USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Historical review of Chicago and Cook county and selected biography, Volume II > Part 10
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Luther Laflin Mills was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, September 3, 1848, son of Walter N. and Caroline J. (Smith) Mills, and was brought by his parents to Chicago when an infant of one year. He was thus introduced to the stirring life of Chicago and the west at such an early age that, for all practical purposes, he is a native of the city and the section. Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, he obtained a higher mental training in the University of Michigan, and in 1868 began the study of law in the office of Homer N. Hibbard, remaining under his instruction for about three years.
Mr. Mills was admitted to the bar in 1871, just as the city was about to enter into a new and grander era of its development, as a result of the remarkable stimulus caused by the Great Fire, believed at the time by those who did not know Chicago to be a crushing misfortune. Young, talented and enthusiastic, he was of the right
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material to soon become an integral part of the new Chicago, and during the four years of individual practice became a leading and an indispensable factor in its professional and civic progress. In 1875 he entered into partnership with George C. Ingham and Edward P. Weber, under the firm name of Mills, Weber and Ingham, and in the following year was elected state's attorney of Cook county. During the period of his service in this capacity ( 1876-84) Mr. Mills established his reputation as one of the foremost criminal lawyers of the country. He was thoroughly feared by the criminal element, and accomplished much in correcting an outside impression that as a city Chicago was unstable and unsafe. Among a multitude of cases he secured the conviction of John Lamb for the murder of Officer Race, of Peter Stevens for the murder of his wife and of Theresa Sturlata for the murder of Charles Stiles. He also conducted for the state the prosecution of several of the county board "boodlers," and in all his official work gained so high a reputation that even after the expi- ration of his last term of service as state's attorney he was frequently called in to assist in important cases by the regular prosecutor of the county. One of these cases was the trial of James Dacey for the murder of Alderman Gaynor. The defendant took a change of venue to McHenry county, and Mr. Mills was commissioned to assist in the prosecution there, in which he was completely successful, although opposed by the eminent advocate, T. D. Murphy. While in jail Dacey feigned insanity, and a trial on that issue was ordered by the supreme court, Mr. Mills again appearing for the state. Dacey was adjudged sane and ultimately executed by hanging.
An enthusiastic Republican, Mr. Mills' professional reputation has always overshadowed all political considerations. A striking illus- tration of this fact was offered in 1888, when the Democracy of Ohio called upon him to assist that eminent statesman and lawyer of the party, Allen G. Thurman, in the prosecution of the tally-sheet forgers. This cause was a step in the gubernatorial contest, was tried at Colum- bus and came into national prominence because of the masterly way in. which it was conducted. Mr. Mills was also one of the prosecutors in the trial of the murderers of Dr. Cronin. No case in the history of Illinois criminal jurisprudence has attracted more widespread atten- tion, and Mr. Mills spent seven months in the preparation and trial thereof. The result is a matter of history, for the punishment of the
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conspirators was a direct blow at the anarchistic tendencies which brought about the fearful decd. He was also engaged in much civil litigation of importance. His treatment of all cases, of whatever character, is marked by careful study and patient preparation, so that the brilliancy and eloquence of his addresses to court and jury are based upon the substance of facts and accurate knowledge.
Whenever a public occasion in Chicago demands a speaker. not only of brilliancy but of good judgment-one who shall say the right thing, at the right time and in the right way-the management have always turned instinctively to Luther Laflin Mills, and if his services are secured he has never disappointed the highest expectations. On Lincoln day of 1890 he responded to a toast on the martyred president at a banquet given by the Republican Leagues at Columbus, Ohio. At a banquet in the Sherman House, Chicago, in December of the same year, he delivered a stirring address on American Citizenship, and among the noteworthy events in the history of western educational institutions was his speech before the law school of the University of Wisconsin, in July, 1891, on "Law and Progress." There is probably no lawyer at the Chicago bar who is today more popular with the newspaper men than Luther Laflin Mills, and addresses long to be remembered by them and the public at large were those delivered at the memorial services for Herman Raster, the German journalist, in August, 1891, and over the bodies of the three young reporters killed in the railroad accident in October of the same year.
