Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 43

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 908

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In 1890, Col. Bryan was, unsolicited, nominated for the Legislature and elected. In 1892 he was re-elected to represent DuPage County. His chief efforts in the Legislature have been directed to- ward ballot reform, World's Fair and National Guard measures, and those locally of interest to

his constituents. As a boy, he entered the First Regiment of Illinois National Guards, and has nearly ever since served in the State troops of Illi- nois or Colorado, having been commissioned Aide- de-Camp by four Governors. Col. Bryan is now on the general staff of the Illinois National Guard. His occupation is that of contributor to newspapers and magazines, his line of work be- ing editorial, historical and descriptive.

The paternal and maternal families of the sub- ject of this sketch, the Bryans and the Pages, set- tled in Virginia about 1660. They intermarried with the Lees, the Carters, Barbours, Crawfords and Penns. Daniel Bryan, the grandfather of Charles, made speeches in the Senate of Virginia as far back as the '30s advocating the abolition of slavery. On account of his pronounced Union views he endangered his life at Alexandria at the beginning of the late war. His son, Thomas B. Bryan, came to Illinois in 1852. As a member of the Union Defense Committee, as president of the Soldiers' Home and Sanitary Fair, and in aiding to equip regiments for the war, he constantly showed his loyalty to the Union. Company H of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry, composed of the flower of the youth of DuPage County, was called the "Bryan Blues" in honor of the liberality of Thomas B. Bryan. As cham- pion of Chicago for the site of the World's Fair in speeches made in Washington and other cities, as Vice-President of the Columbian Exposition, and as Commissioner-at-Large to Europe, Mr. Bryan has won international fame. His son has seconded him in all these efforts. Famous men from all over the world have been entertained at the

294

A. F. HATCH.

"Bird's Nest," the Bryans' home. Edward Ev- erett, President and Mrs. Harrison, the Logans, Blaines, Cardinal Gibbons, princes, nobility and ministers and commissioners from nearly every

land have been guests at this beautiful home, whose hospitalities have helped to give renown to Elmhurst and to DuPage County.

AZEL FARNSWORTH HATCH.

ZEL FARNSWORTH HATCH, a promin- ent and well-known attorney-at-law of Chi- cago, living in Lisle, was born on the 6th of September, 1848, in Lisle Township, DuPage County, and was the fifth in a family of six chil- dren born to James C. and Charlotte (Kidder) Hatch. He remained upon the home farm until sixteen years of age, and attended the public schools of the neighborhood, there acquiring his primary education. In 1867 he entered Oberlin College, of Oberlin, Ohio, where he continued his studies until 1870, when he became a student of the senior class in Yale University. In 1871 he was graduated from that institution, after which he accepted the principalship of the High School of Sheboygan, Wis., where he continued for a year.

Mr. Hatch arrived in Chicago in 1872, and be- gan the study of law in the office of Shorey & Norton, attorneys, with whom he continued for about two years, when, in September, 1874, he was admitted to the Bar. In December following he entered upon the practice of his profession, and during the first year was associated with Messrs. Norton and Hulburd, under the style of Norton, Hulburd & Hatch. In 1880 he formed a part- nership with O. F. Aldis, and under the firm name of Hatch & Aldis these gentlemen con- tinued business for several years, when the part- nership was dissolved. Mr. Hatch is now alone in business. He has been very successful in his legal practice and has won an enviable reputation therein.

On the 5th of February, 1880, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Grace H. Greene, of Lisle, daughter of Daniel Greene, of DuPage County. By their union were born four daugh- ters: Alice V., Helen, Laura and Grace P. All are still with their father. The mother's death occurred in Chicago, on the 18th of April, 1886.

Mr. Hatch is a Republican in political sentiment, but is not strongly partisan, and has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his legal practice and other business interests. He is connected with various important concerns of the city. He is one of the Directors and owners of the Chicago Herald and the Chicago Evening Post, and is also one of the exchequer committee of the Equitable Trust Com- pany of Chicago. He is a Director of the United Press, and is also connected with several other enterprises. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Library for three years. He had charge of the organization of the committees of the World's Fair and of the first meeting of the stockholders. This was one of the most wonderful corporations ever formed, as there were at that time over twenty-eight thou- sand stockholders. He took an active part in promoting the interests of the World's Columbian Exposition, and did all in his power toward mak- ing the Fair a success. He is a well-known and leading citizen and a worthy representative of the enterprise and progressive spirit which have made Chicago the second city of the Union.

