The father was born at Natural Bridge, Virginia, August 12, 1845, and died December 18, 1899, at the age of fifty-four years four months and six days. His parents were Samuel and Margaret (Rapp) Hight, and he was one of five brothers, three of whom, Robert W., William and James L. Hight, are still living, the first two being residents of Macon county. When but two years of age Benjamin V. Hight was brought by his parents to Illinois and in 1855 the family removed from Greene county, where they first settled, to Macon county. In the public schools of the latter Benjamin F. Hight acquired a good knowledge of the common English branches of learning, supplemented by a college course in Shurtleff College, at Alton, Illinois. His business career was characterized by activty and acconiplisliment, and while his efforts brought him prosperity they were also factors in advancing the commercial development of the community. After completing his education he was engaged in business with his brother, J. L. Hight, in Macon county, and in the fall of 1883 he came with his family to Assumption. In that year he joined S. D. Moore in founding the Bank of Assumption, now the Illinois State Bank, a financial institution of which he became the president, serving in that capacity until his death and making it one of the leading and reliable financial concerns of this part of the state. He was also associated with Mr. Moore in the establishment of the brick and tile company, an industry of importance to the community, furnishing employment to many' workmen, and thus keeping much money in circulation. He was largely instrumental in sinking the coal shaft and thus developing the mining interests of Assumption. He it was who drew up the first papers in order to get the enterprise upon a working basis by the securing of subscribers to incorporate it, and become stockholders therein. He was likewise instrumental in the formation of the Assumption Telephone Company, which has so greatly facilitated business as well as proving of the greatest possible convenience to the people of the county, and he instituted the electric light plant. He was also a factor in the improvement of the cemetery and gave his aid and infiuence to all that seemed for the benefit of the public. Thus in brief is outlined his business career in Assumption, but not until the movements which he instituted shall have completed their fruition of good in the world, will the real value of his work be known.

      On the 5th of April, 1870, Mr. Hight was united in marriage to Mrs. Belle M. IMeach, a sister of Dr. R. E. Tobey, of Decatur, Illnois, the senior member of the dental firm of Tobey & Lacharite of Assumption. By this marriage there were three children, but Charles, the first born, died in infancy. Karl is the second and Alta is the wife of Herman Lacharite, the junior member of the firm of Tobey & Lacharite, practicing dentists of Assumption. On the 28th of May, 1895, Mrs. Hight was called to her final rest, leaving behind her the memory of a noble life filed with good deeds and high purposes. On the 20th of July, 1896, Mr. Hight was again married, his second union being with Miss Amanda Huffer, a popular school teacher of Shelby county, Illinois, a daughter of Josiah and Mary (Carr) Huffer, early residents of Shelby county and both now deceased. By this marriage there is one son, Harold.

      Mrs. Hight, in connection with her husband, was very active in church work. In his boyhood days he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was ever an honored and consistent member, doing much for the upbuilding of the church in Assumption and contributing liberally to the cause. No labor was too hard, no time too precious nor any sacrifice too great if it would promote the church which was so dear to him. He was an active worker in the Sunday-school and League as well as the church and put forth every effort in his power to promote the cause of Christianity. He had the greatest admiration and friendship for children, was the wise counsellor of the young and the benefactor of the poor and needy. He lives today enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him and the affection in which he was held by young and old, rich and poor, is more enduring than any monument of stone or metal could he. In citizenship he was always loyal, and while he never sought puhlic office he never shrank from the performance of any duty which his fellow townsmen wished him to assume. For a number of years he served as president of the school hoard of Assumption and was largely instrumental in raising the standard of the schools. When he was called from the busy scenes of life, the funeral services over his remains were held in the First Methodist Episcopal church of Assumption, Rev. W. A. Dawson and Rev. J. A. Stout officiating. Every business house in the city was closed as a tribute of respect and the merchants attended the obsequies in a body. His influence is yet felt in the business circles of Assumption and is a potent factor in the lives of many who were inspired by his example of uprightness and nobility of character.

      Karl Hight, the son, was but four years of age when he came with his parents to Assumption. He attended the public schools and afterward the Gem City Business College at Ouincy, Illinois. He had almost completed the course when he was called home to accept the position of bookkeeper in the Illinois State Bank, of which institution his father was president. In July, 1903. he became assistant cashier and is now filling that position, being active in the management of the institution, which is carried on along safe and conservative lines, and yet is also progressive in its methods.

      In 1892 Mr. Hight was married to Miss Edith Hillabrant, a native of Christian county, Illinois, a daughter of George and Lous (Keiler) Hillabrant, who removed from Illinois to Washington, Kansas, where they are now living. There Mrs. Hight was reared and educated. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hight has been born a little daughter, Alta IE, named for his sister. The young couple are leaders in the social life of Assumption and their home is noted for its gracious hospitality. It is one of the substantial residences in the west part of the town and Mr. Hight is also the owner of a nice farm in Assumption township, adjoining the corporation limits of the city. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Fraternal Army of Loyal Americans. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He has worked untiringly for the establishment of a public library in Assumption and is about to see the fulfillment of his hopes and the reward of his labors, for within a few weeks the library will be opened.