Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 55

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

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ELISHA W. CASE.

LISHA W. CASE. The New England Yankee never forgets the home of his child- hood. Wherever he may wander, and in whatever situation he may be placed, visions of his native hills and dells are retained in his mind, and these scenes always recall many little acces- sories which contributed their share towards the

comfort and delight of the youthful mind or body. The typical New England homestead is no less famous for its Christian principles, and the sturdy characters which it has trained and sent forth to leave their impress upon every important institu- tion of the great West, than for its culinary tri- umphs and the superior quality of the pastry

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E. W. CASE.

found upon its hospitable boards. And who knows to what extent the memory of the latter has served to keep alive the recollection of precepts and teachings which have helped to mould the characters of many of the best men and women of the present day?

Elisha W. Case, whose name is identified in the minds of hungry people with one of the most popular articles of daily consumption, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, in January, 1833. He is the youngest son and ninth in a family of ten children born to John Case and Diana Congdon. The Case family is one of the oldest in Connect- icut. Their first American ancestor came, while a young man, from England, and was married in Connecticut, about 1657, to Sarah, daughter of William Spencer. Several successive generations of their posterity have lived in the same locality, and the name is still one of the most common ones to be found in that state.

John, father of Elisha W. Case, was a son of Samuel and Susannah Case. During his youth he became a sailor, and while on board a whal- ing vessel was taken prisoner by a British man-of- war, whose officers claimed him as a subject of the Crown, and he was pressed into the naval service. He made an ineffectual attempt to es- cape, for which he was severely flogged. He finally succeeded in eluding his captors, and re- turned to the United States in time to enlist in the War of 1812, and rendered valuable service at the battle of New London. After the war he learned the trade of a machinist and was em- ployed for many years in the railroad shops at Norwich. With the exception of a few years spent in Washtenaw County, Michigan, this place continued to be his home until his death, which occurred in April, 1847, at the age of six- ty-two years. His wife's death took place about eight years earlier.

At the age of fourteen years, his father having died, Elisha W. Case left home and went to New York City, where he learned his trade in the or- iginal Connecticut pie bakery. In 1854 he came to Chicago and, taking advantage of the wide- spread reputation which everywhere existed for New England cookery, he began the manufacture

of "Connecticut pies" on Milwaukee Avenue, near Halsted Street. This was the first exclu- sive pie bakery in the city. The people employed were all natives of the Nutmeg State, well versed in the culinary art, and the superior quality of their wares, which far surpassed anything previ- ously offered in this market, created a demand for them which has been continuously increasing to the present time.

About 1859 the "Mechanical Bakery" began doing business on Clinton Street. Mr. Case be- canie the foreman of the pie department of the concern, which filled large contracts for supplies for the Union army. In 1869 he severed his connection with this establishment and became a member of the firmn of Case & Martin, which built a large bakery at the corner of Wood and Wal- nut Streets, where the business of exclusive pie- baking was resumed and has ever since been con- ducted. Upon the death of Mr. Martin in 1890, Mr Case became the sole proprietor, and contin- ued to conduct the enterprise until June 1, 1894, when the Case & Martin Company was incorpor- ated.

The fame of their Connecticut pies is well known to everybody in Chicago and many adja- cent cities and towns, and there are few people who cannot testify to their excellence as appeas- ers of appetite. Their goods, which are for the most part hand-made, are prepared from formulas used by the best Connecticut cooks, and such is the demand for this particular article of dessert that about one hundred people are employed in its production, and they turn out from ten thou- sand to eighteen thousand nine-inch pies per day.

Mr. Case is the inventor of the pie wagon which is now used by nearly all bakers and which he began to employ in 1872. He has contrived a number of articles and appliances which are useful in his business, and, though he has spent considerable time and money in experiments, has never patented any of his ideas, some of which have been adopted and patented by others.

