Danville Township (part 3 of 5)

James T. Amis, Danville, tile manufacturer and farmer, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, on the 18th of June, 1831. and his parents are Wilburn and Frances (Davis) Amis, both natives of Tennessee. His father was a farmer. Mr. Amis, with his parents, moved to Vermilion county, Indiana, when he was about two years of age, and here remained on the farm until 1854. when he moved to Vermilion county. Illinois, and located near Pilot Grove, there working by the month on a farm. In 1869 he came to Danville township, which has been his home ever since. In 1S77 Mr. Amis commenced the manufacture of tile on his place, putting up a first-class factory with great facilities for manufacturing a large amount of tile, and having a capacity for manufacturing from ten to twelve thousand per day. He manufactures all the sizes needed by the tanner: 2+, 3, 3*. 4. 5, 6. Mr. Amis owns two hundred and twelve acres of land. He was married in Vermilion county in 1855 to Nancy Hessey, of Nelson county. Kentucky. By this union they have had ten children, four of whom are living. Mr.

Amis has held several offices of public trust in his township; that of school-treasurer, trustee and road-overseer, and in these offices he has given entire satisfaction. He is a democrat in politics, and a member of the United Brethren Church. His father died in Iowa and his mother in Indiana.

John Kilborn, Danville, farmer, was born in Hamilton count}7, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1S17, and is the son of Joseph and Rebecca (Howe) Kilborn, both natives of Virginia. His father was a comb maker by trade, but principally followed farming. Both parents died when Mr. Kilborn was very young. He set out in the world and commenced farming in the summer time and in the winters attended the district schools of the period. When about nineteen years old he commenced teaching school, and taught until he was twenty-two. He then entered the mercantile business at Venice, Ohio, which he followed some eight years. In 1850 he was chosen and elected by the democratic party as representative of Butler and Warren counties, Ohio. He was "reelected to the same office in 1852, which he held until 1854. He was a member of several very important committees; he was a member of the committee on militia, and chairman of the committee on canals. This office Mr. Kilborn tilled with honor and credit, having proven himself a gentleman of acknowledged ability. In 1854: he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and located in Danville. Here he was engaged in bind speculation. He built and improved the brick residence, east of Danville, now owned by R. Hooton. In 1862 Mr. Kilborn moved on the present farm on which he has been ever since he commenced to farm. He has on his place a steam saw-mill. Mr. Kilborn was married in Ohio in 1841 to Miss Susan M. Lutes, who was born near the birthplace of Mr. Kilborn. They have had nine children, six of whom are living.

George F. Tincher, Danville, attorn ey-at-law, was born in Danville, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 14th of June, 1854, and is the son of John L. and Caroline R. Tincher. Mr. Tincher received his principal education at the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois; he also attended the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was admitted to practice law at the Illinois bar in 1875. No young attorney at the Vermilion county bar stands higher in the estimation of his colleagues than Geo. F. Tincher. In 1879 Mr. Tincher was elected city attorney, which office he is filling with entire satisfaction.

Ephraim Burroughs, Danville, blacksmith, is a native of Marion county, Ohio. He was born on the 4th of January, 1815, and when but a child his people removed to Dearborn county, Indiana. Here the early part of his life was spent, having but few opportunities for gaining an education. At the age of eighteen years he went to the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and began an apprenticeship of three years with Mr. C. Cassatt at the trade of manufacturing edged tools. He remained in Cincinnati for about fourteen years, and then went south for a rear or so. Returning to Indiana he married Miss Emeline Randall, a native of Trumbull county. Ohio. They had one son in the army in the war of 1861-65. Mr. B. came to Vermilion county first in the spring of 1855, and located in the city of Danville in 1861. Since his residence here he has been engaged in the blacksmithing business, which he learned very readily after having learned and worked at the trade of manufacturing ed^ed tools. Mr. Burrouo-hs' people are of Scotch origin. He is one of the early settlers of Vermilion county, and has witnessed many of the changes from a new region to a well-improved country.

Charles L. English, Danville, timber merchant, of the firm of Dickason & English, is a native of Vermilion county, Indiana. He was born in 1847. and at the age of eight years came with his people to Vermilion county, Illinois. Erom this time until the age of twenty he was kept at school, receiving a very liberal education. For about six years after leaving school he was employed in the Fir>t National Bank of Danville, of which his father is president, and in 1872 began, in company with Mr. L. T. Dickason, the grain trade. This they are still engaged in, though not so extensively as formerly, their business being now principally the timber trade, in which they have become quite extensively engaged, giving employment to from three to five hundred men. Their business now extends over several different states. The firm of Dickason tfc English has become well and favorably known, not only in Vermilion county, where during the winter they are engaged extensively in mining coal, but among prominent railroad men outside of. the State of Illinois.

Peter "Walsh, attorney-at-law, Danville, was born in 1845 in Xew York city, and is the son of John and Mary (Warren) Walsh, who were natives of Ireland. Mr. Walsh in 1855 came west to Illinois, and located in Danville, which place he has made his home ever since. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union army, and served for three years in Co. K, 37th 111. Vol. Inf., and participated in some of the most prominent battles during the war - Pea Ridge, Perry Grove, etc. He did good service, and was honorably mustered out. At the close of his war experience he returned to Danville, and commenced the study of law. He attended the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in 1867 was admitted to practice law at the Illinois state bar. Mr. Walsh, when studying for the bar, was under the instruction of Mark Hawes, who is now a prominent preacher. Mr. Walsh has held several offices of public trust: city attorney for the city of Danville for five terms, and state's attorney for one term. In these offices he has given entire satisfaction, having proven himself a gentleman of acknowledged ability, whose duties have been performed in a faithful manner. Mr. Walsh's political opinions are republican.

Spencer N. Monroe, Danville, jeweler, is one of the oldest merchants of Danville. He was born in Vernon, Oneida county, New York, in September, 1820, and is the son of William and Elmira (Willard) Monroe, natives of Virginia. His father was a glass manufacturer. Mr. Monroe remained at his native home until he was eighteen years old. He then went to Syracuse, New York, and commenced to learn the jewelry trade. In 1853 he came west to Indiana and worked at his trade in Attica and Oxford until 1855, when he came to Danville and opened a jewelry store in a small frame house on the corner where Short's block now stands. From there he moved to a frame building on the ground where he is now located, 67 Main street. Here he has remained ever since, with the exception of a short time when he occupied a room across the street until the old frame building was torn down and the present building erected. Mr. Monroe is to-day the owner of one of the leading jewelry stores of this part of Illinois. He employs two men. In 1861 he married Miss Matilda Boyce, of Ohio, she having; made her home in Danville about the same time Mr. Monroe did. They have two children. Mr. Monroe has represented with credit the city of Danville for two terms as alderman of the third ward.

William Craig, Danville, livery, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, in 1848, and is the son of Samuel G. and Catharine A. (McCrea) Craig, whose history appears in this work. Mr. Craig, our subject, was raised in Danville. His first business in life was clerking for his father in a dry-goods and shoe store. In 1875 he entered the livery business with Wm. and Jacob Kuykendall, and formed the firm of Kuykendall Bros. & Craig, which is the leading livery firm in Danville. These gentlemen own two first-class stables, one located in the rear of the yEtna House, on North street, and the other on Hazel, between North and Main streets.

Joseph Bauer, Danville, miller, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 2d of February, 1831. The early part of his life was spent in his native land. In 1854 he came to the United States, though not before he had received a good education and had learned the trade of a miller. He first spent a couple of years in the eastern states, and in 1856 came to Danville. Upon his arrival here he helped to organize the German M. E. Church, of which he has since been one of the leading members. A more complete history of this church is given elsewhere. Mr. Bauer is something of a genius, having mastered the different trades of milling, carpentering, cabinet making and engineering, though milling lias been his principal business, having followed this for about twenty-four years. At present we find him filling the capacity of head miller in the City Mills. He is well known in Danville as a stead}', sober and upright citizen.

William Morgan, Danville, justice of the peace and insurance agent, is one of the old settlers of this county. He is a native of Jefferson county, Virginia, where the early part of his life was spent. He had but few advantages in the way of schooling, there being nothing but the old subscription system, schools being so few and far apart that he, at the age of seven years, was obliged to walk four miles in his daily attendance. At the age of twenty-three he wTas called upon to take charge of the farm bv the death of his father. This he did until 1856, when he came to Vermilion county, where he has since resided. During his first summer he followed teaming, and in the winter did something of a coal business. In the spring of 1858 he was elected constable and deputy county sheriff. He also held the office of deputy collector of revenue under W. T. Cunningham, his territory or district being Iroquois, Ford and Vermilion counties. After this he again farmed for three years, and then took the post-office under Andrew Johnson's administration for two years and a half. Following this he was in the insurance and mercantile trade until 1877, when he was elected justice. In connection with his official duties he does quite an extensive insurance business. He is well known to the citizens of Danville as a man whose word is as good as his bond.

