USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed. > Part 19
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Jonathan Clark is numbered among the men who have made Chicago, and given it the char- acter which it bears. Through trials, by perse- verance and an honest course, he has risen to prominent place in the city which he has made his residence for almost half a century, and where he is an honored citizen, who bears his years with dignity, and grows old gracefully in the midst of a large circle of devoted friends.
GEORGE GRANGER CUSTER.
F EORGE GRANGER CUSTER, who is now serving as Auditor of the City Board of Ed- ucation, was born on the 6th of December, 1838, in Sanford, Edgar County, Illinois. His father's ancestors bore the name of Granger, and came from England to America, locating in Con- necticut. His father was a physician, and in Newark, Ohio, married Nancy Link. His death occurred at the early age of twenty-eight years, and soon after our subject, then a child of six months, was taken for adoption by Isaac D. Cus- ter, of Terre Haute, Indiana, whose name he then assumed. He found in his foster-father a kind-hearted and liberal man, who could not have
treated an own son with more kindness and con- sideration. The maternal ancestors of the sub- ject of this sketch were of French origin, and on emigrating to the New World settled in Freder- icksburg, Virginia, about the middle of the eigh- teenth century. From there the maternal grand- father with his family removed about the year 1825 to Newark, Ohio.
When George was a child of six years, the Custer family removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and for five years he attended Wyman's private school. Soon after he accompanied his father on a trip to California, where they remained for one year. Mr. Custer went to the West to see the
185
GEORGE G. CUSTER.
country, and took his adopted son on account of his poor health. The result of the trip proved the wisdom of the father, as the son became a strong, hearty boy, and now enjoys a vigorous manhood. He made the journey across the plains on horse- back, leaving St. Louis on the 4th of April, 1850, on the steamboat "Princeton," and arriv- ing at old Ft. Kearney, Nebraska, fifteen days later. There they remained until the early part of May, when, the grass having grown sufficiently to furnish feed for horses and mules, they re- sumed their journey. They were eighty-six days in making the trip from the Missouri River to Hangtown, now Placerville, California. Their next resting-place was Sacramento, from whence they went to San Francisco. They suffered the usual hardships and privations incident to the trip across the plains in days of the gold excite- ment, being sometimes for days with very small rations of food, and only water sufficient to moisten the lips; but, notwithstanding, no illness fell to the lot of father or son during the trip to and from California. Mr. Custer had no mining experi- ences, for he was then too young to dig for gold. After a sojourn of a few months in California, he returned home, by way of the Isthmus, stopping on the way at the island of Jamaica and in New York City, from whence he came West, by way of the Hudson River to Albany, thence to Buffalo by rail, by lake to Chicago, by canal to La Salle, and on the steamer "Robert Fulton" to St. Louis.
Mr. Custer then attended Jones' College until eighteen years of age, and resided in St. Louis until 1854, when the family removed to a farm near Davenport, Iowa. In the fall of 1855, he returned to St. Louis and accepted a position as assistant book-keeper in the retail grocery house of Ellis & Hutton, at that time the largest estab- lishment of the kind in the city. In the summer following he returned to Davenport and entered the employ of Thomas H. McGee, wholesale grocer, as chief clerk and book-keeper, and in the spring of 1857 took charge of the office of the Burtis House, then the best-equipped hotel west of Chicago. After a few months he was taken sick and returned to the farm, where he remained until coming to Chicago, in April, 1862.
In the mean time Mr. Custer was married. On the 4th of October, 1860, he wedded Miss Sarah Ann Kelly, of Davenport. The lady was born in Mt. Carmel, near Cincinnati, Ohio, September 7, 1842. Her father, Daniel C. Kelly, a native of Cincinnati, is now living in Davenport, Iowa, where the foster-father of this subject also resides. They are aged respectively eighty and eighty- three years, and still active and in good health. Four children have been born to Mr. Custer and liis wife: Tillie, who is now the wife of Robert J. Clark, and has one child; Hattie Winchell, wife of William G. R. Bell; Sadie Belle; and George G.
