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 76
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In 1894 he engaged in the real estate business and thus continued up to the time of his death. Possessing a natural aptitude for business Mr. Loeffler prospered and took rank among the solid, substantial business men of the city. His forcefulness of character caused him to be looked upon as a leader among those of his nativity, and he was very often consulted by those less well-informed on various matters of public policy.
In this way he gradually drifted into politics, and in time his in- fluence extended to men in all walks of life regardless of nativity. Particularly was his influence felt in the old Seventh, Eighth,
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Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh wards. He had much to do with the election of DeWitt C. Cregier for Mayor in 1889, and subsequently was a potent factor in the election of Carter H. Harrison for the same office. He was elected to the City Council from the old Eighth ward in 1893, and in 1895 was defeated for the office of Assessor of the old West Town-the only time he was ever defeated for an elective office. Much of the success of his party in recent years was largely through his sagacious counsel and wise direction. In 1897 he was elected City Clerk and he was twice re-elected to this position. As a Democrat in politics he was alert, aggressive, ardent and always to be feared by an opposing faction. As a man he was lovable, respected for his sterling worth, and his friends were to be found among all classes regardless of politics or religion. In busi- ness matters he was far-seeing, wise and he had sufficient force and will to wrest success when many another would have fallen by the wayside. In all ways his was a potent influence for good, for pro- gressive citizenship. Before he had reached the zenith of his career his sun of life went down and his light was extinguished. He died June 22, 1909, but the world is better for William Loeffler having lived in it. In the month of June, 1877, he married Miss Frances Havl who, with their only son, Frank, survives him.
Albert C. Loebe, one of the firm of Loebe Brothers, dealers in gen- eral merchandising and coal at Orland, is a native of Wisconsin, born in Washington county on December 13, 1869. His parents were Michael and Johannah (Zschiegner) Loebe, both of whom were natives of Saxony, Germany, his father born in 1831, and his mother in 1839. They came to America in their youth and settled in Washington county where they became acquainted, married and afterwards made their homes until their respective deaths. The mother passed away in 1877 and the father in 1883. The latter was an enterprising citizen and served as treasurer of his township. During the Rebellion he served in the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry. He and wife were the parents of eight children, Amelia, Frank H., Ida A., Bernhardt J., Emma H., Albert C., Robert (deceased) and John G. Albert C. was reared on a farm and educated in the dis- trict schools, and was greatly assisted by his father who had received in Germany a good education and who, after coming to America, taught night schools in Wisconsin. In February, 1886, Albert C. went to Chicago and became distributing agent for the various city newspapers and other periodicals. He was thus engaged actively and successfully for over eleven years. Later he attended the night schools of Chicago. In 1889 he was joined in the same business by his brother, John G., and the two continued until December, 1897, when they moved to Orland and in January, 1898, engaged in busi- ness in that village. This they have since continued with increasing success. They began in a small way, their first store room being 22×56 feet. Gradually they enlarged and expanded and added an
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additional story and a large basement. They now have 3520 feet of flooring and they carry a large stock of superior goods and have the leading establishment of the kind in the place. In addition they have a stock room one and a half stories high, 18x24 feet. Here are kept flour, sundries, etc. They also have another store house 18x30 feet, one and a half stories high where they keep their surplus stock of hardware and wooden ware. Their large coal sheds are stocked with both hard and soft coal. Mr. Loebe married June 14, 1900, Ella M. Mahaffay, who was born in Palos township, February 10, 1876, and is the daughter of Winslow C. and Alice M. (Grange) Mahaffay, who were among the pioneers and highly respected citizens of Palos township. The mother died in 1908, but the father is still living. To Mr. Loebe and wife one child was born, Roy Albert, on January 28, 1902. Mr. Loebe is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Orland Camp No. 4951, and the family are members of the M. E. church of Orland. Mr. Mahaffay, the father of Mrs. Loebe, was born in Palos township in 1847, and was the son of Samuel and Betsy (Churchill) Mahaffay, who were among the early settlers of Cook county. Mrs. Loebe's mother was a native of Lincolnshire, England, and was born in 1847. Mrs. Loebe is the third in order of birth of ten children as follows: Ida N. (de- ceased), Jennie S., Ella M., William J., George E. (deceased), Frank C., Mabel B., Maude M. and Walter G., and an infant son that died unnamed.
