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 79
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He has been twice married. On April 28, 1885, he wedded Mary, the daughter of Ignatz Raimian, of Wisconsin, and by her had four children, three of whom survive: Katie, Frank and Wladislawa. His wife died January 30, 1900, and he married for his second wife Martha, daughter of John Litterski, of Chicago, by whom he has two children : Henry and Hedwiga.
Rev. Dr. Michael C. Pyplatz was born the 28th of September, 1851, at Brzeczkowice, Upper Silesia, German-Poland. Already from his early years he had the inclination to enter the priesthood, but he encountered a great many difficulties in following his voca- tion. After years of struggling, he at last reached the goal of his ambition and desires. He studied in Brzeczkowice, Myslowitz, Teschen and Vienna. From 1873 he lived as hermit at Bielany, near Cracow. In the year 1877 he was ordained a priest by Bishop An- thony Galecki at Cracow. After the ordination he went to Italy, and in the provinces of Umbria and Lombardy led the life of a solitaire. The comtemplative life did not agree with his health, and by per- mission of the Holy See, changed the ascetic life into life of greater activity. After this he went to Pavia to specialize in some branches of theology, and at the same time pursued the study of medicine. In 1884 he came to the United States and first was appointed assistant pastor of St. Stanislaus K. in Chicago. A short while afterwards he received the nomination as pastor of the Immaculate Conception church in South Chicago. Here he bought more lots for the parish, built a commodious residence and bought the ground for the Holy Cross cemetery at Hammond, Ill. After ten years of hard work in said parish, the late Most Rev. Archbishop Feehan appointed him
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as pastor of St. Joseph's church. For this latter parish he worked for sixteen years, built a church, school and a beautiful residence building, bought more lots for the parish and managed the affairs of this congregation to the best of his ability. In his whole life Rev. Pyplatz has worked much, but suffered far more, and of him let us say: "Ecce positus est hic in signum, cui contradicetur," but the Rev. Father says: "Si hominibus placerem, servus Dei non essem !"
Jacob Rehm was born December 7, 1828, and is a son of Jacob and Dorothy (Truschel) Rehm, of Strasburg, South Germany, then belonging to France. The father's early life was spent in farming, and he received in youth a fair education. In 1840 he came to the United States, landing at New York, July 4, of that year and con- tinuing on to Chicago, it requiring fifteen days to come by the Erie canal and the great lakes. He bought a farm near Chicago and worked thereon for some time, but later engaged in teaming with headquarters at Chicago. He was mainly engaged in hauling emi- grants from Chicago to different parts of Illinois, Iowa and Wis- consin. He was thus occupied for eight years. He then engaged in the grocery business at Rush and Hinsdale streets, but retired in 1867 and died two years later, aged 68 years. His wife died in 1862 at the age of 62 years. They had a family of three boys and two girls: Charles, resides in Chicago; William, died in 1907; Jacob, subject ; Elizabeth, and Dorothy.
Jacob, of this family, was educated in the common schools of Ger- many and came with his parents to the United States when he was thirteen years old. He was early put to work driving teams for his father in hauling emigrants from Chicago westward, and so con- tinued until 1849, when he lost his team in a fire at Peru, Ill. He then began work in a packing house for 75 cents per day, working from 4 a. m. to 6 p. m., but by the spring of 1850 had saved money enough to establish a butcher shop of his own at Clark and Kinzie streets. A year and a half later he was placed on the Chicago police force, being one of only ten men then on the force and working for $8 per week and continuing thus occupied for two years. At first he was night watchman, but later was placed on the day force. In 1855 he was elected street commissioner on the North side, the only Democratic commissioner successful at that election. After serving one year he was made superintendent of the board of public works, having charge of teams and improvements, such as grading ap- proaches to bridges, etc. He built the first macadamized road on State street from 19th to 22d street and on Cottage Grove avenue south to the city limits. In 1857, under Mayor Wentworth, he was made lieutenant of police on the North side, but in 1858 was elected city marshal (now chief of police) and served as such until 1860 when, owing to changes in the law, he became deputy superintendent of police and served until 1863. He was then elected county treas-
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urer and served with credit for two years, but at that time was again elected superintendent of police and served until 1869. He then re- signed and engaged in the malting business in partnership with Charles Wacker, at Clybourn avenue and the river. This partner- ship later became a stock company with Mr. Rehm as treasurer.
