USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 37
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The education of John Fitz Randolph was secured in the public schools of Joshua Town- ship, to which locality he had been brought as a lad by his parents, and there first met, as a schoolmate, the lady who in later years became his wife. At a subsequent period he supple- mented his early training by attendance. at Lombard University. Galesburg, Ill. He was about twenty-two years of age when he secured,
by purchase, his first 160 acres of land, this property being located in Canton Township, where he continued to carry on general farm- ing operations until within about three years of his death. Through the exercise of industry, thrift and good management, he became one of the most extensive of Fulton County's land holders, his farms in this county comprising some 600 acres, while he also owned 1,700 acres in Kansas and 160 acres in Nebraska, part of which is included in his estate, and several properties in the city of Canton. There he erected a number of buildings, including the Randolph block, the building occupied by Lea- man's Laundry, the Pacific House and the Randolph residence on Chestnut street. He also owned an interest in the Joplin lead mines.
Mr. Randolph's marriage occurred February 14, 1850, when he was united with Louisa Haver- male, who was born twelve miles from Dayton, in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 3, 1836, a daughter of Peter and Maria Havermale, natives of Maryland. To this union there was born the following children : Flora, who became the wife of Alba Page, is a resident of the state of Washington; Thurston, who married May McDonald, has one child, Jessie; Viola. who became the wife of George Miller, of Fulton County, has three children, Bertha. Harry, and George; Orpba, who died when aged one and one-half years; Artie, a resident of Kansas, who married (first) Alberta Reichard, had one daughter, Ruth, and married (second) Marie Powers, has two children, John F. and Carl F .; and John F., who married Pearl Divilbiss, re- sides on the old homestead farm, has two sons, Keith and Ralph.
In his political views, Mr. Randolph was a Populist and Greenbacker, but he did not as- pire to public position, although for some years he served as school director and at all times faithfully performed the duties of citizenship. Hle was connected with the Grange, and his re- ligious belief was that of the Swedenborgian church, in the faith of which he passed away June 6, 1905. The influence of his forceful per- sonality has continued to be felt even after his death, while he is held in kindly remembrance
R.F. Cummings
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by the many who knew and appreciated his many admirable qualities. Mrs. Randolph still survives her husband, and is prominent in the
church and social life of the community of which she has been a resident for such a long period.
ROBERT FOWLER CUMMINGS.
It has been the fortune of certain men to have so impressed their personalities and activities upon the communities in which their labors bave found a receptive field that their influence and prestige continue to be an asset even when ibe authors of these qualities have been removed from the scene of their life's work. To achieve success in the strenuous competition of the present-day marts of trade and commerce, and particularly in a community which has no lack of men of stalwart ability, calls forth the su- preme efforts of the most capable of individuals ; to combine with these efforts a helpint influ- ence in the cause of good citizenship, morality and the higher ethics of life, demands qualifica- tions which few individuals possess. Sucess, as the world views its achievements, is rarely granted. The gaining of material things, and the possession of the momentary position which they give, may place oue upon a certain podes- tal, but the mere attainment of means does not spell success as it should be written to insure a la sting monument ; this may be securely built only upon the foundation stones of constant fidelity to trust, immaculate probity of life and a sincere and conscientious performance of the duties and responsibilities which man is called upon to discharge.
The late Robert Fowler Cummings combined in rare degree, in his business qualifications and his standards of life, those characteristics which make for success in its truest and best form. Hle achieved a name and position in the business world that few men of his time and locality have gained; with honor and without animosity he fought his way through the su- preme contests of commercial transactions in which only the fittest survive; it was his re- ward to place his name beyond and above eriti- cism; straightforward and high business con- duct insured him that. But better, there will ever be connected with his name a record for sterling and high-minded citizenship and per- sonal integrity in the avenues of life which rarely run parallel to the highways of business performance.
