USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 48
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On February 21, 1006, Dr. Kutlewski was mar- ried to Miss Angeline R. Cwiklinski of Buffalo, N. Y., a daughter of Alexander M. and Marie (Sadowski, Cwiklinski. He resides and main- tains his office at No. 13Gs N. Robey street, Chi- cago, where he carries on a large general prac- tice. A man of broad information along many kindred lines, he has kept in close touch with advancement, and is one of the leading medical men of the State if not of the country. Essen- tially a self-made man, he has not allowed him- self to be hampered by the fact that he has had to win through hard work every step forward, but rather has so shaped circumstances as to make what to another might seem like adver- sity serve but as a stimulus to his ambition. A man of affairs, he has ever taken more than
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an ordinary part in guiding others, and as his efforts are constantly directed towards prog- ress, his connection with any movement guar- antees its ultimate value to the majority. Dur- ing the many years he has resided in the coun- try of his adoption he has become thoroughly
Americanized, although there will always linger in his heart a tenderness for the land of his birth, and to those who hail from Poland he is ever a teacher, guide and friend, carefully di- recting their development into eminently de- sirable citizens.
JOHN E. NEVILLE.
The value of any man to his community is not fully appreciated until his life work is ended, and he has squared all accounts with the world, by passing from it. Some men are possessed of those sterling characteristics which enable them to rise from very small beginnings to po- sitions of influence in the business circles of their locality. From the start, they are able to grasp firmly every possible opportunity, and carry on their plans to successful termination, and yet at the same time to gain and hold the esteem and confidence of all with whom they are brought into association. Such a capable, reliable business man was the late John E. Neville, to whose endeavors Quincy owes the remarkable development of the Quincy Barber Supply House, one of the most important estab- lishments of its kind in the county. Mr. Neville was born in Carlton, Mo., March 30, 1868, a son of James and Sophronia ( Kimball) Neville, the former born in West Virginia, and the latter at Chapin, Ill. James Neville came of an old and prominent family of West Virginia, and was one of a number of sons, four of whom still sur- vive. The brothers of Mr. Neville entered the learned professions of law, medicine and the ministry, but those still in this life have retired and have attained to an advanced age. Mr. Neville ran away from home when fifteen years old and made his own way in the world. Subse- quently he located in Missouri, and rose to be superintendent of construction of railroad build- ings and bridges, through various other posi- tions. Among other important contracts con- signed to him was the building of the bridge across the Illinois River at Meredosia, III., and the reconstruction of the St. Charles bridge, which went down many years ago.
John E. Neville received a fair high school education at Meredosia, where he learned to be a barber. Having learned his trade, he bought a shop at Meredosia, and continued there in business for eight years, when he removed to Macomb, Ill., there purchasing another shop. After three years in that place, Mr. Neville dis- posed of his business, and in 1805 came to
Quincy, where he bought a small concern known then as now as the Quincy Barber Supply House, and developed it into the only wholesale and retail establishment exclusively devoted to this line of business. From the first. the concern flourished, for Mr. Neville brought to his under- taking a full understanding of its requirements, and appreciation of its possibilities, and under his wise management it developed until one traveling salesman is now required to handle the business on the road, at all times, addi- tional men being employed in season. Mrs. Neville took charge of the business at her hus- band's death, and with dignified capability, has carried it on so successfully that she is con- templating some very important changes in the near future, which will materially widen its scope and enlarge the volume of sales. Mrs. Neville having become a chemist, she is con- stantly preparing new goods for the trade.
While residing at. Macomb, Mr. Neville was married to Lettie E. Bushnell, on October 2, 1803. She was born at Meredosia, Ill., June 27, 1809, the fifth in a family of nine children born to Nelson and Jane (Nunn) Bushnell, all living except one, and all married and residing in dif- ferent sections of the United States. Mr. Bush- nell was born in Ohio, and the mother in Ken- tucky. The mother came to Illinois when a child, but the father was much older when he settled in this state, but spent the remainder of his useful life here, dying in 1889. Mrs. Bush- nell survives, making her home in Meredosia, where Mr. Bushnell was a successful merchant for many years, and also held the office of post- master at Meredosia. Mr. and Mrs. Neville became the parents of a daughter, Alina Rachel, born May 1, 1900, who is at home attending school.
