USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 54
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Contemplation of a character like Mr. Kirt- ley's emphasizes the fact that a man is largely what he aims to make himself, and that true dignity of bearing and nobility of soul are recognized and appreciated. He was a man who never allowed personal desire for gain to inter- fere with his usefulness to others, and this was commented on at the time of his death.
WILLIAM HENNEL BLACK.
In every generation there are a few men set apart by destiny to rise to high position in the life of the nation. Their names becomes house- hold words, and their actions are emblazoned upon the pages of history. The newspapers are kept busy recording their movements, and they live in the bright light of publicity. Yet these men are not really the backbone of true Ameri- canism. They are but the mouthpieces of the vast army of quiet, unassuming citizens who every day do their duty to their associates, their employers and their families and conse- quently to their community and nation. Such men as these who do not desire the fierce blaze of public preferment, are those who assist in forming the policies by which many great men are governed. Elgin is a community that has always attracted men of orderly habits, who desire an opportunity to work out their ideas of right living, and one of the men whose intlu- ence was always directed towards a higher standard of morality here found congenial sur- roundings. The life work of the late William Hennel Black is not ended, although his bodily tenement has been laid to rest in one of the silent God's Acres. There are many ambitions young men today, whose work brought them into close association with Mr. Black who are
stimulated to better effort because they had the honor of his acquaintance.
William Hennel Black was born January 1, 1845, at Ellsworth, Me., and died at Elgin, Ill., February 18, 1909. He was a son of Wil- liam Hennel and Abigail (Little) Black, natives of Ellsworth and Castine, Me. The paternal grandfather was a native of England who found a happy home in Maine. Mr. Black grew to manhood in his native place, where he was given a substantial educational training in the public schools of Ellsworth, which he later supplemented with a course at Ellsworth Acad- emy. Leaving the latter institution, Mr. Black, being of a practical turn of mind, learned the watchmaking trade, and entering the Waltham Watch Company's factory, at Waltham, Mass., in 1865, spent three years very usefully with that corporation. In the year ists, Mr. Black came to Elgin, and from then until his death was associated with the Elgin National Watch Company. So efficient was he that in 1 76 his services were recognized by his appointment as foreman of the finishing department, and when this was combined with the asseudding depart- ment, Mr. Black was placed in charge. His po- sition gave him plenty of opportunity to come into close touch with the young men under him,
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and he utilized this to influence them for their own good. Many remember him with the deep- est gratitude because of his hearty sympathy and cheerful assistance when it was most needed.
On May 23, 1868, Mr. Black was married to Francenia Smith, daughter of Joshua Freeman and Rebecca (Arnold) Smith, natives of Lan- caster and Phillipston, Mass. Mrs. Black was born at Fitchburg, Mass. The Arnold family originated at Sudbury, Mass. Mr. Black was a Mason, belonging to Monitor lodge. From the time he cast his first vote, he was a Republican, but he never sought office. A Universalist in religion, for twelve years he assisted in the choir of his church. His years of orderly and abundant work were rounded out by sane en- joyment of his comfortable home and the friend-
ship of his associates. Ile was interested in securing and preserving the good will of all, and lived that kind of a life that was bound to gain for him the respect of the community. Every form of wise charity had his practical support for he was actuated by public spirited love of his fellow men, and he used good judg- ment in controlling his high purposes. As a business man, there were three excellent rea- sous why he succeeded, energy, system and prac- tical knowledge, and the range of his activities was not confined to his own department, but he was always glad to render service where he saw that it was needed. Such a man is needed in every concern, and his loss to that which em- ployed him and the community in which he re- sided for so long, was a heavy one, and was deeply deplored.
JOHN B. OBYRTACZ.
