HON. FRANK SPITLER. This well-known member of the legal profession has made his home in Sullivan, Moultrie County, since March 1885 and is devoting himself to his practice in partnership with Isaac Hudson. This firm, which was established in August, 1888, has gained prominence throughout Moultrie and the adjoining counties and conduct its business successfully. Mr. Spitler has been associated with other lawyers since he became a member of the bar, being formerly in partnership with ex-Judge H. M. Miner, now in the West, and prior to that with A. C. Monser, now of California.

Mr. Spitler was born in Marion County, Ill., January 28, 1853 and is the son of Judge T. A. and Gilly R. (Kelley) Spitler. The father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and the mother in South Carolina, and they both arrived in Illinois in 1840. The following year they were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, in Marion County, where they followed the business of farming iu Alma Township. Then the father is yet living [sic; I think that what is meant is 'The father is yet living'] at the advanced age of seventy years; he has always been an active worker and is still hale and hearty for one of his age. He was a stanch old-line Democrat and served his party faithfully and well on many occasions, during his younger years. For some years he was Supervisor of the township, discharging the duties of the office to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was also for a time Associate Judge of the county, and is now held in excellent repute on account of his fine character, general intelligence and useful life. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, as was also his wife.

On December 31, 1888, the mother of our subject passed from the busy scenes of earth, and the New Year, which brought to all of earth's children their joys and sorrows, brought to her a realization of the "Great Beyond". She was at the time of her demise sixty-six years old and had become the mother of fifteen children, eight of whom survived her. A good woman, her life was devoted-to her husband and children, and it was her great object to prepare her sons and daughters for responsible positions in life. Her eldest son Henry, was a soldier in the Civil War, serving as a Sergeant in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Infantry, and belonging to Company K. He died in the hospital in Kentucky.

Our subject, grew to manhood upon his father's farm, engaged in various pursuits which belong to the life of a farmer. He received a good common-school education, which he supplemented by a thorough course of study at a Baptist College. He utilized his knowledge as a teacher, following that profession for several years and earning the money to educate himself. He taught school at Benton, Ill., for three years and was afterward Principal of the schools at Odin, Ill., for two years. When he commenced to read law, he was a student under Judge Williams of Benton, Ill., and later read with Judge Pollock, of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County. In 1884 he was admitted to practice at the bar, and has since devoted his undivided attention to his profession. In 1888 he was nominated by the Democratic party, of which he is a stanch supporter, to the State Legislature, and represented the Thirty-third District in the Thirty-sixth Session. He was a member of various important committees, among them that of State Institutions. He served his constituency faithfully and advanced the interests of his community to the best of his ability.

Mr. Spitler was married, March 20, 1888, in Sullivan, to Miss May McCaig, a native of Ohio, whence she accompanied her parents to Illinois and was reared to womanhood in Sullivan. She is a mother of one child, Clarke. In his religious views Mr. Spitler is a Baptist and adheres to every cause calculated to advance the interests of the city socially, morally and educationally. He gives liberally of his earnings to the church and all public-spirited enterprises. When it was decided to build a Baptist Church in Sullivan. Mr. Spitler came to the front and was an active worker in securing means and helping materially the completing of the structure, which is a credit to the people and the city. As a lawyer, he pleads his cases with force and shows his ability and shows his ability as a student; his daily applications, research and practice have given him a wide reputation as a successful counsel and reliable advocate, which with his personal qualities have attracted to him a large circle of friends and patrons.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 717/718

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