USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 9
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one of these and may justly be described in Browning's lines :
"One who never turned his back but marched breast forward,
Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph,
Held we fall to rise, are batlied to fight better, Sleep to wake."
JOSEPH SEARS.
While over three years have passed away since Joseph Sears was called to his final rest, he lives in the memory of his many friends as the highest type of a loyal citizen and progress- ive, reliable business man. He never faltered in the performance of any task that was rightfully his, and in all his business transactions, far- reaching and effective as they were, he never sought to benefit by the misfortune of others. His life was actuated by high ideals and spent in close conformity therewith ; his teaching and his example were ever inspiring forces, and his humane sympathy and charity brought men to him in the ties of strong friendship. As a de- fender of the American flag during the Civil war, as a business man, a philanthropist, a friend of education, and the supporter of all worthy movements which have their root in unselfish devotion to the best interests of the country, Joseph Sears has left his impress in- delibly inscribed upon the history of Chicago, and no citizen of this city had in larger measure the esteem of his fellows, nor exerted a stronger influence for the promotion of good citizenship.
Joseph Sears was born at Lockport, Illinois, March 24, 1843, and was a son of John and Miranda (Blount) Sears. The father was a native of Ontario County, N. Y., of Mayflower stock, and was descended from Richard Sears, who came from England about 1630, and settled on Cape Cod. He was also a direct descendant of John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden. His educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools of his native town, the Gar- den City Institute (Chicago), Canandaigua (New York) Academy, and Bells Commercial College. He served in the Civil war as com- missary sergeant of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and later as regimental quartermaster with the rank of first lieutenant, of the One Hundred and Forty- seventh Illinois Infantry, serving in the latter rank until the close of hostilities.
Mr. Sears began his business career in 1868, as an employe of N. K. Fairbank and Company, Chicago, becoming a partner in the firm in 1872. Upon incorporation, in 1880, he became vice president, and continued in this capacity until 1891, when he organized the Kenilworth Com- pany, and served as its executive head until his demise. This company purchased a tract of 224 acres of land on the shore of Lake Michigan, fifteen miles north of Chicago, and laid out the town of Kenilworth, now one of Chicago's most beautiful suburbs. Here, from its founding, Mr. Sears resided with his wife and family until his death.
Mr. Sears was married in Chicago, June 30th, 1868, to Miss Helen Stedman Barry, a daughter of Samuel S. and Abigail (Corbin) (Abbott) Barry, early pioneers to Illinois from Salem, Mass., and highly esteemed citizens of this city, and to this union six children were born: John Barry, Philip Rasselas, Helen Abigail, Marion Louise, who died in infancy, Joseph Alden, and Dorothy. The family homestead is still main- tained at Kenilworth.
Mr. Sears was a member of the Chicago Club and also of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. In his political affiliations he was a Republican but took no active part in politics, aside from casting the weight of his influence in support of men and measures, working for the public good. The honors aud emoluments of otfice were without attraction to him. He saw in his chosen field of labor the opportuni- ty for constantly broadening efforts, and he found enjoyment in the mere accomplishment of the task to which he set himself. It is true that he desired that success which is the legiti- mate reward of all earnest endeavor, but there were interests in life which to him were para- mount to the mere attainment of wealth. He was public-spirited and charitable, and always studied and fostered movements which aimed to improve the public weal; was recognized as a
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man of earnest purpose and progressive prin- ciples, and was widely known as a citizen of substantial worth, whose judgment was sound and sagacity keen. Unassuming in his man- ner, sincere in his friendship, steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right, it is but just and merited praise to say of him as a business man, he ranked with the ablest. His death, which occurred January 30, 1912, re- moved from Chicago one of its most worthy citi- zens. In his life were the elements of great-
ness, because of the use he made of his talents and opportunities, and because his thoughts were not self-centered, but were given to the mastery of life's problems and the fulfillment of his duty as a man in relation to his fellow- men, and as a citizen in his relation to his country. Ile remains in the memory of his friends enshrined in a halo of gracious pres- ence and kindly spirit, and he will ever be known as one whose efforts were foremost in the advancement of good citizenship.
BENJAMIN E. BENSINGER.
