History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 180

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

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WILLIAN BALDER, superintendent of the Armour Canning Company, is the son of Amon Baider, And was born at Chicago

January 8, 1857, and educated in the schools of that city. He be- gan his business lite studying for two years in the drug business, Then for four years sook charge of Barothy & Cook's Soda Water manufactory. Ju the fail of 1875 he entered the employ of Libby, McNeil & Libby, packers and preservers of meats, and filled va- rious positions in this establishment, March 1, 1879, he entered the employ of the Armour Canning Company as inspector, and September 12, 1881, was appointed superintendent. He has had a large experience in the business, and his management has proved a decided success. In his departnient 300 to 500 persons are em. played, and the whole establishment is a model of good order sud cleanliness. Mr. Balder has resided in the town of Lake since 1881.

JOIIN BARNES, druggist, was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1854, and came with his people to Chicago at the age of hifieen, and here learned the drug business. In 1874 he came to the Union Stock Yards, and was employed as clerk with W. II. Scott, druggist, up to 1877, when he took the management of a drug store for W. H. Bogart, two years later purchasing it. Mr. Barnes has had thirteen years' practical experience in his profession, and he has a finely appointed store.

FRANK BECKER, hotel and liquor dealer, was born October 10,1850, In Monterey, Puiaskı Co., Ind. In January, 1862, his father removed to Chicago, and four years later came here. Frank as- sisted his father in the hotel and saloon business, was for seversl yenrs employed in mercantile business, and for some four years as butcher in a packing house at the Stock Vards. His father, Charles Becker, is a native of Alsace, and came to America about 1844. fle was a veteran of the Mexican War, and died in 1876, since which time Mr. Frank Becker has conducted the hotel and saloon. Having been elected County Constable, about 1877, he resigned after five months' service ; was elected a member of the Board of Trustees and Collector of the town of Lake in 186t, and re-elected io 1882, lle is a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 240, C. M .; and I. O. F., Court Union, No. 41, C. M. and treasurer.

VALENTINE BECKER, JR., yard-master U. S. Y. & T. Co., is a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and came west at the age of fifteen years, locating in Chicago in 1855, at which time he be- came employed in the live-stock business. In 1859 he entered the employ of the Lake Shore Stock Yards as assistant yard-master,and December 25, 1865. when the U. S. Y. & T. Co. located In the town of Lake he came with them, was employed as scale counter, then as general deliverer, and was appointed to his present position February 1, 1875. lle has resided in the town of Lske since December, 1865, and is now connected with the Union Stock Yards.

DENNIS BERGEN, contractor, was born in the county of Limerick, Ireland, in 1845, and seared on a farm. He immigrated to Chicago in June, 1871, and entered the employ of the Michigan Centrai Railroad Company as checker in the freight department. This position he filled for three years, when he was transferred to Kensinginn and made foreman in the freight transferring depart- ment, which position he filled for five years. Since that time he has carried on husiness as a contractor for the Michigan Central Railway in transferring the company's through freight, and since May, 1883, has also acted in the same capacity for the Chicago & Atlantic Railway Company. In 1873 he purchased real estate in the town of Lake, and has made his home here since t875. Mr. Bergen is a member of the A. O. U. W., Rising Star Lodge, No. 240; Select Knights of the A. O. U. W., Union Legion, No. 29; 1. O. F., No. 4t; and the A. O. 11., Division No. 6.

FRANK BISCHOFF was born in Baden, Germany. Decem- ber 25. 1843, and there followed agricultural pursuits. In August. 1865, he immigrated to Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed at the butchering trade, and in 1866 came to Chicago. Mr. Bischoff became employed in the packing business shortly after his arrival by the Messrs. Glick Bros., and was for three years foreman of their gut-cicaning department. His health gave way, and for up- ward of twelve months he remained at home, inactive. Returning heaith brought fresh energy, and in January, 1877, he entered the employ of Armour & Co., packers, and opened up their gut-clesn. ing department, which he has since had charge of. In this depart- ment some 250 to 300 men are employed. Subsequently the above firm. Armour & Co., added the tripe and pigs feet cleaning and pickiing business to their many other industries. Mr. Bischoff wss given charge of the whole thing. and greatly owing 10 his able management the business has proved an increasing succese; some 100 men are empinyed in the latter industry. Mr. Bischoff is an active aud enterprising business man. He has resided in the town of Lake since June, 1880. He owns considerable property, and takes an active interest in municipal affairs.

