Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 79

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

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed. > Part 79

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Mr. Long and his family are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and he has been a life-long Republican in principle and practice. The record of his business career shows him to be capable and upright, for only through these qualities could any one hold the positions he has filled. In manner, he is courteous and easy, show- ing long familiarity with the best men and methods of the day.

FRANCIS HUTCHISON.

RANCIS HUTCHISON, a successful Chi- cagoan now living in practical retirement, is a Scotchman by nativity and spent his youth upon the banks of the river Leven, the outlet of Loch Lomond, a locality which has been rendered famous in song and story, and abounds with historic interest and romantic scenery. His birth occurred on the 30th day of April, 1828, in the village of Alexandria, Dumbartonshire. His parents, James and Janet (Weir) Hutchison, were in humble circumstances and, though able to afford their offspring but a rudimentary intel- lectual training, endowed them with habits and

principles which fitted them for filling responsible and useful positions in life.

James Hutchison was born at Abernathy, near Perth, Scotland, but removed during his youth to Dumbartonshire where his later life was spent. Mrs. Janet Hutchison was a daughter of Donald Weir, a well-to-do farmer and herdsman of Argyle- shire. But three of their nine children are now living, and Francis is the only resident of the United States. The other survivors are Rev. John Hutchison, an Independent (Congrega- tional) minister at Ashton-under-line, England, who has filled his present pastorate for upwards

539

FRANCIS HUTCHISON.

of forty years, and Donald Hutchison, who is the chief engineer of a steamship company, which operates a line of vessels plying between Liver- pool and the La Plata river in South America.

At the age of eight years, Francis Hutchison began to earn his daily bread by laboring in the print and dye works which abound in the vicin- ity of his birthplace. At fourteen he was set to learn the carpenter trade serving five years ap- prenticeship at that industry. He was afterwards employed as a ship-carpenter and acquired a de- gree of skill and proficiency which has since served him in good stead.

Having heard fabulous-sounding stories of the great land beyond the Atlantic ocean, he deter- mined to see and investigate its wonderful re- sources by a personal visit and, not without con- siderable misgivings as to the duration of his sojourn, in 1858 he took passage upon the steamner "Kangaroo" for New York, arriving in that city on the ninth day of June. He went from there to Rochester, New York, and after spending a few months at that place, took passage by way of the lakes for Chicago whither he arrived in due time, landing upon a temporary pier at Clark Street. His destination was the home of his uncle, Donald Weir, who lived on the Des Plaines river near "the Sag," but as the address which liad been furnished him was rather vague, he spent several days in unnecessary travel before reach- ing the place, a delay which was amply atoned for by the hearty welcome accorded him upon his arrival. As a number of farm houses were being erected in that neighborhood, he found a ready demand for his services, and his first season's earnings so far exceeded any sum he had ever received for a corresponding period of time tliat all doubts concerning the superior advantages of this country as a permanent place of residence were dispelled from his mind and he determined to become an American citizen.

In the fall of 1860 he went to Helena, Arkan- sas, where he was employed at his trade until the following spring, when, owing to the outbreak of the rebellion and not wishing to be pressed into the Confederate service, he returned to the North without being able to collect the money he had

earned there. His brief residence at the South had given him a good understanding of the con- ditions which prevailed there, however, and en- abled him to take a more conservative view of the questions which divided the union than pre- vailed among the more enthusiastic partisans of the North.

The prevailing wages for house-builders in Chicago at this time ranged from seventy-five cents to one dollar per day, and Mr. Hutchison found it more profitable to engage in ship car- pentry. He was subsequently employed in build- ing gun-boats for the United States Government at St. Louis, and at Cairo, Illinois. In 1863 he purchased an interest in a distillery at Joliet, but as some features of the business became distaste- ful to him, he sold out the following year and in- vested his profits in vessels plying between Chi- cago and the lower lake ports. He continued the carrying trade for the next nine or ten years, and in the meantime purchased several lots and a residence at the corner of Van Buren and Throop Streets. The rapid growth of the city soo11 created a demand for this location for com- mercial purposes and he replaced his residence with several substantial business blocks. He has since bought and improved other valuable west- side property, and of recent years the care and renting of these buildings has absorbed most of his time and attention.

