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 78
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Thomas Joseph O'Gara is a native of Riverston, County Sligo,
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Ireland, and he was there reared to manhood and educated in the public schools and at Edphin university. James K. O'Gara, his father, was a civil engineer and came to Chicago in 1886. His mother's maiden name was Dorothy Vaughan. When twenty-three years old Thomas J. O'Gara came to Chicago, his total possessions at that time being good health, a robust constitution and an am- bition to make for himself a home and an honored name in the land of his adoption. His first employment was as a salesman for the A. C. Brackbush Coal company, and later in a similar capacity for the A. T. Thatcher Coal company. In the year 1897 he organized the firm of O'Gara, King & Company, wholesale coal dealers, of which he was president until 1905, when the O'Gara Coal company was incorporated and as such has since continued.
Mr. O'Gara has won success in the land of his adoption and is considered one of the brainy, progressive business men of the city. He began life a poor boy, and such success as has come to him has not been by accident. Hard, persistent work, the overcoming of seemingly unsurmountable obstacles, the vexations and perplexities of a commercial career were the necessary road he traveled. Through his efforts the O'Gara Coal company, of which he is the president and principal owner, has become one of the leaders in its line in the city. Socially he belongs to the Chicago Athletic association, the South Shore Country club, the Chicago Automobile club and the Illinois Athletic association. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, and in politics a Republican. September 15, 1902, he wedded Miss Mary A. Brady and to their union three children have been born: Alfred H., Vivian and Thomas Lincoln. His business office is in the Marquette building, his residence at 1668 Jackson boulevard.
Charles M. Oughton, M. D., was born in Clonmel, County Tip- perary, Ireland, in 1862 and was educated in the national schools, a private grammar school and Clonmel college. Previous to his be- coming a student of medicine he found employment in the whole- sale and retail drug business. Excepting an interval of five years he has been a resident of Chicago since 1879. He graduated from Rush Medical college in 1884 and in 1884-5 was interne in the Cook County hospital. In the latter year he began a general prac- tice in Livingston county, Ill., and for five years had a very active and lucrative practice-one of the most extensive in the State. His present practice is one of the largest and most important in the city. He is a member of the Physicians' club, Chicago Medical and Illinois State Medical societies and the American Medical associa- tion. His activity and prominence in civic improvement is shown by his affiliation with the Municipal Voters' league, Legislative Voters' league, Citizens' association, City club and the Hyde Park Improvement association. For several years he was lecturer in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1890 he married Gracia McWilliams, of Odell, Ill. His present location is at 5410 Jeffer- son avenue, Chicago.
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Gregory A. Papailiou, M. D., was born in May, 1878, and is a son of Athanasios and Helena (Christopolos) Papailiou, both of whom were natives of Tegea, Greece. The father in Greece engaged in the mercantile business and continued the same until his death which occurred in 1897, he being 55 years of age. The mother is still living at the age of 68 years. Their children were as follows : Nicolas, Marie, Reveka, Giannoula and Gregory A.
The latter was educated in the public schools and the National University of Greece at Athens and also in the medical department of the latter, graduating therefrom with the class of 1897. He served two and a half years as officer in the Greek army and then took up the general practice of his profession at Tegea. In 1901 he came to Chicago, passed the required medical examinations and began a general practice at Halsted street and Blue Island avenue. Late in 1909 he bought the drug store of J. L. Lee at the corner of Halsted and Harrison streets. He is a member of the Chicago Medical society and for the last six years has been president of the Greek Community club. He is also identified with the following organizations: Theodore Deligiannis society, Soligion society, Ar- cadia society and Tegea society. He is yet unmarried.
Ellis C. Peterson was born in Blaking (Meljellby) Sweden, on November 1, 1865, and is a son of Peter and Karine (Jenson) Peterson, natives of the same place. The father was engaged ex- tensively in carpentering and general contracting and was a promi- nent and useful citizen of that country. He came over to the United States in 1892 to visit the World's Fair of Chicago; remained here two years and then went back to Sweden to continue with his business. He retired from active business in 1908; is now 73 years old and very active for his age; the mother is 71 years old, and they are members of the Lutheran church.
