History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 34

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

USA > Illinois > LaSalle County > History of La Salle County, Illinois > Part 34

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MERIDEN.

Township 36, Range 2, constitutes the town of Meriden. It is bounded on the north by the Ira Bailey came in 1848.

John Rose, from Scotland, James Cunning- ham, Hiram Cristler, John Weisner, Thomas Eager and a few others constituted the pioneer force that commenced the task of transforming the wild prairie town into productive farms and the quiet pleasant abode of a numerous, wealthy and prosperous people-a task that with the aid of succeeding emigrants has been most success- fully accomplished.

north line of the county, and is a prairie region, surrounded by prairie on all sides except a small grove on sections 5 and 6, called Four- Mile Grove. A few families pitched their tents around the little oasis in the middle of the wide prairie, in the year 1836, and these were all the early settlers.

John Haight settled on Webster's farm near Peru, first, and came to Meriden in 1836.

David Peck, from Albany County, New York, settled on section 6, in 1836; sold to Cunningham.

Lyman Alger, from the same place, in 1836; sold to McIntyre.

O. W. Bryant came from Maine to Peru, in 1837, and to Meriden in 1842.

Benjamin Furman came from Tioga County, Pennsylvania ; settled on S. 6, in 1838.

George Wilkinson, from the same place, set- tled on the same section at the same time.

Benjamin Birdsall came from New York, in 1839.

E. R. Wicks settled on S. 18, in 1848.

David Holden settled on the same section in 1849.

James Clark's

BIOGRAPHICAL

JAMES CLARK.

James Clark, who in his life time was one of the most conspicuous figures in the development and upbuilding of Utica and La Salle county, belonged to that class of men who achieve results, who are organizers and promoters and who leave behind them as lasting monuments large and im- portant enterprises that contribute not only to individual success but to general prosperity as well. Such was the value of his labor that he may well be rated with the founders of the county and his name honored for years to come as one who laid the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of this portion of the state. His life record covered seventv-seven years-years which were fraught with the ar- duous labors of the pioneer and with the strenu- ous effort of the successful business man who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. He was, moreover, connected with the legislative history of the state and he left the impress of his individuality upon every line of public life or activity toward which he directed his efforts.

Mr. Clark was born in Ashburnham parish, Sussex county, England, September 9, 1811, and was a son of James and Ann (Westen) Clark. The father was a successful liveryman of his native town. Under the parental roof the son spent his boyhood and was apprenticed to learn the coach-maker's trade. He early gave evidence of the elemental strength of his character and his ambition caused him to seek broader fields of labor and activity. A comparison of business conditions in his own country and in America led him to the conclusion that he might enjoy better advantages beyond the Atlantic and ac- cordingly he made arrangements to seek his for- tune in the new world. He crossed the water on a sailing vessel in sixteen days-a record-

breaking trip,-in 1830, and landed at New York on the 16th of April. He was practically pen- niless, having but a shilling in his pocket, and his limited financial resources rendered immedi - ate employment an absolute necessity. In fact he pawned his overcoat in order to secure food and lodging until he could obtain work. In a few days he had secured a situation whereby he was to receive his board and lodging, and at the end of the month his employer, appreciat- ing the value of his services, agreed to pay him in addition seventy-five cents per day.

Mr. Clark did not remain long in the metrop- olis, however, for he was prevailed upon to come to the west by a Mrs. Luellum, who with her two nieces had sailed from England to New York. She had known Mr. Clark in his native parish, and, making a successful effort to find him in the American metropolis, she persuaded him to accompany her to the west, where she wished to purchase a farm, having four hundred dollars which she wished to invest in land. Mr. Clark agreed to accompany her, advise her in regard to pre-empting a farm and assist her in its cultivation for the sum of ten dollars per month. Mrs. Luellum, one of her nieces (the other remaining in New York where she had secured a situation) and Mr. Clark then started for Grafton, Lorain county, Ohio, and in that locality Mrs. Luellum made claim to one hun- dred and sixty acres of government land. Mr. Clark staked out the claim and cut logs to build the primitive cabin which would serve as a home and shelter for the little party. While this work was being accomplished the ladies slept in their wagon and our subject took the "lower berth," that is, he made his bed beneath the wagon. After securing her farm Mrs. Luellum had only suffi- cient funds left to purchase a yoke of oxen, a cow, pig, and most primitive farming imple- ments. Under these conditions was instituted the

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work of clearing and cultivating the pioneer farm, but ill fortune attended the efforts of the members of the little household. Their stock was lost through an epidemic of scurvy and they were reduced eventually to the direst financial extremity. Nothing daunted by the unpropi- tious outlook, young Clark proved himself a master of expedients. He cut down ten acres of timber, burned it into charcoal and for this produce found a ready sale, thus recuperating the resources of the family of which he was a mem- ber. During this time Mrs. Luellum had been unable to pay Clark his wages, and finally she offered to settle with him by transferring to him her right, title and interest in her pre- emption claim; and he sold this for thirty dollars. After this he covered the wagon with unbleached cotton and then prepared to utilize the same for continuing the journey still farther west. In September, 1830, Mr. Clark had been united in marriage to Mrs. Luellum's niece, Charlotte Sargent, and now, with his wife, two children, and Mrs. Luellum, he started for Illinois. On the way he traded his oxen for a good team of horses, and with this superior equipment the party continued their way to Peoria, Illinois, where he left his family and proceeded thence, on horseback. to Utica township, where he paid a man named Crosiar the sum of ten dollars to advise him as to an eligible location where he might "squat" on government land, the result being that he located on section 4, Utica town- ship. He then brought his family from Peoria and settled down to pioneer life. He operated a primitive stage line between Peoria and Utica and later from Utica to Chicago, and as this was the only method of transportation in the early days he made money through this enterprise.

At the land sales in 1835 he effected the pur- chase of two hundred and forty acres, and from time to time added to the area of his possessions until he was the owner of two thousand, four hundred acres of the most productive land in this section of the state. His first home in La Salle county was a log house. In 1837 Mr. Clark took a contract on the construction of the Illinois and Michigan canal, his contract pro- viding for the extending the canal through two miles of solid rock. The work was completed in 1848. In 1845 he had erected a substantial and handsome residence, and this is still pointed out as one of the finest in this section of the state.

A man of marked ability, indefatigable indus- try and utmost probity, it was but natural that Mr. Clark should soon become a man of dis- tinctive prominence and influence in the com- munity. He was the first postmaster of Utica

and was the incumbent in this office for the long period of fourteen years. There had been established in Utica an enterprise for the manu- facture of cement to be used in the construction of the locks of the canal, the projectors of this undertaking having been George Steel and Hiram Norton, who had come hither from Canada but who had conducted operations upon a very modest scale. Mr. Clark purchased the cement works and in 1845 he began the manufacture of hydraulic cement. The investment proved a profitable one and constituted the nucleus of the large fortune which ous subject acquired. The great industry, which he founded so many years ago, has now grown to be one of the most ex- tensive of the sort in the Union, from three to five hundred barrels of cement being turned out each year. His wisdom and judgment were shown not alone in the establishment of this en- terprise but in conducting its affairs consecu- tively toward the maximum of success, his business and executive ability having been of the most pronounced type. In 1883 Mr. Clark decided that it was expedient to expand the business facilities by the organization of a joint stock company, and this was effected. He be- came president of the company and N. J. Cary, secretary and treasurer. This business was pushed forward with increased vigor and became, and is, one of the most important industries of the state.

Mr. Clark was the first agent of the Rock Island Railroad at Utica and this position he re- tained until the time of his death. He was a member of the board of supervisors of the county for eleven years. During the war Mr. Clark was a member of the county committee, and in 1870 he was granted distinguished honor and prefer- ment in the gift of the people of La Salle county. being elected to membership in the lower house of the state legislature. In this body he served as a member of the committee on canals and on three others of equal importance. bringing to bear in this capacity the same practical business ability and sturdy common sense which had characterized his career in private life, and he thus was a power in insuring wise legislation, gaining the hearty endorsement of his constitu- ents. He was a stanch supporter of the demo- cratic party, while in his fraternal relations he was prominently identified with the Masonic order.

