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TRIMBLE, SAMUEL EDWARD (deceased). - The business interests of Springfield are many and varied, giving a wide opportunity to the most progressive of its men for operations controlling more or less capital. Each individual effort on the part of these men adds to the commercial importance of the city, and their industry and enterprise cannot be too highly commended. One of these representative men who is worthy of more than passing mention is the late Samuel Edward Trimble, who was born near Girard, Macoupin County, Ill., February 22, 1868, a son of James and Sarah (Jones) Trimble, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents married in the Keystone State, coming to Macoupin County thereafter, and there engaged in farming upon a somewhat extensive scale. After continuing along these lines for a number of years, retirement was made to Litchfield, where the father died in 1896, but the mother survives, now making her home on North Fourth Street. Seven children were born in the family, of whom four sons survive. The father was a Democrat and a consistent member of the Methodist church, dying firm in that faith.
Mr. Trimble was always willing to work hard for whatever he secured. After a boyhood spent in attending district school and working on the farm he came to Springfield, at the age of eighteen years, and commenced driving mules for the street-car company. As soon as he had saved sufficient money, he went into a restaurant business, conducting it profitably for five years. He sold out to buy another restaurant, where he built up a flourishing business. A strong Republican in national affairs, he was independent in local matters, casting his vote for the man he considered best fitted for an office. He never desired office himself, but was content to confine his attention to his own business. Fraternally he belonged to the Eagles, Owls and Rangers. In religious views he was very liberal and gave to all the same freedom he asked for himself.
On June 11, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Trimble to Eugena Viarrie, born in Springfield, daughter of Toney Viarrie, and an orphan. There is no issue of this marriage. Mr. Trimble was a self-made man and earned all he possessed by hard work and untiring thrift. An excellent business man, he knew how to invest his money properly and won a good standing in various circles. His death occurred July 25, 1910.