History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

134 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
T. Noble, Orris B. Dodge and Charles H. Noble being the incor-
porators and officers of the company, the management and detail
of the business being under their i^ersonal supervision for many
years. April 15, 1891, Colonel Noble died, having only a short time
before retii'ed from active business to devote more time to public
affairs, and by his death the community and company lost a most
energetic and able friend. His brother, Charles Noble, continued
actively in his place as vice president of the company. August 3,
1898, Mr. Cumins passed away after painful and protracted
sickness.
In 1890 Mr. Lewmon D. Dement became associated with the
business and shortly afterward was made secretary. He continued
as such until by his untimely death, October 16, 1903, the company
lost a clear-headed, ever faithful, hard-working official. It is
worthy of mention that all who have been connected with the
Grand Detour Plow Company have prospered.
In 1905 controlling interest in the company was acquired by
the present officers, W. B. Briuton, president, and Bradford Brinton,
secretary and treasurer. Several additions and improvements
have been made in the plant since that time and the past year's
business was the largest in the history of the corporation. The
works are located on a spacious triangular piece of land between
the depots of the Chicago & Northwestern and Illinois Central
railroads, with switches from both roads I'unning to the shops
and warehouses. Since the location of the shops at Dixon, large
additions to the factory and warehouses have been made from
year to year, the location and arrangement of which are admirably
adapted to the requirements of the business. New and improved
machinery has been added from time to time whenever, by so doing,
the quality and style of goods could be improved or the cost les-
sened. Thus year by year the business has grown, successfully
weathering the financial panics which have destroyed many enter-
prises.
THE DIXON NATIONAL BANK.
Dixon has eveiy reason to be proud of her financial institutions,
for the record here made is a creditable one. With well defined
plans and business affairs capably administered, the Dixon
National Bank is today a stronger institution than ever before. It