History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 118

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 118

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John O. Rames, manufacturer of harness and saddles, and dealer in horse clothing, 213 South Fifth street, has been conducting the business at that number since 1860. A number of years ago he replaced the old frame building with the neat brick block he now occupies, eighteen by seventy-four feet, three stories high. The first

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floor is used as a salesroom, and the manufac- tory, in which seven to ten mechanics are em- ployed, occupies the rear part of the second story. Ilere ail his harness and saddlery are made for a trade of $15,000 a year. Mr. Rames is a native of Springfield, Illinois, born in 1831; served an apprenticeship of four years with Mr. R. F. Ruth, in the city, in whose employ he continued several years afterwards, pursuing his trade as a journeyman until he opened his present shop. At the age of twenty-one years he married Mary E. Connelly, of Springfield, who died two years after. In April, 1859, he married his present wife, Mary E. Redman, of St. Louis county, Missouri. Six children have been born to them ; the four living are : Martha M., Cora B., Mary J. and John O., Jr. Mr. Rames' parents, Nathaniel and Sarah (Ogden) Rames, were Kentuckians by birth. They moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to Springfield in 1829, where his mother still resides, aged seventy-four. Politically, Mr. R. is a Conser va- tive Democrat. He has served two terms in the City School Board, and several terms in the City Council, of which he is now a member, and Chairman of the Fire and Water Committee. He has filled all the chairs in the local lodge of I. O. O. F., and is now Vice Grand. He and his wife and two eldest daughters belong to the Baptist Church.

Horace S. Leland, was born in Lands Grove, Vermont. July 26, 1836, where he attended school until 1845; he then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and attended school until 1848, when he went to New York City, and engaged in the hotel busi- ness with his uncles, the Leland Bros'., of New York, where he opened the Leland hotel in Springfield, Illinois, since which time he has been here and with his brothers in the Sturte- vant House in New York. He and Bros'. own the Leland in Chicago, New York, and Albany, and, also, the Ocean Hotel at Long Branch. The father of Horace, Aron P. Leland, was born in Vermont. In politics he was an old time Whig, and he died in 1878 his wife, Submit (Arnold) Leland was born in Vermont, she was a member of the Presbyterian church and the mother of eight children, viz: Louis, Horace S., Geo. S., Jerome W., Chas. E., Warren F. and Clarrissa N. Wiggins. In politics Mr. Leland is rather Independent. His grand- father, Simeon Leland, was a prominent politician and a member of the legislature.

The Leland and Wiggins Hotel was built in 1864, and opened in January, 1867. It cost $320,000, and is the finest hotel in the State,

outside of Chicago. The hotel has an elevator, Smith, Borg & Co.'s engine and machinery; and accommodations for three hundred and fifty guests. In addition to the hotel, they have just built a building with engine room, wash and drying rooms, with fine engines and a nest of boilers with four hundred and fifty horse power capacity. In connection with the hotel, Mr. Le- land owns a farm of three hundred acres, all under good cultivation. On this farm are fine gardens, hot houses, graperies, etc., enabling them to raise all kinds of fruits and early vege- tables. They raise their own pork, milk, cream and produce.

Fred. L. Reed was born at Boston, Massachu- setts, April 11, 1847, where he attended school and was engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe trade until February, 1865. He then went to Chicago and remained in the wholesale boot and shoe trade four or five years, and traveled for the house over the States of Illinois and Iowa. He then became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, in 1870. He went in the dis- tillery business in Chicago, but held his mem- bership in the Board of Trade; he was engaged some four years in the distillery business, when he was employed in the register department of the Chicago post office until December, 1880; and January 11, 1881, was appointed to his pres- ent position as chief corporation clerk in the office of the Secretary of State, in Springfield, Illinois. He was married to Miss Kate M. Mil- ler, January 11, 1870; she was born in Buffalo, New York, and is a daughter of Hon. H. B. Mil- ler, born at Lebanon, Pennsylvania; he held the office of Treasurer of Cook county, Illinois, and was elected a Representative to the legislature of New York State two terms; he is at present President of the Riverton, Illinois, Alcohol Works; in politics he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; his wife, Estey (Bowman) Miller, was born in Ohio; she is a member of the Baptist Church; she and husband reside at Riverton, Illinois. The father of Fred- rick M. Reed, William C. Reed, was born in Randolph, Massachusetts; he is of English descent; he has for many years been engaged in an exclusive provision and packing business at Chicago, Illinois, two or th: ee years, and one year at Milwaukee, Wisconsin; he is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; he is still living in Boston, Massachusetts; his wife, Lydia Thompson, was born in Thomas- ton, Massachusetts; she was the mother of three children, all living, viz: William C. Reed, Jr.,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

