Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 51

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

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400

CORNELIUS PRICE.

ORNELIUS PRICE is the only surviving pioneer who engaged in contracting and masonry in the early days of Chicago. He was born in New York City, on the 17th of Octo- ber, 1819, and is a son of Cornelius and Nancy (Maloy) Price, being the third child of a family . of five sons and two daughters. His father was a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was de- scended from early settlers of that city. His an- cestors emigrated from England to America, but the family originated in Wales. Nancy Maloy was born in Albany, New York, and was a de- scendant of John Maloy, a native of the North of Ireland, who came to New York in an early day and was employed by the Schuylers. Dutch was then the common language of the people of the Empire State, and Mr. Maloy learned to speak the language fluently.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was educated in the common schools of Albany and Troy, New York, and of Watkins, near Seneca Lake, where for six years his parents resided up- on a farm. He learned the trade of masonry and brick-laying with his father, who was a builder, serving a four-years apprenticeship. In 1836, the family emigrated westward, making the journey by way of the Lakes to Detroit, from whence they traveled by team and wagon to Chicago, reaching their destination on the 26th of September. The family remained in the city for about a year, dur- ing a part of which time its head was engaged in building. He then removed with his wife and children to a farm on the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad, near Libertyville, in Lake County, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1848.

Cornelius Price, Jr., spent the summer months

of the three years following his advent in Chicago at work at his trade in this city, and' during the winter returned to his father's home. During the business depression of 1841, it was impossible to get a day's work in Chicago, and father and son went to Galena, making the journey on foot. There they found plenty of employment, and erected several of the leading business houses of the town. In the winter of 1847-48, the subject of this sketch returned to the city, and in the fol- lowing spring began contracting here, erecting at that time and in the subsequent years many large buildings. During those early days, he built a four-story brick building on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Water Streets, which was considered a very high structure. He erected the Sherman House, and when it was destroyed by fire rebuilt it. He also took a contract for the erection of the Tremont House, the Field & Leiter warehouse, the Cyrus H. McCormick residence and hundreds of other buildings. For a period succeeding the great fire, in partnership with his brother, Abner Price, he employed a force of a hundred or more masons and five hundred laborers, and for many years was considered one of the leading contract- ors in masonry in this city. In 1890, he retired from business.

Mr. Price was married in Chicago, in 1848, to Miss Melinda Stoughton, a native of Batavia, Genesee County, New York, daughter of Samuel Stoughton, an early settler of Chicago. Five chil- dren were born to themi, of whom four are yet living, namely: James S., who is engaged in con- tracting in Chicago; George E. and Samuel, who are engaged in mercantile pursuits; Wallace, a maso:1; and Mary, who is still with her parents.

Mr. Price has been a life-long Democrat. He

401

MICHAEL LOCHNER.

has held but one office, that of South Park Com- missioner, in which position he served for six years. He is a member of the Iroquois Club, and both he and his wife belong to the Universalist Church, in which they have held membership since the early days of Chicago. They now worship at St. Paul's Universalist Church. Their first home was at No. 226 Wabash Avenue, later at No. 374 Wabash Avenue, and twenty years ago they removed to No. 1826 Indiana Avenue, where they now reside. Mr. Price still makes a daily trip

down town, usually walking half the distance. He has long been one of the active agents in the growth and development of Chicago, and has ever manifested a commendable interest in its welfare. His life has been upright and his career, both pub- lic and private, is above reprcach. He still man- ifests a deep interest in current events and in those affairs which tend to promote the welfare of the city. He is one of the few living representatives of pioneer days in Chicago, and takes great pleasure in talking of the early times.

MICHAEL LOCHNER.

