USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 53
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Quincy, is secretary of the Quincy Showcase Company. Those who are dead are as follows: Amelia, who died at the age of seventeen years; Lena, who died at the age of twelve years; and three who died in infancy.
In spite of all he accomplished as a Imsiness man Mr. Pfeiffer was prouder of the fact that he had accomplished all this by himself, than of his material success. He knew the hardships and struggles of his early days and what he had overcome, and so appreciated what he had acquired more as a triumph over adverse cir- cumstances, than as the actual accumulation of wealth. Although many avoided the hated mili- tary service Mr. Pfeiffer did not, but served out his time and always felt glad that he did
so, for then he could feel that he had met each duty of life as presented to him. Although leading a quiet life and rarely assuming a con- spicuous place in public, Mr. Pfeiffer was of great service to the city in various capacities where his business ability and executive capabil- ity, and keen insight into human nature, com- bined with his comprehension of the struggles undergone by those striving to make something of themselves, made that service of great im- portance. His was a busy life and it is to his high credit that he took from the city in return no political office, preferring to live in the hearts of his associates simply as one of their own, 9. private citizen, architect of his own fortunes.
JOHN GLEASON GRAHAM.
Life is strange, personal history is mysterious, and the vicissitudes of humanity, the multiplied and diversified incidents which make up the pil- grimage through the world, serve to impress upon the mind of thoughtful men, that there is a divine providence that shapes all ends. The late John Gleason Graham of Canton, Ill., was a man whose industry was indefatigable, whose efforts were so well directed that with little difficulty he accomplished what others toiled long and arduously to do. As civil engineer, mer- chant, agriculturalist and legislator his mind was quick and comprehensive, and he made upon others the strong impression of his ability and industry that aided him so materially in all lines. Years have passed since this forceful man was taken from the midst of a useful, busy life, and yet his memory remains so green that as a memorial, a hospital has been erected in the city where he labored so long and capably, and his deeds serve as a stimulus to others still struggling with the problems of life.
John Gleason Graham was born on the paren- tal homestead near Northumberland, Saratoga County, N. Y., November 17, 1817. and died at Canton, Ill., January 24, 1569. His parents were John and Polly (Gleason) Graham, natives of Vermont and Saratoga County, respectively. These parents gave their son the privileges of- fered by a New York academy, after he had completed his studies in the public schools, and then taking up civil engineering, he was able to put to practical use the knowledge of this pro- fession he had acquired, as one of the men em- ployed on the construction of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad in Illinois. As he
traveled about the country, he saw the opening for a live merchant at Canton, Ill., and when he received his remuneration for his work with the railroad, he laid in a stock of goods and became a general merchant. His efforts along that line proved profitable and he invested his returns in agricultural lands, a portion of which he operated. Having been a Democrat prior to the stormy period antedating the Civil war, the slavery question decided him, and he cast his vote and influence with the Republican party. In 1S5S he was sent to the State Assembly as a representative, and was returned two more times in succession, and he also served as a delegate from Fulton County in the State Consti- tutional Convention of 1862. In fact nearly all of his time from 1858 until his death was given to public affairs, for he had practically retired from business, although he continued one of the largest stockholders and chief advisers of the Canton National Bank.
Mr. Graham married Lydia Wills, who came of Scotch and Scotch-Irish stock. Their children were Charles, and Ella, both of whom died in childhood : Caroline, who is a resident of Wash- ington, D. C .: John W., who died in 1891; and Alice L., who lives with her sister at Washing- ton. Mrs. Graham died March 31. 1SS6.
Mr. Graham accomplished much in his few years, for he had barely crossed the half cen- tury mark when death claimed him. During that period he had secured his educational train- ing and coming west at a time when Illinois was still largely undeveloped, he became one of the leading men of the town he selected as his home, and dying, left a handsome fortune to his
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family. He did more than that, for he carried on his varied interests in such a way as to gain a wide and extensive acquaintance with men in public life, and knowing intimately and num- bering among his friends those who took a
masterful part in public events, he influenced many of them in their actions. His strength of character was sweetened by bis love of human- ity, and his sense of justice governed his pub- lic and private life.
GEORGE FRANK LEE.