who resides at Boston, Massachusetts; Mrs. Fan- nie Walker, also of Boston, and the subject of this sketch, Mr. Fredrick L. Reed, who in politics is a Republican, and a strong supporter of that party; cast his first vote for U. S. Grant, for President of the United States. Mr. Reed and wife are both members of the Baptist Church.

L. W. Reed, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, December 14, 1843, son of Dennis S. and Mary B. Reed, natives of Con- necticut. In 1846, they moved to Ohio when L. W. received a business education; in 1854, re- moved to Will county Illinois; when eighteen years of age, L. W. engaged with Barnes & Smith as clerk, in Rockford, where he remained until 1864, then enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-First Regiment, Illinois Volunteers In- fantry, three-months men; remained in the ser- vice about six months. After the close of the war, returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to Connecticut. In the spring of 1865, returned to Rockford, where he embarked in the dry goods trade as the firm of Moulthorp & Reed; in eigh- teen months sold his interest and started a gen- eral store in Milford; remained there two years, then moved to Wihnington, taking his stock with him. In 1873, removed to Granby, Con- necticut, where he embarked in the wholesale of Yankee notions; was afterwards chosen Secretary of the Granby Manufacturing Company. In April, 1880, came to Joliet, where he commenced his present business in February, 1881. He married Miss Kate J. Adams, danghter of Joseph and Emily Adams, of Will county, Illinois. By this union there are six children, three sons and three daughters. Ile is member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. orders; also a member of the G. A. R.

M. O. Reeves, Springfield, Illinois, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on the 14th day of September, 1808, son of Austin and El zabeth (Dill) Reeves; father of Virginia, and mother a native of Maryland; was married in Mason county, Kentucky, where four sons and four daughters were born, four of which are living at the present writing. In 1820, they moved to Monroe county, Indiana, where he died in 1828; mother died in 1858. The subject of this sketch went to Ohio in 1824, where he was employed as clerk by an uncle, John Reeves, in a dry goods store and post office (in Warren county), where he remained three years; thence to Batavia, Clearmont county; thence to New Richmond, on the Ohio river. In 1828, went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained two years, when his uncle started a branch store thirty

miles above, and he was put in charge one year. He went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged to the firm of Reeves & McLean, in a wholesale dry goods house, where he was employed until 1834. In 1835, bought a bill of goods of Reeves & McLean, and shipped them to Springfield, where he embarked in merchandising, which he followed up to 1880, and has been in active busi- ness for nearly forty-five years in Springfield. In 1836, married Miss Nancy E. Miner, daughter of Colonel Gideon Miner, of Ohio, who came to Sangamon county about 1830. She was born in Clairmont county, Ohio, April 20th, 1816. The fruits of this marriage was eight children, two of which are living, Laura and Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also their two daughters.

Frank Reisch & Brothers. Of the brewing business, may be mentioned the firm of Frank Reisch & Brothers, who constitute the leading firm in this branch. The business was estab- lished in 1849 by Frank Reisch, Sr., in a frame building, 20x30 feet, three stories high. Mr. Reisch conducted the business until 1854, when he rented it for three years to Andrew Kane. After the time expired he again took hold of the business; in 1858, he formed a partnership with C. A. Helmle; in 1862 Mr. Helmle sold out, and Frank Reisch, Jr., was taken in; in 1875 the present firm bought, and have continued the business since. The capacity of the buildings are as follows: the brewing house, 80x42, five stories of brick; one ice house, 40x70, and one 52x100, both of brick, having a capacity of 10,000 tons; two malt kilns, one 30x30 and one 40x40, two stories, also of brick; one malt house 40x80, three stories; stables, 35x80; the capacity of the brewery is one hundred barrels per day; use eighty thousand bushels of barley, employ forty men and eight teams.

