USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 26
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JAMES MONROE WALKER.
It is not a new statement to make, in the words of the great essayist, Macaulay, that "the history of a country is best told in a ree- ord of the lives of its people," nevertheless, it is so true that it will bear repetition. The his- tory of the State of Illinois would read very differently to posterity were the records of the achievements of its notable men eliminated, and it is but just that they should be recalled and put into enduring type. In the great repre- sentative city of Chicago have lived men of mark, who, in various avenues of usefulness, have won konors, prizes and emoluments that entitle them to respectful and admiring remem- brance. Among these stands James Monroe Walker, who for thirty years was before the publie and was recognized as one of the ablest lawyers of his day. James Monroe Walker was born in the village of Claremont, Sullivan County, N. H .. February 14, 1820, a son of Solo- mon and Charity ( Stevens) Walker, and one in
their family of thirteen children. The New Hampshire hills offered but few opportunities to a farmer with a large family for which he had to provide, so in 1835, Solomon Walker moved his, by slow stages, to what was then the far west, settling on land about twenty miles from Detroit, Mich. In the hope of being able to enter a profession, the then fifteen year old lad, James Monroe Walker, worked hard, but it was not until he was twenty-two years old that he felt at liberty to resume his studies, having in the meanwhile carned the money to enable him to do so, and he then entered Ober- lin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, subsequently be- coming a student at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. From the latter institution, which he had entered as a sophomore, he was graduated in 1849, devoting the last year of his course to the study of law, there being at that time no special department of law, such as now forms so important a branch of this great
AuWaller
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institution of learning. Following his gradua- tion, Mr. Walker entered the odice of his friend, Judge Robert S. Wilson, and one year later was admitted to the bar. At that time he became Junior member of the firm of Sedgwick & Walker, attorneys of Ann Arbor. Ile advanced rapidly, and two years later was chosen prose- cuting attorney of Washtenaw County, Mich., an office he satisfactorily continued to fill until 13. In that year he and his partner removed to Chicago, where they became attorneys for the Michigan Central Railroad, and at the same time began laying the foundations for a large private practice. They were soon afterwards appointed general solicitors for the road. In 1556, Mr. Walker began purchasing, for the Boston men who controlled the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad, the right of way for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and on its com- pletion, he became its attorney, counsel and general solicitor. For a time he was acting president for the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Railroad, and in 1870, he succeeded Jamies F. Joy as president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Owing to im- paired health, Mr. Walker resigned this latter office in 1875, but remained its legal adviser until his death. In the meantime be had ne- gotiated for the absorption of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, and other import- ant changes and acquisitions in the railroad property owned by the Boston syndicate. He also organized the Illinois Stock Yards, and the Kansas City Stock Yards, and was president of both, as well as of the Chicago & Wilming- ton Coal Company from the time of their in- ception until his death.
In the meantime, Mr. Walker severed bis con- nection with Mr. Sedgwick, and became the senior member of the firm of Walker & Dexter, and later of Walker, Van Arman & Dexter, and still later of Walker, Dexter & Smith. Corpora- tion law, however, interested Mr. Walker to the greatest extent, and as be had specialized on it, in 1866, he withdrew from the general field of law, and afterwards, as long as he remained in practice, devoted his energies to the numerous corporations of Illinois and other sections which claimed his expert services. He became a recognized authority on corporation law, a field not particularly attractive to the general prac- titioner, and one in which only a highly trained attorney could meet with success. His duties at length became so onerous that his health was impaired, and his death occurred January 22,
1881, at his beautiful home No. 1720 Prairie avenue, Chicago. He was a man of great in- tellectual strength, an omnivorous reader, and enjoyed the beautiful things of life, typified by music, literature and art, and surrounded him- self and family with the luxuries that this side of his nature demanded.
