USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 71
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The Hamilton Primary School was the first free school to be maintained in the State of Illinois. The fund for its establishment was provided for in the will of Dr. Silas Hamilton, which was dated October 20, 1834. In this document the sum of four thousand dollars was set aside from the rest of the estate for the express purpose of erecting a suitable building for school uses and religious worship, and for providing it with a permanent endowment for the support of instructors. Dr. Silas Hamilton died November 19, 1834, and the work of estab- lishing the school was undertaken by his nephew, Thomas M. Hamilton. and his brother-in-law, Gilbert Douglas. Under their guidance the old Stone schoolhouse was erected in 1835. The original building was two stories high, the main floor being divided into two school rooms by a hall and stairway leading to the second floor, which was used for various public purposes and to hold the Sunday school. The fame of the
institution spread widely, going far beyond the limits of the state. In 1839, by an Act of the General Assembly, this school was incorporated as the Hamilton Primary School with a district four miles square. Thirty-two years later the old building was torn down and a new and more commodious one was erected on the same site. From the organization of this school it was known as one of the most successful insti- tutions of its kind in the state, and it had on its enrollment at various times, the names of men who later gained more than ordinary prom- inence. Among them may be mentioned the following: L. V. Sidnay, of Chicago, ex-presi- dent of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank and a South Park commissioner; General John B. Hamilton ; "Deacon" S. V. White, of New York City, banker; Judge L. Stillwell, first as- sistant pension commissioner; Judge Noble Icria ; and George Washington, the well-known colored freedman.
ALBERT A. FITTS.
Impelled by forces we cannot fully under- stand, men pursue their various ways in life, some attaining the heights while other walk in the valleys and both paths are beset with difficulties. It is worth while, however, for the encouragement of those whose opportunities are limited and whose environment discloses little of encouragement, to tell the story of one who faced such lack of opportunity and who, alone, found a way to climb the heights, and such a story is that of the late Dr. Albert .A. Fitts, for many years an honored medical man and useful citizens of Batavia, Ill. He was born at Ontario, N. Y., April 5, 1853.
Owing to changes in the place of residence of the family between 1860 and 1865, Albert A. Fitts attended school but irregularly. On the return of the family to Walworth, N. Y., he continued to attend school, but only in the winters, working for his own support at odd jobs during the summers, and when sixteen years of age commenced to work during the summers for his father at the carpenter trade. When the family home was again established at Ontario, he once more had school advantages for two winters, and worked also at his trade, by this time doing excellent carpenter and joiner work. In October, 1874, he went to Falls Church, Va., to live with his uncle. Suumer Fitts, and this was, in a way, the turning point in his life. There he met Dr. N. F. Graham,
who was professor of surgery in the medical department of Howard University, Washing- ton, D. C.
It is evident that the eminent surgeon gained the youth's confidence and learned of the ambi- tion he was secretly cherishing, otherwise he would not have offered Albert Fitts the free use of his valuable library on conditions the young man willingly accepted, that he should sleep in the house during his absences during the winter and take care of the horse and cow and look after things generally. Dr. Graham gave him invaluable instruction in anatomy and physiology and set his feet in the path of medi- cal science. Eagerly this path was pursued and while his days were filled with work on his uncle's farm, where he accomplished the clear- ing and plowing of thirty acres of land, his nights were his own and then it was that he did all his reading, a driving power of en- thusiasm making him often forget the passage of the hours. After completing this first winter and passing examination on Wilson's Anatomy and MeKendree's Physiology, his whole thought of the future was to become a man of medical science like his honored and beloved instructor. Want of capital and the necessity of providing for his board stood in the way, but in March, 1875, he began a regular course of reading under Dr. Graham's direction. In order to pay his board he worked a half day for his uncle, from
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six in the morning until noonday, then studied until six in the evening, spending the next hour with Dr. Graham reciting and receiving expla- nations, and then back to his books until tired Nature made him desist. This program he fol- lowed until October, 1875, when he took an ex- amination in the medical department of Howard 'University, and secured the position of resident student. He continued study during the sum- mers of 1876 and 1877 and during that term was appointed prosector for Prof. D. B. Comb, which position he held until he was graduated on March 3. 1878. Much self denial had been endured and economic hardships had been overcome before this happy termination of his years of effort.
After graduation Dr. Fitts returned for a time to Ontario, N. Y. Want of means de- terred him from immediately entering into practice, but finally his aunt, Mrs. Martin Ald- rich, lent him $150 for this purpose. He prac-
ticed for a short time in Cuba, N. Y., but settled permanently at Batavia, Ill., in October, 187S. For many years Dr. Fitts commanded a rep- resentative and remunerative practice in Kane County and subsequently became a member of the American Medical Association, and of the Fox River Medical Society. In March, 1879, he was appointed examining surgeon for pen- sions, and for five years was physician for the Kane County Almshouse. In 1889 he was made vice president of the Fox River Medical Society, and received a majority of votes on an informal ballot for president in 1890, but on account of ill health, withdrew his name. From 1891 until 1893, Dr. Fitts served Batavia as health officer, ever careful and efficient, and brought about many sanitary improvements. For several years he served the city as president of the board of education. He belonged to the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen.
FREDERICK L. BARTLETT.
More than any other class of men, physicians win the friendship and affection of those with whom they are professionally associated, and when a faithful practitioner, who has ministered to his community for many years, is taken from its midst, general sorrow is felt at the passing of one whose worth cannot be measured in coin of the realm, for it was beyond price, many deeds of kindness being actuated by broad humani- tarism and generosity of soul. The late Freder- ick L. Bartlett, physician and surgeon of Aurora, was a man widely known and universally beloved, and his popularity was earned by years of faithful devotion to his profession.
Frederick L. Bartlett was born at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., December 16, 1843, a son of Dr. Abner R. and Esther (Gage) Bartlett. It is probable that the family is of Anglo-Saxon and Welsh stock. In 1852 removal was made by the Bartlett family to Aurora, Ill., where Dr. Bart- lett was reared in a family circle that was noted for its literary and intellectual character. It was at the University of Michigan, that he ob- tained his degree of B. A. when he was gradu- ated from its legal department in the early sixties, but he later attended the Homeopathie Medical College of Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1SGS, he having yielded to his father's desire that he follow in his footsteps as a physician. The father and son immediately thereafter formed a partnership which continued
until the demise of the former. As a physician, Dr. Bartlett had few equals, and his clientage was spread out over a wide territory. A man of broad sympathies, he was more than the phy- sician, for he knew how to impress his own genial personality upon his patients, giving them cheer and hope as well as medical aid.
Although so popular as a physician, Dr. Bart- lett was a man of public affairs as well, serving Aurora as mayor in 1877, and he was earnestly solicited by his associates to consent to accept the nomination for Congress, but he declined, after careful consideration, for he believed that in his home town, he could serve his friends to better purpose. This he proved, for soon after his services as mayor were rendered. Dr. Bart- .et threw himself into the fight to prevent the defrauding of Aurora of its rights as owner of 1,000 shares of stock in the old Chicago & Iowa Railroad, which extended from Aurora to For- reston. Through his efforts, a town meeting was held which forced a public auction of Aurora's stock to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road for $115,000. With the money thus ob- tained the bridges across Fox River at New York Street, North Avenue and at North Aurora, were built, and they bear the following truth- ful incription : "Saved to the town of Aurora by the energy, courage and devotion to public welfare of F. I. Bartlett."
A student himself, Dr. Bartlett always fos-
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tered the spirit of learning in others, and con- tributed generously to provide suitable reading matter for the people of Aurora, being a pro- moter and organizer of the old Aurora Library Association. For years he was president and a zealous worker of the Aurora Lecture Associa- tion which gave entertainments at the Coulter Opera House for the benefit of the library, and when the public library board was organized, Mayor Travis Phillips appointed Dr. Bartlett a member of the first board of directors, and he remained on the board for ten years. He was also president of the West Aurora Board of Education for eighteen years, and during that period the schools of that portion of the city were brought to a high state of etticiency.
Dr. Bartlett was married May 31, 1570, to Miss Arvilla Carter, a daughter of R. L. Carter,
one of the pioneers of Aurora. Mrs. Bartlett and a son, Dr. Fred A. Bartlett, survive. The son now occupies the office at the northwest cor- ner of Downer's Grove Place and Lake street, which belonged first to his grandfather, Dr. Ab- ner Bartlett, then to his father, Dr. Frederick L. Bartlett, the occupancy of this location by a Dr. Bartlett extending over a period of sixty- one years.
Dr. Frederick L. Bartlett passed away August 17. 1913. A man of high spirits, he enjoyed out- door life, and was one of the leaders in the or- ganization of the City Club. His long and use- ful lite was filled with good deeds, and while appropriate, the inscriptions on the bridges his efforts gave to the city, are not needed to keep his memory green in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
JOHN J. PEARCE.
For many years the late John J. Pearce was prominently connected with the glass manufac- turing industry at Ottawa, Ill., and in this con- nection his name became known over the state, and later, through his inventions, promised to become familiar over a much wider territory. Mr. Pearce was born in Worcestershire, Eng- land, August S, 1852, and died at Ottawa, June 26, 1913. His parents were John and Catherine (Navin) Pearce.
John J. Pearce accompanied his parents in his boyhood to the United States and he lived in the city of New York until he came to Ottawa, in 1885. As early as 1869 he had become identified with the glass industry. learning every detail of the business and ad- vaneing, step by step, until he was called on to accept responsible positions, becoming manager of the Pioneer Glass Works, known as E. de la Chapelle & Co. In 1855 the business was re- moved from Brooklyn, N. Y .. to Ottawa, and in 1903 the La Bastie Glass Company succeeded the old firm and John J. Pearce was chosen president and resident manager. The La Bastie glass factory was the only one of its kind in the world manufacturing a chimney under spe- cial patents, and the chimney enjoyed a repu- tation the world over. He secured a control- ling interest in the company and continued the business until 1906, when he sold to the Mac- beth Company. Honorable and upright as a business man, Mr. Pearce was held in universal esteem. In the meanwhile he had, at times, given scope to his inventive talent, resulting
in the patenting and distribution of several articles, and after relinquishing his duties in connection with the glass business he had eu- gaged quite successfully in promoting the estab- lishment of incinerating plants for the consump- tion of garbage. One of these, his own inven- tion, was installed in Central Park, New York City, and at other points, Evanston, Ill., Brook- lyn, N. Y., and Far Rockaway, and in every case the results have been entirely satisfactory. It had been Mr. Pearce's intention to broaden the business and it is to be hoped the fruits of lis genius will not be lost to his generation.
On June 2. 1872. John J. Pearce was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Neenan, whom he had known as a playmate in his old home in England. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearce nine chil- dren were born, four of whom died in infancy, and Joseph E. died in 1907. The present sur- vivors are: Mary, who is the wife of James D. Walsh, of LaSalle, Il., has seven children, John, Katherine, Lucille, James, Josephine and Virginia ; Katherine, who is now Sister Amata, of Saint Joseph's Convent, Ottawa, Ill. ; Cecelia, who is the wife of Thomas W. Murray, of Wal- lace Township, has one son. Thomas M .; and Marguerite, who resides at home.
Joseph Emmet Pearce, third child of the late John J. Pearce, was one of Ottawa's best known and most popular young business men and his death was very generally lamented. He was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., February 19, 1878. and passed out of life at the early age of twenty-nine years. After attending the Ottawa
JOHN J. PEARCE
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schools he entered Niagara University at Niagara Falls, where he completed his educa- tion, and then returned to his father, with whom he was closely associated in every way until his death, at which time he was secretary and treasurer of the La Bastie Glass Company. In 1905 he was married to Miss Nellie L. Mor- risey, by whom he is survived, with one son, John M. Mr. Pearce stood particularly' well with every class of people and was his father's stay and comfort.
John J. Pearce was a faithful Catholic and was a member of Saint Columba parish, Ot- tawa. He belonged to the Starved Rock Coun- cil, Knights of Columbus, of Ottawa, and was also a member of Saint John's branch of the Western Catholic Union. In private life he was quiet and unassuming, performing every duty to family. church and community with fidelity, and his death made vacant a place that no worthier man will ever fill.
