USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
Beginning his business career at Rome, N. Y., in a mercantile establishment, he thus found work that was both congenial and profitable, he later establishing himself at Syracuse, Onon- daga County, N. Y. Returning to Rome, he and his brother Cyrus went into a mercantile busi- ness which they conducted successfully for a time, and then Mr. Hayden went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was manager of one of the de- partments of a large dry goods concern of that city. Leaving Milwaukee, he established him- self in a dry goods business at Winona, Minn., and still later came to Chicago, where he was associated with Hunt & Winslow, wholesale jobbers, with whom he remained until the fire of 1871. During that terrible period, the estab- lishment was utterly destroyed by fire, and Mr. Hayden then was with Lindeaur Bros. in a furnishing business until he formed his connec- tions with Kohn Bros., which continued until his death, he traveling for this firm over a wide territory.
On December 7, 1859, Mr. Hayden was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Glover of Wa-
terloo, Iowa, a daughter of James and Esther (Funderburg) Glover, natives of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Baltimore, Md., respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden had the following children : Charles E., who masrried Miss Mary Brodell, and May. Mr. Hayden belonged to the Epis- copal church, but Mirs. Hasden is a member of St. Paul's Universalist Church. Charles E. Hayden was born in Waterloo, Iowa, December 5, 1860, and is now Uving in St. Louis, Mo., where he is prominent in Masonic circles and has attained an enviable standing both as a citizen and a substantial and successful man of business. He is at the head of the Crucible Steel Foundry of St. Louis, and also has large real estate interests. Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Hayden have one daughter, Hazel Bell, who resides at home.
The death of Mr. Hayden occurred January 1, 1911. During his life he was very prominent in Masonry, and was kuown throughout the world as the author of "Hayden's Researches of Masonry." He was a member of Dearborn Lodge, No. 310, A. F. & A. M .; Winona Chapter No. 5, R. A. M .; a charter member of St. Ber- nard's Commandery No. 35, K. T., of Chicago; honorary member of Des Moines, Ia., Consistory No. 3; honorary member of Oriental Consistory of Chicago, and was crowned a Thirty-third de- gree Mason on April 20, 1866, at Washington, D. C. Mrs. Hayden survives her husband, and makes her home at the family residence, No. 444.1 Woodlawn avenue; Chicago. In reviewing the life of a man like Mr. Hayden, it is only necessary to say that he possessed a fine busi- ness sense that gained him a goodly share of this world's goods, and also a strict honesty of purpose and action combined with loyalty to his friends that makes for real manhood. In his death his immediate community suffered a great loss, his firm still miss his faithful serv- ices, and his family can never replace him. He lived up to his principles; he was a good man.
GEORGE MILTON MARSHALL.
In every community there are certain men whose forceful personality and enthusiastic convictions with regard to its future, dominate all avenues of progress, and make possible de- velopment and advancement. In many in- stances these representative men are at the head of banking institutions, for their knowl-
edge of human nature, their sound judgment and realization of true values, make them necessary to the conduct of such concerns. When such men are in charge of the finances of a community, it is sure to prosper, and its people live comfortably and securely, knowing that those more competent than they have their
€
1907
981
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
affairs in hand. Belvidere is specially fortunate for it not only has a sound, conservative and reputable banking house, but at its head is a man who is known all over the northern part of the state, a man in whom every trust is placed, and upon whose judgment many rely. The bank in question is the First National Bank of Belvidere, while ' its executive is George Milton Marshall, who is also associated with other interests in this city and elsewhere.
George Milton Marshall was born at Syca- more, Ill., October 18, 1861, a son of Thomas and Rachat (Siglin) Marshall, natives of Net- Unghamshire, England, and of Wilkesbarre, Pa., respectively. The father was educated in the jatrish schools of the Church of England in his native land, and remained there until he was eighteen years old, when he left for the United States, being followed later by his parents. He located first at St. Charles, Ill., but after a year, moved to Sycamore Township, Dekalb County, buying land there in 1853. He became the owner of 700 acres of land which he de- voted to general farming and stock raising until his retirement in 1006, at which time he located at Sycamore. He and his wife are still living In that city, being now aged respectively eighty- one and eighty years. For years he has been one of the leading Republicans, politically, and Methodists, religiously, that the county pos- sesses. On the maternal side of the house there were five sons, and three of them served as soldiers in the Civil war. Jacob Siglin, the old- est son, became a prominent attorney of Marsh- field, Ore., and was Adjutant General of the G. A. R. at the time of his death in 1895.
