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 80
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Edgar H. Cooper was born on the farm where he now resides- section 16, Orland township-August 13, 1864. He was reared as a farmer and has always followed that occupation. He received a common school education, and on March 20, 1888, married Lydia Holstein, who is a native of Cook county, born in 1869, her parents being Charles E. and Catherine ( Moeller) Holstein, both natives of Germany and early settlers of Cook county. To Edgar H. and wife the following children have been born: Arthur O., born 1888, died 1889; Lydia E., born 1890, died 1894; Charles H. and Thomas E., twins, born 1893; Harvey I., born 1897; Pearl F., born 1909. The family is well known and respected by everybody of their ac- quaintance. The parents of Edgar H. were Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper, both natives of Lincolnshire, England. They were married in 1845 and in 1850 came to the United States, locat- ing in Orland township. Both died in 1897 from the effects of in- juries received in a runaway accident while out driving. They were the parents of thirteen children as follows: John T., William (de- ceased), William H. (also deceased), James, Ellen, Elizabeth (de- ceased, George H., Hannah E. (deceased), Hannah (deceased ), Anna E., Edwin, Edgar H. and Willie. Charles E. and Catherine Holstein had the following children: Mary, John, Charles C., Christina (deceased), William C., Christina L. (deceased), Lydia, Leo, Louisa E., Catherine S., Caroline (deceased), Benjamin F. (deceased), Huldah H. and Arthur B. Charles E. Holstein and wife moved to Will County in 1891 and there they still reside. Mr. Hol- stein was born November 5, 1838, and his wife October 13, 1839. Thomas Cooper was born September 28, 1821, and his wife March 13, 1826.
Albert H. Cooper, who conducts a general store including coal and feed at Alpine, Cook county, and who is at present postmaster of that place, is a native of this township, his birth occurring November 1, 1869. He is a son of John T. and Sarah (Sayers) Cooper and
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was reared on his father's farm. He was educated at the common schools and on March 11, 1902, married Hannah Ryan, who died in March, 1905. He was engaged in farming until after his wife's death, and then for awhile worked in a grocery in Chicago, but a year later came to Alpine and embarked in his present business. He has made the same successful and is now prosperous. Soon after coming here he was appointed assistant postmaster and served as such until January, 1909, when he received the appointment as post- master. On December 19, 1908, Mr. Cooper married Anna Pease, a native of Will county and the daughter of Orville Pease. Mr. Cooper is one of the most prominent and influential citizens and busi- ness men in this part of Cook county.
George H. Cooper is a son of Thomas and Eleanor ( Hewson) Cooper, a more extensive sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. He was born in Orland township, May 18, 1856, and was reared on his father's farm, securing at the district schools a fair education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty- four years old and then bought forty acres in this township on which he located and continued his farming operations. On March 24, 1880, he married Fannie Newton, who was born in this township, October 4, 1857, the daughter of James and Ann (Sherman) New- ton. Her parents were among the pioneers of the county and were people of eminent respectability. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Cooper located on his forty-acre farm in section 15 and there remained for about two years, when he purchased 120 acres in Will county, moved thereon and resided until 1890, when he returned to Orland township and located on the farm where he now resides, in section 31. At the present time he owns 237 acres-a splendid farm. In addition he owns 181 acres in the same section and there one of his sons resides. He also is the owner of 520 acres in Todd county, Minn. Mr. Cooper deals extensively in stock and makes a specialty of cattle and horses. He is one of the best and most progressive farmers and stock raisers in this portion of the state. To him and wife six children have been born, as follows: Walter, born Decem- ber 31, 1880, married Lillie Creer and resides in Orland township; Herbert, born July 2, 1883 ; Gilbert, born September 7, 1885; Fan- nie, born June 14, 1887, died 1887; Maude, born April 28, 1889; George H., Jr., born September 25, 1894. Mr. Cooper is a Repub- lican in his political views and is interested in party affairs and in all movements calculated to improve his community and the county gen- erally. For six years he has been highway commissioner and has served as school director. He is a member of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture and is superintendent of poultry and forage in that society. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen, Court of Honor and White Cross. He and wife are Methodists in their religious views.
