USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 43
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He served as a member of the city council for eight years and was long a member of the Board of Education. For years he was a iem- ber of the First Congregational Church.
On August 10, 1854, Mr. Beardsley was mar- ried to Miss Martha Mahan, and four children were born to this union, of whom three still survive, namely : Miss Anna, who is at home; Ilenry M., who is a prominent lawyer and formerly mayor of Kansas City. Mo. ; and John, whose home is in Council Bluff's, Is. The funeral of Mr. Beardsley was held from the family residence on University avenue, with Rev. J. A. Holmes officiating. Music was fur- nisbed by a quartette from the Elks and the old soldiers, about sixty in number, attended
In & body and joined the quartette in singing "Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground."
In speaking of Mr. Beardsley's death a lead- ing Champaign evening paper said in part : "The death of Mr. George F. Beardsley has removed from this community a man who in the days of his activity was one of the most useful citizens who ever cast his lot in Cham- paign and his memory will long live here. That the imprints for good which George F. Beards- lay made on the business, religious and social life of Champaign cannot be erased by time is a fact well-known by all citizens, especially by those who have watched the progress of Cham- paign the past quarter of a century or more. It is to such men as Mr. Beardsley that any city owes a debt greater than it ever pays."
GEORGE KIRK.
Under a democratic form of government each man has an equal chance for public advance- ment. Provided he possesses average ability and sound common sense, there is no reason why any man cannot aspire to the highest position in the land, but while this is true theoretically in actuality, he who forges ahead and is placed by the people in a position of honor and re- sponsibility, is one who has always been a lit- tle in advance of his associates, and has de- veloped his faculties beyond the ordinary. The reason for this is very evident. While the gate stands open for any to enter, the road leading to it is a long and weary one, and many fall by the way, not having the purposefulness to keep up a steady gait until the goal is reached. Ob- stacles confront the traveler on such a road and unless he is brave to meet and able to over- come them, they will force him to stop where he is, or turn back. The late George Kirk of Waukegan, Ill., however, was one of those sturdy souls who aimed far ahead, and in striving to reach his objective point, paid but little attention to the annoyances on the road. Many political honors, as well as those of the business world, were tendered him, and he reached an honorable goal when he was elected to the upper house of the Illinois State Assembly.
George Kirk was born in Duchess County, N. Y., February 9, 1824, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stiles) Kirk, natives of England. When the father came to the United States he established himself as a woolen manufacturer on the Hudson River, but in later life, lived at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he conducted a
shoe store. Educated in the public schools of his native state, George Kirk was taught lessons of industry and thrift in his home circle. When nineteen years old, in 1845, he came as far west as Chicago, and having learned to be a molder, he found ready employment in the foundry owned by a Mr. Granger, which was operated by a windmill. The first water pipes that were laid in Chicago were cast by Mr. Kirk at that time. He remained with that concern until 1853, when he went to Waukegan. Later he established a foundry of his own, and oper- ated it under the firm name of Kirk & Marsh, the purpose of the business being the manu- facture of reapers. Selling his interest in it in 1859, he entered a lumber and pork packing business, under the title of Mills & Kirk, con- tinning alone after the death of Mr. Mills in INGS. In 1889, he admitted his son, Samuel Kirk, to partnership, the name becoming George Kirk & Son, and so remained until his death, November 19, 1895. In politics he was a Re- publican, and was twice elected supervisor of his township, and later was elected state sena- tor, holding that office with dignified capability. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to Waukegan Lodge No. 78, A. F. & A. M.
On May 23, 1851, George Kirk married Jane Adams of Worcester, Vt., a daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Crooker) Adams, natives of New Hampshire and Connecticut. Mr. Adams was a farmer who came to Waukegan in 1816, and there died May 7, 1879, Mrs. Adams surviving until May 18, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk became the parents of the following children : Samuel,
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who married Ella Weber, a native of Wauke- gan; Mary E .; Elizabeth M., who is the widow of Frank Hauser ; and Alice A., who is the wife of I. M. Porter. Mr. and Mrs. Porter reside at Waukegan, and have three children, Marjory, Kirk and Robert.
