USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Chicago and Cook County official Republican directory and sketch book, 1900 > Part 6
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No wonder he looks like Lincoln and thinks like Lincoln and talks as Lincoln did when in plain but incandescent words he told the world that the government of men must rest upon the people, be inspired by the people and run in the interests of the people.
Of Shelby Moore Cullom, there can be little written of what his merits deserve in these brief pages beyond the chronology of his life and public services, and these are part and parcel of the history of the state and federal republic. He was born Novem- ber 22, 1829, in Monticello, Wayne County, Kentucky. His father, Richard Northcroft Cullom, and his mother, Elizabeth Coffey Cullom, removed to Illinois the following year, and set- tled in Tazewell County. His father was a farmer, but took an earnest interest in the issues of the day and twice represented the Whig party in the General Assembly. The son was a typical farmer boy and developed magnificent traits of mind and body in the school of industry and early Illinois environments.
In 1853 he entered the office of Stuart & Edwards at Spring- field and began the study of law. Here it was he first met Abraham Lincoln and became impressed with those cardinal principles of American politics which in after years formed the crucial test of the integrity of the republic.
The advancement of the young lawyer, Cullom, can best be told in brief form. In 1855 he was admitted to the Illinois bar and in 1855 he was elected City Attorney of Springfield, at a time when the bar of that city numbered such men as Abraham Lincoln, Stephen T. Logan, Benjamin S. Edwards, James C.
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Conkling, John A. McClernand, John T. Stuart and others. With these men he held his own place, and in 1856 he was elected to the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, by the new Republican party, of which organization with Lincoln and others he had become a part-founder and member coming at the same time into the undying friendship of Joseph Medill, the editor of the Chicago Tribune, who held both Lincoln and Cullom in especial favor. At this time Mr. Cullom was one of Mr. Lin- coln's strongest supporters for the United States Senatorship in 1858, Mr. Lincoln's opponent being Stephen A. Douglas. In 1860 Mr. Cullom was re-elected to the legislature by a majority of 62 votes, although Sangamon County gave Douglas a ma- jority for President. The legislature being in control of the Republicans elected Mr. Cullom speaker. He was the youngest man upon whom the honor had ever been conferred, yet he ac- quitted himself with such dignity that higher honors awaited him. In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln a com- missioner to pass upon army accounts. His associates on the board were Governor Boutwell, of Massachusetts, and Charles A. Dana, of New York, and in this position he performed most valuable service to the government. In 1864 Mr. Cullom was nominated and elected to Congress, receiving 1,785 majority in a district hitherto Democratic by an overwhelming number. During his first session he took a prominent part in congressional debates and introduced the first bill intended to abolish polygamy in Utah. He was re-elected in 1866 and again in 1868. In 1870 he was defeated for re-nomination, as a result of which the Re- publicans lost the district. In 1872 Mr. Cullom was again re- turned to the legislature and once more elected speaker. In 1874 he was again re-elected, although the opposition prevented his re-election as speaker.
Then came a demand for a man for Governor and Shelby M. Cullom was chosen as the Republican leader on the State ticket in 1876. He was elected by an overwhelming majority and was inaugurated in January, 1877. Such was his wise and economical administration of state affairs that in 1880 he was re-nominated without opposition and re-elected, Mr. Cullom being the only living man to succeed himself as Governor of Illinois, although two attempts have since been made by incumbents of that office without avail. Governor Cullom's popularity was such, how-
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ever, that in 1883, when the term of United States Senator David Davis expired, Governor Cullom was elected to succeed him, Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton filling out the unexpired guberna- torial term. Senator Cullom was re-elected in 1889 and again in 1895, while so far not a single note of opposition is heard against his return to the same honored position in 1901.
During the sixteen years of Senator Cullom's official services in the upper house of Congress his acts have become prominent chapters in the history of American legislation. The interstate commerce law is the result of Senator Cullom's untiring champion- ship of that measure which forms the most important feature of federal legislation upon matters relating to internal transporta- tion and to which his name is indissolubly linked.
When the Hawaii Islands became a part of the American republic by treaty, Senator Cullom was appointed chairman of a commission to investigate the conditions in the new acquisitions and draft a code for their government. He spent several months in the islands and has now pending a bill in Congress for their government. His labors in behalf of Illinois are better written in the history of the state. That history can best be written after he has joined the silent old guard, and there is universal hope that the day may be long deferred.
Eight years in the legislature, in four of which he served as speaker; six years in the lower house of Congress; six years as Governor and seventeen years as United States Senator, Shelby M. Cullom is easily first in the hearts of his fellow-citizens.
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HON. WILLIAM E. MASON.
THE FEARLESS, ABLE, LIBERTY-LOVING UNITED STATES SENATOR -- AN ENTHUSIASTIC ADVOCATE OF SOUND REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES.
CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL PURE FOOD INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
Hon. William E. Mason, was elected to the high office as United States Senator in 1887, the contest being the hottest ever known to have taken place at Springfield.
Mr. Mason was born in the village of Franklinville, Catta- raugus county, New York, on the 7th of July, 1850. His parents were Lewis J. and Nancy (Winslow) Mason. His father, at the time of William's birth, was engaged in the mer- cantile business.
In 1858 the family moved to Bentonsport, Ia., and lived there until the death of the father in 1865. Here the boyhood happy days of William E. Mason were spent, and here the brilliant statesman's ideas first developed. When his father died William was then only fifteen years of age, and was practically thrown upon his own resources to battle with the world. He had re- ceived the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Franklinville, and later at Bentonsport. He had also studied two years at Birmingham College, and was making fair progress in the way of a liberal education when called upon to make his own way in the world.
This shouldering of responsibilities of life soon developed in the boy a self-reliance and strength of purpose which have been distinguished characteristics of the man. He began life by teaching school and developed himself alternately by teaching and studying until 1868. During the next two years he taught in the public schools of Des Moines, Ia. He then began the study of law in the office of the late Hon. Thos. F. Wethrow, who was soon after appointed general solicitor of the Chicago,
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Rock Island and Pacific Railway Company and moved to Chicago. The subject of this sketch accompanied him and remained in his office one year, and then became a student in the office of John N. Jewett, where he finished his preparation for admission to the bar. For several years he remained in the office of his distin- guished preceptor, leaving only to form a partnership with Judge M. R. M. Wallace in 1877.
He soon became known as a good lawyer and safe counsellor, and especially as an able and eloquent advocate.
Upon separating from Judge Wallace he became the senior member of the firm of Mason & Ennis, with which he is still identified.
Mr. Mason has always been a staunch Republican, and as his record will show, an enthusiastic and effective worker in the interest of his party. He was elected member of the Illinois Legislature before he became thirty years of age, and in 1882 was elected State Senator. In both he was conspicuous for his ability, his devotion to the interests of constituency, his good judgment in consideration of proposed legislation, and attention to business at all times soon won favor for him in the ranks of his party.
In 1888 he was selected by the Republicans, chiefly on account of his ability, to make the race for Congress in the Third dis- trict, and although the district was a Democratic stronghold, Mr. Mason was elected by a handsome majority. Mr. Mason repre- sented the Third district in Congress for two terms, and through his untiring efforts many improvements for the old Chicago post- office, as well as the river and harbor improvements, were passed. His record in Congress can be pointed to with pride, both by himself and the Republican party.
Mr. Mason was engaged as general counsel for the Illinois Central during the years of the memorable lake front litigation, and it was through his efforts that the matter was at last straight- ened out and the city became owner of the lake front park.
Early in 1897 William E. Mason entered the campaign for United States Senator, which was one of the hardest contested campaigns ever conducted at Springfield, and it may be said that he won a great victory over his competitors, whose powerful influence Mr. Mason overcome, though the odds were largely against him.
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Upon entering on his duties as United States Senator Mr. Mason became an enthusiastic advocate of the freedom of Cuba. The Cubans, as well as all American lovers of liberty, fully appreciate the untiring efforts of Mr. Mason in this direction.
The valuable services rendered by him as chairman of the pure food investigating committee of the United States Senate has attracted the attention of all classes throughout this broad land. Mr. Mason sincerely hopes to secure the passage of a national pure food law upon his report to the Senate on his return to Washington.
