Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 92

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 92

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Soon after his arrival in Chicago he entered the employ of Michael Greenebaum, as a journey- man, and. remained with him until 1860. He was then induced by a friend to go to Memphis, Tennessee, and he remained in that city about six months. He was urged to enlist in the Con- federate service after the' Civil War began, but this was not to his liking. On the 26th of April, 1861, he took passage for Cincinnati on the last passenger steamer which came north before the realities of war were inaugurated. He arrived in Cincinnati on the first day of May, and spent a few days there in visiting his old home and re- newing the acquaintances of his youthful days. He found that most of his old associates had joined the Union army, and he immediately came

636

FRANK DIESEL.

to Chicago and again entered the employ of Mr Greenebaum.

· August 26, 1862, he enlisted for three years in the Union army, and became a member of Com- pany K, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, entering at once upon active duty. On the last day of that year he was wounded at the bat- tle of Stone River, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and was sent to the hospital at Nashville, go- ing from there to Louisville, and thence to Quincy, Illinois. He was discharged at the last- named point on account of disability, April 10, 1863. He now returned to Chicago, and was soon established with his old employer, with whom he continued until June 1, 1864. He then accepted a position with Cross & Dane, manu- facturers of tinware, at No. 50 State Street, and for some time was employed in cutting out piece work for their men. He was promoted to fore- man in the pressing and stamping department, and remained with this establishment during various changes of ownership. He became su- perintendent for the Dane, Westlake & Covert Company, under Mr. Westlake, who was general manager. After the Great Fire this concern was consolidated with Crerar & Adams, and Adams & Westlake Manufacturing Company was estab- lished, with whom Mr. Diesel continued to fill the position of superintendent until March, 1877.

About this time he formed a partnership with Conrad Folz, who was at that time county jailer, under the firm name of Diesel & Folz, and in a small way they began business at No. 425 Larra- bee Street. Most of their capital was borrowed, but they did a successful business, and this con- nection lasted six years, at the end of which time Mr. Diesel bought out his partner's interest and continued the business alone. In 1885 he bought two lots on North Halsted Street, on which he built a large factory, which he later enlarged to meet the growing demands of his trade. In 1887 he bought additional ground and erected his present commodious residence, at No. 701 North Halsted Street. Under Mr. Diesel's able manage- ment the business continued to grow, and as- sumed such proportions that the capacity of the plant had to be enlarged, and in order to enjoy

.better shipping facilities, in 1894, at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars, Mr. Diesel pur- chased lots on the corner of Stewart Avenue and Fortieth Street, on which he erected the present large factory, and it was occupied in October of that year. In the previous year the present cor- poration, known as the Frank Diesel Can Com- pany, was formed, the stock being held by Mr. Diesel and his sons. They bought out the can de- partment of the Chicago Stamping Company, which was added to their already large plant. This is the most important industry of its kind in the West, if not in the United States. In it is carried on the manufacture of fruit, meat and oyster cans, sheet-metal specialties and dec- orative ware. In connection is maintained a lithographing department. An average of forty people are employed, and the goods are marketed in various parts of the United States, the annual output amounting to nearly one million dollars.

Mr. Diesel is an earnest supporter of Repub- lican principles in politics, but has no time for office seeking, and has declined the urgent request of friends to become a candidate for alderman il his ward. He is a member of American Post, No. 708, Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1864 he was married to Miss Barbara Roos, a native of Rhenish Bavaria, and daughter of Louis Roos, who came to Chicago in 1851. His family includes five sons and two daughters, namely: Louis, Conrad, John A., Lambert, Rosa, Charles and Lena. Two daughters and one son beside these died in childhood. All are com- municants of Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Diesel is essentially a self-made inan. Without wealth or influential friends to start him in life, by his own industry and the care of lis earnings he was enabled to begin business in a small way. He did not relinquish his industry and thrift, but continued to give close attention to his business and was thus enabled to enlarge and extend it until it became one of the greatest industries of Chicago. To such men the city owes its commercial supremacy, and the example afforded by the story of his life is earnestly com- mended to the emulation of our youthi.

J. P. CHAPIN.

637

JOHN P. CHAPIN.

