McDonough County IL Archives Biographies.....Chandler, Col. Charles August 28, 1809 - December 26, 1878 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 9, 2009, 8:22 pm Source: Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown COL. CHARLES CHANDLER, deceased. The name of Chandler is inseparably con- nected with the history of McDonough Coun- ty, and the gentleman whose name heads this record was connected with nearly all the important industries and enterprises that tended toward its advancement and further development. He was born in Alstead, Cheshire County, N. H., August 28, 1809, and was a son of James and Abigail (Vilas) Chandler. His father was also born in the old Granite State, but his mother was a na- tive of Massachusetts. Both reached an advanced age, the mother passing away in 1854, at the age of seventy-nine, while the father departed this life in 1857, at the age of eighty-six. The latter was an agriculturist, and his son was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads. His training at farm labor was not as meagre as was his training in the district schools, which he attended in the winter season . At the age of nineteen, Charles Chandler left the parental roof and went to Boston, where for two years he was employed as a clerk in a mer- cantile establishment. After two years he re- turned home, and a year later emigrated to Cin- cinnati, Ohio. The spring of 1834 witnessed his arrival in Macomb, where his elder brother, Thompson Chandler, had located a few years previous. Here he again engaged in clerking, in the store of which his brother was part owner, and in 1836 he embarked in business for himself along the same line. After three years he sold out and engaged in the real-estate business. With keen foresight, he bought land, which could be obtained at a low figure, and as it steadily rose in value, he realized a handsome income from its sales. His real-estate ventures proved a very profitable one, and his sagacity, enterprise and well-directed efforts made his business career one of great success. In 1858, Mr. Chandler embarked in the bank- ing business, establishing a private bank, which he successfully conducted until 1865, when he merged this in the First National Bank of Ma- comb. He became President of the latter insti- tution, and held that position until his death. He made it one of the solid financial institutions of the county, and its safe and progressive, yet con- servative, policy gained the confidence and sup- port of the entire community. He was also in- terested in banking in Bushnell, establishing a private bank, which afterward became the Farm- ers' National Bank. Of this he became one of the directors and largest stockholders, and con- tinued his connection with the same throughout his life. On the 15th of December, 1836, was celebrated the marriage of Col. Chandler and Sarah K. Cheatham, of Macomb, a most estimable lady, who took an active interest in church and benev- olent work. Her death occurred in 1855, and her loss was mourned by many friends. In the fam- ily were seven children, three of whom survived the mother: Martha Abigail, widow of Henry C. Twyman, of Macomb; Charles Vilasco, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and James Edgar, of Bushnell. In his family, Mr. Chand- ler was kind and considerate, and it seemed that he could not do too much to enhance the welfare or promote the happiness of his wife and chil- dren. In politics, the Colonel was a Whig in early life, but became a stanch Republican, and always took a great interest in politics, although he never sought or desired political preferment. He was, however, elected Coroner for two years, was Coun- ty Commissioner four years, long served as Jus- tice of the Peace, was also Alderman, and for one term served as Mayor of Macomb. His loyalty to the country was made manifest during the Civil War by his active service in behalf of the Union. He spared neither time nor expense in its aid. As he was too old to go to the front, he did much toward encouraging others to enlist, and his faithful and efficient service was recog- nized by Gov. Yates, who commissioned him Colonel of the State Militia, and authorized him to raise a regiment for home service. Through- out his life he maintained the greatest interest in the welfare of his adopted town, and few enter- prises or industries calculated to benefit this community failed to receive aid at his hand. He was popular with all classes of people, for he was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, and his well-spent life won him high regard. For some years before his death, he spent the winters in a more genial clime, visiting the States along the Gulf, also Central America, Mexico and South America. He passed away December 26, 1878, and the country thereby lost one of its most valued and honored citizens. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/bios/chandler1552gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb