USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 20
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For a short time young John assisted his father in the busi- ness at White Lake, and then came to Chicago, entering the em- ploy of the Dalton Brothers in 1866, with whom he remained three years as office and errand boy, at the same time learning the lum- ber business. So attentive did he show himself to the business, and so bright were his ideas, that at the end of that time he was offered a position as yard foreman and salesman by Hartman & Graham, and in that capacity he continued for five years, at the end of which time, his reputation was such in the lumber world both as a business man and a judge of lumber, that he was offered the vice presidency of the B. L. Anderson Company and held that position for five years, when he went into partnership with Mr. Doyle and opened a yard under the firm name of Doyle & O'Brien, on Archer Avenue. This firm remained in existence three years, when Mr. Doyle retired, and the firm of O'Brien, Green & Company was formed, consisting of Mr. O'Brien, George Green and George G. Wilcox. Mr. Green retiring in 1893, the corporation now widely known as the John O'Brien Lumber Company was formed. The firm does an enormous lumber business, buying each year from ten to twelve million logs which are sawed in their own mills and shipped to their yards in Chicago. In fact, as before mentioned, there is but one lumber yard in Chicago which can show a larger volume of business than is done by the John O'Brien Lumber Company.
Mr. O'Brien was married to Miss Mary Lane in 1870, and they have had nine children-three boys and six girls. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, belongs to the Sheridan Club, and in politics is a strong Cleveland Democrat, believing that the Democratic party will make a grave mistake if they favor the 16 to 1 idea, as the American people cannot afford to be dishonest.
His reputation as a business man has been won by sterling qualities of head and heart. The honest purposes upon which his
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life has been regulated he looks for in others and in the business world the word of John O'Brien is as good as another's bond. In manner ever genial and pleasant, his friends are many and are attached to him by sentiments of the highest respect and truest esteem.
DAVID LANDRETH O'NEILL.
The subject of the present sketch, whose general popularity throughout the community was evinced by his election recently as secretary of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, was born in Phila- delphia, Pa., April 23d, 1853, his parents being Thomas and Rose Ann (Blunden) O'Neill. Thomas O'Neill was also a native of Phil- adelphia, while his father, John O'Neill, was born in County Kerry, Ireland. Thomas O'Neill still resides in Philadelphia, where he is a prominent citizen and held in the highest respect, having been connected with the well known seed house of David Landreth & Sons for over fifty-five years. He is the author of a book called Reason, Religion and Science, which received very great commen- dation. -
David Landreth O'Neill attended the public schools and the La Salle College of Philadelphia, later taking a course at the College of the Holy Cross, of Worcester, Mass. At the age of eighteen a position was secured by him in a hardware store in Philadelphia, where he remained until 1880, when he decided to locate in Chicago. Ilis first employment in this city was with the hardware house of Orr & Lockett, where he remained as salesman for two years, he then finding a position with William Blair & Co., and at the
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end of four years was promoted to be manager of the city depart- ment. When William Blair & Co. sold out in 1891 to Horton, Gilmore, McWilliams & Co., Mr. O'Neill retained his position with the new concern, and is now one of its most responsible and valued officials.
Mr. O'Neill was married. April 13th, 1887, to Kate Carmody, a Chicago lady, and they have a family of two children. In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic and a member of the con- gregation of St. Jarlath's Church, while in his political affiliations he is independent.
Mr. O'Neill is a valued member of the Royal League and Vice President of the Vernon Council, which has no less than five hun- dred members, while as before mentioned, he was lately elected secretary of the state organization of the Catholic Benevolent Legion.
MICHAEL RYAN.
Michael Ryan, who was for many years Alderman for the Fif- teenth Ward, was born Easter Sunday, 1846, in Tipperary, Ireland, of which his father, Michael, and his mother, Catherine (Gleeson) Ryan, were both natives. The little schooling which our subject was fortunate enough to receive, was obtained in the public schools of his native place, but at the early age of twelve he was compelled to leave his home and to set out for Cincinnati, Ohio, to join an elder brother, who, having preceded him some years before, was engaged in the plumbing business in that city. Arrived there, he at once began, under his brother's direction, to learn that trade, at which he worked for seven years in that city.
