Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 2

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed. > Part 2

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After his removal to Chicago, he devoted him- self exclusively to his profession, and absolutely ignored politics. Mr. Swett was distinguished as successful in the trial of causes, in fact, he did little else during his professional life. In Chicago the most important cases were intrusted to him, and it was a rare thing that he lost one of them. The reason of this was, that he attended to the details of the preparation personally, himself see- ing and talking with his witnesses, so that when the cause was heard in court it fitted together " without noise of axe or hammer."

His business, in the main, was in civil cases; for instance, Thomas A. Scott, during the war, employed him for the Quicksilver Mining Com- pany to go to California to get possession of the great quicksilver mine near San Jose, after an adverse decision in reference to the Almaden

claim. This country acquired by the treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, at the close of the Mexican War, a large tract of land, now embracing many States and Territories, described by boundaries, and our Government agreed, wherever individu- als owned lands within these boundaries, it would issue to such parties a patent. Under the Mexi- ican law there were two kinds of titles, a mineral title, or a right to what the land contained under

own one title and another man the other. We have but one, the surface, and one owning that owns all above and below. The Barons had a mineral title to what they called the Almaden mine, and had made, prior to the decision, im- mense improvements. Jnstos Larios owned the surface title, and this was bought, and the Quick- silver Mining Company was organized upon this title. In 1863 the Supreme Court of the United States decided that the Baron title was a forgery. The quicksilver claim of Justos Larios had not been heard, and this left this property of immense valne belonging either to the Government or to the quicksilver company. A contract was made between the Government and the quicksilver company, by which a possession might be taken, which should be joint as between the Government and said mining company, and Mr. Swett was appointed by President Lincoln to go to California and acquire this joint possession, it being under- stood that he would offer the Barons one million dollars for their improvements. It was also a con- dition of this agreement that the proceeds of the mine should be deposited in the mint at San Fran- cisco until the termination of the litigation between the Government and the Quicksilver Mining Com- pany. He went to California, arriving there May 19, 1863, and leaving September 14, having, by aid of the courts and negotiations, secured the possession of the mine. Although Mr. Swett maintained a large office at Chicago, he, occasion- ally, at home and abroad, defended persons from criminal accusations, when the defense presented something attractive. In the vindication of honor, or if, upon the common frailty of the race, an act was done, he was a most accomplished and effect- ive advocate for the accused. He dealt, like a

LEONARD SWETT.

mental philosopher, with the purposes of the mind of the accused, and revealed to the compre- hension of the court and jury the mysterious in- fluences which produced the act of the party. He tried the will, purpose and intent, and not the mere physical act upon which the charge was founded. His mind delighted in the beautiful philosophy of the law; he dealt with its spirit, not with its letter. In this manner, in thirty-six years, he defended twenty men for murder, en- tirely clearing eighteen and two escaping with light punishment in the penitentiary.

He was called out of the city in criminal cases from Hartford, Connecticut, to defend the officers of the Charter Oak Life Insurance Company for conspiracy; to Denver, where, with Hon. Thomas Patterson, he defended Stickney, who shot a man in a fit of jealousy, killing also a young and at- tractive woman; and to Yankton, where he de- fended Wintermute for the killing of McCook.

His style in a trial was simply the abnegation of every consideration except winning that case. To this he sacrificed everything. His style of speaking was earnest and convincing. He was the Chicago counsel for the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Maine, and distinguished himself by gaining a suit for that company against the Chicago University, which had become fa- mous in the legal reports for its knotty problems of law and equity.

On the 21st of June, 1888, he made the nom- inating speech for Walter Q. Gresham for Presi- dent of the United States. Mr. Swett's address was an independent utterance, touching in an extremely effective manner the salient qualities of the individual eulogized, and also those points in his public career which had brought him so prominently before the people as a possible presi- dential candidate.

