USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Historical review of Chicago and Cook county and selected biography, Volume III > Part 20
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Besides the three sons mentioned, Ambrose Plamondon was the father of two daughters-Mary Emily, wife of John H. Amberg, of Cameron, Amberg & Co., the widely known stationers and manufac- turers of office devices ; and Charlotte Jeannette, wife of Dr. J. B. Mur- phy, the eminent surgeon. Thus the name of the deceased lives in the honored children who survive him, as well as in the broad and useful work which he has accomplished for Chicago. One noteworthy evidence of its deep appreciation by the public was the erection, in 1905, of the fine public school at West Fifteenth Place and Washte- naw avenue, which, in honor of the deceased, was christened the Am- brose Plamondon school.
For the past thirty-three years Henry Styer Burkhardt has been connected with the National Malleable Castings Company, having held
HENRY S. responsible positions in the business world since he BURKHARDT. was nineteen years of age. Henry S. Burkhardt is widely known and universally respected both in the South, the West and in all other sections of the country where the lines of his life have been cast. In the fraternal field his reputation is also national, especially in the ranks of the Masons and among the members of the Royal Arcanum.
Henry Styer Burkhardt is a native of the City of Brotherly Love, where he was born July 10, 1842, and the place of his birth may partially account for his eminence as a fraternalist. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth C. (Styer) Burkhardt, both born in Montgom- ery county, Pennsylvania. His father was a druggist for many years in Philadelphia, but he died in Louisville, Kentucky, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife having previously passed away at the age of sixty-seven years.
Henry S. was educated in the Quaker schools of his native city and in the public schools of Louisville, Kentucky, whither the family had removed in 1853. When quite young he became identified with
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the grocery business of the latter city, and from 1861 to 1867 was a member of the firm of Dow & Burkhardt, engaged in that line, and, as a partner of Hall, Moore and Burkhardt, was a manufacturer of agricultural implements in Louisville for about a year prior to locating in Chicago.
In 1874 Mr. Burkhardt settled in this city as sales agent for the National Malleable Casting Company of Chicago, and thoroughly proved his capacity for getting business, retaining it and continually adding to it. His executive ability was also so evident that he was made assistant manager of the company, and still holds that important position. The concern which he thus represents has many plants throughout the country, with all of which Mr. Burkhardt keeps in close touch, as well as with thousands of customers who are his friends as well as admirers. Mr. Burkhardt was also one of the founders of the Chicago Railway Equipment Company, of which he was president from its organization in 1890 until 1906, when he resigned on account of the pressure of his duties in connection with the National Malleable Casting Company, but still retains an interest in the former concern.
· Mr. Burkhardt became identified with the Royal Arcanum in March, 1880, his first office being as treasurer of Fort Dearborn Coun- cil No. 278. He was elected Regent in December, 1881 ; representa- tive of the Grand Council in December, 1882; Grand Regent of the Grand Council of Illinois in April, 1884; Representative to the Su- preme Council in 1885; Supreme Chaplain of the Supreme Council in 1886, and Supreme Guide in 1887. After filling the last named office for five years he resigned it, to the great regret of the order, which subsequently returned him to the same position. In 1898 Mr. Burk- hardt was appointed a member of the committee for council work of the Supreme Council, in 1899 was again elected Supreme Guide, and has since been continuously retained in this exalted office. He was also one of the organizers of the Royal Arcanum Hospital Bed Fund Association, in 1902, and is now serving as its president.
In Masonry Mr. Burkhardt has attained the full thirty-second de- gree (K. T.), and in consideration of his eminent services for the order in Kentucky was elected to the thirty-third degree. But as he was living north at the time the honor was conferred, and, in thirty- third degree Masonry there are both Northern and Southern jurisdic- tions, he allowed the honor to go to a resident southern member.
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Outside of the fraternities Mr. Burkhardt is widely identified with benevolent and charitable work. For the past twenty years he has been a member of the board of directors of the Central Free Dispen- sary, and for the past ten years its president. Organized in 1875, this is a well known city institution of a charitable nature, designed to throw medical and surgical relief within reach of those too poor to pay for the services of physician and surgeon. For twelve years Mr. Burkhardt has also served as a director of the West Side Bureau of Charities, and is thus influentially identified with several of the most practical organizations of Chicago, which do so much to uphold its good municipal name.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Burkhardt served as a West Chicago Park Commissioner from 1884 to 1891, but has never strongly figured as a partisan.
