Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 77

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 77

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The public gives to Mr. Fielweber a liberal patronage, for he earnestly desires to please his customers and is straightforward and honorable in all business transactions. In politics he is a Republican, but has never sought or desired political preferment. He and his wife hold mem- bership with the Lutheran Church. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, ever ready to advance its interests, and for several years he has efficiently served as School Director.

DAVID L. ROBERTS.

12 AVID LEWIS ROBERTS, a worthy pioneer of Cook County, whose life record is highly deserving of preservation in these pages, was born at Denbigh, Wales, November 29, 1801, and died in Jefferson, Illinois, December 30, 1864. His parents, Thomas Roberts and Eliza- betli Lewis Roberts were Independants or Con- gregationalists, and their house was well known in both North and South Wales as a hospitable home for traveling ministers of that denomina- tion. David L. attended school until twelve years of age, and at sixteen, left liome and came

to America, joining his brother, Henry Roberts, at Utica, New York. There he learned the trade of tanner and currier and, later, carried on a tan- nery at Booneville, New York. Soon after com- ing to this country, he joined a temperance so- ciety, one of the earliest organizations of that character in America, and strictly adhered to its principles throughout his life.

In 1836, he came to Illinois, locating at Joliet, whither he brought his family from New York, with a team and wagon. The country through which they traveled was sparsely settled, and

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D. L. ROBERTS.

nearly every habitation did duty as a tavern, though the accomodations furnished were often of the rudest. A part of their goods was shipped by water. The vessel in which they came was partially loaded with salt, and sunk in the Chi- cago harbor, before its cargo was discharged. Most of Mr. Robert's goods were rcovered, thoughi much of them were damaged by brine. A year or two after going to Joliet, he built a residence which was considered quite a pretentious man- sion in those days, and is still standing. He en- gaged in the business of packing pork, supply- ing contractors on the canal with meat and other provisions. His packing house, which was situ- ated upon an island in the river, was swept away by a sudden freshet, and he then took a contract for construction on the Illinois and Michigan canal. He was thus engaged for several years, employing a large number of men, and, though the State failed to pay, he completed his contract. He refused to take advantage of the bankrupt law, but sacrificed all his avaliable property to meet his obligations, and eventually settled with all his creditors.

In 1839, Mr. Roberts became a resident of Chi- cago, where he dealt in general merchandise for a time, and afterwards kept the "Chicago Tem- perance House," located on the east side of La Salle, between Lake and Water Streets. In 1844, he purchased a farm in Jefferson Township, on the site of the present village of Jefferson Park. A country tavern had been built on this property a few years previously, by Elijah Wentworth. This house displayed the sign of "Clarendon Ho- tel," but was more popularly known as "The Old Geese Tavern." Mr. Roberts took down the sign, but continued to maintain a house of enter- tainment, known as the Roberts Hotel. This house stood where is now the intersection of Mil- waukee and Lawrence Avenues, and was the only house in that locality when Mr. Roberts took possession.

Mrs. Wentworth, wife of the previous proprie- tor, was quite a heroine in local annals. Soon after she and her family settled there, she visited Fort Dearborn, where she learned that an Indian uprising was anticipated. Borrowing a horse

from an officer at the Fort, she followed the Indian trail wliich passed the log cabin eight miles out upon the prairie, where now Lawrence Avenue crosses Milwaukee Avenue. She met many wag- ons loaded with women and children, the men walking and urging on the jaded oxen. "Going the wrong way," they said, but heart and home were beyond to her. Arriving at home she found her husband and son-in-law had gone two or three miles farther up the North Branch. Often, as the horse bounded through the fallen leaves or stepped upon some broken branch, she thought she heard the dreaded war whoop; but at last the perilous ride was rewarded by seeing her loved ones safe in Fort Dearborn, where they were com- pelled to stay sometime for fear of an Indian massacre. At that time, the North Branch often overflowed its banks, and Mrs. Wentworth had frequently seen the Indians come in their canoes from the North Branch to Milwaukee Avenue near her house, more than a mile and a-half from the bed of the river.

