USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 30
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Apart from his amazing activity and the responsibility of his duties in the special line we have mentioned, he is at the same time general agent for the Keystone Live Stock Car Company, which is operated over the Pennsylvania lines, and his work is as greatly appreciated in that connection as in any other in which he has engaged.
In his religious views Mr. O'Donnell is a Roman Catholic, and in his political opinion a warm Republican and protectionist. Hle is a member of the Sheridan Club and also of the Royal Arcanum.
Ile was married in 1867 to Margaret Pearson, of New Jersey,
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and they have had three children, two girls and a boy. One of his daughters is married to Mr. W. E. Dee, of Chicago, a contractor, and his son assists his father at the stock yards, and, whether in- herited or acquired, has already evinced considerable aptitude and ability in the business.
Mr. O'Donnell is a man of fine constitution and physique, in- deed had he not been the possessor of a sound body as well as sound mind, it would unquestionably have been impossible for him to accomplish all that he has succeeded in doing. Thoroughly do- mestic in his habits, he is at the same time of a most social and genial disposition, and nothing affords him greater pleasure than to gather around him his numerous and sincere friends.
JAMES J. RYAN.
James J. Ryan, another of Chicago's bright and promising young lawyers, was born in this city, July 17th, 1873. His father, Michael Ryan, is a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and came to this country about 1860, when only fourteen years of age, his first settlement being in Cincinnati, where he learned the trade of a plumber. Six years later the young man came to Chicago and worked success- fully at the business he had chosen for his life work. He is now the head of the well-known firm of M. Ryan & Sons on Milwaukee Avenue. He has been a member of the City Council some six or seven times. His wife, mother of James J., is also a native of Tip- perary, and came to Cincinnati when quite a girl, where she met and was eventually married to Mr. Ryan.
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The subject of this sketch received a four years' classical course at the Jesuit School of St. Mary's, Kansas, and afterwards a more strictly legal course at Notre Dame, Indiana, where he graduated. He was admitted to the bar immediately after leaving college and commenced active practice in connection with the well-known law firm of Goodrich, Vincent & Bradley, and is now with the firm of Ennis & Coburn.
He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and of St. Ignatius College Alumni.
Mr. Ryan has traveled extensively through the West and South, visiting every town and point of interest. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken an active interest in political affairs.
Mr. Ryan has always shown an ardent taste for literature of all kinds, especially, however, for subjects of a poetical and philo- sophical character, and even when at school was a contributor to some of the magazines; an essay on the subject of poetry attracted special interest and commendation. With these more esthetic tastes and inclinations, however, is united an energetic, industrious and persevering disposition, and so he is bound to succeed in the high profession he has chosen for his life work.
WILLIAM HENRY MUSHAM.
William Henry Musham, the First Assistant Marshal and In- spector of the Chicago Fire Department, was born February 9th, 1839, on State Street, near Kinzie Street, in the City of Chicago. His father was a native of Scotland, born there in 1800, and had,
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in following his occupation of sailor, met the mother of the subject of this sketch at Queenstown, Ireland. They were married and very soon afterwards left Ireland and moved to New York City, in 1829, thence to Buffalo, and afterwards, in 1836, settled in Chi- cago. The vessel on which they came to Chicago, the Charlotte, was one of the first to enter this port, and had, in the War of 1812, been one of Commodore Perry's fleet. For a while after his arrival here Mr. Musham, Sr., sailed the lakes, afterwards going into the ship rigging business, and later engaged in the teaming-business. He died in 1844, and being a man of kindly disposition and most excellent parts was universally regretted. His wife followed him in 1873, having received very severe injuries during the great Chi- cago fire in the preceding year.