Railroading as a vocation attracts many am- bitious young men when they start out in life, and this field of effort has often proven a rich opportunity to those who have been willing to work hard, to scorn hardships, to face dangers and to give absolute fidelity to the great sys. tems that employ them. Rewards, however, are not given by railroad corporations to those who have not thus proved up. Among the officials of almost every line of business will be found men of sterling character who would, perhaps, have succeeded well in almost any other line of endeavor, but for railroading there must be natural inclination and this must be combined with hard, practical experience. Thus they . have first become particularly competent train- men and have qualified for high official position. In this connection may be cited the career of the late George Frank Lee, who, at the time of his death, was general baggage agent of the entire system of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, having won promotion from the very bottom of the ladder, through the possession of qualities which are, as above noted, necessary in a railroad career.
George Frank Lee was born September 5, 1858, at Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, a son of David and Jane ( Hart) Lee, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., and the latter of New Jersey. David Lee, who was a railroad man throughout his life, for fifty years was superin- tendent of maintenance of way with the Balti- more & Ohio system, and was one of the com- pany's most trusted and faithful officials, de- voting himself entirely to the company's inter- ests. He was a well educated and well read man. He died June 29, 1905, his wife passing away in October, 1903. George Frank Lee was educated in the graded and high schools of Zanesville. From his early boyhood he had de- termined upon following the career of his father, and, believing that for one who was determined to make railroading his vocation, the earlier he entered upon his career the sooner he might
hope for advancenient, he began his connection with railroads when little more than a lad. That he remained a member of the calling throughout his life shows that he had the true spirit of the trainman. When still in his early teens he was given a position as ticket agent with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Zanes- ville. A few years later, bis abilities having been recognized, he was offered and accepted the position of traveling passenger agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, but after two years thus spent he returned to the Baltimore & Ohio, in the capacity of general agent, with headquarters at Zanesville. After two more years Mr. Lee want to Denver, Colo., as general passenger agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, with which road he con- tinued during the balance of his life. In 1890 he was transferred to Chicago, where he was made city ticket and passenger agent, and in 1904 was advanced to the position of general baggage agent for the entire system, this office occupying b's attention and energies up to the time of his death, which occurred October 24, 1913. Although a man who found his chief pleasures in his home, Mr. Lee was so genial and sociable by nature that he numbered his friends by hundreds, finding them both in and out of railroad circles.
On September 7, 1887, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Iora Pierson, of Chicago, daughter of Lee W. and Ann (Marsh) Pierson, natives of Pitts- burgh, Pa. Mir. Pierson was a leading contractor and builder of Indianapolis, Ind., for about fif- teen years, then coming to Chicago and contin- ued in the same line until his retirement. He died May 8, 1904, and Mrs. Pierson passed away also in that city. The nephews and grand- nephews of Mr. Pierson in Indianapolis are also representative contractors of that city.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee were the parents of one daughter, Margaret St. John. Mr. Lee was a member of the Methodist church during life, and Mrs. Lee belongs to the same.
Franklin Hall
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FRANKLIN HALL.
Franklin Hall, who was one of the more prom- Inent members of the agricultural community ventering around the city of De Kalb, is a native son of De Kalb County, born in Sycamore Town- ship, June 10, 1844. His parents were Ephriam and Caroline (Ilall) Hall. Mr. Hall's boyhood was passed on his father's farm, and he divided the years of his youth between gaining a prac- tical insight into the business of farming and in laying the foundations of his intellectual train- ing. During these days the life of a farming community was vastly different than it has grown to be and Mr. Hall was not unfamiliar with those features of the land which indicate the frontier, such as broad, uncultivated stretches of prairie bounding the small patches which the pioneers of the neighborhood had taken to themselves. His life was one of almost continuous activity, and as he viewed the ad- vancements which came in the manner and means of cultivation, he had the satisfaction of knowing that his enterprise had done much toward bringing about the change.
