Paul W. Broyles, Legislator, was born in Hamilton County, Illinois, on February 3, 1896, the son of William Stewart and Della Ida Johnson Broyles. He was educated at McLeansboro High School.

He married Olivia Catherine Bersche, daughter of Urban and Anna Margaretha Bremser Bersche, of Waterloo, Illinois. He had one daughter, June, Mrs. John Casey, two grandsons, Jack and Paul Casey, one great grandson, Steven Casey, and one sister, Hazel, Mrs. Carl Morgan. John Casey was the great-great grandson of Zadok Casey, one of the first settlers of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Broyles worked as a salesman until serving in World War I. After the war, he became owner and director of sales, portraits, and paintings from 1922-1934. In 1932 he moved to Mt. Vernon as an investor and farm owner. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1942 and to the Illinois State Senate in 1944 to 1968. Upon retirement from the Senate in 1970, he ranked fourth in seniority.

The highlights during his legislative career were serving on World War II Bonus Commission; Chairman of Korean Bonus Commission; Chairman of Illinois Commission on Aging and Aged; 1961 White House Conference on the Unemployment of the Middle Aged and Senior Citizens; Chairman of powerful Senate Affairs Committee; Senate Republican Caucus Chairman 1961-1970; and serving on Senate Committees; Aeronautics; Banks, Savings and Loan Associations; Education; Executive; Committee on Committees and Senate Affairs.

He was among the first in Illinois to recognize the danger that Communism presents to our youth and in 1949 he fought for and secured passage of legislation preventing Communists from holding any state elective office or state job. He also led the fight against crime and violence during the 1965 session of the Legislature. His fight against crime, violence and Communism had been recognized by the late F.B.I. Director, J. Edgar Hoover, who wrote Senator Broyles, "We in the F.B.I. appreciate your work with our youth".

Senator Broyles received citations and awards for his Americanism and his fight against Communism and its conspirators from the American Legion, Department of Illinois; the Military Order of Purple Heart; Disabled American Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Award of Merit, Joel Pace Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution and the Amvets. On October 6, 1965, the National Commander of the American Legion confirmed appointment of Broyles as a member of the National Distinguished Guests Committee of the American Legion.

He was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels; listed in "Who's Who in the Midwest"; "Who's Who in American Politics", Edition 1967-68; and "Who's Who in Chicago and Illinois".

Being extremely civic minded, Senator Broyles was Past Commander of the American Legion Post 141; Egyptian Past Commanders Club; past President of Mt. Vernon Rotary Club; former Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of Red Cross and served as Fund Drive Chairman; served on World War II Draft Board; Charter member of King City Dinner Club; member of Elks and Moose Clubs; Jefferson County Shrine Club; 32 Degree Mason, Shriner, Aniad Temple, Knights Templar and in 1970 he became a 33 Degree Mason. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

Senator Broyles strongly believed in the free enterprise system of government and the basic principles which developed the highest standard of living in any nation in the world. In his honor and memory the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Southern Illinois on Saturday, October 19, 1974, named their Fall Reunion Class, "In memory of the Illustrious Paul W. Broyles 33 Degree Memorial Class". Senator Paul W. Broyles died on February 24, 1974.
- Olivia Broyles

*NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.

Source: "Facts and Folks A History of Jefferson County, Illinois"
Jefferson County Historical Society
Printed by Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, TX Page 103, 104
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer