Martin Kaucher Busey, cashier of the Mahomet Bank, is another member of that well known family in Champaign County which from pioneer times has been identified with the important work of developing the land and the business and financial affairs of this rich section of Illinois.
The wise and judicious management of the financial resources of the county was never more important than at the present time, and among the bankers of Champaign County Mr. Busey is entitled to special consideration because of his long and efficient service with one institution since early youth.
Mr. Busey was born in this county April 20, 1884. He is the oldest of the seven children, five sons and two daughters, of James B. and Katherine (Kaucher) Busey. The name Busey is of French descent, while that of Kaucher is German in, origin. James B. Busey is also a native of Champaign County, born in 1856, and is now living retired at Urbana, though still president of the Mahomet Bank. He was educated only in the common schools, and the larger part of his active career was spent as a practical farmer in Newcomb Township. In 1902 he retired from farming and then bought the Mahomet Bank, of which he is sole owner and president. Like others of the name, his career has been one of substantial success and of great influence in the development of Champaign county agriculture and financial and business affairs. At one time he was one of the largest land holders in Newcomb Township. Politically he is a Democrat, and for many years has given substantial support to the educational institutions of the county. His wife, who was born in Champaign County in 1861, was well educated and was a successful teacher in the city schools of Urbana before her marriage. Both she and her husband are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
All their children are living except one. Simeon H., the second in age, is cashier of the First State Trust & Savings Bank of Urbana. He was educated in the common schools, in the University of Illinois, and is a graduate of Brown’s Business College. He is married, is a Democrat in politics, and is affiliated with the Elks Lodge at Champaign. Frances, the oldest daughter, completed her education in the University of Illinois and is still at home with her parents. Josephine graduated from the State University with the class of 1917. Matthew W., who is assistant cashier of the Mahomet Bank, was well educated, completing his course in Brown’s Business College, and was also a student in the Urbana High School. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Donald is the youngest of the family.
Martin K. Busey grew up in his home county, and after the public schools entered the State University and subsequently graduated from Brown’s Business College. He entered an active business career at the age of eighteen. At that time, in 1902, he became cashier of his father’s bank at Mahomet, and has steadily looked after the management of that institution for fifteen years, his ability as a financier growing steadily with his experience. He is a thorough business man, but also possesses that cordial and genial manner which gives him the esteem of all patrons of the bank and influential associations with the leading men of the state.
On June 22, 1909, Mr. Busey married Miss Raye Grant Hanley. Mrs. Busey is a daughter of Thomas R. and Maggie G. (Dodson) Hanley, both now deceased. She was liberally educated, graduating from the School of Oratory in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, and also in instrumental music in the conservatory of music of that college. For several years before her marriage she lived in Chicago, and still retains her membership in a Presbyterian Church of that city. She is active in the Domestic Science Club of Mahomet.
Mr. Busey served two years as tax collector of Mahomet Township, and for the past four years has been village treasurer. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Mahomet and with the Royal Arch Chapter and the Knights Templar Commandery No. 68 at Champaign, is also affiliated with Lodge No. 529 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mahomet, and with the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Busey have one of the beautiful homes of Mahomet, and it is widely known for the cordial hospitality that prevails within its doors. Mr. and Mrs. Busey have traveled widely, and in 1909 made an extensive tour of Canada and the northeastern states, including Montreal, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Detroit and other principal cities.