USA > Illinois > Cook County > Album of genealogy and biography, Cook County, Illinois, Volume 1899 > Part 92
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In March, 1864, he was made principal musi- cian in the Fifty-first United States colored troops. In this regiment he was made second lieutenant shortly before he was mustered out of
service. At Fort Blakely he was severely wounded in the right shoulder, losing four monthis. He was discharged June 16, 1866, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and returned to Chi- cago. He was engaged in carpenter work for a short time, and in February, 1868, began to work for the Illinois Soapstone Company, remaining in that service until the fire of 1871. The shop was then destroyed and the business discontinued.
Mr. Metzger found his trade very handy, and he helped in the reconstruction of the city. He was employed by the Freer Stone Manufacturing Company as stone cutter, later becoming a sales- man for Chapin Brothers. He sold four hun- dred copies of the History of the Fire, and was with the last-named concern until June, 1873. He then entered the service of the Home Sewing Machine Company as packer, remaining at this occupation until 1878. Subsequently, until Au- gust, 1880, he was with Potter Palmer as me- chanic, and later with Warner & Kimball, at No. 47 Jackson Street, wholesale dealers in glass, being the first man this firm employed in Chicago. He was with it until 1883.
In the latter part of the year 1883, he opened a store at No. 2504 Wentworth Avenue, and continued it eighteen months. He then entered the employ of Heroy & Marrenner as shipping clerk, which position he held until February, 1896. In September of that year he was em- ployed in the interest of Tyler & Hippach, wholesale dealers in glass, remaining until De- cember, 1897. Since that time he has been with the Metropolitan Plate Glass Company.
November 1, 1869, Mr. Metzger was married to Miss Marion, daughter of Andreas Gabrielson, and their children were four in number: Hattie Louise, born July 18, 1870, married Herman Diebling, and resides on Seventieth Street, between Prairie aud Indiana Avenues; Andrew Custer, born October, 18, 1873, is superintendent of the Chicago Gas Regulating Company, at the corner of Dearborn and Van Buren Streets; Maud and Alice were born February 10, 1876, being twins. Alice married Joseph Binney and resides at No. 6625 Hartwell Avenue.
Mr. Metzger married for his second wife
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JAMES STORMS.
Christine Augustine, who was born in Norway. Her children are as follows: William Walter, born June 15, 1879; Philip Charles, April 22, 1883; May Olive, March 8, 1885; Susan May, March 7, 1888; William Grafton, September 21, 1892; and Anna Marrenner, September 5, 1895.
Mr. Metzger is connected with Gen. Louis
Blenker Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a consistent member of Emanuel Baptist Church. He has never been interested in poli- tics, further than to cast his vote at the opportu- nity in favor of the Republican party. The members of the family are all highly respected, wherever they are known and the name is hon- ored by all.
JAMES STORMS.
3 AMES STORMS. Among the industrious and well-known citizens of Chicago who were born in foreign parts, but who have not been reluctant in adopting America as a country worthy of their allegiance, is the man whose name heads this article. He was born May 14, 1806, in Murrayshire, town of Kintissic, and par- ish of Dyke, Scotland.
His paternal grandfather married Mary (sur- name unknown) and became the father of John Storms, who was the father of James Storms. The maternal grandfather, Alexander McGory, married Jane McLain, and lived to a very old age. His children were: Alexander, James, Mary, Jane, Maria and Christina. John Stornis was a shoemaker by trade, and lived in Scot- land all his life. His wife died at the age of seventy-two years. Their children were named as follows: Alexander, John, William, Belle, James, Robert, David and Jane. All of this family of children grew to maturity, but none of them excepting James emigrated from their na- tive land.
James Storms followed the trade chosen by his father, after passing the school age, and immi- grated to America when fifty-one years old, in the year 1857. With him came six of his family of eight children. John L., the oldest of these,
came over to America three years before his father, and Peter came over two years later than John L. Storms. Both reside in Chicago at the present writing. The six who came with the father are: Margaret, Jane, Isabella, Annie, Robena and Alexander. The last-named died when still an infant.