Mr. Hall was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Dennison, in the year 1872. Ilis wife was a native of Canada where she was born near Mon- treal November 21, 1844, a daughter of William and Sarah (Cleveland) Dennison, an early set- tler of Will County, IN. Mr. and Mrs. Hall be- came the parents of four sons and one daughter, whose names are: William D., at home; Ephi- riam, married, owns the old homestead, and
lives on the old farm; Henry, deceased; Almon F., at home, has 350 acres; and Jessie (Mrs. Marshall Lee), a resident of Sycamore Town- ship, owning 101 acres. Mr. Hall was twenty- eight years old when he married; and he im- mediately undertook the superintendence and operation of his father's farm. Ile then bonght the old homestead which still is retained in the family. Progressiveness and strict attention to even the smallest details soon brought Mr. Hall the success he sought. He invested heavily but wisely in real estate and became the owner of 1,500 acres of highly improved land in De Kalb County. He was enabled to retire from actual farming while he was still in his prime ; and he moved to the town of Sycamore where he bought and furnished a very comfortable brick residence at the corner of State and California avenues. Here the family now live.
In his manner Mr. Hall was rather quiet, as is usually the case with men whose record is not the least in doubt; and perhaps the most notable characteristic which marked his life was his unfaltering honesty and love of just fair- ness that led his friends to give heed to his advice and to consider his word "as good as a government bond." In addition to his other business interests Mr. Hall was a director of the Maple Park Bank and a stockholder in the Na- tional Bank of Sycamore. Mr. Hall passed to his just reward on October 9, 1909. Mrs. Hall still owns the interest which her husband had in the Sycamore National Bank.
GEORGE S. CHISHOLM.
After years of useful endeavor during which many had implicit reliance upon his business capability, and depended upon his deep knowl- edge of commercial affairs for their livelihood, the late George S. Chisholm was placed among the eminent capitalists of Elgin, whose large income was diverted into numerous channels of national prosperity, as he had invested wisely and judiciously in property in Utah and other western states. He was looking forward to years of usefulness as a retired captain of in- dustry whose leisure could be utilized for civic Improvement and municipal reform, when he was stricken, and death claimed him. Mr. Chisholm was born in Menomonie, Wis., Febru- ary 12, 1845, son of Robert Bruce and Sarah (Van Volkenburgh) Chisholm. Robert Bruce
Chisholm was born near Kettle Creek, N. Y., in 1812, and he died at Oakland, Cal., when seventy-eight years old. His remains were brought to Elgin and laid to rest in Bluff City cemetery. His wife passed away at the age of fifty-two years. Robert Bruce Chisholm bad a varied life, which saw residence in the United States and Canada, as his parents moved to St. Thomas, Ontario, when he was a lad. It was in the Dominion that he met and married his wife, born at London, Ontario, and with her went into the then wilds of Wisconsin. There he identified himself with valuable mining in- terests which necessitated his removal to Min- nesota, and there he bought and operated 700 acres of farm land. In an early day, he sold this property and went to Winona, Minn., but
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in 1855, brought his family to Elgin, Ill., thus early recognizing its possibilities. In 1866, he bought a farm that included the present site of the State Insane Asylum and its beautiful grounds. Always interested in mining, he saw the value of the lead and tin mines of Missouri, and developed large interests there with Cap- tain Day. Subsequently these two went to Salt Lake City, where they discovered the Emma mine, the first ore from which was sent to England to act as ballast in a ship. The part- ners developed this mine, but later were in- volved in legal difficulties. from which they were extricated by the efforts of the eloquent attorney, Edward Joslyn of Elgin. This mine was named in honor of a daughter of Mr. Chis- holm, and was one of the most productive of the Little Cottonwood District about twenty-seven miles outside of Salt Lake City. It produced both gold and silver, although the latter metal predominated, and the original owners were Robert Bruce Chisholm, Captain J. M. Day, J. F. Woodman and Captain J. Smith. The mine was sold to Park and Baxter, a New York firm, and by them to English financiers for $11,000,000, and it is still producing. Mr. Chis- holm's share of the sale of the mine was $500,- .000. The children born to Robert Bruce Chis- holm and his excellent wife were five in Dum- ber: William Wallace, who is interested in mines in Salt Lake City, Utah; Oliver Perry, who has heavy mining interests in Montana ; George S., who is now deceased : Robert B., who resides at Los Angeles, Cal., a heavy mine owner; and Emma, who is the widow of George Bennett of Geneva, Ill.
