McDonough ILGenWeb

TERRILL, David Edward, the senior member of the firm of Terrill Brothers, general merchants of Colchester, was born in the place where he now resides, September 20, 1869, being the eighth of the ten children of Thomas and Jeannette (Cowan) Terrill, mention of whom is made in another part of this work. Like his father, Mr. Terrill has worked his way up from discouraging conditions, and his educational and general advantages have been those of maturity rather than youth. At the age of thirteen years he began work in the Colchester coal mines, but he was soon forced out by the prevailing labor law, which prevented the employment of boys under fourteen years of age. For a year he remained in the public school, and then went back to work in the dreary coal mines. The coal mining days of Mr. Terrill terminated in 1883, when his father and brothers established their general store in Colchester. He became a general deliveryman for the firm, and was thus employed until purchasing an interest in the business in 1896. In 1904 he secured entire control of the concern in company with his brother Henry, and the two since have operated under the firm name of Terrill Brothers. The store is admirably conducted, and facilities are offered for the most modern and complete methods of merchandising. For its operation the services are required of from ten to fifteen persons, according to the season, and the policy is maintained of supplying the best possible goods for the least money. Courtesy and consideration is encouraged and insisted on by all in the employ of the establishment, and neatness and order prevail in every department.

The marriage of Mr. Terrill to Edith M. Webb occurred in Macomb, October 12, 1892. Mrs. Terrill is a native of Macomb, but for a time was a dweller in Arkansas. Tennessee and Colchester, Ill. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have been born two children: Sela Alene and Dean Edwin. Mr. Terrill attends the Christian Church, of which his wife is an active member. He is a Republican in politics, but has no official aspirations. Fraternally, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a wide-awake and progressive merchant, keenly alive to the best interests of his native town, and in his character and attainments representing that reliable and thrifty class which may be counted on in any financial or general emergency.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, pages 1016-1017, extracted 07 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass.