USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 91
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
mer of 1910, Mr. Robertson was cited to appear at Washington, D. C., before the senatorial committee headed by Senator Lodge, which was investigating into the high cost of living. His testimony was desired relative to the compara- tive cost of producing beef and pork during the past ten years. In addition to him, one other cattle feeder was summoned from Illinois. The committee greatly appreciated the clear and concise testimony of Mr. Robertson, and used his figures in making their report of the sub- ject under consideration. Mr. Robertson was elected mayor of Abingdon for one term, and also served for eight years as a member of the Republican Central Committee of Knox County. being a strong Republican. A public-spirited man upon all occasions, he could be depended upon to lend a helping hand whenever aid was needed and was the friend of uplift movements of all kinds. A man of retiring nature, he did not care to come before the public, so that many of his charities are unknown. Frater- nally he was a Mason and served the local Blue Lodge as treasurer, while he and his wife were members of the local Eastern Star, of which he at the time of his death was worthy patron. He was also an Odd Fellow, passing all the chairs of the Abingdon lodge, and served as a trustee of the Abingdon Knights of Pythias. The Knights of Khorassan and the Elks of Galesburg also held his member- ship. In social as well as business circles, bis genial personality and good fellowship won for. him many warm friends. He was a man of well known repute and was highly respected. Generous to a marked degree, he never failed to respond to calls made upon him. The Christian Church held his membership. The death of this most excellent man occurred April 2, 1914, and Abingdon people of all classes will long mourn his loss, as among his other virtues he was one who always had the inter- ests of the needy at heart.
JOHN GATELY.
John Gately was born in Boston January 3, 1857, a sen of John and Mary (Gerry) Gately. Before he was one year old his parents removed to Athol, Mass, where he was graduated from the high school in 1877. From 1ST0 to 187; he worked as office box for his brother, M. R. Gately, who was a publisher in Boston. Fromn 1877 to 1879 he attended Williston Seminary at
Easthampton, Mass,, was graduated from the Boston University Law School in 1882, with the degree of LL. B., and was admitted to the Bos- ton (Suffolk County ) bar in January, 19S.
In May, 1853, Mr. Gately came to Chicago, and engaged in the book publishing business. which he later discontinued. He is president of the John Gately Company, Chicago, operat-
1289
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
ing several branch stores; The Gately Company, Saginaw, Mich., and four branch stores; Gately Wiggins Company, Calumet, Mich., with three branches; Gately Supply Company, Duluth, Minn., and one branch store; Gately Clothing Company, Minneapolis, Minn., with one branch, and Gately's Company, Seattle, State of Wash- ington. These stores deal in clothing, furniture and household goods on the credit or install- ment plan.
Mr. Gately wos married at Lynn, Mass., August 4, 1880, to Katherin J. Donovan. Mr. and Mrs. Gately are the parents of children as follows: Edward Ignatius (deceased), Ralph Michael and Theresa Mary.
In religious belief, Mr. Gately is a Catholic. He is a member of Lincoln Council, Royal Ar- canum; New England Society; Chicago Asso- ciation of Commerce, and the Chicago Athletic, Gien View Golf, Wavsaukee Fishing clubs.
EDWARD O'CONNOR.
The importance of the practical real estate man to any community is very well demon- strated in the recognition he is receiving in every community, for through his efforts and honestly purposeful actions, are localities devel- oped, and outside capital invested. While un- fortunately there are some who unscrupulously take unfair advantage of their position, the majority of the men engaged in realty transac- tion are men of probity, upon whose advice and recommendation the investors can implicitly rely. Bloomington is one of the flourishing cities of Illinois which has advanced very largely through the operations of this class of men, and one who did much for his city in this respect was the late Edward O'Connor, one of the leading business men of this part of the state. Mr. O'Connor was born at Bloomington, Ill., January 19, 1855, a son of Richard O'Con- nor, a native of Ireland, who married in that land. Soon after his marriage, the father came to the United States, and settled at Blooming- ton. There he established himself in a drayage business, which was the first of its kind at Bloomington, where he and the mother lived until death claimed them.
