USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 3
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out in life without much assistance from the outside, but through his ability and determina- tion to succeed, rose to prominence and well deserved prosperity.
Edward Lester Brewster was born at Broek- port, Monroe County, N. Y., June 22, 1842, and was a lineal descendant of Elder William Brewster, who was one of the leaders of those . who sailed for the New World in the May- flower, and, as elder in the church, encouraged his fellow colonists at Plymouth both by his
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preaching and example. The late Edward Les- ter Brewster was a descendant in the tenth generation, the record being as follows: Wil- liam Brewster, born at Scrooby, England, in 1560, died in 1044. Jonathan Brewster, eldest son of William, born in 1585, died in 1659. Benjamin Brewster, son of Jonathan, boru in 1021, died in 1705. Jonathan Brewster, son of Benjamin, was born in 1664. Joseph Brewster, son of Jonathan, was born in 1698. Simon Brewster, son of Joseph, born in 1720, died April 8, 1801. Simon Brewster, Jr., or 2nd, son of Simon, born May 1, 1751, died July 27, 1811. On December 20, 1770, he married Mehitabel Belcher, and their second child, Henry Brew- ster, was born June 28, 1774, and died March 7, 1858. On December S, 1790, Henry Brew- ster married Rebecca Lester, and their fifth child, Frederick William Brewster, was born January 5, 1807, and died February 13, 1866. On October 2, 1833, he married Caroline 2. Smith. His second marriage took place July 10, 1841, to Janette Downs Tyler, and they · had one son, Edward Lester Brewster. Hon. Henry Brewster, the grandfather of the late Edward Lester Brewster, was a distinguished jurist and for many years a presiding judge in Genesee County, N. Y. Mr. Brewster's parents were born in the state of New York.
The boyhood of Edward Lester Brewster was spent in his native place, where he attended the public schools and a collegiate institute which flourished at that time, but when he was fifteen years old he began clerking in a dry goods store. After a year he left his na- tive village and, although but sixteen years old, secured a clerkship with the largest insurance agency at Buffalo. The two succeeding years he spent in that city were of profit to him, for he gained an excellent knowledge of business methods through his office duties, and attended a commercial college at night. So well quali- fied did he become that he found no dithiculty in obtaining employment upon his arrival in Chicago, in November, 1860. His first engage- ment was in the banking house of Edward I. Tinkham & Company. and from that day on Mr. Brewster was either directly or indirectly identified with the banking interests of Chi- cago. During the eight years following the discontinuance of the above mentioned house, Mr. Brewster was variously employed, first as a money broker, next in the service of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company prior to its consolidation with the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad Company; then as con- fidential cierk in the Third National Bank, where he remained two years. In January, ISUS, in connection with Samuel P. Farring- ton, Mr. Brewster established the wholesale grocery house of Farrington & Brewster, at the corner of Dearborn and South Water streets. This business was successfully carried on and, although heavy losers in the great fire of 1871, the firm paid every dollar of their obligatious at maturity and continued in busi- ress as before. On July 1, 1872, Mr. Brewster retired from the firm to engage in a general banking and brokerage misiness. which, from his early training and his personal taste for financiering, he found more in the line of his ambition than merchandising. He established the firm of Wrenn & Brewster on Wabash ave- nue, in the vicinity of Congress street, but- in the spring of 1873 removal was made to No. 96 Washington street. This new venture proved profitable to Mr. Brewster, and greatly to his credit be it said that the firm successfully weathered the great financial panic of that year. and remained in active existence until January, 1576, when it was dissolved. Mr. Brewster immediately opened a new office at No. 101 Washington street, and continued alone in the same line of business. Ilis operations increased rapidly and he soon found it neces- sary to establish himself in more commodious quarters, which he found at No. 104 Washing- ton street. From then on he grew in public favor as a judicious and thoroughly reliable financier. Prosperity came to him as a nat- ural sequence, so that he was enabled to ab- sorb the Chicago business of the house of Wynne & Day of New York (successors to A. O. Slaughter), bankers, in 1SS3. Charles C. Yoe, who had been a trusted employe of Mr. Brewster for a period of years, was now taken into partnership under the firm name of Ed- ward L. Brewster & Company, which continued as such from that time on. The firm remained in the Grannis Block, to which they had re- moved on the purchase of Wynne & Day's busi- noss, until it was destroyed by fire, February 19, 1×55, when they took new premises at the corner of Dearborn and Washington streets. When the new Board of Trade building was completed Mr. Brewster, recognizing the shift- ing of the business center, established a branch office by two private wires, thus securing means of instantaneous and absolutely private com- munications between the two offices. He was