ROBERT BLACKBURN, dentai surgeon, was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1845. In early life be removed to New York City, where he gave some attention to telegraphy. He subsequently commenced the study of dentistry in the same city, from which place he removed to St. Johns, Mich., where in 1865 he first com,

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HISTORY OF LAKE.

menced the practice of his profession, continuing it there and at various places until the spring of 1872. when he came to Chicago, where he remained unell he was burned out in the fire of 1874. He commenced his practice here in 1879. but did not permanently locate until 1882. Ile is a member of the I. O. F.

JAMES C. BOHART, live-stock commission merchant, was born in Clark County. Ind., in 1848, and in 1963 removed to Nod- away County, Mo., where he engaged in business as a dealer in live stock. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Company 1, 48th Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Bohart came to the Union Stock Yards in October, 1875, and has built up a large commission business. Ile is an active, enterpris- ing business man, and takes an interest in all matters of improve- ment of the town. He was one of the organizers of the Winter- street M. E. Church, and has been a class leader in the same since its organization. Ile is a member of its board of trustees and steward, and was treasurer of the Church for the first six years.

J. C. BONE, live-stock commission merchant, was born in Rutherford County, near Nashville, Tenn., September 7, 1817, and came with his father, Ehhu Bone, to Ilhnois, in 1824. The family located in Sangamon County. The subject of this sketch assisted his father in conducting the farm and in live-stock growing. At the age af twenty-two years he began farming for himself, having pur- chased some land, and subsequently, engaged in live-stock business, He became a very heavy dealer and shipper of cattle ; and has been identified with the Chicago cattle markets since 1852. 11e was also for some thirteen years an extensive breeder of short-horn stock. Mr. Bone gave strict attention to his interests, and by energy and industry has accumulated from a small beginning some eight hundred acres of land and immense quantities of stock. About 1868 he began to close out his interests in Sangamon County, (now Menard County), and has now there only one hundred and forty acres of land. He came to Chicago Immediately after the great fire of 1871, and was employed for two years as a salesman in the Stock Yards prior to his beginning business on his own account, now ten years since. Mr. Bone is widely and favorably known throughout the West and Northwest.

HARRY BOOKE, superintendent of the Chicago Packing & Provision Company, was born in the west of England an 1852. Coming in 1867 to Chicago, he subsequently became employed in the packing business. Mr. Boore has worked in various large packing establishments in all branches of the business, and has filled many responsible positions. For three years he was with Fowler Brothers, and entered the employ of the Chicago Packing & l'rovision Company in November, 1877, and has had the super- intendency of the packing establishment for the past two years. Some nine hundred men are employed by this house, and the com- pany's buildings cover some thirteen acres. About eight thousand hogs are slaughted daily. Mr. Boore has had a large experience in the business and is a competent manager. He is a resident of Ilyde Park.

FRANK X. BORTER. M. D., physician and surgeon, was horn in Switzerland in 1342, and received his education in the Lyceum at Sion, Canton Wallis, where he studied for eight years, and graduated in the sciences. Ile commenced studying medicine at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and graduated in 1878; he then spent one year in Paris, and in all studied about fourteen years to perfect himself in his chosen profession. lle commenced practice in Austria, where he resided for about four years, having a large practice. February, 1882. he came to the United States, locating at the Union Stock Yards, Cook County, and at once commenced practice. The Doctor has mastered the German, Italian. French, English and Latin languages.

JOIIN BOUCHARD, chief engineer with Armonr & Co., packers, was born at Three Rivers, Quebec, in 1837. When very young his parents moved to Westport, Essex Co., N. Y., where with his father he learned the trade of engineer and machinist. In 1857 he came to Chicago and followed the occupation of engi. neer, and since 1862 has been mainly employed in that capacity in packing houses, In the fall of 1873 he entered the employ of Armour & Co. Two years later he went to Martin County, Minut., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, but not liking it again came to Chicago and followed his profession. Ile was employed with Fowler Bros., pickers, for two and a half years as a machin- ist, and in March, 1879 again entered the employ of Armour & Co., in his present capacity. He has the supervision of the entire motive power and machinery of the house, and in this department seventy-five men are employed. Mr. Bouchard is a natural mechanic; he has made a great many useful inventions, latterly the Peerless hog scraping machine, which is used by this firm.

