History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 195

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 195

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

R. H. DIXON, superintendent of Deering's Harvester works, is a native of Carlton County, Canada, born July 24. 1842. He learned the trade of millwright, and worked at it in Canada until 1865, when he went to Plano, Ill., and for one year worked as mill- wright. In 1866, Mr. Dixon became connected with the harves. ter works of Gammon & Deering, first as a workman, and then as foreman of carpenter shop, and continued as such up to the spring of 1871, when he was made superintendent. He took up his resi- dence in Ravenswood in the fall of 1880. Mr. Dixon was married May 10, 1867, to Miss Nancy Evans, of Kendall County, Ili. They have four children-Charies 1 .. , Louisa M., Minnie and Pearl.

DANIEL DOWNING was born in Enfield, Hampshire Co., Mass,, July 4, 1816. At the age of fourteen he became employed in the Enfield Ilotel, and afterwards worked as a machinist with his brother, and made the iron work of the first machine for weav- ing silk ribbons in the United States at Enficid. He then, for fif. teen years, carried on a hardware and stove business. Selling this out, he became proprietor of the Enfield Hotel, changing its name to the Swift River Ilotel. In 1857 he removed to Chicago, but shortly went to llolstein, Cook County, where he kept the Buffalo Ilead lIntel. Ile then took charge of the Snow Farm, in Chicago, North Side, and opened a hotel, the first "road house" in that see- tion. In 1863 he went to Bowmanville, Jefferson Township. Conk County, and for seven years was proprietor of Downing's llotel. In 1870 he came to Lake View Township and opened his presen hotel, known as Sunnyside Hotel. Mr. Downing has always been a public spirited citizen, and has spent much money in improving his property. Ilis was the second house in Ravensword. He was married to Miss Sophronia Ilinds, of Hampshire County, Mas .. December 8, t540. They have one child, Cinta S., now Mrs. Parker Mason, of Lake View Township.

E. A. FILKINS, manager of the Fidelity Life Insurance Com- pany, of l'hiladelphia, at Chicago, is a son of Joseph Filkins, de- ceased. born in Wheeling. Cook Co., Ill., May 20, 1842. At the age of fourteen he attended a preparatory school at New llaven. Conn. After the death of his father, November 12. 1857, Mr. Filkins worked in the dry goods house of Harmon, Aiken & Gale, and remained with them up to 1861, when, at the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in the battalion of Captain Hayden, afterward attached to the toth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as Com- pany C ; he was promoted to the position of Second Lieutenant of that company, and served as such until 1863 when, returning to Chicago, he was made a clerk in the counting-room of the Chicago Tribune. In 1864 Mr. Filkins was appointed private secretary lo

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Colonel J. A. Potter, Chief Quartermaster of the United States Army, at Chicago, and remained as such up to 1866, when he was appointed elerk in the department of public works. In the fall of 1867 he was transferred to the County Clerk's office, and served in other departments of Cook County up to 1874, when he was ap- pointed to a position in the Internal Revenue deparinient. In 1877 he was appointed elerk to the County Commissioners of Cook County, which position he filled up to the winter of 1882, when he became connected with the Fidelity Life Insurance Association, of I'hiladelphia. In the summer o' 1883 Mr. Filkins was made the general manager of the latter company at Chicago. He married Sadie H. Copelin. of Good Hope. Africa, in March, 1967. They have three children-Edward B., Claire M. and Arthur J. Mr. Filkins took up his residence in Ravenswood in September, 1841.

