Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 72

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 joint ed
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell publishing company
Number of Pages: 1290

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ward benefited by his services as its representa- tive in the City Council for many years, and while he sat in that body, a number of useful reforms and needed improvements were in- augurated and carried to a successful comple- tion. What Canton is today is a monument of enduring worth to his preeminence as a citizen. and merit as a man.

Mr. Doun was fond of outdoor life, and was an excellent hunter and marksman, and had been for many years president of the Rice Lake Bmiting and Fishing Club, as well as of the Canton Gun Club. In these organizations he was able to gain a respite from the cares of or- dinary business life, coming back refreshed and vigorous for his daily work.

Mr. Donn's work is accomplished. Like the product of his establishment, it was never slighted, but carefully worked out according to a fixed plan. National affairs knew but little of this noble character, but his community bene- fited all the more, and in business and civic life, he was one who could not be easily spared. Having been educated in the schools here. he paid his debt by giving the school board his services for some years. Mr. Donn was a man who made and kept friends, and countless numbers of them followed his remains to their last rest- ing place with sincere grief, for they knew they had lost one who always took a deep personal interest in their welfare, and the city one of its most useful, honored and patriotic citizens.

WILLIAM L. SHEPARD.

The business of writing insurance has grown to enormous proportions, and not entirely through the realization of the people of the necessity for proper protection, but in a large degree because of the efforts of the men engaged in this line of endeavor, who are educating the masses to appreciate the benefits accruing from insurance. This line of business demands many characteristics not required in other avenues. The successful insurance man must not only know his own business thoroughly, but be a competent judge of human nature, be pos- sessed to marked degree of that faculty which enables him to speak clearly and forcefully to his possible client, and to be able to place the insurance with a reliable company which will conserve the interests of the insured. Chicago has long been the home of some of the most able insurance brokers of the country, and one

who made his name synonymous with sound- ness and upright principles was the late William Lewis Shepard.

Mr. Shepard was born at Algiers, La., July 12, 1846, a son of Josiah Lafayette and Mary Cecilia (Guttridge) Shepard, natives of Georgia and Cork, Ireland, respectively. The father was a ship carpenter and an inventor of no mean order of ability. Among other things he in- vented the clarinet and the gauging rods used at the custom houses of the world. He was a great traveler and in his youth was a drummer boy at the battle of Waterloo, under the com- mand of Wellington. William Guttridge, Mr. Shepard's maternal grandfather, was among the very first men to conceive the manufacture of artificial ice, and he invented machinery for its manufacture. A number of machine appli-

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ances used in the earlier sugar refining business were also of his invention.

William L. Shepard was educated at New Orleans and when only fifteen years old he entered the employ of the Crescent Mutual In- surance Company, thus beginning early on what was to be his life work. Immediately after the great Chicago fire, which occurred when he was twenty-four years old, he came to this city, and for a short period was engaged in assisting in the work of relief. As soon as business resumed its normal tone, he engaged with I. J. Lewis in an insurance business, representing the Liver- pool, London and Globe Insurance Company as a broker, so continuing until he founded the house of William L. Shepard & Sons, of which he continued the head until his death, April 16, 1914.

On September 15, 1867, Mr. Shepard was united in marriage at New Orleans with Eleanor B. Harrison of Mississippi City, La., born July 21, 1845, a daughter of Richard Farrel and Sarah (Cooper) Harrison, who came from Eng-

land and settled at Bradford, Conn., where the Harrison family hold a reunion every three years. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard became the par- ents of the following children: Katherine H., who was born in 1968; George P., who was born in 1871; William Lewis, Jr., who was born in 1876; and Thomas Harrison, who was at one time superintendent of public instruction of New York City, and compiled the Harper's Geog- raphy.

Mr. Shepard was a thirty-second degree Mason, and belonged to the Chicago Athletic and Chicago Yacht clubs. He was reared a Catholic. In politics he was a Democrat. A man of energy, he devoted himself to his busi- ness and home, caring but little for public honors. His happiness lay in his family circle, and he delighted in entertaining at his home No. 1549 East Sixty-first street, the many friends his genial nature made for him. There are few men in insurance circles throughout the Middle West who attained to his success or who are more universally missed and mourned.

GEORGE P. WILD.