June 1, 1851, Mr. Case was married to Eliza Jane Baldwin, daughter of William and Char- lotte Baldwin, of Branfort, Connecticut. Of

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C. T. NICHOLS.

their five children, one died in infancy, and Ever- ett passed away at the age of twenty-five years. The names of the survivors are John M., Elmer G. and Edna J., the latter the wife of P. M. Vermass, all of Chicago. The family is connected with the Western Avenue Baptist Church, in which soci- ety Mr. Case has been a Deacon for twenty-five years. He has voted for every presidential- can- didate nominated by the Republican party, and

though he refrains from political agitation he always endeavors to fulfill his duty as a citizen. In private and social circles as well as in business affairs, he has maintained a reputation for stabil- ity and integrity, which causes him to be among the best known and most highly esteemed citi- zens of this great city, the growth of which has been almost identical with that of his business.

CLIFFORD L. NICHOLS.

LIFFORD L. NICHOLS, of Blue Island, the efficient and well-known Superintendent of the Illinois Division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, was born in Wyanet, Ill., on the 30th of November, 1856, and is a son of David T. and Hulda G. (Barry ) Nichols. The father came to this State in 1839, taking up his residence in the then town of Chicago, where he carried on a harness-shop for several years. In 1846 he removed to Kane County, Ill., where he was engaged in the same line of business for some time. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific Slope, but returned to Illinois the following year, as he did not find that wealth was as easily ob- tained in the West as reports had indicated. In 1853 he removed to Wyanet, Bureau County, where he opened a harness-shop, and in 1854 he became agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at that place, continuing with that company in the same capacity, with the ex- ception of two years, up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 10th of December, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He was born in Broadalbin, N. Y. His wife, who is a native of Madison, N. Y., still resides in Wyanet.

The gentleman whose name heads this record attended the public schools until fourteen years of

age, when he began to learn the art of telegraphy in his father's office. In 1876, having mastered the business, he left Wyanet and secured a posi- tion as operator, train dispatcher and ticket agent elsewhere. He was employed at various points on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad until 1880, when he entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad as train dispatcher. From time to time he won promo- tion as the result of his faithful and meritorious service, until he had become Superintendent of the Eastern Division. Later he was made Super- intendent of the Kansas City Division, and with the exception of a short period remained with that company until 1890, as Superintendent of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Road. He then be- came connected with the Chesapeake & Ohio, and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroads. In 1892 he engaged with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company as chief train dis- patcher at Horton, Kan., and in August, 1893, he came to Blue Island as Superintendent of the Illinois Division of that road, which position he now fills.

Mr. Nichols was married in 1878 to Miss Mabel E. Frans, daughter of Harry B. Frans, of Gales- burg, Ill., and a native of California. They now have four children, Earl, Jessie, Ethel and Allan.

430

C. C. CLAUSSEN.

Mr. Nichols is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and its princi- ples. He is a gentleman of pleasant address, good judgment and rare executive ability. He

has won his way to his present position by the exercise of energy and promptness, and fidelity to the interests of his superiors and just consid- eration for his subordinates have made him de- servedly popular wherever employed.

CLAUS CHRISTIAN CLAUSSEN.

e LAUS CHRISTIAN CLAUSSEN, one of tlie representative business inen of Blue Is- land, is well known throughout this locality, and his many excellencies of character and sterling worth have gained him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. It is therefore assured that the record of his life will prove of interest to many readers. He was born near Heide, in Holstein, Germany, November 18, 1841, and is a son of Thies and Anna (Sluemer) Claussen, who in 1852 came with their family to America, locating in Blue Island, where the father was employed on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad for a number of years. He is still living in this place, at the advanced age of eighty-three. His wife has now reached the age of eighty-two.