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A move was made by him to Chicago, in 1867, and having ob- tained employment for three years in the plumbing business, he embarked in business on his own account in 1870. The following year, his brother, Thomas Ryan, came from St. Joseph, Mo., and they went into business together on Milwaukee Avenue, and so remained until 1895, when the latter retired, and M. Ryan took his son, Michael T., into partnership.
From early youth Mr. Ryan had taken a great interest in poli- tics, and particularly in such matters as were of interest to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Wards and the northwest portion of the city. Always devoted to the principles of the Democratic party, he has been active for its interests, and being a bright and energetic worker, he quickly attracted the attention of the leaders of his ward, and received, in 1874, the nomination for the office of Alderman. He was elected without difficulty, and during the next seventeen years held the office, being re-elected for ensuing terms of two years each. While in the City Council he was a recognized power and served on all of the important committees. Great in- terest was shown by him in the Chicago Drainage question, and he was also a member of the World's Fair Committee from the Board of Aldermen. Unceasingly he has striven for the interest of his own district, and every improvement that section is most proud of owes a great deal to his unremitting labors, for during his long term of office he has caused no less than $15,000,000 to be expended on the public improvements of his district.
Mr. Ryan married Annie Feeney, August 17th, 1865, in Cincin- nati, Ohio. The lady was a native of Roscrea, Tipperary, Ireland, and they have had thirteen children, of whom six are living-James J. is a lawyer; Michael T. is in business with his father; Robert E .; Sarah; John M .; and Mary C.
When the Irish American Club was in existence, Mr. Ryan was a prominent member. He is also a member of many beneficiary
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societies. He has traveled extensively both in this country and in Europe, and in religion is a Roman Catholic and a member of the congregation of St. Sylvester's Church.
A man of strong personality, pleasing manner, and ever liberal and courteous treatment, he possesses a host of friends, who esteem him for his many good personal qualities, and have infinite respect for his strong business qualifications.
HENRY POWERS.
Henry Powers was born about sixty years ago in the County of Tipperary, Ireland, his parents being John and Mary (Conners) Powers. The father was a prominent man in his section of the country and a warm friend and admirer of Daniel O'Connell. He married Mary Conners, a member of a distinguished Tipperary family and at the age of fifty-two died in 1871.
The subject of the present sketch attended the national schools of his native town and received instruction from private tutors until he was seventeen years of age, when he went to work for his father, an extensive butcher and packer at Nenagh and who was accustomed to visit the various fairs for the purpose of buying hogs. At that time he became well acquainted with the Hon. J. F. Fin- erty, who was attending school in that town, and also with Alder- man Michael Ryan. With his father he remained until he was twenty-one years of age, when he married Jane Darcy, one of old and honorable stock, her family having for five generations in suc- cession kept a hotel. They have had ten children, four living,
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among whom is Harry Powers, the popular representative of Hoo- ley's Theater.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Henry Powers embarked in busi- ness for himself, and in 1865 sailed for America and located in Chi- cago, where he went into the butcher business. Very considerable success has crowned his efforts and since that time he has conduct- ed meat markets in several portions of the city.
In his religion Mr. Powers is a Roman Catholic and belongs to the Cathedral of the Holy Name parish. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and for six years has been treasurer of the Sacred Heart Court No. 3. A Democrat in his political views, he has at all times strongly interested himself in all Irish affairs, and his opinions are sought and respected among the large circle of friends he has in his many years in Chicago managed to acquire.
THEODORE G. CASE.
Theodore G. Case, it is almost unnecessary to state, is among the leaders of the Chicago bar, and he takes that rank not only from his versatile abilities and the masterly and eloquent power, which has gained for him the distinction of being perhaps the best cross examiner in the West, but also because to him is due the short cause calendar law, by virtue of which over fifty thousand law suits have been finally disposed of and the laws' delays overcome.