Leonard Reisch, of the firm of Reisch & Thoma, dry goods merchants, 126 South Sixth street, east side of the square, is a native of Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, and is twenty-three years of age. Ile was educated in St. Louis, and after leaving school went to Bloomington, and was two years there connected with a furniture house. Soon after returning to Springfield, he formed a partnership with Henry Thoma, and in May, 1881, purchased the stock of dry goods of L. H. Coleman, and succeeded him as the proprietors of one of the oldest and most prosperous retail dry goods houses in Springfield. Their business occupies two stories of the building, twenty-one by one hundred feet, on the first floor, and forty-two by one hundred

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on the second floor. Their stock invoiced $65,000, and the sales for 1880 were $135,000. The business of the new firm gives flattering promise, and employs seven salesmen. This house has the reputation of carrying the finest goods in the market. They make a specialty of elegant dress goods, trimmings, and notions.

Henry Thoma, the other partner of this firm, has been identified with the dry goods trade of Springfield ten years, and nine years with Mr. Coleman, in the store of which he is now joint proprietor. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and is twenty-six years old. He came to Springfield at eight years of age, and commenced his mer- cantile career at fourteen, as delivery boy. Dur- ing the years 1878 and 1879, he was Deputy in the County Treasurer's office, an experience of great value in a business way. In the spring of 1879, he married Miss Laura Westenberger, of Springfield.

Frank Reisch, Leonard's father, was a native of Baden, Germany, where he married, and im- migrated and settled in Springfield some years before Leonard's birth. He engaged in brick manufacturing and in the brewing business. He died in August, 1875. His widow still resides in the city.

Frank Reisch, deceased, was born in Baden, Germany, July 24, 1809. When twenty-three years of age he came to the United States, land- ing at New Orleans, then worked his way up the river to St. Louis, and from there to Beardstown, where he remained about five years, then re- turned to his native country, when he married Miss Susan Mansen. She was born in 1817. They have had thirteen children, seven of whom are living, four sons and three daughters. After marrying, they returned to Beardstown, where Mr. Reisch commenced coopering, and remained there until 1889, when he came to this county, locating first in Cartwright township, where he bought land and followed farming in connection with coopering. In 1842, he moved to Prairie Creek township, and in 1850 came to Springfield. Previous to coming, he had commenced the erection of the old brewery, which he finished and occupied for a number of years. He died in 1875, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. He landed in New Orleans with but one five franc piece in his pocket, but at his death could count his dollars by the thou- sands.

John W. Reilly, M. D., Springfield, Illinois, born in this city January 20, 1859; is the son of Robert and Bridget (Mathews) Reilly, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to this country in 1855

or 1856, and located in Springfield, where he en- gaged in the hotel business, which he followed for a number of years; is at present engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch attended the High School of this city, and graduated in the class of 1877. Ile immediately commenced the reading of medicine, his preceptor being Dr. R. S. Lord, of this city. In 1878 and 1879, he attended lectures in Rush Medical College, and also spent two years in Bellevue Hospital Medi- cal College, New York, and graduated with honors. The Doctor has spared no time or money to fit himself for the profession of his choice; he is at present City Physician of the city of Springfield.

John T. Rhodes, of Rhodes & Brother, con- tractors and builders, was born January 14, 1831, near Frederick City, Frederick county, Mary- land; came with an elder brother to Springfield, Illinois, in February, 1855. Having learned the carpenter trade of his father before coming West, and being an expert workman, he com- manded the highest wages. His brother George, partner in the firm, was born in Frederick county, also, in September, 1833, learned the trade there, and came to Springfield in 1856. They both worked as journeymen until the fall of 1858, then formed the present partnership, and began contracting. They have actively en- gaged in the building business since, and have erected a great many business blocks and dwell- ing houses in and about Springfield. Of late years they have confined their attention to city contract work almost exclusively. Among the business buildings this firm has constructed, are the Springfield Watch Factory, and the Central Block, just completed this fall, on the corner of Adams and Sixth streets. They employ from twelve to eighteen mechanics, and did a business in 1880 of $35,000, and will run over $40,000 in 1881.

On April 19, 1860, John Rhodes married Eliza W. Merriweather, born in Springfield, Illinois, May 5, 1840. They have two children, William Robert, and Ellie Maria Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes has served three consecutive terms in the County Board of Supervisors; is now serving his third term as City Alderman, having been first elected in 1874, and is the only Democrat ever elected from the Sixth Ward, it being Re- publican by a large majority. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since the second day after his arrival in Springfield.

