USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 17
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"'Not myself, but the truth that in life I have spoken.
" .Not myself, but the seed that in life I have SOWI-
""Shall pass on to ages; all about me forgot- ten,
"'Save the truth I have spoken, the deeds I have done.' "
FRANK BAACKES.
If the general consumer pauses a moment to examine the smallest of the utilitarian articles which he probably handles or continually makes use of, he finds these utensils, objects, tools or Instruments so completey fitted for the pur- penses intended, that he may well be amazed, especially if he possesses no inventive talent himself. Perhaps it may occasionally occur to bim that some one, better equipped, must have had wonderful genius in order to make possible the fashioning of so complete a thing, from a bit of iron, wood or steel, when it becomes an adaptive article that is absolutely necessary in some branch of industry. The initial invention may have been crude, but for any one to so im- prove on this as to practically supplant the first tool, by one that can do the work more effectively and be produced at less cost, re- quires the possession of mechanical knowledge combined with inventive talent. The manu- facture of nails is one of the great industries of the country, and from the days of the pioneers, when a wooden peg served to inadequately fasten the logs of the cabin together, to the present cylindrical piece of wire known as the wire nail, progress has been continuous. To Frank Baackes, general sales agent of the American Steel and Wire Company, belongs the credit of inventing and introducing what is now known the world over as the standard wire nail.
Frank Baackes was born in Germany, March
9, 1863, and is a son of Godfrey and Franziska Baackes. In Germany all children are given excellent educational opportunities and Mr. Baackes spent his school period under advan- tageous conditions. When he reached his fif- teenth year he began to be self supporting, starting to work in the local wire mills, where he continued for one year and then decided to join his older brother, Michael Baackes, who was employed at the H. P. Nail Company plant, at Cleveland, Ohio. He reached the United States in 1879 and was given employment in the above works, gaining experience in every department, and in 1881 was made superin- tendent of the mill, an unusual promotion for one so young but indicating the confidence he had inspired by his capacity. Mr. Baackes served as superintendent of that mill until 1SS4, when he was called to Beaver Falls, Pa., to there erect a wire nail plant for the Hart- man Steel Company. It was while there that he became impressed with the fact that in order to extend the consumption of wire nails they must be made of such pattern and quality as to supplant the cut nails. After much wearisome experiment he succeeded, in 1895, in introducing what is now known as the standard wire nail, which on account of its great holding power, rapidly grew in favor, and in July of that year, Mr. Baackes organized the Salem Wire Nail Company, of Salem, Ohio, which he developed into a prospering industry. It was
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absorbed in April, 1899, with other plants at New Philadelphia and at Findlay, Ohio, by the American Steel and Wire Company of Illinois, and Mr. Baackes was made general manager. When this concern was absorbed in turn, in January, 1899, by the American Steel and Wire Company of New Jersey, he was elected general superintendent, and in 1000 was elected general sales agent and a member of the board of di- rectors, and in 1905 became vice president of the company. He maintains offices in Chicago. Mr. Baackes was first married to Miss Kate
O'Rourke, who is survived by one son, Godfrey D. Mr. Baackes' second marriage was to Miss Mamie E. Lutz, and they have two sons: Frank and Karl. Although Mr. Baackes is a notable example of what is termed a distinctive busi- ness man, there is another side to his life and he finds recreation in golf, motoring and fishing, and enjoys as a member, the activities of the Chicago Athletic, Union League, Chicago Auto- mobile, Calumet, South Shore and Germania clubs.
CHARLES VENN.
Incomplete indeed would be a history of Illi- nois without distinctive meution of that large body of men who labor in the broad tich of medical service. Some have chosen a particu- lar path and some work under particu- lar combinations of method, but all can be justly credited with scientific knowledge and a due regard for the preservation of the public health together with a faithful devotion to their own patients that has, on occasion, been heroic. To the profession of medicine, Dr. Charles Venn of Chicago, early devoted his energies and after an honorable and successful practice of more than thirty-seven years, stands as a representative of all that is best and high- est in this line of human endeavor.
