Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 57

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 57

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Mr. Henderson immediately organized a new firm, under the name of C. M. Henderson & Co., his partner being Mr. Elisha Wadsworth, for- merly the head of the great dry goods house of Wadsworth, Farwell & Co. Mr. Wadsworth was virtually a silent partner, as the entire manage- ment of the business was left to Mr. Henderson, who carried it on so successfully that, at the end of two or three years, he was enabled to purchase the interest of his partner. He now associated with himself his brother, Wilbur S. Henderson, who had been several years in his employ as clerk, and also gave an interest to his bookkeeper, Ed- mund Burke, who sold his share to Mr. Hender- son some years later.

The firm continued to do a jobbing business until 1865, when a small factory was established for the production of the heavy goods demanded by the western trade. This was the nucleus of what has become one of the largest establishments of its kind in .the United States. The original factory is still in operation, surrounded by im- mense modern buildings, equipped with all that genius has supplied for the saving of labor and the improvement of the quality of finished products. In 1880 a building was constructed, devoted to the production of ladies' fine wear, and recently an- other immense structure has risen, whose mission is the construction of gentlemen's fine shoes. These factories are located at Dixon, Illinois, and the offices and shops employ over one thousand people daily. In 1888 the firm was incorporated under the laws of Illinois, the name remaining unchanged, and several of the old and faithful employes became stockholders.

The business has occupied many locations in the city, the first being on South Water Street. Subsequently three different stores on Lake Street were used in succession, and in 1868 the building

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and stock at the corner of that thoroughfare and Michigan Avenue were swept away by fire. The great fire of 1871 found the business located at Nos. 58 and 60 Wabash Avenue, and in common with thousands of others it was annihilated. No time was wasted in repining, and inside of three weeks after this disaster business was resumed in a one-story board shanty on Michigan Avenue. In four months after the loss, the firm was estab- lished in a new brick building on Wabash Avenue, the plastering being completed after its occupancy. In the fall of 1872, another removal was inade, to the corner of Madison and Franklin Streets, and five years later it was moved to the corner of Monroe Street, one block south, where it con- tinued until the firm was able to occupy its own fine building. This is located at the northeast corner of Adams and Market Streets, and was built in 1884. It covers a ground space 170X120 · feet, is six stories high, and is devoted exclusively to the purposes of an office and distributing depot. The development of this immense and successful business is the result of Mr. Henderson's execu- tive ability, industry and well-known integrity. As a business man, he commands high standing among Chicago's enterprising and superlatively aggressive business circles, while he enjoys the respect and friendship of a wide acquaintance as a man and gentleman.

Mr. Henderson is somewhat socially inclined, and holds membership in several clubs, among which are the Union League, Chicago, Calumet and Commercial. Of strong religious nature, he early adopted the Christian religion as his rule of

practice, and has been a communicant of the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago since 1868. He has been active and useful in church and mission work, was two years President of the Young Men's Christian Association and for ten years, until failing health compelled him to resign some of his work, acted as Superintendent of the Rail- road Chapel Mission.

In political sentiment, he is a Republican from principle, and has always been active in every ef- fort to promote good government for the city. In the reform movement of 1874, which secured a re-organization of the fire department and numer- ous other changes-among them a new city char- ter, the present one-he was especially active, contributing liberally in money to carry on the work, and giving of his time and counsel. In many other ways he has shown his disposition to discharge his whole duty and shirk no responsi- bility as a citizen. He seeks the best and right thing in government, regardless of partisan preju- ·dices or advantage. As a part of his duty to the public, he is now acting as Trustee of the Home for Incurables and the Lake Forest University. He is devoted to his home and family, and when duty does not call him away, he is found, out of business hours, at his pleasant home on Prairie Avenue. In 1858 he was married to Miss Emily, daughter of James Hollingsworth, of Chicago. A son, who died in infancy, and three daughters have been given him. Amid kind friends and many other surroundings that conduce to peace and happiness, he is enjoying the fruits of a busy and useful life.

ALEXANDER BEAUBIEN.

A LEXANDER BEAUBIEN enjoys the dis- tinction of being the oldest individual born in Cook County. The date of his birth was January 28, 1822, and the place is on the east side of Michigan Avenue, between Randolph and

Washington Streets. The house in which he was born had been built a few years earlier by John Dean, and was one of five or six buildings, including Fort Dearborn, which then stood upon the site of Chicago.

