USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. II > Part 27
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On the 26th of January, 1887, Mr. Wolfner married to Miss Sophia Wool- ner, of Peoria, and unto them have been born three children, Ira W., Rose and Josephine. Mr. Wolfner rejoices in his success because of what it enables him to do in behalf of his family and also because of the opportunity it gives him
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to aid his fellowmen. He has been most generous of his means in assisting others and both his individual and his public charities are large. Ile gives most freely and generously where it is needed and something of his activity in this relation is indicated by the fact that for many years he has held the position of president of the Hebrew Relief Association of l'eoria. He is also president of the Anshai Amuth congregation. His beneficence and his benevolence are entirely free from ostentation or display and he never limits his charity to people of his own nationality and religious faith. He holds to the belief of his fathers, yet is liberal and tolerant of the opinions of others and never regards religious faith when aid is needed. In politics he is a republican and keeps thoroughly informed concerning the vital and significant questions of the day. With him patriotism is above partisanship and the general welfare before per- sonal aggrandizement. He is indeed a man of broad sympathies and interests as well as of marked business capacity and with him commercial activity finds an even balance in his broad humanitarianism.
W. THOMAS TREWYN, M. D.
Dr. W. Thomas Trewyn, who since September, 1906, has engaged in the practice of medicine in Peoria, his office being located at No. 2522 South Adams street, came to the starting point of his profesional career well equipped for the duties which have since devolved upon him. He was born upon a farm in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, January 16, 1877, his parents being Thomas T. and Margaret Chapman (Bryant ) Trewyn, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation and devoted his entire life to the work of tilling the soil.
It was upon the old home farm that Dr. Trewyn spent his boyhood and youth and when not attending the country schools in the acquirement of a gen- eral education he devoted his attention to the work of the fields, early assisting in the labors of plowing, planting and harvesting. He afterward had the bene- fit of instruction in the state Normal School at Whitewater, Wisconsin, and entered upon the profession of teaching, which he followed for ten years, spending four years of that time as an instructor in the State Reform School for Boys, in Wisconsin. He also engaged in teaching in the public schools of Whitewater and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and proved an able educator imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which he had acquired. He felt that there was comparatively little future, however, in that profession and, thinking to find the practice of medicine more congenial and hoping also to find it more profitable, he entered the Northwestern University as a student in the medical department, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. He then served as interne in St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago for a year and during that period gained a broad and varied experience which only hospital practice can bring. The following year, or in September, 1906, he came to Peoria, where he has since remained. In a profession where advancement de- pends entirely upon individual merit he has made continuous progress and is today accounted one of the leading physicians and surgeons of South Peoria, where he has built up a very large practice. His is now serving on the staff of St. Francis Hospital and he is a member of the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, which enables him to keep in close touch with what is being done by eminent members of the medical fraternity.
Dr. Trewyn is pleasantly situated in his home life. He married Gertrude Mary Cross of Marshalltown, Iowa, and they have one son, Victor Cross. In the six years of their residence in Peoria they have become widely known and
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have gained a large circle of warm friends. Dr. Trewyn holds to high profes- sional standards and puts forth conscientious efforts to make his labors of the utmost value to his patients. That his work is attended by gratifying results is manifest in his constantly increasing patronage and that he holds to high profes- sional ethics is evidenced in the fact that his fellow practitioners always speak of him in terms of high regard.
WILLIAM H. COLEMAN.
In the history of William H. Coleman is found an example that stands in direct contradiction to the often expressed opinion that the eminently successful business man cannot be a thoroughly honest man. In all of his life Mr. Coleman has never been known to take advantage of another in a trade transaction. On the contrary, he has held to the highest standards of justice and fairness with the result that his business has grown to large proportions, but no matter what de- mands are made upon his time and energies as a contractor and builder he has always found opportunity to aid in church work and promote the moral prog- ress of his community. He was born in Ireland, July 6, 1852, and was sixteen years of age when he came alone to the new world. Favorable reports had reached him concerning the opportunities on this side of the Atlantic. He had a brother and sister who were then living in Haverstraw, New York, and he made his way direct to that place, residing there for about four years. During that period he learned the carpenter's trade, which he mastered in principle and detail, becoming an expert workman. Thinking that still better opportunities were to be secured in the Mississippi valley, he made his way to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1872, and during the year there passed, also followed carpentering. In the later part of 1873 he returned to Haverstraw where resided the lady whom he wished to make his wife. In that state he wedded Miss Elizabeth Kattyle, a native of the north of Ireland, who was residing, however, in New York city at the time of her marriage. The young couple began their domestic life in Haverstraw, where Mr. Coleman worked at carpentering until 1876, when he removed westward with his family with Peoria as his destination. After follow- ing his trade in the employ of others for a year he began contracting and build- ing on his own account. The first contract ever accorded him was for the erection of a building on First street, the lower floor to be used for business purposes and the second floor as a dwelling. He has never had a partner, but in time his ability and trustworthiness gained recognition and his patronage has steadily increased. He has done much important contract work in the city. employing a number of workmen, and his success is further indicated in the fact that he erected his own business building at Nos. 800-802 Main street, a two-story frame structure, in 1890, and also residence property on Green street. In addition he owns his own home on East Armstrong street, a resi- dence on Munson avenue, another on St. James avenue, still another on Indiana and one on Behrends streets. He has thus engaged in speculative building and from his properties he derives a good annual rental which constitutes a valua- ble addition to his income. His work has always been characterized by thor- oughness and reliability. He was the contractor for the Kingman Plow Works, also the new automobile factory for the Bartholomew Company, and the ware- house on South Washington street for the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Com- pany. These and many other important structures stand as monuments to his progressiveness, his business ability and his straightforward dealing. He takes contracts for the erection of buildings from the ground up, including the plas- tering, plumbing, etc., and makes a specialty of heavy buildings. More and more largely year by year he has come into public favor as a contractor until his pat-
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ronage is now extensive and he is one of the foremost representatives of build- ing interests in the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Coleman have gained a large circle of friends during their residence in Peoria and here they have reared their family of two sons: William H., who is sales agent for the Standard Oil Company; and John R., who is assistant manager at Peoria for the same company. The family are members of the First Congregational church and have long been most active, earnest and effective workers in behalf of the denomination. Mr. Coleman previously served as pastor of the South Peoria Congregational church and is now pastor of the Peoria Heights Congregational church. No matter how extensive or how important have been his business affairs he has never allowed material things to interfere with his religious duties and in fact he feels that he has been the more prospered as he has labored the more earnestly for the bene- fit of the church. He has organized seven different missions and Sunday schools in and near Peoria in the last thirty years, and who can measure the influence that has thus been exerted for good. He has been continuously in missionary work since coming to Peoria and in all of his efforts to advance the cause of Christianity he is ably assisted and encouraged by his wife, who has been a teacher in the Sunday school and an active helper in all lines of church work until ill health has forced her to in a measure put aside her efforts in that direction. Mr. Coleman's example is often quoted not only in Peoria but in Cleveland and in other centers as one who has found that it was possible to lead a consistent Christian life and at the same time win success. He has felt that he has been all the more prospered when his devotion to the church has been the greatest. His life demonstrates the fact that it is perfectly possible to conduct a good business and at the same time give much assistance to the more important effort of Christianizing the world. He never believes in chos- ing the second best but always in seeking that which is the highest: he has never compromised with evil or with wrong-doing in the slightest degree, but has held firmly to the standards of right, justice and truth and today enjoys that untarnished name which is to be chosen in preference to great riches.
HAROLD R. WETHERELL.
Gradually working his way upward, undeterred by obstacles and difficulties in his path, Harold R. Wetherell is now superintendent of the steam-heating department of the Peoria Gas & Electric Company, with which he has been connected for nine years, having charge of the heating system for about six years. Peoria claims him as a native son, his birth having here occurred on the 29th of July, 1884. His parents are E. and Caroline Wetherell, both of whom are still living. The father was engaged in the electrical business, also conducting an awning and gear works, and is a practical mechanic. For half a century he has been a resident of this city and has become known as a leading representative of mechanical pursuits.
