USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 24
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WILLIAM T. DOWDALL, M. D., B. A.
Occupying a conspicuous place in the professional galaxy of Peoria stands Dr. William T. Dowdall, a physician and surgeon whose natural ability, educa- tion and training have secured for him not only a fine general practice but also numerous appointments of trust and honor by various life insurance companies and fraternal orders and by one of the greatest railroad corporations in this state. The Doctor has practiced in Peoria since 1905. He is a native of this city, born August 18, 1872, a son of William T. and Delle ( Mason) Dowdall. His father for twenty-five years was a newspaper man in Illinois. During his professional career he published two papers in Peoria-the Peoria Daily National Democrat (succeeded later by the Herald) and the Evening Review. He like- wise published the Pekin (Ill.) Times, the Virginia Enquirer and the Jackson- ville Daily Courier. William T. Dowdall was also the first postmaster to oc- cupy the present fine postoffice building of this city, serving four years during President Cleveland's first term of office. He is now living retired in Memphis, Tennessee, with another son, Paul Mason Dowdall, an attorney.
William T. Dowdall, Jr., whose name introduces this review, received his early education in the common and high schools of the city of his nativity. He became the first special delivery messenger in Peoria. Wishing to augment his knowledge, he entered the Illinois College at Jacksonville. there taking the preparatory course, and afterward attended the Wabash College at Crawfords- ville, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the fall of that year he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago, being graduated with honors from that institution in 1898. Subsequently he had over one year's experience as interne at the West Side Hospital in Chicago and then secured a civil service appointment placing him on the board of health in that city, a position which he held from 1899 until 1903. During that time he was on the smallpox staff and also was commissioned to the care of scarlet fever and diphtheria cases. After the valuable profes- sional experience thus secured in Chicago. Dr. Dowdall, with his brother, Dr. Guy Dowdall, now chief surgeon of the Illinois Central Railroad went to Clin- ton, Illinois, in 1903, there practicing in partnership with his brother until 1905, when he came to Peoria. During the period of their residence in Clinton the brothers were division surgeons for the Illinois Central. On coming to Peoria. Dr. William T. Dowdall opened offices at No. 105 South Jefferson street and later removed to suite 232, Woolner building, where he is now located. In addition to discharging the duties devolving upon him by reason of his large general practice. Dr. Dowdall acts as local surgeon for the Illinois Central Rail- road, examiner for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the Central Union Life Insurance Company, the Hartford Life Insurance Company, the Modern Woodmen of America, Independent Order of Foresters, Mystic Workers of
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the World and Fraternal Reserves. He is a member of the National Railroad Surgeons Association, the American Medical Association and the Peoria City and Illinois State Medical Societies.
Dr. Dowdall was united in marriage, in 1901, to Miss Anna Connole of Car- rollton, Illinois, and to them has been born one child, Annadelle Mason Dow- dall. Mrs. Dowdall is a leader in musical circles of the city and with her rich soprano of a peculiarly soft timbre and sweetness, of remarkable power of ex- pression, and precision and clearness of tone, even in the upper registers, often delights enraptured audiences with her renditions. The Doctor is a prominent member of the Creve Coeur and Kickapoo Golf Clubs.
EBERHARD GODEL.
