Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 24

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book & Engr. Co.
Number of Pages: 808

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed. > Part 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the expiration of a period of five years, Father Netstraeter was recalled to Gross Point to become pastor of the church at that place, and still continues his ministerial labors there. The membership of the church has largely increased, and several congregations have been cut off from the original society. During the first two years of his residence here he also had charge of the church at Highland Park. The congregation at Wilmette was organized in December, 1845, by Father G. H. Plathe. A block church was first built, and all the Catholics for thirty miles around worshipped here. Afterwards a frame church was erected, and in 1869 a large brick edifice was built and an extensive addition was made in 1892. The present seating capacity of the building is six hundred, with standing room for two hundred more. It is now the intention to build within a few years a new house of worship and use the present church for school purposes and assembly rooms. At an early day a school was organized in connection with the church, and at this writ- ing (in the fall of 1894) about three hundred and fifty pupils are instructed therein.

Father Netstraeter is not only an able minister, but manifests a keen interest in all worthy public enterprises which are calculated to advance the welfare of the community. He has taken an active interest in the growth and development of the village of Wilmette, which has sprung into existence during his residence here. He served for eight years as Trustee of the village and twice during that time was called to the Presidency of

220

EUGENE BURHANS.

the Board. He platted a subdivision of the town, and owns some choice property there. Father Netstraeter is a deep student, an able speaker and writer, and a progressive and useful citizen. His

practical methods and kindly manners have greatly endeared him to the congregation to whom he has ministered for so many years.

EUGENE BURHANS.

UGENE BURHANS, who since November I, 1889, has held the position of depot mas- ter at the Chicago station of the Rock Island and Lake Shore Railways, is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Kingston, Ulster County, on the 26th of March, 1851, and is a son of William P. and Catherine (Folant) Burhans. The father died January 18, 1892, in Bristol, Indiana, when seventy-three years of age. He, too, was born in Kingston, New York, and was of Holland descent. His ancestors crossed the Atlantic in an early day, settling in New York in the seventeenth century. The father was a shoemaker by trade and carried on a shoe store in Kingston for many years, but at length disposed of his business interests in the East and in 1867 removed to Bristol, Indiana, where his remaining days were passed. The mother of Eugene died during his infancy. She, too, was born in Kingston, where many of her relatives still live. The Folant family is also of Holland origin. After the death of his first wife Mr. Burhans was united in marriage with Mrs. Uretta (Smith) Heald, who is still living in Bris- tol, Indiana. She proved to Eugene a kind and faithful mother, taking the place of the one whom he had lost.

Mr. Burhans, whose name heads this record, acquired his education in the public schools of his native town, and at the age of fourteen he started out in life for himself. He began to learn the trade of a confectioner, serving a three-years ap- prenticeship to the same. At the age of seven- teen he accompanied his parents on their removal

to Indiana, and after spending two years on the farm he resumed work at his trade at South Bend. Subsequently he abandoned that business and was made a member of the police force in that city, thus serving some time.

While in the Hoosier State Mr. Burhans was married, on the 23d of November, 1871, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah M. Finch, daugh- ter of Hiram Finch, a pioneer of St. Joseph County, Indiana. She was born in New York, and died on the 14th of December, 1882, in her twenty-ninth year, leaving three children: Ella, now the wife of L. A. Babcock, of Chicago; Emma; and William, who makes his home in Bristol, Indiana. Mr. Burhans was again mar- ried, in November, 1888, his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. Boys, a sister of his first wife. She had one child by her former marriage, a daughter, Maud.

Mr. Burhans arrived in Chicago in September, 1883, and secured employment in the repair shops of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. He afterwards became assistant depot master, and since the Ist of November, 1889, he has held the position of depot master, the duties of which he discharges in a creditable and accept- able manner. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge of Engle- wood and the Chapter of Normal Park. In poli- tics he has been a life-long Republican.

During his connection with the railroad inter- ests of Chicago, Mr. Burhans and his fellow-officers have twice been confronted by gigantic strikes on the part of organized workmen. In these emerg-

221

W. D. GORDON.

encies the corporations whom he serves have ever found in him a faithful adherent and a powerful ally, in every way worthy of the confidence re- posed in him. At the same time he has won the

respect and good-will of the traveling public, wlio always regard him as a prompt and accommodat- ing gentleman.