After living at Jefferson for a few years, Mr. Roberts rented his farm and hotel, and returned to Chicago and kept the United States Hotel, at the corner of Randolph and Canal Streets, which subsequently burned down, with all its contents. Failing to recover any insurance, he returned to Jefferson, where he continued to reside until his death. His farm, which comprised about three hundred acres, has been subdivided, and is now a part of the city of Chicago.

In early life, Mr. Roberts was married to Mary Ann Clark, daughter of Henry and Mary A. (Elderkin) Clark, who were natives of Windham, Connecticut, and represented prominent colonial families. Several members of these families bore a part in the Revolutionary conflict. Mrs. Mary A. Roberts, who was born in New York, died a year or two after her marriage, leaving one son, Clark Roberts, now a prominent citizen of Jeffer- son, Chicago. Mr. Roberts was afterwards mar- ried to a sister of his first wife, Mrs. Hannah Jackson, who bore him two daughters, Mary A., now a resident of Chicago, and Ellen O., deceased. Mrs. Hannah Roberts died at Jefferson in 1867. Mr. Roberts was always a public-spirited citi-

523

SAMUEL WAYMAN.

zen, devoted to the progress and moral welfare of the community. He was instrumental in or- ganizing the Congregational Church at Jefferson, donating the site for its church and parsonage, and was the chief contributor towards the build- ing and support of the same. He was one of the earliest Abolitionists of Cook County, and while living in Chicago, sometimes sheltered fugitive slaves in his house. He began to vote the Anti- slavery ticket when the advocates of the move-

ment were so rare it was not worth while to have printed tickets. He served for a number of years as Justice of the Peace, and always enjoyed the respect and good will of the entire community. When the family first settled in Chicago, there were no pavements and but few sidewalks. They were often obliged to wade through deep mud to reach the Presbyterian church, on Clark, between Madison and Washington Streets, where they worshipped.

SAMUEL WAYMAN.

AMUEL WAYMAN, one of the founders of Chicago, was among the number who were permitted to witness some of the results of their early labors, in the development of the busi- ness metropolis of America. Though not a na- tive of this country, he was one of its most loyal and worthy sons by adoption. He was born at Haddenham, Canıbridgeshire, England, July 31, 1811, and was the son of James Wayman, an English farmer, who gave his sons, three of whom became American citizens, the best rudimentary education which his time and home afforded. Samuel Wayman was early apprenticed to the trade of painter and glazier, of which he became master. As soon as he was ready to begin life on his own account, he resolved to settle in the United States, and accordingly, at the age of nineteen years, he sailed for the home of the free. He was accompanied by a younger brother, James Wayman, and the adventurous boys landed in New York City in July, 1830, after a perilous sailing voyage. They soon found employment on New Jersey farms and remained in the vicinity of New York until the following spring.

Cincinnati was then known as the "Queen City of the West," and they determined to settle there, in the hope of soon establishing themselves in business. Proceeding to Philadelphia, they were able to make arrangements for the carriage of their small belongings, all of which were con- tained in a trunk, on one of the numerous freight wagons then plying between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, to the latter point. For themselves, they were content to make use of the means of locomotion with which nature had provided them, as they were forced to husband their financial re- sources against future and unknown needs. Being stout of body, as well as of will, they arrived duly in Pittsburgh. Though their journey could 11ot be called a pleasure jaunt, a cheerful disposition and good health, together with hope for the future, made the trip pass pleasantly, as a notable feature of life in the New World. By making themselves useful at the landings, in taking on wood and in other ways, a passage on an Oliio steanier to Cincinnati was cheaply secured.

At Cincinnati, Samuel Wayman at once found employment at his trade, and soon began to lay

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SAMUEL WAYMAN

up something for the future. The value of his foresight and thrift was all too soon demon- strated, for the spring of 1833 found Cincinnati suffering in common with the whole country from the finanical depression caused by President Jackson's veto of the United States bank bill. All building operations at once stopped, and many unfinished structures were seen about the city. The mechanic is always among the first to feel the effect of financial stringency, and these un- completed buildings were often marked in chalk, "vetoed," by the wags among the sufferers. Mr. Wayman could not endure forced idleness in which the savings of his industrious days were being exhausted, for very long, and he set out for Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he had been led to believe work awaited him. Here, the state of affairs was no better than in Cincinnati, and he pushed on to South Bend, on foot. The proprie- tor of the hotel at which he put up there, had a contract for building a new court house, and was glad to secure the services of a com- petent man in painting and otherwise ornament- ing the building. Here, Mr. Wayman labored for some weeks, and by his ingenuity was enabled to carry out the contract to "grain" the front door. By mixing the cheap paints on hand and applying the tip of a racoon's tail as brush, the most artistic job of door painting then known in South Bend was accomplished. After completing a few odd jobs there, the young artist again found liimself out of work.

