USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 38
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
Returning to Quincy at the close of his mili- tary service Colonel Prince resumed his practice of law and then became interested in handling real estate, thus continuing until 1873. when he embarked upon an undertaking which, at the time, seemed almost too large for one man to successfully handle, but he proved capable and the present magnificent water works system of the city of Quincy is the result of his hereu- lean efforts. After he had accomplished what he had undertaken he sold his interest. Feeling
1002
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
then that he had earned leisure he retired, al- though he was always mindful of civic matters until his demise. At the close of the war he was offered the rank of General, but, not having bad that title while in active service, he felt that he was not entitled to it thereafter. In 1002 he received the degree of A. M. from Illinois College, Jacksonville. He was a mem- ber of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. Prince was a linguist, speaking French, German and Spanish fluently. He was also one of the foremost men in connection with the good roads movement.
On September 24, 1867. Colonel Prince was united in marriage with Miss Virginia. M. Ar- thur, who survives him. Mrs. Prince was born in St. Clair County, Ill., October 18, 1840, a daughter of James and Mary Jane ( Reed) Arthur. Mr. Arthur was born in the north of Ireland, while his wife came of good Virginia stock. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur came to Quincy in 1846, and there Mr. Arthur became one of the
city's most valued citizens and substantial busi- ness men. His death occurred in Quincy in 1809, when he was eighty-eight years old. Col- onel and Mrs. Prince became the parents of three children: Edward Arthur, who died in infancy ; Edith Prince, who married Bishop Nathaniel Seymour Thomas, of Wyoming; and Mary Prince, who married William Guy Noll, of Quincy, Colone! Prince was a brave soldier, a progressive business man. a citizen whose life was shaped by the sentiment of civic pride and actaated by motives of pure patriotism. He took a deep and abiding interest in every move- ment that had for its object the betterment of bis community, and possessing as he did a charm of manner that was indetinable, an in- tegrity that was inflexible, his capacity for winning and retaining friends was boundless. The passing away of such a man as Colonel Prince was a heavy blow to those whose priv- ilege it was to be in intimate association with him.
HENRY A. SHEPHARD.
The long and distinguished career of the Hon. Henry A. Shephard offers many indica- tions that real merit receives proper recognition from those who are anxious to benefit from any man's grasp of large affairs, for the associates of this truly great man of Jerseyville have successively honored him upon numerous occa- sions, and their confidence has never been mis- placed. Belonging to a family accustomed to handling important matters, Mr. Shephard early developed sagacity of an uncommon order, and turned his abilities into channels that led to public work for the masses. A financier of known and tested strength, Mr. Shephard gave to the management of the affairs of the offices he was called upon to fill the same consci- entious, conservative methods that won him dis- tinction as a banker, and the public benefited accordingly. His long and continuous service in behalf of the people of his community has been rewarded by his advance in popular esti- mation, and it is doubtful if any living man stands any higher with the people of Jersey
County than he. Mr. Shephard was born May 17, 1858, in the city he has so signally honored for so many years, a son of the late William Shephard and his wife, Ann M. (Gross) Shep- hard, written up at some length elsewhere in this work. Henry A. Shephard attended the excellent public schools of Jerseyville, where
he was prepared for Notre Dame University, from which he was graduated, and following this he took a business course in the Jones commercial college of St. Louis. Having thus fitted himself for the duties of practical life, he entered the bank of Bewman & Ware, suc- cessors to his father's banking firm of William Shephard & Co., and in 1853 assisted in reor- ganizing this bank as the J. A. Shephard & Co. Bank. He became cashier of the new institu- tion, and thus continued until 1800, when he accepted the same position when the bank was organized under the State laws as the State Bank of Jerseyville. Until July 16, 1912, he retained this responsible position, but then re- tired, after thirty years' experience as a banker, and connection with this same institution.
