History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 145

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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Having completed his preliminary course of study Dr. Quinn continued his education in the Ottawa high school and subsequently entered the Pharmacy College, at Chicago, from which

he was graduated in the class of 1890. He next worked in a drug store in Chicago and, becoming interested in the science of medicine, began study with a view to becoming an active member of the medical profession. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894.

Dr. Quinn located for general practice in Chi- cago and almost immediately turned his atten- tion to skin and venerial diseases. Since 1900 he has devoted his attention to his specialty, and since 1898 has been lecturing on skin diseases in Rush Medical College. His close, earnest and discriminating study and research along this line has made his opinions largely authority on the subject and he is a valuable contributor to med- ical journals and has been assistant editor of some papers of this character. He is a mem- ber of the Chicago Medical Society and is also connected with some of the benevolent associa- tions. In his practice he has been very suc- cessful, having now a large patronage.

J. M. DOUGHERTY.

J. M. Dougherty, one of the enterprising busi- ness men of Ottawa, whose success has come be- cause his equipment was unusually good and his industry unfaltering, was born in this city in 1859, his parents being James and Margaret (Duffy) Dougherty. The mother, who came to Illinois from Pennsylvania, died about eighteen years ago. James Dougherty, an carly resident of Ottawa, is now living retired in this city. In the family were several sons and daughters, of. whom James J. Dougherty, Jr., is now man- ager of the plumbing, heating and steam fitting business owned by our subject. He has been active and influential in public affairs and has served as town collector for Ottawa for two or three terms, as deputy collector for two terms, as mail carrier for twelve years. thus filling the office until the change of administra- tion bringing in the civil service reform. He then resigned and has been associated with his brother for the past four years. B. J. Dougherty is also employed by his brother. V. N. is mail- ing clerk in the post office. E. J. is a glass- worker of Ottawa. Kate is at home. Mrs. T. F. Quinn is living in Ottawa. Mrs. P. G. Cars- grove is a resident of Chicago. H. P. Dougherty is also of Chicago and completes the family.

In taking up the personal history of J. M. Dougherty we present to our readers the life record of one who has made a very creditable name and position in business circles. He was

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reared in this city and acquired his education in the common schools. He started out in life on his own account when fourteen years of age, learning the plumber's trade in this city and the tinner's trade with M. F. O'Crowley, now of Brooklyn, New York. He has practical knowl- edge of both trades, and throughout his entire business career has devoted his time and ener- gies to these pursuits and kindred industries. He is now successfully conducting a plumbing, heating and steam fitting establishment at No. 811 La Salle street. He began business in 1887 as a partner of J. W. Clegg under the firm style of Clegg & Dougherty. That relation was main- tained for thirteen years, during which time they took contracts for nearly all of the impor- tant work in their line in the county, including the remodeling of the county asylum, the origi- nal heating and plumbing for St. Xavier's Acad- emy, for the Woodford Hotel at Minonk, and nearly all of the fine residences which were built in the city during that time. About seven years ago Mr. Dougherty purchased Mr. Clegg's in- terest in the business and has since continued alone. He has installed the heating and plumb- ing in the new convent, which is the largest job of hot water heating in this section of the state, the other having been destroyed when the acad- emy was burned. He has recently remodeled the heating and plumbing plants in the Harri- son House at La Salle, where he has a nice branch store and shop, which since January, 1904, has been in charge of Robert Eden, a competent man. Mr. Dougherty has recently completed the heating, plumbing and gas fitting plants in the new government building of Otta- wa, has remodeled the same in the National City Bank and also in the First National Bank. He installed the plumbing and heating in the Boat Club Building and also in many of the fine resi- dences of the city and employs at Ottawa from ten to eighteen workmen, all of whom are skilled. He has fitted some of the largest power plants in Ottawa and did the plumbing and heat- ing in the Maloney Block. The business has gradually grown until it has reached extensive and profitable proportions and Mr. Dougherty is one of the leading representatives of this line of activity in northern Illinois.