Where ambition is satisfied and every ulti- mate aim accomplished, efforts cease and enter- prise is swallowed up. The possibilities of suc- cessful attainment, however, continually incite to the exercise of energy and perseverance and We find in nearly every case that those who stand highest in public esteem and have reached a position of power and influence in the busi- ness and financial world, are those who have devoted their lives to deep study and close appli- cation to business. Among those who figure prominently in the manufacturing interests of Chicago, is Benjamin E. Bensinger, President of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, and the practical head of the most important manufacturing concern of its line in the world, whose record is typical of modern progress and development in this field of activity. In study- ing the lives and character of men, we are naturally led to inquire into the secret of their success and the motive that prompted their action. When we trace the career of those who stand highest in public esteem, it is found that they are those who have adhered closely to honorable and progressive business principles, and have risen gradually, fighting their way in the face of all opposition. Honesty, energy, efficiency, conscientiousness and self-reliance, these are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments and greatest reward. To these may we attribute the success that has crowned the efforts of Benjamin E. Beu- singer. There is no better indication of a man's real worth and character than the opin- ion entertained for him on the part of his business associates and colleagues. The salient features in the career of Benjamin E. Ben- singer may be deduced from the fact that he is respected by all who know him, as much in business circles as by those with whom he comes in contact in social relations. Mr. Ben-
singer has figured prominently in the manu- facturing and financial interests of Chicago, for a number of years, and has maintained through- out a high standard of business principles, his career being the story of laudable ambition, unfaltering activity and earnest endeavor to reach in the business field a high plane, and that the qualities chosen as chief factors in his commercial career are resultant, is evi- denced through many years of successful opera- tions in the house of the Brunswick-Balke-Col- lender Company, which enjoys both local and national fame.
A splendid type of the alert, enterprising, aggressive man, Mr. Bensinger's record stands to show that energy, thrift and foresight are the supreme powers of success. While yet a comparatively young man, he has had broad experience and has attained a high position in the business world. Of a family conspicuous for strong intellect, indomitable courage and energy, Mr. Bensinger was reared among the refining influences of a cultured home. A native of Kentucky, he was born in Louisville, that state, January 4, 1868, and is a son of Moses and Eleanor ( Brunswick ) Bensinger. ITis edu- cation was obtained in the grammar and high schools. The opportunity of an academic edu- cation never came to him, though of the ad- vantages afforded, Mr. Bensinger availed him- self to the utmost, and through constant study be became well posted and is a man of sound and discriminating judgment. He possesses an observing eye and a retentive memory and has stored in the recesses of his mind much that he has turned to account in his business career.
At the age of seventeen years Mr. Bensinger became connected with the Brunswick-Balke- Collender Company-the corporation having assumed its present name during the preceding year -- starting at the bottom of the ladder as an
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office boy. After three years' connection with the company, he became secretary of the Ben- singer Self Adding Cash Register Company, of which his father was the founder and presi- dent, and continued in that position until the concern went out of existence in 1800. He then resumed his connection with the Brunswick- Balke-Collender Company, of which he was elected first vice president in 1903. After the death of his father in the fall of 1004, he suc- ceeded to the presidency, since which time, owing to his enterprise and aggressiveness, the company has enjoyed greater growth and pros- perity than ever before. This company is not only the largest manufacturer in the world of billiard and pocket tables, supplies and bowling alleys, but has large factories devoted to the 'manufacture of bar fixtures, refrigerators and general cabinet work, giving employment to hundreds of skilled mechanics. These factories are located in Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Muskegon, Michigan, Dubuque, Iowa, Toronto, Canada, and Paris, France; and their products are distributed to all parts of the civilized world.
Mr. Bensinger was married in Chicago Jan- uary 20, 1596. to Miss Rose Frank, and to this union two children have been born: Robert Frank, and B. Edward, Jr.
Politically Mr. Bensinger gives his support to the Republican party and socially he is identi- fied with the Hamilton, Chicago Automobile, Illinois Athletic, Standard, City, and Lake
Shore Country clubs and is vice president of the Associated Jewish Charities and also a member of the Chleage Sinal Congregation. He spends his vacations in foreign travel, making a trip to Europe each year, while his principal recreations at home are golf and horseback riding. He is a man of dignified and command- ing appearance, who makes friends wherever he is known, and enjoys the entire confidence and respect of his associates and acquaintances. A descendant of sturdy ancestry, be has displayed a capacity for large affairs, which reflects the highest credit npou his judgment and indicates that he is eminently worthy of the important position he now fills.
