Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 51

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

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Stratford, Connecticut, the ancestral American seat, is situated very advantageously upon Long Island Sound, in Fairfield County, which is not only the southwesternmost in that State, but all New England; here the Hawley family has been prominent for many generations. As one au- thority states, "The name of Hawley has stood pre-eminent in the ranks of jurists and statesmen of New England."

ISAAC NEWTON CAMP.

I ISAAC N. CAMP, one of the prominent busi- ness men of Chicago, who has been success- fully engaged in mercantile pursuits in this city for more than a quarter of a century, is a

native of Elmore, Lamoille County, Vermont, having been born there on the 19th of December, 1831. His ancestors were colonial settlers in the Green Mountain State. His parents, Abel and

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I. N. CAMP.

Charlotte (Taplin) Camp, were both natives of Vermont. The father was a farmer, whose sound sense and good judgment gave him the position of leading citizen among the people of the town in which he lived. For several years he held the office of Postmaster and Town Clerk. He died on the 22d of December, 1890, aged ninety years. In respect to his longevity, he was like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, each of whom lived to a very advanced age. Among other things that came to Mr. Camp, on account of his integrity and financial ability, was the charge of a large tract of land which was left to the Uni- versity of Vermont by Guy Catlin. In connec- tion with the management of this land was a scholarship in the university hield by Mr. Catlin, and placed at Mr. Camp's disposal.

Isaac Newton Camp, after the usual course in the common schools, attended the academy at Bakersfield, Vermont, where he paid his board by teaching music. At the age of twenty he entered the University of Vermont, where he made use of the scholarship above mentioned, and in his spare time earned enough money to pay his cur- rent expenses. After four years of hard study, interspersed with a liberal amount of hard work, he was graduated and received his diploma from his Alma Mater in 1856. Soon afterward he be- came assistant principal in Barre Academy, which had been transferred from Bakersfield during the time he was in college. There he taught math- ematics and music for four years, after which he became principal of the High school, at Burling- ton, Vermont, filling that position until he came to Chicago, April 20, 1868.

In this city Mr. Camp became associated with H. L. Story, and entered the business in which he spent a large portion of his life. The firm took the name of Story & Camp, and continued in business until the spring of 1884, when the Estey Organ Company bought Mr. Story's inter- est, and the firm assumed the style of Estey & Camp, which has been continued to the present date, 1895.

Mr. Camp's life is an exemplification of what a man may do if he has ability and business meth- ods. He began life on a small capital which he

had saved out of his salary as a teacher. With that as a base, and an abundance of energy, per- severance, enterprise and integrity of the highest character, he was prepared to enter the contest for success in commercial circles with a good prospect of winning, and he succeeded. The house of which he is a member is one of the most reputable and substantial in Chicago, and its status is the outgrowth of the efforts of the gen- tlemen who have managed its affairs. It grew up on fair dealing and honest and successful competition with its rivals. At the time of Mr. Story's withdrawal from the firm, the capital exceeded $500,000, and he received $250,000 for his interest in the business. The capital to-day exceeds $1,000,000.

Mr. Camp has been prominently connected with public enterprises. He is a director in the Chicago Theological Seminary and the Royal Trust Company. In April, 1891, he was ap- pointed a director of the World's Columbian Ex- position, and served as a member of the commit- tees on Agriculture and Liberal Arts. In politics Mr. Camp is a Republican, but he does not serve his party with a blind devotion, rather taking a liberal view of political matters, and in local affairs votes for the man whom he thinks best qualified to discharge the duties of the office. For many years he has been a member of Union Park Congregational Church, and is president of its board of trustees. He is a member of the Illinois and Union League Clubs.

On the Ist of January, 1862, Mr. Camp mar- ried Miss Flora Carpenter, daughter of Hon. Carlos Carpenter, of Barre, Vermont. Of the four children born of this marriage, three are now living. The daughter, Charlotte, is the wife of M. A. Farr, of Chicago; Edward N., the elder son, is in business with his father; and William Carpenter, the younger son, is also in the business.

Mr. Camp has found time in his busy commer- cial life to see his native land quite thoroughly, and has also traveled extensively abroad with his family. As a result of his journeyings, he is a better citizen and more loyal American than he would otherwise have been. He is a generous giver to the church and for charitable purposes.