Mr. Storms located in Lockport, Illinois, and immediately entered into the sale of shoes. He remained in this locality seven years, being very successful. He then removed his family to Chicago and erected a residence at No. 7327 Cot- tage Grove Avenue. This house still stands, and Mr. Storms has since this time resided in the same vicinity. He purchased ten acres of land in the locality and in association with his sons, John L. and Peter Storms, and son-in-law, Edwin Johnson, platted and sold lots as property be- came more valuable with the growth of the city in population. Mr. Storms was married in early life to Miss Margaret Brown, a native of the same section as himself, and was one year his senior. She died June 22 of the year 1882. Of the chil- dren of this couple, Margaret married A. E. Johnson and survives her husband, residing in Grand Crossing. Jane married Alexander Sy- mons and lives at No. 7410 Langley Avenue. Isa- bella is now Mrs. A. E. Field; and Annie married
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J. H. RIPLEY.
John Russell and lives in South Bend, Washing- ton. Robena married M. F. Mogg and resides at No. 4358 Berkley Avenue, Chicago.
Mr. Storms is not a political agitator nor a seeker after public office, but gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. He is a valu- able and influential member of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has been affiliated since childhood. He is a man of high principle, ready
judgment, and his influence is always exerted in the cause of right. Of him the worthy poor never seek aid in vain and his advice is given cheerfully to those who ask. He comes of a sturdy nation and the long lives of his ancestors and direct relatives testify to the value of the temperate habits boasted of for him by his many friends. Heis a pleasant, genial gentleman, with whom it is a privilege to converse.
JOHN H. RIPLEY.
OHN HENRY RIPLEY. Of the people of to-day who are unsuccessful in their life work, how many are there that owe their fail- ure to the fact that they did not understand what their true vocation should have been. Many more follow the proper occupation suited to their abilities but do not strive enough to perfect themselves in this particular line and form another class of failures, which is the most to be despised of either. But among those who are wise enough to become proficient in his calling after choosing the proper occupation, is John Henry Ripley. He is to-day one of the most prominent and suc- cessful of builders and contractors in the south- ern portion of the city of Chicago.
He was born May 3, 1857, in Bradford, York- shire, England. His parents were James and Louise (Wilkeson) Ripley, and they located in Chicago thirty years ago, in 1868. Their chil- dren were named as follows: Margaret, Thomas (now deceased), Jolın Henry and Herbert, who is a contractor and resides at No. 3746 Calumet Avenue.
At the age of twenty-five years J. H. Rip- ley began contracting for himself and located at No. 3160 Prairie Avenue. He has continued contracting since that time and has been in the same section fifteen years. He is located with
his work in Brookline and Park Manor. Of im- portant contracts he has made sub-divisions, among which is that of Walter S. Dray. He has had all the work of Park Manor, and did the excavating on the Pullman Building. He has also contracted for much other important work and has made a decided success in this portion of the city.
Mr. Ripley was married September 27, 1880, to Miss Abbie Adelia, daughter of John Michael and Ann Eliza (King) Beutelle. Mrs. Ripley was born October 16, 1859, near Long Branch, New Jersey. She came to Chicago October 23, 1871. Her father resides in Winchester, Vir- ginia, and is eighty years of age. He conducts a vinegar factory. His wife is seventy years old and their children were named: Martin Luther, Hoss Melancthon, Merebith Christina, Emelius Marks, Abigail Adelia and Margaret Matilda.
Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are the parents of one child, Thomas Joseph Newton, born May 27, 1882. Mr. Ripley is not a seeker after public favor in the form of office, but upholds the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He is connected with Aldine Lodge, No. 119, Knights of Pythias. The Beutelle branch of Mrs. Ripley's ancestors are of French extraction, and the King family is English-American.
1
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
CASSIUS C. ROBERTS
( From Photo by W. J. ROOT)
639
C. C. ROBERTS.
CASSIUS C. ROBERTS.
ASSIUS CLAY ROBERTS, who represents the New England blood and spirit which have been so active in framing the material, moral and social growth of the entire West, is a native of the State of Maine, born March 5, 1846, in the town of Jackson, Waldo County. He comes of Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfa- ther, Joseph Roberts, having been a soldier in the struggle for American independence. The last-named was the first settler in the town of Brooks, Maine, where he located subsequent to the Revolutionary war.
Dr. Jacob Roberts, son of Joseph above men- tioned, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a prominent Quaker, and eminent in the medical profession. He lived at Vassalboro, and was the first to practice homeopathy in the State. Hamlin M. Roberts, son of the doctor and father of Cassius C., was a leading farmer of Jackson, and was one of the three who cast the first Abolition votes in the town, voting for John G. Birney for president in 1840. He died in 1856, when the subject of this sketch was only ten years old.
