USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed. > Part 91
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628
JOHN KAY.
earlier she had traversed the country with the Indian tribe by which she had been brought up, and the changes of a quarter of a century had not materially altered the appearance."
Mr. Clybourn's business experience was not unlike that of many early residents of Chicago, who supposed themselves able to retire on a con- fortable competence before the Great Fire of 1871. He was a diligent worker and shrewd investor, and by the time he had been a dozen years in Illi- nois he was considered immensely wealthy. He owned large tracts of land in Wisconsin and Michigan, besides his extensive holdings in the embryo city of Chicago. The financial troubles of 1837 found his interests widely diversified, and he endeavored by the sale of his lands out- side the city of Chicago to retain his business standing and credit. He succeeded in selling the lands, but before he could get to Chicago with the "carpet sack full of money" which they brought him, the money had become almost valueless and his sacrifice was largely in vain. However, he had in large measure recovered his fortune when the Great Fire again robbed him of most of his accumulations. He was now almost seventy years of age, and it was too late to begin life anew. He never lost his cheerfulness, and his closing years were passed in the peaceful con-
templation of the city's rapid growth and in happy social intercourse with his contemporaries. His handsome brick dwelling, which stood on a slight eminence near the North Branch of the Chicago River, on what is now known as Elston Avente, was the first of that material in or near Chicago, and was known as the Clybourn mansion.
In 1829 Mr. Clybourn was married to Miss Mary Galloway, who was born in Conneaut, Erie County, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of Aug- ust, 1812, and who still survives, in a vigorous and peaceful old age. She is a daughter of James Galloway, of whom extended mention will be found in the biography of Joel Ellis. Of the ten children of Archibald and Mary Clybourn, Sarah, Mrs. Vincent Barney, resides at Morley, Illinois. Margaret, now deceased, was the wife of Richard Holden, who resides in Chicago; James is the successor of his father in business, being proprie- tor of a fine meat market in Chicago. John died here, as the effect of his service in the Union army; he went out as a captain, and returned as major of the Twelfth Illinois Volunteers. Will- iam and Henry C. reside in Chicago, where Charles died, leaving five children. Mary is Mrs. John C. Parks, of Chicago; Frank is a commis- sion dealer at the Stock Yards in Chicago, in which city Martha also resides.
JOHN KAY.
OHN KAY was born April 14, 1842. in Yorkshire, England, at Borrow Bridge. He is a son of Abel Archdale and Elizabeth (Marshall) Kay, both of whom were born in the same locality, which was the home of their fam- ilies. Abel A. Kay was a poor man, and his wife was the daughter of a wealthy landowner. They came to America with their eight children in 1843, and went direct to the hotel of Charles
McDonald, on the corner of Market and Randolph Streets, Chicago, which was the rallying place for all English emigrants who came to Cook County. Mr. Kay bought over one hundred acres of land, on which Captain Jolinson had filed a claim and built a very comfortable house, and in this Mr. Kay lived until his death. He died in 1848, and for several years his wife conducted the farın, and then rented it until her son Jolin
629
LUDWIG HAMMERSTROM.
was old enough to cultivate it. Mr. and Mrs. Kay had the following children: Ann, who mar- ried Mr. McClanathan and is now dead; Abel, who died in 1891; Elizabeth (Mrs. Thomas Burkill, of Jefferson Township), now deceased; Frances, Mrs. McClanathan; Jane, who married Edward Gray, and is deceased; Emma, Mrs. William Myers, who lived on the old homestead, and is 110w deceased; Marshall, who died at the age of seventeen; John, the subject of this sketch; and Joseplı Archdale, who was born in Jefferson Township, and still lives on part of the old farm.
John1 Kay enjoyed a very limited opportunity for an education. His father and a neighbor built a log schoolhouse, and his father's house was usually the home of the teacher. When he was
sixteen years of age, he began the care of the farnı, and he was engaged at this until 1869, when it was divided. Mrs. Kay died in December, 1889, aged eighty-four years, and thus ended the life of one who had been of good influence in the community, and who had lived a long and useful life. She was reared in the Church of England and joined the Congregational Church in later life, and her children were reared in the Baptist faitlı.
John Kay is a member of the Sons of Saint George. In politics lie thinks for himself, and does not follow the dictates of any party, but sup- ports the man he regards as most fitted for office. He is a good, reliable citizen and enjoys uni- versal respect.
