Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 68

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

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Mr. Ayars was married, April 25, 1859, to Miss Margaret, daughter of William Fredenberg, of New York City, where her Knickerbocker an- cestors located in the early Colonial period. Many of the name now reside there, and Mrs. Ayars is the first who left that city. For twenty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Ayars have been connected with the First Methodist Church of Evanston. The former is a member of Evans Lodge, Evanston Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order, and of the Evanston Club and Evanston Boat Club, being among the organizers of the last- named organization.

Mr. Ayars was among the supporters of John C. Fremont for the United States Presidency in 1856, and since that time has consistently ad- hered to the Republican party from principle. His varied business experience has given him a wide knowledge of many subjects and made him a capable judge of human nature, enabling him to give to his business and social duties the benefit of a mind ripened by years of practical training.

461

E. S. LACEY.

EDWARD S. LACEY.

DWARD SAMUEL LACEY, President of the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland, and located at the Bankers' National Bank of Chicago, Boston in 1704. enjoys a national reputation as an able financier, and has won his way to his present honored position in the business, social and pol- itical world through his pre-eminent perseverance, foresight and integrity. He was born in the town of Chili, Monroe County, New York, November 26, 1835, and is a son of Edward DeWitt and Martha C. (Pixley) Lacey.

Edward D. Lacey was born at Bennington, Vermont, and died at Charlotte, Michigan, November 6, 1862, aged nearly fifty-three years. He possessed in a notable degree those qualities of integrity, intelligence and tenacity of purpose for which the people of the Green Mountain State are notable. He removed, with his par- ents to Monroe County, New York, when but ten years of age, and was educated at Henrietta, in that State. He engaged in mercantile business at Chili, New York, and in 1842 removed to Michigan, locating the next year at Kalamo, Eaton County, then a comparative wilderness. He was a man of prominence in that locality, filling many positions of public trust and respon- sibility, and was a leading spirit in the develop- ment and improvement of that section of the State.

He was a son of Maj. Samuel Lacey and grandson of Ebenezer Lacey, natives of Wood- bury, Connecticut. The latter served in the Connecticut Line through the Virginia and Penn- sylvania campaigns of the Revolutionary War, under Generals Washington and La Fayette, be- coming an Orderly-Sergeant in the latter's com- mand. He was a son of Thaddeus Lacey, who moved to Connecticut from Boston, Massachu- setts. The first ancestor in America came from

Samuel Lacey was born at Woodbury, Con- necticut, and went with his parents-Ebenezer and Mary (Hurd) Lacey-to Vermont in 1784. He established the second cloth-dressing works in the State at Bennington, and in 1818 removed to Monroe County, New York, where he was a prosperous and influential citizen. During the War of 1812 he was Major of the First Regiment of Vermont Militia, which was called into service on the northern frontier. He assisted in the first organization of the Whig party at Syracuse, New York, in 1835, and was for many years one of its ablest supporters. He died at Marshall, Michigan, May 9, 1863, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He married Ruth, eldest daughter of Anthony Sigourney, of Oxford, Massachusetts, a Revolutionary veteran, who took part in the disastrous campaign of 1776, on Long Island and about New York City, being twice wounded in battle during that service. He was the fourth in line of descent from Andrew Sigourney, a prom- inent Huguenot, who, with his wife, escaped from Rochelle, France, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and became one of the founders of Oxford, Massachusetts. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, the famous writer and poet, married a descendant of the same family.

The subject of this biography was about seven years old when the family settled in Eaton County, Michigan, where he continued to reside until 1889. He was educated at the public schools and Olivet College. At the age of eight- een years he began his business career as clerk in a general store at Kalamazoo, Michigan.

In 1857 he returned to his home at Charlotte,

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E. S. LACEY:

Michigan, and in 1862, in partnership with Hon. Joseph Musgrave, established a private bank, which became, in 1871, the First National Bank of Charlotte. He was the active manager of this institution from its organization, officiat- ing as Director and Cashier, and upon the death of Mr. Musgrave became its President. He was distinguished for ability and thoroughness in his methods, and became identified with many im- portant business interests. He was a Director, and for many years Treasurer, of the Grand River Valley Railroad Company, which he helped to organize.

