USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 10
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In 1905 controlling interest in the company was acquired by the present officers, W. B. Brinton, president, and Bradford Brin- ton, secretary and treasurer. Several additions and improvements have been made in the plant since that time and the past year's business was the largest in the history of the corporation. The works are located on a spacious triangular piece of land between the depots of the Chicago & Northwestern and Illinois Central railroads, with switches from both roads running to the shops and warehouses. Since the location of the shops at Dixon, large additions to the factory and warehouses have been made from year to year, the location and arrangement of which are admirably adapted to the requirements of the business. New and improved machinery has been added from time to time whenever, by so doing, the quality and style of goods could be improved or the cost les- sened. Thus year by year the business has grown, successfully weathering the financial panics which have destroyed many enter- prises.
THE DIXON NATIONAL BANK.
Dixon has every reason to be proud of her financial institutions, for the record here made is a creditable one. With well defined plans and business affairs capably administered, the Dixon National Bank is today a stronger institution than ever before, It
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was organized in September, 1871, and capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars. Its officers were: H. B. Jenks, president; John Dement, vice president; and Henry S. Lucas, cashier. Its officers at the present day are: J. C. Ayres, president; S. S. Dodge, vice president; A. P. Armington, cashier; and M. R. Forsyth, assistant cashier. The capital stock remains at one hundred thousand dol- lars, but there is now a surplus and undivided profits of one hun- dred and forty thousand dollars. The bank occupies a fine, modern, fireproof stone and brick building, fifty by seventy feet, five stories in height, the upper floors being used as offices, while the first floor is thoroughly equipped for the banking business. From its incep- tion the bank has made a splendid record.
JOHN E. ECKHART.
. John E. Eckhart is the owner of seventy-nine acres of land on section 18, Bradford township, and has been very successful in the cultivation of this property, being numbered among the repre- sentative and able agriculturists of Lee county. He was born in Lee Center, December 11, 1856, and is a son of Henry and Martha (Kilmer) Eckhart, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in the '40s and later took up their residence in Lee county, where the father bought land upon which he resided until his death. In their family were eleven children, eight of whom survive.
John E. Eckhart was reared at home and acquired his educa -: tion in the district schools. When he was twenty-one years of age he began work as a farm laborer and continued thus for fifteen years thereafter. At the end of that time he rented land and after two years purchased the farm which he now owns. He has seventy- nine acres on section 18, Bradford township, and in its cultivation follows always the most practical and progressive methods with the result that the property has increased in value and produc- tiveness year by year. It is today an excellent farm, reflecting the care and labor which the owner has bestowed upon it.
In 1885 Mr. Eckhart was united in marriage to Miss Anna Nass, a native of Lee county and a daughter of John and Augusta Nass. The mother has passed away but the father survives. Mr. and Mrs. Eckhart have two children, Harry and Raymond, at home. The parents are members of the Evangelical church and Mr. Eck- hart gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has
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served as school director and is progressive and public-spirited in matters of citizenship, cooperating heartily in all movements for the general good. He is in all essential respects a self-made man, for the prosperity which he now enjoys has been won entirely through his own efforts. His success is founded upon hard work, industry and well directed ambition.
GEORGE F. O'MALLEY.
Since 1901 George F. O'Malley has been an active representa- tive of commercial interests in Dixon and is an enterprising business man who in the conduct of his interests, follows straight- forward methods that bring legitimate success. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1870, and is a son of Peter and Sebina (Healy) O'Malley, both of whom came to this county with their parents, the father arriving in 1852. He made farming his life work and for more than a half century was a resident of this county, his death here occurring August 4, 1913, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-five years. For about four years he had survived his wife, who died in 1909.
George F. O'Malley, born upon a farm in this county, early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, but he did not care to engage in tilling the soil as a life work and pursued a course in the Dixon college in order to qualify for other pursuits. He was graduated from that institu- tion in 1895 and afterward was employed in various men's furnish- ing goods stores until he joined Edward Vaile in the establishment of the present firm of Vaile & O'Malley. They began dealing in shoes, clothing and men's furnishing goods and the business has steadily grown along substantial lines until they now have an excellent store, carrying a large stock of goods for which they find a ready sale, owing to their enterprising methods, their judicious advertising and their progressiveness.
In 1901 Mr. O'Malley was married to Miss Mary McIntyre of Dixon, and unto them have been born five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living, namely: Peter M., Mary G., Frances S., George F., Jr., and Edward Albert. The parents hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. O'Malley belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. When age conferred upon him the right of franchise he
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cast his ballot for the democratic party which he has since sup- ported. He is a well known progressive young business man, and the establishment, of which he is one of the partners, ranks with the leading commercial enterprises of the city.
