USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 77
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ship on the board of directors of the First National Bank of DeKalb. Mr. Bradt bas con- tributed to the industrial and commercial wel- fare of DeKalb in no small manner, his labors having resulted in good to the community while promoting individual advancement. The city's interests have at all times been given his active and intelligent attention, and he has constantly espoused the cause of education, morality, honest government and good citizenship.
In September, 1854, Mr. Bradt was united in marriage with Miss Alice Hopkins, daughter of Thomas M. Hopkins, one of DeKalb's leading lawyers of former years, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bradt have taken their acknowl- edged position in social circles of DeKalb, and their beautiful residence is the center of refine- ment and grace. Mr. Bradt is well known in club life, being vice-president of the DeKalb Commercial Club, chairman of the executive committee and an active worker in assisting the members of this organization to secure out- side industries and to induce capital to invest in DeKalb. While Mr. Bradt carefully weighs every proposition before he enters it, he is essentially a man of action, and has had the courage to enter boldly into schemes where men of less bravery might have hesitated and lost. Among his associates he is held in the greatest confidence, and he is at all times looked up to for advice, counsel and leadership.
Fraternally, Mr. Bradt is connected with De- Kalb Lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M .; DeKalb Chapter. R. A. M .; Alida Young Commandery, K. T., of Sycamore ; and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine in Chicago; and holds member- ship as well in DeKalb Lodge, No. 765, B. P. O. E. His religious belief is that of the Episco- pal Church, in which he is serving as an official. He has given his political support to Republican policies and candidates and for several years was a member of the DeKalb board of education. DeKalb has no more public-spirited citizen, while personally his popularity is evidenced by a wide circle of sincere friends.
O. H. WRIGHT.
The title of the late Judge O. H. Wright to mention among the representative men of the Prairie State, rests in the fact that he was one of the earliest settlers of Stephenson County, and that for many years he was closely iden-
tified with the growth, development and ma- terial progress of the city of Freeport. Coming to that city at a time when excellent opportuni- ties presented themselves in the realty line, he made full use of his abilities, and with rare
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foresight and judgment invested heavily in land in the vicinity, with the prosperity of which he prospered. Although he died when still in the prime of life, he had impressed himself forcibly upon the community of his adoption, as a busi- ness man, puldie official and charitable, Chris- tian gentleman. Mr. Wright was a native of the Green Mountain State. Ile was born in 1812. in the village of Shorcham, Addison County, Vt., and was a sou of Urestes Heard Wright and Sophia (Day) Wright.
Judge Wright received his early educational training in the public schools of his native locality, this being subsequently supplemented by attendance in schools in Quebec, Canada. Upon reaching his majority, he removed to Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y., where he followed the vocation of educator for some time. The confinement of the schoolroom. how- ever, did not agree with the young man, and with courageous ambition he determined to try his fortunes in the growing West. Accordingly, be journeyed to Howell, Livingston County, Mich., there purchasing a tract of land. some for an investment and the remainder for farm- ing purposes. He was not yet satisfied, and in 1836 removed to Chicago, Ill., but in December of the same year came on to Freeport. where he resided until his death in 1851. Judge Wright established the first store in what is now the thriving city and county seat of Ste- phenson County, and not long thereafter evi- denced his progressive spirit and enterprise by hauling pressed brick from Chicago and build- ing the first brick store (or structure of any kind) in Freeport. This building still stands at the corner of Adams and Stephenson streets, in an excellent state of preservation, eloquent evidence of the skill and good workmanship of its builder.
During the early pioneer days in Stephenson County, when the hardships of travel were great, and when it was extremely dithicult to se- cure even the barest necessities of life, the splendid hospitality of Judge Wright and his family was all that saved many a travel-worn party from complete destitution. Anything that the family possessed that would make the jour- ney of these immigrants more comfortable was pressed into service cheerfully, without a mo- ment's hesitation or a thought of subsequent recompense. Time and again, when Mr. Wright heard of some family stranded on the near
prairie, scantily fed and inl-clothed, he would come to his home, gather together a bundle of clothes, fill a generous basket with provisions of all kinds and basten over miles of plains to bring cheer to the suffering ones. His chari- ties, however, were not confined to pioneer days, for throughout his life he retained his kindly interest in others, and his great heart Was ever moved by the misfortunes of others.