Mr. Hutchison was married in 1864 to Miss Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones, who died in Chicago in 1882, at the age of more than eighty years. The lady was born in Denbigh- shire, Wales, and came to America in 1856. She has been an able helpmeet and counsellor of her husband, and their union has been blessed with four children, three of whom are still under the par- ental roof, namely: Elizabeth Agnes, Catherine Jane, wife of S. B. Foster, Jaines Francis and Jean- nette Weir. All the members of this family are identified with the Jefferson Park Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Hutchison is a man of simple tastes, and leads a quiet and unostentatious life, though he does not think it out of place to crack att occa- sional joke among his old-time friends. Since the

540

W. B. SNOW.

war he has been a pronounced Republican, but sometimes ignores party lines concerning ques- tions of local import. When he first arrived in Chicago his total cash assets were comprised in a gold quarter eagle. This he carefully hoarded for some time and when obliged to spend a por-

tion of it for repairing his shoes, he received in change a one-dollar bill of "wild-cat" currency, which proved to be worthless. His subsequent prosperity, therefore, may be attributed solely to his frugal, industrious habits, correct judgment and integrity of character.

WILLIAM B. SNOW.

ILLIAM BLAKE SNOW, who put on track the first railway passenger coach built in Chicago, is descended from an old Ameri- can family. The environment of the New Eng- land fathers was calculated to develop all that was sturdy in mind and body, and in many of their descendants are found the qualities which enabled them to survive the hardships they were com- pelled to endure and caused them to prosper in the midst of most forbidding conditions. The spirit of adventure and progress which led to the colonization of New England, still lives in the posterity of the Pilgrims, and has raised up sim- ultaneously throughout the northern half of the United States churches, school houses and fac- tories.

William B. Snow was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont, February 13, 1821, and is a son of Sol- omon and Lucina Snow. His ancestors were, doubtless, English, and early located in America. His paternal grandfather was a chocolate ınanu- facturer near Boston, and his maternal grand- father, "Bill" Blake, established the Bellows Falls Gazette, one of the first newspapers in Ver- mont. His wife was Polly Wait, of Milbury, Massachusetts.

The subject of this biography passed his boy- hood in his native village, receiving his education in the schools there existing. At the age of four- teen years, he began working in his father's wagon and carriage shop, becoming expert in the

use of woodworking implements. For some years he was employed by his uncles in a paper mill. When twenty-two years of age, lie set out to make his fortune, going to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he took contracts for carpenter work. From there he went to Seymour (then called Hum- phreysville), Connecticut, where he was employed by the American Car Company, and moved with that establishment to Chicago in 1852. At this time he had a contract with the company for building coaches, and set up the first one ever constructed in this city. This was purchased by the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad, then in its infancy. An account of the origin of that en- terprise will be found in this work, in the sketch of John B. Turner, who was its founder. When the American Car Company sold out to the Illi- nois Central Railroad Company, Mr. Snow was employed by the new proprietor, with whom he continued from 1857 to 1872. His integrity and ex- ecutive ability had meantime become known to many Chicago citizens, and he was offered a lucra- tive position by the Pullman Palace Car Company, for which he traveled three years. At the end of this period, he again took employment with the Illinois Central Company, and so continued until he retired from active business in October, 1891.

Mr. Snow has always been a quiet citizen, giv- ing his undivided attention to business, and leav- ing others to manage their concerns in their own way. He has been a faithful attendant of the

54I

A. G. LULL.

Reformed Episcopal Church, with which his fam- ily is affiliated, being identified with Bishop Che- ney's congregation. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and a demitted Freemason. His early political associations were with the Whig party, and he has adhered to the Republican organization since it came into exist- ence. He has never sought political preferment,

but has fulfilled that imperative duty-as well as privilege-of the good American citizen, a vote in every important contest. In 1843 he was mar- ried to Miss Orra L. Dyke, of American parentage, and two children have blessed this union. The eldest, Frank Austin Snow, resides in Chicago, as does also the other, Lottie, wife of A. G. Farr, of the firm of N. W. Harris & Company.

