USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 16
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Judge King has been instrumental in secur-
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ing many much needed reforms and improve- ments, and among other things wrote the reso- lution and had it passed, when he was a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of Cook County, and chairman of the Judiciary Com- mittee in 1858, that established the Cook County Normal School at Sixty-eighth street, Chicago, and hence is called the "father" of that im- portant institution. He was appointed by Pres- ident Mckinley Ambassador to Turkey at a salary of $10,000 a year, but declined that great honor because Turkey and Armenia were at war at that time.
He has served acceptably in numerous local offices, and on several occasions has been ten- dered positions of great honor and responsibil-
ity. Twice he was nominated for Representa- tive to the Illinois Central Assembly, and was also nominated for county commissioner of Cook County, but declined on all occasions. Dur- ing the Civil war he was appointed by Gover- nor Richard Yates as a member of his staff, and was present at the battle of Shiloh, Miss., on April 6 and 7, 1862. In local affairs he has ever been active and interested, and in his earliest public life served Cook County in office, for seven years being a member of the board of supervisors, and county attorney from 1869 until 1872, and was also town clerk, ward supervisor and president of the Board of Audi- tors of South Town, of Chicago.
DOUGLAS SHERWOOD TAYLOR.
There were many of the veterans of the Civil war who returned from their military service men in thoughts and actions who had gone into it boys in years and enthusiasm. The stern training given each one who participated in that mighty conflict developed all that was best in him, the dross being refined and the pure gold of his character being separated from the baser metals of natural inclinations. Thou- sands who might otherwise have been merely mediocre were developed into men who later commanded vast business interests and left names that are synonymous with ability and strictest integrity. Such a man was the late Douglas Sherwood Taylor of Chicago, whose operations in realty lines are remembered to this day, although he passed from the scene of his activities many years ago. Mr. Taylor was born at Napoli, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., De- cember 31, 1846, a son of Rev. Horace and Hannah Elizabeth (Coan) Taylor. The former was born at Hartford, Conn., March 24, 1811, and his wife was born at North Guilford, Conn., November 28, 1820. Horace Taylor developed into a Presbyterian clergyman and was a divine of considerable reputation when his untimely death occurred in 1852 when he was only forty- one years old, leaving his son, Douglas Sher- wood Taylor, a child of five years. His widow survived him until December 1, 1579, when she passed away at Berlin, Germany. Other mem- bers of the family were: Addison Taylor, who died when only twenty-two years old from the effect of wounds received during the second battle of Fredericksburg, Va., while in the serv- ice of the Union army; and Isabella Elizabeth,
who was born October 13, 1844, at Morgan, Ohio, is the wife of Prof. HI. T. Eddy, professor of mathematics at the University of Minnesota, and they make their home in Minneapolis, Minn. The Taylor family comes of Scotch origin and its members have always been Pres- byterians, many of them entering the ministry. The family was founded at a very early date in New York State.
Shortly following the birth of their son, Douglas, the parents of Mr. Taylor moved to New Haven, Conn., and there the lad lived, attending school until sixteen years old. Al- though too young to meet the regulations, Mr. Taylor was so imbued with patriotism when war was declared, that he enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Warren I. Ferris. His period of serv- ice terminated only with the war, he re-enlist- ing, and he attained to the rank of corporal. Mr. Taylor was unfortunate in being captured and confined in the southern prison for some months. After his honorable discharge, feeling that his old home did not offer sufficient oppor- tunities to one of his ambitions, he came west to Chicago, joining an uncle, D. W. Coan, a carriage merchant, conducting the largest busi- ness of the kind in the west. With him Mr. Taylor was bookkeeper until 1872.
