Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 22

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago, Calumet book & engraving co
Number of Pages: 916

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed. > Part 22

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Betsey French was one of the fourteen children of Bartholomew and Susannah French, who came to Barre from Alstead, New Hampshire, in 1791. Bartholomew French, who was one of the earliest settlers of Barre, built the first mill in that place.

150

EDSON KEITH.

He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and was born in Sutton, Massachusetts. A historian of the town of Barre says: "To this energetic man and his descendants much of the prosperity of the town, from the time of his arrival until the present day, is due." Twelve of his seventeen children lived until the youngest was past sixty years of age. At least two of his sons served in the War of 1812, and one of them, named Bar- tholomew, commanded a company of Vermont troops, and served as a Captain of militia for many years afterward.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Keith removed to Chica- go in 1859. The former died here in 1876, at the. age of nearly seventy-seven years, and the latter in 1868, aged about seventy years. They were worthy representatives of the pioneer families of New England, and cherished the same love of hon- or and truth for which their ancestors were con- spicuous, while practicing that rigid adherence to principle which has distinguished their posterity.

Edson Keith passed his childhood upon the homestead farm and in attendance at the public school. At the age of seventeen years he went to Montpelier, where the next four years were spent. In 1854 he came to Chicago, beginning his mercantile career in this city as clerk in a re- tail dry-goods store. Two years later he became a salesman and collector for a wholesale house, dealing in hats, caps and furs. In 1860 lie be- came a member of the firm of Keith, Faxon & Company, jobbers of hats, caps, furs and milli- nery. Since that time he has been continuously associated with that line of business, though the style of the firm has undergone a number of changes and transformations, and the volume of its transactions has been repeatedly multiplied. He is now senior member of the wholesale fancy dry-goods and millinery establishment of Edson Keith & Company, on Wabash Avenue, and President of the firm of Keith Brothers & Com- pany, wholesale dealers in hats, caps, etc., whose place of business is on Adams Street. In addition to these, he is proprietor of Keith & Company, grain warehousemen, and is a stockholder and Director of the Metropolitan National Bank.

He has ever taken a keen interest in the growth and progress of Chicago, maintaining perfect con- fidence in its future greatness, and has at differ- ent times managed some extensive real-estate transactions, which not only have contributed to his personal gain, but have been important fac- tors in the financial prosperity of the commun- ity

But a few years had elapsed after casting in his lot with the growing metropolis before he had es- tablished a reputation for integrity of character and honorable dealing which has ever been con- sistently maintained, and he enjoys the esteem and confidence of his colleagues and coadjutors to a degree attained by few men in the West.

In 1860 Mr. Keith was happily married to Miss Woodruff, of Chicago. This union has been blessed with two sons: Edson, Jr., a graduate of Yale College and later of Columbia Law School, New York City; and Walter W., a graduate of Yale.

Though a sympathizer with Republican princi- ples, Mr. Keith is not a strict partisan, but sup- ports such men for public office as he deems most worthy of his confidence. And, while he does not hold membership with any religious organiz- ation, he is a liberal supporter of institutions tend- ing to upbuild the moral and intellectual senti- ment of the people. He is a patron of art and literature, and was for several terms a Vice-Presi- dent of the Art Institute of Chicago. He served for three years as President of the Citizens' Asso- ciation, in the inception of which he was one of the foremost movers, and which did a great work in the reform of municipal and state affairs. He was three years President of the Calumet Club, and is identified with numerous other leading clubs of Chicago and New York City. His hon- orable and successful career stands out on the horizon of Chicago's history, a fitting example to its rising generations of the rewards which await persistent and intelligent application, when accompanied by straightforward dealing, but- tressed with regular habits and unswerving integ- rity of character.

John F. Eberhart

151

J. F. EBERHART.

JOHN F. EBERHART.

OHN FREDERICK EBERHART, fifth child of Abraham and Esther Eberhart (nee Amend), was born January 21, 1829, at Hickory, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, his early years being busily spent upon his father's farm, situated in the then new-settlement region.

