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 79
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Hans Blase, son of John and Maggie (Seivert) Blase, was born February 14, 1872. The parents were natives of Holstein, Ger- many, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1881 he came to Chicago and for fifteen years engaged in the lum- ber, sash and door business. Later he went into the cement business at 3865 Milwaukee avenue. In 1898 he retired in favor of his son, Hans. Mr. Blase was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. To him and wife were born four children as follows: Hans, George, a painting contractor ; Maggie (now Mrs. Jacob Henyel), and Katie (now Mrs. Marcus Runge). All are still living.
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The subject of this review acquired his early education in the pub- lic schools of Chicago. For a time he engaged in gardening and farming, later, with Mr. Runge, establishing the cement firm of Blase & Runge. In 1902 he bought out his partner's interest and continued alone. Mr. Blase also has building and real estate inter- ests in Irving Park and in 1908 the firm of Hans Blase & Co. was incorporated with Mr. Blase, president; Henry J. Seivert, secretary and treasurer, and Christian Colsen, superintendent. July 15, 1893, Mr. Blase was united in marriage with Carrie Richter, of Chicago, and to them were born Annie, Maggie, Carrie, Esther, John and Walter. He has been active in local politics, serving as alderman from the twenty-seventh ward during the years 1906-7. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Royal League, Graylan club and several German orders. Mr. Blase and family reside at 4515 Mil- waukee avenue.
Dr. Thomas J. Conley was born March 4, 1859, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Diamond) Conley, natives of Galway, Ire- land. The parents, realizing the advantages to be had in America, came here in 1849, settling in Whitewater, Wis., where they engaged in farming. Here both father and mother died, the former in 1886 at the age of seventy-two years and the latter in 1891. To them were born the following children: Dr. P. H. (deceased), who was professor at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and on the advisory staff of the Cook County hospital; Dr. Martin J., dentist, 103 State street, Chicago; Thomas J .; J. F., Mayor of Cazenovia, Wis. ; Dr. Sarah, wife of Dr. R. J. O'Connell; Dr. Catherine, wife of Ed Corcoran; Mary and Margaret.
The subject of this memoir received his early education in the pub- lic and high schools of Richland Center, Wis., later taking a course at Rush Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1885. Dr. Conley has served as associate physician in the Cook County Insane Asylum, 1885-6; medical superintendent of Cook County Infirmary, 1886; surgeon in Cook County hospital, 1889-1894; physician to St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum for the last twenty years; surgeon West Side hospital, and professor of surgery at the Illinois Post Graduate school since 1907. He was one of the twenty-five promi- nent physicians and surgeons appointed on the consulting staff of the Cook County hospital for the term 1905-11, and is identified with the Chicago and American Medical societies. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Decem- ber 19, 1906, he was united in marriage with Laura Sexauer, of Chi- cago, and to their union were born Thomas J. and Catherine. The doctor and family reside on Humboldt boulevard and his offices are at 100 State street. Chicago.
Frederick E. Krause, son of Carl and Barbara (Marquart) Krause, was born July 7, 1857. The parents were natives of Ger- many, the father coming from Leipsic, Saxony, and the mother
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1851 the family immigrated to America, locat- ing at Cresline, Crawford county, Ohio, where Mr. Krause followed contracting until his death in April, 1866. His widow survived him until 1891.
The education of Frederick E. Krause was secured in the public schools of Cresline, Ohio, and early in life he worked as a railroad laborer and farm hand. When twenty-three years old he established a butter and egg business at Lowdonville, Ohio, but after two years sold out and went into the dry goods business. He later disposed of these interests and in 1883 became the editor and proprietor of the Chicago Timer, at Chicago Junction, Ohio. In 1886 he sold out there and came to Chicago where for five years he worked as sales- man for Armour & Co. His first real estate venture was at Ashland avenue and Forty-second street, where he stayed one year, then mov- ing down town to 236 La Salle street and engaging in the general real estate business until 1896. About this time he became connected with the police force, but in 1901 he again engaged in the general real estate business, locating at 3349 Ogden avenue and where he still continues. He married Lillie Castell, of Nashville, Ohio, De- cember 15, 1881, and to them were born two sons, Clarence J. and Carl R. (deceased). Mr. Krause is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Schiller club and Hermannison German So- ciety. The family residence is at 5327 Washington avenue.