He was born in Castleton, Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1853, receiving his education in the Collegiate Institute, Newton, N. Y., and afterwards in the University of Michigan, whence he gradu-
cordially
yours Theodore
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ated in 1870 as a pharmaceutical chemist. For a while he was in- terested in railroad construction in Texas, but in 1873 he decided to study law, towards which he unquestionably had a strong natural bent. The practical study of that profession was com- menced by him with Linn & Babbitt of Jersey City and later on he was with the Hon. William M. Evarts, at the same time attend- ing the law school of New York City. He devoted special atten- tion to corporation law, in which he speedily became quite an expert, so much so, indeed, that after a short period of general practice in New York he obtained the position of general counsel to the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad Company, and conse- quently found it necessary to remove in 1878 to Green Bay, Wis- consin. On the re-organization of the company into the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railroad Company, Mr. Case became its general attorney. In the position of attorney for the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company he was engaged to foreclose the first and second mortgages upon the railroad and other appurtenances of the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad Company, and obtained the decree for his client of over six million dollars, notwithstand- ing that the chief legal talent of the state was employed against him.
In 1884 Mr. Case was retained by the bondholders of the St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad Company, and in conse- quence of the onerous duties involved, resigned his position with the Wisconsin road and removed to St. Louis. Two years later he came to Chicago, and speedily took his place among the lead- ing lights of the Chicago bar. As a special pleader he possesses few equals. His eloquence and skill in marshalling all the salient facts and circumstances, combined with eminent logical and dia- lectical ability have won for him many a case; his voice, too, though persuasive and well modulated, is powerful and ringing as the occasion demands. Among the celebrated cases in the
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annals of Chicago's courts that have secured for Mr. Case a lasting renown may be mentioned the Bowman divorce and the Henry Schwartz litigations. The latter has passed into history as one of the most remarkable trials on circumstantial evidence on record. To quote from a review published after the trial: "His defense in the case of Henry Schwartz, who was charged, in connection with Newton Wall, with the murder of Kellogg Michaels, the ex- press messenger on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and for the robbery of the safe of the United States Express Com- pany, was a masterpiece. The trial lasted six weeks, Mr. Case being leading counsel for the defense; his cross-examination was reaching and effectual and displayed the greatest legal acumen. His closing address, lasting four hours, was brilliant, fervid and convincing, and, it is universally conceded, saved his client from the gallows." The well remembered case of Jessie Krueger against the West Chicago Street Railroad Company may also be mentioned, in which the girl sued the company for damages for the loss of one leg near the thigh, securing a verdict from the jury of $50,000, one of the highest awards for damages recorded, a vic- tory that added another link to the already large chain of tri- umphs of the subject of this sketch, more especially as Mr. Case had the eloquence and skill of Senator William E. Mason arrayed against him. In the defense of Peter Madden, also, who was in- dicted under what is known in Illinois as the "Habitual Criminal Act," Mr. Case raised legal points in his defense that completely revolutionized the customary practice in the criminal courts of Chicago, by compelling the prosecution to try prisoners at or be- fore their second term after the commitment of such prisoners to the county jail had taken place.
Mr. Case is a Republican in politics and has frequently given his time and talents to promote the best interests of his party; these have been highly appreciated, as he is considered one of the
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most forcible and eloquent platform speakers. Three times the nomination for Congress has been tendered him, and twice he has been urgently requested to accept a judgeship, but has been forced to refuse those honors on account of the onerous and exact- ing duties in connection with his practice.
Theodore G. Case is senior partner in the firm of Case & Hogan. The ancestors of Mr. Case, on the father's side, came to this coun- try many generations back; but it is to the Cornells, on the moth- er's side, to whom he owes what Irish blood he is proud to possess.
Mr. Case has allowed himself the time to cross the ocean twice, visiting the leading cities and points of interest in Europe on both occasions. He is a man of fine physique and of command- ing presence, of courteous manners and warm-hearted disposition, his kind heart and love of justice and right having been shown in many of the cases he has handled; more prominently, perhaps, in the case of Jessie Krueger, just referred to, and also in his efforts to imprint the short cause calendar law among the statutes of our state, not so much for his own advantage as for the benefit of the public generally. Those admirable traits of mind and heart are warmly attested to by his host of devoted friends, who respect and honor him not merely for his professional abilities, but his high personal qualities.
