ALBERT BUSH.; Woodworker; born in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 21, 1852, is the son of Henry A. and Wilhelmina Bush. After nearly completing the grammar school course he went to work in his father's factory and learned to make sash, doors and blinds and other things the business required. He was the first of the sons taken into partnership by H. A. Bush, entering in 1882 and continuing till 1895. Since then he has worked with Charles Rojahn and Son, manufacturing marble and granite monuments. He married Anna Rojahn in Peoria, June 13, 1882, and they have two children, Edna Myrtle and Irene Mabel. Mrs. Bush is the daughter of Charles and Mary (Wolff) Rojahn. Her father, born in Gottingen, Hanover, May 25, 1832, came to America at the age of twenty-one, and settled in Peoria in 1856. Her mother was born in Hanover January 21, 1838, and, when but two or three years old, removed with her parents to Newport, Kentucky. There she married Mr. Rojahn, June 15, 1856. Of the children of this union Mrs. Bush is the oldest. Mr. Bush has a handsome and comfortable cottage at 414 Third Avenue. Politically he is a Republican.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
FREDERICK BUSH; Sash, Door and Blind Maker; son of Henry A. and Wilhelmina Bush, was born in the city of Peoria, June 16, 1865. He received a common-school education, and at an early age became familiar with the machinery about his father's factory. At fourteen years of age he became steadily employed about the mill, where he has worked ever since. At the age of twenty-three he became a partner in the firm of H. A. Bush & Sons, later known as Bush Brothers. He is a practical sash, door and blind-maker. September 17, 1894, he married Johanna M. Radasch in Keokuk, Iowa. Their only child, Herrforth Ralph, was born December 20, 1898, and died May 29, 1901. Mrs. Bush was born in Berlin, Prussia, December 15, 1865, daughter of Ephraim and Marie (Herrforth) Radasch. Her father, who was born February 1, 1841, a native of Berlin, was a cigarmaker by trade, and also had a furniture store. Her mother was born at Aschersleben, Saxony, September 10, 1843. Carl Radasch, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Bush, was the owner of a cigar factory. Her maternal grandfather, David Herrforth, a blanket weaver, also owned a factory. Mr. and Mrs. Radasch came to America in 1867 and settled at Keokuk, Iowa. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom (five sons and two daughters) grew to maturity. Mr. Radasch died December 23, 1897, at the age of fifty-six. His wife, born in 1843, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bush live in a handsome two-story residence, at 535 Tracy Street, Averyville.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
HENRY A. BUSH.; Proprietor of planing mill; was born at Gerstheim, Alsace, France, November 14, 1826. He was the grandson of a Lutheran minister who was imprisoned during the French Revolution for preaching the gospel contrary to the law at that time. Theodore Bush, the father of Henry A., was a native of Alsace; his wife, whose surname was Liebig, was a native of Lahr, Baden. For twenty-four years Theodore Bush was mayor of his native village, Gerstheim. He was a cabinetmaker by occupation, a trade which Henry A. also learned. In 1847 Henry A. Bush sailed from Havre, and thirty-five days later landed in New York. He first went to Chicago, where he spent two years, and then to New Orleans, where he lived from 1849 to 1852. His last move was to Peoria, the journey being made by water. Here, in 1855, after working three years as a journeyman, he engaged in woodworking, a business which he followed to the end of his life. In those early days, when machinery was worked by horse-power, his firm was known as Preston, Brooks and Bush, their shop being located opposite the present Union Station. Subsequently Mr. Bush formed a partnership with Michael Pfeifer in the grocery business, on Bridge Street. Although financially successful, he retired from the grocery business and devoted himself more assiduously to woodworking. He built a frame shop on what is now Depot Street, where he manufactured sash, doors and blinds. In 1878 a brick building was erected and a planing mill established. In 1884 he built the present plant and moved his machinery to the corner, 1717 South Washington Street. His plant was twice destroyed by fire, once about 1867 and again in 1896, but in each case he rebuilt. For some years past the business has been conducted under the firm name of H. A. Bush & Sons, Henry, John, Frederick and William being interested in the industry, with an average of twenty men employed. Mr. Bush twice visited Alsace, his native land, once in 1867, when he remained about five months, and again in May, 1887. In the city of New Orleans, May 22, 1851, he married Wilhelmina Zieseniss, and they were the parents of ten children: Albert; Caroline; Henry; Louisa; Theodore; John; Frederick; Minnie; Emma, wife of W. C. Wallace; and William. Mrs. Bush was born at Selzer, Hanover, March 28, 1828, daughter of Ludwig Zieseniss, a native of Selzer, and a linen weaver by trade. Her mother died in Germany. In 1848 Mr. Zieseniss, accompanied by his two daughters, a son and Mrs. Bush, went to New Orleans, where he died of yellow fever. Mr. Bush, who died January 25, 1901, was one of the oldest manufacturers of Peoria. He was a Republican, but never asked for office. He was a prominent member of Peoria Lodge, No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Western Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was a charter member. Being a man of firm principle and great energy, he was highly respected.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JOHN BUSH.; Woodworking Machinist; son of Henry A. and Wilhelmina Bush, was born in Peoria, September 15, 1862, and educated in the common schools. He has been employed at the Bush Mills since he was fifteen years old, having started about the time his father bought the Pulsipher place. He was the second son taken into partnership by Henry A. Bush, and is now a member of the firm of Bush Brothers. He married Elta A. Smith in Peoria, December 6, 1883. They had seven children: John E., Albert W., Sadie V., Elta A., Minnie (deceased), Leona Marie (deceased), and Lottie A. Mrs. Bush is the daughter of James W. W. and Varinda J. (Taylor) Smith, for many years residents of Peoria. Her father was a veteran in the Civil War and served in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Bush lives at 214 Sumner Street, in a residence which he built fifteen years ago. In politics he is a Republican with socialist tendencies. He belongs to many lodges, including Columbia Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, Masonic, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Sick and Death Benefit Fund Association, and the Royal Circle.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
THEODORE BUSH.; Railway Engineer; born in the city of Peoria, December 3, 1861, the son of Henry A. and Wilhelmina Bush; attended the parochial and public schools until he was about sixteen years old, when he went into his father's shop to work regularly and help saw sash frames. Two years later he took charge of the engine at the factory, which he ran for two years. He then worked as a fireman four years with the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway. In 1885 he was promoted to the position of engineer, and in 1887, was given a permanent place on the run between Peoria and Keokuk. He has run a local freight engine for the last ten years. Socially he belongs to several lodges: The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Locomotive Firemen, and the American Order of United Workmen. He votes the Republican ticket. December 20, 1887, he was married at Hamilton, Illinois, to Jennie C. Kuhne, the only child of Christian F. Kuhne and his wife, Caroline, the former widow of Sanford Faught, a Justice of the Peace at Hamilton. Mrs. Faught's maiden name was Caroline Severs. Her first husband, Mr. Kuhne, was born in Magdeburg, Prussia, April 20, 1820, and when he came to America he first landed at Galveston. After staying a while at New Orleans he came up the river to Keokuk. He was a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, during the Rebellion. He was married at Hamilton in 1858. At that time the country was new and game plenty, deer and wild turkeys often coming very near the houses. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhne were among the oldest settlers of Hamilton, where she resided half a century, and where he was a merchant for twenty-six years, retiring in 1887. Mrs. Kuhne was born at Columbia, Pennsylvania. At the time of their daughter's wedding she presented her, among other presents, with a down-stuffed feather bed, bought from the Indians in the early days. August 8, 1901, Mr. and Mrs. Kuhne celebrated their forty-third wedding anniversary. Mr. Bush and wife now reside at 400 Reed Street, Peoria.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ELIOT CALLENDER. In every growing city there are names so inseparably connected with, its business and prosperity as to recur to every one becoming acquainted with the history of its growth.
Among the men contributing to the development of the business of the City of Peoria, Eliot Callender occupies a prominent position. His connection with a number of prominent business enterprises has given him in the com- munity a commanding influence. Mr. Callender was born in St. Louis, Missouri. March 22, 1842. His father, George H. Callender. and his mother, Elizabeth P. (Melcher) Calender, were New .England people, the former having been born in Poster Massachusetts, and the latter in Falmouth. Maine. At an early day they settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, where the father engaged in the mercantile business. Subsequently they moved to St. Louis, where Eliot, Belle Melcher and Howard Callender were born. In 1052 the family removed to Peoria.
Eliot Callender is descended from Revolutionary ancestors, among whom was Colonel Callender, who fought the two pieces of artillery used by the Colonists at Bunker Hill, which are now kept in the upper room at Bunker Hill Monument. At nine years of age Eliot was sent to Boston, where he attended the public schools until fifteen years of age. He then returned to Peoria and became a member of the first class in the new Peoria High School, in the building at the corner of Jackson and Jefferson Streets, now used as a Club House for the Women Teachers in the public schools. He attended the High School for two years and was then given a scholarship in Washington University at St. Louis, by the Hon. John Howe, then Mayor of that city. with whose family he made his home during his two years' course at the University. Upon leaving the University, he took up the trade of tanner and currier at Mr. Howe's extensive tannery in South St. Louis, where he learned both branches of the business. The Rebellion having broken out while he was working at his trade, the business of Mr. Howe was immediately threat- ened with destruction by Southern sympathizers on account of his strong Union sentiments. To avoid the destruction of his property Mr. Howe availed himself of a large steamboat, which was quietly dropped down to his tanyard one dark night, upon which his entire stock was loaded under the charge of Mr. Callender, and the boat was taken to Peoria, where the stock was finished up in a building now occupied as a drug store bv Colburn, Birks & Company.
In October 1861, Mr. Callender enlisted at Peoria in the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, but was soon after transferred to the United States Navy at St. Louis, on board the gun-boat "Benton." In January, 1862, he was transferred to the gunboat "Cincinnati" and participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Island No. 10 and Fort Pillow where the gun-boat was sunk by the rebel rams. He served through both Vicksburg campaigns of 1862-63, and in the Haines Bluff, Yazoo Pass, St. Charles. Ft. Pemberton and White River expeditions. Mr. Callender shipped as a landsman in the navy, was promoted to Paymaster's Steward, afterwards commissioned as Master's Mate, and October 1, 1862, was commissioned Ensign and appointed Fleet Signal Officer. He was finally transferred as Executive Officer to the United States Steamer Marmora," and promoted to Commander of that vessel. He resigned in June, 1864, as his active services were no longer needed upon the Mississippi River. Upon leaving 'the Navy he returned to Peoria, where he has since resided.
Mr. Callender was instrumental in establishing the large and important Insurance Agency in the City of Peoria, which still bears his name. For many years he has been the representative in Peoria of large moneyed institutions seeking investments in the State of Illinois. During all these years he has been their trusted agent and had sole charge of their business, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Few men during the years of Mr. Callender's active connection with business, have been more public spirited or taken a larger part in building up various industries and improving the city. He was connected prominently with the establishment of the Peoria Mercantile Library, and one of its incorporators, and was on the building committee of the Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Opera House, the National Hotel, the Young Men's Christian Association Building, the Dime Savings Bank, and the Second Presbyterian Church. He is still a Director in the Young Men's Christian Association, in the National Hotel Company, the Allaire-Woodward Company, Peoria Wagon Com- pany, Title and Trust Company, and President of the Dime Savings Bank. In 1881 Mr. Callender organized the banking firm of Callender, Ayres & Company, composed of himself, Columbus R. Cummings, Henry P. Ayres, Gardner T. and Walter Barker. In 1884 he organized the Commercial National Bank of Peoria, as the successor of Callender, Ayres & Company, and was for two years its President. He organized the Dime Savings Bank in 1887 and resigned his position as President of the Commercial Bank. He has since been at the head of the Savings Bank, which has grown into one of the most important and valuable banking institutions in the city. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Callender has led an active business life in Peoria and played a very important part in the
development of all that is best in the city. Mr. Callender is a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, Illinois Commandery; of the Grand Army of the Republic, and, in 1897, was Commander of Bryner Post. No. 67; a member of the Naval Order of the United States, and of the Farragut Naval Veterans' Association. He has always been an ardent Republican.In May, 1864. Mr. Callender married Mary C. Frye, the daughter of Dr. Joseph C. and Eliza S. Frye. Dr. Frye was one of the earlier and most prominent physicians in the city of Peoria, and was most widely known and respected throughout the State of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Callender have three children; Joseph E., now engaged in business in Chicago; Annie G., the wife of Charles S. Burdick; and Eliot, Jr., a lad still at home.
Mr. Callender has, in addition to the business enterprises with which he has been connected, been an active worker and a liberal contributor to all philanthropic, charitable and religious institutions. He has always taken an
active interest in all charitable work and deservedly stands high in the estimation of all in the city of Peoria.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
WILLIAM HENRY CARROLL.
William Henry Carroll is a native of Peoria, born November 12, 1867, the son of Thomas and Catharine (Tobin) Carroll. His father was a native of Ireland who came to Peoria in the early '50s, where he was married to Miss Catharine Tobin, six children being the result of this union, of whom William H. was the fourth. The latter was educated in the parochial and public schools of Peoria, and afterwards learned the trade of a boiler-maker, at which he worked nearly twenty years. In 1892 he entered upon his first political position as member of the Board of Supervisors of Peoria County, in which he served two years, when he was elected to the Peoria City Council, serving two terms of two years each, the last ending in the spring of 1899. At his first election he was the youngest member of the Board. While in the City Council, he was the prime mover in the plan for the erection of the new City Hall, and served as Chairman of the Committee in charge of its construction. During his term in the City Council, he was called upon to serve a number of times as Mayor protem, during the temporary absences of the Mayor; and, while one of the most active members of the Council, was regarded as the best parliamentarian in that body. From childhood he has taken an active interest in debates and public speaking, thereby fitting himself for the positions in public affairs he has been called to fill. In politics he is an earnest Democrat, and, as indicated by his public career, has exerted a strong influence in the affairs of his party.
In 1899 Mr. Carroll established a boot and shoe store at 1229 Adams Street, which he is now successfully conducting. On November 19, 1890, he was married to Miss Lizzie Lanning, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lanning of Peoria, and they have had four children, of whom three are now living, viz: William H., Jr., Thomas Emmett and Simon LeRoy.
Mr. Carroll is a member of a number of social and patriotic organizations, including the Irish Nationalist Society "'98 Club"), and of the United Irish League of America, of each of which he is the President for Peoria. In. a gen- eral way he is regarded as the best posted man in Peoria on the workings of various societies throughout the world who are laboring for the cause of freedom for Ireland. He was also, for seven years, Captain of Comman- dery 57, Knights of St. John, which was considered, in its day, the best drilled company in Peoria. He takes a deep interest in the youth of the city, and has had built at his home the best equipped private gymnasium, and swimming pool in Peoria, where boys are admitted and taught the art of swimming free, good behavior being the only fee for admission or membership.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
AQUILLA JOHN DAUGHERTY. Aquilla John Daugherty was born on a farm near Hamilton, Ohio, December 6, 1842, the son of James Daugherty, his mother's maiden name being Elizabeth Doty. The father was a cooper by trade and a farmer, who became prominent in the affairs of the county, and, having removed to Hamilton, at a later period became Mayor of that city and finally Auditor of the county. James Daugherty was born in 1814, and his father, John Daugherty, was a soldier of the War of 1812-14—his wife being Esther (Ward) Daugherty. The paternal branch of the family came over to Maryland with Lord Baltimore— the name then being spelled "Dougherty"—while Elizabeth Doty was descended from Edward Doty, one of the band of Pilgrims who came to Plymouth in the Mayflower in 1620. Her father was Zina Doty, the son of John Doty, whose descendants bore a prominent part in the settlement of the Miami Valley at an early day. From the last named, the ancestry of the Doty family was traced through Joseph to Samuel, and then to Edward, the Mayflower emigrant already mentioned.
Aquilla J. Daugherty was educated at Hamilton, and at Miami University, at Oxford in his native State. His ambition was to qualify himself for the practice of law, but his father's failure in business compelled him to seek employment for support and, for a time, he suffered many discouragements and hardships. He began work on the "Ohio State Journal" at Columbus, later was employed upon the "Cincinnati Commercial," but soon after accepted a position as war correspondent with George D. Prentice of the "Louisville Journal," being also associated in the same capacity at different times during the progress of the war with the "Cincinnati Enquirer" and the "Cincinnati Gazette." His letters were published over the nom-de-plume of "Quill." While at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a bitter criticism of General Rosecrans over this signature appeared in the Louisville paper, and Mr. Daugherty was arrested as its author; but Mr. Prentice secured his release by showing that a certain Colonel was the real author. The latter was cashiered and discharged from the army, while Daugherty was granted special privileges which had been previously denied him. On another occasion General Logan ordered his arrest for criticising certain army officials for dishonorable practices. When General Grant assumed command at Chattanooga, he sent for Mr. Daugherty, asked him many questions about his observations and experiences, complimented him and finally
gave him a pass which read : "Pass the bearer. A. J. Daugherty, correspondent of the Louisville Journal, within and without the lines of all the armies, free of charge for himself and horse, on all railroads and steamboats under military control." This was prized very highly as the most liberal pass ever granted to a newspaper correspondent in that Department. When arrested by order of General Logan, Mr. Daugherty exhibited this pass to the General, and asked that the charges against him be investigated before excluding him from the army. This was done with the result that Mr. Daugherty was completely exonerated. General Logan afterwards invited him to his home and headquarters; the invitation was accepted and Mr. Daugherty remained in close touch with General Logan up to the close of the war. Mr. Daugherty was with Rosecrans at the battle of Chickamauga and witnessed the struggle of Thomas to hold the enemy in check during the desperate siege which followed; went with Grant from Chatta- nooga to Atlanta, reporting all the battles and movements; returned to Nashville and saw Thomas crush out Hood; accompanied Sherman though Georgia and the Carolinas on "The March to the Sea," and finally witnessed the grand review at Washington which marked the termination of the war.The war ended, Mr. Daugherty was connected for some time with the Indianapolis Journal, taught school for five years in Hancock County, served on the Board of Supervisors, was an unsuccessful candidate for Sheriff, though running far ahead of his ticket, and in 1875 became stenographer for the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw (now the Toledo, Peoria & Western) Railway Company, remaining in connection with the road some fifteen years, and in that time holding many responsible positions in the railway and fast-freight line service. In 1889 he was appointed United States Consul at Callao, Peru. Four years later he engaged in the grain business in Peoria, was a Republi- can candidate for Congress in 1894, but later was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and re-elected in 1896. In 1898 he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifth (Illinois) Internal Revenue District, serving until his death, which occurred in Peoria, July 24, 1901, as the result of a stroke of paralysis from which he suffered on January 21st previous.