FORD LEWIS.
A nation or city can have no possession so valuable as its great men, living or dead, for they inspire it with those impulses which lead to noble achievements. Of the many sons of New Jersey, who, coming to Illinois in the early days of its settlement, gave to one of the coun- ties a name bestowed in grateful memory of the Commonwealth from which they sprang, noue became more materially prosperous or developed into a finer character than the late Ford Lewis. From the year in which he settled at Jerseyville until that of his death, he was identified with the progress of his community, and his activities led him to branch out in other directions. Endowed by nature with a broad and many- sided mind, he was able to take advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves and looking into the future could lay plans that required years for their fruition. Mr. Lewis was a man who knew how to give dignity to his operations for he always worked for the good of the whole, rather than for private aggrandizement, with results that were far- reaching and of a nature to add prestige to his standing. Jerseyville benefited by his public- spirited ideas as did also two flourishing towns of Nebraska, Lewiston and Virginia, which he founded and watched over with paternal inter- est, for one was named for him and the other for his only daughter.
Ford Lewis was born July 25, 1829. in Sussex, New Jersey, and died November 30, 1901, aged seventy-two years, four months and five days. But little is known of his boyhood and early manhood, for he was about twenty-eight years when he came to Bloomington, Ill., where he spent a short period with his parents, and then came on to Jerseyville, attracted here by the settlement that had been made by others of his own State. Later, his father joined him and for some years he was a merchant at this point.
but lived retired for some years prior to his demise. While Mr. Lewis made Jerseyville bis headquarters from the time of his location in the community until his death, he operated upon an extensive scale in real estate in the State of Nebraska. Taking up from seven to eight thousand acres of land, he early realized the possibilities of this region, and founded the two towns, before mentioned, Lewistown and Virginia. He was also interested in oil lands, but relinquished his other holdings to devote himself to the development of his Ne- braska properties, and his confidence in them was richly rewarded, for he became a man of great wealth. Through his friendship with a Mr. Knapp, Mr. Lewis succeeded in having the Rock Island Railroad pass through his land, and he donated generously towards the establishment of suitable stations. The pres- ent prosperity of Lewiston and Virginia is largely due to Mr. Lewis and his family, as his widow and daughter still have large hold- ings in both.
On July 24, 1864, Mr. Lewis was married to Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Abijah and Eliza- beth ( Riggs) Davis. Mr. Davis was one of the original settlers of Jerseyville, coming here about 1830, driving one wagon overland, his wife driving another, the two containing their household effects. The house they built on their land is still standing, and has been im- proved until it is now a first class residence. The building used for the first post office of Jerseyville is on the Davis homestead and is used as a granary. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had one daughter, Hannah Virginia. She married Dwight S. Dalbey, son of William and Mary Dalbey, who were born in Taylorville, where Mr. and Mrs. William Dalbey now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Dalbey reside at Beatrice, Neb., although Mrs. Dalbey recently built a mod-
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ern hotel, named the Virginia Inn, at Virginia, Nebraska. She also presented three churches with chimes of bells in Virginia and Lewiston. It is an interesting fact that the first news- paper in Jerseyville was bought and established here by the father of Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Davis. He bought his press from the great Lovejoy, with whom he sympathized, and followed. A strong Abolitionist, he was one of the pro- moters of the underground railroad during the stirring times prior to the Civil war. For many years he continued his newspaper, and upheld the principles of Lovejoy, oftentimes at a heavy loss to himself.
