Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 75

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 75

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).

Capt. William White, the paternal grandfather of Dr. White, was born in the city of Gottenburg, Sweden, in 1813, and at an early age became a sailor. In his voyages, Capt. White carried troops to Mexico while the United States was at war with that country, transported the first ship- load of stone for the construction of Ft. Moultrie, and twice circumnavigated the globe. His wife, who still survives him, was Mary Ehrhardt, of Philadelphia.

William R. White, the father of the subject of this sketch, and the son of Capt. William and Mary White, was born in New York City, in 1841, and has been engaged in mercantile pur- suits all his life. He married Emily A. Cook, daughter of Peter and Eletta Cook, two children,

William S. and Wilomene T., being the result of this union.

William S. White came to Chicago with his parents in 1865. He received his education in the public schools of Chicago. His first work was in the grocery store of John A. Tolman & Co., where he remained a year. He later entered the employ of D. S. Munger & Co. as office boy, and in three years worked his way upward to the position of cashier. In 1884 he entered the Chi- cago Homeopathic Medical College. At that time the course required only two years, but he at- tended three years, and during the season of 1886-87 demonstrated anatomy to the class of which he was a member, and also a part of that time to the senior class. He graduated in 1888. Following his graduation, he was successful in winning honors in a competitive examination, and during the years 1888 and 1889 was interne in the Cook County Hospital for eighteen months. Subsequently he was called to Rochester, New York, where he opened and put in practical oper- ation the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital, com- monly known as the Monroe Avenue Hospital.

Returning to Chicago, Dr. White entered into the general practice of medicine and dermatology, in which he has since been engaged, with office at No. 70 State Street. In the fall of 1889 he re- ceived the appointment of Demonstrator of An- atomy in the Chicago Homeopathic College. In 1890 he was made clinical assistant in the depart- ment of dermatology, and in 1893 was appointed Adjunct Professor of Physiology in the same insti- tution. In January, 1893, he received the ap- pointment of Dermatologist in the homeopathic department of the Cook County Hospital, and still fills all of these positions. He is a member

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JEROME BEECHER.

of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association and of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He holds membership in two fraternal organiza- tions, being medical examiner in the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

On the 5th of October, 1892, Dr. White was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle Stone, of Charlotte, Vermont, daughter of Luther D. and Phœbe (Rogers) Stone.

To judge the future from the past, it is not diffi- cuit to predict for Dr. White success in a much

greater measure than usually falls to the lot of the medical practitioner. His mind is active, his memory retentive, his habits studious, his com- prehension of the science of medicine rapid, intui- tive and thorough. His manner is easy, affable and vivacious, with a dash of bonhomie, which, no doubt, is inherited from his Gallic ancestors. It is not too much to say that mental attrition with Dr. White would brighten many preten- tious members of the medical profession.

JEROME BEECHER.

7 EROME BEECHER, among the early, sub- stantial and most exemplary citizens of Chi- cago, was a scion of old and well-known New England stock. His father, Mather Beecher was one of the pioneers of Central New York, going thither from New Haven, Connecticut. He was a tanner by occupation, and gave to his family the training which has developed so much of thrift, enterprise and morality among the sons of New England, and has made an indelible impres- sion upon the religious, educational and mercan- tile conditions of the United States, and particul- arly the northern half of the country. Wherever a leaven of Yankee blood is found in a community, there are sure to be found churches, schools, fac- tories and sound business men, Chicago was es- pecially fortunate in that the major portion of her pioneers came from the land of industrious habits and careful economy, and to this cause alone may be attributed her wonderful progress in busi- ness supremacy, as well as in social and moral culture.

Jerome Beecher was born in the town of Rem- sen, Oneida County, New York, January 4, 1818. His first implement for self-help was the intellect-

ual training afforded by the village school, and he was early made familiar with the occupation of his father, mastering all that pertained to the manufacture of leather and its uses. His natural sagacity and shrewdness, with these helps, en- abled him to conduct the large business whichi lie built up in later years, and to manage intricate financial trusts which were placed in his care.

