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 81
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in and near Boston, and at 18 began to read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. John Pierce, of Oxford, Mass., and pursued his professional studies at the Albany Medical college and the Uni- versity of Medicine and Surgery at Philadelphia, finishing them in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. There were some interruptions to his college career, and before it was finished he practiced medicine for a time in New England. In 1842 he married Miss Rhoda T. Brown, of Mendon, Mass., by whom he had four daughters, three of whom are still living. He came to Chicago in a semi-professional capacity in 1855, and soon after became partially paralyzed through the use of certain chemi- cals in laboratory work. Then, after some post graduate studies along botanical lines, he established himself in a general family practice of medicine and surgery at 96 Lake street. Later, for eleven years, his office was at Clark and Monroe streets, until after the great Chicago fire; for twenty-two years at the corner of State and Jackson streets, for a time in the Venetian building, then in the Stewart building until 1908, when he retired after fifty-three years of continuous practice. Since then he has pre- scribed at his residence in Austin. He is a member of the Chicago Eclectic Medical Society, Illinois State Eclectic Medical Society and the National Eclectic Medical association, having been president of each of them. He was one of the founders, trustees and vice-presi- dent of the Bennett Medical college of Chicago.
He was chairman of the Illinois Delegation of Ethics at the World's Medical Congress and has read before that body notable papers, among them essays entitled "Surgical Mistreatment of Women," "Otology, Laryngology and Ophthalmology," "Ovarian Abscess," "Accidents from Gunpowder," "The Proper Feeding of Infants," "The Adolescent Woman" and "Our Medical Schools." He has seen his school of medicine grow from a small and crude beginning to its present proportions, and has so ably contributed to its progress that he will always be enrolled as one of the factors of eclectic medicine in Chicago.
Politically he is a Democrat, religiously a Universalist. He joined the Masons in 1857 ; is a charter member of Austin Masonic lodge, No. 850; belongs to Cicero chapter No. 180; to Siloam Com- mandery, K. T., No. 54, and is a member of the Masonic Veteran association.
August 13, 1868, he married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Jane Taylor, daughter of John R. and Nancy (Knox) Eaton, of old colonial families. She bore him one son, Charles James, who died in 1906, and in his death the name of Stratford in this line is wiped out.
Dr. Stratford proffered his services as a soldier for the Union cause, in the Civil war, but was refused on account of his paralysis.
Simeon Straus, attorney-at-law, 302 Ashland Block, was born
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in Milwaukee, Wis., November 21, 1855, and is a son of Samuel and Rosine Straus. He has lived in Chicago continuously since 1856 and has witnessed the place transformed from a dirty, struggling village to a modern metropolis. He attended the public schools here and was graduated therefrom in 1868. He then entered the high school and was graduated in 1872. Being ambitious, enterprising and able by nature, he then entered the academic department of Yale university, but soon quit his studies there in order to pursue a course of law in the legal department of that university. In 1874 he was duly graduated from this celebrated law school with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and with high credit. He was admitted to the bar of Connecticut in June, 1874, and the same year opened a law office in Chicago and began the practice. He has steadily advanced until he is now one of the foremost lawyers in the city in points of stability, fidelity and ability. He has been attorney for the German National bank, German Savings bank, Henry Greenebaum & Com- pany, bankers, and other firms and organizations. Since 1877 he has mainly confined his practice to chancery and probate cases and real estate litigation. In the latter field he has had the settlement of several of the largest estates in Chicago. Lately his son, Ira E., has joined him in the practice. Mr. Straus is a Republican and a mem- ber of the Hamilton and Waupanseh clubs. On February 24, 1880, he married, in Chicago, Adelaide Eisendrath, and they have five children : Samuel N., David C., Ira E., Marion R. and Edna R. The family resides at 3943 Ellis avenue.
