Arthur T. Walls. There are certain lines of business so necessary to the growth, life and comfort of a community that they have become standard, as it were, and fill a stable, definite place in the commercial world. They are solid and dependable and it is not unusual to find a business of this kind descending from father to son, and very often the old established firm name is carefully preserved. Such is the case with W. W. Walls & Company at Champaign, dealers in lumber, building material and coal, the able manager of the concern being Arthur T. Walls, who is recognized as one of the city’s alert and representative business men.
Arthur T. Walls was born in Fayette County, Illinois, February 2, 1874, and was thirteen years old when his parents came to Champaign. His father, William W. Walls, was born in Indiana and died at Champaign August 22, 1908. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Josephine Tiemann, was born in Pennsylvania and now resides at Warsaw, Indiana, being the wife of James B. Babcock, whom she married some years after the death of her first husband. Five children were born to William W. and Josephine (Tiemann) Walls, namely: Arthur T.; a son who died in infancy; William W., who is deceased; Katheryn, who is the wife of Harry Herrick, a well known business man of Champaign; and Glenn H., who is a resident of Champaign.
Arthur T. Walls attended the public schools until he was seventeen years of age and then became associated in a clerical capacity with his father’s lumber business. When William W. Walls came to Champaign in 1887 he bought a partnership in a lumber business with M. E. Lapham and two years later bought Mr. Lapham’s interest, at which time he adopted the firm name of W. W. Walls & Company, which still prevails. He proved an able and successful business man and conducted his affairs wisely and built up an honorable business reputation. At his death his widow, his two sons and his daughter formed a stock company, incorporating, and the business is so operated, with Arthur T. Walls as manager. He is well qualified, having passed his entire business life identified with this concern.
On December 9, 1896, Mr. Walls was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Yates, who was born at Homer, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Walls have one daughter, Gwendolyn. They are members of the Presbyterian Church and in all movements of social uplift and public benevolence take an interested part. In political opinion Mr. Walls has always been a supporter of progressive principles, but has never been willing to accept political honors for himself. He is universally popular with his fellow citizens and is especially valued as a member of the local body of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.