Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 150

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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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM H. SMOLLINGER.

William H. Smollinger, President of Cove- nant Mutual Life Association, and son of John Martin and Anna M. (Maurer) Smollinger, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 20, 1858.

His parents were natives of Germany and were married in Wertenberg. They came to America in 1852, settling in Milwaukee, where they remained for sixteen years. They then removed, in 1869, to Aurora, Illinois, where the father died. The father's occupation was that of a live stock and grain dealer.

William H. received his early instruction in the excellent public schools where he lived. His first school days were spent in Aurora, Illinois. Afterwards he took a course of study at the North Western College at Naperville. Thus equipped, he was well fitted to enter upon the active duties of life. In February, 1880, he came to Galesburg to act in the capacity of Assistant Cashier in the Covenant Mutual. In December, 1882, he resigned that position to take charge of the correspondence of the Parlin and Orendorff Company, Canton, Illinois. He did not remain long in this position, but re- turned to the Covenant Mutual in August, 1883. In 1889, he was elected Assistant Secretary, and in 1890, Secretary, which post he held until March, 1897, when he was elected President of Covenant Mutual, which position he now holds.

Mr. Smollinger is a man highly respected by all who know him. Kind in disposition, affable in manners, learned in his profession, he has won the confidence of every one with whom he is associated. Free from all vanity and vaingloriousness, possessed of urbanity and suavity, he addresses himself favorably to every one. He is modest, unassuming, and never, in an obnoxious way, pushes himself to the front. After the waters are stirred, he finds his opportunity, and improves it with a sound judgment and keen discretion.

Mr. Smollinger has been connected with various societies. He was initiated into Veritas Lodge 478, Galesburg, October 21, 1880; into the Colfax Encampment 28, in 1882; has filled all the offices in local lodges; represented the Lodge and Encampment, of which he was a member, in the State Grand Lodge and State Grand Encampment; was elected Grand Junior Warden of Grand Encampment of Illinois, November, 1891; Grand Senior Warden Novem-

ber, 1892; Grand High Priest in 1893; Grand Patriarch of the State of Illinois, November 20, 1894; and Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, November 19, 1895. He was also an active member of the Patriarch's Millepost (Military Order of I. O. O. F.), and served for some time in the Na- tional body of that branch of the order as Adjutant General, Third Army Corps.

Mr. Smollinger has never been abroad, but he has gathered much information and broad- ened himself by his travels at home. He has visited every State in the Union, and has also made extensive trips into Mexico and Canada. He belongs to no church organization. His political creed is republican. He firmly be- lieves in republican principles, and never has had a desire to affiliate with any other party. Mr. Smollinger was never married.

JOHN VAN NESS STANDISH.

John Van Ness Standish is a lineal descend- ant of Captain Miles Standish, of Pilgrim fame, and was born in Woodstock, Vermont, Febru- ary 26, 1825. His father was John Winslow Standish, who was born in Pembroke, Massa- chusetts, July 19, 1785. He was a man of many virtues. He was kind, affectionate, trustful, and had a heart full of love for everyone. Ile possessed good natural powers of mind, and lived to his ninetieth year an exemplary and honorable life.

His mother was Caroline Williams Myrick, who was born in Woodstock, Vermont, Decem- ber 20, 1790. She was the daughter of Lieu- tenant Samuel Myrick, who served his country through the Revolutionary War. She was de- voted to her family and friends, domestic in her home life, untiring in industry, frugal, dis- creet, intelligent, and her whole life of sacrifice and dnty is stamped indelibly upon the memory of her children.

The ancestry of the Standish family reaches back to a very early period in English history. In the thirteenth century, there were two branches to the family; one called the "Stand- ishes of Standish," and the other the "Stand- ishes of Duxbury Hall." Their location was near the village of Chorley, Lancashire. The first of the name was Thurston de Standish, who was living in 1222. He had a son Ralph, who had a son Hugh. In 1306, on account of differences in religious views, one being Cath- olic, the other Protestant, the estate was di- vided; Jordan Standish becoming the pro- prietor of Standish, and Hugh, of Duxbury Hall. In 1677, Sir Richard Standish occupied the Duxbury estate and in 1812, it came into the possession of Sir Frank Standish. Titled nobility came into the family in the following manner: Froissart relates in his chronicles that when Richard II. and Wat Tyler met, the rebel was struck from his horse by William Walworth, and then John Standish, the King's Squire, alighted, drew his sword, and thrust it through Wat Tyler's body. For this act he was knighted. This baronetcy, which was es- tablished in 1676, became extinct in 1812.