Mr. Bensinger maintains a beautiful house at Glencoe, and has his office at No. 629 South Wabash avenue. He and his wife are well known in social circles, both in Glencoe and Chicago, where their friends are many and entertain for them the warmest regard. Mrs. Bensinger takes an active and helpful part in social and charitable work and is an exemplary woman of refinement. Mr. Pensinger is inter- ested in all that pertains to modern progress and improvements along material, intellectual and moral lines. He always finds time for study- ing and fostering movements which aim to im- prove the public weal and his charities extend to all worthy enterprises. He is never too busy to be courteous and cordial and enjoys the esteem of all men irrespective of creeds and political proclivities.
HASWELL CORDIS CLARKE.
During the heydey of life, when a man is achieving beyond his fellows and winning favor and applause, public honors and private adula- tion, his compelling personality may have much influence, but, after he has passed off the scene of life, and his deeds, his triumphs, his failures and successes are viewed with the cold and unbiased criticism that posterity accords even its highest and greatest, his true character stands forth and his measure of usefulness to mankind is clearly revealed. The student of history and biography knows full well how often this acid test brings only disappointment. When, then, a community, a state or nation can point proudly to a man the records of whose dally life disclosed true nobility, how valuable, how interesting is the story and how far-reaching may be its influence. To the mem-
ory of such a man, Haswell Cordis Clarke, Illinois pays tribute.
Haswell Cordis Clarke was born at Roxbury, now a suburb of Boston, Mass., September 28, 1842, and died at Kankakee, Ill., January 16, 1900. He was a son of John Jones and Rebecca Cordis (Haswell) Clarke, and a grandson of Rev. Pitt Clarke, a descendant of English set- tlers of this name who were found in Massa- chusetts in 1700. John Jones Clarke was a lawyer by profession and his record added lus- ter to the judicial history of his section of Massachusetts. From Norton he moved to Rox- bury, prior to 1842, and became the first mayor of that city. On the maternal side, Colonel Clarke had equally solid ancestry, early Eng- lish history frequently, especially in the times of the Stuarts, mentioning the name of Has-
.
July Jours Glaswell la Clarke
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well. After completing his course in the Rox- bury Latin School, Haswell Cordis Clarke eu- tered Harvard College in 1850, becoming a member of the class of 1803. The agitation in public affairs and the development of civil war, however, changed the young student's am- bition and from the halls of learning he sought the battlefield, enlisting, when in his junior year, without parental consent, and was com- missioned second lieutenant of his company. Shortly afterward he was appointed aid-de- camp to General Benjamin F. Butler and re- mained with that military official on Ship Island, below New Orleans, until May, 1862, when the Union forces entered that city. In 1863, when General Butler was transferred to Fortress Monroe, Va., Colonel Clarke accom- panied him and continued when General Butler took command of the Army of the James which prepared the way for General Grant to enter Richmond with the Army of the Potomac. His association with his commanding officer was mutually preserved, in the bonds of close friend- ship and appreciation, broken only by the death of General Butler, in 1893. Colonel Clarke's military record was a brilliant one, his service, in addition to that above mentioned, including the execution of orders on the Mississippi River in the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, his courage in the long continued siege before Vicksburg and on many other occasions when emergencies demanded a cool head and quick action. On March 13, 1865, he was com- missioned brevet lieutenant-colonel, and was honorably discharged and mustered out in Oc- tober of that year.
