In Mt. Carroll we have a Beauty Parlor, second to none in the country, conducted by a lady who has learned the art and secret of preserving the natural beauty of the ladies in the vicinity, having them look their very best all the time.
Mrs. Harry Stakemiller is the lady who possesses this art. She was born June 5, 1884, received her education in the Fairmont, Neb., schools. She was married to Harry Stakemiller in 1902. They have two children, Fay, 26 years of age, and Hazel, the wife of Reuben Oberheim.
In 1914, the need of a beauty parlor in Mt. Carroll was seen and Mrs. Stakemiller was equal to the occasion. She took instructions at the best school she could find, proved an adept at learning the art and opened a parlor, in the Stakermiller flat, which she has most successfully conducted ever since. Her patrons are many and she was obliged to have more room, which she made possible by taking over the entire floorage used in the building by Dr. Wood.
Mrs.Stakemiller is very busy all the time and there is nothing in the art of beautifying woman in which she is deficient,
In 1911, she accepted a position in the County Clerk's office, under the late A. B. Adams. She remained here eight years. Here she became experienced in the affairs of the county and familiar with the many phases of office work, and almost indispensible to the work of the office.
She was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk and Recorder under Valentin Boerner on January 3, 1921. She still holds this position which she fills efficiently. She has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and is held in the highest regard. One is always assured of the most courteous treatment when entering the Circuit Clerk's office and assured that the work will be done promptly, correctly and in a most careful manner.
Miss Adams lives with her mother at their home on Clay street. She is much interested in the welfare of our city, schools and churches. She is an active worker in the Methodist Church and Sunday School and substitute teacher in the Junior department. She is a member of the Priscilla Rebekah Lodge and a member of the Past Noble Grand Club.
In whatever Miss Adams engages she makes that work a success, believing that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
Fred was marned to Miss Myrtle H. Wachtel in October 1917. To them were born two children, Fred D. and Mary.
Fred Leigh is one of the best known men in the county, as his insurance business brings him in contact with the populace generally as his companies insure country as well as town property for protection from fire, wind, or almost any other caalmity. And he represents only the very best companies, including the Hartford, which seems to be a favorite here.
Mr. Leigh has been City Clerk for a number of years, and has no trouble in being elected as nobody ever contests the position with him. He is as well or better acquainted with the city's business as any mayor, or alderman we have. He is always at the meetings, his books are always up-to-date, and he is promptness itself in the city's business as well as his own.
He is a most genial gentleman, always ready to do a friend a favor, pleasant to do business with, obliging and courteous at all times. He has a wide friendship over Carroll county, and few if any enemies.
Mr. Leigh and his family live in their modern home on Rapp street, where they are close to business, yet out of the din and dust of traffic. Their home is open to their many friends at all time's, and they are a contented, happy family.
"Tony" he is familiarly called by nearly everybody, was born in Mt. Carroll, Nov. 30, 1890, the son of Joseph S. and Grace Coleman Miles.
After graduating from the Mt. Carroll high school, in which he is now musical instructor, he attended Dana's Music Institute at Warren, 0., from 1908 to 1909, and the Warren Military Band School 1909-1912. He became very efficient on the trombone and bassoon, as well as almost every other kind of band instrument.
He was married Feb. 16, 1914, to Miss Mabel Rhodes. They have one daughter, Mary Jean, who, although one of the youngest in the band, shows marked musical ability.
Mr. Miles has had a varied career. He has been mayor of Mt. Carroll, was the Owner of the largest and most widely advertised Leghorn chicken farms and still raises some, as well as mallard ducks and wild geese. He has a wide acquaintance and reputation as a musician of ability.
He is also one of the most companionable of men, a sportsman who loves the open spaces and has a hunting cottage on the Mississippi river bottoms.
He and his family are highly esteemed, and are among our most respected and well liked people.
Fifth son of L. M. and Lucretia Grove. Born in Champaign Gounty. Educated in high school and University of Ill. Father was a farmer and lived on the farm until P. F. was 7 years old. He then moved to town and conducted a bakery and general store for 2 years. P. F. worked on farm and in store while attending high school.
Education
In the common schools of Illinois. Graduate of a four-year high school. Graduate of University of Illinois in 1913 with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Las College. Graduate student in University of Ill., 1917-1918 and summer of 1923 receiving the degree of Master of Arts in October 1923.
Experience-
For 6 years a teacher of grades in Illinois.
Certificates
Member of the following organizations
A. Schools-
National Superintendent's Association.
