USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 25
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Johnson L. Cole, one of the two surviving of this family, was but two years of age at the time of the removal to Peoria which occurred four years after the
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Black Hawk war. He was one of the first pupils in the schools of this town, and in his youth he became assistant to his father who was then conducting a distillery. In that connection he worked his way upward and in 1860 became general manager, thus acquiring a wide acquaintance with practical business affairs. The distillery was sold in 1862 and Mr. Cole afterward became an accountant in the office of a provost marshal at Peoria which position he con- tinued to fill until the close of the war. In 1865 he then accompanied Adjutant Norton to. Jacksonville and assisted in closing up the affairs of the office at that point. About 1868 he became accountant in the wholesale grocery house of S. H. Thompson, with whom he remained until the business was closed out in 1881. He then became accountant in the banking house of Callender, Ayres & Company, predecessors of the Commercial National Bank and remained with the institution through all its various changes until 1908 when he resigned. He is still, however, a director in the bank but at the present time gives his atten- tion to no active business duties. The rest that he is enjoying is well merited for through many years he continued a prominent factor in business circles of the city. Mr. Cole has been married twice. His first wife, Louisa A. Mason, was a daughter of William and Anne Mason of Peoria. The children of this marriage are: Lafayette, who spent seven years in Japan, but is now located at San Diego, California; Annie, who died in infancy; Elwood Andrew, cashier of the Commercial National Bank; William Edmund, cashier in the bank of Zell, Hotchkiss & Company; Alice Thompson, who died in infancy; Chauncey Guth, connected with the grocery house of the Jobst-Bethard Company; and Thaddeus Ely, who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away June 4, 1876. Mr. Cole was later married to Mrs. Emma L. Harlow of Peoria, who by her former marriage had three daughters: Mrs. Mary Beckenhaupt, Jessie T. and Ruth M.
Mr. Cole is a prominent Mason, stalwart in his support of the principles and purpose of the fraternity. He belongs to Peoria Lodge, F. & A. M .; also the chapter, council and commandery of which he is a past eminent commander. In the consistory he has attained the thirty-second degree and he belongs to Mo- hammed Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and to St. Helena Conclave of the Knights of Constantine in Peoria. On September 7, 1907, at Boston, Massachusetts, the thirty-third degree in Masonry was conferred upon Mr. Cole. He is most loyal to the teachings of the craft and has held office in many of its branches. His entire life has been spent in harmony with its basic principles for he has ever recognized the brotherhood of man and has labored untiringly to secure their adoption.
HARRY B. MAGEE, M. D.
The medical profession has many worthy representatives in Peoria county- men who have been well trained for the onerous and responsible duties which now devolve upon them and who are most conscientious in their performance. To this class belongs Dr. Harry B. Magee, who is one of the best known and most successful among the younger physicians of the city. He has practiced here only since October 3, 1910, coming to this city after a year's private prac- tice in Pennsylvania and a year's service as interne in the Williamsport (Penn- sylvania) Hospital. He is a native son of the Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Clarion county, April 28, 1884, his parents being John A. and Anna Eliza (Sloan) Magee. The father died in 1900. He was a prominent hardware . merchant of Clarion and his enterprise and energy were important factors in promoting the business activity of that place.
F
DR. H. B. MAGEE
THE NEW PUBLIC
ASTOR L. 4 TILDE FOUN.
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Dr. Magee was reared in his native town and at the usual age entered the Clarion public schools, wherein he pursued his studies until graduated from the high school with the class of 1901. He was ambitious, however, to acquire a broader knowledge and in Bucknell University, of Pennsylvania, he pursued a special course in biology and chemistry, thus preparing himself to enter upon the study of medicine, which he pursued in the University of Pennsylvania, completing a four years' course at his graduation from the medical department of that institution in the spring of 1908. His standing won him appointment to the position of interne in the Williamsport Hospital of Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, where he remained for a year, after which he returned to his native town, where he opened an office and continued in practice for a year. On the 3d of October, 1910, however, he arrived in Peoria and has since engaged in general practice here. His patronage has steadily increased and the demands upon his time and skill are now many.
In 1910 Dr. Magee was married to Miss Cora Estelle Moore, of Clarion, Pennsylvania, and during the period of their residence in this city they have made many friends. Dr. Magee, however, is closely concentrating his energies and attention upon his profession. He belongs to the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the John B. Deaver Surgical Society, which is connected with the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Sigma Chi, a college fraternity, and is a Mason. He finds ample opportunity to exemplify the spirit of the craft in his practice and again and again in a professional connection extends a help- ing hand' to the poor and needy, thus recognizing the fundamental principles upon which Masonry is founded-the brotherhood of mankind.
WILLIAM H. WILLIS, M. D.
