1S(J3. She gave him nine jhildren and died February 1, 1898. On his return from the war they spent four years farming at old Bainbridge, and from there moved to Grassy Precinct, where they lived until July, 190!, when they moved to their present home. For a second wife Mr. Baker took Nancy C. Jourdan. His living children are George L. Baker, at Chamness: Mrs. Josephine Kelby, Marion; Mrs. Lida Ogden, at Herrin. Jonathan A. Baker, Carterville; Mrs. Lulu Maann, Cottage Home; Mrs. Rhoda McGill, Marion, and William Baker, Marion. He Is a Republican in polities and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

The Black Diamond Poultry

Mr. Lauder is a ver.v successful chicken fancier and makes a specialty of the single-comb Wack Minorcas. He belongs to the Black Minorca Club of Amreica, and his birds have won prizes whenever and wherever exhibited. The fine bird shown in the balf-louH herein is called "Champion of Illinois," and has never failed of the blue ribbon whenever exhibited. He won five first prizes in 1899 to 1900, and scored 9:! 1-2 points al the Illinois State show at Quincy in January, I9IHI, before ,lud,ge Ttieo. Hewes. He scored 9 5 1-2 points at Peoria in 1 s;)9 by Judge B. N. Pierce, and the same year won first prize at Nashville and O'Fallon, 111. Mr. Lauder ships birds and eggs to all parts of the United States, and has been the judge of poultry at Marian, the county seat, for several years.

The Herrix State-Savixgs Bank

This new candidate for public favor came to the front last year and under the careful management of its official board will soon be recognized as one of the most solid financial institutions of the county.

The new banking house erected for the use of the bank last year does credit to the town and county and is fully written up elsewhere in this volume.

The Wilborn Store Co

Is a firm composed of W. R. Wilborn, of New Denison, and C. L. and C. W. Wilborn, of Attila. From a very small beginning it has grown to respectable proportions in a brief period and now controls the trade of the district where the two houses are located. Careful management and skillful buying based on the solid foundation of honest dealing are the elements of the substantial progress made.

Fred Gardner

Was born in Chicago. .March 31, 1867. He is of English parentage on both sides, his father, Robert H. Gardner, being boin in London, Eng., January 2ii, 1829, and his mother, whose maiden name was -Mary A. Leavey was also born in London, July 20, 1835. Both are still living and show by their vigor the pure blood and steady habits of a long-lived ancestry.

Their son had the early training of the Chicago public schools and entered Racine College, Wisconsin, in 1879. After graduating in 1883, he took up the lumber and coal busi- ness with which he hai^ been connected ever since. His wife's name was Lillian \V. Upton, a native of Salem, Mass., to whom he was united in maii-iage December 2 5th, 1S90. They have one son, Robert F. Gardner, who was born in Chicago, March lU, 1S99. The family are Episcopalians in their church relations and he is Republican in politics. He was a member of the Illinois Nal'l Guard from iss.j to '6;9 and is now a member of the A. F. & ' A. M., the Xational I'nion and the Royal Arcanum.

Was born at Albion, 111.. October 10, 18G7. He remained in his native town until he had completed his school education and then turned his attention to railroading. At the age of 17 he was at work for the old L. E. & St. l.ouis Ry Co.. now the Southern Ry. Co., and for seven years served them as Agent and Telegrapher in various places. He then secured a position with the S. W. Little Coal Co. at Little, lud., where he remained for thirteen years. He began as bookkeeper and for the last five years of the period had charge of the mine.

He then moved lo the new town of Herrin and in December. li)iM. went to work for the Files Store Co. He was very soon placed in charge of the White Ash Branch, which he now runs.

His wife was Miss Fannie Nelson, the daughter of .John and Sarah Nelson, of Winslow, Ind. They were married March 15, 18S7 and have had one son, Carl G.. now 17 years old. He is a Presbyterian, a Republican and a Royal Arch .Mason.