In 1876, Mr. Daugherty was married to Margaret E. Crawford, one daughter Willa C., being born of this union, who died in infancy. His wife died in 1881, and ten years later he was married to Miss Jennie Loosley Plahn, of Beardstown, and leaves a son, Hale Plahn Daugherty, born at Callao, Peru, September 15. 1892. Mr. Daugherty was prominent in social affairs, a wide and thoughtful reader on all current subjects, and in public life a faithful, efficient and trustworthy public officer.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
EZEKIEL DAY. Ezekiel Day, one of Peoria's prominent business men of the last half century, was born at Butler, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1805, the son of Daniel and Mary Day. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Plymouth Colony, of whom three brothers came to America, one finally settling in New Jersey. From the latter branch of the family Mr. Day was descended. After receiving a common-school education he learned the trade of manufacturer of tobacco at Pittsburg, later on establishing a factory of his own. which he conducted for a number of years. He also became the owner of a passenger steamer, which was engaged in the trade between Pittsburg and Cincinnati. After continuing in the tobacco trade, which he conducted successfully for many years, and during which he accumulated a snug fortune, he retired. Being a man of active, vigorous temperament, he soon grew restless and dissatisfied with a life of inactivity, and, a few years later, engaged in the iron manufacturing business in Venango County, Pennsylvania. This proved a lucrative and prosperous business under the operation of the protective tariff of that period; but when, under the administration of President Buchanan, the tariff-laws were modified in the direction of free-trade, the change, for the time being, proved disastrous to the iron industry, and Mr. Day suffered with the rest. After losing a large amount of money in the effort to keep his establishment in operation, he was compelled to abandon the business. In 1859 Mr. Day removed to Peoria and here resumed his old business as a tobacco manufacturer, which he continued until 1875, when he finally retired.
In politics Mr. Day was an ardent Republican and, during the war for the preservation of the Union, a zealous supporter of the policy of President Lincoln. In religious belief he adhered to the faith of his fathers, which was. that of the Presbyterian Church.
On February 3, 1835, he was married at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth Gallaher. Dr. Thomas Burrell, the grandfather of Mrs. Day, established the first iron-works at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and her mother started the first fire in the furnace, christening the works "The Cambria"—a name which has since become familiar as that of one of the most extensive establishment of its kind in the world. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Day, of whom four are still living, viz.: Dr. A. H. Day, now of Colorado; F. P. Day, of Omaha, Nebraska, where he is engaged in the coal business; William P. Day, President of the Day Carpet and Furniture Company of Peoria, and Josephine E., wife of William H. Day, Secretary and Treasurer of the same Company.
Mr. Day was a man of strong domestic feelings, and his life was devoted largely to the society of his family and to the promotion of their welfare and happiness. His death occurred February 23, 1893.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
HENRY DETWEILLER. Captain Henry Detweiller was born in Lorraine, then a Province of France, but now of Germany, on the 19th of June, 1825. He was a son of Christian and Catherine Shertz Detweiller, both natives of France. His father was engaged in farming, milling, and in the transportation business, in which he accumulated a fortune. He had three large estates situated in different parts of the Province, at which he was in the habit of entertaining the nobility, for weeks at a time, according to the custom of the day. He met with reverses, during the War of 1812 and '13, and died in 1832, a poor man.
In the spring of 1837. Capt. Detweiller came to the United States, with his mother and three sisters, landing in New York, after a voyage of sixty-eight days. At the suggestion of an older brother, John, who had located in Peoria, in 1833, Captain Detweiller removed to that place. He was forty-two days on the journey from New York to Peoria, traveling from New York to Rochester, by boat; thence to Buffalo, by canal; thence by lake to Cleveland: from there to Cincinnati, bv canal; thence by boat, down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, to Peoria. His mother and one sister died during the following year. Peoria had, at that time, about twelve hundred inhabitants.
After coming to Peoria, Captain Detweiller attended school and clerked for his brother, who kept the St. Croix Tavern, on Water Street— then the principal street of Peoria. He then clerked in the shoe-store of Charles W. McClellan, and afterwards, for Samuel Voris & Co., for the highly remunerative compensation of six dollars per month. The business of Peoria, with the outside world, at that time was chiefly transacted by water. Listening to the stories of steamboat Captains, and the talk of John Frink, of the firm of Frink & Walker, the mail and stage contractors' of that early day, he conceived a strong desire to become a pilot on the river. Mr. Frink gave him an opportunity to go aboard the steamer "Frontier," then running as a mail and passenger packet from Peoria to Peru. Through the kindness of Mr. Frink, the Captain instructed the young man in the trade of the river and the secret of running and operating the boats. He was soon appointed Second Pilot, and was upon the boat, when the Steamer Panama ran into and sunk the "Frontier" at the "Towhead" above "The Narrows." This occurred early on the morning of September 2, 1842, just after the "Frontier" had left the village of Little Detroit, then situated on the eastern shore of the river, but which has since entirely disappeared. By running the boat ashore at the "Towhead," the forty or fifty passengers on board escaped without the loss of a single life, but the hull of the "Frontier" still lies at the bottom of the river, where it sunk sixty years ago. The following year, the Company built a new steamer "Chicago," on which he shipped as Second Pilot, under his old instructor, and continued upon that boat until it was withdrawn from the river, in the spring of 1844. He continued in that position, on other boats for a year. In 1847, he was made Captain of the"Gov Briggs" then in the St. Louis and Alton trade. At that time, owing to the war with Mexico, the boat carried many troops and much equipment from Alton to Jefferson Barracks below St. Louis. In 1848 and '49, he was First Pilot on different boats. The latter year was remarkable for the epidemic of malignant cholera. St. Louis was afflicted, and hundreds were dying daily. People were leaving the city upon the boats, as rapidly as possible. Captain Detweiller continued at his post until one night, while taking the steamer "Danube" to St. Louis, through over-work and loss of sleep, he was suddenly stricken with cholera, and had just time to ring the stopping bells before he fell to the floor of the pilot-house. Fortunately, a pilot on the Mississippi was aboard the boat and took his place. Mr. Detweiller was removed to Peoria, but, for nine months or more was unable to resume his duties. His Captain, at the time he was stricken, was seized with cholera the next trip, died and was buried at Pekin.
From 1850 to 1860, the river business between the North and South was immense. During these years, Mr. Detweiller acted in the different capacities of Pilot and Captain, on a number of boats upon the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. In 1856, he became part owner of the Steamer "Movastar," and in 1857, became the sole owner of the Steamer "Minnesota." During his last years upon the river, he frequently had Abraham Lincoln as a passenger, and came to know him well. In 1862, he offered his services to the Government, and was sworn into the service, at St. Louis, and assigned to the command of the United States Steamer "Jenny Lind," and was ordered to Cairo, to await the arrival of the fleet with General Pope's troops aboard from Island No. 10. The "Jenny Lind" was detailed as dispatch boat to the flag-ship accompanying the fleet up the Tennessee River to Pittsburg landing. Later on, he was with the fleet at Memphis. In 1863, Captain Detweiller was transferred to the U. S. Steamer Yankee, of which he had charge until the close of the war, and was attached to the fleet at the fall of Vicksburg. While managing the Government transports, he performed a very important and often hazardous service. So great was the danger to which his boat was exposed during these perilous years, that Captain Det- weiller was compelled to adopt various schemes to evade the enemy. His boat was sometimes disguised as a gun-boat. The Yankee was never seriously injured, although often fired upon. The last important service of his boat was to take a cargo of horses, mules and stores valued at $250,000 from St. Louis to New Orleans. The boat was fired upon, but the cargo was at length safely delivered in New Orleans. After the war, Captain Det- weiller was in charge of the Steamer "Beaver," until he abandoned the river, in 1874, to give his attention exclu- ively to the ice business, in which he had engaged, establishing it, in 1870, in partnership with N. L. Woodruff. In December, 1876, he severed his connection with Mr. Woodruff, and has conducted the business, either in his own name or under the name of the Detweiller Ice Company ever since.
He married Magdalena Bachman, November 5, 1848, at the home of his sister, in Woodford County, Illinois. Mrs. Detweiller was also a native of France. Seven children were born to them, three of whom are still living: Thomas H., Amelia M. and Matilda E. Detweiller. Mrs. Detweiller died, December 10, 1888. Her death was a severe blow to her husband, as she had been in all respects, a helpmate. She was in her home, not only a devoted wife and mother, but a useful member of society, kindly, charitable and helpful to all who were in trouble or want. She was active in charitable work; connected with the Women's Christian Home Mission and with the Women's Relief Corps, and did her part in society and in the community.
Captain Detweiller's life has been a laborious one and beset with quite as many of the ordinary trials of life as fall to the lot of most men; yet through it all he has borne himself honorably and with characteristic geniality; never has allowed himself to be despondent, gloomy or hopeless, but in adversity, as well as prosperity, has maintained the same genial, pleasant, kindly character, endearing him to all with whom he has come in contact. As an evidence of the confidence of his fellow-citizens in his integrity, he was elected six times to the office of City Treasurer, without his seeking, and really against his personal desire.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and a charter member of Bryner Post 67, G. A. R., and was, for thirteen years, President of the Old Settlers' Association of Peoria.
He cast his first vote for General Taylor for President in 1848, and, since the organization of the Republican party, has been an ardent, earnest worker in that party, believing thoroughly in its principles.
During his residence of sixty-five years, he has seen the village of Peoria develop into a beautiful city of over 65,000 inhabitants, and he has, during all these years, contributed his full part to the growth of this city. It may be said of him, as of very few men, that he is not known to have an enemy in the city of Peoria, or any one who entertains aught but the kindliest sentiment's towards him. This has resulted from his genial, kindly disposition, and his efforts to help rather than mar the fortunes of any man or woman. If there were more like him, it would be better for the community, for the city, for the State. He is a man of decided character, strong convictions, but willing that other men shall enjoy the same right and freedom of thought and act which he claims for himself. The thought of entertaining malice never has entered his mind. He has never known what jealousy is over the prosper- ity of others, and it is as much his delight to see his friends, neighbors and acquaintances prosper as it is to prosper himself. Such evenly balanced characters are rare: and when we see them, we cannot refrain from expressing our appreciation of them and our commendation of the men or women who bear them.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
VALENTINE DEWEIN. Valentine Dewein, whose name is still familiar to many of the residents of Peoria, was born April i, 1817, in Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of France, but now included in the German Confederation. His parents, Valentine and Margaret (Gold) Dewein, were natives of the same Province. They were descended from the French Hugue- nots, who located near the line to avoid persecution, and to enable them the more easily to escape, if persecution came.
Frederick Dewein, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the first of the family to come to America. He came, made his home at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and later engaged in the manufacture of pearlash at Cham- bersburg. Before coming to America he had been a Commissary in the Eastern Division of the French Army. His son, Valentine Dewein, Sr., served seven years in the army under Napoleon I. He came to America in 1830, locating at Baltimore, Maryland. Afterwards he removed to McConnellsburg, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1834. He was a tailor by trade, but subsequently engaged in the manufacture of bagging.
The subject of this sketch was educated in his native land, and coming to America with his parents in 1830, began life here by working upon a farm in Pennsylvania, Subsequently he was apprenticed to a shoe-maker, and fol- lowed that trade for about thirty years. He then began dealing in leather, shoe-findings, saddlery hardware and harness ware, and continued in that business until 1883. He became a resident of Peoria in 1847, and engaged in the business last named here, with a good degree of success. By his energy, business sagacity, prudence and eco- nomy, he accumulated a fortune. He invested a considerable sum in the erection of a business block on South Adams Street, which still stands as an evidence of his interest in the city and his business foresight, it being now one of the most valuable pieces of property in the city.
Mr. Dewein was interested in the construction of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad, which he promoted and encouraged with his time and money. He was always interested in the building up of the city, had great faith in its future, and was willing to put all of his savings into property located within its borders. He was public-spirited, took an interest in politics only so far as related to the choice of men, particularly in municipal and State affairs. His political acts were controlled more by his knowledge of men and his interest in securing the best men, than from any political influence or bias. He was an ardent Union man during the War of the Rebellion, and did what he could to aid the Union cause and alleviate the suffering of the soldiers in the field. He was a member of the City Council, for some years, and for nine years was Director in the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway Company, and was subsequently Secretary and Treasurer of the Peoria & Rock Island Railway Company. In August, 1845, he married Margaret Shafer, who was born near Strasburg, Germany. They had seven children, only one of them surviving, —Louis K. Dewein, of Peoria.
Mr. Dewein was an added illustration of the value of strict business integrity in the management of his affairs. He was never niggardly, mean or parsimonious, but was careful, prudent, economical in business affairs, and always lived within his income, whether great or small. He never had any desire, apparently, to make a show of his wealth, but used it for the upbuilding of the city, and for the comfort of himself and family. He enjoyed the respect of all who knew him, and the confidence of all dealing with him, at any time. He died, February 19, 1891. Mar- garet Dewein, his wife, died April 13, 1899.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JOHN DIXON. The following sketch of the life of the first Clerk of the Circuit Court of Peoria County is furnished by his great- grandson, Henry S. Dixon, a resident of the city of Dixon, Illinois. which John Dixon founded:
"John Dixon was born at Rye, Westchester County, New York, October 8, 1784. He was a son of John Dixon, who was an officer in the British army, and came to America with that army during the war of the Revolution and remained here after peace was declared. John Dixon, the younger, moved to New York City at an early age, and kept a clothing store and merchant tailoring establishment there for fifteen years. He was an intimate friend of Robert Fulton and, it is said, that he was present on the occasion of the first public trial of Fulton's steamboat on the Hudson, and, on that occasion, handed to Fulton a silver dollar, saying that he wished to be the first man in America to pay for such transportation.
"He remained in New York until 1820, when his health failing to a certain extent, he removed West, traveling by ox-teams to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, thence to Shawneetown, Illinois, by flat-boat, and then by ox-team to Fancy Creek, about nine miles north of the present city of Springfield, the entire trip taking about seventy-two days. He remained there until 1824, when he moved to Peoria, where shortly afterwards he was appointed the first Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds of Peoria County, which was organized in 1825. He was also made Clerk of the Commissioner's Court of Peoria County. As there were no other organized counties north of Peoria at that time, the duty devolved upon him of giving notice of the time and places of elections, and the inspectors there-of, at the small settlements in Northern Illinois, north and west of the Illinois river, and extending as far east as Lake Michigan, including Cook and adjacent counties.
"Prior to 1830 Mr. Dixon received the Government contract for carrying the mails every two weeks from Peoria to Galena. To facilitate this work a ferry was established across Rock River at the present site of the city of Dixon. which was operated by a half-breed named Ogee. Ogee's management of the ferry was not satisfactory, and Dixon soon bought him out and removed with his family to that place. He was the first white settler in that vicinity, and so managed his affairs in his dealings with the Indians that he secured their confidence and friendship. This proved to be of great value to the Government and the scattering white settlers, when, in 1832 the country was devastated by the Indians in what was known as the Black Hawk War. Dixon's Ferry was the rendezvous for the troops during the war, and Dixon served both in the capacity of guide and in securing the friendship and alliance of many of the Indians who would otherwise have united their fortune with the partisans of Black Hawk.
"Many of the men who have since become prominent in American history have testified to their obligations to John Dixon for his hospitality, fidelity and courage during those trying times, among the officers being Zachary Taylor, Abraham Lincoln, Gen. Robert Anderson, Jefferson Davis, Gen. Winfield Scott, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, Gen. Starney and many others.
"During the time that Northern Illinois was being first settled and the counties and courts were being organized, Mr. Dixon took a prominent part, and was active in piloting strangers where he had no trail to follow, guided only by his compass and the recollections of such descriptions as he had obtained from the Indians in that new and uninhabited region.
"He was a man of medium height, spare in build, with long hair fallin over his shoulders and prematurely gray. His long white hair gave him his Indian name, 'Nadah-chura-sca,' or 'Head-hair-white,' which by usage was con- tracted to 'Nachusa.' He outlived his wife and children by many years, dying at the city of Dixon on July 5, 1876." [Mr. Dixon was a delegate from Lee County to the first Republican Slate Convention held at Bloomington in May, 1856, and spoke on that occasion from the same stand with Abraham Lincoln. In 1874 he visited Peoria at the anniversary of the "Old Settlers' Union."—Ed.]
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
NEWTON CHARLES DOUGHERTY. In this day of marvelous material developments, our attention is very largely directed to the men prominent in business, manufacturing and commerce. Their connection with the business world keeps them prominently before the public. So many are actively engaged in the accumulation of vast fortunes and in developing the industries through and by means of which fortunes are accumulated, that the public attention is drawn away from men who are actively and usefully engaged in the things of the mind and the heart, the higher and better things of life. The public is very apt to forget, or at least temporarily overlook, the fact that to the men of this latter class primarily belongs the credit of laying the foundation for the marvelous material prosperity that our country is enjoying. Men of (hat class do their work with very little outward display and but little to arrest and fix the attention of the masses, and hence oftentimes their importance is overlooked. By so much as the things of the mind and heart, of character and life, are above mere material prosperity, so are these educators of greater importance than the mere men of force. Newton Charles Dougherty belongs to the class of educators of this higher grade referred to, and, at the same time, combines it with real business capacity. Hence he is a power in the city of his adoption, beyond that of a mere business man, and also in a larger degree than a mere educator of children.
Mr. Dougherty was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1847. He was the youngest son and child of Philip and Hattie (Perry) Dougherty, both natives of Chester County. His father was of Scotch-Irish extraction and his mother was of English descent. The boyhood of Mr. Dougherty was passed in the usual manner of a farmer's son, his studies being prosecuted in the district schools, until he was fourteen years of age. He then entered Newark Academy and, six months later, became a student in the State Normal school in Millersville, Pennsylvania, where he prepared for college. Entering college in 1864, he graduated in 1868. Subsequently he received the degree of Ph. D. from Knox College, and LL. D. from Wesleyan University. He came to Illinois in 1869 as the Principal of the schools in Morris, Grundy County. He went from Morris to Mt. Morris, in Ogle County, where he became Principal of the Rock River Seminary, one of the oldest institutions in the State. It has graduated many men of talent, ability and prominence in politics, among whom are Senators Cullom and Farwell, Ex-Governor Beveridge, Hon. R. R. Hitt, and the Hon. John A. Rawlins, at one time chief of General Grant's staff. In 1878 Mr. Dougherty accepted a call to become Superintendent of the Peoria schools. The schools under his supervision immediately began to improve and soon were reduced to a system ranking them among the best of the graded schools of the State. Mr. Dougherty, with his characteristic energy, broad scholarship and genial manners, commended himself to the Board and to the teachers, and such has been his success that the thought of any successor is never entertained by the Board. Mr. Dougherty occupies a very prominent position in the educational forces of the United States. Perhaps no man is better known, and his influence and counsel are sought in educational matters, not only in this State, but throughout the country. He has been President of the National Educational Association and has been actively identified with the development of educational institutions of the State of Illinois.