MICHAEL BRACKEN was barn in Roscommon County, Ireland, and there learned the trade of horse-shoer, his occupation for the past twenty-five years. In 1870 he came to America, locat- ing in Chicago, where he worked at his trade. In the spring of 1872 he moved to the Union Stock Yards, opened a small horse-

shoeing establishment, and has built up a large trade, giving em- ployment to some eight or ten men. Mr. Bracken is a member of several prominent societies-C. M. of A. O. C. W., Rising Star 1.odge, No. 340; S. K. of the A. O. U. W., Union Legion. No. 29: C. M. and Senior Warden, A. O. 11., Division No. 6 ; and the 1. O. F., Court Union, No. 41.

MICHAEL J. BRANSFIELD was born in Waterford, Ire- land, in 1848. His father, John Bransfield, came to America in 1851, and four years later lucated in Chicago. Michael has been employed in packing.licuses since he was fourteen years of age ; he worked in them at first during the winter months only, and during the summer learned and was employed at the trade of cooper. In 1873 he entered the employ of the Anglo- American Packing & Provision Company, working first in the killing department for about five years. In 1878 he took charge of the coopering for the house, and at that time did nearly all the work himself. The busi- ness has increased in this department until now about fifty men are required to do the repairing and prepare barrels for shipping. Mr. Bransfield has had an experience of some twenty years in the business, and is an expert workman as well as an efficient manager.

JOUIN BRENOCK is a native of Tipperary County, Ireland. At eighteen years of age he came to America, locating. in 1850, in Massachusetts, and two years later eame to Chicago. For several years he was employed in teaming, and subsequently engaged in that business for himself in connection with handling lumber, con- tinuing for three years. Mr. Brenock also dealt in live-stock to some extent, and in 1858 engaged in the business of slaughtering, supplying meats to the butchers of Chicago, and carried on a large trade in that line for six years. In 1865 the firm of Brenock & Fitzpatrick was formed, for the purpose of carrying on a rendering business. Th ee years later the concern consolidated with the Union Rendering Company, and Mr. Brenock has charge of the company's affairs. Ile was also, from 1 $70 to 18St, a member of the firm of Tabor & Brenock, packers. Mr. Brenock has by his industry and energy accumulated a large amount of property, and is one of the enterprising business men of Chicago. Ile has for the past six years been a member of the board of commissions of West Park.

EDWARD BYRNE, Clerk of the town of Lake, was born in Ireland August 22, 1849, where for some years he was employed in mercantile pursuits, lle immigrated tu Cook County. III., in July, 1870, located in Chicago, and was employed as a clerk in the gro- cery business for a short time ; afterwards as shipping clerk in packing houses at the Union Stock Yards. The subject of this sketch has resided in the town of Lake since November, 1871. In April, 1878, he was elected Clerk of the town, and was five times re-elected. Mr. Byrne takes an active interest in both municipal and social affairs. He is president of the A. O. 11., Division No. 6, and is a charter member of it, and also of the A. O. U. W., No. 240, of which latter he is recorder.

THOMAS BYRNE was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853, and when quite young accompanied his father to Ireland, where he received his early education. Returning to America at the age of fifteen years, he located in New York, where he was employed in various capacities. In 1872 he came to Cook County, and for sev- eral years he was in the employ of the Union S'ock Yards & Transfer Company, after which he was foreman at the packing. house of S. A. Ricker. In 1879 Mr. Byrne embarked in business as a builder of sewers, and has built up a very large business in that line. Ile has done a large amount of public work for the towns of Lake and Cicero, and employs from fifty to two hundred and fifty men. He takes an active interest in local politics, and has for the past four terms been a member of the Democratic Pre. cinct Committee of the town of 1.ake, and is treasurer of that body. Hle was elected in 1850 a member of the Board of Education of District No. 6, town of Lake, and re-elected in 1883, and he is now secretary of the board. lle is a member of the I. O. F., and takes an active part with the Irish I.and Leagueis.