This will undoubtedly become the most popular bill ever introduced at Washington, as it affects the stomach of every individual in the United States.
Among the representative men of Chicago whose position is due solely to their own efforts none deserves more honorable mention than United States Senator William E. Mason.
In 1873 Mr. Mason was married to Miss Edith Julia White, of Des Moines, Ia., and they have a happy and very interesting family.
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HON. ZINA R. CARTER. Who was the Republican Mayoral Standard Bearer in 1899.
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HON. ZINA R. CARTER.
THE GRAND REPUBLICAN STANDARD BEARER IN THE MAYORAL CONTEST OF 1899-HIS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE .
RECORD DEFIED THE CONCENTRATED BATTERIES OF OPPOSITION.
HE CONDUCTED AN UNEQUALED CAMPAIGN IN THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Hon. Zina R. Carter who was unanimously chosen as Repub- lican standard bearer in the Mayoral contest in the spring of 1899, is one of the most thoroughly honorable clean cut men in the city of Chicago, and although he suffered defeat which is a sad misfortune to the tax payers and citizens of Chicago in general, yet the very worst that can be said of him is that he was a victim of cruel circumstances. For it is a well-known fact that his public and private records defied the concentrated batteries of the opposition, as well as the almost unanimous press of Chicago.
Mr. Zina R. Carter was born on a farm in Jefferson County, New York, some fifty-two years ago. His father died when he was only nine years of age, leaving a widow and four children of whom Zina R. was the eldest; at a very tender age he worked on the farm during the summer months, and attended the dis- trict school during the winter months.
Mr. Carter was so inspired by patriotism while still under age, that he enlisted in the army during the civil war. His mother appealed to the officers to refuse the enlistment on the grounds that he was much under the required age, which was done after considerable persuasion. Zina R. Carter accompanied his mother back to the farm, which he continued to cultivate up to the spring of 1864, at which time he hired out as a sailor and served before the mast on a sailing vessel on the lakes. At
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the close of that season he visited Illinois, and being enchanted by the possibilities of the fertile prairie soil, he at once returned to New York and persuaded the rest of the family to move with him to this state.
The family settled on a farm in Dupage County, and for several years Mr. Z. R. Carter labored hard cultivating said farm.
Being convinced that the city offered him a much wider field and greater opportunities, he moved to Chicago in 1871, and that same year bought a half interest in a retail grocery store at Polk and Halsted streets. Shortly afterward he bought out his partner's interest, and after disposing of the grocery store, he started in the flour and feed business at 16th street and Newberry ave. Under his careful management the business rapidly increased, until it became one of the largest and most successful wholesale flour and feed concerns in the entire city.
Mr. Zina R. Carter represented the Tenth Ward in the City Council for several years, during which time he made a splendid record his vote being always recorded in the interest of the city of Chicago, and in every instance against questionable measures which came before that body during the many years which he served in the City Council.
He resigned from the City Council to accept a place on the drainage board to which office he was elected some three years ago, where he showed fine executive ability in this connection, by his untiring efforts to complete the great American waterway. He has served on several important committees and as chair- man of the finance committee in that body. Mr. Zina R. Car- ter served as President of the Board of Trade for one term, which position he filled to the satisfaction of the public in general. Mr. Carter while a member of the Board of Trade for years has never been in any sense a speculator. He has dealt in actual commodities only.
In the spring of 1899, Zina R. Carter received the unani- mous nomination for Mayor of Chicago in the Republican con- vention, and the people of Chicago will have cause to regret for years to come that he was not elected, as the interest of the city of Chicago stands foremost in the heart of that broad minded splendid type of American Citizen.
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Under the existing circumstances he conducted the grandest campaign ever conducted by any mayoral candidate in this city.
The Democrats together with almost the united press of Chicago, failed to even find one spot of dishonor in his public or private record, during the entire campaign.
Mr. Carter received 107,000 votes and no one can doubt the fact that under ordinary circumstances and equal issues Mr. Carter would have run far ahead of his opponent.
