USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed. > Part 27
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Watertown, New York, he removed to a farm near Kingston, Canada, upon which he resided for fifty years, departing this life in 1883, at the age of ninety-three years. He was the father of fourteen children, of whom James was the eldest. . He was an honorable and thrifty business man, and accu- mulated a competence, in the enjoyment of which his later years were spent. He and his wife were devout Presbyterians. The latter died at King- ston, several years later than her husband.
James McMahon enjoyed excellent educational advantages, pursuing courses of study success- ively at Andover Academy; Cheshire Academy, at Cheshire, Connecticut; and Washington (now Trinity) College, at Hartford, Connecticut. His parents designed to fit him for the Presbyterian ministry., but, while a student at Washington College, he became converted to the Episcopal faith, and abandoned his theological studies, to their great disappointment. While a young man, he spent considerable time in travel, visiting Eu-
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JAMES McMAHON.
rope three times, and becoming quite familiar with the ways of the world and its business methods. In 1849, in company with a party of young men of his acquaintance, he went to Cali- fornia, by way of the Isthmus. He remained three years in that state, during which time he mined successively at Hangtown, American Val- ley and Big Bar, and also recovered his health, which had become considerably inipaired before his departure from the East. At the last-named mines he gained a rich reward for his labors, and thence returned to the East, again making the voyage by way of the Isthmus, a regular line of steamers having been established since he first made the journey.
He landed at New Orleans, thence went to Dal- las County, Alabama, where he purchased an ex- tensive cotton plantation with a retinue of slaves, and had just established a profitable business when the Civil War broke out. On account of his political views, he found it impracticable to re- main there, and in 1860 he was obliged to abandon his property and remove to the North. He located in Chicago, where he became asso- ciated with the insurance agency of Thomas B. Bryan, and continued to carry on that line of business for a number of years, representing the Mutual Life, the Mutual Benefit and the Equit- able Life Insurance Companies. His business ventures were fairly successful, and he had accu- mulated considerable property when the great fire of 1871 visited the city. Most of what he saved from that disaster was swept away by the panic of 1873. At the latter date he moved to Evans- ton, and for a few years conducted a restaurant in Davis Street. Since 1882 he has filled the of- fice of Township Supervisor, being re-elected each season without opposition. In addition to luis official duties, he acts as a purchasing agent for Evanston merchants, making regular trips to Chicago in their interests.
He is a thirty-second-degree Mason, and is held in the highest regard by his brethren of that order, from whom he has received many testimo- nials. He first joined Oriental Lodge, and is now identified with Evans Lodge, Evanston Chapter, Evanston Commandery and Oriental
Consistory, his duties as Tyler of these several bodies taking up considerable of his time.
Mr. McMahon was married, in 1865, to Martha Cornelia Converse, daughter of Samuel Augustus and Anna (Easton) Converse, of Stafford, Con- necticut. Mr. Converse, who was a descendant of the French Huguenots who located in America during the Colonial period, died in Connecticut, at the extreme old age of ninety-three years. He was an influential citizen of Stafford, and a pen- sioner of the War of 1812. Mrs. McMahon canie to Chicago in 1860, and was associated with Mrs. Mary A. Livermore in conducting the great San- itary Fair. Mr. McMahon was also one of the promoters of this undertaking, and sold thousands of tickets in its support. Though not blessed with children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Mahou have adopted and partially reared several children, one daughter, Harriet Wilmina, having been a member of the family from infancy. She was first married to Professor W. W. Graves, an instructor in the Northwestern University, and since his death has become the wife of Edwin O'Malley, of Chicago. Jennie, another adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McMahon, is now Mrs. Cameron, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
When he first located in Chicago Mr. McMahon resided on the South Side, near the home of Stephen A. Douglas, who became his intimate friend. He helped to organize St. Mark's Church, 011 Cottage Grove Avenue, and was for some years one of its most active and influential mem- bers. He served four years as Superintendent of Trinity Mission, and he and his wife have been communicants of St. Mark's Church of Evanston since removing to that city. Previous to the Great Rebellion, he was a Democrat, but since coming to Chicago has been a consistent Repub- lican. He is a life member of the Masonic Vet- erans' Association of Chicago, and during the war acted as agent for the numerous Masonic charities of the city of Chicago, securing relief and transportation for many indigent members of the order belonging to the Union army. The retrospection of his long and useful life may well afford comfort and satisfaction in his declining years.