On January 15, 1836, Judge Wright was mar- tied to Miss Mary M. Atkinson, who was born in Derham, England, a daughter of Robert and Mary Atkinson, early residents of Sugar Grove, Ill. Two children were born to this union : Mary, now Mrs. John Scott, a resident of Iowa ; and William O., one of Freeport's leading citi- zeas, who at this time is most prominently identified with various phases of the city's development.
With his family, Judge Wright was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, and it was largely through his efforts that the first church of that denomination was established in Free- pori. He ever tock an active and helpful inter- est in his county and state, bending his every influence toward assisting in movements cal- culated to forward the welfare of his fellow- citizens. Hle laid out the eastern part of the city, which was at that time known as the Wright & Purington Addition, Judge Wright having purchased large tracts of land sur- rounding the town, which he was able to secure at a small price because of its swampy condi- tion and other disadvantages, and later he dis- posed of the greater part of this at a hand- some profit. Some of the more valuable sec- tions of this land still remain in the possession. of his son. With Judge Purington. Judge Wright presented the Third Ward Park to the city, and it was largely through his efforts that the depot of the old Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad) was secured for Freeport. During the early days he was instrumental in breaking up a band of dangerous horse-thieves which in- fested this community. He was never an office seeker, yet he discharged his duty as a citizen by serving in the capacities of county recorder and probate judge, and in both offices showed himself possessed of high ideals as to the re- sponsibilities of public offices. His death. which occurred in March, 1851, took from Free- port a citizen whose place it was long found hard to till.
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JOHN GERTS.
In 1885 was formed the business of W. H. Bush and Company, a piano concern which had its chief capital in the ambition of its mem- bers. The records show that in 18S6 the firm manufactured as many as 156 pianos, and in the following year made its first grand. From this modest start the concern rapidly developed until its fame extended over the country, and in 1007 the Bush and Gerts Piano Company manufac- tured over 4.000 high class instruments. It will be apparent to the merest layman that the personnel of this concern has been far above the ordinary. The guiding spirit, the man who brought this firm right to the forefront among the fierce competition that agitated Chicago's trade circles at that time, who had the courage to grasp opportunities and the foresight to see these opportunities when they came, who made the most of them, with a clear cool head, was John Gerts, who won and retained for himself a reputation among Chicago's business men. He belonged to that class of which this city has had reason to be proud, the German-American.
A native of Hanover, Germany, John Gerts was born September 4, 1845, and in his native land had the educational oportunities granted to youths who lived along the Rhine. For a trade, he learned carpentry, but even as a youth, be displayed his ambition, not being content to allow himself to follow in the mediocre lines of his fellows, but branching out into the fields of piano and billiard table making. He was twenty-five years of age when he married, and for his honeymoon brought his bride to the United States. He at once found employment in the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, Chicago, in making billiard tables, and subse- quently became foreman for Scoff Brothers, with whom he continued six years. It was not Mr. Gerts' nature to be an employe; he had the ability and he was not afraid to test it. It had always been his ambition to hire men instead of being hired, and with this end in view, he asso- ciated himself with two fellow-workers, one of whom was W. H. Bush. This was known in 1885 as W. H. Bush Company. The Bush & Gerts Piano Company, incorporated with $400,- 000 capital stock in 1801, was the first piano manufacturing company to incorporate under the laws of Texas, where it has large interests. It
made its first grand piano in 1SS7, its first con- cert grand, a perfect evolution in scientific piano building, in 1904, and established a complete, distinct and separate grand piano department, manufacturing four different and distinct scales. Mr. Gerts was one of the authors of a famous publication which is known this country over, with the largest list of purchasers ever presented to the public, consisting of over 50,000 names, which has been kept up since 1892. Six hundred educational institutions, colleges, conservatories and schools are using, either exclusively or in part, the Bush and Gerts pianos, this forming but a portion of Mr. Gerts' contribution to art and education. Chicago people are familiar with Bush Temple of Music, which was erected in 1901, at a cost of a half million dollars, but there are also imposing structures at Dallas and Austin, Tex., and Memphis, Tenn., and Mr. Gerts' name is indelibly stamped on the mem- ory of those who have the privilege of enjoy- ing the benefits of these halls of amusements. In private life Mr. Gerts was absolutely above criticism ; among his associates he was known as a loyal friend and one whose geniality car- ried him above the commonplace of life. Will- ingly, he never made an enemy, and his friends were lost to him only through death.
