PETEFISH, LOUIS A. - Few citizens of Cass County have been more prominently or helpfully identified with the business, agricultural and financial interests of this flourishing section of Illinois than has Louis A. Petefish, now residing at Virginia, a citizen who has at all times shown a commendable desire to advance the welfare of his community. He has spent practically his entire life within the borders of Cass County, where he was born July 22, 1860, a son of Samuel H. and Nancy M. (Hudson) Petefish.

The Petefish family has long been identified with Cass County, and its members now own about 1,400 acres of valuable land here. Christian Petefish, the grandfather of Louis A., came to this county in 1833 and built a small log cabin, taking up his residence among the pioneers. Later he purchased 195 acres, and built a commodious home, and here continued to reside until the time of his death, the farm having since been increased to 520 acres.

Louis A. Petefish attended the public schools of Cass County and the Gem City Business School, following which he was employed in a grocery store for six months and then turned his attention to farming. Subsequently he entered the private bank of Petefish, Skiles & Company, of which his father was one of the founders, and continued therein until the elder man's death in 1902, since which time the institution has been reorganized as a state bank, with a capital of $60,000. Mr. Conover was its first president, and was succeeded by Mr. Skiles, who, in turn , was succeeded by Louis A. Petefish. He held the presidency until his resignation in September, 1913, at that time moving to Springfield. He was a director of the Mount Sterling Bank of Brown County until 1913, his father having been one of the founders of that bank as well as the bank at Rushville, and is still a director in the bank of Petefish, Skiles & Company, at Virginia. Now the greater part of his attention is given to the management of his other interests, which include numerous farms and other valuable properties. Mr. Petefish is a Blue Lodge and Chapter Mason, and has held a number of offices in that order, is connected with the Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.

On October 22, 1885, Mr. Petefish was married to Miss Carrie L. Stribling, daughter of Isaac Milton and Maria (Carr) Stribling, and they have one daughter, Maria S., living at home.