J. M. Dougherty married Miss Kate E. Bul- ger, who came to this city from Oswego, New York. In politics he is a democrat and in 1904 was elected alderman from the seventh ward, in which position he is now serving. Frater- nally he is connected with the Knights of Co- lumbus and the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, while he also belongs to the Cath- olic church. His success is undoubtedly due

in large measure to the fact that he has perse- vered in the line of labor in which he embarked as a young tradesman. He possesses the en- terprising spirit of the west which has been the dominant factor in producing the wonder- ful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way up- ward until, having long since left the ranks of the many, he today stands among the suc- cessful few .:

WILLIAM W. BEAGLE.

William W. Beagle, dependent upon his own resources from an early age, has worked his way upward to a position of affluence, his place in financial circles being indicated by the fine ap- pearance of his farm, which is a valuable and well managed property. Without desire for wealth, he has labored only to secure a comfort- able home for his family and in this he has been successful. He was born in Steuben county, New York, March 24, 1838. His parents, John W. and Catherine (Warfle) Beagle, were both natives of New York. The father was born in Schoharie county, that state, and was a farmer by occupa- tion. He lived upon a farm in Steuben county until after his son William had attained his ma- jority, when he left his old home and removed to Michigan, locating on a farm near Hillsdale. where they resided until called to their final rest. The father passed away at the age of seventy- three years and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-four years. In their fam- ily were ten children, only three of whom are now living, one sister of our subject residing near Hudson, Michigan, while a brother, Henry, is living near Hillsdale, that state.

William W. Beagle acquired but limited edu- cation, for he had to go to work when quite young. His services were needed upon the home farm and when he left home at the age of twenty- three years he began work as a farm hand for others in the Empire state and later followed the same pursuit in Ohio. In 1864 he came to Illinois and worked on a farm in Serena township for Dr. Sanger, one of the early settlers. In 1869 he came to Earl township and purchased forty acres of land, whereon he has since lived. It was an improved farm at the time, yet every board and post on the place now has been put there by Mr. Beagle. He has erected a large frame resi- dence, a good barn, granary and corn crib and has enclosed his fields with wire fences. There are some apple trees on the farm grown from

MR. AND MRS. W. W. BEAGLE.

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the seeds brought to the place from New York by the Carter family and planted in the early '30s. These are still bearing fruit. Mr. Beagle has added twenty-eight acres to his original pur- chase, so that he now has an excellent farm of sixty-eight acres. This farm is an old landmark and was settled in 1836 by the Carter family. On the place are some old millstones or burrs brought by wagon from New York and used in a mill on Indian Creek for several years. Near Mr. Beagle's place is a cemetery, which is one of the oldest and one of the prettiest in the county. The ground was given to the town- ship for this purpose by a Mr. Carter and the first burial was made in 1841. Sixteen acres of land have been added and the cemetery is under the control of a committee of three men and belongs to Earl township.

Happy in his home life, Mr. Beagle was married in 1867 to Miss Georgiana Kimball, who was born in Massachusetts, April 11, 1841, and is a daugh- ter of Orrin Kimball, who was one of the early settlers of Serena township. Six children graced this marriage, of whom three are living: Georgia Etta, the wife of Hallia Harris, a resident of Chicago; Eva, the wife of Frederick Parnell, living in Wisconsin; and Mary Josephine, the wife of Tom Hitchens, whose home is in Ophir township. Those who have passed away are : Cora, who became Mrs. Menso Lambert, and died at their home in Chicago; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Beagle has always been a democrat but has never aspired to nor held public office save that of school director. He belongs to the Presbyterian church. He has always been a great lover of home, a good citizen, a kind friend and a helpful neighbor and the years of his manhood have been characterized by those sterling quali- ties which everywhere awaken respect.

CHARLES H. MUDGE.

Charles H. Mudge, a prominent young farmer and stock-raiser and feeder who lives on section 5. Eden township, operates there three hundred and forty acres of land, which was finely im- proved by his father, Charles Mudge, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this work. The residence upon the place was constructed of stone quarried from the farm and the timber for the ample barn was also secured upon the place.

