OTHER BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES: 1879 1889 1903 1911 1930 BIOGRAPHIES Source: The History of Vermilion County, Illinois A Tale of its Evolution, Settlement and Progress for nearly a Century -         Vols. I & 2 By Lottie E. Jones - Chicago - Pioneer Publishing Company  - 1911 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z   ALBERT MARION EAREL, M. D.  In a comparison of the relative value to mankind of the different professions, many accord that of the practice of medicine highest rank. At all events the great majority consider this one of the most useful as well as the most honorable occupations to which man can direct his energies and it is known that no profession is so little commercialized, for the physician is continually called upon for aid when no remuneration can be expected and moreover the profession is continually giving its knowledge to the public that the general health may be safeguarded through the prevention of disease. Dr. Earel has made for himself a creditable name as an able physician and aside from general practice he has made a specialty of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which field he has gained particular skill.      His birthplace was a log cabin near Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois, and his natal day was June 22, 1866. His parents were Harvey Dale and Abigal (Linn) Earel. On the paternal side Dr. Earel is descended from English ancestry early represented in Virginia, and in the maternal line from Pennsylvania Germans. His great-great-grandfather came to America with La Fayette and fought under him in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather was a native of Maryland and his father was born in the Old Dominion. The latter passed away in February, 1898, but the mother of Dr. Earel is still living, making her home with him at the age of seventy-nine years.      In the district schools Dr. Earel acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in Knox College at Galesburg. His professional training was received in Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the 31st of March, 1891. He afterward entered the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago, acting as assistant to the house surgeon for a year and a half, beginning in 1890. Making a specialty of the eye and ear, he became a member of the hospital staff of the eye and ear infirmary at Lincoln, Nebraska, and likewise did hospital work in Norton, Kansas, in St. Elizabeth's Hospital at Lincoln, Nebraska, and in Jacksonville, Illinois, his hospital connections covering nine years.      In December, 1903, Dr. Earel came to Hoopeston. Here he entered upon the general practice of medicine, in which he has since continued and a liberal patronage has been accorded him. Since his graduation from Rush Medical College in 1891, Dr. Earel has studied extensively, doing considerable post-graduate work and also much private reading and research. In 1897 he did post-graduate work as interne at Augustana Hospital, and in the summer of 1899 he attended the Philadelphia polyclinic. The same year he was a student in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College and has also attended the eye and ear infirmary of New York city, and in 1903 the Chicago eye and ear infirmary. In the fall of 1908 he spent some time in investigations in the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital of London, England, and in the winter of 1908 at the University of Vienna in Austria. He is still devoting time to his specialty, successfully treating diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and at the same time he continues in the general practice of medicine, his ability winning him a liberal patronage. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his membership in organizations for the promulgation of a knowledge of the science of medicine, belonging to the Hoopeston Medical Society, the Vermilion County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Homeopathic State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Aside from his profession he has some business interests, being a trustee and treasurer of St. Helen's Ore & Power Company and also of the Pacific Power & Railway Company.      On the 30th of December, 1892, Dr. Earel was married, in Hoopeston, Illinois, to Miss Sadie Honeywell, the youngest daughter of Alba Honeywell, one of the most distinguished and honored citizens that has ever resided in Hoopeston. Dr. Earel takes an active and helpful interest in public affairs, holds membership in the Commercial Club, is a member of the board of education and a member of the city council.  His political allegiance is given to the republican party and in this, as in all other vital matters, he stands firmly in support of his honest convictions. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, a Woodman of America and a Mason.  He has taken the Royal Arch degree of the York Rite and attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. A cordial, genial manner makes him popular with many friends and sterling worth has gained him the high regard of all. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Earel is one of the most hospitable in Hoopeston and is the center of many of the most delightful social functions held in the city. Source: Vol. II History of Vermilion Co., Ill. - Pub. 1911 - Pg. 178   ASA ELLIOTT , who was one of the most prominent men of the county in its earliest life, came to Butler's Point to make his new home in 1822. He was one of the second Board of Commissioners of Vermilion County, and was the first justice of the peace. He was a good business man and very successful. His home, at which the court was held just before the county seat was located at Danville, was about a quarter of a mile from the west line of Catlin village. He had a log house at first but built a better one. He lived here all his life and after his death his son sold the property to Mr. Sandusky and moved to Kansas. Mr. Elliott was buried in the old Butler burying ground. (History of Vermilion County, Illinois - VOLUME II - By Lottie E. Jones - Chicago - Pioneer Publishing Company - 1911 - pg.  111)   LILBURN B. ELLIS.  