History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 211
in the office of the division superinteudeut and resigned that posi-
tion to become general factotum in the private bank of Josiah
Little. He has since been continuously connected with the bank,
advancing from one position to another us he has proved his
capability and has mastered the duties devolving upon him. He
sei-ved for a time as bookkeeper, later as assistant cashier, sub-
sequently became vice president and eventually was chosen presi-
dent. The First National Bank of Amboy succeeded the private
bank of Josiah Little which was oi'ganized in 1868 and is the old-
est bank in the city. It is also one of the strongest financial insti-
tutions of the county and frt)m the beginning has enjoyed a
substantial growth resultant from its safe policy and [)rogressive
methods.
In Amboy on the 23d of November, 1887, Mr. Vaughan was
united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Poland, a daugliter of
A. J. and Carrie (Potter) Poland. Her father was train master
of the Illinois Central Railroad and one of the old settlers of
Amboy. He passed away January 17, 1903, at the age of seventyone
3^ears, having for a long period survived his wife, who died
February 8, 1879, at the age of forty-one years. Both were laid
to rest in Gi'aceland cemetery of Chicago. One of the ancestors
of Mrs. Vaiighan on the maternal side belonged to the Culver fairiily
and came from England to America on the Mayflower. A
descendant of the name of Sarah l^ecame the wife of Jonathan
Woodworth, who figured in the Revolutionary war. Boujaniin
Poland was born in Maine in 1784 and was the grandfather of
Mrs. Vaughan. Three children have been l)orn to Mr. and Mrs.
Vaughan: Glenn P., a student in the University of Illinois; Jeanette
L., who was formerly a student in the college of Roekford,
Illinois; and Fred N., who is attending the Amboy high school.
The family occupy an attractive home which was erected by
Mr. Vaughan and it has been since he lieeame president of the
bank that the fine bank building was erected. He has been honored
with a number of local offices by his fellow townsmen, who
appreciate his worth and public spirit. For thi'ee terms he served
as alderman and is now mayor of the city and a member of the
board of education. In the former position he is discharging his
duties with promptness and fidelity, giving to the city a businesslike
and progressive administi-ation, while in the latter office he
proves himself indeed a friend to the public schools. Mr. Vaughan
is prominent in Masonic circles. He holds membership with the
lodge and chapter at Amboy, the commandery at Dixon, the con-