Among the representative business men of Marion county is the subject of
this sketch, who is at present proprietor of a well known and flourishing
restaurant in Odin, and who is carrying on his line of business with that
enterprise and discretion which are sure to find their sequel in definite
success.
James M. Dace was born in Monroe City, Monroe county,
Illinois, on April 18, 1861, but was educated in the public schools of this
county, where he applied himself in a careful manner and received a good
education. He later took a commercial course in the Bryant and Stratton
Business College of St. Louis. After leaving school, our subject devoted
himself to farming, having while attending school worked on his father's
farm. This he followed with success attending his efforts until 1888, then
he traveled for a period of seven years for the D. M. Osborn Company,
successfully handling a line of agricultural implements, and obtaining a
large amount of trade for them. In 1895 Mr. Dace gave up his position on the
road and opened his present business in Odin, that of conducting a
restaurant. His success was instantaneous, and he has since conducted the
same with much satisfaction attending his efforts, his neat, well equipped
and carefully managed restaurant being known far and wide to the transient
visitors to Odin, as well as to numerous local patrons. Here is served the
very best grade of materials that the market affords and all guests are
accorded the kindest consideration and most courteous treatment, so that a
customer is never lost, but all speak in praise of our subject's place of
business, which would be a credit to any town, much less one the size of
Odin.
Mr. Dace has long taken considerable interest in public
affairs, his unusual talents having been recognized early by his many
political friends, so that he was sought out for public office, with the
result that he has been Supervisor of his township for the past twelve years
which position he has held with great credit to himself and with
satisfaction to all concerned. In politics he is a loyal Democrat.
The married life of Mr. Dace dates from 1884, when he was united in the
bonds of wedlock with Lulu Charlton, a native of this county and a daughter
of Sidney and Henrietta (Gaines) Charlton, natives of this county. The
paternal grandfather of our subject's wife came to this county in an early
day, taking up twelve hundred acres of land, which he developed and on which
he raised his family and where he died, having lived to an old age. His
wife, who is still living, is very old.
The subject and wife have no
children living. Mrs. Dace belongs to the Christian church. Our subject in.
his fraternal relations is a member of the ancient and honorable order of
Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, having filled many of the
chairs in the latter. He at present holds offices in two of these lodges. He
also belongs to the Red Men. Mr. Dace has always been known as a man of
sound business principles, kind hearted, liberal and pleasant to all.
Extracted 07 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 328-329.