Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 76

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 76

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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

JOHN ECKERT

523

JOHN ECKERT.

- Margaret, Nicholas, Magdalena, Barbara; Katherine, Elizabeth and Caroline-married and reared children. Of these, only three are now living, namely: Mesdames Barbara Sinclair, Elizabeth Lauer and Caroline Martzel.

Nicholas Reis, whose name heads this notice, was educated in a German Catholic school of Chicago, and learned the tinsmith's trade, which he followed with such success that he was able to purchase his father's business when the latter was ready to retire. This he continued until his death, and he was known to the law-abiding citi- zens of Chicago as "Honest Nic," a title which he won by his integrity and regard for the welfare

of society. He was the friend of rich and poor. He served as a soldier in defense of the Union, and was esteemed by a wide circle of acquaintances for his open, manly character.

He was married May 17, 1868, to Miss Ellen Murphy, a daughter of Michael and Ann (McComb) Murphy. She was born August 30, 1848, in Albion, New York, where her father was for a time engaged in business. He was later a clothing merchant in Detroit, Michigan, where he died. He was a native of Cork, Ireland, and a nephew of Bishop Murphy of that city. Like all their near relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Reis were faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church.

JOHN ECKERT.

OHN ECKERT, now living in retirement from the active cares of life, is an early set- tler of Chicago. He was born April 19, 1830, in Kreis Mainz, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and was educated there. He was reared upon a farm and was early accustomed to the duties and labors of rural life, and continued in that capacity until he came to the United States in 1857. He arrived in New York in August of that year, and re- mained a few months in that city.

. He then came to Chicago, whence he proceeded to Galesburg, Illinois, and remained there until March 15 of the year 1858. He then returned to Chicago and bought twenty-two and one-half acres of land where he now lives. In 1865 lie engaged in market-gardening and continued until 1891, when he sold all of his land except the por- tion occupied by his residence, and since then has not been engaged in active business. He takes

an interest in what is going on around him and is a patriotic son of the country in which he has been so blessed. He is independent in political matters, being ruled by his own considerations as to the fitness of candidates.

In 1859, in Chicago, he was married to Anna Kneib, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who was born in 1836. Two children were born of this union, namely: Michael and Mary. The former resides at No. 1635 North Clark Street, and the latter is the widow of Dr. Mathias Linster, who died October 1, 1896. Mrs. Anna Eckert died August 18, 1893, and on the 12th of April following Mr. Eckert married Magdalena Thart, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Thart, who came to the United States in 1886. The family is identified with Saint Henry's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Eckert visited the Fatherland in 1874, in 1877, and again in 1890.

524

PHILIP ROGERS.

> HILIP ROGERS, deceased, was one of the prominent pioneers of Cook County. He was born August 15, 1812, in Dublin, Ire- land, and came to the United States in childhood, with his parents, James and Catherine (Mc- Gregor) Rogers, of Scotcli-Irish origin. They located at Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, where Philip grew to manhood and re- ceived his education. Under the instruction of an elder brother, who was a college graduate, he acquired considerable proficiency in civil engin- eering. He was deeply interested in the study of geology, and before coming West had made an extensive examination into the formations of the earth strata of the United States, and was em- ployed for some time as assayist by an iron ore firm. He soon decided to locate in Illinois, and started in 1835, in company with his brother, Milton Rogers, the founder of Saint Joseph, Mis- souri. The latter was not pleased with the pros- pects of the West and returned to New York, only to repair to the far West again. The sub- ject of this sketch was not dismayed by the hardships which the pioneers were compelled to endure, and went to work at ditching, splitting rails, and any labor that seemed to be demanded in this region. He staked out a claim in Lake View Township, which included a judicious pro- portion of timber and prairie, and subsequently purchased land from time to time, chiefly from the Government, until his landed estate comprised sixteen hundred acres. Much of this he improved, and his farming operations became quite exten- sive, being conducted under his own supervision.