JOSEP11 FILKINS, deceased, was born in Berne, Albany Co., N. Y., July 4. 1806. llis early life was spent upon the farm of his father, Kichard Filkins, At the age of twenty-one he learned the trade of a carpenter, and worked at it in Westerlo, same county. until he was twenty-three years of age. In 1829 he went to Utica, N. V., and opened a hotel near that city, and established there a post-office which he named l'ine, continuing the same until Octo- ber, 1835, when he removed to Chicago, In the winter of the same year he went to Wheeling, Cook County, and opened a hotel and stage house, of which he remained proprietur until 1852. Returning to Chicago, he established the well known firm of Filkins & Runyon, hardware dealers, remaining as senior member of the firm up to the time of his death, November 12, 1857. Mr. Filkins was elected for two terms Collector, and for five years (from 1838) Supervisor of Wheeling. F'or fourteen years he held the office of Justice of the Peace of Wheeling, and also Postmaster, having established that office. He also established a stage route between Chicago and Milwaukee. He took an active part in laying out the road between Chicago and Milwaukee, and from Mellenry to Lake Michigan, known as the " Kast road." While he held the office of Supervisor, and also chairman of the Board of County Commis- sioners of Cook County, he largely assisted in organizing and lay- ing out the different towns of the county, as well as in the building of the Cook County Poor-Ifouse, Mr. Filkins was married Sep tember 15. 1830. to Clarissa Johnson. of lloosick, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. They had two children-E. A. Filkins, and Elizabeth fwho married Israel T. Runyon, and died, leaving two children-1.llbie K. and Gussie).

JOHN FISHLEIGH was born in Devonshire, England, Octo- ber 5. 1826. In 1843 he came to Canada and engaged in a general merchandise business in Mitchell, Canada West, which he contin- ued up to july, 1865, when he came to Chicago and engaged with L. B. Taylor In the broom-corn trade. In May, 1881, having bought out Mr. Taylor, he has continued the business alone. Hle took up his residence in Ravenswood April, 186. Mr. Fish- leigh married Miss Mary Hill, of England, who died in 1857. leav- ing three children-William II .. John A, and Mary (now Mrs. G. W. Crummey, of New Mexico). llis second wife was Miss Mary Bowie, of Canada, and they have five children-Margaret (now Mrs. Theodore tienbaugh), James B., Charles B., Duncan and Robert.

k. W. GRONOW, builder and contractor, was born in Prus- sia, Germany, October 30, 1843, where he learned his trade, and worked at it up to coming to Chicago in t 865, since which time he has been engaged in contracting and building. Ile went to Ravens. wood in 1869, afterwards returned to Chicago for one year, and re- turned again to Ravenswood in 1872, where he has since resided. He married Miss Dora G. Rinneborn, of Prussia, Germany, and they have three children -Florence C., Esther and Edna.

A. S. GURNEE, superintendent of the water works of Lake View Township, is a native of Harverstraw, Kockland Co., N. Y., and was born March 11. 1821. In 1853 he came to Chicago and engaged as locomotive engineer on the Chicago & Milwaukee Rail- road, where he remained twelve years, residing in Waukegan lle then went into the milling business in Waukegan, and selling that, removed to Harvard, Ill., in t86g, and there engaged in the same business. In 1872 he moved to Chicago and engaged as master mechanic on the Chicago & l'acifie Railroad, remaining until 1875. Mr. Gurnee then settled in Ravenswood, and since that time to the present has been superintendent of Lake View water works. He was married to Mary A. llowell, of Orange County, N. Y., May 23, 1844. She died in October, 1854, leaving three children- George, Sarah and Louis, Ile was again married to Rosetta Bronson, of Herkimer County, N. Y., May 26, 1857. She died May 27. 1881, leaving three children-Ella L. (now deceased). Hattie A. and Walter C.

F. S. HALLOCK, of Hallock & Rae, engravers, Chicago, was born in Northport, I., I., November 23, 1846, lle learned the trade of engraver with the Methodist Book Concern of New York City. llere, in 1867, he commenced business, and continued up to December, 186g, when he came to Chicago, and was first em-

ployed as foreman of the engraving department of the Prairie Farmer. In 1875 he started in business for himself, and the fol- lowing year went to Peoria, Ill., and carried on the same business. In 1879 Mr. Ilallock returned to Chicago and established the firm of llallock & Chandler, wood engravers, the firm name being after- wand changed to llallock, Chandler & Co. In November. 1883. Mr. Hallock withdrew from the firm and formed the present firm of Hallock & Rae. Ile has resided in Ravenswood since April, 1882. Ile married, December 24. 1967. Miss Julia Forbes, of New York City. They have three children-Howard B., 1.Illian A. and Mabel.