It was here that his attention was first directed to Chicago. One of the pioneers of that infant city gave him such glowing accounts of its pros- pects that he concluded to go there instead of re- turning to Cincinnati, where he had hoped to go into business on his own account at an early day. He secured passage to La Porte in a wagon bound for a camp meeting at that point, expecting to continue from there to Chicago by stage. It was found, however, that the contemplated stage line was not yet running, and again Mr. Wayman found it desirable to travel on foot. With a com- panion bound for the same objective point, whom he accidentally met in La Porte, he set out. The country was sparsely settled, and comortable

stopping places were few, but they got on very well until within some thirty miles of their desti- nation, when they went into camp for the night. Soon, a terrific rain storin came on and, be- ing without shelter, they resolved to push on their way, rather than suffer the exposure in camp. Early morning brought them within sight of Fort Dearborn. After taking breakfast with a trader at the mouthi of the Calumet river, they rested until afternoon, and walked into the little settlement known as Chicago on the afternoon of August 15, 1833

At the famous Sauganash Hotel, kept by Mark Beaubien, Mr. Wayman found slielter and slept that night on the floor. This house was the po- litical headquarters, and was crowded with guests, many of whom were among the leading citizens of the future metropolis, and Mr. Wayman soon formed the acquaintance of all and quickly learned the plans for improving the place. He foresaw something of the future growth of the city, and determined to cast in his lot with the enterprising souls who controlled. He at once obtained pro- fitable employment and immediatly opened a lit- tle shop. His industry and prudence soon se- cured to him a small surplus for investment, whichi was at once placed in that neverfailing source of profit, Chicago real estate. By continuing this steadfast course until 1840, he laid foundation of the great fortune which was at once his surprise and merit. While his faith in the future of the young city never flagged, he did not dream that in his lifetime it would reach the point where it would entertain the whole world at the most stu- pendous industrial and artistic exposition in the history of the human race.

For nine years, from 1840, Mr. Wayman de- voted his attention to farming in Northfield Town- ship, Cook County, Illionis, and moved in 1849 to Packwaukee, Wisconsin, where he invested in a store and mill, which he successfully operated until 1866, since which year his home continued to be in Chicago until his death. He passed away full of years, and regretted by the entire group of pioneers, as well as a wide circle of friends, March 25, 1891. The fiftieth anniversary of his arrival in Chicago witnessed a 110table

525

J. R. SANDY

gathering at his home in the city, when the rapidly-dininishing band of old settlers gathered to congratulate him and one another, and to renew early acquaintances and recount their pioneer ad- ventures. In speaking of this event, a recent writer says: "The silver-haired host himself was then counted one of the pioneers with whom time had dealt mnost leniently, and the years added to his life since that time have not perceptibly dimmied his mental or impaired his physical powers. Al- ways a worthy and much-esteemed citizen, he has become, in the evening of his life, one of the most picturesque and interesting characters, whose information concerning the local happenings of half a century in Chicago is almost cyclopedic."

While a resident of Wisconsin, Mr. Wayman formed the acquaintance of Miss Julia, daughter of Mr. Barker, a pioneer of that State, and this acquaintance resulted in their marriage in 1851. Mr. Barker came from New York State to Wis- consin but was descended from an old Connecticut

family. Mr. Wayman took an intellegent inter- est in all public questions. When he assumed the duties of American citizenship, he was inclined to affiliate with the Democratic party, but an in- herent hatred of slavery drove him to join the Republicans, to which party he adhered the bal- ance of his life. While in Wisconsin, he took an active part in the management of affairs, serving as Superintendent of Schools and member of the County Board of Supervisors. He never relin- quished his holdings in Chicago, and enjoyed himself much in travel during his later years, both at home and abroad. From early manhood, he was affiliated with the Baptist Church, and he was always active in good works. His brother James, who came with him to America, followed him to Chicago, and died many years ago. The other one, above mentioned, was William Way- man, whose biography will be found on another page of this work.