Mr. Dougherty is a good business man as well as a popular and successful educator. He is President of the Peoria National Bank, one of the oldest banks in the city.
Mr. Dougherty was married, December 25, 1871, to Anna Edwards, a daughter of Richard Edwards, now of Bloomington, Illinois. Her father, as all Illinoisians know, has been one of the prominent and efficient factors in the development, progress and success of educational institutions in the State of Illinois. He was President of the Illinois State Normal University and State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Douherty: Mabel E., Horace R. and Ralph L., all of whom are college graduates. Miss Mabel is Assistant Instructor in English in the Bradley Polytechnic Institute. Horace is at present Vice-President and Manager of the Title and Trust Company in Peoria, and Ralph L. is taking a law course at Harvard University.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
EDWARD S. EASTON. Edward S. Easton was born at Zanesville, Ohio, April 20, 1842, and died at Peoria, Illinois, Feb. 21, 1901. He was the second son of Samuel E. and Hettie Oliver Easton.
Samuel Easton came to Peoria with his family June 20, 1846. His occupation, for many years, was that of a grain dealer. He died January 3, 1874. Hettie Oliver Easton outlived her husband many years. Always a prominent worker in various charitable organizations, sorrow and destitution found in her the prompt aid and sympathy that endeared her to all.
Edward S. Easton had only a common school education. Early in life he was possessed of a determination to become an active business man, and he felt the time given to acquiring a higher education wasted for his purposes. The commencement of his business ventures was as a train-boy on one of the first passenger trains coming into Peoria. In this occupation he soon developed his strong business instincts and keen ability. He saw in a short time this field was too narrow for him, so he gave it up and commenced buying grain. Nearly all the grain coming into Peoria was brought in wagons. There being no elevators, the grain was sold upon the streets. The buyers were often numerous and the competition naturally great. Mr. Easton's occupation was now congenial and he grew with the growth of the city. He built the Phoenix Elevator and Elevator "A."
He formed a partnership with Franklin Hall under the firm name of E. S. Easton & Co. This partnership continued until his death, doing an immense business. They built the Central City Elevator, owning a large part of its stock. They were the purchasing agents for several Distilling Companies and also for the Glucose Company for several years. Mr. Easton was instrumental in inducing the Glucose Company to locate in Peoria. He was active in the establishment of the Board of Trade (of which he was President in 1877) and in the erection of the Chamber of Commerce Building. He was a stockholder in the Central Street Railway Company, and one of the promoters of the Peoria Terminal Railway, of which he was also President.
All of his business ventures were conducted in a very successful manner and with great profit. A portion of the money which he so rapidly accumulated was invested in his usual judicious manner in Peoria city real estate, and its increase alone made him a wealthy man. He chose one of the most beautiful and valuable sites in Peoria, situated on the brow of the West Bluff, and erected thereon a magnificent home for his family, reserving a large piece of ground to add to the beauty and comfort of his home. He bought all the surrounding land and put up a large number of handsome tenement houses in order that nothing should detract from the value of the home. He owned a large number of fine business houses and tenements in various parts of the city, and a large and valuable
stock farm lying close to Peoria.He was a thorough Republican in politics, and twice was in the City Council,—from 1884 to 1889, and again in 1892 and 1893. During each period he served the city with energy and fidelity. He was Presidential Elector upon the Republican ticket in 1896. At the time of his death he was one of the Trustees of the Asylum for Incurable Insane at Bartonville, near Peoria. Although but a youth at the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Easton was one of the first to enlist, but was not accepted at that time because he lacked the requisite height; subsequently, however, he joined Company G. of the Sixty-seventh Illinois Volunteers. At the time of his death he was a member of Bryner Post, No. 67, Grand Army of the Republic.
He was married on February 3, 1864, to Sarah D. Hall, who survives him, and to whom he willed most of his large estate. Three children were born of this marriage: Charles Samuel, George Blakely, and Edna Sarah. The two sons survive but the daughter died in infancy. Mr. Easton and his wife, as a memorial to this little daughter, erected a substantial brick structure upon the spot where their early home stood, to be used as a home for working girls and women. This was conducted for some time, but not proving all that was desired in reaching the most needy, the property was sold and the proceeds donated to the Women's Christian Home Mission. Mr. Easton was always a most liberal contributor to and supporter of charitable institutions and charities in Peoria, the city in whose future he had so much confidence and whose business interests, by his unlimited investments
coupled with his great energy and remarkable foresight, he was constantly developing.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
GEORGE FRANCIS EMERSON. George Francis Emerson, wholesale dealer in heavy hardware, was born in Morton, Tazewell County, Illinois, April 4, 1847, the son of Enoch G. and Harriet P. (Waters) Emerson. His parents were both natives of New England, his father having been born at Rochester, Vermont, April 19, 1812, and his mother at Lebanon, New Hampshire, October 22, 1815. They came to Sangamon County, Illinois, in 1834, in company with a colony expecting to locate there, but being disappointed in securing a satisfactory location as to lands, removed to Tazewell County during the following year, where they remained until March, 1865, when they came to Peoria.
Mr. Emerson was educated in the common schools of his native county and lived upon a farm until March, 1865, when he came to Peoria, and having taken a course in the Worthington, Warner & Cole's Commercial College, in the following fall he became assistant book-keeper for D. C. Farrell, later for two years (1866-67) occupying the position of book-keeper for the firm of C. L. Bobb & Co. On June 15, 1868, he entered into the employment as book-keeper of the firm of Cummings & Stone, wholesale dealers in heavy hardware, and has been engaged in this business ever since. Mr. Stone, having sold out his interest in the establishment to his partner, Mr. Cummings, retired, the business being conducted by the latter alone for the next two years, when, on February 1, 1872, Mr. Emerson was admitted to partnership in the concern under the firm name of Cummings & Emerson. Mr. Cum-
mings died January 25, 1878, and from that date —a period of twenty-four years—the business has been under the sole management of Mr. Emerson. In the meantime, the interest of Mr. Cummings remained under the control of his widow until her decease, which occurred in 1896, when it passed into the hands of their heirs. Early in the following year (March, 1897) the concern was formally incorporated under the original firm name of Cummings & Emerson, under which the business has been since conducted, with Mr. Emerson in the position of President and Manager. The business of the concern has had a steady growth since its establishment in 1867, and was never more prosperous than at the present time. It now keeps one of the most complete and extensive stocks in its line in the country, and is widely known as one of the most progressive and enterprising houses in the branch of trade to which it belongs.Mr. Emerson was married on November 7, 1871, to Miss Harriet C. Woodruff, daughter of Nelson L. and Mary A. Woodruff, of Peoria, and they have had four children: Ada, Frank Nelson, George W. and Grace W. Ada died in infancy, and George W. at five and a half years of age. Frank N. Emerson, the only remaining son, graduated from Princeton University and the Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, and is now pursuing his profession as an architect in the city of Chicago. In religious faith and affiliation Mr. Emerson is a Presbyterian without sectarian prejudices. While an earnest Republican, politically, he is in no sense a seeker for office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business and the interests of his family, without neglecting his duty to the community in which, for over thirty-five years, he has made his home.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ENOCH EMERY. Enoch Emery, who for many years was editor-in-chief of "The Peoria Transcript," was born in Canterbury, New Hampshire, on August 31, 1822. Until the age of eighteen his life was spent on a farm at his native place. He there received the advantage of a common school education. Being of an inquiring and studious turn of mind, he extend- ed his knowledge by reading and self-culture, and at an early age developed a taste for literary pursuits. From the age of eighteen to twenty-two his time was mostly spent in Boston and for several years thereafter he was engaged as clerk in the "Merrimac House" in Lowell. He there found an an opportunity to gratify his taste by furnishing contributions to the press, and acquired some local reputation as a writer. Soon afterwards he became associate editor of the "Vox Populi," a newspaper published in Lowell, in which position he continued about two years, when in connection with three printers in the same office, he started "The Morning News," a humorous daily, which he conducted successfully for some years, when he sold out to his partners.
In the autumn of 1854 Mr. Emery came to Illinois, hoping that a change from the life of an editor to some other occupation would be beneficial to his health, which, from too close application, had become somewhat impaired. He accepted a situation on the Illinois Central Railroad and, for a few months ran a construction train, but not liking the change he returned to his former occupation. During the following winter he wrote for the "Bloomington Pantagraph," then a tri-weekly paper, and, in April of the next year, went back to Lowell and again took charge of the "Morning News." In the spring of 1856 he returned with his family to Illinois, and, feeling the need of rest from his editorial labors, spent the following summer on a farm in Macon County. In the year 1859 he took the position of local editor on the "Peoria Transcript," then conducted by Nathan C. Geer, in which capacity he continued until 1860, when he became editor-in-chief. The paper, started as independent, had now become an outspoken advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and it was Mr. Emery's short, terse, epigrammatic sentences that gave it great power as a leading organ of that political faith. On July 10, 1860, in company with Mr. E. A. Andrews, he became one of the owners of the paper, and for the next five years that firm continued its publication, Mr. Emery being all the while its, editor-in-chief.
In the campaign of 1860, and during the administration of Mr. Lincoln, the paper was stanch supporter of all the measures of the Republican party. After his re-election and very near the close of his life Mr. Lincoln appointed Mr. Emery Postmaster of Peoria. his commission being issued by President Johnson. After the assassination of Mr. Lincoln, and before the policy of President Johnson had been fully defined. while many in the party were ready to revolt against the new measures it was thought he was about to adopt, Mr .Emery's counsel was to wait and see, or to use his own words, "Have faith in Andrew Johnson." Holding a public office at the hands of the new President, he was not disposed to raise the standard of opposition. But when a new policy became clearly defined with which Mr. Emery could not agree, he did not hesitate to denounce it, although such a course might lead to the loss of his position. During his incumbency he removed the Postoffice from the Bestor (now Freeman) building on Main Street to one of the rooms in Rouse's Hall, where it had nearly double the room it had had at its former location. Here it was fitted up with a largely increased number of boxes and other conveniences which had long been needed.
In a little over a year, in consequence of the opposition of "The Transcript'" to his policy, President Johnson removed Mr. Emery from the office of Postmaster, and appointed Gen. D. W. Magee in his stead. Mr. Emery then bought out the interest of his partner, Mr. Andrews, and conducted the paper alone until the year 1869, when a corporation was formed, called '"The Peoria Transcript Company," with Mr. Emery at its head. For the next ten years the affairs of the Republican party in this district were somewhat mixed, but Mr. Emery remained true to his original principles. In consequence of unfortunate complications for which he was in no sense to blame, he became somewhat financially embarrassed, and had a hard struggle to sustain his paper. In 1880 a new company was formed to conduct the paper, but Mr. Emery continued for a time to be its editor.
In the meantime, however, in the year 1869 he had been appointed by President Grant Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifth District of Illinois, a position he continued to hold for two years, when, in consequence of his opposition to Gen. Logan, the latter caused him to be removed.
During the exciting campaign of 1862 Mr. Emery was a candidate for the Legislature against William W. O'Brien, by whom he was defeated. In 1870 he was elected Alderman of the Fifth Ward in the city of Peoria, and was re-elected in the following year. It was during this period that the city established its water works, Mr. Emery being on the committee appointed to superintend their construction.
Mr. Emery was twice married, his first wife being Mary Sargent Moon, by whom he had five children, two of them dying in infancy. In 1873 his wife died, and in 1877 he married Miss Mary Whiteside, by whom he had one son named Philip Enoch. Two married daughters, Mary and Gertrude, and this younger son survived him. The elder son, Edward, died in the winter of 1881.
The second wife, Mary Whitesides, had formerly been County Superintendent of Schools of Peoria County, in which capacity she had rendered efficient service. After the death of Mr. Emery, which occurred May 30, 1882, she was again elected to the same office and served another term. She has been for some years connected with the State Normal School of the State of Nevada.
A very graphic account of Mr. Emery's career as editor of the "Transcript," together with many well written reminiscences, may be found in the issue of that paper of December 17, 1895, to which the reader is referred.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
HARRY VICTOR FINKELSTEIN., Harry Victor Finkelstein, at present at the head of a large and growing trade in Peoria, which has been built up by his individual industry and enterprise, is the son of Solomon and Sarah (Fliegel) Finkelstein. born in his parents' native land (Germany) July 4, 1865. In 1868 he was brought by his parents to America, and, at the age of fifteen years, engaged in the iron business. For some six years he was employed as a traveling purchasing agent by a firm at Brazil, Indiana, making his headquarters in the meantime at Indianapolis. He afterwards engaged in business for himself, and, desiring to enlarge the field of his operations, he came to Peoria in 1892, where he entered upon his present line of business as a dealer in new and second-hand machinery, which, in the past ten years, has grown to very large proportions. In many respects Mr. Finkelstein's business is as unique in character as it is remunerative in results. He deals in everything in the line of machinery, pipes, belting, etc., and buys, sells or exchanges each of these as may suit his customers. He also does a general wreckage business—some of his work in this line having been the demolition of about a dozen large distilleries and other large establishments. He has bought several complete street-car lines, and was the purchaser of all the steel from the Intramural Electric Railroad around the World's Fair Grounds—out of which the original Prospect Heights line in Peoria was constructed—and pur- chased the locomotives for the same road. In fact, he is a versatile bargainer and has systematized the proclivities of his early days of "swapping" until, in his present capacity, he buys and sells almost anything from a rat-trap to a railroad line. One of his recent purchases has been that of the Wesley City coal mines, which he has operated most successfully. He also realized a handsome profit on the rise in iron, as he had a large quantity of that commodity on hand at the time of its advance in price. Besides giving personal direction to his business, he has six traveling representatives upon the road, who cover a large extent of territory looking out for bargains.
Mr. Finkelstein received his education in the common schools, is a Hebrew in religious faith and a Republican in politics. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Free Masons, of the Knights of Pythias, of Foresters, and Woodmen of America. On the 11th of January, 1886, he was married to Miss Lenora Greenberg at Cleveland. Ohio. with whom he enjoys a delightful home at 1109 North Madison Avenue, Peoria.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JOHN C. FLANAGAN. John C. Flanagan was the eldest son of John and Jane (Platt) Flanagan, both of whom were residents of Phila- delphia, quite wealthy and owners of valuable real estate in that city. He was born July 17, 1806. His education was commenced at Montrose and finished in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. He read law with Colonel James Paige, of Philadelphia, where he remained four years, was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession.
About this time a sad bereavement befell the family in the death of his father under peculiarly distressing circumstances. Having gone with a party of gentlemen friends on a pleasure excursion by a sail-vessel to the city of New Orleans, they were attacked on the way with ship fever, two of them dying at sea and Mr. Flanagan a few hours after the ship arrived in port. The son John was left at the head of a family consisting of his mother, two sisters and a younger brother. In 1830 he went to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and entered upon the practice of the law, also dealing extensively in the coal "business with his brother-in-law, David Maxwell. After remaining there three years they returned to Philadelphia.
In the spring of 1834 Mr. Flanagan came to Peoria and entered some land. In the fall of that year his family joined him in company with Mr. Maxwell and his wife, who was Mr. Flanagan's sister,—the family consisting of their mother, their brother, James A. Flanagan, a sister Louise and a lady friend. They first settled on a claim in Lime- stone Township. In the year 1836 Mr. Flanagan joined Mr. Maxwell in St. Louis, where they dealt some in lands. But, not being satisfied there, he returned to Peoria after one year. Being possessed of considerable means he bought lands adjoining the then rapidly growing town, which he laid out into additions, there being now three additions and subdivisions bearing his name. His brother-in-law, David Maxwell, was long a resident of Peoria, and occupied the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. He had a brother, Thomas Maxwell, a prominent business man who had three daughters: the eldest married William H. Cruger, contractor and superintendent of the Eastern Division of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad; the second, Charles S. Matteson, son of Governor Joel A. Matteson. and the third, Edward, son of the Hon. Jacob Gale.
Mr. Flanagan served as Alderman of Peoria for some time, but, having very little taste for public office, he never aspired to public honors. During his term as Alderman he interested himself largely in the drainage of that portion of the city lying in front of the bluff, and, through his influence, a deep canal was dug on Morgan Street for the purpose of draining that portion of the city. In politics he was a steadfast Democrat, and, during the exciting times antedating the Civil War, he arrayed himself on the side of Senator Douglas, of whom he was a great admirer.
Mr. Flanagan never married, feeling it to be his lifelong duty to devote himself to the care of his invalid sister Louise. In manners and deportment he was a gentleman of the old school, happy in disposition and compan- ionable in all his intercourse with his fellow men. Although coming to Peoria in the pioneer days, he never forsook his habits acquired in early life. He was scrupulously neat in his dress, always wearing a broadcloth Prince Albert and a silk hat. He wore side-whiskers, and his hair, which was a dark auburn and very silky in texture, fell in ringlets about his coat collar. He was tall and erect and commanded the attention of strangers wherever he went. He spent his time in looking after his own business interests and property, was well read in all topics of the day and was a great lover of home comforts.
Not long after his arrival in Peoria, he erected on the bluff overlooking the city and commanding an extensive view of the river scenery, a substantial brick residence, which still remains. There being no other communication at that time between Peoria and Chicago, all the lumber, lime and glass used in the construction of the building were hauled from Chicago in wagons. It was at that time probably the largest dwelling house in the city. It is now oc-
cupied by his only niece, Mrs. Louise Williamson, widow of the late Judge Marion Williamson and daughter of David Maxwell. Mr. Flanagan died June 4, 1891, leaving surviving him his two sisters, Letitia J. Maxwell and Louise A. Flanagan. His brother James, who had been engaged in business in Peoria for many years, died June 13, 1876.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
GOVERNOR THOMAS FORD. The following biography of the late Governor Ford was found among his papers, having been prepared by him for a work about to be published giving succinct biographies of the Governors of the several States. We publish it as an interesting record of a portion of the history of our State, and had intended to have added a short history of the period of his life between the conclusion of the autobiography and the death of the Governor, but have been un- able to do so at this time. As. however, this memoir embraces nearly his whole public life, it may be quite as well to leave it as it was found:—(Peoria Democratic Press, December 18, 1850.)