Ellis C. was educated in the public schools and at an early age engaged with his father in the contracting business, continued thus occupied until he was 22 years old. In 1888 he came to the United States, located in Chicago and began work at the carpenter trade with B. C. Elliott; at the same time attended the Franklin Evening school and continued to attend for three years. A little later he formed a partnership with B. C. Elliott under the firm name of Peterson & Elliott, with office and shop at 1125 Sheffield avenue. They engaged in the general contracting business, but at the end of four years the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Elliott retiring from business. Mr. Peterson then located at 3506-8 North Clark street where he still carries on an extensive business, also carrying a large stock of building supplies and doing a general contracting busi- ness, erecting many houses and flats on the North side particularly, and generally throughout the city. He is one of the substantial, enterprising and prominent business men of the city. He is a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum, Masonic order and the Gustaf II. Adolph
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society. In September, 1891, he married Hannah Anderson, of Chicago, and they have the following children: Lily Georgina, Esther Algenia and Clarence Edward. The family reside at their own home 1057 Cornelia avenue.
Charles Edward Peterson is a son of Hans and Fredericka Peterson, and is a dealer in builders' hardware at 4929 Cottage Grove avenue and has a factory for the manufacture of sash, doors, interior furnishings, etc., at 4914-22 Wentworth avenue. The com- pany is incorporated under the name of C. E. Peterson Co., of which Mr. Peterson is president, A. J. Johnson, vice-president, J. S. Knight, treasurer, and John Westberg, secretary.
Charles E. was born in Norrkoping, Sweden, April 14, 1843, and was educated in the common and grammar technical schools of his native country. He learned cabinet making there and in 1864 came to the United States and first found employment with the Herring Safe company, of New York City. He was thus engaged in wood work for about two years. He came to Chicago in 1866 and took charge of the factory of that company in this city. In the mean- time he opened a small furniture store at 131 State street which was later removed to 550 State street. He remained with the Herring company until 1873, and the following year engaged in the man- ufacture of furniture at 3226 State street, which concern he con- ducted for about five years. In 1878 he engaged in his present busi- ness at 4914-22 Wentworth avenue and has seen it grow and ex- pand until now it is one of the most important industries of the kind in the West. They manufacture sash, doors, mouldings, lum- ber, interior furnishings, etc. They were incorporated in 1904 and are conducted on the co-operative plan. Many of their employes own stock in the company. The present factory was erected in 1891 and covers the greater part of a block. Mr. Peterson built his brick store at 4929 Wentworth avenue in 1894. He is a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 642, A. F. & A. M., having become a member of that order in 1869. He is a Republican and takes great interest in the success of his party and in good government generally. Mr. Peter- son is highly respected in this section of the city.
George Albert Philbrick, son of Simon and Louisa (Young) Philbrick, was born at Corinna, Me., January 28, 1832, of English Puritan stock, many representatives of which were Revolutionary soldiers. The family was founded in England by an ancestor who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror and fought at Hastings in 1066; in America by Thomas Philbrick, sea cap- tain, who came over from England in 1630. Simon Philbrick was born at Ossipee, N. H., learned farming and carpentry, married there, and settled in Maine about 1830. He and his wife died at Corinna, he aged 75, both Freewill Baptists. They had sons named Jacob F., George A. and John W. George A. was reared to farming and was educated in New England common schools and Vol. I-46.
