USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 32
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
Michael J. Dunne, of whom we are treating, received his earlier education at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Chicago, and in 1854 removed to Elgin, where he decided on the legal pro- fession, and having begun his studies, completed the same in the office of Irvin & Snowhook in Chicago.
Admitted to the bar in 1861, he first practiced in Elgin, and a little later was elected city attorney, but the war spirit that ani- mated the heart of every man in the North, led him to seek glory at the cannon's mouth, and discarding books and briefs, he enlisted in
539
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
the Sixty-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, afterwards raising a company for the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Volunteers, and later another for the One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment, serving in each of the two latter as first lieutenant, and remained in the military service until the close of the war of the Rebellion. During the last year he was on the staff of Major-General R. W. Johnson, who commanded the District of Middle Tennessee, in the capacity of assistant Inspector-general. When the war closed he came to Chicago, and once more took up his profession, rapidly ac- quiring the reputation of a successful lawyer, and which soon brought him a large and lucrative practice.
In his political career Mr. Dunne started in his youth as a dis- ciple of Stephen A. Douglas, and following out his teaching on the question of the supremacy of the constitution, became a war Demo- crat. To the Democratic section he has since remained staunch, though never in any manner prejudiced in his partisanship, but ever ready and eager to admit what was good in the claim and principles of those politically opposed to him. In 1874 he was elected representative of the Fifth Senatorial District of the Illinois Legislature, was chairman of the committee on rivers and canals and was an earnest advocate for the improvement both of the canal and Illinois River that the capacity as a water way might be so en- larged as to admit of the transportation of our grain products to the eastern markets. He received re-nomination on the Demo- cratic ticket in 1876, and was re-elected, taking a fore- most part in the memorable senatorial contest which cul- minated in General J. A. Logan's defeat and the election of Judge David Davis to the United States Senate. Nominated in 1878 as state senator, he fell in the landslide that in that year overwhelmed the Democracy in his county. He is a firm believer in a gold and silver standard, or as he expresses it, gold and silver used interchangeably at a proper and fair ratio (not 16 to 1),
540
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
but is fully convinced such is not to be attained without the ac- quiescence of European nations.
The spring of 1880 found Mr. Dunne appointed by Mayor Har- rison as a member of the Board of Education, and until 1883 he held the position of vice-president, manifesting during his member- ship a warm and zealous interest in the progress of our common school system and in educational matters generally.
There is a romance connected with Mr. Dunne's marriage. He was an engaged man, all necessary arrangements had been made and the month following he was to give up single blessedness for matrimonial felicity, when the great Chicago fire destroyed his sav- ings and temporarily wrecked his hopes. But the casualty was soon retrieved, and in a few months he was again in a financial con- dition to justify the great event. On June 3d, 1872, he married at Montreal, Canada, Ellen, daughter of James McShane, one of the old and most respected residents of that city, and sister of the Hon. James McShane, member of the Dominion Parliament and late mayor of that town. They have four children living.
JAMES W. TUOHY.
Though the subject of the present sketch was removed from a world in which his splendid business powers had been productive of absolutely phenomenal success more than six years ago, his name is yet a household word among the people of Chicago. The kindly natured, cheery-hearted Irishman is remembered with loving affec- tion by thousands who long since testified their appreciation of his
541
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
remarkable business abilities by bestowing upon him the title of "the boy merchant."
James W. Tuohy was born July 8th, 1849, in Carey, Ireland, near the famed Lakes of Killarney. His parents were Edward and Eliza- beth (Crenin) Tuohy, the latter of whom still resides in Utica, La Salle County, Ill., where James Tuohy spent his first years in this country. He was fifteen when he left Ireland, whither his father had journeyed several years before. In Utica, having ob- tained all the educational advantages offered by the district school, he found a position as a clerk in the dry goods store of Mr. Dennis Lynch. Later he removed to Streator and was given employment by D. Heenan & Co., which firm he left to enter into a partnership with Mr. F. Shields at Braidwood, Ill., as Shields & Company, a posi- tion which afforded him an opportunity to develop his great busi- ness capacity. When twenty-four years of age, in 1873, he bought out his partner and took sole control of the business. Shortly afterwards a second store was established at Wilmington, Ill., and business men began to comprehend that in his particular line Mr. James W. Tuohy was a master mind.