ALBERT G. LULL.

A LBERT GALLATIN LULL was born in Windsor, Vermont, February 20, 1827, and died in Chicago, February 13, 1892. His parents, Joel and Celia (Smith) Lull, were na- tives of the Green Mountain State, the Lull fam- ily being one of the oldest in that commonwealth. Mrs. Celia Lull died in Windsor, and her hus- band afterwards came to Chicago, where he served as constable for several years. His death occurred in 1880, at North Attleboro, Massachu- setts.

After leaving the public schools, Albert G. Lull. became a student for a time at Dartmouth Col- lege. At Springfield, Massachusetts, he took up the study of gunsmithing and mechanics. In 1849, he came to Chicago and obtained employ- ment in the machine shop of H. P. Moses. While thus engaged, he assisted in the construction of the first water works in the city. He was subse- quently employed by Foss Brothers, in a large plan- ing mill on Canal Street, near Monroe, the site of which is now occupied by the Union Passenger Station and railroad tracks. When this mill was torn down, preparatory to the construction of the depot, he purchased the machinery, in company with his brother-in-law, Isaac Holmes, and built a new mill on the west side of Canal Street, be- tween Jackson and Van Buren Streets. The firm dealt in lumber and carried on the manufacture of packing boxes, doing an extensive business until 1871, when the entire plant was consumed

in the fire, which occurred on Saturday night, the 8th of October, preceding by one day the memor- able "great fire." The disaster which destroyed the mills of Lull & Holmes made a gap which saved the West Side from the ravages of the suc- ceeding fire. The firm rescued the safe contain- ing their books from the ruins and placed them in the office of a friend, on the south side of Van Buren Street, only to be lost in the greater conflagration of the following day. This alone inflicted a serious loss on Mr. Lull, who never recovered his fortunes and suffered a permanent loss of health from the shock and exertions in trying to rescue his prop- erty. He retired a few years later from all busi- ness activities.

On the 5th of April, 1855, he was married to Mrs. Mary Sammons, daughter of John and Ellen Holmes, widow of Elijah H. Sammons. Mrs. Lull was born at Bradford, England, and came to America with her parents in 1835, arriving in Chicago in April of that year. She is still active in mind and body, and relates many incidents of pioneer life in Chicago. She is a member of the Cathedral Church of SS. Peter and Paul, in which Mr. Lull was also a communicant. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lull-Rich- ard H., who is a physician now practicing in Chicago, and Mary C., who is the wife of Mark R. Sherman, an attorney of the same city.

Mr. Lull was a prominent member of the Ma- sonic order, and likewise, of the Independent

542

E. F. DANIELS.

Order of Odd Fellows, in which last fraternity he one of its most steadfast and consistent suppor- had taken all the degrees and was a member of ters, and as a man and citizen, he ever sought to promote the material, moral and intellectual growth of the community in which he lived. the Grand Lodge of the United States. From the first organization of the Republican party, he was

EDWIN F. DANIELS.

DWIN F. DANIELS, an enterprising busi- ture of woodenware and also operated a planing ness man of Chicago, was born at Concord, mill. Jackson County, Michigan, January 23, 1848. He is a son of George and Delzina (John- ston) Daniels, both of whom died before he was five years old. George Daniels was born at Hull, England, and was one of a family of eleven chil- dren who came to America with their parents in 1832. They settled at Dearborn, Michigan, near Detroit. George Daniels afterwards moved to Jackson County, where his death occurred in 1854, at the age of thirty-two years. His wife was of Irish descent.

Edwin F. Daniels lived with his paternal grandparents and attended school at Hudson, Michigan. Before completing his education, how- ever, he went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to as- sist his uncle, Capt. William H. Johnston, who was a commissary officer in charge of forage for the army. He continued in that employment until Sherman's arıny started on its famous "march to the sea," when he became a messenger in charge of forage on the railroad from Chattanoo- ga to Atlanta. At the time when the rebels tore up the track, at Big Shanty, Georgia, the train on which lie was serving returned to Al- toona, just in time to escape capture. After tlie battle between Hood and Corse, in which the for- mer was defeated, Mr. Daniels returned to Chatta- nooga and soon afterwards left the service and returned to his boyhood home in Michigan. He then, for some years, engaged in the manufac-