George Milton Marshall grew up on his fa- ther's homestead where he was born, and at- tended the country schools, and also spent two years in the Sycamore High school. In 1880 he was graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College of Chicago. Following this he was in the employ of Marshall Field & Co.'s whole- sale house for one year. He then returned to the homestead and there remained until 1886. In that year he began farming on another rural property owned by his father, operating it for five years, during which time he also bought and sold grain and live stock at Charter Grove, Ill. Attracted by the opportunities at Belvi- dere, Mr. Marshall moved here in 1891 and embarked in a grain and coal business with M. G. Leonard, which association continued until 1893, when a brother, Taylor Z. Marshall,
purchased the interest of Mr. Leonard, since which time the firm has been Marshall Brothers. For fifteen years the brothers han- dled grain and coa !. then began feeding sheep. and finding it more profitable, they now confine themselves to this industry, although addition- ally they own and bundle considerable real estate. Mr. Marshall's connection with the First National Bank of Belvidere began with his election as one of its directors in 1903, aml in 1906 he was placed at its head, and has con- tinged its executive ever since. He was made president of the school board in 1902, and served as such for seven years, and was again elected to the same office in 1914.
On February 3, 1856, Mr. Marshall was mar- ried to Miss Susan Cottrell of Sycamore, Ill., a daughter of Norman and Mary ( Palmer) Cot- trell. Mr. Cottrell came to DeKalb County, III .. from Chautauqua County, N. Y., and was a farmer and stock raiser until his retirement in the early nineties, at which time he located at Sycamore, where both he and his wife passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have had the following children : Florence, who died in 1908, at the age of twenty-one, while attending the University of Wisconsin; Gilbert, who spent two years at the University of Wisconsin, is now at home and has charge of his father's sheep and land interests; and Thomas. the younger son, is now attending school at the same university, being now a freshman and will specialize in law.
Mr. Marshall is a Republican, born and bred. In religious faith, he is a Methodist. His grandfather, William Marshall, was one of the early Wesleyan Methodists in England, who came to the United States in 1853, and lived until his death. which took place in 1870, at the home of his son, Thomas Marshall, at Syca- more. George Milton Marshall is a Mason, belonging to Belvidere Lodge, No. 60, A. F. & A. M., and Kistwanker Chapter No. 90, R. A. M. He is a member of the Chicago Transporta- tion Association of Chicago, which is composed exclusively of transportation men. He belongs to the Belvidere Automobile and the Belvidere Commercial clubs, and is also a member of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce. A man of wide interests and broad experience, Mr. Marshall has won his right to be considered one of the leading men of his section, and lives up to his reputation in his every day life and actions.
982
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
AMOS CHURCHILL.
Coming to Chicago in 1573, the late Amos Churchill so well directed his activities and talents that he made a recognized position for himself among the business men of the Illi- nois metropolis, while in the discharge of his duties as a citizen he was so capable and public- spirited that he was eminently worthy of the high esteem in which he was universally beld. In no period of recorded history has there been ' a time when the caring for the dead has not been a feature of the life of mankind and the ceremonies have been of a character that has been marked by the measure of civilization. The student of the customs and habits of na- tions finds that a reverence has been paid to the dead oftentimes such as has not been given to the living. In late years the proper, digni- fied, sanitary conduct of funeral obsequies and disposal of the remains of those whose life- work has ended has been so developed as to be placed upon an equal standing with the learned professions. Until his retirement Mr. Churchill was known as one of Chicago's leading under- takers, and brought to his vocation a rare tact and excellent judgment.
