Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 113

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 113

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John M. Nolan attended St. Mary's School and the Springfield Business College, completing his commercial course at the age of sixteen years, and for four years clerked in the store of George S. Connolly. For the next ten years he was with J. M. Fitzgerald, obtaining a wide and varied experience with these two enter- prising business meu, so that wheu, in 1908, he embarked in business for himself, he was abie to do so with a full knowledge of his work.

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Since then he has built up a large trade and enjoys the confidence of his customers, who know they cau depend upon him for fair and honest treatment. So successful has he been that he has enlarged his store aud greatly increased his stock.

Mr. Nolan is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and one of its most liberal supporters. The Democratic party receives his vote and he is active in its work. His associations with the Knights of Columbus are very agreeable and he has now passed the Fourth Degree in the order, and was formerly an officer. Mr. Nolan has already accomplished much, and his future spreads out before him invitingly. There is no doubt that he will impress himself vigorously upon the business life of the city, in which he is now an important factor.

NORDMEYER, John A. (deceased), an indus- trious and useful citizen of Springfield, where he had lived about eleven years at the time of his death, was a native of Germany, born in 1854, son of John A. and Sarah (Metz) Nord- meyer, both natives of Germany. The pareuts emigrated to the United States and secured a farm in the State of Indiana. There John A. Nordmeyer, Jr., subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood and attended the public school. He afterward worked with his father on the home farm until learning the trade of shoe-maker, which he followed many years in Springfield.

Mr. Nordmeyer was a good workman, indus- trious and thrifty, and secured a good standing among the people with whom he was associated, on account of his many good qualities of mind and heart. He was a small boy at the time his parents brought him to America. He was a devout member of the Catholic Church and in politics was a Democrat. Mr. Nordmeyer was iu the prime of life at the time of his demise, having beeu marrled but a few years, and his death came as a shock to his many friends. He passed away February 6, 1895, at his home in Springfield, and his remains were interred in Calvary Cemetery.

The marriage of Mr. Nordineyer took place at Springfield, May 10, 1891, when he was united with Miss Annie Sunderman, born September 10, 1864, in Riverton, Sangamon County, daugh- ter of Frank aud Elizabeth (Schaffer) Sunder- man, natives of Germany. Mr. Sunderman and his wife were early settlers near Riverton and secured a farm there. Her death occurred in 1891 and her husband died three years later, both being buried In Calvary Cemetery. Two daughters were born to Mr. Nordmeyer and his wife, Grace and Blanch, twins, born in Spring- field, October 5, 1894, living with their mother in the pretty home at 1307 North Eighth Street.

NORTHCOTT, William Allen, United States District Attorney of the Southern District of Illinois, and formerly Lieutenant-Governor of the State, is a distinguished citizen of Spring- field, where his business, professional and social

interests are many. He has been more or less identified with public life since 1876, when he began to discuss public questions on the forum, and he early gained the training and experleuce which the later demands of his life made it necessary he should possess. In the stormy field of politics, Mr. Northcott has borne a man's part, and has had his share in the great work of making the American Nation.

William Allen Northcott was born In Mur- freesboro, Tenn., January 28, 1854, and is a son of Robert S. and Mary C. (Cunningham) North- cott. His father was an officer in the War of the Rebelllon, being Lieutenant Colonel and brevetted General, of the Twelfth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. The youth attended the public schools of Clarksburg, W. Va., until 1869, when he entered the United States Naval Acad- emy at Aunapolis, Md., where he remained until 1873, subsequently entering upon the study of law, and he was admitted to the Bar at Clarks- burg, in July, 1877. As indicated above, Mr. Northcott had already become interested in pub- lic affairs and engaged In the discussion of political problems and as his horizon widened, his views broadened and deepened, and he be- came a prominent factor in the political life of the State in which he chose to make his home. In 1880, he was appointed Supervisor of Census for the Seveuth Illinois District and in 1882, was elected State's Attorney of Bond County, Ill., an office he continued ably to fill for the next decade. Iu 1897, Mr. Northcott became one of the leading figures in public life in the State of Illinois, being elected Lieutenant-Governor, and in that exalted position served the Common- wealth with efficiency through the more or less stormy years of the period from 1897, until 1905, and in May, of the latter year, was appointed United States District Attorney of the South- ern District of Illinois. Through these many years of public service Mr. Northcott has per- formed many arduous duties and has been called upon to play the diplomatist in many important cases, but has never falled in either tact or cour- age, whatever may have been the circumstances. In January, 1904, the law firm of Northcott & Orr was established, and in May, 1905, Mr. Northcott established his home in Springfield. Aside from his professional and official inter- ests, Mr. Northcott has business connections. He is President of the Inter Ocean Life and Cas- ualty Company, of Springfield, which was or- ganized in 1907, and is in a very prosperous con- dition. This organization furnishes life, health and accident insurance and has 21,000 policy holders.

