As cashier of the First National Bank of Fairfield, Walter Sons is actively identified with one of the solid institutions of Wayne county, the sound financial basis upon which it rests being partly due to his tact and ability. He was born January 17, 1882, near Jefferson, Wayne county, Illinois, on the farm of his father, Oliver P. Sons. He is of pioneer stock, his grandfather, James Sons, who was accompanied by his brother William, having in the 'forties migrated from Tennessee to Southern Illinois, settling on land near Enterprise.

Oliver P. Sons was born in Wayne county, Illinois, in 1849, and has here spent his life, during his active career having been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is one of the leading citizens of the neighborhood. He married Mary Ellen Harmon, a daughter of Daniel and Mahala (Alford) Harmon, who migrated from Ohio to Wayne county in 1844. Eight children blessed their union, as follows:

Walter, the subject of this brief biographical review; Jesse L., engaged in farming two miles north of Fairfield; Mrs. Laura Cravens, living near Logan, Kansas; Charles and Clayton, living with their parents; Mrs. Carrie Gaston, of Sims, Illinois; and Vena and Lorene, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sons are members of the Baptist church.

Completing his early studies in the public schools of Jeffersonville, Walter Sons taught school. for a year, after which he took a course of study at the Southern Illinois Normal University in Carbondale. On September 12, 1903, Mr. Sons entered the First National Bank of Fairfield as bookkeeper, and proved himself so capable and faithful that on March 1, 1911, he was made cashier of the bank, of which he is also a director. He is a landholder, owning some good farming lands in Wayne county.

Mr. Sons married, December 7, 1910, Mary S. Dickey, a daughter of T. L. Dickey, a well-known merchant of Fairfield. Fraternally Mr. Sons is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and religiously he and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church.