His parents were both born in Frederick county, Maryland; father, Peter Rhodes, in 1795, mother in 1805. They had ten children,

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who all lived to adult age, nine now alive. His parents died some years ago.

James H. Rickard, manufacturer of buggies and spring wagons, No. 213 and 215, North Sixth street, established the business at that location February 1, 1881. He makes all styles of buggies and spring wagons, and pays special attention to all classes of repair work. He occupies a large two-story brick building ample for the business, and employs six men in the different depart- ments. Mr. Rickard was born in Ireland, in 1855; immigrated to the United States, and settled in Springfield, Illinois, in 1860; learned the black- smith and carriage business with Myers, David- son & Co., for whom he was employed as a jour- neyman until he opened his shop in the early part of 1881. His father resides in the city ; mother has been dead some years. Mr. R. is a finished workman, an energetic young man, and his enterprise promises success.

William Ridgely, cashier of the Ridgely National Bank, of Springfield, is the eighth of thirteen children of Nicholas H. Ridgely, and was born in the upper story of the old State Bank of Illinois, in Springfield, January 12, 1840. He was educated in the Illinois State University of Springfield when Rev. Francis Springer was President. In July, 1856, he went to St. Louis and spent a few months as shipping clerk in a large milling and wholesale establishment; went thence to Chicago, and was clerk in the commis- sion house of Burrell Bros., until they failed, when he returned to Springfield. In the fall of 1857, he entered as clerk in the Merchants' Bank of St. Louis, and six months after was made pay- ing-teller, at a salary of $1,200 a year, remain- ing till December 1, 1860; then came to Spring- field to go into his father's banking house, in which he became a partner in 1864, under the firm title of N. H. Ridgely & Co., and about that time succeeded his brother Charles to the Secre- taryship of the Springfield Gaslight Company. October 1, 1866, the Ridgely National Bank was organized and William was elected its cashier, which position he has filled to the present time. He has never failed in twenty-one years to be present the first of every month to make out gas bills and close up the monthly business. He has held the office of Treasurer of the Springfield City Horse Railway since April, 1878. He re- mains unmarried.

Nicholas Ridgely, President of the Ridgely National Bank, was born on his father's tobacco plantation, near Baltimore, Maryland, April 27, 1800; is the son of Greenberry and Rachel Ragan Ridgely. He was educated in the city of

Baltimore, and engaged in mercantile business there until April, 1828, when he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and became a clerk in the United States branch bank established there soon after his arrival. Continuing in this business until May, 1835, he was then appointed Cashier of the State Bank of Illinois, incorporated in that year. Mr. Ridgely filled that office till the expi- ration of its charter, and was one of the trustees who finally wound up the business of the bank. While engaged in closing the affairs of the bank and afterwards, he carried on a private banking business on his own account; and after the pas- sage of the State banking law, he, in connection with the Messrs Clark, organized Clark's Ex- change Bank, of Springfield, in 1851 or '52, and retained his connection with it until it was dis- continued, and all its obligations discharged. In 1866, Mr. Ridgely, associated with Charles and William,-his sons,-J. Taylor Smith and Lafa- yette Smith, organized "The Ridgely National Bank of Springfield." He became its President, and has ever since held the office. Thus Mr. Ridgely has been actively identified with bank- ing interests for fifty-three years, and is probably a longer time in the business than any other man in this country. He has been twice mar- ried, and reared thirteen children to adult age.

Henry Ridgely, of Springfield, Illinois, was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, April 19, 1832. When five years of age he came with his parents to Springfield, Illinois, where he attended school until 1848. He then attended the Hills- boro, Illinois, College two years, then attended the Illinois College at Jacksonville six months, when he returned home to Springfield. He then run as engineer on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, the Chicago & Alton, and the Union & Galena, now the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; run on these roads five years, when he was employed as teller in the Ridgely National Bank, at Springfield, Illinois, two years. During this time he was married to Miss Louisiana I. Gray, April 22, 1857. She was born in Gull Prairie, Michigan, August 30, 1839; she was a daughter of Isaac HI. Gray and Charlotte A. McClary, who reside in Springfield, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Ridgely have three children, viz: George Watson, Kate N. and Howard G. Ridge- ly. After Mr. Ridgely was married he remained in the bank one year, then bought an interest in the Old American House, with Isaac R. Gray; some two years after he bought Mr. Gray out, and ran the hotel three years, when he went into partnership in the Hopping & Ridgely lumber yard; he bought out Mr. Hopping some two

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years after, and he run the Ridgely lumber yard and planing mill until August 11, 1881, when the mill burned down. His father, Nicholas Ridgely, banker, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, May 3, 1800. He was a merchant in this city, and when a young man went to St. Louis, Missouri, and was teller in the Bank of Missouri a number of years. In 1837, he came to Spring- field, Illinois, and was appointed Cashier in the State National Bank. For many years past has been running the Ridgely National Bank. His wife, Jane M. Huntington, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the Episco- pal Church, and is the mother of nine children, eight living. The subject of this sketch, Henry Ridgely, in politics is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Buchanan for President.

