Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 69

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

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While a resident of Wisconsin, Mr. Wayman formed the acquaintance of Miss Julia, daughter of Mr. Barker, a pioneer of that State, and this acquaintance resulted in their marriage in 1851. Mr. Barker came from New York State to Wis- consin but was descended from an old Connecticut

family. Mr. Wayman took an intellegent inter- est in all public questions. When he assumed the duties of American citizenship, he was inclined to affiliate with the Democratic party, but an in- hierent hatred of slavery drove him to join the Republicans, to which party he adhered the bal- ance of his life. While in Wisconsin, he took an active part in the management of affairs, serving as Superintendent of Schools and member of the County Board of Supervisors. He never relin- quished his holdings in Chicago, and enjoyed himself much in travel during his later years, both at home and abroad. From early manhood, he was affiliated with the Baptist Church, and he was always active in good works. His brother James, who came with him to America, followed him to Chicago, and died many years ago. The other one, above mentioned, was William Way- man, whose biography will be found on another page of this work.

JOHN R. SANDY.

OHN ROBERT SANDY has been for some years Station Master of the Chicago & North- western Railway in Chicago. The story of his life furnishes an example of what may be ac- complished by determined, independent effort, without special opportunities or unusual prepara- tion. He was born on the 19th day of February, 1844, in Lincolnshire, England, and is a son of Thomas and Christina (Patton) Sandy.

Thomas Sandy's father was a British soldier, who was wounded at the battle of Waterloo, and his mother, Ann Williams, was a Welsh woman. In 1850 Thomas Sandy came, with his family, to.

America in a sailing vessel. The voyage con- sumed only four weeks, which was considered a very quick trip in those days. After spending a year in New York City, he removed, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Buffalo, and thence to Sandusky and Shelby, Ohio, where he was employed for two years as section boss on the Sandusky & Newark Railroad. In April, 1853, he came to Chicago by way of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, which had then but recently been completed to this city, and after stopping here for a few days, he went to Morris, Illinois, then the western terminus of the Chicago

526

J. R. SANDY.

& Rock Island Railroad. He was engaged for several years in teaming and farming in Morris and vicinity and, in 1861, removed to Summit, Cook County, settling on a farm near that of John Wentworth, familiarly known as "Long John." He subsequently became a citizen of Chicago, and in 1864 entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He continued to serve that corporation in its machine shop un- til his death, which occurred in 1885, at the age of seventy-five years. He was an industrious, conscientious citizen, faithful to his employers and all the obligations of life.

Mrs. Christina Sandy was born near Sterling in Scotland. Her father, who was a relative of the renowned family of MacPhersons, was a sol- dier in the British army. Her parents dying dur- ing her infancy, Christina was adopted by an English family named Harrison. Her foster-father had been a comrade of Mr. Patton in the military service. Mrs. Sandy is still living in Chicago, at the age of seventy-one years.

John R. Sandy is the eldest child of the family. From the age of thirteen years, he did a man's work on the farm, taking the place of his father, who was in poor health, as the main support of the family. He was nineteen years old when they located in Chicago, where he supported the family by teaming until his father's health was recuperated. In the fall of 1863 he began work for the West Chicago Street Railway Company, driving the bridge horse 011 Randolph Street, an occupation which kept him almost constantly em- ployed, day and night. The following spring he began work with his father in the machine shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, then located at Halstead Street viaduct. This employment was not congenial to him, and the next fall he secured a situation as brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad, where the brake wheels seemed to be adjusted to suit his small stature. After being thus employed for about a year, he began to learn house-painting and dec- orating, in deference to his father's wish that lie master some trade. He still cherished a strong

inclination for railroad work, however, and at the end of eighteen months, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway again. He began as a freight brakeman at 2 A. M. on the ztli day of January, 1867, and has served the same employer continuously since. He succes- sively filled the positions of freight brakeman, freight conductor, passenger conductor and local freight agent at Western Avenue Station, and on the 20th day of July, 1891, was promoted to his present position.