"Thomas Ford was born in the County of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania on the 5th day of December, 1800. His father, Robert Ford, belonged to a large family connection of that name in Delaware and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and his mother, Elizabeth, was the daughter of Hugh Logue and Isabella Delany, who were both natives of Ireland. His father died in 1803, and in 1804, his mother, who was a woman of extraordinary courage and enterprise, with a married daughter and seven other children, most of them small, removed from Pennsylvania to St. Louis in Missouri. St. Louis at that time was a village of only a few hundred French and Spanish inhabitants. On Christmas Day, 1804, the family removed into Illinois and settled at a place called New Design, then in Randolph, but now in Monroe County. At that time the American inhabitants of Illinois did not exceed three or four thousand.
"Gov. Ford's father left his family very poor, and as its fortunes were now committed to a widow with some small children, settled far out in the wilderness, it may readily be imagined that their condition was not much improved. His widowed mother, however, managed to keep her children together and to give all of them the elements of an English education at such common schools as were then to be found in the country. At these schools Governor Ford learned to read and write, and cypher to the Rule of Three, and some of the English Grammar. But, as the family were very poor and all the children necessarily engaged at hard work on the farm (which was rented), there was but little opportunity for further progress at school. However, the subject of this memoir, by devoting a portion of his time at home to study, but without an instructor, succeeded in mastering the arithmetic and gained quite a knowledge of grammar and geography. At about ten years of age he became much addicted, to reading poetry, and such other miscellaneous prose work as fell in his way.
"Before this time his half-brother, George Forquer, had gone to St. Louis and apprenticed himself to the car- penter's trade. After having this trade, he was successful in making money both as a journeyman and master-builder, so that by 1818 he had means enough to set up as a merchant and speculator, and was now actually the proprietor of two towns. About this time also, Hon. D. P. Cook, Member of Congress, had his notice attracted to young Thomas Ford, who was by him persuaded to commence the study of the law. He began first with Judge Cook, of Missouri, and afterward with D. P. Cook, of Kaskaskia, but finding his preparatory education insufficient, his brother George, who was a man of noble, generous and magnanimous nature, determined to send him to Transylvania University. Thither he repaired in April, 1819. In 1820 his generous brother failed in business, so that Thomas was obliged to leave the University after being there not quite a year. He made his way back to Illinois—400 miles on foot— but, in the State of Indiana, he ran out of money for his traveling expenses and was forced to stop on the road-side and take up a school for three months. The neighborhood was a new settlement: there never had been a school in it before: a school-house had to be built, and this young man, and a stranger as he was, induced the people to build, and he assisted with his own labor. He has been heard to say that he is more
proud of this achievement than anything he ever did in after life."He returned home at intervals and, between labor on the farm and school-keeping, he pursued the study of the law, history and such books of general literature as fell in his way until the autumn of 1824 when he was invited by the celebrated Duff Green to assist him in conducting a newspaper in St. Louis, then engaged in the support of Gen. Jackson for the Presidency. Here he continued about six months. In the meantime his brother George had also studied law, was elected a member of the Legislature in 1824, and in the succeeding winter was appointed Secretary of State. The two brothers then agreed to enter into the practice of the law in partnership. For this purpose Thomas repaired to Edwardsville, then the most considerable town in the State, and resided there in practice from 1825 to 1829. In 1828 he married Miss Frances Hambaugh, and with her removed to Galena in 1829. He remained here a year, engaged in the practice of the law, and then, for the purpose of being nearer his wife's parents, removed to Quincy.
"In 1829 he was appointed State's Attorney by Gov. Edwards. In 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov. Reynolds and remained in that office until he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court in 1835. He was four times elected a Judge of the Circuit and Supreme Courts by the Legislature without opposition, and was one of the Judges of the Supreme Court when he was elected Governor of the State."
Of Governor Ford's ancestry little is known further than that which appears in the foregoing sketch. His mother was twice married, once to a man by the name of Forquer—probably Farquahar—a Revolutionary soldier, by whom she had several children, among whom was George Forquer, who as above stated, became distinguished in the politics of this State. While she was the wife of Forquer, Governor Ford's mother seems to have lived at Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where George was born.
George Forquer was a member of the Legislature in 1824. In January, 1825, he was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Coles. In 1828 he ran for Congress, but was defeated by Joseph Duncan, afterwards Governor. In January, 1829, he was elected Attorney-General by the Legislature, which office he held until 1833, when he resigned to accept the office of State Senator. Before the expiration of his term as Senator he was, in 1835 appointed Register of the land office at Springfield. He died at Chicago in 1837.
Although it is stated in the foregoing sketch that Governor Ford was four times elected a Judge of the Circuit and Supreme Courts by the Legislature, he had only two commissions as Circuit Judge and one as Supreme Judge. The records show that he was commissioned as Judge of the Sixth Circuit January 19, 1835, resigned March 4. 1837; that he was commissioned as Judge of the Ninth Circuit February 25, 1839, and as Justice of the Supreme Court February 15, 1841. He resigned the latter office August 4, 1842, to accept the office of Governor. The journals of the Legislature, however, show that on March 4, 1837, the day he resigned the office of Circuit Judge, the two Houses met in joint session for the election of a Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Chicago, a Court then recently established, and having concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court within that city. O. H. Browning of the Senate and Abraham Lincoln of the House were appointed tellers. Upon the count of the ballots Thomas Ford was found to have received 86 votes to 3 scattering, and was, by the Speaker of the House, declared duly elected. On the same day a message was received from Governor Duncan that Hon. Thomas Ford, having resigned the office of Judge of the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, a vacancy had been created to be filled by that General Assembly. So it appears that, although he did not technically hold the office of Circuit Judge from 1837 to l839 yet, in effect, he did so; for he held an office of equal dignity and exercising the same jurisdiction as the Circuit Judges. His commission as Judge of the Municipal Court of the City of Chicago bore date March 16, 1837.
The Democrats in December, 1841, met and nominated Adam W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, for Governor, but he having died in the spring of 1842, bv common consent Thomas Ford was taken up by the Democrats and elected over ex-Governor Duncan, the Whig candidate, by over eight thousand majority.
After his nomination and before the election, he announced his principles to the public in a letter to a friend. As there were no conventions held in those days, this letter must be regarded as his platform. Briefly stated, his principles ran as follows: He was in favor of a subtreasury, opposed to all banks, State and National, and in favor of the constitutional currency of gold and silver coin; in favor of a tariff for revenue only; opposed to the distribu-
tion of the sales of public lands; opposed to contracting debts by either State or Nation; in favor of adopting all proper means on all proper occasions to reduce the State debt; and in favor of conventions to nominate candi- dates for office In the great contest between Field and McClernand for the office of Secretary of State he believed that Governor Carlin had the right to appoint his own Secretary, and he (Ford) should claim the same right for himself believing that Van Buren had been unfairly beaten in 1840 he was in favor of his nomination for the Presidency in 1844; and, to use his own language "To succeed him, I am in favor of Thomas H. Benton, the Great Statesman of the West."Governor Ford came to the executive office in times of great excitement in Illinois. The failure of the great scheme of internal improvements together with the financial crisis of the times, had left the State almost hopelessly in debt and repudiation was openly advocated. But Governor Ford steadfastly set his face against disgracing the State in that way; and through the aid of his wise counsels, the financial affairs of the State were much improved, and a feeling of confidence restored, which continued to prevail until 1848, when, by the adoption of the new Consti- tution, an annual tax was levied, applicable especially to the payment of the State debt. By this means the debt was finally liquidated ; so that, for the past thirty years, the State has been entirely free from bonded debt. Another exciting topic of the times was how to deal with the Mormons. During Governor Ford's administration the Mormon War took place, so-called, in which their celebrated prophet, Joseph Smith, lost his life. It was during his (Ford's) administration that the Mexican War broke out, and, largely through his influence, the State of Illinois took a prominent position in that great contest. The volunteers from this State flocked to the support of the administration in numbers too great to be received.
After retiring from the office of Governor, Thomas Ford took up his residence in Peoria, where he resumed the practice of the law and where he prepared an excellent History of Illinois from 1818 to 1847, which, after his death, was edited by General James Shields, and published for the benefit of his family. His practice at the bar in Peoria did not prove lucrative. Instances appear upon the records where his fees were exceedingly small. One of this kind is found in the fact that he rendered his services to the County of Peoria for the sum of seventy-five dollars a year, payable in quarterly payments. These services, of course, were supplemental to those rendered by the State's Attorney of the district, whose business it was to conduct all criminal matters, and to render services in civil as well as criminal business. Governor Ford died at Peoria November 3, 1850, in very indigent circum- stances, which were not fully known to the citizens until a short time before his death. His wife, Frances worn out with watching over her husband's failing health (he died of consumption), and the care of the family of children, died October 12, 1850, aged thirty-eight years. The impoverished condition of the family having then been fully revealed. Governor Ford was taken to the house of Andrew Gray on Monroe Street (which house still stands), where he died as before stated. He left a family of five small children—two sons named Thomas and George Sewell, and three daughters, Anna. Mary F. and Julia E.—one of whom (Julia E.) died December 30, 1862, aged twenty-one years. The children were all taken by kind friends and reared to manhood and womanhood. After paying all his debts there remained for distribution among his children the sum of $148.06. The proceeds of the sale of his History of Illinois, amounted to $750—or $150 to each of the children, for whose benefit it was pub- lished. This money was invested by their guardian in Peoria & Bureau Valley Railroad stock, at the rate of $70 to $80 per share, and paid dividends at the rate of eight per cent. per annum upon its face value.
The remains of Governor Ford were first interred in the city cemetery, where a modest little monument costing five hundred dollars was erected by the State. Here they remained for some years, and were finally removed to Spring- dale cemetery, where they were interred in a beautiful lot near its entrance, and in 1895 the State erected a monument to his memory costing $1,200.
A few weeks before his death Governor Ford became a professed Christian, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The estimate in which he was held by his neighbors and friends, is well attested by the action taken by the Grand Jury of Peoria County on November 23. 1850. This body was composed of leading citizens from all parts of the country, with Andrew Gray as Foreman and John Elting, Secretary. They resolved that, by the death of Governor Ford the State of Illinois had lost one of her purest and ablest statesmen, whose unerring judgment and practical wisdom had saved the State from the blighting effects of repudiation in the hour of great trial and emergency, and whose firmness and decision had contributed mainly to the lessening of our heavy State debt, and to the enactment of that series of measures which had produced so much prosperity and confidence
among our people, restored the credit of our State and laid the sure foundation for beneficial results, such as no imagination could conceive or prophecy foretell. As State's Attorney he had discharged his duties faithfully and successfully; as a Judge he had been impartial, laborious and just, and, as a man and citizen, he had been one of "the noblest works of God." He had won his way from a fatherless boy to eminence, and had left a bright example to those behind him. that virtue, industry and fidelity insure success and will be crowned with triumph.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JOHN HARRISON FRANCIS. Among those who have been prominently identified with the business history of Peoria, none have had a more active and energetic life than Mr. John H. Francis, whose lamented death occurred on July 5, 1902. Mr. Francis was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1829. He was the son of Litelbury and Mary (Hubbard) Francis, who were natives of that State and were descendants of pioneer settlers of that region. When a boy, his parents removed to Dearborn County, Indiana, where he assisted his father on the farm, and in the meantime attended the country school.
In 1851 Mr. Francis came to Peoria, on horseback, and found employment in the cooperage business, which he followed for the next six or seven years. Afterwards he formed a partnership with the late James McCall, and erected an establishment of their own. He continued in this business until 'the year 1861, when he bought an interest in the firm of Moss, Bradley & Company, where he remained until the fire destroyed the plant in 1876. Mr. Francis advocated the feasibility of building a large distillery, and, against the protest of his partners, they erected the first large distillery in the United States, which was known as the Zell, Francis & Company Distillery. Having established the fact that a large plant could be operated successfully, he sold his interest in this firm and associated himself with Kidd, Francis & Company, for the purpose of erecting and conducting the Monarch
Distillery, which, on its completion, was regarded as the most extensive establishment of its kind in 'the world. At a later date. Mr. Francis was a leading factor in the organization of the first Great Western Distilling Company, whose works now justly rank as the largest in the city of Peoria. He also reorganized and rebuilt the Spurck & Francis plant and operated the same until 1887, when the Distilling and Cattle Feeding Company was formed. He was one of the first board of directors of this organization, and as long as he filled this position the trust flourished and all connected with it made their fortunes.Among the other important business enterprises with which Mr. Francis was identified are the First National Bank of Peoria, of which he was a director for many years, and he was also a stockholder in the German-American National Bank. In 1875 he was Vice-President of the Peoria Board of Trade. For eight years Mr. Francis served as a member of the City Council. Twenty-five years ago he was the chairman of the Council committee which was chosen to construct the Water Works for the city, and the old works on the bank of the river owed its existence to him. He was also a stockholder and director of the Adams Street Railway, with which he was associated for many years.
While not a partisan, Mr. Francis was regarded as a conservative Republican on national issues. When the Park Commission was organized he was unanimously placed at the head of it and elected its first president, and so ably did he manage its affairs that in less than two years the rugged hills of "Birket's Hollow" were transformed into the beautiful "Glen Oak Park" and dedicated to the city.
Mr. Francis was an upright and honorable citizen, public-spirited and enterprising, and imbued with full faith in the progressive future of Peoria. No man was more warmly esteemed or more highly appreciated. Always pleasant, affable, open-handed and generous with his means, he assisted-to the extent of his ability, his relatives and friends, and his unfailing good nature has been shown in all his relations in life. He erected and furnished four handsome residences, three in Peoria and one in the city of Minneapolis, one of which he gave to each of his two sons and two daughters. He also furnished $50,000 for the establishment of the Arm of J. C. Wynd & Company, which was composed of Mr. Francis' three sons and Mr. J. C. Wynd, each of whom owned a one-quarter interest,
Mr. Francis was twice married, his first wife being Miss Harriet Ingle, of Peoria, who died in 1872, leaving five children: John H., William E., Harriet, Josephine and Bruce. In 1873 he married Miss Mary Ingle, both ladies being daughters of William Howard and Mary (Chastain) Ingle, of Virginia. By this marriage there is one daughter, Maud Ingle Francis, now the, wife of Thomas Colston Kinney, formerly of the State of Virginia, now of New York City.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
HENRY NICHOLAS FREDERICK. Henry Nicholas Frederick, late head of the saddlery and harness manufacturing establishment of H. N. Frederick & Sons, was a native of Germany, born in what was then known as the free city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, June 5, 1827. In his fifth year he began to attend school in his native city, and, by the time he was seven years old, had learned to read, write and cipher, and draw crayon sketches. About this time (in the summer of 1834) his father, John Jacob Frederick, emigrated to the United States, embarking with his family at Bremen on board a sailing vessel which passed around the north coast of Scotland on account of the difficulty of navigating the English Channel in the face of contrary winds. This was before the day of steam-vessels, and Mr. Frederick, through his life, retained a vivid recollection of the long voyage to New York and the conditions then existing there. He remembered the arrival there of the first steamer from Liverpool, and was accustomed to relate reminiscences of the hard times of 1837, when his father, although a mechanic, worked at fifty cents a day in grading the streets of Newark, New Jersey, where he had first settled with his family. Communication at this time between Jersey City and Newark was made by cars drawn by horses on a railroad track constructed of the old-style strap rail. The placing of a little locomotive upon the track, which was regarded as a dangerous experi- ment in view of the possibility of the train being set on fire by sparks from the engine, was an important event. Some forty years later Mr. Frederick visited a daughter then living in Brooklyn, and, while traveling over the line to Newark, witnessed some of the wonderful changes that had been wrought since his boyhood.
In his boyhood Mr. Frederick worked with his father in a saddle factory, helping stitch saddle-bags for the Southern market, and thus obtained an insight into what afterwards became his life business. After a brief stay in New Jersey the family removed west by way of the Hudson River to Albany, thence to Buffalo by canal, and to Cleveland, Ohio, by lake steamer, finally locating in Columbiana County, Ohio, where the younger members of the family enjoyed the life peculiar to that region. In 1838 another removal was made by boat down the Ohio to Louisville, Kentucky, where they were initiated into the mysteries of chills and fever and bilious fever. Here Mr. Frederick saw something of the "hard cider" campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," in 1840, which resulted in the election of William Henry Harrison to the Presidency. In 1841 there was still another removal to St. Louis, Missouri, and soon after to the vicinity of Lebanon, in St. Clair County, Illinois, where the family settled down and tried farming for a time, though not with marked success, as hard times and chills and fever still followed them. The flood in the Mississippi of 1844 and the Mexican War of 1846-48 were incidents of this period. During the latter, which improved the times somewhat, Mr. Frederick served an apprenticeship in the saddlery business at St. Louis, though he did not make much money.
In 1849 Mr. Frederick came to Peoria, and soon after engaged in the saddlery and harness trade, in which he built up a large and prosperous business. His parents also resided here until their death. At different periods he had various partners, in later years the partnership consisting of himself and his sons. In 1895 the company was incorporated under the State law, their place of business at 324 South Adams Street remaining unchanged for some thirty-five years. In politics Mr. Frederick was an ardent Democrat and served his ward as Alderman several terms; was a member of the School Board a number of times, and a charter member of Schiller Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He took a decided interest in horse-racing, and was a stock-holder in the Peoria race-track; was also a stockholder in the Illinois National Bank, and an energetic business man and public-spirited citizen.
