Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 12

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388

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BRIDGEPORT, a town of Lawrence County, on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 14 miles west of Vincennes, Ind. It has a bank and one weekly paper. Population (1890), 559.

BRIDGEPORT, a former suburb (now a part of the city) of Chicago, located at the junction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal with the South Branch of the Chicago River. It is now the

center of the large slaughtering and packing industry.

BRIDGEPORT & SOUTH CHICAGO RAIL- WAY. (See Chicago & Northern Pacific Railroad.)

BRIGHTON, a village of Macoupin County, at the intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the Rock Island and St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railways; coal is mined here; has a newspaper. Population (1880), 691; (1890), 697.

BRIMFIELD, a town of Peoria County, on the Buda and Rushville branch of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railway, 38 miles south of Buda; coal-mining and farming are the chief industries. It has one weekly paper and a bank. Population (1880), 832; (1890), 719.

BRISTOL, Frank Milton, clergyman, was born in Orleans County, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1851; came to Kankakee, Ill., in boyhood, and having lost his father at 12 years of age, spent the following years in various manual occupations until about nineteen years of age, when, having been con- verted, he determined to devote his life to the ministry. Through the aid of a benevolent lady, he was enabled to get two years' (1870-72) instruc- tion at the Northwestern University, at Evans- ton, afterwards supporting himself by preaching at various points, meanwhile continuing his studies at the University until 1877. After com- pleting his course he served as pastor of some of the most prominent Methodist churches in Chi- cago, his last charge in the State being at Evans- ton. In 1897 he was transferred to Washington City, becoming pastor of the Metropolitan M. E. Church, attended by President Mckinley Dr. Bristol is an author of some repute and an orator of recognized ability.

BROADWELL, Norman M., lawyer, was born in Morgan County, Ill., Angnst 1, 1825; was edu- cated in the common schools and at Mckendree and Illinois Colleges, but compelled by failing health to leave college without graduating; spent some time in the book business, then began the study of medicine with a view to benefiting his own health, but finally abandoned this and, about 1850, commenced the study of law in the office of Lincoln & Herndon at Springfield. Having been admitted to the bar, he practiced for a time at Pekin, but, in 1854, returned to Springfield, where he spent the remainder of his life. In 1860 he was elected as a Democrat to the House of Representatives from Sangamon County, serving in the Twenty-second General Assembly. Other offices held by him included those of County Judge (1863-65) and Mayor of the city of Spring-

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

field, to which last position he was twice elected (1867 and again in 1869). Judge Broadwell was one of the most genial of men, popular, high- minded and honorable in all his dealings. Died, in Springfield, Feb. 28, 1893.

BROOKS, John Flavel, educator, was born in Oneida County, New York, Dec. 3, 1801; graduated at Hamilton College, 1828; studied three years in the theological department of Yale College; was ordained to the Presbyterian min- istry in 1831, and came to Illinois in the service of the American Home Missionary Society. After preaching at Collinsville, Belleville and other points, Mr. Brooks, who was a member of the celebrated "Yale Band," in 1837 assumed the principalship of a Teachers' Seminary at Waverly, Morgan County, but three years later removed to Springfield, where he established an academy for both sexes. Although finally compelled to abandon this, he continued teaching with some interruptions to within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1886. He was one of the Trus- tees of Illinois College from its foundation up to his death.

BROSS, William, journalist, was born in Sus- sex County, N. J., Nov. 14, 1813, and graduated with honors from Williams College in 1838, hav- ing previously developed his physical strength by much hard work upon the Delaware and Hudson Canal, and in the lumbering trade. For five years after graduating he was a teacher, and settled in Chicago in 1848. There he first engaged in bookselling, but later embarked in journalism. His first publication was "The Prairie Herald," a religious paper, which was discontinued after two years. In 1852, in connection with John L. Scripps, he founded "The Democratic Press," which was consolidated with "The Tribune" in 1858, Mr. Bross retaining his connection with the new concern. He was always an ardent free- soiler, and a firm believer in the great future of Chicago and the Northwest. He was an enthusi- astic Republican, and, in 1856 and 1860, served as an effective campaign orator. In 1864 he was the successful nominee of his party for Lieuten- ant-Governor. This was his only official position outside of a membership in the Chicago Common Council in 1855. As a presiding officer, he was dignified yet affable, and his impartiality was shown by the fact that no appeals were taken from his decisions. After quitting public life he devoted much time to literary pursuits, deliver- ing lectures in various parts of the country. Among his best known works are a brief "His- tory of Chicago," "History of Camp Douglas,"

and "Tom Quick." Died, in Chicago, Jan. 27, 1890.