C. C. Claussen was a lad of only eleven sum- mers when his parents emigrated to the New World. He attended the public schools of Blue Island, and in 1858 began the study of law with Daniel P. Hoyser, of Chicago. In the following year he abandoned the law and returned to Blue Island, where he taught school until the 15th of August, 1862. At that time he responded to the country's call for troops, and enrolled his name among the boys in blue of Company B, Eighty-second Illinois Infantry. He thius served until June, 1865. He was in the Army of the Potomac until after the battle of Gettysburg, the Eighty-second Illinois being the only infantry regiment from this State that took part in that

engagement. Mr. Claussen was taken prisoner on the first day of the engagement, and was marched, by way of Staunton, Va., to Richmond, and placed in Libby Prison. The troops were afterward encamped on Belle Island, in the James River, and their rations consisted of three ounces of bread and one pint of bean soup per day for one man. Mr. Claussen was paroled on the 26th of August, 1863, and at once returned to the Union lines. In the following October he was exchanged and transferred to Chattanooga, where his command was then stationed. During the remainder of the war he served under Gen. Sher- man. He took part in the battle of Mission Ridge and went through the Atlanta campaign, after which he was detailed and sent to Nashville un- der Gen. Thomas, taking part in the defeat of the rebel, Gen. Hood. He then joined Sherman's army at Goldsboro, N. C., and assisted in the capture of Raleigh, from whence he went to Washington, and took part in the Grand Review in the Capitol City. He was in all the engage- ments of his regiment, except when held a captive by the Confederate forces. He received only one slight wound, and was always found at his post, a faithful and valiant soldier, true to the Old Flag and the cause which it represented. His uncle, Claus H. Heide, enlisted in 1861, in the Twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry, was captured at Chickamauga, and died of starvation at Anderson- ville, after an imprisonment of eighteen months. A cousin, Henry Heide, enlisted in Company B,

CYR Murphy.

Mary murphy

432

NICHOLAS STOLL.

for a time he kept a livery stable, but soon after he retired from active business and devoted his time and attention to the care of his fine-bred horses and chickens, of which he was a great ad- mirer. His stable always contained some sple11- did trotters, which were his delight and pride. After his emigration to America in 1840, Mr. Murphy became a sailor on the Great Lakes, op- erating a vessel, in which he was a part-owner, from Buffalo.

In 1856, at Kingsville, Canada, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Murphy and Miss Mary Malott, daughter of John and Octavia Malott, of Kingsville, Ontario, where Mrs Murphy was born. Their union has been blessed with nine children: John and An, both now deceased; Ettie, wife of E. Schmitt, of Blue Island; Albert, deceased; Mary, wife of A. Piper, of Blue Island; Daniel, who is employed in Chicago and resides in Blue Island; Katie, Robert and William, the

last two deceased. He is also survived by his wife, who holds membership in the Methodist Church.

Mr Murphy was reared in the Episcopal faith, but in later life attended the Universalist Church. He was honest and upright in business dealings, and thereby won the confidence and good-will of all with whom he was brought in contact. In his political views, he was a Republican, and by his ballot always supported that party, but never sought or accepted public office. Although he began life without capital, he was quite success- ful in his undertakings, steadily working his way upward. Good judgment and discreet manage- ment were the secrets of his success, and brought him prosperity. In his beliefs he was firm and decided, and in his habits temperate. He passed away in Blue Island, October 15, 1893, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances mourned his loss.

NICHOLAS STOLL.

ICHOLAS STOLL, a prominent citizen of Blue Island, now engaged in manufacturing in Chicago, was born in the canton of Schaff- hausen, Switzerland, on the 13th of March, 1843. His parents were Nicholas and Elizabeth Stoll. The father was a farmer by occupation, and fol- lowed that pursuit throughout his entire life in Switzerland.

In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject spent his boyhood and youth. He acquired his education in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen started out in life for himself. He began to learn the trade of cabinet-making, which he fol- lowed until 1864, at which time he bade adieu to the friends and home of his childhood and sailed for America. When he had reached the New World he went direct to Chicago, where he worked

at his trade for a few months. He then entered the service of his adopted country, enlisting on the 15th of February, 1865, as a member of Company G, First Illinois Light Artillery, which was sta- tioned at Memphis until the close of the war. He did guard duty most of the time, and when the war was over was honorably discharged, on the 24th of July, 1865.