His wife, after having shared with him the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life and having seen her children well settled, was summoned into eternal rest on the 12th of August, 1877. She left two children to mourn their loss. In 1877 was consumated the marriage of Mr. Clark and

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Mary J. Cary, widow of Charles A. Cary. She - was born in Jefferson county, New York, on Christmas day, 1833, and in 1843 she accom- panied her father, a clergyman of the Latter Day Saints church, to Illinois, and while living in Batavia was united in marriage to Mr. Cary, the date of this ceremonial having been Novem- ber 28, 1850. They became the parents of two children-Norman J. and Charles A. Cary. Mr. Clark's second marriage proved a wise one in all that makes the married state beautiful and happy. His wife was a true helpmeet in every sense of the term and by her tender solicitude and ministrations made his declining days happy and serene. His death occurred on the 2d of July, 1888, after a long life of prominence and consecutive progress. His pathway was ever upward, both in a spiritual and a temporal sense. As this review shows, he was distinctively a self- made man-one of nature's noblemen whom no force of circumstances could prostrate or draw into obscurity. His friends were many and on the list were numbered many of the repre- sentative men of the state, and his demise was the cause of widespread regret, while a com- munity mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citizens. After liberally providing for his two children, he left the major portion of his large fortune to his widow.

Mary J. Cary Clark is a remarkably gifted woman. She is a poetess of marked ability and is also the author of prose works of high stand- ard of excellence. She possesses a brilliant in- tellectuality and a charming personality, being a woman of great spirituality and one who has made deep researches into the great truths of life. Such a woman could not but be an able and de- voted helpmate for even the most exalted of man- kind, and the affection existing between Mr. and Mrs. Clark was a deep and abiding one. Mrs. Clark is an excellent business woman, as well as a brilliant writer, and during her husband's life she was confidential adviser and his helper in all his complicated business affairs, and he held her judgment and opinions in the highest estimation. Since his death she has ably car- ried on the business of the Utica Cement Works and has also worthily used the large fortune left her by her devoted husband. She still retains her abode in the beautiful Clark homestead, which is picturesquely located upon the bluff overlooking the town of Utica. The home is a most attractive one and is a landmark for the surrounding country. Mrs. Clark enjoys the respect and admiration of the people of Utica and worthily bears the honors of an honored name.

M. W. BACH.

M. W. Bach is a prominent representative of manufacturing and commercial interests in Ot- tawa, whose business influence has been a factor in the upbuilding and substantial improvement of the city. A native of New York, he was born in 1854, and when only a year old was brought by his parents to Ottawa, where the days of his childhood and youth were passed. He acquired his education in the public schools and entered upon his business career as an apprentice to the trade of manufacturing horse collars. He dis- played aptitude in his work and his industry and diligence were notable factors in his early busi- ness career. In 1876 he went to Hannibal, Mis- souri, where he was employed in that line for three years and in October, 1879, he again took up his abode in this city. Here he made arrange- ments for engaging in business on his own ac- count and on the ist of November, 1879, estab- lished his present collar manufactory. His capital was just sufficient to enable him to secure the needed machinery but he had to borrow fifty dollars with which to purchase the first stock. His business enterprise, however, combined with his tact as a salesman and his practical experience in the work shop made his venture a success. He has long maintained a foremost place among the leading manufacturers of Ottawa and in connection with the manufacture of the collar he also manufactures Bach's celebrated chain bar net, after a patent of his own. The business is carried on in a neat brick building, in which the factory is located in the north end of town. The machinery is operated by one of the largest gas engines in this portion of the country and there is every modern facility for executing first-class work. A large number of operatives are em- ployed in the factory and the business has for many years been recognized as one of the sub- stantial, productive industries of Ottawa. There is no busy season with this house, business being carried on from one year's end to the next and the trade has constantly increased, reaching very extensive and profitable proportions.