On leaving the farm in Iowa, Mr. Custer came to Chicago and accepted a position as assistant com- mercial reporter on the Morning Post, edited by J. W. Sheahan, with which he was connected for a year. He then entered the employ of Hobbs, Oli- phant & Co., commission merchants, and at the end of three years started in business for himself as a member of the firm of Olcott, Lash & Co., in the same line of business. This venture proved un- successful, on account of the credit given country customers. Mr. Custer then engaged in the brokerage business, but during the great fire again met with losses, after which he spent three years with Hall & Winch, sash and door manufacturers. He then returned to the Board of Trade, and was quite successful in business for several years, but at length lost his fortune in a "big corner."
At that time Mr. Custer left the city, removing to Nevada, Illinois, where he took charge of an elevator.owned by A. M. Wright & Co. On his return in 1880, he accepted a position with James H. Drake & Co., commission merchants, with whom he remained for a year and a-half, when failing health forced him to abandon that work. Farm life had previously proved benefi- cial, and he again resorted to that cure, carrying on agricultural pursuits until his health was re- stored. Once more lie entered the employ of Hall & Winch, with whom he continued until the death of the junior partner, when the business was closed out. He was the: with the firm of Garvey & Jenkinson until they retired from busi- 11ess.
In May, 1886, Mr. Custer became Auditor of
I86
WILLIAM WEST.
the Board of Education, and has been unani- mously re-elected since that time. He was the candidate for the office of Assessor of West Chi- cago, on the Democratic ticket, in 1871, but never sought political preferment, although he took an active part in politics in early life. He is known as a conservative Democrat. Socially, he is connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Royal League, and is the First Vice-President of the California Pioneers. In early life he joined the Baptist Church, but as its doctrines were not in accordance with his broad and liberal views, he
joined the Third Unitarian Church, and was, until his removal from the West to the South Side, one of its active and respected members. He is so- cially inclined, possessed of a genial nature and pleasant disposition. He is popular among his acquaintances, and is one who makes and retains friends. He possesses a sanguine temperament, is an energetic worker and not easily discouraged. Fond of home and family, he is true to those who rely upon him, and his faithfulness and sterling worth have won him warm regard.
WILLIAM WEST.
soon as the land came into market, but deatlı frustrated his plans.
ILLIAM WEST, one of the enterprising citizens of Cook County, now successfully engaged in farming on section 30, Niles William West pre-empted a quarter-section of land in Jefferson Township, on which he resided until 1856, when he came to Niles Township, his present home. One of the most important events of his life occurred in 1843, when was celebrated his marriage with Mrs. Isabella Mosley, a daugh- ter of Jolın Kendel, who was a native of York- shire, England, and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. West was born in Yorkshire, December 18, 1821, and died January 28, 1864. Their umon was blessed with four sons and five daughters, and five of the number are still living, namely: William, who was born June 11, 1850, and now resides in Chicago; Mary Jane, who was born April 27, 1852, and is the wife of Robert Robin- son, of Avondale; Isabella E., who was born August 27, 1857, and is the wife of John Proctor, a resident of Arlington Heights; Martha Ann, who was born February 20, 1860, is the widow of Emil Haag, and resides in Niles; and Edward, who was born January 18, 1864, and is now en- Township, is numbered among thie early settlers of the State, having come to Illinois with his parents in 1836. He is a native of Yorkshire, England, born on the 21st of June, 1814. His father, James West, was born in Shipton, Eng- land, in 1768, and died in the fall of 1838, two years after his emigration to America. His wife bore the maiden name of Jane Hodgen, and was a daughter of Thomas Hodgen, a shoe-maker of Great Husband, England. As above stated, James West, accompanied by his family, bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America in the good ship "Sylvenus Jenkins," which brought him to New York after an un- eventful voyage of thirty-one days. He was de- tained in New York quite a while on account of the sickness of a relative, John Dewes, but at length resumed his journey and traveled toward the setting sun until he reached Cook County. He became the first settler of Jefferson Township, and it was his intention to purchase a claim as gaged in the flour and feed business in Chicago.
187
J. D. TOBEY.
In 1866, Mr. West was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Frances Ollinger, who is now deceased.
Mr. West cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison and has voted at each Presidential elec- tion since that time. He now affiliates with the Democracy, but from 1860 until 1892 supported the Republican candidates. He received no spe- cial advantages in life, his school privileges being
obtained previous to his tenth year, and his edu- cation from that time was acquired tlirough con- tact with the world. He had no capital or influ- ential friends to aid him in business, and the suc- cess which has crowned his efforts is the just re- ward of his own labors. As a citizen he is pub- lic-spirited and progressive and devoted to the best interests of the community, and by those who know him he is highly respected.
