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 68
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Republican. In 1875 he married Mary St. John, of St. Catherines, Canada. They had Mary Maud, now the wife of C. A. Heninger, of Kansas City, Mo., and Dency Bell. The family resides at 979 Warren avenue.
James A. Crandall was born in Bremen township, May 24, 1857, and is the son of John and Jane (Mckenzie) Crandall, who were among the first settlers of this county. The father was a native of Franklin county, New York, and was born October 4, 1830, being the son of David and Harriet (Thurston) Crandall who came from New York to Cook county in 1831, settling first in Thornton town- ship. They were thus residents of the county at the time of the Blackhawk war and took refuge in Old Fort Dearborn with several hundred other families. After a few years they moved to Will coun- ty, and finally to Missouri. They were the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters.
John, their son, was brought to Cook county at the age of about six months. He was reared on a farm and followed farming as an occupation through life. He was a progressive, enterprising and intelligent citizen and took an active interest in all matters pertain- ing to the welfare of the community. At the time of his death he owned five hundred acres of land. A portion of the present Worth village is located on his old homestead. He was a Republican and though not an aspirant for office, was honored by his fellow citizens with several positions of trust and responsibility. He married in this county on November 22, 1855, Jane Mckenzie, who was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, born July 5, 1832, being the daughter of William and Janet (Weir) Mckenzie, both of whom were natives also of Scotland and came to the United States in 1836, locating first in Washington county, New York, but in 1849 coming to Cook county. After his marriage John Crandall settled in Bre- men township, but in May, 1858, moved to Worth township, and there lived until his death which occurred December 15, 1896. His widow still survives and resides with her daughter in the village of Worth. John and Jane reared a family of six children : James A., Harriet J., wife of B. S. Crandall, a second cousin, and resides in Worth village; Ruby C., wife of Thomas W. Sproat of Will county ; Mary E., wife of Louis Biedenkopf of Worth village'; Daniel L. and Ellen (deceased), the wife of George Hilderbrand.
James A., the subject of this review, was reared to the occupation of farming which he has followed throughout life. He was edu- cated in the district schools and at the Cook County Normal school, and on January 12, 1882, he married in Oak Lawn, Mary E. Sproat, who was born in Cook county, May 3, 1861, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (McCullah) Sproat who were among the early settlers of the county. He is one of the successful, progressive and up-to-date men of this community. He is a Republican and has served as constable, collector, member of the school board for thirty
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years and also served with credit in other official positions. He and wife have two children: Albert J., born January 9, 1883, and Mabel E., born March 26, 1884. The latter is the wife of Lindon A. Perry of Worth village. Mr. Crandall is corresponding clerk of L. Wolf Manufacturing company, Chicago, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Albert J. is the private secretary of W. B. Martin, a Chicago capitalist. He married Dollie B. Bron- son. They have one daughter, Gladys C., born May 17, 1909, and reside in Worth village.
George H. Crosby, freight traffic manager for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad company, was born at Hillsboro, Ill., September 23, 1855, a son of Hiram and Susan (Willis) Crosby. During boyhood and early manhood he attended the grammar and high schools, subsequently taking a commercial course in Notre Dame university, from which he was graduated in 1874. Practically his entire mature years have been passed in railroad work as the follow- ing record will show: In various positions with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad company until July 1, 1876; claim clerk in the gen- eral freight office at Chicago of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad company until November 1, 1877, then in a like position for the International & Great Northern Railroad at Palastine, Tex., until February 1, 1878. He then resumed his old position with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road, at Chicago, but from June, 1878, to June, 1880, was chief clerk in the general freight office of the Hannibal & St. Joseph road at Hannibal. He then occupied a similar position for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road at Chicago for fourteen months, then, until July, 1883, was general freight agent for the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs road at St. Joseph, Mo. From July 1, 1883, to January, 1890, he was first assistant general freight agent and general agent of the Burling- ton & Missouri River road at Denver, Colo., and was then general freight agent of the same corporation to December 1, 1902. From that time to February 1, 1905, he was assistant freight traffic man- ager of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy road and since the latter date has been the freight traffic manager. Mr. Crosby is one of the best known railroad officials in the West, having worked his way up from errand boy to his present position through practically thirty- six years' work. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Union League, Chicago Railway and Chicago Traffic clubs. May 19, 1880, he married Miss May Wolcott and they are the parents of one daughter, Blanche W. The family home is at 818 Junior Terrace.