BROWN, Henry, lawyer and historian, was born at Hebron, Tolland County, Conn., May 13, 1789-the son of a commissary in the army of General Greene of Revolutionary fame; gradu- ated at Yale College, and, when of age, removed to New York, later studying law at Albany, Canandaigua and Batavia, and being admitted to the bar about 1813, when he settled down in practice at Cooperstown; in 1816 was appointed Judge of Herkimer County, remaining on the bench until about 1824. He then resumed prac- tice at Cooperstown, continuing until. 1836, when he removed to Chicago. The following year he was elected a Justice of the Peace, serving two years, and, in 1842, became Prosecuting Attorney of Cook County. During this period he was engaged in writing a "History of Illinois," which was published in New York in 1844 This was regarded at the time as the most voluminous and best digested work on Illinois history that had as yet been published. In 1846, on assuming the Presidency of the Chicago Lyceum, he delivered an inaugural entitled "Chicago, Present and Future," which is still preserved as a striking prediction of Chicago's future greatness. Origi- nally a Democrat, he became a Freesoiler in 1848. Died of cholera, in Chicago, May 16, 1849.

BROWN, James B., journalist, was born in Gilmanton, Belknap County, N. H., Sept. 1, 1833-his father being a member of the Legisla- ture and Selectman for his town. The son was educated at Gilmanton Academy, after which he studied medicine for a time, but did not gradu- ate. In 1857 he removed West, first settling at Dunleith, Jo Daviess County, Ill., where he became Principal of the public schools; in 1861 was elected County Superintendent of Schools for Jo Daviess County, removing to Galena two years later and assuming the editorship of "The Gazette" of that city. Mr. Brown also served as Postmaster of Galena for several years. Died, Feb. 13, 1896.

BROWN, James N., agriculturist and stock- man, was born in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 1, 1806; came to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1833, locating at Island Grove, where he engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising. He served as Representative in the General Assem- blies of 1840, '42, '46, and '52, and in the last was instrumental in securing the incorporation of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, of which he was chosen the first President, being re-elected in 1854. He was one of the most enterprising grow-

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

ers of blooded cattle in the State and did much to introduce them in Central Illinois; was also an earnest and influential advocate of scientific education for the agricultural classes and an efficient colaborer with Prof. J. B. Turner, of Jacksonville, in securing the enactment by Con- gress, in 1862, of the law granting lands for the endowment of Industrial Colleges, out of which grew the Illinois State University and institu- tions of like character in other States. Died, Nov. 16, 1868.

BROWN, William, lawyer and jurist, was born June 1, 1819, in Cumberland, England, his par- ents emigrating to this country when he was eight years old, and settling in Western New York. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester, in October, 1845, and at once removed to Rock- ford, Ill., where he commenced practice. In 1852 he was elected State's Attorney for the Four- teenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1857, was chosen Mayor of Rockford. In 1870 he was elected to the bench of the Circuit Court as successor to Judge Sheldon, later was promoted to the Su- preme Court, and was re-elected successively in 1873, in '79 and '85. Died, at Rockford, Jan. 15, 1891.

BROWN, William H., lawyer and financier, was born in Connecticut, Dec. 20, 1796; spent his boyhood at Auburn, N. Y., studied law, and, in 1818, came to Illinois with Samuel D. Lock- wood (afterwards a Justice of the State Supreme Court), descending the Ohio River to Shawnee- town in a flat-boat. Mr. Brown visited Kaskas- kia and was soon after appointed Clerk of the United States District Court by Judge Nathaniel Pope, removing, in 1820, to Vandalia, the new State capital, where he remained until 1835. He then removed to Chicago to accept the position of Cashier of the Chicago branch of the State Bank of Illinois, which he continued to fill for many years. He served the city as School Agent for thirteen years (1840-53), managing the city's school fund through a critical period with great discretion and success. He was one of the group of early patriots who successfully resisted the attempt to plant slavery in Illinois in 1823-24; was also one of the projectors of the Chicago & Galena Union Railroad, was President of the Chicago Historical Society for seven years and connected with many other local enterprises. He was an ardent personal friend of President Lincoln and served as Representative in the Twenty-second General Assembly (1860-62). While making a tour of Europe he died of paraly- sis at Amsterdam, June 17, 1867.

