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 72
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Robert Sheridan Haldeman was born at Fairmount Park, Phila- delphia, August 13, 1859, and is a son of Elias and Elizabeth (Shan- non) Haldeman. The father was a successful farmer and a good citizen.
Robert S. was educated in the public schools and when nine years old began working on his father's farm in summers and attending school in winters and was thus occupied until he was nineteen years of age. Then for three years he served an apprenticeship in the plastering business with Hanley Brothers of Detroit. In 1880 he came to Chicago and worked at his trade for some time with Smith & Eastman. Later he worked on the State, War and Navy build- ings at Washington, D. C., but finally established the business of plastering contracting in Minneapolis under the firm name of Lennox & Haldeman. In 1900 Mr. Lennox retired and the Lennox- Haldeman company was incorporated with Mr. Haldeman as presi- dent and M. F. Shugrue as secretary. In 1891 they removed their headquarters to Chicago, and they have done work on the following buildings : Chicago Public Library, Art Institute, Masonic Temple, Monadnock building, Medinah Temple, Woman's Temple, Chicago post-office ; several public schools ; state houses of Illinois, Minnesota, and Kansas; Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Camden, and New Jersey, county buildings, and fifty-eight government post-office buildings throughout the United States. They lately secured the contract for plastering the new poorhouse buildings at Oak Forest. Mr. Haldeman is a member of the Edgewater Country club, St. Bernard Commandery, K. T., Oriental Consistory, and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Republican in politics. On July 29, 1896, he was united in marriage with Nannie Glen Brown, of Chicago, and to them have been born the following children: Lennox Glen, Hope Louise, Ruth Sheridan and Robert, Jr. The family residence is at 6031 Kenmore avenue and Mr. Haldeman's office is located at 1206, 122 Monroe street.
Henry J. Hankermeyer, residing at 5807 Henry street, Austin, was born at Hanty, Hanover, Germany, February 16, 1846, his father being William Hankermeyer. He acquired a limited edu- cation in the public schools and married so young that he was only nineteen when, in 1865, he brought his wife, who was Dorothy Von der Ahe, and their infant son, Henry C., to the United States. They made the voyage to New York in seven weeks on a sailing vessel, and were a week on an immigrant train between New York and Chicago. Mr. Hankermeyer had spent all his money except $2.50 and borrowed more from German friends. He secured employment at $1.25 a day on the Galena division of the Chicago & North- western railroad and thus continued eight months. In 1866 he be- gan working at $2.50 a day in a clock factory at Austin, his home being on Park avenue in a little house that had been moved from Oak Park and is still standing. After a brief residence in Chicago
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he returned to Austin, where he bought a small frame house and two lots for $900 saved from his small earnings. In the employ of the clock company he had gained some proficiency with the saw and the hammer and for ten years he labored successfully as a car- penter and builder. He was appointed policeman at $60 a month and served as such three years, the first and only policeman in Cicero, driving all over the township with a horse and buggy. Returning to house-building at Austin, he began to invest quite heavily in local real estate, buying first two lots at Chicago and Park avenues, on which he built, and similarly sixteen lots on Prairie avenue. While tearing down a house in Hyde Park he broke both his legs, and when he was able to walk again he was elected constable, which office he filled eight years, meanwhile putting up a block of business build- ings at Superior street and Park avenue. His success was the just reward of energy and honesty. As one of the founders and chief promoters of the Lutheran church at Austin, he induced H. W. Austin, "father" of the place, to give a church lot and a bell and to assist otherwise. An organization of about sixty Germans was effected, money was subscribed and Mr. Hankermeyer erected a small frame building which stands near the present church and houses a parochial school. He was a liberal giver toward the new church building. Mr. Hankermeyer is a Republican in politics. His wife has borne him the following named children besides four who died young: Henry C., George, Frank, Annie, Mary, Walter, Arthur and Mabel. All these, except Annie, have married. Mr. Hankermeyer's brother William came to America, another brother died in Germany, and a sister, Mary, married and remained in the fatherland.