JOHN D. TOBEY.
OHN DILLON TOBEY, who is doing an so handles ice. His business has steadily in-
C extensive business as a dealer in hay and grain in Chicago, was born at Worth Sta- tion, Cook County, on the 3d of September, 1859, and is a son of Wales and Elizabeth Tobey, who are represented on another page of this work. He spent his early boyhood days upon his father's farm, and acquired his education in the district school of the neighborhood and in the High School of Blue Island. At the age of seventeen he left home with $2.85 in his pocket. From that time he has made his own way in the world unaided, and the success he has achieved is therefore due entirely to his own efforts. He began work as a farm hand, receiving $15 per month in compen- sation for his services. With his first season's wages he bought a half-interest in a threshing- machine, and the following winter started a hay press.
Fifteen months after leaving home, Mr. Tobey had accumulated $3,300, besides a hay-press, teams, etc. In connection with his other work he also did road contracting in Worth Township. For one year after coming to Chicago he was in the employ of Nelson Morris & Co., buying sup- plies of feed for the stock. Since 1886 he has engaged in his present business as a dealer in hay and grain at No. 309 Twenty-sixth Street. He al-
creased in volume, until it has now assumed ex- tensive proportions, and on the Ist of June, 1894, the J. D. Tobey Hay and Grain Company was in- corporated. Of this Mr. Tobey is president and general manager. For some years he has been the best known dealer in his line on the south side and is now the largest retail dealer in the United States. He also deals in city real estate and farm property, and has invested to some extent in western lands.
On the 10th of September, 1885, Mr. Tobey was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Burt. The lady is a native of Westport, Essex County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Alvin Burt. Their union has been blessed with one child, Gracie. They also lost two sons who died in infancy within two weeks of each other.
Mr. Tobey takes considerable interest in civic societies, and is a member of Golden Rule Lodge No. 726, A. F. & A. M .; a life member of Chi- cago Commandery No. 19, K. T .; and also be- longs to Medinah Temple and the Mystic Shrine; to Acacia Club; to America Lodge No. 271, K. P .; Longfellow Lodge No. 708, R. A .; George B. McClellan Council of the National Union; Chicago Heavy-Weight Base Ball Club, the Sud- seite Turngemeinde, and several other social and
188
ALEXANDER McDANIEL.
insurance orders. He votes with the Republican party, but has never sought or desired political preferment, in fact has several times refused pub- lic office. Physically, Mr. Tobey is the picture
of health and strength. He is of a social, genial nature, and is a gentleman of rare business abil- ity, having attained success through good judg- ment, ready decision and energetic determination.
ALEXANDER McDANIEL.
LEXANDER McDANIEL, of Wilmette, is now living a retired life, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has for many years resided in Cook County, and is so widely and favorably known that he needs no special introduction to the readers of this vol- ume. This work would be incomplete without the record of his life, which is as follows: He was born February 13, 1815, in Bath, Steuben County, New York, and is a son of Daniel Mc- Daniel, who was of Scotch descent, but was born in the State of New York and mnade farmning his life work. He married Rachel Taner, a lady who was born and reared in the Mohawk Valley, and was a descendant of the Mohawk Dutch. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters.
Alexander McDaniel is the eldest son. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent in his parents' home and he became familiar with all the duties of farm life. He aided in the cultivation of the old homestead until he had attained his majority, when he started out for himself, and, leaving the East upon the tide of emigration which was steadily moving westward, he came to Chica- go, arriving in this city on the 27th of May, 1836. Here he worked until the 14th of August, when he went to New Trier Township, spending sever- al days looking up lands on the Ouilmette Indian reservation. He then returned to Chicago, where he continued until October, when he again came to New Trier Township, and pre-empted one hun- dred and sixty acres of Government land where
the town of Winnetka now stands. The land in the reservation liad not then been surveyed. Mr. McDaniel deposited the price of the property with the Government agent until it should be surveyed and placed upon the market, which was four years later. He built a log cabin, one of the first four houses which stood between Chicago and the present site of Winnetka, and there he kept bach- elor's hall for four years. The only neighbors he had for the first year, except Erastus Patterson, were Indians, and he was the only young man in that locality. Speaking of the Indians, he said the Ouilmettes were quite enlightened and good neighbors, always being peaceable. Mr. McDan- iel purchased three forty-acre tracts of land, pay- ing the usual price of $1.25 per acre, and forty at twenty shillings per acre. Upon this land a part of the town of Evanston now stands. When he first came to Cook County there were only three small log cabins north of Chicago, and many of the now thriving villages and cities had not sprung into existence, while the work of progress and civilization seemed hardly begun.