On his return to Cook County, Mr. Stoll was em- ployed in a factory where were manufactured bil- liard tables, and as the result of his fidelity to duty he soon became foreman of the establishment, which position he filled until the factory was de- stroyed in the great fire which swept over the city in the fall of 1871. He continued to work in the same line of business until 1877 as an employe, but at that time opened a factory of his own at Nos. 179

433

WILLIAM MOAK.

to 183 Illinois Street, where he still conducts an extensive business. His trade has constantly in- creased from the beginning, and employment is now furnished to about sixty men. He has also been a stockholder in the Garden City Billiard Table Company since its organization in 1887.

On the 24th of February, 1868, Mr. Stoll was joined in wedlock with Miss Wilhelmina Kantcher, daughter of Christian Kantcher, a resident of Blue Island. The lady was born in Saxe-Weimar, Germany, and came to America with her parents when a child of three years. Six children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs Stoll, five of whom are yet living, namely: William F., Emma, Otto, Lydia and Edgar. Adelia, the sec- ond in order of birth, has passed away.

Mr. Stoll takes considerable interest in civic so- cieties, holding membership with the Grand Army

of the Republic, Independent Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also belongs to the Blue Island Liederkranz and to Walialla Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. In politics lie is a Republican, having been a stal- wart supporter of that party since he cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. U. S. Grant. He has never been an aspirant for public office, yet served for two years as Trustee of Blue Island. He has built up an extensive business since coming to America, although he brought no capital with him from the Old Country. His success is due entirely to his own efforts, and he may well be called a self-ınade man. He is an intelligent, so- cial gentleman, of pleasing address, and in the community has many warm friends and agreeable acquaintances.

WILLIAM MOAK.

ILLIAM MOAK, one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Bremen Township, now residing on section 29, where he successfully follows farming, claims New York as the State of his nativity. He was born at New Scotland, Albany County, in the year 1833, and is the fourth in the family of six chil- dren whose parents were Robert and Maria (Mc- Millan) Moak. They too were natives of the Empire State. The father spent his entire life on the homestead in Albany County where he was born, and followed agricultural pursuits. His death occurred at the very advanced age of nine- ty-two years, and he retained his vitalities and powers until the last. He was never sick a day in his life and died while at work. His wife was called to the home beyond when about sixty-five years of age. Their children were James N., who now occupies the old homestead farm in New

York; Harriet, wife of Jasper Whitbeck, of Coey- mans, N. Y .; John, who died at the age of thirty- five; Joseph, who also died at the age of thirty- five; and Henry, who departed this life at the age of sixteen years.

The Moak family is of Scotch descent and was founded in America during early Colonial days. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Moak, was born in New York, and in early life removed to Albany County, where he lived until called to the home beyond. During the Revolu- tionary service he entered the Colonial army and served with the rank of Colonel, proving a valiant and faithful officer. He died while at the break- fast table, at the age of seventy-two years.

No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of William Moak, who early became familiar with all the duties of farm life, and remained on the old homestead until nine-

434

G. E. HINMAN.

teen years of age. He then started out in life for himself, going to Utica, where he remained for three years. The succeeding year of his life was passed in Michigan, after which he returned to Utica, and in 1854 he was there united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah S. Ramsdell, daughter of Harry and Lorena (Sweet) Ramsdell, of Utica, N. Y. Harry Ramsdell's father was one of the first settlers of Utica. One sister of Mrs. Moak, Helen M. (Mrs. R. Benton), resides in Chicago, and one brother, Henry S. Ramsdell, resides at Harvey, Il1.

Mr. and Mrs. Moak began their domestic life in Utica, where for about three years our subject was engaged in business as a dealer in pumps. In 1862, he came to Illinois and took up his resi- dence in Bremen Township, Cook County, where he has since made his home. He first purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and with characteristic energy began its cultivation and development. For twenty-seven years he engaged

in the dairy business. He was a pioneer in that enterprise, and was the second man to ship milk on the Rock Island Railroad. He lias also en- gaged to some extent in breeding fine horses.

