Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 66

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

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505

MATERNUS SCHAEFER.

Mr. Lunt, however, who, in riding one day, vis- ited the present site of Evanston, the business was deferred, and his judgment led to the selection of the spot where now stands the University. To this institution he has contributed in time, energy and money, and while he was in Europe the board set aside land, now valued at $100,000, which he had given, as the Orrington Lunt Library Fund. Desirous, also, to render possible the erection of a suitable library building, he has given $50,000 toward the one now in process of completion. This splendid building is of Bedford stone, beau- tiful in style, graceful and enduring. The finest structure on the campus, it is a fitting memorial of the man whose name it perpetuates in the let- ters carved upon its noble entrance: THE OR- RINGTON LUNT LIBRARY. He has always been on the executive committee of the school, and has been largely instrumental in the success of the institution. He was early connected with the Chicago Orphan Asylum, and raised nearly $20,- 000 to complete the edifice, while a member of the building committee in the summer of 1854.

The Chicago fire consumed the home of Mr. Lunt and all of the buildings from which he de- rived an income. The winter following he served on the Special Fire Relief Committee. Many Methodist Churches and the Garrett Biblical In- stitute also suffered great losses, and a committee to devise means for their relief was appointed by the Rock River Conference. Arrangements were made to solicit funds, and Mr. Lunt became Sec-

retary and 'Treasurer. For eighteen montlis lie was actively engaged in the disbursement and collection of the money raised, about $150,000. By this means he was enabled to rebuild the Gar- rett building, the structure being finer than the foriner one. When he could find tinie for his own work he built the fine banking-house occupied by Preston, Kean & Co. He has truly borne his part in the upbuilding of Chicago.

On the 16th of January, 1842, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lunt, and a lialf- century later was celebrated their golden wedding. Two hundred friends met to extend to this worthy couple their congratulations for the happy years that had passed, to review the lives so well spent, and to wish them the return of many more such pleasant occasions. The co-workers of Mr. Lunt in church, in business and in his university labors all bore their testimony, not only to his pleasant companionship, but to his honorable, upright life and exemplary character. Many beautiful gifts attested the esteem and love of guests, which could not be expressed in words alone. Al- though Mr. Lunt has led a very prominent life, he is yet retiring and very unassuming in man- ner. He has followed the Golden Rule, has walked in the light as he saw it, has been un- wearied in well-doing, and when he shall have been called to the home beyond he will leave to his family what Solomon says is better than great riches, "a good name."

MATERNUS SCHAEFER.

M ATERNUS SCHAEFER, a retired farmer residing in Gross Point, has, as the result of his enterprise and industry in former years, acquired a competency that now enables him to lay aside business cares. Heclaims Prus- sia as the land of his birth, which occurred on the 26th of August, 1833. He is the eldest in the family of thirteen children born to Peter and

Lena (Bleser) Schaefer. In 1843 the parents bade adieu to the Fatherland, and, having crossed the briny deep to the New World, took up their residence in New Trier Township, Cook County, where they continued to make their home until called to their final rest. The father died June 12, 1894, in his ninetieth year, and his wife passed away in 1891, at the age of seventy-nine. They

506

GEORGE WEIMER.

were well-known and highly-respected people, and further mention of them and their children is made in connection with the sketch of John Schaefer, on another page of this work.

The gentleman of whom we write became fa- miliar with farming in all its details at an early age. He was married on the 26th of August, 1854, to Miss Mary Schaefer, daughter of John Schaefer, a tanner. She was born in Prussia, November 4, 1835, and died May 21, 1891, the last of her family to pass away. Fourteen chil- dren were born of this union, seven sons and seven daughters, of whom two sons and six daugh- ters are yet living, namely: Katrina, who was born March 4, 1856, and is the wife of Louis A. Brucks, a real-estate dealer and insurance agent of Englewood; Christina, who was born Decem- ber 19, 1857, and is the wife of Mathias Wagner, a carpenter and contractor of Englewood; Anna Maria, who was born March 26, 1861, and is the wife of Gerhard Steffens, a liquor dealer of Gross Point; Peter Joseph, who was born December 29, 1862, and is a contractor and builder of Wilmette; Frank, who was born October 18, 1864, and fol- lows farming at Gross Point; Helena, who was born February 21, 1867, and is the wife of Peter

Sesterhenn, an agriculturist of the same locality Margarite, born November 24, 1868, wife of Max Engels, who is engaged in the beer-bottling busi- ness at Gross Point; and Eva, who was born No- vember 13, 1870, and is the wife of Willianı Wer- ner, a teamster of Chicago.