On July 3. 1870. Mr. Gerts married Miss Car- oline Schwabe, who was born June 28, 1845, in Hamburg, Germany. To this union there were born the following children: Emily, who mar- ried Fred Huetten. of Chicago; Oscar, who is a traveling salesman for the Bush and Gerts Piano Company ; Frieda, who married H. Ar- nold. now superintendent of the Bush and Gerts factory ; and John Jr., secretary and treasurer of the company, who took his father's place when but twenty-one years of age. When Mr. Gerts and his wife landed in New York City they were practically penniless, and on their way to Chicago, they had for sustenance, a loaf of bread. From absolute poverty Mr. Gerts advanced himself to a position of honor and wealth in the city of his adoption.
John Gerts died May 14, 1913, but. while his forceful personality passed away. the work which he accomplished will remain indefinitely. for his workmanship was perfect, his citizenship was ideal.
John Serts
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ARIA LOUIS DERDIGER,
It is seldom that a man attains to greatness along more than one line. Life is too short to admit of proper preparation for the duties of widely divergent professions, and yet here and there have been found men whose mentality and natural endowments made it possible for them to achieve distinction along any line they may have adopted. Such was the case with the late Dr. Aria Louis Derdiger, of Chi- cago, who not only was a physician and surgeon of note, but was equally well known in musical circles. He was born near Vienna, Austria, October 14, 1873, a son of Bernard and Haunah Derdiger. The father was the proprietor of a wholesale fishery, egg, butter and supply estab- lishment located near Viena.
When he was seventeen years old, Aria Louis Derdiger, with his sister, left his native land for the United States, and they arrived in this country practically penniless. The lad accepted the first work he could secure, and at the same time sought to increase the limited store of knowledge which had been obtained in the schools of his native land. Under many dis- couraging circumstances, he educated himself, and was finally graduated in medicine, becoming a specialist in those diseases which affect the eye, ear, nose and throat. He held, at the time of his death, diplomas from the Illinois Medical College, the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat College, the Chicago Ophthalmic College, and the New York Post Graduate Medical School. In addition he was a member of the faculty of the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Chicago, and was one of its professors in bacteriology and hygiene, and was a professor of diseases of the brain and eye in the College of Medicine and Surgery, and was also connected with the Cook County Hospital. The founder of the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Infirmary, he con- tinued its head until claimed by death, and this institution still stands as a monument to his wide reaching charity, for it has done and is still doing a vast amount of good among those who otherwise could not afford the services of a surgeon. In 1903 Dr. Derdiger began a gen- eral practice at Chicago, maintaining an office in the business section as well as one at his residence on the North Side. He was always a devoted student and profuse reader, and be- came noted along literary as well as musical lines, and was the founder of The Independent Literary & Musical College, of which he was
president and lecturer. The object of the or- ganization was to promote the intellectual. moral and social welfare of its members and their friends by giving monthly lectures on various topics, musicals and socials of high class, thus affording an opportunity to those who are interested in good music and good lit- eratare to enjoy these good things in life at a small expense. Le was a member of the Au- thors' Club.
At one time Dr. Derdiger was examiner for thirty different fraternal organizations, and was a member of a number, but during the last years of his life, he was not active in any of them. The death of this talented and dis- tinguished man took place November 12, 1913, and in his passing Chicago lost one of its most worthy citizens, and his immediate circle one whose friendships were broad and hearty, and whose kindly charity was genuine and warm- hearted.