J. E. Tuttle, Danville, physician, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, in 1811. In 1856 he became a resident of Vermilion county, locating at Marysville. He there began the study of medicine with Dr. C. D. Henton in 1862, and in 1865 became a graduate of the Rush Medical College, of Chicago. After graduating he returned to Vermilion county, and continued his practice at Blue Grass, where he had doiie some practice before graduating. He remained there until 1869. He then went to Marysville, and there was engaged in practice until 1874. At this date he removed to Danville, where he has become firmly established and is already known as one of the thoroughly reliable M.D.'s of the city.

early part of his life and receiving his education in that state. He came to Danville in 1856, after having spent some time in contracting and doing stone-work on some of the different railroads which at that date were being constructed throughout the middle states. Among other jobs under his supervision was the stone piers and abutments of the Wabash railroad bridge across the Vermilion river at Danville. He also started the first marble works at Danville. He has never sought public offices, though he held the office of supervisor of Danville township in 1872. He has now been engaged in the grocery trade about twelve years. During this time he has some years done a business of $40,000 per year. He is now located on North Vermilion street, where he is doing a fair business, giving employment to two men.

J. H. Palmer, Danville, was born in Queen's county, New York. His parents are Samuel and Elizabeth (Hyde) Palmer. His father was a farmer. Mr. Palmer was partially brought up on the farm. In 1856 he came west to Illinois and located in Danville, Vermilion county, which has been his home ever since. In 1862 he enlisted for three years in the 37th 111. Vol. Inf., Co. K., as a private, and was on detached duty with the General Department of the Gulf. He served full time and was honorably mustered out in 1865. When he returned to Danville he commenced farming. He was in Short's bank for a time, and from that he entered the dry-goods trade. In 1877 the firm of J. H. Palmer & Co. was formed, which continued until May of 1879, when he sold his interest to the coal company. Since then Mr. Palmer has been engaged with the company.

Xaver Miller, Danville, was born in Germany on the 25th of November, 1838. In September, 1856, he emigrated to America, and landed in New York city. He then came direct to Illinois, and located in Danville, where he has been a resident since with the exception of two years. While here in Danville Mr. Miller was in the hotel business, and afterward started a sample and billiard room. This he has now. Mr. Miller came to America a poor man, but, with hard labor and good management, he has been quite successful in life, and ranks among Danville's prominent Germans. He was married in Danville to Abelina Uhlein, of Baden, Germany, by whom they have seven children.

John Beard, Danville, grocer, corner of South and College streets, is a native of Brooklyn, New York, though he has been a resident of Danville twenty-two years, being but a child when he was brought to this place. For the last eight years he has been engaged in the grocery trade on his own account. He is a much larger dealer than at first might he supposed, his trade reaching about s25,000 per year. In connection with groceries he handles a line of queensware and tinware. He gives employment to two men. His store is twenty feet front by fifty feet deep. By good financiering and careful management he has established a good trade and permanent business.

Joseph McClure, Danville, miller, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, on the 23d of January, 1819, and at ten years of age came to Greene county, Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship as a miller, which trade he completed at twenty-one years of age. In 185T he came west and located in Danville, Illinois, where he has been one of the foremost in his trade. He ground the first grist in Henderson & Kyger's mill. He has been engaged with the firm now known as M. M. Wright for fifteen years as manager. He has been twice married. The name of his present wife was Margaret Sanders, a native of Virginia. He has a family of five children by his former wife, Elizabeth Charles: Walter, Lether, Albert. Harvey and Mary.

A. C. Daniel, Danville, coal operator, whose portrait appears in this history, was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, in 1835. During his early life he had but little opportunity of attending school, but, being of that peculiar class of men who do not seem to be dependent upon anybody except themselves, he " helped himself" to a good business education. In 1857 he came to Danville, arriving at the place in the spring. His whole "stock and store" at that time was an ordinary suit of clothes and 82.50 in monev. Beginning work in the mines, at whatever they had for him to do, he gradually worked his way up, until now he is the principal stockholder in the Ellsworth Coal Company, and its general manager. As general manager of this company he has done more to develop the mining resources of Vermilion county than any of the operators who, from time to time, have been interested in this line of business. We do not design giving a history of the mines here, as a more complete sketch will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Daniel is a man who has not thus far become mixed up in political affairs or "public wranglings," further than to help forward any enterprise for the improvement of the city or the public good generally. He has provided himself with an elegant home on West North street, and is satisfied in attending to his ' own business. By his own exertions he has changed his position and station in life from a poor boy's to that of one of the wealthy, influential and prominent citizens of the community. On the 3d of January. 1865, he was married to Miss Jane C. Palmer, daughter of L. T. Palmer, one of the early and prominent pioneers of Vermilion county. Thev have one daughter, Gertrude, who was born in 1865.

Esmond W. Hanford, Danville, judge of the Vermilion county court, was born in Middlebury, Summit county, Ohio, on the 24th of June, 1829, and is the son of John and Sarah E. (Noble) Hanford. His father was born in Vermont on the 16th of April, 1792; he was a hatter by trade, but followed farming for the last twenty years of his life. Judge Hanford left home when he was about fifteen years old to learn the printer's trade; he entered a printing-office in Portage county, Ohio, where he remained until he learned his trade as a printer. By working at his trade he managed to save money and school himself, his father not being a man of means. He entered Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, where he graduated in 1855. He returned to his trade, and was afterward editor of the "Ashtabula Telegraph,'' of Ashtabula, Ohio, and the " Vermilion County Press," of this county. In 185T he arrived in Danville very poor. Here he finished his legal studies under John M. Lesley, and was duly admitted to the bar in 1859. In 1861 he entered the United States service (12th 111. Vol. Inf., Co. C) in response to the first call of the government for troops for a term of three months. At the expiration of his term he immediately reenlisted for three years in the 4th 111. Cav., Co. F, and was elected second, and in a short time afterward first, lieutenant of his company. He was, on the organization of his regiment, detailed as quartermaster of the second battalion. In 1862 he was detailed as regimental quartermaster, and in December of the same year he was again detailed as post-quartermaster at Trenton, Tennessee, serving afterward in same capacity at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. He afterward returned with his regiment, and continued with it till the expiration of his term of enlistment. Judge Hanford was captured by General Forrest at Trenton, Tennessee, and was immediately paroled. In 1864 he returned to Danville and commenced the practice of law with H. W. Beckwith, which continued as a law-firm until the 1st of December, 1868. In 1868 he was elected to the office of county judge, filling the unexpired term caused by the resignation of Daniel Clapp ; he was reelected in 1869, and again in 1873 and 1877. Judge Hanford was married on the 5th of November, 1866, to Miss Henrietta M. Prince, by whom they had two children, one living: Henrietta N. Mr. Hanford is a republican in politics, and a member of the Episcopal Church.

James H. Wells, Danville, was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, on the 28th of March, 1836, and is the son of Robert and Emily Wells, of Nicholas county, Kentucky. Mr. Wells was raised on the farm until he was about fourteen years of age; he then went to Indianapolis and commenced to learn the trade of a harness-maker, which business he has followed principally ever since. From Indianapolis Mr. Wells went to Kokoino, Indiana, and in 1857 lie came to Illinois and located in Danville, Vermilion county. From Danville he went to Indianola, Vermilion county, where he remained about ten years. While a resident of Indianola Mr. Wells enlisted in Co. E, 150th 111. Vol. Inf., on the 11th of February, 1865, as first lieutenant. The 150th was organized at Camp Butler on the 14th of February, 1865. for one years service. A full sketch of the movements of this regiment appears in the War History of this volume. Mr. Wells resigned and came home in July. 1S65. In 1875 he returned to Danville and was engaged as traveling salesman for D. K. Woodbury in the harness business for one year. He then went to Marysville, Vermilion county, and remained there until August, 1878, when he came back to Danville and entered Messrs. Good & Cowan's saddlery and harness establishment. Mr. Wells held the office of township clerk in Carroll township of this county. Fie was married in Peru, Indiana, to Mis"s Rebecca E. Kimble. They have had seven children, of whom two are deceased.

William Mann, Danville, dry goods, was born in Somerville, Somerset county, Xew Jersey, on the 3d of February, 1836, and is the son of John M. and Eliza (Bonnell) Mann. His mother was a native of New Jersey, and his father a very prominent attorney of Pennsylvania. When Mr. Mann was only fourteen years old he entered a leading drygoods house in Somerville as clerk. From there he went to Philadelphia and entered a prominent wholesale house, and from thence came west to Illinois and located in Danville. In 1861 he entered the service and participated in the late war. He enlisted in the 12th 111. Vol. Inf., Co. C, as first lieutenant for three months. After serving his time out he reenlisted in the 125th 111. Vol. Inf., and was made adjutant of the regiment. Here he served until the close of the war, wKen he returned to Danville and embarked in the dry -goods business, and to-day ranks as one of the leading dry-goods merchants of Danville. Mr. Mann married Miss Kate E. Harmon, daughter of Sylvester Harmon ; they are the parents of two children, one boy and one girl.

