USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 49
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Conditions being satisfactory, Mr. Schott pur- chased this business from a Mrs. Schleich, on May 16, 1856, and became one of the citizens of Quincy. At that time Quincy was a small town, but the astute young German saw it was des- tined to become a thriving metropolis.
A far-sighted man, Mr. Schott soon enlarged his field of operation, also having a tannery in Perry County, Tenn., and later took a partner in his business. During the Civil war he se- cured some very important contracts with the government, always taking great pride in the quality of the work he turned out. As the de- mands of his business grew he was forced to enlarge and rebuild his premises, and he had associated with him, at various times, two of his brothers who had joined him, and in 1869 a business property located at 613 and 615 Hampshire street was purchased and a com- plete line of saddlery goods was manufactured and marketed throughout the Mississippi Val- ley. Always looking ahead, Mr. Schott bought and enlarged the property at the corner of Third and Hampshire streets in 1882 and fur- ther developed a wholesale saddlery, leather and saddlery hardware business, under the firm name of the J. B. Schott Saddlery Co., in con- junction with the late Mr. Wolf, who hecame his son-in-law. After his long and useful ca- reer, during which period be built up a large enterprise and did a vast amount of business, he retired in 1900, turning over the manage- ment of affairs to his sons and sons-in-law, although he was active in its supervision up to his domise. In 1906 a disastrous fire destroyed the entire work of years, but rebuilding was commenced at once, and before the year closed a new plant was in operation, the company con- fining itself to the manufacture of horse collars and jobbing leather. With the fire much of Mr. Schott's personal interest was destroyed. and he never was active in business affairs again, devoting most of his time to his home.
On February 17, 1859, Mr. Schott was united itt marriage with Adolphine Frances Schleich, daughter of Franz Julius and Wilhelmina ( Mat- theseus) Schleich, the latter being the lady from whom he bought his first tannery upon coming to Quincy. Mr. Schleich was born in Landsberg. Prussia, Germany, and the latter in Gottbus, Germany. Mrs. Schott was born in Beskow, Germany, December 19, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Schleich came to the United States in
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1847, landing in Baltimore, Md., from whence they made the then long journey across the Allegheny mountains with a wagon to Illinois, settling in Quincy, where he established the tannery afterwards bought by Mr. Schott. Here he died July 21, 1851, his widow surviving him until May 20, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Schott be- came the parents of a family as follows: An- tonia, who was born January S. 1560, married Louis Wolf, who died February 22, 1906: Julia, who was born December 21. 1863, married Charles H. Lauter, issue-Carl Lauter and Mar- garet Lauter, living in Quincy; Emma, who was born February 18, 1866, died December 19, 1912; John F. C., who was born January 26, 1871, married Selma Herr of Chicago, living in Quincy, issue John Theo., Herbert F., Theo- dore C .; Adolph, who was born July 29, 1874, married Anna Glattfeld, living in Quincy ; Rob- ert, who was born February 5, 1879, married Jennie Busby, living in Quincy.
Independent in politics, Mr. Schott was al- ways interested in securing the best men in government, but utterly refused to consider himself as a candidate for office. Extremely liberal in his donations, he was specially gen- erous towards caring for the maimed and sick. A man devoted to his family, he gave his chil- dren opportunities to develop, and took a pride in their progress. Aside from his business,
Mr. Schott was greatly interested in outdoor and country life. Hle admired the grand and beautiful in nature, and traveled extensively, always accompanied by some member of his family. Upon three occasions he went abroad. Connected with his first visit to Europe in 1ST3 was the appointment as honorary Commissioner by the Governor of Illinois to the World's Ex- position at Vienna, Austria. His ties of family and boyhood home were very dear to him, and at his demise he still maintained a membership in the Rifle Club of his native city. In the city of Quincy he was a member of the select German society, Liederkranz, during the time of its existence, but was not associated with any fraternal orders. Mr. and Mrs. Schott lived to enjoy their fiftieth marriage anniver- sary, on February 17, 1909, when they were surrounded by all their children and grandchil- dren. The loss of a man like Mr. Schott was no light one in the community in which he had not only developed material success, but also advanced the interests of the municipality. He illustrated the highest ideal of good citizenship and successful business development. Such men as Mr. Schott are not so plentiful that their passing away is a matter of only current in- terest, and hence the necessity of their appear- ance in a record of this lasting nature.