Rev. John B. Obyrtacz, C. R., is pastor of St. Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic Church, Chi- cago, Ill. There are many personal factors con- tributing to the upbuilding and substantial pros- perity of a great city, commonwealth or country. There must be those who can plan and those who can carry forward the enterprises and in- dustries by which men and women can work and live ; there must be those who are equipped, by circumstances or otherwise, to make laws for the common protection and to see that they are carried out; and there must be others, in a multitude of different avenues, to serve their fellow mortals according to the laws of human- ity, each one, in his own way, performing duties for the common weal which, in entirety, can not be delegated to anyone else. How great a work in this whole do the Church and its ministers perform! Its mission of personal Christianity, of peace, kindness and good will, leads men into paths removed from strife, encourages and sympathizes when the struggle against injustice becomes too heavy, gives com- fort in times of trouble and bereavement and send its ministers to give consolation when life is fast ebbing away. This beneficent, noble, civilizing and indispensable work is being car- ried on in every land under the sun by the Roman Catholic Church and this personal work has been continuous for time that is counted by centuries.
St. Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic Church was organized at Chicago, IN., in IS'S, and in January, 1909, Rev. John B. Obyrtacz. C. R.,
became its pastor. He was born in the king- dom of Galicia, a province of Austria since 1772, formerly a part of Poland, and Polish is yet its language in official intercourse and in the higher educational institutions. Father Obyr- taez was born May 20, 1873, and was reared in the city of Cracow, where he attended school and coundeted his course in the classics of the Cracow Gymnasium. Destined for the church, he then entered the Gregorian University, at Rome, Italy, where he pursued his theological studies and graduated in 1895 with honors. In the same year he came to the United States and located in the city of Chicago, where he was subsequently ordained to the priesthood by the late Archbishop Feehan.
The first charge of Father Obyrtacz was hat- urally among the Polish people, with whom birth, parentage and education connected him, and under his organization the Polish Catholic parish of St. Stanislaus came into existence. He was its main founder and before he was transferred to his present charge, he had built a church edifice and a school, at a cost of $50,000; a rectory at a cost of $5.000 and the same amount was expended for a convent build- ing for the Sisters of St. Francis. When he came to St. Hedwig's he found a congregation of 2,000 families, which within the space of four years has been increased to 3,000 families, or about 15,000 souls. He has been given four assistants to help him in carrying on the work of this large parish and his zeal is supplemented by their willing work. An important and en-
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couraging feature is the flourishing parochial school, which has over 1,000 pupils under the instruction of thirty Sisters of Nazareth. Con- nected with the church are thirty-tive benevo- lent societies, almost all of these belonging to the Polish Roman Catholic Union; ten courts which belong to the Catholic Order of Foresters ; six societies which belong to the Polish Alma Mater, United States: five church confraterni- ties consisting of 2,700 members; while there are four different choirs for church devotions.
For the last sixteen years the director and leader of these choirs has been Prof. Emil Wiedman. During all the time that Father Obyrtaez has gone in and out among his people. administering to all alike in the spirit of broth- erly love, over carrying the faith with him as a blessed gift, the good he has done cannot be esti- mated and it must compensate him for many hours of discouragement that necessarily come to a faithful, anxious priest, that his people love and venerate him.
EVERELL FLETCHER DUTTON.
