USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume I > Part 65
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The following is from the fourth of a series of "Do You Know" talks delivered in July, 1908, by E. S. Conway, chairman of the civic industrial committee of the Chicago Association of Commerce :
"Do you know that there are more wage workers in Chicago than there are inhabitants in either of the cities of Louisville, Jersey City, Indianapolis, St. Paul, Providence, Rochester, Kansas City, Mo., or Toledo?"-"That there is no important seaport between Portland, Me., and Portland, Ore., that has not one or more through railway passenger trains from Chicago daily?"-"That Chicago produces
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more steel rails than any city on earth?"-"That the deposits of the Chicago banks on May 14 were $698,335,473, which is almost three times the cash balance in the United States treasury, exclusive of re- serve and trust funds?"-"That it requires 980 suburban trains to carry passengers from the surrounding villages and towns to and from Chicago daily?"-"That Chicago has sixty-nine hospitals, a larger number in proportion to population than any large city in the country, notwithstanding it has the lowest death rate of any of them?"-"That Chicago has the largest car works, the largest tele- phone manufactory and the largest piano and organ plant on the continent ?"-"That Chicago has one of the largest floral conserva- tories in the United States if, indeed, it is not the largest?"-"That the fourteen public libraries of Chicago contain 1,482,931 volumes, not including pamphlets and maps?"-"That Chicago is the library center of the United States, which fact is demonstrated by the action of the American Library association in making this city its per- manent headquarters?"-"That the universities and colleges within the corporate limits of Chicago have 10,000 students, making this city the educational center of the country?"-"That the professional and business schools of Chicago have nearly 12,000 pupils?"-"That Chicago has 1,077 churches and five theological seminaries with 1,047 students?"-"That the Young Men's Christian association of Chicago, the second largest in the world, has a membership of over 13,000, sustains eighteen branches, and owns property valued at $2,022,000?"-"That criminal statistics prove that there is less crime in Chicago, in proportion to population, than in Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Mo., New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and several other important cities?" -"That Chicago in its religious, social, and educational life ranks second to none?"-"That the highest standard of honorable dealing pervades the banking, manufacturing and commercial life of our city?"-"That this fact is recognized in every commercial and finan- cial center of the United States?"
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCE
R EV. CASIMIR AMBROZAITIS, pastor of Our Lady of Vilno, Lithuanian Roman Catholic church, 2323 West Twenty-third place, was born in Lithuania, Russia, vil- lage of Balandei. He was educated at the Gymna- zium of Sziaulei, Lithuania, and in theology in a diocesan seminary at Vilno, the capital of Lithuania. He came to the United States in December, 1895, and was ordained to the priest- hood in 1898 in Milwaukee by the late Archbishop Katzer for Rt. Rev. J. L. Spalding, Bishop of Peoria diocese. His first charge was the pastorship of the SS. Peter and Paul Lithuanian Parish at West- ville, Ill., of which he took charge July 3, 1898. There he remained for three years and three months, finishing in the meantime the church at a cost of $5,000.
In 1901 he was transferred to Spring Valley, Ill., and placed in charge of St. Anna's parish (Lithuanian) of that place. In 1902 he was placed in charge of St. Casimir Polish Roman Catholic church, for Poles and Lithuanians, at Kenosha, Wis., diocese of Milwaukee. There in seven months he organized a separate Lithuanian congregation and bought lots for a church building. This congregation is now in a flourishing condition. He also organ- ized a Lithuanian congregation at Sheboygan and bought a frame church from one non-Catholic society, Church of Christ, which church was blessed by Very Rev. A. F. Schinner V. Ge. of Mil- waukee, now Rt. Rev. Bishop of Superior, September 13, 1903, and another at Port Washington, Wis. He served these various congrega- tions faithfully until they were in permanent working condition, his labors being those of a missionary. In 1904, his Grace, Archbishop Quigley placed him in charge of the St. Bartholomew Lithuanian parish at Waukegan, Ill., where he remained until December, 1905, when he came to Chicago and on January 17, 1906, was author- ized by Archbishop Quigley to establish a Lithuanian parish west of Ashland avenue, north of the canal and south of West Madison street. There he organized the parish of Our Lady of Vilno, "Vilniaus Austros Vartu, P. S. V." He soon purchased real estate at 2323 W. Twenty-third place, between Oakley and Western avenues, erected thereon a combined building, church and school and rectory. The corner stone of the church was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Muldoon on November 11, 1906, and the building and grounds cost a total of $43,000. The bell was blessed on July 11, Vol. I-39. 673
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1907 by Rev. G. Steponavicius, a Lithuanian pastor of Providence of God parish, with a faculty granted him by the archbishop. The church was dedicated by His Grace Archbishop Quigley, himself, on September 15, 1907. The present membership of the congrega- tion is about 270 families. There is a total membership of about 2,000 souls. The parish school has over 200 pupils. The church has a seating capacity of 950. There are four men's and one ladies' societies connected with the church, all organized for religious beneficial purposes.