LUDWIG HAMMERSTROM.
UDWIG HAMMERSTROM, an old citizen of Cook County, was born January 17, 1829, in Tueckhude, Kreis Demmin, Pom- mern, Germany. He received a limited educa- tion in his native country and then learned the trade of mason. Being eager for an opportunity to rise in position, and hoping to find this in America, he decided to emigrate.
With his wife and one child he set sail from Hamburg in the summer of 1856, and arrived in Chicago October 15 of the same year. Since that time Mr. Hammerstrom has been a resident of Cook County, taking great interest in the growth of the great metropolis. He followed his trade until the fire of 1871, when his home on Tomey Street and his household furniture were destroyed. He owned two houses on Sedg- wick Street, from which he received one hun- dred and sixty dollars in insurance, on a claim
of thirty-five hundred dollars. Shortly after the fire he built a comfortable residence on Sedg- wick Street, and in 1872 he established a saloon and liquor store at the corner of Willow and Hal- sted Streets, which he conducted for five years.
About 1877 Mr. Hammerstrom bought land near Niles Center, where he resided two years, engaged in farming, and then removed to the northwest corner of Halsted and Willow Streets. Five years later he sold his business interests, and now lives in retirement and ease. In1 1883 he built the handsome brick structure on that corner, in which he has his residence.
Mr. Hammerstrom is a supporter of the Re- publican party, but has never held any public office. He is a member of the Workingmen's Society. He and his family are connected with the Lutheran Church, and are respected as in- telligent and refined members of society.
630
FRANK KILCRAN.
In 1855 Mr. Hammerstrom was married to Miss Caroline Gutyalır, who was born in 1834 in the same place as her husband. They liave four children, namely. William, who is a coal
dealer at Clybourn Avenue and Garfield Street; Elizabeth, the wife of Jacob Sherrer, of Niles Center; Louis, who resides on Halsted Street; and Anna, the wife of Henry Richter, of Chicago.
FRANK KILCRAN.
RANK KILCRAN, who was one of the old- est settlers of South Chicago, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, and was a son of Patrick and Bridget Kilcran, natives of that country. He received his education in his native land, and in 1847 emigrated to America, settling on the South Side in the city of Chicago. For a number of years Mr. Kilcran was in the employ of Richmond & Company, vessel owners and grain shippers, and later he was engaged by Gage & Haynes, with whom he remained until their business closed out.
He went on the Board of Trade as a represent- ative of his last employers, buying and selling for them, and later entered the commission business with Michael Kerwin. Mr. Kilcran became an expert grain inspector, and as such found employ- ment on the Board of Trade, this position then being an important one. He was thus employed when there were only ten members on the Board, and was the most expert inspector, all matters of dispute being settled by him, and his opinions were unquestioningly received.
In 1875 he retired from active business and removed to South Chicago, where lie resided 1111- til his death. He bought land on Superior Av- enue, between Eighty-eighth and Eighty-ninth Streets, where he remained five years, and then bought property at No. 9056 Ontario Avenue, where he built and occupied a comfortable resi- dence and hotel.
February 4, 1855, he was married to Miss Hannah Cagney, daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Connel) Cagney, born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1834. Slie emigrated to America in 1849, and has lived here since. Mr. and Mrs. Kilcran had six children, as follows: Mary, who married Peter Jackson, a biography of whom appears on another page of this volume; Frank, who died at the age of fourteen years; William, who died when twell- ty-five years of age; Annie, who died at the age of seven months; another Annie, who died when four months old; and James T., who has a posi- tion in the county recorder's office, and who married Nellie A. Reilly, and has two children, Frank and James.
Mr. Kilcran was a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. He died June 23, 1891, at his residence, and in his death Chicago lost a valu- able and useful citizen. He always had a kind look and word for all who had dealings with him, and was beloved by old and young alike. He was genial and witty, and liked to detail his early ex- perience in the city when it was in its infancy. He was sick only ten days before his death, fromn dropsy, which followed an attack of la grippe. He was a member of the Old Settlers' Associa- tion, and had the respect and esteem of all resi- dents of South Chicago. In politics he was a supporter of the Republican party. In all his business dealings he was honest and fair, and al- ways inspired confidence in others.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
LOUIS F. J. M. KURZ
(From Photo, by W. J. ROOT)
631
L. F. J. M. KURZ.
LOUIS F. J. M. KURZ.