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an influential member of the Board of Trade from 1873, and also of the New York Stock Exchange from 1SS1, and was one of the prin- cipal projectors and charter members of the Chicago Stock Exchange, which has now be- come one of the very important institutions of the city. Mr. Brewster was for many years a member of the governing committee and ex- ercised an important influence in shaping the policy of the exchange, and was at one time its president. He was a stockholder in many of its large enterprises, banks and corporations in and about Chicago, but uniformly declined a place in the directory of any, except the Chi- cago Edison Company, and its successor, the Commonwealth Edison Company, which stock is owned by many of the wealthiest men in the city, of which he was a director from the organization of the company until his death. It generates and sells electricity for power and lighting throughout the city of Chicago, and is the largest electric-lighting corporation in the world. representing a capital of more than seventy million dollars.
The offices of Edward L. Brewster & Com- pany. when on the corner of Dearborn and Monroe streets, were, perhaps, the most com- piete in arrangement and elegant in appoint- ments of any in the city, and there, during the busy hours of the day, many of the richest mad most influential men were in consultation with Mr. Brewster concerning their various interests entrusted to his management in the monetary markets of the world. In 1894 the offices were moved to the Home Insurance Building, but since 1900, have been maintained at their present location, in the Merchants Loan and Trust Building, where they have spa- cious and commodious quarters not excelled by any in the city. The members of the firm enjoy a world-wide reputation for honesty and straightforward business dealings and at the present time their clientage is one of the most extensive and highest class in Chicago. Mr. Brewster's reputation for honorable dealing and business sagacity brought to him the patronage and friendship of many of the affluent and most influential men in Chicago. Outside of his business cares he enjoyed the pleasure of
social relationships, and his name was found in the membership of the Chicago, Calumet. Union and Washington Park clubs, and the Chicago Athletic Association. He was also a member of the Union League and Metropolitan clubs of New York City. From time to time he indulged in travel, visiting the leading centers of interest in Europe. In July, 1004, upon Mr. Brewster's retirement from active business, the firm was sneceeded by Russell, Brewster & Com- pany. Edward P. Russell was admitted into the old firm in 1896, and Walter S. Brewster in 1809, while C. L. Peniston joined the new firm in 1907.
On November 12, 1866, Mr. Brewster was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Hiram Niles of Buffalo, N. Y., and they became the parents of six children, of whom only two, a son and daughter, are now living: Walter Stanton and. Pauline. Mrs. Brewster still maintains her home in Chicago and is well known in social circles. She takes an active and helpful part in charitable work, and is a lady of great refine- ment. Iler friends are as numerous as her ac- quaintances, and they entertain for her the warmest regard. Although quiet and unosten- tatious in manner, Mr. Brewster had many warm friends, and those who knew him well could not help but recognize in bim a man of earnest purpose and progressive principles. He was widely known as a man of substantial worth, whose judgment was sound and sagacity clear. Few men of the country were better in- formed concerning the financial problems which ure always an issue in the management of large interests. He always took a deep interest in Chicago's welfare, never hesitating to advance or oppose any measure or project which in his judgment merited endorsement or opposition. His success was the logical sequence of the natural unfolding and developing of his native powers. Public-spirited and charitable, he fos- tered movements which in his judgment would work out for the betterment of humanity, and relieve the needy. His death, which occurred March 21, 1911, removed from Chicago one of its most admirable citizens. In his life were those elements which, when properly developed. give to a man's age and country untold benefits.
WALTER STANTON BREWSTER.