A forceful man in whatever he undertook, Mr. Kirk never sbirked what he felt to be his duty, but seemed to take pleasure in assuming responsi- bilities, recognizing his own ability and aptitude
for public service. Although a number of years have passed since finis was written on his page of life, the memory and results of his work re- main, and the distinction he gave his name is borne out by his children. He lived to see many changes. During his residence in Chicago, then a village, the wolves would howl about his home at night, and he would often throw his boots at them to scare them away.
GEORGE HERGET.
A man's value to others is not always meas- ured by what he wins in the battle with the world, but rather by that which he contributes towards its advancement and betterment. Any man, given health and strength, can earn money, many are able to save it, and quite a few can invest it advantageously, but it is only given to those big hearted, broad minded souls who have the love of humanity firmly imbedded in their natures, to respond promptly to the call of the higher life, and bestow upon the public that which will prove of lasting benefit to the majority. Some of these men give more gen- erously than their means justify, others limit their offerings according to their pocketbooks, while there are others who do not limit their benefactions to material things, but contribute of their time and spiritual energy towards forwarding the measures which they feel need encouragement. Such men really never die, although all that is material of them is taken from human vision, for they have been noble men, real philanthropists, true friends and public spirited citizens. A worthy example, who is mourned deeply by his fellow citizens of Pekin, was the late George Herget, president of the Herget National Bank of Pekin.
George Herget was born in Hergeshausen, Kreis Dieburg, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, May 9, 1833, a son of Philip and Margaret Her- get. Like many another German lad, George Herget grew up in a home where he was taught habits of industry and thrift, and given such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools. At the same time he was taught the wagonmaking trade. In 1852, he sailed from Havre, France, for New York City, and upon his arrival at that port, made his way to Gettysburg, Pa., where he worked at his trade until the fall of 1-53. Not being satis- fied, however, he came as far west as Pekin, making the trip by the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, where he engaged with the T. & H. Smith carriage works. It was not written, how- ever, that he should long remain an employe, and in 1858, he embarked in a retail grocery business, and two years later his brother, John Herget, joined him, the two forming the firm of J. & G. Herget. They prospered to such an extent that in 1870 he erected a store building at the corner of Court and North Fourth streets, and became very prosperous. Mr. Her- get's genius for business was not content with the limitations of one line of endeavor, and in 1SSS, he assisted in the formation of the l'ekin Stave and Manufacturing Company, which has since been developed into one of the leading industries of the city. In the fall of the same year, with his brother, John, he built the Star distillery, and, in 1800, they built the Crescent distillery. Two years later, they added the Globe distillery to their hold- ings, and in 1000, he was largely instrumental in the organization of the Illinois Sugar Refining Co. He was also interested in the Globe Cattle Company, which annually feeds some 7.000 head of cattle. In all of his undertakings Mr. Her- get displayed the same careful consideration of the rights of others which characterized him from boyhood, and won him so many sincere admirers. His connection with any enterprise was regarded as a guarantee of its solidity, and no one ever trusted to him in vain. Mr. Herget was the first president of the Pekin Park Dis- trict. He donated the site of the present Car- negie Library, and was one of the founders of St. Paul's Evangelical Church to which he was ever an extremely liberal contributor. A Republican through inclination and conviction, Mr. Herget served as a member of the city council, the board of education, and the county board of supervisors.
