History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 191

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

USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time > Part 191

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

thing that had yet been published. In the year 1867 he commenced corresponding with the distinguished geographer, Dr. Alexander Reith Johnston, of Edinburgh, Scotland, in reference to getting out his series of maps, which were to consist of Western Hemi- sphere. Eastern Hemisphere, United States and Europe. The maps were constructed and drawn under the personal supervision of the Doctor, in years just preceding his death. Nothing more was done until May 7, 1876, when arrangements were made with Messrs. W. & A. K. Johnston, of Edinburgh, to completely revise the drawings fully up to date, engrave them on copper, and print thens in colors In the best style their great facilities for all stich work would allow. May 23, 1882. he left home for the second time to go to Edinburgh, Scotland, to hasten the completion of his maps. On the 28th of January. 1853, after only a few hours of sicks ess, he died there, while at his post of duty, from too great anxiety about his work. Though no relative was near him, T. Ruddliman Johnston, Waverly Works, Edinburgh, proved himself more than a true friend. He left nothing undone; placed Mr. Rolfe's effects in the hands of the American Consul, embalmed his body, and sent it to his anxious family and friends; in fact, did everything possible in the most satisfactory manner. His wife and two sons. F. Il. and E. C. Rolfe, of Englewood, Ill., survive to mourn his loss and pre- serve his untarnished name. A friend of more than forty years" acquaintance writes thus of Mr. Rolfe : "Ile was possessed of strong characteristics, unswerving integrity, great tenacity of pur- pose, tireless industry and broad philanthropy. He was a genial companion, a warm friend and a good conversationalist. I liked to sit with him and talk for hours. He admired real worth, and hated all shams. He has left us too soon."

WILLIAM D. ROWLEY, manager and treasurer of the Congdon Brake Shoe Manufacturing Company, was born in England in 1834, and came to this country when quite young and settled in Hancuck County, III. In 1854 he entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company in their shops at Alion, III. There he learned to be a thorough machinist, and has since filled many prominent positions on various railroads, For ten years he was in the employ of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad Company, six years of that period as master mechanic of the West- ern Division, "For eight years he was general master mechanic of the Kansas City, St. Joe & Council Bluffs Railroad; then in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, in charge of their shops at Aurora, Ill., until November, 158t. when he resigned and came to Chicago. In January, 1992, the Congdon Brake Shoe Manufacturing Company was formed by the present officers. A. B. P'ullman, president; W. J. Watson, vice- president; George M. Sargent, secretary; and William 1). Row- ley, manager and treasurer. The company at that time erectedl its works at the corner of Fifty-ninth Street and the tracks of the Chi- cage & Western Indiana Railroad Company, where they are doing a large business in general foundry work and manufacturing the Congdon Brake Shoc. They do a large business with the various prominent railroad companies, and are now making from eight to ten tons of brake shoes and other castings daily, giving employment to a large number of men.

JOHN W. RUMSEY, of J. W. Rumsey & Co., commission merchants, office 86 Washington Street, Chicago, Is a native of Batavla, N. Y., where he was reared on a farm. Ile came to Chi- cago in 1855, and was employed as a clerk in commission business. April 2t, 186t. he enlisted in Company A, Illinols Light Artillery (Chicago Battery, Captain J. Smith): was promoted to First Lieutenant early In t862, and served until mustered out in August, 1864. On his return to Chicago, through the offices of the soldiers" friend, George Williams, then division superintendent of the Amer- ican Express Company, he obtained a situation as express messen- ger. This being of too slow a nature, he went to the Pennsylvania oll region, but as he failed to strike a flowing well he returned to Chicago, where, in February, 1866, he embarked in business In company with his brother, I. P. Rumsey. The subject of this sketch has been always identified with the commission business. He is a member of the Board of Trade and is an extensive operator In grain, The present firm of J. W. Rumsey & Co. was formed in February, 1877; his partner is J. W. Conley, Mr. Rumsey has resided at Englewood since the fall of t876. 'Ile is connected with the Citizens' Association and the Englewood Veteran Club.

JOHN SCHULTZ, merchant tailor and dealer in gents' fur- nishings, etc., was born in Germany in t845. He learned the trade of tailor there and worked at it for some years. In 1870 he emi- grated to Milwaukee, Wis. Six months later he engaged in busi- ness as a merchant tailor, and carried it on for three years, when he disposed of it and worked at his trade in various places until Octo- ber, 1879, when he came to Englewood, and established his present business in a small way. Mr. Schultz has had a practical experi- ence as tallor and cutter, and since coming here has built up a good trade. Ife carries a good stock of goods and Is the leader in his line at this place.