H. H. BADGER.
The possibility of success lies before every individual and the recognized power in America is that of industry. It has been through close application and well directed effort that H. H. Badger has become cashier of the First National Bank of Am- boy, in which position he has continued since 1906, making for himself a creditable name in the financial circles of the county. His birth occurred here October 6, 1875, his parents being War- ren H. and Emeline G. (Green) Badger. His grandparents came to Lee county in 1842 and were among the earliest of the pio- neers. Colonel Badger, great-grandfather of our subject, was one of the first settlers in Illinois from the state of New York and the grandfather was the founder of the Binghampton Mill, in the operation of which Warren H. Badger eventually became engaged. This mill is the oldest in this part of the country and few were the families that antedated the arrival of the Badgers here. From early days representatives of the name have been very prominent in public work and in all that has pertained to the development and advancement of the district. The grand- father, Henry E. Badger, was at one time supervisor and post- master and others of the name have ever borne active and helpful part in the work which has brought about the material pros- perity and upbuilding of the county. Warren H. Badger was a public-spirited man but cared little for office. Both he and his wife still survive and are now residents of Dixon.
In the public schools of Amboy, H. H. Badger acquired his primary education, which was completed by a course in the Dixon Normal School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1892. He started in the business world as an employe in the of- fice of Franklin MacVeagh & Company, wholesale grocers of Chicago, later returning to Amboy, where he entered his father's retail grocery store, being continuously connected with the busi- ness until 1899. He then turned his attention to banking, accept- ing a clerical position in the First National Bank. He was later
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promoted to assistant cashier and eventually to his present posi- tion as cashier, in which capacity he has served since 1906. He is also one of the directors and stockholders of the institution and since becoming connected therewith his enterprise and progres- siveness have constituted a feature in its continuous growth. He is also vice president of the Sanitary Creamery Company and secretary of the Colson Clothing Company.
On the 5th of October, 1910, at De Kalb, Mr. Badger was united in marriage to Miss Clara M. Heermans, a daughter of the Rev. N. W. and Clara J. (Webster) Heermans, the former pastor of the Episcopal church at De Kalb to the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1910. His widow now makes her home among her children. Mr. and Mrs. Badger have two children, a son, Warren H., and a daughter, Jane W.
Politically Mr. Badger is a republican. He is a Knight Tem- plar of the Dixon Commandery, belonging to the chapter and blue lodge Masons at Amboy. He has likewise crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Rockford, Illi- nois, and he has membership in the Eastern Star, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors of America. He is vice president of the Amboy Commercial Club and his position in social, commercial and fraternal circles is one of well merited prominence. He readily recognizes opportunities and grasps them resolutely that the public may benefit thereby or that his individual success may be promoted. Laudable ambition and high purposes actuate him in every relation of life and his many sterling traits of character find proof in his extensive circle of friends.
JOHN P. HARVEY.
John P. Harvey, proprietor of the John P. Harvey Bridge & Iron Works at Amboy, is a native of Lee county. He was born in Amboy township, March 28, 1860, his parents being Michael and Ellen (McGill) Harvey. His father and mother came from Ire- land to the new world, settling in New York, whence they removed to this county in the spring of 1850 and took up their abode in Amboy township on a tract of land which was wild prairie, having traveled by stage from Chicago to Lee Center. The father was a democrat in politics and though not an office
JOHN P. HARVEY
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seeker, was always interested in the welfare and progress of the community. He died in 1866, his wife remaining on the old home- stead until the time of her death, which occurred in 1903, when she was buried by his side in May township in what is known as the Sandy Hill cemetery.
John P. Harvey is the youngest of seven children. The family included but one daughter, Mary who died at Cheyenne, Wyom- ing in 1874 when twenty-six years of age. A brother, Charles died at the age of twenty-seven and both he and his sister are buried with their parents in Sandy Hill cemetery The others of the family are Thomas E., attorney at law at Lead, South Dakota, he being one of the attorneys who tried the first civil suit in the Black Hills, and was also the first postmaster of Custer City which was one of the earlier mining camps of the Hills; James, a farmer of Marion township; Peter, a farmer of Denison, Iowa; and Michael, who occupies the old homestead.
The education of John P. Harvey was acquired in the country schools which he attended until seventeen years of age, after which he devoted his attention to the work of the home farm until he was twenty years of age, and then entered the employ of the Illi- nois Central Railroad as a bridge worker and was thus employed for four years. He then returned to the home farm, where he remained for a brief period, but subsequently became a fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad.
He was later appointed, and served for two years, as a police officer, afterwards serving as marshal of Amboy for eight years. He next became an employe in the Charles C. Jacobs Bridge & Iron Works, in which he was advanced to the position of manager, acting in that capacity for several years before purchasing the business in 1908. He is now at the head of one of the important industrial enterprises of Amboy, enjoying a business which is constantly growing in extent and importance. His long training in mechanical lines has well qualified him for the important duties which now devolve upon him and which have brought to him a substantial measure of success.
