USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 36
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incorporate in 1890, and Mr. P. J. Healy became president of the company.
His leadership, with the able support he received from the other members of the firm-all men who, with the single exception of Mr. Healy, Jr., had averaged a quarter of a century in the service of the house-carried Lyon & Healy through the panic times of 1893 successfully. Early in 1894, Mr. Lyon, so long associated with the business, through its troubles, misfortunes and final victories, joined the great majority.
In attention to the heavy details connected with so vast a busi- ness, Mr. Healy is simply indefatigable. He has surrounded him- self with men of energetic abilities, who, under his constant per- sonal superintendence, have gained the experience enabling them to fitly conduct the business of the world famed Lyon & Healy.
WALTER JOSEPH GIBBONS.
Walter Joseph Gibbons was born June 12th, 1859, in the city of Chicago. He was the son of Henry and Mary (Joyce) Gibbons, his father a native of Louisburg, County Mayo, Ireland, and his mother from what is known as the Joyce County in County Gal- way, and which is situated close to Clifden.
The subject of this sketch, when a boy, attended the public schools of this city, and later the high school, but was compelled to leave the latter at the age of sixteen, to assist in the support of the family. He found employment in the office of the wholesale de-
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partment of Marshall Field, where he rose to a position of con- siderable responsibility, and remained for sixteen years.
In 1891 he was appointed to the office of Justice of the Peace by Governor Fifer, on the recommendation of the judges of the Courts of Record, and his studious disposition having in the meantime led him to study law, he was admitted to practice at the bar in 1893, graduating from the Chicago College of Law in that year, and in 1895 received re-appointment as Justice of the Peace by Governor Altgeld for a further four years' term.
Judge Gibbons is a prominent member of the Royal League, Social Council No. 35; the Wholesale Dry Goods Council of the National Union; the Catholic Total Abstinence Movement, of which he has been President of the Archdiocesan Union; ex-Sec- retary of the State Union since the amalgamation, and is now Pres- ident of the Young Men's Catholic Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, of which he has been three times President, being but a few months since re-elected for a further term. He has been a del- egate to all the National Conventions of the Temperance movement, as also of the Irish National League and the Land League, being one of the foremost and most active workers in the cause of Ireland.
MICHAEL HAYES.
Michael Hayes was born in County Limerick, Ireland, June 16th, 1845, his parents being John and Bridget (Hennessey) Hayes, both of whom were natives of the same county, where his father was a small farmer, but in his section of the country borne in the very highest respect.
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The subject of this sketch was but eighteen months old when his parents left their native land and came to Chicago. He at- tended the public schools and also those of the Christian Brothers until he was thirteen, when he procured work in a soda water fac- tory at the corner of Lake and Canal Streets, later entering the em- ploy of the Lomax Soda Water Factory, and remained with the latter firm for five years. In 1859 he took up work with a tinsmith in order to learn the tinsmith's trade, and having spent three years with him, entered similar employ where the Haymarket Theatre now stands, and in that place remained for seven years. June, 1871, he and his brother, Patrick Hayes, under the firm name of Hayes Bros., embarked in the soda water business at the corner of Carr Avenue and Leavitt Street. Of course the start was in a small way, a shed being utilized, and the brothers possessing but one wagon with which to deliver goods; yet from this small be- ginning the business has progressed until at the present time it is the largest plant of its kind outside of the trust. In 1883 the Hayes Brothers were in a position to purchase the Hutchin plant for thirty thousand dollars, and when what is known as the Soda Water Trust was formed some few years ago, the Hayes and the Lomaxes of the Chicago Bottle Works were its largest stockholders. Mr. Hayes, not being satisfied with the way the managers of the trust were treating some of the small stockholders, drew out his hold- ings, and erecting his great plant, once more began to do business on his own account, regardless of the fact that the trust offered to make him any concession if he would but, retain his connection. His action in the matter has been well justified, and the firm are now doing a business of one hundred thousand dollars a year.
The heavy demands of his business affairs has left but little time to devote to politics, although at the solicitation of his friends he was upon one occasion induced to run for alderman of his ward. The result was a defeat, although only by a few votes, and since
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he has been repeatedly asked to stand for County Commissioner, but this he has always refused.
