USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 55
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Mr. Davis was born August 5, 1844, in Ow! Creek Township, Morrow County, Ohio, and came west to Big Rock, Ill., with his parents about 1SC0. Shortly thereafter he came to Au- rora. There he entered what was then Clark Seminary, but is now Jennings Seminary. Later he attended a private school at Ottawa, IN., and following that, entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Mich., where, after a four years' course, he was graduated in 1568. Having thus prepared himself, he became in- structor of English and German in an academy in Milwaukee, Wis. Leaving that city, he went to Mankato, Minn., and embarked in a clothing business. It was in this line that Mr. Davis brought into play those characteristics which
were to prove him a competent and judicious business man. After some years at Mankato, he went to Hinckley, Ill., and later to Aurora, where he remained in business until within three years of his death. In addition to building up a large and flourishing concern, Mr. Davis was interested along other channels, and was a director of the Aurora Cotton mills from the time of the organization of the company, until death ended his career. He was also a director of the Merchants National Bank of Aurora, and his connection with this institution gave it added dignity and prestige.
Mr. Davis was a son of James J. and Susan Davis, most excellent people, who, upon coming to Kane County, established themselves on the outskirts of Aurora, upon a farm, which they developed into a valuable property. They were intensely religious, and Mr. Davis grew up amid good moral surroundings, and was regularly taken to service in the Methodist church. He adhered to this faith for many years, but sub- sequently learning of Christian Science, he gave the new doctrine his careful study, and became firm in his belief in its teachings, thus continu- ing until his death, which occurred September 9, 1911. Fraternally, Mr. Davis was a Knight Templar Mason.
In 1575, Mr. Davis was married at Mankato, Minn., to Miss Julia A. Milnor, daughter of Philip Ford and Martha (Mellenry) Milnor. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis: Arthur L., George M., and Louise MI. Arthur
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L. Davis was educated in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, following which he took a law course at the George Washington Law School, Washington, D. C., and was subse- quently admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia. He married Miss Marie Louise Paul, of New Orleans, La. At present, he is assistant director of the Postal Savings Department of the government at Washington, D. C. George M. Davis and Lonise M. Davis, both attended the University of Michigan, and both live at home.
Unless the characteristics of one who governs his life according to the rules of Christian Science, are fully understood, it is difficult to draw a truthful picture of the perfect content- ment that prevails, and influences all. Mr. Davis fully believed in his creed, and carried it into
his everyday life. His relations with his em- ployes were ideal, and he won and held not only their confidence and respect, but their love as well. When he died, they realized that they had lost their best friend, one who never failed to act with generous liberality to them. As a citizen, Mr. Davis was a man above reproach, although he did not care to assume the duties of public office. Ilis home life was a happy one, and his children show forth in their lives the result of careful, firm, although loving train- ing. His work is ended here, but in a broader, wider field, there is no doubt but that he is still rounding out his beautiful character, and perfecting himself in those studies began in this life.
ALEXANDER SKRYPKO.
Rev. Alexander Skrypko, pastor of the Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church at Forty-sixth street and Hermitage avenue, Chi- cago, is one of the best beloved pastors in this city. Only one who has come from a foreign land to a great, selfish, teeming city like Chi- cago, where each man has his interests centered upon his own affairs, can appreciate what their church means to the strangers within our gates. In these churches the immigrants while becom- ing American citizens, can hear their own lan- guage, and listen to their beautiful services in the way to which they are accustomed, con- ducted by' a priest of their own nationality. In this way the Catholic Church binds its peo- ple still closer together, and renders a double service. Father Skrypko was born in Lithu- ania, Russia, November 30, 1867, and after at- tending the gymnasium of Ryga on the Baltic Sea, where he received his elementary and classical education, he entered Kovna Seminary Lithuania, where he studied theology, being ordained to the priesthood February 10, 1801. For the following eleven years he held im- portant positions in Lithuania and other Euro- pean countries, but in 1002 was sent to the United States. and took charge of SS. Peter and Paul parish at Westville, Ill., where there was a large Lithuanian settlement. After min- istering to the people there for eighteen months. gaining their confidence and affectionate re- gard, to their sorrow he was transferred to Chicago, and in June, 1904, he organized the Holy Cross parish, erecting soon thereafter a combination church and school building, which
with the land cost $50,000. Although at the time it was built, this structure was ample for the needs of the congregation. it is now far too small, and a magnificent church edifice to cost about $150,000 is being erected.