Dr. Edward M. Holmes was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 27, 1876, and is the son of Michael J. and Mary (O'Shea) Holmes. The mother was a native of County Limerick, Ireland, and the father of County Cork. The family came to America in 1872 and after travel- ing through the state of New York, located for a time at Brooklyn and at Buffalo, where the father followed his trade of tailoring. In 1880 he was accidentally drowned in the Erie canal, having become, at the time of his death, very successful and well known.
In 1882 Dr. Edward M. Holmes came with his sister, Catherine, to Chicago, where he was educated in the parochial schools and in Lewis Institute. He then entered the Illinois Medical college from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1903. He served an interneship of a year and a half in St. Elizabeth's hospital and then took up his residence and began the practice of his profes- sion at 3726 Ogden avenue. Dr. Holmes is identified with the Chi- cago, Illinois and American Medical societies, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is independent in politics. June 7, 1903, he was united in marriage with Sadie Clohsey, of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Ruth.
Josef Tuma, prominent Chicago Bohemian banker, was born in Bohemia, July 21, 1868, the son of Vaclar and Anna Bares (Wen- caseans) Tuma. The father served in the cavalry of the Austrian army during the Prussian and Austrian war and was wounded dur- ing this campaign. Both he and wife are yet living on a farm in
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Bohemia, he sixty-eight and she sixty-six years of age, and to them were born four children : Anna, Marie, Frances and Josef.
The latter was educated in the Gymnasium at Prague and after- wards taught school in the capital city. He was the first tutor of Emma Destinn, now a noted soprano grand opera singer. In 1893. he came to Chicago to see the World's Columbian Exposition, and after spending two months here, decided to make it his home. He accepted a position as teacher in the Bohemian school at 400 West Eighteenth street, and remained here three years, studying English in the meantime and taking an evening course in the Metropolitan Business college. He then gave up one year to study of banking, bookkeeping, etc., then being employed by the Union Trust bank as clearing house clerk, later as bookkeeper and finally, from 1903-8, as manager of the transit and collecting department. September 1, 1908, Mr. Tuma resigned this position to establish a private bank at 4013 West Twelfth street, styled the Tuma Savings bank, and do- ing a general line of banking. His building is 28x95 feet and is two- stories high. In politics he is a Republican nationally, but independ- ent locally. He is a member of the National and North American unions, Fraternal Tribune, Bohemian Turner club, C. S. P. S., the Bankers' Association of the State of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the American Bankers' Institute. Mr. Tuma married, in 1887, Emily Radesinsky, of Bohemia, and they, with their one daughter, Emily, a graduate of the Chicago University, reside at 4013 West Twelfth street.
Robert C. Barr was born February 4, 1855, and is a son of James and Jane (Scott) Barr, natives of Glasgow, Scotland. They came to the United States in 1859 and located first at Kenosha, Wis. The father before coming to America was engaged in the hat business. The year after his arrival in this country, while traveling in the south, he took sick with yellow fever and died in 1860 at the age of thirty-one years. His widow lived to be seventy-two years old. He was a member of the Masonic order. To them the following five sons were born : James, Charles, of Kenosha; Robert C., Peter and John, of Chicago.
Robert C. was educated in the public schools of Kenosha and at the age of eighteen years began learning the moulding trade serving an apprenticeship of four years at Kenosha and Racine. He then for a time traveled and worked at his trade, but in 1878 came to Chi- cago and a little later went to Plano and here worked as moulder in the Deering factory until 1881 and later in Chicago. In 1882 he joined the McCormick Harvester company, continuing with them un- til 1886. That year during the moulder's strike, while secretary of the union, he was mainly instrumental in securing a good settlement for the strikers. Then until 1893 he worked at various places, but at the latter date, in partnership with Richard Cleveland, bought out the "Big Four Foundry Company" at 30-40 East Erie street. They
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
did a large general jobbing business until 1905, at which date, Mr. Cleveland having died, Mr. Barr formed a partnership with Charles Kellerman, and they are doing a large business. Mr. Barr is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, A. A. O. N. M. S. and of the Republican Boosters' club. He is active in politics. On May 11, 1879, he mar- ried Annie Cotter, of Kenosha, and they have one son, Charles, who is foreman in his father's shops. The family resides at 3848 Perry street.