James Monroe Walker was married December 5, 1555, to Miss Eliza A. Marsh, a daughter of John P. and Fanny ( Ransom) Marsh, of Kala- mazoo, Mich., and one daughter and two sons were born to them, namely: Mary Louise, Wirt Dexter, and James Ransom. The daughter, who is now deceased, was the wife of the well known Chicago architect, John Welborn Root. Wirt Dexter is also deceased. James Ransom married Miss Louise Meeker, a daughter of Arthur B. Meeker of Chicago, and they have three sous, namely : James M., Arthur Meeker, and Wirt Dexter. Mrs. Walker continues to occupy the family residence on Prairie avenue, and as always, is interested helpfully in social and charitable work.
The death of Mr. Walker called forth many ex- pressions of high esteem. Quoting from those of the stockholders of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad Company, the following is given : "That we recognize in Mr. Walker a man whose high character was a perpetual as- surance that the interests confided to his charge would be administered with fidelity and honor ; that among those who have added in their ser- eral ways in the growth of this company from a struggling and feeble corporation to its pres- ent magnitude, to Mr. Walker, perhaps as much as to any other, from his length of service, his high appreciation of the sarredness of delegated trusts, and his happy faculty in the manage- ment of affairs, belong the credit of such ex- tended growth and usefulness of his powers, and when we might have hoped for him years of honored pase as a crown of his laborious life, yet recognizing that life is not measured alone by length of days, we feel that, in successes achieved and results accomplished, his work has been one of conspicuous fidelity and value, and that he has entered into his rest, leaving a rec- ord worthy of the most studious imitation."
The Chicago Commercial Club passed equally appreciative resolutions, and the Chicago Bar Association prepared a memorial setting forth his admirable qualities in every relation of life. His personal acquaintances included the lead- ing men of his own city, and of other sections, and his friendship was sought because he was
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genial, companionable and sincere. Burdened as he was in his youth with cares and respon- sibilities, through his ability and energy, he made these seeming disabilities stepping stones on his onward path, and ever felt pride in the fact that his success in life depended upon his own exertions. No better ending to the brief recital of his work and admirable char- acteristics, could be given than that quoted
from the words of one who knew him very thoroughly : "As a lawyer, Mr. Walker possessed unusual logical power. He was not an eloquent advocate, but a most clear, keen and accom- plished reasoner, and was a valuable assistant to the bench in the administration of justice, the highest position the lawyer can aim to occupy."
FRANCIS B. BADT.
It is difficult for an outsider to appreciate the work accomplished by one of those men who are essentially an outcome of twentieth century progressiveness, the electrical engineers, for the public generally has no realization of the im- portance of the work of those who labor for the service of mankind in this special direction. No man can enter upon this important field of en- deavor without a careful and complete prepa- ration if he expects to succeed. His training must include a sound knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, hydraulies, mechanical engi- neering and electricity, while he must have a practical knowledge of geology, surveying and architecture, and be fully acquainted with the nature and strength of the materials which he may be called upon to use. The history of Chi- cago's achievements along electrical lines shows that here have gathered the master minds of this important profession, aud among them all none ranked higher in any respect than the late Francis B. Badt, who was acknowledged at the time of his death to be one of the leading elec- trical engineers of the United States.
Francis B. Badt, like many of the solid, suc- cessful men of this country, was of foreign birth, being a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1849. After being graduated from the royal gymnasium of his native country, he entered the army in 1868, being in the artillery branch. Two years later he was graduated from the military academy, and was made a commis- sioned officer that same year. During 1570-71, Mr. Badt distinguished himself in the Franco- Prussian war and was decorated by his emperor with the much prized order of the Iron Cross, to gain which a German soldier has often risked life and everything save honor. Following his active war experience, Mr. Badt attended the school for officers of artillery and engineers and the Imperial Technical High school, from which he was graduated in 1572, and was honored by the emperor by being commissioned as an officer
of Ordnance. He was later made a first lieutenant and served as such on the committee of Ordnance and Arms, being directly under the minister of war, and then served in the gunnery school for officers of artillery. After an honorable period of military service he resigned and came to the United States, arriving here in 1881, with a desire to put into practical service the training he had acquired.
