"LI B RAR.Y
OF THE
U N IVERSITY
OF ILLINOIS
920.0773
AM
1899
ILUMR HISTORKAl SWVEY
PA
ALBUM OF GENEALOGY
AND
BIOGRAPHY
COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
WITH PORTRAITS
ELEVENTH EDITION, REVISED AND IMPROVED
CHICAGO
LA SALLE BOOK COMPANY
SUCCESSOR TO
CALUMET BOOK & ENGRAVING CO.
1899
THE CALUMET PRESS
PRINTED BY
THE CALUMET COMPANY
166-170 SOUTH CLINTON STREET
CHICAGO
PREFACE
' E BELIEVE the time has arrived
when it becomes the duty of the
people of this county to perpetuate
the names of their pioneers, to fur-
nish a record of their early settle-
ment, and relate the story of their progress.
The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of
the age, and the duty that men of the present
time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to
their posterity, demand that a record of their lives
and deeds should be made. In biographical history
is found a power to instruct man by precedent, to
enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down
the river of time a safe vessel, in which the names
and t actions of the people who contributed to
raise this country from its primitive state may be
.^preserved. Surely and rapidly the great and
oaged men, who in their prime entered the wilder-
Mness and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage,
are passing to their graves. The number remain-
ing who can relate the incidents of the first days
of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that
actual necessity exists for the collection and pres-
ervation of events without delay, before all the
early settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time.
To be forgotten has been the great dread of
-mankind from remotest ages. All will be forgot-
<X ten soon enough, in spite of their best works and
^ the most earnest efforts of their friends to preserve
the memory of their lives. The means employed
- to prevent oblivion and to perpetuate their mem-
^ry have been in proportion to the amount of intel-
. ligence they possessed. The pyramids of Egypt
; were built to perpetuate the names and deeds of
i^ its great rulers. The exhumations made by
the archaeologists of Egypt from buried Memphis
indicate a desire of those people to perpetuate the
memory of their achievements. The erection of
the great obelisks was for the same purpose.
Coming down to a later period, we find the Greeks
Romans erecting mausoleums and monu-
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their
great achievements and carry them down the
ages. It is also evident that the Mound-builders,
in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but
this idea to leave something to show that they
had lived. All these works, though many of
them costly in the extreme, give but a faint idea
of the lives and characters of those whose memory
they were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely
anything of the masses of the people that then
lived. The great pyramids and some of the
obelisks remain objects only of curiosity; the
mausoleums, monuments and statues are crumb-
ling into dust.
It was left to modern ages to establish an intel-
ligent, uudecaying, immutable method of perpet-
uating a full history immutable, in that it is al-
most unlimited in extent and perpetual in its ac-
tion; and this is through the art of printing.
To the present generation, however, we are in-
debted for the introduction of the admirable sys-
tem of local biography. By this system every
man, though he has not achieved what the world
calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his
life, his history, through the coming ages, for the
benefit of his posterity.
The scythe of Time cuts down all; nothing of
the physical man is left. The monument which
his children or friends may erect to his memory
in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass
away; but his life, his achievements, the work he
has accomplished, which otherwise would be for-
gotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind.
To preserve the lineaments of our companions
we engrave their portraits; for the same reason
we collect the attainable facts of their history.
Nor do we think it necessary, as we speak only
truth of them, to wait until they are dead, or un-
til those who knew them are gone; and we need be
ashamed only of publishing the history of those
whose lives are unworthy of public record.
1 022429
PREFACE.
The greatest of English historians, MACAU-
LAY, and one of the most brilliant writers of the
present century, has said: "The history of a
country is best told in a record of the lives of
its people." In conformity with this idea, the
GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM of
this county has been prepared. Instead of going
to musty records, and taking therefrom dry sta-
tistical matter that can be appreciated by but few,
our corps of writers have gone to the people, the
men and women who have, by their enterprise
and industry, brought the county to a rank sec-
ond to none among those comprising this great
and noble State, and from their lips have ob-
tained the story of their life struggles. No more
interesting or instructive matter could be pre-
sented to an intelligent public. In this volume
will be found a record of many whose lives are
worthy the imitation of coming generations. It
tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by
industry and economy have accumulated wealth.
It tells how others, with limited advantages for
securing an education, have become learned
men and women, with an influence extending
throughout the length and breadth of the
land. It tells of men who have risen from the
lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and
whose names have become famous. It tells of
those in every walk in life who have striven to suc-
ceed, and records how success has usually crowned
their efforts. It tells also of many, very many,
who, not seeking the applause of the world, have
pursued "the even tenor of their way," content
to have it said of them, as Christ said of the
woman performing a deed of mercy "They have
done what they could." It tells how that many
in the pride and strength of young manhood left
the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and
the counting-room, left every trade and pro-
fession, and at their country's call went forth
valiantly ' 'to do or die, ' ' and how through their
efforts the Union was restored and peace once
more reigned in the land. In the life of every
man and of every woman is a lesson that should
not be lost to those who follow after.
Coming generations will appreciate this vol-
ume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from
the fact that it contains so much that would never
find its way into public records, and which would
otherwise be inaccessible. Great care has been
taken in the compilation of the work, and every
opportunity possible given to those represented to
insure correctness in what has been written; and
the publishers flatter themselves that they give
to their readers a work with few errors of conse-
quence. In addition to the biographical sketches,
portraits of a number of representative citizens
are given.
The faces of some, and biographical sketches
of many, will be missed in this volume. For this
the publishers are not to blame. Not having a
proper conception of the work, some refused to
give the information necessary to compile a sketch,
while others were indifferent. Occasionally some
member of the family would oppose the enter-
prise, and on account of such opposition the
support of the interested one would be withheld.
In a few instances men could never be found,
though repeated calls were made at their resi-
dences or places of business.
LA SALLE BOOK COMPANY
ADDENDA.
The preparation of this volume has involved the labor of several years. Since the pages
were stereotyped, time has wrought many changes.
Several of the subjects of biographies have passed away. Among these are :
ELLIOTT ANTHONY page 375
A. G. BURLEY, 227
DR. A. W. BURNSIDE 205
I. N. CAMP 546
E. H. CASTLE 544
J. D. CATON, 115
JACOB FORSYTH, 87
C. M. HENDERSON, 391
JOHN JENKINS .......... 208
EDSON KEITH, 53
T. E. LEWIS 297
ORRINGTON LUNT, 503
WILLIAM MCGREGOR, 361
JAMES MCMAHON, ..... 181
GEORGE M. PULLMAN, ......... 231
REV. MINER RAYMOND 178
K. G. SCHMIDT 335
COL. J. A. SEXTON, 251
WILLIAM B. SNOW 540
JOHN SOLLITT, 199
CAPT. J. F. STAFFORD, 341
LIBRARY
OF THE
UiVERSITY OF ILLW 5
JOHN WENTWORTH.
(JOHN WENTWORTH. Probably no man
I was held in more affectionate remembrance
(2/ by the early settlers of northern Illinois than
he whose name heads this article. Nor could an
individual be chosen who could more fittingly be
called a type of American growth and greatness.
Towering to a height of six feet six inches and
being in his younger days rather slender, he ac-
quired the name of " Long John," by which he
was still familiarly known after he had gained a
more portly figure and a most imposing presence.
The Hamptonia, published at New Hampton
Academy, thus epitomizes his public life :
"Mr Wentworth, all through his editorial and
official life, has shown himself not only a man
of decided convictions, but has proved on many
notable occasions that he had, under the most
adverse circumstances, the courage to follow
them. He has ever looked upon parties as only
necessary organizations for the accomplishment
of desirable ends, and he has no party attachments
beyond his assurance of right, always having
principles that he wished sustained by the legis-
lation of his country, and always seeking po-
litical organization that would promote this object.
Mr. Wentworth has been remarkable, as a writer
and speaker, for conveying his ideas in the fewest
possible words, and for his success in command-
ing the closest attention of promiscuous audi-
ences; also for his habits of untiring industry,
and for keeping such control of his private busi-
ness' that he was ever independent of political
action."
The Domesday Book of 1066 shows that Regi-
nald Wentworth then called Rynold de Wynter-
wade the ancestor of the Wentworth family in
America, was proprietor of the fief of Wentworth
in the Wapentake of Strafford, West Riding of
Yorkshire. The subject of this sketch is a grand-
son of John Wentworth, junior, who was a mem-
ber of the Continental Congress from New
Hampshire, and signed the Articles of Confedera-
tion. He was also a grandson of Col. Amos
Coggswell, who joined the Continental Army
under the historic elm at Cambridge, fought with
hissix brothers through the Revolution, and aided
in forming the Society of Cincinnati at its close.
John Wentworth, of whom this sketch is
written, was born in the White Mountain region
of New Hampshire, sometimes called the "Swit-
zerland of America," at Sandwich, Strafford
County, the date of his birth being March 15,
1815. His parents were Honorable Paul and
Lydia (Coggswell) Wentworth. He attended
various public and private schools and academies
during his youth, where he was ever ready with
new and original work. In 1830, while attending
New Hampton Academy, he was influential in
organizing a literary society for the benefit of the
younger students, in which he developed the
8
JOHN WENTWORTH.
basis of that forensic talent for which he was after-
wards noted. As early as 1832 he wrote articles
for the Democratic press, in defense of President
Jackson's financial policy, which attracted favor-
able attention. In that year he entered Dart-
mouth College and was graduated in 1836, hav-
ing paid a portion of his way by teaching. He
cast his first vote for Isaac Hill, the Democratic
candidate for governor in New Hampshire,
and the same year, with good recommendations
and $100 in his pocket, he left home with
the idea of settling somewhere in the West.
After a varied journey, made partly by stage,
partly by cars and partly by canal and steam-
boats, he arrived in Chicago October 25, 1836.
He soon made arrangements to continue his study
of law with Henry Moore, a pioneer lawyer of
the city, but on November 23 was induced to
take editorial charge of the Chicago Democrat.
His influence was so strong in this stern advocate
of the people that both citizens and owners urged
him to secure permanent charge, to which he
soon consented and within three years had paid
the purchase price of $2800. During these first
years he was active in city affairs and held vari-
ous offices, writing on many political subjects,
besides makinghis paper a political power through-
out the Northwest.
In spite of these demands upon his time he con-
tinued his law studies and in 1841 attended lec-
tures at Harvard College. He returned in time
to take part in the campaign of 1842 and was
soon admitted to the bar. The election which
should have been held in 1842 was not held until
August of the next year, when Mr. Wentworth
was elected to Congress from the Fourth Dis-
trict by a large majority. Although but three
years above the legal age and without experience
in legislative bodies, he attended to his duties
as successfully as an old parliamentarian and was
re-elected in 1844, l8 4 6 an( ^ 1848. He declined
the office in 1850, but was again elected in 1852,
from the Second District. The Democratic Re-
view said of his congressional career: ' ' Colonel
Wentworth' s political career has been marked by
untiring industry and perseverance, by inde-
pendence of thought, expression and action, by a
thorough knowledge of human nature, by a moral
courage equal to any crisis, by a self-possession
that enables him to avail himself of any chance of
success, when on the very threshold of defeat,
and by a steady devotion to what he believes to
be the wishes and interests of those whose repre-
sentative he is."
In 1857 Mr. Wentworth was elected mayor of
Chicago by a large majority, and during his term
and another which he served in 1860, he adhered
to his old watchward of "Liberty and Economy."
In each case he found the city in debt and went
out of office with money in the treasury. Dur-
ing his first term the first steam fire engine was
bought for the city and named "Long John," in
his honor. In 1860 he had the honor of enter-
taining the Prince of Wales, and was assured
that in no city were the arrangements more per-
fect. In 1 86 1 he was a delegate to the conven-
tion to revise the state constitution, and in the
same year was chosen a member of the board of
education. He was ever a friend of education
and used his influence to defend the school funds
and school system from various attacks.
Concerning Mr. Wentworth' s action on the
slavery question, the famous abolitionist, Zebina
Eastman, wrote: "In politics Colonel Wentworth
has ever acted with the old-line Democratic
party; but when the old parties became split up,
he went with such other Democrats as Hamlin,
Wilmot, King, Trumbull, Fremont, Blair and
others, into what is known as the Republican
movement. To the success of this movement
Colonel Wentworth has, by public speeches, by
writing in his newspaper, and by efforts in every
other way, bent all his energies. And if there is
any truth in the old adage that the tree which
bears the best fruit is always known by its re-
ceiving the greatest number of clubs, Colonel
Wentworth is singled out as one of the most
effective laborers in the ranks of the opposition
to slavery extension."
After leaving Congress Mr. Wentworth passed
many happy hours on his extensive stock farm at
Summit, Cook County, though he was often
called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill some
public office. He was an able writer on histori-
WILLIAM DOEPP.
cal and genealogical subjects and a valued mem-
ber of the Chicago Historical Society. One of his
important contributions in this line is the Went-
worth Genealogy, in three volumes He joined
the Masons and Odd Fellows soon after coming
to Chicago and was a member of the Calumet
Club. He died October 16, 1888.
On November 13, 1844, Mr. Wentworth was
married to Roxanna Marie, only daughter of
Riley and Roxanna (Atwater) Loomis, of Troy,
New York. Five children were born of this
marriage, but only one, Roxanna Atwater,
reached maturity. She became the wife of Clar-
ence Bowen January 27, 1892. Mrs. Wentworth
passed away after many years of delicate health,
February 5, 1870.
WILLIAM DOEPP.
fDQlLLIAM DOEPP, M. D., who was one of
I A/ t ^ le most skillful physicians in Cook
Y V County, was born in Rodenberg, province
of Hanover, Germany, October 17, 1831. When
but a lad he entered a drug store in Hanover, as
clerk, this establishment receiving the patronage
of the royal family. Having decided on his call-
ing in life, he completed a college course, and
later a course in medicine at Marburg.
In 1856 he decided to come to America, and by
acting as ship's surgeon, secured free passage on
a sailing vessel, and after a tempestuous voyage
arrived in New York, whence he proceeded at
once to Chicago. For one year he followed his
profession, with an office in Madison Street, but
was burned out, and in 1858 bought land among
some friends in the town of Bloom, about twenty-
five miles from Chicago. His purchase consisted
of wooded land, which he cleared and otherwise
improved, at the same time keeping up a med-
ical practice. This locality was still a wilderness,
and deer and wolves were plenty. The pioneer
physician experienced many hardships and dan-
gers. He traveled on horseback, was frequently
obliged to ford the streams, and often lost his
way, where there were no roads. Dr. Doepp
was the only physician in Homewood for some
time, and continued a general practice, which
extended over a large area. With a frugality true
to the training and tiaditions of his native land,
he saved a fair portion of his income, and wisely
invested his surplus in real estate, which he im-
proved. He built several business blocks in Chi-
cago, one of them being the Doepp Block, at the
corner of Clybourn and Fullerton Avenues.
As a result of following the natural course of
his mind in his early training, the subject of this
notice was ever a close student of the natural
sciences. He also read voluminously on histor-
ical subjects, and gave close attention to history
as it was enacted during his lifetime. He was,
withal, a keen lover of nature, and took especial
delight in animal life. His taste in this direction
was shown by the fine fish pond which he main-
tained, and by his aviary, which contained many
rare foreign birds, among them the European
nightingale. He also took great interest in do-
mestic animals, and was proud of his choice herd
of Jersey cattle.
In his home it was, however, that he found his
greatest comfort, and he will ever be remem-
bered as a kind, loving father and husband.
With friends and acquaintances he was gentle
and considerate, possessing that geniality of na-
ture so essential to the successful physician. He
was a man of sterling integrity, and of great in-
fluence among his fellow-citizens. He was a
liberal supporter of the German Lutheran
10
A. G. DOEPP.
Church, with which he was connected, and was
active in the interests of the Democratic party,
and held many local offices. He was at one
time a candidate for State Senator in his district,
but was defeated at the polls by Mr. Campbell.
He took a prominent part in the affairs of his
village, where he was popular with all parties.
At the time of his death he was chairman of the
village board. Although a plain and unassum-
ing man, he occasionally made public speeches,
especially for the benefit of personal friends or
his fellow-countrymen. He was a man of robust
health, and suffered very little from sickness up
to the time of his death, when he succumbed,
April 16, 1897, to an attack of pneumonia, which
had lasted five days.
Dr. Doepp was married at Milwaukee, Wis-
consin, July 13, 1859, to Miss Lillie Pauline
Stoltz, of that city. She was born in New Jer-
sey, of German parentage, and survives her hus-
band. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Doepp. Johannah is the wife of William C.
Scupham, a druggist at No. 63 State Street, Chi-
cago. Louis is an engineer in the employ of the
Illinois Central Railway. William L. is a physi-
cian of Chicago, and is connected with the Ger-
man hospital. Edward is a physician at Blue
Island. Frederick F. follows the same profession
at Homewood. Augusta and Albert G. reside
with their mother, the son being a dentist, with
an office in the Venetian Building, Chicago. Ju-
lia, Herman and Lillie are the three youngest;
the second is employed by Bullock & Company,
in Chicago, and the other two reside at the old
home.
Frederick F. Doepp was born in Bloom, Illi-
nois, October 29, 1867, and received a common-
school education. He subsequently graduated
from the Chicago College of Pharmacy, and was
a clerk in a drug store on State Street for six
years. Later he took a position in the Cook
County Hospital, but after a few months entered
the College of Medicine and Surgery, from which
he was graduated in the class of 1894. He then
began practicing with his father, and since the
latter's death has continued the work alone. He
is also administrator of his father's estate. He
is connected with Un Sigma Un Fraternity, and
is local examiner for Homewood Camp, Modern
Woodmen of America. His sister resides with
him. He is now president of the village of
Homewood, of which his brother is treasurer.
ALBERT G. DOEPP.
GILBERT GEORGE DOEPP, one of the most
LJ successful practicing dentistsof Chicago, was
I 1 born February 16, 1872, at Homewood, the
suburban home of his parents, and received his
primary education in that village. He spent one
year at the Cook County Normal School, and
pursued a business course at Bryant & Stratton's
Business College.
Dr. Doepp is possessed of great musical talent,
and gave considerable time to its cultivation,
while pursuing his other studies. He took in-
struction on the violin at the Chicago Musical
College for three years, and became a very pro-
ficient and pleasing performer. His talent is
employed chiefly in his own amusement and for
the gratification and pleasure of his friends.
Having decided upon the profession of dentistry
as a life work, he entered the Northwestern Uni-
versity Dental College, and was graduated in the
spring of 1897. He immediately opened an of-
JOSEPH SANTA.
ii
fice in the Venetian Building, where he spends
five days each week, devoting one day and much
of his evenings to home patrons in his native
village, where he continues to reside. He is ac-
tive in local affairs, and is the present treasurer
of the village of Homewood. Politically he sus-
tains the Democratic party, and wields consider-
able influence in his home neighborhood. His
genial nature and pleasant manners make him
popular with any who may be privileged to meet
him, and his friends are numbered by his ac-
quaintances. He is a member of the Odonto-
graphic Dental Society, and is active in promoting
the welfare of Homewood Camp, Modern Wood-
men of America, of which camp he is now
Venerable Consul.
JOSEPH SANTA.
(JOSEPH SANTA, one of the few survivors
I among the followers of the Hungarian patriot,
(2/ Kossuth, who, owing to the failure of their
revolution, were expatriated and obliged to seek
in America the freedom for which they fought,
has resided in Chicago since October i, 1851, and
has shown by the ready manner in which he has
adapted himself to American ideas that he and
his compatriots were well worthy of the repub-
lican government for which they contended.
Mr. Santa was born in Fernezely, in the District
of Comitat Szathmar, Hungary, January 20,
1825, and is a son of Andrew Santa, who held a
position in the Forestry Department of the Hun-
garian Government. After completing the course
of study in the parish school, the son attended
the gymnasium near his native place for six years
and subsequently followed his natural literary
bent by taking a two-years' course in an academy.
Thus he was well equipped mentally for the battle
of life and for two years served in the Forestry
Department of the Government.
About this time the people of Hungary were
becoming uneasy under their yoke of tyranny,
and, fired by the hope of securing a free govern-
ment, young Santa joined the forces of the im-
mortal Kossuth and followed General Bern
throughout the Revolution. At the close of the
sanguinary struggle he had risen to the rank of
first lieutenant, and on the advice of the general
in command, he left Hungary in company with
about two hundred other patriots, taking refuge
in Turkey. There they were obliged to lay
down their arms and were held as prisoners of
war for a year, when they were given their choice
of three propositions: to remain in Turkey, to
return to their homes, or to emigrate to some other
country, their transportation to be provided by
the Turkish government. Having read of the
struggle for liberty in America and of the wel-
come offered there to the persecuted of all nations,
the subject of this sketch decided to make that
country his future home and accordingly took pas-
sage for Southampton, England, whence he con-
tinued his journey to New York. Lord Stanley
Stewart, an English philanthropist, furnished
passage for the party of exiles from Southampton
to New York, and Mr. Cochrane, a banker of
Washington, recently deceased, helped the party
from New York to Iowa, where land and the
necessary implements for farming were furnished
them. But reaching Chicago late in the year
they were prevailed upon to remain there rather
than undertake a further journey across the bleak
prairies.
At this time Mr. Santa was unable to speak
either English or German, though he wrote and
spoke fluently three other languages. He was
on this account unfitted to take up work for
which he was otherwise well qualified, and farm
12
HANS LARSEN.
labor seemed his most available opportunity.
After a short time spent in this work in Du Page
County he returned to Cook County and entered
the employ of the Crosby Distilling Company,
where he soon rose to the position of second fore-
man, remaining with the company seven years.
He then learned the trade of cooper, at which he
worked about eight years. His next venture
was in the grocery business, his store being lo-
cated in what is now Milton Avenue. Subse-
quently he bought property in Larrabee Street,
where he erected a store and carried on his busi-
ness successfully until the great fire of 1871.
This terrible conflagration destroyed most of his
savings of a period of twenty years, all that was
left him being his real estate.
Having won the confidence and esteem of his
fellow-citizens he was appointed by Timothy
Bradley, sheriff of Cook County, to the office of
deputy sheriff, and served under Judge Porter
until the latter's death, in 1873. He was then
selected by Judge Gary as bailiff, and served in
that capacity until July 8, 1890. Since that time
he was not engaged actively in business, the care
of his property and his social duties occupying
much of his time, until December, 1898, when he
was again selected by Judge Gary as his personal
bailiff.
Mr. Santa has ever taken a sincere interest in
the welfare of his fellow-men, and especially in
that of his fellow-countrymen. He is a promi-
nent member of the Sons of Herman and has
filled all the important offices in that society, in-
cluding that of national president. He has held
the same position in the German order of the
Harugari. He is a member of St. Paul's Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, and has taken consider-
able part in the effective work of that organiza-
tion, being at present connected with Uhlich Or-
phan Asylum. In politics Mr. Santa has followed
the fortunes of the Republican party, having
joined it upon its organization. Since learning
the German and English languages he has be-
come quite proficient in their use and has con-
tinued his studies along literary lines. He has
contributed numerous articles to the German
press of the city and also to a number of society
papers throughout the country.
July 19, 1853, the subject of this sketch was
married to Miss Jane Urquhart, who remained
his helpmeet until her death in November, 1876.
Of the children of this marriage, three are living,
namely: William, Edward and Catherine, the
last-named being now Mrs. Frank Hoist. All
are residents of Chicago. Mr. Santa was married
a second time, in 1877, to Mrs. Louise Weise.
HANS LARSEN.
NANS LARSEN, one of the successful busi-
ness men and respected citizens of the por-
tion of Chicago where he is located, was
born in Denmark, March 20, 1858, and possesses
all the perseverance, energy and ambition of the
natives of the country where he was born and
spent the first part of his varied career. He was
reared on a farm until twenty-one years of age,
and received the advantages of the schools of his
birthplace for seven years. The most of his
knowledge has been obtained in the vast school
of experience, and he has profited by the advan-
tages that have fallen to his lot.
He has never been above honest labor, and for
a long time after his arrival in Chicago, was em-
ployed by the day by other men. He arrived in
America in 1880, and traveled directly to Chi-
cago. His first service was in a lumber yard,
FRANK SPAMER.
where he received a dollar and one-half per day as
compensation during the first year, and one dol-
lar and seventy-five cents during the second year.
He subsequently began work at the trade of car-
penter, which he followed two years, receiving
two dollars per day during the second year.
Mr. Larsen then decided to change his mode
of work, and was employed four years by J. S.
Kirk & Company, soap manufacturers. He was
in the soda department the last two years. De-
ciding to embark in the grocery business, he lo-
cated at No. 428 Grand Avenue, then West
Indiana Street, and was thus occupied six years.
When Mayor Washburne was elected he was ap-
pointed on the police force and served until Oc-
tober 26, 1897. He was first at Sheffield Ave-
nue, in the Forty-first Precinct, remaining there
five years. He was for the same length of time
at Atwell Street, Thirty-fifth Precinct, and after
retiring from the police force, established his pres-
ent business, dealing in flour and feed. He has
built up a profitable trade and his success is en-
tirely due to his own energetic efforts and busi-
ness ability.
Mr. Larsen was fortunate in the selection of a
very suitable and helpful life companion, in the
person of Annie Carlsland, who has aided in
making his home harmonious and pleasant. They
were married in Chicago, May 15, 1886. Of the
five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Larsen, but
three are living, Gerhard, Hazel and Esther. Mr.
Larsen is a member of the Policemen's Benevolent
Association, and is also connected with the Royal
League. He is a stanch and thorough Republi-
can, and his influence in favor of his party is
made manifest at all favorable opportunities. He
is a self-made man, having started in a strange
land, with no financial capital, and has made his
own way since establishing himself in the great
business world.
FRANK SPAMER.
f~ RANK SPAMER, JUNIOR, who is one of
rQ the most enterprising and successful busi-
I ness men in Chicago, is an old and ex-
perienced hand at his business and holds an
enviable position among men in his line. He
was born May 8, 1859, in Beverly, Massachusetts,
and is a son of Franz and Elizabeth Margaret
Spamer, of whom mention is made in another
article. He received a fairly good education, and
being naturally apt, acquired a knowledge of
books, as well as the ways of the great business
world.
Frank Spamer attended the Newberry and
Franklin Schools and took commercial law,
bookkeeping and rhetoric at the Athenaeum, at-
tending one winter. He was, later, at public
night school and one year in the Metropolitan
Business College. At the age of fifteen years he
left school and began to seek employment. He
accepted a position in the employ of Fred Kaemp-
fer, a bird fancier, and after one year, entered the
service of Edward Buchler, who kept a foreign
book store at No. 235 State Street, with whom
he remained two years. He then became an em-
ploye of Adams & Westlake, hardware specialty
manufacturers. He started in as an apprentice
and remained three years, after which he ob-
tained a position with Leahy Brothers, wholesale
dry goods dealers. He served three years, and
was six subsequent months in the capacity of
salesman employed by C. W. M. Friedlander.
He traveled three years for the Cincinnati house
of Enneking, Hartkemeyer & Company, manu-
facturers of tailors' trimmings, visiting cities
JOHN BARTELL.
through Iowa, Illinois, Northern Michigan and
Wisconsin. Mr. Spamer was occupied one year
with the same duties, traveling through his old
territory, for the New York house of Richard
Adams & Company, dealers in tailors' trim-
mings.
Subsequently, with W. G. Sheridan, he opened
a tailor shop at No. 125 Dearborn Street, Chi-
cago, the firm name becoming Sheridan &
Spamer. The partnership was dissolved is less
than one year and Mr. Spamer entered into a like
enterprise with Peter Steinmetz, the name being
Steinmetz & Spamer, located at No. 183 North
Avenue. This continued four years and Mr.
Spamer continued business alone at No. 41 Ran-
dolph Street, three and one-half years. His last
move was to enter into partnership with Peter F.
Jensen, a corporation being formed in September,
1895, and continuing to the present date, under
the title of Spamer & Jensen Company.
Mr. Spamer was married May 8, 1883, to Miss
Elizabeth Ellen Blackburn, daughter of Adam
Blackburn, who is mentioned at length on an-
other page of this work. Their only child is
Frank Blackburn, who was born July 23, 1884.
Mr. Spamer has a pleasant home at No. 303
Sheffield Avenue. He is a member of Lincoln
Park Lodge No. 611, Ancient Free & Accepted
Masons, and is a firm supporter of the principles
of the Republican party. He was reared in the
Presbyterian Church, and adheres to the faith
of his fathers.
JOHN BARTELL.
(lOHN BARTELL, a prominent carpenter and
I builder in the city of Chicago, was born in
G/ Hessen-Cassel, Germany, June 2, 1828, and
is a son of John and Margaret Bartell, both of
whom died in the Fatherland. Of their eight
children, four came to America, namely: Chris-
toph, Katharine, Louise and John. Christoph
and John came to America in 1846, sailing from
Bremen. After a voyage of eleven weeks on the
sailing vessel ."Rob Roy," they landed in the
United States and located in Baltimore, Mary-
land.
In this city they worked at their trade for
some years. Christoph remained there and be-
came a very prominent citizen. He served in
the state legislature during the Civil war and died
in Baltimore in 1885. John became occupied at
his trade in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York
and other cities and made his home in Baltimore
until 1856. He visited his native land in 1852.
In 1856 he came to Chicago and was employed by
other men until shortly before the fire of 1871,
when he began building and contracting on his
own account. He confined his operations mostly
to the building of private residences. For thirty
years he has been located at No. 189 Washington
Street, or in that neighborhood.
He has supported the Republican party since
its organization, but has never sought public office
of any kind. He is a member of the Foresters'
Order. Decembers, 1852, he married Miss Eliza
Rise, a native of Bavaria. She came to the United
States in 1844, with her parents, Stephen and
Dorothy Rise, who settled in Baltimore, where
both died several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Bar-
tell have lost one child by death and have seven
children living, namely: Henry, Emma, Oscar,
Richard, William, Amanda and Hattie. He is a
man of excellent character, morally, though not
a member of any religious organization. He is
well known as a gentleman, in the best sense of
the word, and has many true friends.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLIF
JAMES JOHNSON.
(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).
MRS. JAMES JOHNSON.
(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLIN
JAMES JOHNSON.
JAMES JOHNSON.
(lAMES JOHNSON, who is now living re-
I tired, is a worthy old settler of Chicago and
Q) one of the wealthy and substantial citizens of
the portion of the city which was once Englewood.
His marvelous success is altogether due to his
own efforts. He was born in New York City,
January 14, 1832, and is a son of James and
Eleanor (Wilson) Johnson, the former of Scotch-
Irish and the latter of English parentage.
James Johnson was educated in the public
schools of the city in which he was born and his
father dying when James was a small boy, he was
early forced to look after his own interests and
begin the battle of life. He was for a short time
employed in a brick yard. In 1847 he came
west to Illinois and located in Du Page County.
The following year his mother came to Illinois
and brought with her her two daughters. His
mother died in Englewood in the year 1866
and her remains were interred in Downer's
Grove.
Mr. Johnson lived in the region of Downer's
Grove until the gold fever broke out in 1849,
when he went to California, traveling from New
York by boat. He remained four years and was
blessed with very good success. In 1853 he re-
turned east, and in Fayette County, Iowa, pur-
chased a farm and lived there nearly ten years.
In 1863 he entered the service of the government
and was in the quartermaster's department one
year. He then located in Englewood, which was
then called Rock Island Junction, and contained
only about a dozen houses.
He subsequently became occupied at making
hay in the summer months and teaming and
general contracting in the winter. He took the
contract for drawing the rock for the Transit
House at the stock yards. He has since resided
in this locality, having purchased property when
the town was still young and growing fast. His
land increased in value, enabling him to live in
retirement since 1885. When the place was
known as the Town of Lake, he was in charge of
the fire station three years.
Mr. Johnson has been a Republican since the
party was organized and his first presidential
vote was cast for John C. Fremont. He has
never held public office but was always a promi-
nent worker and influential in the promotion of
good for his party. He has for many years been
a member of the Masonic order, being a charter
member of Englewood Lodge No. 690, Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons.
In 1860 he married Miss Hattie Boydston,
who was the mother of his only son, Elmer, who
now resides in Nebraska. November 26, 1879,
he married Mrs. Louise, widow of Henry Nie-
meyer. Mrs. Johnson was born October 18,
1839, in Hanover, Germany. (See biography of
Henry Niemeyer on another page of this work.)
Mrs. James Johnson was for some years a mem-
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Hoff-
nung Rebekah Lodge, and was one of the first
lady members initiated. She is at present and
has been for many years a member of the Ladies'
Aid Society of Ulich Orphan Asylum. Mr.
i6
HENRY KELLER.
Johnson was reared iu the faith of the Methodist
Church, while his wife is a Lutheran. They have
a pleasant home and enjoy the respect and con-
fidence of a large circle of friends. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Johnson possess pleasant, genial
natures, full of hospitality and good will toward
their fellows. Mr. Johnson has a sterling
character, a strong sense of the right, and his
views on all matters are tempered with justice,
liberality and moderation. He is upright in all
his dealings, and his influence is always given to
those enterprises that promote the public good.
He is a high type of the self-made man, who has
won success by his untiring industry and un-
swerving integrity, and his example is worthy of
emulation by this rising generation.
HENRY KELLER.
HENRY KELLER, who is now living re-
tired, is one of the wealthiest and most in-
fluential of Chicago's citizens. He is one of
the worthy pioneers of the city, having resided
within its limits since the year 1852. He was
born August 12, 1831, in Hochhausen on
Neckar, near Mosbach, Baden, Germany, and is
a son of Philip and Regina (Fry) Keller. His
grandfather was also named Philip, and both the
father and grandfather were residents of the city
of Chicago.
The famil3 r , consisting of the grandfather,
Philip Keller, his son Philip and six other chil-
dren, left Germany in March, 1853. They
embarked at Rotterdam in a sailing ship bound
for New York, and though they had a stormy
passage, reached their destined harbor in thirty-
five days. The entire family came directly to
Chicago, arriving here about the middle of May.
The Keller family was a very old and respected
one in the land of its origin, and was founded in
Germany by a very remote ancestor, who went
there from Alsace-Lorraine. For many genera-
tions the members of the family were shepherds.
Philip Keller, senior, grandfather of Henry, died
in the same year the family settled in America, at
the age of seventy-three years.
Philip Keller, junior, was a shepherd until
1 842, and then became a tiller of the soil, following
the occupation until the year of his emigration.
He was possessed of one thousand dollars in gold
at that time, and assisted his son until the time
of his death, in 1863, aged sixty-two years. His
wife survived him ten years, dying at seventy-
two years of age. Of the family born to this
worthy couple but four are living. Johanna,
who is the widow of Joseph Karl, became the
mother of one son, Henry. Elizabeth, the widow
of William Gunther, has two children. Henry
is the next in order of birth, and Katharine is the
wife of Adam Grimer, of Chicago.
Henry Keller attended school until he reached
the age of fourteen years, after which time he
attended night school. He was reared to the
occupation of a shepherd. During the first two
years of his life in Chicago he was employed as a
butcher in the North and South Markets. In
1854 he opened a market of his own at the
corner of South Wells (now Fifth Avenue) and
Harrison Streets, and carried on business one
year, and then moved to No. 48 Rees Street, on
the North Side, and conducted a market at this
location several years.
In 1858 he purchased a lot at the corner of
Larrabee Street and Clybourn Avenue, and at
this place continued to carry on business until
the fire of 1871, when he lost all of his property,
with the exception of his real estate, obtaining
HEN'RY KELLER.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF
CAPT. FREDERICK GUND.
but meager insurance. His loss was several
thousand dollars. He moved to Lake View sub-
sequent to the fire, and located on the corner of
Lincoln and Fullerton Avenues, beginning busi-
ness three days after the fire. He continued to
conduct a market at this location, and at the same
time he was keeping a market at the corner of
Larrabee Street and Clybourn Avenue, in a
building which he erected for the purpose. He
continued in business until the year 1894, when
he retired from active life. Mr. Keller has
always been of a vigorous constitution, enjoying
the best of health at all times.
He has taken little interest in politics beyond
following out the duty of every American
citizen, that of voting, and upholds the Re-
publican party. He is a valued and respected
member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran
Church. He is connected with the South Side
Sharpshooters' Club and since 1885 has been one
of the directors of theUlich Orphan Asylum.
In 1855 he was married to Miss Caroline
Gunther, who was born in Milverstadt, Prussia,
Germany. She came to Chicago with her
mother in 1852, her father having died on the
ocean, while on his way with them to America
The mother died in Blue Island in 1853. Mr.
and Mrs. Keller have three daughters and one
son living. Philip H. resides at the corner of
Seminary Avenue and Wellington Street. Eliza-
beth is the wife of William Lester, Julia of
Albert Baldwin and Emma is now Mrs. W. C.
Jacob. The family is highly respected wherever
its members are known, and the name is, and
will always continue to be, among the first and
most prominent in the city of Chicago.
CAPT. FREDERICK GUND.
EAPT. FREDERICK GUND, who is a retired
city official, has been identified with Chicago
since 1847, and has resided on the North
Side this entire length of time. He was born
December i, 1823, in Baden, Germany, and his
parents were Anton and Anna Eva Gund. They
died in Germany , the father in 1829 and the mother
in 1868. They were the parents of five children,
three sons and two daughters, but only Frederick
and his brother, John A. Gund, came to America
and the latter died in Chicago in the year 1868,
having been in this country a period of twenty
years.
Frederick Gund was reared on a farm and edu-
cated in a public school. He assisted in the
duties of farming until he reached the age of
eighteen years, when he enlisted in the standing
army of Germany. He served five years, enter-
ing as a private and being promoted to the rank
of orderly sergeant. Early in the spring of 1847
he sailed from Bremen in a small two-masted
ship. After a voyage of fifty-two days he was
landed in New York, and spent about two
months with a friend in Troy, New York,
where he was employed in a brush factory.
He then came west to Chicago, and having
brought a little money with him from his native
land he soon began business and engaged a num-
ber of hands at making cigars. He continued
this business, with his brother for a partner, with
good success until 1862. He then turned the
entire business over to his brother and receiving
an appointment from the mayor as policeman in
1854, he followed this occupation eight months,
when he resigned. After Mayor Dyer's election
in 1856, he was again put on the force and was
IS
E. M. JOHNSON.
made lieutenant. He served as such until 1867,
when Mayor Wentworth was elected and he was
promoted to the position of captain and served
in that capacity until the board of commissioners
was appointed by the governor. A Mr. Nelson
was appointed to fill his position, but after six
months they sent for Captain Gund. As he was
then working for the board of public works he
would not accept the position until the board
would employ the man of his choice as his succes-
sor. They agreed to this and he resumed his posi-
tion as captain. Upon the expiration of Mr.
Country's term as commissioner Captain Gund
was elected police commissioner and served the
six-year term, which expired in December, 1871.
In the fire of that year he was burned out, losing
about thirty thousand dollars. He received prac-
tically no insurance but still had his two lots at
No. 521 North Clark Street, and after the fire he
built a small shanty to live in. In the spring of
1872 the police commissioner again appointed
him as captain, and he served until August i,
1879, when failing health caused him to retire
from service. He had served about twenty-two
years in all in the police department. He has
since lived retired, looking after his property in-
terests, and has always been active in promoting
the best interests of the city and country.
Captain Gund acted with the Democratic party
previous to the organization of the Republican
party, and assisted in the organization of the lat-
ter in Chicago. He voted for Fremont and has
supported the candidates of that party ever since.
He was married in Chicago February 9, 1849, in
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, to Miss
Adelheid, daughter of Henry Wistheim. She
was born in Nassau, Germany, and came to Chi-
cago in 1847. They have had seven children,
but four died in childhood. The following are
living: Frederick William, an electrician in the
fire department; Frank A., traveling salesman
for Durand & Kasper: and Mary, wife of P. J.
Kasper, of the firm of Durand & Kasper, whole-
sale grocers.
Captain Gund is still active and strong, and
although seventy-five years of age, is as much
interested as ever in the affairs of the world. He
is a bright character, with an interesting manner,
and is thoroughly a gentleman of the old school.
He is honored by all who know him and respected
by all who have heard the story of his useful and
industrious life.
ERNEST M. JOHNSON.
r~RNEST MORTIMER JOHNSON was for
1^ some time an employe in the Lake Shore
L_ & Michigan Southern Railroad Company's
office. He was born March 23, 1866, and at-
tended school until he reached the age of sixteen
years, being an attendant of the high school and
Cook County Normal School for three years.
He was employed by the Wilson Sewing Ma-
chine Company after leaving school, and was in
the enameling department of that concern t\vo
years. He was then made clerk under his father's
supervision, at the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railroad Company's freight office. He
remained in this position until February i, 1898,
when he decided to take a vacation.
E. M. Johnson was married September 24,
1885, to Miss Millie, daughter of Andrew St.
John, a native of New York state. Mr. Johnson
built a residence at No. 6911 Wabash Avenue,
this being one of the first houses in the vicinity.
He is connected with Mystic Star Lodge No.
758, of the Masonic order, and is a stanch up-
WILLIAM TEMPEL.
holder of the principles of the Republican party,
voting in its favor at every opportunity. He has
never cared to fill any public office, as there are
enough men who are more than anxious for an
opportunity. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson make an
admirable couple, both being genial and hospita-
ble people, and ready at all times to assist those
in distress or need.
WILLIAM TEMPEL.
TEMPEL is the senior member
m ^ William Tempel & Company.
They do a real-estate and mortgage-loan
business and succeeded the firm of Knauer Broth-
ers, who established the business in 1855, on the
corner of Clark and Kinzie Streets. Mr. Tempel
was born in Steinheim, Province of Westphalia,
Prussia, July i, 1833, and is a son of Frantz
Tempel, further mention of whom is made in the
biography of Anton Tempel, on another page of
this volume.
William Tempel is the second son of his father.
He attended school in the land of his nativity
until he had reached the age of fourteen years.
In the fall of 1853 he embarked at Bremen Har-
bor on a sailing ship and after a voyage of eighty-
five days landed in New York. He remained in
that city two months and continued his journey
to Chicago, arriving in this city in March, 1854.
Mr. Tempel opened a restaurant soon after his
arrival at the corner of Van Buren and Sherman
Streets, where he continued in business two years.
He then left Chicago, going directly to St. Louis,
Missouri, where he engaged in business for a few
months. From there he went to New Orleans, and
there kept a market in St. Mary's Market Place.
On the breaking out of the Civil War he was
ordered to enlist in the Confederate Army or leave
the country. Choosing the latter, he did not take
time to close out his stock, but left on the last
north-bound boat but one that left the south in
safety, in the night. At Baton Rouge the boat
was fired on, but without any serious results.
Mr. Tempel repaired to St. Joseph, Missouri,
and there started a fruit store. That city soon
became too hot for such a pronounced anti-
slavery and Union man and he left his business
a second time and fled from the city by a boat
bound for St. Louis, which was fired upon by
Rebels at Jefferson, Missouri. On returning to
Chicago he opened a grocery store on South Hal-
sted Street at the corner of what was then Wright
Street, but soon after removed to the North Side
and located at the corner of Division and North
Clark Streets. He conducted a general store,
dealing very profitably in groceries and provi-
sions, also having a large stock of flour, feed and
charcoal. This business he continued with suc-
cess until the fire of 1871 destroyed all his sav-
ings, leaving him destitute of property, with
the exception of some real estate. He got no
insurance. His establishment was at that time
the only store between Division Street and Evans-
ton.
Immediately subsequent to the fire Mr. Tern-
pel rebuilt his store building, and inside of three
weeks had purchased a stock of goods and re-
opened his establishment for the accommodation
of his numerous customers. He continued the
business successfully one year and in 1872 re-
moved to the corner of Wells and Eugenie Streets
and continued in the same line of business as be-
fore, at the same time keeping the Farmers'
Home. He subsequently purchased property at
the corner of Burling and Center Streets and
engaged in business at that location. His estab-
20
AUGUST HOEFER.
lishment was of the same nature as that he had
formerly conducted and he did a prosperous busi-
ness, accumulating a handsome competence. In
1882 fire destroyed his business and residence
and he retired from active business life and lived
retired until recently, when he engaged in his
present business. He is an ambitious and enter-
prising man and has always taken a lively in-
terest in public affairs. He is a Republican in
principle and has held no public office. He is a
genial, pleasant gentleman of the true order, hav-
ing ever been possessed with a manner to inspire
the confidence of his fellow-men.
April n, 1864, Mr. Tempel was married to
Miss Anna Schabokrzky, who was born in Bo-
hemia and came to Chicago in 1856. Five chil-
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tempel,
namely: William F. ; Minnie, wife of Robert
Erbe, head cutter for Jacob L. Cohn & Com-
pany; Tillie, wife of Jacob Spielman, president
of Spielman Brothers Company, manufacturers of
vinegar and yeast; Anna, wife of Dr. W. S. Orth,
a physician and surgeon connected with the Alex-
ian Brothers' Hospital; and Charles, who died
in infancy. They all reside in the beautiful flat
building at No. 1764 Wrightwood Avenue, which
Mr. Tempel bought in 1896. Mr. Tempel is in-
dependent in his religious opinions and is not a
member of any church organization. He is a
man of high principles and unstained honor, re-
spected by all who come in contact with him and
one of the worthy citizens of Chicago. The
mother of Mrs. Tempel died when she was still
a child, and her father died in 1882 of suffoca-
tion, when Mr. Tempel was burned out on Bur-
ling and Center Streets.
Mr. Tempel has witnessed many improvements
in the city and has been closely identified with
its business interests, contributing in a material
as well as influential way to many of the changes.
He is a friend to education and has allowed his
family all the advantages to be obtained by
money and the times. He is especially happy
and companionable in his home life, and his at-
tractive home is the abode of a genuine, open-
handed hospitality.
AUGUST HOEFER.
G| UGUST HOEFER, who was a prominent
I_l citizen of Chicago for several years, was born
/ I August 19, 1840, near Burbrach, Koeller,
in Prussia, Germany. His father, Henry Hoefer,
was a coal miner in his native land, and died in
Chicago in 1868. August Hoefer' s mother died
in Germany, and his father married a second
time, his wife dying in Bensonville, Douglas
County, Illinois. In 1865 Mr. Hoefer and family,
consisting of two daughters and three sons, came
to the United States and settled in Chicago.
The children were named: August, William,
Sophia, Emma and Henry.
August Hoefer was educated in the parish
school of the Lutheran Church and confirmed in
the church. He learned the trade of baker,
which he followed. After coming to America he
worked as a journeyman until 1869, when he
started a bakery at No. 308 North Avenue. He
was burned out in the fire of 1871, losing every-
thing. He again started on the adjoining lot,
and baked his first bread December 2 of that
year, making the first bread baked in the burnt
neighborhood. He continued in business and
prospered. In 1872 he purchased a lot at No.
227 North Avenue, and built the present building,
which comprises a bakery, store, residence and a
large hall known as Hoefer's Hall. In 1882 he
JAMES SMEATON.
21
retired from active business, having accumulated
a handsome competence, and he and Mrs. Hoefer
spent a year in San Jose, California. He subse-
quently became an insurance agent, and con-
tinued four years. He died Decembers, 1891,
mourned by family and friends. He was a valued
member of New Chicago Lodge No. 506, Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a charter
member of Sophia Rebekah Lodge No. 96. He
was connected with the Knights of Pythias, and
was a valued and consistent member of St. Paul's
Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was inde-
pendent in his political views, voting for the man
who, in his opinion, was best adapted to fill the
office to the first interests of the people.
Mr. Hoefer married Miss Catharine Nicholson,
October 10, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Hoefer were
blessed with eleven children, but all are now de-
ceased. Mrs. Hoefer was born in Hussum, in
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 5, 1845.
Her father died when she was a small child and
she came with some friends to the United States
in 1865. She is identified with a number of
societies and benevolent organizations. She is a
charter member of Sophia Rebekah Lodge No.
96, and belongs to the German Hospital Ladies'
Society, the Ulich Orphan Asylum's Ladies'
Society and the Odd Fellows' Old People's Home
Society. She is Past Grand Treasurer of the
State Rebekah Assembly, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows of Illinois, and is a member of the
Advisory Board of Directors of the Odd Fellows'
Old Folks' Home of Illinois, and the Ladies'
Society of Pastor John's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, in which she is a past officer.
Mrs. Hoefer gives much of her time and means
to the advancement of charitable societies, and
has a large acquaintance throughout the state.
She is held in high esteem by her many friends,
for her many excellent qualities of head and
heart. In everything that tends to promote the
best interests of society generally, Mrs. Hoefer
takes an active part, and faithfully discharges
every sacred duty to friends, society and church.
JAMES SMEATON.
(I AMES SMEATON, one of the successful cut
I stone dealers in the city of Chicago, and one
Q) of the prominent citizens, was born in Perth,
Scotland, August 14, 1857. His parents, Andrew
and Jennie (Taylor) Smeaton, came to Chicago
in March of the year 1873.
James Smeaton learned the trade of stone cut-
ting in Chicago and was first with Henry
Kerber four years. He worked on the old post-
office subsequent to that time, and then visited
Europe, remaining away a year. On coming to
Chicago the second time he was unable to find
employment and again returned to Scotland,
where he remained eighteen months. But his
longing for Chicago became so strong that he
located here once more and became one of the
employes of Henry Kerber again. He continued
with him until he opened a yard for stone cutting,
for his own interests, at the corner of Nineteenth
Street and Wentworth Avenue. This was April
of the year 1882, and he was located at that place
until 1888, when he removed his business to the
corner of Forty- seventh Street and the Fort
Wayne car tracks, at Stewart Avenue. He is
still established at that location and is conducting
a very profitable business.
Mr. Smeaton was married August 21, 1878,
to Miss Annie Black, daughter of William and
Martha (Redgate) Black. Mrs. Smeaton was
born in Ireland and emigrated from her native
22
ATZEL BROTHERS.
land in 1872. Her children are accounted for as
follows: James, born June 10, 1880; Annie, April
3, 1882; William Black, October n, 1883; David
Taylor, January 3, 1885; and Jennet Taylor, No-
vember n, 1888.
Mr. Sineaton was made a Mason in Kirkcaldy
Lodge No. 73, in Scotland. He is a mem-
ber of Thomas J. Turner Lodge No. 409,
of Chicago, and was a charter member of
Fidelity Court No. 37, Independent Order of
Foresters. He is a stanch upholder of the
principles of the Republican party and supports
the candidates of the party in every practical
manner. He is a Presbyterian in religious belief,
and his wife sympathizes with him in his views.
They have a fine family, and are devoted to their
children in every manner, morally and practi-
cally.
ATZEL BROTHERS.
GlTZEL BROTHERS, who are engaged in
LJ the flour and feed business at Nos. 556-558
I I South Canal Street, belong to one of the
oldest German -American families of the city, and
are both natives of Chicago. Their father,
Tobias Atzel, was -born November 5, 1813, in
Alsace, then a part of France. He was reared
and educated in his native place, and in 1833
came to the United States, having sailed from
Havre in a sailing ship which took sixty-five
days to make the voyage to New York.
He traveled on to Buffalo, and there served a
regular apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade.
In May, 1836, he went back to his native land
and married Magdalena Haas and, with his
wife, returned to America. He came direct to
Chicago, arriving in July of the same year.
He at once began working at his trade and did
building for some time. About 1850 he kept a
grocery store and hotel on Jefferson Street, and
in the spring of 1854 removed to Du Page
County and bought a farm, south of Hinsdale.
He was engaged in farming about twenty years,
and then moved to Downer's Grove, where he
died in December, 1894, his good wife surviving
him but ten days, when she too passed away.
They were many years members of the Evangel-
ical Lutheran Church, and Mr. Atzel was one of
the first members of Dr. Hartmann's Church of
that denomination.
Mr. and Mrs. Atzel were the parents of nine
children, all of whom grew to maturity, namely:
Caroline, now Mrs. Peter Leibundguth, of Dow-
ner's Grove; George, senior partner of Atzel
Brothers; Thomas, who is now deceased; John,
of the firm of Atzel Brothers; Louise, deceased;
Frederick; William; Magdalena, widow of Daniel
Peters, of South Chicago; and Henry.
George Atzel was born in Chicago, April 8,
1844. His primary education was received in
the Skinner School on west Madison Street, and
while on the farm, in DuPage County, he at-
tended the district school in winter. He grew
to manhood on his father's farm, and in 1862
enlisted in the Union Army. He was mustered
into service September 6 of that year and was
assigned to Company H, One Hundred Twenty-
seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He entered
as a private, but was soon promoted to corporal,
and November i, 1863, was again promoted to
commissary sergeant. He was never wounded,
taken prisoner nor in the hospital, but was with
JULIUS WAHL.
his regiment throughout his length of service,
participating in every engagement in which the
regiment took part. He was mustered out of
service in June, 1865, in Washington, District of
Columbia. At the close of the Civil War he re-
turned to his father's farm and remained a few
years. In 1870, with his brother, John, he
entered the flour and feed business on Canal
Street, in Chicago, a few doors south of their
present place of business. For about fourteen
years they did a large business in buying and
selling horses, shipping to Boston, Massachusetts.
George Atzel cast his first presidential vote for
Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and has ever since
supported the candidates of the Republican
party. He never sought public office, in any
form. Mr. Atzel is a member of U. S. Grant
Post No. 20, Grand Army of the Republic. In
1867 he married Miss Katharine Leibundguth.
Their children were six in number, but three
died in childhood. Those still in the land of the
living are: Emma, wife of Fred O. Schmitt, a
druggist at the corner of Robey Street and Ros-
coe Boulevard; George W., a pharmacist; and
Edward. The members of the family attend
the Evangelical Lutheran Church, whose faith
they embrace.
John Atzel was born June 28, 1848. He en-
listed in the United States Army at the time the
Civil War was in progress, in March, 1865, and
served in the One Hundred Fifty-sixth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, until the close of the war.
He married Miss Ellen Leibundguth, by whom
he has three children: Clara, wife of August
Drawle, Nettie and John. Mrs. Atzel died in
April, 1884, mourned by family and friends.
John Atzel is connected with Pleiades Lodge
No. 478, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
He is a Republican, being loyal in every sense
to the principles of his party.
JULIUS WAHL.
HULIUS WAHL, who is among the promi-
I nent citizens of the city of Chicago and
Q) well known among the business precincts as
an extensive real-estate dealer, was born January
21, 1848. His parents were Leopold and Helena
(Meinhardt) Wahl and lived at Recklinghausen,
Westphalia, Germany, at the time of his birth.
Leopold Wahl, his father, was born in Minden,
Westphalia; received a military education, serv-
ing in the army until he was thirty years of age.
He then received a court appointment, having
control of the court funds of the city of Reck-
linghausen. He occupied this position until his
death in 1850. He was a typical representative
of his native land, being of rugged physique and
of medium size.
Julius Wahl came to Chicago in 1868. He
attended school in the old country until he was
fifteen years of age and later spent five years in ap-
prenticeship, learning glass engraving. He
never followed this profession after coming to the
United States. After arriving in Chicago he
delivered newspapers for a short time, after that
became a clerk in a grocery store, but later ob-
tained a position as deputy clerk of internal
revenue under Herman Raster. After the resig-
nation of Mr. Raster as collector he was engaged
as clerk for Waixel Brothers, liquor dealers. He
was clerk for the Germania Insurance Company
one year, and from 1872 to 1884 was deputy
clerk of the circuit court of Cook County.
During 1 885 he was in the law office of Rosenthal
A. D. STEVENS.
& Pence, after which he began to deal in real
estate for himself. He opened an office in 1886
at No. 8 1 Clark Street,' remaining at this loca-
tion three years. He was subsequently two
years at No. 92 La Salle Street, Illinois National
Bank Building, four years, Hartford Building one
year, and at present has his office at Room 701,
No. 167 Dearborn Street. He has handled lands
in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Nebraska, California and Indiana. He also
deals in lands in this city, buying and exchang-
ing property and making loans quite extensively.
Julius Wahl was married in 1874 to Sophie
Wienhoeber, a daughter of George Wienhoeber.
Mrs. Wahl was born and educated in Germany.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wahl are Anna,
Ella and Dorothea. Leopold, the second born,
died at the age of nine months. Mr. Wahl is an
upholder of the principles and candidates of the
Republican party. He is one of the most ex-
tensive real-estate dealers in Chicago and has
been very successful. He rises from one of the
oldest German families and has all the nature
and bearing of the true refined German. His
residence, at No. 6919 Calumet Avenue, is one
of the finest and most luxurious in that section
of the city, and he may be proud of the
ownership.
AARON D. STEVENS.
<3| A RON DEFOREST STEVENS, who has
LJ for many years been an efficient and valued
| I employe of the Lake Shore & Michigan
Southern Railway Company, was born May 3,
1856, at Plattville, Wisconsin. His parents,
Aaron Deforest and Emma Ora (Campbell) Ste-
vens, were of English birth. The paternal
grandfather of the man whose name heads this
article was Asa Stevens, and his children were
Henry, Asa and others whose names have not
been recorded. The maternal grandfather was
Divillis Campbell, and his children were named:
Robert, Mary, Emma, Margaret, Charles, Divil-
lis, Henry, Irene and Andrew. Divillis Camp-
bell, senior, was of Scottish birth and was a
good representative of the hardy race.
Aaron Deforest Stevens, senior, died October
14, 1891, at the age of sixty years. His remains
were interred at Sandford, Midland County, Mich-
igan. He was a shoemaker by trade, and was
born twenty miles from London, England. At
the age of eleven years he went to sea, remain-
ing on the ocean six years. He then settled
down in America, and as he was an enthusiastic
hunter, this country held great attraction for him,
with its boundless prairies and immense amount
of game. He traveled all through America and
finally located in New York State, later remov-
ing to Michigan, in 1870. He remained in that
locality until his death. He visited California,
and some years later Florida, during the time
his home was in Michigan. Mrs. A. D. Stevens
died at the age of forty years, in July, 1877.
Her children were: Emma, Ora and Aaron
Deforest.
Aaron D. Stevens attended a Catholic school
until he reached the age of sixteen years and
was then employed by the Buffalo & Erie Rail-
way Company as messenger boy. After six
months he was made switchman, and remained
thus occupied until May, 1870. He subse-
quently changed to the service of the New York
Central Railroad Company, remaining until
November, 1871. He then removed to Chicago
and was made switchman and subsequently yard-
master for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
W. R. MACSWAIN.
Railroad Company, being in the same employ
since that time. He has for fourteen years been
yard-master. Mr. Stevens was married Novem-
ber 12, 1876, to Nancy Jane McLemore, of Ken-
tucky. Her children are accounted for as fol-
lows: Francis Sunderland, born October 4, 1877,
is in the bridge-building business. Frederick
Deforest was born April 29, 1892. The father of
Mrs. Stevens is Jefferson McLemore and her
mother Nancy Frances (Crawford) McLemore.
They resided in Hopkins County, Kentucky,
at the time of the birth of their daughter,
the wife of Mr. Stevens, which occurred April
12, 1859, and came to Chicago in 1873. They
come of very old Kentucky families and the Craw-
ford name is a time-honored one.
Mr. Stevens is a very genial gentleman, being
a type of the old school and a credit to the name
he bears. He has never sought public favor in
the form of office, but uses his influence and ar-
guments for the benefit of the Democratic party.
His family is one of importance among the pres-
ent generation and his life work has been one to
be remembered by men.
WILLIAM R. MACSWAIN.
pGjlLLIAM ROBERTSON MACSWAIN,
\ A I who is among the most enterprising of the
V V citizens of Chicago and influential among
men of his class and standing, was born February
7, 1850, on Spruce Street, Portland, Maine. His
ancestors were Scotch and belonged rightly to
that sturdy and long-lived race which has ever
been renowned for the honesty and uprightness
of its people. The paternal grandfather of Will-
iam R. MacSwain was Donald MacSwain, who
located at Prince Edwards Island about 1840, and
died there. He was a miller and his children
were: Janet, who married John McClelland; John;
Alexander, who came to the United States; Anna,
who married Alexander Gillis; Swain, father of
the man whose name heads this article; Allan,
who came to America and located in Maine;
Sarah, who married Mr. McKenzie and went
with her husband to Australia; and Jennie, who
married John Beaton.
The father of W. R. MacSwain was Swain
MacSwain, who married Miss Barbara Curry.
He died at the age of fifty-four years and was
interred at Hadley, Illinois. He was born in In-
verness, Scotland, and followed the occupation
of stone mason. He settled in Canada at the age
of twenty-five years and shortly afterward removed
to Portland, Maine.
W. R. MacSwain was educated in the public
school at Portland, which he left at the age of
fourteen years. He at once began to learn the
trade of a stone mason, serving an apprenticeship
of three and one- half years with Charles M.
Brainerd, and worked at his trade a year and
one-half in the city of Boston, Massachusetts.
He came to Chicago in 1868 and after remaining
here six months went to Will County, Illinois,
and for two years worked for a salary. He sub-
sequently took up the occupation of a railroad
man and for three months was switchman for the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Com-
pany. He was ten years switchman for the Lake
Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company
and was then made passenger conductor and
served two years. November i, 1879, he was
caught between two cars and was disabled for
26
J. W. DIECKMANN.
eight months. September 30, 1883, he lost his
left arm in the stock yards, and subsequently
entered the coroner's office as deputy, remaining
thus occupied eight years. He then changed
and was in various offices, but in December, 1893,
he entered Sheriff Pease's office as jury clerk,
later serving as bookkeeper and still later was
one year bookkeeper for John Symons. He then
entered the county plerk's office, under Philip
Knopf, and is there employed as clerk at the
present time.
Mr. MacSwain was married July 19, 1873, to
Miss Carrie Sarah Clark, daughter of Lorin and
Dollie (Fuller) Clark. One of the ancestors of
Mrs. MacSwain, by the name of Fuller, came
over in the ' 'Mayflower. ' ' Chief Justice Fuller is a
descendant of the same ancestor. The family of
Fuller became represented in Chicago in 1865.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. MacSwain are:
Dollie Grace (now the wife of John Symons,
whose biography appears in this work), and
Hattie Barbara.
Mr. MacSwain is a member of the order of
Knights of Pythias and is connected with Custer
Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and
Grand Crossing Lodge No. 52, of the Royal
League. He votes in favor of the candidates of
the Republican party and is ever an active worker
in support of its principles, striving to secure
honest methods in the conduct of its affairs. He
was reared a Presbyterian and has always been
loyal to the teachings of his fathers. He is a man
of strong character, and is honored and respected
alike by family and friends.
JOHN W. DIECKMANN.
(JOHN WILLIAM DIECKMANN, who has
I been an honored and respected citizen of
Q) Chicago for over forty years, is now living
in quiet retirement at Gross Park, enjoying the
fruits of his former industry. He was born No-
vember 2, 1823, in Hanover, Germany, and is
the youngest in a family of four children born to
Andrew and Ellen (Budke) Dieckmann. The
parents were natives of Hanover, and passed
their entire lives in the Fatherland, as did two
of their four children. John W. and Herman
became residents of Chicago, the latter locating
here in 1859, dying some years ago.
Mr. Dieckmann, of this sketch, was reared a
farmer and received his education in the public
schools, and followed the occupation of tiller
of the soil until he emigrated. In 1851 he
married Miss Margaret Krabbe, who was also
born and reared in Hanover. September i, 1857,
accompanied by his wife and two daughters, he
sailed from Bremen Harbor in the sailing ship
"Alice." The voyage to New York occupied
thirty-four days, with no events specially im-
portant to break the monotony of the trip. Two
days after landing they started for Chicago, and
arrived October 12. At that time the country
was passing through the worst business depres-
sion it has ever experienced and work was scarce
and wages low.
Mr. Dieckmann was fortunate and soon found
employment, but received only fifty cents per day
for his services. His good wife was ambitious
to succeed and assist in making a home in the
New World and did washing for other families
for the small sum of twenty-five cents per day.
Beginning in this small way they laid the foun-
dation for their future success. The next year
after their arrival Mr. Dieckmann rented some
land on Diversey Avenue from William B. Ogden
and engaged in market gardening. In this move
CARL UNDE.
27
he was very successful and continued to prosper
until a short time after the fire of 1871. During
that terrible conflagration Mr. Dieckmann opened
his house and with his wife entertained a few
hundred sufferers from the fire.
Having purchased some lots on the corner of
Ashland Avenue and Roscoe Street, he removed
to that location and cultivated them, at the same
time continuing the cultivation of the leased
land. For two years he engaged in the milk
business, but abandoned it for the more profit-
able and congenial work of market gardening.
In 1889 he retired from active labor with a hand-
some competence, and has since enjoyed a well-
earned rest. Since he became a citizen Mr. Dieck-
mann has supported the Republican party, but he
has never aspired to political preferment.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dieckmann six children were
born, but two died in infancy and four daughters
(the two oldest having been born in Germany
and the others in Chicago) are still living, name-
ly: Anna, wife of Peter Wolff, of No. 39 Evans-
ton Avenue; Mary, now Mrs. Leonard Schirmer,
of No. 68 West Madison Street; Lena, wife of
Frank Albrecht, of No. 624 Otto Street, and
Katharine, who became the wife of Thomas
Schultz, and resides in Denver, Colorado.
After a long and happy married life, Mrs.
Dieckmann was called to her reward August 3,
1889, and her remains were laid to rest in Grace-
land Cemetery. Mr. Dieckmann has long been
a consistent member of Bethlehem Evangelical
Lutheran Church, and for many years has held
the office of secretary. In all religious and be-
nevolent works he takes special interest. By his
many acts of kindness and genuine uprightness
of character he has endeared himself to many
friends and is held in high regard by the com-
munity in which he has so long been a resi-
dent.
CARL LINDE.
EARL LINDE, who lives retired, has been
many years a resident of Chicago. He was
born in Hanover, Germany, October 13,
1823, son of Christian Linde, who was a member
of an old German family, and served in the army
in the Napoleonic war. He died in Germany in
1846 and his wife survived him until 1865, when
she passed away. They had six children, three
of whom are deceased. Christian and Carl live
in Chicago, and Johannah is now Mrs. Kroia, of
Germany.
Carl Linde was liberally educated in the public
school of his native town. At the age of four-
teen years he began to learn the tinner's trade
and after serving an apprenticeship of four years
continued to work at it until he came to America.
In May, 1854, he sailed from Bremen Harbor
in the sailing ship "Jacob Groeser. " After a
pleasant sail of some weeks he was landed in
New York. As his brother, Christian, had
located in Chicago, Carl Linde continued his
journey westward to that city. He brought
fourteen hundred dollars to America with him,
but lost four hundred of it in a bank that failed.
His first work in this country was at his trade
at a location on Lake Street. He worked twenty-
five years for wages and all that period was fore-
man over a number of other men with the ex-
ception of one year. As he was a skilled man
and reliable he received a good salary at all
28
REV. PAUL BRAUNS.
times. He has lived retired more than twenty
years. His first presidential vote was cast for
Abraham Lincoln in 1860, since which time he
has supported the representatives of the Re-
publican party at all times and places and op-
portunities, in national affairs, while in local
matters he votes for the best man for the office,
regardless of party.
In 1860 Mr. Linde was married to Miss
Katharine Kuhirt, a native of Germany. Mrs.
Linde came to Chicago in 1857. She became
the mother of two children, both of whom died
young. Mr. Linde is a member of the Evangel-
ical Lutheran Church, at the corner of Garfield
Avenue and Mohawk Street. He is a good,
moral citizen, of the true and tried type, ready
at all times to do all in his power for the benefit
of humanity in general. His ideas are the
highest and he is a gentleman in every sense of
the word.
REV. PAUL BRAUNS.
REV. PAUL BRAUNS, who is pastor of
Epiphanias Evangelical Lutheran Church,
corner of Roscoe Boulevard and Clarernont
Avenue, was born January 27, 1864, in Han-
over, Germany, and is a son of Rev. Otto and
Johanna (Kleinschmidt) Brauns, natives of that
place. The father is a clergyman of the Lutheran
Church and still has a charge and is actively
employed in ministerial work.
Paul Brauns was liberally educated in various
institutions of learning in his native land, and
was graduated from the gymnasium of Goet-
tingen in 1881. He then sailed from Bremen in
the steamship "Rhine," of the German Lloyd
Company, bound for America, landing in New
York City after a twelve days' voyage. Going
direct to St. Louis, Missouri, he entered the
Concordia Seminary, and took a theological
course, graduating in 1884. On leaving college
he went back to Germany and after visiting his
parents a short time studied nearly a year at
Leipsic. Having received a call from St.
Mattaeus Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chi-
cago, as assistant minister, he came here in 1885
and entered upon his duties. After ably and
satisfactorily filling that position five years, he
again visited the Fatherland, spending nearly a
year in Europe.
In the summer of 1891 he returned to Chicago
and organized the Concordia Evangelical Luth-
eran Church, and in 1893 built the present
large church edifice on the corner of Belmont
and North Washtenaw Avenues, remaining in
charge and laboring faithfully in the Master's
cause until 1895. In May of that year he severed
his connection with the Synod of Missouri,
Ohio and other states and joined the Evangelical
Synod of North America, and organized his
present congregation and parochial school. So
well has he succeeded that the church member-
ship consists of about two hundred families and
seventy-five pupils attend the parish school, and
nearly five hundred the Sabbath-school.
Mr. Brauns is very popular with his con-
gregation. He is a gentleman of pleasing per-
sonality, a ripe scholar, logical reasoner and a
fluent and forcible speaker, possessing oratorical
powers of a high order. His influence is ever
exerted on the side of right, and every movement
for the moral or intellectual advancement of the
GEORGE MACAULEY.
29
community finds in him a stanch supporter.
He keeps himself informed on public questions
pertaining to City, State and Nation and, being
independent, supports the man best qualified for
official position.
September 15, 1886, he married Miss Else,
the daughter of Rev. Frederick Ruhland. She
was born in Buffalo, New York, and educated
in Germany. They have two children, Paul and
Walter, and have lost two by death.
GEORGE MACAULEY.
SEORGE MACAULEY, an old-time and
popular resident of the city of Chicago, is
the eldest son of John Macauley, who came
to New York City from Ireland in 1847, ar >d of
whom extended mention is made in this volume,
in connection with the biography of his son,
John Macauley.
The subject of this sketch was born January
23, 1825, in Rathfriland, County Down, Ireland,
and attended school there until he was thirteen
years of age. He was then put to work in a saw
pit, where he continued one year. After the
arrival of the family in New York he was
employed nine years in that city as a carpenter.
He then came to Chicago and spent the first year
in this city in the service of Uriah Foot, in build-
ing the Richmond House. He was next foreman
for Horatio Lombard, on the construction of the
Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Carpenter
and West Washington Streets. Since that time
he has engaged in building operations on his own
account, and is still actively engaged in business
as a contractor.
His first contract was for the construction of a
residence for Sylvester Lynn, at the corner of
West Randolph and Carpenter Streets. He sub-
sequently erected the Lincoln School, on Larrabee
Street near Fullerton Avenue, and the Vedder
Street School. Notwithstanding his advanced
age, he is still very active in the prosecution of
business.
In 1860 Mr. Macauley was made a Mason,
in Kilwinnig Lodge No. 311, and became a
charter member of Lincoln Park Lodge No. 611,
which was instituted October 5, 1869. In 1873
he was exalted to the Supreme Degree of Royal
Arch Masonry in Wylie M. Egan Chapter No.
126, which he left to enter Lincoln Park Chapter
No. 177 in 1893. He is also a member of Chi-
cago Council No. 4, of Royal and Select Masters.
He built the first hall occupied by Lincoln Park
Lodge, at Lincoln Avenue and Center Street,
and was Tyler of this lodge from 1876 to 1879,
inclusive. Since 1891 he has occupied the same
position in Chicago Council, and in Lincoln Park
Chapter since 1893. He is a member of Dr.
Rusk's Independent Militant Church, which
meets at No. 40 Randolph Street.
In 1862 Mr. Macauley visited a Masonic lodge
of North American Indians, which met in the
woods near the Mississippi River, nearly opposite
La Crosse, Wisconsin. They were working
under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Canada.
This visit was made in winter, when the river
was covered with ice, not strong enough, how-
ever, to bear the weight of a man. Two friendly
Indians ferried him across from the Wisconsin
shore, one sitting in the bow of the canoe to break
a way through the ice, and the other propelling
the boat with a long pole. Landing among the
hostile aborigines, he was introduced by his escort
as a brother Mason, and was immediately sur-
F. B. STORMS.
rounded by the young warriors, who, at a signal
from their chief, the Master of their lodge,
carried him to camp on their shoulders. He
was then given a greeting of welcome by most
of the tribe, and soon all who were Masons
proceeded to a neighboring valley. A double
line of sentries was posted on the surrounding
hilltops and a lodge was opened in due and ancient
form in the valley below. The Master spoke his
native tongue except when addressing the Senior
Warden, whose place was at this time filled by
Mr. Macauley. After closing the lodge they re-
turned to camp, where a feast of venison and a
hilarious time followed. Mr. Macauley was again
carried on the shoulders of the young Indians to
the bank of the river, and ferried across to his
white friends on the Wisconsin side.
July 4, 1850, Mr. Macauley was married, in
New York City, to Miss Charlotte Eakin, a
daughter of Charles Eakin, who had then been
deceased about four years. Mr. and Mrs. Mac-
auley are the parents of seven children, namely:
Elizabeth, Charles, John, Jane, Margaret, Annie
and Charlotte. The third and fifth are now de-
ceased. The eldest married Albert Frieze, of
Chicago, and is the mother of two daughters and
three sons. The second married Mary Schultz,
now deceased, and resides in Chicago. The
fourth became the wife of Fred Whiting, and had
one daughter, Mamie, who died in her twelfth
year. The youngest married Fred Rinn, and
has a son and daughter.
Mr. Macauley occupies a handsome residence,
erected by himself, at No. 195 Lincoln Avenue.
He enjoys a very wide acquaintance, is noted for
his hospitality and liberality and is highly re-
spected and esteemed by all who are privi-
leged to know him.
FRANK B. STORMS.
f~RANK BROWN STORMS. Among the
rft early citizens of the great city of Chicago
I ^ was the family of Storms. The members of
the family all became prominent citizens, and
those still living to bear the name are a credit to
the ancient family. Frank Brown Storms was
born February 26, 1875, in Chicago, and has re-
sided in the same vicinity his entire life. For
further mention of his ancestors see biographical
sketch of John E. Storms.
Frank B. Storms attended school on Fifty-
fourth Street until he reached the age of fifteen
years. From the time he was eight years old
until he was sixteen years of age he delivered
papers, daily. He then secured employment in
the cutting department of Sprague, Warner &
Company. Subsequent to the time he left the
above-mentioned employ, he entered the livery
business at No. 5326 Monroe Avenue, dealing in
horses, and continued at this location one year.
Peter Craenenbroack was his partner during this
time. He was later located one year at No. 5419
Kimbark Avenue, and is now employed by Ar-
mour & Company at the stock yards.
Mr. Storms was married October i, 1897, to
Miss Emma Bischoff, a native of Freeport, Illi-
nois. He was in the service of William Beale,
in the office of the corporation counsel for a short
time. He is one of the highly honored citizens
of the vicinity in which he resides, and has proven
himself ever loyal to the right and in upholding
all that is for the uplifting of the people.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINGiJ
W. T. JOHNSON.
WILLIAM T. JOHNSON.
fDG>ILLIAM THOMAS JOHNSON is one of
\Al Chicago's well-known and eminently re-
V V spected citizens. He is a native of West-
moreland, Oneida County, New York, born
November 16, 1835, being a son of Thomas and
Hannah (Temple) Johnson, the former born in
Scarboro, England, in 1805. At the age of
twenty years he was married to Hannah Temple.
He was a farmer by occupation, and, being am-
bitious for the attainment of better things than
his intelligence and energy were likely to produce
in his native land, on account of lack of opportu-
nity, he decided to go to America, where oppor-
tunities commensurate with his enterprise were
to be embraced.
Accordingly, soon after his marriage, he, with
his young wife, crossed the ocean and settled on
a farm in Oneida County, New York. His in-
dustrious habits soon won for him a substantial
start and in time he became quite wealthy for a
tiller of the soil. To him and his estimable wife
were born nine children: George, now of Marshall-
town, Iowa; John, deceased; Mary Ann, wife of
John Holland, of Oneida County, New York;
William T., of this notice; Henry, deceased;
Juniette; James, of Oneida County, New York;
Charles, deceased; and Edward, also of Oneida
County, New York. Both parents lived to at-
tain a ripe age, the father dying April 7, 1880,
aged seventy-five years, and the mother, March
29, 1885, aged seventy-seven years and two
months.
William T. Johnson was reared on his father's
farm, one of the best in the famed Mohawk
Valley. His educational advantages were limited
to the public schools, where he was instructed in
the primary branches of an English education.
When twenty years of age he went out from his
parental home to seek fortune and position in
Chicago, then as now, the "Eldorado" of the
west. He arrived in that city a total stranger,
without even a letter of recommendation in his
pocket, but he had what was better unlimited
capacity for work, and a keen discriminating in-
telligence. He at once secured work in the lum-
ber yard of Hayes & Morris, where he worked a
year, first as a common laborer, and later as
foreman.
His observing mind, in the meantime, noted
that certain young men of his acquaintance were
filling positions more desirable than the one he
was in, and it was then ambition urged him to
aspire to be something more than a lumber piler.
With that purpose in view he employed a teacher
to instruct him in the intricacies of book-keeping,
and so closely did he apply himself to his task,
that, after a few months, he was qualified to take
a position at the books of another lumber firm,
that of Shearer & Payne, for whom the well-
known W. W. Strong was general manager. In
this position he continued a number of years,
and then resigned to accept a better position with
Mason & McArthur, proprietors of the Excelsior
Iron Works. While there he acquired much
practical knowledge of the iron business; and as
well, acquired an intelligent comprehension of
W. T. JOHNSON.
the methods employed in the safe conducting of a
large business enterprise, in which he was almost
equally chargeable, with the members of the
firm, with the conduct of the business. This
close relation with the members of the firm ac-
quainted him with many of the leading business
men of Chicago and the Northwest, whose
confidence and esteem he possessed long before
he went into business for himself. His em-
ployers, recognizing his business ability, and his
strict loyalty to their interests, advanced him in
every way, and ere long he had accumulated a
snug little fortune, the savings from his liberal
salary. His correct business and social habits,
and his frugality and thrift, observed of all his
acquaintances, were as good as cash capital in
hand, as it commanded for him an almost un-
limited line of credit when he came to arrange
for a manufacturing establishment of his own.
In 1864 he formed an association with a Mr.
Holden, and together they built the Phoenix
foundry, at that time the largest in the city,
which they profitably conducted for two years.
In 1866 Mr. Johnson entered into a co-partner-
ship with H. P. Kellogg, to carry on a
wholesale and retail hardware business on Clark
Street, near Monroe Street, where they were
when the great fire of October, 1871, swept away
the store. This inflicted a loss which consider-
ably impaired their individual assets. As soon
thereafter as possible, they established a similar
establishment on Randolph Street, where a suc-
cessful business was carried on until 1891, when
the firm dissolved, and Mr. Johnson retired from
merchandising. The success of his career in a
business and financial sense may now be partly
measured by his large property holdings.
Mr. Johnson now spends his time chiefly in
planning and erecting building improvements on
such vacant lots and blocks as remain in his
possession unimproved. He has built up many
entire blocks in business and flat buildings, and
is still carrying on improvements. "I was a
pioneer on this ground," he has been heard to
say, "and I shall not desert it until every lot
feels the weight of a good building."
Although Mr. Johnson's life has, almost since
his arrival in Chicago, been fraught with weighty
and incessant business cares, he has, withal, been
personally identified with many official positions
of trust. As early as 1890, he became interested
in politics and in that year took an active part in
the local campaign for Mr. Lincoln. Unaided,
he succeeded in raising in the settled portions of
the West Side, enough young men to form a re-
spectable company of "Wide- Awakes," the first
company of the kind in the United States. The
night of their initial appearance they marched
down Lake Street, on which street the Honorable
Joseph Medill then lived, in a small frame house,
and gave him a rousing serenade. Mr. Medill
evinced his appreciation of the honor by making
a short speech to the boys, complimenting
them with a donation of $5 and a suggestion
that they could partake of liquid refreshments at
his expense at a nearby bar. That exciting
campaign introduced Mr. Johnson into politics
and he soon appeared in the councils of the Re-
publican party, as a delegate to conventions and
as committeeman. He very soon became the
acknowledged leader of a very enthusiastic fol-
lowing, and in 1878, entirely without solicitation
on his part, he was nominated for the State
Senate and was triumphantly elected. He was
well received by his associates in the Senate, and
assigned to some of the important committees. He
soon won an enviable reputation as a debater,
and by his logic and eloquence secured the
passage of every measure for which he became
responsible, some of which were of great im-
portance. The bill for registration of voters
was his, and was passed and became the first law
on the subject in this State. Of even more local
importance was his park refunding bill for the
West Side, whose passage he secured and which
proved of immense benefit to the parks and
people of that division of the city. Successful
as he had been as a Senator, he was not a candi-
date for re-election.
In 1880 he received the nomination for
county treasurer and was elected by a large
majority. At the time of his election the tenure
of that office was two years, but during his in-
cumbency the legislature passed an act extending
WILLIAM MARTIN.
33
the time to three years. He was appointed
railroad commissioner by Governor Oglesby in
1884, and so satisfactorily did he discharge the
duties of this somewhat difficult position that he
received the warmest commendation of all parties.
He also held the office of indian commissioner,
having been appointed to that position by Presi-
dent Garfield.
Subsequent to Mr. Cleveland's inauguration,
the commissioners were holding a session in
Washington and, although Mr. Johnson believed
the civil service law a good thing, he, at that
time, was of the opinion that the new president
should be allowed to choose his own indiau com-
missioners and accordingly he offered a reso-
lution that the commissioners resign in a body.
To this his colleagues demurred, but he acted
upon his own convictions and tendered his resig-
nation to the President, which was accepted.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, being connected with Lafayette Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons, and Chicago Commandery,
No. 19, Knights Templar. He was married May
21, 1862, to Miss Kate A. E., adopted daughter
of Judge Nathan Allen. Three children have
resulted from this union, namely: Catherine
Grace, wife of H. L. Bleecker, of Los Angeles,
California; Etta Alice, who died in 1898; and
Mabel, wife of Dr. W. B. Marcusson, of Rush
Medical College.
WILLIAM MARTIN.
fDGjlLLIAM MARTIN, deceased, was a man
I A I who, having been unusually successful in
V V various business enterprises in Chicago, is
missed by a large circle of friends and business
associates. He was, moreover, a man of intense
faith and interest in his fellow-men and made
friends among all classes. He came of hardy
Scotch lineage, having been born in Glasgow,
May 9, 1860. His father, who also bore
the name of William, spent his life in Scotland,
where he was a building contractor. William,
the elder, died while still in the prime of life, and
his widow, Elizabeth Martin, emigrated to Canada
about 1869, but a year later removed to Chicago.
There her son, William, then ten years of age,
entered school; but owing to their limited means
he was obliged to do something to aid in his
support, and at the age of fourteen he became a
telegraph messenger. By dint of hard study and
the best use of his opportunities he was able in
time to take a position as bookkeeper, and by
rigid economy was able after a few years to go
into business for himself. For some time he
bought and sold on the Board of Trade, but
later built up a commission business. In all his
ventures he was eminently successful and was
soon known in business circles as a shrewd, safe,
business man. He was from time to time engaged
in other enterprises, being one of the founders
of the race tracks at Garfield Park and Harlem.
May 7, 1884, Mr. Martin was married to Miss
Jessie Murray, who was born in London, England,
March i, 1865. She is the daughter of Walter
and Jean (Dallas) Murray. The former was
born in Gorlow, Scotland, and the latter in Lon-
don, England, of Scotch and English parentage.
Walter and Jean Murray were the parents of ten
children, five of whom are still living. The
family crossed the Atlantic to Canada in 1868,
and in 1869 settled in Chicago and established a
boot and shoe business in Dearborn Street. Jessie
Murray was but four years of age when she came
to Chicago with her parents. She was educated
in the common schools and has spent all her sub-
34
WILLIAM OHLENDORF.
sequent years in the city. She is a woman
of great business and executive ability, and
possesses the wholesome genial nature of her
English ancestors. The home of Mr. and Mrs.
Martin was blessed by the birth of three
children: Jessie, Aeolia and Wilhelmina. They
also found a place in their home and hearts for
two other children, William and Elsie, older than
their own, whom they adopted.
Mr. Martin found his greatest happiness with
his wife and family and spent as much of his time
as business cares would allow in his home, which
is still the home of his family, at No. 540 Adams
Street. There he will ever be remembered as a
kind, indulgent, husband and father. Among
his associates he was unassuming and never
sought favors from the public. In politics he
was a Republican. His death occurred March
i, 1898, and his remains were interred at Rose
Hill Cemetery.
WILLIAM OHLENDORF.
(DQlLLIAM OHLENDORF has been a resi-
\Al dent of Chicago since 1849. He was born
YV January 10, 1825, in Wulfelade, Hanover,
Germany, and is a son of Henry and Sophia
Ohlendorf, both natives of Hanover and members
of old and highly respected families.
Henry Ohlendorf was a tiller of the soil by
occupation, owning as well as operating his
farm, and became possessed of considerable means.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ohlendorf were the parents
of five sons and one daughter, and all became
residents of the United States. Henry, the first-
born, was a soldier in the German army and
married in that country. He arrived in Chicago
in 1849 and subsequently located at Freeport,
Illinois, where he died about 1891, leaving a
widow and a family. Frederick came to the
United States in 1846, being the first of his
father's family to emigrate; he settled in Mis-
souri and still resides there.
William is next in order of birth. Louis is
deceased; and Charles is living retired in Matte-
son, Cook County. Sophie became the wife of
Charles Duensing, who resides at River Forest,
with an office at the corner of Noble Street and
Chicago Avenue. Frederick came to this coun-
try in 1845, and in 1848 returned to Germany
and brought the remaining members of the family
with him to Cook County. The mother died in
Addison Township less than a year after their
arrival, and the father died some ten years later
in Matteson, Cook County.
William Ohlendorf was fairly well educated in
the parish schools of his native place, and reared
on his father's farm. In the fall of 1846 he sailed
from Hamburg on the "Marie Francisco," and,
after a seven weeks' voyage, landed in New
York City. He remained there until the spring
of 1849, when he learned that his parents were
in Cook County, and decided to come West. He
came by river to Albany and by canal to Buffalo,
thence by lakes on the steamer "Keystone
State," landing here in May, 1849. He had
been a waiter in New York, and after coming to
Chicago obtained a position in the old City Hotel,
on Lake Street. He was soon promoted to head
waiter, and was with Brown & Tuttle when they
went into the Sherman House as proprietors. At
that time John R. Walsh, now a wealthy banker
in Chicago, was bell boy under Mr. Ohlendorf.
In the fall of 1851 he went to New Orleans
and worked in a large hotel during the winter,
and from there started to Mexico with General
Urajo, but owing to the breaking out of the Rev-
DANA SLADE.
35
olution did not reach his destination. At the
close of that strife General Urajo was appointed
by Santa Anna, of Mexico, as Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to Prussia, and Mr. Ohlendorf accompa-
nied him as interpreter. He was with him one
year in Mexico and one year in Prussia.
April 2, 1854, he was married in his native
village to Miss Sophia Ohlendorf, and on the ist
of May started for Chicago with his bride. He
arrived in that city duly, and began keeping a
grocery at the corner of what is now Fifth Ave-
nue and Polk Street, and continued in business
at that location nine years. In 1862 he settled
on a farm in Lake County, and for a period of
six years tilled this portion of land. He then
sold his property and returned to Chicago, enter-
ing into partnership with his brother Louis, and
started a lumber business under the firm name of
Ohlendorf Brothers. In 1871 ill health caused
him to sell his interest to his brother. When he
returned from the farm he settled on West Huron
Street, corner of Armour Street, where he has
since resided. In the fire of 1871 he lost three
houses on Fifth Avenue. Having invested in
considerable property he has done some real-
estate business since retiring from the lumber
trade, as above mentioned, but has lived rather a
quiet life. He has always voted independently
in political affairs, endeavoring to always sup-
port the best man for public position, and has
never had any political aspirations.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ohlendorf has been born a
family consisting of six children, two of whom
are deceased. Those living are: William C., a
physician and druggist, at No. 647 Blue Island
Avenue; Henry L., a pharmacist, at the corner
of Evanston Avenue and Irving Park Boulevard;
Alfred C., a traveling salesman; and Carrie, wife
of W. Maack, of Chicago. The members of the
family are connected with St. John's Evangelical
Lutheran Church, with which Mr. Ohlendorf has
been prominently identified for years. He has
always evinced an interest in matters arranged
for the good of the public, and enjoys the respect
of a large circle of friends. He has witnessed the
marvelous growth of the city from a population
of about ten thousand to its present importance
as the metropolis of the West.
DANA SLADE.
0ANA SLADE, a prominent citizen of Lawn-
dale, and since 1864 engaged in the grain
commission business in Chicago, was born
March 21, 1826, in Alstead, Cheshire County,
New Hampshire. He is a son of Samuel and
Eunice (Angier) Slade, and his paternal grand-
father, Samuel Slade, senior, was a native of
Connecticut, a farmer by occupation and a soldier
of the Revolution, who died in New Hampshire,
at the age of ninety- nine years. His wife was
Hannah Thompson, and they were of Puritan
stock .
Samual Slade, junior, father of the man whose
name heads this article, was a native of New
Hampshire. He followed the same occupation
as his father, farming, and was a soldier of the
War of 1812. He died in 1856, and his widow
still survives him, aged ninety-nine years.
Dana Slade was reared on his father's farm un-
til he was nineteen years of age, and was edu-
cated in the common schools. In 1845 he went
to Boston to learn the butcher's trade, and in
1849 went overland to California, where he re-
mained one year at gold mining. In 1850 he
returned home by way of Panama and in 1851
located at Detroit, Michigan, where he was en-
R. B. JONES.
gaged in the grocery business four years. He
then removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where he was
engaged in the hotel business until the outbreak
of the Civil War, when he returned to New
Hampshire with his family. In 1864 he located
in Chicago, where he has since been engaged in
the grain commission business.
Mr. Slade was married in 1860, to Miss Eliza-
beth Wentworth, daughter of Noah and Sarah
(Buckman) Geer, of New Hampshire. He is the
father of three children: Dana, junior; May
Sybil and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Slade are
members of the Unitarian Church. Mr. Slade is
a Royal Arch Mason. He is an independent
Democrat, and his views are very positive and
decided.
RICHARD B. JONES.
RICHARD BENJAMIN JONES, who is a
natural and skilled machinist, was born
May i, 1850, in Chester, England, a son
of Humphrey and Charlotte (Benjamin) Jones.
His parents are of old and highly respected fam-
ilies, of English stock. Richard B. Jones is able
to put in order, operate or successfully manage
any kind of machinery. If he had taken to a
professional life he would, undoubtedly, have
made a success, as he has force of character and
power of mind to follow out any ambition he may
have. His talents are not confined to that of a
machinist, but he can turn his hand and mind to
many things.
Mr. Jones was the first of his father's family to
emigrate from his native land, and reached New
York August 3, 1864, arriving in Chicago twenty
days later. He was one year in the box factory
of David Goodwillie, located at the corner of
Franklin and Ohio Streets. In 1865 he went to
Memphis, Tennessee, where he took charge of
the machinery in his uncle's sawmill. When
this business closed he was made manager of the
Nicholson Pavement Company, which held a
contract for paving in Memphis, and occupied
this position five months. He was seized with a
slight attack of cholera, and, returning North,
entered the factory of Mr. Goodwillie again. He
went in as helper, and after a short time was
given charge of the machines. He was subse-
quently made foreman, which position he occu-
pied two years, and was in the same employ until
he reached the age of nineteen years. He then
divided his time between Mr. Goodwillie and
L. B. Walker, selling machinery for the latter,
while at the same time he was employed in a new
establishment of Mr. Goodwillie' s, where he had
charge of the machinery. He continued in the
service of Mr. Walker until that gentleman sold
out to E. C. Preble, and Mr. Jones continued
with him.
In 1872 Mr. Jones formed a partnership with
G. A. Russell, with a plant located at Harbor
and Green Bay Avenues, in South Chicago. He
was interested in the manufacture of boxes for
packing purposes, while Mr. Russell attended to
the making of sash and doors. This partner-
ship continued until 1877, and at the same time
Mr. Jones continued his business relation with
Mr. Preble until 1878. He subsequently went to
Dubuque, Iowa, in the interest of Ingram, Ken-
nedy & Day, owners of a sawmill, who desired
his aid in placing machinery and starting the
same. After six months, however, he returned
R. B. JONES.
37
to Chicago and to the employ of Mr. Preble. He
was sent to Muscatine, Iowa, in the interest of
the Musser Lumber Company, but on his return
to the city went back to Mr. Preble and gave his
attention more directly to the outside business of
the firm.
At the death of Mr. Preble, in April, 1881,
Mr. Jones conducted the business under the direc-
tion of the Probate Court until October, 1881.
In November of the same year a corporation was
organized, with Ransom Richards as president
and Mr. Jones as superintendent, which position
he has since filled with credit to himself and
advantage to the firm. He has been in his pres-
ent position eighteen years, proving his stability
of character and power to please.
Mr. Jones was married, January i, 1881, to
Miss Frances Eleanor, daughter of Alpheus
Mills. Three children were born to them: Ella
Frances; Grace, who died at the age of four
months; and Richard Low, who died at the same
age. In November, 1887, Mr. Jones erected a
residence at No. 6642 Lafayette Avenue. He
has been through all the chairs in Excelsior
Lodge No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows. Mr. Jones is a Republican, and has never
sought public office of any kind. His father was
born in Crewe, a suburb of Chester, England,
and died in America in 1889, at the age of sixty-
one years. He was a bricklayer, and was em-
ployed twenty-two years by the Walker & Parker
Lead Company, of Chester. He came to the
United States in June, 1872, and entered the
service of Mortimoer & Tapper, at the Grand
Pacific Hotel. He was later a stationary engineer
several years. Until about 1884 he was employed
by Mr. Preble and then retired. When he emi-
grated from his native land he brought his wife
and five daughters, beside a cousin, Price Jones.
The father of Humphrey Jones was John
Jones, who was a bricklayer, and lived in Ches-
ter, England. He came to America at an early
date. He was occupied on furnaces in Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania, and other localities, and
was an expert at building furnaces. He married
Sarah Low, and their children were: Humphrey,
Llewellyn, Joseph, John, Myra, and one son
whose name is not recorded. Joseph came to
America and died in Los Angeles, California;
he was a contracting brick and stone mason.
Mrs. Humphrey Jones was born in Chester,
England, and died in 1884, at the age of fifty-six
years. She was married at the age of eighteen
years, and her children are accounted for as fol-
lows: Richard B. is the man whose name heads
this sketch; Mary Ellen married A. B. Bunting,
a grocer, and resides on Langley Avenue; Sarah,
who married William J. Willings, a grocer,
resides on Fortieth Street; Elizabeth died at the
age of seventeen years; Martha Ann, who mar-
ried John Stroebel, a tiller of the soil, lives in
Indiana; Emily married Charles Morrison, a
farmer in New Hampshire; and Stanley Walker
married Elizabeth Taylor. The last named is a
grocer and resides at No. 255 Bowen Avenue.
Robert Benjamin, the maternal grandfather of
R. B. Jones, raised horses for hunting and for
teaming in the lead mines of England. He was
born in the neighborhood of Birmingham. He
reared hunters for the English nobility and coun-
try gentlemen, and was quite successful at this
occupation. He married Sarah Lloyd, and their
children were named: John, Elizabeth, Louisa,
Charlotte, Edwin, Sophia, James and Harriet.
John, the eldest, located in Massachusetts at an
early date, and later removed to Hutchinson,
Minnesota, to which place he traveled with the
Hutchinson family in 1860. He was thus one of
the pioneers of this section of Minnesota, where
he was quite active prior to and after the Indian
wars in the vicinity, and where his family still
resides.
Chief Crow, the treacherous Indian, who was
most active and prominent in the bloody massa-
cre of the settlers, ate dinner with Mr. Benjamin
only two hours before the slaughter began on the
fatal day of the outbreak. This treachery was
amply punished later, however, at Mankato,
where Chief Crow was one of the culprits exe-
cuted. All of Mr. Benjamin's improvements and
personal effects were destroyed by the Indians.
Mr. Benjamin married Elizabeth Gardiner, and
they had seven children. Edwin Benjamin, the
first of these, emigrated to the United States in
PINCUS HENOCH.
1858, locating in Boston. He came to Chicago
in 1862, and later removed to Reed City, Michi-
gan, where he died in the spring of 1898. He
married Frances Albright, and had three chil-
dren. Louisa Benjamin came over in 1873, hav-
ing married Robert Jones, who was not a relative,
in England. She returned to England in 1877,
and her son, Price, came to America with the
parents of the man whose name heads this sketch ,
as noted above.
Mr. Jones is a man of medium stature, endowed
with personal strength and mental energy, which
is a result largely of his highly nervous tempera-
ment. He is a man of action and moves with
the times, sometimes, in fact, ahead of them.
His talents have turned to the line of mechanics,
as much from early environments as from choice.
His domestic life is ideal, he being blessed with
an agreeable and helpful companion and a talented
and interesting child.
PINCUS HENOCH.
QlNCUS HENOCH. Fickle fortune seems
LX to pursue some men, and flee from others
[3 who are seeking it. Though not smiled
upon by this god to as great an extent as some
of his old associates, Pincus Henoch is perhaps
as happy as, and more contented than, those
men who have a million to worry over and leave
behind at their death, perhaps to be squandered
by their heirs. He has been identified with the
early growth of Chicago's commercial interests,
and has been intimately associated with such
kings of the dry goods world as the Mandel
Brothers and the Farwells. While not extreme-
ly wealthy, Mr. Henoch has always been com-
fortably well off, and is now retired from active
business life, preferring to watch the moves of
other and younger men, especially those closely
related to him.
Born June 12, 1839, he is a son of Solomon
and Freda Henoch, who resided in the province
ofPosen, Prussia, Germany, at the time of his
birth. His brother, Elkan, the first of the
family to leave the land of his birth, came to
America in 1846, and now resides at No. 128
Loomis Street, Chicago. Israel Henry was the
next to emigrate to the United States, and came
in 1848. His son, Henry, resides at No. 1049
North Halsted Street, at the present time.
Maurice emigrated in 1852, and is a liquor
dealer in La Porte, Indiana. Pincus was the
next to seek his fortune in America; and Marcus,
who joined his brother, Maurice, came in 1856.
The mother of the family came to the United
States in 1860, and died shortly after.
In his early youth Pincus Henoch was bound
out, or placed in apprenticeship, to learn the
trade of tailor. He did not like this business,
however, and soon abandoned it. In August,
1854, he arrived in Salem, Indiana, where his
brothers were conducting a store under the title
of Elkan & Israel H. Henoch, clothiers. Pincus
Henoch was clerk for his brothers four years, af-
ter which time they removed their place of busi-
ness to St. Joseph, Michigan. Pincus Henoch
was placed in charge, and shortly after, became
proprietor and continued there until 1864. His
brothers then having removed to Chicago, Israel
H. in 1858, and Elkan in 1860, and having be-
gun the manufacture of clothing, Pincus sold his
business and came to Chicago. He took an in-
terest in his brothers' business and the firm name
now became Henoch Brothers. T hey were lo-
cated at No. 25 Lake Street, and occupied four
floors. The store was burned October 9, 1871,
F. M. JOHNSON.
39
at the time of the great conflagration, and every-
thing belonging to the brothers was burned.
Pincus Henoch then accepted a position with
Shackman Brothers, in New York, in which city
he resided one year. He subsequently opened a
clothing store in Williamsport, Pennsylvania,
and was at this location fifteen months. For a
short time he was at Princeton, Illinois, in the
same business, and two years in Aurora, Illinois.
He then removed to Sandwich, Illinois, and sold
out his remaining stock. Returning to Chicago,
he established a grocery business at the corner
of Twenty-sixth Street and 'Armour Avenue,
which he conducted two years. He entered the
employ of Platt Brothers, in Dubuque, Iowa,
and was an employe of this concern from 1881 to
1891. He then located in Milwaukee, Wiscon-
sin, and had charge of the clothing store of
Speicer, Bing & Company four years. At the
end of this period he returned once more to Chi-
cago and has since enjoyed a well-earned rest.
Since 1894 he has resided at No. 5648 Dearborn
Street, surrounded by pleasant and agreeable
neighbors.
Mr. Henoch was fortunate in securing a
pleasant, helpful companion, when he married
Miss Pauline, daughter of Marcus and Yette
(Brand) Hirsch, July 18, 1867. Mr. and Mrs.
Henoch have been blessed with six children,
all of whom have proved a blessing to their par-
ents and a credit to the name they bear. Solo-
mon, the oldest, was born in Chicago, February
25, 1869, and resides at No. 35 54 Prairie Avenue.
He is agent for a neckwear concern in the city.
Freda, born in Chicago March 3, 1870, died here
at the age of six months. Marcus, born in Chi-
cago November 4, 1871, died in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-one years.
Selina, born in New York January 5, 1873, died
at the age of six months. Harry, born October
18, 1875, in Aurora, Illinois, resides at the home
of his parents, as does also Milton Levi, born
January n, 1878, in Sandwich, Illinois.
Pincus Henoch was made a Mason in Occi-
dental Lodge, at St. Joseph, Michigan, and was
admitted to Chicago Lodge, but is not active at
present. He comes of a Hebrew family, and is a
staunch and loyal Democrat.
FRANCIS M. JOHNSON.
r~RANCIS MORTIMER JOHNSON, who
r^ was born on Sunday, May 8, 1842, in Hick-
| ory Lane, Niles, Michigan, is one of the
most valued and highly respected employes of
the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad
Company, having been in the employ of that
company since 1865. His parents were Alfred
Wells and Dezire (Howe) Johnson, and both
came from very old families. The paternal
grandfather was John Johnson, and the maternal
grandfather of F. M. Johnson was Frederick
Howe. Mr. Howe was a tiller of the soil and he
was born in Vermont. He settled in Syracuse,
New York, subsequently, and later removed to
Michigan, being one of the first settlers in Ber-
rien County.
Mr. Howe traveled through the country with
horse teams, there being no steam railway at that
time. His children were named as follows: Alonzo,
Dezire, Lucinda, Francis, Hezekiah, Adeline,
Mary, Nancy, Charlotta, Charles and George.
His wife's name was Polly Bliss before her mar-
riage to Mr. Howe. Alfred W. Johnson was
born June 26, 1810, in Burlington, Vermont. He
F. M. JOHNSON.
came to Michigan in 1831. He had learned the
trade of a carpenter and joiner, and erected a res-
idence in Niles, Michigan, in Hickory Lane. All
his children were born in this house. Mr. John-
son did a great deal of contracting in the vicinity
of Niles, for building of residences and other
erections. He was a Democrat as to political
views and served in the legislature two years,
about 1847-1849. He died June 9, 1889. His
wife was born at Truxton, New York, Friday,
May 5, 1815, and died October 18, 1896. Her
children were nine in number: John Frederick
was born Monday, December 17, 1838, and resides
at No. 5140 Wabash Avenue; Richard Marian
was born Wednesday, May 13, 1840, married
Hattie L- Barker, at Chillicothe, Missouri, and
now resides at No. 5 140 Wabash Avenue, Chicago;
Francis M. is the next in order of birth; Julia
Estelle, born Saturday, March 9, 1844, married
Henry T. Kimmell December 14, 1865. Her
children are: George Alfred, born February i,
1867, and Edna Estelle, born December 3, 1869;
George Franklin, born Thursday, March 5, 1846,
died August 5, 1893. He married Annie C.
Cook, at Tiskilwa, Illinois, December 22, 1885;
Oliver Howell, born February 12, 1848, died
March 24, 1848; Helen Isabella, born Saturday,
August n, 1849, married John A. Montague
October 6, 1873, and has one child, Charles M.,
born March 23, 1876. Her home is in Niles,
Michigan, where her husband is a hardware
dealer; Mary Frances, born Friday, November 3,
1853, married Orson McKay October 2, 1883.
Mr. McKay is an employe of the Santa Fe Rail-
road Company and they reside at No. 4735 Evans
Avenue; Charles Alfred, born Friday, February
8, 1856, was married at Marshall, Michigan,
August 20, 1883, to Bertha Hopkins Perritt. He
is the father of one child, Alfred Hopkins, born
September 6, 1892. The family resides at Niles,
Michigan, where C. A. Johnson is cashier at the
First National Bank.
Francis Mortimer Johnson occupied himself at
the same trade as his father until sixteen years of
age. He enlisted in the army October 17, 1862,
in Company E, Twelfth Michigan Regiment.
He was sick a large part of the time and served
in the reserve corps at Columbus, Ohio, for eight-
een months. He was in the battle of Shiloh and
his regiment was the first one fired upon. He
was also in battles along the Chickahominy River.
November 3, 1865, he was mustered out of serv-
ice. Mr. Johnson was taken prisoner a Bolivar,
Tennessee, but was paroled. After the close of
the Civil War Mr. Johnson located in Chicago
and entered the employ of the Lake Shore &
Michigan Southern Railway Company and has
since been occupied in the interest of that con-
cern. He entered as clerk in the freight office
and remained in that capacity eighteen years. He
then took charge of the out freight house at Polk
Street and Pacific Avenue and after eight years
was transferred to the Englewood east bound
freight, but at the end of four years this house
was discontinued and he was returned to the Polk
Street house, where he is at the present writing.
Mr. Johnson was married February 15, 1862,
to Miss Marilla Alwilda Chipman, daughter of
Holton and Lucy (Hopkins) Chipman. Mrs.
Johnson's great-grandfather was born in England,
and emigrating to America in 1840, located in
Eugene, Indiana, later removing to Bristol, of
that state, where he died in 1847, at the age of
forty-nine years. Holton Chipman was born in
Vermont, as was also his wife. She was married
in Ohio and died January 24, 1893. She was
born April 24, 1809. Her children were nine in
number. Lucy Hopkins married Caleb Nash, of
South Bend, Indiana, and their children are:
Alice, Helen, Delia and Adell; Philenia Rosalie
married Dr. J. N. Roe, of South Bend, and
their children are: Lelia, Crestus and Lennie;
Rachel Parthenia married John Brown, of Val-
paraiso, Indiana, and their children are: Blanch,
William and Agnes; C} r nthia Florilla married
C. S. Payne, of Goshen, Indiana, and their chil-
dren are: Lola, Hiram, Chauncey, Emma and
Maggie; Austia Ian the married Joseph F.Thomas,
of Edwardsburg, Indiana, and their only child is
Ella; Delia Alice married John Hudson, of Sac-
ramento, California, and is now deceased; Cassius
Holton married Wealthy Rouse, at Kendallville,
Indiana, and their only child is Millie; Marilla Al-
wilda is the wife of the man whose name heads
WILUAM GASTFIELD.
this article, and was born November 17, 1843, at
Eugene, Indiana; Milton Delmer resides at
Rensselaer, Indiana.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two
children, who have done credit to the rear-
ing they received and to the family name, which
has never known a tarnish. Frank Rollo was
born December 2, 1862, in Harris Township,
Elkhart County, Indiana. More extended no-
tice of him appears elsewhere in this volume.
Ernest Mortimer was born March 23, 1866, and
has also space on another page of this volume.
Though never an office seeker, Mr. Johnson is
interested very deeply in the welfare of the Dem-
ocratic party, in whose interest he casts a vote at
all favorable opportunities. He is a member of
the Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Johnson erected a residence at No. 5817
Wabash Avenue in the spring of 1882. This was
the first house in the locality, and the nearest
house to it at that time was on State Street. The
family is one of the well-known and honored ones
of the community, and each member is a credit to
the neighborhood in which they reside.
WILLIAM GASTFIELD.
GASTFIELD, a very old and
highly respected pioneer of Chicago, has
resided continuously in Cook County since
1842 and, except a couple of years spent on a
farm, has resided in Chicago. He was born in
Hessen, Schomberg, Germany, January 9, 1828,
the only son of Christian and Sophia (Wolf) Gast-
field. The family, consisting of parents and son,
sailed from Bremen Harbor in the summer of 1841,
and after a tedious voyage in stormy weather
and high seas, landed in New York fourteen
weeks later.
They came to Buffalo by way of the river to
Albany and thence by canal. Their destination
was Chicago, as they had relatives in Cook
County. Navigation on the lakes being closed
they remained in Buffalo one winter and in the
spring of 1842, came on to Chicago. Christian
Gastfield was a mechanic, but being short of
funds, was forced to find employment as a laborer.