Joseph Hanreddy, one of the well known contractors of the city. is a son of Patrick and Margurt (Hamilton) Hanreddy, natives of Ireland. In the early '30s Patrick Hanreddy immigrated to America, and in 1858, when the city had less than 100,000 in- habitants, came to Chicago and was employed as a boss roller in the old Chicago rolling mills. He is yet living, hale and hearty, and one of his greatest pleasures is the recollection of participations in the scenes and incidents of more than half a century of Chicago's growth. A native of Chicago, Joseph Hanreddy was reared to manhood in this city, acquired his education in the public schools and, following the occupation of his father, began working in the rolling mills when 14 years old and at which he continued for a period of 11 years. In partnership with John McGillen and John P. Agnew, under the firm name of the Bermuda Asphalt Paving com- pany, he then engaged in contracting for street paving. This part- nership continued until 1900 when it was dissolved and since that time Mr. Hanreddy has been engaged in the general contracting business for himself and has become recognized as one of the fore- most in his line in the city. He is a member of the Illinois Athletic
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
association, the Iroquois club, the Benevolent and Progressive Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and in politics a Democrat. His business office is at 744 Unity building and he and wife reside at 1518 George street.
Henry Stephen Hawley was born at Bridgeport, Ct., on August 12, 1851, and is a son of Daniel W. and Henrietta S. (Hopkins) Hawley. He was educated in the Bridgeport public schools and upon reaching manhood engaged in bridge contracting and railroad promoting and constructing and continued thus occupied from 1874 to 1883, during which time the Grand Trunk railway from Val- paraiso to Thornton was built, the Chicago & Southern railroad was purchased at Master's sale, and the Chicago & Wisconsin railroad was promoted. From 1883 to 1890 he was president of the Chi- cago, Wisconsin & Minnesota railroad during its construction from Chicago to Schleisingerville, Wis., and was the general agent who purchased the right of way of portions of the Chicago & Great Western railroad and upon its completion became its general agent and had charge of its traffic and leases. From 1890 to 1893 he served as general agent of the Chicago & Northern Pacific railroad and had charge of the traffic department, and from 1893 to 1897 was general agent and treasurer for the receiver of the same road. From 1897 to 1899 he served as general agent and treasurer of the re- organized Chicago Terminal Transfer railroad. He was traffic manager, treasurer and assistant secretary of the same road from 1899 to 1902. His experience, skill, knowledge of inter-oceanic railway conditions and constructive ability were recognized through- out the country. He is now director and president of the Railroad Supply company, manufacturers of railroad supplies ; also director and secretary of the Chicago & Calumet Terminal Railway com- pany.
He has had thus far an active, prominent and successful busi- ness career. He is also active, influential and prominent in political and other public affairs. Particularly was he active in the national campaigns of 1880, 1884 and 1888 in this State. From 1872 to 1874 he served as secretary of the Union League of America. He is an Episcopalian, being senior warden of the Church of the Re- deemer, and a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Royal League, Union League club, South Shore Country club, Chicago Automobile club, Church club, Chicago Yacht club and the Chicago Association of Commerce; also a member of Engineer club of New York City. On November 3, 1880, he married Lillie L. Ferguson and they have had the following children: Royal Duncan, Philip Ferguson and Henry Stephen (who died in infancy). His office is at 215 Dear- born street and his residence at 5845 Madison avenue.
Lincoln S. Heafield was born August 14, 1864, and is a son of John W. and Abbie (Studley) Heafield. John W. was born in New York City and came with his mother to Chicago in 1837, locating
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on a farm in Northfield township, Cook county, Illinois, he being twelve years old at that time. His mother died in the '50s and after working on a farm for a short time he served an apprenticeship, learning the carpenter's trade. Some time later he became a con- tractor, locating at Fulton and Leavitt streets and here he engaged in general contracting, building residences, elevators, the prison at Jacksonville, Ill., the Doll Varden elevator and the gas works on Twenty-second street in the '60s. Mr. Heafield was active in politics and served as a member of the Legislature in 1870-1 on the Repub- lican ticket. He was instrumental in the passage of the bill cover- ing the "Burnt Record Act" and prevented the bill requiring title by chancery preceedings. He was active in the old Twelfth ward and was prominent in societies, being a thirty-second degree Mason. He died June 18, 1887. Abbie (Studley) Heafield was a native of Cape Cod and she passed away October 3, 1893. Four children were born to their union: Sanford J., Carrie, now Mrs. Geo. H. Hard- ing of Chicago; Jessie F. (deceased), and Lincoln S.
