Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 13

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 13

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BLACK, John Williams .- The Black family has been prominently Identified with the business interests of Springfield aud Sangamon Couuty, Ill., for more than fifty years, and has contrib- uted its share to the welfare and development of the community during that time. John Williams Black, who is a native of Spring- field, born May 19. 1862, has organized several successful business enterprises aud has also been active in public affairs in the city. He is a son of George Nelson and Louisa Iles (Wil- liams) Black, the former born in Lee, Mass., March 15, 1833, aud the latter born in Spring- field, Ill., December 22, 1840. The Black fain- ily is ot Scotch and the Williams family of Welsh descent, and Mr. Black, subject of this sketch, inherits to a marked degree the chief characteristics of the two races, whose sons have possessed the sterling qualities of mind and morals that have been of such benefit to the communities in which they have lived.

George Nelson Black camne West at the age of fourteen years and resided in Vandalia one year (in 1847-48), then moved to Springfield, Ill., where he resided until his death, April 22, 1908. He not only possessed the perseverance and fortitude of his Scotch ancestors, but had also inherited the energy and ambition of his New England forebears, and was always loyal both to the city of his birth and the city of his adoption, having the welfare and interests of both always at heart. He became a merchant. banker and capitalist. In 1850 he formed a partnership with his father-in-law. Colonel John Williams, the iatter of whom had bought out his brother-in-law, Elijah Iles, who was one of the first purchasers of land in Springfield, to which city he came in 1821, being the first mer- chant to locate there. The mother of George Nelson Black, whose maiden name was Persis Fuller, was a descendant of John Alden, and his grandfather. Captain James Black, served in the Revolution and was afterward clothier or Quarter Master General of the State of New

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

York. Joi Black an uncle of George N. Black, served for years as Consul-General to Mexico.

The childhood of John Williams Black was passed in the old family homestead on South Second Street, Springfield, where he lived until 1877, then went West with Frank Stuart, son of Maj. John T. Stuart, and spent one year as cowboy on a ranch, twenty miles south of Den- ver, Col., where he went through one round-up before he was fifteen years of age. The out- door life was of great benefit to him, develop- ing not only his physical but his mental qual- ities. He received his early education in the schools of Springfield, spent one year at Denver Collegiate Institute, of Denver, Col., and three years at Shattuck School at Faribault, Minn., where he graduated from the English course in 1881, receiving second honors. He received three years' military training at this school and graduated as a First Lieutenant. He spent eight years of service in the Illinois National Guard, rising to rank of Captain and Adjutant of the Fifth Infantry and serving ten months in the Third United States Volunteer Engineers, on detached service as aide to Major General James H. Wilson, in Porto Rico and Cnba. General Wilson was in command of the mid- dle division, the only one to get into action, first at Coamo later at Aibinito Pass, along the famons military road that was huilt by the Spaniards from Ponce on the south to San Juan on the north, abont fifty miles in length. Mr. Black was in Porto Rico during the months of July, Angust and September, 1898, and served with credit to himself and his division.

Upon leaving school Mr. Black began his business career as Collector in the Ridgely Na- tional Bank, of Springfield, where he remained five years and was promoted to the position of Teller. In 1886 he left this position to join his mother and sister, who were traveling abroad, and he spent five months with them, in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium Holland, England, Scotland and Ireland. After his return to Springfield Mr. Black engaged in coal mining at Cbatham, Ill .. and later organ- ized the Sangamon Paper Company, which en- gaged in the mannfacture of straw paper at Riverton, Ili. Later the company sold its in- terests to the Columbia Straw Paper Company. In 1893 Mr. Black with James L. Cook and Irving Barker, organized the Barker Mine Car & Foundry Company, which in 1898 consoli- dated with the Aetna Foundry & Machine Com- pany, of which he was manager until he closed out the business in 1908 on the death of his father, since which time he has devoted his time to his real estate interests. Mr. Black has been most successful in a financial way and has forwarded the interests of every enter- prise with which he was connected, with energy. and ability.