He died in Chicago a few years after his arrival,
and his wife survived him until about 1850, when
she, too, passed away.
William Gastfield was educated in the schools
of his native place. After coming to Chicago he
was employed by Frank Sherman, first working
in his brick yard for a short time, and then spent
two years on his farm. He then served at ap-
prenticeship of two years at the carpenter's trade,
with Jesse Cutshaw. He worked for wages some
years before he began building and contracting on
his own account. He followed the last-mentioned
business for several years and, in 1864, in com-
pany with Charles Joerndt, built a sash and door
factory on the corner of Curtis and West Huron
Streets and carried on a successful business until
1881, when he sold out. He continued building
and contracting, and erected many factories and
also extended his operations to Columbus, Ohio,
and Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Pennsylvania,
and Wheeling, West Virginia. He remained
active in the business world until about the year
1894.
In 1848 he bought an acre of land on Chicago
Avenue, when John Kuhl was the only settler
on the prairie in that locality. He soon after
built a small house, the second on the street, and
located on his property and has ever since resided
on it. He has always taken an active interest in
the affairs of the city, and in 1863-4-5-6, was
W. T. WELBOURN.
Alderman for the Twelfth Ward. Formerly he
supported the Republican party, but of late years
has become more independent and usually acts
with the Democratic party.
Mr. Gastfield is a member of the Mithra Lodge
No. 410, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons,
and Goethe Lodge No. 329, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, and Humboldt Encampment of
the latter order. He has been married three
times. January 3, 1847, he married Mary J.
Cutshaw, by whom he had five children, only
three of whom are now living, namely: Gertrude,
widow of Mr. Ungawiter; Charles, who is secretary
of the North Side Land Company; and Martha,
wife of Charles Hacker. The mother died March
24, 1860, and September 8, 1860, Mr. Gastfield
married Dorothy Meyer. By this union there
are four children living : Louis, Louise, Edward
and Dora. The mother of this family died March
4, 1879. December 17, 1879, Mr. Gastfield again
took unto himself a wife, the bride being Mary
Swanson. They are members of St. Peter's Evan-
gelical Church and support all that goes for the
benefit of the people at large.
WILLIAM T. WELBOURN.
fDQlLLIAM THOMAS WELBOURN, a
I A I prominent farmer and stock-dealer of Sum-
VY mit, was born June 18, 1860, in that vil-
lage, his birthday being signalized by the nomi-
nation of Abraham Lincoln for president. His
parents were William and Jane (Nicholson) Wei-
bourn, natives of the town of Beverly, York-
shire, England. His paternal grandparents were
Thomas and Mary (Ward) Welbourn, of the same
place.
Thomas Welbouru came to America in 1844,
and located on Salt Creek, Lyons Township,
Cook County , Illinois, and the next year brought
his family over. Within a few years thereafter,
he was fatally injured by a falling tree, which he
felled. Eight of his children grew to maturity,
namely: William, Robert, Thomas, George, John,
Ann (now Mrs. Monroe Durfee) , Elizabeth
(Mrs. Joseph Knight), and Margaret (Mrs.
John Scofield). Four of the sons, Robert,
John, George and Thomas, served as soldiers in
the Civil War.
When William Welbourn, senior, first came to
Cook County he was employed as a laborer,
wherever he could find a demand for his services.
He subsequently engaged in contracting, and in
1860 became proprietor of the Summit House, at
Summit, which hostelry he continued to conduct
several years. He was also proprietor of the
All-Nations Hotel in Chicago for a period of two
and a-half years, and then returned to Summit
and again kept the Summit House two years.
He next engaged in farming, which industry
continued to employ his time and energies until
his death, in June, 1896, at the age of seventy-
eight years. His children were four in number
and one of these died in infancy. The others are
John, Alfred and William, all except the last-
named being now deceased. During the cholera
epidemic of 1848 Mrs. Welbourn nursed many of
its victims and buried, without any assistance,
nine who succumbed to the dread power of this
disease.
William T. Welbourn, the subject of this
sketch, was reared in Lyons Township, and edu-
cated in its common schools. He began life as a
SARGEANT TALBOT.
43
farmer, and by his industry and prudent manage-
ment has made a flattering success of that calling.
At one time he operated nine hundred acres of
land, and since 1886, has been an extensive
dealer in cattle and horses.
He was married December 4, 1883, to Miss
Rosella M., youngest daughter of John and Ma-
tilda (Adams) Spear, prominent pioneers of Palos
Township. Seven children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Welbourn, namely: Jennie, Rose,
Harriet (deceased), William, Cora, Frank and
Olive. Mr. Welbourn and family are connected
with the Roman Catholic Church, and he is a
member of the Royal League. He has held the
offices of treasurer, village trustee and school di-
rector several terms, and is among the most in-
telligent and progressive citizens of the community
in which he resides. Politically he is a Repub-
lican, and for several years has been a delegate to
the county conventions of his party.
SARGEANT TALBOT.
(7JARGEANT TALBOT, who is a self-made
?\ man in the strictest sense of the word, was
s2/ born January n, 1819, in the parish of
Lorsen, Suffolk, England. His parents were
Thomas and Hannah (Gritts) Talbot. His grand-
father, Sargeant Talbot, was an English over-
seer. The maternal grandfather was also Eng-
lish, and came from London.
Mr, and Mrs. Thomas Talbot and their seven
children emigrated from their native land in
1833, and located in Herkimer County, near
Utica, New York. He later purchased a farm
in Oneida County. He remained on a farm until
his death, which occurred about the year 1876.
He was born in Sussex, England, near the place
where Sargeant, his son and the subject of this
article, was also born. Mrs. Thomas Talbot
died about 1875. Her children were: Eliza,
Sargeant, William, Thomas, Marie, Sophia,
Annie and Edward.
Sargeant Talbot received but scant education
and remained on his father's farm until he was
twenty years of age. He came to Chicago in the
fall of 1842, and went into the employ of John
Gage as teamster for a flour mill, which was lo-
cated on Van Buren Street, where the bridge
now is. The mill burned in 1856. He remained
thus employed until 1853, and then removed to
California. After three months he returned and
purchased a farm on the Des Plaines River, one
mile south of East Wheeling. He owned two
hundred acres and remained on this farm until
1873, when he sold and removed to Englewood.
He has since that time been engaged in teaming,
owning as many as thirteen teams of horses.
Being very successful, he was enabled, in 1892,
to build a three story brick residence building at
No. 6658 State Street. Mr. Talbot had resided
in the old house on this site since 1882.
Mr. Talbot was married April 9, 1842, to Miss
Marie Copsey, daughter of John and Mary (Tal-
bot) Copsey. Mrs. Talbot was born in Suffolk,
near Cambridge, England, November 3, 1824.
She died July 19, 1898, mourned by many friends
and relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot became the
parents of seven children. Andrew Jackson, the
eldest, was born January n, 1844, and died
April 9, 1846. Andrew Jackson, named for the
United States president of that name, was born
July 22, 1846, and resides at Arlington Heights,
44
LAURITZ PAULSEN.
Cook County, Illinois. Mary Adelaide was born
March 26, 1848, married Charles C. Webster,
a builder by occupation; they reside at No.
6448 Morgan Street, Chicago. Frances Adelaide,
born February 3, 1853, died on the i8th of Octo-
ber, 1853.
Walter George, the next in order of birth of
the children of Sargeant Talbot, was born Nov-
ember 3, 1854, and married Kate E. Smith,
daughter of William Henry and Margaret Ann
(Quackenbush) Smith, May 3, 1887. The chil-
dren of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Talbot are: Clarence
Arthur, born May i, 1888; Robert Edwin, June
17, 1893; Norman Webster, March 26, 1895, and
Alice Adelaide, October 31, 1897. William, the
sixth child of S. Talbot, died at the age of two
years, while Clarence died when seventeen years
old, in October, 1881.
Mr. Talbot is a man of very mild manner, an
agreeable gentleman to converse with, and a man
of much force of character. He is not demon-
strative, but is governed by a quiet, but firm and
persistent nature. Though never blessed with
educational advantages of the best, he is, how-
ever, accomplished more than many men who
have had the best opportunities. His fine prop-
erty at No. 6658 State Street, is but one tangible
proof of this fact. His son, Walter Talbot, re-
sides with him at this number. All that could
be bestowed by a loving son on a parent is
showered on his father by Walter G. Talbot.
This happy home suffered a terrible affliction
when death separated the loving mother from
those of this earth, in July, 1898. She was
highly respected by all who knew her and rev-
erenced beyond limit by her children. She had
passed threescore and ten years at the time of
her death.
LAURITZ PAULSEN.
I AURITZ PAUIvSEN, who has been identi-
I 1 fied with the building interests of Chicago
t2r for many years, comes of that strong, ag-
gressive Scandinavian stock which has played
such an important part in the world's history.
He was born in Denmark September 16, 1853,
and in his native town received a common school
education. At the age of fourteen years he was
apprenticed to a carpenter and, for a period of
five years, diligently applied himself to learning
the trade. He continued to work as a carpenter
in his home town until 1881. In that year he
followed the tide of emigration which had been
flowing strongly toward America several years,
and journeyed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he
found work at his trade. Hearing of the greater
opportunities for gaining wealth in Chicago, he
went to that city the next year, and was em-
ployed twelve months by Palmer & Fuller, in
Twenty-second Street.
Like all other men who have acquired fortunes
from small beginnings, Mr. Paulsen had early
adopted frugal, economical habits, and had al-
ways saved a portion of his earnings. He was,
therefore, able to enter business on his own ac-
count and, having by his two years' residence in
this country gained a knowledge of American
methods of building, he resolved to apply his
efforts in such a way that the profits should be
his own. He therefore began buying lots, on
J. O. WINDHEIM.
45
which he erected residences. These he sold at a
fair profit, and the plan was not only advanta-
geous to him, but also aided in building up the
city and furnishing comfortable homes for many
of its people. This business was continued until
1893, and resulted in the erection of about fifty
houses. With part of the capital thus acquired,
Mr. Paulsen opened a lumber yard in 1894 a ^
No. 781 North Avenue. He carries in stock all
kinds of lumber required by the builder, both for
rough and finishing work. His long experience
in superintending the work of building and also
as a practical mechanic, render his judgment in
the selection of materials as good as the best, and
he is patronized by a large number of the first-
class contractors in his section of the city. He is
the owner of the property where his yards and
office are located, and also of a modern residence .
Though he came to this country comparatively
poor, the subject of this notice soon became im-
bued with American ideas and has shown a fair
share of that enterprise and energy for which his
adopted country is noted the world over. Not
only has he acquired a competence, but has be-
come an honored and respected citizen of his sec-
tion of the city, where his honesty and integrity
are well known. In politics he shows that same
independence of character which has marked his
business life, but in national affairs he supports
the principles of the Republican party. He was
married in 1881 at Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss
Marie Lassen, a native of Denmark.
JOHN O. WINDHEIM.
(JOHN OTTO WINDHEIM, a pioneer of Chi-
I cago, was born in the village of Schottlingn ,
(*/ Hessen, Germany, December 19, 1836, and
was reared on a farm in his native land until he
reached the age of eighteen years. His parents
were Henry and Dorothy Windheim. John Otto
Windheim received a common school education,
and aided in tilling the soil of his father's prop-
erty until they emigrated from their native land,
March 15, 1854.
Mr. Windheim sailed from Bremen, Germany,
and after a voyage of five weeks and three days
landed in New York. He travelled direct to
Chicago, where his brother, H. C. Windheim,
was residing, arriving in the latter part of the
month of May. He had but scant means at that
time, and began life in this country by driving a
team for a brick maker. He spent one year at
the carpenter's trade and acted as clerk in a gro-
cery store for his brother, two subsequent years.
In January, 1860, he joined the fire department
and was thus occupied eleven years.
He was connected with the U. P. Harris Com-
pany, and soon after the great fire of 1871 he.
resigned his position with the department, and
since that time has been occupied with teaming
and expressing. He cast his first presidential
vote in favor of Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and
has since supported the Republican party, but
never sought for nor held public office. He
still retains his membership in the Firemen's
Benevolent Association. In 1864 he married
Sophia Tegtmeyer, a daughter of John Frederick
Tegtmeyer, who was a native of the village of
Grossendorf, Hessen, Germany, and who came to
America in 1846. By that marriage Mr. Wind-
4 6
J. F. JOHNSON.
heim became the father of four children: John F. ,
who died in childhood; John Christopher, who
is captain of Truck 5, in the fire department;
Sophia, wife of Philip Boiler; and Rica, de-
ceased. The mother died September 8, 1883.
May 1 6, 1885, Mr. Windheim married Katharine
Ellen, widow of John Philip Tegtmeyer. She
is a sister of the former Mrs. Windheim, and by
her marriage with John P. Tegtmeyer had six
children: John Frederick, Edward Christopher,
August and Henry, and two that died in child-
hood. The family of Mr. Windheim is connected
with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
John Frederick Tegtmeyer, father of Mrs.
Windheim, had six children, namely: Christo-
pher; Dorothy, widow of Henry C. Windheim,
who lives at No. 1 1 2 Canalport Avenue; Katha-
rine E., Mrs. Windheim; Sophia (deceased) and
Conrad. Mr. Tegtmeyer was married to Dorothy
Meyerding, a native of the same place as himself,
and all his children were born in the Fatherland.
May 4, 1846, with his family and a number of
young men and women, he came to America.
They travelled to Bremen by team and consumed
eight days in the journey. From that city they
set sail for America and were seven weeks and
three days on the ocean, landing in New York.
They came by way of the Hudson River to
Albany, and by canal boat to Buffalo, a tedious
journey, occupying many days. From Buffalo
they came by steamboat to Chicago, making the
trip in five days, and arriving on the i8th of July,
1846.
Mr. Tegtmeyer was an expert gardener and
worked at that occupation many years. He died
in Chicago in March, 1865, and his wife survived
him until March 15, 1883, dying at the age of
eighty-three years.
JOHN F. JOHNSON.
(JOHN FREDERICK JOHNSON, who was
I one of the first men connected with the Chi-
O cago City Railway Company, rose from a
mere clerical position to the one of great respon-
sibility which he now holds. He has succeeded
through his own energies and merits this and
much more. He was born December 17, 1838,
in Niles, Michigan. For ancestry, see biography
of F. M. Johnson, on another page of this vol-
ume.
Mr. Johnson was educated in Niles, Michigan,
attending school until he reached the age of six-
teen years. October i, 1854, he obtained a posi-
tion in the Michigan Central Railroad freight
office, remaining until 1862. For a short time
subsequently he was employed with John Berry,
and in 1863 he entered the freight office of the
Michigan Southern Railroad Company, changing
later to the service of the Merchants' Union Ex-
press Company until 1868, when he was employed
by the American Express Company. December
of the year 1869 he became clerk for the Chicago
City Railway Company, and after seven years in
that capacity was six years treasurer and secre-
tary. Since 1881 he has been in the President's
office as assistant auditor and fills the position to
the complete satisfaction of all interested.
He has proven in all circumstances a compe-
tent, energetic and trustworthy man and has
gained the admiration of all who have come in
contact with his fresh, genial mind, whether in
one surrounding or another.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINC!;
H. B. LEWIS.
47
HENRY B. LEWIS.
HENRY BYRON LEWIS, one of the early
and most respected residents of that portion
of Chicago known as Englewood, was born
February i, 1825, in Eaton, Madison County,
New York. He is a descendant of Benjamin
Lewis, President of the Town of Wallingford,
Connecticut, and later a resident of Stratford, in
the same Colony. The last-named married Han-
nah, daughter ofSergeant John Curtis, one of the
original proprietors of the ancient town of Strat-
ford. She was born February 16, 1654, and died
October 21, 1728. Her husband passed away in
Stratford about 1700.
Their third son, James Lewis, born in 1677,
married Hannah, daughter of James Judson; she
died January 20, 1766. Her eldest son, John
Lewis, born December 20, 1703, married Sarah
Sherman, on the 7th day of December, 1727.
She was a daughter of Nathaniel Sherman. Jud-
son Lewis, her seventh child, was the grandfather
of the subject of this sketch. His wife, Elizabeth,
was a daughter of Col. Samuel Whiting. All these,
except Benjamin Lewis, were born in Stratford.
Judson Lewis settled in Madison County, New
York, about 1795, and died there. The hill in
Stratford on which many of the Lewises lived
is still called "Tory Hill," and it is conjectured
that John, father of Judson Lewis, was a Tory
Lieutenant, as he was styled Lieutenant Lewis.
Col. Samuel Whiting was a soldier in both Colo-
nial and Revolutionary wars. He advanced
money to pay off his regiment, and was never re-
imbursed by the colony for this expenditure.
Through Colonel Whiting, the subject of this
notice is directly descended from Gov. William
Bradford, second Governor of Plymouth Colony,
the line being as follows:
i, Gov. William Bradford; 2, Maj. William
Bradford, Deputy Governor of Plymouth, and
his wife, Alice Richards; 3, Alice, born Bradford,
wife of Rev. William Adams; 4, Elizabeth, born
Adams, wife of Rev. Samuel Whiting; 5, Col.
Samuel Whiting and Elizabeth Judson, his wife;
6, Elizabeth Whiting, wife of Judson Lewis; 7,
Isaac Lewis, son of Judson and Elizabeth Lewis;
8, Henry B. Lewis.
Isaac Lewis was born in Stratford, Connecticut,
and when he was twelve years of age his parents
removed to Madison County, New York. In his
youth he learned the carpenter's trade, in which
he became highly proficient. During our second
war with England he efficiently served his coun-
try, attaining the rank of captain. He was thrice
married. His first wife, Nancy Curtis, bore him
two children: Lucetta, who married Palmer Hall,
and Thompson C., both now deceased. His
second wife, Lydia (Gates) Lewis, became the
mother of five children: Lucy Ann, now Mrs.
William Perry, of New York; Dwight M., de-
ceased; Lucinda Cornelia, widow of Orason Cham-
berlain, who resides at Galesburg, Illinois; Henry
B. , whose name introduces this article; and Helen
Maria, widow of Luther M. Kent, who lives in
Englewood. The mother of this family died
November 25, 1828. For his third wife, Isaac
Lewis married Esther Card. Their children were
Mary, who died at the home of H. B. Lewis in
1869; Anzellette and Alasco B. The last died in
Dubuque, Iowa, in 1888.
Henry B. Lewis' education was limited to the
4 8
H. B. LEWIS.
public schools, and a term of three months in the
Morrisville Academy. His range of study, while
limited to the few branches of learning taught in
the public schools of sixty years ago, had the
merit of thoroughness, as his studious habits
made him highly proficient in the fundamental
principles of an English education. His oppor-
tunities for acquiring further education were cut
short when he was eighteen years of age, it be-
coming necessary then for him to enter upon
some employment, with a view to establishing
himself upon the threshold of his career, then
just opening. The opportunity offering, he ac-
cepted a position with the Utica Daily Gazette, to
learn the printing business.
Six months later he resigned his position to ac-
cept a clerkship in one of the mercantile establish-
ments of Hamilton, New York, in which capacity
he was employed one year, after which he con-
ducted a store for his brother-in-law at Pratt's
Hollow four years, acquiring a practical knowl-
edge of correct business methods, to which, in a
considerable measure, is due the success that has
attended his efforts throughout his long and suc-
cessful business career. In 1850 he engaged in
the mercantile business for himself in Morris-
ville, New York, which he conducted four years,
with fair success. He came to Chicago in March,
1855, and for one year thereafter filled a position
with Williams & Avery, lumber dealers. The
following year he entered into partnership with
Walter Lull, to deal in lumber, with office on
Canal Street, near Lake Street. In the fall of
1857 he disposed of his interest to his partner,
with whom he remained and filled a clerical po-
sition until May i, 1858. That year he estab-
lished himself on Kinzie Street and engaged on
his own account in handling a line of farming
commodities, becoming at that time a member of
the Board of Trade.
In 1860 he moved his place of business to South
Water Street, at the corner of Franklin Street,
where he was burned out in the fire of 1871,
which caused him serious loss.
After settling up his business he turned his at-
tention to real estate, loans and insurance, having
laid out two subdivisions. In 1867 Mr. Lewis
purchased property in Englewood, upon which he
located, being one of the first settlers in the place,
which was then known as Junction Grove. Sub-
sequently Mrs. Lewis suggested that the name be
changed to Englewood, which was accordingly
adopted. Mr. Lewis at once became active in
promoting the material interests of the new sub-
urb. He worked untiringly for its advancement,
and his efforts aided in producing results which
quickly converted an almost virgin prairie into a
closely settled community.
However, it is to the cause of education in the
city that he has given his best efforts and in rec-
ognition thereof one of the magnificent public
schools of the town of Lake, now in the city, was
given his honored name. For many years he was
officially connected with the public schools, hav-
ing served on the district board about ten years,
and six years on the county board. For three
years he was a member of the Hyde Park Board
of town trustees.
It was largely due to Mr. Lewis' efforts that
the County Normal School was established at
Englewood. For two years he ceaselessly agita-
ted the question. He carried the matter before
the state legislature and induced that body to pass
a law authorizing the directors of that school dis-
trict to levy a tax to assist in securing the location
of the school at Englewood. In other matters
Mr. Lewis has been equally active. For three
years he served on the board of directors of the
First National Bank, and it was largely through
his personal influence that Lyman J. Gage, pres-
ent Secretary of the United States Treasury, be-
came connected with that institution.
Mr. Lewis assisted in establishing the First
Presbyterian Church of Englewood, whose house
of worship was the first erected in that (then)
suburb, and has contributed to the building fund
of every religious society there. In religious
faith he is a stanch Universalist, and he was a
prime mover in founding the First Universalist
Church of Euglewood, with which he has ever
since been connected, and to whose support he is
always a liberal contributor. His political prefer-
ment is for the principles of the Republican party,
with which he has been affiliated since its organ-
EDWARD OTTO.
49
ization. Mr. Lewis was married February 24,
1848, to Miss Nancy B. Haughton, of Eaton,
Madison County, New York. Their union re-
sulted in the birth of one daughter, Helen I,. ,
now the wife of William Withington Carter, who
has borne her husband three children, namely:
Alice, Lillian and Ruth.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary February 24, 1898, the
event being attended by more than two hundred
of their relatives and intimate, /riends. It was
an occasion that fittingly marked the fiftieth mile-
stone reached in the journey of his happy wedded
life. Although he has passed the scriptural allot-
ment of time to man, he retains the freshness, the
mental vigor of youth, and his long years of ac-
tive labor have made but little inroad upon his
rugged constitution.
EDWARD OTTO.
[TOWARD OTTO. Though foreign born,
1^ there are many German-American citizens
I who have aided in the re-building of the
city of Chicago more than many native Ameri-
cans. And it is true that many who emigrate to
America are better acquainted with the country
than some who have lived in the United States
all their lives. Born September 20, 1833, in the
city of Arolson, Waldeck, Germany, Edward
Otto is loyal to the best interests of his adopted
country, and is ready to take advantage of all the
new ideas and inventions as well as to help
further them in every possible manner. His par-
ents were Frederick William and Minnie (Stroh)
Otto, and both came of old and highly respected
families.
Frederick W. Otto was the first of his father's
family to make his way to America, and located
in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He was a merchant
in that city, and also at Centreville. He returned
to his native land in 1873, not being taken with
the outlook of life in America. His sisters, Car-
olina and Christina, came to America about 1848,
and located at Sheboygan. Edward was the next
to emigrate from his native land and came to
America in 1854, his brother coming one year
later.
Edward Otto reached New York November 26,
1854, and traveled directly to Sheboygan, Wis-
consin, which city he reached in January, 1855.
He learned the trade of piano-maker in his native
land, but followed it here but a short time. He
was employed in his brother's store, as clerk, two
years. He subsequently spent some time in trav-
eling and went first to Leavenworth, Kansas, in
1857, where he witnessed many ante- war fights.
He there saw James Lane, or "Jimmie," as he
was called, in his prime. He was occupied at
general labor, and went to St. Louis in 1859, sub-
sequently locating in New Orleans, and in May,
1 86 1, returned to St. Louis. In May, 1861, he
enlisted in Company F, Second Missouri Home
Guards Reserve Corps, and served three months.
He was mustered out by General Fremont, and
in August, 1861, enlisted in Company G, Second
Missouri Volunteers. The regiment was mus-
tered in the fall of 1862, after the battle of Cor-
inth, having been in southern towns the balance
of the time.
In the fall of 1862 Mr. Otto returned to Wis-
consin and was in the service of his brother, Fred-
erick, until the fall of 1863, when he located in
Chicago. He purchased a grocery on Clark
Street, near Harrison Street, with Henry Boehle
as a partner; the latter shortly afterward sold out
to Mr. Otto, who retained possession but one
C. H. MENZEL.
year, subsequent to which time he became an em-
ploye in Stone's piano-factory on Clark Street.
For a short time he was in the service of Kenower
Brothers, and followed the trade of carpenter
continuously from that time until he started the
sash and door business in 1866, on Archer Ave-
nue, near Twenty-second Street. His partner
was Frederick Matthews, and the firm name be-
came Otto & Matthews. The partnership con-
tinued until 1872, when he bought out his part-
ner and conducted the business alone until the
great panic, when business was so dull that he
closed up his factory for a time.
In 1877 he opened again on Halsted and
Twenty-fifth Streets, and after one year located
at No. 3100 Halsted Street, with Frank Brehm
for partner. He continued to operate the two
establishments, the latter being a manufacturing
venture. Mr. Otto was in partnership with Mr.
Brehm five years, and sold his share in the fac-
tory to his partner in May, 1884. In the fall of
that year he started in business at the corner of
Wentworth Avenue and Forty-third Street, deal-
ing and manufacturing. He purchased a factory
in 1886, at the corner of Halsted and Sixtieth
Streets, and kept both places until 1893, since
which time he has lived retired. He erected
buildings at Nos. 243 and 245 Forty-third Street,
near Wentworth Avenue, and traded them for
property at No. 7030 Rhodes Avenue, where he
has since resided.
In April, 1863, Mr. Otto was married to Miss
Elizabeth Arnold. Mrs. Otto was born Decem-
ber 3, 1840, in Germany. Her children are ac-
counted for as follows: Minnie married Theodore
F. Stoffregen, of whom further notice appears
elsewhere in this volume. Johanna died at the
age of two years. Edward is at home. Charles
is the next in order of birth, also at home. Louisa
is with her parents. Robert is the youngest liv-
ing, three having died in infancy.
Mr. Otto is a Republican. He was instrumen-
tal in rebuilding the city after it was destroyed by
the fire of 1871. He is a man of much experi-
ence in travel, and his desire for adventure led
him into many dangerous places and positions.
During the days of John Brown and James Lane,
he was in Kansas and was in danger at one
time of losing his life. Mr. Otto is the possessor
of a most pleasant home on Rhodes Avenue, near
Seventy-first Street, where he resides with his
family.
CHARLES H. MENZEL.
CJHARLES H. MENZEL, who belongs to
1 1 that noble and representative class of citi-
\J zeus known as self-made men, is one of the
oldest men in his business on the Northwest Side
of Chicago. He began on a very small scale, and
it was through his own efforts and perseverance
that he attained the place he now holds in the
estimation of the people and the business world
of our city. He comes of the sturdy and self-
willed German nation, and has all the admirable
traits and characteristics of his race. He was
born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 31,
1848. At the age of fifteen years he commenced
a four years' apprenticeship to the tinsmith's
trade, and at nineteen began to work as a journey-
man.
In 1869 he began life in Chicago, having come
to America in that year. He was employed by
others about four years, and subsequently entered
into business with George Strauss, establishing a
hardware store. They continued on Milwaukee
Avenue eight years and later removed to a situ-
BERNT MOE.
ation nearer the center of the city. After one
year Mr. Menzel erected a building at No.
468 West North Avenue, where he has since done
a thriving and successful business.
Mr. Menzel deserves great credit from the fact
that he started as a poor youth and has reached
his present standing only through continued at-
tention to his own interests, and his wealth is
more appreciated by himself and family from this
fact. He has erected a very fine and comfortable
residence on Tripp Avenue, and possesses a
summer home at Round Lake, Lake County,
Illinois.
December 25, the day of great joy to the popu-
lation of every Christian country, in the year
1874, Mr. Menzel was married to Miss Eliza
Petersen, a native of the same land as himself,
who proved to be a very congenial and helpful
companion. They became the parents of four
daughters and one son, who were named as fol-
lows: Amale, Magdalena, Selma, Henrietta and
Charles N.
Mr. Menzel is a well-known man in the vicinity
where he resides and is highly respected and
honored by all who are acquainted with him, in
a business or personal manner. He favors the
Republican party by voting for its candidates,
and is a communicant of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church, thereby aiding the religious as well as
the business and social portion of the neighbor-
hood. He is recognized as a man of conscientious
motives and sound judgment.
BERNT MOE.
BERNT MOE, who deserves great credit for
his substantial progress in a strange land,
amidst strong competition, passed away at
his home on Scott Street, Chicago, February 10,
1898. He was born May 30, 1845, in Thrond-
hejm, Norway. He was educated in private
schools of his native land, and came with his
parents to America in 1861, being then sixteen
years of age. They settled in Nioga, Illinois,
where the elder Moe engaged in farming.
In 1862 the subject of this sketch came to
Chicago in search of fortune. He entered the
service of William Waters, of Hyde Park, as a
boy of all work about his employer's premises.
The latter was secretary of the land office of the
Illinois Central Railroad Company, and secured
a position for the youth, in whom he took a keen
interest, as office office boy in his department.
Young Moe was industrious and studious,
and endeavored to qualify himself for usefulness
to his employers. His fidelity and application
were soon rewarded by his appointment to a
clerkship, for which he was fully prepared by
previous study and observation. This connection
was speedily broken off, by his enlistment as
a soldier in defense of his adopted country.
He enlisted in January, 1865, as a member of
Company I, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and
continued with the regiment until it was mus-
tered out at the close of hostilities. His youth
had prevented his earlier enlistment and, though
he saw little active service in the field he showed
his loyalty and courage in the most practical
manner. At the time he entered the service, no
one could tell how long the war would continue,
and he cast his lot with his country's defenders,
in hope of doing active duty.
On his return to civil life, he resumed his posi-
tion as clerk in the offices of the railroad. He
won rapid promotion, and continued to hold po-
sitions of trust and responsibility throughout the
remainder of his life. He was advanced from
GEORGE NEHER.
clerk to paymaster, which position he held
eighteen years, but was forced by ill health to
give it up. He was then given an easier occupa-
tion in the land office, as assistant land com-
missioner, where he was serving at the time of
his demise.
It is easy to imagine the difficulties encountered
by a youth in his position on arriving in America.
He had first to master a strange language, and
then to demonstrate his capability and integrity
by hard work, and won a place in the confidence
and respect of his superiors which continued to
the end of his life.
Among the treasures preserved with just pride
by his family are testimonials from prominent
railroad officials, among whom may be mentioned
President Stuyvesant Fish, of the Illinois Central
Railroad Company, and E. T. Jeffrey, President
of the Rio Grande Western. The latter said:
"He is one of the most loyal, faithful and trusty
men I ever came in contact with. It was his
nature to be loyal and true, and impossible for
him to be otherwise." Mr. Fish said: "His
record with our company is one of which any
man can be justly proud."
He was married July 6, 1869, in Chicago, to
Miss Alphene Elefson. They were the parents of
three daughters: Martha J., Bertha Olive and
Laura Bernice. Mr. Moe was a member of
Trinity Lutheran Church, with which his family
is also affiliated. On his removal from a useful
career, before the close of his fifty-third year,
his remains were deposited in Graceland Ceme-
tery. His memory will long be cherished by a
mourning circle of friends and by a deeply be-
reaved family.
GEORGE NEHER.
fJJjEORGE NEHER, for a period of forty
I years a resident of Lyons Township, and
t_J one of its most prominent farmers and
dairymen, was born October 15, 1831, in Ham-
bach, Hessen-Darmsdat, Germany, a son of
Lorenz and Katherine (Neher) Neher. His
paternal grandparents were Lorenz and Eliza-
beth (Dorn) Neher, farmer and wine-growers,
and his parents were cousins.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his
native place and educated in its common schools.
He was made of the stuff out of which good
American citizens are made, and was not con-
tented with his lot at home, so resolved to remove
to the free land across the sea, of whose oppor-
tunities he had heard. Soon after attaining his
majority he set out, and landed in New York
City June 5, 1853. Proceeding direct to Chicago,
he reached this city on the thirteenth of the same
month. He remained here one year and then
went to Michigan and was employed in the
pineries for a period of four years. Being indus-
trious and prudent in the care of his earnings, he
was now prepared to make an investment on his
own account.
October n, 1858, he settled in Lyons, where
his home has continued ever since, and where he
has won a place for himself among the respected
and prosperous residents. For six years he en-
gaged in farming and dairying on the land now
owned by Mrs. Katherine Neher, and then
moved to Western Springs, where he remained a
year, engaged in the construction of the embank-
ments of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Rail-
road at Western Springs and Highlands. He
then purchased his present farm and immediately
occupied it. His handsome residence was con-
structed in 1871. He is among the most pro-
NICHOLAS SCHOENECK.
53
gressive and successful farmers in the township,
and the same sturdy character which brought him
to America and established him in an independ-
ent position has made him a leader in the social,
moral and material affairs of the community.
In 1859 he was married to Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Lorenz and Agnes (Schuster) Mitsch,
natives of Germany. Nineteen children were
given to Mr. and Mrs. Neher, of whom only eight
are now living, namely: George, Frank, Henry,
Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles W. Fredericks), Anna
(wife of Joseph W. Robb), John, Abbie and
Agnes. Mr. Neher and family are identified with
the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Neher has always taken an active part in
the direction of local political affairs, and has
served twelve years as School Director of Lyons
Village. He was Township Trustee three years,
Postmaster at Lyons nine years, four years a
member of the Village Board and two years its
President. He supports the principles of the
Republican party, but receives the votes of all
classes of citizens when a candidate, thus proving
his great popularity.
NICHOLAS SCHOENECK.
SCHOENECK. If a residence
of considerably over half a century and
active identification with the upbuilding
of a great and prosperous community make one
a pioneer, then Nicholas Schoeneck is entitled to
a conspicuous position among the thrifty and loyal
German- Americans who "blazed the trail" into
Cook County. He has been here since 1844,
and during the past forty-five years has been an
esteemed resident of the West Side. Instead of
sitting idly by and watching that portion of the
city grow as other men in his position might have
done, he has materially assisted in its develop-
ment .
Mr. Schoeneck was born in the village of
Shadeken, near the city of Meinz, in Germany,
January 17, 1830, and is a son of Adam and
Elizabeth (Lies) Schoeneck. His father was a
wine merchant and was a member of a very old
and respected family. In 1844 the family,
which then consisted of the parents and seven
children, came to seek their fortunes in the New
World, with its freedom of thought and action
and bright prospects for those with willing
hands. The other children were John, Jacob and
William, who have since died; Elizabeth, wife of
Henry Weber, a biography of whom appears on
another page of this volume; Philip, who now
lives on a farm at Northfield, Cook County; and
Christina, wife of John Eiszner, of Chicago.
Nicholas was the fourth in order of birth.
In those days sailing vessels were the only
means of trans-oceanic transportation and the
trip from Antwerp to New York required thirty-
three days. The family came direct to Cook
County, where the father purchased a farm,
which proved to be a profitable investment.
The mother died on the farm in Northfield, De-
cember 17, 1875, aged seventy-five years, and
the father's end came in Chicago, July 14, 1882,
when he had reached the venerable age of
eighty-two years.
Nicholas Schoeneck was well educated in the
public schools of Germany and increased his fund
of knowledge after coming to this country. He
worked on his father's farm until he was nearly
twenty-one years old, when he came to Chicago
and learned the trade of wagon-making with
Henry Weber, in whose employ he remained
forty- two years, most of the time as foreman of
54
C. H. SMITH.
his shop. In all that period he lost only eighteen
weeks, when he had been disabled by an acci-
dent.
In national affairs he has usually supported
the Republican party, but in local politics he is
independent. He is a member of Germania
Lodge No. 182, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons; has been a member of Harmonia Lodge
No. 221, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, over
forty years, and of Germania Encampment,
No. 40, same order, nearly as long.
October 6, 1855, Mr. Schoeneck was married
to Miss Sarah, daughter of Philip Wohlheter,
who was born April 19, 1838, in Alsace, which
then belonged to France. They have eight chil-
dren living, and have lost five, the oldest son,
William, having died in 1898. Those living are:
George, who is in the employ of the United
States Express Company; Henry, who is mana-
ger of Kirk's soap factory; Louis, also employed
by the United States Express Company; Charles,
who is bookkeeper at Kirk's soap factory;
Edward, employed in the American Exchange
National Bank; Louise, wife of Joseph Noll;
Carrie, wife of Henry Repenning; and Emma,
now Mrs. Francis Foskett. All are residents of
Chicago.
Mr. Schoeneck was brought up in the Lutheran
Church and the members of his family adhere to
the same faith. He was one of the promoters in
the organization of St. Peter's Evangelical
Church, about 1861, for which he purchased the
site from an Indiana farmer. He solicited sub-
scriptions, and was himself a generous contributor
to the building fund. He was made a member
of the building committee after the congregation
was organized, and was superintendent of the
Sunday School ten years. Ever since then he has
continued to manifest a deep interest in the
church and parish school, and has given both his
financial support.
When Mr. and Mrs. Schoeneck located where
they still reside, at No. 412 West Chicago
Avenue, in 1855, there were but few settlers west
of the river. That now densely populated portion
of the city was then mostly open prairie, and the
few scattering settlers were engaged in growing
vegetables. They have borne their share in
bringing about the wonderful transformation that
has resulted in the Chicago of to-day, and are still
in the enjoyment of good health, and relate with
much interest many incidents of the time when
the city was in swaddling clothes.
In 1892 Mr. Schoeneck was awarded a hand-
some gold medal by the German Old Settlers
Society, for having served one employer longer
than any other person present. He is a loyal
citizen, of correct habits, who has always given
his influence to every measure for promoting the
best interests of society.
CHARLES H. SMITH.
gHARLES H. SMITH, a resident of Lyons
Village for twenty-five years and justice of
the peace for the past eleven years, was born
in Chicago, April 19, 1866, a son of Charles and
Mary (Knieff) Smith. He is of German ancestry,
having all the sturdiness of muscle and character
which, as a rule, is found in that race.
His father took an active part in the Revolu-
tion of 1848, in Germany, and left his native
country after it was over. He located in New
York, and was very prominent as a contractor in
the building of the Erie canal. Prior to the year
1857 he settled in Cicero Township, where he
was foreman of a stone quarry, at what is now
J. P. HANSON.
55
Hawthorne, until 1864. He was a resident of
Lyons from 1872 until the date of his death,
January 26, 1896.
From 1867 to 1892 Charles Smith, senior,
was a trusted and honored employe of Hibbard,
Spencer, Bartlett & Company, one of the largest
hardware houses in Chicago and the West, as gen-
eral salesman, with full charge of city trade. He
acted in this capacity twenty-five years. His wife
was a daughter of Henry and Sophia (Sand-
meyer) Knieff, both natives of Germany, and pio-
neers of Cicero Township, this county. Mr.
and Mrs. Smith became the parents of thirteen
children, of whom seven survive: Charles H.,
Frank P., Katharine S., Mrs. E. C. Becker,
George A., William A. and Oscar H.
Charles H. Smith, whose name heads this arti-
cle, has resided in Lyons since his ninth birth-
day, being educated in the public schools, with a
two-years' course in sciences, and receiving a
diploma from a course in Bryant & Stratton's
Business College in 1882. His business career
began when he was eighteen years of age, in 1884,
as proprietor of a general store in Lyons, which
he continued until 1891. He subsequently be-
came a bookkeeper for the Steele-Wedeles Com-
pany of Chicago. He is a consistent member of
the Lutheran Church, in which he is influential.
He was nine years clerk of Lyons Village, served
three years as school trustee, and is now a village
trustee. He is a supporter of the principles of
the Democratic party.
JOHN P. HANSON.
(JOHN P. HANSON, the well-known cigar
manufacturer of Chicago, was born March
22, 1843, in nor Tonnder, Schleswig, Den-
mark. His education was such as the common
schools of his locality afforded, and he remained
in the vicinity of his birthplace until he reached
his majority. In 1864 he resolved to seek his
fortune in America, and following the footsteps
of many of his countrymen, emigrated to Wiscon-
sin, settling in Racine. Thence he wandered
West and was employed by the Government in
the building of Fort Lyons, Colorado. In 1867
he came to Chicago, where he worked as a mason
until 1869. During that year he suffered from a
disease which affected the bone of his left ankle
and was obliged to undergo an amputation .
This misfortune disabled him for continuing
the work in which he had been engaged and,
after due consideration he apprenticed himself
to learn the trade of a cigarmaker, with Mr.
Burckhart, at what was then No. 33 Milwaukee
Avenue. He worked faithfully to learn the busi-
ness until October 4, 1872, when he had made
sufficient progress to open a factory of his own.
This he did, at what is now No. 361 Milwaukee
Avenue. His business prospered, showing that
he had made'good use of his apprenticeship, and
in 1879 he was able to build a factory and
residence at No. 351, in the same street. In this
building he has since continued his business,
and has aimed to have the model cigar factory of
Chicago. In fact it was so pronounced by three
experts who were visiting this country from
Germany. His output has greatly increased as
his product gained reputation and, as early as
1883 he manufactured and sold four million
cigars. He employs from sixty to seventy-five
hands, and has two men on the road disposing
of the product.
Mr. Hanson has invested his savings to good
advantage in various business enterprises. He
was one of the organizers of the American
A. C. F. KOCH.
Varnish Company, and still owns stock in that
concern, which is in a prosperous condition,
having in 1897 transacted business amounting to
$280,000. He was also a promoter of the Mil-
waukee Avenue State Bank, is one of its largest
stockholders and on its board of directors.
Among the other concerns in which he has stock
might be mentioned the North Side Street Rail-
road, the National Biscuit Company and the
Chicago Heights L,aud Company.
He has always taken a lively interest in the af-
fairs affecting the cit3 r , and especially the portion
in which his home is located. Mr. Hanson has
always been a very industrious man, and this,
coupled with the most rigid economy in the be-
ginning, accounts for his success in life. While
still an apprentice, he was able to accumulate
three hundred dollars, and during the first three
months of his business career he doubled his in-
vestment three times. During the first six years
that he conducted business for himself he worked
almost night and day, allowing himself no more
rest than nature absolutely demanded.
In 1868 the subject of this notice was married
to Miss Kittie Rasmussen, the ceremony taking
place at Racine, Wisconsin. Their union has
been blessed with twelve children, six of whom
are living, namely: Anna, who is her father's
bookkeeper; Freda, residing at home; Rudolph,
a salesman for his father's factory; Carrie, a
teacher in the public schools; Jennie, who gradu-
ated in 1898 from the Wicker Park School,
having the highest standing of any pupil in her
class; and Robert, who is still attending school.
Since 1889 the family has resided at No. 24
Ewing Place, in the elegant modern residence
which the father built in that year. Mr. Hanson
has been an honored member of the Knights of
Pythias since 1873. In politics he is a Republi-
can.
AUGUST C F. KOCH,
GJUGUST CHARGES FREDERICK KOCH,
L_l who has been identified with the city of
/ I Chicago since November, 1867, the date of
his arrival, is a stone and brick mason by trade.
He was occupied at his trade in the city since
that time until 1897, when he retired from active
labor. He has been economical, and besides
saving his earnings, he carefully invested them in
property which brought returns, and now enjoys
a handsome competence. When he first arrived
in Chicago he settled at No. 273 West Chicago
Avenue, and purchased property in 1870, which
he still possesses. In 1887 he bought his present
beautiful home located at No. 583 North Hoyne
Avenue.
In national matters he has supported the Re-
publican party, but in local affairs has acted in-
dependently. He is a member of the Stone-
masons' and Bricklayers' Union, having been
with this organization many years. Mr. Koch
was born in Traptaw, Prussia, May 10, 1842, a
son of Christoph and Christina Koch, both of
whom died in the Fatherland, the former at the
age of ninety-seven and the latter at ninety
years of age. He attended the parish school of
his native village until he had reached the age of
fourteen years, when he was confirmed in the
church.
After leaving school he served a three-years'
apprenticeship at the mason's trade, at which he
worked until he was twenty years old. when he
entered the German army in Koenig Grenadier
Regiment No. 2, and served a little over three
years, during the Austro-German War. He
J. G. WILLIAMSON.
57
took part in a number of engagements, notably
that of Koenig Kratz, but was never wounded.
After leaving the army he resumed work at his
trade until he emigrated.
October 4, 1867, Mr. Koch married Miss
Marie Gauchaw, a native of the same place as
himself, and born April 16, 1848. October 19,
1867, Mr. and Mrs. Koch took passage on the
steamer "Cimbria," at Hamburg, bound for
America, and fourteen days later landed at New
York. They came directly to Chicago, where
Mr. Koch had two brothers.
Mr. and Mrs. Koch have three sons and one
daughter, namely: Herman, a mason by trade;
Alma, wife of Max Schultz; Robert, a druggist,
who graduated from the Northwestern University
as a pharmacist; and August, a cutter of cloaks
in the employ of Seigel Brothers, a wholesale
concern. The family is not affiliated with any
church, but the parents were reared in the faith of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church which Mr.
Koch's family attend and assist in supporting.
Mr. Koch was a poor man when he arrived in
America, having only his trade to sustain him,
but he possessed industry, the characteristic of
the German-American citizen, and by patience
and perseverance, assisted by his estimable wife,
steadily made his way upward to his present po-
sition of affluence. He is a loyal citizen and al-
ways uses his influence for the advancement of
every worthy cause, and feels a just pride in the
country of his adoption.
JOSEPH G. WILLIAMSON.
(JOSEPH GOLDEN WILLIAMSON, a promi-
I nent physician of La Grange, was born March
O 7, 1839, in Pittsburgh, Peunsylvannia. He
is a son of John N. A. Williamson, and is a
descendant in the seventh generation of William
Williamson, who sailed from Amsterdam, Hol-
land, in the ship "Concord," in 1657, and set-
tled in Gravesend, Long Island, where his name
is found on the assessor's roll of 1683. His wife
was Mayke Peterse Wycoflf.
Nicholas Williamson, the great-grandfather of
Joseph G. Williamson, was born October 8, 1762,
and died August 8, 1856. He was a son of
Garrett and Charity (Bennett) Williamson. He
was a tiller of the soil and a store-keeper at
Neshanic, New Jersey, and a minute-man during
the Revolutionary War. He was under fire from
the British ships at Raritan Bay. His wife was
Alche Ditmars. Garrett Williamson was born at
Gravesend, Long Island, March 15, 1728, and
died at Neshanic, New Jersey, January 17, 1790.
He was a son of Nicholas andLucresy (Voorhees)
Williamson. Nicholas Williamson was born in
Gravesend, New York, in 1680, a son of William
Williamson, the first ancestor in America, and
was an agriculturist.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this
article, Douw Ditmars Williamson, was born at
Neshanic, New Jersey, January 4, 1789. He
was a militiaman in the war of 1812, and was
stationed at what is now Jersey City. He was
comptroller of New York City under several ad-
ministrations, and for many years, until near the
time of his death, president of the Farmers' Loan
& Trust Company of New York City. He was
also an elder of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch
Church, and died in Brooklyn, New York, August
4, 1869. His wife, Mary Ann, was the daughter
of Capt. David and Jane (Hassert) Abeel.
John N. A. Williamson, father of J. G.
Williamson, was born in New Brunswick, New
Jersey, February 13, 1814. He began his busi-
J. L. FEDDERSEN.
ness career as a stationer in New York City, in
which he continued until burned out by the great
fire of 1836, when he removed West. He was
subsequently farmer, pharmacist and assistant
railroad receiver, and died at Lafayette, Indiana,
August 21, 1887. His maternal grandfather,
Capt. David Abeel, born January 13, 1763, died
October i, 1840. He was of the fifth generation
from Christopher Janse Abeel, born in Amster-
dam, Holland, in 1621, who settled in Beaver-
wick (now Albany), New York, in 1657. Capt.
David was a son of Col. James Abeel, a
quarter-master on General Washington's staff,
and his wife was Gertrude Neilson. Col.
James Abeel was born in Albany, New York,
May 12, 1733, and died in New Brunswick, New
Jersey, April 25, 1825. He was a son of David
and Mary (Duyckink) Abeel. The founder of
the family in America, Johann Abeel, was a mer-
chant and mayor of Albany, 1684-85, and a mem-
ber of assembly from 1701 to 1709.
Joseph G. Williamson was reared in Bound
Brook, New Jersey, remaining there until sixteen
years of age, when he removed to Illinois with
his parents. He was educated in the common
schools and under private tutors and began the
study of medicine in 1861, at New Albany, In-
diana, and during the Civil War assisted his pre-
ceptor in the Military Hospital practice at that
place. For many years he was engaged in rail-
roading and for a number of years was a ticket
agent for the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago
Railroad Company at New Albany, and receiver
at that point, later spending two years in rail-
road service in Minnesota.
In 1871 he located in Chicago and engaged in
real estate business, more or less, until 1879,
when he entered the Bennett College of Medicine
and Surgery, and was graduated in 1882. He
was a resident of Hyde Park from 1871 to 1878,
and for many years lived at Hinsdale, where he
was actively engaged in his profession, with office
also in Chicago. Since 1894 he has resided in
L,a Grange. Dr. Williamson was married April
15, 1865, to Charity A., daughter of John Nor-
man, of Caldwell, New York, who bore him ten
children: Katharine T., Ida R., Mary, Minnie
(deceased), Jessie, Dow D. (deceased), Nor-
man E., Joseph G. (deceased), Bertha B. and
Jennie J.
The laboratory of Dr. Williamson is an in-
teresting one. A maze of static and galvanic
electrical apparatus, and an X-Ray machine of
the latest type, are supplemented by a most com-
plete collection of surgical devices and a fully
equipped and extensive pharmacy. With the
aid of an immense library he keeps abreast of the
advance in medicine and surgical methods. He
is a prominent Knight Templar and has taken the
thirty-second degree of Free Masonry. He is a
true independent in politics, not favoring either
party, but voting upon principle at all times.
JOHN L. FEDDERSEN.
(lOHN LUDOLPH FEDDERSEN, one of
I Chicago's self-made business men, affords a
G/ notable example of what pluck and persever-
ance will accomplish in all the affairs of life. He
was born November 25, 1853, in the kingdom of
Denmark, and is the third child of Andrew I,.
Feddersen, who died when his son was but five
years of age. The latter remained in his native
town until he reached the age of fifteen years,
getting his education in the schools of Aventoft.
Having inherited that love of the sea which
made his Norse forefathers rulers of the deep, he
P. C. B. PETERSEN.
59
secured a position as cabin boy on a sea-going
vessel at the age of fifteen years. His first trip
was from Hamburg to the West Indies; the jour-
ney occupying six months. The next trip was
to Rio Janeiro, which also consumed six months.
He then started for China and, six months later,
after arriving at Hong Kong, he was made a full
sailor. He remained there three years trading
on the coast of China. Subsequently he was pro-
moted to second mate of a Norwegian ship, and
in that position followed the sea about three
years. His last cruise was from Hamburg to
Philadelphia, and he landed in the latter city in
1875. He worked on a farm in Pennsylvania
two months, receiving twenty-five dollars per
month, and then started for Chicago, which was
the goal towards which many of the emigrants
journeyed. He arrived in that city in July, 1875,
and, taking whatever work was offered, was em-
ployed about two months in a brick yard. He
then worked for the same employer on a farm,
and in the winter returned to the city, where he
found work of various kinds in the Union Stock
Yards. He then went to Lake View and hired
himself to a gardener, with whom he remained a
year.
In 1877 he married and, during the hard times
incident to that year, found it hard to make both
ends meet, but he persevered, establishing in that
year a wholesale fish business. This was the first
effort at doing business on his own account, and
though at first he had many discouragements, his
trade gradually increased, and in the course- of
two years his reputation as an honest dealer drew
to him a lucrative patronage. Three years after
his opening the fish market he added oysters to
his stock, and has built up a large trade in both
lines. He has been ruled throughout his busi-
ness career by the same careful methods which
made it possible for him to build up a successful
business, and has acquired a comfortable property.
Besides the house at No. 22 Potomac Avenue,
where he lives, he also owns a two-story flat build-
ing at No. 14 Mormon Street, which is rented.
Mrs. Feddersen, whose maiden name was Anna
Christensen, was born in Denmark and came to
America at the age of twenty-seven years. To Mr.
and Mrs. Feddersen have been born five children,
namely: Louis, who is married and in business
in Chicago; Christina, living at home; Andrew,
who assists his father; and Jens and Ludolph,
both residing at home. The subject of this notice
is a member of Wicker Park Lodge No. 281,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has re-
ceived all the honors which the subordinate lodge
can confer. Politically he is a Republican.
P. CHR. B. PETERSEN.
n CHR. BRONNUM PETERSEN, L. D. S.,
Y has become, entirely through his own
t^ efforts, one of the prominent and respected
business men of the portion of Chicago where he
is located, and has obtained success in many
ways. He has made a name for himself among
the residents of the Northwest Side and has se-
cured the confidence of his patrons. He comes
of a foreign country, having been born in Copen-
hagen, Denmark, May 13, 1865. He was the
oldest of a family of two sons and one daughter
and was educated in Kristensen's Borger og
Realskole. He was graduated at the age of four-
teen years and was then apprenticed to H. P. E.
Nilsen, Colonialvare Forretning.
After serving as apprentice two years with Mr.
Nilsen, who was located at the corner of Gl.
Kongevej and Bianco Lunos Alice, he changed to
6o
CARL JOERNDT.
the employ of Carl Dehnfeldt, in the same busi-
ness as Mr. Nilsen. He finished his apprentice-
ship in three years at the location of the corner of
Lille Kongensgade and Halmstrsede. He subse-
quently entered the service of C. W. Obel, whole-
sale tobacco dealer, at Udsalg in Frederiksberg-
gade, and was occupied one year as shipping clerk.
November 5, 1885, he left Copenhagen for
Liverpool, England, and two days later embarked
for America on the ship "British King" of the
American line, arriving in Philadelphia a short
time after, on November 23. He proceeded to
Chicago, reaching his destination November 25.
Three weeks later he began as clerk in the ser-
vice of Christian Rasmussen, editor of a Danish
paper. In 1891 he decided to study dentistry
and entered the Northwestern College of Dental
Surgery, and two years later passed an examina-
tion of the State Board. He opened an office for
business at No. 1751 Milwaukee Avenue, then
corner Hoffman Avenue, now Rockwell, and is
now at No. 1730 on the same corner, where he
has been located five years. He has been very
successful and has realized many of the hopes and
ambitions which prompted him to establish him-
self in the business world of the metropolis of the
West.
Mr. Petersen is also connected with the social
world of the country of his adoption and is a
member of Denmark Lodge No. 112, Knights of
Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, besides
which he is identified with the Rathbone Sisters
and is connected with Fullerton Council, Knights
and Ladies of Security. He belongs to Ivauhoe
Company, Uniform Rank, in the Knights of
Pythias, of which he is treasurer.
He is a self-made man in every sense of the
word, and deserves credit for the fact that he
showed the courage to enter a new, and to him,
wholly unknown country, without much knowl-
edge of its people or characteristics, and without
friends. He has a fine practice that has been
steadily increasing. He took out his naturaliza-
tion paper in the Superior Court in December,
1893, and while he honors his mother country he
is loyal to his adopted country, never forgetting
that we owe our first allegiance to the country in
which we make our home.
CARL JOERNDT.
EARL JOERNDT, who was born in Mecklen-
burg- Schwerin, Germany, December 24,
1826, is a son of Christian and Marie (Lemno)
Joerndt. His parents had a family of six sons
and two daughters, namely : Mary, who mar-
ried William Koen, and died many years ago;
Carl is the next in order of birth; William, of
California; Theodore, deceased; August, of Pon-
tiac, Illinois; George, a resident of Seattle, Wash-
ington; Frederick, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and a
daughter that died in infancy. The family came
to America in 1853, and located in Chicago,
where both parents died.
Carl Joerndt learned the cabinet- maker's trade,
at which he worked two years after coming to
Chicago. He then engaged in carpenter work
and labored as journeyman a few years. In 1865
he embarked in business for himself, and formed
a co-partnership with William Gastfield. They
built a planing mill at the corner of Curtis and
May Streets, and carried on the manufacture of
sash, blinds and doors fifteen )-ears, when Mr.
Joerndt sold his interest in the factor}' and turned
his attention to contracting and building. He
continued in this business until 1894, since which
time he has retired from active business.
C. H. DUENSING.
61
For forty years he has resided on Chicago Ave-
nue, and is still located at the same house. He
has led an industrious and honest life, as a citi-
zen of the city of Chicago, and has achieved suc-
cess through honest methods. He has supported
the Republican party ever since he became a citi-
zen of the United States, but never craved public
office of any kind. He is a member of Goethe
Lodge No. 239, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows.
Just previous to his emigration from the Father-
land, in 1853, he married Miss Henrietta Brun-
graver, who was born in Schwerin. They have
had ten children, but four died in childhood. The
living are: Emma, wife of Andrew Gagel, of
Rogers Park; Ida, now Mrs. George Ertz; Will-
iam, Albert, Hulda and Etta. Mr. and Mrs.
Joerndt are members of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church, and are influential for the cause of right.
William Joerndt married Mrs. Mary Pottel,
widow of Harry Pottel, and is employed in the
Chronicle office, having charge of the lineotype
machines. They have three children: Harriet,
Wilbur and an unnamed infant, and Mrs. Joerndt
has a son by her first marriage, named Harry
Pottel. Albert Joerndt married Miss Katherine
Le Feber and is a letter carrier. They have two
children: Meryl and Gladys.
CHARLES H. DUENSING.
HARLES HENRY DUENSING. The ele-
1 ments essential to make men of mark in the
\J world are as varied as the individuals who
make up the sum total of humanity. An im-
mortal poet has said, "Some men are born great,
some achieve greatness and some have greatness
thrust upon them." It is men of the second
class, as spoken of by the most renowned of bards,
who fill the greatest needs in the affairs of life.
Charles H. Duensing, with whom this sketch
has to do, was of humble birth, and of poor but
respectable parentage. His birth occurred in the
village of Mariensee, province of Hanover,
Germany, Septembers, 1829. His parents were
Henry and Caroline Duensing, both of whom
died in Germany. Of their five children who
grew to maturity, three became residents of the
United States, namely: Charles H., Henry and
Henrietta.
The boyhood of Charles H. Duensing was
passed in his native land, the common schools
affording him the means whereby to obtain a
practical elementary education. As a boy he
was sturdy, practical and resolute, possessing
many of those dominant characteristics of the
German race which have won success wherever
the forces of German mind and heart have, with
fixedness of purpose, taken hold of the affairs
of life.
He learned the trade of wood turner with his
father and at the age of twenty years developed
into man's estate. Realizing the narrowness of
opportunities surrounding him in his native land,
and longing for a field of wider environment, he
decided to seek his fortune in America. In April,
1848, he carried into effect his resolution, took
passage in a sailing vessel at Bremen Harbor,
and after a long and uneventful voyage of forty-
five days landed in New York.
He came directly to Chicago, by way of the
Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and
the steamer "Empire" up the lakes, arriving in
June. For two years after his arrival in Cook
County he worked on a farm in Barrington Town-
ship for Philip N. Gould. He then became
clerk in the hardware store of Thomas George,
remaining one year, after which he worked a
year in a mill in Kane County. Ambitious to
62
WILLIAM DUXSON.
succeed and desirous of improving his financial
condition, he went to Will County and engaged
in retailing merchandise. He also kept a toll
gate on Milwaukee Avenue three years. His
next business venture was keeping a hotel on
Milwaukee Avenue, near Carpenter Street, and
after two years he engaged in the commission
business for a few years.
In 1868 he began doing an insurance business,
to which he has given his attention, practically,
for the past thirty years, combining with it real
estate and loans. Previous to the last mentioned
date he invested a part of his savings in real
estate, on the corner of West Chicago Avenue
and Noble Street, where he built and made his
home until 1892, when he removed to River
Forest.
Mr. Duensing has won success in his long and
varied career, and accumulated a valuable prop-
erty. He has ever been mindful of his duties
as a citizen, and has found time to aid in pro-
moting the best interests of his home city and
his adopted country. Since casting his vote for
John C. Fremont, in 1856, he has supported the
men and measures of the Republican party. In
1865 he was elected supervisor of his ward and
filled the office creditably one term, but has never
sought nor cared for political honors.
January 13, 1853, Mr. Duensing was united in
marriage to Miss Sophia Ohlendorf, whose family
history will be found in the article on the life of
William Ohlendorf, on another page of this work.
To this worthy couple have been born ten chil-
dren, namely: Mary, wife of Henry Linnemeyer,
of Chicago; Edwin H. , who is with Mandel
Brothers; Malinda, deceased; Elmer C., who is in-
terested with his father; Lorina, now Mrs. Hugo
Meyers, of Chicago; Alwina; Henrietta, wife of
William C. Nelson; Anna, wife of William C.
Noland; Ottilie, Mrs. George H. Puchner, of Oak
Park; and Elsa. Mr. Duensing and family be-
long to the Evangelical Lutheran Church and
enjoy the confidence and esteem of a large circle
of friends.
WILLIAM DUXSON.
|ILLIAM DUXSON, who comes of the
well-known family of the neighborhood
where he resides, has lived in Chicago
since he was a mere boy, and resides in the home
built by his father when there were but few other
houses in the vicinity. For ancestry refer to
biography of Ben Duxson.
Born January 10, 1866, in Cambridgeshire,
England, he is a son of James and Jane (West)
Duxson. William Duxson was occupied with
his father in the teaming business until he had
reached the age of twenty years, at which time he
entered the service of the Brownell Improvement
Company', and has been with this concern, in
various capacities, since that time. He married
a very worthy and refined lady, Mary Duggan,
sister of the woman who became the wife of his
brother, Ben. Mrs. Duxson is a daughter of
Thomas and Catherine Elizabeth (Calan) Duggan,
and was born March i, 1868, at the same house
where her sister first opened her eyes to the world,
situated at the corner of Sixty-fifth and State
Streets.
Mr. and Mrs. Duxson became the parents of
one son, William Arthur, who was born June 9,
1891. Mr. Duxson is a member of the Sons of
St. George, Lodge No. 410. He comes of a
Protestant family and, like Ben Duxson, is loyal
to the Democratic party. He possesses a help-
mate who aids in making the home pleasant, and
a harmony exists which cannot be rivalled. Mr.
and Mrs. Duxson take pride in the correct rearing
of their only son, who will prove a blessing to
them and an honor to the worthy name he bears.
The family has always been respected and its
representatives are citizens of the best quality.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
(From Photo by W. J. ROOT).
JACOB GROSS.
JACOB GROSS.
JACOB GROSS.
(JACOB GROSS, who lives in retirement, in
I his pleasant and luxurious home at No.
Qp 1730 Deming Place, has resided in Chicago
since 1855. He was at one time connected with
one of the largest banking and real-estate firms
in the city of Chicago, and in the faithful per-
formance of all duties or trusts imposed upon him
and the life of industry which he has led, has justly
earned all his honors. Whether as a brave soldier
or an able, ambitious, public servant, he has ever
shown himself a gentleman and that fact has thor-
oughly established him in the hearts of the people.
Jacob Gross was born February n, 1840, in
Jacobsweiler, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and is
a son of Henry and Barbara (Lotz) Gross.
Henry Gross was a tiller of the soil, and died
when Jacob was but thirteen years old. He and
his good wife had four children, namely: Kath-
arine (now deceased) ; Gertrude, now Mrs. Adam
Miller, Henry and Jacob, of this article. The
mother died in Rich ton, Cook Count}', Illinois, in
1860. In May, 1855, Mrs. Gross with her four
children sailed from Havre, in the sailing ship
"Elizabeth," and twenty-eight days later landed
in New York. They came directly to Chicago,
arriving July I .
Jacob Gross was well educated in the parish
school of his native place and after coming to
Chicago attended Brown's School, on the West
Side, and gassed a credible examination for the
high school, but did not enter. He learned the
trade of tin-smith, at which he served a reg-
ular apprenticeship, and afterwards worked six
months as journeyman. He then went to Rich-
land and was clerk in the store of his brother-in-
law until the Civil War broke out. In August,
1862, he enlisted for service in the Union Army,
joining Company B, Eighty-second Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry. He served continuously, partici-
pating in many of the hardest-fought battles of
the war, until May 25, 1864, when he was
severely wounded, at the battle of New Hope
Church, Georgia, by a rifle ball, which so shat-
tered the bones of his right leg that amputation
became necessary. He lay in a hospital in Chat-
tanooga until February, 1865, when he was
honorably discharged in Chicago, February 14,
1865. In 1866 he was appointed deputy police
clerk and served two years, and was elected
West Town collector for three terms. He was
then elected in 1872 clerk of the circuit court,
and was twice re-elected and served until 1884,
when he was elected state treasurer and served
one term of two years. He has always been a
Republican and has attended state conventions
and other gatherings since he became a citizen.
In 1883 he became a member of the banking
firm of Felsenthal, Gross & Miller, which was
made a state bank in 1891. After serving as
state treasurer he became actively engaged in the
bank and was vice-president until 1896, when,
owing to failing health, he resigned and has
since lived in retirement. Mr. Gross is a mem-
ber of Lessig Lodge No. 557, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, also Columbia Post No. 708,
Grand Army of the Republic.
6 4
SARGENT FIELD.
October 20, 1870, he married Miss Emma
Schade, a native of New York, but of German
parentage. They became the parents of three
children, namely: Mamie, now Mrs. William
Falk, William H. and Flora. The family is con-
nected with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, among the congregation of which each
one is highly honored.
SARGENT FIELD.
(p ARGENT FIELD. Among the foremost of
2\ the citizens of our United States are those
Q) men who can relate a history reaching back
to the time that their ancestors were among the
early settlers of the colonies. They inherit stur-
diness, ambition and love of country in almost
every case. In removing westward in the early
days of the western part of the country, they fur-
ther proved their interest in the welfare and growth
of the nation. Sargent Field could boast a lineage
of which any man might be proud. From the
fact that his father was born in the town of Sur-
rey, New Hampshire, in 1765, is shown that his
people were among the early pioneers of the col-
onies.
Sargent Field was born June 25, 1802, in
Peacham, Vermont, a son of Nathan and Hepzi-
bah Field. His father removed to Peacham in
1788, and in 1794 became an active and valuable
member of the Congregational Church in that
section, with which body he was connected until
his death. Nathan Field was a sincere Christian
and endeavored to rear his children in the paths
of right. His children were: Sargent; Ann
Eliza, who married Milo Lodgett; Charles and
Nathan, who lived in Neponset, Illinois. His wife
died August 16, 1857, aged eighty years, and was
buried in Hardwick. November 10, i859,hisown
death followed, after he had reached the remark-
able age of ninety-four years and three months.
In 1856 Sargent Field, with his family, moved
westward, remaining a short time in Chicago,
but settling in Ashkum, Illinois. He conducted
a hotel in this town for one year, and subsequent-
ly became a tiller of the soil near that town, and
continued in this occupation until 1862, when he
removed to Grand Crossing. He traded his farm
to Paul Cornell for an acre and one-half of land
lying between Cottage Grove and Drexel Ave-
nues and making the southeast corner of Cottage
Grove Avenue and Seventy-third Street. Mr.
Cornell had removed a house from the corner of
Sixtieth Street to this location, and a part of the
house is still standing. This was the first resi-
dence in this section.
Mr. Field was married May 14, 1829, in Hard-
wick, Vermont, to Sarah Bailey, daughter of
John and Abigail (Bailey) Cobb. She was born
February 4, 1809, in Hardwick, and died Octo-
ber 28, 1863, and was buried in Rosehill Cem-
etery. The children of John Cobb were as fol-
lows: Florilla, who married Paris Coates; Sarah,
Mrs. Field; and Abigail, who married Charles
Field. Florilla removed westward and lived in
Chicago, and her son, Calvin Coates, is still in
the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Sargent Field were the parents
of five children: Charles Porter, the eldest, born
April 21, 1831, married Miss Charity Elizabeth
Hudson, and removed west three years before
his father. He located in Chicago, but returned
east and settled in Brooklyn in 1864. He had
no children and died September 12, 1879, and
was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn,
New York. Orville Jenson Field, the second
child of the man whose name heads this article,
CAPT. J. MACAULEY.
was born May 21, 1834, and married Cecelia Em-
eline Orcutt. He settled in Chicago in 1863,
died March 29, 1889, and his remains were interred
in Oakwood Cemetery. His children are as fol-
lows: William, who is in Chicago; Sarah Elvi-
rah, Mabel and Louisa.
John Cobb Field, born May 26, 1839, married
Sarah McCombie and came to Chicago with his
father, Sargent Field. He removed to Kansas
in 1871, returned to Chicago in 1893, and died
March 2, 1894. His children are: Frederick,
William and Minnie Estelle. Sarah Aurora
Field was born January 7, 1842, in Peacham,
Vermont, and was married November 3, 1864, to
Charles Augustus Boughton. He was a son of
William Boughton, of New Jersey, and was born
July 13, 1841. The children of Mr. and Mrs. C.
A. Boughton were named as follows: Anna
Luella, Charles Herbert, Eugene, Helen Eliza,
Edna Aurora, who died at the age of four months;
and Clifford LeRoy. Alvah Eugene Field was
born November 6, 1849, and January 13, 1873,
was married to Isabella Storms. The children
of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Field were: Arthur Sar-
gent, Esther Aurora, Isabella Irene and Lily. Of
these, the son, Arthur, is the only one living.
A. E. Field is the proprietor of a grocery store at
the corner of Seventy-third Street and Cottage
Grove Avenue.
Sargent Field was a man of noble and refined
character and was an influential and valued mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church. He was a strict
upholder of the principles and interests of the
Republican party and for eight years held the
office of sheriff of Caledonia County, Vermont.
He died July n, 1863, and was buried in Rose-
hill Cemetery. His loss was mourned by his
many friends and relatives.
CAPT. JOHN MACAULEY.
EAPT. JOHN MACAULEY was born July
13, 1829, at Rathfriland, County Down, Ire-
land, and was the second son of John Mac-
auley, a carpenter and resident of ^that town.
His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick
Brigham, a resident of Rathfriland, of Scottish
ancestry.
John Macauley, senior, became convinced that
the Western Hemisphere offered better induce-
ments to industry than his native land, and in
1847 he came with his family to the United
States, landing in New York May 22. He re-
mained in that city until 1853, when he removed
to Chicago, where both he and his wife died in
1860, the former surviving the latter only one
day. One funeral served for both, and both were
interred in the same grave at Graceland Ceme-
tery. Each had attained the age of seventy-six
years. They were the parents of three sons and
three daughters, namely: Mary Ann, Susannah,
Margaret, George, John and William.
John Macauley, in common with his brothers
and sisters, was educated in private schools in his
native town, and he acquired the trade pursued
by his father. This trade afforded him occupa-
tion and a livelihood until the year 1858, when
he was appointed a detective on the police force
of the city of Chicago. He continued in this serv-
ice twenty years, with the exception of a short
period during the Civil War, when he was em-
ployed in the secret service of the United States
government in the south. In this arduous serv-
ice he had many narrow escapes. On one occa-
sion, while in pursuit of his duty in Kentucky,
he was pursued by several mounted men and was
shot at seven times, one bullet tearing a hole
66
AUGUSTUS BAUER.
through his saddle. In 1878 he resigned from
che police force and lived a life of quiet retire-
ment until his demise, which occurred February
10, 1898. His body was deposited in Graceland
Cemetery with Masonic honors. Rev. J. A. Rond-
thaler, assisted by Rev. Dr. John Rusk, officiated
at the funeral.
Mr. Macauley was made a Mason in 1863, in
Kilwinnig Lodge No. 311, Chicago, and sub-
sequently became a life member of that body.
He was among the faithful members of the Ful-
lerton Avenue Presbyterian Church and acted in
political matters with the Republican party. He
was a great lover of rifle shooting and was cap-
tain of the Englewood and Lake View Rifle
Clubs. Among his trophies were three gold
medals, won in contests in marksmanship. In
disposition, Mr. Macauley was very generous
and he died as did the father of the Scottish bard,
"owing no man a penny."
He was married on Wednesday, June 22, 1859,
to Miss Emily A. Shrigley, in Chicago. Mrs.
Macauley is a daughter of John and Emily
(Knight) Shrigley. John Shrigley was an Eng-
lishman by birth, and came to America in his
youth, locating in Chicago in 1832. One year
later he was followed by his wife and five chil-
dren, whom he had left in Vermont, where he
was married. In the early history of Cook
County he served as its sheriff and was keeper
of the county jail. He died August 15, 1853,
and his remains were buried in Graceland Ceme-
tery. He was born November 22, 1802, in the
parish of Saddleworth, Yorkshire, England. His
wife, Emily Adaline Knight, was born May 7,
1801, in Dummerston, Windham County, Ver-
mont, and was a daughter of Jonathan Knight, a
paper and woolen manufacturer of Dummerston.
Her mother, Emma Perry, was a relative of the
famous commodore, whose exploits on the inland
lakes won a proud portion of American history.
Mr. and Mrs. Macauley were the parents of
three children: Rollin Parker, Emily Adaline
and Harriet Mae. The son married Miss May
Bullard, of Sterling, Illinois. They have three
beautiful boys, John Chester, Julian Mannington
and Kenneth Rich. Emily A. Macauley became
the wife of Elmer Hill, of Chicago.
AUGUSTUS BAUER.
GjUGUSTUS BAUER, an early resident of
I 1 Chicago who was many years conspicuous
/ I in the business and social life of the city,
was a native of Germany and received the
thorough business training which is vouchsafed
to every artisan in that country. He was born
June 1 6, 1827, in Offenbach, near the capital
city of Frankfort, and was a son of Jacob Bauer.
The father being a teacher, young Bauer had
especially advantageous opportunities for obtain-
ing an education, opportunities which he im-
proved to the utmost, being industrious and apt
as a student. After completing his school course,
he took up the study of architecture under a
skillful tutor at Darmstadt, Germany, and became
an adept in planning and conducting building
operations.
Like many other ambitious citizens of his
country, he turned his eyes toward the setting
sun, in the hope of finding better opportunities
for advancement than were afforded by the
crowded condition of all lines of effort in the
Old World. About 1852 he arrived in America,
and spent two years in New York City. Here
he shortly found employment in his profession,
and was occupied in planning and directing the
W. H. CARMAN.
67
erection of the dome upon the famous Crystal
Palace of that city, in which the first World's
Fair was held.
Again he moved westward, and arrived at
Chicago in 1854, and here the balance of his life
was spent. Shortly after his arrival he formed a
partnership with Thomas B. Carter, a connection
which continued for a period of twelve years.
From 1867 to 1874 he was associated with Mr.
Loebnitz. He was a heavy loser by the great
fire of 1871, being extensively interested in local
insurance companies, which were ruined by that
catastrophe. He continued the industry which
characterized his youth throughout his life, and
executed many important labors in the city
which was honored in being his home, ceasing
only when his life terminated, February 8, 1894.
The vault in the old Fidelity Building, which
was constructed under his direction, withstood
the terrible ordeal of the great fire and preserved
the valuable papers it contained, a remarkable
circumstance amidst the universal ruin of that
time.
Mr. Bauer was a public-spirited citizen, and
nobly performed any duty to his fellow-citizens
which devolved upon him. He was a consistent
member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church,
and exemplified the true Christian in his daily
walks of life. Being actuated by high moral
principles, he was universally respected and be-
loved. He took an intelligent interest in the
affairs of his adopted country and city but never
sought public place for himself. He continued
to support the political principles of the Republi-
can party from the time he became a citizen of
the United States, about the time that this party
came into existence.
March 24, 1860, Mr. Bauer was married to
Miss Anna Apel, a native of Berlin, Germany,
and a daughter of John and Augusta Apel, who
came to Chicago in 1849. Mr. Apel passed away
in California, and his widow still resides in Chi-
cago. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer became the parents
of five children, namely: Max F., Herman A.,
Robert A., Clara and Hertha, all of whom are
now living, to be an aid and comfort to their
widowed mother. The entire family is held in
high esteem in the circles in which they move.
WILLIAM H. CARMAN.
fi>G|lLLIAM HENRY CARMAN, who has
\ A/ k een a resident of Chicago for nearly four
V Y decades, celebrated, with his faithful wife,
the golden anniversary of their wedding, at
their home on Lincoln Avenue, April 19, 1898.
Mr. Carman was born December 9, 1828, in New
Brunswick, New Jersey, where his grandparents
Lewis and Catherine Carman were highly re-
spected residents. Lewis Carman was a slave-
holder and was many years cashier of the Far-
mers' and Mechanics' Bank of New Brunswick.
Abraham Voorhees Carman, father of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born November 18, 1805,
in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was a
school teacher in New York City from 1 830 to
1845. During his leisure moments he pursued
the study of dentistry, which profession he prac-
ticed in the same city until his death, which oc-
curred November 3, 1858, just before completing
the fifty-third year of his age. He was a mem-
ber of the Universalist Church and was buried in
the Dutch Reformed Churchyard at New Bruns-
wick. His wife, Ellen Oppie, mother of William
H. Carman, was born May 14, 1806, in Borden-
town, New Jersey, was married to A. V. Carman
September 7, 1826, and died February 7, 1864,
68
W. H. CARMAN.
while on a visit to her son in Chicago. Her re-
mains were deposited in Graceland Cemetery.
The subject of this sketch attended the public
school in his native town, in which his father was
a taiacher. In 1845 he took up the study of den-
tistry with his father and subsequently practiced
with him two years. He came to Chicago in
1860 and entered mercantile life as a clerk with
John Ellis, commission merchant, located at No.
14 State Street, in whose service he continued
three years.
In 1863 he was appointed on the city police
force and continued in the police department suc-
cessively as patrolman, custodian of stolen prop-
erty, clerk and desk sergeant, until his retire-
ment, October 26, 1897. He served under all
chiefs of police from Cyrus Bradley to Joseph
Kipley, during a period of thirty-four years, and
participated in all the rough experiences of the
department in that time, including the great
holocaust of 1871, and the anarchist riot of 1886.
During the Civil War he was on duty under Isaac
Milliken in the provost marshal's office, with
Chief-of-Police C. P. Bradley, Mr. Carman's
duty being the charge of permits granted to per-
sons leaving the city.
He was on duty one month as inside guard
over Confederate prisoners at Camp Douglas.
After the war he was stationed at the armory,
corner of Adams and Franklin Streets, taking care
of returning soldiers. He assisted in the capture
of Colonel Marmaduke and others concerned in
the great Northwestern conspiracy, to liberate
Confederate prisoners from Camp Douglas.
Mr. Carman was made a Mason in 1854, in
Hope Lodge, New York City, was demitted in
1863, and affiliated with Kilwinnig Lodge No.
311, of Chicago, in which he was elected a life
member December 24, 1894.
April 19, 1848, Mr. Carman was married to
Miss Sarah Elizabeth Jennings, the ceremony
being conducted in New York City by Rev. W.
S. Balsh. Mrs. Carman was born November 19,
1832, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Her father,
Eli Jennings, was born January 22, 1805, near
Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was a carpenter by
trade and came to Chicago in 1857 from New
York City. He died here November 8, 1876,
and his remains were taken to Danbury, Con-
necticut, and laid away in Wooster Cemetery.
He was married May 23, 1826, at Danbury, Con-
necticut, to Miss Almira Mallory, who was born
February 2, 1808, and is still living, in August,
1898. She is a daughter of Ezra Mallory and
Eliza Andrews- Mallory. May 23, 1876, her fif-
tieth wedding anniversary was celebrated at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Carman, No. 191
Lincoln Avenue. On that occasion were present
two of her children, ten grandchildren and one
great-grandchild. Mr. Jennings survived this
event a little less than six months.
Mr. and Mrs. Carman are the parents of three
children. The eldest, Harriett Elizabeth, born in
New York City, June 10, 1849, married Levi M.
Peck, of Danbury, Connecticut, January i, 1866.
They have eight children: Lillian Starr, Will-
iam Carman, Sarah, Eli, Edward Clayton,
Charles Arthur, Walter Stanley and Mamie
Alice. The eldest of these is now the wife of
Miles Desbrow, of Danbury, Connecticut. The
third married his brother, David Desbrow, and
is the mother of one child, Phoebe.
Elmira Ellen Carman, born in Chicago No-
vember 25, 1 86 1, is the wife of James Thomson,
of Rogers Park, Chicago. They have a son
named Harry Carman. Frank, third child of
William H. and Elizabeth Carman, born Decem-
ber 8, 1866, married Mary Charlotte Austgen
and has two children, William Austgen and
Esther Catherine.
The golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and
Mrs. Carman was a notable event in Chicago
society. There were living on this occasion all
of their children, eleven grandchildren and one
great-grandchild. About two hundred of their
friends and neighbors were present and the occa-
sion was rendered especially notable by the pres-
ence of Mrs. Carman's mother, whose golden
wedding anniversary had been celebrated in the
same house twenty-two years before. The prin-
cipals in this joyful event bore every evidence of
sound health, and it was difficult for those pres-
ent to believe that the bride of fifty 3 r ears ago is
already a great-grandmother. When her eldest
E. D. SPOONER.
69
child was born there were living four of its
grandfathers and six grandmothers these, in-
cluding two each of paternal ancestors, preceding
the father and mother and three maternal ances-
tors on each side. The day was celebrated after
the fashion of an old "New England calling day"
and visitors paid their respects in a steady stream
from noon until midnight. Refreshments and
music aided in giving pleasure to the occasion,
and all joined in the wish that many future anni-
versaries might be thus celebrated. Numerous
letters of regret were received from distant
friends. Mr. and Mrs. Carman may well feel
proud of the evidences of friendship and esteem
vouchsafed to them in many ways at this notable
festival.
EDMUND D. SPOONER.
|"~ DMUND D. SPOONER, who is senior vice
r) national commander of the Union Veteran
I Legion, of Chicago, Illinois, is a native of
Connersville, Indiana, where he was born Au-
gust 9, 1843. He is a son of Judge William L.
and Catherine (Smith) Spooner, natives of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. William L. Spooner was a son of
Reed Spooner, born in Cincinnati, who came of
a colonial family of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Judge W. L. Spooner was a pioneer in Cincinnati,
and was a merchant in that city in the days of
its early history. He was very successful in this
venture. He studied law and was admitted to
the bar, and for a period of thirty-five years
practiced in the courts of Ohio and Indiana. He
was elected judge of the court of common pleas
of Hamilton County, and served one term. He
was prominent in political affairs, a fine orator and
a man of strong character and natural abilities.
He was deputy collector of internal revenue
under President Lincoln's administration in Cin-
cinnati, serving under his brother, Thomas
Spooner, who was the first collector under this
administration in the first district of Ohio.
During the Morgan raid he raised a regiment,
of which he became colonel, and served in Ken-
tucky till after the scare was over. He support-
ed Lincoln and after the organization of the Re-
publican party upheld its principles and interests
by his voice and vote. He married Catherine
Smith, daughter of John L. Smith, of Cincinnati,
Ohio. She was a niece of Caleb B. Smith,
Lincoln's secretary of the interior, and afterward
judge of the United States court in the Indian-
apolis district, who died suddenly, of hemorrhage,
in his consultation rooms.
Judge Spooner was the father of seven children,
of whom three daughters and two sons are still
living. Mr. and Mrs. Spooner are both deceased.
Edmund D. Spooner is the second of his father's
family, and he was but two years old when his
father removed from Connersville. He grew to
manhood in Cincinnati and there received the
preliminaries of his education. He subsequently
entered a college near the city and had just en-
tered the junior year when the war broke out, in
1861. He enlisted in the seventy-five thousand
three-month call, April 19, 1861, in Company
G, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went in-
to camp at Camp Denison. June 19 of the same
year the regiment re-enlisted as a body in the call
for three hundred thousand men for three years.
He was sworn in as sergeant, but on July 5 , 1 86 1 ,
received an appointment from President Lincoln
as second lieutenant, to date from May 14, 1861,
in the Fifth United States Artillery. He was
discharged from the volunteer service at Camp
Denison, to accept a position offered him by
President Lincoln, and reported to his regimen)
at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For two months
E. D. SPOONER.
he was located at that place and at Williamsport
and New York City, in recruiting and organizing
the regiment. He then reported to General
Wood, at Baltimore, with his command, and un-
til the fall of 1862 was, with his regiment, on
duty guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from
Baltimore to Monocacy Bridge, Maryland. This
was an arduous and important duty and involved
hardships and dangers. In the fall of 1862 he
was ordered to report to Maj.-Gen. Robert H.
Milroy, at Winchester, Virginia, with his com-
mand. From this time until January, 1863,
he was actively engaged in raiding the enemy's
country, as far south as New Market, Virginia,
in the Shenandoah Valley, taking 'part in many
small engagements. June 13-14-15, 1863, they
fought under General Milroy, with a force of ten
thousand men, against the rebel General Ewell's
thirty thousand men. The Union troops were
forced to retreat to Harper's Ferry, but on the
night of June 15, 1863, they fought Ewell the
second time and had a wild night's fight of it.
At Harper's Ferry the company joined the Third
Army Corps, commanded by Major-General
French, and arrived in Gettysburg in time to
partake in the excitement and bloodshed of the
last days of this great battle. Lieutenant Spoon-
er's company lost heavily in this battle and he
had two horses killed under him. He was on
detached duty for some time after this in the
vicinity of Washington, District of Columbia.
He was promoted July i, 1863, to the position
of first lieutenant, and reported to Battery H,
Army of the Cumberland, Fourteenth Army
Corps, under Gen. George H. Thomas, reach-
ing his command immediately after the battle
of Chickamauga, the army being stationed at
Chattanooga, Tennessee. From this time, Sep-
tember, 1863, to the battle of Mission Ridge, he
was with the army. In this battle his battery was
posted on Orchard Knob. He received special
orders from General Grant to fire his six pieces
simultaneously, to give the signal to advance the
army of General Thomas in the center. Three
days' fighting followed and Lieutenant Spooner
was in the saddle during this entire length of
time. After the battle of Mission Ridge he was
ordered back to Nashville, Tennessee, to recruit
his battery, but was not idle and participated in
many marches, among which was the one after
Forrest into Alabama.
During the early months of 1864 his battery
became so thinned out that it was consolidated
with Battery K, the ranking officers assuming
command. The non-commissioned officers were
sent to Fort Hamilton, New York. Here Lieu-
tenant Spooner organized a new battery with full
complement of men, and was sent to the Dry
Tortugas to guard political prisoners. About this
time he was married, and not caring to enter into
active service in the front, he resigned his com-
mission, January 26, 1865, and returned to Cin-
cinnati. Here he engaged in mercantile pursuits
and has thus been occupied to the present time.
He has always taken an active interest in politics,
and held the position of deputy auditor of Hamil-
ton County, Ohio, at one time. In all orders
arising from military operations, Lieutenant
Spooner has taken an active interest and aided in
every possible manner.
In the Union Veteran Legion he is past nation-
al adjutant general, and at the present time,
1897-98, is senior vice national commander of
the same. He has been actively engaged in aid-
ing the progress of the Grand Army of the Re-
public, and has been prominent in committee
work in the Loyal Legion. He is a member of the
western society of the Army of the Potomac, and
also of the Army of the Cumberland. He is past
grand of Magnolia Lodge No. 83, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and
also of Encampment No. 42, Knights of Pythias,
of Cincinnati.
Mr. Spooner was married February 28, 1865,
to Miss Mary Humphreys. They became the
parents of three sons: Elmont H., Alexander
and Charles E., now deceased. Mrs. Spooner
died in 1890. Mr. Spooner is a true type of the
old soldier and is proud to bear the title. He
bravely did his duty in time of war without
shrinking. In the life of a citizen he has proved
himself loyal to the rights and interests of the
people, and will always be honored and respected
as a man of noble character and upright principle.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UiVERSITY OF ILL1F
J. R. HOXIE.
JOHN R. HOXIE.
(TOHN RANDOLPH HOXIE. Chicago, the
I Queen of our Great West, is indebted for its
(*) marvelous growth and rapid development,
which have caused the whole world to acknowl-
edge its commercial greatness, to a few men,
who, to lay the foundations of metropolitan su-
premacy, gave the best of their heart's blood,
their brain power, and nerve forces. The ma-
jority have as their reward wealth or honor, but
few have both. Among the active business men
who have acquired both was the subject of this
sketch, who obtained it through close attention
to business, and unswerving integrity and up-
rightness of character.
John R. Hoxie was born December 13, 1831,
in Macedon, near Rochester, New York, and his
parents were Cornelius and Anna (Brawnell)
Hoxie. He received a partial education in the
Macedon Academy, but as his tastes impelled
him to use every opportunity for learning busi-
ness ways, his school days were thus cut short.
Many stories of his youthful trading propensities
illustrate his ability in doing well for himself, and
in him could plainly be seen the future financier
and business man. On one occasion he wished
to buy a fish-hook, but as his finances were low,
he applied to the banker of the town, who lent
him three cents. After catching and disposing of
the fish he very promptly paid his debt, thus
winning the esteem of his creditor. At the age
of fourteen years he bought all the turkeys in the
neighborhood and realized a handsome profit on
them. At seventeen years of age he was able to
buy his ' 'time' ' or independence from his father,
for one thousand dollars. He was always pru-
dent with his earnings, and many times walked
from Albany to Rochester to save the fare by
stage.
Mr. Hoxie became a sub-contractor on the
Niagara Falls Railroad at an early age, and later
was in the same position on the Staten Island
Railroad. While in the latter position the yellow
fever began raging and he was quarantined, but
finally escaped to the mainland. After spending
nearly two years in Virginia he returned to
Rochester, New York, where he became a dealer
in live stock, which he shipped over the Michigan
Southern and other railroads. His fame as a
man of great business tact and ability spread
over many States, and in 1857 he received an
offer to assist in the management of the shipping
business of the Michigan Southern Railroad, with
headquarters in Chicago. This offer was re-
ceived by telegram, and hastily packing his
satchel, he told his mother he would return in a
few days; but the days lengthened into weeks,
months, and years, and he did not return home
until 1862. The officers of the company recog-
nized his ability, and the position of stock agent
was offered him, which he accepted and retained
during his connection with the road.
At this time the company was almost bankrupt,
but Mr. Hoxie infused new life into the business
by building up the freight traffic, thus saving it
from financial ruin. For this service the com-
pany was ever truly grateful, and he was retained
in office long after his active interest ceased.
Largely through his influence the railroad was
able to retain its controlling interest in the Union
Stock Yards, and the profits from the tremendous
7 2
J. R. HOXIE.
traffic in live stock thus brought to it. When a
combined effort was made by the other roads to
induce Mr. Hoxie to retire from the service of the
Michigan Southern, he declined every consider-
ation offered him, and remained faithful through
all temptation.
From early morning until late eve did he labor
in the interest of this road, and this was practi-
cally his life work. He foresaw great possibilities
in its future, and steadily strove to carry it for-
ward to its destiny. His nature rejoiced in
victory over opposition, and the sharp competition
he often met was refreshing to his restless spirit,
and a stimulus to greater exertions. He loved
work for its own sake, not for praise and reward.
In the end, however, he paid the usual penalty
for living under such high pressure, by the in-
vasion of sickness and premature death. His
nature could not rest, and though his life was
shorter, he accomplished much more than the
majority of business men.
Though an extremely busy man, he was al-
ways cheerful, and liked the society of his fel-
lows. He was, however, a stranger to the
fashionable clubs, and made his home the scene
of his rest and recreation. His wife was a
worthy life companion, and her delight was to
make the home pleasant, having a serene manner,
a contented disposition, and being a great help to
her husband in curbing his great ambition and
teaching him the lessons of patience.
As soon as he was able Mr. Hoxie began to
invest money in securities, and so good was his
foresight that he became wealthy. In 1878 he
bought a large grant of land from the heirs of
Dr. Hoxie, a veteran of the Texan and the Mexi-
can Wars, and an army surgeon under General
Houston. This grant embraced ten thousand
acres of land in Williamson County, Texas, to
which he added another purchase of seven thou-
sand acres. It is situated thirty-five miles from
Austin, and six thousand acres of it have been
cultivated, and fifty families reside on it.
Mr. Hoxie also bought fifty-two thousand
acres of land at Midland, Texas, in the Counties
of Martin and Andrews, this land being used for
grazing. Beside his mansion on Michigan Ave-
nue, he had a country home twenty-one miles
south of Chicago, which included seven hundred
fifty-seven acres of land. Here he spent many
hours away from the cares of business life, and
lived close to the heart of Nature. On all his
farms he has kept the buildings in excellent
repair, having built many new ones. Unlike
most business men, he early instructed his wife
in the details of his affairs, being animated by the
principle that what was his also belonged to her.
To this wise precaution his widow now largely
owes her ability to manage the property with
such success.
Mr. Hoxie made annual trips to his possessions
in the South, and to every one of these Texas
owed some improvement, and he many times
used his influence in opening some avenue of
commerce. In 1887 he decided to retire from
business, but never fully carried out his intention.
When he was in Texas he made his headquarters
at Fort Worth and there he was held in high es-
teem by all the inhabitants, and especially the
business men. Prior to his coming to this town
the business was very dull, but he inspired confi-
dence by organizing the Farmers and Mechanics'
National Bank, with a capital of one million
dollars. He was the president of this bank and
also of the First National Bank at Taylor, Texas.
He was connected with twenty other banks in this
State, his influence and standing giving them
power to exist.
In 1891, at the urgent request of the citizens
of Fort Worth, he organized stock yards and
packing houses, and the next year passed through
a strike which made his presence at the yards
necessary. This was such a severe strain on his
finely organized nervous constitution that he
never recovered his former health. A small bene-
fit was gained at Carlsbad Springs, Germany ,but
nothing could entirely stay the ravages of the
disease, diabetes, from which his death resulted.
He passed away November 21, 1896.
Mr. Hoxie was a talented man, and had many
charming traits of character. His influence was
ever for good and his advice in municipal affairs
was often sought and freely given. He was presi-
dent of the Board of Trustees of Hyde Park and a
LEONARD SWETT.
73
school trustee in the town ot Lake. During the
centennial year he was a candidate for Congress
on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated.
Though he never afterward held any office his in-
fluence was such that he controlled many positions
of trust and responsibility. His rare wit and
skillful repartee may be said to be gifts inherited
from his mother, well-known for her good sense
and quick perception.
Mr. Hoxie became interested in the Chicago
City Railway Company and was instrumental in
extending the cable lines, being for many years
one of the largest individual stockholders. He
was many times the youngest member of various
boards of management, where he was neverthe-
less recognized as a born leader. His associates
often called him "Boy," among these being such
men as Silas B. Cobb, Daniel Jones, Solomon
Sturges, Lyman Blair, John De Koven, Samuel
Nickerson, Lyman J. Gage, John B. Sherman,
P. D. Armour, Samuel Allerton, and others
equally well-known. He was called the "Mogul"
of the Stock Yards Railroad along Fortieth Street,
which was secured by his indefatigable energy.
In his business methods Mr. Hoxie was unlike
the average man. Though possessed of sufficient
ability to carry on numerous vast business enter-
prises at the same time, he never used books to
record his transactions, but so carefully was
everything systematized that he suffered no loss
from this fact. His was an eccentric character,
but he was no recluse, and enjoyed rare friend-
ships. He was well-known in Masonic circles,
having attained the thirty-second degree. His
wealth was accumulated in a legitimate way, and
his only extravagance was indulged in providing
for the comfort of his family. In religious
belief he was a Quaker, and helped build and
maintain the church at Twenty-sixth Street and
Indiana Avenue. The principles of his forefathers
seemed to be the guide and rule of his life.
Mr. Hoxie was married October 22, 1872, to
Mary J., daughter of P. D. Hamilton. Among
the Quakers she was known as "John's wife, "but
her husband always spoke of her with deference
as Mrs. Mary J. Hoxie. Their union was blessed
by three children, namely: John R., junior,
Gilbert H. and Anna C.
LEONARD SWETT.
I EONARD SWETT was born August n,
1C 1825, near the village of Turner, Oxford
l_3 County, Maine, on what was known as
Swett's Hill. This hill slopes in all directions,
and constitutes one of the most beautiful spots in
New England, and has ever since been owned
by the family. His father, John Swett, was born
in Buckfield, Maine, February 4, 1789, and mar-
ried Remember Berry, on August 29, 1816. The
latter was born at Buckfield, Maine, December
22, 1794. They settled after their marriage on
the above-named hill, and lived and died there.
The father was seventy years old, and the mother
in her eighty-ninth year at the date of their
respective deaths June 25, 1859, and May 19,
1883. They had six children. Mr. Swett fol-
lowed the occupation of farming many years, but
subsequently traveled, selling patent rights for
different men, and for several years before his
death was an agent for R. B. Dunn, a scythe
manufacturer, at Wayne, Maine. He was a good
business man and had the confidence of his em-
ployers. He was a strict temperance man, he
and his wife being members of the first temper-
ance society formed in Turner. Mr. Swett was
also a soldier in the War of 1812, being a private
of Captain Richmond's company of Massachusetts
Militia, his widow receiving a pension in acknowl-
edgment of his services.
The story of this home is thus simply told by
74
LEONARD SWETT.
one of its members: "We each had our daily
tasks, which we were always ready and willing
to perform; our daily fare was always an abun-
dance of plain, well cooked food, eaten with a
relish known only to the industrious. The twi-
light hour was almost invariably spent in song.
How well I remember those concerts, of our eight
voices, as we joined in singing our hymns of
praise. It was a happy, peaceable, religious,
industrious, frugal home. Sickness seldom in-
vaded it, and its blessed memory is a source of
joy to me yet." Here in the midst of a grandly
rolling country Leonard Swett grew to manhood,
developing a character sweet and healthful as the
balsamic odor of the pines, yet strong and rugged
as his native hills.
Leonard Swett' s great-grandfather was Dr.
Stephen Swett, of Gorham, and surgeon of Col.
Edmund Phinney's 3ist Regiment of Foot of
1775, in the war of the American Revolution.
Pierce, in his history of Gorham, says, "Dr.
Stephen Swett came from North Hampton in
1770. He was the tenth physician in the town.
He was patriotic and possessed great energy."
He died at Otisfield, Maine, January 6, 1807,
aged seventy-five years or over. Dr. Swell's
wife was Sarah Adams. Tradition says she was
a cousin (probably second cousin) of President
John Adams.
Dr. Stephen Swell and Sarah Adams Swell,
his wife, had fourteen children, Ihe fourth of
whom John Swell, born al Durham, New
Hampshire, June 23, 1763, and who was married
al Gorham, Maine, March 27, 1788, lo Betsey
Warren was Leonard Swell's grandfalher. "He
sellled in Buckfield, Maine, Ihe year he was
married and resided Ihere unlil his death, July
14, 1844. He was a farmer, and everylhing
aboul his premises was a pattern of neatness and
thrift. He had a good property and enough of
everything for Ihe comforls of life. He and his
wife were bolh induslrious, prudenl, lemperale,
moral and religious. He broughl Ihe firsl wagon
owned in Ihe town from Gorham. II was very
much admired and considered quile wonderful in
Ihose days. II was used lo carry Ihe family to
church. Bolh he and his wife died of old age,
respecled and beloved, and cared for by Iheir son
and sixlh child, David Warren Swell." Betsey
Warren Swell was born June 28, 1763, and died
June 3, 1846.
As lo Ihe origin of Mr. Swell's family nolhing
is known definilely back of Dr. Slephen Swell,
but as he came from towns in New Hampshire
(Durham and North Hampton) , but a few miles
from Newbury and Hampton, which was the
home in 1642 of John Swell, of England, who,
Ihrough his son, Benjamin Swell, left a large
family, il is Ihoughl probable lhal Dr. Slephen
Swell is one of his numerous descendanls.
Remember Berry Swell was born December
22, 1794; she was Ihe daughler of William Berry
and Joanna Doane; granddaughler of George
Berry and Sarah Stickney; great-granddaughler
of Maj. George Berry and Elizabelh Frink;
greal-greal-granddaughler of George Berry and
Deliverance Haley.
Mr. Swell, Ihe subjecl of Ihis skelch, died
June 8, 1889. He married Laura R. Quigg, of
Bradford, Massachusells, July 20, 1854, and Ihey
had one son, Leonard H. Swell. March 5, 1886,
his wife died, and July 14, 1887, he married
Marie A. H. Decker, who survives him.
Leonard Swell was Ihe second son and fourth
child of his parenls, and Ihey conceived Ihe idea,
al an early dale, of giving him a better educalion
lhan Ihe town afforded, consequenlly he was senl
to selecl schools in Ihe vicinity, and completed
his educalion al North Yarmoulh Academy and
Walerville College, now Colby University. He
Ihen read law for Iwo years wilh Messrs. How-
ard & Shepley, al Portland, Maine, and started
in Ihe world lo seek his fortune. At first he
traveled in Ihe Soulh for nearly a year, Ihen, with
Ihe spiril of advenlure, he volunteered as a sol-
dier in Ihe Mexican War, and was under General
Scoll from Vera Cruz lo Ihe City of Mexico.
The war closed in May, 1848, when Mr. Swell
relumed and sellled al Bloominglon, Illinois. He
commenced Ihe praclice of his profession in Ihe
fall of 1849, and gave lo lhal profession Ihe labor
of a life. He was in indifferenl health, on ac-
counl of a disease contracted in Mexico, which
rendered il impracticable for him to sit in an office
LEONARD SWETT.
75
and do office work, and, therefore, at first he
commenced to travel the circuit. The bar of that
circuit, the eighth at that time, embraced many
men of marked ability, some of whom have since
acquired a national reputation. David Davis,
since distinguished as a judge of the supreme
court and a senator of the United States, was the
judge from 1849 to 1862. Abraham Lincoln, for
two years a member of congress, and afterwards
known to the world as the martyred President
and the emancipator of a race, was one of its
lawyers. Edward D. Baker, a member of con-
gress from the Sangamon District, also afterward
from the Galena District, later a distinguished
citizen of California, and a senator of the United
States from Oregon, who died leading his men at
the battle of Ball's Bluff, in the Civil War, was
also one of its lawyers. There were also Edward
Hannagan and Daniel W. Voorhees, since sena-
tors from Indiana, who attended the eastern part
of the circuit, and Stephen T. Logan, John T.
Stuart, U. F. Linder and Oliver L. Davis. The
sessions commenced the ist of September, and
ended about the ist of January. The spring
circuit commenced about February and ended in
June. In a life with these men and upon this
circuit, Mr. Swett spent his time from 1849 to
1862. The lawyers would arrive at a county seat
of from five hundred to two thousand inhabitants,
and the clients and public came in from the coun-
try adjoining at about the same time. The law-
yers were employed in such suits as were then
pending in court, and the trials were immediately
begun. After from three days to a week spent
in this manner, the court would adjourn and the
cavalcade start for the adjoining county seat, when
the same processes would be repeated. Twice
a year fourteen counties were traversed in this
way, and in this manner Mr. Swett received his
earlier legal education. David Davis, in a speech
at Springfield, said in substance that this time
constituted the bright spot of his life. In this
expression he would doubtless be joined by every
man named, most of whom now live beyond the
river.
In 1865 Mr. Swett moved to Chicago, where
he soon acquired a prominent and leading position
as a lawyer. During his life in the country, in
Illinois, he took an active part in politics, taking
part in the agitation of the slavery question, and
canvassed nearly the whole state in the years
1852, 1854, 1856, 1858 and 1860. He, however,
held but one office, which was that of member of
the legislature, in 1858 and 1859, and this was at
the special request of Lincoln himself, to save to
the latter the vote of McLean County. That
county at the previous election had been carried
by four votes. Lincoln thought Swett could be
elected, and asked him to run. He did so, car-
rying the county by nearly five hundred majority.
He then engaged earnestly in the work of secur-
ing the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for Pres-
ident, writing to public men and organizing other
workers. The three men who did more than all
others to make Mr. Lincoln the nominee in 1 860
were Leonard Swett, David Davis and Norman
B. Judd; and the two men who were closest of all
to Mr. Lincoln until his death were Swett and
Davis. Norman B. Judd was given a foreign
mission, David Davis was made supreme judge,
but Leonard Swett declined to take office under
the administration. He was closer to Lincoln's
innermost thoughts and sympathies than any man
in the world. He was much like Lincoln in per-
son, complexion and manner, so much so that he
was often mistaken for the President in Washing-
ton, and he was much of the Lincoln mould, in-
tellectually.
It has often been remarked that intimate as
Lincoln was with Leonard Swett, he never gave
him any office, and Swett was often asked the
reason why. He always evaded the question,
but, in a letter to W. H. Herndon, the author of
the " Life of Lincoln," written a short time before
Mr. Swett died, the latter explained this fact:
When David Davis was a candidate for the su-
preme bench, soon after Lincoln's election to the
presidency, he was opposed by a senator of great
influence, named Browning, whom Lincoln was
almost ready to appoint. Leonard Swett was a
warm friend of David Davis, and, going to the
president, he said: " If you will give that place
to Davis I will take it as one-half for him and
one-half for myself, and never again will ask you
LEONARD SWETT.
for anything." David Davis got the appoint-
ment, and Leonard Svvett was true to his word.
He said, not long before his death, that he was
always glad he kept out of office.
After his removal to Chicago, he devoted him-
self exclusively to his profession, and absolutely
ignored politics. Mr. Swett was distinguished as
successful in the trial of causes, in fact, he did
little else during his professional life. In Chicago
the most important cases were intrusted to him,
and it was a rare thing that he lost one of them.
The reason of this was, that he attended to the
details of the preparation personally, himself see-
ing and talking with his witnesses, so that when
the cause was heard in court it fitted together
' ' without noise of axe or hammer. ' '
His business, in the main, was in civil cases;
for instance, Thomas A. Scott, during the war,
employed him for the Quicksilver Mining Com-
pany to go to California to get possession of
the great quicksilver mine near San Jose, after
au adverse decision in reference to the Almaden
claim. This country acquired by the treaty of
Guadeloupe Hidalgo, at the close of the Mexican
War, a large tract of land, now embracing many
States and Territories, described by boundaries,
and our Government agreed, wherever individu-
als owned lands within these boundaries, it would
issue to such parties a patent. Under the Mexi-
ican law there were two kinds of titles, a mineral
title, or a right to what the land contained under
the surface, and a surface title. One man might
own one title and another man the other. We
have but one, the surface, and one owning that
owns all above and below. The Barons had a
mineral title to what they called the Almaden
mine, and had made, prior to the decision, im-
mense improvements. Justos Larios owned the
surface title, and this was bought, and the Quick-
silver Mining Company was organized upon this
title. In 1863 the Supreme Court of the United
States decided that the Baron title was a forgery.
The quicksilver claim of Justos Larios had not
been heard, and this left this property of immense
value belonging either to the Government or to
the quicksilver company. A contract was made
between the Government and the quicksilver
company, by which a possession might be taken,
which should be joint as between the Government
and said mining company, and Mr. Swett was
appointed by President Lincoln to go to California
and acquire this joint possession, it being under-
stood that he would offer the Barons one million
dollars for their improvements. It was also a con-
dition of this agreement that the proceeds of the
mine should be deposited in the mint at San Fran-
cisco until the termination of the litigation between
the Government and the Quicksilver Mining Com-
pany. He went to California, arriving there
May 19, 1863, and leaving September 14, having,
by aid of the courts and negotiations, secured the
possession of the mine. Although Mr. Swett
maintained a large office at Chicago, he, occasion-
ally, at home and abroad, defended persons from
criminal accusations, when the defense presented
something attractive. In the vindication of honor,
or if, upon the common frailty of the race, an act
was done, he was a most accomplished and effect-
ive advocate for the accused. He dealt, like a
mental philosopher, with the purposes of the
mind of the accused, and revealed to the compre-
hension of the court and jury the mysterious in-
fluences which produced the act of the party.
He tried the will, purpose and intent, and not the
mere physical act upon which the charge was
founded. His mind delighted in the beautiful
philosophy of the law; he dealt with its spirit, not
with its letter. In this manner, in thirty-six
years, he defended twenty men for murder, en-
tirely clearing eighteen and two escaping with
light punishment in the penitentiary.