The year 1838 found him in Chicago, whither his father sent him to look after a stock of leather, boots, shoes and findings which had been entrusted to an incompetent or unfaithful agent. He managed this undertaking with such success and found such glowing prospects in the young city that he decided to remain here and engage in business permanently. At that time the center of business clustered about the corner of Lake and LaSalle streets, and his pioneer store was among those forming the group. He shortly set up a tannery, which was destroyed by fire about 1858. During these years, he had grown in wealth witlı the rapid growth of the city and surrounding country, his industry and integrity bringing him a large trade, which he retained until he de- cided to retire and give attention to his invest-

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JEROME BEECHER.

ments. His accumulations had been invested in land and improved real estate. With other care- ful investments, these had grown in value beyond his fondest anticipations, and he found himself while yet in vigorous middle life a man of in- dependent means, and at the time of his demise, after more than half a century's residence here, his estate had become very valuable.

He became interested in the gas business as early as 1850, and was made a director in the Chi- cago Gas Light & Coke Company. He was in- terested in the Merchants' Savings, Loan & Trust Company, and was one of the purchasers of the Chicago West Division Railroad, of which he was many years a director, in 1863. A recent writer says: "Among the enterprises of his earlier years, for which he should be remembered with grateful regard by those who survive, was his connection as trustee and treasurer with the Graceland Cemetery Improvement Company, in whose peaceful grounds so many once active in the brisk life of Chicago have found their last resting place."

Mr. Beecher had in his youth attended the worship of the Unitarian society near his home in New York, and he adhered to the faith which he there imbibed throughout his long and useful life. The First Unitarian Society of Chicago was a feeble band, in the third year of its exist- ence, when he came to Chicago, and to his zealous aid much of its subsequent strength is due. At his decease, after completing more than the allotted years of the scripture, the church pre- pared and had engraved a most beautiful and touching memorial, which was presented to his widow. He was a member of the Calumet Club, whose mectings of old settlers in annual reunion gave him great pleasure. The Old Settlers' As- sociation embraced most of his business and social companions, and he was prominent in its con- duct. Mr. Beecher always endeavored to fulfill the duties of citizenship, but was conspicious in politics only once in his life. This was in the memorable campaign of 1840, when the Demo- cratic party was overthrown and William Henry Harrison, the Whiig candidate, elected to the Presidency. Mr. Beecher was a delegate in the

convention which nominated Harrison, and took part in the political meetings held in a log cabin on the north side, near Rush Street bridge.

In his business relations, Mr. Beecher was a man of unspotted integrity, careful and quiet in action, and reticent in speaking of himself or his affairs. One of his favorite methods of benevolent action was the assistance of some worthy man in starting in business, realizing that the truest way to help others is to teach and aid them to help themselves. He loved to gather children and young people about him, and a number were taken into his family and educated. He was es- pecially fond of music, and to his own family con- nections and friends he was ever generous. His style of living was unostentatious, and his hab- its were simple and domestic. In bearing, he was affable and considerate, and he always spoke charitably of men, making it a rule never to speak ill of any person.

Four years after his arrival in Chicago, Mr. Beecher took a helpmeet in the person of Miss Mary Warren, daughter of Daniel Warren, whose biography will be found on another page of this book, and she proved in every way a companion to him. Mrs. Beecher's twin sister married Silas B. Cobb, another pioneer leather merchant (see skeech in this work). The sisters so closely resembled each other as to be often mistaken, one for the other.

The first housekeeping experience of Mr. and Mrs. Beecher was in a modest rented house at the corner of Lake Street and Michigan Avenue, and they afterwards built a home on Michigan Ave- nue. The advance of business drove them to several removals until the family homestead at No. 241 Michigan Avenue was constructed. This is one of two or three which escaped the flames in the great fire of 1871, and is almost the sole repre- sentative on the lake front of "old Chicago." Here they dwelt for more than thirty years, and here Mrs. Beecher continues to reside. She is greatly in- terested in benevolent work, and has been active in promoting several of the most important charities of the city, regarding a fortune as a blessing only in the proportion it is devoted to doing good.

5II

G. W. SHERWOOD.

GEORGE W. SHERWOOD.