Dr. William H. Willis is a very successful general medical practitioner of Peoria, where he has followed his profession since the Ist of April, 1898. His ability is displayed in the liberal patronage accorded him, for the worth of the physician is at once manifest in the results which attend his labors. Added to broad scientific knowledge he has a sympathetic manner and a spirit of human- itarianism that constitute features of his growing and well deserved success. He has been a representative of the profession in Illinois since 1881, although a resident of Peoria only since 1898. He was born at Ipava, Fulton county, Illinois, January 20, 1860, a son of Dr. Amos Q. Willis, who practiced medicine at Ipava until his death, which occurred when his son William was but thir- teen months old. The boy was reared in Fulton county and there attended the public schools until he entered upon the study of medicine, pursuing a course in the Missouri Medical College, at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in the class of 1881. Immediately afterward he opened an office in Eureka, Illinois, where he remained for five years, removing in 1886 to Marshall county, Illinois, where he continued in active practice for eleven years. Desirous of promoting his knowledge and skill he then entered the New York Polyclinic. where he pursued his studies in 1897 and 1898, being in due time graduated therefrom. With this added equipment he resolved to seek the broader op- portunities offered in the city and came to Peoria. He has a large general practice but also specializes to a considerable extent in surgery and displays rare training and ability in that line. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy and the component parts of the human body and possesses that cool and quiet nerve necessary in emergency cases. He has served on the staff of Proctor Hospital and is a member of the Peoria City and Illinois State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.
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At Eureka, Illinois, in 1884, Dr. Willis was united in marriage to Miss Dycie Van Dyke, of that city, and they have become the parents of three children: Ethel, who is the wife of E. A. Brown, a resident of Elmwood, Illinois; and Hazel and Harold, twins, the former the wife of Charles E. Smith, of Elm- wood, and the latter now managing the farming interests of his father, in south- eastern Missouri.
Aside from his professional interests, Dr. Willis is connected with agriculture in Illinois, and is the owner of valuable farm property which returns him a sub- stantial and gratifying annual income. He is also meeting with a large measure of success in his practice and his position as a representative of the medical fraternity of Peoria is most creditable. Several years ago, prior to his removal to this city, he was a member of the Illinois National Guard and was accounted one of the best marksmen of the state, at which time Colonel Rice was inspector for the state. Dr. Willis belongs to the Creve Coeur Club and has many friends among its members. He is also widely and favorably known in other connec- tions, possessing the social, genial qualities which everywhere gain friendship and win confidence.
HARRY BATES.
Commercial progress and prosperity are conserved through the efforts of such enterprising and reliable business men as Harry Bates, who occupies a creditable position in the business circles of Peoria as a manufacturer of office, store and bank fixtures, his establishment being located at Nos. 612 to 618 Monroe street, inclusive. He has been connected with this line of business for twenty-six years and for twenty-two years has been owner of his present concern. Twenty-eight years' residence in Peoria has brought him a wide ac- quaintance, and the wise use which he has made of his time and opportunities during this period has gained for him the favorable regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Bates is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having occurred in the town of Attica, August 16, 1859. His father, Albert Bates, was a blacksmith, who removed from Indiana to Illinois, settling with his family in the eastern part of this state just after the close of the Civil war. Harry Bates was therefore reared in Illinois and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational privileges which were accorded him. He began learning the trade of manufacturing office and store fixtures in 1877 but afterward worked at the trade in Chicago, in Denver, Colorado, and in other cities. Eventually he came to Peoria, where he has now made his home for twenty-eight years. He entered the employ of the Tucker Furniture Company of this city in the capacity of cabinet-maker and afterward was connected with the firm of Castle & Son, manufacturers of and dealers in office, store and bank fixtures. About twenty-two years ago he started in business on his own account, opening his factory at 213 Main street, where he remained until he removed to the corner of Fulton and Madison streets, remaining there until he removed to his present location about 1896, in which year he erected the building he now occupies. This is a two-story brick structure with basement, well equipped for the manu- facture of office, store and bank fixtures. It is supplied with the latest im- proved machinery and he employs about fifteen workmen in the manufacture of all classes of store, bank and office furniture. The business has steadily grown and has reached gratifying proportions, the high-grade work and moderate prices bringing a good trade.
Mr. Bates was married in Peoria, in 1894, to Miss Alice Thompson, who was born and reared in this city and is a daughter of Joseph Thompson, now
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deceased, who was one of Peoria's early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have a daughter, Ruth. Mr. Bates belongs to the Illinois Valley Yacht Club, which indicates something of the nature of his recreation. Ilis interests are wide and varied, covering those activities which relate to the city's welfare as well as to individual enterprise and social affairs. Laudable ambition has brought him to his present position in manufacturing circles and his success proves what may be accomplished when determination and energy are unremittingly employed to overcome obstacles and difficulties and to meet competition.