During this period he had been studying con- ditions and values and in that year established himself in a realty business in Chicago, on Dearborn street between Adams and Monroe, later going to Clark and Kinzie, and still later to a handsome suite in the Home Insurance
شنطى معاطة .. أم مية مثل زيت مطاخ
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building, where he was when death claimed him in 1896. His uncle-in-law, William G. Ewing, had invested heavily in South Chicago real estate, amounting to some 200 acres, which was bequeathed to Mrs. Taylor by her aunt, Mrs. W. G. Ewing, in 1871. Mr. Tayior added 100 acres to this tract, extending from the Cal- umet River to the lake, in the neighborhood of One Hundred and Eighth street. In 1873 he began improving this property, and three years later built his summer home there, where be found enjoyment a portion of each year. Mr. Taylor soon realized the necessity for bettor interurban transportation facilities and built the South Chicago Railroad, and as a result many of those employed in the mills in that lo- cality flocked to the region. Mr. Taylor sub- divided his property, building. comfortable homes that are now owned by those whose in- terests are centered there.
On April 10, 1872, Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Esther Ewing Green, a daughter of Wil- liam Henry and Mary A. (Bearss) Green, and niece of William G. Ewing. The latter died at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1854, having made exten- sive investments in South Chicago in 1832. flis widow died January 15, 1871, also in Fort Wayne, Ind. Mrs. Taylor was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., and was reared there by her annt, the widow of Judge Ewing. Mr. Green was a wholesale merchant of Fort Wayne, Ind. Mrs. Taylor entered wholeheartedly into her hus- band's plans and did much to develop the region into which they introduced so much. They gave a generous support to the Evangelical church, and donated not only the ground for the erection
of the present editice, but the bricks as well; and also gave the land and bricks for the building of the school which bears their name. Later they furnished this with an excellent library. These are but a few instances of the noble spirit Mir. and Mrs. Taylor displayed, for they always regarded their wealth as a common fund, from which to assist others less fortunate than they. Mir. Taylor was an enthusiastic Re- publican, but never could be induced to hold office, aside from that of a township trustee of Hyde Park, and mayor of South Chicago prior to its annexation to Chicago. Aside from be- longing to Columbia Post No. 706, G. A. R., Mr. Taylor was not a member of any association, be- lieving that he could better serve his fellow men if not hampered by fraternal ties. His friendships were warm and many, and once he admitted a man into his heart he would go to almost any lengths to serve him. His busi- ness life was a full one, but he always found time to develop a happy home life and maintain delightful social connections.
About 1593 his health broke and for the fol- lowing two years he was an invalid. but his many friends hoped for his recovery, and were sadly disappointed to learn of his demise Jan- uary S, 1896, at Fort Wayne, Ind., where he was buried. With his passing Chicago lost one of its most public-spirited business men, South Chicago lost the father of its ultimate pros- perity, and thousands of working men their best friend who had their welfare at heart and was always ready and happy to assist them as far as lay in his power.
WILLIAM CHARLES HARTRAY.
Efficiency is the keynote of success along every line. It is the symbol, the co-related sign and working feature of the marvelous accom- plishments of every age and of all peoples. Without it civilization today would never have passed beyond the stage of the cave man. None of the learned professions would have been developed from the faint beginnings of people striving for mental advancement, nor would the air, the earth, the water, and even the heavens over all be bound together to produce power and place for each generation. Half-way methods cannot succeed in anything. To raise anything beyond the low level of mediocrity requires skilled and carefully trained knowledge and the power to use this to its highest degree.
In nothing is this truer than in the practice of the law. The attorney without efficiency is a dead letter; his progress is measured by his lack of this important quality, and his failure is a foregone conclusion from the beginning. Among those who have forged to the front among the members of the bar of Chicago, none deserves higher praise than William Charles Hartray, for he is a man who has always striven to develop his natural and acquired talents and his knowledge until he had reached the highest etliciency in each line, and this policy, inaugu- rated at the beginning of his professional career, still continues to animate his actions.
The birth of Mr. Hartray occurred at Evans- ton, Ill., March 27, 1873, he being a son of
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James and Mary ( Allis) Hartray. Until he was sixteen years old, he attended the public schools of Kenosha, Wis., whither the family had moved, but then left his high school course, to study under special instructions with a view to prepare himself for the legal profession. Eu- tering Kent College of Law, he was graduated therefrom in 1897 with the degree of LL. B., and immediately afterward passed the required examinations and was admitted to the bar. From then on, he has continued an active prac tice at Chicago, at first specializing in probate law, but later branching out until now he car- ries on a general practice, and has been con- nected with some of the most important juris- prudence of the state. Professionally he belongs to the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association and his standing in both is unquestioned.