Charles H. Crossette, for forty-three years a resident of Chicago, and a member of the firm of Cutter & Crossette, neckwear and shirt manufacturers at 178 Market street, was born at Alstead, N. H., November 6, 1848, a son of Rev. Robert and Dorothea (Fisher) Crossette. When a boy he attended a school conducted by his
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father, who was also a minister of the Congregational faith, and later completed his literary education in the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Conn. The family moved to Beemerville, N. J., in 1856, and from there in 1866, Charles H. came to Chicago. He here began life as an errand boy for the wholesale woolen house of Kimball, Stevens & Company, continuing with this firm two years. He then became connected with the wholesale neckwear manufactur- ing firm of Damon, Temple & Company as order clerk, subsequently becoming traveling salesman for the firm and remaining in their employ six years. January 1, 1874, he became the junior member of the firm of Scott, Cutter & Crossette, in the same line of busi- ness which in 1880 became Cutter & Crossette. This firm has since continued and by its straight-forward business dealings has be- come one of the leaders in its line. Mr. Crossette is a member of the Union League, Hinsdale Golf, Congregational and Hinsdale clubs. On his father's side he is descended from French Huguenot ancestry, and is of English descent from his mother's side. Septem- ber 13, 1873, he married Mary A. Dunning, and of the five children born to them the following named four are now living: Charles D., Robert G., Murray F., and Aurelia M.
John T. Cunningham was born in the County of Ayrshire, near Kilmarmock, Scotland, on July 28, 1864, and is a son of David and Janet (Smith) Cunningham. In that portion of Scotland the fam- ily is known to have resided since 1460. It is also known that they are a branch of the Cunninghams of the northern district of Ayr which was known as the Cunningham district, the county compris- ing three districts. The father, David, was engaged in the dairy business and had ten children-five boys and five girls. The father died June 19, 1902, but the mother is yet alive and active at the age of 86 years.
John T., their son, was educated in the common schools and worked on his father's farm until the age of sixteen years, after which for four years he worked as brakeman on the North British Railroad. He then resigned his position, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the United States and located in Chicago in 1886. At first he worked for one year on a farm near Chicago and then came to the city and drove an ice cream wagon for the Thompson company for a while, but finally became a salesman for the same company, having the West side for the scene of his operations and continuing for six years. He then started in the ice cream business for himself at 917 Polk street, having at first a one-horse wagon and two employes. This business has steadily grown until now he employs about fifty men and has much larger quarters. His business is now large and profitable. He is now located at 930-32 West Van Buren street. He is a Republican and a member of the Masonic order. On January 24, 1888, he married Margaret Fitzpatrick, of Springfield, Ill., and they have four children : Jessie and John, deceased, and Allan and Margie, living.
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DeWitt H. Curtis was born February 25, 1839, at Oxford, Chenango county, New York, and is the son of Charles H. and Frances (Holmes) Curtis. The father was born in Market Har- borough, Leicestershire, England, July, 1812, and was brought to the United States by his parents at the age of three years. The family located in Chenango county. A little later Charles H., while yet a boy, went to Utica, where he learned the butchering business. After his marriage he engaged in furnishing food supplies for the contractors who built the Chenango canal, but later he moved to Oxford and opened the Fort Hill House and entertained the travel- ing public. In 1842 he came to Chicago on the boat "Bunker Hill." arriving October 6. Here he first engaged in cattle trading, con- tinuing for two years, after which he took the contract to build a section of the Illinois and Michigan canal from Bridgeport south, and after it was finished took and completed three other sections. From 1849 to 1853 he was engaged in the market and provision business. In 1853 he established a distillery at South Elgin, then Clintonville, and two years later established one at South Park and 23d street. In 1861 he bought the Thayer Brothers' distillery at Quincy, Ill., and owned the same until 1884. For many years he was president of the Downer & Bemis Brewing company of Chi- cago; also vice-president of the Bemis Malting company. He owned interests in many other business concerns, among which was that of the Third National bank, being chairman of its discount board. He was also vice-president of the paper called the "Chicago Horse- man." He died January 3, 1886; his wife died November 7, 1873.