Upon commerce rests the prosperity of na- tions as well as communities. Buying and selling, meeting the demands of producer and consumer and so regulating trade that injustice be on neither side and progress and content- ment result, make up so large a portion of the world's activities and engage the ablest efforts of so many people that the merchant stands in the forefront of civilization. Mer- chandising, which includes the handling of commodities for the accommodation and needs of a community, is a commercial relation abso- lutely necessary in the development of any sec- tion. At the present day it is conducted along lines made possible by ready transportation facilities but fifty years ago or more, when the late George P. Wild came to Sycamore, Ill., con- ditions were very different. George P. Wild was born at Valatie. Columbia County. N. Y., May 18, 1836. He was a son of Nathan and Sarah (Henry) Wild, the father having been born in Manchester, England, and the mother at Providence, R. I. When Nathan Wild established himself at Valatie, N. Y., he went into the cotton print manufacturing business. having brought all his machinery with him across the Atlantic Ocean, an example of busi- ness enterprise. George P. Wild had, perhaps. some experience in his father's mills but de-

sired to become a merchant and was but seven- teen years of age when he became a salesman for the mercantile house of Freeland, Squiers & Co., of New York City, where he continued until the spring of 1857 when he came to Sycamore as the pioneer merchant. The firm became Rogers, Wild & Smith, later Rogers & Wild, and still later G. P. Wild & Co. As no railroad reached Sycamore until 1859, all his goods had to be hauled long distances by wagon, over ill-kept roads, entailing constant anxiety as to their safe arrival. Nevertheless Mr. Wild seems to have prospered from the beginning, his honest methods securing him lasting friends and constant customers, his trade territory ex- tending through De Kalb, Ogle, Boone, MeHenry and Kane counties. Later he became interested in the banking house of Daniel Pierce & Co., and in the Pierce Trust and Savings Bank, estab- lished in 1867, of which he ever afterward was a director. He was a prime mover in many of the city's most important enterprises, lent his influence to the founding of schools and churches and fostered everything of a public character that gave substantial promise of be- ing generally beneficial. He .was a member of the Universalist Church. His death occurred August 26, 1906.

On December 19, 1862, George P. Wild was

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married to Miss Sarah Pierce, a daughter of Daniel and Phoebe J. (Brundage) Pierce, and they had three children: Daniel Pierce, Eliner and Elizabeth, the last named being Mrs. Jo- seph Crum, of Oshkosh, Wis. Mrs. Wild was a lady both beloved and admired in Sycamore, a truly womanly woman, possessing all the beautiful traits that endear one person to an- other. She died June 11, 1896. Daniel Pierce, the maternal grandfather of Daniel Pierce Wild of Sycamore, for many years was a citizen of prominence in De Kalb County, Ill. He was born July 18, 1814, at Neversink, Sullivan County, N. Y., a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Cargill) Pierce, the former of whom was born in Westchester County, N. Y. The father died when aged thirty-one years, leaving six children : William, Polly, John, Daniel, Pene- lope and Catherine. The mother subsequently married Edward Porter. At the age of twelve years Daniel Pierce started out to earn his own living and his entire boyhood was one of toil. He secured employment on a farm where he could earn three dollars a month during the summer seasons and work through the winters for his board and schooling. Thus he gained a fair knowledge of agriculture and continued to

be interested in this way for many years. After bis marriage be carried on farming in Sullivan County, N. Y., for three years, on three different farms before he bought land for himself, and then bought the old homestead and two other farms in Sullivan County. Later he moved to Deming, Ulster County, N. Y .. and was inter- ested in a tannery there for two years. In 1855 he came to De Kalb County. Ill., renting farm land in Mayfield Township, moving to Sycamore in 1856 and then went into the real estate busi- noss. In 1367 he opened the banking house of Pierce, Pean & Co., which changed, in 1883 to Piorce & Pean, in 1888 the style becoming Daniel Pierce & Co. Mr. Pierce was acknowl- edged to be au able financier. He acquired a large amount of improved farm land, all of which is very valuable and is situated in dif- ferent states. His death occurred April 27, 1002. On December 17, 1835, Mr. Pierce was married to Phoebe J. Brundage, a daughter of Abijah and Sarah (Lane) Brundage. Her father was born April 23, 1781, served in the War of 1812, followed an agricultural life and died April 23, 1830. The mother was born Sep- tember 23, 1786, and died October 21, 1837.

DANIEL PIERCE.