Silas H. Strawn was born on a farm near Ottawa, Ill., December 15, 1866, and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1885. He taught school for two years. He then began the study of law in the office of Bull & Strawn of that city, pursued a full course and was ad- mitted to the bar in May, 1889. He practiced his profession in La- salle county for two years. He came to Chicago in September, 1891, and was in the employ of the law firm of Weigley, Buckley & Gray until April, 1892. He then accepted a position with the law firm of Winston & Meagher, and was admitted to a partnership Sep- tember 1, 1894. This strong and successful association continued until 1902, when upon the retirement of Mr. Meagher the firm be- came Winston, Strawn & Shaw, and in October, 1903, Winston, Payne & Strawn, Judge John Barton Payne having joined them. Later the firm became Winston, Payne, Strawn & Shaw. The busi- ness of the firm, though general, embraces an immense corporation practice. His firm is general counsel for several railroads and other corporations. Mr. Strawn is general solicitor for the Chicago & Alton Railroad company. He is a member of the American Bar association, Illinois Bar association, Chicago Bar association, Chicago Law club, the Union League, Mid-day, and Exmoor Country clubs (member board of governors), Glen View (director), South Shore Country club (member board of governors) and vice-president Uni-
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ted States Golf association. On June 22, 1897, he married Margaret Stewart, of Binghamton, N. Y. They have two children, Margaret Stewart and Katherine Stewart.
Charles J. Stromberg, who died at Fairhope, Ala., his winter home, on March 12, 1904, was for forty-eight years a resident of Chicago, and was one of the best known of the Swedish-American citizens. He was born in Karlshamn, Sweden, on February 12, 1838, and when sixteen years old came with his parents to America. For a short time he resided at West Chester, Penn., and Lisletown, Mo., but in August, 1856, located permanently in Chicago. For seven . years he was associated with the firm of W. B. Keen & Company, but resigned his position in 1864 in order to join the Union army. When peace was declared he returned to Chicago and secured em- ployment with the well known printing firm of J. W. Jones & Com- pany as clerk, subsequently for many years serving as manager and becoming a member of the concern. In 1888 he organized the firm of Stromberg, Allen & Company, which under his wise and capable management has become one of the largest and most successful printing establishments in the city. In the main the life of Mr. Stromberg was without striking event. In order to improve family conditions the elder Stromberg came to America, and with but moderate advantages Charles J. had his lessons to learn from the schools of adversity and self-denial. He worked hard, led a clean life, acquired considerable property and died honored and respected by all who knew him. To his marriage with Augusta J. Anderson three children were born: Johanna A., Ebba B. (deceased), and Charles J., who is now the head of the firm of Stromberg, Allen & Company which was founded by his father.
Henry Stuve, one of the successful and prominent farmers and citizens of Leyden township, is a son of Lambert Henry and Annie (Lau) Stuve who were natives of Germany and of sturdy German stock. The family namc, which goes back many centuries, is also written in English, Stueve. The father, Lambert H., was born in Schaale, Mecklensburg, Prussia, on November 20, 1809. The father of Lambert was a farmer in his native land. Upon reaching early manhood Lambert concluded to leave the occupation of his ancestors and learn the carpenter trade. He received in youth a limited edu- cation and in 1838 married Annie Lau in his native province. She was born February 10, 1810, in the same village and was the daugh- ter of John and Annie Lau. To Lambert and Annie were born three children who lived to maturity, all born in Prussia: Annie, Henry and Mary. The latter died at the age of seventeen years un- married.
The family crossed the ocean to America from Bremer Haven in a sailing vessel and were thirteen weeks in making the passage. They came to Dupage county in June, 1850, and lived one year with George Eisterman, who had previously married Mary Lau, a sister
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of Annie, wife of Lambert Stuve. For a period of three years Lam- bert rented land in Addison township, but later bought a tract in Leyden township, Cook county, near where Dietrich Munsterman now lives, paying $500 for forty acres of prairie land. This tract he improved but later sold out and in 1865 bought eighty acres where his son Henry now lives. Assisted by his son, Mr. Stuve improved his new farm. Here he lived, labored and thrived and built up an excellent reputation as a progressive, intelligent and sub- stantial citizen. Lambert and wife were members of the Evan- gelical association and attended church at Bensenville. In politics he was a strong Republican and took much interest in the success of his party. During the entire period of his residence in this county he worked more or less at the carpenter trade while his son did much of the work on the farm. Lambert, after a useful and well spent life, died January 2, 1888, aged about seventy-eight years. His widow died July 24, 1895, aged about eighty-five years.
Their son Henry, was born in Germany, February 19, 1846, and at the age of four years was brought to America by his parents. He attended the district schools and Dietrich Munsterman was one of his schoolmates. From his earliest boyhood he was put at work on the farm and this has been his occupation down to the present time. In early manhood he had sole management of the farm, his father following the carpenter trade. When twenty-four years old he mar- ried Sophia Blume, a native of Maine township, born March 30, 1851, the daughter of Frederick and Dorothy (Grimsell) Blume.
