Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 145

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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WILLIAM SELDEN GALE.

William Selden Gale is a fine type of the best American citizen. A New Yorker by birth, a

New Englander in characteristics, he brought to the West in early life the ideas so peculiar to that part of our country, that all government, to he worthy of the support and loyalty of the people, must rest upon a pure and efficient ad- ministration of local affairs. As society at large rests upon the family, so the State and Nation must rest upon the' township unit. Honesty, efficiency, and economy in the conduct of local interests will as surely reappear in the adminis- tration of the State and Nation as will morality and all the tender sympathies of a human brotherhood be found in a state of society, where the sacredness of family ties and obliga- tions are observed with the sincerity of a re- ligious conviction.

All through Mr. Gale's life, prominent and above all other considerations, this principle has been manifested; and when called to look after interests extending beyond the purely local, and touching the State at large, the influence which his measures might have upon local affairs were still uppermost in his mind. If Mr. Gale has had ambition to work in larger fields (and doubtless he has, for he has been eminently fitted for such service), such ambitions have always been subordinated, not only to a feeling of obligation to perform the local duties that are ever pressing upon a competent man in any community, but also to a feeling of distaste to an active political life; for not one of the many positions of trust and honor which Mr. Gale has held was he ever an active candidate, until made so by his friends. In all his relationships to his fellow citizens, his bearing has heen cordial, his criticisms not harsh, but based upon a sound judgment, and, therefore, never used to feed a vindictive spirit.

He stands then a man to whom every young person may look as a specimen of a typical, highminded citizen.

He was born February 15th, 1822, at Adams, Jefferson County, New York, where his father, the Rev. George Washington Gale, afterwards of Galesburg, Illinois, was then Presbyterian pastor.

His mother, daughter of Hon. Charles Selden, was born at Lansingburg, New York, in 1800, and was married to Rev. Mr. Gale at Troy, New York, in 1820.

Charles Selden was born at Lyme, Connecti- cut. He graduated from Yale in 1777, in the presence of General Washington, from whom he received, with others of his class. a commis- sion on graduation day, and entered the army. He was made Captain and served until a year after the war. He became a merchant, was State Senator, and a member of the State Board of Regents of the University.

Col. Samuel Selden, father of Charles, com- manded a Connecticut regiment. was in New York at the time of the battle of Long Island, and was left behind slek when the Americans evacuated and the English entered the city. He died a prisoner. Thomas Selden and Rich- ard Ely, ancestors of Charles Selden, came to Lyme, Connecticut, about 1836, where some of their descendants still reslde.

Mr. Gale was married in 1845 to Caroline

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Eliza, daughter of Silvanus Western Ferris, and granddaughter of Silvanus Ferris, who was so prominent in the formation of the Galesburg colony.

There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gale; William Selden, George Washington, Charles Selden, Caroline, Harriet, Joseph Dud- ley, Josiah, and John. William S .; George W .; Caroline, the wife of J. Gibson Lowrie, D. D .; and Harriet, are now living. Josiah died in 1889, and was at that time Clerk of the Circuit Court of this county. The other three sons died young. Though not a college graduate, Mr. Gale's education has been a liberal one. He was fourteen years old when he left New York for Illinois. At that time he was prepared for col- lege, but was considered too young to enter. A plan for home study was begun with the expec- tation of entering college later, but in an ad- vanced class. Systematic study, however, was gradually dropped on account of some business cares and the desire for an active life incident to a new and hopeful country. Having a phe- nomenal memory, and great powers of analysis and application, the habit of reading history, political economy, and other subjects of like practical interest to the citizen, made him one of the most liberally educated men of this community.

Tempting opportunities for useful and profit- able vocations presented themselves. That of merchant and general trader at first seemed most attractive. His eighteenth and nine- teenth years were years of education in that capacity, while in the employ of Colonel Herman

Knox and James Knox, brothers in business at Knoxville, and of Ralph H. Hulburt, of Mt. Sterling. He became inter- ested in real estate and other property, how- ever, which turned his attention to the law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1846. Without the usual waiting for practice, so universal with young attorneys, his business and certain duties of citizenship absorbed all his time. His knowl- edge of the law was of great service to him in what was afterwards his life work.