The close of his military service relieved Colonel Clarke of the public duties which he had willingly assumed and he returned to Bos- ton and in 1872 received his B. A. degree from Harvard College. In the meanwhile, however, he had visited Illinois, in 1865 coming to Kanka- kee in order to investigate a business proposi- tion, in which, however, he declined at that time to invest, but, on his second visit to Kanka- ยท kee he became interested in a large flax mill, the operation of which claimed his attention until the fall of 1869, when he discontinued and turned his attention for one year to the stone and lime business. In 1871, when the First National Bank was incorporated, he became one of the stockholders and a member of its board of directors, and, with Emory Cobb, his brother-in-law, as president he accepted the po- sition of cashier. For twenty-nine years Colo-
nel Clarke continued cashier of this institu- tion and became widely known in financial cir- cles. Although be was not a public man in the sense that many use the term, politics and pub- lie affairs early interested him and, being the man he was, he could not put aside the peti- tions of his fellow citizens when they urged his acceptance of offices of responsibility, which meant much regarding the general welfare of Kankakee. He was a lover of books and of learning and cheerfully served on the board of education, and also, watching the best inter- ests of his ward, on several occasions served as an alderman, and when he became mayor his administration of that office was so wise, just and promotive of good results, that Kanka- kee, irrespective of political divisions, recog- nized that he was a man of noble purpose and unselfish character.
On May 5, 1869, Colonel Clarke was united in marriage with Miss Harriet A. Cobb, who was born at Ithaca, in Tompkins County, N. Y., June 12, 1841, a daughter of William and Achsah (Bradley) Cobb. William Cobb was born at Norton, Mass., June 7, 1783, and died at Ithaca, April 22, 1843. In early life he followed farming and continued to be so interested, in addition to lumbering, for the greater part of his life. He served in the War of 1812 with the rank of colonel. On November 10, 1814, he married Achsah Bradley, who was born in Mad- ison County, N. Y., and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarke, February 16, 1875, and her burial was by the side of her husband, at Kings Ferry, N. Y. Of their family of ten children there are but two survivors: Lemi Bradley and Mrs. Clarke, the latter being the youngest of the family.
In early life, Colonel Clarke was identified with the Unitarian church but later became an earnest member of St. Paul's Protestant Epis- copal Church, in which he served for more than thirty years as a vestryman. He was a promi- nent Mason, attaining the thirty-third degree in the craft, and filled all the offices in his ad- vance from the Blue Lodge. In 1869 he was made a Master Mason and in a comparatively short time belonged to the Royal Arch, at Kankakee; to the Council at Springfield, and to Ivanhoe Commandery, in 1875, becoming a member of the Van Rensselaer Lodge of Per- fection, the Chicago Council and the Gourgas Chapter. In the same year he entered the Oriental Consistory, and on September 16, 1879, received the thirty-third degree. Colonel Clarke
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was a lover of the beautiful in art and nature and at times withdrew from business and took an enjoyable trip to sections of his own land, including Alaska, and in 1891 spent some months in England, Scotland, Sweden and Nor- way. With his enlightened mind and broadened views he was an ideal host and companion and was sought after by social bodies for member- ship. He served on many boards and commis-
sions in connection with benevolent movements and for a protracted period was secretary and treasurer of the Eastern Illinois Hospital for the Insane. He took an interest in the organ- ization known as the Kankakee Club and also the Business Men's Club, and served as presi- dent of both. When he passed away each citi- zen vied with his neighbor in showing honor to his memory.
WALTER WILLARD ROSS.
To succeed as a member of the Chicago bar requires more than ordinary ability which has been carefully trained along the lines of the legal profession, as well as a vast fund of gen- eral information and keen judgment with re- gard to men and their motives. In a city of the size of Chicago there is so much competi- tion; events crowd each other; circumstances play so important a part in the shaping of events, that the lawyer has to be a man cap- able of grasping affairs with a competent hand to effect satisfactory results. Among those who have won enviable distinction as a mem- ber of the legal profession here is Walter Willard Ross, with offices at No. 105 South LaSalle street. Ile was born at Pulaski, Ill .. March 29, 1866, a son of Edward T. and Ellen (Wall) Ross, natives of Vermont and Illinois, respectively. Edward T. Ross came in early boyhood to Illinois and attended the Illinois College at Jacksonville, Ill., and later became a lumber merchant and manufacturer. His wife, who came of one of the old New England fai- ilies, was born in Illinois; her father, George T. Wall coming to Illinois during the thirties, from Providence, It. I. He had married a mem- ber of the distinguished Adams family. A physician, he followed his profession in Du- Quoin, Perry County, Ill., and continued there until 1892. During his career he opened up one of the first coal mines ever operated in the state.
