SKILES, LEE H., president of the Goodell, Skiles Lumber Co., Inc., a director of the Petefish-Skiles Bank, of Virginia, and one of the leading men of Virginia, Ill., was born in Cass County, Ill., August 1, 1871, a son of Oswell and Ann (Conover) Skiles. After attending the public schools of Virginia, and the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, Ill., he was employed for a time in the Conover, Skiles & Mertz Bank, of Jacksonville, a private institution, but in October, 1894, he purchased the lumber business of Stout & Wilson, of Virginia, which plant was located on the present site of the Methodist church. In the following year, he bought land and built the quarters now occupied by his firm. The rapid growth of the business demanded the infusion of more capital, and Mr. Skiles consolidated with William S. Goodell, who had a yard and works at Chandlerville and at Killbourne, Ill. The present company was incorporated on January 1, 1909, with a capital of $30,000, with Lee H. Skiles as president; C. F. Achamire, vice president; and W. S. Goodell secretary and treasurer, the board of directors being composed of the officials. The company handles lumber, paints, hardware, wire fencing and gates of various descriptions, lime, cement and general building materials.

On November 10, 1897, Mr. Skiles was married to Edith Crum, a daughter of Marcus L. and Fannie (Stubblefield) Crum, and they have two children, namely: Helen and Marcus Oswell, both of whom are attending the Virginia public schools. Mr. Skiles is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic fraternity, joining both orders at Virginia. For four years or two terms, Mr. Skiles was a member of the city council of Virginia and can always be depended upon to take a public-spirited interest in local affairs.