JOHN R. SANDY.

- -

OHN ROBERT SANDY has been for some years Station Master of the Chicago & North- western Railway in Chicago. The story of his life furnishes an example of what may be ac- complished by determined, independent effort, without special opportunities or unusual prepara- tion. He was born on the 19th day of February, 1844, in Lincolnshire, England, and is a son of Thomas and Christina (Patton) Sandy.

Thomas Sandy's father was a British soldier, who was wounded at the battle of Waterloo, and his mother, Ann Williams, was a Welsh woman. In 1850 Thomas Sandy came, with his family, to

America in a sailing vessel. The voyage con- sumed only four weeks, which was considered a very quick trip in those days. After spending a year in New York City, he removed, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Buffalo, and thence to Sandusky and Shelby, Ohio, where he was employed for two years as section boss on the Sandusky & Newark Railroad. In April, 1853, he came to Chicago by way of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, which had then but recently been completed to this city, and after stopping here for a few days, he went to Morris. Illinois, then the western terminus of the Chicago

526

J. R. SANDY.

& Rock Island Railroad. He was engaged for several years in teaming and farming in Morris and vicinity and, in 1861, removed to Summit, Cook County, settling on a farm near that of John Wentworth, familiarly known as "Long John." He subsequently became a citizen of Chicago, and in 1864 entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He continued to serve that corporation in its machine shop un- til his death, which occurred in 1885, at the age of seventy-five years. He was an industrious, conscientious citizen, faithful to his employers and all the obligations of life.

Mrs. Christina Sandy was born near Sterling in Scotland. Her father, who was a relative of the renowned family of MacPhersons, was a sol- dier in the British army. Her parents dying dur- ing her infancy, Christina was adopted by an English family named Harrison. Her foster-father had been a comrade of Mr. Patton in the military service. Mrs. Sandy is still living in Chicago, at the age of seventy-one years.

John R. Sandy is the eldest child of the family. From the age of thirteen years, he did a man's work on the farm, taking the place of his father, who was in poor health, as the main support of the family. He was nineteen years old when they located in Chicago, where he supported the family by teaming until his father's health was recuperated. In the fall of 1863 he began work for the West Chicago Street Railway Company, driving the bridge horse on Randolph Street, ant occupation which kept him almost constantly en- ployed, day and night. The following spring he began work with his father in the machine shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, then located at Halstead Street viaduct. This employment was not congenial to him, and the next fall he secured a situation as brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad, where the brake wheels seemed to be adjusted to suit his small stature. After being thus employed for about a year, he began to learn house-painting and dec- orating, in deference to his father's wish that he master some trade. He still cherished a strong

inclination for railroad work, however, and at the end of eighteen months, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway again. He began as a freight brakeman at 2 A. M. on the 7th day of January, 1867, and has served the same employer continuously since. He succes- sively filled the positions of freight brakeman, freight conductor, passenger conductor and local freight agent at Western Avenue Station, and on the 20th day of July, 1891, was promoted to his present position.

On the 14th of June, 1869, Mr. Sandy was married to Evelyn Elizabeth Havens, daughter of Orrin G. Havens, of Chicago. Mrs. Sandy was born in Lyme, Connecticut. Mr. Sandy's family has been increased by the advent of five children, all of whom are still at home. They are named: Leslie M., Olive C., Thomas H., Orrin G. and John R., Jr. All the members of the family are regular church attendants, although not in communion with any religious society. Mr. Sandy was one of the charter members of the Order of Railway Conductors, and has been· con- nected with numerous other orders and associa- tions, often serving as an officer, but is not now in active connection with any. He finds that fidelity and business ability are the chief keys to success and promotion, and that these qualities are appreciated by superior officers, regardless of social affiliations. He is an ardent admirer of William Mckinley, and in national politics al- ways supports Republican candidates.

