USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 44
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For the first fifteen years of his work in the city, Dr. King was located at the corner of Nineteenth and Ilalsted streets, but in 1897 he removed his offices to an apartment just one
block south of his old quarters, where he stayed until his death. From the first few weeks of his entering practice he was granted a consid- erable patronage, but as the years rolled by and his work brought unfailingly the best of hoped for results he gained prestige among a most select class of clients. Many were the lives trustfully given to his care with the calm assur- ance that they were guarded by all the loving skill that the Doctor could use in the applica- tion of his medical experience. He worked from a heart that joyed in alleviating the pains that kept joy from others. It is a well known fact that Dr. King never, in the whole course of his experience, sent statements to his clients, asking for payment.
Dr. King was married to Miss Mary A. Me- Mahon, on February 8, 1885, who is a daughter of John N. and Margaret (O'Halloran) Mc- Mahon, of Limerick, Ireland, where she was born February 24, 1865. She came to America with her mother, her father having passed away, and made her home in Chicago, where she received her education in the Saint Alouise Con- vent. To Dr. and Mrs. King were born the following children : Mary A., Margaret L., Julia F., William C., John J., Kyran F., and Francis J., all of whom now live with their mother at No. 1327 Pratt boulevard. The entire family are members of the St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, located on Sheridan Road.
Almost six months prior to his death, Dr. King contracted the malady that eventually proved fatal. The last services over his tem- poral body were held in his home, at No. 3843 Polk street, and at that time the great number of friends who had sought his aid in their dire distress, expressed a deep regret that their most true friend and helper had been taken from them.
WILLIAM DUFF HAYNIE.
William Duff Haynie, who, with his wife, are the only ones of his immediate family surviving, is a prominent Chicago attorney with offices in the Merchants Loan & Trust Com- pany's building. He was born August 16, 1850, in the town of Salem, Ill., a son of Abner F. and Martha Duff Lee (Green) Haynie. The father died in Morganfield, Ky., in 1851. The mother gave William Duff Haynie bis cuu- cational training and encouraged him in
his professional studies. For the first fifteen years of his life she was almost his only teacher. He entered the high school department of the State Normal School, at Normal, Ill., where he was fitted for Harvard College, and graduated from the former with the class of 1870, and from Harvard with the class of 1874. Mr. Haynie was a nephew of Isham N. Haynie, who was brevet brigadier general in the Civil war and was appointed adjutant general of the
WILLIAM KING
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State by Governor Oglesby, in 1805. He was also a nephew of Judge William H. Green ; and on his graduation from Harvard, Mr. Haynie studied law with his uncle in the offices of Green & Gilbert, in Cairo, Il. Subsequent to this he studied in the offices of Stevenson & Ewing, in Bloomington, Ill., and he was grad- Dated from the law school of the Illinois Wes- leyan University, with the degree of LL.B. in 1576. Immediately thereafter he commenced the practice of law in Bloomington, where he continued until August, 1885, leaving there to take a position, under the government, as chief derk of the office of the first assistant post master general, who at that time was Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson. He remained in Washing- ton until February, 1889, when he went west to resume legal practice, at Rapid City, S. D.
He assisted the national campaign commit- tee of the Democratic party in 1892; and the following year opened an office in Deadwood, S. D., coming to Chicago in June, 189-i, and entering the law department of the Illinois Steel Company, for which he acted as general attorney. He was a member of the firm of Knapp, Haynie and Campbell, attorneys for the United States Steel Corporation. Mr. Hay-" nie left it in 1909 to become the general coun- sel for the Illinois Manufacturers Association, which position he resigned in December, 1911.
Ile is now a member of the firm of Haynie and MeRoberts, who give special attention to corporation and patent law.