On April 9, 1861, Mr. Herget was married at Pekin to Miss Caroline Gochner, a daughter of
George Herget,
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George Gochner, one of the old settlers and well known agriculturists of Tazewell County. Mrs. Hlerget survives her husband. They had four children, three of whom survive: Henry G. ; Mary L., who is the wife of George Ehrlich- er; and William P. Carrie A., who was the wife of C. A. Harnish, died at Pekin November 23. 1900
For about a year prior to his demise, Mr. Herjet suffered from falling health, but as he Ind entered his eighties this was not remark- n !! However it was hoped that he would re- over, but he passed away March 11, 1914. With his passing something went out of the life of Pekin. During the severe winter months tuany who benefited by his charities will have
cause to mourn anew the loss of their best friend. Whenever a public measure requiring material aid and efficient promotion is broached, the citizens of Pekin will remember the man who never shirked a duty, but threw him- self into the work of furthering just such enter- prises. When the financial interests seem to require skilled assistance, the bankers will ro- call Mr. Herget's association with the bank that bore his name, organized by him as a private institution in April, 1905, and reorganized as a national bank July 1, 1910. In fact there are few in Pekin who will cease to remember the kindly, genial gentleman whose name is asso- ciated with so much of the city's history and its benefactions.
CHARLES A. BARNES.
Life holds much for some men, just as for others it gives but a dreary succession of un- congenial tasks, unwillingly performed. To the thoroughly educated, conscientious, keen, ener- getie man, comes much that is withheld from those who have had no experiences nor train- ing fitting them for receptiveness of this kind, and the former is fortunate in that he can find as much delight in work as pleasure in relaxa- tlou. Such men often enjoy business or profes- Monal contests and human companionship, and yet can be equally happy in their studies, alone with their books. Their active minds absorb Information, digest and disseminate it and when they enter a profession they are able to elevate it, and these are the men who do. Sincere and conscientious, they are exacting in their requirements of themselves and are apt to expect superior results from others. The broadening, useful influence of such men can- not be over estimated, especially if their lot be cast with the growth of a small city, for in the communities of lesser size, a man's per- sonality is more vividly projected as he is more generally known, than in a wider field. Such a man was the late Judge Charles A. Barnes of Jacksonville.
Charles A. Barnes was born at Upper Alton, Ill., July 4, 1855, a son of the Rev. William Barnes, D. D., a scholarly man and a graduate of Yale College in 1839. After his graduation, he entered the ministry of the Congregational church, in Boston. In 1855 he removed to Upper Alton, Ill., where he resided for five years, and then went to Jacksonville. His fam- ily comprised the following children: William
H., Nathan Hale, Mrs. Mary B. Elson, and Charles .1.
Reared at Jacksonville, Charles A. Barnes made this city his home from the time he was five years old, and loved it with the devotion of the true patriot. His early education was obtained in its schools, although he later took a course at Illinois College, and was graduated therefrom in 1876 with the degree of B. A. Immediately following his graduation, he began the study of law in the office of his brother, Hon. William H. Barnes, and completed his legal training at the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1878. Return- ing then to Jacksonville, he entered into a law partnership with his brother, and this asso- ciation continued until the latter was appointed to a federal position in 1884. Charles A. Barnes continued alone in practice until 1907, when he took John A. Bellatti into partnership with him under the caption of Bellatti & Barnes. In 1909 Walter A. Bellatti was admitted to the firm, the name then becoming Bellatti, Barnes & Bellatti. Proving himself a lawyer of more than average ability and combining with his knowledge of the law, an honesty of purpose and uprightness of dealing which never failed, Mr. Barnes won public confidence, and as early as 1593, he was called upon to hold the office of city attorney of Jacksonville. The following year he was elected state's attorney of Mor- gan County, and was returned again to that office. In 1897 he was elected county judge, and was re-elected in 1898 and 1902. In 1892 he was a delegate to the national convention that nominated Hon. Grover Cleveland for
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president, for he was, at all times, a strong Democrat. Not only did his profession and political affairs interest him, but he was a strong advocate of thorough education, and served faithfully as a trustee of the Jackson- ville Female Academy, and was also a very useful member of the board of trustees of Illi- nois College, holding this position at the time of his demise. He was a member of the State street Presbyterian Church and for many years was one of its board of trustees.
In 1SSO Judge Barnes was united in mar- riage with Madge G. Martin, of St. Louis, Mo., and they had two children: Elson and James. While Judge Barnes was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masonie fraternity, the Odd Fellows and the Elks, his chief interest centered in the first named organization, and he had served as supreme chancellor of his lodge.