ARY THE

UNIVERSI

'OF ILLI JIS

Philip & Arman

295

P. D. ARMOUR.

PHILIP DANFORTH ARMOUR.

HILIP DANFORTH ARMOUR, who is known throughout the world through his extensive business interests, is also widely known for his efforts in behalf of his fellow-men. While his financial gains have been great, he has not neglected opportunities for devoting a fair proportion to benevolent and educational work. Through his generosity and fostering care, the Armour Mission, originally established in 1881 by a bequest of $100,000 from his brother, Jo- seph F. Armour, has grown to cover a very wide extent of educational and philanthropic work, be- ing permanently endowed and supplied with ade- quate buildings and apparatus and a large corps of instructors. This institution is recognized as a powerful factor in the city's literary develop- ment, and one of Mr. Armour's benevolent works is thus made too prominent to be hidden. Of his many private and quiet acts of charity the world will know but little.

Philip D. Armour was born in Stockbridge, Madison County, N. Y., on the 16th of May, 1832, being one of a family of six sons and two daughters given to Danforth Armour and Juliana (Brooks) Armour, his wife. The parents left Union, Conn., in September, 1825, and settled at the above-named place, where they engaged in farming. The paternal ancestors were of Scotch- Irish lineage, and were early established in this country. The maternal progenitors were, 10 doubt, of English blood, though they must have early renounced allegiance to the mother coun- try, as we find them honorably mentioned for acts of daring in the struggle for American inde- pendence.

Amid the simple surroundings of a New York country home, P. D. Armour and his brothers and sisters grew to maturity, imbibing the frugal and industrious habits which have been handed down from New England, and have done so much to develop and husband the resources of the United States. Wherever the New England spirit has been prevalent, schools, churches and manufactories have risen simultaneously, and so- ciety has rapidly advanced in the arts and sci- ences. The mother of this family was noted for a joyous disposition, and under her loving care its members grew up in a strong affection one for another, and readily adopted habits of cheerful industry, which led them all to material success.

Circumstances so favored Philip that, in addi- tion to the district school, lie was privileged to attend the village academy. Here he became a leader in both sports and studies, and it was con- sidered a privilege to belong to his "set," for he early developed a perseverance and determination that carried through whatever he undertook. His ambition had already looked beyond the nar- row limits of a country hamlet, and when the dis- covery of gold in California became a topic of gen- eral interest throughout the country, he eagerly joined a company which proposed to make the overland trip to the land of gold. They left Oneida, N. Y., in the spring of 1852, and reached their destination after six months of toilsome and dangerous journeying. Not all the dreams of all the Argonauts were realized. They found the country full of desperate adventurers, who had everything to gain and nothing to lose, with lit- tle or no law to restrain them. Here the habits

296

P. D. ARMOUR.

and ideas absorbed in early life by young Armour served him well. He went to work, and after four years of moderate success, in which the sal- ient points of his character were more fully brought out, he returned for a short visit with his parents and the companions of his youth.

After a visit of a few weeks at his native place, he again started West, and located at Milwaukee, Wis., where he entered into partnership with Frederick B. Miles in the grain and commission business. To this business he gave his time and energies, with the result that it flourished and gave him a high standing among business men. In 1863, the firm was dissolved, and in the spring of that year he formed a connection which gave ample scope to his energies and abilities, and hastened his pecuniary advancement. This was a partnership with John Plankinton, a wide- ly-known merchant and provision dealer, who had been long established at that point, and the new firm engaged extensively in pork-packing for the market. At this period, the tendency of prices was ever upward, because of the large de- mands and limited supply made by the Civil War, and business prospered with Plankinton & Ar- mour. Herman O. Armour, a brother of the junior partner, had established himself in the grain and commission business at Chicago in 1862, and three years later he was induced to take an interest in and charge of a New York branch, under the style of Armour, Plankinton & Co. At the same time, the Chicago business of H. O. Armour & Co. was placed in charge of Jo- seph F. Armour, and so continued until 1870. In 1868, Armour & Co. began packing meats in Chicago, and two years later absorbed the busi- ness of all the Armour brothers in this city. In 1871, Armour & Plankinton established a pack- ing-house at Kansas City, under the supervision of Simon B. Armour, who gave the same judi- cious and active care to its interests which have characterized all the business undertakings of the Armours. In1 1883, the Kansas City business was assumed by the Armour Packing Company, in which Kirkland B. Armour was the leading spirit. For four years previously it had been op-

erated by the Armour Brothers Packing Compa- ny, with Andrew Watson Armour as President.

