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 II > Part 70
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Vol. II-41.
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gan his career in the lumber business as an employe of S. R. Howell & Company, with whom he continued for a period of eighteen years. During this service he thoroughly mastered all the details pertaining to the business, serving in the different capacities of teamster, tally man, assistant shipping clerk and the last twelve years as shipping clerk. Succeeding this he was employed as general superintendent for the Rittenhouse-Embree company for eight years, in which ca- pacity he further equipped himself in the knowledge of the lumbering business. The fall of 1898, feeling the need of relaxation from busi- ness cares, he took a vacation of one year traveling through Europe and visiting his old boyhood home in Holland. Returning to Chicago he organized the firm of S. J. DeVries & Company in the spring of 1900, the junior member of the firm being W. C. Beutel. In 1903, after the death of Mr. Beutel, who was one of the victims of the Iroquois theatre fire, 'Mr. DeVries bought his interest in the busi- ness and incorporated the present S. J. DeVries & Company, with the following officers : S. J. DeVries, president ; J. S. DeVries, vice- president ; Peter DeVries, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. DeVries is a fitting example to America's younger generation of what can be accomplished under adverse conditions. His early life was one of hardship and self denial. He came to America with- out money or influence and with an imperfect knowledge of the language and customs of the country. Fortunately he was im- pressed with the importance of the two most necessary qualifications for success-honesty and industry. Possessed of natural ability for commercial pursuits, he has won financial success, and what is prized even more highly, an honored name among his fellow business men. The firm of which he is the head sells all kinds of lumber for build- ing purposes and are jobbers in sash, doors, blinds, building and roofiing paper and at present employs an average of fifty hands. Mr. DeVries is treasurer of the Englewood Hospital association, treas- urer of the Holland St. Nicholas society and is a member of the Dutch Reformed church. On April 13, 1876, he married Grietze Groeneveld, and to them three children have been born, all being in business with their father. Their names are Jacob S., Peter and David. The business location of Mr. DeVries is at 842 Forty- seventh Place and the family residence at 6058 South Green street.
Edwin Maurice Smith, M. D., was born at Cascade, Wis., July 30, 1861, and is a son of Simeon L. and Elizabeth (Tyffe) Smith. The father was a farmer by occupation and was successful and use- ful as a citizen and man.
Edwin M. was educated in the country schools, the high school at Plymouth, Wis., and the Northwestern Medical school, graduating from the latter in 1886 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. From 1886 to 1888 he served as interne in the Cook County hospital, but during the latter year began a general practice in this city and is thus engaged at the present time. He now ranks among the
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leading, most reliable and most successful physicians of Chicago. He is now physician to the House of the Good Shepherd, surgeon to the Polyclinic hospital and was formerly teacher of anatomy in Northwestern university. He is a member of the American Medical society, Chicago Medical society and the Chicago Orthopedic asso- ciation. He is also a member of the National Union, Royal Arcanum and Foresters. On June 14, 1899, he married Clara Schuyler of Davenport, Iowa, and they have the following children: Edwin, Elizabeth and Clarice. They reside at new No. 861 LaSalle avenue, and the Doctor's office is at new No. 428 W. Division street.
Stephen Edward Donlon, M. D., was born in Fitchburg, Mass., July 24, 1864, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Collonan) Donlon. The father, a machinist and farmer, died in 1902, but the mother is still living.
Stephen E. was educated in the country and high schools of Clayton county, Ia., and Dixon, Ill. Having made up his mind to study medicine, he entered Rush Medical college and in 1895 was graduated therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For the next two years he served as interne in the Cook County hospital, but since then has been engaged in the general practice of his pro- fession. At present he is instructor in surgery in Rush Medical college and attending gynecologist in St. Anthony hospital. He is very active and unusually successful. He is a member of the Chi- cago Medical society and the Knights of Columbus, and his busi- ness location is at 3048 W. Twelfth street. On June 16, 1908, he married Mary V. Power and they reside at 3819 Wilcox avenue.