Though his educational opportunities were lim- ited to three months' annual attendance at a log schoolhouse in rural Illinois, he has become a capable and efficient business man, chiefly through the exercise and development of his natural tal- ents. He is decided in his opinions, plain-spoken and straightforward in expressing them on occa- sion, and is noted for his industry and application to business. These qualities have been the means of securing his success and rapid advancement, and have won the respect and approbation of all with whom he is brought in relation, either as employer or employed, or in social contact.

527

O. D. RANNEY.

ORRIN D. RANNEY.

RRIN DATUS RANNEY was born at East Granville (on Holden Hill), Massachusetts, March 6, 1812, unto Orrin and Betsy Rail- ney, (nee Gibbons. ) He had one brother and three sisters, all of good attainments. The brother, Timothy Pickering Ranney (now deceased), was long a prominent laywer at Newark, New Jersey. His sisters, Nancy Deborah and Sarah Sheppard Ranney, were both graduates of Mount Holyoke Seminary, Massachusetts. The former (now de- parted) for many years had a private ladies' seminary at Elizabeth, New Jersey. Saralı mar- ried Mr. J. Austin Scott, a capitalist, of Toledo, Ohio. Sarah Sheppard Ranney Scott and hus- band are now both dead.

The subject of this sketch, on account of ill health was obliged to forego youthful aspirations for becoming a clergyman. After finishing his common school education, at the age of fourteen years, he began clerking in Westfield, Massachu- setts. Upon his marriage, at the age of twenty- one, he began to conduct his own store at Lee, Massachusetts, whence he removed to Adrian, Michigan. Thence he went to Maumee City, Ohio, where he remained for a period of about ten years; thence to Toledo, Ohio. In all of these places he continued, with varying fortunes, in the mercantile business.

Removing from Toledo, Ohio, he came to the final destination of his earthly life, arriving in Chicago in 1856. He went directly into the pro- vision commission business, on South Water Street, where he was long associated with the still surviving veteran Sherman Hall. Later lie was for some years a member of the Board of Trade, in which we need not add he was deeply interested, and at whose marvelous growth he was, with his compeers of earlier days, obliged to mar- vel greatly.

In May, 1872, he became attached to the force

of the First National Bank, serving that corpora- tion most faithfully in the capacity of Manager of the Safety Deposit Vaults, for upwards of a score of years, unto the very time of his death, March 4, 1894.

By political faith, he was a staunch Republi- can, following the progressive career of that su- premiely American party in every election with liis unvarying support at the ballot box. The uplifting force of his long and good life is found in tlie Presbyterian dogma, to which he sub- scribed by actions which "speak louder than words." At the time of his coming to our city, he identified himself with the First Presbyterian Church, in which he was ever honorably promi- nent, acting as an Elder for long years, up to within about two years of the time of liis decease. He was also warmly interested in the welfare of the Foster Mission, a time-honored school of that denomination. The Rev. Herrick Johnson offici- ated at his funeral, and he was laid at rest in Albion, Michigan.

Our departed friend belonged to no clubs, he was 110 society man; lie belonged to liis liome; he was a man for the fireside and his tried, true friends. Said one of those high in position, with whom business associations for a lengthy period had brought the subject of this sketch into close relations of importance," I would as soon liave thought of our bank suddenly becoming bankrupt for some inexplicable reason, as to know that anything had gone wrong with our Deposit De- partment while it was under Mr. Ranney's super- vision." Another, standing under the shadow of lis tomb, said, "He was an lionest man in every way, church, business, social and domestic life; none could come nearer perfection than Orrin Datus Ranney. All knew him only to respect and love, as one of God's noblemen."

As the Creator does 110t finisli the lives of any,

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M. N. KIMBELL.

110 matter how saintly, upon this lower earth, so we cannot record in worthy fulness what is most deserving of historic remembrance and emulation on the part of succeeding generations of business men, about to enter upon important duties in our vast and rapidly growing metropolis. Surely, we may trustfully believe, as he was without fear, he passed to fields of Paradise without punish- ment; as he submissively wore the cross, the crown of eternal bliss is already encircling his be- loved brow.

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Album of genealogy and biograghy, Cook County, Illinois, 10th ed., Part 77

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