JOHN MAURICE HERBERT, A. M., LL. B., is one of Murphysboro's most
prominent and influential citizens. He is the present State's Attorney, is
Vice-President of the City National Bank, Vice-President of the Jackson
County Abstract and Title Guarantee Company, and is a member of the law firm
of Smith, McElvain & Herbert, one of the leading law firms of southern
Illinois. By merit and ability he has arisen to the proud position which he
now occupies and the success of his life is well deserved.
David
Herbert, his father, was born near Lautwidd-Vardra, Wales, and was a son of
Philip Herbert, who was of German descent, and who was a well-to-do
merchant. The father engaged in the hotel business, and in 1865 emigrated to
Pennsylvania. Going to Schuylkill County, he opened a large boarding house,
and February 4, 1866, he came to this place and kept a boarding house at the
Mt. Carbon depot. Later he bought the Laclede Hotel, which he carried on
until October, 1892, and then sold out. At different times he purchased
land, which he afterward sold. He was married December 5, 1854, to Margaret
Humphrey, who was born in North Wales. Her family were farming people, and
her father died in the Old Country in 1889. Mrs. Herbert had six children,
two of whom are yet living, John M., of this sketch; and Philip D., a
leading jeweler of Murphysboro.
Our subject was born in
Glamorganshire, Wales, February 1, 1864, but was reared in this locality and
was educated in its public schools. He also attended the normal school at
Carbondale for eighteen months, after which he entered the freshman class in
Christian Brothers College of St. Louis, from which he was graduated in
1886, with the degree of A. B. He was valedictorian of his class of ten
pupils. In the succeeding autumn, he entered the law department of the
University of Michigan, and was graduated with the degree of LL. B. He was
here honored with being elected Vice-President of his class. In 1892 the
degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Christian Brothers College.
In 1888, Mr. Herbert formed the partnership with Mr. Smith, and in 1889
Mr. McElvain became a member of the firm. They conduct a general law
practice and have justly won a place among the leading law firms of southern
Illinois, being men of marked ability. Mr. Herbert is also interested in the
Jackson County Abstract and Title Guarantee Company, aided in its
organization, and has since been Vice-President. He aided in organizing the
City National Bank, of which he is now a Director and Vice-President. He is
attorney for the Southern Illinois Building and Loan Association, and in
1892 was elected State's Attorney on the Republican ticket by a majority of
nearly four hundred. This was the largest majority given a Republican
candidate, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the high
regard in which he is held.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs.
Herbert was formerly Miss Tillie Bross, and was born in Cairo, Ill. She was
educated in a convent in St. Louis and is a fine musician. She is a daughter
of Judge F. Bross, the President of the National Bank of Cairo, and one of
the best known men of the state. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert was
celebrated in Cairo, September 28, 1893. Socially, our subject is a Knight
Templar Mason and is the present Master of Murphysboro Lodge No. 498, A. F.
&. A. M. He served as representative to the Grand Lodge in 1893. He also
belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the uniformed rank, and is a member of
the Illinois Bar Association. He is a young man whose talents have rapidly
won for him a place of prominence and will continue to win for him promotion
and success.
Extracted 28 Aug 2019 by Norma Hass from 1894 Biographical Review of Jackson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 572-573.