G EORGE WESLEY SHERWOOD (the god- father of the business interest at Englewood) was born at Romulus, New York, on the 16th - a further space of seven years, ran over the same short-line upon the "Novelty." Resigning this employ at the end of that period to go with the Michigan Southern Railway, he acted as engineer over the division between our city and Elkhart, Indiana, until 1872, when he wholly abandoned railroading, and having accumulated by saving habits a fair property, began to build up and look more closely after his private fortunes at Engle- wood, then known as "Junction Grove," which was principally centered in real estate around the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Sixty-third Street.

of July, 1833, unto Wesley and Delia Elizabeth Sherwood (nee King). His book-learning was necessarily meagre, the stern hand of necessity compelling him at early years to face the battles of life, and to learn from nature's pages the ele- ments going to make up a successful career; for such was his to be, full of incidents, and his accomplishment, for one springing from so hum- ble origin, was unusually conspicuous. It is for us to record these matters in graphic word-pictures, since his most speaking language was the elo- quence of brave, manly, useful deeds.

His father dying when he was quite young, George was adopted by his grandfather, with whom he removed to a farm near Adrian, Michi- gan, where he grew up in agricultural pursuits until the period of sixteen had come; then he went to the neighboring village of Adrian, and apprenticed himself to Hatswell & Andrews, ma- .chinists, to learn their trade. At twenty-one he changed his situation to the shops of the Michigan Southern & Lake Shore Railway, in the same village, where lie remained three years. In 1857 he removed to Chicago, ever after his home, and where he was for many years a very actively use- ful citizen.

First entering the employ of the Rock Island Railway Company, he continued in its shops until May, 1860, when he accepted an offer from the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway Company as locomotive engineer. Obtaining an interest in the "Little Blue Dummy," the first means of communication via that line between Englewood

and the "down town" city, he ran the same for three years; then he exchanged engines, and for

Then began a remarkable career of activity, covering some score of years, so fruitful and va- rious in results that Mr. Sherwood, the pioneer of local enterprises, is fairly entitled to the honor of being called the founder of business at Engle- wood. His extreme energy manifested itself in myriad forms, chief among which let us note, en passant, the following: I, building of the first hotel, called the "Sherwood House," which, after the fire, was succeeded by the "Sherwood Flats" of to-day; 2, the building and running of the first livery stable, whose business increased so rapidly that a second was soon constructed to acconimo- date the trade; 3, the establishment of the first omnibus and express line between the city and Englewood; 4, opening of a first boot and shoe shop; 5, a first meat market; 6, a first barber shop; 7, a first drug store; 8, a first ice route in 1874; and 9, the first street sprinkler service about 1878. Most of the foregoing enterprises were later sold out to others, as he went on in his

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G. W. SHERWOOD.

self-appointed labors, of useful upbuildings from nothing to what has now become one of Chicago's most solid suburbs-within-limits.

Nor must we neglect to note that he was chiefly instrumental in first bringing the post office to his town, where he saw it located in one of his build- ings, and in juxtaposition to which he put in a first news line. When the beautiful South Park was being laid out, he aided much in teaming toward shaping that urban paradise. We thus for the first time begin to realize what a man he was for the auspicious openings of a new place of metropolitan residence; he did more than any other in making business commencements, and was a source of cheer and encouragement to those who sought their fortunes in that environment up to the very day of his death.

In 1883 came the severest visit of fire expe- rienced by the new town, Mr. Sherwood's loss including every building he owned, save his pri- vate residence at No. 6317 Wentworth Avenue (still standing and occupied by his widow). Fortunately, being well insured, and having more good fortune than some in obtaining favorable settlements with the underwriters, he was soon enabled to reconstruct his visible signs of pros- perity.

Then, in December, 1886, came the beginning of the end, in that "unwelcome visitor and grim," heart disease. His life had been altogether too active; at the expense of reserve vital energy, he had been slowly selling his existence to railways for ordinary wages, giving up, to enhance their fortunes, hours required by nature for sleep or rest, until imprudence became a habit. Finally came a day of reckoning, to whose demands all of us in turn must yield ourselves. In October, 1890, he had a heavy stroke of paralysis, followed by another, and yet a third at the time of his death, September 4, 1894. His remains were borne by hosts of loving friends to Oakwoods Cemetery, where they wait the final call to judg- ment.