OHN PUTNAM CHAPIN, one of the worthy pioneers and early mayors of Chi- cago, was descended from one of the earliest settlers of Massachusetts. Deacon Samuel Cha- pin came from England in 1642, and settled at Springfield, Massachusetts, where he died No- vember 11, 1675. His son, Jacob Chapin, born in 1642, died February 20, 1712. He married Aberlenah Cooley, and they had ten children. The third son, Thomas, born May 10, 1671, died August 27, 1755. He had eleven children, and his eldest son, Thomas, born January 2, 1694, reached the venerable age of eighty-seven years, dying in 1781.

Luther, youngest of the five children of Thomas Chapin, junior, had six children. His third son, Eber, died in 1839. The last-named married Saralı Putnam, of Bradford, Vermont, who was a daughter of Adjutant John Putnam, an officer of General Washington's staff, and a cousin of the famous Gen. Israel Putnam. Eber and Sarah (Putnam) Chapin had four sons, Eber, William, Pascal and John Putnam, the last- named being the subject of this biography. The second Eber Putnam above mentioned was a prominent lumber merchant of Chicago in the early years of the city's history.

John Putnam Chapin was born in the year 1808, in Haverhill, Vermont, and received his education in his native State. He began his mer- cantile career as an employe of a general store in his native place, where he grew to manhood. He first visited Chicago in 1833, and invested the small amount which he had been able to save from his earnings in real estate. After a resi- dence of two years here. he went to Morris, Il1- inois, where he bought a farm, a portion of whichi now forms a park adjoining the town of Morris. He did not find agriculture a congenial pursuit

and was anxious to mingle in the commercial life which was already springing into activity at Chi- cago.

Returning to this city he established the first line of boats on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. He speedily became interested in the grain trade, to which he devoted the most of his business life. He was very industrious, had the fullest faith in the future development of the city, and was ever ready . to establish new enterprises calculated to develop the resources of the surrounding coun- try and extend the commercial influence of his home city. He predicted that the time would come when a waterway would be opened between Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico, for which he was ridiculed at the time. His long foresight is proven by the fact that this prediction is on the speedy road to realization, through the move- ments of the Chicago Drainage District and the national Government. For many years Mr. Chapin was identified with the grain forwarding firm of Wadsworth, Dyer & Chapin, and he was at one time in partnership with Nat. Laughlin aud Eben Doore, of Buffalo, and owned the wharf property on the south side of the Chicago River from its mouth up to Clark Street.

In May, 1842, at Lancaster, New Hampshire, Mr. Chapin was married to Miss Harriette Louise White, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Freeman) White. For a time after bringing his bride to Chicago Mr. Chapin resided at the old Lake House, a landmark of pioneer days on the North Side, which was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1871. He built a substantial residence at No. 7 Randolph Street, and this was for many years conspicuous in what was at the time of its erec- tion a suburban district. It was constructed in the colonial style, finished by workmen from New York City, and was for many years one of the

638

G. W. GIVEN.

handsomest residences in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Chapin were very hospitable, and the pleasant gatherings at this home are still fondly cherished in the memories of the few of their contemporaries now living. Six children came to bless this hap- py home, namely: William, Henry Clay, John Putnam, junior, Louise W., Ella Dana and Fan- nie. The eldest daughter is now the wife of J. H. Norton, a prominent member of the Chicago Board of Trade.

During the Civil War Mr. Chapin dealt quite extensively in cotton, a commodity which offered tempting profits to the shrewd dealer at that time. In the midst of a busy career, and in the prime of his social and political usefulness, he died, after an illness of only three days, in this city, June 27, 1864. His wife survived him until June 3, 1895, reaching the age of seventy-nine years.

Mr. Chapin was a great reader and possessed a

wonderful memory. Time spent upon his Morris farm was not lost, for he continued at all times to be a student, and did not permit himself to grow dull. He was in early life a vigorous sup- porter of the public policy of the Whig party, and was one of the most faithful adherents of its successor, the Republican party. He was 11ot, however, a spoilsman, and when he was elected mayor of the city, in 1846, he accepted the trust because he was the spontaneous choice of a large majority of his fellow-citizens. Had he been more selfish and labored more exclusively for his own1 interests, and less for those of the city, he would to-day be remembered as one of the mill- ionaires for which Chicago is noted. But his aim in life was higher, purer and nobler than that of many in commercial life. His monument is in the grateful remembrance of those who knew him best and esteemed him for his good qualities.

GEORGE W. GIVEN.