On the 14th of June, 1869, Mr. Sandy was married to Evelyn Elizabeth Havens, daughter of Orrin G. Havens, of Chicago. Mrs. Sandy was born in Lyme, Connecticut. Mr. Sandy's family has been increased by the advent of five children, all of whom are still at home. They are named: Leslie M., Olive C., Thomas H., Orrin G. and John R., Jr. All the members of the family are regular church attendants, although not in communion with any religious society. Mr. Sandy was one of the charter inembers of the Order of Railway Conductors, and has been con- nected with numerous other orders and associa- tions, often serving as an officer, but is not now in active connection with any. He finds tliat fidelity and business ability are the chief keys to success and promotion, and that these qualities are appreciated by superior officers, regardless of social affiliations. He is an ardent admirer of William McKinley, and in national politics al- ways supports Republican candidates.

Though his educational opportunities were lim- ited to three months' annual attendance at a log schoolhouse in rural Illinois, he has become a capable and efficient business man, chiefly through the exercise and development of his natural tal- ents. He is decided in his opinions, plain-spoken and straightforward in expressing them on occa- sion, and is noted for his industry and application to business. These qualities have been the means of securing his success and rapid advancement, and have won the respect and approbation of all with whom he is brought in relation, either as employer or employed, or in social contact.

ORRIN D. RANNEY

527

O. D. RANNEY.

ORRIN D. RANNEY.

RRIN DATUS RANNEY was born at East Granville (on Holden Hill), Massachusetts, March 6, 1812, unto Orrin and Betsy Ran- ney, (nee Gibbons. ) He had one brother and three sisters, all of good attainments. The brother, Timothy Pickering Ranney (now deceased), was long a prominent laywer at Newark, New Jersey. His sisters, Nancy Deborah and Sarah Sheppard Ranney, were both graduates of Mount Holyoke Seminary, Massachusetts. The former (110w de- parted) for many years had a private ladies' seminary at Elizabeth, New Jersey. Saralı mar- ried Mr. J. Austin Scott, a capitalist, of Toledo, Ohio. Sarah Sheppard Ranney Scott and hus- band are now both dead.

The subject of this sketch, on account of ill health was obliged to forego youthful aspirations for becoming a clergyman. After finishing his common school education, at the age of fourteen years, he began clerking in Westfield, Massachu- setts. Upon his marriage, at the age of twenty- one, he began to conduct his own store at Lee, Massachusetts, whence he removed to Adrian, Michigan. Thence he went to Maumee City, Ohio, where he remained for a period of about ten years; thence to Toledo, Ohio. In all of these places he continued, with varying fortunes, in the mercantile business.

Removing from Toledo, Ohio, he came to the final destination of his earthly life, arriving in Chicago in 1856. He went directly into the pro- vision commission business, on South Water Street, where he was long associated with the still surviving veteran Sherman Hall. Later he was for some years a member of the Board of Trade, in which we need not add he was deeply interested, and at whose marvelous growth he was, with his compeers of earlier days, obliged to mar- vel greatly.

In May, 1872, he became attached to the force

of the First National Bank, serving that corpora- tion most faithfully in the capacity of Manager of the Safety Deposit Vaults, for upwards of a score of years, unto the very time of his death, March 4, 1894.

By political faith, he was a staunch Republi- can, following the progressive career of that su- premely American party in every election with his unvarying support at the ballot box .. The uplifting force of his long and good life is found in the Presbyterian dogma, to which he sub- scribed by actions which "speak louder than words." At the time of his coming to our city, he identified himself with the First Presbyterian Church, in which he was ever honorably promi- nent, acting as an Elder for long years, up to within about two years of the time of his decease. He was also warmly interested in the welfare of the Foster Mission, a time-honored school of that denomination. The Rev. Herrick Johnson offici- ated at his funeral, and he was laid at rest in Albion, Michigan.

Our departed friend belonged to no clubs, he was no society man; he belonged to his home; lie was a man for the fireside and his tried, true friends. Said one of those high in position, with whom business associations for a lengthy period had brought the subject of this sketch into close relations of importance," I would as soon have thought of our bank suddenly becoming bankrupt for some inexplicable reason, as to know that anything had gone wrong with our Deposit De- partment while it was under Mr. Ranney's super- vision." Another, standing under the shadow of his tomb, said, "He was an honest man in every way, church, business, social and domestic life; none could come nearer perfection than Orrin Datus Ranney. All knew him only to respect and love, as one of God's noblemen."

