USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed. > Part 59
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In 1866, Mr. Godwin removed to East Liver- pool, Columbiana County, Ohio, where, in co11- nection with other parties, he established a brick- yard and began business for himself. In1 1869, he went to Kansas, but after a few months re- turned to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he resided until 1871, when he came to Chicago and superintended the establishment of a large brick plant for a Bos- to11 firını. This was soon after the great fire. Later he secured the position of Superintendent with the Excelsior Pressed Brick Company at Downer's Grove, Ill., and in 1886 lie becamé
456
FREDERICK HOHMANN.
superintendent of Wahl Bros.' large brick works at Blue Island, having control of the most extensive and finest plant in the West. He was also superintendent of the Alsip Brick Company and the Chicago Brick Company at different times. His first engagement with Wahl Bros. contin- ued for a year and a half, and in 1892 he returned te their employ. The capacity of the works is three hundred thousand bricks per day, and he has over three hundred men under his supervision. Owing to the wise control and able management of our subject, there has been no difficulty with the employes, although brick-makers elsewhere were on an extensive strike in the spring of 1894. Mr. Godwin was the first man to burn brick with coal in the West, the work having been consid- ered impracticable up to that time.
On the 24th of November, 1863, Mr. Godwin was united in marriage with Miss Martha M. Mc- Cutchon, of Allegheny City, Pa., a native of
Columbiana County, Ohio. To them have been born five children, all yet living, namely: William C., George O., Ada G., Lizzie and Bertha.
Mr. Godwin is a member of the Odd Fellows' Society, belonging to Excelsior Encampment No. 2, Chicago Canton No. 35, and the Daughters of Rebecca. He has filled all of the chairs in the Subordinate Lodge, and his wife has filled all the offices in the Rebecca Lodge. He is also a mem- ber of the Grand Lodge of the State. From boy- hood lie was an Abolitionist, and when he attained his majority, he joined the Republican party, which was formed to prevent the further exten- sion of slavery. Since that time he has been one of its stalwart supporters. Mr. Godwin thoroughly understands every detail of brick-making. Every department of the works is daily visited by him, and the uninterrupted success of the enterprise under his charge is largely due to his untiring en- ergy and personal application.
FREDERICK HOHMANN.
REDERICK HOHMANN, the popular Vil- lage Clerk of Blue Island, is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of this suburb, and it is meet that this work present to its readers this record of his life, which will be received with interest by many. He was born in Albany, N. Y., on the 12th of July, 1846, and is the only child of Valentine and Barbara Hohmann. When he was a lad of seven summers he was brought by his family to Cook County, the par- ents locating upon a farm at Des Plaines, where they still reside.
Our subject continued under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself, going to Chicago, where he learned the carpenter's trade. In March, 1871, he
took up his residence in Blue Island, where he em- barked in business for himself, as a contractor and builder, and was thus engaged until 1891. Dur- ing the twenty years which were thus passed, he erected some of the leading structures in the town, including both business blocks and private resi- dences. He was an expert workman, always faithfully fulfilling his part of a contract, and in consequence received a liberal and well-merited patronage.
On the 27th of May, 1869, Mr. Hohmann was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Erhart, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and is a daughter of Christoph Erhart, of Blue Island. Nine chil- dren graced their union, two of whom they lost in childhood. Carrie, another child deceased, was
457
C. F. EIDAM.
the wife of A. LaMore. Those still living arc Florence, Samuel, Daisy, Frederick, Alice and Howard.
Mr. Hohmann is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife holds membership with the Methodist Church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, has taken the Royal Arch Degree, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and warmly advo- cates the principles of that party. In 1879 he was elected Clerk of the village, serving in that capacity for three years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1889, he was again elected to the same office, which he has
held continuously since, making eight years al- together. The duties of the position have so in- creased that for the past two years he has given his entire time and attention to the work. He has met with little opposition in elections, practically being the unanimous choice of his fellow-towns- inen, an honor which is well merited and appre- ciated.
When Mr. Hohmann first came to Cook County, the country about Des Plaines was almost an un- broken wilderness. He has been an important factor in the development of this region, has wit- nessed almost its entire growth and upbuilding, . and well deserves an honorable mention among the uesful and respected citizens of the county.
