Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 6

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 910

USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899 > Part 6

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In 1848 he bought an acre of land on Chicago Avenne, when John Kuhl was the only settler on the prairie in that locality. He soon after built a small house, the second on the street, and located on his property and has ever since resided on it. He has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the city, and in 1863-4-5-6, was

W. T. WELBOURN.

Alderman for the Twelfth Ward. Formerly he supported the Republican party, but of late years has become more independent and usually acts with the Democratic party.

Mr. Gastfield is a member of the Mithra Lodge No. 410, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, and Goethe Lodge No. 329, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Humboldt Encampment of the latter order. He has been married three times. January 3, 1847, he married Mary J. Cutshaw, by whom he had five children, only three of whom are now living, namely: Gertrude,

widow of Mr. Ungawiter; Charles, who is secretary of the North Side Land Company; and Martha, wife of Charles Hacker. The mother died March 24, 1860, and September 8, 1860, Mr. Gastfield married Dorothy Meyer. By this union there are four children living : Louis, Louise, Edward and Dora. The mother of this family died March 4, 1879. December 17, 1879, Mr. Gastfield again took unto himself a wife, the bride being Mary Swanson. They are members of St. Peter's Evan- gelical Church and support all that goes for the benefit of the people at large.

WILLIAM T. WELBOURN.

ILLIAM THOMAS WELBOURN, a prominent farmer and stock-dealer of Sum- mit, was born June 18, 1860, in that vil- lage, his birthday being signalized by the nomi- nation of Abraham Lincoln for president. His parents were William and Jane (Nicholson) Wel- bourn, natives of the town of Beverly, York- shire, England. His paternal grandparents were Thomas and Mary (Ward) Welbourn, of the same place.

Thomas Welbourn came to America in 1844, and located on Salt Creek, Lyons Township, Cook County, Illinois, and the next year brought his family over. Within a few years thereafter, he was fatally injured by a falling tree, which he felled. Eight of his children grew to maturity, namely: William, Robert, Thomas, George, John, Ann (now Mrs. Monroe Durfee), Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Knight), and Margaret (Mrs. John Scofield). Four of the sons, Robert, John, George and Thomas, served as soldiers in the Civil War.

When Willian Welbourn, senior, first came to

Cook County he was employed as a laborer, wherever he could find a demand for his services. He subsequently engaged in contracting, and in 1860 became proprietor of the Summit House, at Summit, which hostelry he continued to conduct several years. He was also proprietor of the All-Nations Hotel in Chicago for a period of two and a-half years, and then returned to Summit and again kept the Summit House two years. He next engaged in farming, which industry continued to employ his time and energies until his death, in June, 1896, at the age of seventy- eight years. His children were four in number and one of these died in infancy. The others are John, Alfred and William, all except the last- named being now deceased. During the cholera epidemic of 1848 Mrs. Welbourn nursed many of its victims and buried, without any assistance, nine who succumbed to the dread power of this disease.

William T. Welbourn, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Lyons Township, and edu- cated in its common schools. He began life as a

SARGEANT TALBOT.

farmer, and by his industry and prudent manage- ment has made a flattering success of that calling. At one time he operated nine hundred acres of land, and since 1886, has been an extensive dealer in cattle and horses.

He was married December 4, 1883, to Miss Rosella M., youngest daughter of John and Ma- tilda (Adams) Spear, prominent pioneers of Palos Township. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Welbourn, namely: Jennie, Rose,

Harriet (deceased), William, Cora, Frank and Olive. Mr. Welbouru and family are connected with the Roman Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Royal League. He has held the offices of treasurer, village trustee and school di- rector several terms, and is among the most in- telligent and progressive citizens of the community in which he resides. Politically he is a Repub- lican, and for several years has been a delegate to the county conventions of his party.

SARGEANT TALBOT.

ARGEANT TALBOT, who is a self-made man in the strictest sense of the word, was born January 11, 1819, in the parish of Lorsen, Suffolk, England. His parents were Thomas and Hannah (Gritts) Talbot. His grand- father, Sargeant Talbot, was an English over- seer. The maternal grandfather was also Eng- lish, and came from London.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Talbot and their seven children emigrated from their native land in 1833, and located in Herkimer County, near Utica, New York. He later purchased a farm in Oneida County. He remained on a farm until his death, which occurred about the year 1876. He was born in Sussex, England, near the place where Sargeant, his son and the subject of this article, was also born. Mrs. Thomas Talbot died about 1875. Her children were: Eliza, Sargeant, William, Thomas, Marie, Sophia, Annie and Edward.