J. Charles Stamm, M. D., was born February 2, 1868, and is a son of Andreas and Helena (Fiele) Stamm, who were natives of the Grand Dutchy of Baden, Germany. They came to Chicago in 1864 and located at 203 Blue Island avenue, where the father embarked in the drug business, having previously followed the same occupation in the old country. He had prepared himself as a pharmacist at the University at Heidelberg. At the time of his death in 1895 at the age of fifty-eight years, he had been in the drug business at the above stand for thirty-one years. His store was a land-mark in that vicin- ity. His residence was at 99 McAllister Place. He was a Republi- can and lived an honorable and useful life. The business is still con- ducted by his widow. In 1902 the store was moved to the corner of Twelfth and Fortieth avenue with the daughter, Lena, in charge. Their children were as follows: Dr. J. Charles, William (died in 1903), Lena, Louis (died in 1903) and Anna, now Mrs. Dr. E. R. Moras.
Dr. J. Charles was educated in St. Ignatius college and Rush Medical college, graduating from the latter with the class of 1889. He began a general practice at 203 Blue Island avenue, but in 1902 located at Fortieth avenue and Twelfth streets, with residence at 1311 Springfield avenue. His success attests his skill. He is a member of the American, Illinois and Chicago Medical societies and of the Cath- olic Foresters, Maccabees and Knights of Columbus. On October 16, 1901, he married Jennie McCue, of Chicago, and their children are Ruth, J. Charles, Jr .; Ogden, Mary and Josephine, the latter two be- ing deceased.
Michael Schiavone was born in 1887 and is a son of. Pasquale and Carmela (Romano) Schiavone, who were natives of Laurenzana of the Province of Potenza, Italy. The father, who was a gunsmith by trade, came to the United States in 1890, had then but three dollars, and first began working for the American Cutlery company. He made good wages, saved the same and at the end of one year en- gaged in the jewelry business with headquarters at Chicago. He was both firm and salesman and for two years sold jewelry in the Italian colonies of the principal cities of the United States. In 1892 he located his family in this city and the following year established an office at 77 Ewing street, selling jewelry and steamship tickets and doing a foreign banking business. In 1906 he located at Taylor and Halsted streets. He has used good judgment and now owns
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considerable valuable real estate. He owns property at 466 North Halsted street where he has a branch office. The father and mother are both actively engaged in the business. They have two children, Michael and Angelina.
Michael was educated in the schools of Chicago, having come to this city at the age of five years. He finished with a course at a busi- ness college and at the age of ten years began to clerk for his father. When fifteen years old he was able to take charge of the business and is now a partner under the firm name of P. Schiavone & Son. Michael is a member of the Association of Commerce and the Knights of Pythias and resides with his parents at Taylor and Hal- sted streets.
Frank Biggio was born July 14, 1862, and is a son of Lawrence and Barbara (Angeline) Biggio, both of whom were natives of Genoa, Italy, where the father followed the occupation of farming on land owned by his father. In the spring of 1847, when Lawrence was still young, he came with two of his brothers to the United States and two years later went with the rush to California in the search for gold. He was lucky and managed to gather $20,000 with which he returned to New York City and opened a combined grocery and liquor store, but in a short time failed and came to Chicago in 1850. Here he engaged in the liquor business at the corner of Franklin and Van Buren streets, continuing there eight years, then at 36 West Madison street for six years, after which he visited his old home in Italy. In 1866 he located where the business is now carried on under the management of his sons-the old Western Ho- tel site. The Biggio family was the fifth of that nativity to settle in Chicago. In connection with his liquor business Mr. Biggio con- ducted a cafe. He lived to the great age of eighty-six years, dying in 1888. The mother died in 1893, aged sixty-eight years. Their children were Joseph, Anthony, Mary (deceased), Frank and John.
Of this family Frank was educated in the public schools of Chi- cago and engaged in the same business as his father. Upon the death of the latter his business was assumed and continued by the sons. They opened another store at Polk and Lincoln streets, also one at 18 North Wells street. Frank and Anthony are yet unmar- ried and have conducted the business at their present location to good advantage since the passing away of the father.