Early in his career his fellow-citizens began to recognize his fitness for the discharge of public duties, and his opinion on financial questions has always been accorded great consideration. His first official position was that of Register of Deeds of Eaton County, which he held four years, beginning in 1860. In 1874 the Governor of Michigan appointed him a Trustee of the State Asylum for the Insane, and he continued to fill this position for six years. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Cincinnati, and from 1882 to 1884 was Chair- man of the Republican State Central Committee of Michigan. He also served as the first Mayor of the city of Charlotte, and assisted in inaugu- rating its excellent system of public improve- ments. In 1880 he was elected to Congress from the Third Michigan District, and served two terms. He was nominated by acclamation and elected by a vote far ahead of his ticket in eachı instance. He declined to accept the candidacy for a third term, but in 1886 became a candidate for the United States Senate, in which he was unsuccessful, though he showed great strength and popularity.

In Congress he served on the Committees on Postoffices and Post Roads and Coinage, Weights and Measures. But he was distinguished chiefly through the ability displayed in the consideration of financial questions. In the Forty-eighth Congress he attracted wide attention by a mnas- terly speech on the silver question. His address on the use of silver as money, delivered before the American Bankers' Association in Chicago in

1885, was received with marked attention and increased his popularity among financiers. His prominence in monetary circles caused him to be recommended by friends in Michigan, New York, Boston and Chicago for the position of Comptroller of the Currency, to which he was appointed in 1889.

This office, so far as regards national finance, is second only to that of Secretary of the Treasury. His administration, extending from 1889 to 1892, covered one of the most critical periods in the history of the national banking system. He pursued a vigorous and yet conservative policy, keeping in view the protection of depositors and creditors, and his conduct of the office was endorsed by the ablest financiers. His integrity and ability have always been recognized, and his national reputation caused his services to be sought by many of the leading financial institu- tions of the country. Believing in the resources and future of Chicago, he resigned in June, 1892, to accept the presidency of the Bankers' "Na- tional Bank of that city.

On New Year's Day, 1861, Mr. Lacey married Miss Annette C. Musgrave, daughter of his busi- ness partner, Hon. Joseph Musgrave, of Char- lotte, Michigan. Two daughters and a son, named, respectively, Jessie P., Edith M. and Edward Musgrave, complete the family. Since coming to Cook County, the family has resided at Evanston, where it is identified with the First Congregational Church. Mr. Lacey is a mem- ber of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Union League Club, Bankers' Club (of which he has been President), Bankers' Athletic Association, Evanston Club and Evans- ton Country Club. He has always been an enthusiastic Republican, and wields a strong influence in the party councils.

Personally, Mr. Lacey is a man of fine phys- ique, ready discernment, and pleasing manners. All who have occasion to approach him in regard to social or business matters are certain of receiving courteous attention, notwithstanding the attention necessarily bestowed upon the financial and business matters of great magni- tude entrusted to his management.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLIN

LOUIS F. HAAS

463

L. F. HAAS.

LOUIS F. HAAS.

OUIS FREDERICK HAAS. The fascina- tions of the condition of the government and the people in general of this United States appeal to the minds of many natives of foreign lands in such a way as to draw many of them to become inhabitants of our Land of the Free and adopt a place among the famous American free and equal associates. Of these many become successful in the marts of trade, through the advantages offered those loyal to our flag. Louis Frederick Haas figures among the men of the last fifty years who have emigrated from their native land and become followers of our fortunes.

He was born in Otweiler, Prussia, October 24, 1821, and came to America with his brother in 1837. He previously attended school in the land of his nativity and became confirmed in the church, whose creed had been followed and whose laws had been adhered to by his ancestors for many generations. His first work in America was on the old canal, but failing health forced him to abandon this occupation. When he had recovered somewhat his usual condition he learned the trade of a horse shoer with Frank Bush, and about the year 1842 opened a shop in his own interest on Randolph Street, near Wells Street. He conducted a business at this location forty years and was for some time personally known to every citizen in Chicago.