It has often been said that of all religious denominations the Quakers approach the nearest in precept and practice to the teachings of the great Master. The simple teachings of the Friends appeal to many persons who are not moved by the more complex belief of other denominations, and the lives of many members of the Friends church are even more effective than a whole library of books or many professions of religion. To this belief Lilburn B. Ellis, a well known farmer of Elwood township, now deceased, gave his adherence and his life was in an important degree controlled by his religious faith. He was born in Elwood township, January 29, 1864, and was a son of Henry T. and Rachel Ellis. He grew up on the farm, being required to perform many of the farm duties, and thus by the time he reached his majority he had gained a general knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He attended the district schools and later, having shown a decided inclination for study, was sent to college and thus secured an education that opened to his mind many avenues unknown to one who is restricted in his training to the common schools.      At twenty-nine years of age Mr. Ellis took to himself a partner for life and began farming upon his own account, renting a place for four years. Having acquired by his industry and good management a small capital, he purchased forty acres of the George Buell farm in Elwood township, which he improved and disposed of at the close of three years, purchasing eighty acres on section 34, the same township, where he established his home. Gradually he increased his acreage until his farm comprised one hundred and forty acres and became known as one of the most productive places in the neighborhood. He erected a handsome residence and improved the farm by setting out an orchard of ten acres, now one of the finest in this part of the county. Here he planted apple, peach and plum trees, which in this region yield abundantly. He also engaged profitably in the raising and feeding of hogs and in all of his farm operations displayed an ability that indicated thorough knowledge of his calling. He was happy in his work and always applied the best known methods, securing results which almost invariably are experienced wherever good judgment is shown.      On October 1, 1893, Mr. Ellis was happily united in marriage to Miss Effa M. Hawkins, who was born in Elwood township, January 31, 1871, and is a daughter of Joseph C. and Phoebe (Moon) Hawkins, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins came to Vermilion county previous to the Civil war and resided here for many years. The father is now living in Indiana but the mother departed this life in 189.6. Sixteen children were born to them, of whom eleven are now living and are all married. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis: Rosalie, Francis M., deceased; Emily R., Helen, James W., Garnet, and Gertrude.      Mr. Ellis was called from earthly scenes October 31, 1909, being then forty-five years of age and in the prime of an active and useful life. His departure was the occasion of sincere regret throughout the community of which he was all his life a member and where he was most esteemed by those who were best acquainted with his many admirable qualities. His body reposes in Pilot Grove cemetery. As stated above, he was a member of the Friends church and to that denomination Mrs. Ellis has for many years been closely identified. The farm so carefully cultivated and thoroughly improved by her husband, is now her home and here the mother and children are provided with every desirable comfort and convenience through the thoughtful care of one who never considered any inconvenience or labor too great if it would advance the welfare of his family. As an upright citizen Mr. Ellis will not soon be forgotten, but as a loving husband and father he is enshrined in the hearts that through life will always regard his memory with increasing respect and veneration. Source: Vol. II History of Vermilion Co., Ill. - Pub. 1911 - pp. 544 & 545)   CHARLES L. ENGLISH.  Few if any of the business men of Danville are better known throughout this section of the state than Charles L. English.  He is not only one of Danville's foremost citizens, but a man who for more than forty years has been prominently identified with her financial interests.  He stands as a central figure in banking circles here and his name is known and honored among the leading financiers.  Earnest, discriminating study of each duty that has devolved upon him and of each situation in which he has been placed have brought him a keen discriminating knowledge that now enables him to bring a ready and correct solution of the financial problems which are presented to him.      A native of Indiana, Mr. English was born in Perrysville, on the 15th of July, 1846, and is a son of Joseph G. English who brought his family to Danville in 1854, being at that time only eight years of age.  He has practically spent his entire life here and is indebted to the public schools of the city for the early educational advantages he enjoyed.  Later he attended De Pauw University at Asbury, Indiana, for one year.  His patriotism and loyalty to his country was shown in April, 1864, when he enlisted in defense of the union, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.  At that time he was not yet eighteen years of age, but he served his country well for a term of one hundred days and in October of the same year was honorably discharged.  On starting out in life for himself Mr. English was engaged in the grain business for ten or twelve years and also furnished lumber and railroad supplies under contract, being associated in this enterprise with Colonel L. T. Dickason, now of Chicago.  Their business grew in volume and importance until their trade assumed extensive proportions, giving employment to several hundred men.      In 1867 Mr. English became interested in the banking business, and has since been identified with the First National Bank, of which he is now president.  Since 1882 he has devoted his time almost exclusively to his banking interests and for a number of years filled the position of cashier, after which he served as vice president, but sine 1899, upon the retirement of his father, who had been president of the institution for many years, our subject succeeded to that office.  