Robert Fowler Cummings was born at North Oxford, Mass., June 17, 184S. the only son of Abel B. and Emily (Fowler) Cummings. He
was five years of age when his parents came to Ilinois, and his rudimentary education was seepred in the public schools of Wenona and La Salle, this being supplemented by attendance at Lake Forest Academy, and also by instruc- Lion front his father, who had been an educator at Granville, Ill. His entrance into business was under excellent preceptorship, for while still a youth he was associated with the firms of B. Fowler and E. S. Fowler & Company, the gentlemen in each firm being his uncles. With the former firm he worked for one year on the Chicago Board of Trade, and in 1870 acquired a one-third Interest in the drygoods establish- nent of E. S. Fowler & Company at Wenona. Ill., where he continued to be engaged in mer- chandising until IS;7. In August of that year the firm sold out and Mr. Cummings, now a full-fledged business man, removed to Clifton, Iroquois County, Ill., where he established him- self in a modest way in a grain and coal enter- prise. Energy, high business standards and pro- gressive spirit combined to develop this venture into large proportions and he eventually became the owner of elevators at Clifton, Gilman. Chebanse, Irwin, Martinton, Papineau, Pittwood and St. Anne, all in Iroquois County, Ill., and Otto, in Kankakee County, Ill., with a total storage capacity of 1.000,000 bushels, while he also conducted a retail coal business at each elevator. In 1903 the business was incorporated under the firm name of The R. F. Cummings Grain Company with Mr. Cummings as presi- dent. The firm was capitalized for $90,000, Mr. Cummings owning $85,000 of this stock. Mr. Cummings continued as the executive head of the R. F. Cummings Grain Company until the time of his death, and had numerous other holdings, which included 3,500 acres of fine land in Illi- nois and 2,500 acres in Iowa, the vice-presidency of the Hyde Park State Bank of Chicago, a general grain business on the Chicago Board of Trade, a private banking buisness at Clifton, and directorships in the Grain Dealers National Fire Insurance Company of Indianapolis, the First Trust and Savings Bank of Watseka, Iroquois County, Ill., and the Martinton State Bank of Martinton. "Mr. Cummings," reads an article written at the time of his demise, "went beyond
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the requirements of fairness and displayed a consideration for others that enabled many a man to secure his own home and become well provided for in life. He possessed keen discern- ment and the power of readily judging men and motives."
In 189S Mr. Cummings removed to Chicago with his family and located at No. 3135 Dor- chester avenue, Hyde Park. The same qualities which had won him standing and friendships at Clifton soon attracted to him a wide circle of friends, both in business and social circles, and when his death occurred suddenly, Decem- ber 31, 1914, there were left scores in his new locality to mourn his loss. His funeral, at Clif- ton, was more largely attended than any similar event in the history of the city.
It is rare that one finds in the struggle of present-day life for supremacy in business, an individual who combines ability in commercial transactions with a love for the aesthetic. Mr. Cummings was such a man. He was blessed with an appreciation of the beautiful in nature and art. Because of his donation in collections from the Philippine Islands, he was made one of the five honorary members of the Field Colum- bian Museum of Chicago, and was a life member of the Art Institute of Chicago and of the Chi- cago Geographical Society. His various social connections included a life membership in the Hamilton Club of Chicago. Although not a poli- tician, he regarded public service as a stern re-
sponsibility, and when called upon to serve as mayor of Clifton did so cheerfully and conscien- tiously, and with such ability that he was re- tained in that office for ten years, Clifton has known no better chief executive, both from a business and civic standpoint. He always voted with the Republican party.
Mr. Cummings was married at Onarga, Iro- quois County, Ill., July 6, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Marston, who survives him, and to this union there were born six children. namely: Lenore; Marion, who is the wife of Ralph C. Stevens, of Glen Ridge, N. J .; Florence, who is the wife of Thomas J. Hair, of Chicago; Irene, whose death occurred in the Iroquois Theatre fire which oc- curred December 30, 1903; Benjamin, who died in infancy ; and Marston, who is at home.
In his eulogy of Mr. Cummings, at the funeral services, Rev. W. B. Milne, who was in charge, stated very aptly the sentiment of scores of friends when he said: "The present generation may not know so well-may not remember so long-but the fathers and the generation whose memory goes back to days of distress will never forget that Mr. Cummings stood by them and back of them to their eventual advantage when it meant little to him except that their burdens were transferred from their shoulders to his. They will never forget."