ICHAEL LOCHNER, a pioneer and prom- inent farmer of Niles Township, was born in Roeddingen, Bavaria, Germany, Sep- tember 5, 1836. His grandfather kept a hotel, and also dealt in lumber, at that place, and his parents, Michael and Susannah (Berchman) Loch- ner, were both born there. The father, Michael Lochner, Sr., was the youngest of a family com- posed of two sons and seven daughters, and was a farmer. In the year 1844, he left his native land to make a home in the New World, and arrived in Cook County, Illinois, settling in Niles Township in July of that year. He bought one hundred acres of land on sections 18 and 19, and continued to reside there until his death, which occurred August 7, 1848, at the age of forty- eight years. His widow survived until 1863, reach- ing the age of fifty-eight. Five of their seven chil- dren grew to maturity. John, thie eldest of these, was shot at the battle of Chattanooga, during the Civil War, while serving as a member of the Thir- teenth Illinois Infantry. Michael, the subject of this biography, is the second. Magdalena married John Brosel, 110w a resident of Niles Township,

and died in Chicago. Killian is a farmer of Pilot Township, Kankakee County, this State; and Michael Medad is engaged in the same occupa- tion in Niles

As shown above, the subject of this sketch was near the completion of his eighth year when the family arrived in Niles, and here all his life has been spent since that time. O11 the 22d of July, 1894, was celebrated at his residence, by friends and relatives, the fiftieth anniversary of his ar- rival here. He had but little opportunity for English studies, attending the primitive public schools of this region two or three months in the winter for a few terms, and during the same time he attended the parochial schools of the vicinity about one year. When he was but twelve years old his father died, and the care of the farm de- volved upon him. From that time he took the lead in the labors of the farm and did a man's work. His mother continued to reside on the homestead until her death, after which he pur- chased the interest of the other heirs and becanie its sole owner. He has disposed of a portion of this farm, retaining but eight acres of the orig-

402

B. J SWEET.

inal farm, to which he has added twenty-eight acres, and he is also the possessor of one hundred acres in Wheeling Township. He has always made farming his business, and has achieved suc- cess. He is a Trustee of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church of Niles Center, and is active in the erection of the fine new church edifice now be- ing constructed by that society. He has served two terms as School Trustee, and has often re-

fused township offices, being averse to engage in the strife for preferment. In matters of National policy, he has always upheld the Democratic party, but takes little part in political action. As a farmer and citizen, he enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellows, and enjoys the blessings of life in a rational and quiet way.

In 1865, Mr. Lochner was married to Terese Baumann, a native of Chicago and daughter of Franz Baumann, formerly of Baden, Germany. Thirteen children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Lochner, of whom eleven are still living, namely: Susan Bridget, wife of Martin Knidl, of

Wheeling, Cook County, Illinois; Agatha, Mrs. William Hoffman, of Morton Grove; Michael, Jr., at home; Mary, wife of Henry Heinz, residing in Niles Center; Peter and Frederick, enployed as grocery clerks in Chicago; Teresa, Annie, Kath- arine, John and Albert, with their parents. Mag- dalena, the seventh, and Caroline, the eighth, died at the ages of five years and four months, respectively.

Mr. Lochner has served in all the hardships and severe labors common to pioneers of this locality. In the early days, all produce was hauled to Chi cago with oxen, and gave very sinall returns for the labor necessary to its production and market- ing. He remembers getting stuck with a wagon in the mud of Randolph Street, between Franklin and Fifth Avenue. Hickory wood sold for a few shillings per cord, and hay was almost a drug in the market. He persevered, and by the work of his own hands won a home and comfort for his declining years.

GEN. BENJAMIN JEFFREY SWEET.

EN. BENJAMIN JEFFREY SWEET, de- ceased, was for many years a well-known and prominent citizen of Cook County, and the history of the community would be incomplete without a record of his life. A native of Clinton County, N. Y., he was born April 24, 1832. His parents were Rev. James and Charlotte (New- ell) Sweet. Their family numbered eight chil- dren who grew to mature years, and several who died in childhood. When our subject was a youth of sixteen, the family removed to Stock- bridge, Wis., where the father was employed as a circuit preacher of the Christian Church for some years. He also devoted much time to missionary work among the Stockbridge Indians. He was an

eloquent speaker, and the many excellencies of his character won him the love and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact. His death occurred during the war, and his wife passed away in 1875. Their family numbered the follow- ing: Benjamin J., of this sketch; John Jay, who was a member of Company K, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, and was killed at Port Hudson during the late war; Elbert E., now of Wisconsin; Mrs. Belinda Blodgett, of Charlotte, Mich .; Mrs. Au- gusta Blodgett, of Charlotte, Mich .; Mary, who lives in Wisconsin; Rose, wife of Obed Dodge; and Mettie, the youngest daughter.

