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 73
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Henry Horak, a well-known and prominent electrical contractor and hardware merchant, at 3213 West 22d street, was born in Bohemia, on March 2, 1879, and is a son of John and Louisa (Ladyr) Horak. He was reared to manhood in his native land and there learned the machinist's trade and was otherwise educated and prepared for the battle of life. Believing that the United States offered better opportunities for advancement and success, he came to this country in 1903, settled in Chicago, and took up the study of electricity, and having mastered that science, began, in 1905, the business of electric contracting, which has successfully engaged his attention ever since. In the fall of 1908 he embarked in the general hardware business and has built up a large and profitable trade in that line. Already he is well known as a successful and reliable business man and has the confidence of the community where he re- sides. Mr. Horak became a citizen of the United States in May, 1908, and since that date has affiliated with the Republican party and has taken an active interest in its success. On May 1, 1907, he married Carrie, daughter of Charles and Rose ( Andrelik) Kuncl, who is one of four living children: Carrie, wife of the subject of this sketch; Charles, Joseph, who served in the United States navy from which he received an honorable discharge August 11, 1909, and George. Mr. and Mrs. Kuncl were formerly from Vienna, Austria, but came to America in 1893 and settled in Chicago, where they still reside.
Charles W. Hotchkiss was born at Unadilla Forks, N. Y., June 19, 1863, and is a son of Edgar F. and Caroline F. Hotchkiss. The father was a native of Windsor, N. Y., and his business was that of general engineering. He was of an inventive turn and as a mechan- ical engineer was skillful and able. During the Civil war he was con- nected with the construction department of the Union army.
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Charles W. was educated in the public schools and at West Wind- field academy. His brother, W. E. Hotchkiss, having taken an en- gineering course at West Point and having left the army to begin work on the West Shore Railroad, Charles W. joined him in the capacity of rodman. While thus engaged and afterward he learned the business of mechanical and civil engineering. He pursued civil engineering until 1900, when he became manager on the Chicago, Indiana & Southern Railway and is now general manager of the same. From August, 1886, to May, 1896, he was assistant engineer of the Michigan Central Railway and from May, 1896, to June, 1899, chief engineer of the Chicago Junction Railway. From August, 1899, to June, 1900, he was chief engineer of the Chicago Union Transfer Railway company and consulting engineer of the Michigan Central Railroad. From June, 1900, to October, 1905, he was presi- · dent of the Indiana Harbor Railway, when the same was taken over by the New York Central Railway. Since then he has been general manager of the former. Mr. Hotchkiss has devoted twenty years to the development of the Calumet manufacturing district and the railroad terminal problems of Chicago and vicinity. He is a Repub- lican and an Episcopalian. He owns valuable property in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, Indiana, as well as in Chicago. His business address is in the LaSalle street station. His residence is the Chicago club, of which he is a member, 200 Michigan avenue, as well as the Mid-Day, Press and Engineer clubs, of Chicago, and the Duquesne club, of Pittsburg; the American Society of Civil En- gineers and the Western Society of Engineers. He is unmarried.
Thomas S. Howland, third vice-president, secretary and treasurer of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad company, was born February 13, 1844, at North Dartmouth, Mass., a son of William and Louisa (Packard) Howland. His early education was secured in the schools of New Bedford, and later, entering Harvard univer- sity, he was graduated from the scientific course of that institution with the class of 1868. On March 1, 1868, he embarked on his railroad career as a civil engineer in Iowa in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad company, subsequently (1876) becoming secretary to C. E. Perkins, who was then vice- president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad company. In 1884 he was elected secretary with headquarters in Boston, but in 1901 located permanently in Chicago, where he occupied the positions of acting treasurer and secretary. In 1902 he was elected vice-president and treasurer. Mr. Howland has another praise- worthy career not generally known to the public. When Civil war threatened the destruction of the Union, he volunteered his services for the integrity of the nation, and from 1862 until peace was de- clared, served as a member of the Thirty-third Massachusetts volun- teer infantry, participating in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Chattanooga and in Sherman's memorable march to the sea.
