USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 68
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In July, 1866, Mr. Hall was married to Sybil Norton, daughter of William G. and Elmira Norton of Earlville, LaSalle County. Three children were born in this happy family : Clyde- Haven, who is a farmer of Aurora, married Anna Darnell, and they have two children- Clyan Haven and Sybil Norton; Nina M., who married Ralph T. Dodge of Chicago; and Sybil Verne, who married H. R. Detweiler of Aurora, and they have two children-Dorothy and Frank H.
In addition to his educational duties, Mr. Hall lent dignity and stability to the Second National Bank of Aurora by serving on its board of trustees. For many years he was an enthusiastic Mason. All his activities, as he
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grew older, told upon his strength, and he sank beneath the burden, his health giving way. His death occurred January 3, 1911, and bis loss was felt as a personal calamity by thou- sands. The Educational Press Bulletin, issued by the Illinois State Department of Education, said, among other things, relative to Mr. Hall's demise: "In the death of Frank Hall the cause of education suffered a great loss. With a versatile mind and unbounded energy he con- tributed to every line of work he undertook. Elementary courses of study, methods and fa- cilities for teaching the blind, and the great movement for a more scientific agriculture have all felt the touch of his master spirit. His friends warned him that it was too much for him to do the work of three men. But like a well-bred, spirited horse, he neither needed the spur or the bits. He went his own gait without let or hindrance. The history of education in Illinois can never be written without men- tion of the work of Frank Hall."
The funeral of Mr. Hall was attended by notables. Those who made brief addresses were Dr. John W. Cook, president of the DeKalb Normal school; Alfred Bayliss, president Ma- comb Normal; O. T. Bright, former superin- tendent of Cook County schools, and Prof. Fred H. Rankin of the Illinois College of Agricul- ture. The pallbearers were his old pupils and employes. The Revs. W. W. Willard and O. A. Petty conducted the touching services. The re- mains of the great and good man were laid to rest in beautiful West Aurora cemetery. It would be impossible in so brief a notice as this to give an adequate idea of the trilmites paid the memory of Mr. Hall. The schools of West Aurora were closed in memory of the one who had conducted them so long and faithfully. Newspapers throughout the state exhausted themselves in sounding his praises and all wrote feelingly of the man who was gone from his sphere of usefulness. Memorial services were held in various institutions, and none were more affecting than those given by the sightless ones for whom Mr. Hall had done s. much, bringing into their narrow lives a bound-
less range of capacity through his wonderful invention. A bronze bost of Frank Hall now adoras the public library of Aurora, for he was recognized as one of the most representa- tive men the city ever produced, and he has been elected to the Hall of Fame in the State Agricultural College at Trbana. Hle was a teacher, author of eighteen text-books, farmer, soldier, public servant, business man and churebman, and was well informed on law, medicine and theology. Although his life-work is ended, and finis has been written on his page of life, Mr. fall still influences thousands, and will continue to do so as long as the public school system is in existence, or the blind grope their way into the light of knowledge through the writer his kindly inventive genius produced for them.
It is but fitting to close this brief review with the tribute paid his memory by his daughter, Verne Hall Detweiler :
MY FATHER.
"Forget thyself in service for thy fellow-men"- This is the creed by which he lived.
Lived? Au! yes. He died so, too,
His tired eyes alight with loving words un- spoken.
He was a lifter of the universal load :
Happiness meant, to him, naught else
But loving service freely given
To all who needed help along life's stouy road.
He proved, in his own life, the joy of work well done,
Teaching us that we needs must serve
And toil together joyfully,
To sweep away the selfish clouds that hide life's . sun.
And when his sun was set, there glowed a west- ern light ---
Token of fairer days to come
To all whose lives he had but touched,
So great he was, so good, so kind, so true, so right.
ARTHUR F. BAUER.
The entire career of the late Arthur F. Bauer was passed in Peoria, and he witnessed, and participated in, the wonderful advancement which brought this city to the forefront among the commercial circles of the Prairie State.