CHARLES MERWIN HOWE.
The Presbyterian Church has been dis- tinguished for many years as having some of the most efficient church workers known to Christianity. Many of these men have been intellectual, some have had large means, and have devoted both money and brains to the up- building of the church. The numerous stately edifices, the large audiences of thoughtful, earnest men and women, testify to the success of the work of the founders and supporters of the churches, and especially is this true in Chi- cago and its suburbs, where Presbyterianism has a stronghold. One of the men whose deep- est interests, outside his home, were centered in his church, was Charles Merwin Howe, whose death occurred in October. 1913. Mr. Howe was born in Chicago April 2. 1645, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Cook) Howe, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. During the early years of his residence in Chicago Sam- uel Howe was the manager of Borch's Bank, a private institution, but he resigned that position
to enter a commission business. Later he rented the old Galena elevator, the first to be built near Rush street bridge, from the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and conducted it very successfully. He was also the promoter of the old Galena & Chicago Union Railroad. During their long residence in Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Howe entertained royally, keeping an open house for all who came within their acquaint- ance, especially young men. Their charities were many and abundant, and they were held in the highest esteem by all who knew them. Mrs. Howe was one of the founders of the Chi- cago Nursery and Half Orphan Asylum.
Charles Merwin Howe attended the Chicago Central High school, and, after completing his studies, was in the commission business with his father, but later connected himself with the firm of Poole & Sherman, which operated on the Board of Trade and was a well-known house of that day. In 1509, Mr. Howe severed bis relations with this house to operate individually
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on the board, so continuing until about 1007, when he retired. It is but natural that Mr. Howe should have early taken a deep interest in church work as his father was an elder in old North Church, and a charter trustee and director of McCormick Seminary. The son sue- ceeded to many offices of the older man and gave the same untiring labor in their behalf. Mr. Howe moved to Oak Park after the fire of 1871, and attended the First Congregational ' Church of that place, but within a few years was one of the founders of the First Presby- terian Church of Oak Park, and an elder in it, continuing there until 1897, when he returned to Chicago and joined the Fourth Presbyterian Church of that city, where, later, he was made an elder in this, one of the greatest churches of the city. Upon moving to Evanston in 1-97 he found a field for labor as a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where also he was an elder. For eight years he served faithfully as Sunday school superintendent, and never ceased to endeavor to influence the young to early connect themselves with the church. He
was a Republican, though, aside from exercising his right of franchise, he did not take part in local politics. At one time he was a member of the Educational Committee of the Presbytery of Chicago.
In 1867 Mr. Howe married Miss Mary Ship- man of Chicago, who died in 1SSS. Their only child was Samuel Howe who was a graduate of Princeton University, associated in business with his father, and died in 1900. January 1, 1590, Mr. Howe married (second) Miss Clara Potwin of Chicago, a daughter of William S. and Eliza (Lewis) Potwin, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Chicago respectively. Mr. Potwin was connected with Frank Sturgis & Co., until several years after the Chicago fire and then became a member of the Chicago Varnish Co., with which company he is still associated. Mrs. Potwin died in 1912. The two children of Mr. Howe's second marriage are: William Potwin Howe, who married Miss Gladys Vaughn of Louisville, Ky., and lives in Evanston; and Charles Merwin Howe, Jr., who lives at the family residence in Evanston.
OSCAR JOHN HALBE.
In every line of work, in each profession, the personality of the forceful man reveals itself. With increasing experience and added years, he gains a broader grasp upon his subject, and with recurrence of problems he is able to handle them in a manner which affords better satisfaction, and an increase of business. Such perfection is not attained in a single day or year, nor is it always attained with a single house, but the man of parts soon finds his place and rises steadily until he reaches his goal. In olden times the professional man was restricted in his action. Each man entering one or other of these professions was tied down to lines which had been drawn centuries before, and was not allowed to loosen them. Today con- stant encouragement is offered the men of skill and knowledge to enter paths which not so very long ago had not then been broken in the dense forest of ignorance and bigotry. One of the skilled men in his line is Oscar John Halbe, president of Halbe & Wallace, opticians of Chicago.
