Danville Illinois

Illinois Burial Customs

The term “Illinois Indians” encompassed various Algonquian tribes, including the Illinois Confederacy. Early accounts describe their burial customs, highlighting a respect for the dead through careful burial practices. Joutel detailed how they utilized lofty coffins, sometimes hanging bodies in trees. Celebratory dances accompanied burials, marking a contrast with other tribes’ mourning rituals. Presents were offered, and food for the deceased’s journey was included in graves. These customs reveal the diverse ways Illinois Indians honored and remembered their dead across generations.

Biography of T. W. Swigart

T. W. Swigart, born on July 3, 1831, in Maryland, was a prominent harness dealer and businessman in Newman and Douglas County. He honed his skills as a harness maker in Ohio before relocating to various states, ultimately settling in Newman in 1873. A well-respected figure, Swigart served as president of the town board and held various community positions. Known for his straightforwardness and integrity, he significantly contributed to the local economy while building a successful business and gaining the respect of the community.

Biography of John H. Moores

John H. Moores, born in 1821 in Alabama, emigrated to Oregon in 1852, joining his adventurous father, Colonel I.B. Moores, a notable pioneer. Settling in Salem, he became a successful merchant and later a significant political figure, serving as mayor, treasurer, and state senator. Moores contributed actively to various civic initiatives, including education and sanitation, and was involved in establishing state institutions. He was remembered as a devoted family man and a respected community leader, committed to public service until his death in 1880.

Biography of Perrin Beza Whitman

Perrin Beza Whitman, born March 4, 1830, in Illinois, was a significant pioneer in the northwest, contributing to its development amid challenges, including hostility from Native Americans and harsh terrain. He was the adopted nephew of the missionary Dr. Marcus Whitman, who was killed in 1847. After assisting in the aftermath of this tragedy, he settled in Oregon, married, and later moved to Idaho, where he worked as an interpreter and businessman. Whitman passed away on January 26, 1899, leaving a legacy of integrity and community service.

Biography of William E. H. Anderson

William E. H. Anderson, born June 1, 1861, in Danville, Illinois, became a prominent figure in Cherryvale’s real estate and insurance sectors after relocating in 1895. His family roots trace back to Irish pioneers who settled in Illinois. Starting from modest beginnings, Anderson built a successful business that attracted outside investment in local realty. A Republican and active in community service, he served as a justice of the peace and contributed to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Effie Lukindill and has one daughter, Jewell Lucile.

Biography of John Downing Benedict

John Downing Benedict was born on May 27, 1854, in Clermont, Indiana. He began his education in local schools before working on a farm in Illinois and becoming a teacher at eighteen. Benedict served as the county superintendent of schools in Vermilion County and later as assistant state superintendent of Illinois, contributing to the development of rural school grading. After a period of health issues, he organized forest reserves in New Mexico and Arizona and spent ten years supervising Indian Territory schools, shaping educational systems in Muskogee and Oklahoma.

Biography of Robert Paris Harrison

Robert Paris Harrison, born on June 6, 1867, in Oakwood, Illinois, was a prominent figure in Muskogee, where he served as city manager. After a career in journalism, including roles at various newspapers and a significant tenure as the clerk of the United States district court, he shifted to public administration in 1920. Harrison contributed to civic life through directorship in local banks and involvement in community projects, including Honor Heights Memorial Park. He was also actively engaged in the arts and served in several civic organizations during World War I.

Biography of Edna L. Johnson, Miss

Edna L. Johnson has been a prominent figure in Kansas education since her election as county superintendent in 1914. She oversees 137 schools and 166 teachers, influencing the education of approximately 3,350 students. Born near Danville, Illinois, she was raised in Kansas, where her family’s pioneering roots run deep. A dedicated educator, she taught in Cowley County before taking office, reflecting her commitment to education and community. Johnson is affiliated with the Republican Party and actively participates in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biographical Sketch of M. Alshuler

M. Alshuler, born in Bavaria in 1836, emigrated to America in 1852, where he initially worked in various dry goods and jewelry stores. In 1865, he settled in Mattoon, Illinois, founding the first exclusively dry goods establishment in the city, transforming local commerce from a mixed-goods approach to a more systematic one. His business principles, including fair pricing and customer service, led to his success, making his store the largest in Mattoon. He married Fannie Frank in 1871 and had two children, Cora and Damon T.

Biography of Abraham A. Sulcer, M. D.

Abraham A. Sulcer, M.D., born in 1839 in Ohio, distinguished himself as a physician and surgeon in Riverside, California. After growing up in Indiana, he began medical studies in Illinois before enlisting as a soldier in the Civil War, where he advanced to Hospital Steward. Post-war, he graduated from Rush Medical College and practiced in Vermilion County for two decades. He relocated to Riverside in 1886, engaged in real estate, and was active in community affairs and fraternal organizations. Sulcer was married to Mary J. Durham and they had two children.

Biography of Thomas Nessler

Thomas Nessler, born December 18, 1869, in Obernhibeim, Germany, is a prominent figure in Rock Island as the brew master for the Rock Island Brewing Company. After an apprenticeship and formal training in Germany, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1892, gaining experience at various breweries in Chicago before moving to Danville. He joined the Rock Island Brewing Company in 1901, enhancing its reputation. Married to Katherine Dimer, with one daughter, he is also a member of the Odd Fellows and is known for his independent political stance.