In his political views he is a Democrat, and in religion a Roman Catholic and a member of the congregation of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows.
WILLIAM M. HERELEY.
The subject of this sketch was born at Brasher Falls, St. Law- rence County, N. Y., March 31, 1848. His father, Daniel, and mother, Hannah (Cantry) Hereley, came from County Cork, Ireland, in 1840, and settled in St. Lawrence County. His father was a farmer, and William M. Hereley had to work on the farm in the summer and secure what slender schooling was possible in the win- ter months by attending the district schools. The family, includ- ing young Hereley, moved to McHenry County in 1863, and he re- mained there until 1871, when having reached the age of twenty- two he decided to move to Chicago.
As a young man, bright and quick, with first-class business habits as well as a reputation gained in the section from whence he came for integrity and good judgment, he began to buy horses and cattle from the farmers, bringing them to Chicago to be sold. His dealings proving profitable, he bought a few teams and entered into the draying and contracting business. In this he continued until October, 1874, when he decided to open a store on Chicago Avenue, and engaged in the business of selling flour and feed.
He prides himself on being a Democrat of the Cleveland type, an advocate for sound money.
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Mr. Hereley has held the position of President of the Flour and Feed Dealers' Association of Chicago, is Treasurer of the Columbus Mutual Life Association of America, and is a member of the Chi- cago Board of Trade, where he operates daily. He is a member of { the Club of McHenry, Illinois; the Young Men's Catholic Institute, Holy Name parish, and also of the Royal Arcanum. The stand- ing he has among his fellow men is well illustrated by his position as Treasurer of the Catholic Total Abstinence Benevolent Society of the Holy Name parish, an order to which he has belonged for twenty-one years. On the failure for $125,000 of the Inter Ocean Building and Loan Association, he was appointed by the court a director for the purpose of settling up the business and winding up its affairs.
MILLARD B. HERELEY.
Since 1863 the Hereley family have been widely known in Chi- cago and its adjacent counties. Mr. Millard B. Hereley, born in Saint Lawrence County, New York State, in 1858, is the son of Daniel Hereley, who left Ireland upon the death of his father, a prominent stock raiser and exporter, whose sudden end during a business trip to England influenced his son's departure for America. Settling in St. Lawrence County, Daniel Hereley was shortly after- ward married to Miss Norah Lantry, whose family are conspicuous in that favored locality for remarkable longevity, and whose re- lationship extends throughout the greater part of the oldest fami- lies of that region. In 1863, shortly after the birth of the subject of this sketch, his father came to Chicago, finally locating in Mc-
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Henry County. The family consisted of six boys and six girls, of whom ten are living.
The early days of Millard B. Hereley were spent at the Marengo High School, after which followed a course of law at the Union College of Law, Chicago, but his inclinations favoring commercial instead of professional life, he became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, and with his elder brother, M. H. Hereley, estab- lished the Hereley system of warehouses under the name of the Hereley Brothers Commission Co. The outgrowth of this estab- lishment is today recognized as the largest hay warehouses in the world. It has produced a radical change from the Indiana slough products to the richer grasses from Iowa, and so soon as introduced, speedily gained the lead in the Chicago hay trade. In 1883 Mr. Hereley became identified with politics, being elected to the State Senate, in which he served two terms for the Thirteenth Senatorial District. He was also appointed a member of the Board of Educa- tion by the late Carter Harrison in 1885, and then re-appointed in 1889 by ex-Mayor Cregier, his present connection politically being as special agent for the United States Secret Service Department.
In 1890 Mr. Hereley became President of the Irish American Club, and is widely known in the club circles for his active and faithful work. As far back as 1884 he was one of the organizers of the Cook County Young Democracy, which was afterwards merged with the County Democracy. He being a consistent Democrat, has always abided with the wishes of the majority, and his widely ranged travels from Alaska to Mexico on semi-official business have placed him today with an experience and a broad liberality politically that can only be acquired by such means.
