USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 30
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Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mason : Cornelia M., who is now deceased, was Mrs. John A. Garnsey ; William Caton, who owns an interest in and is conducting the Crow Name Plate Company of Ravenswood, Chicago; and Elizabeth C. Mr. Mason was a member of sev- eral branches of the Masonie fraternity.
ENOCH PLACE JONES.
An individual's usefulness in the world is generally judged by the good that he has ac- complished, and determined by this standard of measurement, the late Enoch Place Jones oven- pied a position among the most prominent citi- zens of Woodford County, Ill. His achievements were not of a spectacular nature, for he was a plain and unassuming man, yet his life was noble and upright, one over which falls no shadow of wrong ; and the memory of his kindly Christian life and charitable deeds will long remain as a benediction to those who knew him. Mr. Jones was born at Wilmot, N. H., August 6, 1832, and was about five years of age when his parents, John and Polly ( Dodge) Jones, set out overland for the West, eventually arriving in Champaign County, Ohio, where Mr.
Jones made his home for a quarter of a cen- tury. There, in the public schools, he received ordinary educational advantages, and was reared to habits of industry and integrity. He early adopted the occupation of agriculture as his life work, and was successful in his farming ventures in Ohio, but, believing that he could find still better opportunities in Illinois, he moved to a farm six miles east of Minonk. where he spent thirty years, About 1592, he moved to the city of Minonk, although for some year's he continued to supervise the operations on his 100-acre property which lay between Mi- nonk and Dana, Ill., and when he disposed of this land he purchased a half section in South Dakota, near Canton; this land now being rented, his sons live on the farm adjoining.
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Mr. Jones was a natural mechanic and a skilled cabinet maker. After his retirement, he found pleasure and work for his mind and hands in fashioning different articles, useful and ornamental and all beautiful in design and substantial in workmanship. His splendid work- shop, located directly behind his home, was built by himself, and was equipped with all the accessories and paraphernalia necessary to his work and so dear to the heart of the true me- chanie, Even though an aged man, Mr. Jones was the personification of vigorous age and !wealth, and his death was entirely unexpected. As usual, on the morning of January 17, 1913, Mis familiar figure was seen on the streets of Minonk, in the down-town district, but on his return home he was stricken with illness, and the physician named his ailment as neuralgia of the heart. After a brief rally, a second at- tack occurred, and he soon passed away.
Mr. Jones was converted and united with the Baptist church February 23, 1872. He always took an active part in all branches of the church work, being treasurer of the church and a member of the building committee when this church was erected. Afterward he was chosen a deacon, which office he held up to the time of his demise. He was well known and held In high esteein, a cheerful man, daily living the faith he professed. His politics were those of
the Republican party, although he had decided tendencies toward prohibition. Honest and con- scientious in all things, he possessed the un- bounded confidence of his business associates, and his friends were limited only by the num- ber of his acquaintances.
In 1534, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Lodisa Knight, who died in July, 1875, and to this union there were born two daughters and five sons, of whom the daughters and oue son died in infancy, while another son, Warren F., passed away at the age of twenty-two years. In 1577, Mr. Jones married (second) Elizabeth Bane, who died in September, 1910. On December 16, 1911, he was married for the third time, when he was united with Mrs. Martha Gaisford, who survives him and makes her home in Minonk. Three sons also survive: Josiah J. and Joseph F., who are successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits at Canton, S. D. : and Orris K., of Lex- ington, Neb., and one stepson, Frank Gaisford, of Chatsworth, Ill. His brother, David C. Jones, is a well-known resident of Leighton, Iowa. Mr. Jones' funeral was largely attended, the people of Minonk gathering in large numbers to pay their respects to the memory of one who had lived among them so long and whose life had been of such an exemplary nature. Inter- ment was made in the Minonk Cemetery.
ALBERT WILLIAM YOUNG.
