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 66
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Under the Cicero township organization Mr. Bassett held the
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office of trustee for some years and town clerk for one year ; also as school director and trustee. He was an early taxpayer at Austin and was active in organizing the village government. In 1866, when he settled here, Chicago extended westward only to Western avenue. At what is now the intersection of Central and Ohio streets, Austin (then called Austinville), he built in the summer of that year the first residence in the vicinity. Then about the only notable thing thereabout was the factory of the United States Clock company, of which C. C. P. Holden was president, and W. A. Giles secretary. The building was isolated on (now) Park avenue near Lake street. The nucleus of the present suburb grew up on twenty-five acres of land west of Central avenue, given to the clock company by H. W. Austin, for whom the place was named, and fifteen acres east of Central avenue, given to the same concern by C. C. Merrick. When Mr. Bassett located there he was building depots on the Galena division of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. He saw the rapid development of the suburb and has aided practically and materially in all its advancement.
Mr. Bassett is a Mason and a member of the Blue lodge and Commandery at Oak Park. He married, at Batavia, Ill., Novem- ber 4, 1861, Miss Helen A. Worthley, who was born in Vermont, January 9, 1842, one of the three children of Thomas D. and Atilda (Hyde) Worthley. Thomas D. Worthley, son of Thomas Worthley, was of Welsh stock. Thomas saw service in the War of 1812 and later lived at Ware, N. H., which probably was his birth- place. There Thomas D. was born May 16, 1814. He was by trade a carpenter and joiner. In 1854 he brought his family to Illinois. He lived and worked at his trade in Batavia until 1862, when he moved to Chicago and bought property on Elizabeth street. He died in Chicago September 10, 1898. His two sons were named Edwin Hyde and Charles B. Worthley. The former was a Union soldier in the Civil war. Atilda Hyde, daughter of James and Eunice (Pennock) Hyde, was born at Stratford, Vt., April 23, 1815. Her father enlisted at 17 for service in the Revolutionary war, served under Washington six years and ten months, rising to be an ensign, and was honorably discharged at the end of the struggle. His wife bore him seventeen children, all of whom lived to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett have had seven children: George Dow, Cora M., Nellie A., Adah H., Eloise, Norman M. and James J. Mrs. Bassett is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Joseph J. Belinski, a successful practitioner of law with offices at 1016 Chicago Opera House block and 1906 South Ashland avenue, was born in Chicago on May 10, 1874, and is a son of Clement A. and Jadwiga (Witkowski-Nowakowski) Belinski, both of whom were natives of German Poland, who came to the United States in the early seventies and located in Chicago.
Joseph J. was reared in his native city, and educated in the public
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and parochial schools. Having made up his mind to study law he entered the Chicago College of Law, and in June, 1896, passed the examination and was duly admitted to the bar of Illinois. He im- mediately began the practice and has thus been engaged with success ever since. He has served as attorney for the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America for eight years, attorney for the village of West Hammond, Cook county, for two years, and is a member of St. Adelbert's Polish Roman Catholic church. His success is due to his own energy and ability. He owns a fine home at 1906 South Ashland avenue. On June 7, 1897, he married Agatha Guzy, a native of German Poland and by her has four children living : Helen, John, Adelaide and Theodore Roman.
Dr. Emanuel O. Benson was born March 11, 1871, and is a son of John O. and Amelia (Weck) Olson, natives of Sweden. They came to the United States and Chicago in 1869. The father was a patternmaker by trade and immediately entered the employ of the McGinnis Flour Mill company. Later he accepted a position with the Crane Elevator company, now the Otis Elevator company, and is still in their employ, having been with the company for over thirty years. Mr. Olson is a Republican and a useful citizen. To him and wife were born five children : Emanuel O., Jennie, Joseph, Aaron and Esther, all of whom reside in Chicago.