Attending the schools of Bloomington, Ed- ward O'Connor there received his educational training. Leaving school, Mr. O'Connor secured a position in the Chicago postoffice and held it for a number of years, and at the same time made himself felt as an active Democrat. Real- izing that there were plenty of opportunities at Bloomington, Mr. O'Connor returned to his na- tive city, and established himself in a real estate business which he conducted until his death. Very successful in his operations, Mr. O'Connor conducted them on a high plane, and sought to keep himself thoroughly informed as to relative values of property. More prop- erty was handled by him than any other real 43
estate dealer in the city, and he made a name that stood for probity and uprightness. While he was successful, Mr. O'Connor would have amassed more wealth had he not been so chari- table, for whenever he found that one of his clients needed the money, he was willing to give up his own profit in order to add to the pur- chase price the needy one would receive. Truly . philanthropic, he assisted anyone needing his help at the expense of his own interests, and no one could influence his judgment with regard to property, or induce him to alter his opinion regarding its true value. His statements re- garding property were always open and candid and consequently could be relied upon without fear. Above the average man in every respect, Mr. O'Connor raised a high standard in his business world, and one his associates have been endeavoring to reach. His death occurred Janu- ary 19, 1914, and his loss was a public one, and has been felt accordingly. In addition to his business interests, Mr. O'Connor took great pleasure in his musical talent, and played the violin almost like a professional. In religious faith he was a Catholic, and carried his belief into his everyday life. A great lover of home, he took his recreation in his family circle.
On April 19, 1599, Mr. O'Connor was married at Bloomington, Ill., to Katherine Hennessy, a daughter of Edward and Delia (Murry) Hen- nessy, natives of Ireland who came to the United States in their youth. They located at Bloomington, Ill., where they were married. Mr. Hennessy was a plasterer by trade. Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor became the parents of the following children : Charles Edward, who was born No- vember 10, 1902 : George William, who was born December 5, 1904: and Joseph Merle, who was born April 8. 1905, all at Bloomington. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. O'Connor was a Mod- ern Woodinan.
1290
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
WATTS FINLEY.
It is given to some men to live long enough to witness mighty changes, greater than ever visioned by them during the days of their forceful, ambitious youth. All of this class, however, do not have the satisfaction of know- ing that they have borne their part in the de- velopment of their communities, and through publie spirited self sacrifice and civic pride, brought about these very changes which are recognized as so eminently desirable. It takes more than the desire to do good and accomplish something worth while, however. The will to be a person of merit is not sufficient. In order to attain to the best results, a man must also possess capability, energy and aptness to either direct compelling forces, or carry out the ideas of executive powers. One of the representative men of Vermilion County, whose services in re- lation to agricultural development cannot be forgotten, was the late Watts Finley, for some years prior to his death, a resident of Hoopes- ton, but for many years a leading farmer of Grant Township.
Mr. Finley was born near Lawrenceville, Rip- ley County, Ind., November 4, 1833, a son of David and Nancy (Miller) Finley, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively. Un- til 1834, the family resided near the Miami River in Indiana, but in that year moved to what is now the site of Catlin, Vermilion County, Ill. As but two years had elapsed since the Black Hawk War, many evidences remained of the Indians, although no savage ones remained to disturb the settlers. Deer were found in abundance. as well as other kinds of wild game. Railroads yet lay unborn in the minds of their promoters, and the pioneers of Vermilion County suffered hardships inci- dent from being so far removed from centers of civilization. David Finley was a man who always was interested in public constructive measures, and was a successful agriculturist until his death, which occurred in 1853, when he was seventy-three years old. Ilis wife died when sixty-six years old. both dying in the month of August, and just three days apart.
Watts Finley was the youngest of seventeen children, including two pairs of twins. All of this family has departed this life, but those who grew to maturity wore useful men and women. Watts was but six months old when brought to Vermilion County, and he grew up
within its confines, assisting in the manage- ment of the homestead until he lost his parents. His education was obtained is. a little log school house, a frame one later replacing it, and in the summer he worked in the field. In the spring of 1855, he, with his brother, Miller T., and a sister, Nancy, who later became the wife of Captain Fraser, moved to a farm where he lived for four years. He then bought 240 acres in Grant Township, and having married, settled on his property. For many years Mr. Finley was associated with the farming interests of his county, he carrying on general farming and stock raising. As his money accumulated, he invested in land until he had 740 acres on sec- tions 24 and 25, Grant Township. When he first retired from his agricultural life, he moved to Fairbury, Livingston County, Ill., but after four years came back to Vermilion County, and locating at Hoopeston, there lived until his death November 25, 1907, when he was seventy- four years old.
