M.O. ATTERBERRY LEFT HIS MARK On the Business and Cultural Life Page 56 M.O. Atterberry, 1861-1927 was a man with high aims and fine purpose. He taught schools at Lafayette, Hazel Dell and Oakford in his early years, before entering the business world. Starting as a clerk in the Pestel Drug Store, he eventually bought a partnership and shortly thereafter, the entire store. With this beginning he expanded his business to include a general store which was so large it was called "Sears Roebuck of Oakford." At one time, he employed 11 clerks and carried a complete line of clothing, drugs, hardware, farm supplies, a millinery shop, and ice cream parlor and also had the post office for a time. He served as a clerk for the Modern Woodman Lodge; organized the First National Bank of Oakford and became its first president. Mr. Atterberry was one of the founders of the Oakford Stock Company and served as cashier at auction sales. From the time he came to Oakford in 1893 until he moved to Waukegan, Illinois in 1917-18 he played a great part in the development of Oakford. Next Previous Index Copyright © 2007 Jeanie Lowe & contributors All rights reserved Illinois Ancestors Home