Mr. Haas was in no sense of the word a politician, being independent of party and voting at proper times for the man who in his estimation

was best fitted to fill the offices for the interest of the people at large. He was, however, interested in every enterprise tending to the uplifting of the minds of his fellow-men, and sanctioned all good and noble work. He was a prominent, in- fluential citizen, and was honored and respected · by all who knew him in business, and beloved by all friends and acquaintances, as well as his near relatives.

Mr. Haas was a member of the old volunteer fire department, belonged to the Fireman's Ben- efit Association, and was also connected with the Sharpshooters' Club. He was a very broad- minded and liberal man. Mr. Haas was one of the first directors of the Uhlicli Orphans' Asylum and for many years was treasurer of the institu- tion, being at all times very much interested in it. He was one of the founders of the old St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, having helped to carry the boards on his back from the river to the side of the church, for the first structure, which was a frame building. He was prominently connected with the work of the church and contributed to its support very liberally, in a practical as well as spiritual man- ner.

In 1843 he married Miss Sarah Wolfe, who was also born in a foreign land, the place of her birth being near Strasburg, France. She came to Chicago, in 1839. This couple became the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living at the present writing. Louis is a captain in the police department. Carrie married Charles

464

C. R. LARRABEE.

· Leupold, of Chicago, and resides at No. 1295 North Halsted Street. Charles, Philip, Herman and William are the names of those living.

Louis F. Haas died July 23, 1888, mourned by many friends and leaving a vacancy in the family

circle which cannot be filled. Mrs. Haas is still living, surrounded by a host of true and worthy friends and residing near her children, who have turned out to be of great comfort to her, as well as a source of just pride.

CHARLES R. LARRABEE.

HARLES. ROLLIN LARRABEE, who, in his quiet and unobtrusive way gave a strong impelling force to the moral and material development to the city of Chicago, entered into rest at his home on Dearborn Avenue, in that city, June 3, 1899. He was born February 17, 1825, at Ticonderoga, New York, then a small village adjoining the ruins of the Revolutionary fort bearing the same name.

His great-grandfather, John Larrabee, who was born in 1732 at Plainfield, Connecticut, married Mary Spalding, a representative of one of the first and most conspicuous American families. He removed to Pownal, Vermont, in 1780, being clerk' to the proprietors of that town, whose charter he recorded. He was a valu- able man in a new settlement, being well edu- cated for his time and a surveyor by occupa- tion. In 1783 he purchased a farm at Row- ley's Point, on Lake Champlain, on which he settled. He established the first regular ferry there, and the place has since been known as Larrabee's Point, its present postoffice title.

The youngest of his four children, Dr. William H. Larrabee, was born at Plainfield, and prac- ticed medicine many years at Shoreham, Ver- mont, later removing to Ticonderoga, where he died in 1836. He was a studious and cultivated man. His wife was Lovice Callender, of Scotch ancestry. The eldest of their three children, Lucius Callender, was carefully trained and be- came a teacher and surveyor. For many sum- :

mers he commanded the little pleasure steamer that plied Lake George. He was born on the last day of the year 1799, and was married at Ticonderoga in 1824, to Calista W. Bugbee, of an old New England family. In 1852 he came to Chicago, where he died four years later. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of his four children.

As a boy, Charles R. Larrabee is described as a handsome manly lad, of winning disposition and obedient and gentlemanly in deportment. Possessing a keen sense of humor, and being fond of sports, he was often a leader among his playmates. His father was a strong man, both mentally and physically, and being an educator, gave his son a good training. The mother was many years an invalid, and her deeply religious character was impressed upon her son. The lat- ter attended the public school and was confirmed in the little Episcopal Church of his native vil- lage at the age of fourteen years. It was his desire to enter the ministry, and for a time he kept up studies under the tutorship of the rector of the scattered flock at Ticonderoga, but lack of means compelled him to abandon this purpose and before he was seventeen years old he began to support himself.

In 1843 (the mother having died), the father came to Chicago, with his two eldest sons, and spent the winter as guest of his brother, William M. Larrabee, then a prominent citizen of the young city. In the spring he returned to

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C. R. LARRABEE.

his eastern home, but the elder son had found employment here and · decided to remain, and from that time continued to make his home in this city.