In this connection his splendid business and executive ability have been called forth and the success of the institution is largely due to him.  The business of the bank has steadily increased under his administration and the capital stock has been raised to three hundred thousand dollars, while there is a surplus of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.  Mr. English has given his best energies to the advancement of this institution and is uniformly regarded as the leading financier of this part of the state.  He has played no small part in the development of the coal fields of Vermilion and adjoining counties, not exactly as an operator but in the important capacity of financing several projects.  He was early identified with the Westville Coal Company and was a moving spirit in the Riola Coal Company.      In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. English to Miss Mary A. O'Hara,  of Anderson, Indiana, and they have become the parents of two children, namely, Benjamin Charles and Daniel.  The latter died at the age of fifteen years.  The former, a graduate of the University of Chicago, of the class of 1907, married Miss Pearl Benjamin, a daughter of F. A. Benjamin, and is now a director and teller in the First National Bank of Danivlle.      Since attaining his majority Mr. English has always affiliated with the republican party and has taken a keen and active interest in its success.  While not an office seeker, he wields a strong influence in political circles, being one of the party's advisors and counselors in that section of the state.  His support, likewise his opposition, has for years been a factor in political contests.  Fraternally he is an honored member of the Masonic order and as a citizen takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the general good, being a supporter of many public enterprises and charitable institutions, to which he gives his influence as well as his means for their advancement.  His business career has been actuated by laudable ambition and characterized by unfaltering industry, combined with a close adherence to a high standard of business ethics.  It would be difficult to point out any one characteristic as his most pronounced trait, for his is a most evenly balance character, in which business capacity and power are matched by recognition of life's purposes and the obligations of man to his fellowmen.  By nature he is cordial and kindly and posses a personality which, while inspiring respect, also wins the warm friendship of those with whom he comes in contact.  In 1898 Mr. English erected his residence at 1125 North Vermilion street, which has sine been the family home. Source: Vol. II History of Vermilion Co., Ill. - Pub. 1911 - Page 5   JOSEPH GIBSON ENGLISH, who during the years of his connection with Danville and its interests engaged in merchandising, banking and other business enterprises which contributed largely to the welfare and upbuilding of the city as well as to individual success, was born in Ohio county, Indiana, near the village of Rising Sun, December 17, 1820. His father, Charles English, was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, in which state the family had been represented for several generations. He wedded Miss Anne Wright, who was also of English lineage. The paternal grandfather removed to Nova Scotia but subsequently his children returned to the United States and settled in various localities. Following the time when he took up his abode in Ohio county, Indiana, Charles English engaged in blacksmithing and carpentering and was otherwise identified with industrial interests. In 1829 he left that locality and became a resident of Perrysville in the Wabash valley.      Joseph Gibson English was a young lad when his parents removed to Perrysville, where he pursued his education in one of the old time log schoolhouses, and at the age of fourteen years started out in life on his own account He secured employment with the firm of Taylor & Linton, general merchants of La Fayette, Indiana, with whom he remained for five years. No union scale of labor was then in vogue and he had to begin work in the early morning and continue until his tasks were completed long after dark. On market days, which occurred thrice a week, he arose between three and four o'clock in the morning and swept the store and prepared it for the reception of the Dunkard customers. While thus employed he obtained a good knowledge of merchandising, which constituted the basis of his success when he later embarked in business on his own account. His services were requited by his board and clothing, as it was not the custom to pay wages at that day to one of his years. After five years spent with his first employers he obtained a position as clerk in a general store in Perrysville, where he was paid forty dollars per month. When three years had passed he found himself in possession of four hundred dollars, which he had saved from his earnings, and with this capital he married and established a home of his own, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Hicks, a native of Perrysville and of New England descent.      In 1844 Mr. English became a partner of his father-in-law, George H. Hicks, in a mercantile enterprise under the name of Hicks & English. They carried dry-goods, groceries, produce and grain and soon built up a good business. Merchandise was purchased and sold on credit of twelve months and the products of the central Mississippi valley were transported to market in New Orleans by way of the river route. The marketable products of Indiana and Illinois were sent down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and it was thus that the firm of Hicks & English shipped their wheat, corn, pork and other commodities to New Orleans on flatboats, Mr. English frequently acting as oarsman.      