Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 88

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 88

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Nothing is more conducive to the success of a young man than a cheerful, helpful life compani- io11, such as Mr. Weyer was successful in obtain- ing. Miss Alforetta Skelly, daughter of James

Skelly, became Mrs. Weyer May 31, 1894. She was born in Chicago and is the mother of two in- teresting children. Jeanette Grace is now two and one-half years old and Rodney William one. Mr. Weyer is a member of General Sherman Council, Royal League, and is a stanch and loyal Republican. He is an ambitious, energetic young man and deserves the success which his efforts are sure to bring him. His character is honor- able and upright, and such virtues are not to be overlooked, in these times of strife and jealousy among men. He has many friends, as has also his worthy and refined wife.

BEN DUXSON.

B EN DUXSON, who is one of the respected and well-known citizens of the portion of Chicago surrounding his home, is a valued employe in the Stock Yards. He was born De- cember 29, 1861, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is a son of James and Jane (West) Duxson. James Duxson, with his wife and four children, came to America twenty-five years ago, in 1874, and located in Chicago. He was a blacksmith by occupation and conducted his own shop, both in his native land and after coming to America. His two sons, Ben and William, engaged in teaming in Chicago. The former's name heads this article and a history of the life of the latter appears elsewhere in this volume. The two sons now reside at the old homestead, at No. 5916 State Street, which the father erected in 1883. J. Duxson died abont 1888, and the mother is also deceased. Their children were named: Ben, William, Sarah and Elizabeth.

Ben Duxson carried on the enterprise of team- ing and general hauling, and is now an employe of the Continental Packing Company, at the Union Stock Yards, having charge of the ice ma-

chines. During the World's Columbian Expo- sition in Chicago he was driver of Engine Com- pany, No. I, of the Chicago Fire Department.

He was married November 2, 1881, to Miss Johanna Duggan, who was born in a building at the corner of Sixty-fifth and State Streets, Chi- cago. The house is only a short distance from where she now lives. Her sister became the wife of the brother of Mr. Duxson, William Duxson, and the two families reside at the old homestead. This is an instance where two brothers married two sisters and the families on both sides were residents of the same neighborhood for several years, where the daughters were born. .

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Duxson are as follows: James, born December 25, 1882; Sarah, March 2, 1886; and Katy, December 30, 1889. The family of Duxson has ever been a highly respected and honored one, and success has followed the endeavors, energy and ambition which are characteristic of the name. Mr. Dux- son has a pleasant liome, a congenial life compan- ion, and interesting children, who will prove the blessing he and his worthy wife deserve.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HENRY NIEMEYER.

60"

HENRY NIEMEYER.

ENRY NIEMEYER was for many years prominently connected with the business in- terests of Chicago. He was born September 28, 1825, close to Mariensee, Hanover, Germany, and was the oldest son of Diedrich and Wilhemina (Dempwolf) Niemeyer, both of whom were members of old and respected German families. . Henry was educated in the parochial school, and on attaining the age of fourteen years was con- firmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His father was a tailor by trade and after leaving school Henry served a regular apprenticeship with him, and worked at the trade of tailor until he emigrated to America. In 1847 he left his be- loved Fatherland and came to the United States, and after a monotonous and uneventful ocean voyage landed at New York. He remained in that city one year, working at his trade. The next year he came to Chicago and for some time worked as a journeyman tailor. Being industri- ous and ambitious to succeed in the world he carefully saved his earnings, and when he had a snug little sum on haud he began business for himself in a small way. His first venture was keeping a fruit stand, which proved a profitable investment and soon developed into a store. Later he kept the Sailors' Hotel on Water Street. While thus employed he invested the profits of his business in real estate on the northwest corner of Canal aud Fourteenth Streets, upon which he built a three-story building.

He opened a hotel there and did a profit- able business until his premises were destroyed by fire in the summer of 1861, meeting a total loss. Being out of business he decided to take a few monthis' vacation, during which time he visited Germany and spent some time in his native

place. On his return to Chicago he rebuilt, this time with stores for renting. In the days of his prosperity he had bought property on Milwaukee Avenue at the corner of Green Street. In the winter of 1861-62 he opened a hotel on that property, continuing the business until 1863, when he returned to Canal Street, and having previously bought the lot, built on the opposite corner from his stores, and there followed the same business for a few years, when he gave up the hotel and started a toy and notion store and did a profitable trade until 1872, when he gave up business, moved to Englewood, and lived in retirement the remainder of his days. He died December 8, 1877, leaving his widow and daughter an abundance of this world's goods.

Mr .. Niemeyer began life a poor boy, in fact on his arrival in America was in debt to a friend for a part of his passage money. But by that in- dustry, characteristic of his nationality, combined with good business ability, he won success by honorable methods. Although he never sought public office of any kind, he always took a keen interest in public affairs and was ever loyal to his adopted country. He joined the Republican party at its organization and became prominent in the councils of the party and not only attended many county, state and national conventions, but spent much of his time and money to insure the success of the party. He was an intimate friend of "Long John Wentworth" and had per- sonal acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln, whom he helped to nominate for the presidency in 1860.

In social and benevolent orders he took an active part, having been a member of Robert Blum Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a charter member of Hoffnung Lodge, of the

608

W. J. McCORKINDALE.

same order, which was organized through his influence and held in his lodge hall. In 1853 he married Miss Louise Tegtemeyer, by whom he had two children. Sophia is the wife of Theodore Hartmann and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Frederick died in infancy. Mrs. Niemeyer died in 1860. On July 8, 1862, he married Miss

Louise, daughter of Conrad and Charlotte (Schumacher) Fromling, who was born October 18, 1839, and reared in the same parish as himself. They became the parents of three children, all of whom are deceased. Hermina died at the age of twenty-one years and Frederick and Christina passed away in childhood.

WILLIAM J. McCORKINDALE.

ILLIAM JAMES McCORKINDALE, su- perintendent of the Harvey Transit Com- pany at Harvey, Illinois, is a gentleman whose fitness for the successful conduct of compli- cated and arduous duties is amply proven. He is one of the progressive and up-to-date citizens of Harvey, and one whose judgment is widely ap- preciated. It is with pleasure his many friends learn of his employers' determination to keep him in a position where their best interests are concerned and friends constantly gained for their companies.

The Harvey Transit Company, organized in August, 1891, operates the water works, the elec- tric lighting system and the street car line to West Harvey. The water works system has been kept abreast of the demands, now having fifteen miles of mains, with one hundred and forty hydrants. The original source of supply has been superseded by a system of artesian wells at West Harvey, sunk to a depth of sixteen hun- dred eight feet. The water is raised by com- pressed air, which operates at the same time the aerating of the water, thus liberating the obnox- ious gases and making the supply the most desir- able for domestic use. Over twenty-five thous- and dollars have been expended in these later improvements. In January, 1892, the electric lighting plant was installed, so that Harvey has ever been one of the best lighted towns of its size.

It has a capacity of one hundred arc and thirteen hundred incandescent lights. For six years the supervision of these plants has been held by Mr. McCorkindale, the number of consumers increas- ing during the time from one hundred to six hundred.

Mr. McCorkindale was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, of Scotch parentage. His father, William McCorkindale, is chief engineer of the New Orleans Electric Light and Power Com- pany, the largest plant in the south. Educated in Glasgow, he became a marine engineer, and for twenty-seven years had charge of the engines on various ocean vessels. He is well known in Harvey, where he has frequently visited, and the benefit of his wide experience is somewhat em- bodied in its excellent electric system.

William J. McCorkindale spent considerable time as a youth with his father on the ocean and early became familiar with delicate and compli- cated machinery. Educated in Tulane High School and the University at New Orleans, he be- came a teacher of manual training in the latter institution, until, in March, 1891, he came to Chicago as cashier of the Harvey Steel Car Com- pany. The same parties owned the Transit Com- pany and transferred him, placing him in charge of the latter company's accounts, soon making him secretary of the company, which position in less than one year gave place to the general su-

609

C. R. FURBOOM.

perintendency, a position where his worth has been ably and repeatedly shown. His value as a citizen becoming recognized, he was asked to serve as a member of the township school trustees and was elected for a three-year term. He is identified with the Republican party, though he holds to quite liberal views. He is a member of Magic City Lodge No. 832, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is connected with Harvey Lodge

No. 80, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Dirigo Lodge No. 399, Knights of Pythias, of which he is Past Chancellor. He also fraternizes with the Royal Arcanum, the Loyal League, the North American Union, and is a member of the Harvey Gun Club. His wife was Miss Pauline E. DuFour, of New Orleans. They have two children, Pauline Fredericka and William J., junior.

