USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 75
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Gustav Wilkening commenced his commercial career at an early age for he was not yet fourteen years old when he left the farm and spent his time before and after school, Satur- days and vacations, clerking for his brother, Conrad. After finishing his course in the paro- chial school of his neighborhood, and the public school of Crete, he entered the preparatory school of the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill. Soon sickness compelled him to discontinue his school course, and the fol- lowing years were spent in clerking and in taking a night course in a Chicago business college. At the age of twenty-six, he together with Mr. A. Gerstenkorn and his brother. Con- rad, as silent partner, purchased the general merchandise business of William Batterman in Arlington Heights, Ill. At the death of his brother, Conrad, he purchased that interest from his sister-in-law. After a three years' stay in Arlington Heights, he again returned to Crete where with Mr. A. Gerstenkorn he bought from his brother Fred. the business known as C. Wilkening & Co., and a few years later bought out his partner. He soon after purchased the real estate, known as The Wil- kening Block, together with residence and other buildings. After a few years he sold his stock of goods, but in 1909, with several others, organized the Crete Mercantile Company, which still continues in operation. Although at pres-
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ent, Mr. Wilkening takes but little active part in its management, he retains his interest.
In 1902, Mr. Wilkening was married to Miss Olga S. Riebling, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilkening attili- ate with the Evangelican Lutheran church. In politics, Mr. Wilkening is a progressive Re- publican, but has never desired public prefer- ment. While he has devoted considerable spare time to the study of political economy and
reading of law he never sought to be admitted to the bar, only wishing to have sufficient legal knowledge to protect his interests. A man of broad ideas and public spirit he has devoted himself to his business and community. In the fail of 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkening moved to Chicago where they now reside, but they both spend part of their time.in Crete, and take great interest and pride in the advancement of this place.
JOHN JOSEPH RYAN.
Chicago is a city of such magnitude that in many sections of it the people depend upon their local dealers, buying from them almost exclu- sively, preferring to do this than to go into what is known as the loop district, a congested business center. The advantages are numerous, for the presence in any locality of a flourishing, well patronized store, advances property values and raises rentals, and brings to the neighbor. hood a prosperity that does not exist when it is solely used for residential purposes. The mer- chant comes into close touch with his customers, learns their needs and requirements and is able to give them a personal service that cannot be found in more distant establishments. Knowing each other, the dealer and customer come to rely, the one on the other, and adjustments are much more easily made and satisfaction ac- corded for this reason. For a number of years the people of Englewood and a widely con- tiguous territory, have dealt at Becker, Ryan & Co.'s store, corner of Halsted and Sixty-third streets. This is the largest department store outside the loop district, in the city of Chicago, and also the most reliable. Its history is so iul- terwoven with that of John Joseph Ryan, now deceased, that it is impossible to write of the one without giving the record of the other.
Mr. Ryan was born at St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1861, a son of John J. and Hannah (Toohey) Ryan, natives of Tipperary, Ireland. The father, upon coming to the United States, located at Providence. R. I., and as he bad studied ar- chitecture in his native city, he continued in the same line in his new home. Later he moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he attained to considerable prominence as an architect. Subsequently, however. he returned to Providence and con- tinued in his profession until 1850, when he retired. The two years from 1856 to 15SS. he spent at Chicago, but preferred Providence.
His death and that of the mother also occurred in Providence.