On January 30, 1889, Mr. Haynie married Miss Ella R. Thomas, sister of Hon. John Thomas, who was for ten years in Congress from Hlipois, Socially, Mr. Haynie is con- Lected with the University Club, the Iroquois Cinh, the South Shore Country Club, and the Glen Oak Country Club. His residence is at No. 4636 Drexel boulevard, Chicago. Mrs. Martha Daff Lee Ilaynie, the mother of Mr. Ilayile, was a sister of Dr. W. Duff Green, of Mt. Vernon, and of Judge W. H. Green of Cairo, Ill. She was the last of her generation and died at the residence of her son, on Feb- ruary 8, 1913, and was buried at Morganfield, Ky. She was a teacher in the Illinois State Normal School, at Normal, Ill., from 1866 to 1586, and was, for many years, professor of modern languages. The gates of enterprise are daily opening more widely to women; and the field of education, which was one of the first to offer desirable possibilities to them, has since benefited immeasurably from the char- acter-building influence, the natural instruc- Mrs. Haynie, and women like her, have given tive ability, and the deep, personal interest that to their work.
WILLIAM A. WASHINGTON.
It is lamentably true that often it is not until a man has passed out of life that his true worth is fully known, and his virtues appreci- ated. Many men rise to positions of distinction through unjust and unscrupulous seizing of material advantages, but fortunately there are others who never forget their own struggles, and as they advance, broaden in their views and increase their charities. The Jate William A. Washington. many years a justice of the peace at Kankakee, was proud of his familiar title "the poor man's lawyer" and lived up to it, although much of the good he acomplished, and the charities he distributed, are known . only to those who benefitted by them.
Judge Washington was born July 26, 1849, in Iroquois County, Ill., a son of Spottswood and Eveline (Fletcher) Washington, and traced his descent back to Bushrod Washington, the old. est nephew of President George Washington. Bushrod Washington was heir to the Mount Vernon estate, which in turn he willed to his
five nephews, one of whom was Judge Wash- ington's father. An interesting fact relative to these five nephews is that three of them served in the Confederate army, during the Civil war. while Spottswood and his brother Corbin were in the Union army. In addition to serving himself, Spottswood Washington had two sous in the Union army : Bushrod D., who was a member of Battery D, First Illinois Artillery, enlisting May 5. IN01 ; and James, who was in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enlisting May 14, 1864. The family witnessed many changes. Spottswood Washington, who was born in Fair- fax County, Va., was appointed as a midship- man at the Naval Academy, and cruised about the world prior to 1836. Upon his return home his uncle. George C. Washington, secured him an appointment as government surveyor of the territory of Michigan, and be married in 1837. and took his bride with him. In 1842, he came to Bourbonnais Grove, Ill., where he taught
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school and practiced law until 1847, and had the honor of being the first man to enlist from Iroquois County, in the war between the States. His death occurred August 26. 1865. In the old Washington family book, the records are given of this illustrious family. It was pub- lished by the Washington Monument Associa- tion, and when the Washington monument was unveiled in 1856, Judge Washington with his brothers Bushrod and James, and an aunt, Fan- nie Washington, received invitations to the cere- mony from John Sherman, chairman of the Joint Committee from the National Congress. In this book the family is traced back to old King Thor, the Dane, in an unbroken line.
It was in such a patriotic family as this, and amid the strenuous days of the Civil war and the period immediately preceding it. that Wil- liam A. Washington grew up. Ambitious, he early formed a resolution to develop his natural ability, but as his father lacked the means to properly educate him, he worked hard for all that he acquired.
Following his marriage he moved to Danville, where he worked as a machinist during the day and studied law at night, thus continuing for ten years, when he sold the interests which he had accumulated at Danville, and moving to Watseka, entered upon a general law practice. Ilis legal work brought him into prominence and he was honored by election as alderman of his ward in the city council. In May, 1895, he moved to Kankakee, where he continued to practice law. His ability was recognized by his election as justice of the peace. which office he
held for ten years, during which time he also served eight years as police magistrate. Judge Washington died very suddenly of a stroke of apoplexy, and the whole county mourned bis loss,
Judge Washington, on July 2. 1872, married Miss Louisa Hooker at Watseka, a native of Indiana, a niece of "Fighting Joe Hooker," the hero of Lookout Mountah: Mr. and Mrs. Washington because the parents of eight chil- dren, three of whom died in infancy, the sur- vivors being: Inez, louise, Spottswood, Corbin and Faunie E., the latter being Mrs. Robert G. Morris.