The New Virginia Coal Co

This mine is a hustler, a money maker, a fortunate and well regulated and managed institution. It was incorporate! under the laws of the state of Illinois in 1900, and began to hoist coal in December, 1901. Its shaft is 120 feet deep and it has a nine foot vein of coal. The roof is exceptionally good and there is absolutely no gas in the mine. That it is carefully managed is shown by the fact that for the five years it has run there has never been a fatal accident. The company own or lease GOO acres of coal land and when running it full capacity employ 300 men with a daily output of 1500 tons. They work at the present time Kio men and 15 mules and ship from soo to 90(i tons daily.

They have four switch tracks connected with the C. & hi. 1. Ry. line, covering two miles, and can load four Qifferent kinds of coal at the same time from the tour tracks. They are fully equipped with first motion hoisting engines. Shaker Sorens and Christy Box Car Loader, woo en tipple, seventy feet high. The output for the past year has been used by the C. & E. 1. Ry., giving perfect satisfaction.

The company has a cash capital of .$GO.ooo and the following gentlemen constitute their official board; Silas D. Moore, President; HJdwin G. Rarbach, Secretary and 'i'reasurer; .lohn \V. Mitchell, Superintedent of .Mine. I'heir Chicago oiiiie is at No. G'.o Old Colony building. .Mr. Rarbach informs the writer that he and his associates sank the second mine in Franklin County, which they afterwards sold to the Dearing Coal Company. It is located at West Frankfort and is proving one of the largest and best in the district. A well filled general store serves to furnish the needed supplies and happiness and contentment reigns. Good wages and steady work is the rule and no note of dissatisfaction has ever been heard in their midst. The proprietors are thoroughly just and Christian gentlemen who recognize in each worker a man and a brother with rights as sacred as their own, and prove both when lalior troubles arise and how they can be avoided. The company, with an eye to beaut\- and the comfort of their family of employes, have erected forty beautiful cottages in a group for their use, forming a well-laid out and picturesque little town as unlike the unsightly herd of shells which disfigure the surroundings of most mining towns as black differs from white. The cottages and the well kept gardens about them are an indication of the character both of the ])roprietors and their hel|i, which explains the absence nf labor troubles in their midst.

Cauterville District Company

This Company was formed in the year 1902, and is one of the most modern mines in the Carterville Coal fields, having acquired S20 acres of thick vein coal lands located within a few miles of the city of Marion in Williamson County, Illinois.

The work of opening an 1 developing was pushed rapidly from the start and by the latter pan of 1903, entries had been driven and coal was being taken out. Practically all mining is done with the Sullivan

The Tipple is seventy feet high and is equipped with Bond cages - Shaker screens, four loading - also one passing track. Litchfield engines are used in hoisting, a Sullivan high speed fan is used in \entilation. There is also a Chiisty Box Car-loader. Every foot of mine track is laid with steel rails and the pit cars large and serviceable. With their complete and serviceable equipment, the Carterville District .Mine is enabled to prejiare a number of grades of the finest domestic and steam coals.

The officials of the mine are: Sam H. Goodall. President and General Manager; L. C. Goodall, Secretary; A. Q. Mitchell, Treasurer and .Vssistant General Manager; Mr. .lohnson, Superintendent; George Calhoun, Bookkeeper; .1. E. Corel, Sales Agent, :'.u:! Fisher Building, Chicago, in.

The sulijecl of ibis slceich is a native of Lafayelte, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, where he was born April 11. IS53, and where he worked with his father on the farm until he was fifteen years old. His father, John .\dam Seidla. Sr., was born in Wittembury, Germany. Martin Luther's old town, in 1S22, and emigrated to .\nierica in 1S33. He went into farming and stock raising and still lives and farms on the old homestead in Indiana. He tried to raise his son to the same business, but he was a natural mechanic and took to building and running mills, particularly saw mills, which he followed mostly in Southern Illinois, for twenty years. He ran a saw mill in ihe heavy timber of Southeastern -Missouri, for two years for his present employer. John Gulp.

Feeling the need of a better preparation for his work than the limits of a common district school provided he took a course as hoisting engineer in the Scranton Correspon lence school ill September, 1904. The following March he went to Springfield, 111., before the State Board of Examiners and took his certificate.

His wife was Melissa Rogers, the daughter of Elijah Ro.gers to whom lie was united in marriage September 23, 1.S7S. They have had four children of whom two are living. They have two grandchildren. He is an Odd Fellow and a Woodman of the World, and a Repulilican in politics.