It is but just in a memorial work of this kind to render homage to those men who, through their own efforts, have attained to a distinction that comes only of work well done. Few men attain to prestige that is honorable who do not deserve the homage given them, for, although for a short period the dishonest man may flourish, in time his evil deeds are
discovered and all that he has accomplished goes at naught. Thus it is that when the record of a man's life shows that he forged ahead, gathering wenith, and yet holding the confidence and esteem of these with whom he was associated. it proves that he deserved what he won in life's conflicts. His family are nobly carrying out his generous ideas and bringing lus plans to a glorious termination. It is the pride of these ladies to extend the fields of operation so that the good of the ac- complishments of their loved one may live on. To found communities that show a healthy and steady growth required more than ordinary ability, full confidence in the locality and a thorough understanding of the possibilities of the varying conditions. That Mr. Lewis knew in part what he was doing no one doubts, but in his case, he accomplished eventually more than he even dared to hope for when he laid the foundations of the municipalities named to do him hopo".
JAMES DONN.
The acknowledged prestige of Americans in almost every branch of human achievement is largely due to that spirit of advancement which urges them onward and upward. The possession of this ambition to gain imposing pre-eminence is shared by all who attain to successful prestige. The humblest laborer may develop into a man of high standing, provided he possesses the ability to forge ahead. Many a life has been recon- . structed from small beginnings. Few of the truly able men of the country have been born with the proverbial "golden spoon" in their mouths. To reach the heights, a goad of necessity is re- quired. One of the men who left more than an ordinary amount of good work behind him when he entered upon his eternal life work was the late James Donn of Canton, who for sixty-five years was one of its useful citizens, and for many years a power in its manufacturing and mercantile circles.
Mr. Donn was born in Lake County. Ill., De- cember 1, 1839, a son of William Donn, who, with his wife, was born in Perth, Scotland. I'pon coming to the United States, the family lived ou Long Island, N. Y., but left it for Lake County, Ill., there living until on September 1, 1846, they arrived at Canton, which continued to be the home of James Donn until death claimed him, August 17, 1911. Until they were able to get settled, the family resided with an uncle of Mr.
Donn, whose residence occupied the present site of St. Mary's Catholic Church, corner of Chest- nut street and Second avenue.
Being but seven years old at the time of the family migration to Canton, Mr. Donn nat- urally received his educational training there, attending the public schools for this purpose, and was always glad to claim W. II. Haskell, Mrs. M. J. Law and Mrs. Jacob HI. Bass as his first teachers. Coming of thrifty parents, Mr. Donn was set to learn a useful trade, and in 1854 com- menced in the shop of a gunsmith. This seemed to fit his inclinations and capabilities, and he developed into an expert in his trade, his repu- tation far exceeding local limits. The training he began with the local gunsmith, James It. McQuaid, continuing over two years, was sup- plemented by that which he received at Chicago. Returning to Canton, in 1859, he began business for himself at No. 133 North Main street, manu- facturing and repairing guns, With the out- break of the Civil war, Mr. Donn secured the exclusive privilege of selling firearms and pow- der in Canton, and his business was increased proportionately, so that removal to more com- modious quarters was necessitated, and he se- cured a building on the north side of the square. For eleven years this continued to be his place of operation. At the expiration of this time he took his brother, William Donn, into partner-
William L. Hupard
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ship, and there was a further enlargement of the field of endeavor, a stock of hardware being added. While new inventions and Improved machinery permitted many manufacturers pro- ducing guns in larger quantities, Mr. Donn never took advantage of these, but continued to make all his product by hand, and of imported ma- terials. For this reason, his guns were ac- knowledged to be of superior quality and work- manship. Today there is not an establishment in the country that produces such fine work as Mr. Donn turned out. He took a deep pride in his produet, and would have scorned to allow any of it to be manufactured by machinery. In 1900, he and his brother severed their associa- tion, and Mr. Donn continued alone until his death.
On January 29, 1871, Mr. Donn was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Rawalt, daughter of Benjamin Rawalt, by the Rev. Charies Pates of the Congregational church. Mr. and Mrs. Donn had two daughters, Nellie R. and Clara B. Mr. Donn owned his beautiful residence at No. 339 West Elm street, and the building on the north side of the square, as well as a valu- able farm of 200 acres west of Canton, and other realty buildings, and stock in the Canton First National Bank. From the organization of the Republican party Mr. Donn took an able part on its operations, and gave it dignity and impor- tance by his support. A man of affairs, he was able to effect reforms upon an impressive seale, and achieve much with consummate skill. His
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