CHARLES R. FURBOOM.

HARLES REINHOLD FURBOOM, who stands among the foremost mechanics of the city of Chicago and is a prominent citizen, was born in that far away land of health and vigor, Sweden, in the little village of Nyhamnar, Province of Dalarne, December 28, 1861. His parents are Peter Reinhold and Johanna Augusta (Wickstrom) Furubom. The family has long been made up of skilled mechanics and workmen, and the man whose name heads this article proves the rule.

His great-grandfather, Erik Olson Furubom, was born in the Province of Halsingland, Sweden, was a builder, and lived in Furudal, Province of Dalarne, where his wife, Anna Christine Sund- gren, was born. Their son, Peter Furubom, was born in that place May 10, 1792, and became a blacksmith. September 29, 1820, he married Johanna Fugerstrom, who was born April 9, 1798, in the same place. Their children were born and named as follows: August 30, 1822, Christina Sophia; January 6, 1825, Elizabeth Charlotta; November 16, 1827, Adolph; Decem- ber 21, 1830, Jacob Philipp; December 24, 1833, Peter Reinhold; April 18, 1836, Carl. Both of the daughters are deceased. The youngest son emi- grated from his native land in 1880, and located in South Chicago, where he died July 4, 1884. He married Clara Dansare, and their children

were: Albertina, Fiken, Hilda, Edward, Hjal- mar and Carl Oscar. Of these, the third, fourth and fifth are now deceased. Carl Furubom mar- ried for his second wife Matilda Hedstrom, who now resides with a daughter on Sixty-third Court, Chicago. Jacob Philipp, another son of Peter Furubom, was the father of the following chil- dren: Julia, who married John Geselius, and re- sides at Homestead, Pennsylvania; Ernest, a resi- dent of Chicago; and Hjalmar, who also resides at Homestead.

The maternal grandfather of Charles R. Fur- boom was Anders Gustaf Wickstrom, born No- vember 14, 1816. He was married February 10, 1839, to Auna Christina Tilling, who was born June 22, 1822. They immigrated to America in 1869, and settled at Galva, Henry County, Illi- uois, where Mr. Wickstrom is still living, with his son, Carl Gustaf. Mrs. Wickstrom died August 4, 1895. Their children were: Carl Gus- taf, born September 11, 1840; Johanna Augusta, April 3, 1843; Anders Frederick, August 4, 1853; Carolina Wilhelinina (now deceased), June 5, 1855; Johan Alfred, February 9, 1857. The sec- ond son resides in California, and the youngest is a physician located at Princeton, Illinois. He has changed the spelling of his name to "Vix- trim."

Peter Reinhold Furubom, father of the subject

610

A. V. NELSON.

of this sketch, was born December 24, 1833, in Soderberke, Province of Dalarne, Sweden, and is now living at Nyhammar, in the same province. He is a pattern-maker, and has been forty years in the service of the Nyhammar Bruk Company, manufacturers of iron and steel wares, being now a foreman. March 10, 1860, he married Johanna Augusta Wickstrom, who was born in Grangarde, Province of Dalarne, and is still living. They had only two children, both sons. The eldest, Peter Axel, died in 1868, at the age of seven years. As will be noted, the surviving son has changed the orthography of the sur-name, to con- form to English spelling and pronunciation.

Charles Reinhold Furboom attended school until he reached the age of fifteen years, and learned the trade of a pattern-maker from his father, who was skilled in the art, and was with that worthy between the ages of sixteen and twenty years. He reached Boston June 15, 1881, and arrived in Chicago June 18 of the same year. He entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company at the South Park station, and subsequently engaged in the service of Pal- mer, Fuller & Company, at the corner of Twenty- second and Union Streets, doing carpenter work, and remained there until 1881. He was carpen- ter for the Chicago Lumber Company one year, and for Edmund & Hayes, at the corner of Thir- teenth and Robey Streets, six months. He sub- sequently visited his old home in Sweden, taking eighteen months, and on his return was employed

by the Cottage Grove Manufacturing Company, at No. 91 Thirty-eighth Street. He was from April 11, 1887, until 1893 working as carpenter, after which date, until 1897, he was foreman. May 1, 1897, he was made superintendent, and is occupying that position at present. He has charge of thirty-eight men, the business being the manufacturing of sashes, doors and blinds. He lost half the index finger of his left hand in a circular rip-saw in 1888.