Mr. Schaefer and his family are Catholics in religious faith, belonging to St. Joseph's Church in Gross Point. He cast his first Presidential vote for Buchanan, then supported Lincoln, and has since been a stanch Republican. He has filled the offices of Town Collector, was President of the Village Board for thirteen years, and has been School Director for a quarter of a century. He is a member of St. Joseph's Library and Sick Benefit Association, and is a loyal citizen, devoted to the best interests of the community. He now owns thirty-five acres of valuable land on section 33, New Trier Township, besides a number of residences in Wilmette. He is a worthy repre- sentative of an honored pioneer family, and is a highly-respected citizen, whose excellencies of character have gained for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

GEORGE WEIMER.

G EORGE WEIMER is one among the repre- sentative citizens of Lemont. He was born in Nassau, Germany, on the 23d of Septem- ber, 1835, and is a son of John and Margaret (Weis) Weimer. The father was a blacksmith, and died when George was only five years old. Three years later, Mrs. Weimer became the wife of John Noll.

Our subject was the third in a family of four

children, two sons and two daughters. At the age of five years, he began to attend the public schools, and finished the course at the age of twelve. During the next two years he attended the high school and also took lessons as a private student, acquiring a good practical education. In 1853, he left Germany for the United States, and landed at New York on the 23d of August of that year. In New York City and Raritan, New Jer-

507

GEORGE WEIMER.

sey, during the succeeding two years, he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, after which he started westward, arriving in Chicago August 23, 1855. There he learned carpentering and made the city his home until the latter part of 1857, a portion of the time being engaged as a carpenter and builder. In November of that year he went to Europe and returned with his parents and their family the following spring. They settled near Downer's Grove, Du Page County, and Mr. Weimer resided in Chicago, where he did business as a contractor. He erected many buildings in various parts of Cook County. In 1860, he came to Lemont.

On the 23d of June, 1861, Mr. Weimer and Miss Elizabeth C. Hein were united in marriage in this place. The lady is a native of the same town as her husband and came to America with her parents in 1856.

After two or three years' residence in Lemont, Mr. Weimer removed to Chicago, where he was engaged in merchandising until- 1865, at which time he went to New Buffalo, Michigan, and car- ried on contracting and building, erecting more than a hundred buildings during his stay there. For years he devoted his time and attention to merchandising, and also held the offices of Asses- sor and Supervisor from 1867 until 1877. For ten years he was also Justice of the Peace. In 1877, he returned to Lemont, where he has since resided. For a short time, in company with his brother, Andrew Weimer, he conducted a wagon and blacksmith shop, but during the greater part of the time he has been a contractor and builder. In 1879, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and held that office for four years. In 1893, he was again elected to that position, and is kept busy during the greater part of the time in the discharge of his official duties.

Mr. and Mrs Weimer have become the parents of seven children, namely: George A .; Rosa, wife of Peter Meilinger, of Chicago; Mary Ann, Joseph M., Maria Elizabeth, Frank Joseph and Benjamin Franklin.

George A. Weimer, of Lemont, is a son of George and Elizabeth C. Weimer, whose sketch is

given above. He was born at this place on the 5th of June, 1862, and obtained a good education in the schools of the town, where he spent his early life, attending until nineteen years of age. In 1882, he began to learn the drug business, and continued in that line until May, 1893, becoming in the mean time a very proficient pharmacist. His first employer was G. A. Bodenschatz, with whom he remained six years, when J. G. Boden- schatz succeeded to the business, and Mr. Weimer spent the remaining years in his employ. His genial disposition and good character made him a favorite with Lemont people, and when but twenty-one years of age, he was elected to office, and from that time to the present he has filled some public position. In 1883, he was elected Town Clerk and filled that office until 1888, when he was appointed City Clerk, thus serving until the next election, when he was elected. In dis- charging the duties of that position his time was passed until April, 1893, he being annually re- elected. At the last-mentioned date, he was elected Township Supervisor, and was again the people's choice in 1894. In 1893, he was ap- pointed to a place in the County Treasurer's office, which he held until February, 1894, when he was made deputy in the office of the Recorder of Deeds in Cook County, in which capacity he is now serving. In the fall of the present year (1894) he was nominated by the Democracy as the can. didate of that party for State Senator from the Seventh Senatorial District.