FRANKLIN E. SHANDREW, of Englewood, Cook Co., Ill., was born in Clinton County, N. \'., and at an early age removed with his parents to Kecseville, where he resided until 1895. when be came West and settled in Watertown, Wis., where for several years he was engaged in conducting a foundry and machine sharp. While residing there he was twice elected Alderman, and held the position of Superintendent of Schools for two years. In 1862 he removed to Winona, Minn., having purchased a hotel, which was burned at that place in the great fire of that year. Ile then took the State agency of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of Milwaukee, with which company he remained ten years. During his residence in Minnesota he represented Winona County In the Legislature, and was for several years identified officially with the public schools in Winona, and was very active in all war measures of the State in enlisting men and ntherwise ren- dering efficient service in responding to the calls of the Government for men and means to carry on the war. In 186g he left Minne- sota and traveled all over the United States in the interest of the Northwestern, and in 187t removed to Chicago. There in onnner- tion with J. E. Dean they held the State agency of Illinois, Ile suinequently removed to Englewood, where he still resides. Mr. Shandrew is a member of the Baptist Chureb and a radical temper- ance man, and was chairman of the Cook County prohibition con- vention in the fall of 1862. He is now engaged in insurance and real estate business in Englewood.

F. C. SHAV'S, superintendent of the Corrugated Elbow Com- pany, office 215 Lake Street, Chicago, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1845. Ile began business life in 1861, entering into the hardware business as a clerk, following that occupation for several years; after which he embarked in retail bardware, and for some ten years carried on an extensive business in that line. In the spring of 1874 he came toL'hieago and entered the employ of Edwin Hunt's Sons, wholesale hardware dealers, ns traveling salesman, remaining with them some five years, and on October 1, 1879, accepted the superintendeney of the Corrugated Elbow Company, at Chicago. Mr. Shays has resided in Englewood since May, 1880, Ile has for the past three years been a member of the board of trustees of the Baptist Church here, and was elected chairman of the board in the fall of 1882.

F. M. SMITH, Assessor of the town of Lake, was boro at Iladdington, Penn., February 3, 1841, and a few years later his parents moved to the city of New York. In 1957 he came to Ful- tun County, Ill., and was employed in agricultural pursuits, Ile enlisted in April, 1861, in Company C, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving until May, 1866. He was subsequently agent of " Freed- men's " bureau, with headquarters at Marshall, Tex .. and helped to organize the first Freedmen's schools In that locality. In 1567 he went to Red River, La., where for two years he was engaged in cotton planting. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Collector of Taxes of Caddo Parish, La, and during 187t-72 he hekl the office of Judge of the parish, having been elected on the Republican ticket. In 1873, when about to embark in manufacturing, he was forced to leave on account of the yellow fever scourge, and in September he came to Englewood. For some time he was employed In a grocery store, and in 1875 established a flour and feed business. In 1978, he became connected with the Eye, acting as editor until the spring of 1883. Mr. Smith was in April, 1883, elected Assessor of the town of Lake, and at the organization of the Board of Trustees was elected President of the board, [le takes an active part in social and political matters, and is a charter member of the Englewood U'nion Veteran Club.

ELLIOTT W. SPROUL, was born in St. John's, N. B., December 28, 1854, where he received a good education, and after- ward was employed at brick mason and plastering work. In 1976 he moved to Lynn, Mass., where he completed his apprenticeship to the trade of plasterer and brick mason, his occupation ever since. He came to Englewood April 1, 18so, and at that time entered the employ of Henry Ilolmes, Six months later they formed a partner- ship, and have since done business under the style of Holmes & Sproul, contractors fur stone and brick mason work and plastering. They are the largest contractors in their line in Englewood. They have done work on the principal buildings here and have an enviable reputation. The firm employs at times in the neighborhood of one hundred men. Mr. Sproul Is a member of the A. O. U. W., Englewood f.odge, No. 174, and the I. O. O. F., Normal 1.odge. No. 500.