A country has but one ruler, be he emperor, president or king. Few, there- fore, have the opportunity of attaining to the highest administrative position and the prizes in military life, too, are comparatively few. The field of business, however, is limitless and its prizes are many ; they may be won by earnest, per- sistent and intelligently directed effort and as one passes beyond the starting point of his career he finds that competition is less and his chances more certain. Eberhard Godel is numbered among those whose prosperity had its root in de- termined, persistent effort and sound business judgment. Moreover, his dealings were at all times in conformity with the high standard of commercial ethics and thus when death called him he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name as well as a most substantial competence. He was one of the worthy citizens Germany furnished Peoria, his birth having occurred in Feuer- bach, Wurtemberg, Germany, May 26, 1836. He was a youth of fourteen years when he came with his mother and younger sister to America. He served a four years' apprenticeship to the hatters' trade in Hoboken, New Jersey, and in 1854 came with his mother and sister to Peoria where he became connected with the butchers' trade. For two years he was associated in that business with Charles Breier and then removed to Burlington, Iowa, where he engaged in the business of slaughtering and of selling meat. In 1857 he became a resident of Monmouth, Illinois, where he conducted a similar business and in May, 1858, he returned to Peoria. For nine years thereafter, he devoted his attention to buying and selling stock and won a measure of success in that business that enabled him to start out along another line. In 1867 he bought an interest in the firm of Ullman & Gebhardt at which time the firm style of Godel & Gebhardt was assumed. This relation continued for ten years and in 1877 Mr. Godel purchased his partner's interest and bent his energies to the conduct of his business which he continually enlarged in scope and volume. He began pork packing in addition to slaughtering and selling meats and his patronage steadily increased. In 1882 his son, George G., joined him in a partnership under the firm name of E. Godel & Son and in 1885 Frank G. Godel joined them under the firm style of E. Godel & Sons, the firm being incorporated in 1888. Mr. Godel was successful in his chosen business and became the leading slaughterer and vendor of meats in the city of Peoria, and so continued for many years. He was fairly successful in his business and accumulated a fair fortune, which, with his good name, he left to his family as their inheritance. In 1882 he erected a brick business block on North Adams street, where he conducted the office and retail departments of the business.
On the 8th of June, 1857, in Burlington, Iowa, occurred the marriage of Mr. Godel and Miss Elizabeth Renz, who was born September 15, 1832, in Liver- pool, Perry county, Pennsylvania. Her father, John Renz, was born in Schoen- dorf, Wurtemberg, Germany, June 9, 1782, and died the year of his arrival in Peoria-1858. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Elizabeth Smith,
EBERHARD GODEL
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was born in Liverpool, Perry county, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1804, and in 1858 came to Peoria where she passed away in 1880. Seven children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Godel: George G., deceased; Frank G .; Ilenry, who has departed this life; Henry E .; Albert, also deceased; Theodore A .; and Louisa. Mr. Godel met death in the great railroad wreck at Chatsworth on the Ioth of August, 1887. He was spoken of as a "man of quiet, unostentatious manners, diligent in business, a faithful, devoted friend and honorable and up- right in all the relations of life." His political allegiance was given to the re- publican party and while he never sought office he was always loyal in citizenship and devoted to the best interests of the community in which he lived. He held membership in the Methodist church, was an advocate of temperance and a supporter of all those projects and measures which he deemed essential to honor- able, upright manhood. Peoria recognized that in his death she had lost one of her representative and valued citizens and many of his friends in this city still cherish his memory.
GEORGE J. JOBST.
One who bears the name of Jobst needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for the name has figured prominently and honorably in connection with building interests here and is a synonym for all that is most progressive in that field of labor. Under the firm name of Val Jobst & Sons a contracting busi- ness is conducted that is second to none in Illinois. In addition to his connec- tion with this firm George J. Jobst is a director in the Dime Savings Bank, fig- uring in financial circles of Peoria in this capacity since 1909.
He was born in this city in September. 1875. and pursued his education in the public schools. His business training came to him from his father, Valen- tine Jobst. Sr., after he had graduated from the l'eoria high school and also from the University of Illinois, in which he pursued a course as a civil and ar- chitectural engineer. The broad scientific training thus received has been a feat- ure in the success of the firm, for after leaving school he at once joined his father and brothers in the conduct of a business of great magnitude. Their efforts extend beyond the limits of Peoria and their reputation places them in a foremost position as leading contractors of central Illinois.
George J. Jobst was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Nelson, of Cham- paign, Illinois, and in the social circles of Peoria they occupy a prominent place. Mr. Jobst belongs to the Delta Tau Delta, a college fraternity, also to the Creve Coeur Club and the Country Club of Peoria and to the University Club of Chi- cago. He is a typical young business man of the present age-wide-awake. energetic and resourceful, finding his opportunities in prevailing conditions, which he wisely utilizes in the upbuilding of his own fortunes and in the im- provement of the city of his nativity.
HARRY J. TRUE.