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KNOX COUNTY.

The history of the Standish family in Amer- ica begins with Miles Standish, the great Puritan Captain, who was descended from the Standishes of Duxbury Hall. He was born about 1584 and died at Duxbury, Massachusetts, October 3, 1856. He inherited in a pre-emineut degree the military qualities of his ancestors. He was the Moses of his time and led the Pil- grim Band into the "Promised Land" of Lib- erty. Without him, New England for a gen- eration or two would have remained a wilder- ness and that little Plymouth colony would have become extinct.

Miles Standish's first wife was Rose, a most beautiful woman. She died in about a month after landing at Plymouth. According to tradi- tion, his second wife was Barbara, a sister to Rose. By this second marriage there were seven children. The eldest was Alexander, who built the cottage in 1666 now standing on the "Standish farm" at Duxbury. For his first wife, Alexander married Sarah, daughter of John Alden. His second wife was Desire (Sherman) Doty, by whom he had four chil- dren. Their eldest child was Thomas, who married Mary Carver. Thomas had six chil- dren, the third birth being a son whose name was Thomas, the great-grandfather of John Van Ness. This second Thomas married Mar- tah Bisbee and had two sons, one of whom was named Hadley. Hadley married Abigail Gardner and became the father of eleven chil- dren. The third child was John Winslow, who married Caroline Williams Myrick. They had six children, the fourth birth being John Van Ness.

John Van Ness Standish belongs to the sixth generation from the Pilgrim Captain. He was not born in affluence, and consequently, has been obliged to depend upon his own exertions in the great contest of life. He received the rudiments of his education in the common schools of his native town. From these, he passed into private schools, in which he spent several terms. He next became a student, for several years, in an academy at Lebanon, New Hampshire, which would vie in thoroughness and scholarship with many of the colleges of to-day. Having finished here the entire course of mathematics save the Calculus, and being thoroughly prepared, he matriculated in Nor- wich University in 1844, and graduated as salutatorian of his class July 7, 1847. While in college, he was regarded as a most excel- lent scholar, and in mathematics, the leader of his class. To meet his expenses during these years of study, he taught school winters, com- mencing at the age of sixteen, and worked on the farm summers. He made study a business, squandered no time, and had but little leisure for recreation or games.

After leaving college, he taught a select school in Perkinsville, Vermont, and when this was closed, he became principal of a graded school in the same village. Not satisfied with the prospects in his native State, he resolved to seek his fortunes in the West. In the Fall of 1850, he went to' Western New York and

taught in the graded schools of Farmington, Bergen, Macedon, and Victor, until he was called to the Professorship of Mathematics and Astronomy in Lombard University. Rev. P. R. Kendall, a classmate, was its president, and the letter of invitation sent by him to Dr. Standish contained the following: "You and I are to build a college. I want you to take charge while I collect money." And it may be said that Lombard University owes its exist- ence to the labors of these two men.

On October 22, 1854, Dr. Standish arrived in Galesburg, and on the following day, he en- tered upon his duties as Acting President and Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy. He was Acting President for three years, and the institution prospered greatly under his man- agement. From 1854 to 1892, a period of thirty- eight years, he held his professorship. Nor was he confined to his own department. For seven or eight years, he taught the natural sciences, and if any new branch of study was introduced, Dr. Standish was elected as the teacher. A professor said to him, "You have taught the whole college curriculum." Dr. Standish re- plied, "Not quite." Counting Geometry, Cal- culus, Logic, Cicero, Virgil, and Livy, as dis- tinct studies, he has taught over seventy- more perhaps than any other two professors in Galesburg.

In 1892, he was elected President of Lombard University, resigning in June, 1895. For the first seven months, he canvassed for funds, and raised by subscription forty-one thousand five hundred dollars-a larger amount than was ever raised in so short a time by any other man working in the interest of the Uni- versity. The catalogues will show that dur- ing his administration, the patronage grad- ually increased.