On April 17, 1859, Watts Finley was married to Miss Margaret P. Davis, born April 16, 1834, in Ohio, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amaziah Davis, pioneers of Vermilion County, where Mrs. Davis lived to the extreme age of ninety- one years. Mrs. Finley died in 1895, having born her husband three children, namely : Mary, Charles and one deceased. Mary married A. M. Honeywell, of Hoopeston, and they had the following children : Gilbert, Helen, Mar- garet and Marie. Charles married Addie Reece and their children are as follows: Marion, Margaret and Watts. He is now engaged in conducting the homestead of his father. On November 3, 1895, Mr. Finley married Leah MI. Hamilton, a daughter of Andrew and Susan (Summers) Hamilton, natives of Adams County, Ohio, from which state they moved to Indiana. and there Mr. Hamilton was farmer. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are now deceased.
A contemporary biographer in writing of Mr. Finley prior to his demise, stated :
"In his business affairs he has been very successful and all that he possesses is the re- ward of his own enterprise and labor. He cer- tainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished and his life should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. In politics he has always been a Re- publican, interested in the success of his party,
Halls Finley
1291
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
but has never been an office seeker. Both of his wives were members of the Methodist Church and he has been a liberal contributor to church work and to other interests which he believes will prove of value to the community. Mr. Finley is one of the oldest residents of this section of Illinois. Continuously connected with its development and improvement, he has watched its progress from pioneer times and has taken an active and helpful interest in much that has pertained to the general good
and the substantial apbuilding of Vermilion County."
Mr. Finley had inany and varied interests, for he loved music, the companionship of his friends and the extension of his hospitality to those who gathered at his home. A man of strong social proclivities, he took his greatest pleasure in his home, and was loved and honored by his family, as he was esteemed in his community, for he was a person who commanded the high- est confidence from all who knew him.
CHARLES BUFORD SHEPHERD.
There are some men who in their lives prove that it is not impossible to carry into their busi- ness operations the instincts and practices of the true gentlemen. Belonging to the old school of courtesy, they do not confine their gentle bearing to social activities, but render and in- sist upon receiving that same measure of polite- ness in their business transactions. While some contend that modern life is too complex and competition is too great to admit of the inter- . change of those courtesies that gentlemen recog- nize as necessary and obligatory, those who are to the manor born, recognize that once a gentle- man, always a gentleman. The records of the business transactions of some of these men of the old school, are illuminating, for they prove that real, sincere politeness pays, and that a man does not relinquish any of his strength or forceful action because he remembers at all times that he is a gentleman. One of the men whose long and successful career as a business man demonstrated this fact, was the late Charles Buford Shepherd, who for more than a score of years was a potent factor in certain lines of activity at Chicago.
Charles Buford Shepherd was born at Hop- kinsville, Ky., November 25, 1844. a son of Charles A. and Susan (Hopson) Shepherd, na- tives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The father was a planter of some note in the vicinity of Hopkinsville. He died at Fresno, Cal.
Educated in the public schools of his native state, Mr. Shepherd was preparing for a life of usefulness in connection with his father's estate when the Civil War broke out, and he ran away from home to offer his services to the cause he espoused. After the close of hostilities, he went to Louisville, where he became clerk of the Appellate court. . In 1502, he came to Chicago, and associated himself with what is now the Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company, as a sales-
man in the natural gas department. While thus acting he made a record of sales that was astounding. Later he was given charge of sup- plying restaurants and similar establishments with illuminating gas and appliances. His re- markable success resulted in his connection with the Humphrey Water Heater Company in con- junction with the Peoples Gas Light & Coke Company, he handling all the sales of this de- partment, and working up an immense trade. It is not too much to say that Mr. Shepherd outdistanced his associates in the matter of sales to such an extent that he was regarded as the leader in his line. His death occurred April 27, 1914, while he was in the midst of a happy, useful life, and he was buried at Louis- ville, Ky., on May 1.