His life, while cut short in its prime, had been filled with activity, and it was activity of a nature that was helpful in the extreme. Esseu- tially a business man, with interests that de- manded his constant attention, he was not con-
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tent to watch others work for the public weal, but himself took an active and useful part in movements that made for progress, and his influence at all times was felt in circles where public spirited men gathered to promote edu- cation, morality and good citizenship.
Arthur F. Bauer was born May 4, 1864, at Peoria, Ill., and here he was granted excellent educational advantages in the public and Ger- man schools, where he showed himself an apt and ambitious student. His father reared him to habits of honesty and industry and drilled him thoroughly in the business which he ex- pected his son to adopt as his life work. He accordingly succeeded his father, and directed his efforts in such an able manner as to win the confidence of the public and the esteem of his business associates, who at all times looked to him for counsel and leadership. On the morning of Friday, May 23, 1913, Mr. Bauer did not join his family at breakfast, but this did not cause comment, as he had been de- tained by his work until a late hour the night previous. However, when he did not appear at the dinner hour, it was decided to call him, and Mrs. Bauer found that he had expired. His death caused sorrow among a wide circle of friends, who had been drawn to him by his whole-heartedness, his loyalty and his absolute integrity. He held membership in Calantbe
Lodge No. 47, K. P., and Schiller Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
On February 1, 1885, Mr. Bauer was married to Miss Louise Thieme, also a native of Peoria, Ill., and daughter of John Gustav and Magda- lene (Kneer) Thieme, who came from Germany to America with their respective parents at an early day, settling in Illinois and finally at Peoria. The father was an upholsterer by trade, which occupation he followed for some time, but later entered the hotel business, in which he continued until his death, which oc- curred in October, 1884, the mother passing away about 1899. They had spent their entire lives in Peoria since their arrival at that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Bauer were born three chil- dren, namely : Elizabeth Elsie, who married October 15, 1913, Chester Erwin Arends, of Peoria, who is connected with the Chamber of Commerce ; Ethel M., and one child who died in infancy.
Mr. Bauer was Republican in his political views, although his policy was to vote for the best man, regardless of party ties. He never sought public preference as an office holder, but could be relied upon at all times to con- tribute of his means and lend influence to those things which made for good government. His death was a loss to Peoria, and its sudden na- ture caused the shock to be doubly severe to his many acquaintances.
PERLEY BATCHELDER WHIPPLE.
Conditions, manners
and customs have changed in the years that have developed Illi- nois from a wilderness, but the requirements for Christian rectitude have remained uniform in quality and purity. The standards today for measuring up a man's character remain the same as those which were used' centuries ago. There are certain rugged qualities which make for truest manhood. Without real honesty and a certain sterling integrity of purpose, no man can command the confidence and respect of his associates throughout a lifetime of endeavor. The glitter of shallow characteristics may dazzle for a short period, but whenever a time of stress comes in which men's souls are tried, the false is separated from the real, the natural from the imitation. The late Perley Batchelder Whipple belonged to the class of nature's noble- men, and although he has passed from this sphere of usefulness, he has left an impress upon his times and community that will not
easily be erased. For sixty-one years he had been known as one of the leading men of Alton, when death claimed him, and during that period never failed to exert his talents in behalf of others. He was born at New Braintree. Wor- rester County, Mass., April 15, 1810, and when a mere child, his parents moved to Grafton, Mass., where his boyhood was passed. In 1835, at the age of twenty-five years. he came to Al- ton, Ill., where his interests were afterwards centered. Soon after his arrival, he embarked in a boot and shoe business on the present site of the Alton Roller Mills on Second street. Later he opened a general wholesale dry goods store in partnership with J. E. Booker, and still later was with William Tunnel. the latter asso- ciation continuing for seven years. The latter portion of his business career at Alton. how- ever, was passed in an insurance and real estate business with G. H. Smiley under the firm style of Whipple & Smiley.
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The first wife of Mr. Whipple was Elizabeth H. Williams, who became very prominent in the development of the Presbyterian church of Alton. The marriage was solemnized by Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy a short time prior to the tragie death of the latter. The first Mrs. Whipple died May 14, 1847, leaving the follow- ing children : Nathaniel L., Henry W., and Elizabeth H., now deceased. Mr. Whipple was married (second) to Rebecca L. Breath, who died June 18, 1854. On March 6, 1:57, Mr. Whipple was married (third) to Hannah G. Chase, a daughter of Paul C. and Sarah ( Pierce) Chase, from Millbury, Mass. She bore her bus- band one daughter, Florence E., who lives with her.