Charles H. Mudge was born upon this farm, which had been the family home for many years, on the 21st of May, 1868, and at the usual age he entered the common schools, wherein he

mastered the elementary branches of learning. He also attended the State Agricultural College at Champaign, Illinois, and has devoted his at- tention since putting aside his text-books to farming and stock-raising. He was well trained to this work, so that he had good experience to aid him when he took up the business alone and he is justly regarded today as one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists and stock-raisers of this part of the county.

Mr. Mudge was married to Miss Alice Bul- lock, a daughter of Ransom Bullock, of Tonica, and they have five sons : Glenn, Paul, Kent. Charles and Herbert, all of whom are at home.

Mr. Mudge is independent in politics. He was formerly connected with the Grange but is not associated therewith at the present time. His attention is concentrated upon his business in- terests, which are large and important and which claim most of his time and energies. He is thoroughly progressive in all that he does and is a prominent representative of agricultural in- terests in what is one of the leading farming districts of this great state.

WILLIAM SCHULTZ.

William Schultz, one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of La Salle county, has resided for thirty-six years in the place where he yet makes his home. As the name indicates, he is of German birth, having first opened his eyes to the light of day in Prussia, on the 18th of January, 1852. He was there reared to the age of seventeen or eighteen years, and in his youth he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, after acquir- ing a good common-school education in his na- tive tongue. He is entirely, however, self-edu- cated in English. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world he made his way direct to Illinois in 1870, being at that time a young man of eight- een years. Ambitious to improve his conditions in the new world, he joined a brother and two sisters in Marseilles and at first followed any pur- suit that would yield him an honest living. After a year or two he began working at his trade in Marseilles and later was employed in that way in Chicago and in Pullman, Illinois, for about two years.

Mr. Schultz was then married in Marseilles, on the Ist of August, 1874. to Miss Catherine Wers- ner, a lady of German birth, who was reared in the fatherland. After two years spent in Chi- cago and Pullman Mr. Schultz returned to Mar- seilles, where he worked as a carpenter and for some time was employed by the Pitt Manufac-

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turing Company. He was engaged in mechan- ical service for several years and subsequently established a saloon, which he carried on for a number of years. At length he sold out, bought a lot and erected thereon a business house. This he also afterward sold and bought another busi- ness house. This in time was sold. after which he bought a lot and erected another business block. This contains the present Marseilles Hall which he still owns. He also built a residence. which he afterward remodeled and rented, and he then erected his present attractive home. He has been a public-spirited and useful citizen and although coming to America empty-handed he has worked his way steadily upward and his la- bors have largely been of a character that have enabled him to promote public progress in ad- vancing individual prosperity. He has owned numerous properties which he has further im- proved and has thus contributed to the welfare and advancement of the city, in which he has long made his home.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schultz have been born three sons and a daughter: William T., a busi- ness man of Marseilles, who is married and has two children, Helen Catherine and Franklin Wil- liam ; Amil William, at home ; Henry J., at home ; and Emily, the wife of E. O. Reynolds, residing at Three Rivers. Michigan, by whom she has two children, Edwin W. and Carlton H.

In politics Mr. Schultz is a stalwart democrat but has never sought or desired office. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, in the faith of which he was reared. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity in Mar- seilles and stands as one of the substantial citi- zens whose efforts in behalf of public progress have been of a most helpful nature. He cer- tainly deserves much credit for what he has ac- complished in a business way, his labors return- ing to him a nierited reward.

REV. CHARLES R. ROBINSON, D. D.

Rev. Charles R. Robinson, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Ottawa, his life being devoted to the upbuilding of the cause of Christianity and uplifting of his fellowmen, is a native of Jackson. Michigan. In 1874 his father's family removed to Kansas, where he lived upon a farm for six years, supplementing his preliminary educational privileges by study in Baker University, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Master of Arts i11 1885. The following year he joined the Meth- odist Episcopal ministry and another important

event which occurred in that year was his mar- riage to Miss Austa Bowman.