CHARLES FERDINAND EIDAM.
D HARLES FERDINAND EIDAM, an early settler and representative citizen of Blue Is- land, has for some time been prominently connected with the leading interests of the com- munity. He was born in Ehonstein, Saxony, on the 4th of December, 1830, and is a son of Will- iam and Minnie Eidam. At the age of fourteen, lie began serving an apprenticeship to the shoe- maker's trade, and when his term had expired he worked as a journeyman, being employed in that capacity in some of the leading cities of the Ger- man empire. When a young man of twenty- four he crossed the Atlantic to America. Bidding adieu to friends and Fatherland, he crossed the North Sea to Hull, England, and thence by rail made his way to Liverpool, where he boarded a sailing-vessel, which, after five weeks, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. The accommo- dations for the passengers were not of the best. The provisions were limited, and they endured many hardships while en route. Mr. Eidam, however, became acquainted with the cook, whom he as-
sisted at various times, and thereby obtained some accommodations in the way of food, etc. There were about seven hundred passengers on board, including all nationalities, and among these were thieves and other rough characters, who took this opportunity to prey upon the other passengers. Those who had charge of the vessel did little to preserve law and order, and it became necessary for the better class of passengers to form an or- ganization for mutual protection and keep a con- stant guard over their possessions.
Mr. Eidam landed in July, 1854, and at once went to Buffalo, where he secured work at his trade. Three months later he came to Chicago, and for one year worked on a farm at Dolton. O11 the expiration of that period, in company with his brother Gottfried, who had been liis companion upon the voyage across the Atlantic, he purchased forty acres of land, but they were both so afflicted with fever and ague that they were unfitted for further labor for a time. Mr. Eidam afterward worked at any employment
458
JACOB SCHUMACHER.
which would yield him an honest living until 1857, when he opened a shoe shop in Blue Island, and from that branched into the boot and shoe business, which he successfully carried on in this place, his trade constantly increasing, until 1893, when, on account of impaired health, he retired from business. The store is now operated by his sons, under the firm name of Eidam Bros. The growth and development of this place is somewhat indicated by the fact that a lot which, il1 1851, sold for $400, is now worth $7,000. Mr. Eidam recently purchased one-half of it for $3,500.
Mr. Eidam was married in September, 1857, the lady of his choice being Miss Julia Runge, daughter of Otto Runge. She was born in Prus- sia, and came to America in 1852. Her mother died of cholera while on the voyage. Mr. and Mrs. Eidam now have nine living children: Charles H., who is engaged in the boot and shoe business; Minnie; Emil, who is the junior mem-
ber of the firm of Eidam Bros .; and Emma, Anna, Louisa, William, Edward and Clarence. All are residents of Blue Island.
In his political views, Mr. Eidam is a Repub- lican, and for two years he served as Trustee of the village. He is the oldest living member of the Blue Island Leiderkranz, and is a charter member of the Blue Island Masonic Lodge. The best interests of the community always find in him a friend, and he has taken an active interest in the work of public improvement and advance- ment. He has witnessed much of the growth of Cook County, including the wonderful transforma- tion which has made Chicago the second city in the Union, and he may well be numbered among the pioneers of the community. Through well-di- rected efforts, he has acquired a handsome com- petence, and in connection with his other prop- erty he now owns a fine store building, which was erected in 1886.
JACOB SCHUMACHER.
ACOB SCHUMACHER, foreman of the Chi- cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad round- house and shops at Blue Island, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Sandusky, on the 13th of January, 1856. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Forfellder) Schu- macher, who were natives of Baden-Baden, Ger- many. The father came to America with his par- ents, Martin and Margaret Schumacher, in 1843, and after a year's residence near Pittsburgh, Pa., he removed to Sandusky, Ohio, where he still makes his home. His father there died at the age of sixty-seven years and his mother at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. Jacob Schu- macher held the position of Station Baggage Agent for the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark and the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroads for twenty-four years, and then voluntarily resigned his position, retir- ing in 1893, at the age of sixty-seven.