In 1853 Mr. English sold his store in Perrysville and removed to Danville, Illinois, where he entered into partnership with John L. Tincher under the firm name of Tincher & English. This was profitably conducted until 1856, when the firm became the assignees of the Stock Security Bank, a wild cat institution that failed in the widespread financial panic of 1856-7. At that time the firm of Tincher & English disposed of their store in order that they might devote their entire attention to the bank and its interests. While thus engaged they greatly extended the scope of their activities to include the brokerage and exchange business that developed finally into a private banking enterprise. They were among the first to seek a charter and organize a national bank following the passage of the national bank bill in February, 1863. They established the First National Bank of Danville, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, Mr. English serving as its president from its inception until July, 1899, when he resigned. In 1872, after the death of Mr. Tincher, the capital stock was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and in the meantime the surplus had become over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. From time to time Mr. English extended his efforts into other fields, becoming one of the heaviest real-estate dealers in this section. He made large investment in farm property and several additions to the city were platted by him. For more than a quarter of a century he served on the directorate of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad and many other enterprises felt the stimulus of his energy, sound judgment and keen business discrimination.      In 1864 Mrs. English passed away. By her marriage she had become the mother of seven children: George; Charles L., who is now the president of the First National Bank of Danville; Harriet, the widow of W. D. Lindsey, of Danville; Irene J., the widow of George W. Partlow, of Danville; John T.; Annie Martha, the deceased wife of Tabor Mathers of Jacksonville; and Edward. On April 12, 1865, Mr. English was again married, his second union being with Maria L. Partlow, who died twenty-one years later, September 16, 1886. Their children were J. C, of Kansas City, Missouri, cashier of the Traders National Bank; and Otis Hardy, who died in infancy. On the 14th of June, 1899, Mr. English was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E. Forbes, a native of Danville. She was the widow of Thomas C. Forbes and a daughter of William Hessey, a pioneer resident of this county.      Mr. English was prominent in the public life of the community and was honored with election to the mayoralty, being the second temperance mayor of Danville. In 1872 he became a member of the first board of equalization of the state, yet he was not a politician in the usually accepted sense of the term. For years he was a member of the library board and was one of the original members of the board of Spring Hill cemetery, being its last survivor. On attaining his majority he joined the ranks of the democratic party and gave to it his support until 1862, when, at variance with the peace plank in its platform, for he believed in the active prosecution of the war for the preservation of the Union, he became a republican. In 1863 he had charge of the subscription list for filling the quota of men for the army from Danville and the county.      For almost a half century Mr. English held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, contributed generously to its support and took a helpful part in its work, serving as a member of its board of trustees while for fifteen years he was Sunday school superintendent. In 1872 he was elected by the lay delegates of the Illinois conference as a delegate to the general conference of the church held in Brooklyn and later served in a similar capacity. For many years he was a trustee of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington. The death of Mr. English occurred January 17, 1910. He was termed by those who knew him a man of distinct ability, whose character was above the shadow of reproach. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and his success was so worthily won that the most envious could not grudge him his prosperity. Source: Vol. II History of Vermilion Co., Ill. - Pub. 1911 - Page 521   C. H. EVANS, M. D.  Dr. C. H. Evans, who has won an enviable reputation as a skilled and able representative of the medical profession in Danville, was born in Danville township, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 31st of July, 1875, his parents being Samuel F. and Helen E. (Jones) Evans. The father, whose birth occurred in Parke county, Indiana, passed away on the 9th of November, 1909. The mother lived here throughout her entire life except three and one-half years spent in the West in search of health. She passed away August 4, 1910. She was connected with the old Starr family. Her father owned considerable land southeast of Danville, and the property which constitutes the present site of the Soldiers Home was in possession of her uncle Dennis Olehy, in the early days.      Dr. C. H. Evans obtained his education in the public schools of Danville and then took up the profession of teaching, being an instructor in the public schools of Vermilion county for nine years. Wishing to become a member of the medical profession, he entered the Illinois Medical College of Chicago in 1900 and was graduated there from in March, 1905. After receiving his degree he practiced in the western metropolis for six months but since September, 1905, has resided continuously in Danville and has won a gratifying patronage. He did not cease to be a student when he left college, but by reading and investigation has broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency, also keeping in touch with the onward march of the profession through the interchange of ideas in the Vermilion County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has likewise been connected with Lakeview Hospital. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and Unity Lodge, No. 344, A. F. & A. M., of . Perrysville, Indiana, In the county where practically his entire life has been spent he is well known as a successful young physician and esteemed citizen. (Source: Vol. II History of Vermilion Co., Ill. - Pub. 1911 - Page 607 NOTES:

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