OUIS FERDINAND JOSEPH MAXIMIL- LIAN KURZ was born November 23, 1835, at Salzburg, Austria, which place is well known all over the continent for its picturesque scenery, the magnificent Alps forming the back- ground, and the grand old castle of Hohen Salzburg seeming to stand as the pinnacle of a high rocky mound, round which the town is built. The salt mines, from which this city received its name, are also far-famed.
The father of Mr. Kurz was an officer in the Austrian army and was appointed to the office of controller, an important one on account of col- lecting the revenue of the country. However, Mr. Joseph Aegid Kurz thought a better field opened for him in America, and in 1846 he ar- rived in New York City, where he remained two months. Not being satisfied with his opportu- nities in this city, he followed the advice of Hor- ace Greely to "Go West, young man," and reached Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here he formed a musical society, celebrated for its encourage- ment of high-grade music. He also frequently visited Chicago, and formed in that city and in Milwaukee the first German theatre. His meth- ods were conducive of culture and refinement, and Mr. Kurz had the respect and admiration of all who knew him. In 1855 the worlds of music and drama were called upon to mourn the loss of this benefactor.
The subject of this sketch received his first education in the Normal school of his native town, Salzburg, and subsequently attended a military school, where he devoted most of his
time to the study of drawing and painting. His first work, which drew attention to his art, was a pitcure of the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, which was brought before the public in 1848. He has also made many paintings of churches in America, and many scenes in the theatres of Mil- waukee and Chicago and other cities are the work of his hand.
Mr. Kurz spent his· time in both Milwaukee and Chicago. Going to Chicago in 1848, he re- mained two months, then returned to Milwaukee, where he remained until 1852, and after the burn- ing of his father's theater in 1854 he again went to Milwaukee. In 1863 he located in Chicago and formed a partnership with William Floto and Ed- ward Carqueville, the company then being known as the Chicago Lithographic Company. This firm was burned out in the Great Fire of 1871, when Mr. Kurz removed to Milwaukee and re- mained until 1878. He then formed a partner- ship with Alexander Allison, and they still con- tinue business at art publishers at Nos. 267 aud 269 Wabash Avenue. He always retained his interest in affairs of art, and was of immense serv- ice to the people of Chicago by founding what was theu known as the Academy of Design, now called the Art Institute.
In the year 1857 he was married to Miss Mary Erker in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She was born in Truebau, Moravia, Austria, and came with her parents to the United States when very young. For several years Mrs. Kurz' parents made their home in New York City, and when they came West located in Jefferson, where Mr. Erker was a
632
H. W. MARTIN.
cabinet-maker. Mr. and Mrs. Kurz have ten children living. The eldest daughter, Laura, was born in 1858, Louis Otto in 1860, Frank Siegel in 1861, Martha in 1863, Ida in 1865, George Maximillian in 1867, John Hans in 1869, Anna in 1872, Henry in ·1874, and Mollie in 1876.
During the Civil War Mr. Kurz was employed in making topographical sketches of the southern forts. When he sailed from Bremen in the old- fashioned side-wheel steamer "Washington," the voyage was scarcely begun when it was necessary to put into Southampton for repairs to the ma- chinery, which again gave out in mid-ocean, so
that the voyage to New York occupied thirty days. This he describes as being more of a hard- ship than he experienced while in service during the war. He came up the Hudson to Troy in the old "Isaac Newton," from there went by canal to Buffalo, and tlience to Milwaukee by the steamer "Niagara."
It is such highly educated people as Mr. Kurz that realize the needs of America, give a tone of refinement to our society, and make us ad- vance in the arts and sciences as a nation. America has always a warm and hearty welcome for such meu and feels proud of being able to record them among hier citizens.
HARRY W. MARTIN.
ARRY WESTLUN MARTIN was born October 15, 1837, in a United States Arsenal at Bridesburg, now in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of John Thomas and Eliza Ann (Westlun) Martin.