Amos Churchill was born at Newbury, Ohio, July 25, 1837, and was a son of Albert and Anna (Fosdick) Churchill, also natives of the Buckeye state. About 1843 the Churchill fain- ily came to Illinois, establishing their home near Woodstock, in McHenry County, where the father engaged in farming and stock rais- ing, and continued to reside in that locality for a number of years. They were among the pioneers of that part of the state, and were intelligent, earnest and honest people, who were ever ready to do their part in the world's work for civilization and progress. In their later years the parents moved to Iowa, and there both passed away. Amos Churchill was but six years of age when the family came to Illi- nois. In those days educational facilities in the new western states were limited in scope, schools usually keeping open for about three months of the year. Of such advantages young Churchill availed himself to the utmost. and while experience was his principal teacher, his ohservant eye and retentive mind made him a well-posted man on all matters of importance. While still in his junior years he entered the employ of Thomas Hunt, and under his instruc- tion learned the trade of brick-making. He displayed such efficiency and true worthiness
that at the age of seventeen years he was made foreman of the business and had super- vision over a number of employes. He always believed if anything was worth doing at all it was worth doing well, and he was very thor- ough in anything that he undertook, forming his plans carefully and executing them with dispatch and decision. He engaged in the brick manufacturing business for a number of years, his last connection with that line being at Centralia, Ill.
During the period of the Civil war Mr. Churchill offered his services to the Govern- ment in 1565, enlisting as a member of Com- pany K, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, principally in Tennessee, and was mustered out of the service with a clear record, September 25, 1505. He afterward purchased property in Woodstock, where he conducted a livery stable for a few years, and while thus engaged made the purchase and sale of horses a feature of his business, having always been interested in animals. In 1873 he came to Chicago, establishing himself at the corner of Halsted street and Milwaukee avenue, in the undertaking and livery business, which he conducted in connection with a part- ner for several years. In 1884 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Churchill erected a place of business at what is now Nos. 512 and 514 North Green street, carrying on the business at that place until he sold out and retired, about fourteen years prior to his death. He became one of the best known men in his spe- cial line in the city, and always conducted his affairs in a reliable manner. By reason of his thrift and capable management he was enabled to invest from time to time in real estate, and had accumulated considerable prop- erty, owning at the time of his death twenty houses and lots, which, according to his plans, were given to his nephews and nieces.
On July 4, 1862, Mr. Churchill was married to Mrs. Mahala (Clark) Stevens, a native of Yates County, N. Y., and a daughter of Elijah M. and Amaretta (Sutfin) Clark, who became residents of Kane County, Ill., in 1844, settling near Elgin. Later they moved to that city and there their last days were spent. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill had no children. Mrs. Churchill maintains a pleasant home at No. 32 South Sacramento Boulevard, Chicago, and
983
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
owns considerable property in the block, is well known in social circles of the West Side, and takes an active and helpful part in social and charitable work. Although now in her seventy- sixth year, she retains full possession of her mental and physical abilities, and in addition to her social graces is recognized as a business woman of far more than ordinary ability.
Mr. Churchill was a prominent Mason, at- taining to the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and also becoming a member of Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He like- wise held membership in the Knights of Py- thias and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and both he and his wife were life mem-
bers of Lady Washington Chapter of the East- ern Star, No. 28. He maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Ilis friends in the Seventeenth Ward, appreciative of his worth and ability, many times urged him to become a candidate for alderman, but he always declined the prof- fered honor, preferring to devote his time en- tirely to his business. His death, which oc- curred February 25, 1010, removed from Chi- cago a business man who had been true to every obligation, and who left behind him a record for public-spirited citizenship, moral probity and loyalty to friendships.
JOHN S. WOLFE.
High on the roster of Champaign County's most distinguished citizens appears the name of Col. John S. Wolfe, for years one of the most brilliant and astute attorneys practicing before the Champaign bar, an orator whose tal- ents had gained for him state-wide reputation, and a man who was universally respected and beloved. A resident of the city for more than half a century, his personality was indelibly Impressed upon the home of his adoption, and his loss created a vacancy which would be far from easy to fill.