JAMES A. STODDARD, secretary Northwestern Masonic Aid Association, was born April t8, 1827, in Farmington, Me. When but ten years of age he was thrown largely upon his own re- sources, the delicate health of his father, who was a finely educated elergyman, unfitting him for the full discharge of the cares and duties appertaining to the head of a family. From the age of fourteen he did farm work, until at eighteen he engaged as gro- cery clerk at Boston. Not liking this, he located at Springfield. Mass., remaining one year. In 1852 he settled in Milford, Mass,

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where he remained thirteen years successfully engaged in the busi- ness of contractor for the manufacture of boots and shoes, and where he was married on May 17. 1853. In 1865 he came to Chl- cago, and for several years was engaged in the publishing business, during which he established and edited the Western llome. But the great fire swept away all his possessions, and he then turned his attention to the insurance business. In this connection Mr. Stoddard conceived a scheme which he immediately endeavored to put in execution. He met with great discouragement, but in 1874 success crowned his efforts, and the largest Institution of its kind in this country was organized-the Northwestern Masonic Aid Association, which has a membership of over 20,500, and is grow- Ing at the rate of 400 to 500 per month. To him is largely due its past and present success. "Ile has written several papers which have been widely published, and which have given him a national reputation as a leading thinker and cogent writer upon the philoso- phy of co-operative insurance. Mr. Stoddard has resided at En- glewood since April. 1879, and is a member of the Englewoud Citizens' Association.

EDWIN C. STUART, vice-president of the well-known Skeen & Stuart Stationery Company, of Chicago, is a native of Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. Left fatherless at the age of nine years, he carly began the battle of life. Necessity compelled him to assist in the support of his widowed mother, at an age when most boys are still in school. In January, 1859, he removed 10 Kankakee, III , where he obtained work in a book store. lle re- mained there two years, when he came to Chicago to accept a clerk- ship in a then leading book and stationery house. In May, 1su6, he gave up this position, after seven years' service, to begin busi. news on his own account, in the same line, at Clinton, lowa. Re. maining there seven years, he in 1873 returned to Chicago to form the business connections that still exist with J. C. Skeen. From the beginning the new firm prospered, and after ten years, during which it made for itself a record as one of the foremost houses in its line in the West, it was incorporated under its present title, with Mir. Stuart as vice-president and manager of the stationery depart- ment. The concern dues a large business in blank-book manufact- uring, printing and stationery for banks, manufacturers, commer. cial houses, and public offices. The subject of this sketch has made his home in Englewood since April, tSS1, where he lives quietly and surrounded by the most pleasant family relations. Mr. Stuart, though but little past forty years of age, is one of the vet- erans in the stationery business, having spent twenty-seven years of active service in it. He has introduced many successful ideas in his trade that have become popular, and is looked upon as an au- thority on leading points connected with the business, in which he is an acknowledged authority in the West.

GEORGE A. TAYLOR, of Gannon & Taylor, plumbers and steam and gas fitters, was born in Oswego, N. Y .. in 1856, and when very young his parents moved to Chicago, where he learned the business of plumber, ete., and has followed that occupation for the past twelve years. His partner, John Gannon, is a native of Buffalo, N. Y., but moved to Chicago in 1867. lfe is a practical plumber, and has had fifteen years' experience In the business. The Firm established here in April, 1891, and by good work and Indus. try have built up a nice trade, giving steady employment to them- selves and three others. Mr. Taylor is connected with the A. F. & A. M.

CHRISTOPHER THIILMONT, merchant, was born in the Province of Lorraine, France. in the year 1823. Ilis father was a farmer, and Christopher assisted him in conducting the farm, and also learned the trade of shoe-maker. In March, 1943, he came to AAmerica, and in June of that year located in Chicago. lle was employed at his trade up to 1852, when he opened a boot and shoe store, and also carried a stock of groceries and provisions. About ten years later he disposed of his store, and has since carried on the provision and grocery business. Hle accumulated considerable money, and in 1863 purchased land on Ilalsted Street, in the neigh. borhond of Sixty-second Street. This property he improved in 1871, and after the great fire in October of that year, moved on to the same, where he now carries on the grocery business. Mr. Thil- mont has by thrift and close application accumulated a nice fortune. He owns considerable property here and in Chicago. He married In Chicago, in 1850, Annie Blass, a native of Lorraine, France. who died here April 18. 1579, leaving two sons-Christopher, Jr., contractor and builder, and John, a carpenter and joiner. Both sons reside at Englewood.

