CARROLL COUNTY
BIOGRAPHY & BUSINESSS

Souvenir Edition
Mirror Democrat 10 July 1930


A.J. Miles was born Oct. 9, 1870, in Mt. Carroll. He attended the public schools here, graduated from high school; then attended Beloit College. He also studied vocal music at the Frances Shimer School. "Jud" started in the lumber and coal business in 1901 and being endowed with rare business ability, has made a success of everything he has undertaken. Besides his lumber and coal interests, he owns and operates two gasoline filling stations, having built fine ones, one at his place of business near the depot, and the other at the junction of Routes 27 and 78 on the corner of Clay and Benton street, and they are ornaments as well as paying enterprises.

Mr. Miles has always been an up-to-date, public spirited business man and as good a citizen as can be found anywhere. He has always been a lover of good horses and has bred and owned a number of as good ones as have ever been owned in the county, and now owns several good ones.

He is one of the most congenial men to meet, a musician of more than ordinary ability as a vocalist or a band man on the cornet, and has done much in that line for Mt. Carroll. He is ever ready to do his full duty in civic matters and he and his wife are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

In 1930 Mt. Carroll has no more progressive citizen; no better man morally or in a business sense, than A. J. Miles.

Alonzo "Lon" White , was born January 28, 1873, at Zion, Washington Township, Carroll County, Illinois, and is another native Caroll County boy, who came from the farm and has made good. He obtained his education in the schools of the county; was married to Miss Mabel Sisler in 1900. She too, was born in Carroll County, in Woodland Township, Sepember 19, 1875, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Sisler. They have one daughter, Vernette, born March 30, 1908, who graduated from the Mt. Carroll high school and will finish at the University of Illinois this year.

The White family came to Mt. Carroll in 1905, bought the property just south of the water works station, where he has farmed and operated his gravel and sand bank, from which thousands of loads of both materials have been furnished to city, county, and individuals for building purposes of every kind, and Lon says he has a million loads left. He is a self-made man, starting without capital or backing and has made a success of life from every viewpoint, and today is one of our most prosperous citizens.

Several years ago Mr. White built a beautiful, modern home to replace the old one, which in its day was one of the most pretentious residences in town.

Walter Watson was born in Mt. Carroll, July 6, 1874; was married Oct. 1, 1904, to Miss Lutie Dresbach. Two sons were born to them, Tom and Jack. Tom is attending the University of Illinois; Jack is employed in the Forest City National Bank at Rockford, Illinois.

Mr. Watson moved with his parents to Chadwick where he was educated in the public schools and in Savanna. In 1891 he entered the railway service. He went to Minneapolis, where he was employed by several companies as fireman and locomotive engineer. He returned to Mt. Carroll in 1902 where he has lived since. When the health of the late A.B. Adams, county clerk, commenced to fail he secured Walter Watson as deputy and for four years he carried the burden of the duties as Mr. Adams continued to fail, so it was but fitting that upon the death of Mr. Adams he should be elected as clerk. He carried every township in the county, showing that his worth and merit were recognized. No mistake was made in his election, for there never has been a better or more competent clerk and never will be. Everything has a place, everything is in its place, the work is as thorough and accurate as in a bank. He is genial and accommodating and when inquiries of things pertaining to the office are made he seldom has to look up the records, unless it is something far back, for he has it in his head. His time is all given to the office, and Carroll County in 1930 is in safe, competent and accurate hands.

Clerk Watson has been in the past Secretary of the Commercial Club and was just as able and competent there as he now is as Clerk.

Charles E. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Smith, was born in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, March 18, 1873, and is a native Mt. Carroll boy who is one of the big business men in 1930. After completing his education he worked at the plastering trade until 1902, when he started to work in the Squires Hardware store, where by his usefulness and ability and his not being afraid of work he soon made himself a necessity, and has continued at this business ever since.

In 1911, the business was incorporated and the stock company consisted of himself, J. W. Squires, and N. C. Smith, as the Squires Hardware Co., and the above three constituted the stock­holders and incoporators. In 1927 he and N. C. Smith purchased the Squires stock, and the business continued and continues now as the Squires Hardware Co., Inc. Mr. Smith took to the business from the very start, and had been there but a few years until he was placed in the position of stock buyer, which he has filled from that day to this. He understands buying as well as selling and keeps all departments full and complete.