CHARLES P. CA1.DWELL, physician and surgeon, was born at Chicago, November 8, 1856, and there secured his early education. lle went to Toronto, Ont., in 1871. and for a year attended St. Michael's College, after which he returned to Chicago and for several years pursued his studies at St. Ignatius Colle: e. Ile studied medicine at the Chicago Medical College, graduating therefrom in 1876, and from Rush Medical College a year later. In 1878 the Doctor went to Europe and took a special conise at Georgia Augusta University. Gottingen, Germany. Afterwards he continued his studies at Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, grad- uating therefrom March 1, 1880, Ile was then appointed Resi- dent Surgeon of the Mater Misericordia Hospital, Dublin, and filled that positinn for several months. The subject of our sketch returned to Ilinois in the summer of 1880, and in July of that year established himself in practice at the Union Stock Yards. The Doctor has quite an extensive practice. He is the son of Peter Caldwell, one of the oldest settlers of this place. Dr. Cald-

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

well was appointed Health Commissioner May 1, 1883. He is a member of the British Medical Society.

PETER CALDWELL, proprietor of the Caldwell House, was born in Ireland June 20, 1822, and after reaching the age of ma- turity was engaged in the grocery and liquor business. In 1547 he emigrated to Oneida County, N. Y., and came to Chicago in 1848, The following year he opened a saloon and restaurant, and some years later also carried on a hotel. Mr. Caldwell was burned out in the great fire. His house, on the northeast coroer of Randolph and Market streets, being the last that was destroyed on the South Side. Ile came to the Union Stock Vards in 1866, and opened a hotel, which he carried on three years. In 1872 he opened bis present establishment. Mr. Caldwell was elected a Constable of Cook County in 1857, and in 1860 be was he was elected on the Democratie ticket a member of the Board of Supervisors of Cook County from the Third Ward of Chicago, serving one year. Dur. ing the late war he recruited a body of men who were mustered ioto the 67ih Illinois Volunteer Infantry as Company B. He was ap. pointed to the rank of First Lieutenant and served four months. The subject of this sketch was elected a member uf the Board of Education of District No. 2, towns of Hyde l'ark and Lake, and served a term nf one year. Ile was the first policeman of the town of Lake, which position he resigned after serving a year, and in 1876 was Collector of the town. He is widely known through- out the whole community, and is a member nf the Old Settlers' Society of Chicago.

CHARLES CAMERON was born in Germany July 10, 1847. and for ten years followed a seafariog life. In 1867 he came to Chicago, and was employed in sailing oo the lakes for some years, In 1873 he became employed in packing houses, and has followed that occupation since. Ile was foreman at Ilagan & Co.'s packing house for some months, and for two years with George Fleming. who has a large slaughter-house in this locality. He entered the employ of the Chicago Packing & Provision Company in October, 1833, and has charge of the department where the intestines are cleansed. In this branch of the business some forty five men are employed. Mr. Cameron has mainly been employed in this de. partment in the packing business for ten years, and is an excellent manager. Ile has resided in the town of Lake for the past eight years.

HENRY CLAPP is a oative of Worcester County, Mass. Af- ler leaving school he learned the business of shoe-making, and was for a number of years foreman of a large boot and shoe factory* at the city of Worcester. In 1565 he came to Chiengo, where he engaged in insurance business until February, 1871, when he en. tered the employ of the Union Stock Yards & Transit Company as book keeper at the company's atables, a position which he still occupies.

L'EE W. CLARK, of John II, Wood & Co., live-stock com- mission merchants, was born in Syracuse. N. Y., September 9, 1835, and came West with his people to Kendall County. III., in 1354 For three years he carried on a general merchandise busi- ness at Oswego, then at Aurora, Ill., in the same line for a year, after which he returned for a short time to Oswego, and a year later removed to Raymond, Racine Co., Wis., where he opened a general store. He remained there only a year, and in July. 1960, came to Chicago. Mr. Clark was for ilirce years yard-master at the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Stock Yards, and subse- quently embarked in the live-stock commission business, with style of J. F. Frye & Co. This firm dissolved at the opening of the Union Stock Yards in December. 1865. Mr. Clark then came here and was a member of the firm ol R. Strahom & Co. for three years; then of the firm of Frye, Reed & Co, for four years; then of Brown & Clark For two years, and did business in connection with others until May, 1832, when he became associated with John Hi. Wood, an old resident of Chicago. Mr. Clark is among the oldest live-stock commission men at these yards. He has been engaged in that business for about twenty-two years, and has had a successful career. The subject of this brief sketeb has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for over twenty years, and is a chatier member of llome Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 508.