Or. September 4, 1900, Dr. Derdiger married Miss Ella Jane Spicker, of Chicago, a daughter of Dr. Mark and Caroline (Grossman) Spicker, both natives of New York. Dr. Mark Spicker was a physician who was connected with Belle- vue College at New York City until his appoint- ment by a relative of Queen Victoria, as a physi- cian and surgeon on the Cunard steamship line, and In this capacity he made nine trips to Eu- rope and return. He is now living retired at Chicago. Dr. Derdiger had two children, born of a former marriage, namely : Mrs. Beryl Rosenan, and Janet, the latter being a profes- sional artistic dancer. Mrs. Derdiger is a very highly cultured and talented woman, a musician of considerable note, and an instructor in vocal insic. She has achieved a reputation in Amer- ica and Europe as a vocal and piano teacher in English, Italian and German. After complet- ing her studies with local teachers, she went abroad where she was most favorably received by many great European artists. After com- Fleting a tour of the world and having given numerous concerts in American cities, receiving the highest praise from the various critics who thoroughly endorse her methods, she is now a successful teacher in all branches of music from beginning to finish. Her studio is conveniently located in Kimball Hall. During his lifetime, Dr. Derdiger was a lecturer at her school, upon the following subjects : history of music, funda- mental principles of child study in relation to
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music, music in relation to the allied arts, the production of voice and speech, the vocal chords, their vibration and tone production, the proper care of the ear, nose, throat and voice in singing, and other kindred subjects. Mrs. Derdiger has numbered among her pupils some
of the most successful musicians of the day. She is continuing her work, for she realizes the good she is accomplishing and the urgent need for a systematic and scientific training of voices, that is not always obtainable.
JOHN McCONNELL.
The handling of realty is a position of dignity in Chicago and some of the oldest and most reliable concerns of the city as well as its con- tiguous territory, are engaged in this line of endeavor. As the city has grown, stretching out its arms to embrace outlying communities in Greater Chicago, so have men responded to the needs of the business of handling this re- markable demand for homes and pleasant sur- roundings. There was a time when almost every man engaged in business had to live with- in a constricted area in order to go to and fro each day, while there appears to be very elastic limits to the confines of residential districts, and the demand still grows.
One of the men, who for years has been one of the moving spfrits in the real estate business here and who has finally centered much of his operations upon the beautiful suburb of Lake View, which he platted, is John McConnell. He was born at Chicago, December 8, 1847. a son of Edward and Charlotte (MeGlashan) Me- Connell, natives of Ireland and Scotland, re- spectively. The name of McConnell has figured in connection with the sale of property at Chi- cago since the establishment of the land office here in 1834, the father of John McConnell be- ing conspicuously connected therewith, and the latter for the past thirty years has been asso- ciated with property transfers. The family history is one of great interest.
In 1821 Edward McConnell came to Montreal, Canada, but in the following year crossed the border into the United States, where, for a time, he resided at Rochester, N. Y., working as clerk and bookkeeper in a lumber yard. Realizing the fact that a further knowledge of educational matters would enable him to com- mand higher wages, he attended the Rochester Academy, and lived in that city until 1828. At that time he took a walking trip through Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, and worked at several places, finally arriving at Buffalo. N. Y. In 1830, he left that city with several con- genial friends, in an open Makinaw boat, with Chicago as their goal, but they were wrecked
off Long Point, Lake Erie, losing their boat and escaping with their lives by a narrow margin. The young men then walked back to Buffalo, where Mr. McConnell spent the winter. In the spring of 1831, he took passage on a sailing vessel and arrived at Chicago late in the summer. The Chicago of 1831 did not come up to his expectations, so he bought a horse and went to Springfield, and for three years was employed in the wholesale grocery house of Taylor & Company, and during that period made the acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln, whom he afterwards engaged as his attorney in several land cases. At the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, Mr. McConnell volunteered, but reached the front just as peace was de- clared. Later, he occupied a clerical position in the United States land office at Springfield for a year, and when one was opened at Chi- cago, in 1834, he came with the chief clerk, and remained in the office for several years. During the boom of 1837-8, following the in- corporation of Chicago as a city in the former year, he invested all of his saving in acreage property that is now included within the city limits. Much of this he lost during the reac- tion that came after the financial panie of 1838.