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Charles Venn was born in Driburg, West- phalia. Germany, April 2, 1543, a son of Dr. Theodore Venn, who was considered one of the greatest physicians of Germany. For forty years he served as city physician of Driburg. where he lived, married and reared his chil- dren, three of his sons becoming physicians : Charles, Ferdinand and Gustav, the last two being now deceased. Joseph, another son. went into business but he also has passed away. Two other sons, Clement and Theodore. became priests in the Roman Catholic Church, the for- mer of whom, now deceased. for thirty years was the beloved pastor of St. Boniface Church, Chicago. Rev. Theodore Venn. for fifty years has been pastor of a church at St. Paul, Minn. The one daughter. Seraphine, married Dr. Hausleutner, a physician in Germany, and they have two children.
Inheritance and environment no doubt bad influence in causing Charles Veun to choose a medical career. Encouraged in his choice by his father he laid a sound foundation by per-
fecting his general knowledge. For nine years he was a student in the Gymnasium at Pader- borne, pursuing a classical course, and upon the termination of his academic studies be decided to come to the United States and in 1862 reached Pittsburgh, Pa., after a voyage consuming two weeks on the Atlantic ocean and a long railroad journey through a country which must have seemed interesting to so intel- ligent a young man. Immediately he set about learning the English language, entering St. Michael's College, Pittsburgh. In 1864 he went to St. Paul, Minn., where he secured educa- tional work as a professor of languages in the Catholic Seminary, under Archbishop Ireland, and continued there until 1867. In that year he entered St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, where he completed a three years' course in philosophy. He came to Chicago in 1870 and began his medical studies and in 1873 entered Rush Medical College, continuing a close and most satisfactory student for the next three years and was graduated with the class of 1876, immediately afterward being elected assistant demonstrator of anatomy. In conjunction with his duties at the college he entered into active private practice and followed this busy life until the latter part of 1877, when he severed his relations with Rush Medical College in order to return to Europe and study still fur- ther in the great medical centers of his native land. For one year he remained in Berlin, profiting greatly by the thorough instruction 'he there received, and then went to Vienna and profitably spent another year. When he returned to America he resumed practice in Chicago and has built up an enviable reputa- tion for professional reliability. He has always been a student and has done his part in research
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work that has led to great scientific discoveries in medicine and surgery. In looking back to his early professional days he is led to wonder sometimes how physicians withstood the strain often placed upon their physical endurance and mental demand, for there was a time when he was called upon to make as many as sixty-nine visits in one day.
On January 28, 1580, Dr. Venn was married to Miss Louise Dinet, a daughter of Joseph Dinet. once prominent in the manufacturing business in Chicago. Four children were born to this marriage: Theodore H., who is in the electrical business : Charles and Henry L., both of whom are in the drug business, all of Chi- cago; and Louise, who married Paul Juhnke, and they have one son, Paul. The comfortable
family residence stands at No. 877 Milwaukee avenue, where he also maintains his office. Dr. Venn and family belong to the Roman Catholic church. Beyond performing the duties which Dr. Venn feels are the responsibilities of good citizenship, he takes no very active part in political matters, his identification being with the Democratic party. After so long and faith- ful performance of professional duties, during which he has ever upheld the standard of pro- fessional ethics, Dr. Venn may feel somewhat gratified to know that he is held in high esteem by other members of the fraternity and that they number him with the ablest physicians in a city in which medical ability has reached a high point.
WILLIAM ARTHUR MURDOCK.
Indelilly inscribed on the pages of railroad history, is the name and memory of William Arthur Murdock. His modest deportment, his kindness of heart and true beneficence marked him a gentleman, while his strong intellect and long experience, directed in the channels of railroad business, gained him preeminence as wie of the most efficient men in his line of work in the country. Some years have passed since the death of Mr. Murdock, yet his inth- ence has not ceased to be a potent factor among those with whom he was associated. As a de- fender of the American flag in the great strug- Ale for supremacy between the North and the South, and later as an efficient engineer in the service of the Chicago and Northwestern Rail- road, Mr. Murdock was ever true and loyal. He was a native of the Buckeye State, born on a farm in Perry County, Ohio, January 26, 1839, and was a son of John and Henrietta (Darling} Murdock, who were among the early pioneers of Illinois, in 1846 having come from Ohio and settled in La Salle County. In his boyhood William A. Murdock's attention was given to agricultural pursuits, he assisting his father in developing the home farm. His education was secured in the public schools of La Salle County, and, although the opportunity to obtain an academie education never came to him, he learned many valuable lessons through experi- ence, observation and judicious reading. and was a well informed man of sound and discrim- inating judgment.