Harold R. Wetherell was reared in Peoria and attended the public schools until he entered Bradley Polytechnic Institute, from which he was in due time graduated. He afterward worked for the Acme Harvester Company for seven months as draughtsman and also spent several months with the McAleenan Boiler Works in the same capacity. He next entered the employ of what is now the Peoria Gas & Electric Company and has since continued with this corpora- tion. He was with the old General Electric Company as draughtsman and later had charge of construction work, steam work, etc. He continued with the Peoria Gas & Electric Company when it took over all of the business of the General Electric Company, his ability being recognized by the new manage-
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ment. In the summer months he has at times from fifty to 100 men under his supervision, but in the winter seasons only ten or fifteen men are employed. He is thoroughly acquainted with the great scientific principles which underly his branch of the work which, added to his practical experience, has made him particularly well qualified to discharge the duties that now devolve upon him. He does a great deal of steam heating work and engineering on the outside and it was he who made the plans for the heating system in the new Jefferson Hotel. He also made the plans for the separate plant to heat the building for the Bradley Polytechnic Institute.
On the 7th of November, 1911, Mr. Wetherell was united in marriage to Miss Jean Barnhardt, of this city, a daughter of Samuel Barnhardt. In his leisure hours Mr. Wetherell enjoys manly outdoor and athletic sports and is a member of the Peoria Canoe Club. He stands as a splendid type of the progres- sive young business man who at the outset of his career recognizes the fact that there is no royal road to wealth. He felt that his advancement must de- pend upon individual efforts and ability and he has concentrated his labors along the lines that have been the most resultant. He is thoroughly conver- sant with the various lines of work that come under his direction and his long practical experience well enables him to direct the labors of his subordinates.
FRANK G. GODEL.
Frank G. Godel is president of the Behrends Ice & Fuel Company of Peoria, his place of business being at the corner of Apple and South Washington streets. His identification with the company covers three years, during two years of which period he has served as president, and as active manager has so directed its interests and growth as to win substantial success. He has always followed constructive methods in his business, never taking advantage of the necessities of another but in the legitimate lines of trade winning his prosperity.
Mr. Godel was born in Peoria on the 7th of May, 1863, his father being Eberhard Godel, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and for many years a prominent, influential and honored resident of this city. He came to Peoria in 1855 and after residing here for two years removed to Burlington, Iowa. After a brief period, however, he returned to this city in 1867 and became the founder of the large Godel Packing Company, one of the important manufactur- ing interests of the city. For many years he occupied a prominent position in business circles here and on the Ioth of August, 1887. passed to the life beyond. His wife, who was a native of Pennsylvania, survived him for many years, her death occurring in July, 1910, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Frank G. Godel was reared in Peoria and attended the local schools, thus acquiring a fair English education which fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. He then entered his father's packing house of which his eldest brother, George Godel, was the first president after the business was in- corporated. Upon the death of his brother Frank G. Godel succeeded to the presidency and for fifteen years remained at the head of that business, his capa- ble direction of its affairs proving a substantial and gratifying source of success. He mastered the business in principle and detail, acquainting himself with every feature of the trade, and in the course of years developed a business that reached extensive and gratifying proportions. At length. however, he turned his atten- tion to the ice and fuel business, becoming interested in the Behrends Ice & Fuel Company in 1908. A year later he was elected to the presidency and has since bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control. His son Walter is vice president of the company with J. W. Wickler, secretary and treasurer. They handle both natural and artificial ice, having erected their plant
FRANK G, GODEL
AS U TILDEN F
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for the manufacture of ice in 1911. They also handle every kind of fuel and conduct a cold storage warehouse. The business in its various departments is meeting with substantial success, the energy and enterprise of the owners con- stituting a feature of growth that makes this one of the important manufacturing and commercial interests of Peoria.