Edward McConnell was built of stern stock, and continued an important factor in the ad- vancement of Chicago. In 1843. he married Charlotte MeGlashan, who came to Chicago in 1834, and they began housekeeping in what is said to be the first brick house built at Chi- cago, it being on the corner of Madison and Clark streets. A few years later, he removed to his farm at Twenty-second and Halsted streets, which he had secured from the govern- ment at $1.25 per acre. He continued to live in Chicago during the remaining years, buy- ing and selling property on his own account and realizing large financial returns. Very retiring in his character, he never sought pub- licity of any nature. Ile died in 1879, and his wife passed away some time later. Edward and Charlotte McConnell had four sons who grew up. In the Civil war, Edward A. Me-
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Connell served for three years in the Seventy- second (Board of Trade) Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in the last year was chief of General MePherson's headquarters guard, and was with the general when he was shot, carrying him from the battlefield. Soon after the close of the war, Edward A. MeCon- nell died as the result of exposure and disease contracted during his service. George, the sec- ond son of the family, died in 1889; and Benja- min F., the youngest, is now a resident of St. Joseph, Mich.
John McConnell, the third in order of birth. was reared in the family homestead at what is now the corner of Twenty-second and Hal- sted streets, pursuing his education in the pub- lie schools, in the old Chicago High school and the old Chicago University. Later he engaged in a picture framing and moulding business which he conducted until he sold and turned his attention to real estate operations, buying and subdividing acreage property in Lake View. He has carried this on very extensively, has contributed much towards its improvement and development, and by his carefully directed in- vestments and sales, has won substantial pros- perity. Ever interested in the welfare of his native city, and being a co-operant factor in many measures for the general good, he served for two years on the district board of educa- tion, and in 1884. was elected supervisor and
president of the board of trustees of Lake View, being re-elected the following year. When Lake View became an incorporated city, he served it for two terms as alderman.
In 1871 Mr. McConnell was married to Miss Kate Gooding. a native of Lockport, Ill., and to them have been born four sons and a daugh- ter: Edward D., who is engaged in the lumber and milling business at Trenton, Ontario; John G., who is engaged in the warehouse and produce brokerage business at Chicago, under the name of the West Side Warehouse Com- pany ; Kathryn C., who is the wife of Frederick Laullow, a resident of Madison, N. Y .; and Kenneth G., who is a graduate of the School of Forestry and is with the Hettler Lumber Company of Chicago. For nearly half a een- tury Mr. MeConnell has lived in the same neighborhood at Lake View, and for more than a quarter of a century, has made his home at No. 546 Hawthorne Place. He is a member of the Chicago Real Estate Board, the Chicago Athletic Association, the Chicago Yacht Club, and the Edgewater Golf Club. A man of un- usual ability. Mr. McConnell has centered so much of his effort towards the improvement aud advancement of Lake View, that the results must be very gratifying to him. Standing high among his associates, he is beloved by many, and friends and acquaintances alike unite iu their praise of bis public-spirited attitude.
JOHN E. HAYNER.
For many years the late John E. Hayner was the foremost citizen of Alton. Foremost in its business life, in its publie enterprises, in its beneficences, and foremost in the place he won in the hearts and lives of his fellow citizens. Such varied achievement is a proud distinc- tion, the fruition of a symmetrical manhood. It is possible only to the favored few upon whom have been bestowed the fundamental elements of energy, constructive ability and business in- tuition. All these essential qualities Mr. Hayner possessed united with an unbending in- tegrity of character that commanded the trust and confidence of the public, and made him a power in the development of the great empire of the Mississippi valley. Mr. Hayner was a native of Charleston. N. Y., born March 29. 1827. When he was six years of age his parents removed to Yates in the same state, where he passed his childhood and youth on a farm, receiving such education as the schools of that
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