From the time he cast his first vote Mr. Shephard has been interested in politics, and was elected city treasurer in 1801, serving until 1893. In the latter year he was made chief executive of Jerseyville, and gave the people a sane, sound, businesslike administration that made him a logical candidate for re-election upon several occasions, he serving as mayor until 1901. During the Forty-sixth Assembly he was a member of the lower house, and served on a number of the important commit- tees, and in 1912 was re-elected. At one time his name was mentioned favorably as a candi-
1003
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
date for Congress, but he was not placed in nomination. Jerseyville has also benefited by his exertions as alderman for several terms, and owes many of its most popular improve- ments to his foresight and good management. Always active as a Democrat, Mr. Shephard has not confined his work to local issues, for he has often been a delegate to State conven- tions of his party, and during 1896 stumped the state, making speeches in favor of William Jennings Bryan.
In 1885 Mr. Shephard was united in mar- riage with Matilda Allen, daughter of Dr. A. B. Allen. Mrs. Shephard died in 1002. leaving
one son, William F., who for the past six years has been assistant cashier of the State Bank of Jerseyville. The family all belong to St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, and have been instrumental in promoting its gen- eral prosperity and forwarding its good work. Mr. Shephard has vigorously prosecuted what- ever work he undertook, and filled each day with duties well carried out. Always generous of his time and money, he has eagerly em- braced each opportunity as offered to better the conditions of his beloved city, and his patriotic and public spirited efforts have resulted in much good to all concerned.
WILLIAM SHEPHARD.
It is scarcely possible to give full credit to the life and work of great captains of industry while their memories are still green in the hearts of those with whom they were associ- ated. Future generations will correctly pass upon and render judgment as to the relative value of the operations of the men who brought about twentieth century progress and developed wild lands into thriving communities. One of . the men who for many years gave his best efforts towards a further expansion of rail- roads and the development of farm lands, oper- ating from Jerseyville, Ill., as a center, was the late William Shephard. financier and mag- nate, who probably did more than any other to advance the interests of his home city. Mr. Shephard was born at Markington, near Ripon. Yorkshire, England, August 19, 1816, and died at Jerseyville, August 12, 1875, while still in the midst of a busy, active life. When only sixteen years old, Mr. Shephard left his native place in company with his father, William Shep- hard, and the two landed in New York City in 1832, from whence they went to Trenton, N. J.
Although still a lad, the younger William Shephard had learned the shoe making trade, and employed his energies for a short period with work at his trade, but soon secured em- ployment on the Rariton canal in New Jersey, as a day laborer. Gaining an intimate knowl- edge of the work, he began contracting in a small way at Lancaster, Pa., and having a nat- ural aptitude for this line of business, began promoting railroad construction. So successful was he that in 1838, he came west to St. Louis to enter upon broader fields of endeavor. That same fall, he began operating as a contractor
on the central branch of the railroad, now included in the Big Four system, in Coles County, under the State Internal Improvement system. When he had completed this contract, he came to Jersey County, Ill., and began excavating a bluff preparatory to the building of a new road through Grafton. Owing to various complications, this work failed, and Mr. Shephard reverted to his old calling, operating a shoe store at Jerseyville until he could recover lost ground. In 1847, he opened a store at Grafton, and conducted it until 1852. when he returned to Jerseyville, and establishing a gen- eral store, conducted it for many years. That same year, he resumed his contracting, con- structing a railroad in Missouri, and was also engaged in the construction work of the Jack- sonville. St. Louis & Chicago Railroad. He built the Louisiana branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and the main line of the same road from Dwight to Streator, Ill.
In the meanwhile, be had become very promi- nent politically, and in 1866, was elected state senator from the district comprising Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Scott and Pike counties, on the Democratic ticket. So able did he prove himself as a legislator, that he was re-elected on the same ticket in 1870, but resigned in 1871, to take a large railroad contract that required all of his attention. Naturally he became in- terested also in financial matters, and was one of the organizers of the bank of Jerseyville that operated for many years as William Shephard & Son, but was sold in June, 1875, to Bowman & Ware, who conducted the bank under their name. The firm of J. A. Shephard & Co. was organized in 1883 and operated until 1800, when
1004
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
they consolidated with Bowman & Ware, and it became the State Bank of JJerseyville and has since been continued as such.