As the Creator does not finish the lives of any,

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M. N. KIMBELL.

no matter how saintly, upon this lower earth, so we cannot record in worthy fulness what is most deserving of historic remembrance and emulation on the part of succeeding generations of business men, about to enter upon important duties in our vast and rapidly growing metropolis. Surely, we may trustfully believe, as he was without fear, lie passed to fields of Paradise without punish- ment; as he submissively wore the cross, the crown of eternal bliss is already encircling his be- loved brow.

Mr. Ranney was twice married, having and leaving children only by the former marriage. The first union was with Miss Phœbe Eldredge, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Isaac Knapp, at Westfield, Massachusetts, April 15, 1833. Three children came to them, as follows: Charles Luce Ranney, born January 14, 1834 in Westfield, Massachusetts; went through the Civil War, and died in a hospital in Portland, Oregon, in 1890, unmarried. Ellen Maria Ranney, born July 5, 1839, in Lee, Berkshire County, Massa- chusetts, died in childhood at Maumee City; Alice Maria Ranney, born July 5, 1849 at Maumee City, Ohio; educated at Miss Ranney's Private School in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and later a graduate of the Chicago Dearborn Seminary. She married December 10, 1868, Walter Weeks Hilton, a banker of early Chicago, by whon she has two children: Myra Fisk Hilton, born Sep- tember 27 1869, educated at the Chicago Dear- born Seminary; and married June 26, 1889, to Mr. William Z. Mead, formerly of Virginia, now

of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the insurance business. John Ranney Hilton, born September 5, 1873, educated in the Chicago High School, unmarried.

On the 19th of January, 1881, Mr. Ranney was married to Mrs. Adeline S. Peabody, (nee Grosve- ner) a prominent family of Albion, Michigan, by the Rev. Daniel M. Cooper, of Detroit, Michigan. Their more than half a score of happy years of wedded life were not blessed by offspring. She still survives him, living at Albion, and visiting his last resting place on frequent occasions, feel- ing honored in being the associate of one in every way so worthy of the best of womankind.

It will be seen that Mr. Ranney leaves no male child to bear his name throughout the coming years; therefore, although the good traits of fe- male descendants will loudly voice themselves in his belialf, it is especially appropriate that at this time and in this place and manner, in dignified setting, surrounded by the best of his contempo- raries, a lasting memorial be created, befitting in some degree the superlative characteristics of manhood possessed by him of whom this is written.

It is to · be regretted that some fuller record of Mr. Ranney's lineal ancestry is not available; for the present it is known that his maternal grand- parents were Timothy and Elizabeth Gibbons, and that the preceding in the male line was Peter Gibbons. It is unnecessary to call attention to those prominent in this family, a Cardinal being in the mouths of us all, at first mention. The pa- ternal grandfather was Jonathan Ranney.

MARTIN N. KIMBELL.

M ARTIN NELSON KIMBELL, one of the most public-spirited of Cook County's pio- neers, who ably bore his part in promoting its moral and intellectual progress, as well as aid-

ing in its material prosperity, was born in Still- water Township, Saratoga County, New York, January 24, 1812. He was the eldest child of Abel Kimbell and Maria Powell. The former

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M. N. KIMBELL.

was born at Pownal, Bennington, County, Ver- mont, and was a son of Noah Kimbell, a native of Rhode Island, who removed to Vermont while a young man. The last-named was of Scotch- Irish descent, and a farmer and miller by occu- pation. He joined the Continental forces and took part in the battle of Bennington. Abel Kimbell, in early life, removed to Saratoga County, New York, where his death occurred in 1833 at the age of forty-two years. He was a veteran of the War of 1812.

Mrs. Maria Kimbell died in Saratoga County, New York, in 1830. Her mother, whose maiden name was Nelson, was of Dutch descent, and her father's name was Frost Powell. He was of English-Welsh extraction, son of Obadiah Powell, a Quaker, who died in Saratoga County at the age of nearly one hundred years. Some time previous to the Revolutionary War he removed thither from Dutchess County, New York, with his wife Betsy, bringing all their belongings on a pack pony. They became the parents of three sons and eight daughters, all of whom lived to extreme old age. During the Revolutionary struggle, Obadialı Powell was much censured by his neighbors on account of his non-combatant principles. and most of his personal property was confiscated. He was steadfast in his convictions, however, and lived to become one of the leading farmers of the county. At the age of ninety-eight years he husked several baskets of corn and car- ried them to the loft of his carriage house. His house was a favorite gathering-place of his nu- merous descendants, including the subject of this sketch, who was the recipient of considerable at- tention from the old gentleman on account of his being the first great-grandchild. About 1840 Frost Powell mnoved to Wisconsin, settling near Waterford, in Racine County, where he died a few years later.