Not only has Mr. Hartray proved his mettle as a professional man, for he has taken a deep interest in civic matters, as a strong Republican, and has represented his party in a number of important offices, including that of county com- missioner, to which he was elected in 1904, and re-elected for three successive terms. During his incumbency of that office, he was chairman .of nearly every important committee and was the executive of the Hospital committee, accom- plishing much for the charities; was chairman of the Industrial School committee, which has charge of the welfare of the children sent to the schools by the juvenile court, and during the entire period he was on the county board he was a member of the finance committee. Upon the formation of the joint committee of the county board, the city council, and the board of education, which included among its mem- bers, Judge O. N. Carter, Judge Julian W. Mack, Miss Jane Addams, Miss Julia Lathrop, Mrs. Emmons Blaine and other very prominent peo-
ple, Mr. Hartray was chosen its chairman. This committee succeedel in securing the erection of the present juvenile court building, the finest and most complete of its kind in the country, and was also largely responsible for the broad- ening, of the scope and activities of the juvenile court and worked out the detall of its present system. As Mc. Hartray has always been greatly interested in the charitable and humani- tarian movements conducive to the welfare of the young, he became one of the organizers of the Frances Juvenile Home Association, for the treatment of children, and served as its presi- dent for a considerable period. His wide sym- pathies enable him to easily win the confidence of children and therefore he comes into con- fidential relations with them. While he is just and merciful, he is too trained a lawyer to con- done offenses or deal sentimentally with situa- tions. He has expressed his views in illustrated lectures on county affairs and few mon distance him in eloquence or easy delivery.
On July 1, 1901, Mr. Hartray was married to Miss Mac Fleming, who died July 17, 1908. She was a daughter of Edward and Johanna Flem- ing, and was a charming lady and a beautiful character. Mr. Hartray's home is at Evanston, where his interests center, and he belongs to numerous fraternal and social organizations of that tewn. For many years he has been an active member of the Hamilton Club of Chicago and he also belongs to the Evanston Club, the Evanston Golf Club, and the Westmoreland Country Club. He is president of the Men's Club of St. Mary's Church of Evanston, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Arcanum, and the Modern Woodmen of America. During all his life he has endeavored to im- prove existing conditions, and his efforts have met with remarkable success.
DAVID MARQUIS HILLIS.
Strength of purpose, intelligently directed, results in almost every case in material ad- vancement. The man who fluctuates from one line of endeavor to another seldom achieves lasting success. It is the man who, knowing well what he desires to accomplish, forges ahead, undeterred, by obstacles, undismayed by the chances and changes of life, until he reaches his ultimate goal. It sometimes happens that in his enthusiastic endeavors he sacrifices health and strength and is gathered to his fore-
fathers before his time, but even then, in his brief span of years, he has accomplished more than one who is content to sit still and idly watch the army of workers pass by. No man can reach heights of prosperity through his own efforts if he shirks duty, or seeks to lay upon other shoulders the responsibilities belonging to him. Great centers of industry develop big men; big in the best sense of the word, for competition acts as a stimulus to action, and brings forth the best in a man. The late David
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Marquis Hillis was a man who honored Chicago by his residence in that city, and was bonored by it in the success he attained in the midst of its progressive real estate men.
David Marquis Hillis was born at Greens- burg, Ind., February 15, 18-11, a son of David and Patrica (MeConnell) Hillis, natives of Bourbon County, Ky. At an early day the par. ents moved to Greensburg, Ind., making the trip in the pioneer way with a covered wagon drawn by horses, and there took up government land. This the father cleared and on it built his log house in which his son David Marquis Hillis was born. From time to time, the fatber added to his acres, and at the time of his death was a heavy landholder. After his demise the mother moved to Chicago and died at the home of her son in that city, some years later.
