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PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND SANGAMON COUNTY ILLINOIS
By Joseph Wallace, M. A.
of the Springfield Bar
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL
1904



Page 1368

ALBERT B. CARSWELL - The history of commercial enterprises in Springfield would be incomplete without mention of Albert B. Carswell, who though a young man is now a prominent factor in mercantile circles, being the president of the firm of Johnston-Hatcher Company, owning and controlling one of the largest retail houses in the city.

Mr. Carswell has made his home in Springfield since 1889 and is a native of Christian county, Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 1st of February, 1874, his parents being Thomas and Caroline D. (Fox) Carswell. A sketch of his parents is given on another page of this volume. In the district schools of his native county the son began his education, and he remained upon the home farm until fifteen years of age, when he came with the family to Springfield in 1889. Here he attended the Dubois school until he had completed its course, and in 1892 he was graduated in the Springfield Business College. Being thus well qualified for responsible duties in the business world, he accepted a clerkship with the Springfield Carpet Company and gradually he worked his way to the front. For three years he was connected with the house before he became a partner in the enterprise. In 1902, upon the incorporation of the firm of Johnston-Hatcher Company, he was elected president. Throughout his connection with the trade circles of Springfield he has been interested in the carpet business and has been instrumental in building up a trade of large and profitable proportions.

In 1901 Mr. Carswell was united in marriage to Miss Mamie E. Bolles, a daughter of Dr. H. O. Bolles, now deceased. She was born August 1, 1877, and is a graduate of the Springfield high school. They reside at No. 415 North Sixth Street, the old home of Dr. Bolles, and they are members of the Kumler Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Carswell is now serving on the official board. Fraternally he is connected with Capitol Tent, No. 6, I.O.T.M., with the Royal Arcanum, and is a charter member of the Royal Circle and also of the Sterling Life Insurance Company of Springfield. He likewise belongs to the Sangamo Club. Mr. Carswell is a young man, wide-awake, alert to business opportunities and to the possibilities of improvement along lines of commercial activity. He possesses a genial manner that has made him popular with a large circle of friends, and in Springfield he is widely and favorably known.



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