USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Newton Meredith Love was born in this city, September 21. 1869, his par- ents being Newton B. and Sarah (Candee) Love. The Love family is of Scotch-Irish origin and the founder of the family in this country, John Love, Vol. II-S
114
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
came from Ireland about 1720. Thomas Love, who was the great-great-grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and in the American army at that time were other members of the Love family. John Love, the original American ancestor, was a member of the first general synod and descendants of the name were ruling elders of the Presbyterian church in this country. The Candee family is of French origin and members of it were fugitives from the Huguenot persecutions. This family was also estab- lished in the new world at a very early day-about 1740-and various members were soldiers in the Revolution and following wars which have been waged in America. The original name was Conde, but shortly after the establishment of the family in this country the present form was adopted. The maternal uncle of our subject, George W. Candee, was deputy paymaster general of the United States army at the time of his death. Newton B. Love was a railroad man of ability and for many years was the representative of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Peoria. His death occurred in 1888, at the age of sixty-one years, and that of his wife in 1907, the latter passing away at the age of seventy-six years. Both were buried in Hope cemetery at Galesburg, Illi- nois, which is the Candee family burial place. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian church in Peoria and a commissioner to the general assembly of that denomination. Mr. Love is related through his mother's family to the Gales from whom the city of Galesburg was named.
Newton Meredith Love received his education in the public schools of Peoria, and was graduated from the high school in 1886. He then went to Knox Col- lege at Galesburg, where he studied a few years, and in 1888 entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, his first position being that of office clerk. He proved an intelligent and efficient worker, and was promoted from time to time until he was appointed freight solicitor for this division of the road. In 1903 he succeeded M. W. Goss, who was retired, as agent at Peoria, Illinois. This position he still retains. Possibly there is no wider known or more popular man in the middle west in railroad traffic circles than Mr. Love. He has been ever ready to advance the interests of his state and city in this line and was one of the chief promoters of the Transportation Club, of which he is now the second vice president.
In his political faith he is a member of the republican party. Fraternally he is a Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to the consistory, and is also a Shriner. He is a member of the Creve Coeur Club, director of the Peoria Canoe Club, a member of the Kickapoo Club, and is also affiliated with the college fraternity Beta Theta Pi. Although he was not a dealer in grain or what may be termed a grain man, still his enthusiasm, energy and untiring efforts in behalf of the promotion of the traffic and business interests of the grain trade gained for him the unsolicited honor of appointment to the vice presidency of the Peoria Board of Trade, and he is still a member of that organization.
Mr. Love resides at 301 Ellis street with his sister, Mrs. Anna L. Archer, who is assistant librarian of the Peoria Public Library. He has been a life-long member of the Presbyterian church, is an elder of the First church of Peoria, and was a commissioner to the general assembly of that denomination. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Y. M. C. A. and a liberal financial con- tributor towards its building. He is a true son of Peoria, where he has lived all his days, his prominence in commercial, social and church circles making him a representative citizen. Throughout the history of the world, mere success has never, save in rare instances, been the cause of any man being remembered by his fellows after he has passed from life, and never has the mere accumula- tion of wealth won honor for any individual. The methods employed in the attainment of prosperity however, may awaken approval and admiration, for the world pays its tribute to him who through enterprise, unfailing effort and clear-sighted judgment makes substantial advance in the business world without
115
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
infringing on the rights and privileges of others. Such is the record of Mr. Love who throughout his entire business career never deviated from a course that he believed to be right, but stands through many years as a leading represen- tative of Peoria.
He was early taught to comply with the Biblical injunction "Be diligent in business," and the religious and moral training which he received, coupled with his honorable lineage, caused him to early develop those essential traits of char- acter, integrity, stamina and perseverance-which have contributed to make his business career an honorable and successful one.
Mr. Love is still a young man, full of the fire of youth, of wonderful energy and tireless diligence, learned in his profession, gifted preeminently with engag- ing social qualities which draw around him numbers of friends wherever he goes. He has all that straightforward courage and sincerity, that unfaltering integrity of purpose and whole-hearted generosity of impulse which fit a man for leadership; he is welcomed and appreciated in every circle, social and polit- ical, and his hold upon the hearts of the people at large is growing firmer and stronger with the flight of years.
RUDOLPH H. HAMMEL.
Rudolph H. Hammel, local commercial agent for the Central States Dispatch and also vice president of the Workingmen's Loan & Homestead Association, was born in Peoria on the 3d of August, 1876, and is a son of Henry and Eliza- beth Hammel. The father was a native of Germany and there he was reared and educated. At the usual age he entered the army, remaining in the service during the German-Austrian war. He subsequently decided to become a citizen of America and emigrated to the United States, locating in Peoria, and here for thirty years he engaged in the hay and grain business. He was a man of sterling worth and high integrity and made many friends during the long period of his residence in this city. He passed away on the 25th of July, 1905, at the age of sixty-five years, and was laid to rest in the family lot at Springdale cemetery. The mother is still living and now makes her home at No. 611 Lincoln avenue.