On the 22d of October, 1883, Mr. Weimer was joined in wedlock with Miss Lizzie V. Hettinger. daughter of George Hettinger, who came to Le- mont about 1863. He was a member of the first volunteer fire company of Chicago. To them four children, two sons and two daughters, were born, all of whom died of diphtheria in less than two weeks' time, in May. 1893. The death of his children destroyed Mr. Weimer's faith in the ef- ficacy of medicines and caused him to abandon pharmacy. He is an ardent and influential sup- porter of Democracy and a member of several fra- ternal societies.

508

W. S. WHITE.

WILLIAM S. WHITE, M. D.

ILLIAM SEYMOUR WHITE, M. D., is a native of Greenwood, McHenry County, Illinois, and was born on the 30th of De- cember, 1864. The records show, and the Doc- tor modestly admits, that he is descended on thie maternal side from Francis Capet (Coquilette), the Huguenot half-brother of Louis XIV., King of France, who, on account of the persecutions to which tliat sect was subjected, fled to America, and, changing his name to Coquilette, became the progenitor of a numerous family in Westchester County, New York, and later removed with his family to Rockland County, New York. His de- scendant, Willianı Coquilette, the great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch, died in Rock- land County, New York, at an early age. Maria (Garrison) Coquilette, his wife, died at the age of eighty-eight years. Peter Cook, Dr. White's maternal grandfather, a native of New York and a descendant of the Knickerbockers, married Eletta, daughter of William and Maria Coquilette.

Capt. William White, the paternal grandfather of Dr. White, was born in the city of Gottenburg, Sweden, in 1813, and at an early age became a

sailor. In his voyages, Capt. White carried troops to Mexico while the United States was at war with that country, transported the first ship- load of stone for the construction of Ft. Moultrie, and twice circumnavigated the globe. His wife, who still survives him, was Mary Ehrhardt, of Philadelphia.

William R. White, the father of the subject of this sketch, and the son of Capt. William and Mary White, was born in New York City, in 1841, and has been engaged in mercantile pur- suits all his life. He married Emily A. Cook, daughter of Peter and Eletta Cook, two children,

William S. and Wilomene T., being the result of this union.

William S. White came to Chicago with his parents in 1865. He received liis education in the public schools of Chicago. His first work was in the grocery store of John A. Tolman & Co., where he remained a year. He later entered the employ of D. S. Munger & Co. as office boy, and in three years worked his way upward to the position of cashier. In 1884 he entered the Chi- cago Homeopathic Medical College. At that time the course required only two years, but he at- tended three years, and during the season of 1886-87 demonstrated anatomy to the class of which lie was a member, and also a part of that time to the senior class. He graduated in 1888. Following his graduation, he was successful in winning honors in a competitive examination, and during the years 1888 and 1889 was interne in the Cook County Hospital for eighteen months. Subsequently he was called to Rochester, New York, where he opened and put in practical oper- ation the Rochester Homeopathic Hospital, com- inonly known as the Monroe Avenue Hospital.

Returning to Chicago, Dr. White entered into the general practice of medicine and dermatology, in which he has since been engaged, with office at No. 70 State Street. In the fall of 1889 lie re- ceived the appointment of Demonstrator of An- atomy in the Chicago Homeopathic College. In 1890 he was made clinical assistant in the depart- ment of dermatology, and in 1893 was appointed Adjunct Professor of Physiology in the same insti- tution. In January, 1893, he received the ap- pointment of Dermatologist in the homeopathic department of the Cook County Hospital, and still fills all of these positions. He is a member

509

JEROME BEECHER.

of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association and of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He holds membership in two fraternal organiza- tions, being medical examiner in the Improved Order of Heptasophs.

On the 5th of October, 1892, Dr. White was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle Stone, of Charlotte, Vermont, daughter of Luther D. and Phœbe (Rogers) Stone.