BROWN COUNTY, situated in the western part of the State, with an area of 300 square miles, and a population (1890) of 11,951; was cut off from Schuyler and made a separate county in May, 1839, being named in honor of Gen. Jacob Brown. Among the pioneer settlers were the Vandeventers and Hambaughs, John and David Six, William McDaniel, Jeremiah Walker, Willis O'Neil, Harry Lester, John Ausmus and Robert H. Curry. The county-seat is Mount Sterling, a town of no little attractiveness. Other prosperous villages are Mound Station and Ripley. The chief occupation of the people is farming, although there is some manufacturing of lumber and a few potteries along the Illinois River.

BROWNE, Francis Fisher, editor and author, was born in South Halifax, Vt., Dec. 1, 1843, the son of William Goldsmith Browne, who was a teacher, editor and author of the song "A Hun- dred Years to Come." In childhood he was brought by his parents to Western Massachusetts, where he attended the public schools and learned the printing trade in his father's newspaper office at Chicopee, Mass. Leaving school in 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Regiment Massa- chusetts Volunteers, in which he served one year, chiefly in North Carolina and in the Army of the Potomac. On the discharge of his regi- ment he engaged in the study of law at Roches- ter, N. Y., entering the law department of the University of Michigan in 1866, but abandoning his intenton of entering the legal profession, removed to Chicago in 1867, where he engaged in journalistic and literary pursuits. Between 1869 and '74 he was editor of "The Lakeside Monthly," when he became literary editor of "The Alliance," but, in 1880, he established and assumed the editorship of "The Dial," a purely literary pub- lication which has gained a high reputation, and of which he has remained in control continuously ever since, meanwhile serving as the literary adviser, for many years, of the well-known pub- lishing house of McClurg & Co. Besides his journalistic work, Mr. Browne has contributed to the magazines and literary anthologies a num- ber of short lyrics, and is the author of "The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln" (1886), and a volume of poems entitled, "Volunteer Grain" (1893). He also compiled and edited "Golden Poems by British and American Authors" (1881); "The Golden Treasury of Poetry and Prose" (1886), and the "Laurel Crowned"series of stand- ard poetry (1891-92). Mr. Browne was Chairman of the Committee of the Congress of Authors in

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

the World's Congress Auxiliary held in con- nection with The Columbian Exposition in 1893.

BROWNE, Thomas C., early jurist, was born in Kentucky, studied law there and, coming to Shawneetown in 1812, served in the lower branch of the Second Territorial Legislature (1814-16) and in the Council (1816-18), being the first law- yer to enter that body. In 1815 he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney and, on the admission of Illinois as a State, was promoted to the Supreme bench, being re-elected by joint ballot of the Legislature in 1825, and serving continuously until the reorganization of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1848, a period of over thirty years. Judge Browne's judicial character and abilities have been differently estimated. Though lacking in industry as a student, he is represented by the late Judge John D. Caton, who knew him personally, as a close thinker and a good judge of men. While seldom, if ever, accustomed to argue questions in the conference room or write out his opinions, he had a capacity for expressing himself in short, pungent sen- tences, which indicated that he was a man of con- siderable ability and had clear and distinct views of his own. An attempt was made to impeach him before the Legislature of 1843 "for want of capacity to discharge the duties of his office," but it failed by an almost unanimous vote. He was a Whig in politics, but had some strong sup- porters among Democrats. In 1822 Judge Browne was one of the four candidates for Governor-in the final returns standing third on the list and, by dividing the vote of the advocates of a pro-slavery clause in the State Constitution, contributing to the election of Governor Coles and the defeat of the pro-slavery party. (See Coles, Edward, and Slavery and Slave Laws.) In the latter part of his official term Judge Browne resided at Ga- lena, but, in 1853, removed with his son-in-law, ex-Congressman Joseph P. Hoge, to San Fran- cisco, Cal., where he died a few years later -- probably about 1856 or 1858.