His maternal great-grandfather was a Scotch Highlander, who took part in the Revolutionary War, and his son, Charles Westlun, the father of Eliza A. Westlun, was born in New Jersey. He was a shoe manufacturer of Philadelphia, and took part in the War of 1812. His wife, Char- lotte Jones, was born in New Jersey, and they were the parents of the following children: Elmer, Alvey, Mary, Eliza Ann (mother of Harry W. Martin), Charles and Annie.
John Thomas Martin was born in the northern part of Ireland, and emigrated to America with his parents when six years old. He was a cedar cooper, and was working in the arsenal at Brides- burg when his son Harry was born. He died in 1858, at the age of forty years, and his wife died March 8, 1869, at the age of fifty-one years.
Harry Westlun Martin received his education in the common schools of Philadelphia, and at the age of fourteen years began learning the trade of paper-making, which he followed three years, and was subsequently engaged three and one-half years at the trade of machinist and engineer. He remained in Philadelphia until 1859, and then re- moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he was living at the outbreak of the Civil War.
He enlisted at Wheeling in May, 1861, in Company I, First West Virginia Regiment. He served for three months, and then went into the United States Navy, as a fireman on the gun-boat "Massachusetts." He served eight months, and was then made third assistant engineer and served as such until the close of the war. He took part in the engagements at Fort Fisher and Mobile, and the vessel on which he was employed co- operated with General Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. Mr. Martin was taken prisoner at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and spent four months in a prison at Belle Isle before he was ex-
633
W. H. SPIKINGS.
changed. He was discharged in New York, July 2, 1865, from the gun-boat "State of Georgia."
At the close of the war Mr. Martin removed to Decatur, Illinois, and was employed by his uncle, John K. Cole, who owned a paper mill, where he remained two years, and then went to Moline, Illinois, where he worked at the same trade. Later he started a mill for the New York & Fredericksburg Fiber Company, in Fredericks- burgh, Virginia, and conducted it three years. At the end of this time he removed to Elmwood, New Jersey, and was engaged as a machinist in a mill, in the employ of Nelson Gavit, of Phila- delphia. He erected works at Pittston, Pennsyl- vania, went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and later to Newark, Ohio, and this was the close of his career in paper mills.
In February, 1882, he came to Chicago, and eu- tered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road as engineer and engine dispatcher. He re- mained in this employ for three years and then went into the service of the Illinois Steel Com- pany, then known as the North Chicago Rolling Mill Company, as stationary engineer, and he has since continued this work, having won the trust of his employers by his attention to duty.
He was married October 15, 1861, to Lydia Ann Weese, a daughter of Absalom and Eunice (Marstellar) Weese, of Randolph, West Virginia. They have three children, namely: Clifford Henry, Emlin Albert and Ellwood Preston. Mr. Martin and his family are connected with the Baptist Church. He takes an active interest in politics, and is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
WILLIAM H. SPIKINGS.
ILLIAM HARDING SPIKINGS, a well-known contractor and public-spirited citizen of northwest Chicago, was born May 3, 1848, within a few rods of his present residence. He is the oldest son of Richard Y. and Cornelia A. (Harding) Spikings, of whom extended notice will be found elsewhere in this volume.
William H. Spikings spent his early years on the old homestead, which was near the North Branch of the Chicago River. He attended the common schools of the district, then a part of the town of Jefferson, and later he completed his education at the Newberry, Franklin, Ogden and Mosely schools of this city, graduating from the latter in 1866. On leaving school, he chose the trade of wire-working, in which he became quite
proficient, but in order to take up work more in keeping with his vigorous nature, he became a member of the Northwestern Bill-Posting Com- pany. This enterprise was quite successful, though at that time this method of advertising was still a novelty. In 1867 Mr. Spikings opened a brick yard on the old farm, where he manufactured brick about seven years. Much of the product of this yard is still in use, being seen in many of the finest houses of Irving Park and vicinity.
Having acquired a considerable knowledge of building, he began taking contracts for the erec- tion and moving of houses and other structures. In this line of work he has since continued with marked success, making a specialty of raising and moving various kinds of buildings. As an
634
ROBERT HASTINGS.
evidence of his versatility, it may be mentioned that he manufactured bricks for the fine residence he now occupies, and that he built the same through- out, having the assistance of only one man. On his own estate he has built several houses, which are good evidences of his skill as a mechanic.