C. C. Roberts was fitted for college at Lewis- ton, in the Maine State Seminary, now known as Bates College. Here he developed his qualities as a leader, and was one of the seceders from the Literary Fraternity, being active in securing a charter for the Philomethean Society, which be- came a rival of the Literary. He early evinced a taste for politics, and walked seventeen miles to
attend a Republican convention when only twelve years old. In 1860 his parents removed from Unity to Gray.
Here he enlisted in August, 1861, as a mem- ber of Company I, Tenth Maine Infantry, with which he served two years. His only absence from duty during this period was caused by a wound in the leg received August 9, 1862, at the battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia. When his term of enlistment had expired he was commis- sioned first lieutenant in Company H, Eighty- first United States Volunteers, commanded by Col. John F. Appleton. After the surrender of Port Hudson he returned home and entered the First Maine Heavy Artillery, as a member of Company L. May 19, 1864, at Spottsylvania, Virginia, he received a second wound, but re- turned to the command the following September. He was then promoted to second lientenant and continued with his regiment to the end. After the surrender of Lee, he was on detached service until he was mustered out, September 11, 1865. At this time he was first lieutenant of Company B, and captain by brevet, being only nineteen years of age, and had served over four years in the army. While on detached duty he was aide- de-camp on the staff of Gen. M. D. Hardin, com- mander of the defenses of Washington, and was later judge advocate of a court martial. The First Maine Regiment of Heavy Artillery lost more men in killed and wounded than any other on the Federal side during the war. They lost
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C. C. ROBERTS.
six hundred and thirty-two out of nine hundred and four in their famous charge at Petersburg June 18, 1864.
On retiring from the army, Mr. Roberts com- pleted the course at Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and next spent a year as bookkeeper for Roberts & Hichborn, shipbuilders at Stockton, Maine. In the sum- mer of 1867 he entered Bethany College, West Virginia, and remained one year, but the active life of a soldier and his subsequent business ex- perience had made irksome the sedentary condi- tion of a student, and he returned to business pursuits.
Entering the ship building firm of Colcord, Berry & Company, he was forced, in common with others, to abandon the business, which de- clined rapidly after the close of the war. He then opened a general store at Stockton, and con- tinued its operation until 1879. He was three years a representative of Waldo County on the Democratic State Committee, was chairman of the Congressional District Committee, and a delegate to the National Convention at Baltimore in 1872. He was three times defeated as a candidate for representative from Stockton and Searsport, the margin in 1876 being only seven votes. The following year he was nominated for state sena- tor, but was defeated, and was elected to that po- sition in 1878, serving when Alonzo Garcelon was governor.
In 1882 Mr. Roberts took up his residence in Boston and established a successful produce com- mission business. The following winter he lost all he possessed in an unfortunate potato specula- tion, and concluded to make a new start in the broad West, where energy and brains find abund- ant opportunity for exercise. He was not with- out friends, who provided him with a railway pass to Chicago, and arrived in this city in March, 1884, having a capital of ten dollars, in addition to a stout heart and a useful business experience. Anything honest that came in his way was accepted, and he was variously em- ployed during his first year in the western metropolis. Among other vocations which he ac- cepted were those of book canvasser and clerk.
At the end of a year he had accumulated some small savings and entered business, in company with John Kane, a former acquaintance of Sears- port, Maine, opening a grocery and market. After one year Mr. Roberts sold his interest in the busi- ness to his partner and entered the Chicago post- office, as superintendent of second, third and fourth class matter in the mailing department. This appointment was secured through the in- fluence of Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller and 'C. P. Kimball, who were State of Maine friends of Mr. Roberts. The late Nelson Dingley, of Maine, was also a warm friend, though political opponent of Mr. Roberts.
The latter resigned his position in January, 1889, to enter the newspaper field. He estab- lished the Chicago Weekly Opinion, which is de- voted to the local society and political interests of the West Side, and has ever since continued its publication. For some years he lived in the suburb of Lawndale (now part of the city), and removed in 1898 to Riverside, a beautiful suburb located on the Desplaines River. His news- paper business has been extended to include eight local suburban publications, and he is also at times a reporter for the City Press Association. Another of his business ventures was the conduct of the Millard Avenue Hotel for five years. Mr. Roberts was one of the promoters of the Twenty- second Street electric railway, buys and sells real estate on commission, and is interested in a large number of suburban lots.