Truly, that man has helpfully lived and has builded for himself a lasting monument, of whom it may be said : "They will never forget."
JOHN W. VINSON.
The high rewards that are attainable in char- acter and influence through a life of industry and probity, guided and regulated by a sense of Christian obligation, are illustrated in the career of John W. Vinson, for many years special agent and adjuster of the Traders' In- surance Company of Chicago, but later an in- dependent insurance adjuster of Jerseyville. Possessed with more than ordinary faculty, he entered into his life work and has never failed to carry out the obligations laid upon his will- ing shoulders and to follow up opportunities that opened before him with steadiness and industry, gaining step by step the rare fruits of well directed enterprise, until he found himself the occupant of a position second to none in his special line.
John W. Vinson was born April 22, 1539, in what is now Jersey County, Il., but was then Included in Greene County, a son of John L.
and Katherine (Spangle) Vinson. both natives of Sciota County, Ohio, where the father was born in 1$10, his parents having come to that locality from Pennsylvania. The mother was born in 1814, and came of German parentage. They were married in September, 1832, and in 1538 came to Illinois. The trip was saddened by the death of a daughter which occurred while they were on the Ohio River, and her little body was interred at New Albany before the journey was resumed. They came to Alton by the river and located four miles south of what is now Jerseyville, but later went to the western part of the county near Otterville where the mother died in 1854, and the family home was broken up.
After the death of his mother John W. Vinson was thrown upon his own resources for a living. Realizing the necessity for an education, his opportunities for securing same having been
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limited, he attended school whenever possible, and was so apt a pupil that when only sixteen years old he secured a first grade teacher's cer- tificate. From then on for the next nine years he alternated teaching with studying, attend- ing Shurtleff College at Upper Alton during his vacation months. In 1865 Mr. Vinson entered upon a business career as manager of the Jer- seyville Flouring Mills and retained this posi- tion for twelve years, rendering efficient service in this capacity. In the meanwhile appreciating the value of insurance, he became local agent for several companies, but in 1884, became spe- cial agent and adjuster for the Lancashire In- surance Company, continuing his relations with this concern until 1892. In the latter year he went with the Traders' Insurance Company of Chicago as special agent and adjuster through- out Missouri and Illinois. Still later he branched out as an independent adjuster and his success has justified his action. His knowledge of in- surance and insurance laws is wide and inti- mate and his long association with this field of endeavor has specially fitted him for that work.
Mr. Vinson was united in marriage on Sep- tember 12, 1561, to Miss Mary L. Start:weather, who came of an old Vermont family. Mr. and Mrs. Vinson became the parents of six daugh- ters, four of whom are now living, namely : Lula V. Patton, now a widow; Maude S., who is the wife of W. A. Alderson, a prominent at- torney, now residing in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Leora, who is the wife of George D. Pogue, em- ployed in the Fulton Iron Works of St. Louis, Mo., resides in St. Louis; and Ruth O., who is the wife of B. F. Staton, a real estate man, re- sides in Huntington, W. Va. Those deceased are: Anna, who died when twenty years old ; and Maty, who died in childhood. On Septem- ber 12, 1911, Mr. and Mrs. Vinson celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary, which was attended by three of their daughters, besides numerous other relatives and friends. Their marriage in 1861 occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Zimmermann in Springfield, Ill., where the bride was then making her home, Mrs. Zimmerman being her aunt. Rev. Albert Hale, D. D., then and for twenty-six years pas-
tor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield, was the officiating clergyman. This venerable pastor then and for many years after- wards, took great pride in alluding to the fact that of the many couples he had married all of them had always lived happily together. This fact was alluded to at the Golden Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Vinson, when it was declared by the friends then present that the truth of Rev. Hale's statement was verified so far as it ap- Plied to Mr. and Mrs. Vinson, whose guests they then were.
