JUSTIS, Charles H.

Charles H. JUSTIS, a leading and enterprising business man of La Rose, and the present efficient supervisor of belle Plain township, Marshall county, was born on the 4th of July, 1859, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Charles H. JUSTIS, an engraver. His mother died when he was but three years of age, and after his father’s second marriage he was taken to New York city and placed in the New York Juvenile asylum. A few months later he was sent west, and was taken by Lewis LIMEBARGER, a farmer of Wilmington, Will county, Illinois. In 1869, Mr. LIMEBARGER removed to Stanford, where he engaged in the grain business until 1871, and then came to La Rose, where he erected an elevator.

Mr. JUSTIS remained on the farm until 1873, when he also came to La Rose, where he has since made his home with the exception of two years, one spent in buying grain in Lacon, and the other in Munster, La Salle county. For some time he was employed in the elevator in La Rose, which he ran for one year on his own account, but it was then sold, and he has since been connected with the Santa Fe elevator at the same place. He was also agent for the Chicago & Alton railroad at La Rose from the spring of 1879 until the spring of 1882.

On the 13th of March, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. JUSTIS and Miss Belle RAINS, a daughter of Robert W. RAINS, now a resident of Fairfield, Iowa. Her father was a pioneer of Woodford county, Illinois, but at an early day came to Marshall county, where he experienced all the trials and difficulties of frontier life. In 1882 he removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, and is now living a retired life in Fairfield. In his family were several children, one of whom died when small and three after they had attained adult age. Those living are Lavina, Thomas, Robert, Caroline, William, Belle, Columbia and Charles. To our subject and his wife has been born a daughter: Carrie E., whose birth occurred December 10, 1880.

Politically, Mr. JUSTIS is identified with the republican party, and has served as a member of both the township and county central committees, being chairman of the former. For five years he was president of the village board, is at present its clerk, and was village trustee for some time. For one year he filled the office of justice of the peace, and is now serving his third year as supervisor. He is one of the prominent and influential men of the community, widely and favorably known, and has materially aided in advancing the welfare and in promoting the interests of La Rose. Both as a business man and true citizen he is held in high esteem, and he certainly deserves much credit for the success which he has achieved. Socially, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternities, while his estimable wife and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Extracted May 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.

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