USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed. > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
Mrs. Harriet A. Ayars died at Trenton, New Jersey, in 1870, at the age of sixty-four years. She was a daughter of Dr. John Reed, who was born in New Jersey, where he practiced medi-
460
C. G. AYARS.
cine most of his life. He was also engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods at Deerfield, New Jersey. His father was a native of Ireland.
Rev. and Mrs. James Ayars had five sons. Enoch Reed, the eldest, was a dentist in New Jersey, and went to California in 1849. While there, he joined Walker's expedition to Nica- ragua, was wounded at the battle of Rivos, and died in hospital. Charles G. Ayars is the second. James was for many years a prominent citizen of Cook County, and is now deceased. William Henry Ayars was a student of the North- western University of Evanston when the Civil War began, and enlisted and served eighteen months in the Union army. He became a Lieu- tenant in a colored regiment, and was killed at the battle of Petersburgh, Virginia. Howard B., the youngest, died at the age of five years.
Charles G. Ayars, whose name heads this article, gained his primary education in the pub- lic schools of various points where his father was stationed in the ministry, and finished at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey. At the age of seventeen years he entered mercantile life, being employed as a clerk in stores at various places. He spent one year with a wholesale paper house in New York City, and in 1857 went to Covington, Kentucky, where he entered the general western agency of the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut.
In 1859 he became a resident of Cook County, and engaged in farming at Evanston. Two years later lie removed to the vicinity of what is now known as Forest Hill, at the crossing of the Wa- bash and Pan Handle Railroads, where he oper- ated a large farm, producing annually large quantities of hay for the Chicago market. While residing here, he served six years as Clerk of Lake Township.
In 1867 he was appointed a Deputy Sheriff of Cook County, and removed to Chicago, where he filled this position under successive Sheriffs for eight years. His duties brought him in contact with people of all avocations, and he gained an acquaintance exceeded by few men. Probably, not a half-dozen persons know personally more people
in Cook County than were included in his list of friends. About this time there was much litiga- tion over land titles. Many squatters had to be dispossessed, and Mr. Ayars' duties as Deputy Sheriff sometimes brought him exciting experi- ences. His impartiality, coupled with firmness, and his uniform kindness to the unfortunate in- spired the public with confidence in him, and gained for him a host of true friends. In 1874 he was elected County Commissioner for the Evans- ton District, and at the expiration of his term he was re-elected, serving six years continuously, during which period the present court house was built.
In 1883 Mr. Ayars formed a connection with the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, of Hart- ford, Connecticut, as State Agent for Illinois, having general charge of all its business outside of Chicago, which relation still continues. In this connection he travels all over the State, giv- ing careful and diligent attention to his duties, and, as a result, the volume of business trans- acted by the company in his jurisdiction has very largely increased.
Mr. Ayars was married, April 25, 1859, to Miss Margaret, daughter of William Fredenberg, of New York City, where her Knickerbocker an- cestors located in the early Colonial period. Many of the name now reside there, and Mrs. Ayars is the first who left that city. For twenty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Ayars have been connected with the First Methodist Church of Evanston. The former is a member of Evans Lodge, Evanston Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order, and of the Evanston Club and Evanston Boat Club, being among the organizers of the last- named organization.
Mr. Ayars was among the supporters of John C. Fremont for the United States Presidency in 1856, and since that time has consistently ad- hered to the Republican party from principle. His varied business experience has given him a wide knowledge of many subjects and made him a capable judge of human nature, enabling him to give to his business and social duties the benefit of a mind ripened by years of practical training.
E. S. LACEY.
461
EDWARD S. LACEY.
DWARD SAMUEL LACEY, President of the Bankers' National Bank of Chicago, enjoys a national reputation as an able financier, and has won his way to his present honored position in the business, social and pol- itical world through his pre-eminent perseverance, foresight and integrity. He was born in the town of Chili, Monroe County, New York, November 26, 1835, and is a son of Edward DeWitt and Martha C. (Pixley) Lacey.