In 1871, upon the solicitation of many reform friends, he became a candidate for police commissioner on the famous "Fire Proof Ticket," was duly elected, but owing to press of business, resigned the following year. However, upon solicitation, he was again elected superintendent of police in 1873, but resigned in 1875. He sold out his malting business and became vice-president of the old North Side Street Railway company and was thus associated until 1886, when the company sold out to other railway interests. He had been a director in this company before becoming vice-president. Thus for many years he was one of the most active, prominent, influential, honest and trustworthy of the city's employes. Now, though 81 years old, he is as keen and alert as when, as chief of police, he quelled the lawless and preserved order in the city. His long life has been one of singular simplicity, purity and honor. He has ac- quired large property and is comfortable and happy in his old age. He spends his winters in California. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Germania club. He has always been a Whig or Republican. He was one of the first commissioners of Lincoln Park and spent two winters in Springfield to secure the necessary legisla- tion to open the parks of Chicago. He has occupied many other responsible positions. In 1852 he married Phebe Reienbacken, of Chicago, and they have seven children: Jacob F., Charles, William H., Frank A., Phebe, Clara and Julia. He resides at 1517 North Dearborn street.
Carey W. Rhodes, a member of the law firm of Mayer, Myer, Austrian & Platt, is a representative of that class of Americans who have achieved success through hard work, persistence and natural ability. Born on a farm near West Union, Adams county, Ohio, September 3, 1869, Mr. Rhodes is one of six children, all living, born to the marriage of Eli F. and Martha (Mahaffey) Rhodes. John Rhodes, his grandfather, was a pioneer of Adams county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming until the breaking out of the Civil war. Although advanced in years, he carried a musket and fought shoulder to shoulder with the men in blue until peace was declared. He died finally from the effects of his military career. Eli F. Rhodes was also a farmer of Adams county, Ohio, and following in the footsteps of his father, served the Union cause from 1861 to 1865. He was a member of Company H, 173d Ohio volunteer infantry, holding the rank of corporal, and participating in the battles of Shiloh, the en- gagements in and around Chattanooga and other important cam- paigns. He died September 7, 1897, preceded by his wife Febru- ary 18, 1887.
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Carey W. Rhodes is of Scotch ancestry. His early years were passed on the home farm and attending public schools, and when sixteen years of age he started in life for himself as a country school teacher. He continued teaching in country and town seven years and during this time took special instruction in the Normal school held at West Union, the National Normal University at Lebanon, and the Ohio Normal University at Ada. It was during this period that he also took up the study of law under the direction of A. C. Patten, now probate judge at Washington, C. H., and at odd times secured considerable legal practice in the justice courts. June 11, 1896, he was admitted to the Ohio state bar, and the fall of 1897 came to Chicago to establish himself in the practice of his chosen profession. His total assets at this time consisted of $47 cash, plenty of pluck and confidence in himself and a determination to succeed. To win success for himself in a city already overpopu- lated with many of the ablest lawyers of the country, required care- ful research, hard work and ability, and the burning of the midnight oil. He has succeeded and ranks among the really capable lawyers of the city. Having completed a post graduate course in the law department of Lake Forest university, he was graduated therefrom with the degree of LL. B. in June, 1899. For a time succeeding his arrival here he was employed in a general utility capacity with the old firm of Moran, Kraus & Mayer, and later became one of the trial lawyers of the firm. His ability and faithfulness were recog- nized by his admission as a member of the firm in June, 1908, and as such he has since continued. Mr. Rhodes was admitted to the supreme court of the state of Illinois April 20, 1908. In politics he is a Republican, but owing to the exacting duties of his practice, ex- ercises only the right of citizenship by casting his ballot for what he considers the best interests of the country. He is a member of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar associations, and is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine of Medinah Temple, Chicago. October 16, 1899, he married Nellie L. Robbins and their home is at 920 Montrose boulevard.