The store is widely known as the largest hardware company in northern Illinois and people come from far and near to do their trading.

Mr. Smith with married to Miss Linnie Fisher in January, 1896. They have one son, Leighton, who is in the hardware business in Desplaines. Charles Smith is a leader in business in Mt. Carroll on 1930.

Charles E. Stuart, Attorney at Law, and Master In Chancery of the Circuit Court is one of the leading citizens of Mt. Carroll in 193 o.

Mr. Stuart was born in Savanna, Illinois, December 4, 1878. He moved with his parents to Chadwick, where he attended high school and graduated in 1896. He then attenaed the University of Iowa, graduating from the law department in June, 1904. He started his law practice in the fall of 1904 in Savanna, but moved to Mt. Carroll in the fall of 1905.

During the terms of Franklin J. Stransky as State's Attorney, who continued his residence in Savanna after his election to the position, Mr. Stuart was placed in charge of the office at Mt. Carroll where he gained much experience in criminal law.

He was appointed Master In Chancery in 1906 by Judge Oscar E. Heard, a position he has held ever since because of his natural ability, his strict attention to business and his promptness in dispatching the many cases which come before him, giving such universal and unbounded satisfaction that no other attorney ever thinks of contesting his re-appointment. Mr. Stuart is one of Mt. Carroll's leading lawyers and has a large clientiel. He is married and he and Mrs. Stuart live in a lovely home on Clay street, into which his friends are always pleased to enter upon every occasion, and where they find a cordial welcome. .

Mrs. Stuart is a real home maker and one of our most popular matrons in the home, at the club, or in society, and the family is an integral cog in the workings of the city of Mt. Carroll in 1930.

William M. Nipe, son of Charles and Annie Baker Nipe, was born December 16, 1896, in Mt. Carroll township. He attended the Mt. Carroll schools, graduating from the high school. Taught school for two years, then attended Brown's Business College and after graduating accepted a position in Chicago. Mr. Nipe worked his way through high school and college.

He returned to Mt. Carroll in 1920 and accepted a position as deputy county clerk under A. B. Adams. Since which time he has served continiously, continuing under W. R. Watson after his election.

He was married to Lillian M. Schinkel, of Anoka, Minn., at Anoka, December 2, 1923. They have one daughter, Luverta, age 5. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons and Knights of Pythias, and has acted in the capacity of Secretary of Cyrus Lodge, A. F. & A. M. for the past nine years. He is also a member of the school board.

He is thoroughly informed as to the duties in the county clerk's office, and is faithful to every trust that has been imposed upon him. He is a fine penman, and excels on the typewriter. Will Nipe has a future before him, and will mount to higher things.

He and his wife are most congenial young people and are very highly respected by all. They are the people in whom the future of the city is intrusted. The older people have done their part and the younger ones will do theirs.

John Phillips was born and reared in Mt. Carroll, and received his education in the public schools of the city. He was married May 2, 1906, to Miss Dorothy Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Wilson, then residents of Mt. Carroll, who later moved to California. They have three children, two daughters, Marjorie and Betty, and one son, Trevor. For twenty-four years Mr. Phillips has been in the employ of the City Meat Market, where he is head man at present and an expert meat cutter and salesman, always pleasant and cordial to patrons, and there is no wonder he is liked and respected and known to all, for he is a gentleman and a good citizen, and always has been.

The John Phillips family is widely known and highly esteemed. They live in East Carroll in their own modern home.

In this year of 1930 Mt. Carroll is prospering and going forward, because of such citizenship as is possessed by John Phillips and men like him. The "push" and public spiritedness and business ability of such men as he is sure to keep Mt. Carroll in the right way, and the future is assured, for it is in the best of hands. His family is among the best in the city and their home is always open to their friends, and is a place where Mr. Phillips delights in spending his time when not attending to business, for it is a real home, and a happy one.