Frederick E. Walther, retired contractor and builder now living
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in Palos Park, came with his parents to Chicago in 1863, but before coming here learned the millwright trade in his native land. He there received a fair education in the public schools. Upon his arrival in Chicago he took up the carpenter trade and first worked under his father for two years and then under William Vogt. He continued thus occupied until 1872 when he began contracting and building on his own account and was thus actively and successfully engaged un- til 1906. At times he did an immense business in Chicago and the surrounding country, employing at different times as many as fifty men. He was one of the best, most reliable and most popular build- ers in the city, and his reputation for honest operations was second to that of no other builder of Chicago. He retired in 1907 and now lives in a beautiful home in Palos Park. He was born in Prussia, Germany, September 13, 1851, and is a son of Charles and Henrietta (Weiss) Walther, both of whom also were natives of Prussia. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1863, came direct to Chicago and here lived until their respective deaths.
Virgil M. Brand, president of the Brand Brewing Company, is a son of Michael and Philippine (Darmstaetter) Brand, and was born in Blue Island, Cook county, January 16, 1862. The parents set- tled in Blue Island at an early date and in 1866 located in Chicago.
Their son, Virgil M., was educated in the public schools and in 1878 became office boy in the brewery of Michael Brand & Co. and remained with that concern under different names for twelve years. During the last few years he was acting secretary and treasurer. The second year after the plant was sold to the United States Brewing company, Mr. Brand was elected its president and served as such a short time. In 1898 the Brand Brewing company was reorganized and incorporated with Virgil M. as president; Horace L. Brand, vice-president, and Armin W. Brand, secretary and treasurer. In 1904, in partnership with Philip R. Brand, he bought out the Carl Cooper Brewery and incorporated under the name of Globe Brewing company, with Virgil M. Brand as president. They do a large and profitable business. Mr. Brand is a member of the Illinois Athletic club, Knights of Pythias, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago Numis- matic Society and several other organizations. He is public-spirit- ed and awake to the importance of good government.
William A. Birk, president of Birk Brothers Brewing company, was born in Chicago, November 11, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Magdalena (Welflin) Birk. He received his education in the pub- lic schools and at Bryant & Stratton's Business college, and when sixteen years old accepted a position with a Board of Trade firm, but soon afterward was given a position with Wacker & Birk Brewing and Malting company. He remained with this organization for sev- eral years and during that time became thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business. In 1891 he became associated with others in organizing and putting into successful operation the Birk
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Brothers Brewing company, of which he was elected first president and has occupied that important and responsible position until the present time. He has seen it grow from a small concern to one of the largest, most successful and most profitable companies of its kind in this city. Much of its success is due to his energy, foresight and sound business qualities. He has not confined himself wholly to this company, and is one of the directors of the Metropolitan Trust & Savings bank; secretary of the Northern Malt company; treasurer of F. Bockius Leather company and treasurer of the German hos- pital, of Chicago. Nor has he neglected the social phase of his char- acter. He is a member of the Masonic order, Chicago Athletic As- sociation, Germania Maennerchor, the South Shore Country and In- dustrial clubs. On September 21, 1903, he married Rose Britton.