On the 30th of March, 1863. Henry S. Burkhardt married Miss Elizabeth Brent Montgomery, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Burkhardt was a native of Danville, Kentucky, where her father, Robert Mont- gomery, was a leading merchant. The six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Burkhardt are as follows: Alice Cary, now Mrs. David C. Walker, of Louisville, Kentucky ; Ella Virginia, Mrs. George E. Am- buhl, her husband being a Pittsburg, (Pa.) merchant; Henry, in the hotel business at Aurora, Illinois; Robert M., identified with fire in- surance at Chicago, Illinois; William, with Henry O. Shepard & Co., Chicago, and Abby T., living at home.
Mrs. Burkhardt, whose death occurred February 6, 1907, was born in the year 1843, and represented a family which was really note- worthy in American history. One of her great-great-grandfathers. Dr. Thomas Walkes, was related to George Washington, and was Thomas Jefferson's guardian, while another great-great-grandfather, J. Fry, was commander at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania, before Colonel Washington assumed the direction of affairs at this strategic point. Mrs. Burkhardt removed to Chicago in 1874, and became widely known and much beloved throughout the city because of her strong and womanly character, her thorough culture and her many works of benevolence and charity. She was early identified with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was long prominent in the best work of the West End Woman's Club. Chicago Culture Club and the Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children, serving for some time
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as a director of the last named institution. Mrs. Burkhardt's religious faith was Presbyterianism, and at her death the Third Church lost one of its most earnest and beloved members, and the beautiful family home at No. 677 West Adams street, was bereft of its mainstay and its brightest light.
Charles Henry Wacker was born in Chicago, August 29, 1856, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Hummel) Wacker. He at-
CHARLES H. tended the public schools of Chicago, and the Lake
WACKER. Forest (Ill.) Academy. From 1873 until 1876 he was employed by a local Board of Trade firm. For the three years immediately following this, he attended school in Ger- many, traveled through Europe and made a trip to Africa. In 1880 his father organized the malting firm of F. Wacker and Son, which afterward developed into the Wacker and Birk Brewing and Malting Company. Of this latter firm Mr. Wacker was the president from 1884 until 1901. Mr. Wacker is President and Treasurer of the Chi- cago Heights Land Association, and is on the directorate of a num- ber of corporations, including the Corn Exchange National Bank, Chi- cago Title and Trust Company, Chicago South Side Elevated Railway and others. He was also a director and a member of the Committee on Ways and Means of the World's Columbian Exposition, is president of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society, and governing member of the Chicago Art Institute.
In 1887 Mr. Wacker was married to Miss Ottilie M. Glade, now deceased ; there are three children : Frederick G., Charles H., Jr., and Rosalie.
Mr. Wacker is a member of the University, Chicago, Commercial, Union League, Bankers', Iroquois, Germania, City, Chicago Athletic, Mid-Day and Onwentsia clubs; Chicago Association of Commerce. Chicago Turngemeinde, Schwaben Verein, and others. His residence is No. 483 North State street.
George Mark Clark, manager of the George M. Clark & Company Division of the American Stove Company and president of the con- solidated organization, is one of the best known
GEORGE M.
manufacturers of stoves in the country. He was
CLARK. born at Westminster West, Windham county. Ver- mont, on the roth of June, 1841, son of Mark and Sarah (Hall) Clark. He received a public school education. In 1856, when fifteen
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years of age, he took a position as clerk in a general store in Brattle- boro, Vermont, and remained there until 1864, when he came to Chicago. Here he entered the employ as superintendent of Jessup, Kennedy & Company, manufacturers of railway supplies, continuing with their successors, Crerar, Adams & Company, and later going with the outgrowth of this concern, the Adams & Westlake Company. He held the position of superintendent for twenty-one years, from 1864 to 1885.