He has been several years secretary of the Mc- Clellan Veterans' Club, was two years president of the Democratic organization of his ward and subsequently president of the Old Hickory Club, an independent organization, which sought to se- cure the election of honest aldermen, irrespective of party. The Opinion, Mr. Roberts' paper, is usually opposed to the "machine" in local poli- tics, and has wielded a powerful influence in pro- moting good government. It was the only Eng- lish paper that supported the late Carter H. Har- rison, when he was an independent Democratic candidate for mayor, as opposed to the late De Witt C. Cregier.
December 31, 1868, Mr. Roberts was married
641
L. E. HUGUELET.
to Miss Pauline E. Colcord, of Stockton, Maine, a native of Prospect, Maine. When she passed away, November 30, 1875, she left two interesting daughters to comfort her bereaved husband. They are named Parepa and Pauline, the latter being the wife of James J. Lawler, a Connecticut Yankee, who is cashier and assistant superin- tendent of the Winsted Silk Company of Chicago. After remaining twenty-three years a single man Mr. Roberts was again wedded, January 5, 1898,
to Miss Margaret Bennett, an accomplished young lady of Clyde.
Mr. Roberts is a member of the Illinois Press Association and is active and influential in the organization known as the Sons of Maine, and in the Pheta Delta Chi college society. His success in life has not detracted from his thorough democracy, and he is a genial and approachable gentleman, ever interested in the welfare of the general people.
LOUIS E. HUGUELET.
OUIS EMIL HUGUELET, who is among the retired citizens of the city of Chicago, has proved himself one of the most worthy and respectable of the upbuilders of the city, and has been loyal in the most emphatic manner to the Land of the Free, which is his adopted country. His career has been a varied one, and he has met with many classes of men and dealt with some who were among the most dishonest. He has had many trials and has borne his share with the best. Born in the town of Vauffelin, in canton Berne, Switzerland, November 29, 1834, he is a son of David Louis and Marian (Serket) Hu- guelet.
The paternal grandfather of Louis Emil Hu- guelet had the following children: Pierre, David, Henry, John and Julia. None of the family emigrated from their native land except David, father of the man whose name heads this article. The family was Protestant, and very old in Swit- zerland. The maternal grandfather had children as follows: Harriette, Julia, Marian and Ann. Julia married Mr. Frane in Switzerland and came to America, locating in Marshallville, Ohio, where her family lives at this writing.
David L. Huguelet and his wife and eight
children immigrated to the United States and located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July, 1849. Mr. Huguelet was a shoenail blacksmith and began work at his trade soon after settling. In the spring of 1851 he removed his family to the city of Chicago, which was then a small town, on the marshes of the Chicago River, and was occupied at general labor from that date until his death. He was born in 1812 and died in Sep- tember, 1887, after living a useful life, and was mourned by his friends and relatives as a good and true man, who did all in his power for his family and mankind in general.
Mrs. D. L. Huguelet passed away from the trials and tribulations of this life in December, 1882, at the age of seventy-six years. Her chil- dren made up a large family, of each of whom slight mention is made: Louis Emil is the oldest of the number. Mary was married to Valentine Russer, a brass moulder in the factory where L. E. Huguelet learned his trade; they had one son, John Russer, who now resides with his mother on the North Side. Valentine Russer is now deceased. John Emanuel Huguelet resides on the North Side, in Chicago. Sophia married Charles Morey and also lives on the North Side.
642
L. E. HUGUELET.
Julia married Lawrence Huck and lives in the same portion of Chicago, as do also James Eugene and Henry.
L. E. Huguelet remained at home with his parents until the Civil War broke out. At the age of nineteen years he started to learn the trade of brass moulder, in the employ of Christopher Metz, and with others organized and became a member of Engine Company No. 11 (better known as the Neptune), Volunteer Fire Depart- ment of Chicago. He was a sailor on Lake Michigan two seasons on lumber vessels, and one season on a vessel trading with Indians. April 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mus- tered out September 6, 1864. He had a very exciting and unpleasant experience during the war, and was a prisoner at Richmond, Virginia, for some time. He was removed to Danville, North Carolina, with three others, Peter Winan and himself being able to escape. They traveled twelve days, and, when near the Union lines, were recaptured and brought back to prison. They were very fortunate, however, in being paroled in three days.
