FRANK F. NOLEMAN. Among the successful lawyers of Marion County, a prominent position is held by the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical review, and who is at present (1894) serving as City Attorney of Centralia. Scarcely yet in the prime of life, he has before him the prospect of an extended and useful career in his chosen profession, and is well known as a member of the legal fraternity, upon whose knowledge thorough reliance may be placed.
The record of the life of Capt. Robert D. Noleman, our subject's father, is one of which his descendants may justly be proud. Possessed of that sturdy self-reliance, indefatigable industry and strong individuality which has later been so abundantly evinced by the son of whom we write, he became eminent in the public affairs of southern Illinois. A native of Ohio, which had been the home of the Noleman family for many years, he was born in West Union, Adams County, and growing to manhood upon a farm, selected as his life occupation that of agriculture.
When about twenty-five years of age, Captain Noleman removed to Illinois and settled in Jefferson County, where he built the first steam sawmill in that section of the state. The machinery for this he brought down the Ohio on a raft to Shawneetown, thence conveyed it by ox-team to Jefferson County, where he engaged in operating the mill. This was during the early '40s. Soon after settling there, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Charles Jennings, one of the early settlers of Centralia Township. Four children were born of that union, of whom three are living, viz.:
From Jefferson County Captain Noleman removed to Ceutralia, and started the first lumberyard in this city, continuing to conduct the same for seven years. He then accepted the appointment as Postmaster at Centralia, and served in that capacity for four years.
At the outbreak of the Rebellion he raised the first company of cavalry in this part of the state, and was chosen Captain of Company II, First Illinois Cavalry, also had charge of Company I, the same regiment. The battalion was organized in July, 1861, and was mustered out of service July 5, 1862, meantime participating in numerous engagements. They were present at the battle of Belmont, took part in the capture of New Madrid, acted as body guard to General Payne, and crossing the Mississippi, assisted in the capture of Island No. 10. They were principally on detailed duty, and for a time served as body guard to General Grant. Later they were engaged in the pursuit of "bushwhackers," and also took part in the engagements around Bird's Point.
At the expiration of his term of service, Captain Noleman was appointed, under the administration of Lincoln, Collector of the Internal Revenue for the Eleventh District of Illinois. This responsible position he held for eleven years, and later served for two years as Commissioner of the penitentiary at Joliet. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank (now the Old National), and was a Director until his death. He was also instrumental in securing the organization of the Centralia Mining ifc Manufacturing Company, and was a Director and the Secretary of that concern for many years. In the organization of the Centralia Iron and Nail Works and the Centralia GHS Light Company, he was a prominent factor, and many other enterprises of the place owe to his support not a little of their prosperity.
Socially, Captain Noleman was identified with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and aided in the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was at one time Post Commander.
In politics, he was one of the leaders among the Republicans of this section of the state, and served as delegate to the Republican National Convention that nominated Ulysses S. Grant President of the United States. Frequently he was called upon to serve as delegate to state and county conventions. Witnessing the growth of Centralia from an early period of its history, he was a prominent factor in its upbuilding and aided in its foremost enterprises. As a man of high character, endowed with sagacity and tenacity of purpose, he occupied a high place in the estimation of his fellow-men, and his death, March 29, 1883, was widely mourned.
Captain Noleman was twice married. After the death of his first wife he .was united with Miss Anna, daughter of James White, a prominent farmer of Oneida County, N. Y. Though of Irish parentage and born in County Kildare, Miss White, coining to this country at the age of six, was reared in Oneida County, N. Y. From there she came to Illinois and made her home with a brother, Dr. James White, at Sandoval, Marion County, until her marriage. Of this union were born three children, of whom the subject of this sketch and Sadie survive, the latter being the wife of Oscar McMurray, an architect of Chicago.
The subject of this sketch, Frank F., has spent his entire life in Centralia, where he was born on the 2d of July, 1866. His education, commenced in the public schools of this place, was continued in McKendree College, of Lebanon, ILL., where he was a student for two years. Upon leaving college he read law with the firm of Casey & Dwight, and was admitted to the Bar January 24, 1889, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession.
A Republican in politics, he has been closely connected with the public affairs of this community. In the spring of 1889 he was chosen City Clerk, in the following year was elected City Attorney, in 1891 became City Clerk, and in 1892 was elected City Attorney. In the ensuing year he was again chosen City Attorney, and is now serving in that capacity in such a manner as to reflect credit upon himself. He was a delegate to the Republican State Convention in 1892, and is a member of the Republican County Central Committee. In the party of his choice he is an active and influential worker, and is closely identified with, the public life of the county.
While devoting his attention principally to the details of his practice, Mr. Noleman is also interested in social matters, and is prominently connected with the Royal Arch Masons. He is a young man of fine personal attributes, possesses force and decision of character and undoubtedly has a bright career before him. His law library is complete, embracing the works of the best legal authorities, and as he is a thoughtful student he has gained a thorough knowledge of the profession.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 515 - 516
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer