Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 9

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 9

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Louis Oswald attended the gymnasium at Wiesbaden, studying pharmacy and chemistry, and graduating in these branches at the early age of seventeen years. Immediately after this he came to America, and remained several months in New York City, where he found employment in a drug store. In April, 1854, he came to Chicago, and entered the drug store of Dr. Philip Mathie, on State Street, between Adams and Monroe. This store was then on the outskirts of the city, and Mr. Oswald boarded in a house on the pres- ent site of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific station. The cholera raged through the first season of his residence here, and the young emi- grant had ample opportunity to observe its effects.

G. VAN DER SYDE.

The drug store in which he was employed was in a hotel building, in which more than forty people died of this terrible scourge during the season.

In 1856 Mr. Oswald went to Homewood, and accepted a position in a general store kept by Herbert & Zimmer, with whom he remained eighteen months. He then entered a branch store there, operated by Charles Robinson, of Blue Is- land, which was later conducted by Robinson, Hastings & Company. In 1859 he removed to Bloom (now Chicago Heights), which village then contained two stores, a blacksmith shop, wagon shop and paint shop.

After working as a clerk one year in the geil- eral merchandise store of James Hunter, he be- came a partner in the firm of S. B. Eakin & Com- pany, which conducted a similar establishment. In 1865 he bought out the interest of Mr. Eakin, and has ever since conducted the business alone. He was Postmaster from 1865 to 1893, a period of twenty-eight years, and in 1876 his original store building was greatly enlarged. For many years he bought and shipped grain from this station, which was originally established by the Michigan Central Railroad Company, on account of his business.

Mr. Oswald was married May 2, 1861, to Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Sauter) Claus. Jacob Claus, who was an engineer, lost his life by drowning in the Chicago Harbor. Bar- bara Sauter came in 1832 (then a young girl) to Chicago, in company with the family of John H. Kinzie, on the first steamer which landed here. Mrs. Oswald was born in Michigan City, Indiana, and died December 6, 1888, aged forty years. Five of her seven children are living, the others having died in childhood. Dr. Julius W. Oswald, the eldest, is a surgeon in the Alexian Brothers' Hospital in Chicago. Otto A. is a clerk in his father's store. Frederick C. is a student in the Chicago Art Institute, and Cora B. and Florence B. remain with their father. Mr. Oswald lias just reason to be proud of his children (all of whom are finely educated) and of his business record. He was a member of the Evangelical Church in youth, but is not now connected with any society. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. John C. Fremont, and has voted for every Presidential candidate since. He was Col- lector of Bloom Township in 1863, and takes a warm interest in public schools, serving for many years as School Trustee and Director of his district.

GORIS VAN DER SYDE.

ORIS VAN DER SYDE is one of the earliest settlers at Roseland, and has been largely instrumental in promoting the growth and development of that thriving suburb. His par- ents were Leonard and Line (Steanberg) Vall der Syde, who, with their family, joined the party which originally settled at this place in 1849. The father, who had been a butcher in the Fa- therland, became the owner of ten acres of land on the west side of what is now Michigan Ave-

nue. He carried on the business of a market- gardener until the growth of the town necessitated the subdivision of his land for building purposes. Some of the principal residences and business blocks of the village now stand upon this site. His death occurred October 8, 1875, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, who was born in the same year as her husband, survived until February 24, 1877. Their children are Goris, subject proper of this notice; Line, widow of

G. VAN DER SYDE.

Peter Dalenberg, of Roseland; Agnes, Mrs. John Ton, of the same place; and Nellie, Mrs. John Prince, now deceased.