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at Corinna and Foxcraft academies, the best in the State, where academic teachers were employed whose attainments were such that to-day their services would be sought by colleges. At 20 he began teaching at St. Albans, Me. Later he taught at Seaford and in Nanticoke Hundred, Del., and at Greensburg, Md., till 1855, when he returned to Maine. October 25, that year, he married, at Dover, Miss Mary Hinds Stevens, born at Kennebec, a daughter of Na- thaniel M. and Betsy (Hinds) Stevens. He taught school during the winter of 1855-56, then going to Lowell, Mass., was employed in a carpet factory until 1857, when he visited Quincy, Ill. After a trip to Minneapolis, Minn., he returned to Quincy. Later he taught schools in Adams and Hancock counties, Illinois. In 1865 he came to Chicago and located that year in Cicero township, and taught school in Cicero township. In 1868 he was elected town- ship clerk and served by reelection four years and a half. He was treasurer of Cicero township school funds 1874-1908. The fol- lowing is self-explanatory :
"At the annual meeting of the board of trustees of schools of Township 39, Range 13, Cook county, Illinois, held on April 25, 1908, Trustee Wagner moved the adoption of the following reso- lution, which resolution was unanimously adopted: 'At this time Mr. George A. Philbrick, who for the last thirty-four years has been treasurer and clerk of this board, proposes to relinquish the office which he has held so long and the duties of which he has so ably and conscientiously performed. The circumstances of Mr. Philbrick's long and efficient service are so unusual, and his ex- ample so worthy of imitation that this board deems it but just to express its appreciation in permanent form upon its records. During the years of Mr. Philbrick's incumbency he has received and faithfully disbursed tens of millions of dollars. His compli- cated and numerous accounts have always been marvels of ac- curacy and clearness, as have also been the great masses of sta- tistical and other information which it has been his duty to com- pile and analyze. His judgment has ever been the wisest and best, his patience inexhaustible, and his honor unimpeached and unques- tioned. He now retires from the position full of years nobly and honorably lived, with every faculty undimmed, and with a rich- ness and mellowness of character which comes only to those who, endowed in the beginning with nobility of heart and of intellect, have faithfully preserved that heritage unsullied and unstained to the very end. It is with sincere affection that we now terminate our official relations with him, praying that he may yet be granted many long years in which to enjoy the respect and esteem which are so rightfully his. Therefore, be it
" 'Resolved, That the foregoing be spread at large upon the rec- ords of this board, and an engrossed copy transmitted to Mr. Phil- brick.' "
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This resolution was signed by the president and secretary. In 1874 the receipts of the township from all sources were about $100,- 000. The amount increased rapidly from year to year, and during his incumbency of the office Mr. Philbrick handled many millions in public money, carefully and faithfully accounting for the last cent. The books of Cicero were destroyed in the great fire of 1871. He had not yet been elected treasurer, but had been secretary of the board of trustees. So familiar with the records was he and so remarkable was his memory that he was able to recall the amount of every account and obligation and assist to secure new notes, mortgages, etc. In 1869 he moved north of the Northwestern rail- road in Cicero, settling in a new house on Park avenue. In 1875 he completed and occupied his present residence at 325 South Cen- tral avenue. When he located at Austin the place was so small that only seven men took the train daily to go to business in Chi- cago. There was no regular church, but Methodists worshiped in a schoolhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Philbrick helped to build a suitable building, but soon united with the Baptists and helped to build a Baptist church about 1872. Later they helped to build a Presby- terian church. In 1883 Mrs. Philbrick became a Christian Scientist and not long afterward became a reader and a healer. So suc- cessful was she as a healer that her fame extended to foreign lands, where she administered absent treatments. She cured her husband of chronic ailments and he, too, accepted the belief to which she devoted the remainder of her life. Mr. Philbrick was made a Mason in Maine in 1855, took the chapter degrees about 1873, was treasurer of the chapter for twenty-five years, became a Knight Templar in 1888 and is now a member of the Siloam Commandery at Oak Park. He was an original Lincoln Republican. Mary P. Philbrick, Mr. and Mrs. Philbrick's daughter, married Oliver M. Marble, an architect of New Orleans, Birmingham and Chicago, who died in Sandusky, O., leaving children named Albert P., Mun- ton Monroe, Oliver P. and David C., all of whom have been well educated.
Dr. Oscar Frank Pierce, Chicago physician, was born September 7, 1856, the son of Elisha and Julia (Wilson) Pierce. The mother was born in Jefferson county, New York, and the father in Massa- chusetts. From here he moved to Jefferson county, New York, where he engaged in the carpenter trade. In 1847 he came to Il- linois, locating at St. Charles, and erecting the First Methodist church of that place. In 1850 he came to Victor, Dekalb county, Illinois, where he followed farming and building contracting until 1861, when he enlisted in the Eighth Illinois cavalry, Company K., and died in the spring of 1862 in the service of his country. He was a Republican in politics and an active member and worker in the Methodist church. To him and wife were born four children : Genio A., Dr. Oscar F., Ida M., and Dr. Fred E.
