McDonough County IL Archives Biographies.....Chandler, Charles Vilasco January 25, 1843 - ************************************************ 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 December 22, 2009, 1:10 am Source: McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown CHARLES VILASCO CHANDLER has for many years been prominently identified with all that pertains to the upbuilding of Ma- comb, with its leading enterprises, with its industries, and with those interests which are calculated to promote the general welfare. In manner, he is plain and unassuming, yet prob- ably no man is better known in McDonough County. The family of which he is a mem- ber traces its ancestry back through several generations to William Chandler and his wife Annis, who came from England to America, and located in Roxbury, Mass., in 1637. They be- longed to the nobility of England, and the coat of arms bore the family motto, “Ad Mortem Fidelis.” The crest borne on the closed helmet above the coat of arms is that of a pelican in her nest wound- ing her breast in order to feed her young with her own blood--an emblem of parental affection. The mantle, cut and jagged, hanging from the hel- met indicates the faithful service of the warrior; the gauntlet, his prowess; and across the check- ered base of blue and red is a belt ornamented by three lions passant. To William and Annis Chandler were born five children, one of whom, Capt. Thomas Chandler, was seven years of age when his parents emigrated to America. He became one of the proprietors and early pioneers in the settlement of Andover, and was a Representative to the General Court in 1678 and 1679. He died in 1703. A tradition tells of the existence of iron works owned by one of his sons, and the story is supported by a record of a bill of sale of a half-interest in the same in 1718. The works were located where Marland Village now stands. Henry, the sixth child born to Thomas and Hannah (Brewer) Chandler, was born May 28, 1667, and was married November 26, 1691, to Lydia Abbott. He was a man of prominence, who took a leading part in public affairs. Having purchased seventeen hundred acres of land, situated on the banks of the Con- necticut River, for £700, he removed thither in 1723, and there spent his remaining days, his death occurring August 27, 1737. He had thir- teen children and ninety-nine grandchildren. The fifth child, Nehemiah Chandler, was born in 1703, and in August, 1733, he wedded Mary Burroughs, who died at the advanced age of ninety-five years, five months and nine days. His death occurred September 9, 1756. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler were the parents of ten children. Their son Samuel was born October 11, 1737, and married Margaret Thompson, of Alstead, N.H. He was a Lieu- tenant of the first company of militia, formed in 1773, in Alstead. James Chandler, who was the sixth in order of birth in their family of eight children, was born April 23, 1771, and on the 29th of September, 1795, was joined in wedlock with Abigail Vilas. This worthy couple were the grandparents of our subject. Mr. Chandler served as Justice of the Peace, and died Novem- ber 18, 1857, at the age of eighty-seven years. The father of our subject, Charles Chandler, was the sixth in a family of nine children, and was born May 28, 1809. Having arrived at years of maturity, he was married December 15, 1836, to Sarah K. Cheatham, who was born October 15, 1819, and was a daughter of Samuel G. Cheatham, of Macomb. Her death occurred in this city Sep- tember 29, 1855. Charles Chandler held the office of School Commissioner of the county, was Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He also served as Colonel in the Illinois State Militia. In March, 1858, he established a private bank, which, on the 8th of February, 1865, was merged in the First National Bank of Macomb. He embarked in this line of business during the hard times that fol- lowed the financial panic of 1857, but the people reposed the utmost confidence in him, and knew that he would make good all promises. Never a dollar was deposited with him that was not re- turned when called for. In 1865 he organized the First National Bank, with a capital stock of $50,000. Among its stockholders were Joseph Anderson, Joseph Burton, J. W. Mcintosh, C. V. Chandler. A. E. Hoskinson, S. F. Lancey, Henry C. Twyman, J. H. Cummings and J. B. Cummings. Its first officers were Charles Chandler, President; J. H. Cummings. Cashier; C. V. Chandler, Teller; and Joseph Burton, Joseph Anderson, S. F. Lan- cey. A. E. Hoskinson and Charles Chandler as Di- rectors. The last-named gentleman continued his connection with the business interests of the city until his death in 1878. C. V. Chandler was born in the First Ward of Macomb, January 25, 1843, and still resides in his native city. After attending its public schools, he pursued his studies for a time in Danbury, Conn., and later was a student in Lake Forest Academy, of Illinois. It was his intention to en- ter Williams College in 1862, but love of country shaped his course otherwise, and with an earnest desire to aid in the defense of the Union, he joined the boys in blue of Company I, Seventy- eighth Illinois Infantry. After nine months, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. At the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863, he was wounded by a rifle-ball, which passed through both thighs, and again by a ball which passed through one thigh. Just before the injury, he had taken hold of a small hickory tree, and re- marked to the First Lieutenant, "I guess we will pull through all right." Almost immediately the ball struck him, and he added, "I guess we will not." Mr. Chandler now has in his posses- sion a cane made from the tree to which he was holding at the time. Obtaining a furlough, he returned home, but after recovering his health and strength he rejoined his regiment March 1, 1864. In the mean time he had been made Adjutant, but he soon found that he would have to resign his commission and return home, for the injuries he had sustained unfitted him for active service. The business career of Mr. Chandler has been an honorable, straightforward one, which has gained for him the confidence and good-will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. On his return from the war, he became Teller in the First National Bank, and continued to fill that position until the death of his father, December 26, 1878, at which time he became President of the institution. He then continued at the head for a number of years, but afterward sold out to the firm of Hungate, Ward & Co., who changed the name to the Bank of Macomb. In 1893, how- ever, Mr. Chandler re-purchased it, and is now its President. His business interests have been extensive. He erected and is still owner of the Opera House Block, and in connection with this he has a number of other fine brick business blocks in the city. On the 28th of August, 1866. Mr. Chandler was united in marriage with Miss Clara A. Baker, daughter of Judge J. H. Baker, a well-known citi- zen of Macomb. Their union has been blessed with six children: Charles J., who died in infancy; Clara, wife of F. H. Mapes; Mary, Ralph, George and Isabella, who are yet at home. The Chandler household is the abode of hospitality, and the members of the family rank high in social circles. Mr. Chandler is connected with several civic societies. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and of Mc Donough Post No. 183, G. A. R., having served as Commander of the latter order. He votes in support of the Republican party, and is a stalwart advocate of its principles. In the year 1870 he was appointed City Treasurer, and held the office for sixteen years. He has also repre- sented his district in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and is now serving as a member of the City Council. By his connection with business interests, he has aided materially in the prosperity of his native city. His hearty support and co- operation are given to all worthy public enter- prises and charities, and in no small degree is Macomb indebted to him for its advancement and progress. He is free from all ostentation and dis- play, and does not take credit to himself, yet his fellow-townsmen recognize that he has been a most important factor in everything pertaining to the good of McDonough County. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/photos/bios/chandler2857nbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/bios/chandler2857nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 9.1 Kb