The handsome two-story brick rectory was built in 1909, under Father Skrypko, at a cost of $20,000. The school, carried on in connection with the church, is under the instruction of the sisters of the Nazareth order, twelve in num- ber, and is one of the best institutions of its kind in Chicago. There are about 700 pupils enrolled, and their progress is remarkable, all being eager to learn, and quick to grasp the facts taught them. Since Father Skrypko or- ganized this parish. Lithuanians have been at- tracted to it, and the parish now consists of over 1,000 families, or about 5.000 souls. The affairs of the parish are in the most flourish- ing condition, and the good priest is beloved for his ability, piety, energy, high character and scholarly attainments. His assistant is Rev. Anthony Bryssko, who came to the parish in 1911. Scoffers who claim that the power of the church is waning ought to attend a service of the Holy Cross to have their opinions changed, and their ideas given better form. The earnest faces and devout attitude of the worshipers, their enthusiasm and the way in which they cheerfully make sacrifices in order to assist their beloved pastor to carry out his plans for their own good, are impressive. All the members of the parish are eagerly looking forward to the time when their beautiful new
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church will be completed and they can gather in an edifice which will fitly express their piety and be the outcome of their generous contribu-
tions, directed and encouraged by the wise and experienced priest whom the church has placed over them.
WILLIAM G. SAWYER.
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It is seldom that a man is privileged to stand in three different communities as an organizer of industry, as a promoter of large enterprises, and as a citizen and friend, beloved by all who knew him, but this was the case with the late William G. Sawyer, of Elgin, Ill. The indus- trial development of the Fox River Valley looked to Mr. Sawyer, as pioneer and able leader in manufacture, as one who in the early days of Illinois and the great Northwest foresaw the demand for agricultural implements and set himself to the task of meeting this demand. The foundation of William Sawyer's success is readily traced to his sturdy New England In- heritance, and to the training of the home farm west of Dundee. Here, under pioncer condi- tions, he was born in 1841, shortly after the removal of his parents from Vermont, when Illinois was opened to white settlement after the Black Hawk war. From his father, George E. Sawyer, of Bradford, Vt., he inher- ited the genial nature and generous disposition which were of incalculable value in winning and holding the hosts of friends that enriched his whole life. To his mother, Abigail (Blake) Sawyer, of Plymouth, N. H., he owed the unusual executive ability and shrewd com- mon sense that marked him for large achieve- ments in the business world. Thus generously did the shuttle of Destiny weare the warp and woof into the fabric of Mr. Sawyer's character ; to build a man who enriched not only every en- terprise he touched, but every human life with which he came in contact. No man sought counsel from Mr. Sawyer without feeling the force of his judgment, no man, woman or child came near him without feeling the warmth of his great genial soul and went away happier and better. Mr. Sawyer was in the truest sense a self-made man. Though enjoying the oppor- tunities of the local Dundee schools and Elgin Academy, he entered business at the age of nineteen as clerk in the general store of An- gelo Carpenter, the founder of Carpentersville. Here he not only won the absolute confidence of his employer, but mastered the details of the mercantile business. He saved his carnings, invested them, and with his first $50 bought a half interest in his employer's store, his
brother Henry soon buying the other half, and their intimate partnership of a life time began.