In 1881 Mr. Clark incorporated the Myers Manufacturing Com- pany for the manufacture of Jewel gasoline vapor stoves, changing the corporate name in 1886 to George M. Clark & Company. Gas stoves and appliances were added to the product and as the business expanded and more room was needed, the factory was removed, in 1897, to Harvey, Illinois. Mr. Clark was president of this business, which he started, from its inception until 1902, when it became part of the American Stove Company.
He remained as manager of the George M. Clark & Company Division and was also a director and first vice-president of the large company. In 1907 he was elected president.
On the 18th of June, 1872, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Eliza- beth M. Keep of Oberlin, Ohio, and the children born to them have been Alice Keep, Robert Keep, and two children who died in in- fancy.
For nearly forty-four years Mr. Clark has lived on the north side and has been a member of the New England Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican and he is a member of the Union League and the Congregational clubs.
His residence is now 1217 Forest avenue, Evanston, Illinois.
To have made an unusually strong impress upon Chicago, the most cosmopolitan city in the world, is proof positive of marked JOHN stamina and breadth of character; and it is espe- MCLAREN. cially typical of her most successful business men and financiers that they eagerly offer to the causes of public education and charity their strong support of means, time and personal character, the last being in many respects their most valued donation. Chicago has always been proud of the fact that her strongest men of so-called practical affairs have been the foremost in
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leading and propelling the higher movements and institutions. It shows that their hearts and heads not only work in unison, but that their good practical judgment does not desert them in the view of the great sociologists of the world that the development of all such ele- vating influences is the most effective deterrent to vice and poverty. One of the finest representatives of this type of American citizenship offered by Chicago is found in the person of John McLaren, whose special position at present is president of the International Audit Company.
An active citizen of Chicago for more than fifty-five years, Mr. McLaren was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the IIth of September, 1836, being the son of William and Helen (Hume) McLaren. His father was a cabinetmaker, and in 1852 brought his wife and five children to Chicago. In 1855 they removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where two children were born and where both parents died, the father in 1870 and the mother in 1859. John McLaren received a good education before coming to Chicago with other members of the fam- ily, learning the carpenter's trade here under the direction of Sanford Johnson, one of the pioneers in this line. Completing his apprentice- ship in 1857, he went to Dubuque, where he followed his trade until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he returned to Chicago, where he has since continued to reside.
In 1865 Mr. McLaren, after being mustered out of the army, became bookkeeper for Colonel John Mason Loomis, who was then engaged in the commission lumber business. In 1870 he became a partner in the business, under the name of John Mason Loomis & Company, and under a joint management of energy and ability their sales reached 80,000,000 feet of lumber annually, then the most extensive trade of the kind in the city. In 1885 Colonel Loomis retired from the firm. He was also president of the Pere Marquette Lumber Company, and at his death Mr. McLaren succeeded him. After the retirement of Colonel Loomis from the firm, Mr. McLaren formed a partnership with Thomas G. Morris, under the firm name of McLaren & Morris, their business during the three years of its existence reaching annual sales of 120,000,000 feet of lumber. For a long time Mr. McLaren was also vice-president of the A. R. Beck Lumber Company of Chicago. For many years he was a director of the Chicago Lumber Exchange, serving both as treasurer and
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vice-president of that body for several years, prior to his election to the presidency in 1887.
Mr. McLaren's financial prominence covers a career as one of the organizers and directors of the Fort Dearborn National Bank and of the Milwaukee Avenue State Bank, a director of the Indus- trial Bank of Chicago, president of the Hide and Leather National Bank (1894-7), and vice-president of the Union National Bank until its merging with the First National Bank. He has held his present office as president of the International Audit Company since Decem- ber, 1901, and his broad experience in business and finances, with his well known Scotch qualities, broad intelligence and rugged hon- esty, admirably fit him to be the head of such an institution, which has peculiarly intimate relations with its customers.
