Vermilion county Illinois, ALLEN T. CATHERWOOD

====================================================================
   Copyright. All rights reserved.
   http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
   This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives
<sdgenweb&#64;yahoo.com> Joy Fisher
====================================================================

p. 219-220

ALLEN T. CATHERWOOD is one of the most prominent and busy men of 
Hoopeston, having large interests in various branches of industry in 
the town. He is one of the originators and present owner of the 
Hoopeston Canning Factory, and is also its General Manager. This 
enterprise was inaugurated in 1882, and at first was operated on a 
small scale, but has gradually increased until it has become a very 
important factor in the business interests of Hoopeston. Last year the 
establishment used about 2,000 acres of corn and peas, being all raised 
by the company, which is composed of Mr. Catherwood, J. S. McFerren and 
A. H. Trego. The concern furnishes employment to 300 people and fifty 
teams, and the output of corn alone last year amounted to 2,500,000 
cans. The value of the plant and stock is given at $150,000.

  Mr. Catherwood is also engaged in the grain business on the line of 
the Lake Erie and Western Railroad, on which road he owns large 
elevators at different points, having associated with him partners at 
each place. He also owns a large grain farm of 1,520 acres in the State 
of Indiana in company with Mr. Williams. It will be seen that Mr. 
Catherwood has a large business, which is composed of grain handling, 
farming and manufacturing, and, it is safe to say, that there is no man 
in this part of the country better able to handle these immense 
interests. He has held different public offices, and here shows his 
capacity for doing business for others as well as for himself. He was 
made Chairman to investigate the different plans of waterworks, with a 
view to the selection of the best for Hoopeston. He visited different 
places in the country, and after a decision was finally reached, which 
practically embodied his recommendations, he was given the general 
supervision of the erection of the waterworks. With his partner, Mr. 
Trego, this important improvement reached a successful completion.

  Mr. Catherwood was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1842, and 
when fifteen years of age, and two years after the death of his father, 
he, with his mother and family, removed to Christian County, Ill., 
where he remained with his mother on their farm until his marriage, 
which occurred in October, 1874. In 1876 he removed to Vermilion 
County, settling on a farm near Hoopeston. He engaged in this business 
for awhile, when he purchased a grocery store. While he had no previous 
experience in the mercantile business, his solid common sense guided 
him on to prosperity in his newly-chosen vocation. He continued in this 
trade, and also engaged extensively in stock-raising (which he still 
follows) until he launched into the grain business, as has been before 
stated.

  Mr. Catherwood's wife's maiden name was Miss Cornelia Hartwell, and 
they are the parents of three children living—Robert, Maud and Naomi, 
and three who died while young. Mr. Catherwood is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar. He is ever willing and 
ready to aid anyone who is deserving, and, as a leading man of 
Hoopeston, has an enviable record. It is safe to assume that there are 
few better men in this portion of the State of Illinois.

  James Catherwood, father of Allen T., was born in Ireland, and when 
twenty years of age came to this country and settled in Delaware, where 
he married Miss Lydia Tussie. Soon after his marriage he removed to 
Ohio, where all his children were born, Allen being the youngest of 
ten. He was a general farmer, and was considered a successful man in 
his calling. When his death occurred, in 1855, his wife and her family 
removed to Christian County, as before stated, where she purchased a 
farm, which she operated until the marriage of Allen, when he, with the 
other children, bought her a nice property in Taylorville, where she 
now resides with a single daughter.