In 1875, P. D. Armour came to Chicago, and from this center of the provision business has ever since manipulated the business of the several plants. The extent of this can be judged from the fact that the distributive sales of the Chicago branch exceed the receipts of any single railroad corporation in the world. Mr. Armour has as yet relaxed but little of his labor, and is found at his desk at seven o'clock in the morning directing business. To all he is most affable and courte- ous, and he is regarded by his friends as the most genial of men. His only departure from atten- tion to his private business consisted in the ac- ceptance of a directorship in the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad, at the earnest re- quest of his friend, Alexander Mitchell, of Mil- waukee, now deceased. He hás been a stock- holder in the Milwaukee Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and many other enterprises which de- served and needed his sanction and support. The simple habits and healthful surroundings of his boyhood gave him a vigorous physique, which, seconded by a sound constitution, has enabled him to perform wonders in the line of business, and he still possesses a wonderful vitality, which promises many more years of labor to him. He is ably assisted by his sons, Jonathan Ogden Ar- mour and Philip D. Armour, Jr., who have proven themselves apt pupils in the school of business in which their sire is past master.

Mr. Armour was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, in October, 1862, to Miss Belle, only daughter of Jonathan Ogden. Starting in life with the same .sound New England training, Mrs. Armour has been a true sharer in the labors and successes of her husband. The family is affiliated with the Plymouth Congregational Church, in the work of which strong organization Mr. Armour takes a deep interest and bears his due share. If the am- bitious American youth seeks an example worthy of his emulation in the struggles of life, let him study the qualities which have made Mr. Armour financially successful, and which have led him to share his prosperity with those around him.

297

T. E. LEWIS.

THOMAS EDWARD LEWIS.

HOMAS EDWARD LEWIS, a self-made, enterprising and progressive citizen of Whea- ton, is one of the pioneers of Illinois, hav- ing come to the State with his parents in 1839. He is a native of Swansea, Wales, born on the 2d of July, 1826. His ancestors were prominent in the military service of Great Britain, and were among the most ancient in that country. His grandfather, Joshua Lewis, was a farmer, and lived to be over ninety years old, being succeeded on retiring by his son Joseph, father of Thomas E. Lewis, all being born on the same farm. Joseph Lewis married Margaret, only daughter of Thomas Rob- erts, a neighboring farmer. Beside this daugh- ter, Mr. Roberts had two sons, John and Thomas. The former was a very stalwart specimen of manhood, being six feet and six inches in height. He led the choir in the Independent Church near his home.

As above stated, in 1839 Joseph Lewis came with his family to America. Proceeding at once to West Northfield, Cook County, Ill., he pre- empted a quarter-section of land, on which he passed the balance of his life. His wife died in her seventy-first year, and he lived to see his eighty-eighth. Of their thirteen children, twelve grew to maturity, the third dying in Wales, and nine are now living. Following are their names: Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas, Evan, Jolın, William, Sarah, David, Charles, Eli, Maria and Margaret. The eldest mastered Hebrew, Greek, Latin, navigation and surveying before he was twenty years old, and became a Methodist Epis- copal clergyman. He died at the early age of twenty-seven years, at Norwood Park, Ill., where he was buried, though his home was at Beloit, Wis., where he built the first Methodist Church

of that city. David and Mary are deceased, and William is a resident of Portland, Ore. Charles is practicing medicine in Chicago.