Edward D. Lacey was born at Bennington, Vermont, and died at Charlotte, Michigan, November 6, 1862, aged nearly fifty-three years. He possessed in a notable degree those qualities of integrity, intelligence and tenacity of purpose for which the people of the Green Mountain State are notable. He removed, with his par- ents to Monroe County, New York, when but ten years of age, and was educated at Henrietta, in that State. He engaged in mercantile business at Chili, New York, and in 1842 removed to Michigan, locating the next year at Kalamo, Eaton County, then a comparative wilderness. He was a man of prominence in that locality, filling many positions of public trust and respon- sibility, and was a leading spirit in the develop- ment and improvement of that section of the State.
He was a son of Maj. Samuel Lacey and grandson of Ebenezer Lacey, natives of Wood- bury, Connecticut. The latter served in the Connecticut Line through the Virginia and Penn- sylvania campaigns of the Revolutionary War, under Generals Washington and La Fayette, be- coming an Orderly-Sergeant in the latter's com- mand. He was a son of Thaddeus Lacey, who moved to Connecticut from Boston, Massachu- setts. The first ancestor in America came from
the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland, and located at Boston in 1704.
Samuel Lacey was born at Woodbury, Con- necticut, and went with his parents-Ebenezer and Mary (Hurd) Lacey-to Vermont in 1784. He established the second cloth-dressing works in the State at Bennington, and in 1818 removed to Monroe County, New York, where he was a prosperous and influential citizen. During the War of 1812 he was Major of the First Regiment of Vermont Militia, which was called into service on the northern frontier. He assisted in the first organization of the Whig party at Syracuse, New York, in 1835, and was for many years one of its ablest supporters. He died at Marshall, Michigan, May 9, 1863, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He married Ruth, eldest daughter of Anthony Sigourney, of Oxford, Massachusetts, a Revolutionary veteran, who took part in the disastrous campaign of 1776, on Long Island and about New York City, being twice wounded in battle during that service. He was the fourth in line of descent from Andrew Sigourney, a prom- inent Huguenot, who, with his wife, escaped from Rochelle, France, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and became one of the founders of Oxford, Massachusetts. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, the famous writer and poet, married a descendant of the same family.
The subject of this biography was about seven years old when the family settled in Eaton County, Michigan, where he continued to reside until 1889. He was educated at the public schools and Olivet College. At the age of eight- een years he began his business career as clerk in a general store at Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In 1857 he returned to his home at Charlotte,
462
E. S. LACEY.
Michigan, and in 1862, in partnership with Hon. Joseph Musgrave, established a private bank, which became, in 1871, the First National Bank of Charlotte. He was the active manager of this institution from its organization, officiat- ing as Director and Cashier, and upon the death of Mr. Musgrave became its President. He was
distinguished for ability and thoroughness in his methods, and became identified with many im- portant business interests. He was a Director, and for many years Treasurer, of the Grand River Valley Railroad Company, which he helped to organize.
Early in his career his fellow-citizens began to recognize his fitness for the discharge of public duties, and his opinion on financial questions has always been accorded great consideration. His first official position was that of Register of Deeds of Eaton County, which he held four years, beginning in 1860. In 1874 the Governor of Michigan appointed him a Trustee of the State Asylum for the Insane, and he continued to fill this position for six years. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Cincinnati, and from 1882 to 1884 was Chair- man of the Republican State Central Committee of Michigan. He also served as the first Mayor of the city of Charlotte, and assisted in inaugu- rating its excellent system of public improve- ments. In 1880 he was elected to Congress from the Third Michigan District, and served two terms. He was nominated by acclamation and elected by a vote far ahead of his ticket in each instance. He declined to accept the candidacy for a third term, but in 1886 became a candidate for the United States Senate, in which he was unsuccessful, though he showed great strength and popularity.
In Congress he served on the Committees on Postoffices and Post Roads and Coinage, Weights and Measures. But he was distinguished chiefly through the ability displayed in the consideration of financial questions. In the Forty-eighth Congress he attracted wide attention by a mas- terly speech on the silver question. His address on the use of silver as money, delivered before the American Bankers' Association in Chicago in
1885, was received with marked attention and increased his popularity among financiers. His prominence in monetary circles caused him to be recommended by friends in Michigan, New York, Boston and Chicago for the position of Comptroller of the Currency, to which he was appointed in 1889.