348

E. A. JEWETT.

In consequence of his industrious, well-spent life, and his energy, integrity and force of character, Mr. Camp has raised himself from the bottom round of the financial ladder to a position of in-

dependence, and at this advanced period of his life enjoys the luxuries of wealth, the society of numerous friends, and the pleasures of an environ- ment of refinements.

EDWARD A. JEWETT.

DWARD ADAMS JEWETT, one of the successful sons of Vermont, now identified with the greatest enterprise of Chicago, was born at St. Johnsbury, July 18, 1838. His grandfather, Dr. Luther Jewett, was one of the pioneers of that town, where he officiated first as a clergyman and later as a physician. He was also a member of Congress from Vermont, elected in 1815 and re-elected in 1817. He was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, and reached the age of eighty-seven years. Ephraim Jewett, the father of the subject of this notice, was in turn a promi- nent citizen of St. Johnsbury, where he carried on a mercantile business. He married Miss Jane Fairbanks, a daughter of ex-Governor Erastus Fairbanks and sister of ex-Governor Horace Fairbanks-a name which is a household word in the Green Mountain State, and familiar in this and other countries in connection with Fairbanks' scales and philanthropic deeds. Mrs. Jane Jewett's grandfather was remotely of English descent, his ancestors being among the first settlers of Massa- chusetts. Both he and his wife lived to extreme old age, departing this life during the boyhood of Edward A. Jewett-Mrs. Fairbanks at the age of ninety-nine years. Erastus Fairbanks was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, in 1792, and was known as Vermont's "War Governor," his second elec- tion to that office having occurred in the fall of 1860. The first election was in 1852.

The ancestry of Edward A. Jewett on both sides was of prime New England stock-a lineage

distinguished for sturdy character, industrious habits and intellectual force-and this scion per- petuates those characteristics to a marked degree. He attended the schools in St. Johnsbury, and later became a student at Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts, graduating from that famous educational institution in 1857. He then entered Harvard University, but his health hav- ing become impaired, he was obliged to relinquish his studies there at the end of the second year.

He soon after entered upon the business career in which he has since been almost continuously occupied. His first employment was with a large wholesale boot and shoe house in Boston, where he remained until 1861. He was then sent to Burlington, Vermont, to settle up the affairs of a boot and shoe store which had become largely indebted to his employers. Having adjusted this business in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to the creditors, he purchased the business of the bankrupt concern and carried on the same for four years. At the end of that period he became interested in the construction of a railway from Swanton, Vermont, to St. John's, Quebec, which subsequently became a part of the Vermont Central system. From 1866 to 1870 he was in the service of the United States Govern- ment as deputy collector of internal revenue at Burlington, Vermont, after which he engaged in the book and stationery business at that place for three years.

In 1873 Mr. Jewett became a resident of Chi-

349

GOTTLIEB MERZ.

cago, and in July of that year he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Chicago division of the Pullman Palace Car Company. On the Ist of June, 1874, he was promoted to the office of Division Superintendent, and held that position until April 1, 1888, when he was appointed As- sistant General Superintendent of the company, a position which he still capably fills. This high and responsible position was given to him in recognition of his merits and qualifications. This important trust involves in its operations millions of dollars, under a method so thoroughly systematized that the checks and balances must tally to a cent. The vast system managed by the Pullman Palace Car Company extends throughout the United States, Canada and Mex- ico, its domain being so broad as to be almost incomprehensible-all under the sagacious super- intendency of this quiet and unpretentious gen- tleman, whose hand is felt and recognized as being constantly at the helm. He has been the recipient of many evidences of the high regard in which he is held by the heads of this great cor- poration.

In 1870 he married Miss Jennie M. Hubbell, of Charlotte, Chittenden County, Vermont, a member of an old and highly-respected family,

the daughter of S. W. and Polly Hubbell. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jewett in Chicago is the seat of pleasant hospitality, where their friends are always sure of cordial welcome.