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LIBRARY OF THE MNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
JONATHAN CLARK
(From Photo, by W. J. ROOT)
JONATHAN CLARK.
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JONATHAN CLARK.
ONATHAN CLARK, prominent among Chi- cago contractors and builders, was born at West Walton, in the county of Norfolk, Eng- land, May 28, 1828. His parents were William and Christina Clark, and his father died when Jonathan, the eldest of four children, was only seven years old. At the age of eight he was put to work herding sheep on the Norfolk commons and keeping the birds off the fields of grain, for which he received two shillings (fifty cents) per week. He went out to service on a farm at twelve years of age. His earnings during the last year of service he saved to pay his way to America. Previous to that time he had contributed his wages to the support of his widowed mother and his younger brothers.
On the 21st of September, 1848, Mr. Clark sailed from England, and arrived in Chicago on the 27th of November, via New York, being nearly ten weeks on the journey. He came by way of the Lakes directly to Chicago, penniless and friendless, but resolute and ready for whatever came. His first employment was hauling wood into Chicago. The winter was very severe, and he froze liis feet, and, through the dishonesty of his employer, he lost his wages. In the spring of 1849 he worked six weeks for Jefferson Mun- son, of Downer's Grove, and then returned to Chicago and became an apprentice to P. L. Up- dyke and Jolın Sollitt, with whom he spent three years, learning the trade of carpenter and joiner, and at the expiration of that time receiving'the sum of $200 for his services. He spent six months as a journeyman, and then began contracting on nis own account, and was successful, accumulat-
ing money from the start. By saving his earn- ings, he was able to pay his brother's passage to America in 1849, and in 1850 the two brought over the remainder of the family.
In 1860, in company with his brother, Mr. Clark went overland to Denver, where they fitted up the first express building and the post- office. After spending the summer there, they returned in the fall by team, as they had gone. On the Platte River Mr. Clark's horse was stolen, and while trying to recover it, he traveled on foot in the night, and was surrounded by wolves, barely escaping with his life. The thief was captured, and Mr. Clark's companions wanted to try him, but as that meant conviction and hang- ing, he refused to allow it, and the offender was permitted to accompany the outfit to Omaha, and to go unpunished. 'I11 1867 Mr. Clark was ap- pointed by Gov. Oglesby to superintend the con- struction of Illinois buildings at the Paris Expo- sition. There the United States Government, recognizing his worth, secured his services in the Department of Works, and appointed him assist- ant to the Superintendent of the American por- tion of the exposition. Before returning to the United States, he visited his old home and por- tions of Switzerland and Germany.
During the years he was engaged in contract- ing, Mr. Clark did an immense business, and erected many residences, stores and business houses. Among them were the Bowen Block, McCormick Hall Block, Kingsburg Music Hall, Kingsburg Block, the Chicago Water Works, Bigelow Hotel, the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation building and Academy of Design, the
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GEORGE G. CUSTER.
Brother Jonathan building and the First National Bank building. The reconstruction of the Chi- cago Water Works was the first job he did after the fire, and the embers were still hot when he began work on it. The Bigelow Hotel occupied the site of the present postoffice, and disappeared in the great fire. Mr. Clark was both builder and owner of the Academy of Design, which was the first building ever erected in Chicago for a fine-arts exhibit.
In 1852 Mr. Clark married Miss Alice Sarde- son, a native of Lincolnshire, England, but then a resident of Chicago. Of the marriage, five chil- dren were born and all are now living in Chicago. They are: Euna, the wife of Shea Smith, of Shea Smith & Co .; F. W .; George T .; Retta M., now the wife of Dr. Kauffman, of Chicago; and J. Y. The sons F. W. and G. T. are members of the firm of Jonathan Clark & Sons Co., contractors, who have erected many buildings, notable among which are the Art Institute and the Government buildings at Ft. Sheridan. · The senior member of
this firm is not now actively connected with the company, but is employed in erecting and manag- ing buildings, of which he has about a score, built on ground held on ninety-nine-year leases.