Albert F. Amling is the son of Gottfried Amling who came to Cook county in 1850. The father married in this county Laurette Güenther and to them were born the following children : Adolphine, Albert F., Emeline, William, Ernest C., Herman, Emma, Amelia, Laura and Clara. After his marriage Mr. Amling settled on a farm in Proviso Township and there lived and labored many years. He is now retired and lives in Forest Park. In the early days he often hauled his produce to Chicago, driving his oxen to the court- house square, unhitching them, and turning them out to graze on the grass growing there.
Albert F. was born in Proviso township, December 7, 1863, was reared on his father's farm, and received a common school educa- tion. When a young man, in company with a younger brother, he engaged in the greenhouse business on the land in Leyden Town- ship now owned by him. This tract of twenty acres was owned then by their father. At first the brothers operated on only two acres. In 1889 they built three small greenhouses for the growing of flowers. Gradually the firm increased operations until they occu- pied the entire tract of twenty acres. They now have 150,000 square feet of glass in their greenhouses and five dwelling houses which are used in the business. The business is now extensive and prosperous. In 1899, Albert F. bought out his brother Ernest C., and the same year the business was incorporated under the name of Albert F. Amling Company, of which Albert F. is secretary and the largest stockholder. At present the business is rapidly in- creasing.
He married Caroline Reinke who was born in Mecklenburg, Ger- many, in 1866, being the daughter of Joachim and Mary (Weick) Reinke. To Mr. and Mrs. Amling have been born the following children : Ernest Carl, Otto Henry, Paul Frederick, Walter F., and Clarence Martin. Mr. Amling is a Republican, but does not take an active part in politics. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church at Melrose Park. He is one of the founders of the Maywood State bank and the Melrose Park State bank, and is vice- president and stockholder in both.
Possibly no name is more closely associated with the early build- ing interests of Chicago than that of John Angus, who came to this country in 1867 and who, until his death, which occurred No-
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vember 2, 1907, was actively identified with many of the most important contracting deals throughout the county. A native of Scotland, he was born February 10, 1845, the son of John and Eliza (Ganson) Angus. He received his education in the public schools of that country, and during early manhood learned the cut-stone trade under the direction of his father, who was a prom- inent cut-stone contractor and superintendent of a large stone quarry.
In 1866 he went to England, but a year later, realizing the ad- vantages to be had in America, emigrated to this country and worked at his trade alone, continuing thus until 1872. He then entered into partnership with his brother in the same business under the firm name of William & John Angus, cut stone contractors, and this partnership continued from 1872 to 1875, after which, until 1880, John continued alone. Later, in 1880-1, he became a member of the firm of Allen, Angus & Gindele, and when the firm name was changed to Angus & Gindele, he was made president. Since 1902 the firm has been known as Angus Bro. & Co. They have done an immense business and have made it profitable. Mr. Angus was connected with the construction of many of the most important buildings of the West. He executed the masonry work on the Palmer House, Victoria and Plaza hotels, on the Potter Palmer and Chas. T. Yerkes buildings, and on the old County Building in 1877.
In his political views he was a Republican. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Lakeside Lodge A. F. & A. M., New York Chapter R. A. M. and Chevalier Bayard Com- mandery K. T. He also belonged to the Union League and Build- ers clubs. November 9, 1871, Mr. Angus was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Jackson, of New York City, and to them were born four children, David, William J., John, and Esther. His offices were located at 188 Madison street and his residence at 3213 Michigan avenue.
William J. Angus, prominent Chicago contractor and builder, was born May 28, 1878, in this city, the son of John and Agnes (Jackson) Angus. A more complete sketch of the father is to be found elsewhere in this work.