Dr. Emanuel O. Benson was educated in the public and high schools of Chicago, and later graduated from the Augustana college, Rock Island, Ill., in the class of '95, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered Rush Medical college and grad- uated therefrom with credit in the class of 1900. Succeeding his graduation in medicine he was interne in the Augustana hospital for one and a half years. Much of 1902 and 1903 he spent abroad in the famous medical schools of Vienna. Returning to Chicago in 1903 he began the practice of medicine at 5125 North Clark street, and made a specialty of children's diseases. He has charge of the children's de- partment at the Augustana hospital. He is assistant professor of diseases of children in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a member of the Chicago Medical society, Illinois Medical so- ciety, American Medical association, Vikings, Svithiod, Edgewater Masons, Modern Woodmen, and in politics is Independent Re- publican. On October 28, 1905, he married Carrie Johnson, of Chi- cago, and they have one daughter, Margaret, aged two years.
Frank Taggert Bentley, traffic manager of the Illinois Steel com- panv, Indiana Steel company, and Western Traffic Manager of the Universal Portland Cement company, was born in Charlestown, Clark county, Indiana, and is a son of Francis W. and Catherine (Taylor) Bentley. He was educated in the public schools, Charles- town academy and the Davenport Business college. He began teaching at the age of 16. Then went West and roughed it for some years on the cattle ranges and in the mines. In 1885 he came to
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Chicago and entered the employ of the Monon Railway company as clerk. Later he became connected in various capacities with the North-Western and the Great Western railroads. In 1889 with the latter he was contracting freight agent, and in 1892 he became its local freight agent and later its commercial agent. In 1894 he be- came traffic manager of the Consolidated Steel & Wire and suc- ceeding companies, and in 1899 traffic manager of the Illinois Steel company, the other two companies with which he is now connected being additions. He is a Knight Templar Mason, Mystic Shriner, a member of the Indiana society, Royal Arcanum and the following clubs: Exmoor Country, Chicago Athletic association, Chicago Yacht, Traffic of Chicago and Traffic of New York. On August 11, 1887, he married Catherine Brownell, a lady of high culture. She is a member of the Art Institute, Amateur Musical society, Lake View Woman's club and one of the board of governors of the Chi- cago Home of the Friendless.
Leon A. Berezniak, attorney at law, was born near Odessa, Russia, March 15, 1873, and is the son of Abraham and Sarah (Katz) Berezniak and was educated in the public schools' gym- nasium and the Imperial university. At the age of 17 years he entered the University of St. Petersburg, from which three years later he was graduated with high honor, his thesis on literature winning first prize. He then became connected with the Russian press and in 1893, during the World's Fair, he came to Chicago as the representative of a Russian newspaper syndicate.
At the close of the Fair he determined to become an American citizen. He entered the Illinois College of Law and was graduated therefrom in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. While thus engaged he continued his articles to Russian newspapers and even operated a laundry as a means to help secure his legal educa- tion. During the World's Fair he was instrumental in organizing a society whose object is to assist Russian emigrants to become prosperous here. This society is yet in existence. At the time of the Kishineff outrages in Russia Mr. Berezniak was president of the society which raised a large sum for the survivors and victims.
After graduating in law he immediately began the practice, but continued his literary work for which he had great aptitude and much liking. He has written with unusual success several short stories. He now has offices in Chicago, Hammond, Indianapolis, Cleveland and New York City and his legal correspondents in Paris and Vienna. He is now at the head of the Midland Credit Adjust- ment company. His practice is large and lucrative. On August 15, 1897, he married Marie Davis, of Poland, and they have two children, Dorothy and Abifer Herbert. He is a Democrat though independent locally.
Edward P. Bishop, Jr .. senior member of the firm of E. P. Bishop & Sons, dealers in general merchandising at Worth, was
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born in Northfield township, this county, August 25, 1861. His father, Edward P. Bishop is also a native of Cook county, North- field township, born March 7, 1837, and is the son of Dardanus and Sophronia (Steele) Bishop both of whom were natives of New York and came to Cook county in 1835.
Edward P. was reared on his father's farm and continued farm- ing as an occupation until 1881 when he moved to Worth and en- gaged in merchandising, continuing until 1891, when he retired, leaving the business to his sons, Edward P., Jr., and Carl B. The latter are now successfully conducting the establishment. Edward P., Sr., is well known and highly respected in this community. He has served as school director, township collector, justice of the peace and has been postmaster of Worth since 1882. He married Eliza- beth Kerr, a native of Cornwall, Ontario, born May 21, 1836, and was brought to Illinois by her parents when about two years of age. To them nine children were born as follows: Charles (deceased) ; Edward P., Jr .; Ida M., widow of Robert J. Lucas, residing in Worth; Erminie F., wife of John R. Sproat of Will county; Lizzie M. (deceased) ; Carl B. now in partnership with Edward P., Jr., born December 18, 1868; Clarence (deceased) ; Perry C. and Ethel B.