Among the young men of Peoria who undeniably exercise a perceptible in- fluence in the business world of the city, is Harry J. True. Without detracting from the merits of thousands of other young men, who have gained honorable distinction and enduring names for themselves in the paths of honest industry in this city, we may safely say that few men of his years have interwoven their names with as many projects and enterprises as has Mr. True. He belongs to
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Peoria, whose citizens claim him as their own, and who delight in honoring his intelligence and business energy on any possible occasion.
Mr. True, a young business man of ability and sterling integrity, was born on the home farm in Saratoga township, Marshall county, Illinois, January 25, 1884, and his father, Albert True, is now living retired in Henry, this state. Harry J. True was reared under the parental roof, and began his education in the common schools, taking later on a high-school course in Marshall county, and then attended the Illinois Normal School of Dixon and completed his education in Brown's Business College of Peoria. At the age of eighteen he left the home farm and came to Peoria, here becoming identified with the imple- ment trade. In 1908 he secured a half interest in the old established imple- ment, transfer and storage business of the Kircher Company, a concern founded twenty-five or thirty years ago by Henry C. Kircher, now deceased. The com- pany handles carriages, buggies, implements, horse supplies and accessories, and does a large business in those lines. The transfer and storage of household goods is an equally important part of their business, to which they give careful attention with the result that they do a very satisfactory business in those lines. Harry J. True was the very efficient manager of this concern until January I, 1912, and not a little of their success was due to his careful management and capable business ability. On the first of January, 1912, he sold his interest in the above company, to take up the duties of office manager of the Domestic Vacuum Sweeper Company. This sweeper was invented by Dr. Quist of Wor- cester, Massachusetts, who sold the right to patent and manufacture the same to the present owners. On February I, 19II, was organized the Domestic Vacuum Sweeper Company with headquarters at Peoria, Illinois, and factories at Worcester, Massachusetts. The business has grown wonderfully. The out- put which at first was about thirty per day has now reached six hundred, and the factories are being rebuilt to increase the output to over one thousand per day. The product is sold throughout America and Europe and many salesman are employed. The sweeper is designed especially for cleaning carpets and rugs. However, it can be used most successfully for cleaning walls, draperies, upholstered furniture, bedding, etc., by use of special attachments. There is nothing to get out of order, and nothing to wear out-shortly, it is an article that is almost indispensable to the housewife. This industry is bound to prove one of the greatest in the middle west. The officers of the company are, Silas Ropp, president; B. C. Koch, secretary and treasurer; J. E. Gerber, vice pres- ident and general manager; Harry J. True, office manager.
During Mr. True's ten years' residence in this city he has demonstrated that he not only has good business qualifications but also social qualities which indicate that he will achieve a prominent place in our business and social circles. In business transactions, he exhibits a quick appreciation and prompt decision which are as necessary to the successful merchant as the successful general, but tempered with a courtesy which wins the esteem of all who come into contact with him. In private life, his amiable and generous disposition have endeared him to numbers of friends. Mr. True has the rare gift of imbuing his followers with an enthusiasm that never wearies nor is mercenary. Especially do the young men take service under him and do an incredible amount of work in- spired by that dynamic force of their leader. Add to these qualities, an unabating energy, a perfect grasp of detail, an intensity of purpose that never takes any- thing for granted, and a boldness in planning, and a rapidity of execution that leaves between the flash and the report scarcely the interval of a second, and you have Mr. True in an almost perfect light.
As a life companion, Mr. True chose Miss Josephine Cline, of Canton, Illi- nois, their union occurring November 18, 1909, and to them has been born a daughter, Marie Catherine, on November 28, 1911. Social diversions Mr. True finds as a member of the Creve Coeur Club, and he is affiliated with the Travel-
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ers' Protective Association. Mr. True's thorough business qualifications and his well-known executive ability have always been in great demand in the com- mercial activities of Peoria, and his strict probity in all his relations, have met with that return of warm personal regard and financial success which such dis- tinguishing qualities richly merit.
CHAUNCEY G. COLE.