The subject of this review received his early education in the Chicago public schools, later taking courses in the Chicago Manual Training school and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1900. Soon after his graduation he began learning the brick masons' trade under the guidance of his father. He subsequently became foreman and superintendent of work contracted by his father in Chicago and different parts of the country, and when, in 1902, Angus Bro. & Co. was incorporated, he became vice-president of the concern. At the present time Mr. Angus has the sole control of the business. The company did the work on the stations and platforms of the
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Ravenswood Elevated railway and also on the Englewood and Ken- wood extensions. They constructed the round houses and buildings in the yards of the Chicago and Indiana Southern railway at Gibson, and seven buildings of the Standard Steel Car plant at Hammond. On these two jobs the company employed as high as 1,100 men and the work covered the greater part of 365 acres, several of the buildings being 1,200 to 1,800 feet in length. In 1898 they com- pleted the lowering of the Washington street tunnel. Among the buildings upon which they have worked are the Brand, three large structures on Harrison street; the shops of the Indiana & Cincinnati Interurban railway at Rushville, Indiana; the shops and power house of the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric railway; the shops of the Union Traction company on Wrightwood avenue ; the gas plant in South Chicago; the James Kirk Soap factory, and many others. Mr. Angus is a member of the Chicago Athletic club, the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, the Mason and Contractors' association, the Car- penters and Builders' club, and the Builders and Traders' club.
Charles Andrew Armbruster was born in this city, November 20, 1867, and is a son of Martin and Godlobin (Sauer) Armbruster. The father was a hotel-keeper by occupation, a successful business man and a reputable citizen.
Charles A. was educated in the public schools of Wheeling and finished at Bryant & Stratton's Business college with which in- stitution he remained afterwards for four years in the capacity of office clerk. In 1888 he became bookkeeper for Poole Brothers, rail- way printers, and advanced steadily until he occupied his present position of assistant secretary. He is a member of the National union, LaSalle Council No. 368 and is a Republican in politics. He married April 20, 1909, Dorothy Olson and resides at 5956 Justine street, with office at 116 Harrison street.
Harry F. Atwood was born on a farm near Morgan Park, Cook county, Illinois, on January 1, 1870, and is the son of C. E. and Martha E. (Townsend) Atwood, natives of Vermont. For several generations back the family have been residents of Vermont. In 1865 the parents came to Illinois and settled near Morgan Park. Harry F. was educated in the public schools of that suburb and graduated from the Morgan Park academy. Later, in 1897, he graduated from the University of Chicago and in 1898 also gradu- ated from the Chicago College of Law.
From early manhood he has distinguished himself as an orator and in various public debates has taken prizes for superiority in thought and delivery. He was president of the oratorical association and Debaters' league and president of the Northern Oratorical league which comprises the large universities of the Central States. After his graduation in law he was admitted to the bar and began the practice. From 1901 to 1904, he was assistant State's attorney of Cook county. In 1908 he was appointed assistant United State's
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district attorney. He is a member of the law firm of Atwood, Hurlbert & Lightfoot, and has been frequently mentioned in con- nection with the nomination for Congress for the Third district. His services have been utilized during the various Republican cam- paigns of recent years. As such he has campaigned in many States under the auspices of the National committee. He was one of the speakers who helped in 1904 to swing Missouri to the Republican column. In 1908 he was invited by the National Republican com- mittee to speak in New York City and was assigned to address the great Madison square and several other meetings with President- elect Taft and Governor Hughes. He is thus one of the most effective and gifted orators now before the Chicago bar. His orations, "Our Three Great Wars," "Washington, Lincoln and Mckinley" and "God in American History," are considered as classics. Since arriving at early manhood he has taken a prominent part in city, county, State and national campaigns.
During the war with Spain he served as a volunteer in the First Illinois Cavalry, and later became a sergeant of Troop M. He is a member of the Ridge Country and Hamilton clubs and of the Chi- cago Bar and Illinois Bar associations. As a member of the Hamilton club he has been active and prominent for about ten years. He belongs to Tracy Lodge No. 810, A. F. & A. M. and also to the Modern Woodmen and Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Central Y. M. C. A. and Morgan Park Baptist church. On August 23, 1905, at Fox Lake, Wis., he married Miss Maude Smith, a niece of former Governor William Smith, of Wisconsin, and they have one little girl nearly three years old.