At Amboy on the 6th of January, 1885, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Sparks, a daughter of Michael and Bridget (King) Sparks. Her father, who came to Lee county in the '70s was an employe of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- pany. Both he and his wife have passed away and their remains were interred in St. Patrick's cemetery at Amboy. Mr. Harvey owns two residence properties which he has recently remodelled.
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He also built and still owns a fifty by one hundred foot brick building which is used by Edmund Neville as a garage.
In politics he is a democrat and for six years he filled the office of alderman, exercising his official prerogatives in such an ad- mirable and beneficial manner that he was chosen mayor of the city and continued in that position for four years. His public service, like his private life, has been characterized by intense activity, looking to the betterment of the things under his control and as mayor and business man he has enjoyed the confidence and good-will of the general public.
PAUL REIS.
Paul Reis, a representative of a well known pioneer family of Lee county, is engaged in general farming and stock-raising upon one hundred and twenty acres of fine land on section 11, Sublette township. He is a native son of this locality, born in 1857, his parents being Martin and Katherine (Theis) Reis, both of whom have passed away, the former dying October 7, 1894, and the lat- ter October 14, 1897. Both are buried in the Perkin's Grove cemetery, Sublette township. The father was one of the pioneer settlers in Lee county and engaged in farming here at a time when Chicago was the nearest market. He was obliged to haul his grain there and always spent more than a week upon the journey.
Paul Reis acquired his education in the public schools of his native township and laid aside his books at the age of fourteen. He afterward assisted his father with the work of the farm for thirteen years and then came into possession of the homestead, which he has since operated. This comprises one hundred and twenty acres and is well improved in every particular, being equipped with a comfortable residence and good outbuildings and reflecting everywhere the care and labor which the owner has be- stowed upon it. Mr. Reis engages in mixed farming, raising grain and keeping about twenty hogs, twelve head of cattle and five horses.
In Sublette township, in 1884, Mr. Reis married Miss Kate Kliyla, a daughter of Jacob and Louise (Young) Klivla, both of whom have passed away and are buried in West Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Reis have become the parents of a son, Romer P., who is assisting his father. Mr. Reis is a member of the Catholic
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church and a democrat in his political beliefs. His life has al- ways been in close conformity with high principles and his record is a credit to a respected and worthy name.
CLARENCE C. BROOKS.
Clarence C. Brooks is one of the younger members of the Dixon bar, practicing successfully, however, as junior partner in the firm of Brooks & Brooks, his associate being his brother H. A. Brooks. He represents one of the old families of the county, his birth having occurred in Marion township, April 12, 1879, his parents being Benjamin F. and Susan O. (Morris) Brooks. No event of special importance occurred to vary for him the routine of farm life, his youth being spent upon the old homestead. He supplemented his public-school education by a course in Dixon College and was graduated with the class of 1903. Desiring to follow the profession in which his brother had already embarked, he took up the study of law with him and in 1906 was admitted to the bar. He was then admitted to partnership by his brother and the firm of Brooks & Brooks, general practitioners, occupies today a prominent position among leading lawyers of the city. He has ever recognized the fact that industry is just as essential to success in the professions as in commercial circles and close ap- plication and unfaltering perseverance, therefore, have been ele- ments in securing his advancement. Like his brother, Mr. Brooks is a member of the Odd Fellows and has also filled the chairs in the local lodge, being now a past noble grand.
GEORGE J. DOWNING.
Success flauntingly plays before the dreamer but succumbs when arrayed against determined effort, unfaltering perseverance, laudable ambition and honorable purpose. An analyzation of the life record of George J. Downing shows that these qualities have constituted salient features in his history and brought him to his present enviable position in mercantile and financial circles of Lee county. He is now proprietor of one of the leading grocery stores of Dixon and also the owner of valuable business property.
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Mr. Downing was born in Kane county, Illinois, in 1875, and is a son of Major O. J. Downing. He supplemented his public- school education by a three years' collegiate course in the Dixon Normal School and then made his initial step in the business world as an employe of J. H. Morris & Sons, grocers, with whom he re- mained for eight years, his long connection with that establish- ment plainly indicating his fidelity and capability. Ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account, he carefully saved his earnings and in 1900 opened a general grocery store, handling a full line of both staple and fancy groceries. The taste- ful arrangement of the establishment, the reasonable prices and his reliable business methods have brought to him a growing patronage and his success is most gratifying. As prosperity has attended his efforts Mr. Downing has become interested in real estate. He erected one of the largest buildings in Dixon at Nos. 110-116 First street. It has a frontage of one hundred and one feet and the main floor is used for an express office, garage and steam rubber works, while on the second floor is the armory.