While a resident of Peoria Mr. Frederick was married twice—his first wife bearing him ten children and his second five. Of these two branches of his family eleven are still living, two having died in infancy and two in later years. He also had fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His death occurred November 19, 1901, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, of which over fifty years had been spent in the city of Peoria.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
VOLNEY H. FREEMAN. Volney H. Freeman was born in the town of Glenville, in Schenectady County, and State of New York. His parents were farmers who lived about three miles west of Schenectady on the Sacandagua Turnpike, where he was born and where he lived with his parents until in the twentieth year of his age, when he left the parental home and commenced to teach a country school in the county. This was in the year A. D. 1844. This occupation he continued for seven years, his last term having been completed in the town of Farmington, State of Illinois, at the expiration of which he was married to Miss Sarah A. Dixson, of Harkness Grove. They immediately commenced farming, continuing for three years, when they sold their farm and immediately engaged in the manufacture and sale of saddlery and harness in Peoria, in the store-room purchased from the late Thomas Dobbins of that city. After continuing this business for six years he added to it the auction business, conducting both for one year, when he discontinued the harness store and built a store on South Washington Street, in which he continued dealing in general merchandise and real estate, and conducted an auction business for twenty-five years. Then, having discontinued the auction business, he ran a shoe store for five years, when he commenced the publication of his "Book of Poems," of which ten thousand copies were issued, and mostly sold at the present time. He is now conducting a real-estate office, in which he loans money, buys and sells real estate, and attends to the general supervision and management of his large number of stores, dwellings, lands, etc.
Mr. Freeman is a man of great energy and singleness of purpose. He has been eminently successful in all business undertaken by him. He is still active and energetic, devoting himself exclusively to the management of his large interests, and is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the advancement and prosperity of Peoria. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman now live at No. 1413 Perry Avenue. They have had two sons born unto them, neither of whom is now living. Mr. Freeman is now in his seventy-eighth year.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JACOB GALE was born in the year 1814 at Salisbury, New Hampshire, of which place his parents, Benjamin and Achsah (Baily) Gale were also natives. He received his education at Dartmouth College, where he graduated in the class of 1833. In the following year he came to Peoria, traveling from Detroit to Chicago on foot. Soon after his arrival he entered into partnership with Moses Pettengill in the hardware business, but in the course of a year or two, gave up that business, began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1837. He then formed a partnership with Onslow Peters under the firm name of Peters & Gale, with their office in the new Court House. This firm continued for some years. In 1844 he was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court, the office being then an appointive one. After the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 he was twice elected to the same office, which he continued to fill until a vacancy occurred in the Circuit Judgeship occasioned by the death of Judge Peters. He then resigned the clerkship to accept the office of Circuit Judge, to which he was elected without oppositon and commission April 10, 1856.
Thus it happened that he succeeded, as Circuit Judge, the man who had been his first associate in practice. Not finding the office congenial to his sensitive nature, its duties calling him into a more active life than the peaceful one he had been pursuing, he resigned after having served about seven months. He never resumed the practice of the law, but was active in other pursuits so long as his strength would permit. For some years he was Superintendent of Schools of Peoria and for two terms--the first, 1848-49, and the second, 1864-65--Mayor of the city. He also represented his ward for some time in the City Council. After retiring from public life he spent several years upon a farm, located on what is now Gale Avenue, which was named after him. Returning after a few years to the city, he became Secretary of the Peoria Gas Light and Coke Company, a position he filled during the remainder of his active life.
Judge Gale was a man of quiet demeanor, of studious habits, and of remarkably sound judgement. Having become somewhat proficient in the French language, he studied with great interest the history of Illinois during its occupation by the French, and had become very decided in his opinion that the location of Fort Creve Coeur was near Wesley City--a position he afterward maintained with vigor in an address made to the Peoria Scientific Association. He was a profound thinker and had read many of the standard authors in philosophy, history and political science, besides keeping abreast of the times in all scientific developments.
In politics he was a Democrat of the old school. In the exciting times before the war he took the side of Buchanan against Douglas, and was a candidate for Congress on the Buchanan ticket in 1858. He never swerved from the position then assumed, but remained a Democrat ever afterward. Although a man of strong convictions he never obtruded them upon others, but rested quietly upon his own consciousness of the right. He had the universal respect of all who knew him.
In early life he was inclined to skepticism in religious belief, and it was not until the great revival of 1866 that his views underwent a change; but, when it did come, the change was a thorough one. In a public meeting he avowed his belief in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and shortly afterward united with the Second Presbyterian Church, in which he maintained his membership and led an exemplary life until the end came.
In 1838 he became united in marriage with Charlotte, daughter of Dr. Peter Bartlett, one of the leading physicians of Peoria, with whom he lived in the happiest of wedlock for a third of a century. His brother, Stephen Gale, came from New Hampshire in 1852, and settled in Radnor Township, where he continued to reside during the reaminder of his life.
Judge Gale died October 20, 1900, at the home of a grandson in Peoria. He left two sons surviving him, one of whom has since died.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ALT GERDES. Alt Gerdes, for many years one of the best known grain commission merchants in Peoria, was a native of Ger- any, born at Ochtersum, Amt Essens, in Ostfriesland, January 5, 1836. His father was a "Landsguts Besitzer" (landed proprietor), as also was his paternal grandfather. His parents having died during his childhood, he was reared by his grandparents on his father's side. His childhood was spent, for the most part, in the country. After completing a primary course in the public schools of his native place, he spent some time under the instruction of a private tutor in preparation for college, in the meantime being interested for a year or so in the lumber business at Essens and Wittmund. In 1856 he entered the Mercantile College at Osnabruck, from which he finally graduated. He spent the year 1864 in travel and in the cities of Antwerp, Cambray and Paris, and in Belgium, perfecting his study of the languages, especially the French. Instead of serving in person in the German army he procured a sub- stitute. In October, 1865, he arrived in New York City and soon engaged in teaching French and German, but a few months later accepted a position as book-keeper with Messrs. Frazer & Co., of Peoria, becoming a resident of this city about the beginning of 1866. Compelled by illness to relinquish his situation with Frazer & Co., he taught school in Washington, Tazewell County, during the following summer, but later returned to Peoria to assume the position of book-keeper for Valentine Jobst. In 1867 he became identified with the insurance busi- ness, and traveled extensively through Illinois and Iowa as a special and general agent. Having established an association with an office in New York in 1868, he opened a fire and life insurance agency in Peoria, which he conducted until the date of the Chicago fire of 1871, which proved disastrous to so many insurance companies of the country. He then established himself in the grain business in Peoria, in which he continued over twenty years.
On January 19, 1893, Mr. Gerdes was appointed by Governor Altgeld Canal Commissioner for the superinten- dence of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and, during his incumbency of four years, served as President of the Board. Soon after his retirement from the Canal Commission in 1897, he was elected City Treasurer of Peoria on the Democratic ticket, but died on July 2, 1897, after having been in office for a period of two months.
For a number of years Mr. Gerdes was President of the German-English School Verein, and Chairman of the Committee on Teachers; was also President, for two terms, of the Peoria Turn Verein, of which he had been a member during almost the entire period of his residence in the city. In politics he was a Democrat, and his religious views were defined as "liberal." He was discriminating but liberal in his dealings with charitable enterprises.
Mr. Gerdes was married on December 4, 1874, to Miss Katharine Kastner, a descendant of an old Bourbon family, one of whose ancestors, George Peter Kastner, was an officer of the First Napoleon. Mr. and Mrs. Gerdes became the parents of six children, four of whom (three sons and a daughter) are living, two sons having
died in infancy.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
EBERHARD GODEL. Eberhard Godel was born in Feuerbach, Wurtemberg, Germany, May 26, 1836. Mr. Godel came with his mother and younger sister to America in 1850. He was for four years apprenticed to a hatter, learning the trade. In 1854 he came to Peoria with his mother and sister and learned the trade of a butcher, as it was then called, as the business at that time was conducted very differently from the present. He continued with Charles Breier in that business for about two years. He then removed to Burlington, Iowa, and engaged in the business of slaughtering and vending meat. From there he went to Monmouth, Illinois, in 1857, engaging in the same business, and in May, 1858, removed to Peoria. After returning to Peoria he engaged in the business of buying and selling stock for about nine years, in which business he was successful and accumulated a sufficient amount to establish him well in business. In 1867 he bought an interest in the firm of Ullman & Gebhardt. The firm then became Godel & Gebhardt. Mr. Godel purchased his partner's interest in the business in 1877, and from that time enlarged and added to it, establishing a pork-packing business in connection with his business of slaughtering and vending meats.
In 1882 his son, George G., entered into partnership with him. the firm name being changed to E. Godel & Son. In 1885 Frank G. Godel also became a member of the firm, the business being conducted thereafter as E. Godel & Sons, which was incorporated in 1888. Frank G. Godel is now the only male representative of the family connected with the firm. Mr. Godel was a success in his chosen business and became the leading slaughterer and vendor of meats in the city of Peoria, and so continued for many years. He was fairly successful in his business and accumulated a fair fortune, which, with his good name, he left to his family as their inheritance.
In 1882 Mr. Godel built a brick block on North Adams Street which bears his name, and in which the office and retail department of the business is located. He was recognized as an authority in his business, and always regarded as an honorable, upright, honest dealer. He was a temperate, industrious man and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. In politics he was a Republican. On June 8, 1857, he was married at Burlington, Iowa, to Elizabeth Renz, who was born September 15, 1832, in Liverpool, Perry County, Pennsylvania. Her father John Renz, was born in Schoendorf, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 9, 1782, came to Peoria in 1858 and died the same year. Her mother, Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Renz, was born in Liverpool, Perry County, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1804, came to Peoria in 1858 and died in 1880. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Godel: George G. (deceased), Frank G., Henry (deceased), Henry E., Albert (deceased), Theodore A. and Louisa. Frank G.
Godel married Amelia Thieme in Peoria, in 1883. Six children have been born to them: Walter, Edna, Emma, Olga, Alma and Martha; deceased.Eberhard Godel was killed in the Chatsworth wreck, which occurred on the loth of August, 1887. Mr. Godel was a man of quiet, unostentatious manners, diligent in business, a faithful, devoted friend, honorable and upright in all his dealings. He left an example worthy to be followed by his family, who have so far followed closely in the foot- steps of the father.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
GORDON, SAMUEL; Farmer; born in Park County, Indiana, November 17, 1841. His paternal grandparents were Samuel Gordon, a native of North Carolina, and of Scotch descent, and Nancy Gordon. His father, Andrew Jackson Gordon, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1812, and died in December, 1865; his mother, Susan (Brown) Gordon, was a native of Park County, Indiana. Andrew J. Gordon moved from North Carolina to Indiana, and from there to Illinois, in 1856, settling on Section 15, in Radnor Township, and the year following he built a frame house. Samuel Gordon lived on the farm till 1861, when on August 16th he enlisted for the War of the Rebellion, being mustered in at St. Louis, September 1, 1861, in Company H, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving till the muster out, October 11, 1864. He served under Grant in the Western Department and participated in several battles; took part in the siege of Corinth, May 28, 1862, in the battles of Iuka, September 19; of Corinth, October 3 and 4, 1862; of Jackson, May 22, 1863, and the capture of Vicksburg, July 3, 1863, also the affair at Fort Rerussey, Henderson Hill, Pleasant Hill, Moore Plantation and several other engagements. Some of these were during Gen. Banks' expedition up Red River. After the war was over, he returned home. He now has four hundred and fifty-six acres of fine farming land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has always taken a friendly interest in the common schools and has served as Director. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange, and a member of Sylvan Lodge, No. 154, I. O. O. F. of Dunlap. He was married to Nancy Strain January 6, 1866, in Radnor Township. They have four children: Sarah Jane, wife of John J. Ashbaugh, Hardware and Grain Dealer of Dunlap; Ellen Nora, wife of Frank E. Harlan, who live on the old A. J. Gordon homestead, Section 15, Radnor Township; Martha Elizabeth and Samuel Robert, who are at home. Mrs. Gordon was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, February 25, 1843, the daughter of Wesley and Sarah Ann (Reeder) Strain, natives of Indiana. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
THOMAS NICHOLAS GORMAN. During the many years of his association with the Peoria Gas-Light & Coke Company Mr. Gorman has demon- strated a particular fitness for the position which he now holds as resident manager, and, furthermore, his career serves to refute the almost universally accepted belief that the political official maintains his position for individual gain, rather than for any strenuous effort toward general municipal improvement. A natural kinship may, in a measure, account for the disinterested desire to serve the city of Peoria, for Mr. Gorman has lived here since his sixth year, although he was born in Westville, Connecticut, December 5, 1862. His parents, John and Bridget Gorman, were descended from ancestors long represented in the Eastern States, and upon settling in Peoria the father devoted his energies to conducting a large retail grocery business, the successful management of which gave him prominence in the commercial field in his adopted city.
Thomas Nicholas Gorman was fortunate in his educational chances, for he not only attended the public schools but received supplementary training at the colleges of Saints Mary and Patrick. As a natural consequence, he learned a great deal about the grocery business while yet a boy, and, as the years went by, became of practical assistance to his father. A commendable understanding of the drift of his inclinations and the nature of his abilities resulted in a shifting from behind the counters of the grocery to the larger opportunities to be found in the office of the County Recorder, and this, in turn, was followed by his election in 1886-7 to membership in the City Council. So satisfactory were his services in this capacity and so thorough an understanding had he of the municipal needs that, in 1888, he was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor John Warner, and served for one term. In 1890 he be- came identified with the Peoria Gas-Light & Coke Company in the humble capacity of clerk, from which he was graduated at the end of four or five years to the greater responsibility of cashier. In the meantime he had made himself necessary to the company by reason of his ability and general worth, and it followed, as a natural consequence, that in 1900, when the stockholders disposed of their holdings to an Eastern Syndicate, Mr. Gor- man, with years of faithful service behind him and a thorough understanding of the business in all its details, was appointed resident manager, which position he has since held with satisfaction to all concerned.
As a member of the City Council continuously since 1891 Mr. Gorman has won distinction because of his fear- lessness and correct interpretation of the duties of the office. The people's confidence in his good judgment and common sense decisions is best shown by his repeated reelection, more especially as he is a man of force and determination, and knows no such influence as intimidation or undue persuasion. There are no neutral tendencies in his make-up, and he is one of the most aggressive and forceful members of the Council, his stand upon any given question being readily foretold, as far as the best interests of the people are concerned. Perhaps the most radical and important change brought about, through his untiring exertions and clear exposition of the justice of his claims, is the eight hour law, for the employes of the Street Department. He was the father of this ordinance and
pushed its passage with the persistency so characteristic of all his undertakings. He has served on many important committees since becoming a member of the Council, and is at present Chairman of the Finance and Fire and Water Committees. In his unshaken devotion to Democracy Mr. Gorman believes in organization and its resultant force, believing that, to quote his own expression, "the wishes of the party as an entirety is greater than the option of any one individual."November 4, 1888, Mr. German married Margaret Moennighoff, of Peoria, and of this union there are two sons: Thomas F. and Howard. Mr. Gorman is variously identified with the social and business organizations in which Peoria abounds, and is fraternally associated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Foresters, and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Creve Coeur Club. Possessing positive rather than negative characteristics, his position as a public servant is as enthusiastically assailed by his opponents as it is approved by his supporters, than which no better proof could be obtained of his general worth, when taken in connection with the fact that one and all, irrespective of party lines, declare his unswerving devotion to principle and the public welfare.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JOSEPH V. GRAFF. Joseph V. Graff, Representative in Congress from the Fourteenth District of Illinois, was born at Terre Haute, Indiana, July 1, 1854, of combined German and Scotch-English descent. His paternal grandparents were of German birth, who settled at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where his father, Jacob Kausler Graff, was born, while his mother, Mary Jane (Miller) Graff, was a native of Ohio, but of Scotch-English ancestry. Mr. Graff attended the public schools of his native town and graduated from the High School there, after which he entered the Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana. In 1873 he came to Delavan, Illinois, where he was associated for some five years with his brother and brother-in-law in mercantile pursuits, studying law during his leisure hours and in the evenings, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. Here he at once engaged in practice, remaining until 1883, when he removed to Nebraska—in the meantime having had W. R. Curran, Esq., as his partner for one year. After two years practice in Nebraska, in 1885, he returned to Illinois, and for several years was engaged in practice at Pekin, Tazewell County, being alone until 1894, when he entered into partnership with Judge George A. Rider, which continued until his removal to Peoria in 1899. Here he engaged in practice with Lyman J. Carlock as partner, but whose appointment he obtained afterward as one of the United States Judges in the Philippine Islands. After the departure of Judge Carlock for his post of duty in the Philippines, Mr. Graff took in Mr. C. V. Miles as a partner, and the firm of Graff & Miles are enjoying a large and lucrative practice with offices in the Niagara Building.
Up to 1891 Mr. Graff had never held a public office, but during that year was elected one of the Inspectors of Schools for the city of Pekin, becoming President of the Board, which position he held until his first nomination for Congress. During the period of Democratic rule in the State Legislature under the administration of Governor Altgeld, the State was redistricted for the election of Congressmen, the counties of Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Tazewell, Fulton and Mason being placed in one District, as supposed with a safe Democratic majority of at least 2,200. So confident were the Democratic leaders of this result that one Democratic county which had been attached to the District was given to another to make the latter more surely Democratic. The first nominations for Congress in the new District occurred in 1894—the Hon. George O. Barnes, of Lacon, becoming the Democratic nominee, and the choice of the Republicans falling upon the Hon. Joseph V. Graff, of Pekin. The result was the election of Mr. Graff over his Democratic competitor by the emphatic majority of 3,300, after a canvass in some respects unsurpassed in the history of Central Illinois. For three successive terms Mr. Graff has been renominated by acclamation and re-elected by decisive majorities—his Democratic competitor in 1896 being Judge N. E. Worthington; in 1898, Senator C. N. Barnes, and, in 1900, Jesse Black, of Pekin. In each case the report of Mr. Graff's renomination was wired to him in Washington, where he remained in attendance on his official duties—the manner of his indorsement furnishing conclusive evidence of approval by his constituents of his official action. In Congress he has proven himself one of its most industrious and painstaking members, and, in the course of his four consecutive terms, has become one of the best known members of that body. At present he is Chairman of the Committee on Claims, which has jurisdiction of every claim presented against the Government, with the exception of war claims, and is also a member of the Committee on Agriculture. No stronger evidence could be presented of his strength with the people than these repeated popular indorsements in party conventions and at the polls—a tribute to a spotless personal reputation and a clean public record. Politically, his dealings with his constituents have been open and frank, and with all the citizens of his District, whether Democratic or Republican, candid, fair and honest, as evidenced by the fact that no request, however small or large, for information or favor goes unanswered. The District is fortunate in being thus represented by a man not only known and respected by the people, but who enjoys the respect and confidence of his colleagues and associates in the halls of Congress. The work for his District has been incessant. He has obtained for his constituents increased postal facilities and rural deliveries far in excess of those of any other Congressman in Illinois, while his work in behalf of the veterans of the Civil War is too well known to need mention. The son of a veteran whose life was sacrificed as the result of his service in behalf of the Union cause and the brother of another, he naturally takes a deep interest in the welfare of the survivors among those who periled their lives for the preservation of the Union. He has upon his books the names of 2,500 or more men whose claims for pensions he keeps in mind, spending many hours each day in answering correspondence and urging their claims at the Pension Office. Mr. Graff interested himself in the pro- vision in the river and harbor bill before Congress, during the session of 1900-01, making an appropriation of $150,000 for the survey of the Illinois and the Des Plaines Rivers from the lower end of the Chicago Drainage Canal, with a view to the deepening of both streams, thus giving a deep water-way between the Lakes and the Gulf. This bill. however, was defeated in the Senate— in the parlance of Congress, "talked to death"—in the closing hours of the session by Senator Carter of Montana.