Goris Van der Syde was born at Numansdorp, Province of South Holland, December 13, 1827. He was educated in his native town, and after coming to this country attended an English school one winter. He has always been an ex- tensive reader, and speaks and writes the English language accurately. When the family located here, deer, wolves and other wild gaine roamed over the. prairie about their home. Having been reared in a thickly populated country, the young- er members of the family were at first afraid to wander far from the house, but soon became ac- customed to their new surroundings. He engaged in the meat business at first, but a few years later, in 1852, opened the first store in the town, and continued in mercantile business until 1880, when he retired from active pursuits, being succeeded by his son, who now conducts one of the leading stores in Roseland. For several years after Mr. Van der Syde came here there were but two houses on Halsted Street between his place and Twelfth Street, that being the road which he usually traveled with his ox-team to bring his goods from the city. At first their postoffice was at Chicago, but after the Illinois Central Railroad was built to Kensington an office was established at that place, known as Calumet Junction. In 1861 this office was removed to Roseland, and named Hope, that name being aft- erwards changed to Roseland. Mr. Van der Syde was appointed the first Postmaster at this place, and held the office continuously for twenty-five years, through successive changes in the national administration.

Realizing that there was a great future for in- vestors in real estate, about 1860 Mr. Van der Syde bought eighty acres, in company with his brother- in-law, Mr. Dalenberg, the price of the tract be- ing eleven hundred dollars. This they afterwards divided, each taking forty acres. Soon after pur- chasing land here, Mr. Van der Syde planted a great many shade trees, finding recreation from his indoor pursuits in this manner. These shade trees are now the pride and ornament of the town,

and have greatly enhanced the value of his prop- erty. Mr. Van der Syde subsequently sold thirty- three acres of his property for $66,000, and the whole has been subdivided and mostly built up with residences and business blocks, all being now included in the city of Chicago. He has in- vested quite extensively in farming lands in New- ton County, Indiana, where he devotes consider- able attention to planting vineyards and the culti- vation of various kinds of fruits. He helped to organize the Pullman Loan and Savings Bank, and was one of the first Directors of this flourish- ing and solid institution, an office which he still holds.

In December, 1856, Mr. Van der Syde was mar- ried to Engeltje De Young, daughter of Henry and Geertje (DeVreis) De Young, of South Hol- land, Cook County, Illinois. Her father died in 1893, aged nearly ninety years, and her mother in1 1878, at the age of nearly eighty years. Mrs. Van der Syde was born in Puersen, South Hol- land, and came to America with her parents in 1848. Of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Van der Syde who reached mature years, three are now living: Leonard, a prominent merchant of Rose- land; Henry, who is a farmer of Newton County, Indiana, and George, who is still at home with his parents. Those deceased are Mary, Harry and Nellie, the last named being the wife of George Mccutcheon.

Mr. and Mrs. Van der Syde are connected with the Dutch Reformed Church at Roseland. A Republican in politics, the former served as Col- lector of Calumet Township for two terms, and was for one term Town Clerk. When he occupied the former position the whole tax-roll of the township, which then included South Chicago, was contained in a small volume which he car- ried in a hand satchel. His duties as one of the township officials during the great Civil War re- quired him to assist in the expenditure of the bounty raised by the township to induce volun- teers to enter the service and fill its quota of troops. His public duties have always been dis- charged in a faithful and capable manner, and he enjoys the friendship and good-will of all his fel- low-citizens.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

ALBERT J. LAMMORIS

A. J. LAMMORIS.

ALBERT J. LAMMORIS.

A LBERT JACOB LAMMORIS, whose career strikingly illustrates the truth of the modern saying that "Nothing succeeds like suc- cess," was one of the self-made men of our times. He belonged to a class of young men who, thoughi poor, find in metropolitan life the in- centives which superinduce the highest and best efforts of which men are capable; to master the disadvantages that are supposed to hinder their progress when opposed by rich and powerful rivals. The indomitable energy which char- acterized Mr. Lammoris was of a sort not to be balked by the inconveniences of poverty, and his career was a model one, in every way worthy of emulation.

Although of foreign birth, he became, when yet a boy, thoroughly imbued with American ideas, and throughout his life he was actuated by that spirit of "push" which is distinctively characteristic of Americans. He was born in Gripskerk, one of the seven provinces of Gron- ingen, Holland, April 25, 1858, a son of Jacob and Johanna (De Vries) Lammoris, who came to America in 1864 and settled in Grand Haven, Michigan. Two years later they came to Chi- cago, young Albert being then eight years old. His parents were too poor to furnish him the essentials necessary to attendance on the public schools. As a boy he was naturally bright and active, having the faculty of adaptation, and could apply himself vigorously to the accomplish- ment of a purpose. But he lacked opportunities,

and it was his misfortune to be deprived of the wholesome influence of home training.