Another preparatory experiment was the management of "The Newsletter," a paper pub- lished with the assistance of Dr. James Bunce and George C. Lanphere. It may be said that here Mr. Gale began his efforts to make Gales- burg a railroad center.

Railways at that time were thought to be principally useful for overland transportation, connecting lake with lake and river with river, the waterway being still considered means of traffic. The Peoria and Oquawka, the Rock Island and Peoria, the Illinois Central, the Northern Cross (Galesburg to Quincy), the Michigan Central, and Michigan Southern roads were all figuring for Illinois business. Knoxville and Monmouth both seemed to lead Galesburg in the chances of railroad connections; Galesburg was, there- fore, greatly discouraged. It came to the knowledge of Mr. Gale that the managers of the Michigan Southern road were about to under- take the extension of the Rock Island and Peo-

ria to Chicago. It was supposed that this line would come within thirty miles of Galesburg. Mr. Gale at once called attention to these facts in an editorial. A great stir was made, commit- tees were appointed to confer with Chicago and Eastern parties, and everything looked favora- ble for the construction of a branch to connect with this road. Galesburg people obtained a charter for this branch, which was to be known as the Central Military Tract Railroad. The Rock Island and Peoria

people agreed to take up its construction, but were, as it proved, a little too slow. The Michigan Cen- tral Railroad Company was about to extend the Chicago and Aurora line to connect with the Illinois Central at Mendota. Mr. Gale saw the advantage of this line at once, and the negotiations begun with the same par- ties to take up the Central Military Tract road were entirely successful. A direct line to Chi- cago, through Mendota and Aurora, was thus secured, and, as predicted by Mr. Gale, the Peoria and Oquawka and the Northern Cross came to Galesburg to make their Chicago con- nections. These roads now constitute an im- portant portion of the splendid "Burlington" system. A large part of Mr. Gale's time was freely given to this enterprise, the wisdom of which is fully demonstrated by the great, intel- ligent, and prosperous communities that have grown up along its lines. With the completion of this railroad, "The Newsletter" was trans- ferred to other parties, to the great relief, though substantial pecuniary loss, of the ed- itor.

The public offices held by Mr. Gale comprise almost everything of a local character. as well as certain positions of more general jurisdiction. From 1849 to 1853 he was Postmaster of Gales- hurg; 1853' to 1895, with the exception of five years, Supervisor of Knox County; 1871 to 1882, and 1891 to 1895, Alderman of the City of Gales- burg; 1861 to the present time, Trustee of Knox College; Member of the State Constitutional Convention, 1862; Member of the State Legisla- ture, 1869; Member of the State Revenue Com- mission, 1885 and 1886; Trustee of the Illinois Western Hospital for the Insane, 1895 to 1897; Presidential Elector, 1872. In 1853 he was nom- inated for County Judge during his absence from home. He did not desire the office, made no canvass, and was defeated.

He was a member of the whig party, and at- tended, as a delegate, most of its conventions until its dissolution, and then joined the repub- lican party. . He has been in State and National Conventions, and supported the candidates, though sometimes doubting, and even regret- ting, the policy.

Mr. Gale is entitled to a brief consideration of his more important public work, as it will serve to bring out more clearly his natural mental tendencies and power of analysis of public ques- tions.

The Constitutional Convention of 1862 con- sisted of as many delegates as there were mem- hers of the Legislature, and they were elected from the same districts. No reapportionment