Few men who attain the age of eighty-eight years bear so few of the marks and scars of the warfare of business life as did the late Daniel Pierce. In a vast majority of cases those who attain a large measure of success cannot justly claim that their paths have not been strewn with the wrecks of other men's fortunes. Daniel Pierce, however, was one who, from a most humble financial position, worked his way upward to wealth and prominence and at the same time enjoyed in full measure the honor and respect of his fellowmen by reason of the straightforward business policy which he ever followed. Coming to De Kalb County when there were still many evidences of frontier life bere, he figured for almost a half century as one of its leading citizens, becoming known throughout northern Illinois as an able financier. More- over, his word was as good as any hond solemnized by signature or seal and today his name is honored and his memory cherished by all who knew him. He was born at Neversink, Sullivan County, N. Y., July 18. 1514, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Cargill) Pierce, the former a native of Westchester County, N. Y.,

whence he removed to Sullivan County when fifteen years of age. There he married Miss Elizabeth Cargill and they had the following children : William, Polly, John, Daniel, Pene- lope and Katherine. The father died in March, 1819, at the age of thirty-one years, and three years later Mrs. Pierce became the wife of Ed- ward Porter.

Daniel Pierce was but five years of age at the time of his father's death and when twelve years old started out to earn his own living. He worked for seven months at a wage of $3 per month. The opportunity which most boys enjoy of attending school and thereby preparing for the later responsible duties of life was denied him, owing to the necessity of providing for his own livelihood. His youth was a period of un- remitting toil and labor, such as was common to the farm hand of that day, who rose early in the morning and continued his labor in the fields until night. Desirous of enjoying educational privileges, he would work during the winter months for his board and the opportunity of attending school. In the summer months his undivided attention was given to farm labor

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and when he attained his majority be rented land and began farming on his own account.

Mr. Pierce was married December 17, 1:35, to Miss Phebe J. Brundage, a native of Orange County, N. Y., born August 17, 1818, a daughter of Abijah and Sarah ( Lane) Brundage. Abijah Brundage was born April 25, 1781, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Hle followed farming as a life occupation, and died in Sul. livan County, April 23, 1850. His wife, who was born September 23; 1786, died October 21, 1837. Abijah Brundage was the son of John and Martha (Ogden) Brundage, the former born February 12, 1733, and died February 9, 1796; the latter, born December 10, 1738, died October 28, 1799. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce became the par- ents of three children. The first born died in infancy. Eleanor became the wife of A. W. Townsend and died December 20, 1904. Sarah became the wife of G. P. Wild, cashier of the banking house of Daniel Pierce & Company, and died June 11, 1896. The mother, Mrs. Pierce, passed away October 4, 1876, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. She had indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate to her hus- band for more than twenty years.

Following their marriage Mr. Pierce operated the old homestead farm for four years and then purchased the lease of a farm in a different locality, which he operated five years, and upon a third farm he remained until 1848, when he purchased the titles of three farms in Sullivan County, including the old homestead. At a later date he became a resident of Denning, Uister County, where, for two years he owned an inter- est in a tannery. Reflection concerning the

business conditions of the country led him to the belief that he might have better opportun- itles in the new but rapidly growing West and accordingly he made his way to Illinois after selling the greater part of his possessions in his native county. He arrived in De Kalb County in 1955 and through the succeeding year culti- vated a rented farm in Mayfield Township. In 1856, however, he took up his abode at Syca- more, where he engaged in the real estate business, and his time was thus occupied until 1307, when he organized the banking firm of Pierce, Dean & Company. He became the active manager of the oew institution, which operated under the original name antil 1883 when it be- came Pierce & Deah, to be succeeded in 1SSS by Daniel Pierce & Company. Mr. Pierce remained at the head of the institution for a long period but in the later years practically lived retired although he devoted considerable time to the supervision of his investments in Iowa property. The bank from the beginning was regarded as one of the safest financial institutions in the state. He inaugurated a conservative policy and his personal integrity and enterprise won for the bank uniform confidence and trust from the public. The patronage therefore grew to gratifying proportions and from the beginning the enterprise was very profitable.

Daniel Pierce continued to make his home in De Kalb County until his death, on April 27, 1902, when in his eighty-eighth year. For forty-seven years he had lived in Illinois and throughout this period had borne an unassailed reputation for strict, unswerving business integrity.

