Mr. Storer is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and
strong personality must force them into an admirable place among the
citizens of any community, who command the respect of their contemporaries
and their posterity.
Ben W. Storer, the well known grocer, was born
in Centralia, Illinois, July 19, 1868, the son of Samuel and Susan B.
(Bates) Storer, and he has taken part in the development of his native
village, which he has seen grow to a thriving city. The parents of our
subject reared a family of five children, three boys and two girls, of whom
Ben W. was the fourth in order of birth.
The subject of this sketch
was educated in the Centralia public schools. He first began his business
career in a grocery store, working for Barton & Stevenson, with whom he
worked for two years, giving entire satisfaction. He then took a position
with the R. D. Beaver Grocery Company, remaining in their employ for four
years with equal success, when he engaged with Colonel Pittenger in the same
business, continuing there for four years, building up an excellent trade,
at the expiration of which time he embarked in the grocery business for
himself. Having mastered all the details of this special line, his success
from the first was assured, as time soon substantiated.
Our subject
was united in marriage with Mabel Kerr, of Centralia, the daughter of the
late J. N. Kerr, former editor of the Centralia Sentinel and Mayor of the
city for several years, our subject's wife being the oldest member of the
family. To Mr. and Mrs. Storer two bright and interesting sons have been
born, namely: Wilson Bates and Ben Wade, Jr., both now in school.
Our subject is a member of Helmet Lodge, Knights of Pythias No. 26, of
Centralia. In politics he is a loyal Republican, and religiously he was
reared a Presbyterian.
In 1892 our subject began business at 114
East Broadway, having here launched successfully a grocery store, which
steadily grew in its volume of business, until now his store is known
throughout the community, his trade extending all over the city and to all
parts of the county. He has a neat, up-to-date store and carries a full line
of fancy groceries, canned goods, fruits and vegetables of all kinds in
season. He employs eight clerks and runs three wagons. His trade is very
largely among the best class of people of Centralia, where he is known to
all classes as a man of honest principles.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 584-585.