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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Charles E. MENDENHALL 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Joan Achille and Alice Stipak. 

[Surnames: BROYER, EVERENDEN, MENDENHALL, SEXTON] 

[starting on page 990] 

    
MENDENHALL, Charles E., of the firm of L. B. Mendenhall & Son, furniture dealers and undertakers, of Vermont, Fulton County, Ill., was born in Havana, this State, July 13, 1864. He is a son of Lewis B. and Frances J. Mendenhall. The father is a native of Morgan County, Ohio, and a narrative of his useful life may be found on another page of this volume. Charles E. Mendenhall received his education in the public schools of Ipava and Havana, Ill., and at Kansas City, Mo., and then began learning the cabinet-maker's trade. The first piece of furniture which he made was a walnut chair, which is still preserved in the family. He followed cabinet-making and carpenter work and has made many choice articles of furniture, his early home being fitted out with articles made by his own hands. In the art of cabinet-making he has few superiors, being a natural genius in this line. This has been his constant occupation except during three years when he was engaged in farming. He was employed for a while in one of the principle cabinet factories in Peoria, and his skill was manifestly so superior that he was tendered the foremanship of the concern. He returned home, however, and opened a cabinet shop in Vermont. During his school days in Ipava he read medicine with Dr. Everenden and then spent eighteen months in Kansas and Colorado. He has traveled considerably and never had any difficulty in retaining a position, nor was he ever discharged by any employer. 
    
Mr. Mendenhall's two years of medical and anatomical study enabled him to be of valuable service in times of emergency, and he always held himself in readiness to respond to any call of sickness for a year before he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business. After the furniture store was in operation he attended the Western School of Embalming and was examined by the State Board of Health, [Page 991] which gave him a certificate and license as an embalmer. He also received a diploma from the Western School of Embalmers in Chicago. He has always kept thoroughly posted in all the details of his profession and each year receives a supplementary certificate from the State Board of Health. In addition to his regular occupation Mr. Mendenhall is an inventor of several useful articles. The last one was a rack for linoleum, which rolls seven rolls of that article. It is built on rollers and can be easily moved to suit convenience in showing the goods. In all his work Mr. Mendenhall shows a peculiar fitness for his chosen profession of an undertaker and embalmer. He has a highly artistic manner of trimming and dressing a casket and his medical and anatomical study enables him to use exceptional skill in arranging the mortal remains. Under the present management the furniture business of the Mendenhall establishment has been trebled. 
    
On October 16, 1889, Mr. Mendenhall was united in marriage with Maggie Sexton, who is a daughter of James and Mary (Broyer) Sexton. Three children have resulted from this union, namely: Vera, born August 21, 1893; Clifford, born April 18, 1897, and Harvey, January 13, 1900. 
    
In politics Mr. Mendenhall is a supporter of the Republican party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the A. F. & A. M. Professionally he is a member of the Illinois State Undertakers' Association. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he has for many years officiated as Deacon. Mr. Mendenhall takes a deep interest in public affairs and is always prompt and active in promoting any measure intended for the benefit of the community of which he has been so enterprising and useful a member.