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HERMAN McCARLEY. In various other sketches in this work frequent mention has been made of the rapid growth of various sections of Southern Illinois during the past few years, and of the new territory that is constantly being added to the leading cities and villages, and this growth and development is largely due to the efforts and activities of the various real estate dealers of this part of the state, capable body of men who have made it their business to interest outside capital, induce people from other sections to settle here, and in various ways develop the resources of the communities which they have made their field of endeavor. Prominent among these men may be mentioned Herman McCarley, of Christopher, who, while still a comparitive newcomer to the ranks of real estate dealers, has already made
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his influence felt. He is a native of Franklin county, where he has resided all of his life, and was born December 2, 1880, a son of William A. and Nancy I. (Dees) McCarley.
John N. McCarley, the grandfather of Herman, was born in Tennessee, from which state he entered the Confederate service and served throughout the Civil war, after which he came to Southern Illinois and purchased a farm, on which he resided until 1877. In that year he removed to the state of Texas, and he is now living a retired life there, being in advanced years. His son, William A. McCarley, was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, October 1, 1857, and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to the Prairie state. He received his education in the common schools and spent his youth on his father's farm, and continued to follow agricultural pursuits in Franklin county until 1889. In that year he settled in Christopher and engaged in the milling business with A. C. Mitchell, but in 1908 sold out his interests, and in 1909 his death occurred. He was a successful business man and left a large estate to his three children, and was prominent in Democratic politics and a faithful member of the Free Will Baptist church. He married Nancy I. Dees, daughter of David Dees, a native of Illinois, who spent his life in farming in Franklin county and died there in 1896.
Herman McCarley received his education in the public schools of Christopher, after which he secured employment operating a stationary engine, but after spending about ten years at that occupation entered the real estate business. He has an excellent knowledge of realty values, handles property all over the state, and owns considerable farming and town property. He has inherited much of his father's business ability, and is considered a shrewd and capable business man, in whose hands large transactions may be safely placed.
In 1907 Mr. McCarley was married to Miss Claudia M. Davidson, daughter of R. R. Davidson, formerly of Missouri and now a successful mill owner of Christopher. Mr. and Mrs. McCarley are members of the Christian church. He is affiliated fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has many warm friends, and in political matters is a Democrat.