Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 61

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 61

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* This sketch is taken from the "History of Chicago," by per- mission of the publishers Munsell & Co.

420

C. C. P. HOLDEN.

the rocks aroused the three hundred or more pas- sengers to a comprehension of their danger, they bnckled on life preservers, promptly given them by the officers, and anxiously awaited their sup- posed fate. They recalled the doom of the ill- fated "Independence," which had gone to the bottom a few months before with four hundred souls on board. The officers of the "Winfield Scott" did their duty nobly, the furnace fires were promptly extinguished and the first boat- loads of impatient, terror-stricken voyagers were landed on the shelving rocks, which, however, seemed a veritable haven of refuge. The pass- age to these rocks was perilous, but every one was safely transported. The stranded passengers and crew, however, underwent torments of hun- ger and thirst upon a barren ledge until rescued, seven days after the wreck, by the steamship "California," which carried them to Panama. The "Scott"' was abandoned to the pitiless buffet- ing of the elements and ultimately went to pieces. Neither cargo, express matter (except the money ), mail nor baggage was rescued. The destitute passengers made the best of their way across the isthmus and were taken to New York by the Pacific Mail steamer "Illinois," landing January 3, 1854. Mr. Holden returned to Chicago, reach- ing this city March 18, 1854, precisely four years (lacking one day) from the date of his departure.

The next important event in his life was his entry into the service of the land department of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, which occurred February 20, 1855.

Seven months later-on September 17, 1855 -he was married to Miss Sarah J. Reynolds, daughter of Isaac N. and Rue Ann Reynolds, of New Lenox, Will County, Illinois. Mrs. Hol- den was the granddaughter of Abraham Holder- man, of Holderman's Grove, Illinois, where he settled in 1830.

Mr. Holden has been a prominent figure in Illinois politics since 1858, when he went as a delegate from Chicago to Springfield to the Re- publican State Convention. The train that car- ried the delegation was decorated with a banner bearing the legend, "For United States Senator, Abraham Lincoln." It was after the adjourn-

ment of this convention that the great commoner uttered those memorable words:

"A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this Government cannot endure per- manently, half slave, half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved. I do not expect the house to fall, but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other."

Mr. Holden was elected a member of the city council in April 1861, he representing the old "fifth ward," and continued a member of the municipal legislature until December, 1872. Dur- ing his protracted term of service he had an eye single to the city's good. He worked as did few of his confreres, "public office" being, in his esti- mation, a "public trust." Measures of genuine improvement-not for his own ward, but looking to the benefit of all Chicago-found in him an ardent champion. The improvement of streets was one of his cherished hobbies, of which he never lost sight. In this connection due credit should be given to Mr. Holden's labors. The water supply received his thoughtful considera- tion, and it was largely through his efforts that the present system of abundant distribution throngh- out the city took its inception and received its im- pulsive force. While a member of the council he was constantly agitating this question. He was the advocate of pure water, and plenty of it, for every man, woman and child within the corporate limits. Indeed had it not been for him and others like him, Chicago would have been, to-day, as poorly supplied with water as some of her sister western cities. It was through his persistent la- bor that the city authorized the building of the second tunnel under the lake, with its extension, besides the construction of the waterway ending at Ashland Avenue and Twenty-second Street.

As to Mr. Holden's influence in this regard, see proceedings of the common council for 1869 and 1870, pp. 87, 91, 111, and page 690, Pro- ceedings 1868-9.

During the dark hours of the nation's history, Mr. Holden was conspicuously loyal. His vote, his voice and his efforts were always in support of the Union. His vote as a municipal legislator

421

C. C. P. HOLDEN.

was always in behalf of aiding the National Gov- ernment with men and money. In 1862 hte raised a company for the Eighty-eighth regiment of Illinois Volunteers, his brother, Levi P., being elected its captain. In 1864, when a draft was ordered in case the quota of troops allotted to Chicago was not furnished through voluntary en- listment, he determined that there should be no draft in liis ward -- the Tenth. He organized a "Ward Draft Association" and was chosen its president. The members worked with a will, and the sum of $51,912 was raised wherewithi to pay bounties to volunteers, thus warding off what Mr. Holden was inclined to regard as a threat- ened disgrace. Mr. Holden furnished three rep- resentatives for his family for the army-Harris Durkee, for his wife; Frederick A. Hausmann, for his sister-in-law, Rowena P. Reynolds; and Alonzo C. Ide for himself.