John G. Loebe of the well known firm of Loebe Brothers of Or- land, was born in Wisconsin, Washington county, February 6, 1875, and is the son of Michael and Johannah (Zschiegner) Loebe. John G. was reared on his father's farm and continued that occupation until the age of about 14 years, receiving in the meantime a fair education at the district schools and in the night schools of Chicago. In 1889 he entered into partnership with his brother in Chicago in the work of distributing newspapers and other publications and con- tinued thus engaged until 1897, when he came to Orland and in January of the following year engaged in merchandising in partner- ship with his brother, Albert C., under the firm name of Loebe Brothers. Here the brothers have been successful, profitably and permanently occupied ever since. They have built up a large and lucrative business and are recognized as among the most substantial, fair-minded, liberal and honorable citizens in this portion of the county.
On June 7, 1899, Mr. Loebe married Olive C. Martin, who was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., July 4, 1875, and is the daughter of Orrin C. and Isadore (Stewart) Martin, both of whom were natives of Michigan and came to Cook county in 1889, though now they reside in Mississippi. To Mr. Loebe and wife two children have been born as follows: Stewart M., born September 17, 1901, and Frank- lin E., born April 18, 1906. Mr. Loebe is a member of Calumet
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Lodge No. 716 Masonic Order ; also a member of the Woodmen of the World, Orland Camp No. 136. He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Orland. In 1903 Mr. Loebe was elected to the office of trustee of Orland, and re-elected in 1905, and again re-elected in 1907. His services have been acceptable to his constituency.
Emilio Longhi is a native of Bobbio, Province of Pavia, Italy, and was born August 4, 1868, being the son of Frank and Matilde (Brignardelli) Longhi. The father was engaged in general mer- chandising, having the largest establishment in his line in that city. After an active, honorable and useful life he passed away in 1887, and after his death his extensive business was continued by his son, Peter.
Emilio was educated in the schools of Bobbio, in the local gym- nasium and finished with a course in a Polytechnical school near his home. After serving three years in the army of Italy, he came to the United States in 1892 and first was employed by his brother-in- law as manager in an artificial flower factory in New York. One year later he came to Chicago and established a wholesale and retail grocery and handled mainly Italian products which were imported. He began this business in a small way on Polk street, and by good management and excellent judgment soon had a profitable business. The imported products were supplied by his brother-in-law, in New York City. Later he imported all his own Italian products. So successful was he and so large had grown his business, he was forced in 1900 to seek new and larger quarters which he found at 378-80 South State street. At the present time he is importing annually over 50,000 cases of macaroni and 15,000 gallons of olive oil, be- sides large quantities of fancy Italian wines, cordials, champagnes, etc. He deserves the greatest credit for his efforts, honesty and good citizenship. He is a Democrat and a Catholic. He is a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, of which he at present is presi- dent of the committee on imports and exports. He is wide awake, up-to-date and prominent in the industrial circles of this city. In 1893 he married Johanna Rau, of Riverdale, Ill., and they have two children as follows: Inez and Francis. The family resides at 5317 Ellis avenue.
William Lorimer was born at Manchester, England, April 27, 1861, a son of William and Sarah (Harley) Lorimer. The family immigrated to America, coming to Chicago, where the father was engaged in merchandising until his death in 1871. From this time the subject of this sketch was deprived of schooling advantages, his services being required in helping to maintain the family. For about a year he was a helper in a sign painting shop, then joined the army of newspaper boys and bootblacks of the city, and subsequently was employed in the packing houses of the Union Stock Yards. Following this he became a street-car driver and conductor, then
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resumed the sign painting business as a contractor, and still later embarked in real estate operations, also being associated with Alder- man William J. Murphy in the manufacture of bricks. A charac- teristic trait of Mr. Lorimer developed during this varied career was to know the details of whatever he took upon himself to do and this quality has been a predominant quality of his whole life. In 1887 he was appointed assistant superintendent of the city water main extension department and had charge of the water system of all the territory south of Madison street. In 1891, by appointment of Mayor Hempstead Washburne, he became superintendent of the Water Department, a position he resigned in 1892 in order to de- vote his time to the furtherance of his candidacy for clerk of the Su- perior court. In the November election of that year he was defeat- ed for the office. In 1894 he became the Republican nominee for Congress from his district and was elected. He was re-elected in 1896 and 1898, was defeated in 1900, but until 1909 was a member of Congress by re-election. In the latter year he was elected United States senator.
