Among those who served as Master of the lodge in the first decade of the 20^th Century we find George E. Cockerton.   We share this biographical sketch published in The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Company in 1903.  

GEORGE E. COCKERTON

Among the "captains of industry" in Danville may be numbered George E. Cockerton,  a self-made man, who at the outset of his business career realized that there is no excellence without labor and whose efforts therein have been exercised consecutively  in an endeavor to acquire a handsome competence. In this he has succeeded and at the same time he has won honor and respect which is accorded to those whose business careers will bear close investigation and scrutiny. As a boy in 1864 Mr. Cockerton came to Danville with his parents, John C. and Hannah (Pate) Cockerton, who are yet residents of this city.  The family is of English lineage and representatives of the name came from England to America, locating first in Chicago, Illinois,

afterward in Elgin and subsequently in this city. Both the father and mother of our subject were born in England and the year of their emigration to America was 1849. The father was engaged in finishing woolen goods. In the family were three children, but one brother, Frank, died in

Danville at the age of forty-seven years.  The sister, Mrs. Edgar C. Dodge, now in Chicago, was a teacher in the schools of Danville prior to her marriage. 

George E. Cockerton completed his education in the high school of Danville under the direction of Professor Spellman, leaving that institution at the age of seventeen years.  From the age of fourteen he has been connected almost continuously with the printing business.  He first entered the office of the Danville Plaindealer, owned by the firm of Clapp & Evans.  Subsequently he entered the office of the Danville Times, owned by A. G. Smith and closely applying himself to his work, he became one of the best printers in this portion of the country, being made manager of a plant. A weekly paper was published and a large jobbing business carried on, Mr. Cockerton having supervision of the mechanical department and business management of the Enterprise between the ages of eighteen and twentv-one years. On attaining his majority he went to the east where he remained for four years and there further acquainted himself with the line of work which he had chosen for a life occupation.  For several years he was also employed in Indianapolis and when the financial panic of 1877 involved the country he came to Danville in response to an offer which was made him to take charge of the Times.  He occupied that position for two years, managing the jobbing department.  In 1879 he formed a partnership with F. E. Bowman, in the establishment of a job and printing office on a small scale.  Immediate failure was predicted for the new firm by all, but in face of these dire predictions they have succeeded, their strong resolution, enterprise and good workmanship enabling them to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in their path.  At the expiration of three years their business was sold at a good advance. Later Mr. Cockerton established a job office alone and conducted it for four years.  On the expiration of that period the Press Company was formed, Mr. Cockerton becoming business manager and in that position he remained for two years.  In 1889 he established an exclusive job and book business, and in January 1901, he admitted his son to a partnership in the business. The new enterprise prospered from the beginning. The public had already become familiar with his good workmanship and comprehensive knowledge of the printing business in all its departments and it was not long before he had secured a liberal patronage.  In 1898 he added a book binding plant and also began manufacturing rubber stamps. The book binding and stamp manufacturing departments are now under the direct management of Herbert E. Cockerton, the junior member of the firm, and this branch of his business has had phenomenal growth.  The plant is valued at ten thousand dollars and the value is constantly being increased by the addition of new machinery and equipments calculated to promote the effectiveness of the work and advance the practical utility of the business. 

In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cockerton and Miss Lillian E. Jack, of Indianapolis. She was born in Centerville, Indiana, a daughter of Matbew W. and Ann (Sackett ) Jack.  Both parents are now deceased. In their family were ten children, of whom Mrs. Cockerton was the youngest. Thomas Carroll, of Carrollton, Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was an uncle of her father. Mr. Jack died in Chicago at the age of ninety-one years.  He was a tailor by trade and in later years carried on merchandising. He held membership in the Tippecanoe Club of Chicago and was quite prominent in public affairs there. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cockerton has been born one son, Herbert E.  He was married in November. 1901, to Miss Lola G. Young, who was bom in Danville in February, 1880, a daughter of C. M.

Young, one of the well known residents of this city and general agent for the Home Sewing Machine Company for Indiana and Illinois. Mr. Cockerton owns a residence at No. 310 Oak street, valued at five thousand dollars, and has a suburban fruit ranch at the northeast comer of the city covering two acres and planted to small fruit. His father lives at that place. The son owns

property at No. 710 Gilbert street.  Mr. Cockerton is a member of Olive Branch Lodge No. 38. A. F. & A. M. ; Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M.: Danville Council, No. 83. R. & S. M. : and Athelstan Commandery, No. 45. K. T.  Of the last named he is past eminent commander and is past chancellor of Damascus Lodge, No. 84, K. P..  He likewise belongs to the Benevolent

and Protective Order of Elks and to Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, Improved Order of Redmen. He holds membership relations with the Cycling Club and has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since its organization. His name is also on the membership roll of Danville Council, No. 160, of the National Union. In his life historv are many evidences of excellent business abilitv.  His prosperity cannot be attributed to a combination of lucky circumstances, but has arisen from energy, enterprise, integrity, and intellectual effort well directed. He is a man of strong individuality and indubitable probity and one whose influence has ever been exerted in behalf of measures contributing to the general good.