Mr. Godel was united in marriage to Miss Emily Thiene. of this city, a daughter of John Thiene, and unto them have been born five children, namely : Edna, the wife of Herman Stanhope, of Peoria; and Irma, Walter, Alma and Olga, all yet at home. Mr. Godel belongs to the Masonic fraternity in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. He is likewise a member of the Mystic Shrine and also holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Creve Coeur Club. His life has been one of continuous activity in which he has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identi- fied with those of Peoria, his native city, in which his entire life has been passed. and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful de- velopment.
MICHAEL R. HALLIGAN.
Michael R. Halligan is the sole proprietor of the business conducted under the name of the People's Transfer & Baggage Company, with offices at No. 115 Depot street, Peoria. Since embarking upon this line of activity he has met with notable success, his capable management and unfaltering enterprise develop- ing a business of large proportions. He was born in Peoria, August 30, 1887, a son of Michael and Julia Halligan. His grandfather, Stephen Halligan, came from Ireland to America about 1830 and served as a soldier in the Civil war. His son, Michael Halligan, Sr., father of our subject, was a boiler manufacturer, operating for many years in Peoria. He was also commissioner of public works in this city for some time, and in politics was a stanch democrat. His death oc- curred in 1894, at the age of forty-seven years, and he was buried at St. Mary's cemetery, Peoria. His wife is still living and now makes her home in this city.
Michael R. Halligan, whose name introduces this review, was reared in Peoria, here attending the public schools until his graduation from Spalding Institute in 1903. He then entered the employ of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, having worked his way up in the business world from the position of office boy to an assistant cashiership. After holding that position for one year he purchased a small baggage and bus business from W. F. Saurer and from that small beginning built up the business to its present proportions, it be- ing one of the largest of its kind in Peoria at the present time. The business was established only three years ago, at which time he used but two teams. It is now the second largest transfer business in the city, using twenty teams and transferring freight for one hundred and fifty business houses, while handling more personal trunks than any firm in the city. Mr. Halligan, who is the presi- dent and manager of the concern, is contemplating a material increase in the equipment of the business, and what he has already accomplished argues well for future growth and success. His slogan has been "two men to every trunk." thus avoiding all scratching of stairways or walls, and the excellent service which he has rendered has been the prominent feature in his success, winning for him a constantly increasing patronage.
Politically Mr. Halligan is independent, preferring to vote for those candi- Vol. II-12
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dates for political office who seem to him best fitted for the place to which they aspire. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and also of the Elite Club. He makes his home with his mother at 400 Third avenue. In building up the large and successful business which he now enjoys he attributes his success principally to energy and ambition. The public char- acter of his business has made him well acquainted throughout Peoria and the careful attention which he gives to all business entrusted to him has served in a very large degree to build up the undertaking to its present proportions.
THEODORE H. PAGE, M. D.
Dr. Theodore H. Page is junior member of the firm of Kruse & Page, ocu- lists and aurists of Peoria. He is numbered among the alumni of Rush Medical College of Chicago and has been a representative of the medical profession in Peoria since 1906. He was born in Jerseyville, Illinois, March 10, 1875, a son of J. M. and Sarah M. Page, the former well known in journalistic circles. His course was pursued, as previously stated, in Rush Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. The following year was spent in special service in the Cook County Hospital and in the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago, and his varied experiences there made him particularly well qualified for the onerous duties of private practice. He came into contact with the most eminent and capable physicians and surgeons of the city and acquainted himself with their methods. In 1899 he entered upon general practice, opening an office in St. Louis, where he remained until he came to Peoria in 1906. He holds to the highest standards of the profession and has taken post graduate work in some of the best colleges of the country. He is now devoting his time and atten- tion exclusively to the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat and has been very successful as an oculist, aurist and laryngologist. His office is in the Herald-Transcript building and his practice is now very extensive. His suite of rooms is equipped with the latest appliances to further his work.
