USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 50
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On November 19, 1800, Mr. Matz was married in Chicago, to Miss Florence Humphrey Hender- son, a daughter of Charles M. and Emily ( Hollingsworth) Henderson. Mrs. Matz, like her husband, was born in Chicago, and is a member of the Fortnightly Club and a director of the Illinois Training School for Nurses. She takes much interest in various phases of charitable work. Their children are: Ruth Henderson, born August 18, 1804; Charles Hen- derson, horn December 13. 1895; and Emily Florence, born July 30, 1896. Mrs. Matz's father, Charles Mather Henderson, was a prom-
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inent citizen of Chicago from 1553 until his death in 1896. He was a direct descendant of Cotton Mather, and was born at New Hart- ford, Conn., in 1834. For many years he was president of the firm of C. M. Henderson & Company, one of the largest boot and shoe houses in the West. After the Chicago fire, in 1871, he was active in assisting in the reor- ganization of the Chicago Fire Department. At one time he was president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and for many years was superintendent of the Railroad . Chapel Sunday school. He later became oue of the founders of the Citizens' Association, and of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society, was a trustee of the Home for Incurables and of the Children's Aid Society, and was a member of the board of directors of both the Third National Bank and the National Bank of America. While he occupied a position of prom- inence in commercial and financial circles, he was equally widely known because of the spe- cific aid which he gave to many good works done in the name of charity and religion.
Mr. and Mrs. Matz formerly attended the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, in which he served as a trustee from 1902 until 1904. Since the family home has been situated at Hubbard Woods, they have held member-
ship in the Winnetka Congregational Church, in which Mr. Matz is a trustee. Ile is likewise a member of the executive committee of the Western Society for the Suppression of Vice. His political allegiance is given to the Repub- lican party, and that he is interested in matters of progressive and public-spirited citizenship and questions of vital interest to the city is in- dicated by the fact that he is serving as a member of the board of trustees of the Civic Federation of Chicago. He is also a director and president of the Legal Aid Society of Chi- vago, and because of his professional connec- tion, is a member of the American Bar Asso- ciation, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. He also belongs to the Alpha Delta Phi and Phi Beta Kappa, college fraternities, and is an alumnus visitor of Williams College. He holds membership with the University Club, the Chicago Literary Club, the Chicago Law Club, the Skokie Country, the Indian Hill and the City clubs, all of Chicago and vicinity, and the Alpha Delta Phi and the Williams clubs of New York City. His life has at all times been characterized by unfaltering adherence to those principles which, aside from any business or social distinction to which he has attained, win for the individual the unquali- fied respect and trust of his fellowmen.
THOMAS D. WILSON.
It is not possible for any man to develop large interests without possessing more than ordinary ability and executive force of character, espe- cially in these days of heavy competition. Every line of human endeavor requires strong effort, and persistent activity, if success be attained. Thus it is that credit should be given those who during their passage through this world, accom- plish what they set out to do, overcoming ob- stacles, and conquering circumstances. When the acknowledged and great captains of indus- try have proved by their life careers that it is possible to rise from indifferent beginnings to the height of success, none should despair of at least compensating rewards for industry. The career of the late Thomas D. Wilson offers en- couragement to the younger generation, for it proves that few will fail, provided there is a willingness to work and save. Poverty instead of being a handicap to the ambitious, serves as an incentive and stimulant, and Mr. Wilson proved this to be true in his case, as have so
many others who labored under the same condi- tions in the past, just as others will have to do in the future.
The birth of Thomas D. Wilson occurred in 1552 on a farm near Jacksonville, where so many of his useful years were spent. Ile was a son of Thomas Wilson, who with his wife passed away during the childhood of their son, Thomas, leaving him practically to battle alone with the world. The younger Thomas was reared by a family named Doolan, and he learned the carpenter trade with a Mr. White of Springfield, receiving his board and clothes for his work. When only eighteen years old, he went to St. Louis to work at his trade, finding plenty to do at that time as the city was re-building after a great fire. Later, he went to Whitehall, and there married. It was after this event, while still living at Whitehall, that his attention was called to the profit of handling oil, and he was quick to grasp the opportunity. From then on his success was assured, although it took some
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years to attain to the end he had in view. In 1899, he moved to Jacksonville, believing the conditions here were ripe for the opening of an extensive oil business, and results proved that he was right in his surmise. Under the title of the T. D. Wilson Oil Manufacturing Company, he and his son Frank, operated upon a large scale, keeping two wagons busy delivering, and han- dling 250,000 gallons of oil and gasoline. The plant covers ten acres, and the company sell in barrels only to nearby towns. In addition to his oil interests, Mr. Wilson spent two profitable years on his large farm of 465 acres four miles north of Barry, in Adams County, Ill., where he carried on general farming. At present the farm is rented to outside parties, but Frank Wilson continues the oil business, which has assumed large proportions.