Mr. Shepherd was married (first) to Miss Polly Adams of Louisville, Ky., by whom he had four children, as follows: Milo, who is de- ceased; Mary Walker, who is deceased ; George ; and Katherine, who is Mrs. Philip Knisely of Ogden, Utah. Mrs. Shepherd died in 1884. On July 12, 1SS7, Mr. Shepherd married (second) Miss Louisa Munday of Indiana, a daughter of Reuben and Elenor (Waeir) Munday, na- tives of Kentucky and Indiana. Mr. Mun- day was a grain dealer. There were no chil- dren by this second marriage. Mr. Shepherd was essentially a home man and a lover of domesticity. His many excellent traits of char- acter and heart were never displayed to better advantage than in his home circle, and his friends delighted in enjoying his warm-hearted hospitality, which was dispensed with true Southern lavishness. Outside of his business cares, Mr. Shepherd had few interests in addi- tion to his home ties, but he made and retained countless friends, for his was a nature that sought and won the esteem and affection of his associates.
1292
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
FRANK HERBERT WARREN.
Aggressive methods, keen insight into commer- cial conditions, a thorough and far-reaching appreciation of the needs of the trade, are characteristics that develop a man into a suc- cessful factor in the business life of any com- munity, and result in the establishment and growth of some of the immense concerns of the country. Conditions today are so complex, com- petition is so intense, and the needs of the world increasing rapidly, so that every branch of in- dustrial and commercial life feels the impetus of the age. The day of slow and sure business policies is gone. Great enterprises are con- ducted along entirely different lines from those pursued a quarter of a century ago, but the older ones have attained to their present pros- perity through the manipulations of the captains of industry, who, their work completed. have passed from their sphere of usefulness, leaving as a valued heritage, the firm foundations upon which their business houses have been erected. There is no house of its kind in the country which stands higher, or whose name is asso- ciated with more honorable methods than that of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of Chicago. One of the men who was responsible for much of its later development, and who for nearly a quarter of a century assisted in shaping its policy, was the late Frank Herbert Warren, its vice president.
Mr. Warren was born at Buffalo, N. Y., May 14, 1851, a son of Francis W. and Lucy (For- bush) Warren, natives of Stow, Mass. The father was in early life a railroad man, but later on, engaged very extensively in farming operations, thus continuing until his death in 1896. The mother died in 1860. Frank H. War- ren attended the public schools of Stow, Mass., and when only eighteen years old, came as far west as Detroit, Mich., where he associated himself with C. B. James & Co., hardware mer-
chants. This connection lasted seven years, and during that period Mr. Warren proved his met- tle, and made himself a useful factor in the business. In 1878 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., to be associated with the Wyeth Hardware Co., as general manager and buyer. He also later held the same relations with Shultz & Hosea of the same place, continuing with this latter con- cern for thirteen years. In the meanwhile his capabilities and forceful personality brought him to the attention of Chicago business men, and in 1891, he was offered the position of buyer for Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of Chicago, and later was made vice president of the company. From then on until his death on January 20, 1914, he remained with the com- pany, and his demise was keenly felt by the business world.
On February 27, 1873, Mr. Warren was mar- ried to Sarah Jane Wheeler of West Acton, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Warren became the par- ents of the following children : Irene, who mar- ried Trigg Waller of Chicago, has a daughter, Mary Trigg Waller; Mary Elizabeth, who is at home; Frank Herbert, who married Lucy Palmer; and Walter Garfield, who married Florence Best, has two children-Florence Starl- ing and Frank Herbert III. Mr. Warren was a member of the Congregational, Union League and Exmoor Country clubs, and was a man widely known and deeply appreciated in his social as well as commercial relations. A man of broad sympathies, he made friends wherever he went, and retained them through life. Con- centrating his interest on his business, he had but little time or inclination for public life, but upheld the better element in civic affairs, and in his own quiet way, he was very charitable, although many of his benefactions never were known.