Mr. Halbe was born in New York City, N. Y., August 31, 1860, a son of August and Eliza (Dimler) Halbe. After going through the schools of his native place and those of Gut- tenberg, N. J., be took a course of study at
the Chicago Post Graduate Optical College, thus gaining a scientific training which has yielded him so generous returns in the years that have followed. His professional career commenced with the late Henry Borsch of Chicago, with whom he remained for some time. when he be- came manager of the optical department of Kuehne and Kappelman. Later he was refrac- tionist for the California Optical Company at San Francisco. Being offered the position of manager for the optical department of Sweet, Wallace & Company of Chicago, he returned to this city to accept it, and in 1900 purchased this department, and formed the firm of Halbe & Wallace, opticians, which was incorporated in 1005. Not content with making his company one of the best in its line, Mr. Halbe has given time and attention to outside matters. serving as secretary of the Illinois State Optical So- ciety and the Chicago Optical Society. Outside of his professional and business interests. he is now-engaged in furthering the civic betterment of Ardmore, being the president of the Ardmore Improvement Association, and is doing much to make that little town on the Aurora and Elgin (Third Rail) electric road one of the most de- sirable residential districts attached to Chi- cago. He is also the chairman of the Board of
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Trustees of the Congregational Community Church.
In 1590, Mr. Halbe was united in marriage with Miss Susie A. Gray, and they became the parents of five children : Richard Valentine, Earl Oscar, Amy, Charlotte and Arthur, the last named being deceased. Possessing a
righteous sense of elvic duty, and au enviable record of achievement. Mr. Halbe has shown unflagging interest in his work, and can truth- fully be said to have always been true to the line of duty as he sees it, and no man can do more.
CHARLES RICHARD JONES.
Hon. Charles Richard Jones, financier, pub- lie man and upright citizen, has given the best part of his life to the interests of Henry, Ill., of which city he has twice been mayor and for forty years has been identified with its leading financial institution, the First National Bank, of which he is president. He comes of sturdy English stock, the family having developed in Wales, from which country his parents, Edward and Margaret (Davies) Jones, came to America, the father in early manhcod and the mother in childhood. Charles Richard Jones was born at Florence, in Pike County, Ill., October 30, 1851, the eldest of six children. Two of these died in infancy; Edward died in 1803; Robert died in 1896; and Thomas L. married Evelyn Ellsworth, and is a resident of Chicago, Ill. Edward Jones located first at Ironton, Ohio, after reaching the United States in 1836, and from there went to Waverly, Ohio, where he learned the cooper trade and while there met and married Margaret Davies, a daughter of Edward and Jane (Geddings) Davies, who had come to the same place with her mother, her father having died in Montgomeryshire, Wales. In 1840 Edward Jones and wife moved to Florence, Pike County, Ill., where he worked at the cooper trade until 1852, when he re- moved to Lacon, Ill., and continued to work as a cooper until 1856, when he embarked in the grocery business, in which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1663. His widow remained at Lacon until isso and then came to Henry, and here she died in April, 1902.
stable and thoroughly reliable institution. Per- haps no mar in a community is more closely connected with the every-day life of the people than the banker, for he is the real money power and the money that makes possible the carrying en of great industrial enterprises in every com- munity, and the resultant prosperity of the workers, passes through his careful hands, In times of panic and partial paralysis of indus- trial activity it is to the bankers that the people must go in order to tide over the periods of disaster. As a wise, far-seeing, conservative banker Mr. Jones has won the confidence of the public and his judgment concerning investments and business ventures is constantly being con- sulted. Many times the settlement of large estates has been left in his hands, a somewhat recent one being that of his uncle, the late Robert Davies. Scarcely less prominent is Mr. Jones in public affairs in his own city. A Re- publican in his political convictions, he has been loyal to his party, but has never consented to accept political office that would demand a change of residence, hut, feeling a sense of pub- lie responsibility, he has twice consented to be mayor, and in this and other civic positions bas demonstrated unselfish public spirit and opened the way for further progress. Mr. Jones owns some excellent farming land in the county but does not give his personal attention to any of his four valuable properties.