Mr. Black is a Republican in politics and has been active in the party's interests. He was elected a member of the City Council of Spring-

field under Mayor Lawrence's administration, serving one term. He was twice a candidate before the primaries for the office of Mayor, being once defcated and the second time with- drew his name in the interest of party har- mony. He is a member of the Governor's Guard Veteran Corps, the Sous of the American Revolution, Modern Woodmen of America and the Illini Country Ciuh. He belongs to the Episcopal Church, having joined tbat hody at Shattuck School, in 1879, under Bishop Whip- ple, of Minnesota. He is unmarried. Mr. Black is very fond of all out-door sports but is es- pecially partial to hunting and horse-hack rid- ing and motoring. He takes great interest in historical reading, as well as books dealing with adventure and military history. He takes a pardonable pride in tbe deeds and character of his aucestors, both in the State of Illinois and in the early history of the country. He is a man of liberal views on all subjects, having had his outlook npon life broadencd through travei and experience.

Mr. Black still resides at the old homestead where he resided with his mother until her death December 23, 1909, and he and his sister, Mrs. George F. Stericker (Lonise Black), are tlie only surviving members of the family.

BLAIR, Francis Grant, State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Illinois. and residing in the city of Springfield, was born in Nashville, Ill., October 30, 1864, the son of William and Mary Jane (Crane) Blair but spent most of his early life in Jefferson County. Here he received his preparatory education in the country schools and the Mt. Vernon High School, from 1884 to 1886 was a teacher in the country schools of that county, and for three years (1886-89) Principal of schools at Malden, Bureau County. He then entered the Illinois State Normal University, graduating therefrom in 1892, after which he resumed teaching, serv- ing as Superintendent of Schoois at Leroy, Mc- Lean County, from 1892-95, also filling out an unexpired term at Decatur, Ill. In 1897 he took the degree of B. S. at Swarthmore College, Pa., when he became Principal of the Franklin School at Buffalo, N. Y., remaining until 1899. About this time he was complimented by the offer of a fellowship in Columbia University, but the Eastern Illinois State Normal School of Charleston being about to open, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Training De- partment of this institution, remaining there for the next seven years.

The position occupied by Mr. Blair from 1899, in connection with the Eastern State Normal School, extended his acquaintance and gave him a wide reputation as a practical educator throughout the State, thus leading to his nom- ination for State Superintendent of Public In- struction on the Republican ticket, in 1906, as successor to the late Alfred Bayliss, his elec- tion in November of that year by a plurality of 147,834 over the Democratic candidate, and

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

a majority over ali his opponents of more than 66,000, is evidence of bls personal popularity. In 1910, he was a candidate for reelection and was again successful by a plurality of nearly 60,000.

Mr. Blair occupies an ex-officio position in connection with various State Boards, inciud- Ing that of Ex-officio Secretary of the State Board of Education, Ex-officio Trustee of the University of Illinois and of the several State Normal Schoois, of the Lincoln Monument and Lincoln Homestead, and as Commissioner of the State Library. He has also been prom- Inently indentified with various other educa- tional and sclentific organizations in tbis and other States, is a member of the National Society for Scientific Study and the State Teachers' Association, has been frequently called upon to deliver addresses before State Teachers' Associations and Is autbor of a mon- ograph of interest on "Pedagogy." He was married at Leroy, Iil., in 1898, to Miss Liliian Cayton, and his home is at 629 South Second Street, Springfield.

Mr. Blair has sustained a high rank in his professlon as a practicai educator and as an executive officer since his promotion to the position which he has occupled for the past six years. Thoroughly devoted to his officiai dutles, be is doing much to maintain the repu- tation estabiisbed for the office of State Super- intendent of Public Instruction by Dr. Newton Bateman in the fourteen years of his publlc service in the early part of the iast half- century.

BLAKELY, George, a successful farmer of Cot- ton Hill Township, Sangamon County, is a rep- resentative of the . thrifty German-American citizens wbo bave had a large share In tbe de- velopment and progress of their region. Mr. Blakely was born at Wurtemburg, January 6, 1849, a son of Jobu and Saloma (Shuler) Blakely, both natives of Germany, where they spent their entire iives. The father was a tailor and also worked on a farm. He was a soldler iu the Geriuau Army for three years. A half sister of his came to Sangamon County in 1859 and located In Ball Townsbip. John Blakely died in 1879 and his wife about 1876 or 1877.