Martin N. Kimbell was but six years old when the family moved to Windham, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and a few years later another renov- al was made to Tioga County, New York. Thoughi his parents were able to equip him with little other education, they implanted in his mind those upright and honorable principles which, with the

liabits of industry, frugality and sobriety acquired in early youth, admirably fitted him for the battle of life. At the age of twelve years lie began working out among the neighboring farmers, his first wages being $4 per month. The money earned in this way was spent for schooling-most of his education being obtained after he had passed the age of eighteen years. At the age of twenty he returned to Saratoga County, New York, where he was employed as foreman upon a large farm at the extraordinary salary of $1 1 per month, the other help receiving from $6 to $8. So satisfactory were his services that he was offered still farther advance in salary, but after a few years he again went to Tioga County and taught school for several terms at a salary of $15 per month, "boarding around." Having heard wonderful tales of the great West, in 1836 he came to Chicago. His first employment here was at farin work and teaming. In the fall of the saine year lie made a claim to a quarter-section of land in Jefferson Township, now inside of the city limits, and in the spring of 1837 built a shanty of hay on his claim. In 1838 he purchased this land, paying to the middle man who secured the title from the Government, the sum of $2.50 per acre in annual installments of $100. The same year he built a frame house near the location of his late residence, and engaged in active farming operations. Four years later he rented a hotel on Milwaukee Avenue, at the corner of the thor- oughfare now known as Warner Avenue. This house was at that time known as " The Prairie Grocery," but he changed its name to "Live and Let Live." Although this enterprise was quite successful, he resolved to abandon it because it did not provide satisfactory environment for his growing family, and two years later he returned to his farin, which was his home during the rest of his life. At one time his farm comprised two hundred and seventeen acres, most of which has been subdivided in city lots. In addition to his farming operations he engaged for some years in jobbing and general contracting. In1 1849 he began to grade and plank the highway known as Milwaukee Avenue, and built about three miles thereof, and was afterward employed for five

M. N. KIMBELL.

years as superintendent of the Northwestern Plank Road Company. His winters were spent in getting out oak plank for this purpose in the Desplaines woods, and some of the timber is still found in the grade of that thoroughfare. Mr. Kimbell was also interested in several other en- terprises, and was for eleven years a director of the National Bank of Illinois. He was always a firm friend of the cause of education. Two terms of school were kept in his house, during which time he boarded the teacher gratuitously, and he often contributed money in excess of his school tax for the purpose of securing capable teachers. The first schoolhouse in his district was built by himself and two neighbors at their own expense. He was a school officer for thirty years, giving of his time and labor for the benefit of the public schools without hope of reward.

In early life he was a Democrat, but upon the passage of the fugitive slave law he renounced that party, and during the agitation which fol- lowed that act, he several times sheltered runaway negroes in his house, and rendered them other assistance in escaping from their pursuers. He made no secret of these acts, but such was the respect with which he was held in the community that no one interfered with this practical demon- stration of his principles. Upon the organization of the Republican party, he became one of its strongest supporters, and consistently held to that course ever after. He was a member of the first Board of Supervisors of Cook County, and served as Deputy Sheriff at one time. Three of his sons served in the Union Army during the Civil War, in Battery A, First Illinois Light Artillery, and Mr. Kimbell spent most of his time for three years in sanitary and benevolent work for the soldiers. The first contribution of $300 which he raised, was the proceeds of a ball at the Jefferson Town Hall. In this and other ways he subse- quently contributed largely to the funds of the Sanitary Commission.