Sargeant Talbot received but scant education and remained on his father's farm until he was twenty years of age. He came to Chicago in the fall of 1842, and went into the employ of John Gage as teamster for a flour mill, which was lo-

cated on Van Buren Street, where the bridge now is. The mill burned in 1856. He remained thus employed until 1853, and then removed to California. After three months he returned and purchased a farm on the Des Plaines River, one mile south of East Wheeling. He owned two hundred acres and remained on this farm until 1873, when he sold and removed to Englewood. He has since that time been engaged in teaming, owning as many as thirteen teams of horses.

Being very successful, he was enabled, in 1892, to build a three story brick residence building at No. 6658 State Street. Mr. Talbot had resided in the old house on this site since 1882.

Mr. Talbot was married April 9, 1842, to Miss Marie Copsey, daughter of John and Mary (Tal- bot) Copsey. Mrs. Talbot was born in Suffolk, near Cambridge, England, November 3, 1824. She died July 19, 1898, mourned by many friends and relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot became the parents of seven children. Andrew Jackson, the eldest, was born January 11, 1844, and died April 9, 1846. Andrew Jackson, named for the United States president of that name, was born July 22, 1846, and resides at Arlington Heights,

LAURITZ PAULSEN.

Cook County, Illinois. Mary Adelaide was born March 26, 1848, married Charles C. Webster, a builder by occupation; they reside at No. 6448 Morgan Street, Chicago. Frances Adelaide, born February 3, 1853, died on the 18th of Octo- ber, 1853.

Walter George, the next in order of birth of the children of Sargeant Talbot, was born Nov- ember 3, 1854, and married Kate E. Smith, daughter of William Henry and Margaret Ann (Quackenbush) Smith, May 3, 1887. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Talbot are: Clarence Arthur, born May 1, 1888; Robert Edwin, June 17, 1893; Norman Webster, March 26, 1895, and Alice Adelaide, October 31, 1897. William, the sixth child of S. Talbot, died at the age of two years, while Clarence died when seventeen years old, in October, 1881.

Mr. Talbot is a man of very mild manner, an

agreeable gentleman to converse with, and a man of much force of character. He is not demon- strative, but is governed by a quiet, but firm and persistent nature. Though never blessed with educational advantages of the best, he is, how- ever, accomplished more than many men who have had the best opportunities. His fine prop- erty at No. 6658 State Street, is but one tangible proof of this fact. His son, Walter Talbot, re- sides with him at this number. All that could be bestowed by a loving son on a parent is showered on his father by Walter G. Talbot. This happy home suffered a terrible affliction when death separated the loving mother from those of this earth, in July, 1898. She was highly respected by all who knew her and rev- erenced beyond limit by her children. She had passed threescore and ten years at the time of her death.

LAURITZ PAULSEN.

AURITZ PAULSEN, who has been identi- fied with the building interests of Chicago for many years, comes of that strong, ag- gressive Scandinavian stock which has played such an important part in the world's history. He was born in Denmark September 16, 1853, and in his native town received a common school education. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to a carpenter and, for a period of five years, diligently applied himself to learning the trade. He continued to work as a carpenter in his home town until 1881. In that year he followed the tide of emigration which had been flowing strongly toward America several years, and journeyed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he

found work at his trade. Hearing of the greater opportunities for gaining wealth in Chicago, he went to that city the next year, and was em- ployed twelve months by Palmer & Fuller, in Twenty-second Street.

Like all other men who have acquired fortunes from small beginnings, Mr. Paulsen had early adopted frugal, economical habits, and had al- ways saved a portion of his earnings. He was, therefore, able to enter business on his own ac- count and, having by his two years' residence in this country gained a knowledge of American methods of building, he resolved to apply his efforts in such a way that the profits should be his own. He therefore began buying lots, on

J. O. WINDHEIM.

which he erected residences. These he sold at a fair profit, and the plan was not only advanta- geous to him, but also aided in building up the city and furnishing comfortable homes for many of its people. This business was continued until 1893, and resulted in the erection of about fifty houses. With part of the capital thus acquired, Mr. Paulsen opened a lumber yard in 1894 at No. 781 North Avenue. He carries in stock all kinds of lumber required by the builder, both for rough and finishing work. His long experience in superintending the work of building and also as a practical mechanic, render his judgment in the selection of materials as good as the best, and he is patronized by a large number of the first- class contractors in his section of the city. He is

the owner of the property where his yards and office are located, and also of a modern residence.