In private life Mr. Swett was a man of social disposition and strong attachments. He was a pleasant companion and a warm and steadfast friend, and was generous almost to a fault. His nature was kind, genial and sympathetic, and his social intercourse was enlivened by so many gen- erous and endearing qualities, that it won for him the affectionate regard of those who knew him

intimately to an extraordinary degree. In person he was imposing; six feet two inches in height, and weighing, when in health, two hundred and. twenty-five pounds or more. He possessed a strong face, with heavy, bushy, black eyebrows, over-hanging deep-set brown eyes, sparkling and brilliant, but kindly withal. An expansive, in- tellectual forehead betokened his strength of character. His voice was extremely rich and musical, and always pleasant to listen to.

The Chicago Bar, by Frank B. Wilkie, said of him the following:

" As a speaker he had few or no superiors at the bar. He required scarcely any preparation to make a speech on any subject. He saw a case clearly, and had the faculty of presenting it with equal clearness. He had that tendency toward amplification found in all true orators, and by whose aid he presented a single point in so many salient aspects, that it became as apparent as sun- light to his auditory. This ability to not only clearly present a point, but to restate it and reit- erate it under a slightly changed form up to a boundary where it becomes thoroughly under- stood, and yet, which is not carried beyond into the region of verbosity and tiresome and useless reiteration, is one of a high order, and it is one which Mr. Swett seemed to possess to perfection. Its due and judicious exercise requires an accur- ate knowledge of the men whom it is employed upon, and the precise ideas and illustrations which are demanded by their comprehension. Mr. Swett had all these qualities, and the additional one of being an excellent logician and an admirable manager, who thus not only knew what should be presented, but the very best form in which the presentation should be made.

"Possibly the not least remarkable feature of his oratorical power was his ability to employ pathos. Herein, when occasion required, he rose to a most effective level. He was both rhetorical and natural in this direction, the former being to some extent a sequence to the latter, in that he felt what he said, and therein, as usually happens, was eloquent. He was exceedingly happy in the use of this powerful element. When in this mood lie smote the rock of men's hidden emotions, and

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

F. FRANK F. HENNING

F. F. HENNING.

obediently as in the case of Moses, the waters gushed forth in response to the summons. From the possession of this subtle power to touch ef- fectively men's emotional natures, Mr. Swett had what the world would suspect from seeing him, and that was a powerful element of poetry in his character. This was true; and its existence was not only the source of his power to touch the hearts of others, but it refined his nature and · gave him a chivalry that exhibited itself in a lofty regard for women, an integrity in business mat-

ters that could not be disturbed, and a kindly con- sideration that leavened all his intercourse with others. In fine, the poetical quality, while it in- troduced no element of effeminacy in his char- acter, while it did not detract from his masculine vigor or interfere with his comprehensive ability, softened his naturally rugged make-up, and gave him an efficient refinement." Leonard Swett was one of nature's noblemen, and worthy to be re- membered as Abraham Lincoln's most trusted friend.

FRANK F. HENNING.

RANK F. HENNING, President of the German-American Hospital, of Chicago, has been connected with business interests and philanthropic institutions in that city for a third of a century. He was born May 3, 1840, in the city of Gransee, Germany, and is the eldest son of Frederick and Henriette (Kanow) Henning. The family is of Swiss descent, the an- cestors having left Switzerland about 1780, on account of religious persecutions.

Frederick Henning and his wife were natives of the same part of Germany as their son, Frank F. He was by trade a harness-maker, but later cultivated a farm and, about 1848, decided to emigrate to America, but as his father objected, he went into the country and bought a farm, which he conducted until he came to the United States. In 1855, the parents, with six children, sailed from Bremen on the sailing ship "Othien," and five weeks later landed at New York. They came to Chicago, and after remaining a week, re- moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin.

They finally settled about six miles from Mani- towoc, Wisconsin, where Frederick Henning bought one hundred sixty acres of timber land, which he cleared, and cultivated several years. He is now living retired in Manitowoc. Of his ten children six were born in the Fatherland and four in Wisconsin. Only five of these are 110W

living, namely: Frank F., the eldest; Paulina, now Mrs. Schroeder; Henrietta, wife of George Bodmer, of Chicago; Emma and Matilda. The mother died in 1893, aged eighty-four years, and the father has reached the age of eighty-six years.