On the 15th of November, 1876, Mr. Mills was married to Miss Ella J. Boies, of Saugerties, New York, a daughter of Joseph M. and Electa B. (Laflin) Boies. They have five children-Matthew, Electa Boies, Mari Brainerd (Mrs. Frank T. Crawford), Caroline Bigelow and Agnes Sheffield. Since his admission to the bar in October 1903. the son has been associated with his father under the firm name of Luther Laflin Mills and Matthew Mills. For the past twelve years the practice of Mr. Mills has been confined to civil practice, including important arbitration. His son, Matthew Mills, is a member of the Forty-Fifth General Assembly of Illinois, elected in 1906.
Mr. Mills and his family occupy a prominent position in social circles, and their home is a cultured center where intellectual enjoy- ments predominate. Personally, Mr. Mills enjoys the popularity that a generous nature, refined manner, unusually scholastic attainments
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and great individual magnetism naturally win. As a humanitarian he has a logical identification with the social, civic and religious move- ments which have brought fame to Chicago. For many years he has been a member of the Illinois Humane Society, and is president of the Chicago Tract Society and Chicago Boys' Club. In his special relig- ious faith he is a Presbyterian, but in a broader sense his Christianity includes the world and all struggling humanity.
Lambert Tree is a citizen who has not only added to the distinction of Chicago, in both material and intellectual fields, but through his
high and able character has carried its good name
LAMBERT TREE. into national and international councils. He was
born in Washington, District of Columbia, on the 29th of November, 1832, and from both sides of his family comes of prominent Revolutionary stock. Two of his great-grandfathers were officers in the American army, and one of them was killed at the battle of Trenton while in command of an artillery company.
The parents of Lambert Tree were Lambert and Laura M. (Bur- rows) Tree, who thoroughly believed in an education as the best asset of manhood. Their son therefore received a good classical education before he commenced to read law in the office of James Mandeville Carlisle, who was then the leader of the Washington bar. Having completed his professional studies at the University of Virginia, he was admitted to the bar at the national capital in October, 1855, and before the end of the year had settled in Chicago for practice.
Almost from the first, Judge Tree was a recognized leader at the bar, both because of his manifest knowledge and the tact and polish of his address; for, notwithstanding the rawness of this rising young city of the west, even in the fifties it held a bright collection of broad and cultured men in all walks of life. Neither did it require a long testing period for the people of Chicago to discover that behind a courteous bearing and professional ability were the sterling traits of
a man. In 1864 he was elected president of the Chicago Law Insti- tute, and in 1870 one of the circuit judges of Cook county to fill the unexpired term of the late William K. McAllister, who had been ele- vated to the state supreme court. His succeeding record and personal popularity earned him an election for the full term, without opposition, and during his incumbency a score or more of aldermen were brought before him, having been indicted by the grand jury upon his initiative,
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and punished for various malfeasances in office. Judge Tree resigned in 1875, then passed several years in European travel, and in 1878 returned to Chicago and occupied himself with law, literature and the management of his private affairs.
In 1878 and 1882, notwithstanding his district (the fourth had always been a Republican stronghold), Judge Tree allowed his name to be used by the Democracy, and, although he failed of an election, he received a very flattering vote. In 1884 he served as a delegate at large from Illinois to the national convention which nominated Grover Cleveland for the presidency, and at the 1884-5 session of the general state assembly, after the withdrawal of Colonel William R. Morrison ( failed only by one vote of being elected United States senator in opposition to General John A. Logan. In July, 1885, President Cleveland appointed him United States minister to Belgium, Judge Tree representing his country in several important interna- tional conferences held in Brussels. He also represented the govern- ment at the international congress for the reform of commercial and maritime law, held in that city in 1888. During his residence in Brussels Judge Tree showed that Chicago was still deep in his mind and affections by commissioning Count de Lalaing, an eminent Bel- gian sculptor, to execute the noble bronze statue of LaSalle, which, through his generosity, has stood in Lincoln Park these many years. In September, 1888, he was promoted to be minister to Russia, which office he resigned in March of the following year, and returned to Chicago with the intention of giving his attention to pressing private affairs.