JAMES PEEVEY.
Ex-Alderman James Peevey was born in the city of Waterford, Ireland, in the year 1846. His parents were John and Mary (Fitz- gerald) Peevey, his mother being a native of Waterford, and his father born in England. The latter, however, was an Irishman
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at heart, and it was his public advocacy of Ireland's rights that forced him to leave Waterford. At this time in 1848-James Peevey was but two years of age; he sailed for America with his father and the late Mark Sheridan. Having settled in St. Louis, the subject of this sketch was educated there at the Christian Brothers College, which he left at eighteen, going to California and there remaining a couple of years. Returning to St. Louis, he en- gaged extensively in the cattle business, buying and shipping to Chicago. On one of his visits to this city, he came to the conclu- sion to remain, believing that Chicago afforded him larger oppor- tunities for a business enterprise of the character he was handling. He immediately took up his residence and established himself in business. The cattle trade prospered and upon the opening of the Jackson Street Market, Mr. Pcevey located in one of the depart- ments and began a flourishing business in the wholesale beef line, transacting some of the largest deals in the trade, in one week alone killing and disposing of 1,800 cattle. At last a change came, and as the result of several unfortunate investments, he became a victim to the ups and downs so generally incidental to commercial life. His manliness and high principles now came to the front, and so soon as his energies could once place him on his feet, every dollar of his liabilities was paid. The natural result fol- lowed, that no man ever possessed a higher reputation in the busi- ness history of the stock yards, and no one was able to secure quicker or better credit. Similar esteem was given him in general social circles, and in the high feelings of honor and respect his family of course participated.
Mr. Peevey's entry into the political field took place in 1880, and at a time when it was regarded as positively hopeless for a Democrat to look for any recognition in the Ninth Ward. His party in that locality, however, decided upon Mr. Peevey as their candidate for alderman, depending entirely on his personal popu-
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larity, his well known honesty of purpose, and the untiring energy which had ever characterized him to secure success at the polls. Mr. Peevey was sucessful and obtained election by a substantial majority, a result which was a practical illustration of the popular personal regard in which he was held. His record in the Council was a thorough confirmation of what was expected, and so en- deared him to his constituents that his re-election to the Council was carried by an overwhelming majority.
During the few years preceding his death, which occurred July 18th, 1896, Mr. Peevey's interest in political matters was but slight, for his time was devoted to the commission business and the pleas- ures and peace of a home his hard work had made, and the enjoy- ment of the universal respect and esteem his life had so well de- served.
Ex-Alderman Peevey married, in 1868, Elizabeth Wall, a na- tive of County Cork, Ireland, and they have had one daughter, who with her mother are left to mourn an irreparable loss.
JOHN JOSEPH REILLY.
John Joseph Reilly was born in Chicago, January 1st, 1865. His parents were John and Esther (McCain) Reilly, natives respect- ively of Kildare and Queen's Counties, Ireland. His father was by occupation a locomotive engineer, who having brought his family to the United States in 1848 settled first in Cincinnati and then moved to Chicago in 1861, dying in this city in 1892, his wife having preceded him the previous year.
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The subject of this sketch obtained his early education in the public and parochial schools of Chicago. His schooling finished at the age of seventeen, he secured a position in the stock yards as yardmaster and held the same for six years, leaving it to enter the government service, a position he had obtained by publie ex- amination in 1889, passing very creditably and receiving the ap- pointment of Examiner of Customs.
In 1892 Mr. Reilly was one of a class of seventy-five men exam- ined to select custom examiners for the World's Fair and out of that number Mr. Reilly passed the best examination and received the first appointment. Consequently he examined and appraised everything sold on the Midway Plaisance during the World's Co- lumbian Exposition, besides examining goods in other parts of the Fair, and at the close he appraised and put values on all abandoned goods which were sold at public auction.