John Joseph Ryan attended the common and high schools of Providence, and later spent one year in a business college of that same city. He began working during vacation as general helper, errand boy, etc., in a dry goods store. at the age of fourteen years. When he came to Chicago, in 1881, he entered the employ of Marshall Field & Co. as a clerk in their retail department. After a few years, he became asso- ciated with L. Klein at Fourteenth and Halsted streets, as assistant manager and window trim- mer. Still later he was with John York for a few years both as a commercial traveler and a city salesman. Mr. Ryan subsequently traveled for Lee Tweedy of New York for four years. During all this time the shrewd, apt man was gaining a thorough and comprehensive knowl- edge of the dry goods business. When he es- tablisbed himself in business on Grand avenue and Paulina street, under the name of J. J. Ryan & Co., he was able to build up an excel- lent trade, but sold to accept an offer from Simon Cline on Blue Island avenue, remaining with him for four years. For several years, Mr. Ryan then traveled in a commission business for himself, handling corsets. He then opened another store for Mr. Boldenweck at Halsted and Sixty-third streets, but in less than a year went with S. Lederer of South Chicago, as man- ager. At the expiration of two years, Mr. Led- erer bought the store Mr. Ryan had opened at Halsted and Sixty-third streets, and installed Mr. Ryan as manager. In 1901 Mr. Lederer sold out. Mr. Ryan and Louis Becker bought the business. In 1908, Simeon Becker bought an interest in the firm, and in 1912, the business was incorporated as Becker, Ryan & Co., Mr. Louis Becker being president, Mr. Ryan vice-
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president, and Mr. Simeon Becker, secretary. This association continued until the death of Mr. Ryan, July 17. 1914.
On June 17, 1890, Mr. Ryan was married to Miss Amelia Boller of Chicago, a daughter of Philip and Lena ( Kolb) Boller, natives of Ger- many. The father conducted a retail shoe busi- ness on West Jackson boulevard and Halsted street until his retirement at the age of sev- enty-three years. His death occurred March 9, 1911. The mother survives, being now about seventy-five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan be- came the parents of the following children : Lillian H., who is at home; Gladys F., who is at-
tending the University of Chicago; and John Hugh, who attends the Frances Willard School.
Mr. Ryan was a non-partisan in politics. His religious affiliations were with the Catholic church. Fraternally he belonged to the Knights of Columbus and the Royal Arcanum, while socially he was a member of the Ilinois Ath- letic Club. A business man of more than aver- age ability, Mr. Ryan concentrated upon one line, and brought to bear upon the conduct of his establishment a wide experience and profound knowledge of conditions that resulted in devel- oping a trade no other store outside the down town section can rival.
WILLIAM KENDALL NEWCOMB.
The claims of medicine to the gratitude of mankind have never been adequately recognized, although words of praise have been given, but all too sparingly. Among its professors and practitioners have been found types of moral heroism whose achievements might well place them with the saints and martyrs whom the whole world unites to reverence. The wide field covered by medicine and surgery brings the practitioner in the closest of relations with the people, in fact incorporates his with their daily . lives. Whether his skill, knowledge and ability are fully recognized or not, a thoroughly quali- fied man of medicine is a vital force in any community and his will be found to be an un- derlying influence in the uplifting movements to which all Christendom subscribes as civilization advances. To this honored class of men he- longed the late William Kendall Newcomb, for many years prominent in the medical history of Illinois and particularly of Champaign County.
William Kendall Newcomb was born April 6, 1856, at Lyons, Iowa, and died in Champaign County, Ill .. November 25, 1913. His parents were Cyrus Flint and Elizabeth (Huddlestone) Newcomb, natives, respectively, of Lynn and Whitby, Yorkshire. England. The boyhood of William K. Newcomb was passed on a farm and he attended the district schools and during one winter went to school in Bloomington, Ill., his father having moved to near Leroy, III., when he was three years old. The youth was apt and ambitions and that he closely applied himself to study was shown when he passed an examina- tion and was awarded a teacher's certificate when but sixteen years of age. He taught one term in the Grizzell school in West Township, McLean County, and then started with his
father in the family removal, to Silverton, Colo. At Lawrence, Kans., he was taken down with typhoid fever. After recovering he joined the family in Colorado and afterward taught school at Del Norte and served also as assistant post- master and as deputy county clerk. He returned then to Illinois and took a course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, then taught another term of school, afterward returning to the business college where he was graduated in 1878. In the following winter he taught school in Brown Township, Champaign County, in the meanwhile pursuing medical studies so that he was able to enter Rush Medical College for the winter lectures and in the succeeding summer taught school again and so continued until his graduation from Rush Medical College with the class of 1852.