Mr. Vinson has always been a strong sup- porter of the Republican party, has repeatedly been elected a member of the board of educa- tion of Jerseyville, serving in all twenty years as such, giving to the board the benefit of his years of experience as an instructor as well as his matured ability as a man. It is largely due to his influence and efforts that the public school system has been advanced to its present etli- ciency in Jerseyville. For nearly a half century Mr. Vinson has been an enthusiastic Mason. For about as many years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church in which for a long period he has been an older. His interest in historical matters has always been deep and sincere and through him the Jersey County Historical Society has accomplished some very valuable work, be now being its secretary. The life of such a man points its own moral and teaches its own lesson. He had no inherited wealth to help him along, but was forced to labor hard for everything he obtained from life, even an education. Notwithstanding his many drawbacks in early life he forged ahead and has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished. A man of kindly disposition, he has ever been a friend of the poor and needy, and willing in a material way as far as able and by advise, to aid those less fortunate than himself. Both Church and State have been his beneficiaries. Many of his friends and business associates, who have been consulted, join in declaring that nothing stated in this article over-praised their distinguished fellow towns- man, for he is deserving of all possible credit.
SWAN NELSON SWAN.
One of the most conspicuous features of American life is the operation here of immense manufacturing plants producing articles that cannot be classed among the necessities of life,
but are certainly designed to give pleasure and add refinement and culture to every home. With the manufacturing and placing upon the market at a reasonable price, of high grade
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planos, came a wonderful increase in musical development, and at the same time there came about a centering of interests in the home where a piano would afford amusement hith- erto sought elsewhere. The development of this industry was the result of earnest, painstaking, far-seeing effort on the part of the men engaged in this line of endeavor, and the situation today presents many interesting facts, as do the rec- ords of the lives of the men whose names are associated with the history of the piano manu- facturing of the country. One of the men now deceased, who for years devoted himself to perfecting the operations of the concern of which he was the capable executive head, Swan Nelson Swan, was a man whose work and charities will never be forgotten. His house, the S. N. Swan & Sons manufacturing plant, stands in evidence of what he accomplished as a business man, but his many deeds of kindly charity live in the hearts of those who bene- fitted by them, and his name is honored by all who knew him.
Swan Nelson Swan was a native of the far north country of Sweden, having been born at Gerds Kopinge, June 20, 1844, and was but fifteen years old when he left school to enter upon an apprenticeship to a cabinetmaker, and after five years, from 1859 to 1863. he spent a year as a pattern maker in a Christianstad foundry. Later he worked at Malmo as a pat- tern maker, and then entered a piano factory at the same place and there laid the founda- tions for his future line of work. For a short period he made furniture to order, prior to 1SGS, when he came to the United States, land- ing at New York. From that city he made his way to Princeton, Ill., arriving there with very little money, in fact was in debt, as he had borrowed funds to make the trip with his wife and infant daughter. Furthermore, he knew nothing of the English language, and for three weeks after his arrival at Princeton found it impossible to secure employment because of this lack, but was fortunate in having a friend there, a fellow countryman, who kept looking out for him to a certain extent. A resident of Princeton had in his employ a man of some experience, to do odd jobs, and this friend of Mr. Swan, knowing his ability, in- duced the employer to put both men on these jobs to see which one was the best workman. each one to work three days a week at $1.25. This was his beginning.
In the meanwhile Mr. Swan managed to pur- chase some bits of furniture for the new home, but because he had to send a portion of his small earnings back to Sweden to repay the loan made him for his passage, had practically no means with which to advance himself. In order to secure firewood, he grubbed out stumps on the days he was not employed. It is doubt- ful if he would have pulled through that ter- rible period of privation had it not been for his resourceful wife. Not only did she encour- age him with her good advice and cheerfulness, but she added to the scanty income by taking boarders, also by putting splint bottoms in chairs for a nearby store, and doing all kinds of odd jobs she could find. In every forward move Mr. Swan was finally able to make, his wife kept right by his side, and together they worked, saved and reared their family, and gave their children advantages which have made them people of culture and high attain- ments.