Leonard Myers, Danville, city-marshal. It is something cpiite common to meet old citizens who have held an office for several terms, but we do not remember having met anv who have held one office, and so difficult a one through which the people may be pleased, so long as Mr. Leonard Myers, who, for nine years, has been marshal of the city of Danville, having been elected to the office eight different times and appointed once. He is a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The early portion of his life was spent in his native county and Fairfield county, Ohio. In 1858 he came to Vermilion county, and began farming and dealing in stock. This he followed for about five years, when he moved to Danville and began the butchering business, and at the same time bought and shipped stock, horses being his principal line of stock-trade, of which he bought and shipped many a car-load to the east. He is one of the old residents of Danville and Vermilion county, and as an officer has probably traveled more miles, made more arrests, and sent more criminals to the penitentiary, than any officer of the law in eastern Illinois. He also has the supervision of the police department, and has been an officer so long that lie seems to be recognized as authority in almost any of the city offices and under any circumstances.

Joseph Shipner, Danville, grocer, of the firm of J. Shipner & Son, grocerymen, No. 67 North Vermilion street, is a native of Prussia, Germany. He came to the United States in 1846, and for a number of years was located in Detroit, Michigan. He afterward came to Chicago, where he remained a short time, and in 1858 came to Danville. He is one of the old soldiers of the rebellion of 1861-5, having first enlisted in Co. C, 12th 111. Vol. Inf., three-months service. At the expiration of this term of service he again enlisted in the same company and in the same regiment, three-years service. After this service he again enlisted, this time also in the same company. He served a longer time and saw more hard fighting than the average soldier. Among some of the hard battles in which he was engaged are the following : the sieges of Fort Henry, Donelson and Corinth, the battle of Shiloh and the Atlanta campaign, which was a succession of hard-fought battles. Returning from the war, he again became a resident of Danville, and for eleven years was superintendent in the mills of Samuel Bowers. He, in company with his son, as above stated, is now engaged in the grocery trade, in which they have already established a good trade, in connection with which they run a free delivery wagon.

A. H. Van Allen, Danville, car inspector of the Wabash Railroad. When speaking of the railroad men of Danville we wish- to make a personal mention of Mr. A. H. Van Allen, who is a native of Paterson county, New Jersey. When he first left Paterson county he went to New York, and from there to Ontario county, New York. He remained there about eighteen years. In the spring of 1 858 he came west and located at State Line, where for about three years he was engaged at the carpenter's trade. He then began work for the then Great Western Railroad Company, but what is now known as the Wabash road. In 1865 he came to Danville, still acting in the same capacity, that is, car inspector for the Wabash Railroad Company at this point. He has usually about three men in his department subject to his instructions. They have in all about four hundred ears on an average to inspect daily. Mr. Van Allen has been at this business so long that it is common for new men that he employs to come to the conclusion that he can smell a flaw or break in the mechanism of a car if bv chance he should happen not to see it. He is a man possessing the confidence of both the company and the citizens of Danville, and has done his share of improving by providing himself with a good home on South Vermilion street.

Carl Leverenz, Danville, No. 69 Vermilion street, dealer in and manufacturer of boots and shoes, is a native of Prussia, Germany. He is now a man fifty-one years old. He came to Danville twenty-one years ago, after having spent a short time in Toledo, Ohio, when he first came from the old country. He has been a man of energy and hard work. For many years he had nothing to depend upon except the earnings of his day labor; but by this he finally earned and saved enough to engage in the boot and shoe trade - fourteen years ago. This he has followed quietly, doing a strictly cash business, until now he has a nice trade established, doing a business of about ss.imio per year. This has been the result of his own efforts, energy and industry.

There are probably few people in Danville or vicinity who are not acquainted with T. H. Myers, " the express agent.'' He is a native of Jefferson countv, Virginia, but left that county when fourteen years old, and in 1858 came to Danville. During his early life he had the advantages of none but the old subscription system of schools. When he came to Danville he opened a grocery store, and has been engaged in this business since in connection with his business as express agent. He has now been agent for the United States Express Company for twenty years, and for the American Express Company two years. Under his management the people have all the advantages that can possibly be given them by this method of transportation. His express business in Danville requires the employing of five men; two wagons are also kept busy. This, in connection with his grocery business, does not leave much idle time on his hands. We may also mention that recently he has taken a partner in the grocery business, the firm now being Myers & Hessey. Their business house is located at No. 6$ Main street, and is 20 feet front by 80 feet deep, with basement. This is stocked with everything pertaining to the grocery line.

Fred Buy, Danville, grocer, of the firm of E. B. Martin & Co., is a native of Prussia. He came to the United States in 1857 with his parents, they locating in York state, where he was for about one year. He then came to Danville. For five years he was engaged at work in the Danville woolen factory. He then began clerking in a dry-goods store, where he remained about one year, and then began as a grocery clerk. He is now junior partner in a firm that does a business of about $30,000 per annum. During the war of 1861-5 he entered the Union army, enlisting in 135th 111. Vol. Inf., Co. K, a history of which regiment is found in this work. This was the hundred-day service in which he enlisted. After serving his time he again enlisted - this time in the 149th regiment, under Colonel Kefner. His wife, who is also a native of Germany, was a Miss Mary Stuebe previous to their marriage. They have a family of four children - three boys and one girl. Mr. Buy is a man who has been dependent upon his own resources, and by energy and industry has accumulated a nice property, and is now one of the honorable business men of the city.

Dr. A. H. Kimbrough, Danville, physician and surgeon, one of the successful men of Yermilion county, is a native of Hardin county, Kentucky. He was born in 1822, and at the age of three years came to Illinois with his people, locating in Edgar county, about nine miles southeast of the city of Paris. They were among the early pioneers of that county, it having been organized but a few years previous to their coming. Here the Doctor spent his early life, and in 1854 began the study of medicine with Dr. Ten Brook, of Paris. In 1857 he became a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia. He has since that period given his time and attention almost exclusively to his profession. In 1858 he located at Georgetown, Yermilion county, where he remained until 1873, when he removed to Danville. The Doctor is a man who has not only made a success of life professionally, but also financially. He is one of the old residents of the county, having long ago established a name and reputation of which any man might justly feel proud.

E. R. E. Kimbrough, Danville, attorney-at-law, was born in Stratton township, Edgar county, on the 28th of March, 1851, and is the son of Dr. Andrew II. Kimbrough, whose biography appears in this work. In 1858 Mr. Kimbrough moved with his parents to Vermilion county, and located in Georgetown, where Mr. Kimbrough received a commonschool education. He entered the Normal University, of Illinois, and graduated from this school in the class of 1873. From there he entered school in Chicago. In 1873 Mr. Kimbrough commenced the reading of law with Judge Elias S. Terry. Then lie commenced the practice of law with Wm. D. Lindsey, Esq. Messrs. Lindsey and Kimbrough rank among the prominent attorneys of the Vermilion county bar. Mr. Kimbrough was married on the 14th of September, 1876, to Miss Julia Tincher, of Danville, Illinois, daughter of the Hon. John

Win. E. Fithian, Danville, was born in Vermilion conntv, Illinois, on the 20th of July, 1S5S, and is the son of George and Edwilda Anderson (Cromwell) Fithian. The subject of this sketch received a common-school education at the Danville public schools. He in 1877 entered the Mayhew Business College, of Detroit, Michigan, from which he graduated. In 1878 he returned to Danville, and entered the ..Etna House office as bookkeeper, and by his accommodating ways won a host of friends, and was considered by the traveling public to have been the right man in the right place.

George Rust, Danville, was born in the city of Hanover, Germany, on the 22d of January, 1827; came to America on the 16th of September, 1858: landed in New York; came west and located in Vermilion county. Illinois, near Rossville. He came here poor; was engaged in working on a farm for six years. In 1S64 he entered the saw-mill business, and followed this some six years. This business was very profitable to Mr. Rust. In 1872 he married Louisa Blankenburg, of Germany. They have two children, - one boy and one girl. Mr. Rust has held several offices of public trust. He was commissioner of highways for three years, and trustee of Germantown from its organization until 1879. In these offices he acquitted himself in a very creditable and efficient manner. Mr. Rust ranks as one of the leading German citizens of Danville township.