Mr. Graff is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as well as several social fraternities, including the Sons of Veterans, Union Veterans' Union, Modern Woodmen of America, as well as Masonic and other fraternal orders. As a citizen, as a lawyer and as a politician, he stands without reproach. The Republican Convention for the new Sixteenth Congressional District, which met in Peoria on May 5, 1902, by a unanimous vote, tendered Mr. Graff a renomination for the position he now holds, being the fourth in consecutive order received by acclamation—a
result that has but few if any parallels in the poltical history of the State. Peoria is proud to claim him as one of its honored citizens.
From Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Edited by David McCulloch, Vol. II; Chicago and Peoria: Munsell Publishing Company, Publishers, 1902.
JOSEPH BENDIST GREENHUT.Joseph Bendist Greenhut was born in Austria, at the military post of Teinitz, February 28, 1843. His father died when he was about four years of age, and his mother married Mr. Wolf Schaefer and moved to Chicago, when her son was nine years of age. At thirteen the subject of this sketch learned the trade of tin and copper-smithing and worked for some time in St. Louis. He afterward started South, went to Mobile, Alabama, remaining there for two years. At Lincoln's call to arms Mr. Greenhut returned hurriedly to Chicago, and enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Illinois, having the honor to be second from Chicago to respond. Within a few months of his enlistment he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and, at the battle of Fort Donelson, was seriously wounded in the right arm. This necessitated his return home, but after six months, his wound having healed, he recruited a company of infantry, was elected Captain and assigned to the Eighty-second Illinois. Later he was made Chief of Staff of the Brigade, and served in many of the famous battles of the Civil War, remaining in active service until the spring of 1864, when his health failed and he was again compelled to resign. Upon his recovery he devoted himself to mechanical pursuits in the city of his adoption, Chicago, and invented and patented the twine-binder now used on the McCormick reaping machines, besides a number of other mechanical devices. He became, in 1869, Secretary and Treasurer of the Keller Distilling Company of Chicago, and in this way started the business from which he has realized a magnificent competence and which has made him so well known. Mr. Greenhut's ability and his many sterling qualities became so widely known that, in 1887, at the unanimous request of all distillers in the United States, he organized the Distillers' and Cattle Feeders' Company, of which he became President and so continued until 1895, when, on account of differences between the Eastern and Western stockholders, he with- drew from the Company. Mr. Greenhut is associated with various other large enterprises, namely: The Central Railway Company, the German-American National Bank, the Merchants' National Bank (all of Peoria), and the National Bank of the Republic of Chicago. He is also President of the National Cooperage and Woodenware Company of Peoria, one of the largest cooperage and woodenware companies in the United States. Aside from this, Mr. Greenhut is extensively interested in the famous drygoods house of the Siegel-Cooper Company, in New York, of which he is now the President, his representative being his son, B. J. Greenhut, who is Secretary and Treasurer of the company. To do justice to Mr. Greenhut's many excellent qualities of mind and heart and to his sound business judgment would be a pleasure, if space permitted. Enough to say that he is honored by all who know him and wherever he may be for his generosity, his ability as a man of business and his sterling upright character. Peoria is proud to claim him as one of her leading citizens, and one who has done so much for her advancement. In closing we wish to speak of two little incidents to show how truly noble this man is. Mr. Green- hut is entitled to and was allowed for the wound he received in serving his country, a pension from the Government. He has never taken a dollar of this money and never will. Again he was interested in a large corporation, which, on account of depression in trade, was forced into the hands of a receiver. Mr. Greenhut paid every creditor in full to the extent of his interest in the stock of the company. These two instances are known to us, and it is our pleasure to publish them as showing, in a slight degree, his nobility of character.
Mr. Greenhut was married, October 24, l866, to Miss Clara Wolfner, of Chicago, three children now living being born to them: Fannie V., Bendist J. and Nelson W. Mr. Greenhut's home life has been particularly happy, and he has realized in his wife a true helpmeet, as she has always been deeply interested in all that he has undertaken, and by her quick comprehension and earnest sympathy helped him to reach the deservedly high place he now holds as a representative citizen, not only of Peoria but the United States. Both Mr. and Mrs. Greenhut are noted for their helpfulness to the poor and all in want or trouble.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
THOMAS A. GRIER.The family name of the subject of this sketch is identified prominently with the early history of the grain trade in this city and with the organization of the Board of Trade. His brothers erected the first small elevator in Peoria, which was the beginning of a business in the handling of grain that developed into a vast industry and gave the city prominence as a grain market throughout the United States. Thomas Atherton Grier was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1850. His parents, John C. and Elizabeth (Perkins) Grier, came to this city in 1851. Thomas received his education in the city schools of Peoria and at the age of sixteen became clerk in the Mech- anics' National Bank. After six years of service in the bank he entered the employ of his brothers, Robert C. and David P. Grier, before mentioned, in the grain business, continuing with them for about ten years. A part of the time he spent in Boston, looking after the Eastern business of the firm. In 1886 the present firm of T. A. Grier & Company was formed for a general grain, commission, shipping and elevator business, and the business of the firm has grown in magnitude, and been in every respect successful. Mr. Grier is President of the Burlington Elevator Company, which owns and operates a large elevator in the city. He is prominent socially in Peoria, and has interested himself in various social organizations. He was President of the Creve Coeur Club in 1899-1900, and ot the Corn Exposition in 1900. He has always taken great interest in music, and been quite prominent in fostering a musical spirit in the city.
Mr. Grier married Ella Bancroft Clarke, January 6, 1876, and five children have been born to them, four of whom survive. Katharine Clarke, the oldest daughter, died when a child. Caroline King graduated in 1900 from Smith College, and was married in October, 1901, to Herbert B. Jamison, of Peoria. Isabel Hooker is now a student at Smith College. Thomas Perkins and Samuel Clarke are in the public schools of Peoria.
In religion Mr. Grier has always been a stanch Presbyterian, having inherited his faith in its essence from a long line of Presbyterian ancestors. He is a Republican in politics, is in the prime of life, active, energetic and ready to use his efforts in behalf of everything which he believes to be of advantage to the city of Peoria. By appointment of Governor Yates, Mr. Grier served as a Commissioner from Illinois to the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo in 1901, discharging his duty with characteristic energy and enthusiasm.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ASAHEL HALE.Asahel Hale was born in Pawlet, Vermont, on December 10, 1791, and after living a short time in the State of New York, came to Illinois in 1830. From 1831 until his death, on the 23d of March, 1864, he resided in Peoria. and was among our most intelligent and worthy citizens. In 1838 he received the appointment of County Treasurer and served one term in that capacity. He became one of the prominent anti-slavery men of the place at the time when few had the courage to advocate a cause so unpopular, but has since become so signally victorious. In those days Mark M. Aiken. Moses Pettengill, Mr. Hale and a few others were the forlorn hope who fought the battle of freedom in Peoria.
About 1840 Mr. Hale became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, until his death, remained a prominent member of the same. He and Mark M. Aiken donated the lot on which the First Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1844. By his will he provided for the erection of Hale Chapel, bequeathing the lot and about $12,000 for the purpose of building the edifice. It was his wish that a good, substantial house should be built, and if the money devised should not be sufficient, the balance should be raised by subscription. On June 22, 1867, the corner-stone was laid, and on the l5th of January, 1868, Hale Chapel was formally dedicated to the service for which it was erected.
Mr. Hale was a public benefactor in a deeper sense than the man who labors merely to organize the business interest of society. He devoted himself to that upon which the whole social fabric rests—morality and religion— which underlie and support education, civilization, business and everything which makes a Christian state of society. Without the conserving forces of religion, morality would be an empty name, and civilization would perish from the earth. The very bonds of society would be dissolved, and man would return to the savage life of the lonely forest or the mountain cave. Mr. Hale, therefore, in building a church that should perpetuate the sanctions and inspire the hopes of religion, by calling men to a remembrance of their solemn duties and obligations, and pointing them to a better world, did more for the real and lasting benefit of society than if he had covered his whole lands with most costiv business houses. These are well, of course, and it is well that men should build them : but they should not forget their spiritual relations and duties, which are of paramount importance.
Standing as Hale Chapel does, on one of the most prominent situations on the bluff, it will be the first object seen by the traveler on his approach to the city, and situated as it is in a neighborhood where a church is growing more and more in demand, it will serve to perpetuate the memory of Asahel Hale so long as it shall stand, and so long as the surrounding people meet there to worship. The church first erected having become inadequate to the grow- ing needs of the congregation, it has been removed and a new and elegant stone structure erected in its place.
Having in an early day acquired title to a tract of land on the bluff overlooking the city, he subdivided it into lots, known as Asahel Hale's Addition. Several of these lots having been subdivided and renamed, now constitute
valuable additions to the city.from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
WILLIAM HALE.William Hale was born in Pawlet, Vermont, December 7, 1783. His early life was spent on a farm, where he received the advantages of a good common-school education, and, like many young men of the Green Mountain State, spent a portion of his time in teaching. He settled on .a farm in Oswego County, New York, and, while living there, became one of the leading men of the county. For many years he held the position of Justice of the Peace. He was then appointed to the Associate Judgeship, held the office of Deputy Sheriff, and then Sheriff, of the county.
In 1835 he came to Peoria, and, in company with his brother, Asahel Hale, and George G. Greenwood, erected a saw and grist-mill on the Kickapoo Creek. At the first town meeting after township organization was adopted, on April 2, 1850, he was elected one of the first Board of Supervisors. He was also the first Mayor of the city of Peoria, receiving his election at the adoption of the city charter, on April 28, 1845.
The business life of Mr. Hale. after leaving the mill, was mostly spent in dealing in real estate, in which he became quite wealthy. He bought at an early time eighty acres in the central portion of the east part of the city, upon which some of the finest residences in that part of the city are now located, and laid it out into streets and lots, from which he received a handsome income. We are informed that he purchased the whole eighty for seven hundred dollars, only a fraction of the price of one lot at the present tme. Mr. Hale added Hale's first, second and third additions to the city of Peoria.
Mr. Hale was a prominent member of the order of Free Masons, and donated the ground for a Masonic Cemetery. He also gave liberally to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member. In politics he was a Democrat, and his first vote was cast for General Jackson, the second term of his election to the Presidency.
He was married on March 27, 1830, at the age of forty-two years, to Miss Hannah Twitchell. Mr. Hale died November 25, 1859.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
WILLIAM R. HAMILTON.Dr. William R. Hamilton was born of Scotch-Irish parentage, in Veining County, Pennsylvania, February 18. 1816. He was educated in the common schools of that State and in the State of Ohio. He taught school for two years in Portage County, Ohio, and procured the means to complete his academic education and prepare himself for the practice of medicine. He studied medicine with his brother, who was then a practicing physician in Logan County, Ohio. After graduating from the medical school he commenced practice at Huntsville. Ohio, in 1840, where he remained and successfully pursued his chosen vocation for eight years. The life of a country physician, at that time, was one of great hardship and taxed the endurance of the physician to the extreme limit. Dr. Hamilton was eminently successful as a physician and established himself in an extensive and lucrative practice. Having finally decided to select some other place as his home, he came to Peoria June 6, 1848, where he resumed his professional labors, devoting himself assiduously to his profession for twelve years. He early identified himself with the business interests of the city and became prominent in its political and municipal affairs. He was elected Mayor of the city in 1857 and 1858, during those years giving much of his time to the business interests of the municipality. He was a Republican in politics from principle, and took an active part in the organization of the Republican
party in the State of Illinois. In 1860 he was engaged in the oil business in the State of Pennsylvania, and, in 1863, he went into the army as a Volunteer Surgeon, under a commission issued by Governor Morton, of Indiana, ren- dering efficient and valuable service in the field. In 1865 he returned to Peoria and built a brick block upon the corner of Adams and Liberty Streets, which he still owns. In 1867 he interested himself in the construction of a railroad from Peoria to Rock Island, now known as the Rock Island & Peoria Railway. He was a Director and then elected President of the company, in which capacity he served seven years, and was mainly instrumental in raising the money with which the road was constructed. The road finally passed under the control of the present management, and Dr. Hamilton, in 1875, engaged in the coal trade, in which business he continued until 1881, when he retired from business, and has since devoted himself wholly to looking after his private business and property interests.Dr. Hamilton is a man of great personal force of character, and of marvelous physical, as well as mental, vitality and energy. He has always been a public-spirited man, and always willing to do his part in the development of every enterprise with which he became connected. He has always been in the front rank of the upright, intelligent, energetic citizens, interested in the development of the city. Dr. Hamilton built for himself a beautiful home for his declining years upon the bluff overlooking the city of Peoria, where he lives with his wife, whom he married a few years ago at Toulon, Illinois. He had been twice married before, and had several children by his other wives. His present wife was Mrs. Sarah M. Dewey, who was the mother, by a former marriage, of Charles P. Dewey, now a banker of Toulon, and Harry P. Dewey, D. D., now pastor of Pilgrim Church, Brooklyn, New York. Of the four children by his first wife, Mrs. Amanda H. Gregg survives, now a widow residing with her father; also Mrs. Katharine M. Hill, the wife of William A. Hill, a commission merchant of Peoria. Of the children of his second wife, Mrs. May Albrecht, of Oakland, California, survives; also William H. Hamilton, Jr., who is engaged in the drug and banking business at Sibley, Illinois.
Dr. Hamilton is in the possession of all his faculties and still interested in all that pertains to the progress and prosperity of his city, State and Nation. In the evening of a long life he enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
JOHN HAMLIN.John Hamlin, one of the pioneer settlers of Peoria, was a native of Wilbraham, Hampden County, Massachusetts. He was born October 25, 1800, his parents being John and Lucy Hamlin. His early education was limited to that obtained in the public schools, with one term at an academy at Wallingford, Connecticut. Having been given his time, at the age of sixteen, he became a peddler, in which employment he traveled through several of the New England and Middle States, and finally, in 1818, reached Zanesville, Ohio, where he sold his stock, crossed the mountains on horseback to Richmond, Virginia, then sold his horses, went by schooner to New York and thence to his old home.
In the spring of 1819 he started West, stopping first at Cincinnati, thence, in company with three young men in a skiff, proceeding down the river toward Louisville, but being overtaken by a small steamboat they abandoned their skiff and took passage on the steamer for the remainder of the way. From Louisville he went to Madison, Indiana, and after three months started for Missouri. After crossing the Wabash at Vincennes he fell in with some emigrants bound for the Sangamon country in Illinois, with whom he cast his lot. This route lay through an unin- habited country infested with Indians; but they safely reached Edwardsville, which was then the largest town in the State. From that point the young man set out alone for Judge Latham's at Elkhart Grove, which point he reached after enduring great privations and incurring considerable danger. Having remained with the Lathams about a year, during which time he improved a piece of land, he became interested with the owner of a keel-boat which had commenced running on the Sangamon from St. Louis, and, in company, they erected a little log store to supply the sparse population with the necessities of life. The following extracts are taken from a biographical sketch prepared under his own supervision:
"Soon after this, in company with several other gentlemen, Mr. Hamlin visited Fort Clark, and found on his arrival here two log cabins, one of which was occupied by the family of Abner Eads; the other was a double log house, and was occupied by two families—one by the name of Bogardus, and the other by the name of Montgomery. This was in the early part of May, 1821. Mr. Hamlin enjoyed the natural beauty of the place at that season of the year, and had an opportunity of seeing a large congregation of its aboriginal inhabitants assemble at their rendezvous at the head of Lake Peoria to receive their distribution of annuities at the hands of the Indian Agent, who had just arrived up the river from St. Louis.
"In March, 1822, he employed Charles S. Boyd to move his effects to Fort Clark with an ox-team. This same Boyd had already become famous as an ox-teamster, having several years before moved his family and effects all the way from New York with the same conveyance. We do not know whether the oxen employed to move Mr. Hamlin were the same yoke that performed that Herculean journey or not, but we presume not. The only white families at this time in Peoria were those mentioned in connection with Mr. Hamlin's first visit—the families of Eads, Bogardius and Montgomery; but their Indian neighbors were very numerous, and many of them were making rapid progress in the first stage of civilization, by freely imbibing the whisky furnished them by the white settlers.
These savages seemed to have a great liking for. whisky; they would crowd around the trading-post—whether boat or cabin—and plead for it often for hours at a time; and when excited or intoxicated, would prowl about and make the night hideous with their yells. Well if they did not commit depredations and acts of fiendish atrocity. In some instances, a little later, murders were committed by drunken Indians. The famous case of Nomaque, which was tried in the first Circuit Court ever held in the county, was one of this kind; and the shrewd Indian justified himself and charged the murder of the white man on those who sold him the whisky. Who shall say that the judgment of the Indian was not at least half right in this case?
"In 1822 the county of Fulton was organized by act of the Legislature, and the Governor and council appointed Mr. Hamlin as one of the Justices for that county, which then included Peoria County—the latter not yet organ- ized. The office of Mr. Hamlin was selected as the place for taking affidavits in the famous Eads and Ross contested election case. It appears that the contest had been for the office of Sheriff of Fulton County. Eads had been elected by one majority. Ross claimed that the vote was not fair, because some of the voters for Eads lived out of the jurisdiction, on the east side of the Illinois River. Judge Reynolds, who at that time presided, ordered depositions to be taken as evidence in the case, which was accordingly done by Mr. Hamlin, at his office, as Justice of the Peace for Fulton County, in company with his associate, H. R. Coulter.