Mr. Northcott was married at Marine, Madi- son County, Ill., September 11, 1882, to Miss Ada R. Stoutzenberg, and they have two chil- dren, namely : Nathaniel D., who is aged twenty- nine years ; Amy Allen, aged twenty-four years. The beautiful family residence is situated at No. 835 Southi Second Street, Springfield. Mr. Northcott and family attend the Episcopal Church. He Is identified with fraternal, political

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and social organizations, being a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Modern Woodmen, and from 1890, until 1903 was Head Consul of the Modern Woodmen of America. On many occasions Mr. Northcott has been present at the meetings of the Hamilton Republican Club, of Chicago, of which he is a member and has been an honored guest. He beiongs to the well-known social bodies, the Sangamo Club and Iliini Country Club, of Springfield, and is a Director of the latter.

NORTHCOTT, William A. (Voi. I, pp. 400- 401.)

NOTT, Walter Harrison .- The Nott family, a representative of which is well known in Spring- field, comes of old and distinguished stock in England. The family originated in Nottingham, Eugland, one member being John Nott, who was Lord Mayor of Londan three different times. Other members of the family have been states- men, ministers and public men of all ranks and conditions. The monogram and crest are stili preserved, the motto being "Never Despair," and the crest a raven. Walter Harrison Nott, of Springfield is proud of his descent from these illustrious forebears. He was born at Toulon, Ill., June 13, 1871, being a son of Arthur Slatt and Elizabeth (Ullum) Nott. The father was a traveling salesman, and the grandfather moved from Hartford, Conn., to Cleveland, Ohio, and thence to Illinois, arriving in the latter State in 1860. During the Civil War, the father served bravely in Knapp's Battery, First Pennsylvania. and after the conflict was over, located at Tou- lon, Ill. At present he and his wife reside at Mt. Vernon, III.

The school days of Waiter Harrison Nott were passed in Wisconsin and Iliinois, and he re- mained at home with his parents, who taught him to be useful. He drove a physician's ve- hicle and later learned the trade of barber. He moved to Galva. III., and thence to Sandwich, locating in the latter place in the fail of 1899. In April, 1903, he came to Springfield, where he opened his present tonsorial parlors, and has been very successful. He is an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Woodman and Elk. The Congregational Church holds his membership and he is regarded as one of its most valuable mem- bers. In politics, he is a Republican.

Mr. Nott was married in Peoria, Iil., August 16, 1891, to Mary Belle Mellor, born in Kewanee, Ill .. April 13. 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Nott have three children : Emmett Walter, born September 30, 1892: T. Bernard Arthur, born October 5, 1895, and Erma Elizabeth, born December 10, 1897. Mr. Nott is one of the enterprising youug busl- ness men of Springfield and takes an interest in public events. His standing is higli in the com- munity, and he has fairly earned the success he has attained.

NOTTINGHAM, Waiter .- The younger genera- tion of farmers are teaching Sangamon County agriculturists how to operate their farms accord- ing to scientific principles, and their remarkable

success is proving that they know what they are doing. One of the progressive young farmers of this locality is Walter Nottingham, of Section 31 Cartwright Township. He was born August 29, 1871, a son of John and Mary A. (Corson) Nottingham. John Nottingham was born in New Jersey, but was brought to Cartwright Township when a lad by his parents, and after reaching manhood served four years as a Methodist min- ister, following a circuit, after which he con- tinued to be a local preacher the remainder of his life. His father, Jonathan Nottingham, en- tered land in Cartwright Township, Sangamon County.