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had been made for twenty years. Representa- tion was, therefore, very unjust to the repub- licans in the northern portions of the State, which had in the meantime become very popu- lous. Union conventions to nominate delegates were held in many counties, Knox among them, and the result was only thirteen republican members in the convention. It contained many able men, and among the democrats were many strong Southern sympathizers. What, then, should be the attitude of Illinois in case the Union should be broken up, was a serious ques- tion to many, and the authority of the conven- tion to declare it was urged. The influence of Douglas and Logan, together with Union vic- tories, finally put discussions of this character aside, and the convention settled down to more legitimate work. Mr. Gale, though one of the very small minority, secured the adoption of a plan, giving county Boards, under certain con- ditions, power to submit to a vote of the people questions as to removal of county seats, the ob- ject being to take such questions out of politics. Knox County was then divided into factions on this subject, and at a decided disadvantage it every district and State convention. The prop- osition was dropped on final revision, through fear that it might cost the constitution votes in some localities. In the work of apportionment, Gale was successful, having his own way as to his own locality. He had been placed on the judicial and congressional apportionment com- mittees, and the work of congressional appor- tionment was mainly done by Mr. Gale, and Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton County. The consti- tution failed before the people, owing to preju- dice created by the unfortunate character of its opening provisions.

In the Revenue Commission of 1885-6, Mr. Gale again displayed his knowledge of the details in every department of local adminis- tration. His appointment was made at the earn- est solicitation of every member of the Knox County Board of Supervisors, the county offi- cers, and the City Council of Galesburg, besides others equally prominent in matters of the public welfare-all of whom knew his thorough fitness for such an important work. The commission was composed of twelve mein- bers, six from each political party. The Hon. Milton Hay, one of the most eminent attorneys of the State was chairman. The assessment of property in the State had developed into a con- test between the assessors, to see which could so assess as to obtain the most relief for his township or county, in the payment of State taxes. The Commission saw that this contest was unavoidable, unless the State taxes were assessed and collected in an entirely different manner from all local taxes. The Commission plan, therefore, struck at the root of the diffi- culty. It was opposed by interests directly af- fected by the proposed changes, and so the work came to naught. No member of the Com- mission left plainer marks than Mr. Gale. The work was mostly done in committee of the whole when he was chairman.

In 1868, the people of Galesburg decided. if

possible, to secure the passage of a bill, submit- ting to a vote, the removal of the county seat from Knoxville to Galesburg. They put forward Mr. Gale as their candidate for the Legislature, and he received the nomination. The democrats nominated Alfred M. Craig. The county seat question figured Inrgely in the Issue, but Mr. Gale was elected. Mr. Gale was made chairman of the committee on penitentiarles and was also placed on the railroad committee. The county seat bill was presented and passed after a hard struggle. This was the last session of the Legislature permitting special legislation. Every member was, in consequence, very active. Mr. Gale had about thirty bills and succeeded in getting them all passed. Mr. Gale's interest in local affairs began when, as a boy, he listened to the plans of the founders of Galesburg before they left New York, to find the spot whereon was to be built the college and around which the village and future beautiful city was to grow.

The plan worked out by the Rev. George W. Gale, and in which Mr. Selden was so much in- terested, has been substantially followed. The first city charter of Galesburg was drafted by Mr. Gale. Geo. C. Lanphere and Oliver S. Pitcher. Mr. Gale declined a place in the council at that time, and afterwards until 1871, when he was elected without opposition. He remained in the council until 1882, and had an opposing candi- date but once during that time. He was chair- man of the finance committee during his entire service as Alderman. In the first period of hls service he refunded the city debt on terms especially advantageous to the taxpayers, and which were thought impracticable by local bankers. He negotiated the purchase of the City Park, and the year after the close of his second period of service, from 1891 to 1895, he was chairman of the committee to revise the city ordinances.

Township organization was adopted in Knox County in 1853. The first ten years subsequent to this Mr. Gale was elected Supervisor without opposition. The first five years he was the sole representative from Galesburg: then two repre- sentatives were allowed. At the beginning there were still the remnants of an early prejudice against Galesburg, as a Yankee, Presbyterian, Abolitionist settlement. The town was Increas- ing rapidly, and large bills were necessarily pre- sented to the county for the support of the Galesburg poor, the poor being entirely a county charge at that time. Moreover, the rapid growth of Galesburg was exciting the suspicions of the people that sooner or later a successful effort would be made to remove the county seat from Knoxville to Galesburg. This feellng was shared by a majority of the county Board. Mr. Gale exerted more influence in the Board than any other man, and many of the representatives were accused by their constituents of allowing themselves to be hoodwinked by him. The simple fact, however, was, that coupled with hls ability were a thorough knowledge of the situa- tion and a spirit of perfect fairness and justice, and to be associated with him in the transaction