Dr. Newcomb located at Fisher, Ill., where he continued in the practice of medicine for thir- teen years, at the end of that time allowing him- self the pleasure and profit of a trip to Europe, and of study in the great medical centers of Vienna, Berlin and London, remaining one full year. In July, 1896, he moved to Champaign, Ill., where he resumed practice, making a specialty to some extent of surgery, building up a repu- tation in this branch of practice second to none in the state. Just prior to his death he became a fellow of the American College of Surgery, an achievement proving high standing in this field. Dr. Newcomb was president of the Champaign County Medical Society for two years; was president of the Asculapian Medical Society of the Wabash Valley, the oldest medical organiza- tion west of the Allegheny mountains. For twelve years he was counsellor from the Eighth District from the Illinois State Medical Society,
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of which he was vice president one year, and for one year was its president, this being the highest office in the gift of the medical prac- titioners in the state. He was progressive and modern in all his ideas while, at the same time. practical to the widest extent. He was, virtu- ally, the founder of the Julia F. Burnham Train- ing School for Nurses ; was one of the organizers - and directors of the Champaign County Anti- Tuberculosis League; one of the founders and s director of the United Charities; and was rep- resentative from Illinois to the International Tuberculosis Congress, which assembled in Washington, D. C., in 1912.
On February 7, 1878, Dr. Newcomb was mar- ried to Miss Eliza C. Durbin, a native of Brown Township, Champaign County, a daughter of Isaac F. and Sarah Elizabeth (Stevens) Dur- bin, and they had tive children: Cyrus For- sythe, who is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with A. B. and M. D. degrees, is a prac- ticing physician in Champaign County; Jessie
Ruth, who is the wife of Daniel Mannering Avey of Matteon, and has one daughter, Mary Martha ; William Wilsos, who is a farmer near Dewey, IN., has four chPoren, William Kendall, Cyrus F, Helen and Thomas Wilson; Pearl Elizabeth, who is the wife of Harry E. Shinn, who is a civil engineer and is superintendent of highways in Coles County ; and Thomas Frank, who is a senior in the Northwestern Law School.
In politics Dr. Newcomb voted with the Re- publican party and for years was quite active, serving as a member of the county central com- mittee, and served at times as school director and trustee. He was a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity and was past master of the Bine Lodge, and belonged also to the Modern Woodmen of America. For thirty years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In all his relations with his fellowmen he won respect. confidence and esteem and his profes- sional associates universally accorded him a high place.
EDGAR ELDREDGE.
Hon. Edgar Eldredge, judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, for years one of the most distinguished exponents of the bench and bar at Ottawa, is not only a strong advocate for the people, but a firm supporter of the govern- ment fundamentally. The law represents the stability, the habit of our social life as opposed to creative, reformatory energy, and therefore those who are its representatives must be men of profound learning, fully habituated to its in- terpretation and enforcement. No man is ele- vated to the bench until he has proven his worth as an attorney. The bestowal of the ermine is a reward of merit, the culmination of a career of ability and conscientious endeavor, and no man is more worthy of this honor than Judge Eldredge, who has a long and useful career be- hind him, and is living in a present of able activity.
Judge Eldredge was born at Peru, Ill., June 3. 1867, a son of Judge George S. and Maria (Eldredge) Eldredge. The father came from Hamilton County, N. Y., where he practiced law until 1854, in which year he located at Peru. continuing as a member of the legal profession until his death in 1893, at the age of sixty-seven years. Always a man of distinguished promi- nence, he was selected as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1870, and rendered the state valuable service in that connection.
For years he served ably and well as judge of the Recorder's Court of Peru, and was one of the leading members of the bar in that locality. A Republican of staunch principles, he gave an unqualified support to the candidates of his party, and helped to make history for that body. His influence personally as well as legally and judicially, was of such a nature that he was largely responsible for the betterment of his community.