The subject of this sketch received what education was then possible at the Chicago public schools, and at the age of seventeen became an apprentice to William H. Adam, a carpenter, and at nineteen years of age took up the business of journeyman car- penter. He joined the Volunteer Fire Department in 1855 as a member of Phoenix No. 8, being soon afterwards promoted to the position of pipeman, and later steward, at this time the most sought after position. With this company he remained until its disband- ment, October 23d, 1858, when he left the department and returned to his trade, but soon after the organization of the Little Giant Engine Company No. 8, February 13th, 1860, he once again entered the department as pipeman, remaining with it until 1865. While serving with this company he had a narrow escape for his life-a brick wall falling upon him, killing a companion, and he only es- caping by providential good fortune. Concluding finally that he ought to see a little of the country, he moved to Philadelphia, but Chicago associations proved too strong and to make his permanent home he returned in 1866 to this city, and was appointed first pipe- man in the paid Fire Department and assigned to T. B. Brown
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Engine Company No. 12. In 1868 the position of foreman of Little Giant Engine Company No. 6 was offered and accepted by him, and this he held until March 1st, 1872. When the great fire occurred his command and himself did noble service, they being the first to arrive at the fire at 9:30 o'clock on the night of October 7th, and working continuously until 3 o'clock the next afternoon, when, the fire being subdued, he was ordered home for a few hours' rest. Six and a half hours later, at 9:30 Sunday night, October 8th, his company was again summoned to fight the flames, and continued to work as long as it was able to do any service.
The Board of Fire Commissioners on March 1st, 1872, recognized his ability by promoting him to be Third Assistant Fire Marshal, in charge of the entire west division of the city, and he continued in charge of the Fourth Battalion until the spring of 1877, when he was transferred to the Second. Before leaving his old com- mand, the Fourth, the members showed their appreciation of him- self by presenting him with a silver tea set and a thirty-two cone fire hat. Mr. Musham was relieved of the command of the Second Bat- talion on May 1st, 1880, and appointed First Assistant Fire Mar- shal and Inspector of the department, which position he still most worthily fills. Chicago owes many of the valuable improvements which have taken place in her engine houses to his eminently prac- tical mind, and to his having taken entire superintendence of the building and repairing since his appointment as foreman of Little Giant Engine Co. No. 6 in 1868. Not merely is he the chief car- penter of this department, but everything therein passes under his immediate inspection, once every three months all the apparatus being inspected according to number, commencing with Engine Co. No. 1, the first day, and so on until the whole list is gone through.
First Assistant Marshal W. H. Musham is a man of medium height, and in build is slight and muscular, being eminently adapt- ed to the duties he has undertaken and in which he has attained
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so high a position. His personality is a most interesting one, cour- teous in his manner, always free, open and good natured, he pos- sesses a host of friends, not merely among his companions in the fire service, but throughout all sections of the great City of Chicago.
MAJOR LAWRENCE M. ENNIS.
Lawrence M. Ennis was born in Chicago, November 3d, 1859, his father, James Ennis, being a native of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, being born near the famed Vinegar Hill, March 27th, 1837. His ancestors were Spaniards, who, under Ferdinand De Ganzaga, came to Ireland in the fifteenth century and settled in County Wexford, the name for years being written De Ganzaga- Ennis. Of his immediate forefathers, several were killed at the battle of Vinegar Hill, in 1798. A grand-uncle, Murtaugh Ennis, enlisted in the English army and was the first Roman Catholic since the Reformation to obtain a commission in the English army for bravery on the field of battle. James Ennis married Mary A. Sex- ton, daughter of Stephen Sexton, of County Clare, a lady who was born in Chicago, September 14th, 1842.
The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the public schools and at St. Patrick's Academy, of Chicago, under the Chris- tian Brothers. He was graduated from the North Division High School, June 27th, 1877, and was the class orator of his year. After the death of his father, which occurred November 9th, 1880, and his mother having preceded, Lawrence was left the guardian of the family, being the eldest of ten orphan children. Undaunted by such misfortunes, and having previously read law in his father's
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office, he formed a partnership with his old friend, Francis W. Walker, under the firm name of Ennis & Walker, and continued the business of his father. This firm existed four years, until, in 1884, Mr. Walker went into the State's Attorney's office. In March, two years later, Mr. Ennis formed a partnership with William E. Mason, the popular member of Congress, and now the United States Senator from Illinois, under the firm name of Mason & Ennis, and the business of the new firm proved both pleasant and profitable, so continuing until 1895, when the partnership was dis- solved and Mr. Ennis formed a new firm with John J. Coburn, under the name of Ennis & Coburn.