393

ALEXANDER BEAUBIEN.

Alexander is one of twelve children born to John B. and Rosette (La Frambois) Beaubien. The father was born at Detroit, Michigan, during the closing days of the American Revolution. His father, Antoine Beaubien, and his grand- father, who also bore the name of Antoine, were among the earliest settlers of Detroit, and carried on an extensive farm at that place. A11- toine Beaubien, Sr., was a native of France, and doubtless came to America before the French and Indian War.

John B. Beaubien first visited Fort Dearborn in 1809. His purpose in coming hither was to trade with the Indians, and in the pursuit of that object he was quite successful, remaining in the vicinity for some time. At the time of the mas- sacre, in 1812, he had gone to Mackinaw, but the following year he returned as agent of John Jacob Astor and built a trading-post near the site of the old fort. Branch posts were also established at Milwaukee, Pecatonica, Hennepin and Danville, goods being transported on pack- horses between these points and the main store- house at Chicago. Mr. Beaubien had the super- vision of all these posts, and remained in charge of them for some years. He made a pre-emption claim to the land between State Street and the lake, extending as far south as Madison Street, and including about one acre on the north side of the river; but, owing to some technicality, the government refused to give him a title to the same. About 1840 he settled on a half-section of land near the Desplaines Eiver, in Leyden Township, with his family, improving the same until it became a desirable farm. He died at Naperville, Illinois, in 1864, at the age of eighty- four years. Had all white men manifested the spirit of justice and fairness exhibited by him in dealing with the Indians, much trouble and mis- ery might have been averted.

Mrs. Rosette Beaubien was born in Michigan. Her father, Joseplı La Frambois, was a Frenclı- inan, and her mother was a member of the Potta- watomie tribe. In 1804, while still a young girl, Mrs. Beaubien came to Chicago, accompanying the party in command of Major Whistler, which originally built Fort Dearborn. She was living

with the Kinzie family when the fort was aban- doned in 1812, and with her Mr. and Mrs. Kin- zie, and one or two other persons, started in a canoe to follow the troops. They were near shore and in plain sight of the inassacre which took place near the foot of Eighteenth Street, and Mrs. Beaubien often described the scene to her children in later years. After the battle was over, Mr. Kinzie and party continued the journey in safety to St. Joseph and thence to Detroit. Mrs. Beaubien died at River Park, Illinois, in 1845. Following are the names of her children: George, who died at the age of fourteen years; Susan and Monique, twins; Julia; Henry and Philip, twins; Alexander; Ellen Maria, wife of Joseph Robeson; William S .; Margaret (Mrs. De Witt Robinson); Louise (Mrs. N. D. Wood); and Caroline (Mrs. Stephen Fields). Alexander and the four last mentioned are the only members of this family now living, but they probably know more of the early history of Chicago than any other family in existence.

The circumstances attending his youth gave Mr. Beaubien little opportunity for education save that gained in the school of experience, but ex- tensive reading and observation have given him a well-stored mind. He was eighteen years old when the family removed from Chicago to Ley- den Township, where lie became one of the leading farmers, and filled all the township offices except that of Justice of the Peace, which he declined. In 1862 he returned to Chicago, which has since been his home. During the most of this time lie has been connected with the police force of the city, and for seven years past has been in charge of the lock-up at the Harrison Street Station, discharging the duties of that position in a man- ner which meets the approval of all his superior officers, though the administration of the city government has several times changed during this period.

He readily recalls the time when every house in the then village of Chicago could be counted from the roof of his father's home. He saw the first frame house built by his uncle, Mark Beau- bien. The latter also built the first brick resi- dence, a one and one-half story structure, on the

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north side of Lake Street, about fifty feet west of Fifth Avenue. Mr. Beaubien witnessed the first public execution in Cook County, when John Stone was hung for murder. This took place on the prairie, about where Thirty-first Street now is, and one-quarter of a mile west of the lake.

Mr. Beaubien was married, in 1850, to Miss Susan Miles, a daughter of Stephen Miles of Can- andaigua, New York. Five children have blessed their union, as follows: Julia Caroline, wife of Eugene Wait; Ida E. (Mrs. Albert H. Moulton, of Alexander, Genesee County, New York); Fannie G., wife of Richard S. Beaubien; William S., Jr .; and Harry Miles; all except Mrs. Moul- ton living in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Beaubien also have five grandchildren, in whose company they find great comfort and delight.