In 1870 Mr. Swan went to Mendota. Ill., to enter the employ of the Western Cottage Organ Company, and soon became recognized as one of the company's most capable men. With his savings, he invested in a farm in the vicinity of Princeton, Ill., and cultivated his land for a brief period. but later returned to Mendota, Ill., where he took contracts with his old con- cern for several departments. By August, 1SS7, he was in a position where he was able to invest quite heavily in stock of the Chicago Cottage Organ Company, that later became the Cable Piano Company, and purchased the Kingsbury piano. This association lasted until April. 1903, when Mr. Swan sokl his interest for $45.000, and became manager and super- intendent of the Burdett Organ factory of Freeport. Later he became sole owner of this concern, and reorganized it as S. N. Swan & Sons. At the time of Mr. Swan's death he was making the Swan piano, one of the finest and best instruments of its kind. The one called "The Art Style" was his favorite piano, and was always used for concerts and musicals and highly recommended by the most accomplished musicians. He was a great lover of music and enjoyed every minute at a concert or wherever music was played.
On June 22, 1866, Mr. Swan was married to Ingria Carlson, and they became the parents of the following children : Annie E .. David E., Gustave A., Mrs. Amanda Loomis, Mrs. Matilda
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Ecrane Premier
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Reinhardt, Mrs. Hulda Anderson and Mrs. Min- nie Clark. Two grandsons, II. Eugene Loomis, Jr., and Arthur Anderson, also survive Mr. Swan. For twenty years he was a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, but as that de- nomination had no representation at Freeport, he did not connect himself with any religious organization In that city. He was a Knight Tempdar Mason, and Freeport Commandery bud charge of the funeral services, which were very Impressive. The death of Mr. Swan voured November 18, 1914. Not only dil Freeport lose one of its most influential bass- he's miel, but Chicago a valued resident, as the family had maintained a home in that metropo- lis for some time previously.
In 1834, Mr. and Mrs. Swan and two of their
daughters, Tillie and Minnie, took a trip to Mr. Swan's old home in Sweden, and also vis- ited other parts of Europe. An interesting fea- ture of the trip was that on his birthday he passed the day in the same house in which he was born. The rise of Mr. Swan was remarka- ble. and yet it canwe through the earnest, pains- taking thrift and hard work of himself and wife. The lesson is apparent. What they accomplished, others can do it willing to endure hardships and self denial until luxuries are possible. While striving to advance his own Interests, MI. Swan never forgot others, and was a man of kitally impulses, whose example can be prontaily and honorably followed by those who come atter him.
EDWARD PRINCE.
There would be no consistency in calling this work a memorial to the lives and work of Ili- nois' most distinguished men unless the name of the late Col. Edward Prince was included in the list of those whose biographies are given. Not only was he a man of remarkable ability and loyal citizenship, but he won honors as a soldier and Is remembered as a publie benefactor of Quincy, where for years he was a forceful and successful attorney. Colonel Prince was born In West Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., De- cember S, 1832, and died in the city of Quincy Derriuber 5, 190S, full of years and honors. He was a son of David and Sophia ( Ellsworth) Prince, who brought their son Edward to Illi- nois when he was but six years old, so he was practically a product of the Prairie State. The family exodus from New York State to the new home, was made by way of canal boat and wagon, and settlement was made on a farm near Payson and grew up amid healthful rural surroundings. He was taught the principles of farming and also to value the homely virtues of honesty and industry, which were early in- culeated in him by his watchful parents.
An ambitious Jad, Edward Prince was ever anxious to improve himself, and his parents recognized this and sympathized with him, and so arranged that he entered when only fourteen years old, the preparatory department of the Illinois College and two years later the college Itself, from which he was graduated in 1852 with the degree of A. B. Immediately there- after he began the study of law with Williams
& Lawrence, leading attorneys of Quincy, and was admitted to the bar in 1:53. From then on to the outbreak of the Civil war Colonel Prince practiced his profession at Quincy. Then feel- ing that his country had need of him as a soldier he offered himself to Governor Yates, who appointed him captain and drill master of cavalry. In the fall of 1861 he was commis- sioned lieutenant colonel of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and was promoted to the coloneley for conspicuous bravery, receiving his honorable dis- charge in 1564. Including other engagements Colonel Prince participated in the battle of Corinth and the siege of Port Hudson, and his was the master mind that conceived and ex- eented what is known as the Grierson Raid. the successful termination of which aided materially in forwarding the Union cause. With the form- ation of the Grand Army of the Republic Colonel Prince became one of the most enthusiastic members of the local post, and he was also a Mason, and enjoyed his connections with both bodies.
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