S. L. NELSON.
Prominent among the energetic, far-sighted and successful business men of Peoria is S. L. Nelson, whose well formulated plans, executive ability and in- itiative spirit have carried him into important relations and brought him to a position of leadership in connection with business affairs of this cty. He is today vice president of the Peoria Railway Company and also a director of the Dime Savings & Trust, Title & Trust, and the Merchants' National Banks. His identification with the Peoria Railway Company dates from 1906, but for thirty- five years he has been connected with railway and lighting interests. He was born upon a farm near Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 23. 1859, and there resided until fourteen years of age, attending the country schools and meeting the usual experiences of farm life. At that early period he started out to make his own way in the world and his first position was that of water boy, carrying water to the men working on the construction of the Chicago division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad along the boundary line between the states of Indiana and Ohio. Subsequently he engaged in driving a team and also in building fences in connection with the construction of the same road, but he was ambitious, ener- getic and industrious and gradually worked his way upward, at length becom- ing telegraph operator on the Chicago. division of the road. For ten years he handled the key and also became interested in the telephone business to which he later directed his entire attention. He constructed one of the first telephone exchanges in Illinois, outside of Chicago (Champaign-Urbana) and promoted many of the early long-distance lines. In April, 1885, he became identified with W. B. McKinley, now president of the Illinois Traction system, and similar interests, whose residence is in Champaign, Illinois. Mr. McKinley was at that time largely interested in banking, real-estate and mortgage brokerage en- terprises and also purchased the electric light, street railway and water works at Champaign, Illinois, of which Mr. Nelson became manager and treasurer. The interests of the company were continuously extended into Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kansas and about 1905 they purchased the Peoria Street Railway. Until 1909 MIr. Nelson was in full charge of the business but in that year re- tired from the active management, continuing as vice president. He removed to Peoria in 1906 and under his guidance the street railway system of this city was greatly improved, making it thoroughly modern and up-to-date in its equip- ment and in its operation. As previously stated, he is one of the directors of the Merchants' National Bank of Peoria and he was until January 1, 1912. pres- ident of the Atchison (Kansas) Light & Power Company. He is also a director of the Trade-Mark Title Company of New York and Fort Wayne, an institu- tion having representatives in every important city in the world. Gradually since starting out in life on his own account. he has worked his way upward and the circumstances and conditions of his business career have called forth strong purpose, have developed his powers and made him one of the forceful factors in the control of interests which have had most important bearing upon the city and its progress.
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Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Lupton, of Champaign, Illinois, and unto them have been born six children: Elgie, now the wife of K. M. Cressler, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Jeannette; William O., a lieutenant of cadets at the Culver Military Academy; Grace; Elizabeth; and Charlotte. Mr. Nelson is identified with several fraternal organizations and is a prominent Mason, holding membership in Fort Wayne Consistory, and also in Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is ever loyal to these different organizations. He is likewise one of the directors of the Illinois Valley Yacht Club and a member of the Creve Coeur Club, and of the Peoria Country Club. These associations indicate something of the nature of his interests and recreation and also place his social standing which, like his business position, is of the highest.
JOSEPH A. WEIL.
Twenty years' connection with the Peoria bar has well established Joseph A. Weil's position as a capable lawyer. He has gained distinction, especially in the field of criminal law in the middle west, and is perhaps without a peer in this branch of the profession in Peoria, his native city. He was born May 30, 1870, and is a son of I. A. and Barbetta (Herold) Weil. His youthful days were here passed without any event of special importance. Like most boys, his youth was largely devoted to the acquirement of an education and in mastering the branches of learning in the various grades he won promotion until he en- tered the Peoria high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. In the meantime he had resolved to enter upon the practice of law as a life work and with this end in view he began reading in the office and under the direction of Michael O'Shaughnessy. He afterward became a student in the law office of I. C. Edwards and, following his admission to the bar, in 1891, joined Mr. Edwards in a partnership, becoming junior member of the law firm of Edwards & Weil. That connection was continued for about three years, or until March 1, 1894, when Mr. Weil withdrew and has since practiced in- dependently.
His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and clear and concise in his appeals before the court. In no calling is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of human rights and privileges. Un- flagging application and intuitive wisdom together with a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession which stands as the stern conservator of justice. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Mr. Weil has made continuous advancement since entering upon practice and is today the strongest criminal lawyer of Peoria, nor is his reputation limited by this city. He is called to try criminal cases throughout the United States and seldom fails to win the verdict desired. He is strong and forceful in argument, impas- sioned and eloquent in his pleading and logical in his deductions.