He was called out of the city in criminal cases
from Hartford, Connecticut, to defend the officers
of the Charter Oak Life Insurance Company for
conspiracy; to Denver, where, with Hon. Thomas
Patterson, he defended Stickney, who shot a man
in a fit of jealousy, killing also a young and at-
tractive woman; and to Yankton, where he de-
fended Wintermute for the killing of McCook.
His style in a trial was simply the abnegation
of every consideration except winning that case.
To this he sacrificed everything. His style of
speaking was earnest and convincing. He was
the Chicago counsel for the Union Mutual Life
LEONARD SWETT.
77
Insurance Company, of Maine, and distinguished
himself by gaining a suit for that company against
the Chicago University, which had become fa-
mous in the legal reports for its knotty problems
of law and equity.
On the 2ist of June, 1888, he made the nom-
inating speech for Walter Q. Gresham for Presi-
dent of the United States. Mr. Swett's address
was an independent utterance, touching in an
extremely effective manner the salient qualities
of the individual eulogized, and also those points
in his public career which had brought him so
prominently before the people as a possible presi-
dential candidate.
In private life Mr,. Swett was a man of social
disposition and strong attachments. He was a
pleasant companion and a warm and steadfast
friend, and was generous almost to a fault. His
nature was kind, genial and sympathetic, and his
social intercourse was enlivened by so many gen-
erous and endearing qualities, that it won for him
the affectionate regard of those who knew him
intimately to an extraordinary degree. In person
he was imposing; six feet two inches in height,
and weighing, when in health, two hundred and
twenty-five pounds or more. He possessed a
strong face, with heavy, bushy, black eyebrows,
over-hanging deep-set brown eyes, sparkling and
brilliant, but kindly withal. An expansive, in-
tellectual forehead betokened his strength of
character. His voice was extremely rich and
musical, and always pleasant to listen to.
The Chicago Bar, by Frank B. Wilkie, said of
him the following:
' ' As a speaker he had few or no superiors at
the bar. He required scarcely any preparation to
make a speech on any subject. He saw a case
clearly, and had the faculty of presenting it with
equal clearness. He had that tendency toward
amplification found in all true orators, and by
whose aid he presented a single point in so many
salient aspects, that it became as apparent as sun-
light to his auditory. This ability to not only
clearly present a point, but to restate it and reit-
erate it under a slightly changed form up to a
boundary where it becomes thoroughly under-
stood, and yet, which is not carried beyond into
the region of verbosity and tiresome and useless
reiteration, is one of a high order, and it is one
which Mr. Swett seemed to possess to perfection.
Its due and judicious exercise requires an accur-
ate knowledge of the men whom it is employed
upon, and the precise ideas and illustrations which
are demanded by their comprehension. Mr. Swett
had all these qualities, and the additional one of
being an excellent logician and an admirable
manager, who thus not only knew what should
be presented, but the very best form in which the
presentation should be made.
" Possibly the not least remarkable feature of
his oratorical power was his ability to employ
pathos. Herein, when occasion required, he rose
to a most effective level. He was both rhetorical
and natural in this direction, the former being to
some extent a sequence to the latter, in that he
felt what he said, and therein, as usually happens,
was eloquent. He was exceedingly happy in the
use of this powerful element. When in this mood
he smote the rock of men's hidden emotions, and
obediently, as in the case of Moses, the waters
gushed forth in response to the summons. From
the possession of this subtle power to touch ef-
fectively men's emotional natures, Mr. Swett had
what the world would suspect from seeing him,
and that was a powerful element of poetry in his
character. This was true; and its existence was
not only the source of his power to touch the
hearts of others, but it refined his nature and
gave him a chivalry that exhibited itself in a lofty
regard for women, an integrity in business mat-
ters that could not be disturbed, and a kindly con-
sideration that leavened all his intercourse with
others. In fine, the poetical quality, while it in-
troduced no element of effeminacy in his char-
acter, while it did not detract from his masculine
vigor or interfere with his comprehensive ability,
softened his naturally rugged make-up, and gave
him an efficient refinement. ' ' Leonard Swett was
one of nature's noblemen, and worthy to be re-
membered as Abraham Lincoln's most trusted
friend.
LESLIE LEWIS.
LESLIE LEWIS,
I ESLIE LEWIS, who is assistant superin-
I 1 tendent of schools of the city of Chicago,
\ J has been one of the prime factors in the de-
velopment of the comprehensive school system of
the city. Coming from a direct line of educated
and refined ancestors, Mr. Lewis has devoted his
entire life to educational work. He was born at
Otsego, New York, December 10, 1838. When
Leslie was ten years of age, his father, Corydon
Lewis, removed his family, consisting of his wife
and three children, to Freeport, Illinois.
Leslie Lewis was graduated from the Freeport
High School, and subsequently attended for two
years Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachu-
setts. After completing the course at the last-
named institution in 1862, he was graduated from
a four years' course at Yale College, finishing in
1866. He soon after accepted a position as
principal of the Washington Academy. In Sep-
tember, 1867, he was elected principal of the old
Dearborn School, Chicago, which was on Madison
Street, opposite McVicker's Theater. Mr. Lewis
was next made principal of the Haven School,
which position he held until 1876, when he
resigned to enable him to take up the duties of
superintendent of schools of Hyde Park, to which
office he had previously been elected.
He had taken up his residence in this town a
short time before the fire of 1871, having pre-
viously resided in a house which was located
near where the Leland Hotel now stands. He
has been re-elected to the office mentioned every
year since that time, but the office became
subordinate to the city of Chicago when Hyde
Park was annexed, in 1889. He has now held
the office twenty-two years, and under his super-
vision the growth in number of pupils, as well
as number and quality of teachers, has been
phenomenal. The examinations were not so rigid
then as now, and as teachers were not so numer-
ous, the requirements were less. Over five thou-
sand teachers, who have passed through the pres-
ent rigid system of examinations, are at present
employed. The school buildings have been
greatly improved, and in the place of wooden
and poorly ventilated buildings, stand fine brick
structures of the most modern pattern. The
schools are now conducted with the view to fur-
thering the physical as well as mental welfare of
the pupils.
Leslie Lewis was married to Miss Mary E.,
daughter of John Waterman, of Chicago. She
was born in Grafton, Worcester County, Mas-
sachusetts, her father being a native of Vermont.
Mrs. Lewis is the mother of two children, Mary
Catherine and Susan Whipple, who are now
young ladies.
The Lewis family is of very old American
stock, and the grandfather of Leslie Lewis served
with distinction in the War of the Revolution.
His name was Justus Lewis, and his son, Corydon
Lewis, was the father of Leslie, whose name
heads this article.
Mr. Lewis is a thorough-bred American, and
believes in upholding, at any price, the good
name of his country. He is a man of sturdy
character, and believes that what is worth doing
at all is worth doing well. He affiliates with the
Republican party in national politics, but in
municipal matters is always thoroughly inde-
pendent. He owns his pleasant residence at No.
5605 Madison Avenue. Being a man of pleasant
personality, he is alike beloved by friends and
relatives.
ELISHA GRAY
EUSHA GRAY.
79
ELISHA GRAY.
ELISHA GRAY, whose inventive
LX genius and persevering industry have played
f3 no inconspicuous part in revolutionizing the
business methods of the modern world, bears in
his veins the sturdy and vigorous blood of some
of America's founders. His grandfather, John
Gray, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a
farmer in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where
he died. Mary Moore, wife of John Gray, was a
native of Delaware, presumably of English blood.
She survived her husband and moved, with her
younger children, to the vicinity of Georgetown,
Ohio, and afterward to Monroe County, in the
same State, where she died. She was the mother
of Thomas, Elijah, Elisha, David, John and
Samuel Gray.
David Gray was an Orthodox Quaker; a quiet
man, of noble character, and beloved by all who
came within his benign influence. He was a
farmer, and lived near Barnesville, Ohio, whence
he moved to Monroe County, in that State, where
he died, in 1849, in the prime of life, at the age
of about forty years. His wife, Christiana Edg-
erton, was a native of Belmont County, Ohio,
where her parents, Richard and Mary (Hall)
Edgerton, were early settlers. Richard Edgerton
was born in North Carolina, of English descent,
and was a prominent member of the Society of
Friends. The family was noted for the large size
of its members, all being six feet or more in
height. They were also brainy people. John
Edgerton was a noted leader of the "Hicksite"
Quakers, and a powerful anti-slavery agitator in
Ohio and Indiana. His brother, Joseph Edger-
ton, was the leading Orthodox Quaker of his day,
and a great preacher. He was vigorous to the
end of his life, which came after he had attained
the age of eighty years. The Halls were also a
vigorous and intelligent people, and prominent
among the Quakers.
David Gray and wife were well-read and intell-
igent, and engaged in teaching in early life.
Mrs. Gray was liberally educated for that day in
Ohio, and her influence went far in preparing her
son for the prominent part he was destined to
take in the development of modern practical
science. She survived her husband many years,
reaching the venerable age of seventy-eight, and
died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah
Cope, in New Sharon, Iowa.
Elisha Gray was born near Barnesville, Bel-
mont County, Ohio, August 2, 1835. From a
recent work, entitled ' ' Prominent Men of the
Great West, ' ' the following Jegant and carefully
prepared account of Professor Gray's life is taken:
"When young Gray was but twelve years of
age, he had received three or four months of dis-
trict schooling and the usual industrial training
given to farmers' lads of his age and condition of
life. Over forty years ago his father died, leav-
ing Elisha in a large measure dependent upon his
own resources for a living. When fourteen years
of age he apprenticed himself to a blacksmith,
and partly mastered that trade, but, his strength
being greatly overtaxed, he was forced to give it
up and joined his mother, who had removed to
Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Here he entered the
employ of a boat-builder, serving three and a-
half years' apprenticeship, learning the trade of
ship-joiner.
"At the end of this time he was a first-class
mechanic and began to give evidence of his
8o
ELISHA GRAY.
inventive genius. He was handicapped, how.
ever, by the meagreness of his education, and
was little more than able to experiment with the
simplest contrivances. The testimony of one
who knew him intimately at this time indicates
that he had a consciousness of his own resources
and was of the belief that Nature had destined
him to accomplish some important work in life.
He had a great desire to acquire that funda-
mental knowledge which would open for him the
way to intelligent research, investigation and
ultimate achievements.
' 'While working as an apprentice, he formed
the acquaintance of Prof. H. S. Bennett, now
of Fisk University, then a student at Oberlin
College, Ohio, from whom he learned that at
that institution exceptional opportunities were
afforded to students for self-education; and
immediately after he had completed his term of
service he set out for the college, with barely
enough money in his possession to carry him to
his destination. He arrived in Oberlin in the
summer of 1857, at once going to work as a
carpenter, and supported himself by this means
during a five-years course of study in the college.
As a student he gave especial attention to the
physical sciences, in which he was exceptionally
proficient, his ingenuity being strikingly mani-
fested from time to time in the construction ot
the apparatus used in the classroom experiments.
His cleverness in constructing these various
appliances made him a conspicuous character
among the students. While pursuing his college
course he was not fully decided as to what pro-
fession he would take up, and, at one time, he is
said to have contemplated entering the ministry,
finally deciding, however, not to do so. Perhaps
the course of his life was decided by a remark of
the mother of the young lady who afterwards
became his wife. This was in a joking spirit,
to the effect that ' it would be a pity to spoil a
good mechanic to make a poor minister.' In
fact, to this casual remark the now famous in-
ventor has declared himself to be, in great meas-
ure, indebted for what he has since accomplished.
Truly, the worthy lady must have been of a
sound and discriminating judgment, to discover
the hidden worth of the young man, and she,
doubtless, more than any one else, in his earlier
days, fanned the latent sparks of genius into the
flame which, in later days, revealed to his brain
the contrivances which have made his name
famous, and which have proved of inestimable
value to civilization.
"From 1857 to 1861 the Professor devoted
himself to unremitting toil and study, and the
result was that his naturally delicate constitution
was impaired by the great strain upon his mental
powers. In 1861, just when the future was
brightening with the promise of success, and
when he thought his days of struggling were
past, he was stricken with an illness from which
he did not recover for five years. After his mar-
riage, in 1862, to Miss Delia M. Sheppard, of
Oberlin, and, with a view to the betterment of
his health, Mr. Gray devoted himself for a time
to farming as an occupation. This experience
was disappointing, both in its financial results
and in its effects upon his health, and he returned
to his trade, working in Trumbull County, Ohio,
until he was again prostrated by a serious illness.
Following this, came two or three years of strug-
gle and privation; of alternate hope and disap-
pointment, during which he experimented with
various mechanical and electrical devices, but
was prevented by his straitened circumstances
from making any headway in profitable invention.
Pressed by his necessities, he was once or twice
on the point of giving up his researches and
investigations entirely and devoting himself to
some ordinary bread- winning industry; but he
was stimulated by his faithful and devoted wife
and her mother, both of whom had an abiding
faith in his genius, and who aided him in his
work with all the means at their command, and
to whose influence was largely due the fact that
he continued his efforts in the field of invention.
"In 1867 a more prosperous era dawned upon
him, with the invention of a self-adjusting tele-
graph relay, which, although it proved of no
practical value, furnished the opportunity of in-
troducing him to the late Gen. Anson Stager, of
Cleveland, then General Superintendent of the
Western Union Telegraph Company, who at once
EUSHA GRAY.
81
became interested in him and furnished him facil-
ities for experimenting on the company's lines.
Professor Gray then formed a co-partnership with
E. M. Barton, of Cleveland, for the manufacture
of electrical appliances, during which time he
invented the dial telegraph.
" In 1869 he removed to Chicago, where he
continued the manufacture of electrical supplies,
General Stager becoming associated with him.
Here he perfected the type-printing telegraph, the
telegraphic repeater, the telegraphic switch, the
annunciator and many other inventions which
have become famous within the short space of a
few years. About 1872 he organized the West-
ern Electrical Manufacturing Company, which is
still in existence and is said to be the largest
establishment of its kind in the world. In 1874
he retired from the superintendency of the elec-
tric company and began his researches in teleph-
ony, and within two years thereafter gave to
the world that marvelous production of human
genius, the speaking telephone. Noting one day,
when a secondary coil was connected with the
zinc lining of the bath tub, dry at the time, that
when he held the other end of the coil in his left
hand and rubbed the lining of the tub with his
right, it gave rise to a sound that had the same
pitch and quality as that of the vibrating contact-
breaker, he began a series of experiments, which
led first to the discovery that musical tones could
be transmitted over an electrical wire. Fitting
up the necessary devices, he exhibited this inven-
tion to some of his friends, and the same year
went abroad, where he made a special study of
acoustics and gave further exhibitions of the
invention, which he developed into the harmonic,
or multiplex, telegraph. While perfecting this
device, in 1875, the idea of the speaking tele-
phone suggested itself, and in 1876 he perfected
this invention and filed his caveat in the Patent
Office at Washington. That another inventor
succeeded in incorporating into his own applica-
tion for a telegraph patent an important feature
of Professor Gray's invention, and that the latter
was thereby deprived of the benefits which he
should have derived therefrom, is the practically
unanimous decision of many well informed as to
the merits of the controversy to which conflict-
ing claims gave rise; and the leading scientists
and scientific organizations of the world, accord-
ing to a certain periodical, have accredited to him
the honor of inventing the telephone. In recog-
nition of his distinguished achievements, he was
made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor at the
close of the Paris Exposition of 1878, and Amer-
ican colleges have conferred upon him the degrees
of Doctor of Laws and Doctor of Science.
"For several years after his invention of the
telephone he was connected with the Postal Tel-
egraph Company, and brought the lines of this
system into Chicago, laying them underground.
He also devised a general underground telegraph
system for the city, and then turned his attention
to the invention of the 'telautograph,' a device
with which the general public is just now becom-
ing familiar through the public accounts of its
operation. On March 21, 1893, the first exhibi-
tions of the practical and successful operation of
this wonderful instrument were given simultane-
ously in New York and Chicago, and on the
same day the first telautograph messages were
passed over the wires from Highland Park to
Waukegan, Illinois. The exhibitions were wit-
nessed by a large number of electrical experts,
scientists and representatives of the press, who
were unanimous in their opinion that Professor
Gray's invention is destined to bring about a
revolution in telegraphy.
' 'One of the beauties of electrical science is the
expressiveness of its nomenclature, and among
the many significant names given to electrical
inventions none expresses more clearly the use
and purpose of the instrument to which it is
applied than the term, 'telautograph.' As its
name signifies, it enables a person sitting at one
end of the wire to write a message or a letter
which is reproduced simultaneously in fac simile
at the other end of the wire. It is an agent
which takes the place of the skilled operator and
the telegraphic alphabet. Any one who can
write can transmit a message by this means, and
the receiving instrument does its work perfectly,
without the aid of an operator. The sender of
the message may be identified by the fac simile of
82
ELISHA GRAY.
his handwriting which reaches the recipient, and
pen-and-ink portraits of persons may be as
readily transmitted from one point to another as
the written messages. In many respects the
telautograph promises to be more satisfactory in
its practical operations than the telephone. Com-
munications can be carried on between persons at
a distance from each other with absolute secrecy,
and a message sent to a person in his absence
from his place of business will be iound awaiting
him upon his return. These and many other
advantages which the telautograph seems to
possess warrant the prediction that in the not
very distant future telautography will supplant
in a measure both telephony and telegraphy.
The transmitter and the receiver of the telauto-
graph system are delicately constructed pieces of
mechanism, each contained in a box somewhat
smaller than an ordinary typewriter machine.
The two machines are necessary at each end of a
wire, and stand side by side. In transmitting a
message an ordinary feed lead pencil is used. At
the point of this is a small collar, with two eyes
in its rim. To each of these eyes a fine silk cord
is attached, running off at right angles in two
directions. Each of the two ends of this cord is
carried round a small drum supported on a ver-
tical shaft. Under the drum, and attached to
the same shaft, is a toothed wheel of steel, the
teeth of which are so arranged that when either
section of the cord winds upon or off its drum, a
number of teeth will pass a given point, corres-
ponding to the length of cord so wound or un-
wound. For instance, if the point of the pencil
moves in the direction of one of the cords a dis-
tance of one inch, forty of the teeth will pass any
certain point. Each one of these teeth and each
space represents one impulse sent upon the line,
so that when the pencil describes a motion one
inch in length, eighty electrical impulses are sent
upon the line. The receiving instrument is prac-
tically a duplicate of the transmitter, the motions
of which, however, are controlled by electrical
mechanism. The perfected device exhibited by
Professor Gray, and now in operation, is the
result of six years of arduous labor, an evolution
to which the crude contrivance used in his earliest
experiments bears little resemblance. The man-
ufacture of the instruments will be carried on by
the Gray Electric Company, a corporation having
offices in New York and Chicago and a large
manufacturing establishment just outside the
limits of the suburban village of Highland Park,
Illinois, of which place Professor Gray has been
for many years a resident. Here, in addition to
his workshop and laboratory, the renowned
inventor has a beautiful home, and his domestic
relations are of the ideal kind.
' ' The title by which Professor Gray has been
known for so many years came to him through
his connection with Oberlin and Ripon (Wis-
consin) Colleges as non-resident lecturer in
physics, and his general appearance is that of the
college professor or the profound student. He
has none of the eccentricities which are the con-
spicuous characteristics of some of the great
inventors of the age, and, when not absorbed in
his professional work, he is delightfully genial
and companionable.
"When the World's Congress of Electricians
assembled in the new Art Institute in Chicago,
on the 2ist of August, 1893, there were gathered
the most noted electricians of all the world. The
congress was divided into two sections, one of
which termed the official section was com-
posed of representatives designated by the vari-
ous Governments of Europe and the Americas,
and was authorized to consider and pass upon
questions relating to electrical measurement,
nomenclature and various other matters of import
to the electrical world. To the other section of
the congress were admitted all professional elec-
tricians who came properly accredited, and they
were permitted to attend the sessions and partici-
pate in the deliberations of the congress, although
they were not allowed to vote on the technical
questions coming before it.
' 'When it was determined that the convening
of international congresses of various kinds
should be made one of the leading features oi
the Columbian Exposition, a body, which became
known as the World's Congress Auxiliary of the
World's Columbian Exposition, was organized
for the purpose of promoting and making all
B. C. MILLER.
necessary preparations for these gatherings. To
Prof. Elisha Gray, of Chicago, this body as-
signed the task of organizing the congress of
electricians, and placed upon him the responsi-
bility of formulating the plans and making all
initiatory preparations for what was, unquestion-
ably, the most important and interesting conven-
tion of electricians ever held in this or any other
country. While the Professor called to his assist-
ance many distinguished members of his profes-
sion, by virtue of his official position, he was the
central and most attractive figure va this great
movement.
"Professor Gray is a member of the Union
League Club of Chicago. Politically, he is a
Republican. He has traveled extensively, not
only in this country but throughout Europe.
He is now in his sixty-first year, and he stands
as an illustrious example of the general rule, for,
although not yet an old man, he is one of the
few prominent in the .early da}'S of electrical
development who maintained their prominence
and added to their reputation in the rapid strides
which have been made during the last decade.
But few of the early workers in the electrical
sciences have maintained their prominence in the
later development. This is undoubtedly due to
the lack of plasticity which is usually attributed
to maturer years, the possession of which in
younger men often gives them the advantage in
the rush for supremacy in new adaptation and
under ever-changing conditions. Where, how-
ever, this plasticity has been preserved during
maturer years, as has been the case with the
subject of this sketch, the maturer judgment and
riper experience which those years have enabled
him to bring to bear upon the newer problems
have in many cases resulted in inventions and
improvements of the utmost importance to man-
kind and the cause of civilization. Professor
Gray is a man of fine personal appearance, pleas-
ing address, commanding bearing, and a man
who will attract attention in any assembly, and
who, on account of his great electrical skill and
general scientific attainments, and because of his
pleasing and affable manner, has won for him-
self many friends and admirers. ' '
DR. BENJAMIN C. MILLER.
0R. BENJAMIN COKE MILLER, one of
the most successful physicians and most
highly respected citizens of Chicago, passed
away at his home on Everett Avenue, in that
city, June 25, 1891. He was descended from a
long line of American ancestors, who were dis-
tinguished as physicians and gentlemen.
The founder of the family in this country was
Adam Miller, who was born near Metz, France
(now included in the German Empire), and from
whom the subject of this biography was a de-
scendant in the eighth generation. He settled
with his family in Frederick, Maryland, and be-
came a large planter. He was noted as a man
of wealth, culture and refinement, and held many
slaves. These were liberated by his bequest on
his death, and their loss at that time almost beg-
gared his heirs; but they honored his behest.
The family continued to reside in Maryland for
several generations. The great-grandfather of
8 4
B. C. MILLER.
Dr. Benjamin C. Miller moved to Shelbyville,
Kentucky, where his son, Dr. Henry Miller, be-
came an extensive planter. The latter was a
tall and fine-appearing man, a noted physician
and a man of affairs. He died at Shelbyville, of
old age.
Dr. Jefferson Miller, son of the last-named,
was bern in Gallatin County, Kentucky, No-
vember 29, 1807, and was educated in Virginia.
Through over-confidence in his friends, he lost
much of his property, and then took up the study
of medicine with Dr. Clarke, a noted physician
of his native State. While still a young man, he
settled in the practice of his profession at Rush-
ville, Indiana, and became widely known for his
skill in the healing art. He united with the
Methodist Church there in 1839, As a Chris-
tian, he was liberal to all churches. As a citizen,
he was public-spirited, and was much loved and
respected by all. As a physician, he was un-
usually successful, and was a man of extraordin-
ary worth and usefulness in all relations of life.
November 20, 1832, he married Eliza A. Stand-
ford, of Greencastle, Indiana, and two of their
children grew to maturity, namely: Dr. Benja-
min C. and Henry Miller, the latter now a resi-
dent of Ladoga, Indiana. The father died at
that place, November 5, 1885, and his wife sur-
vived him about five and one- half years, passing
away in May, 1891.
Benjamin C. Miller was born April 30, 1846,
in Rushville, Indiana, and went with his parents
early in life to Montgomery County, in the same
State, receiving his primary education at Ladoga.
In the spring of 1862, when he was barely six-
teen years of age, he ran away from school at
Battle Ground, Indiana, and enlisted as a private
in the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, then in camp
at Indianapolis, preparatory to service in the
Civil War. As this enlistment was made with-
out the consent of his father, the latter was en-
abled to claim him, which he did, and conducted
the ambitious boy back to school. Before the
father had reached home on the return from this
duty, the son was again in camp, and he was
this time permitted to have his way. He joined
Company K, of the Eleventh Cavalry, of which
he was made Sergeant, and participated in the
service of that organization until December 19,
1863, before the completion of his eighteenth
year, when he was mustered out as a First Lieu-
tenant.
One day soon after this, a handsome young man,
some six feet, six and one-half inches in height,
bronzed by exposure in the line of military duty,
and dressed in the handsome uniform of a Lieu-
tenant, called at the home of his parents in La-
doga. On learning the number of his regiment,
they plied him with questions about Company K,
and inquired if he knew young Benjamin Miller.
He replied in the affirmative. At this moment
his favorite dog came into the room, and, upon
being spoken to by his young master, gave the
most extravagant expressions of joy, bringing
tears to the eyes of Mrs. Miller, who could scarcely
forgive herself for failing to recognize her son
until after this faithful animal had shown her his
identity.
Entering Rush Medical College of Chicago,
young Miller was graduated with honor on the
gth of February, 1869. He passed the competi-
tive examination, and was appointed House Phy-
sician and Surgeon of Cook County Hospital,
serving a year and a-half. He was then made
County Physician, in which capacity he served two
years. He was immediately made Superintendent
of Public Charities, having charge of the County
Hospital, Insane Asylum and Alms House.
After filling this position about eighteen months,
he was appointed Sanitary Superintendent of
Chicago by Mayor Medill, and was continued in
that office by Mayor Colvin. During this period
he was very useful in the community by his skill-
ful management of the cholera epidemic of 1873.
In 1875 he was made Surgeon, with the rank of
Major, on the staff of Gen. A. C. Ducat, Com-
mander of the Illinois National Guard. In 1876
Dr. Miller resigned the position of Sanitary Su-
perintendent and went abroad. He spent about
a year in studying in hospitals at Aberdeen and
Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England.
Returning to Chicago, with added knowledge
from these observations, he was enabled to com-
mand a large share of the most difficult and re-
J. M. HANNAHS.
munerative medical and surgical practice of the
then metropolitan city. In 1889 he was ap-
pointed by the United States Government a Pen-
sion Examiner, and continued to fulfill the duties
of this position until his death.
December 24, 1872, Dr. Miller was married to
Miss Etta Barnet, of Chicago. She, with one
daughter, survives him. The latter, Miss Mary
Etta Miller, is a bright Chicago girl. She is
possessed of marked literary and artistic tastes,
and her work as a pen-and-ink artist has attracted
considerable attention. Mrs. Miller is a daugh-
ter of the late George Barnet, a sketch of whose
career will be found on another page of this
work.
Dr. Miller's character was summed up in a
few heartfelt and well-chosen words by his con-
temporary, Dr. Pagne, as follows: "A man of
extraordinary talent and attainments was Dr.
Miller. While City Physician, he inaugurated
the system of newsboys' picnics and outings. His
friends were many, by reason of his greatness of
heart. Chicago loses a good citizen, and the pro-
fession an able member."
The last sad rites over his remains were con-
ducted by South Park Masonic Lodge, and his
body was interred in Oakwoods Cemetery.
JAMES M. HANNAHS.
(TAMES MONROE HANNAHS, one of the
I oldest residents of Chicago, having come
Qj here as early as 1836, is a descendant of an
old and influential New England family, which
originated in Ireland, the family name having
been spelled in that country Hannah. The
great-grandfather of James M . Hannahs was the
first member of the family to leave his native
land for the New World. He settled in Litch-
field, Connecticut, where he was an active and
influential citizen, and later became a zealous
patriot. On the breaking out of the War of the
Revolution, that contest with the Mother Coun-
try which tried the mettle of her sons so sorely,
he made his adopted country's cause his own,
and was made a member of the Committee of
Safety formed at that time.
Daniel Hannahs, son of the foregoing, and the
grandfather of the subject of this notice, was a
soldier in the War of 1812. He was wounded at
the battle of Queenstown, and for his services
enjoyed a pension from the Government until his
death, which occurred in 1842. Leaving Con-
necticut, he moved with his family to central
New York, settling in the wilderness near the
Mohawk River. Undaunted in courage, and of
a fine, soldierly physique, he was well fitted by
nature for the Herculean task of founding a home
in the primeval forests, and in his wife he found
a willing helpmate. The latter was Elizabeth
Gordon, a cousin of Lord George Gordon, the
hero of the "Gordon Riots" of 1798, for his
leadership in which he was imprisoned in Lon-
don and tried for treason, but finally acquitted.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hannahs became the
parents of four children, all sons: Chauncey,
Marvin, William and Daniel. Of these, Marvin
removed to Albion, Calhoun County, Michigan,
in 1835, and became one of the leading men in
that locality, and in later years his son George
86
J. M. HANNAHS.
was elected State Senator from Michigan. Will-
iam, another son of Daniel Hannahs, became a
prosperous woolen merchant of New York City.
His son, a law student, immediately after his
graduation from Yale College, raised a company
of cavalry in New York City, in the first month
after the Civil War opened, and took the field.
He was made Captain of this company, but, sad
to relate, was killed in Virginia, in May, 1861.
Chauncey Hannahs, the father of James Mon-
roe, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, in the
year 1791, and removed with his parents to New
York State, assisting his father in clearing
up his farm. In later years, in this same lo-
cality, he engaged in the foundry business. In
1835 h e removed to Wisconsin, then considered
in the very far West, and located on Government
land in Kenosha County, where the rest of his
days were spent, his demise occurring in 1873,
from old age. While living in New York State
he had been Captain of an artillery company,
and the title then gained he ever afterwards bore.
In person large and strong, he delighted in out-
door pursuits, and the pioneer life which he
chose on leaving his old home in the East was
one well suited to him in every respect. In his
early life he had been an ardent Whig, but on
the formation of the two great parties of Repub-
licans and Democrats, he allied himself with the
latter, and proved an equally earnest champion
of its principles. In his religious leanings he
was a Presbyterian, his wife being of the same
faith. The latter was born in the year 1793, in
Oneida County, New York, a daughter of Enos
Nichols, a pioneer of that county, where he lived
in a covered wagon until he could erect for him-
self a house in the wilderness. He later became
a pioneer of Lake County, Illinois, near the Wis-
consin State line, and his family thus became
neighbors of the Hannahs family.
Mrs. Chauncey Hannahs died on the old home-
stead in Kenosha County in 1882, also from old
age. She had been the mother of seven children,
as follows: Mrs. Ann Doolittle, William H.,
James M., Thomas J., Francis G., Frederick, and
Adeline, who died at the age of fourteen years.
A strange and shocking fatality occurred in this
family, no less than six deaths taking place with-
in twenty-two months, three children dying with-
in three days of each other. All who now sur-
vive are James M. and his brother, Francis G.
The subject of this sketch was born June 26,
1821, in Herkimer County, New York, and re-
ceived a common-school education in a little
schoolhouse on the banks of the historic Mohawk
River. On leaving school he entered his father's
foundry to learn the business, and after coming
to Chicago he followed the trade of a foundry-
man in connection with a partner, the firm name
being Hannahs & James. He continued thus en-
gaged until he entered the employ of Wahl
Brothers, manufacturers of glue, with whom he
remained for twenty-five years, during part of
that time representing the firm in New York
City. After leaving Wahl Brothers he was act-
ively engaged in promoting elevated railroads in
Chicago, on a new principle.
July 3, 1851, in Cook County, Illinois, Mr.
Hannahs married Miss Matilda Irish, a daugh-
ter of Perry Irish, and a native of Holley, New
York. Several children were born of this mar-
riage, but all died in infancy. Mrs. Hannahs
died September 19, 1885, in Chicago.
Mr. Hannahs has been for over forty years a
consistent member of the Baptist Church. In re-
gard to politics he is a Republican, having been
a stanch Abolitionist previous to the war. He
is a strong believer in the efficacy of free silver,
and champions his cause with great ardor. While
in the employ of Wahl Brothers, his business led
'him to travel extensively throughout the United
States, and he has hosts of friends up and down
the country, as well as in Chicago. Like many
other Chicago business men, he was at one time
a farmer in Cook County, but he yielded to the
superior attractions of city life and sold his farm of
one hundred and sixty acres, which he had bought
for $3 per acre. He has many reminiscences of
early days in Illinois, and has contributed many
interesting articles to Chicago newspapers, de-
scribing the scenes and incidents of early days
in this locality, and noting the stupendous
changes wrought in the face of the country since
he came here, a pioneer of 1836.
, I
JACOB FORSYTH.
JACOB FORSYTH.
(JACOB FORSYTH. In every community,
I no matter how small, the intelligent observer
C2/ will find men who have risen above their
fellows, both in fame and fortune, by sheer force
of character and the ability to seize fortune at the
tide. Though to the casual onlooker there often
has seemed an element of "luck" in the chances
of prosperity which have come to them, a closer
observer will see that it has more often been the
fortunate meeting of the man and the opportunity ;
the opportunity may, perhaps, have occurred
a hundred times before, but the man who should
seize it, and by his ability and energy force results
from it, has never before appeared.
Jacob Forsyth, an old resident of Chicago, and
one of its leading citizens, exemplifies the truth
of the foregoing in a marked degree. Born in the
North of Ireland, of Scotch descent, he possesses
those fortunate characteristics which have placed
so many of his countrymen on the highroad to
success honesty, ambition, energy and resistless
tenacity of purpose. Overlooking the daily dis-
couragements, disappointments and hardships of
their life, they keep ever before them the high
object of their ambition; and if failure instead of
success is their portion, it is through no weaken-
ing of their powers by self-indulgence or idle re-
pining.
In the days of King James I. of England there
sprang up a class of men known as "under-
takers, ' ' who, in consideration of certain grants
of land, undertook to locate a specified number of
settlers upon the vast tracts of vacant ground in
northern Ireland. It was at this time that a great
emigration was made from Scotland to this region,
and gave to the world that sturdy, industrious
and highly moral class of people called Scotch-
Irish. Prior to the siege of Londonderry, an
epoch in the history of northern Ireland, the an-
cestors of Jacob Forsyth settled in what is now
the county of Londonderry. They were a rural
people, and, as near as can be learned at the
present time, were engaged in agriculture.
To John Forsyth and his wife, Margaret Cox,
was born a son, whom they christened Jacob. The
latter married Elizabeth Haslette, and their son
John was the father of the subject of this sketch.
John Forsyth married Mary Ann Kerr, a native
of County Londonderry, who was the daughter
of Alexander Kerr and Anne Osborne, the latter
of English descent. The Kerrs were of Scotch
lineage, and very early in Ireland. The parents
of Alexander Kerr were Oliver and Elizabeth
(Wilson) Kerr.
The father of Mr. Forsyth was an intelligent
farmer, and the possessor of a small landed
property. Anxious that his son should have the
' 'schooling' ' which is the ambition of most of his
countrymen, he sent him to a celebrated private
academy, the principal of which was a famous
Greek and Latin scholar and a renowned
mathematician, in his vicinity. Possessing the
studious inclination and the quick perceptions of
an apt scholar, the youth profited greatly by his
attendance here, and the proficiency he ac-
quired in penmanship gained for him his first
position in America.
Jacob Forsyth was born January 12, 1821, at
the old town of Limavady, near the present rail-
road station and thriving village in County Lon-
donderry, Ireland, known as Newtown, Limavady.
Filled with the ambitious spirit which builds
88
JACOB FORSYTH.
cities and develops the commercial possibilities of
the world, he set out for the United States at the
age of fifteen years. Settling in Pittsburg, Penn-
sylvania, he there first found employment as
copying clerk and errand boy for the great com-
mission and forwarding house of Forsyth & Com-
pany, a member of which firm was a near relative.
The firm was the oldest commission house in the
city, and owned a large fleet of steamers, running
on various western rivers. In those days the
copying book had not been invented, and all let-
ters had to be copied by hand, and this work fell
to young Forsyth. By the interest he took in
his work, and the care with which everything
entrusted to him to do was performed, he soon
won his way into the confidence of his employers,
and was promoted from one responsible position
to another, until he had attained that of head
bookkeeper.
Mr. Forsyth remained with Forsyth & Com-
pany for fifteen years altogether, and at the end
of that time his abilities had become so well
known outside of the concern that he was offered
several other advantageous positions. Accepting
one of these, he became the Through Freight
Agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, with head-
quarters in Chicago, and by this means became a
permanent resident of this city in 1857. After a
few years' service in this capacity, he accepted
the position of General Western Agent for the old
"Erie" Road.
About this time, his business giving him op-
portunities for observing the prevailing real-es-
tate conditions, he became impressed with the
excellent opportunities to buy land cheaply; and
with a premonition of the growth of the city, and
the consequent rise in land values, he resigned
his position and began to invest largely in real
estate. His wife had inherited a large amount
of land in L,ake County, Indiana, from her brother,
George W. Clarke, who died in 1866, and to this
Mr. Forsyth added by purchasing the holdings
of small owners in the vicinity, until he had ac-
quired ten thousand acres, a large estate for this
land of comparatively small holdings. He had
the shrewdness to buy this so as to form one im-
mense tract, arguing that one large tract would
possess more value than the same amount in scat-
tered portions. During subsequent years he ex-
perienced much annoyance and was caused many
years' litigation in his efforts to expel squatters
from the tract. They were very numerous
around Lakes George and Wolf at the time, and
their dislodgment was a matter of much difficulty.
Mr. Forsyth was in litigation for five years before
he finally obtained redress, and during this time
read book after book on land decisions and the
question of riparian rights, on which he is now
one of the best-posted men in the country, and
able to give information to many an intelligent
attorney in that line of practice.
When, finally, a decree was pronounced in his
favor, he sold eight thousand acres of his land to
the East Chicago Improvement Company for one
million dollars, one-third of which sum was paid
down. The company, however, failed to meet
subsequent payments, and as a compromise the
present Canal and Improvement Company was
formed in 1887. From this Mr. Forsyth ac-
cepted as reimbursement part cash, a large
amount of bonds, and some stock in the company.
In 1881 he bought another large tract on the
lake shore, lying directly north of the present
site of East Chicago, and in 1889 he sold a por-
tion of this to the Standard Oil Company, and
on it has since been built its large plant, known
as Whiting. The limits of the city of Chicago
having been extended to the Indiana line, across
which lies Mr. Forsyth's land, the latter has been
consequently enhanced in value, and has been
greatly benefited thereby.
AtUniontown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Forsyth mar-
ried Miss Caroline M. Clarke, daughter of Robert
Clarke, of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, who
has borne her husband nine children, five sons
and four daughters, all of whom are living.
The family occupies a handsome, comfortable
house on Michigan Avenue, and the home is per-
vaded by an air of taste and refinement which
is not always an element in the homes of the rich.
In politics Mr. Forsyth is a Republican, a
stanch advocate of his party's men and principles,
though, owing to the stress of his extensive busi-
ness interests, he has never found it convenient
T. T. PROSSER.
89
to take an active part in political affairs. Had
he done so, and brought the same energy and
discernment to bear that he has displayed in the
management of his private interests, it is safe to say
that he would have made his mark in the political
world, as he has made it in the business affairs of
his adopted city.
In appearance Mr. Forsyth is a large, well-
proportioned man, with a kindly, shrewd face,
the true index of a man who has lived an honest,
helpful and kindly life. Though bearing the
weight of seventy-five years and the responsi-
bilities which the possession of great wealth al-
ways brings, he is elastic in mind and body, and
bids fair to live to an extreme old age.
TREAT T. PROSSER.
"REAT T. PROSSER. There are few tasks
more difficult than to sketch the life of an
inventor. The world is so jealous of inno-
vation and improvement upon established meth-
ods, so wedded to the past, and withal so disin-
clined to recognize the brilliancy of more prac-
tical genius, that the man who discovers de-
ficiencies in practical mechanics and supplies them
often goes to his grave unrewarded, even by the
gratitude of the world he has benefited. He
hears the name of the warrior, of the statesman,
of the poet, even of the politician, in every
household or business mart, but often his own, if
mentioned at all, as of one who is building cas-
tles in the air.
But gifted innovators, while deeply feeling the
lack of appreciation, have often adopted the sen-
timent of Keplar, who said: "My work is done;
it can well wait a century for its readers, since
God waited full six thousand years before there
came a man capable of comprehending and admir-
ing His work." Now and then, however, genius
is so practical, and its fruits contrast so brilliantly
with what has preceded, that it compels almost
instantaneous recognition and homage, and
among the fortunate possessors of the latter class
was the subject of this article, the late Treat T.
Prosser.
The Prossers are of Welsh descent, but the
Treats, from whom Mr. Prosser was descended
on the maternal side, were English. The first
ancestors of the former family to come to America
were two brothers, who came from Wales some
time prior to the Revolutionary War, in which
supreme contest two of their descendants partici-
pated, and one met his death. The family lived
on Prosser Hill, just outside of Boston, and it
was in the Prosser barn that the members of the
historic Boston "tea party" disguised themselves
as Indians, previous to throwing the tea over-
board into Boston Harbor. Grandfather John
Prosser was one of the two members of the family
mentioned previously as having served in the
struggle with the Mother Country. He married
Bethia Truesdale, daughter of a Connecticut phy-
sician, and had eight sons and one daughter.
Of these children, Potter A. Prosser, the father
of Treat T. , married Eliza, a daughter of Timo-
thy Treat, whose son, a physician, became famous
through the services he rendered during the
great cholera epidemic. The Treat family came
from Pitminster, Somerset, England. Richard
Treat was baptized in 1584. Among the prom-
inent descendants are Gov. Robert Treat, and
Rev. Samuel Treat, of Pitmiuster. The father's
birth occurred August n, 1793, and the mother
T. T. PROSSER.
was born March 29, 1798. Their marriage was
solemnized on the 5th of November, 1818, and
of their union were born five children. The
mother, a woman of many domestic virtues and
lovable traits of character, died at the compara-
tively early age of fifty-five years, but the father
lived to the great age of ninety-six.
Treat T. Prosser was born in the little town of
Avon, New York, January 22, 1827. His youth
and early manhood were passed in his native
State, and his early education was received in its
common schools. After reaching his majority he
attended the academy at West Avon, feeling the
need of a more thorough school training before
starting out to earn his own way in life. Always
handy in the use of tools, at the early age of
fourteen he had been engaged at the trade of a
millwright, in which he soon became a proficient
workman. But while his hands were busily
engaged at this work, his thoughts were wander-
ing out upon the whole broad domain of mechan-
ical science, and his studies at the academy were
for the purpose of fitting himself for the career to
which all his talents and his inclinations urged
him.
From the young millwright developed an
inventor of agricultural implements of great
value; of a superior system of machinery for the
manufacture of bolts; of universally recognized
improvements upon steam engines; of a practical
and widely used machine for pegging boots; of
coal machinery; of the Prosser Cylinder Car, and
of many other mechanical devices, which either
are now, or will become in the future, of great
benefit to mankind. He drew the plans for the
Chicago Hydraulic Company, which built the
first water-works system in Chicago.
In 1851 Mr. Prosser came to Chicago, and the
wisdom of his choice of a location was demon-
strated long ago. No other city has ever opened
such welcoming arms to men of genius as has
she, nor out of her own prosperity rewarded them
so bountifully. The great fire of 1871 found him
among its victims, and he lost the greater part of
the accumulations of years; but financial loss is
one of the minor evils to a man who has within
himself the power to mould, in a great measure,
his own destiny, and is no mere inert mass, lying
helpless under the buffetings of the winds of ill-
fortune. The energy which was one of the
marked points in his character asserted itself, and
his days were ended in the prosperity he deserved.
From 1851 until the date of his death, Decem-
ber ii, 1895, Mr. Prosser made Chicago his home,
with the exception of two years spent in the
Rocky Mountains, six years in Boston, and a
short vacation spent in Europe. He was the first
man to introduce the steam engine and the
quartz-mill into the Rockies, the engine being
constructed of material shipped from the East, the
boiler being literally built in that wild region.
While in Europe he was elected a member of the
Society of Mechanics of England and Scotland,
an honor which speaks of his high merits as a
mechanical engineer.
In West Bloomfield, New York, September 26,
1849, Mr. Prosser married Miss L,ucy J. Phillips,
and of their union two children were born:
Henry Blinn Prosser, of Chicago; and Mary
Augusta, wife of Oscar E. Poole, of Lakeside,
Illinois. Mrs. Prosser was the daughter of Isaac
Webster Phillips, a relative of the famous Web-
ster family, his mother being a sister of Noah
Webster's father. Isaac Phillips was a native ol
Hartford, Connecticut, but removed to West
Bloomfield, where he served as Justice of the
Peace, and was commonly known as Judge Phil-
lips. He came to Chicago late in life, and died
at the home of Mrs. Prosser, at the age of sev-
enty-two years. His wife, whose maiden name
- was L,aura Miller, reached the advanced age of
ninety-two years.
Closely wedded to his profession, Mr. Prosser
generally refused the responsibilities of official
positions, but made an exception to this rule after
the Great Fire, when he acted as superintendent
of the distribution of food to the destitute in
Districts Four and Five. These duties he filled
in an energetic and impartial manner, which
accorded well with the other actions of his well-
spent life. In his politics he voted with the
Republican party.
Oscar E. Poole, who married Mr. Prosser' s only
daughter, was born January 18, 1857, * n Will
J. W. LARIMORE.
County, Illinois, and is a son of Ezra and Eliza
Treat Poole, pioneers in Will County, where they
settled in 1850. He received his principal educa-
tion in Joliet, where his guardian lived. His
father died when he was but one and a-half years
old, and his mother died when he was ten
years old. His boyhood was spent in Joliet.
At the age of eighteen years he became a clerk in
his uncle's store, and three years later became a
partner. At the age of twenty-two he entered the
employ of the State, in the capacity of storekeeper
at the State Penitentiary, remaining a number of
years in that position. From there he went to
Chicago, where he first started a milk business
and then became a traveling salesman for Kinney
& Company, and, later, their manager. He finally
bought out the business, and it is now conducted
under the name of Poole & Company. Mr. Poole
was married, February 27, 1885, to Miss Mary
Augusta Prosser, who is the mother of four
children now living: Edward Prosser, Helen
Irene, Lucy Eliza and Malcolm Alan Poole.
PROF. JAMES W. LARIMORE.
(TAMES WILSON LARIMORE, who died
I suddenly of heart failure at his home in Chi-
O cago, May 30, 1894, was for many years
prominent in the literary, social and religious
work of the city. He was born in Steubenville,
Ohio, May 6, 1834, and was a son of Joseph and
Mary Jane (Wilson) Larimore, both also natives
of that place. The earliest progenitors of the
family known were French Huguenots, who fled
from their native land after the cruel revocation
of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV. , locating
in Scotland. There the name was difficult of
pronunciation on the Scotch tongue, and from
"Laird o' the Moor," the name gradually came
to its present form.
The first settlement of the familv in Amer-
ica was made in Chester County, Pennsyl-
vania, where David Larimore, grandfather of
the subject of this sketch, was born March 31,
1782. For many generations the Larimores had
been distinguished for literary tastes and attain-
ments, and David Larimore was no exception to
the rule. He was a man of affairs, and conserved
the family estates, which were considerable. He
died at Norristown, Pennsylvania, March 16,
1857, having almost completed his seventy-fifth
year.
James Wilson, father of Mrs. Mary J. Lari-
more, came of a Scotch-Irish family, which has
borne a prominent part in the literary and social
life of the United States, furnishing many not-
able statesmen, attorneys and generals to the
Nation. This family is also a strong factor in
the literary life of America, and Professor Lari-
more inherited talents from both lines of ances-
tors.
The youth of the latter was spent at Niles,
Michigan, whither his parents removed when he
was two years old. He early manifested a fond-
ness for books, and most of his life up to the age
of twenty-six years was spent in school. He
was sent, in 1852, to Olivet Institute, in Eaton
County, Michigan. Having an uncle in the
faculty of the Hampton and Sidney College in
southern Virginia, he was induced to go there.
He remained some time, but the climate did not
J. W. LARIMORE.
agree with him. Consequently, he decided to
finish his education at the North. He took a
course at the University of New York City, which
graduated him in the Class of 1860. He had a
thorough theological education, having spent a
year at Union Theological Seminary, later taking a
full course at Princeton Theological Seminary,
Princeton, New Jersey, preparatory to entering
the Presbyterian ministry. He preached most of
the time, supplying different churches during the
latter part of his theological studies, his first
regular ' 'call' ' being to one of the largest and
most important churches at that time in Albany,
New York, the Third Dutch Reformed. He had,
however, a decided preference for life in the grow-
ing West, and became pastor of the First Presbyte-
rian Church of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Under his
able ministry, this soon became the largest so-
ciety of that denomination west of the Mississippi
River. In 1863 he accepted the Chaplaincy of
the Ninth Iowa Cavalry, at the earnest solicita-
tion of his particular friend, Adjutant-General
Baker, of Iowa, and at once went into the field
with the regiment, spending most of the time in
the Department of Little Rock, Arkansas, being
Post Chaplain at De Vails Bluff. Just before the
death of President Lincoln, in 1865, he was by
him brevetted Major, and also assigned to the
position of Hospital Chaplain in the regular
United States army. He resigned his position
at De Vails Bluff, as he had been ordered to re-
port for duty at Webster Hospital in Memphis,
Tennessee, in April, 1865. Owing to the uncer-
tainty of the mails, he did not receive his papers
until several days after the President's assassina-
tion.
At the close of the war Professor Larimore
came to Chicago, and in the fall of 1865 was
installed as pastor of the Seventh (now West-
minister) Presbyterian Church of this city, which
position he filled for something over two years.
In the mean time he did much literary work, and
for a period gave his exclusive attention to this
congenial labor. He developed a great aptitude for
journalism, and was offered the position of city
editor of the Chicago Evening Journal in the
spring of 1871, and accepted. He discharged the
duties of this responsible charge with marked
ability and success for three years.
On the fatal ninth of October, 1871, when
the Journal office was a ruin through the historic
"great fire," Mr. Larimore gave a characteristic
exhibition of energy and perseverance. With
the aid of the editor-in-chief, Hon. Andrew Shu-
man, an edition of the Journal was produced
on a hand press, which they secured in a job-of-
fice on the West Side; and with the flames
threatening to consume the building over their
heads, the paper was issued at the usual hour of
publication being the only representative of the
Chicago daily press put forth on that day.
The numerous writings and publications oi
Professor Larimore had attracted the notice of
the University of Chicago, and in March, 1874,
he was elected to the professorship of physics in
that institution. In consequence of this, he re-
signed his connection with the Journal May 2
of that year. He did not, however, enter upon
the duties assigned him at the university, but
later on accepted a similar position at the Cook
County Normal School at Englewood. In Sep-
tember, 1878, he was elected teacher of physics
and chemistry at the North Division High
School of Chicago. He entered at once upon
his duties, and continued to fill the chair for
eleven consecutive years, with great credit to
himself and the school, making many devoted
friends among his pupils.
Before coming West Professor Larimore was
married, at Hudson, New York, to Miss Katie
Hoysradt, a beautiful and talented young lady,
who died in Chicago in 1865. Her remains, with
those of their two little boys, rest in the cemetery
at Niles, Michigan.
In 1867 he was again married, by Reverend
Doctors Humphrey and Harsha, to Miss Hattie
Stevens, of Chicago, the soprano singer of his
church choir. She was born in Strykersville,
Wyoming County, New York, being the young-
est of the three daughters of the late Ira Stevens
of that town. In the year 1854, while she was a
small child, the family went to St. Charles, Kane
County, Illinois. Her father, a talented singer,
died very suddenly of cholera the day following
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON.
93
their arrival, which was during the great epidemic
of that year. Her mother, Percy Talmage
Hotchkiss, a refined Christian lady, was born
near New Haven, Connecticut. She died in
April, 1888, leaving her six children, and many
friends, to mourn her loss.
Mrs. Larimore received her education in the
high school at St. Charles, finishing it in Chi-
cago, where the greater part of her life has been
spent. Possessing marked musical talent, she
devoted most of her time to its development,
which brought her some distinction. At one
time, while a young lady, she was urgently
solicited to enter upon an operatic career. She
was turned from that course by conscientious
scruples. Aside from her musical talent, she is
a lady of much culture and pleasing personality,
and was ever a true helpmeet and companion
to her talented husband in all his labors. Three
bright children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Lari-
more, all of whom are now deceased. Hattie
Gertrude, the eldest, passed away at the age oi
two years. Paul, a promising lad, reached the
age of ten years, and was the subject of a most
touching and beautiful obituary from the pen of
Dr. Nixon, of the Inter Ocean. Blanche died in
infancy. The remains of the husband and father
and their three children lie buried at Rose Hill.
During his ministry in Chicago, Professor
Larimore preached many quite noted sermons,
one of the most marked being what was called by
the daily papers his "Crosby Opera House ser-
mon." He also preached the sermon at the in-
stallation of the late Professor David Swing, who
was loved by so large a number of the leading
citizens of Chicago. At the time of his death
these two ministers were the only surviving mem-
bers of the original Presbytery of the city. Pro-
fessor Larimore was ever active in good works,
always having the welfare of his kind at heart,
but ' 'God's finger touched him and he slept. ' ' The
following lines express but feebly the high opinion
in which he was held by his friends:
"To know him was to love him,
None named him but to praise. ' '
CAPT. CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON.
Of APT. CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, one of
I ( the old landmarks of Chicago, who arrived
\j in this city as long ago as 1838, was a native
of the little kingdom of Denmark, and was born
near Copenhagen, October 3, 1819, his parents
being natives of the same locality. His father was
killed by an accident before Christopher was a year
old, and the latter was bound out to a farmer on the
island of Als. Imbued with the strong love of
the sea which has filled so many of his country-
men and made them famous as sailors the world
over, at the early age of fourteen years he shipped
at Sonderburg, Denmark, on board an ocean
vessel, and within the next two or three years
had sailed around the globe. In the winter of
1837 he found himself in the city of New Orleans,
and, having long desired to verify the statements
he had heard of the advantages America offered
to industrious, enterprising youth of all nations,
he left his ship, and started for the heart of the
country. After reaching St. Louis, he went to
Peoria, in this State, whence, by means of a hired
team, he reached this city.
Mr. Johnson's employment after reaching what
was then the muddy little village at the mouth
of the Chicago River was as a member of a survey-
94
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON.
ing party; but he served thus only a short time,
and soon after sought the more familiar and con-
genial life of a sailor on the Great Lakes. On
one occasion, while on a trip on one of the Lower
Lakes, on a vessel called the "Maria Hilliard,"
he was shipwrecked and met with other mishaps.
But on the whole fortune favored him; and after
a few years' service as a common sailor, he was
able to buy a small schooner, the "Helena," and
took charge of her as captain. In 1849, while
coming with a cargo of bricks from Little Fort,
near Kenosha, the "Helena" was sunk near the
Rush Street Bridge. On her voyage to Chicago,
she had sprung a leak, but by the efforts of the
captain and crew, she had been kept afloat until
the city was reached. After raising his vessel,
Captain Johnson sailed her for some time longer,
but in 1853 concluded to give up sailing for good.
His life on the lakes had given him a pretty fair
insight into the lumber business, and in this he
embarked, remaining thus engaged until the
Great Fire, when, in common with innumerable
others, he lost almost his entire savings. Fort-
unately, however, he did not lose his residence,
which was then on the West Side. He was the
owner of a farm at Lemont, and he moved his
family there for a time. His handsome new
farmhouse was destroyed by fire two years later,
and he built another.
Captain Johnson had married in 1849, and for
the next twelve years he reared his children on
the farm. He retained the real estate he had
owned in Chicago previous to the fire, and had
added to it, and at the end of the twelve years he
removed his wife and family to the city, finding
here greater scope for himself and promise of
future occupation for his sons. His property
interests increased to such an extent that his time
was fully taken up in managing his private
affairs, and he never entered any other business.
During all his life in Chicago he lived on the
North Side, where he was universally known
and popular with all. He built his first home on
the corner of Ohio and Market Streets, a spot
which he then considered the most prepossessing
in the city. His objection to the South Side was
due to its mud, that portion of the city being
almost impassable in the early days on account of
its level. At one time he intended to buy the
land on which the Briggs House now stands, but
after considerable deliberation concluded the site
was too muddy, a succession of mud holes having
to be crossed to reach it.
Captain Johnson's widow, who yet survives,
was previous to her marriage Miss Emily Ray-
mond, a daughter of John and Louise Raymond.
She is a native of Copenhagen, and was born
September i, 1833. At the age of ten years she
came to America with her father, who was a ship-
carpenter. He followed the lakes until his death,
which resulted from an accident he met with while
in the pursuit of his calling, being caught and
crushed between two ships. His death occurred
some months later, at the age of forty-five years,
August ii, 1853. Mrs. Johnson's marriage
occurred in Du Page County, this State, near
Naperville, December 9, 1849, and resulted in
the birth of thirteen children, of whom the fol-
lowing are living: Maria Louise, Mrs. A. Nelson,
of Chicago; Lena Amelia, Mrs. John S. Lee, of
Lemont; Evelyn, Mrs. D. T. Elston, of Chicago;
Henry W. , living in Socorro, New Mexico; Benja-
min Franklin, of Pomeroy, Washington; Charles
Christopher and George W. Johnson, of this city.
In politics Captain Johnson was an ardent sup-
porter of the Republican party, and his party's
candidates were never defeated by his failure to
do his duty at the polls. During the early years
of the Civil War he served as Collector of the
North Town, but a. naturally retiring and modest
disposition kept him from ever being conspic-
uous in politics. In religious faith he accorded
with the Lutheran Church. The respect in
which he was held was shown at the time of his
death, which occurred September 28, 1895, within
a week of his seventy-sixth birthday anniversary.
He had been an enthusiastic member of Cleveland
Lodge of the- Chicago Freemasons, in which he
was initiated June n, passed July 7, and raised
October 13, 1859, and his fellow Masons attended
his funeral in a body. His early life had been
full of incident and adventure, but his later years
found him quietly fulfilling the duties of a self-
respecting, honorable life.
OF THE
UWERS1TY OF
H. L. STEWART.
95
HART L. STEWART.
. HART LE LAC STEWART, who was
very prominent in the development of Mich-
igau and Illinois, a participator in the Black
Hawk War, and a leading citizen of Chicago for a
generation, came of the sturdy stock which paved
the way for and was active in the civilization of
many of the eastern States of this country. He
was born in Bridgewater, Oneida County, New
York, August 29,. 1803, and died in Chicago May
23, 1882.
The name indicates the Scotch origin of his
ancestry, but the date of their transplanting to
America is not known. From the recollections
of General Stewart, published by him at the re-
quest of his family, it is learned that his grand-
parents, Samuel Stewart and Patience Hunger-
ford, lived in Tolland County, Connecticut. The
latter was, undoubtedly, of English lineage.
She died many years before her husband, who
passed away in 1816, at the age of eighty-two
years. They had nine children, and the second,
William, was the father of the subject of this
biography.
William Stewart was born in 1772, in Con-
necticut, and was an early settler in the Territory
of Michigan. He was a soldier in the War of
1812, and also served in the militia regiment, com-
manded by his son, which went from Michigan
to aid in suppressing the Indians under Black
Hawk in 1832. He was married at Mansfield,
Windham County, Connecticut, in 1795, to Miss
Validia Turner, eighth of the ten children of
Timothy and Rachel (Carpenter) Turner, of
Mansfield. Timothy Turner was born August
18, 1757, in Willington, Connecticut, which was
also the native place of his wife. The latter died
in Mansfield Center, Windham County, Con-
necticut, June 22, 1799. They were married
August 20, 1776. Timothy Turner was a soldier
of the Revolution, serving in the "Lexington
Alarm Party" from Mansfield, Connecticut. He
was the son of Stephen, third and youngest son
of Isaac Turner, born in Bedford, Massachusetts,
whose father came from England. Rachel Car-
penter's parents were James and Irene (Ladd)
Carpenter. The former was a son of Ebenezer
Carpenter and Eunice Thompson. Ebenezer,
born in Coventry, Connecticut, as was his son,
was the son of Benjamin Carpenter and Hannah,
daughter of Jedediah Strong. Benjamin was the
tenth child of William Carpenter and Priscilla
Bonette. The former was one of the four chil-
dren of William Carpenter, who came from South-
ampton, England, in the ship "Bevis" in 1638,
and settled in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. (See
biography of Benjamin Carpenter in this
volume. )
When Hart L. Stewart was twelve years old,
his father moved to Batavia, Genesee County,
New York, where he purchased land of the Hol-
land Land Company, and the son helped to clear
this ground of timber. When seventeen years old
the latter went into the office of David D. Brown,
at Batavia, to study law. At the end of a year
he was forced, by lack of means, to take some
remunerative employment, and after vainly seek-
ing a situation as school teacher, in which he
hoped to be able to continue his legal studies, he
engaged as clerk in a store in Oneida County
with an uncle. Through the recommendation of
the latter, at the end of a year he was employed
by a merchant named Blair in Rochester, New
York. After four months' service at Rochester,
he was sent by Mr. Blair to open a branch store
H. L. STEWART.
at Lyons, New York, where he continued in
charge until the fall of 1822.
He now determined to engage in business on
his own account, and, securing the assistance of
his brother, George Stewart, opened a store at
Lockport, New York, where a successful trade
was carried on, they having the benefit of credit
with Mr. Blair and other Rochester merchants.
In 1823 Hart L. Stewart took a sub-contract to
finish the work of Judge Bates on the Erie Canal,
which he completed, with a fair profit, the next
year. These facts indicate that the young man
had developed good business qualifications, which
attracted the favorable notice and assistance of
influential men.
Having now gained a practical experience in
canal construction, he sent his brother, Alanson
C. Stewart, who had become associated with him
in the mean time, to Cleveland, Ohio, in October,
1824, to secure a contract on the Ohio Canal.
Hart I,, had become engaged in the lumber busi-
ness at Niagara, New York, and continued it un-
til November, 1825, being at the same time in-
terested in the Ohio contract which his brother
secured. They next contracted to execute sec-
tions on the western end of the Pennsylvania
Canal, and in November, 1826, took the con-
tract to bore a tunnel for the canal on the Cone-
maugh River. This was finished in 1829, and
was the first tunnel of its kind in the United
States. Among those connected with the canal
enterprise, they were known as the "boy con-
tractors, ' ' the elder brother but twenty-four years
old; but they were credited, and justly, with
superior practical knowledge. They were the
first to introduce the method of securing light by
means of reflecting mirrors placed at the mouths
of the tunnel. Work was prosecuted from both
ends, night and day, and its completion was re-
garded as one of the greatest achievements of the
age, and the subject of this notice was furnished
with some very flattering letters when he left
Pennsylvania.
Having made a considerable profit from his
contracts, he now resolved to invest some of it in
lands, before engaging in further ventures, and
with that end in view, took a trip of exploration
through Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, which oc-
cupied three months. He purchased about one
thousand acres on White Pigeon and Sturgis
Prairies, in St. Joseph County, Michigan.
Another plan which had for some time been
considered was now consummated, and on the
fifth of February, 1829, he was married to Miss
Hannah Blair McKibbiu, of Franklin County,
Pennsylvania. In September of the same year
they set out for their new home in Michigan.
At the end of a six-weeks journey from Pitts-
burgh, they arrived at White Pigeon, November
7, 1829, and here a log cabin was erected. After
making further provisions for a home, young
Stewart went to Detroit and presented to Gov-
ernor Lewis Cass his letters of introduction.
These were from Governor Porter, Senators
Blair and Lacock, Judge William Wilkins and
James S. Stevenson, President of the Canal Board,
of Pennsylvania, all of whom Governor Cass
characterized as his personal friends.
In the spring of 1830 the Governor sent to Mr.
Stewart a commission as Colonel of Militia, and
a year later appointed him one of the commis-
sioners to locate the county seats of St. Joseph
and Cass Counties. At this time, the entire
population of Michigan, including Detroit, the
chief city of the West, numbered but a few thou-
sand whites. Through the influence of Colonel
Stewart, a post route was established by the
Government to supply the few scattered settle-
ments extending from Detroit toward Chicago.
The two Stewart brothers before named were the
'contractors for carrying the mails once in two
weeks, which was accomplished on horseback,
over a region where one hundred tons are now
carried daily. Hart L. Stewart was made Post-
master at Mottville, with the franking privilege,
and his own letters and papers constituted the bulk
of the mail at his office. In 1832 he was appointed
Judge of the County Court by Governor Porter,
and the next year he was commissioned Circuit
Judge, in which capacity he officiated the next
three years.
In 1836 Judge Stewart was elected a member
of the Second Constitutional Convention, which
was called to fix the southern boundary of the
H. L. STEWART.
97
State of Michigan to correspond with the line as
established when Indiana and Ohio were ad-
mitted to the Union. By this convention he was
sent to Washington to secure, if possible, the ad-
mission of the State with boundary as established
by the ordinance ceding the Northwest Territory
to the United States, and including Michigan
City and Maumee City. That he did not suc-
ceed is a matter of history, but the State secured,
in offset, all of what is now known as the North-
ern Peninsula of Michigan. On this mission
Judge Stewart formed the acquaintance of many
of the leading men of the Nation at that time.
On his return home, Judge Stewart found that
the Legislature had chosen him Commissioner of
Internal Improvements, and in this capacity he
took charge of the survey of the St. Joseph River
for slack- water navigation, and also of the Central
Railroad. The latter was partially built by the
State, and then turned over to the Michigan Cen-
tral Railroad Company. In 1838 he received the
commission of Brigadier-General, commanding
the Fourteenth Brigade, Michigan Militia. When
the Indians, under Black Hawk, threatened to kill
or drive out the settlers in northern Illinois and
southern Wisconsin, the Government requested
the Governor of Michigan to send volunteers to
the rescue. General Stewart was ordered by
Governor Porter to raise a regiment as soon as
possible, and this was found an easy task, as
volunteers, from the age of sixteen to sixty, were
numerous. The service lasted about six months,
and Colonel Stewart's regiment included his
brothers, A. C. Stewart, as Commander of a com-
pany; Samuel M. Stewart, as Lieutenant of an-
other; besides two other brothers and his father
as volunteers. The latter was especially valuable
as a drill master, on account of his previous serv-
ice in the War of 1812. He was now sixty years
of age.
In June, 1836, General Stewart attended the
letting of the construction contracts on the Illinois
& Michigan Canal, and contracted for a large
amount of deep-rock work near Lockport. He
had as partners A. S. Stewart, Lorenzo P. Sanger,
James Y. Sanger, and others, who took personal
charge of the work, while he continued in charge
of his personal and official interests in Michigan.
In 1840 the inability of the State to meet its
financial obligations compelled the contractors to
abandon the work, at great loss, and ruin in
many cases. About this time General Stewart
took up his residence in Chicago, and in 1842
he was elected a member of the Legislature, and
was active in securing the acceptance of the for-
eign bondholders' proposition to complete the
canal. None of the contractors had ever received
anything for their losses previous to that time.
While on a trip to Canada to secure workmen for
the canal in 1839, General Stewart was placed
in arrest, under the impression that he was a spy
in the interest of the "Patriot War." Through
the influence of friends, his mission was made
known to the Canadian authorities, and he was
discharged and furnished every facility for carry-
ing out his business. From 1845 to 1849, under
the administration of President Polk, General
Stewart served as Postmaster at Chicago, being
the first presidential appointee in that office.
He now turned his attention to railroad con-
struction, and became interested in some of the
largest contracts ever given in the West to a
single firm. The history of these undertakings
is fully related in this volume in the biography
of James Y. Sanger, who was associated with
General Stewart in this work, and need not be
repeated here. During the progress of their
work, in partnership with several others, they
became proprietors of the Rhode Island Central
Bank, and this, in common with many others,
was wrecked by the financial upheaval of 1857,
though its proprietors were enabled to close up its
affairs honorably and with little loss to them-
selves.
General Stewart became a member of the
Masonic fraternity in 1824, and subsequently
took all the chapter and encampment degrees
and several others. In political sentiment, he was
a Democrat. He was one of the few brave spirits
who stood with Stephen A. Douglas at North
Market Hall, on the evening of September i,
1854, when a mob of political opponents refused
to let the "Little Giant" be heard, and even
threatened him with bodily harm. In religious
9 8
J. H. RICE.
faith, General Stewart was a true "neighbor," a
Presbyterian, and for forty years rarely failed to
listen to Rev. Dr. Patterson's sermons in the
Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago. He
was an able leader, quiet and gentle in his man-
ners, sociable and genial, making his home a
happy place for the frequent reunions of a large
and interesting circle of friends.
On the 1 2th of February, 1849, authority was
granted by the State to five individuals, one of
whom was Hart L. Stewart, to incorporate the
Chicago Gas Light and Coke Company, which
was granted the exclusive right to supply gas to
the city of Chicago for ten years. Before the
close of the next year, the streets of the city and
many private buildings were for the first time
illuminated by gaslight. In 1857 General Stew-
art was Vice-President of the Great Western In-
surance Company, with a capital of half a million
dollars, and office at No. 160 South Water Street.
The Stewart Building, at the northwest corner of
State and Washington Streets (which was torn
down in 1896, to make way for one of Chicago's
famous high office buildings), was the fourth
structure erected by General Stewart on that
spot the first one having been for many years
his family home.
Hannah Blair McKibbin, wife of General
Stewart, was descended from old and honorable
families. Her maternal grandfather, William
Nelson, was a brother of the famous Admiral
Horatio Nelson, the hero of Trafalgar. His wife
was Mary Harvey, and their children were Will-
iam, James and Mary Esther. William Nelson,
senior, died in 1803, at which time his daughter
was about fifteen years old. She married Col.
James McKibbin, of Franklin County, Penn-
sylvania, and their eldest daughter, Hannah B.,
became the wife of General Stewart, as before re-
lated, and the mother of the following children:
Mary Esther, Frances Validia, Amelia Mott,
Catherine E. , Jane, Anna Waldo, Hannah McKib-
bin and Helen Wolcott. The first married Henry
A. Clark in 1850, and both are now deceased,
being survived by a son, Stewart Clark, of Chi-
cago. The second died at St. Louis, Missouri,
while the wife of Watson Matthews, leaving one
child, Fannie V. Matthews. Amelia and Cath-
erine died in childhood. Jane Stewart married
John C. Patterson, and died in 1875, leaving a
son, Stewart Patterson. Hannah McKibbin is
the wife of George Sydney Williams, of Chicago.
The youngest is the wife of Lorenzo M. Johnson,
manager of the Mexican International Railroad.
Mary C. McKibbin, sister of Mrs. Stewart,
married James Y. Sanger, whom she survives,
and is among the most interesting surviving
pioneers of Illinois. She is spoken of by General
Stewart as the "Daughter of the Regiment,"
during the campaign against Black Hawk. She
was then a miss of fourteen years, and ready to
ride on any expedition, carrying dispatches and
otherwise aiding in conveying information.
JAMES H. RICE.
(TAMES HARLOW RICE, one of the oldest
I and most highly respected business men of
(*/ Chicago, passed away at his home on Michi-
gan Avenue, in that city, February 6, 1896.
He was born in Tompkins County, New York,
1830. His parents, Asa and Polly (Reed)
in
Rice, were natives of Massachusetts, and settled
in New York in 1811, shortly after their mar-
riage. Asa Rice was a prosperous farmer, well
known and esteemed for his great moral worth.
Both he and his wife were members of the Meth-
odist Church and active in good works. They
attained a venerable age, the former dying when
eighty years old, and the latter at seventy-five.
E. W. EVANS.
99
Mr. Rice was an "old-line" Whig, and in later
life became a Republican. His nine children
reached mature years, and three came West,
namely, Henry, Columbus T. and James H.
Rice. The first two are now residents of Adair
County, Missouri. Columbus Titus Rice came
with his brother to Chicago in June, 1854, and
proceeded to Missouri four years later, and has
resided there ever since. In early life he was a
carpenter, and worked at that occupation while a
resident of Chicago. On going to Missouri he
engaged in farming, but is now retired from act-
ive life. He was married in New York in 1855
to Miss Catherine Wickoff, who is still his com-
panion on life's journey. They are the parents
of six children, namely: Edward, Flora, Mary,
Elizabeth, Charles, Augusta and James.
James H. Rice was also a carpenter, and very
early after arriving in Chicago began contract-
ing for the erection of buildings. Among the
structures erected by him were the old Tremont
House and the Commercial Hotel. He built the
first structure put up after the fire of 1871, which
was located on Quincy Place. From 1856 to
1878 he was associated in this business with Mr.
Ira Foote, with whom he was acquainted in early
life in New York.
In 1872 he engaged in the plate and window-
glass trade, and built up an extensive and pros-
perous business. This passed into the control of
an incorporated company, known as the James
H. Rice Company, of which he was President.
He also became President of the Stewart Estep
Glass Company, which engaged in the manu-
facture of glass at Marion, Indiana. Both these
institutions were flourishing at the time of his
death. In trade circles for years he had been a
leader, and his counsel had ever been sought and
his sterling qualities of mind and heart thor-
oughly appreciated. Among Mr. Rice's personal
friends was the late Cyrus H. McCormick, for
whom he did much work during his building ca-
reer. He was widely known during the early
days in Chicago, and was esteemed and respected
by all classes of citizens.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Margaret Su-
san Gilliland, a native of Ohio, at that time a
resident of Perry, Iowa. She died February 4,
1896. During the last eighteen years of her life
she had been an invalid. In life they were to-
gether and in death not divided. No children
blessed their union, but his wife was ever to him
his child and care, and his devotion in this rela-
tion was most beautiful. The double funeral
from their late home was conducted by Rev. J. L.
Withrow, a personal friend of Mr. Rice, with
whom he was for some time associated on the
Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Hospital.
He spoke feelingly of the man and woman and
their works, aims and ideas. The remains were
laid away in Oakwoods Cemetery, the active
pallbearers being workmen in the employ of the
James H. Rice Company. By Mr. Rice his em-
ployes were ever considered as his "boys." Some
of these "boys" are men, aged and gray, who
had been in his service for a quarter of a century,
and all of them will miss his kindly, genial
presence.
ENOCH W. EVANS.
JTNOCH WEBSTER EVANS, who for a
|^ score of years ranked as a leading member
L. of the Chicago Bar, was born at Fryeburg,
Maine, in 1817, and died in Chicago, September
2, 1879. He was one of eleven children born to
Capt. William and Anna Evans, further notice
of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume,
in connection with the biography of Dr. Moses
Evans.
Enoch W. Evans received his early education
IOO
JOHN DICKINSON.
at Fiyeburg Academy and Waterville College,
in his native State. Later he went to Dartmouth
College, where he pursued a classical course, and
graduated with the Class of 1838. He then en-
gaged in teaching at Hopkinton, New Hamp-
shire, and simultaneously began to read law in
the office of Judge Chase, a noted jurist of that
State.
In 1840 Mr. Evans came to Chicago, where he
was admitted to the Bar during the same year,
soon after removing to Dixon's Ferry, Illinois,
remaining at that place two or three years.
Thence he went to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where
he practiced his profession until 1858. At that
date he again located in Chicago, and was en-
gaged in general practice in this city up to the
time of his death. During this time he tried
many important cases, which he managed with
marked ability, gaining a numerous and profit-
able clientage.
On the i6th of .September, 1846, Mr. Evans
was married, Miss Caroline Hyde, of Darien,
New York, becoming his wife. Mrs. Evans, who
is a daughter of James Hyde, still survives, at
the venerable age of seventy-four years, making
her home in Chicago. She is the mother of four
living children: William W., a prosperous at-
torney at Chicago; Lewis H., a civil engineer, at
present connected with the track elevation of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway in Chicago;
Carrie, Mrs. William L. Adams, and Mary W.,
the two latter also residents of Chicago.
Mr. Evans was a gentleman of quiet, un-
ostentatious habits, and gave but little heed to
public affairs. He confined his labors and at-
tention almost exclusively to professional sub-
jects, and achieved an enviable standing among
his contemporaries, which justly entitles this
brief record of his life to a place among the annals
of his adopted home.
JOHN DICKINSON.
(JOHN DICKINSON, a highly successful
I operator upon the Chicago Board of Trade,
O residing at Evanston, was born in the his-
toric old town of Deerfield, Massachusetts, No-
vember 21, 1855, and is a son of Philander P.
and Mary A. (Feeney) Dickinson.
The Dickinsons were among the earliest
Colonial families of Massachusetts. Philander
R. Dickinson, the grandfather of the subject of
this notice, was a wholesale and retail shoe
dealer in New York City for many years. He
attained the great age of ninety-eight years, dy-
ing at Springfield- Massachusetts.
Philander P. Dickinson became an extensive
manufacturer of brooms at Springfield, and had
at one time the largest factory in that State. This
establishment was destroyed by fire, inflicting
upon Mr. Dickinson a financial loss which he
was never able wholly to retrieve. In 1860
he removed to Iowa, locating first at Claremont,
and settling later at McGregor. At the latter
point he again engaged in the manufacture of
brooms, and built up a fair business On account
of failing health, he retired from active business
about 1865, and returned to the East. The last
ten years of his life were passed at Norwalk,
Florida, where he died in 1884, at the age of
sixty-nine years. He was a member of the
Baptist Church, and a steadfast Republican.
Mrs. Mary A. Dickinson died at Evanston in
1878, aged forty-nine years. She was born in
New York City, her parents being of Irish de-
scent. Her father was a wholesale shoe mer-
chant in that city. She was a member of the
Baptist Church. Her children are named and
reside as follows: Millie D., Mrs. Julius Ball,
Montague, Massachusetts; Mary J., and Delia,
wife of F. H. Bennett, Chicago; John, Evanston;
Hattie M., Denver, Colorado.
John Dickinson was a small boy when the fam-
BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF.
101
ily came West, and he received his education at
the Evanston High School. He began his busi-
ness career in a furniture store, and established
himself in business as a shoe dealer at Evanston,
with success. In 1879 he sold out and joined the
Chicago Board of Trade, with which he has ever
since been identified. He was among the younger
members of that body, but soon demonstrated
his capability and soundness, and has won the
confidence and esteem of the entire membership.
He handles all kinds of grain and provisions, as
well as stocks and bonds and other paper securi-
ties, on his own account, and has met with al-
most uniform success. His profits have been
largely invested in real estate at Hammond,
Indiana, and in Florida timber lands and orange
groves.
Mr. Dickinson was married, November 25,
1875, to Miss Mary Alice Johnson, daughter of
Anthony Johnson and Catherine (Ganer) John-
son. Mrs. Dickinson was born at Port Jervis,
New York, where her father was connected with .
important railroad interests for some years. Mr.
Dickinson is identified with the First Methodist
Church of Evanston. He is a man of domestic
tastes, and devotes little time to social recreations.
He supports the Republican party, whose policy
he believes to be in the interest of good govern-
ment and the commercial prosperity of the
country.
In 1889 he built an elegant residence at the
northwest corner of Asbury Avenue and Church
Street, Evanston, which is surrounded by one of
the handsomest and best-kept lawns in Cook
County. In short, the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Dickinson, throughout its exterior and interior
appointments, bespeaks the refined tastes and
cultivated instincts by means of which, only,
such an establishment can be designed and main-
tained.
BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF.
BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF, one of the found-
ers of Lake View, whose identity is rapidly
becoming lost in the vast city of Chicago, is
still a resident of that former suburb, and affords
an excellent type of the pioneers of the metrop-
olis of the West. He was born in Ernesttown,
Lennox County, Ontario, July 19, 1812. His
ancestors were English, and were very loyal
subjects of the British crown. The first one in
the American colonies settled in Massachusetts,
whence Lemuel Shurtleff, grandfather of the
subject of this notice, removed to Canada at the
beginning of the American Revolution. He
settled in Ernesttown, Lennox County, Ontario,
where he engaged in farming, reared a large
family, and reached a good old age. He had
three sons, Seldon, Jacob and Gideon.
The last-named passed his life in Canada,
exceeding the age of eighty years, and was a
farmer. He was a quiet, faithful Christian,
devoted to the Methodist Church, and the welfare
of his fellow-men was dear to his heart. His
wife, Mary Ward, probably of Irish descent, was a
tender and true wife and mother, and, like himself,
a faithful member of the Methodist Church. She
died at the age of sixty-two years. Of their
twelve children, eleven grew to maturity, and
three of the sons became residents of the United
States. Their names were Samuel, Jacob, Gid-
eon, Lemuel, Benjamin, Miles, John, Polly, Amy,
Lydia and Amanda. Lemuel was an able me-
chanic, and built some of the large iron mills at
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at which place he died.
Miles was admitted to the Bar in New York, and
became interested in the manufacture of iron at
Rochester, New York, for many years.
Benjamin Shurtleff passed the first eighteen
years of his life on the home farm, receiving such
intellectual training as was afforded by the dis-
trict schools and good home surroundings. At
IO2
BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF.
the age of eighteen years he began learning the
joiner's trade, of which he became master. In
1837 he joined his brother in Pittsburgh, Penn-
sylvania, and was associated with him in erecting
large manufacturing plants there. Among these
may be mentioned the immense iron mills of
Spang, Chalfant & Company at ^Etna, and
the rolling mills of Louis Dalzell & Company
at Sharpsburgh, another suburb of Pittsburgh.
Among his fellow-workmen was Mr. C. K. Gar-
rison, since one of the most successful business
men and capitalists of that city, who was regarded
by Mr. Shurtleff as one of the brightest business
men he ever met. Twelve years of industrious
application there gave Mr. Shurtleff a small cap-
ital, which he resolved to invest in a newer place,
and he set out for Chicago.
Arriving here in 1851, he immediately made
investments in real property, which his foresight
told him was sure to appreciate greatly in value.
He secured twenty acres in Lake View Town-
ship, beside three twenty-acre tracts in section
33, town 39 north, range 14, most of which has
been subdivided and sold off. Shurtleff s Addi-
tion was one of the most valuable and well-known
subdivisions on the old maps, and he now has
valuable property on the South Side of the city.
His present possessions include about ten acres
of the most valuable land in the city, including
many improved lots in the vicinity of his home,
on Oakdale Avenue. In 1870 he built six sub-
stantial houses on the corner of Fremont and Oak-
dale Avenues, which were beyond the ravages
of the great fire of the next year and became
immediately profitable.
May 5, 1853, at Sharpsburgh, Pennsylvania,
Mr. Shurtleff was married to Miss Lucinda J.
Sewell, daughter of James H. Sewell, an old
resident of Pittsburgh. Judge James Sewell, a
well-known character of that city, was a brother
of Mrs. Shurtleff. Mrs. Shurtleff was born in
Baltimore, Maryland, and died January 10, 1856,
in the prime of young womanhood, being but
twenty-seven years old at the time of her death.
She left a daughter, Lucy J., who was reared by
her aunt, Mrs. J. B. Roberts, well known in Pitts-
burgh, Pennsylvania, society. She was educated
at Ferry Hall Seminary, at Lake Forest, Illinois,
and Hellmuth College, London, Canada, and is
now the wife of Bruce M. Myers, of Chicago.
Subsequently, at Chicago, Mr. Shurtleff married
Mrs. Margaret A. Buker, who was born Sep-
tember 2, 1837, at Greenwood, Maine. She was
a daughter of Capt. Isaac P. Furlong, who was
a native of Maine, and commanded a company
in the War of 1812. His father took up the
first claim in the town of Greenwood, Oxford
County, Maine. Mrs. Shurtleff was a genial
companion to Mr. Shurtleff in every sense of the
word, and also a good business manager. She
was a woman possessed of more than ordinary
native ability, and esteemed for many good qual-
ities of head and heart. She passed away July
7, 1894, leaving two sons by her first marriage.
Harry Leslie Buker, who was educated principally
at the Schattuck Military School, Faribault,
Minnesota, is well known in musical circles in
Chicago, and was associated twelve years with
the Slayton Lyceum Bureau of that city. The
other son, William F. Buker, is an actor by pro-
fession and a resident of New York City.
Mr. Shurtleff was among the early members of
the old Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Church of
Chicago, and has been a stanch supporter of the
political principles of the Republican party all his
life. In 1844 he voted for Henry Clay for Presi-
dent of the United States, and he was among the
promoters and organizers of the Republican party,
voting for Fremont in 1856. His has been a
quiet life of industry and attention to his private
affairs, with no seeking after public honors. He
has ever given of his time, influence and means
toward the promotion of any movement calculated
to further the general welfare, and his example
is commended to the careful attention of every
youth who hopes to make something of himself
in the business, social or moral world. His suc-
cess has not been the result of accident, but has
been built up by shrewd calculation, and the
prudent use of means acquired by the practice of
habits of industry and right living. He refused
his share of his father's estate, preferring it
should go to his sisters.
,. .-
. r. &. Co. Chicago. Phot
D. B. FONDA.
103
DAVID B. FONDA, M. D.
0AVID BARTHOLOMEW FONDA, M. D.,
is a representative of an old and prominent
Empire State family which settled in and
named the county-seat of Montgomery County,
New York. His grandfather, John Fonda, was
a native of Holland, and settled at a place called
Bogt, in Albany County, New York, where he
owned an estate comprising several thousand
acres. His only son, Henry Fonda, was born
there and inherited this estate. Most of his life
was passed at Watervliet, New York, where he
died at the age of sixty-six years, in June, 1841.
His wife, Rebecca Hall, was born at Mayfield,
Fulton County, New York, and died in August,
1840, at the age of fifty-six years. Henry Fonda
was somewhat active in political affairs, though
he never sought or accepted office for himself.
David B. Fonda was born November 6, 1834,
in Watervliet, Albany County, New York, where
he remained until he reached the age of sixteen
years. In his native township, at a place called
Elisha's Kill, he received his primary education,
completing the course of the upper school before
he was sixteen years old.
He was then appointed principal of the Second
District School of the Third Ward of Schenectady,
New York, where he taught one year. His first
teacher's certificate was granted by Jonathan
Pearson, professor of languages in Union Col-
lege, at Schenectady, and superintendent of the
public schools of that city. The scene of his
labors for the next four years was a place called
Lowell's Corners, where he taught in the joint
district embracing portions of the towns of Cherry
Valley and Seward, in the Counties of Schoharie
and Otsego. While teaching here he pursued a
private course in moral and mental philosophy,
and the Greek and Latin languages, under the
tutelage of Franklin Pierce, a cousin of the Presi-
dent who bore the same name. At the end of
this time he was prepared for matriculation at
Hartwick College, a Lutheran Theological institu-
tion.
It is evident from the progress made up to this
time that Mr. Fonda was a close student. By the
time he attained his majority he had occupied a
responsible position as teacher for a period of five
years. The hard work involved in these labors,
coupled with the diligent pursuit of his studies
preparatory to further advancement, made deep
inroads upon his physical strength, and a connec-
tion which he formed at this time changed his
plans and the entire course of his life. March 22,
1855, he was married to Miss Clarinda Lowell, a
descendant of the famous New England family of
that name, who was born at Lowell's Corners.
She was a daughter of Nyram Lowell.
In 1855, with his bride, Mr. Fonda removed to
Chicago. Having a relative who was in the
service of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad,
he sought and secured employment as a brake-
man on this line for the sake of the outdoor
labor, and at the end of fourteen months spent in
this capacity, he found his health fully restored.
104
D. B. FONDA.
He then accepted a position as teacher at Rose-
hill, and began the pursuit of a medical course at
Rush Medical College. He attended lectures at
this institution during the two years beginning in
1859 and ending in 1861.
Early in 1862 he enlisted as a private soldier,
in Company C, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry known as the Railroad Regiment, being
composed entirely of railroad men. By the time
the regiment was mustered he was promoted to
Orderly Sergeant, and continued in service
through Kentucky with the Army of the Cumber-
land until the battle of Perryville. After this
engagement he was sent with a detail to escort an
ambulance train to Bardstown, Kentucky. On
his arrival there he found that he had been ap-
pointed chief steward of the hospitals at that point.
He continued there until the latter part of 1863,
and became secretary of the medical corps, which
embraced eight army surgeons. When he entered
the army his weight was one hundred forty-
five pounds, but during his service it was re-
duced to ninety-four pounds, and through the
recommendation of the surgeons he was honorably
discharged on account of disability, although he
had never as yet asked for a release from duty.
On his return to Chicago he was prostrated by
a severe illness, which continued for a period of
three months.
Recovering his health, he again entered Rush
Medical College in 1864, and two years later com-
pleted the coarse. He subsequently entered
Bennett Medical College, from which he received
a diploma in 1878. In 1866 he began thepracticc
of medicine at Jefferson Park, and has continued
to reside there ever since. In 1867, without any
solicitation on his part, he was elected by the
County Board to the post of County Physician and
superintendent of the insane paupers sustained by
the county. Through his vigorous protest
against the mixture of insane with the other
wards of the county, the board was induced to
appropriate money for a building to be devoted
exclusively to the care of the insane. This was
begun in 1868, and on the first day of the year
1871 Dr. Fonda installed the patients in his charge
in their new quarters. At the end of four years'
service he retired and resumed his private practice
at Jefferson, in which he has since continued with
the ever-increasing confidence and respect of the
community.
Dr. Fonda has been somewhat active in the
conduct of local affairs, and the promotion of the
common welfare. In 1874 he was elected a mem-
ber of the village board of Jefferson, of which
body he was immediately made president and
continued four consecutive years in this position.
He was for many years health officer of the vil-
lage, which was co-extensive with the town of
Jefferson, until it was merged in the city of Chi-
cago, and was again a member of the village
board from 1884 until 1886. During the first
year of this service he was president of the board,
but refused that office during the second year, in
order that he might be active on the floor in the
discussion of many important movements then
pending. For many years he was County Phy-
sician in charge of the medical relief of the poor
outside of public institutions. In 1889, when
Jefferson was annexed to the city of Chicago, Dr.
Fonda was elected one of the first aldermen from
the twenty-seventh ward, and in the following
April he was re-elected and served two years.
In political matters he has always acted with the
Republican party, having allied himself with it
in 1856, and although he has sometimes voted
for individuals not on his party ticket, he has
ever remained true to its principles. In recent
years he has made numerous addresses on political
and economic subjects, which have been received
with much applause.
Dr. Fonda is still a member in good standing of
the Lutheran Church at Gardnersville, New York.
On a visit to the scenes of his early life, made in
the fall of 1897, he attended worship at this place,
where he met but one person that he had previ-
ously known. After an absence of forty years
this visit to his childhood home, although a very
pleasant one on the whole, was much saddened
by the absence of familiar faces. In the midst of
family connections numbering thousands, he was
still among strangers.
Dr. Fonda was for many years connected with
Hesperia Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted
L. J. HALSEV.
105
Masons, of Chicago, and was a charter member
of the first Masonic Lodge in Jefferson. He is
now connected with Wylie M. Egan Lodge,
Washington Chapter, Siloam Council, St. Ber-
nard Commandery, and Medinah Temple, of the
Mystic Shrine. He was for many years con-
nected with Home Lodge No. 416, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Chicago, and is a mem-
ber of George H. Thomas Post No. 5, Grand
Army of the Republic. He is Grand Medical
Examiner of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid
of the State of Illinois.
Mrs. Fonda passed away in 1890, at the age of
fifty-five years, leaving one child, Carrie Azubah,
who resides with her father. Dr. Fonda is yet in
possession of sound health, and a vigorous intel-
lect, and has many years of usefulness both as a
citizen and physician before him.
REV. LEROY J. HALSEY.
REV. LEROY JONES HALSEY, D. D.,
LL. D. On the 28th day of January, A.
D. 1812, Leroy Jones Halsey*was born in
Cartersville, Goochland County, Virginia, on the
banks of the James River, twelve miles from
Richmond, the first-born son of John and Lucy
(Tiller) Halsey. His paternal ancestry is traced
back through the Virginia and North Carolina
settlements to a New England stock of the date
of 1640. He was acquainted with the hardship
of straitened circumstances in his early childhood.
When he was less than five years old his father
met with reverses by too generously becoming
liable for another man's debt. It deprived him
of his business and his home, and forced his emi-
gration to the far southwest to begin life anew.
He located at Huntsville, Alabama.
Leroy was always of a studious habit. He ac-
quired the rudiments of knowledge at home, and
from the few books and periodicals available he
had gained much information before he went to
school. At school learning was a pleasure to
him. Study was a delight, and this love of ap-
plication and research so early manifested was
characteristic of his entire collegiate and theo-
logical course, and remained with him through
life. The days spent in the classic shades of the
old Green Academy at Huntsville were among
the happiest of his youth.
At the age of nineteen he left his home in
Huntsville to enter the University of Nashville,
at Nashville, Tennessee, where he was matricu-
lated in the autumn of 1831, and entered the
junior class. His education had been begun and
was prosecuted from first to last with the ministry
of the Gospel definitely in view.
In the summer of 1834 he was graduated, and
after a visit to his home he returned to Nashville
and taught a select school for a year, from the
proceeds of which he repaid his college debt, and
then accepted the position of tutor in the college.
At the same time, in November, 1835, he placed
himself under the care of the Presbytery of Nash-
ville as a candidate for the Gospel ministry.
Having served as tutor for a year he accepted the
appointment of substitute professor of languages
in place of a professor who was to be absent
for a year.
These three years succeeding graduation, one
spent in private teaching, and two in college
work, were beneficial in fixing and testing scholar-
ship, and also from a financial point of view.
They enabled him to discharge his debt and to
accumulate a fund sufficient to defray the expense
of a theological course.
Retiring from these pleasing associations in the
summer of 1837, after a brief visit to his home
he journeyed eastward by stage coach and steam-
io6
. J. HALSEY.
boat until, at Frederick, Md., he had his first
view of a railway train, and thence through Bal-
timore and Philadelphia, his first experience of
railway travel, as far as Trenton, N. J. On the
gth day of November he entered the Theological
Seminary of Princeton.
On the 2gth day of September, 1840, the semi-
nary life of Dr. Halsey ended with his gradua-
tion. He had been licensed by the Presbytery of
New Brunswick on the sth day of August pre-
ceding. He immediately began his journey to
the West, stopping in Philadelphia to preach in
several of the churches there and to receive his
commission from the Board of Missions assign-
ing him to missionary labor in the bounds of the
Presbytery of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
This work continued for more than two years,
when its widely known success and the growing
reputation of Dr. Halsey brought such urgent
calls to wider fields that he was constrained to
give them heed. The one which proved the
most attractive was the one which showed the
greatest need. A recently organized congrega-
tion in the city of Jackson, the capital of Missis-
sippi, was seeking for consecrated leadership and
preaching power. They were without a house
of worship, with little numerical or financial
strength, but with united and zealous purpose
and with a growing and influential community
around, in crying need of Gospel privileges and
influence and work. He accepted their call, and
removing to Jackson, was ordained by the Pres-
bytery of Mississippi and installed pastor on the
aistday of March, 1843.
A commodious house of worship was soon
provided. The congregation grew and the work
enlarged. This prosperous work continued for
five years. During this pastorate, on the 24th
day of April, 1844, he was married to Caroline
Augusta Anderson, of Pendleton, South Carolina,
a granddaughter of Gen. Robert Anderson of
Revolutionao' fame.
His well-known success in Jackson led to his
being called to undertake a similar work in Lou-
isville, Kentucky, where a small colony of Presby-
terians desired him to lead them in the work of
founding and establishing a church. Satisfied of
the importance of the enterprise, and undismayed
by its prospective difficulties, he accepted their
call and entered upon the work in the autumn
of 1848.
The church grew rapidly under his ministry.
A comfortable house of worship was speedily pro-
vided, and very soon the congregation, in point
of numbers and ability and efficiency, took rank
with the older churches of the city.
Here he conducted a happy, useful and success-
ful pastorate for ten years, in connection with the
Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church, the same
organization that, in a different locality, is still ac-
tive, strong and prosperous, under the name and
title of the Warren Memorial Church.
In 1859 he was appointed by the General As-
sembly to the Chair of Ecclesiology, Sacred
Rhetoric and Pastoral Theology in the Presby-
terian Theological Seminary of the Northwest,
which the same assembly located at Chicago, on
the basis of an endowment of one hundred thou-
sand dollars donated by the late Cyrus H. Mc-
Cormick, of this city. The institution is now
known as McCormick Theological Seminary.
He entered upon his work in Chicago in the
autumn of that year. The city then contained a
population of barely one hundred thousand. The
seminary was domiciled at first in a rented build-
ing at Clark and Harrison Streets. Two years
later it found temporary quarters in the base-
ment of the North Presbyterian Church at Cass
and Indiana Streets. The present location, at
North Halsted Street and Fullerton Avenue, was
first occupied for seminary purposes in the winter
of 1863 and 1864.
Dr. Halsey continued his active labors in the
seminary for thirty-three years, terminating
them only in 1892, when he was eighty years old.
In addition to the labors of the pastorate and
of the professor's chair he was a faithful and in-
fluential helper in the councils of the church; he
responded to invitations for addresses on public
occasions, and was a frequent contributor to the
columns of the press. In 1858 he published his
first book, "The Literary Attractions of the
Bible," a work of classic merit, which holds and
will continue to hold an assured place among the
L. J. HALSEY.
107
preserved gems of English and American litera-
ture.
After Dr. Halsey came to Chicago his voice
and pen occupied a wider sphere than that of the
seminary alone. He preached often and in many
pulpits all over the land and always with great
acceptance. In 1860 he issued "Life Pictures
from the Bible, ' ' a work that has held, and will
always hold with those who possess it, an eminent
place among the delineations of Bible character.
In 1 86 1 appeared "The Beauty of Immanuel,"
an exposition of the life, character, person, work,
offices and glory of the Christ whom he loved
and adored, a work most stimulating to piety and
helpful to devotion.
In 1866 he published, in three large volumes,
through the Lippincott press, the "Life and
Works of Philip Lindsley, D. D.," a labor of
love, preserving to posterity the literary produc-
tions of one of the most accomplished educators
of his day. In 1871 appeared from his pen "The
Memoir of Lewis W. Green, D. D.," and in 1881
a volume entitled "Living Christianity," a brief,
clear and strong presentation of the fundamentals
of Christian faith and the essentials of Chris-
tian duty.
About this time he became Professor Emeritus
and continued to give regular instruction in
the matters of church government and the sacra-
ments. His pen was by no means idle, for in
1884 he published a very instructive and edifying
book on "Scotland's Influence on Civilization,"
and in 1893 there came from his pen the work
into which he had poured the affections of his
heart and the accumulated events and emotions
of thirty years, "The History of the McCormick
Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian
Church," an octavo volume of five hundred
pages.
Dr. Halsey lived to be eighty-four years old,
dying June 18, 1896.
One of the large privileges of human life is to
dwell in immediate touch with great and good
men. The verj- presence, the example, and the
teachings of such men, tend to form the character,
to guide the thinking, to elevate the taste and to
direct the activities of whole communities. Be-
neath their kindly but potent influence, society
is rounded out into fairer proportions, the pur-
pose to accomplish noble ends becomes more de-
cisive, sympathy expands and deepens, and life
is found, more and more, to be truly worth the
living. One of the noblest of this high class was
the subject of this sketch.
For thirty-seven years Dr. Halsey lived in
Chicago. He entered on his work in that city
in the zenith of his powers. Long and painstak-
ing education had fitted him to exercise with
commanding ability the sacred office to which he
had been chosen. He had reached first rank as
a preacher and pastor before he entered on the re-
sponsible task of training young men for the
ministry, and he came to this new work ripe in
learning, mature in piety, skilled in administra-
tion, familiar with the best methods of profes-
sional education, intimately acquainted with the
foremost churchmen of the period, ardent in the
cause of a world- wide evangelization, embalmed
in the confidence of the influential communion,
which he represented, and in every way well
fitted to advance the important enterprise to which
he stood committed.
At the time of his entrance to Chicago Dr.
Halsey was called to lay the foundations upon
which varied structures should be raised. Society
was hardly formed, and his influence was felt in
directing it along lines of Christian refinement.
There was but one Presbyterian Church on the
North Side, and that near the heart of the city.
He early helped plant another and then others
as the years went by.
McCormick Theological Seminary was but just
opened in Chicago. Its maintenance and develop-
ment and permanent establishment had yet to be
provided for.
Few men have ever been called to so large and
so varied a work in so important a center and at
such an epoch-making period. For this impos-
ing undertaking he had the equipment requisite,
whether we consider it on the side of a large and
unhesitating faith in the sublime truths which he
came to teach and defend, or in the steady cour-
age for the day of small things to be fostered in a
period of unrest and conflict or of conspicuous
io8
THOMAS GOODE.
talents fitted to meet the diversified calls arising
from the extensive task or of sublime patience
in the midst of the fluctuations and discourage-
ments incident to the sure establishment of a
young institution in the center of a comoaratively
new section of our great country.
In the prosecution of these wide ranging labors
Dr. Halsey laid his formative hand on a larger
number of men than any other theological teacher
of the Presbyterian Church in the West. His
early colleagues soon passed on one in less than
two years, to his heavenly home the others to
important fields elsewhere.
Dr. Halsey remained undaunted at his post in
sunshine and in storm, when rude war rolled un-
checked over the land, when peace once more
settled on a still united nation. Under all the
changes of an eventful period he stood fast, the
one commanding figure in the changing scene,
around whose person the destinies of the institu-
tion revolved, and in whose lone hand its inter-
ests often reposed. And ere yet unseen hands
with gentle touch closed his eyes to earthly sight,
to be re-opened so soon amid the splendors of
mediatorial glory he had witnessed the triumphs
of the cause to which he had devoted so many
years of his life, in the establishment of a semi-
nary of sacred learning, equal in its equipments to
any in the land, and full to overflowing with in-
genuous youth in preparation for the noble work
of preaching the Gospel in every tongue and to
every land under the sun.
THOMAS GOODE.
'HOMAS GOODE, one of Chicago's most
worthy pioneers, now living in rest and re-
tirement on Racine Avenue, was born
April 18, 1816, in the Parish of Enfield, in Mid-
dlesex, near London, England. He is a son of
Thomas and Maria (Head) Goode, the former a
native of Warwickshire, and the latter of Middle?
sex, England.
Thomas Goode, senior, was an orphan from the
time he was a small boy, and was sent to London,
where his eldest brother lived, and where he
learned the trade of baker, at which he worked
for many years. He had seven children that
grew to maturity, three of whom came to America
with their parents. John and Thomas came in
1845, sailing from London, and upon arriving in
New York, they went to Albany by boat, and
from there proceeded to Buffalo by the canal.
From Buffalo they came to Chicago by the old
steamer "Madison."
In 1859 Thomas Goode visited England, and
when he returned to America his parents accom-
panied him, spending their last years in Chicago.
The father died in 1870, his wife having preceded
him by three years. Edward, a younger brother,
came to the United States about 1864, and still
resides in this city, and John Goode makes his
home in Florida.
Thomas Goode received only an ordinary educa-
tion in the schools of his native land, which were
then much poorer than now, and was early em-
ployed in a greenhouse, in the cultivation of
flowers and plants.
In 1840 Mr. Goode married Miss Ellen Colpus,
and their first three children were born in Eng-
land. Soon after coming to Chicago he bought
property on the West Side, in Carpenter's Ad-
dition, and later, bought twelve acres in North
Chicago, afterwards Lake View. Here he raised
vegetables extensively for the city market, and
through his prudence and industry, and the great
growth of the city, became wealthy. He sold
G. N. POWELL.
109
some of his land to a railroad company, and the
remainder mostly in lots. He retired from active
business about ten years ago. Mr. Goode is an
ardent Republican, but has never been willing to
accept any public office himself. He is an ad-
herent of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Goode has been married twice. By his
first wife he had six children, two of whom died
in infancy. Those of his children living are:
Edwin Peto; Jane, wife of John M. Gibson; La-
vinia and Rowland T. The mother of this family
died about 1879. In 1891 Mr. Goode married
Miss Margaret M. Gubbins, a native of the city
of Chicago.
Mr. Goode has lived many years in his present
location, and has many friends. He is one of the
oldest and most highly respected citizens of this
part of the city, where, during his long residence,
he has proven his sterling qualities of mind and
heart.
GEORGE N. POWELL.
0EORGE NELSON POWELL, one of Chi-
bcago's pioneers, came to the West in 1833.
He was descended from English and Welsh
ancestry, and his lineage has been traced back to
Thomas Powell, who was born in August, 1641
(probably in Wales), and died at Westbury,
Long Island, December 28, 1721. A descendant
of his in the fourth generation, Obadiah Powell,
was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
Obadiah Powell died in Saratoga County, New
York, at the age of nearly one hundred years.
Some time previous to the Revolutionary War he
removed thither from Dutchess County, in the
same state, with his wife Betsy, taking all their
belongings on the back of a pony. Like his
Quaker ancestry, he was opposed to war, and
was much censured during the Revolutionary
struggle because of his non-combatant position,
and most of his personal property was confiscated.
He was steadfast in his convictions, however, and
lived to be one of the leading farmers in the com-
munity. At the age of ninety-eight years he
husked several baskets of corn, which he carried
on his shoulder to the loft of his carriage-house.
He was the father of three sons and eight daugh-
ters, all of whom lived to extreme old age, and
his house was the favorite gathering-place of his
descendants. His son, Frost Powell, lived until
1840 in Dutchess County, New York, where he
married Katharine Nelson, who was of Dutch
descent. In 1840 he removed to Waterford, Ra-
cine County, Wisconsin, where he died a few
years later.
His son, George N. Powell, whose name heads
this article, was born August 13, 1807, in Dutchess
County, New York. He received the best edu-
cation that the locality afforded at that time, and
early in life became a general contractor. Being
convinced that the West offered great business
opportunities, he removed in 1833 to Chicago.
Here he rented a tract of land from Archibald Cly-
bourn, and engaged in farming and gardening. In
1836 he located in what was afterwards known as
Jefferson Township, making claim to the north-
east quarter of section thirty- six, which he pur-
chased at the land sale of 1838. He at once com-
menced the improvement of a farm on this land,
which was then in a state of nature, and for sev-
no
G. N. POWELL.
eral years kept a public house for the entertain-
ment of travelers. While still in the prime of
life, and apparently having many years of active
usefulness before him, he was stricken with
cholera and died August 18, 1850. Besides being
a careful and successful business man he was ever
active as a citizen and took a great interest in pub-
lic affairs, affiliating in politics with the Dem-
ocratic party.
March 22, 1835, Mr. Powell married Miss Ara-
mesia Harmon, who was born in Montgomery
County, Virginia, February 27, 1820. Her par-
ents, Henry Harmon and Mary Ann Horn-
barger, were natives of that state, and the chil-
dren of Revolutionary soldiers. Henry Harmon
enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812, but peace
was declared before his services were called for.
He died October 29, 1829, and his widow mar-
ried Jacob Miller. In 1832 this couple came to
Chicago, where Mr. Miller worked as a carpen-
ter. In 1849 he made the overland journey to
California, and died there in the fall of that year.
His widow died December 27, 1876, in Minne-
sota. The family arrived in Chicago at the time
of the Black Hawk War, and took refuge in Fort
Dearborn. The daughter, Aramesia, was but
twelve years of age at that time, and received her
education and grew to womanhood in the pioneer
settlement. She has been an observant witness
of the marvelous growth of Chicago from a mere
hamlet of log huts to the second city in the land.
George N. and Aramesia Powell were the par-
ents of six children, the first of whom, George
W., died in childhood. John Frost, the second,
is a prominent citizen of Waukegan, Illinois,
where for some years he was largely engaged in
manufacturing. He is especially active and in-
fluential in the municipal affairs of that city, where
he served many years as alderman, and was
Mayor three terms. He is largely interested in
Chicago property. William H., the third son,
was a dealer in real estate in Chicago from 1870
until his death, in August, 1896. He married
Elizabeth J. Ritchie, who bore him a son, George
H. Powell, now engaged in the real-estate bus-
iness in Chicago. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Powell died
in 1886.
Daniel N. and Mary C., the fourth and sixth,
are deceased. A sketch of the fifth, Perry P.,
appears below. In 1862 Mrs. Powell married
Theodore Mismer, a native of Strasburg, which
was at the time of his birth, in France, but now
belongs to Germany. They have one daughter,
Clara, now the wife of Fred C. Irwih, of Chicago.
Perry Polk Powell, the youngest son of George
N. and Aramesia Powell, was born January n,
1845. He remained at home assisting in the
cultivation of the farm and attending the district
school until he reached the age of seventeen
years. At that time the Civil War was stirring
the martial spirit of every patriotic American,
and young Powell was no exception to the rule.