In 1886 Mr. Hereley was married to Miss Hannah Murphy, a lady of great popularity in society and musical circles. Mrs. Hereley is the daughter of Mr. Daniel Murphy, a retired South Water Street merchant, and one of the oldest business men of that busy street.
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They have three children, two girls and one boy. They reside at Erie and Pine Streets.
Mr. Hereley can be pointed out as a gentleman of the leading and representative Chicago younger type of citizens, a man of energy and determination, with those strict business principles which, never recognizing failure, are absolutely bound to secure suc- cess.
MICHAEL F. MCENERNY.
Another typical Irish American, one whose individual efforts, energy, integrity and loyalty to his friends have gained for him the respect and esteem of every one brought into contact with him, as well as fortune, is the subject of the present sketch.
Michael F. McEnerny was born February 2d, 1855, in the County Limerick, Ireland. Both his parents are deceased, his father, Thomas McEnerny, in the old country in 1870, at the age of sixty- six, and his mother, whose maiden name was Shannon, in Chicago in 1882, at the same age.
Mr. M. F. McEnerny obtained his education in the public and national schools of the county in which he lived. His schooling was short, for at the age of twelve he went to work in a flour mill in Limerick, and remained there until he was sixteen, when he de- cided to try his fortunes in America. With his mother he came to this country and settled in Chicago, soon obtaining a position in the Stock Yards, where he worked for ten years, filling nearly every position to be found there.
He has since held various offices, being three times elected a
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member of the Board of Education for the Town of Lake, serving nine years. He was afterwards appointed to the Board of Trustees to fill a vacancy and was subsequently confirmed in a public elec- tion for the same office, in which he remained from 1887 to 1889. During the following year he was elected a member of the Legis- lature, to which he was re-elected in 1892. At the end of the lat- ter term, having had his sufficiency of official life, he absolutely declined to run for any other office.
His political views are, and have always been, those of the Democratic party. He is an upholder of the sound-money princi- ples.
He was married October 20th, 1880, to Catharine Hefferman, and their home now rejoices in five children, three girls and two boys.
Mr. McEnerny was for some time a member of the Hibernian Rifles. He visited Europe and the old country in 1894, spending the whole summer in Ireland, visiting the scenes of his boyhood's asso- ciations, and where, however patriotic to the land of his adoption, the heart of a true Irishman must always turn with loving devo- tion.
JAMES BASIL MCLAUGHLIN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 12th, 1857, his father being James McLaughlin, a native of Pike County in that state, whose father, John, had come to the United States from the North of Ireland, settling first in Virginia and later moving to Pike County, Ohio. The grandmother was a niece of the
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celebrated English painter, Benjamin West. James MeLaughlin was by occupation a farmer, but was also engaged in the lumber business until his death in 1881. He married Martha Jane Robey, whose ancestors, crossing from England with Lord Baltimore, were settlers in Baltimore and became prominent in the Revolution. She died in 1864. Of her brothers, two were in the late Civil War, and one, Captain Robey, is now a prominent and wealthy resident of Detroit, Michigan.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools and high school of his native town and later for a short time the Ohio Uni- versity, but as has been said before, he is largely a self-educated man, for it is to his later studies at home and the fact that he always had a book in his hand while driving a team or hauling lumber for his father, in that way managing to put in considerable hard study, that he attributes the knowledge he has been able to acquire.
At the age of twenty a position was secured by him as teacher in the district school of Ross County, Ohio, where his early educa- tion had been received, and at the same time he took a course of law study, and in 1882 was finally admitted by the Supreme Court of Ohio, in a very rigid examination, the one out of a class of forty-six taking first honors.
Deciding to locate in Chillicothe, Ohio, he opened an office and began to practice his profession, remaining in that town for ten years. It was in the fall of 1892 that Mr. McLaughlin became con- vinced that Chicago offered him better opportunities, and locating in this city he started in business. For some time he practiced alone, but in May of 1895 he associated himself with Mr. W. D. Pearne, under the name of MeLaughlin & Pearne. Mr. McLaugh- lin's practice has been general, but he has been most unusually suc- cessful, for he prides himself on the fact that he has never lost a. case, the reason being that he refuses to act unless he believes that he has justice on his side. The firm of MeLaughlin & Pearne
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represents among other leading institutions the Dearborn Savings and Loan Association, The Savings Bank Building Loan Associa- tion, Jenkens & Reynolds Brick Co., and the Hoagland & Ladow Brick Co.
