Calvin Cress

(Taken from his obituary, edited for clarity)

The sudden passing of Calvin P. Cress, former mayor of Washington and most beloved and well-known native-born citizen of this community, on last Saturday evening at 8:30 o'clock, was a severe shock to his relatives and all the people of this locality. Mr. Cress had apparently been in the best of health. He had been uptown during the day, had been about his usual work, and had conversed with friends up to 3 o'clock, when he went into his home and complained of pains in his chest. For a little time, home remedies were administered, but as he did not seem to improve, a doctor was summoned. As he grew worse, an attempt was made to get specialists from Peoria, but by that time, he was beyond help and sank into unconsciousness and his final peaceful sleep. The cause of his death was a serious heart condition.

Calvin P. Cress was born February 2, 1852, on the old Cress homestead, a farm in Worth township, three miles north of Washington. His father, Andrew Cress, was one of the early settlers to central Illinois, coming here in 1833 from Virginia. He homesteaded the land from the government, paying $1.25 an acre for the farm. The deceased engaged in farming and became the owner of the family homestead, which he still owned at the time of his death. In 1892, he moved to Washington and built a fine home, and he has been one of the active and enterprising citizens of the community since that time. He had held many important positions of trust in the community, and always with honor to himself and for the welfare of the community. He had held the office of assessor of Washington Township in 1905 and, in 1906, became mayor of the city, during which time much street paving was accomplished. He was a charter member of the Washington Commercial Club and took an active interest in its welfare until the end of his life. 

Mr. Cress was an active member of the Christian church, a faithful attendant at all services, and a working official of the organization.

What endeared him to his family and the whole community was the gentle, kindly life he led. He had a kind word for everyone and would go out of his way to do a favor for a friend. For over thirty years, the editor of the Reporter had been a neighbor, friend, and associate of Mr. Cress in many community activities. We found him a man of the highest ideals and of noble character. He was always willing to do more than could reasonably be expected of him to boost any good cause in the community. His family life was ideal; he was industrious and a good citizen. The life he led was an inspiration for others to follow.

On February 13, 1873, Mr. Cress was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Baker. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1923. They were the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Viola Busse and Mrs. Ethel Morrow.