After his marriage, John Nottingham went to Menard County, but after a short residence there came back to Cartwright Township, and erected a house on Section 26, where his son John still resides. This place was his residence until his death, Juiy 18, 1890. His widow still survives, her home being at Delaware, Ohio. John Nottingham was an excellent man, a good farmer and a worthy citizen, active in the work of the Methodist Church, which claimed his ear- nest devotion and contributions throughout his life. He was active in Sunday School work and enjoyed his religious associations. Strong in his support of temperance principles, he was an ardent Prohibitionist and regretted that he could not live to see the doctrines of his party accepted almost universally, as he firmly be- lieved. they would be sometime. He and his wife became parents of ten children : Arthur, a farmer of Cartwright Township; Walter; Luther, of Pieasaut Plains; Jonathan owns eighty acres of the old homestead ; Frances lives with her mother, as also does Richard; Elizabeth married Floyd Weaver of Delaware, Ohio; Le- Roy, of Pasadena, Cai .; Frank, of Delaware, Ohio; Ida May, who died in infancy.

Walter Nottingham spent his boyhood on the farm, attending school whenever opportunity of- fered. As soon as he was prepared, he entered college at Lebanon, Ill., where he took a three years' literary course. Finishing, he returned to the farm and for three years assisted in op- erating it. On January 1, 1896, he married Amy E. Roby, born in Pleasant Plains, March 21, 1875, daughter of George and Eilen (Rose) Roby. Mr. Roby was a successful contractor and builder of Pleasant Plains. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nottingham rented a farm of I. P. Smith, north of Pleasant Plains, remaining there for six years. During this time, Mr. Nottingham operated 200 acres with remarkable results, and then in 1902, rented 400 acres south of Pleasant Piains from E. D. Boynton, and as before made a success of his work. In 1901, he bought land on Section 25 Cartwright Township, but did not live on that farm, renting it until 1909, when he sold It and bought 186 acres on Section 31, Cartwright Township, to which he moved the same year. For the past two years he has been farming this property, feeding hogs and cattle. He believes in a good grade of stock and has demonstrated that it pays to keep only that kind.

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He has an eight-room residence, well fitted with moderu conveniences, while his harns and out- buildings are in fine conditiou. His home was the old Peter Cartwright farm, and the old barn put up so many years ago, still stands.

Five children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Nottingham : a son who died in infancy ; George, who died when nine months old, born October 28, 1900, died July 19, 1901; Edna, born July 31, 1903; Walter Jr., horn August 25, 1905; Mary Ellen, December 23, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Nottingham are members of the Methodist Church, of which he is steward. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the Auti-Horse Thief Association. An excellent farmer and a good business man, Mr. Nottingham has steadily risen, and is uow one of the substantial men in his part of the county.

OBERLY, John H. (Voi. I, p. 406.)

O'BRIEN, Bessie .- Several years ago, In St. Agnes' Catholic Church, at Springfield, was a little girl who always took her place in the choir loft on the side of the soprano singers. She was so small that the choir paid very little at- tention to her, in spite of the fact that her sister, Miss Mary O'Brien, was organist. But she sang for the great joy aud happiness of it; the Latin words of the Mass appealed to her, and that she was allowed to sing them at ail in the big choir, was the most wonderful part to her. Every Sunday and on feast days she was in her place, and after awhile the other singers began to notice the ciearness and beauty of her tones. One eventful day a great master-teacher was present, who immediately began to ask questions. He went to her home aud told her mother and brothers of his discovery of the little girl. She was encouraged at once, and began to study with him; success crowned her efforts, aud soon she gave a recital of her own, being then only fifteen years of age.

The musicians of Springfield hegan to realize that they had a singer of rare ahllity in their midst, and she grew famous, not only in her own city. but throughout the central part of the State, where she sang In hoth concerts and churches. But the city of Springfield was her home, there were the friends who had first praised her. Would her dreams come true -- could she win applause for her voice alone? Among those who did uot know her, high praise had heen meted out to her when she sang Verdi's "Aller che forte Correne," at the con- cert which the people of Springfield gave to Governor Altgeld.