A larger field became necessary, and in 1880 the two stores at Braidwood and Wilmington were given up and a removal made to Chicago, a suitable location having been found in the west portion of the city, at the corner of Madison and Peoria Streets. Three years later he embraced an opportunity to purchase from Carson, Pirie & Scott their dry goods establishment on the North Side, at the corner of Clark and Erie Streets. Under his able management and thorough supervision the business was conducted as a depart- ment store and soon took rank among the leading retail houses of the West. To a man of Mr. Tuohy's capacities, however, success was but an incentive to further exertions, and in 1886 he extended his field of operations by opening up a store in a building specially designed and erected at the corner of Madison and Wood Streets.
.
542
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
Again in 1887, when Messrs. Carson, Pirie & Scott removed from the West Side, business instinct advised him to secure their premises on West Madison Street and to open up as a department store. This also soon became one of the most extensive establishments in the city, and with his other stores gave him command of a colossal business. With him, every enterprise prospered and people mar- veled at the extraordinary vigor and faculties of the man which enabled him to handle and control a business of such magnitude. What new enterprise would he undertake, what further achieve- ment was to be accomplished, were the thoughts in the minds of business men, when on June 9th, 1890, the news became public that in the midst of his prosperity, in the very prime of his manhood, death had claimed a victim. The shock was a terrible one, not only to his family, to whom the loss was an irreparable one, but also among the large circle of his business associates, who, knowing him, became his warm friends. Shrewd and careful in the smallest details of his own affairs, he bore and had fairly won the reputation of straightforward and honorable dealing with others.
Unquestionably a great portion of his business success was due to the executive abilities and true womanliness of the lady he had married October 6th, 1874, Miss Nellie Cavanaugh, of Ottawa, Ill. She was the loving companion of his labors, the urger on to renewed effort, but at the same time possessed of that wondrous womanly instinct which detects danger afar off, and whose advice enabled her husband to escape so many of the pitfalls which assail a business career. Mr. Tuohy had the uttermost faith in her executive abilities, and Mrs. Tuohy in her management of her husband's estate has well justified the confidence which left her sole executrix and gave her the entire management of the estate. Bright and agreeable in her manner, splendidly educated, a woman of charming courtesy and graceful apearance, Mrs. Tuohy was just the wife for such a man as James W. Tuohy.
543
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
Of their family, the eldest, Mary Elizabeth, is a bright and beautiful girl with many rich accomplishments just budding into womanhood; James W., Walter Grant, Arthur Cavanaugh and Paul, making still a bright and happy circle, yet incomplete without that central figure whose loving ways, quick wit, joyous nature, and thorough hospitality had done so much to make a refined home ever charming and cheerful.
True in his friendship, generous in his nature, James W. Tuohy was open-hearted and charitable to all deserving objects, as his large donations to many of Chicago's churches and institutions gives plain testimony; his name will long be held in high honor among the people of Chicago as a gifted and noble representative of the great Irish race in Chicago.
HON. EDWARD FITZSIMMONS DUNNE.
Judge Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne was born in Waterville, Conn., October 12th, 1853, his father being Patrick W. Dunne, a native of Kings County, Ireland, who settled in New York State in 1850. His father had taken up first railroad contracting and after- wards engaged in the distilling and brewing business. In 1855, he moved to Peoria, being at different times there, alderman, member of the school board, and representative for Peoria in the State Legislature. His mother was Delia Lawler, daughter of Michael Lawler, who was prominent in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and was wounded therein. His business was that of a contractor, during the prosecution of which he built the Galway docks and other large works in the west of Ireland.
544
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools and high school of Peoria, and after a preparatory course in college entered Trinity College, Dublin, October 9th, 1871. His career in the uni- versity was a brilliant one and he frequently carried off first honors at the examinations. However, he was not permitted to take his degree, being compelled to leave at the end of three years, as his father had encountered heavy financial difficulties. Returning to Peoria, where his father was running a flour mill, he conducted the affairs of the mill office for about a year and then came to Chicago, commencing the study of law in the office of W. W. O'Brien and the late Judge George H. Kettelle. At the same time he was studying at the Union College of Law, and in 1878 obtained his license to practice law, and entered into a partnership with Wm. J. Hynes and ex-Judge Walter B. Scates under the firm name of Scates, Hynes & Dunne. At the end of two years Mr. Scates re- tired, and Judge Moran, then of the firm of Moran & English, hav- ing gone to the bench, the two firms consolidated under the name of Hynes, English & Dunne. This continued until 1892, when Judge Dunne was elected to the Circuit Court for the unexpired term of Judge Driggs, which terminates June, 1897.