Edward P., Jr., was reared on a farm and continued engaged there until 20 years of age. Since that time he has been occupied in the mercantile business at Worth with the exception of one year. He was educated in the public schools and in the Elgin academy. On December 14, 1893, he married in Worth, Margaret A. Ferrin, a native of Essex county, New York, born September 1, 1863. They have one son, Harold, born July 28, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are among the most enlightened and high minded citizens of this portion of the country.
Joseph C. Blaha, operator in real estate, loans and insurance, at 3824 West Twelfth street, was born in Chicago on August 15, 1877, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Foertsch) Blaha. At the age of 14 years his father immigrated from Bohemia to the United States in 1863, located in Chicago, and entered the employ of the Oliver Packing company, and in the end became foreman of the retail de- partment. In 1875 he embarked in the grocery business on West Twelfth street and has been thus occupied ever since. Here he has lived and labored and reared his large family to lives of useful- ness and honor. His father was Joseph who came to this country in 1875 and settled in Chicago where he and wife passed the remainder of their days. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters: George, deceased; Joseph; Matthias, deceased; Mary, wife of Michael Foertsch : Annie, wife of Fred Nave; and Theresa, wife of Charles Gore. Of this family Joseph, father of subject, has now a family of ten living children: Joseph C., Theresa, John, Anthony, Mary, Victor, Cecelia, Sophia, William and Rose.
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Joseph C. was reared in this city and educated at the public schools, St. Francis school, and St. Ignatius college. At the age of 16 he began steady work with his father and thus remained occu- pied until 1905, when he embarked in his present business. He has been successful and is well known in the community and has the confidence of the public generally. He is one of the most progres- sive of the younger business men of the city. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus. In politics he is independent. He married Susie, daughter of Thomas and Annie (Hansel) Dale, natives of Norway, on November 18, 1908.
Vencel L. Blahnik, of the firm of V. L. Blahnik & Sons, 1835 West Forty-seventh street, was born in the village of Malo Polenka, Bohemia, Austria, on August 1, 1862, and is a son of John and Maria (Rejcha) Blahnik. In 1872 Vencel L. came to the United States and located in Chicago. He soon entered the drug store of his brother Lorenz who had settled here in 1867 and was the first . Bohemian druggist in the city. With him Vencel L. learned the drug business. He was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Chicago College of Pharmacy in 1888. In August, 1889, his brother died, whereupon he purchased the busi- ness at 88 West Eighteenth street which he conducted until 1891, when he sold out and opened a new store at 372 West Eighteenth street. This store and others he conducted prior to 1903. At the latter date he opened his present drug store at 1733 West Forty- seventh street. Here he quickly built up a large and lucrative busi- ness. In the summer of 1909 he admitted his sons into partnership with him. Mr. Blahnik is one of the well-known citizens and suc- cessful business men of the city. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Bohemian Turners' society, the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a Republican. In 1883 Mr. Blahnik married Antonia, daughter of Frank Jedlinsky, and by her has four children : Mary R., wife of C. J. Cernoch, Karel, Lawrence and Emil.
John L. Bolen was born in Hancock county, Tennessee, on Sep- tember 1, 1863, and is a son of Pleasant and Nancy Bolen, both of whom were natives of that State. The father was a farmer by occupation, was of English descent and served four years in the Union army during the Civil war.