Mr. Clark is a Republican, a member of the Union League and Sunset Clubs, and a Thirty- second Degree Mason, in which order he has held many high offices. He attends, but is not a mem- ber of, Dr. Thomas' Church. In his later years he has traveled largely through the United States, including the Pacific Coast and Florida. He has a fruit farm and an elegant residence at Fri .. tland Park, in the latter State.
Jonathan Clark is numbered among the men who have made Chicago, and given it the char- acter which it bears. Through trials, by perse- verance and an honest course, he has risen to prominent place in the city which he has made his residence for almost half a century, and where he is an honored citizen, who bears his years with dignity, and grows old gracefully in the midst of a large circle of devoted friends.
GEORGE. GRANGER CUSTER.
F EORGE GRANGER CUSTER, who is now serving as Auditor of the City Board of Ed- ucation, was born on the 6th of December, 1838, in Sanford, Edgar County, Illinois. His father's ancestors bore the name of Granger, and came from England to America, locating in Con- necticut. His father was a physician, and in Newark, Ohio, married Nancy Link. His death occurred at the early age of twenty-eight years, and soon after our subject, then a child of six months, was taken for adoption by Isaac D. Cus- ter, of Terre Haute, Indiana, whose name lie then assumed. He found in his foster-father a kind-hearted and liberal man, who could not have
treated ån own son with more kindness and con- sideration. The maternal ancestors of the sub- ject of this sketch were of French origin, and on emigrating to the New World settled in Freder- icksburg, Virginia, about the middle of the eigli- teenth century. From there the maternal grand- father with his family removed about the year 1825 to Newark, Olio.
When George was a child of six years, the Custer family removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and for five years he attended Wyman's private school. Soon after he accompanied his father on a trip to California, where they remained for one year. Mr. Custer went to the West to see the
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GEORGE G. CUSTER.
country, and took his adopted son on account of his poor liealth. The result of the trip proved the wisdom of the father, as the son became a strong, hearty boy, and now enjoys a vigorous manhood. He made the journey across the plains on horse- back, leaving St. Louis on the 4th of April, 1850, on the steamboat "Princeton," and arriv- ing at old Ft. Kearney, Nebraska, fifteen days later. There they remained until the early part of May, when, the grass having grown sufficiently to furnish feed for liorses and mules, they re- sumed their journey. They were eighty-six days in making the trip from the Missouri River to Hangtown, now Placerville, California. Their next resting-place was Sacramento, from whence they went to San Francisco. They suffered the usual hardships and privations incident to the trip across the plains in days of the gold excite- ment, being sometimes for days with very small rations of food, and only water sufficient to moisten the lips; but, notwithstanding, no illness fell to the lot of father or son during the trip to and from California. Mr. Custer had no mining experi- ences, for he was then too young to dig for gold. After a sojourn of a few months in California, he returned home, by way of the Isthmus, stopping on the way at the island of Jamaica and in New York City, from whence he came West, by way of the Hudson River to Albany, thence to Buffalo by rail, by lake to Chicago, by canal to La Salle, and on the steamer "Robert Fulton" to St. Louis.
Mr. Custer then attended Jones' College until eighteen years of age, and resided in St. Louis until 1854, when the family removed to a farm near Davenport, Iowa. In the fall of 1855, he returned to St. Louis and accepted a position as assistant book-keeper in the retail grocery house of Ellis & Hutton, at that time the largest estab- lishment of the kind in the city. In the summer following he returned to Davenport and entered the employ of Thomas H. McGee, wholesale grocer, as chief clerk and book-keeper, and in the spring of 1857 took charge of the office of the Burtis House, then the best-equipped hotel west of Chicago. After a few months lie was taken sick and returned to the farm, where he remained until coming to Chicago, in April, 1862.
In the mean time Mr. Custer was married. On the 4th of October, 1850, he wedded Miss Sarah Ann Kelly, of Davenport. The lady was born in Mt. Carmel, near Cincinnati, Ohio, September 7, 1842. Her father, Daniel C. Kelly, a native of Cincinnati, is now living in Davenport, Iowa, where the foster-father of this subject also resides. They are aged respectively eighty and eighty- three years, and still active and in good health. Four children have been born to Mr. Custer and his wife: Tillie, who is now the wife of Robert J. Clark, and has one child; Hattie Winchell, wife of William G. R. Bell; Sadie Belle; and George G.