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Dr. Oscar F. Pierce, the subject of this memoir, received his early education in the public schools, subsequently taking a course in the Hahnemann Medical college, from which institution he was grad- uated with 'the class of 1890. He immediately hung out his shingle and began the general practice of his profession at 22nd and Robey streets, later moving his offices to 1835 South Spaulding avenue, where he still remains actively engaged. Dr. Pierce has served on the Chicago Homeopathic hospital staff, on the Frances Willard staff for fifteen years of which latter he was president from 1890 to 1893, and as Professor of Theory in Practice in the National Med- ical college. He served four years on the Cook County hospital staff. In politics he is a Republican. He is the present president of the Douglas Park club, a member of the Cook County Homeopathic society, the American Homeopathic Medical institute, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Maccabees and other orders. In 1900 he was married to Ina Mighell of Sugar Grove, Ill., and they have three children, Frank Wilson, Mila and Luella. Their residence is at 1835 South Spaulding avenue.
Dr. Joseph S. Pigall was born January 9, 1869, the son of Joseph and Anna M. (Smith) Pigall, who were natives of Austria and Kentucky, respectively. The father left Vienna, Austria, in 1844 and immigrated to the United States, locating in Memphis, Tenn., where he engaged in the tailoring business until 1865. He then re- moved to Bloomington, Ill., and went into the drug business, re- maining thus occupied until his death in 1869. He was fifty-eight years of age when he passed away and the widow still survives him, being at the present writing seventy-nine years old.
Dr. Joseph S. Pigall was educated in the public and high schools of Paxton, Ill., and Le Mars academy. He subsequently, in 1888, was graduated from the Chicago School of Pharmacy, and in 1891 finished his course in Rush Medical college. He spent one year at the Jefferson Medical college, of Philadelphia, and in 1892 returned to Chicago, locating at 2736 Ogden avenue, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a Republican in politics and is active in local and ward affairs. Dr. Pigall is at- tending physician to the West Side hospital and is identified with the American, Chicago and Illinois Medical Societies. He belongs to the Royal League, Royal Arcanum, Knights of Pythias and the Masons. In 1889 he married Anna B. Treanor, of Philadelphia, and to them were born Anna Josephine and Elizabeth Kerm. The doctor and family reside at 2719 West Fifteenth street.
John C. Plagge, vice-president of the Robertson, Plagge & Com- pany bank, of Barrington, Ill., and the leading merchant of that village, is a native of Cook county, born in Northfield township, November 26, 1855. His parents, George and Elsebein (Baumann) Plagge, were natives of Germany, the father born in Hanover, Jan- uary 12, 1806, and the mother in Prussia, July 25, 1813. The
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father immigrated to the United States in 1837, stopping at Rochester, New York, until about 1840, and then coming to Chi- cago, where he worked at his trade, that of a shoemaker, for a num- ber of years. Here he met and married Catherine Wessling and to them were born five children, all now deceased. In 1852 he re- moved to Northfield township, where his wife died, and in January, 1855, he was united in marriage with Elsebein Baumann, and they had one son, John C., the subject of this review. The father died December 28, 1872, and the mother March 13, 1893.
John C. Plagge was reared as a farmer and received his early education in the public schools, subsequently taking a course at the Northwestern college, at Naperville. In 1876 he moved with his mother to Barrington, Ill., and in March, 1878, he engaged in the mercantile business at that place in partnership with G. H. Landwer. This partnership continued about six years when he pur- chased the interest of Mr. Landwer and continued alone. In 1891 he entered into the lumber, flour, feed and coal business in partner- ship with Frank H. Plagge, under the firm name of Plagge & Com- pany, and this business still continues. He also has interests in the same line of business at Lake Zurich, Il1. November 18, 1880, Mr. Plagge was married to Miss Sophia Nordmeier, who was born in Schaumburg township, October 14, 1859, the daughter of John and Dorothea (Golterman) Nordmeier, both natives of Hanover, Ger- many, and early settlers and highly respected citizens of Cook coun- ty. To Mr. Plagge and wife were born twelve children, as follows : Reuben G., born September 15, 1881; Luella M., born January 28, 1883; Herbert J., born July 14, 1884; Nora A., born January 3, 1886; Olive L., born June 17, 1888; Clarence F., born November 18, 1890; Willis C., born May 1, 1892, died February 20, 1893; Homer H., born May 12, 1894; Warren W., born November 2, 1896; Edwin W., born August 28, 1898; Miriam S., born May 22, 1903 ; and John N., born December 1, 1904. Mr. Plagge and fam- ily affiliate with the United Evangelical church in which he has served as a trustee for a number of years.
