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 72
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Frank Steiskal, the son of Frank and Antonie (Danes) Steiskal, natives of Bohemia, was born December 20, 1841, at Tabor, Bohemia, and came to the United States with his parents, who settled on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wis., in 1854. The follow- ing year the son went to Green Bay, Wis., where he was employed as an errand boy at one of the hotels. Later he entered the employ of Lambert Nau & Company, then one of the leading business houses of that place. Lambert Nau, being a highly educated man, en- couraged the boy in his efforts to acquire an education, giving him personally private instruction and also an opportunity during the dull seasons to attend a public school, among the results of which was that when he left his employ to go to Manitowoc, Wis., he was able to speak fluently, read and write three languages.
After leaving Manitowoc, in 1860, he went to Chicago, where he secured a position in a mercantile establishment, and resigning his position in 1862 he enlisted as volunteer in the 82nd Illinois Regiment then being organized in Chicago, and on May 2, 1863, he participated in the stirring battle of Chancellorsville, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, and for a time experienced all the horrors of life in the rebel prisons at Libby and Belle Isle. After being paroled and exchanged he was sent to Camp Chase at Columbus, O., and from there to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., to recuperate from the effects of brutal treatment while a prisoner. Recovering his shattered health, he rejoined his regiment in time to engage in the battles of Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge at Chattanooga, Tenn., and in the relief of General Burnside at Knox- ville. His regiment then returned to Whiteside station, Tenn., to enter into winter quarters, and in the following early spring com- menced the famous Atlanta campaign under General Sherman. Mr. Steiskal participated with his regiment in the numerous battles of that campaign, among which were the battles of Resaca, New Hope church, and Peach Tree creek, and in the siege of Atlanta. After Atlanta was captured he participated with his regiment in the famous "March to the Sea," and in the campaign through the Carolinas to the close of the war. After Johnston's surrender his . regiment was sent to Washington, taking part in the "Grand Review."
During the war, Mr. Steiskal was in more than seventeen battles and engagements. On July 1, 1865, he received his honorable dis- charge from the army and returned to Chicago, where he accepted a position with one of the leading hardware firms of the city. In this line of employment he spent several years, after which he en- gaged in business for himself, but during the Chicago fire in 1871, he lost all his property and was utterly ruined. Undaunted by the loss he sustained, he struggled hard to better his condition and after several years of hard work he was financially able to become one of the members of the firm of Matuska, Craig & Co., then one of the leading furniture manufacturing establishments in the city.
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In 1882 he retired from this firm and went to Kewaunee, Wis., where he organized a bank, becoming its cashier. In 1892 he re- turned to Chicago and formed a partnership with John L. Novak to engage in the real estate and mortgage banking business. Their place of business is now at the intersection of Blue Island avenue, Loomis and Eighteenth streets.
In politics Mr. Steiskal is a Republican, his first vote for Presi- dent being cast for Abraham Lincoln. He is a past commander of the J. M. Read Post, No. 54, G. A. R., of Kewaunee, Wis., and is now a member of the Columbia Post, No. 706, G. A. R., of Chicago. He is a past president of the John Huss Council of the National Union ; secretary and treasurer of the Bohemian Old Settlers' asso- ciation since its organization, and a member of a number of Ameri- can, German and Bohemian clubs or societies. April 25, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Chladek, of Chicago, and to them have been born three children : Otto L., attorney ; Frank B. (deceased) ; and Albina L., now the wife of James E. Chwatal. The family home is at 1343 South California avenue.
Johnson Earle, the son of Luther and Ellen (Ready) Earle, na- tives of the Province of Ontario, Canada, where the father engaged in farming and spent all his days, was born December 27, 1845. The grandparents of our subject left the States at an early date and settled in Ontario, Canada. Here the father died March 10, 1871, aged 53 years, the mother preceding him in 1853.
Johnson Earle was educated in the common schools, and when 16 years old served an apprenticeship of three years to the carpen- ters' trade. In 1865 he came to Ogle county, Ill., locating in the town of Oregon and engaging in a general contracting and building business there. He came to Austin in 1873 and located on Park avenue near Chicago avenue, living for thirty-six years in the same locality. Mr. Earle has, since residing in Chicago, built over 400 homes, besides many flats and stores in Austin and Oak Park. He also erected the Episcopal church of Oak Park in 1884, the Epis- copal church of Austin in 1889, the Library Hall of Austin in 1889 and the First Methodist church of Austin in 1909. He is a Re- publican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. November 8, 1870, he was united in marriage with Ada Souther- land, of Palatine, Ill., and three children have been born to them, Edna (deceased, 1895) ; J. Harold (living) ; and Frank Warren (deceased, 1907).