"Ilis life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him, that all nature might stand up and say to all the world: 'This was a man.'" When a leading newspaper sces fit to pay trib- ute to the memory of an individual by the use of the foregoing quotation, it may be reason- ably assumed that his life was one which won the respect. admiration and affection of those with whom he was connected. Law, to the lay- man, is a profession associated only with the controversies of life. It is hard for him to dissociate himself from the idea that the lawyer has other to do than with the affairs where man fights man. But where a luminous personality shines forth in such brilliance as that which individualized the late Albert Wil- liam Young. of Harvard, Ill., the public press, speaking for the public in general, may well say : "This was a man." Albert William Young was born at Windsor, Sherbrook County, Can- ada, September 21, 1843, a, son of Joseph W. and Emily (Boynton) Young, the former native
of Antrim, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter of Orleans County, Vt., of English and French ancestry. The family located in Will County, Ill., in the spring of 1865, and a year later removed to Kankakee County, where the mother died January 11, 1876. There were six children in the family, namely: Albert William, of this review; E. R., a resident of Sioux City. la .; Henry J. of Oklahoma, town of Vinita; Nellie, who is the widow of Robert Perry, now living at Kansas City, Mo .; Emily II., Inter Mrs. Peter Vanderwater of Long- view, Texas, where she died; and Florence A., who died in Canada, February 20, 1860.
Albert . W. Young received an academical training in Canada, and, after coming to the United States, attended the Central Illinois Normal School at Normal for two years. Suc- feeding this he went to Millersburg, Ky., where he taught a select school for one year, and was then principal of the Richmond (Ill.) schools for one year, the Woodstock schools
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two years, and the Harvard schools three years. During the latter time he studied law with J. P. Cheever, and September 15, 1876, was ad- mitted to the bar and at once formed a part- nership with Mr. Cheever, under the firm style of Cheever and Young. In November, 1877, he was elected county superintendent of schools for a term of four years and at the expiration of his terin was appointed for an additional term of one year. The partnership with Mr. Cheever was dissolved in 1875, and from that time until his death he was engaged in practice alone. Few men have won higher place at the Illinois bar; none have ever stood higher in the esteem of their fellows. Ilis abilities were rare and his association with other eminent members of the bar made him a familiar figure in the courts of his locality, where his absolute integrity, his devotion to his profession and his high ideals of its ethics were never ques- tioned. He was ever to be found among the men who were planning for the promotion of the general welfare of the community, and his citizenship was rare. His connection with Re- publican politics made him accounted as one of the wheelhorses of his party in the section of the state in which he made his home, and after he had served for some time as a member of the Republican committee of the Eighth Sen- atorial District, embracing the counties of Lake, McHenry and Boone, was, November 4. 1884, elected State's attorney of MeHlenry County. Although he never made public pro- fession of Christianity, Mr. Young was a Chris- tian at heart, and his contributions to religious movements evidenced his wish to promote morality and probity. Personally a man of rare likability, his friendships were many and his loyalty to those who were taken into his confidence was absolute. At the time of his death Mr. Young was master in chancery of McHenry County. His last illness was severe and prolonged, yet he courageously continued to fulfil his duties, although, from the nature of his malady his suffering must have been in- tense. It was so in everything in his life-
his conception of duty overruled all else. His standing in Masonry was high, his connection including membership in Harvard Lodge No. 300, A. F. & A. M., Harvard Chapter No. 91, R. A. M., and Calvary Commandery No. 25 K. T. At his death the beautiful and impressive Knight Templar service was carried through, and interweut at Mt. Anburu was largely at- tended by the members of this fraternity, the pall-bearers being chosen from among Mr. Young's Masonic brethren. When he died, February 20, 1900, the whole city mourned for a man who had so aldy performed his part in the community's activities.
On February 21, 15SS, Mr. Young was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Gardner, daughter of Robert and Sarah (DaLee) Gardner, early pioneers of Mellenry County, Ill. Mr. Gardner came to this county from New York in 1840, and in 1847 returned to the Empire State and married Miss DaLee, bringing her to the little log cabin which he had prepared. Later a new home was built in Harvard, and here they spent the balance of their lives, Mr. Gardner passing away in 1877, and Mrs. Gardner sur- viving him until 190S. In 1856 Mr. Gardner was one of the first residents of Harvard, being prominent both as a business man and politi- cally, always working for the progress and im- provement of his town. When he came to Harvard he engaged in the lumber business and practically was interested in this business up to the time of his death. There were twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner of whom but five are now living. Besides the lot in Harvard on which they lived Mr. Gardner also owned a farm one-half mile from what subsequently became the town. It was in this old house in Harvard that Mrs. Young was both born and married. Mr. and Mrs. Young had one son: Robert Gardner, now located in Chi- cago with the Public Service Company. In 1908 Robert G. Young was graduated from Har- vard High School and at once entered Illinois T'niversity from which he was graduated in June, 1912.
