Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 84

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

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curate in his own habits, he was a strict disciplin- arian, and demanded the same adhesion to duty which he rendered himself. In recognition of his ability, and in appreciation of his services to the cause of homeopathy, an honorary degree was conferred upon him, in 1856, by the Homœ- opathic Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio. In 1857 he was elected General Secretary of the American Institute of Homœopathy, in 1864 was chosen President, and in 1865 Treasurer of this national association.

Naturally, with his many professional duties, Dr. Smith never sought political honors, but he lived and died a stalwart Republican. He was President of the Second Ward Republican Club in its palmiest days, during the Hayes campaign. He was at the time of his death the honored and popular President of the old Tippecanoe Club of Chicago, which was organized in July, 1887, by those who ad voted for General Harrison in 1840.

Dr. Smith was married, in 1837, to Miss Rebecca Ann Dennis, a native of Salem, New Jersey, who survives him. She came to Chicago in 1835 with her uncle, E. H. Mulford, in whose family she resided until her marriage. Four children blessed their union, two of whom survive. The eldest is the widow of Maj. F. F. White- head, of the United States army. Caroline is the wife of E. L. Ely, of New York City.

Dr. Smith died in Chicago, April 29, 1891. The following resolutions were adopted by the faculty of Hahnemann Medical College and Hos- pital of Chicago, and the members of the hospital staff:

Dr. Smith was an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and through his mother's in- fluence he became early imbued with a deep " Inasmuch as we have been deeply grieved by the death of our worthy and venerable colleague, Dr. David S. Smith, we, as a faculty, in expres- sion of deep sorrow, and in acknowledgment of his inestimable services, do hereby adopt the fol- lowing resolution: religious conviction. He was a man of sterling integrity and unflinching uprightness, simple in his habits, dignified, urbane and generous. His noble efforts and humane spirit were recognized when the cholera epidemic fell upon the city fromn 1848 to 1854. Instances of his devotion to tlie " Resolved, That we recognize first of all the loss suffering poor at that time can be related which . of the profession at large, in which, as the first place him in the ranks of the most noted bene- factors of the human race. He was hospitable in the extreme, and an attentive listener to all who sought his ear for counsel. Thoroughly ac- representative of our school of practice in this locality, his undaunted energy and marked abil- ity during the pioneer days have given the im- print of success and of character to the modern

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standard of medicine. What he knew to be right he faithfully prescribed. What he honestly be- lieved he bravely defended and earnestly applied. To his ability and his faithfulness the followers of homœopathy owe a debt of gratitude, and the generations to come will bow in reverence to his name.

" Resolved, That as the President of our College and Hospital, we shall miss his guiding spirit and his encouraging presence. In all our work he has ever been a willing helper and a good ad- viser. His life was consecrated to the college he established and loved, and his pride was centered in her prosperity. The joy of his last days was the realization that 'Old Hahnemann ' had ful- filled the desire of his heart and had become the

largest homœopathic college of the world. To every student his words were an encouragement to honest ambition. To every graduate he gave the inspiration of hope.

" Resolved, That more than all we admire the manly qualities and the Christian character of his life. In all things he was ennobling. At all times the silent dignity of his faith gave a strength to his work. His absence will ever be mourned and his memory forever honored. In our loss we shall sacredly prize the record he leaves us.

" Resolved, That to his bereaved family we ten- der our sincere sympathy, and offer the token of love we bore our departed friend and associate in their sorrow."

FRANCIS I. JACOBS.

RANCIS IRVING JACOBS, a gallant vet- eran of the great Civil War, residing at Wil- mette, was born at Spafford Hollow, Onon- daga County, New York, October 4, 1846. He is the son of Rev. Milo E. and Cornelia (O'Far- rel) Jacobs. Milo E. Jacobs was born in Ver- mont, and removed with his parents to New York in boyhood. His father, Elias Jacobs, was a native of Vermont, of German descent. Betsey Jacobs, wife of the latter, was of Welsh descent. The Jacobs family dates from early Colonial times in this country, Elnathan Jacobs, the father of Elias, having been born, probably in Vermont, in 1750.