In youtb George Blakely was employed berd- ing cattle. IIe received his education in the public schools and after leaving school en- gaged In farm work, which occupation he has since followed. He came to America when he was about twenty years of age and landed in Springfield June 5, 1869. He located on a farm in Ball Township, where he spent twenty years, then lived one year in Christian County, and In 1890 came to his present farm of eighty- five acres of laud in Cottou HlIl Townsblp. He is a hardworking and inteiiigent man and bas brought bls iand to a bigh state of productive- ness. He has a good standing in the community,

is a member of the German Lutheran Church and iu politics is a Democrat.

Mr. Blakely was married in Springfield, Ill., February 20, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth Lenhart, who was born May 27, 1861, daughter of Walter and Anna Lenbart, who came to America in 1855 and located in Springfield. Mr. Blakely and wife have no children, but their two nieces, Addie and Heien Lenhart, bave llved with them for the past eleven years. They have a very pieasant home, weli situated on Section 4, Cot- ton Hill Township. Mr. Biakely is interested in whatever affects the general welfare of the community and is ready to perform his full duty as a citizen.

BLAKESLEY, S. F., who bas been engaged in business for several years past iu Springfield, is a man of enterprise and ablllty, and is iuter- ested in varlous lines. He deals in paper roof- ing and Is well-known as the manufacturer of Blakesley's enameled roofing paint. He is a tinsmlth and also an Inspector for the Hartford Steam Boller Inspection and Insurance Com- pany. Mr. Blakesiey was born on a farm at Kickapoo, Peoria County, Ill., September 25, 1853. Hls paternal ancestors were Pennsylva- nlans and his grandparents died lu the western portion of that State. His father, Frank Blakesley, was born in Pennsylvanla and for some years worked at the trade of gunsmith in Warren County. He was an early settler of Peoria County, in 1844 returned to Pennsylvania and spent five years there, and in 1849 again came to Illinols. He died in Peorla County, at the age of sixty years, and his widow later mar- ried S. B. Storell and they removed to a farm at Bunker Hill, Kan., where Mrs. Storeli dled. She bad borne Mr. Blakesley ten children, all of whom lived to maturity and three sons and two daughters now survive: Mrs. Peppers, of Kansas; Mrs. Hulda Rush, of Idaho; S. F .: William was a soldler in the Civil War and now resides in Kansas; James, of Fairbury.

Mr. Blakesiey attended school in Peorla Couuty until his father's death, at which time the boy was twelve or fourteeu years of age, and then went to live in the family of James Gallop, who a few years since served as a mem- ber of the State Legislature. Mr. Blakesley worked on the farm during the summer and at- tended school In winter for three years, tben worked two years on a farm for Maj. Reed, at Northampton, Iil., after which he began farm- Ing on bls own account at Chillicothe, Ill. Two years later he engaged in deallng In live stock at Knoxville, and later began seliing patent rights on a pump, which he continued after com- Ing to Springfield in 1868. He aiso built up a transfer business, which he conducted a number of years, and eventuaily embarked In bis pres- ent enterprise. He has bullt up an exceileut trade and has the reputation of business in- tegrity and fair deaiing. He is a Democrat and fraternally Is connected with the Ancient Free

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and Accepted Masons, the Red Men, the Owls and the Court of Honor, in ali of which he takes a prominent part.

In 1873 Mr. Blakesley inarried Miss Jennie Butler, daughter of the late William Butler, of Springfield, who was born in Covington, Ky., and rearcd in Bloomington, where for many years her father conducted a meat market. Children as follows were born to Mr. Blakesley and wife: William, of Kentucky ; Randoiph, at home; Mrs. Minnie Kron, of Los Angeles. The family reside at 918 East Carpenter Street.

BLEDSOE, Aibert Taylor. (Vol. I, p. 52.)

BLESER, Jacob .- Through the inventive genins of a few, millions are benefitted. While the majority are content to plod along, there are those who are constantly working to better ex- isting conditions, whose names go down through the ages as the benefactors of mankind. Jacob Bleser, of Springfield, has already revolution- ized methods in certain lines of manufacture, and has placed npon the market more than one invention which will preserve his name for posterity. He was born September 7, 1868, in Germany, a son of Jacob and Johanna (Aug- stein) Bleser, the former a mechanical engineer, from whom Jacob Jr. inherited his love of mechanics. In 1884 the father brought the fam- ily to New York City, and from there they came to Springfield. A few years iater, however, he died there, but his widow survives. Their chil- dren were as follows: Jacob, Katie; Mary, de- ceased, was a Franciscan Sister ; Joseph Peter, an ordained priest, who died in Memphis, Tenn., possessed great musical genius; John, a Fran- ciscan Father, now stationed in China; and Margaret. deceased.