EDWARD DUNN-ALLEN BLINN.
Edward Dunn-Allen Blinn was born at St. Johnsbury, Vt .. September 12. 1844. a son or Charles and Lefee ( Harrington) Blinn, the former a native of Canada, of English descent. After attending the schools of his native place until sixteen years old, Mr. Blinn went to Cinein-
nati, Ohio, and in 1864 began the study of law in the office of Kebler & Whitman, and later was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati. He remained with his preceptors for a short time and then. acting upon the advice of Mr. Whitman, located at Lincoln, Il. In January, 1869, he formed a
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partnership with Silas Beason, under the firm name of Reason & Blinn, which association con- tinued until 1882, when James T. Hoblit suc- corded Mr. Beason, and the name was changed to Blinn & Hoblit, so continuing for years. Subsequently Mr. Blinn associated himself with Thomas M. Harris, and they continued together until Mr. Harris was made circuit judge. Mr. Mint then became associated with W. A. Corey, and this connection was only severed by the death of Mr. Blinn, January 23d, 1913.
On January 1, 1869, Mr. Blinn married An- Bette 1 .. Yontsey of Cold Springs, Ky., a daugh- ter of John and Jauet (Boggs) Youtsey. Mr. atul Mrs. Blinn became the parents of three children: Eva B., who is Mrs. William K. Maxwell of Lincoln, Ill., has two children- Edward Creighton and William Keepers; An- nette, who is Mrs. Will C. Bates of Lincoln, Ill., has a daughter, Annette Lefee; Edward Dunn- Allen, Jr., who married Alma Haller of Lincoln, Ill., and also an adopted daughter, Edith, who is Mrs. William M. Young of Bloomington, IIl.
Mr. Blinn was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and belonged to the Hamilton Club of Chicago. He was a stanch Republican and for many years was looked to as the leader in na- tional, state and county politics in his county. He was chairman of the Logan County Repub- Hean Central Committee for a long time, and a few years prior to his death was a candidate for Supreme Justice in Illinois. Not often did he seek political offices during his career, but took great pleasure in helping those whom he liked to attain them. He enjoyed the warm personal regard of Senator Cullom, Governor Fifer and especially that of Governor Oglesby, who for years was a bosom friend.
As a lawyer Mr. Blinn enjoyed a state-wide reputation and never had an equal at the Logan County bar. He was considered one of the ablest corporation and criminal lawyers in the state and represented for years the Alton, Illinois Central and Vandalia Railroad compa- nies. Ile was a powerful, positive, masterful attorney, with a scientific mind, and intensely keen intellect. At cross examination his won- derful abilities were especially apparent and his arguments before a jury were almost al- ways unanswerable by his opponents. His high
ideas of honor, and his honesty and integrity in his practice, have ever been commented upon by his rival associates with admiration and respect. He never employed any form of sub- terfugo to win a case, but would stand up be- fore a jury and drive home to them the clear, cold facts of the law, with sledge hammer pre- cision. His success was due to his being a great student of the law, an analytical thinker, a man of dominant personality, and to his knowledge and use of the English language.
As a man Mr. Blinn's life stood for the very best there was in manhood, was honorable and fair minded, and was greatly esteemed by the entire community. That he did not have many personal friends was because he did not seek them; but those who enjoyed that pleasure were tied to him so closely by his love and companionship that they would have sacrificed anything rather than lose it. In his home life Mr. Blinn was best known; a great, kind, in- dulgent husband and father, who was idolized by his wife and children. In his later years his hearing was seriously impaired and a large portion of his idle hours was spent among his books. He was particularly well informed on the Bible, as the subject of religion and a Su- preme Being opened up to bis scientifie mind a field of unlimited research. His further recrea- tion was taken in farming and especially in raising cattle, and by the same close study he became an expert in the breeding and feeding of Short Horn Durham cattle, and many of these were shown at the International Live Stock Show, at Chicago, and were victorious in competition with the best herds in the United States and Canada.