Konrad Ricker, at present engaged in the insurance, real estate and loan business, at 3452 West 26th street, was born in the village of Pecin, County of Zamberk, Bohemia, on December 20, 1867, and is a son of Heinrich and Barbora (Divisek) Ricker. These parents came to the United States in 1891, and here they resided until their respective deaths-the father in 1894, at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother, 1906, at the age of sixty-seven years.
Konrad, their son and the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native country and there received a liberal education in the Bo- hemian and German languages. In 1887 he crossed the Atlantic and landed in the United States, locating in Chicago, which has ever since been his home. In order to learn the English language he at- tended schools in the evenings in this city and soon had a speaking
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command of the tongue here. He began his business career in a shoe store at Halsted and 18th streets as clerk, and there served for a period of five years. In 1893 he embarked in the real estate busi- ness at 623 West 18th street where he continued in active operation for fourteen years. Then for one year he was at 1183 St. Louis avenue, but in 1908 he erected the handsome office building at 3452 West 26th street which he has occupied since July 3, 1908. He is a member of the Cook County Real Estate Board, Bohemian American Foresters, Catholic Order of Foresters, and in politics is a Republi- can. On August 12, 1889, he married Barbora, daughter of Jan Blahnik, of Polen, Bohemia, and by her has four children: Konrad, Anna, Ladislaw, died September 28, 1909, and Ruzena.
Hans A. Rixon was born April 22, 1864, and is a son of Hans C. and Amelia (Lund) Rixon, of Sleswig, Germany. The father was a manufacturer of wooled goods and in 1868 sold out and came to Chicago, where he continued the business. He finally retired from active duties. He had nine children, all in the United States, as fol- lows: Henry, at old number 1720 Milwaukee avenue; Hans A., Charles, at Los Angeles, Cal .; Fred, a manufacturer of skirts at Clinton, Iowa; Mrs. P. J. Benson; Lucy Alvin Smith, Mrs. Amalia C. Hanson, Albert W. (deceased), former partner in the Benson- Rixon store, and Christian C. (deceased). The father died in 1903 and his widow two years later.
Hans A. was educated in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen years, began work for Fred Sommer & Company, at 2212 Archer avenue, as hardware clerk, continuing from 1879 to 1886. He then clerked for Charles Rixon at 701 Milwaukee avenue, and also served him as general manager. In 1890 he began independently in the gents' furnishings business at 851 North avenue, continuing thus for five years. He then combined clothing with his other business at 1730 Milwaukee avenue. In 1896 he became a partner in the Benson & Rixon store and became vice-president of the same. They own the building they occupy, 50x125 feet ground space, and have now three stores devoted to clothing, gents' furnishings and shoes. Their business was originally established in 1889 by Paul J. Benson and Albert Rixon. Mr. Rixon is independent in politics and a mem- ber of the Masonic order, Hamburger club and the Plattdeutsche Society. On April 11, 1887, he married May Gunderson, of Chi- cago, and they have the following children: Pearl, Hans A .. Jr., and Paul and John Benson. The family resides at 3707 North 41st Court Irving Park.
Roscoe L. Roberts, Chicago attorney, was born November 17, 1869, in the old town of Jefferson, now part of Chicago, the son of Clark and Elizabeth (Lindscott) Roberts. The father was a native of Utica, N. Y., and his father, David Roberts, born in Denbigh, Wales, in 1801, located in New York state at an early date, coming to Chicago in 1839 and remaining here for a short time. He then
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went to Joliet, Ill., where he obtained the contract for building a section of the old Michigan canal. In 1842 he returned to Chicago, locating in Jefferson township, and bought from "Long" John Went- worth a large tract of land and laid out the village of Jefferson in 1846. To this village he donated ten acres of land which was made into a beautiful park and which is now kept up by the city. He built and maintained the Jefferson Park Congregational church and was a trustee and deacon of the same for over twenty years. He also was a prominent hotel keeper, controlling, in 1842, the Temperance hotel on LaSalle street, and in 1851, the United States hotel on Lake street. His death occurred in 1870.