Mr. McLaughlin was married in September, 1886, to Eleanor McDougal, who died in July, 1896. They had four children, of whom three are living.
A good Republican, he has always persistently kept out of poli- ties. In Masonic circles he stands very high, having been Past Eminent Commander of Chillicothe Commandery No. 8, and also held the high office of Illinois representative for six years near the Grand Council of the State of Ohio.
MICHAEL DENNIS MADIGAN.
Michael Dennis Madigan was born in Limerick, Ireland, March 27th, 1858. He was the son of Dennis and Bridget (O'Grady) Madi- gan, his father being a prominent member of the Irish Land League, and his mother also identified with the Ladies' Land League. The latter died May, 1888, but Dennis Madigan still lives in the old land across the sea.
Michael D. Madigan received his education at the Christian Brothers College at New Castle West, County Limerick. Upon the completion of his education, and for the purpose of learning the business, he entered the dry-goods store of Thomas Roche in Lime- rick, with whom he remained three years, and at the end of which time, concluding he needed a bigger field to work in, he determined to try his fortunes in the new world,
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Mr. Madigan arrived in Chicago in 1876, and having good cre- dentials had no difficulty in securing a position as salesman with the dry goods firm of Partridge Bros., at that time occupying the New York Store on Madison Street, between Aberdeen and Morgan. He remained with this firm for five years, and having been very thrifty and frugal in his habits, by this time (1881) had managed to save from his wages a goodly sum, as well as to establish a reputation and good credit among the wholesale merchants of Chicago. He therefore decided to launch out in business for himself. He was young, full of energy, and a good judge of goods and values. His first venture, of course in a small way, was at the corner of Blue Island Avenue and Ewing Street, and proved a prosperous one, and two years later a store was opened at Halsted and Forty-seventh Street. In 1891, having taken his brother, D. J. Madigan, in with him as a partner, he opened a large and commodious store on Madi- son Street, corner of Wood, where the firm have a large and pros- perous business.
JOHN MULLIN.
John Mullin, one of the earliest settlers in Chicago, is one of Chicago's foremost and most respected business men, and is at the same time a leading Irishman. He was born on St. Valentine's Day, 1827, in the County of Tipperary, Ireland, of which his parents, Edmund and Johannah (Kirby) Mullin, were both natives. His father was a cousin of the celebrated worker for Ireland's inde- pendence, John O. Mahoney.
Having secured what little education was then obtainable in
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the public schools of his country, our subject apprenticed himself to a shoemaker, which was also his father's trade, and having mastered it, worked in his native town for a season and then moved to England. Dissatisfied with his life and prospects in the old country, and hearing glowing accounts of what a man of energy could accomplish in the United States, he set out in 1849 for New York. In that city he remained but a short time, journeying on to Brownville, N. Y., where he secured employment in a shoe shop.
There was at that time much talk of California as a field for fortune, and soon after he determined to see what the gold fields might hold for him. Just, however, as he was about to set out, he was attacked by typhoid fever, and after his recovery, decided in- stead to come to Chicago. Upon his arrival here in 1852 he declares the prospect was most unpleasing, for the city was built on low marsh land. To its effects he became a victim, for he contracted a fever which used up all his savings.
Suitable premises having been secured at 67 West Kinzie Street, he opened up the business which was afterwards to withstand the many financial storms of forty-four years, and to grow and expand, until to-day it is considered one of the leading boot and shoe manu- facturing houses in the country. His goods are known and largely used all over the West, and no mining camp can be visited without finding Mullin's boots and shoes in great demand. In the early years his factory manufactured for Wells & Co., and Fargo & Co., the elder Fargo being at one time very desirous to have him as a partner. During the war, Mr. Mullin obtained many contracts to make shoes for the soldiers in the field, and Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, at that time one of the men who had charge of the inspecting of the goods, told him that he should receive a gold medal for making thoroughly honest goods, which at that time was such a rarity, for every one seemed to feel justified in cheating Uncle Sam in all possible manners. The medal never eventualized, however, the
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matter being evidently overlooked, and Mr. Mullin's business af- fairs kept him too much occupied to investigate.