At the age of fourteen years he was admitted to the Industrial Home for Boys at Lansing, Michigan, where he remained one year. The influence of this institution was of the greatest benefit to him, and there he laid the foundation for a career which, though brief, has been paralleled in but few instances. In 1872 he re- turned to Chicago, being then less than fifteen years of age, practically without a liome and des- titute of means. However, he was not dis- couraged by these disadvantages, but resolutely set about overcoming them, and for several years was variously employed. He had a natural aptitude for mechanics, and, acquiring a few tools, he established himself in the chair-repair- ing business. This he followed a few years, achieving sufficient success to enable him, with his scanty savings, to open a small furniture store, on the West Side, in 1881. In this venture he prospered, each year adding to the success which had begun to brighten his life.

His circumstances warranting so important and necessary a step, April 13, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Sherman, a young lady of talent and pleasing culture. Subsequently he opened another store in the same line of business, and successfully conducted both establishments until 1893, when he disposed of them. He had ample means now, and what, perhaps, is still better, an invaluable practical ex-

A. J. LAMMORIS.

perience, which enabled him to execute a long cherished plan-that of establishing cheap lodg- ing houses for the unfortunate poor of Chicago. His own early privations and battles with poverty had given him an insight into the needs of the poor, and to the betterment of their condition he now proposed to devote his time, talents and means.

His plan was to furnish lodgings at the lowest price consistent with cleanliness, the minimum rates to be fifteen to twenty-five cents per day. The "Liberty House" was the first of the kind he erected, and it proved so successful that he im- mediately secured a large building on Clinton Street, now known as the "Friendship House," which he fitted up according to plans of his own. It is a mammoth house, having seven hundred twenty-five rooms, with baths, laundry, fire escapes, in short, modernly equipped throughout. From its opening the "Friendship" had a large patronage, and it continued to be deservedly popular. Subsequently Mr. Lammoris became connected with the "Arcade" and "Norwood," both houses similar in character but smaller. To the conduct of these hostelries he gave his per- sonal attention, it being to him as much a labor of love as of profit. It was his custom to give a dinner to the poor every Thanksgiving Day, feeding on some occasions eighteen hundred homeless men, at a cost of more than one thou- sand dollars. To the general relief fund of the charitable societies he was a regular and gener- ous contributor, and his donations to the boys of the Industrial Home were made semi-annually- on July. fourth and at Christmas. To this in- stitution he was affectionately attached, always speaking of it as "my home," and yearly he visited it.

In all his charitable works he was unostenta- tious, always giving freely of his ineans and in a way to attract as little attention as possible. Be- cause of his philanthropical works he was often spoken of in the public prints as "The best friend the homeless poor of Chicago ever had." In all his habits Mr. Lammoris was decidedly tem- perate. Excesses of any kind were abhorrent to him, yet neither was lie a purist of the extreme

type. He knew the weaknesses of human nature, was always humanely human and his great, sympathetic heart went out in brotherly .feel- ing to those unfortunates who had become slaves to the vices of appetite and passion.

He was fond of travel, and in company with his wife, made five trips abroad, visiting the Paris and Vienna expositions, as well as nearly all the historic places of continental Europe and Great Britain. But it was in the public institutions for the poor and unfortunate of foreign lands that his greatest interest centered. As many of these as he could reach received his carefel scrutiny, that he miglit thereby be profited by this obser- vation when he came to develop certain plans which he had under deliberation pertaining to philanthropic work which he hoped to carry out in the future.

Mr. Laminoris was a domestic man in the broadest sense of the term. To his family he was devoted. The noble impulses of the man are illustrated by the following incident: On his way home one night, lie observed a little girl, about seven years old, on the street, alone and crying. She could give no intelligent account of herself. Pressing the waif to his bosom, he car- ried her to his home, and subsequently legally adopted her, giving her the name of Mabel S.

He was an active participant in political affairs, in principle a Republican, but in no sense was he an office-seeker, the preferment of official place having no allurements for him. His death was both untimely and unexpected. From his youth he had been blessed with good health. For some months previous to his demise he had labored be- yond the point of human endurance, and being subjected to exposure as well, he took cold, which terminated in pneumonia, and after five days of suffering he passed to his reward April 2, 1895.