Joseph E. Tincher, Danville, dealer in hats and caps, was born in Danville, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 1st of April, 1858, and is the son of John L. and Caroline R. Tincher. Mr. Joe Tincher commenced in the business of hats and caps in 1878. This house has the largest and most complete stock in the city. Since Mr. Tincher's commencement in business he has exhibited unusual energy and enterprise, and from time to time has increased his trade until now he has one of the finest trades in Danville. His store is located on Main street.

H. Raimer, the oldest merchant tailor in Danville, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1S33. "When fourteen years of age he learned the trade of a merchant tailor in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and served his apprenticeship until he was twenty-one. In 1856 he came west and located in Logansport, Indiana, where he remained but a short time, when he returned east, and then went to La Fayette, Indiana. He was at Attica for a short time, and from there he came to Danville in 185S and commenced to work at his trade, which business he has been engaged in ever since, and to-day is recognized as one of the leading merchant tailors of this vicinity. He employs some eight hands.

N. A. Kimball, undertaker, No. 59 West Main street, Danville, is a native of Grafton county, New Hampshire. There the early part of his life was spent and his education received. In 1858, when he was nineteen years old, he came west, and until the spring of 1859 was a resident of Kendall county, Illinois. In the spring of 1859 he came to Danville, coming first to accept the position of weighmaster with Colonel Chandler, who at that time was operating quite extensively in the coal mines. This he followed for a short time, and then for three years was farming, and after this he engaged in different business enterprises until 1872. when, in company with Charles W. Morrison, he engaged in the furniture trade. They did business together until 1874, when they dissolved partnership, or rather he sold out, in August, and in December took the stock of coffins, which had been one branch of their business, and since then has been engaged in the business of undertaking, and, as before stated, is now located at No. 59 West Main street.

After many years of experience people now see clearly the importance of insuring their property. A leading newspaper, while commenting on the business of insurance, says : " Insurance distributes over the multitude a loss that would crush the individual. Many who read these lines will be able to recall the time when men argued that if it was a profitable business for companies it might be the same for individuals, forgetting that the company's risks are widely scattered, that the average could be predicted with tolerable certainty, and that the individual had no means of calculating chances, while his loss would in all probability prove his utter ruin." Persons engaged in the business of insurance calculate the losses by fire with the greatest accuracy, and govern their rates for premiums accordingly. An active competition keeps the premiums as low as safety allows. Great care should be taken never to take a policy from a company which insures too cheaply, for exceeding low rates indicate either that a first-class swindle is intended or that the company taking such policies is now doing business on a safe basis. Peter Wilber, who was born in Germany in 1832, came to America with his parents when very young. In 1862 he entered the insurance business, and has perhaps had as much experience both in life and fire insurance as any man in eastern Illinois. He has been general agent for the State of Illinois for two leading companies of the United States. Mr. Wilber has been a resident of Danville first in 1859, when he remained about three years; whence he went to Kankakee, Illinois, and in 1806 returned to Danville, which has been his home ever since. In 1877 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he now holds. Mr. Wilber has held the office of city clerk of

Danville tor three terms. Mr. Wilber represents some of the leading insurance companies of America: Continental, of New York; Phoenix, of Brooklyn, New York; North British and Mercantile, London and Edinburgh ; Queen, of England ; Howard, New York ; Travelers' Life and Accident, of Hartford, Connecticut, with a total of assets of over $25,000,000. These companies are all old and reliable. Mr. Wilber is also engaged in the real estate and collecting business. He is agent for several mail steamship lines running to and from all European and continental ports. Persons dealing with Peter Wilber may be sure of honorable treatment.

Miss Minerva Watson, Danville, teacher, was born in Vermilion county, near Danville. Her father is John R. Watson, of Danville. Miss W. is one of the young lady teachers of the county. She taught in the summer of 1879 in the west end of Pilot. Her father provided not only for his sons, but gave his daughter a good dowry. Miss W. is amiable, intelligent, and a good exponent of the profession which she honors.

Gustav Klingenspor, the leading florist of Danville, is a native of Brunswick, Germany, where he was born, on the 13th of May, 1831. He came to the United States in 1856, and stopped at Baltimore about two years and a half before he was able to send for his family. Wishing to come west, he was obliged to pawn some of his clothing to buy a ticket to Chicago. There he remained about two years, at work to raise money to bring his family west; and to add to his misfortunes, he was cheated out of some of his earnings. In 1861 he came to Danville, and worked one year to raise money to bring his family to this place. His friends finally made up a purse of $25 for him, with which he brought his family to the place which has since been his home. Before beginning his present business he had learned the trade of a painter, which he followed for some time, gradually growing into his present line of business. He now has a fine place of business located near the east end of Main street, and seems to have established a trade that is satisfactoiw to himself. As will be seen above, he has been dependent upon his own resources in the accumulation of property. He has probably seen as hard times as any one who came to the city in an early day ; but by hard work and economy he has provided for himself a good business and a good home.

Alexander Pollock, Danville, physician and surgeon. Before engaging in any profession it would be well for any person to thoroughly study his adaptability for that profession of which he proposes to make a life-study. No physician or attorney, from the time he begins his studies with Blackstone or Gray's Anatomy, can lay aside his books and say his days of study are over. It is the study of a lifetime. This Dr. Alex. Pollock, the subject of our sketch, and a leading physician and surgeon of Danville, seemed to comprehend when he began the study of medicine. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of May, 1829, being of Scotch-Irish parentage. In the fall of 1852 he came west, locating at Springfield, Illinois, where, for a time, he was engaged in teaching. Deciding to study medicine, he began with Dr. R. E. W. Adams, of Springfield. . In 1860 he became a graduate of the Homoeopathic Medical College of Missouri, at St. Louis. In the fall of the same year he came to Vermilion county, and began the practice of his profession, which he followed until 1862, when he entered the army in the war of the rebellion of 1861-65. He enlisted in Co. C, 125th 111. Vol. Inf., as first lieutenant. When he entered the service he carried with him a private store of medicines, prescribing and filling his prescriptions free of charge so long as his store lasted. For this act of kindness he made more than one life-long friend who is now residing in Vermilion county. In 1864 he resigned his commission and returned to Illinois, locating at Decatur for about nine months, and then returning to Danville, where he has since resided, engaging in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the Wabash Valley Homceopathic Medical Society, and is the physician who first introduced the practice of Homoeopathy in Vermilion county in 1860. He not only had the ignorance of the people to fight against, but the prejudice of the allopathic school of physicians to overcome, both of which he has succeeded so well in doing that to-day his practice is so large that there is no room left for doubt. He is a citizen standing among the first in the community, and whose name and reputation are above reproach.

Dr. J. C. Winslow, Danville, dentist, a lineal descendant of the old Mayflower stock, is a native of Barnard, Windsor county, Vermont. He was born in 1819, and remained a resident of the old home until fourteen years of age. His first occupation after leaving home was at the trade of manufacturing musical irstruments. In a short time he began teaching music, and in 1846 began railroading, first with the Saratoga & Schenectady Railroad. Later he became master mechanic of the New York & New Haven Railroad, and in 1856 came west and accepted the position of assistant master mechanic of the then Great Western Railroad, but what is now known as the Wabash. This he followed until 1859, when he decided to give up railroading altogether, though he was offered full charge of the road as master mechanic if he would stay. But his decision to do no more of this kind of work could not be changed by these offers. In 1846-7 the Doctor had begun the study of dentistry, and in 1859, when he left the road, he went to Springfield, Illinois, and spent six months more in the study of his profession. In 1860 he came to Danville and began practice, where he has since resided. B>T his own efforts the Doctor lias also become a geologist of so much note as to be quoted as authority in some scientific discoveries that he has made, not only among scientists of this country but also in Europe. We may also mention a very complete article upon the geology of Vermilion county, compiled by himself and Prof. Wm. Gurley. To the Doctor must also be given the credit of agitating the movement which resulted in the organization of the Vermilion County Historical Society, of which he is the curator. He was the first mayor of the city of Danville, to which office he was elected in May of 1868. He is a man who has been identified with public improvements of almost every kind, and is so well known to the people that any compliments of the press are wholly unneeded on his part.