In 1837 he moved with his parents to Big Bend (on the Allegheny), in Venango County, Penn- sylvania, still occupying himself with agricultural pursuits, save in winter, which time was given over to district schools. At sixteen he left school, becoming himself a country pedagogue, his first charge being located at the mouth of Oil Creek (near Franklin), Pennsylvania, where, after the manner so eloquently depicted by Eggleston in "The Hoosier Schoolmaster," he "boarded 'round" and received his few dollars per month for "teaching the young idea how to shoot."

The following year he took advanced tuition in drawing, writing and flourishing, afterward teach- ing these accomplishments to others. After some further schoolteaching, and having himself com- pleted the curriculum of the Cottage Hill Acad- emy at Ellsworth, Ohio, he entered Allegheny College, in 1849, whence he graduated July 2, 1853, having, like many another contemporary who has since "made his mark," worked his way through college by teaching and working upon farms. He always took a leading part in his classes, as well as in many field sports, outlifting, outjumping and outrunning all liis several hun- dred classmates. Perhaps we may allow this to speak as a prophecy of later superior achieve- ments. In oratory he was proficient, as is suffi- ciently attested by the plaudits of the several thousand auditors who attended his Fourth of July oration near his old home at Rockland, Pa., two days after his graduation.

The succeeding fall he assumed the duties of Principal of the Albright Seminary at Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. This first in- stitution of letters founded by the Evangelical As- sociation developed and prospered under his fos- tering care. And here a digression is briefly made in order to call attention to the fact that the Rev. H. W. Thomas, now pastor of the People's Church, Chicago, was a pupil of his at this time.

The first serious disappointment in his life work, as Mr. Eberhart had first planned it, oc- curred after two years' confinement over school duties, at which juncture several consulting doc- tors of medicine prognosticated a growing con- sumption, which he could not outlive beyond a few months at the furthest. Packing up his pos- sessions, he set his face toward the great West, a country destined to give him that abundant measure of renewed life which he has since spent in the interest of others as well as himself. April 15, 1855, was the date of his first coming to Chi- cago, at which time in the then "Muddy City" he remained only a short interval, on his way to Dixon, Illinois, where for a time he edited and published an early newspaper, called the Dixon Transcript. About this time he also prepared and delivered lectures upon chemistry, natural philos- ophy, meteorology and astronomy, they being among the first popular lectures to be illustrated by practical apparatus. He also at this period traveled for New York publishing houses, and was largely instrumental in establishing district-school libraries in the state. But, best of all, in this in- vigorating climate, with its changes of diversified labors, attended by abundance of outdoor sports and healthy exercises, lie regained and fortified that healthful virility which through more than three and a-half decades lias amply sufficed to

152

J. F. EBERHART.

keep him well engaged in honorable pursuits; until at this writing, through untiring self-efforts, he stands prominent and time-honored among the early educators of Illinois and the West.

On locating in Chicago, he purchased and for three years edited and published, "The North- western Home and School Journal," interspers- ing such labors by lecturing before and conduct- ing teachers' institutes, not only in Illinois, but also in other western states, coming thus into personal contact with the leading educators of the day, such as Elihu Burritt, Henry Barnard and Horace Mann.

He was elected Superintendent of Schools of Cook County in the fall of 1859. This office he uninterruptedly held for ten years, during which time he earnestly labored to arouse a unanimity of interest and enthusiasm of which our local school history affords 110 parallel. Our free schools in the county up to this time had never been under proper supervision, and were when he assumed the duties in a neglected condition. But he began a thorough systematic visitation of schools, conferring with teachers and directors, organizing institutes, etc .; until, finding it im- possible to secure otherwise the services of ade- quately qualified teachers, he began his agitation for a county norinal school, and with such suc- cess, that in 1867 a school was opened at Blue Island, through provisions made by the Board of Supervisors. This school, since removed to Nor- mal, has grown to be a power in the land, being sought by many pupils coming from long distan- ces, and always having a large attendance roll. Among other noteworthy acts we may call to mind the following: Mr. Eberhart was among the organizers of the Illinois State Teachers' As- sociation, the first seventeen consecutive sessions of which he attended; he assisted in establishing the State Normal University, and in making many valuable changes in the state school law, includ- ing the original act authorizing counties to estab- lish normal schools, and was the principal mover in forming the State Association of County Super- intendents, which chose him for its first President. As President of the County Board of Education, he was the means of introducing the "kindergar-

ten" into the Cook County Normal School, and also aided in establishing the system of free kin- dergartens in the city. During all this time he was a member of the American Institute of In- struction, as well as one of the first life members of the National Teachers' Association. Mr. Eb- erhart received many overtures to accept profes- sorships and presidents' chairs in some of our leading institutions of learning, but he always declined, principally because he did not again wish to risk his health and life in such work.