In early manhood Mr. Murdock responded to the call for volunteers for the Civil war and
enlisted for a service of three months with the Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he reen- listed in the Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, with a highly creditable military record, and was honorably discharged at the close of hostilities.
In 1858 Mr. Murdock had commenced rail- road work with the Illinois Central Railroad and continued with that corporation until he went to the front in defense of his country in 1801. After the war closed he again engaged with the Illinois Central, but in the same year, 1865, changed to the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, with which he continued without in- termission until his retirement because of an injury occasioned by a fall in 1908. He had been with the company for forty-three years and for a half century was connected with rail- way interests save for the intermission caused by his service in the Civil war. Mr. Murdock was thoroughly optimistic, ever looking on the bright side of life, and was a friend to all and cherished enmity to none. He was fond of young people and delighted in their enthusiasms. while with old people too he enjoyed himself and was a hospitable host in his own home. This was a place he loved and his family was inexpressibly dear to him and no other spot was equally attractive. His life was conse- crated to the altar of home and this consecra- tion he never forgot. He was a loving husband and kind neighbor, at all times holding friend- ship inviolable, and his friends loved and ad-
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mired him, for his life had reached the highest standard of manhood. His political allegiance was ever given to the Republican party from the time when he cast his presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1800. He was a valued member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers, his membership being in Division No. 96 for a time, and later in Division No. 404. He was also a member of the Menoken Club and belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, these relations indicating the nature of his pri- vate activities. As a citizen he was honorable and true to every promise, and his death, which occurred January 26, 1009, removed from Chi- cago one of her most worthy citizens.
Mr. Murdock was married at Clinton, Ia., June 27, 1SS7, to Miss Letitia B. Gunn, daughter of James N. and Elizabeth (Lea) Gunn. Mrs. Murdock received her educational training in the public schools of Clinton, graduating from the high school of that city with the class of 1879. Since removing to Chicago, after her marriage, she has been a valued member of the social circles of this city and is held in high esteem in a number of railroad fraternities. Becoming interested in her husband's work and in the conditions existing among trainmen, she began studying the question and in 1SS7 became the founder of the beneficent order known as the Grand International Auxiliary of the Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers, a social and benevolent as well as insurance society. She is deeply interested in the welfare of the Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which is a product of her own hands and brain. In 1SS7, at a time when women were loathe to leave their homes to engage in social or other work, Mrs. Murdock organized the Auxiliary for the benefit of the wives and widows of engineers who alone com- pose its membership. The object of the order is to render assistance in times of trouble, create sociability between the families of its members and by aiming at high ideals to elevate the social standing of its people. In 1590 she and her associate grand officers planned and intro- duced a form of voluntary relief which was adopted by the members and has come to be one of the best forms of protection for women that Is in existence. She has been elected to suc- ceed herself for twenty-six consecutive years as
Grand President of this Order, which draws its membership from every State in the Union, from Canada and Mexico. That the crowning glory of her life's work will be achieved she believes will be when the plan of pensioning the depend- ent orphans and half-orphans of the members of this order is complete and in operation. This plan was presented by her to the convention of the order in Detroit, Mich., in 1910 for consid- eration, accepted and adopted by the delegates at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1912 and will go into effect in 1915 after the convention in Cleveland, Ohio, when rules governing the pension fund will be adopted. The organization is unique inasmuch as it is absolutely governed by women, Mrs. Murdock being the highest tribunal. She pos- sesses superior business qualifications and is par excellence as presiding officer in the organiza- tions which she has founded and promoted. She is also one of the organizers and is first vice- president of the Home for the Aged and Dis- abled Railroad Men of America, which is lo- cated at Highland Park, Ill.
