Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 531

FRANK E. EARLY , who is occupying the position of justice of peace and is also serving as a collection agent, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 12, 1854, his parent being Elijah and Lucinda (Clupper) Early. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade and for many years followed that business but during his last years lived retired at McKee's Rocks, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He passed away December 24, 1902, and our subject's mother died in the year 1855. In his native county Frank E. Early spent his boyhood days and acquired his early education, which was afterward supplemented by study in Unity, Ohio. He engaged in teaching school for one term and in the year 1875 he came west, settling first in Springfield, Illinois, where he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Orendorff & Creighton, both prominent attorneys of Springfield. Instead of engaging in practice, however, he accepted a position in the plate department of the Illinois Watch Factory, where he continued for fifteen years. At the expiration of that period he embarked in the retail furniture business in Springfield, continuing the same until 1897, when he sold out, having in the meantime been elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket. He filled the office from 1892 until 1900 and was then re-elected for a succeeding term of four years. For a number of years he was also village trustee of North Springfield and for two years served as village clerk. On the 24th of December, 1877, Mr. Early was united in marriage to Miss Louisa E. Bisch, of Springfield, a daughter of Philip Bisch, an old resident of this city. To them have been born three children: Florence, the wife of Fred Saunders; Mary, the wife of Louis B. Johnson; and Eva, who is at home with her parents. Mr. Early is identified closely with the social club life of Springfield and is a recognized leader in all movements of public nature. He is a congenial companion upon all occasions and his presence can always be relied upon to add pleasure and profit to any gathering, be it of a purely social nature or of a deeper trend in political and commercial affairs. He is ever ready and willing to lend his energies or financial support to all movements of a public spirited nature. He is a member of Springfield Lodge, No. 465, I.O.O.F., and the Improved Order of Red Men, and is conspicuous as a member of all the local fraternal organizations generally. For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Early has resided in Springfield and is well known to a large majority of its citizens. He has been particularly capable and loyal in office and over the record of his ublic career and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.