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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 Lewis B. MENDENHALL 

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

[Surnames: BROWN, CONN, COX, DEBLER, HAMM, HITCHCOCK, KIRKBRIDE, MENDENHALL, MOORE, SEXTON, THOMPSON, WILLIAMS, WOOD] 

[starting on page 991] 

    
MENDENHALL, Lewis B., of the undertaking and furniture firm of L. B. Mendenhall & Son, of Vermont, Fulton County, Ill., was born in Morgan County, Ohio, December 21, 1832. He is a son of Aaron and Debler (Brown) Mendenhall, both of whom were born and reared in Chester County, Pa. His grandparents were English. About the year 1828 his parents settled in Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1864 and the mother in 1841. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living, Lewis B. being the youngest of the family, Elizabeth married Barrett Thompson, of Pleasant Township, Fulton County. Both are deceased. Isaac died at Chester Mills, Ohio, leaving three children-- one daughter in Vermont; James, of Ipava, Ill., and Lemuel of Bernadotte, same State. Edith, deceased, who was the wife of Ellis Thompson, also deceased. Joseph lives on the old home farm in Ohio. Lydia married Josiah Wood. Both died in Ipava, Ill., where their son, Oliver, is in the furniture business. Rachel, widow of Edward Moore, lives in Lewistown, Ill. Thurza, wife of John Wood, is a resident of Milan, Mo. Naomi was wedded to Madison Conn and both died in Ipava, Ill., while Israel is engaged in farming near Milan, Mo. 
    
Lewis B. Mendenhall was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools of his native county. He remained at home until he was fifteen years old and was then bound out to learn the tailor's trade. At that time he was quite small for his age, and his father thinking he would never be able to handle the plow and do general farm work, determined to fit him for something more suitable to his strength. The period of his apprenticeship was three years, and for his services he received his board and clothing. At the end of the term, in 1851, he located in Vermont, Ill., and worked at his trade with a Mr. Debler. In the fall of that year he returned to Ohio and was employed in tailoring until 1853. From that time until 1857 he lived in Zanesville, in that State, and then went into business at Ipava, where he remained until 1862. In that year he moved to Havana, Ill., and engaged in the boot and shoe business, continuing there until the fall of 1867. He then sold out and went into the patent drive well business in Mason County, Ill., which he followed until 1871. This he also sold out at that time and removed to Neosha Falls, Kas., where he was engaged in farming. In 1873 he was employed in the car shops of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and in 1876 returned to Illinois and went to work at the carpenter trade in Havana. In 1878 he moved to Ipava, where he remained until 1881. In that year, together with Oliver Wood, he bought a steam threshing outfit, which he combined with a saw mill outfit in 1885, operating both until 1901, and from 1901 to 1904 he took a long-needed rest. 
    
In April, 1904, Mr. Mendenhall purchased the undertaking stock of Dick Kirkbride, and shortly afterward bought Cox Bros.' stock of hardware and furniture. Disposing of the hardware, he combined the furniture and undertaking stocks under the firm name of L. B. Mendenhall & Son. A record of the life of the son, Charles E., appears on another page of this volume. They have an extensive line of goods in each department and have acquired a large and lucrative patronage. 
    
On September 23, 1853, Mr. Mendenhall was united in marriage with Frances J. Hitchcock, at Zanesville, Ohio. Six children resulted from this union (four of whom are living), as follows: Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Ida May, wife of Charles Hamm, of Vermont, Ill.; Oscar, who died in infancy; Mary, wife of Merritt Williams, a farmer living near Harvard, Neb., and Nellie, wife of Alexander Sexton, of the town of Vermont. The mother of this family passed to her reward July 15, 1902. She was graciously permitted to live until she saw her children grown to manhood and womanhood and, as a result of her conscientious [Page 992] training and assiduous care, became useful members of society. She was a lifelong member of the Christian Church. 
    
In politics Mr. Mendenhall is a Republican and has filled the office of Police Magistrate with ability and fidelity. Fraternally he has been affiliated with the I. O. O. F. for forty-one years. As a citizen he is highly regarded and has always earnestly supported all worthy public enterprises. In him the church and school have always found a steadfast and generous advocate, and he has ever been closely identified with all that pertains to the best interests of the community.