Dr. Standish performed signal service for the college outside of his professorship. He planned the cabinet cases and, with the aid of Mrs. Standish, raised the money to pay for them. He raised the money and purchased the Cabinet of Corals. He obtained the Cowan collection. He secured the means to build the bookcases. He arranged and planned the shrubbery on the college campus. As another has said, "There is scarcely a place but that you see his hand."

As a teacher, Dr. Standish had but few equals. He was original in his illustrations and methods, and cared little for the opinions of men as written in books. He was a law unto himself, and his teaching was neither by book nor by rote. He was clear, incisive, and never allowed the dullest student to pass from him without a full comprehension of the subject. Many of his pupils used to say, "I can carry away more of his instruction than that of any other teacher." Dr. Anson L. Clark, a graduate of Lombard University in 1858, a Professor and President of Bennett Med- ical College in Chicago for more than a quar- ter of a century, and a member of the State Board of Health for as long a period, pays him the following tribute: "As a teacher, Pro-

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KNOX COUNTY.

fessor Standish had few equals, no superiors. With the subject so completely in hand him- self, it was always a wonder, how for the benefit of some dull pupil he could go over a mathematical demonstration again, again and again, without the slightest appearance of im- patience. And to those observing this con- flict between light and darkness, it was espe- cially pleasing to note the kindly light of in- terest and satisfaction which would pass over his countenance when at last he saw that he had won, and that the problem was compre- hended. He made such victories a life-work and acknowledged no defeat."

Rev. John R. Carpenter, whose pastorate is at Rockland, Ohio, and who graduated at the University in 1887, says: "Dr. Standish was an ideal instructor. He was a man of leading characteristics, original, positive in his con- victions, clear-sighted, and always worked with a definite and good object before him. He was a growing teacher, always bringing forth some new view of the truth. Those who have been students of Dr. Standish are always grateful for the privilege of sitting at the feet of one of the best instructors that this country ever produced. He would carry his pupils up to the heights and give them a view of the promised land just beyond. But when once on the heights, no true student ever came down to his old position."

D. L. Braucher, a civil engineer and sur- veyor, and one of the best mathematicians ever connected with the University, gives his im- pressions in the following words: "Professor Standish was always thoughtful, dignified in his bearing, and anxious to make his pupils see the truth as viewed from foundation prin- ciples. He seemed more like a sympathetic companion than teacher, while we were delving for the hidden truths of higher mathematics. The more knotty the problem, the more per- sistent the labor, till victory perched on our banner, as she always did. Time has tinted those memories as delicately as the sunshine has painted the rainhow."

As a scholar, Dr. Standish stands pre- eminent. He is really an all-round man. Not only is he well versed in the lore of books and the teachings of the schools, but he has been a great student in the broad fields of the world. He is well posted in almost every de- partment of science, literature, and art. In criticism, he has but few equals. He excels in rhetoric and in grammatical construction in the use of words, and has been called by some scholars a dictionary man. At the Min- isters' Institutes, held in Chicago and other places, he was selected ahove all others as the critic for the entire sessions.

In his labors and zeal for the advancement and improvement of the common schools, he has hardly been excelled by any one. He has held teachers' institutes, and lectured all over the State-from Jackson and Macoupin coun- ties on the south to Lake and Jo Daviess coun- ties on the north. He was chairman of the first meeting to establish graded schools in

Galesburg, and attended other meetings held in their interest. From 1854 to 1880, he was a constant attendant at the Knox County In- stitute of Teachers, and was a leading member of the State Teachers' Association. The lat- ter hody, in 1859, elected him president.

Dr. Standish has been a great traveler. In company with Mrs. Standish, he has visited the Old World three times-in 1879, 1882-3, and in 1891-2. With the exception of Denmark and Portugal, he has visited every country of Eu- rope, Egypt and the Holy Land, and Asia Minor, went to the North Cape within nineteen degrees of the North Pole, saw the midnight sun seven nights, and took a trip of a hun- dred miles out on the Sahara Desert. Both Dr. and Mrs. Standish have gone abroad for study, as well as pleasure. In his own country, he has visited every State in the Union ex- cepting the Carolinas.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Standish are lovers of art. They have visited every large picture gal- lery in the world, and many small ones. They are conversant with the museums of Europe and have studied cathedral and park where- ever they have traveled. Egypt and Assyrla, Greece and Rome, have been laid under con- tribution, and their treasures have been spread out before them.