One of the most interesting features of Mr. Whippie's life was his friendship for and asso- ciation with Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy. Although a strong Abolitionist himself, Mr. Whipple did not fully agree with all of Mr. Lovejoy's teach- ings, for he felt that Mr. Lovejoy was a little too far ahead of the times in his ideas on slavery. After the death of their leader, who fell 'a martyr to his cause, Mr. Whipple was one of several who, at night, took the mutilated body from the house on Cherry street, and laid it tenderly to rest, although each man thus brave did not know but that each moment would be his last. A man utterly fearless in speech and action, this danger did not deter Mr. Whipple from doing what was both his duty and resolve, and he never failed to support the doctrines be believed were right, not only with reference to slavery, but others which were evolved from the times in which he lived. It is said that he sustained great loss in the panie of 1567, he being in the wholesale trade and his business all credit with the country dealers, a great number of whom failed, but when the crash came, put their property in the names of their wives, Mr. Whipple thereby los- ing a large amount of money. He could have saved a large fortune by putting his property in the name of his wife, but this was not his idea of honor; he, therefore, sold his stock at auction and paid all his creditors. Ile could
easily have taken advantage of the bankruptcy law but would not do so. Another incident in his life worthy of mention is the fact that when he wanted a storeroom which was then occupied by a saloon, in order to get the same, he bought the saloon-keeper out and upon being asked what he intended to do with the liquor, he re- plied that he would pour it in the gutter, which he did. A man of strong religious convictions, he was equally determined in supporting his church, and was one of the most valued mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church of Alton for sixty years, and for many years served it as an elder.
The death of this most excellent man or- curred November S, 1896, and his funeral was a large one, his friends gathering to pay their last respects to his memory. Rev. Dr. G. W. Smith of the Presbyterian church offered a short discourse, and his closing words are as beautiful a tribute to the character of Mr. Whipple as could be found: "Mr. Whipple al- ways took his full share in the discharge of the duties of charity and religion. He had a faith that showed itself, not in empty pro- fessions, but in good deeds' which he did, in many different directions, always lending a warm heart and a helping hand in all charitable and church work. He never seemed to tire in his thoughtful service of others. Who of us who knew him well but could bear witness to
his genial disposition, the kindliness of spirit that he always displayed? I feel that I can but imperfectly voice that which you all know -- that which most of you have seen. And in thus speaking I seek not to exalt human nature and virtue, but rather to magnify the power and grace of the Redeemer in whose merits he trusted and in whose blessed footsteps he daily endeavored to follow. And it is to the same covenant-keeping God that I would point those of you who suffer most deeply today, as a sure refuge in every time of need. He has not promised to keep us from trouble, but he has promised to walk with us in our troubles, to make them work together for our good,' and finally give us complete deliverance."
JOHN EDWIN CHAPMAN.