George S. Chisholm was reared upon the farm which his father later sold to the state for $75 per acre to be developed into a home for the insane. After the sale of the home- stead, Mr. Chisholm made several trips to his father's mining interests in Utah, but main- tained his residence at Elgin, and had such faith in it that he invested in a grocery store, locating it in the Home Bank Building, which he conducted for six or seven years. Later. however, he concentrated his energies upon his mining interests in Utah, which yielded him a handsome income.
In 1875, Mr. Chisholm was united in marriage with Angeline K. Hatch of Lisle, Ill., daughter of James and Charlotte Hatch, and niece of the Rev. Reuben A. Hatch, a professor of Oberlin College, who, when ninety-five years of age pre- pared a history of the Hatch family. Mr. and Mrs. Chisholm became the parents of five chil- dren : Marie Louise, who is the wife of Leon- ard Hawkins, hardware merchant of Elgin ; Archibald S., who lives at Elgin ; Harold James, who is at home, as are William Wallace and George Edward. For some time prior to his death, May 17, 1910, Mr. Chisholm had been troubled with rheumatism, but no fatal results were anticipated, although his physician had warned him that the attack might affect his heart. While calling upon his daughter, Mrs. L. I. Hawkins, Mr. Chisholm died of heart fail- ure, his death coming as a great shock to all who knew him. His funeral was largely at- tended for the leading people of Kane County came to pay him honor.
A Mason, Mr. Chisholm had risen to the high- est degree, and also belonged to Medinah Tem- ple, Mystic Shrine, of Chicago. Mr. Chisholm was also earnest in his support of the order of Knights of Pythias, and always tried to carry out the obligations he incurred when he joined any fraternity. Although early in life he was a Republican, having cast his vote for Lincoln, Grant and Garfield, he later felt that his views were best represented by William Jennings Bryan and gave that candidate his support. In every enterprise he embarked upon, Mr. Chis- holm brought into his new position deep knowl- edge of large affairs, wide practical experience and sound judgment, and when these are com- bined with kindly, generous characteristics, the ultimate end is the establishment of a man in the confidence of his community. Mr. Chis- holm was nover content to let others bear the brunt of affairs, but gave generously of his time and attention to effect a further development of conditions. Hlad not death cut short his career, Elgin would have benefited still further from his sage counsel and generous benofac- tions, for he had its best interests at heart.
MALCOLM McNEIL.
Much truth has been written relative to the natural advantages offered by the location of Chicago, which have played an important part
in the development of the metropolis of the West. Still, it must be remembered that until shrewd, keen, aggressive men, many from for-
لنفست ونة
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eign shores, came here to take advantage of the opportunities presented, the Indians and their surrounding wild
conditions held sway. Through the combination of the natural situa- tion and the brains of the men attracted here, there has been produced a municipality second to none in some commercial lines, especially those connected with the wholesale handling of groceries and provisions. Malcolm McNeil, president of the MeNeil and Higgins Company, wholesale grocers of Chicago, is one of the best Instances of a man meeting bis congenial life work and developing it into a vast enterprise.
Malcolm McNeil was born in the old town of Ardie, Scotland, September 12, 1832, a son of Daniel and Jean (Crichton) McNeil. Ac- quiring a fundamental and practical business education in his native land, when sixteen years old he accompanied his parents to the United States, in 1848, the father buying and locating upon land three miles north of Dundee, Kane County, Ill. There the youth rounded out his immature years, and until he was twenty-six years old was a farmer, and learned food val- ues at their source. He had always felt, how- ever, that he was meant for a business life, so made his first venture in 1858. establishing him- self in a small grocery at Elgin, Ill. Through energy, thrift and straightforwardness he sue- ceeded, and in 1863 took his brother, John Mc- Neil, into partnership with him. In time this grew to be the largest general store at Elgin. In 1872 this property was soll, and the broth- ers, with Charles Higgins, established a whole- sale grocery house at Chicago, under the firm
name of MeNeil and Higgins. In 1SSS, the bust- ness was incorporated as MeNeil and Higgins Company, of which Malcolm MeNeil was made, and still continues president : John McNeil, vice-president, and Oscar B. MeGlasson, secre- tary. This house has been a pioneer oue in in- troducing new methods of merchandising, and stands among the foremost in the country. Mr. MeNeil owns three large dairy farms near Elgin, Ill., adjoining which is his country resi- dence, "Glenora Springs."