Thomas E. Lewis attended school in his native place till he was nine years old, when he went to work. His first week's wages were eighteen cents, which he kept as a souvenir for many years. With the exception of about a quarter's attendance at night school in Chicago, the balance of his education has been supplied by contact with the world, and he has proved a most apt pupil. Nature blessed him with a sound mind and constitution, and he is considered one of the solid men whose presence in the community is a blessing, for his judgment is correct and he has the courage to carry out his convictions. With no early advantages, with no aid save his own in- dustry and adherence to an ideal, he has amassed a modest competence, and has earned the respect and good-will of his fellows.

The old proverb says, "Where there is a will, there is a way," and one morning in the spring of 1843 young Lewis set out on foot for Chicago to find the way, his capital on starting consisting of fifty cents. His feet becoming sore from the action of a pair of new and stiff boots, he made a bargain with a teamster bound for the city to carry him thither for eighteen cents. Arriving on South Water Street, he came opposite the lumber-yard of Sylvester Lynd, the first person to whom he had spoken after alighting, and he at once engaged to work in the lumber-yard at such remuneration as Mr. Lynd found him worth after trial. This was soon fixed at $12 per month, and in addition his kind employer provided him with a new suit of clothing, complete, in order that he might attend Sabbath-school. He soon made

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T. E LEWIS.

himself familiar with the lumber business, and was promoted to the position of inspector, with a corresponding salary. He remained in the city for seven years, being for a short time in the em- ploy of the late Deacon Philo Carpenter, a well- known pioneer of Chicago.

In the spring of 1850 Mr. Lewis took a help- mate, in the person of Miss Margaret, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Jones, all of Bala, Wales, where the family has dwelt for many gen- erations on the same farm, called "Nanthir," and which is still occupied by some of its members. Mrs. Thomas J. Evans, a pioneer of Racine, Wis., is a sister of Mrs. Lewis. Mr. Lewis immediately took his bride to a farm of his own at Arlington Heights (then called Dunton), Cook County, where he broke up and improved wild land and got a good start in the world. He remained there eighteen years, serving continuously as School Director, and then removed to Blue Is- land, in the same county, and continued his agri- cultural pursuits, being there also a school officer for six years. Beside farming, Mr. Lewis has dealt extensively in lands, and is a large owner of Chicago and Hyde Park real estate, as well as numerous farms. He dwelt two years in Engle- wood, and removed thence on the Ist of May, 1891, to Wheaton, where he built a handsome home on an eminence near College Avenue Station. He still occupies himself with the care of his large farms near Wheaton, though he finds time to give attention to all matters of public concern, especi- ally education, on which his judgment is emi- nently sound and practical. He has striven to equip his children for the battle of life, and six of his daughters are graduates of the Cook County Normal School, and successful teachers.

Like all true Welshmen, Mr. Lewis is proud of his native land, its people and their achieve- ments, though this does not detract in the least from his loyal American spirit. He is a Director and Treasurer of the Cambro Printing Company, of Chicago, which publishes a Welsh and English newspaper called Columbia, the largest of its kind in the world. For a short time Mr. Lewis was President and General Manager of this company, but as soon as it was firmly established he re-

signed those positions, because he could not de- vote his time to them. When it was found neces- sary to provide a bond for the payment of prizes offered for competition in the International Ei- steddfod, in Festival Hall, at the World's Coluni- bian Exposition, Mr. Lewis, with true patriotic spirit, came forward and gave his personal secur- ity for $12,500, which was ultimately paid out of the receipts of the festival, thus justifying his faith in his compatriots and the Fair.

In religious matters, Mr. Lewis is liberal and pro- gressive. He attends the Congregational Church with his entire family. In political concerns, he adheres to the Republican party, because he be- lieves it rests on true underlying principles, but has never found the time nor had the inclination to seek preferment. He took a deep interest in the public school management, because he had a large family to educate, and gave much time to this interest, always insisting on the conduct of the schools with a sole view to the public welfare, sometimes making enemies by his course, but al- ways triumphing in the end. He is now serving as Alderman from the Second Ward of Wheaton. He is a member of the Welsh Society, Cymrodo- rion, and the League of American Wheelmen, he being an expert bicycle-rider.

