USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 61
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ALBERT LAVINGTON SERCOMB.
Certain men seem destined to rise above their surroundings and to dominate whatever condi- tions may be theirs. Every opportunity offers a direct appeal to their active brain and they know how to grasp it to their own benefit and the expansion of their business interests. There are no anachronismus in the lives of such men, for their progress is steady and ever onward
and upward. Their work means something from the beginning, and the accumulative results are astounding. Chicago has been and is the home of many such men, for here, of course, are offered chances such as never come to the dweller in smaller places, but with these opportunities come, too, the necessity for concentrated effort and ability of no mean order. One of the men
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who won the right to be numbered among the captains of industry of the Metroplis of the West was the late Albert Lavington Sercomb, Chicago manager of the International Silver Company.
Mr. Sercomb was born at Milwaukee, Wis., August 22, 1847, a son of John and Emma Ser- comb, both natives of England. He attended the public schools, and like many other men of the middle west entered business while still a boy. Owing to his youth and inexperience, his services met but little appreciation and he earned only a small wage. His spirit was undaunted, however, he kept on persevering, and learned many valuable lessons which proved of inestima- ble benefit to him in later life, as well as devel- oped him into a man before his time, so that when before he was seventeen years old, he offered himself for service to his country during the Civil war, he was accepted on May 30. 1864, in Company I., Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and served until September 22, 1864, when he was honorably discharged.
Having gained a little knowledge of the out- side world, he returned to his former position as clerk in a commission house, and soon there- after was able to command better wages. Care- fully saving his money, as soon as he was able, he invested it in a partnership which operated a crockery business under the caption of San- ford & Sercomb, later selling at a profit, and going to New York City, for three years he was a salesman in the dry goods house of S. B. Chit- tenden and Company. Later he entered the employ of the Meriden Britannia Company of Meriden, Conn., and in it he found his life-work. So competent did he prove himself, that the
company decided to place him in charge of their Chicago office, and in 157S, he came here and became manager of the western branch, gaining a full and comprehensive grasp of all the details of the business. Until 1000, he continued to hold this important othce, and when fifteen similar companies merged into the International Silver Company, Mr. Sercomb's services were secured as general western manager of the corporation.
In 1879. Mr. Sercomo married in New York City Miss Georgia Adams of Westport, Conn., u bo bore him two sons. Albert Adams and Henry Hiland, before her death on September 21, 1901. In 1909, Mr. Sercomb married Mrs. W. H. John- son, nee Kate B, Merritt.
Mr. Sercomb was very active as a Mason, hav- ing attained to the Thirty-second degree, and was also a Shriner. He belonged to Columbia Pest. G. A. R. He was prominent in associations connected with his line of business, having been a member and ex-president of the Chicago Jew- elers Association, a member of the Citizens Commercial Association and the Chicago Asso- ciation of Commerce. His social affiliations were with the Union League, the Chicago Ath- letic, and the Marquette clubs. His death occurred in May, 1913.
Business acumen became habitual with Mr. Sercomb, but he developed his proper estimate of values himself and had every reason to be proud of the fact that he rose to a com position without sacrificing any busi. vantage because of an unwillingness to probe into the depths of conditions. Much of his success lay in the fact that he never undertook anything during his whole life until he knew its every detail from the bottom up.
JOHN FARRELL.
Many of the men whose lives were closely connected with the development of this state, have passed away, but the record of their deeds and the result of their influence still remains. Peoria, the second largest city in Illinois, is a metropolis of note, and yet one who passed away as late as 1912, distinctly remembered seeing deer and wolves on the site of the residence of his widow. This esteemed gentleman, John Farrell, was a noted character for other reasons than early settlement, for he lon; carried on several important enterprises, and gave his city the benefit of his wise judgment and sound principles.
John Farrell came to the United States from
a land which has given this country ny of its most brilliant men, for he was bor n the
vicinity of Dublin, on a farm, in Count. Jeath, Ireland, June 19, 1833, a son of John a . Cath- erine Farrell, both natives of Irelar . The father was one of those who participated in the great battle of Waterloo, but otherwise passed his life peacefully in Ireland, and died there. His widow came to the United States in 1860, joining her son, who was her only child, at Peoria, and passed the last few years of her life most comfortably, at the Old Women's Home in that city, at her son's expense. Until he was eighteen years old, ? 'in Farrell worked on his father's farm and : TAP the local schools.
