ALVIN B. JUDKINS, dealer in musical merchandise, of the firm of Judkins & Fisher, 119 North Sixth street, has been dealing in musical instruments since 1865. The partnership with A. H. Fisher was formed, and their fine music store in Key's block opened, August 1, 1881. Their stock embraces the standard makes of pianos and organs, and also a complete line of string and brass instruments, for which they have the exclusive agency in Central and Southern Illinois, are the Steinway, Weber, Steck, Kranich & Bach, and Shafer pianos; the Estey, Taylor & Farley, New Eagle, and Story & Camp organs. Mr. Judkins, who has the active management, is admirably adapted for the business, both by nature and by education. Being a natural mechanic, and having handled instruments for sixteen years, he is familiar with every part and detail of their construction, as well as a critical judge of their qualities. Alvin B. Judkins is a native of Pike County, Illinois, and was born in 1848, on Christmas day. Hiram Judkins and Doratha Rowell, his parents were natives of New Hampshire, and after their marriage settled in Griggsville, Pike county, Illinois, from whence they moved to Springfield, when Alvin was nearly four years old. He grew to manhood in the Capital City and graduated form the High School in 1865, soon after which he entered the musical instrument trade. In 1877, he became the district agent for the Iron Mountain Railroad, and has since sold thousands of acres of the company's lands. He is also special agent for the Chicago & Alton Company. Mr. Judkins has taken an active interest in local musical matters, having been a member of all the musical societies of Springfield since he left school, and plays any wind or string instrument. He married in Effingham county, Illinois, to Laura Kagay, a native of that county, and daughter of B. F. Kagay, a prominent attorney of Effingham for twenty-six years.