Mrs. Murdock was born at Elgin, Ill., Feb- ruary 14, 1860. Her parents were both natives of London, England, where they married, and in 1854 they emigrated and located in the city of New York and in 1856 moved to Elgin, III. In 1800, when Mrs. Murdock was an infant, they moved to Clinton, Iowa, and there the father entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, with which he continued for twenty-seven years. He then moved to Crawford County, Iowa, where he purchased land and made that place bis home until his death, which occurred in 1903, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife survived him seven years, dying in 1910, also being aged seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Murdock had an adopted son, Morton A. (Lea) Murdock, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Lea. He is a locomotive engineer on the Chicago & North- western Railroad and is one of the company's most respected and trusted employes. Mrs. Murdock is a valued member of the West Side Co-educational Club; a member of the Eastern Star and the Auxiliary to the Columbian Com- mandery, A. F. & A. M., and also is a member of the Women of the Grand Army. She belongs to the Episcopal church.
Vr G. Hardock-
TRATORICAL
Mus. W. A. Murdock. - Grand President G.T.A
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GEORGE W. WITT.
The modern agriculturalist is a man who comprebends the purpose of existing agitation for the betterment of the condition of the farmer, and is anxious to promote proper legis- lation looking towards an amelioration of pres- ent abuses. Many of the most progressive men of our county are those who own and operate farming lands, and some of them have been called upon to bring their practical ideas into the conduct of public affairs. This has resulted in the securing for numerous offices, clean, busi- nesslike administrations and the banishment of any dishonesty that might have existed in the past. One of the men whom his fellow citizens delight to claim as a farmer, but who has proven himself a man of large affairs as well, is the Hon. W. Witt of Carrollton, Ill. Mr. Witt was born three miles north of his present home, near Kane, Greene County, Ill., April 21, 1&11, a son of Franklin and Malinda (Perry) Witt, natives of Tennessee and Pope County, Ill. Franklin Witt was brought to Pope County, Ill., by his parents when he was a child, he being a son of John and Eleanor Witt. Later in life, he was married in this same county, but in 1825, moved to what is now Greene County. Still later, he went to Sangamon County, but returned to Greene County in 1827, and bought and operated the Ratten mill. Later, he built a sawmill to the grist-mill plant, and operated both in conjunc- tion. The power was furnished by Macoupin creek, and farmers came to the mill for miles about. Franklin Witt died here in 1851, aged forty-six years. While the capital of Illinois was still at Vandalia, Franklin Witt served as a member of the State Assembly, and after it was moved to Springfield he was then elected to the Senate, and re-elected twice, being in that office at the time of his death, having been the successful candidate of the Demo- cratic party upon all these occasions. His business operations netted him a handsome amount and when he died he owned from 1,000 to 1,200 acres of land. His widow died in 1572, having borne him ten children, of whom George W. Witt is the only survivor.
George W. Witt moved to his present prop- erty soon after the death of his father, bring- ing his mother with him. He bought out the other heirs to his father's estate, and now owns 1,000 acres of as good land as can be found in Greene County, which he devotes to stock rais-
ing and general farming. He erected a com- fortable, modern house and has one of the most desirable country homes in this part of the State. Like his father, an enthusiastic Demo- crat, Mr. Witt has been a power in his party, and has been elected to some of the most im- portant offices in this locality. For one term, he was one of the most etticient and fearless sheriffs the county has ever known, and served in the lower house in the Forty-second, the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth general assemblies, but was defeated for office when he ran a fourth time ou account of his activity in secur- ing local option laws. While in the legislature, he served on some very important committees, among others the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on Appropriations, the Com- mittee on County and Township Organization, the Committee on Horticulture and the Com- mittee on Roads and Bridges. He has served as a delegate to numerous conventions, as he is a representative man of bis district. Al- ways interested in matters pertaining to the advancement of agriculture, he has been presi- dent of the County Fair Board for years. His efforts in behalf of local option, although win- ning him the enmity of many, stand as a last- ing monument to his ideas of right living, and uprightness of purpose.