The mother of our subject came to America with her parents in 1843, and still makes her home in Sandusky. The Schumacher family num- bered nine children: Henry, who is now a dry- goods merchant of Sandusky; Jacob, whose name heads this sketch; Katie, who became the wife of Rev. Jacob Keinle, and died in New Orleans, La .; Peter, who is engaged in the produce commission business in Omaha, Neb .; Martin, who occupies a clerical position in the Exchange National Bank of Sandusky; Fannie, who is still with her parents; and Fred, George and Lena, who died in child- hood.
459
F. O. YOUNG.
Mr. Schumacher whose name heads this re- cord attended the public schools of his native city until thirteen years of age, when he began to study telegraphy. He afterward obtained employment in the boiler-shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road, and thence went to the inachine-shops of the same company, where lie served a four-years ap- prenticeship to the trade. Subsequently he was transferred to Garrett, Ind., where he worked as machinist for two years, but as the climate did not agree with him lie returned to Sandusky, and worked as a millwright. In 1880, he was made foreman of the machine-shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Sandusky, thus serving for five years, after which he entered the shops of tlie "Big Four" in that city. Later we find him working as a machinist in the Pan-Handle shops in Indianapolis, and in 1889 he went to Decatur, Ala., where he took charge of the machine-shops of the Louisville & Nashville Company. He af- terward occupied a similar position in the Santa Fe shops in Argentine, Kan., and in September, 1890, removed to Cheyenne, Wyo., where lie be- came general foreman in the Union Pacific Rail- road shops. In August, 1891, he entered the
employ of the Chicage, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, first having charge of the roundhouse at Stuart, Iowa. In November, 1892, he was transferred to Chicago, as foreman of the machine-shops in that city, and in April, 1893, came to Blue Island, as foreman of the roundhouse and works at this place, which posi- tion he still fills.
On the 30th of January, 1877, Mr. Schumacher married Elizabeth, daughter of George Hassen- flug, and a native of Sandusky. Four children grace their union: Lillian, Fred, Harry and Ed- ward. The family is connected with the Congre- gational Church, and Mr. Schumacher is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and the Order of the Red Cross. By his ballot he supports the Repub- lican party. He is a natural machinist and, hav- ing thoroughly learned his trade in boyhood, he is aptly fitted for the position which he holds. Under his careful supervision the work is thor- oughly and skillfully performed, and the railroad company finds in him a most faithful employe, true to its best interests. He has the confidence of the corporation and the respect of all those em- ployed under him.
FRANK O. YOUNG.
RANK O. YOUNG, a real-estate dealer and enterprising and progressive citizen of Blue Island, claims New York as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Bergen, on the 19th of July, 1854. His father, Joshua P. Young, is represented elsewhere in this volume. The subject of this article acquired his early edu- cation in the common schools, and afterwards en- tered Cornell University, and after pursuing a general course of study in that institution, was graduated therefrom in the Class of '76, with tlie degree of B. S.
Mr. Young began his business career as his father's assistant in a real-estate office, and soon after because a partner. He took part in prepar- ing and developing the site of Harvey (then South Lawn). After a time an extensive propor- tion of the site was sold to T. W. Harvey, and the present nanie was adopted. Upon his father's deatlı Mr. Young succeeded to the business, which he yet carries on with good success. He has platted several additions to Harvey, Blue Island and other suburbs, and owns an interest in the syudicates at Glen Ellyn, Waukegan and Joliet.
460
S. C. REED.
He ever labors for the best interests of his home, and with a progressive spirit, does all in his pow- er for its advancement, improvement and up- building
In 1878 Mr. Young was united in marriage with Miss Alice Eames, who was born in Chicago, and is a daughter of M. C. Eames. They now have a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Olive, Helen, Joshua P., Spencer and Frank. The parents are both mem- bers of the Congregational Church, and are prom- inent people of this community. Their friends are many, and in social circles they hold a high position.
In his political views, Mr. Young is a Repub-
lican, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to give his entire time and atten- tion to his business interests. In 1892 he built on Maple Avenue one of the finest residences in Blue Island. It is equipped with all modern co11- veniences, richly and tastefully furnished, supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and with its well-kept grounds forms an or- nament to the village. Mr. Young is spoken of as a live business man, and his well-directed ef- forts and capable management have brought him success in his undertakings. He is a highly es- teemed citizen and deserves a place in this record of human life.