Among the many successful business men of Peoria who have won place and fortune as the direct result of their own untiring diligence and unfailing integrity, we find occupying a prominent position Chauncey G. Cole, sales man- ager and director of the Jobst-Bethard Company, the largest and best known wholesale grocery house in this city. Mr. Cole, who is one of Peoria's own sons, was born on the 13th of January, 1874, his parents being Johnson L. and Louisa A. Cole. The father is one of Peoria's most prominent and influential men. He is a pioneer banker and a thirty-third degree Mason and his name is a household word in this city. More extended mention is made of him on another page of this work.
Chauncey G. Cole was reared and educated in Peoria. He attended its public schools, where his diligence fitted him at the early age of fifteen years to accept- ably fill a position with the great wholesale establishment with which he has been for twenty-three consecutive years actively connected. Beginning at the foot of the ladder, he worked himself up through the various subordinate de- partments until he became sales and pricing manager for this mammoth con- cern, which has in its employ more than a score of traveling salesmen, dispens- ing its output throughout the central west. In addition to the management of his departments, his voice is heard as a director in all the affairs and details concerning the policy of the business. Having grown up in the atmosphere of the wholesale grocery trade, he is well qualified to give advice on every detail of its affairs, and his alertness to the needs of the trade, gained through his close connection with the travelers representing the company, renders his counsel invaluable along all lines. The concern of Jobst-Bethard Company owes to him in no small degree the large success which it is enjoying.
Mr. Cole chose for his life partner Miss Lillian C. Best of Peoria, a daugh- ter of Herman Best. One child, Louisa A. Cole, has been born to them. Mr. Cole occupies a prominent place in the fraternal life of the city. He is a Knight Templar Mason, belongs to the Mystic Shrine and is at present eminent com- mander in the commandery. Long a member of the Travelers' Protective Asso- ciation, he is one of the state directors of that body and also chairman of the state board. The city of Peoria has few young men of greater promise and of more real value to its business, social, civic and fraternal life than Chauncey G. Cole.
JOHN H. DUNLAP.
Among those who are active in managing city affairs in official capacities is numbered John H. Dunlap, who is now serving as alderman from the Fourth ward. At the same time he is carrying on a successful business as a contractor and builder, and in this connection has secured an extensive and growing patronage. He has resided in Peoria continuously since 1894 and since 1897 has been identified with its building interests. He was born at Chenoa, Illinois, on the 17th of February, 1869. His father, John Dunlap, was also a carpenter and contractor, who for a long period was engaged in building in Chenoa,
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where John H. Dunlap spent his boyhood and youth and acquired his educa- tion as a public-school student. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, with whom he worked until his removal to Chicago, Illinois, where he resided for eight years, later coming to Peoria. His training was thorough and practical and he came to this city well qualified to win advancement. His work has ever commended him to the public patronage, for he is straightforward and reliable in his dealings. After two or three years spent in this city in the employ of others he started in business on his own account and is today well known as a general contractor, evidences of whose handiwork are seen in some of the fine structures of the city. He erected the res- idences of Charles Ulrich, A. C. Pffeifer, W. J. Balzer and a number of others, and also remodeled the Lyceum Theater and Onken's Laundry. During the busy season he has employed as many as fifty carpenters. He gives to all of the work his general supervision and sees to it that the labor is thoroughly done, that the buildings are constructed in a substantial manner and at the same time close attention is paid to comfort and convenience.
In 1903, in Peoria, Mr. Dunlap was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Wil- liamson, and they have become the parents of an interesting little daughter, Ruth. Mr. Dunlap is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the former organization he has taken the degrees of the chapter and council and has filled all of the chairs in the differ- ent Masonic organizations with which he has been identified. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, which, recognizing his fitness for office, made him its nominee for the position of city councilman in the spring of 1908. He was elected on that occasion and after two years' service received indorsement of his course in office in reelection. In 1912 he again was elected to the office, so that he is now serving for the third term. He does everything in his power in this connection to further the best interests of the city and his practical and beneficial ideas concerning good government are recognized by his associates in the council and the general public.
BENJAMIN D. BREWSTER.