Always imbued with a liking for travel and outings, and with generous tastes for a liberal, rational enjoyment and improvement of life and its grand possibilities, after a quarter of a century spent as before briefly indicated, he set about ac- cumulating a fortune out of real estate. At the time of the panic of 1873 he was esteemed one of the millionaires of the city. However, through joint interests with others, which he had to settle, he lost his possessions, but is now again a wealthy ma11, and is content in making a wise use of his powers and gifts, being a liberal parent and hus- band, and munificent in charity donations.

Personally Mr. Eberhart is rather slender, but well proportioned, six feet in stature, of affable manners, positive in opinion, Republican in poli- tics and of deeply religious convictions.

Christmas Day, 1864, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Matilda Charity Miller, a daughter of Joseph C. and Mercie H. Miller, of this city. This most estimable lady was born in Toronto, Canada, but in infancy was brought to the United States, where, prior to her marriage, she became a prized teacher. She has become the tenderest of mothers, and full of thoughtful kindnesses toward unfortunates in life. Six chil- dren have blessed their union, namely: Maude Winifred, born November 1, 1866, and who died February 11, 1873; John Joseph, born September 8, 1870; Frank Nathaniel, December 17, 1872; Mary Evangeline, April 3, 1875; Grace Josephine, June 4, 1877; and Wilfred, June 12, 1881, and who died December 26, 1882.

A brief genealogy of the family is here added:

The name has been variously spelled, Everhart, Everhard, Eberhardt, Eberhard and Eberhart

153

J. F. EBERHART.

being the most common forms. Such changes of patronymic spelling are by no means unusual in German descendants living upon American soil; but Eberhart is believed to be the most general, as well as correct, English orthography, and is used by the branch which is the subject of this sketch.

This family, which from 1280 to 1723 (a period of four hundred and forty-three years) gave birth to counts and dukes reigning over the province of Wurtemberg, is of Swabian (Bavarian) German origin. Through the middle ages its numerous descendants have figured very conspicuously in the history of that country and the advancement of civilization. As a generation they have lived ahead of their respective years; have been a mar- tial, well-educated, honorable and religious branch of the human race.

One Eberhart rendered invaluable assistance to Martin Luther, hero of the Reformation, since which era most of the families have belonged to the Lutheran Church. Of its many men of let- ters, space permits a reference only to Johannes August Eberhardt, friend of Frederick the Great, Privy Councilor to the King of Prussia, mem- ber of the Berlin Academy, one of the greatest scholars of the eighteenth century, who composed many able treatises, some of them authority to this day.

Of the sovereigns of this family, whose deeds and virtues are celebrated in prose and verse (the lyric king of German song, the immortal Schil- ler, pausing in Parnassian flights to do them homage), we must chronicle how "Duke Eber- hard the Noble," "Duke Eberhard the Groaner" (or "Rushing Beard"), "Duke Eberhard the Mild," "Duke Eberhard with the Beard," "Duke Eberhard the Younger," "Prince Eberhard" and "Duke Leopold Eberhard" were some of the most noted rulers springing from the loins of this famous race.

The first above was the founder of the royal line, being the most daring warrior Wurtemberg has ever produced, of whom it is written:

"Then spoke Eberhard the Great, Wurtemberg's beloved lord,-

'No great cities boast my state, Nay, nor hills with silver stored.

" 'But one treasure makes me blest, Though the days are fierce and dread;

On each subject's loyal breast I can safely lay my head.'

"'Eberhard !' cried one and all, And meekly before him bowed,

'Thou art richiest of us all! ' And their praise rang long and loud.'

The grandson of "The Noble" was "The Rush- ing Beard," whose episode connected with the fatal conduct of his son Ulrich is famed in art, compositions thereupon being hung in the Cor- coran Gallery at Washington (District of Colum- bia), in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and two canvases in the Museum of Rotterdam; while in Wurtemberg's capital is a life-size statue in mar- ble of "The Rushing Beard," which is among the first objects of interest to attract the attention of the visitor.