STEPHEN COLLIN REED.
TEPHEN COLLIN REED, who occupies a clerical position in the County Clerk's office of Cook County, and makes his home in Blue Island, was born in Sodus, Wayne County, N. Y., on the 16th of June, 1846, and is the eldest child of Waterman and Ruth Reed. The father was born in Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., and was a son of Rev. Abner Reed, a Methodist min- ister, who claimed Connecticut as the State of his nativity, and was descended from one of the early Colonial families of New England. During the first part of the present century he removed to New York and became a well-to-do farmer. He also preached regularly during the greater part of his life, and officiated at many weddings and funerals. He and his brother built a church at Bristol Centre, N. Y., and his death there oc- curred in 1862, at the age of sixty-six years. His descendants are quite numerous in Cook and Will Counties, and representatives of the family also live in other parts of the country.
Waterman Reed, like his father, became a
farmer and minister, and in the early '40s he emigrated westward. He cast in his lot with the early settlers of Cook County, locating on a farm at Gooding's Grove, where he lived for a number of years, after which he removed to Palos Town- ship. In 1868 he went to Adair County, Mo., where he is now living upon a farm. He is also engaged in preaching at intervals. He is well remembered by the old settlers of Cook County, and was one of the highly respected citizens of former days.
Stephen C. Reed, whose name heads this no- tice, spent the days of his boyhood in the home of his maternal grandparents in New York. At the age of fourteen he began work in the office of the Wayne Democratic Press, where lie was em- ployed until the fall of 1861, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotismn, he responded to the coun- try's call for troops, enlisting in Company F, Ninety-eighth New York Infantry. He was dis- charged January 23, 1863, but re-enlisted Feb- ruary 27, 1864, in Company G, Thirty-ninth
461
HIRAM GILSON.
Illinois Infantry, in which he served until De- cember 6, 1865, when, the war having closed, he was again mustered out. He was in the army of the Potoniac and the army of the James, and par- ticipated in a number of important engagements, including the seven-days battle of the Wilder- ness. He was with Butler's army in the vicinity of Richmond, and on the skirmish line at Appo- mattox. He took part in the review at Rich- mond, after which his regiment was stationed at Norfolk, Va., and during the last three or four months of his service he was detailed for work in the Government printing-office at Fortress Mon- roe. He was only nineteen years of age when the war was ended, but though young in years he manifested the same fidelity and loyalty which characterized the army life of many an older soldier.
After his first discharge, Mr. Reed came to Illinois, and on the close of the war returned to Chicago. For several years he engaged in farm- ing in Worth Township, and won success along that line. He was married on the 7th of July, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Imogene Crandall, daughter of Heman and Lydia (Bush- nell) Crandall. Her parents were among the first settlers of Cook County, and were here married in 1837. Her mother dated her arrival from 1834, when she came West with her father, Chester Bushnell. Mr. Crandall first located in Illinois in 1833, and his death occurred March 12, 1890,
at the age of seventy-seven years, six months and seven days. In the family were twelve children, eleven of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed have been born four children: Howard, now of Pasadena, Cal .; May, wife of Thomas Quinlin, of Harvey; Fayette W., of Blue Island; and Eva, who completes the family.
Mr. Reed has been a resident of Blue Island since 1883. In 1884 he purchased The Standard, which he published for nearly four years, greatly improving it, both as a mechanical and literary production. In 1887 he was elected Police Mag- istrate, which position he still fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican. He served for four years as United States Gauger, during Harrison's administration, and since Jan- uary, 1894, he has held a clerkship in the County Clerk's office. In Masonic circles he is quite prominent, and holds membership with Calumet Lodge No. 716, A. F. & A. M .; Calumet Chap- ter No. 203, R. A. M .; and Englewood Com- mandery No. 59, K. T. He is one of the char- ter members of Blue Island Post No. 73, G. A. R., and is Past Commander. His public and private life are alike above reproach, and his example is well worthy of emulation. He is recognized as one of the valued citizens of the community, and the history of Blue Island would be incomplete without his biography.
