J. R. Challacombe of Hillsboro, IL

This sign is from bridges located in Christian County
in Central Illinois in 1968

James R. Challacombe Biography

James R. Challacombe was born in Macoupin County, Illinois, August 20, 1845; died Hillsboro January 6, 1935.  He came to Montgomery County as a young man, egaged in farming and business interests, including grain elevator in Irving, hardware and farm implement business in Hillsboro and Nokomis.

In 1900 he became a traveling representative for Decatur Iron and Steel Company. His obituary refers to him as one of the founders of the company, a stockholder and director until his death. He obtained contracts for the building or bridges and sales of structural steel and iron in Illinois and adjoining states.  The company later became know as the Mississippi Valley Structural Steel Company of Decatur and St. Louis.  The company furnished structural steel for the sky ride at the Century of Progress exhibition in Chicago in 1933.

Thanks to Dave Booher, City Clerk of Hillsboro
for contacting a local historian for this information.