2. N. Educational Association.
3. Illinois State Teachers Association.
4. Illinois Principals Association.
5. Illinois Superintendents Association.
6. Illinois State Academy of Science.
7. Northwestern Div. of Ill. State Teachers Asociation.
B. Philanthropic-
1. For some time County Chairman of Near East Relief.
2. For some time County Chairman of Salvation Army, to solicit funds.
3. Local chairman of Illinois Child Welfare Association and other kindred organizations.
C. Other Organizations
1. Mason.
Officers in the following Organizations
I. Delegate to.the State Teachers' Association from the N. W. Division.
2. Chairman of the Executive Committee of the N. W. D. of IL State Teachers Association, 1927-1928.
3. President of the N. W. Div. of the IL State Teachers Association.
4. Delegate to the National Education Association, Atlanta,Ga. 1929.
5. President Tri-County School Masters' Club, 1930-1931.
6. President of Carroll County Music and Literary Association, 1930-1931.
Hobbies - Art and interior decorating. Gardening.
P. F. Grove married Janie Hathaway Kissack in 1906. Mrs. Grove was the only daughter of Wm. Kissack Jr. Children are Alma Grove, graduate of University of Ill., and teacher of Home Economics, Bushnell High School; Donald W. is the eldest son and a sophomore dental student in U. of ILL.; Eugene is the second son and a freshman in the Mt. Carroll Com. H. School. Robert Lewis is a pupil in the 4th grade of the Mt. Carroll Schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore are splendid citizens. They live on Seminary street east of the F.S.S. where they have a modern home, and where Warren has a large garden in which he raises fruits and vegetables in quantities far too large for his own consumption, therefore has many to sell. As a gardener, like in every other occupation he does his work thoroughly and well.
He has a wide acquaintance, having lived here all his life, and is regarded as a model man in every particular and is most highly esteemed by all who know him. It is men like Warren Moore who have made and will continue to make Mt. Carroll a model city. His parents were among the very early settlers and he has remained to help boost along the city his parents helped to
In August 1900, he started to work in the drug store for F. G. Edwards and for the Mills Drug company for 17 years. He took a course in pharmacy, took an examination before the state board board of pharmacy, passing, and was granted a license. Then he purchased the F. G. Edwards drug store, which he has successfully conducted ever since and is now conducting.
He was married September 18, 1906, to Miss Florence M. Mader of Jo Daviess county, and they have made Mt. Carroll their home all these years. They have one daughter, Miss Catherine Edwards, born May 22, 1909.
Mr. Edwards is a popular business man, honest and upright in his dealing and conducts one of the largest stocked drug stores in the county, dealing in wall paper, paints and oils, books, stationery and the Ikie as well as the drugs and patent medicines carried in the business. In fact his store is a regular emporium, containing almost anything in the line that can be found in the largest stores in metropolitan cities.
They live in their modern home, just a block from the store on East Market street where they have every convenience needed in this age. The Edwards family is well known, highly esteemed by all, and are a part and parcel who add to the social and business part of the city.
Rev. Smith is a graduate of the Academy of Huntington College, Huntington, Indiana, in the Class of 1918, and attended the same college two years in 1926-27.
During the World war he served nine months in the U. S. Army in the 139th Field Artillery.
Rev. Smith is serving his first pastorate here at Mt. Carroll as pastor of the Center Hill and Woodland United Brethren Churches, coming here in September 1927. He believes the Bible to be the foundation on which to build our lives, to teach our children and with which to build our churches. His aim in life is to teach the Gospel of Christ.
He was married to Mary A. Walton on December 31, 1902. To this union were born five sons, three dying in infancy, and Clarence F. died June 8, 1927. They have one son living, W. Walton, who is at the present time holding down a responsible position with an insurance company in Chicago.
Mr. Schroeppel was elected Sheriff of Carroll County which office he ably filled. After the term expired he was engaged as special officer for the C. M. St. P. & P. Railroad company which position he now creditably and satisfactorily fills. He is also engaged in the fire insurance business in this city where he conducts an agency and does a lucrative business.
Frank Schroeppel is one of the well known, highly respected men of Carroll County, who has served his country and is ever ready to do his duty for his city, helping in every way.
He and Mrs. Schroeppel live in East Carroll and are most highly esteemed.
Mr. McCray is a practical, experienced electrician, a business he has followed for thirty-one years, learning when the electric light plant was a Mt. Carroll company owned affair, and he became one of the best in the country, his services not being confined to Mt. Carroll, but being called to neighboring cities to do work.