His first position was that of librarian for the Young Meu's Christian Association, which pos- sessed then some three thousand volumes. After acting one year as bookkeeper for Woodworth & Long, millers at the foot of Lake Street (for which service he received one hundred dollars and board, in the family of Mr. Long), he entered the hard- . ware store of William F. Dominick. His new position brought him a slight advance in com- pensation, the salary being one hundred and seventy-five dollars, but he found himself in meals, sleeping over the store. Table board was supplied in those days by Mrs. Haight at two dollars per week. Her boarding house was one of a brick row on the present site of the Chicago Opera House.

In 1851 Mr. Larrabee became a partner in the business, and it was now conducted under the name of William F. Dominick & Company. Five years later, R. L. North joined Mr. Larrabee in purchasing the interest of the senior partner. Through the panics of 1857 and 1873, as well as through the more terrible ordeal of the great fire, this house continued in business success, with honorable record, and voluntarily retired from the field in 1888.

In 1877 and 1878 Mr. Larrabee held the office of city treasurer. From 1888 until the year of his death he was treasurer of the Title Guarantee & Trust Company of Chicago.

On his coming to Chicago Mr. Larrabee be- came a member of St. James' Church, which then stood on Cass Street between Illinois and Michigan Streets. He transferred his connection for a time to Trinity Church on the South Side, but in 1849 returned to St. James', where, in May, 1851, he wasby Rev. Robert H. Clarkson, united in marriage to Mary A. Wood of the same parish.

During a period of thirty-seven years, begin- ning with Easter day, 1856, Mr. Larrabee served this church as vestryman, junior warden and senior warden. During this period he was dele-

gate to the diocesan convention, and served as its treasurer from 1870 to 1885. From the early history of the Chicago Nursery and Half Orphan Asylum, he served on the board of directors. He was many years a trustee of Racine College and of the General Theological Seminary of New York. For the twelve years prior to his death, he was treasurer of the Western Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Beside his widow, Mr. Larrabee left eight chil- dren. The eldest, Rev. Edward Allan Larrabee, was born March 31, 1852, in Chicago. He grad- uated from Racine College (Wisconsin), in 1873, and from the General Theological Seminary in New York in 1876. Since June, 1884, he has been rector of the Church of the Ascension, at Elm Street and La Salle Avenue.

Annie D. Larrabee married Cecil Barnes, of Portland, Maine, who established a university school in Chicago and died within a year. Her second husband was John De Koven, of Chicago. Eleanor L., Mary C. and Caroline Larrabee reside in the city. Emily W. is the wife of John N. Til- ton, an architect of Chicago, and Rosalind C. is the wife of Charles A. Street, a prominent lum- berman of the same city. Rollin N. Larrabee, for many years in the service of the Western Electric Company, is now in the South.

The esteem in which Mr. Larrabee was held by his associates is well shown in the numerous letters of condolence sent to the family and by resolutions adopted by the numerous charitable and religious bodies of which he was a member. The last session of the diocese of Chicago was held during his fatal illness, and the expression of regret at his absence expressed in suitable resolutions adopted by that body were changed to condolence, on account of his death before the resolutions could be forwarded. A part of these were as follows: "The legacy he has left you and us is a priceless one. It is the legacy of a stain- less name, of a spotless life, of a deep and heartfelt devotion to the church of his love, of a firm faith in the Catholic creed, and of a ready and self- sacrificing will wherever the interests of the church demanded his service. While deeply

466

FREDERICK KRUEGER.

lamenting his loss, the members of the committee feel that they must felicitate the members of his family on a life well lived, on a just and glorious triumph well deserved."

The trustees of the Western Theological Semi- nary sent the following: "The board of trustees is sadly reminded of the decease of our beloved colleague, Charles R. Larrabee, by his absence from our meeting. His interest in the seminary and devotion to its welfare were manifest in his gift of time and labor in the discharge of the duties of his most important office, that of treas- urer, from the outset of its career., These merits, as a member of our board and as an officer of the institution, were built, as we all know, upon the most exalted Christian character, exhibited in every relation of life. Quiet, modest, devout, steadfast in devotion to duty, able and earnest, we miss the presence of Charles R. Larrabee and most sincerely mourn his loss."