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Mr. Howland is a member of the Union League, University and Exmoor Country clubs. To his marriage with Miss Eliza Harbach four children have been born, named Abram H., Mary P., Elizabeth H. and Ruth A.
Dr. John Owen Hughes was born in New Brunswick, N. J., November 12, 1837, and was left an orphan in childhood by the death of both parents. He is a resident of Norwood Park and is one of the oldest physicians of the county. He received a common school education and was bound out to a farmer, with whom he worked until he reached the age of eighteen years. He then on his own account hired out to a farmer, but at the same time began the study of medicine, buying books and laboring far into the night. At the same time he greatly improved his education by private read- ing and effort.
In March, 1857, he came to Illinois, and reached Chicago at the foot of Lake street, and taking a bus, was mired down at the corner of State street and was obliged to walk from there to the hotel. A few days later he went to Fulton county and hired out to a farmer, and while thus at work continued his studies in medicine. Soon afterward he became a medical student under Dr. S. S. Buck, a graduate of Rush Medical College. While thus studying, he passed the examination, received his certificate, and taught school in Fair- view township, Fulton county, Illinois.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 103d Illinois volunteers, for three years or during the war, served his time and was honorably mustered out in June, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. Later he was a hos- pital steward under promotional service, but was finally mustered out with honor after the close of the war. During this period Doc- tor Hughes served as assistant under Dr. S. S. Buck. As a soldier he participated extensively and actively in the hospital service for a year and a half and received and merited distinguished considera- tion. Not only was he active in the hospital service, but was for- ward in several battles and skirmishes, particularly before Atlanta, in the siege of Vicksburg and in the march to the sea. In several of these campaigns he had sole charge of the medical supplies and hos- pital stores. In several instances he had sole charge of the regi- mental hospital supplies in the field. During this historic period Doctor Hughes gained valuable and remarkable experience in the field of surgery, and a medical practice not otherwise to be gained in a life time. Doctor Hughes secured from the southern people an extensive practice in all branches and particularly received experience of the most valuable character in the field. Practically he had con- trol on the march to the sea of the medicines and hospital supplies. During the latter part of the war Doctor Hughes was practical operator of the surgeons' table and there gained a practical and re- markable experience which proved of great service to him in after years. After the war, Doctor Hughes attended Rush Medical Col- - lege, from which he received his diploma of Doctor of Medicine.
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He first began the practice at Gilson, Knox county, but upon the completion of his medical course, he located at Fairview and re- mained there two years. For the next four years he practiced at Manito, Ill., but came to Norwood Park in 1873, and soon had a large practice and a good reputation. He is a member of the Chi- cago Medical Society and a patron of the leading medical societies and organizations. He married Mary Vandervere Hartough, the daughter of Henry and Catherine Hartough, who were among the early settlers of central and western Illinois. They early connected themselves with the Dutch Reformed church of Fairview. At the time the church was organized there were about fifty families in the village. Dr. Hughes has been identified with the village for thirty- six years. He understands its wants, expectations and hopes. He and wife have the following children: Frank Owen, Kate Hazel- tine, Martha Lillian and Edwin Henry. The family are members of the Dutch Reformed church, in which Mr. Hughes has been deacon for many years. He is a Republican. He has the entire confidence of the community. In 1882 he built a spacious two- story and basement residence and is pleasantly situated at the present time. He is decidedly a self-made man by sheer effort and merit.
Dr. Charles Edward Humiston of Austin, was born in Marietta, Ohio, on March 17, 1868. He is the descendant of one of the old colonial families of Connecticut. Originally the Humistons lived in England and probably the first one to come to the American colonies was Henry Humiston who arrived in Connecticut in 1644. Henry Humiston moved to New Haven early in 1644, from Hertfordshire, England. He was a Puritan. His direct descendants were John, the father of James, the father of James the second, the father of Jason. Dr. Charles E. is the son of Hiram and Margaret (Null) Humiston. The mother's people are of Scottish-German stock. Hiram was the son of Lynds, who was the son of Jason, a minute man in the Revolutionary war.