Carlos Robbe is an original Mt. Carroll boy, born in this city, Dec. 1, 1891. He attended the schools here, and was married to Miss Alice Schrake in 1912. They have six children and live in West Carroll in their modern home fashioned from the West Carroll school house of days gone by, the remodeling being done by himself, for he is a thorough mechanic. .

Carlos is a cement and plaster contractor and is a busy man, as he is a competent and reliable contractor, and his services are in constant demand. No job is too large or too small for him to give estimates. He has always been a public spirited citizen who has taken much interest in civic affairs. He was an alderman for three terms and would have been today except that he moved from his ward. As an alderman he was always on the job working for the best interests of the city.

In this year 1930 he is Chief of the Fire Department, a position he has held for six years, and is competent and has been very active in building up the department. He is always thinking how to make the property saving part of the city more efficient, and it was largely through his efforts that the present equipment is available at all times. He is one of Mt. Carroll's most energetic and boosting citizens, is respected by all because of his squareness and his ability and willingness to do his share for the progress and benefit of his native city. He is a builder of houses and his city.

Fay F. Christian is a prominent and popular business man of Mt. Carroll, a member of one of the oldest families in Carroll County. Several generations of this family have resided in this county and always carried their share of responsibilities in business and good citizenship.

His great grandfather, Daniel Christian Sr., was a solder in the American Revolution and spent his last years in Carroll County, coming from Boonesboro, Maryland. His son, Dan Jr., was born in Boonesboro, but came to Mt. Carroll in the spring of 1837. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. On coming to this locality, he became associated with Nathaniel Swingley, Samuel Hitt, and George Swaggert in a company which bought from Ottis and Mathew a claim including a mill site and on which much of the present city of Mt. Carroll now stands. The mill site was later sold to David Emmert and Nathaniel Halderman.

Joseph C. Christian, son of Daniel Jr., came with his parents to Mt. Carroll when ten years of age. During his long and active life, he was engaged in farming. His son, Herbert J. Christian, was born and reared in Mt. Carroll, was educated in the public schools and then engaged in farming. He is now engaged in the mercantile business in Newell, South Dakota. He was married to Mary C. Tipton and their son, Fay F. Christian was born in Mt. Carroll, January 27, 1886. Fay attended the public schools, graduated from high school in 1906, spent one year as a student in William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, and another year at the University of Illinois. He left the university in 1909 and was a clerk in Joliet at the office of the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern Railroad.

In 1910, he became associated with his father in the milling business and in 1911 went to South Dakota, remaining there only two months, after which he entered the Barnes School of Antomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming at Chicago where he completed his course and received his diploma in November 1911.

Mr. Christian then returned to Mt. Carroll and engaged in the Furniture and Undertaking business. This business has grown until it is one of the largest enterprises of its kind in Carroll County.

He is a member of the Masonic Order, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Illinois Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a member of the Baptist Church, is a Republican and holds a commission as Notary Public. He married at Mt. Carroll, September 12, 1911, Miss Laura E. Gillogly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Gillogly, of near Savanna. They have one son, Herbert 0., now attending the high school of Mt. Carroll. Mrs. Christian was educated in the Carroll County schools and attended Frances Shimer School. For four years she taught in the schools of the county. Her people were also early settlers and prominent farmers of Washington Township.

Mr. Christian is greatly esteemed and admired for amiable disposition and spirit of helpfulness and service which he has always manifested. He is known all over the county for his square business dealings. Mr. Christian carries a beautiful line of furniture and rugs. His Funeral Home adjoins the furniture store and is modern in every respect.

Thomas A. Wachtel was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, October 5, 1868; was married to Miss Clara M. Hill, March 1, 1892. Three children were born to them: Myrtle (Mrs. Fred C. Leigh,) Earl C., and Lucille (Mrs. Harry Burrell.) The two former live in Mt. Carroll, Mrs. Burrell resides in the East.

When Mr. Wachtel came west he located at Lanark, later moving to Freeport, and 1895 came to Mt. Carroll, where he saw an opening in the business, he being an expert marble cutter.