Jacob Bleser Jr. was in his seventeenth year when he came to Springfield with his parents, and had attended school in Germany until the time of the family migration. Upon coming to Springfield. he obtained employment in the mol- der's shop of the Wabash Railroad. His father dying. Jacob was forced to take the support of his mother and the younger children upon his shoulders, and in order to do this began working for the Illinois Watch Company. So frugal and industrious was he that before long he had bought a home, in which he established his mother. In 1889, believing he could do better, he went to Chicago, engaging with the Western Electric Company. During the following four years he remained with this and other concerns of the Illinois metropolis, then returned to Springfield and opened a little book store, at the same time manufacturing artificial flowers. At first he was located at No. 911 Capitol Avenne, but later removed to No. 84 Monroe Street, and still later selected his present loca- tion, at No. 823 East Adams Street. There he carries on a general machinist business, making inodels and dies. Being a born inventor, he is constantly working to improve devices on the market, and among other things has patented

the J. Bicser's Miner's Calcium Carbide Cap Lamp, and the Precision Bench Lathes, Nos. 4 and 5.

In June, 1897, Mr. Bleser was married to Lena Kramp, of Springfield, daughter of the late Nicholas Kramp. They have five children : Joseph, Rosa, Christine, Francisca and John. Mr. Bleser is a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and supports the candidates of his party with loyal devotion. Coming to a new country when but seventeen years old, and be- ing early saddled with the care of his father's family, Mr. Bieser has made wonderful progress and deserves great credit for what he has ac- complished. He assisted in educating two broth- ers for the priesthood and helped the others to fit themselves for useful vocations. His family life is a happy one, and in business and church affairs he proves himself true to the faith in which he was reared.

BODE, Franz, a retired merchant of Springfield, was born November 18, 1845, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, and has all the sturdy good quaiities of his countrymen. His grandfather, Frederick Bode, was a native of Gelliehausen, Kingdom of Hanover, being the village school- master. His grandmother bore the maiden name of Schomer. They both died in Germany, the grandfather when his son, Frederick was but six years old, in 1808.

Frederick Bode, father of Franz, was born in Gelliehausen, February 11, 1802. He was edu- cated at the University of Gottingen for the Intheran ministry, his first pastorate being at Eboldshausen, where on December 11, 1839, he was ordained. He held the following charges from 1839 to 1850 at Eboldshausen and from 1850 to the time of his death, March 14th, 1864, at Düdorade at which latter place he was buried on the 17th of March, 1864.

Franz Bode's mother's maiden name was Niemann. He was educated by his father until he was ten years old, when he entered the high school at Osterode, near the Harz Mountains, and there finished his education in 1860. Fol- lowing this he obtained employment as a clerk in a hardware store at Einbeck, remaining there for four years. He then became travei- ing salesman for a hardware and lamp manu- facturing company, at Magdeburg. At the end of two years he went to Berlin and for a year made that his headquarters, traveling over northern Germany. He then went to Stettin, where he clerked in a hardware house for one year. His next and last place of residence in Germany was the city of Hanover. In June, 1872. he went from Hanover to London, Eng- land, where he remained with a cousin, Bernard Ehlers, now deceased, for a short time. Finding it difficult to secure employment, as he did not speak English, he left London via Liverpool, on the steamship "City of Antwerp." for the United States, arriving in New York City, July 3, 1872. Having some means, he spent a few weeks with

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

another cousin, Albert Ehlers of Newark, N. Y., but uot being favorably impressed with Newark he came to Springfield, arriving here on the 22d of July, 1872. After some difficulty he found employment with Dr. Lord. At the end of three months he was able to speak English well enough so that he was offered a clerkship at the Western Hotel, which he accepted. Fol- lowing this he went to Milwaukee and clerked in the Republicau Hotel for a time, resigning to go to Denver. However, when he reached Chicago, he decided to see his Springfield friends before going west. Discovering that the Western Hotel was for rent, he and Henry Speckman rented it and operated the same for five years. Ile next embarked as head sales- man iu a furniture business and later opened an undertaking business under the firm name of Bode & Homberger, continuiug until 1893 wheu he sold hls iuterest in the business to his partner and retired.