To judge the future from the past, it is not diffi- cuit to predict for Dr. White success in a much

greater measure than usually falls to the lot of the medical practitioner. His mind is active, his memory retentive, his habits studious, his com- prehension of the science of medicine rapid, intui- tive and thorough. His manner is easy, affable and vivacious, with a dash of bonhomie, which, no doubt, is inherited from his Gallic ancestors. It is not too much to say that mental attrition with Dr. White would brighten many preten- tious members of the medical profession.

JEROME BEECHER.

EROME BEECHER, among the early, sub- stantial and most exemplary citizens of Chi- cago, was a scion of old and well-known New England stock. His father, Mather Beecher was one of the pioneers of Central New York, going thither from New Haven, Connecticut. He was a tanner by occupation, and gave to his family the training which has developed so much of thrift, enterprise and morality among the sons of New England, and has made an indelible impres- sion upon the religious, educational and mercan- tile conditions of the United States, and particul- arly the northern half of the country. Wherever a leaven of Yankee blood is found in a community, there are sure to be found churches, schools, fac- tories and sound business men, Chicago was es- pecially fortunate in that the major portion of her pioneers came from the land of industrious habits and careful economy, and to this cause alone may be attributed her wonderful progress in busi- ness supremacy, as well as in social and moral culture.

Jerome Beecher was born in the town of Rem- sen, Oneida County, New York, January 4, 1818. His first implement for self-help was the intellect-

ual training afforded by the village school, and he was early made familiar with the occupation of his father, mastering all that pertained to the manufacture of leather and its uses. His natural sagacity and shrewdness, with these helps, en- abled him to conduct the large business which he built up in later years, and to manage intricate financial trusts which were placed in his care.

The year 1838 found him in Chicago, whither his father sent him to look after a stock of leather, boots, shoes and findings which had been entrusted to an incompetent or unfaithful agent. He managed this undertaking with such success and found such glowing prospects in the young city that he decided to remain here and engage in business permanently. At that time tlie center of business clustered about the corner of Lake and LaSalle streets, and his pioneer store was among those forming the group. He shortly set up a tannery, which was destroyed by fire about 1858. During these years, he had grown in wealth with the rapid growth of the city and surrounding country, his industry and integrity bringing him a large trade, which he retained until he de- cided to retire and give attention to his invest-

510

JEROME BEECHER.

ments. His accumulations had been invested in land and improved real estate. With other care- ful investments, these had grown in value beyond his fondest anticipations, and he found himself while yet in vigorous middle life a man of in- dependent means, and at the time of his demise, after more than half a century's residence here, his estate had become very valuable.

He became interested in the gas business as early as 1850, and was made a director in the Chi- cago Gas Light & Coke Company. He was in- terested in the Merchants' Savings, Loan & Trust Company, and was one of the purchasers of the Chicago West Division Railroad, of which he was many years a director, in 1863. A recent writer says: "Among the enterprises of his earlier years, for which he should be remembered with grateful regard by those who survive, was his connection as trustee and treasurer with the Graceland Cemetery Improvement Company, in whose peaceful grounds so many once active in the brisk life of Chicago have found their last resting place."

Mr. Beecher had in his youth attended the worship of the Unitarian society ncar his home in New York, and he adhered to the faith which he there imbibed throughout his long and useful life. The First Unitarian Society of Chicago was a feeble band, in the third year of its exist- ence, when he came to Chicago, and to his zealous aid much of its subsequent strength is due. At his decease, after completing more than the allotted years of the scripture, the church pre- pared and had engraved a most beautiful and touching memorial, which was presented to his widow. He was a member of the Calumet Club, whose meetings of old settlers in annual reunion gave him great pleasure. The Old Settlers' As- sociation embraced most of his business and social companions, and he was prominent in its con- duct. Mr. Beecher always endeavored to fulfill the duties of citizenship, but was conspicious in politics only once in his life. This was in the memorable campaign of 1840, when the Demo- cratic party was overthrown and William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate, elected to the Presidency. Mr. Beecher was a delegate in the

convention which nominated Harrison, and took part in the political meetings held in a log cabin on the north side, near Rush Street bridge.