Angelos Geocaris was born January 16, 1874, and is a son of John and Anastasia (Limberakis) Geocaris, both natives of Tegea, Greece, where they still reside. The father is 73 years old and the mother 65. The father is a farmer by occupation. They had eight children, as follows: Christos in New York City; Angelos in Chi- cago; Alexander in Chicago; Marie, now Mrs. Thomas Massias, in Chicago; Spyros who died in 1909; Xenophon, Vassilo and Con- stantina, the latter three yet living in Greece.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Angelos was reared and educated in his native land. In 1894 he came to the United States and directly to Chicago. Upon his arrival at the Polk Street depot and after paying all his expenses, he had but three cents to his name. He could speak no English, but had to get along some way. He had a cousin Christos Trakas, who conducted a fruit stand at Adams and State streets, and was em- ployed by him at $20 a month to sell fruits. He saved his money and at the end of four months bought a horse and wagon for $45 and began an independent business as fruit peddler. In a short time he had made $400, clear of expenses, and during the next sum- mer he added $400 more to that sum. He then established a fruit store at the corner of Halsted and Eighteenth streets in partnership with Christos Trakas, but two years later sold out and went to Dubuque, Ia., and was in the confectionery business for one year and later for six months at Davenport, Ia. He then returned to Chicago and engaged for three years in the hay and grain business at 66 Blue Island avenue. Then associated with others he established sixteen boot blacking parlors in different parts of the city and United States, and yet owns nine of them. In 1906 he established the real estate, loan and renting business at Halsted street and Blue Island avenue, and in 1908 he established a private bank- with safety de- posit vaults in partnership with George Stamatides-known as the Greek-American bank. He is interested in the Stamatides-Papakos- tas Steamship & Labor Employment company at 612 S. Halsted street and owns a half interest in the building at 1457-63 W. Madison street. He also owns four vacant lots at Fifty-second avenue and Madison street. He is a member of the Association of Commerce, Greek Community, Pan-Hellenic Union of the United States, of which he was one of the directors in 1908-9, Greek Society of Phoenix and the same of Mantinia. In politics he is a Republican. On July 29, 1900, he married Marie Colovos, of Chicago, and they reside at 1210 McAllister Place.
Peter S. Lambros was born February 5, 1874, and is a son of Spero and Chrysoula (Loomos) Lambros, natives of Sparta, Greece. During his early life the father was engaged in the grocery business at Sparta. In 1883 he was appointed by the Greek Government a constable, and served as such with credit up to the date of his death, July 15, 1898, aged 63 years. His widow is yet alive and is 68 years old. To them were born the following three children: Panagiota, Milia and Peter S.
The latter was educated in Sparta and came to Chicago in 1890, where for four years he worked in a fruit store conducted by an uncle. In the meantime he attended school at the Y. M. C. A. in order to learn and perfect his English. During the World's fair he corresponded with various Athenian newspapers. In 1894 he became chief salesman for Garibaldi & Cuneo, wholesale fruit deal- ers, and was thus engaged for eight years. In 1904 he established
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the Greek Star, a newspaper for the Greck people here, Mr. Lambros being editor, and later sole proprietor as well. It is issued as a weekly and at first its circulation was about 700; now it is 15,000 copies. The size of the paper has increased from four pages to sixteen pages. About sixty columns of advertising matter are pub- lished weekly. It is in the Greek language, is the leading Greek paper in the country and is Republican in politics. It takes an active part in National politics. Mr. Lambros has letters from President Taft and leading Republicans praising his work in support of party principles. At the time of the devastation at Messina and elsewhere, caused by the earthquake, the paper raised about $600 for the suf- ferers. Mr. Lambros is a member of the Greek Community and other orders and societies. On September 27, 1909, he married Ariadna Papadakis, of Cairo, Egypt, and they reside at 3120 Humboldt boulevard.