One Sunday morning at St. Jarlath's Church in Chicago, sbe sang Verdl's "Attilla," arranged as an "O Salutaris," and iu this she covered a little less than three octaves, from lower "E" to high "D." The strength of her voice and its exceeding fine quality made itself felt in the quiet church so that even the altar boys stole glances at the choir ioft. The next day the Chicago papers announced, in terms of highest

praise, the discovery of the wonderful singer at St. Jarlath's, Que noted musical critic declar- ing that she "sang like an angel." So her dreams began to come true, and soon she left for Paris (accompanied by her sister) to study under the famous Madame Eames-Storey, then in that city. She took up her studies with Madame F. DePiciette, who was so pleased with her that after three months' work she was ac- corded the distinction of singing at St. Joseph's Church. It was here that she really made her debut during New Year week. Afterwards she studied with Mme. Marchesi, who fitted her for grand opera. In Paris she frequently met and sang for many famous singers, including Melba. After three years of hard work she returned to America and to Chicago, where she was received with the greatest praise, and given the name of "The Modern Patti." It is told that on the morning of her arrival iu Springfield she went direct to her seat iu the choir-loft of St. Agnes' Church, as though she had never been ahroad, aud sang the Mass with the others. She has since then constantly received the highest praise fromu musical critics, the press, and the public of Illinois and other States.

Miss O'Brien and her sister now conduct a studlo in the Odd Fellows Building iu Spring- field. besides which Miss Bessie does concert work throughout the State. With William Armstrong, who iectured on "Music and Musi- cians," she made a tour doing solo work, and she also served several years as soprano solo- ist at the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. She is a sister of Frank O'Brien, a graln hroker, a biography of whom appears on another page in this work.

O'BRIEN, Frank Patrick, a successfui commis- sion broker In grain, of Springfield, was born at Curran, Sangamon County, July 18, 1868, son of Dennis and Marcella O'Brien. The father was born at Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland, about 1837, and the mother was born at .Dungarvan, Couuty Waterford, Ireland, about 1844. He was an employe of a railroad, when a young man, iater engaged In the grocery trade, and died in 1906. He and his wife were parents of teu children, of whom Frank P. is the third.

Mr. O'Brien, the subject of this sketch, at- tended the Christian Brothers School, at Spring- field, aud recelved a business education. He was first employed as hook-keeper and later as telegraph operator by the Western Union Tele- graph Company. working at the latter occupa- tion from 1885 to 1900. For four years he was connected with the United Press, located at Chl- cago, and spent the years 1889-90 at St. Louis in the employ of the Associated Press. From 1890 until 1894 he was employed in Chicago hy the Associated and United Press. In the latter year he located in Springfield, which has since been his residence. Mr. O'Brien is a good operator, and in the performance of his work for the press has been associated with many iu-

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teresting events. He has been engaged in his present business severai years and has met with gratifying success in this line. . He is an intel- ligent and public spirited citizen, much inter- ested in public affairs, and an advocate of progress. Mr. O'Brien is a member of the Catholc Church of St. Agnes, of Springfield, aud in politics is a Cleveland Democrat. He is un- married.

O'BRIEN, John (deceased) .- One of the best known men in the employ of the Chicago & Ai- ton Railroad, was the late John O'Brien, of Springfield, Illinois, whose genial personality will be long remembered by those who knew and loved him. Mr. O'Brien was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1843, helng the second son-born to his parents John and Ellen (Roses) O'Brien, farming people who lived and dled in County Mayo. They had a family as follows : Michael, was the first to leave the old home for the United States; Jolin; Mary, unmarried, died in Ireland; Bridget married Luke Lavin and lives In Connty Mayo; Margaret at home; Thomas, died in Springfield; and Andrew who lives here.

John O'Brien received a fairly good educa- tion and worked for his father while acquiring it. In 1871, he married Miss Bridget Lavin, also of County Mayo, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Lavin) Lavin, aud soon afterwards they saiied from Liverpool for the United States. The journey consnmed seventeen days, and as the passage was rough and stormy, they were glad when New York was reached. From there they came direct to Springfield, where Mr. O'Brien went to work for the Chicago & Alton Railroad, continning with them for seven years, when he bought a farm In Logan County. Here he suffered from a severe sunstroke, which resulted in his retirement to Springfield, and eventual death, In 1S9S. He died as he had lived, a devout member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, to which he was a liberal contributor. In politics, he was a

stanch Democrat. He and his wife had chil- dren as follows: Mary; Margaret; Annie, a trained nurse in Chicago; Patrick, a inlner ; and Nellie. These children and Mrs. O'Brien all belong to St. Joseph's Church. Mr. O'Brien always did what he believed to he his dnty, endeavoring to bring up his children correctly and provide for them and his wife the com- forts of life. Stricken down while carrying ont his farm duties, he never fully recovered, but kept his warm friendships to the last, and died regretted by a wide circle of those who still miss his kindly presence and sympathetic words of praise and advice.