BROWNING, Orville Hickman, lawyer, United States Senator and Attorney-General, was born in Harrison County, Ky., in 1810. After receiv- ing a classical education at Augusta in his native State, he removed to Quincy, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1831. In 1832 he served in the Black Hawk War, and from 1836 to 1843, was a member of the Legislature, serving in both houses. A personal friend and political adherent of Abraham Lincoln, he aided in the organization of the Republican party at the memorable

Bloomington Convention of 1856. As a delegate to the Chicago Convention in 1860, he aided in securing Mr. Lincoln's nomination, and was a conspicuous supporter of the Government in the Civil War. In 1861 he was appointed by Gov- ernor Yates United States Senator to fill Senator Douglas' unexpired term, serving until 1863. In 1866 he became Secretary of the Interior by ap- pointment of President Johnson, also for a time discharging the duties of Attorney-General. Returning to Illinois, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, which was his last participation in public affairs, his time thereafter being devoted to his profession. He died at his home in Quincy, Ill., August 10, 1881.

BRYAN, Silas Lillard, legislator and jurist, born in Culpepper County, Va., Nov 4, 1822; was left an orphan at an early age, and came west in 1840, living for a time with a brother near Troy, Mo. The following year he came to Marion County, Ill., where he attended school and worked on a farm; in 1845 entered McKendree College, graduating in 1849, and two years later was admitted to the har, supporting himself meanwhile by teaching. He settled at Salem, Ill., and, in 1852, was elected as a Democrat to the State Senate, in which body he served for eight years, being re-elected in 1856. In 1861 he was elected to the hench of the Second Judicial Circuit, and again chosen in 1867, his second term expiring in 1873. While serving as Judge, he was also elected a Delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention of 1869-70. He was an unsuc- cessful candidate for Congress on the Greeley ticket in 1872. Died at Salem, March 30, 1880 .- William Jennings (Bryan), son of the preceding, was born at Salem, Ill., March 19, 1860. The early life of young Bryan was spent on his father's farm, but at the age of ten years he began to attend the public school in town; later spent two years in Whipple Academy, the preparatory department of Illinois College at Jacksonville, and, in 1881, graduated from the college proper as the valedictorian of his class. Then he devoted two years to the study of law in the Union Law School at Chicago, meanwhile acting as clerk and studying in the law office of ex-Senator Lyman Trumbull. Having graduated in law in 1883, he soon entered upon the practice of his profession at Jacksonville as the partner of Judge. E. P. Kirby, a well-known lawyer and prominent Republican of that city. Four years later (1887) found him a citizen of Lincoln, Neb., which has since been his home. He took a prominent part

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

in the politics of Nebraska, stumping the State for the Democratic nominees in 1888 and '89, and in 1890 received the Democratic nomination for Congress in a district which had been regarded as strongly Republican, and was elected by a large majority. Again, in 1892, he was elected by a reduced majority, but two years later declined a renomination, though proclaiming himself a free-silver candidate for the United States Senate, meanwhile officiating as editor of "The Omaha World-Herald." In July, 1896, he received the nomination for President from the Democratic National Convention at Chicago, on a platform declaring for the "free and unlimited coinage of silver" at the ratio of sixteen of silver (in weight) to one of gold, and a few weeks later was nominated by the "Populists" at St. Louis for the same office-being the youngest man ever put in nomination for the Presidency in the his- tory of the Government. He conducted an active personal campaign, speaking in nearly every Northern and Middle Western State, but was defeated by his Republican opponent, Maj. William Mckinley. Mr. Bryan is an easy and fluent speaker, possessing a voice of unusual compass and power, and is recognized, even by his political opponents, as a man of pure personal character.

BRYAN, Thomas Barbour, lawyer and real estate operator, was born at Alexandria, Va., Dec. 22, 1828, being descended on the maternal side from the noted Barbour family of that State; graduated in law at Harvard, and, at the age of twenty-one, settled in Cincinnati. In 1852 he came to Chicago, where he acquired ex- tensive real estate interests and built Bryan Hall, which became a popular place for en- tertainments. Being a gifted speaker, as well as a zealous Unionist, Mr. Bryan was chosen to deliver the address of welcome to Senator Douglas, when that statesman returned to Chicago a few weeks before his death in 1861. During the progress of the war he devoted his time and his means most generously to fitting out soldiers for the field and caring for the sick and wounded. His services as President of the great Sanitary Fair in Chicago (1865), where some $300,000 were cleared for disabled soldiers, were especially conspicuous. At this time he became the purchaser (at $3,000) of the original copy of President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had been donated to the cause. He also rendered valuable service after the fire of 1871, though a heavy sufferer from that event, and was a leading factor in securing the location of the