In January, 1891, Judge Tree was appointed by the President as one of the three members representing the United States at the International Monetary Commission held in Washington, designed to further the plans of the late James G. Blaine in the unification of the interests of the Americas by providing a monetary medium of common circulation. Although not a member of the conference, lie took a warm interest in the Brussels congress of 1889 for tlie suppression of the African slave trade.
Judge Tree has always warmly sustained by contributions and substantial support all historical movements connected with his city and state. In 1893-7 he served as president of the Illinois State Historical Library, for many years has been vice president of tlie
Vol. 11-7
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Chicago Historical Society and is a life trustee of the Newberry Library. He is also either an active, or honorary corresponding mem- ber of several other societies, of a geographical, historical or scientific nature identified with those fields of research in France, and is a leading member of the Historical Society of the District of Columbia. During the World's Columbian Exposition he was appointed by the king of Belgium as an honorary councilor of his government, and while Mr. Tree did not serve as a director of the World's Fair, in many ways he was in close touch with its management. His foreign honors include not only a rank as grand officer of the Order of Leo- pold of Belgium, but an officer of many years' standing in the famed Legion of Honor of France. In the United States Judge Tree is also honored as one of the organizers and a serving vice president of the Illinois branch of the National American Red Cross Society, incor- porated by act of Congress. He is an influential member of its central committee, with headquarters in Washington, and has always been an ardent supporter of the organization and its humanitarian princi- ples and practices. Locally, besides enjoying membership in the Chi- cago organizations already mentioned, he is a director in the Mer- chants' Loan & Trust Company and the Chicago Edison Company, and has large and valuable real estate interests in many sections of the city.
In 1859 Mr. Tree was united in marriage with a daughter of H. H. Magie, a Chicago pioneer, and they have one son, Arthur Magie Tree, and one grandson, Ronald Lambert Tree. The family residence is one of the finest homes on the north side, at No. 94 Cass street. Judge Tree's genealogy has brought him membership in the Illinois Sons of the American Revolution. He is widely known so- cially, and enjoys identification with such clubs as the Chicago and Iroquois of Chicago, the Union of New York, and the Metropolitan of Washington.
The life record of Graeme Stewart in all its varied phases was one which reflected honor and dignity upon the city that esteemed him.
GRAEME - He was a life-long resident of Chicago, and the his- tory of no citizen has been more fearless in conduct,
STEWART. more constant in service and more stainless in repu- tation. He felt a love for the city that was manifest in almost count- less ways for the municipal development and welfare, and in return no
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THENEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY -
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one was more uniformly loved by his fellow townsmen than Graeme Stewart.
William Stewart, the father, became a resident of Chicago in 1850, and when the city was just emerging from its embryonic condi- tion and taking on the evidences of progressive villagehood, with possibilities of future development and upbuilding. Three years after his arrival there came to the Stewart home, on the 30th of August, 1853, a little son, who was given the name of Graeme-a name dear because of its associations with his Scotch ancestry. Some- thing of the marvelous growth of Chicago during the life of Mr. Stew- art is indicated by the fact that his birthplace was a little one-story frame dwelling which stood at the corner of Franklin and Monroe streets, now the heart of the wholesale district. As boy and youth he roamed over the prairies that are now covered by more sightly and palatial residences, while a feature of his winter sports were the races upon the ice on the main branch of the Chicago river. From boyhood pleasures Mr. Stewart turned his attention to the duties assigned in the acquirement of an education in the Skinner school, one of the first important educational institutions to be opened here. Later he at- tended the University of Chicago and eventually became a student in the Dyrenfurth Hande Schule, a business college which stood at the corner of Randolph street and Fifth avenue. He made his initial step in the business world, as have countless other Chicago boys, by selling the Chicago Sunday papers; but that which differentiates his career from so many of his fellow townsmen is that his ambition led him into larger undertakings with wider outlook and greater oppor- tunities, while his indomitable energy enabled him to accomplish what- ever he undertook. While still but a young lad he secured a position as errand boy in the house of G. W. Flanders & Company, where his ready adaptability, his faithfulness and his enterprise soon won him promotion to the position of shipping clerk. A few years later, de- spite the protests of his employers, Mr. Stewart, believing that he had a better opportunity for advancement, connected himself with Stewart. Aldrich & Company, becoming a salesman for that firm. At that epochal period in the city's history when its business district was de- stroyed by fire, in October, 1871, Mr. Stewart, knowing what it would mean to the company to save its books, appropriated the first horse which he saw that was not otherwise used, drove to the house and
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dashed before the flames across Rush street bridge, being the last per- son to cross in safety ; but the books of the company were saved, and, be it said to Mr. Stewart's credit that after two days he found the owner of the horse and received his thanks for returning it in good order. The next decisive step which marked the prominence of Mr. Stewart's business career was his identification with the W. M. Hoyt Company in 1880, in which firm he became partner and director.