After studying in the local schools, Walter W. Ross attended the Illinois College at Jack- sonville, Ill., and in 18SS was graduated from the New Jersey University at Princeton, N. J., with the degree of B. A., and three years later received his degree of M. A. To further pur- sue his legal studies, he entered the North- western University law school, of Chicago, and at the same time received practical instruction in the offices of Lyman and Jackson. During 1889 and 1800, he attended the Harvard Law
School at Cambridge, Mass., and was admitted to the bar of the State of Illinois in 1890. For the following three years he devoted himself to a general practice, but in 1893 he was ap- pointed assistant corporation counsel for Chi- cago, and the next year was made trial attorney for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Rail- way of Chicago. In 1899, he formed a partner- ship with his uncle, George W. Wall, a dis- tinguished lawyer and jurist, who for more than twenty years sat upon the bench. Fur- ther honors were in store for the determined, fearless young attorney, for in 1901, he was made attorney general for the Delaware, Lack- awanna & Western Railroad with headquarters at New York, but in 1905 he resumed a general law practice with offices in both New York and Chicago. He devoted much of his time from 1905 to 1007 in litigation before the Interstate Commerce Commission, and has been entrusted with the management and supervision of important financial and other interests, in- cluding the Yerkes estate. Capable of handling large affairs, important interests have been placed in his hands, and whether in the courts or in the relation of counselor, he has given proof of his power in solving intricate legal problems or in devising a course of action that bas its foundation in sound legal wisdom.
In 1891 Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Jane 'Rose Ames, a daughter of Miner T. Ames, a well-known coal mine oper- ator. Four children were born to them, three of whom are living, namely : Ames W., Willard, and Robert, the other son having died at the age of four years. Mrs. Ross is a direct de- scendant of Colonel Knowlton, who participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and was killed in the battle of Harlem Heights. She is also directly descended from William Dawes, who shares with Paul Revere the honor and fame of arousing the minute men of Massachusetts to prepare for the attack of the British in the
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opening battles of the Revolutionary war at Lexington and Concord. The family residence of the Ross family is at Evanston. Mr. and Mrs. Ross belong to the Presbyterian church of that village. Mr. Ross is a member of a number of social organizations, among them be- ing the University Club of Chicago, and the Evanston Golf Club. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, he has so used his time and talents in the acquirement of a liberal educa- tion and in the practice of law that he has won wide recognition as a leading attorney of Chicago.
Mr. Ross holds to high ideals in his profes- sion, and his work is characterized by a devo- tion to duty that is somewhat unusual. He
is a man of broad information along many lines, and in his profession he bas kept in close touch with all procedures both of a local and a national character. His professional service has ever been discharged with a keen sense of conscientious obligation, and his work has brought him to a prominent position. His per- sonal acquaintance with the leading citizens of note is a broad one, and his spirit of good- fellowship makes life brighter for those with whom he comes in contact. Taking it all in all he is interested in all that pertains to mod- ern progress and improvements along material, intellectual and moral lines and his charities extend to all worthy enterprises.
MARTIN CONRAD.
It is not unusual that when a man is forced to start out early to fight life's battles for him- self he long bears the marks and scars of the contest, but to this rule Martin Conrad is a distinguished exception. Through his entire ourcer he has maintained a kindly spirit and a generous disposition that is still manifest toward all with whom he comes in contact. He does not feel that he must constantly be of the defensive against his fellowmen, but father that he is traveling the same road with them, with opportunities for each to help the other. Hence he is today venerably enjoy- ing the allotted three-score years and ten in perfect health and complete mental and phy- sieal activity. He has always advocated that each individual has his ministry, consisting of the faithful performance of daily duties, the fulfillment of obligations to one's fellowmen, and few have a keener appreciation of the good qualities in others. As a defender of the Amer- ican flag in the great struggle for supremacy between the North and the South in the Civil war, as a professional and business man, a friend of education and as the supporter of all worthy movements which have their root in unselfish devotion to the best interests of the country, Martin Conrad has made an in- press indelibly inscribed upon the history of Chicago, and no citizen of this city has in larger measure the esteem of his fellows. nor exerts a stronger influence for progress and advance- ment.
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