DeWitt H. was educated in the public schools, finishing with two years at Knox college and with a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business college. He then engaged in the distillery business with his father. In 1857 he joined the voluntary fire department and was one of the organizers of Engine Company No. 9 and became fore- man of the hose company of that organization. In 1859 he was elected first assistant foreman of the Engine Company and the fol- lowing year was made foreman of the same, serving as such until the close of 1861. He then joined his father in the distillery busi- ness at Quincy. It so happened that Mr. Curtis was in the Western Union building at Chicago at the time of the great fire when the last message was sent out-one to Detroit calling for assistance- before the structure took fire. In 1887 he became connected with the Bemis & Curtis Malting company and so remained until 1890 when he and B. F. Hales bought out the concern. In 1897 they sold out to the American Malting company. In 1899 Mr. Curtis built a new malt house at 46th avenue and Courtland street, and in- corporated under the name of the North Western Malt & Grain company, of which Mr. Curtis is now treasurer and Mr. Hales president, with offices in the Western Union building. Mr. Curtis is a Republican in politics. On September 11, 1860, he married
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Almira Holmes, of Oriskany Falls, N. Y. To them were born six children of whom four are now living: Frances H., Charles H., George P., and Leonard D. Mrs. Curtis died January 29, 1908. The family resides at 409 Washington boulevard.
John Wesley Dal, M. D., was born September 17, 1854, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and is a son of Jacob and Christina (Lauer) Dal, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came from the Black Forest in the Grand Duchy of Baden, and were among the refugees of the revolutionary period of 1847-8. They reached New York City in 1848 and after remaining there for a short time, re- moved to Poughkeepsie where the father engaged in the manufac- ture of clothing. In 1858 he came to Chicago, but soon moved to Sterling, Ill., where he qualified for the ministry in the Methodist church in the old Rock River conference. In 1871 he attended Hahnemann Medical college from which institution he was duly graduated in 1873 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and lie continued the practice of his profession until his death which occurred in 1895. His son, John W., was educated in the public schools, the Normal school at Galena and at Baldwin university. In 1870 he came to Chicago, took a special course in the old Chicago university, after which he attended Chicago Medical college, now Northwestern Medical college, graduating therefrom in 1878. He began the prac- tice at Le Sueur, Minn., but after two years returned to Chicago and located at 744 Milwaukee avenue and continued a general prac- tice. In 1889 he built his present residence at 1124 N. Robey street and there has resided and practiced ever since. From 1892 to 1896 he was associate physician at the German hospital on Larabee street. He is a member of the Chicago Medical Society, American Medical association, the Masonic order and the Republican party. In 1878 he married Matilda Loeber, of this city, from whom a separation took place. He married, in 1908, Effie M. Wilson, also of this city. There is a daughter, Dorothy C. Dal.