JOIN NORTON HILLS was born in Arlington, Benning. ton Co., Vt., June 27, 1837. Ife was educated in the schools of Vermont, andgraduated from Phillip's Academy, at Andover, Mass., in 1856. He was engaged in mercantile business in Burlington, V'i., from 1859 10 1864, when he went into the telegraph service. continuing until 186g. at which time he entered the employ of the Champlain Transportation Company as elerk. In 1872 he came to Chicago and engaged in the real estate business with Ilon. James 1 .. Stark, after the latter's death taking charge of the business of the National Life Insurance Company. of Montpelier, V't., of which he Is now general agent. Mr. Ilills has resided in Ravenswood since 1872, where he built a fine residence, Hle has hekl many public offices of this county and the town of Lake View. In 1877. with a few other Vermonters, he organized the " Illinois Associa. tion of Sons of Vermont," of t'hicago, of which he is now chair- man of the executive committee. The society has grown to large proportions, and he Is ever active in promoting its interests. Being an experienced electrician, he has made extensive experiments with telephones, microphones, etc., has many wires radiating from his residence at Ravenswood to Chicago, Milwaukee, and other cities, and is prominently identified with telephone enterprises in the West, Mr. Ilills was married to Miss Caroline S, Tuttle, of Ben- nington, V't., October 4, 1859. They have two children-Laura and Clara.

D. N. HOL.COMB, of W. B. & D. N. Iloleomb Company, grocers, was born in Tioga County, N. Y., November 22, 1848. In 1868 he went to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in the fire insur- ance business up to 1875, when he came to Chicago and engaged in a general fire insurance business, lle has resided in Ravens- woil since 1878, being engaged there as well as in Chicago in business. In 188t, In connection with his father, W. B. Holcomb, he established their present grocery firm of W. B. & D. N. Hlol- comb. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Alice C. Gondnow, of Magunketa, Iowa, January 2, 1877. They have two children-Bertram and Kate.

OTTO IGE1. was born in Cologne, Germany, December 12, 1826. lle served for ten years In the Prussian Army, and in 1853 came to the United States and settled in St. Louis where he engaged in the distilling business. In 1857 he came to Chicago, and at first engaged in traveling for different firms. For two years he was connected with the land department of the Illinois C'entral Rail- road, and for ten years engaged in general fire insurance business. Hle established his present business of dealer in cheese in 1878. and in 1881 founded the present firm of Otto Igel & Co. He has resided in Lake View Township since 1868, and in Summerdale since 1875, He married Miss Amelia Pabst, of Germany. They have five children-Emma (now Mrs. James E. Keith, of Ravens- wood). Otto, Jr., llenry, Aliceand Theophilos.

EDWARD M. KELLY was born in Racine, Wis., February 12, 185t. Ile came to Chicago in 1868, and carried on the salonn business, also a billiard hall. For four years he worked at the 11um- bokit llouse. In 1877 he came to Lake View Township and took charge of his present hotel, known as the Mt. Pleasant Hlouse. Ile was married to Miss Catharine Murphy, of Chicago. December 31, 1874. They have four children-John M., William A., Fran- cis and Catharine.

W. C. KINGSBURY, salesman, was born In Cassopolis. Mich., March to. 1855, and received his education at Racine Col- lege, Wisconsin, In April, 1872, he came to Chirago, and was in the employ of J. V. Farwell & Co. for two years, and then for six years with Carson, Pirie & Co., as salesman. In the year 1880 he became salesman for Cleveland, C'ummins & Woodruff ; after their failure for Storm & Ilill, wholesale dry goods merchants, 192 and 200 Franklin Street. lle has resided in Ravenswood since July, 1881. lle married Miss Ilattie 31. D'Steese, of Indiana, Decem- ber 31, 1879. They have two children-Maud C. and Cleave- land.