In his social and fraternal relations Mr. Jewett occupies an enviable position. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Washington Lodge, Burlington Chapter and Council, of Burlington, Vermont; of Chevalier Bayard Commandery, Chicago; and Boston (Mas- sachusetts) Consistory. He served one year as Deputy Grand Master of the State of Vermont, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter for two years, and Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandery for one year. He was an early member of the Sons of Vermont in Chicago, and one of the vice-presidents of that society in 1894. He is a stanch supporter of Republican principles of government, and in 1872 and 1873 he served as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Julius Con- verse, of Vermont. His bearing is uniformly courteous and dignified, and inspires the confi- dence and regard of all who come in contact with him. He can have the proud satisfaction of knowing that it has been to his own capacity, diligence and careful observance of the highest rules of business that his uniform success is due.

GOTTLIEB MERZ.

OTTLIEB MERZ. Among the self-made and patriotic citizens of Chicago of foreign birth, is the subject of this biography. His ancestors were among the prominent people of Menziken, in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland, and he does honor to his lineage. His grandfather moved from that city to Erlach, Canton Berne, where his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Merz, were born. Jacob Merz was a carpenter, and

passed his whole life in the pursuit of his occu- pation at Erlach.

Gottlieb Merz was born at the last-mentioned place on the 14th of October, 1838, and attended the public schools of his native place until he was fourteen years old. He was then apprenticed to a cabinetmaker and became a journeyman two years later, at the age of sixteen. After this he worked at his trade in several of the Swiss cities

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GOTTLIEB MERZ.

bordering on the Lake of Geneva, such as Neuf- chatel, Locel, Lucerne, Vevey and Morges. He was also employed for some time in the principal city of Geneva.

At the age of twenty-four, possessed by that spirit of enterprise which has made the American Nation pre-eminent in the world's progress, he determined to settle in the western world, and came direct to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After working six months in a cabinet shop there, he went into a factory employed in the manufacture of picture frames, mirrors and show cases, and after being there two months, was made foreman and had charge of a large business.

Mr. Merz became a resident of Chicago in 1865, and was employed for two years by Stotz & Wolz, makers of cabinet ware. In 1867 he established his present business-the manufacture of cigar boxes-which has grown under his energetic and judicious care to enormous magnitude. His first shop was in the old Turner Hall on Kinzie Street, where, in 1871, he lost everything in the great fire. The North Side residents did not suppose the devouring element would cross the river from the South Side, until it seemed to leap over all along the river front, and Mr. Merz was sur- rounded, like many others, before he could make arrangements to save anything, and was glad to escape with his family to a place of safety. After this disaster he set cheerfully to work to repair his losses, as far as possible, without wasting any time in repining. He began on Twenty-second Street, whence he removed in June, 1872, to North Franklin Street. His business continuing to grow until he was again compelled to move, he built the brick buildings now occupied by him at 209 to 215 Superior Street, in 1879. Here he turns out daily five thousand cigar boxes, beside from one to two thousand other light packing boxes. The establishment is equipped with the latest improved machinery, much of which is the result of Mr. Merz' inventive genius.

Mr. Merz is the founder and builder of his own fortune, and his example is commended to the youth of the land. His success is the result of no sudden turn of fortune, but to the persistent

pushing of his enterprise, which is the only real "luck" in the world. Sometimes a fortune is rapidly accumulated, but an examination of the case will show that, with rare exceptions, the foundation of such success was laid by long years of patient preparation which fitted the individual for seizing the opportunity when it came. Mr. Merz labored patiently many years at his trade to secure a start in the way of a small capital and a business experience and knowledge of the En- glish language, which fitted him for the promi- lient position he now holds in the business world of Chicago, that typical city of American enter- prise.

While he has been energetic in business, Mr. Merz has also fulfilled his duty to society. He has long been an active member of the Grutli Society, an organization of Swiss-born citizens, of which he was treasurer for ten years. He is a member of the Schweitzer Mænnerchor, the North Side Turners' Society, and was for many years identified with the Sons of Herman. He holds membership in Miethra Lodge, No. 410, in the Masonic Order, beside that of the Consistory and Shrine of the same order. In religious faith he adheres to the German Lutheran Church, and has usually affiliated with the Republican party in matters of public policy.

Mr. Merz was married, in 1864, to Miss Jo- sephine Boppart, who is a native of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Two sons and a daughter of this family died in childhood. The living are, Emilie, widow of Henry Kallemberg; Louise, Mrs. Charles Stierlin; Edward G., who is associated with his father in business (the firm now being G. Merz & Son); and Lily, still in the home of her parents. All reside in Chicago.