John Rippon, proprietor of the Excelsior Foundry and Machine Works, corner Ninth and Adams streets; is a native of Connecticut, where he learned the machinist trade; came to Illinois about 1850; crossing the plains to the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon, in 1851; consum- ing one hundred and twelve days in the journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Portland. He spent nearly two years on the Pacific slope, returned via San Francisco and New Orleans. In 1854, Mr. Rippon bought an interest in the Excelsior Machine Works, since which he has conducted the business as a partner until three years ago when he became sole owner. At one time the Excelsior works manufactured more steam engines than any other works iu Illinois. Some twenty engines of its make are running in and immediately around Springfield. The works still does a fine business in that line, and has a heavy trade in coal shafting machinery. He employs twelve to fifteen men. Mr. Rippon married Susan Keeif, a native of London, Eng- land, in 1853. They are the parents of eight children, two sons and two daughters alive. Some twelve years ago Mr. R, designed and built the Excelsior Flouring Mills on Adams street near his iron works, and after operating them two years sold them.

George Ritter, hair-dresser, 319 Washington street, Springfield, Illinois, of the firm of George Ritter & Company, learned his trade in his na- tive place, Germany, beginning when he was fifteen years old. He embarked for America in 1860, and landed at New York in May, and then went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he opened a barber shop, and subsequently came to Springfield, Illinois, in 1861, and was employed in his business by John Dillman, and remained in his employ eight months, and then opened a

shop of his own, and at the end of one year sold out, then returned to Germany in the fall of 1863, remaining there till the spring of 1864, then returned to Springfield and formed a part- nership with the firm of Brandeberger & Kraft, which firm lasted two years and was then sold out at public sale. Mr. Ritter then formed a partnership with Jacob Ritter, and at the end of two years, 1868, the subject of our sketch, George Ritter, dissolved his connection with the firm, and the same year formed a partnership with George B. Ritter, which partnership continues under the title of George Ritter & Company, and doing a good business. George Ritter was born in Grohszimmern, Hessen, Darmstart, Germany, April 28, 1843, is the son of John and Dora Ritter, natives of Germany. George Ritter received his education in the com- mon schools of Germany; was married Decem- ber, 1865, to Lizzie Hoose, of St. Louis, Mis- souri. By their union have six children, viz .: Dora, John, Fred, Ernst, Anna and Bernhart. Mrs. Ritter is the daughter of John Hoose, na- tive of Germany. Mr. Ritter's parents came to Springfield from Germany in 1871, and returned to their home in 1874. Mr. Ritter is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Teu- tonia Lodge, No. 166, is a member of the Work- ingmen's Savings and Homestead Association, and Vice President of the same, and was one of the projectors and directors of its first organiza- tion in Springfield, Illinois. Is a member of the City Council from the Second Ward.

George B. Ritter, hair dresser, of the firm of George Ritter & Co., Springfield, was born in Germany, May 18, 1840; is the son of Konrad and Catharine Ritter, natives of Germany. Mr. Ritter came to America in January, 1852, with his parents, and landed at New Orleans, where they lived five years, during which time the family were afflicted with the yellow fever, in 1853, and but one died-a son. Mr. Ritter began his trade in New Orleans in 1854, and worked there till 1857, then came with his parents to St. Louis, and after working one year, opened a shop of his own, which he sold out in 1859, from which time to 1861, worked in New Orleans and Vicksburg. In 1861, he enlisted in the Southern army of the Potomac, and was taken prisoner by the Union army, 1863. Taking the oath of allegiance, he enlisted in the Union army, in which he remained to the close of the war, 1865; was mustered out of service, and returned to St. Louis, where he followed his trade for two years, after which he came to Springfield and formed a partnership with

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 118

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084