George J. Jaeger, president, treasurer and general manager of the Central Candy company, with plant and offices at 506-8 South Desplaines street, is one of the most successful business men and public-spirited citizens of the city at the present time. He was born in Chicago, July 29, 1873, and is a son of Philip and Victoria (Bol- singer) Jaeger, who were among the pioneers of that city. He was educated in the public schools, the German-American Academy of Chicago and Racine College, Racine, Wis. At the age of eighteen years he was given employment in the wholesale grocery house owned by his father and Christopher Strassheim at South Water and La Salle streets. Here he remained at work for twelve years during which time he advanced from one position to another, finally becoming a member of the firm, Strassheim, Jaeger & Company. In 1904 when this firm sold out to Steele, Wedeles Company, Mr, Jaeger was employed by the latter as superintendent. In 1906 he gave up this position and for a short time was engaged with his father in the meat business. In March, 1908, when the Central Candy company was organized and incorporated Mr. Jaeger became one of its members and was elected to the position he now occupies. They occupy a five-story building with basement, 90x125 feet, and employ an average of 110 people in the manufacture of all kinds of confectionery. Mr. Jaeger is a member of the Germania Maenner- chor club and also of the Illinois Commercial Men's Association. On December 15, 1896, he married Minnie Birk, a daughter of Jacob and Magdalena Birk, and they have one child, George J., Jr., born October 8, 1909.
Philip Jaeger, for over half a century one of the active business men of Chicago, was born February 27, 1836, in Holszheims, Hes- sen Darmstadt, Germany, a son of Jacob and Gretchen (Zeisz) Jaeger. He was educated in the public schools of his native country and there learned the butcher's trade. In 1854, when a boy of but eighteen years, he crossed the ocean to the United States, landing at New York City on July 4 of that year. Shortly thereafter he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at his trade, and subsequently
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was similarly employed at St. Catherines, Canada. In August, 1856, he came to Chicago, which place has since been his home. He first secured employment with Haas & Powell, and after working for five years with different concerns, embarked in business for himself in 1862 at Blue Island avenue and Polk street. His next location was on Fifth avenue, between Washington and Madison streets, then at the Union Stock Yards and next on Kinzie street, where he was burned out during the great fire of 1871. Following this he con- ducted a market on Randolph street, then on Jackson.street, but in 1887 began business at his present location, Fulton Market, corner of Green and Fulton streets, as a member of the Fulton Market Wholesale Meat company. This is an incorporated company of- ficered by Richard Collins, president; Philip Jaeger, treasurer and Cornelius Quinlan, secretary, and is one of the best known and most prosperous mercantile houses of Chicago. In 1886 Mr. Jaeger em- barked in the wholesale grocery business at the corner of South Water and La Salle streets which he conducted about ten years, but his principal occupation through life has been handling meats, at which he has amassed a comfortable fortune. For fifty-four years he has been a resident of Chicago. Coming here at a time when the city was little more than a straggling frontier village, he has seen it grow and develop through fire and panic until it has become one of the greatest cities in the world. To his marriage with Miss Vic- toria Bolsinger, solemnized December 31, 1859, ten children have been born, the following of whom are yet living: Victoria, Anna, George J., Philip J. and Charles. Mrs. Jaeger died June 21, 1903, a member of the German Evangelical church, as is also Mr. Jaeger.
B. J. Lagona, proprietor of the Kosciuszko Pharmacy, 519 Mil- waukee avenue, is a native of the village of Stawiany, Poland, and is a son of John and. Josie Lagona. He was reared to manhood in his native country and received a public school education. He early learned the drug business, and in 1892 immigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago where he still resides. In 1901 he em- barked in the drug business at 519 Milwaukee avenue, where he has built up a successful trade and become popular. He is a member of the Chicago Druggists' Association, St. Casimir's Society, Svoboda Slovenska and St. John's Canton Polish Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat.