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He then began learning the boot and shoe making trade, and when twenty-one years old be came to the United States, locating in New York City. There he remained for about two years, working at his trade, and then, in 1951. came to Peoria, Ill., where he continued at his trade until 1862 when he went to California and there found a profitable business opening. making boots and shoes for which he received as much as $25 per pair. In 1865 be returned to Peoria and resumed work at his trade, but In 1569 he embarked in a grocery business which later he sold, and in 1874 became interested in baudling real estate, and was active in that line of business until his death, which occurred at his residence No. 405 Adams street, Peoria, September 27, 1912, and his burial was in Springdale cemetery. His business success was remarkable, for he left New York for Peoria in 1851 with only $18, and when he died he was worth $50,000, all of which was earned honor- ably and creditably.
Twice married, Mr. Farrell had eleven chil- dren by his first wife, four of whom survive: Frank, William and Charles, who are residents of Peoria ; and Kate, who is now Mrs. Clarence Darrow, of Chicago. Mr. Farrell was married (second) to Mrs. Mary Louise ( Hasson) Mar-
atta, on June 27, 1904, at Lacon, Ill., by the Rev. Steanens of the Methodist church. Mrs. Farrell was born at Maysville, Ky., in 1862, a daughter of James Hasson. The latter was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, July 1S, 1832. An orphan at twelve years, Mr. Hasson left Ire- land and came to New York City to join his sister. When he was eighteen years old he mar- ried Mary Moran, born in New York City, May 3, 1832, and they lived together for sixty-five happy years, never being parted a day. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hasson located at Maysville, Ky., where he entered into a grocery business, and served as street commissioner at Maysville for twelve years. He died in 1910. He and his wife had ten children, and Mrs. Farrell was the third in order of birth. Mrs. Farrell has a son by her first mariage, John Francis Maratta, of Norwood, Ohio.
Although Mr. Farrell was not called upon to exercise his talents in a public capacity, he had the ability to have done so had be so desired. A good citizen, devoted to his home and family, he lived out his quiet life, and from the buried depths of his wholesome heart appealed to those who knew him and so exerted an influence not easily forgotten.
E. M. WALKER.
Development of business conditions have given birth to men of more than ordinary executive ability who have raised up large mercantile es- tablishments, and become factors in the com- mercial world. In some cases the most success- ful of these mon are those who direct their lives and business operations according to the Golden Rule, and go to their last rest honored and beloved of many. The lives of these inen prove conclusively that it is not impossible for a man to carry his Christianity into his everyday life. There is nothing incompatible with business success. in Christian rules, and one who demonstrated this beyond any ques- tion was the Inte E. M. Walker, secretary and treasurer of the mercantile firm of S. S. Sencen- baugh & Co., of Aurora. Mr. Walker was equally prominent in church matters, having been for many years one of the leading mem- bers of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church. Mr. Walker was born in Dexter, Mich., April 29, 1844, youngest son of the Rev. George and Rebecca (Bliss) Walker. He was reared in a Christian family, and the result of his early
training remained with him all his useful life. In 1872 Mr. Walker came to Aurora, and found ready eundoyment for his ability, but it was not until he and Mr. S. S. Seneenbaugh became associated in their mercantile house that he was able to demonstrate his true capability. For eighteen years this reliable house catered to the needs of its customers, building up an immense trade which extends throughout a wide territory.
