McDonough County Genealogical Society
201 East Hail Street – Bushnell
This was the home of James E. Chandler, the younger brother of C.V.
Chandler of Macomb. It was reported in October 1878 that his home would be roofed with slate tiles which was on the corner of Hail and Crawford Streets.
James was born in Macomb, IL on March 20, 1850, the son of Charles Sr. and Sarah Chandler. He was united in marriage on November 7, 1872 to Ella C. (aka Knowland/Nolan) Roman of Bushnell, IL and from this union they had one son Charles C. Chandler.
He had founded the “big twenty-five cent fair” and made it an institution of its day in western Illinois. He built the Western Normal College and was a prominent banker in Bushnell. He was education at Yale University. He purchased lots 7 & 8 on block 49 on February 18, 1876 with the home construction completed in 1878. The Chandler’s held extravagant parties including balls, magicians, and accomplished musicians in this home. In 1904 the home was sold to Alice and Edward Harris who was the mayor of Bushnell. James E. Chandler died in 1916 at his home in St. Louis, with his body being shipped for burial in the Bushnell Cemetery. The home was demolished in 1936 to make way for the Bushnell Post Office which currently sits on the property.
Images of the Past furnished by Allen R. Nemec, of the McDonough County Genealogical Society, facebook.com/ mcdcgs, www.mcdcgs.com,