"Petey", we all call him, has seen the old way relegated and has fitted his factory out with all the latest in automatic tools, turning out work in much less time and in a better manner, there being no better equipped plant in the country than that of Wachtel & Son.

But it is not his business we wish to speak of, but his citizenship, there being no better citizen anywhere than he, who has been Mayor, Alderman, Member of the School Board, and Trustee of the Public Library. And in each and every position of trust he has exhibited his sterling traits of character, his ability and uprighteousness. He is a man who enjoys to the fullest degree the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. Active in business and as a citizen in civic affairs he is a man who has been an honor and a credit to the city of his adoption, and is today one of the leading citizens. The Wachtel family is held in the highest esteem by everybody, because they are deserving of that esteem. In ability, morality, honesty, and integrity we have no higher standing citizen in 1930 than Thomas A. Wachtel.

Earl R. Wachtel the junior member of the Marble firm of T. A. Wachtel & Son, was born in Freeport, Ill., November 30, 1894. He came to Mt. Carroll when five years of age and obtained his education in our public schools.

After his graduation he learned the marble cutting business under his father and became an expert under the old way. In 1914 he entered into partnership with his father, and the business had grown to such an extent that it was impossible to do the work by hand, so the best and latest of modern pneumatic machinery was purchased and installed, and has been added to from time to time, and Earl operates all of them. But even with this machinery he is working long hours in order to keep up with the orders, and nothing except guaranteed work is sent out.

Mr. Wachtel was married to Florence Smith, a Mt. Carroll girl. They have a family of three children: Mary Elizabeth, Virginia, and Earline. They live in their own modern home, a happy, prosperous, and contented family, highly esteemed by everybody, for they are well known. Earl Wachtel is a progressive, enterprising young man, public spirited, genial, one who has the success of Mt. Carroll as well as his owr, at heart, and always does his full share in all civic enterprises. He is a young man with snap and pep, and with such as he the town is bound to take long strides in the future. It is in the hands of such men as he who in 1930 have the future of the city.

Ralph M. Eaton our present State's Attorney, and one of the brightest young lawyers in the Northwest, was born in Mt. Carroll, May 12, 1899. Ralph was a real boy. He attended the public schools and graduated from the high school in 1917. Then he attended the Universities of Illinois and of Wisconsin, graduating from Law Department of the University of Illinois in 1922. He was admitted to the Bar and started practice in Mt. Carroll, his home, and, unlike the prophet who is supposed to be not without honor save in his home country, he made good from the start, and is highly honored in his hometown today.

He was married to Florence Miller, of Racine, Wis., in August 1922. They have two children, Durand T. Eaton, aged 6, and Jan Eaton, aged 4. They live in their well appointed, modern residence on Jackson street.

Mr. Eaton was elected City Attorney in 1923 and again in 1927. He was President of the Board of Education, Dist. 58, from 1924 to 1926. He was elected State's Attorney in November 1928, which position he is now so creditably filling.

Mr. Eaton is a young man of more than ordinary ability which has been shown by successfully filling every station to which he has aspired. As City Attorney he was faithful to his trust in every way, prompt and regular in his attendance of the meetings and ever ready to give his advice in legal matters affecting the city, and his advice was always found to be sound. As President of the Board of Education he again demonstrated executive qualities which were marked.

As State's Attorney he is filling the position honestly, ably, and satisfactorily except to law breakers. He plays no favorites.

He knows what evidence he must have before his grand juries, and if there is evidence he has it. He has been a terror to law breakers, and a bank to the county, for in the year and three months he has held the office he has turned over to the county in fines $75,000 and has sent 24 criminals to the penitentiary, reform school or has parolled them.

He is most genial and companionable, likes a good joke, is a member of several lodges, and has filled the chairs acceptably to the members and with much credit to himself. Taken all in all there isn't a better citizen, or a better fellow in every way than Ralph M. Eaton, and Mt. Carroll is proud to claim him as one of them men and officials who is doing things in the year 1930.