The judge while in practice did a large general business, having the representation of many such large corporations as the Cooke Brewing Co., Fortune Bros. Brewing Co., the Hibernian Bank, the Plamondan Manufacturing Co. and many others.
He was married August 16th, 1881, to Elizabeth J. Kelly, a daughter of Edward F. Kelly, late a member of the firm of En- right & Kelly. They have had six children, of whom four are living.
Judge Dunne is a member of the Iroquois and Columbus Clubs, the Royal Arcanum and the Royal League, and is at present presi- dent of the Des Plaines Council of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and a regular attendant of St.
545
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
Luke's Church at River Forest, while in politics he is a Democrat, but his heavy professional duties will not permit his devoting any considerable time to political matters.
His fine home at River Forest is eminently adapted for the needs of his family as well as for the genial hospitality it is his chief pleasure to dispense to an immense circle of friends who admire his good personal qualities and respect his great professional abili- ties. He is a man of whom the American Irish of Chicago have every reason to be proud.
JOHN MARTIN DOWLING.
The subject of this sketch, who died June 29th, 1896, was one of Chicago's best known and most prominent Irish-American busi- ness men. Among the older generation of citizens, no man in Chi- cago was better known, and the deep respect as well as the great personal popularity in which he was held was evinced by the im- mense attendance at his funeral, the religious services of which were given at the Cathedral of the Holy Name and thence to Calvary Cemetery.
John Martin Dowling was born in Limerick, Ireland, December 5th, 1844. His parents were Martin and Ann (Lynch) Dowling. His father, who had been a business man in the old country, came to Canada with his family in 1850, where he first became a hotel keeper and later entered the business of wholesale grocery, in Hamilton, Canada. In 1856, when John, the son, was twelve years of age, he removed to Chicago, and took up the business in which he had gained considerable experience, that of the wholesale and
546
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
retail grocery trade, in premises located at the corner of Lake and Paulina Streets. During his life he was a successful man, and was accustomed to say it ran in the family, for so also were his father and grandfather, both of whom were successful business men in Ireland. His grandfather, Thomas Lynch, was a dry goods merchant, and a man of considerable wealth. He died near To- ronto, Canada, in the early "fifties" while he was on a tour of in- spection of his landed interests and was considering further in- vestments.
. John M. Dowling received his primary education at the Hamil- ton public schools, and while his parents were residing in Chicago, he was sent to St. Michael's College, Toronto, Canada, to complete his education. His early desire was for a business career, and when, at the age of eighteen, he left school, he entered his father's store for a few years.
Soon after the war, Mr. Dowling, in company with his brother, went to Little Rock, Ark., and opened a general store. Success attended their efforts, and after a period of about nine years, they returned to Chicago, where Mr. Dowling formed a partnership with Martin Dowling, a younger brother, under the firm name of Dow- ling Bros., at corner of Hubbard Street and Ogle Avenue. Their business continued to prosper for four years until 1878, when Mr. Dowling disposed of his interests in the business and practically retired, devoting his entire time to his real estate investments, which were of quite an extensive character.
In 1875, Mr. Dowling, Daniel O'Hara and John Cochran were Chicago commissioners to the World's Exposition at Vienna, Aus- tria, and transacted every duty in connection with that office to universal satisfaction. In politics his views were those of the Democratic party, but he never sought for political office nor de- sired to possess. Determined to know his country thoroughly he had traveled extensively. A Roman Catholic, he was a strong ad-
547
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
herent of the church, faithful to his religion and energetic and eager of its interests. The Right-Rev. Bishop Dowling, of Canada, was another of his brothers.