Frederick Andrew Hess, M. D., was born at Bergen, Norway, May 22, 1851, and is a son of John C. and Anna Jensina (Oarchon) Hess. He was educated in private schools and the academy in Ber- gen, and in 1863 graduated from the latter institution and started for America. He arrived in Chicago in 1863, and worked at various occupations until 1869, when he entered Rush Medical college, and on February 18, 1873, graduated therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Since that year he has pursued a general prac- tice and until 1877 was a visiting physician for the county. From 1897 to 1899 he was attending physician to the Norwegian Tabitha hospital. In 1899 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Montezuma university, Bessemer, Ala. He is a member of the American Medical association, Chicago Medical society, Scandinavian Medical society, American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and the National Geographical society. He is a Republican and a Methodist. His office is located at 526 W. (new number) Division street and his residence at 1433 Belle- plaine avenue. January 2, 1883, he married in Chicago, Emma E. Campbell and to them two children were born, Frederick A., Jr., and Anna Jensina.
Will Hartwell Lyford was born at Waterville, Me., September
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15, 1858, and is a son of Oliver S. and Lovinia A. Lyford. He was educated in the grammar schools, the Cleveland High school and Colby College, Waterville, Me., and he began business for him- self soon after finishing his education. His studies in engineering led to his appointment as assistant engineer for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad company in 1879. The following year he accepted a position as stenographer for the general superintendent and occupied the same until 1882, when he was advanced to the office of chief clerk to the general manager, serving as such until 1883. In the latter year he became claim agent, but having studied law and being admitted to the Illinois bar in 1884, he was appointed to the position of assistant general solicitor of the road. He served as such until 1887, and was then made attorney in charge of the law department, continuing until 1889, when he became general solicitor. Ever since March 15, 1892, he has served to the satis- faction of the same company as general counsel. His rise has been steady and merited, though not without obstacles and battles. He is a director of the Belt Railway company and the Chicago & West- ern Indiana company. He is a member of the law firm of Calhoun, Lyford & Sheehan, one of the strongest in the city. He is a Republi- can and a member of the Union League, Chicago, University, Chi- cago Athletic, South Shore Country and Chicago Golf clubs. He has offices in the Rookery building. On April 28, 1886, he married at Nebraska City, Neb., Mary L. MacComas and to them two children -Gertrude and Calhoun-have been born.
Samuel Shope Page, an ex-judge and eminent lawyer of this city, was born in Metamora, Ill., Woodford county, on January 27, 1851, and is a son of Thaddeus and Cordillia E. Page, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Mississippi. The father's occupa- tion was farming, but he also conducted a general store and dealt in grain. The grand parents settled in Metamora, Woodford county, about 1835, the place then being known as Black Partridge, after the famous Indian chief probably. The father was of English and Scotch-Irish descent and the mother of Irish and German descent.
Samuel S. encountered so many obstacles in his youth in the way of securing an education that he received none beyond that furnished by the graded schools of Metamora. In youth he formed high ideals largely through the noble lives and lofty precepts of his uncles, John W. and Adino Page. While yet a school boy his mind was turned in the direction of the legal profession by the oratory of such men as Robert G. Ingersoll, W. W. O'Brien and Adlai Steven- son, whose' eloquence and consummate management of court cases of which he was a spectator, inspired him with the ambition for a fine legal career. At the age of 18 years he began teaching country school, but a year later began the study of law in a country law office. Having finished his studies and passed the required examina- tion, he was admitted to the bar and at once began the practice.
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About 1871 he served as deputy superintendent of schools of Wood- ford county. In 1874 he became president of the board of trustees of Metamora and two years later was elected state's attorney of Woodford county. In 1885 he became circuit judge and as such served with distinction. In 1893 he was special counsel of the World's Columbian Exposition, and the following year was made president of the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear infirmary. About 1897 he became attorney for the Chicago City Railway company. In later years he has been the attorney of various manufacturing and mercantile concerns. His ability and standing as a lawyer are high and above reproach. He is a member of the Union League, Chicago Athletic and South Shore Country clubs. He was formerly a member of Peoria Commandery, is an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias and a member of the United Workmen. He is identified with no political party or church, but is the earnest friend and con- stant advocate of good citizenship generally.
George Walter Sheppard, president of the wholesale grocery firm of Sheppard-Strassheim company, is a native of the city of Chicago, born September 1, 1872, a son of George J. and Deborah F. (Webb) Sheppard. After attending the public schools in boyhood he began the active business of life in 1886 as errand boy in the grocery es- tablishment of Charles H. Slack. Following this he was employed by Sprague, Warner & Company, J. B. Inderrieden & Brother, Weber & Stayart and Louis W. Stayart company, serving as sec- retary and treasurer of the latter. Succeeding this he organized the wholesale grocery firm of Sheppard-Strassheim company, of which he has been the president since its inception and which, by conservative, hard work, has become one of the successful, well- known business houses of the city. Mr. Sheppard resides in Oak Park and his business establishment is at 670 W. Randolph street. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the National Union and a Knight Templar Mason.