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of the county business, enabled all to see the justness of his propositions and the sincerity of his purpose. In 1863, he was not re-elected. In 1865, his services were again demanded, and he was returned with H. R. Sanderson as an able associate. Galesburg was soon restored to her proper degree of influence. From this time until 1873, when the question of locating the county seat at Galesburg was finally settled, Mr. Gale had the care of many important measures. . He secured an order of the county Board divid- ing the town of Galesburg, drawing the division line in such a way that it made two towns, each entitled to two supervisors, thus increasing the representation of Galesburg by two members. Later he drew a hill, which passed the Legis- lature, dividing the City of Galesburg from the township, allowing the city representation in proportion to the population. This gave Gales- hurg six representatives in the county Board. This bill possessed one entirely new feature. It gave the city a township, as well as city, government. He devised the present mode of caring for the poor, dividing the responsibility between township and county, which has been so satisfactory.

The elegant three-story court house, com- pleted in January, 1887, was mainly planned by Mr. Gale, the architect taking the floor plan en- tire as submitted by him. He was chairman of the building committee during the entire time of the court house construction. His part in determining the plan for the jail and letting the contracts for construction, was practically the same. The same may be said of the construc- tion of the first insane annex to the Alms House, although he did not remain in the Board until the building was completed.

Limited space prevents the enumeration of all that Mr. Gale has done for this community; to repeat here what his opponents have said in his praise would appear fulsome in the ex- treme. One thing, however, his friends have seriously regretted, that he ever allowed him- self to be drawn from the profession of the law; for they feel that when the conclusion was reached, that his work lay along other lines, this county lost its opportunity of fur- nishing to the State one of its foremost attor- neys. Mr. Gale is still in active life, attending to his large farming interests in Knox and War- ren counties. A. J. PERRY.

GEORGE CANDEE GALE.

George Candee Gale was horn at Galesburg, Illinois, July 12, 1873. His father, George Washington Gale, a son of William Selden Gale, was also born at Galesburg, and his mother, Frances Candee, was born at La Fayette, Indiana. His father has always fol- lowed the occupation of farmer, and is a lead- ing citizen in his community. His mother, like his paternal ancestors, was of Presbyterian stock and was the daughter of an Old School Presbyterian minister. Young Gale, therefore, very naturally, entered the Presbyterian Church. The mental qualities and ten-

dencies which children inherit are quite likely to control them in the selection of the organized groups of thought to which they at- tach themselves; and so it often happens that an examination of a person's associates, indi- vidual and collective, will disclose traits of character in such person which at first would not otherwise he discerned. This rule applied to George C. Gale would indicate that, Presby- terian like, he is a man who would insist upon a great deal of individual liberty in matters of opinion; that he would claim his right to feed in every corner of the civil and religions pas- tures, but that he cheerfully submits to be restrained by the fence erected on established lines. This somewhat uncouth illustration rep- resents to the author of this sketch the char- acter of Mr. Gale. From a long line of an- cestors he has drawn these traits, and in what- ever enterprise he may engage; wherever his services may be enlisted, we may expect to find his own personality, his own conscience, and not an imitation of anybody.

Mr. Gale has had a liberal education, judged from almost any standpoint. He attended the Galesburg public schools including one year in the High School. Two years in Knox Academy admitted him to Knox College, from which he graduated, after four years' study, with first honors, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893. He received the de- gree of Master of Arts from the same institu- tion in 1895 and delivered the Master's Oration in 1896.

Naturally Mr. Gale turned to the study of the law. No other profession offers such oppor- tunities for the full exercise of his abilities and natural traits of character. He studied one year in the office of Messrs. Williams, Law- rence and Welsh; one year in the University of Wisconsin, and one year in the New York Law School. He won the first prize, $150.00, upon the thesis "Ultra Vires," in a contest open to all graduating members of the school, and was given the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1896. He was admitted to the Bar of Wiscon- sin in May, 1895, and Illinois in 1896.