"In 1823 William S. Hamilton took a contract from the Government to supply Fort Howard, at Green Bay, with beef cattle, and Mr. Hamlin, on account of his efficiency and knowledge of Indian character, was chosen to accompany the expedition to that distant garrison. It was a work of no ordinary difficulty. The country to be traversed with their herd was an unsettled wilderness, without roads or means of crossing the swamps or streams. The cattle had to be guarded and kept from straying, and, although the prairies afforded grass enough for their subsistence, yet the men of the party had to be supplied with provisions for the journey—enough at least to last them to Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), their first stopping place. However, they equipped themselves for the undertaking, and, after many vicissitudes and romantic experiences, which we have not space here to relate, arrived at Green Bay with their cattle, on the second day of July, 1823, having performed the
journey in thirty days.
* * * * * * *
"On his way back Mr. Hamlin performed his first marriage ceremony, at Fort Dearborn, in the marriage of Dr. Alexander Wolcott, a graduate of Yale College, and a man of distinguished literary culture, who at that time was Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn. This was the first marriage ceremony ever performed in the (now) great city of Chicago.
"During his stay in Chicago Mr. Hamlin made an engagement to enter the service of the American Fur Company, which he did after a short trip home. In his adventures during the hunting season among the Indians, he had a rich experience, practicing somewhat in the French language in his conversation with the Frenchmen in his employ, and learning much of Indian life and character. But he had little taste for the life of a hunter. He made a successful trip, however, and returned richly laden with furs, being the first of the outfits of that season to arrive at Chicago.
"Mr. Hamlin, at this time, was only twenty-three years of age, but such was the confidence of Mr. Crafts (with whom he was employed) in his ability and integrity that, on leaving his trading establishment at Chicago, to go East for supplies for the next season's outfits, he entrusted the whole business of the concern to him—the youngest of several clerks in his employ. Nor was the confidence reposed in him misplaced or disappointed. He managed the business to the entire satisfaction of his employer, who, the year following, sent him to establish a new trading-post at his home in Fort Clark. Here he erected buildings and supplied goods, not only to the Indians, but also to the white settlers in the vicinity, getting but little money in his traffic, as in those days money was hardly to be seen, except in transactions with the Government, or with Eastern men newly arrived, or as the result of sales made in distant markets. There was no circulating medium to answer the purposes of local business, and so Mr. Hamlin was obliged to exchange goods for other articles of trade. Besides the usual fur business, he exchanged goods for pork, which he packed and shipped to the military post at Chicago, and also cattle, which he delivered at the same market in the spring.
"His method of getting his pork to Chicago furnishes a good illustration of the difficulties and other obstacles a resolute and ingenious mind may overcome in accomplishing its purpose.
"No attempt had yet been made to navigate the uncertain water route from Lake Peoria to Chicago with anything larger than a Mackinaw boat or an Indian canoe, nor was it thought practicable at the time of which we speak. But Mr. Hamlin conceived the bold idea of shipping his pork by a keel-boat. One was lying idly at the landing, which he could charter for the trip. His plan was to load his pork on board of this, pack his furs on board a small Mackinaw boat which he owned, and, thus loaded, to push on with all possible speed while the water was up in the spring. He loaded and started; his plan succeeded. He moved up the Illinois to the mouth of the Des Plaines. Here he unloaded the keel-boat and built a depot for his pork, leaving it safe and secure in charge of some of the boatmen, while he went on with the Mackinaw boat and furs passing up the Des Plaines to a point called Summit, where the waters divide, part going by the Illinois and Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico, and part by the Chi- cago river and lakes into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At this point the water passes through a slough into Mud Lake, and thence by a gully into the south branch of the Chicago river, following which Mr. Hamlin arrived safely in Chicago with his boat-load of furs. The pork was conveyed in the same way, and in due time the whole experiment was crowned with success.
"Mr. Hamlin then returned home, gathered up what little means he had saved, amounting to a few hundred dollars, purchased a stock of goods in St. Louis and started business for himself. During the summer of 1825 he built a small frame house—the first ever erected in Pecria. It was eighteen by twenty-four, covered with split and shaved clapboards, and plastered with a kind of white clay procured on the bluffs. Mr. Hamlin purchased a trowel in St. Louis and did the plastering himself, making quite a good job of the walls, but not plastering overhead. He continued his mercantile business with success, and in the spring of 1826 purchased a keel-boat to run on the river to and from St. Louis, in order to control the shipment of his own goods and thus cheapen their transportation.
"In 1828, after the county-seat of Tazewell County had been located at Mackinaw Town, he established a branch store at that place, which he continued about a year. In the spring of 1820 he sold out his entire business and made a visit to his old home in New England, from which he had been absent ten years.
"On his return from the East Mr. Hamlin built a log cabin at the foot of the bluffs, and there engaged in farming. In 1830 he set out an orchard of four hundred apple trees, some of which continued to flourish until about two year(s) ago (1873). The same year he purchased a stock of goods at his old stand and commenced mercantile business, at the same time living at the bluffs till late in the fall, when he moved into his new frame house, on the corner of Main and Perry Streets.
"In the spring of 1831 Mr. Hamlin, with two young men by the name of Sharp, commenced the erection of the first flouring-mill in this section of the country, which was completed in 1832. It commenced operations, domg only custom work at first, but soon added thereto barreling and shipping flour to St. Louis and New Orleans. This, at first, was not profitable, owing to the low prices. For example: In 1832 a lot of two hundred barrels sent to the New Orleans market only yielded, in net returns, $1.37 1/2 per barrel. He continued, however, to run the mill till 1834, when he sold out to an Eastern purchaser.
"He next attempted to establish the first regular steamboat line between St. Louis and Peoria. Steamers had, of course, been running before, but not with a regularity that could be depended upon to meet the growing demands of commerce between the two places. He purchased a quarter interest in a steamer being built at Pittsburg, which was called the Peoria. She was built with an upper-deck cabin for passengers. But on her arrival at St. Louis the plan temporarily failed on account of another party being unable to fulfill his contract. The boat was chartered by other parties, and sent to Galena. But, after a while, Mr. Hamlin, having occasion to go to Galena on business, recovered the boat, and, through his energy and perseverance, succeeded in carrying out his original plan. This was the first regular steamboat, owned in part by a Peorian, that was employed in carrying freight and passengers between Peoria and St. Louis.
"Mr. Hamlin was a man of versatility, adapting himself easily to a change of circumstances, and in all conditions equally fertile in expedients and resources. He passed through many vicissitudes and was a many-sided man, without being changeable or equivocal in character. In his early history he seems to have been a natural born pioneer, taking easily to the hardships, emergencies and excitements of frontier life.
* * * * * * *
"In intellect Mr. Hamlin was above mediocrity, with a sound judgment and quick, active business faculties. He had also the powers of reason and speculation on abstract themes. Love of truth was one of his predominating traits. His honor and integrity were abundantly tested both in public and private life. As an illustration of his sense of justice and tendency to conciliate rather than exasperate the animosities of men, we need cite only the fact of his confidential and friendly relations with the Indians, with whom he had so much intercourse. While living in his log cabin it was not uncommon for him and his wife to retire to bed in one corner of the room with three or four Indians lying before the fire on a mat spread for them to sleep on; and during the long winter nights they would raise themselves up and smoke their pipes while their unconscious entertainers would be quietly sleeping. The Indians seemed always to be friendly to Mr. Hamlin. Having once been engaged in a regular trade with them, they looked upon his house as a sort of home, and when sober he always allowed them to sleep on his floor.
"Mr. Hamlin was not by nature a politician, yet he has officiated largely in public life. From the time during the Black Hawk War—when he assisted in organizing a self-constituted military commission to take charge of the ferry boat and rebuild Fort Clark, in order to prevent a general stampede of the settlers from the country, who were panic-stricken on the defeat of Stillman, thinking the Indians would come and tomahawk and scalp them in the night—down through the history of city and county, he has been more or less identified with official duties. At that time he did as efficient service at home as the rangers or the army did in the field. We find his name in the early records of the town and city of Peoria, filling the positions of Justice, Trustee, Alderman, etc. In 1834 he was elected by a large maiority to the State Legislature, the issue then being on the proposed construction of the Illinois Canal. In 1836 he was elected a member of the State Senate, and again in 1838 re-elected to the same office."
In all public affairs Mr. Hamlin was one of our foremost citizens. As already seen, he was in an early day one of the County Commissioners and County Treasurer. In the contest regarding the county scat he took a conspicuous part and advanced his own credit to effect a settlement of that much vexed question. In all educational matters he took a foremost place and for many years acted as Treasurer of the Public School Fund. He prospered in business and in middle life had attained to a competence in pecuniary affairs. In 1864 he became one of the original stockholders in the Second (now Peoria) National Bank. He was a Republican in politics and always took a deep interest in the success of that party. In religion he embraced the Swedenborgian faith, and in all private affairs lived an honest, consistent and upright life.
Mr. Hamlin was twice married, his first wife surviving but a short time after their marrage. His second wife, who outlived him several years, was the daughter of Levi and Sarah Johnson, of Springfield, Illinois, to whom he was married April 10, 1827. They had no children. Mr. Hamlin died March 29, 1876, leaving a comfortable estate to his widow and their adopted daughter, the wife of Harry M. Van Buskirk, of Peoria, who still survives.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ROWLAND H. HARNED.Among Peoria's younger class of merchants none has gained greater prominence than Rowland H. Harned, head of the mercantile firm of Harned & Von Maur. Mr. Harned was born at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1864, the son of Clark and Isabella T. (Metcalf) Harned. His father pursued the occupation of a dealer in real estate and died in 1898, and his mother in 1901. On the paternal side Mr. Harned is of French extraction, while on the maternal he is of English descent. For more than two centuries, however, the Harneds have been dwellers on the Western Continent and thoroughly Americanized. The Metcalf family are of aristocratic lineage in their native England, and possess their armorial bearings. Mr. Harned's maternal greatgrandfather was the Rev. Roger Moister, an eminent Methodist divine who was known as the "Patriarch of Wyoming Valley"—a locality famous for having furnished material for one of the most tragic pages of American history in the story of the "Wyoming Massacre." His son, the Rev. William Moister, was a distinguished English clergyman and author, who served as a missionary in the West Indies, one of the several volumes from his pen being an account of missionary work in those islands. The last mentioned member of the Moister family is recently deceased.
After a course of study at the Wyoming Seminary and graduating at Wyoming Commercial College, Mr. Harned found his first employment in the mercantile line as salesman, and later as assistant manager, in the largest dry- goods store in Wilkesbarre, where he remained five years. He then formed a copartnership with E. C. Pursel and C. J. Von Maur, and, in the spring of 1887, removed to Davenport, Iowa, where they opened a store, which proved very successful from the start. Two years later—Mr. Pursel having died. Messrs. Harned and Von Maur came into possession of the business, which had developed from a small beginning to such an extent that larger space was found necessary for conducting it. Accordingly about four years ago they purchased ground and erected on it a magnificent three-story and basement structure, which was finished three years since, giving them the finest storebuilding in Davenport, with a floor space of over 51,000 square feet.
Messrs. Harned and Von Maur's connection with Peoria dates from February 1, 1894, when they came to this city and bought the dry-goods stock of Messrs. Bergner, Potter & Co.—Mr. Bergner, however, remaining as a member of the new firm until January, 1902, when Harned and Von Maur purchased his interest. Their business here has grown enormously, and the firm now have the second largest dry-goods trade in the city of Peoria. In the meantime Mr. Harned still retains a half-interest in the Davenport concern, and devotes a part of his time to that field. He has developed a remarkable adaptability for the pursuit he has chosen in life, and, from his boyhood, has bent all his energies to the mastering of details and the acquisition of a competent and intelligent comprehension of all that enters into the making of a successful merchant. He started in business for himself while but a youth, and at the end of fifteen years finds himself at the head of two great mercantile houses: and during all that period has never had a failure or a serious financial reverse. His career in this respect has been equaled by few of the eminent merchants of America.
Mr. Harned was married, October 25, 1899, to Miss Mary Reeder, daughter of Charles and Mary Reeder, of Bordentown, New Jersey. He is a Republican in politics, and, while reared as a Methodist, the faith of his family, he is now affiliated with the Second Presbyterian Church of Peoria, of which he has been Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is now a Ruling Elder. Fraternally he is a member of the Creve Coeur Club and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Harned is President of the Peoria. Retail Merchants' Association.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
FRANK B. HASBROUCK.So long ago that few personally recall the beginning of his faithful services in connection with the upbuilding of Peoria, there came from the East on horseback one by the name of Milton Hasbrouck, who located in Chicago, and later identified his fortunes with Peoria and vicinity. At that time the stage-coach was a familiar and welcome factor of transportation, and the farm of the new-comer, located on the bluff where are now the palatial homes of a presentday population, overlooked an activity but faintly suggesting the teeming industry of to-day. The birth of Frank B. Hasbrouck, May 24, 1850, constituted yet another link in an ancestry replete with interest, and asso- ciated with some of the vital happenings in. the world's history. Succeeding generations of the family of Hasbrouck — or as it was known in France, "Hasbroecq"—have not laid themselves liable to what the greatest of American essayists, Emerson, considers the most unforgiving of human omissions,—indifference to the lives and accomplish- ments of one's ancestors. On the contrary, most complete records have been faithfully preserved, and a pride maintained in the long array of forefathers who have been, with few exceptions, creditable and even noteworthy acquisitions of their time and place.
The haunting bigotry and cruelty which made exiles or martyrs of the French Protestants or Huguenots in the seventeenth century, brought to particular notice Abraham Hasbroecq, who was known as the "patentee," and whose descendants are numerously scattered over Ulster, Orange and Dutchess counties, New York. Abraham and his brother, John, or Jean, were born in Calais, France, and to escape the pestilential fanaticism of Catholic France emigrated to Mannheim, in the Palatinate, then the great harbor of refuge for the persecuted. Abraham lived for a time in England, where he served in the army, and, in 1675, took passage in a sailing vessel bound for New York harbor. A fellow-passenger on this memorable voyage was Maria Deyo, daughter of Christian Deyo, and the records of the Kingston (New York) church, dated 1676, contain the following account of the marriage, which resulted from this long and perilous ship association: ''Abraham Hasbroecq, of Calais, and Mary Deyo, of Moeterstat, in Duystant." The Huguenot searcher after liberty of life, and thought, and action, became pro- minent in affairs military in New York State, and on August 30, 1685, received a commission as Lieutenant of a company of foot for Newpaltz and Kingston, and, in 1689, was appointed "Captain of foot at Ye Paltz, Ulster County." Abraham Hasbrouck died March 7, 1717, from an apoplectic fit, and was survived by his wife until March 27, 1741. The couple lived in a stone house which has braved the storms of years and is still standing, and here reared five sons, of whom Solomon, the second son, was born in 1686, and married Sarah Van Wagener in 1721. They also lived in a stone house, and reared to maturity seven sons, of whom Petrus (or Peter) was the sixth. Petrus Hasbrouck was a valiant soldier during the Revolutionary War, and was Second Lieutenant in the Second Company of Newpaltz, regiment of Colonel Johannus Hardenburgh, which regiment saw active service from October 25, 1775, until 1782. Petrus married Sarah, daughter of Abraham Bevier, and lived in a stone house still standing in Middleton. He also was the father of seven sons, of whom Abraham, the seventh son, was
born July n, 1789, married Mary, daughter of Jacob Blanshan, March 10, 1810, and died December 27, 1816. His widow married Daniel Lefever April i, 1820. Abraham and Mary Hasbrouck were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, and of these Milton, the oldest, was the father of Frank B.Milton Hasbrouck, one of the very early pioneers of Peoria, was born in New York October 11, 1811, and was five years old when his father, Abraham, died. When eighteen years of age he started out to become financially independent, and soon afterward engaged in building and operating canal-boats on the Erie Canal. He afterward went to Vienna, Oneida county, New York, where he kept a hotel for three years, and then bought a horse, which carried him to Chicago, where he arrived in 1834. Here Mr. Hasbrouck drove a stage and handled grain for stage-horses, and, while in the Lake City, made his headquarters at that once famous tavern called the "Sauganash." In 1835 he came to Pekin, and drove a stage between Pekin and Bloomington, and in the summer of the same year located in Peoria, where he found employment as a pilot on the little "Frontier" steamboat. This craft met an untimely fate off Towhead Island, and still lies where she was sunk, while Mr. Hasbrouck was asleep and off duty. During the five years that he served as a pilot he had in charge, at various times, the "Movastar," the "Little Lucretia," the "Maid of Iowa," and the "Puritan," the latter of which was piloted down the river by Mr. Hasbrouck to Saint Louis for two or three years. He also built the Frank Voris in connection with his partners, and ran the boat up the canal to Chicago until 1851. Upon first coming to Peoria he lived at what is now 207 Jefferson Street, but later moved upon the bluff to a farm of fifteen acres now covered by the city, and where he lived for thirty years. Between 1856 and 1860 he ran a mail stage between Peoria and Metamora, and, from 1860 until 1864, had a mail route between Peoria and Delavan, both of which were extremely profitable, the profits from the sale of newspapers alone often reaching as high as twenty dollars a day. He was a man of strong characteristics and high moral courage, and one of his cast iron convictions was that he would never run in debt for anything. Mr. Hasbrouck died August 19, 1898, and is survived by his wife whom he married in St. Louis April 27, 1844, and who was formerly Mary Ann Brestel.
Mrs. Hashrouck was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1820, and is a granddaughter of Daniel Brestel, a native of France, who married Mary Stambaugh, a native of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Daniel Brestel, who was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1798, and Elizabeth (Miller) Brestel, who was born at Gettysburg. Adams County, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1799. The mother of Mrs. Hasbrouck was a daughter of Henry Miller, a native of Hanau, and Catherine (Maury) Miller, who was born near Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The Brestel family came to Peoria May 24, 1835.
Frank B. Hasbrouck is the youngest of the three children in his father's family, the others being Milton and Charles A. Up to his fifteenth year he attended the public schools of Peoria, and his further education was temporarily sus- pended owing to the necessity for his entering upon a business career. For two years he engaged as a clerk in a grocery store, after which he learned the brickmason's trade, and at the age of twenty-one had become a contracting mason, in touch with the most intelligent needs of his native city. Owing to his special aptitude and fami- liarity with the advancement in his line in all parts of the world, many notable commissions have come his way, and an unusual number of architectural accomplishments in different parts -of the city are indirectly attributable to his skill and enterprise. Among the many residences which owe their brick construction to the ingenuity of Mr. Has- brouck may be mentioned that .of E. S. Easton, built in 1880; that of S K. Clarke, built in 1877; of J. B. Green- hut, in 1884, twenty houses for E. S. Easton at the foot of the bluff; the home of R. W. Kempshall, built in 1892; and that of C. S. Proctor, erected in l894. Among the prominent business houses of the city may be mentioned the Peoria Sugar Refinery (now the American Glucose Factory), erected in 1870 and since twice burned and rebuilt, the Great Western Distillery, built in 1881; the Grand Opera House, also built in 1881: the Manhattan Distillery, built in 1883, the Peoria Cordage Works building; the Observatory building, put up in 1889; the Opera House at Jacksonville, and the Home for the Friendless in Peoria, erected in 1891; the Woman's Club, built in 1893; the Rouse-Hazard Bicycle Factory, built in 1895; the First Church of Christ, built in 1898; the contract for the Clark Brothers Distillery, erected in 1899; the Acme Harvester Works at South Bartonville, erected in 1900, and which contains five millions of brick; and many other erections of equal importance, and equal prominence in the building up of the city.