Soon after assuming control of the Carpen- tersville store, Mr. Sawyer moved to Huntley, in MeHenry County, where he established a flax mill and manufactured straw into tow for upholstering and paper. Later, having sold the business, he turned his attention to the grain and milling business, and with a partner also conducted a warehouse, which at the time of his death he was still carrying on. Here he made his home for twenty years and became very closely identified with the various enter- prises and the prosperity of the town. In 1873, the Sawyer brothers in conjunction with their old employer. Mr. Carpenter, organized the Star Manufacturing Company, in Carpentersville. for the manufacture of agricultural implements. Mr. Sawyer very materially widened the scope of the market for his company's products by extended journeys through the Middle West and Northwest. His success in this direction laid the foundation for the later growth of the Star Manufacturing Company. The enterprise. which was at first housed in a little frame building at the east end of the Fox River bridge, was capitalized at $10,000. Then fol- lowed some years of struggle after which a prosperous business was developed, increased capital to meet its requirements was secured, and the building of a modern factory plant fully equipped to care for the rapidly growing output became a reality. Shortly before the death of Mr. Sawyer, negotiations were opened for the consolidation of this company with the Illinois Iron & Bolt Co., of Carpentersville. the details of which Mr. Sawyer had a large share in planning, and which was finally effected in the April following his death. For nearly forty years the two industries had been carried on. on either bank of the river, separated only by the bridge. For many years they had shared the water power of the river, and it had been clearly seen by Mr. Sawyer that an ultimate junction of the two factories would be mu- tually beneficial, from the standpoint of eco- nomical operation. The output of both inqus- tries will be largely increased, and united they form one of the largest manufacturing plants in
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Kane County. It was during one of his busi- ness trips that he became interested in cattle lands in Nebraska, and soon after that entered enthusiastically with his brother into a ranch- ing business.
To those who knew the man personally, bis greatness consisted not so much in his outward business success, which was far above the average, and placed him in the front rank of captains of industry of the Fox River Valley ; but rather in the greatness of his heart and the splendid integrity of his character. It was one of Mr. Sawyer's greatest pleasures to find a way to help others to help themselves and if that proved futile, to do for them. Ilis optim- ism and good cheer were proverbial. He radi- ated sunshine and carried an unfailing fund of humor wherever he went. He had the com- plete confidence of his fellow citizens, serving for years on the board of supervisors, first In Huntley and later in Elgin. Although deeply interested in, and an active participant in public affairs, he was too modest a man to seek office, but when responsibilities were put upon him, he gave the public a splendidly dis- interested service. Mr. Sawyer's public spirit was shown in numerous ways. At the found- ing of the Elgin Old Peoples Home he was chosen a trustee and remained one until his death, and was also a trustee of the First Con- gregational Church. He believed in his city and in her enterprises and was ready to aid her by any means within his power. It was in his home that Mr. Sawyer was seen to the best advantage. No one who had once enjoyed his hospitality could forget the experience. He was essentially a family man, taking great delight in his family and with them could be always found when business permitted. Be- tween himself and his brother Henry arose a lifelong intimacy, remarkable in its utter confi- dence and merging of interests. From the time that the two put their savings together in the little Carpentersville store until. nearly forty years later, upon the death of Henry Sawyer, the Probate Court ordered a settlement of the affairs. no effort was ever made to separate the financial interests of the brothers. Their capital was each other's, the farm, the ranch.
the feed-mill, the store, the factory and every varied investment were shared in common. Their mutual dependence and mutual helpful- ness was complete and so fundamental that few had guessed it until death separated them.
The death of Henry Sawyer was a crushing blow to his brother William, and it left him stunned and from it he never rallied. He aged rapidly, and was in no condition to withstand the illness that prostrated him a few months later. After a struggle of many weeks, during which his indomitable cheer and thoughtful- ness for others often asserted themselves in the midst of suffering. he passed away on the night of March 14, 1912, at the age of seventy- one years. It is hard indeed to sum up the admirable qualities of such a man. To those who knew and loved him, no attempt at eulogy can do him justice. Few citizens of Elgin have left so many friends as Mr. Sawyer. One of them, a man prominent in the life of the city, recently said of him: "Mr. Sawyer was a man whose word was as good as his bond. He was always found supporting every movement that made for civic betterment and righteousness." William Sawyer was a type of the American citizen at his best, the kind of man that Nature does not often build, the kind of man who does not live in vain, but leaves the world a better place for having passed through it.