Practically the entire life of Rudolph H. Hammel has been passed in this city. He attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education until he was fifteen years of age and having completed his grammar-school course, he then enrolled in the Brown Business College, where he studied shorthand and bookkeep- ing. In 1892 he became a wage earner, his employers being the North Chemical Company, whom he served for eighteen months in the capacity of manager. He subsequently took a special course in penmanship at the General Business Col- lege at Quincy, Illinois, after which he became a teacher of this art. On the 20th of April. 1896, he took a position as stenographer with the Big Four Rail- road Company, serving in this capacity for about a year. At the expiration of that time he became a freight solicitor for the same company. continuing to discharge the duties of this position until the Ist of October, 1906. He resigned from their service on the latter date in order to take the position he now holds with the Central States Dispatch. In addition to his duties in this connection since October, 1910, Mr. Hammel has been vice president of the Workingmen's Loan & Homestead Association with offices at No. 31 Arcade building, 119 North Jefferson avenue.
Peoria was the scene of Mr. Hammel's marriage on the 2d of October, 1901, to Miss Lizzie Kasjens, and to them have been born three daughters, as fol- lows: Hilda E. and Florence M., who are attending the German school; and Verna T., who is two years of age. The family home is located at 704 Lincoln avenue.
116
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Hammel are members of the German Lutheran Evangelical church, in the faith of which they are rearing their family. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political indorse- ment is given to the republican party. Mr. Hammel is well and favorably known throughout the community as a reliable business man, public-spirited citizen and trustworthy friend.
EDWARD L. SPURCK.
Edward L. Spurck is treasurer of the Mexican Agricultural Land Company in the organization of which he assisted in 1905. They have met with success in the development of their interests during the seven years they have been pro- moting the organization and have every reason to feel gratified with their achievements. The birth of Edward L. Spurck occurred in this city on the 9th of June, 1867, and he is a son of Peter E. and Ellen B. Spurck. The parents are now both deceased, the mother having passed away in June 1889, at the age of forty-nine years, while the father was sixty-six at the time of his death, which occurred on the 23d of March, 1897. They were communicants of the Roman Catholic church and were interred in the family lot in St. Joseph's cemetery. The father was one of the successful pioneer business men of this city and was at the time of his death, and had been for many years previous, treasurer of the Peoria Distilling Company. The Spurck family originally came from Germany and upon their arrival in this country located in Pennsylvania. They subse- quently removed to Ohio, whence the grandparents came to Peoria in 1846.
The education of Edward L. Spurck was begun in St. Patrick's parochial school, and there he pursued his studies until he was fifteen years of age. He then supplemented the knowledge there acquired by a course in one of the local commercial colleges thus qualifying himself for the practical duties of a business career. After completing his education his father put him in charge of his real estate interests, the duties thus involved engaging his entire attention until 1889. In the latter year he acquired some stock in the Peoria Paving Block Company, and continued to be identified with this enterprise in the capacity of secretary and treasurer until 1893. He next became associated with others in the organi- zation of the Spurck Street Paving Brick Company, the manufacturers of the first large brick used in Peoria, their yards being located across the river. Mr. Spurck was superintendent of their plant until they sold it in 1898 to Mr. Carter. After disposing of this he withdrew from business activities for a year, but at the expiration of that time, in 1899, he bought an interest in the Union Corn Planter Company. His uncle, M. D. Spurck, was for many years promi- nently identified with this industry, which was founded by James Selby & Com- pany. They engaged in the manufacture of various farming implements and were the second concern in the United States to put out a corn planter. Mr. Spurck was connected with this company for four years, and during that time acquired a very thorough and practical knowledge of the business. In 1903 the plant was sold and he then embarked in the real estate business. Two years later, in 1905, he became associated with others in the purchase of large land tracts in Mexico and they organized the Mexican Agricultural Land Company to promote the development of their holdings. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Oklahoma with a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Its officials are all well known and thoroughly responsible business men and as a result the company has been a financial success from its incipiency and is now recognized as a firmly established and stable enterprise. Their offices are located in the Mayer building.
117
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
On the 5th of June, 1907, Mr. Spurck was united in marriage to Miss Laura M. Steffen, a daughter of Henry and Louise Steffen. The father was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Scott county, lowa, but is now de- ceased, his death having occurred in Davenport, that state. The mother is still living, however, and now makes her home at Eldridge, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Spurck live at No. 147 Glenwood avenue, where he erected a residence in 1910 that is in every way a credit to the community.