Sotirios Boussoulas was born August 19, 1877, and is a son of John and Pagona (Leoni) Boussoulas, natives of Styra, Greece. There the father for twenty-five years was engaged first in the real estate business and later in the mercantile business. He was an in- fluential and successful business man. He died in December, 1900, and his widow three years later. They had eight sons and four daugh- ters, of whom four are deceased. Those yet living are as follows : Georgios, Christos, Argyrios, Dimitrios, Anastasios, Fofini, Nikalaos and Sotirios, who is the youngest of this large family.
The latter was educated in the public schools of his native land, and at the age of 19 years engaged in merchandising with his brother, continuing thus for two years. He then served two years in the Greek army and during his term of service was promoted to sergeant. He then resumed the mercantile business and in 1901 came to the United States and located in Atlanta, Ga., for two months, then removing to New Orleans. He traveled through the South looking for a permanent location and learning the language and ways of the Americans. In May, 1903, he came to Chicago and opened a steamship, railroad ticket and foreign exchange office at 748 S. Halsted street, in partnership with E. Carevelis, and in 1904 opened down town offices. In 1908 Mr. Boussoulas became sole proprietor of the business, and the next year opened a banking, steamship and railroad ticket house at 2 and 4 S. Clark street. At present he is interested in the manufacture of cigarettes and tobacco. with factory at 748 S. Halsted street, and makes several brands of the best Turkish cigarettes and tobaccos. He is the owner of Hellas, the Greek newspaper established in 1903. It is an eight-page journal and has a circulation of over 4,000. They do a general printing business also. He is a member of the Panellemon society and has been its president since 1907. He is also a member of the Pan- ellenic Union society, of which he occupies the position of Counselor- ship. He resides at 1225 S. California avenue.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Pasquale Mastroianni is one of the progressive, foreign born men of Chicago who compose her cosmopolitan citizenship. Born No- vember 11, 1854, at Conflenti, Province of Catanzaro, Italy, he was reared to manhood on his father's farm and received but limited educational advantages in the schools of his native town. Having heard of the superior opportunities for advancement in America, he emigrated to the United States in 1881, and here began his career as a day laborer on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railway, at $1.25 per day, subsequently continuing similar work in Colorado and Kansas, in fact almost every state in the Union. The winter of 1884 he worked as a hod carrier in Chicago, but the succeeding spring went to Bedford, Ind., where he secured employment in the stone quarries. This he abandoned after a short time owing to his inability to get money for his services, and returning to Chicago, engaged his services to the Northern Pacific Railway company. For two years he worked in British Columbia and the State of Washington and was advanced to the position of assistant foreman by reason of merit. From this he was advanced to a foremanship at $100 per month. Succeeding this he was employed as foreman doing general repair and improvement of road beds for the Great Northern Railway company, after which, for two years, he was foreman for the Kansas & Southern railway, and then, until 1899, acted in the same capacity for the Union Pacific company. In the latter year he located permanently in Chicago. His long experience in railroad work and his influence with his fellow countrymen led him to open an agency for the employment of labor, and this he conducted at 137 Ewing street for six years. Since 1899 he has contracted with the Burlington system for all Italian labor employed by them, at present about 4,000 laborers a year. By this time he had accumulated from his labor considerable property, and building a commodious three-story brick building, began a general banking business, together with handling foreign exchange, operating a steamship and railroad ticket agency and also continuing his labor employment bureau, and also has a sub-postal station in his establish- ment. The three-story building erected by him was sold for $19,000 and he then bought a large four-story structure at Morgan street and Vernon Park Place and Sholto street. Besides this he owns the property at 2622-26 Grand avenue, purchased for $7,500, which he has remodeled and for which he has refused $18,000. Mr. Mastroianni is a fitting example of what grit, hard work and economy can accomplish even when accompanied by the restrictions of foreign birth. He began life's battle amidst humble surroundings and has achieved success. In politics he is a Republican. Socially he is a member of the National Union, San Pietro of Rome, Belini Lodge K. of P. and other benevolent organizations. In 1889 he married Flomena Maurno and to them have been born Nicola, Peter, Vincenzo and Giovanni. The family home is at 940 Vernon Park Place.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Lyman Ware, M. D., was born November 11, 1841, and is a son of Ralph and Lucinda (Clark) Ware, both parents being natives of Massachusetts, where the Ware family located in the 17th century. On the mother's side the Clarks came to the Colonies in 1621 on the second voyage of the Mayflower and located at what is now Conway, and there members of the family have ever since re- sided. Ralph, father of Lyman, was born in Conway in 1804 and became a manufacturer of shell combs, continuing until 1833, when he came to Illinois and settled at Granville, Putnam county. There he engaged in farming and stock raising and often drove his cattle, hogs and sheep to the Chicago market. He was active in politics, was a Whig and was well acquainted with Abraham Lincoln whom he often entertained at his home. He was a Presbyterian and the main supporter of the church in his home village. His death occurred in 1863. His children were: Edward (deceased), Caroline, Lucinda (deceased), Lyman, Elisha (deceased 1909), Lincoln (deceased) and Henry.