John W. Dale, Danville, county clerk, the subject of this sketch, was born in South Charleston, Clarke county, Ohio, on the 15th of January, 1842, and is the son of John J. and Elizabeth (Davison) Dale. His mother was a native of Ohio, and his father, who was born in 1809, of Maryland. Mr. John J. Dale moved to Clarke county, Ohio, and there married, and raised a family of eight children. In 1856 the family moved to Warren county, Indiana, and remained until 1860, when they moved to Vermilion county and located about six miles south of Rossville. Mr. J. W. was brought up on the farm. At the breaking out of the late war he enlisted as private in Co. B, 25th 111. Vol. Inf., for three years. He participated in some of the most prominent battles of the war, such as Pea Ridge, siege of Corinth, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamauga. At the battle of Chickamauga, on Sunday afternoon, September 20, 1863, he received a wound in the left elbow, and was then sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, where he had his arm amputated. He remained in the hospital until 1864, when he was finally mustered out. He returned to his home in Vermilion county, and from there he went to Greencastle, Indiana, and attended college. Mr. Dale has held several offices of public trust in Vermilion county. He was elected assessor and collector of Ross township, which office he held for two years. In 1869 he was nominated by the republican party and elected clerk of Vermilion county, and to this office he was reelected in 1873 and 1877, and is the present incumbent. The war history of Mr. Dale is that he did his duty. So might it be said in regard to his serving the people of Vermilion county as a county officer. Mr. Dale was married on the 26th of June, 1873, to

John H. Long, Danville, saloon-keeper, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of March, 1838. While in Pennsylvania Mr. Long was engaged in teaching school. He, in 1860, came west to Illinois, and joined a circus at Freeport. He remained with the circus but a short time, and in 1860 he came to Danville, where he has been a resident ever since. When he first came here he was engaged in teaching school in South Danville, thence as superintendent of the Carbon coal mines, which was a very extensive mine, employing as high as two hundred and fifty hands, with the capacity of mining five hundred tons of coal daily. He remained with the coal company for four or rive years. He then entered the grocery business, which he continued for about one year. Then he opened a billiard-room, where he was very successful. Then in the saloon business, and this he has carried on in a very orderly manner. He is now improving his room to enter into the theater business, and will be known as Long's Gaiety Theater. Mr. Long represented the first ward as alderman for four years, in a faithful manner. He was married in Columbia City, Indiana, to Phcebia Shavey, a native of Paris, France, by whom they had two children. She died on the 15th of February, 1879, of consumption, after suffering many weary months.

We do not expect to give a history or biography of the life of the detective, T. E. Halls, of Danville, for a detailed sketch of some of his exploits alone would make a good-sized book, a number of which have already been written by sensational writers. He is a native of Enfield, Middlesex county, England, and is a man now about thirty-fonr years old. At the age of twelve years he came to the United States, and became a resident of Warren county, Indiana, where he remained until 1861 ; then came to Danville. In 1865, while filling the office of deputy sheriff, under Joseph M. Paj'ton, his ability in arresting and handling criminals was first taken particular notice of by the people. In 1865 there was an old man by the name of Ball living on the banks of the Vermilion, near Dallas, Vermilion county, called out of his door after night and shot by some unseen person or persons. Six persons were charged with this murder, warrants issued for their arrest, and placed in the hands of T. E. Halls. A posse of men was offered him to help make the arrests, but this he refused and started after them alone. It is not necessary to detail the manner in which he made these arrests, but enough to say that the next day after starting after them he came into Danville on horseback, driving the six prisoners before him. This starting out alone to arrest a lot of men seems to be a peculiarity with him. Whether this method of making arrests is common among detectives we do not know. In the fifteen years' experience he lias had as a detective he has been shot several times, though no time dangerously hurt or crippled. Since 1873 he has been in the employ of the I. B. & W. railroad, and for C. & E. I. road has been detective since 1879. On the former road, in 1875, he made ninety arrests for car robbery, placing obstructions on the track, and for other offenses. His services have been appreciated by these roads. Besides being well paid, he has received many valuable presents, presented by the officers and employes. He has recently learned telegraphy, and now has an instrument in his own residence, the wires being connected .with the main lines. We might add to this short sketch many pages of interesting matter relative to himself and his business. Though we may add that it is one thing to be a detective in name, and another thing by nature, his record will certainly entitle him to claim the latter. His ability has already been recognized by some of the governors, who have given him important and dangerous work to do. Should no misfortune befall him, we hope yet to see the name of T. E. Halls among the list of noted detectives of the west.

A grocery establishment recently opened in the city of Danville, and one which bids fair to do its share of the business in this line, is that of W. M. Carnahan. He is a native of Attica, Indiana, though he has been a resident of Vermilion county for about eighteen years. He began business in his present line in April of 1879. His first years business will probably aggregate about fifteen thousand dollars, a specialty with him being the miners' trade. To supply this he is located near the North Fork bridge, which is as convenient as possible to the Moss Bank mines. His store is twenty-four feet front by eighty deep, and well stocked with everything pertaining to the grocery trade.

Among the stirring business firms of the city of Danville we may mention the Glindmeier Bros., manufacturing coopers. They are both natives of Prussia. Chris, the elder brother, came to the states one year ahead of his brother of whom we write. Henry, the younger of the two, came to the United States in 1860. He was born in Prussia in 1842, and before leaving his native country had received a good education. In 1861, when they came to Danville, he, with his brother, engaged in the manufacture of coopers' work, a more detailed account of the extent of which business is given elsewhere. They have two establishments, one located near the Wabash Depot in Danville, and the other a short way in the country. The one in Danville comes directly under the supervision of himself, and being a practical cooper by trade, he has little trouble in managing the work at this point, though there is a large force of men who look to him for orders in the execution of their work. He is still a young man, and by his sober, steady habits and close attention to business, has already accumulated a good property and established a good name and reputation among his fellow-citizens.

For the past five years Mr. A. C. Freeman has held the office of city clerk of the city of Danville. He is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in August, 1834. For the past eighteen years he has been a resident of Vermilion county, though not located at Danville all this time. In 1861 he was employed by the Great "Western Railroad Company of Illinois, being stationed at Fairmount. Later he went to State Line, where the division shops used to be. In 1866 he was stationed at Danville, where he remained in the employ of the company until 1872; thus spending more of his life in the railroad business than the average railroad man, viz: seven }?ears. He is still located where he can hear the whistles blow, and probably the most notable feature of his change of occupation is the absence of the "pay-car."

W. T. Myers, Danville, livery-keeper, is the son of Elias and Ann Myers, who were of German descent, and formerly of Fairfield county, Ohio, where W. T. Myers was born, on the 17th of February, 1846. In 1862 the family removed to Danville, where they now reside, and where of late W. T. has been engaged in the livery business. He, by his gentlemanly and courteous treatment of his many customers, now has a business equal to that of anj^one else in the same business.

S. B. Holloway, Danville, proprietor of the omnibus line, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 5th of April, 1831, and at eight years of age his parents removed to Morgan county, Ohio, where Mr. Holloway remained until grown to be a man, and had married. His choice was Miss A. Plummer, a native of Morgan county, Ohio. In the fall of 1854 he removed to Henry county, Indiana, and engaged in the saw-mill business. In 1856 he removed and purchased a steam saw-mill, which he run until 1858. He then removed to Kniffhtstown, where he was engaged in the same business, which he continued to do for eighteen months, and in 1859 purchased a saw-mill in Rush county, Indiana, which he run for a short time. In 1860 he went to Hancock county, Indiana, and bought a mill, which he run for one year, and in

Hancock county. < )hio, in 1844, and to Illinois in 1851, arriving at Decatur, Macon county, on the 4th of June of that year. He settled in Sullivan in August, 1851, and removed to Mount Pleasant (now Farmer City), Dewitt county, in 1856, and then to Danville in 1862. The same vear he volunteered in the 107th 111. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was in the siege at Knoxville and in all the battles from Rocky Face to Atlanta. He was wounded at Franklin, Tennessee. He commanded the company through most of the Georgia campaign, though a non-commissioned officer; the officers of his company being (an exception to the rule) home on furlough, in hospital, or absent on long marches and during engagements. After the war he located at Danville, Illinois, and was elected alderman of the fourth ward in 1871 and served two years. He was reelected from the second ward in 1874 and served two years, during which time he was chairman of the committee on fire and water, and always evinced a great interest in the welfare of the city. To him the city is probably more indebted for the efficiency of the fire department than to any other citizen of Danville.

J. A. Lewis, Danville, contractor and builder, is a native of the Isle of Wight. England. In 1858 he went to Toronto, Canada, where he remained only one year, and then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, remaining a resident of that city and vicinity until 1S61, when he entered the Federal army from St. Clair county, Missouri, enlisting in the 7th Mo. Inf., Co. D, as company bugler. He first enlisted for a three-months term of service, but afterward joined the 7th Mo., which was for three years. In 1S62, while his command was marching from Kansas City to Independence, he, with a couple other members of his company, stopped at a farm-house for refreshments. The command had got some way in advance, when they stepped out at the door and were ordered to surrender by the notorious guerrilla Quantrell. As there was but little use of fighting and no use of running, he and one comrade quietly surrendered. The third broke and ran, having been the last and somewhat the latest one out of the house. The rebels immediately tired upon him, killing him instantly. Mr. Lewis was kept until the next day, when, for some reason, he and his fellow-prisoner were quietly required to swear never to again take up arms against the Confederate cause, instead, as was the usual custom, of putting prisoners to death. This was the end of his army life. In 1862 he came to Danville and began work at his trade of a brick and stone mason, having learned this trade before leaving England. In 1876. when the Danville Contracting and Building Company was organized, he became interested in it, and was elected president, which office he held until

1878, when he bought the property and interests of the company, and has since been contracting and building on his own account. He is now doing a large business in his line, employing from fifteen to twenty men most of the time. He has been a resident of Danville seventeen years, and is well known to the people as an honorable and upright citizen.