At the termination of the war Mr. Huguelet returned to Chicago and was occupied at his chosen trade, that of moulder. He was again employed by Mr. Metz and remained with him twelve years, being given charge of the brass moulding department. He subsequently estab- lished a stove repair business, at the corner of State and Lake Streets, in the City Hotel, and continued one year. He entered the employ of J. P. Dalton, hardware dealer, located at No. 71 Lake Street, where he was given charge of all casting and repairing, and occupied this position twenty-four years, proving his stability of char- acter and power to fill all requirements. He was an honored and valued employe, and served his employer's interests to the best of his ability. For four subsequent years Mr. Huguelet had charge of the stock department of the George L. Thompson Manufacturing Company, and has retired from active service since that time.
He was married February 21, 1865, to Miss Barbara Sabina Neeb, daughter of Nicholas Neeb,
who came from Bavaria, Germany, in 1853. Nicholas and Barbara (Kertzner) Neeb resided in a house which had been in the family many generations, and their sons, George A. and Nicholas, were born in this building. The grand- father, John Neeb, was seventy-five years of age at the time of his decease, which occurred in the year 1825. He was an extensive landowner, and beside following the occupation of a tiller of the soil, he was a blacksmith by trade. His children were as follows: John, Carl, Michael, Elizabeth, Mary, Nicholas, and a daughter whose name is not recorded. The maternal grandfather died when his only child, Barbara, was still very young, leaving the child an orphan.
George A. Neeb, whose name is at the head of a biography in another volume of this work, is one of the most prosperous business men of Grand Crossing, and a type of the sturdy character that, though born in a foreign land, enables its owner to become a loyal citizen in the land of his adop- tion. Nicholas Neeb immigrated to America with his wife and eight children, and died December 24, 1864, and his remains were interred in St. Boniface Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Huguelet became the parents of eleven children, who are accounted for by the following brief mention: Emil Adam, born November 8, 1866, died at the age of eight months. Frank Louis, born January 29, 1868, resides in the same building that affords a home to his parents; he married Theresa Ebert, July 23, 1892, and their children are named: Louis, John and Angeline. Of Emil further notice is made on another page of this work. Anna Mag- dalene was born September 17, 1872, and mar- ried Peter Sink, January 7, 1897; they reside at No. 5746 Armour Avenue, and their only child is named John Peter. Barbara Margaret, born September 23, 1874, resides with her parents. George Adam was born December 27, 1876; he enlisted in the Illinois Naval Reserves and took part in the Spanish-American war as fireman on the transport "Yale." Celestine Bernard, born February 16, 1879; Frank Edward, September 5, 1881; John Nicholas born Jannary 22, 1885, died December 8, 1893; Charles Henry, born Deceni-
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ERNST JAEGER.
ber 29, 1887; and Joseph Albert, October 11, Republican, true to his party's interests and 1889, completes the family.
Mr. Huguelet is a member of Welter Post No. 701, Grand Army of the Republic. His wife was reared a Roman Catholic, in which faith all her children were brought up. Mr. Huguelet is a large.
using his influence in its favor at all times. He is a man of strong character, as the history of his life will clearly show, and he has done liis share in the making of progress for the world at
ERNST JAEGER.
RNST JAEGER has played an important part in the line of business which has occu- pied him since the time of his emigration to America and settling in Chicago. He comes of an old and highly respected German family, many members of which have been prominent, and whose deeds will never be forgotten for their valor and sturdiness. He is of a race of stanch men, with characters which make them recog- nized. Born April 6, 1832, in the city of Erbach, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, he is a son of Philip and Henrietta Jaeger, nee Schott. His paternal grandfather was a high officer in Hessen- Darmstadt, known as secretary of state.
Philip Jaeger, father of the man whose name heads this article, was born March 7, 1800, in Pirmasens, Bavaria. He died in 1884 and his remains were buried in Laasphe, Prussia. He occupied the important position of forest director, having been appointed in 1842. He was a well- educated man, and was author of four books on mathematics and forestry, which were standard and generally accepted in Germany as the best authority on the subject of which they treated. His first wife and mother of the man of whom this sketch treats, died in 1846, at the age of forty years. She became the mother, of eight chil- dren, two of whom were sons and came to America.
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