Milo E. Jacobs was educated at Cazenovia, New York. He entered the Methodist ministry while a young man. In 1857 he went to Ogle County, Illinois, and settled on a farm. Two years later he removed to Winnebago, Illinois, where he joined the Rock River Conference, and was successively located at Lena, Richmond, Sand Lake, Lanark and other charges. He died in

Winnebago, on account of an injury received in Chicago in the spring of 1874, aged fifty-one years. His widow died in Chicago in 1893, aged seventy-two years. She was born at Spafford Hollow, New York. Her father, William O'Far- rel, who was born August 28, 1784, was a farmer, of Irish descent. His wife, Dinah, was a daugh- ter of Henry and Catharine Turbush, of Fishkill, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Milo E. Jacobs had three sons and a daughter: Francis I .; Charles H., of Marble Rock, Iowa; Wilbur F., of Rock- ford, Illinois; and Alfaretta, who died at the age of eleven years, at Winnebago.

Francis I. Jacobs attended the public schools until the beginning of the Civil War. In August, 1861, being then fourteen years and ten months old, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-seventlı Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served nearly · five years, beginning with Fremont's campaign in Missouri. This included the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove (where five thousand Union troops drove twenty thousand rebels from the

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field), and other engagements of minor character. After the Missouri service he was taken down the river to Vicksburg, and took part in the siege of that place and other expeditions in Mississippi. Thence he went to Port Hudson, where he was stationed for some time, and later he was at Mor- ganza Bend, Louisiana. He camped at New Orleans and various points in Louisiana. He was on the Texas frontier during the winter of 1863 -64, where the regiment re-enlisted, and he re- ceived a veteran's furlough.

While returning to the front after the expira- tion of his furlough, Mr. Jacobs met General Banks' army on retreat from its disastrous Red River expedition. The steamers going down stream met those going up and formed a bridge, on which the army crossed from the west bank to an island in the river. This temporary bridge was instantly and readily removed before the enemy could advance and take possession. Mr. Jacobs continued to New Orleans. Later the regiment went to Pensacola by boats, thence overland to Mobile Bay, and helped capture the forts opposite the city, with severe fighting. After the capture of Mobile, they encamped three miles from the city, where pieces of iron fell in camp at the explosion of the arsenal at Mobile Bay. From here they went, by way of Selma, to Montgomery, Alabama, and heard of Lee's surrender on the march.

by claiming to be wounded he was taken in the wagon to the Union camp. Among several hun- dreds of his comrades captured on that day, most were kept prisoners for eighteen months, and many were starved and killed. While on duty guard- ing a plantation in Texas, he was offered the use of a large cotton plantation for three years, free of cost. The owner was about to leave the state for fear of arrest for treason, and thought he could leave his property in no safer hands than those of a Union soldier; but his offer was declined. Dur- ing his service he traveled over 13,000 miles, marching on foot about one-fourth of that dis- tance, and took part in four battles and thirteen skirmishes.

After the war he was engaged in stock-farming at Downer's Grove, Illinois, where he reared thoroughbred horses and cattle. In the fall of 1871, he moved to Chicago, where he was em- ployed in overseeing preparations for rebuilding the burned city. He was also engaged in buying old iron for an eastern foundry. For two years he was engaged in the grocery trade on West Madison Street, and two years in commission business on South Water Street. Five years were spent in the office of the "Panhandle" Railroad, at Crown Point, Indiana. The next six years were passed on a stock farm in Franklin County, Iowa, breeding high-grade horses, cattle and swine. Since 1887 he has been connected with the commission firm of Wayne & Low, on South Water Street, Chicago, taking charge of their butter trade.

Mr. Jacobs was soon afterward sent to New Orleans, and thence went on an expedition to Sabine Pass, Columbus and Houston, Texas. While on the levee at Morganza Bend, Louisiana, Since the fall of 1894 Mr. Jacobs has lived at Wilmette, where he built a pleasant home. His activity and thoroughness. he was detailed to serve in the artillery force. Being surprised by the enemy while saddling a . business career has been marked by integrity, horse, he received a kick from the animal, in con- sequence of its pain at being shot. This consti- He was married, in 1869, to Miss Julia Flora Hudson, daughter of Horace Hudson, of Winne- bago, Illinois. They have one adopted child, Edith Wilson Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs is a member of George H. Thomas Post Number 5, Grand Army of the Republic. While living at Crown tuted the only injury he received during his service of four years and ten months, though frequently exposed to a galling fire. He was captured that evening and marched about a mile to the enemy's camp. Being unable to walk on account of lame- ness from the kick of the horse, he was assigned . Point he joined the Masonic order. He takes to an ambulance, and helped to care for the wounded. During the night a Union ambulance corps arrived, under cover of a flag of truce, and

considerable interest in public affairs, and gives his enthusiastic support to Republican candidates and principles.