In his business relations, Mr. Beecher was a man of unspotted integrity, careful and quiet in action, and reticent in speaking of himself or his affairs. One of his favorite methods of benevolent action was the assistance of some worthy man in starting in business, realizing that the truest way to liclp others is to teach and aid them to help themselves. He loved to gather children and young people about him, and a number were taken into his family and educated. He was es- pecially fond of music, and to his own family con- nections and friends he was ever generous. His style of living was unostentatious, and his hab- its were simple and domestic. In bearing, he was affable and considerate, and he always spoke charitably of men, making it a rule never to speak ill of any person.

Four years after his arrival in Chicago, Mr. Beecher took a helpmeet in the person of Miss Mary Warren, daughter of Daniel Warren, whose biography will be found on another page of this book, and she proved in every way a companion to him. Mrs. Beecher's twin sister married Silas B. Cobb, another pioneer leather merchant (see skeech in this work). The sisters so closely resembled each other as to be often mistaken, one for the other.

The first housekeeping experience of Mr. and Mrs. Beecher was in a modest rented house at the corner of Lake Street and Michigan Avenue, and they afterwards built a home on Michigan Ave- nue. The advance of business drove them to several removals until the family homestead at No. 241 Michigan Avenue was constructed. This is one of two or three which escaped the flames in the great fire of 1871, and is almost the sole repre- sentative on the lake front of "old Chicago." Here they dwelt for more than thirty years, and here Mrs. Beecher continues to reside. She is greatly in- terested in benevolent work, and has been active in promoting several of the most important charities of the city, regarding a fortune as a blessing only in the proportion it is devoted to doing good.

G. W. SHERWOOD

MRS. G. W. SHERWOOD

5II

G. W. SHERWOOD.

GEORGE W. SHERWOOD.

EORGE WESLEY SHERWOOD (the god- father of the business interest at Englewood) was born at Romulus, New York, on the 16th of July, 1833, unto Wesley and Delia Elizabeth Sherwood (nee King). His book-learning was necessarily meagre, the stern hand of necessity compelling him at early years to face the battles of life, and to learn from nature's pages the ele- inents going to make up a successful career; for such was his to be, full of incidents, and his accomplishment, for one springing from so hum- ble origin, was unusually conspicuous. It is for us to record these matters in graphic word-pictures, since his most speaking language was the elo- quence of brave, manly, useful deeds.

His father dying when he was quite young, George was adopted by his grandfather, with whom he removed to a farmi near Adrian, Michi- gan, where he grew up in agricultural pursuits until the period of sixteen had conie; then he went to the neighboring village of Adrian, and apprenticed himself to Hatswell & Andrews, ına- chinists, to learn their trade. At twenty-one he changed his situation to the shops of the Michigan Southern & Lake Shore Railway, in the same village, where he remained three years. In 1857 he removed to Chicago, ever after his home, and where he was for many years a very actively use- ful citizen.

First entering the employ of the Rock Island Railway Company, he continued in its shops until May, 1860, when he accepted an offer from the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway Company as locomotive engineer. Obtaining an interest in the "Little Blue Duinmy," the first means of communication via that line between Englewood

and the "down town" city, he ran the same for three years; then he exchanged engines, and for a further space of seven years, ran over the same short-line upon the "Novelty." Resigning this employ at the end of that period to go with the Michigan Southern Railway, lie acted as engineer over the division between our city and Elkhart, Indiana, until 1872, when he wholly abandoned railroading, and having accumulated by saving habits a fair property, began to build up and look more closely after his private fortunes at Engle- wood, then known as "Junction Grove," which was principally centered in real estate around the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Sixty-third Street.

Then began a remarkable career of activity, covering some score of years, so fruitful and va- rious in results that Mr. Sherwood, the pioneer of local enterprises, is fairly entitled to the honor of being called the founder of business at Engle- wood. His extreme energy manifested itself in myriad forms, chief among which let us note, en passant, the following: 1, building of the first hotel, called the "Sherwood House," which, after the fire, was succeeded by the "Sherwood Flats" of to-day; 2, the building and running of the first livery stable, whose business increased so rapidly that a second was soon constructed to accommo- date the trade; 3, the establishment of the first omnibus and express line between the city and Englewood; 4, opening of a first boot and shoe shop; 5, a first meat market; 6, a first barber shop; 7, a first drug store; 8, a first ice route in 1874; and 9, the first street sprinkler service about 1878. Most of the foregoing enterprises were later sold out to others, as he went on in his

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 66

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