The latter was educated in the Chicago public schools and the Metropolitan Business college. At the age of twelve years he began life for himself as a tally boy for the Wm. J. Frawley Lumber com- pany, where he remained three years. He served as bookkeeper for the Wm. Meglade Lumber company and the Ford River Lumber company, remaining with the former three years and the latter four- teen. He ultimately became salesman and buyer. In 1897 he went into the real estate business in Logan Square and he has built over nine hundred homes and subdivided about a hundred and fifty acres of land there. September 2nd, 1889, he married Lucy Kimball, daughter of Spencer S. Kimball, an old settler born here in 1844 and whose father came here in 1837. To their union were born four children : Dorothy M., Helen S., John McLaren and Spencer K. Mrs. Heafield died September 18, 1904. Mr. Heafield is a Republi- can and active in ward politics. He is a Mason, a Shriner and a member of the Builders' club. He resides at 429 Roscoe street.
Daniel D. Healy was born in Ireland, February 11, 1847, and when two years old was brought by his parents, John and Helen (O'Brien) Healy, to the United States. He was reared and edu- cated in Chicago and when less than fifteen years old enlisted for the preservation of the Union, the greater part of his service being on a gunboat on the Mississippi river. At the conclusion of the war he returned to Chicago and for many years was connected with the fire department as engineer, serving as such during the great con- flagration of 1871. He has served as financial secretary of the Fire- men's Benevolent Association nine years, as treasurer nine years and as president.
Mr. Healy has been prominent in county and city politics since attaining his majority and has served as county comptroller, presi- dent of the board of county commissioners, warden of the Cook coun-
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ty hospital and superintendent of public service. He was the nomi- nee of his party in 1902 for the office of county sheriff, but was de- feated in the election. He is now engaged in the hardware business. Mr. Healy is a Republican in politics. His marriage with Miss Kittie Clemens, of Chicago, was solemnized July 6, 1876, and the names of their four children are Daniel M., Katherine M., Ella Jose- phine and Walter C.
Joseph A. Hellmuth, pharmacist at 2148 North Robey street, was born on October 19, 1868, in the city of Chicago, a son of Michael and Catharine (Pajkowska) Hellmuth. His maternal grandfather, Adam Pajkowska, was a native of Poland, where for many years he was a mail carrier. He came to the United States about the year 1858 and was among the first of the Polish immigrants to locate in Chicago. Michael Hellmuth, father of the subject of this sketch, was of Bavarian nativity. He came to Chicago in 1857, and for many years worked at his trade of cooper on Cornell street, near Noble, where he afforded employment to about eighteen hands. He died in 1895, aged sixty years. Six children were born to his mar- riage with Catharine Pajkowska as follows: Mary, the wife of Albert J. Sprengel; Annie, who married Peter Schommer and is now deceased; Joseph A., John, Catharine, deceased, and Michael, deceased.
Joseph A. Hellmuth was reared to manhood in his native city, re- ceiving his education in the parochial schools and at St. Ignatius col- lege. He took up the study of pharmacy and was graduated from the pharmaceutical department of the University of Illinois in 1899. Previously, in 1895, he had established himself in the drug trade on Robey street, and since 1895 has continuously conducted his present establishment. In May, 1893, he married a daughter of Anthony and Annie (Dorszynska) Sowinski, of Chicago, and their three chil- dren are named Armella, Joseph K. and George W. Mr. Hellmuth is a member of St. Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and other social and benevolent organizations. In politics he is a Democrat and in former years was an active worker in the interests of his party. For two years he was division clerk in the office of the water department of the city. At the time of his graduation in pharmacy he had the honor of winning the prize for excellency in microscopical work and in materia medica and histology, and his name was placed on the roll of honor.
Edward J. Hibner, who is engaged in the coal, wood, oil and gaso- line business at 72 West Division street, was born in Warsaw, Po- land, September 29, 1869, and is a son of Ignatius and Pauline (Sobiecki) Hibner. The parents came to the United States in 1899 and located in Chicago, where the father died in 1906 at the age of seventy-two years.