The marriage of Mr. Weil to Miss Maud Schwabacher, a member of one of the wealthiest and most prominent families of Peoria, was celebrated in 1898 and they have become the parents of two children, Albert and Josephine. Mr. Weil is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the consistory in the Scottish Rite and also becoming a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a past master of Victor Lodge. No. 370, K. P. He
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is regarded as one of the leading members of the Creve Coeur Club and for years served on its board of directors, but finally resigned. The nature of his recreation is further indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Illinois Valley Yacht Club. In politics he is an influential factor and is now representing this district on the democratic state central commitee and is serving on its executive board. All these, however, are merely side issues in a life that is largely de- voted to his personal activities and duties. He throws himself easily and natur- ally into the argument in the trial of a case, showing a self-possession and a deliberation with no straining after effect. On the contrary there is precision and clearness in his statement, an acuteness and strength in his argument which speak a mind trained in the severest school of investigation and to which the closest reasoning has become habitual.
EZRA TOBIAS.
One of the leading insurance agencies of Peoria and eastern Illinois is that conducted under the firm style of Tobias & Company, in which Ezra Tobias is the senior partner. lle has been continuously connected with insurance in- terests since 1896 and there are few who are more thoroughly and intimately acquainted with every department of insurance, its aims and its possibilities than he. He claims Ohio as his native state, his birth having occurred near Circle- ville on the fith of October, 1847. His parents were James and Caroline (Hittell) Tobias, who removed with their family from the Buckeye state to Washington, Illinois, during the early boyhood of their son Ezra. There the father engaged in merchandising but did not confine his attention solely to com- mercial pursuits, for he also carried on farming. After a number of years he and his wife removed to Peoria, where the mother died, and the father subse- quently went to Chicago, where his last days were passed.
Ezra Tobias acquired his education in the public schools of Washington, Illinois, and also spent a year as a student in Northwestern College, then lo- cated at Plainfield, Illinois, but now at Naperville, this state. He had thus com- pleted his college work when he came to Peoria, arriving here in 1865, when a youth of seventeen years. To provide for his own support he at once sought employment, which he obtained in the wholesale and retail dry-goods estab- lishment of Day Brothers & Company. His position was that of stock boy, but he did not long continue in that humble capacity, for his industry and diligence won recognition that led to promotion. He remained with Day Brothers & Company for six years, acting for some time as clerk in the retail department. On the expiration of that period he removed to Gilman, Illinois, where he spent a few years on the farm with his parents. He then proceeded to Assumption, Illinois, where he engaged in merchandising for several years, after which he returned to Peoria. Here he was in the coal business for several years, and was also in the employ of Kingman & Company in one of their branch stores in Peoria. The firm dealt extensively in farm implements and Mr. Tobias acted as bookkeeper and cashier. He continued in that position for several years, after which he went upon the road as traveling salesman, representing an agri- cultural implement factory. While thus engaged he made his headquarters in Peoria and was for thirteen years on the road and at length entered the insur- ance field, with which he has been connected since 1896. He organized the present firm of Tobias & Company, handling all known kinds of insurance, including fire, tornado, plate glass, elevator, rent, accident, health, automobile, steam boiler, liability, burglary, fraternal and contract bonds. The firm repre- sents the leading companies not only of this country but of Europe and they
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have developed an extensive business, writing a large amount of insurance of various kinds each year.
Mr. Tobias has not only made a creditable position in business circles, but has also long been pleasantly situated in his home life. He married Miss Linda Bramble, a daughter of James Bramble, who for many years was a prominent contractor of this city, but is now deceased. Unto this marriage has been born a son, Walter W. Tobias, who is a special insurance agent for Indiana and Ohio, with headquarters at Indianapolis. He married Miss Anna McIlvaine, a daughter of Dr. Thomas W. McIlvaine, of Peoria, and they now have one child, Walter McIlvaine Tobias. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias reside at No. 901 Glen Oak avenue and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. He has a very wide acquaintance not only in this city, but throughout the state in those regions which he visited as a traveling salesman. His geniality, social disposition and personal worth have made him popular wherever he has gone. He is always considerate of the opinions of others and without bigotry, sham or pretense he has gained respect which is the merited recognition of genuine personal worth.
HENRY SANDMEYER, SR.
Henry Sandmeyer, Sr., is numbered among Peoria's builders and promoters. He has been identified with the city's interests along commercial, industrial and financial lines since 1849 and his activity and enterprise have brought him to a most prominent position in connection with those projects and movements which have constituted important factors in the city's growth. Moreover, the integrity of his business methods has commended him to the confidence and respect of all and he is today one of Peoria's most honored and valued residents. He was born in Germany, July 16, 1829, and has therefore passed the eighty- third milestone on life's journey.
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