In February, 1876, he came to Chicago, and was employed for four years as Clerk in the County Treasurer's office. In 1881, he began dealing in coal, an occupation which he has con- tinuously and successfully followed until the present time. The original firm of Weaver, Daniels & Co., was succeeded in turn by Pea- body, Daniels & Co., and Edwin F. Daniels & Co. Since 1890, Mr. Daniels has been sole pro- prietor, and the business, which was inaugurated on a rather limited scale, has grown to immense .proportions and is now one of the most extensive in its line in the city.

He was married in 1880, to Miss Kate Elkins, daughter of Henry K. Elkins, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Daniels was born in Chicago, and has presented her hus- band with two sons, Henry Elkins and Raymond Elkins Daniels. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels are mem- bers of the First Unitarian Church of Chicago, and the former is identified with the Union League, Kenwood, Chicago Athletic and Tolles- ton Shooting Clubs, and the Chicago Board of Trade. During the hunting season, he finds recreation by making weekly trips to Tolleston for shooting water fowl. He is an advocate of Republican principles, but ignores party lines in voting upon local issues. His success may be at- tributed to his enterprising business methods, ready decision and integrity of character.

543

L. C. CLARK.

LYMAN C. CLARK.

YMAN C. CLARK is one of the leading and prominent business men of Turner, where he has made his home since 1870. During the years which have since passed, he has con- tinuously engaged in the insurance business. He was born June 10, 1833, in Darien, Genesee County, N. Y., and is a son of Henry S. and Deb- orah R. (Carpenter) Clark. The paternal grand- father, Joshua Clark, was a Revolutionary soldier and served under Gens. Washington and Green. He was a native of Rhode Island, and after his re- moval to New York he took up several hundred acres of land. Throughout his life he followed farming as a livelihood. A prominent and influ- ential citizen, he was honored with the office of Justice of the Peace for over forty years. His death occurred in the Empire State at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven. In his family were thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to mature years. The maternal grandfather of our subject, James Carpenter, was a native of Connecticut, and his entire life was spent in that State, where he died at an advanced age.

Henry S. Clark was born in Rhode Island, and became a contractor and builder of New York. He also engaged in painting, and his death was the result of his being poisoned by paint, in 1855, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, who was born in Connecticut, died in the Empire State in 1881, at the age of eighty-four. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and the father was a local preacher of that denomina- tion. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and his widow received a pension on that account. In their family were four sons and five daughters, of whom the following are now living: Henry H .; Lyman C .; Lorinda E., wife of William Waldron,

of Trenton, Canada; and Susan M., wife of Albert Blackman, of Erie County, N. Y. Two brothers lost their lives during the late war. Jerome was killed at Bentonville, N. C., and Dennis died at home from injuries received in the service.

We now take up the personal history of our subject, who was reared in the State of his nativ- ity, and in the common schools of the neighbor- hood acquired a good English education. When about fourteen years of age, he began learning the trade of carriage-maker, which he followed continuously until 1865. The following year he. emigrated westward and took up his residence in Davenport, Iowa, where he embarked in the life- insurance business. In 1870 he came to Turner, where he has since devoted his time and energies to the same pursuit with good success.

On the 18th of September, 1855, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Babcock, daughter of Rev. R. and Lucinda (Gilbert) Bab- cock, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New York. Seven children have been born of this union, two sons and five daugh- ters. Altie Florence is the wife of C. E. Norris, of Turner, by whom she has four children: Charles H., Carroll W., Ernest L. and Florence. Clar- ence Henry, deceased, was a twin brother of Altie Florence. Clara Louise, Henrietta and Charles Herbert are all deceased. Ella Laura is the wife of E. B. Holmes, of Turner; and Lulu Pauline completes the family.