Adolph Borie Babcock was born in Washington, D. C., August 10, 1876, and is a son of General Orville E. and Annie (Campbell) Babcock, the father being a distinguished member of the United States Army.
Adolph B. was educated in the Hotchkiss school at Lakeville, Ct., and at the Sheffield Scientific school of Yale university, from which latter he was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Phil- osophy. Since 1900 he has been engaged in business in Chicago. He was first a stock broker but is now with the firm of Babcock, Rushton & Company, bankers and brokers. Their business is large and their commercial influence widely exercised and felt. Mr. Babcock is a member of the Chicago, University, Onwentsia, Saddle and Cycle, and Saddle and Sirloin clubs. His office is in the Rookery building and his residence at 150 Lincoln Park boulevard.
John T. Cooper, a member of one of the oldest and most dis-
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tinguished families of Cook county, is a resident of Orland township, where the family has resided since pioneer times. He is a native of England and was born in Lincolnshire, November 15, 1846, and is the son of Thomas and Eleanor ( Hewson) Cooper. When in his fourth year he came with his parents to the United States and settled in Orland township and there he has resided ever since. He was educated in the district schools of the township and has always fol- lowed the occupation of farming. On January 19, 1869, he married in this township Sarah J. Sayers, who was born in Will county, January 23, 1848. After his marriage he located on the farm where he now resides and engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1873 he bought eighty acres, but at the present time owns 160 acres-all well improved. He and wife are the parents of the following chil- dren : Albert H., a merchant of Alpine, born November 1, 1869; Flora E., born October 6, 1873, now the wife of Thomas Beagley; Hattie E., born November 29, 1878, now the wife of Joseph Creer ; Frank G., born March 21, 1882, unmarried; Alice L., born July 2, 1884, unmarried; Howard G., born October 24, 1892, unmarried; John T. Jr., born March 14, 1895, also unmarried. Mr. Cooper and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republican in politics and has held numerous local offices-such as school director and highway commissioner. No citizen of Cook county stands higher in the estimation of his fellow men than does Mr. Cooper.
Jacob Rodatz, a prominent and successful contractor and builder of Chicago, was educated in Germany and came to the United States in 1871, locating in this city immediately after his arrival. He learned the brick mason's trade and for a time worked in the office of E. Burling and later with the firm of Burling & Adler, under whom he studied architecture. Subsequently he superintended the construction of Central Music hall, and still later was in the employ of the Chicago & Western Indiana Railway company. In 1883 he became associated with John F. Barney and thus continued until 1893 when he established an independent business and began opera- tions on his own account and has thus continued ever since with signal success. He is regarded as one of the most reliable builders in the city. He is a member of the Masonic order, and the various builders' and kindred associations. On June 25, 1882, he married Talitha Howard, of Kingston, Canada, and they have the following children : Marie M., Jacob H. (deceased) and Louise T. Mr. Rodatz was born at Grabow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, October 30, 1854, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Hermes) Rodatz.
Carl M. Gottfried, secretary and general superintendent of the Gottfried Brewing company, is a native of Cook county and the son of Matheus Gottfried, deceased, a pioneer, and the founder of the above company. The father was born at Hofheim, Nassau, Ger-
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many, December 11, 1822, and in early life learned the brewing busi- ness at Frankfurt, Hanau, and other cities of that country. On April 17, 1857, he married Maria Gundrum, a native of Alsfeld, Hessen Darmstadt, who was born June 9, 1839. Soon after marriage they came to tlie United States and located in Chicago the same year -- 1857. He was first an employe of the Seipp & Lehmann Brewing company, at $16 per month. By 1859 he had became fore- man with a salary of $50 per month. The next year he entered into partnership with Peter Schoenhofen and bought a small brewery at Twelfth and Jefferson streets, and their business was so prosperous that in 1862 they were compelled to erect a larger building on the present site of the Schoenhofen Brewery. In 1867 Mr. Gottfried sold his interest and with his family went to Europe, but returned in 1870 and bought the Saladin Brewery at Archer and Stewart avenues. This he conducted until 1882 under the name of M. Gott- fried, but at that date incorporated as the Gottfried Brewing com- pany. It was then one of the largest in Chicago. In 1892 he re- tired from business, spending most of his time at his country home, Elkhart Lake, Wis., where he died November 3, 1902. Mr. Gott- fried was ingenious and invented among other things a pitching machine which came into general use. His widow still survives and resides in the city. They were the parents of eight children as fol- lows: Adolph (deceased), Febronia, Ida. Marguerite E., Matilda, Carl M., Frederick (deceased) and Maude.