When the family moved to the frontier, they were in limited circumstances, and Gen. Sweet

403

B. J. SWEET.

aided in their support by chopping wood and do- ing farm work. He was ambitious to secure an education, and to this end studied at night, and when he had acquired a sufficient sum to pay his tuition, he attended Appleton Academy for two terms. He thien taught school at Brothertown, and all this time he was carrying on the farm and continuing his studies after the labors of the day were over.

Mr. Sweet was married May 1, 1851, at the age of nineteen, to Lovisa, daughter of Elihu and Martha (Chubbuck) Denslow, of Stockbridge, Wis., who had also lived near the Sweet family in Clinton County, N. Y. After his marriage, Gen. Sweet continued teaching, and also took up the study of law in Stockbridge. At length he was admitted to the Bar and opened an office in Chilton, Wis. In 1858 he was elected to the Wisconsin Senate, and served for two terms, but when the war broke out he put aside all other considerations to enter the country's service. He aided in raising the Sixth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, of which he was commissioned Major, and also helped to organize the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry. His command was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and while encamped in Virginia, opposite the capital, he and Gen. Bragg, who then held the rank of Captain, occupied a cabin together at Arlington Heights. The inac- tion of the army in the spring of 1862 caused him to resign, and he returned home, but the country had his war allegiance, and he aided in organiz- ing the Twenty-first and Twenty-second Wis- consin Regiments, being made Colonel of the Twenty-first, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle of Champion Hills, Col. Sweet was seriously wounded in the neck and right elbow. He was very ill for a year and lost the use of his arm, but at the earliest possible moment he again went to the front, and at Gallatin, Tenn., while still in poor health, built a fort. Later he was appointed Colonel of the Eighth Veteran Reserve Corps, and did guard and court-martial duty in Philadelphia, from whence he came to Chicago to take command of Camp Douglas, of which he was in charge until the close of the war. He was promoted to the rank

of Brigadier-General in 1865. He had from eight to ten thousand prisoners under his care, with a very small guard, and during this time the no- torious conspiracy was formed for liberating the prisoners and capturing the city, but the plan was discovered and thwarted by the heroic ef- forts of Gen. Sweet. No truer soldier fought un- der the Stars and Stripes, or was more loyal to the cause of the union.

When the country 110 longer needed his serv- ices, Gen. Sweet returned to Chilton, where his family had remained during his absence, and re- sumed law practice; but his old clients had gone elsewhere while he was at the front, so he changed his place of residence. In 1868 he opened a law office in Chicago and established his family upon a farm near Lombard, twenty miles from the city. The law firm of Sweet, Wilson & Vallette was formed and did business for some time. Mr. Sweet was appointed United States Pension Agent at Chicago by President Grant, and held that posi- tion until 1870, when he was promoted to be Su- pervisor of Internal Revenue. After the great Chicago fire of 1871, he received the appointment of First Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue for the United States, and in 1872 took his place in Washington, severing his connection with the law office in Chicago. The family, however, re- mained at Lombard. While discharging his du- ties in the Capitol City, he was taken ill with ty- phoid pneumonia, and died a week later, on the Ist of January, 1874.

Mrs. Sweet was killed by the cars in Lombard, August 14, 1878, at the age of forty-eight. They were people of prominence and ever gave their support to the promotion of those interests which they believed would be of benefit to the commu- nity. They usually attended and contributed to the church nearest their home, but were liberal in religious belief. Their family numbered five children, as follows: Ada C., who is United States Pension Solicitor in Chicago, and is a lady of rare intelligence and ability, who is widely known for lier charitable and philanthropic la- bors; Lawrence W., who died at the age of seven- teen, just previous to his father's death; Minnie, who was the wife of C. F. Weber, of Chicago,

404

E. H. PRATT.

and who is now deceased; Martha Winifred, a well-known writer on the staff of the San Fran- cisco Examiner, and wife of Orlow Black, of San Francisco, Cal .; and Benjamin Jeffrey, who lives in Chicago.

Mr. Sweet was a man of strong conviction and was inflexible in his support of what he believed to be right. He was a warm advocate of aboli- tion, and in 1856 he made speeches tlirougliout Wisconsin in support of Fremont. He carried Calumet County for Gen. Grant, the only time it

ever gave a Republican majority. In manner he was genial, friendly and unassuming, and wher- ever he went he won friends. Even those op- posed to him politically had for him the highest respect. He was a diligent student, and mas- tered German and also studied music after he had arrived at mature years. Every duty devolving upon hini was faithfully performed, every trust reposed in him was discharged witlı fidelity, and as a citizen, friend, and business man he was ever honorable, just and true.