Though still very young, he enlisted, July 6,
1862, in Battery A, First Illinois Light Artillery.
In the fall of that year he took part in theVicks-
burg Campaign under General Sherman, and
celebrated his eighteenth birthday by participat-
ing in the Battle of Arkansas Post. On account
of sickness he was discharged August 7, 1863, but
on his recovery re-enlisted in Battery G of the
First Illinois Light Artillery, and was discharged
at the close of the war at Memphis, Tennessee.
After farming for one year in Cook County,
Mr. Powell removed to Blairstown, Iowa, where
he carried on a general store for about two years.
He then returned to Cook County, and has since
followed farming and gardening. In 1870 he
also engaged in the real-estate business, in which
he has been very successful. He has given his
hearty support to the Republican party and was
a member of the first board of trustees of Jeffer-
son after its organization as a village. He was
initiated into Masonry in July, 1867, in Lincoln
Lodge No. 199, at Blairstown, Iowa. He is a
member of Winfield Chapter No. 42, Royal Arch
Masons, and is Past Commander of Winfield Com-
mandery No. 15, Knights Templar, both of Win-
field, Kansas. He is also a member of Siberd
Post No. 58, Grand Army of the Republic, De-
partment of Kansas. Mr. Powell was married
January 10, 1872, to Miss Mary E., daughter of
Thomas and Christie McGregor. Three children
have blessed this union, named in order of birth,
Maud, Frank and Ethel.
C. B. DUPEE.
CHARLES B. DUPEE.
EHARLES BILLINGS DUPEE. Among
the business men who helped to promote
the growth of Chicago, both materially and
morally, the subject of thirf sketch should receive
honorable mention. His ancestors were the de-
voted French Huguenots, whose love of liberty
and freedom of religious thought induced them to
leave old France and settle in the New World.
James, grandfather of Charles B. Dupee, was born
in Walpole, Massachusetts. He was among the
most progressive of the citizens of the old Bay
State. (See sketch of H. M. Dupee for com-
plete genealogy. )
Their son, Cyrus Dupee, was also born in Wal-
pole, and learned the mercantile business in Bos-
ton. For a long period he was engaged in the
wholesale provision trade in Brighton, Massachu-
setts. He was married at Brighton (now Alls-
ton), Massachusetts, to Miss Elizabeth English,
of that place. He died there in 1841, leaving
eight children. Three of his sons, Charles B.,
Cyrus and Horace Dupee, became prominent bus-
iness men of Chicago, where the last two are still
engaged in active life. He was a man of sterling
character, devoted to his family and diligent in
business. The family has for many generations
been noted in mercantile business, and has al-
ways maintained a high reputation for integrity.
Charles B. Dupee was born in Brighton, Mass-
achusetts, May 12, 1823. His first business under-
taking was in the meat and ice trade at Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, in which he was moderately suc-
cessful. In 1854 he became a resident of Chicago,
establishing himself here in June of that year
his family, which at that time consisted of a wife
and two children, following in September. He
continued in the meat business in Chicago, and
after a time began putting up hams by a process
of his own, which secured for him an excellent
reputation and trade, and he grew prosperous and
extended the business by adding the wholesale
provision trade. He exercised great care in the
preparation of his goods, which he insisted on
giving his personal inspection, and the result was
an ever-increasing trade and a high reputation
for his wares, which continued to be popular on
the market long after his demise. He was in-
dustrious and economical, and his painstaking
care provided him a handsome competence. For
many years he carried on a large trade in supplies
for the United States Government.
Among his brother merchants, Mr. Dupee was
known for his unswerving fidelity to those prin-
ciples of true manhood that lift a man high above
the rank of ordinary men and make for him a
name in commercial centers that will forever be
worthy of remembrance and emulation. He was
a shrewd, far-seeing business man, and his advice,
often sought by friends, was safe and reliable.
For about twenty years he was a resident of
Hyde Park, and was highly esteemed by the res-
idents of that suburb for his many noble qualities.
He was identified with the Republican party, but
was never connected with any office or political
work, and was in every way a model citizen, and,
above all, an honest man the noblest work of
God.
After retiring from business, Mr. Dupee made
good investment in real estate, and the rapid ap-
preciation in value of his holdings added mate-
112
J. A. PEARSONS.
rially to his resources, so that his declining years
were passed in the enjoyment of the competence
which his long years of industry had earned. He
passed away at his home in Chicago August 12,
1887, and his last words were: "I have been an
honest man." He left the impress of his strong
character upon the business world of Chicago, and
a good name that will be ever cherished by his
family.
On the yth of April, 1847, at Boston, Massachu-
setts, Charles B. Dupee was married to Miss Em-
meline, daughter of Seth and Louise (Miles)
Wellington, old and respected residents of Bos-
ton. The Wellingtons were among the noted pio-
neers of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Mrs. Dupee's ancestor, Roger Wellington, mar-
ried Miss Foster, a daughter of Dr. Foster, who
was the first settled physician in Charlestown,
Massachusetts. The Wellington monument,
standing in the Watertown (Massachusetts) cem-
etery, was erected over two hundred years ago.
Three children came to bless the home of Charles
B. and Mrs. Dupee. Their names are, Charles
Frederick, Elizabeth A. and Emma M. The sec-
ond is now deceased, and the last is the wife of
Reuben D. Coy, of Chicago. Her only child is
a daughter, named Margaret Wellington Coy.
Charles F. Dupee came with his parents to Chi-
cago in 1854. His father admitted him to part-
nership in his growing business in order to have
his aid in its conduct. Since the business was
closed out he has given his attention to the care
of his large property interests. He has two
children, Elizabeth S. and Charles Edward Du-
pee.
In 1890 Mrs. Emmeline Dupee built one of the
handsomest residences in Glencoe, Illinois, where
her family now resides.
JOHN A. PEARSONS.
(JOHN ALONZO PEARSONS, an early set-
I tier of Evanston, was born in Bradford, Ver-
Q) mont, September 8, 1818. He is a son of
John Pearsons and Hannah Putnam, natives, re-
spectively, of Lyndeborough and Francestown,
New Hampshire. John Pearsons was a promi-
nent farmer and lumberman of Bradford, where
he located at the age of twelve years. For some
years he also kept a hotel there, known as the
Mann House. He was a soldier of the War of
1812, serving throughout that struggle. His
death occurred in Bradford, October 7, 1857, at
the age of sixty-five years. His mother, whose
maiden name was Elizabeth Kimball, also died
there at an extreme old age.
Mrs. Hannah Pearsons died at Holyoke, Mass-
achusetts, in 1888, at the age of ninety-one
years. She was a daughter of John Putnam, a
Revolutionary soldier, and a relative of Gen.
Israel Putnam. John Putnam served seven years
in the Continental army, and was at one time a
member of General Washington's Life Guard.
He afterward became an Adjutant of Vermont
militia, and, with two of his sons, participated in
J. A. PEARSONS.
the War of 1812. In later life he was a car-
penter and bridge-builder at Bradford. His wife,
Olive Barren, lived to the age of ninety-three
years.
John A. Pearsons spent his boyhood in Brad-
ford, where he attended the district school, and,
at the age of nineteen years, began teaching, a
calling which he continued for four winters at and
in the vicinity of Bradford. He helped to con-
duct his father's hotel, and subsequently carried
on the same business at White River Village and
Norwich, Vermont. The latter place was then
the seat of General Ransom's Military School.
In September, 1852, he arrived in Chicago,
where he was employed for a time by John P.
Chapin, a prominent pioneer of Chicago. In
March, 1854, he located at Evanston, being in-
duced to settle there through the influence of
Dr. Hinman. Mr. Pearsons was the first to build
a house on the university lands, the location be-
ing identical with his present residence on Chi-
cago Avenue. Others soon followed his example,
and when the Chicago & Milwaukee Railway
reached that point the next winter, there was a
rapid influx of people. Such was the demand for
building materials and other merchandise, that
Mr. Pearsons found it advantageous to engage in
the business of general teaming. For eighteen
years he operated Pearsons' Evanston Express,
employing a number of teams and wagons on the
road between Chicago and Evanston, and the
business which he started has ever since been
continued, and is still a prosperous enterprise.
For some time he also kept a livery stable at
Evanston.
In 1872 Mr. Pearsons sold out his express line,
and spent the following winter in the woods of
northern Michigan in the interest of his brother,
D. K. Pearsons, the well-known lumberman and
philanthropist. Becoming interested in the lum-
bering industry, and finding the business agree-
able to his health, which had become considerably
impaired, he spent the ensuing twelve years in
the lumber woods, during a part of which time
he operated a lumber-yard in Evanston. In 1885
he disposed of his lumber interests, since which
time he has lived in practical retirement. He
has filled nearly every office in the township, vil-
lage, and city of Evanston, and his official as well
as business obligations have always been dis-
charged in a creditable and efficient manner.
On the twenty-fifth day of October, 1842, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pearsons and Miss
Hannah Stevens Bayley, of Newbury, Vermont,
a daughter of Amhersf Bayley and Melissa Stev-
ens, both natives of Newbury. Mrs. Pearsons'
paternal grandfather was the distinguished Gen-
eral Jacob Bayley, of the Continental army. Her
maternal grandfather, Simeon Stevens, was an
extensive farmer and highly exemplary citizen of
Newbury, distinguished also for his musical tal-
ents, being the possessor of a strong and very
sweet voice, which he retained even in old age.
He survived until nearly ninety years of age.
Mrs. Pearsons is a lady of many graces of mind
and heart. In her youth she won considerable
celebrity as a participant in the State Musical
Conventions of Vermont. She was one of the
prime movers in organizing the Woman's Ed-
ucational Aid Association, which was formed
in 1871, and has been an officer of the association
from its inception, and for eighteen years has
served as its President. The object of this
society is to assist worthy young ladies of lim-
ited means in obtaining an education. The Col-
lege Cottage, which was built soon after the or-
ganization of the association, has been several
times enlarged and improved, and now accommo-
dates about fifty-five students, and is recognized
as a worthy adjunct of the Northwestern Univer-
sity at Evanston.
Mr. and Mrs. Pearsons are the parents of two
children, and have lost two by death, one passing
away in infancy. The eldest, Henry Alonzo, is
a business man of Chicago, residing in Evanston.
Isabella is the wife of Wilbur F. Mappin, of
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Helen, who was the
wife of Rev. Harvey R. Calkins, died March 27,
1892, at the age of twenty-six years. Two
grandchildren, Harry Putnam Pearsons and Lil-
ian Mappin, make glad the hearts of this worthy
couple.
In October, 1892, the golden wedding of Mr.
and Mrs. Pearsons was celebrated, and they are
R. C. HALLETT.
still in the enjoyment of excellent health and that
contentment of mind which is "a continual feast, ' '
and few of their acquaintances, and none among
strangers, can readily believe the number of their
years of usefulness already spent. They are
members of the First Methodist Church of Evan-
ston, which they helped to organize in the sum-
mer of 1854, at which time the society comprised
but six members. Mr. Pearsons was the Chorister
of the church for many years, and is one of the
Trustees of the Des Plaines Camp- Meeting Asso-
ciation. Mr. Pearsons cast his first vote for Will-
iam Henry Harrison, and was a member of
a military band which furnished music for
many of the public gatherings of the famous po-
litical campaign of 1840. He played in this band
for ten years. Since the organization of the Re-
publican party, he has been an adherent of its
principles. When he first located in Evanston, a
large portion of the present site of the city con-
sisted of a marsh covered with water, and none
of the streets had been improved. He has wit-
nessed the material development of the town until
it has come to be recognized as the first sub-
urb of Chicago, and has simultaneously watched
its intellectual and moral growth, in the promo-
tion of which he has been an interested factor.
REUBEN C HALLETT.
REUBEN CROWELL HALLETT, grandson
of one of the hardy pioneers of the Missis-
sippi Valley, and son of James Hallett, of
whom extended mention is made elsewhere in
this volume, has the proud distinction of being
a native of Illinois. He was born at Mount Car-
roll, in Carroll County, on the i5th day of Octo-
ber, 1857, and grew up in his native village,
where he received his primary schooling. He
attended Beloit College, Wisconsin, and finished
his education at the Wesleyan University, Bloom-
ington, Illinois, where he received instruction in
the law department from Adlai E. Stevenson,
Gen. Ira J. Bloomfield, John M. Hamilton, and
other noted attorneys of the state.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1880, and be-
gan the practice of law at Mount Carroll, but
soon turned his attention to other and more con-
genial pursuits. He became the owner and pub-
lisher of the Herald at Mount Carroll, which he
retained about a year. He then went to Rock-
ford, Illinois, where he was connected with the
Rockford Watch Company seven years. He re-
sided in Cleveland, Ohio, for a year, being iden-
tified with the Arctic Ice Machine Manufacturing
Company. During the last three years he has
been the western representative of the Hildreth
Varnish Company of New York, with headquar-
ters in one of the Grand Pacific offices, on Jack-
son Street, Chicago.
Mr. Hallett possesses a keen business instinct,
and his kind and genial manners and knowledge
of human nature make him an exceptionally suc-
cessful salesman. His dealings are largely with
railroad companies, and cover many large con-
tracts. He takes an active interest in all that
pertains to the general welfare, and is thoroughly
posted on questions that engage the public mind.
He was the independent candidate for States At-
torney of Carroll County in 1880, but usually acts
with the Republican party. He was made a
Master Mason at Mount Carroll, and is now en-
tering upon the work of the exalted degrees.
uv
CTXA^vx
J. D. CATON.
JOHN D. CATON.
(JOHN DEAN CATON was born in Monroe,
I Orange County, New York, March 19, 1812.
G) He is the fifteenth of the sixteen children of
Robert Caton, and the third child of his mother,
Hannah (Dean) Caton, who was the third wife of
Robert Caton. The latter was born March 22,
1761, on a plantation owned by his father (Robert
Caton) in Maryland. He joined the Continental
Army at the age of fourteen. Though very young
at the outbreak of the Revolution, he gave good
service to his native land in that struggle, and
after the triumph of colonial arms, settled on the
Hudson River, in New York. He died in 1815.
Robert Caton, grandfather of the subject of this
biography, was born in England, of Irish de-
scent, and served in the English army before set-
tling in Maryland. He was a prominent citizen
of that colony long before the Revolution, and
the name is a conspicuous one in Maryland soci-
ety to-day. Robert Caton, during the life of his
second wife, joined the Society of Friends, and
became a preacher in that denomination, his third
wife being a member also. His four children by
his third wife, according to the rules of that de-
nomination, became birthright members, and so
has the subject of this sketch continued; he is
now a member of the society in good standing.
When John D. Caton was four years old, his
widowed mother took him to Oneida County,
New York. His advantages were few, but he re-
ceived the primary training of a common school.
At the age of nine years, he was set to work with
a farmer, at two and one-half dollars per month,
and brought home a quarter of beef as the fruit of
his first earnings. Work was afforded only in the
summer, and his winters were spent in school un-
til he was fourteen. It had been his father's wish
that he should be equipped for life with a trade,
and he was apprenticed. A weakness of the eyes
interfered with the completion of his time, and at
sixteen, he joined his mother at Utica, New York,
where he was enabled to put in nine months at the
academy. He was so diligent and apt that he
was thus equipped for earning by surveying and
teaching school. While teaching, he pursued
the study of the classics, and also did a little work
in the law by practicing in justices' courts. He
entered the office of Beardsley & Matteson, at
Utica, as a student, at the age of nineteen years.
He later studied with James H. Collins, who af-
terward became a leader at the Chicago Bar and
was a partner in practice with Mr. Caton.
Having become well grounded in the theory of
law, and having attained man's estate, he resolved
to settle in the new West and establish himself in
practice. He had a special incentive in this de-
termination, in the fact that he was the accepted
lover of one of "York State's" fairest daughters,
and was anxious to secure a permanent home.
Having reached Buffalo by canal, he took pas-
sage on the steamer "Sheldon Thompson," which
brought him to Detroit, and thence he took stage
to Ann Arbor, still undetermined as to his loca-
tion. Still pushing westward, he rode in a wagon
to White Pigeon, and here, by pure accident, he
fell in with a cousin, whose husband, Irad Hill,
was a carpenter and was employed by Dr. John T.
Temple, of Chicago, to build a house for him
there. The doctor and Mr. Hill were then in
White Pigeon getting lumber for this purpose.
Young Caton joined the rafting party which
transported the lumber down the St. Joseph
River, and took passage on the schooner which
conveyed it to its destination. This was the
n6
J. D. CATON.
"Ariadne," whose cargo of lumber and immi-
grants was about all she could carry.
He soon determined to locate here, and in a
few days set off on horseback for Pekin, one hun-
dred and fifty miles away, to seek admission to
the Bar. Here he met Stephen T. Logan, after-
wards partner of Abraham Lincoln, and other
leading attorneys of the State. After court ad-
journed and supper had been taken, the young
applicant accompanied Judge Lockwood, of the
Supreme Court, in a stroll on the river bank, and
after being plied with questions on the theory and
practice of law, was addressed in these words:
"Well, my young friend, you've got a good deal
to learn if you ever expect to make a success as a
lawyer, but if you study hard I guess you' 11 doit.
I shall give you your license." It took but nine
years for the new licensee to attain a place beside
his examiner on the supreme bench of the State.
Mr. Caton's first case was in the first lawsuit
in the village of Chicago, in which he appeared
as prosecutor of a culprit accused of stealing thir-
ty-six dollars from a fellow-lodger at the tavern.
When the defendant was brought before Squire
Heacock, Caton insisted that he be searched, and
he was stripped to his underclothing. Before he
could replace his apparel, as directed by the court,
the prosecuting attorney discovered a suspicious
lump in his stocking. Seizing hold of this lump,
he turned down the stocking and disclosed the
missing bills. The case was then adjourned till
next day, and a Constable watched the prisoner
all night, having confined him under a carpenter's
bench. Next morning when he was arraigned,
Spring and Hamilton appeared for the defence and
took a change of venue to Squire Harmon, who
held court in the old tannery, on the North Side
near the river forks. The whole town was now
agog with the novel spectacle of a public trial;
and Harmon, in order to give all a chance to en-
joy the show, adjourned to Wattle's Tavern, on
the West Side, where the case came off with much
eclat; all the young attorneys "spreading them-
selves" in their respective speeches. Judge Caton
remembers that he dwelt particularly on the enor-
mity of the act of this serpent who had brought
crime into this young community where it had
been unknown. The thief was held for trial, but
the device (then new) of "straw bail" gave him
temporary liberty, which he made permanent by
running away as soon as the money was recovered;
and as the public had had the fun and excitement
of a ' 'lawsuit' ' nobody cared much what became
of the author of this welcome break in the village
monotony. If he had been tried and convicted it
would have been only the beginning of trouble,
for there was no jail wherein to keep him. Young
Caton got ten dollars for his fee the first money
he had ever earned in Illinois by his profession
and it just paid the arrears of his board bill.
(History of Chicago, edited by Moses and Kirk-
land.)
Having now been launched in practice, Mr.
Caton rented an office in the "Temple Building,"
having his lodging in the attic of the same struc-
ture. To "make ends meet," he rented desk
room in his office to his contemporary, Giles
Spring.
Justice Caton recalls July 12, 1834, an era in
his youthful experience. It was the beginning of
his judicial career; the date of his election to the
office of Justice of the Peace, the only public office
he ever held except those of Alderman of the city
(1837-8) and Justice of the Supreme Court of the
State (1843-64). He became its Chief Justice in
1857. The election of 1834 was a fierce contest,
"bringing out every last voter in the precinct,
from Clybourne to Hardscrabble and beyond, per-
haps even taking in the Calumet Crossing. ' ' The
Government piers had been built and the begin-
ning of a channel had been cut across the imme-
morial sandbar, but as yet it had never been used.
On this memorable day, the schooner "Illinois"
chanced to be lying at anchor, and the friends of
Caton (George W. Dole and others), to the num-
ber of a hundred or more, got ropes to the schooner
and dragged her by main force through the un-
finished dug-way. Then they decked her with
all the bunting in the village, and, hoisting sail,
sped triumphantly up the stream to the Forks
the first vessel that ever penetrated the Chicago
River. And when the votes were counted the
J. D. CATON.
117
tally showed John Dean Caton, one hundred and
eighty-two; Josiah C. Goodhue, forty-seven.
(Story of Chicago, 130).
An incident in the life of the future chief jus-
tice, which saved him to the people of Illinois, is
elsewhere related in the biography of Col. Julius
Warren, who was ever gratefully remembered by
Mr. Caton as his dearest friend.
In the spring of 1835 Squire Caton felt himself
able to assume the cares of a household, and he
returned to New York, where he was wedded to
Miss l,aura Adelaide, daughter of Jacob Sherrill,
of New Hartford. Their wedding tour was an
ideal one, being a passage from Buffalo to Chicago
on the brig "Queen Charlotte." This was one
of the vessels captured in Put-in-Bay and sunk in
the harbor of Erie by Commodore Perry in 1812.
After twenty years, it had been raised and refitted,
and this was her first trip.
In 1836 Mr. Caton built the first dwelling on
the ' 'school section, ' ' west of the river. This was
at the southwest corner of Clinton and Harrison
Streets, and at that time it was so far from other
dwellings that it was called the "prairie cottage."
It fell before the great holocaust of 1871. About
the same time that he built this house, he entered
into partnership with Norman B. Judd (who
drafted the first charter of Chicago) . The finan-
cial difficulties of 1837 almost crippled the ambi-
tious young lawyer, and to increase his troubles,
his health became impaired and he was advised
by his physician to return to fanning. He took up
a tract of land near Plainfield, which he still owns,
and removed his family thither in 1839. He con-
tinued the practice of law, and the records show
that he tried the first jury cases in Will and Kane
Counties, as well as Cook.
Mr. Caton was appointed an associate justice of
the Supreme Court in 1842, and his united terms
of service, by successive elections, amounted to
twenty-two years. During the latter portion of
this time he occupied the position of Chief Justice.
The duties of his high office were completed day
by day, no matter how much of the night they
might consume, and the court in his day was al-
ways up with its docket. In 1864 he left the
Bench, and has since given his time to travel,
literary labors and the conduct of his private af-
fairs. He has published several works, among
which are "The Antelope and Deer of America,"
"A Summer in Norway," "Miscellanies" and
"Early Bench and Bar of Illinois."
Before 1850 Justice Caton became interested in
the electric telegraph. This was before the organ-
ization of the Western Union, and he set to work
to re-organize and set in order the dilapidated and
scattered lines. They had hitherto occupied the
wagon roads, and he secured the adoption of a
system by the railways, where it was soon found
to be an absolute necessity. When the Western
Union took hold of the business, Judge Caton and
his fellow-stockholders were enabled to make most
advantageous terms for the disposition of their
interests.
Death first invaded the home of Judge Caton in
1891, when a daughter, her mother's namesake,
was taken away, and in 1892, Mrs. Caton went
before. For fifty-seven years, this happily-as-
sorted couple had traveled together the journey
o r life, and they were, no doubt, the oldest sur-
viving couple in Chicago at the time of Mrs. Ca-
ton' s demise. During her last illness Judge Caton
remarked to his family physician that they had
lived together for more than fifty-seven years
without a cross or unkind word ever passing be-
tween them. Two children survived her, namely:
Arthur J. Caton, a Chicago business man, who
was admitted to the Bar, and Caroline, now the
wife of the distinguished attorney, Norman Wil-
liams.
In August, 1893, Judge Caton suffered a slight
stroke of paralysis. Before this affliction, advanc-
ing years had brought on the old trouble with his
eyes, which had, happily for his future career,
turned his attention from a trade, but up to the
beginning of 1893, he was able to read a little with
the aid of strong glasses. By the aid of a reading-
secretary, he keeps up an acquaintance with
literature and current events. Even the added
trial of decay in his powers of locomotion did
not make him despair or become morose. To
a close friend he said: "I do not repine. I do
not lament the advance of age and the loss of fac-
ulties; not one bit. I enjoy my life, and thank-
u8
T. H. WEBSTER.
fully recognize the numberless compensations and
alleviations that are mercifully left me. No; I
am well content."
He still survives at the age of eighty-three, and
it is a little remarkable that the first lawyer in
Chicago to bring a case in a court of record is
still with us, with intellect unimpaired, when the
bar numbers more than three thousand.
THOMAS H. WEBSTER.
'HOMAS HOLMES WEBSTER. Among
the many fire-insurance agents with which
La Salle Street abounds, there is, perhaps,
no other man whose reputation for safe and con-
servative business methods has been more con-
sistently sustained than he whose name heads
this notice. His entire business training and
experience have been acquired in this city, and,
while the opportunities for speculation have been
abundant, and the chances for unusual profit have
seemed quite as alluring to him as to others, he
has conscientiously avoided all participation in
that hazardous and demoralizing field, confining
his attention to the regular channels of business,
and thereby maintaining his business credit and
securing the confidence and good- will of his asso-
ciates.
Mr. Webster was born in Leeds, England, on
the 2gth of October, 1 846. His parents, John and
Mary (Holmes) Webster, were natives of York-
shire. John Webster was employed for some years
in the cloth-mills at Leeds, but being desirous of
procuring better opportunities for his growing
family, in 1853 he came to America. He located
in Chicago and secured employment with the Chi-
cago Gas Light and Coke Company, whose inter-
ests he continued to serve until his death, which
occurred in 1866, at the age of forty-two years.
He began as a laborer, but with such faithful-
ness and ability did he serve the interests of the
company that he was soon promoted to a more re-
munerative occupation, and at the time of his de-
mise was the assistant Secretary of the company.
His wife survived him but two years, passing
away at the age of forty-four. They were mem-
bers of the Second Baptist Church of Chicago,
and had formerly been connected with the Taber-
nacle Baptist Church.
Thomas H. Webster, with his mother and the
balance of the family, joined his father in Chica-
go in 1855. He is one of a family of thirteen
children, of whom but two others now survive.
Their names are Sarah H., Mrs. W. C. Corlies;
and Louisa L-, Mrs. R. M. Johnson, all of Chi-
cago. Thomas was educated in the public schools
of this city, and upon the death of his father as-
sumed the care of the family, supplying to its
members, as far as possible, the place of the de-
ceased parent. His first employment was in the
capacity of a clerk in a dry -goods store, where he
continued for about one year. Since the ist of
August, 1863, he has been consecutively connect-
ed with the business of fire underwriting. He be-
gan as office boy for the Chicago Firemen's In-
surance Company, but was soon appointed to a
clerkship, and about 1865 bcame the cashier of
the company. This position he filled until the
concern was annihilated by the great fire of 1871.
After that disaster, the affairs of the corporation
were placed in the hands of Hon. O. H. Horton,
as assignee, and this gentleman secured the serv-
ices of Mr. Webster as his assistant, his familiar-
ity with the affairs of the concern being of great
value in closing up its business.
Mr. Webster was afterwards successively con-
nected with the firms of Walker & Lowell, and
W. C. GOUDY.
119
the Globe Insurance Company, continuing with
the latter concern until it went out of business in
1876. He then became a clerk for S. M. Moore,
with whom he soon after entered into partnership,
under the firm name of S. M. Moore & Com-
pany. Upon the retirement of the senior member
in 1886, this firm was succeeded by that of Web-
iter & Wiley, Mr. E. N. Wiley becoming the jun-
ior partner. In 1889 the latter firm was consol-
idated with that of H. de Roode & Company,
under the name of Webster, Wiley & de Roode.
On the first of November, 1894, Mr. de Roode re-
tired from the firm, since which time the business
has been conducted under the name of Webster,
Wiley & Company, Mr. C. P. Jennings having
become a third partner on January i, 1895.
Mr. Webster was married, September 13, 1881,
to Miss Anna Martindale, a native of Ohio, and
a daughter of Rev. Theodore D. Martindale, a
Methodist clergyman of that state. Mr. and Mrs.
Webster are the parents of two sons, Frank M.
and Ralph N. Mr. Webster is identified with the
Union League, Sunset and Metropolitan Clubs,
and Lexington Council of the National Union.
He is not an active participant in political strife,
but has all his life been a supporter of Republican
.principles.
Having been the head of a family from the age
of twenty years, he has had few opportunities for
recreation, and finds his greatest pleasure in the
midst of the home circle. His business opera-
tions have been confined to the realm of fire un-
derwriting, and while others have in some in-
stances accumulated more wealth than he, the
substantial friendship and esteem of his colleagues
are his, and his record is one which causes no re-
grets.
WILLIAM C GOUDY.
G>G)ILLIAM CHARLES GOUDY. To be a
\ A I leader in any profession in a city the size of
Y V Chicago, means to be the possessor of large
intellect, of close application and happy fortune;
to be in the front rank of contemporary lawyers
in a metropolis whose courts decide as many
cases as the combined judiciary of all Great
Britain, is a mark of pre-eminence indeed. Such
pre-eminent distinction has been already noted
by the Muse of History in her vast temple of
fame, where, chiseled in conspicuous recent
strength, we read the sterling name of William
Charles Goudy.
Mr. Goudy was born near Cincinnati, Ohio
(but "across the line" in Indiana), on the isth
day of May, 1824, unto Robert and Jane ( Ainslie)
Goudy. His father was a native of North Ire-
land and of Scotch-Irish ancestry, of that virile
blood which has already played so thrilling a
part in American history on sea and land. The
name is spelled Goudie in Scotland, where the
poet Burns immortalized it in song in that stanza
of a poem wherein occurs the line, "Goudie, ter-
ror of the Whigs!" The family continues to hew
true to the block, for who ever heard of any
Goudy who was anything but a Democrat in
the United States? His mother, who was of
English birth, was residing in Pennsylvania when
taken to wife by Mr. Goudy 's father.
Robert Goudy was a carpenter in early life, later
changing, as do so many of our citizens, his calling
to printing, in which craft he was busied for some
years at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But when
the future Judge Goudy was a boy of ten years,
his father moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, a most
fortunate field, as afterwards developed, for all the
120
W. C. GOUDY.
family. Here, in 1833, he began the publication
of Gaudy's Farmers' Almanac, the first annual
of its kind to be printed in the Northwest, which,
filling a greatly felt need, grew speedily into the
deserved prominence it maintained for the many
years during which it was a household word.
Later, he embarked in a newspaper of fair pro-
portions for that era; in which connection let it
not be overlooked that it was the first press to
call pointed attention to that rising young star,
Stephen A. Douglas. The son also did his share
of battling for this candidate during that heated
campaign when Douglas defeated Lincoln in the
memorable congressional contest.
The subject of this sketch graduated at the
Illinois College of Jacksonville in 1845, an alma
mater made proud time and again by the grand
deeds of her hero pupil, whom she has twice hon-
ored with her post-graduate degrees, namely,
Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws. Suffice to
say, that none of her myriad graduates ever won
such special favor more fairly than he of whom
we are writing.
While reading law thereafter, Mr. Goudy
taught school in Decatur. Later he went for a
time into the office of Stephen A. Logan, partner
of Lincoln. In 1847 he was admitted to the Bar
at Lewistown, Illinois, entering directly into
partnership with Hon. Hezekiah M. Weed, of
that place, where he rapidly rose in public notice
and favor. Taking an active part in politics, he
was partially rewarded in 1852 by being elected
States Attorney of the Tenth Judicial Circuit,
which position of trust he resigned in 1856; and
from 1857 to 1861 was twice returned as State Sen-
ator for the Fulton-McDonough district. In 1859
fame and rapidly growing practice invited him
to Chicago, the great Western center, which, like
Athens of old, calls annually for its tribute of
talent and oratory from its outlying territory.
For about the next thirty-five years his reputa-
tion and his wealth grew with amazing rapidity,
until none throughout the entire Mississippi Val-
ley was better or more favorably known in his
profession than Judge Goudy. His learned skill
was demonstrated in the higher courts all over
this western county, from which, in frequent
triumphs, he went to more honorable laurels
achieved before that tribunal of dernier resort, the
Supreme Court of the United States. His specialty
was the law of real property, in which branch
of learning he was recognized as a leader all over
the vast domain his talents dominated; indeed,
there have been expressed on more than one oc-
casion sincere regrets that Judge Goudy left no
published work upon this broad field of judicature,
of especial application in the newer West, for
the guidance of future brothers. It would indeed
have been the labor of a legal giant, gigantically
performed. During all this later period, not a
volume of Illinois Reports, and they number into
the hundreds, but bears his name as attorney or
counsel in cases of gravest import and represent-
ing questions and corporations of greatest magni-
tude.
As illustrating the thoroughness with which
he worked and the minuteness of inquiry and
research to which he would voluntarily go, rather
than admit he was beaten or acknowledge there
was no redress (in his opinion) for his client,
we must digress sufficiently to call attention to
that case (the Kingsbury-Buckner), perhaps
most famous of all his many noted cases, which
involved the question of the fee of that splendid
piece of central real estate upon which now stands
the Ashland Building, the great law office re-
sort , corner of Randolph and Clark Streets, in
our city. This case long looked hopeless for the
party in whose interests Judge Goudy had been
retained. Conviction of the fact that the grantee,
who seemed to own the fee, was really a holder
for cestuis qui trust was sincerely entertained, but
in support of such hypothesis not a scintilla of
evidence seemed possible to be introduced. Early
and late, far and near, in and out of season, our
lawyer toiled to find some slight link, so vital to
support such a much-sought chain of title. In
short, almost at a standstill, sufficient proof was
at last unearthed from a letter written as casual
correspondance to a relative of the writer in the
Down East. This became the turning-point of
the case. For his services the Judge is said to
have been paid the largest fee known in the
West. How many thousands is not known, but
W. C. GOUDY.
121
surely it was earned in such a manner as to be
gladly paid by a client who would have lived and
died in ignorant non-assertion of rights, but for
the untiring researches of his lawyer. Let every
young attorney ponder well the significance of
the story; just such opportunities time and again
have made in an instant the name and fame
rf the energetic hero. The ability to win cases
is the crucial test of lawyers; and a still greater
test is the ability to effect a desirable compromise,
as the subject of this sketch often did; for exam-
ple, in the notable Wilbur F. Storey will case.
During the later years of his exceedingly active
career, the firm of which he was senior member
was styled Goudy, Green & Goudy, and for
a considerable period prior to his demise he was
chief counsel for the Chicago & Northwestern
Railway, in which position he had the excep-
tional fortune of holding his former private
clientage. It is worth recording that the reasons
for his being retained by that railway were
found in numerous suits brought against it by
Mr. Goudy for clients, who usually won.
Mr. Goudy married, August 22, 1849, a most
estimable and cultured lady, Miss Helen Judd,
of Canton, Illinois, a daughter of Solomon Judd,
quite a distinguished Abolitionist. His father was
Solomon Judd, Sr., of Westhampton, Massachu-
setts, coming of excellent ancestry, tracing back
to the pride of all Yankees, the "Mayflower" of
1620. Mrs. Goudy's mother was Eleanor Clark,
born of an old Northampton, Massachusetts,
family.
Two children cheered their most happy wedded
life. Clara Goudy (an adopted daughter), born
in October, 1857, married, in 1887, Ira J. Geer,
of this city, a practicing lawyer of superior
repute, by whom she has one child, William
Jewett Geer. Judge Goudy left an only son,
William Judd Goudy, who was born in 1864,
for an extended sketch of whom vide other pages
herein.
Mrs. Goudy was born on the 2ist of November,
1821, at Otisco, Onondaga County, New York,
was educated at the Aurora Academy of that
State, after which she taught school for about
nine years. She then removed to Canton, Illinois,
where she had been teaching her own private
school for young ladies about two years at the
time Judge Goudy won her undying affections.
She survives her deeply mourned husband, and,
while not in perfect health, yet for her mature
age well preserved; and it is the earnest wish
of all her myriad friends and recipients of generous
benefactions that she may long continue in a
sphere of wisely contented usefulness. She is
unostentatiously conspicuous for her many works
of charity, formal recognition of which was made
some years since in her elevation to the position
of President of the Board of Managers of the Half
Orphan Asylum. Truly may it be said in sim-
ple, modest truth, her life has been a model for
imitation.
The old Goudy homestead, one of the choicest,
most elegant of its time, was located in what has
since become a very public neighborhood, about
No. 1 140 North Clark Street. In the early days
it stood in a magnificient grove of trees some
acres in extent, whose retirement received a con-
tinual benediction from the murmurs of the lake
near at hand. Later operations have subdivided
and covered with many dwellings this lovely
property. "And the place thereof shall know it
no more. ' ' Anticipating growing encroachment
upon that privacy in which Mr. Goudy so much
delighted, he finally built a solid, ornate mansion
of gray granite at No. 240 Goethe Street, than
which none of our citizens can boast of a more
complete or elegant home. In full view of the lake
(but a block distant), contiguous to a beautiful
private park, within easy access of business
haunts, and yet enjoying the stillness of a veritable
country seat, Judge Goudy with his wife there
found the oasis of existence, his seat of recupera-
tive rest, his scene of domestic bliss, for he was
emphatically, notwithstanding the grandeur and
publicity which cast a halo about his character,
a domestic man. Though a valued member of
the Union and Iroquois Clubs, he was not an
habitue of their inviting halls, save on rare special
occasions.
In politics, like all his lineage, he was a sturdy
Democrat; not particularly aggressive, but full of
wise counsels and dictator of winning courses to
122
H. F. FRINK.
be pursued in accomplishing certain political
ends. His first vote was cast for Lewis Cass in
1848; he had much to do with the nomination of
President Cleveland to his last term of office; and
might have passed away in occupation of the
most dignified seat of judicial honor within the
gift of our country, i. e., the Supreme Bench of
the United States, had not his ever honorable
principles decided him to withdraw in favor of
his old friend, the present Chief Justice, M. W.
Fuller. He was at one time President of the
Lincoln Park Board of Commissioners, as he had
been among those most actively valuable in lay-
ing out the bounds and bringing into being that
most beautiful of all our resorts.
Judge Goudy was a "gentleman of the old
school, ' ' always courteous and scrupulously hon-
orable; the possessor of a frankly-bright, prepos-
sessing face, brimful of character. A very broad
forehead surmounted features all finely chiseled;
his figure was but of medium height and physical
weight, but capable of expressing great dignity
upon occasion. Though rather sickly in youth,
by abstemious habits he had grown for many
years to be quite robust, in which condition he
was maintained by studious attention to all his
habits, save that of work. In this, he reminds
one strongly of the great Caesar, who, sickly in
youth, by careful regimen grew to endure in-
credible labors. Indeed, it was from over appli-
cation, following too speedily a season of malady,
that Judge Goudy met his end April 27, 1893;
which found him suddenly, like the lightning
flash, seated in his chair by the office desk, whither
he had injudiciously repaired upon important
business. His tough, perennial thread of life,
which had been vexed and tugged at time and
again by his response to urgent demands, was
strained beyond endurance; it snapped, and the
heroic melody of a noble life became forever in-
stantly silent. He was buried under the auspices
of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, in which he
had always had a vital interest, and now sleeps the
peaceful sleep of the just in the family lot at Grace-
land Cemetery, which spot will long continue to be
marked by the dignified memorial now rising
over his remains.
He left a supremely honorable name. Out of the
many illustrious heroes found herein, none need
doubt that the memory of the greatest will not
survive that of Hon. William Charles Goudy.
HENRY F. FRINK.
HENRY FARNSWORTH FRINK, whose
business and social relations cause him to be
well known in Cook Count}', enjoys the dis-
tinction of being a native of Chicago, and repre-
sents one of its most esteemed pioneer families.
The house in which he was born stood at the
corner of Wabash Avenue and Randolph Street,
and the date of his advent was April 17, 1848.
His parents were John and Harriet Frink, an ap-
propriate notice of whom is given elsewhere in
this book.
Henry F. Frink was afforded excellent educa-
tional advantages, and at twenty years of age
graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts
from the Chicago University. It is needless to
add that his subsequent career has been such as
to reflect credit upon his Alma Mater. He began
the study of law in the office of Sleeper, Whiton
& Durham, and in 1872 was admitted to practice
by a committee composed of members of the Bar
appointed for the purpose of examining candi-
dates. Since that date he has been continuously
engaged in practice, making a specialty of real-
estate law and the examination of abstracts. His
J. M. ADSIT.
123
ample experience and accurate knowledge of
these subjects are of great value to himself and
his clients, and cause his opinions to be received
with respectful attention by attorneys and officials
generally. He deals in city and suburban realty
to a considerable extent, and by the exercise of
foresight and discrimination in these operations
has accumulated a competence, which he endeav-
ors to invest in such a manner as to promote the
commercial interests of the community. In 1891
he organized the Austin State Bank, of which he
has ever since been the President, giving consid-
erable of his time and attention to its affairs. His
business of all kinds has been conducted in such
a manner as to secure the best results to his col-
leagues and at the same time to inspire the confi-
dence of the public in his judgment and integrity.
On the i4th of April, 1886, occurred the mar-
riage of Mr. Frink and Miss Louise Creote, a
most estimable lady and a daughter of Joseph
Creote, an early pioneer of Chicago. ' A daugh-
ter, Mildred, helps to brighten the home circle of
Mr. and Mrs. Frink. The former of this couple
adheres to the Episcopal faith, in the tenets of
which he was instructed in youth, while his wife
is a member of the Baptist Church at Austin,
where the family resides.
Socially, Mr. Frink is identified with the Royal
League and Athletic Clubs. While never an act-
ive politician, he is not unmindful of the duties
of citizenship, and usually casts his ballot in sup-
port of Republican principles.
Previous to the great Chicago fire he occupied
an office with W. D. Kerfoot at No. 95 Washing-
ton Street, and for a time subsequent to that dis-
aster he shared with that gentleman the historic
cabin in the street, which served them as a shel-
ter pending the rescue of their safe from the em-
bers and the erection of their new building. He
did duty as a member of the citizens' patrol guard
immediately after the great fire, a temporary ar-
rangement for the protection of homes and prop-
erty, which was instrumental in preventing a
great deal of the pillage and plundering to which
the city was exposed until the police force could
be re-organized.
JAMES M. ADSIT.
CJ AMES M. ADSIT. To have been among
I the first in Chicago to engage in any honor-
(~) able calling is quite sufficient to make such
a one a local historical personage for all time to
come, and so the career of James M. Adsit is
filled with unusual interest, because of the con-
spicuous fact that, apart from his being an excep-
tional character, he was among the first bankers
to enter upon a career of finance within the pres-
ent limits of Cook County.
Mr. Adsit was born February 5, 1809, in
Spencertown, Columbia County, New York, unto
Leonard and Frances Adsit (nee Davenport).
His father dying when the son was but six years
of age, he went to live and remain with his
grandfather Adsit, and after finishing the com-
mon-school education customary for those early
days, went for a time into employment in his
uncle Ira Davenport's store.
On April 2, 1838, he arrived in Chicago,
then a city of but a single year's standing, con-
sisting of only a few streets stragglingly built up;
and, as one of the earliest pioneers, founded a
private bank at Number 37 Clark Street in 1850,
having up to that time, from the date of his arri-
val, been engaged in loans and investments on
Lake Street. In 1856 lie removed one door to
Number 39 Clark Street, where he remained un-
til the "Chicago Fire," at which time he had the
great misfortune to lose all of his personal papers
and books connected intimately with much of
Chicago's early histor}', whereby vanished forever
124
J. M. ADSIT.
valuable data covering the development of the
city for its first three decades. But fortune was
his on that occasion to save the bulk of moneys
and securities in the vaults of his office, thereby
being able to reassure his depositors, many of
whom on days following came with woeful visage,
in expectation of news of their hard-earned
means having gone up in flames.
Shortly after he had re-opened his banking busi-
ness at Number 422 Wabash Avenue for a few
months, he removed to a store on Wabash Avenue
a few doors from Congress, thence to the Ogden
Building, corner Lake and Clark Streets. He then
built at Number 41 Clark Street, where he contin-
ued inactive life until 1881. At that date, owing
somewhat to failing health, he decided to merge his
corporation into the Chicago National Bank, of
which he became the first Vice-President, resign-
ing, however, in 1885, at which time he retired
from active life.
His shortsightedness, if indeed we are right to
so style the matter, was a lack of faith in the
future real-estate values of Chicago. Had a bold
course been adopted in this direction, it would
have resulted in the acquiring of an estate vast
indeed: but sufficient honor is his, in that he un-
swervingly carried out his financial life in strict
integrity.
While ever a stanch Republican in politics,
Mr. Adsit was never prominent in public life, fig-
uring rather in the background on movements
which were to be carried out for the public weal.
In that sense he was always a most active and
useful member in aid of advances. Among the
institutions with which he was conspicuously as-
sociated was the Mechanics' Institute, of which
he was the first Vice-President. Following the
panic of 1857, when threatened by adverse cir-
cumstances with destruction, he lent strong finan-
cial support, and was for years one of the chief
managers, until its future of honor and usefulness
was assured. In 1871 he was Chairman of the
Clearing House Association. Among the large
estates promoted under his management was that
of Allen C. Lewis, which was enhanced greatly
in value through his shrewd handling.
He was a member of the North Side Union
Club, but growing infirmity of health and life-long
devotion to home influences prevented much so-
cial dissipation. On Dearborn Avenue, at the
corner of Elm Street, in a luxurious mansion-
house, to which he removed in 1884, he spent
happy days following a most usefully busy career.
Up to the time of the great fire, he had at-
tended at the Wabash Avenue Methodist Church;
afterwards for some years at the Plymouth Con-
gregational Church, but finally became an habit-
ual attendant at David Swing's church, on the
North Side, following him to the Music Hall or-
ganization across the river, being thus long in
intimate relations with him who so feelingly offi-
ciated at the final obsequies, preceding interment
at Graceland. The time of going to the other
shore was September 4, 1894, subsequent to a
stroke of paralysis and some years of indisposi-
tion; and when his venerable form, which had
borne the trials of upwards of eighty-five years,
was laid to rest, there was not a dry eye over the
melancholy thought that the worthiest of the rem-
nant of the early pioneers had gone to his well-
merited reward. And thus the first generation
passed into that history which it is the province
of this publication to rescue from oblivion for the
edification and teaching of future times.
Said the well-known philanthropist, Dr. Pear-
son, in speaking of Mr. Adsit: "He was a thor-
oughly upright man, whom I never knew to fail
in any undertaking. He passed through the pan-
ics of 1857, 1866 and 1873, and the great fire,
not without financial loss, but without a blemish
upon his reputation, meeting every obligation
faithfully." Mr. John J. Mitchell, President of
the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, remarked
shortly after his demise: "Mr. Adsit was a man
of the very highest integrity, and none stood
higher than he among the business men and bank-
ers of Chicago. * * * In his death Chicago
loses not only one of her foremost citizens, but
one who helped to make the city's history, and
the success she now enjoys."
Mr. Adsit married, January 21, 1840, MissAr-
ville Chapin, of Chicago, who, herself in ad-
vanced age, survives him, waiting her message
to join on the other side him she so long, so deep-
H. M. ROBINSON.
125
ly loved. Seven children blessed their union,
namely :
Leonard D. Adsit, who was born January 29,
1841, and who died in Chicago in 1879, having
been a banker, associated with his father;
Isabella F., who married Ezra I. Wheeler, of
Chicago, a commission merchant, now deceased,
leaving her without children;
James M. Adsit, Jr., born April 7, 1847, un-
married; a former banker with his father; now a
stock broker with office in the Stock Exchange;
Charles Chapin, who is associated with his
brother as a stock broker; born July 14, 1853;
married in October, 1890, to Mary Bowman Ash-
by, of Louisville, Kentucky, by whom one child,
Charles Chapin, Jr., was born July 3, 1892;
Caroline Jane, educated at Dearborn Seminary,
then at Miss Ogden Hoffman's private school in
New York City; unmarried;
Frank S., born September 7, 1855; died in
childhood;
Jeanie M., educated at Dearborn Seminary;
unmarried.
Mrs. Adsit comes of an old and distinguished
New England family, of which she is a repre-
sentative of the seventh American generation.
Springfield, Massachusetts, is their leading home-
stead, where members have erected a magnificent
statue of their "Puritan divine" ancestor.
Deacon Samuel Chapin, who married a Miss
Cisily, was the progenitor from whom are de-
scended all in the United States. He came from
abroad to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1641, at
which time he took the "freeman's oath" in Bos-
ton. The following year he went to Springfield,
then one of the frontier towns, where he was for
a long time a local magistrate and one of its first
deacons.
His son Henry married Bethia Cooley, and re-
sided in Springfield. Was a Representative in
the General Court, a merchant sea-captain be-
tween London and Boston; afterwards retired to
live in Boston; then to Springfield. He had a son,
Deacon Benjamin, who married Hannah Col-
ton, and lived in Chicopee, a set-off portion of
northern Springfield, Massachusetts, where he
was one of its first deacons. He had a son
Captain Ephraim, who married Jemima Chapin,
his own cousin ; lived in Chicopee, where he was
an old-time inn-keeper. He also served in the
French and Indian Wars. He had a son
Bezaleel, who also married his own cousin,
Thankful Chapin; living at Ludlow Massachu-
setts. He had a son
Oramel, who married Suzan Rood; living in
Ludlow, Massachusetts, thence removing to Mil-
waukee, Wisconsin, later to Chicago, where he
died.
Their daughter Arville married the subject of
this sketch.
HAMILTON M. ROBINSON.
HAMILTON MOFFAT ROBINSON was
born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng-
land, February 12, 1862, and is the eldest
son of James Hamilton Robinson and Frances
Jane Moffat. Both the parents represent ancient
Scottish families.
James H. Robinson, who was born in London
and educated at the Edinburgh High School,
engaged in business in Manchester, England,
soon after completing his education, and later in
London, in the East India trade. He continued
in business about thirty years, dealing in jute
and export merchandise. During a portion of
this time he resided at Calcutta, in order to give
126
H. M. ROBINSON.
personal supervision to his export trade. In 1885
he retired from business and came to America,
locating at Winnipeg, Manitoba, where his chil-
dren had preceded him and where he still resides.
His father, George Brown Robinson, had suc-
ceeded his (George's) father in the East India
trade, and also resided for some years in Calcutta.
He married Jane Campbell Hamilton, like him-
self a native of Scotland. She is still living in
London, at the age of seventy-five years.
Mrs. Frances J. Robinson was a daughter
of Col. Bowland Moffat, who commanded the
Fifty-fourth Regiment of the British army, was
a veteran of the Crimean War, and was stationed
for some years at Calcutta, at which place Mr. and
Mrs. James H. Robinson were married. A num-
ber of the ancestors of Colonel Moffat were well-
to-do merchants in the West India trade, and sev-
eral members of the family served in the British
army.
Hamilton M. Robinson was but six months
old when the family moved from London and
again took up 'its residence in Calcutta. Seven
years subsequently he returned to Europe, and at-
tended boarding-schools at various points in
the South of England. At the age of sixteen
years he finished the course at Chatham House
College, Ramsgate, Kent. It had been his in-
tention to enter the East Indian civil service, but
owing to his father's financial embarrassments
at that time, he abandoned this purpose and en-
tered the London office of Kelly & Company,
East India merchants. He began in the capacity
of office boy, but with such vigor and intelligence
did he apply himself to business, that in the brief
space of four years he became the office manager
of the firm. He continued in that connection un-
til September, 1883, when he determined to seek
a wider field for the development of his talents
and ability, and came to America, joining his
brother in the Northwest Territory of Canada.
He homesteaded a farm in Manitoba, but a short
time sufficed to convince him that the pursuit of
agriculture was neither as profitable nor congenial
as he had anticipated. In the following May he
joined a friend who was coming to Chicage, and
has ever since made this city his home and place
of business. In the spring of 1885 he again
visited the Northwest Territory, and as a mem-
ber of Colonel Boulton's scouts, assisted in sup-
pressing the Riel rebellion.
He arrived here with neither money, friends
nor influence, and wasted no time in seeking or
waiting for a genteel position, but immediately
began work at the first employment which he
could obtain. In the mean time he was constantly
on the alert for a more lucrative occupation, and
in a few weeks secured a position as bookkeeper
with the Anglo-American Packing and Provision
Company, with which he remained for about
three years. In May, 1887, he resigned this em-
ployment and obtained a position with the firm
of Crosby & Macdonald, marine underwriters.
He continued in this connection about five years,
winning the confidence and esteem of his em-
ployers, and demonstrating his integrity and
ability for the transaction of business. In what-
ever position he has been placed he has ever been
an indefatigable worker, striving to promote the
interests of those whom he served, even at the
expense of his own health and personal comfort.
On the first of June, 1892, Mr. Robinson formed
a partnership with James B. Kellogg, under the
firm name of Kellogg & Robinson, marine average
adjusters. This is one of the leading firms of
marine adjusters upon the shores of Lake Michi-
gan, and their success has been gratifying from
the start.
Mr. Robinson is a member of the Lake . Board
of Average Adjusters, and of the Association of
Average Adjusters of the United States. He has
never identified himself with any political party,
but takes an intelligent interest in questions of
public policy, and has been an American citizen
since 1891. He is heartily in sympathy with the
spirit of American institutions, and may be classed
as one of the most desirable and useful among
the foreign-born citizens of Chicago.
He was married, in 1887, to Ida T. Cleverdon,
of Toronto, province of Ontario, Canada, daugh-
ter of William Thompson Cleverdou and Name
Geech, both formerly residents of Halifax, Nova
Scotia.
LIBRARY
OF THE
'VERSITY OF
M. W. FULLER
127
MELVILLE W. FULLER.
ly/j ELVILLE WESTON FULLER. The fol-
I Y I lowing sketch of Chief Justice Fuller was
ItJI' written by the late Major Joseph Kirkland
for the "History of Chicago," published by Mun-
sell & Company, by whose permission it is here
reprinted:
Chief Justice Fuller traces his descent direct
to the ' ' Mayflower. " His father was Frederick A.
Fuller, and his mother Catherine Martin Weston.
His grandfather on the mother's side was Nathan
Weston, Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme
Court; and his uncle, George Melville Weston,
was a prominent lawyer of Augusta. Melville
Weston Fuller was born February n, 1833, at
Augusta, Maine, and grew up with good educa-
tional advantages. He was prepared for college
at Augusta, and entered Bowdoin College in 1849,
where he was graduated in 1853. Thence he
went to Dane Law School (Harvard) , where so
many of our western jurists have earned their
diplomas. He is described as having been a
rather aimless youth, but in college a model
student, with a special gift for public speaking.
He began his law practice in Augusta, but find-
ing business lacking, he employed his time and
eked out his income by newspaper work ; a cir-
cumstance to which is doubtless due something of
the literary facility which has always formed a
strong feature in his career.
An interesting fact connected with this journal-
istic experience is this: At a certain session of the
Legislature which Melville W. Fuller reported for
the Augusta Age (which he and his uncle, B. A.
G. Fuller, published together), James G. Elaine
was engaged as correspondent of the Kennebec
Journal. Though opposed in politics, the two
men were always personal friends, and at last, by
a curious coincidence, found themselves in Wash-
ington together; the one Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court, and the other Secretary of State.
Mr. Fuller's success in Augusta as a lawyer
was in proportion to the law business of the place,
and so not large or satisfying. His success in
politics was in proportion to his ability, and there-
fore excellent. At twenty-three he was City At-
torney and President of the Common Council of
Augusta.
Still, it must have been unconsciously borne in
upon him that Augusta and Maine, always loved
and honored by him, were, after all, a "pent-up
Utica" to such a soul as his. He must, at least,
see the great West. In 1856 he came to Chicago,
meeting here his friend and fellow-townsman,
Mr. S. K. Dow, a practicing lawyer, who urged
him to emigrate, offering him a place in his office
and, at his choice, either a partnership in the
business or a salary of $50 per month. He chose
the latter, and worked on those terms five months,
living within his income. But scarcely a year
had passed before he began to do a fine and prof-
itable business, which went on increasing with
remarkable speed and steadiness up to the time
of his leaving the Bar for the Supreme Bench.
In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and by
friendship and sympathy a warm adherent oi
Stephen A. Douglas. At Mr. Douglas's death in
1861, he delivered the funeral oration, his speech
being a masterly production. In the same year
he was elected a member of the Constitutional
Convention, and two years later we find him in
128
M. W. FULLER.
the Illinois Legislature. Here he gave the same
strenuous support to the war which was offered
by other Douglas men ; he was a Unionist, but
not an anti-slavery man or Republican. The
war Democrats were in favor of the war as they
thought it should be conducted, giving their ad-
herence to the McClellan plan as being the most
certain to triumph and restore the integrity of the
country.
Here it seems well to quote from some fine
verses written by Mr. Fuller long afterward.
They are on the death of General Grant, and
show at once a loyal feeling for the great soldier's
services and a true poetic thought and diction; a
power of composition rare in the learned, prac-
ticed and successful lawyer:
Let drum to trumpet speak
The trumpet to the cannoneer without
The cannon to the heavens from each redoubt,
Each lowly valley and each lofty peak,
As to his rest the great commander goes
Into the pleasant land of earned repose.
* * * *
Not in his battles won,
Though long the well-fought fields may keep their name,
But in the wide world's sense of duty done,
The gallant soldier finds the meed of fame;
His life no struggle for ambition's prize,
Simply the duty done that next him lies.
* * * *
Earth to its kindred earth:
The spirit to the fellowship of souls!
As, slowly, Time the mighty scroll unrolls
Of waiting ages yet to have their birth,
Fame, faithful to the faithful, writes on high
His name as one that was not born to die.
Mr. Fuller was a hard worker in his profession;
and it is said of him that in any case his stoutest
fighting is done when the day seems lost, when
he is very apt to turn defeat into victory. He is
reported to have had, during his thirty years'
practice, as many as twenty- five hundred cases at
the Chicago Bar; which, deducting his absence at
the Legislature, etc., would give him at least one
hundred cases a year; fewer, necessarily, in the
earlier part of his practice, and more afterward.
This shows a remarkable degree of activity and
grasp of business. He has never made a specialty
of any kind of law, though there are some where-
in his name scarcely appears; for instance, di-
vorce law and criminal law. Among his many
cases are Field against Leiter; the Lake Front
case; Storey against Storey's estate; Hyde Park
against Chicago; Carter against Carter, etc., and
the long ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Cheney on
the charge of heresy.
His partnership with Mr. Dow lasted until
1860. From 1862 to 1864 his firm was Fuller &
Ham, then for two years Fuller, Ham & Shep-
ard, and for two years more Fuller & Shepard.
From 1869 to 1877 he had as partner his cousin,
Joseph E. Smith, son of Governor Smith, of
Maine. Since that time he has had no partner.
His business was only such as he chose to ac-
cept; and his professional income has been esti-
mated at from $20,000 to $30,000 a year. His
property includes the Fuller Block on Dearborn
Street, and is popularly valued at $300,000.
He was a delegate to the Democratic National
Conventions of 1 864, 1872, i876andi88o, always
taking a prominent place. Just after Mr. Cleve-
land's first election to the Presidency, Mr. Fuller
called on him in Albany, and Mr. Cleveland at
once conceived for him a very high appreciation.
On the death of Chief Justice Waite it seemed de-
sirable that the new Justice should be taken from
the West; and Mr. Fuller's liberal education, the
catholicity of his law practice, his marked indus-
try, ability and command of language all these,
joined with his devotion to the principles of his
party, made him a natural choice for nomination
to the position. High and unexpected as was the
honor, Mr. Fuller hesitated before accepting it.
If it satisfies his ambition in one direction, it
checks it in another.
The salary of the Chief Justice of the United
States is $10,500 a year; very far less than the
gains arising from general practice in the front
rank of lawyers, or from service as counsel of any
one of hundreds of great corporations. So there
comes a kind of dead-lock ; if a man happens to be
born to riches, he is pretty sure never to go
through the hard work which alone gives leader-
ship in the law. If he starts poor, then, having
his fortune to make, he cannot take Federal judi-
cial office, that being a life-long position. The
only way in which the Federal Bench can be ap-
propriately filled, under the circumstances, is
when by chance a man prefers power and dignity
JOHN PRINDIVILLE.
129
to mere riches; or where his success has been so
sudden that he is able (and willing) to accept
a judgeship as a kind of honorable retirement
from the struggle and competition of practice.
Aside from these considerations, Mr. Fuller felt
a natural hesitancy in undertaking a responsibil-
ity so trying and hazardous.
As to the money obstacle, Mr. Fuller probably
felt himself, through his great and rapid success,
able to afford to accept the appointment. He ac-
cepted it, was hailed in his new dignity with
genial cordiality, and has filled the office with un-
impeachable credit and honor.
Mr. Fuller's first wife was Miss Calista O.
Reynolds. She died young, after bearing him
two children. He married a second time, taking
to wife Mary Ellen, daughter of the distinguished
banker, William F. Coolbaugh. His family now
consists of eight daughters and one son; and
his domestic and social relations are as happy as
it is possible to imagine, the young ladies being
full of gaiety and loveliness in all its styles and
types. He himself is never so well content as in
his own household, making merry with all. It is
even whispered that should his resignation not
throw his own party out of the tenancy of the
office to which it chose him, he might give up the
irksome and confining dignity and the forced
residence in a strange city, and return to the
West, to the city of his choice, to the home of
his heart.
CAPT. JOHN PRINDIVILLE.
EAPT. JOHN PRINDIVILLE, whose name is
a synonym for honesty, courage and gener-
osity among the early residents of Chicago,
was born in Ireland, September 7, 1826. The
names of his parents were Maurice Prindivilleand
Catharine Morris. While a boy at school Maur-
ice Prindiville ran away from home and went to
sea, making a voyage to India, thereby gratifying
his thirst for adventure and forfeiting the oppor-
tunity to enter Trinity College at Dublin. Re-
turning to his native land, he there married Miss
Morris, and in 1835 came with his family to Amer-
ica. After spending a year at Detroit, he came to
Chicago, where he was for several years in charge
of Newbury & Dole's grain warehouse. With his
family, he took up his residence in a log house on
Chicago Avenue, at the northern terminus of Wol-
cott (now North State) Street, which was subse-
quently extended. The locality was long known
as "the Prindiville Patch." The nearest house
was Judge Brown's residence, on the west side of
Wolcott Street, between Ontario and Ohio Streets,
the only one between Prindiville' s and River
Street, the intervening territory being covered
with thick woods. Indians and wild beasts were
numerous in the vicinity at that time, and John
Prindiville became quite familiar with the Indians
and learned to speak several of their dialects.
His father and he were firm friends of Chief Wau-
bansee and others, and always espoused their
cause in resisting the encroachments of the whites
upon their rights and domains.
As a boy John was noted for his dare-devil
pranks, though always popular with his comrades,
whom he often led into difficulties, out of which he
usually succeeded in bringing them without seri-
ous results. He was one of the first students at
St. Mary's College, which was located at the cor-
ner of Wabash Avenue and Madison Street. Upon
one occasion, he led a number of students upon a
floating cake of ice near the shore of the lake.
The wind suddenly changed, and, before they
were aware of their condition, floated their preca-
rious barge out into the lake. Upon discovering
130
JOHN PRINDIVILLE.
the danger, John promptly led the way back to
shore by wading through water breast deep. This
prompt action, aided by his reputation for honesty
and truthfulness, saved him from punishment at
the hands of the college authorities. He always
had a great desire to live upon the water, and at
the age of eleven years he gratified this tendency
by shipping as a cook on a lake schooner. Two
of the first vessels upon which he sailed were the
"Hiram Pearson" and "Constitution." His
menial position made him the butt of the sailors,
but he took so readily to the life of a mariner and
performed his duties so thoroughly and capably,
that he rapidly won promotion to more respon-
sible posts, and when but nineteen years of age
became the master of the schooner "Liberty,"
engaged in the lumber trade between Chicago and
other Lake Michigan ports. For about ten years
he was the skipper of sailing-vessels, abandoning
the last of these in 1855, after which he com-
manded several steamers, although that was never
so much to his taste as sailing. In 1860 he for-
sook marine life, though he has been ever since
interested in the operation of lake craft. From
1855 to 1865 he and his brother, Redmond Prin-
diville, operated a line of tugs upon the Chicago.
River. During this time, in August, 1862, he
had a narrow escape from instant death by the
explosion of the boiler of the tug "Union."
Though not regularly in command of the vessel,
he chanced to be on board at that time, and had
just left the wheel, going aft to hail another tug,
when the accident occurred. Captain Daly, who
took his place at the wheel, and several others
were instantly killed.
As a skipper, Capt. John Prindiville was noted
for quick trips, always managing to out-distance
any competing vessels, though he made wreck of
many spars and timbers by crowding on canvas.
One of his standing orders was that sail should
not be shortened without instructions, though it
was allowable to increase it at any time deemed
desirable. He was ever on the alert and always
took good care of the lives of his crew and pass-
engers. He was a strict disciplinarian, but was
always popular with his men, who considered it
a special honor to be able to sail with him, and
were ever ready to brave any danger to serve
him. These included a number of those who had
been accustomed to curse him when he first began
his marine career in the capacity of cook.
In 1850 Captain Prindiville commanded the
brigantine "Minnesota" (which was builtin Chi-
cago, below Rush Street Bridge) , the first Amer-
ican vessel to traverse the St. Lawrence River.
Her cargo consisted of copper from the Bruce
Mines on Georgian Bay, and her destination was
Swansea, Wales. Owing to the stupidity and in-
capacity of the pilot, she ran upon the rocks in
Lachine Canal and was obliged to unload. This
was a disappointment to the youthful captain, who
was ambitious to be the first lake skipper to cross
the ocean. He and his brothers owned the
schooner "Pamlico, " the first vessel loaded from
Chicago for Liverpool. This was in 1873, and
the cargo consisted of twenty-four thousand seven
hundred bushels of corn.
November 17, 1857, occurred one of the most
disastrous storms which ever visited Lake Michi-
gan, an event long to be remembered by the fami-
lies of those who were sailors at that time. A
number of vessels were wrecked off the shore of
Chicago, and many lives were sacrificed to the fury
of the elements. The number of fatalities would
have been far greater but for the bravery and har-
dihood of Captain Prindiville and his crew, who
manned the tug "McQueen" and brought many
of the men to land in safety, though at the peril
of their own lives. For this act of bravery and
humanity, on the evening of that day, Hon.
Stephen A. Douglas, in behalf of the citizens,
who had assembled at the Tremont House, ten-
dered him a purse of $700 in gold. This valua-
ble testimonial he modestly declined, recommend-
ing that the money be distributed among the
families of the crew of the "Flying Cloud," all of
whom had been lost in the storm. This is only
one of the many instances of his courage and self-
sacrifice in behalf of others. It is an acknowl-
edged and well-known fact that he has saved more
human lives than any other navigator on Lake
Michigan.
Captain Prindiville is the father of eight living
children, the offspring of two marriages. On the
J. W. GARY.
1 8th of November, 1845, Miss Margaret Kalehr
became his bride. After her death he married
Margaret Prendergast, a native of Burlington,
Vermont, who came to Chicago with her parents
about 1840. Of his three sons, Redmond is now
an ex-captain of lake craft, and resides in Chi-
cago. James W. and Thomas J. are associated
with their father in the vessel and marine busi-
ness.
Captain Prindiville has been a steadfast Roman
Catholic from boyhood, and is now a communi-
cant of the Cathedral of the Holy Name. He is
broad-minded and tolerant toward all sincere
Christians. He is a member of the Royal Arca-
num, and in national politics has been a life-long
Democrat, but gives his support to any good citi-
zen for local office, irrespective of party fealty.
He has been a member of the Chicago Board of
Trade since 1856, and is now one of the oldest
citizens connected with that body. His noble,
self-sacrificing spirit and unquestioned integrity
of character have won a host of friends, by whom
his memory will be cherished long after the mere
man of millions has passed into obscurity.
JOHN W. GARY.
(JOHN W. CARY was the lineal descendant
I in the fifth generation of John Gary, who
O came from Somersetshire, near Bristol, Eng-
land, in 1634, and joined the Plymouth Colony,
and a son of Asa Gary, who was born in Mans-
field, Connecticut, in 1774. He was born Feb-
ruary ii, 1817, in Shoreham, Vermont. Four-
teen years later, his parents removed to western
New York, where he attended the common
school, assisting his father on the farm until, at
the age of twenty, he entered Union College. He
supported himself through college, and was grad-
uated with the Class of 1842. Two years later he
was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of
New York, and followed his profession in Wayne
and Cayuga Counties until 1850, when he re-
moved to Wisconsin, taking up his residence at
Racine. He took an active interest in educational
matters, and as a School Commissioner was in-
strumental in developing the public-school sys-
tem of Racine. He was elected State Senator in
1852, and Mayor in 1857. Two years later he
removed his home to Milwaukee, and was at
once engaged as solicitor and counsel to fore-
close the mortgages given by the La Crosse &
Milwaukee Railroad Company. At the resulting
sale, the property was purchased by the Milwau-
kee & St. Paul Railroad Company (now the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul), which he had in-
corporated, and of which he continued as the
legal adviser and one of the controlling spirits to
the day of his death, a period of thirty-six years.
Until 1887 he was the General Solicitor of that
company, at which time the Board of Directors
created the office of General Counsel, and he was
then chosen to that position, which he continued
to fill up to the time of his death. He was not
only the legal adviser of that company, counsel-
ing on all questions and conducting all its litiga-
tion, in which he was eminently successful, es-
pecially before the Supreme Court of the United
States, but during all that time he was the chief
counselor and adviser of the general policy of the
company. He stood high in the legal profession,
and was regarded by all as one of the best equip-
ped railway lawyers in the country. Some of the
I 3 2
J. W. GARY.
cases in which lie appeared as counsel before the
Supreme Court of the United States, and in which
he was successful, rank among the most notable
cases of that court. He argued before that court
what is known as the Milk Rate case, which was
the case of the State of Minnesota against the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com-
pany, decided in April, 1890. The magnitude
of that case, both as regards the principle in-
volved and the moneyed interest affected, places
it by the side of such cases as the Dartmouth
College case, the case of McCulloch versus Mary-
land, and the Slaughter House cases. The Su-
preme Court in that case held, as Mr. Gary had
for many years contended, that the reasonableness
of a rate of charge for transportation of property
by a railroad company was a question of judicial
determination, rather than of arbitrary legislative
action, and that State Legislatures, in fixing the
rates of freight, must fix reasonable rates; that is,
rates which are compensatory, such as will per-
mit carriers to receive reasonable profits upon
their invested capital, the same as other persons
are permitted to receive.
The success of Mr. Gary in this case is all the
more notable from the fact that fifteen years pre-
viously he appeared as counsel for the St. Paul
Company in what are known as the Granger
cases, in which that court declined to adopt the
rule which it afterwards established in the Milk
Rate case.
Of the members of that court at the time the
Granger cases were argued, but one remains, ,
Justice Field, and of the leading counsel who ap-
peared in those cases all have passed away ex-
cept William M. Evarts. It is a notable fact that
Mr. Gary survived every justice who was a mem-
ber of that court at the time of his first appearance
therein, as well as the leading lawyers who were
practicing in that court at that time.
It is told of Mr. Gary that he successfully
argued fourteen cases during one session of the
Supreme Court, against such men as Caleb Gush-
ing, Matt H. Carpenter, Henry A. Cram, of New
York, and other eminent men.
In 1872, while a member of the Wisconsin
State Legislature, he was requested to draw a
general railroad law for the state, which he did,
and the statute which he prepared was adopted
and is still in force, and has passed into history
as one of the most important laws ever enacted in
Wisconsin, and is regarded by all as a law fair
both to the people and the railway companies.
No person in the State of Wisconsin was better
or more favorably known than Mr. Cary. His
reputation as a lawyer of marked abilities, and
his character for candor and integrity as a man,
were enviable. At all times and everywhere he
maintained the honor of his profession and the
majesty of the law. Those who knew him best
respected him the most.
He always took a great interest in political af-
fairs, and was unusually well versed in national
and political history. Throughout his entire man-
hood he was a devoted adherent of Democracy,
receiving in 1864 the nomination for Congress,
and upon several occasions the complimentary
vote of the Legislature for United States Senator.
During the long period in which the Democratic
party was in the minority, which covered nearly
the whole of his maturer years, Mr. Cary re-
mained steadfast in his loyalty to its principles.
But for this fact his name would undoubtedly
have found place on the pages of history among
the most eminent statesmen of his generation. A
man of vast mental endowment, clear of judg-
ment, and true as the needle to the pole was he
to the right as he saw the right.
He resided in Milwaukee until 1890, when the
general offices of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railway Company were removed to Chicago.
At this time he removed his home to Hinsdale, a
suburb of Chicago, where he resided until his
death, which occurred in Chicago on March 29,
1895.
In 1844 Mr. Cary was married to Eliza Vilas,
who died in 1845, leaving a daughter, Eliza. In
1847 he was married to Isabel BrinkerhofT. He
has seven children living, namely: Eliza, who is
the wife of Sherburn Sanborn ; Frances, the widow
of Charles D. Kendrick; Melbert B., Fred A.,
John W., Jr., George P. and Paul V.
In his intercourse with his fellow-men, and
with his associates in professional labor, he was
E. W. BAILEY.
133
alway. considerate and gentle. No unkind or
reproachful word ever passed his lips. He was
true and faithful in friendship, magnanimous in
his dealings with others, and every act was
prompted by the highest sense of honor. He was
modest and unassuming, simple and unaffected in
manner, and admired, trusted and loved by all
who knew him.
" In his family and home life
He was all sunshine; in his face
The very soul of sweetness shone."
EDWARD W. BAILEY.
f"DWARD WILLIAM BAILEY, a member
rt) of the Chicago Board of Trade, was born at
L. Elmore, La Moille County, Vermont, Au-
gust 31,1 843. His parents, George W. Bailey and
Rebecca Warren, were natives of Berlin, Vermont.
The Bailey family is remotely of Scotch lineage.
George W. Bailey was one of a family of thirteen
children, and was bereft of his father in childhood.
He participated in the War of 1812, entering the
service of the United States at the age of sixteen
years. But little is known of his service, except
that he was in the battle of Fort Erie. He be-
came a prominent farmer and practical business
man, officiating as President of the Vermont
Mutual Life Insurance Company, and for many
years filled the office of Judge of Probate in
Washington County, a circumstance which indi-
cates the regard and confidence reposed in him
by his fellow- citizens. His death occurred at
Montpelier in 1868, at the age of seventy years.
Mrs. Rebecca Bailey was a daughter of Abel War-
ren. She died upon the homestead farm at El-
more in 1885, having reached the mature age of
eighty-three years.
Edward W. Bailey is the youngest of ten chil-
dren. His education was obtained in the public
schools, and in Washington County Grammar
School at Montpelier. From the age of seventeen
years, he assisted his father in the management
of the homestead farm, thereby developing a
strong muscular frame and acquiring strength
and endurance for the subsequent battle of life.
He also inherited the upright character and con-
scientious principles for which his progenitors
had been conspicuous, and when, in 1869, he en-
tered upon his commercial career, he was fully
competent to meet and master the exigencies and
vicissitudes which ever beset the business man.
At that date he purchased a grocery store at
Montpelier, and the following year he and his
partner increased their business by the addition
of a gristmill. When the firm dissolved, a few
years later, Mr. Bailey retained the mill and
still continues to own and operate the same.
In 1879 he located in Chicago, and, in partner-
ship with V. W. Bullock, began dealing in grain
on commission, an occupation which still em-
ploys his time and attention. After the first two
or three years, Mr. Bailey became sole proprie-
tor of the business, and now occupies commo-
dious quarters in the Board of Trade Building.
In most instances, he has been successful, and he
has ever maintained a reputation for honorable
dealing and integrity of character, which has
earned him the confidence of all his business as-
sociates. There is, perhaps, no man upon the
Board of Trade to-day in whom the public has
better reason to trust or whose business credit is
freer from imputation.
In June, 1869, he was married to Miss Jennie
Carter, daughter of Charles H. Carter, of Mont-
pelier, Vermont. The lady was born in Wil-
mington, Massachusetts, and has become the
mother of two children: George C., who holds a
134
J. B. BRADWELL.
responsible position with the great packing house
of Swift & Company, and Mary D., wife of Fred-
erick Meyer, of Chicago. Mr. Bailey holds
liberal views on religious subjects, and was for
many years a member of the congregation of the
late Prof. David Swing. He is not in fellowship
with any social or religious organization. Though
the right as well as duty of casting a vote,
and supports Republican principles, believing the
Republican party to represent the best social and
economic ideas. He is a man of resolution and
prompt action, and his industrious habits have
made him an exemplary business man, whose life
and character are worthy of the emulation of the
not an active politician, he never fails to exercise rising generation.
HON. JAMES B. BRADWELL.
HON. JAMES B. BRADWELL. This dis-
tinguished gentleman, an excellent portrait
of whom is herewith presented, was born
April 16, 1828, at Loughborough, England. His
parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Gutridge)
Bradwell. The family left England when James
was sixteen months old, and settled in Utica,
New York, where they resided until 1833, when
they removed to Jacksonville, Illinois. They
went from Jacksonville to what is now Wheeling,
Cook County, Illinois, in May, 1834. The fam-
ily made the trip in a covered wagon drawn by a
span of horses and a yoke of oxen, and, although
the distance was but two hundred and fifty miles,
it took twenty-one days to complete the journey.
Young Bradwell spent a number of years upon a '
farm in Cook County, splitting rails, breaking
prairie, mowing and cradling in the old-fashioned
way, which aided to give him that strength of
body and mind which he possesses at the age of
sixty-seven. His early education was obtained
in a log schoolhouse; later in Wilson's Academy,
of Chicago, in which Judge Lorenzo Sawyer, of
California, was tutor; and was completed in Knox
College, Galesburg, Illinois. He supported him-
self in college by sawing wood and working in a
wagon and plow shop afternoons and Saturdays,
where he often had to take his pay in orders on
stores, which he discounted at twenty-five cents
on the dollar. This resulted in the young man
taking an oath that if ever he lived to employ
men he would never pay them in orders or truck.
Although he has paid hundreds of thousands
of dollars for wages, he has religiously kept his
oath. For a number of years before his admis-
sion to the Bar he worked as a journeyman at
several different trades in Chicago. He is a
natural mechanic, and, believing with Solomon
that ' 'the rest of the laboring man is sweet, ' ' he
'aimed, even when on the Bench and at the Bar,
to devote a portion of every day to some kind of
manual labor. It is said that he could earn his
living to-day as a journeyman at any one of sev-
enteen trades. As a process artist he has few su-
periors. He invented a process of his own for
doing half-tone work, and has the honor of hav-
ing made the first half-tone cut ever produced
in Chicago that of Chief Justice Fuller, of the
United States Supreme Court. Nearly forty years
ago he was admitted to the Illinois Bar, and,
being a good speaker, a bold, dashing young
man, and considerable of a "hustler,"he succeeded
in building up a large and paying practice. In
1 86 1 he was elected County Judge of Cook Coun-
ty by a larger majority than any judge had ever
received in the county up to that time; and in
1865 he was re-elected for four years. Judge
Bradwell was elected to the Legislature of Illi-
LIBRARY
OF THE
U1VERSITY OF ILLI* ": ?
JAMES B. BRADWFU,
MYRA 15RADWELL
LIBRARY
OF THE
IMIVERSITY OF ILLIN:; 5
MYRA BRADWELL.
135
nois in 1873, and re-elected in 1875. He has
held many offices in charitable and other institu-
tions; presided at Cleveland during the organiza-
tion of the American Woman Suffrage Associa-
tion; was President of the Chicago Press Club;
President of the Chicago Rifle Club, and for
many years was considered the best rifle shot in
Chicago; President of the Chicago Bar Associa-
tion; President of the Illinois State Bar Associa-
tion, and for many years its historian; President
of the Chicago Soldiers' Home; Chairman of the
Arms and Trophy Department of the Northwest-
ern Sanitary Commission and Soldiers' Home
Fair in 1865; one of the founders of the Union
League Club of Chicago, President of the Board
of Directors the first year, and the first man to
sign the roll of membership, "Long John" Went-
worth being the second; he has been President of
the Chicago Photographic Society, and was Chair-
man of the Photographic Congress Auxiliary of
the World's Columbian Exposition.
When on the Bench he ranked as a probate
jurist second only to the distinguished surrogate,
Alexander Bradford, of New York.
He was the first judge to hold, during the war,
that a marriage made during slavery was valid
upon emancipation, and that the issue of such a
marriage was legitimate upon emancipation and
would inherit from their emancipated parents;
or, in other words, that the civil rights of slaves,
being suspended during slavery, revived upon
emancipation. The opinion was delivered in the
case of Matt C. Jones, and was published ap-
provingly in the London Solicitors' Journal, and
fully endorsed by Mr. Joel Prentiss Bishop ten
years after it was rendered, in one of his works.
Judge Bradwell was the friend of the widow and
the orphan an able, impartial judge.
He was an influential member of the Legisla-
ture, and aided in securing the passage of a num-
ber of measures for the benefit of the State and
the city of his adoption. He holds advanced
views as to the rights of women, and introduced
a bill making women eligible to all school offices,
and, mainly by his influence and power, secured
its passage; also a bill making women eligible to
be appointed notaries public.
Judge Bradwell has taken the Thirty-third and
last degree in Masonry, and is an honorary mem-
ber of the Supreme Council with its Grand East
at Boston, and also an honorary member of the
Ancient Ebor Preceptory at York, England. He
has recently published a neat volume of Ancient
Masonic Rolls and other matter of interest to the
order, showing that there was originally no pro-
vision against the admission of women to the fra-
ternity.
MYRA BRADWELL.
IV /JYRA BRADWELL. In these latter days
I V I of the century, a century which has done
1^1 more for women than any other in the his-
tory of the world, it is interesting to record the
life of a citizen of Chicago of national reputation,
who wrought earnestly, wisely and successfully
for woman's advancement.
To follow in a pathway which has been made
for one is easy. To be an original and practical
leader, clearing the way for others to come, is a
difficult undertaking. Such a leader was Myra
Bradwell, one of the pioneers in the movements
to give woman equal rights before the law and
equal opportunities to labor in all avocations.
Myra Bradwell was born in Manchester, Ver-
mont, February 12, 1831. In infancy she was
taken to Portage, New York, where she remained
until her twelfth year, when she came West with
MYRA BRADWELL.
her father's family. In the warp of her nature
was woven the woof of that sterling New England
character which has made such an impress on
our national life. On her father's side she was
descended from a family which numbers many
noble men, philanthropists, eminent divines and
noted statesmen. Her father, Eben Colby, was
the son of John Colby, a Baptist minister of New
Hampshire. Her father's mother was a lineal
descendant of Aquilla Chase, whose family gave
to the world the noted divine, Bishop Philander
Chase, of the Episcopal Church, and Salmon P.
Chase, Chief Justice of the United States.
On her mother's side she was a descendant of
Isaac Willey, who settled in Boston in 1640. Two
members of the family, Allen and John Willey,
served in the Revolutionary War, and were in the
little army which suffered glorious defeat at Bun-
ker Hill. Her family were aggressive Abolition-
ists and stanch friends of the Lovejoys. The
story of the murdered martyr, Elijah Lovejoy, as
recounted by the friend of her youth, Owen Love-
joy, made a deep impression upon her mind.
Thus early was implanted a hatred of slavery
and injustice in the soul of one who was destined,
in after years, to bear a conspicuous part in free-
ing her sex from some of the conditions of vas-
salage in which it had stood a champion who
broke one of the strongest barriers to woman's
enfranchisement, the Bar, and paved the way for
women into the upper halls of justice, into the
greatest court of the world. As a student, pos-
sessed of a keen, logical mind, with the soul of a
poet, she early evinced a deep love for learning,
and made the most of the limited educational ad-
vantages which were then deemed more than suf-
ficient for girls. After studying at Kenosha and
the ladies' seminary in Elgin, Myra engaged in
teaching.
May 18, 1852, Myra Colby was united in mar-
riage with James B. Bradwell. Soon after her mar-
riage she removed with her husband to Memphis,
Tennessee. While there she proved herself a
veritable helpmate, conducting with her husband
the largest select school in the city. In two
years they returned to Chicago, where her hus-
band engaged in the practice of the law, and
where they have since resided. With the ardor
of a true patriot, she could not remain inactive
when danger threatened the Government which
her Revolutionary ancestors fought to establish.
During the war she helped care for the suffering,
the wounded and the dying. The Soldiers' Fair
of 1863, and the Fair of 1867 for the benefit of
the families of soldiers, had no more active or
efficient worker than Mrs. Bradwell. She was a
member and Secretary of the Committee on Arms,
Trophies and Curiosities of the great Northwest-
ern Sanitary Fair, and was the leading spirit in
producing that artistic and beautiful exhibition in
Bryan Hall in 1865. When the war was over,
she assisted in providing a liDine for the scarred
and maimed and dependent veterans who shoul-
dered the musket to preserve the Union.
Becoming deeply interested in her husband's
profession, she commenced the study of law un-
der his tutelage, at first with no thought of be-
coming a practicing lawyer, but subsequently she
decided to make the profession her life work, and
applied herself diligently to its study. In 1868
she established the "Chicago Legal News," the
first weeekly law periodical published in the West,
and the first paper of its kind edited by a woman
in the world, and which stands to-day the best
monument to her memory. Believing fully in
the power of the law, she adopted as the motto
of the "Legal News" the words Lex Vincit, which
have always been at the head of its columns.
Practical newspaper men and prominent lawyers
at once predicted its failure, but they under-esti-
mated the ability and power of its editor. She
obtained from the Legislature special acts mak-
ing all the laws of Illinois and the opinions of the
Supreme Court of the State printed in her paper
evidence in the courts. She made the paper a
success from the start, and it was soon recognized
by the Bench and Bar throughout the country as
one of the best legal periodicals in the United
States. With her sagacity, enterprise and mas-
terful business ability she built up one of the
most flourishing printing and publishing houses
in the West. Two instances may be cited to
show her business energy and enterprise. From
the year 1869, when she first began to publish
MYRA BRADWELL.
137
the Illinois session laws, she always succeeded
in getting her edition out many weeks in advance
of any other edition. At the Chicago fire, in
common with thousands of others, she lost home
and business possessions, but, undismayed by
misfortune, she hastened to Milwaukee, had the
paper printed and published on the regular pub-
lication day, and thus not an issue of her paper
was lost during this trying time in our city's
history.
She finally decided to apply for admission to the
Bar and to practice law. She had been permitted
to work side by side with her husband as a most
successful teacher, why not as a lawyer ?
In 1869 she passed a most creditable examina-
tion for the Bar, but was denied admission by the
Supreme Court of Illinois, upon the ground that
she was a married woman, her married state be-
ing considered a disability. She knew that the
real reason had not been given. She filed an ad-
ditional brief which combated the position of the
court with great force, and compelled the court
to give the true reason. In due time the court,
by Mr. Chief Justice Lawrence, delivered an elab-
orate opinion, in which it was said, upon mature
deliberation, the court had concluded to refuse to
admit Mrs. Bradwell upon the sole ground that
she was a woman. She sued out a writ of error
against the State of Illinois in the Supreme Court
of the United States. Her case in that tribunal
was argued in 1871 by Senator Matt Carpenter.
In May, 1873, the judgment of the lower court
was affirmed by the United States Supreme
Court. Mr. Chief Justice Chase, who never failed
to give his powerful testimony to aid in lifting
woman from dependence and helplessness to
strength and freedom, true to his principles, dis-
sented. As has been well said, "the discussion
of the Myra Bradwell case had the inevitable ef-
fect of letting sunlight through many cobwebbed
windows. It is not so much by abstract reason-
ing as by visible examples that reformations
come, and Mrs. Bradwell offered herself as a living
example of the injustice of the law. A woman of
learning, genius, industry and high character,
editor of the first law journal in the West, forbid-
den by law to practice law, was too much for the
public conscience, tough as that conscience is. ' '
Although Mrs. Bradwell, with Miss Hulett,
was instrumental in securing the passage of a
law in Illinois granting to all persons, irrespec-
tive of sex, freedom in the selection of an occu-
pation, profession or employment, she never re-
newed her application for admission to the Bar.
Twenty years after, the judges of the Supreme
Court of Illinois, on their own motion, performed
a noble act of justice and directed license to prac-
tice law to be issued to her, and March 28, 1892,
upon motion of Attorney-General Miller, Mrs.
Bradwell was admitted to practice before the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
A pioneer in opening the legal profession for
women, Myra Bradwell' s signal service to her
sex has been in the field of law reform. Finding
women and children without adequate protection
in the law, she devoted herself with the zeal of
an enthusiast to secure such protection. One of
the most wonderful phases of her character was
the power which she exerted in securing these
changes in the law.
It is interesting in this connection to note that
she was the only married woman who was ever
given her own earnings by special act of the
Legislature. She drafted the bill giving a mar-
ried woman a right to her own earnings. A case
in point, so monstrous in its injustice, gave an
added impetus to her zeal. A drunkard, who
owed a saloon-keeper for his whisky, had a wife
who earned her own living as a scrubwoman,
and the saloon-keeper garnisheed the people who
owed her and levied on her earnings to pay her
husband's liquor bill. It needed but an applica-
tion like this for her to succeed in her efforts to
pass the bill. She also secured the passage of
the law giving to a widow her award in all cases.
Believing thoroughly in the principle enunciated
by John Stuart Mill, "of perfect equality, admit-
ting no privilege on the one side nor disabil-
ity on the other, ' ' she was an enthusiastic sup-
porter of the bill granting to a husband the
same interest in a wife's estate that the wife had
in the husband's. While holding most advanced
views upon the woman question, she recognized
that the prejudice of years cannot be overcome in
138
MYRA BRADWELL.
a day, and that the work must be done by de-
grees.
She therefore never missed an opportunity to
try to secure any change in the law which would
enlarge the sphere of woman. With this purpose
in view, she applied to the Governor to be ap-
pointed Notary Public. Finding her womanhood
a bar to even this humble office, she induced her
husband, who was in the Legislature, to intro-
duce a bill making women eligible to the office of
Notary Public, which bill became a law. The
bill drafted by her husband permitting women to
act as school officers, and which was passed while
he was in the Legislature, received her hearty sup-
port. In all the reforms which Mrs. Bradwell se-
cured, she was not acting as the representative of
any organization, but they were secured through
her personal influence. Twice Mrs. Bradwell
was honored by special appointment of the Gov-
ernor, being appointed a delegate to the Prison
Reform Congress at St. Louis; and it was mainly
by her efforts that women, after a severe contest,
were allowed a representation on the list of officers,
she declining to accept any office herself; subse-
quently she was appointed by the Governor as
one of the Illinois Centennial Association to repre-
sent Illinois in the Centennial Exhibition of 1876.
Mrs. Bradwell circulated the call for the first
Woman Suffrage Convention held in Chicago,
in 1869, and was one of its Vice-Presidents. She
was one of the active workers in the suffrage
convention held in Springfield in 1869, and for a
number of years one of the executive committee
of the Illinois Woman Suffrage Association. She
also took an active part in the convention at
Cleveland which formed the American Woman's
Suffrage Association. Once only was she per-
mitted to exercise the right of suffrage. Under
the recent school law in Illinois she cast her bal-
lot for the first and last time, her death occurring
on the fourteenth day of February, 1894.
A thorough Chicagoan, in the life, progress
and best interests of her city she had a citizen's
interest and a patriot's pride. She was untiring
in her efforts to secure the World's Fair for Chi-
cago, accompanied the commission to Washing-
ton, and rendered valuable services there in ob-
taining the location of the Exposition in Chicago.
She was appointed one of the Board of Lady
Managers, and was Chairman of the Committee
on Law Reform of its auxiliary congress. It is
interesting to note that the woman who labored
so courageously, persistently and effectively to
secure for women their rights was herself a rep-
resentative in the first national legislature of
women to be authorized by any Government.
Mrs. Bradwell was the first woman who be-
came a member of the Illinois State Bar Associa-
tion and the Illinois Press Association; was a
charter member of the Soldiers' Home Board,
the Illinois Industrial School for Girls, the Wash-
ingtonian Home, and the first Masonic chapter
organized for women in Illinois, over which she
presided; was a member of the Chicago Women's
Club, the daughters of the American Revolution,
the Grand Army Relief Corps, the National Press
League and the Woman's Press Association.
A gentle and noiseless woman, her tenderness
and refinement making the firmness of her char-
acter all the more effective, Mrs. Bradwell was
one of those who live their creed instead of preach-
ing it. Essentially a woman of deeds, not words,
she did not spend her days proclaiming on the
rostrum the rights of women, but quietly, none
the less effectively, set to work to clear away the
barriers.
A noble refutation of the oftimes expressed be-
lief that the entrance of women in public life
tends to lessen their distinctively womanly char-
acter, she was a most devoted wife and mother,
her home being ideal in its love and harmony.
She was the mother of four children, two of whom
survive her, Thomas and Bessie, both lawyers,
and the latter the wife of a lawyer, Frank A.
Helmer, of the Chicago Bar.
Of this gifted and honored lady it has been
truthfully said: "No more powerful and convinc-
ing argument in favor of the admission of women
to a participation in the administration of the
Government was ever made than may be found
in Myra Bradwell's character, conduct and
achievements."
JOHN FRINK.
139
JOHN FRINK.
flOHN FRINK, who was probably as well
I known as any man in the United States, out-
O side of National public life, was a leader in
the operation of transportation lines before the
days of railroads, as well as in railroad building
and operation. He was born at Ashford, Con-
necticut, October 17, 1797, and died in Chicago
May 21, 1858. He represented the seventh gen-
eration of his family in America, being descended
from John Frink, who settled at New London,
Connecticut, previous to 1650. The last-named
took part in King Philip's War, as a Colonial sol-
dier, and for his services in that conflict was
awarded by the General Court of Connecticut a
grant of two hundred acres of land and permis-
sion to retain his arms.
John Frink, the father of the subject of this
notice, removed about 1810 from Ashford, Con-
necticut, to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, becoming
the proprietor of the Stockbridge Inn, a noted
hostelry, which is still kept there. He afterward
kept taverns at Northampton and Palmer, Mass-
achusetts. His death occurred at the latter place
in 1847, at the age of sixty years.
While a young man, John Frink, whose name
heads this article, started out in the operation of
a stage line. One of his first ventures was the
establishment of a stage line between Boston and
Albany, by way of Stockbridge. His partner in
this enterprise was Chester W. Chapin, ofSpring-
field, Massachusetts, afterward conspicuous in
railroad operations. A branch to New York City
was soon added, and the undertaking was entire-
ly successful, becoming a prosperous medium of
travel. Mr. Frink was subsequently instrument-
al in the establishment of a stage line between
Montreal and New York, an undertaking of con-
siderable magnitude in those days.
About 1830 he made a trip, by way of Pitts-
burgh, to New Orleans, and was so favorably im-
pressed with the development and progress of the
West that he determined to transfer the field of
his operations to a new territory. Accordingly,
in 1836, he came to Chicago, and soon after his
arrival purchased the stage line in operation be-
tween Chicago and Ottawa, Illinois. He soon
afterward established a connecting line of steam-
boats on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, be-
tween the latter point and St. Louis, and the
route thus completed immediately became a pop-
ular thoroughfare. Another stage line was short-
ly afterwards put into operation between Galena
and Chicago, by way of Freeport. Galena was
then the metropolis of the Northwest, and this
line of stages became the most important over-
land route of travel in that region. Another ex-
tensive undertaking was the establishment of
stages between Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin.
The business was conducted at the outset by the
firm of John Frink & Company, later known as
Frink & Walker. This became one of the most
powerful business concerns in the Northwest, and
its operations eventually extended to Des Moines,
Iowa, and Fort Snelling, Minnesota. All compe-
tition was driven out of the way, even though
business was sometimes conducted for a season at
a loss, in order to maintain their supremacy. An
immense number of men and horses was em-
ployed. The stage sheds were located at the
northwest corner of Wabash Avenue and Ran-
dolph Street, with extensive repair shops adja-
cent; and the principal stage office was on the
southwest corner of Dearborn and Lake Streets,
opposite the Tremont House, then the principal
hotel of Chicago.
One of the most important features of the busi-
ness was the carriage of the United States mails,
and the securing and care of the contracts for the
same kept Mr. Frink in Washington a large por-
tion of the time, and brought him in contact and
intimate acquaintance with the leading politicians
and public men of the nation. These contracts,
140
O. B. PHELPS.
which involved large sums of money, were faith-
fully carried out, a fact which enabled him to
hold them in spite of aggressive competition. He
was a man of rare executive ability, excelling the
various partners with whom he was associated in
that respect to such a degree that he was kept
constantly on the move to regulate the adminis-
tration of business. He was a man of fine phys-
ical make-up and of most unusual colloquial and
conversational abilities, which made him popular
in any circle where he chanced to be. He was
extremely fastidious in dress and the care of his
personal appearance, and required the most scru-
pulous care and thrift in all his employes. No
man who failed to keep matters under his charge
in first-class order could remain a day in his em-
ploy.
When the steam locomotive became a practical
success, Mr. Frink at once saw that it would su-
persede the horse as a means of propelling pas-
senger vehicles. He accordingly began to close
out his interests in the stage business, transfer-
ring his capital and energy to railroad building
and operation. He was one of the prime movers
in the construction of the Chicago & Galena Un-
ion Railroad, and also the Peoria & Oquawka,
now a part of the great Burlington System, and
in the Peoria & Bureau Valley Railroad, at pres-
ent a branch of the Rock Island System. He
did not live to witness the ultimate completion
of these lines, but their success vindicated his
foresight and judgment.
Mr. Frink was first married to Martha R.
Marcy, who died in Chicago in 1839, leaving
three children: John, Harvey and Helen. The
last-named became the wife of Warren T. Hecox,
one of the original members of the Chicago Board
of Trade, and all are now deceased. For his
second wife he chose Miss Harriet Farnsworth,
who was born in Woodstock, Vermont, July 2,
1810, and died at Wheaton, Illinois, March 7,
1884. Her father, Stephen Farnsworth, was a
descendant of Matthias Farnsworth, an early set-
tler of Groton, Massachusetts. The descendants
of the last-named, in direct line, were Samuel,
who was born at Groton, October 8, 1669; Steph-
en, bornin 1714, diedat Charleston, New Hamp-
shire, and who took part in the French and Indian
War, in which two of his brothers were killed.
Stephen, Jr., father of Mrs. Frink, was born in
Charleston, New Hampshire, June 20, 1764. He
moved to South Woodstock, Vermont, where he
became a prominent farmer and miller. He
served as a member of the Vermont Legislature,
and was a Justice of the Peace for a great many
years.
Mrs. Harriet Frink was one of the earliest
members of St. James' Episcopal Church of Chi-
cago, and when Trinity Church was formed on
the South Side she joined that society. She aft-
erwards became a member of Christ Church, and
continued to be a communicant thereof until her
death, both she and her husband being buried
from that church. Their children are George,
Henry F., and Eva, Mrs John W. Bennett, all of
whom reside at Austin, Illinois.
OTHNIEL B. PHELPS.
ITHNIEL BREWSTER PHELPS. The
subject of this sketch was born at Cones-
ville, Schoharie County, New York, Febru-
ary 18, 1821, and was the elder of two children
springing from the marriage of George W. Phelps
with Zerviah Potter. His mother dying when
Othniel was only two years of age, his father
married Mary Chapman in the year 1824,
O. B. PHELPS.
141
wherefrom it will be seen that his step-mother
was the only maternal parent of whom he ever
had a memory. From this second union eight
children came into being, the eldest of whom was
William Wallace Phelps, a sketch of whom will
be found upon other pages in this work; in con-
nection with which will also be found a succinct
account of the Phelps genealogy, which, for ob-
vious reasons, is not reprinted at this place.
His early life was spent upon a farm (it seems
as if the farms of that generation did the raising
of all the brains, as well as vegetables, etcetera,
of the country), and his erudition, save the self-
learned, was limited to the common school. At
a very youthful age, he went to Catskill, New
York, as clerk in the mercantile house of Joshua
Fiero, and, being one of unusual energy and self-
reliance, after a few years he started a mercantile
business for himself at Windham, Greene County,
New York, to which place he removed, and in
which occupation he was engaged for the next
succeeding six years.
Selling out at the end of that period at an ad-
vantage, he removed to Williamstown, New York,
where he engaged in the tanning business, be-
coming the possessor of one of the finest proper-
ties in that part of the country at that time ( es-
pecially notable in one of so few years) . He was
estimated to be worth an estate of $80,000, which,
however, was entirely swept away by the panic
of 1857.
Almost directly with the disappearance of his
household gods, he set his face towards the then
far West to retrieve, as fortune should favor him,
his lost accumulations. Chicago was the fortun-
ate end of his journey, which was not then, as
might be now, wooed into a longer continuance
than necessary by luxurious conveniences for
treveling. He bought a house on West Madison
Street; but within a few years found the spot
henceforth to be most dear to him on earth, pur-
chasing again, at Number 2427 Indiana Avenue.
The large brick mansion, standing to-day nearly as
he found it, was one of the finest places in the
city at that time, and a veritable landmark in this
generation; for in the early sixties and for
long after this was well out on the edge of the
town, viewing to the westward, as far as Michi-
gan Avenue, a thrifty cornfield in summer time.
His business relation;.' from the start were with
our prince of citizens, Potter Palmer, for whom
he acted as confidential adviser and credit man,
with power of attorney (a position of great re-
sponsibilities) up to the time of the Big Fire in
1871. From this time, although in the very mer-
idian of life, hale and hearty, having re-made a
conspicuous estate, he lived the retired life of a
gentleman of leisure.
Politically he was a Republican, and for sever-
al years he acted as a prominent City Alderman,
closing his record thus in 1882, because of the
results of an outspoken nature, which would nev-
er quietly allow public wrongs to be attempted.
He was a keen lover of finely bred dogs and
horses, of which he owned many in his time,
finding in this about his only real extravagance.
Most pleasant days found him on the boulevards
behind as fine a pair of gentleman's drivers as
our city could boast; and when a better pair passed
him on the road, he quietly remarked to himself,
"That is the team I want." From this trait, it
has been said, those who knew this proud weak-
ness often realized exceptional prices for horses
from one who, they knew, would have them, if he
had set his mind that way, regardless of cost. In
this connection it should not be forgotten that he
was a charter member of the famous Washington
Park Club, now for long years one of the most
distinguished places for race meetings in the
country.
Not what would be called a pious man, he was
none the less a fair-minded, public-spirited citi-
zen, who was a great credit to our city (more so,
perhaps, than some who are prominent in mat-
ters ecclesiastical) , and a regular attendant at Dr.
Scudder's Congregational Church. Between Dr.
Scudder and Mr. Phelps there was a deep and
wholesome regard, and this pastor officiated with
much feeling at the final obsequies, after which
the remains were borne to Graceland Cemetery,
where they lie at the foot of a sightly monument.
Physically, he was a portly man; facially, he
had a physiognomy in which all could read a grim
determination that whatsoever was undertaken
142
O. B. PHELPS.
would, the Heavens permitting, be put through;
yet, he was kind and generous; though blunt,
warm-hearted indeed. His health was uniformly
good, save for the vital lurkings of the insidious
heart disease, which suddenly took him hence on
the seventh day of February, 1891.
Mr. Phelps was twice married. First, to Miss
Emerette Steele of Windham, New York, about
the year 1 846. She died, without issue, in the
year 1880, and was buried at Graceland. Second,
to Mrs. Sarah Van Buren, the widow of Aaron
R. Van Buren, of Catskill, New York, in Decem-
ber, 1882. Her first husband was of the family
of the so-called "Kinderhook" (New York) Van-
Burens, which has produced a number of illus-
trious men, chief among them being our eighth
National Chief Magistrate, Martin Van Buren.
Mrs. Sarah (Van Buren) Phelps survives her
husband, in good health, and without children.
Mrs. Phelps' parents were Franklin and Hannah
(Groom) Graham, of Catskill, New York, her fa-
ther being a son of Samuel and Martha (French)
Graham, of Windham, New York. Her grand-
mother French was of French parentage, and
from Montreal, Canada. It is needless to remark
that the Grahams are of Scotch antecedents.
From Beers' "History of Greene County, New
York" (p. 402), we learn that the said Samuel
Graham went from Con way, Massachusetts, about
the year 1800 to Windham, New York, where, in
the village, he bought of one Constant A. Andrews
a property (at present known as the Matthews
Place, and owned by N. D. Hill), whereon the
first tannery of the place, a large one for the -
times, was constructed prior to 1805 by said
Samuel Graham. The latter passed into a son's
hands, and continued to be operated up to 1832.
Samuel died there in 1830, aged seventy years.
The Massachusetts Grahams are undoubtedly
descended from old Connecticut stock, which has
been very prolific in numbers and emigrating
members to other of the United States, not a few
of whom have made prominent names for them-
selves. From Cothren's "History of Ancient
Woodbury, Connecticut" (pp. 545 et seq.), we
glean the following of both the trans- Atlantic and
native tree:
The family arms are: Or, on a chief sable three
escalops of the field; crest, an eagle, wings hover-
ing or, perched upon a heron lying upon its back,
proper beaked and membered gules; motto, Ne
Oubliez.
The family is of great antiquity, tracing its de-
scent from Sir David Graeme, who held a grant
from King William the Lion of Scotland from
1163 to 1214. His descendant, Patrick Graham,
was made a Lord in Parliament about 1445, and
his grandson, William, Lord Graham, was, in
1504, by James IV., created Earl of Montrose.
His son William was second earl, succeeded in
turn by John, John ( Junior) and James, fifth earl,
a very distinguished character in history. He was
born in 1612, and joined the Covenanters against
Charles I. , but later became loyal to his sovereign,
who created him Marquis of Montrose. He had
a varied career, which ended by his execution in
1645 by the axe on the scaffold, as did that of so
many contemporaries. He was succeeded by
James, James, and James, fourth Marquis, who
was made Lord High Admiral of Scotland in
1705, and in 1707 Duke of Montrose. Then
came David, Earl and Baron Graham, succeeded
by William (his brother), James, James, the
fourth Duke of Montrose, etc. , who was a Com-
missioner of India Affairs, Knight of the Thistle,
Lord Justice-General of Scotland, Chancellor of
Scotland, etc.
The Rev. John Graham, A. M., a second son
of a Marquis of Montrose, was born in Edinburgh
in 1691; he graduated at the University of Glas-
gow, and studied theology at his native Edin-
burgh; came to Boston in 1718, where he married
Abigail, a daughter of the very celebrated Dr.
Chauncey, of Harvard College. Later Rev. Mr.
Graham removed to Exeter, New Hampshire, but
in 1722 to Stafford, Connecticut, and in 1732 to
Woodbury, Connecticut, where he lived until his
death, in December, 1 774. He was an eminent man
and left a family of five sons and four daughters,
from whom are descended a numerous progeny.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UIVERSITY OF ILLIN
B. COBP.
'43
SILAS B. COBB.
BOWMAN COBB. In the entire his-
?\ tory of the world it has been vouchsafed to
\~/ but few men to witness the growth of a mu-
nicipality from a few dozen in population to a
million and a quarter souls. No story of Chicago' s
development can be written without cognizance of
Silas B. Cobb as one of its initial forces. It was
such sturdy, self-reliant and hopeful young men
as he that began the development of her great-
ness, and carried forward her growth in middle
and later life. Ever since the little band of Pil-
grims established a home on the rocky and frost-
locked shores of Massachusetts, New England has
been peopled by a race of enterprising and adven-
turous men, whose habits of industry and high
moral character have shaped the destinies of the
Nation. It is not strange, then, that the hamlet
planted by their descendants on the swamp}- shore
of Lake Michigan in the 305' should become the
commercial, industrial and philanthropical me-
tropolis of America.
Silas W. Cobb, father of the subject of this
sketch, gained a livelihood by various occupa-
tions, being in turn a farmer, a tanner and a tav-
ern-keeper, and the son was early engaged in
giving such assistance to his father as he was able.
When other boys were applying themselves to
their books, he was obliged to employ his strength
in support of the family. His mother, whose
maiden name was Hawkes, died when he was an
infant, and he knew little of maternal love or care,
growing up in the habit of self-reliance which
carried him through many difficult enterprises
and made him a successful man. He was born
in Montpelier, Vermont, January 23, 1812, and
is now entering upon the eighty-fourth year of
his age. He is keenly active in mind and sound
in body, taking a participating interest in all the
affairs of life.
At the age of seventeen, young Cobb was regu-
larly "bound out," according to the custom of
those days, for a term of years, as apprentice to a
harness-maker, having previously made a begin-
ning as a shoemaker, which did not suit his taste.
Within a twelvemonth after he was "articled" to
the harness-maker, his employer sold out, and the
new proprietor endeavored to keep the lad as an
appurtenance to his purchase. Against this the
manly independence of the youth rebelled, and the
new proprietor was obliged to give him more ad-
vantageous terms than he had before enjoyed.