After five years of service Mr. Ennis was mustered out of Com- pany "F," First Regiment Infantry, Illinois National Guard, De- cember, 1884. In 1887 he was elected to the Veteran Corps in said regiment, serving first in the capacity of secretary and for several years afterwards and still being the historian of the corps. In November, 1895, he carried the "Flag of Friendship" on the South- ern tour of his regiment to Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Lookout Mountain, and many other prominent cities and places of interest. December 5th, 1896, he was elected and commissioned Major of the First Battalion, Seventh Regiment Infantry, Illinois National Guard.
In the way of political favor, Major Ennis has never sought pub- lic office. In 1880 he acted as United States Census Enumerator for this district.
The interest he has always manifested in educational matters is evinced by the presentation each year of a gold medal for the best English essay to the graduating class of the North Division High School. It is known as the Ennis "Essay Medal," and for the past sixteen years these tokens of friendship to the fortunate com- petitors have been awarded by him.
On October 2nd, 1884, Mr. Ennis was united in marriage, at
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Woodstock, Ill., to Elizabeth Gertrude, youngest daughter of Cor- nelius and Mary (Murphy) Quinlan. Their union has been blessed with four children-Mary, Gertrude M., Lawrence M., and James.
Thoroughly domesticated in his tastes, he infinitely prefers the surroundings of his comfortable home and the society of his esti- mable wife and four children to any delights to be obtained from club life. He is a Roman Catholic, a Democrat of free silver tenden- cies, and in 1896 was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket for Bryan and Sewall, from the Second Congres- sional District of Illinois.
In personal appearance Major Ennis is an excellent type of his nationality. He is of military appearance, very erect, and six feet one and three-fourths inches in height. Unassuming and easily approached, kindly in his disposition, and ever generous natured, Mr. Ennis has made for himself a host of friends both in business and social circles, who respect him for his high professional gifts and esteem him for his personal qualities.
MICHAEL SARSFIELD MADDEN.
The firm of Madden Brothers is perhaps the most favorably and widely known of the many real estate brokerage houses in Chi- cago, although its existence only dates back to 1887. Its life is typical of that of the city itself, for its foundation and resources were nothing other than the sound judgment and accurate fore- sight of its founders, and as the city stands pre-eminent in history for its remarkable development, so of the firm of which we write,
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for its founders builded better than they knew, and from a small beginning the amount of business transacted in real estate broker- age is equal to any in the city.
In connection with his brother, Mark F. (whose biography ap- pears elsewhere in this work), Michael S. Madden has, by those characteristics which are the requisites of the successful Chicago business man, accomplished this result. His parents, natives of the Emerald Isle, located in Whitby, Pickering County, Ontario, in 1849, and here, on June 21st, 1864, our subject was born. After a course of study in the public schools he completed his education at St. Michael's College, Toronto. At this time (1883) the "Dakota Fever" was at its height, and Mr. Madden was one of those imbued with the prospect of wealth and prosperity offered by the newly opened territory. He accordingly located on a claim at Bartlett, near Devil's Lake, North Dakota, built himself a cabin, and for six long months lived almost the life of a recluse, having no companion- ship other than his horse and dogs, his nearest neighbor being sev- eral miles distant. Later, as the St. Paul, Minnesota & Manitoba Railroad (now the Great Northern) was built, it passed in the vicin- ity of his cabin, and his lonely farm became the center of a thriving village. With the extension of the road, however, the population migrated and shortly afterwards Mr. Madden abandoned his claim and coming to Chicago organized, in conjunction with his elder brother, Mark F., the firm of Madden Bros., more fully referred to in the sketch of M. F. Madden.
Our subject is an active member of the Sheridan and the Co- lumbus Clubs, and from the fact that he is still a bachelor, much of his leisure is passed in the commodious quarters of these institu- tions. He is an active member of the Catholic Church and unosten- tatiously contributes his full share towards all charitable and worthy works whose objects are the advancement of humanity and the broadening of our civilization.
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In politics a Democrat, his work for the party interests is as a citizen and a voter rather than in active participation in political affairs; in his life is found all the elements of those qualifications, habits, and methods which are so rapidly bringing the present younger American generation to the front ranks, as compared with their compeers in the older countries, in all that pertains to the growth, development and prosperity of the national spirit and life.