In addition to bringing the Quincy Barber Supply House to its prosperous condition, Mr. Neville accumulated considerable property, for he was a careful business man, and knew how to invest his money. He bought a small, but very valuable farm of thirty-four acres in Adams County, Ill., which was highly improved, and a
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handsome residence at No. 824 Cherry street, as well as city property at Manitou, Colo. The business offices of the Quincy Barber Supply House are at No. 715 Hampshire street, and the premises are well adapted for the purpose, and kept fully stocked. While essentially a busi- ness man, Mr. Neville found time to enjoy his connections with Hermann Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Quincy. Although not a member of the Meth- odist church, his sympathies were with this de- nomination, to which his wife had belonged from childhood, and he gave liberally towards Its support. A Democrat in political faith, he contented himself with casting his vote for the candidates of his party, utterly refusing to run
for office, although repeatedly requested to do so. The life of this most excellent and capable man was suddenly terminated December 25, 1911. Hle had accomplished much, and although he was one of those who entered the business world empty-handed, he did not leave it in that condition. His career was a short one, but in the brief period that he labored here, he proved his sterling worth, and made his influence a vital thing in his community, for he stood for honest policies, and purity in living, and in his death Quincy lost one of its most efficient and progressive men, and his associates a kindly friend ready and willing to give assistance and sympathy upon all occasions.
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT, SR.
Those who go abroad to gaze in wonderment upon the pyramids of Egypt, or the well pre- served ruins of Rome, rarely stop to reflect that in America are architectural achievements far outclassing anything built by the ancients, al- though they may take the somewhat prosaic proportions of a modern office building, or the definite lines of a twentieth century community. The modern construction ideas are of such a nature that all engaged in building lines have to not only know everything that the builders of ancient times drew upon, but be able to settle the problems of sanitation, progressive construc- tion and fire proof protection. It requires much more ability to rear a twenty-story office build- ing and render it safe in every respect, than it did to erect above the mouldering bones of a Pharaoh, the monuments which have challenged the ages. Owing to the demand for modern methods along building lines in Chicago, this city has for many years been the field of operation for some of the most brilliant men of this class, and one who attained notable distinction was the late Michael MeDermott, Sr., a general con- tractor.
Michael McDermott, Sr., was born at Ottawa, Canada, May 6, 1846, a son of Michael and Cath- erine (Fitzgerald) McDermott, the former born in Ireland in 1810. Although he studied medi- cine in England, Mr. McDermott later took up surveying and engineering and was employed by the English government to survey and lay out the present city of Ottawa, Canada, Following this he was employed by the Hudson Bay Com- pany in surveying in the far northwest, and was the only survivor of the expedition sent out by that company. Leaving this company,
after his return from the disastrous journey, he came to Chicago and taught school until he en- tered the employ of the civic goverment as a surveyor. Having thus gained a valuable ex- perience, at the expiration of his term of service for the city he went into business for himself, and executed some of the most important con- tracts of his day in surveying and engineering, among them being the laying of almost all of the streets in the west and southwest portions of the city. He was one of the first to survey the proposed line of railroad from Chicago to Galena, the first road out of Chicago towards Galena. While successful himself, he never for- got the claim of humanity upon his sympathies and purse, and assisted many to better their condition. His medical skill as a herb doctor was often called into requisition, although he did not practice, simply giving his advice to those requiring it. Married three times, his first wife, to whom he was united in England, only survived a short fime. The second wife, mother of Michael MeDermott of this review, was a member of a prominent Ottawa family, originat- ing in Ireland. Her five brothers were either army or professional men. She died in 1867. The third wife was Mary Igoe.
Michael MeDermott, Sr., attended his father's school and later the old Jones school of Chicago, early displaying a genius for figures which de- veloped him into an expert in mathematics, he inheriting this from his father. With the out- break of the Civil war, his young enthusiasm made him ardently patriotic and he was de- terminal to offer his services to his country. Ilis watchful mother, feeling he was too young for such a life, tried to prevent his enlisting, so
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he ran away from home and was enrolled with the Seventy-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the engineering corps, and underwent many hardships during the time he was in service. After his honorable discharge, he returned home and began learning the bricklaying trade, but not finding it congenial, he soon took up con- tracting. Early developing remarkable capa- bility, he found his business increasing in vol- ume and importance and had contracts on the construction of the South Side elevated road and the drainage canal. He also practically built the town of Pullman, the Fine Arts builling, the Pullman building, and a number of the Chris- tian Science and Catholic churches, of Chicago.