When Mr. Walker came to Aurora he at Arst attended the First Baptist Church, but later transferred to the Park Place Church. and when a mission was started he became active in its organization, and carried the work on until the Marion Avenue Baptist Church became a reality. For years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and church treasurer, and its flourishing condition today is the direct re- sult of his able and untiring efforts. Mr. Wal- ker was a man who knew how to influence men to raise money for religious work, and nover shirked this part of the labor he so will- ingly assumed for the Master. Whenever money
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was needed to prosecute some proposed im- provement or effect a much-needed reform, Mr. Walker took charge of the work of collecting, and the sum was soon forthcoming. As the years went by and Mr. Walker found himself in comfortable circumstances, he proposed re- laxing a little, and was looking forward to a trip to the exposition at Seattle, with his wife. when he was suddenly stricken down, and in less than a week was dead from pneumonia, passing away June 29, 1909. He left his widow, and one daughter, Mrs. William LaClaire, at Los Angeles, Cal., to mourn his loss, in con- junction with the thousands who knew and ap- preciated him. Mr. Walker was married ou June 25, 1874, to Miss Sarah Jane Carpenter, and had he lived but one day more they would have celebrated their thirty-fifth wedding anni- versary. Two other children were born of this happy marriage, but they died in infancy.
The entire city was shocked at the news of Mr. Walker's death, and all hastened to pay him honor. The Aurora Daily Beacon came out in a leading editorial under date of June 24, 1909, as follows: "One Way to Live: A man may live in one city forty years, going in and out among the people, living quietly, reach the end and have the people say of him that he was a model man. But it is another thing for those who have been most closely associated with him during that time, through fat years and lean, to say of him as S. S. Sencenbaugh has said of E. M. Walker, 'We have worked together for over twenty years and have never had an unpleasant word.' Such a declaration is better than a $10.000 monument erected in the finest cemetery in the city because it reveals the heart of the man and not his more commercial capacity. The one may symbolize the earthly prosperity of him who has just gone on ahead. but the other is a more enduring testimony be- cause it displays a nature that money cannot buy. And what his closest business associates said of E. M. Walker is what everyone can say who has known him during his long resi- dence in Aurora. He did not mount to the housetops to proclaim his religion: he lived it from day to day and left his family and friends the most precious legacy that any man can leave. the memory of an honorable life."
A glowing tribute to his memory was given in the Standard. under date of July 10, 1900, written by his daughter, Mrs. W. A. LaClaire, whose filial love is commingled with her respect and reverence for the good man and worthy citizen she realized her father had always been. The funeral of Mr. Walker was one of the most impressive Aurora has ever known. The store with which he bad been connected for so many years was closed for several days out of respect to him, and its employes attended in a body, weepingly testifying to their grief at los- ing one who was always considerate in his treatment of his engloves. Many of them re- garded him as a personal friend, and all looked up to him as a shining example of Christian manhood. The Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, with which he was long and actively asso- ciated, sent a large representation, including the board of directors of the institution. The affecting services were conducted by Rev. Nor- man Carr, his own pastor, and Rev. S. B. Dexter of the Park Place Baptist Church. The Ladies' Trio rendered the music, and added to the solemnity of the occasion. The pall bearers were trustees and deacons of the Marion Avenue Baptist Church. The remains were taken to Warrenville, Ill., for interment.
During the almost twenty years of his con- nection with the Marion Avenue Baptist Church, Mr. Walker was an enthusiastic supporter of this congregation, and to his efforts, its well be- ing is largely due. The church has sadly missed him, and hundreds of Baptists outside this church were grieved to learn that the gentle. kindly man was no more. The good business sense that gained him a full share of this world's goods, was combined with strict hon- esty, loyalty to his friends and the deepest love for his family, and he left a life record of which his loved ones may well be proud. In his loss the community at large as well as his family, were heavily bereaved. He lived up to his principles, and was a truly good man, whole- souled and kind-hearted, who never intention- ally wronged anyone. A devoted husband, kind and loving father. a true friend and an honest and upright man, he gained and held the high- est respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
JAMES GLEASON.
The most important member of the mayor's cabinet in any city, is the chief of police, and when the municipality is one like Chicago, the
duties are indeed heavy, and the responsibilities
manifold. With the appointment of James Gleason as Chief of the Police Department of
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Chicago, Mayor . Harrison made a selection pleasing alike to the members of the police force, and to the reputable citizens of Chicago. Long a member of the force, Chief Gleason had already proven his mettle, and assurance was felt among the respectable people, that in the new general superintendent, the criminal element would find a strong, relentless fue. Subsequent events have proven the wisdom of Mayor Harrison's selection, and there is no doubt but that the record of the work of Chief Gleason will be held as worthy of praise as that of any of his predecessors.