Intermarriages were made with such leading families as the Ulrichs, Rudolphs, Henrys, Fred- ericks, Hartmans and Ludwigs, whose names are occasionally found in the line of rulers, when a male heir was wanting to the Eberharts; or, per- chance, a female sovereign for a time appears, as in the case of the Duchess Henrietta, widow of "Eberhard the Younger."

With the death of Charles VI, Emperor of Ger- many, in 1740, passed away the glories of the House of Hapsburg. At this era the Eberhardts also ceased to reign in Wurtemberg, being de- throned partly by their own injudicious counsels and conduct, but more especially by the then growing ascendancy of the Catholics. This was the time of self-expatriation of many of their line in quest of better fortunes, together with the civil and religious freedom of the New World.

In 1727 three brothers, Michael, Peter and Joseph, came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of these, Michael Eberhart came from Germany in the ship "Friendship, John Davis master, land- ing in the City of Brotherly Love October 16, 1727. He had a son Paul, born during the voy- age to America, who lived in Northampton Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, until 1773, when he removed to the "Manor Settlement" near Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He had a third son, Christian, who married Anna Maria Snyder, of his native

I54

D. H. PINNEY.

place, where he died in 1849, at the advanced age of seventy-seven. He had a second son, Abra- ham, who was born December 28, 1797, and who married, August 22, 1820, Esther Armend, of New Salem, Pennsylvania. At twenty-five he removed into the wilderness of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where he cleared a farm and erect- ed a sawmill on the Little Neshannock. He

afterward lived in Illinois and Iowa, and was the first to take up residence in the suburb of Chi- cago Lawn, October 2, 1877. He died August 7, 1880, and was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery. He was a man of great good sense and stanchest probity. From him descended a fifth child, John Frederick Eberhart, the subject of the foregoing sketch.

HON. DANIEL H. PINNEY.

ON. DANIEL HYDE PINNEY, a worthy member of the Chicago Bar, and formerly Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of Arizona, is descended from one of the early Colo- nial families of Connecticut. His grandfather, Peter Pinney, was a native of the "Land of Steady Habits," and his parents, Martin and Nancy (Johnson) Pinney, were born in Vermont. Mar- tin Pinney was reared in Franklin County, Ver- mont, and settled in Western New York about 1830. He was a carpenter and builder, and erected many of the early buildings of Orleans County, New York, where he died in 1869, at the age of seventy years. His widow is still liv- ing there, in the ninety-second year of her age. The subject of this notice is the seventh of their nine children.

Daniel H. Pinney was born in Albion, the seat of Orleans County, New York, June 2, 1837. He received the benefit of the common schools of his native town, and when still a young man joined the engineering corps employed in the enlarge- ment of the Erie Canal, continuing in that work two years and gaining a practical knowledge which ever after proved of advantage to him. He was possessed of energy, and a worthy ambi- tion to rise in the world, and resolved to try his fortune in the new West.

The year 1856 found him in Chicago, looking

for any honorable employment. For about two years he worked as a clerk and in various occu- pations, and in the mean time set his mind on the study of law. Going to Michigan City, Indiana, he entered the office of J. A. Thornton, a leading attorney of that place. When business called him to Joliet, Illinois, he continued his studies in the office of Snapp & Breckenridge, and applied himself with such industry and aptitude that he was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States in the fall of 1861.

His first experience as a practical lawyer was obtained in the town of Wilmington, Will Coun- ty, this State, where he practiced two years with moderate success. At the end of this period he returned to Joliet and continued his way into the confidence and esteem of the public. This is shown by the fact that he was five times elected City Attorney of Joliet, and in 1876 he was the successful candidate, as an Independent, for a seat in the General Assembly. He espoused the cause of Judge David Davis as candidate for the United States Senate, and as an active and aggressive worker, was largely instrumental in the success of that candidacy. He continued his law prac- tice in Joliet until 1882, when he was appointed by President Arthur to a position on the Supreme Bench of Arizona, which he filled with credit to all concerned for four years.