John Sherman, father of Mrs. Lammoris, was born in England, where the years of his boy- hood were passed. His opportunities for ob- taining an education were of the best. His par- ents desired that he should enter the ministry, and to that end he was prepared in that old and famously historic seat of learning, Trinity Col-

· 65

CAPT. BARTHOLOMEW QUIRK.

lege, Dublin. But the life of a clergyman was not to his liking, and in consequence thereof he ran away from home and came to America, land- ing in New York a short time previous to the outbreak of the Mexican War. At the first call for troops he enlisted and was assigned to duty in the marine service and actively participated in the movements of that department during the

war. He received several wounds in action, none of which was of a disabling character.

In New York City, in 1853, he was married to Miss Louisa Philips. In 1865 he came to Chi-

cago, where he lived permanently until his deatlı, which occurred March 7, 1890, at the age of seventy-one years. Many years of his life were devoted to travel, and he visited most parts of the inhabited, civilized globe. He possessed a genial, sunny nature, which made him a great social favorite, and he was deservedly popular with those who justly appreciate refinement and courtly grace. Mrs. Sherman is a descendant of an old New York family, a lady of many pleas- ing qualities. She resides with Mrs. Lammoris, her only surviving child.

CAPT. BARTHOLOMEW QUIRK.

APT. BARTHOLOMEW QUIRK was born in March, 1836, in Castle Gregory, D County Kerry, Ireland. His ancestors were tillers of the soil. His parents, Francis and Ellen (Lynch) Quirk, were natives of the same town where he was born-a beautiful site overlooking the Bay of Tralee and the Atlantic Ocean. Fur- ther mention of his ancestors will be found in the biography of James Qnirk, in this work.

The subject of this sketch received his educa- tion in Chicago, pursuing the primary course in the first public school of the city-the old Dear- born School. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, which occupied his time and attention for many years. With all of his broth- ers he served in the Volunteer Fire Department of early Chicago, and was a member of Red Jacket Company No. 4. He was one of the organizers of the Shields Guards, named after General and United States Senator Shields, of Mexican War fame. About ninety-five per cent. of this organization, of which Captain Quirk was one of the most active promoters, entered the Union army and did valiant service in preserving the country as a whole, being a part of the Twen-

ty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers, under the famous Col. J. A. Mulligan. Although the quota of the State had been filled, by the personal solicitation of Colonel Mulligan, President Lincoln was induced to accept the services of the regiment, whose memory has been perpetuated in the one famous song, "The Mulligan Guards."

In the mean time it had proceeded to Missouri and participated as an independent organization in the Battle of Lexington, where most of the regiment was captured by General Price. They were exchanged in the winter of 1861-62, and the regiment was reorganized and proceeded to Har- per's Ferry, in May, 1862, and joined the cavalry forces of General Sheridan, with whom they par- ticipated in many active engagements. Colonel Mulligan was killed near Winchester, Virginia. The regiment subsequently campaigned through- out the war under different commanders and became very much reduced in numbers, so that several of the companies were consolidated.

Captain Quirk entered the service as a second lieutenant, and resigned in February, 1865, hav- ing served over three years. After the war he returned to Chicago and continued building

CHRISTOPHER REICH.

operations, in connection with which he invested in real estate and improved property, and was quite successful. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and he has ever since been a warm adherent of the Republican party. He took a great interest in the struggles of Ire- land against British oppression, and was one of the warmest supporters of the Fenian movement.

Captain Quirk served as a member of the City Council two terms, and was several years a dep- uty sheriff of Cook County. With his wife and family he adheres to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1857 he was married to Miss Jane Mccarthy, and they have three children: Mary E., Helena J. and Francis I. The second daughter is the wife of Lawrence J. Reed, of Chicago.

CHRISTOPHER REICH.