Mr. Kimbell was married on the 31st of Au- gust, 1837, to Sarah Ann Smalley. Her father, Nehemiah Smalley, died in 1836, soon after com- ing to Chicago with his family. Mrs. Kimbell was born in Madison County, New York, April 16,

1816, and has been an able helpmeet of her hus- band during their long and laborious career. Of their children, Charles B. is now living retired at Hinsdale, Illinois; Julius W. is their second son; Spencer S. is the third; Anne Maria (now deceased) was the wife of Jacob Stryker; Frank A. is a resident of Missouri; Angeline, Mrs. E. H. Smalley, resides at Caledonia, Minnesota; Martin N., the fifth son, resides on part of the old homestead; and Edward C. is a resident of Los Angeles, California. Three of the sons still reside near the old homestead. All are well- known business men, and the firms with which they are connected and manage, have furnished more stone and brick for Chicago buildings than any other firm in existence. Mr. and Mrs. Kimbell had twenty-eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, beside seventeen children and grandchildren by marriage, at the time of his demise. When congregated at the old home- stead, this family exceeds in number the gather- ings which took place at the house of Obadiah Powell in Mr. Kimbell's childhood.

Mr. Kimbell was a Universalist for fifty-seven years. He contributed toward the building of five churches in the city of Chicago, and was a member of the Church of the Redeemer. All the members of the family cherish the same faith.

Endowed by nature with a strong and vigorous constitution, he always enjoyed good health until about the year 1890, when he began to have trouble with his feet, which gradually developed into gangrene. This continued to increase stead- ily until, in January, 1895, it was decided by a council of physicians that in order to save, or even prolong his life and relieve the intense suf- fering he was enduring, it would be necessary to amputate his left leg above the knee. This was accordingly done, with his full consent, and with the hope on the part of the family that his other- wise robust constitution would enable him to rally from the operation. But his advanced age of eighty-three years was against him, and he sank gradually until the end, which came Febru- ary 13, 1895. The last years of his life were spent in quiet retirement, surrounded by his numerous family, enjoying the fruits of a life of

531

A. J. GALLOWAY.

hard and honest labor, combined with temperance, plary life well worthy of emulation by rising benevolence and frugality, a useful and exem- generations.

ANDREW J. GALLOWAY.

NDREW JACKSON GALLOWAY, one of the pioneer railroad builders of Illinois, has witnessed the growth of the State from a few scattered hamlets to one of the most populous and wealthy commonwealths of the Union, and is still vigorous of mind and hale in body. He inherits from his Scotch ancestry those subtle qualities of mind which make the successful business man and the vigorous constitution which enables men to carry on continuous and fatiguing enterprises. His father, Andrew Galloway, was born in Done- gal, Ireland, and emigrated to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, during the first year of the present century. His ancestors were among those who fled from the persecution of the Protestants in Scotland to the North of Ireland, and their descendants are now numerous in America, in- cluding many enterprising and successful business men. Several brothers of Andrew Galloway set- tled in America. Robert G. also located in Fay- ette County, Pennsylvania. John settled at Bal- timore, Maryland, and Samuel went to New York, whence he removed, in 1836, to La Salle County, Illinois.

Andrew Galloway's wife (the mother of the subject of this biography) was Isabel, daughter of Hugh Wilson, who came from Ireland to Vir- ginia with his father, John Wilson. The family moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania, where Hugh became a lieutenant of militia in the War of the Revolution. He married a daughter of Mr. Joseph Pierce, who was, doubtless, of Eng- lish extraction. He moved from New Jersey to Westmoreland (now Allegheny) County, Penn- sylvania, in 1772, making the journey on horse-

back, as there were then no roads over the moun- tains. The Pierce family was very early identi- fied with the colony of New Jersey.

Of Andrew Galloway's ten children, two died in infancy; the subject of this sketch is the fourth, and beside him, but three are living, namely: Julia, widow of Francis S. Galloway, Sarah J., widow of William Bedford, both residing in Chi- cago; and George, now of Jackson County, Ore- gon.

Andrew J. Galloway was born near Butler, the seat of Butler County, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1814. Before he was six years old, his father moved to the vicinity of Corydon, then the capi- tal of Indiana, and in 1823 settled on a farm in Clark County, same State, where he remained ten years. He died in Marseilles, La Salle Coun- ty, Illinois, in October, 1843, of congestive fever contracted while making preliminary improve- ments on a farm which he had just located. His age was sixty-six years.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 2nd ed., Part 69

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