Notwithstanding his many and valuable in- terests, by that time, Mr. Shephard was always anxious to expand, and in 1871, in connection with Colonel J. A. Noble of Joliet, J. J. Mitchell of St. Louis and William Mitchell of Chicago, he began building 300 miles of road for the Houston & Great Northern Railroad through Texas, Mr. Shephard took personal care of the construction, and permitted nothing to be done without his supervision. He felt it necessary to have personal charge of the work as he had to use convict labor in carrying out his con- tracts. However, his efforts proved too great for his strength, and he was stricken with paralysis, and this ultimately caused his death. Mr. Shephard also operated extensively in farm lands, and never let an opportunity escape for proving his loyalty to Jerseyville. promoting many measures himself, looking towards the betterment of existing conditions,
In November, 1840, Mr. Shephard was united in marriage with Ann Maria Gross of Dauphin County, Pa., a daughter of Adam and Eliza- beth Gross. Mr. and Mrs. Shephard had the following family : Mary E., who is at home; William V., who died in February, 1875, aged thirty years, had been working on the Texas contract with his father; John A., who died July 3, 1912; Louisa C., who is at home; Fran- cis B., who died April 28, 1876, aged twenty- three years; Anna M., Heury A., and Flora L. are all at home; and Lelia T., who married
Gregory R. Smith, a druggist of Jerseyville, Ill., lives in this city.
John A. Shephard, who died at the age of sixty-five years, was the head of the banking house of J. A. Shephard & Co. of Jerseyville, until it was changed into the State Bank of Jerseyville, when he was made its vice-presi- dent, and so continued until his death. Mr. Shephard was prominent politically, serving as county treasurer for two terms and was a member of the lower house of the state assem- bly during the Fortieth and Forty-first sessions.
Francis B. Shephard was graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and Rensselaer Poly- technic Institute, and was within one week of completing his legal course when he died. He was a student at that time in the law depart- ment of the Washington University, and was a very brilliant young man. Like his brothers, he had been associated with his father in the Texas railroad contracts.
William Shephard was a devout Catholic and was active in the work in his parish. The first mass celebrated in Jerseyville, was held at his home. During the Civil war, he was instru- mental in protecting the community against the depredations of the bushwhackers, and espoused " the cause of the Union vigorously. During all his useful life. Mr. Shephard never allowed himself to be discouraged by adverse circum- stances. In fact. his characteristics were more strongly displayed under reverses than in pros- perity, and he not only accomplished a great work, but made a record as a man of large affairs, and broadminded opinions.
ALEXANDER J. JONES.
Written on the pages of Illinois' history, and enshrined in the memory of those who knew him, is the name of Alexander J. Jones, As a jour- nalist, lawyer and statesman, his modest deport- ment, his kindness of heart and true beneficence marked him as a gentleman, while his strong intellect, directed in the channels of law and statesmanship, gained him preeminence as one of the distinguished men of his state. Though some years have passed since the closing words in the life history of Alexander J. Jones were written, his influence bas not ceased to be a potent factor among those with whom he was associated. Mr. Jones was born on a farm in Sangamon County, Ill., July 11, 15CO. and Te- ceived his early literary training in the public
schools of that county. Ile came of Revolution- ary ancestry, tracing his descent directly from one who was an officer in the war for independ- ence. His parents were natives of Kentucky and belong to that great group of people that the "Blue Grass" state sent carly into Central Illinois. At the age of seventeen years, Alex- ander J. Jones entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, as a cadet midshipman, on the nomination of Congressman Springer. A year spent in naval training satisfied him that he would not care to devote his whole life to the sea and he resigned, but, as an experience, went as a seaman on a merchantman bound for Aus- tralla. While serving in this capacity in sailing around the world before the mast, he gained
Alex 8. Jones
الحية جــ مجمد معطوبة جيدوت طهى
1005
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
broad and valuable experience. Hle returned to Illinois in 1880, and spent the following year in teaching school. Afterward he passed two years in France and other European countries, during which time his natural talents developed in him an observing eye and receptive mind, and made him appreciative of all the experiences which came to him, while the natural refinement of his nature led to his selection of those things which were most worthy. From 1884 until 1856, in- clusive, he was employed successively on the New York Tribune, the Chicago Times and the Chicago Inter Ocean. His newspaper connec- tions greatly broadened his views of life and de- veloped that efficiency which enabled him later to cope with intricate problems of government. On abandoning the field of journalism he went to Washington, D. C., as clerk of the committee on claims, of the House of Representatives, and in 1SSS received from President Cleveland ap- pointment to the position of United States con- sul at Barranquilla, Colombia, South America. There he remained until the expiration of Presi- dent Cleveland's term of office. On returning to Illinois Mr. Jones once more entered the field of journalism as representative of the Chicago Times, and from 1889 until 1803 was manager of the Illinois Legislative Bureau of the Asso- ciated Press.