And the writer here and now predicts a brilliant future for the young State's Attorney, and a high place in law and politics, for it is impossible to keep talent, ambition, and ability to do things in the background, and Ralph has all of these, added to will to work. He is public spirited, progressive, aggressive, and ready to push any good thing to the limit. Ralph Eaton took to law as a duck takes to the water. He finished his law course in as short a time as is the lot of many who study for the bar. As a school boy he was studious, of retentive memory and these traits have stood him in hand thus far in life. When he has a case he studies it and knows its every angle, consequently is able to try it thoroughly from every viewpoint. He knows the law, knows how to apply it; knows where to find that which is applicable to the case at bar, and his future is surely to be a bright one.

He is not looking for trouble as State's Attorney, but when it comes he faces it, as there is no cowardly blood in his body. He does not seek indictments for the purpose of having cases to try, but if there is evidence enough to convict he knows it and woe to the evil doer. In spite of his trying to convict a man he knows is guilty, Ralph has a heart and often is sorry for the man he sends down, as he thinks that the environment surrounding the criminal may have had more to do with his doing wrong than a criminal heart. But he has sworn to do his duty and do it he does and well.

He is one of the most congenial of gentlemen when away from his duties, often taking his friends on auto rides and is as happy as a school boy let loose. Everybody likes him. He is also interested in politics and like his father, can see a long way ahead in political matters, but he is on the square and if against you you know it. If for you he will literally "take off his coat" to assist a friend to beat his opponent. It is just such young men as Ralph M. Eaton, who a little later in life fill Senatorial and Presidential positions, and we predict for this young man much success all through his life.

Mr. Eaton is a Mason and has gone through the Chairs, having been Master of Cyrus Lodge, No. 188, A. F. & A. M. for several terms, and he here, as in his law practice, gave the utmost satisfaction. As a gentleman socially he has no superior, always friendly, always ready to do his part, he is what is known as a "mixer", and can attend any function in high society, or lodges, or political meetings and is at his ease. His services as a public speaker are in great demand, and whenever he can make it convenient he never turns down a meeting of any kind that desires his services. He can talk on any subject, farm, home, politics, finance, business of any kind, and when he talks it is with full knowledge of his subject and he makes his point. As a trial lawyer he is perfectly at home before a court or jury and presents his arguments in a most convincing manner, hence his great success in winning his cases. As State's Attorney he prepares his indictments in a manner that leaves the opposing lawyer little to pick flaws with, for he knows the law, knows legal terms and uses them in their proper places.

Ralph Eaton is a gentleman who is ever ready to do his duty as a citizen or a lawyer, and it is such young men as he who will make their presence felt in this city, community, and state in years to come. The city, the bar, all are benefited by his living here in this year of grace 1930. He isn't a ranting lawyer. He is quiet and argumentative in his talks to jury or to the court. He knows what he wants, knows how to state his wants and does so in a way that is easily understood and carries weight.

As a friend he is loyal and true. He is a friend of the boys and girls of the city, knows most of them and they know and like him. Morally he is of the highest standard. The writer has known him since his boyhood, as a man we have associated with him, as a newspaper man we have always found him courteous, ready to help in the way of news and sometimes stretching a point so that he might give us something new. He is a "square shooter" and only asks fairness in return. State's Attorney Ralph M. Eaton is headed for things much higher, and we will now predict that some day you will see him on the Supreme Bench. It is such men with ability and a desire to get forward who are willing to work to gain the height of their ambition who succeed in gaining the height to which they aspire. It has always been so, it is true today, and our word for it there is no height which men like he cannot obtain. We are glad to number young men like he as our friends at our time of life.

William Frank, the senior member of the firm of Frank Brothers, Furniture and Undertaking, has not lived in Mt. Carroll as long as some of our people, but he has surely taken high rank among the business people of the city.

Mr. Frank was born in Shannon, Carroll County, Nov. 16, 1889. With his parents he moved to Chadwick in 1892, where he attended the village schools, in the meanwhile working with his father in the furniture and undertaking business until he was 21 years of

Then he attended the International College of Embalming, which he graduated with distinguished honors, and for years continued with his father. In 1919 he went to Lowden, Iowa, where he conducted a furniture and undertaking establishment until 1928, when he came to Mt. Carroll and with his brother John, purchased the undertaking business conducted by Holman & Myers and the furniture business conducted by Sherm Myers.