James Gleason is of Chicago, born at Ohio street and Milwaukee avenue, January 13, 1801. He was brought up in his native city and edu- cated in her schools. His first efforts at earn- ing his own living were as an employe in the rolling mills, but having an ambition to go on the police force, he persevered until he attained his object, and was made a patrolman, Decem- ber 15, 1884. From that day to the present, he has done his full duty as he has seen it, and promotion has come to him as a reward for his efficiency and faithfulness. On January 1, 1SOS, he was appointed temporary patrol sergeant, but because of the order abolishing that rank, he was reduced March 21, 1898. Ilis upward course was steady, however, and on February 1, 1901, he was made a detective sergeant, and December 12, 1900, he was made a lieutenant, and was placed in charge of the detective bureau for a period. Following the dismissal of one of the captains, Lieutenant Gleason was appointed to fill the vacancy on October 17, 1912. His
work as captain was so commendable that when Mayor Harrison was faced with the necessity of selecting a new chief of police, his choice naturally and logically fell upon Capt. James Gleason. A man of quiet persisteney, of force of character and determination of purpose, one who had risen from the bottom aud knew the requirements of the various grades, he was the right man for the place, and the date of his appointment as general superintendent was November 3, 1913.
Upon assuming the duties of his office, Chief Gleason was confronted with some grave prob- lems, which he bent his knowledge and experi- ence to solve. In him the criminals and people of the under-world have found a stern although just official. Sentiment plays no part in his makeup. He asks no favors and grants none, but insists that the unfortunates captured through the exercise of his office and in fulfill- ment of his duty, be given their full rights. Such a man cannot fail to live up to the obliga- tions of his oath of office, and through his own integrity, bring about a better condition of affairs in the congested districts where crime reigns, as well as in other portions of the city where also the evil doer is not absent.
Chief Gleason was married ( first) to Miss Olga Ray, who died in 1897, leaving him three children : James HI., Margaret, who became the wife of Sylvester O'Donohne of Chicago, and Raymond M. Chief Gleason married (sec- ond) Miss Annie Hickey, and they have one daughter, Marie. The family residence is at No. 4721 Washington boulevard.
CHARLES WESLEY BROWN.
The crown of martyrdom descended upon the brow of the late Charles Wesley Brown of Jack- sonville at a time when his community could least spare him, crushing out a blameless life and ending a career singularly filled with public accomplishment. Charles Wesley Brown was born at Jacksonville, Ill., November 29, 1867, and died in the same city, while attending to the duties of a public office, at the hands of an insane assassin, May 25, 1905. His parents were James Wesley and Catherine (Thompson) Brown.
Charles Wesley Brown attended the common and high schools of his native city, being grad- uated from the latter in 1587. From childhood his inclinations had been towards occupations in the line of engineering, but after he had been
engaged in them for a time, he felt the necessity for study under expert instructors, and entered the Illinois College at Jacksonville, where he spent the year of 1800-91. Later he studied both mechanical and electrical engineering at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., from which he was graduated in 1894 with the degrees of Bachelor of Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Engineering. During the whole period he was pursuing his studies, Mr. Brown earned his way through college. Returning to Jacksonville his services were sought and obtained by the city engineer who had need of just such a man, and in 1-05 he succeeded to that office and held it until 1901, when he opened his own office as a consulting engineer. During his active career Mr. Brown was connected with some of the most
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important work in his line that was carried on in his part of the state. Some of his contracts were those connected with his services as con- sulting engineer for J. Capps Sons, Limited, from 1897 to 1907; also for the cities of Beardstown, White Hall, Carrollton, Petersburg, Centralia, Anna, Jacksonville, Lewistown, Ill., where he designed, constructed and maintained water- works, sewer systems, grades, bridges, pave- ments and lighting systems. He was consulting engineer for the White Hall Railroad Company, the Prairie State Traction Company, and the Beardstown & Quincy Railroad Company. Mir. Brown was chief engineer of the Coal Creek and Levee District, the Crane Creek and Levee Drainage District, and the Big Lake Drainage and Levee District of Schuyler County, Ill. : the Meredosia Drainage and Levee District aud Indian Creek Drainage District of Cass County, Ill .; the Scott County Levee and Drainage Dis- triet and Big Swan Drainage and Levee District of Scott County, Ill .; the Hartwell Drainage and Levee District of Greene County, Ill., the Coon Run and Levee District, the Sny Island Drainage District above Hannibal, Mo., the Lost Creek Drainage District and Town Brook Drainage District. He was for a brief period consulting engineer for the Sny Island Drainage and Levee District of Pike County, Ill., design- ing, constructing, operating and maintaining their works of levees, ditches, tiling, road and bridge work, and pumping plants, and in the organization of the districts, and the spreading of the assessments for damages and benefits. Mr. Brown was recognized as an expert author- ity on drainage matters, and as chairman of the committee on legislation of the Association of Drainage and Levee Districts of Illinois, of which he was a charter member, he was largely instrumental in having passed a number of the most progressive measures and amendments of the Drainage Act of Illinois for agricultural, mining and sanitary purposes. He carried on a large practice in farm land drainage by tiling and associated in the redemption of vast areas in the corn belt.