Chicago has long been distinguished for high rank in her banking and brokerage system, and in this field of activity the business here is
represented by many men of high standing and national prominence. Among the alert and en- terprising financiers of this city, who, during
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the last eighteen years have utilized the oppor- tunities offered for business preferment and attained thereby a notable success, and whose career is typical of modern progress and ad- vancement, is Walter Stanton Brewster, of the firm of Russell, Brewster and Company, bankers and brokers.
Mr. Brewster was born at Evanston, III., Sep- tember 4, 1872, a son of Edward Lester and Mary (Niles) Brewster, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. He received his education at St. Paul's School of Concord, N. H., and Yale University, being graduated from the latter institution in 1895 with the degree of A. B. In 1896 he entered the employ of his father, and in 1899 he was admitted to the firm, it then being Edward L. Brewster and Company, though succeeded in July, 1904, by Russell, Brewster and Company. He is gov-
ernor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, and a di- rector and chairman of the executive committee of the United Charities. He is a member of the Chicago, University, Onwentsia, and Saddle and Cycle clubs of Chicago, and the University and Yale clubs of New York city.
Mr. Brewster was married at Chicago, Jan- uary 24, 1903, to Miss Kate Lancaster, a daugh- ter of Eugene A. and Helen M. (Hutchinson) Lancaster, of Chicago, and to this union two children were born: Sarah and Edward L. Prominent in financial circles of the city, Mr. Brewster is looked upon as a man of sound and discriminating judgment. He is interested in all that pertains to modern progress, and ad- vancement along material, intellectual and moral lines, and his charities extend to many worthy enterprises.
WILLIAM VAUGN MOODY.
William Vaugn Moody, poet, was born at Spencer, Ind., July 8, 1860. He graduated at Harvard University in 1593, and afterwards be- came an instructor in English literature at the University of Chicago. He wrote several vol- umes of poetry of exceptional merit. and was
reckoned by a recent critic as among the hand- ful of genuine poets whom America of later years may justly claim, and was by way of be- coming a dramatist of unusual power. He died at Colorado Springs, Colo., October 17, 1910, at the early age of forty-one years.
EDWIN HARTLEY PRATT.
The physician of today not only is a trained man whose every faculty has been brought to the highest perfection, but he is also one whose vast experience with people and affairs en- ables him to act with the efficiency of a really first-rate man, and to energize all those with whom he comes in contact. He does not work for spectacular results, but sane, sound prog- ress, not only in his profession but in other directions. To him, and his associates, belongs the credit for practically all the advancement made in civic sanitation and the obliteration of many dread diseases which formerly were deemed incurable. Through the scientific dis- coveries of the medical profession, such scourges to mankind as yellow fever, tuberculosis, typhoid, malaria, and various functional dis- orders, have been brought under intelligent con- trol, and the day is certainly not far distant when cancer, and other maladies of like order. will be understood and easily cured. Such re- sults have come from aggressive and self-sac- rificing labor, not only on the part of the few who come into public notice, but the profession
as a whole, for no other band of men so truly work together as do those who are devoting themselves to medical science. One of the men who stands high among the physicians and sur- geons of this class, is Dr. Edwin Hartley Pratt, of Chicago.
Edwin Hartley Pratt was born at Towanda, Bradford County, Pa., November 6, 1849, and is a son of Leonard Pratt, M. D. and his wife, Betsey (Belding) Pratt, both of whom traced their ancestry to English origin. Dr. Leonard Pratt for many years a physician of note in Illinois, desired his son to enter his own pro- fession, and with this end in view, the youth was given an excellent elementary education, first attending a district school at Rock Creek, Carroll County, Ill., then going for a year to Mount Carroll Seminary, and another year to Wheaton College. Ile then entered the second year of the preparatory department of the Chi- cago University, and subsequently completed his collegiate course there, being graduated in the class of 1871, receiving his degree of A. M. Al- though he felt an inclination towards the law,
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the young man yielded to his father's wishes, and entered Ilahnemann Medical College, with which his father had been connected for many years. After being graduated therefrom in 1873, as valedictorian of his class, Dr. Pratt was appointed demonstrator and adjunct professor of anatomy of this college, but before he ac- cepted, he did post-graduate work at Keene's school of anatomy, and Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, Pa.