Mr. MeDermott was twice married, his first wife being Isabelle Regan whom he married about 1875. She died leaving four children : Kathryn (Mrs. John Lynn), Isabella ( Mrs. Eu- gene Campbell), Florence (Mrs. Harry Dalton), and William, deceased. On January 16, 1889, he married Mary O'Donnell and they had seven children as follows: Marie Moore who was born in February, 1890; Irene Delores who was born in September, 1891; Michael. Jr., who was born in January, 1893; Francis O'Donnell who was born in 1805; Anita who was born in December, 1899; and Gerald and Gerard, twins, who were born in October, 1901. All of the children of the family were educated in the public and high schools of Chicago. Michael Jr. took a course in the Illinois Technical College, finishing in 1912. Mr. MeDermott earnestly desired that this young man follow him in business, and in order that he know all its details, suggested to him that he learn the bricklaying trade, which he did, completing it in April, 1914. He is a swim- mer of distinction, being the youngest competi- tor sent to the Olympic games in Sweden, in 1912. He won the world's record for the 100 and 200 yard breast stroke, and also held the long distance swimming record of the United States for several years. He is also an enthusi- astic yachtsman. During the summer of 1913. he was one of the racing crew of the Yacht Susan II, which was in competition with the Yacht Cherry sailing for the Lipton eup, on Lake Michigan. As they were nearing the finish of the course, one of the crew of the Yacht Susan II, called the attention of young MeDermott.
then only twenty years old, to a small child who had fallen from a fast moving motor boat. Instantly the lad was in the water and swam under water to the spot where he had seen the child. Coming to the surface, he did not see the child, and so he dived, and although he did not see the little one, his hand struck her foot, and he was thus enabled to save her. Holding her above his head, he swam with one hand to the motor boat, and then returned to the yacht. It is a remarkable fact that although the child had gone down for the third time, Mr. McDermott resuscitated her, for in tossing her above the surface of the water, and catching her on the that of his hand, the pit of the child's stomach received the shock of the blow, and the water gushed forth from the little mouth, so that she was conscious when returned to the anguished parents.
Mrs. McDermott is a direct descendant of the five O'Brien brothers of Revolutionary war fame who made the first attack in the first naval bat- tle of that war. Mrs. McDermott is a daughter of James and Bridget C. (O'Brien) O'Donnell, natives of Ireland, the later having been born in Tipperary. Mr. MeDermott was a Roman Catholic in religious faith and lived according to his creed. The death of Mr. McDermott oc- curred April 16, 1914, at his residence at No. 4841 Vincennes avenue, after a long illness. The funeral services were held at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, and burial was at Mount Olivet. He died as he had lived, an honorable, upright, Christian man, devoted to his home and family, and beld in the high- est esteem by the many who knew him. He was intensely a Chicago man, always willing and anxious to do anything and everything to promote the city's welfare. An earnest Republican politically, he never wavered in his allegiance to his party. He might have had many political honors, but he preferred to promote his party's interests out of office. In local affairs, however, he voted for the man he deemed best for the office. His greatest happiness was found in his home, while sur- rounded by his family. Mr. MeDermott was a great lover of music. He was a member of the Art Institute from its inception, and also be- longed to the Builders Exchange.
ERNEST VALENTINE JOHNSON.
There is no city in the world which offers such unsurpassed opportunities for the develop- ment of men and large business interests as
Chicago, taking everything into consideration. Here can be found many of the raw materials, or they can be easily obtained through lake and
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railrond shipments. Here is an immense local market, and here are the men, solid, reliable and aggressive, ready and willing to push abead to their ultimate end whatever that may be. Once a man finds the line for which he is fitted, if he have business sense and natural acumen, it is certain that success of one kind or another will follow his footsteps.
One of the men who has admirably proven his own worth and increased his value as a citizen by developing immense interests, is Ernest Valentine Johnson. He was born in New York City, February 14, 1859, a -son of George H. and Marie (Salkeld) Johnson. While he was receiving an excellent educational training at Ernst Academy, Buffalo, and the Cooper In- stitute, New York City, at the same time he was gaining practical knowledge of civil engi- neering, for when only twelve years old, he was apprenticed in the New York office of Stephens and Spilsbury, well established civil engineers of that city, and remained with this firm for a period of six years.