Benjamin D. Brewster is vice president of the Brewster-Evans Coal Com- pany, producers and wholesalers of coal, with offices at 1028 Jefferson build- ing, Peoria. Mr. Brewster was born in Peru, Illinois, November 24, 1864. His father, Theron D. Brewster, went to Peru in 1835 and in 1836-7 laid out the site of that city. The Brewsters still own considerable property in Peru and vicinity. After a long and successful business life Theron D. Brewster died in 1897, after which event Benjamin D. Brewster took up the work where it had been laid down. The senior Brewster was one of the first directors of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company and also a prominent banker in his day.
Benjamin D. Brewster was reared in Peru, where he received his early edu- cation, but while yet only a boy he became identified with the Chicago Board of Trade. His experience as a coal dealer and operator covers a period of about fifteen years. For many years during his early business career he paid a great deal of attention to locating and selling coal mines. In 1909 Mr. Brewster be- came the senior member of the coal firm of Brewster & Evans, which was con- ducted and continued in Peoria until February, 1911, when was incorporated the Brewster-Evans Coal Company. The base of the supplies of this company is principally near South Bartonville, Peoria county, Wallace C. Evans being president of the corporation. Their mine and coal are named the "Walben." Messrs. Brewster and Evans were interested in the Crescent Coal Company
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about one year. Previous to his locating in Peoria, Mr. Brewster had been in the coal business many years. He is a business man of sterling integrity, with a large circle of associates and friends. He is vice president and chairman of the board of directors of the Peru Plow & Wheel Company of Peru, Illinois, a concern doing an extensive business and requiring considerable attention at the hands of Mr. Brewster.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Brewster chose Miss Anna Detweiller, of Peoria, daughter of John and Louisa Detweiller. One son was born to them, Benjamin D., Jr. The family reside at No. 1015 North Jefferson avenue in Peoria.
JOHNSON LAFAYETTE COLE.
There are few, if any, residents of Peoria of Mr. Cole's age-seventy-eight years-who can claim as long a connection with the city and its development as he, for he was but two years of age when brought to the little frontier village that has now become the second city in size in Illinois. He has, therefore, witnessed the development of this district from the days of the primitive past to the progressive present when Peoria has every advantage and opportunity known to the older east. To its development and progress he has made valu- able contribution through his identification in business affairs and in every rela- tion he has commanded the unqualified regard of his fellow townsmen.
Mr. Cole was born in Cheshire. Berkshire county, Masachusetts, January 19, 1834. The ancestral line is traced back to Hugh Cole of English birth who became the father of the American branch of the family, settling at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1632. and in 1634 he wedded Mary Foxhall and from him the line of descent is traced down to Benjamin Cole, who was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, in 1678: Israel Cole in Swansea, in 1709; Israel Cole (II), born at Rehoboth in 1735: David Cole, born in Cheshire, in 1781 ; and Almiran S. Cole, born in Cheshire in 1805. The founder of the family in the new world was a man of prominence in his community, filling various important positions in connection with the colonial government such as deputy of the general court, selectman of his town, and others. In September, 1835, Almiran S. Cole left Lanesboro, Massachusetts, and after spending sixty days in traveling across the country reached Peoria. In the embryo city he established a store on Main street but after two years sold out to Gardner T. Barker who had been a clerk in his employ. Through the succeeding two years Mr. Cole ran the steamer "Frontier" as a passenger packet between La Salle and St. Louis. This was one of the first boats of its class on the Illinois river. Later Mr. Cole again embarked in merchandising, erecting a building in which to conduct his store. In 1844 he built the first distillery in Peoria, conducting it for two and one half years after which he sold out to Sylvanus Thompson. In 1847 he began the erection of a much larger establishment-a four story structure which was built at a cost of thirty-eight thousand dollars and had a capacity of sixteen hundred bushels of grain per day. In a history published in 1851 this is spoken of as one of the largest buildings in the Mississippi valley. Mr. Cole had previously built the first warchouse in Peoria on the site of old Fort Clark. After dis- posing of his second distillery in 1868 he removed to a farm in East Peoria upon which he spent his remaining days in practical retirement save for his supervision of his large real-estate interests. He was married at Pownall, Ver- mont, January 18, 1833, to Chloe M. Brown of Cheshire, Massachusetts, who died February 19. 1882. In their family were nine children.
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