On January 16, 1505, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Carrie J. Miller, who was born at Henry, Ill .. and educated at Salem, Mass. She is a daughter of John W. and Han- nah (Davis) Miller, and a granddaughter of Captain Benjamin Miller, who, at one time, was a member of the Massachusetts State Sen- ate. Both parents of Mrs. Jones were born at Fall River, Mass. They came to Henry, Ill., in 1855, and her father, a railroad engineer. was connected with railroad affairs here until his death in 1503, the mother passing away In the following year. They had a family of eight
Charles Richard Jones was an infant when his parents moved to Lacon and there his boy- hood and school period were passed. Naturally industrious and anxious to become self support- ing, he early secured employment as a clerk in a dry goods store and remained there until 1873, when he came to Henry as a bookkeeper in the First National Bank, of which he was made cashier in the following year, and with which he has been continuously identified until the present, in 1905 becoming president of this . children: Ida, who is deceased; Minnie, who
Chas, & Jones
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resides in Bradford, Ill., married Robert Jones, now deceased, brother of C. R. Jones; her son, J. L. Jones, married Elizabeth Broaddus, daugh- ter of Marshall and Ann (Glenn) Broaddus, and is cashier of First National Bank of Henry, of which C. R. Jones is president; Carrie J .; Isaac, who is deceased; Asa S., who resides in Chicago, where he is in the cigar business, mar- ried Miss Margaret Theresa Hurley, of Chicago; Frank, who is a resident of Ironwood, Mich.,
and overseer of an iron ore mine at that place, married in Chicago and moved to Ironwood soon thereafter; and three who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have one daughter, Mar- garet, who is attending St. Katherine Episcopal School at Davenport, Iowa. The family belong to the Episcopal church. Mr. Jones is a mem- ber of Henry Lodge No. 119, A. F. & A. M., also Lacon Chapter No. 123, R. A. M., and Peoria Commandery No. 3, K. T.
RUDOLPH MATZ.
In a conspicuous place on the roll of Chi- cago's distinguished members of the legal pro- fession is found the name of Rudolph Matz, a native of the great city in which he has always made his home, and a splendid type of the alert, progressive and publie-spirited Chicagoan whose record is an indication that success is ambition's answer. His long and prominent connection with important cases of legal juris- prudence has made him a more or less familiar figure in the courts, and no lawyer in the city has a better record for high and straightfor- ward professional conduct, or for success earned with honor. It is undoubtedly a fact that while some individuals achieve prosperity and position along certain lines and in certain professions, there are those who are born to then, their natural leanings and marked talents pointing to the vocation in which they even- tually achieve distinction. The science of heal- ing appeals to many, others hear the call of the church which cannot be denied, the marts of commerce and trade claim their full quota, and the activities of the political arena prove an attraction which others cannot resist. Still others have chosen the legal field as the one in which to achieve success, and in this class Mr. Matz has gained wide and well-deserved recog- nition, being accounted one of the able attor- neys of his State. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the Chicago bar, either for legal ability or for personal individ- uality.
Rudolph Matz was born in Chicago, Ill., De- cember 11. 1860, and is a son of Otto H. and Mary Elizabeth ( Lewis) Matz. His father was a native of Berlin, Germany, born March S. 1830, while his mother was born at Pulaski, N. Y., December 13, 1837. Both families had representatives in Chicago during the pioneer days, and for many years figured prominently
in the upbuilding of the city and were widely known in financial circles of the Illinois metrop- olis. As early as 1854 Otto II. Matz was recog- nized as one of the skilled and talented archi- teets of the city. He held that position with the Illinois Central Railroad and the Chicago & Alton Railroad for a number of years aml rapidly rose to the front ranks in his profession. Hle built the great Illinois Central depot which was destroyed by the conflagration which consumed the city in 1871. At the time of the outbreak of the struggle between the North and the South, he connected himself with the Union army, as a civil engineer, and held the rank of major at the close of his service, hav- ing served gallantly and efficiently in the mean- time on the staff's of Generals Fremont, Hat- leck and Grant. Mr. Matz worked with General Wilson in the preparation of the plans for the capture of Vicksburg, saw these plans succeed and at the time of the surrender rode into that city with General Grant. From 1869 until 1871, Mr. Matz acted as school architect of Chicago, and in 1892, while serving as architect of Cook County, erected the present criminal court building. After the Chicago fire, he received the first prize, amounting to five thousand dol- lars, in competition with forty other archi- tects for plans for the City Hall and County building.