WILLIAM D. GORDON.

ILLIAM DENNIS GORDON, Auditor of Receipts in the Treasurer's office of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 15th of April, 1860, and is a son of Dennis and Frances A. (Chandlee) Gordon, the latter's parents being natives of Baltimore, Maryland. On the paternal side the family is of Scotch ori- gin. The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Gordon, was a native of Scotland, and, having emigrated to the New World, he engaged in the United States Naval Service, under Commodore Decatur. He took part in the expedition to Al- giers, and during that trip lost his life. His wife was a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon both died when their son Dennis was a child of six summers.

The latter was reared and educated in the South, and in 1858 started westward, hoping thereby to benefit his financial condition. He took np his residence in St. Louis, where he engaged in busi- ness as a dealer in boots and shoes, carrying on operations along that line until the war broke out, when he enlisted among the Mounted Patrol. He was afterwards connected with the police force of the city until the war ended. In 1869 he came to Chicago and engaged with the Illinois Central Railroad as Depot Passenger and Ticket Agent. He was also employed in a similar capacity with the Michigan Central Railroad, and to this work devoted his energies until his death, which resulted from accident. During the severe snow storm of February 14, 1885, he was run over by an en- gine, and death resulted. He was at that time

sixty-seven years of age. His wife still survives him and is yet living in Chicago. She is a daugh- ter of Lewis and Ann Chandlee. Her mother was a Quaker, and died in Chicago in 1874, at the very advanced age of ninety-two years.

In the Gordon family were nine children, four sons and five daughters, namely: Thomas B., who was accidentally killed on the Chicago, Rock Is- land & Pacific Railroad in November, 1891; Lewis C., who was accidentally killed on the same road in November, 1889, while serving as a conductor, in which capacity his brother was also employed; George E., who is now in the Treasurer's office of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Road; William D. of this sketch; Margaret; Susan C .; Nellie; Charlotte, wife of P. F. Webster, of Chi- cago; and Sarah E., wife of George M. Black, of Cleveland, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was a child of nine years when his parents came to Chicago. He at- tended the Cottage Grove public school, from which he graduated in 1877, and later was a stu- dent in the Mosley High School. At the age of eigliteen he entered upon his business career as city buyer for A. G. Spaulding & Bros., the lead- ing dealers in sporting goods in the city. Two years were thus passed, after which he entered the Treasurer's office of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company. He began work there in May, 1880, in the humble capacity of office boy, and attained his present position by a series of well-merited promotions.

On December 31, 1889, Mr. Gordon wedded Miss Anna Mary McPherson, daughter of John W.

222

PETER WOHLER.

McPherson, of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in which place Mrs. Gordon was born. Their union has been blessed with two daughters, Margaret McPherson and Dorothy Chandlee. The family attends the Forty-first Street Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gordon is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and on questions of State and National

importance is a Democrat, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he votes independent of party ties. During his fourteen years' connec- tion with the office of which he is an important factor, Mr. Gordon has become one of the most indispensable employes thereof.

PETER WOHLER.

C ETER WOHLER is at the head of a leading industry, being engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and stairs in Chicago. He was born in Felmer, Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many, on the 28th of January, 1846, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Kolbaum) Wohler. He ac- quired his education in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen entered upon his business career. It was then that he began to learn the trade of cabinet-making, serving an apprenticeship of four and a-half years, during which he com- pletely mastered the business, becoming an expert workman.

The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Wohler in America. He sought a home in Chi- cago, where he obtained employment in a furni- ture factory, and subsequently secured a situation in a sash and door factory, located at the corner of Clark and Twelfth Streets. Three years later he was offered a position in a stair factory and became foreman of the business. After the great fire which swept away so much of the city in October, 1871, he established a factory of his own at the corner of Centre Avenue and Eighteenth Street. His place of business was subsequently changed to Twenty-first Street, near Laflin, his present location, where he now manufactures sash and

doors and does stair work. He also carries on contracting and building, and does a good bus- iness, employment being furnished to over one hundred workmen. Having thoroughly learned his trade in boyhood, he is enabled to turn out the finest and most skillful work and to superin- tend his employes to the best advantage.