EORGE WALLACE GIVEN, an iron- worker, whose residence is in South Chicago, was born September 8, 1855, in Lewiston, Maine, and is a son of Benjamin L. and Sarah (MacFarland) Given. His father and grand- father were born in the same town, the family being thus an old one in the place. The great- grandfather of George W. Given was a merchant in Liverpool, and later a Revolutionary soldier, serving through the war. Benjamin L. Given was an engineer by trade, and he served as a Union soldier through the War of the Rebellion. In 1868 lie removed to Chicago, settling on Ash- land Avenue, where his wife still resides.

George W. Given learned the machinist's trade, helping his father, who had charge of an engine in the tanneries, and later working in a

machine shop. At the age of sixteen lie left home, and began the serious business of life 011 his own account, finding employment in a ma- chine shop for a period of three years. I11 1882 he came to Chicago, and was engaged by the Illinois Steel Company for spiegel work, and lie has continned at this occupation until recently. During the last year "he has been employed at Whiting, Indiana.

June 1, 1881, Mr. Given married Miss Lottie Lyman, of Chicago, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Earle) Lyman. They became the parents of five sons, only one of whom, Earle Lawrence, is still living. Mr. Given is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He worked his way to the position he recently occupied by his faithfulness and attention to duty.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

MARTIN WIORA

(From Photo, by W. J ROOT)

MARTIN WIORA.

639

MARTIN WIORA.

M ARTIN WIORA, an influential citizen of South Chicago, was born November 11, 1857, near the corner of Larrabee and Oak Streets, Chicago, and is a son of Frank and Ed- wiga Wiora. Frank Wiora was born in Poland, and came to America in 1848, settling in Chicago, on the North Side. He was a workingman, and in 1860 he removed to Black Oak, in the Town of Worth, Cook County, and engaged in farming. In 1872 he bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson County, Illinois, and in 1877 he moved to it, and was occupied in its cul- tivation until 1881, when he retired, and lived a life of quiet until his death, May 14, 1888, at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Edwiga Wiora was born in 1814, in Poland, and was united in marriage with Mr. Wiora a short time before they emigrated to America. She died July 26, 1877. They had the following children: Law- rence, who resides in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and is engaged in agriculture; John, who died in 1880, at the age of thirty-four years; Martin, whose name heads this article; and Lora, who married Frank Hiduck, an undertaker, and resides at Exchange Avenne and Eighty-eighth Street, Chicago.

Martin Wiora's opportunities for obtaining an education were limited. He attended public school about three months in a year until he was thirteen years old, and after that time his education was acquired by his independent read- ing and study. He was a boy who cared enough about learning to gain a very fair amount of in- formation. He learned the trade of carpenter, and

when he was twenty years old he went with his parents to the farm in Jefferson County, where he had the greater part of the management of its cultivation. Later he returned to Chicago and followed his trade, locating at Sixteenth and Paulina Streets.

I11 1883 he began the business of a contractor, on his own responsibility, and he has continued at this occupation many years, his location hav- ing been in South Chicago since the beginning of the enterprise. In 1887 he bought property at No. 8754 Exchange Avenue, and built a house. In 1896 he moved liis house to its present loca- tion, No. 8753 Escanaba Avenue. His work has been chiefly in South Chicago, though he has erected buildings in other cities. He built the Polish Catholic Church in Hammond, Indi- ana, and has built many handsome residences north of Ninety-first Street, in the city of Chi- cago.

August 2, 1881, Mr. Wiora married Mary Zedroseki, a native of Poland, who came to America in 1880. They had the following chil- dren: Joseph, deceased; Frances, Agnes, John, Peter, Mary (deceased), Thomas and Joseph. Mr. Wiora is connected with Saint Michael's Church of the Conception, and is a member of the six church societies, being always active in church affairs.

Mr. Wiora was always actively interested in political movements. His first participa- tion was in the Garfield-Hancock campaign. In the spring of 1896 he was a candidate for supervisor, but was defeated. While living on

640

A. A. KAY.

his father's farin he was elected street supervisor and served one year. I11 1897 he was nominated for alderman, and was elected by the largest ma- jority ever given a candidate in the Thirty-third Ward. He has a place on the following commit- tees in the council: fire department, healtlı

department, streets and alleys south, and city markets. He is a self-made man in the true sense of the term, holding the respect of the en- tire community which sends him to the city council, and the friendship of a great number of people.

ABEL A. KAY.