From the very start the Frank Brothers were successful and are numbered today, after two years, as among the leading businessmen and leading citizens of the city.

Will Frank is one of the most congenial of gentlemen, a born businessman, and a man who at once gains the confidence and esteem of all he meets. He knows the business, and is one of the most pleasant of men at all times, whether at his place of business or on the street.

He was married to Eugenia Beck of Thomson in 1913. They have two children, Eustace and Aileen, and their Mt. Carroll home is one of the most happy in the city,

John D. Frank - The subject of this sketch is the junior member of the firm of Frank Brothers, and a young man who has gained many friends in a business and social way since coming among us two years ago.

He was born in Chadwick, Ill., February 15, 1903, and graduated from the Chadwick high school in 1920 with high honors. He taught school in the rural district for four years, then attended Worsham Training school in 1927, for six months where he made an average for six months of 98.5, an average which has never been equalled. He served as president of his class for three months. Then he took a special course in Demi-Surgery .

In 1928, with his brother Will he became one of the members of the firm of Frank Bros., Furniture and Undertaking, and has been highly successful. He is a young man greatly above the average in ability, a business man of integrity, square and honest in all his dealings with his fellow man, and has taken high rank in Mt. Carroll as a citizen and a business man.

He was married to Violet Spealman, one of Chadwick's most accomplished young ladies January 19, 1929, and they live in Mt. Carroll most highly esteemed, and favorites among the younger people of the city. Both are most congenial and pleasant, and their home is always open to their friends, of which they have made many during their residence here.

John Frank is a young man who has a great business future before him, for in school, as a teacher, in college or wherever he has been or whatever he has done he has always been at the head of the class. Socially he is a most companionable young man.

Will Grim, the farm produce commission merchant, is one of the most widely known of Mt. Carroll business men, as his business brings him in touch with people from all parts of the surrounding country. Mr. Grim was born in Woodland township, only a few miles from Mt. Carroll, May 1, 1876, and has always called this city his home. He was married to May Keithley, of Clinton, February 6, 1906. They have one child, Vera, who has a lucrative position in Chicago. She is a graduate of the Carroll High school and the University of Illinois.

For a number of years he was a grocery clerk in the Reedy & Emmert store, but in 1917, he opened a produce station which has continued ever since most successfully and is known to of the farmers as a square shooting man who pays the highest prices at all times for their produce and pays cash.

Will is a most genial gentleman, always pleasant, having a kind word and a smile for everybody, is a real business man and has the confidence of all of his patrons and the public at large. He and Mrs. Grim live in their own well appointed home on Benton street surrounded by all the comforts of a well appointed and conducted home, and Mrs. Grim is known to be a home maker of high degree.

As an original Carroll County boy Mr. W. G. Grim has made of himself a most successful business man and one who is highly esteemed in business circles. He is progressive and always ready to do his share in any civic enterprise, and will continue to be among the men who will help make Mt. Carroll's future.

Ed M. Fox - The subject of this sketch is one of Mt. Carroll's most highly respected citizens, a man who has been honored by having been elected alderman, and holding the highest confidence and esteem of all who know him, and his acquaintance is wide-spread. Ed M. Fox is one of Mt. Carroll's most experienced mechanics in the building trades, having served a full apprenticeship with a plastering firm in Rockford, as a young man, prior to coming to Mt. Carroll, thereby laying a foundation of sound building principles which has served him well in that and every other line of building.

Mr. Fox specializes in plastering, brick and cement construction and has been active along those lines for a number of years. He is also a musician and for a number of years was the leading clarinet player in the city and a member of the band, but his much contracting made it necessary for him to resign from the band, but he still plays for his own amusement and pleasure at his fine home on South Clay street.

Mr. Fox is married and with his wife lives in one of the finest and most modem homes in the city, a monument of his own building skill. The home is one of the most popular in the city, where friends are welcomed. Mrs. Fox is a member of the Woman's Club and an active lady in social affairs. They have one daughter, Thelma, who was for a number of years secretary to the Dean of the Frances Shimer School. She is married to Harold Homedew and they live down state in Illinois.