On the list of the distinguished dead of Illi- nois appears the name of General Everell Fletcher button, whose valor and loyalty, to- gether with his consideration for his men, made him an ideal soldier. In business he was equally prominent, and though he won a measure of success that raised him far above the majority of mankind financially, his business methods were ever so straightforward and reliable and his wealth so honorably used that the most envious could not grudge him his prosperity. He stood for all that is upright, just and true in man's relations with his fellowmen, and his life was inspiring and helpful. He taught not by injunction and dictation but by example. inference and suggestion, and so endeared him- self to the hearts of those who knew him that his death was mourned by thousands of friends throughout the land. General Dutton was born in Sullivan County, N. H., January 4, 1538, the elder son of Hon. William P. Dutton and was but eight years of age at the time of the re- moval of his parents to Sycamore. The family had already been residents of Illinois for two years at that time. His education was pur- sned in the public schools of Sycamore, at Mount Morris, Ill., where he remained for a year, and at Beloit, Wis., where he also con- tinued his studies for a year. When not occu- pied with his text-books he assisted his father in the store and postoffice. The year 1857 wit- nessed the removal of the family to Kansas. where he assisted his father in the work of the farm until 1558. He then returned to Syca- more and accepted the position of deputy clerk under the Hon. A. K. Stiles, with whom he re- mained until April. 1861. He had watched wtih interest the progress of events in the South, had received direct reports from his father concerning the difficulties that arose over the admission of Kansas and Nebraska as free
states, had noted the threats of secession and had resolved that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would stand loyally for its support. Accordingly the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away when he responded to President Lincoln's call for aid and was mustered into the state service at Dixon, Ill., on May 10, and into the United States service on May 24. His company be- came a part of the Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and Z. B. Mayo was elected captain of the company, which was known as Company I, while Mr. Dutton was chosen first lieuten- ant. On June 16 the regiment went to Casey- ville, Ill., to look after the secession element at that place, and on July 6 moved on to Rolla, Mo. In August, 1861, Lieutenant Dutton was promoted to the command of his company, Cap- tain Mayo having resigned. The regiment re- mained at Rolla until the last of October, and in addition to regular military service did cav- alry duty, looking after guerrillas and bush- whackers in that section of the country. From Rolla the Thirteenth Illinois proceeded on forced marches to Springfield, Mo., making the 120 miles in four days, and were placed in General Fremont's command, under whom the regiment remained until that general was superseded. On March 6, 1862, the Thirteenth was ordered back to Rolla, was assigned to the command of General Curtis and was then sent to Pea Ridge, Ark .. marching at the rate of twenty- five miles per day. The men suffered great hardships, being compelled to subsist for days on parched corn and whortleberries. The campaign down the White river was especially hazardous and severe, the troops suffering from cold and lack of food and then changing to in- tense heat, with no water except from the cypress swamps, abounding with reptiles and tilth, many of the wells being poisoned as the
E. F. Detlow
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troops approached. After three month's expe- rience of this character the regiment reached Helena on July 14, with half of its number ill.
In August, 1861, Captain Dutton was sent home ill, and while there was conunissioned Major of the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which he assisted in rais- ing in De Kalb and Du Page counties. On Sep- tember 22 he was transferred to that command by order of the Secretary of War and proceeded with his regiment a few days later to Louis- ville, Ky., where it was assigned to the army under General Rosecrans, then in camp near Bowling Green. On November 11 the brigade to which the One Hundred and Fifth Illinois was attached was ordered to Louisville, and November 25 marched to Gallatin, Tenn., where it went into winter quarters. On December 11 the regiment was removed to Tunnel Hill, where it remained until February 1, 1SC3. when it joined the brigade at Gallatin, continuing there until the close of spring. During these six months of arduous campaigning Major Dutton had charge of the scouts of the brigade, some 250 in number, and was almost constantly in the saddle. On June 1, 1863, the regiment pro- ceeded to Lavergne, aud a month later to Mur- freesboro, whence it was afterward ordered back to Lavergne, and on August 19 entered Fort Neg- ley, at Nashville, where it remained until Feb- ruary, 1SG4.