The health of Judge Barnes failed while he was actively discharging his many duties, and he was finally forced to resign some of them in order to try to regain his strength. In the hope of benefitting by the advice and care of noted foreign physicians, he went abroad, but no bene- fit accrued and he died at Leamington, England, December 28, 1913. Mrs. Barnes brought his remains home for interment, and he now rests in the cemetery of his home city. Beautiful and fitting tributes were paid his memory by many, and his pastor, at his funeral said in part :
"But after all it was as a Christian man and as a member and officer in the church that he showed those qualities which, unobserved by many, rounded out his character and gave it the charm to those who really knew him."
No better ending of this brief biography of the life and work of Judge Barnes can be given than the following extract taken from a sketch of him published at the time of his death, which reads :
"Judge Barnes was dignified, but he was neither stilted nor affected. He was not effusive, but he was affectionate with his friends and was a real genuine man and fraternalist to the heart's core. There was something about him that made association with him comforting ; something that cannot be explained, innate in the man himself. There was such an air of frank honesty and sincerity about him that it reached out and laid hold upon his associates. He was a strong man as well as a good man and was always firm in his convictions, defend- ing them with earnestness and ability. He was, however, susceptible to reason and when con- vinced that he was wrong, was big enough to admit it. But before expressing his views, he usually made sure that he was right and seldom had to depart from the path marked out. His home life was ideal. Ile loved his family earnestly and tenderly and labored unceasingly for their welfare and happiness."
JOHN J. HANLON.
In telling the story of Illinois and her promi- nent men, it would be difficult to discover the name of a citizen more worthy of mention than the late John J. Hanlon. It is within the prov- ince of true history to commemorate the lives of those men whose careers have been of signal usefulness and honor to their country. For years a prominent factor in building up the com- mercial interests of Chicago, as the directing head of a large printing business, Mr. Hanlon's name is indelibly inscribed npon the history of that city, and deeply graven on the hearts of those who knew him. A man of modest deport- ment, kindness of heart and true beneficence, he was possessed also of strong intellect, and his long experience in the printing business gained him prominence in the city's commercial life. It is difficult for the contemporary biographer to do justice to a citizen of Mr. Hanlon's worth.
Ilis career was made distinctive by nobility and sterling worth.
John J. Hanlon was born of honorable ances- try, at Dublin, Ireland, January 14, 1835. He was a son of James and Mary ( Potter) Hanlon, and his father was a well known architect. The name of the family figures prominently upon the pages of Ireland's history, for the O'Hanlons were distinguished as soldiers, as scholars and in the priesthood. The roster of O'Neil's army in 1590, and the army of James II, 100 years later, show that many of the name were valiant soldiers, and at Limerick they distinguished themselves with Sarsfield, and officers of that name went with the brigade into France. Red- mond O'Hanlon is spoken of as the most fear- . less man of his time. The name is equally prominent in ecclesiastical history, for many of the family have made valuable contributions to the records of the church. Father O'Hanlon,
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present parish priest of Donebrook, Dublin, has recently completed one of the richest contribu- tlons to hagiology, in his "Lives of the Saints," and his magnificent work of twelve folio volumes is copiously anastated and richly illustrated.
John J. Hanlon had inherited many of the sallent characteristics and noble traits of his ancestry, together with a deep love of his na- tive country and the same keen interest in edu- cation that marked his race. A bright, studious, well-educated boy, he came to America in youth, arriving in Chicago during the early 5Os. On completing his education, he turned his atten- tion to the printing business, learned the trade, which he followed until thirty, and in 1865 established himself in business. He continued in that field of activity for forty years, meeting with excellent success. The business which he founded was, in December, 1906, incorporated as the John J. Hanlon Company and is yet owned and controlled by the members of the family. Under his guidance it had grown to extensive proportions and had not only long proved a profitable investment but became one of the foremost in its line in the West. Its products in the way of blank books, loose leaves, rail- road and commercial printing, has been for years considered standard, and no concern in Chicago has enjoyed a higher reputation for commercial integrity. Of an inventive turn of mind, Mr. Hanlon ever sought to improve the efficiency and capacity of machinery used in his business and invented a number of labor-saving devices for use in his line of industry, including a tariff .book file, which is almost universally used and is conceded to be the most practical appliance of its kind known. At the time of the great Chicago fire of 1871 Mr. Hanlon suffered heavy losses, but these were recuperated later through his persistence and energy.