His part in civic affairs has always been a prom- inent one. He was marshal of the city council on the occasion of the reception of the remains of President Lincoln on their way to their final rest- ing place at Springfield, and chairman of the com- mittee named to secure the attendance of General Grant at the great fair held at Dearborn Park, July, 1865. It was he who introduced the reso- lutions which were adopted by the council relative to Lincoln's funeral .*

At the time of the great fire of 1871, he was president of the council, and rendered valuable service in bringing order out of chaos and secur- ing succor for the destitute. A detailed account of his efficient work at that trying period may be found in Andreas' History of Chicago, Vol. II, pp. 761-772.1 At the next municipal election both the great political parties-Republican and Democratic-placed Mr. Holden in nomination for the mayoralty, each also nominating a full ticket for the other city offices. Butt there was an element in the community which was of opinion that political considerations ought not to be re- garded at sucht a time, and in consequence a com- plete "citizens'" ticket, known as the "fire- proof," was nominated, containing the names of

Joseph Medill for Mayor and David A. Gage for Treasurer. The "fire-proof " ticket was elected.

In 1872, Mr. Holden was an elector on the Greeley ticket, but, with his associates, went down in the political cyclone which swept the country in November of that year.

Previous to this-in March, 1869-Governor Palmer had appointed lıim a West Chicago Park Commissioner, and re-appointed him in 1871. He accepted the trust, and with his brother commis- sioners laid out the magnificent system of parks and boulevards which has so largely aided in building up the great West Side. He resigned from the board in 1878.

In 1873, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who for a lifetime had been his coun- sellor, his helpmeet, and the honored mistress of his happy home. She passed away July 26, after a lingering illness, and was laid to rest at Rosehill. It was a source of regret to both Mr. and Mrs. Holden that the latter's youngest sister, Rowena (who had been a member of the family since 1858), was not at home during this protracted sickness, she being absent on an extended tour through Europe and the Orient. An adopted daughter, Sarah J., remained to sustain him in his bereavement.

In February, 1873, Mr. Holden left the employ of the Illinois Central railway, after eighteen years' consecutive service, during which period he had aided in selling two million acres of the corporation's lands. He then took a prominent part in the construction of the Chicago & Illi- nois River Railroad, running from Joliet to Coal City, the charter and organization of which he virtually controlled; he disposed of his interest in this company, whose line ultimately became a part of the Chicago & Alton system.

In 1874, he was elected a County Commissioner, and July 4, 1877, as president of the board, laid the corner stone of the county court house. His investments in real estate proved fortunate, and he has erected several blocks, among them one at the corner of Monroe and Aberdeen Streets and another at Nos. 298 to 302 West Madison Street.

Mr. Holden's adopted daughter, Sarah J., was

* See Council Proceedings for 1866, p. 8. t See also Council Proceedings for 1871, pp. 346, 347.

422

W. B. PARSONS.

married, February 17, 1885, to Mr. George M. Sayre. and now resides at Elmira, New York. They have two children, Charles Holden and Gracie. Some three years later, July 11, 1888, he was married for a second time, his bride being Miss Thelena N. McCoy, daughter of Henry M. and Mary (Lakin) McCoy. She was born at Port Perry, Canada, where she received her schooling and musical education. Her mother died in 1879, and she being the eldest daughter, much fell to her lot in caring for the family, which consisted of her father, two brothers and three sisters. She bravely assumed the responsibility. The children were educated, and while caring for her household she was pursuing her musical and other studies. The western fever having seized her father, he removed with his family to South Dakota, where, in the winter of 1888, they passed through the terrible blizzard that scourged the Dakotas, and where he is now living a quiet life with his second wife, in Mitchell, of that State.

Thelena, who had in previous years met Mr. Holden, was married to him July 11, 1888, and accompanied him to their cozy home in Chicago .. Her brother Charles, with his wife and three children, lives in Rapid City, South Dakota. Her brother George and wife reside in Hart, Michi- gan. Her eldest sister, Addie, married Dr. J. H. Reed, of Lansing, Michigan. Her sister Nettie

married Dr. T. Allen, of Garnett, Kansas; and Emma, lier baby sister, who was always Mrs. Holden's favorite and especial charge, was mar- ried to Mr. Lu Newman, of Chicago, il1 1888. She died December 1, 1893. Mrs. Holden is of a very domestic nature, and strives to make their home pleasant. It is adorned with much of her own work, she being handy botlı with the brush and needle, as is clearly shown in their domestic. home, which is on the great West Side in this city.