While he was on excellent terms with all with whom he was associated, it was to the unfortunate and oppressed that Judge Washing- ton gave his most sincere efforts. He felt it incumbent upon him to fight for the rights of the poor man and he was loved by all who had need of such friendsbip. When all that was mortal of this really great man was carried to its last resting place, there was sorrow in many a humble bome, as well as in the hearts of those who were his social equals, for he had known no listinction save that of necessity, and had raised no bars against those whom for- tune had not favored. Such men as Judge Washington are worthy descendants of the heroes whom the country delights to honor. A grand-nephew of the great Washington, he al- ways endeavored to live up to the traditions of his family, and that he succeeded. his life and the affection he created, amply proves.
GODFREY CLARENCE WILLIS.
Godfrey Clarence Willis was born in Maid- stone, Kent, England, October 23, 1848. His ancestry is traced to 1400 and to ancestors who served in the Crusades, and to Sir William Ryther, Lord Mayor of London, in 1600. The parents of Mr. Willis died when he was six years old, and for thirteen years he lived with relatives. During this time he attended a schoot for boys and also served as an apprentice in a draper establishment for four years. He greatly desired at that time to go into service in the English navy, or to India, but was dissuaded from this by relatives and instead came to America, in company with a friend, Harry Scott, at the age of nineteen years. They entered the employ of merchants in Philadel- phia and remained with them three years.
Later they visited various cities to determine where they would find the most promising busi- ness field and finally decided to settle in Cham- paign. Ill. They rented a room on Main street, bought a modest stock of goods in New York and Philadelphia, and started their enterprise full of enthusiasm and courage, their aim being to lay the foundation of a reliable dry goods business. From the beginning they determined to use only the best and most honorable meth- ods and both were ready to make any personal sacrifice in order to get established. They were not afraid of work and labored early and late to make their place attractive and a model of order and neatness. Mr. Scott at- tended to the accounts and correspondence aud Mr. Willis to the buying and selling, devoting
God frey C. Willis
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himself particularly to cultivating the kindly relations which should exist between the suc- cessful merchant and his customers. From those early days in business, Mr. Willis showed great ability and taste in selecting goods and was a salesman of unusual tact and helpfulness to the customer. He never considered any ef- fort too much trouble to serve a customer re- gardless of what he bought and often remarked that it was as important to serve well a cus- tomer who made the smallest of purchases as one who bought largely. Naturally this policy of Mr. Willis was noticed and appreciated by his patrons, as was also his invariable courtesy, for all who came to him were received alike. He was sincere in his feeling of true interest and friendship to all who came in contact with him, regardless of their station in life. The love of his fellow men was born in him and it was a genuine pleasure for him to serve in any way where good could be accomplished. In June, 1875, Mr. Scott, his partner, went to England for a visit, returning in the following August. He was very ill on the return voy- age and died at Philadelphia, in September. This left Mr. Willis alone in the business, his late partner having owned one-half of the stock. One of Mr. Willis' especial characteristics was his faithfulness in the conduct of business of others entrusted to him. With serupulous care and honesty he made settlement with Mr. Scott's heirs to their entire satisfaction, but with a liberality exceeding legal requirements.
On August 28, 1876, Mr. Willis married Mrs. Frances (Beach) Beasley, and to them two children were born : Harry Thomas Willis, and Edith Charlotte Willis. In 1878 Mr. Willis bought a site on the northeast corner of Main and Fremont streets, Champaign, where he re- mained in business to 1912, when the building was replaced by a new one thoroughly up to date, with all modern conveniences. The new store was formally opened in November, 1913. Many letters and calls were received from friends, business men and patrons. Many of these testified to their admiration of the noble character of Mr. Willis and the methods he employed in building up a business founded on faithfulness to duty and a love for work well done. Mr. Willis had been in failing health for several years but this did not deter him from working and putting his business affairs into such condition that they might move on smoothly in case they should have to be guided by other hands than his. Mr. Willis continued
to fail in health and died June 7, 1914. Dur- ing his life In Champaign he erected two store buildings and two dwelling houses, all of which were ornaments to the town, examples of his good taste and refinement. His home life was delightful. If he had a fault it was that he thought so much more of the pleasure and hap- piness of others that he neglected to think enough of his own needs. He was never weary of doing what would benefit others. As a dea- con in the Presbyterian Church, where he was a member for over thirty years, he performed every duty faithfully, being more willing to neg- leet his own business than the church work en- trusted to him. When he served on the public school board he was ready and willing to do his part, with his own hands planting the vines and trees to beautify the school grounds for future generations. As a member of the Cham- ber of Commerce, he was faithful to his prom- ise to work for what he believed best for the lown. In all his business relations he was fair and just, practicing the faith of his religion. Ile believed it unfair to require a creditor to wait beyond the stipulated time for payment of a debt; if he had not ready money he would borrow and pay interest rather than cause an- other to suffer inconvenience through him. He thought it a privilege to pay his debts promptly.