Mr. Lorimer is president of the Federal Improvement company, of the Murphy-Lorimer Brick company, of the Lorimer & Gallagher company, and is a member of the Chicago Athletic association and the Lincoln and Illinois clubs. July 15, 1884, he married Miss Suzie Mooney, and to them have been born nine children: William, Jr., Leonard, Suzie, Ethel, Lauretta, Laurine, Marjorie, Helen and Lenore. The family home is at 903 Douglas boulevard.
Rev. Norbert I. Lukoszius, pastor of St. Michael's Lithuanian Roman Catholic church at 1644 Wabansia avenue, is a native of Telszi, Lithuania, Russia, and is a son of Anton and Mary (Ginczewska) Lukoszius, who immigrated to the United States in 1893 and settled in Chicago. Here they resided until their re- spective deaths. They left a family of three sons as follows: Kasimir, Norbert I. and Anton-all of whom reside in this city.
Norbert attended the schools of his native land for four years and then accompanied his parents to the United States in 1893. For five years thereafter he attended the Polish Seminary at Detroit where he pursued a rigid course of studies in the classics. He then spent six months at the University of Baltimore, taking a course in philosophy. He then returned to Detroit and finished his phil- osophical studies and also began the study of theology, continuing for six months. He then went to St. Louis and finished his theo- logical education in Kendrick college, and was ordained to the priesthood in Chicago by Archbishop Quigley on July 1, 1905. His first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. George Lithuanian church, Chicago, which he served for a period of seven months. On January 28, 1906, he was appointed pastor of his present parish which under his able ministration is growing rapidly and is in a most prosperous condition. It now has a membership of about 200 families or 850 souls.
Vol. I-45.
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The Chicago of today is characterized by the aggressiveness of the great West and the conservatism of the East. From its early days the city was famous for its great mercantile, packing and other establishments. Its physicians were renowned for advanced thought . and skill; the legal fraternity for ability was second to none; all the other avenues of human endeavor were equally active and great. The present Chicago is in no sense less eminent than the Chicago of the past. The present bar of the city is largely composed of men not yet past the meridian of life and they have sustained the reputa- tion of the distinguished lawyers who preceded them.
Max Luster, born in New York, June 27, 1873, is one of the younger members of the legal fraternity. Isaac and Lena (Lincoln) Luster, his parents, came to Chicago in 1873, and here the father is now engaged in the contract express business. Max Luster, at the age of 13 years, began his business career as a helper in a carriage paint shop, but three months later, and for one year there- after, drove an express wagon for his father. Until 1897 he was then employed in the wholesale cloth cutting and trimming business. Having received a practical education in the public schools, he de- cided at this time to begin the study of law and as opportunity afforded diligently pursued such studies as would give the proper foundation for the profession he had elected to follow. In the meantime he was an assistant in the office of the county clerk for a short time; then worked as trimmer for Ederheimer & Stein; was a fire insurance solicitor; then successively served as deputy collector of internal revenue and as a sixty-day appointee in the office of the county clerk. In 1900 he rented desk-room at 79 Dearborn street in order to devote more time to his legal studies, and prior to re- ceiving his license to practice served six months as investigator under John F. Smulski, who was then city attorney. Having com- pleted the prescribed course in the Illinois College of Law in 1902 with the degree of L.L. B., and being admitted to the bar in 1903, he then at once engaged in the general practice of his profession at which he has ever since continued with marked success. Mr. Luster is a member of the Illinois Athletic association, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a Republican. On December 24, 1895, he married Miss Rosie Lincoln and they are the parents of three children: Julian, Arthur and Orrin. Mr. Luster's home is at 558 N. Hoyne avenue, and his office is at 805, 79 Dearborn street.