In 1874, Dr. Pratt was elected full professor of anatomy and demonstrator of anatomy of Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, and continued in these positions until the spring term of 1877, when he accepted the anatomical chair in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, resigning in 1883 to take the chair of surgery. It was during his initial period of service with this well-known college that the members of the Homeopathic school were ad- mitted to the wards of the Cook County Hos- pital, and Dr. Pratt was then elected a mem- ber of the attending surgical staff of the hos- pital. It was while handling the complicated and obscure cases of a college clinic, that Dr. Pratt made a discovery which has at once marked an era in the treatment of chronic dis- cars and made his own name famous. For this discovery in 1886 the old Chicago Univer- sity conferred upon him the honorary degree of I.I. D. This new method of treatment, to which Dr. Pratt gave the name of orificial sur- gery, was pronounced a marvelous success, and the spread of the new idea brought so many inquiries that he organized a class of his pro- fessional brethren in order to instruct them in this work. These classes became a permanent feature of Dr. Pratt's practice, and were held semi-annually for one week, during which time he publicly operated on the difficult cases that were brought before him. His treatment was so evidently beneficial that the Chicago Homeo-
pathic College established a chair in orificial surgery, and this example has been followed by several of the foremost medical colleges of the country. He is also the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Orificial Sur- gery, to which he contributes a monthly series of articles upon this branch of surgical work.
For several years Dr. Pratt was at the head of the Lincoln Park Sanitarium, an institution that he established in 1889 for the treatment of difficult and critical cases by the new philos- ophy, and which has attracted patients from all parts of the country. He also conducted at a later date the Pratt Sanitarium, on Diversey avenue, a smaller, although a well-known re- sort for the treatment of chronic diseases. As an example of the position held by Dr. Pratt in the medical circles of the country, it may be said that he is an honorary member of the Mis- souri State Medical Society, the Ohio Medical Society, the Kentucky Medical Society, and the Southern Association of Physicians and Sur- geons and many other neighboring state organi- zations. He is an active member of the Illinois State Medical Society, the Chicago Academy of Medicine and the American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition, he is an honorary president of the American Association of Ori- ficial Surgeons, one of the largest medical so. cieties of the United States, and of which he is the only member to be thus distinguished.
Socially he is a valued member of the Chicago Automobile, the Illinois Athletic and the Evans- ton Century clubs. A pioneer in his special line, he has accomplished a wonderful work, laying foundations and making ready for the inevitable recognition throughout the world of the truths he has brought to the light, and long after his earthly career is ended, his name will be asso- ciated with his profession and those who come after him in it will profit by his genius and generosity.
JAMES MESSER JENKS.
Recognized as the metropolis of the Middle- West, Chicago has for many years been accepted as one of the industrial centers of the world. Its geographical location and trade advantages make it undoubtedly the largest grain and produce market in the United States, if not of the civilized world, and its rapid growth and development along these and kindred lines, has been largely due to the ceaseless efforts of com- mission merchants who have devoted themselves
towards its advancement. They have also done valiant service in developing the large agri- cultural districts which look to Chicago as a market. Among the successful grain merchants of this city who during the past score of years have utilized the opportunities offered at Chi- cago for business progress, and thereby attained enviable prosperity, is James Messer Jenks whose record as an alert and reliable operator in this field of activity ranks with the best. The
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possibilities of successful attainment constantly incite to the exercise of energy and perseverance, and it is usually true that those who stand high- est in public esteem are the men who have devoted their lives to deep study and close application and at the outset of life placed due valuation upon honor, integrity and determina- tion. With these qualities as a capital, James Messer Jenks entered upon his business career and has won during the years which have en- sued, a notable position among his associates in the business and financial circles of Chicago. He started out as many other now prosperous men, with a determination to make his life a successful one. There is no better proof of a man's real worth and character than the opinion entertained for him by his associates, for they know him as he is at heart. The salient features of the career of James Messer Jenks may be deduced from the fact that he is held in the same esteem by his business associates as by those with whom he is socially related.