Mr. Willis was a lover of nature, of birds and flowers. In his own grounds he planted fruit trees for birds and arranged water for them to enjoy and loved to have his feathered friends gather fearlessly around him. In his last days he exhibited a fortitude, patience and fearlessness that illustrated his character and faith. Hle passed away as peacefully as a child going to sleep. In death his face showed a grandeur and beauty more than in life, his dignity and nobility of character boing stamped thereon. This noble and self sacrificing man exemplified how it was possible to go through life as a business man, a husband, a father and a friend without ever stooping to an act that could detract from his memory or manhood. Faithful in the discharge of every duty to the end. young men testify that his example has been a great stimulant to them, that his way of doing business enabled them to realize that a man can carry his religion into his busi- hess in such a way as to make it attractive, and that true religion is right living. One who knew and loved him well, paid so high and so sincere a tribute to him that no better sum- mary can be made of Mr. Willis' life and in-
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fluence than in the words of his friend, who said, in part :- "Looking back over the life of Mr. Willis and my acquaintance with him, I feel like adopting the language of Thomas Carlyle, in respect to John Sterling, namely : 'I decided to put down on paper some outline of what my reflections and recollections contain in reference to this most friendly, bright and beautiful soul who walked with us here for a season in this world and remains to us very memorable while we continue in it.' Every human life preaches a lesson in the community where it is spent, and in Mr. Willis' case it was a lesson which has already had great effect and will continue to be heard and respected for years to come. It was a lesson in which high character, nobility, courage, patience industry and all the provident and sensible virtues were active elements-a life that preached a good gospel to all men and not a
bad one to any man." After recalling many beautiful traits of character inherent in Mr. Willis, this friend closes with the following thoughtful words of conviction and apprecia- tion : "So let it be set down that on good evidence the world is to understand that here a remarkable soul was born into it, who, more than others, sensible of its influences, took in- tensely into him such tint and shape of feature as the world had to offer, fashioning himself eagerly by whatsoever of nobility presented it- self, participating ardently in the world's bat- tle -- the man of infinite susceptivity, who caught everywhere, more than others, the color of the element he lived in, the infection of all that was or appeared honorable, beautiful and manful in the tendencies of his time-whose history is therefore, beyond others, emblematic of that of his time."
JOHN A. GAUGER.
No better lesson relative to the value of hon- orable effort intelligently directed can be given than that offered by the review of the life and accomplishments of a man who rose to a high position through his own initiative, and in so doing took with him many others, who, through their association with him were able to achieve much more than would have been possible had they been forced to depend upon themselves. It matters little along what channel the stream of such a man's life flows, for he will succeed no matter how it may be directed. Some men of this calibre instinctively turn towards one or other of the learned professions ; others de- velop into statesmen, while still others, and they are in the majority, devote themselves to the development of commercial and industrial pos- sibilities, and become the head of vast concerns that afford honest work to large numbers, and place and keep in circulation immense sums of money. Chicago has a notable example of the latter class of men in the person of the late John A. Gauger, who not only was intimately associated with the immeuse lumber interests of the city, but was also connected with a mil- ber of other enterprises of great importance.
