Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 60

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

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463

E. P. BISHOP.

tial vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. He is a loyal citizen, who manifests the same fidelity to duty in days of peace as wlien on southern battle

fields he followed the Stars and Stripes. For a half century he has resided in Cook County, and well deserves mention among its worthy pioneers.

EDWARD PAYSON BISHOP.

DWARD PAYSON BISHOP, a retired mer- chant living in Worth, was for some years connected with the commercial interests of this place. He possessed good business ability, and by persistent effort, enterprise and industry, he won success and gained the comfortable com- petence which now enables him to lay aside busi- ness cares and enjoy a well-earned rest.

Mr. Bishop has the honor of being a native of Cook County, his birth having occurred in North- field Township, on the 7th of March, 1837. He is a son of Dardanus and Sophrona Julia (Steele) Bishop, both of whom were natives of Essex County, N. Y. The year 1835 witnessed their emigration westward, and saw them located in Cook County. For one year the father was em- ployed as clerk in Philo Carpenter's store at Chi- cago, and during that time his wife made tents for the party who surveyed the route of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The following year they removed to a farm in Northfield Township, where Mr. Bishop purchased land from the Government at $1.25 per acre. This he at once began to cul- tivate and improve, transforming it into a valu- able farın. He carried on a drug store in Lock- port, and in this way earned the money with which to pay for his farm. Returning to his homestead, he there spent the remainder of his days, success- fully carrying on agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in 1859, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife is still living at Douglas Park, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-nine years.

In the family of this worthy couple were four children who reached adult age, namely: Julia

Sophrona, wife of Pleasant Amick, of Chicago; Edward P .; Cornelia, wife of Julius D. Roberts, of Douglas Park; and Sarah Jane, wife of Oliver P. Chisholm, of Bozeman, Mont. The father of this family was an accomplished drummer, serving in that way at various military gatherings from boy- hood. At the 4th of July celebrations in the early days of Chicago, his services were always in de- mand. He was one of the pioneer teachers of Northfield Township, and also served as Deputy County Superintendent. He was one of the early advocates of the anti-slavery movement, and was ever actively and commendably interested in the progress and development of the country.

Mr. Bishop whose name heads this record ac- quired his education in the country schools and in a select school in Chicago. Upon the death of his father, he took charge of the homestead farm, which he carried on for several years. In 1865, he sold the same, and the following year purchased land in Worth Township. There he followed ag- ricultural pursuits for a number of years, and had a well-improved place, which in 1890 he sold to the Alsip Brick Company. A change in his busi- ness life occurred in 1881, when he embarked in general merchandising at Worth Station, opening the first store at that place. This he personally superintended until 1893, when he retired from active business, being succeeded by his sons, who are 110w successful and leading merchants.

On Christmas Day of 1859 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bishop and Miss Elizabeth L. Kerr, daughter of Charles and Anın Kerr, of Ros- coe, Ill., and a native of Montreal, Canada. Nine

464

C. W. BISHOP.

children have been born of their union, two of whom died in infancy. Those still living are Ed- ward P., Ida, Minnie, Lizzie, Carl, Perry and Ethel. Mrs. Bishop is a member of the Congre- gational Church of Blue Island. In his political views, Mr. Bishop is a Republican, having sup- ported that party since he cast his first Presiden- tial vote for Abraham Lincoln. Since 1883, he has

served as Postmaster at Worth, and for the past twelve years has been Justice of the Peace, dis- charging his duties in a prompt and able manner, which has won him the commendation of all con- cerned. He is a public-spirited citizen, and he and his family command the confidence and esteem of the whole community.

CHARLES W. BISHOP, M. D.