In January, 1869, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wohler and Mary Jubekel, a native of Holstein, Germany. Five children have been born of their union: Lena, now the wife of C. Shreiber, of Chicago; Lucy, Sophia, Emma and Anna. The mother of this family, who was a de- vout member of the Lutheran Church and a highly respected lady, died on the 17th of May, 1892, at the age of forty-two years.

In his social relations, Mr. Wohler is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workinen, the Order of Druids and the National Turners. In his political views he is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. He came to Chicago with no capital except a good trade, thoroughly learned, and his success is due to his own skill, integrity and perseverance. He may truly be called a self-made inan, and his ex- ample may well serve to encourage those who, like himself, have to start out in life empty handed.

223

J. N. GAGE.

JOHN N. GAGE.

OHN NEWTON GAGE. The subject of this sketch was born in Pelham, New Hamp- shire, May 30, 1825, unto Nathan and Me- hitable (Woodbury) Gage. Being brought up on a farm, a fact which holds true of most of our leading pioneer citizens, his early educational ad- vantages were limited to such common schools as the ubiquitous energy so characteristic of New England Puritans and their descendants had at that early date made possible at the scene of his nativity. At about twenty years of age, he put forth his "best foot" in taking the first step upon his pathway through life, and though he often found the way beset with difficulties, yet he was always found bravely and tirelessly at work, per- formning his tasks as a man and Christian in the best of the light given unto him.

His first independent work was in the Waltham (Massachusetts) Cotton Company's Mills, where, in he later became overseer in its weaving-room. After a period of eight years of such service, mak- ing it his determination to come West, he took private evening lessons in bookkeeping, so as not to interfere with the discharge of his paid duties, which he finally resigned to others (and, we fail believe, less competent) hands. He set out for Chicago, the distant but much-sought El Dorado of our country at that time, which he first saw, spread out in a panorama almost as Nature's God had made it, in the spring of 1857.

He soon met with co-operative energies in the persons of Christopher C. and Daniel Webster, with whom he directly entered into articles of partnership, establishing one of the earliest wholesale and retail millinery houses of our city, known then by the firm style of Webster & Gage,

their first place of business being located on Lake Street. Having the misfortune of being burned out in 1857, they re-opened at No. 78 Lake Street, where they continued until the withdrawal of the Websters, about 1868. Mr. Gage took into a new partnership formed at that time a brother, Seth Gage, and a nephew, Albert S. Gage, under the new name of Gage Brothers & Company, a name retained to this day (after a brief interval of change to A. S. Gage & Company), by which the house has continued to grow and remain known throughout the entire West and Northwest.

Being burned out by the Great Fire, they set up temporarily in A. S. Gage's private house, until they were enabled to re-open for a period of two months in a temporary structure upon the Lake Front. From this location they removed to Wa- bash Avenue, near Jackson, thence to the corner of Madison Street and Wabash Avenue, where the trade still finds them profitably busy, one of the noted houses of the city.

The subject of this sketch sold out to his part- ner, A. S. Gage, about 1878. Thereafter, though in excellent health, he lived a life of respected re- tirement until the sad event of his demise from blood poisoning, following upon what seemed to be a trivial complaint, June 11, 1887, at his man- sion house, No. 1308 Michigan Avenue, whence his remains were borne to the family lot in Oak- wood Cemetery.

The following is a copy of the resolutions adopted by the Directors of the Wright & Law- ther Oil and Lead Manufacturing Company on this sad occasion:

"WHEREAS, Death having taken from us our esteemed fellow-member and Vice-President, Mr.

224

J. N. GAGE.

John N. Gage, one of the founders of this com- pany, who died June II, 1887, it is hereby

"Resolved: That in the death of Mr. John N. Gage the company has suffered an irreparable loss. Appreciating, as we do, his worth as a man, his careful, just and conservative business methods, we can never fully fill his place in the Company's affairs;

"Resolved: That the heartfelt sympathy of each and every member of this Board is felt for his family in their great loss and affliction; and that a copy of these Resolutions be sent to them, and also spread upon the records of this Company."