L. B. Wolf, Danville, grocer, proprietor of the Cottage Bakery, located on the southwest corner of Pine and Madison streets, is a native of Wyandotte connty, Ohio. He came to Vermilion county in 1862, and since 1867 has been a resident of Danville. In 1877 he engaged in his present business. The Cottage Bakery has already become well known. Mr. Wolf now gives employment to two men, and runs a delivery wagon in connection with his business. He has already established a trade that in 1879 will aggregate about $15,000. This he has done by energy, industry, and a close attention to business.

The gardening business, if properly managed, seems to be both pleasant and profitable, - at least Mr. G. L. Ilolton, the subject of this sketch, seems to have brought the business to this state by his good management. He is a native of Bracken county, Kentucky, and is a man now thirty-eight years old. In 1851 he went to Crawfordsville, Indiana, with his people. He has now been a resident of this place for about seventeen years. In 1869 he began as a gardener and florist, but for three years ran behind at the business, though as he became more familiar with the business he met with better success. His hothouse which he has now leased is in size 36 x 50, with an addition of 12 x 35. The front is used as an office, packing-room, etc. He has brought the land up from a wild state to what it now is. Most of his seeds he buys in New York, though he uses some imported seeds. In connection with his business he runs a fine market-wagon, gotten up expressly for the purpose. During the winter he is engaged as a coal operator, his farm, like the balance of land in the vicinity, being underlaid with a fine six-foot vein of coal, besides a smaller one underneath. He both in the summer and winter gives employment to several men, his method of mining being what is known as drift mining.

Dr. I. M. Gillam, physician and surgeon, is a native of Warren county, Ohio. In 1862, when he was twenty years old, his people moved to this county, locating at Oakwood. In 1866 the Doctor began the study of medicine with Dr. R. B. Ray, of Fairmount, a man who is wrell known throughout this county. He afterward came to Danville, and finished his studies with Dr. Fithian. He in procuring his education has been dependent upon his own resources. Not only this, but he had the care of his parents also upon his hands. He has been practicing in Danville since 1867. His office is located at 69 Main street and bis residence at 105 Hazel. He is a very quiet, undemonstrative kind of a man, and still possessed of a good, firm will, that seldom fails to carry him through any difficulty.

Christian Glindmeier, Danville, cooper, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 19th of November, 1827. He came to America in 1857, with his sister, coming directly west and stopping in Vermilion county, Indiana, where the first winter he was engaged in working in a porkhouse. He then went to Terre Hante. where he worked at the cooper's trade, which he had learned in Germany. He remained in Terre Haute about six months, and then returned to Vermilion county, Indiana, where he married Elizabeth Aspelmeire, a playmate of his boyhood davs in Prussia, Germany, and a passenger on the same ship in which he came to America. He moved to Fountain county and remained there about eighteen months, and then went to farming. In 1862 he came to Vermilion county. Illinois, and located on the present farm, where he commenced his cooper business. He first worked two hands, and from that he gradually built up a very large trade. In 1874 he and his brother built a cooper shop in Danville, which was destroyed by fire. They then rebuilt, and to-day do an immense business, employing some sixty hands on the farm and in the cooper department. Their pay-roll amounts to 8250 to $300 per week. They manufacture about twelve thousand lard and pork barrels per year, finding sales for their barrels principally in St. Louis and Chicago. Mr. Glindmeier started from his native home with $800 ; when he arrived at his destination he was worth, perhaps, about $400, and from this start he has made what he is worth to-day. He owns seven hundred and forty-four acres of land, which has been made by industry and good management. He is the father of five children : Mary E., Louisa C, Kissie Alice, Minnie May and Henry Franklin.

James Jones, Danville, civil engineer, of the Ellsworth Coal Company, is a native of Liverpool, England. He was born in 1843, and at the aare of thirteen years left home and went to sea for about six and a half years. In 1862 he joined the American navy, in the war of 1861-5, remaining in the service until April of 1863. During this time he was in the battles of Fort Pillow, Memphis, and White Eiver. At the latter place he was one of a crew of one hundred and eighty men. The boat " blew up,'' and of this number only twenty came out alive, and some of these were crippled. Besides receiving several bad wounds, he was shot through the calf of the leg with the rib of some poor fellow who was blown to pieces. This mishap kept him in the hospital for eight months. During his six and a half years of life on the sea he had learned marine engineering. This varies quite materially from his present work. He has been dependent wholly upon his own resources in fitting himself for the work of civil engineering. Since he has been with the Ellsworth Coal Company he has executed some very neat and difficult work, having made the surveys for the three connections in the mine, varying from seven hundred to eleven hundred and fifty yards. He has now been with this company for eight years, though in all he has had about sixteen years' experience in mining, having begun the business in the Kirkland carbon mines. He has been so long with the company, and by his suggestions so many changes and improvements have been made, that now the whole, or nearly the whole, supervision of the mines is left to him. If he says everything is "all right," Mr. Daniel, the manager, pays no more attention to it.

R. H. Mater, Danville, contractor and builder, whose office is found at 88 Vermilion street, is a native of Indiana, and was born in February of 1839. He began learning the trade of carpenter and joiner in 1859. In 1863 he went to Fairmount, this county, where he remained about four years, and then removed to Terre Haute, Indiana. He remained there but about one year, and then returned to this county, locating at Danville, where he has established a good business, sometimes giving employment to as many as twenty-two men at one time. Among some of the prominent buildings which he has built may be mentioned the Vermilion-street Opera House, the residences of E. B. Martin and B. Brittenhouse. These buildings will, no doubt, for many years after his death, be known as monuments of his workmanship.

Win. J. Moore, M.D., Danville, physician and surgeon, is a native of Champaign county, Illinois, where he was born in 1846. When seventeen years old he began the study of medicine with Dr. W. W. R. Woodbury, of Danville, and graduated at the Rush Medical College in 1870. At the age of twenty-four years he began practice at Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, where he remained about two years, and then came to Danville, where he has since resided engaged in the practice of his profession. On the 23d of March, 1863, he enlisted in Co. L, 16th 111. Cavalry, in the three-years service, remaining in the service until the close of the war and participating in many of the heavy battles, among which may be mentioned those of the Atlanta campaign, the battle of Nashville and at Jonesville, Virginia, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, lying for seven weeks at a farm-house, and finally making his escape. The Doctor is what is termed one of the regular physicians, and is a member of the Association of Physicians and Surgeons of Vermilion county, and also of the Illinois State Medical Association. By his close attention to business he has established

David A. Smith, Danville, farmer, was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 2d of September, 1812, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Harmon) Smith. His father was a paper-maker by trade. He was married in Virginia, and with his wife moved to Ohio, where he followed his trade, and there remained until 1863, when he moved to Vermilion county. He died in Indiana, but was buried here ; his wife also died, and was buried in Vermilion countv. Mr. Smith, the suba/ ject of this sketch, learned the paper-maker's trade, then the trade of a millwright, and afterward that of a miller. He was married to Martha J. Parker, of North Carolina, who came to Indiana when she was quite young. Mr. Smith was a resident of Richmond, Indiana, but went to La Fayette, where he remained some five or six years in the mill business; thence to Warren county, and remained therein same business about five }rears. Mr. Smith was very successful in the mill business, having retired in good circumstances. In 1853 he came to Vermilion countv, Illinois, and purchased land, and also the present homestead. He returned to Indiana, and in 1855 he moved on the present farm, where he has remained since. Here his first wife, who was a good and kind mother and loving wife, died. He then married Mrs. Hannah Brant Lee. Mr. Smith had three sons in the late war, who did good service. William H. enlisted in the 125th 111. Vol. Inf., and on account of sickness was honorably discharged after serving over two years. David J. enlisted at the first call. After his time was up he reenlisted in a battery, and did good service. Samuel P. enlisted in the one-hundred-days service. He, after his time was up, tried to reenlist in the three-years service, but, on account of being too young, was refused. There are six children living, all by the first wife: William H., David J., Samuel P., Andrew J., Casius Wilson and Sarah Jane.

Anton Schatz, Danville, saloon-keeper, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 6th of April, 1840, and came to Danville, Illinois, in 1864, where he engaged with Samuel Craig for seven years and accumulated money enough to start in his present business. On the 1st of March, 1870, he was married to Miss Theresia Loffler. They have seven children : Columbus, John, Anton, Caroline, Anna, Louisa and Stacy. Mr. Schatz is a member of the I.O.O.F., No. 499, and has rilled all the chairs. He is also a member of the Turner Society. In politics he is a democrat.