HARLES W. BISHOP, M. D., of Tinley Park, Bremen Township, Cook County, was born in Shattuck's Grove, Boone County, Ill., November 26, 1854, and is one of four chil- dren whose parents were George Washington and Mary J. (Whitney) Bishop. Three of the family are yet living: Frank H., of the Union Stock Yards, Chicago; Ida J., wife of H. C. Dexter, of Chicago; and the Doctor. The father of this family was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1824, and his parents, William and Lillie Bishop, were also natives of the Green Mountain State. When George W. Bishop was a child of five years, the family removed to New York, locating in Chau- tauqua, where he made his home for fifteen years. He then came to Illinois, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar. For several years he carried on merchandising in Belvidere, Ill., and in 1856 he removed to Minnesota, locating in Mower County. While there he was elected Sheriff. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlist- ing in the spring of 1861 as a member of Com- pany A, Fourth Minnesota Infantry. After long and arduous service in the field, he was dis- charged on account of disability, but was subse- quently appointed Quarter-master of tlie One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He participated in

the battles of Corinth, Pittsburg Landing, Fair Oaks, and many others, and was several times wounded. In 1865 he was mustered out with the rank of Lieutenant, and on returning to private life he settled in Austin, Minn., where he was elected County Commissioner, serving in that capacity for eight years. During the year follow- ing the great fire, he came to Chicago and em- barked in the real-estate business, which he fol- lowed throughout his remaining days. He was possessed of energy and force of character in an uncommon degree, and was a representative man in the various communities in which he lived. His death occurred February 17, 1889, at the age of sixty-five, and his widow is still living in Chicago.

Mrs. Bishop is a daughter of James W. and Betsy (Harper) Whitney. Her mother was a relative of the noted Harper Brothers, of New York City. In the Whitney family were eight children, including Col. L. H. Whitney, one of the distinguished attorneys of Chicago. Mrs. Whitney's mother is still living in Kingston, Ill., in her ninetieth year. The father of James W. Whitney was born in Massachusetts, and was a soldier in the War of 1812.

William Bishop, our subject's paternal grand- father, was born in New England, and was also a soldier of the War of 1812. The great-grand-

465

HENRY LE BEAU.

father, Jager Bishop, was a native of Scotland, and was in the English service, on board a man-of-war, during the Revolution. After its close he settled in Vermont, where he married and spent his remaining days.

Dr. Bishop whose name heads this record was a small boy when the family removed to Minne- sota, where he lived until 1862, when, on ac- count of the Indian massacre, his mother returned with her children to her father's home in Illinois, her husband being then at the front, engaged in1 the struggle to preserve the Union. After the war was ended they returned to Minnesota, where they lived until 1871, when they made a perma- nent location in Chicago. The Doctor acquired his literary education in the public and High Schools of this city. Subsequently he purchased a drug store, which he carried on for three years,

and then took a four-years course in the Bennett Eclectic College, from which he was graduated in 1878. In 1876 he settled in Tinley Park, and since that time has been successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession.

On the 2d of May, 1883, Dr. Bishop was joined in wedlock with Miss Minnie Moak, daughter of William and Hannah (Ramsdell) Moak, of Bremen Township. She hastwo brothers, Charles S. and William B., well-known business men of Chicago. Dr. Bishop and his wife have one daughter, Cecila Louise. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to both the Blue Lodge and Chapter of Blue Island, and in the latter he is now an officer. His skill and ability in the line of his profession have won him a liberal patronage and a most excellent reputation.

HENRY LE BEAU.

ENRY LE BEAU, Superintendent of the fac- tory of the Alsip Brick Company at Blue Island, was born in Danielsonville, Conn., 011 the 22d of March, 1853. His parents, Paul and Margaret (Fischer) Le Beau, were also na- tives of the Nutmeg State, and were of French descent. The mother is now deceased, having passed away in Canada in 1885. The father re- sides at Sultan Flats, Canada, where he is en- gaged in farming. The family of this worthy couple numbered ten children, namely: Paul, Nelson and Thomas, all of whom reside in Can- ada; Henry of this sketch; Armeddie, who makes his home in Canada; Fred, who is living in Ver- mont; Joseph, a resident of Blue Island; Jos- ephine, wife of Peter Le Beau, of Blue Island; Margaret, whose home is in Massachusetts; and Mary, also a resident of Canada.

At the age of four years Henry Le Beau ac-

companied his parents on their removal to Can- ada, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He received a limited education in French, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he began learning the carpen- ter's trade. In 1874, he started westward and took up his residence in Nebraska, where he spent about a year. In 1875 he came to Chicago and secured a situation in the Alsip Brick Yard, then located at Thirty-ninth Street. With that firn1 he has since continued, one of their trusted and faithful employes. He began in a most humble position, but his merit and fidelity to duty have continually won him promotion, until he has now reached the position of foreman of the yards at Blue Island, having thus served since the factory was started in 1892. He has under his control one hundred and twenty-five men, and ably man- ages the works, which are a paying investment.