He was a very liberal man in his religious views, not regularly attending any place of public worship, but a quiet, worthy citizen, respected by all, and exceedingly liberal at all times with

his purse in helping charities and struggling churches. The poor did not seek him in vain. Politically he was a "dyed-in-the-wool" Demo- crat, faithful to firm convictions; fraternally, a Blue Lodge Mason. A bright, shining light went out when our old friend was no more on this earth. The first generation of Englewood had no more truly historical personage; for when the final audit of its commercial prosperity and be- ginnings is heard, George Wesley Sherwood will be found in the front rank, if not, indeed, the very leader.

He was married November 19, 1853, by An- derson H. Sargeant, his uncle, a Justice of the Peace (with whom in boyhood he made his home for several years), at Adrian, Michigan, to Miss Abigail Matilda Osborn, who survives him, and promises, like her ancestry, to live to a good old age. They had eleven children, three of whom dying without issue, we do not enumerate by name; the eight living are as follows: Edward Wesley, in the employ of the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway; George Porter, foreman on the Chicago end of the Pullman and Hastings Ex- press; Alice May, who married Wilson K. Hoyt, of Mishawaka, Indiana; Mary Adelia, who mar- eied William J. Black, Superintendent of street sprinkling in Englewood; Lucia Dewey, who married John S. Blaksley; Carrie Matilda, Charles King, Albert Rollins. The last three being young and unmarried.

It is matter for deep regret that no more has been ascertained by research of the immediate relatives about the Sherwood antecedents, which are undoubtedly of very respectable origin.

Of Mrs. Sherwood's line, however, it is possible to give a very correct and extended, as well as highly honorable, pedigree. Her parents came to Michigan in 1840, from Abingdon, Massachu- setts, their names being John William and Mary Whiting Osborn (nee Wheeler). The said John W. Osborn was a son of John Osborn, who served in the Revolutionary War upon the famous war vessel "Alliance," Capt. Luther Litts, of Marsh- field, Massachusetts, and was engaged in the bloody battle of Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia, at which time Capt. Litt's men boarded and cap-

513

G. A. EMERY.

tured an Englishi inan-of-war, (his brother Thomas was with Washington's army at Roxbury, while he was besieging Boston; also at Yorktown, at the time of surrender of Lord Cornwallis,) he married Miss Abigail McFarlane.

'The last said John Osborn was a son of George Osborn, who came to America in boyhood, first settling in Boston, and following the sea for some years; afterwards, in 1753, at the age of twenty, settling at Pembroke, Massachusetts, building a home nearly opposite the "Old Osborn House." He was one of a company of minute men on the memorable day of the Battle of Lexington, to march from Pembroke to Marshfield, and, accor-

ding to tlie Muster Roll in the State Archives, at Boston, he "served 2 days; wages per month, {2; due, 2 s .; miles traveled, 40." He married (1), Sarah Wade, of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, by whom he had twelve children, eight being males; (2), Deborah Atwood, by whom lie had three children.

The above Mary Whiting Wheeler (Osborn) was a daughter of William Wheeler, of Vermont, (a son of William Wheeler, who married Saralı Parkhurst, ) who married Miss Jerushr Whiting, a daughter of Jotham and Susannah Whiting (nee Wilder, descended from a branch of the early Hingham, Massachusetts, Wilders).

GEORGE A. EMERY.

D EORGE AUGUSTUS EMERY, one of the most prominent real-estate dealers of Chi- cago, was born in Hampden, Me., November 2, 1831. The genealogy of the Emery family can be traced back to Jolin and Agnes Emery, of Romsey, Hampshire, England. They occupied high stations in life, belonging to the titled classes of England. Their sons, John and N. Anthony E., sailed from Southampton in 1635, in the ship "James" of London, William Cooper master, with their wives and one or two children, landing in Boston on the 3d of June. They went soon after to Newbury, Mass. The subject of this sketch is a direct descendant of Anthony Emery, who resided in Newbury until 1640. He then removed to Dover, N. H., and in October of that year he signed the Dover Combination. In 1649, he re- moved to Kittery, Me., and was prominently identified with the interests of that town, holding several important offices. He was a capable bus- iness man, energetic, independent, resolute in purpose, bold in action and severe in speech, and did not hesitate to express his opinions. He died

about 1680. The following are the names of the heads of the families of this branch in regular or- der: Anthony, James, Joseph, John, John, Dan- iel and George A.