Dr. Charles E. was educated in the public schools of Washington county, Ohio. Later he attended Beverly college in the same county and after completing his studies there became assistant principal of the high school at Osceola, Nebraska, and later was appointed prin- cipal of the village schools of Shelby, Nebraska. About this time, having made up his mind to become a doctor, he began the study of medicine in 1893 in Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia. Later he came to Chicago, entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons and in 1896 was graduated therefrom with honor and with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Succeeding his graduation he be- came interne at the Cook County hospital from 1896 to 1898 in- clusive, and after the latter date began independent practice, which he has continued down to the present date. He located in Austin and has built up a large practice and a most enviable reputation. For seven years Dr. Humiston was a professor in the Harvey Med-
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ical college and for the last three years has been connected as pro- fessor of surgery with the University of Illinois Medical school. Since 1904 he has served as attending surgeon to the Cook County hospital. For the past five years Dr. Humiston has made the prac- tice of surgery a specialty and has acquired great skill and an excel- lent reputation in this difficult branch of his profession. He is at present attending surgeon to St. Ann's hospital, the Oak Park hos- pital, and Cook County hospital.
The doctor takes an active interest in municipal affairs and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is president of the Aux Plaines branch of the Chicago Medical society and a member of the State Medical society and also of the American Medical association. He is a contributor to numerous medical journals. During the period when the annexation of Austin to Chicago was considered the doctor was actively interested in the result and an advocate of annexation. · In 1901 he married at Lincoln, Nebraska, Miss Myrtle Wheeler, a graduate of the University of Nebraska. Mrs. Humiston received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, 1896, and Master of Arts, 1901, and later, in 1905, the degree of Doctor of Medicine from Harvey Medical college. Dr. Humiston and wife have the following chil- dren : Margaret, Homer, Ruth and Charles Edward, Jr.
Senator John Humphrey, of the seventh district of Illinois, is a native of England, born in the parish of Walpole, St. Peters, County of Norfolk, June 20, 1838. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Dring) Humphrey, were also natives of County Norfolk, England, where the father died in March, 1841, and where the mother subsequently married John Wells, immigrating with him to America in 1848 and settling in Orland township, Cook county, where the family has re- sided ever since. The step-father, Mr. Wells, died in December, 1849, and the mother in November, 1893.
The subject of this memoir was brought by his step-father and mother to America and Cook county in 1848, and this place has been his home down to the present time. He was reared on a farm and followed that vocation until reaching his majority, receiving his education in the public schools of his district and at the University of Leoni, Mich. February 26, 1863, he was united in marriage with Amelia A. Patrick, a native of New York, and a daughter of Walter and Hannah A. (Cowen) Patrick, early pioneers of Cook county. In 1870 Senator Humphrey began reading law in the office of James P. Root, of Chicago, and continued thus occupied for about three years. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and soon afterwards began practicing law on his own account in Chicago, where he has kept an office ever since. In the years 1870 and 1884 he was elected to the legislature, and in 1886, to the state senate, where he has served every year since. Senator Humphrey lost his wife by death March 21, 1898, to them having been born eight children, of whom the following three are living: Wirt E., prominent lawyer of Chi-
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cago, with offices at 1311 Ashland building; Clara, wife of Peter Myers, of Wilmette, Cook county, and Maude E., who still makes her home under the paternal roof. December 14, 1898, Senator Humphrey married Ida L. Stuart, a native of Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa, and the daughter of John and Wilmuth (Easley) Stuart, and to this union has been born one child, John S. The Senator has served in many offices of trust, among which are the following: Supervisor of Orland township in 1867, and with the exception of two years, ever since ; school treasurer, at present time and for the past thirty-eight years; president of the village of Orland ; and bailiff under sheriffs Bradley and Agnew. He was one of the organizers of the village of Orland and has been its president ever since. He is a stanch Republican in his political views and always takes an active interest in party affairs. He served as a member of the Central Republican Committee a number of years and in former years "stumped" his district, being noted as a good speaker. Sen- ator Humphrey is a Mason, being identified with Home Lodge No. 508, of Chicago. He is one of the most enterprising and public spirited men of his county and is always willing to aid in any move- ment for the betterment of his village and county.