In 1859 Mr. MeNeil was married, at Dundee, Ill., to Miss Catherine Dempster, a daughter of A. R. Dempster of that place. This lady died in 1870, and in 1571, Mr. MeNeil married Miss Orel Martin, a daughter of Charles W. Martin of Wayne. 111. Mr. MeNeil has had three sons and three daughters: Nora, Malcolm, Ella, Marvin, Charles Higgins, and Jeanie. The family residence is at No. 1232 La Salle Ave- nute, where the friends of the family are often hospitably entertained. Mrs. MeNeil is an ideal hostess, and a lady who has a wide circle of friends.
Identified as he has been with important in- terests of Chicago for forty-two years. Mr. Mc- Neil has well borne his part in the business world and has also ever lived up to a high ideal of good citizenship. Conservative in his methods, his long and prosperous career dem- onstrates that his methods have been sound, and his ideas well worth while. While advanc- ing the material prosperity of his community, he also has not neglected that which would aid it in its spiritual progress, and is honored as well as admired.
WILLIAM FISHER KIRTLEY.
Combined with a righteous sense of civic duty, and unflagging interest in the affairs of his municipality, the late William Fisher Kirtley had a vast experience with people and affairs, and made an enviable record of achievement during his life in Quincy. He was born Au- gust 5, 1856, at New York City, N. Y., and died suddenly at Quincy, Ill., January 7. 1911. Mr. Kirtley was a son of Louis A. Kirtley, and his wife Jane (New) Kirtley.
When William F. Kirtley was six years old. his parents moved to Breckenridge, Mo., from Columbus, Ind., and there the boy grew to manhood, receiving a liberal education in the grammar and high schools, supplementing the instruction received there with wide reading
along varied lines, so that he became as well- informed as any college-bred man. For fifteen years he was a traveling salesman for Newman Bros. of Chicago, manufacturers of pianos, but at the time of his death was with the Brockport Piano Company, of New York. He was very prominent in the Modern Woodmen of America, the odd Fellows and Royal Arcanum, at Quincy. A Repablican in political faith, he was active in his party. Of upright character, he led a clean, moral life, and set an excellent example that was not without influence. Mr. Kirtley was a nem of varied talents. At the time of his marriage, he was a druggist aml chemist at Kansas City. Mo., and compounded a number of very valuable remedies still on the market and
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an automobile varnish of considerable repute, and invented several appliances, including a mail box, the worth of all these being demon- strated by their ready sale.
On October 14, 1885, Mr. Kirtley was mar- ried at Augusta, Ill., to Miss Louise Hoffman of Quincy, Ill., born in that city June 5, 1857, daughter of John and Eliza ( Cox) Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman was a native of Pennsylvania, while his wife was born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Kirtley were the parents of one child : M. Lloyd, born August 11, 1891. He married Miss Laura Omer, a native of Camp Point, IN. Two children were born to this marriage: Bonita and Margaret Louisa. M. Lloyd Kirtley and his family live in St. Louis, Mo., he being a popular reader and lecturer on the Chautauqua circuit. William F. Kirtley built his handsome residence at No. 812 Locust Boulevard, Quincy, twenty-two years ago, and here his widow re- sides. In addition to this property, she owns other valuable realty in which Mr. Kirtley had wisely invested. His death was generally mourned, his loss being deeply felt in the com-
munity where he had been so important a factor for many years. His friends were legion, and were scattered over a wide territory, for Mr. Kirtley was a man who endeared himself to those with whom he was brought into personal association, either iu a business or social way. Although for many years ins business kept him on the road. be took with him his high standard of living, and aprightness of purpose. ile never lost his keen and abiding muterest in Quincy, which for mans years benefited by his public- spirted, liberal and staunch support. He was always sh active worker and his unselfish devo- tion to its intereste was of lasting benefit to its material welfare, Quincy could ill atford the loss of a man of bis calibre.
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