On November 2, 1858, Mr. Hanlon was mar- ried to Miss Anna T. Schofield, daughter of John and Margaret Schofield, and seven children were born to this union : Mary T., who is now presi- dent of the John J. Hanlon Company ; John W., deceased; Leo Joseph, who is engaged in busi- ness as a blank-book binder, in Chicago; James W., with the John J. Hanlon Company ; Anna, the wife of William Darley; and Francis and Loretta B.
In his political views Mr. Hanlon was ever a Democrat, and was loyal to the principles in
which he believed. His religions faith was that of the Roman Catholic church and to it he was a liberal contributor. He held membership with the Typothetae and the Amateur Photographers' Club. He was a patron of the Art Institute, possessed artistie taste and a retentive memory and was widely read. Mr. Hanlon was essen- tially a business man, yet, in spite of the mul- titudinous futerests which engaged his attention anl demanded his time, he had ever found mo- ments in which to develop his intellect, and it is rare, indeed, that one finds in a busy city like the Illinois metropolis an individual whose knowledge covered so wide a range of subjects, who could speak so intelligently and compre- hensively of art, literature and the sciences-a business man who was often consulted by and who often collaborated with professional men. During the latter years of his life, after retiring from active business cares, he indulged his aes- thetic tastes, and after he was sixty-five years of age accomplished such excellent results in the Held of amateur photography that his work won commendation and recognition from the bighest authorities. Among his associates it was known that his judgment was exceptional, and his ad- vice was frequently sought in matters of impor- tance. Mr. Hanlon was particularly fond of music and enjoyed attending the grand opera, and, in fact, his interests in life were those which uplift and elevate mankind and take one far beyond the humdrum existence of business into those fields which call forth the best and noblest in nature. Of him it has been written : "He was one of the finest characters that one ever met. Ile was humble, patient, gentle, kind, charitable, considerate, clever and wise; gener- ous to a fault; always trying to be obliging to everyone. He bore the trials of life like a martyr or a saint in most true Christian spirit. His earthly solicitude was not for himself but for his wife and children and a few devoted friends. He held the love and esteem of all who knew him." Public spirited, Mr. Hanlon always found time for studying and fostering move- ments which aimed to improve the public weal. Throughout his career, in business circles he was accounted one of the ablest, as a citizen he was honorable and upright, and in his death. which occurred March 22, 1905, there was taken from Chicago a man whose place will be hard to fill.
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WILLIAM KING.
As a common bond, holding them together, each family has its scores of strictly private and personal affairs. The only person per- mitted to share the most private of confidences is the family physician, for he is their nearest and dearest friend. Hle is more, for he is an adopted member of each family he attends, a willing and helpful participant in their greatest joys and sorrows. In his case the trust given him breeds its two complements, love and vener- ation. When Dr. William King, of Chicago, passed to his reward, on July 4, 1912, there were many families who had felt the touch of his kindness, who had received inestimable benefit from his wise counsel and the exercise of his superior ability, that mourned his loss most deeply, for his justice, his sincerity, and his love of mankind made him a friend to cherish.
William King was born August 28, 1853, in Queens County, Ireland. His parents were William and Bridget (Whelan) King, both na- tives of Ireland, and, during his youth, he remained at home, attending the public schools of the neighborhood. Before he attained his majority, he came to the United States to join a brother, who was a priest in the city of Louis- ville, Ky. The one great ambition of his life, then, was to become a devotee of the medical profession. He entered the Louisville Medical College, in 1878, and was the only native son of the Emerald Isle enrolled. He graduated, February 20, 1882, having won the highest award in the study of anatomy, and he came direct to Chicago to open offices and immediately commence practice.
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