John I. Bagdziunas, foreign exchange banker, real estate dealer, insurance, loan and steamship agent and printer, located at 2334 S. Oakley avenue, is one of the younger generation of Chicago's cos- mopolitan citizenship who is a credit to the city. He was born in the village of Budziniszki, County of Szavli, State of Kovno, Lithuania, August 19, 1882, a son of Frank and Domicelia (Kazakauckas) Bagdziunas. The father, in 1886, immigrated to the United States and locating in Chicago secured employment at the Union Stock Yards. Two years later the family joined him here and have ever since made this place their home. He died No- vember 2, 1903, leaving a widow and the following named children : Helen, a Sister of Nazareth, John I., Frank, Cassimir and Joseph.
John I. Bagdziunas, from the time he was six years old, has al- ways made Chicago his home. He received his literary education from the Polish parochial schools, St. Ignatius college and Armour Institute. At the age of twelve years he was apprenticed to the printers' trade as a journeyman, and from 1901 to 1903 was cor- respondent for various firms in the Polish and Lithuanian languages, and during this time also took up the study of stenography at Gregg's Business school. In 1903 he embarked in the printing business
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on his own responsibility at 358 Dearborn street. He thus con- tinued until 1906 when he located on South Oakley avenue on the West Side. By hard work and economy he prospered to such an extent that, in 1908, he erected his present commodious three- story modern double brick building at 2334-6 South Oakley avenue. He here continued the printing business and has also established himself in other lines of employment as previously stated. Mr. Bagdziunas is a member of the Our Lady of Vilno Lithuanian Roman Catholic church, the Lithuanian National Alliance of America, the Brothers of Enlightenment society and St. Roko society. In politics he is a Republican. October 11, 1903, he married Miss Helen B., the daughter of Victor and Barbara Szymkiewicz, of Chicago, but formerly from Lithuania, and to this union two daughters have been born: Genevieve and Cecelia.
Edward W. Bailey was born August 31, 1843, and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Warren) Bailey, of Berlin, Vt. The father was a farmer by occupation and very prominent in local public affairs. He was president of the Farmers' State Insurance company, State Senator in 1851-2 and judge of probate from 1855 to 1863. He was an active Republican. He lived two years at Middlesex, Vt., and spent the last sixteen years of his life at Montpelier. He died in 1868 and his widow in 1885.
His son, Edward W., was educated in the public and grammar schools of Montpelier. In 1869 he engaged in the grocery business in Montpelier, but the following year bought the grain mill which he still owns and operates with local partners. He finally sold his grocery and came to Chicago in 1879 and became a member of the firm of Bailey & Bullock company and was thus associated for three years. In 1882 he established the Edward W. Bailey company, located in the old Board of Trade building, but removed to his present location in the Board of Trade building in 1885. He was a director of the Board of Trade from 1883 to 1886, and vice-presi- dent of the same from 1886 to 1888. He is a member of the Union League, Press, South Shore Country and Beverly Golf clubs and of the Commercial Men's association. He was married June 26, 1869, to Jennie Carter, of Montpelier, and they have George C. and Mary B. He resides at 23 Oakley avenue.
John Ralph Ballinger, M. D., was born April 9, 1875, in Atchi- son, Kan., and is a son of Thomas E. and Julia (Relph) Ballinger. The family removed from New Jersey to Kansas in 1870 and the father was engaged in farming and stock raising. He was promi- nent in public affairs, was a strong Republican and served several terms as county commissioner. In 1900 he retired from active work and is yet alive and active. His wife, who is fifty-nine years old, is still in the enjoyment of good health. They were the parents of four girls and two boys.
Doctor John R. was educated in the public schools and the high
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schools at Atchison and in 1893 entered Midland college. Later he took a course at Lawrence university, the State University of Kansas. He also attended the medical department of the University of Michigan. In 1897 he entered Rush Medical college and was graduated therefrom in 1900 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He began the practice at 2424 W. Division street and soon attained prominence. For the past eight years he has been attending physician at the Norwegian Deaconess hospital. He is assistant pro- fessor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the College of Physicians and Surgeons University of Illinois, professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the Illinois Post-Graduate Medical school. He is secretary of the North-West Branch of the Chicago Medical Society, a member of the American Medical association, the Chicago Medical Society and the Physicians club. His wife was formerly Miss Flora Grooms of Richmond, Ind.
