GEORGE H. SOUTHER. - George H. Souther, who since 1886 has been connected with the Sangamon Loan & Trust Company of Springfield and is acting as cashier of the bank, is a native of Essex county, Massachusetts. His parents, Timothy and Eliza (Greenough) Souther, removed from New England to the Mississippi valley at an early period in the development of Illinois and settled in Alton, Madison county, where the son completed his education. After putting aside his text books he turned his attention to merchandising, which he carried on in Alton until the outbreak of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events and when the south attempted to overthrow the Union he offered his services to the government and was assigned to duty with Company F of the Seventieth Illinois Infantry, with which he did effective service in behalf of the old flag and the cause it represented.

Following the discharge from the army Mr. Souther was employed in several public positions and in 1871 he engaged in the banking business in Springfield. He joined H. C. Latham under the firm style of Latham & Souther and was active in the organization of the Sangamon Loan & Trust Company, of this city, and has been a leading factor in its control since 1886. The bank has been established upon a safe and reliable basis and while Mr. Souther closely studies every question that affects the bank and its welfare he has never shown that ultra conservatism which often retards progress and hinders advancement. In the control he has conducted all business affairs along lines of modern banking and has developed a business which in extent and importance has become one of the leading financial interests of central Illinois, which causes him to be ranked with the prominent financiers of his city.

On the 16th of September, 1873, Mr. Souther was united in marriage to Miss Nannie E. Latham, a daughter of Richard Latham, and a representative of one of the prominent and influential pioneer families of Illinois. She was born in Logan county and is a sister of Henry C. Latham, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. By this marriage have been born three children: Latham, who married Miss Lina Chase; Lucy A.; and Elizabeth, at home. Mr. Souther stands today as one of the strong and representative men of Springfield. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity, and from the beginning had an abiding faith in the ultimate success of the enterprise. He has gained wealth, yet it has not been alone the goal for which he was striving, for he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general prosperity while advancing individual interests.