In politics he was an inflexible Republican, always casting his ballot, but as carefully avoid- ing any approach towards active politics. In re- ligious faith he was liberal, having for many years attended Dr. Ryder's church, St. Paul's Universalist, whose pastor held and was held in mutual esteem from as far back as the early '60s.

And so, with little variety or romance, lived and died one of the sturdiest, most useful of our citizens. Subsequent generations, with more lei- sure and wealth, may develop more elegance and refinement; but to men of Mr. Gage's virile stamp the city of Chicago (as well as the entire West, yes, in truth, all new countries) owes the founda- tion stones of future greatness and prosperity. Without the first courses of masonry there can never be builded high superstructures, with or- nate, elaborate and admirable dome and spire. What Washington, Jefferson, the Adamses and others were to the infant colonies, struggling for very existence and recognition as an independent nation, such were Mr. Gage and his associates to Chicago. Most of them are now gathered to their fathers, but their deeds are immortal. That Chicago is now the wonder and envy of the world is mainly owing to the persistent, honest efforts early and late of such citizens as Mr. Gage fitly typifies.

Mr. Gage married, December 15, 1849, at the scene of his nativity, Miss Martha Webster, by whom, fortunately, he left one child, a son, to bear his esteemed name, Frank Newton Gage, who was born July 24, 1853. After receiving a good education in Chicago, he entered his father's store, but later withdrew, and is at present an active member of the Stock Exchange. He mar-

ried, in 1889, Olive E. Lewis, of this city, who has borne him a son, John Newton Gage, named for his grandfather, the subject of this sketch.

Martha Webster is a daughter of Enoch and Betsy Webster (relatives before marriage) born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Enoch was a son of Caleb Webster, of Revolutionary fame. Betsy was a daughter of Stephen Webster. Mrs. Gage is thus related through both her parents to the greatest of America's statesmen and orators, Daniel Web- ster, of Marshfield, Massachusetts. She is also related to the famous Mrs. Dustin, of Colonial times. Captured by Indians, who dashed out the brains of her sleeping babe, she was marched miles into the wilderness. While her captors were asleep, she loosened her fetters, and, having slain every colored face of them, safely made her return home, as set out in graphic early historical authorities. Of all the heroines of "good old colony times," and there were thousands of such, it has always appeared that she was queen of them all by this single episode.

The family of Gage (which is of Norman ex- traction) derives its descent from one De Gaga (Gauga or Gage), who accompanied William the Conqueror into England in 1066. After the "Conquest" he was rewarded by a large grant of land in the forests of Dean, Gloucester County, adjacent to which he fixed his abode and erected a family seat at Clerenwell (otherwise Clarewell). He also built a large mansion house in the town of Chichester, wherein he died, and was buried in the neighboring abbey. His posterity re- mained in the vicinity for many generations, in credit and esteem, of whom there were Barons in Parliament in the reign of Henry II. The line from the beginning of the fifteenth century has been traced as follows: John Gage had a son, John Gage, born 1408; married Joan Sudgrove. Their son was Sir John, knighted 1454; married Eleanor St. Clere; died September, 1486. Will- iam, Esquire, born 1456; married Agnes Bolney. Their son, Sir John, born 1480, knighted May 22, 1541; married Phillippa Guilderford; died April 28, 1557. Their eldest son, Sir Edward, knighted by Queen Mary, married Elizabeth Parker. Their son, Jolın, Esquire (eldest of nine

225

E. McK. TEALL.

sons), thirty years old at his father's death; heir to fifteen manors and other Sussex lands. John (nephew) made Baronet March 26, 1622; married Penelope, widow of Sir George Trenchard; died October 3, 1633.

John (second son), of Stoneham, Suffolk Coun- ty, England, came to America with John Win- throp, Jr., landing at Salem June 12, 1630; in 1633 one of twelve proprietors of Ipswich; wife Anna died in June, 1658; married (2d) Mary Keyes, November, 1658; moved to Rowley 1664; held many responsible offices of trust and fidelity in Ipswich and Rowley, in which latter place he died in 1673. Daniel (second son) married

Sarah Kimball in 1675; died November 8, 1705. Daniel, born March 12, 1676; married Martha Burbank, March 9, 1697; settled on the banks of the Merrimac River, on the main road to Me- thuen, where the old Gage House, the oldest in town, still stands. Died Marclı 14, 1747. Dan- iel (third son), born April 22, 1708, removed to Pelham, New Hampshire; died September 24, 1775. David (fourth son), born August 9, 1750. Nathan (fifth), the father of the subject of this sketch, whose son and grandson, enumerated herein, bring the record up to the extraordinary number of seventeen consecutive male generations.