The records show that the Emery family has always been prominently represented in all the walks of American life, the learned professions and in military circles, bearing its part in the various wars in which this country has engaged. They have ever been regarded as honored and re- spected citizens.

Daniel Emery, father of our subject, was a son of John and Abigail (Wasgatt) Emery. He was born in Hampden, Me., and there resided until his death in August, 1864. He was married first in 1820 to Hannalı Sabine, who died February 27, 1825. In 1827, he married Lydia McDonald, whose death occurred in 1828. The children born of these marriages were Hannalı Clark, Daniel Clark and Louisa Maria. The third wife, to wliom he was married July 1, 1829, was Elmira Crosby. Her death occurred December 18, 1883. She was a daugliter of Gen. John Crosby, an influential

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G. A. EMERY.

citizen, wealthy man and brave officer. The chil- dren of the third marriage are John Crosby, George Augustus, Franklin, Charles, Sarah Crosby, Elmira C., Edwin E., Ann Eliza and Lucius. Daniel Emery was a successful farmer and merchant. He owned ships and carried on an extensive business with the West Indies, ex- changing lumber for sugar and molasses. . He was one of the valiant soldiers of the War of 1812, and served his country in the capacity of Colonel with Hon. Hannibal Hamlin as aide-de-camp. Mr. Em- ery distinguished himself as a brave and fearless officer. He was always a leader in public affairs and was considered a very influential man. He held several important offices, and was for twenty- eight years Representative and Senator in the Maine Legislature, and was United States Collector of Customs in Bangor, Me., for eight years, being the first Collector ever appointed for that port.

George Augustus Emery received his school education at Hampden Academy, the oldest institution of learning in the State, having been established more than a century ago. He left school at fifteen, and remained at home until sev- enteen years of age, when he resolved to seek his fortune in California; so in the spring of 1850 he took passage in the barque, "J. W. Paige," for a trip around Cape Horn. There were one hundred and twenty-five passengers, and the tick- ets sold for $250 each. One hundred and sixty-nine days were occupied in making the trip, which was very pleasant on the whole, although rough weather was experienced off Cape Horn. Brief stops were made at Rio Janeiro, Brazil and Tal- cuanho, Chili. After making necessary prepar- ations for mining, Mr. Emery left San Francisco with his partner, Horace Atwood, former mate of the ship. The mines first visited were on the north branch of the Yuba River. Here they were quite successful, digging gold to the value of fron $30 to $40 per day. Mr. Emery was thus engaged for three months, when, finding that he was unfit- ted for this hard life and exposure, he being small of stature and weighing only ninety pounds, he determined to seek other employment. F. F. Low, an old schoolmate, since Governor of California, Member of Congress and Minister to China, and

now a prominent banker of San Francisco, was then in the grocery business at Marysville, Cal. He offered Mr. Emery a position, and our subject remained in his employ for five years. Mr. Low then closed out his business and opened a bank in Marysville under the name of Low Bros. & Co. In this business, Mr. Emery became interested as partner. In 1855, he returned home on a short visit by way of Nicaragua. It was at this period that he first visited Chicago, with a view of locat- ing here, should he find a good opening for busi- ness, but the Golden State held out stronger in- ducements, and he soon returned to California, crossing the Isthmus by way of Panama. Soon after his return, gold was discovered in large quantities in Oroville, and his firm established a branch bank at that place, under the name of George A. Emery & Co., in which they did a large and successful business. Mr. Emery at this time was Treasurer of twenty-two institutions, the largest being the Union Cape Mining Co., which carried on the largest mining operations ever undertaken in California. He bought large quantities of gold dust, which was shipped to the United States Mint in San Francisco, and for some time kept a constant stream of gold dust going to the mint and a stream of gold coin returning. Altogether he shipped to the mint three hundred thousand ounces, or five tons, of gold dust. His credit at the United States Mint was unlimited, and he continued in this business until May, 1860, at which time he had accumulated what was con- sidered a fair fortune. His father and friends at home feared that in some way he might lose it if he remained in California, so, finally yielding to their solicitude, he sold out his business an. returned to Hampden, Me., by the Isthmus route. While in California, Mr. Emery was a member of the Vigilant Committee and took an active part in keeping law and order among the criminal classes and desperadoes.

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Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 75

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