(Bio provided by K. Gregg Prillaman, Glenn's grandson)
Glenn Hamilton Prillaman was born March 15, 1886 in Wellington, IL, the 2nd of 2 children of Walton McClain and Effie Medora (Hamilton) Prillaman. His older brother, Earl F., was born Dec. 8, 1882 but died Jan. 6, 1885 at age 2. Glenn's father was a self-made businessman who initially owned drug stores in Wellington, Milford, and Hoopeston, and then later grain elevators in Rossville, Cheneyville, Ludlow, and Henning, IL, and in Newport, IN. The family lived in Wellington until February of 1898 (Glenn was 11) when they moved to Rossville where Glenn's father had bought two grain elevators and was investing in other businesses.
Glenn attended grades 1 - 6 at Wellington and grades 7- 8 at Rossville. He did not go on to High School which was not uncommon at that time. He began working in the family business, W. M. Prillaman & Son, in 1900 when he was 14. He worked with his father but also had his own ventures like buying wild mustangs in Montana and shipping them to Chicago where they sold at a significant profit. In 1910 he also bought a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade and operated a commodities brokerage company, G. H. Prillaman & Co., in Rossville from 1910 to 1915. His father died in 1916 and Glenn (age 30) took over the entire family business. But his health declined (heart issues), so he and his mother sold the elevators in 1919 and Glenn worked for about 3 years for a brokerage company (Sawyer Grain Co.) in Danville. Then in 1923 he partnered with two other businessmen (B.E. Morgan and Clark C. Carter) to form the Rossville Grain and Coal Co. where he was actively engaged until his death in 1938.
On Oct. 7, 1908 he married Alma Messner Layton who had been raised in Potomac, IL. Alma was the only child of Coburn Grant Layton and Nellie Maude (Messner) Layton. Glenn and Alma lived in Rossville and had four sons: Glenn McClain born April 30, 1910 who died of pneumonia on July 4, 1911 (age 14 mos.) after a hernia operation, Don Layton born June 4, 1912, Jay Robert born Nov. 10, 1914, and John Walton "Jack" born June 4, 1918. Glenn and Alma moved into their house at 204 Gilbert St. in April of 1916 and raised their family there. Glenn died at 204 Gilbert of a heart attack at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 1938 (New Year's Eve) at age 52. Alma remained at 204 Gilbert until her death in on July 31, 1986 the day after her 98th birthday.
Glenn was a highly-respected businessman and community leader throughout his life. He was elected Mayor of Rossville in 1909 when he was only 23 - the youngest Mayor in the history of Illinois at that time. He served on the School Board for 16 years and was an active member of a number of business and social groups. He was also a Trustee of the Rossville Church of Christ, a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of the Danville Consistory. Glenn was buried in the Rossville cemetery on Monday, Jan. 2, 1939. He was survived by Alma, 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, 2 grandsons (Jay's sons Jay Jr. and Terry), and 1 granddaughter (Don's daughter Sue). Alma never remarried and was buried next to him when she died in 1986.
Following is an obituary that appeared in the Rossville Press Jan. 5, 1939.
Heart Attack Fatal to G. H. Prillaman; Well Known Grain Dealer
Death dealt a crushing blow to Rossville and vicinity early Saturday morning (Dec. 31) when Glenn H. Prillaman, well known grain dealer and advisor to many, passed away at 1:30 a.m. in his home following a heart attack. Stricken at 12:30 a.m., he seemingly recovered and made light of his ills. The second attack came shortly after 1 o'clock. From this one he never recovered. The family was called and his widow and three sons were by his side until the end.
Last rites were conducted Monday, January 2, 1939 at 2:00 p.m. in the Church of Christ with the Rev. Paul D. Magnuson officiating. Mrs. H. Monroe Johnston, a cousin of the deceased and her son Robert sang two selections. Flowers were in charge of Mesdames R.H. Poland, S.E. Layton, Russell Young, Harvey Young, George Finck, Roy Mitchell, L. H. Schlecht, Clarence Morgan, Ray Tilton, Ennis Battershell, Mrs. Georgena Ingram, and Miss Pearl Applegate. Pall Bearers were Roy Meredith, R.H. Poland, Elmer McNeal, Harvey Young, John A. Crays, and Claude Kelley. Interment in the Rossville Cemetery with Jeanes and Moore in charge.
Glenn Hamilton Prillaman, the only child of W.M. and Effie Hamilton Prillaman, was born in Wellington, Illinois March 15, 1886. He passed away at his home at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 1938 at the age of 52 years, 9 months, and 16 days.
In the spring of 1898, when he was twelve years of age, his parents moved to Rossville where his father entered the grain business. Mr. I. A. Smothers, then Supt. of Schools, well remembers the day when he first entered the Rossville public schools. A major part of Mr. Prillaman's schooling was had in the Rossville schools, however his wisdom came from Life's school, gleaned in his daily contact with people of all walks.