EDWIN HARTLEY PRATT, M. D., LL. D.

DWIN HARTLEY PRATT, M. D., LL. D., only surviving son of Dr. Leonard Pratt (see biography in this work), was born at To- wanda, Pa., on the 6th of November, 1849. At the age of three years, in 1852, he came with his parents to Illinois, where he continued for thir- teen years to reside in the township of Rock Creek, Carroll County. After some preparation in the district schools of that township, at the age of sixteen he entered Mt. Carroll Seminary, where he remained one year. On the removal of the family to Wheaton in 1865, he entered Whea- ton College, an institution somewhat widely known as the seat of a single idea-suppression of secret societies. Soon after coming to Whea- ton, Dr. Leonard Pratt joined the Independent Order of Good Templars, of which the son be- came also a member. On learning this, the presi- dent of the college insisted that young Pratt either leave the college or the lodge. To his credit be it said, young Pratt was equally firm with the college authorities in maintaining his principles, and chose the former alternative. He then en- tered the University of Chicago, from which he graduated in the full classical course in 1871. This institution subsequently conferred upon him

the degree of Doctor of Laws, in recognition of his valuable discoveries.

Our subject now took up the study of medicine in his father's office, and also began attendance at the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he graduated in the spring of 1873, being valedictorian of his class. He shortly after took the chair of Anatomy in his alma mater, and pursued at the same time a special study of that branch of medical science under the tutelage of eastern colleges. At the end of three years he resigned, to take the same position in the Chicago Homeopathic College, then just organized. From this he was transferred, at his own request, seven years later, to the chair of Surgery in the same college. This position he filled for six years, when, as the result of his own investigations, dis- coveries and developments, the chair of Orificial Surgery was created for him in that institution, and this he has occupied to the present time.

Dr. Pratt is an original thinker, and has made some revolutions in surgery as the outcome of his own investigation and practice. Naturally, he incurred the opposition and criticism of a large portion of the profession, but this he has almost wholly overcome with his tongue and pen and the

405

W. A. RAV.

demonstrations of the operating room. He has inherited much of the power of oratory of his ma- ternal grandfather, and is a very forcible, succinct and convincing speaker. These qualities have given him great power in the class-room, and he has sent out large numbers of practitioners who are constantly spreading the fame and success of his discoveries. With his pen, Dr. Pratt is no less able and convincing than he is as a speaker, and it is a brave man who now attempts to con- trovert his theories or to detract from his success in the healing art. He is the founder and editor of the Journal of Orificial Surgery, a monthly publication which is now acknowledged as stand- ard and widely quoted by other medical standards. Through his influence, a magnificent sanitarium has been established on the north side of the city of Chicago, facing Lincoln Park. This institu- tion was incorporated in 1890, with Dr. Pratt as President and Surgeon-in-Chief, and an able corps of assistants, and here his specialties in surgery are put in practical operation, to the relief and cure of thousands of sufferers annually. This insti- tution is a magnificent six-story structure, built of buff Bedford stone, 100X120 feet in dimensions, occupying a beautiful site overlooking lovely Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. Here is found every accessory of a comfortable, and even luxuri- ous, home for the invalid. Dr. Pratt is also Pro-

fessor of Surgery and Mental Training in the Lincoln Park Training School for Misses, located in the same section of the city. As is made apparent by the foregoing, his time is very fully taken up, but he is a man of great mental and physical energy, and is fully equal to the tasks which his ability and philanthropy have called down upon him.

Dr. Pratt is a member of the American Insti- tute of Homeopathy and of the Illinois State As- sociation of that school, as well as an honorary member of inany similar State associations. He is a member of the surgical staff of the Cook County Hospital, where his superior skill is often called into play. In his religious and political sentiments, he adheres to the precepts laid down by his honored father.