F. L. SHEPHERD.

F. L. Shepherd was a man of wide ex- perience, keen appreciation of values, excellent business judgment, and an excellent farmer. The birth of Mr. Shepherd took place at New Berlin, Chenango County, N. Y., May 17, 1844, and he was a son of Thomas and Rachel ( Sher- man) Shepherd, of New Berlin, N. Y. Thomas Shepherd was an extensive farmer who left an estate of 1,000 acres of land when he died. Hle and his wife were the parents of five chil- dren.

On May 24, 1864, F. L. Shepherd was united in marriage to Helen J. Kenyon of Elgin, daugh- ter of Joseph C. and Martha ( Richardson) Kenyon, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Shep-

herd became the parents of three children: Carrie, Jennie, and Frank Wiley Shepherd. Carrie Shepherd married Enos Holt. a Metho- dist minister, and they live at Rockford, hav- ing four children: Kenyon, Franklin, Helen, and Ruth Holt. Jennie Shepherd married John B. Newman, a pure food commissioner, and they live at Elgin, Ill., having two daughters: Harriet and Helen Newman. Frank Wiley Shepherd, who was born February 28, 1876, at- tended the public schools of Elgin and Leland Stanford University, taking a two years' course in the latter institution. In 1896 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Mich., from which he was graduated in 1899, and was admitted to the bar of Illinois in that

F. S. Shepherd

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same year. For two years he was associated with the Chicago firm of Hoyne, O'Conner & Hoyne, lawyers. A man of unusual ability and interested in politics, he was sent to represent his ward in the city council of Elgin, and his record in that body resulted in his being elected on the Republican ticket to the State Assembly of Illinois in 1908. On January 1, 1903, F. W. Shepherd was married to Louise Strobridge. daughter of the Rev. Dr. Strobridge of the Rock River Conference, but now deceased. Two children, Nan-Jean and Thomas, were born of ' this marriage. The mother of them died July 2, 1910.

The early life of F. L. Shepherd was spent at New Berlin, where he attended the public schools, but in 1855 the family came to Dundee, Ill. Here Mr. Shepherd completed his training in the public schools, and learned from his father the best methods of farming. Upon at- taining to manhood's estate Mr. Shepherd em- barked in farming on his own account, and was interested exclusively in agricultural mat- ters until 1881. In that year he came to Elgin to superintend the construction of the Fox River dam. When this important work was completed Mr. Shepherd embarked in an agri- cultural implement business, but within two years sold an interest in it to S. W. Chapman,

and the two continued it for fourteen years, developing it to large proportions. From 1885 to 1886, inclusively, Mr. Shepherd was a mem- ber of the city council of Elgin, and his sound principles worked out for the ultimate good of the community in this connection. For many years he attended the Methodist church, but did not confine his gifts to this denomination, for he was as generous as his means would permit. Ilis philanthropic work was of such a nature that his name is revered and gratefully remembered by many whom he helped both ma- terially and by good advice. In 1900 Mr. Shep- herd retired from his business activities, al- though he retained possession of extensive farm holdings as well as considerable realty in and about Elgin. For eight peaceful, happy years, after his retirement, Mr. Shepherd enjoyed the comforts his years of toil had secured for him, and then passed away January 12, 1911. Few men lived more wisely and honorably than he. and those whom he left behind him recognize the fact that the material possessions which he accumulated to no small extent are not the best of the heritage he bequeathed his loved ones, for he also had won and maintained a reputa- tion for stainless honor and unblemished char- acter that will never die.

CHARLES WILDER GLOVER.

It is given to some men to rise above their associates for they possess to a phenomenal degree those characteristics which make for success. Their handling of affairs is so mas- terly that their onward progress is steady and they make successful all enterprises with which they are connected. The late Charles Wilder Glover, for many years one of the substantial men of Elgin, was an instance of the above. Yet. in the very prime of life, when death claimed him, he had already ac- complished more than many men double his age, and at the same time he did not neglect the spiritual side of life, taking an active part in church work, while socially he was beloved by a wide circle of friends. He was born July 13, 1865. in Jeffersonville, Ind., a son of Samuel B. and Mary (Fenton) Glover, natives of Indiana, where the father held a govern- ment position for some years. Later he moved his family to Louisville, Ky.

Charles Wilder Glover had only the educa- tional advantages afforded by the common

schools of Louisville, Ky., where he was reared, living there from 1866. His first em- ployment was secured with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad as clerk, but in 1881 he went with the Louisville Coffin Company, be- coming head salesman for this concern at their Dallas, Tex., establishment. Still later he be- enme interested in the W. H. Hutchinson Com- pany of Rochester, N. Y., coffin builders, and traveled in the interests of this firm until 1893, when he located at Elgin to engage with the Elgin Silver Plate Company. During all this time Mr. Glover was making a close study of the business in all of its associated lines. and in 1903 founded the Elgin Box Company. now the Western Casket Hardware Company, of which he was a director and principal stock- holder, and so remained until the time of his death, which occurred December 17, 1912.