Nathaniel L. Barmore was born March 7, 1845, in New York City, and is a son of Garrett and Hester (Lawrence) Barmore. The father was a manufacturer of pianos and the owner of a large fac- tory and did an extensive business throughout the United States. He was an old line Whig and later a Republican. He died in 1874 and his wife in 1901.
Nathaniel L. was educated in the public schools of New York City and in the Free Academy, graduating therefrom at an early age. While yet a boy he was employed in a wholesale cloth house in New York City. In 1862 when only seventeen years old he en- listed in the Twenty-second Regiment, New York Volunteers, as drummer boy, and soon afterward took the field with his companions. He was mustered for four months only and participated in the en- gagements at Harper's Ferry and Winchester. After his discharge he went West to Omaha and accepted a position as brakeman on the Union Pacific railroad and a little later was made conductor. In 1870 he removed to South Bend, Ind., and engaged in the drug business, continuing until 1876 when he sold out and became a traveling salesman for the Cleveland Burial Case company, con- tinuing that line of business until 1882. He then came to Chicago in the capacity of manager of the local branch of the same company. In 1886, when this company consolidated with the F. H. Hill com- pany, Mr. Barmore became secretary of the new organization which was duly incorporated. Upon the death of Mr. Hill in December, 1907, Mr. Barmore was elected president and general manager. He is a member of the Masonic order and is a Republican. In 1871 he married Anna M. Coonley, of South Bend. The family lives at 4837 Kimbark avenue.
Charles Earl Bartley, attorney at law, was born near Coldwater, Mich., July 1, 1869. He received his primary education at the public schools in Toledo, Ohio, and from 1882 to 1885 prepared him- self at- Denison university, Granville, Ohio, and entered Harvard
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university in 1885, in the class of '89. Later he engaged in the real estate business at Toledo, Ohio, and was thus occupied until 1891. He then came to Chicago, began the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1894 and has. ever since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, with office at 931-937 Unity building. In 1895 he was granted the degree of Bachelor of Laws by Lake Forest university. He makes a specialty of real estate law. For some time he has been president of the Anglo-American Copper Company, is treasurer of McDonough & Company, and is connected with other industrial organizations. He is a member of the following clubs : Chicago Athletic, Chicago Automobile (director in 1903), Harvard, Colonial, Kenwood Country, Illinois Athletic, Automobile Club of America, Toledo Yacht, and South Shore Country. He is a Republican, a Baptist, a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity and several other fraternal organizations. His residence is at 5002 Drexel boulevard. On July 17, 1892, he married Virginia Forsythe and they have two children, Virginia and Gladys.
Nelson M. Bassett, builder, Austin, Ill., was born in Dutchess county, New York, June 4, 1838, a son of George and (Humiston) Bassett, of New England ancestory in both lines of descent. In 1842, when he was 4 years old, he was brought by his parents to Kane county, Illinois, where his father was a contractor and bridge builder and later superintendent of bridges and buildings for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway company. In 1848 the family moved to Chicago and thence, in 1850, to Batavia, Ill. In Chicago they lived near the site of the Rookery building and Nelson attended a school near the site of McVicker's theater and later the Jones school on Clark street. He gained a practical knowledge of bridge building and at 18 was employed by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad company, on its old Galena & Chicago Union line. Then, after a course in Sloan's Business college, he became bookkeeper for John S. Reed. Later, till 1869, he was employed in the building department of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. From that time until 1884 he was general storekeeper for that road. Then, with John M. Rice as a partner. he began building contracting. In 1885 he built the postoffice building at Des Moines, Ia., and in quick succession thereafter the postoffice buildings at St. Joseph, Mo., Leavenworth and Fort Scott, Kan., and Lansing, Mich., besides others. He also largely planned and did the contract work on two large factory buildings for the Appleton Manufacturing company at Batavia, Ill., four buildings for the United States Wind Engine and Pump company, two large buildings for the Newton Wagon company, and boiler rooms for Key & Chapell, and constructed at Batavia, Ill., a concrete dam 230 feet long. Latterly he has erected many fine residences at Glencoe and elsewhere.
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