In 1841 he married Mrs. Mary Ward Hickey,

widow of James Fox Hickey, and daughter of Thomas Breen Masterson, Esq., of Mishal, County Carlow, Ireland. Thomas Breen Mas- terson was a native of Mishal, descended from the Breens of Bally Breen, County Wicklow, Ire- land. He was born May 4, 1781, and died in 1814. Mrs. Rogers was born July 15, 1802, in Blossom Terrace, London, England, and was married to James Fox Hickey, in Saint Paul's Cathedral in that city, October 12, 1829. They took ship at Gravesend May 23, 1831, on a sail- vessel, bound for the shores of the New World. After a prolonged journey, caused by storms and adverse winds, they arrived in New York July 4 -glorious Independence day. Those were the days when the great anniversary was properly commemorated by the veterans of the Revolution and their patriotic children, and woe to the rash "Britisher " who would point a finger of scorn at the thirteen stars and stripes as they floated triumphantly over all that hot July day, sixty-six years ago.

In her widowhood Mrs. Hickey was left child- less, and with considerable property at the present site of the Sunnyside Hotel. With her second husband, Philip Rogers, she began life in true pioneer style, and two children came to bless their western home. The youngest of these, Philip M., died a year after attaining his majority. The other, Catherine, is now Mrs. P. L. Touhy, of Rogers Park.

Mr. Rogers was a Jacksonian Democrat, and took a keen interest in the success of his party, as well as in all measures that seemed to him calcu- lated to promote the general welfare. He was

525

FREDERICK SULZER.

very enterprising and public-spirited, and was respected by all with whom he came in contact. He lived at peace with the Indians, who were numerous about him in the early days, as well as with all others, and always counseled harmony among the settlers. He spoke and wrote the German language with ease, and assisted in bringing many Germans to settle about him, and aided the early settlers in many ways.

He was a deep reader, of broad and liberal views. In religious opinion he most nearly coin- cided with the Roman Catholic Church. He held the office of assessor in the town of Evans- ton for twelve years, or from the time of its organization to his death. Physically he was large and powerful, and was noted for his great good humor. He died of congestion of the brain December 13, 1856, after a short but very active and useful life.

The memory of Mr. Rogers will always be revered by his grandchildren, though none of them bear his name. His daughter Catherine,

educated in Saint Agatha's Academy of Chicago, married P. L. Touhy in 1865. They have had ten children, as follows: Mabel, Edmond Rogers, Steplien Rogers, Catherine, Joseph G., Jolın Rogers, Alice B., Grace A., and two who died, unnamed, in infancy. The second, who was a graduate of the Chicago Law Institute, class of 1891, died January 9, 1894, and the sixth died at the age of four years. All of the living are pos- sessed of exceptional talents and are enjoying excellent educational advantages.

Mrs. Rogers died in 1890, sincerely mourned by a large number of persons. She was a member of the Humane Association in London from its origin. After the death of her second husband she managed the estate, with the assistance of her son-in-law. The name was given to the former suburb of Rogers Park in honor of Mr. Rogers, its founder. At present the estate is being managed by Mrs. Catherine C. Touhy and his son, S. Rogers Touhy, a practical and efficient real-estate man- ager.

FREDERICK SULZER.

REDERICK SULZER, whose death occurred at his home in Ravenswood, February 6, 1892, belonged to one of the pioneer families of Cook County. He was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, March 5, 1836. In June of the same year his parents, Conrad and Christina Sulzer, emigrated from the State of New York to Chicago. The great city' was then but a village on the lake shore, of a few hundred inhab- itants, and gave no promise of the wonderful growth to which it has since attained.

In 1837 the family removed to what was sub- sequently Lake View Township, where Mr. Con-

rad Sulzer purchased a farm, which is now includ- ed in the city, formerly the suburb of Ravenswood. Forty acres of the original plat of one hundred ninety-four acres, which was laid out by the Ra- venswood Land Company, was purchased from Mr. Sulzer in 1868. Mr. Conrad Sulzer and famı- ily were probably the first settlers on the site of Ravenswood.