Edgar Eldredge was educated at Brown Uni- versity and in the law department of Harvard, and was admitted to the bar of Illinois after being graduated from the latter institution, passing the state examination with great credit. From the beginning of his career, Judge Eld- redge displayed considerable ability and appreci- ation of true values, and experience and ensu- ing years have added to his powers. During the incumbency of W. H. Stead as attorney general of the state, Judge Eldredge served as his capable first assistant from 1905 to 1907, and in the latter year his peculiar fitness for his present high position was recognized by his election to the bench. After the expiration of his term of two years, he succeeded himself for a term of six years, his present period of in- cumbency. While he has been an ardent Re- publican, polities have always taken a second place when good citizenship has been in ques-
Frederick I Grant.
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tion, for Judge Eldredge recognizes the fact that as a nation we are trending more and more towards individual responsibility rather than the vesting of the governmental power in any fixed body. His influence and learning have always been directed towards the securing for his locality an awakening of public interest in vital matters, for he believes that until the people themselves recognize their inherent rights. radical reforms are impossible. His judgment is clear and logical, and his decisions are seldom overruled. Judge Eldredge has reached his pres- ent position only after a schooling and drill that have made him cognizant of the power of the bench and its jurisdiction over the people. Hav- ing the conscientious appreciation of the im- portance of his work, and the sincere desire to
render faithful service, Judge Eldredge is a power in his state, and sets an example others of his profession would do well to emulate.
Doubtless one reason for Judge Eldredge's ad- vancement has lain in the fact, that he has always recognized that the principle of justice is not eternally changeless, but is a living energy, expressing itself in movement and advancement, so that while he knows its forma! utterance in the past, be is ever ready day by day to bring it to a more perfect expression.
In 1905, Judge Eldredge was married to Miss Edith Nash, and one daughter has been born of this union, Eleanor. Judge and Mrs. Eld- redge are consistent members of the Episcopal church. Judge Eldrerige is a Knight Templar Mason.
FREDERICK M. GRANT.
The name of Grant is indelibly impressed upon the mind of every patriotic American as associated with military supremacy and bravery. Our Prairie State brought forth not alone the general who wisely governed operations during the dark days when it seemed that our country would be rent asunder, but also the soldiers who, acting under his wise counsel and their own initiative, were able to bring success to the Union and to preserve it. The name of Grant needs no introduction to the student of American history-it is blazoned across its pages in letters of unextinguishable fire-yet it is not alone in the battles of war that it has gained fame. The professions have known it, and known it well, and it has not been un- usual to find that the two-the struggles of war and the struggles of peace-have found some worthy representative of this name bat- tling valiantly in the ranks. This, it seems, should serve to introduce the late Captain Fred- erick M. Grant, courageous soldier during the days of Secession, and successful attorney dur- ing the days of Peace. Like many of Illinois' foremost men, Captain Grant was a native of Connecticut. He was born in Orange. Now Haven County, that state, June 13, 1838, and in young manhood went to New Haven, where he attended Smith's school. He learned the carpenter trade in that city and in his spare moments read law, but found the former more remunerative in his youth and was employed mechanically until the outbreak of the Civil war. On September 18, 1861, he joined Com- pany F, Twelfth Connecticut Volunteer Infan-
try, as sergeant, was subsequently promoted second lieutenant, then first lieutenant, and in 1503 was given the epaulets of a captain, tak- ing ebarge of Company H, Seventy-sixth United States Colored Infantry, with which he con- tinued to serve until the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge in January, 1566. Captain Grant's record stands upon the books of the Department of War and it needs no encomiums. It may be said in passing, how- ever, to show how actively his command had been engaged, that but nine of his original en- listed men were able to report for duty at Mo- bile, Ala., the remainder having been either killed or wounded.
Captain Grant returned to his native state after the close of his military service, and about two years later removed to Knoxville, Ill., where he entered upon the practice of law. Subsequently he went to Galesburg, Ill., and then to Canton, where he entered into partner- ship with Ganville Barrere, who was later elected United States Senator, and subsequently died. Captain Grant then formed an associa- tion with B. M. Chipperfield. When the latter's brother was admitted to partnership, the firm became known as Chipperfield, Grant & Chip- petfield, and so continued until 1901, after which a law partnership was formed between Captain Grant and his son. George B. Grant. which continued until the Captain's death, which occurred December 10, 1911.