Mr. Furboom built a residence at No. 7038 Vincennes Avenue in 1893, and has since lived at that location. He was married September 22, 1888, to Miss Anna Marie Peterson, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Peterson) Erickson. Mrs. Fur- boom was born March 28, 1862, in the same town in Sweden as her husband, and emigrated front her native land in 1887. Their only child, born May 7, 1890, died July 20, 1892. He was named Walter Reinhold.

Mr. Furboom is connected with Carolus Com- mandery No. 9, Knights of the Red Cross, and Skandinaviska Iduna Chicago No. 44, a Scan- dinavian benefit society. He is also a member of the Amalgamated Wood Workers. He upholds the principles of the Republican party and votes in favor of its candidates at all times. Mr. Fur- boom is among the most prominent Scandina- vian citizens of Chicago, and is honored and re- spected by all who come in contact with his genial nature and know his straightforward deal- ings.

AUGUST V. NELSON.

A UGUST VICTOR NELSON, who is among the most skillful carpenters and competent contractors of the city of Chicago, comes of a very old and prominent family, whose members have nearly all, at the time of the present gen-

eration bearing the name, emigrated from their native land and found homes in America. The family is made up of men who are employed at a trade and succeed so well that they do not envy men of the professions their peculiar standing in

611

H. G. HUDSON.

the business world. Some men can better serve their own and the best interests of the city if they do not have the care of a business to bear them down and the responsibility which kills so many with worry. August Victor Nelson was born October 12, 1857, on Farm Falla, four miles from the city of Westervik, Sweden, a son of Nels Gabriel and Caroline (Turn) Nelson. For fur- ther mention of the ancestors of A. V. Nelson, the reader is referred to the biography of G. L. Nelson, on another page of this work.

Mr. Nelson learned the trade of carpenter in his native land and worked at it there about ten years. He takes contracts for work when they can be procured and at other times does the work of journeyman. He reached Chicago July 16, 1887, and had several brothers here before him. He

at once joined forces with his brother, Charles (see biography of C. A. Nelson, of this volume) and the two remained together to the present time, contracting together when the opportunity offers or when nothing better is at hand. Mr. Nelson has worked on some of the finest build- ings on the South Side and the work has been chiefly on flat buildings and residences.

Though never ambitious to mingle in politics to any great degree, he performs the duty of vot- ing and upholds the candidates of the Republican party. Mr. Nelson has never married and makes his home with his brother's family, in whom he takes a lively interest. He is a rising young man, who will thrive at whatever he undertakes. His abilities are good and he is well liked by all with whom he comes in contact.

HARRY G. HUDSON.

ARRY GEORGE HUDSON, who is at the present time in the service of the United States government, in the postoffice, was born June 15, 1867, in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a son of George Henry and Mary (Lane) Hudson.

Mr. Hudson took a full course in the South Division High School, graduating in 1886. He accepted a position as messenger boy for the Pull- man Palace Car Company in September of the same year, later being promoted to junior clerk, and subsequently was private stenographer to the general manager, George F. Brown, for some years, and was in the general office eleven years. He took the city civil service examin- ation and left the employ of this concern in March, 1897. He secured a position and began work April 1, 1897, being employed as stenogra- pher for the civil service commission until October, 1897, when he was by his own request

transferred to the street department, where he re- mained until March, 1898, when, having, taken a government civil service examination, and passed creditably, he resigned his city position to go to the postoffice, as stenographer in the executive department.

July 16, 1890, Mr. Hudson was married to Miss Mary Glover, daughter of Joseph Wine and Minerva (Austin) Marshall. Mrs. Hudson was born October 22, 1867, in Amelia County, Virginia, and came to Chicago in 1872. Mr. Hudson belongs to the Masonic order, being connected with Mount Hebron Lodge, of which he is secretary, having occupied this office for the past eight years. He is a stanch upholder of the arguments placed in favor of the Repub- lican party and at all favorable opportunities casts a vote or presents a good word for the said party.

Mr. Hudson has been very successful finan-

612

THOMAS NICHOLS.

cially, and lias a residence at No. 6328 Champlain Avenue. He is a competent and valued employe of the postoffice department and tries to make his services count for all that is possible in favor of the general public, and so valuable that they cannot be dispensed with. He is a man of strong

character and is withal a pleasant, genial gentle- man of the highest refinement. All men respect him, whether dealing with him in business or meeting him socially, where men prove their true selves, in their hospitality and treatment of their various friends and enemies.