WILLIAM MANGLER.
History relates countless instances of men who have attained more than the usual measure of success, who, beginning at the bottom of life's ladder, have worked themselves to the top without outside assistance. Such men possess peculiar qualities, for, in order to have accom- plished what they did. it was necessary for them to be self-reliant. capable, honorable and ener- getic. Through patient utilization of whatever
opportunities came their way, these men, of all climes and ages, distanced their associates and became leaders instead of workers in the ranks of the industrial army. Chicago has for many years been the field of operation of many ag- gressively successful men, and one who essen- tially belonged to this class was the late William Mangler, one-time allerman, publie offi- cial and successful business man.
Milliam . Mangler
1293
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
William Manger was born at Massillon, Ohio, May 26, 1854. His parents were natives of Ger- many, who first located at Massillon, Ohio, where the father passed away. The mother, whose maiden name was Rosalie Mantz, brought her little son to Chicago in 1857. He attended the public schools until eleven years of age, when he began to be self-supporting in the employ of the Adams & Westlake Company. So faithful was he in the discharge of the various duties assigned to him, that he rose rapidly, and continued his association with this concern for twenty-five years, retiring as manager. His political activity resulted in his being elected to the city council to represent the Twenty-first ward, and he proved himself a public-spirited official. During the last term of the late Carter H. Harrison as mayor, Mr. Mangler was made oil inspector. With the termination of his pe- riod of office, Mr. Mangler established himself in business as a caterer, operating under the name of The Mangler Catering Company (incor- porated), although he and his family owned all of the stock. He continued to conduct this large
and flourishing business until the time of his death, and since then it has been continued under the original style by his three sous, his widow owning all of the stock.
On June 5, 1857, Mr. Mangler was married to Miss Minule Roelle, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Simon) Roelle, early residents of Chi- cago. Mr. and Mrs. Mangler became the par- ents of five children: William Adams, Albert Howard, Robert Hopkins, Marion McCormick and Frederick Jones, Mr. Mangler belonged to Covenant Lodge, A. F. &. A. M., and attained to the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He also belonged to the Knights of Fythias. Socially, he was a life member of the Illinois Athletic Club. In religious belief, Mr. Mangler was an Episcopalian. A man of unassuming manner, Mr. Mangler won and retained friends. His sterling honesty and rigid uprightness of pur- pose made him trusted by all who knew him, and his keen business sense rendered him valu- able in any line in which he chose to direct bis efforts.
ENOCH A. WHIPPLE.
To give adequate expression to the influence a man exerts over his fellows, it is necessary to delve into the motives which inspired him and the circumstances under which he acted. This is seldom done while a man is living, but after he has passed from this phase of existence, his contemporaries are better able to judge his character rationally, and form a fair estimate of him and his work. Judged in such a man- ner the late Enoch A. Whipple shows up very advantageously for he was a man of alert capability who acted from the best of motives and faithfully performed whatever duties were laid upon his shoulders. His business associa- tions brought him to Chicago where for years he was connected with several of the larger hotels of this city. Mr. Whipple was born at Jefferson, Wis., December 21, 1851, a son of Zebulon and Helen M. ( Brown) Whipple.
After completing his preliminary studies in the Jefferson public schools, Mr. Whipple at- tended the Jefferson Liberal Institute and took a business course at a Chicago commercial col- lege. His business career commenced when he entered The National Bank of Jefferson as a clerk and he left that institution only to come to Chicago in 1872, to engage in a lum- ber business which he conducted for three years,
when he entered the employ of Drake, Potter & Co., proprietors of the Grand Pacific Hotel, first as night clerk from 1875 to 1878, when he was made bookkeeper and cashier, so continu- ing until 1SS9. With the opening of the Audi- torium Hotel, Mr. Whipple entered the employ of Breslin and Southgate, and continued with this firm until 1802, when he entered into part- nership with J. M. Lee of the Victoria Hotel, but dissolved this connection to become assistant manager of the Great Northern Hotel in 1894, and so continued until 1899, when he was made manager of the Grand Pacific Hotel, which position he was holding at the time of his death.