JOHN S. COOKE.
There is no more thoroughly representative American Irish citi- zen in this great Chicago of ours than the subject of the present short sketch, large-hearted, broad-minded John S. Cooke. Fearless and energetic, gifted with a most wonderful power of perseverance, entirely unrecognisive of defeat, he has surmounted innumerable difficulties, until from a poor lad, whose only capital was his rich business endowments and unimpeachable integrity, he is to-day the head of one of the largest brewing enterprises in the west.
He was born January 10th, 1837, in Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland, where his father, John Cooke, was a shoemaker in very comfortable circumstances, being owner of quite one-third of the town of Glenwood. His wife, formerly Mary Clancy, belonged to a family as old as any in Ireland, and which in song and story has frequently been referred to.
John S. Cooke received but an imperfect education in the na- tional schools of Fermoy, for he had already served a considerable apprenticeship to a baker and confectioner, when barely sixteen
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years of age, he decided to try his fortunes in the United States. Landing in New York, he found similar employment, but his wages were only sufficient to afford him a bare livelihood, nothing being left over to help to his future. In 1857, when eighteen years of age, he determined, like thousands of others at that time, to go west, and set out for Chicago. Always of a willing disposition, he found employment at his trade, later sailing the lakes as a seaman and also working in the capacity of a laborer. Strong and hardy, he abso- lutely cared nothing as to the character of the work so long as his labor was well paid. He tells himself, how on one occasion he gave up $75 a month as a baker to work as a roustabout, since at the latter $200 a month could be earned.
When the Civil War broke out he was in the employ of the Kent Packing House, the same year he went to work for Michael Keely, 1863 he became a citizen and then only because soldiers were being drafted in the army, and he wished not to neglect any duty of citi- zenship. He had claimed that it was time to become an American citizen when one was in a settled position and knew how the future stood.
In 1866 he entered the employ of Messrs. Schwab, McQuaid & Monheimer, the wholesale wine and liquor dealers, with whom he remained as traveler for fourteen years, then buying an interest and the firm becoming Monheimer & Cooke. Mr. Cooke bought out the Union Brewing Company in 1886 and organized the Cooke Brewing Company, one of the largest in the West, a position which has been well sustained despite the severe business conditions of re- cent years. His sturdy character was evinced in his hard struggle against the beer trust, and in which he at last has come off prac- tically the victor.
Mr. Cooke was married in 1863 to Miss Charlotte Rowland of Rochester, N. Y. They have four children, Charles, George J., John R., and Irene.
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A Roman Catholic in religion, his purse is ever open at the call of charitable purpose. In his political views, he is a staunch Demo- crat, and a highly valued adherent of the party, but he is never in any way a partisan, but irrespective of politics, will support who- ever in his opinion he considers to be the better candidate. In 1895 he was put forward by his friends, and entirely unknown to him- self, for the position of city treasurer. He received the nomination at the Democratic Convention, but though he ran far in front of his ticket, he fell in the popular landslide. In Irish affairs of recent years he has been among the foremost advocates for the freedom of the land of his birth, and the amelioration of the social conditions of his country at home or abroad.
Mr. Cooke has been a resident of this city for nearly forty years. With him, work has been happiness, and plodding along steadily and perseveringly, he stands to-day one of the leading and richest citizens of Chicago. His advancement from a humble beginning to his present prominent position has been the natural result of his own untiring efforts, and the success achieved no one can possibly begrudge.
SENATOR EDWARD J. DWYER
Among the many bright young Irish-Americans who are push- ing their way to the front and making a name for themselves in the business world and in politics, Senator Edward J. Dwyer stands in the front rank.
He was born in Chicago, November 21st, 1861. His parents, Michael and Mary B. (Guinan) Dwyer, coming to Chicago from Ros-
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crea, County of Tipperary, Ireland, in 1851. Upon arrival here, Mr. Dwyer, Senior, was connected with the Chicago & Northwest- ern Railroad for thirteen years, and was afterwards in the grocery business until he died, in 1872.
