OSCAR WILLS

Oscar Wills, who for the past ten years has served as station agent at Tipton for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, is there also engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in association with A. M. McCormick, the firm being known as McCormick & Wills. Tipton has remained his home since he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 5th of June, 1870. His parents were James and Kate (Davis) Wills, the former born in Indiana on the 22d of June, 1836, and the latter in Ohio on the 19th of February, 1845. They came to Tipton with their respective parents in childhood and here James Wills still makes his home. His wife passed away in Tipton on the 14th of April, 1898. Their children were four in number, as follows: John, who is a resident of Idaho; Gertrude, the wife of J. W. Tuthill, of Washington, D. C.; Esther, the wife of H. J. Gilliland, of Tipton; and Oscar, of this review.

Oscar Wills supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in the Tipton high school and then, being obliged to provide for his own support, he secured a position in the brickyards, where he was employed for five years. In1890 he took up the study of telegraphy in the office of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company at Tipton and the following year began drawing a salary as telegrapher. Ten years ago he assumed the duties of his present position as station agent and has therefore remained in the service of the railroad at Tipton for the past nineteen years, with the exception of one year on the mainline. On the 11th of January, 1909, in association with A. M. McCormick, he purchased the furniture and undertaking establishment of F. W. Casterline and the enterprise has since been conducted under the firm style of McCormick & Wills. They carry a large and carefully selected line of goods and have already won a liberal patronage.

On the 5th of November, 1897, Mr. Wills was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Lee Thompson, a native of Tipton, who was called to her final rest on the 10th of January, 1909. He is a republican in his political views and for two years ably represented the first ward in the city council. His religious faithis indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with Cedar Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M.; Siloam Chapter, No. 19, R. A. M.; and the Knights of Pythias. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance in Tipton and vicinity and is popular in both business and social circles.