In 1904 Dr. Page was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda Heidrich, of Peoria, a daughter of Edward C. Heidrich, president of the Peoria Coardage Company, of this city, and they have two children, Frances and Theodore. Dr. Page has high social as well as professional standing and is a member of the Creve Coeur and the Country Clubs. He has passed through various degrees. in Masonry to the thirty-second degree in the consistory and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Peoria City Medical Society, the Illi- nois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and is thor- oughly conversant with the work of those organizations.
CYRUS MINOR AVERY.
In the city of Galesburg, where many years of his life were passed, Cyrus Minor Avery was widely known and his many attractive social qualities and admirable characteristics gained for him the friendship and kindly regard of all with whom he came in contact. He was one of Galesburg's native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 19th of June, 1846, when the city was but a small town and outlying districts of the state were largely undeveloped and unim- proved. His parents were George and Saraphena Princess Mary (Phelps) Avery, both natives of the state of New York. The father was born in New
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Lebanon and was a representative in the seventh generation of a family that traces its ancestry back to Christopher Avery, the line coming down through James, Thomas, Abraham, Nathan and William Thomas to George. As a young man the last named came to the west. arriving in Galesburg in 1837. Here he built the second house in what was then known as Log City. Later the place of his abode, now on West Main street, came to be called the Avery farm. There he followed general agricultural pursuits at a time when the most fore- sighted could not have dreamed that his place would one day be near the very heart of the enterprising city. The lady whom he afterward made his wife came to the west with her brother and mother, settling in Knoxville, where they were married. For many years Mr. Avery continued to engage in general farm- ing but at length retired and took up his abode within the limits of Galesburg, living on North Cherry street. There the fruits of his former toil supplied him with the necessities and comforts of life up to the time of his death, which occurred on the Ist of January, 1884. His wife also died at the Cherry street home. They were members of the First Congregational church, in the work of which they took active and helpful part, Mr. Avery serving as deacon for many years. His political indorsement was given to the republican party. In the family were six children: Robert H., who died September 13, 1892; Mary, the wife of W. R. Butcher, living at Roodhouse. Illinois; John T., who died August 11, 1905, at Galesburg; Cyrus M .: Phoebe T., who is now living in Biloxi, Mississippi: and George, also of Biloxi.
Cyrus M. Avery was educated in the public schools of Galesburg and in Knox College, where he completed his course with the class of 1868. He work- ed with his father on the farm for a time and was early trained to habits of industry and diligence. He afterward engaged in the manufacturing business and made for himself a creditable position in trade circles in his native city. Early in the 'zos he joined his brother, Robert Hanneman Avery, in the es- tablishment of a plant for the manufacture of agricultural implements in Gales- burg. The brother had been a soldier in the Civil War, was captured and was held as a prisoner at Andersonville, where he spent many otherwise idle hours in drawing in the sand of the prison yard designs of agricultural implements which he began to make soon after his release, the first being a stalk cutter and a corn planter. When the plans of the brothers were perfected for the conduct of an agricultural implement manufactory, they began business under the style of R. H. & C. M. Avery, operating their plant at Galesburg until 1882, when they went to Peoria and made arrangements for removing their factory to the latter city. There the enterprise was developed into a very large corporation known as the Avery Company. In 1883, after the removal of the business to Peoria, the Avery Planter Company was organized with a capital of two hun- dred thousand dollars. Ten years later the authorized capital was incresed to three hundred thousand dollars, and in 1900 the name was changed to the Avery Manufacturing Company, at which time the capital stock was increased to one million dollars. The business continued to grow and is now capital- ized for two million, five hundred thousand dollars. The plant is one of the most extensive and prominent productive industries of Peoria, with business connections that reach out to all parts of the world. C. M. Avery continued active in the management and control of the interests at Peoria until 1902, when he returned to his native city and erected here a large, comfortable and attractive modern residence. The remainder of his life was divided between the two cities of Galesburg and Peoria, although he regarded the former as his home.
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