Upon his arrival in New York City, Mr. Badt connected himself with the United States Electric Lighting Company as superintendent of con- struction, and remained with this concern until November, 1SSS, during which period he had traveled for his company in Europe to gain a first-hand knowledge of the electrical industry in various countries abroad. Leaving the United States Electric Lighting Company, Mr. Badt came to Chicago, and for nearly a year was with the Western Electric Company as superintendent, leaving this concern in October, 1889, to become district engineer in Chicago for the United Edison Manufacturing Company. Resigning this position in November, 1890, he became manager of the power and lighting department of the Thomas-Houston Company of Chicago. When this latter company consolidated with the Edison company under the name of the General Electric Company, Mr. Badt continued with the new cor- poration as manager until March, 1894, when he resigned to become general manager with the Siemens & Haiske Electric Company of America. After he was made a director, secretary and treasurer of the company, he gave it a still further faithful service until September, 1507, when he resigned and organized the F. B. Badt Company house, which occupies an enviable position among those of a similar nature not only in Chicago, but the country as well. While he was associated with the Siemens & Haiske Company, Mr. Badt had charge of many of the contracts of his company, and furnished a num- ber of large generators for the C. T. Yerkes
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street railway power stations in Chicago. His knowledge and practical application of it made him an expert and as years went on he was repeatedly called into cases to give authori- tative testimony relative to questions involving electrical science. Mr. Badt was always studying electric street railway mechanism and Invented a number of improvements on ap- Mances in use, on which he took out patents. He was a valued contributor to the technical press and was the author of some very important Maks pertaining to his profession, among them leing: "The Dynamo Tenders Handbook." "The Bell Hangers Handbook," "Incandescent Wiring Handbook," and "Electric Transmission Handbook." It is interesting to note that Mr. Badt as early as 1897, made a very exhaustive report for some private individuals in connection with a flying machine, invented by A. M. Herring, which, viewed in the light of today's knowledge of the future of airships, seems phenomenal. Although at that time the majority of people had no conception that flying machines could be made practicable, from this report it is easily seen that Mr. Badt foresaw what was to come to pass, and clearly indicated the lines along which advancement must be made.
On November 2, 1850, Mr. Badt was united in marriage with Elizabeth Agnes O'Donnell, and they had two daughters, Frances and Ernestine, who, with Mrs. Badt survive. Mr. and Mrs.
Badt celebrated their silver wedding anniversary . on November 2, 1919, and a surprise party was organized by their friends. The family resi- dence is one of the most beautiful in its locality, and for years has been the center of a charming social life. Here Mr. Badt passed away April 12, 1913, after a somewhat protracted illness. HIis loss was deeply felt not only in professional circles, but by the outside world as well. He belonged to the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the Western Society of Engineers and the Electric Club of Chicago, as well as the Union League Club of Chicago and the Midlothian Country Club.
Electricity is an unseen force which through Intelligent compliance with the laws that govern it, has been brought to a point where it is utilized as never before for the comfort and happiness of man, through the efforts of just such men as Mr. Badt. He was a person of marked liberality and public spirit. Ilis principles were those of the sturdiest kind of honesty, and in various ca- pacities he was most active in successfully guid- ing the affairs of large corporations, his com- plete and rapid comprehension of business propo- titions as they were presented to him seemed intuitive. His word had a value above parch- ment or legal formalities, and his place will be hard to fill, and his loss will be felt for years to come.
JULIA (GREENE) SCOTT.
Mrs. Julia (Greene) Scott, who has earned an enviable national reputation through her ef- forts towards advancing the interests of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was born in Danville, Ky., which is the location of Centre College, of which her father, Dr. Greene, was president. She is the widow of the late Matthew T. Scott, who was a wealthy land and mine owner, at Chenoa, MeLean County, Ill., which town he laid out and platted about 1:54. He gave the new town of Chenoa the Indian name of his native state, Kentucky, "Chenowa," but, in spite of his earnest efforts, the United States Postoffice Department has always insisted on dropping the "w" in the name. He purchased from the United States government and from others, several thousand acres of fine prairie land, and his widow is the
owner of over 10,000 acres in Illinois and Iowa, which is now being farmed as far as possible, in accordance with the most modern plans for agricultural development. Mrs. Scott, whose home has been in Bloomington for over twenty- five years. is an educated lady of fine presence and high character, and has always taken a leading part along patriotic, educational and social lines. She was vice president general of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for two years and was its national president for two terms, from 1909 to 1913. Her management of the financial and other difficult matters in this important organi- zation was remarkably successful. The society's headquarters are in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, in the new and elegant building known as "Continental Hall."