He engaged in farming and stock-raising, and was prominently connected with the growth and development of this part of Cook County. He was assessor of the town of Lake View in 1857, and the first to hold that office after the organization of

524

PHILIP ROGERS.

HILIP ROGERS, deceased, was one of the prominent pioneers of Cook County. He was born August 15, 1812, in Dublin, Ire- land, and came to the United States in childhood, with his parents, James and Catherine (Mc- Gregor) Rogers, of Scotch-Irish origin. They located at Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, where Philip grew to manhood and re- ceived his education. Under the instruction of an elder brother, who was a college graduate, he acquired considerable proficiency in civil engin- eering. He was deeply interested in the study of geology, and before coming West liad made an extensive examination into the formations of the earth strata of the United States, and was em- ployed for some time as assayist by an iron ore firm. He soon decided to locate in Illinois, and started in 1835, in company with his brother, Milton Rogers, the founder of Saint Joseph, Mis- sonri. The latter was not pleased with the pros- pects of the West and returned to New York, only to repair to the far West again. The sub- ject of this sketch was not dismayed by the hardships which the pioneers were compelled to endure, and went to work at ditching, splitting rails, and any labor that seemed to be demanded in this region. He staked out a claim in Lake View Township, which included a judicious pro- portion of timber and prairie, and subsequently purchased land from time to time, chiefly from the Government, until his landed estate comprised sixteen hundred acres. Much of this he improved, and his farming operations became quite exten- sive, being conducted under his own supervision.

In 1841 he married Mrs. Mary Ward Hickey,

widow of James Fox Hickey, and daughter of Thomas Breen Masterson, Esq., of Mishal, County Carlow, Ireland. Thomas Breen Mas- terson was a native of Mishal, descended from the Breens of Bally Breen, County Wicklow, Ire- land. He was born May 4, 1781, and died in 1814. Mrs. Rogers was born July 15, 1802, in Blossom Terrace, London, England, and was married to James Fox Hickey, in Saint Paul's Cathedral in that city, October 12, 1829. They took ship at Gravesend May 23, 1831, on a sail- vessel, bound for the shores of the New World. After a prolonged journey, caused by storms and adverse winds, they arrived in New York July 4 -glorious Independence day. Those were the days when the great anniversary was properly commemorated by the veterans of the Revolution and their patriotic children, and woe to the rash " Britisher " who would point a finger of scorn at the thirteen stars and stripes as they floated triumphantly over all that hot July day, sixty-six years ago.

Mr. Rogers was a Jacksonian Democrat, and took a keen interest in the success of his party, as well as in all measures that seemed to him calcu- lated to promote the general welfare. He was

525

FREDERICK SULZER.

The memory of Mr. Rogers will always he revered by his grandchildren, though none of them bear his name. His daughter Catherine,

educated in Saint Agatha's Academy of Chicago, married P. L. Touhy in 1865. They have had ten children, as follows: Mabel, Edmond Rogers, Stephen Rogers, Catherine, Joseph G., John Rogers, Alice B., Grace A., and two who died, unnamed, in infancy. The second, who was a graduate of the Chicago Law Institute, class of 1891, died January 9, 1894, and the sixth died at the age of four years. All of the living are pos- sessed of exceptional talents and are enjoying excellent educational advantages.

FREDERICK SULZER.

REDERICK SULZER, whose death occurred at his home in Ravenswood, February 6, 1892, belonged to one of the pioneer families of Cook County. He was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, March 5, 1836. In June of the same year his parents, Conrad and Christina Sulzer, emigrated from the State of New York to Chicago. The great city was then but a village on the lake shore, of a few hundred inhab- itants, and gave no promise of the wonderful growth to which it has since attained.

