History of Massac County

George G. Shoemaker,the father was moulder, born in Adams County, Ohio moved to Stewart County, Tenn. and there married Miss Malinda GRIFFIN, a native of South Carolina.

To them was born Sylvester S., August 3rd 1849, who was taken when six months to Trigg County, KY, where his parents died. When a boy he attended school and came to Metropolis December 1864 with his sister. He attended city schools and clerked for JONES & FARROW several years.

In 1883 he conducted a grocery store and later farmed. For two years beginning 1888, he was with BLITZ & CO. and H. RINGOLD & BRO. From 1892-4 he was clerk and paymaster for the TOWLE LUMBER CO.

Politically, Mr. Shoemaker has always been a Democrat. His popularity was evidenced, however, in his electioon to the office of county clerk in 1877, and by a constitutional change, served five years. He made a strong race for clerk later, but was defeated, the county being overwhelmingly Republican. Twice has he made flattering races for sheriff. In July, 1894, he was appointed postmaster of Metropolis and served until July 1898. At present, Mr. Shoemaker is doing a prosperous life insurance business.

October 13, 1880, Mr. Shoemaker and Miss Ann E., daughter of David S. and Mary A. LAUGHLIN, of Metropolis, weere married. They are both members of the M.E. church and are highly respected.

An announcement in the Promulgator: "Born to the wife of Robert W. McCartney, of this firm, a son, the 18th (May 1870) at 5 a.m. Name William Priestly. Mother and son doing nicely. Ye junior editor is pleased, pensive and proud," gave notice of the debut into society of the only surviving descendant of the late Judge R. W. McCartney.

The mother of W. P. McCartney was the youngest daughter of William M. and Mary V. Priestly and she died leaving the subject of this sketch (and a brother who survived the mother only four years) infants of tender years.

But the early training of the boy was not neglected because of this unfortuate combination. Attendant upon the public schools of Metropolis, Norris Joiner and W.P.McCartney were the only two lads of their class of Metropolis Public Schools, that were not too wise to study to the end of their course, so in the year 1886 W.P.McCartney was graduated from our High Schools. That fall he entered the Detroit High School, of Detroit, Michigan and the fall of 1888 entered the University of Illinois. He was absent from the College during the year 1891 returning in January 1892. He finished his four years at the University, the highest institution in our State schol system, which bestowed upon him the Degree of Bachelor of Science, and was graduated with honors in the World's Fair class.

Since that time he has taught his special sciences, physics and chemistry; studed law; conducted a model pharmacy in Metropolis, Illinois, and has spent no little time in the management of his estates and in travel.

IN April 1898, he enlisted in the service of the U.S.V., and was detailed to special scientific service in the Spanish-American campaigns. He was honorably discharged, Oct. 11, 1898. Since that time he has continued his law studies and during the college year of 1899-1900 he has attended the lectures in the College of Law in his Alma Mater.

September 17th, 1895, Mr. McCartney was married to Miss Mayme Perrine of Mound City, Illinois, and their home has been blessed by the advent of three sturdy boys, Robert A., H. Dewey and James Scott, the latter being born during the residence of the family in Champaign, Illinois.

It has been the ambition of W. P. McCartney to rise in that branch of the profession known as lego-medical jurisprudence, and to this end he has spared neither energy, time or finances. The coming June will find him engaged in his chosen line and we bespeak for him, because of his easy address, broad culture and tact, a high and honorable position in the courts of our state.

Socially Mr. McCartney is an advanced Odd Fellow, a member of Massac Lodge No. 442, and a member of Orestes Lodge Knights of Pythias, an officer in Longley Camp No. 150, Sons of Veterans, U.S.A.; a member of the B.P.O.E.; President of the University of Illinois Society of the Army and Navy in the War of 1898, a fellow in the T.S.G.; proprietor of the McCartney Music Hall and Public Lirary Block, and of the McCartney Drug Block of the city of Metropolis; together with other valuable interests throughout Massac county. Altogether, W. P. McCartney is ranked in the fore front of our best citizens.

Eugene Lafont, manager and part proprietor of the Empire Flouring Mills, at Metropolis, Massac county is a son of Lewis A. Lafont, who came from Missouri to Illinois 1850, married Miss Malinda CHOAT of Metroplis, engaged in general merchandising and continued in said business for a number ofyears. He then made brick and built a large number of the early brick stuctures of Metropolis, among them the Empire Mill, putting in machinery and running it for four years. To them were born nine children: Augustus, died in Massac county; Eugene, lives in Metropolis; Mary, deceased' Lena, wife of W.W. LARGENT, Harrisburg, Ill.; Fannie, widow of Reuben DYE, and Walter, Willie, Charles and Richard, all four deceased.

Eugene Lafont ws born in Metropolis, March 22, 1857, and was reared in that city. When but fourteen, his mother who, yet lives with him, needed his assistance in caring for the younger children. He had already received a little education in the common schools, suficient to enable him to carry on such work as he found to do. He ran the mill dray, the engine and every detail of the work was mastered by him in a careful, painstaking way. He was observing ,faithful and practical, and in 1880 purchased an interest in the mill, since which time he has been the manager, building up a profitable and established trade.New improvements have judiciously been made, keeping the mill abreast of its time.

In 1877 he and Miss Malissa, estimable daugher of W. P. and Mrs. BRNNER, were married. They have two bright, industrious and manly boys, William A., a graduate of Metropolis High School and now an expert stenographer, enjoying a good position in St. Louis, and Roy, who is yet at home. Politically, Mr. Lafont is a Democrat, fraternally an Odd Fellow,having represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of 1892. He is also a member of Metropolis Lodge No. 91, A.F. & A. M.. Mrs. Laont is an active and useful Methodist. Mr. Lafont is a man of more than ordinary business ability, genial, courteous and has a host of friends.. His grandfather and grandmother-Mr. and Mrs. Green B. CHOAT, were among the earliest and lived to be the oldest citizens of the county.

Green B. CHOAT, born in Tennessee, July 3, 1810, came to this section before the county was formed. He was a constable for twenty years and also served as county commissioner. October 26, 1898 he died at his residence in Metropolis, Ill. Mrs. Green B. CHOAT formerly Miss Tabitha HOLLAND, was born in Tennessee, February 20, 1817 and was married March 5th, 1835. She is still living in Metropolis. Four daughters still live, Mesdames Malinda Lafont, Julia MUSGROVE,Charlotte BROWN, and Lou WHITE.

July 4, 1893, the teachers presented a silver mounted cane to Mr. CHOAT and a silver sugar shell and butter knife to Mrs.CHOAT as the oldest citizens of Massac county.