466

JOHN CRANDALL.

In 1873, Mr. Le Beau was united in marriage with Miss Addie Lasont, a native of Canada, and their union has been blessed with three children, a son and two daughters, Napoleon, Addie and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Le Beau are both members of the Catholic Church. The former gives but

little attention to political affairs, devoting his undivided efforts to the success of the business of which he has charge. Having learned every de- tail thereof by practical experience, he is amply fitted for tlie responsible position which he is so ably and satisfactorily filling.

JOHN CRANDALL.

( OHN CRANDALL, who for more than sixty years has been identified with the growth and upbuilding of Cook County, well deserves mention among its honored pioneers. He can re- late many incidents of the frontier days, and in the work of developing the county he ever bore his part. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Moira, Franklin County, N. Y., October 4, 1830, and is a son of David and Har- riet (Thurston) Crandall. His grandfather, John Crandall, was a native of Vermont, and married a Miss Austin. About the beginning of the pres- ent century, he removed with his family to New York, and both he and his wife spent their last days in Franklin County.

In the spring of 1832, David Crandall, accom- panied by his wife and children, emigrated to Il1- inois, making most of the journey by team. They lived for two years in Homer Township, Will County, althoughi a part of the summer of 1832 was spent at Ft. Dearborn, whither all the set- tlers fled for protection during the Black Hawk War. For several years after that encounter, the Pottawatomie Indians remained in the neighbor- hood, and were very peaceful, giving the settlers little trouble. From Homer, Mr. Crandall re- moved in 1834 to Bremen Township, Cook Coun- ty, and subsequently took up his residence in Thornton Township. About 1843, he removed to Dade County, Mo., where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1863, at the age of six-

ty-one years. His wife passed away in 1844. She was born in Franklin County, N. Y., and was a daughter of John Thurston, a native of England. Her mother was of Scotch birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Crandall were born ten children, namely: Julia, the widow of Simeon Abbott, of Guthrie, Iowa; Ruby, deceased, wife of Dyer Ritchie; William B., deceased; Clarissa, de- ceased, wife of Henry Paul; John; Jane, wife of William Powell, of Michigan City, Ind .; Clark C., who makes his home in Kansas; Daniel L., who is living at Oak Lawn, Cook County; Mrs. Sarah Sweet, of Blue Island; and Ellen, wife of Frederick Gardner, of Thornton, Cook County.

John Crandall was a child of only two years when brought by his parents to Cook County, and was a youth of thirteen summers when, witlı the family, he removed to Missouri. Two years later he returned to Cook County, where he has since made his home. His education was ac- quired in the district schools of Thornton and Bremen Townships, and upon returning to Cook County from Missouri, he began life as a farmi laborer. Soon after he began dealing in live stock on a small scale, and in 1854, with the cap- ital which he had acquired, he purchased a farmi of forty acres in Bremen Township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1858, when he purchased a part of his present farm in Worth Township. To this he has added from time to time as his financial resources have increased,

467

J. L. ZACHARIAS.

until he now has two hundred and forty acres 011 sections 18 and 19, Worth Township, beside other lands in Palos, Bremen and Worth Town- ships. When the Wabash Railroad was opened across his farm in 1880, the station of Worth was established, and most of the town has been built upon his land. In 1890, he erected a comforta- ble residence here and retired from active busi- ness, renting his farms. For several years past, to a greater or less extent, he has been engaged in dealing in real estate.

Mr. Crandall was married on the 22d of No- vember, 1855, to Jane Mckenzie, of Bremen Township, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and is a daughter of William and Janet McKen- zie, who came to America in 1835, and for one year lived in New York City. They then re- moved to Washington County, N. Y., and while there the father joined the United States army for service in the Mexican War, during which he was wounded and honorably discharged, but never reached his home. He was a stone-mason by trade, and was a highly respected man. His wife still survives him, and is now living in Worth. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have a family of six children: James Alfred; Harriet Janet, wife of Benjamin Crandall, of Piper City, Ill .; Ruby Clarissa, wife of Thomas Sproat, of Marley, Ill .; Mary, wife of Lewis Biedenkloff, of Chicago; Daniel Lincoln; and Ellen J.