He is a Republican in politics, and although not an office seeker, has served in numerous public positions as follows: Village clerk of Barrington, clerk and supervisor of the township, township as- sessor, village trustee, president of the board of education, post- master of Barrington from 1889 to 1893. He is also secretary and treasurer of Evergreen Cemetery association, president of Barring- ton Park Camp Meeting association, a trustee of the Western- Union college at Le Mars, Iowa ; a member of the Modern Wood- men of America, of the K. O. T. M., and Court of Honor. He rep- resents the Home Insurance company, of New York, the Phoenix Insurance company, of Brooklyn, the Royal Insurance company, of Liverpool, England, and the Connecticut Insurance company, of Hartford, doing a good business in the insurance line. Mr. Plagge
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is one of the most public spirited and enterprising men of Barring- ton and is highly respected by all who know him.
Andrew J. Plocinski, proprietor of the Avondale Iron Works, manufacturers of structural iron work of every description, at 2909 Ridgeway avenue, was born in Obudno, German Poland, on October 24, 1874, and is a son of Michael and Josephine (Hudzinski) Plocinski, who came to the United States in 1880, settling first in Hoytville, Tioga county, Penn. After a residence there of ten years, they came, in 1890, to Chicago, where the father still resides. The mother died on May 12, 1897. Their children who grew to maturity were as follows: Mary, deceased, wife of John Dudkiewicz ; Andrew J .; Constantine, wife of John Golubski, and Frank. The latter served the government of the United States in the Philippines three years and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal.
Andrew J. was reared in the United States after the age of six years. He was educated in the common schools and came to-Chi- cago with his parents in 1890. Here, prior to 1895, he followed various occupations, but in the latter year he embarked in his pres- ent business, which he has made highly successful. He gives em- ployment to about a dozen people. He has become one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens in this portion of the city. He is a member of St. Hyacinth's Polish Roman Catholic church, having served as usher there for four years; St. John the Baptist Society, King of Wladislaus, Jagiela and Royal League. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as judge of election in the 27th ward for two years. In 1898 he married Paulina, daughter of Frank and Agnes Malek, of Chicago, and by her has two children : Wladis- laus and Helen.
- Joseph F. Polak, banker at 3113 West 22d street, was born in the village of Hroby, Bohemia, on April 1, 1878, and is a son of Martin and Anna (Epstein) Polak, who immigrated to the United States in 1886 and settled in Chicago. Here the father, a carpenter by trade, followed that occupation up to the time of his death on De- cember 7, 1908. To these parents five children were born, three of whom still survive, as follows: Joseph F., Tillie, wife of Edward Gunderson, and Rosie.
Joseph F. was reared in Chicago after the age of eight years and was educated in the public schools. He began his business career at the age of sixteen years as an employe of Montgomery Ward & Company, working in various capacities for six years. He then en- tered the employ of Frank Kirchman, real estate, but in 1904 became one of the founders of the banking house of the Lawndale Savings bank and is thus associated at the present time. He is a member of Columbia Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Lafayette Chapter, R. A. M .; Palestine Council, Royal Select Masters; Apollo Commandery Knights Templars; the Shrine, Columbian Knights, and in politics is a Republican. In June, 1903, he married Rose, daughter of Jacob
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Stanier, a pioneer Bohemian of Chicago, and an ex-county com- missioner.
John Poklenkowski, a well known and successful undertaker and embalmer at 287 Webster avenue, was born in the town of Wom- welno, Province of Posen, Germany, on December 13, 1861, and is a son of Paul and Mary (Rybarczyk) Poklenkowski, prosperous and highly successful citizens of the Fatherland. Their son, John, named above, grew to manhood in his native land, receiving in the mean- time a good common school education. He was raised on a farm and became familiar with all its manifold duties. In 1881 he came to the United States and located in Chicago where until 1892 he worked as a common laborer, saving in the meantime considerable of his wages. He then embarked in the undertaking business at 316 Webster avenue and has ever since conducted a successful busi- ness in that line. In May, 1900, he came to his present location. He has become identified with many important local movements. He is a member of St. Hedwig's Polish Roman Catholic church, Cath- olic Order of Foresters, Polish Roman Catholic Union, St. Joseph's Society, St. Hedwig's Society, St. Mary of Scapular Society and other societies and organizations. In politics he is a Democrat.
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