THOMAS NICHOLS.

HOMAS NICHOLS, who comes from a but still reside in Kettring. He also deals in very old and distinguished English family, shoes, and has two children. Mrs. Nichols' fam- ily, the Padgetts, were from Loughborough, Eng- land, and were well-known manufacturers of hosiery. has spent a great deal of his life in attention to the enterprise of making shoes, but in later years has dealt to some extent in real estate in the city of Chicago. He was born July 3, 1847, Thomas Nichols was the only one of his father's family to emigrate from their native land, and he reached the city of Chicago June 21, 1871. Having learned the trade of shoe- maker in his native land, he immediately be- came employed by J. T. Jewett, at the corner of Dearborn and Monroe Streets, and was with him until Mr. Jewett's death, which occurred in the spring of the year 1885. He remained with Mr. Jewett's successor, Richard Melcher, until 1888, when he changed to the service of Rasmussen Brothers. He was with the last-mentioned con- cern until 1890, when 'he practically retired from active business life. He began to deal in real estate about 1880, and in 1882 purchased seventy- five feet of property on Garfield Boulevard, be- tween Wright and Stewart Avenues. He erected three two-story houses and is still in possession of this property. In 1894 he purchased fifty feet on Wabash Avenne, between Sixty-ninth and Seventieth Streets. He built a two-story house on the last-mentioned ground and has realized much profit from these investments. in Kettring, Northampton County, England, and is a son of James and Maria (Padgett) Nichols. Thomas Nichols, grandfather of the man whose name heads this article, was born in Middleton, and was a blacksmith by occupation. He lived in the same vicinity in which he was born during luis entire existence. His wife was Mary Ann Nichols, who lived to the age of seventy-five years, and they were the parents of two sons and three daughters. James Nichols, father of Thomas, is still living, and is seventy-seven years of age. He was born at Middleton, England, and moved to Kettring when thirty-seven years of age, and has since resided in that locality. He dealt in rope and twine, which his brother manu- factured. Mrs. Nichols died April 21, 1881, at the age of sixty-two years. Her children were: Thomas, Mary Ann, Jane and Emma. Mary Ann was married to George Enger, a coal dealer, and is the mother of six children. Joseph, the next, died at the age of six months. Jane married Thomas Foster; they have three children, and live in Kettring, England. He has a shoe Mr. Nichols was married July 14, 1876, to Mrs. Julia Thompson, widow of James Thomp- son and daughter of Timothy and Mary (Hogan) manufactory. Emma married Edward Smith and they never emigrated from their native land,

P. H. KELLER.

613

McCarthy. Mrs. Nichols was born March 15, 1846, in the city of Cork, Ireland, and came to America in 1862. She came over with her brother, Daniel, and spent three months in New York. She then removed to Chicago, her mother coming over a year later and dying July 8, 1887, at the age of eighty-four years. Timo- thy McCarthy died in 1848, at the age of forty years. His children were: Margaret, Cornelius, Mary Ann, Ellen, Daniel, John, Julia and Timo- thy. All of this family of children are deceased except Ellen, Daniel aud Julia. Mary Ann came to America about 1853. She married James Oliver Ferris and lived in Stamford, Con- necticut. They came to Chicago and made their home here many years, then bought a farm near Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Ferris passed away at Decatur August 20, 1867, aged thirty-five years. Her children were: Lena, William, Oliver, John. The last-named is now an Episcopal clergyman in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. J. O. Ferris was a carpenter and survived his wife ten years, dying at the age of fifty-five years, in Stamford. Ellen, another of the family of Timothy McCarthy, and sister of Mrs. Nichols, came to America in 1855, and married David Thompson, a moulder in Chicago. They reside at Monticello, Indiana, and their children were

named as follows: Emily (deceased), Janet (deceased), William (deceased), George and Robert. Daniel McCarthy, son of Timothy McCarthy, married Kate Norris, in Ireland, and came over in 1863. They lived in Chicago twelve years and then removed to Oakland, California. Their children are: Daniel, William, Margaret (deceased), James, Mary, Emily and George. Mr. McCarthy is a ship carpenter. John McCarthy, a brother of Mrs. Nichols, was drowned in Bom- bay, India, while in the merchant marine.

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Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899, Part 88

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