Gaetano S. De Stefano was born in Cairano, Province of Avellino, Italy, May 8, 1859, and is a son of Angelo and Maria Giuseppa De Stefano. The father was a successful lawyer, and during the revo- lution and war for the independence of Italy, 1859-61, was captain of militia at Cairano, and continued to hold that position until 1867. The father died in 1892 at the age of eighty-nine years, and the mother in 1893 at the age of sixty-six years. Their children were : Gaetano, Giuseppe, Nicola, Maria, Serafina and Anna.
Gaetano was educated in the public schools of Cairano and at S.
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Andrea seminary, and before completing his studies was placed on a farm owned by his father, where he remained six years. In 1883 he came to the United States, and for six months worked as clerk in an Italian bank at New York, and then moved to Buffalo, N. Y., where he established a steamship agency, foreign exchange banking and employment agency in partnership with Dr. P. Pasini. Two years afterward and for several consecutive years he engaged in contracting for railroad grading, construction, and other public improvements in Canada and the United States, making his home in Chicago since 1891. Since 1900 he has been located at 374 South Clark street, and has established a general banking and foreign exchange business, representing all steamship lines doing the Mediterrancan service, and conducting also a large employment office.
He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Association of Commerce.
To his marriage the following children were born: Angelo, Frank, Victor and Josephine. The family resides at 1817 South Clifton Park avenue.
Vincent Formusa, a successful business man of Chicago, was born February 23, 1864, and is a son of Pietro and Teresa (Catalano) Formusa, of Termini, Imerese, Province of Palermo, Sicily. The father when a young man learned the jewelry business which he fol- lowed for a period of about fifty years. He died September 29, 1888, aged seventy years. His widow died March 12, 1908, being seventy-eight years of age. They were the parents of the following children: Salvatore, Antonino, Vincent, Rev. Joseph, of the Italian church in Bagheria ; Joseppa and Lucia, all of whom reside in Ter- mini, except Rev. Joseph and Vincent. Lucia died December 6, 1900.
Vincent spent five years of his youth in the public schools and then entered a technical school where for three years he studied mechanics. At the age of fifteen years he began learning watch- making and music, and having mastered the former, followed the same in Termini for thirteen years. In 1892 he came to Chicago and was employed at his trade for a short time, but he opened business on his own account as a watch maker, jeweler and commission merchant. For three years he was located at 75 Grand avenue, near Milwaukee avenue, engaged in importing olive oil, macaroni, etc., on commission and doing a profitable busi- ness. In 1895 he began an independent business along the same line, but two years later went to Italy and was there married on June 12, 1898, to Grazia Formusa, of Termini, Italy. Upon his return to the United States in 1898 he located at his present address, 710 Grand avenue, and ever since has done a large business. He now owns a three-story brick building, 22x68 feet, consisting of one storeroom and three flats. He makes a specialty of importing olive oils of the name Pietro E. Vincenzo Formusa, macaroni and other staple Italian products. In connection with this line he conducts a
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jewelry store and a steamship and foreign exchange agency. He and his wife carry insurance policies in the New York Life and the Prudential Insurance companies, respectively. He is a member of the Frinacria Benevolent Association, Italian Chamber of Commerce, Italian Steamship Agents' Society, honorary member of the Imera Benevolent Association and other organizations. He and wife have had four children, three of whom are living-Teresa, Pietro and Giuseppe. They reside at 710 Grand avenue.