After devoting several years to active work in the church, Rev. Robinson came to Illinois in 1892 to attend the Garrett Theological Insti- tute, and in 1893 joined the Rock River confer- ence. He is still actively engaged in the work, exerting a wide-felt influence in behalf of the church, and having been saved from a life of dissipation his ministry has been marked by activity in temperance work, in which he delights. He is a student, reading broadly and thinking deeply, and his whole aim is to uplift his fellow- men and aid in that great development which leads to a thorough understanding of life, its duties, its privileges and its responsibilities.

FRANK D. AYERS.

Frank D. Ayers, one of the able trial lawyers of Chicago and well known throughout the state as a public speaker, who has addressed audiences upon a wide range of subjects, was in former years a resident of Ottawa and is a native son of Illinois. His birth occurred upon a farm near Bloomington, June 15. 1866. His father was for some years engaged in the lumber business in Bloomington and subsequently purchased a sec- tion of land adjoining that city. He and his wife are still residents of Bloomington, where they celebrated their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary on the 27th of April, 1906. The father is now seventy-five years of age and the mother seventy- four years of age. He was one of the founders and directors of the University at Bloomington. is one of its trustees and is also a member of its executive committee.

Frank D. Ayers pursued his preliminary edu- cation in the schools of his native city and was a student in Wesleyan College between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four years, with the ex- ception of one year which he devoted to teach- ing. He spent one year in the preparatory de- partment and was graduated on the completion of the regular law course in 1890. Following his graduation he was admitted to the bar and in the same year came to Ottawa, where he en- tered into partnership with Lee O'Neil Browne, which relation was maintained until June, 1893. At that date Mr. Avers removed to Chicago but was connected with legal interests in Ottawa for some years thereafter, the business being con- ducted in La Salle county under the firm style of Trainor & Browne, and in Chicago under the firm style of Browne, Ayers & Ayers. In 1896 Mr. Rinaker was taken into the partnership and

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

the firm has since been Ayers, Rinaker & Ayers. Mr. Ayers is one of the best trial lawyers in Chicago and is frequently retained on suits against the city. His practice is largely in the superior courts and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases and his devotion to his clients' interests stand as alient feature in a suc- cessful professional career.

Mr. Ayers is a pronounced republican, num- bered among the stalwart supporters of the party in the state and has delivered many public ad- dresses throughout Illinois upon the issues of the day. Socially prominent he is a member of the La Salle County Association, of which he was president for two terms. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Maccabees tent, and is a member of the Hamilton Club and of the Colonial Club, the last mentioned being one of the largest social organizations in the city. He has likewise been a member of many choirs in the city, possessing superior musical talent that renders him a favorite in musical circles.

SYMON W. AYERS.

Symon W. Ayers, of the firm of Ayers, Rina- ker & Ayers, with offices in the Chamber of Com- merce Building in Chicago, entered upon his professional career in La Salle county. He. was born in McLean county, Illinois, and acquired his more specifically literary education in Knox College, at Galesburg, while his law course was pursued in the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington. He had previously read law with the firm of Browne & Ayers for two years and in 1892 was admitted to the bar of Ottawa. where he located for practice, his professional services being confined to the county, justice and probate courts. In 1893, however, he came to Chicago and was associated with the firm of Bracken & Ayers. In May, 1904, he was admit- ted to a partnership in the firm of Ayers, Rina- ker & Ayers, which is existing today as one of the strong legal combinations of the city. He is also a director in several corporations, including the Green Lumber Company and the D. Meyer Cord Company, which he assisted in organizing and which controls one of the largest enter- prises of this character in the world. He is also interested in Indian copper mines.

Mr. Ayers was married in Carlinville, Illinois, to Miss Zoe Denby, and with their daughter, Elizabeth, an only child, they reside at No. 476 Forty-fourth street, where they have a fine home. Mr. Ayers has always been a great lover of horses and kceps several head of finc driving

and saddle stock. He belongs to the Colonial Club, to the Masonic fraternity and to the La Salle County Association.