Following the adoption of a commission form of government by Jacksonville, Mr. Brown was elected one of the four commissioners. To him were assigned all the engineering features of the
city. To arvert this office, Mr. Brown had to make many sacrifices, but he did so gladly for he was a man who put the needs of his city beyond private advancement. It was while he was laboring to give Jacksonville a fair and progressive administration, that he was shot and killed by a former member of the police force, who during a Et of temporary insanity, imag- ined he had been wronged. Following his deed of violence, the man killed himself. It would be impossible to depiet the horror of the whole state when the outrage became known. Some years before a sister city had met with such misfortune, but the official to fall before the bullet of the assassin in that case was an elderly man. Mr. Brown was in the full vigor of young manhood, with years of usefulness stretching out before him so that Jacksonville felt that its loss was greater than that of Chicago.
On June 10, 1897, Mr. Brown was married to Lotta Esta Thompson of Lafayette, Ind., who died in November, 1901, leaving a daughter, Laura Esta Brown, who survives her father. On September 3. 1003, Mr. Brown married (second) Nellie Hall of Jacksonville who survives her husband, she being a daughter of John Hall and Martha Jane (Shepherd) Hill, natives of Ken- tucky and Ohio respectively. Mr. Hill came to Illinois with his parents when nine years of age, settling on a farm near Jacksonville, where his parents died. He followed the occupation of farmer almost all his life, retiring about 1895, at which time he removed to Jacksonville, where his death occurred.
Mr. Brown was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, being confirmed February 4, 1910. He was affiliated with the Tau Beta Tau college fraternity, and was a member of Lodge No. 152 Knights of Pythias. A man of spotless integrity and bread humanitarianism, he was the last person to deserve the fate which was his. How- ever, when death came, it found him at his post, laboring for his city, and although his years were few, they were filled with more valuable deeds than many double his age. It is said of him, that he was a man always willing to help others, being especially interested in helping young boys get a start in life. His home was his shrine, no other place could be made so attractive to him.
DAVID LEE TAYLOR.
It was the consensus of opinion among his associates in the advertising world of the Middle West that the late David Lee Taylor
was one of the most forceful, able and original figures in his field of endeavor. His career, cut short by death when he was but forty-six years
لنتس
DI Taylor
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of age, was characterized by the attainment of such success as comes but to few, and the ad- vertising world experienced a loss that was almost irreparable in his death. Yet what he valued most was the esteem and affection in which he was held by the men with whom he came into contact. Ilis life was one of intense activity ; his achievements were astounding in their volume; yet, he ever found time to hold out an assisting hand to the men just entering upon their careers, and many now prominent in advertising owe all the success they have gained to his kindly and freely-given counsel. It would transcend the limits necessarily assigned to this sketch to enumerate the various incidents and experiences of such a busy life ; nor is it possible to do justice to such a great and forceful personality and big-hearted na- ture. It must be sufficient to note the salient points in a career marked by rapid and suc- cessive advance from a small town bank clerk- ship to the presidency of one of the greatest advertising concerns of the country.
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