When the history of the notable men of Illi- nois is completed, its pages will bear no name more worthy than that of the late John Edwin Chapman. In contemplating the lives and char- acteristics of prominent men, it is but natural
to inquire into the reason for their success and the motive that prompted their praiseworthy actions. Success is claimed by many to be a matter of genius, but there is no doubt but that experience and sound judgment play an im-
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قيد بق د. ليلية العامة + " بهربل حبوبمخد - جدة -شوق ربنك -اط سادهب
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John E. Chapman
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portant part in shaping the careers of those who stand highest in public esteem. These in nearly every case are those who have devoted their lives to profound study and careful appli- cation and have risen gradually, fighting their way upward in the face of all drawbacks. Hon- esty, energy, efficiency, conscientiousness and self-reliance, these are traits of character that are apt to insure the highest emoluments and greatest rewards. To these may be attributed in large measure the success that rewarded the efforts of John Edwin Chapman. There is no more truthful indication of a man's honest worth and character than the esteem in which he is held by his business associates and cel- leagues. The striking features in the career of John Edwin Chapman may be gained from the fact that he was beloved by all who knew him, as much by his connections in business life as by those with whom he came in contact in social relations. Success ought not to be measured merely by the heights to which one attains but by the distance between the altitude which is reached and the starting point in the field of endeavor. Mr. Chapman's career was a notable one, and is the story of laudable ambition, un :- faltering activity and earnest endeavor to reach in the business field a high plane, and that the qualities chosen as chief factors In his life were resultant, is evidenced through his many years of successful operations in Chicago. Truly a self-made man, Mr. Chapman was of the best type of citizenship, and his record is an indication that "snecess is ambition's an- swer," and the story of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to those who have regard for honorable manhood and an appreciation for wise and intelligent use of opportunity on the part of the individual. He started out as many other successful men have done, with a deter- mination to make life a success and through assiduity, industry, thrift and frugality, he reached a broad field of activity and useful- ness in the world and no citizen of Chicago bad in larger measure the esteem of his fellows nor exerted a stronger influence for progressive methods and good citizenship. His life was actuated by high ideals and spent in close con- formity therewith. His teachings and his ex- ample were an inspiring force for good in the world and his humane sympathy and charity brought men to him in the ties of strong friend- ship. Certain qualities command respect. oth- ers admiration ; but it requires more than these to win love, and those who knew John Edwin
Chapman had for him the deeper affection that transcends regard. While Mr. Chapman never sought to figure prominently in public life, his memory is cherished by those who knew him, because of his Adelity to all those high and honorable principles which are regarded as in- dispensable factors in the life of him who essays to approach the ideal in manhood and in citizenship.
Johr Edwin Chapman was born at Warehouse Point, Conn., September 1, 1835. The Ameri- car founder of the Chapman family was Edward Chapman. who came from England to Windsor, Conn .. about 1660, settling in that portion of Windsor now called Simsbury. The family line moves down through distinguished names and connections to Ashbel Chapman, who married Lydia Lord, and their sixth child, John Buckley Chapman, born May 12, 1799, at Windsor Locks, Conn., moved to Warehouse Point, Conn. He married Lydia Holkins and their five children were : Albert Buckley, Frederick Augustus, Lydia Louisa, John Edwin, and Harvey Holkins. Thomas Holkins came from England to Boston, Mass., and later settled at Dorchester, Mass. From thence his descendants went to Rhode Island and Connecticut, and George Holkins settled at Preston, Conn., about 1698.
John Buckley Chapman not only was suc- cessful as a lumber merchant, but was a man of strong moral character and nobility of pur- pose. Although married three times, the only children to survive were those born of his first marriage. Of these, John Edwin Chapman was reared at Warehouse Point, by his second step- mother, Lydia Aurelia (Lord) Chapman, he hav- ing lost his own mother when four years old. T'ausually gifted, he was prepared for college when only fourteen years old, but his father wisely decided that his years were too few for the strain of college life, and so permitted him to come to Chicago in 1849 for two years to join a cousin, Samuel Chapman Griggs, the founder of the present publishing house and book store of A. C. MeClurg & Company. In the meanwhile he lost his father, who died at sea while on his way to California to look after some large lumber interests, and John Edwin Chapman had to abandon his plans for a col- lege carver, and take steps to secure an income for his step-mother and family, also keep up the family homestead in Connecticut. During the years that followed the young man overtaxed his strength, so that before he was twenty-five years old he suffered from a severe breakdown,
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but upon his recovery he and his brother, Har- vey Chapman, opened a Chicago branch for Henry Chase & Company of Boston, manufac- turers of bags and bagging, in which he con- tinued, being so successful that he amassed a large fortune for his day. He lived at the old Tremont and Clifton houses with a group of men who, gathered from all parts of the coun- try, were then laying the foundations for Chi- cago's present pre-eminence. While active in business circles, Mr. Chapman did not neglect his religious duties, but was an aggressive and powerful member of the First Baptist Church of Chicago, and a liberal contributor and im- portant factor in its work. A life member of the Baptist Theological Union of Chicago, he aided in the initial work which resulted in the establishment of the Chicago University.