EDWARD McK. TEALL.

DWARD MCKINSTRY TEALL. The de- velopment of the insurance business has kept pace with the growth of other commercial enterprises and has assumed such magnitude and variety, and become so complex and at the same time so vital to life and property, that it must now be regarded as one of the important industries of the United State. The last few years have seen reductions in the rates of insurance, and corres- ponding advantages to property-holders, in Chi- cago, in consequence of the rapid development of the art of constructing fire-proof buildings and the great improvement in the facilities for check- ing and extinguishing fires. These important changes, which are still in progress, require prompt attention and action by the companies doing business here, for competition is just as fierce in this line of business as in any other. In fact, the sliarp, but honorable, rivalry among in- surance men has developed a number of experts in the business, men with sufficient mental pene- tration to foresee the result of changed conditions, and sufficient executive ability to carry out such

methods as are most likely to secure favorable results.

Among the most successful and systematic manipulators of this art is the gentleman whose name heads this notice. His birth occurred at Albany, New York, July 27, 1839, his parents being Edward Mckinstry Teall and Eliza Perry. The founder of the family in America was Oliver Teall, who came from England and settled at New Haven, Connecticut, about 1723. His fa- ther had been Apothecary General to the British army, serving under the Duke of Marlborough during the reigns of William I. and Queen Anne. Prudence, the wife of Oliver Teall, who came with him to America, died at Killingsworth, Con- necticut, June 24, 1780. Oliver Teall, second son of this couple, married Ruth Hurd and set- tled at Killingsworth. He served as a Surgeon in the British Army during the French and In- dian War, and also during the War of the Amer- ican Revolution, maintaining his loyalty to the crown throughout his life. Five of his sons, Timothy, Titus, Oliver, Joseph and Nathan,

226

E. McK. TEALL.

served in the Continental army. Father and sons were mutually antagonized by their loyalty to their respective causes, and never became rec- onciled. Another son, named Benjamin, having lost an eye during his childhood, was thus inca- pacitated for military service and did not partici- pate in the conflict.

Oliver Teall (third) was born in Middletown, Connecticut, January 1, 1759. When only six- teen years old he enlisted under General Putnam, Captain Gale's company, and afterward served in Captain Hyde's company, which was success- ively stationed at Fort Trumbull and at Provi- dence, Rhode Island. He was subsequently as- signed to Colonel Sommers' command at Ger-

mantown, Pennsylvania. He was one of the devoted band which endured the historic hard- ships of Valley Forge, where his brother Titus died of smallpox. Later in the war he was sta- tioned at West Point and on the Highlands. He acted as guard to General Washington and his family while they attended church. After peace came he married Susan, daughter of Col. Brin- ton Paine, of Dutchess County, New York. They settled at Upper Hillsdale, Columbia Coun- ty, New York, where he became a prosperous farmer. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren. His death occurred at Albany on the 18th of September, 1842, aged eighty-two years.

Col. Brinton Paine, who was an officer of the Continental army, was a descendant of Stephen Paine, who came to Massachusetts in 1638, and became one of the leading citizens of the colony, He was one of the chief contributors to the pros- ecution of the Indian wars. His son Stephen was present at the great swamp fight in which King Philip's band was exterminated.

Edward M. Teall, Sr., was a son of Oliver Teall, third. He became a prominent merchant of Albany, and was also proprietor of one of the first lines of boats on the Erie Canal. He did a general forwarding business, and the Chicago American of April 9, 1839, the first issue of a daily paper in this city, contained his business advertisement. He was for many years influen- tial in New York politics. Eliza Perry was born at Lenox, Massachusetts. Her father, Freder-

ick Perry, who was a son of a clergyman, was a native of Connecticut. He was a graduate of Williams College, and became a cotton manufac- turer at Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 24

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book & Engr. Co. Number of Pages: 808

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book & Engr. Co.
Number of Pages: 808