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NORMAN C. THOMPSON.
N. C. Thompson was, when in his prime, a notable personality in Rockford, honored and influential. He was a man of literary culture and bad gathered in his home the largest private library in Rockford. He was active in the gen- eral life of the city and it is remembered that he became enough interested in politics in 1550 to accept the presidency of the Garfield and Arthur Campaign Club. In connection with manufacturing Mr. Thompson was engaged many years in banking. The N. C. Thompson Bank was on East State street and by odd coincidence of place was in the same building where now the Manufacturers' National Bank is located, of which Norman F. Thompson, his son, is president. Mr. Thompson was born at Knoxville, Ga., May 25, 182%, a son of Norman B. and Sareph (Ruggles) Thompson, natives of Poultney, Vt., and Barre, Mass. The father was a man widely read. and possessed of at- tributes which placed him above his associates. His grandfather was county judge at Poultney, Vermont.
Amid intellectual surroundings Norman C. Thompson grew up, attending the academies of his native place until prepared to enter the Troy Academy. Later he entered Yale College as a member of the class of 1849, from which he was recalled home on arcount of the ter- rible loss sustained by his father in a fire which destroyed his mercantile business at Americus, Ga. Foliowing this the family moved to Perry, Ga., where they remained several years. After the death of his eldest son and the illness of his remaining child, N. C. Thompson left the South to make a home in the North at Rock- ford, Ill., where they arrived in 1857 and where Mrs. Thompson's father and brothers were set- tled. After having established his wife and son there he returned to Perry where he closed out his business, coming back to Rockford. He and his father. Norman B., entered into a bank- ing business under the title of Thompson & Co., private bankers, which continued until 1885. In the meanwhile the father and son began manufacturing agricultural implements and were in business until isSt. doing business as N. C. Thompson Manufacturing Co. During his career as a manufacturer he manufactured the M. L. Gorham Self Binder. He left many in- stitutions behind him which his liberality in earlier days placed upon a sound foundation. Both he and his wife were very active members
of the First Presbyterian Church, teaching in the Sunday school, in which he was superin- tendent for twenty-five years. They also sang in the choir and otherwise exerted themselves for the good of the cause. Mr. Thompson donated liberally to the support of this church. Ile was always interested in and frequently suggested improvements in the city and was a man of such high standing that his ideas had weight. A Republican, he gave his party loyal and effective support and was active in both local and national affairs. At one time he was treasurer of Rockford and was a member of the city council for a number of years. He was instrumental in organizing and carrying on suc- cessfully the public library and no one ever called upon him for help in vain as long as he was able to meet the demands made upon his sympathy and generosity. Through all of his later years Mr. Thompson was haumpered by the result of an accident in 1804 when he was thrown from a buggy and so seriously hurt that in addition to being confined to his bed for a long period he bore with him until death marks of his accident.