On leaving the farm in Iowa, Mr. Custer came to Chicago and accepted a position as assistant com- inercial reporter on the Morning Post, edited by J. W. Sheahan, with which he was connected for a year. He then entered the employ of Hobbs, Oli- phant & Co., commission merchants, and at the end of three years started in business for himself as a member of the firm of Olcott, Lash & Co., in the sanie line of business. This venture proved un- successful, on account of the credit giveu country customers. Mr. Custer then engaged in the brokerage business, but during the great fire again met with losses, after which he spent three years witlı Hall & Winch, sash and door manufacturers. He then returned to the Board of Trade, and was quite successful in business for several years, but at length lost his fortune in a "big corner."
At that time Mr. Custer left the city, removing to Nevada, Illinois, where he took charge of an elevator owned by A. M. Wright & Co. On his return in 1880, lie accepted a position with James H. Drake & Co., commission merchants, with whom he remained for a year and a-half, when failing health forced him to abandon that work. Farm life had previously proved benefi- cial, and lie again resorted to that cure, carrying of agricultural pursuits until his health was re- stored. Once more ine entered the employ of Hall & Winch, with whom he continued until the death of the junior partner, when the business was closed out. He was the: with the firm of Garvey & Jenkinson until they retired from busi- ness.
In May, 1886, Mr. Custer became Auditor of
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WILLIAM WEST.
the Board of Education, and has been unani- mously re-elected since that time. He was the candidate for the office of Assessor of West Chi- cago, on the Democratic ticket, in 1871, but never sought political preferment, although he took an active part in politics in early life. He is known as a conservative Democrat. Socially, he is connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Royal League, and is the First Vice-President of the California Pioneers. In early life he joined the Baptist Church, but as its doctrines were not in accordance with his broad and liberal views, he
joined the Third Unitarian Church, and was, until his removal from the West to the South Side, one of its active and respected members. He is so- cially inclined, possessed of a genial nature and pleasant disposition. He is popular among his acquaintances, and is one who makes and retains friends. He possesses a sanguine temperament, is an energetic worker and not easily discouraged. Fond of home and family, lie is true to those who rely upon him, and his faithfulness and sterling worth have won him warm regard.
WILLIAM WEST.
ILLIAM WEST, one of the enterprising citizens of Cook County, now successfully engaged in farming on section 30, Niles Township, is numbered among the early settlers of the State, having come to Illinois with his parents in 1836. He is a native of Yorkshire, England, born on the 21st of June, 1814. His father, James West, was born in Shipton, Eng- land, in 1768, and died in the fall of 1838, two years after his emigration to America. His wife bore the maiden name of Jane Hodgen, and was a daughter of Thomas Hodgen, a shoe-maker of Great Husband, England. As above stated, James West, accompanied by his family, bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America in the good ship "Sylvenus Jenkins," which brought him to New York after an un- eventful voyage of thirty-one days. He was de- tained in New York quite a while on account of the sickness of a relative, John Dewes, but at length resumed his journey and traveled toward the setting sun until he reached Cook County. He became the first settler of Jefferson Township, and it was his intention to purchase a claim as
soon as the land came into market, but death frustrated his plans.
William West pre-empted a quarter-section of land in Jefferson Township, on which he resided until 1856, when he came to Niles Township, his present home. One of the most important events of his life occurred in 1843, when was celebrated his marriage with Mrs. Isabella Mosley, a dangh- ter of John Kendel, who was a native of York- shire, England, and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. West was born in Yorkshire, December 18, 1821, and died January 28, 1864. Their union was blessed with four sons and five daughters, and five of the number are still living, namely: William, who was born June 11, 1850, and now resides in Chicago; Mary Jane, who was born April 27, 1852, and is the wife of Robert Robin- son, of Avondale; Isabella E., who was born August 27, 1857, and is the wife of Jolin Proctor, a resident of Arlington Heights; Martha Ann, who was born February 20, 1860, is the widow of Emil Haag, and resides in Niles; and Edward, who was born January 18, 1864, and is now en- gaged in the flour and feed business in Chicago.
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J. D. TOBEY.
Il1 1866, Mr. West was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Frances Ollinger, who is now deceased.
