USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 80
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Mr. Gebhart was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, and died in that faith March 23, 1913, at his home, No. 818 Maple avenue. He had not been well during the pre- ceding winter, but on the morning of his death was feeling exceptionally well, when he was suddenly stricken with cerebral hemorrhage. Everything known to medical science was done. but to no avail, and about twelve hours later, at 10:30 P. M., he passed away. He was a Democrat in his political belief, but not an active politician, preferring to give his entire time and attention to business. His fraternal
W al Gelhavo
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Woodmen of America, the Royal Neighbors and the Mystic Workers of the World, in all of
connection included membership in the Modern which he counted friends by the score. He was a great lover of home and family, and no kinder husband and father could be desired.
FRANCIS GORDON.
It would be extremely difficult in the busy life of the Illinois metropolis to discover a better example of business abilities of a high character combined with unimpeachable virtue, derivable from the daily practice of religion and piety, contributing to adorn the character of an individual, than may be found in the career and activities of Rev. Francis Gordon. C. R., pastor of St. Mary's of the Angels Church, and manager of the Polish Daily News. A resident of Chicago for more than thirty years, his connection with its business affairs has been almost continuous, and the influence of his labors in religious, educational and char- itable work has made itself impressively felt. Father Gordon was born in Prussian Poland, in 1860, and there received his early educa- tional training in the district school and grad- uated from the local high school. Father Gordon had just attained his majority when he emigrated to the United States, his advent in Chicago occurring in 1881. Almost imme- diately he joined the Congregation of the Resurrection, and it was not long before his fitness and predilection for the priesthood were discovered by the superior, who sent him to one of the colleges of the order .- St. Mary's Col- lege, of Marion County, Ky. There be com- pleted his classical course, and for the philo- sophical and theological courses he was sent to the Gregorian University. Rome. He was or- dained priest April 20. 18SO. The Congregation of the Resurrection, of which Father Gordon was a member. had charge of the St. Stanis- laus Church, Chicago, reputed to be the largest parish in the United States, and to this parish he was assigned as one of the assistants. He remained here until December. 1822. and in addition to his parochial duties acted in the capacity of manager of the Polish Publishing Company, publishers of Polish Catholic books and periodicals, in which concern the fathers of the Congregation of the Resurrection were interested. Father Gordon suggested the idea of starting a Polish daily newspaper, which would give its readers the news of the day. and treat the various questions which came within the range of a live, up-to-date newspaper,
in a quiet, conservative and dignified manner. The religious questions were to be treated from the Roman Catholic point of view. The idea was put into action, and the Polish Daily News became a reality December 15, 1800. It bas been published daily, except Sundays and holydays of obligation, ever since.
In the latter part of December, 1892, Father Gordon was called to Rome, and from there transferred to Adrianople, Turkey, to become professor in one of the colleges in charge of the fathers of the Congregation of the Resurrec- tion, but on account of failing health he was called back to Rome, where he soon became acting procurator general of the congregation. In 1806 he returned to Chicago and was wel- comed to his former charge of assistant at St. Stanislaus Church and manager of the Polish Daily News, and the latter position he has held continuously to the present time. In 1897 he founded the Macierz Polska, a benevo- lent organization which includes the insurance feature. The organization has grown very rap- idly and now numbers several thousand mem- bers of both sexes in various parts of the United States. Father Gordon became its first moderator, which position he holds today, hav- ing been reelected at the expiration of each term. In 1899 he organized St. Mary's of the Angels parish, at Hermitage avenue and Cly- bourn place, and became its first pastor. Seven years later he was transferred to become pastor of St. Stanislaus Church, and during his stay of three years the new St. Stanislaus school, hall and Sisters' home were built, structures that belong to the finest and most up-to-date buildings of their kind in this country. In 1909. in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Congregation of the Resurrection regarding the transfer of pastors every three years, he was again assigned to the pastorship of St. Mary's of the Angels Church, which position he now holds. Father Gordon was for several years general manager of the Polish-Bohemian Cemetery of St. Adalbert. in Niles, Ill. Every- where he is respected and beloved. not only by the people of his own land, but by all who have come to know him, irrespective of na-
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tionality or religion, as was evidenced in the popularity contest held by the Chicago Ex:ul- iner, which included a trip to the Holy Land,
the first place in which was won by Father Gordon. who received 1.132,534 votes, a plural- ity of 138,351 baliots.