Though he came to this country comparatively poor, the subject of this notice soon became im- bued with American ideas and has shown a fair share of that enterprise and energy for which his adopted country is noted the world over. Not only lias he acquired a competence, but has be- come an honored and respected citizen of his sec- tion of the city, where his honesty and integrity are well known. In politics he shows that same independence of character which has marked his business life, but in national affairs he supports the principles of the Republican party. He was married in 1881 at Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Marie Lassen, a native of Denmark.

JOHN O. WINDHEIM.

OHN OTTO WINDHEIM, a pioneer of Chi- cago, was born in the village of Schottlingn, Hessen, Germany, December 19, 1836, and was reared on a farm in his native land until he reached the age of eighteen years. His parents were Henry and Dorothy Windheim. John Otto Windheim received a common school education, and aided in tilling the soil of his father's prop- erty until they emigrated from their native land, March 15, 1854.

Mr. Windheim sailed from Bremen, Germany, and after a voyage of five weeks and three days landed in New York. He travelled direct to Chicago, where his brother, H. C. Windheim, was residing, arriving in the latter part of the month of May. He had but scant means at that time, and began life in this country by driving a team for a brick maker. He spent oue year at

the carpenter's trade and acted as clerk in a gro- cery store for his brother, two subsequent years. In January, 1860, he joined the fire department and was thus occupied eleven years.

He was connected with the U. P. Harris Con- pany, and soon after the great fire of 1871 he . resigned his position with the department, and since that time has been occupied with teaming and expressing. He cast his first presidential vote in favor of Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and has since supported the Republican party, but never sought for nor held public office. He still retains his membership in the Firemen's Benevolent Association. In 1864 he married Sophia Tegtmeyer, a daughter of Jolin Frederick Tegtmeyer, who was a native of the village of Grossendorf, Hessen, Germany, and who came to America in 1846. By that marriage Mr. Wind-

J. F. JOHNSON.

heim became the father of four children: John F., who died in childhood; John Christopher, who is captain of Truck 5, in the fire department; Sophia, wife of Philip Boller; and Rica, de- ceased. The mother died September 8, 1883. May 16, 1885, Mr. Windheim married Katharine Ellen, widow of John Philip Tegtmeyer. She is a sister of the former Mrs. Windheim, and by her marriage with John P. Tegtmeyer had six children: John Frederick, Edward Christopher, August and Henry, and two that died in child- hood. The family of Mr. Windheim is connected with the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

John Frederick Tegtmeyer, father of Mrs. Windheim, had six children, namely: Christo- pher; Dorothy, widow of Henry C. Windheim, who lives at No. 112 Canalport Avenue; Katha- rine E., Mrs. Windheim; Sophia (deceased) and Conrad. Mr. Tegtmeyer was married to Dorothy

Meyerding, a native of the same place as himself, and all his children were born in the Fatherland. May 4, 1846, with his family and a number of young men and women, he came to America. They travelled to Bremen by team and consumed eight days in the journey. From that city they set sail for America and were seven weeks and three days on the ocean, landing in New York. They came by way of the Hudson River to Albany, and by canal boat to Buffalo, a tedious journey, occupying many days. From Buffalo they came by steamboat to Chicago, making the trip in five days, and arriving on the 18th of July, 1846.

Mr. Tegtmeyer was an expert gardener and worked at that occupation many years. He died in Chicago in March, 1865, and his wife survived him until March 15, 1883, dying at the age of eighty-three years.

JOHN F. JOHNSON.

OHN FREDERICK JOHNSON, who was C one of the first men connected with the Chi- cago City Railway Company, rose from a mere clerical position to the one of great respon- sibility which he now holds. He has succeeded through his own energies and merits this and much more. He was born December 17, 1838, in Niles, Michigan. For ancestry, see biography of F. M. Jolinson, on another page of this vol- ume.