His son Edward J., was educated at the Gymnasium in Warsaw
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
and in early life learned the printing trade. He came to Chicago in 1890 and for the first six years was employed on the Polish Daily News. In 1896 he embarked in his present business on a small scale, starting with one wagon, but has steadily grown down to the present time. His success is due solely to his own exertions. He is a member of St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Foresters and Macierz Polska. In 1892 he married Eva- line, daughter of Ferdinand and Constantine Sowadzki, of Chicago. Edward J. has the following brothers and sisters: Anthony, Raphael, Adam and Mary.
George Higginson, Jr., who is now engaged in handling invest- ment securities in the Chicago office of Stone & Webster, was born at Stockbridge, Mass., September 3, 1864, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Hazard (Barker) Higginson. His early education was secured at St. Mark's school, Southboro, Mass., from which he entered Harvard university and was duly graduated therefrom in 1887. After one year spent in travel throughout Europe, he entered the employ of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott and Memphis railway at Memphis, in November, 1888, and the following year was trans- ferred to Kansas City, still in the service of the same company. He continued with that organization until October, 1892, when he came to Chicago and became first secretary and treasurer of the West Side Elevated Railway company, also a director, which position he occu- pied acceptably until 1902, when he was given the title of vice- president, while still retaining the office of secretary and treasurer. He resigned from the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railway company in June, 1905. In recent years he has been very active in charity work outside his regular business. He was treasurer and di- rector of Maternity Hospital, is now a director of the Illinois Chil- dren's Home and Aid Society, and president and trustee of the Allen- dale Association. He is a Republican and an Episcopalian. He is senior warden of Christ church, Winnetka. He is a member of the village board of that suburb. He belongs to the following clubs : University (vice-president) ; Harvard (of which he was president in 1904) ; Chicago, Caxton (of which he was formerly treasurer and director) ; Saddle and Cycle, City, Church, American Kennel, and Collie Club of America (vice-president). His office is in the First National bank building and his residence at Winnetka, Illinois.
Frederick A. Hill has done as much as any man to build up Austin and Oak Park. He is a native of the city of Chicago, born near the corner of Morgan and Indiana streets, February 24, 1862. Both of his parents, William H. and Caroline (Pound) Hill, were of Eng- lish nativity. They came to America about the year 1849 and for a time lived in New York City. About the year 1854 they came to Chicago, where the father for a number of years was connected with the old Union Hide & Leather company. He had a practical knowl- edge of the tanning business and subsequently embarked in the Vol. I-43.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
leather industry at which he accumulated considerable means, the most of which was swept away by the panie of 1873. However, he continued in that line of business until his death in 1878. His wife died in 1865. They were the parents of nine children, two sons and four daughters now living. The oldest son, John, was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is connected with the Denver & Rio Grande Railway company.
Frederick A. received his education in the old Washington school at Indiana and Sangamon streets, and when fourteen years old began business for himself as errand boy for Armour & Company. A little later he was promoted to a clerkship and when eighteen bacame a department head in the jobbing division. The next year he became a traveling salesman and so continued until he was twenty-two years old, working mostly in the East and among other services establish- ing the branch office at Washington, D. C. In 1884 he embarked in the grain and provision business on the Board of Trade, Chicago, and was thus occupied until 1889, when he engaged in the real estate business and has continued the same ever since. The greater part of this time Mr. Hill has maintained a down-town office and for the past fifteen years has also conducted an office in Austin. While handling all kinds of realty anywhere, his principal work has been in and near Austin and Oak Park. He has opened about eigh- teen important sub-divisions and built over 500 homes. When he first came to Austin it was sparsely settled, truck patches and corn- fields abounding where now stand paved streets and large buildings. Much of its present fine appearance and prosperity are due to the enterprise, sagacity, foresight, public spirit and wisdom of Mr. Hill. In social and civic matters he has been equally progressive and in- fluential. He belongs to the Oaks and the Westward Ho Golf clubs, and to Oak Park Lodge, No. 450, A. F. & A. M .; Cicero Chapter, No. 180, R. A. M .; Siloam Commandery, No. 54, K. T .; Oriental Consistory, A. A. S. R. M. ; and Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the Chicago Stock Exchange and of the Cook county real estate board. To the marriage of Mr. Hill and Miss Marie Bartelme, solemnized July 29, 1886, two children were born: Frederick A., Jr., a student at the University of Michigan, and Grace Marie, now attending Wellesley college in Massachusetts. The fam- ily home is at 301-3 North Park avenue, Austin. The main office of Mr. Hill is at 5629-31 West Lake street. The down-town office is in the Boyce building, 114 Dearborn street.