On December 24, 1879, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Ann Dodson, who was twenty- two years old, daughter of James and Sarah Dodson, farming people. Mr. Dodson is deceased, but his widow lives near Whitehall, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents of two children : Frank L., and Ruth. The former carries on the oil business as before stated, and the latter is a bookkeeper, and both live with their mother.
Mr. Wilson had no interests outside his busi- ness affairs, but was essentially a home man, who took his pleasures in his family circle. Quick to respond to the call of charity, he also believed in work, and recognizing his own strug- gles, felt that no man ought to give up as long as he was able to perform duties assigned him. Honorable in his methods, never asking more of anyone than he was willing to do himself, he proved to the world about him that he was able to rise above early poverty, and was proud of the fact that he was self-made. His character was strengthened by his efforts, his mind broadened and he was able to look upon life more clearly than one for whom everything had been done. Not only, however, did he succeed in a material way, but he established his repu- tation of being a man of fair dealing and hon- orable purpose, and when he died, May 31, 1911, Jacksonville lost a representative citizen, and his family a beloved member. His funeral was largely attended by those who sought to do him honor, and his remains were laid to rest in Diamond Grove Cemetery. He was a member of the Christian Church for over twenty-five years, and had been a Mason since his twenty- second birthday.
MILES JOSEPH BRAIDEN.
Some men's ambitions lead them to strive for material honors, their greatest desire is to become famous orators and statesmen, and they subordinate everything else to this end. Others work diligently to secure promotion in military circles, while still others want to become famous as professional men. On the other hand, many feel that the prosperous business man has reached the summit of earthly success. Ahead of all of these, however, is the man, who, while steadily striving to improve his condi- tion and make of himself a factor in any line of endeavor he has entered upon, does not give himself over entirely to personal ambition, in any direction, but takes his greatest happiness. and displays the most profound interest in elevating his community, and assisting others to raise their standards of living. It is more difficult for the average man to convince people of the necessity for moral uplift than to force them to adopt measures looking towards some substantial improvement. There have been a few men, however, who do not allow themselves to be discouraged on account of obstacles.
Among those recalled none stood higher in the hearts of those among whom he labored than did the late Miles Joseph Braiden, of Rochelle.
Miles Joseph Braiden was born at Castile. Wyoming County, N. Y., October 10, 1835, and died May 19, 1905. He was a son of Roger Ascham and Sophia (Fletcher) Braiden, the latter having been a daughter of Isaac Gard- ner Fletcher, a Revolutionary soldier, and a granddaughter of Mrs. Ruth ( Pierce) Fletcher. The latter was an aunt of Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth president of the United States. Sophia (Fleteber) Braiden was a descendant of the Adams family to which President John Adams and Samuel Adams belonged. Roger Ascham came of Scotch-English descent, the name Braiden being in the Doomsday Book com- piled in the eleventh century. He was born in New York City, in the early part of 1795, and he died in 1845. He was a son of Joseph B. and Nancy (Gillespie) Braiden, the latter of whom was a descendant of the Campbell clan of Scotland. Joseph B. Braiden and wife moved from Ulster, Ireland, to New York City
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In 1795. Roger A. Braiden carried on farming In New York state.