CYRUS H. SMITH, M. D.

Dr. Cyrus H. Smith, a capable member of the medical fraternity of La Salle county, practicing with large success in Tonica, was born in Knox county, Illinois, April 3, 1869, a son of James B. and Elizabeth A. (Barnes) Smith. The father was born in Warren county, Kentucky, and about 1830 came to Illinois, settling in Knox county upon a farm, where he remained until his death. He was a successful agriculturist and en- terprising business man and accumulated eight hundred acres of very valuable land. His busi- ness methods were such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, being in strict con- formity with a high standard of commercial ethics. A member of the Methodist church, he was for many years one of its officers and took an active and helpful part in its work. His po- litical support was given to the republican party. He died January 20, 1882, at the age of seventy- six years, respected by all who knew him. His wife, who was born in Chambersburg, Pennsyl- vania, passed away in 1897. at the age of sixty- five years. She, too, was a devoted member of the Methodist church. In their family were ten children, the seven eldest being sons, while the three youngest were daughters. One son, George W., is a prominent physician of Chicago.

Dr. Smith of this review, the seventth in order of birth, was a public-school student in his youth and was afterward graduated from Hed- ding College in Abingdon on the completion of the classical course in 1889, at which time the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him. He afterward became a student in Illinois College of Pharmacy in Chicago, wherein he completed his course in 1802 and then matricu- lated in Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1895. He located for practice in Tonica and has been highly successful in his chosen profession, having a large patronage which indicates the trust and confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his ability and therefore give to him their sup- port. He is very careful in the diagnosis of a case. and accurate in his judgment and his labors have been attended with a large measure of success when viewed from both the professional and financial standpoint. He owns the finest resi- dence in the town and is interested in Chicago property.

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Dr. Smith was married in 1892 to Miss Glenna V. Peabody, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1869 and is a daughter of William Pea- body. They have four children : Dorothy, Agnes, Glenna and Harvey Bruce. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian church. The Doc- tor belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is phy- sician for a number of insurance fraternities. In politics he is a republican and in the line of his profession he is connected with the County and State Medical Associations. He has made con- tinuous progress along intellectual lines, adding to broad literary knowledge thorough scientific training and continually promoting his efficiency since his graduation by private reading and investigation.

EDWARD S. HOLMES.

Edward S. Holmes, well known in Streator as an energetic, enterprising and prosperous mer- chant, successfully engaged in dealing in dry goods, groceries and shoes, was born at Read- ing, Livingston county, Illinois, June 22, 1865, and comes of English lineage. His father, Fran- cis Holmes, was born near Newcastle-on-the- Tyne, March 18, 1834, and acquired a common- school education in England, where he was reared to the occupation of farming. He came to America with his parents, David and Mary Ann Holmes, when a youth of sixteen years and resided with them in Ohio and in Pennsylva- nia until 1861, which year witnessed his ar- rival in Reading, Livingston county, Illinois. There he engaged in business on his own ac- count, becoming a partner of Martin F. Over- holt under the firm name of Overholt & Holmes, dealers in general merchandise. They con- ducted their store in Reading until 1866, when they removed to Streator and established here the first store of any importance in the city. The partnership was maintained until 1876, when upon the death of Mr. Overholt Mr. Holmes became sole proprietor and conducted the business alone for some years or until the admission of his son Edward to a partnership. This relation was maintained up to the time of the father's death, which occurred on the 3d of August, 1903. On the 14th of February, 1864, Francis Holmes had married Miss Mar- garet Hayrow, of Coalville, Livingston county, Illinois, and unto them were born four children : Edward, Carrie May, Mary Ann and Nellie E.

During the days of Streator's villagehood Francis Holmes served as president of the board of trustees for one term and through the long

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 145

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Hoffman, U. J. (Urias John), b. 1855
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286