HIRAM GILSON.
IRAM GILSON, of Blue Island, a worthy representative of one of the esteemed pio- neer families of Cook County, was born in Bremen Township, on the 2d of July, 1844. The greater part of his life has been passed in his na- tive county, and he is one of its highly respected
citizens. His parents were Dexter and Elizabeth (Kelly) Gilson. The father was born in Grafton, Vt., April 28, 1812, and during his youthi re- moved to New York City, where he learned the trade of carpenter. While there lie was married, in 1838, to Miss Kelly, a native of Ireland.
462
HIRAM GILSON.
Soon after, they started westward, and by way of the Lakes came to Cook County. Mr. Gilson was offered forty acres of land near the lake shore, at what is now Fifty-second Street, in Chicago, for $500, but not liking the soil he went to the southern part of the county and purchased a tract of wild land in Bremen Township. He had just sufficient capital to pay for his land, but not enough to improve it, so worked at his trade for several years in order to secure funds. He devel- oped and improved his farm as his means would allow, and in course of time became the owner of a valuable tract of land, to which he added from time to time until he was the owner of six hun- dred acres. He was prominently connected with the growth and upbuilding of this region, and was recognized as one of its leading citizens. Up- on coming to the county, Mr. Gilson and his brother-in-law, William Hamilton, built a log- cabin, in which both families lived for some time. They aiso owned a team and breaking plow in partnership, for neither was able to purchase one alone. In walking through the long prairie grass in the morning, it was necessary to carry a bush ahead to shake the dew from the grass, in order to avoid a thorough wetting. Mr. Gilson often walked four miles night and morning to and from his work, being employed as a carpenter at fifty cents per day. The grain which he raised he hauled to Chicago with ox-teanis, and was often- times obliged to unload on the way, owing to the very bad roads.
Mr. Gilson was an industrious and upright cit- izen, who took an active interest in all public im- provements, and with the work of development and upbuilding his name was inseparably co11- nected. He was one of the first farmers to intro- duce a self-raking reaper into Cook County, and also owned the first mowing-machine. His death occurred December 6, 1888, and his wife passed away November 24, 1875, at the age of fifty-five years. They were both attendants of the Univer- salist Church of Blue Island, and Mr. Gilson con- tributed liberally to its support and to the erection of the house of worship. Their children were: Lydia Margaret, who became the wife of F. V. Minard, but is now deceased; Mary Elizabeth,
wife of F. L. Fox, of Chicago; Hiram of this sketch; Amelia, wife of C. M. Day, of Chicago; and Edward Wallace, a farmer residing on the old homestead in Bremen Township.
Hiram Gilson, whose name heads this record, was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and in the summer months aided in the labors of the fields, while in the winter season he attended the public schools of the neighborhood, thus acquiring a good English education. He was found among the defenders of his country during the late war. On the 23d of February, 1864, when nineteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company G, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, known as the Yates Phalanx. The regiment was assigned to the army of the Potomac and he took part in the capture of Ft. Gregg, the battle of Appomattox, and was present at the evacuation of Richimond. At Derbytown Road, near Richmond, October 13, 1864, he was slightly wounded, but contin- ued with his company until October 27, 1864, when, at Charles City Cross Roads, he received a fracture of the skull which kept him in the hos- pital for some time. He took part in the Grand Review in Washington, and was honorably dis- charged on the 6th of December, 1865.
When the war was over, Mr. Gilson returned home and engaged in farming in Bremen Town- ship. In 1871, he removed to Union Township, Benton County, Ind., where he carried on agri- cultural pursuits until 1886, when he returned to Cook County, and began the operation of a part of the old homestead. This property he still owns, as well as his farm in Indiana. For the past five years, however, he has lived retired. In 1889, he came to Blue Island, where he has since made his home, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Gilson was married November 18, 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Helen Burville, who was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of Reu- ben and Lucretia Burville, of Crete, Will County, Ill. They have two sons, Howard Wallace and Bernard. Mr. Gilson is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he has been a Democrat for several years, but his first presiden
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