On the 6th of May, 1889, death entered the home of Mr. Lewis and took the kind, faithful wife and mother, leaving, beside the bereaved husband, seven of her nine children to mourn hier absence. The eldest of these, Margaret J., wife of George H. Brewster, of Wheaton, died July 9, 1891. Josephi W. resides at Blue Island, where he is engaged in manufacturing; and Sarah M., who for some time held the position of Critic Teacher at the Cook County Normal School, is now her father's housekeeper. Alice U., wife of James H. Kerr, resides at Amsley, Neb., and is prominent in temperance and Sunday-school work, making frequent public addresses in their behalf. Mary A., Mrs. William H. Hoar, died a few weeks before her mother. Cora E. gradu- ated at the Blue Island High School, at the Cook County Normal (being valedictorian of the two-years graduating class), and at Oberlin Col- lege, Ohio. She is now Principal of the Belle

299

R. S. GOUGH.

Plaine School in Chicago, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Illinois State Teach- ers' Association. She makes frequent addresses on educational topics, and was chosen to conduct the model school which served as a World's Fair exhibit near Jackson Park, and carried it through successfully. Ada L., widow of J.W. Bannerman, with her son Tommy, resides with Mr. Lewis. Edward J. is engaged in the real-estate and fire- insurance at Wheaton, Ill. Grace May (often called Minnie) is pursuing a medical course at the Woman's College in Chicago.

Mr. Lewis is a frank, whole-souled gentleman, with refined instincts and manly self-respect,

which forbid his doing a mean or low act, and his conversation is always cheerful and entertaining. Out of a ripe experience, he has gathered a large stock of general and useful knowledge. Now, in his sixty-eighth year, he is in the full vigor of a temperate and well-spent life. He has a closely knit frame, weighing one hundred and ninety pounds, and has promise of an extended continu- ance of an existence which has blessed himself, his family, and the community at large. When his time comes to lay down the active duties of life, which have been a perennial source of pleas- ure, he can safely consign the good name that he has won to the care of a worthy posterity.

RICHARD S. GOUGH.

ICHARD S. GOUGH, Manager of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company at the stock yards in Chicago, although doing business in the metropolis of the West, makes his home in Turner, preferring the quiet of a small town in which to spend his leisure hours. England has furnished a number of valued citizens to DuPage County, among whom is our subject. He was born in Buckingham, England, February 6, 1844, and his parents, James and Ann (Scott) Gough, were also natives of the same country. The paternal grandfather was an Englishı farmer, and spent his entire life in his native land. The maternal grand- father, William Scott, who was also an agricul- turist, was a member of the regular militia, and was an Episcopalian in religious belief. He reached a very advanced age.

James Gough was an extensive farmer of Buck- inghamshire, and died in the land of his birth in 1851, at the age of forty-two years. His wife long survived him, passing away in 1892, at the age of eighty. They were both members of the Episcopalian Church. He was one of the parish

officials, and belonged to the Royal Bucks Yeo- manry, a cavalry association. In the Gough family were three sons and three daughters, but only two are now living: Richard S., and Re- becca, who is now a resident of Great Marlow, England.

Richard S. Gough left his native land in 1859, at the age of fourteen years, and, coming to Amer- ica, located in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he spent one winter. The next summer was also spent in the Empire State, and in 1861 he made his way westward to Chicago. He there enlisted in the war, in the telegraph service, and served for two and a-half years, when he was discharged on ac- count of sickness. After the war he went to Dixon, Il1., as telegraph operator, spending one year at that place, and going thence to Bureau Junc- tion, where he served in the capacity of operator for two years. His next location was in Musca- tine, Iowa, and subsequently we find him in Wilton Junction, Iowa, where he was employed as agent for the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad Company, remaining in that place until 1867.

300

EDWARD HAMMETT.

That year witnessed his arrival in Chicago, and saw him employed in the Chicago Union Stock Yards, as chief operator in the office of the West- ern Union Company. In May, 1872, he was ap- pointed manager of the office, which position he filled until 1881, when he resigned to accept the position of manager for the Mutual Union Com- pany at the stock yards. With that company he remained until 1883, when the two companies consolidated, and he then accepted the position of manager of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, which he has filled to the present time, employing two assistants. He now has charge of thirty- seven men, and the business has increased from $3,600 to $200,000 per year.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 43

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago : La Salle Book Co. Number of Pages: 908

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 908