Having become a journeyman, he found employ-
ment in his native State, but he was not satisfied
with the conditions surrounding him. After nine
months of continuous toil and frugal living, he
was enabled to save only $60, and he resolved to
try his fortune in the new country to the then
far West.
Joining a company then being formed at Mont- '
pelier to take up land previously located by
Oliver Goss, the young man having but just at-
tained his majority in spite of his father's re-
monstrance, set out. From Albany, the trip to
Buffalo was made by canal packet, and in the
journey from home to this point all his little sav-
ings, except $7, were exhausted. The schooner
' 'Atlanta' ' was about to leave Buffalo for Chicago,
and Mr. Cobb at once explained to the captain
his predicament. The fare to Chicago was just
$7, but this did not include board, and Mr. Cobb
I 4 4
S. B. COBB.
was delighted, as well as surprised, when the
captain told him to secure provisions for the jour-
ney and he would carry him to Chicago for the
balance. After a boisterous voyage of five weeks,
anchor was dropped opposite the little settlement
called Chicago. Its hundred white and half-breed
inhabitants were sheltered by log huts, while the
seventy soldiers forming the garrison occupied
Fort Dearborn . And now a new hardship assailed
the young pioneer. Disregarding the bargain
made in Buffalo, the tricky commander of the
schooner refused to let him leave its deck until
his passage money had been paid in full. For
three days he was detained in sight of the promised
land, until he was delivered by a generous
stranger, who came on board to secure passage to
Buffalo. His first earnings on shore were applied
by Mr. Cobb in repaying the sum advanced by
his kind deliverer. Before the boat sailed he
found employment on a building which James
Kinzie was erecting for a hotel. He knew noth-
ing of the builder's trade, but had pluck and
shrewdness, and took hold with such will that he
was placed in charge of the work, at a salary of
$2.75 per day a very liberal remuneration in his
estimation. The building was constructed of logs
and unplaned boards, and did not require a very
high order of architectural skill, but within a
few days a man, seeking the position, called at-
tention to the lack of experience on the part of
the youthful superintendent, and clinched the
matter by offering to do the work for fifty cents
less per day.
Mr. Cobb now invested his earnings in a stock
of trinkets and began to trade with the Indians,
by which he secured a little capital, and resolved
to erect a building of his own and go into busi-
ness. The nearest sawmill was at Plainfield, forty
miles southwest of Chicago, across unbroken
prairies. Getting his directions from an Indian,
Mr. Cobb set out on foot to purchase the lumber
for his building. There being no trail, he was
guided solely by the groves which grew at long
intervals, and found only one human habitation
on the way. From one of the settlers at Plain-
field he secured the use of three yoke of oxen and
a wagon, with which to bring home his purchase
of lumber. He was but fairly started when a
three-days rain set in, and the surface of the
prairies became so soft that the wagon sank deep
in the mud, making progress almost impossible
and compelling an occasional lightening of the
load by throwing off a part. After sleeping three
nights on the wagon with such shelter as could
be made with boards from the load, with the rain
beating down pitilessly and the wolves' howling
the only accompaniment, he arrived at the Des
Plaines River, still twelve miles from his destina-
tion. The stream was so swollen by the rains
that it was impossible to cross with the wagon,
and the balance of the load was thrown off and
the oxen turned loose to find their way back to
their owner, which they did without accident.
After the rains were over and the ground became
settled, the trip was repeated, the lumber recov-
ered and brought safely to Chicago. These are
some of the experiences of the pioneer, and can
never be forgotten by those who pass through
them.
When Mr. Cobb had completed his building,
which was two stories in height, he rented the
upper story, and began business on the ground
floor. The capital consisted of $30, furnished by
Mr. Goss, who was a partner in the venture, and
was invested in stock for a harness shop. The
industry and business ability of the working part-
ner caused the enterprise to prosper and grow,
and at the end of a year he withdrew and set
up business on his individual account in larger
quarters. His business continued to grow, and
in 1848 he sold out at a good advance. He then
engaged in the general boot and shoe, hide and
leather trade, in partnership with William Os-
borne, and found success beyond his fondest an-
ticipations, and in 1852 lie retired from mercan-
tile operations. About the same time, he was
appointed executor of the estate of Joel Matteson
and guardian of the latter 's five children. When
this trust closed in 1866, the estate was found to
have been vastly benefited by his shrewd man-
agement of the trust.
With characteristic foresight, Mr. Cobb early
began to invest in Chicago realty, and the wisdom
of his calculations has been abundantly demon-
S. B. COBB.
strated. He has also been identified with semi-
public enterprises, or those which largely con-
cerned and benefited the city, while yielding a
return to the investors. In 1855 he was elected
a Director of the Chicago Gas Light and Coke
Company, and subsequently one of the Board of
Managers. This position he held until he sold
his interest and retired from the company in 1887.
It was his executive ability which was largely re-
sponsible for the establishment of cable roads in
the city, those on State Street and Wabash Ave-
nue being constructed under his advice and direc-
tion, while President of the Chicago City Railway.
He is still active in the councils of that company,
as well as of the West Division horse railway.
For many years he was among the controlling
members of the Chicago & Galena Union and
Beloit & Madison Railroads, now a part of the
Northwestern System (see biography of John B.
Turner). Mr. Cobb is a Director of the National
Bank of Illinois, and several blocks of fine build-
ings in the business district contribute to his in-
come, as the result of his faith in the city and
sagacity in selection.
While being prospered, he has not forgotten to
add to his own felicity by contributing to the happi-
ness of others. He has been one of the kindest
husbands and fathers, and not only his family but
the city of his home have often shared in his bene-
factions. When the effort to raise $1,000,000 for
the buildings of the new University of Chicago
was straining every resource of the Trustees, Mr.
Cobb came forward unsolicited and donated$i5o,-
ooo, assuring the success of the movement. The
"History of Chicago," by John Moses, says: "It
is believed that up to the time when this subscrip-
tion was made, few, if any, greater ones had ever
been made to education by a Chicago citizen at
one time. A noble building, the Cobb lecture
Hall, now stands on the University campus, a
monument of the builder's liberality and public
spirit. As long as the great university endures,
this memorial of Silas B. Cobb's life will stand,
the corporation having pledged to rebuild the hall
if it should be destroyed." The Presbyterian
Hospital and Humane Society of Chicago are also
among the beneficiaries of his generosity, and Mr.
Cobb will be remembered as one of the city's
largest benefactors, as well as a successful busi-
ness man.
In 1840 Mr. Cobb married Miss Maria, daugh-
ter of Daniel Warren, whose biography appears
elsewhere in this work. He thus describes his
first meeting with his future bride: "I arrived
in Chicago in the spring of 1833. In October of
the same year I was occupying my new shop op-
posite the Kinzie Hotel in the building of which
my first dollar was earned in Chicago. Standing
at my shop one afternoon, talking with a neigh-
bor, my attention was attracted by the arrival at
the hotel of a settler's wagon from the East. With
my apron on and sleeves rolled up, I went with
my neighbor to greet the weary travelers and to
welcome them to the hospitalities of Fort Dear-
born, in accordance with the free and easy cus-
toms of 'high society' in those days. * * * *
There were several young women in the party,
two of them twin sisters, whom I thought partic-
ularly attractive, so much so that I remarked to
my friend, after they had departed, that when I
was prosperous enough so that my pantaloons and
brogans could be made to meet, I was going to
look up those twin sisters and marry one of them
or die in trying." The same pertinacity and
acumen which characterized his every undertak-
ing carried him through seven years of toil and
privation until he had won the prize, which in-
deed she proved to be. Their wedding took place
on the 27th of October. Her twin sister married
Jerome Beecher (for sketch of whom see another
page) .
Mrs. Cobb passed away on the loth of May,
1888. Of her six children, only two survive.
Two daughters died in infancy, and Walter, the
first-born and only son, and Lenore, wife of Joseph
G. Coleman, are also deceased. The others are:
Maria Louisa, wife of William B. Walker, and
Bertha, widow of the late William Armour.
Being a man of firm principle, Mr. Cobb has
always adhered to a few simple rules of conduct,
in the adoption of which any youth may hope to
win moderate success, at least. He early discov-
ered the disadvantage of being in debt, and made
it a rule as soon as he got out to stay out. The
146
W. E. ROLLO.
ether words forming his motto are: Industry,
economy, temperate habits and unswerving in-
tegrity. A few more words from the pen of Mr.
Cobb will fittingly close this brief article. On
the guests' register in the Vermont State Build-
ing at the World's Columbian Exposition, ap-
peared this entry over his signature: "A native
of Vermont, I left Montpelier in April, 1833, and
arrived at Fort Dearborn, now the city of Chicago,
May 2gth of the same year. I have lived in Chi-
cago from that time to the present day. Every
building in Chicago has been erected during my
residence here."
WILLIAM E. ROLLO.
fDQlLLIAM EGBERT ROLLO is a well-
\ A I known citizen of Chicago and a veteran
Y V underwriter, having been engaged in that
line of business since 1850. He was born in the
Parish of Gilead, Hebron Township, Tolland
County, Connecticut, January 3, 1851. His par-
ents, Ralph R. Rollo and Sibyl Post, were natives
of South Windsor, Connecticut. The former was
a farmer by occupation, and a son of William
Rollo, who, in addition to his agricultural inter-
ests, carried on the business of a tanner and cur-
rier. Their progenitors were among the earliest
colonists of Connecticut, and traced their lineage,
through a long line of English ancestry, from the
famous William Rollo, better known in history,
as William the Conqueror.
Ralph R. Rollo died in 1869, at the extreme
old age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Sibyl Rollo
passed away in 1833, in her fifty-first year. They
were strict adherents of the Congregational faith,
and observed most rigidly the rules of its creed.
The names of their children were: Lucy A., who
died in South Windsor, Connecticut, in 1858;
Evelyn S. , who died in Chicago in 1882, while
the wife of Elizur W. Drake; Ralph R., who be-
came a resident of Chicago in 1870, and died in
1872; Henry, who died in childhood; Lucinda
F., Mrs. Solyman W. Grant, who departed this
life at Conneaut, Ohio, in 1845; Samuel A.,
whose death occurred in New Jersey in 1864; and
William E., whose name heads this notice.
The last-named became a student at East Wind-
sor Academy, and completed his education at a
similar institution at East Hartford, graduating
therefrom at the age of eighteen years. It had
been his intention to take up the study of law,
but his father sternly forbade that plan, declaring
that no man could simultaneously be a lawyer
and a Christian. Accordingly he abandoned his
cherished hopes, and in 1850 he went to Colum-
bus, Ohio, as a representative of the Hartford
Fire Insurance Company. While in that city he
was also the agent of the Springfield Fire and
Marine Insurance Company of Springfield, Mass-
achusetts, the State Mutual Fire of Pennsylvania,
and the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Com-
panies. His faithful and efficient management of
the business in his hands soon caused other cor-
porations to seek his services, and in 1858 he be-
came the General Agent of the Girard Fire and
Marine Insurance Company, and during the next
two years established agencies in Chicago and all
the principal cities of the West.
Since 1860 he has been permanently located in
Chicago. In 1863 he organized the Merchants'
Insurance Company of Chicago, which included
among its stockholders many of the most substan-
tial citizens and business men of the city. This
J. G. ROGERS.
147
corporation had become well established, and was
doing a most flattering, lucrative business, when
it was overtaken by the great holocaust of 1871,
going down in company with many other or-
dinarily invincible companies before the un-
dreamed-of assault upon its assets. The year fol-
lowing that disaster, through Mr. Rollo's efforts,
the Traders' Insurance Company was re-estab-
lished and made a successful and solid institution.
After two years, owing to failing health and other
great demands upon his time, he turned over the
enterprise to other parties. Since that time he
has been carrying on the insurance agency of
William E. Rollo & Son. This firm manages the
Western Department of the Girard Insurance
Company, and represents a number of other lead-
ing underwriting concerns.
Mr. Rollo was married, in October, 1845, to
Miss Jane T. Fuller, daughter of Gen. Asa Ful-
ler, of Ellington, Connecticut. Mrs. Rollo is a
native of the same state, born at Somers. They
are the parents of two daughters and a son, Jen-
nie Sibyl, Evelyn Lavinia and William Fuller,
the last-named being a member of the firm of
William E. Rollo & Son. Mr. Rollo has adhered
strictly to the business of underwriting, meeting
with success where men of less energy and perse-
verance would have despaired.
HON. JOHN G. ROGERS.
HON. JOHN GORIN ROGERS, who was for
many years one of the ablest and most popu-
lar jurists in Chicago, has been thus de-
scribed by previous writers:
"Nature designed him for a Judge. His mind
was of the judicial order, and he would in almost
any community have been sought for to occupy a
place on the Bench. The high esteem in which
he was held as a jurist among the entire profession
was the result of a rare combination of fine legal
ability and culture and incorruptible integrity,
with the dignified presence, absolute courage, and
graceful urbanity which characterized all his offi-
cial acts. Like the poet, the Judge is born, not
made. To wear the ermine worthily, it is not
enough for one to possess legal acumen, be learned
in the principles of jurisprudence, familiar with
precedents and thoroughly honest. Most men
are unable wholly to divest themselves of preju-
dice, even when acting uprightly, and are uncon-
sciously warped in their judgment by their own
mental characteristics or the peculiarities of their
education. This unconscious influence is a dis-
turbing force, a variable factor, which more or less
enters into the final judgment of all men. In
this ideal jurist this factor was not discernible,
and practically did not exist."
Judge Rogers traced his ancestry from some of
the most honorable families of Virginia, being de-
scended from Giles Rogers, who emigrated from
Worcestershire, England, to Virginia in the sev-
enteenth century. He settled at the present vil-
lage of Dunkirk, on the Mattapony River, in King
and Queen County. The maiden name of his
wife, whom he is supposed to have married in
Virginia, was Eason, or Eastham. They were
the parents of three sons and three daughters.
One of the sons, John Rogers, married Mary
Byrd, daughter of Captain William Byrd, who
came from England to Virginia late in the seven-
teenth century. Captain Byrd was a native of
Cheshire, and received from the Crown a grant
of land embracing most of the site of the present
city of Richmond and of Manchester, on the op-
posite side of the James River. John Rogers was
a farmer and surveyor, and lived in King and
148
J. G. ROGERS.
Queen County. He also took up land on the
border between Carolina and Spottsylvania Coun-
ties. His initials, with the date 1712, are carved
upon a rock there. Among the descendants
of John and Mary (Byrd) Rogers may be men-
tioned General George Rogers Clark, the noted
Kentucky frontiersman, and his brother, William
Clark, the explorer of the American Northwest,
beside a number of prominent military men, in-
cluding Colonel George Grogham, of Fort Meigs
and Sandusky memory, as well as several emi-
nent statesmen and jurists. Among the latter
was Hon. John Semple, who became a United
States Senator from Illinois.
In the first year of the present century, Byrd
Rogers, a son of John and Mary Rogers, moved
to Fayette County, Kentucky, where he soon aft-
erward died. He had four sons and two daugh-
ters. One of the sons, George Rogers, became
an eminent physician, and died at Glasgow, Ken-
tucky, in March, 1860. He married Sarah Hen-
sley Gorin, a daughter of General John Gorin,
who served in the Continental army, and rose to
the rank of Major during the War of 1812. Mrs.
Sarah H. Rogers was born December n, 1800,
and died in 1870. Dr. and Mrs. Rogers had four
sons and five daughters, and two of the former
became Judges. These were John Gorin Rogers,
the subject of this notice, and George Clark Rog-
ers, who became a Circuit Judge at Bowling
Green, Kentucky, and died there about 1870.
John Gorin Rogers was born at Glasgow, Ken-
tucky, December 28, 1818, and died in Chicago,
January 10, 1887. His primary education was
obtained at the village school, and at the age of
sixteen years he entered Center College at Dan-
ville, Kentucky, an institution famous for its lect-
ures on law, in which he acquired the founda-
tion of his professional knowledge. Thence he
went to Transylvania University at Lexington,
from which he graduated in 1841, with the de-
gree of Bachelor of Arts. He began his practice
in his native town, being a part of the time asso-
ciated with his uncle, Hon. Franklin Gorin, one
of the oldest lawyers of the State.
In 1857 he became a resident of Chicago, where
his talents and ability soon wou him a prominent
position at the Bar. In 1870 he was chosen one
of the five Judges of the Circuit Court of Cook
County, a position to which he was repeatedly
re-elected and continued to hold during the bal-
ance of his life. He commanded the universal re-
spect of the people and the members of the Bar,
and, though he was always nominated as a Dem-
ocrat, he received the support of many leading
Republicans.
Judge Rogers always took an active interest
in public affairs, and previous to his elevation to
the Bench he was interested in many prominent
political movements, though he was never a vio-
lent partisan. In early life he was an old-line
Henry Clay Whig, and in 1848, and again in
1852, he was placed on the electoral ticket of that
party in Kentucky. In 1860 he became identi-
fied with the Democratic party, and was placed
on the Bell and Everett electoral ticket of Illinois.
In 1 856 he was a member of the convention which
nominated Millard Fillmore for President of the
United States. Had he chosen to pursue a polit-
ical career, he could, no dbubt, have held some
of the highest offices in the Nation; but after his
election to the Bench he refrained from taking
any active part in politics, contending that a
Judge should be in all things strictly non-partisan,
and should not lower the dignity of his office, or
subject himself to a charge of prejudice or favor-
itism, or place himself in any position where any
one might think that he had a claim on him for
special favors.
Though not a total abstainer, Judge Rogers
was always an advocate of the temperance cause,
and at one time was Grand Worthy Patriarch of
the Sons of Temperance of the State of Kentucky.
In 1849 he joined the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and from that time until his death was
the recipient of numerous honors from the order.
In 1863 he was elected Grand Master of Illinois,
and in 1869 was Grand Representative to the
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the United States. Aft-
er the great Chicago fire, he was selected as one
of the Chicago Odd Fellows' Relief Committee,
and as treasurer of that body received and dis-
bursed $125,000. He helped to organize the Char-
ity Organization Society, which was formed to
EDSON KEITH.
149
promote the co-operation of all the charitable or-
ganizations of the city in 1883. In 1878 he was
elected the first President of the Illinois Club, and
was re-elected to that position in 1882. He was
also a prominent member of the Iroquois Club.
Judge Rogers was always popular in society,
where his genial love for humanity and sincerity
of purpose won him a host of friends, and his
name came to be a household word among the
older residents of Chicago. He always manifest-
ed a deep interest in the poor and humble of his
fellow-citizens, and would often stop to grasp the
hand of a man of no social position, while he
might merely pass with a pleasant bow a million-
aire or social leader.
In 1844 Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Ara-
bella E. Crenshaw, daughter of Hon. B. Mills
Crenshaw, who afterward became Chief Justice
of the State of Kentucky. Mrs. Rogers, who
still survives her noble husband, is a lady of high
culture and many accomplishments, and to her
loving thoughtfulness and kindly assistance may
be attributed much of the success achieved by her
husband. They were the parents of four chil-
dren, all of whom reside in Chicago. Henry, the
eldest son, though finely endowed intellectually,
owing to ill-health has not been actively engaged
in business for many years; and George Mills
Rogers, the second son, is a well known attorney
and Master in Chancery; the eldest daughter is
the wife of Joseph M. Rogers; and Sarah is the
wife of ex -Judge Samuel P. McConnell.
EDSON KEITH.
IT DSON KEITH, one of Chicago's self-made
1^ men, is numbered among the most energet-
ic, honorable, progressive and broad-minded
residents of the city. He was born at Barre, Ver-
mont, January 28, 1833, and is a son of Martin
Keith, a prominent farmer and builder of that
place, who afterward became a resident of Chicago.
The Keith family in America are all descend-
ants of Rev. James Keith, of Bridgewater, Mass-
achusetts, who emigrated from Scotland about
1660. Though but sixteen years of age at that
time, he was a graduate of Aberdeen College, and
became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church at
Bridgewater. It is said that his first sermon was
delivered from a rock in "Mill Pasture," so-
called, near the river. He married Susannah,
daughter of Deacon Samuel Edson, and they had
nine children: James, Joseph, Samuel, Timothy,
John, Jariah, Margaret, Mary and Susannah.
Unto James (second) were born eight children:
James, Mary, Gensham, Israel, Faithful, Esther,
Jane and Simeon. The children of James (third)
were: Noah, Comfort, James and Abigail. One
of the children of Comfort Keith was Abijah, born
June 20, 1770. He was born in Uxbridge,
Worcester County, Massachusetts, and was one
of the early settlers of Barre, Washington Coun-
ty, Vermont.
Martin Keith was the second son of Abijah,
and was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, Feb-
ruary 23, 1800, and came with his father's family
to Barre, Vermont, in 1804. He was married to
Miss Betsey French, and had seven children:
Damon, Judith, Osborn R., Edson, Byron and
Elbridge Gerry.
Betsey French was one of the fourteen children
of Bartholomew and Susannah French, who came
to Barre from Alstead, New Hampshire, in 1791.
Bartholomew French, who was one of the earliest
settlers of Barre, built the first mill in that place.
150
EDSON KEITH.
He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and
was born in Button, Massachusetts. A historian
of the town of Barre says: "To this energetic
man and his descendants much of the prosperity
of the town, from the time of his arrival until the
present day, is due." Twelve of his seventeen
children lived until the youngest was past sixty
years of age. At least two of his sons served in
the War of 1812, and one of them, named Bar-
tholomew, commanded a company of Vermont
troops, and served as a Captain of militia for many
years afterward.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Keith removed to Chica-
go in 1859. The former died herein 1876, at the
age of nearly seventy-seven years, and the latter
in 1868, aged about seventy years. They were
worthy representatives of the pioneer families of
New England, and cherished the same love of hon-
or and truth for which their ancestors were con-
spicuous, while practicing that rigid adherence to
principle which has distinguished their posterity.
Edson Keith passed his childhood upon the
homestead farm and in attendance at the public
school. At the age of seventeen years he went
to Montpelier, where the next four years were
spent. In 1854 he came to Chicago, beginning
his mercantile career in this city as clerk in a re-
tail dry-goods store. Two years later he became
a salesman and collector for a wholesale house,
dealing in hats, caps and furs. In 1860 he be-
came a member of the firm of Keith, Faxon &
Company, jobbers of hats, caps, furs and milli-
nery. Since that time he has been continuously
associated with that line of business, though the
style of the firm has undergone a number of
changes and transformations, and the volume of
its transactions has been repeatedly multiplied.
He is now senior member of the wholesale fancy
dry-goods and millinery establishment of Edson
Keith & Company, on Wabash Avenue, and
President of the firm of Keith Brothers & Com-
pany, wholesale dealers in hats, caps, etc., whose
place of business is on Adams Street. In addition
to these, he is proprietor of Keith & Company,
grain warehousemen, and is a stockholder and
Director of the Metropolitan National Bank.
He has ever taken a keen interest in the growth
and progress of Chicago, maintaining perfect con-
fidence in its future greatness, and has at differ-
ent times managed some extensive real-estate
transactions, which not only have contributed to
his personal gain, but have been important fac-
tors in the financial prosperity of the commun-
ity.
But a few years had elapsed after casting in his
lot with the growing metropolis before he had es-
tablished a reputation for integrity of character
and honorable dealing which has ever been con-
sistently maintained, and he enjoys the esteem
and confidence of his colleagues and coadjutors to
a degree attained by few men in the West.
In 1860 Mr. Keith was happily married to
Miss Woodruff, of Chicago. This union has been
blessed with two sons: Edson, Jr., a graduate of
Yale College and later of Columbia L,aw School,
New York City; and Walter W., a graduate of
Yale.
Though a sympathizer with Republican princi-
ples, Mr. Keith is not a strict partisan, but sup-
ports such men for public office as he deems most
worthy of his confidence. And, while he does
not hold membership with any religious organiz-
ation, he isa liberal supporter of institutions tend-
ing to upbuild the moral and intellectual senti-
ment of the people. He is a patron of art and
literature, and was for several terms a Vice-Presi-
dent of the Art Institute of Chicago. He served
for three years as President of the Citizens' Asso-
ciation, in the inception of which he was one of
the foremost movers, and which did a great work
in the reform of municipal and state affairs. He
was three years President of the Calumet Club,
and is identified with numerous other leading
clubs of Chicago and New York City. His hon-
orable and successful career stands out on the
horizon of Chicago's history, a fitting example
to its rising generations of the rewards which
await persistent and intelligent application, when
accompanied by straightforward dealing, but-
tressed with regular habits and unswerving integ-
rity of character.
LIBRARY
OF THE
UIVERSITY OF ILLIV
J. F. EBERHART.
JOHN F. EBERHART.
(|OHN FREDERICK EBERHART, fifth
I child of Abraham and Esther Eberhart (nee
Q) Amend), was born January 21, 1829, at
Hickory, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, his early
years being busily spent upon his father's farm,
situated in the then new-settlement region.
In 1837 he moved with his parents to Big Bend
(on the Allegheny), in Venango County, Penn-
sylvania, still occupying himself with agricultural
pursuits, save in winter, which time was given
over to district schools. At sixteen he left school,
becoming himself a country pedagogue, his first
charge being located at the mouth of Oil Creek
(near Franklin), Pennsylvania, where, after the
manner so eloquently depicted by Eggleston
in "The Hoosier Schoolmaster," he "boarded
"round" and received his few dollars per month
for "teaching the young idea how to shoot."
The following year he took advanced tuition in
drawing, writing and flourishing, afterward teach-
ing these accomplishments to others. After some
further schoolteaching, and having himself com-
pleted the curriculum of the Cottage Hill Acad-
emy at Ellsworth, Ohio, he entered Allegheny
College, in 1849, whence he graduated July 2,
1853, having, like many another contemporary
who has since "made his mark," worked his way
through college by teaching and working upon
farms. He always took a leading part in his
classes, as well as in many field sports, outlifting,
outjumping and outrunning all his several hun-
dred classmates. Perhaps we may allow this to
speak as a prophecy of later superior achieve-
ments. In oratory he was proficient, as is suffi-
ciently attested by the plaudits of the several
thousand auditors who attended his Fourth of
July oration near his old home at Rockland, Pa.,
two days after his graduation.
The succeeding fall he assumed the duties of
Principal of the Albright Seminary at Berlin,
Somerset County, Pennsylvania. This first in-
stitution of letters founded by the Evangelical As-
sociation developed and prospered under his fos-
tering care. And here a digression is briefly
made in order to call attention to the fact that the
Rev. H. W. Thomas, now pastor of the People's
Church, Chicago, was a pupil of his at this time.
The first serious disappointment in his life
work, as Mr. Eberhart had first planned it, oc-
curred after two years' confinement over school
duties, at which juncture several consulting doc-
tors of medicine prognosticated a growing con-
sumption, which he could not outlive beyond a
few months at the furthest. Packing up his pos-
sessions, he set his face toward the great West,
a country destined to give him that abundant
measure of renewed life which he has since spent
in the interest of others as well as himself. April
I 5, l8 55. was tne date of his first coming to Chi-
cago, at which time in the then "Muddy City"
he remained only a short interval, on his way to
Dixon, Illinois, where for a time he edited and
published an early newspaper, called the Dixon
Transcript. About this time he also prepared and
delivered lectures upon chemistry, natural philos-
ophy, meteorology and astronomy, they being
among the first popular lectures to be illustrated
by practical apparatus. He also at this period
traveled for New York publishing houses, and was
largely instrumental in establishing district-school
libraries in the state. But, best of all, in this in-
vigorating climate, with its changes of diversified
labors, attended by abundance of outdoor sports
and healthy exercises, he regained and fortified
that healthful virility which through more than
three and a-half decades has amply sufficed to
152
J. F. EBERHART.
keep him well engaged in honorable pursuits;
until at this writing, through untiring self-efforts,
he stands prominent and time-honored among the
early educators of Illinois and the West.
On locating in Chicago, he purchased and for
three years edited and published, "The North-
western Home and School Journal," interspers-
ing such labors by lecturing before and conduct-
ing teachers' institutes, not only in Illinois, but
also in other western states, coming thus into
personal contact with the leading educators of the
day, such as Elihu Burritt, Henry Barnard and
Horace Mann.
He was elected Superintendent of Schools of
Cook County in the fall of 1859. This office he
uninterruptedly held for ten years, during which
time he earnestly labored to arouse a unanimity
of interest and enthusiasm of which our local
school history affords no parallel. Our free
schools in the county up to this time had never
been under proper supervision, and were when
he assumed the duties in a neglected condition.
But he began a thorough systematic visitation of
schools, conferring with teachers and directors,
organizing institutes, etc.; until, finding it im-
possible to secure otherwise the services of ade-
quately qualified teachers, he began his agitation
for a county normal school, and with such suc-
cess, that in 1867 a school was opened at Blue
Island, through provisions made by the Board of
Supervisors. This school, since removed to Nor-
mal, has grown to be a power in the land, being
sought by many pupils coming from long distan-
ces, and always having a large attendance roll.
Among other noteworthy acts we may call to
mind the following: Mr. Eberhart was among
the organizers of the Illinois State Teachers' As-
sociation, the first seventeen consecutive sessions
of which he attended; he assisted in establishing
the State Normal University, and in making many
valuable changes in the state school law, includ-
ing the original act authorizing counties to estab-
lish normal schools, and was the principal mover
in forming the State Association of County Super-
intendents, which chose him for its first President.
As President of the County Board of Education,
he was the means of introducing the ' 'kindergar-
ten" into the Cook County Normal School, and
also aided in establishing the system of free kin-
dergartens in the city. During all this time he
was a member of the American Institute of In-
struction, as well as one of the first life members
of the National Teachers' Association. Mr. Eb-
erhart received many overtures to accept profes-
sorships and presidents' chairs in some of our
leading institutions of learning, but he always
declined, principally because he did not again
wish to risk his health and life in such work.
Always imbued with a liking for travel and
outings, and with generous tastes for a liberal,
rational enjoyment and improvement of life and
its grand possibilities, after a quarter of a century
spent as before briefly indicated, he set about ac-
cumulating a fortune out of real estate. At the
time of the panic of 1873 he was esteemed one of
the millionaires of the city. However, through
joint interests with others, which he had to settle,
he lost his possessions, but is now again a wealthy
man, and is content in making a wise use of his
powers and gifts, being a liberal parent and hus-
band, and munificent in charity donations.
Personally Mr. Eberhart is rather slender, but
well proportioned, six feet in stature, of affable
manners, positive in opinion, Republican in poli-
tics and of deeply religious convictions.
Christmas Day, 1864, the subject of this sketch
was married to Miss Matilda Charity Miller, a
daughter of Joseph C. and Mercie H. Miller, of
this city. This most estimable lady was born in
Toronto, Canada, but in infancy was brought to
the United States, where, prior to her marriage,
she became a prized teacher. She has become
the tenderest of mothers, and full of thoughtful
kindnesses toward unfortunates in life. Six chil-
dren have blessed their union, namely: Maude
Winifred, born November i, 1866, and who died
February n, 1873; John Joseph, born September
8, 1870; Frank Nathaniel, December 17, 1872;
Mary Evangeline, April 3, 1875; Grace Josephine,
June 4, 1877; and Wilfred, June 12, 1881, and
who died December 26, 1882.
A brief genealogy of the family is here added:
The name has been variously spelled, Everhart,
Everhard, Eberhardt, Eberhard and Eberhart
J. F. EBERHART.
153
being the most common forms. Such changes of
patronymic spelling are by no means unusual in
German descendants living upon American soil;
but Eberhart is believed to be the most general,
as well as correct, English orthography, and is
used by the branch which is the subject of this
sketch.
This family, which from 1280 to 1723 (a period
of four hundred and forty-three years) gave birth
to counts and dukes reigning over the province of
Wurtemberg, is of Swabian (Bavarian) German
origin. Through the middle ages its numerous
descendants have figured very conspicuously in
the history of that country and the advancement
of civilization. As a generation they have lived
ahead of their respective years; have been a mar-
tial, well-educated, honorable and religious branch
of the human race.
One Eberhart rendered invaluable assistance to
Martin Luther, hero of the Reformation, since
which era most of the families have belonged to
the Lutheran Church. Of its many men of let-
ters, space permits a reference only to Johannes
August Eberhardt, friend of Frederick the Great,
Privy Councilor to the King of Prussia, mem-
ber of the Berlin Academy, one of the greatest
scholars of the eighteenth century, who composed
many able treatises, some of them authority to
this day.
Of the sovereigns of this family, whose deeds
and virtues are celebrated in prose and verse (the
lyric king of German song, the immortal Schil-
ler, pausing in Parnassian flights to do them
homage), we must chronicle how "Duke Eber-
hard the Noble," "Duke Eberhard the Groaner"
(or "Rushing Beard"), "Duke Eberhard the
Mild," "Duke Eberhard with the Beard," "Duke
Eberhard the Younger," "Prince Eberhard" and
"Duke Leopold Eberhard" were some of the
most noted rulers springing from the loins of this
famous race.
The first above was the founder of the royal
line, being the most daring warrior Wurtemberg
has ever produced, of whom it is written:
"Then spoke Eberhard the Great,
Wurtemberg's beloved lord,
'No great cities boast my state,
Nay, nor hills with silver stored.
" 'But one treasure makes me blest,
Though the days are fierce and dread;
On each subject's loyal breast
I can safely lay my head.'
" 'Eberhard !' cried one and all,
And meekly before him bowed,
'Thou art richest of us all! '
And their praise rang long and loud.'
The grandson of ' 'The Noble' ' was ' 'The Rush-
ing Beard," whose episode connected with the
fatal conduct of his son Ulrich is famed in art,
compositions thereupon being hung in the Cor-
coran Gallery at Washington (District of Colum-
bia), in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and two
canvases in the Museum of Rotterdam; while in
Wurtemberg's capital is a life-size statue in mar-
ble of "The Rushing Beard," which is among
the first objects of interest to attract the attention
of the visitor.
Intermarriages were made with such leading
families as the Ulrichs, Rudolphs, Henrys, Fred-
ericks, Hartmans and Ludwigs, whose names are
occasionally found in the line of rulers, when a
male heir was wanting to the Eberharts; or, per-
chance, a female sovereign for a time appears, as
in the case of the Duchess Henrietta, widow of
"Eberhard the Younger."
With the death of Charles VI, Emperor of Ger-
many, in 1740, passed away the glories of the
House of Hapsburg. At this era the Eberhardts
also ceased to reign in Wurtemberg, being de-
throned partly by their own injudicious counsels
and conduct, but more especially by the then
growing ascendancy of the Catholics. This was
the time of self-expatriation of many of their line
in quest of better fortunes, together with the civil
and religious freedom of the New World.
In 1727 three brothers, Michael, Peter and
Joseph, came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of
these, Michael Eberhart came from Germany in
the ship "Friendship, John Davis master, land-
ing in the City of Brotherly Love October 16,
1727. He had a son Paul, born during the voy-
age to America, who lived in Northampton Coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, until 1773, when he removed
to the "Manor Settlement" near Greensburg,
Pennsylvania. He had a third son, Christian,
who married Anna Maria Snyder, of his native
154
D. H. PINNEY.
place, where he died in 1849, at the advanced age
of seventy-seven. He had a second son, Abra-
ham, who was born December 28, 1797, and who
married, August 22, 1820, Esther Armend, of
New Salem, Pennsylvania. At twenty-five he
removed into the wilderness of Mercer County,
Pennsylvania, where he cleared a farm and erect-
ed a sawmill on the Little Neshannock. He
afterward lived in Illinois and Iowa, and was the
first to take up residence in the suburb of Chi-
cago Lawn, October 2, 1877. He died August 7,
1880, and was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery.
He was a man of great good sense and stanchest
probity. From him descended a fifth child, John
Frederick Eberhart, the subject of the foregoing
sketch.
HON. DANIEL H. PINNEY.
NON. DANIEL HYDE PINNEY, a worthy
member of the Chicago Bar, and formerly
Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of
Arizona, is descended from one of the early Colo-
nial families of Connecticut. His grandfather,
Peter Pinney , was a native of the ' 'Land of Steady
Habits," and his parents, Martin and Nancy
(Johnson) Pinney, were born in Vermont. Mar-
tin Pinney was reared in Franklin County, Ver-
mont, and settled in Western New York about
1830. He was a carpenter and builder, and
erected many of the early buildings of Orleans
County, New York, where he died in 1869, at
the age of seventy years. His widow is still liv-
ing there, in the ninety-second year of her age.
The subject of this notice is the seventh of their
nine children.
Daniel H. Pinney was born in Albion, the seat
of Orleans County, New York, June 2, 1837. He
received the benefit of the common schools of his
native town, and when still a young man joined
the engineering corps employed in the enlarge-
ment of the Erie Canal, continuing in that work
two years and gaining a practical knowledge
which ever after proved of advantage to him.
He was possessed of energy, and a worthy ambi-
tion to rise in the world, and resolved to try his
fortune in the new West.
The year 1856 found him in Chicago, looking
for any honorable employment. For about two
years he worked as a clerk and in various occu-
pations, and in the mean time set his mind on the
study of law. Going to Michigan City, Indiana,
he entered the office of J. A. Thornton, a leading
attorney of that place. When business called
him to Joliet, Illinois, he continued his studies in
the office of Snapp & Breckenridge, and applied
himself with such industry and aptitude that he
was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of
the United States in the fall of 1861.
His first experience as a practical lawyer was
obtained in the town of Wilmington, Will Coun-
ty, this State, where he practiced two years with
moderate success. At the end of this period he
returned to Joliet and continued his way into
the confidence and esteem of the public. This is
shown by the fact that he was five times elected
City Attorney of Joliet, and in 1876 he was the
successful candidate, as an Independent, for a seat
in the General Assembly. He espoused the cause
of Judge David Davis as candidate for the United
States Senate, and as an active and aggressive
worker, was largely instrumental in the success
of that candidacy. He continued his law prac-
tice in Joliet until 1882, when he was appointed
by President Arthur to a position on the Supreme
Bench of Arizona, which he filled with credit to
all concerned for four years.
F. E. R. JONES.
155
After spending a year in California, Judge Pin-
ney returned to Illinois, settling in Chicago, where
he has continued in practice since. He is an
exceptionally able trial lawyer, and has handled
a wide range of cases, many of them taking him
to the Supreme Courts of adjoining and distant
States. He is, withal, a very modest man, and
gets no more credit than he is entitled to. He is
a member of the Chicago Bar Association and of
the Sons of New York. Being an independent
thinker, he has not allied himself with any organ-
izations other than social ones. In religious faith
he is a Universalist, and attended the Englewood
church of that denomination as long as he dwelt
near it. He was an original Lincoln Republican,
and was for many years an active campaigner,
but retains his independence of party lines, and
acts in elections according to his faith in respec-
tive candidates.
In 1865, at Albion, New York, Mr. Pinney
was married to Miss Mary, daughter of John B.
Lee, a prominent citizen of that town, which was
Mrs. Pinney's birthplace. She died in 1872, leav-
ing a son, William Lee Pinney, now in business
at Phoenix, Arizona. In 1874 Mr. Pinney mar-
ried Miss Mary E. Bowman, of Shawneetown,
Illinois, a native of Kentucky, who has borne him
three children, Harry Bowman, Sidney Breese
and Nannie E. Pinney, aged, respectively, nine-
teen, seventeen and nine years.
FRED E. R. JONES.
f~ RED ELLSWORTH RANDOLPH JONES.
rft To what extent the character of an individ-
I ual is molded by the circumstances and con-
ditions which surround him is a problem that ad-
mits of almost unlimited discussion. But no stu-
dent of human nature will attempt to deny that
the environments of childhood exert a powerful
influence upon the life of the future man or wo-
man. A thorough business training, begun at
an early age, and vigorously adhered to in ma-
ture years, while it may dwarf some of the finer
sensibilities and smother many of the noblest at-
tributes of a man's nature, seldom fails to develop
a capable, systematic and successful business man.
Mr. Jones was born at Chelsea, Washtenaw
County, Michigan, January 18, 1860, and is a son
of Aaron C. Jones and Carrie R. Clarke. A. C.
Jones was born in New York, and came, during
his childhood, with his parents to Michigan.
They settled near Adrian, where his father, Ab-
ner Jones, became a prominent farmer. The lat-
ter was a native of New York. Aaron C. Jones
was a master marble-cutter, but being troubled
with weakness of the lungs, which was aggra-
vated by the pursuit of this calling, he abandoned
it. In 1868 he came to Chicago and engaged in
the fire-insurance business, which occupied his
attention until the great fire. The spring follow-
ing this disaster he contracted a severe cold, which
developed consumption and terminated his life.
His death occurred in 1874, at the age of forty-
five years.
Mrs. Carrie R. Jones, who still resides in Chi-
cago, was born in Goshen, Indiana, where her
father's death occurred about the time she was
eleven years of age. Her mother's maiden name
was Randolph, and she was a relative of the noted
Virginia family of that name the Randolphs of
Roanoke. Her grandfather, who was a man of
considerable means and influence, devoted much
time and money to the cause of the American col-
onies during the Revolutionary War. During
the progress of that struggle he made ari expedi-
tion to the West Indies in the interests of the Na-
156
B. M. WIEDINGER.
tional Government, leaving his motherless chil-
dren in charge of a neighbor and friend. His
absence was unexpectedly prolonged, and during
this time the neighbor moved across the Ohio
River to the western frontier, and the family was
never re-united.
The subject of this sketch attended the public
school until twelve years of age, at which time,
owing to his father's failing health, he was
obliged to abandon his studies and begin the bat-
tle of life. He obtained employment in the in-
surance office of the late George C. Clarke, his
first position being that of errand boy. Under
the instruction and training of his kind employer,
he rapidly developed an aptitude for business and
was promoted to more responsible positions. At
the age of twenty years he became the bookkeeper
and confidential man of the concern, with which
he continued to be identified until 1893. Few
boys of his age had to contend with the stern,
realistic problems of life to such a degree as he,
but, with the advice and counsel of his employer
and aided and sustained by his mother's counsel,
he made the most of his opportunities. He at-
tended night schools at intervals and subsequently
became a teacher of bookkeeping to night classes
at the Chicago Athenaeum.
In January, 1893, he was made City Manager
in Chicago of the Liverpool & London & Globe
Insurance Company, which position he has filled
up to this time with credit to himself and the mu-
tual advantage of the parties concerned. He now
occupies one of the finest suites of offices in the
city, being located in the new and modern Asso-
ciation Building.
Few people who know Mr. Jones as an able,
thorough-going business man are aware that be-
neath his calm, sedate and unemotional exterior,
there are veins of sentiment, philosophy and enthu-
siasm which are seldom allowed to assert them-
selves during business hours. His more intimate
associates, however, know him as a man of re-
fined and cultivated tastes, who has given consid-
erable attention to the study of vocal music and
other arts. He is a member of the Apollo and
Mendelssohn Clubs. He takes little interest in
political or other public movements, but feels a
deep concern in the development of the intellect-
ual and spiritual sentiments of mankind.
BERNHARD M. WIEDINGER.
BERNHARD MARIA WIEDINGER, an
educator of prominence and one of the old-
est members of Chicago's German colony,
believed in the brotherhood of man and the equal-
ity of all before the law, and this brief sketch of
his life will show a little of the much he did for
the emancipation of the down-trodden from op-
pression and slavery, as well as something of his
efforts in educating and preparing for the respon-
sibilities of after life many of the active and in-
fluential citizens of Chicago.
Professor Wiedinger was born at Engen, near
Constance, in Baden, Germany, on the I5th of
August, 1826. His ancestors, though not titled,
were persons of property and influence, and were
among the leading citizens of the municipality in
which they dwelt.
Abraham de Santa Clara, a monk and author
of distinction some centuries past, was a near
relative of Professor Wiedinger 's maternal ances-
tor of several generations ago. Among the host-
ages shot by General Moreau in the Napoleonic
wars, and whose bones were recently interred
with great honor, was an ancestor on the mater-
nal side. For a political offense another gave up
his life under the leaden prison roof of Venice.
His father, George, served as an officer in the
French army in the famous Peninsular campaign,
and with his brothers was in the Government em-
ploy, he being engaged in arboriculture and viti-
B. M. WIEDINGER.
157
culture, and having charge of a large number of
men. George Wiedinger died some time in the
fifties, aged seventy-seven. His wife, Apollonia,
nee Fricker, died in 1848, at the age of fifty-six.
This couple were the parents of thirteen children,
only three of whom grew up to years of maturity,
all the others dying in early childhood. The eld-
est child was George, the second Julius Batiste,
and Bernhard was the youngest.
Bernhard Wiedinger obtained at Constance the
education afforded by the real school and gymna-
sium, and later attended the Heidelberg Univer-
sity. There he spent two years, and was noted
alike for his knowledge of languages and musi-
cal versatility. The noted rebellion of 1848 broke
out while he was a student at the university, he
being then twenty -two years old, and enrolled as a
soldier. Young Wiedinger had imbibed in his
studies a fierce and unquenchable love of liberty,
and hatred of all forms of oppression and tyranny,
and did not hesitate to cast his lot with the Revo-
lutionists and share in the dangers that the up-
rising brought to those who participated in it.
He saw bloody work, and was_ several times
wounded. A wound which he received in the
head was of a serious nature. The collapse of
the Revolution brought swift and summary pun-
ishment to many who had raised their hands for
liberty. Among those who were taken was young
Wiedinger. Until two days before his trial all
who were tried were sentenced to death and exe-
cuted. His punishment was severe, on account
of his having been enrolled in the army. He re-
ceived a sentence of ten years in prison, seven
months of which were spent Hi solitary confine-
ment. After spending something over a year in
prison, by the aid of friends he escaped to Switz-
erland, and later went to France. In the latter
country, on account of a speech he made at a
demonstration by Republicans, he was compelled
to leave the political asylum he had sought in
Europe, and come to America, where his efforts
in the cause of freedom were destined to be far-
ther-reaching and more successful than they had
been in countries where oppression had crystalized
in monarchy.
Arriving in the United States in 1851, he re-
mained for a time at Philadelphia, where he had
distant relatives. He at once began to learn the
language of the country, and in order to do so in
what he thought would be the most successful
way, he obtained employment on a farm where
he would hear only English spoken. He re-
mained on the farm one month, and in after life
he often jocosely said that in that time he learned
just five words, "breakfast, dinner and supper,
horse and harness. ' ' He was not long, however,
in acquiring a knowledge of English. Among
his earliest acts was filing a declaration of his in-
tention to become a citizen of the republic whose
political institutions were so dear to him.
His first permanent employment was as travel-
ing salesman for a Philadelphia book house, and
in that business he remained for some time and
traveled much. He early became an enthusiastic
worker in the cause of the abolition of slavery.
He was a delegate to the first Republican Na-
tional Convention held at Cincinnati in 1854, and
stumped the state of Indiana with Oliver P. Mor-
ton for that party, speaking in German. Later,
he went to Kansas, where he thought his efforts
in the abolition cause would be more helpful, and
there had charge of a station of the "underground
railroad," as it was called, for the aid of slaves
escaping from the South. He spent some time
in the law office of Sherman & Ewing, and was
assistant Secretary of the famous Topeka Con-
vention. John Brown numbered him among his
band, and when he planned his historic raid on
Harper's Ferry sent for him; but he arrived at
the place of rendezvous twelve hours too late.
In the early part of 1860 he started an abolition
paper at St. Joseph, Missouri, but one night a
mob visited his office, threw his type and presses
into the river, and he was compelled to seek a
more promising field of operations. Coming to
Illinois, he recruited a company of one hundred
men for the famous Hecker regiment, and was
elected Captain. On account of defective sight,
caused by injury to his eyes when a child, he was
prevented from going to the front.
Soon afterward he came to Chicago and bought
out a German school of small proportions and en-
gaged in the work of education. He was very
B. M. WIEDINGER.
successful as a teacher, and soon had three hun-
dred pupils in attendance. Later he organized a
company which built a schoolhouse on the corner
of La Salle Avenue and Superior Street. His
health failing, he was compelled to give up teach-
ing in 1868 and seek outdoor employment. Sub-
sequently he gave private lessons, was a clerk in
the postomce for a year, and also held a position
in the City Clerk's office for two years. A por-
tion of the time between 1868 and 1878, when his
health permitted, he was engaged in teaching.
He spent a part of this time in the school, but
most of the time as a private tutor. In those
years, beside the misfortune of bad health, he
suffered the loss of his schoolhouse and household
goods in the great fire.
In 1865 Mr. Wiedinger was married to Miss
Mary D. Moulton, a native of Maine, and a
daughter of Judge Jotham Tilden Moulton, of
Chicago. Mrs. Wiedinger is a descendant of an-
cestors who helped build up the New England
States. Her father, born October 8, 1808, was a
graduate of Bowdoin College, where the poet
Longfellow was one of his teachers. He gradu-
ated from Harvard Law School, where he was a
classmate of Wendell Phillips and Charles Sum-
ner, with the latter of whom he maintained a life-
long friendship. Coming to Chicago in 1852, he
bought a third-interest in the Chicago Tribune,
which he sold a year later. He held the office of
Deputy Clerk of the United States Court, and
United States Commissioner and Master in Chan-
cery, which last office he held until after the fire.
His death occurred in 1881. Mr. Moulton was
the son of Dr. Jotham Moulton, and grandson of
Colonel Moulton, who died in 1777, after serving
one year in the struggle for independence. Mrs.
Wiedinger has been a teacher for a large part of
her life, rendering valuable assistance to her hus-
band in his profession. She has also written for
the press, contributing translations, original stories
and poetry.
Mr. Wiedinger left three sons: George T.,
Bernhard M. and Frank A. The first of these is
a lawyer, the second is engaged in real-estate work,
and the third has chosen the newspaper profession.
Mr. Wiedinger was one of those earnest and
tireless men whose energies keep them always em-
ployed. As a friend of freedom, he took an
active part in the great moral struggle that pre-
ceded the appeal to arms, in which he was unable
to engage on account of physical infirmity, but
to the aid of which his most effective assistance
in every other way was given. He aided in
the organization of the Republican party, in
order that a bulwark of freedom might be es-
tablished, and stood in the forefront of progress
of that party till 1888, when he considered the
party had gone from the position it formerly oc-
cupied, and he then joined the ranks of the Dem-
ocracy. As an educator, he took a place among
the leading Germans of Chicago, and his worth
as a teacher is often testified by the leading Ger-
man-American citizens of Chicago, who were his
pupils and life-long friends. He was liberal in
his ideas and progressive in his work, and said
that, if he had done nothing else, he had made it
impossible to have a successful German school in
Chicago without having an English teacher in it.
In the organization of societies of various kinds
he took a leading part. He was one of the or-
ganizers and President of the Turners' Associa-
tion of Chicago, also one of the organizers of the
Schiller Liedertafel, and its musical director. In
recent years a bowling club, composed of his
former pupils, assumed the name of " Wieding-
er 's Boys."
In physique Mr. Wiedinger was a powerful
man, and a complete master of the art of self-de-
fense. Once, whdn attacked by three ruffians, he
knocked one down with his fist, kicked over an-
other, and the third, seeing the condition of his
companions, fled for safety. He was a prolific
writer in his early years, and the habit of con-
tributing to the newspapers he kept up through
life. As a friend, a husband and father, he showed
those rare characteristics that endeared him to his
familiars. His gentle, 'confiding nature, his do-
mesticity and devotion to his family were ap-
parent to all.
SAMUEL J. JONES.
15*
SAMUEL J. JONES, M. D., LL. D.
IAMUEL j. JONES, M. D., LL. D., is a na-
tive of Bainbridge, Pennsylvania, born March
22, 1836. His father, Doctor Robert H.
Jones, was a practicing physician in the Keystone
State for a third of a century, and died in 1863.
The mother, whose maiden name was Sarah M.
Ekel, is a member of one of the pioneer families
of the old town of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, of
Swiss and Huguenot descent. At the age of sev-
enteen, their son Samuel, having finished his pre-
paratory studies, in the fall of 1853, entered Dick-
inson College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, from
which he was graduated four years later with the
degree of A. B. In 1860 he received the degree
of A. M., and in 1884 was honored by his alma
mater with the degree of LL. D. His choice of
a vocation in life was no doubt influenced by his
father's successful practice of medicine, and at an
early age he determined to follow in his father's
professional footsteps. Accordingly, on leaving
college, he began the study of medicine, which he
pursued for three years under his father's super-
vision. In the fall of 1858 he matriculated at the
University of Pennsylvania, and after pursuing
the studies prescribed in the curriculum of the
medical department of that institution, took the
degree of M. D., in the spring of 1860, just thirty
years after the father had graduated from the
same university.
The advantages and opportunities for observa-
tion and adventure presented by the United States
naval service proved too attractive for the young
practitioner to resist, and he became one of the
competitors in the examination of candidates for
the position of Assistant Surgeon. He success-
fully passed the examination, and received his ap-
pointment just before the outbreak of the War of
the Rebellion, and entered upon a life which, for
activity, change, excitement and opportunity for
acquiring experience, should have fully satisfied
his desires in those particulars. He first saw
service on board the United States steam frigate
"Minnesota," which sailed under sealed orders
from Boston, May 8, 1861, as flag-ship of the
Atlantic blockading squadron. Three months
later he was present at the battle of Hatteras In-
let, which resulted in the capture of the Confed-
erate forts with fifteen hundred prisoners, and
ended the blockade-running there. This was the
first naval battle ever fought in which steamships
were used and kept in motion while in action.
In January, 1862, Doctor Jones was detached
from the "Minnesota" and detailed as Surgeon of
Flag-Officer Goldsborough's staff, on the expedi-
tion of Burnside and Goldsborough, which re-
sulted in the capture of Roanoke Island. Later
h_ was assigned to duty as Staff Surgeon under
Commander Rowan, and was present at the cap-
ture of Newbern, Washington and other points on
the inner waters of North Carolina.
i6o
SAMUEL J. JONES.
Soon afterward Doctor Jones accompanied an
expedition up the Nansemond River for the relief
of the Union forces engaged in repelling General
Longstreet's advance on Suffolk, Virginia. This
force was under the command of Lieutenant Gush-
ing, of Albemarle fame, and Lieutenant Lamson.
In the spring of 1863 Doctor Jones was assigned
to duty at Philadelphia, there passed a second
examination, was promoted to the rank of Sur-
geon, and assigned to duty at Chicago, where,
among other duties, he was engaged as Examin-
ing Surgeon of candidates for the medical corps
destined for naval service in the Mississippi River
Squadron. While occupying this position he was
ordered to visit various military prisons, and there
examined more than three thousand Confederate
prisoners who had requested permission to enlist
in the Federal service, and who were accepted
and assigned to men-of-war on foreign stations.
He was ordered to the sloop-of-war "Ports-
mouth, ' ' of Admiral Farragut' s West Gulf Block-
ading Squadron, in 1864, and was soon after as-
signed to duty as Surgeon of the New Orleans
Naval Hospital, where he was at the close of the
Rebellion. In the fall of 1865 he was sent to
Pensacola, Florida, as Surgeon of the navy yard
and naval hospital. In 1866 he was again as-
signed to duty at Chicago, where he remained
until the marine rendezvous there was closed, in
the same year. In 1867 he was ordered to the
frigate "Sabine," the practice ship for naval ap-
prentices, cruising along the Atlantic Coast, which
was his last active sendee in the navy.
In 1868, after eight years' continuous service,
Surgeon Jones resigned to devote his attention to
private practice. Not long after he was elected
delegate from the American Medical Association
to the meetings of the medical associations of
Europe, and was, at the same time, commissioned
by Governor Geary, of Pennsylvania, to report
on hospital and sanitary matters of England and
the continent. He attended the meetings ot the
societies at Oxford, Heidelberg and Dresden, and
in the month of September, at the last place,
participated in organizing the first Otological
Congress ever held. Combining travel with study ,
he enjoyed the remainder of the year in visiting
various parts of Europe and investigating raed.'-
cal and sanitary affairs, giving special attention
to diseases of the eye and of the ear. On his re-
turn to the United States he resumed practice in
Chicago in 1868. Soon after he was elected
President of the Board of Examining Surgeons
for United States Pensions at Chicago, and was
also made a member of the medical staff of St.
Luke's Hospital, and there established the de-
partment for the treatment of diseases of the eye
and ear, with which he has since been connected.
In 1870 Doctor Jones was again elected a del-
egate from the American Medical Association to
the meetings of the European associations, and,
during his stay abroad, spent some months in re-
search and investigation. In the same year he
was elected to the newly-established chair of
Ophthalmology and Otology in Chicago Med-
ical College, now Northwestern University Medi-
cal School, a position he continues to hold. He
also established the eye and ear department in
Mercy Hospital and in the South Side Dispensary,
having charge of each of them for about ten
years. For a number of years he was one of the
attending staff of the Illinois Charitable Eye and
Ear Infirmary in Chicago. In 1876 he was a
delegate from the Illinois State Medical Society
to the Centennial International Medical Congress
at Philadelphia, and in 1881 represented the
American Medical Association and the American
Academy of Medicine at the Seventh International
Medical Congress at London. The Ninth Inter-
national Medical Congress was held in Washing-
ton, District of Columbia, in 1887, and of this Doc-
tor Jones was a member. He was President of
the section of otology, and was ex-qfficio a. mem-
ber of the Executive Committee, whose duty it
was to arrange the preliminary organization of
the congress.
In 1889 Doctor Jones was elected President of
the American Academy of Medicine, whose ob-
jects, as stated in its constitution, are: "First, to
bring those who are alumni of collegiate, scien-
tific and medical schools into closer relations with
each other. Second, to encourage young men to
pursue regular courses of study in classical and
scientific institutions before entering upon the
WILLIAM O. KEELER.
161
study of medicine. Third, to extend the bounds
of social science, to elevate the profession, to re-
lieve human suffering and prevent disease."
Doctor Jones, as may be inferred from the read-
ing of the foregoing recital of his services in his
profession, is an enthusiastic worker and an able
physician, whose genial manner and success in
practice have made him widely known. His la-
bors in the many societies of which he has been a
member have been ably supplemented by the
product of his pen, which has been directed to-
ward raising the standard of the practice of medi-
cine. His writings have frequently appeared in
medical journals, and for several years he was
editor of the Chicago Medical Journal and Exam-
iner, one of the leading periodicals of the country.
He has successfully applied himself to acquiring
knowledge pertaining to his specialty, and for
twenty years has been recognized by both the
medical profession and the public as authority on
all matters pertaining to ophthalmology and otol-
ogy. He has always stood high in the esteem of
the profession, and has been active and influential
in its councils and deliberations. His fine personal
appearance, genial manners, fund of entertaining
conversation, and frank, manly deportment have
made him a favorite, both as an individual and a
practitioner, and drawn to him a large clientele.
He has never held any political office, but has
preferred the reward which has come to him, un-
sought, in his profession and in literature and
science. He has for a quarter of a century been a
member of the Chicago Academy of Science, and
he is one of its Board of Trustees. He is also
President of the Western Association of the
Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania, and of
the Illinois Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa,
the oldest Greek-letter society in the United States,
founded in 1776, whose membership has always
been restricted and conferred as a recognition of
scholarship.
When the Illinois Naval Militia was organized
as a part of the National Naval Reserve, he was
solicited to give that organization the benefit of
his large experience in the naval service in the
War of the Rebellion, and he is now Surgeon of
the First Battalion, and has taken an active in-
terest in its development.
WILLIAM O. KEELER.
O. KEELER, who after an active
career is spending his declining years at the
home of his only surviving son, No. 6818
Wright Street, Englewood, was born in Danbury,
Conn., on January i, 1819. His paternal grand-
father, of Scotch descent, was extensively engaged
in farming, and gave to each of his children as
they married considerable tracts of land. His
death occurred at the advanced age of ninety-five
years. Abraham G. and Sarah (Dan) Keeler,
parents of William O., were natives of Connecti-
cut. The father followed farming in that locality
until his death, which occurred December 23,
1836, at the age of sixty-two years. He was
drafted for service in the War of 1812, but hired
a substitute. His wife lived until 1860, passing
away at the age of seventy-seven years. She was
a member of the Baptist Church, under the in-
fluence of which church her children were reared.
William O. Keeler is the sole survivor of a
family of eight sons and two daughters. He was
reared in his native town, and at the age of seven-
teen began learning the hatter's trade. For some
years he engaged in the manufacture of hats and
in merchandising, devoting his time and atten-
tion to those enterprises throughout his business
1 02
ALBERT WILSON KELSO.
career. He established the first hat manufactory
in Yonkers, N. Y., employing eighty workmen,
which was considered a large force at that time.
On the 26th of April, 1843, Mr. Keeler was
united in marriage with Miss Abigail Stuart Clark,
daughter of Sallu P. and Hannah (Benedict)
Clark. Eight children were born of their union,
six sons and two daughters. Ella, now deceased,
was the wife of J. Deville Dennis. William P.
married Miss Temperance. Hayward, daughter of
Ambrose D. and Martha (Wiley) Hayward, the
former a native of Maine, and the latter of Mass-
achusetts. They have two children, William P.
and Martha Abigail. William P. Keeler has
since April, 1872, held the responsible position of
City Cashier in the wholesale house of Marshall
Field & Co. He and his wife are members of the
Englewood Christian Church. On the nth of
May, 1864, while yet a boy, he enlisted in the
War of the Rebellion, joining the one hundred
day men and becoming a member of Company A,
One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infan-
try, U. S. A., continuing in the service until the
25th of October. Frederick S. and Isaac Ward
were the next younger, but are now deceased, as
also Frank, twin brother of Fannie. The latter
is the wife of Walter Colby, of Chicago, and
they have two children, Otis Keeler and Abigail
Stuart. Susan C. and Charles L- have also passed
away, and the mother of this family, who was a
devoted member of the Christian Church, died
May 17, 1889, in her sixty-seventh year.
In 1852, William O. Keeler went to California
in search of gold, and after a two-years stay re-
turned to Danbury, Conn., remaining thereuntil
the fall of 1854. He then came to Chicago and
opened the first hat, cap and fur store on Randolph
Street, under the old Matteson House, occupying
this stand for a number of years. He afterward
removed to a new block on the opposite side of
the street, conducting the business until 1861.
He then accepted a clerkship with a hat house
on Clark Street, near Lake, and later at No. 77
Lake Street, in the Tremont Block, remaining
there until 1866. In that year he went upon the
road as a traveling salesman, which calling he
pursued for a limited time only. His later years
have been mostly spent in the manufacture of
dress hats, but in the spring of 1894, after pass-
ing his seventy-fifth milestone, the infirmities of
age compelled him to give up work. Father and
son have never been separated in their lives ex-
cept for comparatively brief intervals, the home
of the one having always been the home of the
other.
ALBERT WILSON KELSO.
(31 LBERT WILSON KELSO, of Chicago, oc-
LJ cupies the responsible position of chief clerk
/I in the office of the Assistant General Manager
of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad.
The record of his life is as follows: A native of
Shippensburgh, Pa., he was born on the 22d of
October, 1859, and is a son of James W. and
Anna B (Shade) Kelso. His father was also a
native of Shippensburgh, and died in that town
when the son was only six months old. By trade
he was a painter and decorator, and did a good
business along that line. After the death of her
first husband, Mrs. Kelso married Henry High,
and is now residing in Wilson, Kan.
Mr. Kelso whose name heads this record at-
tended the public schools until fourteen years of
age, thus becoming familiar with the common
English branches of learning. His knowledge
has since been greatly supplemented by reading,
experience and observation, and he has thus be-
WALES TOBEY.
163
come a well-informed man. At the age of eigh-
teen he emigrated westward, removing with the
family to Wilson, Kan. From the age of eight
years he had been accustomed to work in a brick-
yard, and also engaged in other labor, thus con-
tributing to his own support. He is a self-made
man, and whatever success he has achieved in
life is due entirely to his own efforts.
While living in Wilson, Kan., Mr. Kelso sought
and obtained a position as night clerk in a hotel.
Later he removed to Russell, Kan., where he was
employed in the same capacity. In May, 1880,
he entered the service of the Union Pacific Rail-
road _ Company and removed to Wallace, Kan.
For seven years he continued his connection with
that road, becoming chief clerk in the Division
Superintendent's office at Wallace, his merit and
ability winning him a promotion to which he was
justly entitled. Later he was in the office of the
Superintendent of Bridges and Buildings of the
Union Pacific Railroad Company at Omaha, and
on the 27th of April, 1887, he engaged with the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at To-
peka, Kan., occupying a position as clerk in the
office of the Superintendent of Roadways. In
August, 1890, he came to Chicago as chief clerk
in the office of the Assistant General Manager,
which position he now holds. He discharges his
duties with promptness and fidelity, and wins the
respect of all with whom he is brought in contact.
Turning from the public to the private life of
Mr. Kelso, it is noted that in June, 1883, was
celebrated his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Spahr,
daughter of John and Mary Spahr, who were
residents of Carlisle, Pa. The family circle now
includes four children, a son and three daughters:
Mary, Edith, Newton and Nora.
Socially, Mr. Kelso is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and has taken high rank in the order,
belonging to Topeka Commandery and Medinah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. From his boyhood
he has been an advocate of Republican principles,
and since attaining his majority he has cast his
vote for the men and measures of that party.
He is an accurate and reliable scribe, who has
won his way to his present responsible position
by his own unaided efforts. His integrity, indus-
trious habits and systematic business methods in-
spire the confidence of his superior officers, and
his many admirable social qualities have gained
him numerous personal friends.
WALES TOBEY
|ALES TOBEY, a leading citizen of Worth
Township, claims New York as the State
of his nativity, his birth having occurred
near Plattsburg, on the 28th of September, 1831.
His parents were Jesse and Statira (DeKalb) To-
bey. The father, who was born in Champlain,
N. Y. , was an attorney by profession and became a
large land-owner and iron-founder. He traveled
extensively through the West, and in the commu-
nity where he lived was recognized as one of its
most prominent business men. His death oc-
curred in Plattsburg, N. Y., in July, 1873, at the
age of seventy-three years. The Tobey family was
of English origin. Jesse Tobey, Sr. , the grand-
father of Wales, was one of four brothers who in
an early day came to America. The others set-
tled in Connecticut, Vermont and Ohio, respec-
tively. Mrs. Statira Tobey was a native of the
Empire State, but her parents were born in Penn-
sylvania, and were of German descent. Her
death occurred in 1841.
Wales Tobey spent his boyhood days upon a
164
HIRAM P. CRAWFORD.
farm in Jay Township, Essex County, N. Y.,
and attended the public schools and an academy.
Thus he acquired a good English education, which
well fitted him for the practical duties of life. At
the age of nineteen he left home and entered upon
his business career as book-keeper and salesman
in a mercantile establishment in Newport, Mich.,
where he was employed for three years. He be-
lieved it would be to his advantage to begin bus-
iness in the West, and his judgment was not at
fault, as the years have shown. He worked for
the firm of E. B. & S. Ward, relatives of his
grandmother. When the three years had passed,
he went to Grand Haven, Mich., where he began
business on his own account as a dealer in wood,
furnishing steamboats on the lake. In 1851 he
became a resident of Milwaukee, and thence went
to Strong's Landing, Wis. The following spring
he came to Cook County, 111., settling in Worth
Township.
In 1856, Mr. Tobey purchased his present farm
near Worth Station. It was then a tract of wild
land, but he at once began to clear and cultivate
it, and now has a finely improved farm, supplied
with all modern accessories and conveniences.
He has bought and sold considerable real estate,
and this branch of his business has also proved
to him a good source of income. For ten years
after locating on his farm, his nearest postofHce
was Blue Island, a distance of nine miles, but
through his efforts offices were established at
Worth, South Mount Forest and Grosskopf.
For a year after this result was attained the mail
was brought from Blue Island by private enter-
prise, for the Government had not then estab-
lished a mail route. Mr. Tobey, in connection
with two other men, supported the mail route by
subscription.
On the 8th of January, 1858, Mr. Tobey was
united in marriage with Elizabeth Van Horn,
daughter of A. C. Van Horn, of Homer, 111. They
had three children: John Dillon, a dealer in hay,
grain and ice, in Chicago; Emma, wife of F.
Hepperley, of Norfolk, Neb. ; and Marion, wife
of John Elliott, of Winside, Neb. The mother
of this family passed away February 14, 1870, at
the age of thirty years. She was a member of
the Methodist Church.
Mr. Tobey was married to his second wife,
Elizabeth M. Burt, daughter of Alvin Burt, of
Westport, N. Y., January 8, 1874. She was the
mother of one child, Charles Clifford Tobey.
She passed away June 14, 1892, at the age of
forty-seven years.
Mr. Tobey attends the services of the Meth-
odist Church at Worth, which was built upon
land contributed by him. In earlier years he
was a Republican, but since the formation of
the Prohibition party has been identified with that
movement. He has never sought, nor would he
accept, public office. He has witnessed the mar-
velous development of Chicago and Cook County
for more than forty years, and has borne no small
part therein, ever striving to promote the moral
and intellectual growth of the community as well
as its material prosperity.
HIRAM PRATT CRAWFORD
HIRAM PRATT CRAWFORD, a real-estate
dealer of Crawford's Station, Chicago, is a
native of the Empire State, his birth having
occurred in Buffalo on the 3d of January, 1831.
He is a son of Pa:er Crawford, whose biography
will be found elsewhere in this work. He at-
tended the public schools of Buffalo and Chicago.
At the age of nineteen, he was established by his
FRANK H. NOVAK.
165
father in a lumber-yard in Marengo; and when the
railroad was extended to Belvidere, he removed to
that place, whence he afterward went to Rock-
ford, 111. In 1855, he became a resident of Gales-
burg, where he carried on business for two years.
Since 1857, ne h as resided at the old homestead,
where he is engaged in looking after his exten-
sive real-estate interests. The original farm pur-
chased by his father has constantly increased in
value, and now includes some of the most valuable
suburban property adjacent to the city.
In 1870, Mr. Crawford married Miss Sarah A.
Launt, daughter of Lewis Launt, of Hamden,
Delaware County, N. Y., the birthplace of Mrs.
Crawford. Three children graced this uniou,
namely: Sadie B., wife of M. D. Broadway, of
Chicago; Nettie S., and Jessie L. , deceased. The
parents and their children hold membership with
the Baptist Church. In his political views, Mr.
Crawford is a Republican, and stanchly advocates
the principles of that party. He has filled vari-
ous positions of trust, having been Assessor, Tax
Collector and Superintendent of Public Works in
Cicero Township. Mr. Crawford is a gentleman
of rare physical strength for one of his years. He
is kindly in manner, hospitable, and deeply in-
terested in the growth and progress of Chicago.
FRANK H. NOVAK.
P~ RANK H. NOVAK, a leading attorney of
JV) West Pullman, was born near Iowa City,
I Johnson County, Iowa, on the i6th of No-
vember, 1862, and is a son of Frank and Barbara
Novak, who are still living on a farm near Iowa
City. The former is a native of Vienna, Austria.
He crossed the Atlantic to America in 1858, and
became one of the pioneer settlers of Johnson
County, Iowa. He is now one of its most ex-
tensive farmers and representative citizens. His
wife, who was born near Praug, Austria, is a
daughter of Frank and Mary Hiek, early settlers
of Lynn County, Iowa, who emigrated to America
from Praug, Austria, in 1855.
In taking up the personal history of our sub-
ject, we present to our readers the life record of
one who is both widely and favorably known in
this section of Cook County. After attending
the common schools, he entered the Iowa City
Commercial College, from which he was graduated
in the Class of '85. He then engaged in teach-
ing for several terms, and met with good success
in that line of work. He afterward became a
student in the Iowa State University, of Iowa
City, and, on the completion of the collegiate
course, entered the law department, having de-
termined to become a member of the legal pro-
fession. He received his diploma in 1889, and
was thereby entitled to admission to the Bar and
to practice in the federal courts.
Immediately after completing his law studies,
Mr. Novak opened an office in Iowa City, and
was there engaged in business until August,
1893, when he crossed the Mississippi into Illi-
nois and located at West Pullman, where he has
since made his home, becoming the leading at-
torney of that growing suburb, and doing business
as a lawyer and loan and collection agent. He
is also interested in real-estate and in live-stock
investments near Iowa City, where the breeding
of English Shire horses and Red Polled cattle is
made a specialty.
1 66
JOHN J. LEAHY.
On the 28th of March, 1890, Mr. Novak was
united in marriage with Miss Nellie M. Burke,
daughter of Thomas Burke, a resident of Oxford,
Iowa. The lady is a native of Ottawa, Illinois.
Their union has been blessed with one child, Marie
Barbara.
The parents both attend the Catholic Church.
Mr. Novak is a member of the Knights of Pythias
fraternity, the Knights of the Maccabees and the
Order of Red Men. In politics, he is a Democrat,
and warmly advocates the principles of that party.
He has held a number of public offices, was Town-
ship Clerk both in Lucas and Monroe Townships
of Johnson County, Iowa, was Assessor of Mon-
roe Township, and filled other positions of public
trust. Mr. Novak is a gentleman of pleasing
address, good business judgment and marked pro-
fessional ability, making friends of all with whom
he comes in contact in either business or social
relations.
JOHN J. LEAHY, M. D.
(lOHN J. LEAHY, M. D., who is successfully
I engaged in the practice of medicine in Le-
O mont, was born in April, 1863, and is a na-
tive of County Limerick, Ireland. His father,
Thomas Leahy, was a native of Tipperary, and
his mother, Margaret Leahy, of Kitteely. The
Doctor acquired his primary education in the na-
tional schools of the Emerald Isle, and then began
the study of medicine in the College of Surgeons
in Dublin, where he remained for three years.
In 1883, he emigrated from Ireland, and in Sep-
tember of that year reached Chicago, where he be-
came a student in Rush Medical College. He
there spent two years, and still another year in the
Cook County Hospital.
In April, 1885, Dr. Leahy acted upon the ad-
vice given to the young men of America by the
sage of Chappaqua and went West, settling at
Delmar Junction, Clinton County, Iowa. At-
tracted by the inducements offered at Lemont,
however, he, in the autumn of the year 1885
settled in this place, where he has enjoyed a large
and constantly increasing practice. Much of the
time Dr. Leahy has been employed by corpora-
tions working large forces of men. From 1886 to
1891, he was surgeon for the Santa Fe Railroad
Company, and during the year 1892 he was
physician and surgeon for the firm of Frazier &
Chalmers, manufacturers of mining machinery at
Chicago, where he was busily engaged, having in
charge a thousand men and their families. Since
the beginning of 1894, he has been physician and
' surgeon to the Illinois Stone Company, and also
to Section 5 of the Drainage Canal at Lemont, in
addition to his general practice.
In 1887, Dr. Leahy married Miss Margaret
Reardon, of Lemont, daughter of Thomas and
Helen Reardon, whose sketch appears elsewhere
in this volume. Three bright and beautiful chil-
dren, two girls and a boy, have blessed this un-
ion. They are Clara Louise, John J. and Mar-
ion. Dr. Leahy's cheerful disposition makes him
many friends, professionally and otherwise, and
he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He has
one brother in this country, Rev. Patrick Leahy,
of Lyons, Iowa.
OF THE
I '.'.VERSITY OF
CYRUS H. McCORMICK.
107
CYRUS HALL McCORMICK.
EYRUS HALL McCORMICK, measured by
his achievements and their influence upon
mankind, must rank as one of the greatest
benefactors of modern times. This statement is,
perhaps, a comprehensive one, but it is not un-
warranted by facts, and indeed was given an au-
thoritative stamp when, in the latter years of Mr.
McCormick's life, he was chosen a corresponding
member of the French Academy of Sciences, on
the ground of his having done more for the cause
of agriculture than any other living man. Why
this broad and generous tribute ? Why is the
name of Cyrus Hall McCormick remembered and
honored, and why will his memory hold a sacred
niche in Fame's enduring temple throughout all
coming time ? To answer queries of this nature
we must give a brief sketch of the life, the influ-
ences, and the labors of him concerning whom
they are asked.
The McCormick family lived in Rockbridge
County, Virginia. They were descendants of an
early settler in that portion of the State, who had
been invited thither by the fertile fields lying in
the broad valley between the Shenandoah and
Blue Ridge mountain ranges. It was here that
Cyrus Hall McCormick was born on the 1 5th of
February, 1809. His parents were Robert and
Mary Ann (Hall) McCormick, and their circum-
stances, while perhaps not warranting luxurious
living, were, nevertheless, conducive to comfort
and the peaceful enjoyments common to that pe-
riod. It was an era when modern frivolities and
diversions were comparatively unknown, and
when the hearts of men and women found their
sweetest solace in the regularly recurring services
held in the little church. Light literature was there
unknown, and books of travel, history and biog-
raphy were almost equally scarce. As a conse-
quence, the Bible was much read in the homes of
the people, and its precepts were more carefully
instilled into the minds of its students than is com-
mon in this push-and-hurry age of ours. The
parents of young McCormick were recognized by
their neighbors as the possessors of marked abil-
ity and integrity of character, and their lives and
actions were shaped in conformity with the best
ideals of Christianity.
It was amid surroundings such as these that
the subject of this sketch acquired those traits
which mark the career of the successful man,
and to which men of all times and of all nations
have paid the tribute of their admiration and
their praise. This schooling of his character
at home was supplemented by young McCor-
mick's attendance upon the " Old Field " school,
where the rudiments of book knowledge were
acquired, and this was further enhanced by an
evident desire for knowledge not found in books,
a knowledge of the practical, of the common things
about him. Genius is rarely an accidental trait,
and it will be seen that the natural environments
in which young Cyrus lived were shaping his
destiny. His father was a man of more than or-
dinary ability, himself a student throughout all the
years of his life, with an inclination toward in-
vention, and indeed an inventor in fact, as sever-
al useful devices are accredited to his ingenuity
in this line. He was extensively engaged in
farming, and had upon his premises both black-
smith and wood-working shops for the prompt re-
pairing of the various farm implements, as occa-
sion demanded. He appears to have been fond
of the workshop, and it was but natural that he
should give considerable time and attention to the
1 68
CYRUS H. McCORMICK.
construction of experimental devices as they sug-
gested themselves to him. Among some of the
improvements resulting from his experiments were
a hemp-breaking machine, a threshing-machine,
and a blacksmith's bellows. As early as 1809,
he conceived the idea of a grain-cutting mechan-
ism, and in the summer of 1810 his conception
had assumed a tangible form and was taken into
the field for practical test. The cutting device
consisted of a system of rotary saws, revolving past
the edges of stationary knives, so as to cut like
shears. A witness who saw its performance in
the grain field described it as " a somewhat fright-
ful looking piece of machinery when moving."
It failed to meet the expectations of its inventor
and was laid aside, though the idea of the reaper
kept possession of him for several years thereafter,
and he in fact made one or two subsequent at-
tempts to perfect the machine, but without success.
To his father's experiments and failures young
Cyrus paid much attention, and it is not un-
likely that at an early age he brought himself to
believe that he would some time bring order out
of the chaos which had marked the elder's reap-
er-inventing career. He had a natural liking for
mechanical inventions, and spent a goodly portion
of his time in his father's workshops, becoming
quite an adept in the use of the various tools. At
the age of fifteen he made a grain cradle, by the
use of which he was enabled to go into the har-
vest field and keep pace with the older laborers.
A little later he constructed a hill-side plow, a
practical and useful invention, which threw alter-
nate furrows either right or left. This was pat-
ented, but was in turn superseded by his horizon-
tal self-sharpening plow. It was at the age of
twenty-two that he determined to devote his en-
ergies to the reaper; and with his father's fail-
ures before him plainly showing what was im-
practicable, and perhaps offering vague suggest-
ions as to what the practicable machine must be,
he dreamed, he thought, and he worked. He first
convinced himself that the principle adopted by
his father was fundamentally wror>g, he believing
that the cutting device should give way to a hori-
zontal reciprocating blade, which should operate
upon the grain in mass. Deciding upon the de-
tails of such a machine, he set to work with his
own hands to combine them in wood and iron.
He became so deeply absorbed in his work that his
father, remembering his own futile attempts in the
same line, sought to discourage the boy, telling
him that he was wasting both his time and talents.
Happily, however, Cyrus saw deeper, and with
that persistence which was an inborn trait of his
character, continued on in his work, and in the
summer of 1831 went into a field of grain with the
first successful reaper that was ever built. The
distinguishing features of that machine were the
reciprocating blade, operating in fixed fingers; the
platform for receiving the falling grain; the reel
to draw the grain back to the knives; and the
divider, to separate the grain to be cut from that
left standing. These features and their combina-
tion must be credited to the genius and skill of
Cyrus Hall McCormick. They are found in all
grain-cutting machines now extant, of whatso-
ever name or nature, and to dispense with them
!' would be to wipe every reaper out of existence."
The words quoted are from " Knight's New Me-
chanical Dictionary," compiled and edited by Ed-
ward H. Knight, A. M., LL. D., in charge of
the classifications and publications of the United
States Patent Office.
When the field experiment had demonstrated
the practical utility of his invention, it was tem-
porarily relegated to a secondary place in the
mind of its inventor. To enter at once upon the
work of building machines for general use would
involve an expenditure and obligation which, at
that time, it was felt, could not be assumed; and
therefor, more perhaps as a stepping-stone than
otherwise, Mr. McCormick entered into a partner-
ship for the smelting of iron ore, a business which
appears to have moved along smoothly and with
some degree of success until the panic of 1837,
when it went down in the general crash which
carried with it so many older and more preten-
tious enterprises. Looking out upon the wreck,
Cyrus McCormick saw all material interests reced-
ing from him; looking within, he saw a sturdy
young manhood, and felt the red blood of ambi-
tion coursing through his veins. Little time was
spent in repining. The first thing to be done
CYRUS H. McCORMICK.
169
or at least to be provided for was the payment
of every obligation which the firm had assumed,
and to this end Mr. McCormick sacrificed all his
possessions, including the farm which his father
had given him. Then, with his face turned toward
the light, with faith in himself and the reaper,
he cast about him for ways and means for the
further improvement of his machine, its manu-
facture and sale. Like most stories of great suc-
cesses, this is the story of small beginnings, many
vicissitudes and perplexities, and some anxiety;
but over all the rainbow of hope. The shops of
the old Virginia farm were utilized as ' ' factories ' '
during the first few years, and, as may be imag-
ined, the annual output of machines was insig-
nificant until the year 1845, when it was decided
to start a plant at Cincinnati, Ohio. Arrange-
ments were also made at this time with a firm at
Brockport, New York, for building the reaper on
a royalty. It was thought that from these two
points the East and West could be supplied, but
the popularity of the grain cutter outran the ex-
pectations of its inventor, and, to accelerate the de-
velopment of the regions farther west, a demand
for it sprang up and became so general that it
was decided to again enlarge the plant, increase
the facilities, and locate near the great and grow-
ing market of the West. Accordingly, in 1 847 , the
McCormick Reaper Works became one of the
great industries of the young city of Chicago. In
1848 seven hundred machines were built and sold,
and from that time to this the business has shown
a steady growth, until its proportions are well
nigh amazing. The present capacity of the Mc-
Cormick Reaper Works exceeds 150,000 machines
every year; and, with the possible exception of
India, there is no grain and grass growing coun-
try beneath the sun where the McCormick ma-
chines are not employed in garnering the crop.
After the assured success of the reaper at home,
Mr. McCormick took measures to bring it to the
attention of the agriculturists of the Old World.
As an initial step in this direction, the machine
was placed on exhibition at the first World's Fair,
held in London in 1851. It was at a time when
English eyes were given to the casting of unfriend-
ly glances toward whatever emanated from Yan-
keedom, and the McCormick reaper was not al-
lowed to escape the ridicule of the press, the
London Times characterizing it as "a cross
between an Astley chariot and a wheelbarrow."
Before the Exposition season closed, however,
the reaper completely conquered prejudice and
the Times made the amende honorable by stating
editorially that it was ' ' alone worth the entire ex-
pense of the Exhibition," and the Great Council
Medal was awarded to Mr. McCormick on the
ground of the originality and value of his inven-
tion. From this moment fame and fortune were
assured, and there were no fields either at home
or abroad in which McCormick was not conquer-
or. At the UniversalExposition at Paris, in 1855,
he was awarded the Grand Prize. Again at Paris in
1867 he gained the Grand Prize and decoration by
the Emperor with the Cross of the Legion of Hon-
or. It was at this time that M. Eugene Tisseraud,
Director-General of the Imperial Domains, said:
The man who has labored most in the general
distribution, perfection and discovery of the first
practical reaper is assuredly Mr. McCormick, of
Illinois. Equally as a benefactor of humanity
and as a skillful mechanician, Mr. McCormick
has been adjudged worthy of the highest distinc-
tion of the Exposition." A third triumph was
secured at Paris in 1878, when the Grand Prize
was once more bestowed upon Mr. McCormick,
and he was also honored by the French Academy
of Sciences, as was referred to in the opening
paragraph of this sketch. Many personal trib-
utes might be given illustrating the high regard
in which Mr. McCormick was held, and showing
the recognition of the value of his invention.
During his life-time honors came to him thick and
fast, and it is not untimely to add here that since
his death the business which he founded, and the
harvesting machines which still bear his name,
stand first and foremost in the business and agri-
cultural world. Honors have continued to come
to the McCormick, not the least of which were
those secured at the World's Columbian Exposi-
tion of 1893.
Cyrus Hall McCormick encountered obstacles
which only a matchless energy and ability could
have overcome. At the beginning of his career,
170
JOHN B. TURNER.
and ior a long time afterwards, he was inconveni-
enced by a lack of capital and by his isolation
from centres of communication and trade. He
was forced to overcome the opposition originally
brought to bear against all labor-saving machines.
Congress refused to give him just patent protec-
tion, for the reason that his invention was so val-
uable that all should be allowed to make it !
But against all these odds he came out conqueror.
Steadily he overcame every obstacle and estab-
lished his claim to be a benefactor of the indus-
trial world.
Man's better nature, his human side, his kind-
lier, gentler self, cannot be always seen to advan-
tage in the hurly-burly of an active business ca-
reer, and it is pleasant to recall the memory of
Cyrus Hall McCormick as he appeared to those
who knew him in social life, in his home, in his
church relations, and in all those varied walks
that lead away from business and touch the strings
of human hearts. Mr. McCormick had this gen-
tler nature, and, while it is not our purpose here
to rehearse the many ways in which this charac-
teristic evinced itself, still a sketch of his life
should contain a brief mention of those more con-
spicuous acts wherein are shown the trend of his
benevolence and the munificence of his philanthro-
py. In 1859, at the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church held at Indianapolis, he
made a proposition to endow the professorships of
the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the
Northwest, on condition that it be located at Chi-
cago. The conditions were accepted, and the
seminary, which, in addition to the original en-
' dowment, received from Mr. McCormick numer-
ous other magnificent donations, is to-day a proud
monument to his liberality and nobility of heart.
On the educational and religious lines of his work
was also his purchase of the Interior, a news-
paper established in Chicago to represent the Pres-
byterian Church. In the hour of its financial
struggles he purchased it, placed it upon a sound
financial basis, and it is to-day one of the most
able and influential religious journals published.
He was also a liberal contributor to various schools
and colleges in different parts of the country,
those of his native Virginia coming in for gener-
ous recognition at his hands.
In 1858 Mr. McCormick married Miss Nettie
Fowler, daughter of Melzar Fowler, Esq., of Jeff-
erson County, New York. Four sons and three
daughters were born to them, two of whom, a son
and a daughter, died in infancy. The surviving
children are: Cyrus Hall McCormick, now Presi-
dent of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Com-
pany; Mary Virginia; Anita, widow of the late
Emmons Elaine; Harold and Stanley.
Mr. Me Cormick died on the I3thof May, 1884.
His life was rounded out by something more than
the three-score and ten years of scriptural allot-
ment; but we live in deeds, not years, and, meas-
ured by this standard, the life of Cyrus Hall Mc-
Cormick was long, and ever longer groweth.
JOHN BICE TURNER.
(JOHN BICE TURNER, founder of the great
I railway system now known as the Chicago
O & Northwestern, will ever deserve the grat-
itude of Chicago for his public spirit and perse-
verance in carrying out his enterprises in the face
of great financial and other difficulties. The pio-
neers of Chicago, whose number is rapidly grow-
ing small, speak of him in the most kindly and ap-
proving terms. Probably but a very small percent-
age of the thousands who daily ride to and from
JOHN B. TURNER.
171
the city on the ' 'Northwestern' ' suburban trains
ever consider the hardships endured by those who
first undertook to construct a railway to the West
from the struggling young city by the lake. It
had no double track at first, and no "parlor" or
"palace sleeping" cars followed its strap rails.
The generation which found a modern-equipped
line ready for its accommodation can little under-
stand the conditions that obtained when John B.
Turner laid the first ' 'T' ' rails in Illinois.
The subject of this biography was born in Col-
chester, Delaware County, N. Y., on the I4th of
January, 1799, less than a decade after the estab-
lishment of the present United States Government.
His father, Elisha Turner, died when he was but
two years old, and his mother when he was four-
teen. Her maiden name was Patience Coville, and
she was of Dutch origin. The Turners are of Eng-
lish lineage. Soon after his father's death, J. B.
Turner was adopted by David Powers, and passed
his youth on a farm and about a tanyard operated
by his foster-father, in the meantime receiving such
instruction as the country schools of the time af-
forded. In 1819, he married Miss Martha Volun-
tine, and settled down at farming. Five years
later, he sold out his interest in the farm and pur-
chased a mill and store, and built a. distillery at
Maltaville, in Saratoga County, which he oper-
ated six years. Financial reverses caused him to
abandon these interests, and his attention was first
turned to railroad construction in 1835, when he
took a contract to build seven miles of the Ran-
som & Saratoga Railroad. After its completion,
Mr. Turner was placed in charge of this road,
most of whose trains were hauled by horses, of
which the company owned thirty head, and he
constructed barns every ten miles for the accom-
modation of the motive power. It was on this
line, under Mr. Turner's management, that the
"Champlain," an engine of five tons' weight, was
placed in commission, being the second of its kind
in use.
In November, 1835, Mr. Turner, with a part-
ner, broke ground on the Delaware Division of
the New York & Erie Railroad, but was forced to
suspend operations when the financial disasters of
April, 1837, crippled the owners, and the capital
of the contractors appeared to be swallowed up.
The subsequent resumption of the company re-
stored to Mr. Turner the $16,000 which he re-
garded as lost, and with a brother-in-law, John
Vernam, he engaged in building the Genesee Val-
ley Canal. The suspension of operations by the
State on the canal in 1840 again caused a heavy
loss to Mr. Turner, but on the resumption of con-
struction this was, in part, restored to him. By
the spring of 1843, he had completed a section of
the Troy & Schenectady Railroad with profit, and
he turned his attention toward the growing West
as the most desirable field for the investment of his
capital. With his wife, he made a trip as far
West as the Mississippi River, and decided to lo-
cate at Chicago, returning East at once for his
family.
The 1 5th of October, 1843, found him again in
Chicago, and he took up quarters at the old Tre-
mont House. His active mind readily grasped
the opportunities for investment, and one of his
first moves was the purchase of one thousand
acres of land near Blue Island, on which he placed
a herd of sheep, brought from Ohio in the spring.
An attempt at railroad building had been made
as early as 1837, and a few miles of strap rails
had been laid, terminating on the prairie not far
from the present western limits of the city of Chi-
cago. In 1847, Mr. Turner and William B. Og-
den, the first mayor of Chicago, organized a com-
pany to construct a road westward from Chicago,
and on the 5th of April in that year, Mr. Ogden
was elected President, and Mr. Turner Acting
Director of the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad,
the objective point being Galena a town little
less than Chicago in size and importance at that
time. Both the gentlemen above named were en-
thusiastic in the interest of the enterprise, and by
their untiring labor in soliciting subscriptions to
stock and securing right of way from the people
most benefited by its construction, said construc-
tion was made possible. At the election of officers
in December, 1850, when Mr. Turner was made
President, the track was completed beyond Elgin
and reached Freeport, where it connected with the
Illinois Central in September, 1852.
By this time, it had been demonstrated that the
172
E. F. L. GAUSS.
western prairies were destined to support an im-
mense population, and attention was turned to the
construction of the "Dixon Air Line," from
Turner Junction west to the Mississippi River.
This was rapidly completed under Mr. Turner's
active and able management, and a portion of the
line across the State of Iowa was also completed
under his presidency, before he resigned in 1858.
He continued an active director of the road, and
in the Chicago & Northwestern, after the consol-
idation of the different lines, until his death. In
1853, he organized the Beloit & Madison Railroad
Company, which became a part of the same sys-
tem, being now a part of the Madison Division,
and on the consolidation, in June, 1864, of these
various lines, he was chairman of the committee
having the arrangements in charge, and was af-
terward a member of the Executive Committee of
the Chicago & Northwestern. Mr. Turner was
also a director of the North Side Street Railroad,
incorporated in February, 1859, and continued to
hold stock during his life.
In 1853, Mr. Turner was called upon to mourn
the death of the wife who had shared in his early
toils and successes, and in 1855 he married Miss
Adeline Williams, of Columbus, Ga. Three sons
and three daughters were given to him. He was
vigorous and active to the day of his death, which
was the 26th of February, 1871, more than sev-
enty-two years of life having been his allotted
time. The end came peacefully and quietly, and
on that day Chicago lost one of her most valued
and upright citizens, who did what he could to
benefit his fellows. On the day of his funeral,
the offices of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail-
way were closed out of respect for the "judicious
and faithful counselor, genial companion, consider-
ate friend and Christian gentleman. His devo-
tion to the material interests of the country was
exceeded only by the patriotism which never lost
sight of the highest duties of citizenship. His
great works live after him, and will keep his
memory green forever."
E. F. L. GAUSS.
FT F. L. GAUSS is First Assistant Librarian in
ft) the Chicago Public Library, and the responsi- '
ble position which he occupies finds in him a
capable incumbent. He is also a patron of literature
and music, and indeed is a friend to all those arts
which are calculated to elevate and benefit man-
kind. He claims Germany as the land of his
birth, which occurred in Stuttgart in 1842. He
came of one of the old aristocratic families of that
country, and was reared accordingly. The father
died in 1848, and the mother was called to her
final rest in 1845.
Mr. Gauss whose name heads this record at-
tended school in his native land for a number, of
years, and in 1859, at the age of seventeen, he
crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in New
York City. When the war for the Union broke
out, and President Lincoln called for volunteers
to aid in crushing the rebellion which threatened
to destroy the nation, he at once enlisted, joining
the boys in blue of Company K, First New York
Infantry. After two years of valiant service he
was honorably discharged, in 1863.
Mr. Gauss on leaving the army went to Mis-
souri, where he studied theology in the Missouri
Evangelical School, and later he pursued his
studies in an Episcopal academy in Ohio. In
1871, in St. Louis, he was ordained as a minister,
and was given charge of the church in Bunker
Hill, 111., where, as there were many German
ROBERT S. HILL.
173
settlers in that locality, his services were con-
ducted in his native tongue. In 1874 he went to
Europe in order to complete his studies, and from
1875 until 1878 was a minister in the State
Church of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. In
the latter year he again crossed the Atlantic to
America, and took up his residence in Galena,
111., being called to the pastorate of the church at
that place, of which he continued in charge for
two years. In 1880 he came to Chicago, and en-
gaged in literary work while in the employ of
the Government, in which employ he continued
until 1885. In 1887 he entered the Chicago Pub-
lic Library. He was afterward made First As-
sistant Librarian, and still fills that position. He
also continues his ministerial work to a limited
extent, although he accepts no pastorates.
In 1867 Mr. Gauss was united in marriage
with Miss Henrietta Stehlin, and to them has
been born a family of five children. The parents
and their children are all members of the Con-
gregational Church, and take a most active in-
terest in church work, doing all in their power
for its promotion and success.
Mr. Gauss has won a high reputation as a pub-
lic speaker, and at one time delivered many ad-
dresses in support of the Republican party, the
principles of which he warmly advocates. He
has, however, never aspired to public office. He
has also won note as a metrical translater. He
is a man of most liberal education, and during
the famous Anarchists' trial served as official in-
terpreter. Socially, he is connected with the
Schiller Club, of which he is Secretary, and also
belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the National
Union and the German Press Club, which latter
he is now serving as Treasurer. He is also Pres-
ident of the Chicago Library Club.
ROBERT S. HILL.
ROBERT S. HILL, who is successfully en-
gaged in the practice of law in Chicago, was
born in Buxton, York County, Maine, on
the 3ist of August, 1851. His ancestors on his
father's side came from England. Three brothers
of the name of Hill crossed the Atlantic with the
early English colonists and settled in Massachu-
setts. One of them afterwards removed to the
district of Maine, and from this branch of the Hill
family the subject of this sketch is directly de-
scended. The members of the family were prom-
inent land-owners and business men, and often
bore an important part in the events which went
to make up the history of colonial days. Mr.
Hill's great-grandfather was the owner of the
property in Buxton, Maine, now occupied by his
father. The grandfather was a resident of Bux-
ton, and took part in the War of 1812, during
which he was commissioned as an officer by the
Governor of the Pine Tree State. Another of the
ancestors of the subject of this sketch was an offi-
cer in the Revolution, and was numbered among
the heroes of the battle of Bunker Hill. Another
was captured by the English and taken to Can-
ada, where he was forced to live among the Indi-
ans for an entire winter, during which time he was
subjected to great hardships and suffering. He
finally escaped and returned to his home in Maine,
174
ROBERT S. HILL.
much to the surprise and pleasure of his wife and
family, who supposed him dead.
On his mother's side Mr. Hill traces his ances-
try back to the ' ' Mayflower, ' ' being descended
from Moses Fletcher, who crossed the Atlantic
in the vessel which brought the Pilgrim Fathers to
the shores of the New World. The latter was a
member of the Council of Plymouth, and now lies
buried at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, where
his name appears on the monument erected in
memory of those old heroes.
Mr. Hill's father, now retired from business
with a competency, was an active lumberman and
farmer in Buxton, Maine. He has always taken
a keen interest in the religious, educational and po-
litical matters pertaining to his town, state and
country. He was a great admirer and a warm
friend of the late Hon. James G. Elaine.
The boyhood days of R. S. Hill were pleasant-
ly passed in his native town, and he was given
good educational advantages by his father. After
leaving the common schools in Buxton, he at-
tended Limington and Gorham Academies, both
of Maine, and his first effort in life after leaving
the latter institution was to engage in school
teaching in his native state, being then twenty
years of age. After a brief and successful experi-
ence as a school teacher, he came to the West with
his uncle, and entered Michigan State University
at Ann Arbor, being graduated from the law de-
partment of that institution in the Class of '74.
He then returned to New England, and for one
year studied law in the office of an attorney in Bos-
ton. The year 1876 witnessed his return to the
West and saw him located in Chicago. He im-
mediately embarked in practice, which he has car-
ried on continuously since. He makes corpor-
ation law a specialty, and has been very success-
ful, winning many important cases. At the pres-
ent time he is employed as attorney for a number
of corporations.
On the 26th of January, 1877, Mr. Hill was
married in Buxton, Maine, to Miss Fannie S.
Owen. Her ancestors came from England and
aided the colonies in their struggle for iudepen-
ence, taking a leading part in the War of the Rev-
olution. One of the number was captured by the
British in 1807, taken on board a man-of-war, and
forced to serve as a part of the crew. After a few
weeks' service, while the ship was cruising off the
coast of Massachusetts, he took advantage of a
favorable opportunity, jumped overboard, swam
safely ashore and returned home. To Mr. and
Mrs. Hill have been born five children, as fol-
lows: Harry Robert, who died of diphtheria in
1882 ; Owen T. , now a student of the Fuller School,
Hyde Park; Helen M. and Alice, who attend the
same school; and Robert S., a little lad of three
and a-half years.
Mr. Hill is a great admirer and firm supporter
of the Hon. Thomas B. Reed, who is his
choice for the presidency. He has known Mr.
Reid all his life, and on account of a knowledge of
his character, ability and political proclivities, he
supports him as a presidential candidate. Mr.
Hill takes a very warm interest in political affairs,
and labors earnestly to promote the growth and
insure the success of his part)'. He is recognized
as a good parliamentarian and, because of his
knowledge of the rules of parliamentary usage,
has often been called upon to preside over politi-
cal meetings where trouble and turbulence were
anticipated, and as such presiding officer has been
able, even in very exciting meetings, to maintain
order and discipline where one less skilled would
have failed.
Mr. Hill is a member of the Sons of Maine. He
contributes liberally to benevolent institutions,
yet makes no display of his charity. In his tastes
he is domestic and enjoys the companionship of his
family much more than that of general society.
In his religious belief he is liberal, broad minded
and charitable, believes in his children attending
church and Sunday-school and having instilled
into their minds the principles of Christianity. In
both business and social circles he is well known
as an honorable, upright man, and is held in the
highest regard by his many acquaintances and
friends.
LIBRARY
OF THE
I:::VERSITY OF ILLIK:;;
JESSE SP ADDING.
175
JESSE SPALDING
fl ESSE SPALDING is a descendant of one of
I the oldest American families. The environ-
(~) ment of the New England fathers was calcu-
lated to bring out and develop all that was
sturdy and vigorous in both mind and body, and
their descendants continue to manifest the traits
of character which enabled them to survive the
hardships which they were compelled to endure,
and which rendered prosperity possible in the
face of the most forbidding conditions.
The town and family of Spalding are known
to have existed in Lincolnshire, England, in the
twelfth century. Between 1630 and 1633, Edward
Spalding left that town and settled in Braintree,
in the then infant colony of Massachusetts. From
him the line of descent is traced through Joseph,
Nathaniel, Joseph, Joseph and John to Jesse.
The Spalding family first settled in southern
Connecticut, early in the seventeenth century.
Its members shared in the work of subduing the
wilderness, as well as defending their homes from
the aboriginal savages. Some of them achieved
distinction in the heroic defense of Fort Groton,
Connecticut. Many served in "King Philip's
War, ' ' and fifty-two were active in the Revolu-
tion, of whom nine participated in the battle of
Bunker Hill, where one fell from his dying horse.
Joseph Spalding, grandfather of Jesse, was
born in Plainfield, Connecticut. He was an of-
ficer of the Revolutionary army, and removed to
Pennsylvania in 1780, settling on land near Ath-
ens, Bradford County, on the upper waters of the
Susquehanna River. This land was claimed by
both Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and Mr.
Spalding was obliged to pay tribute to both com-
monwealths before he could secure a clear title.
This was a great hardship, but he went to work
with characteristic energy, and shortly thereafter,
despite all discouragements, became a prosperous
farmer and leading citizen of the community.
John, father of Jesse Spalding, was active and
influential in Bradford County affairs, and at one
time occupied the office of Sheriff, winning uni-
versal approbation by the intrepid and vigorous
manner in which he discharged his official (and
often perilous) duties in a new and somewhat
lawless community. His wife, Elizabeth, was a
daughter of Dr. Amos Prentiss, a distinguished
physician of Groton, Connecticut, and a represen-
tative of a prominent Colonial family.
Jesse Spalding was born at Athens, Pennsylva-
nia, April 15, 1833. While assisting his father
in farm work, he found time to acquire such edu-
cation as the common schools and the academy
of his native town afforded. On attaining his
majority he engaged in lumbering on the north
branch of the Susquehanna, and became a woods-
man and raftsman. At the age of twenty-three
he began to deal in lumber on his own account,
and was successful. His product was rafted to
Middletown, Columbia and Port Deposit, and
marketed in Washington, Alexandria, Norfolk
and Richmond, Virginia, and other points.
Foreseeing the rapid growth of the young city
of Chicago, he removed hither in 1857, and
soon after bought a sawmill at Menekaunee, at
the mouth of the Menominee River, in Wiscon-
sin, where he commenced the manufacture of
lumber. This mill was burned in 1870, rebuilt
and burned in 1871, rebuilt in 1872, and is now
finely equipped with gang, band and circular
saws and modern machinery, being thoroughly
complete in all its appointments. For a time
business was conducted by the firm of Wells &
I 7 6
JESSE SPALDING.
Spalding, the firm name later becoming Spalding
& Porter, and subsequently Spalding, Houghtel-
ing & Johnson. In 1871, the concern was incor-
porated as the Menominee River Lumber Com-
pany, and in 1892 Mr. Spalding purchased the
interest of his partners, and has since been the
sole owner. Shortly after he bought out the
New York Lumber Company at Menekaunee, he
secured a milling property at the mouth of Cedar
River, about thirty miles above the city of Me-
nominee, and in 1882 he organized the Spalding
Lumber Company, of which he became President,
being at the same time its active manager. His
purchases of timber-lands in Wisconsin and Michi-
gan to supply the mills of these companies with
logs have aggregated two hundred and sixty-five
thousand acres. Besides its value for timber, this
land has proven rich in iron ore, and three mines
are now successfully operated on the property.
The output of the mills at Cedar River is shipped
in boats owned by the Spalding Lumber Com-
pany direct to Chicago, whence it is distributed
from the Chicago yards to the western and south-
western markets in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska,
Kansas and Missouri. Lumber has also been ship-
ped recently, in large quantities, direct from the
mills at Menekaunee to Detroit, Buffalo, Roch-
ester, Albany and Boston. The companies of
which Mr. Spalding is the head are among the
largest of their kind, and annually produce from
sixty to seventy-five millions of feet of lumber.
Although he cannot be said to have been a pio-
neer in the lumber business of Chicago, few men
have been more closely identified with its growth
than Mr. Spalding. In fact, his name is indissol-
ubly linked with the political, social and business
interests of the city and the Northwest.
Mr. Spalding is amply fitted by nature and
training for the manipulation of large interests,
and his success is in no small degree due to the
fact that he does not despise small things. All
the minutiae of his extensive interests are famil-
iar to him, and his practical experience enables
him to give attention to the smallest details. His
investments in banking and other financial con-
cerns are made with the same judicious care, and
are equally successful with his other undertak-
ings. He is a director in many large corporations
of the city, and his advice is frequently sought in
the conduct of many important enterprises. It is
not strange that his fellow-citizens should discover
in him a capable man of affairs; and when the city
was destroyed by fire in 1871, he was sought out
as one who would be useful in adjusting public
business to existing conditions, and in raising
Chicago from its ashes and reviving business ac-
tivity. He was three years in the City Council,
and while Chairman of the Finance Committee,
he, by judicious management, aided in the resto-
ration of the city's financial credit, materially
furthering the establishment of good municipal
government. In 1861, when the Nation was
threatened with destruction, Mr. Spalding was
among its most ^active defenders. He was re-
quested by the Adjutant-General of the State of
Illinois to build and equip barracks for the Gov-
ernment soldiers (afterward known as "Camp
Douglas"), besides which he built barracks the
following year on the North Side for returning
soldiers. He furnished all the material for these
structures, receiving in payment the State Audi-
tor's warrants, there being no funds in the Treas-
ury to be applied to this purpose.
Mr. Spalding has been an active worker in the
interests of the Republican party from its incep-
tion, because he believed the weal of the Nation
depended upon the success of the principles main-
tained by that party. He was a personal friend
of Grant, Arthur and Conkling, as well as other
now prominent National leaders, and gave coun-
sel in many grave exigencies. He presided at
the unveiling of the Grant monument in Lincoln
Park. In 1881 he was appointed by President
Arthur Collector of the Port of Chicago, and filled
that office in a manner most acceptable to the
Government and the people of the city. With
him a public office is a trust, to be executed with
the same faithful care which one bestows on his
own private affairs; and when he was appointed
Director of the Union Pacific Railroad on behalf
of the Government by President Harrison, he
made a personal investigation of the property in
his own painstaking way, submitting the report to
the Secretary of the Interior. This report, which
S. P. MCCONNELL.
177
gave a careful review of the resources of the
country traversed by the line, and its future pros-
pects, was ordered printed by Congress, and com-
manded careful attention from financiers and those
concerned in the relations of the Pacific roads to
the Government. It was also embraced in the
annual report of the Board of Directors of the
Union Pacific Railway Company.
Mr. Spalding was associated with William B.
Ogden and others in the project for cutting a
canal from Sturgeon Bay to Green Bay, by which
the danger of navigating "Death's Door' ' (as the
entrance to Green Bay is known) could be avoid-
ed, as well as saving a distance of about one hun-
dred and fifty miles on each round trip between
Chicago and Green Bay ports. This was com-
pleted in 1882 by the Sturgeon Bay & Lake
Michigan Ship Canal and Harbor Company, of
which Mr. Ogden was the first President, suc-
ceeded on his death by Mr. Spalding. During
the first year of its operations, 745,128 tons of
freight passed through the canal, and in 1892
the business amounted to 875,533 tons. In 1891
4,500 vessels (trips) passed through, and the
next year the number was 5,312. Congress hav-
ing passed an act to purchase the canal and make
it free to all navigators, it was turned over to the
United States Government in 1893.