In 1837 the family removed to what was sub- sequently Lake View Township, where Mr. Con-

526

REV. A. P. LONERGAN.

the township. He was deeply interested in edu- cational progress and whatever tended to promote the moral and material interests of the community. His death occurred in 1873. The wife and mother survived her husband a number of years.

February 2, 1870, Mr. Frederick Sulzer was married to Miss Anna M. Buether, of Chicago. Mrs. Snlzer is a daughter of Claus and Rebecca Buether, natives of Hanover, Germany, but early settlers of Chicago. Her father is deceased, but

the mother is still living. Mrs. Sulzer is one of a family of two sons and one daughter. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Sulzer are: Julia R., Angelina M., Harriet L., Albert F. and Grace E.

Frederick Snlzer was bnt an infant when the family came to Cook County. He lived at home on the farm with his parents until 1857, when he went to Rochester, New York, to learn the nursery business, returning in the fall of 1859. There he acquired a thorough knowledge of that industry, and in the spring of 1860 began the planting of a nursery. He was successfully engaged as nurs- eryman and florist for many years. The former he discontinued some time previons to his death, , schools of Ravenswood. He was long a represen- but continued as florist until about two years pre- vious to that event.

At the time of his death Mr. Sulzer was, doubt- less, the oldest settler of the town of Lake View. He held various official positions, including that of town clerk, to which he was elected in 1867. He was elected highway commissioner in 1868, and supervisor and treasurer in 1875. He was especially interested in the growth and efficiency of the schools, acting as school director for many years. Several of his children are now engaged in educational work, in connection with the tative citizen, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. His family resides in a beautiful home, No. 1306 Perry 'Street, where the husband and father passed away after a brief illness. Mr. Sulzer resided on the land which his father pur- chased in 1837 for the long period of fifty-five years.

REV. ARTHUR P. LONERGAN.

Y 2 EV. ARTHUR PATRICK LONERGAN, pastor of St. Jerome's Church in Rogers Park, was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and is the son of Edmond and Anne M. Loner- gan. He received his classical education at Saint Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, and his theological education at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained deacon in the cathedral, Balti- more, December 23, 1882, and was promoted to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Archbishop Feehan, December 29, 1882. He was then ap- pointed assistant to the Reverend Father Roles, at

Saint Mary's Church, Wabash Avenue and Eld- redge Court, Chicago. Later he served as as- sistant to the Very Reverend Doctor Butler, at Saint John's Church, on the corner of Eighteenth and Clark Streets, in the same city. From Saint John's Church he went to Amboy, Illinois, where he labored as pastor for four years, when he was called to this city to assume charge of the newly organized parish of Saint Jerome, May 10, 1895. Under his able guidance the parish has been thor- oughly organized and is now in a most prosper- ous condition.

O. D. RANNEY.

527

ORRIN D. RANNEY.

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

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

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

In May, 1872, he became attached to the force

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

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

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

As the Creator does not finish the lives of any,

528

M. N. KIMBELL.

110 matter how saintly, upon this lower earth, so we cannot record in worthy fulness what is mnost deserving of historic remembrance and emulation on the part of succeeding generations of business inen, about to enter upon important duties in our vast and rapidly growing metropolis. Surely, we inlay trustfully believe, as he was without fear, he passed to fields of Paradise without punish- ment; as he submissively wore the cross, the crown of eternal bliss is already encircling his be- loved. brow.

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

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

On the 19th of January, 1881, Mr. Ranney was married to Mrs. Adeline S. Peabody, (nee Grosve- ner) a prominent family of Albion, Michigan, by the Rev. Daniel M. Cooper, of Detroit, Michigan. Their more than lialf a score of happy years of wedded life were 11ot blessed by offspring. She still survives him, living at Albion, and visiting his last resting place on frequent occasions, feel- ing honored in being the associate of one in every way so worthy of the best of womankind.

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

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 76

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