John A. Ganger was born on the farm of his father, near MeEwensville, Pa., January S. 1853. The father desiring that his son should become a minister of the Lutheran faith, after he had attended the district schools, sent him to Selins- grove Seminary for that praiseworthy purpose.
After three years' conscientious effort, however, the youth felt that he could not make a success in the ministry and endeavored to induce his father to educate him as a lawyer, but met with refusal. Realizing, therefore, that he must de- pend upon his own exertions, Mr. Gauger left home, and going to Spring Lake, Mich., became an employe of the Cutler & Savidge Lumber Company, his task being the humble one of driving a cart to remove the sawdust from the mill to an adjoining marsh. He did his work well, however, and it was not long before he was promoted to a position where he could learn to grade and tally lumber, and in this line showed such marked ability, that he was taken into the company's office, and within three years became its head. During this period he kept adding to his knowledge of the business, and in 1850, found himself able to establish a retail lumber business at Ogallah, Kas. Within a year Chicago became his home and he connected him- self with E. L. Roberts & Co., as general office man. In 1852 Mr. Ganger took another step forward, when he organized the firm of Gauger. Oliver & Co., for the purpose of operating a planing mill and molding factory, which business was later developed into a jobbing house for sash, doors and blinds. This firm's business so increased in volume that in ISST Mr. Gauger bought several other similar concerns and or- ganized the firm of John A. Gauger & Co., with S. T. Gunderson as his partner. This style con-
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tinues, although on January 1, 1892, MIr. Gauger purchased Mr. Gunderson's interests, and a year later admitted Floyd T. Logan to partnership. Mr. Logan died in 1900, and Harry S. Knox, who was general manager, assumed control of the business at the time of Mr. Gauger's demise. In addition to his large interests along this line, Mr. Gauger was one of the organizers of the Illinois Life Insurance Company, continu- ing a director and member of its executive board until his death. He was the executive bead of the Standard Glass Company, and a director of the Drexel State Bank, and was planning to as- sist in the establishment of a new bank it the loop district, when death terminated his activi- ties.
In 1879 Mr. Gauger was married to Frances Menardi of Spring Lake, Mich., who died in 1882. In 1885 he was married (second) to Mrz. Helen (Pierce) Harrison, of Chicago, who survives him. Mr. Gauger had one daughter, Mrs. W. L. Eaton, who is also living.
While he gave so much time and attention to his business, Mr. Gauger found opportunity to develop pleasant relations in fraternal and
social organizations, belonging to the Masonic order, being Past Master of Apollo Lodge. A. F. & A. M .; Past High Priest of Fairview Chapter, R. A. M .; and Past Eminent Commander of Montjoie K. T. Not only was he a member of the Hamilton, i'nion League, Beverly Hills Golf ail Homewood Golf clubs, but he served the Hataliton and Beverly Hills Golf clubs as presi- dent. During the latter years of his life, Mr. Ganger took a great deal of interest in golf, and was acquainted with all of the leading players of the game.
Although a man of sympathetic nature, he never allowed his heart to overcome his pru- dence, nor to dictate to him in commercial life, and this in part, explains his being able to de- velop his business until it averaged $2,000,000 annually. A just man, he asked nothing more of others than he was willing to perform himself, and he attached his employes and associates to him because of this dominant quality. When death claimed him, April 17, 1914, an efficient business man, good citizen, loyal friend and de- voted husband and father, passed away.
EDGAR DUMAIS.
When a man has been closely identified with the business interests of a community for a quarter of a century it would be an anomaly were he not intimately known to the citizens of that place. In the seething, progressive lite of a rising, enterprising town or city the man who shows himself interested in the advance- ment of the public weal is bound to be more or less in the public eye, and that eye, as it has often shown itself, is capable of piercing its way into the darkest and best-buried se- erets. Twenty-five years the record of the late Edgar Dumais stood inviolate; he sought not the plaudits or the appreciation of his fellow- men aside from the rewards that come unso- licited from those who, themselves actively and keenly public-interested, recognized in him a kindred spirit. He worked his own way up; step by step he brought himself into the front ranks, and through his own sheer, indomitable courage he made men, and real men, recognize him as one among them.
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