Frank F. Henning was reared on his father's farmı and educated in the common schools of his native city. In 1859 he left home, with only one dollar in his pocket to make his own way in the world. He worked at loading a cargo on a vessel at Monitowoc and unloading it at Chicago, to pay his passage to the latter city. From there he walked to Morris, Illinois, a distance of sixty miles, where he found employment on a farm at eight dollars a month. Here he attended school during the winter of 1859-1860. July 28, 1861, he enlisted at Aurora, for three years, in the Union Army, and was mustered September 12th of that year, in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, Company D. His regiment was assigned to the Western Division, and saw hard service in Missouri and Arkansas, and he par- ticipated in all the engagements where his regi- ment acted. Mr. Henning's first engagement was at Pea Ridge, and he was wounded at the battle of Stone River in the foot, head and right hip. He was taken, more dead than alive, to the field hospital, and after the wounds were

F. F. HENNING.

dressed, he was sent to the hospital at Nashville. From here he was sent to' Cincinnati, and was discharged in July, 1863, for disability.

Upon his discharge he returned to his home in Wisconsin, where he remained until the early spring of 1864, and since that time has been a resident of the city of Chicago. He found em- ployment with Lohn & Koenig, for a time, in gluing chairs; then as salesman and bookkeeper, and in 1867 he bought a quarter interest in the business, the firm then becoming Koenig, Hen- ning & Gamer. Their business was located at Nos. 48 and 50 Fifth Avenue, where the fire of 1871 wiped them out, and left them with a debt of twenty-five thousand dollars, which was the amount of insurance they carried, but they were able to obtain only six thousand dollars therefrom.

Immediately after the fire the firm built a furniture factory, and in a year and a-half paid. their liabilities. Mr. Henning remained a mem- ber of this firm until the spring of 1881. About 1878 a German Young Men's Christian Associa- tion was organized, of which Mr. Henning be- came president; its members visited hospitals, jails and poorhouses. Being of a sympathetic nature, Mr. Henning became interested in the sufferings of humanity and their alleviation, and decided to devote the remainder of his life to philan- thropic work. He had acquired a comfortable competence, and when he retired from manu- facturing, in December, 1883, he secured the in- corporation of the German Hospital, and in 1884 it was opened in a building owned by Mr. Hen- ning. Most of the funds for the foundation of this institution were raised by Mr. Henning, who was its president. It was located at No. 242 Lincoln Avenue, where he donated two years' rent. The present site of this hospital was pur- chased in 1886, Mr. Henning advancing three thousand dollars for the first payment, and a year later nine thousand dollars for building purposes. Its generous benefactor was president until 1896, when he resigned and withdrew, on account of differences of opinion among some of the directors and physicians.

The hospital had accumulated property wortlı sixty thousand dollars, with an endowment fund

of twenty-one thousand dollars, and for thirteen years Mr. Henning had devoted his time and energy to it, with no compensation in money. In 1886 he organized a deaconess' society for the purpose of procuring trained nurses, and failing to get enough in this way, they branched out and erected a large building for a nurses' training school, which is now used as the German-Ameri- can Hospital. Nurses have received two years' training when they graduate from this institution, and about fifty nurses have been graduated. Thus this institution is not only a hospital, but a training school for nurses. The noble founder cared not for honor or glory to himself in this good work, but found his compensation in the lives made happier and better, and the benefit of his fellow-creatures from the results of his time and study.

Ill 1893 Mr. Henning was one of the prime movers in organizing the Bethesda Industrial Home, at Morton Grove, Cook County, Illinois, for the aged, infirm and helpless. In 1894, a printing office was established at the home to assist in defraying the expenses. This has proved a success, and there are now two monthly papers issued from it. Mr. Henning has ever since been connected with its management. Though he is a firm supporter of Republican principles, he could never be induced to accept office for himself.

He has been twice married. June 28, 1866, he wedded Miss Dorothy Gamus, a native of Han- over, Germany, and they had six children, of whom three are living, namely: Frank, Arthur, and Oswald. The mother died in 1881. Febru- ary 28, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Emily Buerstatte, daughter of Henry and Maria (Meister) Buerstatte. She was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. They have three chil: dren, Meta, Laura, and Walter. Mr. Henning has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and is known for his good works in all parts of the great metropolis. His example is worthy of study and emulation, and he is honored and admired by all. He has been connected with the Chicago Avenue Church (Moody's) a number of years.