In June, 1877, Dr. Pratt married Miss Isadora M. Bailey, a native of the State of New York, and a lady well fitted by nature and cultivation as a companion for her talented husband. A son and daughter were given to this couple, but both have been taken away, the foriner in childhood and the latter in infancy. In 1893 Dr. Pratt erected at Wheaton a beautiful home, to which he may retire in summer from the cares and bur- dens of his large practice and other duties in the city of Chicago.

COL. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS RAY.

) OL. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS RAY, a prom- inent business man of Chicago, now residing in Blue Island, was born in Kingston, N. Y., on the 21st of May, 1829, and is a son of Henry M. and Mary S. (Millard) Ray. His mother was a relative of Millard Fillmore, President of the United States. His father was born in Delhi, N. Y., and was a son of Martin Ray, who was

descended from an old Holland family. By oc- cupation the last-named was a farmer, and in Delhi he served as Magistrate. In his family were four sons and four daughters, and the former all became prominent business men of Walworth County, Wis. About 1853, Henry M. Ray re- moved with his family to Delavan, Wis. He had been engaged in manufacturing in the Empire

406

W. A. RAY.

State, but after his emigration westward pur- chased the large farm on which he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring in 1866, at the age of sixty years. His wife long survived him, and passed away in Delavan in April, 1892, the day previous to hier eighty-ninth birthday.

Col. Ray spent the first eighteen years of his life in the place of his nativity, and then removed with the family to Walton, N. Y., where his fa- ther purchased a woolen factory and other proper- ty, which formerly belonged to William B. Ogden, a well-known pioneer and leading business man of Chicago. Mr. Ray also engaged in the manu- facture of lumber, which he floated down the river to the Philadelphia market, and in this line of trade the Colonel entered upon his business career. Later he became foreman in his father's woolen-mill. His education was acquired in the schools of Kingston and in Franklin Institute, from which he was graduated. He entered that school with a view to becoming a civil engineer, and was employed in laying out the Walton and Hancock plank road, which has since become the bed of a railroad.

The Colonel's residence in the West dates from 1856, at which time he removed to Chicago. Soon after his arrival he embarked in farming, and also became a controlling stockholder in the Walworth County Bank, of Delavan, Wis. This organization was afterward merged in the First National Bank of Delavan, of which he became Cashier and chief Manager, thus serving until the fall of 1866, when he again came to Chicago and began dealing in grain, as a member of the firm of E. V. Robbins & Co. On his first arrival in this city, he engaged in business as the junior partner of the firm of S. A. Millard & Co., dealers in agricultural implements. He afterward re- moved to Lacon, Ill., where he organized the bank- ing house of Ray & Brooks. One year later he re- turned toWisconsin. For the long period of twenty- two years he operated on the Chicago Board of Trade, although residing for a part of the time in New York City. He has been for many years a member of the New York Produce Exchange, and his extensive business interests have been so

well and ably conducted that he has become one of the substantial citizens of the community.

In 1887, Col. Ray removed with his family to Pasadena, Cal., and while there was President of the San Gabriel Valley Bank and aided in the organization of the Board of Trade, of which he became Vice-President. In 1890 he took up his residence in Blue Island, building a pleasant home 011 Maple Avenue. He here organized the Calu- met State Bank, of which he is President. He also owns extensive real estate interests in Chi- cago, much of which hie purchased before the great fire.

In the spring of 1864, Col. Ray organized Com- pany F, of the Fortieth Wisconsin Infantry, and on reaching Madison was made commander of the regiment, having previously served as Colonel in the Wisconsin Militia. The troops were or- dered to Memphis, and engaged in the defense of that city. While there, Gen. Forrest made his famous raid on Memphis, and the Fortieth Wis- consin was the first in the line of battle to repulse the attack. Our subject remained in that city until the regiment was disbanded, in October, I864.

Col. Ray has been twice married. In Walton, Delaware County, N. Y., in 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Townsend, who died in Delavan, Wis., in 1858, leaving one son, Platt Townsend, whose death occurred on the 29th of July, 1873, when about twenty-one years of age. The Colonel was again married, October 29, 1862, his union being with Susie C. Kelsey, who was born in Danville, Vt., and came of an old New England family. Her father was Maj. John Kelsey, of Lacon, Ill. Three children have been born of their union: George Chandler, a grain- dealer, who now operates on the Chicago Board of Trade, and resides in Normal, Ill .; Alice Gil- ' christ and Robert Edgerton.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 51

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