Dr. Lyman Ware was educated in the public schools of Granville and later attended the University of Michigan. In his second year at that institution he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and owing to his knowledge of drugs and medicine was taken from the ranks and made hospital steward, being located most of the time at Paducah, Ky. Upon being mustered out in 1865 he entered the Chicago Medical college, now medical department of Northwestern University, and after taking his degree of M. D. entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom in 1868. He returned at once to Chicago and engaged in the general practice of medicine, becom- ing connected with several hospitals and dispensaries. After spending 1874 and 1875 in post graduate work at Vienna and Paris, he again returned to Chicago and then limited his practice to diseases of the eye and ear at 125 State street. Hc was thus located until 1893 when he removed his office to the corner of Wabash avenue and Washing- ton street, Marshall Field building, and here he has since remained. For twenty-five years he was surgeon at the Illinois Eye and Ear hospital and for several years was connected with the Cook county hospital. He is a Republican and a Presbyterian ; of the latter oragni- zation he has been an elder for many years. His life has been ac- tive, useful and replete with stirring and important professional scenes. He has translated, by special permission, Von Arlts' clinical lectures on diseases of the eye. He is the owner of considerable busi- ness and flat property in this city. On June 7, 1877, Dr. Ware was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Law, daughter of Robert Law of this city, and to them have been born the following children : Hildegard, born November 20, 1892; Edith, born March 18, 1894; and Elizabeth, born February 20, 1897. The family resides at 4424 Drexel boulevard.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Vincenzo Gialloreti, M. D., was born April 16, 1865, and is a son of Antonio and Anna Galassi Gialloreti, of the Province of Aquila, . Italy. The father inherited from his parents considerable property which he looked after during the greater part of his adult life.
His son Vincenzo was educated in the public schools, spending five years in the gymnasium and three years in the lyceum. Then for one year he attended the medical department of the University of Rome and still later the medical department of the University of Naples, graduating in medicine from the latter in 1892. Not yet satisfied with his education and inspired with a lofty zeal and ambition he ยท spent two years in rigid post-graduate work in the hospital of Gesue Maria. In 1895 he served two trips as surgeon on passenger steam- ers plying between New York city and Naples. Succeeding this ex- perience he practiced one year in Naples and five years in Alex- andria, Egypt. He then located in Rome and resumed his practice and medical studies and was thus occupied for five years. In 1904 he crossed the Atlantic and came to Chicago, opened an office at 903 South Halsted street near Forquer street and is there located at the present time actively engaged in a large and lucrative practice. His professional education and experience fit him for rapid advancement and an exalted position in the medical ranks of Chicago. He is a member of the Chicago Medical society, the Knights of Pythias and several Italian societies. He is official physician of the Italian Red Cross society and resides at 903 South Halsted street.