Colonel Wolfe was born in Morgan County, Ill., September 21, 1833, and was a son of George and Mary (Simms) Wolfe, natives, re- spectively, of Greenbrier County, Virginia, and Spartansburg, S. C. He was of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Henry Wolfe, having served in the war for American independence. The family moved in 1839 to Macoupin County, Ill., where John S. Wolfe grew to manhood on a farm, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. His early edu- cation was secured in the log schoolhouse with his desk consisting of a slab of wood, in the vi- cinity of his home, and even then he began to lay plans to enter upon a professional career. With this end in view, he patiently spent two years in breaking the prairie with a team of oxen, thus securing the necessary funds with which to accomplish his ambition. In 1857 he entered the law office of John M. Palmer (who later became governor of Illinois), at Carlin- ville, and two years later the young man was admitted to the bar, succeeding which he en- tered into a professional partnership with Col. J. W. Langley, who had been admitted to the
bar the same year and at the same time. One year later they removed to Champaign, and, with the exception of the time that he spent in the Civil war, and from 1864 until 1867, when he was living in Chicago, this city continued to be Colonel Wolfe's home until his death.
On May 15, 1862. Colonel Wolfe was married to Miss Celestia A. Young, of Lorain County, Ohio. Although Colonel Wolfe had no chil- dren, his home life was beautiful, and the half century that marked the period of his married life was one of extreme happiness. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his fraternal connection was with Western Star Lodge. No. 240, A. F. & A. M., and Champaign Commandery, No. 68, K. T. A local newspaper, in a brief review of his career at the time of his death, said, in part: "His ca- reer as a lawyer was marked by a high sense of personal honor and a love of fair play. He was a successful practitioner, although it was a matter often commented upon that he would not take a false or compromising position in the hope of aiding a client. For thirty years he was local attorney for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and he was still senior local attorney at the time of his death. It was as an orator and lawyer that he and Mrs. Wolfe de- sired that his career should be made. If he had one wish greater than another, it was to be a success at the bar. He loved his work as a lawyer and threw his whole soul into it."
Colonel Wolfe won his title on Southern bat- tlefields, and his military record has ever been a source of great pride to the people of Cham- paign, although his modesty forbade him to often speak of the part he took in upholding
984
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
1
the Union. It has been stated that he was the first man in Champaign to enlist in the volun- teer service. When the first call came for vol- unteers, a mass meeting was held in a hall in the city, and Colonel Wolfe, even then a speaker of prominence, encouraged the men to enlist in the defense of the flag, writing his own name at the head of the list of volunteers. The com- pany was subsequently formed and Colone! Wolfe made its captain. It was attached to the Twentieth regiment, which had a long and valiant service. Colonel Wolfe, however, after the company had been out a year, came home on a leave of absence, but. subsequently re- enlisted and was elected colonel of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. Mustered in at Mattoon, this regiment served about six months, its operations being confined to the state of Missouri, suppress- ing so-called "non-combatants." Colonel Wolfe never desired political honors, and frequently declined offers for such positions, In 1875 or 1876, when his partner, Colonel Langley, became county judge, Colonel Wolfe associated himself with Manford Savage, but this partnership was dissolved a few years later. On January 1, 1902, the law partnership of Wolfe & Mulliken was formed, with A. D. Mulliken as the junior partner, and this connection was severed only by the death of Colonel Wolfe, which occurred on Thursday, June 23, 1904. On the following Sunday he was laid at rest in Mount Hope, being buried by his Masonic brethren. The funeral was one of the largest the city has known, and the numerous artistic and beautiful floral offerings testified to the love and venera- tion in which was held this man "who knew no race nor creed, who had naught but friend." That the death of Colonel Wolfe was consid- ered a loss to the city of his adoption may be gathered from an editorial in one of the local newspapers, which said, in part, as follows:
"In sorrowful performance of sad duty, we come now to put on paper a respectful word of remembrance in regard to a noble soul whose life was open before this community for more than a generation. An eloquent pen might
fitly engage itself with the virtues and beautiful traits of John S. Wolfe. In whatever aspect we consider him he was a mon of extraordinary qualities. As Thomas Carlyle says of John Sterling, 'he was a man of infinite susceptivity, who caught everywhere. more than others, the color of the element be lived in, the infection of all that was or appeared honorable, beautiful or manful in the tendencies of his time.' His disposition was so sweet, his soul so poetic, that it is ditheult to speak adequately of him to those who did not know him intimately. Yet no man was easier to know. Ilis heart opened Intuitively to every human being who had a word to say in sincerity and truth. To all such he was a wise counsellor and friend. He did not cover himself from his friends by a shrewd reserve, buit took them into his heart and showed then the most sacred things it contained. To be or terms of intimacy with him was to be in- spired with everything pure, beautiful and maniy. He was incapable of meanness. Though most of his adult years had been devoted to the law, he was especially a lover of pure liter- ature and discussed it with rare intelligence. Even in the literature of the law he found great beauty, and the slow and hard processes by which the rights of men have been brought to a system of reasonable and rational adjustment appealed to him as one of the marvelous achieve- ments of the ages. It is good for any people to have known such a man, 'a brilliant human presence, distinguishable, honorable and lovable amid the dim populations.' May heaven give great peace to this noble soul that never will- ingly broke peace on earth."