155

F. E. R. JONES.

After spending a year in California, Judge Pin- ney returned to Illinois, settling in Chicago, where he has continued in practice since. He is an exceptionally able trial lawyer, and has handled a wide range of cases, many of them taking him to the Supreme Courts of adjoining and distant States. He is, withal, a very modest man, and gets no more credit than lie is entitled to. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and of the Sons of New York. Being an independent thinker, lie has not allied himself with any organ- izations other than social ones. In religious faith lie is a Universalist, and attended the Englewood church of that denomination as long as he dwelt near it. He was an original Lincoln Republican,

and was for many years an active campaigner, but retains liis independence of party lines, and acts in elections according to his faith in respec- tive candidates.

In 1865, at Albion, New York, Mr. Pinney was married to Miss Mary, daughter of John B. Lee, a prominent citizen of that town, which was Mrs. Pinney's birthplace. She died in 1872, leav- ing a son, William Lee Pinney, now in business at Phoenix, Arizona. In 1874 Mr. Pinney mar- ried Miss Mary E. Bowman, of Shawneetown, Illinois, a native of Kentucky, who has borne him three children, Harry Bowman, Sidney Breese and Nannie E. Pinney, aged, respectively, nine- teen, seventeen and nine years.

FRED E. R. JONES.

RED ELLSWORTH RANDOLPH JONES. To what extent the character of an individ- ual is molded by the circumstances and con- ditions which surround him is a problem that ad- mits of almost unlimited discussion. But no stu- dent of human nature will attempt to deny that the environments of childhood exert a powerful influence upon the life of the future man or wo- man. A thorough business training, begun at an early age, and vigorously adhered to in ma- ture years, while it may dwarf some of the finer sensibilities and smother many of the noblest at- tributes of a man's nature, seldom fails to develop a capable, systematic and successful business man.

Mr. Jones was born at Chelsea, Washtenaw County, Michigan, January 18, 1860, and is a son of Aaron C. Jones and Carrie R. Clarke. A. C. Jones was born in New York, and came, during his childhood, with his parents to Michigan. They settled near Adrian, wliere his father, Ab- ner Jones, became a prominent farmer. The lat- ter was a native of New York. Aaron C. Jones

was a master marble-cutter, but being troubled with weakness of the lungs, which was aggra- vated by the pursuit of this calling, he abandoned it. In 1868 he came to Chicago and engaged in the fire-insurance business, which occupied his attention until the great fire. The spring follow- ing this disaster he contracted a severe cold, which developed consumption and terminated his life. His death occurred in 1874, at the age of forty- five years.

Mrs. Carrie R. Jones, who still resides in Chi- cago, was born in Goshen, Indiana, where her father's death occurred about the time she was eleven years of age. Her mother's maiden name was Randolph, and she was a relative of the noted Virginia family of that name-the Randolphs of Roanoke. Her grandfather, who was a man of considerable means and influence, devoted much time and money to the cause of the American col- onies during the Revolutionary War. During the progress of that struggle he made an expedi- tion to the West Indies in the interests of the Na-

156

B. M. WIEDINGER.

tional Government, leaving his motherless chil- dren in charge of a neighbor and friend. His absence was unexpectedly prolonged, and during this time the neighbor moved across the Ohio River to the western frontier, and the family was never re-united.

The subject of this sketch attended the public school until twelve years of age, at which time, owing to his father's failing health, he was obliged to abandon his studies and begin the bat- tle of life. He obtained employment in the in- surance office of the late George C. Clarke, his first position being that of errand boy. Under the instruction and training of his kind employer, he rapidly developed an aptitude for business and was promoted to more responsible positions. At the age of twenty years he became the bookkeeper and confidential man of the concern, with which he continued to be identified until 1893. Few boys of his age had to contend with the stern, realistic problems of life to such a degree as he, but, with the advice and counsel of his employer and aided and sustained by his mother's counsel, he made the most of his opportunities. He at- tended night schools at intervals and subsequently

became a teacher of bookkeeping to night classes at the Chicago Athenæun.

In January, 1893, he was made City Manager in Chicago of the Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Company, which position he has filled up to this time with credit to himself and the mu- tual advantage of the parties concerned. He now occupies one of the finest suites of offices in the city, being located in the new and modern Asso- ciation Building.

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Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 22

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago, Calumet book & engraving co Number of Pages: 916

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago, Calumet book & engraving co
Number of Pages: 916