William Stuchlik, now. living a retired life from active business pursuits at 1915 South Ridgeway avenue, was born in Bohemia, Oc- tober 15, 1844. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Velibil) Stuchlik, immigrated to America in 1853, first locating in Canada, subsequent- ly, in May, 1854, establishing a home in Chicago at Clark and Van Buren street, where they resided three years. Mr. Stuchlik then leased land at Twelfth and Dearborn streets where he continued the same business until 1859, then moving to a farm near Eastman, Crawford county, Wis. Tiring of backwoods life, he returned to Chicago with his family in 1862 and lived at the corner of Clinton and Taylor streets and here worked at his trade of mason and in a lumber yard until his death. William Stuchlik, the subject of this sketch, is the only child living born to his parents. After ten years of age he has lived in the United States, his education having been acquired in the public and German Catholic schools of Chicago. When seventeen years old he was apprenticed to the machinist's and engineer's trade, serving five years, and during the civil war acted as assistant engi- neer for three months on the steamer "War Eagle," plying on the Mississippi river. From then until 1881 he worked at his trade in Chicago, the succeeding twelve years being passed in the grocery bus- iness at Fisk and Eighteenth streets. He then continued in the same line at Eighteenth street and Nutt Court until he retired from active business pursuits in May, 1895. Mr. Stuchlik is remembered by the
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old settlers and by those who know him as an honorable, industrious citizen and a credit to the city. He married Margaret, daughter of William and Anna ( Brabec) Razney, natives of Bohemia, who set- tled in Chicago in 1867, and to them have been born seven children : Anna (now Mrs. Frank Jindrich), William A., John, Frank (de- ceased ), Mary (now Mrs. James Friedl), Edward and Emily (the wife of Joseph Kadec). Mr. Stuchlik, on matters of national import- ance, is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Bohemian Old Settlers' association of which Mrs. Stuchlik has been vice-presi- dent since 1899.
William A. Stuchlik, a prominent pharmacist of 1758 West Twelfth street, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Chicago and perhaps the first Bohemian family to settle in Cook county. William Stuchlik, his father, appropriate mention of whom appears elsewhere, was the only child of Joseph, the pioneer. Wil- liam A. Stuchlik was born in Chicago, at Thirty-ninth street and Wentworth avenue, July 14, 1872, and attended in youth the public schools, the Lutheran German grammar school and the Cook County Normal school. In 1904 he was graduated from the Chicago Col- lege of Pharmacy and the following year embarked in the drug busi- ness in partnership with his brother John. He thus continued until 1899, when he engaged in the business alone at the corner of Eighteenth and Wood streets. Ability and natural aptitude in his profession has brought him success in a marked degree. On October 24, 1905, he married Louise, daughter of Frank and Antonia (Kvasnicka) Kreml, of Chicago, and they are the parents of one daughter, Helen, born in 1906. Mr. Stuchlik is a member of the Chicago Retail Druggists' association, the Social Drug club, the Masonic fraternity, the Bohemian club and the Dobrosky, an organization composed of Bohemian Masons. In politics he is a Republican on national issues and is active in party affairs.
Edward Stuchlik, a prominent and successful pharmacist at 1012 W. Eighteenth street, was born in Chicago, May 11, 1883, and is a son of William and Margaret ( Razney) Stuchlik, pioneer Bo- hemians of Chicago. He was reared in this city and educated in the public schools, the Medill High school and was graduated in pharmacy from the University of Illinois in 1904. From 1902 to 1904 he served as assistant pharmacist in various drug stores of this city and after his graduation was employed for a year and a half in the chemical department of Armour's laboratory and later for the same period was manager of the drug department of the Fair, Charles H. Fitzner, J. S. Stiles and others. In 1907 he embarked in business for himself at his present location in the drug store which had been founded by his brothers, William A. and John, in 1894. He now has one of the best equipped drug stores in this part of the city and his trade is large and his reputation excellent. At the present time he is teacher of pharmacology and chemistry in the
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
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College of Physicians and Surgeons. This fact is so notable and un- usual as to be worth special attention. He is a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists, Illinois Pharmaceutical association, the Alumni association of the Chicago College of Pharmacy and is a shareholder in the Chicago Wholesale Drug company and the Asepta Product company. He is also a member of Arcana Lodge No. 717 of the Masonic fraternity.
Alfred Stromberg is a native of Sweden, born March 9, 1861. At fifteen years of age he began his business career in the electric field with Oller & Company, which concern owned the first electrical fac- tory doing business in Sweden, manufacturing telegraph instruments, telephones and sewing machines and was one in which the great tele- phone inventor, L. M. Ericson, received his technical training. Mr. Stromberg installed the first battery transmitter to be used in Scan- dinavia, in the year 1878. After the American Bell Telephone com- pany had organized the Stockholm Bell Telephone company, with Hugo Bratt as president, Mr. Stromberg interested himself in their enterprise and installed several telephone exchanges in northern Sweden.
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