As stated, Mr. McLaren has given generously of his means and abilities in the support of educational and charitable institutions. In 1891-2 he served as president of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society, and has taken a deep and leading part in its work since its organiza- tion immediately after the fire of 1871. He was a member of the Chicago Board of Education from 1887 to 1893, was during the entire period chairman of the committee on buildings and grounds, served as president of the board in 1892-3, and his associates finally honored him by giving his name to the public school located on the corner of Laflin and York streets, west side. In May, 1894, Mr. McLaren was appointed by Judge O. H. Horton of the Circuit Court a trustee of the important fund created by the late Allen C. Lewis for the purpose of founding a polytechnic school, now known as the Lewis Institute. The original fund amounted to nearly $1,500,000, and to Mr. McLaren's faithfulness and good judgment is largely due the founding of one of the most complete technical schools of the west, especially in the great department of electrical engineering. Of this well developed and practical institute of learning he has al- ways served as secretary and treasurer. He has also done a most useful work in connection with the Mary Thompson Hospital for Women and Children, of which he is trustee.
Mr. McLaren's creditable military record has earned him mem- bership in the Grand Army of the Republic, Army of the Tennessee, and he was among the first to join this great patriotic fraternity. He is one of those who know the meaning of war in its most democratic
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form, having joined the Union army as a private and risen through the grades to orderly sergeant, sergeant major, second lieutenant and first lieutenant, in December, 1864, being mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, as adjutant of his regiment. Mr. McLaren is also identified with the Order of the Loyal Legion in Illinois, being one of the original members of the Illinois Commandery, and has served as vice- commander of that Commandery. He is a thirty-third degree Mason ; was worshipful master of Cleveland Lodge No. 211, in 1870-1 ; high priest of Washington Chapter in 1874, and eminent commander of the Chicago Commandery, K. T., in 1875-6. He is also a member of the Illinois and Union League clubs, and a life member of the St. Andrew's Society, and an honorary member of the Bankers Associ- ation. In his political life Mr. McLaren has always been an uncom- promising Republican, and a fearless defender of the flag, whether in times of war or peace. As an earnest citizen, he has been identi- fied with the executive committee of the Citizens' Association for many years, and has served for one term as president of that useful body.
On May 26, 1868, Mr. McLaren wedded Miss Hattie A. Studley, daughter of Captain David Studley, of Cook county, Illinois, and of their four children three are still living, as follows: J. Loomis; Grace, now the wife of Philip B. Hosmer, and Jessie, Mrs. James Simpson. Since 1870 the family has been identified with the Third Presbyterian church.
Since June, 1901, the office of superintendent of public service for Cook county has been held by William McLaren, a man of recog-
WILLIAM mized ability and efficiency both as a business man McLAREN. and in public service. Like his older brother, John McLaren, he is a well known figure in lumber cir- cles in Chicago, and from a successful career in this business trans- ferred his attention to the public life of the county and city. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, October 20, 1856, during the residence of his parents, William and Helen (Hume) McLaren in that city. He received a common school education in his native city, and then came to Chicago to join his older brother John and began his con- nection with business life when only fourteen years of age as an office boy. From 1876 to 1884 he was with the John Mason Loomis & Company, lumber merchants, rising from a minor position to a
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place on the sales force. In 1884 he was elected secretary and trea- surer of the A. R. Beck Lumber Company, and held that office till the firm went out of business about 1900. Throughout this time he was associated with his brother, who was one of the pioneers in the lumber business of Chicago.
Mr. McLaren first became interested in politics in 1884. In March, 1901, he became chairman of the civil service commission of the county, but served only until June 10 of the same year, when he was appointed to the office of superintendent of public service. Each succeeding president of the board of county commissioners has re- appointed him to this office, as a proper acknowledgment of his official fitness and the record he has made. He is a fine business inan and executive, and although he performs in regular course an immense amount of work, is always courteous and approachable, so that the machinery of his department runs without friction. In his home district in South Chicago he has been president of the South Chicago Improvement Association since its organization in 1893, and president of the South Chicago Hospital Association since it was organized in 1898. His principal business connection at the present time is with the Rudolph-Hagenes Manufacturing Company of Chi- cago, of which he is secretary. He is a member of the Hamilton and the Illinois Athletic clubs, and is a thirty-second degree Mason; is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has been identified with the Royal Arcanum since 1881.