On September 24, 1853, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Laurentia J. Blackmer, born at Barnard, Vt .. August 30, 1832, a daugh- ter of Hiram and Phoebe (Townsend) Black- mer, both natives of Vermont, who moved to St. Charles, Ill., in 1855, and to Rockford in 1857. Mr. Blackmer was a grain commission merchant for many years. Mrs. Thompson was educated at Thetford Academy and in New York City at a private seminary conducted by her uncle, Rev. Joel Blackmer, whose name was brought before the people of New York in the early fifties when he ran on a temperance ticket for mayor. Mrs. Thompson went south after completing her studies to act as teacher and governess and there she met Mr. Thompson. They had eight children : Charles Ernest, who died at the age of two years; Norman Frederick, who is presi- dont of the Manufacturers' National Bank of Rockford, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work; George Warren, who died in 1904, aged forty-tive years: Arthur Edward, who resides at Chicago; Florence, who died in 1SSS, aged twenty-three years; Norma Cornelia, who is at home with her mother; Amos Lawrence, who is at Terre Haute, Ind. ; and Mary Leonora, who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Thompson is now in her eighty-third year and is in excellent
المحت تقاته:«ملك
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health, possessing her faculties in a remarkable degree, reading without glasses and taking a deep interest in all that goes on about her. She is as proud of the family into which she married as of her own and is well-informed relative to it, stating that the first of the Thompson family to arrive in the American Colonies came here in 1637, since which time its members bave spread from New England, where the first set-
tlement was made, to all parts of the country and wherever found they have always been men and women of ability, integrity and promi- bence. Mr. Thompson died July 4, 1508, as he had lived, a loyal, honorable and Christian gentleman, and he is remembered with sincere appreciation by those with whom he was as- sociated for so many useful, generous years in the city of Rockford.
NORMAN FREDERICK THOMPSON.
True appreciation comes to those who have nobly striven to win approval honorably. from the men who understand and can properly ex- press their confidence. The life of Norman Frederick Thompson of Rockford mirrors on its surface much that is conducive to a high stand- ard of business operations and little that can be criticised. As president of the Manufacturers National Bank of Rockford, and as a director of the Burson Knitting Company and the Rockford Life Insurance Company, he has demonstrated and is still proving his efficiency and high capability.
Mr. Thompson is not a native of Rockford, although he was but a year old when brought from his birthplace at Perry, Ga., where he came into the world June 27, 1856, to this city by his parents, the late Norman C. Thompson and his wife, now his widow, Mrs. Laurentia J. ( Blackmer) Thompson. He owes his early edu- cational training to the schools of Rockford, in which he studied until eighteen years old. Later he entered Yale University, from which he grad- uated in the class of 1SS1 with the degree of A. B. Returning to Rockford, he was associated with his father in his banking and manufactur- ing enterprises, but later went to New York City to assume the duties of assistant secretary and treasurer of the Equitable Mortgage Com- pany. When this company was reorganized into the Equitable Securities Company, Mr. Thomp- son was made treasurer, but in 1898 returned to Rockford to be vice-president of the Manufactur- ers National Bank of this city. His connections with the bank were of such a nature that his services were rewarded by his election to the presidency of it in 1906, since which time he has continued its executive head.
Mr. Thompson was married January 10, 1SS3, to Miss Adaline E. Emerson, a daughter of Ralph Emerson, for many years one of the largest and wealthiest manufacturers in the United States. Mrs. Thompson was born at Rockford, August 13, 1859, but received ber educational training at: Wellesley ( Mass.) College, from which she Was graduated in 1550. She served many years as trustee of the institution. Iler daughter also attended the mother's alma mater, while the sons were sent to Yale, the university of their father and grandfather. Mr. and Mrs. Thomp- son have had three children : Norman F. Jr., secretary and treasurer of the Burson Kuitting Company, was born March 14, 1884, graduated from Yale in 1906, and married Margaret Shel- don October 30, 1914; Ralph Emerson, superin- tendent of the Gillette Safety Razor Company, Boston, Mass., was born February 1, 1888, and graduated from Yale in 1900, married Emily F. Barnum, on December 27, 1911, and they have a daughter, Gretchen Adaline, born October 1, 1912, who is the only grandchild in the family ; and Adalyn Emerson, born December 4, 1889, married to Alan C. Dixon of Chicago, October 12. 1912. died February 5, 1915.
As was his father, Mr. Thompson is a Repub- lican, and served Rockford as city treasurer from 1901 to 1903. Fraternally he belongs to the local lodge of Elks, while socially he is a member of a number of college societies, and the Rockford Country Club and the University clubs of both Chicago and Rockford. Through his ancestors he is a member of the Colonial Wars Society, the Society of Mayflower Descend- ants and the Baronial Order of Runnemede.
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