Mr. McCray is a "handy Andy" and can turn his hand at anything in or out of the electric line. He is at present operating the talking picture machine at night at the Majestic theatre, is active in doing work for the Commercial Club, and is an allaround man, progressive. He does much intricate wiring, such as the bridge, the boulevard lights and the like. He is the state voluntary weather observer and keeps his reports right up to the minute.
He and his family live in their pleasant home in East Carroll, a happy family and an honored and highly respected one. When anything goes wrong eletrically the inquiry is: "Where can I find Jim McCray?" for they know he can fix it. Most of the electric wiring in this city has been done by him or with him assisting.
Frank Force, one of Mt. Carroll's busiest painters, and a man who has done much toward beautifying the buildings of this city is Frank Force, who has lived in Mt. Carroll since 1877. Frank was born in Fort Prudence County, Pennsylvania, in 1872 and came to Mt. Carroll with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Force in 1877. His father was a painter before him, and Frank learned the trade from the ground up with him, learning to grind and mix his own paints. After coming to Mt. Carroll in 1877, Frank attended the schools of the city, and after finishing in 1892, started to learn the painting trade from his father, working with him until the latter's death some years ago, and became an expert painter and decorator.
Frank was a member of the famous Mt. Carroll Hose Team and helped win the State Championship, and was always a valuable member of the department at fires. In fact, he has always been a valuable citizen of Mt. Carroll, quiet, modest, steady, honest, and a man of ability.
In December 1901, he was married to Dena Merboth, and they live in West Carroll where they are among the most highly esteemed of our citizens.
Frank Force is one of the most competent of our paint and decorative contractors. No contract is too large or small for him to bid on, and the fact that he is to do the work is a sufficient guarantee that it will be done well.
After the death of Frank's father, he and the late Jonas Huffer worked together until the death of Jonas, as they had both learned the trade and worked for Frank's father for many years.
He is a valued citizen, a dependable gentleman, well known to nearly everybody and a most genial man to have around, and he always has all that he can do in his line of work. Many of the business houses and residences of Mt. Carroll have been painted and decorated by him.
"Ernie" is known to most of our people and is very highly regarded as a man and a gentleman in every way. He is an active member in the Masonic and Knights of Pythias organizations, and is an Eastern Star. He has held all of the chairs in Masons and K. of Ps., and is one of the most faithful and active in all lodges of which he is a member.
He is a lover of the outdoors and during his summer vacation you can see little of him unless you go where he is, for he is in the open spaces with his fishing tackle and is a most successful angler. In fact it is said if there is a fish in the water, "Ernie" can land him after all others have failed.
He is popular with everybody. Although he is of a modest, quiet nature, yet he is most companionable, always good natured, can take a joke, and perpetrate one. He is always ready to accommodate a friend and do a favor.
He is a jeweler himself and knows what is right. He is a .man who, when he secures a patron once, has him for life, as he attends to most of the selling himself and his word is taken as to what any piece of jewelry is. He carries a large stock, employs Louis Noble as his watchmaker, and attends strictly to the business himself. While he has a monopoly on the jewelry business in Mt. Carroll he sells so reasonably that no other man thinks of starting.
Mr. and Mrs. Kneale live on Rapp street in their modern home, and are among our most highly respected people, their house is always open to their friends. Mr. Kneale is very handy with the pen and is really a fine artist, is a progressive and public spirited citizen and a credit to and helper in Mt. Carroll's activities.
C. H. Pauley is another native of Carroll County where he is making his home and history in the produce business. He was born in Woodland township, July 7, 1898. He obtained his education in the Woodland and Mt. Carroll schools. Previous to entering his present business he was principally engaged in farming.
February 14, 1929, he concluded to form a partnership with Winsel C. McGrath, a close friend, and the Produce company was the result, and which they have successfully conducted during the year and more in which they have been engaged in buying produce of all kinds from the farmers.
Mr. Pauley was married to Miss Ethel Sisler, also of Woodland township. They have three children. Two girls, Helen and Alma June, and one son, Francis. He is a young man possessing the highest of business traits, ambitious to do his very best, anxious to climb the business ladder to the apex, a hustler who is willing to work to attain that ambition. He is well acquainted throughout the country, is trustworthy and in business transactions, his word is his bond.
His home life is pleasant, surrounded by his little family, respected and liked by all who know them, and the home is open to friends at all times. He and his partner, Winsel C. McGrath, are a whole team and the greatest of success is crowning their business venture, all of which is deserved. The future of Mt. Carroll is safe in such hands.