Miles J. Braiden was educated in the common schools of New York state. Possessing a large measure of pioneer spirit, he went to Waukegan, 111., so early that the Indians were still located In that vicinity. In 1850 he attended the academy at Waukegan. When only seventeen years old he purchased the farm of 100 acres owned by his brothers in the vicinity of Wau- kegan, and operated it until 1856, when he embarked in a grocery aud grain business in conjunction with his brother-in-law, Henry Burlingim at (Lane) Rochelle, Ill. This asso- clation continued for about four years, and then Mr. Braiden bought 400 acres of land in Lee County and from 1860 to 1872, he operated this property. His enterprise and adoption of modern methods served to develop his farm und set an excellent example to those newly settling in the neighborhood, as well as inducing others to purchase land near him. While a resident of Lee County, he was township treas- urer of the school funds for twelve years, and was also supervisor for six terms. During the last three years, he received every vote cast for the latter office. In November, 1870, he was further honored by election as a repre- sentative to the Illinois Legislature, and that same year located at Rochelle. In 18GS. he bought what was known as the Mills Stewart farm, and also owned the Flagg farm, each of which were partly in the city. Later he platted these farms into four additions to Rochelle. Mr. Braiden embarked, a little later, in a lumber, coal, ice and building stone busi- mess, handling the stone from quarries on his own land, and developing interests that made hlin a wealthy man. During the time he was thus engaged, he was petitioned to serve as mayor, but refused this, and also the nomina- tion as state senator. He took an active part in the organization of the Rochelle Agricul- rural and Mechanical Association, and was its president for the first two years of its existence. giving to the society the use of the grounds free for five years. He served as alderman; was on the school board for six years, and was six years supervisor of Flagg Township, Ogle County. On account of his reputation for sterling honesty, and good judgment, he was chosen appraiser by both the owners and the railroad company, for the land taken by the Chicago and Iowa branch of the Burlington
Railroad. The township of Flagg voted $50,000 to aid in the construction of this railroad, but on account of the company failing to live up to the terms of agreement, Mr. Braiden, as super- visor, was instrumental in saving this amount to the township. The Supreme court confirmed the process favorable to the township. Another of the publie spirited actions that must be ac- credited to him was the securing of the estab- lishment of the public library for Rochelle. The business he established so firmly is carried on by his widow and sons, to whom he be- queathed it.
Mr. Braiden was married to Julia P. Flagg, a daughter of Willard P. and Lucy (Cochran) Flagg. Flagg Township was named for Mr. Flagg, he being one of the early settlers. Four children were born of this marriage, namely : May E., Nettie C., Lucy S., and Wilber F., all of whom are deceased. Nettie C. was married to Archibald Mcclanahan of Alexis, Illinois, at present a prominent attorney of Chicago. She is survived by six children. Nettie, Miles B., Alice, Bayard, Archibald and Wilhelmina. Mr. Braiden was married (second) to Clara E. Vaile, a daughter of Edward Gallatin and Caro- line (Cooper) Vaile. Mrs. Vaile was a de- scendant of John Cooper, who came from Olney, Buckinghamshire, England, in 1635, in the Hope- well, to Lynn. Mass. Mr. Vaile was a descend- ant of Edward Vaile of Boston, who settled in that city in 1746. Mrs. Clara E. (Vaile) Braiden, who is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is descended from six lines of Revolutionary ancestors. By this second marriage, Mr. Braiden had three chil- dren : Roscoe Vaile, who was born May 7, 1888, attended Kenyon Military Academy and the Chicago University, married Anna Gerald- ine Allen and lives in Rochelle, being associated with the lumber business established by his father; Bryant Fletcher, who was born August 13, 1893, attended Monmouth College and Cor- nell University, is living at home, and is also in the lumber business; and Marion Gillespie, who was born May 10, 1806, is a student at Ferry Hall. Lake Forest, Ill. The grandchil- dren in the family are: Miles Joseph, born October 10, 1905; Robert James, born October 13. 1909, and Ruth Marion, born October 12, 1910, all being children of Roscoe V. and Anna G. ( Allen) Braiden.
From the time he attained his majority, Mr. Braiden was a Republican. Fraternally he was
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a Mason and was prominent in Horicon Lodge No. 244, A. F. and A. M. of Rochelle: Chapter No. 158, R. A. M .; and Dixon Commandery, No. 21, K. T. ,He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. It would be difficult to name any movement that had for its object the
betterment of humanity, that was organized while Mr. Braiden was living, of which he was not the supporter. The power of his influence is still felt in the city where he labored so long and faithfully.
