History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 385
style of Morris & Preston. The enterprise lias been attended with
success, for it has been conducted along the most progressive and
enterprising lines. They have quarters in a hue brick busuiess
block and occupy the hrst floor and basement. Theirs is one of the
best equipped undertaking establishments, not only in the county,
but in this part of the state. They have a large reception hall and
parlor as well as a show room containing an extensive line of fine
caskets and in addition there is a tastefully appointed chapel cap-
able of seating two hundred people. Tact and care are exercised
in the performance of the delicate duties which devolve upon them
and theii' services are sought throughout the surromiding country.
Busmess has steadily groA\n as it deserves to do as the result of
the enterprising and progressive methods of the partners.
On the 2d of November, 1898, Mr. Preston was miited in marriage
to Miss Julia Fielding, of Dixon, and unto them have been
bom fom- children : Frances, Louise, Robert and Julia. Mr. Preston
belongs to Dixon Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., and also holds
membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen
of America. His political indorsement is given to the republican
party at the polls, but he is not au active worker in its ranks
in the matter of office seeking. He is, however, interested in all
matters pertaining to the pulilic welfare and cooperates in many
movements lookmg to the betterment and unprovement of the
community.
WILLIAM B. BRINTON.
The name of William B. Brinton figures promiently upon the
pages of the history of Lee county, for he is today at the head of
one of the most extensive and important business interests of
this part of the state, being president of the Grand Detour Plow
Company.
Mr. Brinton was born in Greencastle, Indiana. His ancestors
were Quakers and his father was a farmer. The advantages of
a public-school education were enjoyed by him in his youth, and
in 1865 he moved to Illinois, then only ten years of age. When
seventeen he was clerk in a retail implement store. Thus his
initial step in the business world led him in a direction that
brought him eventually to the head of the important enterprise
in which he is now the controlling spirit. He continued to act as