Mr. Bode is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Loyal Americans. The St. John's German Lutheran Church Is his religious home. A Democrat, he served as a Member of the County Supervisors' Board from 1890 to 1893. On Sep- tember 15, 1875, he married Caroline Pierik, of this city. She died, 1890, leaving one son, Frank H. Bode, now president of the wholesale grocery firm, Bode, Taylor & Company, of Springfield. In 1891, Mr. Bode married Annle M. Volk, of Springfield. Two children have been born of this marriage: William E., a student at the Interlaken School, at Laporte, Ind., and Marie Caroline, who is attending high school here.

BOGGS, Joseph .- Very few men of his time had as many friends as the lamented Abraham Lincoln, who delighted in hls associations with those of humble birth. If he had never been selected as an instrument of fate to carry out the Divine Will, the cheer and happiness he brought into the lives of those with whom he came in contact would alone have made him great. One of the older residents of Springfield who is proud of the fact that he had the houor to be one of the friends of the martyred Presl- dent, is Joseph Boggs, residing at No. 812 East Miller Street, this city. He was born at Eliza- bethtown, Lancaster County, Pa., November 17, 1829, a son of George W. and Mary (Uhier) Boggs, natives of Lancaster County, Pa.

George W. Boggs worked as a blacksmith at Elizabethtown, Pa., until he came to Spring- field, in 1851, bringing his family with him. For a short time he worked in the city as a black- smith, then became a butcher, thus continuing until his death, January 2, 1882. His wife died July 6, 1878. They had nine children, five of whom died before the family migration. Those now surviving are: Joseph; Mrs. Jane Mc- Kenzie, living on Spruce Street, Springfield, and Cordelia, who keeps house for her brother.

Joseph Boggs was educated in the common schools of Liverpool, Ohio, and when he was

eighteen years old began learning the trade of saddler, but after working at it a short time in Germantown, Ind., he went to Milton in the same state, where he learned the shoemaking trade. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked at the trade in Milton, prior to going to Springfield, Ill. His first employer here was hls uncle, Martin J. Uhler. Following this he worked for Reuben Coou, being one of eighty men employed, ali working at custom-made foot- gear. Shoes were all made by hand in those days and according to his belief were better made than those turned out by machinery. Still later he worked agaiu for his uncle and is still engaged at his trade. During the latter part of the war he conducted a shop half-way between Washington and Jefferson on Fifth Street. He is one of the best shoemakers in Sangamon County and takes a great pride in his work.

Mr. Boggs has never married, but owns his home, where he and his sister reside. In poli- tics he is a strong Republicau, but he has al- ways been retiring and never sought public recognition. Quiet and uneventful as his life has been, he has set an excellent example of patient, faithful Industry, and through his thrift has not only taken care of himself but has provided for his old age.

BOLTE, Henry L., Chief of the Fire Depart- ment of Springfield, Ili., is one of the most ef- ficient officials of Springfield. The work of the Chief of a Fire Department calls for ability of . no mean order, and for a thorough knowledge of the work. Because of his four years' service on the Call Board, Mr. Bolte was regarded as the man best fitted to succeed Peter Jacobs, resigned, and was appointed May 1, 1909, since which time the affairs of the office have been in hls capable hands, and he has already instituted some very necessary reforms and improvements. Mr. Bolte was born in this city, March 4, 1871, being a son of Henry E. and Fredericka (Schu- macher) Bolte, the former born at Lehr, Ger- many, and the latter at Aurich, Germany.

Henry E. Bolte married in Germany and came to Springfield about 1867. By trade he was a fresco painter, and after coming here worked at his calling until the firm of Zimmer- man, Bolte & Armstrong was formed. This was the first painting and decorating firm in Springfield, and the house then founded still exists, being one of the best of its kind in the Middle West. Mrs. Boite had been in the mil- linery business in Germany and for two years after coming here was Forelady for Levi & Company. Mr. Bolte continued in the firm he helped to found in 1872 until his death, which occurred March 10, 1888. A Democrat in poli- tics, he took no further interest in public events other than casting his vote for the candidates of his party. In religious faith he was a mem- her of the German Lutheran Church. He and his wife had two children, but their little daughter died when seven months old. Mrs.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 13

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