Her father was a native of Germany and a farmer by occupation. He married in 1831 and his children were as follows: Dora, Fred- erick, Henry, Louisa, Minnie, Sophia and William, all of whom were born in Germany except the last three. Frederick Blume came to America with his family in 1846 and first stopped six weeks in Chi- cago and then moved to Maine township, where he bought eighty acres of wild land on which was a log house. Later he added forty acres to this tract. He was a substantial farmer and a member of the Evangelical association. In politics he was a sturdy Republican. He died August 25, 1875, aged about sixty-eight years, and his widow died May 27, 1899, aged eighty-eight years.
Henry Stuve after his marriage remained on the old homestead engaged in farming. He has been unusually successful, having added to his acreage by the purchase of several additional farms. He owns in all at the present time about three hundred and thirty- six acres in Dupage and Cook counties, four hundred and eighty acres in South Dakota, and one hundred and sixty acres in Minne- sota, making thus a total of more than one thousand acres of land. He is a member of the Evangelical church as is also his wife. He is director in the church. He takes active and praiseworthy interest in schools and generally in all things to advance the welfare of the community. He has been school director for about forty years
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without intermission. He is a Republican and cast his first presi- dential vote for Grant and Colfax. Henry and wife have the follow- ing children: Anna Matilda, born May 14, 1871; John H., born January 1, 1873; William F., born September 19, 1874; Ella C., born December 2, 1876; Rose M., born October 1, 1878; Henry E., born September 18, 1883; Alvina A., born March 10, 1886; Fred W., born September 21, 1888, and Walter E., born July 19, 1895. Mr. Stuve has given his children good educations. His sons have attended the Chicago Business college. Mr. Stuve is one of the sub- stantial citizens of this portion of the county.
Dr. Leonard St. John was born September 28, 1852, at St. Cath- arines, Canada, and is a son of Samuel Leonard and Martha Ann (Seaman) St. John. The mother was born on Long Island, N. Y., and the father at Pittsburg, Penn. Early in life the latter moved to St. Catharines, Can., where he engaged in merchandising and later opened and conducted a private bank, continuing for about twenty years. He was active and prominent until his death in May, 1881. His wife died in March, 1902. To them were born nine children as follows : Four boys and five girls, two of whom are deceased.
Dr. Leonard was educated in private schools and at St. Catharine's academy. Later he entered McGill university, from the medical de- partment of which he graduated with the class of '72. He prose- cuted his studies for one year in London, graduating in 1873 from the Royal College of Surgeons, England. He then returned to America and located for practice in New York City. In 1875 he came to Chicago, and soon afterward located at 1003 West Madison street. In 1876 he became visiting physician of the Central Free Dispensary and a little later of the South Side Free Dispensary. He was one of the founders of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, of which he was treasurer and professor of surgery until 1890. After 1881 and until a few years ago, he was attending surgeon of Cook County hospital. He was attending surgeon of St. Anthony hospital. At first he accepted a general practice, but now he makes a specialty of surgery and diseases of women. He was one of the staff at the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery-one of the extra-mural faculty. He belongs to the Chicago Medical, the Il- linois Medical and the American Medical Societies, and to the Illinois and the South Shore clubs. He is an Odd Fellow. In 1877 he married Anna B. Balch, who died in 1890. He resides at 1516 West Monroe and his office is at Suite 1001-2, 103 State street.
Rev. Stanislaus Swierczek, C. R., pastor of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church at 2312 53d Court, was born in Fbylitowska Gora, near Tarnow, Polonia, Austria, on December 5, 1873. He re- ceived his classical education in the gymnasium of his native land and his philosophical and theological education in the Gregorian university of Rome, Italy. There he was ordained to the priesthood on September 24, 1904. In January of the following year he crossed
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the Atlantic to the United States and located in Chicago, where for one year he occupied a professor's chair in Stanislaus college. He was then appointed assistant pastor of Stanislaus Kostka and served with credit as such for one year. During the succeeding two years he served acceptably in the same capacity in St. Hyacinth's parish. Since January, 1909, he has been pastor of his present parish, which now has a membership of 300 families or nearly 2,000 persons. A school connected with the parish has nearly 250 scholars under the instruction of three Franciscan sisters.