Since the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Crandall has been one of its stalwart sup-

porters, and takes a warm interest in everything that pertains to its growth and success. He served for nine years as School Trustee of Worth Township, and has also filled other offices, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a self-made man, who began life for himself at the age of fifteen years without capital, but has steadily worked his way upward and by his own unaided efforts has achieved his present success. Persever- ance, patience and integrity have been important factors in his business career. Mr. Crandall has witnessed the development of Cook County from an almost unbroken wilderness. He remembers herding cattle about the old Southern Hotel, which stood at the corner of State and Twelfth Streets, and recalls many other interesting inci- dents of pioneer days. Among other things, he recalls the first United States land sale held in Chicago, in 1835. There was much excitement and consternation among the settlers who had made squatter's claims, owing to the fact that a number of eastern capitalists were known to be in the city with the intention of bidding off the improved lands. When the day of sale arrived, David Crandall, as spokesman for the settlers, boldly announced that any man who dared bid against an actual settler would meet with sum- mary justice. This determined stand had the de- sired effect, and the sale passed off quietly, most of the squatters bidding off the lands which they had claimed and improved without opposition.

JOHN L. ZACHARIAS.

OHN L. ZACHARIAS, the popular Presi- dent of the village of Blue Island, and promni- nently connected for many years with its commercial and official interests, was born in Bremen Township, Cook County, Il1., on the

26th of June, 1862, and is a son of Frederick and Christina Zacharias. Frederick Zacharias, who was born in Saxe-Weimar, Germany, came to America in 1851, settling on a farm in Bremen, where he resided for twenty years. In 1871 he

468

G. P. MEYER.

removed to the village of Blue Island, and dealt in flour and feed until 1883, when he retired from business. He served three terms as Supervisor of Worth Township, and was an active business man and public-spirited citizen. His deathı occurred on New Year's Day, 1894, at the age of nearly seventy years. Mrs. Christina Zacharias is still living at Blue Island.

John L. Zacharias, who is the youngest child and only son of his parents, attended the public school, and subsequently took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Chicago. In 1883 he succeeded to his father's business, in which he is still engaged, doing an extensive trade in flour, feed and hay. He was married on the 29th of November, 1884, to Louisa, daughter of George Luchtemeyer, a well-known citi- zen and magistrate of Blue Island, where Mrs.

Zacharias was born. Four children grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Zacharias, named respect- ively Frederick L., Myra, Emily and Helen. The family residence at the corner of York Street and Greenwood Avenue, now in process of com- pletion, is one of the most substantial and ornate in the village.

Mr. Zacharias is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and is an earnest and enthusiastic sup- porter of the Republican party. He was elected

to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1887, and has since continuously and conscientiously dealt out even-handed justice to the denizens of the village, his fair and unprejudiced decisions in- spiring the confidence and respect of litigants and the public generally. He has always taken a lively interest in all enterprises calculated to up- build and improve this locality, in which he has important real-estate interests. He was one of the corporators of the Cottage Building and Loan Association, which has done much to advance the growth and prosperity of the town, and has been one of its Directors since its organization. In the spring of 1894 he was chosen by a large majority to fill the office of President of the Village Board, and upon his inauguration was presented with a magnificent gold star as a token of the high re- gard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. In the serious crisis precipitated by the great strike of railway workmen in the summer of 1894, he maintained a calm and impartial attitude, striving to protect alike the rights and property of workmen and corporations. While his actions were adversely criticised by some of the metro- politan press, it is conceded, in the light of subse- quent events and calm consideration, that he pur- sued the only safe and dignified course.

GEORGE P. MEYER.

G EORGE P. MEYER, a real-estate dealer of Blue Island, claims Denmark as the land of his birth, which occurred in the village of Reinsbuettel, Herzog, Holstein, on the 19th of March, 1835. This territory is now a part of Germany. His parents were John and Heinke (Chlufer) Meyer. His mother died in Denmark, and in 1861 his father crossed the Atlantic to the New World, spending his remaining days in the

home of his son George, where he died at the ripe old age of eighty-five.