While holding the above position be began the study of law and at length retired entirely from the newspaper field to enter upon an active practice. Here again he found that every pre- vious experience of life counted in bis prepara- tion of his cases, enabling him to understand men and their motives, while his keen intellec- tual discernment was manifest in his correct application of legal principles to the points in litigation. All through his life Mr. Jones was deeply interested in the great political problems of the country and in November, 1594, was one of the few Ilinois Democrats elected to the state legislature, representing the Third Dis- triet. One of the Chicago papers said of him : "In the legislative sessions just closed Mr. Jones' ability as a lawyer and his long experience and familiarity with the rules of legislative bodies, made him an unusually active member. He was the author of the noted newspaper libel bill that passed the house early in the session and was especially active in securing the enactment of the arbitration bill, his bill being the one first to pass the house on this subject. His activity in arbitration and labor legislation generally has made him especially strong in labor circles."
His position on the drainage question and his deep interest in the subject enabled him to speak thereon with authority and in 1895 he was elected a trustee of the Sanitary District of Chicago, and at the close of a five-year term was reelected in 1900. The same year he was made president of the board and thus served for one year, continuing a member until November, 1005. When traveling abroad with his wife and family he studied the drainage systems of all the principal cities which they visited. In fact he went abroad several times in the interest of drainage and acquainted himself thoroughly with the far-famed sewerage system of Paris. His study of any question was always most compre- hensive and thorough and his unbiased way of looking at things made him reach a just and correct conclusion.
Mr. Jones was married July S, 1885, to Miss Agnes Chalmers, of Springfield, and by this union he became the father of four sons: Wil- liam Chalmers, Leslie Gordon, Alexander J. and Donald Armand.
Publie spirited and charitable, Mr. Jones al- ways found time for studying and fostering movements which aimed to improve the public weal. Unassuming in his manner, sincere in his friendship, steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right. it is but just praise to say of him that he ranked with the most capable of professional men and as a citizen he was honor- able and upright. His death, which occurred February 2, 1909, removed from Chicago one of this city's most worthy and dependable men.
While always active in public life his opinions constituting an important factor in shaping pub- lie thought and action, his interest centered in his home and he found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of his family. He loved his home; his wife and children were ever first in his thoughts; no other place could be made so attractive to him as his home. His life was consecrated to the altar of home, and this con- secration he never forgot. Mr. Jones studied deeply the great public questions of the day and found entertainment in books, music and travel and also in congenial companionship. His friends were many and entertained for him the warmest regard, for his life had reached up to the highest standards of manhood and citizen- ship. Besides a most attractive home in Chi- cago, Mr. Jones was the owner of a fine farm of 455 acres in Sangamon County and he was much interested in agricultural pursuits, finding pleas-
1006
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
ure in the development and management of his farm. He also enjoyed hunting and the various phases of outdoor life, and was a valued meill- ber of the Chicago Athletic Club. The standing of Mr. Jones in public regard is indicated in the resolutions passed at his death.