Mr. Blinn's death was a great loss to the community, but a calamity to his family. His character and life will be enshrined forever in their memory, and they will impress upon their children and their children's children that this man of strong intellect and high mental achieve- ment, and high, honorable integrity was their ancestor; and that by taking his life as their guide and following in his footsteps, even for a short way, they will not have lived in vain, but will leave behind them, as he has done, "Footprints in the sands of time."
JOSEPH DUNCAN HUNTER.
As the demand for only sound banking insti- tutions increases and the value of such concerns to the community is being more and more appre-
ciated. the character of the men who administer their affairs receives closer attention, and when these have been proved ethicient and worthy,
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confidence in their financial institutions is in- creased. The influence of a sound, conserva- tive banking house is wide and its practical results far reaching. Without such an insti- tution in its midst, no community can hope to take its proper place among its sister com- munities, and to it will come no reliable out- side concerns. Therefore it may be truly said that the growth and development of any town or city depends largely upon the quality of its banks, and this means the sagacity and integ- rity of the men who stand at their head. The day has gone by when men carried their cur- rency in their pockets, and even carried on large transactions entirely by the interchange of actual money. In modern business the sys- tem of paying by checks has been generally adopted. busy men appreciating the value of the service rendered by banks, make invest- ments and pay bills through them. In this way mistakes. loss and annoyance are eliminated, and vast transactions are carried on expedi- tiously. One of the sound financial institutions of Illinois is the Citizens National Bank, of Paris, which benefitted for years under the wise, conservative and efficient executive administra- tion of the late Joseph Duncan Hunter. He was born in Hunter Township, Eilgar County, Ill., July 14, 1848, a son of Spencer and Amy ( Wil- liams) Hunter, of Scotch-Irish descent respect- ively. Spencer Hunter came to Illinois at a very early day and entered a section of land in Hunter Township, which was named for the Hunter family.
Joseph Duncan Hunter attended the country schools of his native township, and later a
seminary in Ladoga, Ind., and also a commer- cial college in Chicago. After returning home be interested himself in general farming, stock raising and dealing in stock until 1892, when he located at Paris, and from the start impressed his strong personality upon his neighbors. A Democrat in politics, he became a leader in that party, and in 1898 was elected county treasurer and served four years. He was largely instru- mental in securing the organization of the Citi- zens National Bank at Paris, of which he con- tinued president until his death July 18, 1900. He was a man of sterling honesty, unquestioned ability and high ideals. Possessed of energy. foresight and public spirit, he was variously interested in matters pertaining to Paris and Edgar County, so that his death was deeply felt over a wide section.
On October 1, 1874, Mr. Hunter married Miss Ella Groves, of Vermilion County, Ind., a daugh- ter of William C. and Emeline ( Bogart) Groves, natives of Tennessee. Mr. Groves was a farmer. Ile came to Indiana with his parents when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter became the par- ents of six children, namely : Collett S. ; Flor- ence, the wife of Frank D. Parker, of Shelby- ville, Ill .; W. E., teaching in Iowa; Callie, at home : and Maud and Blanch, both of whom are deceased. In religious faith Mr. Hunter was a Methodist, and was very sincere in his profes- sion, serving for several years as superintendent of a Sunday school connected with that denomi- nation. Faithful in every relation of life, he rose to an enviable position among his fellows, and dying left behind him an honored name.
JOHN A. STERLING.
John A. Sterling was born in Le Roy, McLean County, Ill., February 1, 1857. He is a graduate of the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloom- ington, which is his home. Ilere he made a fine reputation as a lawyer and pleader at the bar. He was elected to Congress from the Seventeenth Congressional District as a Repub- lican five times in succession, serving from 1903
to 1913, was defeated in 1912 and again chosen in 1914. He has acquired a very enviable repu- tation in Congress, having won the confidence of a very large proportion of the leading men of all political parties. He is a close student of national questions and is considered a trust- worthy representative of his constituents.