HRISTOPHER REICH, now living a re- topher, the subject of this notice; Caroline, wife tired life in Ravenswood, is a native of of Peter Franzen, of Englewood; and Peter, of Lake Station, Indiana. In 1857 the family re- turned to France, with the exception of the two eldest sons. Mr. Reich had sold part of his prop- erty in Chicago, but in 1860 he returned to that city and resumed. gardening. He again visited France in 1865, to look after some property he had purchased during his former visit, and lie remained two years, after which he again re- turned to Chicago, and engaged in gardening. He was always thrifty in the management of his affairs, and accumulated a competence. He took an interest in public concerns, but never held an office, and supported the Democratic party. He and his wife were members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mrs. Reich died October 28, 1889, and Mr. Reich passed away January 1, 1893. Chicago, where his parents, Michael and Mary Anın (Tillman) Reich, were early settlers. Michael Reich was born in 1813, in Lorraine, France, and received his education in his native place, remaining with his parents until he was of age, and assisting his father, who was a dealer in tobacco. He served the term then required in the French army, which was seven years. About 1840 he emigrated to the United States, sailing from Havre and landing at New York. He came directly to Chicago, but soon removed to Saginaw, Michigan, where he found employment in a saw-mill, and received his remuneration in the product of the same. He remained two years, then sent for his wife and two children, and located in Chicago, living for a short time on Harrison Street, and then on State Street. He bought twenty-seven acres of land on the South Side, and ten acres on the North Side, and en- gaged in gardening. He cultivated this land for several years, and was very successful in this venture. He was married in his native country, and his two eldest sons were born there, four others being born in Chicago.

His children were: Michael, who was drowned in Lake Michigan, while on the pleasure boat "Lady Elgin;" Mary and Jacob, deceased; Chris-

Christopher Reich was born March 13, 1844, receiving his primary education in the public schools of Chicago, and later attending school two years in France. He remained with his parents until he grew to manhood, assisting his father in the care of his garden until he was twenty-two years of age. When his parents went to France the second time, he and his brother Peter re- moved to Calumet, where they bouglit twenty- five acres of land, which they cultivated. The health of Christopher failed, and he sold his

HENRY KARNATZ.

share of land to his brother, and traveled in Europe, learning the art of photography while there.

January 3. 1867, he married Miss Mary A. Kerber, a native of Chicago, and a daughter of John and Floradine Kerber. Her parents were natives of Baden-Baden, Germany, and were early settlers of Chicago. In 1868 Mr. Reich opened a dry-goods store on the corner of Larra- bee and Center Streets, which he conducted successfully until he lost his stock and building in the Great Fire of 1871. He rebuilt, and again engaged in business, which he continued until 1875, when he removed to Dyer, Lake County, Indiana, and kept a general store two years. He then removed to Crown Point, where he en- gaged in the same business, and five years later he returned to Chicago, and opened a store on Larrabee Street, opposite Wisconsin Street, which he conducted two years. He removed to Engle- wood, where he was proprietor of a store two years, and then retired from business on account of the death of his wife, which occurred April 12. 1891.

Mr. Reichi spent a year in Milwaukee, to rest and regain his health, which was then poor. Mr. and Mrs. Reich were the parents of ten children, only five of whom are now living. Their

names are: John C., Margaret, Christopher, Jo- sephine and Edward. In August, 1895, Mr. Reich married Miss Catherine Leis, a native of Chicago, and daughter of Jacob Leis. In politics, Mr. Reich favors the Democratic party. He and his wife are communicants of the Roman Catho- lic Church, being identified with the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. Mr. Reich is an honored and respected citizen of Ravenswood, and takes an active interest in the welfare of that suburb, and also of his native city.

Michael Reich, tlie eldest son of Michael Reich, was born in 1834, in Lorraine, France, and came to Chicago with the family in 1842. He followed gardening all his life. In 1860 he married, and about three months later he was prevailed upon by friends to go on an excursion to Milwaukee. This was on the fatal eighth day of September, 1860, when the pleasure steamer, "Lady Elgin," collided with another boat, off Gross Point, and nearly all the passengers were lost. Mr. Reich was among those who perished. He was a man who took quite an interest in public affairs, and was for some years a member of the Volunteer Fire Department of the city, being a member of Company No. 7 when first organized, and later of No. 10. He was well known and highly respected.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 9

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