On October 7, 1908, Glenn Prillaman was married to Alma Layton in Danville. Four sons were born to this union: Glenn McClain (who died in infancy), Don, Jay, and Jack. In addition to these sons and his bereaved wife, he leaves two grandsons, Bobby and Terry, and one granddaughter, Susan. A host of other relatives and friends and the entire community feel deeply their great loss.
He was associated with his father in the grain business until 1916 when his father passed away. the Rossville Grain Company was formed a few years later. With this firm he has been associated to the time of his passing. He had been for thirty-five years a staunch friend to farmers with whom he dealt. Their tokens of friendship and appreciation were expressed in many ways. Not always in words; sometimes in small gifts of choice foods, given from the bounty of grateful hearts in gratitude for favors great or small, such as only a man of his great understanding could give.
His kindly feeling and sympathy for mankind was best illustrated by incidents where "travelers of the road" would come to beg. Sometimes his better judgment would tempt him to refuse gifts of money to those who appeared able-bodied and strong, but friends who knew him intimately say that almost without exception his kindly interest and sympathy for the unfortunate would cause him to relent and give where needed.
Mr. Prillaman was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Consistory. For these orders he held the highest esteem. When but a boy of 10 years, he was affiliated with the Church of Christ at Monticello, Indiana. Elder J.C. Anderson buried him in baptism Tuesday, January 19, 1897. he transferred membership to the Rossville Church of Christ in 1910. He had been a loyal supporter of this, his church, having served as Trustee for many years, which position he held until his death.
In 1909 he was elected to a membership on the Chicago Board of Trade. That membership was sold in 1912.
On April 20, 1909 he was elected despite his youthful age of 23, to the office of Mayor of Rossville. he had the honor of being the youngest mayor to be elected up to that time in the state of Illinois. He also served for sixteen years as a member of the Board of Education of District 32, having held the positions of both President and Secretary. he retired last spring from the board because of ill health. A splendid tribute to his services expressed by the teachers was "The schools need you; you do not need the schools." Superintendent R.H. Poland, with whom he was associated in the public schools for twelve years, said "Glenn is a rare gem in friendships. He is a friend in foul weather; a friend the season through."
"A friend", said Shakespeare, "is like a good book of which there is only one copy printed. We sorrow to lose that one copy." And so our community and friends far and wide sorrow to lose one who has filled so great a place among us. What greater honor can we pay him this day than to say "He shall be missed!" And those who knew him will remember him ever as kind, fair, sympathetic; qualities that enabled so many to call him "friend".
(Bio provided by K. Gregg Prillaman, Glenn's grandson)
Glenn Hamilton Prillaman was born March 15, 1886 in Wellington, IL, the 2nd of 2 children of Walton McClain and Effie Medora (Hamilton) Prillaman. His older brother, Earl F., was born Dec. 8, 1882 but died Jan. 6, 1885 at age 2. Glenn's father was a self-made businessman who initially owned drug stores in Wellington, Milford, and Hoopeston, and then later grain elevators in Rossville, Cheneyville, Ludlow, and Henning, IL, and in Newport, IN. The family lived in Wellington until February of 1898 (Glenn was 11) when they moved to Rossville where Glenn's father had bought two grain elevators and was investing in other businesses.
Glenn attended grades 1 - 6 at Wellington and grades 7- 8 at Rossville. He did not go on to High School which was not uncommon at that time. He began working in the family business, W. M. Prillaman & Son, in 1900 when he was 14. He worked with his father but also had his own ventures like buying wild mustangs in Montana and shipping them to Chicago where they sold at a significant profit. In 1910 he also bought a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade and operated a commodities brokerage company, G. H. Prillaman & Co., in Rossville from 1910 to 1915. His father died in 1916 and Glenn (age 30) took over the entire family business. But his health declined (heart issues), so he and his mother sold the elevators in 1919 and Glenn worked for about 3 years for a brokerage company (Sawyer Grain Co.) in Danville. Then in 1923 he partnered with two other businessmen (B.E. Morgan and Clark C. Carter) to form the Rossville Grain and Coal Co. where he was actively engaged until his death in 1938.
On Oct. 7, 1908 he married Alma Messner Layton who had been raised in Potomac, IL. Alma was the only child of Coburn Grant Layton and Nellie Maude (Messner) Layton. Glenn and Alma lived in Rossville and had four sons: Glenn McClain born April 30, 1910 who died of pneumonia on July 4, 1911 (age 14 mos.) after a hernia operation, Don Layton born June 4, 1912, Jay Robert born Nov. 10, 1914, and John Walton "Jack" born June 4, 1918. Glenn and Alma moved into their house at 204 Gilbert St. in April of 1916 and raised their family there. Glenn died at 204 Gilbert of a heart attack at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 1938 (New Year's Eve) at age 52. Alma remained at 204 Gilbert until her death in on July 31, 1986 the day after her 98th birthday.