Jno. C. Mengle, Danville, butcher, is a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania. He came west in 1864 and located in Danville. He learned the butcher business with his father. He is now located on the corner of Yermilion and North streets, and is doing the leading business in his line in the city. In all he gives employment to about three men on an average. He kills annually about 1,000 head of stock. For this he pays to the farmers about $10,000. Everything about his place is neat and clean. This, coupled with his pleasant and courteous treatment of customers, must] insure him success in the future, as it has already done in the past.

Messrs. T. and J. Donnelly have been in the grocery business in Danville for fifteen years, and may truly be classed among the old grocerymen of the city. They are both natives of County Cavan, Ireland. They are located corner of Jackson and South streets. The store they occupy is 20x40, but they have warehouse room outside of this. Besides doing a general grocery business, during the winter they buy dressed pork and other produce. Probably one secret of their success is that they have both been farmers, and know better how to supply the wants of this class of custom, and know also what the loss of a crop is, and how hard it is sometimes for farmers to pay without a sacrifice of property. Mr. J. Donnelly was fourteen years old when he came to the United States in 1851. For one year he was in Troy, New York. He then came west and located at Attica, Fountain county, Indiana, and there, in 1855. in company with his brother, began farming. This they followed until 1864, when they began business in the grocery trade in Danville. In 1867 he was elected to the council from the first ward, and is now holding the office of assistant supervisor of Danville township. They have done more toward the improvement of Danville than many citizens who are much older residents, as they have built twelve new buildings and repaired six others, making them good residences.

L. C. Hovey, Danville, yardmaster, was born in Tolland county, Connecticut, in 1825. During his early life he had the advantages of good schools, and received a good business education. About 1853 he began railroading, having been at the business now about twenty-six years. He was first connected with what used to be the Cincinnati & Chicago Short Line, but was afterward with the New London & Northern, and fifteen years ago began with what is now the Wabash road, with which he has since remained, excepting three years spent on the I. C. & L., being engaged most of the time while on the road as an engineer. He now has charge of the "Wabash yard at this point. Danville being the joint station between the eastern and western divisions of the road, requires a yard five miles in length. All trains from either division when run into this yard are in his charge. He also has the supervision of about twenty men ; but being an old railroad man he has become so used to doing his duty as regularly as clock-work, that seldom any errors or blunders creep into his management, either of the men or other matters pertaining to his department. He is probably the oldest railroad man residing in Danville. His record as such is certainly as free from errors or accidents as any who follow railroading as a business.

W. A. Brown, Danville, physician and surgeon, was born in Knox county, Tennessee, in 1830, and at the age of seven years went with his people to Macoupin county, Illinois. He became a graduate of the McDowell College of Medicine, of St. Louis, in 1857; after graduating he went to Iowa, where he remained but a short time, removing to Missouri in 1859, where he was engaged in practice for three years. In 1862 he entered the army as assistant surgeon of the 1st Missouri Militia, serving two years, and upon leaving the army he came to Danville and began his practice in July of 1861. He has since given his time exclusively to his profession. He is a member of the Vermilion County Association of Physicians and Surgeons, and a man whose name and reputation are above reproach.

D. D. Evans, Danville, attorney-at-law, is a native of the old Keystone State, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of April, 1829, and is the son of David and Anna (Lloyd) Evans, both natives of England, having emigrated to America when they were children. Mr. Evans' father was a stonemason and contractor, but in his'latter days was engaged in farming here. Mr. Evans remained until he was about twenty-four years of age, engaged in farming in the summer, and in the winter months attending the district schools, where he received sufficient education to enable him to teach school for several years in his native county. He then entered the Eclectic Institute of Ohio, which at that time was one of the leading institutions of learning in that state. General James A. Garfield, who afterward became president of the institution, was a pupil of this school at this time. At about thirty years of age Mr. Evans commenced the study of law, and in 1861 he entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, graduating from the law school in the spring of 1863. He returned to Ohio, and in the summer of the same year enlisted in the one-hundred-days service as orderly.in Co. E, 167th Ohio National Guards, and served for four months. The following year he came to Danville, and was for a short time engaged in school teaching. Mr. Evans, for some time, was editor of the Vermilion county " Plaindealer," which at that time was one of the leading republican newspapers of this vicinity, and the only paper published in the county. Since Mr. Evans began the practice of law in Danville he has had associated with him, as partners, John A.

Kumler, Mark D. Hawes and Charles M. Swallow, the two former of whom are now ministers of the gospel, and the latter a prominent attorney of the Vermilion county bar. Mr. Evans' political opinions are republican. In 1876 he was a delegate to the republican presidential convention which was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was one of the five delegates who worked so hard for the nomination of Mr. Bristow. Mr. Evans married Mrs. Edwilda Anderson (Cromwell) Fithian. By this marriage thev have had three children - two deceased.

Oliver P. Kistler, Danville, firmer, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 20th of January, 1837, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (King) Kistler. His father was a farmer and a native of Pennsylvania, he moving to Ohio at an early day. Here Mr. Kistler, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on the farm, and engaged in farming from the time he was able to hold the plow. In 1864 he came to Vermilion county and located on the present homestead, which has been his home ever since. He was married in Ohio to Miss Mary C. Lake. They have four children. He owns four hundred and eighty-eight acres of fine improved land. His father and mother died in Ohio ; his father being seventy-four years, nine months and thirteen days old, and his mother about sixty-nine years old, when they died.

Robert D. McDonald, Danville, attorney-at-law, was born near Columbia, Tennessee, on the 23d of June, 1834, and is the son of C. P. and Nancy (Baldrich) McDonald, of South Carolina. His father was a tanner by trade, and followed farming. Here, on the farm, Mr. McDonald remained until he was about thirteen years of age. He then came to Danville and clerked in a store, where he remained about six years. He then went to Pontiac, Livingston county, and entered the mercantile business, where he remained about five }^ears. He then returned to Danville, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for about four years longer, and afterward in the real-estate business. In 1870 Mr. McDonald commenced the study of law, and in 1872 he was admitted to practice law at the Illinois bar, and began business in Danville. To-day he ranks among the prominent attorneys of the Vermilion county bar.

The dry-goods store in Schmitt's new marble block, 75 Main street, and managed by Mr. Albert Oberdorfer, of Danville, is an institution that takes rank with the very leading ones of Danville, and one that does an extensive business, and which has been in successful existence during the past fifteen years. Mr. Oberdorfer is a gentleman full of vim, enterprise and business capacity, and thoroughly alive to the wants of his patrons and the necessities of the trade. Mr. Oberdorfer was born in Austria on the 15th of September, 1838, and is the son of Moses and Thresa (Bernheimer) Oberdorfer. His mother was a native of Prussia, and his father of Bavaria. Mr. Oberdorfer came to America in 1859, and first located in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was engaged in the dry-goods business. Since then he has been engaged in the same business in Tennessee, and Versailles, Kentucky. From there, in 1864, he came to Danville, where he entered the dry-goods business on Main street. He then removed to the present stand, which consists of two floors, each 22x100. Here may be found a full line of dry goods and carpets, and patrons will be well treated by his four accommodating clerks.

Da}'ton C. Moorehouse, Danville, county sheriff, was born in Warren count}*, Ohio, on the 1st of September, 1818. His parents were Nathan B. and Mary (Potter) Moorehouse, natives of New Jersey, they moving to Ohio at an early day. His father was in the war of 1812. Mr. Moorehouse was brought up on his father's farm, where he remained until he was about fourteen years old. He then went to Greenville, Ohio, and was engaged in his uncle's store as a clerk, where he remained about six years. In 1837 he went to Covington, Indiana, and here was engaged in the mercantile business. He remained until 1856, when he moved to Galesburg, Illinois, and there staid about three and a half years, when he returned to Covington, Indiana. Here, in 1861, he enlisted in a company as first lieutenant which went to Washington city and finally disbanded. Mr. Moorehouse then entered the government department in Washington city, and remained in service until 1864. He then returned to Covington, Indiana, and in December of 1864, with his family, came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and located in Danville, where he has remained. Since Mr. Moorehouse has been a resident of Vermilion county he has held several offices of public trust; that of deputy county sheriff for four years under J. W. Myers, and the same office for four years under E. S. Gregory. He then, in 1878, was elected sheriff of the county by the republican party, which office he still holds. Mr. Moorehouse has given entire satisfaction, having proven himself a gentleman of acknowledged ability. He is a republican in politics. He was married in 1S41 to Miss J. W. Bilsland. They have three children living.