AUGUST EHRHARDT.
The biographer, in his search for material from which to compose an acceptable review of the individuals whom he finds as his subjects, not infrequently discovers himself confronted by the almost insurmountable obstacle of a career which has shown nothing worthy of an enco- mium. The lack of accomplishment calls for a smoothing over of defects, and it is no light task to endeavor to enlarge upon the indifferent achievements of the mediocre men who formu the vast army classified as commonplace. In the case of the subject at hand, however. the writer meets with no such difficulty; material is abundant, fertile, and convincing from which to prepare a sketch of the career of the late August Ehrhardt, of Beecher, Ill. Panegyric is unnecessary ; formal praise would be superfluous -his career as merchant, soldier, citizen and kindly Christian gentleman speaks for itself. and his name needs no introduction to the citi- zens of Will County, whose interests he served so long and so well.
August Ehrhardt was born in Saxony. Ger- many, April 3, 1840, a son of Christoph and Sophie (Werner) Ehrhardt. He enjoyed the privileges of a common school education, and was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family first settling at Blue Island, Ill., and subse- quently, in 1855, locating at Crete, Will County, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1876. the mother passing away in 1SS2. Upon attaining his majority, August Ehrhardt engaged in farming on his own account in the vicinity of Monee. Ill., where he was located at the time of his enlistment, in 1862, in the Eighty-second Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, with which he served until the close of the war between the North and South. Through- out his life he maintained his interest in the welfare of his old comrades, many of whom he was able to assist in a financial way, and his connection with Chicago Heights Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he served for some time as commander. made him well known among the men who had fought in the uniform of the Blue.
When his brave and faithful service to his country was completed, Mr. Ehrhardt returned
to the ranks of the army of peace, and reso- lutely applied bimself to the duties devolving upon the members of that host. With August Schiffer, he engaged in business at Monee, Ill., and this association lasted for fifteen years, with mutual benefit. At the end of that period he made his advent into Beecher, and here the balance of his long and useful life was spent. He purchased the store of Henry Matthias, who had established the business about ten years previously, and conducted this mercantile estab- lishment alone until joined by his son, the two remaining in partnership until Mr. Ehrhardt's retirement, in 1910. His excellent business ability. acumen and judgment were assisted by his personality, and the whole combined to win him eminent success. Always he was a stalwart Republican, and his services to his party were appreciated by his appointment to the postmastership of Brecher by Presidents Harrison and Mckinley. During his service three rural routes were established from his office and much was done to improve the accom- modations for the people of his community. In 1000 Mr. Ehrhardt became his party's candidate for the office of county treasurer, and the ma- jority which he received at the polls left no doubt as to his general popularity and the con- fidence in which he was held by his fellow citi- zens. He retired from that office in 1910 with a record eminently worthy of emulation by any who may succeed him. Charitable in all things. he liberally supported the movements of the Evangelical church, of which he was a member throughout his life, and in the faith of which he died. September 9, 1912. He was fraternally associated with Peotone Lodge of Masons, until 1911, when he took a demit and joined Crete Lodge, No. 763, having become a Mason in 1STO.
In 1865. at Blue Island, Ill., Mr. Ehrhardt was married to Miss Lonise Kline, who was born in Germany. June 14. 1843, a daughter of August Kline. Two sons blessed this union: Arthur. who was associated with his father in business for many years, and who now has charge of the store : and Carl, who has served as deputy probate clerk and is now cashier of the First National Bank of Beecher.
ANSmilk
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DANIEL H. SMITH.