On the 13th of September, 1909, Mr. Downing was united in marriage to Miss Golda Coburn, of Elgin, Illinois, and they have many warm friends in Dixon, the number continually increasing as the circle of their acquaintance widens. Mr. Downing is a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and also has mem- bership with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Knights of Pythias. He has never figured prominently in public connec- tions aside from business, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his commercial interests which, capably directed, have constituted the foundation and source of his success. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and he enjoys in large measure the confidence and respect of colleagues and con- temporaries.
CHRISTIAN C. FABER.
Christian C. Faber is one of the progressive and successful business men of Paw Paw, where he has been established in busi- ness since twenty-two years of age, having now conducted a meat market on Main street for twenty-eight years with such marked success that he has come to be recognized as one of the most sub- stantial men of his city. A native of Illinois, he was born in Clar-
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ion township, Bureau county, on December 26, 1863, his parents being Peter and Margaret (Miller) Faber. The father was one of the early settlers in Bureau county, being highly respected and es- teemed by all who knew him, and there passed away in 1884, his wife surviving him for more than a quarter of a century, passing away in 1912. Both are buried in Rest Land cemetery, Men- dota, Illinois. The Faber family is of German extraction.
Christian C. Faber attended district school in Clarion town- ship, discontinuing his lessons at the age of sixteen years. He then assisted his father with the work on the farm, giving the benefit of his labors to his parents until twenty-two years of age. His father having passed away in the meantime, he in 1885 made a removal to Lee county and upon coming to Paw Paw associated himself with his brother George in the meat business, which he has ever since conducted with most gratifying financial results. George Faber has retired from the business and our subject is now sole proprietor, conducting business in a handsome building on Main street. His progressive methods, his watchfulness as to most sanitary conditions, the quality of the goods which he handles and his universal politeness have all combined to build up a trade which is representative and gratifying in proportions. It is, there- fore, but natural that as the years have passed financial independ- ence has come to him and that he is today one of the foremost business men in the city.
At Paw Paw, November 20, 1889, Mr. Faber married Miss Myrtle I. Smith, a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Adams) Smith, numbered among the early pioneer farming people of Lee county. The father passed away October 8, 1907, and is buried at Cottage Hill cemetery, but his wife survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Faber. The latter is the mother of one son now living, Leon A., who is at present attending school. Clifton S., another son, died in October, 1898, at the age of five years, and was laid to rest in Wyoming township cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Faber occupy a commodious residence, which was erected by our subject and where both he and his wife extend a hearty welcome to their many friends.
In his political views Mr. Faber is a democrat, upholding the candidates and measures of that party at the polls, although he has never cared to enter the political arena in the role of office seeker. Yet, he is public-spirited in the best meaning of Ameri- can citizenship and gives his support to all measures which will make for the betterment of conditions for the general public or
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promote advancement and growth in his city and. county. In religious faith he is a member of the German Lutheran church and fraternally belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, carrying the brotherly principles promulgated by these organizations into his everyday life. He is highly respected by all who know him as a shrewd, able business man and a valued and public-spirited citizen, who is as considerate of the interests of others and the general welfare as he is concerned in his own success.
H. C. BARTH, M. D. C.
Dr. H. C. Barth, veterinary surgeon and proprietor of the Barth Veterinary Hospital at Amboy, arrived in this county in 1905 and at once entered upon the active practice of his profession. He was then a young man of but twenty-three years, his birth having occurred at Freeport, Illinois, May 8, 1882, his parents being John and Minnie (Strate) Barth, who were of German lineage. The father formerly engaged in dealing in horses but is now living retired in Freeport.
After acquiring his primary education in the public schools Dr. Barth entered the College of Commerce at the age of sixteen years and was graduated therefrom in 1898. He afterward became connected with the veterinary hospital at Freeport, where he remained until, having determined to qualify for the profession, he became a student in the Veterinary College at Chicago, being grad- uated therefrom in 1905, at which time he received the diploma of the school. He at once came to Amboy and entered upon the active practice of his profession. He had no capital whatever but made such success that after four years he was able to build a hospital. He is well informed concerning the practice of veterinary surgery and his pronounced ability has made him one of the leading repre- sentatives of the profession in Lee county.
In Amboy, on the 16th of October, 1907, Dr. Barth was married to Miss Alice June, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth June, the former a pioneer farmer of this county. They have one child, a daughter, Lucille. In politics Dr. Barth is independent. Frater- nally he is connected with the Masons, holding membership in both the lodge and chapter at Amboy, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. These
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associations indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules that govern his conduct. The following of these rules has made him a man whom to know is to fully respect.
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