Mr. Holden's mother passed away September 23, 1869, and his father February 23, 1872. They died on the farm they had located in 1836. His sister Mary E. (Mrs. J. W. Freer) died November 28, 1845, and his sister Sarah Ann C. February 13, 1847.

In his social relations he is a member of sev- eral well-known organizations, among them the Illinois State Association of Veterans of the Mexican War, the Sons of the American Revolu- tion, the California Pioneers' Association of Chica- go, the Old Settlers' Society of Cook County and the German Old Settlers' Association. By the latter organization he was presented with a gold medal in 1888. At the age of sixty-seven, Mr. Holden still retains his mental and physical faculties un- impaired, hale and hearty in his declining years, one of the distinguished products of Chicago's cosmopolitan influence.

WILLIAM B. PARSONS.

ILLIAM BOSTWICK PARSONS, a for- mer citizen of Chicago, now deceased, is well worthy of a place in the columns of this work, on account of his family connections, his precocity as a child, his ability as a student, and the part which lie took in the legal profession and in business. He was born at Burlington, Vermont, on the last day of the year 1833, and was the son of Judge Sylvanus Parsons, a promi- nent citizen and scion of one of the old families of New England.

As a youth he was quiet and studious, much preferring the company of books to the society of other children, and so rapid was his progress in the acquisition of an education that he not only completed the primary studies incident to prepa- ration for college, but mastered Latin and Greek, which lie taught in Spalding's School at Barre, Vermont, at the age of thirteen years. Entering Dartmouth College when a mere lad, he made a brilliant record as a student in that institution, and graduated third in his class, the most of

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Millard Scott

Bankier, Naperville, III. Settled at Gross Point. Cool: Co. in 1826.

423

WILLARD SCOTT, SR.

whose members were several years older than he. His subsequent career showed that the teachings of this old and honored institution-the alma mater of Daniel Webster and a host of other emi- nent statesmen, lawyers, orators and inen of other professions-were not lost upon him.

At the completion of his college course, stirred by the same spirit which has caused the inigration from New England of thousands of her worthy sons, who have contributed in a great measure to people the West, build up our interests and shape the destiny of the Nation, and full of love for the free institutions for which his ancestors had per- iled their lives in the great struggle for freedom, he decided to cast his lot with the liberty-loving people of Kansas, who were then in the throes of that mighty moral struggle which preceded the War of the Rebellion. Settling in Coffee Coun- ty, the young lawyer engaged in the practice of his profession and soon rose to a prominent place at the bar, and was honored by being elected County Attorney. The outbreak of the Civil War interfered with the practice of the law and stirred his patriotism. He volunteered at an early date, as a private in a Kansas regiment, and served out the term of his enlistment, after

which he re-enlisted and was appointed to a place in the Paymaster's department, where he served until the close of the war. Returning to Kansas, he was again elected attorney of his county.

After spending several years in the profession and acquiring prominence as a lawyer, declining health compelled him to abandon the practice, and he sought a higher altitude and new em- ployment in the mountain districts of Colorado, where he was engaged in mining enterprises until the year 1882. At the latter date lie came to Chicago and retired from active life. He died liere January 31, 1885.

On the 12th of November, 1861, William B. Parsons and Julia W. Kinzie were united in wed- lock at Burlington, Kansas, the home of Robert A. Kinzie, the pioneer of Chicago, whose biogra- phy appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were the parents of three children, namely: Rob- ert Wilkins, now a resident of Chicago; William Guy, cashier of the United States Rubber Com- pany, of New York; and Frank Kinzie Parsons, who is a stock-raiser in Montana. Mrs. Parsons survives her husband, and occupies a responsible position in the Chicago postoffice, which she has held for twenty years.

WILLARD SCOTT, SR.