Stanislaus Marcinkiewicz, a prominent and successful real estate dealer, mortgage banker and insurance agent at 4667 Gross avenue, was born in Lithuania, Russia, in May, 1867, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Marcinkiewicz. He grew to maturity in his native country and there received a liberal education and was fitted for a business career. In 1889 he came to the United States and settled in Chicago, and here he has since resided. He first secured em-
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ployment in the Union Stock Yards and there remained for two and a half years. In 1893 he embarked in the grocery and meat business and was thus occupied for eleven years at 4533 Paulina street. In 1903 he engaged in the real estate business and has thus continued ever since. He has conducted business at his present location since 1906. He has also been engaged in the ice business since 1904 and the coal business since April, 1905. Mr. Marcinkiewicz is a member of the Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic church, St. George's society, Vylotuo society, St. Vincent's society, St. Stanislaus society, Gedymino society, Foresters, Lithuanian Alliance of America, Lithuanian National Alliance and St. Heart's Lithuanian society and in politics is a Republican. In February, 1895, he married Teofila, daughter of John and Francszka Malicki and by her has seven chil- dren as follows: Victoria, Casimir, Michalina, Bronislawa, Teofila, Stanislaus and Edward.
Frank Lawrence Masterson was born at Defiance, O., December 12, 1877, and is a son of John and Mary Masterson. The father was a farmer and both he and his wife are still living.
Frank L. was educated in the public schools at Defiance and in Defiance college. He established an independent business of his own when a young man and continued the same until 1905, when the firm was incorporated with Mr. Masterson as president, and J. O'Neil secretary-treasurer, under the name of the Masterson Electric Construction Co. Their general offices are located at 719-21, 56 Fifth avenue and they are doing a large business, having lately secured the contract for the electrical apparatus and wiring for the Poorhouse building at Oak Forest. Now the firm is classed with the highest in the electrical construction business in the city.
J. H. Meyer, son of J. D. and Mary (Ottman) Meyer, was born October 2, 1840, in Schaumburg township, Cook county, Ill. The parents came from Germany to America and went direct to Chicago where they met a man by the name of Garrett Frye, who took them by team to Schaumburg, about twenty-eight miles west of Chicago. Here the father immediately entered 160 acres of Government land, two years later acquiring eighty more. To their union seven chil- dren were born : Kate, Mary, J. H., J. D. Jr., J. E., Emily and John. Mr. Meyer lived until 1861. Mrs. Meyer surviving him until 1899.
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J. H. Meyer's early education was acquired in much the same manner as that of the other boys of those times, largely through the country schools. He continued his vocation as a farmer until October, 1904, when he retired from active life, moving to Palatine and building a beautiful residence in which to spend the rest of his days. November 30, 1866, he was united in marriage with Carrie Von Harz, and to them were born the following children: Anna, now Mrs. Theodore Frye of Palatine; Sara, who married James Mair, manager of the Bowman Dairy company of Palatine; Her- man, a prosperous blacksmith of Bartlett, town of Hanover; Henry
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(deceased) ; Edward, of Chicago; Lydia, wife of J. C. Wente, living on the J. H. Meyer farm; and Walter, employed by the Bowman Dairy company, Palatine. The first vote ever cast by Mr. Meyer was in favor of Abraham Lincoln and he has ever been a staunch Republican. He has been unusually active in county affairs, being road commissioner six years, school director for more than eighteen years, school trustee six years, constable two years and serving as assessor of Schaumburg. Mr. Meyer affiliates with the German Evangelical church of Palatine, and is liked and respected by all who know him.