John M. Kott, the present postmaster and village clerk of Orland, was born in Bremen township, Cook county, June 11, 1866. His parents, William and Anna (Stoehr) Kott, were natives of Muehl- hausen, Province of Saxony, Germany, the father's birth occurring May 15, 1825, and the mother's June 11, 1836. They both came to the United States in 1844 and located in Bremen township, Cook county. There they became acquainted and on November 28, 1854, were united in marriage. Soon afterward they bought a tract of land in the same township where they made their home until Febru- ary, 1884, when they moved to Orland and engaged in merchandis- ing, continuing until 1896. The father was then succeeded by his son, John M., the subject of this sketch, who has continued the busi- iness with success ever since. The father died on January 3, 1905, but the mother still survives and resides at Orland. William Kott was an industrious and successful farmer and took an active part in the upbuilding of the township, in the education of youth, in the ad- vancement of morals and in the prosperity of the township. He has served as assessor and also as supervisor. He was much interested in politics in which he took an active and prominent part. He and his family were members of the German Evangelical church. Wil- liam and wife were the parents of six children as follows: Eliza- beth, wife of Joseph Horn, of Orland; Henry C., a resident of Or- land; Anna, wife of August Witt, of Orland; Magdalena, wife of Fred Dreisherf, of Hammond, Ind .; Matilda, who died in infancy, and John M., named above. The latter was educated in the district schools and at the age of sixteen years accepted a clerkship in the store of C. Andres, of Tinley Park. Later he worked in the store of Henry Vogt, of the same village, but finally came to Orland and clerked a while for his father. In January, 1896, he succeeded his father in business and has continued the same occupation ever since. In 1889 he was elected clerk of Orland township, serving with credit for four years. In 1892 he was elected clerk of the village of Or- land and has thus served ever since to the satisfaction of the citizens. On March 22, 1896, Mr. Kott married in Orland, Bertha Kramer, who was born in Chicago, July 26, 1875, and was brought to Or- land by her parents when about five years old. Her father was Philip Kramer, a native of Germany, born about 1850, and came to America when about sixteen years old. He settled first in Chicago and there worked in stores for several years. While thus engaged
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he married Christina Kloss, a native of Will county, born in Mokena in 1858. In 1881 the Kramers moved to Orland, where the husband and father engaged in the lumber and coal business and at the same time kept hotel. He continued thus occupied until his death Febru- ary 17, 1900. His widow still survives. They were the parents of five children, three of whom died in infancy. The other two are Bertha, wife of the subject, and Elizabeth, wife of Alexander Wag- ner. To Mr. Kott and wife have been born six children as follows: John P., Luella E., Wellington J., Earl C., Edwin H. and Harlow A. Mr. Kott is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Orland Camp No. 4951, of which he has been clerk since its organi- . zation. He and family are members of the Evangelical German church. They are well known and have the respect of everybody.
Norman Powell, one of the early settlers of Cook county, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., March 24, 1829, and is the son of Melancthon A. and Clarenda A. (Treat) Powell. The parents moved from New York to Cook county in 1837, coming overland, of course, by team and requiring about six weeks to make the trip. They settled in Palos township and there subsequently bought land and continued to live until death. Melancthon A. Powell was one of the first supervisors also school treasurer for more than thirty years and was the first postmaster in the township. To him and wife were born eight children as follows: Helen (deceased), Amelia (de- ceased), John (deceased), Nancy, the widow of Lewis Winden- burgh, resides at Lemont, Iowa; Julius and Julia, twins, the latter deceased, and the former residing at Adrian, Mich .; Hannah, wife of John Bush, of Orland, and Norman, named above. The latter was brought to this county when about eight years old and here he has ever since resided. When a young man he learned the black- smithing trade and followed the same for several years. At the same time he was engaged in farming. In 1857 in Palos township he married Mary Anderson, a native of Onondaga county, N. Y., the daughter of William and Polly Anderson. Mr. Powell con- tinued to reside in Palos township until about 1895 when he moved to Orland which is his present residence. To him and wife two chil- dren have been born as follows: Edwin M., who resides in Palos township, and Frank, who resides in Chicago. Mr. Powell has been prominent in the communities where he has resided. He held the office of supervisor of Palos township and trustee of Orland village and is regarded as one of the most reliable, substantial and honorable citizens of this portion of the county.
Benjamin F. Sayers, one of the highly respected citizens of Or- land township, Cook county, Ill., was born in Will county, Ill., Aug- ust 29, 1851, the son of John and Harriet (Goddard) Sayers. Ben- jamin F. was reared on a farm and has always followed that vo- cation. He received his education in much the same way as other boys of those times, in the public schools of the neighborhood. Feb-
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ruary 17, 1875, he was united in marriage with Ellen Cooper, of Or- land township, Cook county. She was born November 5, 1853, the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper. Soon af- ter his marriage Mr. Sayers settled on the same farm as that on which he now resides, and he has made this place his home ever since. To him and wife were born the following six children : Ed- win C., of Howard county, Iowa; Frank B., of Orland township, Cook county; Hattie E. (deceased), Gilbert A., now residing at home with his parents; John T., at home with parents, and Jessie M., also at home. Mr. Sayers and family affiliate with the Metho- dist Episcopal church, he having served as trustee in same for some time. He is a Republican in his political views, and although not an office seeker, has served creditably as school director and drain- age commissioner. The family is among the highly respected ones of Cook county.
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