HON. SAMUEL P. McCONNELL.
HON. SAMUEL PARSONS McCONNELL
was born in Springfield, Illinois, July 5,
1849. His parents, John and Elizabeth
(Parsons) McConnell, still reside at Springfield.
James McConnell, grandfather of the subject of
this sketch, came from County Down, Ireland,
about 1810, and engaged in the manufacture of
gunpowder in New Jersey. He afterward re-
moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he
became an extensive farmer and wool-grower.
He was one of the first to cultivate the prairie
soil of Illinois, demonstrating its fertility and
general advantages to his neighbors. He amassed
considerable property, and died in 1867.
John McConnell was born in Madison County,
New York, but went with his parents to Illinois
in his youth. When the United States became
involved in civil strife, he recruited a company of
soldiers, and entered the military service as a
Captain, rising by promotion to the rank of Gen-
eral. Since the close of the war he has been en-
gaged in the insurance business in Springfield.
Mrs. Elizabeth McConnell was born in Connecti-
cut, and is descended from English emigrants who
located there about the middle of the seventeenth
century. Her grandfather, John Parsons, was a
Captain in the Continental army.
Samuel P. McConnell was educated at the
Springfield High School and Lombard University
at Galesburg, Illinois, graduating from the latter
institution in 1871, with the degree of Bachelor
of Arts. He read law with the firm of Stewart,
Edwards & Brown, of Springfield, and was ad-
mitted to the Bar in 1873. In December of the
same year, he came to Chicago, where he has
since been a prominent member of the Bar, and
has occupied an honorable position upon the
Bench.
In 1889 he was elected a Judge of the Circuit
Court of Cook County, to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Judge McAllister, and, upon the
expiration of the term in 1891, he was re-elected.
In 1894 he-resigned this office, and resumed his
private practice. He was led to take this step by
the inadequacy of the salary paid a Circuit Judge.
It is much to be regretted that almost any man
MINER RAYMOND.
fitted to grace and honor the Bench is able to earn
several times the salary of a Judge in private
practice.
Among the most prominent cases tried before
Judge McConnell may be mentioned the first
Cronin trial, the case of Ross versus White, the
Chicago City Railway Company versus Springer,
and the receivership of the J. H. Walker Com-
pany, in which property to the amount of five
millions of dollars was involved. His impartial
and equitable decisions earned him the respect of
attorneys, jurors and litigants, and his departure
from the Bench was widely regretted.
In 1876 he was married to Miss Sarah Rogers,
daughter of Judge John G. Rogers, of whom ex-
tended mention is made on other pages of this
volume. Judge and Mrs. McConnell are the par-
ents of three children, named, respectively, Julia,
James and Eleanor.
From youth Judge McConnell has been a Dem-
ocrat, departing from the precepts and example
of his father. He has never been a candidate for
any other office than that of Judge, though re-
peatedly importuned by party managers to be-
come a political leader. Among the social and
fraternal associations into which he has naturally
been drawn, may be mentioned the Iroquois, Lit-
erary and Waubansee Clubs. While President of
the first-named organization, he took a decided
position on the silver question, which was antag-
onistic to that of many members, and he felt it
incumbent upon him to resign, but this act
aroused such a strong protest in the club, that he
was induced to withdraw his resignation.
He presided over the city convention which se-
lected delegates to the State Democratic Confer-
ence, held at Springfield in June, 1895, to deter-
mine the attitude of the party on the silver issue.
He was made Permanent Chairman of this con-
ference, which wholly sustained his views upon
the question at issue. In this, as in all other
matters affecting public policy, he has been actu-
ated by a desire to promote the general welfare,
and without wish to occupy office.
REV. MINER RAYMOND, D. D., LL.D.
REV. MINER RAYMOND, D.D., LL.D.,
the oldest college professor in the Methodist -
denomination, both in respect to age and
length of service, and one of the oldest teachers
of theology now living, is a resident of Evanston,
and until a short time since was active in edu-
cational work, in which he had been engaged for
more than sixty years. He is a native of New
York City, and was born on the 2gth of August,
1811. His father was Nobles Raymond, and the
genealogist of this family has traced its descent
from Raimonde, Count of Toulouse, France, and
demonstrated that, on account of its espousal
of the Huguenot faith, its members were expa-
triated, and some fled to Essex, England, whence
the emigration to America occurred. The Ray-
monds became settlers in New England, and now
a host of this name, many of them prominent in
commercial and educational affairs, trace their
descent to the two or three who came to the
colonies in very early times.
Nobles Raymond married Hannah Wood, and
they became the parents of nine children, of
whom Miner was the eldest. Soon after his birth
his father removed with his family to the village
of Rensselaerville, New York, and there the boy,
when of school age, began to receive the rudi-
ments of his education, remaining in school un-
til twelve years of age. At that time his services
were required in his father's shop, and he spent
MINER RAYMOND.
179
the following six years in learning the art of
making shoes, in which he became so proficient
that his handiwork was second to that of no other
workman in style or finish. The same rule of
doing well whatever he did was as rigidly ad-
hered to when he was a mechanic as it has been
since he has held a position in the forefront of
educators.
The event in his youth most far-reaching in its
results on character and fortune was his conver-
sion and union, at the age of seventeen years,
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which
he was to be so conspicuous and honored. His
father and mother were faithful adherents of that
creed. For more than twenty years they were
the only permanent residents of Rensselaerville
who were connected with that church, and their
house was ever a home for Methodist ministers.
The account of the great revival at Wilbraham,
Massachusetts, kindled in Miner Raymond a de-
sire for knowledge; it was the turning-point in a
great life, starting him on a new course and
bringing him into intimate and helpful relations
with an educational institution. Through the
efforts of the Presiding Elder of the district in
which he resided, he began his advanced educa-
tion in the Wesley an Academy at Wilbraham,
then the only Methodist institution of learning of
any magnitude on this continent, of which only
three or four were then in existence. Like many
another student, he added to his limited means
by the labor of his hands; and the proceeds of
his work on the bench, mending the boots and
shoes of his fellow-students, helped to meet the
expenses incident to his education. But this did
not continue long. It was soon discovered that
he was endowed with the gift of teaching, and he
was made assistant teacher, a position which he
held for three years, while still a student in the
academy. His especial faculty for elucidating
the principles of arithmetic, which were then
very imperfectly treated in the. textbooks, led to
his selection as teacher of a class of teachers, and
this was the starting point of his long career as
an educator.
Graduating in 1831, he was immediately made
a member of the faculty, and taught in that in-
stitution with marked success for ten years. In
1833 his name appears in the catalogue as usher,
and it was then he began his remarkable peda-
gogic labors. In 1834 he was advanced to the
charge of the English department, where he
labored with great success and growing popu-
larity for four years. During this period he had
been a diligent student and had delved deep into
the mysteries of ancient languages, the natural,
mental and moral sciences, and the higher mathe-
matics, for which he discovered a taste and apti-
tude. When the degrees were conferred by the
Wesleyan University upon the students he had
taught at the academy, he received, in recogni-
tion of his high ability and efficient services,
the honorary degree of Master of Arts. In 1838
he was promoted to the chair of mathematics,
which he filled with distinction for the three
years he remained as a teacher in the institution.
While yet engaged in teaching, Professor Ray-
mond joined the New England Conference, in
1838, and three years later entered upon pastoral
work. He served two years at Worcester, Massa-
chusetts, four years at Church and Bennett Street
Churches, Boston, and in 1847 went to Westfield,
where he remained one year.
Upon the resignation of Robert Allyn as Prin-
cipal of the Wesleyan Academy, Professor Ray-
mond was requested by the trustees to take the
position at the head of that institution. The
pastorate was the ideal life work to which he was
attached and for which he had educated himself,
but, after mature consideration, he decided to put
aside preference, and accept what he considered
a call of duty, and entered upon the work with a
devotion and energy that left a very deep impres-
sion upon the school at the head of which he
stood.
The first two or three years of Dr. Raymond
at Wilbraham were tentative and preparatory.
New buildings were necessary to the success of
the school, and how to get them was a problem,
the solution of which demanded his full strength;
but he met the difficulties and conquered where
most men would have failed. In spite of debt
and other obstacles, he succeeded in erecting
Fisk Hall, in 1851. In the two years following
i8o
MINER RAYMOND.
the number of pupils greatly increased, and in
the year 1853 rose to over six hundred, nearly
double the attendance of previous years. Through
the efforts of Dr. Raymond, Binney Hall was
built, in 1854. The principal building of the
institution, including its dormitory and board-
ing apartments, was destroyed by fire two
years later. Nothing daunted by this calamity,
he set about obtaining the means to rebuild it in
still nobler proportions, and that same year suc-
ceeded in completing a structure costing fifty
thousand dollars. By the act of an incendiary,
in 1857, this structure was also destroyed, but
Dr. Raymond and a few brave aids rose superior
to the discouragements that had beset them, ob-
tained money by popular subscription, aroused
the friends of education throughout the state, and,
by petition and strong personal influence, secured
legislative aid, by which means a third building,
more commodious, more beautiful and more cost-
ly than its predecessors, rose upon the site of
their ruins, and to-day is the chief ornament of
this seat of learning, a monument to the faith
and indomitable courage of Dr. Raymond.
In 1864 he was elected to the chair of system-
atic theology in Garrett Biblical Institute, Evans-
ton, Illinois, and resigned his position at the
head of the academy, which he left enjoying a
high degree of prosperity. Coming to Evanston,
he entered upon a work which his long experience
as a teacher, ripe scholarship, and devotion to his
profession have made eminently successful and
gratifying in its results. For thirty-one years
he filled a position in which he was eminently
useful as a teacher, and during three years of
that time was also pastor of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church in Evanston. Soon after en-
tering the institute, he became convinced that he
was spending one-third of his time in telling the
students what the meaning of the theological
authors was. Then came the determination to
write out his lectures and make the expression
as plain as possible, so that theology might be
clearly taught and readily understood. In due
time appeared his "Systematic Theology," in
three volumes, intended for students preparing
for the Methodist ministry, which has proved to
be a very popular book. One distinguished
authority is quoted as saying: "It is the strong-
est defense of Arminianism we have seen." Be-
sides his pastoral work, Dr. Raymond has helped
to direct the work of the church in its national
councils. Six times he was elected as a delegate
to the General Conferences, as follows: Pitts-
burgh, in 1848; Boston, in 1852; Indianapolis, in
1856; Buffalo, in 1860; Philadelphia, in 1864;
and Brooklyn, in 1868.
Dr. Raymond was married, August 20, 1837,
to Elizabeth Henderson, of Webster, Massachu-
setts, who died September 19, 1877. Five chil-
dren were born of this union, all of whom are
now living. Mary is the widow of Philip B.
Shumway, the builder of the Elgin, Joliet &
Eastern Railroad, and now resides in Evanston.
William is in the employ of that railroad. Samuel
B. is a prominent citizen and prosperous sugar
broker in Chicago. James H. is a well-known
and successful patent lawyer in Chicago. Freder-
ick D. is Secretary and Treasurer of the Elgin,
Joliet & Eastern Railway Company.
On July 28, 1879, Dr. Raymond was united in
marriage with Isabella (nee Hill), widow of Rev.
Amos Binney. Dr. Raymond's domestic life has
been a pleasant one; his house has been the dwell-
ing-place of peace and happiness. His exemp-
tion from illness up to the past winter, and the
contentment of his mind, have conspired to pre-
serve his physical vigor, which is evidenced by
the full head of hair, now of flowing whiteness,
and the clear, bright eye which lends vivacity to
his countenance.
Rev. David Sherman, D. D., author of the
' ' History of the Wejleyan Academy at Wilbra-
ham," has thus written of Dr. Raymond:
' ' His first essays in teaching reveal the born
schoolmaster, destined to advance to the fore-
front. No one who attended his classes can ever
forget his clear and forcible instructions. The
principles involved in the study were seized upon
and traced onward through intricate problems as
in lines of light. No one could fail to see or to
be carried with the demonstration. But his
superiority as a teacher was not simply in the ex-
tent and accuracy of his knowledge, or even in
JAMES McMAHON.
181
his ability to make truth visible; it was rather in
that higher ability to develop the student and to
create in him the capacity to investigate and
master truth. It was not simply the amount of
knowledge he communicated, it was the way he
impressed himself upon other minds coming un-
der his instruction. The man, even more than
the pedagogue, was behind his utterances."
The same writer, in speaking of him as a
preacher, says:
' ' With him religion was the main considera-
tion, and his convictions on the subject were
deep and strongly expressed. He spoke with
the demonstration of the spirit and power. If
his prayers and exhortations were thoughtful and
intellectual, they were, at the same time, intense
and fervid, enlisting the emotions of the heart as
well as the accurate formulations of the brain.
* * * * Though gifted with large capacity
for astute and accurate thought, he was gladly
heard by the people, because his logic usually
came to a white heat. To the religious people of
Wilbraham he was for a quarter of a century the
oracle. No other principal, certainly after Dr.
Fisk, obtained so firm and enduring a hold upon
the people as Miner Raymond."
What was said in those days may be repeated
with emphasis concerning his labors in later
years, when in the enjoyment of his full intel-
lectual strength and the knowledge and experi-
ence gained in more than half a century of con-
tinuous mental activity.
JAMES McMAHON.
(TAMES McMAHON. Few people in Evan-
ston are as well known, or regarded with as
much sincere respect and admiration, as the
subject of this notice and his excellent wife.
During their residence of over thirty years in
Cook County, they have been almost constantly
identified with charitable and philanthropic en-
terprises, and have won the friendship of both
rich and poor to an unusual degree.
Mr. McMahon was born at Belfast, Ireland,
June 4, 1813. He is a son of Alexander Mc-
Mahon and Mary Ann Douglass, both of whom
were of the stanch Scotch-Irish blood which has
ever been active in promoting the best interests
of mankind. Alexander McMahon was the de-
scendant of a family which had been for many
generations engaged in the linen trade. Two of
his brothers were extensive merchants at Belfast,
Ireland, and amassed a fortune there. Alexander
turned his attention to agriculture, and in 1819
came to America. After living for a time near
Watertown, New York, he removed to a farm near
Kingston, Canada, upon which he resided for fifty
years, departing this life in 1883, at the age of
ninety-three years. He was the father of fourteen
children, of whom James was the eldest. He was
an honorable and thrifty business man, and accu-
mulated a competence, in the enjoyment of which
his later years were spent. He and his wife were
devout Presbyterians. The latter died at King-
ston, several years later than her husband.
James McMahon enjoyed excellent educational
advantages, pursuing courses of study success-
ively at Anddver Academy ; Cheshire Academy, at
Cheshire, Connecticut; and Washington (now
Trinity) College, at Hartford, Connecticut. His
parents designed to fit him for the Presbyterian
ministry, but, while a student at Washington
College, he became converted to the Episcopal
faith, and abandoned his theological studies, to
their great disappointment. While a young man,
he spent considerable time in travel, visiting Eu-
182
JAMES McMAHON.
rope three times, and becoming quite familiar
with the ways of the world and its business
methods. In 1849, in company with a party of
young men of his acquaintance, he went to Cali-
fornia, by way of the Isthmus. He remained
three years in that state, during which time he
mined successively at Hangtown, American Val-
ley and Big Bar, and also recovered his health,
which had become considerably impaired before
his departure from the East. At the last-named
mines he gained a rich reward for his labors, and
thence returned to the East, again making the
voyage by way of the Isthmus, a regular line of
steamers having been established since he first
made the journey.
He landed at New Orleans, thence went to Dal-
las County, Alabama, where he purchased an ex-
tensive cotton plantation with a retinue of slaves,
and had just established a profitable business
when the Civil War broke out. On account of his
political views, he found it impracticable to re-
main there, and in 1860 he was obliged to
abandon his property and remove to the North.
He located in Chicago, where he became asso-
ciated with the insurance agency of Thomas B.
Bryan, and continued to carry on that line of
business for a number of years, representing the
Mutual Life, the Mutual Benefit and the Equit-
able Life Insurance Companies. His business
ventures were fairly successful, and he had accu-
mulated considerable property when the great fire
of 1871 visited the city. Most of what he saved
from that disaster was swept away by the panic
of 1873. At the latter date he moved to Evans-
ton, and for a few years conducted a restaurant
in Davis Street. Since 1882 he has filled the of-
fice of Township Supervisor, being re-elected
each season without opposition. In addition to
his official duties, he acts as a purchasing agent
for Evanston merchants, making regular trips to
Chicago in their interests.
He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, and is
held in the highest regard by his brethren of that
order, from whom he has received many testimo-
nials. He first joined Oriental Lodge, and is
now identified with Evans Lodge, Evanston
Chapter, Evanston Commandery and Oriental
Consistory, his duties as Tyler of these several
bodies taking up considerable of his time.
Mr. McMahon was married, in 1865, to Martha
Cornelia Converse, daughter of Samuel Augustus
and Anna (Easton) Converse, of Stafford, Con-
necticut. Mr. Converse, who was a descendant
of the French Huguenots who located in America
during the Colonial period, died in Connecticut,
at the extreme old age of ninety-three years. He
was an influential citizen of Stafford, and a pen-
sioner of the War of 1812. Mrs. McMahon came
to Chicago in 1860, and was associated with Mrs.
Mary A. Livermore in conducting the great San-
itary Fair. Mr. McMahon was also one of the
promoters of this undertaking, and sold thousands
of tickets in its support. Though not blessed
with children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Mc-
Mahon have adopted and partially reared several
children, one daughter, Harriet Wilmina, having
been a member of the family from infancy. She
was first married to Professor W. W. Graves, an
instructor in the Northwestern University, and
since his death has become the wife of Edwin
O'Malley, of Chicago. Jennie, another adopted
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McMahon, is now Mrs.
Cameron, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
When he first located in Chicago Mr. McMahon
resided on the South Side, near the home of
Stephen A. Douglas, who became his intimate
friend. He helped to organize St. Mark's Church,
on Cottage Grove Avenue, and was for some
years one of its most active and influential mem-
bers. He served four years as Superintendent of
Trinity Mission, and he and his wife have been
communicants of St. Mark's Church of Evanston
since removing to that city. Previous to the
Great Rebellion, he was a Democrat, but since
coming to Chicago has been a consistent Repub-
lican. He is a life member of the Masonic Vet-
erans' Association of Chicago, and during the
war acted as agent for the numerous Masonic
charities of the city of Chicago, securing relief
and transportation for many indigent members of
the order belonging to the Union army. The
retrospection of his long and useful life may well
afford comfort and satisfaction in his declining
years.
JONATHAN CLARK.
183
JONATHAN CLARK.
3ONATHAN CLARK, prominent among Chi-
cago contractors and builders, was born at
West Walton, in the county of Norfolk, Eng-
land, May 28, 1828. His parents were William
and Christina Clark, and his father died when
Jonathan, the eldest of four children, was only
seven years old. At the age of eight he was put
to work herding sheep on the Norfolk commons
and keeping the birds off the fields of grain, for
which he received two shillings (fifty cents) per
week. He went out to service on a farm at twelve
years of age. His earnings during the last year
of service he saved to pay his way to America.
Previous to that time he had contributed his
wages to the support of his widowed mother and
his younger brothers.
On the 2ist of September, 1848, Mr. Clark
sailed from England, and arrived in Chicago on
the 27th of November, via New York, being nearly
ten weeks on the journey. He came by way of
the Lakes directly to Chicago, penniless and
friendless, but resolute and ready for whatever
came. His first employment was hauling wood
into Chicago. The winter was very severe, and
he froze his feet, and, through the dishonesty of
his employer, he lost his wages. In the spring
of 1849 he worked six weeks for Jefferson Mun-
son, of Downer's Grove, and then returned to
Chicago and became an apprentice to P. L. Up-
dyke and John Sollitt, with whom he spent three
years, learning the trade of carpenter and joiner,
and at the expiration of that time receiving the
sum of $200 for his services. He spent six months
as a journeyman, and then began contracting on
his own account, and was successful, accumulat-
ing money from the start. By saving his earn-
ings, he was able to pay his brother's passage to
America in 1849, and in 1850 the two brought
over the remainder of the family.
In 1860, in company with his brother, Mr.
Clark went overland to Denver, where they
fitted up the first express building and the post-
office. After spending the summer there, they
returned in the fall by team, as they had gone.
On the Platte River Mr. Clark's horse was stolen,
and while trying to recover it, he traveled on
foot in the night, and was surrounded by wolves,
barely escaping with his life. The thief was
captured, and Mr. Clark's companions wanted to
try him, but as that meant conviction and hang-
ing, he refused to allow it, and the offender was
permitted to accompany the outfit to Omaha, and
to go unpunished. In 1867 Mr. Clark was ap-
pointed by Gov. Oglesby to superintend the con-
struction of Illinois buildings at the Paris Expo-
sition. There the United States Government,
recognizing his worth, secured his services in the
Department of Works, and appointed him assist-
ant to the Superintendent of the American por-
tion of the exposition. Before returning to the
United States, he visited his old home and por-
tions of Switzerland and Germany.
During the years he was engaged in contract-
ing, Mr. Clark did an immense business, and
erected many residences, stores and business
houses. Among them were the Bowen Block,
McCormick Hall Block, Kingsburg Music Hall,
Kingsburg Block, the Chicago Water Works,
Bigelow Hotel, the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation building and Academy of Design, the
184
GEORGE G. CUSTER.
Brother Jonathan building and the First National
Bank building. The reconstruction of the Chi-
cago 'Water Works was the first job he did after
the fire, and the embers were still hot when he
began work on it. The Bigelow Hotel occupied
the site of the present postoffice, and disappeared
in the great fire. Mr. Clark was both builder
and owner of the Academy of Design, which was
the first building ever erected in Chicago for a
fine-arts exhibit.
In 1852 Mr. Clark married Miss Alice Sarde-
son, a native of Lincolnshire, England, but then a
resident of Chicago. Of the marriage, five chil-
dren were born and all are now living in Chicago.
They are: Euna, the wife of Shea Smith, of Shea
Smith & Co.; F. W.; George T.; Retta M., now
the wife of Dr. Kauffman, of Chicago; and J. Y.
The sons F. W. and G. T. are members of the firm
of Jonathan Clark & Sons Co., contractors, who
have erected many buildings, notable among
which are the Art Institute and the Government
buildings at Ft. Sheridan. The senior member of
this firm is not now actively connected with the
company, but is employed in erecting and manag-
ing buildings, of which he has about a score, built
on ground held on ninety-nine-year leases.
Mr. Clark is a Republican, a member of the
Union League and Sunset Clubs, and a Thirty-
second Degree Mason, in which order he has held
many high offices. He attends, but is not a mem-
ber of, Dr. Thomas' Church. In his later years
he has traveled largely through the United States,
including the Pacific Coast and Florida. He has
a fruit farm and an elegant residence at Fru.tland
Park, in the latter State.
Jonathan Clark is numbered among the men
who have made Chicago, and given it the char-
acter which it bears. Through trials, by perse-
verance and an honest course, he has risen to
prominent place in the city which he has made
his residence for almost half a century, and where
he is an honored citizen, who bears his years
with dignity, and grows old gracefully in the
midst of a large circle of devoted friends.
GEORGE GRANGER CUSTER.
(3 EORGE GRANGER CUSTER, who is now
I serving as Auditor of the City Board of Ed-
\^\ ucation, was born on the 6th of December,
1838, in Sanford, Edgar County, Illinois. His
father's ancestors bore the name of Granger, and
came from England to America, locating in Con-
necticut.' His father was a physician, and in
Newark, Ohio, married Nancy Link. His death
occurred at the early age of twenty-eight years,
and soon after our subject, then a child of six
months, was taken for adoption by Isaac D. Cus-
ter, of Terre Haute, Indiana, whose name he
then assumed. He found in his foster-father a
kind-hearted and liberal man, who could not have
treated an own son with more kindness and con-
sideration. The maternal ancestors of the sub-
ject of this sketch were of French origin, and on
emigrating to the New World settled in Freder-
icksburg, Virginia, about the middle of the eigh-
teenth century. From there the maternal grand-
father with his family removed about the year
1825 to Newark, Ohio.
When George was a child of six years, the
Custer family removed to St. Louis, Missouri,
and for five years he attended Wyman's private
school. Soon after he accompanied his father on
a trip to California, where they remained for one
year. Mr. Custer went to the West to see the
GEORGE G. CUSTER.
185
country, and took his adopted son on account of
his poor health. The result of the trip proved the
wisdom of the father, as the son became a strong,
hearty boy, and now enjoys a vigorous manhood.
He made the journey across the plains on horse-
back, leaving St. Louis on the 4th of April,
1850, on the steamboat "Princeton," and arriv-
ing at old Ft. Kearney, Nebraska, fifteen days
later. There they remained until the early part
of May, when, the grass having grown sufficiently
to furnish feed for horses and mules, they re-
sumed their journey. They were eighty-six days
in making the trip from the Missouri River to
Hangtown, now Placerville, California. Their
next resting-place was Sacramento, from whence
they went to San Francisco. They suffered the
usual hardships and privations incident to the
trip across the plains in days of the gold excite-
ment, being sometimes for days with very small
rations of food, and only water sufficient to moisten
the lips; but, notwithstanding, no illness fell to the
lot of father or son during the trip to and from
California. Mr. Custer had no mining experi-
ences, for he was then too young to dig for gold.
After a sojourn of a few months in California, he
returned home, by way of the Isthmus, stopping
on the way at the island of Jamaica and in New
York City, from whence he came West, by way
of the Hudson River to Albany, thence to Buffalo
by rail, by lake to Chicago, by canal to La Salle,
and on the steamer "Robert Fulton" to St. Louis.
Mr. Custer then attended Jones' College until
eighteen years of age, and resided in St. Louis
until 1854, when the family removed to a farm
near Davenport, Iowa. In the fall of 1855, he
returned to St. Louis and accepted a position as
assistant book-keeper in the retail grocery house
of Ellis & Hutton, at that time the largest estab-
lishment of the kind in the city. In the summer
following he returned to Davenport and entered
the employ of Thomas H. McGee, wholesale
grocer, as chief clerk and book-keeper, and in the
spring of 1857 took charge of the office of the
Burtis House, then the best-equipped hotel west
of Chicago. After a few months he was taken
sick and returned to the farm, where he remained
until coming to Chicago, in April, 1862.
In the mean time Mr. Custer was married. On
the 4th of October, 1860, he wec'ded Miss Sarah
Ann Kelly, of Davenport. The lady was born in
Mt. Carmel, near Cincinnati, Ohio, September 7,
1842. Her father, Daniel C. Kelly, a native of
Cincinnati, is now living in Davenport, Iowa,
where the foster-father of this subject also resides.
They are aged respectively eighty and eighty-
three years, and still active and in good health.
Four children have been born to Mr. Custer and
his wife: Tillie, who is now the wife of Robert J.
Clark, and has one child; Hattie Winchell, wife
of William G. R. Bell; Sadie Belle; and George G.
On leaving the farm in Iowa, Mr. Cutter came to
Chicago and accepted a position as assistant com-
mercial reporter on the Morning Post, edited by J.
W. Sheahan, with which he was connected for a
year. He then entered the employ of Hobbs, Oli-
phant & Co. , commission merchants, and at the end
of three years started in business for himself as a
member of the firm of Olcott, Lash & Co., in the
same line of business. This venture proved un-
successful, on account of the credit given country
customers. Mr. Custer then engaged in the
brokerage business, but during the great fire again
met with losses, after which he spent three years
with Hall & Winch, sash and door manufacturers.
He then returned to the Board of Trade, and was
quite successful in business for several years, but
at length lost his fortune in a "big corner."
At that time Mr. Custer left the city, removing
to Nevada, Illinois, where he took charge of an
elevator owned by A. M. Wright & Co. On his
return in 1880, he accepted a position with
James H. Drake & Co. , commission merchants,
with whom he remained for a year and a-half,
when failing health forced him to abandon that
work. Farm life had previously proved benefi-
cial, and he again resorted to that cure, carrying
on agricultural pursuits until Lis health was re-
stored. Once more he entered the employ of
Hall & Winch, with whom he continued until
the death of the junior partner, when the business
was closed out. He was then with the firm of
Garvey & Jenkinson until they retired from busi-
ness.
In May, 1886, Mr. Custer became Auditor of
i86
WILLIAM WEST.
the Board of Education, and has been unani-
mously re-elected since that time. He was the
candidate for the office of Assessor of West Chi-
cago, on the Democratic ticket, in 1871, but
never sought political preferment, although he
took an active part in politics in early life. He is
known as a conservative Democrat. Socially, he
is connected with the Royal Arcanum and the
Royal League, and is the First Vice-President of
the California Pioneers. In early life he joined
the Baptist Church, but as its doctrines were not
in accordance with his broad and liberal views, he
joined the Third Unitarian Church, and was, until
his removal from the West to the South Side, one
of its active and respected members. He is so-
cially inclined, possessed of a genial nature and
pleasant disposition. He is popular among his
acquaintances, and is one who makes and retains
friends. He possesses a sanguine temperament,
is an energetic worker and not easily discouraged.
Fond of home and family, he is true to those who
rely upon him, and his faithfulness and sterling
worth have won him warm regard.
WILLIAM WEST.
WEST, one of the enterprising
c iti zens f Cook County, now successfully
engaged in farming on section 30, Niles
Township, is numbered among the early settlers
of the State, having come to Illinois with his
parents in 1836. He is a native of Yorkshire,
England, born on the aist of June, 1814. His
father, James West, was born in Ship ton, Eng-'
land, in 1768, and died in the fall of 1838, two
years after his emigration to America. His wife
bore the maiden name of Jane Hodgen, and was
a daughter of Thomas Hodgen, a shoe-maker of
Great Husband, England. As above stated,
James West, accompanied by his family, bade
adieu to friends and native land and sailed for
America in the good ship "Sylvenus Jenkins,"
which brought him to New York after an un-
eventful voyage of thirty-one days. He was de-
tained in New York quite a while on account of
the sickness of a relative, John Dewes, but at
length resumed his journey and traveled toward
the setting sun until he reached Cook County.
He became the first settler of Jefferson Township,
and it was his intention to purchase a claim as
soon as the land came into market, but death
frustrated his plans.
William West pre-empted a quarter-section of
land in Jefferson Township, on which he resided
until 1856, when he came to Niles Township, his
present home. One of the most important events
of his life occurred in 1843, when was celebrated
his marriage with Mrs. Isabella Mosley, a daugh-
ter of John Kendel, who was a native of York-
shire, England, and a farmer by occupation.
Mrs. West was born in Yorkshire, December 18,
1821, and died January 28, 1864. Their union
was blessed with four sons and five daughters,
and five of the number are still living, namely:
William, who was born June n, 1850, and now
resides in Chicago; Mary Jane, who w r as born
April 27, 1852, and is the wife of Robert Robin-
son, of Avondale; Isabella E., who was born
August 27, 1857, and is the wife of John Proctor,
a resident of Arlington Heights; Martha Ann,
who was born February 20, 1860, is the widow
of Emil Haag, and resides in Niles; and Edward,
who was born January 18, 1864, and is now en-
gaged in the flour and feed business in Chicago.
J. D. TOBEY.
187
In 1866, Mr. West was again married, his second
union being with Mrs. Frances Ollinger, who is
now deceased.
Mr. West cast his first vote for William Henry
Harrison and has voted at each Presidential elec-
tion since that time. He now affiliates with the
Democracy, but from 1860 until 1892 supported
the Republican candidates. He received no spe-
cial advantages in life, his school privileges being
obtained previous to his tenth year, and his edu-
cation from that time was acquired through con-
tact with the world. He had no capital or influ-
ential friends to aid him in business, and the suc-
cess which has crowned his efforts is the just re-
ward of his own labors. As a citizen he is pub-
lic-spirited and progressive and devoted to the
best interests of the community, and by those who
know him he is highly respected.
JOHN D. TOBEY.
(JOHN DILLON TOBEY, who is doing an
I extensive business as a dealer in hay and
C/ grain in Chicago, was born at Worth Sta-
tion, Cook County, on the 3d of September,
1859, and is a son of Wales and Elizabeth Tobey,
who are represented on another page of this work.
He spent his early boyhood days upon his father's
farm, and acquired his education in the district
school of the neighborhood and in the High School
of Blue Island. At the age of seventeen he left
home with $2.85 in his pocket. From that time
he has made his own way in the world unaided,
and the success he has achieved is therefore due
entirely to his own efforts. He began work as a
farm hand, receiving $15 per month in compen-
sation for his services. With his first season's
wages he bought a half-interest in a threshing-
machine, and the following winter started a hay
press.
Fifteen months after leaving home, Mr. Tobey
had accumulated $3,300, besides a hay-press,
teams, etc. In connection with his other work
he also did road contracting in Worth Township.
For one year after coming to Chicago he was in
the employ of Nelson Morris & Co. , buying sup-
plies of feed for the stock. Since 1886 he has
engaged in his present business as a dealer in hay
and grain at No. 309 Twenty-sixth Street. He al-
so handles ice. His business has steadily in-
creased in volume, until it has now assumed ex-
tensive proportions, and on the ist of June, 1894,
the J. D. Tobey Hay and Grain Company was in-
corporated. Of this Mr. Tobey is president and
general manager. For some years he has been
the best known dealer in his line on th,e south side
and is now the largest retail dealer in the United
States. He also deals in city real estate and
farm property, and has invested to some extent in
western lands.
On the loth of September, 1885, Mr. Tobey
was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Burt.
Tire lady is a native of Westport, Essex County,
N. Y. , and is a daughter of Alvin Burt. Their
union has been blessed with one child, Gracie.
They also lost two sons who died in infancy
within two weeks of each other.
Mr. Tobey takes considerable interest in civic
societies, and is a member of Golden Rule Lodge
No. 726, A. F. & A. M. ; a life member of Chi-
cago Commandery No. 19, K. T. ; and also be-
longs to Medinah Temple and the Mystic Shrine;
to Acacia Club; to America Lodge No. 271, K.
P.; Longfellow Lodge No. 708, R. A.; George
B. McClellan Council of the National Union;
Chicago Heavy-Weight Base Ball Club, the Sud-
seite Turngemeinde, and several other social and
188
ALEXANDER McDANIEL.
insurance orders. He votes with the Republican
party, but has never sought or desired political
preferment, in fact has several times refused pub-
lic office. Physically, Mr. Tobey is the picture
of health and strength. He is of a social, genial
nature, and is a gentleman of rare business abil-
ity, having attained success through good judg-
ment, ready decision and energetic determination.
ALEXANDER McDANIEL
LEXANDER McDANIEL, of Wilmette, is
I I now living a retired life, enjoying a rest which
/ I he has truly earned and richly deserves. He
has for many years resided in Cook County, and
is so widely and favorably known that he needs
no special introduction to the readers of this vol-
ume. This work would be incomplete without
the record of his life, which is as follows: He
was born February 13, 1815, in Bath, Steuben
County, New York, and is a son of Daniel Mc-
Daniel, who was of Scotch descent, but was born
in the State of New York and made farming his
life work. He married Rachel Taner, a lady who
was born and reared in the Mohawk Valley, and
was a descendant of the Mohawk Dutch. They
became the parents of seven children, four sons
and three daughters.
Alexander McDaniel is the eldest son. The
days of his boyhood and youth were spent in, his
parents' home and he became familiar with all the
duties of farm life. He aided in the cultivation
of the old homestead until he had attained his
majority, when he started out for himself, and,
leaving the East upon the tide of emigration which
was steadily moving westward, he came to Chica-
go, arriving in this city 011 the 27th of May, 1836.
Here he worked until the I4th of August, when
he went to New Trier Township, spending sever-
al days looking up lands on the Ouilmette Indian
reservation. He then returned to Chicago, where
he continued until October, when he again came
to New Trier Township, and pre-empted one hun-
dred and sixty acres of Government land where
the town of Winnetka now stands. The land in
the reservation had not then been surveyed. Mr.
McDaniel deposited the price of the property with
the Government agent until it should be surveyed
and placed upon the market, which was four
years later. He built a log cabin, one of the first
four houses which stood between Chicago and the
present site of Winnetka, and there he kept bach-
elor's hall for four years. The only neighbors he
had for the first year, except Erastus Patterson,
were Indians, and he was the only young man in
that locality. Speaking of the Indians, he said
the Ouilmettes were quite enlightened and good
neighbors, always being peaceable. Mr. McDan-
iel purchased three forty-acre tracts of land, pay-
ing the usual price of $1.25 per acre, and forty
at twenty shillings per acre. Upon this land a
part of the town of Evanston now stands. When
he first came to Cook County there were only
three small log cabins north of Chicago, and many
of the now thriving villages and cities had not
sprung into existence, while the work of progress
and civilization seemed hardly begun.
On the 27th of November, 1842, an important
event in the life of Mr. McDaniel occurred, his
marriage with Miss Emeline Huntoon. The la-
dy was born in Champlain, New York, March 1 1,
1824, and is a daughter of George W. and Lucin-
da (Bowler) Huntoon, whose family numbered
ten children. The father was a ship carpenter,
and was born in Vermont, December 9, 1791.
The mother was born January 9, 1796. With
their family they came to Cook County in 1840,
W. R. DERBY.
189
settling on the present site of South Evanston.
Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel became the parents of six
children. Jane, who was the wife of William
H. Kinney, Postmaster of Wilmette, is now de-
ceased; Ellen, widow of A. B. Balcam, resides
with her parents; Charles, who enlisted at the age
of sixteen and served three years in the Eighth
Illinois Cavalry, is now a carpenter and contractor
of Wilmette; George is interested in mining in
Colorado; Henry is a policeman of Wilmette;
and William Grant is a fireman on the North-
Western Railroad.
Mr. McDaniel exercises his right of franchise
in support of the Republican party. His first vote
was cast on the 4th of May, 1837, for William
B. Odgen, first mayor of Chicago, and his first
presidential vote supported William Henry Harri-
son . Soon' after the village of Wilmette was start-
ed, he was appointed the first Postmaster, hold-
ing the office for nineteen successive years, when
he resigned in favor of Mr. Kinney, the present
incumbent. He has never sought or desired po-
litical preferment, his time and attention being
largely occupied by his business interests. His
wife, a most estimable lady, holds membership
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes
an active part in its work and upbuilding. For
twenty-six years Mr. McDaniel has been a resi-
dent of Wilmette. His first home at this place,
located on Center Avenue, was the fourth house
built in the town, and in it he resided for twen-
ty-three years. In 1891, he erected a more sub-
stantial and modern dwelling on the same street,
and there spends his declining days. He has wit-
nessed almost the entire growth and development
of the county, the best interests of the communi-
ty ever find in him a friend, and his hearty sup-
port and co-operation are given to those enter-
prises which are calculated to advance the gener-
al welfare. His sterling worth and strict integri-
ty have made him a leading citizen of the com-
munity and one well worthy of representation in
this volume.
WILLIAM R. DERBY.
6> QlLLIAM R. DERBY, who was for many
\ A / years prominently identified with the his-
V V tory of this community, was numbered
among the honored pioneer settlers, having be-
come a resident of Cook County in 1834. He
was born in Dorset, Bennington County, Ver-
mont, on the 1 7th of March, 1805, and was a
son of Sylvester Derby, whose birth occurred in
the same locality in 1780. In 1816 the father
removed with his family to Genesee County, New
York, where he remained until his death, which
occurred at the ripe old age of ninety years.
William Derby spent the first sixteen years of his
life at his parents' home, and then began to learn
the trade of a wool carder and dresser, which he
followed for nine years. He later engaged in the
hotel business for nearly two years, and in 1834
he emigrated westward to try his fortunes on the
broad prairies of Illinois. He settled on section
34, township 37, range n, about three miles
southeast of the village of Lemont. At that
time there were only two houses between Joliet
and Chicago. The latter place was a small vil-
lage, and the most far-sighted could not have
dreamed of the prominence and importance which
were to make it the metropolis of the West and
one of the important cities of the world. Mr.
Derby had for neighbors a brother-in-law, Jere-
miah Luther, Orange Chauncy and Joshua Smith,
all natives of Vermont except Mr. Luther, who
W. R. DERBY.
was born in New York. When Mr. Derby came
to Cook County he had a span of horses, harness
and wagon, some household effects and $40 in
money. He disposed of his team in order to pay
for his land when it came into market, and he
was thus enabled to purchase one hundred and
forty acres. It was wild land, but with charac-
teristic energy he began its development, and in
course of time transformed it into a fertile farm.
He built a log house, in which he lived for about
twenty-five years, and then erected a two-story
brick residence, which he made his home until
1879, when he sold his farm (then containing
two hundred acres) and removed to Lemont.
Mr. Derby was married on the 28th of June,
1830, in Castile, New York, to Miss Eliza N.
Luther. Together they traveled life's journey for
about half a century. On the 5th of April, 1880,
Mrs. Derby was called to the home beyond. She
was beloved by all who knew her and her friends
were many, By their marriage were born four
children, of whom two are now living. Sylvester
L., the elder, was born in Castile, New York,
September 18, 1836, and at a very early age was
brought to Lenient, where he has since made his
home. He graduated from the high school of
Chicago, and during his early business career
followed farming, but in 1879 he disposed of his
land and removed to Lemont, where he embarked
in the lumber trade, and also in the manufacture
of lumber in Michigan. His standing as a busi-
ness man is above reproach. His systematic
methods, his enterprise and his fair and honor-
able dealing have gained him the confidence and
esteem of all with whom he has been brought
in contact. He enjoys a liberal patronage, and
has a well-equipped lumber-yard. On the 24th
of September, 1855, he was married to Charlotte
D. Russell, of Dover, New Hampshire, and to
them were born five children, four yet living,
namely: Mrs. Ida E. Brown, Sylvester O.,O. R.
and J. A. L. The three sons are associated with
their father in the lumber trade. They are thor-
ough business men, of sterling integrity, and the
firm is one of prominence in the community.
Sylvester L. Derby has been honored with sev-
eral offices of trust, the duties of which have
ever been discharged with promptness and fidel-
ity. In politics he is a Republican. In 1892 he
was President of the Illinois Retail Lumber Deal-
ers' Association. Although he is now Hearing
his sixtieth birthday, he is still hale and hearty
as a young man of twenty-five, and is recognized
as one of the leading citizens of Lemont.
John T. Derby, the younger son of William R.
Derby, was born in Lemont, October 29, 1840,
acquired his early education in a log schoolhouse
at Gooding's Grove and later was graduated from
Castile University. He began life as a school
teacher in the town of Palos, Cook County, and
for several years continued teaching in Cook and
Will Counties. He studied law with Judge J. P.
Atwood, of Chicago, where he was admitted to
the Bar, and in 1873 was chosen Assistant County
Superintendent of Schools under George D. Plant,
which position he held until the close of Mr. Plant's
official term. He was the first City Attorney of
Lemont, and was a member of its first Board of
Education. On the 7th of May, 1862, was cele-
brated his marriage with Clara H. Dakin, of
Millerton, Dutchess County, New York, and by
their union were born three children, of whom
Nettie E. and Edward D. are now living. Mrs.
Derby died February i, 1885, and in 1886 Mr.
Derby married Miss Abbie E. Jones, of Du Page,
Will County, Illinois. He is at present engaged
in the practice of law, and is a radical temper-
ance man, who supports by his ballot the Prohi-
bition party.
William R. Derby, whose name heads this
record, was an advocate of Democratic principles
and was often called to office by his fellow-towns-
men. He served as Supervisor, was also Justice
of the Peace for five years, was Township Treas-
urer sixteen years and Township Clerk for sev-
eral years. In these various offices he was ever
true and faithful. All who knew him respected
him for his upright life and straightforward deal-
ings and for a public and private career which
were alike above reproach.
LIBRARY
OF THE
DIVERSITY OF ILL!'
JOHN V. STEVKNS.
191
JOHN VOSBURGH STEVENS, M. D.
(JOHN V. STEVENS is a native of New York,
I born at Lysander, Onondaga County, Novem-
O her 23, 1851, the son of George B. and Sarah
(Kellogg) Stevens. His paternal grandfather
was of English descent, and came to this country
before the Revolutionary War, his maternal
grandfather being also of an old family and of
Holland-Dutch extraction.
When he was very young his parents removed
to Cook County, Illinois, where they remained
about four years. The health of the mother
becoming precarious, the family returned to New
York, to Oswego County, where she died in 1858,
leaving a daughter seven months old, who grew
to womanhood, and died iu Wisconsin in 1883.
After his mother's dea h, the subject of this
sketch was left largely to the care of his grand-
mother and mother's sis.er. During his early
boyhood he attended regi ,larly the public school
and also received considerable benefit from study
at home. Later he ente) ^d the academy at Mex-
ico, New York, an institution pf high grade, and
made such good use of hJs opportunities that he
succeeded in passing th.; regents' examination,
which entitled successful contestants to admission
to any college in the State in 1866. While still
in his teens, young Steve. us found his health giv-
ing away under continued and close application
to study, and on the adviue of the family physi-
cian to seek an outdoor life for him, his father
again came to Illinois, in 1866, settling near Bar-
rington, in Cook County, having in the same year
married, this time to his former wife's youngest
sister, Frances Kellogg.
Here for four years the young man remained
with his parents, attending school and pursuing
his studies at home, at the end of which time, or
when about eighteen years of age, he obtained a
teacher's certificate in Lake County, and in the
winter of 1870 taught his first term of school
with success. In February of the following year
he came to Chicago and engaged in bookkeeping,
but soon bought out an interest in a grocery and
crockery store on the North Side, and was begin-
ning to see good business prospects ahead when
the great fire of October, 1871, swept away the
store and all its contents. Without a dollar,
young Stevens returned to Lake County soon
after the fire and again taught school during the
winter term. Soon after the conclusion of his
school he became the agent of the American Ex-
press Company at Barrington, and on January
i, 1873, was transferred to the messenger service
of the company at Green Bay, Wisconsin, in
which service he remained until the following
June, when he resigned to engage in a business
of his own at Green Bay, and in which he con-
tinued with varying fortunes until 1876.
In the latter year he returned to Illinois and
engaged in teaching in McHenry County. With
the exception of the following year, spent as a
bookkeeper in Chicago, Mr. Stevens continued
in the work of teaching until 1883, most of the
time in the high schools of Libertyville and
Wauconda. He had long cherished the desire to
enter the medical profession, and now, seeing his
way clear, he left his position at Wauconda in the
fall of 1883 and, coming to Chicago, entered Ben-
JOHN V. STEVENS.
nett Medical College, where lie was a close stu-
dent, and in March, 1885, graduated with much
credit to himself.
His attainments were evidently appreciated, for
upon graduation he was offered a professor's chair
in the college. This he declined, however, pre-
ferring to enter upon the exclusive practice of his
profession, for which a good opportunity offered
in partnership with an old-established physician
in Wisconsin, with whom he remained for two
years. The partnership was then dissolved, and
Dr. Stevens continued an independent practice in
the same location for over six years, during which
time he built up a large practice and became well
and favorably known by the profession through-
out the State. While here he became President
and later the Secretary for two years, of the State
Eclectic Medical Society of Wisconsin, and was
prominent in all its affairs, being Chairman for
three years of their Committee on Medical Legis-
lation.
In 1891 Dr. Stevens returned to Chicago and
was elected to the chair of Diseases of Children
in Bennett Medical College, his alma mater, to
which was added in the following year Clinical
Medicine, both of which positions he still holds,
and in which he has made an excellent record.
In 1891 he was elected Corresponding Secretary
of the National Eclectic Medical Association,
and now serves in that capacity, having been re-
elected annually ever since. He was also Secre-
tary of the World's Eclectic Medical Congress,
held in Chicago in June, 1893, in connection with
the World's Fair. The other eleven members of
the Executive Committee, as well as the general
officers of the congress, ascribe a great part of the
success of the congress to his untiring efforts for
the previous nine months in securing papers and
a very large attendance and making all necessary
arrangements.
The Doctor is also on the medical staff of Ben-
nett Hospital, attending physician at the Willie
Hipp and Bennett Free Dispensaries for children
and the Evanston Emergency Hospital.
Dr. Stevens is a member both of the Wisconsin
and the Illinois State Eclectic Societies, of the
National Eclectic Medical Association, and of the
Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Association. In addi-
tion to his othei duties he edits and publishes
The Annual of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery, a
publication of recognized merit. It is a royal-
octavo book of five hundred pages, published
each year, and containing the meritorious papers
read at the different State societies at their an-
nual sessions.
The Doctor is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity and has taken much interest in the various
degrees, from the Blue Lodge, of which he is a
Past Master, to the Commandery of Knights
Templar, of which he is a member. He is also
an Odd Fellow, a membe'r of the Independent
Order of Foresters and of other fraternal orders,
in all of which he is popular. In his religious
associations Dr. Stevens is a Methodist and an
active worker in the church of which he is a
member at his Evanston home, although his sym-
pathies and his benefactions extend beyond the
boundaries of his own church. In his political
affiliations he is an all-around Republican, as re-
gards national and State affairs, and for good
men only, whatever the party, in the control of
local affairs.
Dr. Stevens was married in 1873 to Miss Gertie
Wood, of Lake County, Illinois, of an excellent
and well-known family there. Mrs. Stevens has
not only proved to be an excellent wife and de-
voted mother, but is known outside the family
circle for her many virtues. They have three
children, a daughter named Edith G., aged six-
teen, and two bright boys, aged six and eight,
and named respectively Clark Jay and Karl I.
Personally, Dr. Stevens is a fine-looking, well-
preserved gentleman, whose genial face is a cor-
rect index to a generous heart and a naturally
refined nature. He easily makes and keeps
friends, and is uniformly regarded as a welcome
addition to any social circle. He has fine literary
tastes, and, so far as his professional duties will
allow, finds pleasant companionship among his
books.
CALVIN T. HOOD.
193
CALVIN T. HOOD, A. M., M. D.
(3 ALVIN TODD HOOD, A. M., M. D. The
1 I remarkable professional career of Dr. Hood
\,J illustrates the benefit of good blood and
breeding, supplemented by thorough preparation
and intelligent application. The grandfather of
Dr. Hood, Archie Hood, was a remarkable man
of his time, descended from the early English
settlers of Raleigh, North Carolina, and being
distantly related to the noted Confederate, Gen.
Hood. He was tall and stately, measuring six
feet and four inches in height, without his boots,
and was very intelligent and active. He was
what is often called a " natural bone-setter," and
though he never studied medicine or surgery, was
called upon by people for forty miles around to
set broken bones, which he did with success. He
was straight as an arrow at his death, which oc-
curred in 1872, at the age of seventy-two. He
had three wives, the first of whom, Mary Walker,
was the mother of his children. He built the
first gristmill constructed by English-speaking
people in the Mississippi Valley. This was at
Elkhorn Prairie, Washington County, Illinois.
Samuel Gordon, maternal grandfather of Dr.
Hood, was also of English lineage, and opened
the first store and blacksmith shop at Kaskaskia
after it became a modern settlement. He also
built and operated the first mill for extracting oil
from castor beans, one of the principal early pro-
ducts of that region. He stood six feet seven
inches, and was a famous Indian fighter, winning
many a contest with his red neighbors in the early
days of Kaskaskia, and participating, as well, in
the Blackhawk War. When the bell brought out
by the French to Kaskaskia blew down and was
cracked in a storm, he bargained to repair it, in
consideration of the gift of a clock made in Paris
in 1672 and brought to Illinois the next year.
The case was destroyed in a subsequent fire, but
the works are still preserved by Mr. Gordon's
daughter, the mother of Dr. Hood.
Archie Hood had eight children, seven of whom
grew up and are still living, being residents of
Illinois. James, the third child, married Nellie
A., daughter of Samuel Gordon, and settled at
Sparta, Illinois, where he engaged many years in
mercantile business, and where he still resides,
being in the sixty-fourth year of his age, his
business being continued by his son, one of the
most active and enterprising citizens of that re-
gion. Rev. John Hood, pastor of the First Pres-
byterian Church of Galesburg, is another of the
sons of Archie Hood. He is a member of the
Board of Trustees of Knox College, of which
body he has been President.
Mrs. Nellie A. Hood is a graduate of Oberlin
College, Ohio, a woman of cultivated tastes and
intellectual attainments, and her influence in form-
ing the character and directing the studies of her
sons (only one of whom displayed any taste for
business, the others being in professional life) has
been powerful and lasting.
The subject of this biography is the eldest of a
family comprising four sons and a daughter. He
was born at Sparta, Randolph County, this State,
on the nation's eighty-sixth-birthday anniversary,
July 4, 1862. At a very early age he began as-
sisting in his father's 'store, in the intervals be-
tween school days. He graduated from the local
high school, and before the age of sixteen began
the study of medical science, which he continued
for five years, under the tutelage of Dr. David S.
Booth, a widely-known physician of Sparta. He
attended Princeton (New Jersey) College and the
University of Michigan, where he was Clinical
Assistant. After teaching school a year, during
which time he continued his medical studies, he
came to Chicago, March 17, 1884, and entered
I 9 4
R. H. CHAMBERLIN.
the spring term of the College of Physicians and
Surgeons. In February of the following year he
took his degree from this institution and at once
began practice. In September of the same year
he entered the Chicago Homoeopathic College,
from which he was graduated in February, 1886.
Ever since that time he has enjoyed a steadily
growing practice. He occupies an office in the
Marshall Field Building, where he is found fore-
noons, making a specialty of mental and nervous
diseases, in the treatment of which ha has
achieved a remarkable success. He is constantly
driven with the applications of patients in the
vicinity of his home office on West Adams Street.
In 1887, only a year after completing his medi-
cal courses, he was elected Professor of Physi-
ology and Pathology of the American Dental
College, in which he continued to lecture five
years. In 1889 he began lecturing on Electro-
Therapeutics in the Chicago Homoeopathic Col-
lege, and a year later was made Associate Pro-
fessor of Mental and Nervous Diseases in the
same institution, and has fulfilled the duties of
that chair ever since. He is also Assistant Busi-
ness Manager of this institution, and has had
entire charge of the buildings and appurtenances
for the last four years.
Dr. Hood is a man of wonderful vitality and
remarkably strong physique. If he were not, he
certainly could not perform one-half the work
which he has been performing for many 3^ears. For
a man of his comparative youth he is carrying
large responsibilities, with credit to himself and
the institutions with which he is identified. He
is a member of the Illinois Homoeopathic Society,
the Chicago Academy of Physicians and Sur-
geons and the American Institute of Homoepathy.
He .is a member of the official board of the West-
ern Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, and,
while not in any sense a politician, adheres from
principle to the Republican party in matters of
public policy.
On the ist of September, 1886, Dr. Hood mar-
ried Miss Ethel May Barker, a native of Nunda,
New York, and a daughter of O. W. and Mary
(Swain) Barker, of old and long-lived American
families. Mrs. Hood's parents reside on a farm
near Nunda, where she was reared. Having fit-
ted herself by a course of study, she became one
of the first trained nurses emplo}'ed at the Pres-
byterian Hospital in Chicago, where she first met
the Doctor. They have two daughters, namely:
Grace Gordon, born on the anniversary of her
father's birth, in 1887, and Ethel May, born
March 5, 1890.
Those who meet Dr. Hood, either socially or
professionally, are at once impressed with his
manly bearing, his kindly courtesy and his cul-
tured intellect. In the midst of his multifarious
duties he always has time to pass a pleasant word
with any one who may have occasion to call upon
him, and his presence in the community is a
blessing, for his personality, as well as his pro-
fessional skill, carries an elevating and restorative
power.
RHUEL H. CHAMBERLIN.
RHUEL HAMPTON CHAMBERLIN, for-
merly Superintendent of the Illinois Division
of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail-
road, was born in Mendham, Morris County, New
Jersey, in 1826. When quite young, he was taken
by his parents to Milton, Pennsylvania, where
they remained about two years. They then re-
moved to Pottsville, in the same State, and from
CANDIDUS KOZLOWSKI.
1 95
there to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where they stayed
about three years. After that the family moved
to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Rhuel attended
the common school for four years. Later he was
at a boarding-school at Lititz, Pennsylvania, in
which town he also attended school under the
tuition of Mr. J. Beck for about eighteen months.
The family then moving to Philadelphia, he re-
mained there about six years, and at the age of
sixteen was apprenticed to a Mr. Brewer in the
chair-making business. When, however, he had
been for two years with Mr. Brewer, his parents
moved to New York City, and he went with them.
He there went under the instructions of William
Walling and finished his trade.
After learning this business, Mr. Chamberlin
went to Troy, New York, and worked for W. L.
Adams, but being in ill health while there he
returned to New York City. After his recu-
peration he went back to Troy, and there, mak-
ing a contract with Burge & Bros. , who were the
proprietors of a chair factory on Adams Street,
he remained until their factory was burned down,
about two years later. After this he went to
New York City and engaged in the chair busi-
ness. Being unfortunate in this enterprise he
failed, but paid all his debts in full, owing no one
at the time of shutting down his factory. He
then accepted an offer made by Burge & Bros. ,
who had rebuilt their factory at Troy. From there
he again went to New York City, and secured a
position on the Third Avenue City Railway as
conductor when it first opened. He stayed on
that road three years, and later was on the Dela-
ware Division of the New York & Erie Railroad
as head brakeman, under Supt. Hugh Riddle.
Here he remained one year, and then for about
four years was conductor on an extra freight train.
After this, in the year 1873, he was made pas-
senger conductor on the New York & Oswego
Midland Railroad, remaining there until June,
1874. In November he went to Chicago to take
a position as passenger conductor on the Chi-
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. On Jan-
uary i, 1878, he was appointed Superintendent
of the Illinois Division of the Chicago, Rock Island
& Pacific Railroad.
Mr. Chamberlin is a member of Port Jervis
Lodge No. 328, Delta Chapter No. 191, and Del-
aware Commandery No. 44, K. T., of Port Jervis.
REV. CANDIDUS KOZLOWSKI.
REV. CANDIDUS KOZLOWSKI, Rector of
the Polish Church at Lemont, was born on
the 25th day of March, 1836, in the city
of Warsaw, Poland. His father was Andreas
and his mother Josepha (Majewska) Kozlowski,
natives of the same city. Andreas Kozlowski
was a captain in the French army, and served un-
der Napoleon I. in Spain, in 1806, and in the
European War of 1812. He was a valiant sol-
dier, and fought for what he considered the inter-
ests of Poland. He lived to the age of seventy-
six years, dying in 1852. He was married three
times (the second wife being the mother of the
subject of this biography), and was the father of
twenty-one children. Josepha Kozlowski was
the mother of ten children, seven sons and three
daughters, only three of whom are now living,
the subject of this sketch being the only one in
America.
The father of Andreas, Adalbert Kozlowski,
was also a soldier, and served in the Polish army,
having witnessed the coronation of the last king
of Poland and given him his unswerving adhesion.
He was a man of more than ordinary means, a
196
MENZO RUSSELL.
landed proprietor, and owner of tenement houses
in Warsaw. He lived to be upwards of eighty
years old, and died in 1847.
Candidas Kozlowski is a man of rare education
and attainments, and used his best and most
strenuous efforts for the liberation of his native
land from Russian rule. He was educated in his
native city, and in 1863 became a leader in the
revolutionary movement which resulted in the
complete subjugation of the Polish patriots, and
the execution of a large number of their leaders
including hundreds of the friends and relatives
of Mr. Kozlowski. With a handful of men, num-
bering less than a hundred, he fought his way
through to the Austrian frontier, where he was
warmly received by the populace and Austrian
common soldiers, who applauded his bravery and
assisted his escape toward Italy. He is still un-
der the ban of a Russian death sentence, and dare
not return to the dominions of the Czar.
In the latter part of the year 1863, at Bologna,
Italy, he was ordained a priest of the Roman
Catholic Church. After he took holy orders, he
became a traveler and visited many countries, in
eluding the greater portion of Europe and parts
of Asia and Africa. He came to the United
States in 1872, and established a church at Cin-
cinnati. He purchased a Lutheran Church, which
he converted into a Catholic institution, and chris-
tened it St. Stanislaus. About a year later, he
returned to Europe and revisited many of the
countries in which he had previously traveled. In
1874 he became a permanent resident of America,
and took charge of a parish at La Salle, Illinois,
where he remained seven years. After a visit in
Europe, he was rector of St. Josaphat Church in
Chicago for five years, and has been for the last
five years in his present charge. His parish com-
prises four hundred families, and the school in
connection numbers three hundred and fifty pupils.
Father Kozlowski' s liberal education and wide
travels have made him a cosmopolite in ideas, a
practical man in business, a genial gentleman and
an able priest. As a recreation, he gives consid-
erable attention to the study of astronomy, and
is the possessor of a fine telescope, which he pur-
chased at the Paris Exposition, and on which he
was obliged to pay a duty of $42. He is loved
and respected by his people and the entire com-
munity, and is one of the most valuable of the
country's adopted citizens.
MENZO RUSSELL.
I ENZO RUSSELL, a farmer residing on sec-
tion 22, Northfield Township, has the honor
of being a native of Cook County, his birth
having occurred in the township which is still his
home, February 17, 1839. He is the only child
of Jacob and Eliza (Rhints) Russell, both of
whom were natives of Sharon, Schoharie County,
New York. His mother was a daughter of Henry
Rhines, a shoemaker and farmer. In 1 834 Jacob
and Eliza Russell emigrated to Cook County, Illi-
nois, arriving in Chicago with a capital of $6.
The father first engaged in burning charcoal
about four miles from the city, and in this way
secured enough money to purchase a team, with
which to engage in farming. He settled on sec-
tion 22, Northfield Township, where he still
makes his home, residing with his son Menzo.
He became the possessor of three hundred acres
of good land, and may truly be called a self-made
man. He has borne all the hardships and expe-
riences of frontier life, and is familiar with the
history of Cook County from its earliest days.
PETER CRAWFORD.
He has now passed his eighty-fourth birthday,
but is remarkably active for one of his years, and
still works upon the farm. In early life he was a
Democrat, but since the organization of the Re-
publican party has been one of its supporters.
Mrs. Eliza Russell died January 8, 1892, aged
seventy-five years, three months and six days.
Menzo Russell has always lived upon the farm
which is yet his home, and therefore has a wide
acquaintance throughout this community. No
event of special importance occurred during his
boyhood and youth, which were quietly passed
on his father's farm. Having attained to mature
years, he chose as a companion and helpmate on
life's journey Miss Margaret Russell, the wed-
ding being celebrated July 3, 1859. The lady is
a daughter of David Russell, who was a native
of New York, and lived to be seventy-two years
of age. With his brothers, William and John,
their wives and father and mother, he was laid to
rest in the family burying-ground, two miles
southeast of Shermerville. Mrs. Margaret Rus-
sell's three brothers, Norman, Jacob and John
Russell, promptly responded to their country's
call for troops at the breaking out of the Civil
War, and valiantly aided in the defense of the
Union. Her grandmother had three brothers in
the Revolutionary War; therefore the Russell
family has been well represented in military af-
fairs when the country- was in need of valiant
sons.
To our subject and his wife were born eight
children, four sons and four daughters, but the
former are all now deceased. Mary Elizabeth,
born October 17, 1862, is the wife of George
Goebel, a stone and brick mason of Evanston.
Catherine, born June 16, 1864, is the wife of
Joseph Selzer, a farmer of Northfield Township.
Leona, born December 20, 1866, is the wife of
Joseph Bastien, a tinner of Evanston. Lottie,
born January 13, 1877, is at home. The parents
of this family are both members of the Methodist
Church, and are highly respected people, who
have many warm friends in the community. Mr.
Russell is a stalwart Republican. He cast his
first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and
has supported each Presidential nominee of the
party since that time. He is a wide-awake and
progressive citizen, and public enterprises calcu-
lated to advance the general welfare never solicit
his aid in vain.
PETER CRAWFORD.
CRAWFORD, one of the most deserv-
yr ing pioneers of Cook County, was born in
\5 Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1796, and was a
son of Peter and Janet (McNaught) Crawford.
The father was born near Inverary , on Loch Tyne,
Argyleshire, in 1753, and was a boat-builder in
his native land. He died in Delaware Count}',
New York, in 1848. His wife died in Hamden,
New York, in 1836, at the age of seventy years.
She was a daughter of Malcolm and Catherine
(McKinley) McNaught. Her father was a ship-
carpenter, and came to America at the age of nine-
ty years. His death occured in Delaware Count}',
New York, in 1825, at the age of ninety-five.
His children were: Gilbert, a Baptist minister of
Delaware County, New York; John; Neil, who
died in Scotland; Mrs. Janet Crawford; Cather-
ine and Mary, who died in Scotland; and Archi-
198
PETER CRAWFORD.
bald. The mother of this family passed away in
Scotland in 1818, at the age of eighty-four.
To Peter and Janet Crawford were born eight
children: Malcolm, who died in infancy; Donald,
who died in Hamden, New York, in 1868, at the
age of eighty-two; John, who died in Scotland in
1817, at the age of twenty-nine; Gilbert, a Pres-
byterian minister, who for a number of years was
pastor of a church iu Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but
died in Leroy, Genesee County, New York, in
1848, at the age of fifty-six; Catherine, who was
born in 1796, and died at the age of seventy-five
years; Peter, of this sketch; Sarah, who became
the wife of Malcolm McFarland, and died in Ham-
den in 1853, at the age of fifty-two; and Janet, who
died in Hamden in 1872, at the age of sixty-
eight.
Peter Crawford, whose name heads this notice,
came to America in 1820, on a sailing-vessel, lo-
cating first in Delaware County, New York, with
his parents. In Buffalo, New York, he wedded
Juliet Sophronia Hubbard, a native of Westmin-
ster, Windham County, Vermont, born October
19, 1807. She was a daughter of Salmon and
Caroline (Pratt) Hubbard. Mrs. Crawford's fa-
ther was a son of Daniel Hubbard, who died in
Massachusetts in 1813, at the age of eighty years.
Salmon Hubbard was born in Sunderland, Hamp-
shire County, Massachusetts, in 1774, and was
the eldest in a family of five children, the others
being Spencer, Lemuel, Polly and Electa. Salmon
Hubbard died in Canadice, 'Livingston County,
New York, about 1859. His children were: Hi-
ram, who was proprietor of a livery and stage line
and died in Canandaigua, New York, in 1848, at
the age of forty-nine years; Daniel, who died in
1 849, at the age of forty-eight; Elijah H. , who was
born in Guilford, Vermont, and died in New York
in 1830, at the age of twenty-seven ; Salmon, who
was born in Westminister, Vermont, in 1805, and
died in 1835; Juliet Sophronia, wife of Peter
Crawford; Almira, who was born in Greenwich,
New York, in 1810, became the wife of John
Purcell, and died in Canadice, New York, in 1884;
and Oman, who was born in Williamson, Ontar-
io County, New York, in 1813, and died in 1834.
Mrs. Caroline (Pratt) Hubbard was born
Decembers, 1774, and died iu 1816, in Wind-
ham County, Vermont. She was a daughter of
Samuel and Mary (Clark) Pratt. One of her
brothers, Samuel Pratt, located at Buffalo, New
York, in 1804, driving thither from Vermont in
the first carriage that ever entered that place.
He became a leading merchant of Buffalo, and
his descendants are prominent hardware and iron
dealers in that city. The Pratt family is supposed
to have been established in America by ancestors
who came from the north of Ireland. The Hub-
bards are probably of English origin. Both were
well-to-do families in Vermont before moving to
New York.
In 1844, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford left their New
York home and came to the young and growing
city of Chicago. In their family were four chil-
dren, who reached mature years. Gilbert, who is
now engaged in the real-estate business in Chica-
go; John, who was prominently connected with
the same business for some years, but is now de-
ceased; Sophronia A., widow of A. B. Kellogg and
a resident of Denver, Colorado; and Hiram P.,
whose sketch is given on another page of this
work.
On coming to Chicago, in the year 1844, Peter
Crawford began dealing in lumber. Twelve years
later he removed to Cicero Township, where, in
1848, he had purchased a tract of land of one
hundred and sixty acres, paying for the same $15
per acre. This tract is now within the city lim-
its. Mr. Crawford lived upon that farm until his
death, which occurred in 1876, at the age of
eighty-two years. He had been in good health
until a few days before his death, which was the
result of a severe cold, contracted while attending
an election. He had voted at every Presidential
election from 1836, at which time he supported
William Henry Harrison. He was always an
advocate of a protective tariff, and his last vote was
cast for R. B. Hayes. His wife, who survived
him about ten years, died in 1886, at the ripe old
age of eighty years. Peter Crawford possessed a
large fund of general information, and a remark-
able memory, which, combined with good judg-
ment and natural business ability, fitted him fora
successful and honorable business career.
JOHN SOLLITT.
199
JOHN SOLLITT.
3OHN SOLLITT, now in his eighty-first year,
was in his younger days one of the largest
contractors and builders of Chicago. He was
born November 19, 1813, in Stillington, County
of York, in what is one of the most beautiful sec-
tions of England. His ancestors were Hugue-
nots, who emigrated from France to England some
two hundred years ago. His paternal grandfather
was John Sollitt, and his maternal John Cass.
The former was a stone-mason, and the latter a
carpenter. The father of our subject, John Sol-
litt, was also a stone-mason and a sculptor. All
were prominent in their professions and lived and
died in England.
At the age of six years the subject of this
sketch entered the common schools of Stillington,
and was graduated therefrom in his twelfth year,
after which he began learning the carpenter's
trade with his grandfather. He remained in his
employ until his twenty-first year, when, in May,
1834, with his wife and child, he went to Canada.
He worked at his trade in Hamilton and Toronto
for a year or two, when a friend, residing in Mad-
ison, Wisconsin, wrote to him glowing accounts
of that country, and he decided to remove to that
place. He started by way of the Lakes for Milwau-
kee, but, experiencing difficulty in reaching that
point, on account of a storm raging on Lake Mich-
igan, he landed in Chicago. This was on the 6th
of June, 1838, and he had but $5 in his pocket.
Chicago, at that time, contained a population of
about four thousand.
Business was very dull in this city then, and he
had difficulty in obtaining employment; but he
finally made an arrangement with Azel Peck, a
prominent contractor and builder, in whose em-
ploy he remained for three years. He then en-
tered the service of Peter Lewis Updyke, with
whom he continued for five years. On the expi-
ration of that period he entered into partnership
with Messrs. Peck and Updyke, and their 's be-
came the leading firm of the kind in Chicago.
Mr. Peck died in 1848, and the partnership was
continued between Mr. Sollitt and Mr. Updyke
until the latter's death, in 1850. In the fall
of 1849 they erected the old Tremont House,
which was destroyed in the great fire of 1871.
Mr. Sollitt then carried on building operations
alone, with great success. He erected several of
the finest buildings in Chicago, including the old
courthouse, built in 1852-53, and having acquired
a competency through thrift and enterprise, he
retired from business, and has since given his time
to his private interests and the enjoyment of a
well-earned rest. Soon after his retirement from
building operations, he purchased large tracts of
land in Kankakee and Will Counties, forty-three
miles from Chicago, and there moved his family,
hoping the country air would prove beneficial to
his wife's health. This hope, however, was disap-
pointed, for she died in 1871. During this period
Mr. Sollitt spent a portion of his time in Chicago
and the remainder with his family. The town of
Sollitt, in Will County, was named in his honor,
and he gave to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois
Railroad Company $1,000, with which to build a
new depot at that place. After the death of Mrs.
Sollitt he brought his family back to Chicago,
and now resides in his handsome home at No. 515
Jackson Boulevard.
When scarcely twenty years old Mr. Sollitt was
joined in wedlock with Mary Smith, daughter of
Thomas Smith. Her father, a farmer by occupa-
tion, resided in Tollerton, Yorkshire, England.
Her uncle, Thomas Pollard, carried on a large and
popular hotel, called the "Angel Inn," situated
200
BARNARD THALMANN.
near Tollerton, on the main stage road between
London and Edinburgh. Mrs. Sollitt died of
cholera in Chicago, in 1850, and was buried in
Graceland Cemetery. Eight children were born
of their union. Elizabeth, now a resident of En-
glewood, has been twice married. Her first hus-
band was Alfred Bromfield, and her present hus-
band is William Ivers. By each marriage she
has had three children. Mary died in childhood.
Hannah, deceased, was the wife of Henry Curtis.
Jane, deceased, was the wife of Thomas Wallin.
James J. lives in Sollitt. Oliver died when one
year old. John resides in Oklahoma; and Fanny
died in Chicago in 1865. In 1854 Mr. Sollitt was
united in marriage with Anna Rowntree, who was
one of a family of seven children. She was born
in or near Richmond, Yorkshire, England, and
came to America with her parents, who located in
Rochester, Racine County, Wisconsin. On their
deaths she went to live with her brother Chris-
topher, who resided near that city, and at
his home was married. After a happy wed-
ded life of seventeen years, which was ?11 passed
in Chicago, with the exception c r one year
in Sollitt, she died of consumption, and was laid
to rest in Graceland. She had two children.
Charles, who resides in Sollitt, where he follows
farming, is married and has two children, Leslie
and John. The daughter, Blanche, is the wife of
Nathaniel Board, a solicitor for the Chicago &
North-Western Railroad, residing in Oak Park.
In 1874 Mr. Sollitt was married in the town of
Waterford, Wisconsin, to Anna Blackburn, and
they have a son, Walter, a bright and promising
youth of seventeen years, who is now preparing
for college in a Chicago academy.
Mr. Sollitt cares little for society, preferring to
give his time and attention to his family. He was
reared in the Episcopal Church, which he at-
tended for a time on first coming to Chicago.
Later, he joined Robert Collyer's Unitarian
Church, and occupied a pew there for a number
of years. He erected the first Unitarian Church
built in Chicago, its location being on Washing-
ington Street, between Clark and Dearborn. Po-
litically, Mr. Sollitt is a conservative Democrat,
and has, with few exceptions, voted that ticket.
He is an advocate of free trade, the advantages
of which have been made evident to him since
leaving England. While never aspiring to office
or taking an active part in politics, he ran for
Alderman in 1852 and County Clerk in 1854. He
has always been a reader of the Chicago Tribune,
and is a man well informed on all questions of the
day. He was one of Chicago's earliest settlers,
and is a model of a healthy mind in a healthy
body, of business industry and integrity, and of
civic virtue. His memory of events relative to
the past history of Chicago is perfect, and a rec-
ord of them would make a volume.
BARNARD THALMANN.
gARNARD THALMANN, who carries on
agricultural pursuits on section 30, New
Trier Township, was born in Prussia on
the 23d of March, 1836, and is a son of Gerhard
Thalmann, who was born in the same country,
July 24, 1801, made farming his life work, and
died on the 1 6th of July, 1867. His wife bore
the maiden name of Kerdrad Kohle, and was a
daughter of Adolph Kohle, a native of Prussia,
and a stone-cutter by trade. She was born in
that country in 1804, and by her marriage had a
family of four sons and two daughters, of whom
three sons are living, namely : Barnard of this
sketch; Henry, Postmaster of Gross Point; and
ADAM MELZER.
20 1
Joseph, a farmer of that community. The parents
came to America in 1847, landing in New York
on the I4th of April, after thirty days spent upon
the bosom of the Atlantic. After visiting rela-
tives in Boston for three weeks they came to
Cook County, and Mr. Thalmann purchased
eighty acres of land on section 30, New Trier
Township. He afterwards added forty-four acres
on section 33, and there made his home until
called to his final rest.
Barnard Thalmann spent the first eleven years
of his life in his native land, and then accompa-
nied his parents on their emigration to America.
In his father's home his childhood days were
passed, and during his youth he became familiar
with farm work in all its departments. On the
26th of September, 1865, he was united in mar-
riage with Mary Feldmann, who was born in
Gross Point, June 4, 1848, and is a daughter of Jo-
seph Feldmann, whose birth occurred in Prussia
on the 4th of August, 1817. He came to America
with his parents in August, 1833. His father
died in Albany, New York, while en route for
Chicago, and the other members of the family
continued their westward journey. For two years
they lived in Chicago, and then removed to New
Trier Township. Here Mr. Feldmann still re-
sides, making his home with his daughter, Mrs.
Thalmann. His other children are: Christina,
wife of Anton May, a contractor and builder of
Wilmette; Frank, an engineer on the Ft. Wayne
Railroad, residing in Chicago. Mrs. Mathias
Pauly, Mrs. Nick Fellens and Mrs. Peter Kunz,
all of Chicago; and Mrs. Nick Surges, of Lom-
bard, Du Page County, Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thalmann have been born
twelve children, of whom nine are living, five
sons and four daughters: John G., who was born
April 5, 1867, and is a carpenter residing in New
Trier; Joseph, born February 24, 1871, who fol-
lows farming; Barnard, born May 25, 1873, a car-
penter; Elizabeth, born August n, 1875; Kate,
September 23, 1877; Frank, December 7, 1880;
Anton, June 27, 1883; Mary, March 28, 1885;
and Anna, July 25, 1890. Elizabeth attended
St. Joseph's College, of Milwaukee, for one year,
and all have received good common-school ad-
vantages. The parents and their family are
members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Gross
Point.
Mr. Thalmann cast his first Presidential vote for
Stephen A. Douglas, and has since been a sup-
porter of the Democratic party and its principles.
He was twice elected Overseer of Roads, and was
School Director for several years. He is also a
member of St. Joseph's Library and Sick Benefit
Association. His farm, located on section 30,
New Trier Township, is under a high state of
cultivation and well improved with all modern
accessories, and the owner is regarded as one of
the leading agriculturists of the community.
ADAM MELZER.
(S\ DAM MELZER, a self-made man and enter-
I 1 prising citizen, now residing in the town of
/ I Northfield, Cook County, is of German birth.
He was born in the province of Bavaria, Ger-
many, March 29, 1844, and is a son of John C.
and Catherine (Horn) Melzer. His parents were
also natives of Germany, and were there married
in 1835. The father was born on the 2Oth of
April, i8n, and at this writing, in the summer
of 1894, makes his home with his son Adam, en-
joying remarkably good health for one who has
attained the very advanced age of eighty-three
202
N. J. BROWN.
years. His wife passed away in November, 1893,
in the seventy-eighth year of her age. The year
1853 witnessed their emigration to America, and
after a long and tempestuous voyage of seventy-
nine days they reached New York. Their fam-
ily numbered ten children, eight of whom are yet
living. The eldest daughter died in New York
City soon after the family came to America. John,
a carpenter and farmer, now resides in Niles
Township; Jacob is a cabinet-maker and under-
taker of Northfield; Adam is next in order of
birth; Margaret, who became the wife of John
Ward, of Maine Township, died May 19, 1888; Jo-
hanna is the wife of Nicholas Haupt, a farmer of
Maine Township; Eva, twin sister of Johanna,
and the widow of Peter Soergel, now lives in Chi-
cago; Nicholas is a cabinet-maker and farmer of
Northfield; Katie makes her home with her
brothers and sisters; and William carries on
agricultural pursuits in Massena, Cass County,
Iowa. After landing in New York the family at
once resumed their westward journey and came
by way of Buffalo and Detroit to Chicago. They
at once took up their residence in Maine Town-
ship, but after three years removed to Northfield
Township, where different members of the family
now reside.
No event of special importance occurred during
the childhood and youth of Adam Melzer. The
first nine years of his life were spent in his native
land, and he then came with his father and
mother to the New World. Since that time he
has resided in Cook County, and is therefore
numbered among its early settlers. In the fall
of 1866, as a companion and helpmate on life's
journey, he chose Miss Louisa Wildhage, daugh-
ter of William Wildhage, a native of Hessen-
Schaumberg, Germany. The lad}' was born in
the same locality in February, 1846. To Mr.
and Mrs. Melzer have been born five children, a
son and four daughters, who in order of birth are
as follows: William, born March 2, 1868; Mag-
gie, August 15, 1872; Katie, June 17, 1875;
Lulu, May 18, 1881; and Josie, August 5, 1884.
Mr. and Mrs. Melzer have spent their entire
wedded life in their pleasant country home, which
is the abode of hospitality and good cheer. Mr.
Melzer, with foresight and sagacity, saw that the
best investment a farmer could make to improve
his land in this locality would be to drain it, so
he has spent over $1,000 in tiling his eighty-acre
tract. He is now receiving a rental of $8 per
acre for his farm, almost double what he could
have obtained previous to draining it. It is now
a valuable and desirable property.
Socially, Mr. Melzer is a member of the Ma-
sonic fraternity, belonging to Vesuvius Lodge
No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of East Wheeling. Until
quite recently he was a Democrat in his political
views, but is now independent. Whatever suc-
cess he has achieved in life is due to his own
efforts. He started out for himself empty-handed,
and the property which he has acquired is the
just reward of his labors.
NATHANIEL J. BROWN.
J. BROWN is one of the noted
I / pioneers of Illinois, for many years having
I S been prominently identified with the busi-
ness interests and leading enterprises of Cook
County. During his boyhood he took up his res-
idence on ;he frontier, living in Michigan. He
wasboin in Windsor, Vermont, in 1812, and at
the age of three was taken by his parents to New
York, living in the neighborhood of Rochester
and Lockport until 1826, when, with the family, he
N. J. BROWN.
203
emigrated to Aim Arbor, Michigan. The public
schools of the Empire State afforded him the
greater part of his educational privileges. Early
in life he embarked in small business ventures,
and later became associated with his brother, who
was the owner of flouring-mills at Ann Arbor.
His brother also established a stage line, and he
became one of its agents. While thus engaged
he became familiar with a largeamount of territory,
and when a favorable opening presented itself, he
made good investments in real estate, purchasing
land in Kent, Ionia and Clinton Counties, which
afterward yielded him rich returns. His land in
Kent County was covered with pine timber, and,
with his usual sagacity, Mr. Brown saw that it
would one day become very valuable. He resolved
to place it on the market in Chicago, and to this
end chartered the schooner ' 'White Pigeon. ' '
Mr. Brown built a mill upon his land, and as
soon as possible in the spring of 1835, a raft of
lumber, which contained six schooner loads, was
launched at what is now Granville. With a big
lumberman from Maine to assist him, Mr. Brown
cut the craft loose from its moorings. No such
attempt as this to carry lumber down the stream
had been made before, or since, but the journey
was safely accomplished. Arriving in Chicago,
he found that objections were made by the local
dealers to him selling lumber there, but he finally
obtained permission, and disposed of his cargo at
a handsome profit. For some time he continued
his lumber shipments to Chicago with excellent
success.
While in this city, Mr. Brown formed the ac-
quaintance of Augustus Garrett, who afterward
founded the Biblical Institute of Evanston. Mr.
Garrett proposed that they form a partnership,
and they finally agreed to form a combination
which should not interfere with Mr. Brown's land
speculations in Michigan. He owned a section
of land in the center of Ionia County, Michigan,
and a town was platted upon it. Mr. Garrett was
to have charge of the sale of the lots, and Mr.
Brown proceeded to the new town of Ionia and
proposed to erect a sawmill there. Lots sold
rapidly, and the following winter Senator Ewing
succeeded in having the Grand River district land-
office located there. Through some trickery,
however, this was not done, but Mr. Brown man-
aged to sell his lots and realized therefrom a small
fortune. This was invested in Chicago land, and
Garrett & Brown became the owners of three
thousand acres in the Chicago land district. They
became the owners of the most famous auction
house in the West, and it was soon filled with
goods of every kind from the East, to be sold at
auction or traded for town lots, for settlers were
rapidly coming in and there was a wild scramble
for property . The business done at the first house
increased so rapidly that two branch houses were
established. They not only sold all kinds of com-
modities and town lots, but also disposed of
Illinois and Wisconsin property. At one time
they owned nine thousand acres in and near Chi-
cago. In 1837 the partnership was dissolved.
Mr. Brown is a keen, far-sighted business man,
and this characteristic was shown by his invest-
ment in lands at Madison, Wisconsin, at the time
the State Capitol was located there. Knowing
that the location would cause a boom, he made ar-
rangements whereby he received the news of the
location eighteen hours in advance of any official
report; thus he had ample opportunity for secur-
ing the property, and within a day he had sold
land until he had realized in cash more than half
as much money as he had invested. His later
sales also added materially to his income. Mr.
Brown became interested in banking with Lyman
A. Spaulding, of Lockport, New York, establish-
ing a bank at Ann Arbor, Michigan. In later
years he was engaged in the construction of the
Illinois & Michigan Canal, taking a contract to
complete two sections, running through what is
now the village of I^emont. The financial panic
caused by the suspension of the National Bank
about that time caused the canal contractors to
receive no pay, and Mr. Brown suffered an enor-
mous loss. During his work on thecanal, however,
he obtained a knowledge of the geology of the
neighborhood and noted the immense deposits
of limestone. Afterward investing in these, he de-
veloped an important industry, and became the
owner of a valuable property. He removed to
Lemont and was soon recognized as its leading
204
FRANCIS SIXT.
citizen, and now has a larger property interest in
the 1 city than any other citizen.
Mr. Brown has ever been a friend to the labor-
ing classes, in fact his own life has been one of
labor. The cause of temperance has found in him
a warm friend and he has done much to promote
sobriety among working men. In politics, he
was a Democrat, and supported that party until its
members in the South fired on Ft. Sumter, when
he espoused the cause of the Union and joined
the ranks of the Republican party, with which he
has since affiliated.
REV. FRANCIS SIXT.
REV. FRANCIS SIXT. In the mediaeval
ages of chivalry, when men shed their blood
and gave up their lives freely on the field of
battle in support of the principles they loved, it
was no uncommon thing for a warrior, after his
days of wars and battles were over, to retire to a
religious institution arid devote the remainder of
his days as zealously to the cause of Christianity
as he had fought for the success of his chosen
cause in secular matters. Loyola, whose name
will be ever dear to the heart of true Catholics,
was a soldier priest, whose military training and
experience fitted him for the ecclesiastical offices
he was later to fill with so much honor. The
fathers in the church at the present day are not
so frequently graduates from the school of arms,
or men who have responded to their country's
call for defenders, but there are some such, even
now.
Rev. Francis Sixt, of Lemont, is one. His
family dates back to the year 1200. On the 2ist
of May, 1850, he first saw the light of day at the
village of Unterroedel, among the fruit and grain
fields of Bavaria, and there his youth was passed.
At the early age of five, he began his education
at the public school, where he continued until he
was twelve years old. At that date he went to
the Gymnasium in Eichstadt, attending there and
at Amberg till he had reached the age of nine-
teen. He was then drafted into the army, and
served in the Sixth Cavalry Regiment of Bavaria
for two 3'ears. During his term of service the
Franco- Prussian War occurred, and he saw some
of the most arduous service in that hard-fought
and terrible struggle. He was present at the
victories of Sedan, Orleans and Paris. In follow-
ing the army of McMahon with "Unser Fritz"
into Sedan, he spent twenty-one hours in the sad-
dle each day for three days, and he and many
other soldiers were so blistered by hard riding
that the blood from their mutilated limbs ran into
their boots, and the scars of their wounds yet
remain.
In March, 1871, at the close of the war, his
military service being ended, Mr. Sixt came to
the United States, landing at New York on the
2ist of April. He then proceeded to Milwaukee,
where he entered St. Francis' College. Among
his instructors were Rev. Mr. Salzmann, D. D.,
Rector; Archbishop Katzer, Professor of Dogmas
and Philosophy; Reverend (now Monseignor)
Zeininger, teacher of Philosophy and Chemistry;
Rev. Joseph Reiner, now rector of St. Francis and
Professor of Modem Languages; and Rev. Mr.
Moppethorst, rector and Professor of Moral The-
ology and Common Law. Our subject was gradu-
ated in 1876, and on the loth of June of that year
was ordained by Rt.-Rev. Bishop Folly, D. D.,
Bishop of Chicago. Soon after he became assistant
to the Rev. Patrick Riordan, rector of St. James'
Church, of Chicago, now Archbishop of San Fran-
cisco, remaining six months, and then taking a
A. W. BURNSIDE.
205
similar place with Rev. Ferdinand Kalvelage, of
St. Francis' Church, where he remained two years
longer. He was then transferred to Lockport, Illi-
nois, where he took charge of St. Joseph's Church,
with two missions, Goocling's Grove and Mokena,
attached. This work occupied his time and at-
tention for the next six years.
On the ist of April, 1884, Father Sixt was
transferred to Lemont, since which time he has
been rector in charge of St. Alphonsus' Church.
At his coming, he found the financial affairs of
the parish in a very bad condition, two-thirds of
the church property sold for taxes, and the parish
about to dissolve. Father Sixt is a positive man,
and he took hold of the spiritual and temporal
affairs with a firm hand and brought together the
members of the church, collected money, paid off
the indebtedness, redeemed the property, and re-
paired the buildings, spending upwards of $10,000
in that way. He put everything in a prosperous
condition, and the people of his parish are now
among the most happy and contented. He was
the man for the place, and by precept and exam-
ple has shown his people how to succeed, and
they follow his teachings to a very great de-
gree, for his influence has been and still is great
among his parishioners, many of whom he has
helped to buy homes.
AARON W. BURNSIDE, M. D.
GlARON WALLACE BURNSIDE, M. D.
j j The retrospect of a well-spent life, whose
/ I chief element has been one of usefulness to
diseased and suffering humanity, is a thing that
any man would contemplate with satisfaction.
The man who has lived such a life, coupled with
the elements of honesty, uprightness and kind-
ness of heart, is loved and honored by his fellow-
men. Such a man is Dr Burnside, the subject of
this sketch.
The Empire State, which has contributed so
many valuable citizens to the West, is the place
of his nativity. He was born March 21, 1829, at
Wheeler, Steuben County. His ancestors were
of the famous Wallace family, and were known
as the Wallaces of the Burnside (/. e. , Brookside)
from the place of their residence in Scotland, and
in later years adopted Burnside as a surname, but
retained Wallace as a Christian name in most
cases. Three brothers of this family came to
America in an early day and settled in New York
and New Jersey, and from them sprung a nu-
merous progeny, numbers of whom have located
in many States of the Union, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. The grandfather of Dr. Burnside
married at an early age, and with his brave
young wife made his way from Albany to Otsego
County, New York, part of the way following a
bridle-path through the wilderness, and settled
in the forest, where he had purchased land. He
erected a sawmill, later built others, and being a
man of great energy and endurance, by hard
work and economy succeeded far beyond his ex-
pectations. He died when fifty-six years of age,
2O6
A. \V. BURNSIDE.
having been one of the wealthiest men in that
section of the State.
His son John, the father of Dr. Burnside, was
a resident of Steuben County, and was exten-
sively engaged in the manufacture of stage
coaches, which were widely known for their ex-
cellence, and were used over a large territory.
He married Ann Eliza Teller, daughter of James
and Lucretia (Brown) Teller, who was descended
on the maternal side from Anneke Jans, the
granddaughter of William IV. of Holland, who.
has become celebrated in and out of the courts of
law as the owner of the immensely valuable
Trinity Church property of New York, over
which almost endless litigation has arisen.
Aaron W. Burnside is one of a family of seven
children, and accompanied his parents to near
Bucyrus, Ohio, where they settled in 1842. His
home was on a farm until he attained his ma-
jority, and in the work he performed he found
health and strength, and his surroundings were
such that he grew to manhood in the community
where manliness and morality were valued, and
his training in those matters was what it should
have been, as his after life has shown. The
common schools gave him his education in the
fundamental branches. At the age of twenty-one
he entered the Wesleyan University, at Delaware,
Ohio, where he spent two profitable years, and
then, having decided to adopt the practice of
medicine for his life work, he matriculated at the
Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, from
which he was graduated in 1854. He at once
engaged in practice in that city, and enjoyed
three years of success. He then migrated west-
ward and settled at Belvidere, Boone County,
Illinois, where for many years he was a leading
physician and did a large practice.
In 1 88 1, on account of ill health, caused by
overwork and the great amount of driving inci-
dent to a large country practice, he removed to
Chicago. Here his ability as a physician was
speedily recognized, and he was soon possessed of
a large practice. In the year 1882, Dr. Burn-
side was appointed on the medical staff of the
homeopathic department of the Cook County
Hospital, and later becoming President of this
body served in that capacity for several years,
and then terminated his relation therewith by
resignation. The only other public position the
Doctor has filled is that of Examining Surgeon
of Pensions, which he held for fourteen years,
while residing in Boone County. During his in-
cumbency of that position he examined many
hundreds of applicants for pensions and never
had one returned for re-examination.
Dr. Burnside married Mary Ann Leslie,
daughter of John Leslie, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in
1854. One son was born to them in 1857, John
I,. Burnside, for many years connected with the
firm of King Bros., furnishing goods.
Dr. Burnside was again married, October 30,
1864, this time to Margaret E. Fuller, daughter
of Judge Lucius and Candice (Newell) Fuller, of
Belvidere, 111., and sister of Allen C. Fuller, Ad-
jutant-General of the State of Illinois during the
War of the Rebellion. By this marriage one
child was born, Vincent Wallace, who is connect-
ed in business with the National Printing and
Engraving Company.
Dr. Burnside became a member of the Masonic
Order in 1856, and has repeatedly held the posi-
tions of Master of the Blue Lodge, and High
Priest of the Chapter, having been a Thirty-
second Degree Mason since April 29, 1869. He has
been a life- long Republican, but has never been
active in politics, nor held a political office. In
1857 he became a member of the Illinois Homeo-
pathic Medical Association, and twenty-five years
ago of the American Institute of Homeopathy.
As has been said above, Dr. Burnside has never
sought office or political preferment. His life has
been devoted to the discharge of his duties as a
physician to his fellowmen, and in this he has
been successful, and in his success he has been
charitable, as is attested by thousands of uncol-
lected bills for medical attendance upon the poor
and distressed. His life shows him to be a credit
to the illustrious family from which he springs,
and to his kinsman, the 'ate Gen. Ambrose E.
Burnside.
LIBRARY
OF THE
I:::VERSITY OF
JOHN A. HITCHINGS
MRS. J. A. HUTCHINGS.
OF THE
UiVtSSITY OF
J. A. HUTCHINGS.
207
JOHN A. HUTCHINGS.
(TOHN ALEXANDER HUTCHINGS, of Oak
I Glen, is numbered among the boys in blue
Q) who during the late war valiantly aided in
the defense of the Union. He is recognized as
one of the most loyal and patriotic citizens of this
community, as well as one of the leading business
men. For more than a quarter of a century he
has been prominently connected with the com-
mercial interests of this place and is now success-
fully engaged in the manufacture of tile.
Mr. Hutchings is a native of Somerset, Eng-
land, born March 14, 1838, and is a son of James
Young and Sarah Jane (Linden) Hutchings.
His father was born in Somerset, in the year
1809, and was a wheelwright by trade. His moth-
er was born January 18, 1801, at Bridgewater,
London, and was a daughter of Joseph Linden, a
sea-captain. In 1838 James Y. Hutchings, leav-
ing his family behind him, sailed from the land
of his birth to the New World, and after a voyage
of one month found himself on American soil.
He landed at New York, and after looking about
him for a time was so well pleased with the
country that he sent for his family, who joined him
the following year. In 1843, he followed the ' ' Star
of Empire' ' westward and took up his residence in
Northfield Township, Cook County, Illinois.
The journey was made by canal to Buffalo and
thence to Chicago by way of the Lakes. Shortly
before reaching their destination they encountered
a heavy gale, which drove them back to Mackinaw
and made the time of their trip one month. In 1847
Mr. Hutchings purchased one hundred and twen-
ty acres of land, for which he paid $7.50 per acre.
A few years afterwards the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul Railroad Company was induced to
build its depot at Oak Glen on the Hutchings
farm, and this land was subdivided and a part of
the village has been built thereon.
Our subject is the fourth in the family of six
children. The eldest daughter died in infancy.
Henry Joseph is a miller living in Oak Glen.
Frederick James is now deceased. John A. is the
next younger. William L. is a farmer of Oak
Glen. Sarah Jane is the wife of E. F. Conner, of
Albert Lea, Minnesota.
It was during the infancy of John A. Hutch-
ings that he was brought by his mother to Amer-
ica, and upon the old home farm in Northfield
Township the days of his boyhood and youth
were passed. On the 3d of August, 1861, when
rebellion threatened the destruction of the Union,
he volunteered his services in defense of his coun-
try, and was assigned to Company F, Thirty-
ninth Illinois Infantry the celebrated ' ' Yates
Phalanx." His captain was Amasa Kennicott,
and he was under Cols. O. L. Light, Thomas
O. Osborn and O. L- Mann. He faithfully and
valiantly served until November 28, 1865, when,
the war having ended, he was honorably dis-
charged. At Weir Bottom Church, Virginia, he
was twice wounded in one minute. On all nation-
al holidays he demonstrates his love for ' ' Old
Glory " and the nation he defended by unfurling
to the breezes the largest flag in Northfield Town-
ship.
On the gth of December, 1869, Mr. Hutchings
was married to Miss Amelia J. Whitney, who
was born at Diamond Lake, Lake County, Illi-
nois, March 17, 1852. Mrs. Hutchings is a daugh-
ter of David Bagley and Elizabeth (Hicks) Whit-
ney. Mr. Whitney was born in Topsham, Orange
County, Vermont, October i, 1810, but most of
his boyhood was spent in Dalton, Coos County,
208
JOHN JENKINS.
New Hampshire, where his ancestors had lived
for several generations and where some of their
descendants still reside. His mother's maiden
name was Andrews. Her family were early set-
tlers of Orange County, Vermont.
In 1835, Mr. Whitney came to Illinois, first lo-
cating at Joliet. A few years later he removed
to Lake County, Illinois, becoming one of the
first settlers of that county, where he owned a
valuable farm. His death occurred March 26,
1886.
Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney was born in England,
and came to America with her parents when sev-
enteen years of age. Her father, John Hicks,
was an early settler at Joliet, but afterwards re-
moved to .I,ake County, Illinois, where the bal-
ance of his days were spent. Mrs. Elizabeth
Whitney died at Diamond Lake, Illinois, Janu-
ary 31, 1856.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchings have three children:
Oliver A., who was born September 29, 1870,
and is a live-stock dealer of Kansas; Elsie Ada,
who was born May 8, 1875, and is the wife of
Philip A. Kennicott, a promising young phy-
sician, who is practicing his chosen profession in
Oak Glen; and Lillian Minerva, who was born
November 14, 1884, and is yet with her parents.
Mr. Hutchings and his family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Oak Glen. In
politics he was a Republican until the organization
of the Prohibition party, when he joined its ranks.
Socially he is a member of Vesuvius Lodge, A.
F. & A. M., at Wheeling.
In his business dealings Mr. Hutchings has met
with success. For ten years he was an engineer,
and in 1866 he and his brothers put into a grist
and saw mill the first steam power in Northfield
Township. For eleven years he was a success-
ful grocer, and is now engaged in the manufacture
of tile. This is one of the leading industries of
the town, and his constantly increasing business
yields to him a good income. Mr. Hutchings is
a gentleman of more than ordinary intelligence,
and his friendly and courteous manner makes him
at home in all society and wins him the esteem
and confidence of those with whom he has been
brought in contact.
JOHN JENKINS.
(JOHN JENKINS, who owns and operates
I forty acres of rich and valuable land on sec-
\~) tion 5, Jefferson Township, but now resides in
Forest Glen, where he has recently erected a beau-
tiful home, claims Wales as the land of his birth,
which occurred in Carmarthen County, on the
8th of February, 1818. His father, Thomas Jen-
kins, was a native of the same locality, and was a
farmer by occupation. In 1834 he crossed the
briny deep to Canada, taking up his residence in
Huron County. Six years later he was drowned
in the Maitland River.
John Jenkins is the only surviving member in
a family of five children. He came from Canada
to Chicago in the summer of 1843, and worked in
the city until the following winter, when he went
to the town of Jefferson, and was engaged in tak-
ing out ship timber, being employed by George
Allen. When that work was completed he bought
of B. W. Ogden the timber on a five-acre tract of
land, and began chopping cordwood and making
staves. Thus he made his start in life. Saving
his money, he at length was enabled to enter
eighty acres of Government land on section 8,
Jefferson Township, where Gladstone Park now
stands. At that time many would claim land to
GEORGE DRIGGS.
209
which they had no title, and when Mr. Jenkins
secured his farm he was warned not to do so, be-
ing told that he would never live to enjoy it; but
the threat did not terrify him, and he replied
that he expected to improve his land, and that
he was able to take care of himself. On one oc-
casion he was attacked, and had quite a scuffle
with one of the settlers, during which his team
got away from him ; but he came off victorious in
the end, and his property was not wrested from
him. He can relate many incidents of pioneer
life, and was prominently identified with the de-
velopment of the community. He and Mr. Bar-
num, of Chicago, did the first grading on Mil-
waukee Avenue. While he was working in the
timber, a young man by the name of William
West approached him, and proposed that they
together keep bachelors' hall. This they agreed
to do. Early next day Mr. West started for
Chicago with a load of wood, and Mr. Jenkins
concluded in his absence to clean the house.
While doing this he found a barrel of cabbage
which he thought had spoiled, and threw it into
a hole and covered it over, ' 'so as not to smell the
rotten stuff." When Mr. West returned he
found that his barrel of sauerkraut had been
thrown away, and was anything but pleased with
Mr. Jenkins as a housekeeper.
In 1883 Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage
with Elizabeth Ann Curgenven, daughter of John
Curgenven, a farmer of Cornwall, England.
They are both members of the Congregational
Church. By a former marriage Mr. Jenkins had
two children: Elizabeth, wife of William Irwin,
a real-estate and insurance agent of Chicago;
and Thomas W., who died, leaving a son, John
J., who is now attending a business college in
Chicago. Mr. Jenkins resided upon his farm un-
til 1894, when he removed to his beautiful home
in Forest Glen. By his well-directed efforts in
former years, he acquired a handsome compe-
tency, which supplies him with all the comforts
of life, and enables him to lay aside business
cares, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of
his former toil.
JUDGE GEORGE DRIGGS.
(JUDGE GEORGE DRIGGS was born at
I Mount Morris, New York, May 18, 1846,
Q) and was a son of Elias and Sarah (Rowell)
Driggs. His father was a tinner and a man of
moderate means. When he had reached the age
of seven, both his parents died, leaving him in
charge of his brother, Benjamin P. Driggs, who
sent him to Fairlee, Vermont, where he began
work on a farm. There he remained until he was
thirteen years old, performing the heavy, weari-
some labor incident to New England farming,
working early and late during the greater part of
the year, and attending school in the winter. But
he was a hardy boy and ambitious, and did not
allow himself to be discouraged by his condition
or environment, but struggled manfully to better
his circumstances and get an education and
succeeded.
Mr. Driggs attended Oxford Academy, in New
Hampshire, for some time, and finally decided to
give up farming. With this end in view, he went
to Boston, expecting easily to obtain a position in a
store, but he found it a seeming impossibility, and
became a newsboy. He had determined to be in-
dependent, and it was his ambition to be a law-
yer. To that 'end he sought any honorable em-
ployment that seemed to promise an opportunity
for study or to provide the means for carrying out
210
GEORGE DRIGGS.
his plans. It was not an easy thing for this coun-
try boy, unused to city ways, to maintain him-
self in such surroundings; but, with the energy
that permeated his whole career, he did it, and
did it well. In after years, speaking of that time
in his life, he said: "I did not make much money,
but I had my eyes opened to the intensity of busi-
ness competition, and I think I learned most of
the tricks of the newsboy's trade." His experi-
ence in this line was brief, however, lasting only
four or five months, after which the future jurist
returned to his home.
Shortly after this he enlisted for service in the
War of the Rebellion, but his brother objected to
this on account of his youth, and secured his re-
lease. The young man was, however, determined
to do what seemed to him to be his duty to his
country, and it was with a great deal of difficulty
that the brother got him away from the United
States authorities after a second enlistment. In
after life Judge Driggs manifested in many ways
the same spirit of patriotism, and was the warm
friend of the veteran soldier and advocate of his
claims to recognition on the part of the country.
In consideration of these facts he was made an
honorary member of the Union Veterans' League
of Chicago. For a while he acted as clerk in a
village store, but in 1865 he met the present Sen-
ator from Vermont, Justin S. Morrill, and through
him secured a position in the treasury at Wash-
ington, with a view to the opportunity for study
which that connection offered, and entered the
Columbia University Law School.
In 1867 Mr. Driggs was graduated, and then
endeavored to find a location in which to settle
down to his legal work; but neither New York
nor Washington suited him, and he started west.
Columbus, Ohio, proved attractive to him, and in
1871 he made that place his home. Judge J. R.
Swan, a distinguished jurist, took the young law-
yer into his office, and all went favorably from
that time forward. A short time later he entered
the office of Hugh J. Jewett, President of the
"Panhandle" Railroad, and later President of the
"Erie," and here gained a practical knowledge
and experience in railroad law. In 1876 he went
to Pittsburgh, as assistant counsel of the Penn-
sylvania Railroad Company, and remained there
in that capacity until 1881, when he moved to
Chicago. Here he entered into a law partnership
with George Willard, also of the Pennsylvania
Railroad staff, and continued to act as solicitor
for that line until a short time before his eleva-
tion to the Bench.
This connection was dissolved in 1887, when
Mr. Driggs became a member of the firm of
Tenney, Driggs & Coffeen. This association was
of necessity of short duration, for with Judge
Williamson's death, in 1888, came the almost
unanimous demand that Mr. Driggs succeed him
on the Circuit Bench. His election was not op-
posed. He went upon the Bench immediately on
his election, and in June, 1890, was re-elected
without opposition for a term of six years, but in
the midst of his bright career of usefulness he
was removed by death, suddenly and unexpect-
edly. He died of quinsy, after an illness of only
five days, March 19, 1892. His funeral services
were held at the First Presbyterian Church of
Hyde Park, where fifteen hundred persons at-
tended, among them three hundred and fifty
members of the Bar and every Judge of the Cir-
cuit and Superior Courts and the jurists upon the
Probate and County Benches.
On the 22d of February, 1872, George Driggs
and Miss Helen Griffing, of Washington, D. C.,
were married. The lady was born in Litchfield,
Ohio, and is a talented member of an old colonial
family of prominence in Connecticut. Her father,
Charles Griffing, was born in New London. Her
mother, Josephine Sophia (White) Griffing, was
a direct descendant of Peregrine White, the first
child born in Plymouth Colony. Both her parents
were ardent Abolitionists, and severed their rela-
tions with the Methodist Church on account of
their radical views on the slavery question. They
were persons of much more than ordinary ability,
and rendered all possible aid to the Underground
Railroad, so well known before the war. Among
their friends and associates were William Lloyd
Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Mrs. Lucy Stone
Blackwell. Mrs. Griffing originated the idea of
the Freedman's Bureau, and, as a Government
official, directed the work of caring for the desti-
GEORGE DRIGGS.
211
tute negroes who thronged Washington after the
war, having her residence there, and holding that
position from 1865 until 1872. Judge Driggsleft
two children, a son and daughter, Herbert and
Josephine.
What Judge Driggs was, and the esteem in
which he was held by his fellow-citizens, is best
told in the words of those who knew him best.
Judge Oliver H. Horton said of his late associate:
"He was my warm personal friend before he went
on the Bench. He was a man who drew others
to him. He had a genial manner and it was from
the heart; he was a remarkably kind-hearted
man. He was a gentleman. His was a well-
rounded character. He was an able public
speaker. His presence was pleasing. His eye
spoke before he had opened his mouth there are
some men who have the gift of conveying an idea
to an audience without speaking. He had a most
pleasing voice and the faculty of expressing him-
self in full, round, felicitous phrases. His death
was a terrible shock to all his associates, and it
was so unexpected by his wife that it would
hardly have been a greater shock if he had died
from a pistol shot. ' '
M. L. Coffeen, once his law partner, said: "He
was a thorough trial lawyer, a magnificent pleader,
and a man who, in the trial of a jury case, exer-
cised a magnetic influence. His instincts were
based upon microscopical integrity in every in-
stance. He loved the right, the true and the
good with ardor. He was by all means the most
popular man we ever had on the Bench. In social
life he was equally loved and admired. He was
constantly sought for to attend dinners and ban-
quets. He was a true admirer of music and art,
and a man of the finest esthetic sensibility. His
affection for his family was tender and charming.