SYLVESTER MOLONEY.
Rev. Father Sylvester Moloney, pastor of St. Laurence Roman Catholic Church, which is sit - uated on the corner of Seventy-second street and Dorchester avenue, Chicago, combines with deep scholarship, as demanded of the Catholic clergy, the practical qualities indispensable to a success- ful minister in a large city parish. The pros- perity that attends St. Laurence Church attests the qualities. Father Moloney was born in the city of Chicago October 3, 185G, and is a son of Solomon and Eliza (Fogarty) Moloney. The father was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1817, and the mother in 1827 in County Tip- perary. Both came to the United States in 1847, locating finally at Chicago, exercising judg- ment they never had reason to regret, were mar- ried here and died in this city, separated at the last but two years, the father dying in 1886 and the mother in 18SS. Solomon Moloney was a man of enterprise and stability, was well- known in business and political circles and was foreman of the first gas house put up in Chi- cago. Later he became a member of the city police force and served on that body for twenty- seven years before he retired from active life. Ilis last years were spent at the home of his son, Father Moloney. The family consisted of ten children but only three survive, Father Moloney having two brothers, William J. and James J., both of whom reside also in Chicago.
In the parochial schools of his native city, Sylvester Moloney received his early educational training and later was a student in institutions at Baltimore, Md., and Milwaukee, Wis. After his ordination, which took place June 29, 1SS1, he was appointed assistant priest at St. Patrick's Church, corner of Desplaines and Adams streets, where he remained three years and was then transferred to St. Jorlath's church, corner of Jackson boulevard and Hermitage avenue, where he served as assistant for three and one- half years. In December, 1SS7, he was ap- pointed pastor of St. Laurence Church, finding the financial condition of the parish unsatis. factory, and the accommodations as to a church edifice an inadequate frame building standing
on the corner of Seventy-sixth street and Brooks, now Kenwood avenue. While apparently this was a discouraging outlook in some ways, Father Moloney did not particularly so regard it. Seeing his duty has always been the same with Father Moloney as doing it and with Christian zeal, tempered with good judgment, he went to work to make over St. Laurence parish, his first effort of importance being the purchase of a new piece of property and the removal of the old church and parish house to the corner of Seventy-third street and Dor- chester avenue. Later on another piece of prop -. erty was purchased at Seventy-second street and Dorchester avenue. On this site was built the present handsome edifice, one of the most substantial and architecturally beautiful in the city of Chicago was completed through Father Moloney's persistent efforts in 1911, together with a handsome parish house, the cost of the church amounting to $96,000, and the cost of the parish house being $20,000. The design of the church edifice is Romanesque, its construction materials being of pressed brick and Bedford stone ; is absolutely fireproof and has nine exits, metal gallery, stairways and marble vestibule. Its dimensions are 144 feet in length, 90 feet across the transept and 65 feet in the nave, the ceiling is 52 feet from the floor, the sanctuary railing is GS feet long and the steeple is 142 feet high. In the beautiful tower is a bell weighing 1400 pounds which was secured from the bell foundry of Menceley & Co., Waterville, N. Y. The seating capacity is arranged for 1000 people. B. Ferring furnished the altars and pulpit ; the Barnard Statuary Company the statues and grout ; and Biagi Bros., the various fonts. The architect was Joseph Molitor and the superintendent of construction was Richard M. Pritchard, but the greatest credit is due to Father Moloney for it was through his deter- mined spirit and excellent judgment in the man- agement of the material affairs of the parish that this great work was so rapidly forwarded and so thoroughly done. In 1913 a new school site was purchased at the southwest corner of
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Seventy-second street and Dorchester avenue. The parish has a membership of over 1,000 fam- ilies and the parish school has 000 pupils. This school and a convent both belonging to St. Laurence church are in charge of twelve Domini- can Sisters and these buildings occupy the old
site on Seventy-third street and Dorchester avenue. Father Moloney is very highly regarded and in his own congregation is looked upon as a beloved and trusted leader and outside his own communion is respected for his manly Christian character.
CHARLES FREDERICK MOORE.