George B. Swift was born in Cincinnati, O., December 14, 1845, and is a son of Samuel W. and Elizabeth (Bell) Swift. While yet a small boy he was taken by his parents to Galena and in 1862 to Chicago. He first attended the public schools of Galena and after coming to Chicago attended the Skinner school and later the West Side High school. Still later he was graduated from the old Chicago university at Thirty-sixth street and Cottage Grove avenue. While yet a young man he engaged in contracting and manufactur- ing and for many years has been president of the well-known con- tracting firm of George B. Swift & Co. Since 1870 he has been vice-president of the Frazer Lubricator company. He, early in life, took great interest in public affairs and in the progress of the city and county. In the seventies he served two terms as alderman. From 1887 to 1889 he was commissioner of public works. Through his influence and foresight many reforms were proposed and in- stituted. In 1893 he was defeated for mayor, but in 1895 was elected in response to a general demand for reform and improve- ment in municipal efficiency. His ability as a business man led to this demand for his services at the head of the city government. The records show how well he performed his duties. Since his re- tirement from office he has devoted himself to his business. He belongs to many societies and clubs and is considered a jolly com- panion and a charming friend. On November 12, 1868, he married Lucy L. Brown and to them were born the following children : Brown F., Herbert B., George L., Grace B., Adelaide P., Eldred B. and Edith L. The family residence is at 5132 Washington avenue.
George E. Swinscoe, Chicago (Austin station), was born in Manchester, England, June 17, 1841, a son of Henry H. and Mary A. (Baker) Swinscoe. The father, with his son Charles, came to New York in 1848; his wife with their other children, Henry W., Harriet, Amanda, George E. and Elfrida, came over in the summer of 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Swinscoe, natives of Nottingham, England, moved to Manchester, where Mr. Swinscoe was a salesman. The family moved to Detroit, Mich., in 1854, and there Mr. Swinscoe was connected with Bradstreet's Commercial agency. He was alder- man from the Tenth ward of Detroit and also served as police judge. He was an original Republican and he and his wife were communi-
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cants of the Church of England. He died at Detroit in 1879, aged 69 years.
George E. Swinscoe attended school in New York until 1850, when the family moved temporarily to Jersey City. He there at- tended school until the return of the family to New York in 1852, where he continued his studies until the removal of the family to the West. Among his early recollections was that of hearing Jenny Lind sing at Castle Garden, New York, in 1851. He was in public schools in Detroit until 1859, meanwhile studying mathematics and civil engineering under Mr. O'Brien, an able teacher. In May, 1859, he went into the government service as assistant in the survey of the north and northwestern lakes, including Lakes Superior, Huron, Mich- igan and the Straits of Mackinac. The work was interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil War, and in July, 1861, he enlisted in the 8th regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, was appointed sergeant-major and was mustered into the United States service on September 23, 1861. He went with Sherman's expedition to Hilton Head, S. C., in November, 1861; in April, 1862, was on Tybee island, Georgia, engaged in the reduction of Fort Pulaski; in the fight on Wilmington island, Georgia; the battle at Secessionville, S. C., where his regiment was the "forlorn hope" in storming the fort and lost 196 men in the engagement ; the second battle of Bull Run; the engagement at South Mountain; the battle of Antietam, Md., where he was slightly wounded; the fighting at Fredericks- burg, Va., in December, 1862; the chase of John Morgan in Ken- tucky in March, 1863; the siege of Vicksburg, Miss., in July, 1863; the pursuit of Johnson and a battle with his forces at Jackson, Miss .; the capture of Cumberland Gap; an engagement at Blue Springs, Tenn .; the fights with Longstreet's forces at Lenior and Campbell's Station; the siege of Knoxville and the operations against Long- street to the Virginia line. In March, 1864, the regiment moved northward and joined the Army of the Potomac. On May 8, 1864, Captain Swinscoe resigned his commission and returned to Detroit, Mich. He was promoted January 29, 1862, to be second lieutenant, and assigned to Company H, May 1, 1862, to be first lieutenant and adjutant; November 9, 1862, to a captaincy; in September, 1863, he was appointed inspector-general on the brigade staff ; in October, 1863, he was appointed assistant commissary of musters on the division staff.
On his return from the army he again joined the government sur- vey and at the close of the season, in the fall of 1864, he went to Bay City, Mich., and became a general merchant. July 10, 1865, he came to Chicago and found employment as an accountant; was secretary of Marder, Luse & Co., typefounders; was secretary of Gormully & Jeffery Manufacturing company. He is now treasurer of Rice Malt & Grain company, maltsters.