Mr. Dowling was married January 19th, 1876, to Miss Jennie E. Keane, of County Clare, Ireland, daughter of William Keane and Maria Gannon, and left six children-Edward, who died in in- fancy; Eveline Marie; Irene May; Laura Madeline; Helen, and the youngest, John Joseph, a bright, lovable boy of nine years, in whom the father took the greatest pride.
John Dowling was a true Irishman, as well as a thoroughly rep- resentative American. A business man, he knew the value of money, but in a good cause his liberality never failed. In his friend- ship, and the number of his friends was legion, his sincerity was unquestionable. As a good husband, he left nothing wanting, and to his children he was ever a fond and loving father. Well may it be said that in his loss a blank has been left which time can never fill, and that every Irish American in Chicago will long miss the kindly face and the noble nature of John Martin Dowling.
ANDERSON FOWLER.
Anderson Fowler, the managing director of the interests of the celebrated Fowler Bros. (Limited), belongs to that hardy class of American citizens who claim a heritage of Irish-Scotch ancestry. His father, George Fowler, of County Fermanagh, in the North of Ireland, traced his ancestry to a reverend member of the Fowler family, who was a chaplain in Oliver Cromwell's army, and who
548
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
came to Ireland with that leader and located in that section of Northern Ireland in which our subject was born. The Fowler fam- ily was celebated in England long before this, as one of its members, Charles Fowler, was knighted during the time of the Crusades.
This English yeoman was apprised of the approach of the enemy's array by the tooting of an owl, which noise awakened him from his sleep, and enabled him to give an alarm that saved the army from a disastrous surprise. For this action he was knighted, and he chose an owl as the symbol of his coat-of-arms. This ex- plains the reason that an owl is used as the Fowler crest. His ma- ternal ancestors, Anderson by name, were of the sturdy Scotch race; thus it can be seen that our subject is of the purest Anglo-Saxon ex- traction.
He was born in County Fermanagh, North Ireland, on June 16th, 1843. His school education was obtained in the public schools of his native section. When but twelve years of age, he began his business career by entering his father's business, which had been established in 1842. This business was in the wholesale provision line, a line he has followed, with slight variations, ever since. In 1858 George Fowler, our subject's father, retired from mercantile life, and seven of his sons formed a co-partnership and succeeded to their father's business, organizing under the name of Fowler Broth- ers, and conducting a general provision business.
Although but a lad of fifteen at this time, Anderson Fowler was made a full partner, and shared the profits equally with his broth- ers.
The eldest of the sons of George Fowler, James, is a canon in the Church of England, and was never interested in the mercantile pursuits of his brothers. Upon the death of his father, his broth- ers having relinquished all their claims in the property to him, he became possessed of his father's landed estates. This estate is composed of farm lands located in North Ireland, in which George
549
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
Fowler had invested his fortune when he retired from business in 1858. This property has never been a profitable investment.
In 1862 the Fowler Brothers began operations in the United States, and at that time were the largest dealers in butter in the world. In 1863 they commenced business in Chicago, and since then our subject has divided his time between Liverpool, New York and Chicago. They have branches or agencies in all of the large cities of Europe and America, and the supervision that he has been compelled to give these different foreign agencies has forced him to make no less than seventy-seven trips across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Fowler Brothers have always transacted their business upon sound business principles, and have always believed that a cash basis was the best for all concerned. Therefore, they have never purchased a dollar's worth of stock on credit. They have always been successful, and have ever been esteemed by the mer- cantile community as good and shrewd business managers, who have invariably conducted their business in the manner that brings the best and most remunerative returns.
In 1890 the firm decided to dispose of a large share of their busi- ness to a company, and listed their stock in the different exchanges throughout Europe and America. Although several American houses had previously done a similar thing, which had proved disas- trous to the investors, the high esteem in which the Fowler Broth- ers were held caused the first issue of $3,750,000 of stock to be ap- plied for more than twice over. No more fitting testimonial of the high respect the public has for the business principles and honor of this firm can be cited. The name of the company upon its incor- poration became known as the "Fowler Bros., Limited," and of this gigantic company, with capital stock of $3,750,000 (with privilege of increasing same to $4,500,000), our subject, Anderson Fowler, is managing director and controlling spirit. All of this capital stock, excepting $750,000, is held by European investors. One cannot
.