David Marquis Hillis attended the public schools in his district during the winter months, and farmed in the summers, until he entered Butler University, where he took the general literary course, and from that institution he was graduated in 1864, being valedictorian of his class.
He then entered the law department of Yale College to study for a career in the law, but after one year he became a clerk for Polk and Hubbell at Des Moines, Iowa. There be con- tinued for two years, in 1868 locating at Chi- vago and opening a general law office for him- self in the old Honore block on the corner of Monroe and Dearborn streets. As time went on he began to specialize in real estate law, and handled the business of John D. Jennings, noted as the father of the ninety-nine year lease. Mr. Hillis maintained this connection until 1900, when he became president of the Champion Iron and Steel Company at Muske- gon, Mich., but this concern soon thereafter sold to the United States Steel corporation. In 1902, Mr. Hillis retired from active practice, and became interested in the Hartford Deposit Com- pany, of which he was made president, and so continued until his death. September 15, 1914. In religious matters he was an independent
thinker, and fifteen years ago was one of the founders of the Independent Religious Society of Chicago, and gave it his undivided support until his death. An ardent sportsman, a lover of books and appreciative of art productions, he devoted his last years to the collection of val- uable treasures. He traveled extensively, and was a man of wide learning and scholarly at- tainments.
On December 29, 1871, Mr. Hillis married Miss Dora Elma Knights, born at Chicago, Feb- ruary 11, 1845, a daughter of Darius and Eliza (Steveus) Knights, natives of Williams- buig, N. Y. and the vicinity of Buffalo, N. Y., respectively. Mr. Knights was a carpenter in early life and built the family residence at the corner of Lake aud Fifth avenue, but later moved it to the present site of the Advertisers' building, the family continuing to reside in it. during the time it was being moved. He was a city official. While he was serving as super- intendent of the sewer department of Chicago, he put in a number of the sewers still in use. His office was in the City Hall, then located on the site of the present Rookery building. He in- vented machinery still used 'in cleaning the sewers of Chicago. The first of these inven- tions to be used. he called the "Garibaldi." When the Maine liquor law was in force in Chi- cago, Mr. Knights was city marshal. and was marooned in the City Hall for three days dur- ing the riot that ensued. He was also an officer in the contemporary militia of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Hillis became the parents of the following children: Dr. David S., who is now practicing medicine at Chicago; and George H., who is manager of the Hartford building and vice-president of the Hartford Deposit Com- pany.
In speaking of Mr. Hillis, a contemporary said: "He enjoyed the complete and absolute contidence of all his business associates. In- tegrity was the watchword of his whole career, and was the fundamental attribute of his char- acter. He was honest with himself and all men."
DUDLEY LYFORD.
In recalling the life and activities of those who once trod the old familiar ways with our- selves but have now passed off the scene of life, their characteristics are remembered, their gen- erous impulses are recollected and the real value of their influence is determined. In such a re-
view a loving and appreciative light shines on the life and personality of the late Dudley Ly- ford. who for many years was an important factor in Winnebago County. He was born at Canterbury, N. IL., November 6, 1835, a son of Thomas and Eliza (Greeley) Lyford, and he
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died at the City Hospital, Rockford, in his sev- enty-ninth year, following an operation, after quite a siege of ill health at his Roscoe home.
When a boy of seven years, the parents of Dudley Lyford, full of rugged quality of the old Granite State, decided to migrate to the new west of Illinois. Making the trip with teams overland, with the exception of the stretch be- tween Buffalo and Indiana, they reached Roscoe Township in 1842. The farm claim once owned by Dudley Greeley was purchased and here, on the banks of the Rock River, were spent those early toilsome years of rude but hearty and pleasurable living according to many accounts of pioneer days. It is easy to imagine the clearing and breaking of field after field of what is now such highly tilled land. Into all this striving and progress, the youth known as "Dud" entered with zest, and bore his ambi- tions and part. Many were the frontier temp- tations, but many were also the stern and some- times crushing religious teachings which caused upheavals and searchings of heart in those rig- orous days. Only a few of those alive today can appreciate what a boy of the pioneer period, more than seventy years ago, would undergo in taming the then wild country and enduring the severe toil and hardships incident to those strenuous days. The privileges of schooling were meagre, and the demands of work were pressing. One can well believe the ardor and hope with which a young farmer would throw himself into whatever severe labor and social recreations were provided in that romance of pioneer times. It is not difficult to imagine him crossing the river in his boat, or driving through the spring floods, all being counted as part of the day's work.