John L. early in life decided not to become a farmer. He was educated in the common and high schools of Marion county, In- diana, to which place his parents removed at the close of the Civil war, a business college, Oberlin (Ohio) college, Chicago College of Law and the law department of the Lake Forest university, gradu- ating from the latter in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. However, he had begun the active duties of life before this date- or in 1884, when he had purchased an interest in a country news- paper. After a year he learned there was no money in the business,
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whereupon he sold out and engaged in abstract and title work. He was first a clerk in an abstract office in 1886 and was thus occupied in various capacities until 1899, nearly ten years of which was with the Security Title & Trust Co., and in the meantime studied law, graduated in the same and was admitted to the bar in 1894. He is a wide reader, takes great interest in public affairs and has been identified with a number of important reform and improvement movements. Since 1903 he has been treasurer of the North-West- ern Mortgage & Trust company. He has been a resident of Chi- cago for about twenty years. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Royal Arcanum organizations, and has held all the offices in the subordinate and encampment branches of the Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in his political views, but often acts independently in local politics. He is not active in religion but is an adherent of the Methodist church. Mr. Bolen owns consider- able property in Chicago, its suburbs, Michigan and the South. On April 3, 1909, he married Albertie E. Braund. Mrs. Bolen's parents reside in the vicinity of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and are an old and well-known family.
Alexander Busch, proprietor of the Superb Dye Works at 1721- 23 Milwaukee avenue, with branch offices at 1456 Humboldt blvd., 516 Noble street, and 786 W. North avenue, was born in Bialystok, Russian Poland, on September 8, 1871, and is the son of Julian and Helen (Iulski) Busch. The father, who for many years was sales- man for a large manufacturing establishment, died in his native land. He was the father of seven children, as follows: Casimir; Helen (deceased) ; Alexander; Gottfried; John; Julian and Mary (de- ceased).
Alexander of this family was reared to manhood in his native land and educated in the Royal school of his native city. In youth he served three years' apprenticeship at the dyers' trade. In 1892 in company with his brother Gottfried, he came to the United States and located permanently in Chicago. His mother and other brothers came to this city at a later date, and all are now residents of this city. For the first ten years of his residence here he was employed at his trade with the different dye houses of the city. In 1902, with others he embarked in an independent business, but since 1906 has been in business alone. He now operates one of the leading estab- lishments of the kind in the city. His business is steadily growing and he gives employment to forty-two persons. He is a progressive, public-spirited and enterprising Polish-American citizen and in politics is a Republican. He is a member of the National Dyers' and Cleaners' association, Chicago Dyers' and Cleaners' association, Polish National Alliance, Maccabees and Royal League. On Sep- tember 8, 1892, he married Eugenia, daughter of Frank Struzynski, of Russian Poland, and they have six children : Regena (deceased) ; George, Vladimir, Alexander, Jr., Henry and Arona.
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George J. Buss was born November 29, 1859, and is a son of John and Barbara (Landick) Buss, both of whom were natives of Baieren, Germany. The father was reared as a farmer and in 1855 came to the United States and for ten years was in the employ of Goss & Philips, sash, door and blind manufacturers, as a wood work finisher. In 1865 he began on his own account in the furniture and undertaking business at 227-29 Maxwell street and was the first on the West Side to follow that occupation. There he remained until 1893 when he bought a lot on 1214 South Ashland avenue and erected thereon a three-story flat building with an undertaking office and chapel on the first floor and livery in the rear. In 1884 the father discontinued the furniture business. Upon his death, Feb- ruary 4, 1901, his son George J. succeeded to the business, having previously been in partnership with his father. The mother died in 1877 and in 1880 the father married Gertrude Rademacher, of Desplaines. Lydia and Louis were born to the second marriage and George J., Barbara, William, John, Mamie, Paul and Emma to the first marriage.
George J. was educated in the public and parochial schools and was connected in business with his father. He is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran church of which he has been a deacon since 1905. On April 17, 1895, he married Clara Seidel, of Sugar Grove, Ohio, and to them were born two daughters, Lill and Clara, the first deceased. The family home is at 1214 So. Ashland avenue.
William Busse, president of the Board of Cook County com- missioners, was born in Elk Grove township, Cook county, Ill., on January 27, 1864. His parents, Louis and Christina (Kirschoff) Busse, and his grandparents, Frederick and Fredericka Busse, were natives of Hanover, Germany.
The family came to America about the middle of the last century and were among the early pioneer farmers of Elk Grove township, in this county. William Busse passed his early years on the home place, assisting his father in caring for the farm, manufacturing butter and cheese, merchandising, and attending the district schools. Upon attaining his majority he began farming for himself, but in 1890, by appointment of Sheriff Gilbert, became a deputy county sheriff, serving as such ten years. The capable and conscientious fulfillment of the duties to which he was assigned attracted the attention of the political leaders and the public and in 1900 he was nominated and elected a member of the Board of County Com- missioners. The same painstaking care attended his efforts as a member of the Legislative body of Cook county and he has ever since been retained in this office by re-election.