In 1864, Mr. Sawyer was married in Dundee to Angusta Davis, daughter of Hope and Brook- sey (Woodbury) Davis, natives of Lee, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer became the parents of three daughters, namely : Alice G., Clara Mae and Florence B., the last named living at home with her widowed mother. Alice G. married Fred E. Pearsall of Cooperstown, N. Y., and they live at Batavia, Ill .. he being connected with D. C. Heath and Company, book publish- ers of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Pearsall have four children, namely : Harold William, Fred Eugene, Jr., Gordon Sawyer, and Alice Gene- vieve. Clara Mae married Henry A. Rice of Chicago and they live in Elgin, he being man- ager of the Star Branch of the Illinois Iron and Bolt Company of Carpentersville. III. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have two children: Margaret and Henry Sawyer Rice.
CHARLES HOWARD MARTIN.
The pioneers of Fulton County have finished their work, having laid the foundations, making ready for the inevitable inrush of population.
and the adequate development of resources. Their descendants have raised noble structures upon these foundations, that are the embodi-
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ment of the twentieth century civilization. Gone are the days of small accomplishments. The strenuous life of the centers of industrial endeavor has reached every branch of human progress, and the farming districts are keeping pace with advancement elsewhere. Canton has always been proud to number among its most prosperous citizens those, who, descended from pioneers, developed the surrounding country until increasing years led them to seek relaxa- tion and comfort in its confines. As this is true today, so has it been in the immediate past, and one of the men, who, after having been for years an able agriculturist and stock breeder, became for a definite period a resi- dent of Canton, was the late Charles Howard Martin. Mr. Martin was born in Buckheart Township, Fulton County, Ill., September 24, 1852, a son of Howard and Telitha (Putnam) Martin. The former was born October 14, 1814, in Orange County, N. Y., while his wife, the daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Duff) Put- nam, was born at Lewiston, Ill., October 28, 1823. Her parents were natives of North Caro- lina and Kentucky respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Martin settled in Buckheart Township. Fulton County, where they lived for many years, being engaged in farming. In 1877 they moved to Can- ton, where Mr. Martin died in 1880. Their children were: John, who died in infancy ; Mary, who died October 11, 1894, and Charles Howard.
Mr. Martin secured his preliminary training in the country schools, followed this up with a course in the Canton schools and one term at HIadding College at Abington. After leaving school, Mr. Martin began working on the hollle- stead, and spent his active years upon it. mak- ing his venture a paying one. Although he left the farm for Canton, in ISSO, he never lost his interest in his work, but continued to super- vise the operating of his property and the rais- ing of good stock. Upon coming to Canton, Mr. Martin erected a handsome residence, the pres-
ent home of his widow. From the time he decided to make Canton his home, Mr. Martin displayed a commendable interest in it and the movements calculated to prove beneficial to its advancement, and promoted many of them him- self. He was one of the organizers of the company for the construction of the handsome opera house, as well as of a number of other enterprises, for he was a far-sighted man, who minlerstood that as the city advanced, there would be more and more demand for metro- politan conditions. Fraternally, he was a Blue Lodge Mason, and a Knight of Pythias. His political views made him a Republican, but he never could be induced to enter the public arena, feeling that his influence was better ex- orted as a private citizen.
On February 19, 1874, Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Celinda Hasson, born in Buckheart Township, May 20, 1854, daughter of James M. and Emily ( Woldren) Hasson, natives of Rochester, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of offspring as fol- lows: Fred L. ; Wylie, wife of Perry A. Hard ; Frank H .; Charles Lee; Jessie, deceased, and Charles Howard, deceased. Mr. Martin was in the enjoyment of a happy, useful life, hon- ored by all who knew him, and had he been spared would have worked out" many plans for the advancement of the community which owes him so much, but divine Providence de- cided otherwise, and on August 23, 1899, he passed away, and the entire county mourned his loss. Ilis funeral was one of the most largely attended of any in years, hundreds following his remains to show the measure of honor they thought due him. Prominent people showered the family with their messages of sympathy and grief, and these tokens of her husband's popularity were a solace to the lonely widow in her great sorrow. While death has claimed him, Mr. Martin still lives in the work he accomplished, and his name is not likely to be forgotten by any who appreciated him and the motives which actuated him.