The minds of the people of Chicago were poisoned against Charles T. Yerkes at that time, and every paper in Chicago except one kept telling the people every issue that Carter Harri- son was the only man that prevented Yerkes from converting all the streets of Chicago and other property to his own private use, when it was a fact that Harrison never done more to prevent Yerkes from obtaining the franchise than to make the statement that he would eat his fedora hat if the franchise was obtained.
The Republican members of the City Council killed the measure in committee, and Harrison knew well that this would be done when he made the hat statement. Nevertheless almost the united press of Chicago deceived the people by misrepresen- tations which resulted in the defeat of Mr. Zina R. Carter one of the best candidates Chicago ever had for mayor.
Mr. Zina R. Carter has been honored several times by his party, and each time the office came to him unsolicited. It is not at all unreasonable to predict that Mr. Carter will yet do even greater honor to the Republican party, than the party has ever done him. We predict a bright political future awaits Mr. Zina R. Carter.
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JAMES H. GILBERT.
Who made a splendid record as Sheriff of Cook County from 1890 to 1894.
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HON. JAMES H. GILBERT.
WHOSE RECORD IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE IS AN OPEN BOOK -- ONE OF THE FEW MEN TO WHOM THE POWERFUL REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION OWES MUCH OF ITS GREATNESS.
Hon. James H. Gilbert, whose record in public and private life will serve as a grand monument erected to himself and the great Republican party of Illinois, for generations to come, on the open pages of the book of honor.
To Mr. Gilbert the Republican party owes much for the splendid precinct organization in existence in Cook County to-day, as he is admittedly one of its earliest founders, and strongest advocates.
Mr. James H. Gilbert, was born on June 30th, 1844, and is of New England and north of Ireland ancestry; he descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His remote ancestors were English, and the first to settle in America was Jonathan Gilbert, who was from Little Edington, Norfolk County, England. He located in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1640, becoming a leading citizen and extensive land owner of that state. .
The great great grandfather of James H., the subject of this sketch, was Nathaniel Gilbert a native of Middletown, Con- necticut, who in 1765 was commissioned Captain of the Militia, and in 1776 was appointed Captain in Colonel Sage's Regiment, which was celebrated for its gallant defense of New Haven.
Benjamin Gilbert, his grandfather, located in New York State in the latter part of the seventeenth century, where he was extensively engaged in the fur business.
Elisha B. Gilbert, the father of James, was engaged in the manufacture of furniture and later became engaged in the lumber business. He removed to Toronto, Canada, at the age of twenty-five years, where he was united in marriage with Jane Harris, who was of Scotch-Irish lineage. She died in 1880 at
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the age of 73 years, and the father Elisha, passed away in 1887, at the age of 84.
This brings us down through a long period of the Gilbert family in America, to the subject of this sketch, Mr. James H. Gilbert, who spent the days of his youth and boyhood in his native city Toronto, and after obtaining his elementary education in the private schools of that city, continued his studies in the Upper Canada College, and at the Toronto University. After- wards turning his attention to the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1865, and immediately entered the practice of his profession. He resided in Toronto until the fall of 1867, when he removed to Chicago, and here opened a law office. For several years he continued his labors successfully at the bar, and was also engaged in the real estate business, in partnership with Robert C. Givins, which partnership continued up to 1883.
Mr. Gilbert's careful management of his business enterprises soon brought him success, and of late years he has been con- nected with a number of the leading financial concerns of this city.
He embarked in the banking business in 1894, and on July the 1st, of the same year was made president of the Garden City Banking and Trust Company.
Mr. Gilbert's business ability is of high order; he possesses the will to resolve and the executive force to control extensive enterprises. His great energy combined with sound judgment and capable management, enables him to carry forward to success many undertakings.
For many years Mr. Gilbert has been an important factor in the politics of Chicago. He has always been a stanch Repub- lican, and a loyal warm advocate of the principles of that party, which at all times stand for prosperity, protection of American industries and the advancement of the nation's progress and welfare. He was elected member of the city council in 1876, known as the Reform Council at a time when the city's finances were in very bad shape, and he fully justified the trust reposed in him, by proving a very valued and efficient member of that body. He acted as mayor pro-tem during the two months absence of Mayor Heath, and in that capacity fulfilled the duties with credit to himself and the citizens in general.