Clark, the father of our subject, worked for his father as clerk in both of the above mentioned hotels, and during 1867-8 served as trustee for the town of Jefferson. He also was a Republican in politics, and died in 1903 at the ripe old age of seventy-three years. To him and wife were born seven children, five of whom are living : Charles N., Lewis C., Willis H., Roscoe L. and Mary O. Roscoe L., the subject, received his early education in the public and high schools of the town of Jefferson, subsequently taking a course in the University of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1892. He then entered the Chicago College of Law, graduating therefrom in 1894. He immediately began the general practice of his profession, locating in the First National bank building, Chicago. In politics he has followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, being a Republican and active in all local affairs. Mr. Roberts is a thirty-second degree Mason of Oriental Consistory, and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has served as president of the Ridgemore Golf club for the last four years and is identified with the Illinois Athletic and the Irving Park Country clubs. October 26, 1898, he was united in marriage with Ella M. de Berard, of Chicago, and to them have been born two children: David and Jane. Mr. Roberts and family reside at 4552 Milwaukee avenue.
Albert L. Robertson was born in Lake county, Illinois, February 11, 1869, and is the son of John and Julia (Parker) Robertson, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. Albert L. received his education in the public schools of Barrington and Pala- tine, graduating from the latter in 1886. Succeeding his graduation he took a full course in the Metropolitan Business college, of Chi- cago. In 1889 he accepted a position with the Illinois Steel company, at South Chicago, and there remained employed for two years. He then came to Barrington and assumed a position in the Barrington bank and has there been employed ever since, with the exception of one year which he spent with the Commercial Loan and Trust Com- pany bank as bookkeeper. On January 1, 1894, he became a stock- holder in and was elected cashier of the Barrington bank, in which responsible position he has served acceptably ever since. On Sep-
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tember 23, 1896, he married Maude E. Otis, who was born at Bar- rington, August 11, 1874, and is a daughter of Charles B. and Anna (Dearlove) Otis. They are the parents of the following children : John O., Helen A., and June E., deceased. Mr. Robertson is a Republican. He has served as village treasurer, collector and mem- ber of the school board. He is a member of the Masonic order, Lounsbury lodge, of Barrington; Palatine Chapter, Bethel Com- mandery, Medinah Temple, and the Eastern Star. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, Knights of the Globe, and Court of Honor.
John Robertson is a native of Illinois, born in Lake county, De- cember 29, 1844, and is a son of John and Charlotte (Sutherland) Robertson, the father born in New Hampshire in 1810, coming to Lake county in 1837, becoming a prominent and influential citizen and dying at Lake Zurich in 1877. His wife, Charlotte, was a native of Vermont, but came to Illinois in girlhood, finally passed away in 1875. They were parents of the following children: Lydia, wife of William L. Hicks, of Palatine; John, the subject of this notice ; Silas, deceased; Cordelia, wife of Edward Clark, of Colo- rado Springs; Persis, deceased; Joseph, deceased; Mary, wife of Charles H. Patten, of Palatine; Elmer, who resides near Carlisle, Ark., and Lida, deceased.
Of this family, John was reared on a farm in Lake county and was educated at the public schools and at the high school at Arlington Heights, Cook county. On October 3, 1866, in Lake county, he married Julia E. Parker, a native of Erie county, New York, born March 23, 1845, the daughter of David and Esther Parker, who came to Lake county at an early day and became prominent and respected citizens. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Robertson engaged in farm- ing near Lake Zurich and thus continued for twenty years, owning then a fine farm of over 400 acres of well improved land. In 1887 he quit the farm and moved to Barrington, where he now resides in one of the finest homes of the place. A few years after moving there, he purchased an interest in the Sandman & Company bank and was made its president, and in that capacity ever since has served with credit and fidelity. In 1908 the name of the institution was changed to The Barrington Bank of Robertson, Plagge & Company, the officers being John Robertson, president ; John C. Plagge, vice- president, and Albert L. Robertson, cashier. The bank does a large and successful business. Mr. Robertson is a Republican and while living in Lake county served as school director, and since coming to Barrington has served over ten years on the village board and two years as president of the board of education. He is one of the most substantial and influential citizens of this portion of the county. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Lounsbury Lodge, No. 751. He and wife are members of the Eastern Star and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen. They have had five children as follows : Cora, wife of A. J. Leonard, of Elgin; Albert L., of Barrington;
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Emma, wife of A. J. Redmond, of Oak Park; Frank, deceased; Lydia, wife of George A. Lytle, of East Aurora, N. Y.