 

Levin D. Gass 1899-1900

Levin D. Gass served as Master of Olive Branch No. 38 in 1899-1900.  We share the biographical sketch included in the book, The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Company in 1903.  

LEVIN D. GASS. 

Levin D. Gass is the well known cashier of the First National Bank of Danville and to say of him that he has arisen unaided from comparative obscurity to rank among the leading business men of Danville is a statement that seems trite to those familiar with his life, yet it is just to say in a history that will descend to future generations, that his business record has been one that any man would be proud to possess. Through his entire business career he has been looked upon as a model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he has not fulfilled, and stands to-day an example of what determination and force combined with the highest degree of business integrity can accomplish for a man of natural ability and strength of character. He is respected by the community at large and honored by his business associates. 

Mr. Gass was born in Catlin, Illinois, November 22, 1858. His father, John H. Gass was born in Tennessee and died in August, 1895, in Chicago. He had been engaged in the live stock commission business in that city in connection with John Adams, Son & Company, for twenty-four years. He took up his abode in Vermilion county in 1856, and in Danville in 1866. He was a

wholesale and retail grocery of the city as well as an extensive dealer in live stock in Chicago. His wife died in February, 1901.  In the family were the following children : Hamlet; Charles; Mrs. George Cutter and Mrs. Butler Miller, all of Chicago; and Mrs. Olmstead, of Danville.

Levin D. Gass pursued his early education in the public schools of Danville and then became a high school student. In 1875 he put aside his text books and entered the First National Bank under J. G. English as president and E. H. Palmer as cashier. He acted as messenger and errand boy in the early days of his connection with the institution and afterward served as collector for eighteen months and was then advanced to the position of general bookkeeper, which incumbency he retained for two years, after which he was individual bookkeeper for eighteen months. On the expiration of that period he was made teller and when four years had passed he was again promoted, becoming assistant cashier, in which capacity he served for fourteen years. For five years he has been cashier of the institution and its growth and progress during this period is largely attributable to his efforts.  He is a stockholder and director of the bank and his thorough understanding of the banking business combined with close application and unremitting diligence have made him one of the most valued officers of the institution and a man who has won and retains the public confidence and regard. He is also a stockholder in the

Danville Buggy Company and he owns both city and farm property, having made judicious investments in real estate.

In this city, in 1881, Mr. Gass married Miss Eva Hulce, a native of Marshall county,

Illinois, and a daughter of Martin Hulce, now deceased, who was the president of the Danville Buggy Company. They have four children ; Lewis, Martin, Inez and Howard, all of whom are yet under the parental roof and are now students in school. The family home is at No. 318 Gilbert street and the household is celebrated for its gracious hospitality.

Fraternally Mr. Gass is connected with the blue lodge and the chapter of Masonry.  He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. For many years he has been a member of the Kimber Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a trustee. He takes a very prominent and

active part in politics, is a stanch Republican and has served as school treasurer and president

of the board of education in Danville.  He was one of those who helped to start the movement which caused the Republicans of Illinois to give an almost universal support to the sound money plank of the platform in 1896 and led the state delegation to give its unanimous strength to the McKinley ticket in that year. His has been a busy, useful and honorable life and while business

affairs have made close demands upon his attention he has yet found time and opportunity to failhfully perform his duties of citizenship and of social life. He has a very wide acquaintance in Danville and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive therewith.   His enterprise and commercial activity have not only contributed to his individual welfare but have been a potent force in advancing business prosperity here.

 

Morton W. Thompson 1898

 

Continuing to share available biographical sketches of men who served the lodge as Master in the late part of the Nineteenth Century, we share this sketch of Morton W. Thompson who was Master of Olive Branch No. 38 in 1898 is included in the book, The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Company in 1903.  The text of the sketch is here.

MORTON W. THOMPSON.

Since 1883 Morton W. Thompson has been a practitioner at the bar of Vermilion county, where he has won distinction as a most able lawyer because of his learning, his careful preparation of cases, his keen analytical mind and his strength in argument. He is now filling the position of circuit judge and upon the bench he has added new laurels to his already creditable life record.