The medical profession is one of the oldest the world knows, but it has been given to the physicians of the past half a century to make more valuable discoveries and reach greater heights of usefulness, than did all who went before them, eminent as they were. Wonderful scientific achievements have startled the world, and wrought mighty revolutions in the treat- ment and cure of different diseases. Men of profound learning have spent their lives in research that was rewarded by discovering an antitoxin for some malady, many dying before they realized the importance of what they had accomplished. None of the other learned pro- fessions require so much sacrifice of its mem- bers, as that of medicine. It is not unusual for the newspapers to chronicle the death of a phy- sician who has offered up his life on the altar of science, in order to combat the scourge of disease. It is doubtful if any faithful physician escapes paying some penalty for his fearless- ness. Some may imagine that a doctor is im- mune. but in this they are greatly mistaken, for the physician takes his life into his capable hands whenever he ministers to the afflicted, running the risk of contagion or infection even with skilled knowledge of his peril. One of these men of medicine who attained much more than local celebrity, although called away in the prime of life, just when it held most for him, was the late Dr. Charles Frederick Moore, of DeKalb.
Charles Frederick Moore was born February 4, 1862, at Aurora, Ill., and died at DeKalb, June 10, 1910. He was a son of William and Mary (Corlett) Moore. William Moore was born in Warwickshire, England, in 1833, and came to the United States in early manhood. He was a carpenter and contractor, and locat- ing at Utica. N. Y., worked at his trade, and there met and married Mary Corlett, who was born in Utica, in 1835. Charles Frederick was the seventh child born to them. In 1854 the family came to Illinois, as they believed better conditions here awaited them, but the father
was not permitted to live very long after their arrival. for he died at Ottawa, Ill., in the early sixties. The mother survived him thirty years, dying in Chicago, in November, 1891, at the home of her son. Frank Moore. Three brothers of Dr. Moore still survive: George, who lives retired at DeKalb; John, who is in business in California, and Frank, who is a business man of Chicago. The only sister of Dr. Moore. Mrs. George II. Gothard, is a resident of DeKalb. There are five grandchildren of the Moore fan- ily living.
Dr. Moore was graduated from Rush Medical College. Chicago, in 1SSS, and prior to his medi- cal course, was well educated in the schools of Chicago. After securing his medical degree, he practiced for five years in Chicago, then went to Shabbona, Ill., and spent five years more, but from 1899 to his death, he was at DeKalb, where he proved himself a skilled phy- sician, sympathetic and kindly, and won warm friendship from his patients, who appreciated his many excellent qualities.
On June 19, 1889, Dr. Moore married Miss Anna Eddy, born near St. Charles, Ill., May 26, 1865, daughter of Harry and Mary Ann (Acocks) Eddy, natives of New York State. Harry Eddy was a direct descendant of one of three brothers of that name who came to this country in the Mayflower. He was one of the early settlers of Illinois, coming to Kane County in 1837. A farmer, he followed an agri- cultural calling up to three or four years of his death, which occurred at St. Charles about 1880. Mrs. Eddy lived until April 23, 1910, when she passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Moore, at DeKalb. Dr. and Mrs. Moore became the parents of the following chil- dren ; Mary, born August 29, 1890, married John Earl Smith. employed in the office of the American Steel Company at DeKalb; Carolyn, born May 20. 1893, after the public school course, took a one-year course in the Normal school and is now living at home; and Blanebe, born August 5, 1SQ8. Mrs. Moore has a niece,
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Vergene Bower, who was born May 15, 1891. a daughter of Harry Eddy Bower, who was left motherless when six years old. Mrs. Moore acting as her guardian, has brought her np as one of her own daughters. The family are Congregationalists,
A Mason, Eagle and Yeoman, Dr. Moore took an interest in fraternal matters. Politically, he was a Republican, but did not take an active part in politics, as he was wrapped up in his profession.
Dr. Moore's death occurred at his home on North Seventh street, after an illness of six months' duration. The Rev. E. O. Meade of the Congregational Church, assisted by the Rev. George H. Wilson, of Evanston, officiated at his funeral and the hundreds gathered to pay a last tribute to his memory were deeply affected by the impressive ceremony, and many followed
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