V. M. MOORE, of S. 11. & F. V. Minore, was born In New- ton, N. V., September 12, 1851. Ife was engaged in the produce and commission business in New York City, under the firm name of S. 11. Moore & Son up to 1871, when he moved to Madison, Wis., and in 1873 came to Chicago and established an agency for the l'rovidence Tool Company, in connection with his father and brother, under the firm name of S. H. & F. Y. Moore, which grad-

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY

ually merged into their present business. He has resided in Ravens. wood since May, 188t. Mr. Moore was married 10 Miss Ida I .. Aldridge, of LaPorte, Ind .. December IS, 1879. They have one chill, Helene A.

SEVARD NELSON, foreman of Union Shoe Company, Chi. cago, is a native of Norway, burn July 21, 1645. lic came to America in tet and settled in Racine, Wis. In 1872 he came to Chicago and worked for two years at his trade, in 1874 becoming a partner in the L'nion Shoe Company, of Chicago, which he continued up to 1877 when, having would his interest, he has since continued as foreman. Ile took up his residence in Ravenswood in tsSs. Mr. Nelson married, Angust 17, 1873. Angusta Nulimyer, of Nor- way. They have three children-Reginald, Nels and Sevard.

JOSEPH S. REYNOLDS, attorney, Chicago, was born in New Lenox, Will Co., Ill. December 3. 1839. In ts56 he came to Chicago and attended school, and graduatel from the High School in July, 1861. At the breaking ont of the war, in connec- tion with Major F. W. Matteson and O. 11. Payne of Cleveland, Ohio, he raised the Yates Sharps hooter's Battalion. afterwards known as the 64th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Upon mustering in that battalinn he was commissioned Serand Lieutenant of t'un- pany F. afterwards pronwted to First Lieutenant, then Captain of the same company: then as Major, then as Lientenant-Colonel and Colonel of the bath Regiment, and at the close of the war was brevetted Brigadier General Returning to Chicago he entered the law department uf Douglas University, graduating in the fall of 1866, and immediately afterwards was admitted to the Bar and commenred the practice of law in Chicago, hrst as the law firm of Reynolds & Phelps, afterwards Reynolds & Richberg, Since 1873 Mr. Reynolds has engaged in general practice uniler his own name, making a specialty of admiralty law. He was a member of the Illinois State Legislature from 1567 for two terms, and upon the re-districting of the State was elected to the State Senate from the First Senatorial District. He was also a mebmer of the Board of Education of Chicago for four years from 1870. In May. 1673, he was appointed commissioner from the State of Illinois 10 the Vienna Exposition. In 1974 the Legislature of Illinois having au- thorized the appointment of a commission for lucating the State Feeble-minded Invitation, Mr. Reynolds was appointed a member of it, and assisteil in selecting a location and adopting plans for it nt Lincoln, III. He is a member of the George It. Thomas l'ost. G. A. R., and has been State Commander, and for two terms was the Senior Vice-Commander in Chief of the United States. Ile is also a member of the Knights of Pythias of Chicago, and of the Royal Arcanum, Lake View Council. He has resisled in Ravens. wood since August, 1870. Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Mattie .S. Cary, of Chicago, Jannary 31. 1577. They have one child, Joseph S., Jr.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS, proprietor of meat market, was born in Northamptonshire, England, January 11, 1331, Ile was en- gaged in the meat business in Lundlun up to 1854, when he came 10 New York City, and for three years carried on the same business. Ile returned to England, but in 1859 came again 10 New York City, going twice in 1800 to Chicago, where he carried on a meat market. In t$75 he removed his business to Ravenswood, Mr. Reynolds married Miss Martha Dexter, of Northamptonshire, En- gland, November 2. 1853. They have six chikiren-Thomas, Amy, Kate, Lottie, William and Frank.