Thompson is one of Vermilion county's native sons, his birth having occurred on the 23d of May, 1858. In the paternal line he is of Irish and Scotch ancestry.  His father, John R. Thompson, was a native of Greene county. Pennsylvania, and from there he removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, in the year 1853, driving across the country with a drove of three thousand sheep, which he pastured here that season and then drove to the Chicago market. The following year he returned to Pennsylvania, again secured a large flock of sheep and once more brought them to Vermilion County, where he fattened them for the city markets.  He was pleased with this locality and its prospects and he resolved to make his home here, continuing a resident of Vermilion County throughout his remaining days. He was an extensive stock-raiser and farmer and prospered in his business undertakings.  In Champaign, Illinois, in 1856, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Wright, who was born in Vermilion County and was of German lineage. Her birth occurred in 1837 and her death in 1897, while the father of the Judge, who was born in 1832, passed away in 1896.  They reared a family of seven children, namely: Morton W.: David L., Anna, the wife of E. J. Boorde: Nellie: John R., who is proprietor of the Thompson restaurants of Chicago: Ullysses S.: and Gertrude, the wife of R. S. Swaine.  

At the usual age Judge Thompson entered the public schools and after mastering the common branches of English learning he further continued his studies in the Danville high school, in which he was graduated with the class of 1879. He then returned to the home farm, where he remained for a period of two years. Subsequently he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, pursuing a law course there, and in 1883 he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Returning to his native county he established his office in Danville

and acted as assistant states attorney under W. J. Calhoun. In 1889 the law firm of Calhoun & Thompson was organized and this connection was maintained until 1896, when Mr. Calhoun went to Chicago as attorney for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company. The following year he was elected judge of Vermilion county at a special election to fill out an unexpired term, and in November, 1898, he became the regular nominee of the Republican party for reelection for a full term. Such is the personal popularity and such is the confidence reposed in his judicial powers by the public that the Democrats placed no opposing candidate in the field. It was a merited tribute to his capable service during the period in which he was filling out the unexpired term.  In September, 1902, Judge Thompson was appointed by Governor Yates to fill out the unexpired term of the late Judge Bookwalter, of the circuit court, and immediately entered upon the duties of that office. He has just been nominated for the full term as circuit

judge of the fifth judicial circuit by an overwhelming majority, which is equivalent to his election next June. A local paper said of him:

"While in active practice, Judge Thompson was engaged in some of the most important litigation in this county, and was always considered an honorable, honest and careful lawyer. In 1897 he was elected county judge of this county to succeed Hon.  John G. Thompson, who resigned to accept the office of assistant attorney general of the United States at Washington. During his term as county judge he was always courteous and accommodating and ready at all

times to explain any business in his court to all who might inquire, as well as to advise those who sought information in reference to the business of the office—in fact, the affairs of the county court of this county were never conducted more ably and carefully than by him, as thousands of people in this county will cheerfully testify. One of the highest recommendations of Judge

Thompson's ability and honesty is the fact that not a dollar was ever lost to the widows and heirs of estates while he was county judge, and it was almost universally regretted by the bar and people generally when he announced a year ago that he would not accept a renomination to that office.

"Judge Thompson was frequently called to other counties to try important cases. In

Chicago he has tried some of the most important cases in this state, notably the State street and Cottage Grove avenue special assessment cases, and the tax cases of Cook county tried by him under the new revenue law of 1898, involving millions of dollars.  In the big tax cases all parties interested agreed upon Judge Thompson and requested him to come to Chicago and try that docket, and so ably did he succeed that the supreme court of this state affirmed his decision in

every case. 

"Last September Governor Yates appointed him to fill out the unexpired term of the late lamented Judge Bookwalter and he at once assumed the duties of circuit judge and held the October term of our circuit court, which has just closed. For the past three months Judge Thompson has held court every day, and succeeded in disposing of every case ready for trial, and his manner of holding court and promptness of disposing of the business and his uniform courtesy and fairness has won the respect and confidence of the bar as well as the people of

this county, and proved him to be one of the most popular and fair-minded judges in this part of the state."

The Judge was united in marriage to Miss Mollie W. Steen, a daughter of Captain E. D. Steen, of Danville, the wedding having been celebrated in 1887. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and in the Masonic fraternity he is a Consistory Mason, having attained

the thirty-second degree. In private life he is found as a genial, courteous gentleman, who has a very wide acquaintance in the county of his nativity and is not only esteemed and honored but has that warm personal friendship which arises from kindliness and deference for the opinions of others.  The practice of law has been his real life work, and at the bar and on the bench he has

won marked distinction. A man of unimpeachable character, of unusual intellectual endowments, with a thorough understanding of the law, patience, urbanity and industry.  Judge Thompson took to the bench the very highest qualifications for this responsible office of the state government, and his record as a judge has been in harmony with his record as a man and a lawyer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem which has presented itself for solution.