Mr. Mullin did a large trade in the early days also with railroad men, for whom he sent boots and shoes all over the country. He now owns considerable property on Milwaukee Avenue and Lake Street, as well as the property on which his factory is situated.
He was married to Hannah Murphy, also a native of Ireland, in 1849, just before his departure for the United States, and to her influence and good help he attributes in great part his success.
In politics Mr. Mullin has always been independent, claiming the right to vote for whoever he believes to be the best man. On several occasions he has refused to allow his name to be used as a candidate for Alderman of the Seventeenth Ward. In religious views he is a Roman Catholic.
Mr. Mullin has had a long and intimate acquaintance with public men; he knew General Grant, when as a tanner the latter used to visit Kinzie Street on business, and was also well ac- quainted with Abraham Lincoln and General Sherman.
JOHN NEWPORT JEMISON.
John Newport Jemison is a type of that old Irish gentleman one so rarely sees nowadays, but when found, commands appreciation; he is true as steel, very companionable, fearless to an eminent degree and with that polished manner which never fails under the most trying circumstances.
He was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, May 29th, 1834, His
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parents, John and Jane (Newport) Jemison, were both of well known Irish families. His father's profession was that of a banker; and John Newport was the second eldest son. As was the custom in the Irish families of that day, the oldest son was dedicated to the church; law claimed the second, and if fortune had given a third, his was the medical profession.
The subject of this biography entered Bective House College and studied there until he was sixteen, when he left and entered the office of Christopher McNally, Esq., of Dublin-where he com- menced to study the law, remaining there until Mr. McNally was killed in the Straffen accident at Kings Bridge.
Entering the office of Robert Taaffe, he continued his legal studies until he was admitted to practice at the age of twenty-one.
Mr. Jemison practiced law in Dublin for fifteen years and came to America in 1868, locating in Chicago. Not being possessed of much wealth when arriving here, he concluded that he had better gain a practical knowledge of the practice before hanging out his shingle, so after following the business of life insurance and news- paper solicitor for a time, he, through the influence of Hon. W. J. Onahan, secured a position under Dan O'Hara, who at that time was clerk of the Recorder's Court, and was appointed record writer of the civil branch, this court at the time having civil as well as criminal jurisdiction. After that he was deputy clerk of the Circuit Court, under Judge Rogers; deputy clerk of the Criminal Court, and from there he went to the County Court. From 1872 he was deputy assessor for the west town, soon after he went into the County Clerk's office to help Herman Leib, County Clerk, prepare the records for the Supreme Court of Illinois, and for a time was in the United States Court, assisting in the preparation of briefs for the United States Supreme Court.
Mr. Jemison subsequently commenced to practice in Chicago. From the foregoing experience it will be seen that no lawyer in the
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city has had the good fortune to obtain such practical knowledge of the law and the practice in this country as Mr. Jemison, in addi- tion to the thorough law training he received in Ireland. With a jury he is particularly strong, being a very forcible and interesting speaker and full of fun and mother wit. His abilities have pro- cured him a large and remunerative practice.
Mr. Jemison is very high in Masonic circles, belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Grand Lodge of Illinois, Inde- pendent Order of Mutual Aid, and others.
A member of the Episcopal church, he is very liberal in his re- ligious views, recognizing in the Most Rev. P. A. Feehan a grand representative of his race.
In politics, a Tory in the old country, he has always been a Democrat in this. He believes that Grover Cleveland is far in ad- vance of his party.
PATRICK QUAID MADIGAN.
Patrick Quaid Madigan was born in New Castle West, County Limerick, Ireland, November 17th, 1863. His father was James, and his mother, Jane (Quaid) Madigan, the father being one of the leading men of that section of the country, and one of the most prominent merchants. His grandfather, Robert Quaid, was of good old Irish stock, and, in fact, for years both sides of the family had been prominent and several of his father's brothers had taken a leading part in Irish affairs.
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