William Daniels Hurlbut, traffic manager of the Wisconsin pulp and paper manufacturers, with offices at 135 Adams street, was born August 10, 1861, at Ogdensburg, N. Y., and is a son of Nathan L. and Fannie E. (Daniels) Hurlbut, the former being of Welsh extraction and a banker by occupation.
William D. received in youth a fair education at the common schools and came to Chicago in 1867. At the age of fourteen years he began as office boy for the Illinois Central Railroad and later occupied with the same company the positions of clerk, stenographer and chief clerk. On February 1, 1890, he became assistant general freight agent of the same road and on September 1, 1892, assistant general freight agent of the Illinois Central and the Yazoo & Mis- sissippi Valley Railroads with headquarters at Memphis. On August 1, 1896, he became general freight agent for both roads with headquarters at Louisville. In December, 1899, he returned to Chi- cago and became general coal agent for both roads. On May 1, 1902, he became traffic manager of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and two years later traffic manager of the General Paper company. Later he became associated with the Wisconsin paper interests as traffic manager. He is a member of the Beverly Coun- try club and the Chicago Traffic club. He is a Republican and an Episcopalian. In December, 1886, he married Hattie Deutsch and they had two children, William N. and Josephine. His wife died in September, 1902, and in November, 1906, Mr. Hurlbut married Kate L. Blade and they reside at 10822 Armida avenue, Morgan Park, Illinois.
Joseph Husak, a prominent real estate dealer at 668 Milwaukee
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avenue, is one of the best known Bohemians in this city. He was born near Prague, Bohemia, Austria, on November 27, 1863, and is the son of Vaclav and Frances (Schlesinger) Husak, who immi- grated to the United States in 1868 and settled in Chicago. Here the father still resides. Of the children born to the parents, three grew to maturity-Joseph, Frank and Leonora. The latter is the wife of Joseph Markvart.
Joseph, of this family, was reared in Chicago after the age of five years. He was educated principally in the German parochial schools and in Bryant & Stratton Business college. At the age of twelve years he began business for himself as a newsboy, which stirring occupation he followed for about nine months. He then em- barked in the manufacturing tailoring business, starting with one machine which he operated himself. Gradually he advanced and en- larged until at the age of fourteen he owned four machines, at the age of sixteen, eleven machines and at the age of eighteen operated twenty-eight machines and employed one hundred and sixty persons. In 1885 he engaged in the retail clothing business on Milwaukee avenue and was so occupied for five years. He then began a whole- sale tailoring business at the corner of Madison street and Fifth avenue and gave employment to four cutters, forty tailors, four traveling salesmen and for five years did an annual business of $100,000. On January 1, 1900, he added a ladies' tailoring depart- ment, moving to the corner of Jackson boulevard and Wabash avenue, and doing business under title "Tailors for Men and Wom- en," which he continued until July, 1906, when he engaged in his present business and is successfully occupied. His self reliance, en- ergy and intelligence are shown by the fact that he has never worked for anyone but himself. He made his first investment in real estate at the age of thirteen years. Thus he has always been his own boss and has never failed in business. On May 12, 1885, he married Mary, daughter of John and Anna (Vones) Stech, who were pioneers of Chicago but later lived at Dyer, Ind., where the father operated a tannery. At present he is engaged in bee culture, having a large apiary. Mr. and Mrs. Husak are the parents of five children : Clara, Lucy, Leon and Milton, twins, and Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Husak are Christian Scientists. He is a member of Lodge 777, A. F. & A. M., of Ravenswood, and Chapter 202, R. A. M., of the same place. He is also a member of the C. S. P. S., the leading Bohemian society of Chicago. Politically Mr. Husak is a pronounced Republican and has resided with his family at 4712 Beacon street, Sheridan Park, since 1896.