In matters of religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Spurck are members of the Roman Catholic church and he also belongs to the Knights of Columbus, while his po- litical allegiance he gives to the democratic party. He is a very capable man and attributes his success in business to the fact that he has always concentrated his entire efforts upon anything he undertook and has made it a principle not to identify himself with any activity that did not conduct its transactions in a perfectly legitimate and honorable manner. Mr. Spurck has passed his entire life in this city and has always been identified with its business interests, as was like- wise his father. Also like him he has maintained a reputation that is above question, both being men of incorruptible integrity and upright principles.
WILLIAM E. BRUNINGA.
William E. Bruninga, who ranked with Peoria's most prominent and well known business men, occupying for many years the position of general manager with the F. Meyer Furnace Company, was born March 29, 1871, in the city which was ever the scene of his labors. Here he lived until death called him on the 3d of March, 1911, representing one of the old families of Peoria. His parents were John and Elizabeth Bruninga, natives of Germany, who settled in Peoria at an early period in the city's history. The son pursued his education in the public and high schools and in a business college and when he started out in life for himself he obtained a position in a bank, in which he remained for several years. He next became connected with the coal trade, being employed by a local coal company for several years, and in 1890 he entered into active association with the F. Meyer Furnace Company, gradually working his way upward with that firm until his persistent effort and ability brought him to the position of general manager, in which capacity he served for a number of years, thus occu- pying a prominent place in the business circles of the city. He was thoroughly reliable as well as progressive, manifested good judgment in business affairs and was devoted to the interests and welfare of the company which he represented.
On the 25th of June, 1894, Mr. Bruninga was married to Miss Matilda Meyer, a daughter of Frank and Anna Marie (Janssen) Meyer. Her father was a native of Norden, Germany, and with his parents came to America, landing at New Orleans, while on the 28th of May, 1858, he arrived in Peoria. He was closely identified with the business development and progress of the city for a long period. He became the founder of the F. Meyer Furnace Company which bears his name and as one of Peoria's pioneer business men, capable. resource- ful and reliable, he occupied a high position in public regard. He not only con- tributed materially to the business development of the city but also to its edu- cational progress, doing effective service in behalf of the public schools in four years' service on the school board. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bruninga were born two children, William and Frank, who are vet attending school.
The father was a democrat in his political views and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he was never an aspirant for office. His religious faith was that of the German Lutheran church, to which he was ever most loyal. He was also a valued member of the Creve Coeur Club and he possessed a genial nature that was manifest in the hospitality and cordiality
118
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
which were marked features of his home. He was a great reader, loved music and possessed no little ability in that direction himself. In fact, he found his greatest pleasure in the enjoyment of those interests which are of an ennobling and uplifting character. He always chose the better part nor was he ever con- tent with the second best. He achieved success and it came to him as the reward of earnest effort. He felt life's sorrows, its shadows and its sunshine but in every relation he was found as a man among men and he leaves behind him the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
ANDREW JAMES HODGES.
Through almost three-quarters of a century Andrew James Hodges was con- nected with the upbuilding and the progress of Illinois, being closely associated with its industrial and manufacturing interests. His labors constituted an impor- tant element in the work of general progress and improvement and he always rejoiced in what was accomplished as the state forged forward and took its place with the leading commonwealths of the Union. It was in the town of Norton, Massachusetts, on the 31st of October, 1815, that the birth of Andrew J. Hodges occurred and following the acquirement of his education he learned the car- penter's trade in Boston. The opportunities of the growing west attracted him in 1837 and when a young man of twenty-two years he arrived in Illinois, taking up his abode at Delavan, where for eighteen years he was connected with building operations, working as a master carpenter. He was first employed upon the building of the well known Delavan House and during his residence in that town he was also engaged on the construction of the courthouse at St. Louis, Missouri. Experience developed his skill and in course of time he came to be recognized as one of the foremost builders of central Illinois. He established his home in Peoria in the spring of 1848, occupying a residence on Third street, which he had erected in the spring of that year. Here he was closely identified with building operations for a long period and gained a position among the leading contractors of the city, erecting a number of the substantial buildings that are still standing, including the Dobbins House, which was afterward used as the Creve Coeur Club, the Universalist church and the Cox building at the corner of Adams and Fulton streets. From the time of his arrival in the city until his demise he figured as one of its representative and prominent business men, his activities contributing not only to individual success but also to public progress and prosperity. In 1864 he took charge of the Barker & Hawley works at Decatur, which some years later were consolidated with the plant owned by the same company at Pekin. Not long afterward Mr. Hodges became proprietor of the business, which he conducted under the firm style of A. J. Hodges & Company until 1890, when he disposed of his interests in that enterprise to the Acme Harvester Company. In the mean- time he had become well established as a leading manufacturer of agricultural implements in this state. He built what is known as the Haines Illinois harvester, developing from the original wooden machine the Hodges steel header-a machine used extensively in the United States and also well known in South America. He displayed great care and insight in developing his business, was watchful of every opportunity relating to the trade, and constantly improving the output of his fac- tory, was able to command a very liberal patronage, making his business one of the profitable enterprises of central Illinois. It has been said of him: "He was not only a competent but a reliable mechanic and executed every contract with the utmost fidelity. He needed no superintendent or watchman to see that any work undertaken by him was honestly done. He ranked deservedly high in his com- munity because of his integrity, his uprightness, his singleness of purpose and his public spirit."