Daniel Kirkwood Miers, secretary and treasurer of the Mathers Stone company, is a comparatively recent addition to the population of Chicago, having moved here in 1905. He is a native of Bloom- ington, Ind., and a son of Robert W. and Belle (Ryors) Miers. Originally, the family probably came from Germany, as is indicated by the name, but for generations they have resided in this country. Robert W. Miers, the father of Daniel K., has lived the greater part of his life at Bloomington, Ind., where he has attained unusual dis- tinction. By profession he is a lawyer; in politics he is a Democrat. In a strong Republican district he was elected State's Attorney in 1875, and beginning in 1879 was three times successively elected to the State Legislature. Three different times he was the unsuccess- ful candidate of his party for the office of Secretary of State. By appointment of Governor Gray, in 1883, he was appointed to the Circuit Court bench to fill the unexpired term caused by the death of Judge Pearson, and in 1890 was elected to this position. In 1896 he resigned from the bench to become the nominee of his party for Congress from the Second Congressional District. He was elected, and served for five successive terms. Since that time he has been practicing law in Bloomington.
Daniel K. Miers was born July 30, 1875, received his boyhood education in the public schools of his native city, and his university training at the State University at Bloomington, from which he re- ceived the degrees of A. B. and LL. B. He became his father's private secretary at Washington and subsequently was associated with him for a time in the practice of law. In 1903 he abandoned his profession to become secretary and treasurer of the Mathers Stone company. The general offices of this corporation were moved to Chicago, in 1905, and here Mr. Miers has since resided. He be- longs to the Chicago Athletic association and the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. January 4, 1899, he was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Wicks and their home is at 6216 Ingleside avenue. .
John S. Miller was born at Louisville, N. Y., on May 24, 1847. During his youth and early manhood he secured a good education at the common schools and at a local academy. He finished his literary education at the age of 22 by graduating from St. Law- rence university, Canton, N. Y., and having made up his mind
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previously to become a lawyer he took a course of law at the same institution and in 1870 was admitted to the bar at Ogdensburg. Prior to this for a time he was professor of mathematics in his alma mater, and a little later professor of Latin and Greek. In 1874 he resigned and came to Chicago and began the practice of his pro- fession. He is so well known in Chicago that it is scarcely necessary to say that he is one of the foremost lawyers of the West. He. practiced individually from 1874 to 1876 and then formed a partner- ship under the name of Herbert, Quick & Miller. After the death of Mr. Herbert the firm was continued until 1886 as Quick & Miller, but at that date Mr. Miller became associated with Merritt Starr and George R. Peck under the firm name of Peck, Miller & Starr.
Mr. Miller has distinguished himself particularly in the manage- ment of great corporation cases. He is considered one of the ablest and most successful chancery lawyers in Chicago. His conduct of the Flagler litigation, Riverside litigation, and the Phillips and South Park litigation particularly distinguished him. In 1891, so success- ful and prominent had he become as practitioner that he was ap- pointed corporation counsel by Mayor Washburne. While thus con- nected he took the important position that the city had the right to compel railroad companies to elevate their tracks. He also main- tained that the city had the right to extend its streets across rail- road tracks. Both of these views are now generally accepted as correct law. On behalf of the city of Chicago, Mr. Miller argued the famous Lake Front case before the United States Supreme court and won a victory. After a time he retired from his position as corporation counsel and since has devoted his time to private practice. He is a Republican and a member of St. James' Protestant Episcopal church of Chicago. Mr. Miller has recently distinguished himself greatly by his management of the case against the Standard Oil company by securing a reversal of the decision of Judge Landis in fining that company $29,240,000, and a verdict and judgment for the defendant on the second trial before Judge Anderson. His
management of this case alone would have rendered him famous if he had no other claims to distinction. He belongs to the Union League, Chicago, Hamilton, and Chicago Literary clubs. On De- cember 12, 1887, he married Anne, the daughter of Dr. James E. Gross, and they have a son, John S., Jr., and a daughter, Janet.
Witold S. Miroslawski, attorney-at-law, 1102 Schiller building and 2924 Milwaukee avenue, was born in Chicago on January 6, 1882, and is a son of Stanislaus D. and Antonina (Pinderski) Miroslawski, natives of Warsaw, Poland, and Prussian-Poland re- spectively. His grand uncle, Gen. Louis Miroslawski, greatly dis- tinguished himself during the uprising of the Poles in 1861. His father, Stanislaus D., came to the United States in 1874, at the age of 16 years. He took an active part in politics even in his 'teens, and at the age of 23 years represented one of the Chicago districts
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in the State Legislature. He was one of the prominent politicians of that date.
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