January 1, 1874, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Spikings and Miss Minnie Steele, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, at which place her parents are buried. This union was blessed with five children, as follows: Alice Cornelia, Florence Matilda, William Robinson, Frank and Richard Young. The three eldest children are graduates of the Jefferson High School. The second is the wife of Dr. F. I. Brown, of Irving Park, and the third is in the collecting department of the mer- cantile establishment of Marshall Field & Com-
pany. The family is connected with the Re- formed Church of Irving Park. Mr. Spikings contributed a lot for the benefit of the branch of the church in his vicinity.
Fraternally he is a member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 103, Independent Order of Mutual Aid, and Court Irving, No. 45, Independent Order of Foresters. Since attaining his majority, he has been an adherent of the Republican party, and has been judge of election in his ward for many years. He is a warm supporter of the free edu- cational system, and for about thirteen years previous to the annexation of Jefferson to the city, acted as school director. Though modest and unassuming in manner, he is, moreover, genial and companionable, and has many warm friends among all classes.
ROBERT HASTINGS.
OBERT HASTINGS, who is now an hon- ored citizen of Jefferson Park, was born July 2, 1822, in Kirkliston, Linlithgow- shire, Scotland, and is a son of John and Jane (Dunlop) Hastings, both of whom were born in that locality, where they spent their lives-dying on the same day, about 1858 or 1859. John Hastings was a farmer, and to this occupation his son was reared. Robert Hastings received his education in the schools of his native country, and when he became a man he resolved to emigrate to America, of whose opportunities he had heard so much.
He came in 1855, directing his steps to Chi- cago. The country in Jefferson Park pleased him so much that he bought land there, of which he still owns forty acres. He was occupied in general farming until 1891, when he sold two hundred acres, and since that time the remainder has been mostly rented to gardeners. Mr.
Hastings has a very pleasant home, which is lo- cated on a slight elevation of ground. In 1846 he married Mary Duncan, a native of Kinrosshire, Scotland, and she came to the United States with him, dying here in 1876.
Mr. Hastings has learned to love the country of his adoption, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the nation. He is a naturalized citizen, and since he gained the opportunity to vote has been a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican party. He is active in religious matters and is a member of the Jefferson Park Congregational Church. For more than thirty years he has been connected with Saint Andrew's Society, of Chi- cago. His success in life is due to his industry, integrity and to his frugality. Mr. Hastings has always shown very good judgment in the manage- ment of all his affairs, and has won the respect and friendship of all who know him.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
FRANK DIESEL
(From Photo, by W. J. ROOT)
FRANK DIESEL.
635
FRANK DIESEL.
RANK DIESEL, president and treasurer of the Frank Diesel Can Company, is a fine type of the progressive and successful Ger- man-American citizens, among those who have contributed an important portion of Chicago's population. He was born April 9, 1838, in Rhenish Bavaria, being the second in a family of five children born to Michael and Theresa (Deris) Diesel. The parents were natives of Buechel- berg, on the border of Alsace. They came to America in 1842 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Michael Diesel was a poor man, and came to the United States in the hope of bettering his financial condition and to rear his family where they could have greater opportunities for ad- vancement and broader fields of usefulness. On his arrival in Cincinnati his cash capital consisted of three five-franc pieces. He bought an axe and spent the first winter in chopping wood, after which he worked for a time in a packing house. Two years later he engaged in digging wells, and soon began taking contracts for this line of work on his own account, meeting with gratify- ing success. This avocation he industriously pur- sued until his death, in 1854. The following year his widow sold her effects and brought her fam- ily to Chicago, where she had relatives. The first two children, Frank and Peter, were born in Germany, and the latter died in Cincinnati about 1867. Charles, the third, was born upon the ocean and died at the age of ten years. Eliza- beth and Mary, who were born in Cincinnati, are deceased. The mother survived her husband
many years, and died in Chicago, at the home of her son Frank, in April, 1895, in the eighty- second year of her age.
Frank Diesel, the only surviving member of the family, was instructed in the common branches of learning in Saint John's Parish School at Cin- cinnati, in addition to which he attended night school one winter. At the age of twelve years he was bound out for a period of five years to learn the barber's trade, but he was not satisfied with the business, nor contented to remain away from home, and was soon released. He was then em- ployed in a tin and hardware store for a year. At the age of fourteen years he began learning the tinsmith's trade, and by working in different places he followed the trade nearly three years in Cincinnati.
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