On January 5, 1862, Captain Grant was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Grace Willoughby, who was born at New Haven, Conn., March 9. 1843,
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and they became the parents of three children, namely : George B., a practicing attorney of Canton, who is ably managing his father's es- tate; Edna W., who married ( first) I. W. Har- rison, and (second) HI. R. Snyder; and Clara L., who is the wife of M. A. Morran, of Can- ton. It is our privilege to quote from several newspaper reports which appeared at the time of Captain Grant's death, and which were, in part, as follows: "He was known throughout all of Fulton and neighboring counties as one of the most able lawyers, and gained a wide reputation for honesty, integrity and great- hearted benevolence in all his dealings with his fellowmen. By all who knew him he was re- garded as a model citizen, and his friends in Canton and Central Illinois were legion."
The following resolutions were passed by Joe Hooker Post, Grand Army of the Republic : "It having pleased the Great Conunander to call to Himself for higher service our lamented comrade, Captain Frederick M. Grant, the com- mittee appointed by the commander of Joe Hooker Post, No. 69, G. A. R., to prepare reso- lutions which shall in part express our sorrow over the departure of this honored comrade,
and our appreciation of his many estimable qualities, we, the committee, submit the fol- lowing: Resolved, That we, the members of Joe Hooker Post, sorrowing as we do for the death of our beloved comrade, feel that we can sympathize sincerely with his wife and with the other members of his bereaved family. We can say to them, your loss is also our loss, and we are one with you in sorrow, one with you also in sentiments of esteem and respect for our departed friend and comrade. It is seldom that a community loses a citizen who so fully fits the words, 'An honest man's the noblest work of God.' He was integrity incarnate. He had splendid courage, which showed itself on the field of battle and in private life. He was the friend and defender of every good cause. His reading was so wide and his mem- ory was so retentive that it was a delight to hear him as a public speaker and in private conversation. He was a consistent Christian, and a valuable member of his post. He will be greatly missed by the community, by the church of which he was a member, by every society with which he was connected, and especially by his family."
JOHN IRVING RINAKER.
Gen. John Irving Rinaker, who died in Flori- da, January 15, 1915, was an early settler in Illinois and a prominent figure in politics for many years. In 1853 he campaigned for Lin- coln during the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and again in 1860. In 1862 he organized the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He was made brevet brigadier
general in 1865 "for gallant and meritorious services." He was elected to Congress in 1896.
General Rinaker was graduated from Mc- Kendree college at Lebanon in 1853, and studied law with Gen. John M. Palmer. He was a wide reader and had traveled all over the world. (See Volume One, page 452.)
AARON HODGMAN COLE.
The service rendered humanity by the scien- tific men of all ages is so stupendous as to beggar description. But for them and their constant investigations, little would now be known relative to the important subjects which their persistent work and genius have brought to light by their discoveries. If none had been willing to take the infinite trouble to study conditions, the world today would have advanced little beyond the stone age. Science has many branches, and in each are men of profound learning who have devoted themselves to the work so dear to them. These wise men are not all of the present for many of those who have accomplished most, have rendered their last accounts, and passed to that
realm where those problems which puzzled them here, are solved. Sometimes their lives were shortened by their labors, but it is doubtful if any would have been thereby deterred. for men of this class are so absorbed in their investiga- tions that they are willing to make any sacrifices to throw light upon a subject about which there is some doubt. One of the men who never shrank from a sacrifice relative to his work, or failed in his duty to humanity was the late eminent biologist Aaron Hodgman Cole, of Chicago.
Mr. Cole was born at Greenwich, N. Y., October 21, 1856, a son of Dr. Morgan C. and Lydia Ann (Hodgman) Cole, natives of Jackson,
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N. Y., and Shaftsbury, Vt., respectively. Dr. Cole was a physician of a strong scientific trend, and while practicing medicine in New York until his death in 1574, took a deep interest in research work. His influence was developed in the son whose mind during its formative period was turned towards what was to become his life work.
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