At the time of his death he was at the head of the extensive mer- cantile establishment conducted under the name of the W. M. Hoyt Company on the site of Fort Dearborn. There were certain elements which marked the business career of Mr. Stewart. The methods which he pursued were such as gained him an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity. He had the ability to co-ordinate forces, to control and shape into unity seemingly diverse elements. In addition, he tried to make all his acts and commercial moves the result of genuine consideration and sound judgment. There were never any great ventures or risks. On the contrary, he practiced honest, con- servative business methods, while energy and good system constituted the basis of his success. He was a merchant in the true sense of the word.
It is impossible to determine the extent of Graeme Stewart's influ- ence in political life and municipal interests of the city, for such things cannot be measured by any known standard. It is, however, a uni- versally accepted fact that few men have been so potent in molding the public policy and shaping the destiny of the city along lines of progressive development in keeping with those higher ideals toward which the loyal, public-spirited and patriotic citizen is always striving. Whether through political lines or in other methods, his labors were always exerted with the interests of the city at heart. His real politi- cal career began when he was but ten years of age as a member of the Republican drum corps. From that time forward he never wavered in his support of Republican principles, although at times he took a most decided stand in opposition to the methods of various machine leaders and bosses of the party, who would sacrifice the advancement of the party to personal aggrandizement, and the city's welfare to their own good. The ambition of Mr. Stewart, however, was not centered in lines of personal political attainment. In 1882 he was appointed by the senior Mayor Harrison as a member of the board of education,
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and during his succeeding eight years' service, a part of the time as president, he did most effective work for the system of public instruc- tion in Chicago. His able and effective labors received public recog- nition and appreciation when, in 1907, the finest grammar school building in the city was named in his honor. Although he was fre- quently mentioned for the mayoralty candidacy for several years, Mr. Stewart would not accept the nomination when it was tendered him in 1899 because of opposition from a certain Republican leader. In 1903 he was made the standard bearer of his party and met defeat after a vigorous campaign, because of the disloyalty of certain Repub- lican workers who feared the straightforward methods of Mr. Stew- art. There is no doubt that had he entered into the methods of many politicians he could have obtained almost any office he might desire. but with him principle was above party, and purity in municipal affairs above personal interests. For many years he was known for his sterling qualities, his fearless loyalty to his honest convictions, his sturdy opposition to misrule in municipal affairs, and his clearhead- edness, discretion and tact as manager and leader. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1896. In 1900 he became a member of the National Executive committee of the Republican party, in which capacity he evinced such pronounced ability and sound judgment as to bring him into national prominence and make him the valued co-worker as well as personal friend of such men as William McKinley, Marcus A. Hanna, Henry C. Payne, R. C. Kerens, Harry C. New, George B. Cortelyou, Shelby M. Cullom, Charles G. Dawes, Edward J. Brundage, Theodore Roosevelt and many others of the leading Republicans of the country. In 1901 President Roosevelt tendered him the office of assistant postmaster general, and the same year he was urged to accept the position as a member of the Presi- dent's cabinet in the new seat as secretary of commerce and labor. On both occasions, however, he declined the honor, preferring to main- tain an uninterrupted residence in Chicago. While he always had the deepest interest in national affairs, he was pre-eminently a Chi- cagoan, and the city was dearer to him than any other place on earth. While he refused office he remained active in molding public thought and opinion. It was characteristic of him that while others criticised men and measures, he set to work to right that which was wrong, and
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was as tireless in his labor for municipal virtue and honor as he was for business success.