This office, so far as regards national finance, is second only to that of Secretary of the Treasury. His administration, extending from 1889 to 1892, covered one of the most critical periods in the history of the national banking system. He pursued a vigorous and yet conservative policy, keeping in view the protection of depositors and creditors, and his conduct of the office was endorsed by the ablest financiers. His integrity and ability have always been recognized, and his national reputation caused his services to be sought by many of the leading financial institu- tions of the country. Believing in the resources and future of Chicago, he resigned in June, 1892, to accept the presidency of the Bankers' Na- tional Bank of that city.
On New Year's Day, 1861, Mr. Lacey married Miss Annette C. Musgrave, daughter of his busi- ness partner, Hon. Joseph Musgrave, of Char- lotte, Michigan. Two daughters and a son, named, respectively, Jessie P., Edith M. and Edward Musgrave, complete the family. Since coming to Cook County, the family has resided at Evanston, where it is identified with the First Congregational Church. Mr. Lacey is a mem- ber of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Union League Club, Bankers' Club (of which he has been President), Bankers' Athletic Association, Evanston Club and Evans- ton Country Club. He has always been an enthusiastic Republican, and wields a strong influence in the party councils.
Personally, Mr. Lacey is a man of fine phys- ique, ready discernment, and pleasing manners. All who have occasion to approach him in regard to social or business matters are certain of receiving courteous attention, notwithstanding the attention necessarily bestowed upon the financial and business matters of great magni- tude entrusted to his management.
LOUIS F. HAAS.
463
L. F. HAAS.
LOUIS F. HAAS.
OUIS FREDERICK HAAS. The fascina- tions of the condition of the Government and the people in general of this United States appeal to the minds of many natives of foreign lands in such a way as to draw many of them to become inhabitants of onr Land of the Free and adopt a place among the famous American free and equal associates. Of these many become successful in the marts of trade, through the advantages offered those loyal to our flag. Louis Frederick Haas figures among the men of the last fifty years who have emigrated from their native land and become followers of our fortunes.
He was born in Otweiler, Prussia, October 24, 1821, and came to America with his brother in 1837. He previously attended school in the land of his nativity and became confirmed in the church, whose creed had been followed and whose laws had been adhered to by his ancestors for many generations. His first work in America was on the old canal, but failing health forced him to abandon this occupation. When he had recovered somewhat his usual condition he learned the trade of a horse shoer with Frank Bush, and abont the year 1842 opened a shop in his own interest on Randolph Street, near Wells Street. He conducted a business at this location forty years and was for some time personally known to every citizen in Chicago.
Mr. Haas was in no sense of the word a politician, being independent of party and voting at proper times for the man who in his estimation
was best fitted to fill the offices for the interest of the people at large. He was, however, interested in every enterprise tending to the uplifting of the minds of his fellow-men, and sanctioned all good and noble work. He was a prominent, in- flnential citizen, and was honored and respected by all who knew him in business, and beloved by all friends and acquaintances, as well as his near relatives.
Mr. Haas was a member of the old volunteer fire department, belonged to the Fireman's Benefit Association, and was also connected with the Sharpshooters' Club. He was a very broad- minded and liberal man. Mr. Haas was one of the first directors of the Ulich Orphans' Asylum and for many years was treasurer of the in- stitution, being at all times very much interested in it. He was one of the founders of the old St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, having helped to carry the boards on his back from the river to the side of the church, for the first structure, which was a frame building. He was prominently connected with the work of the church and contributed to its support very liberally, in a practical as well as spiritual manner.
In 1843 he married Miss Sarah Wolfe, who was also born in a foreign land, the place of lier birthı being near Strasburg, France. She came to Chicago in 1839. This couple became the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living at the present writing. Louis is a captain in the police department. Carrie married Charles
464
C. G. UBELLAR.
Leupold, of Chicago, and resides at No. 1295 North Halsted Street. Charles, Philip, Herman and William are the names of those living.