As a public spirited man, Dr. Standish holds a conspicuous place among his fellow citizens. He has done much to improve the city, and has given more hours of labor without compensa- tion than any other man in it. For more than thirty years, he has made his own grounds the most attractive in the city. Another said to him, "Your handiwork is seen all over Gales- burg." He has an aesthetic nature, and is fond of mountain scenery and beauty of landscape. He is a horticulturist, and for nearly ten years, was president of Knox County Agricultural Society. He was once elected a member of the Board of Education, and for many years, has heen a director in the Second National Bank.

As a man, Dr. Standish is kind, benevolent, and charitable, and will make sacrifices for the public good. He is open hearted, and believes in honesty of purpose and intention. He has no use for double-minded men. In religion, he is a Universalist: In politics, he is a re- publican.

Dr. Standish was married March 24, 1859, to Harriet Augusta Kendall, daughter of Francis and Rebecca (Stowe) Kendall. She was a teacher of painting, French and Italian in Lom- bard University for twelve years.

WILLIAM LUCAS STEELE.

William Lucas Steele, A. M., son of Willlam Lucas and Anna (Johnson) Steele, was born In Adams County, Ohio, July 22, 1854. His par- ents were Scotch-Irish Covenanters. His father, who was a farmer, and a teacher in the winter season, died at the age of thirty-nine, when William L. was a year old.

In 1859, his mother moved with her family of three children to Randolph County in south- ern Illinois. In 1869, she moved to Monmouth,

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KNOX COUNTY.

Illinois, in order to secure the educational ad- vantages presented there for her children.

Young Steele's elementary training was oh- tained at the various public schools where he lived. His ambition was to make the most of his opportunities. Even at eight years of age, he performed the ordinary work of a man on the farm. Not satisfied with merely a common school education, he entered Monmouth Col- lege and graduated in the classical course with high honors. After graduation in 1876, his first employment was teaching. He took charge of the Yates City schools in this county, re- maining there for seven years, when he was elected County Superintendent. The latter of- fice he resigned to accept the superintendency of the Galesburg City schools, which position he has held with distinguished credit since August, 1885.

At Yates City, he laid the foundation for the school library, which has been flourishing for over twenty years and has at present over two thousand volumes. As County Superin- tendent, he wrote the first "Outlines for Un- graded Schools," which was published by the Board of Supervisors. As City Superintendent, he has introduced "Manual Training" and "Elective Studies" for the High School.

As an educator, Professor Steele is a popular man. He is popular among his teachers and among the citizens. In the educational fratern- ity throughout the State, he is well and favor- ably known. Before the State Teachers' Asso- ciation, he has frequently been invited to read papers on educational subjects which have re- flected great credit upon his ability. In every moral enterprise, he is a worker. He never has affiliated with any society, secret or other- wise, but is a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church. He has been the secretary of its Board of Trustees for the past six years.

In his political sympathies, Professor Steele is a republican. On that ticket, he was elected County Superintendent.

He was married October 20, 1887, to Helen Carter Benedict, who died May 3, 1893. She had been a teacher in the city schools for three years. To them were horn two daughters: Gertrude Helen, horn July 27, 1889, and Helen Benedict, born February 11, 1893.

LOREN STEVENS.

Hon. Loren Stevens, son of Cassius P. and Clamentia (Smith) Stevens, was born in West- ford, Vermont, May 25, 1845. His father was a farmer, whose sturdy habits were acquired and strengthened among the rocks and green hills of his native State. In early life, he joined the State Militia and attained to the rank of Major.

Young Loren passed his childhood and his youth at home on his father's farm. He was helper in the fields, when not attending school. His early educational advantages were not the hest, but he was possessed of a spirit and dis- position for improving all his opportunities. At the common schools in Essex, Vermont, to which town bis parents removed when he was

three years old, he acquired his early educa- tion. At the age of fourteen, he attended the Essex Academy, and subsequently, at the age of eighteen, took a course in Bryant and Strat- ton's Business College in Burlington, Vermont.

After leaving home at the age of seventeen, he spent the first eight months in driving a team for a manufacturing establishment. Afterwards, he was a brakeman on the Central Vermont Railroad, and while so employed, met with an accident, which incapacitated him for work. During the period of convalescence, he attended the Business College at Burlington, and after completing the course, was employed as a teacher in the same institution for a year and a half.