Otto II. Matz was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Lewis, October 26, 1857. She came to Chicago in 1852 with her parents, Hiram and Mary Jane (Gillespie) Lewis. Her brother, Hiram LaMotte Lewis, was for many years a prominent lawyer in Chicago and later was a partner of Thomas Hoyne, once mayor of Chicago, and was a member of the legal firms of Hoyne. Miller & Lewis, Miller, Van Arman & Lewis, and Miller, Frost & Lewis. Until the time of her death, November 13,.1911, Mrs. Matz
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was prominently known in connection with philanthropie, charitable and educational work in this city. She was for many years president of the Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children and was one of the founders of the Fortnightly Club. She was also a promi- nent member of the Chicago Women's Club and served some years ago as its president. For forty-four years the Otto H. Matz residence has been on Oak street, near the Lake Shore drive. ' The original home was burned in the great Chicago fire, but was replaced by a more inod- ern residence not long thereafter. There were three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Otto II. Matz, two sons and a daughter. Hermann Lewis Matz, who was born on the 24 of Feb- ruary, 1859, was graduated from Williams Col- lege with the class of 1880 and is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi and the Phi Beta Kappa fraternities. He is at the present time serving in the capacity of vice president of the S. S. Kimbell Brick Company, of Chicago. Evelyn Matz, born September 7, 1862, is a graduate of the University of Chicago, and was at one time principal of Dearborn Seminary, is now associ- ate principal of the University School for Girls.
Of a family conspicuous for the strong intel- lect of its members, indomitable courage and energy, Rudolph Matz was reared amid the in- fluences of a cultured home. His early educa- tional opportunities came to him through the Chicago public school system. he attending suc- cessively the Sheldon, Ogden and Haven schools and the Central High school. His collegiate course was pursued in Williams College, which noted institution conferred upon bim the degree of Bachelor of Arts at the time of his gradua- tion in 1882. Drawn to the profession of law by his natural inclinations, he pursued a course of study in the Northwestern University law department, and was graduated with his de- gree from that school in 1SS6. Prior to enter- ing Northwestern University, he had spent two years, from 1882 to 1884, as a teacher in the Higher School for Boys, now known as the Unt- versity School of Chicago, and completed his law course with valedictorian honors. In the year 1885-6 he was a student in the law office of Dexter. Herrick & Allen, and, following his graduation from Northwestern University. he spent a year, 1856-7, in foreign travel, making a trip around the world, in which he gained a broad and intimate knowledge of different lands and peoples, gathering the experience which has
enabled him to correctly judge of men and their methods.
Following his return, in the latter year, Mr. Matz became assistant in the law office of Bar- mum, Rubens & Ames, and from ISSS until re- cently practiced in partnership with Walter L. Fisher. The firm was known as Matz & Fisher until 1844, when William C. Boyden, now one of the overseers of Harvard University, was admitted to partnership, and the present firm name of Matz, Fisher & Boyden was assumed. The firm was joined by Laird Bell in January, 1910, and by William Warren Case in October of that same year. Mr. Fisher was obliged to leave the firm in March, 1911, at the time of his appointment by President Taft to the office of Secretary of the Interior, but the firm name remains unchanged. Because of being executor of the estate of his father-in-law, Charles M. Henderson, Mr. Matz was also vice president and a director of the wholesale boot and shoe house of C. M. Henderson & Company, from 1896 until 1902. Hle was also a director of the L'nited Shoe Machinery Company. During the World's Columbian Exposition, the firm of Matz & Fisher acted as attorneys for the Com- mittee on Ways and Means. Their practice has long been of a decidedly important char- acter, connecting them with prominent litigated interests, the conduct of which has proven their ability to cope with intricate and involved com- plexities of the law. Wide and varied experi- ence has brought Mr. Matz comprehensive fa- miliarity with legal principle and precedent and has prevented any display of faulty judgment or wrong decision. Aside from his work in con- nection with the legal profession, he is widely and favorably known in business circles, and is a director of the Chicago Savings Bank & Trust Company and holds a like position in the Chicago Auditorium Association.
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