ILLARD SCOTT, SR., deceased, who for many years was connected with the leading business interests of Naperville, and for half a century made his home in this section of the great commonwealth of Illinois, was a native of New York, born in Unadilla, Otsego County, April 20, 1808. His parents were Stephen J. and Hadassah (Trask) Scott. The father followed the sea in his early years and became the owner and master of a schooner, which bore his name and was engaged in the coast trade along the At-

lantic shore. In Connecticut he wedded Miss Trask, who was a relative of Gen. Israel Putnam, one of the heroes of Revolutionary fame. On leaving Hartford, Conn., they went to Unadilla, and the year 1816 witnessed their removal to Maryland, where they spent the next decade.

During this time our subject was acquiring an education in the common schools, and also took a short course in mathematics. It was his desire to become a sailor, but his mother urged him not to do this, for the life was too fraught with dan .

424

C. J. MAGILL.

gers. In 1825 the family made a visit to New York, and then started for St. Joseph, Mich., go- ing through Canada to Detroit, and thence by water. The goods were shipped by sailing-vessel to Detroit, and thence Willard took them to their destination. He went to Detroit with a man from Ohio, and the journey thither was a perilous one through the unbroken forest, there being no road except the Indian trails. They reached De- troit ten days before the arrival of their goods, during which time they lived on corn and pota- toes. The family were not pleased with their home in Michigan, and, crossing the Lake, located in Evanston.

On the 16th of July, 1829, Willard Scott wed- ded Caroline Hawley, in Holderman's Grove. In1 1818, her father, Pierce Hawley, went from Ver- mont to Vincennes, Ind., and afterwards came to Illinois, locating in Holderman's Grove in 1825. In the fall of 1830, lie and his family, accompa- nied by Mr. Scott and his family, located three miles south of Naperville, in what is now DuPage County, but was then a part of Cook County. Cook County at that time also comprised Lake, McHenry and Will Counties. There were thirty- two votes polled in Chicago that year, Mr. Scott's father depositing the first one. During the War of 1832, our subject proved a valued citizen in the settlement, on account of his knowledge of the Indians and their methods of warfare.

In 1838 Mr. Scott became a resident of Naper-

ville, built the Naperville Hotel, and conducted it for eighteen years, after which he carried on mer- chandising for twenty years, most of the time be- ing associated with his son Thaddeus. The firm of Willard Scott & Co. controlled the leading bus- iness in this place, and operations are still carried on under that name, Willard Scott, Jr., succeed- ing his father and brother Thaddeus in the busi- ness. Retiring from merchandising after the Civil War, Mr. Scott was President of the Du- Page County Bank, subsequently of the Bank of Naperville, and was a private banker until his deatlı, September 13, 1892. He possessed busi- ness ability of a high order, was sagacious and far- sighted, and his enterprise was tempered by a commendable conservatism. He won success, and his prosperity was the reward of his own labors.

In political belief our subject was a Democrat, and his first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson in 1828. He was a resident of Naperville for more than half a century, and was ever found in the front rank of those enterprises calculated to advance the best interests of the community. Throughout DuPage and Cook Counties he was widely known, and was held in the highest re- gard by young and old, rich and poor. The name of Willard Scott is inseparably connected with the history of this community, and the rec- ord of the county would be incomplete without his sketch.

CHARLES J. MAGILL.

HARLES JAMES MAGILL, whose name has for years been a synonym for unbiased integrity and honesty of purpose among the early residents of Chicago, was born at St. John's, Newfoundland, in November, 1818. His father,

William Magill, was a native of Middletown, Con- necticut, born June 30, 1792. The Magill family is of Irish extraction, and was founded in Con- necticut by two brothers, named Robert and Will- iam Magill, who came from Belfast and were

425

C. J. MAGILL.

among the first settlers of the Connecticut Colony. The old family homestead, which has sheltered many successive generations, is still standing at Middletown.

While a young man, William Magill moved to Newfoundland. For many years he was in the service of the British Government, first as the Collector of the port of St. John's, and later as Governor of the provincial prison at that place. Retiring from public life, lie removed to Char- lottetown, in Prince Edward Island, where his death occurred on the fourteenth of August, 1878. He was a man of exemplary character and note- worthy ability, as is evidenced by his long contin- uance in public life. His wife, Ann Morris, who was a native of Dublin, Ireland, died at St. John's, Newfoundland, about the year 1850. Of their three children, Charles J. is the eldest. John was for many years a prominent citizen and public official of Chicago; and Sarah, Mrs. Henry L. Messieur- er, now deceased, was well known to the early residents of Chicago.