550
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
realize the magnitude of the business that this corporation con- ducts. They have large interests in the different cities of the United States and Europe, but the center of all is in Chicago. They trans- port their products from the West to the coast in their own refrig- erator cars, which they manufacture themselves under patents of which they have the control.
The distributive sales of this company exceed the immense sum of twenty-five millions of dollars annually-an amount so large that it cannot be grasped by the average mind.
Although an Anglo-Saxon by birth, he has been a citizen of this, his adopted country, for nearly a quarter of a century, and takes a deep pride in being a citizen of this Republic. Politically he be- longs to that great, intelligent body of business men that are known as independent.
In 1877 our subject was married to Miss Emily Arthur, daughter of the Rev. William Arthur, an eminent divine, of London, England. The Rev. Mr. Arthur is one of the most prominent clergymen of Great Britain. He is the author of a number of works of great lit- erary merit, the most widely read and most popular being entitled "The Tongue of Fire." He was deeply interested in the Union cause during the War of the Rebellion, and advocated both with his pen and his voice many means to assist the Northern cause. He used his powerful influence to introduce the American envoys in such manner as to enable them to settle the "Trent" affair, that caused so much disquietude on both sides of the Atlantic, both speedily and satisfactorily.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Fowler has been blessed with eleven children, eight of whom are still living, and in the circle of his home, which their happy voices and pleasant, cheerful coun- tenances enhance in happiness, he finds that true content only found by a loving husband and father.
551
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
He is a Methodist, and is ever ready, both with purse and in- fluence, to assist in any worthy religious cause.
Such is his biography. In conclusion it can be truthfully stated that Anderson Fowler has ever, in passing through life, used honor- able principles that place him in a high position among the honor- able business men of the world. He has ever conducted his business affairs in such a manner as to gain the respect of the community; he has ever endeavored to do to others as he would be done by. With an untarnished name and unapproachable reputation, hon- ored by his fellow citizens, and revered by his many friends, who love him for his sterling integrity, there is no one who is more en- titled to a prominent position in this biographical work than is An- derson Fowler.
JEREMIAH H. CARMODY.
Jeremiah H. Carmody was born October 15th, 1854, near the picturesque and historic Kilsham Abbey, County Limerick, Ireland, which is celebrated as having been once occupied by the Danes when those old sea kings were devastating the English coast with fire and sword. The ancient abbey, now completely enveloped in ivy, is as Burns describes, "Still beauteous in decay," and suggest- ing peace rather than war and conquest.
Mr. Carmody's father was a thorough Irishman, born at Knock- fevna, County Limerick, in the year 1805. IIe emigrated to Amer- ica in 1866, settling in Chicago, where he died very suddenly two years afterwards at the age of sixty-three. He had married in 1841 Miss Johanna Hannan, a native of County Limerick, Ireland, and 29
552
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
they had eleven children, of whom our subject -- the youngest of five boys-was the eighth in order of birth. His mother died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The grandfather of our subject, Daniel Carmody, was quite a noted character, for he weighed three hundred pounds and was known far and wide as "Big Dan."
Jeremiah H. Carmody was a lad of eleven when he came to America. Living in the country, the schooling he had up to that time obtained had been of a meager order. On arriving in Chicago, therefore, he was at once sent to the Dore public school in the then eighth ward-now the nineteenth-where he attended for a year and a half, being then obliged by the circumstances of his parents to set about making a living. His first venture was with the firm of Scanlan Bros. & Calburn, candy merchants, with which he remained twelve months, afterwards working in the grocery business for two years with T. J. Fitzgerald, and then for three years with J. K. Powers, buying the latter's business at the end of that time with his savings and starting out for himself. Only nineteen years of age, his abilities were of the highest order, and he so successfully conducted his business on the corner of Sholto and Gurley Streets for four years that he was able to make a most advantageous sale. His next essay was in the commission business in Webster County, Iowa, where he remained for one year, and returning to Chicago entered the employ of the Weare Commission Company, with whom he remained twelve years. With a partner he again started in bus- iness under the name of Carmody & Heath, commission merchants, at 274 South Water Street, and conducted for five years, when he sold out on acceptance, in 1893, of appointment as inspector in the Sewerage Department of the city. This was under the late Carter Harrison, but his duties have been performed in so exemplary a manner that he has retained the position ever since.
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.