Too young for service in the Civil war, there nevertheless stands to the credit of Mr. Stewart a military chapter in his life history, for in 1874 he was active in promoting and organizing the First Illinois Regiment and was elected captain of Company A. The first call to active service was in 1875, when trouble was feared from the local socialists. He remained always a champion of the interests of the National Guard, and for a number of years continued in active con- nection therewith. He took a firm stand in support of the erection of the new County building and was tireless in his labors toward the accomplishment of this purpose.
To Mr. Stewart more than to any other man is Chicago indebted for the fact that the Illinois Naval Training School was established at Lake Bluff. He was mainly instrumental in raising the $228,000 necessary for the purchase of the site, completing the task only three days prior to his final illness, when, with Mrs. Stewart, he signed the realty deed conveying the land to the United States government. Since that time the national authorities have appropriated several million dollars for the construction of buildings. There was perhaps no movement of vital importance to the city with which he was not concerned as an active factor in his support of or opposition to, as the case might be-for he was as strong in his denouncement of a measure which he believed to be detrimental as he was firm in his allegiance when he believed that the interests of the city would be promoted thereby.
While his success in business and his labors in political and munici- pal lines made Graeme Stewart a great man, he possessed, moreover, those traits of personal character that made him a lovable man. He was genial, courteous and kindly, and there was no more welcome visitor at the rooms of the Chicago, Union League, Hamilton and Marquette clubs, in all of which he held membership, than Mr. Stew- art. It was felt that no important gathering of those clubs was com- plete unless he was numbered among those present, and usually was called upon to voice his sentiments in regard to every question that came up for consideration. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Merchants' Club, and at the time of his death was vice presi- dent of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. He was also one
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of the charter members of the Mid-day Club and was a prominent Mason, who attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite, to the Knight Templar degree in the commandery, and also was a member of the Mystic Shrine. A patron of art and literature, he be- came a charter member and director of the Chicago Art Club. He had a great appreciation for beauty in any of its forms, especially as manifest in different phases of nature, and he delighted in the scenic attractions both of the old world and the new.
In 1879 Mr. Stewart was united in marriage with Miss Nellie A. Pullman, of Chicago, a daughter of Albert B. and Emily A. ( Ben- nett) Pullman, the former vice president of the Pullman Car Com- pany. They became parents of two daughters : Helen Pullman, now the wife of Dr. Philip Schuyler Doane; and Mercedes Graeme Stew- art, who, with her mother, resides at the family home at No. 181 Lin- coln Park Boulevard, while their summer residence is at Winnetka. ' Mrs. Stewart has long been an active member of the St. Paul's Uni- versalist church and has always been prominent in charitable and ben- evolent work. For the past twenty years she has served as a director of the Chicago Orphan Asylum, succeeding her mother as a partici- pant in the management and the advancement of that charity. She has likewise been identified with the Illinois Industrial Training School for Girls, and was closely associated with her husband in their labors for furthering useful, helpful and elevating institutions. Mr. Stewart was pre-eminently a man of domestic tastes who, though a most active factor in the political, social and business life of the city, ever found that his strongest interests centered in his home and de- rived his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of his wife and children. Death came to him with comparative suddenness. He was stricken when attending a banquet of the Banker's Club in the Audi- torium Hotel and about a month later (June 27, 1905) passed away. The funeral services were among the most imposing of this character ever held in Chicago, and to no other has there been accorded the honor of allowing the funeral cortege to pass through Lincoln park. Every society and organization with which he was connected passed resolutions of respect and sympathy and was represented at the fun- eral services held in the Fourth Presbyterian church. Perhaps no better estimate of the life and character of Mr. Stewart can be given than in the expression of the resolutions passed in a meeting of the
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