Mr. McGrath moved to Woodland Township and his ability being known he was elected Supervisor of that township, he being engaged in farming there after his marriage; he held this office for two terms or four years.
He was at the head of the Mt. Carroll Cooperative Creamery Company during the year 1928, and made a splendid record. Then he formed a partnership with C. H. Pauley in the Produce business on February 14, 1929, St. Valentine's day and it has been a Valentine, as the gentlemen have been very successful in the business ever since and are at the present time doing a most lucrative business.
Mr. McGrath is a young man of sterling character, a young man of much more than ordinary ability, an untiring worker and one of the popular business men of Mt. Carroll in this year of 1930. He is ambitious, progressive and has succeeded in whatever he has undertaken thus far in life. He has the confidence of all who know him, and his home life is a happy one as well as his business life, for Mr. and Mrs. McGrath are very popular wherever known. It is such men as Winsel McGrath, in whose hands the future of Mt. Carroll will be safe and prosper.
He was married in 1889 to Miss Irene M. Schamel. They have one daughter, Neva, now the wife of Prof. E. A. Moody of the Kansas City schools.
Mr. Welch was always an active boy, a member of the famous hose team, and a catcher in the Headlight baseball team in its later years. He is a Mason and a K. of P. and an active member.
He is an expert painter, paper hanger and decorator, and has done and is doing much of the work in this line, as a contractor in Mt. Carroll and elsewhere in the county, for his work is all guaranteed to be right. He handles and recommends the Great Western paint, with which he believes he can give the greatest satisfaction. Charlie Welch has a wide acquaintance, lives in his modern home with his wife, a respected and honored citizen, esteemed highly by all. He is a genial gentleman, a valued friend and citizen, and a mechanic who has no peer in the county.
During the World war, Mr. Spealman was secretary of the Carroll County Counsel of Defense, Chairman of the Carroll County Red Cross, and Federal Fuel Commissioner for Chadwick. He served two terms as Village Trustee, four years. as Village Treasurer, and two years as Village President. Served as Republican County Committeeman, from his town, and was elected to the office again last April.
When the Peoples Gas & Electric Co. built their high line into Chadwick and rebuilt the Chadwick lines, Mr. Spealman was appointed local manager and collector, and still holds the position. He was a special deputy under Sheriff Doty, and is now a member of the Home Guards.
Mrs. Mae Stakemiller - This is a day and age when the ladies, who have always delighted in saving their beauty, are more than ever concerned in trying to look their best as long as it is possibl. And it is a laudable endeavor, for at best life is short. Humanity, like flowers, bloom and fade and die, and if they can be made to look their loveliest even after the bloom has left their cheeks it makes them and all around them happier.
Katie Adams was born in Woodland Township, Carroll County, Illinois, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Adams. She received her education in the rural school of Woodland Township, Savanna High School and the DeKalb State Teachers College. After finishing her education, she followed the vocation of teacher for several years and was very successful.
Fred Leigh - Mt. Carroll's best known insurance agent; City Clerk and all around hustler, is a native of Mt. Carroll, having been born here July 15, 1891, and having made this city his home all his life.
Coleman Miles - The subject of this sketch is one of the best known musicians in the Northwest and has been director of the Mt. Garroll bands for the past fifteen years.
P. F. Grove - Parentage-
For 15 years a principal and superintendent in Illinois.
For 3 semesters instructor in the University of Illinois.
For two summers a teacher in county institute work.
1903-1906 Elementary County Certificate.
1906-1913 First Grade County Certificate.
1913-1924 High School Certificate.
1924-1927 Three-Year State Supervisory.
1927 Illinois State Life Supervisory.
2. Sequoia Club and Past President.
3. Glengarry Country Club.
4. Member of M. E. Church.
Warren Moore is surely a pioneer of Mt. Carroll, having been born here January 9, 1855. Warren secured his education in the Mt. Carroll schools of that period. He was married to Miss Bell Dresbach January 19, 1882. One son, John, who resides in Savanna, was born to them. Mr. Moore has always been one of the substantial citizens of the city, honest and industrious. He was brick maker for eighteen years at the James Hallett brickyard, and handled many of the brick now in the walls of our stores and residences. For 21 years he was janitor of the public schools, which is a sufficient guarantee of his efficiency and faithfulness. He was also janitor at the court house for four years, and farmed for five years. His life has always been one of honest work, faithful in all he did and efficient at all times, as his long terms at whatever he did attests. . .