GEORGE M. SHIPPY.
For a number of years the late George M. Shippy served in the exceedingly ditticult posi- tion of superintendent of the police force of the great city of Chicago. He was born at Chi- eago, June 24, 1856, a son of Richard and Mary (Smith) Shippy. The father of Mr. Shippy came to Chicago from Utica, N. Y., in 1516,
and his marriage to Mary Smith took place at the Matteson House, she having come here from Syracuse, N. Y. From 1857 until 1877 Richard Shippy belonged to the Chicago police depart- ment and was the first member of that body that is now known as the Central Detail. George M. Shippy attended the Jones, Foster
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and Douglas public schools and later was given a commercial course at what was then a well known school of instruction, Allen's Academy. He joined the Chicago fire department in ISTG and after three years was promoted to a lieu- tenancy in the same and was made a captain in 1854, serving as such until he resigned two years later in order to embark in business. In turn he gave up his business interests to enter the police department, serving first as a patrol- man and then for eighteen months as desk sergeant at the Stanton avenue and Twenty- second street station. He then became minute clerk for Judge Driggs and afterwards deputy circuit clerk under Henry Best and still later was record clerk when the South Side Ele- vated Railroad Company brought condemnation proceedings against the city, all of which ex- perience he used later in official life. Mayor Washburne, the city's official head at that time, showed appreciation of Mr. Shippy's display of capacity in every position in which he had officiated, and in June, 1891, appointed him lieutenant at the Harrison street police station : October 5, 1892, transferring him to the Wood- lawn station, having promoted him to a cap- taincy in the previous October.
At the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition he was captain of police and had charge of the escort of the elder Mayor Har- rison on the occasion of the visit of the Princess Eulalia. Resigning his office in July, 1593, Mr. Shippy returned once more to business but was not permitted to remain in private life. Mayor Swift recalled him to the Woodlawn station and Mayor Harrison, the younger, showed equal recognition of his bravery and efficiency and transferred him to the Stock Vards station, a difficult section of the city to manage. After passing the civil service in 198 he was trans- ferred to the South Chicago station and in 1904 was made inspector of the North Side, his
headquarters being on E. Chicago avenue, and while at that and other stations he continued to serve the city with determined efficiency and the city records during that period prove how thorough, far-seeing and faithful was his handling of the difficult problems of govern- ment placed in his charge. In April, 1907, he was appointed superintendent of the police force by Mayor Busse and as long as he re- mained in the service continued in that im- portant position. In his later years he was overtaken by illness, induced no doubt by a nervous shock occasioned by an almost suc- cessful attempt to assassinate him on March 2, 1908. Although wounded by his assailant the injury did not prove fatal except as it later brought on nervous conditions from which this brave and capable officer never recovered, and he passed away April 13, 1913. Among the numberless improved methods that he intro- duced into the department during his long period as an ofheial was the installation of the present system of crossing the down town streets which has proved so efficient and which was the outcome of an exhaustive study that he had made of similar conditions in other large cities of the world. He was personally dig- nified and possessed qualities of manliness that brought admiration from his friends and re- spect even from those who feared his fearless administration of the law.
On October 27, 1879, in Lee County, Ill., George M. Shippy was married to Miss Sadie Randall, and four children were born to them, a son and daughter surviving. He was a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner. a mem- ber of Medinah Temple and the Eastern Star. He belonged to the Illinois Athletic Association, the South Shore Country Club, the Chicago Association of Commerce, and to the Interna- tional Association of Chiefs of Police.
JAMES CHARLES WINSLOW.
There was a time when the vocation of the farmer was but indifferently considered by those who had successfully turned their atten- tion to urban callings. His arduous work was not properly appreciated, and because of lack of adequate transportation and other facilities, he often could not sufficiently market his prod- ucts, or command a fair price for them. The time has come, however, when it is the man who tills the soil who provides for not only the pros-
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