James Messer Jenks was born at Crown Point, .N. Y., July 14, 1850. He is descended from Joseph Jenckes, a noted engineer of Wales who came to America at the request of the first Gor- ernor of Massachusetts to build the first fire engine and apparatus for the city of Boston. Another member of the family was a dis- tinguished inventor and was one of the first to make application to the United States patent office, having invented a scythe for cutting hay. In time the orthography of the name underwent a change to its present form. Benjamin L. Jenks, the father of James M. Jenks, was a native of New Hampshire, and was engaged in business in the east as a lumberman. Later he made his way to the center of the lumber dis- tricts of the Middle West, removing to St. Clair, Mich., in 1856. His death occurred at Fort Sanilac, Mich., about 1868. He had married Amanda Messer, a native of New Hampshire, who was born at the old homestead of her family at North Sutton, granted to her ancestor, James Messer, and his brothers, by King George IV. of England. Mrs. Jenks long survived her hus- band, passing away about 1895. In a family of five children, James M. Jenks was the eldest. Three of these children still survive, being: Prof. Jeremiah W. Jenks, professor of political economy, a noted writer and government agent ; Martin L., a grain merchant of Duluth. Minn. ; and James M. Those deceased are : Robert H., a prominent lumberman of Cleveland, Ohio, died February 26, 1911; and Hester P., died June,
1910. Prof. Jeremiah W. Jenks first taught in Illinois as professor of languages and literature at Mt. Morris College, at Mt. Morris, during 1879, 1850 and 1SS1. From 1555 to 1586 he was professor of political science and English litera- ture in the Peoria High School, and held the same chair at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., from 1886 to 1889.
The public schools of St. Clair, Mich., pro- vided James M. Jenks with his early educational training, he attending them from the time he was six years old until he entered Pennacook Academy at Concord, N. IL., but owing to his father's death was forced to leave school in 1SGS, and begin supporting himself. In order to do this, he entered the employ of Woods & Company, lumber manufacturers, at Fort Cres- cent, Mich., and about three years later he went into business for himself, assisting in establish- ing the firm of J. Jeuks & Co., general merchants and manufacturers at Sand Beach, now Harbor Beach, Mich., where he continued for ten years. At the expiration of that period he turned his attention to handling grain at Port Huron, Mich., and has since continued to operate in this line. For three years he continued at Port Huron, when he went for an additional three years, to Minneapolis, In 1494 he arrived at Chicago, and here organized his present firm which op- erates under the name of The Nye & Jenks Grain Company, continuing at the head of the Chicago office. James Bradley, another member of the firm, has also been associated with the active management for a number of years. The busi- ness shows a healthy and steady growth from year to year, and the firm is numbered among the leaders in this line at Chicago. Mr. Jenks is a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, and also of Minneapolis, Duluth and New York City.
On July 20, 1STS. James Messer Jenks and Nellie L. Neill were united in marriage at Port Austin, Mich. She is a daughter of Captain Thomas Neill of the above mentioned city. Mr. and Mrs. Jenks have had one daughter-Max- well B., who married Captain Isaac Newell of the Twenty-second United States Infantry, now detailed as tactical officer at West Point. Mr. Jenks is an independent in politics, voting ac- cording to his conscience and judgment. His club affiliations are with the Illinois Athletic and the Union League. The family residence, at No. 535 Deming place, is one of quiet elegance. and is often the scene of delightful social cather- ings, where a charming hospitality is dispensed. The personal acquaintance of Mr. Jenks is nec-
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e sarily a large one, for he comes into contact with men of note from all over the country. His +1drit of good fellowship leads him to exert him- if in rendering the lives of others brighter and
easier, and he is always found ready and will- ing to lend his efficient assistance to those measures which he believes will work out for the betterment of the majority.
WALTER COLYER.
Walter Colyer, who is secretary and business manager of the Albion Shale Brick Company, and engaged extensively also in fruit growing, was born in Edwards County, Ill., July 19, 1856. 11. is a son of William Colyer, born in Edwards County, in 1822, and a grandson of Edward Colyer, who was one of the original members of the English Settlement, in the Illinois coun- try, having accompanied the Flower and Birk- bek colonists from Surrey, England, to Ed- wards County in 1818. From 1880 to 1905 he devoted his time principally to journalism, edit- ing and publishing successively the Albion News, the Edwards County News, and the Albion Journal. In politics always a Repub-
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