Frank P. Danisch, a well known and successful lawyer at 1853 South Ashland avenue, was born in Chicago, September 22, 1873, and is the son of Florian and Caroline ( Rzetczyk) Danisch, both of whom were natives of upper Silesia, an old province of Poland. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1872 and settled in Chicago, and here they have resided ever since. The father was in the employ of the McCormick reaper works prior to 1899. Of their children ten are yet living: Minnie, wife of John Dankowski; Agnes, wife of John Aniol; Peter, Frank P., Frances, Albert J., Rose, Mary, wife of Edward Lamich ; Josephine and Julia. Of this family Frank P. was reared in his native city and received his edu- cation in the Polish parochial, the public and private schools. In 1890 he began the study of law in this city and in 1896 duly grad- uated with credit from the Chicago College of Law. He did not im- mediately begin the practice but embarked in the newspaper field, be-
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705
coming editor of the Sztandar, a Polish weekly newspaper. He also served as reporter for the Chicago Record. In 1900 he started to (levote all his time to the practice of law and has been more than ordinarily successful. His office is in the Chicago opera house. He is the legal representative of five Polish Building and Loan associa- tions and of several Polish business concerns. He served as assist- ant city prosecuting attorney during Mayor Dunne's administration. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1908 he was one of the candidates of his party for the nomination as judge of the municipal court, but suffered defeat at the primaries though polling a good vote. He also served as commissioner for the State of Illinois on behalf of the Polish National Alliance. He is a member of St. Adelbert's Polish Roman Catholic church, Polish Roman Catholic Union, Polish National Alliance and of the Polish Mechanics' Industrial Society. He is president of the Polish-American Citizens' club on the South- west side which is modeled on the American club plans and is doing much good in the civic life of the Poles. Mr. Danisch was together with Col. Joseph Smolinski, of Washington, D. C., the chief worker to induce congress to appropriate $50,000 for the erection of a suit- able equestrian statue to the memory of the Polish general, Count Casimir Pulaski, at Washington. The appropriation was made and the statue will be unveiled in May, 1910. Mr. Danisch takes much interest in literature and has written several books of fiction which will soon be published. Mr. Danisch is being groomed for con- gressional honors by his host of friends. On October 9, 1901, he married Lucy, daughter of Mathias and Mary (Kopistecki) Truszczynski of Chicago, and they have two children, Sylvia and Edwin.
Among one of the largest industries in Chicago is that of the Daprato Statuary Company, a concern making exclusively ecclesias- tical goods. This company was founded in the year 1860. Begin- ning in a small way, the business has steadily grown until it has become the largest concern of its kind in the United States. The company occupies two five-story buildings, numbered 766-768-770 West Adams street, where now also can be found one of the finest exhibits of statues, stations of the cross, altars, etc., as well as an artistic line of marble goods.
This firm has had a wonderful growth since Mr. John E. Rigali took charge. The company was incorporated under Illinois laws in 1893, and in 1904 opened a branch house at No. 31 Barclay street. New York. The company employs about 160 men and is contin- ually growing. During the life of the firm it has never met with the slightest set back, and has never had a fire.
John E. Decker was born September 12, 1871, at Pleasant Valley, Iowa. He is a descendant of Capt. John Decker, who served the Colonies in the Revolution, and is the son of Erastus Decker who, in 1882, settled near Mellette, S. Dak., and began farming. John
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E. attended the village school during the winter months until he could learn no more there, after which he spent one year in the State Normal school at Madison, two years in the State University at Vermillion, and finished with a thorough business course at Rochester, N. Y. In September, 1892, he came to Chicago and ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper with the firm of L. Everingham & Company, board of trade operators. Filled with a desire to see and enjoy the World's Fair, he joined the Columbian Guards on May 2, 1893, and owing to his great height (six feet, four inches) and to his excellent record, was permitted to hold the position until Feb- ruary 2, 1894, at which time only 150 of the Guards remained and all of them were army men. Immediately after leaving the Guards, he bought a small coal plant at 309 W. Lake street, which was moved to Madison street and Forty-first avenue in 1898. This change proved advantageous as the business rapidly expanded and the firm became very prosperous. In 1904 they were forced to erect their first furniture storage warehouse, and this was followed two years later by the first strictly fireproof warehouse to be built on the West side for the exclusive storage of household goods. This progress was almost phenomenal and indicated the industry and sound judgment of the country boy who had come penniless to Chi- cago but a few years before. He is now recognized as one of the prudent and successful business men of the city. He is president and sole owner of the Decker Fireproof Storage Company, and presi- dent and owner of the majority of the stock issued by the J. E. Decker Coal company. He resides in Oak Park and is a member of the Masonic order, the Colonial club and is proud to live in "the premier city of the land of the free and the home of the brave." In 1899 he married Hattie M. Gettle, of Marietta, Ohio, and they have the following children: John E., Jr., Howard E., Genevieve R. and David D., all living except the daughter who died young.