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moak, two sons and a daughter: Charlie, who is now engaged in the real-estate business at Fern- wood, a suburb of Chicago; Willie, an attorney at law of Chicago; and Minnie L., wife of Dr. G. W. Bishop, of Tinley Park. In 1883, Mr. Moak built his present home, one of the finest residences in this region. In great contrast with this is the old log cabin which was built by the first settler of this land and yet stands upon the farm. It was used as a hotel and postoffice when the city of Chicago contained only two houses. In politics, Mr. Moak has always been a Democrat and is an earnest worker in the party. His support is ever given to worthy enterprises calculated to upbuild and benefit the locality, and he is numbered among the leading citizens of the community.

GEORGE EDWARD HINMAN.

G EORGE EDWARD HINMAN, who is now living retired in Blue Island, has spent an eventful and uscful life. He has aided in two of the wars in which this country has been involved, went through the mining experiences of Pike's Peak, and has ever taken an active part in the growth and development of any commun- ity with which he has been connected. He was born near the scene of one of the Revolutionary battles, in Bennington, Vt., on the 7th of Novem- ber, 1827. His parents, Augustus P. and Har- riet (Seymour) Hinman, were also natives of the Green Mountain Statc. The Hinman family was founded in America by three brothers, who with the early English colonists crossed the Atlantic. One settled in Connecticut, another in New York,

and the third in Vermont. The last-named was the grandfather of Augustus P. Hinman, who re- moved to Litchfield, Conn., during the childhood of the subject of this chapter, and there died in 1857, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife passed away in 1854.

George E. Hinman attended the public schools, and at the age of seventeen began to learn the trade of an iron-molder in Bridgeport, Conn. At the age of twenty he left home, and traveled with a menagerie one season. The following year lie went to New York and enlisted in the Mexican War, but peace was declared when he reached St. Louis, and he was there discharged. He had, how- ever, received a thorough drilling, which proved of great service to him in subsequent military

435

L. D. KLUMP.

movements. He then spent a year or two in the South and West, passing one season 01 a Miss- issippi steamer, during which time he suffered an attack of the cholera. Many of the passengers and crew died, but his vigorous constitution pulled hini through.

In 1850, Mr. Hinman came to Blue Island, where he has since made his home, his time and attention being given to various- pursuits. He engaged in railroading for an extended period, and was conductor of a construction train on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. In 1858, he crossed the plains with teams to Pike's Peak, where he remained one season engaged in mining. The trip, with its opportunities for min- ing and adventure, proved interesting and enter- taining. He was often in danger from the In- dians, but escaped all serious trouble with them.

On the next night after the firing on Ft. Sum- ter, Mr. Hinman, prompted by patriotic impulses, offered his services to the Government in defense of the Union, and became a member of Company I, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, which was raised in Blue Island. He was stationed at Raleigh, Mo., for about a year, and during his service par- ticipated in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, Springfield and Helena. He afterwards joined Sherman's Yazoo expedition, during which the regiment suffered severe losses. He received a slight wound while at the White River, in Arkansas. From Yazoo he went by boat to Arkansas Post, and after the capture of that place he suffered an attack of fever, which so dis-

abled him that he was further inifit for service and was discharged. He then returned to his honie and family.

Mr. Hinman was married in 1851 to Miss Mary A. Fay, of Syracuse, N. Y., and unto them were born the following children: Harriet S., 110w the wife of L. Melvin, of Blue Island; An- nie E., wife of C. Eames, a resident of Blue Island; Catherine R., wife of A. Carr, who is living in Harvey, Ill .; Mary, wife of Cyrus Van- Landingham, also of Harvey; Lydia L., wife of L. Stinson, of the same place; and George E., of Blue Island. They also have sixteen grandchil- dren.

Mr. Hinman is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and his wife belongs to the Uni- versalist Church. He cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. For three years he served as Superintendent of Public Works, Chief of Police, and was Deputy Sheriff for a number of years. In all his public offices he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, thus winning the commendation and confidence of all concerned. As a citizen he displays the same loyalty which caused him to go to the front at the very beginning of the Civil War and continue in the defense of the Old Flag until physically dis- abled for further duty. After spending many years in public service, he is now enjoying the peace and repose to which his labors have justly entitled him.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 55

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