Mr. Johnson was educated in Niles, Michigan, attending school until he reached the age of six- teen years. October 1, 1854, he obtained a posi- tion in the Michigan Central Railroad freight office, remaining until 1862. For a short time subsequently he was employed with John Berry,

and in 1863 he entered the freight office of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, changing later to the service of the Merchants' Union Ex- press Company until 1868, when he was employed by the American Express Company. December of the year 1869 he became clerk for the Chicago City Railway Company, and after seven years in that capacity was six years treasurer and secre- tary. Since 1881 he has been in the President's office as assistant auditor and fills the position to the complete satisfaction of all interested.

He has proven in all circumstances a compe- tent, energetic and trustworthy man and has gained the admiration of all who have come in contact with his fresh, genial mind, whether in one surrounding or another.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

N. B. Swing

H. B. LEWIS.

HENRY B. LEWIS.

ENRY BYRON LEWIS, one of the early and most respected residents of that portion of Chicago known as Englewood, was born February 1, 1825, in Eaton, Madison County, New York. He is a descendant of Benjamin Lewis, President of the Town of Wallingford, Connecticut, and later a resident of Stratford, in the same Colony. The last-named married Han- nah, daughter of Sergeant John Curtis, one of the original proprietors of the ancient town of Strat- ford. She was born February 16, 1654, and died October 21, 1728. Her husband passed away in Stratford about 1700.

Their third son, James Lewis, born in 1677, married Hannah, daughter of James Judson; she died January 20, 1766. Her eldest son, John Lewis, born December 20, 1703, married Sarah Sherman, on the 7th day of December, 1727. She wasa daughter of Nathaniel Sherman. Jud- son Lewis, her seventh child, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Col. Samuel Whiting. All these, except Benjamin Lewis, were born in Stratford.

Judson Lewis settled in Madison County, New York, about 1795, and died there. The hill in Stratford on which many of the Lewises lived is still called "Tory Hill," and it is conjectured that John, father of Judson Lewis, was a Tory Lieutenant, as he was styled Lieutenant Lewis. Col. Samuel Whiting was a soldier in both Colo- nial and Revolutionary wars. He advanced money to pay off his regiment, and was never re- imbursed by the colony for this expenditure. Through Colonel Whiting, the subject of this notice is directly descended from Gov. William

Bradford, second Governor of Plymouth Colony, the line being as follows:

I, Gov. William Bradford; 2, Maj. William Bradford, Deputy Governor of Plymouth, and his wife, Alice Richards; 3, Alice, born Bradford, wife of Rev. William Adams; 4, Elizabeth, born Adams, wife of Rev. Samuel Whiting; 5, Col. Samuel Whiting and Elizabeth Judson, his wife; 6, Elizabeth Whiting, wife of Judson Lewis; 7, Isaac Lewis, son of Judson and Elizabeth Lewis; 8, Henry B. Lewis.

Isaac Lewis was born in Stratford, Connecticut, and when he was twelve years of age his parents removed to Madison County, New York. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, in which he became highly proficient. During our second war with England he efficiently served his coun- try, attaining the rank of captain. He was thrice married. His first wife, Nancy Curtis, bore him two children: Lucetta, who married Palmer Hall, and Thompson C., both now deceased. His second wife, Lydia (Gates) Lewis, became the

mother of five children: Lucy Ann, now Mrs. William Perry, of New York; Dwight M., de- ceased; Lucinda Cornelia, widow of Orason Cham - berlain, who resides at Galesburg, Illinois; Henry B., whose name introduces this article; and Helen Maria, widow of Luther M. Kent, who lives in Englewood. The mother of this family died November 25, 1828. For his third wife, Isaac Lewis married Esther Card. Their children were Mary, who died at the home of H. B. Lewis in 1869; Anzellette and Alasco B. The last died in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1888.

Henry B. Lewis' education was limited to the

H. B. LEWIS.

public schools, and a term of three months in the Morrisville Academy. His range of study, while limited to the few branches of learning taught in the public schools of sixty years ago, liad the merit of thoroughness, as his studious habits made him highly proficient in the fundamental principles of an English education. His oppor- tunities for acquiring further education were cut short when he was eighteen years of age, it be- coming necessary then for him to enter upon some employment, with a view to establishing himself upon the threshold of his career, then just opening. The opportunity offering, he ac- cepted a position with the Utica Daily Gazette, to learn the printing business.