The following was introduced by the Hon. John J. Paulton in the House of Representatives of the Forty-Sixth General Assembly :
Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to re- move from this life the Honorable Alexander J. Jones of the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois, and
Whereas, the Honorable Alexander J. Jones was an honored and able member of the House of Representatives of the Thirty-Ninth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, and
Whereas, the Honorable Alexander J. Jones was a valuable and industrious member of the board of trustees of the Sanitary District of Chicago for many years and during a portion of said time was the president of said board, and
Whereas, by his death the State of Illinois has lost a conscientious, true and patriotic citi- zen, society a worthy member and his family a loving husband and father,
Therefore be it Resolved that the House of Representatives of the Forty-Sixth General As- sembly of the State of Illinois extend to the family and friends of the Honorable Alexander J. Jones its sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the loss of their kind relative and true friend, and be it further Resolved that this resolution be spread upon the journal of this house, that the clerk of the House be and he is hereby directed to transmit a suitably engrossed copy of the same to the family of the deceased and that as a further mark of respect this House do now adjourn. The resolution was unanimously adopted by a rising vote February 10, 1909.
On February 11. 1909, at a regular meeting of the board of trustees of the Sanitary District of Chicago, the following resolution was unani- mously adopted :
Whereas, the board of trustees of the Sanitary
District of Chicago has learned with deep regret and sorrow of the death of Alexander J. Jones, who was elected a member of the board of trus- tees November 5, 1895. and served until Decem- ber, 1905, and
Whereas, as a publie official, he served the people of the Sanitary District faithfully and ably, sacrificing important private interests to devote his talents to the public good,
Therefore be it Resolved that in the death of Alexander J. Jones the city of Chicago lost a most useful citizen and the Sanitary District of Chicago one of its best and sincere friends; and further
Resolved, that in recognition of his public service and of his high character as a man and as a citizen. these resolutions be spread upon the records of the board of trustees and that a copy suitably engrossed be presented his family. William H. Baker, Adolph Bergman, Wallace G. Clark. Henry F. Eidman, Paul A. Hazard, Thomas J. Healy, George W. Paulling, Edward I. Williams. Robert R. McCormick, Trustees. I. J. Bryan, Clerk.
Not only in the General Assembly, among whose members he counted many admirers, and on the board of the Sanitary District was his loss deeply felt. Wherever he was known he had made friends who expressed deep regret and sorrow at his passing. He had made his life count for worth in the world's work, had ever faithfully performed the duty nearest at hand and his ability had enabled him to reach out to those broader activities which have to do with the wel- fare and progress of the majority. He ever held with President Grover Cleveland that "a public office is a public trust," and no trust reposed in Alexander J. Jones was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. He was equally loyal in his friendship ard his home ties and it was his splendid qualities of manhood as well as his ability that gained him the honor of the multi- tude.
TOBIAS WEINSHENKER.
It is probable that very few men have accom- plished in an entire life, such great results in practical philanthropy, as were realized through the efforts of the late Tobias Weinshenker, uur- ing his twenty-five years residence in Chicago. Hle almost appears in a class by himself. Yet, although he aided many, so unostentatious were
his actions, and so self-effacing was he, that practically few were aware of the great in- fluence that he, perhaps unconsciously, wielded. His was the philanthropy of personal service. and the nature of his benevolence was mostly in aiding the needy to self-help,-perhaps through scholarship in the schools for the edu-
1007
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
cation-hungry ; or, through furnishing a horse and wagon for a peddler ; his one thought was, not only to give, but to create a possibility for a respectable independence. While he made sev- eral fortunes in the commercial field, it is not improbable, on account of his boundless benefar- tions, that a number of those whom he assisted to this country, are now in better circumstances than he was when he passed away. Versed in several languages, fitted by birth and training to occupy a high position in life, he chose rather to devote himself to the amelioration of the suf- ferings of those who, through lack of oppor- tunity. could not help themselves. He gained the sincere love of his fellow countrymen, whom he particularly aided, and of many others, as was evidenced at the time of his death by the presence at his funeral of hundreds of men, women and children of all nationalities and creeds, who sorrowfully came to pay their last tribute.
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.