THOMAS N. RICHARDS, builder, was born in Frankfort, Ky., October 29. 1823. llis farther dying when he was quite young, he came with his mother, Martha M. Richards, to Chicago, in the year 1838, and there she died. Learning the trade of carpen- ter, he carried em builling and contracting. Ile came to Ravens- wood October 1, 1880, and engaged in building and contracting. Mr. Richards was married May 13, 1856, to Julia 1. Smith, of South Ilero, Vt. They have one chikl, William C.

NICOLAUS ROSCH was born in Prussia, Germany, Sep- Iember 8, 1829. Ilc attended the university at Trear, Germany, from 1842, graduating in 1845, after which he engaged in farm- ing until March, 1854, when he came to America, and en- gaged in gardening in Evanston. Cook County. In 1564 he moved to Minneapolis, Min., and for several years engaged in gardening. White there he was Overser of Highways al Fasl Minneapolis, also Alderman two years, and on the Board of Edu. caltuti two terms, In 1973 he returned to Evanston, and in 1175 came to Lake View Township, where he has since carried on gar- dening. lle has been Judge of Elections for four terms, also a member of the Board of Education for three years, Ile was mar- med to Miss Margaret Simun, of Prussia, January 6, 1852. They have seven children-Kate (now Mrs. A. Williams), Frank, Mary fuow Mrs. Otto Rumstigj, llenry, l'eter. Annie and John,

GEORGE SIMON, of Rheiss, Simon & Co., was born in C'hi- cage October 20. t861. flis parents, Simon and Elizabeth, settled in Chicago in 1847. and In 1876 went to firacelaml, { onk County, and from there to Rose Ilill, in same county, in 1875, coming tu

Ravenswood in t881. Mr. Simon lived with his parents up to the year 1879, when be learned! draughting in the office of the Chi- cago Evening Journal, and worked for that company as draughty- man. He then worked in picture painting with K. Allaway of 10 July, 1881, when he estalihshed the firm of Rheiss & Simon, oil painting establishment, which in July, 1883. was changed to the present firm of Rheiss, Simon & Co., the largest oil painting house in the United States.

MICHAEL SIMON was born in l'russia, Germany, in 1635. Ile came to the United States with his parents, Jacob and Ger- trude, in 1846, who settled in Chicago and engaged in gardening The subject of this sketch lived there until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started a vegetable garden which he carried on up to 1863, when he came to Lake View Township and opened up his present saloon. His parents now live with him. He has been Road Overseer for two years, Mr. Simon was married to Miss Mary Jobst, of Bavaria, May 1, 1860, They have four children- Mary (now Mrs. Christian Buscher, Lake View Township), Michael, Mathew and Valentine.

THOMAS STORK. builder. is a native of Newport, on the Isle of Wight, and was born February 26. 185t. He learned the trade of carpenter with his father in Ifull, England, and worked as a journeyman with him up to 1871. when he came to Canada. thence in January, 1872, moving to Chicago. In April. 1872, Mr. Storr settled in Ravenswood, where he has since been engaged in building and contracting.

FREDERICK SULZER, florist, was born in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 5. 1536. His parents, Conrad and Christina, came to Chicago June, 1836, and in 1837 moved to what is now Lake View Township, upon the farm occupied by their son, where they engaged in stock-raising. His father died in 1873 : his mother is still living. Frederick lived with his parents up to 1957. when he went to Rochester, N. Y., and learned the nursery business, returning to Lake View Township in the [a] of 1859. The next spring he opened a nursery and florist business. but for the last few years has engaged exclusively as Ihnist. He was Town Clerk of Lake View Township 1867-65. Commissioner of Ilighway 1868-75, Supervisor and Treasurer 1875-76, and for sixteen years school director, having helped to organize the schools of that township. He was married to Miss Anna M. C. Bacter, of Chicago, February 2, 1870, They have five children- Julia K., Angelina M., Harriet L .. , Albert F. H. and Grace F.