CONOVER & HIALL, live-stock commission merchants, are among the oldest in this business at these yards. The firm is composed of II. II. Conover and D. A. Hall. Previous to engag- ing in this business they were large shippers of live-stock to the markets of Chicago aod other large cities. Mr. Hall was for some twelve months or so engaged in dealing in live-stock at the old Sherman Yards and in December, 1965, the firm opened at this place. Mr. Hall selling the first cattle disposed of in the Union Stock Yards, They have carried on business here for the past nineteen vears without onee changing the style of the firmi.

MICHAEL. CONWAY, foreman of the cutting department of Armour & Co, packers, was born at Coldsprings, N. Y., in 1853. and came with his father, Bryan Conway, to Chicago in 1951. When about the age of nine or ten years, he began during the

winter months to work in packing houses, and has been employed in various houses in different positions for the past twenty years. Notwithstanding he has worked hard and given his business close attention, he has managed during his leisure hours to find time to study, and has acquired a good education. Mr. Conway has been in the employ of Messrs. Armour & Co. for some years ; August 1. 1881. he was given entire charge of their cutting department. He has charge of from 150 to 250 meo, according to the demands of the business. Ile has made his home at Englewood since October, 1883.

MATTHIAS CORBETT was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, about sixty-five years ago. When quite young he was apprenticed to the trade of horseshoer in the city of Waterford, and served seven years, during which period he learned the pro- fession of farrier with Dr. J. W. Ions, veterinary surgeon. Ile has followed his business in all some fifty years, lo 1849 he became involved with abe British Government for pike-making. and immigrated to America, Mr. Corbett worked at his trade in various States, and during the war of the Rebellion was for four years in the employ of the United States Government, In 1666 he came to Chicago, and in March, 1872, located at the Union Stock Vards, where he opened a shop and has built up a large business in horseshoeing, having a wide . eputation for his ability as a farrier. Ile is a member of the Irish National Land League at these yards, and is a very active worker in the cause.

THOMAS R. CORNWELL, superintendent of Divisinn " A." U. S. Y. & T. Co., was born in Dutchess Cnuoty. N. Y., September 18, 1939, and was reared on a farm. He came to Chicago in 1861, and was employed in the Lake Shore Stock Yards for a few months as yardmaster then as weigh-master. When the Union Stock Yards located in the town of Lake in 1865, Mr. Cornwell came with them as weigh-master, which position be held for some five years, after which he filled the position of yard-master, and has for the past nine years been superintendent of Division " A " for the company. The subject of this brief sketch bas resided in the town of Lake since 1867, and has always inken an active interest in municipal affairs and matters of improvement.

WILLIAM COSTELLO) was born in the county of Kildare, Ireland, in 1853, and after leaving sch: ol served an apprentice- ship of three years to the trade of brick.mason, since which time he has followed it for a livelihood. He came to Chi- cago in 1870, and worked at his trade as a journeyman, entering the employ of the Aoglo-American Packing & Pro- vision Company in 1876, and in 1879 was made foreman of ihe building department, in which some thirty men are employed. Mr. Costello is an experienced man in this line; he has charge of the erection of all new buildings, furnaces, ete., for the company.

SAMUEL COZZENS is a native of Providence. R. I. and there received a good education. During the war of the Rebel- lion he went South, and for a year was In the employ of the United States Government in the Quartermaster's Department. In 1867 he came to Chicago and located at the Union Stock Vards, and at that time entered the employ of the Union Stock Yards & Transia Company, ns foreman in the company's stables, and in March. 1573, was appointed superintendent of the same. He has full charge of the company's livery and working horses, and their entire stabling departments, in which there are employed some seventy- five men.

SETH P. CROSBY, foreman of the retail meat department of George W. Ifiggins & Co., was born in East Brewster, Mass., December 31. 1829. During his youth he went to Bastoo, where he learned the trade of ship calker, serving an apprenticeship of three years, after working as journeyman, july 13. 1563, he enlisted in the navy, and was stationed on United States gunboat " Tuscarora," and served one year. Mr. Crosby came west to and located in the town of Lake in the winter of 1868, and at that time cotered the employ of George W. Higgins & Co., packers, sivee which sime he has held the responsible position of foreman of the retail meat department. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M .. and is connected with the Chicago Chapter, R. A. M .. No. 127: he is also a member of Abraham Lincoln Post. G. A. R., Chicago.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 180

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas Number of Pages: 875

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875