Joseph Rushkiewicz, a successful real estate, loan and insurance business man, 1536 West Chicago avenue, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., March 19, 1879, and is the son of Valentine and Cornelia (Rynski) Rushkiewicz, both of whom were natives of the Province of Posen, German Poland. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1876 and first located in Milwaukee, but in 1889 removed to Chicago, where they still reside. Four children were born to their marriage as follows: John, Ignatius, Sylvester (deceased), and Joseph. The latter of this family was reared in Milwaukee and Chicago and was educated in the parochial and public schools. He began his business career as city salesman for a wholesale candy manufacturer of Chicago in 1903. He served in that capacity for two years, during which period he was engaged in the candy and confectionery business in a co-operative store on the Northwest side. Having by good management and industry saved a snug sum, he embarked in 1905 in his present business which he has made suc- cessful and which he has steadily expanded. At the present date his business is large and profitable.
On September 19, 1908, he married Sophia, daughter of Thaddeus and Caroline Klein, of Chicago. Mr. Rushkiewicz is one of the leading parishioners of Holy Innocents' Polish Roman Catholic church and a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, and St. Cassimer's Young Men's Society. He is at present chairman of the John Sobieski Tax-payers' and Improvement club of this city. He has taken much interest in public affairs. At the age of twenty-two years he became chairman of the Candy Makers' union. Politically he is a strong Democrat and is one of the leaders of that party in the Seventeenth ward.
Andrea Russo was born January 11, 1859, and is a son of Nunzio and Rasaria (Di Vittorio) Russo, natives of Termini Imerese, Sicily. Italy, a city of about 25,000 population, where the father was en- gaged in the flour and grain business. His business was established in 1850, became very extensive and was continued until his death in 1880. In 1874 he added the manufacture of macaroni and this branch of the business is still extensively conducted by his son Antonino. The mother died in 1877. Their children were Antonino and Andrea.
The latter was educated in the schools of Termini, but did not secure a liberal education as he had intended owing to ill health. As his brother was in the army at the time the father died, Andrea, at the age of twenty years, took charge of the business and had sole management for one year. On December 22, 1881, he married Marina Mercurio, of Termini, Italy. Upon the return of Antonino from the army in 1881, Andrea sold out to him and engaged in the flour business on his own account, but was unsuccessful, then tried
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other pursuits and still failing, concluded to come to the United States. He left his family in Italy and arrived in Chicago with only $35. He at once engaged in the fruit business, selling baskets from house to house and was thus engaged for eighteen months. With his savings he then opened a fruit store at Milwaukee avenue and Peoria street, but in 1886 moved to Chicago avenue and Kingsbury street, and at the same time brought his family from the old country. In 1893 he sold out and engaged in the grocery business at Archer avenue and 20th street, continuing three years. He then moved back to the old stand on Chicago avenue, where he engaged in the whole- sale grocery business, importing many Italian products. He has imported macaroni and olive oil every year since 1885. In 1908 he imported over 28,000 gallons of olive oil and over 60,000 cases of macaroni. In addition he handled 40,000 cases of domestic maca- roni. The firm of A. Russo & Company, established since 1885, of which he is the head, is the largest in the city which imports Italian products. In 1908 he was elected by the local Italian colony to attend the Italian congress in Italy, the object of which was to im- prove the condition of the Italians in the different cities of the United States. At the same time he represented the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Chicago, of which he is vice-president. He has en- deavored to have modern Italian taught in the public schools and was one of the organizers and members of the Unione Siciliana, of which he was treasurer for several years. He is a member of the Trin- acria Fratellanza Siciliana Society, one of the first formed here, and was treasurer of the same for several years. Mr. Russo and wife with their children, Nunzio, Cosimo, Rosa and Emmanuela, reside at 946 Edgecomb Place.
Joseph J. Salat, of the Lawndale Savings bank, 3113 West 22d street, was born in Borice, Bohemia, on November 24, 1875, and is a son of John and Anna (Srch) Salat, who immigrated to the United States in 1880 and settled in Chicago, where they still reside. They had two children : Anna, wife of James Beckla, and Joseph J.
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