On July 11, 1892, Mr. Whipple was married at Chicago, to Elizabeth J. Fitzgerald, and they became the parents of the following children : Richard Gerald and Zebulon Willis. The family residence is at No. 1818 Leland avenue, Ravens- wood, where Mrs. Whipple has lived since Mr. Whipple's death. In politics Mr. Whipple was a Republican and took an intelligent interest in local affairs, but aside from giving the candi- dates of his party his support, he did not enter into public life. In religious faith he was a Catholic and he lived up to his belief.
1294
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
CHARLES J. WELDEN.
The men who have given of their energy, skill, ambitious vigor and enthusiasm to build up a business are the benefactors of a com- munity, and their names cannot be held in too high esteem. In every undertaking there must be a logical beginning, and the man who lays the foundations of what afterwards becomes a large and flourishing concern, has the courage of his convictions, and unlimited faith in the future of the city he chooses as the scene of his operations. The late Charles J. Welden was a man whose keen business insight looked far beyond the narrow horizon of today, and easily read the signs of a dawning tomorrow. To him belongs the distinction of building to its present proportions the factory that bears his name, and is the largest of its kind in northern Illi- nois. His work is accomplished, his day ended, and all that is mortal of him is at rest, but the result of his planning, his sacrifices and development, live today, and, under the wise management of his capable widow, continue to occupy a leading position in the business world. Mr. Welden was born in Rockford. Ill., March 16, 1858, and died in the same city, October 1, 1909. He was a son of John and Honor ( Hole- bam) Welden, pioneers of Winnebago County. Both died at Rockford, the father some twenty years before the mother. Mr. Welden was the sixth in order of birth of the nine children born to his parents. His family being agricultur- Ists, thus he was reared amid healthy, rural sur- roundings.
Prior to attaining his majority, Mr. Welden had learned the trade of carriage and wagon- making, and as soon as his means justified, established a small business, in 1879, for the purpose of building and repairing carriages and wagons, on the site of the Mead block. This continued to be the site of the factory until 1906, when he bought the old Evangelical Ger- man church at Nos. 421-3 Chestnut street, re- building it to become his permanent plant. In the meantime he had branched out until his output embraced the building of fine fire appara- tus, ambulances, hearses and all kinds of rough and fine work for automobiles, it now being the leading concern of its kind in this part of the state. In conjunction with the regular work, he
built the fire apparatus for Rockford, and for Burlington, Iowa, and De Kalb and Belvidere, Ill. When death closed his activities, Mrs. Welden stepped into the breach, and has proven herself fully capable of conducting the large business affairs left to her charge, and super- intends the office work and the buying of sup- plies.
On April 27, 1890, Mr. Welden married Sarah Corcoran, born in Rockford, in 1864. She is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (MeDurmott) Corcoran, natives of Ireland, who came to Win- nebago County about 1856. The father died in 1900, but his widow survives, making her home with Mrs. Welden. Mr. Corcoran was a ma- chinist. Mr. and Mrs. Welden became the par- ents of the following children : Rose Mary, born September 9, 1891; Honore Elmore, born Janu- ary 8, 1896, and Charles J., born February 11, 1898. While engaged in securing a liberal edu- cation, Charles J. Welden is acquiring a knowl- edge of the business his father established, with the intention of continuing it.
While a Republican, Mr. Welden took no active part in politics, all of his energies being conserved for his business. Ile was a Catholic, as are the members of his family, and lived out in his everyday life the belief of his faith. Mr. Welden belonged to the Catholic Order of For- esters, and took pleasure in this association. A self-made man in the truest conception of the word, Mr. Welden developed his natural abilities until he was one of the foremost busi- ness men of Rockford. Yet, while always striv- ing to expand his business, he never forgot the claims of his family, or the ties of friendship, and few men had a wider circle of attachment than had this kindly, generous man, who gave much and asked for but little in return. It is such men as he who form the backbone of true Americanism. From the sturdy efforts of such men as he eventuate modern inventions, and appliances to increase the comfort and luxury of the masses. Rockford could little afford to lose a man of this type. Perhaps in a broader field of endeavor he may be bringing to further 'perfection those qualities which so endeared him to family and friends on earth. 1
- -
5210
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.