BEL A. KAY was born January 1, 1801, in Yorkshire, England, and was reared in his native land, where he learned the trade of shoemaker. He was married in England to Miss Elizabeth Marshall, and in 1843 they came with their family, comprising eight children (and a daughter-in-law), to America. They came in the sailing-vessel "Shakespeare," the voyage taking six weeks and two days, and the passage being very rough. From New York they traveled to Albany, thence by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from there to Chicago through the Great Lakes, the last voyage occupy- ing two weeks, thus making the entire time in coming from England to Chicago nearly three inonths.

Mr. Kay bought a farm of ninety-three and one-third acres of fertile soil, in Jefferson Town1- ship, for five hundred dollars. It was an im- proved farm with a large house and barn, fenced, and partly in cultivation, being located one mile north of the Jefferson depot. He also bought ten acres of timber land, and continued to live on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1847. His wife survived him forty years, expiring in 1887, at the age of eighty-four years, having been born in 1803.

Mr. Kay was a Methodist in his religious be- lief, and was a true Christian, giving his sym- pathy to members of all denominations. He took an active part in religious matters, and for

many years his house was a meeting place for all denominations, and many services were held there. Mr. and Mrs. Kay had the following children: Ann, who married Loren McClanathan, and died in March, 1847, soon after her marriage; Abel, who died June 16, 1889, leaving one son, who is now dead, and a daughter, who is the wife of Thomas Wheldon, of Cook County; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Burkill and died in August, 1896, leaving a large family of chil- dren (Almira, wife of James Carpenter, a resident of Cook County; Thomas A., a resident of Jeffer- son; Sydney, who dropped dead on the day follow- ing the death of his mother; Althea Moisley, who lives in Mayfair; Stella, who married William Ditcher, and lives in Jefferson; Alice, now Mrs. Klink, of Mayfair; Scott, a resident of Jefferson); Frances, who married Loren McClanathan, Sep- tember 16, 1849; Jane, who married Edward Gray, and died, leaving two children, Lida and Emma; Emma, who married William Myers, and died, leaving seven children (Eliza Young; Anna, wife of Cliarles Low, of Norwood Park; William; Ella, now Mrs. Stockbridge, who lives in Jefferson; Clarence, who resides in Jefferson; Ida, of Dakota; and Frank, a resident of Jeffer- so11); John and Joseph Kay, who still live on the old homestead.

Loren McClanathan was born January 24, 1818, i11 Madison County, New York. He was edu- cated in the schools of New York, and after he

641

CARL WENZLAFF.

became of age he went to the Southern States, teaching at one time in Kentucky. In 1843 he came to Chicago, and here he married his first wife soon after. He was a currier by trade and was for a short time foreman in a currier shop. In 1855 Mr. McClanathan taught school in Jef- ferson Township. In 1856 he entered the em- ploy of the Illinois Central Railroad Company as a conductor, and remained with it until a short time previous to his departure for the South, to engage in the defense of his country.

In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, and was one' of General Mcclellan's body guard, in which capacity he served a year and a- half, when he was transferred to the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, Company I, and was discharged March 18, 1864, on account of disability. He took part as a private in the battles fought in

front of Richmond, while Mcclellan was in com- mand of the army. After the war he returned to Chicago, where he was made yardmaster of the Great Eastern Yards, having charge of passenger trains.

September 16, 1849, he married Miss Frances Kay, and when he died, January 20, 1895, he left two children, as follows: Loren B., who re- sides in Boston; and Harriet A., wife of Henry Elkins, of Chicago. One child, Lucien L., died in 1893, at the age of thirty-nine years.

Mr. McClanathan was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being connected with Winfield Scott Post, No. 445, of Chicago. He took an active interest in the questions of the day, and was a Republican in political opinion. He was a well-informed man, and a public-spirited and valuable citizen.

CARL WENZLAFF.

ARL WENZLAFF was born December 27, 1835, in Grosjanewitz, Kreis Lauenburg, Pommern, Germany. He lived in his na- tive land until he was thirty-five years old, and then came to America with his wife and three children. He came to Chicago and located at Blue Island, where he found employment as a laborer. In 1872 he went to South Chicago and leased land from the Calumet & Chicago Canal & Dock Company, where he built a small house for his family. This is the location at which he still lives. In 1882 he bought the land, and im- proved the house as he was able, by building ad- ditions. In 1893 the house was destroyed, with others, by a large fire. He then built the house which he still occupies, and which is situated at No. 9041 Mackinaw Avenne.