On October 15, 1866, Captain Swinscoe married Miss Julia M.
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Conklin, daughter of James Conklin. She died June 9, 1896, and he married June 13, 1904, Miss Elizabeth Munn, born in Glasgow, Scotland, a daughter of Dugald and Margaret (Bryden) Munn. Mr. Munn, a Highlander by birth, came to the United States in July, 1886, and a few months later came his wife and children. Captain and Mrs. Swinscoe have a daughter, Elfrida E., born De- cember 29, 1907.
In 1871 Captain Swinscoe located at Austin and there built a house. He built his present residence in 1885. In the early days, 1875, he was a member of the School Board, serving as its secre- tary and as its president ; was supervisor and treasurer of Cicero township, 1895-96. He is a charter member and past commander of Kilpatrick post No. 276, Grand Army of the Republic; is a charter member and past regent of Cicero Council No. 590, Royal Arcanum. Politically he is a strong Republican. Mrs. Swinscoe is now junior vice-commander of Austin Circle No. 45, Ladies of the G. A. R., and is also a member of the Woman's club of Austin.
Rev. John Szczypta, C. R., pastor of St. Hyacinth's Polish Roman Catholic church, at 3651 West George street, was born in Cracow. Austria-Poland, on February 7, 1873, and is a son of Adalbert and Hedwig Szczypta. His classical education was received in the Gymnasium of Cracow, and his theological course was pursued at the Gregorian university, Rome, where he finished in 1897. In 1897 he was ordained to the priesthood and sent to Lemberg, Austria, where he occupied the position of Vice-Rector of the Father Resurrectionists' college four years. In 1901 he came to the United States and located in Chicago where he served as first assistant pastor of St. John's Polish Roman Catholic parish for four years. Later for a period of three years he held the same position in St. Stanislaus Kostka church. In January, 1909, he was appointed pastor of St. Hyacinth's Polish Roman Catholic church, a position he still retains with high credit. He has two assistant pastors : Rev. Francis Dembinski and Rev. Thomas Tarasiuk. The congregation has a membership of about 1,000 families or 3,000 souls. The school in connection therewith consists of about 900 pupils under the in- struction of fifteen Sisters of Nazareth. Many societies, beneficent and otherwise, are connected with this active and prosperous congregation.
Dr. Francis E. Thornton, oldest practicing physician on the North West Side, was born September 28, 1864, a son of William Henry and Anna (Hardy) Thornton. Johanathan, the great grandfather of Dr. Thornton, was a captain in the Revolutionary War and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1700 three brothers, of the Thornton family, located in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The grandfather located in Cayuga, N. Y., in 1834 and engaged in farming until 1842, when he moved to Caledonia, Boone county, Ill., where he helped to organize the township of Manchester. He
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died there in 1862. The father, William Henry, lived on a farm and taught school at Hunter, Ill., for twelve years, also serving in local township offices until 1901, when he retired, moving to Beloit, Wis. Dr. F. E. Thornton's mother's grandmother was a niece of General Putnam.
The subject of this review was educated in the public schools of Hunter, Ill .; Beloit High school and the Valparaiso university. He also, in 1888, was graduated from the Bennett Medical college and immediately afterward began the practice of his profession at 538 W. Belmont avenue, Chicago, later removing to Logan square, where he has remained for the past twenty-two years. Dr. Thorn- ton has served in the following positions: In 1892 he was appointed as attending physician of the Cook County hospital, acting as such for fourteen years; 1892-8, professor of physiology at Bennett Medical college; 1898-01, professor of diseases of children at Bennett Medical college; 1901, professor of internal medicine at American Medical college; on staff at Frances Willard hospital twelve years; consulting physician at Irving Park sanitarium; president of State Medical society; member of National Eclectic Medical society. June 6, 1889, he was united in marriage with Eva Hanson, of Caledonia, and to them were born Beulah, Marion L. and Frances E. Both he and wife are active in local affairs, the latter being corresponding secretary of the Chicago Northern Dis- trict Woman's Home Missionary society. Dr. Thornton is a Mason, a member of Oriental Consistory, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Columbian Knights and the Royal League. He is a Republican in politics and both he and wife are very active in church work, the doctor serving as president of the board of trustees of the Avondale Methodist Episcopal church and having been instrumental in raising funds with which to build their house of worship.
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