HERMANN RENDTORFF.

ERMANN RENDTORFF, an enterprising German-American citizen, has been identi- fied with Chicago for over thirty years. He was born August 6, 1843, in Sauk City, Sauk County, Wisconsin, being a son of Edmund and Henrietta (Graepel) Rendtorff, botlı of whom were natives of Hamburg, Germany.

Edmund Rendtorff came to the United States in 1838. He was highly educated in his native tongue, as well as in three other languages, and was employed as correspondent and general office man. On coming to this country he worked on a farm in Illinois for a short time, and then went to Wisconsin. He was among the first settlers of Sauk City, and for some time was employed as clerk on a steamboat on the Rock River. He inade a pre-emption claim to government land in Sauk County, and was able to buy eighty acres of it when it came into market. His education and ability fitted him for activity in the management of public affairs, and he soon became prominent in the county, being its first treasurer.

He had been engaged to Miss Graepel before leaving Germany. In 1842. she came to America, and upon her arrival in New York they were married and settled upon his land, where he con- tinued farming for seven years. In 1847 he went to St. Louis as bookkeeper for Childs & Com- . pany, wholesale grocery dealers in that city. At the end of six years he returned to Sauk City and conducted a grocery store there for a period of twenty-five years. Mrs. Rendtorff died in 1889, at the age of seventy years, and her husband sur- vived until 1892, reaching the good age of sev- enty-six years. All of their six children grew to maturity, the eldest being hin whose name heads this article. The second, J. Christian Rendtorff, resides on Nortlı Avenue, in Chicago. Susanna is the wife of F. A. Oswald, of the same city.

Johanna is the next in order of birth. Emma, Mrs. Theodore Krueger, is also a resident of Chicago; and Richard O. is deceased.

Hermann Rendtorff had but limited opportuni- ties for education. He was reared on the farm and attended school only during the winter months. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, and might have continued longer but for the outbreak of hos- tilities between the North and the South in 1861. He was filled with patriotic love for the land of his birth, and on the 14th of September, 1861, having just completed the eighteenth year of his age, he enlisted as a soldier in Company D, Ninth . Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He bore an active part in all the engagements in which his regi- ment participated, and was wounded in the right thigh by a bullet at the battle of Newtonia, Mis- souri, in September, 1863. He spent three months in hospitals at Fort Scott and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and still carries in his flesh the bullet which caused his injury. On his recovery he rejoined his regiment, with which he continued until honorably discharged at the close of his period of enlistment, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 4, 1864.

He returned to his native place and remained until February 20, 1865, on which date he became a resident of Chicago. He entered the employ of Ressing, Inderrieden & Company, wholesale and retail grocers, with whom he remained two years. At the end of this time he entered into partner- ship with G. E. Roscher, in a retail grocery store at No. 206 North Clark Street, and two years later sold out to his partner.

He now entered the hardware establishment of his brother-in-law, Mr. Oswald, at Nos. 139 and 141 Milwaukee Avenue, and rapidly mastered the business. At the end of one year he

PETER JACKSON.

formed a partnership with Mr. Oswald, and they opened a store on the corner of Lake and Halsted Streets, under the firm name of Rendtorff & Oswald. This connection lasted only a few years, and Mr. Rendtorff removed to the North Side and established an independent business on North Avenue. Two years later he purchased property on the corner of North Avenue and Mohawk Street, consisting of four lots and build- ings, whither he removed his stock and contin- ued business. I11 1880 he added the manufacture of stove-boards, which he carried on in connec- tion with his hardware store. In the year 1883 he formed a partnership with his brother, J. Christian Rendtorff, and they opened two stores, one being at No. 154 North Avenue, and the other at No. 700 Lincoln Avenue. Their brother, Richard Otto, had charge of the former, and after his death they sold the Lincoln Avenue store.