Glenn was a highly-respected businessman and community leader throughout his life. He was elected Mayor of Rossville in 1909 when he was only 23 - the youngest Mayor in the history of Illinois at that time. He served on the School Board for 16 years and was an active member of a number of business and social groups. He was also a Trustee of the Rossville Church of Christ, a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of the Danville Consistory. Glenn was buried in the Rossville cemetery on Monday, Jan. 2, 1939. He was survived by Alma, 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, 2 grandsons (Jay's sons Jay Jr. and Terry), and 1 granddaughter (Don's daughter Sue). Alma never remarried and was buried next to him when she died in 1986.
Following is an obituary that appeared in the Rossville Press Jan. 5, 1939.
Heart Attack Fatal to G. H. Prillaman; Well Known Grain Dealer
Death dealt a crushing blow to Rossville and vicinity early Saturday morning (Dec. 31) when Glenn H. Prillaman, well known grain dealer and advisor to many, passed away at 1:30 a.m. in his home following a heart attack. Stricken at 12:30 a.m., he seemingly recovered and made light of his ills. The second attack came shortly after 1 o'clock. From this one he never recovered. The family was called and his widow and three sons were by his side until the end.
Last rites were conducted Monday, January 2, 1939 at 2:00 p.m. in the Church of Christ with the Rev. Paul D. Magnuson officiating. Mrs. H. Monroe Johnston, a cousin of the deceased and her son Robert sang two selections. Flowers were in charge of Mesdames R.H. Poland, S.E. Layton, Russell Young, Harvey Young, George Finck, Roy Mitchell, L. H. Schlecht, Clarence Morgan, Ray Tilton, Ennis Battershell, Mrs. Georgena Ingram, and Miss Pearl Applegate. Pall Bearers were Roy Meredith, R.H. Poland, Elmer McNeal, Harvey Young, John A. Crays, and Claude Kelley. Interment in the Rossville Cemetery with Jeanes and Moore in charge.
Glenn Hamilton Prillaman, the only child of W.M. and Effie Hamilton Prillaman, was born in Wellington, Illinois March 15, 1886. He passed away at his home at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 1938 at the age of 52 years, 9 months, and 16 days.
In the spring of 1898, when he was twelve years of age, his parents moved to Rossville where his father entered the grain business. Mr. I. A. Smothers, then Supt. of Schools, well remembers the day when he first entered the Rossville public schools. A major part of Mr. Prillaman's schooling was had in the Rossville schools, however his wisdom came from Life's school, gleaned in his daily contact with people of all walks.
On October 7, 1908, Glenn Prillaman was married to Alma Layton in Danville. Four sons were born to this union: Glenn McClain (who died in infancy), Don, Jay, and Jack. In addition to these sons and his bereaved wife, he leaves two grandsons, Bobby and Terry, and one granddaughter, Susan. A host of other relatives and friends and the entire community feel deeply their great loss.
He was associated with his father in the grain business until 1916 when his father passed away. the Rossville Grain Company was formed a few years later. With this firm he has been associated to the time of his passing. He had been for thirty-five years a staunch friend to farmers with whom he dealt. Their tokens of friendship and appreciation were expressed in many ways. Not always in words; sometimes in small gifts of choice foods, given from the bounty of grateful hearts in gratitude for favors great or small, such as only a man of his great understanding could give.
His kindly feeling and sympathy for mankind was best illustrated by incidents where "travelers of the road" would come to beg. Sometimes his better judgment would tempt him to refuse gifts of money to those who appeared able-bodied and strong, but friends who knew him intimately say that almost without exception his kindly interest and sympathy for the unfortunate would cause him to relent and give where needed.
Mr. Prillaman was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Consistory. For these orders he held the highest esteem. When but a boy of 10 years, he was affiliated with the Church of Christ at Monticello, Indiana. Elder J.C. Anderson buried him in baptism Tuesday, January 19, 1897. he transferred membership to the Rossville Church of Christ in 1910. He had been a loyal supporter of this, his church, having served as Trustee for many years, which position he held until his death.
In 1909 he was elected to a membership on the Chicago Board of Trade. That membership was sold in 1912.
On April 20, 1909 he was elected despite his youthful age of 23, to the office of Mayor of Rossville. he had the honor of being the youngest mayor to be elected up to that time in the state of Illinois. He also served for sixteen years as a member of the Board of Education of District 32, having held the positions of both President and Secretary. he retired last spring from the board because of ill health. A splendid tribute to his services expressed by the teachers was "The schools need you; you do not need the schools." Superintendent R.H. Poland, with whom he was associated in the public schools for twelve years, said "Glenn is a rare gem in friendships. He is a friend in foul weather; a friend the season through."
"A friend", said Shakespeare, "is like a good book of which there is only one copy printed. We sorrow to lose that one copy." And so our community and friends far and wide sorrow to lose one who has filled so great a place among us. What greater honor can we pay him this day than to say "He shall be missed!" And those who knew him will remember him ever as kind, fair, sympathetic; qualities that enabled so many to call him "friend".
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