In the fall of 1894 Mr. Reilly was a candidate for the Legisla- ture from the Thirteenth Senatorial District, but was not success- ful. Mr. Reilly was employed in the County Treasurer's office for a short time in 1895, but resigned to resume his old work in the Custom Department, where it is his duty to examine all the leaf tobacco and cigars that come into this port. He was a prominent member of the Ilibernian Rifles until they were taken in as part of the National Guard, when he resigned to join the Chicago Zou- aves. Later he became a member of the famous Illinois Zouaves, of which he is vice-president at the present time, and was one of the famous drill team of twenty-six men who traveled all over the country winning prizes. It visited Omaha, Kansas City, Washing- ton, Little Rock, New York, and St. Louis, and was successful at every place, with the exception of the last mentioned.
As yet unmarried, he is a member of several friendly societies, including the Royal League and the National Benevolent League.
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DENNIS PAUL RUSSELL, M. D.
The subject of this sketch, Dennis Paul Russell, M. D., was born in Chicago, May 18th, 1860, his parents being John S. and Margaret (Cicela) Russell. His grandfather, Dennis Russell, a na- tive of County Tipperary, Ireland, was a general in the English service and served throughout the Crimean War. Afterwards tak- ing up the profession of civil engineer, he had come to America and settled in New York State. His son, John S. Russell, the father of Dr. Russell, had come to Chicago in 1844 and became a promi- nent builder and contractor. He married Margaret Cicela, a na- tive of Connaught, Ireland, one of whose immediate ancestors-also in the British service-had been a general in the Crimean War. Another uncle, Don Miguel McMahon, who had gone to Mexico be- fore the time of Maximilian and invested extensively in mines, is at the present time Secretary of the Navy for the Mexican gov- ernment.
In his youth Dr. Russell attended the public schools of Chicago, from which, in 1877, at the age of seventeen, he graduated. IIe then entered the Jesuit College at Georgetown, graduating in 1880. Having taken later a course at the College of Pharmacy in Chicago, he graduated in 1883 and then entered Rush Medical Col- lege, from which he graduated also in 1890 and began the practice of the profession he had chosen.
Dr. Russell was married December 13th, 1886, to Laura L. Cone, of Chicago.
A member of all the leading Irish and Catholic organizations, Dr. Russell, who holds the position of Surgeon of the Clan-Na-Gael Guards, takes a lively interest in all Irish matters.
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In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic and belongs to the congregation of the Holy Family Church, while in politics he is a Democrat with very strong silver proclivities. Broad in his views, Dr. Russell has had the benefit of considerable foreign travel and his earnestness in all his undertakings, his generous and kindly nature has won for him the affectionate regard of a host of friends.
COLONEL MARCUS KAVANAGH, JR.
Whether as soldier, prominent citizen, lawyer, thorough Amer- ican or patriotic son of the land of his fathers, it is difficult to know which to speak of first where Col. Marcus Kavanagh is con- cerned, for in each case he has gained the same enviable reputa- tion. He is a man born to lead, the possessor of a forceful· indi- viduality that absolutely commands respect; with positive ideas and a power of enforcing on others that must always assure him a strong place in any community, a man of most dignified appear- ance, but never failing courtesy.
The Colonel is still in the prime of early manhood. He was born September 3, 1859, of good Irish stock. His father, Marcus Kavanagh, was a native of County Wicklow, and his mother, Mary, daughter of Martin Hughes, from County Mayo. The name Marcus is evidently hereditary in the family, for the grand- father of the subject of our sketch-a native of County Wexford- was also so named. His father, a man in comfortable circum- stances, came to this country in 1850 and settled in Des Moines, Iowa, where Marcus Kavanagh, Jr., was born and received his
Marcus Kavanugh Jr.
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early education in its public schools. He afterwards went to Niagara University, where he graduated June, 1876, and grad- uated in law from the Iowa State University in 1878. He imme- diately began to practice law, and his ability and ready resource soon made for him considerable mark in his profession. Every case he took charge of was conducted conscientiously and most carefully, and while he has a natural courage, sufficient to provide him with resource in any emergency, yet ample preparation is be- stowed whenever the opportunity is accorded. He is a fine speaker, has a most excellent manner, and that peculiarly effec- tive power which is the result of a clever understanding of the circumstances, and an earnest conviction of the justice of the case.
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