The parents are both members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church and take a most active part in church and benevolent work. Mr. Clark has been Steward of the church for thirty-seven con- secutive years, and has also served as Trustee and Class-leader for many years. He is now Su-

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E. H. CASTLE.

perintendent of the Sunday-school, which is mak- ing good progress under his able management. He has also been prominently identified with tem- perance work. In politics, he is a Republican, and socially is connected with Amity Lodge No. 472, A. F. & A. M .; Doric Chapter No. 166, R. A. M .; and Siloam Commandery No. 54, of Oak Park. He and his wife are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Clark has a good

home and other town property in Turner, and is numbered among the valued and representative citizens of this community. He has lived an up- right, honorable life, and his career is one well worthy of emulation. He has the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his life.

EDWARD HERRICK CASTLE.

DWARD HERRICK CASTLE. To the student of human progress, or the youth who seeks an example worthy of his emulation, · the history of this successful man offers especially interesting features. His career has been full of adventure and excitement, and yet the experi- ences of his life have made his mind philosophical and his heart sympathetic. When he was born, the nation was young and still almost an experi- ment, so that men were not encouraged to ven- ture into strange fields of action. He has lived to see the American nation become one of the great- est of the earth; and now, in his old age, he re- joices that he has been permitted to witness the triumph of the institutions of liberty.

E. H. Castle was born in Amenia, Dutchess County, N. Y., on the 5th of August, 1811, and is now nearing the completion of his eighty-third year. His great-grandfather, Gideon Castle, was one of the early Colonists who came from Eng- land. A brother went to Virginia, while another accompanied him to New York. Gideon, son of Gideon Castle, who lived to the age of ninety- six years, occupied an honorable place in liis- tory as a member of Gen. Washington's per- sonal staff. He was with the immortal com- mander through the Revolutionary War as Com- missary of Subsistence. He owned a mill in

Dutchess County, which manufactured flour for the Continental army. After the treaty of peace he removed to Amenia, where his son, William Castle, father of the subject of this biography, passed his life. His farm was situated about two iniles from the village of Amenia, and here Ed- ward H. Castle grew up to be a strong and hearty youth, full of ambition. He longed to go to sea and visit strange lands, and to make his fortune in the world. However, he remained upon his father's farm until about ten years of age, attend- ing the small school in the vicinity. He after- ward attended Dr. Taylor's academy in Cortland County, but his restless disposition soon drove him to sea, and lie shipped on a bark bound for a distant port. After a voyage of many months, he returned to find his mother dead and the house- hold in mourning.

This seems to have been a turning-point in Mr. Castle's life. The death of his dear mother af- fected him deeply. He had started out into the world full of youth's bright hopes, and this sud- den bereavement was a severe blow. Hehad not been permitted to close the dying eyes of his best friend on earth, or receive her last blessing. He determined to honor her memory by making something of himself. In deference to his father's earnest wish, he consented to enter the office of

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E. H. CASTLE.

his father's attorney, Samuel Perkins, and take up the study of law. He studied faithfully two years, until an attack of measles resulted in a partial loss of his eyesight. He had long been convinced that he was not calculated to make a lawyer, and on being relieved from his studies, he began to look about for an opportunity to enter a business life, much to his father's disappoint- ment. His subsequent fortune shows the wisdom of his choice.

Soon after attaining his majority, on the Ist of September, 1832, Mr. Castle started out from his father's home in Freetown, Cortland County, whither he had moved from Dutchess County. He traveled on foot over a lonely road to Carbon- dale, Pa., one hundred miles distant. At Car- bondale, Deacon Hodgden had a force of men and horses employed in hauling coal from the mines to the canal. Young Castle applied to him for employment, and was offered $14 per month and board: He stipulated, however, for what he proved to be worth at the end of three months, a unique plan, which was accepted by the Deacon with alacrity. Before the day of settlement came around, Castle was foreman and was paid $40 per month. By gradual increase his salary soon rose to $100 per month, and he shortly bought out his employer, giving in payment his personal note, which was promptly paid when due.

After three years of business, Mr. Castle en- tered into partnership with Stephen Clark, and the firm carried on a large lumber trade and opened a general store. They also secured through attorneys the lease of the Fall Brook coal mines for ninety-nine years, and added mining to their lumbering and mercantile business. Mr. Castle finally became sole owner by purchasing his part- ner's interest, and continued to prosper until his store and stock were destroyed by fire in 1838.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 79

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