If the living could be brought to a realiza- tion of the continuing influence exerted by the good deeds of a man after he has passed to an- other sphere, many, perhaps, would endeavor to make more of their opportunities so that when they too shall have been gathered unto their fathers, their record may be as clear and potential. It is often true that the full strength of a man's influence over others is not prop- erly recognized while he is living, and it is only when his life is reviewed in retrospect, that its real value is appreciated. No man can spend the majority of his years in a commun- ity and persistently exert himself to develop 1ts resources and capabilities, without becom- ing a forceful personality and leaving his 1m- print upon its history. When his work is chiefly directed towards the upbuilding and strengthening of financial institutions, this be- comes still more true, and his power is in- creased, for upon the honorable conduct of the banks of any section, depends in large measure the prosperity of the people. Prince- ton is the home of several of the leading finan- cial houses of this part of the state, and one of the men who was connected with two of these institutions and shaped their policies for many years, was the late Daniel H. Smith, who, after being president of the First Na- tional Bank for twenty-nine years, became the executive head of the First State Bank, and died while holding that office.
Daniel H. Smith was born at Orwell, Madison County, Vt., December 2, 1835, a son of Joab and Mary (Horton) Smith, both natives of Vermont. Reared on a farm, Mr. Smith attended first the country schools, and then academies at Poultney and Johnson, in his native state. When seventeen years old, he began his busi- ness career as a clerk at Sheldon, Vt., but was not satisfied with his restricted surroundings, and sought a more congenial atmosphere, locat- ing in September, 1855, at Princeton, Ill., being . joined subsequently by relatives. At once he . secured employment as a clerk in a store owned by A. and M. Carse, remaining for two Years, when he again made a change, going to Fort Dodge, Iowa. After eighteen months there, during which period he operated in real
estate and made some money, he returned to Princeton and embarked in a grain business. Although he was successful in his ventures, love for his parents indneed him to go back to Vermont to be wear them, and he located at Sheldon where he became interested in manu- facturing and mercantile ventures, and was a strong factor in developing that place. In 1866, however, he once more returned to Princeton. It, and from then on made it his home. His popularity was evidenced by his election to the office of circair clerk, in which he served for two terms, having become thoroughly conver- sant with the duties of that office during the ten years he had served as deputy circuit clerk.
In 1852 Mr. Smith retired from office and assumed the presidency of the First National Bank of Princeton, of which he was made a director, in 1875, and under his wise and con- servative management it was developed into one of the leading banks of this part of the state. The First National Bank was estab- lished in 1865 by Benjamin S., II. H. and W. W. Ferris. He continued at the head of that institution until 1911, when he resigned to ac- cept the same position with the First State Bank. He pursued his former policy with his new bank, and was its president at the time of his death, in February, 1914.
On May 27, 1862, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Jane M. Hubbell, a daughter of Homer E. and Maria (Gove) Hubbell, and they had one son. Louis J. Smith, who is one of the leading dentists of South Bend, Ind. Dr. Smith has invented and perfected an anaesthetic that is used by dentists and physicians and its worth is widely recognized.
Daniel T. Smith belonged to the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, and stood high in both. The Republican party had in him one of its most stalwart supporters, and he never failed to live up to his principles. The Metho- dist church was his religious home and he found great comfort and pleasure in his membership. It is safe to say that no man of Bureau County was more highly respected and esteemed, or exerted a more helpful influence towards pro- moting the general welfare of his community, than Daniel HI. Smith.
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HARVEY T. WEEKS.
Biographical history of today impresses one with the fact that this is an era of specializa- tion ; that most men who win distinction devote their energy to one business or profession and apparently have little interest in anything else. There are some, however, who develop talents along diverging lines, their minds being peen !- iarly adapted to carry to success widely con- trasting enterprises, and it is to such men that the country owes its moral, educational and in- dustrial growth. In this class few men have been more active than Harvey T. Weeks, who, for more than half a century, has been closely identified with many of the state's civic and commercial affairs. He has studied life from various angles and experience has helped to make him liberal-minded, few being better in- formed on important issues of the day.