Mr. Bach was married in 1878 to Miss May Tillman, of Missouri, and they have four chil- dren : Otis M., who is a teller in the National City Bank of Ottawa; Richard J., who married May Formhals and is connected with his father in business ; Eva M. and Lura J., at home. Mr. Bach is a prominent Mason, belonging to Occi- dental lodge, No. 40, A. F. & A. M .: Shabbona chapter, No. 37, R. A. M. ; and Ottawa command- ery, No. 10, K. T. He has many pleasant social

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PAST AND PRESENT OF LA SALLE COUNTY.

acquaintances and a wide business acquaintance and in the latter direction has done much to give Ottawa its present standing as a commercial and industrial center. His record is indeed cred- itable from the fact that without assistance he has advanced steadily from a humble position in the business world to one of affluence and his life has been characterized by industry and per- severance, and systematic and honorable busi- ness methods that have gained for him the sup- port and confidence of many. His native genius and acquired ability have constituted the strong elements in his success and have made him a strong and influential business man.

WILLIAM J. SINON.

William J. Sinon, senior member of the firm of W. J. Sinon & Company, bottlers of the San- icula mineral water and manufacturers of car- bonated drinks, was born in Canada in 1849 and when quite young was brought to the United States by his grandfather, who located in Otta- wa, since which time Mr. Sinon has been a resi- dent of this city. His education was acquired in the public schools and for fifteen years he has been connected with the line of business to which he now devotes his time and energies. Today his trade is extensive, his product being shipped to all parts of the United States. Embarking in business on his own account, he has prospered in his undertakings and not only sells to the whole- sale trade but is also running wagons in Ottawa, delivering the mineral waters to many patrons in this city. He won the silver medal at the St. Louis Exposition for mineral water. He also manufactures, on quite an extensive scale, ginger ale and carbonated beverages of all kinds. In this enterprise he is associated with E. P. Nitchelm and the firm owns a well equipped plant supplied with all modern facilities for car- rying on the business. They also have a bath house with hot and cold baths. This is open the year around with commodious and well equipped bath rooms for both gentlemen and ladies and the beneficial qualities of the water are well known. The Sanicula mineral water has been analyzed by B. Silliman, A. M., M. D., of Yale College, and the analysis shows its value for medicinal purposes. In addition to bottling and handling this water the firm handles car- bonated water, ginger ale, birch beer, orange cider and Buck soda and the sales are now quite extensive.

Mr. Sinon was married in Ottawa to Miss Julia Brisseim, of this city, who is of French de-

scent, and they have five children : Willie V.,

who is now with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Hannibal, Mis- souri; Edith, Florence, John and Alfy, all at home. The daughters have been educated in music. Mr. Sinon is a democrat, recognized as one of the leading members of his party in local ranks and for six years has served as alderman from the sixth ward, exercising his official pre- rogatives in support of many measures for the public good. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and both he and his wife are com- municants of St. Patrick's Catholic church. Mr. Sinon is president of the Ottawa Driving Park and also president of the Ottawa Base Ball Park and is interested in the pleasures suggested by these connections. He is a wide-awake and enterprising man as manifested not only in busi- ness but also in social relations.

ALBERT M. SHAW, M. D.

Dr. Albert M. Shaw, physician and surgeon with offices in the Moloney Block in Ottawa, is a native of Columbia City, Indiana, born in 1865, and a son of John H. and Mary E. (Douglas) Shaw, who were also natives of that state, the father there carrying on the occupation of farm- ing as a life work. He died in 1869, however, when a comparatively young man of thirty-three years, and his wife passed away at the age of forty years. In their family were three children but the other two died before the birth of Dr. Shaw.