By his uniform courtesy and fair dealing, Mr. Merz has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he comes in contact, and he is unan- imously voted one of the most popular of the North Side citizens. He has never aspired to public station, but has been content to fill his place as a gentleman among his fellows and at his own fireside, where he is the center of conjugal and filial regard.

1 .ARY THE UNIVERSI, . OF ILLI VIC

D.A. GRANT

351

S. H. MELCHER.

SAMUEL H. MELCHER, M. D. .

AMUEL HENRY MELCHER, M. D. Few, if any other Chicagoans, bear the triple dis- tinction that attaches to the well-known name of this soldier, citizen and pioneer of the medical profession. As a veteran of the Civil War, his record for nearly four years' hard campaigning under the flag of the North would redound to the credit of the most gallant son of Mars; as a resident of Chicago he has held place among the ablest professional mnen of the Western metropolis; as an original exponent and practi- tioner of the new school of surgery without amputation, he has achieved fame both in mili- tary and civil life.

Son of Woodbury Melcher-a soldier in the militia of New Hampshire in 1812, and whose ancestors, of English and German descent, came to America in the "Mayflower" on one of the first trips of that famous ship-Samuel Henry Melcher was born in the town of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, October 30, 1828. His father, the son of Nathaniel Melcher, a shipbuilder at Portsmouth, where the family first settled in America, was a well-known merchant and manu- facturer of cotton goods at Laconia, whither he moved with his family, and where he died in 1870. Colonel Melcher's mother, Rebecca French, was a daughter of Capt. Samuel B. French, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, who served in the state militia during and after the war of 1812. He was a hotel proprietor and upon removing to Gilmanton, his subsequent home, became promi- nent in business there. Thus the lineage of the family can be traced back a long way on both sides.

Colonel Melcher was educated at Laconia and Gilmanton academies and studied medicine at Dartmouth College, graduating from the medical department of that institution in 1850, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He practiced first in Grafton County, New Hampshire, and later went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he built up a thriving practice. In 1859 he traveled South, going through Texas, and settled in Mis- souri, making his home in the town of Potosi, Washington County.

The history of his long and faithful service in the Federal cause during the Civil War is best presented in the following extract from a biog- raphy compiled by Capt. William Badger, United States Army, and which appeared in the Gilmanton Messenger of November 15, 1881, under the head of "Famous Sons of Gilmanton:"

"On the outbreak of the Civil War Dr. Melcher offered his services at once to General Lyon at the St. Louis Arsenal and was mustered as assistant surgeon of the Fifth Regiment, Missouri Volun- teers, for three months, May 7, 1861. He was with his regiment at the battles of Carthage, Dug Spring and Wilson's Creek, where he was the last officer on the field after the forces fell back, and brought off the body of General Lyon and delivered it to General Schofield the same night. By order of General Schofield he remained a prisoner in the hands of the rebels, to take care of our wounded, and was subjected to great indignities. He was saved from being murdered only by the more moderate rebel officers. *He

*Under these conditions the indomitable will and magnificent courage of the man challenged the admiration of friend and foe.

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S. H. MELCHER.

was in Springfield, Missouri, when the "Fremont Body Guard" made their terrific charge, and attended the wounded on both sides; was fur- nished with wagons by General Sigel, and moved the wounded in all that region to Rolla, thence by rail to St. Louis, arriving November 24, 1861, thus ending his first campaign.

"He was commissioned brigade surgeon, De- cember 4, 1861, reporting to General Schofield, and during the spring and summer of 1862 was in charge of the Hickory Street Hospital and Gratiot Street Hospital for rebel prisoners, tand United States Marine General Hospital at the same time. By request of Governor Gamble he received tem- porary leave of absence to organize the Thirty- second Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia; was commissioned colonel, and commanded the regi- ment six weeks, during which time he dispersed the guerrilla bands in Washington and adjoining counties, captured several rebel mails and large quantities of arms, horses and medical stores. October, 1862, he returned to his proper duty as . medical director of the army of the frontier. Jan- uary 8, 1863, he was engaged in the battle of Springfield, Missouri, against the forces of Mar- maduke, turning out four hundred hospital con- valescents, thereby saving millions of dollars worth of property, the winter supplies for Gen- eral Schofield's army. About this time he per-

Always genial, and with seemingly no effort, he met and con. quered every difficulty. After weeks had passed hy, and the larder was low, the treasury empty, Dr. Melcher borrowed, on his per- sonal note, thousands of dollars with which he bought food for the wounded in his care. He was the personal friend of each patient, and with the heart of a Nemian lion he was gentle as a woman. Bending over the wasted form he gave words of comfort, and treasured up messages for the loved ones at home, as he caught the last sigh of the passing soul. The hundreds he restored to health and home, carried him with them in loving memory and lifelong gratitude.