His geniality was unvarying. Never was there
a more approachable man; never was there a
kindlier spirit. There was never a breath of
suspicion blown upon his character, for his face
was a living refutation of calumny, of aspersion,
of suspicion. Too often it is a fact that the beauty
of a man's character becomes apparent only when
he lies cold in death; but his character was known
and loved all his life. ' '
It is doubtful if there was a more popular man
in Chicago than Judge Driggs. Pretty nearly
everyone knew him and everyone liked him. He
was fond of the innocent social pleasures of life,
and invitations of all kinds were showered upon
him. Nor did he slight the broader, more seri-
ous, things of life. He was a reader, a scholar,
a man of keen artistic instincts, a lover of music
and of the stage. He was a close friend of Joe
Jefferson. Between him and Robert G. Ingersoll
there was an unusually warm friendship. Wher-
ever the wits congregated, there was his pleasure.
His special ties were warm and many. He was
a member of the Knights Templar and of the
Royal Arcanum. Of the city clubs, the Union
Iveague, the Sunset, the Fellowship and the
Forty Club claimed him. In his own neighbor-
hood the Kenwood Club had honored him with
its presidency, and of the Hyde Park Club he
was a valued member. And yet no man was
more attached to his friends and to his family; no
man had a more charming home life. His home
in the "East End" was the hospitable rendezvous
of a large and pleasant circle of friends. He was
a kind husband and an indulgent parent; in fact,
he was much like an elder brother of his son and
daughter. He was open-handed and charitable,
but his foresight leaves his family in comfort.
Judge Driggs was one of the readiest of men.
His wits were always with him and in working
order. What his brain conceived his lips could
always utter, and the thought lost nothing in
transmission, It was this faculty that made him
a delightful conversationalist, whose range was as
wide as his erudition; a kindly wit, whose shafts
never hurt the most sensitive; a raconteur whose
listeners never grew weary; a toastmaster before
whom dullness and formality fled ; an after-dinner
speaker whose graceful fancy could redeem whole
programs of stilted nothings; a campaign orator
whose political utterances were a treat; a pleader
whose arguments never failed to impress both
court and jury. But, better still, his gift of sil-
ver speech soared higher to what men for want
of a better word call eloquence. As a public
speaker, able to handle the occasion and the sub-
ject, he made his mark by repeated successes. It
212
T. W. HESUNGTON.
is touching to remember that his last public ad-
dress was his oration at the annual memorial
services of the Chicago Bar Association, Decem-
ber 27, 1891, in the Auditorium, where a vast
audience listened to his eloquent tribute to the
profession he loved so well and so brightly
adorned.
THOMAS W. HESUNGTON.
'HOMAS WIUJAM HESUNGTON, a
worthy representative of the agricultural
interests of Cook County, has long made
his home in this community and is familiar with
much of its history. He has the honor of being a
native of the county, and has witnessed its growth
from the time when the Indians were frequent
visitors to the neighborhood, and when the land
was wild and unimproved. He has seen the devel-
opment of homes and farms and the rapid growth
of Chicago, and has ever borne his part in the
work of progress and advancement.
His father, George Heslington, numbered
among the honored pioneers of Cook County, was
born in Maunley, near Northallerton, York-
shire, England, on the 7th of August, 1799. He
married Ann Dewes, a native of Marton Grafton,
Yorkshire, born October i, 1803, and a daughter
of John Dewes, a Yorkshire farmer. They, be-
came the parents of the following children: John,
now deceased; Ann, wife of William Blann, who
for eight years has served as night watchman in
the great store of A. H. Revell & Co., Chicago,
and during all this time has never been absent
from duty a single night; Mrs. Isabel Langrehr;
George, also deceased; Elizabeth Jane Dewes,
widow of George Millen; Margaret Ella, who
lives with her brother and manages the affairs of
the household with marked ability; Thomas W.;
Mrs. Sophia Amelia Jones, now deceased; and
Maria Antoinette, wife of Otto L,inemann, of
Northfield Township. The first four were born
in England, the others in Cook County, Illinois.
In the summer of 1833, the parents, accom-
panied by their children, bade adieu to their na-
tive land and sailed for America. They came at
once to Illinois and took up their residence in
Niles Township, where the father secured a Gov-
ernment claim, comprising eighty acres of timber
land and eighty acres of prairie land. The voy-
age across the Atlantic was a very pleasant one,
and consumed thirteen weeks. The captain of
the vessel became a friend of Mr. Heslington, and
he made the family his guests during the trip.
Mrs. Heslington remarked, "It was thepleasant-
est thirteen weeks that I ever spent. ' ' In the
pioneer home of the family their Indian neighbors
were frequently entertained, and as a return for
his kindness Mr. Heslington was the recipient of
many favors at the hands of the red men. He
continued an honored and highly-respected citi-
zen of this community until his death, which oc-
curred in Northfield Township, March 16, 1879,
aged nearly eighty years. His wife passed away
September 4, 1881.
Thomas W. Heslington whose name heads this
record was born in Niles Township October 15,
1839, but has spent most of his life in North-
field Township, which is yet his place of resi-
dence, his household being presided over by his
amiable sister, whose work has been to assist
him in making home pleasant and prosperous.
By earnest labor, economy and careful manage-
ment they have accumulated a respectable por-
tion of this world's goods to maintain them in
their declining years. Mr. Heslington cast his
E. J. WILBER.
213
first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and
supported the Republican party until recently,
when he cast his vote with the Prohibitionists.
He has never been an office-seeker, preferring to
give his entire time and attention to his business
interests. His deeds of kindness and charity are
performed in a quiet, unassuming way, and his
life is well spent.
EDWIN JEREMIAH WILBER.
IT J. WILBER, of Chicago, who is at the head
fJ of the Wilber Mercantile Agency, which is
I known throughout the country, was born in
Dutchess County, N. Y. , on the 3oth of Decem-
ber, 1826, and is a son of John and Keziah C.
(Dodge) Wilber. His mother was a daughter
of Dr. Dodge, and was the eldest of twelve chil-
dren. His father was a member of the Society of
Friends, and was the eldest of a family of eight
children.
The subject of this sketch was reared as a farm-
er, and from an early age was familiar with the
labors of the field and the other work of an agri-
culturist. His early education was acquired in
the district schools of the neighborhood, but dur-
ing the winter season, when between the ages of
eighteen and twenty years, he attended an acad-
emy in Fairfield, N. Y. He entered upon his
business career as a teacher, and was thus em-
ployed in 1848 and 1849. In the latter year he
went to California, attracted by the discovery of
gold on the Pacific Slope. On reaching his des-
tination he began mining, and was thus engaged
for two years with good success. Later he engaged
in selling supplies to the miners for a year; and
spent one year in farming near Sacramento, Cal.
At length he determined to return home, for he
had been absent four years. In February, 1 85 3 , he
took passage on a steamer at San Francisco. He
sailed to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, and thence
by way of Lake Nicai agua and the San Juan River
to Grey town, where he boarded a steamer bound
for New York City. He arrived in the metropolis
in March, and then went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
where the succeeding twenty years of his life were
passed. During his residence in that place he
was engaged for a time in the dry-goods business.
Subsequently, he became connected with East-
man's Business College as a teacher, and later
served as its principal for six years. He then
turned his attention to the fire-insurance business,
and also engaged in the publication of the Daily
News. Leaving the East in 1873, he removed to
Michigan, where he spent two years, and in 1875
embarked in an enterprise with Hon. MarkD. Wil-
ber, bringing into use a new system of collecting
and reporting. This soon became known as the
Wilber Mercantile Agency, and business was es-
tablished in Chicago in 1876, withE. J. Wilber as
Secretary and Manager. Ten years later, John
D. and Marshall D. Wilber became stockholders,
and soon after it was incorporated, with Mark D.
Wilber as President, E. J. Wilber Secretary,
Marshall D. Wilber Treasurer, and John D. Wil-
ber Assistant Secretary and Manager of the re-
porting department. S. D. King was made Su-
perintendent of the collection department, and
John C. Cummings was made Superintendent
of the attorney list and was given charge of
the annual and monthly revisions. Great care
is taken in the preparation of these lists and
revisions, and copies of the same are furnished to
all patrons and associate attorneys. From the
beginning the business of the company has con-
stantly increased, until it has now assumed exten-
sive proportions, and the Wilber Mercantile
2I 4
AUGUST HEUCK.
Agency is known throughout the country. It
has gained the confidence of people everywhere,
and prominent business men of various places in-
trust large moneyed interests to its care.
After removing to Chicago, Mr. Wilber studied
law in the Union Law College and was graduated
therefrom in 1882. He did this in order to better
fit himself for his work. Honorable and upright
in all dealings, his success has been won by a
straightforward career, by enterprise, persever-
ance and well-directed efforts. He is a man of
untiring energy, and carries forward to a success-
ful completion whatever he undertakes. His
prosperity is certainly well deserved. He is an
earnest Christian gentleman and has been an of-
ficer and member of the Presbyterian Church of
Woodlawn since its organization in 1884. Thus
have we briefly sketched the life of a self-made
man, who by his own efforts has steadily worked
his way upward to a position of prominence, and
is now at the head of his line of business in the
country.
AUGUST HEUCK.
(S\ UGUST HEUCK, who is engaged in black -
J I smithing in Oak Glen, was born in Hano-
/ | ver, Germany, on the loth of January, 1839.
His father, George Heuck, was born in Kiel,
Holstein, Germany, in 1811, and served as an
apprentice to the blacksmith and locksmith's
trades in a machine shop. He also learned the
business of manufacturing surgical instruments,
and was in the truest sense of the term a master
mechanic. The mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Marguerite Oldenbuttel, and was
born in Hanover, in 1814. They were married
January 9, 1839, and by their union became the
parents of seven children, three sons and four
daughters, of whom August, the eldest, and Fred-
erick, the youngest, yet survive. In 1857, George
Heuck, accompanied by his family, boarded
the sailing-vessel "Atalanta," bound for America.
They were delayed by severe storms while pass-
ing through the English Channel, and collided
with a vessel. They also ran on a rock in the
channel, and the captain, mate and five sailors
from a wreck were picked up. After a voyage
of seven weeks, the "Atalanta" dropped anchor
in the harbor of New York and they landed at
Castle Garden. From New York they made their
way to Albany, and thence by rail to Chicago.
For two or three years the father rented land in
Northfield Township, and then purchased an acre
of ground, on which he built a dwelling and
blacksmith shop. For some years he there car-
ried on business in his own interest. He died
January 5, 1881.
August Heuck, whose name heads this record,
began learning the blacksmith's trade with his
father when a youth of nine summers. He also
attended school during a portion of the time, and
at the age of eighteen had acquired a good practi-
cal education. With the family he came to
America, and has since made his home in Cook
County.
On the 25th of June, 1868, was celebrated the
marriage of August Heuck and Miss Wilhelmina,
daughter of Lorenzo Heick. She was born April
17, 1848, in Kiel, Holstein, Germany, and emi-
grated to America in 1867. Their surviving
children are: August, born March 20, 1872;
Henry, September 14, 1873; and Johanna, No-
vember 25, 1877.
Mr. Heuck and his family are all members of
the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican in
politics, and has always been a zealous and active
NOAH B. BACON.
215
adherent of that party since casting his first Pres-
idential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He still works
at his trade and is also interested in farming. He
owns the acre of land which his father first pur-
chased, and has by industry and energy added to
this until he is now the possessor of ninety-three
acres of well-improved land, and some Evanston
property, besides his pleasant home in Oak Glen,
built in 1877, which is surrounded by fruit and
ornamental shrubbery planted by himself.
Gerhardt Oldenbuttel, a brother of Mrs. Mar-
guerite Heuck, still resides with the subject of
this sketch, at the age of seventy-five years. He
came to America in 1840, landing at Charleston,
South Carolina, and has since traveled extens-
ively in the United States.
NOAH
BACON.
E)OAH BROCKWAY BACON, one of the few
| / men now living, with clear memories, who
1 1^ were born in the eighteenth century, is an
example of the benefits of temperance and right-
eous living. When near the close of his ninety-
fifth year, he wrote the following, at the request
of the editor of this volume:
"I know very little of my ancestors. My father
moved to the State of New York soon after his
marriage, leaving all of his relatives in the East-
ern States. He was a son of Ebeneezer Bacon,
of Massachusetts. When a boy of sixteen years,
he and two older brothers enlisted in the Revo-
lutionary War. One brother died in the army
and the other lost his right arm. My father
served seven years, without a day's relief, and
was honorably discharged, a sound, strong man
of one hundred and fifty-five pounds' weight, and
paid off in Continental money, of which it would
take $5,000 to buy a pair of top boots. I have
heard my father say it would take $150 to buy a
dinner.
' 'Some four years after the war my father married
Ruth Brockway, a Connecticut school teacher,
and moved west to the State of New York. The
result of their marriage was five sons and two
daughters. The youngest son died in infancy.
Their names were Olive, Elijah, Noah B., Tru-
man Norton, Joseph Franklin, Ruth Anna and
Timothy. Six lived to marry and rear families.
My brothers and sisters have all passed on to the
spirit life, and I am the only representative of my
father's family. My health is good for one of
my years.
"I was born on the igth of December, 1799, and
am this day ninety-four years, seven months and
twenty-two days old, and I write this history from
memory, and without spectacles, in this cloudy,
dark day, August 10, 1894. My cup of life has
been mixed with joy and grief. Our sorrows last
for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. My
history is peculiar to myself perhaps of little
interest to others. I have been told that my
brother, Joseph F. Bacon, who died in Milwau-
kee, Wisconsin, February 5, 1892, traced the line
of our ancestors back to Lord Bacon. I never
had time for such work. Lord Bacon was what
he was in his time, and I am what I am in my
day. Character, not genealogy, is what makes
the man of to-day famous or infamous. Vice
may be dandled in the lap of wealth and fame,
while virtue, in obscurity, struggles with the iron
hand of poverty, and unknown in the annals of
the world's history. Yet virtue carries her re-
ward with her, and sometimes it is an open reward.
Many years of experience have taught me to re-
gard everyone according to his virtue, from the
king on his throne to the beggar in the street. I
NOAH B. BACON.
have living twenty-five grandchildren, forty-three
great-grandchildren and three great-great-grand-
children. Nine grandchildren have died and two
great-grandchildren have died. Three of my
daughters have died, and I have five sons and
one daughter living. ' '
Elijah Bacon, father of the subject of this
sketch, was born in 1765 (probably at Dedham,
Massachusetts), and reached the age of ninety-six
years. His wife lived to be ninety years old.
They were faithful members of the Presbyterian
Church, and engaged chiefly in agriculture.
Noah B. Bacon was born in Westmoreland,
Ontario County, New York, and had a limited
common-school education. He has been observ-
ant and studious and has secured a valuable
practical education. As shown in the extract
preceding, he has sound, practical views of life.
After spending some years in carrying mail first
on horseback, then on a stage line through the
wilds of southern New York and northern Penn-
sylvania, in the employ of Stephen B. Leonard,
Mr. Bacon took a sub-contract from Mr. Leonard
to carry the mail (in connection with which he
operated a stage line) between Bath. Steuben
County, New York, and Elmira, Tioga County,
in the same State, which he faithfully carried out,
but without financial gain. Farming has been his
main occupation in life. For about fifteen years
he operated a linseed-oil mill at Bath, New York,
during part of the year.
In 1843 he moved to Mukwanago (then Mil-
waukee) County, Wisconsin, where he rented'land
four years. He then removed to La Grange, Wai-
worth County, in the same State, and combined
farming with the operation of a blacksmith shop,
in partnership with his eldest son. Here he im-
proved his financial condition and established a
reputation for rectitude, to which the writer of
these lines cheerfully testifies from personal
knowledge. In 1856 he went to Easton, Adams
County, Wisconsin, where he purchased wild land
and improved it successfully. Here, in 1875, at
the age of seventy-seven years, his faithful help-
mate was taken away by death, and he soon after
retired from active life. On the evening of the
first day of the year 1821, in Bath, Steuben
County, New York, Mr. Bacon was wedded to
Miss Charlotte York. She was the daughter of
Stephen and Amy (Franklin) York, and was
born in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York,
being one of a family of three sons and six daugh-
ters. Stephen York was of Dutch descent. Amy
Franklin was a daughter of Roswell P. Franklin,
a near relative of Benjamin Franklin, the Amer-
ican sage. Five sons and four daughters were
given to Mr. and Mrs. Bacon, named in order of
birth: Mary Ann, Joseph Franklin, Ruth Amy,
George Brockway, Huldah Emmarilla, Elijah
Fremont, Jeremiah D., David Noah and Char-
lotte Amanda. Joseph Franklin resides in Por-
tage City, Wisconsin, and has four living children ;
George Brockway has two children and resides in
Des Moines, Iowa; Elijah Fremont, also of Des
Moines, has eight children; Jeremiah D. makes
his home in Chicago; David N. resides in Point
Bluff, Wisconsin; Mrs. Mahlon Dewing, a widow,
resides in Winfred, South Dakota. Her husband
served for four years in the Eleventh Wisconsin
Regiment during the War of the Rebellion. The
second daughter was buried in Bath, Steuben
County, New York; the third in Mukwanago,
Wisconsin; and the eldest in White Creek, Wis-
consin.
Mr. Bacon, though now so well advanced in
years, is remarkably well preserved. His health
is good, his step firm and elastic, and his eyesight
and hearing are very slightly impaired. He pos-
sesses considerable literary ability, and it has been
his custom for several years to compose a poem
on his birthday. He also corresponds regularly
with several friends and writes daily in a diary.
Until his retirement his life was a very busy one,
and he is now spending his declining years in a
well-earned rest. In pleasant weather he accom-
panies his grandchildren through the busy por-
tions of the city, and during 1893 he several
times visited the World's Fair, which he enjoyed
greatly. His excellent health is undoubtedly due
in a large measure to his abstinence from intoxi-
cating liquors. In religious faith he is a Univer-
salist, and has acted with the Republican Party
since its organization "pledged to truth and the
public good: God first and my country next."
JOHN M. MATHIS.
217
While in Chicago Mr. Bacon resides with his
son, Jeremiah D., who was born March 23, 1832,
in Bath, Steuben County, New York. He at-
tended school at that place and completed his
education in Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen
he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with his
brother, Joseph Franklin, with whom he worked
(at La Grange, Wisconsin) four years, after
which he carried on mercantile pursuits in con-
nection with another brother at White Creek,
Wisconsin. They built a flouring-mill and car-
ried on business along that line until the spring
of 1865, at which time Jeremiah Bacon went to
Hannibal, Missouri, where he engaged in the
grocery business for one year. He then, with
others, organized an insurance company, with
which he was connected for four years, when he
returned to the grocery business, carrying on
trade until 1876. On his removal to Chicago, in
the Centennial year, he embarked in the com-
mission business on South Water Street, being
thus engaged for two years, when he entered the
employ of Rosenbaum Bros. He severed his
connection with that firm to engage in the grain
business, and subsequently entered the employ of
Rogers Bros. , grain receivers, and his next ven-
ture was in the real-estate business, which he yet
carries on.
Jeremiah Bacon has been twice married. He
first wedded Bianca A. Walworth, and afterward
Susan E. Lanphear. His children are: Hattie
B., wife of C. L. Thayer, of Chicago, by whom
she has one child, Charles L,.; Mary C., a teacher
in the Kershaw School of Chicago; Lulu S., at
home; Anna L-, wife of W. C. Allen, of Chicago,
by whom she has two children; and Henrietta L.,
wife of E. G. Colburn, a druggist of this city.
In his political views Mr. Bacon is a Democrat,
and is a well-informed man, who keeps abreast
with the times on all questions of the day. A
courteous, genial gentleman, those who know
him esteem him highly for his sterling worth.
JOHN M MATHIS.
(lOHN MICHAEL MATHIS resides on sec-
I tion 31, Niles Township, Cook County. The
O men who start out in life without capital and
work their way upward unaided, depending en-
tirely on their own resources, deserve great credit
for their success. Such a man is our subject.
He was the eldest of five children and was born
on the i gth of May, 1819. His ancestors were
stalwart men, prominent in the military service of
France. His father, John Michael Mathis, Sr. ,
who lived to see his eighty-fourth year, was a sol-
dier under Napoleon and witnessed the fall of the
"Great Commander. ' ' His mother, who bore the
maiden name of Barbara Myer, was a daughter
of Casper Myer, a blacksmith. All were natives
of Alsace, Germany, then a part of France.
Mr. Mathis whose name heads this record en-
listed in the French army in 1840, and after six
years' service was honorably discharged, on the
a6th of November, 1846. While in the army he
excelled in all the athletic sports that so much
interest men during soldier-life, and in a contest
received the prize a gold watch for being the
"best man" in the regiment. He was thirty
years of age at the time of his emigration to Amer-
ica. In 1849, he crossed the briny deep and took
up his residence in Lake County, Illinois, near
the Cook County line. After a few years he re-
moved to Arlington Heights, in this county, where
he made his home for a period of twelve years.
He then went to Mobile, Alabama, where he
spent two years engaged in hunting and fishing.
218
J. A. BOLLMANN.
While engaged in the latter pursuit his only com-
petitors were the Spanish fishermen, who were
not adepts in inveigling the finny tribe. His
superior ability in this line made the business
quite profitable, he often catching fish to the value
of about $30 in two or three hours. In the spring
of 1867 he came to the village of Niles and em-
barked in the hotel and saloon business, which for
seventeen years proved to be very remunerative.
In 1884, having acquired a handsome compe-
tency, he retired to private life, and is now living
in a substantial two-story residence, in a very de-
sirable part of the town, enjoying the rest which
he has so truly earned and richly deserves.
In 1856, Mr. Mathis was joined in marriage
with Miss Lena Deabolt, a native of Alsace. Her
death occurred in 1884. Two of the nephews of
our subject, William and Jacob, sons of his
brother Jacob, of Alsace, are living with him.
Jacob Mathis, Jr., married Miss Lena Laesser,
and they have two children, Bertha and Lena.
Mr. Mathis is a member of the Lutheran
Church, and in his political affiliation is a Demo-
crat, but has never had time or inclination for
public office. His first Presidential vote was cast
for Abraham Lincoln. He has lived a quiet and
unassuming life. Being at a very early age
thrown upon his own resources, he had few ad-
vantages, educational or otherwise, and his success
has been achieved by earnest efforts and good
management.
REV. JOSEPH A. BOLLMANN.
REV. JOSEPH A. BOLLMANN, of Sag
Bridge, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and
was born on the yth of December, 1854.
His father, Frederick Bollmann, was a goldsmith,
born near Osnaburg, Germany, and came to
America in 1840. Nine years later, in 1849, he
married Miss Lena Dahme, a native of Muenster,
Germany, who emigrated to the United States in
1842. By this union were born two children,
the younger of whom is our subject. His first
year's education was obtained in the public schools
of Springfield, Ohio, after which he attended the
high school of the same city. He studied the
classics in Mount St. Mary's, in Cincinnati, and
after completing the prescribed course entered the
school of St. Viateur at Kankakee, where he took
the theological course, being graduated from that
institution in 1880. He was ordained on the iyth
of June of the same year by Bishop Spalding, of
Peoria, 111. During the last two years of his
course he was a teacher of Latin and Greek in
the college.
Rev. Mr. Bollmann's first pastoral work was as
assistant to Father Barrett, of St. Stephen's Church
of Chicago, where he spent three months, and
then he went to Lemont as assistant priest to Rev.
J. E. Hogan, of St. Patrick's Church, thus serv-
ing for two years. In 1882 he was made priest
in charge of St. James' Church at Sag Bridge,
being the first resident pastor at that place. There
he built the parochial residence, enlarged the
church edifice, and built a steeple to it. This
church is of stone, beautifully situated in the
midst of a natural forest, on the summit of a hill,
commanding a fine view of the country around.
Here Father Bollmann has passed twelve years
in the midst of a community of farmers. Al-
though he has been offered the pastorate of
wealthy city churches in Chicago, he prefers to
remain where he can live close to nature, of which
WILLIAM NETTSTRAETER.
219
he is a great lover. His leisure time he spends
in reading the classics, of which he is very fond,
in fishing, hunting, and in studying the things
of nature, which are always interesting to a man
of his education and bent of mind. Genial and
kindly by nature, with an eye single to the ad-
vancement of his parishioners in material as well as
spiritual matters, Rev. Mr. Bollmann fills a place
in which he finds pleasure and success and enjoys
the profound respect and regard of those of his
own church over whom he has charge, and those
of other denominations as well.
WILLIAM NETTSTRAETER.
REV. WILLIAM NETSTRAETER, pastor of
St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Wilmette, is
a native of Prussia, his birth having oc-
curred in that country at Meschede, on the ist of
January, 1843. His parents were Frank and
Josephine Frances (Sels) Netstraeter. The former
came to America in 1867 and spent his remain-
ing days in this country. The mother died when
her son William was a lad of only about eight
summers.
The primary education of Father Netstraeter
was obtained in the public schools of his native
town, and subsequently at the college of Arns-
berg, from which he was graduated at the age of
twenty years. He then entered the University of
Muenster to prepare for the work of the ministry.
Here he studied for a period of two years, and
then went to Paderborn to continue his studies,
until the year 1867, which witnessed his emigra-
tion to America, whither he had been called by
the president of St. Francis' Seminary of Milwau-
kee. There he completed his theological studies,
and entered the ministry in September, 1867.
His first appointment was at Gross Point, Illinois,
where he served for a few months as assistant
pastor. Shortly afterwards he was removed to
Lincoln, Illinois, where he had charge of all the
German Catholics in Logan and McLean Counties.
He organized congregations in Lincoln, Bloom-
ington, Pulaski, Atlanta and several small country
places, and through his instrumentality houses of
worship were erected at the first two above-named
towns.
On the expiration of a period of five years,
Father Netstraeter was recalled to Gross Point to
become pastor of the church at that place, and
still continues his ministerial labors there. The
membership of the church has largely increased,
and several congregations have been cut off from
the original society. During the first two years
of his residence here he also had charge of the
church at Highland Park. The congregation at
Wilmette was organized in December, 1845, by
Father G. H. Plathe. A block church was first
built, and all the Catholics for thirty miles around
worshipped here. Afterwards a frame church was
erected, and in 1869 a large brick edifice was
built and an extensive addition was made in 1892.
The present seating capacity of the building is
six hundred, with standing room for two hundred
more. It is now the intention to build within a
few years a new house of worship and use the
present church for school purposes and assembly
rooms. At an early day a school was organized
in connection with the church, and at this writ-
ing (in the fall of 1894) about three hundred and
fifty pupils are instructed therein.
Father Netstraeter is not only an able minister,
but manifests a keen interest in all worthy public
enterprises which are calculated to advance the
welfare of the community. He has taken an
active interest in the growth and development of
the village of Wilmette, which has sprung into
existence during his residence here. He served
for eight years as Trustee of the village and twice
during that time was called to the Presidency of
220
EUGENE BURHANS.
the Board. He platted a subdivision of the town,
and owns some choice property there. Father
Netstraeter is a deep student, an able speaker and
writer, and a progressive and useful citizen. His
practical methods and kindly manners have
greatly endeared him to the congregation to
whom he has ministered for so many years.
EUGENE BURHANS.
IT UGENE BURHANS, who since November
1^ i, 1889, has held the position of depot mas-
I ter at the Chicago station of the Rock Island
and I,ake Shore Railways, is a native of the
Empire State. He was born in Kingston, Ulster
County, on the 26th of March, 1851, and is a son
of William P. and Catherine (Folant) Burhans.
The father died January 18, 1892, in Bristol,
Indiana, when seventy-three years of age. He,
too, was born in Kingston, New York, and
was of Holland descent. His ancestors crossed
the Atlantic in an early day, settling in New
York in the seventeenth century. The father
was a shoemaker by trade and carried on a
shoe store in Kingston for many years, but at
length disposed of his business interests in the
East and in 1867 removed to Bristol, Indiana,
where his remaining days were passed. The
mother of Eugene died during his infancy. She,
too, was born in Kingston, where many of her
relatives still live. The Folant family is also of
Holland origin. After the death of his first wife
Mr. Burhans was united in marriage with Mrs.
Uretta (Smith) Heald, who is still living in Bris-
tol, Indiana. She proved to Eugene a kind and
faithful mother, taking the place of the one whom
he had lost.
Mr. Burhans, whose name heads this record,
acquired his education in the public schools of his
native town, and at the age of fourteen he started
out in life for himself. He began to learn the
trade of a confectioner, serving a three-years ap-
prenticeship to the same. At the age of seven-
teen he accompanied his parents on their removal
to Indiana, and after spending two years on the
farm he resumed work at his trade at South Bend.
Subsequently he abandoned that business and was
made a member of the police force in that city,
thus serving some time.
While in the Hoosier State Mr. Burhans was
married, on the 23d of November, 1871, the lady
of his choice being Miss Sarah M. Finch, daugh-
ter of Hiram Finch, a pioneer of St. Joseph
County, Indiana. She was born in New York,
and died on the I4th of December, 1882, in her
twenty-ninth year, leaving three children: Ella,
now the wife of Iy. A. Babcock, of Chicago;
Emma; and William, who makes his home in
Bristol, Indiana. Mr. Burhans was again mar-
ried, in November, 1888, his second union being
with Mrs. Mary E. Boys, a sister of his first wife.
She had one child by her former marriage, a
daughter, Maud.
Mr. Burhans arrived in Chicago in September,
1883, and secured employment in the repair shops
of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Company. He afterwards became assistant depot
master, and since the ist of November, 1889, he
has held the position of depot master, the duties
of which he discharges in a creditable and accept-
able manner. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, belonging to the Blue I/)dge of Engle-
wood and the Chapter of Normal Park. In poli-
tics he has been a life-long Republican.
During his connection with the railroad inter-
ests of Chicago, Mr. Burhans and his fellow-office r s
have twice been confronted by gigantic strikes on
the part of organized workmen. In these emerg-
W. D. GORDON.
221
encies the corporations whom he serves have ever
found in him a faithful adherent and a powerful
ally, in every way worthy of the confidence re-
posed in him. At the same time he has won the
respect and good-will of the traveling public, who
always regard him as a prompt and accommodat-
ing gentleman.
WILLIAM D. GORDON.
fDQlLLIAM DENNIS GORDON, Auditor of
\ A I Receipts in the Treasurer's office of the
VY Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad
Company, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on
the 1 5th of April, 1860, and is a son of Dennis
and Frances A. (Chandlee) Gordon, the latter' s
parents being natives of Baltimore, Maryland.
On the paternal side the family is of Scotch ori-
gin. The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin
Gordon, was a native of Scotland, and, having
emigrated to the New World, he engaged in the
United States Naval Service, under Commodore
Decatur. He took part in the expedition to Al-
giers, and during that trip lost his life. His wife
was a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon
both died when their son Dennis was a child of six
summers.
The latter was reared and educated in the South,
and in 1858 started westward, hoping thereby to
benefit his financial condition. He took up his
residence in St. Louis, where he engaged in busi-
ness as a dealer in boots and shoes, carrying on
operations along that line until the war broke out,
when he enlisted among the Mounted Patrol. He
was afterwards connected with the police force of
the city until the war ended. In 1869 became to
Chicago and engaged with the Illinois Central
Railroad as Depot Passenger and Ticket Agent.
He was also employed in a similar capacity with
the Michigan Central Railroad, and to this work
devoted his energies until his death, which resulted
from accident. During the severe snow storm
of February 14, 1885, he was run over by an en-
gine, and death resulted. He was at that time
sixty-seven years of age. His wife still survives
him and is yet living in Chicago. She is a daugh-
ter of Lewis and Ann Chandlee. Her mother was
a Quaker, and died in Chicago in 1874, at the
very advanced age of ninety-two years.
In the Gordon family were nine children, four
sons and five daughters, namely: Thomas B. , who
was accidentally killed on the Chicago, Rock Is-
land & Pacific Railroad in November, 1891; Lewis
C. , who was accidentally killed on the same road
in November, 1889, while serving as a conductor,
in which capacity his brother was also employed ;
George E., who is now in the Treasurer's office
of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Road;
William D. of this sketch; Margaret; Susan C.;
Nellie; Charlotte, wife of P. F. Webster, of Chi-
cago; and Sarah E., wife of George M. Black, of
Cleveland, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch was a child of nine
years when his parents came to Chicago. He at-
tended the Cottage Grove public school, from
which he graduated in 1877, and later was a stu-
dent in the Mosley High School. At the age of
eighteen he entered upon his business career as
city buyer for A. G. Spaulding & Bros., the lead-
ing dealers in sporting goods in the city. Two
years were thus passed, after which he entered
the Treasurer's office of the Chicago, Rock Island
& Pacific Railroad Company. He began work
there in May, 1880, in the humble capacity of office
boy, and attained his present position by a series
of well-merited promotions.
On December 31, 1889, Mr. Gordon wedded
Miss Anna Mary McPherson, daughter of John W.
222
PETER WOHLER.
McPherson, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in
which place Mrs. Gordon was born. Their union
has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret
McPherson and Dorothy Chandlee. The family
attends the Forty-first Street Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Gordon is a member of the Masonic frater-
nity and on questions of State and National
importance is a Democrat, but at local elections,
where no issue is involved, he votes independent
of party ties. During his fourteen years' connec-
tion with the office of which he is an important
factor, Mr. Gordon has become one of the most
indispensable employes thereof.
PETER WOHLER.
F^ETER WOHLER is at the head of a leading
yr industry, being engaged in the manufacture
t$ of sash, doors and stairs in Chicago. He
was born in Fehmer, Schleswig-Holstein, Ger-
many, on the 28th of January, 1846, and is a son
of Henry and Mary (Kolbaum) Wohler. He ac-
quired his education in the common schools, and
at the age of sixteen entered upon his business
career. It was then that he began to learn the
trade of cabinet-making, serving an apprenticeship
of four and a-half years, during which he com-
pletely mastered the business, becoming an expert
workman.
The year 1 866 witnessed the arrival of Mr.
Wohler in America. He sought a home in Chi-
cago, where he obtained employment in a furni-
ture factory, and subsequently secured a situation
in a sash and door factory, located at the corner of
Clark and Twelfth Streets. Three years later he
was offered a position in a stair factory and became
foreman of the business. After the great fire
which swept away so much of the city in October,
1871, he established a factory of his own at the
corner of Centre Avenue and Eighteenth Street.
His place of business was subsequently changed
to Twenty-first Street, near Laflin, his present
location, where he now manufactures sash and
doors and does stair work. He also carries
011 contracting and building, and does a good bus-
iness, employment being furnished to over one
hundred workmen. Having thoroughly learned
his trade in boyhood, he is enabled to turn out
the finest and most skillful work and to superin-
tend his employes to the best advantage.
In January, 1869, was celebrated the marriage
of Mr. Wohler and Mary Jubekel, a native of
Holstein, Germany. Five children have been
born of their union: Lena, now the wife of C.
Shreiber, of Chicago; Lucy, Sophia, Emma and
Anna. The mother of this family, who was a de-
vout member of the Lutheran Church and a highly
respected lady, died on the iyth of May, 1892, at
the age of forty-two years.
In his social relations, Mr. Wohler is connected
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the
Order of Druids and the National Turners. In
his political views he is a Republican, and cast his
first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. He
came to Chicago with no capital except a good
trade, thoroughly learned, and his success is due
to his own skill, integrity and perseverance. He
may truly be called a self-made man, and his ex-
ample may well serve to encourage those who,
like himself, have to start out in life empty handed.
OF THE
i..:;vEr,siTY OF
J. N. GAGE.
223
JOHN N. GAGE.
(JOHN NEWTON GAGE. The subject of
I this sketch was born in Pelham, New Hamp-
(~) shire, May 30, 1825, unto Nathan and Me-
hitable (Woodbury) Gage. Being brought up
on a farm, a fact which holds true of most of our
leading pioneer citizens, his early educational ad-
vantages were limited to such common schools as
the ubiquitous energy so characteristic of New
England Puritans and their descendants had at
that early date made possible at the scene of his
nativity. At about twenty years of age, he put
forth his "best foot" in taking the first step upon
his pathway through life, and though he often
found the way beset with difficulties, yet he was
always found bravely and tirelessly at work, per-
forming his tasks as a man and Christian in the
best of the light given unto him.
His first independent work was in the Waltham
(Massachusetts) Cotton Company's Mills, where,
in he later became overseer in its weaving-room.
After a period of eight years of such service, mak-
ing it his determination to come West, he took
private evening lessons in bookkeeping, so as not
to interfere with the discharge of his paid duties,
which he finally resigned to others (and, we fain
believe, less competent) hands. He set out for
Chicago, the distant but much-sought El Dorado
of our country at that time, which he first saw,
spread out in a panorama almost as Nature's God
had made it, in the spring of 1857.
He soon met with co-operative energies in the
persons of Christopher C. and Daniel Webster,
with whom he directly entered into articles
of partnership, establishing one of the earliest
wholesale and retail millinery houses of our city,
known then by the firm style of Webster & Gage,
their first place of business being located on Lake
Street. Having the misfortune of being burned
out in 1857, tnev re-opened at No. 78 Lake Street,
where they continued until the withdrawal of the
Websters, about 1868. Mr. Gage took into a
new partnership formed at that time a brother,
Seth Gage, and a nephew, Albert S. Gage, under
the new name of Gage Brothers & Company, a
name retained to this day (after a brief interval of
change to A. S. Gage & Company), by which the
house has continued to grow and remain known
throughout the entire West and Northwest.
Being burned out by the Great Fire, they set up
temporarily in A. S. Gage's private house, until
they were enabled to re-open for a period of two
months in a temporary structure upon the Lake
Front. From this -location they removed to Wa-
bash Avenue, near Jackson, thence to the corner
of Madison Street and Wabash Avenue, where
the trade still finds them profitably busy, one of
the noted houses of the city.
The subject of this sketch sold out to his part-
ner, A. S. Gage, about 1878. Thereafter, though
in excellent health, he lived a life of respected re-
tirement until the sad event of his demise from
blood poisoning, following upon what seemed to
be a trivial complaint, June 1 1, 1887, at his man-
sion house, No. 1308 Michigan Avenue, whence
his remains were borne to the family lot in Oak-
wood Cemetery.
The following is a copy of the resolutions
adopted by the Directors of the Wright & Law-
ther Oil and Lead Manufacturing Company on
this sad occasion:
"WHEREAS, Death having taken from us our
esteemed fellow-member and Vice-President, Mr.
224
J. N. GAGE.
John N. Gage, one of the founders of this com-
pany, who died June n, 1887, it is hereby
"Resolved: That in the death of Mr. John N.
Gage the company has suffered an irreparable
loss. Appreciating, as we do, his worth as a
man, his careful, just and conservative business
methods, we can never fully fill his place in the
Company's affairs;
"Resolved: That the heartfelt sympathy of each
and every member of this Board is felt for his
family in their great loss and affliction; and that
a copy of these Resolutions be sent to them, and
also spread upon the records of this Company. ' '
In politics he was an inflexible Republican,
always casting his ballot, but as carefully avoid-
ing any approach towards active politics. In re-
ligious faith he was liberal, having for many
years attended Dr. Ryder's church, St. Paul's
Universalist, whose pastor held and was held in
mutual esteem from as far back as the early '6os.
And so, with little variety or romance, lived
and died one of the sturdiest, most useful of our
citizens. Subsequent generations, with more lei-
sure and wealth, may develop more elegance and
refinement; but to men of Mr. Gage's virile stamp
the city of Chicago (as well as the entire West,
yes, in truth, all new countries) owes the founda-
tion stones of future greatness and prosperity.
Without the first courses of masonry there can
never be builded high superstructures, with or-
nate, elaborate and admirable dome and spire.
What Washington, Jefferson, the Adamses and
others were to the infant colonies, struggling for
very existence and recognition as an independent
nation, such were Mr. Gage and his associates to
Chicago. Most of them are now gathered to
their fathers, but their deeds are immortal. That
Chicago is now the wonder and envy of the world
is mainly owing to the persistent, honest efforts
early and late of such citizens as Mr. Gage fitly
typifies.
Mr. Gage married, December 15, 1849, at the
scene of his nativity, Miss Martha Webster, by
whom, fortunately, he left one child, a son, to
bear his esteemed name, Fr^ank Newton Gage,
who was born July 24, 1853. After receiving a
good education in Chicago, he entered his father's
store, but later withdrew, and is at present an
active member of the Stock Exchange. He mar-
ried, in 1889, Olive E. Lewis, of this city, who
has borne him a son, John Newton Gage, named
for his grandfather, the subject of this sketch.
Martha Webster is a daughter of Enoch and
Betsy Webster (relatives before marriage) born in
Haverhill, Massachusetts. Enoch was a son of
Caleb Webster, of Revolutionary fame. Betsy was
a daughter of Stephen Webster. Mrs. Gage is thus
related through both her parents to the greatest
of America's statesmen and orators, Daniel Web-
ster, of Marshfield, Massachusetts. She is also
related to the famous Mrs. Dustin, of Colonial
times. Captured by Indians, who dashed out
the brains of her sleeping babe, she was marched
miles into the wilderness. While her captors
were asleep, she loosened her fetters, and, having
slain every colored face of them, safely made her
return home, as set out in graphic early historical
authorities. Of all the heroines of "good old
colony times, ' ' and there were thousands of such,
it has always appeared that she was queen of
them all by this single episode.
The family of Gage (which is of Norman ex-
traction) derives its descent from one De Gaga
(Gauga or Gage), who accompanied William
the Conqueror into England in 1066. After the
"Conquest" he was rewarded by a large grant of
land in the forests of Dean, Gloucester County,
adjacent to which he fixed his abode and erected
a family seat at Clerenwell (otherwise Clarewell).
He also built a large mansion house in the town
of Chichester, wherein he died, and was buried
in the neighboring abbey. His posterity re-
mained in the vicinity for many generations, in
credit and esteem, of whom there were Barons in
Parliament in the reign of Henry II. The line
from the beginning of the fifteenth century has
been traced as follows: John Gage had a son,
John Gage, born 1408; married Joan Sudgrove.
Their son was Sir John, knighted 1454; married
Eleanor St. Clere; died September, 1486. Will-
iam, Esquire, born 1456; married Agnes Bolney.
Their son, Sir John, born 1480, knighted May
22, 1541; married Phillippa Guilderford; died
April 28, 1557. Their eldest son, Sir Edward,
knighted by Queen Mary, married Elizabeth
Parker. Their son, John, Esquire (eldest of nine
E. McK. TEALL.
225
sons), thirty years old at his father's death; heir
to fifteen manors and other Sussex lands. John
(nephew) made Baronet March 26, 1622; married
Penelope, widow of Sir George Trenchard; died
October 3, 1633.
John (second son), of Stoneham, Suffolk Coun-
ty, England, came to America with John Win-
throp, Jr., landing at Salem June 12, 1630; in
1633 one of twelve proprietors of Ipswich; wife
Anna died in June, 1658; married (2d) Mary
Keyes, November, 1658; moved to Rowley 1664.;
held many responsible offices of trust and fidelity
in Ipswich and Rowley, in which latter place he
died in 1673. Daniel (second son) married
Sarah Kimball in 1675; died November 8, 1705.
Daniel, born March 12, 1676; married Martha
Burbank, March 9, 1697; settled on the banks of
the Merrimac River, on the main road to Me-
thuen, where the old Gage House, the oldest in
town, still stands. Died March 14, 1747. Dan-
iel (third son), born April 22, 1708, removed to
Pelham, New Hampshire; died September 24,
1775. David (fourth son), born August 9, 1750.
Nathan (fifth), the father of the subject of this
sketch, whose son and grandson, enumerated
herein, bring the record up to the extraordinary
number of seventeen consecutive male generations.
EDWARD McK. TEALL.
[TOWARD McKINSTRY TEALL. Thede-
1^ velopment of the insurance business has kept
L_ pace with the growth of other commercial
enterprises and has assumed such magnitude and
variety, and become so complex and at the same
time so vital to life and property, that it must now
be regarded as one of the important industries of
the United State. The last few years have seen
reductions in the rates of insurance, and corres-
ponding advantages to property-holders, in Chi-
cago, in consequence of the rapid development of
the art of constructing fire-proof buildings and
the great improvement in the facilities for check-
ing and extinguishing fires. These important
changes, which are still in progress, require
prompt attention and action by the companies
doing business here, for competition is just as
fierce in this line of business as in any other. In
fact, the sharp, but honorable, rivalry among in-
surance men has developed a number of experts
in the business, men with sufficient mental pene-
tration to foresee the result of changed conditions,
and sufficient executive ability to carry out such
methods as are most likely to secure favorable
results.
Among the most successful and systematic
manipulators of this art is the gentleman whose
name heads this notice. His birth occurred at
Albany, New York, July 27, 1839, his parents
being Edward McKinstry Teall and Eliza Perry.
The founder of the family in America was Oliver
Teall, who came from England and settled at
New Haven, Connecticut, about 1723. His fa-
ther had been Apothecary General to the British
army, serving under the Duke of Marlborough
during the reigns of William I. and Queen Anne.
Prudence, the wife of Oliver Teall, who came
with him to America, died at Killingsworth, Con-
necticut, June 24, 1780. Oliver Teall, second
son of this couple, married Ruth Hurd and set-
tled at Killingsworth. He served as a Surgeon
in the British Army during the French and In-
dian War, and also during the War of the Amer-
ican Revolution, maintaining his loyalty to the
crown throughout his life. Five of his sons,
Timothy, Titus, Oliver, Joseph and Nathan,
226
E. McK.
served in the Continental army. Father and
sons were mutually antagonized by their loyalty
to their respective causes, and never became rec-
onciled. Another son, named Benjamin, having
lost an eye during his childhood, was thus inca-
pacitated for military service and did not partici-
pate in the conflict.
Oliver Teall (third) was born in Middletown,
Connecticut, January i, 1759. When only six-
teen years old he enlisted under General Putnam,
Captain Gale's company, and afterward served
in Captain Hyde's company, which was success-
ively stationed at Fort Trumbull and at Provi-
dence, Rhode Island. He was subsequently as-
signed to Colonel Sommers' command at Ger-
mantown, Pennsylvania. He was one of the
devoted band which endured the historic hard-
ships of Valley Forge, where his brother Titus
died of smallpox. Later in the war he was sta-
tioned at West Point and on the Highlands. He
acted as guard to General Washington and his
family while they attended church. After peace
came he married Susan, daughter of Col. Brin-
ton Paine, of Dutchess County, New York.
They settled at Upper Hillsdale, Columbia Coun-
ty, New York, where he became a prosperous
farmer. They were the parents of twelve chil-
dren. His death occurred at Albany on the i8th
of September, 1842, aged eighty-two years.
Col. Brinton Paine, who was an officer of the
Continental army, was a descendant of Stephen
.Paine, who came to Massachusetts in 1638, and
became one of the leading citizens of the colony-,
He was one of the chief contributors to the pros-
ecution of the Indian wars. His son Stephen
was present at the great swamp fight in which
King Philip's band was exterminated.
Edward M. Teall, Sr., was a son of Oliver
Teall, third. He became a prominent merchant
of Albany, and was also proprietor of one of the
first lines of boats on the Erie Canal. He did a
general forwarding business, and the Chicago
American of April 9, 1839, the first issue of a
daily paper in this city, contained his business
advertisement. He was for many years influen-
tial in New York politics. Eliza Perry was born
at I^enox, Massachusetts. Her father, Freder-
ick Perry, who was a son of a clergyman, was a
native of Connecticut. He was a graduate of
Williams College, and became a cotton manufac-
turer at Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
The subject of this biography received his
primary education in private schools, and after-
ward became a student in the academy of Albany.
In the spring of 1857 he came to Chicago and
soon after secured employment as a clerk in the
insurance office of Higginson & James. This line
of business was then in its infancy, and the most
sanguine enthusiasm could not have foreseen the
extent to which that industry would be developed.
He went to work with a will, and his fidelity,
thoroughness and aptitude soon won the confi-
dence and good- will of his employers. In 1863 he
became one of the partners of the firm of Alfred
James & Company, which continued to transact
business for about three years. Their place of
business was at the southeast corner of South
Water and Clark Streets, which location was the
center of the insurance business at that time.
He afterward formed a partnership with Freder-
ick P. Fisher, a relation which continued for ten
years, during one of the most important eras of
the insurance business in the West. At the end
of that period the present firm of Edward M.
Teall & Company was formed, Cyrus A. Hardy,
a trusted clerk of the former firm, being the jun-
ior member. Mr. Teall is one of the Directors
of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company of
New York, and in addition to serving the local
interests of that corporation the firm represents
several leading insurance companies of other
cities. The business in its charge is conserva-
tively and honorably conducted, and the firm en-
joys the confidence of the public and of under-
writers to a remarkable degree. Mr. Teall is
President of the Chicago Fire Underwriters' As-
sociation, and has been for a number of years.
On the nth of June, 1862, Mr. Teall was mar-
ried to Miss Katherine Mead, of New York City,
daughter of Isaac H. Mead and Rachel Van Voor-
hees Demorest. Mrs. Teall's maternal grand-
father was also a native of New York City, being
a scion of a very old and well-known family of
that municipality. Mr. Teall has been for many
A. G. BURLEY.
227
years a member of the Third Presbyterian Church
of Chicago, in which he officiates as Trustee and
Elder. He is a member of the Illinois Club,
and Deputy Governor of the Society of Colonial
Wars of the State of Illinois, which he helped
to organize. He is also a member of the Illinois
Society of Sons of the American Revolution, and
still preserves the Teall coat-of-arms granted to
the family by George I. in 1723. He has been
often urged to enter the arena of politics, has
been tendered important nominations by the Re-
publican party, of which he is an active and dis-
tinguished member, but prefers to devote himself
to his business, home and social duties. For rec-
reation, he and his wife have always spent the
summer at their beautiful farm and summer home
in the Berkshire Hills, Stockbridge, Massachu-
setts.
ARTHUR G. BURLEY.
GILMAN BURLEY. The year
Hi8i2 is a national epoch, for at that time
the United States, for a second time within
the easy memory of man, started in to chastise
the British Lion. What events of world-wide
significance have transpired during those more
than eighty intervening years ! To think of it is
like a dream: to have predicted it, would have re-
sulted in that day in an inquirendo de lunico pro-
ceeding concerning the lack of brain matter in the
bold transgressor of common sense who should
prophesy. Two years later, Robert Fulton was
making his (the very first) steamboat trial upon
the Hudson River. Then came steam as applied
to locomotives, which has done more than any-
thing else in so rapidly opening up the great in-
terior and West of bur immense country, where-
as, before, ox-carts and canal-boats were the
most approved forms of transportation of chattels,
prior to the advent of the "prairie schooner,"
which shortly preceded the "Union Pacific."
The telegraph, reapers, thousandfold manufac-
tories, electric light and locomotion (not to men-
tion scores of other wonderful economic and utili-
tarian inventions of more recent date within the
present century), all cry out that, in point of
actual comfort and intelligent means of effecting
business ends, the world has since that year 1812
done almost more than had been done in the
hundreds and thousands of years which had pre-
ceded. And all this within the memory of liv-
ing men; yes, within the memory of one now liv-
ing in our midst, who, wonderful to relate, like
Gladstone, an octogenarian, is still in the harness
of active business life. We who live in Chicago
know what that means in this day. Honor to
whom honor is due !
Arthur Gilman Burley, the subject of this
sketch, was born in the aforesaid year of 1812,
upon the fourth day of October, at Exeter, New
Hampshire, unto James and Charlotte I. (Gilman)
Burley, his father being the Cashier of the Exeter
Bank.
The Burleys are regarded Down East as ' 'good
stock;" that seems to be the prevailing opinion
in our city, from all that is thus far known of
them in our midst. The first by the name who
came to our shores was Giles Burley, who, with
his wife, Elizabeth, settled at Ipswich, Massachu-
setts, in the year 1648. Here, in 1664, he took
the proper oath and became a ' 'commoner. ' ' He
was also a ' 'planter, ' ' and lived eight years of
his useful life upon Brooke Street of that ancient
town, and owned "Division Lot No. 105, on
228
A. G. BURLEY.
Great Hill, Hogg Island," in that vicinage. He
had a son, Andrew Burley, who was born at
Ipswich, September 5, 1657. The latter married
Mary, a daughter of the rather celebrated Roger
Conant. Upon the death of his father, while in
childhood, he was bound out (as was the old cus-
tom) to one John Brown. He was called in
records "husbandman and yeoman," and bore the
rather dignified title of ' 'Cornet. ' ' He had a son,
Hon. Andrew Burley, who was born at Ipswich
in June, 1 694. His career was replete with hon-
ors, including among others the positions of Jus-
tice of the Court of Sessions and Representative
to the State Legislature in the years 1741 and
1742. He acquired, and left intact, a large es-
tate. He was twice married; first, to Lydia
Pengry, by whom he had six children; secondly,
to Mrs. Hannah Burnham. He had a son, An-
drew Burley, Jr., who married a Mrs. Hannah
Cogswell (a daughter of his father's wife). He
graduated at Harvard College in 1742, and lived
on Brooke Street in Ipswich (near the location
of his first American progenitor) , upon land for-
merly granted to Governor Dudley's son Samuel.
He left a son, James Burley, who was by trade
a cabinet-maker, also an officer in the Revolu-
tionary War. The latter married Susannah
Swazey, and died in Exeter, New Hampshire,
leaving a son, James Burley, Jr., who has been
already noticed as the father of the subject of this
sketch.
Arthur Gilman Burley received for his educa-
tion the best that the common schools of his na-
tive Exeter had to offer, which information was
somewhat rounded out by a supplementary year at
the Exeter Academy. He resolutely turned his
young face toward the distant West at the age
of twenty-three, reaching his future home, Chi-
cago, on the seventeenth day of May, 1835.
(Sixty long years ago. Imagine the appearance
at that time of the country which is at present
covered by our fair city ! How many of the
comers of that day are yet in the flesh ?)
Mr. Burley first worked as clerk for John Hoi-
brook in a boot and shoe shop for about two
years. In 1837 he went to New York City, to
buy for his brother-in-law, Stephen F. Gale, a
stock of books and stationery (one of the very
first to be imported among us), and remained with
Mr. Gale for about two years following.
In 1838 the crockery business of the North-
west was founded by Mr. Burley, who bought
from the State Bank of Illinois a stock of such
goods, his place of trade being then located at
the corner of La Salle and Lake Streets. He
has been in that business ever since, a period of
over fifty-seven years, and is now regularly on
duty at the old stand.
He was burned out in 1842, and then moved to
No. 105 Lake Street, later to No. 175 on the same
thoroughfare, where, in 1852, he was joined by a
brother-in-law, Mr. John Tyrrell, who came on
from New Hampshire to enter into a partnership.
This still continues in operation, being incor-
porated under the firm style and name, "Burley
& Tyrrell, Importers and Dealers of Crockery,
Chicago."
They had built their own quarters at No. 48
Lake Street about 1857, but, fortunately, had
disposed of the same before the time of the Great
Fire in 1871. They still had their store located
therein, which, of course, went up in smoke and
down to the ground in ashes. After this fire
they had a temporary office at the corner of State
and Sixteenth Streets; then occupied a store for
about three years at the corner of Van Buren and
Wabash; then removed to No. 83 State Street; and
finally to Nos. 42, 44 and 46 Lake Street, which
premises they continue to occupy at this time.
Having found it cheaper to rent, they have never
cared to build.
Mr. Burley also had the misfortune of having
his home burned up in 1874, when he was living
below Harrison Street. He is now, as for a long
time, cosily situated at No. 1620 Indiana Avenue.
Although an unostentatious man, Mr. Burley
has been a very prominent figure in social and
business matters for very many years. Few in-
deed, if any, can antedate him in this relation.
He aided in the formation of the First Unitarian
Church (since called the Messiah) in 1836, one
of the oldest and foremost in the entire North-
west, and of which he has always been a most in-
terested and conspicuous member.
R. R. CLARK
229
In politics, he has always been, since the days
of the Whigs were no more, a consistent Re-
publican, but in no sense or wish a public charac-
ter. A true exemplifier of the best principles of
Free Masonry, with which he affiliated as early
as 1848, he has never cared to go to the height
of degrees his proficiency and long service would
have richly entitled him to, and undoubtedly have
brought choice flowers of honor in their train,
but he has been Treasurer of Oriental Lodge for
forty-two years. He was also for a time much
interested in the mysteries of Odd-Fellowship.
Not at heart a club man, he has nevertheless
been a member of the Calumet, as he is at present
upon the roll of the Chicago Club. Very do-
mestic in habits, he is not frequently found in the
circle of club habitues. In public affairs and
whatever promotes the business and social good
and welfare of the community, Mr. Burley always
is an interested, and usually a participating, citi-
zen. Young in enthusiasm, certainly he bears
his laurel of years gracefully, as we will sincerely
hope he may long live to do.
Upon the twenty-fourth day of September, 1849,
Mr. Burley was joined in marriage with Welthy-
an Loomis Harmon, who comes of a good old-
time Down-East family. It is regretted that no
children have been born to them to perpetuate
the name and further the noble traits the family
has conspicuously borne up to this time in the
history of our country.
ROBERT R. CLARK.
ROBERT RODMAND CLARK, an early resi-
dent of Lake View, now a part of Chicago,
is descended from English ancestors and was
born in Clarkson, Monroe County, New York,
May 24, 1831. His great-grandfather, William
Clark, came from England and located first on
the Hudson River, at Albany, New York, later re-
moving to the Mohawk Valley. He was pos-
sessed of some means, and dealt in realty during
his residence in America. His son William had
large holdings of lands and farms in central New
York, and was one of the first American import-
ers of Morocco leather, having his headquarters
at Utica, New York, his native place. He was
among the first settlers of Monroe County, and
the town of Clarkson was named for him and
another settler of the same name, though no rela-
tive, who located there in the same year. He
died there at the age of sixty-eight years. Five
of his seven children, four sons and a daughter,
grew to maturity.
The third of these, William L. Clark, born in
Utica, was about twenty years old when his par-
ents moved to Clarkson. He married Cornelia
Stewart, a native of Wyoming County, New
York. Her parents, Daniel and Sallie (Fish)
Stewart, were children of native Scotch parents,
and were born in Chemung County, New York.
She lived to the age of eighty-two years, passing
away at the home of her son in Lake View in
1886. William L. Clark was an extensive farm-
er, but lost heavily in speculation in later life.
He was an upright man, and reached the age of
seventy-two years, dying in Lake View in 1876.
230
R. R. CLARK.
He was affiliated with the Universalist Church,
while his wife adhered to the Presbyterian teach-
ings of her fathers. They were the parents of
three children. The eldest. Sallie, is the widow
of George B. Marsh, now residing in Chicago;
and the youngest, Laura, is the wife of Charles
L. Bassett, of LaPorte, Indiana.
Robert R. Clark is the second child of his par-
ents. He combines in a happy degree the sturdy
qualities of physical and mental make-up of his
ancestors. When a mere boy he determined to
recover his father's lost homestead as a home for
his parents, and before he had reached the age of
twenty years had accomplished his purpose.
Previous to the age of sixteen years he had the
educational advantages afforded by the common
schools, and he then went to Michigan, where he
found employment as a school teacher. Return-
ing for a short time to the home farm, he became,
in his eighteenth year, check clerk on board the
steamer "Empire State," plying between Buffalo
and Chicago, then the finest vessel on the Lakes.
He was subsequently on board the "Wisconsin"
one year, and returned, as chief clerk, to the
"Empire State," where he continued five years.
He also served on the "Southern Michigan" and
' 'Western Metropolis, ' ' all these boats being the
property of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railroad. The last two only ran from Buffalo to
Monroe or Toledo, where they connected with
that portion of the railroad completed from Chi-
cago to those points. Mr. Clark was on board
the steamer "Northern Indiana" when it burned
on Lake Erie, one beautiful morning, off Point
au Place, with a loss of between four and five
hundred passengers. Being a good swimmer,
he remained on board until the fire had swept to
the stern of the vessel (because of its propulsion
toward the shore) , and after entering the water
saved several passengers by giving up to them
doors which he had wrenched from the staterooms
for his own use. He was finally picked up by a
boat bound for Buffalo, and made his regular
trip out of that port on another vessel the night
of the same day. When the "Golden Gate" was
wrecked on the bar at the mouth of Erie Harbor,
a short time later, Mr. Clark was on board, and
was saved with all the rest save one, who tried
to swim ashore in the midst of the wreckage. The
wreck was continually swept by the waves, but
it was safer than the choppy bay, full of the
floating cargo of the "Golden Gate." All who
remained on board were safely conveyed to shore
by a Government vessel in the morning. With
the exception of one year, which was spent as re-
ceiver in charge of the ticket office at Buffalo,
Mr. Clark continued in the marine service until
he settled in Chicago in 1857.
Having made some successful investments in
Chicago during his previous visits here, he de-
cided to settle here, a resolution which was, prob-
ably, strengthened by his marriage, in 1857, to
one of Chicago's fair daughters. This was Miss
Blanche, only daughter of the late Daniel Elston,
one of Cook County's most worthy and honored
pioneers. In 1859 Mr. Clark turned his atten-
tion to the fuel trade, and later dealt in lumber,
but his chief occupation has been the handling of
realty. For the last twenty years he has made a
specialty of leasing residence property to others
who would improve it, and has been largely in-
strumental in building up what was formerly a
suburb known as Lake View, now a part of the
great metropolis in name as well as in fact. He
has naturally taken a keen interest in the moral
and material welfare of that section, and has act-
ively participated in the government of the town
and village of Lake View. In political affilia-
tion he is found with the Democratic party on
national issues. In religious belief he is ex-
ceedingly liberal, and very independent in all
thought and action. His early experience taught
him self-reliance, and his history should serve as
a worthy example to the ambitious young man.
He is still the owner of the old homestead in New
York. Mr. Clark is fond of hunting, and is a
member of the Poygan Shooting Club, whose
members spend much of the duck-hunting season
on Lake Poygan, in Wisconsin.
LIBRARY
OF THE
i:':vEBrTY OF imr
G. M. PULLMAN.
231
GEORGE MORTIMER PULLMAN.
G) EORGE M. PULLMAN was born in Brocton,
l_ Chautauqua County, New York, March 3,
\^\ 1831, and is the third child of James Lewis
and Emily Caroline Pullman. The father was a
native of Rhode Island. Emily C. Pullman was
the daughter of James Minton, of Auburn, New
York. She was a good wife and mother, and
assisted her husband in implanting in the minds
of their children the best moral principles, while
inculcating habits of industry and careful study.
The father was a builder and house-mover, and
George early began to observe his methods, while
assisting in his operations. Some very useful ap-
pliances of the business are the invention of the
elder Pullman. He died in 1853, and the respon-
sibility of head of the family fell upon George,
who was the eldest unmarried son. Through
almost forty years of her widowhood, he was the
stay and loving aid of his mother, who passed
away in May, 1892, after seeing all her seven chil-
dren occupying responsible and useful positions
in life.
Royal H., the first-born, is pastor of the First
Uuiversalist Church of Baltimore. His interest
in public affairs is demonstrated by the fact that
he was the candidate of his party for Congress in
1890. Albert B., who died in 1893, occupied up
to 1882 responsible positions in the Pullman
Palace Car Company, which is the creation of his
younger brother, George. James M. Pullman,
D. D., is pastor of the Universalist Church at
Lynn, Massachusetts, the leading parish of that
sect in America. Charles L. was, until Septem-
ber, 1894, contracting agent for the Pullman Com-
pany, but is now engaged in other business in
Chicago; and Frank W. was Assistant United
States District Attorney of New York, where he
died in 1879. Helen A. is the wife of George
West, of New York; and Emma C. is the wife of
Doctor William F. Fluhrer, chief surgeon of Belle-
vue Hospital, New York.
George M. Pullman was always of a practical
turn of mind, and was a diligent student of
branches which were calculated to fit him for a
business life. He enjoyed the benefit of a com-
mon-school education, and is remembered as an
industrious and hard-working pupil. At the age
of fourteen, he undertook to sustain himself, his
first employment being that of a clerk at $40 per
year. Neither his remuneration nor his tastes or
habits were likely to lead him into dissipation,
and he seems to have done his work with credit
to himself and satisfaction to his employer. At
the end of the year he joined his eldest brother,
who had a cabinet-making shop at Albion, New
York. This pursuit was well calculated to pre-
pare him for the subsequent conduct of the larg-
est building and furnishing enterprise in the
world, though he was, probably, wholly uncon-
scious of his future at that time. He persevered
and was faithful, because it was part of his nature,
as well as the natural result of his teachings and
early surroundings. He continued in the cabinet
work until the death of his father, in 1853. The
long illness of the head of the family, who wasted
away in gradual decline, had exhausted the means
of the common purse, so that the widow was con-
fronted with the necessity of providing for her-
self and her minor children. In doing this, she
was not left to battle alone, for her son George at
once took up the responsibility of head of the
household and relieved her of financial burdens.
The Erie Canal was about to be enlarged, and
the commissioners had asked for bids for raising
or removing many buildings along its banks.
Young Pullman was the successful bidder on some
232
G. M. PULLMAN.
of these contracts, and so well did he manage his
enterprise that he was enabled to maintain the
family in comfort, and arrived in Chicago in 1859
with a capital of $6,000 as the result of his sav-
ings. About this time the courts decided that
Chicago had the power to grade the streets, and
he quickly found ample employment in raising
the buildings to correspond with the grade.
Probably but few of the modern residents of the
city know that the streets of the South Side are
some ten feet above the original prairie level, and
that the buildings standing in 1856 had to be
raised that distance to meet the street level. In
1860 Mr. Pullman was occupying a lot of two
hundred feet front, at the corner of Washington
and Franklin Streets, with his machinery and ap-
pliances, and a small one-story building for an of-
fice. He was full of the spirit of push and prog-
ress which animated Chicago in those days, and
did not hesitate to enter upon undertakings of
great magnitude. Among these was the lifting
of the entire block of brick buildings facing the
north side of Lake Street, between Clark and La
Salle. This was successfully accomplished by
the aid of six thousand jackscrews, without in-
terruption to the business conducted in the struc-
tures, or the breaking of a single pane of glass
or a yard of plaster.
A recent writer says: " His true mission was
the creation of the sleeping-car system. *
Nowhere else has the matter of splendid, ingen-
ious, artistic appliances for indoor comfort been
carried to such a pitch as in the devising and
constructing of the palace car, of which thousands
have been built; and each year, if not each day
and each car, brings a studied advance on its pre-
decessor. * * Giving his days to labor
and his nights to restful travel, a man may spread
his field of usefulness over a continent, without
the sapping of his strength or the shortening of
his days."
The idea of the sleeping-car came to him one
night while observing his fellow train-passengers
buying head-rests from a vendor to mitigate the
discomfort of an all-night ride. Soon after, he
took passage on one of the " night cars" of the
time, and while seeking repose on the comfortless
shelf provided, evolved the idea of the modern
sleeper. His knowledge of cabinet-making here
came to his aid, and he met and overcame many
difficulties in the preparation of a model. The
general plan varied but little from the present
form, having comfortable berths that could be put
away during the day, leaving a coach suitable for
day travel. In 1859 he secured from the Chicago
& Alton Railway two old passenger coaches to
experiment with, and in an unused railway shed,
on the present site of the Union Passenger Station
at Chicago, he worked to realize his idea, wholly
at his own expense. The result was the first
pair of real "sleepers" in the country, which
were put in successful operation on the night
trains between Chicago and St. Louis.
This result did not deter him from an under-
taking which he had for some time contemplated,
namely, a trip to the gold fields of Colorado.
After three years of mining, he returned to Chi-
cago very little richer in purse, but with addi-
tions to his stock of experience. He now set to
work to improve his original design of sleeping-
cars, which no one had had the shrewdness to
take advantage of during his absence. The cars
which he had remodeled were too small and not
of sufficient strength to carry out his ideas, and
he set to work to construct one especially for the
purpose. The car must be higher, the berths
wider, and more taste and elegance employed in
its furnishing. At an expenditure of one year's
time and $18,000 in money, he produced the first
real ' ' palace car. ' ' It was named the ' ' Pioneer, ' '
and is now stored in honorable retirement at
Pullman; but it was found to be too high to go
under some of the viaducts spanning the rail-
roads, and the wide steps would not pass the
platforms of many stations. It began to look as
if he must build a railroad to accommodate his
invention. Just at this time the body of the
martyred President, Lincoln, was to be brought
from Washington to his native state, and the
obstacles to the passage of the ' ' Pioneer ' ' were
removed, in order that it might be employed in
that sad funeral journey. It formed a part of
the train which took the body to its last resting-
place at Springfield. From that time the eastern
G. M. PULLMAN.
233
roads were open to it and its counterparts. The
present wide use of the Pullman sleepers, in
Europe as well as in America, is too well known
to need comment. The history of the Pullman
Palace Car Company is almost as well understood,
though many who enjoy the facilities for comfort-
able travel afforded by it know little of the labors
of its founder in establishing a happy and desira-
ble home for its employes at Pullman.
The history of the great strike at Pullman and
among railway employes in 1894 is also now a
matter of history. During its progress Mr. Pull-
man maintained a dignified and consistent atti-
tude, notwithstanding much harsh and unjust
criticism; and the course of the Pullman Com-
pany in that struggle has been generally vindi-
cated.
The Nation, in its issue of November 22, 1894,
refers to the general feeling that the existence of
the Government and of society itself was at stake
in this strike, and that to give in to the strikers
at that point, or at any point, would have been a
deadly blow to liberty and the rights of property;
and says: "What account of the circumstances
accompanying this strike, which was not so much
a strike as a social convulsion, can be complete
if it leaves out the intense anxiety of the best
citizens lest a fatal surrender of principle should
be made ?" * * * " There were hundreds of
thousands of the best American citizens who re-
joiced with great joy at that critical moment that
Mr. Pullman was unyielding;" and "Americans
abroad anxiously scanned the fragmentary des-
patches and prayed fervently that Mr. Pullman
would at any rate stand firm."
Mr. Pullman has been identified as an initial
force with other large enterprises than the Palace
Car Company, of which he is the head. Among
these may be mentioned the Metropolitan Ele-
vated Railway of New York, which was con-
structed in the face of determined and powerful
opposition. He has taken an active interest in
the project for the construction of a canal across
the isthmus of Nicaragua. Another work in
which he rendered great public sen-ice was in the
distribution of relief funds after the great fire of
1871. At the earnest appeal of Mayor Mason,
he accepted the charge of disbursements as trus-
tee, which was accomplished without the loss of
a dollar, though to the detriment of his private
interests through consumption of his time.
In private life Mr. Pullman is a patron of art
and literature, and a supporter of elegance and
refinement in society. In 1867 he married Miss
Hattie A., daughter of James Y. Sanger (whose
biography appears elsewhere in this work). Two
daughters, who are active in philanthropic and
religious work, and twin sons complete the fam-
ily. They are: Florence Sanger; Harriet S.,
now the wife of Francis J. Carolan; George M.,
Jr. , and Walter Sanger.
It has been Mr. Pullman's happy privilege to
erect for the Universalist Society at Albion, New
York, a memorial of his parents, in the form of
a handsome and substantial church edifice. It
is built of dark brown Medina stone, 125x80 feet
in ground dimensions, with perfect furnishings
and decorations. On the right and left, as one
enters the auditorium, are placed the bronze
medallion portraits of Mr. Pullman's father and
mother. They were designed by Sculptor Carl
Rohl Smith, of Chicago. They are oval, two
feet five inches by one foot nine inches, and
framed in a narrow moulding, ornamented with
pearls. The tablet inscription is as follows:
Erected by a Son
as a
Memorial to His Father,
JAMES LEWIS PULLMAN,
In Recognition of His Love and Work for the
Universalist Church and Its Faith,
and
In Memory of His Mother,
EMILY CAROLINE PULLMAN,
One with Her Husband in the Joys and Hopes of
Religion .
Dedicated January, 1895.
It is inclosed in a border composed of a wreath
of ivy, the symbol of affection. A beautiful me-
morial window is in the west transept.
The dedicatory services were held on the last
day of January, 1895, the sermon being delivered
by Rev. R. H. Pullman, of Baltimore. At the
installation of the pastor, on the same day, the
234
C. G. HUTCHINSON.
Rev. James M. Pullman, of Lynn, Massachusetts,
preached the installation sermon, when the Rev.
Charles Fluhrer, D. D., late of Grand Rapids,
Michigan , was made pastor. Others who officiated
in the services were the Rev. Dr. C. H. Eaton,
D. D., of New York; the Rev. Dr. J. K. Mason,
D. D., of Buffalo; and the Rev. Asa Saxe, D. D.,
of Rochester.
CHARLES G. HUTCHINSON.
/HHARLES GROVE HUTCHINSON, a pro -
I ( gressive and energetic business man of Chi-
\,J cago, was born in Williamsville, Erie Coun-
ty, New York, January 24, 1847, and is a son of
William H. Hutchinson and Jane Grove. The
Hutchinson family, which is, doubtless, of Eng-
lish origin, located in the Connecticut Colony as
early as the seventeenth century. Joseph, the
father of William H. Hutchinson, served through
the War of 1812, as lieutenant of a company of
Connecticut troops. He took part in the campaign
about Fort Erie and Buffalo, and the close of the
war found him stationed at Detroit. Soon after the
cessation of hostilities he resigned his commission
and settled in western New York. His sojourn
in this locality during the war had revealed to
him its pre-eminent advantages as an agricult-
ural country. For many years he was landlord
of the Mansion House at Williamsville. His
death occurred in Chicago in 1877, at the age of
seventy-nine years.
William H. Hutchinson, who was born in Leb-
anon, Connecticut, removed with his family to
Chicago in the spring of 1849. Soon after com-
ing to this city he began the manufacture of soda
water, which he continued up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1880, at the age of six-
ty-five years. His place of business was at the
corner of Randolph and Peoria Streets, where he
erected a large factory, which escaped destruction
in the Great Fire. The family residence, at the
corner of North State and Erie Streets, was swept
away in that conflagration. His prompt loan of
a quantity of soda-water boxes, which afforded
admirable pigeon-holes at the time, enabled the
postoffice to resume the distribution of the mails
with little delay after the fire. He was ever a
public- spirited citizen and an enthusiastic ad-
herent of the Democratic party, contributing
much of his time as an organizer and worker for
its success, though always refusing to be himself
a candidate for any office.
Mrs. Jane (Grove) Hutchinson was bora in New
York. Her father, who was a native of Penn-
sylvania, was of Dutch descent. The name was
originally written Groff. While returning from
a visit to Mackinaw, in 1856, Mrs. Hutchinson
became a victim of one of the saddest disasters
which ever occurred upon Lake Michigan, being
one of the passengers of the ill-fated steamer
" Niagara," which burned off Port Washington,
Wisconsin. She was the mother of four sons:
Chester M., of Hawthorne, Cook County, Illi-
nois; William A., who is in the United States
revenue service at Port Townsend, Washington;
and George C. and Charles G., both of whom are
residents of Chicago. William H. Hutchinson
was married a second time, to Miss Mary M.
Warner, of Williamsville, New York, and they
became the parents of two sons, Douglas and
Eugene, the latter of whom is now deceased, and
the former resides in Chicago.
G. M. ROGERS.
235
Charles G. Hutchinson attended the Washing-
ton School of Chicago until he was fifteen years
old, after which he was a student for four years at
the Military Academy at Fulton, Illinois. After
the close of the Civil War there being no further
promise of demand for military service he re-
turned to Chicago, and became identified with
his father's business, which he continued to con-
duct for some time after the death of its founder.
In 1879, in company with his brother, George C.
Hutchinson, he established a factory for the pro-
duction of bottlers' supplies and extracts, under
the firm name of W. H. Hutchinson & Son, which
is still retained. Two years later the present
factory on Desplaines Street was built, and about
forty men are employed therein. The subject of
this notice is also identified with several other im-
portant industries. He is a stockholder and
Treasurer of the Independent Brewing Associa-
tion, and President of the Chicago Fountain Soda
Water Company. He is one of the stockholders
of the Coit Paint Company (incorporated) , and is
the inventor and patentee of the Hutchinson
Spring Bottle Stopper, a unique and useful ap-
pliance, which has come into almost universal use.
Mr. Hutchinson is a prominent member of the
Masonic fraternity, being identified with D. C.
Cregier Lodge, Washington Chapter, Chicago
Commander}', Knights Templar, Oriental Con-
sistory and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
Like his father, he has been a life-long Democrat,
but never seeks public position. He is an en-
thusiastic and successful sportsman, and makes
frequent excursions to the woods of Northern
Wisconsin for the purpose of indulging his taste
for fishing and hunting. He is a member of the
Eagle River Fishing and Shooting Club, and of
the Cumberland Gun Club, two of the leading
sportsmen's organizations of Chicago. In all his
business and social relations he is deservedly pop-
ular, through his genial and social disposition
and his kind and courteous manners.
GEORGE M. ROGERS.
(EORGE MILLS ROGERS is not only dis-
tinguished as one of the foremost attorneys
and jurists of Chicago, but has given much
study and careful attention to the leading public
questions of the day. He is well versed in prob-
lems relating to political economy and municipal
reform, and his views are never narrowed by con-
siderations of party policy, nor are his expressions
colored by mere personal or mercenary motives.
His professional integrity and his reputation as
a citizen have been equally well maintained, and
no modern record of Chicago's representative men
would be complete without some notice of his
achievements.
Mr. Rogers was born at Glasgow, Kentucky,
on the sixteenth day of April, 1854, and is a
son of the Hon. John Gorin Rogers and Arabella
E. Crenshaw, extended notice of whom, together
with the genealogy of their families, is given
elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this
sketch was but four years old when the family
came to Chicago. He was educated at the public
schools and the Chicago University, supplement-
ing the instruction so received by a course at Yale
College, from which famous institution he was
graduated in 1876. He began his legal studies
in the office of Crawford & McConnell, and con-
tinued the same in the Union College of Law
236
G. M. ROGERS.
now the law department of the Northwestern
University.
In 1878 he was admitted to the Bar, and began
practice in partnership with Samuel P. McConnell,
a well-known barrister, since one of the Judges of
the Circuit Court of Cook County. During the
continuance of this partnership he was chosen at-
torney for the Citizens' Association, and was a
member of the committee which prepared and
secured the passage of the original reform city
election law. He also personally prepared the
primary election law, which was adopted verbatim
by the committee of the association having that
subject in charge, and was presented to the Legis-
lature for adoption. Owing to the fact that this
bill was in charge of Senator Crawford during its
passage, it became known as the ' ' Crawford
Election Law."
His services in behalf of this association could
not fail to attract attention to his signal ability as
a lawyer and a statesman, and caused his ap-
pointment as Assistant City Attorney. This po-
sition he filled with such credit that, in 1886, he
was appointed City Prosecuting Attorney, but ow-
ing to the ill-health of his wife, which demanded
that he should travel with her, he resigned the
office in April of the following year. After return-
ing to the city he was appointed, in November,
1887, to the office of Assistant United States At-
torney, but resigned that position in the following
March, to re-engage in private law practice.
With this business he has combined that of real-
estate and loans, and his transactions have grown
to such volume as to require the assistance of
several clerks.
On the ist of February, 1889, he was ap-
pointed n Master in Chancery of the Circuit Court
of Cook County, and has discharged the duties of
that judicial office with such candor and im-
partiality as to earn and receive the approbation
of courts, attorneys and litigants.
In 1893 it was deemed advisable by the leading
lawyers of Chicago to take some practical steps
toward the separation of judicial affairs from the
contamination of political interests. With this
end in view, they placed in nomination eight
candidates for judicial positions, who were equally
divided in political affiliations between the two
leading parties. Mr. Rogers received the highest
vote of any candidate before the Bar Association
the total number being 1346, out of which he
received 1222. This nomination came to him
without any solicitation on his part, and, although
the ' ' party machine' ' which dominated the Dem-
ocratic convention prevented the endorsement
of his nomination, which he made no effort to
secure, his endorsement by the members of the
Bar, who were influenced by no political consid-
erations, but by a desire to elevate the judiciary
and purify the administration of justice, was re-
garded as a far greater compliment than an elec-
tion as a candidate of any political party could
have been.
On the 3d of June, 1884, Mr. Rogers was mar-
ried to Philippa Hone Anthon, a daughter of the
late Hone Anthon, of New York City, whose
family is conspicuous for the large number of
eminent professional men among its members.
Mr. Rogers is one of the founders of the Iro-
quois Club, and among the other clubs with
which he is prominently identified may be men-
tioned the Illinois, University and Law Clubs.
In the fall of 1888 he united with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in which his father had
been one of the leading spirits, and he has repre-
sented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of Illinois.
In 1882 he made a foreign tour in company with
his brother, who was suffering from ill-health,
and visited the principal cities and other points
of interest in Europe. His active mind and keen
observation could not fail to make this trip of
value to him in broadening his experience and
extending his knowlege of men and the affairs of
the world.
For a number of years after beginning his pro-
fessional career, he was prominent in the political
counsels of the Democratic party. In 1880 he
was nominated as the candidate of his party for
State Senator. His personal popularity may be
judged from the fact that the usual Republican
majority of two thousand in his district was re-
duced to eight hundred. For some time he was
Vice- President of the Cook County Democratic
Committee, and labored diligently, though in
ROBERT HERVEY.
237
vain, to bring about some needed reforms in the
organization and methods of the party. Becom-
ing displeased with the methods of politicians, he
became one of the organizers of the Iroquois
Club, which was established for the purpose of
exerting an influence in National politics, leaving
local strife to those whose taste led in that direc-
tion, and he was elected one of its first Vice-
Presidents.
ROBERT HERVEY, LL. D.
ROBERT HERVEY, LL. D., who was for
nearly forty years a familiar figure in Chi-
cago court rooms, was born in Glasgow,
Scotland, August 10, 1820. He is a son of Alex-
ander and Elizabeth (Gibson) Hervey. The fa-
ther was a son of Robert Hervey, who founded a
mercantile establishment at Glasgow, in which
Alexander succeeded him. The business career
of the latter was cut short by his death, when his
son Robert was but eleven years of age. Mrs.
Elizabeth Hervey afterward came to America, and
for a number of years resided with her son in
Chicago. She died at Brockville, Canada, in
1862.
Robert Hervey was educated in his native city,
first at a grammar school and later at the Uni-
versity of Glasgow. While at this institution he
began the study of medicine, and the' knowledge
thus obtained was of great use to him in subse-
quent legal practice. With this information he
often surprised courts, as well as expert witnesses.
At the age of seventeen years he went to Canada,
intending to enter into mercantile business in
connection with uncles who were residing there.
By the advice of one of the latter, however, he de-
cided to study law, and became a student of Hen-
ry Sherwood, of Brockville, afterward the Attor-
ney-General of Ontario. When this gentleman
removed to Toronto, Mr. Hervey accompanied
him to that city, where he was admitted to prac-
tice in 1841. He then opened an office at Otta-
wa, then called By town, the eastern terminus of
the Rideau Canal, which had recently been com-
pleted. He continued his legal business at Otta-
wa until 1852, when he came to Chicago, and has
since been continuously in legal practice here.
He first opened an office in partnership with
Buckner S. Morris and Joseph P. Clarkson, at
the southeast corner of Lake and Clark Streets,
in the same building where Judge Thomas Drum-
mond then held United States Court. Mr. Her-
vey subsequently took James R. Hosmer into
partnership for a time, and in May, 1858, became
a partner of Elliott Anthony since a distin-
guished Judge of the Superior Court. Mr. A. T.
Gait was afterward admitted to this firm, and
for many years the firm of Hervey, Anthony &
Gait was one of the best known in Chicago. Mr.
Hervey's early partner, Joseph Clarkson, was a
brother of Bishop Clarkson, who was then Rector
of St. James' Church on the North Side, and
afterward became Bishop of Nebraska.
Mr. Hervey has practiced in all courts, from
Justices' up to the Supreme Court of the United
States, to which latter he was admitted in 1873,
and has been employed on some of the most im-
portant criminal cases in Cook County. The first
of these was in 1855, when he defended Patrick
Cunningham, accused of killing a policeman.
This case created a great sensation in Chicago, but
Mr. Hervey secured a change of venue to Wau-
kegan, where the minds of the jurors were less
prejudiced than in Chicago, and his client was
sentenced to the penitentiary for eight years for
manslaughter. The adroit and skillful manage-
ment of the defendant's attorney saved the latter
from a death sentence and established the law-
yer's reputation. Though he has defended some
238
ROBERT HERVEY.
notorious criminals, none of his clients have ever
been executed. He was attorney for some of the
aldermen and Cook County Commissioners who
were accused of "boodling," and all his clients
were acquitted.
One of the most important cases taken up by
the firm of Hervey & Anthony was the dissolu-
tion of the consolidation of the Chicago & Galena
Union Railroad Company with the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad Company, a deal which
was manipulated by the directors of the respect-
ive roads to the dissatisfaction and alleged dis-
advantage of the stockholders of the former road,
who had not been consulted in the matter. The
contest was finally settled by payment of dam-
ages to the plaintiff stockholders of the Chicago
& Galena Union.
For six years past Mr. Hervey has been afflict-
ed with ill-health, which has confined him to his
house and prevented his attendance at court or
social gatherings. While his health permitted
him to do so, he attended the Episcopal Church.
Since 1865 he has been a member of the Masonic
fraternity, having joined Blaney Lodge at that
date. While a young man he joined the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Ottawa, and be-
came the Noble Grand of Ottawa Lodge No. n.
His connection with this order was abandoned,
however, on his coming to the United States,
though he has often regretted this action. While
a citizen of Canada he was quite an active politi-
cian, and spent considerable of his time, energy
and money in the effort to help shape local affairs.
His uncle, who realized the futility of this course,
exacted a promise from young Hervey on coming
to Chicago, that he would not mingle in the pol-
itics of the United States. This pledge has been
faithfully observed, and he did not become a voter
until 1887.
In 1852 he became a member of St. Andrew's
Society, an organization in which he has ever
taken an active interest, and has probably done
as much for its promotion as any single member.
He has served as President of the society for six
terms. The object of this association is to relieve
the distress of the unfortunate among the coun-
trymen and women of its members, and it has
come to be one of the leading charitable institu-
tions of the city. In the winter of 1865, during
which there was much suffering to be relieved
among the poor and unfortunate, the funds of the
society became exhausted, and, at the request of
his friends, Mr. Hervey prepared and delivered a
lecture on Robert Burns at the old Metropolitan
Hall. The receipts of this lecture netted the
society about $450. This address met such pop-
ular approval that it was afterward several times
repeated in other places. In 1883 the faculty of
Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois,
invited him to deliver this lecture, together with
an address to the graduating class of that institu-
tion. This request was cheerfully complied with,
and as a token of their appreciation of this effort
the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon
him by the university. Another lecture on
Walter Scott, which he delivered several years
later at the same hall, also netted the society a
handsome sum. In 1865 he helped organize the
Caledonian Club, and was chosen its first Chief,
a position which he filled several years.
Mr. Hervey was first married to Miss Maria
Jones, daughter of Dunham Jones, a farmer near
Brockville, Canada, who removed thither from
the United States during the Revolutionary War,
on account of his loyalty to the British Crown.
Mrs. Maria Hervey fell a victim to the cholera in
1854. In l861 Mr - Hervey was again married,
to Frances W. Smith, a native of Rochester, New
York, and his present helpmate. Her mother,
who is now Mrs. T. B. Bishop, is a native of
England, and resides in Chicago, aged over eighty
years. Mr. Hervey has three children. Alexan-
der is a farmer near Charleston, Missouri. Rob-
ert is the manager of an extensive lumber com-
pany at Tonawanda, New York; and Sophia is
the wife of Sidney F. Jones, of Toronto, Ontario.
For twenty-four years past Mr. Hervey has lived
near the lake shore, on Twenty -fifth Street, hav-
ing moved to that location a short time previous
to the great Chicago Fire, and thereby avoided
becoming one of its victims. In this pleasant lo-
cation his most recent years have been altogether
spent, and here his friends always receive a hearty
welcome.
S. T. HINCKLEY.
SAMUEL T. HINCKLEY.
(3AMUEL TAYLOR HINCKLEY was a citi-
?\ zen of Chicago almost from its beginning.
Q) His ancestry made him heir to all the noble
qualities of the best Puritan stock. None of our
citizens have come down through stock more dis-
tinguished than the Hinckley and Otis families of
Plymouth Colony, from whom is descended the
subject of this sketch. (We regret that the scope
of this work does not permit a more detailed gen-
ealogy of these families than what follows. )
Samuel Hinckley, the common ancestor of all
bearing the name in this country, was typical of
his race; honest, industrious, prudent; qualities
descended without interval to the present times.
In the spring of 1635, as a "Dissenter," he came
from Tenterden, Kent County, England, sailing
from Sandwich on the ship "Hercules" (two
hundred tons, Capt. John Witherly) , bringing a
wife, Sarah, and four children. Landing at Bos-
ton, he went direct to Scituate, where he built a
house, "No. 19," on Kent Street; removing to
Barnstable in July, 1640, where he died October
31, 1662, leaving eleven children, three sons of
which number, Thomas, Samuel and John, left
descendants.
Thomas, son of the emigrant, was born in Eng-
land about 1618; came to New England with his
father; was Governor of Plymouth Colony dur-
ing the last eleven years of its existence as a
Colony, and was at the time of his death (April
25, 1705, at Barnstable, ae. 87) one of the Coun-
cil of the United Colonies. Moore's "Lives of
the Governors of Plymouth and Massachusetts' '
gives extended due notice of his deeds; and a
record of his public life is found in ' 'The Records
of Plymouth Colony." Of his private life little
is known; but "during half a century he held
offices of trust and prominence in the Old Colony,
and had a controlling influence over the popular
mind. * * The architect of his own fortunes.
* * Of good common-sense and sound judg-
ment. * * Honest and honorable. * * In-
dustrious, persevering and self-reliant; and the
best lawyer in the colony. * * Independent in
religion, tolerant before his times; he possessed
his faculties to the very end. ' '
Gov. Thomas Hinckley married, first, Decem-
ber 4, 1641, Mary Richards, of Wey mouth (whose
sister Alice married Dept.-Gov. William Brad-
ford), and, second, March 16, 1660, Mary Glover
(widow of Nathaniel) , who is said to have been
beautiful in person and the most accomplished
and intelligent woman in the colony; of which
excellent characteristics abundance has come down
to later generations.
At the time of his death he had had seventeen
children, of whom fifteen lived to maturity; only
three of them, however, being sons to leave issue,
namely: Samuel, John and Ebenezer, from whom
are descended a very numerous and widely scat-
tered posterity. By the second wife he had nine
children; the fifth of whom, John, born June 9,
1667, married Thankful Trot May i, 1691, had
six children: one John, the youngest, born Feb-
ruary 17, 1701, married, September 17, 1726, Be-
thiah Robinson and had eight children; the fifth
child, Adino, born December 12, 1735, married
Mercy Otis, had three children, the youngest being
240
S. T. HINCKLEY.
Solomon, born in Barnstable, Massachusetts,
March 3, 1770, married Mercy Otis, finally set-
tled at Pomfret, New York, where he died De-
cember 19, 1831; he had eight children: George
Otis (father of the subject of this sketch), born
October 30,1795, married Sally Taylor, of Buck-
land, Massachusetts, died in Sacramento, where
he was buried; left in Illinois the following chil-
dren: Samuel (subject of this sketch), Mary O.,
Sarah E., Otis D., Horace A., Harriet W. and
Abner T.
The Barnstable (Massachusetts) family of Otis
is descended from Gen. John Otis, born in Barn-
stable, Devonshire, England, in 1581, came to
Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1635, thence to
Scituate, thence to Barnstable. His son John
came to Barnstable with his father, where he
left descendants, many of them illustrious. One
of his sons, Col. John Otis, was twenty years
Representative, Commander of Militia eighteen
years, First Judge of Probate thirteen years, and
Chief Justice of Court of Common Pleas and His
Majesty's Counsel twenty-one years; left six chil-
dren: two females (of whom Mercy, married
Gen. James Warren, brother of Gen. Joseph, who
fell at Bunker Hill) and four males: First, Gen.
John, King's Attorney and member of Coun-
cil nine years; second, Nathaniel, Register of
Probate many years; third, Solomon, Register of
Deeds, County Treasurer, etc., etc., died 1778;
fourth, Col. James, two years Speaker of House
of Representatives, Judge of Probate, Chief Jus-
tice of the Court of Common Pleas, Member of
the Council, and, from the time of departure of
General Gage to the adoption of the Constitution
of Massachusetts, exercised the functions of Chief
Magistrate of the Commonwealth by right of sen-
iority. He had ten children, the most illustrious
being James Otis, Jr., "The Patriot," immortal-
ized by opposing the "Writs of Assistance,"
"The Stamp Act," etc., etc., of whom United
States President, John Adams, said: "I have
been young and now am old, and I solemnly say
that I have never known a man whose love of
country was more ardent or sincere; never one
who suffered so much; never one whose services
for any ten years of his life were so important to
the cause of his country as Mr. Otis' from 1 760
to 1770."
Samuel was born June 12, 1818, at Buck-
land, Franklin County, Massachusetts, two hun-
dred years after Thomas Hinckley, the Governor
of Plymouth Colony. The maiden name of his
mother was Sarah Taylor, from whom he derived
his middle name.
While Samuel was yet a child, his parents
moved to Chautauqua County, New York, a sec-
tion of country at that time regarded as the far
West. In 1836 his father turned his footsteps
still farther towards the outskirts of civilization,
and finally selected Illinois as his future home.
The journey was made with ox-teams, by slow
stages, through an almost unbroken wilderness,
which the red man had but recently ceded by
treaty. Young Hinckley drove one of the teams.
Passing beyond Chicago, his father pre-empted a
tract of land where Lake Forest now has its pala-
tial homes and college halls.
Here Samuel began his life work. The priva-
tions and trials of those pioneer days and years
were numerous and extremely severe. Every-
thing had to be made; the houses of logs hewn
from the forest; roads laid out and cut through
heavy timber; mills to be erected and the wilder-
ness cleared away and the ground made ready
for civilization.
In those far-off times, flour cost twenty dollars
per barrel, and other things in proportion. The
Indians, too, were frequent visitors at the cabins of
the pioneers. As a rule they were harmless, but
wanted all the food there was in sight.
It was in this school of trial, and sometimes of
adversity, that Samuel T. Hinckley was educated
for his business career, and thereby trained to
habits of industry, strict economy and perfect in-
tegrity enduring qualities which he carried with
him through life.
At the age of eighteen this young pioneer came
to Chicago on a quest of furthering his fortunes,
and was most fortunate in coming to the fa-
vorable notice of Captain (afterwards General)
J. D. Webster, at that time Superintendent of
Improvements in the local lake harbors, including,
besides our own, Milwaukee, St. Joseph and
S. T. HINCKUSY.
241
Michigan City. Such work required absolute
freedom from ice; so in the spring, summer and
autumn months, our young hero toiled manfully
on from sunrise to sunset, often overtaxing his
strength, but never his resolution; the outcome
of it all being that he made a very excellent im-
pression upon his employer, which eventually
ripened into a most sincere friendship, and con-
tinued until the General's death.
In winter the woods on every side gave em-
ployment for ready, strong hands; for instance, he
sometimes hired himself out to cut timber and
split rails down on the Fox River, a hard task set
belore him, when it is considered that he usually
had to walk five or six miles to and from his work.
While engaged in this severe physical labor he
did not neglect his mind. His early tastes in-
clined him to study, but his educational advan-
tages in boyhood were of the limited sort incident
to the development of a new country. His desire
for knowledge, however, led him to supplement
this rudimentary training by night study, a sys-
tem of self-education which he followed for many
years, poring over his books by the light of a
candle far into the night. His course of study was
comprehensive, including those branches which
pertained to mechanics, as well as those which
would fit him for the duties and responsibilities
of social and business life.
Thus year by year, he laid the foundation for
what he afterwards became, a wisely-useful, highly
esteemed, self-made man. Though -not a civil
engineer, at different times he was called upon to
perform many of the duties which now-a-days fall
to such an office; though not a graduated me-
chanic, yet he used with deftness saws and tools
so fine that it required the aid of a microscope to
see clearly the component parts; nor yet an artist,
yet full of artistic sense and adaptability, leaving
as an example of much not to be mentioned a
creation in mezzotinting, full of feeling, of the
Mother of Christ and Infant, esteemed almost
above all else by the family
When the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad
was under construction, Mr. Hinckley became one
of the first engineers, and had the honor of run-
ning the first engine out of Chicago across the
Fox River. It was the old "Pioneer," the mem-
ory of which is treasured by many early Chica-
goans, and which now has a place in the Field
Columbian Museum.
In 1852 he went into business for himself, as
grocer on Randolph Street, subsequently remov-
ing to State Street, near Van Buren, where for
long years he was known as an enterprising mer-
chant of unimpeachable integrity. In 1865, in com-
pany with Gail Borden, of New York (father of
the enterprise and now of world-wide reputation
in connection with such product), and Messrs.
Cole and Hubbard, of Elgin, Illinois, he founded
the Elgin Condensed Milk Company, now known
as the Illinois Condensing Company, and con-
tinued his active relations with this concern until
his death.
Mr. Hinckley was a brave man, not only in the
sense of not shrinking from responsibilities which
confronted his life as a matter of course, but more
worthily in the taking up of dangerous situations,
not necessarily a part of his legitimate cares, but
ever exemplifying the "Golden Rule." At the
first season of the cholera, when many sufferers
were succumbing to the fell disease, for which
there seemed no remedy, when persons who were
physically able were fleeing the place as from a
plague, he stayed calmly at the post of danger,
down by the river, nursing, praying and officiat-
ing at the last sad rites, not himself falling a vic-
tim, as God sometimes requires should happen,
but coming out of the ordeal chastened and up-
lifted in soul.
The son of parents who believed the holding of
human beings in bondage to be wrong, if not
positively sinful, he was strongly anti-slavery in
his convictions. In early life his sympathies were
with the Whigs, but after the formation of the
Republican party, his affiliations were with that
organization. While firm in his political faith, he
took no active part in politics, contenting himself
with casting his ballot for the ticket of his choice.
But the keynote of his long, noble life is to be
found in his religion. A practical, vivifying,
Godly and charitable religion: not content in lip
sen-ice of a Sunday morning, but celebrating seven
days of the week in actions showing how man's
242
S. T. HINCKLEY.
spnere, clearly read, stretches nigh to the very
throne of God.
For a half century he was identified with the
First Presbyterian Church of our city, ready at
all times to assist in assuming disbursements and
advancing moral well-being, and when the church
undertook the establishment of mission Sunday-
schools he became one of the active workers in
the old Foster Mission, never losing interest in
works of piety and true benevolence. He was a
member of the Humane Society and Secretary ot
the one at Elgin for some ten years.
Mr. Hinckley never married. His interests
were centered on home, his mother especially re-
ceiving more than the usual share of affection,
and he cared for her most tenderly while she lived.
This love for kindred waxed with his increasing
years, and was as ardent and constant to the last,
as when they were togethe'- under the old roof-
tree in childhood.
None the less he loved his church and country;
but better than all else, he loved his God. His
benevolence was beautiful and Christlike. Emu-
lating the example of his Saviour, he cherished
the young with a special affection, and into what-
ever home he entered as friend or guest, the little
ones became at once his fast friends.
This lover of the young supported two mission-
aries of the American Sunday-school Union, who
gave their whole time to caring for destitute chil-
dren. The reports received from them were very
gratifying to him, from the fact that so many were
being saved from lives of sin and ignorance. The
non-sectarian character of the work was particu-
larly pleasing.
His personal expenditures were very moderate.
He ate, dressed and took his enjoyment modestly
and inexpensively. His extravagances were his
gifts to others. His benefactions were not con-
fined in a narrow channel, he ever remembered
the poor, the sick and the unfortunate, and had a
heart overflowing with kindliness and charity.
He gave with a liberal hand to the Young Men's
Christian Association, the American Sunday-
school Union, Mr. Moody's Bible Institute, the
Pacific Garden Mission, and many other institu-
tions. His benefactions were unostentatious.
He was exact in his business, kind to all who
served him, and his employes loved him as a friend.
It was said by one who knew him intimately
for many years, and who is himself noted for his
correct judgment of men, that "he was one of
Nature's noblemen," careful and considerate in
his language and action, never wilfully saying or
doing anything to wound the feelings of another.
In private life he exemplified the most generous
and unselfish traits of character. An attractive
and interesting conversationalist, his utterances
were chaste and dignified; any unbecoming jest,
or any departure from purity in thought or ex-
pression he treated with silent contempt; yet he
was one of the most companionable of men. He
had a keen sense of humor, and enjoyed a witty
saying or repartee with great pleasure, which was
more expressed by the smile in his eyes than by
words, and at the same time showing the most
gentle consideration for anyone who might be the
object of merriment in social conversation.
He maintained this happy trait of a genial heart
to the last, even when suffering great pain.
Though an invalid for many years, he kept active
in business till his final sickness, and the fatal
termination of his disease, September 5, 1894,
after a short illness, was a great sorrow and shock
to his family and many friends.
A glowing, but richly-merited tribute was paid
to Mr. Hinckley's character by his pastor, Rev.
Dr. John H. Barrows, of the First Presbyterian
Church. Among other things, Doctor Barrows
said: "He made himself the friend and helper of
those in his employ or associated with him.
Much might be said of his unselfish and constant
benevolence. He regarded himself as a steward
indeed, and he was a faithful steward. How con-
stantly he remembered the old First Church and
its benevolent causes, is well and gratefully known
to some of us. We have lost one of our choicest
members from this church, and made one of our
choicest additions to the ranks of the redeemed
on high. ' '
"His life was gentle, and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up,
And say to all the world
'This was a man.' "
S. G. SPAULDING.
243
SAMUEL G. SPAULDING.
(3AMUEL GRAY SPAULDING The name
?\ Spalding, like other names ending in "ing,"
Q} is one of the earlier surnames borne by Eng-
lish- speaking people. The Spaldings of the Uni-
ted States have been fortunate in having the gen-
ealogical history of the family written by Samuel
J. Spalding, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, from
which we learn many facts relative to its growth
and progress.
John de Spalding (Burgess of Lenn) was a pur-
chaser of lands of about the fifty-first year of the
reign of Henry III. (A. D. 1267). Other records
of land transfers of very ancient date occur.
Edward Spalding was the first of the family of
whom we have any knowledge, and he came to
America in the earliest years of the Massachusetts
Colony, probably between 1630 and 1633. He
first appears in Braintree, Massachusetts, where
his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Grace,
died, the former in 1640, and the latter in 1643.
He was made a Freeman May 13, 1640, and was
one of the settlers of Chelmsford, in the same
colony, which town was incorporated In 1655. He
was a Selectman in 1654, 1656, 1660-61, and Sur-
veyor of Highways in 1663. In 1664 the town
records made note of his fine orchard. His fam-
ily has been ably represented in every war of the
Colonies and United States (see sketch of Will-
iam A. Spalding). He died February 26, 1670.
Samuel Brown Spaulding, the father of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was descended from Edward
Spalding, through Andrew (2), Andrew (3),
James (4), Silas (5). He was born January 27,
1789, in Granville, New York, and later resided
at Brandon, Vermont, where he was a prominent
merchant. His first wife was Anna Gray, whom
he married October 2, 1814. She was born Jan-
uary 2, 1790, in Rutland, Vermont, and died
July 23, 1841, in Brandon. The second wife was
Lucy Lyon, the wedding occurring November
18, 1841. She was born November 25, 1796,
in Brandon. The children of Samuel B. and
Anna Spaulding were four, Samuel G. being
the third. He was born October 26, 1822, at
Brandon, Vermont.
After taking a course in the public schools of
his native town, he learned the mercantile busi-
ness. When only about twelve years of age he
became a clerk in a store in Brandon. Some
years later, while still a youth, he went to Clare-
mont, New Hampshire, leaving home with but
twenty-five cents in his pocket. He engaged in
the sale of books, and as a compensation for his
services received $12 per month, out of which he
paid all his expenses.
His next employment was as commercial trav-
eler for a book house in Vermont, and in that
line he did good work, obtained good wages and
saved something from his earnings. With his
little capital he engaged in supplying notions to
wholesale dealers in the Sfate of Vermont. In
this business he was successful, but, on account
of poor health, he was obliged to dispose of his
business, and James Fisk, afterwards celebrated
as a Wall Street broker, became the purchaser.
Two weeks after this sale Mr. Spaulding was on
his way to the West, where he expected to find a
more congenial climate and better commercial
prospects.
In April, 1857, he arrived at Milwaukee, by
way of the Lakes. He entered into partnership
with a man who was engaged in the tobacco
trade, but soon found that he had obtained some
knowledge at the cost of the capital invested, the
volume of profits not being what had been repre-
sented. Making the best of the situation, Mr.
244
S. G. SPAULDING.
Spaulding became sole proprietor of the little
store, and then put his energies to work to build
up a trade. In the course of time he added a
wholesale feature and, becoming his own solici-
tor, he built up a fine wholesale business in the
Northwest. In those days the railroad ran no
farther than La Crosse, and thence to St. Paul
the journey was made by boat.
As Milwaukee did not afford the advantages
which his growing trade required, Mr. Spaulding
removed to Chicago in November, 1865, and
with Mr. Levi Merrick, of Milwaukee, formed the
firm of Spaulding & Merrick, and carried on the
wholesale tobacco business. Manufacturing was
a prominent feature of the industry, and in a
short time the business was so arranged that Mr.
Spaulding traveled for the house, while Mr. Mer-
rick had charge of the manufacture. The volume
of their transactions rapidly increased, and in
1871 the number of persons employed by the
firm was between two and three hundred, but the
great fire of that year swept everything the firm
had out of existence.
Returning home, accompanied by Mr. Mer-
rick, father of his partner, after spending all the
fatal night of the beginning of the conflagration
in observing its progress, Mr. Spaulding announ-
ced to his wife, "All I had is gone up in smoke."
To this she bravely replied, "We have our
health and our hands." Mr. Merrick' s comment
on this reply was, "There is good cheer for you."
The situation was discussed, and the partners re-
solved to start anew in business. Friends who
admired their pluck and energy offered plenty of
financial assistance. Out of $36,000 insurance,
they afterwards received $13,000. The three-
story factory at Nos. 9 to 15 River Street was
replaced by another, and a greater number of per-
sons employed. The history of the firm from
this on is a record of success. Wise manage-
ment and hard work built up a great business,
the second largest in their line in the United
States. In 1889 Mr. Spaulding sold his interest,
but the business is still conducted under the old
name.
Samuel G. Spaulding was married at St. Al-
bans, Vermont, on the twelfth day of March, 1857,
to Miss Marcia Isabel Hawkins. She was born
July 17, 1828, at Reading, Vermont, and is a
descendant of William Adrian Hawkins, who
was born January 18, 1742, and died at Reading,
Vermont, in 1817. His grandfather was a na-
tive of Dublin, Ireland, and married an English
woman. He emigrated to Bordeaux, France,
where two children, a son and a daughter, were
born. After his death his widow brought the
children to America. A son of the son, William
Adrian Hawkins, became a tailor. He went to
Wilton, New Hampshire, a short time before the
Revolution, and resided there until 1789, when he
moved to Reading, Vermont. He enlisted, April
2 3> I 775. i n Captain Walker's company of Col.
James Reed's regiment New Hampshire troops.
He rose through the grades of first sergeant, en-
sign and lieutenant to the rank of captain. He
was made ensign for gallant conduct at the battle
of Bunker Hill. He served in the war seven
years, and was paid off in the almost worthless cur-
rency of those days. Forty bushels of rye was
the most valuable part of the pay he received for
his services. He married Abigail, daughter of
John and Abigail (Livermore) Keyes, who was
born at Northborough, Massachusetts, in Decem-
ber, 1743, and died at Reading, Vermont, in
1813. They were the parents of eight children.
William Lewis, the fourth child, was born at
Northborough, Massachusetts, June 14, 1773,
and died at Reading, Vermont, November 26,
1859. He married Anna Townsend, and they
were the parents of seven children. He was a
successful teacher, and taught out schools that
others failed to govern. He held town offices,
and was Postmaster at the time of his death, being
then eighty-seven years old and in the full enjoy-
ment of his mental faculties.
Lewis, eldest child of William L. and Anna
Hawkins, was born at Reading, January 23,
1798, and died at Sherburne, Vermont, April 29,
1875. He was a manufacturer and dealer in
boots, shoes, saddles and harness, and also dealt
in horses, which he sold at Boston. He married
Aliva Amsden, and they were the parents of
three children, of whom Marcia is the youngest.
Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were the parents of
E. A. FILKINS.
245
two children: Mabel, the wife of Charles Fox-
well, junior; and Howard Henry Spaulding, who
now occupies a position with the house of Spauld-
ing & Company , jewelers of Chicago. Mrs. Fox-
well has one child, Frances. H. H. Spaulding
married Florence Baker, and has two children,
Lester and Howard, Jr.