While at Nashville Major Dutton was made a member of the board constituted by the war department for the purpose of examining and assigning officers to the regiments of colored men, remaining on that duty until May 1, when he rejoined his regiment, which was then as- signed to the First Brigade, Third Division. Twentieth Army Corps, commanded by General Joseph Hooker, in which it served until the close of the war. In the battle of Resaca the One Hundred and Fifth took a distinguished part, and for its gallantry was especially com- plimented. In the campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas the regiment also won the most favorable distinction for its gallantry and achievements and in the war reports had favor- able mention. From July 13 to Angust 4 Major Dutton had command of the regiment, Colonel Dustin being absent. During this period the battle of Peach Tree Creek was fought July 20, in which the One Hundred and Fifth was heavily engaged and had the honor of captur- ing the flag of the Twelfth Louisiana Regiment. The brigade was then commanded by General Harrison, afterward President of the United
States, who was a close personal friend of Gen- eral Dutton, and they slent together under the same tent many nights while in the service. The record of the regimest during the entire Atlanta campaign was especially brilliant, it taking part in the battles of Respen. Cassville, New Hope Church, Golgotha, Peach Tree Creek and At- lanta. Early in August, 1864, Major Dutton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and soon afterward to the Coloneley, his senior officer, Colonel Dastin, having been appointed Brigadier General. From Atlanta the One Hun- Gred and Fifth marched with Sherman to the ser and from Savannah Through the Carolinas to Goldsboro and Raleigh, thence through Rich- mond to Washington, participating in the bat- tles of Lawtonville, Smith's Farm and Avery- boro. the latter being fought March 15, 1805. During this last engagement the One Hundred and Fifth drove the enemy from its works and captured two twelve pound guns, which Colonel Imtion and some of his men turned and fired of the retreating enemy. For gallantry and mer- itorious service in the campaign in Georgia and the Carolinas, and for distinguished service at the battle of Smith's Farm, North Carolina, Colonel Patton was brevetted Brigadier General of the United States Volunteers, with rank from March 15, 1865. He was mustered out at Wash- ington, June 7, 1565. after a continuous service of four years and two months. Many incidents were related concerning General Dutton's per- sonal bravery and also his care of his men. George F. Cram, editor of Cram's Magazine, was a member of General Dutton's regiment and one of his close friends. At the time of the Gen- eral's death he wrote: "There are many of the members of the One Hundred and Fifth still living who, as well as the writer, will remember the incident that occurred during one of the almost daily battles of the Atlanta campaign. The One Hundred and Fifth was ordered for- ward in line. Rising from a little ravine we found ourselves nearly upon the enemy's rifle pit, our position being such we were enfiladed by their fire. Never did the 'zip' of rifle balls sound more angrily. Our boys were dropping all along the line, and instinctively we sought the ground and hugged it as closely as possible. The order came to 'move by the left tank.' Obeying this would have meant marching by the flank directly upon the flaming rifle pits. Gen- eral Dutton knew its execution was impossible. Not a man would have been left alive. Some one had blundered. He sent word back of the situation. Again the order came, 'move by the
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left flank.' It was peremptory and could not be misunderstood. Standing erect, unmindful of bullets, sword in hand, General Dutton shouted : 'Boys, the order is forward by the left flank; take care of yourselves' And we did; ten seconds later we were behind a low ridge which offered a slight protection and wait- ing developments. Officers were sent forward and the situation finally comprehended. The writer was within a few feet of General Dut- ton, and will never forget the impression made by his bravery. There is scarcely a man of the One Hundred and Fifth who cannot remember some pleasant incident on picket or skirmish line, or in the camp that has ever endeared to him the memory of General Duton."
When the war was over General Dutton quietly resumed the pursuits of civil life. return- ing to Sycamore, where in 1868 he was elected clerk of the Circuit Court of DeKalb County, in which capacity he served for eight years. In the winter of 1877, during the session of the General Assembly of Illinois, he was elected clerk of the house, and in ISTS was chosen clerk of the northern grand division of the Supreme Court of Illinois, in which capacity he remained until December 1, 1$84, discharging his duties in such a manner as to win the admiration of the court and bar. He always regarded Sycamore as his home, and in 1853 he became one of the large stockholders of the Sycamore National Bank, and succeeded to the presidency upon the death of J. S. Waterman, first incumbent in that office. General Dutton continued at the head of the institution until his own demise ou the Sth of June, 1900. He had made a study of monetary matters and his judgment was highly respected in financial and commercial circles. He also made judicious investments in property and along other lines, and as the years passed, owing to his capable management and keen business discernment, he became one of the wealthy residents of DeKalb County. He never selfishly hoarded his wealth, however, for his own use, but was generous to those who needed assistance and gave substantial aid to many plans and measures for the publie good.