On March 15, 1866, Mr. Witt was married to Eliza J. Moore, who died in 1873, leaving a daughter, Toinette, wife of William MI. Cary, a farmer. In June, 1874, Mr. Witt was mar- ried to Margaret Gardner who died in 1879, leaving one son, Fred T., a farmer. On Sep- tember 29, 1880, Mr. Witt was married (third) to Louise A. Williams, daughter of William P. and Rachel Jane (English) Williams of Jer- sey County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Witt became the parents of six children now living: Kyle, who is a mechanic and farmer; Alta M., who is the wife of Dr. S. F. March of Carrollton; and Rachel J., Adaline E., William Paxton and Edna L., who are at home.
The Kane Methodist Church holds the mem- bership of the family. Mr. Witt is a member of Hugh De Paine Commandery, K. T., being Past Master of the Masonie lodge, and was a representative to the Grand Lodge. He has also participated in several national conclaves of the Knights Templar. It would be difficult to find a man more thoroughly imbued with a love of country and appreciation of the import-
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ance of his calling. His own success proves his contention that there is more money to be made in cultivating the soil than along any other legitimate avenue, and he is proud of his results. His farm is one of the show places of his county, and serves as a model for others less ambitious. Having brought his operations down to a science he is recognized authority
upon agricultural questions, and his advice is sought by many who are trying to intelligently work their land, and are willing to view their own activities not only from a personal stand- point, but also from a broader outlook with reference to the effect they may have upon the community at large.
JASPER TUCKER DARLING.
Jasper Tucker Darling, of Chicago, presi- dent of the Porter Land Company, and a vet- eran of the Civil war, was born at Chariton, Worcester County, Mass., April 22, 1848, a sou of Elisha and Tamison (Ward) Darling, the former of Saxon blood, his family history being that three brothers of his name came to the American colonies in the early part of the seventeenth century. Tamison Ward was of Huguenot extraction, her first recorded ancestor, William Ward, coming here about 1620. Many of the Darling family fought in the Colonial, Revolutionary and subsequent wars, while on the maternal side, many proved their patriotism by military exploits. Artemus Ward, a great-great-uncle, commanded the American forces at Cambridge, Mass .. before the arrival of General Washington in July, 1775, was speaker of the Massachusetts assem- bly in 1785, and from 1791 to 1795 was a mem- ber of Congress.
Elisha Darling was an Abolitionist; his home was one of the stations of the Under- ground Railroad, and his patriotic and liberty- loving spirit impressed itself strongly upon his son, Jasper Tucker. With two of his broth- ers and two brothers-in-law, the lad, then only thirteen years old, longed to enter the service of his country, in 1861, but his age forbade. He made several attempts, but was refused, until February 21, 1565. when he was accepted and was assigned to Company G, Sixty-first Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and as his regiment was on the firing line when he re- ported for duty, his service was a severe one. They were kept close to the enemy in the trenches at Petersburg, and took part in the desperate charge on April 2, which resulted in the capture of Fort Mahone. Following this they pursued the enemy until the surrender at Appomattox, April 9. Mr. Darling then marched overland with his regiment from Richmond to Washington and took part in the Grand Review of May 23. His company with
five others remained on Arlington Heights until July 22, 1865, when they returned to Read- ville, Mass., and were mustered out August 1. During his career as a soldier Mr. Darling had saved a little money and proceeded to invest it in a good education. At first he attended a grammar school, and then spent two years at Nichols Academy at Dudley, Mass. Although now prepared for college, he decided to learn a trade, and became a carpenter, developing later into a contractor, and as such erected over fifty buildings for public purposes, mostly in New England, although the Henry Grady Memorial Hospital at Atlanta, Ga., is one of them. In 1892 he became a resident of Chi- cago, and since 1905 has been identified with the Porter Land Company of which he is now president, with offices in the Unity building, al- though the headquarters of the company are at Chesterton, Ind.
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