LIBRARY OF THE NIVERSITY OF ILLIN

GEN. HERMANN LIEB

575

HERMANN LIEB.

EN. HERMANN LIEB, who has distin- guished himself in both military and civil life in the United States, was born in Chateau Hard, near Ermatingen, on the shore of Lake Constance, Switzerland. The family is among the oldest in Switzerland.

General Lieb's father, Frederick Lieb, was sent to London by his father, Siegmund Lieb, in 1809, to study the English system of cotton manu- facturing, which he introduced in Russia.

In 1817 Frederick Lieb married Henriette Von Vosmer, of noble family, born in Schleswig- Holstein, then belonging to Denmark. Return- ing to Switzerland in 1825, having amassed a considerable fortune, Mr. Lieb settled upon the beautifully situated estate he had purchased, to pass the remainder of his life in pursuits con- genial to his studious habits. Frederick Lieb's family consisted of four sons and two daughters.

Until twelve years of age, Hermann Lieb, the subject of this biography, attended the Constance public schools, after which he was sent to a Ger- man preparatory school, and from there to French Switzerland to perfect himself in the French language. At the age of nineteen he joined his oldest brother, who was in Paris engaged in the exporting and importing trade, in connection with Russian houses. The Revolution of 1848 disarranged commercial affairs, and young Lieb, being an enthusiastic Republican, served in the Garde Mobile until the corps was mustered out. In 1851 he left Paris for the United States for the

purpose of establishing a branch house of his brother's business in New York, but the illness and death of the latter frustrated this plan. Re- turning to Paris and becoming dissatisfied with the conditions there, after a few months' stay he again left for New York. Spending a few years in the latter city and in Boston and Cincinnati, he finally settled in Decatur, Illinois, where, in 1859, he commenced the study of law.

At the outbreak of the late Civil War Mr. Lieb enlisted as a private in Company B, Eighth Illinois Infantry, Col. Richard J. Oglesby com- manding. On the 25th of July, 1861, he was elected captain of the company. He took part in the campaigns for the reduction of Forts Donel- son and Henry, the battle of Shiloh and siege of Corinth. I11 1862 he was promoted to major of the regiment, which formed part of Gen. John A. Logan's division, and participated in the campaign into northern Mississippi, and after- ward down the Mississippi River. He was one of the first to respond to the President's proclama- tion for the organization of colored troops, and was appointed colonel of the Ninth Louisiana Colored Volunteer Infantry. While the regi- ment was being recruited he served on the staff of Gen. John D. Stevenson, in charge of the skir- mishers of his brigade, sharing its fortunes in tlie battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black Bridge and the assault on Vicksburg.

In June Colonel Lieb returned to his regiment at Milliken's Bend, and while iu command was

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attacked by General McCulloch's Texas Rangers, whom he repulsed with great slaughter. Benson J. Lossing's "History of the Civil War" con- tains the following account of this important engagement, on the right bank of the Mississippi River, to which Grant attributed the safety of the supplies of his whole army at Young's Point:

"Pemberton's only hope for deliverance was in the ability of Johnston to compel Grant to raise the siege. He was informed that General Tay- lor would endeavor, with eight thousand men from Richmond, Louisiana, to open communica- tion with him from the west side of the river. Al- ready Taylor had sent between two and three thousand troops under Gen. Henry McCulloch (brother of Ben, killed at Pea Ridge) to strike a blow. It was leveled at a little force, chiefly of colored troops, called the African Brigade, stationed at Milliken's Bend, composed of about fourteen hundred effective men, of whom all but one hundred and sixty (of the Twenty-third Iowa) were negroes. McCulloch's blow fell first on the Ninth Louisiana, commanded by Col. H. Lieb, who went out on a reconnaissance from Milliken's Bend toward Richmond on the 6th of June, preceded by two companies of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, Captain Anderson in command. Lieb went within three miles of Richmond, when he encountered Taylor's pickets and fell slow- ly back; it was evident that a heavy force was in his front. Very soon some of the cavalry came dashing back, hotly pursued, when Lieb formed his troops in battle order, and with one volley dispersed the pursuers. He continued to fall back slowly, and the Con- federates in strong numbers, horse and foot, pur- sued nearly up to the earthwork at the Bend. It was now night, and the Confederates lay on their arms, expecting to make an easy conquest of the Union forces in the morning. The latter were on the alert, and when, at three o'clock A. M., the Confederates returned to the assault, with the cry of 'No quarter,' they were met by a volley that made them recoil for a moment; but before the inexperienced blacks could fire more than an- other volley, they had rushed over the intrench-