On November 15, 1899, Mr. Glover was united in marriage with Miss Mabel Drummond of Louisville, Ky., a daughter of William Whyte and Alice (Thompson) Drummond. At that

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time Mr. Drummond was the head of the Drummond Manufacturing Company of Louis- ville, Kentucky, manufacturers of axles and sash weights. . Mr. and Mrs. Glover became the parents of three children; Kathryn, Alice and Drummond. Mr. Glover was an Elk and Mason and took much pleasure in his fraternal asso- ciations. It was to his church that Mr. Glover gave his most devoted service for from child- hood he was a Methodist and always associated himself with some church of that denomina- tion wherever he happened to be living. When he came to Elgin he immediately became a valued worker in the Methodist church of

that city, and it owes him much. He never spared himself in giving not only money, but time and enthusiasm, and his love for the church and his firm belief in its teachings ex- erted a powerful influence for good over those with whom he was associated in the outside world. Mr. Glover was a man who took with him into his office and home the faith he pro- fessed, and lived as close to it as it is possible for a human being to live. With his passing the city lost one of its most upright and con- scientious citizens whose influence was always exerted towards moral betterment and civic government.

THEODORE STILLMAN CHAPMAN.

It is but a step from a practice of law to a position of trust in the government. A long step admittedly but one that has been fre- quently undertaken to the betterment of both the aspirant and his constituency. On the bench, a barrister must necessarily show his hand; expose his ability, the strength of his personality, and the stand he takes on the fun- damental principles governing society. Should he, at some future time, desire to step into po- litical life, he must rely on the record of his practice to gain him support. He may be credited with the requisite knowledge and ex- perience, but, unless the foot-prints he has left behind him are clear and clean and in un- shaken places, he cannot inspire confidence. If, however, he leaves behind him a succession of imprints all leading unerringly in the right direction, the voting populace feels that he is an eminently proper person in whom to place their trust, and the step from legal practice to a representative position in the government is successfully accomplished.

Hon. Theodore Stillman Chapman, president of the Jersey State Bank, was born In Becket, Berkshire County, Mass., March 31, 1849. He came of old New England men and women who were among the earliest settlers and who were very active in the Revolution. His mother was one of the Wadsworths of fighting fame. Mr. Chapman was educated at Hamilton, N. Y., in the University School, and in Madison, now Colgate University. When he was five years old his father, Theodore Chapman, died near Rockford, Ill., and some three years later his mother married Rev. Norman Harris and went with her husband to India to engage in mission- ary work. Mr. Chapman came to Illinois at

eighteen years of age and secured a position as teacher in the district schools of LaPorte County, Ind., where he taught for two years. He then taught in the district schools of Jersey County one year, when he became principal of the Hamilton primary school of Otterville. In 1874, subsequent to a period of strict prepara- tion while teaching, and one year spent in studying in his own office, he was admitted to the bar and opened a practice in Jerseyville, where he continued for twenty-five years. He was elected to the House of Representatives from Jersey, Greene and Scott counties, in 1884, as a Republican from that strongly Democratic district. In 1SS6, he was elected to the Senate from the same district, being the only Repub- lican senator ever elected in that district. He was president of the Senate from 1SSS to 1800, and when John A. Logan was elected to the United States Senate, was one of the famous 103 who stood for him. He was one of the first in the state to suggest providing free text books to needy pupils; agitated the installation of a binding twine plant in the State Peniten- tiary ; secured the enactment of important laws protecting estates of orphans; was active in Re- publican politics, serving on committees, etc. ; was appointed by Gov. John R. Tanner first State Food Commissioner. but resigned soon after. Through his efforts, certain funds left by a colored man, George Washington, were saved, and this is said to be the first educational fund in the United States, established by a colored man, for the education of his race. Mr. Chapman was the first president of the Library Association, starting the library in Jerseyville, and was Republican presidential clector for 1912. He organized the Jersey State Bank in

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Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 72

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 joint ed Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell publishing company Number of Pages: 1290

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 joint ed
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell publishing company
Number of Pages: 1290