Mr. Meyer acquired a common-school education in the German language, and worked upon his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he determined to try his fortune in the United States. The year 1854 witnessed his emigration. He came direct to Chicago, and was first employed at farm work in the vicinity, after which he engaged

469

F. F. KEITH.

in building railroads, doing business as a coll- tractor for several years. In 1858, he purchased a tract of wild prairie land in Worth Township, paying for the same $9.50 per acre. With char- acteristic energy, he began its cultivation, plow- ing and planting the hitherto raw tract, which was now made to yield to him a good return for the care and cultivation he bestowed upon it. He afterward made additions to his farm, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty-three acres; but a part of this he has since sold. He owns al- together three hundred and thirty acres of land in Cook County, besides numerous pieces of vil- lage property in Blue Island and Morgan Park. In 1882, he removed to the former place, and for two years engaged in dealing in agricultural im- plements. Since that time he has devoted his en- ergies to the real-estate business, buying and sell- ing extensively for himself and others. While living on his farm he gave considerable attention to breeding draft horses, and still owns some val- uable animals. He now carries on a general real- estate, loan and insurance business.

On the 30th of March, 1860, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Johanna Buch, a native of Holstein, and a daughter of John Buch, an early settler of Bremen Township, now deceased. To

Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born seven chil- dren, who are yet living: Henry, a farmer of Worth Township; Freda, wife of F. Randall, of Blue Island; Julia, wife of James Fullerton, of Blue Island; Elizabeth, wife of Wendell Heckler, of the same place; Frederick, who is there engaged in painting; Augusta and Willie, who are still un- der the paternal roof.

Mr. Meyer and his family are all members of the German Evangelical Church, and he is also a prominent member of the Odd Fellows' Society, belonging to the Subordinate Lodge and the Blue Island Encampment. He likewise holds inem- bership with the Blue Island Liederkranz. In politics, he has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has been honored with sev- eral local offices, having served as Assessor of Worth Township, while for twelve years he has filled the position of School Trustee. Although he received no English education, he reads, writes and speaks the language better than many native- born citizens, and is a lover of this country and her free institutions. His success is due to per- severance, good judgment and honorable dealing, and his prosperity is the just reward of his labors.

FREDERICK F. KEITH.

REDERICK F. KEITH, the well-known and popular editor of the Harvey Citizen, published in Harvey, has been connected with this paper since 1892. In October, 1891, the paper was founded by the E. Arthur See Com- pany, of which Mr. See was the prime mover and editor in charge. He began the publication of the Citizen as an independent paper, and took a stand in favor of the Prohibition policy, and in absolute opposition to the saloon element and to

all favoritism in municipal government. He man- fully took the side of everything which was cal- culated to advance the best interests of the village, believing its moral status fully as important as the financial standing of the municipal treasury. He successfully conducted his paper as a weekly pub- lication for one year, and on the Ist of December, 1892, sold the plant to Frederick F. Keith, who has conducted it continuously since on the same independent basis and the same general policy.

470

WADE ERRETT.

Mr. Keith, though a young man, is thoroughly identified with the interests of the village, and de- serves personal inention in this volume. He was born in Dansville, N. Y., about twenty-six years ago, and in common with the other boys of his native town attended the common schools. He afterward attended the Genesee Wesleyan Semin- ary, of Lima, N. Y., for two years, taking a special course. At the age of fourteen years lie entered upon what has been his life work, becom- ing an apprentice in the printing-office of the Danville Breeze, which has made a name for it- self among the humorous papers of the country. Here he became a practical printer, versed in all the duties of a country printing-office.

In the spring of 1892, Mr. Keith came to Har-

vey and entered the employ of the E. Arthur See Company, becoming foreman of the office, in which position he remained until he purchased the paper and took charge of its affairs. Previous to that time lie was in Chicago for about eight months. His office is well equipped with a cylinder book job press and two smaller job presses, all run by electric power, and a fine outfit of type. The office does a great deal of fine job work, turning out a great number of circulars, pamphlets, etc. The paper is conducted as a weekly publication, and has a large circulation in the village. Mr. Keith's interests are all identified with the village in which lie makes his home, and in the com- munity he has many friends.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 60

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