Ever since coming to South Chicago, Mr. Wenzlaff has been employed in lumber yards, having served several different firms. He first worked for the firm of Cook & Powell five years, then five years for Blanchard & Giddy, and then he was engaged by A. R. Beck, with whom he remained until he was unable to work longer, on account of age and failing strength. The length of time he remained with each establish- ment named attests his faithfulness and honesty. He was always industrious and prudent, and so was able to buy his own home, besides property on Green Bay Avenue, which he has improved. In 1896 he retired from active labor, and now lives a life of ease.

Mr. Wenzlaff was married in Germany, in November, 1859, to Miss Henrietta Behnke, who

642

FRANKLIN STEWART.

was born December 8, 1841, in Pommern, Ger- many. They had twelve children, four of whom were born in Germany, and five of whom are dead. Charles, William, Albert, Lisette, Emil, Martha and Johann are living, and Johanna, Wilhelmina, Emma, Frederick and Hermina are

deceased. Mr. Wenzlaff is a good citizen and an honest and industrious resident of South Chicago. He and his whole family are members of the German Lutheran Church. In politics he be- lieves in and supports the principles of the Repub- lican party.

FRANKLIN STEWART.

이 RANKLIN STEWART was born May 8, 1844, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Saralı D. (Warfel) Stewart. His grandfather, James Stewart, was born in Scotland, and when a young man emi- grated to America. He was a teamster, and carried freight between Philadelphia and Pitts- burg. He was successful in this business, and was enabled to buy a farm of about two hundred acres in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where lie located and spent the remainder of his life. He married Miss Gray, and their children were: William, John, Thomas, Andrew, Matthew, Robert, Alexander, James,. Jane, Eliza, Mary, Margaret, and a girl who died when very young, thus making thirteen. Mary married Henry C. Warfel, and lived at Ashkum, Iroquois County, Illinois. Robert and Alexander made their home in Pleasant Valley, near Columbus, Ohio. An- drew lived in Fairfield County, Ohio, and the other children resided in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. James Stewart died on his farm, which has now been divided and is not owned by the family.

John Stewart was born March 23, 1813, in Pennsylvania, and died February 22, 1883, at Cummings, Cook County, Illinois. He was a carpenter and cooper, and spent most of his time in Huntingdon County, in his native state. In 1857 he moved to Franklin County, Missouri, where he remained a year. He enlisted at the

outbreak of the Civil War, but was discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, because of poor health. In 1862 he removed to Buffalo County, Wiscon- sin, and remained a year. He then worked at his trade wherever he found employment, and in this way traveled over a great deal of territory. In1 1882 he located in Cook County, where his death occurred the next year.

He married Sarah D. Warfel, who was born January 12, 1828, in Huntingdon County, Penn- sylvania, and was a daughter of Adam Warfel. The latter was probably born in Germany, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Asenith Clark, who was of Englishi descent, and their children were Elizabeth, Sarah D., Arietta and Henry C. Mr. and Mrs. John Stewart had the following children: Franklin, whose name heads this article; Elizabeth Jane, who was born Sep- tember 2, 1845, and died March 18, 1847; Laura Etta, who was born January 10, 1848, married Hugh W. Brandle, and resides in South Chicago; Millard Fillmore, born June 30, 1850, was hurt by a boiler explosion in a pump-house, where he was employed as engineer, and died ten days later from his injuries, September 29, 1886; and Asenith Bilda, born December 26, 1869, inarried John Long, and lived in Hammond, Indiana, where she died March 15, 1897.

Franklin Stewart attended school until the beginning of the Civil War, at which time he was in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, and enlisted

643

JOHN WINSTON.

August 12, 1862, in Company G, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or until the end of the war. He remained with this company until January 24, 1863, and then, under an order from the war department, giving all volunteers the privilege, he went into the reg- ular army in Company C, Eighth United States Infantry, enlisting for five years. While with the first-named company he was sent to Minne- sota to help subdue the Indians. He remained with the Eighth United States Infantry five years, and during that time was never wounded or taken prisoner. He was at the great City Point explosion, where fifty-two were sent to the hospital, and though within a few feet of the explosion, he alone of the number escaped in- jury. Only fourteen were able to join the regi- ment after this calamity, the others either being killed or sent to the hospital. Mr. Stewart was discharged from the service January 24, 1868, at Columbia, South Carolina.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, 8th ed., Part 92

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