Mr. Gale's boyhood was spent on the farm. We can almost imagine, however, that his fondness for reading and study, and an irre- pressihle desire to take part in the somewhat more stirring phases of life, interfered. some- what with his usefulness as a farm boy.

He is at present engaged in the practice of law, a profession with which he is deeply in love, and is associated with Mr. Wilfred Arnold.

If ability, honesty, and hard study combined will count for anything in the race for success, we may confidently expect to see some very important cases entrusted to his management before he is very old. In national politics he is a republican; in city affairs he is an inde- pendent. He has always resided in Galesburg, except when attending law school. A more extended genealogy of Mr. Gale may be seen by consulting the sketch of his grandfather, William Selden Gale, in this volume.

A. J. PERRY.

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KNOX COUNTY.

HENRY GARDT.

Henry Gardt is a native of Germany, and was born in Zornheim, June 16, 1852. His father was Peter Gardt, whose occupation was that of a wagon and carriage maker. His mother was Agnes Knusman. His grandfather participated in the early French wars. His paternal uncle has held the office of Burgomaster of Zornheim for thirty years.

Henry Gardt received a thorough common school education in Germany, where superior training of the mind is the rule, not the excep- tion. He became well instructed in those branches which especially fitted him for the ac- tive business of life. In 1868, when only a youth of sixteen years, he came to Galesburg, where he has resided ever since. He first found em- ployment with Charles Brechwald in the liquor business, where he remained for eleven years. He then formed a copartnership with Solomon Frolich and L. Nirdlinger in the same business, which firm still continues. In 1888, this com- pany purchased the Union Hotel at Galesburg, making it by their excellent management one of the best hotels in the State. It has a fine reputa- tion far and wide, and became a pleasant resort, especially for traveling men. In the Spring of 1899, they rented the hotel of George J. Mills. All this time they were engaged in the whole- sale liquor business, and have made a financial success in all their transactions.

In 1890, they organized a joint stock com- pany and built the Auditorium, which was put, and is still, under the management of Mr. Gardt.

Mr. Gardt has always shown himself as a public spirited man. The various industries and improvements of the city of his adoption he has always favored, and has given liberally of his means. He is kind in disposition, agreeable in manners, and has the ability to establish friendly relations towards his associates. He served, with credit, as Alderman, the citizens of his ward in 1884-5, being elected on the re- publican ticket. For a term of two years, he held the office of Park Commissioner. The two public enterprises to which he has given special attention are the founding of the Auditorium and the establishment of the Williams Race Track. He is a member of several secret soci- eties, among which are the following: Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Royal Ar- canum, and the Shrine of Medinah (Chicago).

He has traveled quite extensively in this country, visiting many States. In 1897, he made a tour of Europe, sojourning for a time in the land of his birth. In politics, he is an active republican, working always for his party's suc- cess.

Mr. Gardt was married May 18, 1876, to Bar- bara Glaeser. To these parents have been born three children. Two are deceased and one boy is living, Chauncey.

MARY ELLEN (FERRIS) GETTEMY.

Mary Ellen (Ferris) Gettemy, was born in Galesburg, Illinois, July 8, 1839. She is the

daughter of William Mead and Mary (Crandall) Ferris, who were married March 30, 1830, In Norway, Herkimer County, New York, and re- sided there until they came to Galesburg with the colony, in July, 1837. Their journey was long and tedious. Their means of conveyance was the usual covered wagon with all parapher- nalia that seemed needful to these settlers in a new country. Both the father and the mother had strongly marked characteristics. Their

strong wills and their unyielding disposition to overcome difficulties fitted them especially for pioneer life. The first ten years they lived at Henderson Grove, where Mr. Ferris owned and superintended a mill. They moved to the old Ferris homestead in Galesburg, in August, 1847, where the father lived and died, and the mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-nine (1899), the sole survivor of the colony that founded Galesburg.

Silvanus W. Ferris, Mrs. Gettemy's grand- father, was one of a committee of four to select a site for Galesburg and Knox College. Here he removed with his family and lived the re- mainder of his days, He took an active interest in the prosperity and growth of the town, and in establishing Knox College, of which he was a trustee until his death.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 145

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