Mr. Weeks was born at Lockport, Will County, Illinois, November 20, 1842, a son of Joseph MI. and Martha (Lane) Weeks. He is one of the many native sons of Illinois who, by character and achievements, have attained prominence through his own efforts and reflected credit upon the state. His educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools of his native town and early in boyhood he became self-reliant, beginning the battle of life for him- self when only a lad in his teens. After leav- ing school he worked in the plow factory of his uncle, John Lane, whose father, John Lane, Sr., was the inventor of the first steel mold-board for plows. John Lane, Jr., however, was also an inventor of considerable note, and among other devices, he invented and put on the market a steel-filled plate, which was used for plow mold-boards and other purposes. This device was a composition of steel and iron, consisting of steel on either side and filled with iron in the middle. The steel being iron-filled not only made the plate more pliable than that of the solid steel, but was just as durable, and could be manufactured munch cheaper with practically the same labor. After working a while in the plow factory for his uncle. young Weeks accepted a clerkship in a gen- eral store at Lockport, and continued this vocation for some time, gaining a practical knowledge of business. Like many young men of ambitious temperaments, he was not satis- fied with the environments of a country town and decided to seek employment in a city of greater advantages. He came to Chicago in 1850
and for a time worked at whatever he could get to do to earn an honest living. Later he entered the employ of A. L. Hale and Company, wholesale furniture dealers of Chicago, and for a while clerked in a general store at Pentwater, Michigan, for Charles Mears.
Imbued with the patriotic spirit characteristic of the true American, he in 1862 answered the country's call for troops to suppress the Re- bellion, and in August of that year enlisted as a private in the famous Chicago Mercantile Bat- tery and served until the close of hostilities, returning to Lockport ia 1865. Ile was ap- pointed postmaster of Lockport by President Andrew Johnson, but the appointment not being confirmed, he only served about a year. He later entered the employ of Hale and Brother, manufacturers of furniture and continued with this house until 1874. In the latter year he formed a partnership with the late Carter H. Harrison in the real-estate business in Chicago, and became prominently identified in this field of activity. In November, 1884, he was elected president of the Chicago Horse and Dumny Railroad, which name was soon afterward changed to the Chicago Passenger Railway. Mr. Weeks also became active in this connection and has continued to be interested in Chicago Street Railway more or less ever since. After the death of Mr. Norman T. Gassette, Mr. Weeks was elected president of the Masonic Temple Association, and brought the enterprise to successful completion. He was one of the original board of directors of the Bankers' National Bank, and for two terms was presi- dent of the board of West Park Commissioners, of which he was a member. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor. Few men have shown greater executive ability, and few have been more active in business circles.
In June. 1870, at Cape May, New Jersey, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Weeks with Miss Joanna E. Marcy, a woman of many ad- mirable traits of character, and their home at 216 South Ashland Boulevard is a hospitable one where good cheer has always ahounded. Though quiet and unostentatious in manner, Mr. Weeks has many warm friends, and those who know him well recognize in him a man of earnest purpose and progressive principles. Hle is a man of substantial worth, whose judgment is sound and sagacity keen, and the simple
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weight of his character and ability has car- ried him into important relations. In business life he has always followed constructive meas- ures; to build up rather than to destroy being his broad policy. He has been closely identified with the business and financial interests of Chicago for many years, and during this entire period has maintained a high standard of busi- ness ethics. He has always been deeply inter- ested in the city's welfare and at all times his sympathy and support has been with the meas- ures that in any way benefit the western me- tropolis. In his political affiliations he manifests his allegiance to the Democratic party, but
takes no active part in politics aside from casting the weight of his influence in support of men and measures working for the public good. In fraternal associations he is a Mason in good standing, while socially he is a valued member of the Illinois, Union League and Chi- cago Athletic Clubs, having served as president of the former in 1909-10. In private life Mr. Weeks is genial and whole-souled, a delightful host and always a welcome guest and under all circumstances he measures up to the highest standards which mark of the individual a serv- ireable factor in the world's work for progress and advancement.
HARVEY THOMAS WEEKS, JR.