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In 1886 Mr. Gilbert was elected Clerk of the Criminal Court of Cook County, which office he also filled with credit for the term of four years, and in 1890 received the nomination for the high and very important office of Sheriff of Cook County. It was generally conceded even by many Republicans that that was a Democratic year. The late Frank Lawler being at that timo the strongest Democrat in Cook County, was pitted against Mr. Gilbert by the Democrats. The campaign conducted by Mr. Gilbert throughout Cook County during that fall, has long since passed into the annals of political history as the greatest cam- paign, and the grandest victory ever won for Sheriff of Cook County. The Democrats elected all the rest of the ticket except the County Clerk, Sheriff and County Treasurer, and with any other man on the ticket but Mr. Gilbert, they would undoubt- edly have captured the sheriff's office also.
Mr. Gilbert's course in every public position that he has filled was the advancement of the best interests of the city and county. The cause of the party and its success lies close to his heart, but no man can say aught against his political methods which are always fair, just, sound and straight forward.
James H. Gilbert has been a member of nearly every execu- tive committee of his party in the county from 1878 to 1894, and has twice served as chairman, during which time his mana- gerial ability and comprehensive grasp of the political situation enabled him to do most effective work for the Republicans.
In 1892 he was delegate at large to the National Republican Convention at Minneapolis, and was chosen representative from Illinois to notify President Harrison of his re-nomination and his party owes him even greater honors.
Mr. Gilbert is a valued member of the Union League, and Bankers' Clubs, the National Union, Hamilton Club, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Sons of American Revolution, the Society of Colonial Wars, Chicago Athletic, and Washington Park Clubs and a Mason of the highest rank and standing.
Mr. Gilbert was married in 1870 to Miss Ella K. Huntley, daughter of Silas Huntley, and a lady of high culture. They have two children Helen R., and Huntley N .; he resides in the Fourth Ward.
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II. H. CARR.
The well known Board of Trade man, better known as the "Farmers' Friend."
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HENRY HERBERT CARR.
A REPUBLICAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL, COMMONLY KNOWN AS TIIE "FARMER'S FRIEND."
Henry Herbert Carr, who has been a resident of the Fourth Ward for the past twenty years, is one man who contributed very largely towards the formation and completing of the unequaled organizations, which exist in Republican circles of Cook County to-day.
Mr. Carr, from a Republican standpoint, is a student of the old school; and at one time his name was coupled with that of Doc. Jamieson, James H. Gilbert, Martin B. Madden, and several other heavy weights from the South Side.
This combination of political dictators, were amongst the few who advocated and secured the adoption of the grand form of organization, known as the Ward and Precinct Clubs, which exist in Cook County, and which no other city in the United States can equal in the shape of organization, not even barring "Tammany" of New York.
To Mr. Carr belongs more credit for this grand organization, than any other man residing on the South Side, and much of the early day expense attached to the meetings held by the heretofore mentioned "Big Four" from the South Side was de- frayed by Mr. H. H. Carr. And while Mr. Carr has hereto- fore manifested considerable interest in the building up of the grand Republican organization, yet he at no time in the course of his political career, was selfish in his motives, and while it is a conceded fact that he could have any office within the gift of his Ward organization, which has previously attempted to in- duce him to become their candidate; yet Mr. Carr preferred to devote more of his time and attention to his immense business in- terests in connection with the Chicago Board of Trade; and modestly declined to accept any office other than that of Presi- dent of the Ward Club, which he held for a number of years.
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In political circles he was at one time a power, and was the first man to induce James H. Gilbert to enter the race for sheriff in 1890. His advice in politics, like that of a business nature, has always been considered sound and thoroughly reliable.
During the Shrievalty Campaign of 1890, Mr. Carr rendered invaluable services, not alone to his friend Mr. Gilbert, but to the entire Republican County ticket. He was later on urged to become a candidate for Sanitary Trustee of Chicago, which he modestly declined, as also did he at various times refused the nomination for Alderman from his Ward. Mr. H. H. Carr is not what may be termed a politician, but a strict business man, in which pursuit he prefers to remain, and devotes only his spare time to the advancement of good sound Republican principles.
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