Mr. West cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison and has voted at each Presidential elec- tion since that time. He now affiliates with the Democracy, but from 1860 until 1892 supported the Republican candidates. He received no spe- cial advantages in life, his school privileges being
obtained previous to his tenth year, and his edu- cation from that time was acquired through con- tact with the world. He had no capital or influ- ential friends to aid him in business, and the suc- cess which has crowned his efforts is the just re- ward of his own labors. As a citizen he is pub- lic-spirited and progressive and devoted to the best interests of the community, and by those who know him he is highly respected.
JOHN D. TOBEY.
OHN DILLON TOBEY, who is doing an extensive business as a dealer in hay and grain in Chicago, was born at Worth Sta- tion, Cook County, on the 3d of September, 1859, and is a son of Wales and Elizabeth Tobey, who are represented on another page of this work. He spent his early boyhood days upon his father's farm, and acquired his education in the district school of the neighborhood and in the High School of Blue Island. At the age of seventeen he left home with $2.85 in his pocket. From that time he has made his own way in the world unaided, and the success he has achieved is therefore due entirely to his own efforts. He began work as a farm hand, receiving $15 per month in compen- sation for his services. With his first season's wages he bought a half-interest in a threshing- machine, and the following winter started a hay press.
Fifteen months after leaving home, Mr. Tobey had accumulated $3,300, besides a hay-press, teams, etc. In connection with his other work he also did road contracting in Worth Township. For one year after coming to Chicago he was in the employ of Nelson Morris & Co., buying sup- plies of feed for the stock. Since 1886 he has engaged in his present business as a dealer in hay and grain at No. 309 Twenty-sixth Street. He al-
£
so handles ice. His business has steadily in- creased in volume, until it has now assumed ex- tensive proportions, and on the Ist of June, 1894, the J. D. Tobey Hay and Grain Company was in- corporated. Of this Mr. Tobey is president and general manager. For some years he has been the best known dealer in his line on the south side and is now the largest retail dealer in the United States. He also deals in city real estate and farm property, and has invested to some extent in western lands.
On the Ioth of September, 1885, Mr. Tobey was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Burt. The lady is a native of Westport, Essex County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Alvin Burt. Their union has been blessed with one child, Gracie. They also lost two sons who died in infancy within two weeks of each other.
Mr. Tobey takes considerable interest in civic societies, and is a member of Golden Rule Lodge No. 726, A. F. & A. M .; a life member of Chi- cago Commandery No. 19, K. T .; and also be- longs to Medinah Temple and the Mystic Shrine; to Acacia Club; to America Lodge No. 271, K. P .; Longfellow Lodge No. 708, R. A .; George B. McClellan Council of the National Union; Chicago Heavy-Weight Base Ball Club, the Sud- seite Turngemeinde, and several other social and
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ALEXANDER McDANIEL.
insurance orders. He votes with the Republican party, but has never sought or desired political preferment, in fact has several times refused pub- lic office. Physically, Mr. Tobey is the picture
of health and strength. He is of a social, genial nature, and is a gentleman of rare business abil- ity, having attained success throngli good judg- ment, ready decision and energetic determination.
ALEXANDER McDANIEL.
A LEXANDER McDANIEL, of Wilmette, is now living a retired life, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He has for many years resided in Cook County, and is so widely and favorably known that he needs 110 special introduction to the readers of this vol- ume. This work would be incomplete without the record of his life, which is as follows: He was born February 13, 1815, in Bath, Steuben County, New York, and is a son of Daniel Mc- Daniel, who was of Scotch descent, but was born in the State of New York and made farming his life work. He married Rachel Taner, a lady who was born and reared in the Mohawk Valley, and was a descendant of the Mohawk Dutch. They became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters.
Alexander McDaniel is the eldest son. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent in his parents' home and he became familiar with all the duties of farm life. He aided in the cultivation of the old homestead until he had attained his majority, when he started out for himself, and, leaving the East upon the tide of emigration which was steadily moving westward, he came to Chica- go, arriving in this city on the 27th of May, 1836. Here he worked until the 14th of August, when he went to New Trier Township, spending sever- al days looking up lands on the Ouilmette Indian reservation. He then returned to Chicago, where he continued until October, when he again came to New Trier Township, and pre-empted one hun- dred and sixty acres of Government land where
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