Alexander Bowman, Danville, civil engineer, was born in New York city on the 26th of November, 1826, and is the son of Alexander and Catharine Bowman. His father was a native of Georgia, and was a captain on the sea ; he died in Savannah. His mother, a native of New York, died in Florida. Mr. Cowman, when a young man, was engaged in teaching school in New York state, and while east was there engaged in his profession. In 1864 he came to Danville, Illinois, where he has been engaged principally at his vocation. He has drawn the plan of a number of prominent buildings: the court-house of Champaign county, Illinois, the plan of the Episcopal church, Short's block, and the city building of Danville, Illinois. He has drawn and published two maps of Danville and one map of Vermilion county, Illinois, which are pronounced the best maps yet published. Mr. Bowman has held several public offices. He was county surveyor four years and city engineer of Danville three terms. Mr. Bowman has surveyed and laid out perhaps more villages in Vermilion county than any other one man. He laid out Rankin, Pellsville, East Lynn, Marysville, Alvin, Bismark and a portion of Hoopeston, Ridge Farm, Danville, and other places in the county.

George Walz, Danville, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 1st of October, 1830, and is the son of Martin Walz, who was a farmer. Here, on the farm, Mr. Walz remained until he was sixteen years of age. He then learned the cabinet-maker's trade near his native home. At twent}'-one years of age he enlisted in the German army and served for three years. In 1854 he emigrated to America, and landed in New York city with but little money. He worked at his trade in New York, Philadelphia, Mauch Chunk, St. Louis and Pike county, Illinois. In Williamsport he first embarked for himself in the furniture business. He came to Danville and commenced business in 1864, and here he has gradually improved his stock so that to-day he ranks among the leading houses of this vicinity. He occupies two rooms and has in his employ four men. Mr. Walz is also doing a very extensive business in the undertaking line, owning a tine hearse, and he is now prepared to do this business at any time. Mr. Walz was married in Danville, in 1864, to Miss Fredericka Steebe, of Germany, who came to America when she was a child. By this marriage they have live children.

C. F. Hankey, who has been for many years engaged in Danville in the business of contracting and building, and now in the lumber trade, is a native of Germany. At the age of ten years he was brought to the United States by his parents, they locating in Washtenaw countv, Michigan. For the following sixteen years this and Jackson county were his home. It was in the latter that he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. In 1861 he was on a trip through Illinois, and when he reached Galesburg he enlisted in the federal army. He first entered company C, 10th 111. Inf., three-years service. He served most of his term of enlistment as sergeant. As the expiration of their term of enlistment drew nigh, he, with most of the regiment, reenlisted, they being granted a short deduction of time of service for so doing. This last enlistment was for three years, or during the war, he still being connected with the same company and regiment. During the last six months of his service he held the commission of second lieutenant. In all, he was in seventy-four different engagements, the first being at Island Xo. 10, which is said to have been one among the sharpest engagements of the war. Following this was the siege of Corinth, Murfreesborough, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, and Sherman's march to the sea. He was finally mustered out of service in Chicago in 1865. This same year he came to Danville, and in company with his brother, began contracting and building. He later sold out to his brother, and has since entered into a partnership with Mr. G. TV Hooton in the lumber trade. Mr. Hankey deserves much credit for the introduction of a superior style of architecture in and around Danville. The firm sometimes employs as many as fifty men. Among some of the buildings designed by him and constructed by the firm may be mentioned the Arlington Hotel, Byers' block, Chas. Palmer's residence and that of O. F. Maxon.

M. D. L. Adams, Danville, butcher, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of June, 1841, and came to Freeport, Illinois, in 1865. He thence came to Danville in the same year, where he has been in his present business ever since. In I860 he married Miss Amelia Lubt. She was born in Berks countv, Pennsvlvania, in 1842. Thev have eight children : Chas., Victory, Alice, William, John, U. S. A., Flora, Elizabeth. Mr. Adams served in the late rebellion, in the 69th Penn. Yol. Inf., in company A. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., 499, and of the K.P., of which he has passed all the chairs.

Geo. W. English, agent of the C. & E. I. railroad, is a native of Vermilion county, Indiana. He is a man who is well known to the people of Vermilion county, Indiana, as from 1856 to 1860 he filled the office of county treasurer, and was auditor of the county from 1860 to 1864. Previous to filling the office of county treasurer he had been in the mercantile trade in Perrysville for about six years. His father was one of the early settlers of that county, having come there from Rising Sun, Indiana, in 1S30. It was he who built the first rolling mill west of the mountains. Mr. English came to Danville in 1865, and began in the furniture trade, but lost in this business, by fire, about six thousand dollars. Later he was elected police magistrate, and in 1870 began railroading with what was then the C. D. & V. railway, but in 1877 the name was changed to C. & E. I. railroad. He has also been ticket agent for the E. T. II. *$: C. railroad since 1872. He is a

Dr. J. A. Hall, Danville, physician and druggist, of 68 Yermilion street, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, though his people left there when he was quite small. Later in life he returned to Cincinnati and began the study of medicine with Dr. Kelly. He began his studies in 1844, and in 1847 became a graduate of the Nashville University of Medicine, of Nashville, Tennessee. He has also given much study to the eclectic theory and practice of medicine, and is at present a member of the Illinois State Eclectic Medical Society and of the National Eclectic Medical Association. In 1861 he entered the army, remaining in the service four and one-half years. He is now located at 68 Vermilion street, where he has fitted up one of the finest drug establishments in the city, the firm name being J. A. Hall & Son. Their store is twentytwo feet front by eighty-seven and one-half deep, three stories and basement. Here they have everything pertaining to a full and complete line of drugs and druggists' sundries. The Doctor has been a resident of Danville since 1865, and is well known to the people.

There are many men in every city who are known and honored by the title of M.D. from the fact of a diploma having been granted them ; there are others who have earned the title by years of hard study and a close attention to business. Among this latter class we find Dr. Geo. Wheeler Jones, of Danville, the subject of this brief notice. He was born in Steuben county, New York, in 1839. At the age of nine years his people moved west, locating at Covington, Indiana, where his father began the practice of his profession, that of an M.D. Here Geo. W. received his literary education and began the study of medicine with his father. In 1861 he became a graduate of the Northwestern Medical College, of Chicago. The same year he began practice in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he remained but about three months, wdien he entered the army of the war of 1861-65 as a volunteer surgeon, being among the first to enlist. He was consigned to the 26th 111. At Pittsburg Landing he was attacked by yellow fever. His term of enlistment being but for three months, upon recovering from the fever he returned to the north, and again in 1862 entered the army ; this time with the 63d Ind. Vol. Inf., as senior assistant surgeon, remaining with this regiment until the close of the war. He did a great deal of extra and detached duty in the field hospital and on the operating board, doing the duty of the latter for two years in connection with the third division of the 23d army corps. In 1865, after the close of the war, the Doctor came to Danville and began his practice. Here, by a close attention to business, he has become the most popular of the allopath physicians, his practice being large and increasing gradually. He is a member of the American Medical Association and State Medical Society ; has been Burgeon of the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes railroad; is connected with the Vermilion County Medical Society, and is vice-president of the State Medical Society ; also chairman of the Committee on Practice of Medicine.

One of the leading business men of Danville is Mr. E. A. Leonard, president of the Danville Lumber and Manufacturing Company. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1828. During his early life he had the advantage of none but common schools, yet by his own efforts he has acquired a good business education. About 1853 he went to California, where he spent five years and a half mining, prospecting, etc. Returning in 1858, he located in Defiance county,

Danville Planing Mill

Ohio, where he remained until 1865, when he came to Danville and began in the lumber trade with Mr. Holden, the firm name being Leonard & Holden. In one year he bought Mr. Holden's interest, and conducted the business alone until 1871, when the firm became Leonard & Yeomans. In 1873 there was a change made again, which resulted in the establishing of the present company, with Mr. Leonard as president, which position he still holds. They employ from fifteen to twenty men, and do a business aggregating from 875.000 to $80,000 per annum. In 1872 there were consigned to them at this point 258 cars of lumber and building materials; in 1873, 194; in 1874. 202; in 1875, 195 ; in 1876, 133. They are the leading business firm of Danville in this line of manufacturing, their facilities for furnishing good stock at low prices being unequaled.

Edward S. Gregory, Danville, deputy county sheriff, was born in Broome county, New York, on the 29th of July, 1843, and is the son of Henry W. and Phrelove (Seanion) Gregory, who were the parents of eleven children - seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Gregory's grandfathers were Continental soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His ancestors were in this country very early during the colonial period of the nation's history. In May, 1865, Mr. Gregory came to Danville and entered the drug business with J. Partlow, and remained in this business about five years. In 1869 he was elected marshal of the city of Danville, which position he filled some six years. He was then elected sheriff of Vermilion county, which position he held until 1878. He is now filling the office of deputy county sheriff. Mr. Gregory was married on the 16th of June, 1868, to Miss Anna M. Maxon, of Danville. They have one child.