It has been often said that the sons of rich men seldom exert themselves and that what they accomplish in life is the result of their fathers' backing and money. Yet, although this is oftentimes true, there are notable instances where men who were born in the midst of all luxury, and brought up surrounded by the af- fluence of the wealthy, have branched out for themselves and beginning at the bottom, have made the best of every opportunity pre- sented. Such men perhaps deserve more praise than those who are forced by necessity to be- come self supporting. It is essentially more difficult for a man to voluntarily abandon the advantages offered by a life of ease and assume the responsibilities of a strenuous struggle for existence, than for one who has never known aught but stern necessity to enter the ranks of the workers. A very striking instance of the self-made rich man's son was afforded in the career of the late Harvey Thomas Weeks, Jr .. who, contrary to the general run of young men circumstanced as he was, was keenly serious minded and ambitious, and what he achieved was through his own, unaided efforts.
Harvey Thomas Weeks, Jr., was a native son of Chicago, born November 12, 1877, and he was cut off in the full flower of his man- hood. just when life held most for him. He was a son of Harvey Thomas and Joan Elizabeth (Marey) Weeks, natives of Lockport, Ill .. and Connecticut, respectively. After an attendance at the John McLaren and the Hill schools of Chicago, he entered Yale University from which he was graduated in 1901, and later took a two years' law course at Harvard University. This legal knowledge he found very useful when he
went into a real estate business in 1903, with his father, at No. 30 N. La Salle street, Chicago, the offices being located in the Stock Exchange building. The business was operated under the firm name of Harvey T. Weeks & Co., the father and son being the members. In addition to attending to the duties imposed by his position as junior partner in this business, Mr. Weeks was tax agent of the City of Chicago for eight years, having charge of the collecting and dis- bursing of the city's taxes. In this responsible position as in every walk of life. he proved himself a man of the utmost probity and up- rightness, and dying, left behind him an nh- tarnished name and record.
On June S, 1907, Mr. Weeks was married to Edith Evelyn Bergs of Chicago, a daughter of John and Mary (Todd) Beggs, natives of Bel- fast, Ireland, and Harrodsburg, Ky. The Todd family is an old one in Kentucky and members of it have attained to prominence. Mr. Beges was located in New York City for some time, there being engaged in an importing of woolen goods. During the Civil war he was one of the defenders of the flag and his country's integrity. After the war. Mr. Boggs moved his family to Chicago where he died May 18, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks became the parents of two children. namely : Dian, who was born January 8, 1910: and Marey Thomas, who was born September S. 1911.
Mr. Weeks was a consistent member of the Third Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Socially he was a member of the University, Chicago Athletic, Yale and Lake Geneva Yacht clubs. and was popular in all of them. Ilis death or- curred July 28, 1914. Grief was felt by many
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outside the home circle at the loss of so bril- liant a young man, whose useful life had been so profitably spent, but his influence lives on,
and the good he accomplished has not passed with him, but stands as a lasting monument to his memory.
HENRY HOLMES BELFIELD.
Henry Holmes Beifield was born in Philadel- phia, Pa., in 1837, a lineal descendant of that John Belfield who migrated from Normandy to England shortly after the Norman conquest. in 1006. A branch of this family has lived for gen- erations in Nottingham, many of them engaged in lace-making; some of them were leaders in the destructive riots that occurred in Notting- ham when machines were installed to replace manual labor.
Henry Belfield, grandfather of Henry Holmes Belfield, in 1820 migrated with his family from Nottingham to Philadelphia. Here, some years e later, three of his sons organized a brass foun- dry, which is still conducted by a cousin of Mr. Belfield, at the original location, No. 435 North Broad street. Henry Belfield and seven of his children lived each more than eighty years, one of them, William, Mr. Belfield's father, having recently died in his ninety-first year. The maiden name of Mr. Belfield's mother was Sel- ener Marshall, also born in Nottingham. She was a woman of unusual culture, an amateur musician of note, whose high ideals moulded the character of her son. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. William Belfield lived at first in Phila- delphia. Henry Holmes Belfield, the second of their eight children, was born in a house which stood on land now occupied by the store of John Wanamaker. In 1844, with relatives aml other friends, they removed to Van Buren County, Iowa. to engage in farming. The privations of this isolated life, and the lack of educational advantages for their children, led them to move to Dubuque.
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