In 1869, Mr. Chapman was married to Miss Mary Caroline Adams, a daughter of Hugh and Amanda (McCormick) Adams, and they had two children, namely : Anna, who became the wife of Morrill Dunn, formerly of Washington, D. C., but now a resident of Chicago; and John Adams, who married Miss Eleanor Thompson Stickney of Baltimore, Md., resides at Chicago. Hugh Adams, father of Mrs. Chapman, was for many years a successful grain merchant of Chi- cago. He descended from Robert Adams, who came from England about 1708, settling in Camp- bell County, Va., being of excellent English stock. The Adams family is ranked among the first of Virginia's aristocracy. Amanda McCor- mick Adams was the daughter of Robert Me-
Cormick, a prominent farmer and inventor of Rockbridge County, Va.
In the fire of 1871, Mr. Chapman lost home and fortune but his store was the first one rebuilt in the borned district and his business was started again. Still his health was shat- tered, and within a few years he was com- pelled to retire, and spent the remainder of his life in absolute retiremout. To a man of his energy and capability, this was a trial of no common order, but he bore it patiently and cheerfully, and from bis Christianlike accept- ance of it, influenced others as never before. During bis active years, be gave liberally and wisely for the furtherance of measures and in- stitutions in which he bad faith, and gave loyalty to his friends and business associates. Unassuming in bis manner, sincere in his friendship, steadfast, unswerving in his loyalty to the right, it is but just and merited praise to say of him-as a business man, he ranked with the allest, as a citizen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement, and his death, which occurred January 4, 1882, removed from Chicago one of its most worthy citizens. In bis life were the elements of greatness, be- cause of the use he made of his talents and opportunities and because his thoughts were not self-centered but were given to the mastery of life's problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in his relations to his fellow- men, and as a citizen in his relations to his country. Mrs. Chapman maintains her resi- dence at No. 750 Lincoln Park boulevard, Chi- cago.
ORRIN WILKINSON.
Over fifty years ago the terrible calamity of war devastated this country of ours. While it laid waste many homes and took many from a busy, useful life, it also doubtless developed character, for it produced many men who be- came unusually useful in the quieter walks of life. Few men who were spared to return to their homes after the close of the terrific strug- gle between the North and the South but brought with them a sense of the importance of civic peace, and these survivors of the Civil war often became citizens of marked useful- ness. As they never shirked a duty in war or retreated before the attacks of an eremy, they continued to carry the colors of their con- victions and principles on to victory in private life. The majority of these men have passed
beyond the acclaims of this world, but the power of what they accomplished in both war and peace lives on and dominates others. One of these men was the late Captain Orrin Wilkin- son of Princeton.
Orrin Wilkinson was born in Bradford County. Pa., September 27. 1536, a son of George and Julia M. (Manton) Wilkinson the former born in Rhode Island and the latter in Brad- ford County, Pa. The father was once a farmer, but disposed of his farm and engaged in the conduct of a hotel at Tiskilwa, Ill., where he died in June, 187S. The family had migrated to Illinois in 1838, settling first in La Salle County but in 1844 moved to Tiskilwa. There- fore it was in Illinois that Orrin Wilkinson was reared to manhood. When old enough he
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assisted his father in conducting the hotel at Tiskilwa, continuing until he was twenty-three years old, at which time he formed a partner- ship with John Welsh and they opened and conducted a general store. In 1862, however, believing that duty directed him to his country's defense, he organized Company E, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected captain, and served throughout the Civil war, participating in the engagements at Jack- son, Champion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Mis- sionary Ridge, Altoona Pass, Savannah and in a number of skirmishes. During the period cov- ered by these battles, his regiment lost 415 men. Many instances of Captain Wilkinson's bravery might be cited, for he never failed to set his men an example of bravery, but one will suffice. At Altoona he crossed a bridge high in the air, in plain sight of thousands of the enemy, and seized a box of ammunition which was much needed, miraculously returning with- out being injured. The feat was so dangerous that he was not willing to risk his men, so did himself what he would not ask them to do. This feat placed him high in the esteem of bts superiors, and endeared him to his soldiers.
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