William James Carney, controlling and developing some of the largest lumber and coal interests in the northwest. is a native of
WILLIAM J. Ireland, born in Castlebar, County Mayo on the CARNEY. 20th of September, 1855, son of John and Bridget (Fahey) Carney. When the boy was eleven years of age the family located in Chicago, and he was educated at the old Kinzie school and Drew's Business College. Quite early in youth he was thrown on his own resources, entering business life as a tally boy for the lumber concern of W. J. Frawley & Company, his wages being four dollars per week. He remained with the firm until 1874, when he resigned a good position to become bookkeeper for Eggleston, Hazelton & Company, also dealers in lumber. After remaining in the service of that company for three years, he joined the Mackinaw
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Lumber Company (of which W. D. Houghteling was president ), with which he continued for eight years, or until IS85.
While still in the employ of the Mackinaw Lumber Company, Mr. Carney took his first step in the establishment of an independent business by joining his brother. the late B. J. Carney, in the forma- tion of Carney Brothers. of Grinnell. Iowa. In ISS5 he severed his connection with the Mackinaw concern. and devoted his time there- after to the firm establishment and continuous development of the business of his firm. The brothers established yards at Grinnell, Marshalltown. Des Moines and other points in Iowa, and in 1900, when the business had grown to very large proportions, the establish- ment was incorporated as the Carney Brothers Company, of which William J. has been continuously president. At the time of the death of Bernard J .. the elder brother, in 1908. the firm employed four thousand men in the operation and development of its various lumber and coal interests.
The late Bernard J. Carney, who passed away May 4, 1908, at his home in Grinnell. Iowa. had for years been classed as among the strongest business men and most honorable citizens of that state, and his death brought forth from press and people many admiring and warm testimonials as to the ability and manly worth of his character. He was also a native of Ireland, born on the 24th of June, 1852. Coming to Chicago when he was ten years of age, he received his education in that city, and from the time of his early manhood until his decease was virtually engaged in business with his brother, Wil- liam J. There are few instances of such deep and unshaken brotherly affection, withstanding through the years all the annoyances and wearing stress of an active business career. The deceased became a resident of Grinnell in ISSo. and that city remained his family home- stead until his death. In ISS3 he was married to Miss Ellen M. Tibbitts. of Plymouth, Indiana, and the widow and five children survive him. To the last Mr. Carney was a devout member of the Catholic church.
In further tracing the business interests and connections of Wil- liam J. Carney, the surviving brother, it may be stated that in I885 he became a partner in the firm of McElwee and Carney and McElwee & Company. of Chicago. Illinois. In 1892 he assisted in the organi- zation of the Edward Hines Lumber Company. in which he was for
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some time a director, and in 1902 founded the Whatcom Timber Company and United Shingle Company, both of Washington state, of which he is president, and which together employ about one hun- dred men. He established the Carney Coal Company, of Carneyville, Wyoming, in 1903, and the town, which he founded the year before, now has a population of two thousand. About half of the inhabitants are in the employ of the coal company of which he is president. He is also president of the Saylor Coal Company, with 1,000 employes, and of the Coaldale and Scandia Coal Companies, each of the last two employing 500 men and all of the companies named having their headquarters at Des Moines, Iowa. All of which goes conclusively to show that Mr. Carney is a leading factor in the fuel and lumber supply companies of the west. He is also interested with his younger brother, Thomas J. Carney, in the Manhattan Lumber Company of South Chicago.
In 1883. at Chicago. Mr. Carney was united in marriage with Miss Teresa E. Cunningham. daughter of Peter F. Cunningham, and two children have been born to them : Otis P., who died in 1899, and William Roy, who is a student at the University of Chicago. In politics, Mr. Carney holds an independent position. In religion, he is a staunch Roman Catholic, and is active in the social and artistic circles of the city. He is a member of the Chicago Art Institute and identified with the Colonial. Hamilton. Chicago Athletic and South Shore Country clubs. Mr. Carney resides at No. 4411 Grand boule- vard in one of the handsomest residences on the south side, which in its architecture and appointments reflects both his substantial success in the world and his tastes and talents as a cultured gentleman.
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