Arthur W. Dickinson was born July 23, 1869, the son of Chester and Alida (Suits) Dickinson. His great grandfather, John Dickin- son, was a farmer and served in the Revolutionary War, later be- coming Governor of the State of Massachusetts. The grandfather, Zabina, was also a farmer by occupation, and in the '40s served as sheriff of Amherst county, Massachusetts. Chester, the father, came to Chicago in 1845 by canal and the great lakes, and on the trip he met Alida Suits, whom he subsequently married in 1846. After looking around all winter for a good place to locate, he finally settled in what was then Jefferson township and purchased eighty acres of land, later buying eighty more. He died at the age of eighty-six years, owning considerable property. His wife was seventy years old when she passed away. Mr. Dickinson was one of the very earliest settlers out on what is now Milwaukee avenue. In the '50s he was instrumental in having the Northwestern plank road (now Milwaukee avenue) laid, and the place where the Dick-
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inson homestead is now located was used as the point from which the surveyors sighted to the steeple of the Baptist church, corner LaSalle and Washington streets, in laying out the course of the road. He was a director of the toll road until it was sold to A. J. Snell, and was one of those who called a meeting to organize the township and town of Jefferson. He served on the town and school boards of the above, and in politics was an active Republican. To him and wife were born the following five children: Clara, now Mrs. Clara Lowell, living on the old homestead; Edward C., Arthur W., John Wand, Alida A.
Arthur W. Dickinson, the subject of this review, was educated in the Jefferson grammar and high schools and in a manual training institution. Early in life he entered the employ of Edbrooke & Burnham, architects, where he remained one and one-half years with a view to preparing himself as an architect. In 1905 he began business for himself, contracting and building residences in Jefferson township and subdividing twenty-seven acres of the old homestead. Here he purchased another tract of land and during the last four years has built and sold over one hundred residences thereon. Mr. Dickinson is a member of Everett Council of the National Union and a deacon of the First Congregational church. In 1889 he mar- ried Altieri A. Huestis, now deceased, and they had one son, Mal- colm G. Mr. Dickinson married Harriet E. Webb, also deceased, and to them also were born three children: Arthur W., Jr., Alida Harriet and Marian E. (deceased). In March, 1909, he was united in marriage with Charlotte M. Webb, of Chicago, and they reside at 4100 Milwaukee avenue.
The Chicago Sash, Door & Blind Manufacturing company, makers of frames, doors and fine interior finishing, was incorporated October 17, 1887, and is at present located at 1249-1265 West North avenue, corner of Fleetwood street. At present the business is conducted by Ewald William Dierssen, secretary and treasurer, who has entire management and is the active head of the concern; Frederick Dierssen is the president and Ferdinand Dierssen vice-president. The company employs on an average of 150 men and is one of the most prosperous of its kind in the city. Its reputation is excellent and due to the high grade of products and the clean management of the mill. Among their later contracts have been the following : Part of the interior work on the new county building, frames and sash for the LaSalle hotel, Blackstone hotel, People's Gas, Light & Coke company and the new Chicago & Northwestern depot. They have furnished the frames and sash and interior finish for the new Cook county poor farm at Oak Forest. They furnished the mill work for fully one-fourth of all recent school buildings erected and many residences throughout the city and the north shore, in fact they rank first in this line of business.
Frederick Dierking (deceased) was a pioneer of Leyden township Vol. I-41.
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and the son of Christian and Louisa (Röders) Dierking. The father was born in December, 1804, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He also followed the occupation of merchant tailoring in his native land. His wife, Louisa, was born in Hanover, December 24, 1804. Christian came to America in 1846 in company with several of his neighbors from Germany, among whom was Dietrich Kolze. Christian Dierking stopped in the state of New York for one year and there worked on a farm. In the fall of 1847 he came to Leyden township and bought eighty acres of wild land near the homes of several acquaintances. In the middle of November, 1848, Chris- tian's family came on from the fatherland, and all occupied a log house during the following winter on the Louis Smith farm in DuPage county. Members of the family differ as to these dates and circumstances. Henry and Frederick were depended upon to im- prove the farm. One winter, two years later, having nothing to do, they went in seach of employment down the river to New Orleans and there witnessed some of the horrors of slavery-saw colored men and women sold at auction. They also told of having seen men gambling with immense piles of gold before them. They secured employment. on a steamboat running up the Albany river, but re- turned to Illinois the following spring.
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