Samuel G. Spaulding died on the fifth day of
September, 1893, at the age of seventy-one years.
Starting with but twenty-five cents in his pocket,
he worked his way from poverty to a command-
ing position in the line in which he spent most
of his life, and in which he took a great interest.
He attended all the conventions of the tobacco
manufacturers, and his views had great influence
among his associates in the trade. His geniality
and scrupulous honesty and business tact were
the foundation stones upon which his success was
built. Mr. W. D. Spalding, in speaking of him
said: "I knew him over thirty years. I never met
a pleasanter man than Mr. Spaulding. He was
genial, large-hearted and a true gentleman, and
made friends with every one he met. ' '
EDWARD A. FILKINS.
r~ DWARD AUGUSTUS FIRKINS, a veteran
fp of the great American Civil War, has the
I honor of being a native of Cook County,
his birth having occurred in the village of Wheel-
ing, on the 2gth day of May, 1842. He is a son
of Joseph Filkins and Clarissa Johnson, who were
among the earliest and most esteemed pioneers
of northern Illinois. Their ancestors included
some of the most loyal citizens, and members of
the Johnson and Filkins families have partici-
pated in every war of the Nation.
Joseph Filkins was born at Berne, Albany
County, New York. His father's name was
Richard, and his grandfather, Isaac Filkins, was
one of the earliest English colonists of Long
Island. He came from Cornwall, England, and
settled within the present limits of the city of
Brooklyn in 1665. He was a farmer and stock-
man by occupation, and was accompanied to this
country by two of his brothers, one of whom was
named Richard. Col. Henry Filkins, a descend-
ant of the last-mentioned, commanded a regiment
of Continental troops during the Revolution and,
upon the organization of the United States Gov-
ernment, in recognition of his services, he was
appointed the first Collector of the Port of New
York by President Washington.
Richard Filkins, son of Isaac, removed while a
young man to Albany County, where he became a
prominent farmer, and married a Miss Crabbe, of
Troy. Their son, Joseph Filkins, came West,
by way of the Great Lakes, in 1835, and, on land-
ing from a sailing-vessel at Fort Dearborn, pro-
ceeded to Wheeling and pre-empted a large tract
of land at that point. He was engaged in agri-
culture for the next fifteen years, and in 1837
built the first frame house on the stage line be-
tween Chicago and Milwaukee. This house is
still standing, and forms a prominent landmark
in the village of Wheeling. In 1850 he moved to
Chicago, and, in company with his son-in-law,
embarked in the wholesale hardware trade. The
name of the firm was Filkins & Runyon, and
their place of business was at the corner of Lake
and Wells Streets (the latter now known as Fifth
Avenue) . His death occurred in Chicago, No-
vember 12, 1857, at the age of fifty-two years.
He was a stanch Democrat, and was well known
as a public-spirited and progressive citizen. In
1842 he was elected Collector of Cook County,
246
E. A. FILKINS.
which at that time included several adjacent
counties. He was a member of the County Board
of Supervisors, and a member of the building
committee in charge of the construction of the
blue stone court house, being chairman of the
board at the time the building was completed.
Mrs. Clarissa Filkins was born at Hoosac Falls,
New York, in October, 1806. She made the
journey from New York to Cook County in a
wagon, accompanying friends who came in 1836.
She brought her eldest child, who was then an
infant, on this journey, and joined her husband
at Wheeling, where he had erected a log dwell-
ing before her arrival. This child was Elizabeth,
who became the wife of I. I,. Runyon, and is
now deceased. Mrs. Filkins was a daughter of
Capt. Rufus Johnson, who commanded a com-
pany of mounted New York troops in the Revolu-
tionary War. His ancestors accompanied Roger
Williams in founding the colony of Rhode Island.
He was born in that State, and removed while a
young man to New York, and married Sarah
Gardner, a native of Bennington, in Vermont,
whose father, Samuel Gardner, lost his life in the
famous battle at that place.
Edward A. Filkins was the only child of his
parents besides the sister previously mentioned.
After completing the course in the Chicago pub-
lic schools, he attended a preparatory school at
New Haven, Connecticut. Owing to his father's
failing health, he abandoned the intention of en-
tering Yale College, and returned to Chicago.
He began his business career as salesman in a
wholesale dry -goods store, in which employment
he continued until the secession of the Southern
States. He was one of the first to offer his serv-
ices in defense of the Union, and enlisted on the
igth of April, 1861, as a member of Company A,
Chicago Zouaves, an organization which is en-
titled to much credit for having captured and
held the important strategic point of Cairo at
the very outset of the conflict. On the iyth of
June, 1 86 1, he was mustered into the Nineteenth
Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and was soon after-
wards promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant
of Company C. He took part in engagements at
Green River and Bowling Green, Kentucky, and
was among the Union troops that entered the city
of Nashville. He afterwards participated in the
engagements of McMiunville and Chattanooga,
in 1862, the two-weeks campaign at Stoue River,
and the bloody battle at Chickamauga and Look-
out Mountain. In the spring of 1864 he was de-
tailed to fill a position in the Quartermaster's De-
partment at Knoxville and Loudon, Tennessee.
In June of the same year he was sent to Chicago
in the same capacity, and continued to serve un-
til October, 1865, when he was honorably dis-
charged. Although he spent four and one-half
years in the service of the Government, he never
received, a dollar of bounty, and has never applied
for a pension.
In 1866 he was appointed a clerk of the Board
of Public Works of Chicago, and continued to
hold clerical positions in the city or county for
the next twenty-six years. He served success-
ively in the office of the County Clerk, Circuit
Court, as Secretary of the Board of County Com-
missioners, and from 1882 to 1892 was chancery
record writer of the Superior Court. From 1872
to 1877 he filled a position in the United States
Revenue service in Chicago, and was afterward
for a time confidential secretary of Mayor Heath.
Since 1893 he has been manager of the Chicago
interests of a firm of commission merchants in
San Francisco, California.
On the tenth of October, 1865, Mr. Filkins was
married to Sadie H. Copelin, daughter of Thomas
and Julia Copelin, who now reside at Winnetka.
Mrs. Filkins was born at the Cape of Good Hope,
her father being at that time attached to the med-
ical corps of the British army in that colony.
Mr. and Mrs. Filkins are the parents of three
children: Edward B., Claire and Arthur J. The
family attends the Episcopal Church, and Mr.
Filkins is a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic and the Illinois Society, Sons of the
American Revolution. Since attaining his major-
ity he has been a steadfast Republican. His life
has been a busy one, most of which was devoted
to the public service, in either a civil or military
capacity.
W. J. GOUDY.
247
WILLIAM J. GOUDY.
fi>C|lLLIAM JUDD GOUDY. "Like father,
\ A I like son" is a sentiment often syllabled,
Y V with little or no apparent sense; but in su-
perlative meaning may it be borne in mind while
considering the subject of this sketch, William
Judd Goudy.
Mr. Goudy, son of one of the most distin-
guished jurists who has ever lived in our midst
(the Hon. William Charles Goudy see sketch in
this volume) , was born in Chicago, June 7, 1864.
Intended by his parent for a successor in his own
professional labors, his studies were very care-
fully and classically planned in Mr. Barnes' local
School for Boys; after which he was finally fitted
to enter Princeton College by a proficient private
tutor. He entered Princeton in the fall of 1882,
in the Class of '86, at which latter time he would
have been entitled to the degree of Bachelor of
Arts.
Filled to overflowing with that pent-up energy
which craves useful and fame-bringing exercise
(so characteristic of the young men of our time),
he could not remain at literary studies beyond
the end of his third, the junior, year. At this
time, on his return home from college, he began
reading law in the office of his father, attending
lectures the while at the Chicago Law School,
from which institution, in 1887, he took a de-
gree, which entitled him to practice in the Illinois
State Courts.
His first business affiliations was as junior
partner of the firm of Goudy, Green & Goudy, of
which his honored father was the senior member.
Their office was located at No. 161 LaSalle
Street, where they made a specialty of corpora-
tion law, as well as of that branch relating to
real property, Mr. Goudy, Sr., being for a long
period General Counsel for the Chicago & North-
western Railway.
In 1892 William J. Goudy withdrew from said
firm in order to form with a friend in business life,
Mr. Robert F. Shanklin, a new firm, under the
style of Goudy & Shanklin, whose office, situated
at No. 84 La Salle Street, was the scene of many
a transaction in the mortgage brokers' arena.
If it be a lamentable truth that "Death loves a
shining mark," one cannot say further than this,
that the untimely fall of precociously ambitious
young manhood certainly strikes home with un-
wonted awfulness. The gloomy sequel of this
remorseless stroke (saddest view of all) is the not
infrequent doubt thereby brought into being
whether all things, even the termination of ex-
istence under circumstances most harrowing, real-
ly do inflexibly happen for the best. Alas, in the
sacred presence of death we can only bow, if
possible, with resignation to the Supreme, "As
Godwills!"
In the latter part of the spring of 1894 Mr.
Goudy, who had been remarkably free in youth
from juvenile diseases, was stricken, together
with his little girl, by one of the illnesses which
usually befall earlier years of life. His daughter
recovered, but the parent, as frequently occurs in
similar kinds of affliction, was, after some weeks
of painful malady, hurried into an acute pneu-
monial complication, whose end became speedily
fatal on the afternoon of Saturday, May 26, 1894.
248
W. J. GOUDY.
The Rev. Mr. Tompkins, pastor of St. James'
Episcopal Church, of which the deceased had
been a faithful attendant, officiated at the obse-
quies, after which the mortal body was borne to
Graceland Cemetery, there to rest beside the de-
parted form of his beloved father, who only the
preceding spring had been called away in even
more tragic suddenness.
True to intelligent family tradition, Mr. Goudy
was an unswerving Democrat in politics, in which
field he took a very active and influential interest,
not, however, in the way of personal glory and
preferment, but as advocate and furtherer of wise
party actions and the bringing into power of the
best citizenship. I/ong time a member of the
Waubansee Club, a very conspicuous political or-
ganization, he became one of its Directors; and
finally, at about the time of his death, was ad-
vanced to the responsible position of its President.
There has never been any division of opinion on
the part of those informed as to how well he per-
formed the exacting functions of this office. He
was likewise a member of the Union, Washing-
ton Park and University Clubs, and the Chicago
Athletic and Chicago Bar Associations.
In personal and mental characteristics there
was a marked resemblance to his illustrious fa-
ther, although, probably owing to absence of
hardships in earlier years, without some of the
rugged lines of the elder. Nothing could be
more touching than the fondness of these two
men, father and son, for each other. Despite
the disparity of ages, it was a modern exemplifi-
cation of the almost fabulous attachment of Da-
mon and Pythias of ancient times. All their
plans, thoughts and nobler emotions were enjoyed
along the unvarying higher level together. In
truth, so profound was this silent bond of union,
that one almost finds himself pondering, Was not
this unseen paternal soul force, which the year
previous had gone to his Maker, exercising, un-
known to us mortals, its inalienable birthright
with a potency which drew his son so untimely
to himself again?
As illustrating the fondness of the parent, it is
related that the father, soon after the time of his
son's marriage, built and gave him a magnificent
stone mansion, No. 46 Astor Place, at the corner
of Goethe Street, and diagonally across the street
from a small private park running by the side of
the father's mansion home, that they might al-
ways be close beside each other, actually within
full view and hailing distance while seated on
their individual premises. There is no more
complete residence to be found in our city of
choice homes than this, which was so generously
donated.
Mr. Goudy, younger, was by nature a reserved,
reticent, conservative kind of man. He gave lib-
erally, but not ostentatiously. He did not like
either to talk about himself or have others make
him the subject for conversation. He would
spare no trouble or expense to serve a friend.
He was a domestic man; a dutiful son, a faithful
devoted husband, a loving, generous father.
He was married on the I4th day of December,
1887, in this city, by the Rev. Dr. Vibbert, of St.
James' Episcopal Church, to Miss Carolyn Har-
vey Walker, with whom he enjoyed the most
perfect wedded life. She survives her deeply la-
mented husband, together with their one child,
Helen, who was born October 5, 1889.
From what data is available at this writing
concerning the family lineage of Mr. Goudy, the
reader is referred to the sketch of Hon. Will-
iam C. Goudy, to be found elsewhere herein.
Mrs. Goudy is the daughter of Samuel J. Walk-
er and Amanda (Morehead) Walker, of Chi-
cago. Mr. Walker, one of the old settlers of
the city, was during his lifetime a very active
man on the real-estate market, having at one
time accumulated quite a fortune, which suffered
heavily by the panic of 1873. The beauty of
Ashland Boulevard upon the West Side, of which
he may almost be called the father, is largely
owing to his interested foresight.
Samuel J. Walker was a son of James Walker,
of Dayton, Kentucky, who married a Miss Caro-
lyn Cooper.
Mrs. Goudy 's maternal grandfather was the
very distinguished Hon. Charles S. Morehead,
of Frankfort, Kentucky, a lawyer of rare talents,
and at one time Chief Executive of his native
state.
R. R. ROLLO.
249
RALPH R. ROLLO.
RALPH RODOLPHUS ROLLO, whose death
occurred in Chicago, March 22, 1872, was a
man of Christian principles and sterling in-
tegrity of character. He was born at Gilead,
Connecticut, on the 25th of September, 1811, and
was a son of Ralph R. Rollo and Sibyl Post,
whose genealogy may be seen in connection with
the biography of William E. Rollo, which ap-
pears upon another page of this volume.
The subject of this notice was educated at the
public schools of South Windsor, Connecticut,
and for a time was engaged in teaching in his na-
tive state. About 1838 he moved to Conneaut,
Ohio, where he kept a book store for some years.
While there he also became the editor and pub-
lisher of the Conneaut Reporter. He thus ac-
quired considerable local fame as a journalist. In
1844 he removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey,
and became the proprietor of a large rubber-man-
ufacturing establishment. This enterprise was
continued until 1861, when, at the solicitation of
his aged father, he returned to South Windsor
and resided upon the homestead farm until the
death of the latter.
The following year, 1870, he came to Chicago
and engaged in the fire-insurance business in con-
nection with his brother, William E. Rollo, who
had preceded him hither. His business career in
this city was but fairly begun when it was cut
short by an attack of pleurisy, which terminated
in his death, as above noted.
He had been an active member of the Congre-
gational Church from boyhood, and while living
in New Jersey was an Elder in the New Bruns-
wick Church of that sect. Upon coming to Chi-
cago, he united with the First Congregational
Church of this city. He had been a firm Repub-
lican in political sentiment from the organization
of the Republican party, but was seldom an active
participant in political strife. He held liberal
and progressive views upon all public questions,
and wherever his lines were cast was certain to
win numerous friends and make no enemies.
On the loth of August, 1842, Mr. Rollo was
married to Miss Gennett Chester, who still sur-
vives and is a resident of Chicago. She is a
daughter of Dr. Lemuel L. Chester and Jerusha
Clark, both of whom were natives of Connecti-
cut, and were descendants of early New England
colonists. Mrs. Rollo was born at Westmore-
land, New York, and while a child removed with
her parents to Rome, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Rollo
were the parents of four children, namely: Charles
Egbert; Alice Amelia, who died in childhood;
Lewis Chester; and Lily Agnes. All the living
reside in Chicago.
Charles Egbert Rollo was born in Conneaut,
Ohio, and was educated at the high school in East
Hartford, Connecticut, completing the course at
the age of eighteen years. He then came to Chi-
cago and became connected with the Merchants'
Insurance Company, in the capacity of special
agent. He continued with that corporation until
it succumbed to the consequences of the great fire
of 1871, when he became identified with the Trad-
ers' Insurance Company. He was afterward a
member of the firm of William E. Rollo & Com-
pany, insurance agents. In 1882 he organized
the firm of C. E. Rollo & Company, fire-insur-
ance agents and brokers, which is still engaged
in conducting a flourishing business, and occu-
pies handsome offices in the Temple Building.
Mr. Rollo is a member of the Illinois and Harvard
Clubs, and is a popular citizen socially, as well
as in business circles.
Lewis Chester Rollo was born at New Bruns-
250
STEPHEN REXFORD.
wick, New Jersey, December 23, 1858. He came
with his parents to Chicago, where he attended
the Skinner and Brown Schools, leaving the lat-
ter at the age of seventeen years, to enter the
office of W. E. Rollo & Company, insurance
agents, and he remained with them until May,
1882, when he became the junior member of the
firm of C. E. Rollo & Company, which connection
he still maintains. He was married on the
of February, 1888, to Edith May Van Schoick, a
daughter of William and Cynthia Van Schoick,
of Bloomington, Illinois. Their only child, Van
Schoick Rollo, is a boy of seven years. Mr.
Rollo is a member of the Athletic and Menoken
Clubs, and has a host of friends and acquaintances,
by whom his company is sought at all opportune
moments.
STEPHEN REXFORD.
0TEPHEN REXFORD, one of the earliest
/\ and most esteemed pioneers of Cook County,
Q) was born in Charlotte, Vermont, May 4,
1804, and died at Blue Island, Illinois, October
7, 1880. He was the second son of Benajah
Rexford, whose genealogy will be found in the
sketch of Norman Rexford, elsewhere in this
book.
While a boy, Stephen witnessed the battle of
Plattsburgh from the top of a mountain near his
home.whither he went with his father and others
for that purpose. When he was twelve years old
the family removed to Westfield, Chautauqua
County, New York, where he attended the public
schools. On reaching manhood he went to Buf-
falo, New York, and became a clerk for a commis-
sion firm of that city. He continued with this
firm several years, winning the confidence and es-
teem of his employers to a remarkable degree, and
by their advice, in June, 1832, hewentto Chicago
with a view to engaging in a commission business
in that place. After a year or two, however, he
decided to engage in farming, and so took up a
"claim" at Bachelor's Grove, being one of the
four single men for whom that place was named.
He built a large double log house, then the most
pretentious residence in that part of the country,
and otherwise improved this farm, which he con-
tinued to own for many years. A few years after
coming to this county he and his brother Norman
purchased most of the land on the east side of
Western Avenue, in the present village of Blue
Island, and in 1843 he removed thither and began
dealing in general merchandise, erecting for that
purpose a large building, which he purchased at
Hobart, Indiana, and which was brought to Blue
Island in pieces by team. He also built a large
warehouse on the "feeder" to the Illinois
and Michigan Canal, and engaged in shipping
grain, lumber and provisions on quite an exten-
sive scale. When the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific Railroad was built, however, and the
canal ceased to be a route of commerce, he dis-
posed of his warehouse and dealt in live stock.
He carried on an extensive business, his method
being to purchase large droves of cattle in central
and southern Illinois, have them driven to Blue
Island, where he fattened them on the prairies
adjacent for the Chicago market. Subsequently
he disposed of his business in Blue Island and
again engaged in farming for a few years, later
returning to Blue Island where he lived several
years before his death.
In the year 1835 Mr. Rexford married Miss
Susan Wattles, daughter of Chandler Wattles, of
Ripley, New York, where Mrs. Rexford was
J. A. SEXTON.
251
born. She died in Blue Island in 1849, having
borne her husband the following children: Julia
Ellen, wife of Dr. Charles Morgan, of Chicago;
Susan Eliza, wife of Dr. John Waughop, of Fort
Steilacoom, Washington; Alma, superintendent
of the Home for the Friendless, in Chicago;
Sarah Elsie (Mrs. E. E. Bellamy), of O' Neil,
Holt County, Nebraska; and Anna Louise (Mrs.
Charles A. Bellamy), of Chicago. After the
death of his first wife, Mr. Rexford married Miss
Elvira Barber, of Wardsboro, Vermont, who still
resides at Blue Island. To the last union were
born the following children: Stephen Barber,
who is deceased; Henry Lee, of Chicago; Fannie
Isabel (Mrs. John H. Clark), of Longwood, Illi-
nois; Lewis Averill, of Seattle, Washington; and
Mary Gushing (Mrs. Joseph P. Eames), of Blue
Island.
In religious faith Mr. Rexford was a Universal-
ist, being a member of the church of that denom-
ination at Blue Island. In early life he was a rigid
Democrat, but with Buchanan's administration he
changed his political adherence, becoming a very
stanch Republican. He was one of the three
commissioners appointed to divide Cook County
into townships, and served as postmaster at Blue
Island for many years, and as supervisor of
Worth Township for several years. Beyond this
he did not aspire, and he refused to consider fur-
ther promotions which were offered him. During
his residence in Chicago he was at one time at
Fort Dearborn with Colonel Whistler, and assisted
in throwing out the provisions to the assembled
Indians, which were given them by the United
States Govenment in accordance with a treaty
made previous to their removal from Illinois.
Mr. Rexford always averred that the distribution
was made in a most unjust fashion, the goods
being thrown from an upper window and the In-
dians dividing them according to their respective
strength and agility in seizing them.
Mr. Rexford was a man of exemplary charac-
ter and distinctive business qualifications, and
bore an important part in the transformation of
Cook County from the hunting-grounds of a sav-
age race to the abode of a populous, civilized
community.
COL. JAMES A. SEXTON.
EOL. JAMES ANDREW SEXTON, a rep-
resentative Chicago business man, and one
of the most efficient Postmasters of the city, is
descended from Scotch and Irish ancestors. Ex-
tended mention of his father, Stephen Sexton, will
be found on another page of this volume. His
maternal grandmother was a relative of President
Andrew Jackson, for whom Colonel Sexton re-
ceived his second baptismal name.
James A. Sexton is among Chicago's most
worthy sons, having been born ten years after his
parents' arrival here on the 5th of January,
1844. His youth was spent in his native city,
the public schools furnishing all the training
given to his mind, except that afforded by his
varied experiences the latter forming, perhaps,
the most practical and valuable portion of his ed-
ucation. Within a few days after he saw his be-
loved parents placed in their last resting-place,
the land was convulsed by the sound of civil war.
He was then but little past his seventeenth birth-
day anniversary, but he at once enrolled his name
among the defenders of the Union. He first en-
listed April 19, and went out on the 2ist as a pri-
252
J. A. SEXTON.
vate in the three-months service. At the expi-
ration of that period he was appointed a sergeant
and authorized to recruit Company I, Fifty -first
Volunteer Infantry, of which he was to be Cap-
tain. In June, 1862, he was transferred to Com-
pany E, Sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and pro-
moted to a lieutenancy, and within three months
thereafter was elected Captain of a company re-
cruited under the auspices of the Young Men's
Christian Association of Chicago, which became
Company D, Seventy-second Illinois.
He commanded the regiment at the battles of
Columbia, Duck River, Spring Hill, Franklin
and Nashville, Tennessee, and in the Nashville
campaign. In 1865 he was assigned to duty on
the staff of Gen. A. J. Smith, Sixteenth Army
Corps, acting as Provost-Marshal, and served until
the close of the war, leaving a record on its an-
nals which added lustre to the pages, and which
will compare favorably with that of any officer
from Illinois. At Spanish Fort, on the 8th of
April, 1865, Colonel Sexton's left leg was broken
by a piece of a shell which exploded over his
head. He also received gunshot wounds at
Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. The Seven-
ty-second bore a part in seven battles and eleven
skirmishes, being under the enemy's fire one
hundred and forty-five days. It went out with a
force of nine hundred and sixty-seven officers
and men, and came back with three hundred and
thirty-two. During its three years' service it had
received two hundred and thirty-four recruits
more than two-thirds the total number mustered
out at the close of the war.
After the close of hostilities Colonel Sexton
purchased a plantation in Alabama, which he
tilled two years, and then returned to Chicago,
which has ever since been his home. Soon after
his return he engaged in the foundry business,
founding the immense stove factory now opera-
ted by Cribben, Sexton & Company, occupying
large grounds on Erie Street.
Colonel Sexton takes a sincere interest in Grand
Army affairs, and is a Past Commander of the
Department of Illinois. He is a member of the
Loyal Legion, the Chicago Union Veteran Club,
the Veteran Union League, and a Mason of high
degree; has held the highest positions in them,
and is an honored and esteemed comrade and
friend in all. He has never applied for nor re-
ceived a pension.
On the 22d of February, 1868, Colonel Sexton
married Miss Laura L. Wood, daughter of Will-
iam Wood and Dorcas Sophronia Case. Her fa-
ther was of English birth, and the mother a lineal
descendant of a Revolutionary soldier, and repre-
sentative of one of the earliest American families.
Mrs. Sexton died in October, 1876, leaving four
sons. In 1878 another wife was taken, in the
person of Augusta Loewe, who is of German ex-
traction. Five daughters have blessed this union,
and the children of the family are named in order
of birth as follows: Stephen W., George W., Ira
J., Franklin Tecumseh, Laura A., Mabel Ne-
vada, Leola Logan, Edith M. and Alice E.
A recent publication compiled by the Chicago
Postoffice Clerks' Association says of Colonel
Sexton in most fitting terms:
"A veritable and notable son of Illinois is Col.
James A. Sexton. He is a man of noble and
dignified appearance, and is essentially a self-
made man in the true sense of the term. He was
appointed Postmaster of Chicago by President
Harrison, May i, 1889, and his administration
has been so superior as to receive merited recog-
nition from the department at Washington and
the public which is served at this office, and that
means the entire civilized world, in one way and
another. While Colonel Sexton was not trained
in postoffice duties, he has evinced remarkable
administrative ability in his management of the
second office in the United States, as to the ex-
tent of business and amount of mail matter han-
dled. He has administered the duties of the im-
portant trust confided to him with fidelity and
competency, and has evinced singular ability
and aptitude; is zealous, vigilant and competent,
hence the man especially needed at the helm, so
to speak, of this great office, which is now man-
aged with the accuracy of a mathematical form-
ula; brought about by his skill, tact and constant
attention. He is patient, persevering, industri-
ous, of urbane and unassuming manner, always
at his post of duty, and does his work conscien-
E. J. ADAMS.
253
tiously and well; has deliberation and discretion,
which are essential requisites to success in the
head of the postoffice. He is always calm and
self-reliant, under the evident consciousness that
he is able to perform the work before him; has
none of the pretenses of a vain man , and none of
the hesitancy of a weak one. He has been influ-
ential with the department at Washington in se-
curing needed reforms and appropriations in the
interest of the office, and hence the public. There
seems to have been a certain leaven of intellectual
and moral power formed in him, or infused there,
which has been the prime impetus in spurring
the powers of his youth and impelling the ener-
gies of his manhood."
EUGENE J. ADAMS.
[TUGENE JOSEPH ADAMS, a native of
ry Chicago, who has spent half his life in rail-
I road service in this city, was born Decem-
ber 6, 1862. He is a son of Thomas and Joan
(Burke) Adams. Thomas Adams was born in
the parish of Emily, County Tipperary, Ireland,
and died in Chicago, August 27, 1893, at the age
of sixty years. About 1850 he emigrated to
America and located in Chicago, where he soon
obtained employment as a clerk in the postoffice,
under Postmaster Isaac Cook. He served in this
capacity eight or nine years, at the end of which
time he became baggage agent of the Pittsburg
& Fort Wayne Railroad. He served this corpo-
ration at its Chicago terminal until the Union
Passenger Station was built, in 1881. At that
date he became the General Baggage Agent of
the Union Depot Company, supervising the
handling of all the baggage transported by the
five lines entering that station. He continued to
discharge the duties of this position up to the time
of his death, a fact which attests his faithfulness
and capability. He was a member of the Roman
Catholic Church and an adherent of the Demo-
cratic party.
Mrs. Joan Adams, who still resides in Chicago,
was born at Elgin, Illinois. She is a daughter
of Eugene Burke, an early settler at that place,
who died there in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Adams
were the parents of eight children, all now resi-
dents of Chicago, to whose training and education
the parents gave especial attention. Their names
are: Eugene J., Margaret V., Samuel M., James
J., John F., Mazie E. , Harry S. and Elizabeth.
Eugene J. Adams attended St. Patrick's Com-
mercial Academy and afterward took an eighteen-
months course at Bryant & Stratton's Business
College. At the age of sixteen years he became
a clerk in his father's office, and was continuously
connected therewith up to the time of the latter's
death. He succeeded his father as General Bag-
gage Master at the Union Station, a position for
which he was amply fitted by experience and
training, and which he acceptably fills at the
present time. Fifty men are required to handle
the baggage which passes through this station,
and twenty-five others are employed in taking
care of the United States mails which arrive and
depart therefrom. Mr. Adams supervises the
work of these-departments with an ease and alac-
rity born of years of practice and experience, and
enjoys to an unusual degree the confidence of
the corporations served by the terminal company.
His position is one requiring constant and unre-
mitting attention, and permits of no vacations or
holidays throughout the entire year. Compara-
tively few of the people who constitute the trav-
eling public realize or appreciate to what extent
STEPHEN SEXTON.
their comfort or convenience depends upon the
prompt and systematic labors performed by Mr.
Adams and his assistants.
In 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. Adams
and Miss Helen E. Rowan, daughter of Joseph
and Elizabeth Rowan, of Chicago. A son is the
fruit of this union, now four years of age, and
bearing the name of Thomas. Mr. Adams and
his family are members of the Lawndale Catholic
Church, and Mr. Adams is a member of the
Royal I,eague. He has been a Democrat from
boyhood, though he never participates in active
politics. His life has been devoted strictly to the
performance of duty, and his rapid promotion is
due to his energy, punctuality and capacity.
STEPHEN SEXTON.
(STEPHEN SEXTON, among the pioneer
7\ residents of Chicago, is deserving of especial
Q) mention in this volume. His father, Syl-
vester Sexton, in whose veins the Scottish blood
flowed, was born in County Clare, Ireland, and
came to the United States in 1808. He settled
at Rochester, New York, where he died in 1810,
shortly before the birth of his son Stephen. The
latter was the youngest of eight children. He
grew up in Rochester, where he married Ann
Gaughan, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland,
as were her parents, Thomas and Margaret (Jack-
son) Gaughan. The last-named was a relative
of President Andrew Jackson, for whom her
grandson (see sketch on another page) received
his second Christian name. Thomas Gaughan
was numbered among the van of Chicago settlers,
having located on the site of what is now South
Chicago in 1819. He died there in 1827, and his
widow survived until 1864, reaching the age of
ninety-three years.
Stephen Sexton was a pioneer settler in Chi-
cago, coming here early in the year 1834, and
locating on the North Side. He was a carpenter
by occupation, and became very well known as
an expert draughtsman, builder and contractor.
One of the first public schoolhouses in Chicago
was erected by him. He was an ardent Demo-
crat, and took an active part in political move-
ments during the early days. He died April 7,
1 86 1, having been preceded to the other shore
eleven days by his wife, who died on the 2jth
of March, that year. They had eight sons and
four daughters who grew to maturity. Margaret
Elizabeth married James E. Cassidy, and also
reared twelve children; Thomas S., for many
years an employe of the Chicago postoffice, died
in December, 1889; Mary Ann married James
E. Ennis, and reared nine children, all of whom
graduated at the Chicago High School; three died
in early childhood, and James A. is the seventh;
William H. is a citizen of New Orleans, Louisi-
ana; Sarah E. married John Highland, of Chica-
go, who was a Sergeant in Colonel Sexton's com-
pany of the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry;
Henry M. is superintendent of the refrigerator-
car service of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railway, being the inventor of the cars used;
George M. is a resident of Chicago; Eliza married
George B. Hopkins, who is superintendent of a
western division of the Wells-Fargo Express;
Austin O. and Joseph W. are residents of Chica-
go, the former being a prominent Democratic pol-
itician, who served several years in the City Coun-
cil and eight years as a Member of the Illinois
Legislature; and Louis N. resides in Liverpool,
England. All the daughters are deceased, and
seven of the sons are still living.
&. B. MCLEAN.
255
ARCHIBALD B. McLEAN.
61 RCHIBALD BRUCE McLEAN. It is a re-
LJ markable circumstance that this gentleman,
/ | although he has attained the age of over
seventy-five years and has spent the greater part
of this time either in active business or military
service, has never been a witness of an accident.
He was born at Stirling, Scotland, a locality teem-
ing with romantic interest and historic reminiscen-
ces, on the 7th of April, 1820. Both his parents
were worthy representatives of the Scotch nation .
His father, Alexander McLean, who was born
at Callendar, became a cabinet-maker at Stirling,
where his death occurred when Archibald was
but three years old. The mother, Elizabeth
(Robinson) McLean, was a native of Bannock-
burn. After reaching the age of eighty years
she came to America, and died at Brooklyn, New
York, in 1871, at the venerable age of one hun-
dred and one years and two months. She was
the youngest of a family of ten children which
was conspicuous for the longevity of its members.
Her eldest brother, James Robinson, reached the
age of one hundred and fifteen years, dying at
Glengary, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander
McLean were the parents of seven sons, four of
whom still survive. James is a business man of
Glasgow, Scotland. Alexander and George are
citizens, respectively, of Brooklyn and Albany,
New York. John died in Cork, Ireland, after
serving fifteen years in the British army. Neal
died in a hospital from the effects of wounds re-
ceived during the great American Civil War; and
Archibald B. is the next in order of birth. Don-
ald, the eldest of the family, died in boyhood.
Archibald B. McLean grew to manhood in his
native town, and at the age often years began to
learn the tailor's trade, an occupation which he
has continued ever since, with the exception of
the time spent in military service. At the age of
seventeen years he entered the British army as a
member of the Seventy-first Highland Light In-
fantry, which was soon afterward ordered to Can-
ada to assist in quelling the rebellion then in
progress in that colony. He saw considerable
skirmish duty during this expedition, and was
stationed most of the time at Montreal or St.
John's, Canada.
In 1843 he was discharged from the service of
the Crown, and, coming to the United States, lo-
cated at Albany, New York, where he worked at
his trade for the next two years. At the end of
that time he enlisted in the United States navy
and embarked on the seventy-four-gun ship "Col-
umbus," which sailed from Brooklyn, New York,
upon a voyage around the world. While at a
Chinese port the crew first heard of the war be-
tween the United States and Mexico and received
orders to sail for the coast of California. Upon
their arrival they patroled that coast until the
close of hostilities, when they returned to the
Atlantic Coast by way of Cape Horn. The voy-
age, which terminated at Norfolk, Virginia, had
lasted for thirty-five months, during which time
they had sailed sixty-eight thousand miles.
Mr. McLean again went to Albany and opened
a tailoring establishment, carrying on business at
that place until 1854, when he came to Chicago
and engaged in business on Randolph Street.
Three years later he removed to Janesville, Wis-
consin. Here he carried on a merchant-tailoring
establishment until the outbreak of the rebellion,
when he was again, seized with the spirit of mil-
256
R. N. TRIMINGHAM.
itary enthusiasm. Soon after the fall of Fort
Sumter he recruited Company D of the Second
Wisconsin Infantry, and, declining a Captain's
commission, became the First Lieutenant thereof.
He reached the field with his regiment in time
to take part in the disastrous battle of Bull
Run, and after serving six months resigned his
commission and applied for a position in the Ma-
rine Corps. Having passed the prescribed age,
and the officers not being aware of his past naval
experience, his services were declined, and he re-
enlisted in Company C, of the Twenty-seventh
Wisconsin. He chose the position of color-bearer,
and served in that capacity until the close of hos-
tilities. Though he was constantly exposed to
the fire of the enemy, taking part in many of the
bloodiest engagements of the war, Mr. McLean
received no wounds and was never in a hospital.
After participating in the battles of Fort Donel-
son, Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, he took
part in General Shield's expedition in Arkansas.
This campaign encountered fourteen general en-
gagements in twenty-one days, besides meeting a
great deal of guerrilla warfare. After the close of
the campaign he was sent to Mobile and took
part in the siege of that place, which terminated
the war.
After peace came he remained one year in
Janesville, but in 1866 again located in Chicago,
where he was continuously engaged in merchant
tailoring until June, 1894, when he resigned the
business to his son, W. S. McLean, who had
previously been for some years a partner in the
business. During the twenty-nine years' exist-
ence of this establishment it has won and retained
a valuable patronage and is still in a flourishing
condition.
On the nth of April, 1849, Mr. McLean was
married to Margaret Shields, a native of Elgin,
Moray shire, Scotland. Four children have been
born to them, all of whom are residents of this
city. They are: William S., the present successor
of his father in business; Archibald, who is also
connected with the establishment; George, who
has charge of a department in the great wholesale
establishment of Marshall Field & Co. ; and Isa-
bella, now the wife of William L. Melville. Mr.
and Mrs. McLean are the proud grandparents of
eight children.
For over forty years Mr. McLean has been con-
nected with the Masonic order, and although he
has been at times a member of other societies, is
not identified with any other organization at the
present time. He has been a steadfast Repub-
lican from the organization of that party, and has
ever been a patriotic and public-spirited citizen of
the land of his adoption.
RALPH N. TRIMINGHAM.
RALPH N. TRIMINGHAM, Secretary of the
Chicago Underwriters' Association, is one of
the best known insurance men in the city.
He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, Sep-
tember 2, 1838, and is the eldest son of Ralph
and Ann (Brine) Trimingham, and a member of
one of the oldest Colonial families.
The Trimingham family was founded in Ber-
muda by James Trimingham, who emigrated
thither from England during the reign of Charles
II. and died there April i, 1735, The mercan-
tile house which he established and conducted
there during his lifetime was inherited and en-
larged by successive generations of his descen-
dants. He was the father of four sons and two
daughters. Of these, John, the third son, mar-
ried Elizabeth Jones. Francis, the third son of
this couple, died in 1813. He inherited the rare
R. N. TRIMINGHAM.
257
commercial instincts of his ancestors, and under
his able guidance the business assumed extensive
proportions, and branch houses were established
in the Barbadoes, St. Vincent, and St. John's,
Newfoundland. Several of his sons became
partners in the concern, and continued the busi-
ness for some time after his death. The firm
owned a number of vessels and maintained exten-
sive trade between the places above mentioned
and various ports in Great Britain and South
America.
Francis Trimingham married Frances Light-
bourn, and they were the parents of eight chil-
dren, the youngest of whom was Ralph, father of
the subject of this notice. The last-named gen-
tleman, who was born at Bermuda in 1801, re-
moved while a young man to St. John's, taking
charge of the company's interests at that place.
He was married there, and about 1847 removed
to Baltimore, Maryland, where the firm of which
he was a member also established a mercantile
house. Four years later he disposed of his inter-
est in the business, and in 1851 removed to St.
Vincent, where he turned his attention to agri-
culture and operated a large sugar plantation for
the next four years. He then came to Chi-
cago, and for a brief period re-engaged in mer-
chandising, but soon retired from active business.
His death occurred in 1869, at the age of sixty-
eight years. His wife survived until August,
1874, departing this life at the age of sixty-three
years. She was born in Newfoundland and was
a daughter of Robert and Ann Brine. They
came from the South of England and settled at
St. John's, where Mr. Brine was for many years
a prosperous merchant.
Ralph N. Trimingham was educated at private
schools, it being the intention of his parents to
give him a college education and fit him for
the Episcopal ministry. This purpose had to be
abandoned, however, and at the age of sixteen
years he entered upon his business career as clerk
in a lawyer's office at St. Vincent. His subse-
quent occupations have usually been of a clerical
order, and he seems to be peculiarly adapted for
the accurate, methodical labors which are so es-
sential to success in such avocations. For some
time previous to the departure of the family from
St. Vincent he was employed as cashier in a dry-
goods store, and his first occupation in Chicago
was of a similar nature. A few years after locat-
ing here he entered the office of Magill & La-
tham, vessel-owners and commission merchants,
with whom he remained for some time. He sub-
sequently became a bookkeeper for his uncle,
William Brine, who was a commission merchant
operating upon the Board of Trade.
Since 1866 he has been identified with the fire-
underwriting interests of the city. His first con-
nection in that line was with the Home Insurance
Company of New York, under the management
of Gen. A. C. Ducat, with whom he remained
for a little over ten years. After leaving the em-
ploy of the Home he for a short time became en-
gaged in mercantile pursuits, but soon re-entered
the business of fire insurance. In 1882 he was
elected Secretary of the Underwriters' Exchange,
a combination of insurance companies, and when
the members of that organization united with
those of the Chicago Board of Underwriters in
forming the Chicago Fire Underwriters' Associa-
tion, an institution organized for a similar pur-
pose, he continued to serve the new concern in
the same capacity. In 1894 the last-named cor-
poration was succeeded by the Chicago Under-
writers' Association. In recognition of his expe-
rience and previous services, Mr. Trimingham
was elected Secretary of the new association, and
the performance of his duties to these successive
organizations has absorbed his time and attention
since 1885.
On the i6th of April, 1885, he was married to
Miss Carrie J., daughter of Robert G. Goodwillie,
an early resident of Chicago. They are the par-
ents of two daughters, named, respectively, Eliz-
abeth and Anna. For thirty-eight years Mr.
Trimingham held membership with the Third
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, in which, for
seventeen years, he was Elder and Clerk of the
Session. He is now Elder of the First Presby-
terian Church at Oak Park, where he lives. He
has been identified with the Masonic order for
the last twenty years, being a member of Cleve-
land Lodge, Washington Chapter and Siloam
2,58
G. W. BARNARD.
Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he is
Past Eminent Commander. His life has been
marked by diligent, punctual habits and the con-
scientious observance of upright principles. He
has witnessed the growth and development of
Chicago for nearly forty years, and during all that
time he has spent but little time out of the city,
his chief recreation being found in his domestic
and social relations.
GILBERT W. BARNARD.
/2JILBERT WORDSWORTH BARNARD is
j_ well known amid Masonic circles through-
\^\ out America and Europe, and has a world-
wide reputation for sterling character, accommo-
dating manners, and devotion to the interests of
the order. He was born at Palmyra, Wayne
County, New York, June i, 1834, and is the son
of George Washington Barnard, whose death oc-
curred previous to the birth of this son. The
father of George W. Barnard, whose name was
spelled Bernarde, was a Frenchman. Following
the noble example of the immortal La Fayette,
he came to America to enlist in the cause of free-
dom, and upon the termination of the conflict
settled in western New York, where he married
and became the father of two sons. The elder
of these died without issue, and the second lived
and died in Wayne County, that state. The lat-
ter became the captain of a passenger packet on
the Erie Canal, a position of considerable import-
ance in his time. His wife, Sabrina Deming,
was a native of New York, and now resides in
Howard City, Michigan, at the extreme old age
of eighty years, her present name being Preston.
Gilbert W. Barnard was reared in the family of
his maternal grandfather. David Demming, a na-
tive of Connecticut, who removed to Jackson
County, Michigan, soon after his grandson be-
came a member of his family. The Demming
family was founded in America by four brothers,
who settled in Connecticut early in the seven-
teenth century. The name was originally spelled
Dummund, but by a process of evolution peculiar
to foreign names in America, it became Demming,
and was contracted by the present generation by
the omission of one " m."
The subject of this biography spent the first
fifteen years of his life in Jackson County, Mich-
igan, whence he came to Chicago and began his
business career as clerk in a general store. He
afterward engaged in the book and stationery
business, which line of trade he carried on for
several years, achieving a reputation for upright
and honorable dealing, and winning the esteem
and confidence of his fellow-citizens. During the
first year of his residence in Chicago he joined
the volunteer fire department, and during the next
nine or ten years rendered much valuable service
to the city.
In October, 1864, he joined the Masonic order
and has ever since been actively identified with
its interests. He has taken over three hundred
degrees known to Masonry, and has filled most
of the principal offices in the subordinate and
grand lodges. He is at present Past Master of
Garden City Lodge; Past High Priest of Cor-
rinthian Chapter No. 69, R. A. M.; Past Emi-
nent Commander of St. Bernard Commandery
No. 35, Knights Templar; Past Commander-in-
Chief of Oriental Consistory ; Grand Secretary of
the Grand Chapter; Grand Recorder of the Grand
Council and of the Grand Commandery; and
Grand Secretary of the Council of Deliberation,
S. P. R. S., and other bodies.
OF THE
I.;:VZP,SITY OF itur
JACOB MANZ.
JACOB MANZ.
259
In 1877 he was elected Secretary of the Capit-
ular, Cryptic and Chivalric Grand Bodies of the
State of Illinois, a position he has ever since filled,
and has devoted the best years of his life to the
interests of the fraternity, administering to the
wants of his brethren, and relieving the needs of
their widows and orphans in distress. His sig-
nal ability and unrelenting efforts in the perform-
ance of his duties have won for him a host of
friends and admirers. He has labored untiringly
in behalf of the Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home,
of which he was the first Secretary, and through
his active efforts has contributed much to the up-
building of that worthy institution.
His long connection with the Ancient Accepted
Scottish Rite has placed him in correspondence
with all branches of the order in all parts of the
world. His commodious quarters in the Masonic
Temple are general headquarters for Masonic
affairs, and the resort of brethren from every civ-
ilized country on the globe. They contain an
ample library, and are filled with numerous other
articles of use or interest to members of the fra-
ternity .
Mr. Barnard was married in 1863, and one child,
a daughter, is still living, he having lost three
children.
JACOB MANZ.
QACOB MANZ, one of the self-made men of
I Chicago, and prominent among its Swiss-
(*/ American citizens, is an excellent representa-
tive of the benefits of a Republican Government.
He was born October i, 1837, ' m Marthalen, in
the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, in which his
grandparents and parents, Jacob and Elizabeth
(Keller) Manz, were also born.
Jacob Manz, Sr., was a stone-cutter in early
life, and became an architect and superintendent,
which indicates that he made the best use of his
faculties and opportunities. Having heard much
of the wonderful republic beyond the seas, he
came to America in 1853, to ascertain for himself
if it afforded better opportunities for an ambitious
man than his native land. He spent six months
at L,ima, Ohio, and came to Chicago in the spring
of 1854. He soon decided to remain here, and
wrote to his wife to dispose of their property in
Switzerland and follow him, with the children.
On account of the youth of some of the latter,
whose studies were not yet completed, as well as
the difficulty of disposing of the property to ad-
vantage, the move was postponed until death pre-
vented the meeting again on earth of husband
and wife. The latter died in 1860, at the age of
fifty-eight years. Mr. Manz did some building
in Chicago, but was forced in a short time to give
up business by the failure of his sense of hearing.
His latter years were occupied in carving marble
monuments, and he died in 1886, aged eighty-
four years, leaving two sons and two daughters.
Marguerite, the eldest, is the wife of Ulrich
Liechty, residing at Polk City, Iowa. Elizabeth,
Mrs. Toggenburger, is living at Bluffton, Ohio,
near which place the younger son, William, also
resides.
Jacob Manz, the elder son and third mature
child of his parents, grew up in his native village,
attending the public schools until his thirteenth
year. He was then apprenticed to a firm of wood-
engravers in Schaflhausen, with whom he re-
mained until sixteen years old. Through the
dissolution of partnership of his employers, he
was unable to finish the prescribed term of his ap-
prenticeship, but his natural ability and industry
260
HUGO NEUBERGER.
had already made him a skillful engraver. He
immediately set out for America, crossing the
ocean on a sailing-vessel, and arriving in Chicago
in the middle of July, 1855. He soon found em-
ployment with S. D. Childs & Company, with
whom he continued six years, and was next for
five years in the employ of W. D. Baker, a well-
known Chicago engraver. His long terms in
these connections are sufficient indication of his
faithfulness and skill. After a short period with
Bond & Chandler, Mr. Manz formed a partner-
ship with another engraver and went into busi-
ness for himself, late in 1866.
The firm was known as Maas & Manz, and was
first located at the corner of Clark and Washing-
ton Streets, and was two years later moved to
Dearborn and Madison. While here, Mr. Manz
became the sole proprietor of the business, by
purchasing the interest of his partner, and was a
very heavy loser in the great fire of 1871, realiz-
ing almost nothing of insurance. He had faith,
however, in himself and the city, and very soon
opened a shop on West Madison Street, near
Union, whence he shortly removed to Clinton
and Lake Streets. He subsequently occupied
locations on LaSalle, Madison and Dearborn
Streets, and is now established at Nos. 183 to 187
Monroe Street. The business, in the mean time,
has kept pace with the growth of the city and
the improvements in the art of engraving. It is
now conducted by an incorporated company,
known as J. Manz & Company, of which Mr.
Manz is President, F. D. Montgomery Vice-
President, and Alfred Bersbach Secretary and
Treasurer. Every process of engraving adaptable
to the printing-press is carried on, and about one
hundred people are employed in the establish-
ment.
The genial and benevolent character of Mr.
Manz has naturally led to participation in the
work of many social and charitable organiza-
tions. He is a member of the Sons of Hermann,
Schweizer Maennerchor, Swiss Benevolent Socie-
ty, Germania Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, and Gauntlet Lodge, Knights of Pythias,
also of the Royal League and National Union. In
religious faith, he adheres to the Swiss Reformed
Church, and has been a Democrat in political
preference since 1876. His only visit to the home
of his childhood was made in the summer of 1894,
when he made a tour of interesting localities in
Europe.
Mr. Manz has been twice married. January 6,
1859, he wedded Miss Carolina Knoepfli, who
died September 7, 1866. She was a native of
Ossingen, Switzerland. Two of her children are
living, namely: Caroline and William Manz.
November 24, 1867, Mr. Manz married Johanna
Hesse, who was born in Crivitz, Mecklenburg.
Germany. Her children are Ida, Paul, Adolph
and Helena Manz.
HUGO NEUBERGER.
HUGO NEUBERGER. Germans as a class
are a thrifty people, and when, after some
years, those who have come from the Fa-
therland return to pay their visits to old, loved
scenes, their friends wonder at the wealth Fort-
une has allowed them to so quickly acquire
in our beloved country of such advantages; for
here each man is equal in the eyes, not only of
God, but the law; here he may do as he pleases,
so long as he does not commit a crime or trespass
upon the rights of his neighbors. Politically,
they are formidable too, for we can see in the
election of Governor Altgeld what power is theirs
when they unite upon a candidate.
A man of influence among his fellow-citizens
was Hugo Neuberger, who was born at Camberg,
HUGO NEUBERGER.
261
near Frankfort, Germany, on the 8th day of April,
1819. He came of a good family, one of his
brothers afterward becoming Mayor of his native
place, in which office he was continued for a
period of twenty years. Hugo, being a younger
son, and denied, according to the laws of the Old
World, some of the rights and advantages of an
elder child, like so many other enterprising young
men, came to this country to seek his fortune (or,
let us say, to make his fortune) , in 'boy hood. He
settled very soon after his arrival in his life-long
home, Chicago, which he grew to love with that
strong attachment entertained by all the old set-
tlers, who have seen its wonderful rise from a
sandy lowland (not unlike a part of Holland) to
its present growth as the metropolis of the Mis-
sissippi Valley, and destined before long to be-
come one of the most powerful cities of the globe.
He bought, after many exchanges (for he was
a man of speculation, a typical American, always
ready for a trade), the valuable piece of property
now known as Nos. 284 and 286 North Clark
Street, about the year 1860. Here he built a
substantial frame house, used as a grocery and
(according to the Old Country custom) a beer
hall combined, with his residence adjoining.
This was destroyed some years after his death,
in the great fire of 1871. His widow rebuilt more
substantially in brick a structure of three stories,
now used as dwelling flats, having by self-denial
and unusual good sense been able to keep the
property and family together, and to see the latter
properly brought up to become useful members
of the community.
Mr. Neuberger had been a landscape-gardener
in Germany; but it is needless to remark in those
early days there was no demand for such services
in this vicinity, although no doubt at this date,
were he again to come among us as he did so
many years ago, his able intelligence would be
eagerly sought by the owners of some of our pal-
atial residences, for we have already grown to
number in our midst some of the finest homes
to be found anywhere in the country. Accord-
ingly, he turned his active mind to something that
was practicable in those days, from which he had
the satisfaction of knowing that he died in fair
circumstances, and future advances certainly con-
spired to give to his family who survived him a
success in life which at that time could not have
been altogether foreseen.
He was a consistent Democrat, voting regularly
but never seeking office. He was a Catholic in
faith, although his family, like their mother, have
altogether embraced the Lutheran tenets. As a
citizen he was law-abiding and reliable and had
many friends. He died in July, 1863, and was
buried in the family lot in Graceland Cemetery.
Had he lived to more mature years he would have
been justly proud of his family, whom it was fated
he should be taken from in middle life.
Mr. Neuberger married, May 25, 1854, Miss
Magdalena Ludwig, of Detroit, Michigan, a
daughter of Simon and Margaret (Knaben) Lud-
wig, who emigrated from Baden, Germany. She
was born in the City of Straits, July 18, 1835,
removing to this city in early life, where she
grew to know and love the subject of this sketch;
and although widowed in early life, she has been
faithful to his memory ever since, as she will die,
filled with the trust of guiding aright the family
of young people entrusted by God to her moth-
erly charge. All of them have grown to be a
comfort to her, respectable members of the com-
munity, and some of them with descendants who
call her "Grandma." It is owing to her watch-
ful care during the past more than thirty years
that her children grew up in honor, and that they
could be kept together in a home, and with a
property left them (of comparatively little value
at the time) now grown to be of considerable
worth.
Four children were the fruits of their happy,
though short, wedded life. Louise, born April 3,
1855, married, April 5, 1883, Julian Vaudeberge,
of Chicago, an editor in good standing; they have
two children, Madeline Marie and Julian. Ba-
betta married, in 1892, David J. Lyons, of the
merchant police force, who unfortunately died the
following year, leaving no children. Magdalene
is unmarried. Hugo George married, in 1887,
Miss Emma L. Hunting, of Chicago, who died
in 1892, leaving two children, Anna Louise and
Florence Augusta. He has been for some years a
262
E. F. PEUGEOT.
commercial traveler, but at present is employed
on the merchant police.
We thus see that Mr. Neuberger established
one of the representative German families of the
city, whose members, as they grow more and
more into harmony with American ideas, will
bring honor and fame to his name. Therefore it
is eminently fitting that his history should be
preserved herein, that those who shall follow in
after years may gain a faint idea of the early life
of this Chicago pioneer.
EDWARD F. PEUGEOT.
ITDWARD FREDERICK PEUGEOT, an
1^ early citizen of Chicago, and at one time a
I leading merchant and importer, was born in
Buffalo, New York, September 8, 1836, and was
the son of Peter Peugeot, a native of France. He
was also a relative of Peugeot Brothers, the fa-
mous bicycle manufacturers of Paris. Peter Peu-
geot was a highly esteemed citizen of Buffalo,
New York, to which city he removed from France
in 1833. He was engaged several years in the
hardware business, and as a manufacturer of ma-
chinery, but, having amassed a competency, he
retired from active business twenty years before
his death, which occurred November 22, 1875, in
the seventy -fourth year of his age, having been a
resident of Buffalo forty-two years. His wife, De-
siree, nee Sachet, also a native of France, survived
him, and her death occurred in November, 1886.
They were the parents of thirteen children, all
but two of whom died before their father. Ellen
J. became the wife of Judge W. M. Oliver, ol
Buffalo, and died at San Marcial, New Mexico,
while there trying to restore her health. An-
other daughter, Amelia, now deceased, became
the wife of George P. Bird, now a wealthy mill-
owner in Helena, Montana.
The other survivor was Edward, the subject
of this sketch, who came to Chicago in 1857,
when twenty-one years of age, and displayed
great ability in building up the largest toy im-
porting house in the West, which was known as
Peugeot's Variety Store. During the time when
his business was largest, he made annual visits
to France to select goods. He was the local rep-
resentative of some of the largest and best known
manufacturing companies in France. When Chi-
cago was destroyed in 1871, he lost everything,
and, on account of the failure of the local insur-
ance companies, caused by the unparalleled mag-
nitude of their losses, he realized nothing from
that source. However, he went into business
again after the fire, and to some extent retrieved
his fortune.
On the 1 4th of March, 1861, Mr. Peugeot was
married to Maria L. Flershem, daughter of Lem-
uel H. Flershem, who is mentioned at length in
this volume. Four children blessed the home of
Mr. Peugeot, namely: Nina, now the wife of
Conrad Mueller, real-estate dealer and Assistant
Clerk of the Sheriff of New York County; she
has one child, Edward Herman Mueller. lone,
the second daughter, resides with her mother.
Pierre and Leon are now in the employ of W.'
McGregor & Company, of Chicago. Mr. Peugeot
died August 8, 1886, and subsequently his widow
became the wife of William McGregor (see sketch
elsewhere in this work).
Edward F. Peugeot was a man in whom those
elements so essential to social popularity and
business success were prominent, and he was al-
ways the center of a large circle of admiring
friends. He was a very enterprising merchant,
possessing a high character and integrity, and
left to his children, as a legacy, a good name and
an excellent example of true manhood.
i ':VE:
CF THE
OF ILL"
f"y. Cc. Cf.Ka.fi.
FERDINAND LINK.
263
FERDINAND LINK.
f" ERDINAND LINK. ' 'Der Gipfel des Ber-
|W S es funkelt im abend Sonnenschein," sings
| * the beautiful, irresistible Lorellei, seated
upon the picturesque summits of those storied,
castle-crowned highlands of the Rhine, whence
she drew to herself all who came within the scope
of her vision. It is proper now to write modestly
of one born in the Fatherland, to whom the sound
of ' 'America' ' was, like the harmony of theold folk-
song, an entrancing melody, full of bright proph-
ecy, the hope of whose fulfillment he could not
withstand.
Ferdinand Link was born on the ist of No-
vember, 1829, in Birkigt Herzogthum, Meinin-
gen, Germany, his parents being Trougott and
Rosina (Schmidt) Link, persons of respectable
attainments, who lived and died in the Old Coun-
try. At about his fourteenth year he had com-
pleted the learning of the same trade as his
father, a carriage-maker, after which, in accord-
ance with the custom of his countrymen, he
traveled to improve his knowledge of the craft, a
phase of intelligent life very interestingly set forth
by the great Goethe in his immortal ' ' Wilhelm
Meister."
Having acquired whatever seemed necessary to
thoroughly fit his genius to his life-work, he re-
solved to come to the United States of America;
so, in 1848, at the age of nineteen, he set sail
from Bremen upon a passage which took forty-
nine days in crossing to Baltimore, where he
disembarked on the 6th of July, 1848. Presently
he found employment at his old trade with a
Mr. Bishop, with whom he remained for a time
in mutual good-will. Anon, desirous to see more
of the New World, and getting on famously with
the new language, he set out for Richmond, Vir-
ginia, via the Natural Bridge, up to Abington,
where he continued his trade for a season, or un-
til the ist of November, 1850. Thence, at that
time, he proceeded to Kingston Springs, and by
way of the Mississippi River as far south as New
Orleans, directly returning as far north as this
city, which he reached the last week in Decem-
ber, 1850, and where for more than forty years
he has continued uninterruptedly to reside, pros-
pered, honored, and full of dignified interests in
our midst.
Mr. Link is a very modest man, but in his
craft it remains true that in the younger days he
was the peer of any in our city, which is amply
evidenced by some handiwork, so superior and
excellent, that it raises a well-defined doubt as
to whether there was any other here who at that
time could have done so skillfully. In the lan-
guage of the country whence he came to our
shore, he was a master mechanic, a ' 'turner' ' of
rare ability. Among the things which came
like magic from his deft touch were the following,
which recur readily to the mind: A finely carved
turnout for Governor Wise, of Virginia; the first
hearse ever used in our city which had glass sides,
made for Undertaker Gavin, before which they
used a rough conveyance with a pall thrown over
the coffin; and the first public hack ever con-
structed here or seen upon our pioneer streets.
Surely this is quite sufficient to establish Mr.
Link's right to be remembered as one of the best
' 'turners' ' who ever lived with us, and certain-
ly the man who did the first really fine kind of
work in several valuable lines.
For eleven years he was foreman for Richard
264
FERDINAND LINK.
Biel, a carriage manufacturer on the West Side,
who has now gone to the "bourne whence no
traveler returns. ' ' While working at his trade,
Mr. Link also began to turn his attention to that
source of financial wealth which has made most
of our rich men, and that was to real-estate in-
vestments; for never in the history of the world
has there been so much money made in so short
a time out of building sites as right here in our
little Cook County, Illinois. Foreseeing himself
what would certainly come of it, he began to make
good moves in this direction as fast as he could
get money to buy with. On State Street, near
Chestnut, which for the greater part has been the
locality of his winning moves, he purchased a
piece of land and proceeded, in 1858, to put up
some houses for rent. The results were gratify-
ing from the start.
In the winter of 1864, in reduced health (ad-
vised by his physicians to do so if he wished to
prolong his life), he took his family and went to
California. The route, before the days of the
steam horse, was from New York City, via the
West Indies and the Carribean Sea, to Aspinwall
and Panama, and then by another line of steam-
ers to San Francisco, in which last city he stopped
for some time, his condition being much amelior-
ated by the salubrious climate, and his interest
deeply aroused by the quaint customs of that
strange new country, whose hills were made of
gold. For a season he sojourned at Los Angeles (at
a period prior to this of the Jin de siede), Alame-
da, Warm Springs, and returned home in March,
1867, via Nicaragua and Greytown. Mr. Link's
love of travel is remarkable, and his keenly-
observing eyes, with the note-book which he
invariably keeps, make it intensely interesting
after long years to revisit with him in memorized
record those scenes of former delights.
On his return he invested in more real estate
near the site of his former possessions, and put up
houses upon the same; then came the fire of 1871 ,
that mighty holocaust which cost so many their
entire fortunes, and did inestimable damage for a
time to all our citizens, until returning courage
resulted in rebuilding better than was ever
dreamed of before. Mr. Link lost by this fire
seven houses, which shows that he had already
grown to be quite a landlord. Nothing daunted,
with that admirable energy which was so charac-
teristic of the age, he mortgaged his land to set
to work and build again, this time including the
construction of a grocery store near the corner of
State and Chestnut Streets, which he personally
conducted up to the year 1882, when he finally
retired from business, well intrenched in his fort-
unes, with hosts of friends his genial, honest and
frank nature had won him, for he never made an
enemy in his life.
That he might spend his closing years "under
his own vine and fig tree, ' ' he bought a fine lot
at Number 76 Walton Place, overlooking the lake
at its foot (and which now has within plain view
the celebrated Newberry Library, since construct-
ed, one of the famous libraries of the world) , where
he erected a commodious home, wherein the years
pass by (when he is not in other scenes) like a
dream of the fabled days of old.
In 1852, tired of single blessedness, Mr. Link
took to his heart a wife (one of the most congen-
ial, entertaining, whole-souled women in our whole
city), Miss Mary Laux being her maiden name.
She was born, like himself, in Germany, in the
town of Losheim, County of Merzig, Province of
Trier, West Prussia, it being territory formerly
belonging to the French, and quite adjacent to
the famous Alsace-Lorraine country of later years'
contest. Her father, Peter Laux (coming of an
old French family) , had been a second orderly for
the great Napoleon. At the battle of Leipsig,
his horse being shot under him, he caught the
horse of the first orderly, who had himself been
killed, which was so bewildered by the fray and
smoke of battle, that when soldat Laux, being ig-
norant of the way to his troop, gave the horse his
head, he dashed away into the very enemy's lines,
where, by a singular mistake, a French flag,
which had been captured, was handed him, he
being taken for one of their own German forces.
Thereupon, he put spurs to his horse and started
like lightning away for the opposite side among
his friends. His horse was shot by the volley
sent after him, and he himself badly wounded in
the leg, sustaining, besides several flesh wounds,
FERDINAND LINK.
265
a fracture of the leg bone. Crawling under a
corn stack, he managed to escape apprehension,
and in this way was left for three days before be-
ing rescued by his own men and taken to hospital
to have his painful wounds dressed. In the mean
time, however, he had crawled to the River Katz-
back to bathe himself, and had kept the old flag,
which later came safely into Napoleon's hands.
This episode stamps him as a man not only of
strong vitality, to withstand such suffering and
hardships, but also as a heroic soul, of no common
mould.
Mr. Laux, in 1840, took his wife and family,
including those who were married, to America;
and at this juncture befel a very pathetic scene.
As they were about to leave France forever, the
vessel bringing from St. Helena the remains of his
old general, Napoleon, was coming into port. He
wept like a child, and exclaimed, "Why art thou
not alive, that I might again forsake my friends
and family to follow thee?" With Barbara, his
wife, he landed upon Chicago soil on the twenty-
fifth day of August, 1840. They have both
passed to their eternal rewards, for few of the
older settlers are longer left to greet us.
Mrs. Link was born the twenty-fifth day of
March, 1833, so that she began her blissful wed-
ded life at the early age of nineteen. One child
has blessed their union, Ferdinand Eugene Link,
who was born September 10, 1852. He learned
his trade of druggist with Mr. Van Derburg, and
went into the employ of Tollman & King, whole-
sale druggists, with whom he still remains, his
services being rewarded with the responsible po-
sition of manager. He was married, in 1875, to
Miss Marion Langdon of this city, by whom he
has three children, Ferdinand (third), Marion and
John.
Politically the subject of this sketch is a Dem-
ocrat, not an office-seeker, nor fanatic in his views;
locally, he invariably selects the best man, in his
candid judgment, for support.
Physically Mr. Link is not a large man, but
so engaging in manner that he seems to rise at
times to the stature of a giant, as he graphically
depicts interesting experiences he has passed
through in his varied life of many vicissitudes.
He is one of the most unassuming, genial men
it is one's good fortune to run across, hospitable
and full of good parts. As an instance of the po-
etic feeling of his soul (a thing somewhat rare in
our crowding, rushing city) , at an advanced age,
he bought a fine piano, and started in to learn
music. He progressed with such amazing rapidity
that, although he had but six months' lessons, he
really plays very well, and some difficult pieces
of classical music, too. It is one of the proudest
recollections of his experience that he was per-
mitted, on a foreign tour, to play for a few mo-
ments upon the piano of Frederick the Great, in
the castle at Potsdam, during which exceptionally
honored occasion he very touchingly ran through
the pathetic bars of "Sad Thoughts of Thee."
One can readily picture this inspiring incident, of
one returning from a new country, full of honor
and wealth, to the home of his nativity, to view
for a season the place that gave him birth. Ah,
it is a strange world we live in, and strange in-
deed are the changes which come to us all!
The incident above related occurred upon his
memorable tour of the continent in 1892, when
he felt he must visit again the old endeared scenes
of his boyhood. Not alone those, but France, Bel-
gium and England were traversed; and if anyone
doubts the good use our friend made of his sight,
let him sit for a while listening to the "logbook,"
as it has been the writer's privilege, and doubt
would vanish before the perfect light of enrapt-
ured conviction. It is understood that he is plan-
ning another trip abroad for the near future, for
he is an indefatigable traveler.
In closing, we must not forget to say, that as
his earthly life has been correct, and his surround-
ings beautiful and uplifting, so he has had the
wise foresight to see to it that his remains after
death may be in a temporary earthly mansion
suitable to his wishes. In the family lot at St.
Boniface Cemetery, he has finished the construc-
tion of a family tomb, which for exquisiteness of
design and perfection of execution is unsurpassed.
There is no finer owned or erected in this city's
places of burial. The exterior facades are of
that handsome, durable stone, rock-faced, known
as Blue Bedford; while the interior rises grace-
266
W. W. PHELPS.
fully and without that sense of oppression so fre-
quent in low-constructed burial places, being com-
posed of English Channel fire brick and elegant
imported Italian marbles. In the center rises the
catafalque, which will one day contain the last
mortal remains of our dear friend and his beloved
spouse. Each one has his themes of delight. Can
there be a more beautiful wish than to lie securely
safe after one's earthly existence is over, surround-
ed by the beauties which, like the hills, pass not
away until the judgment day?
WILLIAM W. PHELPS.
WALLACE PHELPS, one of
earliest and most conscientious of our
business men, was born at Conesville,
Schoharie County, New York, June 17, 1825. His
parents were George and Mary (Chapman)
Phelps.
Being of the generation of self-made men, he
started out with a clear, straightforward mind,
aided by a common-school instruction, to do his
life work as the Creator foresaw it would come to
pass.
First in Oneida, at nineteen years of age, and
elsewhere in his native State, he waited upon
customers as a clerk behind merchants' counters,
and in 1847 went to Catskill, Greene County, New
York, to clerk for Potter Palmer. It is needless
to add, he did his humble early duties as faith-
fully and ably as he bore the later more hon-
orable and distinguished burdens which time
demonstrated he was more than equal to carrying.
Henceforth he was fated to join forces with that
truly royal man, Potter Palmer, the bare mention
of whose name thrills the listener with intense
admiration, and conjures up in his mind the
rapid achievement of our unrivalled city; in all
and through all of which none has been more
modestly conspicuous and helpful than Mr. Pal-
mer. Along with Mr. Palmer, Mr. Phelps was
mainly to work out his destiny. It was fitting,
for they were brothers-in-law; and so long, un-
ruffled and intimate were their mutual relations
and regard for each other, that the two men
actually grew more and more in personal appear-
ance alike. One glance at Mr. Phelps' face,
as the artist left it for our delight, and the
lineaments of his ' 'dear friend Potter' ' suggest
themselves. Together they removed, in 1851, to
Lockport, New York, there engaging in business
for about one year only, for in 1852 they started
resolutely for the then Far West, resting their
weary limbs by the head of the beautiful Lake
Michigan, in which place fortune had decreed
they should win honorable names and a goodly
portion of the desires of this life. One has quite
finished his labors and is at rest above all earthly
value. Soon the other will go to his comrade's
side, while this scene shall know their presence no
more; but history is the better, and future genera-
tions, though they may lealize it not, will be the
happier and better that two such American noble-
men were among us in our infancy.
Soon after their advent, Mr. Palmer, having
some capital at command, entered into the dry-
goods business, wherein Mr. Phelps was his con-
fidential friend and financial secretary for long
years, always in every way satisfactory in his
discharge of onerous trusts.
In 1865 Mr. Phelps went for himself into the
wholesale and retail carpet business with a part-
ner, under the style of Hollister & Phelps, hav-
ing purchased the interest of the former partner,
Mr. Wilkins. He sold out his interest in this
W. W. PHELPS.
267
paying establishment the June preceding the his-
torical fire of 1871. Thereafter for some six
months he enjoyed the delights of old Europe,
with the keen intellectual appreciation so charac-
teristic of him, combining business with health-
ful recreation, as he did considerable buying for
Mr. Palmer, who was furnishing the Palmer
House, recently built at that time.
Returning to the United States in good condi-
tion, he lived the easy life of an "old-school"
gentleman for a period of eight years. But act-,
ive life extended too great temptations to one
of his temperament; so it is not surprising, when
Mr. Palmer made him a flattering offer, that he
found it impossible to resist, and so it is chronicled
that the last twelve years of his life were spent
as confidential financial manager of that great
hostelry, one of the grandest and best known in
the wide world, the Palmer House. In him Mr.
Palmer had full and explicit trust and confidence.
He said: "I can goto California; I maybe gone
six months; and when I return, I feel I shall
hear everything has gone on just the same."
Alas, all must pay the sad debt of nature. Mr.
Phelps died May 18, 1891, of Bright's Disease,
and was interred in the family lot at Graceland,
where a fine monument marks his beautiful final
resting-place. For many years he was an at-
tendant at the Plymouth Congregational Church,
where he held a pew. Bishop Cheney, a warm
friend, officiated at the funeral obsequies at his
magnificent mansion house, No. 2518 Prairie
Avenue.
Mr. Phelps married, first, Lydia Palmer, sister
of Potter Palmer, in the fall of 1867. She died
on the very day of the Fire of 1871 , without issue.
September 9, 1873, h fi wedded Miss Cornelia
Austina Hubbard, of Spring Prairie, Wisconsin.
In good health, she continues to survive her
lamented husband, whose memory is sacred in
her heart and whose worth she delights to exalt
and honor. How strong under such circumstances
does the merit of this undertaking appear ! They
who make for themselves honorable names, but
are barred by fate against leaving children, must
herein find their most lasting and fitting monu-
ment in this record of their good deeds.
Cornelia A. (Hubbard) Phelps is a daughter of
Alfred Hubbard and Hannah Steele, of Wind-
ham, Greene County, New York, being the
youngest of eight children. Alfred Hubbard was
a son of Timothy Hubbard and Dorothy Raleigh,
of Connecticut. Hannah Steele was a daughter
of Stephen Steele and Hannah Simonds, also of
Connecticut.
Mr. Phelps was a stanch Republican, a con-
scientious Christian, a gentleman and a lover of
home. Tall and straight of stature, his pale
blonde face, handsome, yet full of kindly charac-
ter, firm mouth, prominent eyes, heavy eyebrows
and massive forehead well denoted the strength he
possessed. He and Mr. Palmer might have been
taken for brothers. Their names are indelibly
associated, and those who, in coming years, when
the flowers are blossoming over ancient graves,
shall read the records of the two lives, will un-
derstand more deeply and solemnly than words
can depict what this age and this city owe to men
like Potter Palmer and William Wallace Phelps.
It is fitting that this work shall record the fol-
lowing quite full and satisfactory genealogical
descent:
Ichabod Phelps, who was a merchant in Eng-
land, married Betsy Bristol, and, coming to this
country, in company with three brothers, settled
at Salisbury, in L,itchfield County, Connecticut.
Later he removed to Wyoming, Pennsylvania,
where he continued to reside until the historical
massacre there by the Indians under the notorious
Brant, upon which event he took a fresh depart-
ure for Broome, Schoharie County, New York,
where he built and conducted a general store.
His son, Othniel Phelps, born in 1777, died in
1856. He was twice married; first, to Polly Fiero,
and secondly to Hannah Frost, who lived to the
remarkable age of ninety-two years, dying in
1876.
The eldest son by the first marriage was
George W. Phelps, who was born in 1798, at
Conesville, Schoharie County, New York, and
died July 3, 1866. He was twice married; first,
about the year 1820, to Zerviah Potter, who died
three years later, leaving two sons, Othniel B.
and Samuel P. (for a sketch of Othuiel B. vide
268
C. E. PIPER
other pages herein) ; second, he married, about
1824, Mary Chapman, who was born February
25, 1801, and died January 28, 1879. She was
a daughter of Samuel Chapman (born January
13, 1773, died November 30, 1858) and Rhoda
Cowles, his wife (born September 3, 1775, and
died in 1801). By this second marriage there
were eight children: Helen M., John M., Mary
Z., Catherine, Lucinda M. , George C., Abbie
A. and William Wallace Phelps, the subject of
this sketch.
CHARLES E. PIPER.
EHARLES EDWARD PIPER was born in
the city of Chicago June 12, 1858. His fa-
ther, Otis Piper, well and favorably known
to the pioneer business men of Chicago, was of
English extraction, and traced his descent di-
rectly to ancestors who arrived in America and
.settled at the town of New Salem in 1782. His
mother, Margaret (McGrory) Piper, of Scotch-
Irish lineage, was a native of Prescott, province
of Ontario, Canada, whither her father removed
in 1824.
Otis Piper, with his family, came to Chicago in
1851, at a time when the struggling town was
barely beginning to give promise of future impor-
tance, and cast in his lot with the few fervent-
spirited citizens whose eyes of faith saw, above the
alternating sand dunes and swamps of that early
period, something of the glory of the present me-
tropolis. Amid the surroundings common to the
pioneer outposts of civilization in our country,
Charles Edward Piper, the subject of this sketch,
first saw the light of day. The foundation of his
education was laid in the public schools of the
city, and in the face of many trials and vicissi-
tudes was, nevertheless, so firmly planted in the
mind of the young boy that an unquenchable
thirst for knowledge, and an indomitable deter-
mination to obtain it, impelled him to successively
graduate from the high school in 1876, the North-
western University in 1882, and the Union College
of Law in 1889, earning, in the mean time, his
own livelihood and the means to meet his stu-
dent's expenses.
After completing his law course, he entered
upon practice with Mr. Wilbert J. Andrews, un-
der the firm name of Andrews & Piper, a firm
which is recognized as one of the leading real-es-
tate law firms in Chicago. The business of buy-
ing and selling real estate has naturally grown up
with the practice of real-estate law, and the sub-
urban town of Berwyn was founded by and is to-
day, to a considerable extent, the property of Mr.
Piper and his associates. Socially Mr. Piper is a
genial, warm-hearted gentleman, easy in his man-
ners and a favorite in several social organizations
with which he is connected, notably the Prairie
Club, of Oak Park, and the Lincoln Club, of
West Chicago. In religious matters he is a fol-
lower of Wesley, and a consistent member of the
Methodist Church. He is President of the State
Epworth League and Treasurer of the National
Epworth League. Politically he is a Republican,
"dyed in the wool," is President of the town of
Cicero, and has held the office of Supervisor of
the town of South Chicago, as well as that of
member of the Board of Education of the town
of Cicero.
August 15, 1882, he married Carrie L. Gregory,
FRANCIS WARNER.
269
daughter of Edwin and Anna S. Gregory, of
Nauvoo, Illinois, and granddaughter of Robert
Lane, partner of John Morris, of Philadelphia, of
Revolutionary fame. The three living children
of Mr. and. Mrs. Piper are: Carrie E., born May
29, 1884; Lulu L.; and Robert G. , December 6,
1889.
Mr. Piper vividly recalls the burning of Chi-
cago on the fatal October 8, 1871, but at that
time, fortunately, was residing outside of the burnt
district, and escaped any serious personal dam-
ages or loss. He is the President of the Method-
ist Forward Movement of Chicago, and takes
deep interest in the building of the Epworth
House, at Number 229 Halsted Street, now in
process of erection. This house, like its prototype,
Hull House, is designed to serve as an oasis in
the desert of poverty and iniquity, and will aid
greatly in the regeneration of that benighted re-
gion. He was one of the founders, and is now an
officer, of the Epworth Children's Home, and is
at the present time President of the Chicago Meth-
odist Social Union.
FRANCIS WARNER.
|~~RANCIS WARNER, a quiet, worthy citizen
Yri of Chicago, is a descendant of very early
| English and German yeomanry. He was
born at Watertown, Massachusetts, January 26,
1819. His parents, George Warner and Mary
Salisbury, were natives, respectively, of Pack-
ington and Ashby de la Zouche, in Leicestershire,
near the border of Nottinghamshire, England.
The family name was originally Werner, and was
brought to England from Germany, after the Re-
formation of Martin Luther. England had just
become a Protestant country, and the founder of
this family on English soil received a grant of
land near the Welsh border. He had a coat-of-
arms, the principal objects on which were a castle
surmounted by a squirrel, with a motto signify-
ing, ' ' Not for ourselves alone, but for others. ' '
Mary Salisbury was a lineal descendant of a man-
at-arms who flourished long before the first
Werner came to England, and was granted a
" hide " of land (being all that he could surround
with an ox's hide cut into strips) by the lord of
the manor, whose life he had saved in battle.
Members of the Warner family came to America
in the early Colonial days, and it is a tradition
that one settled in each of the colonies of Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
George Warner and Mary Salisbury were mar-
ried in England in 1806, and removed four years
later to Massachusetts, where eight of their eleven
children were born. Mr. Warner was lace
weaver, and was employed at his trade in and
about Watertown, Massachusetts, until 1837,
when he came to Illinois. He engaged in farm-
ing in Northfield Township, La Salle County, for
over twenty years, and then went to Iowa, and
settled on the Soldier River, near the present site
of Ida Grove. After he retired from farming he
returned to Massachusetts and died at Ipswich,
in that State, in 1874, at the age of eighty-nine
years. Both he and his wife were born in 1785.
The latter died in Illinois in 1851, age sixty-six.
All of their seven sons and two of their daugh-
ters grew to adult life. Samuel, born in England,
and an upholsterer by occupation, passed most of
his life in Massachusetts, and died, as the result
270
FRANCIS WARNER.
of an accident, in St. Louis, Missouri. George,
born in Massachusetts, was a farmer; he died in
La Salle County, Illinois, in 1882, from the ef-
fects of a fall. Mary, Mrs. Sanford Peatfield,
resides in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Alfred is a
resident of Michigan, and John died in Newton,
Massachusetts, in 1892, at the age of seventy-
three. The subject of this sketch is the sixth.
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of William
Powell, a farmer in La Salle County, Illinois.
Thomas died in California from the effects of
drinking alkali water; and William is engaged in
mining in Utah.
Francis Warner was reared in Newton, Massa-
chusetts, and was taught to read by his mother.
His only attendance at a public school was one
half-day, at which time the teacher was absent.
At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to
a cabinet-maker, and his articles of indenture
stipulated that he was to receive $50 per year
and his board. During this apprenticeship he
made the most of his opportunities for material
and mental advancement. He joined several
others in a plan to secure instruction, and they
were taught four nights each week, for which the
teacher received fifty cents per night. So faith-
ful and diligent was young Warner, that he be-
came a journeyman at the age of nineteen. He
immediately went to Boston, where he continued
to ply his trade until 1843, when he came to Illi-
nois and took up farming on Somomauk Creek,
in La Salle County.
In the spring of 1861 Mr. Warner responded
to the call for troops to defend the Union. He
first went out in the three-months service, under
General McClellan, who was a personal acquaint-
ance, in West Virginia. He was a participator
in the battle of Rich Mountain, and was one of
the detail which accompanied the body of the
Confederate General, Garnett, to Washington, en
route to his home in Virginia.
In 1862 Mr. Warner again joined the Federal
forces, being attached to the Provost-Marshal's
department, with the pay and rank of Captain,
and was chiefly employed in the charge and hand-
ling of prisoners of war, with headquarters in
Washington. After the surrender of New Or-
leans, he joined Colonel Wood's command, the
First United States Regiment, with which he con-
tinued until May, 1865, when he was honorably
discharged.
While a resident of La Salle County, Mr. War-
ner was twice elected to the office of Sheriff, and
demonstrated such superior ability in the capture
of offenders, that his services were sought by de-
tective agencies throughout the country. Soon
after leaving the army he took charge of Allen
Pinkerton's New York detective agency, where
he continued a year, removing thence to Chicago,
where he occupied a similar position until his
health failed, in 1879, and he was compelled to
resign. After spending three months at the sea
shore, on the advice of his physician, he returned
to Chicago, very much improved in health and
strength, and at once, in 1880, took charge of the
detective service of the American Express Com-
pany at Chicago. This was his last active em-
ployment, in which he still holds an honorary po-
sition. Though now in his seventy-seventh year,
Mr. Warner exhibits plenty of mental and physi-
cal vigor, and is still a useful member of society.
Mr. Warner is a Royal Arch Mason, and was
for many years active in the order. He is a mem-
ber of the Congregational Church, and a con-
sistent and stanch Republican in principle, being
one of the founders of that political organization.
In 1840 he married Miss Juliette Back, who was
born in Burlington, Vermont, August 17, 1819,
and is a daughter of Jasper and Sally (Harring-
ton) Back. Mr. Back was one of the minute-
men who served at the battle of Plattsburgh,
during the last war with Great Britain. Four of
Mr. Warner's eight children are now living.
Francis Armstrong Warner, the eldest, is a resi-
dent of Chicago. Alice, the second, died while
the wife of Albert Forbes, leaving an infant
daughter, who was reared by Mr. Warner. Juli-
ette died at the age of eighteen months, and Isabel
is the wife of Dr. Edward J. Lewis, of Sauk Cen-
ter, Wisconsin. Ernest died at three years of
age, Charles at fourteen, and Gray resides at
Denver, Colorado. Nellie is the wife of Henry
B. Gates and resides in Wilmette.
ir -y
CF THE
I '.'VEZSITY OF ILL"
LYMAN J. GAGE.
271
LYMAN JUDSON GAGE.
I YMAN JUDSON GAGE, President of the
1C First National Bank of Chicago, is widely
U2r known as the leading financier of the
West, as well as an active power in political and
other movements. As a promoter and active Di-
rector of the World's Columbian Exposition, he
earned and received the good- will of every citi-
zen of Chicago, as well as of most of the world be-
side.
Eli A. Gage and Mary Judson, parents of the
subject of this biography, were natives of New
York, of English descent, their ancestors being
numbered among the early settlers of New Eng-
land. The student of American history cannot
fail to note that much of the energy and good
sense which gave direction to the development of
the entire northern half of the United States was
contributed by the New England blood.
Lyman J. Gage was born at De Ruyter, Madi-
soii County, N. Y., June 28, 1836, and passed
the first ten years of his life in that village. On
the removal of the family to Rome, N. Y., in
1846, he entered the local academy , but left school
to engage in business life at the age of fourteen.
For a year, he was employed as clerk in the Rome
postomce, and was detailed by the Postmaster as
mail-route agent on the Rome & Watertown Rail-
road at the age of fifteen. In 1854 he became
junior clerk in the Oneida Central Bank at Rome,
at a salary of $100 per annum. His duties in
that position were somewhat varied, and involved
the sweeping of the bank, as well as many other
duties which are fulfilled by a janitor in larger
institutions. The ambitious soul of the youth
who was destined by fate to control in time great
financial enterprises, could not always be content
in this position, and after a year and a-half of
service, with no immediate prospect of advance-
ment in position or salary, he resolved to try his
fortune in the growing West.
On the 3d of October, 1855, young Gage,
being then a little past the completion of his nine-
teenth year, arrived in Chicago with a capital
consisting of brains and energy. He shortly
found employment in the lumber-yard of Nathan
Cobb, a part of the time in keeping books, and
often in loading lumber. He continued in this
employment until the business changed hands in
1858. The financial depression of that period
made many changes, and, rather than remain idle,
Mr. Gage accepted the position of night-watch-
man at the same place. At the end of six weeks
in this service, in August, 1858, he was offered
and accepted the position of book-keeper in the
Merchants' Savings, Loan & Trust Company, at
an annual salary of $500. Here he found field
for the exercise of his abilities, and his advance-
ment was rapid. On the ist of January follow-
ing, he was promoted to the position of paying
teller, with the accompanying salary of $1,200
per year. In September, 1860, he became As-
sistant Cashier at $2,000 per annum, and a year
later was made Cashier. In August, 1868, he
resigned this position to accept a similar one in
the First National Bank. On the re-organiza-
tion of this institution, at the expiration of its
charter in 1882, Mr. Gage was elected Vice- Pres-
ident and General Manager, and became Presi-
dent January 24, 1891. Thus are briefly related
the steps of his progress, but they were not the
result of accident. Back of them were the quali-
ities which inspired the confidence of his fellows,
and the ability to make intelligent use of his op-
portunities.
272
O. P. BASSETT.
Mr. Gage was one of the organizers of the Amer-
ican Bankers' Association at Philadelphia, in Oc-
tober, 1876, and was made President of that body
in 1882, and twice successfully re-elected, a com-
pliment both to Chicago and the man. He is a
member of two social clubs of the city, the Chi-
cago and the Union, an ex-President of the Com-
mercial Club (an organization limited to sixty
members) , and a Director and Treasurer of the Art
Institute. Mr. Gage takes a warm interest in
all matters affecting the public welfare, and has
been quite active as a member of the Republican
organization, because he considers the Republi-
can party the best exponent of his ideas on the
conservation of human liberty and general pros-
perity. While somewhat active in promulgating
his principles, he is by no means a narrow parti-
san, and will not tolerate anything which his
judgment or conscience does not approve, because
it bears the endorsement of his party. He has
been frequently urged to accept a nomination for
some public position, as the spontaneous choice
of the public urged, but his business interests
could not be set aside sufficiently to permit. At the
last regular municipal election he could have been
almost unanimously elected mayor, had he per-
mitted the use of his name. In spite of the cares
of his responsible position, he gave much of his
energy to the promotion of the World's Fair en-
terprise, and was made President of the Board of
Directors at its organization in April, 1890. This
he resigned on his accession to the bank presi-
dency, nearly a year later, but continued as an
active member of the Board. It is no injustice to
his contemporaries to say that the final success of
the scheme was in a large measure due to the
influence and efforts of Mr. Gage. When the
hostility of New York seemed likely to take the
location away from Chicago, Mr. Gage was one
of four local capitalists to guarantee the comple-
tion of the ten-million-dollar guaranty fund re-
quired by Congress from Chicago. It was while
on his way to attend a banquet in New York in
honor of this event, that Mr. Gage was stricken
with a serious illness, which it required a dan-
gerous operation to overcome, and the whole na-
tion rejoiced when it was announced that he would
recover.
Mr. Gage is a student of rare discrimination,
and his public speeches show a cultivated taste in
literature, as well as a mind well stored with use-
ful knowledge. He has a happy faculty of im-
parting information to others, and his occasional
addresses on financial, political and other topics
are greeted with wide and careful attention. In
private life, he is a most companionable gentle-
man, and gives ear as readily to the request of
the humble individual as the large investor. He
has been twice married. In 1864 he espoused
Miss Sarah Etheridge, daughter of Dr. Francis
Etheridge, of Little Falls, N. Y. She died in
1874, and he was married to his present wife, Mrs.
Cornelia Gage, of Denver, Colo., in 1887. Their
home is on North State Street, near beautiful Lin-
coln Park, and here Mr. Gage spends most of his
evenings, ever gathering something from his well-
selected library.
ORLAND P. BASSETT.
| RLAND P. BASSETT, of the Pictorial Print-
ing House, of Chicago, and the owner of large
greenhouses in Hinsdale, where he makes
his home, was born March 31, 1835, in Towanda,
Pa. His father, John W. Bassett, was a wheel-
wright of the Keystone State, and in 1872 he came
to Illinois, spending his last days in Chicago at
the home of his son, where he died at the age of
eighty-four years. He was a member of the Pres-
byterian Church. His wife bore the maiden name
J. O. CLIFFORD.
273
of Angeline Crooker, and passed away several
years previous to the death of her husband. Their
family numbered nine children, of whom four are
yet living: Henry, John, Orland and Chauncy.
Mr. Bassett whose name heads this record was
reared in his native State, and remained with his
parents until he had attained his majority. The
greater part of his education was acquired in a
printing-office. In 1854 he began the printing
business, which he has followed up to the present
time, and step by step he has worked his way up-
ward until now he is President of the Pictorial
Printing Company, of Chicago. He owned the
entire business until about four years ago, when
he sold the controlling interest. It was in March,
1857, that he came to the West and located in
Sycamore, 111. , where he published a paper, the
Sycamore True Republican, for nine years. He
then sold out and removed to Chicago, where he
carried on a job printing-office until 1874, when
he bought out the establishment of the Pictorial
Printing Company, as before stated.
On the sth of April, 1858, Mr. Bassett was
united in marriage with Miss Betsey M. Shelton.
One child has been born to them, Kate B., wife
of Charles I,. Washburn, of Hinsdale. They
have one son, Edgar B.
For many years Mr. Bassett was a supporter of
the Republican party, but is now independent in
his political views. In 1887 he removed to Hins-
dale, where he makes his home, but still does
business in Chicago. He also has in Hinsdale
the largest greenhouses to be found in the West,
does an extensive business in this line, and em-
ploys a large number of men. When he began
business in Sycamore he had no capital and bought
his outfit on credit, but he has steadily worked
his way upward, and the business of the Chicago
Pictorial Printing Company has at times amounted
to $1,000 per day. The company is well known
throughout the United States and Canada, and
also in parts of Australia and South America, and
its success is due in a large measure to the untir-
ing efforts and good management of Mr. Bassett.
He is a genial and pleasant gentleman, is very
popular, makes friends wherever he goes, and is
justly deserving of the high regard in which he
is held.
JAMES ORRA CLIFFORD.
(TAMES ORRA CLIFFORD was born Decem-
I ber 8, 1856, at Salem, Kenosha County,
(*/ Wis., being the son of Emery and Mary Jane
(Osgood) Clifford. He comes of English ances-
try, and his forefathers were among the early set- '
tiers of the New England States. His paternal
grandparents, John and Nancy (Ray) Clifford,
were born in New Hampshire. They afterward
settled at Collins, Erie County, N. Y. They were
the parents of eleven children. Emery, the sev-
enth of these, was born at Collins, Erie County,
N. Y., October 21, 1832. In the year 1846 his
parents removed from New York and settled near
Salem, Kenosha County, Wis. His maternal
grandparents, John Sherman and Jane (Orvis)
Osgood, were natives of Brookline, Windham
County, Vt. They were the parents of five chil-
dren. Mary Jane, the eldest, was born at Brook-
line, Windham County, Vt., November 30, 1838.
In the fall of 1851 they removed from Vermont,
settling on a farm near Salem, Kenosha County,
Wis.
Emery Clifford and Mary Jane Osgood were
married at Salem, Kenosha County, Wis., on
February 8, 1856. They settled on a farm near
Salem, Wis., where their four children were born,
274
J. O. CLIFFORD.
Emery Clifford enlisted in the First Wisconsin
Heavy Artillery, Company L, and was stationed
at Arlington Heights, near Washington, D. C.,
guarding the United States capital until the close
of the civil war, after which he returned and was
engaged in agricultural pursuits until the autumn
of 1874, when he sold his farm and removed to
Delmar, Clinton County, Iowa, where he still re-
sides. Of his four children, James O. is the eld-
est. Jennie O. resides with her parents. Lurie
E. died unmarried in 1882; and Gay Emery, the
youngest, is married and resides at Arthur, Ida
County, Iowa, where he is the manager of a lum-
ber-yard.
The subject of this sketch entered the public
(country) schools at the age of eight years. From
the age of eleven he was employed in assisting his
father with the farm work during the summer, and
attending school in the winter, until the summer
of 1873, at which time he left home, going to
Delmar, Clinton County, Iowa, where he entered
the railway service as a messenger boy and ap-
prentice under his uncle by marriage, William E.
Roberts, who was agent for the Chicago & North-
western Railway Company at that station. Here,
during the following year until October, he learned
telegraphy and the duties of a station agent
generally, and has since been in the employ of
the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company
consecutively, as follows: October, 1874, to Au
gust, 1880, at various stations on the Iowa Divis-
ion as telegraph operator and agent. In August,
1880, while he was stationed at Montour, Iowa,
he was appointed to the position of Traveling
Auditor. In this capacity he traveled over the
entire Northwestern System. On November 7,
1887, he was appointed Freight Auditor of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway; Fremont, Elk-
horn & Missouri Valley, and Sioux & Pacific
Railroads, with office at Chicago, which position
he holds at the present time. His long continu-
ance in this position, where a thorough knowl-
edge of the intricacies of railway accounting, sys-
tematic supervision, and accuracy in every detail,
are essential, attests his executive ability and
faithfulness. His management in business affairs
is characterized by a progressive spirit, seeking
improved methods and higher efficiency in mat-
ters pertaining to his chosen profession. In har-
mony with this idea he has been a member of the
Association of American Railway Accounting Of-
ficers since its organization, having always taken
an active and influential part in its deliberations,
and having been honored by his fellow-members
with the office of Vice-President of the Associa-
tion.
On November 7, 1883, Mr. Clifford married
Miss May Elizabeth Dannatt, who was born at
Low Moor, Iowa, June 25, 1859, and who is a
daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Cortis) Dannatt,
natives of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, England,
respectively. In 1851 her grandfather, Samuel
Dannatt, came from England and purchased five
thousand acres of land in Clinton County, Iowa,
giving to the location the name of his old home in
England, and to his residence the name of Kill-
inghome Hall, after his English estate. They
resided at Clinton, Iowa, until October, 1885, at
which time they removed to Wheaton, 111. , where
they now occupy a pleasant home on Main Street,
corner of Franklin. To them have been given
five children. Grace Edith was born at Clinton,
Iowa, February i, 1885. The other four were
born at Wheaton, DuPage County, 111. Lewis
Dannatt on April 17, 1886; Oliveon JuneS, 1887;
Marshall Emery on February 26, 1892; and Alice
on April 8, 1893. Mr. Clifford has served two
terms in the City Council of Wheaton as represen-
tative of the ward in which he lives, having de-
clined further honors in that direction.
Mr. Clifford possesses a fine physique, and has
the easy, cordial bearing which makes and retains
friendships. He is of a social disposition and is
prominently identified with numerous fraternal
orders, among which may be named the Masonic,
' Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica and National Union. He attends the Epis-
copal Church, in which Mrs. Clifford is a com-
municant, and gives his political fealty to the
Republican party. Mrs. Clifford is a refined and
amiable lady, who presides over their pleasant
home with easy grace, and aids her husband in
making it a hospitable and attractive abode.
THEODORE HUBBARD.
275
DR. THEODORE HUBBARD.
0R. THEODORE HUBBARD, the first
Postmaster of Babcock's Grove, and a prom-
inent citizen of Cook County, was born
in Putney, Vt., October 19, 1803, and died in
Chicago, February i, 1873. His parents were
Theodore and Dorothy (Wilson) Hubbard. The
family is descended from Edmund Hubbard, who
was born in Hingham, England, about 1570, and
crossed the Atlantic to Charlestown, Mass., in
1633. He died in Hingham, Mass., March 8,
1646. One of his sons, Rev. Peter Hubbard, a
dissenting clergyman, founded the oldest church
now in existence in the United States, located at
Hingham. He died there January 20, 1679, in
the seventy-fifth year of his age, and the fifty-
second year of his ministry. He was a graduate
of Magdalen College, of Cambridge, England.
Among Edmund Hubbard's descendants are num-
bered many eminent judges, ministers and educa-
tors, and the present Earl of Buckinghamshire,
England, is a descendant of the same family. The
Hobarts, or Huberts, of England came from Nor-
mandy during the reign of William the Conqueror.
The earliest known record of the family locates
them near Dieppe, Normandy, in 1198. They
were a baronial family in Norfolk, England, where
John Hobart resided in 1260. One of his de-
scendants, James Hobart, was made a Knight of
the Sword by Henry VII. in 1504. They were
created baronets in 1611. Our subject repre-
sented the eighth generation in America. The
names of his progenitors in direct line were Ed-
mund, Thomas, Caleb, Benjamin, Peter, Sr.,
Peter, Jr., and Theodore.
Peter Hubbard, Sr. , died near Ft. William Hen-
ry during the French and Indian War, of wounds
received in that service. His son was an Ensign
in a New Hampshire company during the Revo-
lutionary War. The father of our subject was
born in Keene, N. H., October 25, 1774, and
died in Hartford, Vt. , February 15, 1814. His
wife died at Babcock's Grove, July 16, 1840, at
the age of sixty-seven years.
Doctor Hubbard was the fourth in their family
of seven children. He was married November
25, 1828, to Anne Ward Ballou, who was born
December 29, 1809, in Deerfield, near Utica, N.
Y., and was a daughter of Ebenezer and Marana
(Ward) Ballou. The Ward family has an ex-
tensive genealogical history, which can be traced
back to 1 1 30. The name is derived from ' 'Gar' '
or "Garde." Ralph de Gar, ordelaWarde, flour-
ished in Norfolk, England, at the time of Henry
II.
Returning to the personal history of Dr. Hub-
bard, we note that he settled in Chicago May 21,
1836, and about a year later went to DuPage
County, pre-empting a farm near the present vil-
lage of Glen Ellyn. A few years later he was
made the first Postmaster of Babcock's Grove,
keeping the office in his house and bringing the
mail from Bloomingdale on horseback. In 1851,
he returned to Chicago, where he engaged in the
practice of medicine until his death. He had pre-
viously studied for the ministry, but later entered
the medical profession, and as a physician se-
cured a liberal patronage. He also had an ex-
tensive knowledge of law, and was a man of more
than ordinary intellectual ability, although he
had little opportunity for education while a boy.
For several years he served as County Commis-
sioner of DuPage County.
Of the children of Doctor and Mrs. Hubbard,
Augustus, a civil engineer, died in Amboy,
111. , in April, 1865. Carlos, manager of a wagon
factory, died in Chicago at the age of forty years.
Oscar died in Groesbeck, Tex., in April, 1877;
Adolphus, who was the founder of the Sons ot the
American Revolution in 1879, is now connected
with the California University of San Francisco,
2 7 6
NATHAN DYE.
and is a member of many historical societies. Ed-
ward Clarence, who was a prominent attorney of
Hartford, Ky., died in Chicago, June 27, 1887,
at the age of forty -four years. He was a mem-
ber of the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry during the
late war. Enlisting April 21, 1 86 1, he was dis-
charged June 18, 1864, after having participated
in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post,
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, siege of
Vicksburg, and other engagements. Ellen, who
died soon after her graduation from the Chicago
High School, and Laura complete the family.
Mr. Hubbard was a life-long Democrat, but all
of his sons support the Republican party. In his re-
ligious views he was a Universalist. Of the first
Masonic lodge of Chicago he was a charter mem-
ber and was made an honorary member previous
to his death. Prominent in public and business af-
fairs, he was an honored and highly respected
citizen, who for many years was connected with
the leading interests of Chicago. His skill and
ability as a physician won him an enviable repu-
tation, and he was widely known as a man of ster-
ling worth. Mrs. Hubbard is an honorary mem-
ber of Chicago Chapter of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, and is honorary Vice-Pres-
ident of the Daughters of 1812. She is also a
member of the Historic Council, which was estab-
lished to keep alive the memories of the~men who
gave liberty and fraternity to the western world.
She now resides in Glen Ellyn with her daughter
I/aura, who is a lady of intelligence and refine-
ment, and a corresponding member of the Chi-
cago Historical Society.
PROF. NATHAN DYE.
. NATHAN DYE. No mention of the
yr musical fabric of Chicago and the West can
1$ be considered complete without a notice of
Professor Dye, who was endeared to many of the
early families of Chicago. A man who attained
the ripe old age of eighty-three years, he was
beloved by all with whom he came in contact.
He was a pioneer in his chosen profession, and
taught both vocal and instrumental music in
three generations of some families. One of the
secrets of his great success lay in his love of the
divine art, and his ability to so simplify his meth-
ods as to bring them within the grasp of almost
infantile minds.
Nathan Dye was born in the town of De Ruy-
ter, Madison County, New York, June 30, 1808,
and lived on the homestead farm until he was
sixteen years of age. The country schoolhouse
was a mile and a-half away, and the boy attend-
ed school half of each year from the age of seven
to ten years, helping on the farm during the in-
tervals, as was customary with lads of his time.
After this, he had but three months' schooling,
although always a student. When he was twelve
years of age, he met with an accident which
caused a lameness from which he never entirely
recovered. He was married, in 1833, to Miss
Lucy Maria Kinyon, of Milan, New York, and
four years later they removed to Kenosha, Wis-
consin, then called Pike Creek, and later South-
port.
A few years after coming West, Mr. Dye deter-
mined to devote his life wholly to music, which
had hitherto employed but a portion of his time
and energy. In 1844 he introduced his induct-
ive method of teaching in Milwaukee, Wiscon-
sin, by giving a series of concerts there with a
class of his Kenosha pupils. He continued to
teach in Milwaukee, with pronounced success, un-
til 1848, when he settled permanently in Chicago.
His phenomenal power of teaching children to
read music at sight attracted wide attention. For
years his classes, both adult and juvenile, were
a prominent feature of the musical world of Chi-
NATHAN DYE.
277
cago and adjacent cities. A part of his life work
which is full of beautiful memories was that con-
nected with those of his pupils whom he assisted
in the development of musical powers that must
have remained dormant but for this generous and
kindly teacher. How many were placed in con-
dition of self-support along the line indicated by
nature's gift, only their helper knew. Several
of Professor Dye's pupils made brilliant reputa-
tions on the lyric stage and in great oratorios.
He numbered in his early classes some of Chica-
go's most prominent citizens. The well-known
comic opera singer, Lillian Russell, first started
on her musical career under his tutelage. In the
spring of 1880 the Professor was tendered a tes-
timonial and complimentary benefit concert at
Central Music Hall, which his old friends and
pupils made a great success.
In November, 1843, he was bereaved by the
death of his wife, which occurred in Kenosha,
and a year's illness followed this sad blow. The
loss was somewhat compensated by the survival
of his three children for many years thereafter.
His only son, Byron E. Dye, died at Paola,
Kansas in September, 1883, and his remains were
taken to Kansas City for burial. His daughters
are Harriet A. and Frances E., of Chicago, the
former being the wife of N. Buschwah, and the
latter the wife of Gen. C. T. Hotchkiss, who won
his title in the Civil War. This sketch is penned
in loving memory of Professor Dye by Mrs. Hotch-
kiss. In 1855 Professor Dye married Miss Cor-
delia A. Hamlin, daughter of the late Rev. E. H.
Hamlin, once pastor of the First Baptist Church
of Chicago. Twin sons were born of this union.
After thirty-five years of happy wedded life,
they were separated by death only two months,
her demise occurring first. He passed away July
30, 1891, at his home, 383 Park Avenue. He
had been an invalid about seventeen months,
though his final illness was a severe attack of
pneumonia, which his great age made resistless.
His funeral took place Sunday, August 2, at Cen-
tral Music Hall, and his remains were interred
in the family lot at Kenosha, beside those of his
first wife. The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. Thomas G. Milsted, of the First Unita-
rian Church of Chicago, assisted by Mrs. Emma
J. Bullene, a trance speaker and an old pupil of
Professor Dye.
Professor Dye was an advanced thinker in the
line of religious conviction, investigating fear-
lessly and impartially new theories, and listening
gladly to the presentation of truth, as seen by
Christian or unbeliever. He accepted the tenets
of spiritualism, after the most careful and can-
did research, finding satisfaction in its teachings
as given by the scientific writers in that line of
thought. He was a great admirer of Rev. Dr.
Thomas, in whose discourses he found much food
for reflection.
Professor Dye was a descendant of old Revolu-
tionary stock, and imbibed the love of liberty
with his earliest breath. It is not strange, there-
fore, that he was identified with the earliest Aboli-
tion movement, and labored unflinchingly for the
emancipation of the colored man. Fifteen mem-
bers of the Dye family served in the Continental
army, several of them being officers. Among
the number was Gen. Thomas Dye, a personal
friend of Washington and La Fayette, who were
often entertained at his house in Bergen, New
Jersey, during the memorable winter of 1777-78.
Daniel Dye, grandfather of the subject of this
biography, endured the horrors of that winter at
the Valley Forge encampment, his feet being
swathed in rags for protection. He often related
reminiscences of the privations endured by him-
self and comrades at that time. At one time a
number of British officers visited General Wash-
ington under a flag of truce, and such was the
destitution prevailing in the camp that the only
refreshment he was able to offer them consisted
of baked potatoes and salt, which were served on
pieces of bark, in lieu of plates. Daniel Dye
was born in Kent County, Connecticut, February
10, 1744. He enlisted in Captain Beardsley's
company, Seventh Regiment of the Connecticut
Line, May 28, 1777, and was under command of
Col. Heman Sift. He was discharged from that
company February 17, 1778. Prior to entering
the regular service, he was a member of Captain
Fuller's company of militia, and did duty in the
New York campaign of 1776. He was the father
THOMAS TAGNEY.
of eight children, the eldest of whom was John
P. Dye, born May 9, 1768. About 1791 he
moved from Connecticut to western New York.
His wife's name was Sally Rhodes, and Nathan
was the tenth of their eleven children.
Professor Dye was a member of the old Tippe-
canoe Club, and ever maintained the principles
upon which that organization was founded. He
was always thoroughly posted on current political
events and matters of historical interest. Every
movement looking toward the moral and physical
uplifting of humanity in general received his
cordial support and commendation.
THOMAS TAGNEY.
"HOMAS TAGNEY, whose death occurred
on the seventh day of September, 1894, at
897 Seminary Avenue, was one of the early
settlers of Chicago, having first visited this city
in 1836, nearly sixty years ago. He was a native
of Sheffield, England, born May 15, 1818. His
father, Thomas Tagney, was a musician in the
British army, as was also one of his brothers. In
1833 the elder Tagney migrated with his family
to Canada, where he taught music, in which he
was very proficient, for several years. The family
afterward returned to England, but the subject of
this sketch preferred to remain in this country,
and continued for a short time with his uncle in
Canada. Young Tagney was of a restless and
roaming disposition, and desired to see other parts
of the world. He accordingly went into the
Southern States, and was engaged on different
plantations in Alabama and Louisiana, in the vi-
cinity of New Orleans, for several years. Al-
though only a boy in his teens at the time he
went there, he rapidly acquired knowledge that
enabled him to direct plantation work, and he be-
came an overseer. In this employment he earned
good wages, a large portion of which he managed
to save.
Abandoning that life in 1836, he came direct to
Chicago, with a small fortune, which he invested
in North Side property. -Two lots, 143 and 145
Illinois Street, for which he paid $600, he still
had in his possession at the time of his death,
and their value had increased to twenty-five thou-
sand. For several years Mr. Tagney was a steam-
boat engineer, and sailed all over the Lakes, from
Buffalo to Duluth On retiring from the lake
service he settled at Muskegon, Michigan, where
he resided five years, and was engaged as engi-
neer in the sawmill there. Returning again to
Chicago, he engaged as mechanical engineer in
the employ of the Fulton & St. Paul Grain Ele-
vators. He superintended the construction of the
former (first known as Munn & Gill's Elevator) ,
both in its original construction and when rebuilt
in 1873. He was continuously in the employ of
thi