Mr. Beaubien was the first child baptised by a Catholic priest in Chicago, although the rite was not performed until he was six years of age, when Father Badden chanced to visit this place. It is needless to add that Mr. Beaubien has con- sistently retained that faith to the present time. Since 1882 he has been a member of the Police- men's Benevolent Association. He is independ- ent in political action, supporting such men and measures as he deems best suited to the public interests, irrespective of party allegiance. He leads a quiet, unassuming life, and takes great pleasure in discussing events connected with the pioneer days of Cook County, the most important of which either came under his own observation or that of his parents.

JAMES S. TOPPAN.

] AMES SMITH TOPPAN, a man of broad business experience, has been an extensive traveler and has resided and been engaged in business in nearly every quarter of the globe. He was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, October 7, 1830, of good old New England stock, as is shown by the following resume of his gene- alogy:

The name Toppan was originally Topham, taken from the name of a place in Yorkshire, England, meaning upper hamlet or village. The pedigree, as far back as it has been traced, com- mences with Robert Topham, who resided at Linton, near Pately Bridge, which is supposed to have been in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He made his will in 1550. His second son, Thomas Topham, was of Arnecliffe, near Linton. He died in 1589, and was buried in the church at Arnecliffe. Edward Topham, alias Toppan, eld- est son of Thomas Topham, was of Aiglethorpe, near Linton, and has his pedigree recorded in the

College of Arms, with armorial bearings. Will- iam Toppan, fourth son of Edward Toppan, of Aiglethorpe, lived for some time at Calbridge, where his son Abraham was baptised April 10, 1606.

The family still exists in England, and is now of Middleham, in the northwest part of Yorkshire, on the river Ouse. The crest is a Maltese cross (croix patee) with entwined ser- pents. As early as 1637 Abraham Toppan re- sided at Yarmouth. His wife was Susanna Taylor.

In the first volume of the fourth series of the publications of the Massachusetts Historical So- ciety, pp. 98-99, is the following:

"A Register of the names of such persons who are 21 years and upward and liave license to passe into forraigne parts from March, 1637, to 29th of September, by virtu of a Commission of Mr. Thomas Mayhew, Gentleman."

Among these persons are the following:

"Abraham Toppan, cooper, aged 31, Susanna,

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J. S. TOPPAN.

his wife, aged 31, with their children Peter and Elizabetlı, and one mayd servant, Anne Goodin, aged 18 years, sailed from Yarmouth, 10 May, 1637, in the ship 'Rose,' of Yarmouth, Wm. Andrews, Master."

In October, 1637, Abraham Toppan was in Newbury, Massachusetts, as appears by the fol- lowing extract from the town records:

"Abraham Toppan being licensed by John En- dicott Esqr. to live in this jurisdiction, was re- ceived into the town of Newberry as an inhabi- tant thereof, and has promised under his hand to be subject to any lawful order that shall be made by the towne.

"Oct. 1637. ABRAHAM TOPPAN."

The genealogy from this time on is as follows:

Jacob (son of the above), b. 1645, m. Hannah Sewall 24th August, 1670.

Abrahamı, b. 29th June, 1684, 11. Esther Sewall 24th October, 1713.

Edward, b. 7th September, 1715, mn. Sarah Bailey 7th September, 1743.

Enoch, b. 7th May, 1759, m. Mary Coffin 2nd February, 1794.

Edward, b. 7th April, 1796, m. Susan L. Smith, 22nd January, 1821.

James S., b. 7th October, 1830, in. Juliet A. Lunt, 13th August, 1861.

The old homestead upon Toppan Street, in Newburyport, was built by Jacob Toppan in 1670, and was first occupied by himself and his bride. The house has been lived in almost continually since, and is still in the possession of the fanı- ily, being, even now, in a remarkably well-pre- served condition.

Edward Toppan, the father of the subject of this sketch, spent his entire life as a farmer in the neighborhood of his native town, and was the fa- ther of the following children: Edward S., Charles, Hannah, James S., Margaret, Susan L., Serena D. and Roland W.