The marriage of Mr. Hasbrouck and Mary Louise Miller occurred in Peoria November 22, 1876 Mrs. Has- brouck being a daughter of John R and Margaret (Aultmyer) Miller, the former of whom was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and died April 4, 1872, at the age of forty-seven years; while the latter was born at Ems, Germany, came to America when thirteen years of age, and died in 1882, at the age of fifty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Has- brouck have one son, Frank F., born July 11, 1880. He attended the high school and Bradley Polytechnic Insti- tute at Peoria, and is now a student and assistant to Dr. Garner, at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, in the Department of Chemistry. Mr. F. B. Hasbrouck is a Republican in national politics, and is fraternally asso- ciated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Hasbrouck home is a handsome and commodious one, and is rendered hospitable and cheery by the decided domestic tastes of the owner, who prefers the com- panionship found at his own fireside to that found in the busy whirl of society.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
MATHEW HENEBERY.Mathew Henebery was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, September 8, 1834, to Nicholas and Anastasia (Carroll) Henebery. He came to America with his father and mother and seven brothers and sisters in the spring of 1849, coming to Peoria via Montreal, Buffalo and Chicago, stopping for a short time at LaSalle. He received his education mainly in Ireland before coming to America.
His first employment in Peoria was superintending a line of drays for about two years. He was then employed for some time upon the telegraph line between Peoria and Chicago. In 1851 he was employed by Napoleon B. Brandamour in the liquor business, and shortly afterward was admitted to partnership. The firm built an alcohol distillery and continued to run the business for two years. When the firm dissolved, Mr. Brandamour took the alcohol still and Mr. Henebery the wholesale liquor business, which he has continued in his own name to the pre- sent time. Ever since Mr. Henebery settled in Peoria he has been interested in all that pertained to the city's welfare; was one of the early Aldermen and subsequently a member of the School Board. He was one of the organizers and builders of the Great Eastern Distillery, and was for a long time President of the Peoria Pottery Company and interested in its business. He was also one of the prominent organizers of the Peoria Stock Yards and the Peoria Packing and Provision Company. He is President of the Peoria Opera House Company, and has been for many years Vice-President and a Director of the First National Bank. Mr. Henebery has been a very successful business man, owns several farms in Illinois and Nebraska and has accumulated a competence. He has at all times identified himself with the growth and prosperity of the city, taking great interest in the schools, hospi- tals and Public Library, and was a director in the latter from the time of its organization until 1894. He was also a Director in, and Treasurer of, the Peoria Gas Light and Coke Company for many years.
Mr. Henebery was married, in Peoria, May 10, 1857, to Mary Daniels. Twelve children have been born to them, nine of whom are now living: Anastasia, Nicholas J., Josephine, Mary, Lucy, Lida, Richard, Helen and Theodosia. Mr. Henebery still continues in active business and still retains his interest in all that pertains to the welfare of Peoria. He has always maintained a high character for integrity and business ability.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ALEXANDER J. HENSELER.One of those who in years past rendered lasting service to the commercial well-being of Peoria was Alexander J. Henseler, who succeeded to the business of Louis Green & Company, and in the management thereof and in the conduct of his general affairs, won for himself an enviable position and a deserved competence. A just pride of ancestry was not without its effect in forming the life plans of Mr. Henseler, and he was not unmindful of the reflected distinction of those bearing his name who had contributed to the military prestige of his beloved Germany. He was born in Upladen, Prussia, September 10, 1849, a son of John Engelbert and Wilhelmina (Kirsch) Henseler, also natives of Prussia. The paternal grandfather followed in the martial train of the great Napoleon between 1809 and 1813, and during that time participated in the Spanish invasion, and was among the footsore and weary who retreated from Moscow.
John Engelbert Henseler was an ambitious man and realized the limitations of the boundaries of Prussia, and thus it happened that, in 1853, he set sail with his family for American shores, hoping much from the land of inexhaustible possibility. An expert builder and architect, he stopped in Chicago for a year after arriving in America, and then located in Peoria, where he successfully plied his chosen occupation until his retirement some years ago. Like his father before him, he has had an extended military service, beginning with his three years with the engineering corps of the Prussian army, and ending with his enthusiastic advocacy of the Union cause during the Civil War. From 1861 until 1863 he was Lieutenant, and afterward Captain, of the Engineering Corps, and would have served longer had not ill health rendered his resignation imperative. Mr. Henseler is still a resident of Peoria, although his wife and, helpmate died in 1857.
In his youth Alexander J. Henseler attended the German Catholic school of Saint Joseph's parish, Peoria, and at the early age of thirteen asserted his independence and began to earn his own living. As a store-boy he entered the employ of L. Rohrbach, and for three years faithfully served his employer in various capacities. A later position was with the dry-goods house of Mueiler & Kruse, with whom he remained as salesman until 1869, following which he engaged for a year in the lightning-rod business. In 1870 he entered the employ of Louis Green & Company, as traveling salesman, and his devotion to the best interests of the firm and his ready wit in compre- hending the various departments of the business resulted in his being accepted as a member of the firm in 1870. Nevertheless he continued as traveling representative until January of 1889, when he succeeded to the business of Louis Green & Company, and the following year took his brother Philip into partnership. After this change in its affairs the business prospered exceedingly, and Mr. Henseler directed its various departments into channels of usefulness and financial soundness. His death, June 27, 1897, removed one of the substantial and broad-minded men of the community, and left many to regret his lingering illness of ten months, and his absence from the haunts which had known him for so long.
He was a man of intense humane instincts, and was connected with whatever of a charitable nature commended itself as wise and of good import; in like measure he was liberal in his religious views, and absolutely untrammeled by narrowing creeds or high hedge dogmas. From a political standpoint he acknowledged the advantage of neither party, but cast his vote rather for personal fitness irrespective of party lines. Fraternally Mr. Henseler was asso- ciated with the Knights of Pythias, of which he was Past Chancellor of the Calenthe Lodge, No. 47; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Peoria Lodge, No. 20; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a member of the Peoria Commercial Club, the Turn Verein, and the Peoria Commercial Travelers' Association, in which latter organization he held various offices and was a director.
April 14, 1872, Mr. Henseler married Elizabeth Errion, who came to America from Germany with her parents in 1855, and has lived here ever since. To Mr. and Mrs. Henseler were born two children, and of these Willie A. was born November 2, 1872, and died November 1, 1888; and Freda R., born October 28, 1874, and married Fred R. Waugh in August of 1900.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
WILLIAM ANDREW HERRON.William Andrew Herron, for more than half a century one of Peoria's most prominent and successful business men, was born at Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, the son of Francis and Jane (Wills) Herron. His father's family were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and had lived in that region for several generations, where, at one time, they were proprietors of a large tract of land on which were located several farms familiarly known as Herron's Row. They belonged to the Middle Spring Church, which is so largely represented in the Presbyterian circles in Peoria. His mother, who was a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, was a woman of sterling worth and amiability of character.
Mr. Herron's boyhood was spent on the farm until he was fifteen years of age, when he came west with his aunt, Mrs. Martha (Herron) Cunningham, and spent the winter of 1839 at Belleville, Illinois. During the following spring he came to Peoria, and here found employment as a clerk in the drug store of his uncle, Dr. James Mossman, one of Peoria's earliest physicians, who died here about 1850. The store was located on the upper side of Main Street adjoining the Peoria Hotel kept by Augustus O. Garrett. In a very few years, by saving his earnings, Mr. Herron was enabled to purchase the store, soon after which he removed his business to the corner of Main Street and Printer's Alley, in the historic building wrecked by an explosion just after he had left it.
In 1849 he erected a brick building on the south corner of Main and Washington Streets, where Robert L. Davis is now located, which corner has been occupied as a drug store for more than half a century. The business was here prospered and, in a short time, Mr. Herron was enabled to build what was then considered an elegant residence, now occupied by Max Newman adjoining the St. Paul's Episcopal Church. About the year 1856, his health having become somewhat impaired by the confinement of an indoor life, he sold out his business and en- gaged in the lumber trade in partnership with Mr. Joseph Elder. This business connection continued until 1868, when Mr. Herron closed out his interest therein and engaged in the banking business, in which he has been occu- pied ever since, covering a period of over thirty-four consecutive years. Prior to this time, however, he had been for some years a Director in the Second National (now Peoria National) Bank of Peoria. It was in the year last named (1868) that Mr. Herron, in connection with John Hamlin, Charles P. King, Lorin G. Pratt, Zenas N. Hotchkiss, Philip Zell, Lewis Howell and Thomas C. Moore, established the Savings Bank of Peoria, which was the pioneer institution of its kind in the city, and has continued in existence without change of name ever since. Originally a private partnership concern, it was incorporated under the State law in 1894. On the retirement of Mr. Philip Zell from the position of Secretary and acting manager in 1872, Mr. Herron became President and Manager, and has so continued until the present time. His career in connection with this historic institution is all the more noteworthy in view of the fact that he is to-day the only survivor of its eight original founders. The success which has attended the management of this bank is illustrated by the fact that, whereas it started thirty-four years ago with a capital of $150,000, it now has a surplus and undivided profits amounting to $220,000, of which nearly one-third has been accumulated in the past eight years.
Mr. Herron was also one of the founders and original stockholders of the Peoria Gas Light and Coke Company, of which he was for many years a director and also its President. It is rarely the case that any one man continues to be a stockholder in any one institution for so many consecutive years, Mr. Herron having become a stock- holder of the Peoria Gas Light and Coke Company at its organization in 1853, and having parted with his last stock only a few months ago.
In his long business career he has never met with a failure, or a serious business reverse, a result due to a sound, conservative judgment. In his own language, he has never had any trouble in making all the money he wanted.
Mr. Herron also was active in the organization of the Second Presbyterian Church, and, although not then a communicant, recorded himself as one of the original members of the congregation, and at a later date entered into full communion, and has from that time to the present been an active and public-spirited member of that church.
Originally a conservative Whig, he has, since the organization of the Republican party, been a constant and con- sistent supporter of its principles. Although not in the ordinary sense of the term a politician or a seeker for office, nevertheless he served as Alderman of his ward for six years, and was for several years a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county.
Mr. Herron has been twice married, the first time (1846) to Susan Bartlett, daughter of Dr. Peter Bartlett; the second time, on November 4, 1884, to Mary Walker, daughter of Isaac and Sarah S. (McIlvaine) Walker, of Peoria. They have had four children, of whom three are living : William Andrew, John Wills and Mary Walker. Anna Walker, their second child, died at the age of five years.
Mr. Herron has had two brothers, John, a distinguished lawyer ot Cincinnati, Ohio, still living, and David W., deceased, formerly of Peoria, more recently of Princeville. He has two sisters, Hannah Jack, the mother of William and Frank Jack, of Peoria, and Nancy, formerly of Peoria, now Mrs. Hurst, of Washington, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Herron is spending the evening of a long and ideal life with his devoted wife and family in the home No. 411 North Madison Avenue, which he has occupied for the last thirty-six years.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
ANDREW J. HODGES.Andrew J. Hodges was born October 31, 1815, at Norton, Massachusetts. He learned the carpenter's trade in Boston, and, in 1837, came to Illinois, settling in Delavan, where he resided for eighteen years, during which time he worked as master carpenter, his first work being upon the well-known "Delavan House." During his residence in Delavan Mr. Hodges also worked on the Court House in St. Louis, Missouri. In the spring of 1848 he built a home on Third Street in Peoria, to which he moved his family in the fall. Among the buildings constructed by Mr. Hodges, mow standing, are the Dobbins House,—since used by the Creve Coeur Club; the Universalist Church, and the Cox Building at the corner of Adams and Fulton Streets. In 1864 Mr. Hodges took charge of the Barber & Hawley Works at Decatur, which was, some time later, consolidated with the plant owned by the same com- pany at Pekin. Shortly after the consolidation Mr. Hodges became the owner of the business, which he carried on until 1890, under the firm name of A. J. Hodges & Company, at which time he sold out to the Acme Harvester Company. Mr. Hodges built what is known as the Haines Illinois Harvester, developing, from the original wooden machine, the Hodges Steel Header—a machine used extensively in the United States, and also well known in South America.
Mr. Hodges was a modest, unassuming man, but of positive convictions and always had the courage of his con- victions. He was possessed of sterling integrity and was thoroughly honest and faithful to every trust reposed in him. He was not only a competent, but a reliable mechanic, and every contract he executed with the utmost fidelity. He needed no superintendent or watchman to see that any work undertaken by him was honestly done. He ranked deservedly high in this community for his integrity, his uprightness, his singleness of purpose and his interest in the development of the city. He is entitled to the appellation of that noblest work of God, an honest man. By his thrift, conservative judgment and fair dealing Mr. Hodges accumulated a substantial competence.
On August l, 1844, he married Sarah E. Grant at Delavan, Illinois, and to them five children were born (the second dying in infancy); Anna E. (deceased), who was the wife of H. P. Wilber; Mittie, now Mrs. E. E. Arnold, of Providence, R. I.; Jennie G. and Charles A. Mr. Hodges built a beautiful home on Perry Avenue, where his widow, daughter Jennie and son Charles now reside. Mr. Hodges died October 9, 1900.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902
WILLIAM EDGAR HULL.William Edgar Hull, Postmaster of the city of Peoria, was born in Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois, January 13, 1866, being the only son of Capt. William Wesley and Mary A. Hull (deceased). Mr. Hull's father was born in Licking County, Ohio, December 16, 1829, and his mother at Old Mines, Missouri, March 23, 1840, and they were married at Lewistown, Illinois, December 15, 1862. The former died August 16, 1897, and the latter is also deceased, and both were buried in the cemetery at Lewistown.
The ancestry of the Hull family dates back to Captain Hull, of Lake Erie fame during the War of 1812. Philip Hull, William E. Hull's grandfather, removed with his wife and four children in the early '40s from Licking County, Ohio, and settled near Smithfield, Fulton County, Illinois, where he opened a farm, on the corner of which he built the first log school-house in that section. This house, known as the "Hull school-house," became famous as a place for country meetings and debates, a frame building now occupying the site of the original log structure. Later Mr. Hull removed to the vicinity of Lewistown, where his oldest son, Dr. Alexander Hull, began practice and became pro- minent as a physician. William Wesley Hull, the youngest son, enlisted in the army in 1861 and became Captain of Company H, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteers; was mustered out at the close of his term of service, and returning to Lewistown resided there until his death. Dr. Hull was a prominent figure in the Democratic party, while Captain Hull was equally prominent as a Republican. Although the closest of friends socially, the two brothers were strongly antagonistic politically, their names on one or two occasions appearing on their respective party tickets as opposing candidates for county offices. Captain Hull was widely known as a shrewd, careful and zealous politi- cian, who exerted a strong influence in his Congressional District and enjoyed the respect of his party and the public.
William Edgar Hull was reared on his father's farm, and after taking a course in the Lewistown High School, entered the classical department of Illinois College, at Jacksonville. In 1883 he returned to Lewistown and soon began taking an active part in Republican politics, while still a boy of seventeen being recognized as a power at the polls. In 1884 he became Assistant Postmaster at Lewistown, remaining two years, when he resigned to enter into business for himself. During the campaign of 1888 he took a leading part in the organization of a "Young Men's Republican Club," composed entirely of young men about to cast their first votes for President at the election of that year. This club—in honor of the Republican candidate for Governor, named "The Joe Fifer Club"—became well known and gave to Mr. Hull a wide reputation as a Republican worker and organizer.
The election of Benjamin Harrison to the Presidency in 1888 changed the complexion of affairs in the Peoria District; the Hon. Julius S. Starr was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifth District, and Mr. Hull, having been selected by the Republicans of Fulton County for that purpose, was appointed a Government Gauger early in 1890, and soon after took up his residence in Peoria, which has been his home continuously ever since. Zealous in the discharge of his official duties, he soon became an important factor in city politics, and at one time had the credit of turning the old Third Ward—which had been strongly Democratic—into a Republican ward; a result attributed largely to his energy and hard work. In 1894 he became the Secretary of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee, also serving in a like capacity for the Fourteenth Congressional District, and threw into the campaign the zeal and energy so characteristic of his political career. The campaign culminated in a great Republican victory—every candidate on the Republican County ticket, with one single exception, being elected, while Mr. Graff was chosen Representative in Congress by a majority of more than 3,000 in a district which had been carved out with the intention of making it surely Democratic. In 1896—this being the presidential year—Mr. Hull again served as Secretary of the Republican County Committee, taking up the work on broader lines than ever before and with equal success. The successful outcome of these two campaigns gave him increased promi- nence, which was recognized in his appointment by President McKinley, on March 23, 1898, to the position of Postmaster of the city of Peoria, and the business capacity which he has displayed in the management of the office has been recognized (March 14, 1902) in his appointment by President Roosevelt for a second term of four years. During his incumbency many improvements and betterments have been introduced, including increase of the carrier and clerical force, the establishment of sub-stations and the annexation of suburban towns, giving to the latter the benefit of a free-delivery service.
Since coming to Peoria Mr. Hull has been identified with a number of important business enterprises, one of these being the Peoria Livery Company, of which he was the original promoter and organizer, while another is the Messrs. Clarke Brothers & Co.'s great distilling interest, of which he is the general manager.
Mr. Hull was married, on February 27, 1889, in Lewistown, to Miss Ella Harris, daughter of Edwin Harris, at that time President of the Fulton County Narrow-Guage Railway, and a prominent figure in connection with the business interests of Fulton County. Mrs. Hull was born February 15, 1867, and is a granddaughter of the late Newton Walker, one of the pioneers of Illinois, and an intimate personal friend of Abraham Lincoln.
from Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Peoria County, Volume II, 1902