Carl M. was educated in the public schools of Chicago and in the Chicago Manual Training school. In 1886 he went to Europe and attended the world renowned schools of Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Munich. Also at Copenhagen he spent some time studying the brewing business. In 1889 he returned and engaged in the brew- ing business with his father, becoming a member of the Gottfried Brewing company. First he was superintendent, later secretary and now is secretary and general superintendent. He is a member of tlie Germania club, Chicago Athletic club, and is one of the foremost business men of the city. On September 2, 1897, he married Hed- wig Brand, daughter of Rudolph and Clara (Uhlich) Brand, and they have had three children as follows: C. Manfred, Helen and . Rudolf B.
Rudolph Brand, president of the United States Brewing company, was born near Mainz, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. April 10, 1851, and is a son of Philip R. and Elizabeth (Cristmann) Brand. He was educated in his native land and was graduated from the Real Schule of Darmstadt in 1866. He then learned the brewers' trade and in 1868 came to America and located in Chicago in September of that year. He became an employe of the Busch & Brand Brewery company and remained with the same until 1874, first acting as foreman and finally manager. In 1874 he bought a brewery at Blue Island and began an independent business, but four later
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sold out and bought an interest in the M. Brand Brewing company, successors to the Busch & Brand Brewing company, and was made vice-president and general manager. Under the merger of 1891 Mr. Brand was elected treasurer of the five combined organizations, known as the United States Brewing company. In 1894 he was elected to the presidency of the company. The five concerns thus united were as follows : M. Brand Brewing company ; Bartholomae & Roessing; Bartholomae & Laecht; and K. G. Schmidt, of Chicago, and Valentine Blatz, of Milwaukee. The new organization has an immense capital, vast trade and employs over one thousand men. Mr. Brand is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Germania club and of other benevolent and social organizations. He has been prominent and useful in public affairs. From 1881 to 1883 he was treasurer of Chicago and from 1884 to 1887 a member of the Board of Education. For several years he was president of the National Organization of Brewers. In May, 1875, he married at Blue Island, Clara Uhlich, and they have three children-Hedwig, the wife of C. M. Gottfried; Philip R. of the Globe Brewing Company, and Alfred, with the Brand Brewing company.
Philip R. Brand, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Globe Brewing company, was born in Blue Island, this county, October 21, 1877, and is a son of Rudolph and Clara (Uhlich) Brand. He received his education in the Chicago public schools, in Lake Side academy, from which he graduated in 1896, and in Yale college, from which he also graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, having taken the scientific course. Soon after his graduation from Yale he went to Europe and pursued a course of study in the beet sugar industry, continuing for one year when he returned to Chicago. A little later he accepted the position of assistant superintendent in a beet sugar factory at Rochester, Mich., but in the fall of 1900 returned to Chicago and became an ap- prentice with the Bartholomae & Roessing Brewing company in order to learn the brewing industry. In June, 1901, he became assistant manager of the United States Brewing company (Brand branch). In March, 1904, Philip R. and Virgil M. Brand bought the Carl Corper Brewery and in May of that year became incor- porated under the name of Globe Brewing company, with Virgil M. as president and Philip R. as secretary, treasurer and general man- ager. The business now is very large. Mr. Brand is a member of the Chicago Athletic club, Adelphia club and the Chi Phi, a college fraternity. On May 15, 1902, he married Maude Gottfried, a na- tive of this county and a daughter of Matheus and Maria Gottfried.