E. N. T11.1.OTSON, real estate dealer, was born at Grenville, Hampden Co., Mass., in 1836. In 1852 he went to Pittsfick! and began to learn the trade of tinner. He followed that occupa- tion some years, and was also lor four years engaged in the stove and tinware business. In 1866 he came west to Cook County, Ill., located in Chicago, and in company with his brother, W. E. Til- lotson, embarked in the stove business, which was carried on up to 1874. In connection with that business they also were exten-

sively engaged im making "Filter Wells." The Tillotson Bros. became interested in Englewood about 187t. During 1872 and 1873 they erected some fifty houses here, and they carried on a large real estate business together up to 1876, when they dissolved, and E. N. Tillotson has since conducted the business alone, He has resided here since 1674. Ile is a member of the A. F. & A. 31., and F. M. Jarrett Chapter, R. A. M., Englewood, and Apollo Commandery, Chicago.

N. TOSTEVIN, superintendent of shipping division, U. S. Y & T. Co., was born on the Island of Guernsey in 1841, and immi- grated in 1847 with his parents to Racine, Wis, From 1847 to 1855 his parents lived on a farm two miles south of Racine, and he attemled school In this city one year. In the spring of 1856 he engaged in wholesale and retail paint and oil business, where he remained fur two years, and was then employed as a carpenter for about the same period. In April, 1860, he went to Pike's l'eak, Colo., where for three years he was engaged in mining pursuits. Returning to Ra- cine he was again employed in the oil business. In February, 1865, he came to Chicago and carried on a meat business for a short time, and in the spring of 1866 entered the employ of the U. S. V. & T. Co. as feed master of shipping division, and in the fall of t872 was appointed superintendent of the division, which position he still hokis. Mr. Tastevin has made his home at Engle- wood since the summer of 1872.

S. D. UNDERWOOD, Justice of the Peace, was born in Wayne County, N. Y., In 1832, and there he followed agricultural pursuits and also taught school. In 1855 he moved to Wayne County, Mich., for a short time he taught school, and for two years was employed in mercantile pursuits. In 1857 he changed his base of operations to Grundy County, Ill., where he opened a large farm In company with his father, and resided there for some four years. Mr. Underwood came to Chicago carly in 1861, and enlisted in the spring of 1562, having mustered a company of men for service in the war. Owing to circumstances, however, he went to New York where he entered the Marine Artillery service and served two years, subsequently retiring to Grundy County. Hle engaged in business pursuits at Gardner, dealing in hay, grain, etc., and eventually em- barked in the livery business, and in connection with It also carried on a farm. Ile came to Englewixxl in the spring of 1874 and en- gaged in the livery business, Since 1877 he has also been engaged in livery and undertaking business. He has always taken an in- terest in municipal affairs, and in April, 1883, was elected to the of- fice of Justice of the Peace. lle is also a member of the Engle- wood Veteran Club.

ALBERT 11. VEEDER, attorney at law, office 4t Major Block, Chicago, is a native of Montgomery County, N. Y. Ile was educated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., graduating in his twenty-first year, in the class of 1865, and subsequently came west to Illinois, located at Galva, and for some three years had charge of the public schools of that place, during which period he also read law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1868 and practiced in Galva up to 1874, when he came to Chicago and opened an of- lice for the practice of his profession. Mr. Veeder has made his home at Englewood since 1874. In that year he was ap- pointed attorney for the town of Lake and served seven consecutive terms. Fle is a member of the A. F. & A. SI. and E. MI. Jarrett Chapter, R. A. M., at Englewood, and connected with the Apollo Commandery and Oriental Consistory, of Chicago.

C. II. VEHMEYER, agent Latlin & Rand Powder Com- pany, office 17 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, was born in Germany in 1847, and came with his parents to Chicago. Ill., in 1850. In 1863 he began business life, entering the employ of what is now the Laflin & Kand Powder Company. Ile hilled varions positions in the employ of this company, and was appointed their agent in 187t. Mr. Vehmeyer has resided at Englewood since August, 1873, and in connection with other business pursuits he in 1879 es- tablished a large coal yard at this place. Ile was a member of the Cook County Board of Education from September. 1879, to Sep- tember, 1852. Ile is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and E. M. Jarrett Chapter, R. A. M., at this place, and Is treasurer of the latter, and also connected with Apollo Commandery, of Chicago.