By the Champaign board of education one of the public schools of the city has been given the name of the "Colonel Wolfe" school. Mrs. Wolfe is about to erect a parish house for the Methodist church of Champaign, to adjoin the present church edifice. It will be known as "The Celestia Wolfe Memorial." In expressing sincere appreciation of the gift, the church has said the parish house will he "to us a blessing. and to all ages a voice that will speak of a faithful woman's love for the church."
HARRY L. JONES.
The character of the men of a community may be correctly gauged by the standing of its business houses whose growth has been stint- lated by intelligent and progressive methods, or held back for lack of proper development.
No town or city can reach its highest standard unless its men in all lines co-operate to give an honest service for value received. Such men can be counted upon to promulgate and support worthy measures looking towards se-
مراسلات
الوط مـ
985
· HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
curing for their community solid improvements, and the bringing into it sound business houses that will add to its prosperity. These men are to be found actively engaged in church labors; they give a solidity to commercial organizations, and when the need arises, contribute liberally towards charities. In their home relations these tuen sustain the highest of characters, and be- cause they recognize the value of careful edu- cational training for the young, provide excel- lent schools. Judging from all these stand- ards, Paris, IN., is and has been the home of many such men from its organization, and no one has ever stood higher in deserved publie approval than the late Harry L. Jones, whose association with the mercantile trade of his county, brought him into intimate relations with the people of Paris and contiguous terri- tory.
Harry L. Jones was born at Paris. Ill., Janu- ary 20, 1869, and died at Chicago, May 20, 1913, when aged forty-four years three months anti twenty-two days. He was a son of J. C. and Mary L. Jones, the former having been one of the pioneer dry goods merchants of Paris, and a man of sterling traits of character. Harry 1 .. Jones was educated in the public schools of his native place, leaving the high school while in his junior year to become a commercial trav- dler for Mills & Gibbs, wholesale dry goods merchants of Indianapolis, Ind. During the two years he remained with this concern, Mr. Jones acquired a sound knowledge of the dry goods business, and only left it to become a partner in his father's business, under the title of J. C. Jones & Son. Although then bat twenty- one years old, the young man displayed such capabilities, that his father placed him in charge of affairs, and upon the latter's death, the junior partner took over the business which he successfully operated until his own demise. When he became sole proprietor, he removed the business to larger and more advantageous quarters, and expanded it until it became the
leading dry goods establishment in the county. A fur sighted nian, Mr Jones bought carefully and advisedly, and was able to offer his cus- tomers goods of superior quality at reasonable prices, while his methods and service were of such a character as to commend him and his house to the consideration of all. The watch- word of Mr. Jones' operations was etliciency, and he took pride in rendering a service that was as vearly perfect as it was possible to make it. While a successful man himself, Mr. Jones' car was never deaf to the appeal of those less fortunate, and he gave generously, not only of bis treats but his influence as well. For many years Mr. Jones was a potent factor in the Christian church at Paris, and its succes- sive pastors had no hesitaney in calling upon Mr. Jones for aid in forwarding the work of the organization of which he was so consistent a member. He belonged to the local order of Elks and was held in the highest esteem by his fellow members. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Jones was a director of the Edgar County National Bank, and his connection with that institution gave it added solidity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.