Mt. Carroll's well known druggist, A.L. Edwards, was born February 11, 1884, In Woodland township, near Mt. Carroll. He lived on the farm until 14 years of age, and attended the Woodland school for five years. When the family moved to town he attended the Mt. Carroll high school for four years.
Rev. Cecil R. Smith was born at Welda, Kansas, December 13, 1829. He spent the early part of his life in Kansas, living at Fredonia, Chanute, Garnet and near Parsons, in that state. Rev. Smith taught in the rural schools in his hoome state for four years.
Frank Scbroeppel was born in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, July 1, 1871. At the age of seven, with his family he moved to Scotland, S. D., where he lived until the fall of 1891, when he enlisted in Co. H, 21st U. S. Inf., and served continuously in the same company and regiment until after the Spanish-American war and the Philippine Insurrection, returning to the United States in June 1902, where he was honorably discharged from the service, November 20,1902, at Fort Snelling. He came to Mt. Carroll and purchased the store at Polsgrove from his brother, which he conducted for several years.
James F. McCray is a native of Mt. Carroll, having been born September 21, 1885. He was married on May 24, 1919, to Miss Ada M. Jones, who was born January 13, 1902. They have four children, Virginia E., 11 years of age, Marjorie N., 7 years, Robert W., 5 years, and Kathleen E., 3 years.
Ernest G. Hauth, the subject of this sketch was born in Urbana, Illinois, November 26, 1872. He obtained his education in the country schools. In 1883, with his parents he moved to Garden City, Missouri, where he worked on the farm for his parents, until 1895, when he went to Janesville, Wis., and took up telegraphy. After becoming proficient he entered the employ of the Milwaukee railway company and was sent to Kirkland, then in 1899 was transferred to Forreston and November 10, 1912, came to Mt. Curoll, where he has remained, in charge of the telegraph office and passenger department of the company. He is regarded as one of their most faithful and competent employes, always on the job, accurate and thorough, always reliable.
Ernest L. Kneale was born in Mt. Carroll, the son of William Kneale and wife; the former deceased, the mother living in Chicago with her daughter, Mrs. Arlie James. Ernest graduated from our high school. In 1906 he was married to Miss Eva Grove, one of Mt. Carroll's charming and popular young ladies. One son was born to them, Blendon, who has for the past two years been in the Minneapolis School of Art. "Ern" had an idea he would like to be a printer and worked on the Mirror when it was owned by W. L. Puterbaugh, as a type setter. But he tired of this and learned the jewelry trade under Phil Kerz, who then conducted a jewelry store for Kinney & Son, and in 1905 started into business for himself and has been very successful.
Winsel McGrath is a native Carroll County boy, having been born December 14, 1894, at Zion Grove, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. J. E. McGrath. He attended the schools of Mt. Carroll and graduated from the high school June 4, 1914. He was married to Miss Mary Buckwalter some years ago.
Charles G. Welch - A native Carroll County gentleman, born December 17, 1869, at Argo-Fa, on a farm. He attended the rural school there which was and always has been one of the best rural schools in the county. In 1875, with his parents, he came to Mt. Carroll, and in 1878 started to learn the painting and decorating trade, which he mastered thoroughly and has followed throughout his lifetime.
H.L.Spealman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Spealman, born in Fair Haven Township (now the Village of Chadwick) March 18, 1877. He attended the Chadwick public schools until 17 years of age, entering the Dixon Business College in the fall of 1894, graduating in the spring of 1895. July 21, 1898, he purchased the drug store from J. M. Keirn. In the fall of 1902 he attended the Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill., School of Pharmacy for three months, took the State Board examination and received a certificate. In 1901 he was married to Miss Olive I. Stover. They have three children, Mrs. John B. Frank of Mt. Carroll, Mrs. Kenneth W. Senneff and Herbert, who is in the store with his father.
Frank Peters, known as "the Music Man", of Lanark, is perhaps the very best known man in Carroll County, as his travels over the county bring him in contact with almost every citizen. He is a native of the county, born in Lanark, October 1, 1869. Frank attended school and worked on his father's farm for 19 years. In 1897, with his father, he started a music store in Lanark, and from the first it was successful. In 1902 his father retired and turned the store over to Frank and his brother, John.
The Mirror-Democrat always likes to record the success of the young men of the county, and among these we know is none more worthy or more entitled to a front rank than Bertram Peters.
