As some county office-holders continue their move to the new Vermilion County Administration Building, one of them wants to recognize a man who made it possible. Vermilion County Treasurer Darren Duncan says that person is Congressman Joseph ‘Uncle Joe’ Cannon, whose service in Congress spanned nearly five decades. He was from Danville and served as Speaker of the House.
Duncan learned there used to be a large portrait of Cannon hanging in what is now the County Administration Building…
Duncan found a large picture of Cannon online and purchased it with his own money. The Treasurer says when people come to his office he wants them to be able to see ‘Uncle Joe’ on the wall. The building was built in 1911 but has been maintained beautifully over the years. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places which means there are certain things about the building which cannot be changed.
In addition to his plans to place the picture of Representative Cannon on his wall, Duncan says he would like to see other historical pictures of Vermilion County placed in the first floor lobby area.
[Treasurer Duncan holds the photo which he plans to frame using his own money to hang in his office. Note: You can click on the photo to enlarge it.]