-
ANDREW J. HODGES
121
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
On the ist of August, 1844. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ilodges and Miss Sarah E. Grant, of Delavan, Illinois, formerly of Providence, Rhode Island, who is still living at the age of ninety years, a remarkably well preserved woman, both physically and mentally. Unto this marriage there were born five children. of whom the second died in infancy. Anna E. became the wife of II. P. Wilber but is now deceased. Her children are: Belle, who is the wife of Charles H. Thorne, of Winnetka, Illinois, and has three children, Elizabeth, Hollett and Leslie; Nellie, who is the wife of Norman Borland; and Florence, the wife of William Heckler. Mittie is the wife of E. E. Arnold, of Providence, Rhode Island, and has five children, Mittie, Dorothy, Edwin, Henry and Elizabeth. The other members of the family are Jennie G. and Charles A., who reside with their mother in a beautiful home on Perry avenue in Peoria, which was erected by Mr. Hodges. His death occurred on the 9th of October, 1900, when he had almost reached the age of eighty-five years. His political allegiance was given to the republican party from the time of its organization and his re- ligious opinions were indicated in the fact that he attended the Universalist church. It has been well said that he deserved the tribute that "an honest man is the noblest work of God." His life was, indeed, well spent. He was fair, re- liable, enterprising and progressive in business, faithful in citizenship, loyal in friendship and most devoted to his home and family. All the qualities that men most admire in the individual were his and yet he never took any special credit to himself for what he accomplished. He was free from ostentation or display but the breadth of his nature and the uprightness of his character placed him high in public regard.
JOHN DALTON.
John Dalton is the secretary and treasurer of the S. C. Bartlett Company, grain commission merchants, with offices in the Chamber of Commerce building. His identification with this concern dates from April, 1872, when he became office boy for the firm then operating under the name of S. C. Bartlett & Com- pany. In this connection he has gradually worked his way upward and one of the. elements of his success is that he has concentrated his efforts along a single line to the exclusion of outside interests. His fidelity to the house is manifest in his long connection therewith and his ability is attested by the promotions which have brought him to his present official position. Mr. Dalton was born in Peoria, June 29, 1857, his parents being Martin and Catharine (Cashin) Dalton, who came to this city in 1848. They were natives of Ireland and on sailing from that country to the United States landed at New Orleans, whence they made their way northward to Chicago and from that point came to Peoria. The city by the lake was then a small town of comparatively little industrial and commercial im- portance and Peoria, too, had scarcely entered upon the era of growth and de- velopment which has brought it to its present position as a commercial and man- ufacturing center.
John Dalton was here reared and the public schools afforded him his educa- tional privileges. He started out in life for himself at a compartively early age and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his industry, perseverance and resourcefulness. He first entered the employ of Robert A. King in the produce commission business and nine months later became an em- ploye of S. C. Bartlett & Company, his initial position with the house being that of office boy. This was in April. 1872. Forty years have since passed and he has had no occasion to change his vocation for he found the work congenial and it gave to him the opportunities which his ambition sought. He early recognized the fact that industry and trustworthiness meant promotion and gradually he
122
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
was advanced through intermediate positions until he was called to the office of secretary and treasurer. The business with which he is now officially connected had its inception in 1869, having been organized by S. C. and W. H. Bartlett, brothers. Operations were begun under the name of S. C. Bartlett & Company and were so continued until 1890, when W. H. Bartlett went to Chicago and entered the firm of Bartlett, Frazier & Company. In 1892 S. C. Bartlett also removed to Chicago and entered the same firm, continuing an active factor in the grain trade in this city until his death in March, 1893. The brothers still re- tained their interests in Peoria, however, until the life labors of S. C. Bartlett were terminated in death. On the Ist of July, 1908, the business in Peoria was incorporated under the style of the S. C. Bartlett Company with a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars. Its present officers are: J. H. Riggs, presi- dent ; Norman W. Bartlett, vice president ; and John Dalton, secretary and treas- urer. Mr. Dalton was also secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Com- pany before it was merged with the S. C. Bartlett Company. The main offices of this company are in Peoria and they have a line of elevators along the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad between Peoria and Sterling and between Peoria and Keithsburg on the Iowa Central Railroad. Their operations are now very ex- tensive, making them one of the leading grain firms of eastern Illinois. They largely control the grain trade in the cities where they operate and their business has become one of magnitude.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.