ARCHELAUS G. WARNER, dealer in real estate and in- surance agent, Englewood, was born at le Roy, Genesee Co., N. Y .. in 1817. He was for a number of years employed in mercantile business at the town of kush, Monroe Co., N. Y., and for twelve years carried on business on his own account. In 1853 he came to Chicago, and was employed as an accountant with the Eagle Works Manufacturing Company, receiving an interest three years later. In 1865 he closed out and engaged in the eoal busi- ness, closing out in 1875. Mir. Warner moved to Englewood in 1867, and in connection with other pursuits, carried on a coal yard at this place up to 1377, when he retired from business. In the spring of 1882 he become associated with C. D). Perry, an extensive bnikler and real estate dealer, and manages the office affairs, ete., in connection with his insurance and real estate business. Mr.

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HISTORY OF CHOK COUNTY.

Warner has taken much interest in matters of education, and for the past thirty-eight years has been an active worker in the cause of temperance, and is one of the organizers of the Englewood Di- vision, Sons of Temperance, Ile is a member of the Englewood Presbyterian Church, and has been secretary of the Sunday-school for sixteen years.

EMMOR T. WEBB, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio. caine West with his parents to lowa when quite young. "Ile re- ceived his early education in the schools of West Liberty. Iuwa. In 1903 he came to Chicago and attended school six years, moveil to Blue Island, III., following agricultural pursuits and during a portion of this time attended Cook County Normal ,chool, grad- uating therefrom in 1870, after which he attended the University of Michigan for two years. In the spring of 1872 he came to the town of Lake, and was principal of the Forty-third-street School for seven months ; then of the Graham School up to the spring of 1850. Ile tak an active interest in the erection of, and suggested the name by which it is now designated. On leaving it he began teaching shorthand or tachygraphy and mathematics in the Metrir politan Business College, Chicago, and in 1881 touk charge of the

short hand department. In September, 1883. he accepted the principalship of the Pullman School, town of Lake, which posi- tium he held until his death, January 9. 15-4, of typhoid pneumonia. He was a member of the Reform Spelling Association, Chicago. Mr. Webb had re-ideal at Englewood since 1875.

P. A. WESTBERG, contractor and buikler, was born in Sweden September 23, 1846, and there learned the traile of car- penter and also cabinet-maker. In 180g he immigrated to this country, and worked for a time as a carpenter in the Southern States, Mr. Westberg came to Chicago in the summer of 1871 and was employed at his trade. In March, 1874, he moved to Engle- wood, and for three years held the position of foreman wish Rus. sell & Smith, extensive contractors and buildlers. In 1877 he em- barked in business for himself, and is now one of the largest con- tractors in this place Ile has, during his business career at this place, erected some of the most prominent residences and business block< in Englewood. When Mr. Westberg came Jo shis place he had little or no means, and has by his energy and industry built up a large business and accumulated considerable property. le ches all kinds of general contracting and building work, and gives em- ploynient to some forty men.

JAMES E. WILITE, superintemulent of railway mail service. is a native of Albany, N. Y., and at twelve years of age came West, locating at Vinton, Iowa, in 1855, where he learned the trade of brick mason. In May, 1361. he enlisted in Company 1. 3d Volunteer Infantry, and in January, 1862, was transferred to Com- pany G. 13th lowa. Ile was, during the siege of Vicks- burg, promoted to Second Lieutenant : tu First Lieutenant after the battle of Atlanta, and sufrequently to Captain -serving until mustered out July 28, 1866. In March, 1866, Captain White was appointed route agent, U. S. mail service, on the C. & N. W. R. R. : was subsequently made railway post-office clerk ; then chief clerk in that department, and in November, 1875, was appointed to his present position. Ile came to Chicago in IS7t, and since 1874 has made his home at Englewood. He is a member of the Engle- worl Veteran Club.

11. O. WILSON was born at Norwalk, Conn., in 1946, and when young accompaniedl his parents to Orange County. N. Y. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company 1), 18th New York Volun- teer Infantry, and was subsequently detailed to railroad service in the Sonth, where he served some eighteen months, In 1865 he came to Chicago and embarked lo the wholesale and retail busi- news, which he continued until burned out in the great fire of 1871. Ile was after the fire connected with the firm of Sauve & Wilson, liquor dealers, for four years, when he sold out his interest in his partner, and carried on business alone up to 1880. Mr. Wilson has made his home at Englewick since 1873. He opened the Sherwood Ilouse at that sime, and carried it on up to July, 1877. Hle has been in the liquor business ever since, at "Englewianl, until August of 1993, he established the Commercial Club, of which he is sec. retary and treasurer. Ile carries on an oyster house in connection with the chili.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 191

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