History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

116 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
building with trimmings of Grecian marble and the fixtures are
of solid mahogany. The bank is modern in every respect and
since its establishment six decades ago it has maintained an un-
assailable reputation, the policy of its officers commending it at
aU times to the confidence and patronage of the general
public.
C. W. BREWSTER.
No history of the Dixon bar would be complete without
extended reference to C. W. Brewster, who for nineteen years has
been in active practice here. He is one of New England's native
sous, his birth having occurred in Wilton township, PrankUn
county, Maine, January 5, 1852. He was but a yoimg lad at the
time of the removal of the father's family to Lee county, settlement
being made near Lee Center in the latter part of the '50s. The
father engaged in farming and the surroundings of rural life
became familiar to C. W. Brewster, who divided his time between
the duties assigned him by parental authority and the acquirement
of a public-school education. For nearly ten years he engaged in
teaching school and then, interested in the profession of law, began
preparation for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1892. He
entei'cd upon active practice in 1895 and came to Dixon, where
he joined his brother E. H. Brewster. He is recognized as a
popular and prominent member of the Lee county l^ar, his pro-
fessional brethren entertaining for him warm regard by reason
of his capability and his close conformity to the ethics of the pro-
fession.
GEORGE B. STEPHAN.
George B. Stephan, proprietor of a well appointed furniture
and imdertaking establishment in Ashton, is a native son of this
town, born September 7, 1886. His parents, Henry and Ernestine
(Goebel) Stephan, were natives of Germany and came to America
in 1884. locating in Ashton, where they still reside. To their union
were born six children, all of whom are still living.
George B. Stephan acquired his education in the public schools
of his native city, after which he established himself in the fur-