Louis F. Haas died July 23, 1888, mourned by inany friends and leaving a vacancy in the family
circle which cannot be filled. Mrs. Haas is still living, surrounded by a host of true and worthy friends and residing near her children, who have turned out to be of great comfort to her, as well as a source of just pride.
CHARLES G. UBELLAR.
e HARLES GEORGE UBELLAR. Among those who have adopted for their home this Land of the Free, but who have passed much of their lives on a foreign shore, none can relate a more startling and exciting history than Charles George Ubellar. He was born January 28, 1832, in Buda Pesth, Hungary, and is a son of Charles George and Mary Ubellar. He and one brother, Otto Ubellar, were the only children of his par- ents, and the latter remained in his native land.
The subject of this sketch spent two years in a military school, entering at the extremely youth- ful age of fourteen years. He subsequently joined the Hungarian militia, and during the Revolution, with eighteen hundred other cadets, served in the patriot army. Though entering as a cadet, he was made first lieutenant, and served under General Ben until the close of the war. He was a participator in thirty battles, and the only injuries received were two sabre wounds, on the face and in the left hand, and one hip wound made by a ball. He was in the service two years, his military term of service ending in Sep- tember, 1849, and was never in the hospital.
When the Russians took up arms against the Hungarians, the patriots were forced to surrender and Mr. Ubellar was held prisoner in Buda Pesthı and his treatment was most severe. He was thrown in a damp, dark dungeon, and fed once in twenty-four hours. After three months he be- came so thin that his bones stood out and he was so weak that he thought he was going to die.
The law of the land allows the prisoners to be returned to their people when it is found that they cannot live longer, and at his request he was carried to his father's house. Though his par- ents and relatives were pained very much at the stand he took in the Revolution he was taken into the home and given the greatest care. His father was one of the wealthiest men in Buda Pesth and a general in the regular army, and his brother was also loyal, and they could not sanction his previous course. He was carried to his palatial childhood home, under strict guard, the house being kept under guard while he was in it, though he had been pronounced be- youd recovery. A few days in his father's house, under the tender care of his people, served to aid his recovery greatly.
A Hungarian warship was at anchor in the liarbor and word was sent to the brother of Mr. Ubellar that if he could be gotton to the ship he would be carried out of the country. A half hour before the ship sailed he left his room by a back window, and though he had to make his way through one of the principal streets, he got on board safely. He went heavily armed, and as it was a terrible risk to take, he was very des- perate and decided to kill any one who should intercept him. Of course the risk was worth taking, as he would undoubtedly have been taken again to languish in a dungeon. He was soon on Turkish soil and with twenty-five others joined Kossuth. They joined the Turkish army and
465
URBAN BALKE.
served one year in Asia Minor. They then made their way to France and thence to England on board a United States ship sent to bring them to America, and landed in New York in 1851.
This band had many hardships to go through in the strange land, whose language was un- known to them, but the people were kind to them, and they could not complain of their con- dition. Mr. Ubellar, with twelve other patriots, joined with General Lopus in a filibustering ex- pedition to Cuba, but at Cape May they were overhauled by a revenue cutter and thrown into jail, remaining three weeks confined. Ten of them went to Charleston, South Carolina, ex- pecting to get work, but were disappointed. They now made use of their education and opened a military riding school. After six months they returned to New York.
Mr. Ubellar obtained employment in Lovejoy's hotel, and after six months went to Worcester, Massachusetts, and took a course in a commer- cial college. He subsequently removed to Chi- cago, locating in this city in March, 1857, and
entered the service of C. M. Henderson & Com- pany, as a traveling salesman, and made trips through Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. In 1870 he opened a commercial hotel in Kankakee, Illi- nois, which he conducted eight years. He then entered the real-estate business, with an office at the corner of Seventy-third Street and Cot- tage Grove Avenue. He is a man of great busi- ness ability, and is bound to make a success of whatever he takes up.
Mr. Ubellar was married in September, 1863, to Miss Mary Matilda McGrath, who comes of one of the oldest of the early families in Chicago. Their only child is Dr. James Lincoln Ubellar, whose biography appears in this work. Though never very active in political matters, Mr. Ubel- lar votes for the interests of the Republican party. He is a valued and highly respected member of the Presbyterian Church, and is never found want- ing in interest in its affairs. He is a Mason, af- filiating with Garden City Lodge No. 49, being also connected with Washington Chapter and Washington Council.