On the 27th of November, 1842, an important event in the life of Mr. McDaniel occurred, his marriage with Miss Emeline Huntoon. The la- dy was born in Champlain, New York, March II, 1824, and is a daughter of George W. and Lucin- da (Bowler) Huntoon, whose family numbered ten children. The father was a ship carpenter, and was born in Vermont, December 9, 1791. The mother was born January 9, 1796. With their family they came to Cook County in 1840,
189
W. R. DERBY.
settling on the present site of South Evanston. Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel became the parents of six children. Jane, who was the wife of William H. Kinney, Postmaster of Wilmette, is now de- ceased; Ellen, widow of A. B. Balcam, resides with her parents; Charles, who enlisted at the age of sixteen and served three years in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, is now a carpenter and contractor of Wilmette; George is interested in mining in Colorado; Henry is a policeman of Wilmette; and William Grant is a fireman on the North- Western Railroad.
Mr. McDaniel exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party. His first vote was cast on the 4th of May, 1837, for Williani B. Odgen, first mayor of Chicago, and his first presidential vote supported William Henry Harri- son. Soon after the village of Wilmette was start- ed, he was appointed the first Postmaster, hold- ing the office for nineteen successive years, when he resigned in favor of Mr. Kinney, the present incumbent. He has never sought or desired po-
litical preferment, his time and attention being largely occupied by his business interests. His wife, a most estimable lady, holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes an active part in its work and upbuilding. For twenty-six years Mr. McDaniel has been a resi- . dent of Wilmette. His first home at this place, located on Center Avenue, was the fourth house built in the town, and in it he resided for twen- ty-three years. In 1891, he erected a more sub- stantial and modern dwelling on the same street, and there spends his declining days. He has wit- nessed almost the entire growth and development of the county, the best interests of the communi- ty ever find in him a friend, and his hearty sup- port and co-operation are given to those enter- prises which are calculated to advance the gener- al welfare. His sterling worth and strict integri- ty have made him a leading citizen of the com- munity and one well worthy of representation in this volume.
WILLIAM R. DERBY.
ILLIAM R. DERBY, who was for many years prominently identified with the his- tory of this community, was numbered among the honored pioneer settlers, having be- come a resident of Cook County in 1834. He was born in Dorset, Bennington County, Ver- mont, on the 17th of March, 1805, and was a son of Sylvester Derby, whose birth occurred in the same locality in 1780. In 1816 the father removed with his family to Genesee County, New York, where he remained until his death, which occurred at the ripe old age of ninety years.
William Derby spent the first sixteen years of his life at his parents' home, and then began to learn the trade of a wool carder and dresser, which he
followed for nine years. He later engaged in the hotel business for nearly two years, and in 1834 . he emigrated westward to try his fortunes on the broad prairies of Illinois. He settled on section 34, township 37, range II, about three miles southeast of the village of Lemont. At that time there were only two houses between Joliet and Chicago. The latter place was a small vil- lage, and the most far-sighted could not have dreamed of the prominence and importance which were to make it the metropolis of the West and one of the important cities of the world. Mr. Derby had for neighbors a brother-in-law, Jere- miah Luther, Orange Chauncy and Joshua Smith, all natives of Vermont except Mr. Luther, who
190
W. R. DERBY.
was born in New York. When Mr. Derby came to Cook County he had a span of horses, harness and wagon, some household effects and $40 in money. He disposed of his team in order to pay for his land when it came into market, and he was thus enabled to purchase one hundred and forty acres. It was wild land, but with charac- teristic energy he began its development, and in course of time transformed it into a fertile farm. He built a log house, in which he lived for about twenty-five years, and then erected a two-story brick residence, which he made his home until 1879, when he sold his farm (then containing two hundred acres) and removed to Lemont.