James S. left school at twelve years of age, and remained at home upon the farm until he was fifteen, when he entered a stationery store in his native town.

In May, 1849, when less than nineteen years of age, he left Boston for California in the barque

"Helen Augusta." A stop of seven days was made at St. Catherines, Brazil, where, on the day after their arrival, six of the crew deserted, and as no others could be had to fill their places, four pas- sengers, including Mr. Toppan, volunteered to fill them, and did sailors' duties for the remainder of the voyage. After rounding Cape Horn, they spent one day on the island of Juan Fernandez, made famous as the home of Robinson Crusoe. Another stop of a week's duration was made at the Gallapagos Islands for the purpose of secur- ing supplies of water, terrapin and fish, and on the Ist of October they arrived in San Francisco.

Mr. Toppan's first work here was to build a fence around some lots on the Sand Hills for a Mr. David Murphy, and also to cloth and paper two houses for the same person. When this was completed, he, in company with another young man, bought a whale-boat, which they ran as a ferry-boat between San Francisco and what is now Oakland.

Shortly afterwards this was sold out at a good profit, and, in company with two others, Mr. Toppan laid claim to one hundred and sixty acres of mission land, supposing it to be public property. A redwood tree, measuring eight feet in diameter at the butt, was cut down, and from one length of the trunk they built a house some thirty by eigh- teen or twenty feet in size. Two yoke of oxen and an old prairie wagon were purchased for $1,200, and the land was cleared, plowed and planted.

While waiting for their crops to mature they employed their leisure time in cutting wild hay and building a lever press-a young sycamore tree serving as the lever. Strips of green raw- hide were used in binding the bales, and in this manner six tons of hay were baled. They then loaded it on old overland wagons, two of which were borrowed, drawn by oxen, and started for San Francisco, a distance of forty-eight miles.

Upon arriving at the Dolores Mission, they found a large number of persons waiting to pur- chase the hay, and in less than an hour they had disposed of their loads for $2,400. This was the first large quantity of hay that had ever reached San Francisco.

396

J. S. TOPPAN.

On their return they gathered their crops and purchased a sloop, with which to take them to inarket at San Francisco. Potatoes brought eigh- ty-five cents per pound, and other products were proportionately high. After remaining in this business for a year, Mr. Toppan was prostrated with fever and ague, and was obliged to sell out and return to San Francisco. Having remained there three months and experienced no improve- ment, he accepted an invitation from the master of the ship "Lowell," of Newburyport, to take a trip with him to Mazatlan, Mexico. From there the vessel was ordered to Ypala, a thousand miles south, where it was loaded with a cargo of dye- woods for Boston. As Mr. Toppan did not care to return home by the way of Cape Horn, he ac- cepted an invitation from a wealthy Spanish gen- tleman to accompany him to the City of Mexico. They made their way to Typic, and thence to their destination, making the entire trip on horse- back, stopping at the principal towns along their route. Mr. Toppan remained in the City of Mexico six weeks, and was then appointed a special bearer of dispatches to Washington by the United States Minister.

After delivering these dispatches and visiting his home he went to New York and took passage in the Vanderbilt steamer "Daniel Webster" for San Francisco, by way of Nicaragua.

They reached Nicaragua during the rainy sea- son, and were eighteen days in crossing the Isth- mus, and while passing up the Pacific Coast to San Francisco eleven stops were made for the purpose of burying people who had died of fever contracted on the Isthmus.

On reaching the Golden Gate City, Mr. Top- pan formed a partnership with George Mansfield, a former chief steward of the Massasoit House, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and they opened a hotel on Clay Street, which they called the Mas- sasoit House. This venture proving a success, they carried on the hotel until it was destroyed in the second big fire. They then purchased an in- terest in a stern-wheel boat called "The Fashion," which they ran between San Francisco and Colusa, the latter place being on the Sacramento River, one hundred miles above the city of Sacramento.

A year after this Mr. Toppan, being ill with bilious fever, sold his interest in the boat and took passage for Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. After a stay of six weeks he boarded the clipper ship "Sovereign of the Seas," bound for New York. At that time this ship was the largest sailing-vessel afloat, and eighty days after leaving Honolulu they reached New York, having made the shortest passage ever made by a sailing-vessel.