In the state of his nativity Dr. Shaw spent his early youth and after acquiring his prelim- inary education in the public schools he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he completed a literary course. Deciding upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he also prepared for his chosen profession in Ann Arbor and received his diploma in 1890 upon gradua- tion from the Medical College of Ohio at Cin- cinnati. He located for practice in Indiana, living in the western part of the state until 1895, when he removed to Prairie Center, Illinois. In 1897 he took up his abode in Ottawa, where he has practiced continuously since with excellent success. He is now permanently located in this city, owning a home at No. 402 First avenue.

Dr. Shaw was married to Miss Jessie McAl- lister, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and they have a daughter, Edith, who was born three years ago in this city. Politically Dr. Shaw is an earnest republican where national issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot.

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He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and other fraternal organ- izations, and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and the hospi- tality of their own pleasant home is greatly en- joyed by their many friends. In the line of his profession Dr. Shaw is connected with the city, county, state and American medical associations and thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession.

FRANK D. LEIX.

Among the prominent men of Ottawa whose life record forms an integral part of the busi- ness history of the city is numbered Frank D. Leix, the junior partner in the firm of Graham & Leix, dry-goods merchants of Ottawa. Early coming to a realization of the value of enterprise and close application in business affairs, he has so directed his efforts as to win the success which results from diligence and perseverance. Mr. Leix is a native son of La Salle county, born March 2, 1860, his parents being Dionis and Vic- toria (Rapp) Leix, both of whom were natives of Germany. In their family were seven chil- dren, namely : John, Joseph, Julius, Kate, Sophia, Victoria and Frank D. The father was for some time proprietor of the Washington Hotel in Ottawa and was well known in business cir- cles here; so that his death, which occurred June 6, 1905, when he was seventy-four years of age, was the occasion of wide-spread regret. Ȟe had for several years survived his wife, who died July 30, 1899.

Frank D. Leix pursued his education in the Catholic and German schools of La Salle county and immediately afterward became a factor in business circles in Ottawa. He has for four- teen years been connected with commercial in- terests in this city, being for some time with the A. Lynch Company. He afterward joined James F. Graham in forming the present firm of Graham & Leix, which is today regarded as one of the strong mercantile combinations of the city. They are dealers in dry goods, cloaks, suits and ladies' furnishing goods, having the most exclusive dry-goods store in Ottawa. They carry an extensive line of moderate and high- priced goods and have a large patronage, the business having constantly grown from a small beginning to extensive proportions. The policy of the house has ever been such as would bear close investigation and scrutiny, the business

principles being based upon such old and time- tried maxims as "Honesty is the best policy" and "There is no excellence without labor."

Mr. Leix was married in 1882 to Miss Sophia Willis, a native of England, and they now have two daughters : Ida, who completed her educa- tion in the high school of Ottawa and is the wife of Roy Grove, who resides upon a farm in this county ; and Catherine, who is also a high-school graduate and was educated in music in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Leix is a democrat in his political views and affiliation and fraternally is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the North American Union, while his wife is a member of the Congregational church. The family residence is at No. 1314 Ottawa avenue. Mr. Leix has gained a place among the prom- inent and progressive citizens here. His con- nection with any undertaking insures a prosper- ous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion what- ever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.

HENRY M. BASCOM, M. D.

Dr. Henry M. Bascom, one of the distinguished physicians and surgeons of Ottawa, whose posi- tion in the ranks of the medical fraternity of Illinois is indicated by the fact that he has served as president of the State Homeopathic Medical Association and has often been appointed on the most important committees of that body, is a native of Galesburg, this state. His preliminary education, acquired in the public schools, was sup- plemented by study in the high school at Prince- ton, Illinois, under Professor Boltwood, a well known educator of the state. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work he matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1873. He located for practice in Ottawa and for a third of a century has, as physician and surgeon, been known as one of the foremost men of the city and state. He has kept abreast with the trend of modern thought and progress and in fact has been a recognized leader in the forward movement in homeopathy in Illinois. His success came soon because his equipment was unusually good and because his native and acquired talents fitted him to cope in

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History of La Salle County, Illinois, Part 34

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