Mr. Derby was married on the 28th of June, 1830, in Castile, New York, to Miss Eliza N. Luther. Together they traveled life's journey for about half a century. On the 5th of April, 1880, Mrs. Derby was called to the home beyond. She was beloved by all who knew her and her friends were many, By their marriage were born four children, of whom two are now living. Sylvester L., the elder, was born in Castile, New York, September 18, 1836, and at a very early age was brought to Lemont, where he has since made his home. He graduated from the high school of Chicago, and during his early business career followed farming, but in 1879 he disposed of his land and removed to Lemont, where he embarked in the lumber trade, and also in the manufacture of lumber in Michigan. His standing as a busi- ness man is above reproach. His systematic methods, his enterprise and his fair and honor- able dealing liave gained him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He enjoys a liberal patronage, and has a well-equipped lumber-yard. On the 24th of September, 1855, he was married to Charlotte D. Russell, of Dover, New Hampshire, and to them were born five children, four yet living, namely: Mrs. Ida E. Brown, Sylvester O., O. R. and J. A. L. The three sons are associated with their father in the lumber trade. They are thor- ough business men, of sterling integrity, and the firm is one of prominence in the community.
Sylvester L. Derby has been honored with sev- eral offices of trust, the duties of which have ever been discharged with promptness and fidel- ity. In politics he is a Republican. In 1892 he was President of the Illinois Retail Lumber Deal- ers' Association. Although he is now nearing his sixtieth birthday, he is still hale and hearty as a young man of twenty-five, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Lemont.
John T. Derby, the younger son of William R. Derby, was born in Lemont, October 29, 1840, acquired his early education in a log schoolhouse at Gooding's Grove and later was graduated from Castile University. He began life as a school teacher in the town of Palos, Cook County, and for several years continued teaching in Cook and Will Counties. He studied law with Judge J. P. Atwood, of Chicago, where lie was admitted to the Bar, and in 1873 was chosen Assistant County Superintendent of Schools under George D. Plant, which position he held until the close of Mr. Plant's official term. He was the first City Attorney of Lemont, and was a member of its first Board of Education. On the 7th of May, 1862, was cele- brated his marriage with Clara H. Dakin, of Millerton, Dutchess County, New York, and by their union were born three children, of whom Nettie E. and Edward D. are now living. Mrs. Derby died February 1, 1885, and in 1886 Mr. Derby married Miss Abbie E. Jones, of Du Page, Will County, Illinois. He is at present engaged in the practice of law, and is a radical temper- ance man, who supports by his ballot the Prohi- bition party.
William R. Derby, whose name heads this record, was an advocate of Democratic principles and was often called to office by his fellow-towns- inen. He served as Supervisor, was also Justice of the Peace for five years, was Township Treas- urer sixteen years and Township Clerk for sev- eral years. In these various offices he was ever true and faithful. All who knew him respected him for his upright life and straightforward deal- ings and for a public and private career which were alike above reproach.
JOHN V. STEVENS.
191
JOHN VOSBURGH STEVENS, M. D.
OHN V. STEVENS is a native of New York, born at Lysander, Onondaga County, Novem- ber 23, 1851, the son of George B. and Sarah (Kellogg) Stevens. His paternal grandfather was of English descent, and came to this country before the Revolutionary War, his maternal grandfather being also of an old family and of Holland-Dutch extraction.
When he was very young his parents removed to Cook County, Illinois, where they remained about four years. The health of the mother becoming precarious, the family returned to New York, to Oswego County, where she died in 1858, leaving a danghter seven months old, who grew to womanhood, and died iu Wisconsin in 1883.
After his mother's dea h, the subject of this sketch was left largely to the care of his grand- mother and mother's sister. During his early boyhood he attended regularly the public school and also received considerable benefit from study at home. Later he entered the academy at Mex- ico, New York, an institution of high grade, and made such good use of his opportunities that he succeeded in passing th .¿ regents' examination, which entitled successful contestants to admission to any college in the State in 1866. While still in his teens, young Steveus found his health giv- ing away under continned and close application to study, and on the advice of the family physi- cian to seek an outdoor life for him, his father again came to Illinois, in 1866, settling near Bar- rington, in Cook County, having in the same year married, this time to his former wife's youngest sister, Frances Kellogg.
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