Two months were now passed at home, and then, the family physician having advised a warmer climate for him, he sailed from Boston to Calcutta, going as third mate of the vessel. Be- fore starting he had made arrangements with Frederick Tudor, a large dealer in and slipper of ice, to act as his agent. He represented Mr. Tudor for eight years in Calcutta, two years in Ceylon, two years in Singapore, and two years in Java, opening new houses in the last three places.

During his residence in the East, Mr. Toppan visited Newburyport three times, remaining about three months on each occasion. These trips were made through the Red Sea, Suez Canal, the Med- iterranean and overland across Europe to Liver- pool. He was on the eve of going to Hong Kong, to open an ice-house there when Mr. Tudor's death prevented.

Mr. Toppan then returned home and accepted a position with Addison, Gage & Co., of Boston, to start an ice business in Havana, Cuba, but af- ter three years they were obliged to discontinue operations on account of the internal dissensions of the people of Cuba.

He then returned to Boston and became inter- ested in petroleum oil. By experimenting, he discovered a new way of filtering, and went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he made arrangements for manufacturing and placing his oil upon the inarket. This business venture continued until the peculiar grade of oil whichi was used as a base became exhausted, since which time none like it has been found.

Again, he went to Boston and purchased a one- third interest in a large fish-oil house, taking possession on the 15th of September, 1872. On the 10th of November the entire plant was de- stroyed in the great Boston fire. The business,

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however, was soon resumed, and continued until the following September, when the Jay Cook panic caused a failure.

Four years after this, or in May, 1877, Mr. Toppan became identified with the Galena, and the Signal Oil Works, Limited, of Franklin, Penn- sylvania, coming to Chicago as their Resident Manager for this territory.

He was the originator of the contract system of supplying railroads with their lubricating oils, these contracts being based upon the car and lo- comotive mileage of the different roads. So sat- isfactory and successful has this system proved, that to-day upwards of seventy per cent. of the railway mileage of the United States and Mexico is supplied in this manner by the above-named concerns.

Mr. Toppan was married, August 13, 1861, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, to Miss Juliet A. Lunt, who immediately accompanied him to Java. She is the daughter of the late George and Caroline (Chase) Lunt, and had one sister. Both her parents died in Newburyport, the father at the age of seventy-six, and the mother at seventy-five. Mr. Lunt was a ship-owner and master, and spent the major part of his life at sea. Mrs. Toppan made two or three trips with him around the world, and first met her husband in Calcutta.

Mr. and Mrs. Toppan became the parents of four sons and two daughters. The first child, James S., was born in Batavia, Java. When this child was ten months old, Mr. and Mrs. Toppan left Java for home, sailing from Liverpool on the old Cunarder "Africa." When two days out, small-pox broke out in the cabin, the child took it and died ten days after reaching home. Frank W. was born in Cleveland, and lived only a few weeks.

Of the remaining children, George L., who married Grace D. Chapman, of Boston, resides in Evanston. William R. married Carrie H. Clark, of this city, and has a son and daughter. Carrie L. married George T. Loker, of this city; and Fannie C. is still at home.

Mr. Toppan is a member of the society of Cali- fornia Pioneers, and of the Sons of Massachusetts; is domestic in his tastes and fond of his family. He was brought up in the Unitarian faith, and he and his wife attend Prof. Swing's and Bishop Cheney's Churches.

He always votes the Republican ticket, and is a stanch supporter of his party, keeps abreast of the times, is broad-gauged and well informed, and is a pleasant, genial man and an entertain- ing companion.

REV. N. S. HAYNES.

- EV. N. S. HAYNES, pastor of the Engle- wood Church of Christ, Chicago, is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Washington, Mason County, on the 7th of March, 1844. When he was a lad of eight summers, his parents removed to Illinois, settling in Woodford County, on a farm near the town of Eureka. No

event of special importance occurred during his youth, which was passed in the usual manner of farmer lads. During the summer he aided in the labors of the field, and in the winter months be- came familiar with the common branches of learn- ing by study in the district schools. In 1859, he became a student in Eureka College, where he

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N. S. HAYNES.

remained until after the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when, prompted by patriotic im- pulses, he joined an Illinois regiment and went to the front. On his return from the South, he re- sumed his study in college, and in 1867 was grad- uated from the full classical course. He con- tinued his studies after this, however, and in 1868 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 57

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