Six months later he resigned his position to ac- cept a clerkship in one of the mercantile establish- ments of Hamilton, New York, in which capacity he was employed one year, after which he con- ducted a store for his brother-in-law at Pratt's Hollow four years, acquiring a practical knowl- edge of correct business methods, to which, in a considerable measure, is due the success that has attended his efforts throughout his long and suc- cessful business career. In 1850 he engaged in the mercantile business for himself in Morris- ville, New York, which he conducted four years, with fair success. He came to Chicago in March, 1855, and for one year thereafter filled a position with Williams & Avery, lumber dealers. The following year he entered into partnership with Walter Lull, to deal in lumber, with office on Canal Street, near Lake Street. In the fall of 1857 he disposed of his interest to his partner, with whom he remained and filled a clerical po- sition until May 1, 1858. That year he estab- lished himself on Kinzie Street and engaged on his own account in handling a line of farming commodities, becoming at that time a member of the Board of Trade.

Iut 1860 he moved his place of business to South Water Street, at the corner of Franklin Street, where he was burned out in the fire of 1871, which caused him serious loss.

After settling up his business he turned his at- tention to real estate, loans and insurance, having laid out two subdivisions. In 1867 Mr. Lewis

purchased property in Englewood, upon which he located, being one of the first settlers in the place, which was then known as Junction Grove. Sub- sequently Mrs. Lewis suggested that the name be changed to Englewood, which was accordingly adopted. Mr. Lewis at once became active in promoting the material interests of the new sub- urb. He worked untiringly for its advancement, and his efforts aided in producing results which quickly converted an almost virgin prairie into a closely settled community.

However, it is to the cause of education in the city that he has given his best efforts and in rec- ognition thereof one of the magnificent public schools of the town of Lake, now in the city, was given his honored name. For many years he was officially connected with the public schools, hav- ing served on the district board about ten years, and six years on the county board. For three years he was a member of the Hyde Park Board of town trustees.

It was largely due to Mr. Lewis' efforts that the County Normal School was established at Englewood. For two years he ceaselessly agita- ted the question. He carried the matter before the state legislature and induced that body to pass a law authorizing the directors of that school dis- trict to levy a tax to assist in securing the location of the school at Englewood. In other matters Mr. Lewis has been equally active. For three years he served on the board of directors of the First National Bank, and it was largely through his personal influence that Lyman J. Gage, pres- ent Secretary of the United States Treasury, be- came connected with that institution.

Mr. Lewis assisted in establishing the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood, whose house of worship was the first erected in that (then) suburb, and has contributed to the building fund of every religious society there. In religious faith he is a stanch Universalist, and he was a prime mover in founding the First Universalist Church of Englewood, with which he has ever since been connected, and to whose support he is always a liberal contributor. His political prefer- ment is for the principles of the Republican party, with which he has been affiliated since its organ-

EDWARD OTTO.

ization. Mr. Lewis was married February 24, 1848, to Miss Nancy B. Haughton, of Eaton, Madison County, New York. Their union re- sulted in the birth of one daughter, Helen L., now the wife of William Withington Carter, who lias borne her husband three children, namely: Alice, Lillian and Ruth.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis celebrated their golden wedding anniversary February 24, 1898, the

event being attended by more than two hundred of their relatives and intimate, friends. It was an occasion that fittingly marked the fiftieth mile- stone reached in the journey of his happy wedded life. Although he has passed the scriptural allot- ment of time to man, he retains the freshness, the mental vigor of youth, and his long years of ac- tive labor have made but little inroad upon his rugged constitution.

EDWARD OTTO.

DWARD OTTO. Though foreign born, there are many German-American citizens who have aided in the re-building of the city of Chicago more than many native Ameri- cans. And it is true that many who emigrate to America are better acquainted with the country than some who have lived in the United States all their lives. Born September 20, 1833, in the city of Arolson, Waldeck, Germany, Edward Otto is loyal to the best interests of his adopted country, and is ready to take advantage of all the new ideas and inventions as well as to help further them in every possible manner. His par- ents were Frederick William and Minnie (Stroh) Otto, and both came of old and highly respected families.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 6

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co. Number of Pages: 910

Author: La Salle Book Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : La Salle Book Co.
Number of Pages: 910