William Hyink, one of the well known and highly respected citi- zens of the town of Palos, now living a quiet retired life, was born in the village of Wenterswyk, Holland, September 1, 1848. Albert and Jennie (Rensink) Hyink, his parents, were also natives of Hol- land. They immigrated to the United States in 1862, where they
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continued to reside until their respective deaths. They were the parents of a family of five sons, all of whom deserve. special recog- nition. John, the eldest, enlisted for the preservation of the Union during the Civil war and now resides in Muscatine; Garrett, a resident of Muscatine; Herman, a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, also lives at Muscatine; Henry, who bore the part of a martyr in the great American conflict, was severely wounded and taken prisoner and after being exchanged died from the effects of his service while on the way home.
William Hyink, the youngest of the family and the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, came with his parents to America when fourteen years old. He learned the carpenters' trade at Muscatine and was there employed for a number of years. In 1868 he went to Westfield, N. Y., but in 1870 came to Chicago, where for many years he was engaged in carpentering and contracting. He did an extensive busi- ness, employed a large number of men and built some important structures in Chicago and elsewhere. Among the more important buildings erected by his instruction were the rebuilding and en- larging of the Nelson Morris establishment at the Union Stock Yards in 1882-3, the building for the Allen Paper Car Wheel works, the ladies' boarding hall at Bauman college, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, ex- tensive improvements for the N. K. Fairbanks company, and many others too numerous to mention. It should not be omitted, how- ever, to state that he began the erection of the first building on the present site of the suburb of Pullman, since grown to be one of the most important in connection with the city of Chicago. A character- istic feature of all his business undertakings is exemplified in the character of the man. As a boy he was taught honesty as one of the cardinal virtues, and no matter how small or large the under- taking, he saw to it that full value was given, first-class workman- ship and material being necessary for the completion of the job. Now, when but little past the meridian of his life, he has retired from active business pursuits and is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life.
On December 24, 1872, Mr. Hyink married Miss Agnes Eck- stein, and to their union twelve children have been born, the follow- ing named nine now living: Edward, Ida, Emma, William, Frank, Henry, Benjamin, Bertha and Cora. Mrs. Hyink reared her chil- dren to clean wholesome lives and died March 2, 1902. Mr. Hyink, while retired from active business pursuits, takes a keen interest in public affairs and in the welfare of the community. His beautiful home in the village of Palos Park is where his happiest hours are spent surrounded by his children and commanding the respect and esteem of all who know him.
William John Jackson was born in Toronto, Canada, December 28, 1859, and is the son of John and Jane Jackson, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. The father was a tin- smith by trade. William J. Jackson was compelled by necessity to
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start out in business for himself at the age of sixteen years. In 1877 he began as a machinist's helper in the Grand Trunk railway shops in Toronto and railroading has been his business down to the present time. From 1877 to 1891 he remained in the service of the Grand Trunk Railway company, but at the latter date secured a position with the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway company with which he has since continued. By hard work and careful attention to de- tails, he has been advanced step by step until he occupies his present responsible position which is that of general manager of the road. As he was forced to begin life for himself at an early age, the edu- cation he received was meager and was secured at the common schools. However, reading and observation since have made him one of the well informed men of the community. He takes much interest in politics and is a staunch Republican. His religious affil- iation is with the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Union League and Beverly Country clubs. He was induced by circumstances to engage in railroading, which occupation has proved congenial and has therefore been since continued, much to the advantage of the companies with which he has been associated and to his credit. In August, 1884, Mr. Jack- son was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Preston, and to their - union have been born four children, all of whom are living.
Philip Jackson was born July 28, 1857, and is a son of Max and Anna (Saalfield) Jackson, both of whom were natives of Golance, Germany, and came to Chicago in 1849. The father engaged in the retail shoe business and continued the same for forty years. He first occupied a store at 196 South Clark street, long before the great fire, and later at 418 South State street. He was sexton (Kelith Aushe Maariv) of the church at Peck Court and Wabash avenue and as such looked after the financial and other important interests of the society during the last fifteen years of his life. He passed away October 28, 1894. He and wife were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Simon, Jacob and Harris, all three deceased, and Miss Rachel and Philip, living. The mother died October 8, 1875.
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