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CHARLES H. CHASE, manager of the Jonesboro Store Company, of Jonesboro, Illinois, and a man whose whole business career has been spent in this city, is thoroughly experienced in his present line and is one of this section's self-made men. He was born in Jonesboro, Union county, in 1864, and is a son of Charles S. and Eleanor (Cruse) Chase, the former of whom was born in Herkimer county, New York, came to Jonesboro in 1859, and spent the remainder of his life at his trade, that of stone cutter, his death occurring in this city, where his wife spent her whole life.
The education of Charles H. Chase was secured in the public schools, and as a youth he learned the trade of stone cutter with his father, following that occupation for a period covering eleven or twelve years. At that time he decided to turn his attention to the mercantile business, and for some time was employed as a clerk in various stores in Jonesboro. In 1904 the Jonesboro Store Company, a firm dealing in groceries and notions, was organized, with a capital of $1,000, and Mr. Chase became manager and a stockholder. The business has had a steady growth, due in no small degree to Mr. Chase's energy, industry
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and progressive ideas, and now has an excellent trade and carries a complete line of staple and fancy groceries and an excellent stock of notions of all kinds. The life of Mr. Chase has been that of the average plain, unostentatious business man. He has been successful in the things that he has undertaken because he has given of his best efforts in their accomplishment and in all matters has had a scrupulous regard for his word. He enjoys the reputation of being a business man of great ability and the highest integrity, and is very popular with his business associates and all who know him. He is a Democrat in his political views, but his business affairs have kept him so busily engaged that he has never entered the political field, although he takes an active interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of his community. Fraternally, he is connected with the Court of Honor.
Mr. Chase was married in 1890, to Miss Amy May Dougherty, an estimable young lady of Jonesboro, granddaughter of the late Lieut. Gov. John Dougherty. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church at Anna, and is widely known in church and social circles. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have had one child who died in infancy.