ment. Then occurred a most sanguinary hand to hand fight for several minutes, with bayonets and clubbed muskets, the colored troops contesting every inch of ground with the greatest obstinacy and answering the question, 'Will the negoes fight ?' with a distinct affirmative. Combatants were found after the struggle close together, mutually transfixed, the white and the black face, the master and slave, close together and equal in death."

Having received a bullet in his left thigh, Colonel Lieb went North on a leave of absence. Upon his return he was ordered by General Grant to organize a heavy artillery regiment and to take charge of the defenses of Vicksburg. This regiment was formed by collecting from the vari- ous contraband camps sixteen hundred able- bodied colored men, who were put under Euro- pean military discipline by Colonel Lieb. A splendidly drilled regiment was the result. He also established battalion schools in which these colored soldiers were taught the elementary branches of learning, and many of these men have since occupied important political positions in the state of Mississippi, thus verifying the opinion the Colonel always has held-that the army is a civilizer. Colonel Lieb was appointed brigader-general for meritorious services in the field in 1865, and was mustered out in 1866, hav- ing served five years and one month.

Locating permanently in Chicago in 1868, hav- ing removed his business from Springfield, Illi- nois (the publication of the Abend Zeitung), the General plunged into the political campaign of 1869, with his famed reputation for thoroughness and energy. Since 1869 the General has been identified with the Democratic party.

In 1873, after being admitted to the practice of law, General Lieb was elected county clerk of Cook County, serving four years. At that time the county clerk was clerk of the County Court, the Probate Court and clerk of the County Com- missioners. Until his term of office Cook Coun- ty had no map of its real estate. He had one made and perfected which has been of incalculable value to its owners and dealers in real estate. In 1879 he was appointed by Mayor Harrison su-

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perintendent of the water department of Chicago, which office he held for six years. In 1885 S. Corn- ing Judd, Postinaster of Chicago, appointed the General to be superintendent of second class matter, and latter of the registry department. In 1889 the General was elected county com- missioner of Cook County and the next year re-elected for a second term. He was a strong advocate of the cottage system for the insane, and several cottages were constructed during his terms of service. He also advocated the employment of the insane in various light manufactories and on the farm, which employment proved very beneficial to the health of the patients. Discover- ing many old soldiers in the poorhouse, a way was provided for their admittance to various sol- diers' liomes, or they were furnished with em- ployment in positions which they were found competent to fill.

In 1895 the General was appointed to the su- perintendency of Postal Station "A," North Di- vision of the city of Chicago. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic order and of Swiss and German benevolent

societies. Though not identified with any re- ligions body, he is a stanch supporter of good morals, and attends Unity Church (Unitarian), with which denomination his family is connected.

General Lieb was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah Hill Stevens, of Somerset County, Maine. Like her talented husband, Mrs. Lieb is a writer of recognized worth, and is the author of a child's history of Michigan, a work of wide pop- ularity.

Among the best known works of General Lieb are: "The Protective Tariff," published in 1887, reaching six editions; "The Foes of the French Revolution of 1789," published in 1890; and the "Life of Emperor William I. and the German People," in 1891. Four sons have been given to General and Mrs. Lieb, Frederick Carl, Her- mann, Thomas Jefferson and Francis Keller Lieb. The eldest died in 1878, and the third in 1892; both are buried in Rosehill Cemetery. A disin- terested patriot, a scholarly and benevolent gen- tleman and a brave soldier, General Lieb's his- tory offers a most worthy example for the emula- tion of American youth.

SOREN N. NIELSEN.