Not satisfied with the business opportunities presented to young men in Vermont, he left on November 13, 1865, for the West. He came directly to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained there and in Bedford, Ohio, until the following Spring, when he came to Galesburg, Illinois, arriving on May 25, 1866.

He was first employed in the office of George W. Brown, where he remained for one year. He then went into the office of B. Lombard, Jr., remaining for two years. He next returned to the office of George W. Brown, remaining there for the long period of seventeen years, when he tendered his resignation as Secretary, July 1, 1886. During the next ten years, he devoted his time to his personal affairs and to buying and selling real estate. On June 1, 1896, he assumed the duties as Cashier of the First Na- tional Bank of Galesburg, which position he now holds.

Mr. Stevens has won for himself a good de- gree of popularity and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He was elected Mayor of Galesburg on the Citizens' ticket and held the office for two years. He is also a member of the City Park Commission and still holds that position.

Mr. Stevens is a public spirited man, and is ever ready to aid any enterprise that will be of benefit to the city. He has taken great in- terest in the establishment and management of the Galesburg Hospital. He was elected one of the first trustees and still holds that posi- tion. He is also Secretary, Treasurer, and Di- rector of the Galesburg Electric Motor and Power Company; was a charter member of the Galeshurg Club; was one term a director of the same, and has always retained his mem- bership.

Mr. Stevens has traveled quite extensively in his native land, having visited thirty-six States and territories and taken trips into Canada and Mexico. By these travels, he has hecome well acquainted with the industries of his own country and has enlarged materially the sphere of his knowledge. Moreover, in his charitable gifts, he has been liberal, as the Hospital, Y. M. C. A., Dorcas Society, and Universalist Church will testify.

Mr. Stevens is well informed and industrious. His manners are frank and simple, and his actions are courteous towards every one. His

Arthur A. Smith

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KNOX COUNTY.

record is that of a faithful, conscientious, and patriotic citizen.

In his religious views, he is liberal,-not bound by creed or ritual. He attends the Uni- versalist Church, but is not a member. In politics, he is a republican. He is not a politician, but an earnest believer in the prin- ciples of that party.

He was married May 25, 1870, to Lizzie C. Simmons, a native of New York State. To them was born, December 11, 1876, one daugh- ter, Ethel; died August 30, 1877.

MARY EVELYN STRONG.

Mary Evelyn Strong, Principal of the Gales- burg Kindergarten Normal School, was born at Glens Falls, New York, February 14, 1854. Her parents, Ira Harrington and Mary Ann (Holt) Strong, were natives of New York. spending the larger part of their lives in Glens Falls. They were a frugal and industrious peo- ple, and brought up their children in the strict rules of morality and right living. They came to Galesburg, Illinois, when Mary Evelyn was only three years old. In the Spring of 1861, the mother was left a widow without means and with the care of five children. She was a frail woman with great energy, which enabled her to support her family. The children's suc- cess is largely due to the tender care and early training of the mother.

Miss Strong, when only six years of age, met with an accident, which disabled her. Conse- quently she was never able to attend school. She had, however, excellent teachers at home and learned much from the open book of na- ture. Every bnd and flower, bird and insect, and sparkling dew drop had an attraction for her. She saw in them God's handiwork.

Though an invalid, her childhood was a very happy one. Her waking hours were spent in reading the instructive books furnished her hy loving friends. Much time was spent with pets; and the raising and care of chickens was a pleasant pastime. She engaged, too, in rifle practice and became an expert marksman. Her skill was never exercised in taking life; for her humane feelings were too sensitive to kill the innocent beings that God has made.

Her love for teaching was an inborn passion, and when only a child, she gathered children about her to instruct. At the age of twelve, she taught Bible stories to the children of the neighborhood, on Sabbath afternoons. The numbers increased until her home was not large enough to accommodate them. and finally this school was made a part of the City Mis- sion School. Her first real teaching, however. began when she was fourteen. It was a private school, which she taught for two years. On account of ill health, this was discontinued. She still pursued her studies, and in order to obtain the necessary hooks, she engaged in embroidering and similar work, as this could be done in a reclining position. Soon, how- ever, she was sent to the National Surgical Institute at Indianapolis, for surgical treat- ment, and while there, she took a six years'

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 150

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