(Extract from a letter of Mrs. Lulu Kennedy, who, with her mother and sister and several other ladies of Springfield, were un- ceasing in their devotions to the wounded Wilson Creek soldiers.)

t The records of the Western Sanitary Commission show that the Hickory Street Hospital was most favorably reported; that a testi- monial was awarded the United States Marine Hospital, and the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, as the two best hospitals, all things considered, that were in the Department of the Mississippi. The Marine Hospital, in charge of Surgeon S. H. Melcher, and Jef- ferson Barracks Hospital, the committee could not decide between, and so gave certificates to both. The awards made were fully approved and concurred in by the medical director of the Depart- ment and Assistant Surgeon General Wood .- Extract from report of Hon. James E. Yeatman, president Western Sanitary Commission.

formed a celebrated operation on the shoulder joint of Gen. E. B. Brown, saving his life and giving him a good arm, by removing five inches of the shaft of the humerus by excision. (See Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion; part 2, volume 2, Surgical History, page 522.) Another successful case was that of Corp. Mason Carter, Second United States In- fantry, whose leg was badly shattered at the battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri, August 10, 1861, and was saved from amputation by Surgeon Melcher's conservative surgery, enabling the soldier to remain in active service for thirty-eight years. At present writing he is Brevet-Major, Fifth United States Infantry, retired.

"April, 1863, the army being re-organized, Col- onel Melcher was assigned to duty in charge of the hospital at Ironton, Missouri. May 24, 1863, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Sixth Cavalry Missouri State Militia, and assigned to duty as Assistant Inspector General of the De- partment of the Missouri. He served in this capacity until Price's raid, in 1864, when he was ordered to the field as aide-de-camp to General Pleasonton, commanding the cavalry; and, in his report of the destruction of Price's army General Pleasonton mentions Colonel Melcher for gal- lantry and fidelity.

"Colonel Melcher's last service in the army was in command of the post of Jefferson City, Missouri, where he was active in forwarding troops to General Thomas at Nashville, Tennes- see. Much debilitated from hard service, he re- signed December 24, 1864.

. "After the war he resided four and one-half years in Tennessee, and was in the Freedman's Bureau. May, 1870, he was appointed surgeon United States Marine Hospital, at St. Louis, Missouri. February, 1871, he was appointed by the governor of Missouri a manager of the state lunatic asylum."

In 1873 he came to Chicago. He engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, and by his method of surgery, without amputation, whereby his skill has saved the limbs of numberless per- sons who might otherwise have suffered the need- less loss of legs and arms, he soon won his way

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MICHAEL CARROLL.

to well-merited fame-a distinction that was more than local. He never performed a primary am- putation during the war. Colonel Melcher re- mained in Chicago practicing medicine until 1883, when he removed to Crow Lake, Jerauld County, South Dakota, where he again engaged in the practice of medicine, and, purchasing several large land holdings-which he still has-carried on farming as well. He was one of the first county commissioners appointed in Jerauld County.

It was 1897 before he again returned to Chi- cago, and he has lived here continuously since, residing at No. 217 La Salle Avenue. He has but two children. The elder of these is Charles W. Melcher, who was born in Boston March 4, 1857. He is a graduate of polytechnics of Washington University and is manager of the Chicago branch of the Ingersol-Sargent Drill Company of New York. Colonel Melcher's other child is Miss Anina Rebecca. She was born at Crow Lake, South Dakota, and lives with her father at their home on La Salle Avenue. For the last ten years Miss Melcher has been literally the sight and soul of her father-for he is totally blind, having lost the use of his left eye in the battle of Spring- field by the concussion of a bursting shell, and

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 51

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