The resolution of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Nursery and Half Orphan Asylum well sums up his life. "He quietly and naturally found his place with all influences that make for right- eousness. In all the years and through all vicis- situdes of fortune, in the gentleness of refinement, in the blamelessness of integrity, without ostenta- tion, he kept himself unspotted from the world."

In the close relationship of parish work, lie made himself best known, and the following tribute from his associates is a fitting close to this article: "Resolved, By the rector, wardens and vestrymen of St. James' Church, Chicago, that there be placed on record an expression of our appreciation of the long and faithful services rendered to this parish by Mr. Larrabee. For upwards of half a century he was a constant wor- shipper in St. James' Church, and for a great part of that time served as vestryman and church- warden. His demeanor, experience and wisdom made him an efficient servant of the church, while his beautiful character and consistent Christianity endeared him to the hearts of all our people. In him the several rectors of St. James' found a helper ever faithful, loyal and devoted, and his fellow-vestrymen a friend, one with them both in furthering the welfare of the parish he loved so unselfishly and also in gentle, sympathic companionship. And now that he has entered into his rest, we thank God for the gift of such a man to the church, and to his family and house- hold, who miss and long for his loving, helpful presence, we tender our earnest sympathy. "The righteous live forevermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High.""'

FREDERICK KRUEGER.

REDERICK KRUEGER, the senior mem- ber of the firm of Fred Krueger & Son, is one of the best known business men in the northwestern section of the city, where he carries on an extensive trade in coal and wood, hay, grain and feed, at No. 803 West Chicago Avenue. As his name implies, he is of German ancestry, and he himself was born at Brunen, Mecklenberg- Strelitz, Germany, August 22, 1844. His par- ents, John and Caroline Krueger, determined, in

1868, to seek a new home across the water, and with their five children set out on the long and tiresome journey that ended at Chicago. Mr. Krueger and two sisters are the sole survivors of the family. The latter are: Mary, the widow of Fred Krickow, and Fredericka, the wife of Charles Koch. Both reside in Chicago.

Between the time of his leaving the parish school and his emigration to America, Frederick Krueger worked as a laborer, and his first em-

467

ANTON JACOBSEN.

ployment after reaching this city was as a porter in an ice house. He next went to work in Walker, Oakley & Company's tannery. He re- mained with that firm twenty-two years, and thoroughly mastered all the arts and mysteries of the tanner's trade. He was industrious, econom- ical, sober and thrifty, and little by little he be- gan to acquire capital. His first purchase of real estate was on North Lincoln Street, where he lived for more than twenty years. He resides at present with his son and partner.

In March, 1891, he started in business on his own account at Nos. 801 and 803 West Chicago Avenue, in partnership with his son, Herman Krueger, the firm name being Fred Krueger & Son, the latter owning the property. This ven- ture proved successful from the beginning, Mr. Krueger bringing to its conduct and management that keen, sound, business sense, that unfailing energy and those sterling moral qualities which have distinguished him through life. Not a little

of their success is also due to the careful business management of the son. The latter was born and reared in Chicago, receiving his preliminary busi- ness training at Bryant & Stratton's Business Col- lege. For three years before engaging in the coal and feed trade he was in the real estate business.

In state and national affairs Mr. Krueger is af- filiated with the Republican party, although on municipal questions he is able to rise above par- tisanship.

August 22, 1869, he was united in marriage to Caroline Koch, who was born in Teschendorf, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany. They have two sons, Ernst and Herman. The elder is a man- ufacturer of copper and brass goods in Chicago, his establishment being known as the Empire Brass Works. Mrs. Krueger passed away Au- gust 8, 1897. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, having united with that body in 1897. "All the members of her family are also connected with the same church.

ANTON JACOBSEN.

A NTON JACOBSEN was born March 18, 1863, at Stubbkjobing, Island of Falsted, Denmark. His father, a butcher, was named Jacob Jorgensen; his mother's maiden . name was Sophia Hansdatter. The latter is still living at her old home, at the advanced age of eighty years, but the father died when fifty- seven years old. Mr. Jacobsen is the fifth of the eight children born to his parents, and of this large family six are still living.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 68

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