David B. Lyman was born on the island Hilo of the Sandwich group March 27, 1840, his parents being Rev. David B. and Sarah (Joiner) Lyman, who at the time were Christian laborers among the natives there. His youth and early manhood were spent on those is- lands and his early education was obtained mainly from his parents, both of whom had had a thorough New England training in litera- ture and theology. As a young man he occupied various positions under the government of Hawaii, but when twenty years old came to the United States to finish preparing himself for life's pleasing but
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arduous duties. He entered Yale college in 1860 and four years later was graduated therefrom with credit. He then entered Harvard Law school and in two years finished his legal studies and was ad- mitted to the bar. He won one of the two prizes offered for the best legal essays. He then came to Chicago and for two years clerked in a law office, after which he entered into partnership with W. H. Jackson, which association was continued until 1895 and was known as one of the strongest and most reliable at the local bar. From 1895 to 1901 he devoted his whole time to business transacted by the Chicago Title & Trust company, of which he had become president in 1891. Since 1901 he has been a director of the reorganized com- pany. From 1901 to 1906 he was senior member of the law firm of Lyman, Busby & Lyman. In 1906 the firm was reorganized as Ly- man, Lyman & O'Connor. Since 1901 the firm has given particular attention to corporation and real estate law. Mr. Lyman has held several important trusts-Pullman Land Association and Grant Land Association, etc. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1891 he became first president of the first church club in this city and for many years he has been a regular delegate to the . general conventions of his church. For thirty years he was a mem- ber of the LaGrange board of education. He is or has been con- nected with many other organizations designed to improve human character and society such as the Union League, Chicago, Univer- sity, Country and Suburban and Chicago Literary clubs, Chicago Bar Association, etc. On October 5, 1870, he married Mary E., daughter of F. D. Cossitt, of Chicago, and to them were born the following children: David B., Jr., who is associated in business with his father, and Mary Ellen, wife of Murray M. Baker, of Peoria.
Charles Edwin Caldwell, M. D., was born at Manchester, Ill., and is a son of Brice and Mary A. (Thompson) Caldwell. The father was a farmer and also a railway contractor.
Charles E. was educated in the public schools of Logan county, Illinois, at Lincoln University and at Rush Medical college, gradu- ating from the latter institution in 1877 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1877 and 1878 he was interne in the Cook County hospital, but during the latter year began a general practice at Twenty-ninth and State streets. In 1887-8 he occupied the chair of Surgical Anatomy in the College of Physicians & Surgeons. His practice is large and lucrative. In Masonry he is a member of Me- dinah Temple and Oriental Consistory. On August 20, 1884, he was united in marriage with Katherine Eigenman, and they, with their children, Christian B., Carl E., Reginald A. and Millett B., re- side at 5454 Jefferson avenue.
Harry Irving Miller was born at Cleveland, Ohio, January, 1862, and is a son of John F. and Almira G. Miller. He was educated at the public schools, Russell's college, New Haven, Conn .; St. Mary's
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college, Emmitsburg, Maryland, and Cornell university. Soon af- ter finishing his education he married May B. Burbank and by her has one son, Alvin Ford. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Company and was assigned work as clerk in the office of the superintendent at Richmond, Ind. After filling various posi- tions in the engineering department on that line, he was appointed in 1888 superintendent of the Richmond division of the Pennsylvania lines. Two years later he became superintendent of the Louisville division of the Pennsylvania lines, but in April, 1894, became super- intendent of the main line division of the Vandalia Railway. In June, 1901, he was appointed general manager of the Vandalia line with headquarters at St. Louis. While a resident of St. Louis he was a director of the Mechanics National bank and of the American Central Trust company. From December, 1903, to March, 1905, he served as general manager of the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway company with office in Chicago. At the latter date he as- sumed the position of second vice-president and general manager of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railway, and in ? became presi- dent of the same company. Thus step by step he has advanced through sheer merit from one position to another each with increas- ing and widening responsibility until he is recognized today as one of the ablest constructive railway men of the world. This ability was recognized and appreciated by the Japan railway commission a few years ago, when his judgment, advice and assistance vastly aided that body in formulating practical plans for the railway system of that country. As a further testimonial of the gratitude of that com- mission, Mr. Miller was decorated by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Mr. Miller is a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, Union League, Chicago Athletic, Chicago Golf, Midday, Union, University of St. Louis, University of Indian- apolis and other clubs and organizations. He resides at 234 Lincoln Park boulevard, and his office is at the La Salle Street railway sta- tion.
Richard Sweet Folsom was born in Chicago, August 5, 1872, and is a son of Charles A. and Sarah T. (Sweet) Folsom. The father, who was an able and successful lawyer, was a native of Maine and came to Chicago in 1868. Under President Lincoln's first call he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and served with credit until he was honorably discharged as captain for disability contracted from disease while in the service. He passed away in 1905, but his widow is still living.