Having faith in the future of Chicago, he joined his father in this city in 1877, the latter having been a resident here since 1871, and a prosperous manufacturer operating under the name of Johnson & Company, for the purpose of making fireproof tile. When the father died in 1879, Ernest V. Johnson succeeded to his in- terests, and a year later the business was reorganized as the Pioneer Fireproof Construc- tion Company, with Mr. Johnson as treasurer
and general manager. As such he designed and supervised the construction of the company's large plant at Ottawa, Il. In 1899 he organ- ized and became president of the Peerless Brick Company, and in 1590 was elected treasurer of the Great Northern Hotel Company. Still later he became president of the Hartford De- posit Company, owners of the Hartford build- ing, and is now acting as vice president and western manager of the National Fireproofing Company. He designed and introduced hollow tile construction for fireproof grain elevators and other structures, and the material is today endorsed by builders throughout the country, not only as safe and reliable protection from fire, but for its wonderful durability.
In July, 1888, Mr. Johnson was married to Mrs. Eva L. Brooks, of Philadelphia, Pa., who died in 1904. In November of that year Mrs. Estelle M. Wakefield became his wife. Promi- nent in club life, Mr. Johnson belongs to the Union League, Chicago, Athletic. Builders', South Shore Country, Columbia Yacht, and the Automobile clubs, and is a Mason in good standing, having attained to the Knight Templar degree. Although quiet and unostentatious in manner, Mr. Johnson is a man who makes many friends, and they recognize his signal ability and strong business strength. While succeeding himself, he has never allowed his own affairs to blind him to the needs of others. and responds generously to the claims of chari- table organizations.
JOHN SCHLAGENHAUF.
It is absolutely impossible to properly esti- mate the lasting good or powerful influence toward moral uplift and a true Christian mode of living of the late Rev. John Schlagenbauf, a distinguished Methodist clergyman of the State of Illinois, who for over forty years gave his church and people the benefit of his elo- quence, profound knowledge of human nature, and his understanding study of the Bible. A man of gentle disposition, he nevertheless prose- cuted vigorously his campaign against sin of all kinds, and never hesitated to warn in words of power anyone who he felt needed admoni- tion, no matter what his station in life. This venerable figure in ministerial life has gone to the fuller and wider pastorate of eternity, and yet the work he began and carried on so ably while here will never cease. John Schlagen- hauf was born January 9, 1834, in Lidringen,
Obarant, Sulz Kenemigraeich, Wurttemberg, Germany, and died January 18, 1911, in Quincy, Ill. He was the eldest of seven children born to John Schlagenhauf, and outlived them all. When he was a child he had the misfortune to lose his mother, but his father brought his young family to America, and settling in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio, rounded out his useful life, and died in that locality.
Nineteen years old when he came to this country, in 1852. three years prior to his father, Mr. Schlagenhauf had already secured a public school education. He was willing to work at anything that would give him the funds neces- sary to further his studies, and was in a mill and on farms in New York State for two years. and at Mt. Olive, Ohio, for a short time, arriv- ing at Quincy, Ill., about 1854, coming here to enter the German-English Methodist Seminary,
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then located in this city, but now at Warren- town, Mo. Here he completed his ministerial studies, and was admitted to the Illinois Con- ference, beginning what was to be a very ar- duous and useful career as pastor of the Metho- dist church at Jacksonville, Ill. There he spent two fruitful years, when he was sent to Spring- field for one year. The next two years he was at Bushnell, where he married. Leaving Bush- nell, he was in St. Louis for two years. Once more he was in Illinois, being at Belleville for two years. His next pastorate was at Mascou- tah and extended over three years, when he returned to Belleville, and was presiding elder for one year. He then took charge of the Belleville church for three years. The follow- ing year was spent at Summerfield, and the next three at Pekin, when he returned to Quincy, and had charge of the church here for two years. For the next three years he was presiding elder of his district, and then was honored by being made president of the German Department of the State University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, which position he held for six years. At the expiration of that period he went to Edwardsville, where he preached for four years, when he returned to Belleville for two years. By this time he was sixty-three years old, and had spent forty years in the ministry, so that there is little wonder that his health failed, or that he weakened under the heavy strain, and was forced to retire. Realizing that he must leave his field of loving labors for the Beloved Master, he came to Quincy, and from then, in 1898, to the day of his death, resided in his handsome residence at No. 1250 Ken- tucky avenue, which he built himself, and here his spotless soul returned to its God. For nine months he was confined to his bed, having four strokes of paralysis, but fortunately he was spared any particular suffering, although if this cross had been laid upon him he would have sustained it with true Christian patience and fortitude. Mr. Schlagenhauf was honored upon four different occasions by being sent to the general conference, the national congress of the church, and served with distinction on the committee at Chicago which compiled the new official song book, as well as on other com- mitters of importance.