In April, 1862, Mr. Lyford was happily mar- ried to Miss Emma II. Harley, of Rockton, where she was in much favor as a teacher. Their home life was blessed on the farm by the birth of children, twelve in all, of whom seven, four daughters and three sons, still survive. It was the good fortune and joy of the parents to have many of their immediate family always at hand to share the common home life in the village, and to see children's children, growing up to give their added affection, and youthful spirit to enliven the abundant days of their grand- parents. What a record the forty-nine years of a progressive farmer's life on the old place make up, the large growing family giving the father and mother a rich sense of the abounding interests of life as their young people devel-
oped and one after the other went forth to take their own places in the useful and enjoyable affairs of wider social and business circles. It is indeed a rare experience when so many closely united family friends keep together and are able to attend and comfort each other in these changing years, which so often sunder people who live in remote parts so far away, when sickness and trouble come. How fitting it was that twelve years before Mr. Lyford's demise, be and his wife should build a hospita- Dle home to crown so conspicuous a site over- looking the o'd farm dwelling across the river, the scene of life's struggles, successes, sorrows and so much abiding interest. Once they were settled in Roscoe village, there was more free- dom to enter easily into the life of the com- munity. It was Mr. Lyford's desire to be near his fraternal mates and share daily in the in- terchange of good fellowship. Many of the friends of the family remember with keen pleas- ure the Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Lyford, observed in their home a lit- tie more than two years prior to Mr. Lyford's death. Surely this noble couple could then say : "Our cup runneth over, for goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life."
Mr. Lyford for many years enjoyed singularly good health and showed remarkable liveliness and cordiality, and when he became ill there were none who did not miss his presence upon the streets and at many places of meeting. He was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, and manifested reverence in following its ritual. His was a frank, outspoken nature, strong in his convictions, and in earlier years was outspoken in voicing them, and yet honest in confessing what he believed to be his faults. During his later years, he was softer and gen- tler in his estimate of others, thus becoming still more lovable in character. A public-spirited citizen, warm hearted and generous to help and sustain by his contributions, the higher things of life in the community, his influence lives on. In one particular neighborhood, Mr. Lyford has always been foremost. When death visited any home and funeral arrangements were to be made, he was ever ready to attend with his car- riage and give his personal services. When one of the prominent men of his community died, it was remembered that when he was stricken, Mr. Lyford had feelingly and yet simply declared : "He will be missed," and this was often said of him. One of his closest friends gave the fol-
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سادة
Dudley Soy for
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lowing testimony as to his cheerful outlook on life:
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"It was soon after my coming to Roscoe that I fell in with Mr. Lyford one day, a glorious day, out in the open. I know not what moved bim to it, except his intense enjoyment in life and love of it .. He burst out with saying: . I'd like to live right here for a thousand years."" Continuing, the speaker said : "May God who knows the heart and reads man's thoughts, grant long life to satisfy him and show him his salva- tion where he is gone. Let it be remembered by us, dear friends, that while we abide here in the body, we are under a divine discipline and pro- tection. God's blessed laws with obedience thereto are principles by which our lives thrive and come to a gracious fruition. We learn to live eternally as the gift of God, if with happy accord we follow the divine law of health, of industry, of purity, of benevolence and truth.
That our hearts may have absolute assurance and comfort of hope, we have Christian law of building a life complete and enduring: For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, . costly stones, wood, hay stubble; each man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire, and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is.'
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