Richard S. was educated in the public schools and was graduated from Williams college in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the Northwestern Law school, duly graduated there- from in 1896 and in October of the same year was admitted to the bar of the supreme court at Springfield. He immediately began a general practice and has continued the same with signal success
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down to the present time. He is a member of the University club, Illinois Athletic Association, Chicago Bar Association and is a Dem- ocrat. His office is at 952 First National Bank building and his residence at 2119 Calumet avenue. On May 30, 1905, he married Dorothy Moulton.
Edward John Koch, manufacturer of rich cut-glass, is a son of G. Charles and Caroline Sophia (Francke) Koch, and was born in. this city August 27, 1861. He was educated at the parochial schools and also spent four months in attendance at the Ogden school. He began his business career in 1875 as an employe of Burley & Tyrrell at a salary of two dollars per week, but was soon advanced to a higher position and better wages. In 1889 he became traveling sales- man for the Mt. Washington Glass company, of New Bedford, Mass., makers of the best and highest grades of cut-glass, and held this position until 1898, learning in the meantime all details of that art and business. On January 1, 1899, he established a concern of his own under the style of Edward J. Koch & Company and began the manufacture of cut-glass and has thus continued to the present time. The operations of the company from the start have been con- fined to cut-glass products manufactured by themselves. Their trade is now large and lucrative. Mr. Koch is a Republican and a member of the Jeweler's club, of Chicago. His business location is at 40-42 State street and his residence at 1732 Arlington Place. On May 9, 1889, he married at St. Louis, Mo., Pauline J., daughter of E. F. W. Meier, ex-president of the St. Louis city council, who was at one time the most prominent queensware merchant in that city.
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 secre- tary 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 conserv- ative, 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 West Randolph street. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the National Union and a Knight Templar Mason of Siloam Commandery No. 54, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.
Dr. John A. McHugh, Chicago physician, was born April 17, 1873, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a son of John and Anna E. (Per- lettes ) McHugh. The father was born at Marshall, Mich., July 1, 1844, and when about nineteen years old went to New York, where
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he was connected with the dry goods firm of E. S. Jaffray & Com- pany, and also with Paton & Company, representing the latter as foreign buyer. About the year 1871 he engaged in the jobbing busi- ness under the firm name of Dickey & McHugh, but in 1873 the firm failed, succeeding which he became connected with the firm of H. B. Clafin & Company. He later became the Michigan representative of Hood, Bonbright & Company, Philadelphia, and was also con- nected with James H. Walker & Company, Chicago, and William Fletcher & Company, New York, representing each firm successive- ly in the state of Michigan. After a protracted illness he died at Marshall, Mich., on November 26, 1898, aged fifty-eight years. His wife died in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 13, 1875, her birth having oc- curred in New York City November 4, 1848. They were the par- ents of four children : Thomas E. (deceased), Mary, Anna (de- ceased), and John A.
The latter received his early education in the parochial schools of Brooklyn, N. Y., and between the ages of ten and seventeen years attended the public and parochial schools of Marshall, Mich. In 1890 he came to Chicago and entered the employ of Marshall Field & Company, retail establishment, and during this time supplemented his earlier acquired education by taking thorough courses in the night schools. Having decided upon the practice of medicine as his fu- ture profession he entered the Harvey Medical college, of Chicago, in 1897, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. Suc- ceeding his graduation he served eighteen months in St. Anthony de Padua hospital, and finally began the practice of his profession at 3435 Ogden avenue. During the years 1903 and 1904 he served on the associate medical staff of the Cook county hospital. He is a member of the Douglas Park branch Chicago Medical Society. In July, 1899, he married Miss Agnes Allie, and to them have been born, John A., Thomas F., Ruth S., Bertrand A. and Perlette. The family home is at 1958 St. Louis avenue.
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