O'BRIEN, Patrick, a public-spirited Irish- American citizen of Springfield, Ill., was born in March, 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Welsh) O'Brien, also natives of Ireland, where the death of both occurred. Thomas O'Brien and his wife were parents of nine chil-

dren, namely : Michael, James, Walter, Thomas, Patrick, Mary, Kate, Bridget and Anın, of whom all came to the United States with the excep- tion of Bridget, who still lives on the family homestead in Ireland.

As a boy Patrick O'Brien atteuded school in his uative place. While yet a hoy he went to England and remained there fifteen years, work- ing on a farm and at his trade of stone-mason. When thirty-three years of age he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York, whence he came to Springfield, Ill., and later went to St. Louis. He was employed on a Government steam-boat during the Civil War for ahout one year, entering the service in 1862, and later went to Benton Barracks, where he worked another year. In the fall of 1864 he returned to Springfield, and later went to the vicinity of BloomIngton, where he lived for thirty years. He has retired from work at his trade, and for several years past has been in the employ of the Park Board of Springfield, to which city he again returned in 1901.

In 1858, before leaving Ireland for America, Mr. O'Brien marrled Mary Ford, daugliter of Michael and Honora (Leach) Ford, who spent their entire lives in Ireland, as did their par- ents before them: Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien, of whom two are de- ceased; Thomas, born and died in Ireland ; Marie died in St. Louis, where she is buried; Annie, born in Chenoa, married Charles Ryan, a prominent citizen of Springfield, where they reside, and they have no children; James M., born in Chenoa, is an employe of a railroad and lives in Chicago.

Mr. O'Brien is a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church and attends the church pre- sided over by Father O'Reilly. He is also a member of Father Matthew's Society and con- tributes hls share towards the support of vari- ons religious movements connected with the church of his faith. He is typical of the hest citizenship and proud of his family and his per- sonal success in life. He has always been indns- trious and thrifty and has become the owner of some real estate in Springfield. The family reside at 815 East North Grand Avenue.

O'BRIEN, Thomas F., a prominent and success- ful builder and contractor of Springfield, is a native of that city, horn February 8, 1864. He is a son of Timothy and Mary ( Moore) O'Brien, the former a native of Ireland. The father came to the United States as a young man and located in Springfield. He was a carpenter by trade and worked many years .as journeyman, later taking up contracting on his own account. He has achieved a gratifying degree of success and is the owner of many houses and other property in the city.

Thomas F. O'Brien spent his boyhood In Springfield and was educated at St. Mary's School In that city. He has always heen fond of hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports. After leaving school he learned the trade of

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carpenter, and has since worked at it. His en- tire life has been spent in Springfield and he has assisted materially in its growth and prog- ress since engaging iu business ou liis own ac- count. For the last six years he has been tak- iug contracts for the erection of houses and other bulldings, and has been able to build up a good business. He is an expert carpenter aud possesses considerahle executive ability. being quick to see the best way of doing a thing and equally quick to apply the knowledge. He has showu intelligence and enterprise iu establish- ing himself in his present line of work, for which he is well fitted, aud has au excellent rep. utatiou in business circles.

Mr. O'Brien was married in Springfield, April 26, 1897, to Miss Bridget A. Murray, horn Sep- tember 21, 1865, daughter of William and Cath- erine D. Murray, who spent their eutire mar- ried lives on a farm until 1909, since which they have lived in Springfield. Mr. Murray was born December 10, 1843, and his wife November 28, 1846. Four children were horn to Mr. O'Brien and his wife, uamely : Ethel R., born March 10, 1898; Timothy M., April 10, 1902; William M., May 26, 1905; Cyril P., May 17, 1910. Mr. O'Brien owns the comfortable fam- ily residence at 1049 North. Fourteenth Street. He is a member of the Catholic Church, a Demo- crat in politics, and fraternally has been a mem- ber of the Order of Yeomen since 1901.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 113

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774