So efficient had been his services that he was elected president of the Board to succeed Edward J. Brundage, and in 1908 he was re- elected to this position by one of the greatest majorities ever given
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a candidate for this office. In the years to come the administration of President Busse will be recognized as one of the best ever given to Cook county. He is a Republican of the stalwart kind and one who has the entire confidence of the public. He has been twice married, and has seven children now living, William, Martha (now Mrs. Albert Froemling), Mathilde, Albert and Sophia, by Sophia (Bartels) Busse and Helen and Frederick, by Dinah Busse. Mr. Busse has become identified with a number of private and semi- public institutions all of which have been benefited by his keen dis- cernment and practical business ability.
John Busse, Jr., wholesale dealer in coal and wood at 1691 W. Twenty-second street (3354 new number), was born in this city November 5, 1861, and is the son of John and Mary (Pont) Busse. In 1854 his parental grandparents, Frederick and Catherine (Wilk) Busse with their family of six children immigrated from Germany to the United States and settled in Chicago in June of that year. In July of the same year both parents died of cholera which raged here during that summer. Their children were as follows: Dora who married Charles Bohn; Frederick; Christian; John; Mary who married August Christian and Sophia who married Mose August.
Of these children John became the father of the subject of this. review. He was born in Brandenberg, Germany, February 2, 1835, and came to Chicago with his parents in 1854 as above stated. For ten years he was engaged in teaming and for the succeeding thirty years was engaged in the manufacture of brick, retiring from active business in 1894 to give his entire attention to his large real estate interests. In 1860 he married Mary Pont of Chicago and they had six children as follows: John; Minnie, wife of William Butzow; Lizzie wife of George Haines; George and Clara.
John of this family was reared in this city, educated in the private schools, finishing in Bryant & Stratton Business college. In 1885 he embarked in the manufacture of brick and continued thus occupied until 1902, then for three years he served as deputy as- sessor of buildings. Since 1905 he has been engaged in his present business, wholesale coal and wood trade at his present location. In 1885 he married Emily, daughter of Henry Roesner of Chicago, and they have three children-John, Walter and Norman. Mr. Busse is a member of the German Lutheran church, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Columbus, Masonic order and in politics he is inde- pendent.
Dr. John Henry Byrne was born at Liverpool, England, on Feb- ruary 4, 1841, and is a son of' Foster and Jane M. (Mckeever) Byrne. Foster, the father, before moving to Liverpool, resided in the County of Louth, Ireland, where he was engaged in the mercan- tile business for some time, but later conducted a line of packets plying between Dublin and Liverpool. In 1847, while thus engaged, he had the misfortune to lose his life by drowning in the River Thames. His wife died in 1892 at the age of 92 years.
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Dr. Jolın H., their son, was educated in the Erasmus Smith En- dowment School of the Church of England, after which he served an apprenticeship of five years with an apothecary, entering a whole- sale drug house as superintendent of the drug department. In 1864 he resigned and came to the United States, locating in Chicago, where he entered the employ of J. A. Reed & Company, continuing for a short time. Later he accepted a position as superintendent for the Smith & Cutler Wholesale Drug Company. He resigned in 1868 and opened a retail drug store of his own at the corner of Ran- dolph and Peoria streets. Having made up his mind to study medi- cine, he entered Rush Medical College in 1870, and four years later was graduated therefrom with credit. He disposed of his drug store and began the practice of his profession on the West side and has so continued to the present time. For the last fifteen years his office has been at his residence, corner of Monroe and Honore streets. He is a member of the Alumni Association of Rush Medical college, Chicago Medical Society, State Medical Society, and Amer- ican Medical Association, also of the Therapeutic Club. In April, 1870, he married Catherine Scott Whiteford, of this city, and had four children, of whom one is deceased. One son is a practicing physician at Spokane, Washington. He was an army surgeon in the Spanish-American and Philippine wars and after his return was post surgeon at Fort Wright, Washington. He resigned from the army four years ago and is practicing in Spokane, Washington.
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