OREN N. NIELSEN, born December 16, 1857, in Sultum Vensgssel, Denmark, came to America in 1884, and has been a resident of Chicago for fifteen years. He is the son of Nels C. and Johanna Nielsen, and is the third of a family of five children born to that couple, of whom three are still living. His father was a farmer and died in Denmark at the age of seventy- five years. His mother attained the same ripe old age and sleeps in the sod of her native land.

After attending the common schools, young Soren, at the age of fourteen years, entered upon a seven years' apprenticeship to the trade of a

stone mason, working at other occupations during the months when the harsh Danish winter ren- dered the handling of blocks of stone a physical impossibility. Having become a journeyman, he went to Copenhagen and worked at his trade in that city for four years, and for two years at other cities. During the winters of these six years, when comparative idleness was enforced upon him, he supplemented his early education by attending college at Copenhagen and Colelde Moen; his aggregate attendance at these two institutions being about a year and a-half.

Encouraged by reports from Danish emigrants

578

F. W. HANSEN.

to America, he determined to follow in their foot- steps, and in the spring of 1884 (as has been already said) he came to Chicago. For ten years lie worked as a journeyman. At the end of his first decade of residence he found himself able, through industry, sobriety and prudent manage- ment, to engage in business on his own account. In the conduct of his own affairs he has dis- played the same qualities, and he is to-day a busy and prosperous contractor, having erected build- ings in all parts of the city.

When thirty-four years of age, in 1891, he mar-

ried. He chose for his wife one of his own coun- trywomen, Christine Jorgensen. Mrs. Nielsen was born in Denmark June 10, 1861, and came to Chicago when seventeen years old. Two chil- dren have been born of the marriage-Elker and Margaret.

Mr. Nielsen is an active and prominent member of Trinity Lutheran Church, having been for a time trustee and secretary of that organization. He also belongs to the Young People's Associa- tion, and was for several years a member of the Society Dania.

FREDERICK W. HANSEN.

REDERICK WILLIAM HANSEN was born at Assens Fyen, Denmark, July 3, 1865. He is the son of Lars Peter Hansen, who for a quarter of a century was the only mail carrier of that place. He died in 1879. Mr. Hansen's mother was Catherine, and is still liv- ing, making her home in Chicago. He is the second of a family of six children, all of whom grew to maturity.

Like a majority of the Danish boys of his class he attended school until he was fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a trade. The trade chosen for him was that of a baker, and he served the required term of five years. The first three were spent with one Jacob Supply, of Udby Kro, the last two at Copenhagen, in the largest confectionery establishment of the Danish capital. After becoming a journeyman he worked for various firms, and finally removed to Stav- anger, Norway. There he remained three years, having charge of one of the largest confectioneries in that city. Here, in 1886, he was married, his bride being a Norwegian maiden, Miss Kitty, the youngest child of Typograf O. Aadnesen.

Two years later, in 1888, he crossed the water and came to Chicago. When he reached this city his cash capital was but thirty-five cents, yet he possessed what was of far more value-health, strengtlı and pluck. Recognizing that work of some sort was in immediate and urgent necessity he secured employment as a laborer. Four weeks later he found work at his trade. At first his weekly wage was small, but his skill being soon recognized he was rapidly promoted until he became foreman. He filled this position in several establishments before engaging in busi- ness for himself, which he did in 1893, at No. 353 Erie Street. Disposing of this place after eight months he removed to Oak Park, but re- mained there only a short time. In 1894 he opened his present bakery at No. 447 West Chi- cago Avenue. Here he has prospered greatly and carries on a large and remunerative trade. In 1898 he opened a branch at No. 353 West Erie Street, the location where he had opened his first establishment ten years before. He employs ten bakers and uses four delivery wagons, selling both at wholesale and retail.

579

GEORGE SCHROEDER.

Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have five children, Anton, Oluf, Kitty, Lillie and Willie, the eldest having been born in Norway. Mr. Hansen is a member of Humboldt Park Council of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Society Dania. In 1896 he purchased a summer house at Druces Lake, Illi- nois, where his family spends the heated term,

and in 1898, the three-story brick building on Chicago Avenue, where he resides and does busi- ness. In 1899 Mr. Hansen, his wife and three of their children, made an extended trip to Eu- rope, visiting the countries of Norway, Denmark and Germany, and renewing the associations of their youth.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 19th ed., Part 84

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