URBAN BALKE.
RBAN BALKE, now retired, was born May 29, 1826, in Brunswick, Germany, and is a son of Henry and Dora Balke, natives of that section, where both died. His father was a tiller of the soil, and Urban was reared on a farm and educated in the village school.
In 1848 he came to the United States, sailing from Bremen to New York, being seven weeks on the ocean. On his arrival here he worked for some time on a farm. He was fond of hunting and in the early days found plenty of sport with his gun, as game was abundant. After two years in America he returned to the Fatherland and re- mained one year, subsequently returning to this
country and locating in Chicago. With a friend he cut prairie hay for a while and then entered the service of Jolin Kinzie and was employed by him one year. He then purchased a team and the necessary facilities and drove a grocery wagon for H. Beckwith, on South Water Street. He has always been employed by other people and for a number of years did the painting in Lincoln Park.
In the great fire of 1871 he was burned out, sustaining a heavy loss, after which he sold his real estate. In 1849 he married Amelia Noezlich and they became the parents of three sons and one daughter. The eldest, Oscar, is a barber o11
466
JAMES PETTIGREW.
Van Buren Street. Henry is a machinist. Emil is the next in order of birth, and Emma is the widow of Bernard Meisner, by whom she has a son, Robert. Mrs. Balke died in 1877.
Mr. Balke has always been a quiet, industrious citizen, generous to an extreme to those in need
of assistance. He votes for the interest of the Republican party and is connected with the German Lutheran Church. While he has not accumulated great wealth, he is conscious of hav- ing lived an honorable life and of making himself useful to many of his fellow-citizens.
JAMES PETTIGREW.
9 AMES PETTIGREW, who is president of the board of education and of the Enterprise Foundry, Harvey, Illinois, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, July 21, 1856. His boyhood was passed like that of him who made Ayrshire famous by his sweet song, receiving such educa- tion as the common schools of Scotland offered. He was for some years connected with the Gov- ernment constabulary, his duties taking him into the same valleys and scenes as Burns' own of- ficial life as an exciseman. Starting in the lower grades of the service, he won promotion until he reached the seventh, or highest grade.
He, however, decided to cast his fortunes in the United States and in 1882 came to America, going direct to Grinnell, Iowa, where he learned the trade of a moulder, a work that he has fol- lowed to the present. In 1890 he came to Har- vey, as a moulder in the employ of the Harvester King Company and, in 1894, in company with William and Henry Labhart and Daniel Brad- ley, started the Enterprise Foundry. The business was prosperous from the start, the output being all lines of gray castings, heavy work predom- inating. Employment is given to from twenty to thirty men and the present season the plant has work to its fullest capacity. This institution has taken a front rank among the manufacturers of Harvey, its proprietors all being men of ster- ling quality and all residents of the community.
Mr. Pettigrew is fully alive to the interests of
the village, paying special attention to educa- tional matters. He has been repeatedly elected president of the board of education, a posi- tion that has required a high order of business ability, as well as mind in touch with school work, and is thoroughly imbued with the modern idea of universal education. Conservative in all matters relative to public expenditure, Harvey has been supplied with a fine class of school buildings, well equipped for high-grade work, and at moderate expense, without unusual tax burdens. The facilities for education of all its children are in keeping with the spirit of educa- tion manifest in the village, and the work done is second to none, being fully up to the standard of the city schools, which is considered a high one.
The excellent results attained were impossible except that the general desire for schools and ability and willingness to pay for them, were ably seconded by the administration of this high trust, being in the hands of competent men, whose en- thusiasm is not disputed and whose ability and integrity are unquestioned. While due praise is bestowed upon all, it is not amiss to say that much credit is due Mr. Pettigrew, in that his constant and undiminished interest and enthu- siasm have been guided by good common sense and great discretion. In this arduous administra- tion his work has redounded to his own honor, as well as that of the village, and no criticisms are heard in connection with the policy of the board
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.