John W. Hill was born in Ottawa, Ill., on May 9, 1857, and is the son of Isaac and Sarah A. (Wilson) Hill. In his early life the father secured a good education and became a teacher and later for many years was a successful contractor and builder. He moved to Iroquois county in 1867 and thence to Benzie county, Michigan, in 1873, where he and his wife finally died. - John W. is one of a con-
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siderable family including Lysander Hill, one of the best known patent lawyers of the country. Mr. Hill was educated in the dif- ferent towns where his parents resided. He supplemented his studies in the common schools by a year spent industriously in the State Norman school at Ypsilanti, Mich.
Soon after completing his education as above, he engaged in the lumber business with which he was identified for a period of seven- teen years. He became familiar with every department of the busi- ness, from the tree in the forest to the manufactured lumber, and served in every office both in and out of doors. In 1888 he opened an insurance, loan and real estate office at Frankfort, Mich., and about this time, feeling himself qualified by nature, he began the study of law with his office associate, a prominent attorney in the county. In the fall of 1890 he successfully passed the examination and was duly admitted to the bar. He at once began practicing in Frankfort, but in March, 1891, upon the solicitation of his brother, Judge Lysander Hill, he came to Chicago and for seven years was associated with the latter in the law practice. The partnership was then dissolved, and until recently the subject of this sketch has con- tinued alone.
He has paid special attention to patent, trade mark and copyright law, of which important branch he is a master, and in addition has figured prominently in real estate and corporate litigation. In order to properly represent his large clientele he has found it necessary to make protracted research and study as to the practice under the common law of England and in so doing has discovered laws long dormant but effective, having a direct bearing upon certain phases of titles to realty in the city of Chicago.
He has devoted much attention to politics, as every good citizen should, and was an active member of the Charter Convention ap- pointed to formulate a new charter for the city of Chicago. In 1904 he was elected representative from the Sixth senatorial district and was re-elected in 1906. During his first term he was appointed on the following committees: Claims, Chicago charter, judicial de- partment and practice, statutory revision, corporations, judiciary, revenue, and to visit educational institutions. In the Forty-fifth General Assembly he was chairman of the committee on revenue, and in addition to the committees of his previous term, those of municipal courts and primary elections were added. He was made chairman of the special non-partisan committee consisting of three republicans and three democrats appointed to investigate the Illinois State insti- tutions, and the unanimous report of this committee was so adverse to the management given them that it became an issue in Illinois during the political campaign of 1908. Mr. Hill was a candidate for the nomination of State senator but was defeated in a close con- test at the primaries.
He belongs to the Episcopal church and is a member of the Hamil-
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
ton, City, Illinois Athletic, Chicago Athletic, Exmoor Country and Episcopal clubs. Mr. Hill is one of the best known Masons of Illinois and is considered in the fraternity an authority on Masonic usages. He is a charter member and from its organization has been the treasurer of St. Cecilia Lodge No. 865, A. F. & A. M .; is a past high priest of Corinthian Chapter No. 69, R. A. M., and is a charter member and from its organization has been the treasurer of St. Cecilia Chapter No. 220, R. A. M .; is a past thrice illustrious master of Chicago Council No. 4, R. & S. M. ; is a Sir Knight of St. Bernard Commandery No. 35, K. T .; is also a thirty-second degree Mason and an officer of Oriental Consistory, A. A. S. R., and is a member of St. John's Conclave No. 1, Knights of the Red Cross of Con- stantine, and Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also an Odd Fellow, of which organization he is past Noble Grand. In 1878 he married Ida E. Watson, of Frankfort, Mich., and by this union has one son, Roy Wilson Hill, at present associated as a partner of his father in the law practice.
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