M. VAN ALI.EN. civil engineer and real estate dealer, was born in Jefferson County. N. Y., July 9, 1832. He came to Chicago in 1954, and was connected with the land and engineer- ing department of the Illinois Central Railroad up to 1857. Thenfor some three years he engaged in civil engineering, in 1961 engaging in the real estate business in connection with that of engineering. which he has continued up to the present. Hetook up his residence in Ravenswood in November, 1868, where he was the first settkr. and was secretary of the Ravenswood Land Company, which purchased the land and laid out the place. He was school trustee 1860-70, Town Assessor and member of the Town Board 1870-71. and Collector 1971-73. Mr. Van Allen married the grand-daughter of the lion. John Wilson, who was a member of the Parliament of Canada for forty years prior to his death. They have three chil- dren-Jennie, Frank and Louise.

MARSHALL. A. WORTHI, baker, was born in Mitchell Canada, October 1, 1804. Ile learned the trade of molder in l'anaila, and worked in the Toronto Foundry, Toronto, Canada up to November, 1881, when he came to Chicago, and in the same month took up his residence in Ravenswood. "Here he opened his present bakery in June, 1883. lIc also works in a foundry in Chicago. Mr. Worth was married to Miss Jennie Fishleigh, nf Mitchell, Canada, August 4, 1875. They have four children-Ira F., Thomas S., Gertrude S. J. and Norman E.

HORATIO P. WRIGHT, agent for M. Covel. manufacturer of patent saw sharpener, Chicago, is a native of Shelburne, Mass, and was born January 16, 1816. Ile served an apprenticeship in the West India gurk's luniness, which he followed for sixteen years in Boston and in Itrooklyn, N. Y. In 1849 he went to California and engaged in the raising of stock, and in keeping a public house. up to 1957, when he returned to Brooklyn. It 1857 he wer! to Will, Will Co., Ill., and engaged in farming, and in 1863 muved to Chicago, Then he engaged for two years in the real estate b. si- ness with the firm of Sampson & Drew. He iten became con- nected with the city health department first as sanitary policeman. and filled different offices in that department, including that re commissioner of health and register of vital statistics. In October aSty. he resigned his position and became connected with ih State Board of Health for eighteen months, In the [ li of an 1 he was made agent for M. Covel, his present business. Ifc resided in Ravenswoodl since August, 198o. Mr. Wright married April 1. 1546, Miss Elizabeth Kidder daughter of Licon,e koll of Brouklyn, N. Y.

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ROSEHILL, CEMETERY.

One of the most beautiful homes for the dead in the country is Rosehill Cemetery, six miles and a half north of the city. The elevation of the ground varies from thirty to forty feet above Lake Michigan, and no other locality, within easy distance of the city, could have been chosen combining all the advantages of accessi- bility and good drainage facilities. The grounds which are available for cemetery purposes include about five hundred acres, of which two hundred are now platted and improved. From the artesian well, which has been sunk to a depth of 2,278 feet, and through a system of iron pipes, the cemetery is well supplied with water for sprinkling purposes. The beautiful artificial lakes are fed by natural springs, and the adjacent grounds are set apart for ornamental purposes. Most of the avenues. drives and walks have been macadamized, large and handsome green-houses and conservatories have been erected, and everything possible has been done to keep pace with the growing demands of the wealthy and gen- erous people of Chicago, many of whose friends and kindred are here sleeping their last sleep. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Firemen's Benevolent Association, Typographical Union, St. Andrew's and St. George's societies, Batteries A and B, and Bridge's Battery, are among the benevolent and patriotic organi- zations here represented. The Firemen's Monument was erected at a cost of $15,000, and the beautiful Mil- itary Monument, erected at the joint expense of the county and the Board of Trade, is an imposing orna- ment. There are also fine monuments erected to the memory of the soldiers by the different batteries, and hy H. O. Stone; also others to the memory of General T. E G. Ransom and P. F. W. Peck, which are partic- ularly worthy of mention. The main entrance to Rose- hill Cemetery consists of an elegantly constructed stone edifice of castellated style, which contains a chapel for the use of those desiring divine services,

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 195

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