P. I. UNDERWOOD.
In studying the lives and character of promi- nent men it is but natural to demand the secret of their success and the motives that prompted their actions. Success comes after all to but few and careful study of the careers of those
who stand highest in public esteem proves that in nearly every case those who have been de- voting their lives to deep study of their special lines of business have gradually risen. Self- reliance, conscientiousness, energy and honesty,
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R. L. Underwood
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these are characteristics that appear to produce the best results. To these we may attribute much of the success that rewarded the efforts of P. L. Underwood. All honorable success must have a definite aim in life and a constancy of purpose which forces persistence in a given course regardless of difficulties. It is in busi- ness that the real nature of the man comes to the forefront, where he either displays a selfish cupidity or a thoughtful consideration of the rights and privileges of others. There is no better indication of a man's actual worth and character than is gathered from the expressed opinions of him made by his associates and colleagues. The salient features in the life of P. L. Underwood may be deduced from the fact that he was held in highest respect by all who were honored by his acquaintance. P. L. Underwood was one of the old-time provision men of Chicago who was for many years promi- nently identified with the packing interests of the city. A native of Massachusetts he was born in Harwich, that state, May 2, 1836, and was a son of Nathan and Rebecca (Bray) Un- derwood.
The father came from an old Massachusetts family and inherited many of the sturdy traits of character to be found in those people. He was born July 18, 1794, and was the eldest son of Rev. Nathan and Susannah (Lawrence) Un- derwood. By occupation he was a farmer, yet for many years served as a squire and exercised an excellent influence in the community. Rev. Underwood, grandfather of P. L. Underwood, was born in Lexington, Mass., August 3, 1753, and died in May, 1841. He married Susannah Lawrence, of Waltham, that State, and they reared a large family. This grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier who participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and was among the last to leave the contested field when the enemy took possession of the ground; was in continuous service with the Continental troops and was with Washington at the famous crossing of the Delaware. lle likewise participated in the bat- tles of Trenton and Princeton and after long service was honorably discharged, receiving later a pension as one of the surviving soldiers of the War for Independence. Afterward he continued his education and was graduated from Harvard College in 1758. He studied for the ministry and in 1792 was settled at Har- wich, Mass .. as pastor of the Congregational church, becoming one of the well-known clergy- men in that section of Massachusetts.
P. L. Underwood acquired his education at Harwich Academy in his native town, where his boyhood days were spent. When about sixteen years of age he went west, locating in Burling- ton, Iowa, where he entered the wholesale grocery and provision house of Thomas Hedge & Company, the senior partner being one of his relatives. This firm did an extensive business for that day, including the packing of provisions in the winter season. The fall of 1855 found a large stock of provisions on hand and Mr. Un- derwood was sent to Chicago to dispose of the surplus, the firm of Hedge & Underwood handling the business in this city. While not yet twenty- one years of age Mr. Underwood was able to understand and appreciate the great opportunity in business here and concluded to remain. The partnership with Mr. Hedge was dissolved and he became associated with Sawyer, Wallace & Company of New York, large commission deal- ers. Later the firm of Underwood. Wallace & Company was organized and still later that of Underwood & Company. The commission and packing firm of Underwood & Company con- tinued for some years and then dissolved. Mr. Underwood later devoted his time and attention to the packing business, having previously pur- chased a plant on Halsted Street, where he built up a business that he continued to develop under the style of Underwood & Company until the consolidation of this with the Omaha Packing Company. The business is still carried on under the name of the Omaha Packing Company and orcupies a foremost position among the enter- prises of similar character in the city.
Mr. Underwood was one of the pioneer mem- bers of the Chicago Board of Trade, joining that organization when a membership sold for as low as five dollars. He was a type of the old time business man who held to high ideals and mani- fested a most keen regard for an obligation. When he gave his word or made a promise it was sacred to him as if he had given his bond. Ile was kind-hearted and genial, actuated by a spirit of religious belief but was never sancti- monious. His religion was simply a part of his every day life and actuated him in his relations with his fellowmen. For a quarter of a cen- tury he was a trustee of Plymouth Congrega- tional Church. Firm in his convictions he held to what he considered right and while he might yield to argument, he was never a weakling. While a successful business man the accumula- tion of property or wealth was not his foremost object. He ranked among Chicago's representa-
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