John H. Weiss, president of the Gottfried Brewing company, is a son of George and Margaret (Orb) Weiss, natives of Germany. He was born at Frankenthal, Rheinpfalz province, on January 26, 1856, and was educated in his native city, graduating finally from a commercial college there. After serving one year as Einjaehrig
1
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Freiwilliger in the Fifth Jaeger Battalion, he became secretary of a lumber company and later for several years engaged in the malt business. In 1880 he came to Chicago, arriving July 4. For two years he was bookkeeper with Grommes & Uhlrich, importers, but then with his brother engaged in the malt business. In 1884 he became treasurer of the Gottfried Brewing company. In 1892, when Mr. Gottfried retired, Mr. Weiss became president and treas- urer, in which capacity he has officiated ever since. On October 9, 1884, he married Marguerite E. Gottfried, daughter of Matheus and Maria Gottfried and to this union two children have been born : Norman Matheus, born November 4, 1888, and John Herbert, Jr., born February 6, 1890. Mr. Weiss is a member of the Germania club, Chicago Athletic club, Board of Trade and several other organizations.
Armin W. Brand, secretary and treasurer of the Brand Brewing company, president of the United States Vanadium company and president of the Vanadium Alloys company of New York, is prob- ably the founder of the vanadium interests in this country. He is a native of Chicago, his birth occurring September 2, 1877, and is the son of Michael and Philippina (Darmstaetter) Brand, both of whom were born in Germany at Odernheim. He was educated in the public schools of Chicago, University school of Chicago, Yale college and the University of Michigan. In March, 1898, he en- listed in Company G, Thirty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for the Spanish-American war and served with credit until the close. He then returned to Chicago and for about three years was engaged in the real estate business. In 1902 he founded the vanadium in- dustry in this city and the same year went to New York and es- tablished a house of the same business there. In addition to his connection with the companies above mentioned he is president of the Brandsville Fruit Farm company, his father having been the founder of Brandsville, near which town the farm is located, and is also associated with The Brand Brewing company, of Chicago, and Brand Brothers company, wholesale liquor dealers of Chicago. He is a director of the First National bank of West Plains, Mo., and a member of the Chicago Athletic club and the Phi Delta Phi fraternity. On October 10, 1905, he married Frieda Grommes, a native of Chicago and a daughter of John B. and Bertha (Lehrkind) Grommes, and to them one child has been born, Jane P.
Jacob Birk, one of the pioneers and highly respected citizens of Cook county, was born at Trossingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, September 21, 1835, and is a son of Andrew and Ursala (Pfister) Birk. He was educated in the fatherland, and upon leaving school at the age of about 14 years, began learning the saddlery trade, in which he served an apprenticeship. In 1853 he came to the United States, landing in New York City on May 1, having been thirty- five days crossing the Atlantic in the sailing vessel "Samuel Fox."
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Soon after his arrival there he secured employment at his trade and continued thus employed for about five months. He then went to Bridgeport, Ct., and there worked at his trade for a year.
On November 11, 1854, he arrived in Chicago and secured em- ployment at his trade with Louis Schifbauer at $22 per month. Five months later he accepted a similar position with Savage & Jennings, working at piece-work and making better wages. By 1857 he had managed to save sufficient to warrant the establishment of an in- dependent business of his own, which he accordingly did at 31 South Market street. There he remained until 1868, building up a profit- able and substantial trade and becoming one of the city's most enter- prising business men and prominent citizens. In 1868 he bought the Wheeling house on West Lake street and conducted the same with success until 1882, when he entered into partnership with Frederick and Charles H. Wacker and organized the Wacker & Birk Brewing company with plant located at Indiana and Desplaines streets. In 1888 he sold his interest in this brewing company and three years later purchased the Korpen & Nockin brewery at 1315-25 Webster avenue, and incorporated the same with the following officers : William A. Birk, president; Edwin J. Birk, secretary and treasurer. The subject of this review, Jacob Birk, retired from active business at this time, leaving the large brewery to be managed and operated by his sons. He has resided at his present fine home at 455 Wellington avenue since 1893. He is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church, the Masonic order, the Orpheus Singing society and the Germania club. The family is one of eminent re- spectability and is well and favorably known to a large circle of acquaintances. On December 24, 1859, Mr. Birk married Magdalena Welflin, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, born May 9, 1842, who came to Chicago with her parents in 1854. To Mr. Birk and wife twelve children were born, eight of whom are living, as fol- lows: William A., president of Birk Brothers Brewing company ; Bertha, wife of Albert S. Klein; Amelia, unmarried and at home with her parents; Edward J., secretary and treasurer of Birk Brothers Brewing company ; Carrie, wife of Hans Horner ; Minnie. wife of George J. Jaeger; Frank J., manager of the bottling depart- ment of Birk Brothers Brewing company; Walter O., secretary of E. J. Birk Brothers, brewers of Weiss beer, at 74 Perry street.
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