I11 1883 Mr. Rendtorff felt that he had earned a vacation, and sailed for Europe in that year, spending thirteen months in visiting England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Italy and Germany. On his return he opened a jobbing house in stoves, at No. 16 Lake Street, which he conducted until 1896, and then sold out. In 1894, when Mr. Rendtorff began building the present block at the corner of North Avenue and Mohawk Street, the stock was removed to No. 154 North Avenue, now conducted

by his brother, J. Christian, who owns it, the partnership having been dissolved by mutual con- sent in 1896.

Mr. Rendtorff has continued the manufacture of stove-boards since he first established it, and is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of a patent milk-pail with a detachable strainer, and a patent split-lock stove-pipe elbow. At present he is giving all his attention to his manufacturing interests, which are rapidly growing under his prudent and energetic management. Thirty-five men are employed in this business, and the products are shipped to nearly every state in the Union. His long business career in Chicago has made him a wide acquaintance, and firmly estab- lished his reputation as an upright and fair deal- ing business man.

September 8, 1875, Mr. Rendtorff was married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Ida Stuetze, a native of that city. Though not connected with any religious organization, Mr. Rendtorff is a supporter of all good works, and feels a keen in- terest in the moral, social and material welfare of the community in which he resides. His first pres- idential vote was cast in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1864, for Abraham Lincoln, and he has since supported the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of Hancock Post, No. 560, Grand Army of the Republic, and is highly esteemed by all classes of citizens because of his genial manner and manly worth.

PETER JACKSON.

ETER JACKSON, who is an old settler in Chicago, having lived here since 1870, was born in September, 1852, in County Carlow, Ireland, and is a son of William and Mary (Wynne) Jackson, natives of that country. He received his early education in his native land,

and improved his opportunities for advancement in that country, but he was an ambitious youth and not satisfied with his prospects there, so de- cided to come to the new world.

Previous to the age of eighteen years he emi- grated to the United States, coming direct to

T. L. KRAMER.

the "City by the Lake," which has since been his residence. His brother James came to Chi- cago and remained a short time, and another brother, William J., emigrated later, and located in New York City, where he still resides. He was formerly employed as a buyer by A. T. Stewart.

Peter Jackson realized the advantage of contin- uing at one trade through life, and accordingly satisfied himself of his abilities for his life work before beginning it. He decided to enter the employ of a railroad corporation, and he was compelled to begin with a small salary and a place at the bottom round of the ladder. By his care- ful study and attention to details, and his perse- verance, he was able to advance to the responsi-

ble position of conductor, which position he held for about eight years. He is now a stationary engineer, and has the confidence and esteem of his associates and fellow-citizens.

December 31, 1874, Mr. Jackson married Mary Josephine Kilcran, a daughter of Frank Kilcran, whose biography may be found on another page of this book. They had eight children, six of whom are living, namely: William, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Frank and Ellen. Mr. Jackson, as well as his parents and relatives in Ireland, are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a true and loyal citizen of the United States, and takes an interest in the affairs of the country. In national politi- cal matters he is a Republican, but is independ- ent in local politics.

THEODORE L. KRAMER.

HEODORE LALUCK KRAMER, a veter- an of the Civil War, was born December 9, 1846, in Towanda, Bradford County, Penn- sylvania, and is of German descent. His grand- father, Abram Kramer, left Germany on account of political trouble and his property was confis- cated by the German Government.

Albert M. Kramer, father of Theodore, was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, about 1822, and was a machinist for many years in Towanda. He died at the age of sixty years, in Ulster, in the same State. His wife, Carolina Long, was a native of Fairmont, Luzerne County, in that State, and was a daughter of Abram Long, a farmer. She died about the year 1850, in To- wanda.

Their son, Theodore L. Kramer, attended the public schools of Towanda until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he began work as an iron moulder. Before the completion of his six- teenth year he enlisted, September 1, 1862, in a

militia regiment called to oppose the invasion of Maryland by General Lee in that month. He served thirty days at this time, and again for a like period in the following year, when Pennsyl- vania was invaded.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 2

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Calumet Book & Engraving Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : Calumet Book and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 930