Mr. Schlagenhauf was married October 1,
1863, to Margaret Rohn of Beardstown, Ill., a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth ( Laughohr) Robin, natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who came to St. Louis from Germany, in 1834. They went to Beardstown, taking up land from the government, three miles outside the city, and there Mrs. Schlagenhauf was born, Jan- uary 30, 1842. To the original purchase Mr. Rohn added until he owned 1,200 acres at the time of his death, which occurred on the farm, April 21, 1891, his widow surviving him until December 29, 1893. These two lived together for fifty-seven years, and reared a family of eight children, seven of whom are still living, Mrs. Schlagenhauf being the fourth in order of birth. They were honored pioneers of Cass County, III. Mr. and Mrs. Schlagenhauf be- came the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy, the others being : Henry Jacob, born in Quincy, Ill., February 15, 1865, married Emma Pahl, of St. Louis, where they reside, he being a physician and surgeon, issue-Walter, Milton, Henry, and George; William, born March 8, 1867, a distinguished attorney of Quincy, has twice been a member of the State Assembly, and married Lillie Necke, issue- William, Jr., Lillie, and Leonora ; Edward, born in Belleville, April 5, 1876, is a successful dentist of St. Louis, and married Mabel Has- kins; and Philip John, an attorney of Quincy, Ill., born September 15, 1879, married Cora Janes, of Quincy. Mr. Schlagenhauf gave each one of his sons a college education, and lived to see them develop into fine men, a credit to their parents and their communities.
Eloquent to a marked degree, Mr. Schlagen- hauf was able to bring home to his hearers the mighty truths he preached in a powerful man- ner. Ile was the kind of a man who won not only the friendship, but the full confidence, re- spect and admiration of those who had the privilege of listening to him, and the conver- sions he effected ran into the thousands. Ile was a great student of the Bible, and was able to bring home its lessons in a practical way that touched those who listened to his glowing words. His life work did not stop with his ser- mons, however, for he lived out in his daily duties the Christianity he professed, aud by example as well as by spoken word taught the beauty of Christlike living.
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JOHN BAPTIST SCHOTT.
In the death of the late John Baptist Schott, Quincy lost one of its most useful citizens, a man who not only recognized his duties, but performed them faithfully, industriously and conscientiously, and weng even beyond this in zealously guarding the interests of his com- munity and working to promote them in the best way possible. Although of foreign birth, Mr. Schott was loyal in his devotion to his adopted country, and was one of the best rep- resentatives of the stalwart German-American to whom this country owes so much. Without the elficient assistance of these men from the Fatherland this country's battles against com- mon enemies in both times of war and peace would not have been successful, and this debt is discharged by an unceasing feeling of grati- tude and a recognition of their true worth. Mr. Schott was born in Knonach, Bavaria, Ger- many, March 28. 1833, and died May 6, 1910, at Quincy, Ill. He was a son of Philip Anton and Margaret (Fisher) Schott, both of whom rounded out useful lives in Bavaria. From early manhood Mr. Schott developed ambition, and not being satisfied with the somewhat re- stricted opportunities offered in his native land, came to the United States in 1852, being then in his nineteenth year. He had been well edu- cated in Hamberg, where he had studied sev- eral years. When Mr. Schott left his old home for the new he was supplied with an outfit of clothing by his parents and given what was deemed a sufficient supply of money to meet the expenses of his journey. As his father was a tanner, the son under his supervision had become an expert in this line, and after landing in New York Mr. Schott decided to go to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, to try and secure a position at his trade, Cincinnati being then one of the largest leather centers in the country. He went to Cincinnati, by way of steamer to Troy, N. Y. ; rail to Buffalo: steamer to Sandusky, Ohio, and completed the journey by rail. After much persistence and a determination to secure em- ployment his hopes were realized, as he ob- tained work in a tannery where he soon demon- strated his ability as an expert tanner, remain- ing in Cincinnati for four years. Still he was not satisfied, so started out on a trip of investi- gation, going to Michigan City, Ind., Niles. Mich., Chicago, and Dubuque, Ia. At the latter point he took a boat to Quiney, Ill., where he learned there was a small tannery for rent.
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