William Magill was one of a family of six children, all of whom, with their posterity, have been conspicuous for longevity, intelligence and refinement. His sister, Mrs. Ann Campbell, who was at that time a widow, came to Chicago soon after 1850. For some years she taught a private school on the North Side, and many of her pupils are prominent in the business and social life of Chicago to-day. She was a lady of rare intelli- gence, tact and benevolence, and was regarded by her pupils as a model of wisdom and strength of character. Mrs. Juliette Kinzie, who was well known throughout America as the author of "Wau-bun, " was a niece of William Magill.

At the age of eleven years Charles Magill left home and went to sea, and followed a marine life until the autumn of 1852. A portion of that pe- riod was spent in navigating the Great Lakes. In the year last named lie located permanently in Chicago, though he had frequently visited this port previous to that date. He engaged in the forwarding and commission business, becoming the owner of vessel property, and simultaneously acting as agent of vessel-owners at other points on the lakes. Among other corporations which he

represented was the Ohio, Superior & Huron Railroad Company, which was operating a line of boats on the middle lakes. He dealt in salt and other merchandise, and was one of the first mein- bers of the Chicago Board of Trade, joining that body in 1853, and still retaining his membership, though he retired from active business operations in 1893.

While on a voyage to the Bermuda Islands, Mr. Magill, who was then a young man, formed the acquaintance of Miss Esther S. Chalker. This gifted lady became his wife, the marriage taking place at Guilford, Connecticut. The couple first located at Buffalo, but in July, 1854, removed to Chicago, where Mrs. Magill died in October, 1886. She was born at Hamilton, Bermuda, Feb- ruary 7, 1819. Her mother, whose maiden name was Stowe, was descended from one of the oldest families in that colony, her ancestors receiving a grant of land from the British crown upon locat- ing there. The old Stowe residence, now the property of the Government, is still standing at Hamilton.

Mr. and Mrs. Magill were the parents of eight children. Jacob C., the eldest, is a well-known business man of Chicage. Anna C., Mrs. Hugh Alexander, is a resident of Brooklyn, New York. William C. is also well known in Chicago. Ed- ward S. is a commercial traveler residing in Wich- ita, Kansas. Mary E. is the wife of E. C. Ward, of Chicago, in which city Arthur W. also resides. Sarah L., now deceased, was the wife of C. S. Spencer, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Charles A. is engaged in mercantile business at Kingman, Kansas.

Though he has a host of friends, Captain Ma- gill has formed but few social connections. For many years he has held membership with the Church of the Epiphany, of which he is a Senior Warden. He has always enjoyed the confidence of his associates to a remarkable degree. As an illustration of this fact may be cited the case of one of liis early friends in Chicago, who, upon his demise a few years since, made Mr. Magill the sole administrator of his large estate, providing in his will that if any of the heirs should question any act of the executor they should be disinher-

426

J. A. SWEET.

ited. After a long, eventful and useful life, Cap- tain Magill is spending his declining years in well-

merited peace and tranquility, which it is the wish of his many friends inay be long continued.

JOHN A. SWEET.

OHN ALLEN SWEET, a member of one of the leading mercantile firms of Chicago, was born March 20, 1846, at Farmington, Frank- lin County, Maine, and comes from the genuine Puritanic New England stock. His ancestors were of those long-lived, hardy, industrions, fru- gal, as well as moral people, who, notwithstand- ing all the hardships and privations consequent upon the early settlement of the country, did not forget to devote themselves to laying the founda- tion for, and the shaping and rounding out of a moral character as an example for their posterity.

His great-grandfather, whose name was Eben- ezer Sweet, was born at Attleboro, Massachu- setts, January 18, 1741. In 1782, he went to that portion of Maine which was then uninhabited ex- cept by Indians, save perhaps, half a dozen white families. He cleared off a little patch of timber land, as the beginning of the settlement after- wards known as Farmington, one of Nature's most beautiful spots to be found anywhere. Here he resided during his long life, and died Novem- ber 4, 1838, at the age of ninety-seven years and ten months. He was a tanner by trade, and in the year 1785 built the first tannery in that township. He was a man of the strictest integ- rity, and lived an exemplary, moral life, industri- ous in his habits, and accumulated a pecuniary independence. He married Desire Daggett, who was also a native of Attleboro, Massachusetts, born September 17, 1745, and died at Farming- ton, Maine, October 4, 1839, at the age of ninety-

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 61

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