World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1890, later becoming Vice President of the Board of Directors and making a visit to Europe in the interest of the Fair. After the war Mr. Bryan resided in Washington for some time, and, by appointment of President Hayes, served as Com- missioner of the District of Columbia. Possessing refined literary and artistic tastes, he has done much for the encouragement of literature and art in Chicago. His home is in the suburban village of Elmhurst .- Charles Page (Bryan), son of the preceding, lawyer and foreign minister, was born in Chicago, Oct. 2, 1855, and educated at the University of Virginia and Columbia Law School; was admitted to practice in 1878, and the following year removed to Colorado, where he remained four years, while there serving in both Houses of the State Legislature. In 1883 he returned to Chicago and became a member of the First Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, serving upon the staff of both Governor Oglesby and Governor Fifer; in 1890, was elected to the State Legislature from Cook County, being re- elected in 1892, and in 1894; was also the first Commissioner to visit Europe in the interest of the World's Columbian Exposition, on his return serving as Secretary of the Exposition Commis- sioners in 1891-92. In the latter part of 1897 he was appointed by President Mckinley Minister to China, but before being confirmed, early in 1898, was assigned to the United States mission to the Republic of Brazil, where he now is, Hon. E. H. Conger of Iowa, who had previously been appointed to the Brazilian mission, being trans- ferred to Pekin.

BRYANT, John Howard, pioneer, brother of William Cullen Bryant, the poet, was born in Cummington, Mass., July 22, 1807, educated at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N. Y,; removed to Illinois in 1831, and held vari- ous offices in Bureau County, including that of Representative in the General Assembly, to which he was elected in 1842, and again in 1858. A practical and enterprising farmer, he was identi- fied with the Illinois State Agricultural Society in its early history, as also with the movement which resulted in the establishment of industrial colleges in the various States. He was one of the founders of the Republican party and a warm personal friend of President Lincoln, being a member of the first Republican State Convention at Bloomington in 1856, and serving as Collector of Internal Revenue by appointment of Mr. Lin- coln in 1862-64. In 1872 Mr. Bryant joined in the Liberal Republican movement at Cincinnati, two

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

years later was identified with the "Independent Reform" party, but has since cooperated with the Democratic party. He has produced two volumes of poems, published, respectively, in 1855 and 1885, besides a number of public addresses. His home is at Princeton, Bureau County.

BUCK, Hiram, clergyman, was born in Steu- ben County, N. Y., in 1818; joined the Illinois Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1843, and con- tinued in its service for nearly fifty years, being much of the time a Presiding Elder. At his death he hequeathed a considerable sum to the endowment funds of the Wesleyan University at Bloomington and the Illinois Conference College at Jacksonville. Died at Decatur, Ill., August 22, 1892.

BUDA, a town in Bureau County, at the junc- tion of two branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, twelve miles southwest of Princeton (the country-seat), and 118 miles west- southwest of Chicago. It has several churches, a bank and a newspaper office. Dairying is ex- tensively carried on in the surrounding region, and Buda has a good sized creamery. Beds of clay abound, and brick and tile are manufactured here. There are also iron works and a manu- factory of railroad supplies. Population (1880), 778. (1890), 990.

BUFORD, Napoleon Bonaparte, banker and soldier, was horn in Woodford County, Ky., Jan. 13, 1807; graduated at West Point Military Acad- emy, 1827, and served for some time as Lieutenant of Artillery; entered Harvard Law School in 1831, served as Assistant Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy there (1834-35), then resigned his commission, and, after some service as an engineer upon public works in Kentucky, established himself as an iron-founder and banker at Rock Island, Ill., in 1857 becoming President of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. In 1861 he entered the volunteer service, as Colonel of the Twenty-seventh Illinois, serving at various points in Western Kentucky and Tennessee, as also in the siege of Vicksburg, and at Helena, Ark., where he was in command from Septem- ber, 1863, to March, 1865. In the meantime, by promotion, he attained to the rank of Major- General by brevet, heing mustered out in August, 1865. He subsequently held the post of Special United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs (1868), and that of Inspector of the Union Pacific Railroad (1867-69). Died, March 28, 1883.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 12

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1388

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388