Senator Dwyer can consistently be called a self-made man, as what little education he received was picked up by him after leav- ing school, which, at the age of sixteen he was compelled by cir- cumstances to do, in order to make a living for himself and mother.
His first employment was with the printing house of Burgess; from this place he went to the Althrop Publishing Co., where he was the superintendent of their mailing department for several years. He soon began to take an interest in political matters and was appointed clerk in the office of the City Clerk in 1888, remain- ing in this office a year he went into the Coroner's office, and then into the Recorder's office.
While in the recorder's office in 1890 he was nominated for West Town clerk and was elected, being the only Republican that was elected in either town in the landslide which at that time occurred. The following year the nomination was tendered him but was re- fused. In 1891 Mayor Washburne appointed him assistant superin- tendent of water; while holding this office he was nominated for West Town assessor, and was one of two Republicans elected.
In 1892, after his work as assessor was finished, he was appointed superintendent of water by Mayor Washburne, to succeed William Lorimer, who had resigned.
In 1894 Mr. Dwyer was elected to go to the State Senate from the Seventeenth District; he now holds that position and is also deputy city clerk.
The Senator has made a brilliant record in the Senate, and is al- ways on the alert to see that the interests of his constituents are taken care of and are given proper consideration. To him much credit is due for the passage of the drainage canal bill. The opposi-
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tion to it was very strong, but the Senator organized and led the friends of Chicago and the canal to victory. The Senator belongs to and is a prominent member of the Order of Foresters, Royal Arcanum, and Knights of Pythias.
Mr. E. J. Dwyer was secretary of the Republican County Central Committee for two years, and has long represented his ward in the councils of his party.
His wife was formerly Miss Mollie V. Lawler, niece of the late lamented Hon. Frank Lawler. He married her in 1894.
COLONEL WILLIAM P. REND.
Cosmopolitan in character, and possessing much that is metro- politan in appearance, Chicago numbers amongst her most honored and eminent citizens many of those who first saw the light of day in, and whose early associations are closely linked with, the land of the shamrock, and that fair isle beyond the sea-Ireland. Of all the citizens of Chicago, however, who lay claim to the honor of having been born in the Emerald Isle, there is probably no one better known, more highly respected, or whose career has been more suc- cessful, not only in a commercial and social sense, but in a military and political sense also, than has that of Colonel Wm. P. Rend.
A native of County Leitrim, Ireland, he was born February 10th, 1840. His father, Ambrose Rend, was a substantial farmer, while his mother, Elizabeth (Cline) Rend, was a daughter of Mr. Hugh Cline, who for years held the responsible and important position of steward of one of the largest and oldest estates in Ireland. Remov-
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ing to this country in 1847, our subject being at this time but seven years of age, his parents settled at Lowell, Mass., where he spent his early years, and where he received his education, graduating from the high school of that city at the age of seventeen. Leaving school, shortly afterwards he decided to try his fortune in New York City, having gained considerable business experience, especially in the dry goods line, during the evenings and holidays while resident at home. Arriving at New York, with but scanty means, he found it necessary to procure a position as early as possible. Commencing with the stores on Broadway, he endeavored for some time to find an opening, but without success, and seeing his small means fast dwindling away, he made for New Jersey, determined to accept whatever employment chanced to offer itself; and this time, pluck and determination won, for on the day after his arrival there he secured the position of school-teacher in the city of New Brooklyn, which position he occupied for twelve months. Resigning his posi- tion as school-teacher, his intention was to locate in South Carolina. Desiring, however, to visit an old friend of his, and one with whom he had been intimately acquainted, when resident in Lowell, Mass., he visited, en route, Baltimore, and here his attention was drawn to an advertisement for a teacher, inserted in one of the local papers by the trustees of the school district near West River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Applying for the position-his application, by the way, being one of seventy-he was selected to fill the vacancy, remaining here over three years, his scholars being principally the children of prominent and wealthy slave-holders and proprietors of large plantations. At the house of one of the latter he boarded and made his home, spending his evenings and other spare time in classical studies, with a view of entering an advanced class in a neighboring college, and from the president of St. John's College he received much assistance, valuable advice, and much practical aid and sympathy --- it being Mr. Rend's custom at this time to ride
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