The marriage of General Dutton was cele- brated on December 31, 1863, at Sycamore, Ill., when Miss Rosina Adelpha Paine became his wife. She was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and a daughter of Harmon and Clarinda (Van Horne) Paine, the former born in German Flats, Herkimer County, July 25, 1822, while the latter was born February 26, 1824. In 1853 Mr.
and Mrs. Paine became residents of Sycamore, and for many years the father conducted Paine's Hotel at that place. Her great-grandfather, Thomas Van Horne, served with the rank of Lieutenant in the American army in the War of Independence and Mrs. Dutton, by virtue of this has become a member of the Daughters of the Revolution. Unto General and Mrs. Dutton were born two sons, George Everell and William Paine.
In politics General Dutton was always a stal- wart Republican, and he and his wife held membership in the Universalist church, in which they took an active and helpful part. Mrs. Dutton still resides in their home in Syca- more, which is one of the beautiful residences of the town, adorned with many attractive works of art gathered by herself and husband on their trips to Europe. General Dutton was always deeply interested in community affairs and in the social life of the town. He was a good musician and his fine bass voice added to the pleasure of many a social and public occasion. He held membership with various societies and organizations, including the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic. The funeral services held at his home, on the 10th of June, 1900, were attended by his Grand Army post in a body and also by many comrades from elsewhere, and the Loyal Legion of Chicago. Perhaps no better estimate of the life and character of General Dutton can be given than by quoting from the article by George F. Cram, and which includes the resolu- tions of the bank of which the General was president. Mr. Cram said : "General Dutton was a man of energy, force and rare judgment. He had a strong personality. His opinions, always logical, carried conviction to all who listened to them. Always noted for his individuality, he drew around him an ever increasing circle of friends. At a meeting of the directors of the Sycamore National Bank. before taking up any business, the board unanimously passed the fol- lowing resolution : 'Ever loyal, ever just, ever generous, his memory will be loved and his loss mourned by every one who knew him. This resolution is passed for the purpose of spread- ing upon the records of this bank where it may be preserved so long as this bank has an exist- ence, an expression of sorrow for loss, and a tribute of respect to the memory of General Ev- erell F. Dutton. He was a director of the bank from July 2. 1583, and a president from August 11, 18$3, filling both positions from those dates
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till his death, which occurred at two o'clock p. m., June 8, 1000. He was the second presi- dent, succeeding James S. Waterman, upon the death of the latter. As president for almost seventeen years he gave to the management of the bank much of his time and much careful attention, and under his wise and prudent man- agement the business of the bank has expanded and prospered. He was an able financier, pru- dent and conservative, but not to the extent of timidity. He had courage to act when his judgment approved. In his intercourse with his co-directors, the officers of the bank, its cus- tomers and the public generally, he has always been kind and courteous. Ilis associates in the bank mourn his departure and feel that by his death they have lost not only a wise counsellor. an efficient and trusted leader, but also a dear friend.' General Dutton was a brilliant conver-
sationalist and a man who had developed excel- lent social qualities. His mind, active and alert, was broadened by study, business associations and travel, so that this self-made man became one of broad culture. The journeys of General and Mrs. Dutton covered nearly all of this country, Europe and the Mediterranean coun- tries of Africa and Asia, including the Holy Land. The Dutton home was one of true hearted hospitality, and the courtly bearing of the Gen- eral, together with his cordiality, made every- one feel happy and at ease while they were guests there. The social, business and home life of this patriot will ever be a sweet memory to those who knew him best. We mourn the loss of our General, but feel that our sorrow is softened by the memory of the days when his humanity as well as his noble, manly, sol- dierly qualities won our love and respect."
JOHN J. DAVIS.
The complexity of modern conditions some- times confuses men and deadens their sense of discrimination between right and wrong, so that in the contingency of having to decide, they fail to prove adequate to the occasion. There are others, however, whose strong sense of justice, and deep religious nature are never subservient to the trend of popular clamor, or a desire for personal advancement. Such a man was the late John J. Davis, of Aurora, who, during the many years he resided in that city, made it the better for his existence. While not a man of national fame, whose name will go reverberating through the ages, yet his own circle benefited largely from his influence, the poor and needy from his benefactions, and his employes from his generous interest in their welfare.
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